Thus Beatrice; and I, who at the feet Of her commandments all devoted was, My mind and eyes directed where she willed. Never descended with so swift a motion Fire from a heavy cloud, when it is raining From out the region which is most remote, As I beheld the bird of Jove descend 1162 Down through the tree, rending away the bark, As well as blossoms and the foliage new, And he with all his might the chariot smote, 1163 Whereat it reeled, like vessel in a tempest Tossed by the waves, now starboard and now larboard. Thereafter saw I leap into the body Of the triumphal vehicle a Fox, 1164 That seemed unfed with any wholesome food. But for his hideous sins upbraiding him, My Lady put him to as swift a flight As such a fleshless skeleton could bear. Then by the way that it before had come, Into the chariot’s chest I saw the Eagle Descend, and leave it feathered with his plumes.