“In that part of the youthful year wherein The sun his locks beneath Aquarius tempers, And now the nights draw near to half the day.” Inf. xxiv. 1-3. (Longfellow).

[226] “Night that opposite to him revolves.” (Longfellow).

[227]

“The Scales, that from her hands are dropped When she reigns highest.” Purg. ii. 5, 6. (Carey).

[228]

“And he: Now go, for the sun shall not lie Seven times upon the pillow which the Ram With all his four feet covers and bestrides. Before that such a courteous opinion ...” Purg. viii. 133-136. (Longfellow).

[229] “I have come to that part of the wheel.” Canz. xv.

[230] Like all mediæval writers, Dante includes the sun and moon among the seven planets. The others do not cast perceptible shadows, except Venus and Jupiter at their brightest.

[231]

“I to that point in the great wheel have come, Wherein the horizon, when the sun doth set, Brings forth the twin-starred heaven to our sight; And Love’s fair star away from us doth roam, Through the bright rays obliquely on it met In such wise that they veil its tender light; That planet which makes keen the cold of night Shows himself to us in the circle great, Where each star of the seven casts little shade.” (Plumptre).