Invocation by the Master

To course on better waters the little
boat of my wit, that leaves behind her
so cruel a sea, now raises her sails,
and I will sing of that second kingdom
in which the human spirit is made clean
and becomes worthy to ascend to heaven.
But here let poetry rise again from the dead,
oh holy Muses, for yours I am,
and here let Calliope rise up for a time
lending my song company with that tone
which rang in the ears of the miserable
magpies so that they despaired of pardon.

Dante Purgatorio, transl. John Ciardi