PURGATORIO II. 13-51. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This is Longfellow's English translation of a passage from Dante's *Purgatorio*, where the narrator observes an angel pilot skillfully guiding a glowing boat filled with souls across the sea toward the mountain of Purgatory.
The poem
And now, behold! as at the approach of morning, Through the gross vapors, Mars grows fiery red Down in the west upon the ocean floor Appeared to me,--may I again behold it! A light along the sea, so swiftly coming, Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled. And when therefrom I had withdrawn a little Mine eyes, that I might question my conductor, Again I saw it brighter grown and larger. Thereafter, on all sides of it, appeared I knew not what of white, and underneath, Little by little, there came forth another. My master yet had uttered not a word, While the first whiteness into wings unfolded; But, when he clearly recognized the pilot, He cried aloud: "Quick, quick, and bow the knee! Behold the Angel of God! fold up thy hands! Henceforward shalt thou see such officers! See, how he scorns all human arguments, So that no oar he wants, nor other sail Than his own wings, between so distant shores! See, how he holds them, pointed straight to heaven, Fanning the air with the eternal pinions, That do not moult themselves like mortal hair!" And then, as nearer and more near us came The Bird of Heaven, more glorious he appeared, So that the eye could not sustain his presence, But down I cast it; and he came to shore With a small vessel, gliding swift and light, So that the water swallowed naught thereof. Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot! Beatitude seemed written in his face! And more than a hundred spirits sat within. "In exitu Israel de Aegypto!" Thus sang they all together in one voice, With whatso in that Psalm is after written. Then made he sign of holy rood upon them, Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore, And he departed swiftly as he came.
This is Longfellow's English translation of a passage from Dante's *Purgatorio*, where the narrator observes an angel pilot skillfully guiding a glowing boat filled with souls across the sea toward the mountain of Purgatory. The angel appears in a blinding light and at supernatural speed, brings the souls who are singing a psalm of liberation, and disappears just as quickly. It's a scene that captures divine grace in action — effortless, radiant, and entirely beyond human experience.
Line-by-line
And now, behold! as at the approach of morning, / Through the gross vapors, Mars grows fiery red
Down in the west upon the ocean floor / Appeared to me,--may I again behold it!
A light along the sea, so swiftly coming, / Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled.
And when therefrom I had withdrawn a little / Mine eyes, that I might question my conductor,
Thereafter, on all sides of it, appeared / I knew not what of white, and underneath,
My master yet had uttered not a word, / While the first whiteness into wings unfolded;
He cried aloud: "Quick, quick, and bow the knee! / Behold the Angel of God! fold up thy hands!"
See, how he scorns all human arguments, / So that no oar he wants, nor other sail
See, how he holds them, pointed straight to heaven, / Fanning the air with the eternal pinions,
And then, as nearer and more near us came / The Bird of Heaven, more glorious he appeared,
Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot! / Beatitude seemed written in his face!
"In exitu Israel de Aegypto!" / Thus sang they all together in one voice,
Then made he sign of holy rood upon them, / Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore,
Tone & mood
The tone remains respectful and filled with awe, avoiding any hint of sentimentality. Virgil's commands carry a sense of urgency, while the narrator's observations exude wonder, all balanced by a serene, almost ceremonial quality—especially in the closing lines featuring the Latin psalm. Longfellow's translation maintains Dante's blend of vivid imagery and spiritual ecstasy, making the passage feel both rooted and elevated simultaneously.
Symbols & metaphors
- The angel's wings — The wings are clearly different from mortal feathers that shed and decay. They represent divine permanence — a grace that doesn't wear out or diminish like natural things do.
- The light on the sea — The approaching light signals the angel's arrival, getting brighter as it draws near. While light typically symbolizes divine presence and grace, Dante adds a dynamic twist — it moves, intensifies, and overwhelms the eye.
- The small vessel — The boat that carries the souls is so light that it leaves no wake — "the water swallowed naught thereof." This symbolizes the weightlessness of divine transport: souls in God's care aren't a burden, and the journey to purification needs no human effort or machinery.
- "In exitu Israel de Aegypto" (Psalm 114) — The Exodus psalm sung by the arriving souls parallels their journey with Israel's escape from slavery. Egypt symbolizes sin and spiritual captivity; crossing the sea signifies death and transition; the shore of Purgatory marks the start of freedom and the return to God.
- Mars glowing red through vapors — The opening simile of Mars on the horizon isn’t just for show. The red planet, shrouded in thick mist — beautiful yet hidden — reflects the narrator's first, flawed view of the angel until the complete image becomes clear.
- Beatitude on the pilot's face — The angel's visible happiness reflects what the souls are striving for. His face offers a glimpse of the destination — the joy that awaits those who finish their journey through Purgatory.
Historical context
Dante Alighieri wrote the *Divine Comedy* in the early 14th century, and *Purgatorio* is its second canticle. This passage is from Canto II, where Dante and his guide, Virgil, have just reached the base of Mount Purgatory. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow dedicated years to translating the *Divine Comedy*, with his version published in 1867. He worked on it partly to cope with the grief of losing his wife in a fire in 1861. Longfellow's translation is noted for staying true to Dante's terza rima structure and for its clear, dignified English. The scene described — an angel transporting souls across the sea — is rooted in Christian theology regarding purgation and draws on Old Testament imagery from the Exodus, both of which are central to Dante’s vision of the afterlife as a journey toward God.
FAQ
An angel pilots a boat carrying newly departed souls across the sea to the shore of Purgatory. The narrator, Dante, and his guide, Virgil, observe the angel as it arrives at remarkable speed, delivers the souls to the beach, blesses them with the sign of the cross, and departs just as quickly.
Virgil sees the angel and understands that the right way to respond to a divine presence is with immediate, physical reverence. He is insistent — "Quick, quick" — because the angel's arrival calls for a response right away, not after any thought. This also highlights that even Virgil, a pagan poet and the wisest guide Dante could envision, fully submits to Christian divine authority.
It’s the opening line of Psalm 114 in Latin: "When Israel went out of Egypt." This psalm celebrates the Israelites' liberation from slavery. Dante references it because the souls crossing the sea to Purgatory are experiencing their own exodus—escaping the bondage of sin and starting their journey toward God. Dante also mentions this psalm in his well-known letter to Can Grande as an illustration of allegorical meaning.
It’s a translation. Longfellow translated Dante's *Divine Comedy* from Italian to English, releasing it in 1867. This excerpt corresponds to lines 13–51 of Canto II from the *Purgatorio*. Longfellow focused on staying true to Dante's original text instead of creating a loose, poetic reinterpretation.
Dante argues that the angel transcends human limitations. Oars and sails represent human attempts to navigate water. In contrast, the angel's wings—eternal and self-sufficient—render those efforts meaningless. This illustrates that divine grace functions according to different principles than human effort or technology.
Mars glows red through the sea mist at dawn, creating a striking yet imperfect light—it's there, but somewhat hidden. Dante uses this imagery to depict his initial, unclear view of the angel's approaching light. As the angel draws nearer, the comparison fades, since the angel's light shines with a brilliance unmatched by any planet. This simile highlights the difference between natural beauty and divine radiance.
That line captures Dante's voice intruding into the narrative — a moment filled with personal longing. He expresses that the vision was so extraordinary he wishes he could witness it once more. This serves as a reminder to the reader that this isn't merely a story, but a recounting of a real experience, one that has left a lasting impression on the narrator.
"The water swallowed naught thereof" means the boat didn't leave a mark on the sea — no displacement, no wake. This indicates that the angel and his vessel belong to a different realm than physical objects. Divine transport carries no weight, creates no drag, and has no impact on the material world. It’s a subtle yet significant detail that distinguishes the miraculous from the merely impressive.