Nelle paludi di Venezia [English translation]

To the marshes of Venice, Francesco then came

In in the company of another friar

Crossed them….

He was returning from the East

That in that place he stopped,

Evening came and it was time to pray.

Flocks of black birds

On the branches were

Loudly singing….

It seemed that this clangour

Was the praise

Of their Creator.

So Francis in thoses marshes

With the birds wanted to pray

And in the midst of the crowd

He walked…

Fading between those cries

The echo of his footsteps,

The voice of his prayer….

"I beg you to be silent"

And the silence fell over the marshes.

And no one sang

Until Francis stopped praying

And he left...