Two Dantes

Cambridge, Mass. — ‘When I was a student, long ago, I heard about the famous Dante Della Terza,” I say. He says, “Dante Della Terza is me!” Yes, indeed.

He is one of the great Dante scholars of our time. They share a name, yes. It happened “innocently,” says Della Terza, with a smile. “That is what my mother named me.” He has another connection to Dante through his last name. The poet’s rhyme scheme, remember, is terza rima.