Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v2.djvu/30

12 My master, and myself, and all that people

Which with him were, appeared as satisfied

As if naught else might touch the mind of any.

We all of us were moveless and attentive

Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man,

Exclaiming: "What is this, ye laggard spirits?

What negligence, what standing still is this?

Run to the mountain to strip off the slough,

That lets not God be manifest to you."

Even as when, collecting grain or tares,

The doves, together at their pasture met,

Quiet, nor showing their accustomed pride,

If aught appear of which they are afraid,

Upon a sudden leave their food alone,

Because they are assailed by greater care;

So that fresh company did I behold

The song relinquish, and go tow'rds the hill,

As one who goes, and knows not whitherward;

Nor was our own departure less in haste.