Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v2.djvu/29

Rh "My own Casella! to return once more

There where I am, I make this journey," said I;

"But how from thee has so much time been taken?"

And he to me: "No outrage has been done me,

If he who takes both when and whom he pleases

Has many times denied to me this passage,

For of a righteous will his own is made.

He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken

Whoever wished to enter with all peace;

Whence I, who now had turned unto that shore

Where salt the waters of the Tiber grow,

Benignantly by him have been received.

Unto that outlet now his wing is pointed,

Because for evermore assemble there

Those who tow'rds Acheron do not descend."

And I: "If some new law take not from thee

Memory or practice of the song of love,

Which used to quiet in me all my longings,

Thee may it please to comfort therewithal

Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body

Hitherward coming is so much distressed."

"Love, that within my mind discourses with me,"

Forthwith began he so melodiously,

The melody within me still is sounding.