Of  his  own  feeling  there  can  be  no  doubt,  for  he  has  suffered
none  to  remain.  When  she  came  to  him,  after  that  wonderful
overture — Matelda,  the  Earthy  Paradise,  the  mystic  Procession
(was  ever  such  honour  paid  lady  before  ?) — when  she  came  to
him,  I  say,  in  her  flame-coloured  robe,  girdle  of  olive,  and
green  cloak,  before  he  was  worthy  to  look  upon  her  eyes,  what
does  he  say  but —

VOL.  I  F


66  THE  ROAD  IN  TUSCANY     chap,  n

D'  antico  amor  senti  la  gran  potenza  ? —

Is  this  a  cry  from  the  heart  yearning  for  theology  ?  Did
anything  ever  move  such  ecstasy  of  homage  but  love  ?  The
most  subtle  passage  in  the  whole  of  the  comedy  is  perhaps
that   which  lays  bare    his    heart's    whole    idolatry,  where  he

speaks  of

Quella  riverenza  che  s'  indonna

Di  tutto  me,  pur  per  BE  e  per  ICE.
The  mere  written  syllables  of  the  adored  name  possess  and
dominate  him.  He  loved  this  green-eyed  girl  and,  because
he  loved,  freed  his  immortal  part,  and  towered  higher  than
any  of  the  sons  of  men.  For  if  our  Milton  heard  God  speak,
this  man  dared  look  Him  in  the  face,  take  his  stand  with  Saint
John  and  Saint  James  below  the  burning  throne  of  heaven,
and  see  his  beloved  assumed  into  the  very  heart  of  Mary.
