With these lines the New Life practically ends. After one more sonnet, in which he tells how he was lifted in spirit and had a vision of Beatrice in paradise, he concludes the book with the following paragraph, in which we first see a definite purpose on the part of Dante to write a long poem in praise of Beatrice: "After this sonnet there appeared to me a wonderful vision, in which I saw things which made me resolve to say no more of this blessed one until I should be able to treat more worthily of her, and to come to that I study as much as I can, as she truly knows. So that if it shall be the pleasure of Him in whom all things live that my life endure for some years more, I hope to say of her that which has never yet been said of mortal woman. And then may it please Him who is Lord of Courtesy, that my soul may go to see the glory of its lady, that is, the blessed Beatrice who gloriously looks on the face of him 'qui est per cuncta sæcula benedictus in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.'" (Who is blessed throughout all the ages.) SUMMARY AND QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW Early Tuscan poetry--Guido Cavalcanti, a contemporary of Dante--Guelphs and Ghibellines, Whites and Blacks at Florence--Dante born 1265; his education; his love for Beatrice; marriage and home life; an exile; dies in Ravenna 1321. 1. Mention some of the early Tuscan poets. 2. What is the date of Dante's birth? 3. What is known of his family? 4. How and where was he educated? 5. Tell what you can of his family life. 6. What was the political condition of Florence in Dante's time? 7. Who were the Guelphs and Ghibellines,--the Whites and Blacks? 8. When and why was Dante exiled? 9. Name some of the places he is known to have visited. 10. How and when did he die? 11. Describe briefly his character. 12. Name the chief works of Dante, giving a brief indication of their contents. 13. Tell briefly the story of his love for Beatrice. BIBLIOGRAPHY