Great Inspirers (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I BEATRICE PORTINARI Was it from a gate of Florence, Or from heaven's own portals fair, Yon blithe throng at morning issued In the sparkling springtide air? Children fair as meek-eyed angels, Garlands in their locks entwined, Down into the flowery valley, Singing, dancing, gayly wind. 'Neath a laurel stood young Dante, Thrilling to the heart to see, In the fairest of those damsels, -Her who should his angel be. Rustling in the Spring's light breezes, Stirr'd not every leaf above? Dante's young soul, did it thrill not To the mastering touch of love? Yes the stream of song forever Fill'd his bosom from that day; Love, young love, inspired each measure, Love and his resistless sway. Thus in glowing colors does the poet Uhland picture to us the first meeting of two of the world's immortals--Dante Alighieri and Beatrice Portinari. It was on the first of May, 1274, in the noble city of Florence--the city of flowers and gay festivities; the home of a refined, chivalrous and pleasure-loving people. It was at this time the custom of the Florentines to celebrate Mayday, and even the days following, with great pomp and magnificence. The houses were decked with flowers and bunting; song and music, accompanied by the ringing of bells, filled the air with joyous sounds. Women and girls adorned with garlands and diadems took part in the festal celebration, while young men clad in white and led by one who personated the Lord of Love paraded the streets with every demonstration of rejoicing and delight. makers who, in an atmosphere richly laden not only with the blended perfume of rose, thyme and violets, After the procession, they left the narrow streets and somber palaces of the city and, following the banks of the verdant, meandering Arno, they repaired to the ...