William Blake's Illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy by Pyle Eric

Author:Pyle, Eric
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Published: 2014-11-25T05:00:00+00:00

The pilgrim’s attempted ascent to the light is halted by three beasts: a panther, a lion, and a she-wolf. He despairs, but as he returns to the depths he discerns the shade of a man.

“Have mercy on me!” cried I out aloud,

“Spirit! or living man! what e’er thou be!”

He answer’d: “Now not man, man once I was[.”]

This of course is Virgil, who introduces himself by naming his birthplace, the age in which he lived, and the subject of his great work. Dante recognizes him at once, and begs for help. Virgil tells him that an ascent of the mountain is out of the question; they must advance in a less direct manner, going down before they can go up by another path. He promises to show Dante the world below and the path toward Heaven, and to give the pilgrim over into the hands of another who will take him to the highest point.

      I thy guide

Will lead thee hence through an eternal space,

Where thou shalt hear despairing shrieks, and see

Spirits of old tormented, who invoke

A second death; and those next view, who dwell

Content in fire, for that they hope to come,

Whene’er the time may be, among the blest,

Into whose regions if thou then desire

T’ ascend, a spirit worthier then I

Must lead thee, in whose charge, when I depart,

Thou shalt be left

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