Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/109

Rh To eye each other under a new moon,

And so towards us sharpened they their brows

As an old tailor at the needle's eye.

Thus scrutinized by such a family,

By some one I was recognized, who seized

My garment's hem, and cried out, "What a marvel!"

And I, when he stretched forth his arm to me,

On his baked aspect fastened so mine eyes,

That the scorched countenance prevented not

His recognition by my intellect;

And bowing down my face unto his own,

I made reply, "Are you here, Ser Brunetto?"

And he: "May 't not displease thee, O my son,

If a brief space with thee Brunetto Latini

Backward return and let the trail go on."

I said to him: "With all my power I ask it;

And if you wish me to sit down with you,

I will, if he please, for I go with him."

"O son," he said, "whoever of this herd

A moment stops, lies then a hundred years,

Nor fans himself when smiteth him the fire.

Therefore go on; I at thy skirts will come,

And afterward will I rejoin my band,

Which goes lamenting its eternal doom."