Introduction: I've tried to play around a bit with the Spenserian stanza here. The basic rhyme scheme remains the same: the nine-line stanza with rhyme scheme ababbcbcc. I have, however, shortened the syllables to eight per line from Spenser's ten. The fourth line has even fewer – six – aiming at a short climax. The final line, following Spenser, has more syllables – ten here in case of twelve.

- ON PUTTING DOWN DANTE'S DIVINE COMEDY -

O Lord! Blest be that mortal ear
That can, beneath this transient sky
Thy songs of timeless glory hear
Blest too, that mortal eye
That can thy will divine descry
And late such glory has been mine
Thy flag of justice to espy
To know thy immortal design
Since heard I Dante, thy minstrel divine

Sweeter than choirs of Seraphim
His lyre sounds those ancient lays
Sweeter e'en than thy trumpet grim
His songs astound, amaze
So ne'er did Cortes' keenest gaze
Upon a grander scene alight
Than mine, in twilight's fading rays
Saw realms of gold and sweet delight
What is the Pacific to such a sight?