Of him who counselled thus to mark the mien,
As rests not wholly satisfied until
Face unto face the speaker may be seen.
And, as one sees not the sun’s figure clear,
Through light’s great superflux that blinds our gaze,
So was my visual virtue wanting here.
“This is a heavenly spirit” (Virgil says),
“That with his splendor veils him from thine eye,
And guides us our way up, nor waits for prayer.
He does by us as men would be done by;