Dante Alighieri, generally regarded as Italy’s finest poet, was born in Florence in 1265. He is best known for his Commedia (Divine Comedy) an epic poem in three parts describing his travels through other worldly real estate, namely the Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. While Dante’s Inferno is the best known of the Commedia, it does not match the intense beauty of his poetry in the Paradiso.
The following is a poem from La Vita Nuova (The New Life) written during his youth (1292). In this work, Dante describes his love for Beatrice Portinari. It was this love, formed at first sight at a May feast in 1274 (according to Boccaccio), which inspired his masterpiece. The translation is by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, himself a fine poet.
My lady carries love within her eyes;
All that she looks on is made pleasanter;
Upon her path men turn to gaze at her;
He whom she greeteth feels his heart to rise,
And droops his troubled visage, full of sighs,
And of his evil heart is then aware:
Hate loves, and pride becomes a worshipper.
O women, help to praise her in somewise.
Humbleness, and the hope that hopeth well,
By speech of hers into the mind are brought,
And who beholds is blessed oftenwhiles.
The look she hath when she a little smiles
Cannot be said, nor holden in the thought;
‘Tis such a new and gracious miracle.
Artwork: Dante & Beatrice (1883), Henry Holiday (1839-1927).
In many States, like here in Washington, there is a Dante Alighieri Society, that promotes learning of the Italian culture and language.