FROM "THE LUSIAD." With graceful pride three hills of softest green Wild forest-trees the mountain sides array'd: Here spreads the poplar, to Alcides dear; And high to heaven the fragrant cedar bears; Loves the wild grottoes where the white cliffs shine; Translation of W. J. MICKLE. LUIS DE CAMOENS, 1517-1579. PARADISE. FROM THE ITALIAN OF DANTE. Longing already to search in and round Already my slow steps had led me on Into the ancient wood so far, that I Could see no more the place where I had entered; And, lo! my farther course cut off a river, All waters that on earth most limpid are, Ray of sun let in, nor of the moon. Translation of H. W. LONGFELLOW. DANTE ALIGHIERI, 1265-1321. NATURE TEACHING IMMORTALITY. Nature, thy daughter, ever-changing birth All change, no death. Day follows night, and night Droops into pallid autumn; winter gray, Horrid with frost, and turbulent with storm, Then melts into the spring; soft spring, with breath As in a wheel all sinks to reascend; Emblems of man, who passes, not expires. With this minute distinction, emblems just, That gravitates, this soars. Th' aspiring soul, No single atom, once in being lost, With change of counsel charges the Most High. Above the nobler shall less noble rise? Shall man alone, for whom all else revives, |