e words I
laid up in my mind with great joy, thinking to take them for my
beginning; wherefore then, having returned to the above-mentioned
city, after some days of thought, I began a canzone with this
beginning.

This most gentle lady came into such favor among the people that when
she passed along the way, persons ran to see her; which gave me
wonderful joy. And when she was near any one, such modesty came into
his heart that he dared not raise his eyes, or return her salutation;
and of this many, as having experienced it, could bear witness for me
to whoso might not believe it. She, crowned and clothed with humility,
took her way, showing no pride in that which she saw and heard. Many
said, when she had passed: "This is not a woman; rather she is one of
the most beautiful angels of heaven." And others said: "She is a
marvel. Blest be the Lord who can work thus admirably!" I say that she
showed herself so gentle and so full of all pleasantness that those
who looked on her comprehended in themselves a pure and sweet delight,
such as they could not after tell in words; nor was there any who
might look upon her but that at first he needs must sigh. These and
more admirable things proceeded from her admirably and with power.
Wherefore I, thinking upon this, desiring to resume the style of her
praise, resolved to say words in which I would set forth her admirable
and excellent influences, to the end that not only those who might
actually behold her, but also others should know of her whatever words
could tell....

I was yet full of the design of this canzone, and had completed [one]
stanza thereof, when the Lord of Justice called this most gentle one
to glory, under the banner of that holy Queen Mary, whose name was
ever spoken with greatest reverence by this blest Beatrice.

On that day on which the year was complete since this lady was made
one of the denizens of life eternal, I was seated in a place where,
having her in mind, I was drawing an angel upon certain tablets. And
while I was drawing it, I turned my eyes and saw at my side men to
whom it was meet to do honor. They were looking on what I did, and, as
was afterward told me, they had been there already some time before I
became aware of it. When I saw them I rose, and saluting them, said,
"Another was just now with me, and on that account I was in thought."
And when they had gone away, I returned to my work, namely, that of
drawing figures of angels; and whil