Before that death has let his pinions free,
Who doth at will his eyelids ope and close?”
“I know not; but am sure not sole is he:
Demand thou of him who the nearest art,
And gently ask, that he may deign reply.”
Thus to the right two spirits there, apart,
Bent each toward each, conferred as I came nigh;
Then turning up their faces as to speak,
One said: “O soul! that still in mortal hold
Art on the way thy home in heaven to seek,