PREFACE. CONSIDERING the enormous number of translations and editions which the "Divine Comedy" has already undergone at the hands of fifteen or more generations, it would seem to be only decent that a fresh one should offer some apology for its existence. The best, perhaps, is that suggested by Sainte-Beuve: "Lire Dante," he says, "et le lire de près, c'est presque inévitablement désirer de le traduire, c'est entrer dans les replis de son génie, et après y avoir pénétré (ce qui demande tout un effort), c'est concevoir la pensée d'y introduire les autres." Without pretending to the hardihood, so characteristic of the writer's nation, which talks easily of penetrating into the recesses of Dante's genius, the present translator may admit that some such idea as that indicated in the above passage was what first suggested the task he has undertaken. There are, indeed, sundry signs which go to show that of late years the serious study of Dante's great poem is beginning to make its way in this country. Formerly, the "Inferno" was read in its entirety, or oftener in fragments, by young people who were learning Italian; and then they went on to read a little Ariosto, a little Tasso, and so on, till they were considered to be "finished." Very few, it may be imagined, ever looked into the "Purgatorio;" almost none ventured on the "Paradiso." Indeed, the second and third Canticles must |