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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。 The
Spirit （who to Nino； when he call'd； Had come）； from viewing me with
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fixed ken； Through all that conflict； loosen'd not his sight。 〃So may the
lamp； which leads thee up on high； Find； in thy destin'd lot； of wax so
much； As may suffice thee to the enamel's height。〃 It thus began： 〃If any
certain news Of Valdimagra and the neighbour part Thou know'st； tell me；
who once was mighty there They call'd me Conrad Malaspina； not That
old one； but from him I sprang。 The love I bore my people is now here
refin'd。〃 〃In your dominions；〃 I answer'd； 〃ne'er was I。 But through all
Europe where do those men dwell； To whom their glory is not manifest？
The fame； that honours your illustrious house； Proclaims the nobles and
proclaims the land； So that he knows it who was never there。 I swear to
you； so may my upward route Prosper！ your honour'd nation not impairs
The value of her coffer and her sword。 Nature and use give her such
privilege； That while the world is twisted from his course By a bad head；
she only walks aright； And has the evil way in scorn。〃 He then： 〃Now
pass thee on： sev'n times the tired sun Revisits not the couch； which with
four feet The forked Aries covers； ere that kind Opinion shall be nail'd into
thy brain With stronger nails than other's speech can drive； If the sure
course of judgment be not stay'd。〃
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CANTO IX
Now the fair consort of Tithonus old； Arisen from her mate's beloved
arms； Look'd palely o'er the eastern cliff： her brow； Lucent with jewels；
glitter'd； set in sign Of that chill animal； who with his train Smites fearful
nations： and where then we were； Two steps of her ascent the night had
past； And now the third was closing up its wing； When I； who had so much
of Adam with me； Sank down upon the grass； o'ercome with sleep； There
where all five were seated。 In that hour； When near the dawn the
swallow her sad lay； Rememb'ring haply ancient grief； renews； And with
our minds more wand'rers from the flesh； And less by thought restrain'd
are； as 't were； full Of holy divination in their dreams； Then in a vision did
I seem to view A golden…feather'd eagle in the sky； With open wings； and
hov'ring for descent； And I was in that place； methought； from whence
Young Ganymede； from his associates 'reft； Was snatch'd aloft to the high
consistory。 〃Perhaps；〃 thought I within me； 〃here alone He strikes his
quarry； and elsewhere disdains To pounce upon the prey。〃 Therewith； it
seem'd； A little wheeling in his airy tour Terrible as the lightning rush'd he
down； And snatch'd me upward even to the fire。 There both； I thought； the
eagle and myself Did burn； and so intense th' imagin'd flames； That needs
my sleep was broken off。 As erst Achilles shook himself； and round him
roll'd His waken'd eyeballs wond'ring where he was； Whenas his mother
had from Chiron fled To Scyros； with him sleeping in her arms； E'en thus I
shook me； soon as from my face The slumber parted； turning deadly pale；
Like one ice…struck with dread。 Solo at my side My comfort stood： and
the bright sun was now More than two hours aloft： and to the sea My
looks were turn'd。 〃Fear not；〃 my master cried； 〃Assur'd we are at happy
point。 Thy strength Shrink not； but rise dilated。 Thou art come To
Purgatory now。 Lo！ there the cliff That circling bounds it！ Lo！ the
entrance there； Where it doth seem disparted！ Ere the dawn Usher'd the
daylight； when thy wearied soul Slept in thee； o'er the flowery vale
beneath A lady came； and thus bespake me： 〃I Am Lucia。 Suffer me to
take this man； Who slumbers。 Easier so his way shall speed。〃 Sordello
and the other gentle shapes Tarrying； she bare thee up： and； as day shone；
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This summit reach'd： and I pursued her steps。 Here did she place thee。
First her lovely eyes That open entrance show'd me； then at once She
vanish'd with thy sleep。〃 Like one； whose doubts Are chas'd by certainty；
and terror turn'd To comfort on discovery of the truth； Such was the
change in me： and as my guide Beheld me fearless； up along the cliff He
mov'd； and I behind him； towards the height。 Reader！ thou markest
how my theme doth rise； Nor wonder therefore； if more artfully I prop the
structure！ Nearer now we drew； Arriv'd' whence in that part； where first a
breach As of a wall appear'd； I could descry A portal； and three step