"Now was the hour that wakens fond desire In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell, And pilgrim newly on his road with love Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far, That seems to mourn for the expiring day: When I, no longer taking heed to hear, Began, with wonder, from those spirits to mark One risen from its seat, which with its hand Audience implored. Both palms it joined and raised, Fixing its steadfast gaze toward the east, As telling God, 'I care for nought beside.' "'Te Lucis Ante,' so devoutly then Came from its lip, and in so soft a strain, That all my sense in ravishment was lost. And the rest after, softly and devout, Follow'd through all the hymn, with upward gaze Directed to the bright supernal wheels. "I saw that gentle band silently next Look up, as if in expectation held, Pale and in lowly guise; and, from on high, I saw, forth issuing descend beneath, Two angels, with two flame-illumined swords, Broken and mutilated of their points. Green as the tender leaves but newly born, Their vesture was, the which, by wings as green Beaten, they drew behind them, fanned in air. A little over us one took his stand; The other lighted on the opposing hill; So that the troop were in the midst contained. Well I descried the whiteness on their heads; But in their visages the dazzled eye Was lost, as faculty that by too much Is overpowered. 'From Mary's bosom both Are come,' exclaimed Sordello, 'as a guard Over the vale, 'gainst him, who hither tends, The serpent.' Whence not knowing by which path He came, I turned me round; and closely pressed All frozen, to my leader's trusted side." "My insatiate eyes Meanwhile to heaven had traveled, even there Where the bright stars are slowest, as a wheel Nearest the axle: When my guide inquired: 'What there aloft, my son, has caught thy gaze?' "I answered: 'The three torches, with which here The pole is all on fire.' He then to me: 'The four resplendent stars, thou saw'st this morn, Are there beneath; and these, risen in their stead.' "While yet he spoke, Sordello to himself Drew him, and cried: 'Lo there our enemy!' And with his hand pointed that way to look. "Along the side, where barrier none arose Around the little vale, a serpent lay, Such haply as gave Eve the bitter food, Between the grass and flowers, the evil snake Came on, reverting oft his lifted head; And, as a beast that smooths its polished coat, Licking his back. I saw not, nor can tell, How those celestial falcons from their seat Moved, but in motion each one well descried. Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes, The serpent fled; and, to their stations, back