Chapter CXIII And first, of the love that he had specially toward the birds that are called crested larks, for that in them was the similitude of a good Religious Whollywrapped up in the love of God, the Blessed Francis did
Complete three-work composite: CCEL Fioretti; Salter 1904 Life and Miracles; Evans 1899 / Goretti 2025 Mirror
Part XII The Twelfth Part, of His Love Toward Creatures and of Creatures Toward Him Chapter CXIII And first, of the love that he had specially toward the birds that are called crested larks, for that in them was the similitude of a good Religious Whollywrapped up in the love of God, the Blessed Francis did
perfectly discern the goodness of God not only in his own soul,
now adorned with every perfection of godliness, but also in every creature whatsoever, by reason whereof he was affected with a singular and overflowing love toward the creatures, more especially those wherein seemed to him to be a figure of aught that is of God or aught pertaining unto Religion. Whence above all other birds did he love the crested lark, the little bird that in the vulgar tongue is calledlodela capellata, and he would say of her: “Sister lark hath a hood like the Religious, and an humble bird is she, for she gladly goeth by the way to find her a few grains of corn, and so she findeth them even among the dung, she taketh them therefrom and eateth them. When she soareth, she doth praise God right sweetly, even as the good Religious that doth look down on earthly things, whose conversation is evermore in Heaven, and whose intent is always toward the praise of God. Her garments, to wit, her feathers, are like unto the earth, and she giveth example unto the Religious that they wear not delicate and gaudy garments, but such as be vile in price and color even as the earth is viler than the other elements.”
And for that he did perceive these similitudes in them, he did most gladly look upon them. Therefore it pleased the Lord that these most holy birdies should show some token of the love they bore unto him in the hour of his death. For on the Saturday evening after vespers, before the night wherein he passed away unto the Lord, a great multitude of birds of this kind that are called larks came above the roof of the house wherein he lay, and flying a little way off did make a wheel: after the manner of a circle round the roof, and by their sweet singing did seem to be praising the Lord along with him.