You [Virgil] were the lamp that led me from that night. You led me forth to drink Parnassian waters; then on the road to God you shed your light. When you declared [in the Fourth Eclogue], "A new birth has been given. Justice returns, and the first age of man. And a new progeny descends from Heaven"-you were as one who leads through the dark track holding the light behind-useless to you, precious to those who followed at your back. Through you I flowered to song and to belief.'
