Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/65



SAY, continuing, that long before

We to the foot of that high tower had come,

Our eyes went upward to the summit of it,

By reason of two flamelets we saw placed there,

And from afar another answer them,

So far, that hardly could the eye attain it.

And, to the sea of all discernment turned,

I said: "What sayeth this, and what respondeth

That other fire? and who are they that made it?"

And he to me: "Across the turbid waves

What is expected thou canst now discern,

If reek of the morass conceal it not."

Cord never shot an arrow from itself

That sped away athwart the air so swift,

As I beheld a very little boat

Come o'er the water tow'rds us at that moment,

Under the guidance of a single pilot,

Who shouted, "Now art thou arrived, fell soul?"