XI

Paola and Francesca, dead these years,

And lost forever unto Rimini!

Lanciotto's garden blooms no more where ye

Found love is laughter, love is also tears;

Is peace and pain, high hopes and sudden fears;

That love is gain and loss, an ecstasy

Of heaven and then hell's hot eternity;

A balm that soothes the soul, a flame that sears.

I, too, know of a secret garden where

Pale asphodels are rivals of the rose;

And all life's opposites are gathered there

Before the spirit's agony, that knows

Gladness ineffable through loving One

Who hath no equal underneath the sun.