[Footnote L:  The epithet which Dante constantly applies to Beatrice is “most gentle,” gentillisima, while other ladies are called gentile, “gentle.”  Here he makes the distinction between the donna and the donna gentile.  The word is used with a signification similar to that which it has in our own early literature, and fuller than that which it now retains.  It refers both to race, as in the phrase “of gentle birth,” and to the qualities of character.  “Gentleness means the same as nobleness,” says Dante, in the Convito; “and by nobleness is meant the perfection of its own nature in anything.”  Tratt. iv. c. 14 16.

The delicacy and the dignity of meaning attaching to the word render it an epithet especially appropriate to Beatrice, as implying all that is loveliest in person and character.  Its use in the Vita Nuova is the more to be remarked, as in the Divina Commedia it is never applied to Beatrice.  Its appropriateness ceased with her earthly life, for there was “another glory of the celestial body.”]

[Footnote M:  This Canzone is one of the most beautiful of Dante’s minor poems.  We have preferred to give it in a literal translation, rather than to attempt one in which the involved rhyme of the original should be preserved, fearing lest this could not be done without sacrifice of the meaning to the form.  The original must be read by those who would understand its grace of expression combined with its depth of feeling.  Dante himself prized this Canzone, and represents Buonagiunta da Lucca in Purgatory as addressing him,—­

  “Ma di s’ io veggio qui colui che fuore
  Trasse le nuove rime, cominciando: 
  Donne, ch’ avete intelletto d’Amore.”

“But tell me if I see him who wrote the new rhymes, beginning, ’Ladies who have intelligence of Love.’” Purgat. c. xxiv. l. 49-51.]

  “Ladies who have intelligence of Love,
  I of my lady wish with you to speak;
  Not that to tell her praise in full I think,
  But to discourse that I may ease my mind.

  “I say that when I think upon her worth,
  So sweet doth Love make himself feel to me,
  That if I then did not my courage lose,
  Speaking I would enamor all mankind. 
  I do not wish so loftily to speak,
  Lest I should fail and fall through very fear. 
  But of her gentle nature I will treat
  With lightest touch compared with her desert,
  Ladies and damsels bound to Love, with you;
  For unto others this may not be told.

  “An Angel cries aloud in tongue divine,
  And says, ’O Sire! in the world is seen
  A miracle in action, that proceeds
  From out a soul which far as here doth shine.’ 
  The Heavens, which have no other want, indeed,
  But that of her, demand her of her Lord,
  And every Saint doth for this favor beg;
  Only Compassion our part defends. 
  What sayeth God? what of Madonna means? 
  ’O my delights, now be content in peace
  That, while I please, your hope should there remain
  Where dwelleth one who loss of her awaits,
  And who shall say in Hell to the condemned,
  I have beheld the hope of those in bliss.’"[N]