Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LA VIA NUOVA: 14, by DANTE ALIGHIERI Poet's Biography First Line: A very pitiful lady, very young Last Line: That she appeared to say, 'I am at peace.' Alternate Author Name(s): Dante; Alighieri, Dante | ||||||||
A VERY pitiful lady, very young, Exceeding rich in human sympathies, Stood by, what time I clamor'd upon Death And at the wild words wandering on my tongue And at the piteous look within mine eyes She was affrighted, that sobs choked her breath. So by her weeping where I lay beneath, Some other gentle ladies came to know My state, and made her go: Afterward, bending themselves over me, One said, "Awaken thee!" And one, "What thing thy sleep disquieteth?" With that, my soul woke up from its eclipse, The while my lady's name rose to my lips: But utter'd in a voice so sob-broken, So feeble with the agony of tears, That I alone might hear it in my heart; And though that look was on my visage then Which he who is ashamed so plainly wears, Love made that I through shame held not apart, But gazed upon them. And my hue was such That they look'd at each other and thought of death; Saying under their breath Most tenderly, "O let us comfort him:" Then unto me: "What dream Was thine, that it hath shaken thee so much?" And when I was a little comforted, "This, ladies, was the dream I dreamt," I said. "I was a-thinking how life fails with us Suddenly after such a little while; When Love sobb'd in my heart, which is his home. Whereby my spirit wax'd so dolorous That in myself I said, with sick recoil: 'Yea, to my lady too this Death must come.' And therewithal such a bewilderment Possess'd me, that I shut mine eyes for peace; And in my brain did cease Order of thought, and every healthful thing. Afterwards, wandering Amid a swarm of doubts that came and went, Some certain women's faces hurried by, And shrieked to me, 'Thou too shalt die, shalt die!' "Then saw I many broken hinted sights In the uncertain state I stepp'd into. Meseem'd to be I know not in what place, Where ladies through the streets, like mournful lights, Ran with loose hair, and eyes that frighten'd you, By their own terror, and a pale amaze: The while, little by little, as I thought, The sun ceased, and the stars began to gather, And each wept at the other; And birds dropp'd in mid-flight out of the sky; And earth shook suddenly; And I was 'ware of one, hoarse and tired out, Who ask'd of me: "Hast thou not heard it said? Thy lady, she that was so fair, is dead.' "Then lifting up mine eyes, as the tears came, I saw the Angels, like a rain of manna, In a long flight flying back Heavenward; Having a little cloud in front of them, After the which they went and said, 'Hosanna'; And if they had said more, you should have heard. Then love said, 'Now shall all things be made clear: Come and behold our lady where she lies.' These 'wildering phantasies. Then carried me to see my lady dead. Even as I there was led, Her ladies with a veil were covering her; And with her was such very humbleness That she appeared to say, 'I am at peace.' | 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 |
|