New-York tribune., 1867-10-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
DANTE.

4 THE NEW LIFE OF DANTE AIIGHlERI Trans
lated by CHARLES ELIOT NORTON 4'o' PIP i'' i'm
THE FiEsT cANTIcIE NFEsRRNMol Il y or THE TraD Ds
lated by THOMAS WILLIAM PARSONS. 4o,' PIP Ao'
g. L. Putnam son.
The fresh interest which has recently been awaR-
ened in the writings of the illusrious ilorehtlhe
met onon- cultivated readers in this country by
MIR. Longfellow's admirable translation of the "Di-
yina Commcdia" will be strengthened by the oppor-
tune works whose titles at the head of the pres
ant notice Bir. Norton is well known in our best
literary circles as a scholar of choice attainments,
combining a rare degree OF elegance. accuracy ana
good taste with genuine love of artistic ana CIT
ical Studies and with remarkable finish and purity
of Style IN common with his friends and neighDors,
tse eminent poets of Cambridge, Mr.. Longfelow ana
sfr Lowell he has made the study of Dante favor
he pursuit and to their united abors the literature
Of Italy is indebted for large amount OF the Vaua-
Die illustration which it has received from writes III
the English language.
The present work which MI. Norton has brought so
handsomely before the American public is devoted 10
the history of Dantes early love for BeatIiee-the
seutiment which grew with his growth, ana
lasting from his boyhood to his death, be-
came the central passion Of his nature, and
the inspiring motive Of his Immortal poem
"The earthly story OF this love-" Mr. Norton
fclicitously remarks "is beginning, IFS irregular
conrse. its hopes and doubts. its eXatations and
aespairs its sudden interruption and transformation
hy DEATHS the story which the Yiia NuOra tells.
Tie narrative Is quaint, embroidered with concerts,
deficient in artistic completeness, but 1t has the
nairt( and simplicity OF youth, the charm OF hti-
eerity the freedom of personal confidence; and so
long as there are lovers in the world and so long as
lovers are poets long viii their first and tendereSt
love-story of modern Literature be read with appre-
c;aton and responsive sympathy"
The first daNning of the heavenly vision on the
sntTanoed spirit of the boy is quantity described as
follows:
Nine times now SINCE my birth had the heaven OF light
turned almost to the same lolnt III ls own ,
Of my iniud Who called Beatrice by many VINO knew
this fe so lo tlat IFS the starred heaven had
moved toward the region Of the East one OF the Twelve
parts 81 degree 80 that at abOt the beshhhg OF heI
, LII ,.i '.e Sic i,,,s,rel 10 me clothed i'm
most noble color, modest and bec0ining crimson.
garandcd and adorned IN such WISE as bctied her very
youthful ~ that instant, say uliy tat the smlt
oi life which dvecth in the most secret chamber of
the heart began tO trenbc with such Violence that IL
sPPearcd fenriuly ~ The least pulses, and tcmnlhgy
said these Words Lcce deus JOTtiOr me- 1t teeS 40
AZ tat Instant the Intellectual spirit which dweleth
IN the high chamber 10 whi, an tie sp1s of the senses
cal1y tttir perceptions, hesa TO marvel eiey' iuu,
scaKiug especially To the spirit OF the sl&It sal ticsc
words Alp0Yh jim bcGtit9d0 restr0. At that Instant
Sy SnT ,,Ti i s'e btn 10 Wecr ana weep.
ing, said these words: Hen DitSeT! qua Jrtge'"T IN
Irom this time forward say that Love lordedit over
py sou which lad 50 suddenly ile1ed 10 & a %nH ar nc
ship through the power which my imagination gave 70
pleasure. lie commanded me Oittines that | should
seek TO this youthful angel So that III my DoyhOo9
pTasew0rty department. that uuly OF her might be said
HAT word Of the poet Homer she seemeiA met not the the
hnac, which stayed constantly with me, gave bodHess
Die vrtue that il never suffered that should rule
without the faithful counsel OF The reason III those mat
since TO dwell upon the passions ana actions OF sc carry
youth appeaIeth like telling AN idle tale, Mil ieaSo
theIn, aud passing many things which might he
drawn fion the original where these ne hidden, VIII
to those words which are written In ny memory
under larger paragraphs
The silent lapse of years only confirmed the inb
preston made by the child, and prepared the heart
of the future poet for the glorious revelation OF wo
manhood in its bright consummate prime.
When many days had passed that exactly nine years
gentle lady the last Of these days to
pass that this admirable lady ed before me clothed
greater and passing along street, turned her eyes
SeT inea6e eonftesy Which is now rewaredn the ete
nal world saluted me with such virtue that seemed
hour when her most sweet salutaton reached me was
exactly the ninth OF thar day ana since was the hIst
time that her words came u mime ears, took In such
s te cro,r5 OVID and betaLnS mTseif 70 tho solitude
Of mine own chamber, sat myself down TO think Of
tim most courteous lady And thinking OF her, sweet
ssnnher Overcame me- in which marvellous vision ap-
poared 10 me; Tor methOught | saw in 1ny chamber
cloud Of the color Of fire, within which dlscerncd
fsm of Lord OF aspect fearful to whose shoud look
upon him; and he seemed TO NE so joyful within him
sef that a marvellous thing was and III DIS words he
slake many things which understood not save few.
among which understood thesc E1O Domf"us nus
save that she seemed TO me be wrapped lightly in
bloOdIed cloth; whom regarding very lhehy, fecos
Dized as the Lady sautatlOn, who had the day
before deined to salute me- And in one OF his hands
seemed 10 that lie held thing which was all on nIe;
aud it that he said these words 10 Vide
cor And when he had remained awhile, 1t seemed
% me that he awokc her that slept; and he far
thing which burning IN his hand and she ate II as
fear After this i was but short While before
his 10y bitter lament and az he wept be
gathered MP tins lady IN his arms, and VIII heT u seemed
10 me that he went away toward heaven Whereat
felt such great anguish that weak suInber could not
endure II, nut VIC oaPAe, Ill u td tSSt to nr ~ ib
ths vision had appeared had been the fourth of the
night SD that as maiiiesuy appears, IL was the INST
hour Of the nine last hours Of the night Aud thinking
on what had appeared me- resolved TO make II known
20 many who were famous poets at tat time; and since
had already seen in nyel the art OF disc9ursng IL
ute all the egemen OF Love and, praying them to give
Ehich i had seen in my sumbcr.
Mr.. Norton has accompanied his translation with
several essays and series OF notes. which exhibit
the fruits of ripe and exact scholarship and form
commentary of singular value the text for which
he will receive the thanks of every lover of Italian
literature. The dainty exterior of the volume is in
keeping with the classical refinement of the contents
giving it select place among the typographical gems
,f the library.
We tender cordial welcome to the completion of
the work on which Mr.. Parsons has spent so many
years OF faithful and enthusiastic labor Portions Of
his translation of the Inferno have appeared from
time to time, aud from the specimens thus made
known 10 the public, the whole poem has been antici
pated with eager and sympathetic interest. AS an
original poet, Nj Parsons has won an honorable
fame among readers of the most cultivated tastes for