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

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       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 speed:

       Come, see what of his grace high God hath will'd."

       Then turning round to me: "By that rare mark

       Of honour which thou ow'st to him, who hides

       So deeply his first cause, it hath no ford,

       When thou shalt be beyond the vast of waves.

       Tell my Giovanna, that for me she call

       There, where reply to innocence is made.

       Her mother, I believe, loves me no more;

       Since she has chang'd the white and wimpled folds,

       Which she is doom'd once more with grief to wish.

       By her it easily may be perceiv'd,

       How long in women lasts the flame of love,

       If sight and touch do not relume it oft.

       For her so fair a burial will not make

       The viper which calls Milan to the field,

       As had been made by shrill Gallura's bird."

       He spoke, and in his visage took the stamp

       Of that right seal, which with due temperature

       Glows in the bosom. My insatiate eyes

       Meanwhile to heav'n had travel'd, even there

       Where the bright stars are slowest, as a wheel

       Nearest the axle; when my guide inquir'd:

       "What there aloft, my son, has caught thy gaze?"

       I answer'd: "The three torches, with which here

       The pole is all on fire." He then to me:

       "The four resplendent stars, thou saw'st this morn

       Are there beneath, and these ris'n in their stead."

       While yet he spoke. Sordello to himself

       Drew him, and cry'd: "Lo there our enemy!"

       And with his hand pointed that way to look.

       Along the side, where barrier none arose

       Around the little vale, a serpent lay,

       Such haply as gave Eve the bitter food.

       Between the grass and flowers, the evil snake

       Came on, reverting oft his lifted head;

       And, as a beast that smoothes its polish'd coat,

       Licking his hack. I saw not, nor can tell,

       How those celestial falcons from their seat

       Mov'd, but in motion each one well descried,

       Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes.

       The serpent fled; and to their stations back

       The angels up return'd with equal flight.