Dante, sole standing on the heavenward height,
  Beheld and heard one saying, "Behold me well:
  I am, I am Beatrice." Heaven and hell
  Kept silence, and the illimitable light
  Of all the stars was darkness in his sight
  Whose eyes beheld her eyes again, and fell
  Shame-stricken. Since her soul took flight to dwell
  In heaven, six hundred years have taken flight.

  And now that heavenliest part of earth whereon
  Shines yet their shadow as once their presence shone
  To her bears witness for his sake, as he
  For hers bare witness when her face was gone:
  No slave, no hospice now for grief--but free
  From shore to mountain and from Alp to sea.