“The golden Chrysolite a fiery blaze Mixed with the hue of ocean’s green displays; Enchased in gold, its strong protective might Drives far away the terrors of the night; Strung on a hair plucked from an ass’s tail, The mightiest demons neath its influence quail.”

↩

He had been waiting for the coming of Dante, with the “hunger long and grateful” spoken of in line 49. ↩

The first of the family who bore the name of Alighieri, still punished in the circle of Pride in Purgatory, and needing the prayers and good offices of Dante to set him free. ↩