Dante Alighieri
translation: Rev. H. F. Cary

THE DIVINE COMEDY - The Vision of Paradise, Purgatory and Hell
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CANTO VIII

 Now was the hour that wakens fond desire
 In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart,
 Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell,
 And pilgrim newly on his road with love
 Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far,
 That seems to mourn for the expiring day:
 When I, no longer taking heed to hear
 Began, with wonder, from those spirits to mark
 One risen from its seat, which with its hand
 Audience implor'd. Both palms it join'd and rais'd,
 Fixing its steadfast gaze towards the east,
 As telling God, "I care for naught beside."
      "Te Lucis Ante," so devoutly then
 Came from its lip, and in so soft a strain,
 That all my sense in ravishment was lost.
 And the rest after, softly and devout,
 Follow'd through all the hymn, with upward gaze
 Directed to the bright supernal wheels.
      Here, reader! for the truth makes thine eyes keen:
 For of so subtle texture is this veil,
 That thou with ease mayst pass it through unmark'd.
      I saw that gentle band silently next
 Look up, as if in expectation held,
 Pale and in lowly guise; and from on high
 I saw forth issuing descend beneath
 Two angels with two flame-illumin'd swords,
 Broken and mutilated at their points.
 Green as the tender leaves but newly born,
 Their vesture was, the which by wings as green
 Beaten, they drew behind them, fann'd in air.
 A little over us one took his stand,
 The other lighted on the' Opposing hill,
 So that the troop were in the midst contain'd.
      Well I descried the whiteness on their heads;
 But in their visages the dazzled eye
 Was lost, as faculty that by too much
 Is overpower'd.  "From Mary's bosom both
 Are come," exclaim'd Sordello, "as a guard
 Over the vale, ganst him, who hither tends,
 The serpent."  Whence, not knowing by which path
 He came, I turn'd me round, and closely press'd,
 All frozen, to my leader's trusted side.
      Sordello paus'd not: "To the valley now
 (For it is time) let us descend; and hold
 Converse with those great shadows: haply much
 Their sight may please ye."  Only three steps down
 Methinks I measur'd, ere I was beneath,
 And noted one who look'd as with desire
 To know me.  Time was now that air arrow dim;
 Yet not so dim, that 'twixt his eyes and mine
 It clear'd not up what was conceal'd before.
 Mutually tow'rds each other we advanc'd.
 Nino, thou courteous judge! what joy I felt,
 When I perceiv'd thou wert not with the bad!
      No salutation kind on either part
 Was left unsaid.  He then inquir'd: "How long
 Since thou arrived'st at the mountain's foot,
 Over the distant waves?"—"O!" answer'd I,
 "Through the sad seats of woe this morn I came,
 And still in my first life, thus journeying on,
 The other strive to gain."  Soon as they heard
 My words, he and Sordello backward drew,
 As suddenly amaz'd.  To Virgil one,
 The other to a spirit turn'd, who near
 Was seated, crying: "Conrad! up with (...)
(......)