23.07.2007, 08:45
FRANCESCA AND PAOLO.
WITHIN the second dolorous circle where
The lost are whirled, lamenting - thou and I
Stood, Love, to-day with Dante. Silently
We looked upon the perse and trembling air:
When lo! from out that darkness of despair
Two shadows light upon the wind drew nigh,
So strong the force of the affectionate cry:
And there Francesca, and her lover there.
These when we saw, the wounds whereat they bled,
Their love which was not with their bodies slain –
These when we saw, great were the tears we shed:
As, Love, for thee and me love's tears shall rain
The mortal agony, the nameless dread;
The longing, and the passion, and the pain.
WITHIN the second dolorous circle where
The lost are whirled, lamenting - thou and I
Stood, Love, to-day with Dante. Silently
We looked upon the perse and trembling air:
When lo! from out that darkness of despair
Two shadows light upon the wind drew nigh,
So strong the force of the affectionate cry:
And there Francesca, and her lover there.
These when we saw, the wounds whereat they bled,
Their love which was not with their bodies slain –
These when we saw, great were the tears we shed:
As, Love, for thee and me love's tears shall rain
The mortal agony, the nameless dread;
The longing, and the passion, and the pain.