THE DIVINE COMEDY: Inferno, Purgatorio & Paradiso (3 Classic Translations in One Edition). Dante Alighieri

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       Yet cloth'd in corruptible flesh, among

       Th' immortal tribes had entrance, and was there

       Sensible present. Yet if heaven's great Lord,

       Almighty foe to ill, such favour shew'd,

       In contemplation of the high effect,

       Both what and who from him should issue forth,

       It seems in reason's judgment well deserv'd:

       Sith he of Rome, and of Rome's empire wide,

       In heaven's empyreal height was chosen sire:

       Both which, if truth be spoken, were ordain'd

       And 'stablish'd for the holy place, where sits

       Who to great Peter's sacred chair succeeds.

       He from this journey, in thy song renown'd,

       Learn'd things, that to his victory gave rise

       And to the papal robe. In after-times

       The chosen vessel also travel'd there,

       To bring us back assurance in that faith,

       Which is the entrance to salvation's way.

       But I, why should I there presume? or who

       Permits it? not, Aeneas I nor Paul.

       Myself I deem not worthy, and none else

       Will deem me. I, if on this voyage then

       I venture, fear it will in folly end.

       Thou, who art wise, better my meaning know'st,

       Than I can speak." As one, who unresolves

       What he hath late resolv'd, and with new thoughts

       Changes his purpose, from his first intent

       Remov'd; e'en such was I on that dun coast,

       Wasting in thought my enterprise, at first

       So eagerly embrac'd. "If right thy words

       I scan," replied that shade magnanimous,

       "Thy soul is by vile fear assail'd, which oft

       So overcasts a man, that he recoils

       From noblest resolution, like a beast

       At some false semblance in the twilight gloom.

       That from this terror thou mayst free thyself,

       I will instruct thee why I came, and what

       I heard in that same instant, when for thee

       Grief touch'd me first. I was among the tribe,

       Who rest suspended, when a dame, so blest

       And lovely, I besought her to command,

       Call'd me; her eyes were brighter than the star

       Of day; and she with gentle voice and soft

       Angelically tun'd her speech address'd:

       "O courteous shade of Mantua! thou whose fame

       Yet lives, and shall live long as nature lasts!

       A friend, not of my fortune but myself,

       On the wide desert in his road has met

       Hindrance so great, that he through fear has turn'd.

       Now much I dread lest he past help have stray'd,

       And I be ris'n too late for his relief,

       From what in heaven of him I heard. Speed now,

       And by thy eloquent persuasive tongue,

       And by all means for his deliverance meet,

       Assist him. So to me will comfort spring.

       I who now bid thee on this errand forth

       Am Beatrice; from a place I come.