University Libraries > The Library Inscriptions

Picture of Library

University of Rhode Island Libraries

University of Rhode Island Libraries Web Site Header

The Library Inscriptions

Outer Lobby Inscriptions 2

High on the west wall of the outer lobby is a panel with the words

PERO CHE TU TRASCORRI
PER LE TENEBRE TROPPO
DA LA LUNGI AVVIEN CHE POI
NEL MAGINARE ABBORRI

[ Because You Try to Penetrate ]
[ the Shadows From Much Too ]
[ Far Away, You Confuse the Truth ]
[ With Your Imagination ]

Picture of inscription PERO CHE...

The text is from Dante Alighieri’s La Divina Commedia — Inferno, Canto XXXI, lines 22-24. The translation is by Mark Musa (Bloomington, Ind., 1971, page 255).

The panel, measuring 8 1/2 feet by 3 feet, is dark gray Buckingham slate from a quarry in Arvonia, Virginia. The letters are classic Roman capitals.

This panel and the two adjacent panels were installed in late July, 1993.

[ Back to Inscriptions main page ]

University of Rhode Island Libraries