Ice VIII. She-wolf >nified in Danished.

he merethroughI novel in the first o vii. 7; adiso ix. represent 2.) Thus Eschyas. And (60.) To

e is dark

ca nocte

bi, neque gate. A

o d'ogni

eglected Milton, Though

the type etry em

ntiquity. genial to

e succes

he only

one go

vernment. By means of a poem, which should exhibit to kind the sufferings of the Popes in the next world for conduct in the present, which had demoralized Italy, recommends Dante (line 91) to liberate himself and his co from the opposition of the Wolf. And having made an i nary journey to hell before, he was, he says, acquainte the way. Dante, having chosen poetry as the means of r ing, as it were, the secrets of the next world, there is no culty in understanding why the greatest moral poet sho selected, though a heathen, as his guide and master. the link between the old world and the new-between and Christian Rome. Yet though he is supposed to hav phesied the coming of our Saviour, (“Magnus ab integro -Eclog. iv. 7,) by many of the Fathers, he is not deemed v of conducting Dante further than Purgatory. Virgil, or h Wisdom, then disappears; and Beatrice, or heavenly Wi takes her place, to guide the Christian Poet into Pa (70.) The " ancor che fosse tardi" of the originalis very ob (78.) "Thou shalt show me the path of life: in thy prese the fulness of joy; and at thy right hand there is pleasu evermore."-Psalm xvi, 12.

Page 5. (Line 91.) i.e. Any direct opposition to the will be fruitless. A poem must be written which shal the true character and conduct of the Roman Pontiffs, a necessity of bringing them back to their original condit spiritual Pastors, by stripping them of their wealt usurped temporal power. (100.) i.e. To the kings of the -alluding to the mercenary alliances of the Popes with (See Revelations xvii. 2.) (101.) Can Grande della Lord of Verona, who did not however live to fulfil th phecy here made, that he would rescue Italy from the ty

of Rome, and extend his dominion from the city of Feltro in the Marca Trivigiana to Montefeltro in Romagna. (106.) "Humilemque videmus Italiam."-Æn. iii. 522.

Page 6. (110.) "Through envy of the devil came death into the world."-Wisdom ii. 24. (113.) i.e. Through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, as severally described in the following lines. (122.) Beatrice, or Heavenly Wisdom.-In his youth Dante became enamoured with a lady of this name, whose premature death so strengthened and exalted his affection, that he never ceased to regard her with the deepest devotion, and to look upon her in the light of a guardian angel. (126.) The new Jerusalem,-whither Virgil is not thought worthy to guide Dante. (127.) "The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven, and his kingdom ruleth over all."-Psalm ciii. 19. There is a strong antithesis in both these passages: God's dominion is in all parts; but his seat is in heaven. (133.) The gate of Purgatory,-leading also to Paradise. See Lombardi; Purgatorio

xxi. 54.

"And now St. Peter at heaven's wicket seems

To wait them with his keys."-Par. Lost, B. iii.

Feltro in (106.)

eath into

, Purgang lines.

h Dante

emature

he never to look

The new

Lo guide heaven, here is a ion is in of Purrgatorio

ii.

CANTO II.

ARGUMENT.

VIRGIL relieves the fears of Dante, relating how he had sent to his assistance by Beatrice. He accompanies h the gate of Hell.

THE day was closing, and the dusky air

On all the creatures of the earth bestow'd
Rest from their labours :-I alone prepare
To struggle against pity, and to dare

A conflict with the horrors of the road,
Which an unerring memory shall declare.
O Muse, O lofty Genius, grant your aid :-
O Memory-faithful record of the past-
Be here thy true nobility display'd.
"Poet," I then began, "my honour'd guide,
O trust me not in an attempt so vast,
Until my strength and virtue have been tried.

Thy verse relates how Sylvius' parent gain'd
Immortal realms, while yet corruptible,
And still in bonds of human flesh detain'd.
If then the great Antagonist of ill

Regarded him with favour-whoso well
The mighty destinies he should fulfil
Considers, will that special favour rate,

As not undue to one ordain'd to be

Father of Rome, and her imperial state;There, where the holy place, if truth be told,

Was instituted by divine decree

As the high seat Saint Peter's heir should hold.

In that descent, made famous in thy rhyme,

He heard the announcement of his victory, And of the Papal See in coming time. Next went the chosen vessel,' to convey

Comfort to those, who on that faith rely

And like to one who swerves from his intent,

Changing his purpose as fresh thoughts succeed,
Till his original design is spent ;

Such I became on that benighted coast;
So that my enterprise, commenced with speed,
Amid a crowd of idle thoughts was lost.
"If rightly I thy meaning understand,"
The poet of exalted soul replied,

"By coward fear thy spirit is unmann'd;
Fear that ofttimes doth so weigh down the heart,
It makes man turn from nobler deeds aside,
Like beasts that at some fancied object start.
From this alarm that thou may'st be relieved,

The reason why I came will I declare,
And what I heard when first for thee I grieved.-
'Mid those in Limbo was I dwelling still,

When I was call'd by one so blest and fair,
That I entreated her to speak her will.

Her

eyes

shone brighter than the stars on high; And on mine ear in her own accents fell Tones soft and sweet of angel harmony:

'O Mantuan poet! kind and courteous soul!

Whose honour'd memory yet on earth doth dwell
And shall endure till ages cease to roll ;-