C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

On the Sixth Centenary of Dante

From the ‘Levia Gravia’: Translation of Frank Sewall

I SAW him, from the uncovered tomb uplifting

His mighty form, the imperial prophet stand.

Then shook the Adrian shore, and all the land

Italia trembled as at an earthquake drifting.

Like morning mist from purest ether sifting,

It marched along the Apenninian strand,

Glancing adown the vales on either hand,

Then vanished like the dawn to daylight shifting.

Meanwhile in earthly hearts a fear did rise,

The awful presence of a god discerning,

To which no mortal dared to lift the eyes,

But where beyond the gates the sun is burning,

The races dead of warlike men and wise

With joy saluted the great soul’s returning.