Paradiso: Canto XXI
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dante Alighieri and Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
I in that place was Peter Damiano; And Peter the Sinner was I in the house Of Our Lady on the Adriatic shore.
Little of mortal life remained to me, When I was called and dragged forth to the hat Which shifteth evermore from bad to worse.
Came Cephas, and the mighty Vessel came Of the Holy Spirit, meagre and barefooted, Taking the food of any hostelry.
Now some one to support them on each side The modern shepherds need, and some to lead them, So heavy are they, and to hold their trains.
They cover up their palfreys with their cloaks, So that two beasts go underneath one skin; O Patience, that dost tolerate so much!”
At this voice saw I many little flames From step to step descending and revolving, And every revolution made them fairer.
Round about this one came they and stood still, And a cry uttered of so loud a sound, It here could find no parallel, nor I
Distinguished it, the thunder so o’ercame me.