• This is in answer to Dante’s question, line 35:⁠— “And why only Thou dost renew these praises well deserved?” ↩
• The occasion of this quaking of the mountain is given. Canto XXI 58:⁠— “It trembles here, whenever any soul Feels itself pure, so that it soars, or moves To mount aloft, and such a cry attends it.” ↩
• An island in the Aegean Sea, in the centre of the Cyclades. It was thrown up by an earthquake, in order to receive Latona, when she gave birth to Apollo and Diana⁠—the Sun and the Moon. ↩
• Luke 2:13, 14:⁠— “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” ↩
• Gower, Confessio Amantis , III 5:⁠— “When Goddes sone also was bore, He sent his aungel down therfore, Whom the shepherdes herden singe: Pees to the men of welwillinge In erthe be amonge us here.” ↩
• This canto is devoted to the interview with the poet Statius, whose release from punishment was announced by the earthquake and the outcry at the end of the last canto. ↩