name), had been seen, probably by stray navigators.  An Arabian globe is even mentioned by M. Artaud (see Cary), in which the Southern Cross is set down.  Mr. Cary, in his note on the passage, refers to Seneca’s prediction of the discovery of America; most likely suggested by similar information.  “But whatever,” he adds, “may be thought of this, it is certain that the four stars are here symbolical of the four cardinal virtues;” and he refers to canto xxxi, where those virtues are retrospectively associated with these stars.  The symbol, however, is not, necessary.  Dante was a very curious inquirer on all subjects, and evidently acquainted with ships and seamen as well as geography; and his imagination would eagerly have seized a magnificent novelty like this, and used it the first opportunity.  Columbus’s discovery, as the reader will see, was anticipated by Pulci.]

[Footnote 2:  Generous and disinterested!—­Cato, the republican enemy of Caesar, and committer of suicide, is not luckily chosen for his present office by the poet who has put Brutus into the devil’s mouth in spite of his agreeing with Cato, and the suicide Piero delle Vigne into hell in spite of his virtues.  But Dante thought Cato’s austere manners like his own.]

[Footnote 3:  The girding with the rush (giunco schietto) is_ supposed by the commentators to be an injunction of simplicity and patience.  Perhaps it is to enjoin sincerity; especially as the region of expiation has now been entered, and sincerity is the first step to repentance.  It will be recollected that Dante’s former girdle, the cord of the Franciscan friars, has been left in the hands of Fraud.]

[Footnote 4: 

  “L’alba vinceva l’ora mattutina
  Che fuggia ’nnanzi, si che di lontano
  Conobbi il tremolar de la marina.”

  The lingering shadows now began to flee
  Before the whitening dawn, so that mine eyes
  Discerned far off the trembling of the sea.

“Conobbi il tremolar de la marina” is a beautiful verse, both for the picture and the sound.]

[Footnote 5:  This evidence of humility and gratitude on the part of Dante would be very affecting, if we could forget all the pride and passion he has been shewing elsewhere, and the torments in which he has left his fellow-creatures.  With these recollections upon us, it looks like an overweening piece of self-congratulation at other people’s expense.]

[Footnote 6: 

  “Amor che ne la mente mi ragiona
  De la mia donna disiosamente,”

is the beginning of the ode sung by Dante’s friend.  The incident is beautifully introduced; and Casella’s being made to select a production from the pen of the man who asks him to sing, very delicately implies a graceful cordiality in the musician’s character.

Milton alludes to the passage in his sonnet to Henry Lawes: