In praise of him: while what he should have been,
Could be, and was not—the one step too mean
For him to take,—we suffer at this day
Because of: Ecelin had pushed away
Its chance ere Dante could arrive and take
What least one may I award Sordello?
That step Sordello spurned, for the world's sake:
He did much—but Sordello's chance was gone.
Thus, had Sordello dared that step alone,
Apollo had been compassed—'t was a fit