Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v2.djvu/34

16 Still was that people as far off from us,

After a thousand steps of ours I say,

As a good thrower with his hand would reach,

When they all crowded unto the hard masses

Of the high bank, and motionless stood and close,

As he stands still to look who goes in doubt.

"O happy dead! O spirits elect already!"

Virgilius made beginning, "by that peace

Which I believe is waiting for you all,

Tell us upon what side the mountain slopes,

So that the going up be possible,

For to lose time irks him most who most knows."

As sheep come issuing forth from out the fold

By ones and twos and threes, and the others stand

Timidly, holding down their eyes and nostrils,

And what the foremost does the others do,

Huddling themselves against her, if she stop,

Simple and quiet and the wherefore know not;

So moving to approach us thereupon

I saw the leader of that fortunate flock,

Modest in face and dignified in gait.

As soon as those in the advance saw broken

The light upon the ground at my right side,

So that from me the shadow reached the rock,