v. 6. The scales.] The constellation Libra.
v. 35. Winnowing the air.] Trattando l’acre con l’eterne penne.
80 Filicaja, canz. viii. st. 11. Ma trattar l’acre coll’ eterne plume
v. 45. In exitu.] “When Israel came out of Egypt.” Ps. cxiv.
v. 75. Thrice my hands.]
Ter conatus ibi eollo dare brachia eircum,
Ter frustra eomprensa manus effugit imago,
Par levibus ventis voluerique simillima sommo.
Virg. Aen. ii. 794.
Compare Homer, Od. xl. 205.
v. 88. My Casella.] A Florentine, celebrated for his skill in music, “in whose company,” says Landine, “Dante often recreated his spirits wearied by severe studies.” See Dr. Burney’s History of Music, vol. ii. c. iv. p. 322. Milton has a fine allusion to this meeting in his sonnet to Henry Lawes.
v. 90. Hath so much time been lost.] Casella had been dead some years but was only just arrived.
v. 91. He.] The eonducting angel.
v. 94. These three months past.] Since the time of the Jubilee, during which all spirits not condemned to eternal punishment, were supposed to pass over to Purgatory as soon as they pleased.