This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1867. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CANTO THE TWENTY-THIRD. Silent we walked, in solitary mode, My master foremost and myself behind, As go the gray Franciscans on their road; While the late quarrel occupied my mind, And to my memory that old fable came Touching the frog and mouse which -5 sop wrote: Not Ay and Yea more signify the same Than these two stories, if with careful note - One mark the occasion and the end of both; And since one thought is from another bred, So from that first a second had its growth, Which brought back double all my former dread. My trembling heart this fancy flashed across: These demons through our agency have met Discomfiture, with mockery too and loss, Such as must needs their fiendish natures fret. i- If rage increase that evil will of theirs, They will pursue us, fiercer in their spite, Than the fell hound the leveret which he tears: I felt each hair with horror stand upright. " Master," I said, intently gazing back, " Unless thou quickly hide thyself and me, I fear from these Curst-claws a fresh attack; Already close behind us they must be; Yea, I imagine I can feel their hooks." And he replied: " Were I of leaded glass, I could not sooner catch thine outward looks Than into mine thy inmost soul doth pass. Mingling with mine this instant came thy thought, The same in bearing arid in face as mine; So that of both one counsel I have wrought. If now this right-hand shore so much incline That to the pit below we may descend, The imaginary chase we shall avoid." Of this advice he had not made an end, Before I saw them on their pinions buoyed: Towards us, at no great distance, fierce they flew, As 'twere to strike us with their taking darts: Quick to himself my guide my person drew Even like a mother whom some outcry starts, Waking, that see...