Joseph’s Reviews > The Divine Comedy > Status Update

Eager already to search in and round/ The heavenly forest, dense and living-green,/ Which tempered to the eyes the newborn day,/ Withouten more delay I left the bank,/ Taking the level country slowly, slowly/ Over the soil that everywhere breathes fragrances.

Nor speech the going, nor the going that/ Slackened; but talking we went bravely on,/ Even as a vessel urged by a good wind.

Then upon all sides there began a cry,/ Such that the Master drew himself towards me,/ Saying, "Fear not, while I am guiding thee."/ "Gloria in excelsis Deo," all/ Were saying, from what near I comprehended,/ Where it was possible to hear the cry./ We paused immovable and in suspense,/ Even as the shepherds who first heard that song,/ Until the trembling ceased and it was finished.