Dante Alighieri (1265–1321)

Translated by James Russell Lowell
From the “Vita Nuova”

BEYOND the sphere that hath the widest gyre

Passeth the sigh that leaves my heart below;

A new intelligence doth love bestow

On it with tears that ever draws it higher;

When it wins thither where is its desire,

A Lady it beholds who honour so

And light receives, that, through her splendid glow,

The pilgrim spirit sees her as in fire;

It sees her such, that, telling me again

I understand it not, it speaks so low

Unto the mourning heart that bids it tell;

Its speech is of that noble One I know,

For “Beatrice” I often hear full plain,

So that, dear ladies, I conceive it well.