Epigraph
Thus I beheld assemble the fair schoolOf that lord of the song pre-eminent,Who o’er the others like an eagle soars.
When they together had discoursed somewhat,They turned to me with signs of salutation,And on beholding this, my Master smiled;
And more of honour still, much more, they did me,In that they made me one of their own band;So that the sixth was I, ’mid so much wit.
Thus we went on as far as to the light,Things saying ’tis becoming to keep silent,As was the saying of them where I was.
We came unto a noble castle’s foot,Seven times encompassed with lofty walls,Defended round by a fair rivulet;
This we passed over even as firm ground;Through portals seven I entered with these Sages;We came into a meadow of fresh verdure.
People were there with solemn eyes and slow,Of great authority in their countenance;They spake but seldom, and with gentle voices.
Thus we withdrew ourselves upon one sideInto an opening luminous and lofty,So that they all of them were visible.
There opposite, upon the green enamel,Were pointed out to me the mighty spirits,Whom to have seen I feel myself exalted.
I saw Electra with companions many,’Mongst whom I knew both Hector and Aeneas,Caesar in armour with gerfalcon eyes;