Translation of the Divina Commedia, by E. O'Donnell (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.1852 Excerpt: ... CANTO XXXII. ARGUMENT. Dante's sight is dazzled at the splendour and glory that shine in the countenance of Beatrice. The heavenly choir passes in procession through the forest of Paradise to the tree of life of immense height, stript of all Its flowers and foliage. The angelical militia sing canticles of joy around it, and to its trunk is tied the Gryphon's car, on which appears an eagle, a fox, a serpent, and other animals of a symbolical and mysterious nature. M Y eyes were so stedfastly fixed, and attentive to appease their ten years' thirst.(l) that all my other senses were completely absorbed, and so clogged on all sides as to be incapable of any impression; her angelical smile had so entangled them in her old attractive net, when I reluctantly turned my face to the left side, because I heard these blessed ladies say: He is in too profound a contemplation. And the weakness that comes on the eyes when suddenly struck by the rays of the sun, deprived me for some time of my sight. But when I became familiar with this little splendour, I say little in comparison to that immense splendour from which I was forcibly turned aside; I saw that glorious army turn to the right, and advance with their face turned towards the sun and the seven lighted tapers. As a batallion fall back to protect themselves with their bucklers, and wheel about at (1)--2. This ten years' thirst means that Beatrice was then ten years dead. the signal before they can all fall into line of battle; so the militia of the heavenly kingdom, proceeding in the van, filed off before the car's beam was turned. Then the holy virgins turned to its wheel, and the Gryphon moved on his blessed burden without shaking a wing or a feather. Statius and I, in company with the lovely lady that brought me a...