Commentary Par X 139-148

According to Scott (Scot.2004.2), p. 297, this is the first reference in literature to a mechanical clock.  He cites Dronke (Dron.1975.2), pp. 101-2, who suggests that Dante might have seen the one built in Milan in 1306 when he was there for the coronation of Henry VII (in 1310).  And see Moevs (Moev.1999.2) for the nature and location of clocks in Dante's time.  It is hardly credible, as a distinguished scholar who will be allowed to remain anonymous said in a recent lecture, that the scene is meant to put us in mind of a Florentine husband readying himself for getting into bed with his wife while a clock in their bedroom tolls the hour, as the scene is clearly a morning one, and as it would be many years before mechanical clocks of that small size and portability were available.  This is not that sort of sound, but one of chimes from a (distant?) clock tower.