A Translation of Dante's Inferno Author:Dante Alighieri Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: i 8 CANTO II. " To man's intelligence it seemoth good, " Since he of mighty Rome and of her pow'r, 20 " In the Empyrean was elected Sire ; " Both of ... more »which were (and the truth must be told), " For ever stablish'd in the Holy Place " Where greater Peter's great Successor sits. " During his progress—honour'd by thy song, 35 " He heard of things whence in their order sprang " His own great vict'ry and the Papal Robe. " There too in time the Chosen Vessel went " To fetch from thence assurance of that faith " Which is our entrance to Salvation's path. 30 " But I!—why go I there ?—who gives me right ? " Eneas I am not—I am no Paul! " That I am worthy I nor others think ! " For if I fearless should the venture dare, " I fear the venture may my folly prove. 35 " Thy wisdom better than my reas'ning knows."— And as with him unwishing what he wish'd, Who changes purpose as new thoughts arise, So that his first intentions pass away ; It was with me when on that coast obscure ; 40 For as thought grew, the enterprise was lost, Which at the first so quickly I desir'd. " If I thy words have rightly understood," Then answer'd me that shade magnanimous,— " Thy spirit is by cowardice unstrung, 45 " By which man oft is hinder'd and beset, " So that he turns away from honour's call, " As a beast starts, by vision false deceiv'd. " That from this fear thou may'st thyself absolve, " I tell thee why I came—what I did hear, go " Ev'n at the moment first for thee I griev'd. " Among the Souls suspended, lo I was ! " A Lady called me, beautiful and bless'd, " So that my wish did long for her command. " Her eyes were brighter than the stars of light; 55 " And she began to speak softly and low, " And her discourse was as an a...« less