Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v2.djvu/28

10 The souls who had, from seeing me draw breath,

Become aware that I was still alive,

Pallid in their astonishment became;

And as to messenger who bears the olive

The people throng to listen to the news,

And no one shows himself afraid of crowding,

So at the sight of me stood motionless

Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if

Oblivious to go and make them fair.

One from among them saw I coming forward,

As to embrace me, with such great affection,

That it incited me to do the like.

O empty shadows, save in aspect only!

Three times behind it did I clasp my hands,

As oft returned with them to my own breast!

I think with wonder I depicted me;

Whereat the shadow smiled and backward drew;

And I, pursuing it, pressed farther forward.

Gently it said that I should stay my steps;

Then knew I who it was, and I entreated

That it would stop awhile to speak with me.

It made reply to me: "Even as I loved thee

In mortal body, so I love thee free;

Therefore I stop; but wherefore goest thou?"