His Descent 1
1265. His Birth 2
His Mother's Dream 3
Brunetto Latini 4
Story of his early Love for Beatrice 6
1290. Her Death 7
"Vita Nuova" 7
Uncertain Traditions concerning the early Part of Dante's Life 9
His Marriage with Madonna Gemma 10
The Guelfs and Ghibelines 13
1289. The Battle of Campaldino 14
Dante serves in the Cavalry 14
Extract from his Inferno, Canto XXII., giving an Account, of
this Conflict 15
He again takes the Field at the Siege of Caprona 15
Extract from the Inferno, Canto XXI. 15
He is chosen chief Prior of his native City 16
Origin of the Schism between the Bianchi and the Neri 17
The Cerchi and the Donati 18
Banishment of the principal Instigators of the Neri and the
Bianchi 19
Dante suspected of favouring the Bianchi Party 20
He vindicates himself 20
Entrance of Charles into Florence 20
The Recal of the Neri 20
Six Hundred of the Bianchi driven into Exile 21
Embassy of Dante to Rome 21
Boccaccio accuses him of Self-confidence and Disparagement of
others 21
Confiscation of Dante's Property 22
His Banishment 22
He joins the Confederates of the Bianchi at Arezzo 23
Their unfortunate Expedition against Florence 23
Pietro Petracco 23
Dante quits the Confederacy 23
His personal Humiliation 24
Extract from his "Purgatorio" 24
1308. Henry of Luxembourg raised to the Throne of Germany 26
Dante professes himself a Ghibeline 26
1313. Henry of Luxembourg poisoned 26
Dante dedicates his "De Monarchia" 26
He wanders from one petty Court to another 27
Busone da Gubbio affords him shelter at Arezzo 27
Anecdote of him while at Verona 28
Guido Novello da Polenta, Lord of Ravenna 29
Mental Sufferings of Dante 30
His Letter to a Friend who had obtained Leave for him to
return to his Country 31
Extracts from his "Paradiso" 32
His Residence at Ravenna 32
1321. His Death 33
A Copy of his "Divina Commedia" embellished by Michael
Angelo 34
Dante--his Tomb at Ravenna 35
Restoration of his Property to his Family 35
The "De Monarchia" publicly burnt at Rome, by Order of the
Pope 35
Description of Dante by Boccaccio 36
Musical Talents of Dante 37
Extract from his "Purgatorio" 37
His two Sons the first Commentators 39
Lyrics of Dante 41
Origin of the "Divina Commedia" 43
Observations on the Title of the "Divina Commedia" 44
Extracts from the "Inferno" 46
Strictures on it 51
And on the "Inferno" 53