And, even as starlings give their winglets play,
In the cold time, by flocks both large and deep.
So did the blast the evil spirits sway.
Hither and thither, low, aloft they sweep.

No hope can ever strengthen them to gain
Not rest, in sooth, but less of pain to reap.
And as the cranes go chaunting their sad strain,
Making a long line of themselves in air,

So I saw coming, while they loudly plain, Shades wafted by the troublous turmoil there : Wherefore I said: Master, what folk be those Whom the black air chastiseth, every where? The woman, foremost of that throng who goes, Whereof thou askest tidings, then said he, O'er many tongues was Empress; but she chose Such foulness in the vice of luxury,

That she made pleasure law, to take away

The blame of her misdeeds, if so might be.

She is Semiramis who, records say,

Succeeded Ninus, and was also his wife.

She held the land which owns the Sultan's sway. That other is she who gave for love her life,

And to Sichæus' ashes broke her faith:

Next, lustful Cleopatra, cause of strife.

Helen I saw, for whom such days of death

Rolled on; and great Achilles I behold

Who fought with Love at last, and sank beneath. Paris and Tristram saw I: and he told

And named more than a thousand shades to me

Which love had parted from our life, of old.
When I had heard my teacher, in degree,

Naming the ancient dames and knights, deep woe
Struck me, as one amazed. Right willingly,

O bard, I then began, to yonder two

I'd speak, that fare together, on their way, And seem so swift upon the wind to go. And he to me: Thou shalt observe when they

Are nearer to us: then, beseech them thou,

Even by that love which leads them, and straightway, They'll come. Soon as the blast shall bring them low To usward, raise thy voice. O troubled sprites, Come speak to us, if so your dooms allow.

As doves by fond desire called from their flight,
With firm and outspread wings, to their sweet nest
Fleet through the air, borne by their will aright,

So issued they from out the troop unblest,

Where Dido is, to us through air malign,

So strong was my affectionate request.

O living one, full gracious and benign,

That through the dusk air visitest our abode,
We who have stained the world with bloody sign;
If unto us the Universal God

Were friendly, we would pray him for thy weal,
Since thou hast pity of our evil load.

Of that whereof thou wouldst that we should tell
Or hear, we'll hearken to thee, or will speak,
Now while the wind is silent: mark thou well.
The realm where I was born, a mortal weak,

Lies on the sea-shore, where the Po descends,
With all his followers, for peace to seek.
Love, that in gentle heart full quickly wends,
Enthralled this dear one to that person fair,
Bereft from me; and still the mode offends.
Love, that can never the beloved spare

From loving, won me so this wight to gain
That, as thou seest, he forsakes me ne'er.
Love led us to one death. The place with Cain

Awaiteth him who quenched our life. E'en so,
These words were borne towards us from the twain.

Soon as I heard those hapless souls, full low
My face I bowed, and kept it bowed a space,

Until the poet said: What musest thou?

When, answering I began: Alas! alas!

How many sweet thoughts have betrayed those two,
What warm desire, unto this grievous pass!
Then towards them I turned, and spoke, anew,
Saying: Francesca, thy great agonies

Thus make me weep sad tears to pity due:
But tell me, in that season of sweet sighs,
Wherefore and how Love granted you to know
Your timorous desires, in certain wise?
And she to me: There is no greater woe
Than to bethink us of the happy time,
In misery; and this thy sage will show.
But, if the first root of our love and crime

Thou hast such strong desire to learn, indeed,
I'll do as one that weeps, and tells, meantime.
One day, for our delight we chanced to read

Of Lancelot, and how love brought him low:
We were alone, and without any dread.

That reading caused our eyes to meet, I trow,

Full oft, and paled our cheeks full oft, the while:
But one point gave our hearts the conquering blow.

"Twas when we read of the desired smile,

How it was kissed, by such a lover gay,

He who from me nought ever can exile

All trembling kissed my lips. Ah well away!

The book, and he who wrote it were love's guide; Therein no further did we read, that day.

While thus one spirit spoke, still there beside

The other wept; so that, in deep unweal,

I swooned with ruth, as though I should have died, And, as a lifeless body falls, I fell.