To eye each other under a new moon,
And so towards us sharpened they their brows 20
As an old tailor at the needle's eye.
Thus scrutinized by such a family,
By some one I was recognized, who seized
My garment's hem, and cried out, "What a marvel!"
And I, when he stretched forth his arm to me, 25
On his baked aspect fastened so mine eyes,
That the scorched countenance prevented not
His recognition by my intellect;
And bowing down my face unto his own,
I made reply, "Are you here, Ser Brunetto?" 30
And he: "May 't not displease thee, O my son,
If a brief space with thee Brunetto Latini
Backward return and let the trail go on."
I said to him: "With all my power I ask it;
And if you wish me to sit down with you, 35
I will, if he please, for I go with him."
"O son," he said, "whoever of this herd
A moment stops, lies then a hundred years,
Nor fans himself when smiteth him the fire.
Therefore go on; I at thy skirts will come, 40
And afterward will I rejoin my band,
Which goes lamenting its eternal doom."
Page:Divine Comedy (Longfellow 1867) v1.djvu/109
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Inferno XV.
89
