The Franciscan Poets in Italy of the Thirteenth Century: Translated and Annotated by A.E. Nellen and N.C Craig.

"THE HIDDEN TRUTHS OF FRANCISCAN LITERATURE"

First edition of this first English translation of Blessed Frederick Ozanam's study of medieval Franciscan literature—illustrated with portraits of St. Francis and St. Clare (after Tiberio D'Assisi) and Blessed Jacopone da Todi. This copy with the bookplate of J. Slingsby Roberts (the translator of this edition's "The Canticle of the Sun" and "The Ode to St. Clare") and the label of Samuel Weiser, the Occult bookseller then located at 845 Broadway on New York City's "Book Row."

These studies, the "chief literary work" of Ozanam (the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society), focus on the devotional verse of St. Francis of Assisi (The Canticle of the Sun) and his early disciples, especially the writings of Clare of Assisi and Jacopone da Todi (Stabat Mater Dolorosa). With an Introduction by Amy E. Nellen, declaring "To Ozanam we are indebted for the discovery of the importance of Jacopone—that Laureate of Folly—who was content to win for himself scorn and derision, and to be judged a fool in the eyes of the world in order to win wisdom in the sight of God." Consists of five sections: Chapter I. Popular Poetry in Italy before and after St. Francis, Chapter II. St. Francis, Chapter III. The First Followers of St. Francis, Chapter IV. Jacopone Da Todi, The Mystic Poet, Chapter V. The Poems of Jacopone. Each chapter is supplemented with extensive endnotes. A handsome copy with interesting provenance.