8 Thus he said, marked with the stamp in his aspect of that righteous zeal 84 which glows with due measure in the heart. My greedy eyes were going only to the sky, only there where the stars are slowest, 87 even as a wheel nearest the axle. And my Leader: “Son, at what art thou gazing up there?” And I to him: “At those three torches 90 with which the pole on this side is all aflame.” And he to me: “The four bright stars which thou sawest this morning are low on the other side, 93 and these are risen where those were.” As he was speaking, lo! Sordello drew him to himself, saying: “See there our adversary!” 96 and pointed his finger that he should look thither. At that part where has no barrier the little valley was a snake, 99 perhaps such as gave to Eve the bitter food. Through the grass and the flowers came the evil streak, turning now and again its head to its back, 102 licking like a beast that sleeks itself. I did not see, and therefore cannot tell, how the celestial falcons moved, 105 but I saw well both one and the other in motion. Hearing the air cleft by their green wings the serpent fled, and the angels wheeled 108 upward to their posts with equal flight.
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