• This is the first line of the first canzone in the Convito , and in his commentary upon it, II 5, Dante says:⁠— “In the first place, then, be it known, that the movers of this heaven are substances separate from matter, that is, Intelligences, which the common people call Angels.” And farther on, II 6:⁠— “It is reasonable to believe that the motors of the Heaven of the Moon are of the order of the Angels; and those of Mercury are the Archangels; and those of Venus are the Thrones.” It will be observed, however, that in line 34 he alludes to the Principalities as the Regents of Venus; and in Canto IX 61, speaks of the Thrones as reflecting the justice of God:⁠— “Above us there are mirrors, Thrones you call them, From which shines out on us God Judicant”; thus referring the Thrones to a higher heaven than that of Venus. ↩
• After he had by looks asked and gained assent from Beatrice. ↩