Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v2.djvu/35

Rh They stopped, and backward drew themselves somewhat;

And all the others, who came after them,

Not knowing why nor wherefore, did the same.

"Without your asking, I confess to you

This is a human body which you see,

Whereby the sunshine on the ground is cleft.

Marvel ye not thereat, but be persuaded

That not without a power which comes from Heaven

Doth he endeavor to surmount this wall."

The Master thus; and said those worthy people:

"Return ye then, and enter in before us,"

Making a signal with the back o' the hand.

And one of them began: "Whoe'er thou art,

Thus going turn thine eyes, consider well

If e'er thou saw me in the other world."

I turned me tow'rds him, and looked at him closely;

Blond was he, beautiful, and of noble aspect,

But one of his eyebrows had a blow divided.

When with humility I had disclaimed

E'er having seen him, "Now behold!" he said,

And showed me high upon his breast a wound.

Then said he with a smile: "I am Manfredi,

The grandson of the Emperess Costanza;

Therefore, when thou returnest, I beseech thee