Inferno: Canto II
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dante Alighieri and Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
What is it, then? Why, why dost thou delay? Why is such baseness bedded in thy heart? Daring and hardihood why hast thou not,
Seeing that three such Ladies benedight Are caring for thee in the court of Heaven, And so much good my speech doth promise thee?”
Even as the flowerets, by nocturnal chill, Bowed down and closed, when the sun whitens them, Uplift themselves all open on their stems;
Such I became with my exhausted strength, And such good courage to my heart there coursed, That I began, like an intrepid person:
“O she compassionate, who succoured me, And courteous thou, who hast obeyed so soon The words of truth which she addressed to thee!
Thou hast my heart so with desire disposed To the adventure, with these words of thine, That to my first intent I have returned.
Now go, for one sole will is in us both, Thou Leader, and thou Lord, and Master thou.” Thus said I to him; and when he had moved,
I entered on the deep and savage way.