Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 3. 28. Francesca and Paolo

Within the second dolorous circle where
⁠     The lost are whirled, lamenting—thou and I
⁠     Stood, Love, to-day with Dante. Silently
⁠     We looked upon the black and trembling air;
When lo! from out that darkness of despair
⁠     Two shadows, light upon the wind, drew nigh,
⁠     Whose very motion seemed to breathe a sigh—
     ⁠And there Francesca, and her lover there.
These when we saw, the wounds whereat they bled,
     ⁠Their love which was not with their bodies slain—
     ⁠These when we saw, great were the tears we shed;
As, Love, for thee and me love's tears shall rain—
     The mortal agony; the nameless dread;
⁠     The longing, and the passion, and the pain.