Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/44

24 Because to each of these with me applies

The name that solitary voice proclaimed,

They do me honor, and in that do well."

Thus I beheld assemble the fair school

Of that lord of the song pre-eminent,

Who o'er the others like an eagle soars.

When they together had discoursed somewhat,

They turned to me with signs of salutation,

And on beholding this, my Master smiled;

And more of honor still, much more, they did me,

In that they made me one of their own band;

So that the sixth was I, 'mid so much wit.

Thus we went on as far as to the light,

Things saying 't is becoming to keep silent,

As was the saying of them where I was.

We came unto a noble castle's foot,

Seven times encompassed with lofty walls,

Defended round by a fair rivulet;

This we passed over even as firm ground;

Through portals seven I entered with these Sages;

We came into a meadow of fresh verdure.

People were there with solemn eyes and slow,

Of great authority in their countenance;

They spake but seldom, and with gentle voices.