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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DIVINA COMMEDIA: PURGATORIO. THE CELESTIAL PILOT, by DANTE ALIGHIERI Poet's Biography First Line: And now, behold! As at the approach of morning Last Line: And he departed swiftly as he came. Alternate Author Name(s): Dante; Alighieri, Dante | |||
And now, behold! as at the approach of morning, Through the gross vapors, Mars grows fiery red Down in the west upon the ocean floor Appeared to me,--may I again behold it! A light along the sea, so swiftly coming, Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled. And when therefrom I had withdrawn a little Mine eyes, that I might question my conductor, Again I saw it brighter grown and larger. Thereafter, on all sides of it, appeared I knew not what of white, and underneath, Little by little, there came forth another. My master yet had uttered not a word, While the first whiteness into wings unfolded; But, when he clearly recognized the pilot, He cried aloud: "Quick, quick, and bow the knee! Behold the Angel of God! fold up thy hands! Henceforward shalt thou see such officers! See, how he scorns all human arguments, So that no oar he wants, nor other sail Than his own wings, between so distant shores! See, how he holds them, pointed straight to heaven, Fanning the air with the eternal pinions, That do not moult themselves like mortal hair!" And then, as nearer and more near us came The Bird of Heaven, more glorious he appeared, So that the eye could not sustain his presence, But down I cast it; and he came to shore With a small vessel, gliding swift and light, So that the water swallowed naught thereof. Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot! Beatitude seemed written in his face! And more than a hundred spirits sat within. "In exitu Israel de Aegypto!" Thus sang they all together in one voice, With whatso in that Psalm is after written. Then made he sign of holy rood upon them, Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore, And he departed swiftly as he came. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI by DANTE ALIGHIERI BALLATA: 9. HE WILL GAZE UPON BEATRICE by DANTE ALIGHIERI CANZONE: 17. HE BESEECHES DEATH FOR THE LIFE OF BEATRICE by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: INFERNO. CANTO 3 by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: INFERNO. UGOLINO by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: PARADISO. CANTO 14. THE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: PARADISO. CANTO 31. THE SAINTS IN GLORY by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: PARADISO. CANTO 7. SIN AND REDEMPTION by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: PURGATORIO. BEATRICE by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: PURGATORIO. CANTO 11. PRAYER OF PENITENTS by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: PURGATORIO. CANTO 16. MAN'S FREE WILL by DANTE ALIGHIERI DIVINA COMMEDIA: PURGATORIO. CANTO 27. FIRE OF PURIFICATION by DANTE ALIGHIERI |
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