[12] Fiesole is a town on a high hill near Florence—the latter was said to have been settled by the people of Fiesole.
[13] Two islands in the Mediterranean near the mouth of the Arno.
[14] The sun's.
[15] Symbol of active life, as Rachel is of contemplative life.
[16] Forest near Ravenna.
[17] The Empyrean.
[18] Carducci says Dante is a "most great poet because he is a great man, and a great man because he had a great conscience."