All 9 Uses of
discern
in
Dante's Inferno -- translated by Longfellow
- 'Since thou wouldst fain so inwardly discern, Briefly will I relate,' she answered me, 'Why I am not afraid to enter here.†
Canto 1.1-11
- People I saw on a great river's bank; Whence said I: "Master, now vouchsafe to me, That I may know who these are, and what law Makes them appear so ready to pass over, As I discern athwart the dusky light."†
Canto 1.1-11
- Obscure, profound it was, and nebulous, So that by fixing on its depths my sight Nothing whatever I discerned therein.†
Canto 1.1-11 *
- We were a little distant from it still, But not so far that I in part discerned not That honourable people held that place.†
Canto 1.1-11
- And he to me: "Across the turbid waves What is expected thou canst now discern, If reek of the morass conceal it not."†
Canto 1.1-11
- And I: "Its mosques already, Master, clearly Within there in the valley I discern Vermilion, as if issuing from the fire They were."†
Canto 1.1-11
- But truly, if I well discern, a little Before His coming who the mighty spoil Bore off from Dis, in the supernal circle, Upon all sides the deep and loathsome valley Trembled so, that I thought the Universe Was thrilled with love, by which there are who think The world ofttimes converted into chaos; And at that moment this primeval crag Both here and elsewhere made such overthrow.†
Canto 1.12-22
- "If my entreaty wholly were fulfilled," Replied I to him, "not yet would you be In banishment from human nature placed; For in my mind is fixed, and touches now My heart the dear and good paternal image Of you, when in the world from hour to hour You taught me how a man becomes eternal; And how much I am grateful, while I live Behoves that in my language be discerned.†
Canto 1.12-22
- Inferno: Canto XXXIV " 'Vexilla Regis prodeunt Inferni' Towards us; therefore look in front of thee," My Master said, "if thou discernest him."†
Canto 1.23-34
Definition:
-
(discern) to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious