Of this existence look into the mirror Wherein, before thou think’st, thy thought thou showest. But that the sacred love, in which I watch With sight perpetual, and which makes me thirst With sweet desire, may better be fulfilled, Now let thy voice secure and frank and glad Proclaim the wishes, the desire proclaim, To which my answer is decreed already.” To Beatrice I turned me, and she heard Before I spake, and smiled to me a sign, That made the wings of my desire increase; Then in this wise began I: “Love and knowledge, When on you dawned the first Equality, 1582 Of the same weight for each of you became; For in the Sun, which lighted you and burned With heat and radiance, they so equal are, That all similitudes are insufficient. But among mortals will and argument, 1583 For reason that to you is manifest, Diversely feathered in their pinions are. Whence I, who mortal am, feel in myself