"E venni dal martirio a questa pace."

These words the poet heard in Paradise,
       &nbsp Uttered by one who, bravely dying here,
       &nbsp In the true faith was living in that sphere
       &nbsp Where the celestial cross of sacrifice
Spread its protecting arms athwart the skies;
       &nbsp And set thereon, like jewels crystal clear,
       &nbsp The souls magnanimous, that knew not fear,
       &nbsp Flashed their effulgence on his dazzled eyes.
Ah me! how dark the discipline of pain,
       &nbsp Were not the suffering followed by the sense
       &nbsp Of infinite rest and infinite release!
This is our consolation; and again
       &nbsp A great soul cries to us in our suspense,
       &nbsp "I came from martyrdom unto this peace!"