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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LA VIA NUOVA: 15 by DANTE ALIGHIERI

First Line: I FELT A SPIRIT OF LOVE BEGIN TO STIR
Last Line: THE SECOND LOVE, SHE IS SO LIKE TO ME.'

I FELT a spirit of love begin to stir
Within my heart, long time unfelt till then;
And saw Love coming towards me fair and fain,
(That I scarce knew him for his joyful cheer),
Saying, 'Be now indeed my worshipper!'
And in his speech he laugh'd and laugh'd again.
Then, while it was his pleasure to remain,
I chanced to look the way he had drawn near,
And saw the Ladies Joan and Beatrice
Approach me, this the other following,
One and a second marvel instantly.
And even as now my memory speaketh this,
Love spake it then: 'The first is christen'd Spring,
The Second Love, she is so like to me.'



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