Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO DANTE, by VITTORIO AMEDEO ALFIERI



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO DANTE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Great father, alighieri, if from the skies
Last Line: "to meet with such, pass by nor deign a glance."
Subject(s): Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)


"GREAT father Alighieri, if from the skies
This thy disciple prostrate thou dost see
Before thy gravestone, shaken with deep sighs,
O turn thou not in wrathfulness from me!
O of thy kindness, favouring pure desires,
Illuminate me with a ray of thine;
Must who to pristine, deathless fame aspires
Take arms 'gainst envy and each fell design?"
"I did so, son, to my great sorrow, for
Thereby the names of men too vile to tread
Under my feet are heard for evermore.
If thou dost trust in me, why droop thy head?
Go thunder, triumph, and if thou shouldst chance
To meet with such, pass by nor deign a glance."





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