The fiercest of these robbers as thy meed,

And this I swear, how hard soe’er it prove.”

I hastened after them and slipped amid

Their company, and I was seized with shudders

Before myself, to see how I alone

Was marked not of them, how they spoke together,

As I were air and void, right through my form

And through it even handed bread and wine.

My eyes grew overveiled and ranging fell

Upon the ring-set stone whose radiance red