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C. L. SHAD WELL




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AN EXPERIMENT IN
LITERAL VERSE TRANSLA TION
BY


CHARLES


LANCELOT SHADWELL, M.A., B.C.L.
FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE, OXFORD


WITH AN INTRODUCTION
BY
WALTER PATER, M.A.
FELLOW OF B3RASENOSE COLLEGE, OXFORD.


LONDON
AND NEW YORK
1892




OHO   fobT
HORACE HART, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY




PREFACE


THE difficulty, or rather the impossibility, of
adequately reproducing in any language the poetry
of another, is one of the commonplaces of criticism,
and it has by no one been more forcibly stated
than by Dante himself. "Nulla cosa," he says,
"per legame musaico armonizzata si puo della
"sua loquela in altra trasmutare sanza rompere
" tutta sua dolcezza e armonia" (Convito, i. 7). The
sweetness and music of a poem depend upon the
conditions of its language; they cannot be transferred by mere imitation of the form of the original;
they can only be reproduced, if at all, by being
conformed to the requirements of the new medium.
The least literal of translations is that which
follows closest to the order of the words, the
structure of the sentence, the arrangement of the
period. The least harmonious of verse translations is that which is set to a foreign and unfamiliar metre.
In a prose translation the task of representing
the music of the original poem is not attempted,
b




vi


PREFACE.


and the only problem is to give an exact equivalent
for the matter and the language of the original.
Translations of the Commedia of this kind have
been published by Dr. Carlyle, by Mr. A. J. Butler,
and Mr. C. E. Norton. In these, if an opinion may
be offered, Dr. Carlyle's version may claim to be
the more literal, because of its greater boldness in
substituting for modes of expression natural to the
Italian language their appropriate English equivalents. But prose translation, even at its best,
leaves half the problem unattempted; the music,
the cadences, of the poem are lost. Blank verse,
such as Cary and Longfellow have given, is little
better. No attempt is made to satisfy the ear with
any effect corresponding to that produced by
Dante's recurring rimes; and in those parts of
the poem where the matter is less elevated, and
where the diction is simple, the absence of rime
makes the translation tedious. To overcome this
defect, and to reproduce for the English reader
the form as well as the matter of the Commedia,
Dante's own metre, the terza rima, has been
adopted by Mr. Cayley, by Dr. Plumptre, and,
less exactly, by Mr. Ichabod Wright. But the
terza rima in English, though it succeeds in reproducing the rime, fails in two ways. In the
first place, it is not an English metre: it has
never been used by any English poet for original




PREFACE.


vii


composition; its structure is unfamiliar; and the
ear does not expect, and is not gratified by meeting
with, the recurrent rimes. Secondly, the difficulty,
always great, of finding three rimes suitable to the
meaning, becomes much greater in translation;
and it must frequently happen that the words
which best reproduce the meaning have to be
discarded in favour of weaker ones which fulfil
the condition of the triple ending. The same
causes necessitate the use of various forms of
" padding," of violent inversions and complications
of grammatical structure; and of archaic and uncouth expressions employed without any justification in the original.
If English terza rima, which makes the closest
attempt to reproduce both the matter and the form
of the Commedia, is therefore unsuccessful, is any
other form of rimed verse possible? In the translation here published, the metre chosen is that
used by Andrew Marvell in his well - known
Horatian Ode to Cromwell. This Ode is composed
in stanzas, each stanza consisting of one pair of
iambic eight-syllabled lines, and one pair of sixsyllabled lines, thus:He nothing common did or mean
Upon that memorable scene,
But with his keener eye
The axe's edge did try;
b2




VIII


PREFACE.


Nor called the gods with Vulgar spite
To vindicate his helpless right,
But bowed his comely head
Down as upon a bed.
The following are some of the considerations
which suggested the employment of Marvell's
poem as a model for an English version of the
Commedia.
(i) Next to the triple rime, perhaps the most
important characteristic of Dante's verse is the
arrangement into stanzas. Each terzina is, as a
general rule, complete in itself, and forms one
paragraph or period. Occasionally, but rarely, the
sentence runs on into the next terzina. Nothing
could be more unlike the Commedia than the
versification of Byron's Prophecy of Dante, professing to be written in terza rima, but allowing
the break between the sentences to occur at random, at any part of any verse. Now, the division
into stanzas, on which Marvell's metre is based,
is, like Dante's, generally coincident with a
pause in the sense; while it allows, at the
same time, of a continuation of the sentence,
where necessary, from one stanza into another.
In taking Marvell's poem as a model, the translator finds a common principle of structure which
more than compensates for the change of metre.
The terzine of Dante fall naturally into the compass




PREFACE.


ix


of the English stanza. It is not like breaking
up the Odyssey into the stanzas of the Faery
Queen, or the Aeneid into the ballad metre of
Marmion.
(2) The capacity of the two stanzas is nearly
equal. Marvell's four lines are slightly less in
space than Dante's three, twenty-eight syllables
to thirty-three; but making allowance for the
greater number of monosyllabic nouns and verbs
in English, the room for expressing the same
quantity of thought is about the same. And, if
the whole English stanza can be put in the place
of the Italian terzina, the translator has the great
advantage of being able, where necessary, to rearrange the matter of the paragraph within the
limits of the stanza, instead of being obliged, as
the translator into blank verse or terza rima generally finds himself, to give an equivalent for the
original line by line.
(3) The change in Marvell's stanza from the
eight-syllable to the six-syllable couplet is peculiarly well adapted for introducing a subordinate
clause, a reflexion, a simile, an illustration, a
parenthetic statement of any kind, which depends
on the preceding principal sentence but which
can be detached from it without injury. Such
is frequently the use to which Dante puts the
last line of a terzina. In the eighth canto of the




x                  PREFACE.
Purgatorio this is the case in six out of the first
nine terzine:Lo di ch' han detto ai dolci amici addio.
Che paia il giorno pianger che si muore.
Come dicesse a Dio: D' altro non calme.
Avendo gli occhi alle superne ruote.
Quasi aspettando pallido ed umile.
Tronche e private delle punte sue.
Compare Marvell:Removing from the wall
The corslet of the hall.
As if his highest plot
To plant the bergamot.
(4) Lastly, there is a resemblance between the
language of the two poets. Marvell, like Dante,
can produce great effects by the use of very simple
and homely words. Compare the lines:But bowed his comely head
Down as upon a bed;
or
While round the armed bands
Did clap their bloody hands;
with the following:Ma noi sem peregrin come voi siete.
A guisa di leon quando si posa.
On the other hand, they are alike in their employ



PREFACE.


xi


ment, on occasion, of expressions outside the
ordinary poetical vocabulary, as well as of images
and ideas which belong to learning and science.
There are many passages in the Commedia which
may be compared with the following:Nature that hateth emptiness
Allows of penetration less,
And therefore must make room
Where greater spirits come.
or again with:And to all states not free
Shall climacteric be.
An apology ought perhaps to be offered, apart
from the impatience of the translator to finish his
task, for closing the present experiment at the
end of the twenty-seventh canto of the Purgatorio.
The concluding six cantos of the second Cantica
constitute, from several points of view, a distinct
section of the poem. They have nothing to do
with the general allegory, the moral experience
of the human soul, the process by which it can
rise from earth to heaven. They do not even
belong to the imaginary course of the purified
soul after death. The earthly Paradise is a scene
which is concerned solely with Dante's personal
story. Virgil disappears without a farewell. Statius
is there, but only in name: he takes no part in




xft


PREFACE.


the action. No other souls are met with in their
passage heavenward. The reconciliation of Dante
with Beatrice, and the great pageant, revealing
what was in store for the Church and the Empire,
interrupt the course of the allegory; they form
a personal episode, full of beauties of its own, but
as distinct in thought and tone from the Purgatory
proper, as that is from either of the two other
divisions of the poem.
The translator owes his thanks to many friends,
mostly members of the Oxford Dante Society,
for help in various ways: to the late Dean of
St. Paul's, to Dr. Liddon, and Dr. Moore: to
Mr. E. Poste, Mr. James Bryce, Mr. H. F. Tozer,
and Mr. Earle, for constant assistance and advice:
above all, to Mr. Walter Pater, whose contribution
to this volume is only the last of many acts of
kindness and encouragement without which the
work would never have been completed.
C. L. S.
FREWIN HALL, OXFORD.
9 Sept. 1892.




INTRODUCTION


"Sa reputation s'affermira toujours parcequ'on
" ne le lit guere 1," says Voltaire of Dante: and just
there certainly he would seem to have overpassed
the limit of his critical method, its capacity for
dealing with great matters. Yet Voltaire did but
reflect the general unfitness of the last century
in regard to the Middle Age, of whose spirit
Dante is the central embodiment; for, late in that
century, the "universal-minded" Goethe himself
explains, much to the surprise of the reader of
to-day, why, passing through Assisi, he inspected
carefully an average specimen of old Roman architecture, but was careful not to inspect the frescoes
of Giotto in the church of Saint Francis, work,


I Dictionnaire Philosophique. Art. Dante.




X1V


INTRODUCTION.


done, it has been thought, under Dahte's immediate
influence1.
We have certainly " changed all that;" and the
unaffected interest of our own generation in the
Divina Commedia is more than a mere element of
the medievalism which marks the later half of the
nineteenth century.  The causes of this medievalism, which has at least secured for posterity
what three careless centuries had left us of the
art of the Middle Age, would probably reduce
themselves in the main to the influence of reaction.
That poetic period, poetic as we see it, perhaps
a little illusively, has been a refuge from the mere
prose of our own day as we see it, most of all in
England. But there seems to be something more
than just this, something more positive in character,
and in closer alliance with the genius of the nineteenth century itself, in the interest which Dante
commands among us,-his popularity with the
many, his sufficiency for the devotion of a select
number of admirable scholars, whose fault assuredly
it will not be if the minutest point about him or
his work remains obscure.
By way of explaining such devotion in contrast
to the indifference of preceding centuries it would
of course be enough to say that Dante was a great


' Ital. Reise. Letter from Perugia, 25 Oct. 1786.




INTRODUCTION.


xv


poet, one of the greatest of poets, and that in our
own age, sympathetic, eclectic, cosmopolitan, full
of curiosity and abounding in the " historic sense,"
certain barriers to a right appreciation of him have
been removed. He has handled on a grand scale
the grandest of subjects, in a way which after all
fair comparison must be declared unique, and so
as to make it his own that immense intellectual
deposit of thirteen believing centuries-with a
generous outlay of himself, of his own richly
endowed and richly cultivated personality, of what
is most intimate and peculiar in it. On scrupulous
orthodoxy he has impressed a deep personal
originality, after a manner to which we may well
think one only in the course of many generations
could have been equal. The religious ideal of that
age, the theoretic construction which catholicism
puts on the facts of nature and history, is for him,
in spite of an invading rationalism already at work
about him, itself also still an authentic fact.
Devoutly assuming the reality of that ideal, he
goes boldly through the world in all its variety of
good and evil, with powers of insight everywhere
adequate to its wonder, its beauty and sorrow, the
awful experiences of the saved, the tried, the lost.
His subject, like the course of his own life which
had brought it home so close to him, has its harsh
episodes; but he did not forget that his design was




xvi


INTRODUCTION.


after all to treat it as a literary artist, to charm his
readers; and with no disloyalty therefore to its
essential character, he has displayed in his work
a wonderful urbanity and composure, the craftiest
interweaving of its parts, a deliberate evenness of
execution, a sense of unity and proportion, yet also
a command of every sort of minute literary beauty,
an expressiveness, a care for style and rhythm at
every point, the evidence of which increases upon
the critical reader as his attention becomes microscopic. No one anywhere near him in time had
united powers and acquirements so varied, in a
literary monument so consistently realised. Consider, for instance, the philosophic power of Canto
XXV of the Purgatory, side by side with the
moral power of Canto XVII. 9I-I39, with the moral
delicacy of Canto III, in the matter of Manfred
especially, and with the various descriptive effects
of Canto II. Yes, Dante is in very deed a great
poet, great enough to be independent of the mere
mental habits of one age or another. Yet he too
had to pass through ages with no natural ear for
him; while it is only the good fortune of the present
generation that its turn for eclecticism, removing
prejudice, has fitted it for a really intelligent and
critical study of Dante's work, encouraged for its
reward therein by certain special aspects of Dante's
genius which are in close kinship with its own. The




INTRODUCTION.


xvii
XY11


artistic and literary work of the Middle Age,
the art of Dante's friend Giotto for example, we
value in large measure for its very strangeness,
its unlikeness to what is nearer in date to ourselves. But Dante, remote and strange as he
may be, in sentiment, in his politics, and for
many by his religious faith, is nevertheless found
to meet certain tendencies, actually in us, halfway; and by expressing does but further promote
them.
One of the points then, a point of manner, so to
speak, at which Dante repelled the last century
while he directly attracts our own, is the minuteness of his handiwork, of his habits of observation,
and of the equivalent expression, or fine shade
of expression. Such care for the elaboration of
detail in Dante's work had something in common
with the art of that day, with what must be called
its naivete, as we feel it when Dante writes:
As birds that seek to Nilus warm
In winter, now in squadron form,
Now swifter flight design
And 'lengthen into line:
XXIV. 64-66.
or
Folk beneath its branches there
Crying I know not what there were,
With hands uplifted all,
As eager children call




xviii          INTRODUCTION.
To one who grants not their request:
But still to give their longing zest
Upholds aloft the prize
Nor hides it from their eyes:
XXIV. io6-III.
and again in the so circumstantial note he takes
of the fact that Dante's still mortal body casts a
shadow among the shadowless people of the other
world:That very flesh is this
Whereof his body is.
V.33
In Dante's minuteness of touch there was in fact
something of that art of miniature painting,
Ch' alluminare e chiamata in Parisi.
Our own delight in it, the welcome we give
to minute detail of that kind, uncompromising
"realists" as we must needs be, connects itself
with the empirical character of our science, our
philosophic faith in the concrete, the particular.
To the age of Johnson abstraction, generalisation,
seemed to be of the essence of art and poetry, a
principle which the taste of the nineteenth century
has inverted in favour of that circumstantial manner
of which every Canto of the Divina Commedia
would afford illustration.
But the modern artist, the modern student of art,




INTRODUCTION.              xix
of Dante's art, while he demands it in any record of
the external world, will value this minuteness, this
minute perfection, even more perhaps in the treatment of mental phenomena, when the intelligence
which touched so finely the niceties of visible colour
and outline turns to the invisible world, noting there
also with a like subtlety the intimacies of the soul.
The modern, as such, is undeniably a somewhat
skilful psychologist.-We have lived so long with
ourselves! And just here surely we find another
link between the peculiarities of Dante's genius and
the " subjectivities" of the characteristic student of
to-day. Amid the larger outlooks of the Divina
Comnmedia we are again and again reminded that
its author is also the poet of the Vita Nuova.
His own sensibility, already so strongly in evidence
there, makes him now an equally delicate interpreter of the mental or spiritual ways of others.
And in the hour, before the morn,
When wakes the swallow's note forlorn,
Haply amid her singing
Her woes to memory bringing,
The hour when loosed from thought our mind
Leaves pilgrim-like her flesh behind,
And borne along in dreams
Almost a prophet seems,
Even then to me was vision given:
IX. I3-I9.




XX


INTRODUCTION.


And in accordance with what we might have
expected, the sensibility, the fineness of touch,
there indicated, is at its height in the placid and
temperate regions of the Purgatorio-a realm
of gray but clear light:-it is there that the
delicacies,' alike of the visible and the invisible
world, really tell.
And, there is another reason why for the
modern student the Purgatorio should be the
favourite section of the Divina Commedia. An
age of faith, if such there ever were, our age
certainly is not: an age of love, all its pity and
self-pity notwithstanding, who shall say?-in its
religious scepticism, however, especially as compared with the last century in its religious
scepticism, an age of hope, we may safely call it,
of a development of religious hope or hopefulness, similar in tendency to the development of
the doctrine of Purgatory in the church of the
Middle Age- 
quel seconds regno
Ove ' umano spirito si purga:a world of merciful second thoughts on one
side, of fresh opportunities on the other, useful,
serviceable, endurable, in contrast alike with that
mar si crudele of the Inferno, and the blinding
radiancy of Paradise. In our own century pro



INTRODUCTION.


xxi


testantism itself would seem to have become
conscious of a certain want in regard to the
"hope of immortality": conscious that it has lost
something in passing from the doctrinal symmetry
and completeness of Dante's position; from his
assurance that nothing can
hinder Love's eternal will
So long as hope is seen
To wear a shred of green.
III. 134-5.
that
boundless grace
Hath arms of such a large embrace,
That they will straight admit
Whatever turns to It.
III. 122-3.
It would take too much space to follow out the
sentiment here suggested.   The reader of this
translation may be interested in doing that for
himself, in connexion with the belief in a constant, helpful, beneficent interaction between the
souls of the living and the dead, in the immense grace still obtainable for the departed by
prayer here.
If for our weal their word be said,
Were it not ours to lend them aid
By deed, by speech, the fruit
That comes of kindly root?
c




xxii


INTRODUCTION.


Yea, well it were with helpful love
Their earthly blemish to remove,
That light and clean from stain
The star-set spheres they gain.
XI. 31-36.
And the breadth of Dante's theological horizon
connects itself with that generous eclecticism
which finds in "the house of many mansions,"
due place for Virgil and other sublime spirits of
the Pagan world amid the infants unbaptised of
the dispensation of Christ; as also with a certain mundane sense, throughout his great work,
of poetry and scholarship, of classic or pagan
poesy holding its own beside the poetry of inspiration, as the Empire subsists side by side
with the Church.La morta poesi risurga!
Awake dead Poesy and inspire
The servant of the Muses' choir.
I. 7.
Like his persuasion that earthly and personal
gifts will not lose their charm  and purpose in
another life, that, "though we know not what
we shall be," Casella will still exercise there his
wonted musical skill, Dante's large-minded treat] Know ye not we are but the worm
Born the angelic moth to form?
X. I24-5.




INTRODUCTION.


xxiii
*.
XXlll.


ment of all forms of classic power and achievement marks a stage of progress, from the narrower sentiment of the Middle Age, towards
"humanism," towards the mental attitude of the
Renaissance and of the modern world.
A minute sense of the external world and its
beauties, a minute sense of the phenomena of
the mind, of what is beautiful and of interest
there, a demand for wide and cheering outlooks
in religion, for a largeness of spirit in its application to life:-these are the special points of
contact between Dante and the genius of our
own century. And withal Dante is a great poet,
one of the greatest of poets, great like Sophocles
and Shakespeare by a certain universality in his
appeal to men's minds, and independent therefore of the special sensibilities of a particular
age. If the characteristic minds of the last century, for instance, were apt to undervalue him,
that was because they were themselves of an
age not of cosmopolitan genius, but of singularly
limited gifts, gifts temporary and local, so to
speak, the products of which survive, for the
most part, only indirectly by efforts of historic
rehabilitation. And as Dante is not only popular
but has intelligible reasons for his popularity
with us, there have been in, our day translations
of him excellent in various ways. With the




xXiv


INTRODUCTION.


exception however of some portions of Longfellow's, and in considerable degree of Cayley's,
they fail in the "mysticity" which is so characteristic of the original, a quality in which Rossetti
would have done justice to the Divina Commedia,
if we may judge by his version of the Vita
Nuova, so studiously close yet so spontaneous,
so much the converse of second-hand in its effect
upon us.
The writer of the translation here presented to
English readers, having allowed me the pleasure
of seeing his work from time to time during its
growth, has now asked me to say a few candid
words by way of preface. His reproduction of
a poem full certainly of " the patience of genius "
is itself a work of rare patience and scholarship,
conspicuously free from
the haste
By which all action is disgraced.
la fretta
Che 1' onestade ad ogni atto dismaga.
III. II.
I speak of his version however as but a general
reader, having no special knowledge of Dante
such as his. Still, interesting as I know his
has been and will be to scholars, it is for the
general reader after all that translations are made.




INTRODUCTION.


XXV


Such general readers then will, I believe, find
here a translation made in the sense of what
I have tried to indicate as characteristic of the
Divina Commedia, a version singular in its union
of minute and sensitive fidelity almost to the
very syllables of the original, with that general
sense of composure and breadth of effect which
gives to the great medieval poem the air of a
"classic."  It is this note which the metre of
Marvell's Ode itself strikes, the note of a
dignified plain-song, capable however on demand of a high degree of expressiveness. The
translator has explained in detail his reasons for
adopting it; its essential equivalence to Dante's
terza rima. With a writer whose vocabulary
is so significant and searched through as that
of Dante, whose words withal are so sensitive
and picturesque, there can be no fidelity which
does not include a certain literal exactness.
Partly because he is so minute a "realist," he
is one of those artists whose general effect largely
depends on vocabulary, on the minute particles
of which his work is wrought, on the colour and
outline of single words and phrases, and this
must obviously be lost in anything like free or
haphazard translation.  It seems obvious that
to convey the impression of such work into
another language, translation must be true in




xxvi


INTRODUCTION.


detail, and supposing rhythm and vernacular
effect secured, the more literal it is the better.
The translator's business with Dante, then, may
be likened to the copying of a drawing or
other design upon transparent tracing-paper.
Let the eye be true, the hand steady, the pencil
fine, and, making sure of the fidelity of its
movement from point to point, the translator,
hardly less than his reader, will be surprised
at the large and general faithfulness of the reproduction thus assured. In such way the reader
of this translation will, I think, from time to time
have a pleasant sense of the reproductive capacity
of our language, as he compares the opposite
pages of the Cantos which follow. Let him
turn for instance to Canto V. 52-57, XII. i6-69
and XIV. 97-I23.
So far as I know, nothing quite like this has
yet been done for presenting Dante to English
readers, in union with the attractiveness of metrical form, and a scholarly care for English style.
Out of the very literality here maintained has
come an evenness, a dignity of manner, a poetic
effect, wholly unarchaic, and true to what must
be called the un-provincial or cosmopolitan air
of the Divina Commedia — cosmopolitan, though
Dante's work be nevertheless the peculiar and
perfect flower of the Middle Age.  Dante has




INTRODUCTION.


XXVll


his varieties of power and appeal to the reader;
some readers may think that he rises and fallsI;
he argues, narrates, pauses, surprises us with
sudden heats of feeling, as in the grand outburst
against Italy, drawn from him at the sight of Sordello's generous welcome of Virgil: he has his
patient moods, he permits himself much harshness of imagery and vocabulary, though this
too is subdued by the repose natural to the
width and greatness of his theme. His translator
following him, with humble scholarly purpose,
has really trod in his steps; rising and falling
with him, if so it be; and he has been perhaps
not least successful in the speculative or philosophic passages (Canto IV. I-I2, for example, and
XVIII. I9-75), SO difficult, yet so fascinating to
the modern student of earlier modes of thought
than our own.
The true test of a work of imagination, and
therefore of any veritable presentment of it in
the way of translation, is that it should enfold
one, so to speak, in its own atmosphere, that
one should feel able to breathe in it. I have
Thou seest, my Reader, how I raise
My theme, nor should it thee amaze
If greater art sustain
The matter of my strain.
IX. 70-72.




xxviii        INTRODUCTION.
had such a feeling in reading what follows. The
translator has explained why he left off with
a sense of completeness at the end of the twentyseventh Canto, but studious readers will, I think,
regret with me that he found reason so to do.
W. P.




PU RGATORIO.
B




CANTO PRIMO.


PER correr migliori acque alza le vcle
Omai la navicella del mio ingegno,
Che lascia dietro a s6 mar sl crudele.
4 E canter6 di quel secondo regno,
Ove 1' umano spirito si purga,
E di salire al Ciel diventa degno.
7 Ma qui la morta poesi risurga,
O sante Muse, poiche vostro sono,
E qui Calliope alquanto surga,
io Seguitando il mio canto con quel suono
Di cui le Piche misere sentiro
Lo colpo tal, che disperar perdono.
13 Dolce color d' oriental zaffiro,
Che s' accoglicva nel screno aspetto
Dell' aer puro infino al primo giro,




CANTO I.


O'ER fairer flood, with sail on high,
My fancy's bark her way doth ply,
That cruel sea unkind
For ever left behind.
With that next realm my song begins,
Where human souls are purged from sins,
And, all their guilt forgiven,
Grow fit to mount to Heaven.
Awake, dead Poesy, and inspire
The servant of the Muses' choir:
And let Calliope
Arise and sing with me,
And aid my chant with voice, whose tone
Made the vain jays their deathblow own,
And find in their despair
No pardon anywhere.
Sweet hue of eastern sapphire sheen
Was gathering in the face serene
Of the pure air around,
To the first circle's bound:
B2




4


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO I,


i6 Agli occhi miei ricomincio diletto,
Tosto ch' i' uscii fuor dell' aura morta,
Che m' avea contristati gli occhi e il petto.
19 Lo bel pianeta che ad amar conforta,
Faceva tutto rider 1' oriente,
Velando i Pesci ch' erano in sua scorta.
22 Io mi volsi a man destra, e posi mente
All' altro polo, e vidi quattro stelle,
Non viste mai fuor che alla prima gente.
25 Goder pareva il ciel di lor fiammelle.
O settentrional vedovo sito,
Poiche privato sei di mirar quelle!
28 Com' io dal loro sguardo fui partito,
Un poco me volgendo all' altro polo,
La onde il Carro giA era sparito;
3I Vidi presso di me un veglio solo,
Degno di tanta riverenza in vista,
Che piu non dee a padre alcun figliuolo.
34 Lunga la barba e di pel bianco mista
Portava, a' suoi capegli simigliante,
De' quai cadeva al petto doppia lista.




CANTO I.]


PURGATORY.


5~


Whence in my eyes delight was bred,
Forth issued from the vapour dead,
That both my eyes and breast
So sorely had distressed.
The planet fair that love doth aid
The Orient all smiling made,
Veiling the Fishes twain
That followed in her train.
To the right hand my gaze I turned,
To the other pole, where four stars burned,
Not seen by human ken,
Save by the first of men.
Seemed heaven was in their flamelets glad:
Ah! how their absence doth make sad
The widowed northern sky,
Where none may these descry!
When of their sight my gaze was spent,
Back to the other pole I bent,
Wherein the northern Bear
No longer did appear.
Close by an ancient showed, whose face
Seemed worthy of such reverent grace,
As son to any sire
Could never render higher.
Long was his beard, of blended gray
Like to his locks, that fell away,
And on his breast were shed,
In two-fold measure spread.




6


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO I.


37 Li raggi delle quattro luci sante
Fregiavan sl la sua faccia di lume,
Ch' io '1 vedea come il Sol fosse davante.
40 Chi siete voi, che contro al cieco flume
Fuggito avete la prigione eterna?
Diss' ei, movendo quell' oneste piume.
43 Chi v' ha guidati? o chi vi fu lucerna,
Uscendo fuor della profonda notte,
Che sempre nera fa la valle inferna?
46 Son le leggi d' abisso cosi rotte?
0 e mutato in Ciel nuovo consiglio,
Che dannati venite alle mie grotte?
49 Lo Duca mio allor mi di& di piglio,
E con parole e con mano e con cenni,
Riverenti mi fe' le gambe e il ciglio.
52 Poscia rispose lui: Da me non venni;
Donna scese del Ciel, per li cui preghi
Della mia compagnia costui sovvenni.
55 Ma da ch' & tuo voler che piu si spieghi
Di nostra condizion, com' ella e vera,
Esser non puote il mio che a te si nieghi.




CANTO!.]


PURGATORY.


7


Of those four holy lights the rays
Adorned his face with such a blaze,
As if the very Sun
My eyes were looking on.
"And who are ye have hither fled,"
Waving those comely plumes, he said,
" From the eternal prison
"Against the blind stream risen?
"Who was your guide? or who your light,
"Through the profundity of night,
" That doth in blackness sit
"O'er the infernal pit?
"'Are all the laws of Chaos-broke?
"' Or doth high Heaven its will revoke,
"That from the curse of Hell
"Ye venture to my cell?"
Thereat my Leader with his hand,
With voice, with gesture, gave command,
And bent my brow and knee
In reverent courtesy.
Then answer made to him: "I come
"Not of myself: from Heaven, her home,
"A dame came down,, whose prayer
"Bade me this journey share.
"But since it is thy will to hear
"Our present state unfolded clear,
c It cannot be that mine
" Should aught deny to thine.




8                PURGATORIO.            [CANTO I.
58 Questi non vide mai 1' ultima sera;
Ma per la sua follia le fu sl presso,
Che molto poco tempo a volger era.
61 Si come io dissi, fui mandato ad esso,
Per lui campare, e non v' era altra via
Che questa per la quale io mi son messo.
64 Mostrato ho lui tutta la gente ria;
Ed ora intendo mostrar quegli spirti
Che purgan s6 sotto la tua balla.
67 Come io 1' ho tratto, saria lungo a dirti:
Dell' alto scende virtA che m' aiuta
Conducerlo a vederti ed a udirti.
7o Or ti piaccia gradir la sua venuta:
Liberta va cercando, che e sl cara,
Come sa chi per lei vita rifiuta.
73 Tu il sai; che non ti fu per lei amara
In Utica la morte, ove lasciasti
La veste che al gran dl sara sl chiara,
76 Non son gli editti eterni per noi guasti:
Ch& questi vive, e Minos me non lega;
Ma son del cerchio, ove son gli occhi casti




CANTO I.J


PURGATORY.


9


"This one not yet sees evening die:
" His folly brought him yet so nigh,
"There was short time to run
"Ere he were quite undone.
" So, as it hath been told, this road
"For his salvation have I trod:
"He might no other prove
"Than this by which I move.
"Seen are the guilty folk below:
"And now those spirits I would show,
"Who 'neath thy charge begin
"To cleanse themselves from sin.
"'Twere long to tell the journey made:
"Power from on high comes to my aid,
"Conducting him where he
" May thee both hear and see.
"Oh! look with favour on his quest:
"He comes with freedom to be blest;
"How dear a boon he knows,
"Who, therefor life forgoes.
"'Thou knowest too: for 'twas no pain
"In Utica thy death to gain,
"And put thy robe away
"To shine at Judgment Day.
"The eternal statutes break we not:
"For this one lives; nor am I got
"From Minos' bond; my place
"Is in that circle's space,




10


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO I.


79 Di Marzia tua, che in vista ancor ti prega,
0 santo petto, che per tua la tegni:
Per lo suo amore adunque a noi ti piega.
82 Lasciane andar per li tuoi sette regni:
Grazie riporter6 di te a lei,
Se d' esser mentovato laggic degni.
85 Marzia piacque tanto agli occhi miei,
Mentre ch' io fui di la, diss' egli allora,
Che quante grazie volse da me fei.
88 Or che di 1U dal mal fiume dimora,
Pii muover non mi puo, per quella legge
Che fatta fu quando me n' uscii fuora.
91 Ma se Donna del Ciel ti muove e regge
Come tu di', non c' e mestier lusinghe:
Bastiti ben che per lei mi richegge.
94 Va dunque, e fa che tu costui ricinghe
D' un giunco schietto, e che gli lavi il viso,
Si che ogni sucidume quindi stinghe:
97 Che non si converria 1 occhio sorpriso
D' alcurna nebbia andar dinanzi al primo
Ministro, ch' t di quei di Paradiso.




CANTO I.]


PURGATORY.


11


"Wherein thy Marcia's chaste eyes sue,
"Blest heart, that thou wouldst hold her true:
"For her dear love do thou
"Vouchsafe to aid us now.
"Let us pass through thy kingdoms seven;
"Thy guerdon shall to her be given,
"If but thou deign to be
"Mentioned below of me."
"'Tis true, while yonder yet I stayed,
"Marcia so pleased my eyes," he said,
"That I would straight pursue
"All that she bade me do.
" Henceforth she cannot move me ever,
" Dwelling beyond the evil river,
"Under the law decreed
"When I from thence was freed.
"If Heavenly Lady moves and leads,
"E'en as thou sayst, no glozing needs:
"Enough that in her name
"Thou dost my favour claim.
" Go then, and see that he be bound
"With a smooth rush his body round,
"And wash his visage clean,
"That there no smirch be seen:
"For 'twould not seemly be to come,
"With sight possessed by film of gloom,
"To that first servant's eyes,
"Who is of Paradise.




13


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO I.


ioo Questa isoletta intorno ad imo ad imo,
Laggiu colA dove la batte 1' onda,
Porta de' giunchi sovra il molle limo.
103 Null' altra pianta che facesse fronda,
O indurasse, vi puote aver vita,
Perocch6 alle percosse non seconda.
106 Poscia non sia di qua vostra reddita;
Lo Sol vi mostrera, che surge omai,
Prender lo monte a pit lieve salita.
o19 Cosi spari; ed io su mi levai
Senza parlare, e tutto mi ritrassi
Al Duca mio, e gli occhi a lui drizzai.
112 Ei comincio: Figliuol, segui i miei passi:
Volgiamci indietro, che di qua dichina
Questa pianura a' suoi termini bassi.
II5 L' alba vinceva 1' ora mattutina
Che fuggia innanzi, sl che di lontano
Conobbi il tremolar della marina.
N8 Noi andavam per lo solingo piano,
Com' uom che torna alla perduta strada,
Che infino ad essa gli par ire in vano.




CANTO I.]


PURGATORY.


I3


"This islet at its lowest foot,
"Where beats the wave about its root,
"There doth it rushes bear
"Upon the slimy mere.
"No other plant, that leaves puts out,
"Nor one that hardeneth about,
"May live upon that field,
"Except to blows it yield.
"Thence be not your returning hither:
The rising Sun shall show you whither
"Ye may find easiest way
"The mountain to essay."
Therewith he disappeared: and I,
Lifting myself all silently,
Back to my Leader drew,
And on him bent my view.
Then he began: "Turn we, my son,
"And see my steps thou follow on,
"For here the plain doth bend
"Downward unto its end."
Already dawn's o'ermastering power
Before it drove the morning hour,
And far off showed to me
The trembling of the sea.
O'er the lone plain our way we made,
As one who from his road has strayed,
And thinks his travel vain,
Till that be found again.




14


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO I.


21 Quando noi fummo dove la rugiada
Pugna col Sole, e per essere in parte
Ove adorezza, poco si dirada;
J24 Ambo le mani in sull' erbetta sparte
Soavemente il mio Maestro pose;
Ond' io che fui accorto di sua arte,
127 Porsi ver lui le guance lagrimose:
Quivi mi fece tutto discoverto
Quel color che 1' Inferno mi nascose.
130 Venimmo poi in sul lito diserto,
Che mai non vide navicar sue acque
Uomo, the di tornar sia poscia esperto.
I33 Quivi mi cinse sl come altrui piacque:
O maraviglia! che qual egli scelse
L' umile pianta, cotal si rinacque
i36 Subitamente la onde la svelse.




CANTO I.]


PURGATORY.


1,5


When we were come where the dew lies
Contending with the Sun, and dries
But slowly on the ground,
Where still some shade is found,
Both hands upon the herbage wet
All tenderly my Master set:
And I, who could divine
What was in his design,
Reached him my cheeks with tears done over:
Then did he their true hue discover,
So that there was revealed
What Hell had erst concealed.
Next came we on the desert shore,
That never yet hath seen the oar
Of any that might learn
Thereafter to return.
There girt he me, as pleased That Other.
Oh marvel strange! for lo! another
Such lowly plant forth grew
There whence the first he drew.




CANTO SECONDO.


GIA era il Sole all' orizzonte giunto,
Lo cui meridian cerchio coverchia
Gerusalem col suo piu alto punto:
4 E la notte che opposita a lui cerchia,
Uscla di Gange fuor colle bilance,
Che le caggion di man quando soverchia;
7 Si che le bianche e le vermiglie guance,
La dove io era, della bella Aurora,
Per troppa etate divenivan rance.
1o Noi eravam lunghesso il mare ancora,
Come gente che pensa a suo cammino,
Che va col cuore, e col corpo dimora:
13 Ed ecco qual, sul presso del mattino,
Per li grossi vapor Marte rosseggia
Giu nel ponente sovra il suol marino;




CANTO II.


Now had the Sun the horizon met,
Round that meridian circle set,
Beneath whose summit high
Jerusalem doth lie:
And Night, that opposite him wheels ever,
Was issuing forth from Ganges river,
And in her hand the Scales,
That fall when she prevails.
Before me fair Aurora's face,
Where white and crimson late had place,
As she was older growing,
An orange hue was showing.
Beside the sea did we delay,
As those who ponder on their way,
And, though they move in mind,
In body stay behind.
And lo! as oft, when dawn is nigh,
Through vapours thick in western sky
Mars glows a fiery red,
Down o'er the ocean bed,
c




18


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO 1I.


16 Cotal m' apparve (s' io ancor lo veggia!)
Un lume per lo mar venir sl ratto,
Che il muover suo nessun volar pareggia;
I9 Dal qual corn' io un poco ebbi ritratto
L' occhio per dimandar lo Duca mio,
Rividil piu lucente e maggior fatto.
22 Poi d' ogni lato ad esso m' apparlo
Un non sapeva che bianco, e di sotto
A poco a poco un altro a lui usclo.
25 Lo mio Maestro ancor non fece motto
Mentre che i primi bianchi apparser ali:
Allor che ben conobbe il galeotto,
28 Grido: Fa, fa che le ginocchia cali;
Ecco 1' Angel di Dio: piega le mani:
Omai vedrai di sl fatti offiziali.
3I Vedi che sdegna gli argomenti umani,
SI che remo non vuol, ne altro velo
Che 1' ale sue, tra liti sl lontani.
34 Vedi come 1' ha dritte verso il cielo,
Trattando 1' aere con 1' eterne penne,
Che non si mutan come mortal pelo.




CANTO II.]


PURGATORY.


I9


So saw I (would I may again!)
A light come swiftly o'er the main,
Of motion past compare
With aught that flies in air.
Thence was my eye scarce turned aside
A moment, questioning my Guide:
When I looked back, that light
Shone fuller and more bright.
Next upon either side was seen
A something white to gleam, and then
Below another too
Little by little grew.
My Master spake not, till as wings
Clearly appeared those first white things:
Then when his eyes could well
That helmsman's semblance tell,
"Bend, bend thy knee," he gave commands;
"Behold God's Angel: fold thy hands:
" Henceforward thou shalt know
"His servants fashioned so.
"See how arts human he refuseth;
"Nor oar nor any sail he chooseth
" Save his own wings, whereby
"'Twixt those far shores to ply.
"See how they point to the supernal,
"Stirring the air with plumes eternal,
"That moult not, nor are made
"As mortal hair to fade."
C2




20


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO II.


37 Poi come piU e piu verso noi venne
L' uccel divino, piu chiaro appariva;
Per che 1' occhio da presso nol sostenne:
40 Ma chinai 1' giuso; e quei sen venne a riva
Con un vasello snelletto e leggiero,
Tanto che 1' acqua nulla ne inghiottiva.
4. Da poppa stava il celestial nocchiero,
Tal che parea beato per iscritto;
E piH di cento spirti entro sediero.
46 In exitu Israel de Egitto
Cantavan tutti insieme ad una voce,
Con quanto di quel salmo e poscia scritto.
49 Poi fece il segno lor di santa croce;
Ond' ei si gittar tutti in sulla piaggia,
Ed ei sen gl, come venne, veloce.
52 La turba che rimase 11, selvaggia
Parea del loco, rimirando intorno,
Come colui che nuove cose assaggia.
55 Da tutte parti saettava il giorno
Lo Sol, ch' avea colle saette conte
Di mezzo il ciel cacciato il Capricorno,




CANTO II.]


PURGATORY.


21


Then as came nearer and more near
The Bird divine, it shone more clear,
Until my blinded sight
Could not endure that light.
I lowered my eyes: and he was nearing
The bank, a little vessel steering,
So swift, so light of draught,
The wave engulfed it naught.
On poop the heavenly pilot stood,
Acknowledged by sure sign for good:
And spirits seated there
More than a hundred were.
"When out of Egypt Israel came"
They chanted all with one acclaim,
As in that psalm is writ,
With all that follows it.
He signed the holy cross for each:
Whereat they threw them on the beach;
He, as he came, alone,
Passed swiftly and was gone.
The crowd remained behind amazed
At the strange place, and round them gazed,
As they do who intend
New things to comprehend.
On every side the day was driven
Forth by the Sun, who from mid-heaven
Had with his arrows bright
Put Capricorn to flight:




22               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO II.
s8 Quando la nuova gente alz6 la fronte
Ver noi, dicendo a noi: Se voi sapete,
Mostratene la via di gire al monte.
6i E Virgilio rispose: Voi credete
Forse che siamo esperti d' esto loco;
Ma noi siam peregrin, come voi siete.
64 Dianzi venimmo innanzi a voi un poco,
Per altra via, che fu sl aspra e forte,
Che lo salire omai ne parrA giuoco.
67 L' anime che si fur di me accorte
Per lo spirare, ch' io era ancor vivo,
Maravigliando diventaro smorte;
70 E come a messaggier, che porta olivo,
Tragge la gente per udir novelle,
E di calcar nessun si mostra schivo;
7 Cosi al viso mio s' affissar quclle
Anime fortunate tutte e quante,
Quasi obbliando d' ire a farsi belle.
76 Io vidi una di lor trarsi davante
Per abbracciarmi con sl grande affetto,
Che mosse me a far lo simigliante.




CANTO II.]


PURGATORY.


23


When that new people raised their brow
Towards us, saying " If ye know,
"Show unto us the way
"The mountain to essay."
And Virgil answered "Ye believe
"We have experience to give
"Of this new place, but we
"Are pilgrims even as ye.
6 But just before you came we here
'By other road, so rough, so drear,
"Upward henceforth to mount
"We shall but pastime count."
The souls, to whom my breath did give
Warning that I was yet alive,
Their native colour spent,
Grew pale with wonderment.
As messenger that olive weareth
Draws folk to hear the news he beareth,
Round him they press, nor spare
For all the trampling there;
So one and all those souls of grace
Fastened themselves upon my face,
Forgetting to be gone,
And put their beauty on.
Thereout I saw one forward move
To clasp me, with such look of love,
That with like action too
I to embrace him drew.




24               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO II.
79 0 ombre vane, fuor che nell' aspetto!
Tre volte dietro a lei le mani avvinsi,
E tante mi tornai con esse al petto.
82 Di maraviglia, credo, mi dipinsi;
Per che 1' ombra sorrise e si ritrasse,
Ed io, seguendo lei, oltre mi pinsi.
ss Soavemente disse ch' io posasse:
Allor conobbi chi era, e '1 pregai
Che per parlarmi un poco s' arrestasse.
88 Risposemi: Cosi com' io t' amai
Nel mortal corpo, cosl t' amo sciolta;
Pero m' arresto: ma tu perche vai?
91 Casella mio, per tornare altra volta
La dove son, fo io questo viaggio,
Diss' io; ma a te com' 6 tanta ora tolta?
94 Ed egli a me: Nessun m' 6 fatto oltraggio,
Se quei, che leva e quando e cui gli place,
Piui volte m' ha negato esto passaggio;
97 Che di giusto voler lo suo si face.
Vcramente da tre mesi egli ha tolto
Chi ha voluto entrar con tutta pace.




CANTO II.]


PURGATORY.


25


Vain shadows, save to sight alone!
Thrice were my hands behind him thrown;
As often were they pressed
Back empty to my breast.
Surprise, I deem, my colour showed:
For with a smile he backward strode:
I followed him, and made
Forward to reach his shade.
With gentle words he stayed me, when
I knew him who he was, and then
I prayed of him that he
Would pause and speak' to me.
And he replied: "The love I bore,
" While still my mortal flesh I wore,
"Released I bear thee now,
"And pause: but why goest thou?"
" Casella mine, that here I may
"Return again, I take this way:
"But whence," I said, "'the power
"Thus to delay thy hour?"
He answered: "None hath wrongly used me,
" If oft this passage was refused me'
"Of Him, who raiseth still
"Whom, aye, and when he will;
" Whose will is in just will contained:
"Nathless for three months hath he deigned,
"That whoso would come in
"Should peaceful entrance win.




26


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO II.


ioo Ond' io che era ora alla marina volto,
Dove 1' acqua di Tevere s' insala,
Benignamente fui da lui ricolto.
103 A quella foce ha egli or dritta 1' ala:
Perocch& sempre quivi si ricoglie,
Qual verso d' Acheronte non si cala.
io6 Ed io: Se nuova legge non ti toglie
Memoria o uso all' amoroso canto,
Che mi solea quetar tutte mie voglie,
o19 Di ci6 ti piaccia consolare alquanto
L' anima mia, che con la sua persona
Venendo qui, 6 affannata tanto.
Ii2 Amor che nella mente mi ragiona,
Comincio egli allor sl dolcemente,
Che la dolcezza ancor dentro mi suona.
tx5 Lo mio Maestro, ed io, e quella gente
Ch' eran con lui, parevan si contenti,
Come a nessun toccasse altro la mente.
w8 Noi eravam tutti fissi ed attenti
Alle sue note; ed ecco il veglio onesto,
Gridando: Che 6 ci6, spiriti lenti?




CANTO II.]


PURGATORY.


27


" Beside the sea I had made halt,
" Where Tiber's water tastes the salt,
" And there by him was I
"Ingathered graciously.
"See to that mouth his wing inclined,
"The gathering place for all assigned,
"Save those who must be gone
" Downward to Acheron."
And I: "If new law lets remain
"Memory and skill for love's sweet strain,
" Such strain as could erewhile
"All my desires beguile,
"Oh! let it consolation give
"And bid my weary soul revive,
"Faint with its journey here,
"Clothed in the form I wear."
"Love that within my mind is pleading"
Sweetly was from his mouth proceeding,
Whose dulcet music still
Doth in my memory thrill.
I and my Master and that crowd,
That with him were, contentment showed,.
As if beside were nought
Had power to touch our thought.
Upon his notes were all intent,
When lot that noble ancient
Crying "What meaneth this,
"Ye spirits so remiss?




28


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO II.


12i Qual negligenza, quale stare e questo?
Correte al monte a spogliarvi lo scoglio,
Ch' esser non lascia a voi Dio manifesto.
124 Come quando, cogliendo biado o loglio,
Gli colombi adunati alla pastura,
Queti senza mostrar 1' usato orgoglio,
127 Se cosa appare ond' elli abbian paura,
Subitamente lasciano star 1' esca,
Perche assaliti son da maggior cura;
130 CosI vid' io quella masnada fresca
Lasciar lo canto, e gire in ver la costa,
Come uom che va, nt sa dove riesca:
133 Ne la nostra partita fu men tosta.




CANTO II.]


PURGATORY.


"Wherefore this sloth, or this delay?
"Haste to the mount, to put away
"The scale that comes between,
"; And lets not God be seen."
And as when pigeons met to feed
Together, gleaning tares or seed,
In quiet, laid aside
All their accustomed pride,
If haply aught of fear they spy,
Sudden they put their feeding by,
Seeing it nought avails
When greater care assails;
Even in such wise saw I turn
That mesny of the newly born,
Leaving in their affright
The song that did delight.
And make, by sudden terror chased,
For the hill-side, as those who haste
They know not whither bent:
And we as swiftly went.




CANTO TERZO.


AVVEGNACHt; la subitana fuga
Dispergesse color per la campagna,
Rivolti al monte ove ragion ne fruga;
4 Io mi ristrinsi alla fida compagna:
E come sare' io senza lui corso?
Chi m' avria tratto su per la montagna?
Ei mi parea da se stesso rimorso:
O dignitosa coscienza e netta,
Come t' e picciol fallo amaro morso!
Jo Quando li piedi suoi lasciar la fretta,
Che 1' onestade ad ogni atto dismaga,
La mente mia, che prima era ristretta,
13 Lo intento rallargo, sl come vaga,
E diedi il viso mio incontro al poggio,
Che inverso il ciel piu alto si dislaga.




CANTO III.


THOUGH o'er the champaign every one
Scattered in sudden flight were gone,
Back turned the mount to view
That reason goads us to:
Close drew I to my escort tried,
How could I speed but by his side?
Who would have drawn me up
Unto the mountain's top?
Remorse, I saw, himself had pained:
Oh! conscience noble and unstained!
How bitter is the sense
Of even the least offence!
Soon as his feet had left the haste
By which all action is disgraced,
Straightway again my mind,
That was before confined,
Widened its view, in eager wise,
And to the steep I turned my eyes,
Where it ascends most sheer
Heavenward from the mere.




32               PURGATORIO.          [CANTO III.
r6 Lo Sol, che dietro fiammeggiava roggio,
Rotto m' era dinanzi, alla figura
Ch' aveva in me de' suoi raggi 1' appoggio.
r9 lo mi volsi dallato con paura
D' esser abbandonato, quand' io vidi
Solo dinanzi a me la terra oscura.
22 E il mio Conforto: Perch& pur diffidi?
A dir mi comincio tutto rivolto;
Non credi tu me teco, e ch' io ti guidi?
25 Vespero e gia cola, dov' 6 sepolto
Lo corpo, dentro al quale io facea ombra:
Napoli 1' ha, e da Brandizio e tolto.
28 Ora, se innanzi a me nulla s' adombra,
Non ti maravigliar piu che de' cieli,
Che l'uno all' altro raggio non ingombra
3I A sofferir tormenti, e caldi e gieli,
Simili corpi la virtu dispone,
Che, come fa, non vuol che a noi si sveli.
34 Matto e chi spera che nostra ragione
Possa trascorrer la infinita via,
Che tiene una sustanzia in tre persone.




CANTO III.]


PURGATORY.


33


Red at my back the Sun did blaze:
But broken were in front his rays,
Barred by my outward shape,
Which let them not escape.
In fear, lest I abandoned were,
I bent me to my side, and there
Knew darkness on the ground
Before me only found.
And he who was my comfort said,
All turned to me; "Art still afraid?
"Art thou not still with me?
"Am not I guiding thee?
"Tis evening there, where finds its grave
"The body, which my shadow gave;
"From Brindisi 'twas torn,
"And unto Naples borne.
"And, if in front no shade I throw,
" Marvel thou not, for even so,
"The heavenly spheres, none may
"Impede another's ray.
" Bodies like this doth Power divine
"To suffer heat and cold design;
"But wills not we should scan
"The secret of his plan.
"Fool, who by reason would pretend
"The boundless way to comprehend,
"Which the one Substance holds,
" Three Persons that enfolds!
D




34


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO III.


37 State contenti, umana gente, al quia,
Ch&, se potuto aveste veder tutto
Mestier non era partorir Maria.
40 E disiar vedeste senza frutto
Tai, che sarebbe lor disio quetato,
Ch' eternalmente e dato lor per lutto.
43 lo dico d' Aristotele e di Plato,
E di molti altri. E qui chino la fronte;
E piui non disse, e rimase turbato.
46 Noi divenimmo intanto al pi& del monte:
Quivi trovammo la roccia si erta,
Che indarno vi sarien le gambe pronte.
49 Tra Lerici e Turbia, la piui diserta,
La piu romita via e una scala,
Verso di quella, agevole ed aperta.
52 Or chi sa da qual man la costa cala,
Disse il Maestro mio, fermando ii passo,
Si che possa salir chi va senz' ala?
s5 E mentre che, tenendo il viso basso,
Esaminava del cammin la mente,
Ed io mirava suso intorno al sasso,




CANTO III.]


PURGATORY.


35


" Content ye, mortals, that 'tis so:
"Had it been yours the whole to know,
"No need there were on earth
"For Mary to give birth.
Such saw ye fruitlessly aspire,
"Who else had rest from their desire,
"Desire that for their pain
"Eternal doth remain.
"Plato and Aristoteles,
"I mean, and many more like these."
He ceased, and brow he bent,
And rested ill content.
Now had we reached the mountain's base:
There found we rock so steep of face,
Upward thereby to climb
Would baffle readiest limb.
The roughest, most deserted ground
'Twixt Lerici and Turbla found,
Compared with this, a stair
Open and easy were.
"'Knows any" (and his steps he stayed)
"Where the side slopes?" my Master said.
"How may one mount above
"Who without wings doth move?"
While he with face bent low would turn,
The fashion of the road to learn,
I to the rock upraising
My eyes around was gazing,
D 2




36


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO III.


58 Da man sinistra m' apparl una gente
D' anime, che movieno i pie ver noi,
E non parevan, sl venivan lente.
6r Leva, dissi al Maestro, gli occhi tuoi:
Ecco di qua chi ne darX consiglio,
Se tu da te medesmo aver nol puoi.
64 Guard6 a loro, e con libero piglio
Rispose: Andiamo in la, ch' ei vegnon piano;
E tu ferma la speme, dolce figlio.
67 Ancora era quel popol di lontano,
Io dico, dopo i nostri mille passi,
Quanto un buon gittator trarria con mano,
70 Quando si strinser tutti ai duri massi
Dell' alta ripa, e stetter fermi e stretti,
Come a guardar, chi va dubbiando, stassi.
73 O ben finiti, o gia spiriti eletti,
Virgilio incominci6, per quella pace
Ch' io credo che per voi tutti si aspetti,
76 Ditene dove la montagna giace,
SI che possibil sia 1' andare in suso;
Che perder tempo a chi piu sa piA spiace.




CANTO III.]


PURGATORY.


37


Upon the left hand there appeared
A band of souls, that towards us neared,
But their approach scarce showing,
So gently were they going.
And to the Master spake I: "Lift
"Thine eyes; behold one from whose gift
"Some counsel may be got,
"If such thyself have not."
He looked and with frank carriage spake:
"Let us to them: slow way they make;
"Only hold firm, sweet son,
"c Thy hope, as 'tis begun."
A thousand paces had we stept,
And still that people from us kept
As far as might a stone
By slinger's hand be thrown:
When they drew up and ranged them all
By the high bank's unyielding wall,
As one who goes in doubt
Standeth to look about.
Virgil began; " O well perfect,
"O spirits even now elect,
"By that same peace that ye
"Await assuredly,
"I pray you, tell us where doth bend
"The mountain, that we may ascend;
" For he that knoweth most,
"Most plains if time be lost."




38


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO III.


79 Come le pecorelle escon del chiuso
Ad una, a due, a tre, e 1' altre stanno
Timidette atterrando 1' occhio e il muso;
82 E ci6 che fa la prima, e 1' altre fanno,
Addossandosi a lei s' ella s' arresta,
Semplici e quete, e lo 'mperche non sanno:
85 SI vid' io muovere a venir la testa
Di quella mandria fortunata allotta,
Pudica in faccia, e nell' andare onesta.
s8 Come color dinanzi vider rotta
La luce in terra dal mio destro canto,
SI che 1 ombra era da me alla grotta,
9g Restaro, e trasser se indietro alquanto,
E tutti gli altri che venieno appresso,
Non sapendo il perche, fenno altrettanto.
94 Senza vostra dimanda io vi confesso,
Che questo 6 corpo uman che voi vedete,
Per che il lume del sole in terra 6 fesso.
97 Non vi maravigliate; ma credete,
Che non senza virti che dal Ciel vegna
Cerchi di soverchiar questa parete.




CANTO IIl.]


PURGATORY.


39


As from the pen forth issuing creep
One, two, and three, the timid sheep;
With eyes and muzzle pressed
To earthward stand the rest;
As doth the first, the others do;
And if one pauseth, they pause too,
Huddling, they know not why,
In mute simplicity.
So coming forth did I behold
The leaders of that blessed fold,
Their movement clothed with grace,
With modesty their face.
And when the foremost saw the light
Barred on the ground upon my right,
Making my shadow fall
Against the rocky wall,
Halting, they drew a little back;
And those that followed on their track
Did even the like, although
The wherefore none could know.
"Without your asking, know of me,
"A human body 'tis ye see;
"And thereby doth he make
"On earth the sunlight break.
"Marvel not therefore, but believe
"He comes with power that Heaven doth give:
"None else may him avail,
"Seeking this wall to scale."




40


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO III.


too Cosi il Maestro: e quella gente degna,
Tornate, disse, intrate innanzi dunque,
Coi dossi delle man facendo insegna.
103 Ed un di loro incomincio: Chiunque
Tu se', cosi andando volgi il viso,
Pon mente, se di la mi vedesti unque.
io6 Io mi volsi ver lui, e guardail fiso:
Biondo era e bello, e di gentile aspetto;
Ma 1' un de' cigli un colpo avea diviso.
10g Quand' io mi fui umilmente disdetto
D' averlo visto mai, ei disse: Or vedi:
E mostrommi una piaga a sommo il petto.
112 Poi sorridendo disse: Io son Manfredi,
Nepote di Constanza Imperadrice:
Ond' io ti prego che quando tu riedi,
1I5 Vadi a mia bella figlia, genitrice
Dell' onor di Cicilia e d' Aragona,
E dichi il vero a lei, s' altro si dice:
I8 Poscia ch' i' ebbi rotta la persona
Di due punte mortali, io mi rendei
Piangendo a Quei che volentier perdona.




CANTO III.1


PURGATORY.


4I


The Master thus. That gracious band
Replied with waving of the hand:
"Turn ye and go before:
"There shall ye find the door."
"Then one of them began: "Whoe'er
"Thou art, look round, and make thee ware,
" If thou in yonder place
"Hast ever seen my face."
I turned, and looked with eyesight keen:
Comely, and blond, and fair of mien
He showed, save where a scar
Did all one temple mar.
Humbly I pleaded that I had
Beheld him never: "Look," he said,
And pointed where a blow
Above his breast did show.
Then smiling spake: "I Manfred am;
"Of Empress Constance' line I came,
"Her grandson; and I pray,
"When back thou take thy way,
"Go to my daughter fair, whose sons
"'Are Sicily's pride and Arragon's,
"To her the truth unfold,
"Though other tale be told.
"After my form was riven through
"With these two mortal thrusts, I drew
"Weeping to Him from whom
"Doth willing pardon come.




42               PURGATORIO.          CCANTO III.
121 Orribil furon li peccati miei;
Ma la bonta infinita ha sl gran braccia,
Che prende cio che si rivolge a lei.
124 Se il pastor di Cosenza, che alla caccia
Di me fu messo per Clemente, allora
Avesse in Dio ben letta questa faccia,
127 L' ossa del corpo mio sarieno ancora
In co' del ponte presso a Benevento,
Sotto la guardia della grave mora.
130 Or le bagna la pioggia e muove il vento,
Di fuor del Regno, quasi lungo il Verde,
Dov' ei le trasmuto a lume spento.
i33 Per lor maledizion sl non si perde,
Che non possa tornar 1' eterno amore,
Mentre che la speranza ha fior del verde.
I36 Ver e che quale in contumacia muore
Di santa Chiesa, ancor che al fin si penta,
Star gli convien da questa ripa in fuore




CANTO 1II.]


PURGATORY.


43


"Foul were my sins: but boundless grace
"Hath arms of such a large embrace,
"That they will straight admit
"Whatever turns to It.
"And if Cosenza's shepherd could
"In God that page have understood,
"Before by Clement sent
C' In chase of me he went,
'My body's bones would still be found
"Sheltered beneath the ponderous mound,
"Near Benevento laid,
"Upon the bridge's head.
"Now falls the rain, now drives the blast
"About them, forth the Kingdom cast,
" To Verde's margin brought
"With candles all put out.
"It may not be their curse should kill,
"Or hinder Love's eternal will
"So long as hope is seen
"To wear a shred of green.
"True, who in contumacy dies,
"And dares the Holy Church despise,
" E'en though before his end
"In penitence he bend,
"Still must it be he stand without
"This bank, that circles round about,
"Nor hope above to climb,
"Until for all the time




44               PURGATORIO.          [CANTO III.
139 Per ogni tempo, ch' egli 6 stato, trenta,
In sua presunzion, se tal decreto
Piu corto per buon preghi non diventa.
142 Vedi oramai se tu mi puoi far lieto,
Rivelando alla mia buona Constanza
Come m' hai visto, ed anco esto divieto;
145 Ch qui per quei di la molto s' avanza.




CANTO III.]      PURGATORY.                45
"That his presumption there did last,
"Full thirty times be gone and past,
"Save only that decree
"By good prayers shortened be.
"c See then henceforth thou aid my healing,
"To my good Constance all revealing
" My sentence here which they
" Yonder may do away."




CANTO QUARTO.


QUANDO per dilettanze ovver per doglie,
Che alcuna virtui nostra comprenda,
L' anima bene ad essa si raccoglie,
4 Par che a nulla potenza piu intenda;
E questo e contra quello error, che crede
Che un' anima sovr' altra in noi s' accenda.
7 E pero, quando s' ode cosa o vede,
Che tenga forte a se 1' anima volta,
Vassene il tempo, e 1' uom non se n' avvede:
1o Ch' altra potenza e quella che 1' ascolta,
Ed altra quella che ha 1' anima intera:
Questa e quasi legata, e quella e sciolta.
I3 Di ci6 ebb' io esperienza vera,
Udendo quello spirto ed ammirando:
Che ben cinquanta gradi salito era




CANTO IV.


WHEN pleasure or when pain doth all
One faculty of ours enthrall,
So that the soul's respect
Doth wholly there collect,
She seems to heed that power alone:
And thereby is his error shown,
Who within us believes
Soul upon soul there lives.
Thus, when aught rouseth ear or eye,
And the rapt soul holds fast thereby,
Time passes on, and yet
The man recks naught of it.
For 'tis one power that sense enjoys,
And one the soul entire employs:
And here the last is chained,
The other unrestrained.
Thereof experience true I had,
Listening in wonder to that shade:
For, and I marked it not,
The mounting Sun was got




48


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO IV.


16 Lo Sole, ed io non m' era accorto, quando
Venimmo dove quell' anime ad una
Gridaro a noi: Qui e vostro dimando.
19 Maggiore aperta molte volte impruna,
Con una forcatella di sue spine,
L' uom della villa, quando 1 uva imbruna,
22 Che non era la calla, onde saline
Lo Duca mio ed io appresso soli,
Come da noi la schiera si partine.
25 Vassi in Sanleo, e discendesi in Noli:
Montasi su Bismantova in cacume
Con esso i pi; ma qui convien ch' uom voli;
28 Dico con 1' ali snelle e con le piume
Del gran disio, diretro a quel Condotto,
Che speranza mi dava, e facea lume.
31 Noi salivam per entro il sasso rotto,
E d' ogni lato ne stringea lo stremo,
E piedi e man voleva il suol di sotto.
34 Poich6 noi fummo in sull' orlo supremo
Dell' alta ripa, alla scoverta piaggia:
Maestro mio, diss' io, che via faremo?




CANTO IV.]


PURGATORY.


49


Degrees full fifty, when we came,
Where from those spirits one acclaim
Sounded upon our ear,
"Lo! what ye ask is here."
A greater gap in hedge-row will
With one fork-load of brambles fill
The hind from country town,
When grows the grape to brown,
Than was that passage, where my Guide,
He and I only, turned aside,
Leaving the troop below,
Upon their way to go.
Sanleo's height, and Noli's steep,
Bismantova's high towering keep,
Our feet suffice to try:
But here was need to fly;
Fly, yea, on wings tipped with desire,
Following him who did inspire
With hope, and forward going
Light on my path was showing.
We climbed the broken rock within,
Grazed by its sides that hemmed us in;
While did the floor demand
Use both of feet and hand.
When we were on the open ledge
Around the high bank's upper edge,
Then "Master mine," I spake,
"What pathway shall we make?"
E




50               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO IV.
37 Ed egli a me: Nessun tuo passo caggia;
Pur su al monte dietro a me acquista,
Fin che n' appaia alcuna scorta saggia.
40 Lo sommo er' alto che vincea la vista,
E la costa superba piu assai,
Che da mezzo quadrante a centro lista.
43 IO era lasso, quando cominciai:
O dolce padre, volgiti, e rimira
Com' io rimango sol, se non ristai.
46 Figliuol mio, disse, infin quivi ti tira,
Additandomi un balzo poco in sue,
Che da quel lato il poggio tutto gira.
49 Si mi spronaron le parole sue,
Ch' io mi sforzai, carpando appresso lui,
Tanto che il cinghio sotto i pi& mi fue.
52 A seder ci ponemmo ivi ambedui.Volti a levante, ond' eravam saliti,
Che suole a riguardar giovare altrui.
55 Gli occhi prima drizzai a' bassi liti;
Poscia gli alzai al Sole, ed ammirava
Che da sinistra n' eravam feriti.




CANTO IV.]


PURGATORY.


He answered:' "Turn thou downward never:
"But let thy steps be mounting ever,
"Even as I go, till we
" Some escort sage may see."
That summit high our sight outvied,
And steeper was the mountain side
Than line from centre starting
And middle quadrant parting.
All wearied I began to say:
" Sweet father, turn and look, I pray,
"How, if thou goest on,
"I shall remain alone."
" My son," he said, "but draw thee yet
"Till thou to yonder terrace get"
Pointing where such was found,
Girdling the steep around.
Spurred by his words, I gathered up
My strength and clambered to the top
With him, till I could bring
My feet above that ring.
Together there we sat, to look
To eastward, whence our course we took:
For aye doth it delight
Back to direct the sight.
On the low shores my eyes first gazed:
Then upward to the Sun were raised:
There marvelled I. his heat
On our left side did beat.
E 2




52


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO IV.


58 Ben s' avvide il Poeta, che io stava
Stupido tutto al carro della luce,
Ove tra noi ed Aquilone intrava.
6r Ond' egli a me: Se Castore e Polluce
Fossero in compagnia di quello specchio,
Che su e giu del suo lume conduce,
64 Tu vederesti il Zodiaco rubecchio
Ancora all' Orse piu stretto rotare,
Se non uscisse fuor del cammin vecchio.
67 Come cio sia, se il vuoi poter pensare,
Dentro raccolto immagina Sion
Con questo monte in sulla terra stare
y7 Si, che ambedue hanno un solo orizzon,
E diversi emisperi; onde la strada,
Che mal non seppe carreggiar Feton,
73 Vedrai come a costui convien che vada
Dall' un, quando a colui dall' altro fianco,
Se 1' intelletto tuo ben chiaro bada.
76 Certo, Maestro mio, diss' io, unquanco
Non vidi chiaro si, com' io discerno,
La dove mio ingegno parea manco:




CANTO IV.]


PURGATORY.


53


Right well the Poet marked me where
Before that light I stayed to stare,
As 'twixt us and the North
His chariot travelled forth.
Then he: "If Leda's children twain
"Were moving in that mirror's train,
"That sends its light to glow
"Above and eke below,
"The ruddy Zodiac thou'ldst perceive
"Towards the Bears still closer drive,
"Except it went abroad
"Out of its ancient road.
How this may be, if thou wouldst find,
"Let fancy picture to thy mind
"This mount, on which thou art,
"Is Sion's counterpart:
"Both girt by one horizon stand,
"But diverse hemispheres command:
"So that the road, whereon
"The skill-less Phaethon
"To his mishap to drive forgot,
"Thou'lt see, if reason fail thee not,
"Passes on one side here,
"And on the other there."
"Certes, my Master, in my thought
" More clearly ne'er discerned I aught,
"Than now, where failed of late
"My wit, I contemplate




54


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO IV.


79 Che il mezzo cerchio del moto superno,
Che si chiama Equatore in alcun' arte,
E che sempre riman tra il sole e il verno,
82 Per la ragion che di', quinci si parte
Verso settentrion, quanto gli Ebrei
Vedevan lui verso la calda parte.
8s Ma se a te piace, volentier saprei
Quanto avemo ad andar, che il poggio sale
Piu che salir non posson gli occhi miei.
88 Ed egli a me: Questa montagna e tale,
Che sempre al cominciar di sotto e grave,
E quanto uom piu va su, e men fa male.
91 Per6 quand' ella ti parra soave
Tanto, che il su andar ti fia leggiero,
Come a seconda giuso andar per nave;
94 Allor sarai al fin d' esto sentiero:
Quivi di riposar 1' affanno aspetta.
Piu non rispondo: e questo so per vero.
97 E, com' egli ebbe sua parola detta,
Una voce di presso sono: Forse
Che di sedere in prima avrai distretta.




CANro      IV.]


PURGATORY.


55


"The arc, that heavenly motion guides,
"And winter from the Sun divides,
"The same that scholars all
"Do the Equator call,
" How, even as thou sayest, betwixt
"This mountain and the North 'tis fixed,
"While Jewry saw it stand
"Towards the warmer land.
"But, if thou wilt, I fain would know
" Forward how much we have to go,
"For far above my sight
"Rises the mountain height."
"Whoever upward here would tread,
" Finds the beginning hard;" he said;
"The higher he ascends,
" The less his toil offends.
"And when this seems so smooth to thee,
"That to go up shall easier be
"Than down on ship to glide,
" Sped by a favouring tide,
"Then hast thou reached this pathway's close:
"There hope thy faintness to repose:
"No further answer seek:
"It is the truth I speak."
And scarcely had he said his word,
When close to us a voice we heard,
"Mayhap thou'lt want to sit,
"Before thou come to it."




56


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO IV.,oo Al suon di lei ciascun di noi si torse,
E vedemmo a mancina un gran petrone,
Del qual nS io nS ei prima s' accorse.
103 LA ci traemmo; ed ivi eran persone
Che si stavano all' ombra dietro al sasso,
Com' uom per negligenza a star si pone.
xo6 Ed un di lor che mi sembrava lasso,
Sedeva ed abbracciava le ginocchia,
Tenendo il viso giA tra esse basso.
109 0 dolce Signor mio, diss' io, adocchia
Colui che mostra s6 piu negligente,
Che se pigrizia fosse sua sirocchia.
112 Allor si volse a noi, e pose mente,
Movendo il viso pur su per la coscia,
E disse: Or va su tu, che se' valente.
Ix5 Conobbi allor chi era; e quell' angoscia,
Che m' avacciava un poco ancor la lena,
Non m' impedl 1' andare a lui; e poscia
I18 Che a lui fui giunto, alzo la testa appena,
Dicendo: Hai ben veduto, come il sole
Dall' omero sinistro il carro mena?




CANTO IV.]


PURGATORY.


57


At sound thereof we both were turned,
And on the left hand we discerned,
Where lay a mighty stone,
Before we had not known.
We thither drew, and found a folk
Within the shadow of that rock,
Standing like those who rest
By slothfulness oppressed.
And there beheld I one of these,
Who clasped his hands about his knees,
And bowed his head between,
Sitting with weary mien.
" O my sweet Lord," I said, "direct
"Thine eyes on him who doth affect
"More negligent an air,
"Than sloth his sister were."
He turned and gave us heed, his face
Scarce lifting from his thigh's embrace:
And said, "Go upward thou,
"For thou hast strength enow."
I knew him then, and though for haste
My struggling breath beat somewhat fast,
My going stayed it not;
And when to him I got,
But hardly raising up his head,
"Art sure that thou hast learnt," he said,
"How 'tis the Sun doth guide
"His car by thy left side?"




58               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO IV.
tzr Gli atti suoi pigri, e le corte parole
Mosson le labbra mie un poco a riso;
Poi cominciai: Belacqua, a me non duole
[24 Di te omai; ma dimmi, perche assiso
Quiritta sei? attendi tu iscorta,
O pur lo modo usato t' ha ripriso?
127 Ed ei: Frate, 1' andare in su che porta?
Che non mi lascerebbe ire ai martiri
L' uscier di Dio che siede in sulla porta.
r3o Prima convien che tanto il Ciel m' aggiri
Di fuor da essa, quanto fece in vita,
Perch' io indugiai al fine i buon sospiri;
'33 Se orazione in prima non m' aita,
Che surga su di cuor che in grazia viva:
L' altra che val, che in Ciel non e udita?
I36 E gia il Poeta innanzi mi saliva,
E  dicea: Vienne omai, vedi ch' e tocco
Meridian dal Sole, e dalla riva
139 Cuopre la notte gia col pik Morrocco.




CANTO IV.]


PURGATORY.


59


The words, the action of the man,
Moved me to smile: and I began,
"Belacqua, now no more
"Thy fate I need deplore;
" But tell me, wherefore here so late
"Thou sittest? dost thou escort wait?
"Or has thy wont of old
" O'er thee regained its hold?"
Then: "Brother, wherefore should I choose
"To climb?   God's porter would refuse
"To ope the gate, wherein
"My penance should begin.
"'Needs must that Heaven first wheel about
"My lifetime's space, while I without
"Wait, for that till I ended
"My good sighs I suspended;
"Except some prayer may bring me aid,
"Which heart that lives in grace hath said:
"None else may comfort bear,
"Save those that Heaven will hear."
Already was the Poet gone,
Upward before me mounting on,
And saying, "Come away:
"Behold the King of Day
"Right over the meridian wheeling,
"While Night forth from the River stealing
" Hath o'er Morocco set
"The covering of her feet."




CANTO QUINTO.


Io era gia da quell' ombre partito,
E seguitava 1' orme del mio Duca,
Quando diretro a me, drizzando il dito,
4 Una grid6: Ve', che non par che luca
Lo raggio da sinistra a quel di sotto,
E come vivo par che si conduca.
Gli occhi rivolsi al suon di questo motto,
E vidile guardar per maraviglia
Pur me, pur me, e il lume ch' era rotto.
1o Perch& 1' animo tuo tanto s' impiglia,
Disse il Maestro, che I' andare allenti?
Che ti fa cio che quivi si pispiglia?
I3 Vien dietro a me, e lascia dir le genti;
Sta come torre ferma, che non crolla
Giammai la cima per soffiar de' venti.




CANTO V.


WHEN from those spirits I had passed
To my Guide's footprints holding fast,
Behind there cried a shade,
And sign with finger made;
"See how no ray of light doth show
"On left of him who goes below;
"See how he doth contrive
"To move as one alive."
At that word's sound I turned my eyes
And saw them bending in surprise
On me, on me their sight,
And on the broken light.
"Why wilt thou thus engage thy mind,"
My Master said, "and fall behind?
"What matters it to thee,
"Whate'er their whispering be?
"Come on and leave their talk alone:
"Stand like a tower firm, whose crown
"Its summit never vails
"For all the whistling gales.




PURGATORIO.


[CANTO V


16 Ch& sempre 1' uomo, in cui pensier rampolla
Sovra pensier, da sb dilunga il segno,
Perch& la foga 1' un dell' altro insolla.
19 Che poteva io ridir, se non: Io vegno?
Dissilo, alquanto del color consperso
Che fa 1' uom di perdon tal volta degno.
22 E intanto per la costa da traverso
Venivan genti innanzi a noi un poco,
Cantando Miserere a verso a verso.
25 Quando s' accorser ch' io non dava loco,
Per lo mio corpo, al trapassar de' raggi,
Mutar lor canto in un O lungo e roco;
28 E due di loro in forma di messaggi
Corsero incontro a noi, e dimandarne:
Di vostra condizion fatene saggi.
31 E il mio Maestro: Voi potete andarne,
E ritrarre a color che vi mandaro,
Che il corpo di costui e vera carne.
34 Se per veder la sua ombra restaro,
Com' io avviso, assai & lor risposto:
Facciangli onore, ed esser puo lor caro.




CANTO V.]


PURGATORY.


63


'For aye, when thought on thought upstarteth,
"Far from the mark the eye departeth;
"Before the new affray
"The old thought faints away."
What other answer could I make,
Except 'I come'? That word I spake,
The colour on my face
That ofttime findeth grace.
Meanwhile across the hill-side road
Short space in front there came a crowd,
Their Miserere chanting,
And verse by verse descanting.
When marked they, for my body's mass
How I forbade the rays to pass,
Their chanting changed its course
To 0 prolonged and hoarse.
And twain ran forward from that band,
As messengers, and made demand:
"Of your condition tell
"That we may know it well."
My Master then: "Ye may return
"To those who sent, and let them learn
"That very flesh is this
"Whereof his body is.
"And if his shadow to behold
" They stayed, enough, I wot, is told:
"Here let him honour find,
"That he to them be kind."




64


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO V.


37 Vapori accesi non vid' io sl tosto
Di prima notte mai fender sereno,
N&, sol calando, nuvole d' agosto,
40 Che color non tornasser suso in meno,
E giunti la, con gli altri a noi dier volta,
Come schiera che corre senza freno.
43 Questa gente, che preme a noi, e molta,
E vengonti a pregar, disse il Poeta;
Pero pur va, ed in andando ascolta.
46 0 anima, che vai per esser lieta
Con quelle membra, con le quai nascesti,
Venian gridando, un poco il passo queta.
49 Guarda, se alcun di noi unque vedesti,
Si che di lui di 1V novelle porti:
Deh perch& vai? deh perche non t' arresti?
52 Noi fummo gia tutti per forza morti,
E peccatori infino all' ultim' ora:
Quivi lume del Ciel ne fece accorti
55 SI, che, pentendo e perdonando, fuora
Di vita uscimmo a Dio pacificati,
Che del disio di s& veder n' accuora.




CANTO V.]


PURGATORY.


65


Swiftly the kindled vapours cleave
The sky serene at early eve,
Or clouds in August weather
At set of sun that gather:
But these far swifter upward shot,
And when unto the rest they got,
Towards us all wheeled, as train
That rides with loosened rein.
"Right many these," the Poet said,
"That press on us and ask thy aid:
"Wherefore go onward so,
c" And listen as thou go."
"' O soul, that blissward bearest all
" The limbs that thou wast born withal,"
('Twas thus they did entreat)
"'A little stay thy feet.
"Look if thou knowest any here,
"That tidings yonder thou mayst bear:
"And wherefore goest thou free?
"Why art not stayed as we?
"All we by violence came to die,
"Sinners to life's extremity:
"But there, when on our sight
"Was opened Heaven's light,
"Repenting, pardoning, at last
"At peace with God from life we passed,
"At peace with Him whose grace
"Moves us to seek His face."
F




66


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO V.


58 Ed io: Perch& ne' vostri visi guati,
Non riconosco alcun; ma se a voi piace,
Cosa ch' io possa, spiriti ben nati,
6I Voi dite; ed io far6 per quella pace,
Che, dietro ai piedi di sl fatta guida,
Di mondo in mondo cercar mi si face.
64 Ed uno incomincio: Ciascun si fida
Del beneficio tuo senza giurarlo,
Pur che il voler nonpossa non ricida.
67 Ond' io, che solo innanzi agli altri parlo,
Ti prego, se mai vedi quel paese
Che siede tra Romagna e quel di Carlo,
70 Che tu mi sie de' tuoi preghi cortese
In Fano si, che ben per me s' adori,
Perch' io possa purgar le gravi offese.
73 Quindi fu' io; ma li profondi fori,
Onde uscl il sangue, in sul qual io sedea,
Fatti mi furo in grembo agli Antenori,
76 La dov' io piui sicuro esser credea:
Quel da Esti il fe' far, che m' avea in ira
Assai piui la che il dritto non volea.




CANTO V.]


PURGATORY.


67


And I, "For all I fix my eyes,
"Not any can I recognise:
"But tell, and if on earth,
"O souls of happy birth,
"Aught that may please you I can do,
"I will, yea, by that peace, whereto
"I seek, this Guide attending,
"From world to world ascending."
And one began: " Without thine oath,
"In thy good office all have troth,
"So want of power shall never
"Thy kindly will dissever.
"And therefore I, who foremost speak,
"Pray thee, if e'er that land thou seek,
"Betwixt Romagna found
"And royal Charles's ground,
"In Fano lend thy gracious aid
"That supplication there be made;
"My deep offences may
" Thereby be purged away.
"Thence sprang I, but not there was shed
"The blood whereon my seat was spread;
"Where those deep wounds were dealt,
"Antenor's children dwelt,
"'Mongst whom I thought myself most sure;
"My death did Este's lord procure,
"With fiercer anger filled
"Than justice ever willed.
F X




6) S


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO V.


79 Ma s' io fossi fuggito inver la Mira,
Quando fui sovraggiunto ad Oriaco,
Ancor sarei di la dove si spira
s, Corsi al palude, e le cannucce e il braco
M' impigliar si, ch' io caddi, e 1i vid' io
Delle mie vene farsi in terra laco.
85 Poi disse un altro: Deh, se quel disio
Si compia che ti tragge all' alto monte.
Con buona pietate aiuta il mio.
ss Io fui di Montefeltro, io son Buonconte:
Giovanna, o altri non ha di me cura;
Perch' io vo tra costor con bassa fronte.
9T Ed io a lui: Qual forza, o qual ventura
Ti travio sl fuor di Campaldino,
Che non si seppe mai tua sepoltura?
94 Oh, rispos' egli, appi6 del Casentino
Traversa un' acqua che ha nome 1' Archiano,
Che sovra 1' Ermo nasce in Apennino.
97 Dove il vocabol suo diventa vano
Arriva' io forato nella gola,
Fuggendo a piede e sanguinando il piano.




CxANTO V.]


PURGATORY.


69


"Had I La Mira sought to gain,
"Nor been at Oriaco ta'en,
"Then yonder yet I were
"With those who breathe the air.
"Unto the swamp I strove to win:
"There, caught the canes and mire within,
"I fell, and saw my blood
"Pour on the ground in flood."
Another then: " So may the hope
"That draws thee to this mountain top
"Be all fulfilled above,
"Aid mine with kindly love.
" I was of Montefeltro; now
"Buonconte still, with downcast brow
"I pace, for how I fare
"Nor Joan nor any care."
Then to him I: "What chance or might
" Bore thee from Campaldino's fight
" So far, not any one
"Thy burying-place hath known?"
"Oh! but at Casentino's foot
"Across doth Archiano shoot,
"From Apennine forthwelling
" Above the hermit's dwelling.
"And where it bears that name no more,
"Pierced in the throat and bleeding sore,
"Upon my feet I fled,
"Staining the plain with red.




70


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO V.


ioo Quivi perdei la vista, e la parola
Nel nome di Maria finii, e quivi
Caddi, e rimase la mia came sola.
Io3 lo diro il vero, e tu il ridi' tra i vivi;
L' Angel di Dio mi prese, e quel d' Inferno
Gridava: O tu del Ciel, perch6 mi privi?
Io6 Tu te ne porti di costui 1' eterno
Per una lagrimetta che il mi toglie;
Ma io far6 dell' altro altro governo.
o19 Ben sai come nell' aere si raccoglie
Quell' umido vapor che in acqua riede,
Tosto che sale dove il freddo il coglie.
112 Giunse quel mal voler, che pur mal chiede,
Con 1' intelletto, e mosse il fumo e il vento
Per la virtu, che sua natura diede.
rIp Indi la valle, come il di fu spento,
Da Pratomagno al gran giogo coperse
Di nebbia, e il ciel di sovra fece intento
xi8 Si, che il pregno aere in acqua si converse:
La pioggia cadde, ed ai fossati venne
Di lei ci6 che la terra non sofferse:




CANTO V.]


PURGATORY.


7I


"Sight failed, and as my ending came,
" My latest word was Mary's name:
"Then down I fell and left
"My flesh of me bereft.
"The truth among the living tell:
"God's Angel took me: one from Hell
"Cried, 'This to me was given;
"'Why robb'st me, child of Heaven?
"'One little tear hath ta'en from me
"'c His part eternal, claimed by thee:
"'But with the other I
"'Another way will try.'
"Well know'st thou how the mists that rise
"In exhalation to the skies
"Return to water there,
"Condensed in colder air.
"Came that ill will that ill intendeth,
"Fraught with the power his nature lendeth,
"The wind and vapour moving,
"And all his cunning proving.
"Then, when the light of day was paled,
"The valley all with clouds he veiled,
"To the great ridge's head
"From Pratomagno spread:
"And bade the heavens above to frown,
"Whence the big air in rain came down;
"Then to the trenches rolled
"What the earth could not hold:




7 2              PURGATORIO.           [CANTO V.
131 E come a' rivi grandi si convenne,
Ver lo flume real tanto veloce
Si ruin6, che nulla la ritenne.
124 Lo corpo mio gelato in sulla foce
Trovo 1' Archian rubesto; e quel sospinse
Nell' Arno, e sciolse al mio petto la croce,
127 Ch' io fei di me quando il dolor mi vinse:
Voltommi per le ripe e per lo fondo,
Poi di sua preda mi coperse e cinse.
130 Deh, quando tu sarai tomato al mondo,
E riposato della lunga via,
Seguit6 il terzo spirito al secondo,,33 Ricorditi di me, che son la Pia:
Siena mi fe', disfecemi Maremma:
Salsi colui che innanellata pria
136 Disposata m' avea con la sua gemma.




(CANTO V.]


PURGATORY.


73


"And in the greater streams collected
"So swift its rushing course directed
" Towards the royal river,
"That nought could stay it ever.
"My frozen body on that ground
"The swelling Archiano found,
"And, all that cross undone
"I made my breast upon
"In my last pains, to Arno hurled me,
"About the banks and bottom whirled me;
"Then underneath his prey
" Buried and bound I lay."
When to the world thou left'st behind
"Thou shalt return and rest shalt find
" From the long journey made,"
(Following the second shade
Thus from the third a voice there came,)
"Remember me that Pia am:
"My birth Siena gave:
"Maremma was my grave.
"Well is that known to him, I wis,
"Who in espousal made me his,
"And gave the gem he wore,
"Though ring I had before."




CANTO SESTO.


QUANDO si parte il giuoco della zara.
Colui che perde si riman dolente,
Ripetendo le volte, e tristo impara:
4 Con 1' altro se ne va tutta la gente:
Qual va dinanzi, e qual diretro il prende,
E qual da lato gli si reca a mente.
7 Ei non s' arresta, e questo e quello intende;
A cui porge la man piii non fa pressa;
E cost dalla calca si difende.
io Tal era io in quella turba spessa,
Volgendo a loro e qua e la la faccia,
E promettendo mi sciogliea da essa.
I3 Quivi era 1' Aretin, che dalle braccia
Fiere di Ghin di Tacco ebbe la morte,
E 1' altro che anneg6 correndo in caccia.




CANTO VI.


AFTER a game of hazard done,
The loser stays behind alone,
And tries again the turns,
And sad experience learns:
But with the other goes the rout:
In front, behind, and all about
They crowd to win his eye,
And recognition buy.
He grants his favours here and there:
Who touch his hand no longer care
To press: so passes he,
And from the throng goes free.
So was I in that crowded place:
This way and that I turned my face,
My promises bestowing,
And hardly thence was going.
There was that Aretine, laid low
By Ghin di Tacco's furious blow:
His fellow too I found
Who in pursuit was drowned.




PURGATORIO.


[CANTO VI.


i6 Quivi pregava con le mani sporte
Federico Novello, e quel da Pisa
Che fe' parer lo buon Marzucco forte.
'9 Vidi Cont' Orso, e 1' anima divisa
Dal corpo suo per astio e per inveggia,
Come dicea, non per colpa commisa;
22 Pier dalla Broccia dico: e qui provveggia,
Mentr' e di qua, la donna di Brabante,
Si che pero non sia di peggior greggia.
25 Come libero fui da tutte quante
Quell' ombre che pregar pur ch' altri preghi,
S1 che s' avacci il lor divenir sante,
28 Io cominciai: E' par che tu mi nieghi,
O luce mia, espresso in alcun testo,
Che decreto del Cielo orazion pieghi;.1 E questa gente prega pur di questo.
Sarebbe dunque loro speme vana?
O non m' & il detto tuo ben manifesto?
34 Ed egli a me: La mia scrittura e piana,
t la speranza di costor non falla,
Se ben si guarda con la mente sana.




CANTO VI.]


PURGATORY.


77


And there with outspread hands the shade
Of Frederick Novello prayed:
And Pisa's son, who proved
How good Marzucco loved.
Count Orso there, that spirit too
I saw, that, so his tale be true,
No crime from flesh divided,
But malice, envy guided.
Of Pier la Broccia 'tis I speak:
Let Brabant's dame amendment seek,
While yonder she abide,
Lest a worse fate betide.
When from all those I came away,
Whose prayer is but that others pray,
That speedier so they come
Unto their blessed home,
Then I began: "0 thou my light,
"Seems, if thy text I read aright,
"Decree of Heaven may never
"Bend to our prayers' endeavour.
" Yet doth this folk nought else require:
" Must then in vain be their desire?
"Or what thy speech expressed,
"Is it not manifest?"
He answered: "What I wrote is plain:
"And yet their hope is not in vain,
"If with sound mind thou turn,
"The truth hereof to learn.




78               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO VI.
37 Ch& cima di giudizio non s' avvalla,
Perche fuoco d' amor compia in un punto
Ci6 che dee soddisfar chi qui s' astalla.
40 E la dov' io fermai cotesto punto,
Non si ammendava, per pregar, difetto,
Perche il prego da Dio era disgiunto.
43 Veramente a cosi alto sospetto
Non ti fermar, se quella nol ti dice,
Che lume fia tra il vero e 1' intelletto.
46 Non so se intendi; io dico di Beatrice:
Tu la vedrai di sopra, in sulla vetta
Di questo monte, ridere felice.
49 Ed io: Signore, andiamo a maggior fretta;
Che gia non m' affatico come dianzi;
E vedi omai che il poggio 1' ombra getta.
52 Noi anderem con questo giorno innanzi,
Rispose, quanto piul potremo omai;
Ma il fatto e d' altra forma che non stanzi.
55 Prima che sii lassu, tornar vedrai
Colui che gia si cuopre della costa,
Si che i suoi raggi tu romper non fai.




CANTO VI.]


-PURGATORY.


79


"Judgment's high crest is ne'er abased,
"Though all their debt, that here are placed,
"By love's consuming aid
"Be in an instant paid.
"And in the case my verse intended,
"Fault could not be by prayer amended:
"Prayer none from pains delivered,
"While 'twas from God dissevered.
"Yet, for this doubt so high doth reach,
"Rest not content, till thou have speech
"With her that light shall be
"Betwixt the truth and thee.
"Perchance thou mark'st not what is told:
"'Tis Beatrice thou shalt behold,
"Smiling in bliss, the crown
"Even of this mount upon."
Then: "Let us speedier onward go,
"My Lord, I am not weary now.:
"See from the mountain wall
"The shade begins to fall."
"We will go on, while 'tis to-day,"
He answered, "with what speed we may:
"Yet shalt thou find our case
"Weareth another face.
"For, ere thou comest to the top,
"He shall return, whom now the slope
' Hath hid, so that thou make
"No more his rays to break.




8o               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO VI.
58 Ma vedi la un' anima, che posta
Sola soletta verso noi riguarda;
Quella ne insegnera la via piu tosta.
6r Venimmo a lei: O anima Lombarda,
Come ti stavi altera e disdegnosa,
E nel muover degli occhi onesta e tarda!
64 Ella non ci diceva alcuna cosa;
Ma lasciavane gir, solo sguardando
A guisa di leon quando si posa.
67 Pur Virgilio si trasse a lei, pregando
Che ne mostrasse la miglior salita;
E quella non rispose al suo dimando:
70 Ma di nostro paese e della vita
C' inchiese. E il dolce Duca incominciava:
Mantova...  E 1' ombra, tutta in s& romita,
73 Surse ver lui del loco ove pria stava,
Dicendo: O Mantovano, io son Sordello
Della tua terra. E 1' un 1' altro abbracciava.




CANTO VI.]


PURGATORY.


"But see, where posted all alone
"A soul our coming gazes on:
"There haply shall be showed
'"What is our quickest road."
We came. O spirit, Lombard born,
What pride was there, what look of scorn!
In movement of thine eye
What stately gravity!
Never a word he deigned to say:
But let us pass upon our way,
Watching us in such guise
As lion couched that lies.
Howbeit towards him Virgil went,
And prayed him show where for ascent
Best pathway might be got:
Thereto he answered not:
But that we tell him of our land
And of our life was his demand:
Began my gracious Lord
His answer with the word
"Mantua": and though till then the shade
Self-cloistered all alone had stayed,
Forth from the place he stepped
His feet before had kept,
And cried, "I too am Mantuan;
"Sordello I, thy countryman."
Then forward both did reach
And clasped them each to each.
G




82               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO VI.
76 Ahi serva Italia, di dolore ostello,
Nave senza nocchiero in gran tempesta,
Non donna di provincie, ma bordello!
79 Quell' anima gentil fu cosi presta,
Sol per lo dolce suon della sua terra,
Di fare al cittadin suo quivi festa;
82 Ed ora in te non stanno senza guerra
Li vivi tuoi, e 1' un 1' altro si rode
Di quei che un muro ed una fossa serra.
85 Cerca, misera, intorno dalle prode
Le tue marine, e poi ti guarda in seno,
Se alcuna parte in te di pace gode.
88 Che val, perch& ti racconciasse il freno
Giustiniano, se la sella 6 vota?
Senz' esso fora la vergogna meno.
91 Ahi gente, che dovresti esser devota,
E lasciar seder Cesar nella sella,
Se bene intendi cio che Dio ti nota,
94 Guarda conm' esta fiera e fatta fella,
Per non esser corretta dagli sproni,
Poi che ponesti mano alla predella.




CANTO VI.]


PURGATORY.


83


Enslaved Italia, haunt of woes,
Pilotless ship while tempest blows,
Of provinces no queen
But brothel-house unclean!
Here when he heard his country's name
That eager soul was all aflame,
His citizen to greet
And show him welcome meet.
Thy living sons from war cease never,
But each the other gnaweth ever,
E'en where one ditch, one wall,
Doth circumscribe them all.
Search, hapless one, thy sea-board through,
Thy ports, and eke thy centre too,
If within all their bound
Peace anywhere be found.
What though Justinian trim thy rein,
If void the saddle still remain!
If with him were the blame,
Then less had been thy shame.
Ah! ye who should to prayer be cleaving,
For Caesar's seat the saddle leaving,
If but your mind can reach
To that which God would teach,
Mark ye how fierce that beast hath grown,
Since no correcting spur she own,
Now ye have set your hand
Upon her bridle band!
G 2




84


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO VI.


97 O Alberto Tedesco, che abbandoni
Costei ch' e fatta indomita e selvaggia,
E dovresti inforcar li suoi arcioni,
1oo Giusto giudizio dalle stelle caggia
Sovra il tuo sangue, e sia nuovo ed aperto,
Tal che il tuo successor temenza n' aggia:
103 Ch6 avete tu e il tuo padre sofferto,
Per cupidigia di costa distretti,
Che il giardin dell' imperio sia diserto.
[06 Vieni a veder Montecchi e Cappelletti,
Monaldi e Filippeschi, uom senza cura:
Color gia tristi, e costor con sospetti.
109 Vien, crudel, vieni, e vedi la pressura
De' tuoi gentili, e cura lor magagne,
E vedrai Santafior corn' 6 sicura.
112 Vieni a veder la tua Roma che piagne,
Vedova, sola, e dl e notte chiama:
Cesare mio, perch6 non m' accompagne?
i.s Vieni a veder la gente quanto s' ama;
E se nulla di noi pieta ti muove,
A vergognar ti vien della tua fama.




CANTO VI.]


PURGATORY.


85


O German Albert, thou that hast
That untamed savage from thee cast,
On whom 'twas thine to ride,
Her saddle-bows astride,
Oh! from the stars may judgment light
Upon thy blood in all men's sight,
Some signal doom and clear,
That thy successor fear:
For that thy father, aye and thou,
Could, drawn abroad by greed, allow
That of this empery
The garden desert be.
Come, see, thou man that show'st no care,
Monaldi, Filippeschi there,
Montagues, Capulets,
Whom grief or doubt besets.
Come, cruel one, where rank oppresses;
Come and bring cure for their distresses:
See with what sort of rest
Is Santafiore blest.
Come, see thy Rome, that plaineth aye,
Widowed, alone, by night, by day,
Crying, 'O Caesar mine,
'Why wilt not make me thine?'
Come, see thy people show their love:
Or, if for us no pity move,
Think upon thy renown,
If there no shame thou own.




86


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO VI.


I8 E se licito m' t, o sommo Giove,
Che fosti in terra per noi crocifisso,
Son li giusti occhi tuoi rivolti altrove?
i21 0 6 preparazion, che nell' abisso
Del tuo consiglio fai, per alcun bene
In tutto dall' accorger nostro scisso?
124 Che le citta d' Italia tutte piene
Son di tiranni, ed un Marcel diventa
Ogni villan che parteggiando viene.
127 Fiorenza mia, ben puoi esser contenta
Di questa digression che non ti tocca,
Merc6 del popol tuo che sl argomenta.
I30 Molti han giustizia in cuor, ma tardi scocca,
Per non venir senza consiglio all' arco;
Ma il popol tuo 1' ha in sommo della bocca.
x33 Molti rifiutan lo comune incarco;
Ma il popol tuo sollecito risponde
Senza chiamare, e grida: Io mi sobbarco.
36 Or ti fa lieta, ch& tu hai ben onde:
Tu ricca, tu con pace, tu con senno.
S' io dico '1 ver, I' effetto nol nasconde.




CANTO VI.]


PURGATORY.


87


Thou that for us, O Jove supreme,
Wast crucified, Oh! dare I deem
Thy just eyes otherwhither
Are turned from looking thither?
Or dost thou in thy counsels deep
For good some preparation keep,
So far cut off, our sight
It may not reach aright?
Italia's towns do tyrants all
Possess: and we Marcellus call
Every common man
That plays the partisan.
Rejoice, my Florence, in thy lot,
That this digression toucheth not:
Thy people thank therefor,
That have such sense in store.
Many have justice in their heart,
But counsel want the bow to start:
Thy people wait not long:
They have it on their tongue.
Many the common load refuse,
That eagerly thy people choose:
They come ere any ask
And cry ' Be mine the task.'
Now joy with joy that comes from thence:
Riches thou hast and peace and sense:
If 'tis the truth I speak,
Proof is not far to seek.




88             PURGATORIO.           [CANTO VI.
139 Atene e Lacedemone, che fenno
Le antiche leggi, e furon sl civili,
Fecero al viver bene un picciol cenno
142 Verso di te, che fai tanto sottili
Provvedimenti, che a mezzo novembre
Non giunge quel che tu d' ottobre fili.
145 Quante volte del tempo che rimembre,
Legge, moneta, offizio, e costume
Hai tu mutato, e rinnovato membre!
48 E se ben ti ricordi, e vedi lume,
Vedrai te simigliante a quella inferma,
Che non pu6 trovar posa in sulle piume,
151 Ma con dar volta suo dolore scherma.




CANTO VI.]       PURGATORY.
For Athens, aye, and Sparta's state,
That were in policy so great,
And framed the laws of old,
How small a place they hold,
How poor their art of noble living
Shows by thy delicate contriving,
Where what October spun
November sees outrun!
Think in the time thou canst recall,
Laws, money, customs, places all,
How thou hast rearranged,
How oft thy members changed!
Could'st thou but see thyself aright,
And turn thy vision to the light,
Thy likeness thou would'st find
In some sick man reclined;
On couch of down though he be pressed,
He seeks and finds not any rest,
But turns and turns again,
To ease him of his pain.


89




CANTO SETTIMO.


POSCIACHt 1' accoglienze oneste e liete
Furo iterate tre e quattro volte,
Sordel si trasse, e disse: Voi chi siete?
4 Prima che a questo monte fosser volte
L' anime degne di salire a Dio,
Fur 1' ossa mie per Ottavian sepolte.
7 Io son Virgilio; e per null' altro rio
Lo Ciel perdei, che per non aver fe:
Cosl rispose allora il Duca mio.
Jo Qual a colui che cosa innanzi a se
Subita vede, ond' ei si maraviglia,
Che crede e no, dicendo: Ell' e, non 6;,3 Tal parve quegli, e poi chin6 le ciglia,
Ed umilmente ritornb ver lui,
Ed abbracciollo ove il minor s' appiglia.




CANTO VII.


THRICE and four times those greetings fair,
Those greetings glad, repeated were,
When back Sordello drew,
And "Who," he said "are you?"
"Or ever to this mount could bend
Souls worthy Godward to ascend,
"My bones to rest were laid
"In grave Octavian bade:
"Virgil am I: the Heaven I lost
"No fault but want of faith hath cost."
'Twas even thus my Guide
To his demand replied.
As who some wondrous thing perceives,
That he believes not, yet believes:
And betwixt doubt and faith
' It is, 'tis not,' he saith;
So seemed that shade: his brow he drooped,
And turning back again he stooped,
And humbly there did clasp
Where child would elder grasp.




92               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO VII.
'6 O gloria de' Latin, disse, per cui
Mostr6 cio che potea la lingua nostra,
O pregio eterno del loco ond' io fui,
19 Qual merito, o qual grazia mi ti mostra?
S' io son d' udir le tue parole degno,
Dimmi se vien d' inferno, e di qual chiostra.
22 Per tutti i cerchi del dolente regno,
Rispose lui, son io di qua venuto:
Virtu del Ciel mi mosse, e con lei vegno.
25 Non per far, ma per non far ho perduto
Di veder 1' alto Sol che tu disiri,
E che fu tardi da me conosciuto.
28 Loco e laggiu non tristo da martiri,
Ma di tenebre solo, ove i lamenti
Non suonan come guai, ma son sospiri.
31 Quivi sto io coi parvoli innocenti,
Dai denti morsi della morte, avante
Che fosser dall' umana colpa esenti.
34 Quivi sto io con quei che le tre sante
VirtlN non si vestiro, e senza vizio
Conobber ' altre, e seguir tutte quante.




CANTO VII.]


PURGATORY.


93


"0 thou, the Latins' pride, whose song
"Showed all the powers of our tongue,
" Thou the eternal grace
" Of my own native place,
"What boon, what merit sets me near thee?
"Oh! if I worthy be to hear thee,
"Say if from Hell thou come,
"And where thy appointed room."
"The circles of the kingdom cursedl"
Hie answered. "I have all traversed:
"'Twas Power from high that sought me,
"And to this place hath brought me.
"Not what I did, but what I left
"Undone, hath from my vision reft
"'That Sun I knew too late,
"That Sun thy hopes await.
"There is a place beneath where pains
"Vex not, but darkness only reigns:
"The sound of its lament
" In sighs, not groans, is spent.
"There am I set, with those new-born,
"Those innocents death's teeth have torn,
" Ere yet from human sin
"They were made clean within.
"There am I set, and there with me
"Are those, the holy virtues three
"That put not on, but knew
"The rest, and kept them true.




94


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO VII.


37 Ma se tu sai e puoi, alcuno indizio
Da noi, perch& venir possiam piu tosto
La dove Purgatorio ha dritto inizio.
40 Rispose: Loco certo non c' & posto:
Licito m' & andar suso ed intorno:
Per quanto ir posso, a guida mi t' accosto.
43 Ma vedi gia come dichina il giorno,
Ed andar su di notte non si puote;
Pero e buon pensar di bel soggiorno.
46 Anime sono a destra qua rimote:
Se mi consenti, io ti merro ad esse,
E non senza diletto ti fien note.
49 Corn'   ci6? fu risposto: chi volesse
Salir di notte, fora egli impedito
D' altrui?  non sarria che non potesse?
s5 E il buon Sordello in terra freg6 il dito,
Dicendo: Vedi, sola questa riga
Non varcheresti dopo il Sol partito:
55 Non pero che altra cosa desse briga,
Che la notturna tenebra, ad ir suso:
Quclla col non poter la voglia intriga.




CANTO VII.]


PURGATORY.


95


"But if thou canst and if thou know,
"Vouchsafe some guidance to bestow,
"Some sign to lead us straight
"To Purgatory's gate."
"Not fixed our station: I may move
'Around," he answered "and above:
"Far as I may, thy side
" I'll keep and be thy guide.
"But see already daylight fail:
' Upward by night may none prevail:
"Behoves our thought to turn
"Some sojourn fair to learn.
"Apart on right are souls that stay:
"There will I bring thee if I may:
"So it will be their sight
" Shall surely give delight."
" How may this be?" 'twas answered him:
"By night if one would upward climb,
"Would any turn him back?
"Or would he power lack? "
The good Sordello on the ground
His finger drew: " Beyond this bound,"
He said "thou shalt not get
"After the Sun is set.
"Darkness of night, no other cause,
"Shall give thy upward mounting pause:
"There want of power doth still
"Fetter the eager will.




96


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO VII.


58 Ben si porfa con lei tornare in giuso,
E passeggiar la costa intorno errando,
Mentre che 1' orizzonte il dl tien chiuso.
6r Allora il mio Signor, quasi ammirando:
Menane dunque, disse, la ove dici
Che aver si puo diletto dimorando.
64 Poco allungati c' eravam di lici,
Quand' io m' accorsi che il monte era scemo,
A guisa che i vallon li sceman quici.
67 Cola, disse quell' ombra, n' anderemo
Dove la costa face di se grembo,
E quivi il nuovo giorno attenderemo.
70 Tra erto e piano era un sentiero sghembo,
Che ne condusse in fianco della lacca,
La dove piui che a mezzo muore il lembo.
73 Oro ed argento fino, cocco e biacca,
Indico legno lucido e sereno,
Fresco smeraldo in 1' ora che si fiacca,
76 Dall' erba e dalli fior dentro a quel seno
Posti, ciascun saria di color vinto,
Come dal suo maggiore    vinto il meno.




CANTO VII.]


PURGATORY.


9/


"Yet might one take the downward road,
"And round the hill-side wind abroad,
"While 'neath the horizon put
"The light of day is shut."
Then, as in wonder, said my Lord:
"Lead us according to thy word,
"Where we delight may find
"While we remain behind."
Not far we went, when I descried
A hollow in the mountain side,
And saw it fashioned there
Like our own valleys here.
"We will go thither," said that shade,
"To yonder combe in hill-side made:
"There will we wait withdrawn
"Until the new day dawn."
Part steep, part smooth, the winding bank
That led us to that basin's flank,
Where dies away the tressure
By more than half its measure.
Gold, silver, ivory, scarlet grain,
Bright indigo of purest vein,
The flash from emerald given
When it is freshly riven,
Would each and all before the power
Was there displayed by herb and flower
Their fainter colour lose,
Quenched by those stronger hues.
~ ~
eee.I




98


PURGATORIO.


CCANTO VI [


79 Non avea pur natura ivi dipinto,
Ma di soavith di mille odori
Vi facea un incognito e indistinto.
82 Salve, Rrgina, in sul verde e in su i fiori
Quivi seder cantando anime vidi,
Che per la valle non parean di fuori:
85 Prima che il poco Sole omai s' annidi,
Cominci6 il Mantovan che ci avea volti,
Tra costor non vogliate ch' io vi guidi.
88 Di questo balzo meglio gli atti e i volti
Conoscerete voi di tutti quanti,
Che nella lama giul tra essi accolti.
91 Colui che piui sied' alto, e fa sembianti
D' aver negletto ci6 che far dovea,
E che non muove bocca agli altrui canti,
94 Ridolfo imperador fti, che potea
Sanar le piaghe ch' hanno Italia morta,
Si che tardi per altri si ricrea.
97 L' altro, che nella vista lui conforta,
Resse la terra dove 1' acqua nasce,
Che Multa in Albia, ed Albia in mar ne porta:
err




CANTO VII.]


PURGATORY.


99


And not alone the painter's art
Had nature shown, but every part
One sweet strange fragrance filled,
From thousand scents distilled.
"Hail, Queen and Mother!" was the song
That rose the grass and flowers among
From souls without not seen,
Hid in the vale between.
"Ere yon brief Sun shall sink to bed,"
The Mantuan, who had brought us, said
"Desire not I should guide thee,
"And set those souls beside thee.
"'Twere better from this terrace wall
' Their movements and their faces all
"To scan, than when below
"Into the dell we go.
The highest there, that seems dejected,
"As though his task he had neglected,
"Nor moves his lips in time
"To join the others' chime,
"'Was Rodolph Emperor, who could
" Have healed Italia's wounds, whence flowed
" Her life, scarce any more
" Another may restore.
"The next, his comforter who seems,
"Ruled o'er the land where rise the streams,
"From Moldau Elbe receiveth
"And to the ocean giveth.
H.  *..*.:.  *
a,~~~~~~~~~~~~~ee




100


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO VII,,


roo Ottachero ebbe nome, e nelle fasce
Fu meglio assai, che Vincislao suo figlio
Barbuto, cui lussuria ed ozio pasce.
03 E quel nasetto, che stretto a consiglio
Par con colui ch' ha sl benigno aspetto,
Mori fuggendo e disfiorando il giglio:
106 Guardate 1h, come si batte il petto:
L' altro vedete ch' ha fatto alla guancia
Della sua palma, sospirando, letto.
o19 Padre e suocero son del mal di Francia:
Sanno la vita sua viziata e lorda,
E quindi viene il duol che sl li lancia.
112 Quel che par si membruto, e che s' accorda
Cantando con colui del maschio naso,
D' ogni valor port6 cinta la corda.
115 E se re dopo lui fosse rimaso
Lo giovinetto che retro a lui siede,
Bene andava il valor di vaso in vaso;
s Che non si puote dir dell' altre rede.
Jacomo e Federico hanno i reami:
Del retaggio miglior nessun possiede.. *  ~




CANTO VII.]


PURGATORY.


1OI


"He was called Ottocar: more sage
"His childhood than the bearded age,
"His Wenzel lets be passed
" In wantonness and waste.
" He, who with stunted nose is seen
"Counselling one of gentle mien,
"Died as he fled the fight,
"Shaming the lilies white.
Behold him how he smites his breast;
"Look too on one with sighs oppressed,
"Who makes his hand a bed
"c Whereon to rest his head.
"Father and bel-sire of the woe
"Of France are they: right well they know
"His life debased and foul:
"'Tis that doth prick their soul.
"That stalwart frame, whose chanting goes
"In time with his of manly nose,
"The cord of virtues all
"Was girt about withal.
"Had with that youth the kingdom stayed,
"Who sits behind his father's shade,
"Well had the worth been stored
"From bowl to bowl that poured.
"Not of the rest may this be told:
"Frederick and James the realms may hold;
"The better heirship none
"Hath in possession.;.    e  ~
e~C1




1 0o             PURGATORIO.          [CANTO VII.
a2r Rade volte risurge per li rami
L' umana probitate: e questo vuole
Quei che la dX, perch6 da lui si chiami.
124 Anche al Nasuto vanno mie parole,
Non men ch' all' altro, Pier, che con lui canta,
Onde Puglia e Provenza gia si duole.
127 Tant' 6 del seme suo minor la pianta,
Quanto pih che Beatrice e Margherita,
Constanza di marito ancor si vanta.
l0o Vedete il re della semplice vita
Seder la solo, Arrigo d' Inghilterra:
Questi ha ne' rami suoi migliore uscita.,.3 Quel che pi' basso tra costor s' atterra,
Guardando in suso, e Guglielmo Marchese,
Per cui Alessandria e la sua guerra
136 Fa pianger Monferrato e il Canavese.:...
r, e, ~




CANTO VII.'


PURGATORY.


103


"Seldom again doth human worth
"Among the branches issue forth:
"He wills from Him we claim
" His gift of whom it came.
"That large-nosed man this lesson bringeth:
' Not Pierre alone, who with him singeth:
' Such change doth Provence rue,
"Aye, and Apulia too.
~' So shines its seed the plant above,
"As good Constantia's wedded love
" In fortune far outvies
"Margaret and Beatris.
"And he who sits without that ring
"Is England's Henry, guileless king:
"The branches of his root
"In nobler issue shoot.
" In him, that lower down doth rest,
"Upon the ground his body pressed,
"And upward turns his brow,
"The Marquess William know,
" Lord of the Canavese, who brought
"The warfare Alessandria wrought:
"Whose moaning still resounds
"Through all Montferrat's bounds."




CANTO OTTAVO.


ERA gi& 1' ora che volge il disio
Ai naviganti, e intenerisce il cuore
Lo dl che han detto ai dolci amici addio;
4 E che lo nuovo peregrin d' amore
Punge, se ode squilla di lontano,
Che paia il giorno pianger che si muore:
7 Quand' io incominciai a render vano
L' udire, ed a mirare una dell' alme
Surta, che 1' ascoltar chiedea con mano.
to Ella giunse e levo ambo le palme,
Ficcando gli occhi verso 1 oriente,
Come dicesse a Dio: D' altro non calme.
13 Te lucis ante si devotamente
Le uscl di bocca, e con si dolci note,
Che fece me a me uscir di mente.




CANTO VIII.


THE hour was come that on the sea
Softens the heart with memory,
The day on voyage sped
Farewell to friends was said;
Then, if he hear the distant bell,
That seems the dying day to knell,
Its sound hath power to move
The new-bound pilgrim's love.
Began I then my ears to close,
And look upon a soul that rose,
And seemed with outstretched hand
My notice to demand.
Both palms he joined and upward raised,
And to the East he steadfast gazed,
As though to God he cried,
'I care for nought beside.'
"Before the closing of the day"
With lips devout I heard him pray:
His notes so sweetly flowed,
My soul went all abroad.




io6


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO VIII.


a6 E 1' altre poi dolcemente e devote
Seguitar lei per tutto 1' inno intero,
Avendo gli occhi alle superne ruote.
19 Aguzza qui, Lettor, ben gli occhi al vero,
Che il velo & ora ben tanto sottile,
Certo che il trapassar dentro e leggiero.
22 lo vidi quello esercito gentile
Tacito poscia riguardare in sue,
Quasi aspettando pallido ed umile:
2. E vidi uscir dell' alto, e scender gibe
Due angeli con due spade affocate,
Tronche e private delle punte sue.
2s Verdi, come fogliette pur mo nate,
Erano in veste, che da verdi penne
Percosse traean dietro e ventilate.
31 L' un poco sovra noi a star si venne,
E 1 altro scese in 1 opposita sponda,
Si che la gente in mezzo si contenne.
34 Ben discerneva in lor la testa bionda;
Ma nclle faccie 1' occhio si smarria,
Come virtu che al troppo si confonda.




CANTO VIII.]


PURGATORY.


I0o7


The others of that sweet-voiced choir
Followed him through the hymn entire,
Their eyes devoutly given
Unto the wheels of heaven.
Turn here, my Reader, turn thy sight
Upon the veil, so fine, so slight,
'Twere easy now to win
The secret hid within.
I saw that noble army raise
In silence to the skies their gaze,
Waiting what should befall,
Pallid and humble all.
And angels twain I saw, that came
Out of the height with swords aflame,
Swords that had been truncated,
And of their points abated.
Green, as of leaflets newly born,
The plumage for their raiment worn,
Drawn after in the wind
Of their green wings behind.
One just above us took his rank:
One lighted on the other bank:
Between them guarded were
The people gathered there.
Their fair-haired foreheads I could trace,
But in the brightness of their face
Was baffled all my sight,
Quelled by excess of light.




io8


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO VIII.


37 Ambo vegnon del grembo di Maria,
Disse Sordello, a guardia della valle,
Per lo serpente che verrA via via.
40 Ond' io che non sapeva per qual calle,
Mi volsi intorno, e stretto m' accostai
Tutto gelato alle fidate spalle.
43 E Sordello anco: Ora avvalliamo omai
Tra le grandi ombre, e parleremo ad esse:
Grazioso fia lor vedervi assai.
46 Solo tre passi credo ch' io scendesse,
E fui di sotto, e vidi un che mirava
Pur me, come conoscer mi volesse.
49 Tempo era gia che 1' aer s' annerava,
Ma non si, che tra gli occhi suoi e i miei
Non dichiarisse ci6 che pria serrava.
52 Ver me si fece, ed io ver lui mi fei:
Giudice Nin gentil, quanto mi piacque,
Quando ti vidi non esser tra i rei!
55 Nullo bel salutar tra noi si tacque:
Poi dimando: Quant' e, che tu venisti
Appi& del monte per le lontane acque?




CANTO VIII.]


PURGATORY.


1o9


' From Mary's bosom both are sped
"To guard the vale," Sordello said
"And foil that serpent's guile
"That shall be here erewhile."
Not knowing where he should appear,
I turned aside, all chilled with fear,
To those sure arms, that still
Could shelter me from ill.
Once more Sordello: "Let us go
"Among the mighty shades below,
"And speak with them: 'twere grace
" If they behold thy face."
But paces three I deem I took
And reached the foot, where one did look
On me, as though methought
To know my face he sought.
Dark grew the air: but yet between
His eyes and mine there could be seen
What late had been concealed,
But now was all revealed.
Towards me he made and towards him I:
Ah! noble Judge, how joyfully
Then, Nino, could I know
Thou wast not lost below!
There lacked no salutation sweet
Betwixt us: then did he entreat:
"When camest thou to this coast,
"Those distant waters crossed?"




110


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO VIII.


58 0, diss' io lui, per entro i luoghi tristi
Venni stamane, e sono in prima vita,
Ancor che 1' altra sl andando acquisti.
61 E come fu la mia risposta udita,
Sordello ed egli indietro si raccolse,
Come gente di subito srnarrita.
64 L' uno a Virgilio, e l'altro ad un si volse
Che sedea 11, gridando: Su, Corrado,
Vieni a veder che Dio per grazia volse.
67 Poi volto a me: Per quel singular grado,
Che tu dei a colui, che sl nasconde
Lo suo primo perche, che non gli e guado,
70 Quando sarai di la dalle larghe onde,
Di' a Giovanna mia, che per me chiami
La dove agl' innocenti si risponde.
73 Non credo che la sua madre piu mn' ami,
Poscia che trasmut6 le bianche bende,
Le quai convien che misera ancor brami.
76 Per lei assai di lieve si comprende,
Quanto in femmina fuoco d' amor dura,
Se 1' occhio o il tatto spesso nol raccende.




CANTO VlII.]


PURGATORY.


1 1


"Oh!" said I: "Through the place of gloom
"Hither this morning have I come,
"My second life to gain,
"Ere yet the first be ta'en."
And, soon as they my answer knew,
He and Sordello backward drew,
As turn in disarray
Whom sudden fears dismay.
One Virgil sought: the other cried
Unto a soul that sate beside;
"Up! Conrad, from thy place,
" Come and behold God's grace."
Then to me turning i "If from Heaven.
"This privilege to thee be given
"Of Him, who hides from man
" His all-unfathomed plan,
"O'er the broad sea when thou art sped,
"Bid my Joanna's prayer be said
" For me, where grace is lent
"To pleading innocent.
"Her mother loves me not, I ween,
"Since changed her wimple white hath been:
' Poor soul, that shall be fain
"Those weeds to wear again!
( Right well may her example prove
" How brief the flame of woman's love,
"Except by touch or sight
"It often be relit.




112


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO VIII.


79 Non le farA sl bella sepoltura
La vipera che il Milanese accampa,
Corn' avria fatto il gallo di Gallura.
82 Cosi dicea, segnato della stampa
Nel suo aspetto di quel dritto zelo,
Che misuratamente in cuore avvampa.
85 Gli occhi miei ghiotti andavan pure al cielo,
Pur la dove le stelle son piu tarde,
Si come ruota piu presso allo stelo.
ss E il Duca mio: Figliuol, che lassui guarde?
Ed io a lui: A quelle tre facelle,
Di che il polo di qua tutto quanto arde.
9' Ed egli a me: Le quattro chiare stelle
Che vedevi staman, son di la basse,
E queste son salite ov' eran quelle.
94 Corn' ei parlava, e Sordello a se il trasse
Dicendo: Vedi 1 ii nostro avversaro;
E drizzo il dito, perch6 in la guardasse.
97 Da quella parte, onde non ha riparo
La picciola vallea, era una biscia,
Forse qual diede ad Eva il cibo amaro.




CANTO VIII.]


PURGATORY.


II3


" The viper on the Milan shield
"So brave a burial shall not yield,
"As had been hers, in ground
"Gallura's cock had found."
'Twas thus he spake: and righteous zeal
Upon his front had set its seal,
The measured fervour showing
Within his bosom glowing.
My greedy eyes to heaven were turned,
Where stars of slowest motion burned,
As wheel doth slower roll
Nearer the axle bole.
Then spake my Guide, "What is't, my son,
"Thou lookest for there?" and I, "Upon
"Those torches three I gaze,
"That by yon pole-star blaze"
"Those stars thou sawest, those shining four,
"Since morn have sunk 'neath ocean's floor:
"And these are mounted there
"Where late the others were."
And, even as that word was said,
His arms Sordello round him laid,
With warning finger, " See!
"There comes our enemy."
Upon the dell's unguarded side
I looked and saw a serpent glide:
Haply from such did Eve
That bitter meat receive.
I




114


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO VIII.


roo Tra 1 erba e i fior venia la mala striscia,
Volgendo ad or ad or la testa al dosso,
Leccando come bestia che si liscia.
To3 Io nol vidi, e per6 dicer nol posso,
Come mosser gli astor celestiali,
Ma vidi bene 1' uno e 1' altro mosso.
ro6 Sentendo fender 1' aere alle verdi ali,
Fuggl il serpente, e gli angeli dier volta
Suso alle poste rivolando eguali.
109 L' ombra che s' era al Giudice raccolta,
Quando chiamo, per tutto quell' assalto
Punto non fu da me guardare sciolta.
ri2 Se la lucerna che ti mena in alto
Truovi nel tuo arbitrio tanta cera,
Quant' & mestiero infino al sommo smalto,
x1  Comincio ella: Se novella vera
Di Valdimagra, o di parte vicina
Sai, dilla a me, che gia grande la era.
Cs Chiamato fui Corrado Malaspina:
Non son ' antico, ma di lui discesi:
A' miei portai 1' amor che qui raffina.




CANTO VIII.]


PURGATORY.


T T -


The evil snake his way was wending,
His head about his body bending,
The grass and flowers among,
Like beast with slavering tongue.
Then in an instant from above
I saw those hawks celestial move:
But in what wise they fell
I saw not, nor can tell.
And as by their green wings the air
Was cleft, the serpent fled ascare:
With even flight the twain
Turned to their posts again.
The shade, who at the Judge's call
Had joined him, through that onslaught all
Swerved not a moment's space
From looking on my face.
And he began: " So may thy will
"With ample wax that candle fill
"Which lights thee, till thou stand
"On the enamelled strand,
"That crowns the mount, Oh! let thy speech
"Some news of Valdimagra teach,
"And tell me of her state,
" For there I once was great.
"There Conrad Malaspina's name,
"That ancient one's, of whom I came,
"I bore: the love for mine
"Was showed I here refine."
I 2




J. 16


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO VIII.


12I 0, diss' io lui, per li vostri paesi
Giammai non fui; ma dove si dimora
Per tutta Europa, ch' ei non sien palesi?
124 La fama che la vostra casa onora,
Grida i signori, e grida la contrada,
Si che ne sa chi non vi fu ancora.
127 Ed io vi giuro, s' io di sopra vada,
Che vostra gente onrata non si sfregia
Del pregio della borsa e della spada.
130 Uso e natura si la privilegia,
Che, perch& il capo reo lo mondo torca,
Sola va dritta, e il mal cammin dispregia.
133 Ed egli: Or va, che il Sol non si ricorca
Sette volte nel letto che il Montone
Con tutti e quattro i pie cuopre ed inforca,
136 Che cotesta cortese opinione
Ti fia chiavata in mezzo della testa
Con maggior chiovi che d' altrui sermone,
139. Se corso di giudizio non s' arresta.




CANTO VIII.]


PURGATORY.


"17


"Oh! though your lands," I said "by me
" Were never seen, yet none there be,
"In Europe's bounds that dwell,
"Their fame that know not well.
" The glory of your house of worth,
"Its lords, its country, trumpets forth
" In tones to reach the ear
"Of those were never there.
"I swear (so may I reach the skies)
"Your noble race still bears the prize
"Of all that purse or sword
"To honour can afford.
"Though that false chief the world misdrive,
Nature and wont such privilege give
"To thine, they may not stray
"Out of the perfect way."
"Farewell," he said "but in that bed
"Times seven the Sun shall not be laid,
"The bed by Aries hidden,
"With his four feet bestridden,
"Ere this fair thought by stouter nails
"Than aught that comes of others' tales
" Be fastened in thy brain,
" So judgment's course remain."




CANTO NONO.
LA concubina di Titone antico
Gia s' imbiancava al balzo d' oriente,
Fuor delle braccia del suo dolce amico:
4 Di gemme la sua fronte era lucente,
Poste in figura del freddo animale,
Che con la coda percuote la gente:
E la notte de' passi, con che sale,
Fatti avea due nel loco ov' eravamo,
E il terzo gia chinava in giuso 1' ale;
to Ouand' io che meco avea di quel d' Adamo,
Vinto dal sonno, in sull' erba inchinai
La dove tutti e cinque sedevamo.
i3 Nell' ora che comincia i tristi lai
La rondinella presso alla mattina,
Forse a memoria de' suoi primi guai,




CANTO IX.


THE leman of Tithonus old,
Loosed from her love's embracing fold,
In pearly white had dressed
The rampart of the East.
With jewels was her forehead graced,
In shape of that cold creature placed,
Who dealeth deadly harm
With sting that tail doth arm.
And Night, where then we were, had trod
Two paces on her upward road;
And now with pinions drooping
Downward the third was stooping:
When, for that Adam's load I kept,
Fatigue o'ercame me and I slept,
And on the grass I lay
Where all we five did stay.
And in the hour, before the morn,
When wakes the swallow's note forlorn,
Haply amid her singing
Her woes to memory bringing,




120


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO IX.


T6 E che la mente nostra peregrina
Piu dalla carne, e men da' pensier presa,
Alle sue vision quasi e divina;
19 In sogno mi parea veder sospesa
Un' aquila nel ciel con penne d' oro,
Con 1' ali aperte, ed a calare intesa:
22 Ed esser mi parea la dove foro
Abbandonati i suoi da Ganimede,
Quando fu ratto al sommo consistoro.
25 Fra me pensava: Forse questa fiede
Pur qui per uso, e forse d' altro loco
Disdegna di portarne suso in piede.
28 Poi mi parea che roteata un poco,
Terribil come folgor discendesse,
E me rapisse suso infino al fuoco.
31 Ivi pareva ch' ella ed io ardesse,
E sl 1' incendio immaginato cosse,
Che convenne che il sonno si rompesse.
34 Non altrimenti Achille si riscosse,
Gli occhi svegliati rivolgendo in giro,
E non sappiendo la dove si fosse,




CANTO IX.]


PURGATORY.


121


The hour, when loosed from thought our mind
Leaves pilgrim-like her flesh behind,
And borne along in dreams
Almost a prophet seems,
Even then to me was vision given:
I saw an eagle poised in heaven,
His pinions gold-bedight,
Spread out for downward flight.
Meseemed upon the place to look
Of those whom Ganymede forsook,
Snatched to the upper sky,
To council-room on high.
'Perchance' I thought ''tis only here
'His feet are wont to strike: elsewhere
'He deigneth not his prey
'To clutch and bear away.'
He wheeled a space: that wheeling ended,
Fearful as lightning he descended:
Then from my place he tore me,
And to the fire upbore me.
There seemed to burn both he and I
In furnace of my phantasy:
Whence glowed such heat that broke
My slumber, and I woke.
'Twas even in such startled wise
Achilles round him turned his eyes:
Nor knew with wonder shaken
Whither he had been taken,




122


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO IX.


37 Quando la madre da Chiron a Schiro
Trafug6 lui dormendo, in le sue braccia,
La onde poi li Greci il dipartiro;
40 Che mi scoss' io, sl come dalla faccia
Mi fuggi il sonno, e diventai smorto,
Come fa 1' uom che spaventato agghiaccia.
43 Dallato m' era solo il mio Conforto,
E il Sole er' alto gia piui che due ore,
E il viso m' era alla marina torto.
46 Non aver tema, disse il mio Signore:
Fatti sicur, ch& noi siamo a buon punto:
Non stringer, ma rallarga ogni vigore.
49 Tu se' omai al Purgatorio giunto:
Vedi 1 il balzo che il chiude d' intorno;
Vedi 1' entrata la 've par disgiunto.
52 Dianzi, nell' alba che precede al giorno,
Quando 1' anima tua dentro dormia
Sovra li fiori, onde laggiiu 6 adorno,
55 Venne una donna, e disse: Io son Lucia:
Lasciatemi pigliar costui che dorme,
Si 1' agevolero per la sua via.




CANTO IX.]


PURGATORY.


123


What time by stealth from Chiron's keeping
His mother's arms had borne him sleeping
To Scyros, whence again
He by the Greeks was ta'en.
I shook myself, and slumber fled
My face, and I became as dead,
Or as when terrors fill
The heart with icy chill.
My Comfort was beside alone:
Two hours above the Sun was gone:
And to the sea without
My face was turned about.
Then said my Lord "Be not afraid:
"Be sure good progress we have made:
"'Contract not then thy force,
"But give it larger course.
"Now art thou come unto the bound:' Of Purgatory, girdled round
"Thou seest by parapet,
"With door at parting set.
"At early dawn before the day,
"While slumber still about thee lay
"Upon the flowers at rest,
"Wherewith below 'tis dressed,
"A lady came to me and spake
"'I Lucia am: Oh! let me take
"'This sleeper up with me,
"'That eased his path may be.'




124


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO IX.


58 Sordel rimase, e 1' altre gentil forme:
Ella ti tolse, e come il dl fu chiaro,
Sen venne suso, ed io per le sue orme.
61 Qui ti pos6: e pria mi dimostraro
Gli occhi suoi belli quell' entrata aperta;
'Poi ella e il sonno ad una se n' andaro.
64 A guisa d' uom che in dubbio si raccerta,
E che muta in conforto sua paura,
Poi che la verita gli e discoverta,
67 Mi cambia' io: e come senza cura
Videmi il Duca mio, su per lo balzo
Si mosse, ed io diretro inver 1' altura.
7o Lettor, tu vedi ben cor' io innalzo
La mia materia, e per6 con piul arte
Non ti maravigliar s' io la rincalzo.
73 Noi ci appressammo, ed eravamo in parte,
Che la, dove pareami prima un rotto,
Pur come un fesso che muro diparte,
76 Vidi una porta, e tre gradi di sotto,
Per gire ad essa, di color diversi,
Ed un portier che ancor non facea motto.




CANTO IX.]


PURGATORY.


125


"Sordello and those gentles there
"Remained: and when the day was clear,
"She carried thee above:
"I in her steps did move.
"Here laid she thee: but first she showed
"With her fair eyes that open road:
"Then she and sleep at last
"Away together passed."
As one by doubts perplexed, by fears,
When the unfolded truth appears,
His doubts to surety turn,
His fears consolement learn:
Such change was mine: my Leader knew
My cares removed, and forward drew
Along the ledge, and I
Behind him went on high.
Thou seest, my Reader, how I raise
My theme: nor should it thee amaze,
If greater art sustain
The matter of my strain.
We drew us nigh, and reached a point
Where broken was that circle's joint;
There, in what seemed a rift,
Whereby a wall is cleft,
A gate I saw, three steps upon,
Three steps of diverse hue each one:
And porter there, who yet
Spake never word, was set.




J26


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO IX.


79 E come 1' occhio piu e piu v' apersi,
Vidil seder sovra il grado soprano,
Tal nella faccia, ch' io non lo soffersi:
82 Ed una spada nuda aveva in mano,
Che rifletteva i raggi sl ver noi,
Ch' io dirizzava spesso il viso in vano.
85 Dite costinci, che volete voi?
Cominci6 egli a dire: ov' e la scorta?
Guardate che il venir su non vi noi!
ss Donna del Ciel, di queste cose accorta,
Rispose il mio Maestro a lui, pur dianzi
Ne disse: Andate 1l, quivi e la porta.
91 Ed ella i passi vostri in bene avanzi,
Ricomincio il cortese portinaio:
Venite dunque a' nostri gradi innanzi.
94 La ne venimmo; e lo scaglion primaio,
Bianco marmo era sl pulito e terso,
Ch' io mi specchiai in esso quale io paio.
97 Era il secondo, tinto piu che perso,
D' una petrina ruvida ed arsiccia,
Crepata per lo lungo e per traverso.




CANTO IX.]


PURGATORY.


127


As more and more my eyes dilated,
On topmost stair I saw him seated,
His face so dazzling bright
As baffled all my sight.
A naked sword his hand directed,
Whence the Sun's rays were so reflected
Towards us, I might not brook
Thither to turn my look.
"Stay where ye are, and thence" he said
"Your purpose tell, and who hath led
"You hither, and beware
"Your climbing cost not dear."
My Master answered: " Even now
"A Heavenly dame, that well might know,
"Spake to us: 'Go before:
"' Lo! yonder is the door."'
"Her blessing on your footsteps wait:"
(That courteous warden of the gate
Made answer) "come and set
" Upon our stair your feet."
We thither came: the lowest pace
Was marble white, of polished face
So smooth it did reflect
In mirror my aspect.
The next of deepest perse was stained,
Of furrowed rock and fire-ingrained;
But cracked throughout with scar,
That length and breadth did mar.




128


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO IX.


ioo Lo terzo, che di sopra s' ammassiccia,
Porfido mi parea sl fiammeggiante,
Come sangue che fuor di vena spiccia.
103 Sopra questo teneva ambo le piante
L' Angel di Dio, sedendo in sulla soglia,
Che mi sembiava pietra di diamante.
io6 Per li tre gradi su di buona voglia
Mi trasse il Duca mio, dicendo: Chiedi
Umilemente che il serrame scioglia.
o09 Divoto mi gittai a' santi piedi:
Misericordia chiesi e che m' aprisse:
Ma pria nel petto tre fiate mi diedi.
x- Sette P nella fronte mi descrisse
Col punton della spada, e: Fa che lavi,
Quando sei dentro, queste piaghe, disse.
15 Cenere o terra che secca si cavi,
D' un color fora col suo vestimento,
E di sotto da quel trasse due chiavi.
Ii8 I' una era d' oro e 1' altra era d' argento:
Pria con la bianca, e poscia con la gialla
Fece alla porta sl ch' io fui contento.




CANTO IX.]


PURGATORY.


129


The third, that over all was spread,
Was porphyry, as flaming red
As blood that bursts amain
Forth from an opened vein.
Resting his feet that stair upon,
God's Angel sate the threshold on,
Threshold that seemed a block
Of adamantine rock.
Up the three stairs my Leader drew me
With sweet goodwill, and said unto me
"There humbly make thy plea
"That he unlock to thee."
I fell before his blessed feet:
And thrice upon my breast I beat:
Then grace did I implore,
And that he ope the door.
Upon my brow with point of sword
Seven 'P's he wrote, and spake this word
"See when thou art within
"To wash them thou begin."
Ashes, or earth that splits with drought,
The hue whereof his robe was wrought:
Two keys he thence forthdid
Which had beneath been hid.
Of silver one, of gold his fellow:
First with the white, then with the yellow
About the door he dealt,
That I contentment felt.
K




130               PURGATORIO.           [ CANTO X.
121 Quandunque 1' una d' este chiavi falla,
Che non si volga dritta per la toppa,
Diss' egli a noi, non s' apre questa calla.
124 Piu cara & 1' una; ma 1' altra vuol troppa
D' arte e d' ingegno avanti che disserri,
Perch' ell' e quella che il nodo disgroppa.
127 Da Pier le tengo; e dissemi, ch' io erri
Anzi ad aprir, che a tencrla serrata,
Pur che la gente a' piedi mi s' atterri.
I30 Poi pinse 1' uscio alla porta sacrata,
Dicendo: Entrate; ma facciovi accorti
Che di fuor torna chi indietro si guata.
133 E quando fur ne' cardini distorti
Gli spigoli di quella regge sacra,
Che di metallo son sonanti e forti,
I36 Non rugghio sl, ne si mostr6 si acra
Tarpeia, come tolto le fu il buono
Metello, per che poi rimase macra.
I39 Io mi rivolsi attento al primo tuono,
E, Te Deum laudamus, mi parea
Udir in voce mista al dolce suono.




CANTO IX.]


PURGATORY.


13I


"When of these keys one goes awry,
"And will not in the keyhole ply,
"This pass " he said "to none
"May ever be undone.
"That cost more dear: but this doth still
"Need greater wit and greater skill,
"The secret ere it learn
"Within the wards to turn.
"These Peter gave: and bade me choose
" Rather to ope than to refuse,
"So but to earthward all
"Before my footstool fall."
The hallowed door he pushed ajar,
And said " Go in, but be ye ware,
"Whose gaze is backward given
"Shall straightway be forthdriven."
As on their hinges turned them slowly
The spindles of that portal holy,
With deep resounding clang
The solid metal rang.
Louder that sound, more harsh that roar,
Than echoed from Tarpeia's door,
When bare her hoard was left,
From good Metellus reft.
I turned away, my ears intent
On the first tone from voices sent,
That with sweet music meeting
Te Deum seemed repeating.
K 2




13Z              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO IX.
142 Tale immagine appunto mi rendea
Cio ch' io udiva, qual prender si suole
Quando a cantar con organi si stea:
4.5 Che or sl or no s' intendon le parole.




CANTO IX.]       PURGATORY.               133
I listened even as one attending,
When organ pipes with chant are blending,
And now the words are plain,
And now are lost again.




CANTO DECIMO.


POI fummo dentro al soglio della porta
Che il malo amor dell' anime disusa,
Perche fa parer dritta la via torta,
4 Suonando la sentii esser richiusa:
E s' io avessi gli occhi volti ad essa,
Qual fora stata al fallo degna scusa?
7 Noi salivam per una pietra fessa,
Che si moveva d' una e d' altra parte,
Si come 1' onda che fugge e s' appressa.
to Qui si convien usare un poco d' arte,
Comincio il Duca mio, in accostarsi
Or quinci, or quindi al lato che si parte.
13 E ci6 fece li nostri passi scarsi
Tanto, che pria lo scemo della luna
Rigiunse al letto suo per ricorcarsi,




CANTO X.


WHEN we were come within the gate,
Disused of souls that leave the straight
To seek the crooked way,
By ill love led astray,
I heard the sound that told it fast;
Had then my eyes been backward cast,
What pleading could I use,
How such a fault excuse?
Through a cleft rock we made ascent,
Now hither and now thither bent,
As curves the wavelet's track,
Now forward and now back.
"Some little art" began my Guide
"Needs here we use, to keep the side
" Whereto the passage tends
" As to and fro it bends."
Our steps that labour made so few,
The needle's eye we came not through,
Ere on her couch again
The dwindled moon had lain.




136              PURGATORIO.           [CANTO X.
x6 Che noi fossimo fuor di quella cruna.
Ma quando fummo liberi ed aperti
Su, dove il monte indietro si rauna,
rg Io stancato, ed ambedue incerti
Di nostra via, ristemmo su in un piano
Solingo pii che strade per diserti.
22 Dalla sua sponda, ove confina il vano,
Al.pie dell' alta ripa, che pur sale,
Misurrebbe in tre volte un corpo umano,
25 E quanto 1' occhio mio potea trar d' ale
Or dal sinistro ed or dal destro fianco,
Questa cornice mi parea cotale.
28 Lassu non eran mossi i pie nostri anco,
Quand' io conobbi quella ripa intorno,
Che dritta di salita aveva manco,
31 Esser di marmo candido, ed adorno
D' intagli sl, che non pur Policleto,
Ma la natura 11 avrebbe scorno.
34 L' Angel che venne in terra col decreto
Della molt' anni lagrimata pace,
Che aperse il Ciel dal suo lungo divieto,




CANTO X.J


PURGATORY.


137


When we were issued forth, and stood
Unhindered on the open road,
About the mountain's brink,
That there doth inward shrink,
All wearied I, and both at fault
What way to take, we made our halt
On plain more lonely far
Than roads in desert are.
From where the edge confines the clear
To the high bank that rises sheer,
The measure of a man
Thrice told its breadth would span.
And far as eye could wing its flight,
On either hand, to left, to right,
That girdling terrace line
Seemed all of like design.
We had not moved upon that ground,
When looking on the bank around,
Whose cliff so steep was made
As all ascent forbade,
I knew it of white marble, decked
With sculpture fair, in whose respect
Not Polyclete alone,
But Nature was outshone.
I saw the Angel there, who came
The peace long wept for to proclaim,
And to unclose the door
Of Heaven denied before:




138


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO X.


37 Dinanzi a noi pareva sl verace
Quivi intagliato in un atto soave,
Che non sembiava immagine che tace.
40 Giurato si saria ch' ei dicesse: AveJ
Perocche ivi era immaginata Quella,
Che ad aprir 1' alto amor volse la chiave.
43 Ed avea in atto impressa esta favella,
Ecce ancilla Dei, propriamente
Come figura in cera si suggella.
46 Non tener pure ad un luogo la mente,
Disse il dolce Maestro, che m' avea
Da quella parte, onde il cuore ha la gente:
49 Perch' io mi mossi col viso, e vedea
Diretro da Maria, per quella costa,
Onde m' era colui che mi movea,
52 Un' altra storia nella roccia imposta:
Perch' io varcai Virgilio, e femmi presso,
Acciocche fosse agli occhi miei disposta.
55 Era intagliato 11 nel marmo stesso
Lo carro e i buoi tracndo 1' arca santa,
Per che si teme offizio non commesso.




CANTO X.]


PURGATORY.


139


And as before that form we stood,
Engraved in gracious attitude,
So true his image seemed,
He could not mute be deemed.
One would have sworn that ' Hail!' he said,
For by his side was She portrayed,
Even She who turned the key,
That Heavenly love set free.
Her lips were fashioned to the word
'Behold the handmaid of the Lord!',
As true as wax revealing
The impress of its sealing.
" Let not thine eyes there only stay"
1 heard my gracious Master say
(And I was near that part
Where beats the human heart):
Wherefore I turned about my face,
And looked beyond him past the place
Where Mary was designed:
There on the rock behind
I saw another tale embossed:
Whereto by Virgil's side I crossed,
That so that panel might
Be nearer to my sight.
God's Ark in very marble wrought,
On ox-car drawn, the lesson taught
That task to have in fear
We be not called to bear,




140


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO X.


58 Dinanzi parea gente; e tutta quanta,
Partita in sette cori, a' due miei sensi
Faceva dir 1' un No, 1' altro Si canta.
6i Similemente al fummo degl' incensi
Che v' era immaginato, gli occhi e il naso
Ed al SI ed al No discordi fensi.
64 Li precedeva al benedetto vaso,
Trescando alzato, 1' umile Salmista,
E piu e men che re era in quel caso.
67 Di contra effigiata ad una vista
D' un gran palazzo Micol ammirava,
S1 come donna dispettosa e trista.
70 lo mossi i pi6 del loco dov' io stava,
Per avvisar da presso un' altra storia
Che diretro a Micol mi biancheggiava.
73 Quivi era storiata 1' alta gloria
Del Roman principato, il cui valore
Mosse Gregorio alla sua gran vittoria:
76 Io dico di Traiano Imperadore;
Ed una vedovella gli era al freno,
Di lagrime atteggiata e di dolore.




CANTO X.]


PURGATORY.


I41


In front moved seven bands, from whence
Confusion fell on me, my sense
A double answer bringing,
'They are, they are not singing.'
The incense steam with like surprise
Bewildered both my nose and eyes,
Discordant message sending,
For Aye and No contending.
The Psalmist meek, in ephod dressed,
Danced on before that vessel blest,
And more and less than king
Seemed in his worshipping.
And Michal too was sculptured there,
At casement set of palace fair,
Whence on her lord she gazed,
Like haughty dame displeased.
Then behind Michal, gleaming white,
Another history met my sight,
Wherefore I moved me on
That place to look upon.
Lo! there was sculptured all the story
Of the imperial Roman's glory,
That upon Gregory wrought
And his great triumph brought.
Of Trajan Emperor 'tis told:
And widow there did I behold,
That to his bridle pressed,
Weeping and sore distressed.




142


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO X.


79 Intorno a lui parea calcato e pieno
Di cavalieri, e 1' aquile nell' oro
Sovr' esso in vista al vento si movieno.
82 La miserella intra tutti costoro
Parea dicer: Signor, fammi vendetta
Di mio figliuol ch' & morto, ond io m' accoro.
s5 Ed egli a lei rispondere: Ora aspetta
Tanto ch' io torni. E quella: Signor mio,
Come persona in cui dolor s' affretta,
88 Se tu non torni? Ed ei: Chi fia dov' io
La ti fara. E quella: L' altrui bene
A te che fia, se il tuo metti in obblio?
91 Ond' egli: Or ti conforta, che conviene
Ch' io solva il mio dovere, anzi ch' io muova:
Giustizia vuole e pietA mi ritiene.
94 Colui, che mai non vide cosa nuova,
Produsse esto visibile parlare,
Novello a noi, perche qui non si truova.
97 Mentr' io mi dilettava di guardare
Le immagini di tante umilitadi,
E per lo fabbro loro a veder care;




CANTO X.]


PURGATORY.


143


Filled was the place with trampling crowd
Of horsemen, that about her rode:
The eagles gold-outspread
Waved o'er the prince's head.
Amongst them all she seemed to plain
'Lord, do me vengeance for the slain:
'My son is dead, and I
'Am all in misery.'
He answered 'Let thy pleading stay
'Till I come back upon my way:'
And she, as one whom grief
Spurs on to seek relief,
'Lord, if thou come not?' 'Then,' he said
' Who follows me shall give thee aid.'
'Nay, thine own good forgot,
' Another's helps thee not.'
'Be comforted: I needs must do
'My duty even before I go:
'So justice doth command,
'And pity rules my hand.'
'Twas He, whose sight nought new may find,
This visible discourse designed,
New but to us, for we
Its like here may not see.
While with delight my eyes surveyed
Those fair humilities displayed,
More dear, more fair that were
For their artificer,




144


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO X.


ioo Ecco di qua, ma fanno i passi radi,
Mormorava il Poeta, molte genti:
Questi ne invieranno agli alti gradi.
o13 Gli occhi miei ch' a mirar eran intenti,
Per veder novitadi, onde son vaghi,
Volgendosi ver lui, non furon lenti.
io6 Non vo' pero, Lettor, che tu ti smaghi
Di buon proponimento, per udire
Come Dio vuol che il debito si paghi.
o19 Non attender la forma del martire:
Pensa la succession; pensa che, al peggio,
Oltre la gran sentenza non puo ire.
112 Io cominciai: Maestro, quei ch' io veggio
Muover a noi, non mi sembran persone,
E non so che, si nel veder vaneggio.
II5 Ed egli a me: La grave condizione
Di lor tormento a terra li rannicchia
Si, che i miei occhi pria n' ebber tenzone.
1I8 Ma guarda fiso la, e disviticchia
Col viso quel che vien sotto a quei sassi:
Gia scorger puoi come ciascun si picchia.




CANTO X.]


PURGATORY.


145


The Poet murmured: "See below
"A people come with paces slow:
"They shall the pathway teach
"To the high stairs to reach."
And I who was intent to find
New things whereon to feast my mind,
Unto his call gave heed,
And turned to him with speed.
Reader, believe I would not stay thee,
Nor from thy purpose fair dismay thee,
Telling what God hath set
For payment of the debt:
Mark not the fashion of their pains,
But think on what behind remains:
Think how at worst must come
An end at day of doom.
Began I: "Master, those I see
"Move towards us seem not men to be,
"But what, my wavering sight
"Cannot discern aright."
And he to me: "Their grievous state,
"Crushed and bent down 'neath heavy weight,
"At first forbade my eyes
"Their shape to recognise.
"But let thy sight its way divide,
"And pierce to what yon masses hide:
"Already shalt thou know
" The toil they undergo."
L




146


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO X.


i2i O superbi Cristian, miseri lassi,
Che, della vista della mente infermi,
Fidanza avete ne' ritrosi passi;
124 Non v' accorgete voi, che noi siam vermi
Nati a formar 1' angelica farfalla,
Che vola alla giustizia senza schermi?
127 Di che 1' animo vostro in alto galla?
Voi siete quasi entomata in difetto,
Si come verme, in cui formazion falla.
130 Come per sostentar solaio o tetto,
Per mensola talvolta una figura
Si vede giunger le ginocchia al petto,
i33 La qual fa del non ver vera rancura
Nascere a chi la vede; cosl fatti
Vid' io color, quando posi ben cura.
136 Ver e che piu e meno eran contratti,
Secondo ch' avean piui e meno addosso:
E qual piu pazicnza avea negli atti
139 Piangendo parea dicer: Piu non posso.




CANTO X.]


PURGATORY.


14 7


O scornful Christians, weary, worn,
Of vision your sick mind forlorn,
Who trust for your endeavour
To feet backsliding ever!
Know ye not we are but the worm,
Born the angelic moth to form,
That puts away disguise,
And straight to judgment flies?
Why soar ye so presumptuously?
But insects incomplete are ye:
But worms, delaying still
Your nature to fulfil.
As upon corbel-table set
To carry floor or parapet
Oft shows a figure pressed,
With knee close drawn to breast:
From that untruth true pain doth grow
In him who sees it: even so
Was fashioned every one
I bent my gaze upon.
In sooth were some more bowed, some less,
As less or more their load did press:
Seemed he, the worst that bore,
To groan 'I can no more.'




CANTO DECIMOPRIMO.


O PADRE nostro, che nei cieli stai,
Non circonscritto, ma per piu amore,
Che ai primi effetti di lassu tu hai,
4 Laudato sia il tuo nome e il tuo valore
Da ogni creatura, corn' e degno
Di render grazie al tuo dolce vapore.
7 Vegna ver noi la pace del tuo regno,
Che noi ad essa non potem da noi,
S' ella non vien, con tutto nostro ingegno.
1o Come del suo voler gli angeli tuoi
Fan sacrificio a te, cantando Osanna,
Cosl facciano gli uomini de' suoi.
13 Da oggi a noi la cotidiana manna,
Senza la qual per qucsto aspro diserto
A retro va chi piu di gir s' affanna.




CANTO XI.


" OUR Father, thou which art in Heaven,
" Not that aught else thy bounds hath given,
"But for thy greater love
"To thy first works above,
" Hallowed and lauded be thy name;
"Let creatures all thy power proclaim:
"'Tis meet our thanks alway
"To thy sweet breath we pay.
"Thy kingdom's peace vouchsafe to give:
"Except it come to us, we strive
"In vain: for all our wit
"We ne'er can compass it.
" And even as do the angels, bending
" Before thee, their Hosannas sending,
"Let man his will resign
" In sacrifice to thine.
" This day with daily manna bless,
"Our strength in this rough wilderness:
"Except that meat we find,
"Our toiling lags behind.




150


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XI.


6 E come noi lo mal che avem sofferto
Perdoniamo a ciascuno, e tu perdona,
Benigno, e non guardar lo nostro merto.
i9 Nostra virtu, che di leggier s' adona,
Non spermentar con 1' antico avversaro,
Ma libera da lui, che sl la sprona.
22 Quest' ultima preghiera, Signor caro,
Gia non si fa per noi, che non bisogna,
Ma per color, che dietro a noi restaro.
25 Cosl a se e noi buona ramogna
Quell' ombre orando, andavan sotto il pondo,
Simile a quel che talvolta si sogna,
28 Disparmente angosciate tutte a tondo,
E lasse su per la prima cornice,
Purgando le caligini del mondo.
3C Se di la sempre ben per noi si dice,
Di qua che dire e far per lor si puote
Da quei, ch' hanno al voler buona radice?
4 Ben si dee loro aitar lavar le note,
Che portar quinci, sl che mondi e lievi
Possano uscire alle stellate ruote.




CANTO XI.]


PURGATORY.


ISI


"And like as we his trespass will
"Forgive to him who did us ill,
"Our merit weigh not thou,
"But pardon free bestow.
" Let not our ancient foe assail,
"Nor put to test our virtue frail:
"But from his guile deliver
"To evil prompting ever.
" This last petition, Lord, we make
"Not for ourselves, but for their sake
"Whom we have gone before:
"We need it now no more."
So moved those souls along, their prayer
For us, for them, a speeding fair,
Bowed 'neath such weight as seems
To press on us in dreams;
So, but not equal torment knowing,
Clean from the world's foul darkness growing,
Round the first ledge went they
Up on their weary way.
If for our weal their word be said,
Were it not ours to lend them aid
By deed, by speech, the fruit
That comes of kindly root?
Yea, well it were with helpful love
Their earthly blemish to remove,
That light and clean from stain
The star-set spheres they gain.




152


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XI.


37 Deh! se giustizia e pieta vi disgrevi
Tosto, si che possiate muover 1' ala,
Che secondo il disio vostro vi levi,
40 Mostrate da qual mano in ver la scala
Si va piu corto; e se c'  piui d' un varco,
Quel ne insegnate che men erto cala:
43 Ch6 questi che vien meco, per 1' incarco
Della came d' Adamo, ond' ei si veste,
Al montar su, contra sua voglia, & parco.
46 Le lor parole, che rendero a queste,
Che dette avea colui cu' io seguiva,
Non fur da cui venisser manifeste;
49 Ma fu detto: A man destra per la riva
Con noi venite, e troverete il passo
Possibile a salir persona viva.
52 E s' io non fossi impedito dal sasso,
Che la cervice mia superba doma,
Onde portar convienmi il viso basso,
55 Cotesti che ancor vive, e non si noma,
Guardare' io, per veder s' io '1 conosco,
E per farlo pietoso a questa soma.




CANTO XI.]


PURGATORY.


153


"Oh! speedily may justice raise you,
"And pity lift the load that stays you,
" So after your desire
"Your wings may bear you higher,
"Please you to show where turns the stair,
"Which path to take to lead us there;
"If more than one ye know,
"The easiest deign to show.
"He with me comes who for his wearing
"The load of Adam's flesh is bearing:
"His will may scarce avail
"The steeper way to scale."
So spake he in whose steps I went;
But whence the words that then were sent
Answering that request,
Was never manifest':
Only I heard "The right hand keep,
"And with us wind about the steep;
" Ye shall to pass be led
"That living man may tread.
"And were there not, my will to check,
"This stone that curbs my haughty neck,
"Wherefore with downcast brow
"Along the road I go,
"Fain would I on that living wight
"Whose name ye tell not turn my sight:
"There if I knew his face,
"My load might plead for grace.




I54             PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XI.
58 Io fui Latino, e nato d' un gran Tosco:
Guglielmo Aldobrandesco fu mio padre:
Non so se il nome suo giammai fu vosco.
61 L' antico sangue e 1' opere leggiadre
De' miei maggior mi fer si arrogante,
Che non pensando alla comune madre,
64 Ogni uomo ebbi in dispetto tanto avante
Ch' io ne mori; come i Sanesi sanno,
E sallo in Campagnatico ogni fante.
67 Io sono Omberto: e non pure a me danno
Superbia fa, che tutti i miei consorti
Ha ella tratti seco nel malanno.
7o E qui convien ch' io questo peso porti
Per lei, tanto che a Dio si soddisfaccia,
Poi ch' io nol fei tra' vivi, qui tra' morti.
73 Ascoltando, chinai in giu la faccia;
Ed un di lor, non questi che parlava,
Si torse sotto il peso che lo impaccia:
76 E videmi e conobbemi e chiamava,
Tenendo gli occhi con fatica fisi
A me, che tutto chin con lui andava.




CANTO XI.]


PURGATORY.


I55


"Latin was I: for sire I claim
"William, of noble Tuscan name,
"Aldobrandeschi: say
"If still his memory stay.
"The deeds that my forefathers did,
"Their ancient blood, so swelled my pride,
"I thought not on the womb
"From whence we all are come,
"But scorned my fellow men: right well,
"How from that scorn my death befell,
" Sienna's people know
"And Campagnatico.
" Humbert am I: nor here alone
"Am I of those by pride fordone;
"But all who with me are
"Like punishment must share.
"Therefore needs must I bear this load,
"And satisfaction make to God:
"The debt in life delayed
"Must with the dead be paid."
I bowed my face, his words to hear:
And one, not he was speaking there,
Upwrithing 'neath the pack,
That cumbered all his back,
Saw me and knew and called, his eyes
Fastened on me in weary guise,
As with my body bent
Along with them I went.




I56


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XI.


79 0, dissi lui, non sei tu Oderisi,
L' onor d' Agobbio, e 1' onor di quell' arte
Che alluminare chiamata e in Parisi?
82 Frate, diss' egli, piu ridon le carte
Che pennelleggia Franco Bolognese:
L' onore e tutto or suo, e mio in parte.
85 Ben non sare' io stato sl cortese
Mentre ch' io vissi, per lo gran disio
Dell' eccellenza, ove mio cuore intese.
88 Di tal superbia qui si paga il fio;
Ed ancor non sarei qui, se non fosse,
Che, possendo peccar, mi volsi a Dio.
g9 O vana gloria dell' umane posse,
Corn poco verde in sulla cima dura,
Se non a giunta dall' etati grosse!
94 Credette Cimabue nella pittura
Tener lo campo, ed ora ha Giotto il grido,
Si che la fama di colui e oscura.
97 CosI ha tolto 1' uno all' altro Guido
La gloria della lingua; e forse e nato
Chi 1' uno e 1' altro caccera di nido.




CANTO XI.]


PURGATORY.


157


"Art not thou Oderis," I cried
"Of Gubbio and that school the pride,
"Which they of Paris all
"The limners' mystery call?"
"Brother, more bright the pages shine
"Bologna's Franco did design:
" Now his is all the fame,
"'Less I some part may claim.
"Such courtesy I had not shown
"Whiles that I lived the earth upon:
"Then all my longing sense
"Did covet excellence.
"Here pride its forfeit pays: nor yet
"Within this place should I be set,
"Had I not sin unlearned,
" And unto God returned.
"   glory vain of human power!
"Of thy green top how short the hour,
"Except it chance to find
"A duller age behind!
"So Cimabue deemed the field
"Of painting his, but now doth yield
"To Giotto his renown,
"And all obscure hath grown.
"So Guido hath from Guido ta'en
"The glory of the poet's strain,
"And haply one doth live
"Both from their nest shall drive.




158              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XI.
joo Non e il mondan romore altro che un fiato
Di vento, che or vien quinci ed or vien quindi,
E muta nome, perche muta lato.
Io3 Che fama avrai tu piu, se vecchia scindi
Da te la carne, che se fossi morto
Innanzi che lasciassi il pappo e il dindi,
o16 Pria che passin mill' anni? ch' 6 piu corto
Spazio all' eterno, che un muover di ciglia,
Al cerchio che pii tardi in cielo & torto.
109 Colui, che del cammin sl poco piglia
Dinanzi a me, Toscana son6 tutta,
Ed ora a pena in Siena sen pispiglia,
II2 Ond' era sire, quando fu distrutta
La rabbia fiorentina, che superba
Fu a quel tempo, sl com' ora e putta.
115 La vostra nominanza & color d' erba,
Che viene e va, e quei la discolora,
Per cui ell' esce della terra acerba.




CANTO XI.]


PURGATORY.


159


"Nought else the praise the world bestows
"Than breath of wind that comes and goes,
"From side to side that ranging
"Its name is ever changing.
"What if from thee thy flesh thou shed,
" Outworn with length of days, instead
"Of dying a child, before
"Thy baby prattle o'er:
"Will any fame be thine at last,
"After a thousand years are past?
"A thousand years, how small
"A space when matched with all
"The period of eternity!
"'Tis but the twinkling of an eye
"To orb that tardiest rolls
"About the heavenly poles.
"His fame, in front who moves so slowly,
"Through Tuscany resounded wholly:
"Now scarce 'tis breathed by one
"In all Sienna's town;
"Yet was he once their lord: his blow
"The frenzy Florentine laid low,
"So haughty in that hour,
"But now so vile and poor.
"Your name is but the hue upon
"The grass, that now is come, now gone:
"The same by Whom it grew
"Its colour will undo."




i6o


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XI.


Ii8 Ed io a lui: Lo tuo ver dir m' incuora
Buona umilta, e gran tumor m' appiani:
Ma chi e quei di cui tu parlavi ora?
121 Quegli 6, rispose, Provenzan Salvani;
Ed 6 qui, perche fu presuntuoso
A recar Siena tutta alle sue mani.
124 Ito e cosi, e va senza riposo,
Poi che mori: cotal moneta rende
A soddisfar chi 6 di la tropp' oso.
127 Ed io: Se quello spirito che attende,
Pria che si penta, 1' orlo della vita,
Laggiu dimora, e quassfi non ascende,
130 Se buona orazion lui non aita,
Prima che passi tempo, quanto visse,
Come fu la venuta a lui largita?
133 Quando vivea pitu glorioso, disse,
Liberamente nel campo di Siena,
Ogni vergogna deposta, s' affisse:
136 E 1i, per trar 1' amico suo di pena,
Che sostenea nella prigion di Carlo,
Si condusse a tremar per ogni vena.




CANTO XI.]


PURGATORY.


16i


"From thy true word my heart" I said
"Learns humbleness, and low is laid
"My pride: but deign to teach
" His name, that fills thy speech."
"Here Provenzan Salvani see,
"For that he so presumptuously
"Sienna sought to bring
"Under his governing.
"So, since he came among the dead,
" This road unresting doth he tread:
c No other mintage may
"For such high daring pay."
"If spirit that thinks not to repent
"Until his round of life be spent,
"Must down below attend,
"Nor hitherward ascend,
"Before a life-time's term be gone,
"Except good prayer shall speed him on,
"Whence came" I said "the grace
"That brings him to this place?"
"When highest room he might command,
"Of his free will he chose to stand
"Within Sienna's square,
"A beggar's shame to bear:
"In every vein there would he quiver,
"That so he might his friend deliver
"From his sore languishment
"In Charles' prison pent.
M




i62              PURGATORIO.           [CANTO XI.
139 Pit non dir6, e scuro so chc parlo;
Ma poco tempo andra che i tuoi vicini
Faranno si, che tu potrai chiosarlo.
142 Quest' opera gli tolse quei confini.




CANTO XI.]


PURGATORY.


"Dark is my speech: the secret thou
" At thine own neighbours' hands shalt know
" Ere long: the love he proved
" Those barriers hath removed."


M 2




CANTO DECIMOSECONDO.


DI pari, come buoi che vanno a giogo,
M' andava io con quella anima carca,
Fin che il sofferse il dolce pedagogo.
4 Ma quando disse: Lascia lui, e varca,
Cht qui e buon con la vela e coi remi,
Quantunque pu6 ciascun, pinger sua barca;
7 Dritto si, come andar vuolsi, rife' mi
Con la persona, avvegna che i pensieri
Mi rimanessero e chinati e scemi.
Jo Io m' era mosso, e seguia volentieri
Del mio Maestro i passi, ed ambedue
GiA mostravam come eravam leggieri,
13 Quando mi disse: Volgi gli occhi in giue:
Buon ti sara, per tranquillar la via,
Veder lo letto delle piante tue.




CANTO XII.


As oxen twain that draw the pole,
Went I beside that burdened soul,
Far as along the road
My Tutor sweet allowed;
But when he said: "Now move thou on;
"With oar, with sail, needs here each one
"With all the strength he may
"To urge his vessel's way."
Erect, as who would onward go,
I made myself again, although
My thoughts the while remained
All humbled and enchained.
I moved me on with willing mind,
Following my Master's steps behind:
And both of us were showing
How lightly we were going.
When he began: "Turn down thy eyes;
"'Twere well, thy way to tranquillise,
"To look upon the bed
"Whereon thy footsoles tread."




166


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XII.


i6 Come, perche di lor memoria sia,
Sovra i sepolti le tombe terragne
Portan segnato quel ch' elli eran pria:
19 (Onde ii molte volte se ne piagne
Per la puntura della rimembranza,
Che solo ai pii da delle calcagne):
22 Si vid' io 11, ma di miglior sembianza,
Secondo 1' artificio, figurato
Quanto per via di fuor dal monte avanza.
25 Vedea colui che fu nobil creato
PiA ch' altra creatura, giu dal Cielo
Folgoreggiando scender da un lato.
2s Vedeva Briareo, fitto dal telo
Celestial, giacer dall' altra parte,
Grave alla terra per lo mortal gelo.,3  Vedea Timbreo, vedea Pallade e Marte,
Armati ancora, intorno al padre loro,
Mirar le membra de' Giganti sparte.,4 Vedea Nembrot appi& del gran lavoro,
Quasi smarrito, e riguardar le genti
Che in Sennaar con lui superbi foro.




CANTO XII.]


PURGATORY.


167


Even as, their memory to save,
Over those buried in the grave
The tombs a figure bear
To show what once they were,
(There oftentimes the tear will start,
When fond remembrance pricks the heart,
Its spur that never gives
Except where pity lives:)
So saw I all the pathway's floor
Around the mountain figured o'er,
But by his skill that wrought
To fairer semblance brought.
I saw the noblest there of all
Beings created downward fall
On one side out of Heaven,
In flash of fiery levin.
I saw upon the other hand
Briareus lie, by heavenly brand
Pierced, and to earth beneath
Weighed down by chill of death.
I saw Thymbraeus, Pallas, Mars,
Still armoured for their father's wars,
Marvelling where lay the dead,
Their giant limbs outspread.
I saw where Nimrod all amazed
Before his work stupendous gazed,
By that proud host surrounded
On Shinar's plain confounded.




I68


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XII.


37 0 NiobM, con che occhi dolenti
Vedeva io te segnata in sulla strada
Tra sette e sette tuoi figliuoli spenti!
40 O Saul, come in sulla propria spada
Quivi parevi morto in Gelboe,
Che poi non sentd pioggia ne rugiada!
43 0 folle Aragne, sl vedea io te
Gia mezza aragna, trista in su gli stracci
Dell' opera che mal per te si fe'.
46 0 Roboam, gia non par che minacci
Quivi il tuo segno; ma pien di spavento
Nel porta un carro prima che altri il cacci.
49 Mostrava ancor lo duro pavimento
Come Almeone a sua madre fe' caro
Parer lo sventurato adornamento.
52 Mostrava come i figli si gittaro
Sovra Sennacherib dentro dal tempio,
E come, morto lui, quivi il lasciaro.
5s  Mostrava la ruina e il crudo scempio
Che fe' Tamiri, quando disse a Ciro:
Sangue sitisti, ed io di sangue t' empio.




CANTO XII.]


PURGATORY.


I69


O Niobe, with eyes how sad
I saw thee on that road portrayed,
On either side thee lying
Seven of thy children dying!
O Saul, how there, thy sword thrust through thee,
Upon Gilboa's hills I knew thee,
Where never shall again
Fall dew nor any rain!
O vain Arachne, there wast shown,
Already half a spider grown,
Thy rent work sadly viewing,
That cost thee thy undoing.
O Rehoboam, now no more
Thy image threateneth: frighted sore
In chariot dost thou haste,
By thy pursuers chased.
Showed yet again that paven strand
How at her own Alcmeon's hand
His mother dearly bought
The necklace evil-fraught.
Showed too within his temple hall
Sennacherib's sons upon him fall;
And showed how thence they fled
And left him lying dead.
Showed all the carnage and the shame,
From Tomyris on Cyrus came;
'Blood didst thou crave' she cried
' With blood be satisfied.'




170


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XII.


58 Mostrava come in rotta si fuggiro
Gli Assiri, poi che fu morto Oloferne,
Ed anche le reliquie del martiro.
61 Vedeva Troia in cenere e in caverne:
O Ilion, come te basso e vile
Mostrava il segno che 11 si discerne!
64 Qual di pennel fu maestro, o di stile,
Che ritraesse 1' ombre e i tratti, ch' ivi
Mirar farieno ogn' ingegno sottile?
67 Morti li morti, e i vivi parean vivi.
Non vide me' di me chi vide il vero,
Quant' io calcai fin che chinato givi.
70 Or superbite, e via col viso altiero,
Figliuoli d' Eva, e non chinate il volto,
Si che veggiate il vostro mal sentiero.
73 Piu era gia per noi del monte volto,
E del cammin del Sole assai piu speso,
Che non stimava 1' animo non sciolto:
76 Quando colui che sempre innanzi atteso
M' andava, incomincio: Drizza la testa;
Non e piu tempo da gir si sospeso.




CANTO XII.]


PURGATORY.


I7I


Showed Asshur fleeing o'er the plain,
Their captain Holofernes slain:
Yea, and upon the sward
Was all that vengeance spared.
I saw in ashes Troy laid waste:
0 Ilion, how low abased
Showed thee the pictured stone
Which there I gazed upon!
What work of master's pencil e'er
Could with those shades, those lines compare,
Which graven on that ground
Would subtlest sense confound?
Alive the living, dead the dead,
Seemed as I trod with lowered head:
E'en truth itself could shew
No more than there I knew.
Now vaunt yourselves, ye sons of Eve,
Stoop not, lest so ye might perceive
The evil path ye trace,
But raise aloft your face.
Far on his way the Sun had clomb,
Far round the mountain had we come,
And knew it not, our mind
To other thoughts confined.
When he began that went before
Attentive ever, "Now no more
"Bowed down should'st thou remain:
"Lift up thy head again.




172              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XII.
79 Vedi cola un Angel che s' appresta
Per venir verso noi: vedi che torna
Dal scrvigio del dl 1' ancella sesta.
82 Di riverenza gli atti e il viso adorna,
S1 che i diletti lo inviarci in suso:
Pensa che questo dl mai non raggiorna.
85 lo era ben del suo ammonir uso,
Pur di non perder tempo, si che in quella
Materia non potea parlarmi chiuso.
88 A noi venia la creatura bella,
Bianco vestita, e nella faccia quale
Par tremolando mattutina stella.
91 Le braccia aperse, ed indi aperse 1' ale:
Disse: Venite; qui son presso i gradi,
Ed agevolemente omai si sale.
94 A questo invito vengon molto radi.
O gente umana, per volar su nata,
Perch6 a poco vento cosl cadi?
97 Menocci ove la roccia era tagliata:
Quivi mi battto 1' all per la fronte,
Poi mi promise sicura 1' andata.




CANTO XII.]


PURGATORY.:73


"See where God's Angel doth prepare
"To meet us: the sixth handmaid there
" See turning on her way
"From service of the day.
"Adorn thyself with reverence meet:
"So shall he upward guide our feet:
"Remember, once 'tis o'er,
"This day returns no more."
Such warning often would he use,
Bidding that time we should not lose:
Whence his speech could not be
In aught obscure to me.
That creature fair, all clothed in white,
Came towards us; on his face the light,
That trembling from afar
Beams in the morning star.
His arms, his wings he opened wide:
"Come, for the stairs are nigh" he cried:
"Henceforward shall it prove
"Easy to mount above."
Few to this summons draw them nigh:
Man, that art upward born to fly,
Why wilt thou sink behind
Before a little wind?
To a cleft rock he did us bring,
And smote my forehead with his wing:
And then with promise sure
My journey made secure.




I74              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XII.
1oo  Come a man destra, per salire al monte,
Dove siede la Chiesa che soggioga
La ben guidata sovra Rubaconte,
103 Si rompe del montar 1' ardita foga,
Per le scalee che si fero ad etade
Ch' era sicuro ii quaderno e la doga;
Jo6 Cosi s' allenta la ripa che cade
Quivi ben ratta dall' altro girone:
Ma quinci e quindi 1' alta pietra rade.
o09 Noi volgendo ivi le nostre persone,
Beati pauperes spiritz, voci
Cantaron si che nol diria sermone.
ii2 Ahi quanto son diverse quelle foci
Dalle infernali; ch6 quivi per canti
S' entra, e laggiu per lamenti feroci.
TI5 Gia montavam su per li scaglion santi,
Ed esser mi parea troppo piui lieve,
Che per lo pian non mi parea davanti:
1IS Ond' io: Maestro, di', qual cosa greve
Levata s' e da me, che nulla quasi
Per me fatica andando si riceve?




CANTO XII.]


PURGATORY.


175


As on the right, to climb the ridge,
Where above Rubaconte's bridge
High placed the church looks down
On the well-ordered town,
Are stairs, the steep ascent to break,
Such as aforetime would they make,
While still were guarded whole
The measure and the scroll,
So gently runs the bank that falls
From the next circle's lofty walls,
But closed in rocky strait
On this side and on that.
As turned we by those barriers bounded,
"Blest are the poor in spirit" sounded
The chant of voice so sweet
No speech can e'er repeat.
Ah me! from Hell's how different far
The gates that here we enter are!
Here chanting sweet invites:
There fierce lament affrights.
As up the holy stairs went we,
Lighter my body seemed to be,
Than late had been its load
Upon the level road.
And I began: "My Master, say
"What weight is this is ta'en away,
"So that as on I go
"No weariness I know?"




I76


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XII.


i2I Rispose: Quando i P, che son rimasi
Ancor nel volto tuo presso che stinti,
Saranno, come 1' un, del tutto rasi,
124 Fien li tuoi pie dal buon voler sl vinti,
Che non pur non fatica sentiranno,
Ma fia diletto loro esser su pinti.
127 Allor fec' io come color che vanno
Con cosa in capo non da lor saputa,
Se non che i cenni altrui sospicar fanno;
130 Per che la mano ad accertar s' aiuta,
E cerca e trova, e quell' offizio adempie
Che non si puo fornir per la veduta;
I33 E con le dita della destra scempie
Trovai pur sei le lettere, che incise
Quel dalle chiavi a me sovra le tempie:
136 A che guardando il mio Duca sorrise.




CANTO XII.]


PURGATORY.


177


He answered: "When the 'P's which now
"Press yet but faintly on thy brow
" Shall, even as this one,
"Be all erased and gone,
"Goodwill thy feet shall so possess,
"That they shall feel no weariness,
"Yea, but shall find delight
"Even as they climb the height."
Then, like to one who unawares
He knows not what on forehead bears,
Save that misdoubts awake
From signs his fellows make;
His hand must aid for his assuring,
And seek and find, the task enduring
That sight can ne'er supply:
Even in such case was I:
I raised my right hand to my face:
But six my fingers there could trace
The letters graven erewhile:
I saw my Leader smile.


IN




CANTO DECIMOTERZO.


NOI eravamo al sommo della scala,
Ove secondamcnte si riscga
Lo monte, che salendo altrui dismala:
4 Ivi cosi una cornice lega
Dintorno il poggio, come la primaia,
Se non che 1' arco suo piu tosto piega.
7 Ombra non 11 &, ne segno che si paia;
Par si la ripa, e par si la via schietta
Col livido color della petraia.
xo Se qui per dimandar gente s' aspetta,
Ragionava il Poeta, io temo forse
Che troppo avra d' indugio nostra eletta.
13 Poi fisamente al Sole gli occhi porse;
Fece del destro lato al muover centro,
E la sinistra parte di s6 torse.




CANTO XIII.


WE were upon the stairway's head,
Where once again is minished
The mount whose climbing will
Deliver each from ill.
And here again the steep is bound
By gallery, like the first, around,
Save that its arc without
Is sooner bent about.
Picture or image none is there:
Bare seems the bank, the pathway bare:
One sullen hue the stone
That they were built upon.
" If here" the Poet taught " we stay
"For folk to question of our way,
"Long time may we abide
" Ere we be satisfied."
Upon the Sun his eyes he stayed
Then of his right his centre made,
And wheeled himself about,
His left side turned without.
N 




180


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIII.


i6 O dolce lume, a cui fidanza i entro
Per lo nuovo cammin, tu ne conduci,
Dicea, come condur si vuol quinc' entro:
19 Tu scaldi il mondo, tu sovr' esso luci;
S' altra ragione in contrario non pronta,
Esser den sempre li tuoi raggi duci.
22 Quanto di qua per un migliaio si conta,
Tanto di la eravam noi giA iti,
Con poco tempo, per la voglia pronta.
25 E verso noi volar furon sentiti,
Non pero visti, spiriti, parlando
Alla mensa d' amor cortesi inviti.
28 La prima voce che passo volando,
Vinumz nonz habent, altamente disse,
E retro a noi 1' ando reiterando.
3t E prima che del tutto non s' udisse
Per allungarsi, un' altra: Io sono Oreste,
Pass6 gridando, ed anco non s' affisse.
34 0, diss' io, Padre, che voci son queste?
E corn' io dimandava, ecco la terza
Dicendo: Amate da cui male aveste.




CANTO XIII.]


PURGATORY.


i8I


"Sweet light, in whom I trust," he said,
"As upon this new path I tread,
" Guide thou us, even as we
" Within would guided be.
"Thou the world's warmth, and thou its light:
"Thy rays should ever guide us right,
" If other reason may
"Turn not our feet away."
Now had we come along the mount
As far as here a mile we count,
Yet short the time we spent,
By goodwill forward sent.
And towards us flying through the air
Spirits not seen but felt were there
With courteous speech that all
Would to Love's table call.
" They have no wine," the ringing cry
From the first voice, that floated by,
And then behind retreating
Passed on that verse repeating.
And ere that sound in distance died
Away, another came that cried
" I am Orestes ": then
That too was gone again.
"Father," I said "those cries we heard,
"What are they?" Lo! and then the third,
Even as I asked, went by
" Love ye your enemy."




s8/


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XIII.


37 E 1' buon Maestro: Questo cinghio sferza
La colpa della invidia, e pero sono
Tratte d' amor le corde della ferza.
40 Lo fien vuol esser del contrario suono;
Credo che 1' udirai, per mio avviso,
Prima che giunghi al passo del perdono.
43 Ma ficca gli occhi per 1' aer ben fiso,
E vedrai gente innanzi a noi sedersi,
E ciascun e lungo la grotta assiso.
46 Allora piu che prima gli occhi apersi;
Guarda'mi innanzi, e vidi ombre con manti
Al color della pietra non diversi.
E9 E poi che fummo un poco piu avanti,
Udi' gridar: Maria, ora per noi,
Gridar: Michele, e Pietro, e tutti i Santi.
52 Non credo che per terra vada ancoi
Uomo sl duro, che non fosse punto
Per compassion di quel ch' io vidi poi:
55 Che quand' io fui sl presso di lor giunto,
Che gli atti loro a me venivan certi,
Per gli occhi fui di grave dolor munto.




CANTO XIII.]


PURGATORY.


183


And my good Master, " Here the sin
"Of envy smarts this ring within:
"Wherefore from love they take
"The cords its lash to make.
"Of counter note its rein must be:
" Its sound shall surely come to thee,
"I trow, before thy feet
"The pass of pardon meet.
" But fix thine eyes across the air,
"And thou shalt see a people there,
"Before us, seated all
"Along the rocky wall."
Then wider still my eyes I made,
And shades I saw in mantles clad,
To the same colour dyed
That was the rock beside.
We heard them cry, as we drew near,
"Pray for us, Mary, mother dear,
"Michael and Peter pray,
"And saints in Heaven alway."
I think there lives not one of heart
So hard, he would not feel the smart
Of pity at the sight
Whereon my eyes did light.
For when I drew me near to view
Their movements all unfolded true,
With tears my eyes were filled
By bitter grief distilled.




184


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XI11.,


58 Di vil cilicio mi parean coperti,
E 1' un sofferia 1' altro con la spalla,
E tutti dalla ripa eran sofferti.
6i  Cosi ii ciechi, a cui la roba falla,
Stanno ai perdoni a chieder lor bisogna,
E 1' uno il capo sovra 1' altro avvalla,
64 Perche in altrui pieta tosto si pogna,
Non pur per lo sonar delle parole,
Ma per la vista che non meno agogna:
67 E come agli orbi non approda il Sole,
Cosi all' ombre, dov' io parlav' ora,
Luce del Ciel di se largir non vuole;
70 Che a tutte un fil di ferro il ciglio fora,
E cuce sl, come a sparvier selvaggio
Si fa, per6 che queto non dimora.
73 A me pareva andando fare oltraggio,
Vedendo altrui, non essendo veduto:
Perch' io mi volsi al mio consiglio saggio.
76 Ben sapev' ei, che volea dir lo muto;
E per6 non attese mia dimanda;
Ma disse: Parla, e sii breve ed arguto.




CANTO XII.]


PURGATORY.


i85


In vilest haircloth were they dressed,
Each 'gainst his neighbour's shoulder pressed,
And all alike reclined
Against the bank behind.
So, where the sightless beggars stand
At the Church doors and alms demand,
And one his head has dropped,
Against his fellow propped;
Then others feel compassion there,
Not only for the words they hear,
But for the yearning face
That pleads no less for grace.
There of the sunlight none partake:
So, in the place whereof I spake,
The gracious light of Heaven
Ne'er to those shades is given.
A thread of steel their eyelids all
Were pierced and stitched about withal,
Like to the merlin wild,
That may not else be stilled.
Meseemed to do them wrong, as I
Unseen, yet seeing, passed them by:
Wherefore I bent me o'er
To my sage counsellor.
My mute request he well could read:
He waited not to hear me plead:
" Speak," said he "but have care
"Thy words be few and clear."




186


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO X I I


79 Virgilio mi venia da quella banda
Della cornice, onde cader si puote,
Perche da nulla sponda s' inghirlanda:
82 Dall' altra parte m' eran le devote
Ombre, che per 1' orribile costura
Premevan sl, che bagnavan le gote.
85 Volsimi a loro, ed: O gente sicura,
Incominciai, di veder 1' alto lume
Che il disio Vostro solo ha in sua cura;
88 Se tosto grazia risolva le schiume
Di vostra coscienza, si che chiaro
Per essa scenda della inente il flume,
91 Ditemi (ch6 mi fia grazioso e caro)
S' anima e qui tra voi, che sia Latina;
E forse a lei sara buon, s' io 1' apparo.
94 O frate mio, ciascuna 6 cittadina
D' una vera cittA; ma tu vuoi dire,
Che vivesse in Italia peregrina.
97 Questo min parve per risposta udire
Pit innanzi alquanto, che 1l dov' io stava;
Ond' io mi feci ancor piu l1 sentire.




CANTO XIII.]


PURGATORY.


i87


Virgil was by the outer edge,
Where runs no barrier round the ledge:
Well might one fall below
Who on that side would go.
Upon my other side were set
Those shades devout, whose cheeks were wet
With tears that down were streaming,
Forced through that cruel seaming.
I turned and spake: " 0 ye to whom
" The light above shall surely come,
"That light whose beaming will
" All your desire fulfil,
" Oh! soon may grace the scum outroll
" That doth your consciences befoul,
"So in unsullied tide
"Shall memory's current glide,
"Tell me, and I will hold it dear,
"Is any Latin 'mongst you here?
"Haply his name revealing
"Shall aid him for his healing."
" My brother, each is here of one
"True city citizen alone;
" Did any, thou would'st say,
"Pilgrim in Italy stay?"
Such answer 'twas I seemed to get
Somewhat beyond where I was set:
Wherefore I made my speech
A little further reach.




J88


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIII.


Joo Tra 1' altre vidi un' ombra che aspettava
In vista; e se volesse alcun dir: Come?
Lo mento, a guisa d' orbo, in su levava.
o13 Spirto, diss' io, che per salir ti dome,
Se tu se' quelli che mi rispondesti,
Fammiti conto o per loco o per nome.
Jo6 I' fui Sanese, rispose, e con questi
Altri rimondo qui la vita ria,
Lagrimando a Colui, che sa ne presti.
o19 Savia non fui, avvegna che Sapia
Fossi chiamata, e fui degli altrui danni
Piu lieta assai, che di ventura mia.
II2 E perche tu non creda ch' io t' inganni,
Odi se fui, com' io ti dico, folle.
GiX discendendo 1' arco de' miei anni,
r15 Eran li cittadin miei presso a Colle
In campo giunti coi loro avversari,
Ed io pregava Dio di quel ch' ei volle.
I18 Rotti fur quivi, e volti negli amari
Passi di fuga, e veggendo la caccia,
Letizia presi a ogni altra dispari:




CANTO XIII.]


PURGATORY.


189


Amongst those shades I saw one show
Expectant: would one ask me 'How?'
'Twas as by lifted chin
The blind regard would win.
"Spirit," I said "that upward strivest,
"If thou it be that answer givest,
"Thy name or place impart
"To tell me who thou art."
"Siennese was I: with these along
"My life misspent I cleanse from wrong,
"My tears to Him outpouring
"Who visits our imploring.
"Sage I was not, albeit I had
"Sapience for name: I was more glad
"When others ill befell,
"Than when with me 'twas well.
"Think not I tell thee false, but hear
"If less my foolishness appear:
"Downward my years were bending
"From height of arch descending,
"When 'gainst their foes by Colle's town
"My countrymen in fight came on;
"Then was to God my prayer
"For what He would prepare.
"There were they routed; there were they
"Sent flying down the bitter way:
"And in their flight I found
"A joy all joys beyond.




190              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XlII.
121 Tanto ch' io volsi in su 1' ardita faccia,
Gridando a Dio: Omai piu non ti temo;
Come fa il merlo per poca bonaccia.
124 Pace volli con Dio in sull' estremo
Della mia vita; ed ancor non sarebbe
Lo mio dover per penitenza scemo,
127 Se cio non fosse, che a memoria m' ebbe
Pier Pettinagno in sue sante orazioni,
A cui di me per caritate increbbe.
130 Ma tu chi se', che nostre condizioni
Vai dimandando, e porti gli occhi sciolti,
Si come io credo, e spirando ragioni?
I33 Gli occhi, diss' io, mi fieno ancor qui tolti,
Ma picciol tempo; chb poca e 1' offesa
Fatta per esser con invidia volti.
I36 Troppa 6 piui la paura, ond' e sospesa
L' anima mia, del tormento di sotto,
Che gia lo incarco di laggiu mi pesa.
139 Ed ella a me: Chi t' ha dunque condotto
Quassui tra noi, se gi4 ritornar credi?
Ed io: Costui ch' e meco, e non fa motto:




CANTO XIII.]


PURGATORY.


191


"I lifted up my face of pride;
"'No more I fear thee, God,' I cried,
"Even as the merle will sing
"In an untimely spring.
"At life's extremity I sought
"For peace with God: but scarcely aught
"By penance had been yet
"Abated of my debt,
"Had I not found remembrance there
"In Peter Pettinagno's prayer:
"Whose love for me begot
"Compassion for my lot.
"But who art thou our fate would'st learn,
"And, if aright I may discern,
"With eyes unclosed dost walk,
"And breathest while thou talk?"
"My eyes" I said "shall in this place
"Be closed but for a little space:
"Small the offence they wrought,
"Mis-turned by envious thought.
"Far worse the fear my soul distresses
"Of torment that below oppresses:
"The heavy load beneath
"Already pens my breath."
" Who then" she said "hath brought thee hither,
"That think'st again to travel thither?"
"Here" said I "is my guide
"All silent by my side.




192              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XITI,
142 E vivo sono; e per6 mi richiedi,
Spirito eletto, se tu vuoi ch' io muova
Di la per te ancor li mortai piedi.
I45 O questa e ad udir sl cosa nuova,
Rispose, che gran segno e che Dio t' ami;
Pero col prego tuo talor mi giova.
148 E chieggioti per quel che tu piA brami,
Se mai calchi la terra di Toscana,
Che a' miei propinqui tu ben mi rinfami.
i51 Tu li vcdrai tra quella gente vana
Che spera in Talamone, e perderagli
Piu di speranza, che a trovar la Diana;
154 Ma piu vi metteranno gli ammiragli.




CANTO XIII.]


PURGATORY.


193


"Alive am I: do thou entreat
"That I may move my mortal feet,
" Spirit elect, for thee
"When yonder I shall be."
"Thy message strange" she said "doth prove
"A token of God's wondrous love:
"Wherefore vouchsafe thy prayer
"To lend when thou art there.
"By all thou holdest dear I plead,
"If e'er on Tuscan land thou tread,
"Thou wilt my fame once more
"Amongst my kin restore.
"Seek them among that people vain,
"Who Talamone hope to gain,
"And in that fruitless end
"Shall greater treasure spend,
"Than even had they set their mind
"Diana's hidden spring to find:
"Yea, worse the loss befalls
"Their luckless admirals."


C




CANTO DECIMOQUARTO.


CHI 6 costui che il nostro monte cerchia,
Prima che morte gli abbia dato il volo,
Ed apre gli occhi a sua voglia e coperchia?
4 Non so chi sia; ma so ch' ei non & solo:
Dimandal tu che piu gli t' avvicini,
E dolcemente, sl che parli, acco'lo.
7 Cosi due spirti, 1' uno all' altro chini,
Ragionavan di me ivi a man dritta;
Poi fer ii visi, per dirmi, supini:
io E disse 1' uno: O anima, che fitta
Nel corpo ancora, in ver lo Ciel ten vai,
Per carita ne consola, e ne ditta,3 Ondc vieni, e chi sei; ch6 tu ne fai
Tanto maravigliar della tua grazia,
Quanto vuol cosa, che non fu piui mai.




CANTO XIV.


"WHo is it walks our hill around
"Ere death hath yet his wings unbound,
"Whose eyes at will may choose
"To open and to close?"
"I know him not: but this I know
" He cometh not alone: do thou,
"That art the nearest, speak
'And gentle answer seek."
So on the right two spirits there,
One 'gainst his neighbour leaning, were,
That talked of me, and then
Upturned their face again:
And one began, "0 soul, that yet
"Within thy mortal body set
"Mountest to Heaven above,
"Console us in thy love,
"And tell us who thou art, and whence
"Thou comest, seeing that to our sense
"Such wondrous grace is shown
"'As yet was never known."
0 2




196


PURGATORIO.


r CANTO XIV.


16 Ed io: Per mezza Toscana si spazia
Un fiumicel che nasce in Falterona,
E cento miglia di corso nol sazia.
19 Di sovr' esso rech' io questa persona:
Dirvi ch' io sia, saria parlare indarno;
Che il nome mio ancor molto non suona.
Se ben lo intendimento tuo accarno
Con lo intelletto, allora mi rispose
Quei che diceva pria, tu parli d' Arno.
25E   ' altro disse a lui: Perchk nascose
Questi il vocabol di quella riviera,
Pur corn' uom fa dell' orribili cose?
28 E  ' ombra che di ci6 dimandata era,
Si sdebit6 cosi: Non so, ma degno
Ben d che il nome di tal valle pera:
31 Ch6 dal principio suo (dov' e si pregno
L' alpestro monte, ond' e tronco Peloro,
Che in pochi luoghi passa oltra quel segno)
34 Infin la, 've si rende per ristoro
Di quel che il ciel della marina asciuga,
Ond' hanno i fiumi cio che va con loro,




CANTO XIV.]


PURGATORY.


I97


"Through Tuscany there runs " I said,
"A brook in Falterona bred,
"A hundred miles that flows,
" And yet no flagging knows:
"'Twas from his banks my body came:
"Idle it were to tell my name:
"The sound whereof doth still
"But little compass fill."
" If to the secret of thy plan"
(Thus answered he that first began)
"My wit can enter well,
"Of Arno thou dost tell."
And then the next: "Why will he ever
"Conceal the title of that river,
"Even as though he tried
" Some hideous thing to hide?"
"I know not; but 'twere well should fail
"The name of that accursed vale;"
('Twas thus the questioned shade
His debt of answer paid)
"For from its source, in mountain born,
" From whence Pelorum's mass is torn,
"There to such hugeness swelling,
"All other bounds excelling,
"To where at last it pays again
"What heaven has sucked from out the main,
"To feed the rivers' flow,
"As each doth downward go,




198


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIV


37 Virti cosi per nimica si fuga
Da tutti, come biscia, o per sventtlra
Del luogo, o per mal uso che li fruga:
40 Ond' hanno si mutata lor natura,
Gli abitator della misera valle,
Che par che Circe gli avesse in pastura.
43 Tra brutti porci, piA degni di galle,
Che d' altro cibo fatto in uman uso,
Dirizza prima il suo povero calle.
46 Botoli truova poi, venendo giuso,
Ringhiosi piui che non chiede lor possa,
Ed a lor, disdegnosa, torce il muso.
49 Vassi caggendo, e quanto ella piui ingrossa,
Tanto piu trova di can farsi lupi
La maledetta e sventurata fossa.
52 Discesa poi per piu pelaghi cupi,
Truova le volpi sl piene di froda,
Che non temono ingegno che le occupi.
5 N& lascero di dir, perch' altri m' oda:
E buon sara a costui, se ancor s' ammenta
Di ci6, che vero spirto mi disnoda.




CANTO XIV.]


PURGATORY.


I99


"All flee from virtue in such wise
"As one from deadly serpent flies,
"O'erpowered by native curse,
"Or habitude perverse:
"Wherefore their nature so they change
"Who through that hapless valley range,
"That one would deem their food
"From Circe was bestowed.
"At first 'mongst hogs, more fitly fed
"On gall-nuts than on any bread
"For human use designed,
"Its scanty waters wind.
"Next on its downward course 'twill light
"On snarling curs that may not bite,
Whereat it turns its snout
"Disdainfully about.
"Lower it falls, and waxing gross,
"Down that ill-starred, accurs6d fosse,
"It finds the dogs begin
"To turn to wolves therein.
"Thence spreading out in basins broad,
" Foxes it finds so full of fraud,
"No cunning trapper there
"May ever put in fear.
"Still will I speak, although there be
"One nigh that hears: 'twere well if he
"Hearken while I unfold
"What spirit true hath told.




200


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIV.


58 Io veggio tuo nepote, che diventa
Cacciator di quei lupi, in sulla riva
Del fiero fiume, e tutti gli sgomenta.
6x Vende la came loro, essendo viva;
Poscia gli ancide come antica belva:
Molti di vita, e se di pregio priva.
64 Sanguinoso esce della trista selva;
Lasciala tal, che di qui a mill' anni
Nello stato primaio non si rinselva.
67 Come all' annunzio de' dogliosi danni
Si turba il viso di colui che ascolta,
Da qualche parte il periglio lo assanni;
7o Cosl vid' io 1' altr' anima, che volta
Stava ad udir, turbarsi e farsi trista,
Poi ch' ebbe la parola a s6 raccolta.
73 Lo dir dell' una, e dell' altra la vista
Mi fe' voglioso di saper lor nomi,
E dimanda ne fei con prieghi mista.
76 Per che lo spirto, che di pria parlomi,
Ricomincio: Tu vuoi ch' io mi deduca
Nel fare a te ci6, che tu far non vuo' mi;




C ANTO XIV.]


PURGATORY.


2CI


"I see thy grandchild come to chase
"Those wolves in their own dwelling-place,
"On that proud river's shore
" Hunted and harassed sore.
" He sells their flesh alive, and then,
"Like beast grown old, he slaughters men:
"Many of life he spoils,
" And his own honour soils.
" He issues forth, all stained with blood,
" Leaving behind that doleful wood;
"A thousand years may ne'er
" Its ancient state repair."
Then as with one to news attending
Of danger whencesoe'er impending
The sense of coming ills
His face with trouble fills;
Even so that other soul, who turned
And stood to listen, when he learned
The answer that was made,
Was troubled all and sad.
The look, the words from each that came,
Made me desire to know their name;
Wherefore I made request
With humble prayer addressed.
Began that spirit once again
Who first had spoken: "Must I then
"The boon vouchsafe to thee
"Thou dost deny to me?




202


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIV.


79 Ma da che Dio in te vuol che traluca
Tanta sua grazia, non ti sar6 scarso:
Per6 sappi ch' io son Guido del Duca.
82 Fu il sangue mio d' invidia si riarso,
Che se veduto avessi uom farsi lieto,
Visto m' avresti di livore sparso.
85 Di mia semente cotal paglia mieto.
O gente umana, perch6 poni il cuore
La 'v' 6 mestier di consorto divieto?
ss Questi & Rinier; quest' 6 il pregio e 1' onore
Della casa da Calboli, ove nullo
Fatto s' 6 reda poi del suo valore.
9r E non pur lo suo sangue e fatto brullo
Tra il Po e il monte, e la marina e il Reno,
Del ben richiesto al vero ed al trastullo;
94 Che dentro a questi termini e ripieno
Di venenosi sterpi, sl che tardi
Per coltivare omai verrebber meno.
97 Ov' e il buon Lizio, ed Arrigo Mainardi,
Pier Traversaro, e Guido di Carpigna?
O Romagnuoli tornati in bastardi!




CANTO XIV.]


PURGATORY.


203


"Yet, since God wills his grace should shine
"In thee abundant, be it mine
"Ungrudging to reply:
"Guido del Duca I.
"Envy my blood did so infect,
"That jaundiced was my whole aspect,
"When I beheld the face
"Of one in happy case.
"Such harvest from my seed I reap:
"   sons of men, why will ye keep
"Your heart where ye must choose
"Partnership to refuse?
"This is Rinier: of Calboli
"The glory and the pride was he;
"Whence none now issues forth
"Heir to that house of worth.
"Nor his alone of all that dwell
"'Twixt Rene and Po, 'twixt sea and fell,
"Who hold that good for nought,
" For truth, for pastime sought.
"Within the borders of their land
"The poisonous plants so thickly stand,
"Not soon by husbandry
"The stock may minished be.
" Where is the noble Lizio? Where
"Carpigna, Maynard, Traversare?
"Why doth Romagna's line
"To bastards all decline?




204              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XIV.
ioo Quando in Bologna un Fabbro si ralligna?
Quando in Faenza un Bernardin di Fosco,
Verga gentil di picciola gramigna?
o10  Non ti maravigliar, s' io piango, Tosco,
Quando rimembro con Guido da Prata
Ugolin d' Azzo, che vivette nosco;
1o6 Federigo Tignoso e sua brigata,
La casa Traversara, e gli Anastagi
(E 1' una gente e 1' altra e diretata),
109 Le donne e i cavalier, gli affanni e gli agi,
Che ne invogliava amore e cortesia,
La dove i cuor son fatti sl malvagi.
112 0 Brettinoro, che non fuggi via,
Poiche gita se n' e la tua famiglia,
E molta gente per non esser ria?
J15 Ben fa Bagnacaval, che non rifiglia,
E mal fa Castrocaro, e peggio Conio,
Che di figliar tai conti piu s' impiglia:




CANTO XIV.]


PURGATORY.


20t5


"When shall a Fabbro once again
"Be'honoured in Bologna? When
"A Bernardin be born
"Faenza to adorn,
"As once from Fosco, lowliest root,
"Could plant of gentlest virtue shoot?
"Marvel not, Tuscan soul,
"If down the teardrop roll,
"When there come back my mind within
"Guido da Prata, Ugolin
" Of Azzo, aye and more,
"Who lived with us of yore:
"Frederick Tignoso's brave array,
"The Anastagi's house, and they
"Of Traversare, now left
"Alike of heirs bereft:
"The ladies and the knights, whose love,
"Whose courtesy, our will could move,
"In ease, in toil, where now
"All hearts to evil grow.
"Why, Brettinoro, art not sped?
"Why, when to shun that guilt are fled
"Thy kin and more beside,
"Still wilt thou there abide?
"Bagnacaval 'tis well withal,
"Who bears no sons: but Conio shall
" And Castrocaro rue,
"Their counts that they renew.




206              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XIV.
I18 Ben faranno i Pagan, dacch6 il Demonio
Lor sen girX; ma non per6 che puro
Giammai rimanga d' essi testimonio.
121 0 Ugolin de' Fantolin, sicuro
S il nome tuo, da che piu non s' aspetta
Chi far lo possa tralignando oscuro.
124 Ma va via, Tosco, omai, ch' or mi diletta
Troppo di pianger piu che di parlare,
SI m' ha nostra ragion la mente stretta.
127 Noi sapevam che quell' anime care
Ci sentivano andar: per6 tacendo
Facevan noi del cammin confidare.
130 Poi fummo fatti soli procedendo,
Folgore parve, quando 1' aer fende,
Voce che giunse di contra, dicendo:
133 Anciderammi qualunque m' apprende;
E fugglo, come tuon che si dilegua,
Se subito la nuvola scoscende.
136 Come da lei 1' udir nostro ebbe tregua,
Ed ecco 1' altra con sl gran fracasso,
Che somigli6 tuonar che tosto segua:




CANTO XIV.]


PURGATORY.


0o7


"With the Pagani well 'twill be,
"When from their Devil they are free:
" Yet shall not so endure
"Their after record pure.
"Ugo de' Fantolin, thy name
" Henceforth is guarded safe from shame:
"None cometh in thy place
"Thy lineage to disgrace.
" But now, thou Tuscan, forward go;
" For our discourse hath touched me so,
"That I would rather weep
"Than further parley keep."
We knew that those dear spirits well
Of our departing thence could tell:
So by their silence they
Assured us of our way.
Then forward as alone we went,
It seemed in front the air was rent,
As by the lightning stroke,
And voice there came that spoke,
"Who findeth me shall slay me there ":
Then fled, as thunder melts in air,
When suddenly hath burst
The cloud wherein 'twas nursed.
Scarce could our hearing respite claim,
Before another voice there came,
With crash as loud as though
Pealed thunder blow on blow.




208              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XIV.
139 lo sono Aglauro, che divenni sasso.
Ed allor per ristringermi al Poeta,
Indietro feci e non innanzi il passo.
142 Gia era 1' aura d' ogni parte queta,
Ed ei mi disse: Quel fu il duro camo,
Che dovria 1' uom tener dentro a sua meta.
145 Ma voi prendete 1' esca, sl che ' amo
Dell' antico avversario a s& vi tira;
E per6 poco val freno o richiamo.
148 Chiamavi il Cielo, e intorno vi si gira,
Mostrandovi le sue bellezze eterne,
E 1' occhio vostro pure a terra mira;
i5i Onde vi batte chi tutto disccrne.




CANTO XIV.]


PURGATORY.


209


"I am Aglauros," was its cry
"To stone that turned": then trembling I
Close to the Poet kept,
And back not forward stepped.
On every side the air was laid
To stillness: "Mark thou there"' he said
"The bit that man should bind
"Within his bound confined.
"But ye will seize the baited hook,
"And by your ancient foe be took:
"No call will serve, nor rein,
"To draw you back again.
"About you move the Heavens supernal
" And show their loveliness eternal:
"Yet as they wheel around,
"Your eyes upon the ground
" Ye fix, nor hearken to their call:
" Whence 'tis that He who seeth all
"Chastiseth you below
" With buffet and with blow."


p




CANTO DECIMOQUINTO.


QUANTO tra 1' ultimar dell' ora terza,
E il principio del di par della spera,
Che sempre a guisa di fanciullo scherza,
4 Tanto pareva gia in ver la sera
Essere al Sol del suo corso rimaso;
Vespero la, e qui mezza notte era.
7 E i raggi ne ferian per mezzo il naso,
Perch& per noi girato era sl il monte,
Che gia dritti andavamo in ver 1' occaso;
t Quand' io senti' a me gravar la fronte
Allo splendore assai piU che di prima,
E stupor m' eran le cose non conte:
13 Ond' io levai le mani in ver la cima
Delle mie ciglia, e fecimi il solecchio,
Che del sovcrchio visibile lima.




CANTO XV.


THE sphere that childlike sporteth aye
Would from the dawning of the day
Till the third hour were gone
As long a course have run,
As of his journey yet remained
Before the Sun his rest had gained:
At evensong we were,
And it was midnight here.
Full on mid nose we felt his rays,
For westward straight was turned our gaze:
So far our way had wound
Circling the mount around.
His splendour on my forehead bore
With force I had not known before:
And dazzled was my sight
With unaccustomed light.
I lifted up my hands and made
Above my eyebrows' crown a shade,
To minish the excess
That doth on vision press.
P2




212              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XV.
[6 Come quando dall' acqua o dallo specchio
Salta lo raggio all' opposita parte,
Salendo su per lo modo parecchio
19 A quel che scende, e tanto si diparte
Dal cader della pietra in egual tratta,
SI come mostra esperienza ed arte;
22 Cost mi parve da luce rifratta
Ivi dinanzi a me esser percosso,
Perch& a fuggir la mia vista fu ratta.
25 Che e quel, dolce Padre, a che non posso
Schermar lo viso tanto, che mi vaglia,
Diss' io, e pare in ver noi esser mosso?
28 Non ti maravigliar, se ancor t' abbaglia
La famiglia del Cielo, a me rispose:
Messo e, che viene ad invitar ch' uom saglia.
3I Tosto sara che a veder queste cose
Non ti fia grave, ma fiati diletto,
Quanto natura a sentir ti dispose.
34 Poi giunti fummo all' Angel benedetto,
Con lieta voce disse: Entrate quinci
Ad un scalko vie men che gli altri eretto.




CANTO XV.]


PURGATORY.


2I3


As rays from mirror's face reflected,
Or water, upward are directed,
And in like measure dart
Towards the other part,
Their course from line by plummet guided
In equal distances divided,
Even as science shows,
And all experience knows:
So in that place I felt the stroke
Of light in front that on me broke:
Wherefore I turned aside
In haste my face to hide.
"Sweet Father, whence this dazzling sheen
"No power of mine avails to screen,
"Whose movement seems" I said
" Ever towards us sped? "
He answered " Let not this astound thee
"If still Heaven's retinue confound thee:
"'Tis messenger doth move
"To summon us above.
"A little while, and no annoy
"These sights shall bring, but rather joy,
"That nature will dispense
"Unto thy ordered sense."
We reached that blessed Angel's side:
With gladsome voice "Come on" he cried
"To stairs that easier far
"Than those ye mounted are."




214              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XV.
37 Noi montavamo, gi& partiti linci,
E, Beati misericordes, fue
Cantato retro, e: Godi tu che vinci.
40 Lo mio Maestro ed io soli ambedue
Suso andavamo, ed io pensai, andando,
Prode acquistar nelle parole sue;
43 E dirizza' mi a lui sl dimandando:
Che volle dir lo spirto di Romagna,
E divieto e consorto menzionando?
46 Perch' egli a me: Di sua maggior magagna
Conosce il danno; e pero non s' ammiri
Se ne riprende, perche men sen piagna.
49 Perche s' appuntan li vostri disiri,
Dove per compagnia parte si scema,
Invidia muove il mantaco ai sospiri.
52 Ma se 1' amor della spera suprema
Torcesse in suso il desiderio vostro,
Non vi sarebbe al petto quella tema;
55 Che per quanti si dice piu 11 nostro,
Tanto possiede piA di ben ciascuno,
E piul di caritate arde in quel chiostro.




CANTO XV.]


PURGATORY.


215


As on those steps our feet we planted,
"Blest are the merciful" was chanted
Behind us, and once more
"Rejoice thou conqueror!"
Together as we mounted on,
My Master, he and I, alone,
I pondered how to reach
Some profit from his speech.
And towards him questioning I bent,
"What was it Romagna's spirit meant,
"When that dark word he used
"Of partnership refused?"
He answered "Well the harm he knows
"From his besetting fault that flows:
"Wherefore so chideth he,
"That less your pains may be.
"For ye have fixed your longing, where
"Each less receives, the more that share:
"And envy fans the fire
"That burns in your desire.
" Yet if the highest circle's love
"Could your affections draw above,
"With fear like this your breast
"Would never be oppressed.
"For there the more there are that own,
"The more the portion of each one:
"And love doth brighter shine
" That cloister-house within."




2I6


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XV.


s8 Io son d' esser contento pih digiuno,
Diss' io, che se mi fossi pria taciuto,
E piu di dubbio nella mente aduno.
6f  Com' esser puote che un ben distributo
I pit posseditor faccia piu ricchi
Di s&, che se da pochi e posseduto?
64 Ed egli a me: Perocche tu rificchi
La mente pure alle cose terrene,
Di vera luce tenebre dispicchi.
67 Quello infinito ed ineffabil bene
Che e lassu, cosl corre ad amore,
Come a lucido corpo raggio viene.
70 Tanto si da, quanto truova d' ardore:
SI che quantunque carita si stende,
Cresce sovr' essa 1' eterno valore.
73 E quanta gente piu lassu s' intende,
Pih v' e da bene amare, e piu vi s' ama,
E come specchio 1' uno all' altro rende.
76 E se la mia ragion non ti disfama,
Vedrai Beatrice, ed ella pienamente
Ti torra questa e ciascun' altra brama.




CANTO XV.]


PURGATORY.


217


" Far greater now" I said "my thirst
"Than had I held my peace at first:
"And greater is the doubt
"That wraps my mind about.
"How can it be one good provided
" For many shall be so divided,
"'As richer each to make,
"Than if but few partake?"
"Because your apprehension clings
"Only" he said "to earthly things,
" From true light your endeavour
" Will gather darkness ever.
"The untold, unbounded good above
"Runs to combine itself with love,
"Even as the sunbeam's light
"Is drawn to bodies bright.
"It renders warmth for warmth, whereby
"The fervour of our charity
"Is to its fullest measure
"Increased from heavenly treasure.
"For all the love that springs below,
"More love, more perfect love doth grow,
"As glass to glass returns
"The light thereon that burns.
"And if my teaching may not sate thee,
"The eyes of Beatrice await thee:
"This thirst and more beside
"Shall there be satisfied.




28              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XV.
79 Procaccia pur, che tosto sieno spente,
Come son gia le due, le cinque piaghe,
Che si richiudon per esser dolente.
82 Corn' io voleva dicer: Tu in' appaghe:
Vidimi giunto in sull' altro girone,
Si che tacer mi fer le luci vaghe.
85 Ivi mi parve in una visione
Estatica di subito esser tratto,
E vedere in un tempio piu persone:
88 Ed una donna in sull' entrar con atto
Dolce di madre dicer: Figliuol mio,
Perche hai tu cosl verso noi fatto?
9I Ecco dolenti lo tuo padre ed io
Ti cercavamo. E come qui si tacque,
Ci6, che pareva prima, dispario.
94 Indi m' apparve un' altra con quelle acque
GiUl per le gote, che il dolor distilla,
Quando di gran dispetto in altrui nacque;
97 E dir: Se tu se' sire della villa,
Del cui nome ne' Dei fu tanta lite,
Ed onde ogni scienza disfavilla,




CANTO XV.]


PURGATORY.


219


"Only make haste those wounds to heal,
"Those other five thou still dost feel,
" That like the former twain
"Sorrow shall close again.'"
Ere I could say "My questioning
"Thou hast appeased," to the other ring
I saw that I was come,
And gazing I was dumb.
A sudden vision seemed to rise,
And before my entranced eyes
A temple showed, and there
Much people gathered were:
And in the doorway one, her bearing
A mother's sweetest semblance wearing:
'My son, and wherefore thus
'Wouldest thou deal with us?
'Behold thy father and I' she said
'Have sought thee sorrowing.' Then fled
The vision from its place
Even as she held her peace.
Next one appeared whose cheeks were all
Wet with the tears that downward fall,
By bitter grief distilled
From heart with anger filled:
Then said she, ' If that town thou rule,
'Of science all the shining school,
'That town whose name to give
'The rival gods did strive,




220              PURGATORIO.           [CANTO XV.
1oo Vendica te di quelle braccia ardite
Che abbracciar nostra figlia, o Pisistrato.
E il signor mi parea, benigno e mite,
o03 Risponder lei con viso temperato:
Che farem noi a chi mal ne disira,
Se quei, che ci ama, e per noi condannato?
0o6 Poi vidi genti accese in fuoco d' ira,
Con pietre un giovinetto ancider, forte
Gridando a se pur: Martira, martira:
fo9 E lui vedea chinarsi per la morte,
Che 1' aggravava gia, in ver la terra,
Ma degli occhi facea sempre al Ciel porte;
1 2 Orando all' alto Sire in tanta guerra,
Che perdonasse a' suoi persecutori,
Con quell' aspetto che pieta disserra.
215 Quando 1' anima mia torn6 di fuori
Alle cose, che son fuor di lei vere,
Io riconobbi i miei non falsi errori.
iri8 Lo Duca mio, che mi potea vedere
Far si com' uom che dal sonno si slega,
Disse: Che hai, che non ti puoi tenere?




CANTO XV.]


PURGATORY.


22I


'Avenge thou that embracing bold,
'Pisistratus, that dared enfold
' Our daughter.' To that word
Meseemed her gentle lord
Replied with aspect temperate:
'How shall we punish those who hate,
If they who only love
Our condemnation move?'
And then I saw an angry crowd
Gathered about a youth, that loud
Were crying 'Slay him, slay,'
And stoned him as he lay.
I saw him overborne by death,
That bowed him to the earth beneath:
Only he made his eyes
Gates to behold the skies,
To his high Lord his prayer outpouring,
Forgiveness for his foes imploring:
Even in that pass his face
For pity making place.
And when my mind was turned about
To the realities without,
My errors then I knew,
That were not all untrue.
And then my Leader who beheld me
Strive to shake off the sleep that quelled me,
"Why" said he "in such plight
"Thou canst not walk aright?




222


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XV.


iri Ma se' venuto piu che mezza lega
Velando gli occhi, e con le gambe avvolte
A guisa di cui vino o sonno piega?
124 0 dolce Padre mio, se tu m' ascolte,
lo ti dir6, diss' io, ci6 che mi apparve
Quando le gambe mi furon sl tolte.
127 Ed ei: Se tu avessi cento larve
Sovra la faccia, non mi sarien chiuse
Le tue cogitazion, quantunque parve.
130 Cio che vedesti fu, perche non scuse
D' aprir lo cuore all' acque della pace
Che dall' eterno fonte son diffuse.
133 Non dimandai: Che hai, per quel che face
Chi guarda pur con 1' occhio, che non vede,
Quando disanimato il corpo giace;
136 Ma dimandai per darti forza al piede:
Cosi frugar conviensi i pigri, lenti
Ad usar lor vigilia quando riede.
a39 Noi andavam per lo vespero attenti
Oltre, quanto potean gli occhi allungarsi,
Contra i raggi serotini e lucenti:




CANTO XV.]


PURGATORY.


223


"Full half a league thou hast advanced,
"With fettered limbs, with eyes entranced,
"As when or wine or slumber
"Our movement doth encumber."
"O my sweet Father, I will tell,
"If thou wilt hearken, what befell
' My vision, when my feet
"This stumbling seemed to meet."
"Nay, though a hundred masks were laid
"Upon thy face, the least" he said
"Of all thy fancy's weaving
" Should 'scape not my perceiving.
"That vision came to bid thee haste
"And ope thy heart that peace to taste,
"Whose stream abroad is spread,
"From fount eternal shed.
"Nor, when I asked 'Why in this plight?'
" Was it as he would ask whose sight
" Can only know surprise,
"When body lifeless lies:
"I sought thereby thy feet to quicken:
"For so the tardy should be stricken,
"That soon as they awa' e
"Right use thereof they make."'
Attentive through the evensong
With eyes far-stretched we went along,
'Gainst those late rays whose beaming
Full in our face was streaming.




224              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XV.
142 Ed ecco a poco a poco un fummo farsi
Verso di noi, come la notte, oscuro,
Ne da quello era luogo da cansarsi:
14s Questo ne tolse gli occhi e 1' aer puro.




CANTO XV.]


PURGATORY.


25


And lo! our way as on we took,
Little by little grew a smoke,
That gathered all about us,
Like blackest night without us.
There was no place to turn to there,
Or seek for shelter anywhere:
Failed the pure air, and failed
Our eyes, in darkness veiled.


Q




CANTO DECIMOSESTO.


BuIO d' inferno, e di notte privata
D' ogni pianeta sotto pover cielo,
Quant' esser puo di nuvol tenebrata,
4 Non fece al viso mio sl grosso velo,
Come quel fummo ch' ivi ci coperse,
Ne a sentir di cosi aspro pelo;
7 Che 1' occhio stare aperto non sofferse:
Onde la Scorta mia saputa e fida
Mi s' accosto, e 1' omero m' offerse.
ro SI come cieco va dietro a sua guida
Per non smarrirsi, e per non dar di cozzo
In cosa che il molesti, o forse ancida;:3 M' andava io per 1' aere amaro e sozzo,
Ascoltando il mio Duca che diceva
Pur: Guarda, che da me tu non sie mozzo.




CANTO XVI.


THE gloom of hell, or night beclouded
'Neath beggared sky, where all is shrouded
By pall that hides from sight
Every planet's light,
Had made not veil so thick around us,
Nor in so coarse a cloak had wound us,
As by that smoke we were
Blinded and smothered there.
With eyes unshut I could not bide:
Wherefore my Escort sage and tried
Came to my side to aid me,
And with his shoulder stayed me.
Even as the blind man takes his way
Behind his leader, lest he stray,
Or 'gainst some mischief fall
Or meet his death withal:
So to my Leader's word attent
Through the foul bitter air I went,
Who spake but only "See
"Thou sever not from me."
Q 2




,228


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XVI.


I6  o sentia voci, e ciascuna pareva
Pregar, per pace e per misericordia,
L' Agnel di Dio, che le peccata leva.
19 Pure Agnus Dei eran le loro esordia:
Una parola in tutte era, ed un modo,
Si che parea tra esse ogni concordia.
22 Quci sono spirti, Maestro, ch' i' odo?
Diss' io. Ed egli a me: Tu vero apprendi,
E d' iracondia van solvendo il nodo.
5 Or tu chi se', che il nostro fummo fendi,
E di noi parli pur, come se tue
Partissi ancor lo tempo per calendi?
aS Cosi per una voce detto fue.
Onde il Maestro mio disse: Rispondi,
E dimanda se quinci si va sue.
Ed io: O creatura, che ti mondi,
Per tornar bella a Colui che ti fece,
Maraviglia udirai se mi secondi.
34 Io ti seguiter6 quanto mi lece,
Rispose; e se veder fummo non lascia,
L' udir ci terra giunti in quella vece.




CANTO XVI.]


PURGATORY.


229


And voices then I heard, that each
For peace, for mercy, did beseech
The Lamb of God, that aye
Taketh our sins away.
c' 0 Lamb of God" was all their strain:
One word, one measure seemed to reign
Amongst them all, their sound
In perfect concord bound.
"4And are these spirits, Master, tell:"
I said: and he: "Thou judgest well:
"'Tis thus they go, the noose
Of anger to unloose."
"Now who art thou, our smoke that breakest,
" And that of our condition speakest,
" As though thou still wert wont
"By calends time to count?"
So of those voices one there spake:
And then my Master: "Answer make;
"And ask that we may know
"If upward hence we go."
"Creature," I said "that dost prepare
"To meet thy Maker clean and fair,
"A marvel shalt thou learn
"' If with me thou wilt turn."
" Far as I may, with thee I'll tread;
"And if our sight the smoke" he said
"Forbid, yet hearing will
"Keep us together still."




230              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XVI.
37 Allora incominciai: Con quella fascia,
Che la morte dissolve, men vo suso,
E venni qui per la infernale ambascia;
40 E, se Dio m' ha in sua grazia richiuso
Tanto, che vuol ch' io veggia la sua corte
Per modo tutto fuor del modern' uso,
43 Non mi celar chi fosti anzi la morte,
Ma dilmi, e dimmi s' io vo bene al varco;
E tue parole fien le nostre scorte.
46 Lombardo fui, e fui chiamato Marco:
Del mondo seppi, e quel valore amai,
Al quale ha or ciascun disteso 1' arco:
49 Per montar su dirittamente vai.
Cosl rispose; e soggiunse: Io ti prego
Che per me preghi, quando su sarai.
52 Ed io a lui: Per fede mi ti lego
Di far cio che mi chiedi; ma io scoppio
Dentro a un dubbio, s' io non me ne spiego.
55 Prima era scempio, ed ora e fatto doppio
Nella sentenza tua, che mi fa certo
Qui ed altrove, quello ov' io 1' accoppio,




CANTO XVI.]


PURGATORY.


231


Again I spake: "Enswathed I come
" In bands that death shall loose us from
"'Tis through Hell's toiling passed
" I mount above at last.
"And if admitted to God's grace
"He calls me upward to His place,
"And bids me see His court
"In unaccustomed sort,
"Oh! hide it not from me, but tell,
"Who once thou wast ere death befel;
"And guide us with thy speech
"The pass above to reach."
" Marco was I, of Lombard birth:
"I knew the world and loved the worth
" Of virtue, whither now
"All have unbent their bow:
"Thou goest straight" he said "on high."
Then added this to his reply:
"I pray thee with thy prayer
"Aid me when thou art there."
And I to him: "I pledge me true
"For that thou wouldest have me do:
"Yet strained with doubt I travail,
"That I must needs unravel.
"That doubt, once single, by thy word
"Now doubled, surety doth afford
"To truth therewith I hold,
"Here and elsewhere retold.




232              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XVI.
58 Lo mondo 6 ben cosl tutto diserto
D' ogni virtute, come tu mi suone,
E di malizia gravido e coperto:
61 Ma prego che m' additi la cagione,
S1 ch' io la veggia, e ch' io la mostri altrui;
Che nel cielo uno, ed un quaggiu la pone.
64 Alto sospir, che duolo strinse in hui,
Mise fuor prima, e poi comincio: Frate,
Lo mondo e cieco, e tu vien ben da lui.
67 Voi che vivete ogni cagion recate
Pur suso al ciel, cost come se tutto
Movesse seco di necessitate.
7o Se cosi fosse, in voi fora distrutto
Libero arbitrio, e non fora giustizia,
Per ben letizia, e per male aver lutto.
73 Lo cielo i vostri movimenti inizia,
Non dico tutti: ma, posto ch' ib il dica,
Lume v' e dato a bene ed a malizia,
76 E libero voler, che, se fatica
Nelle prime battaglie col ciel dura,
Poi vince tutto, se ben si nutrica.




CANTO XVI.]


PURGATORY.


233


"Thou sayest sooth: the world is all
"Of virtue desert, and withal
"Of malice filled about
"Within and eke without.
"But now, I pray, the cause make plain,
"That I may see and tell again,
" What some to us assign,
"Some to the stars malign."
Deep sigh he drew that turned to 'Ai!',
By grief compressed; then did he say:
"Brother, the world behind
"Is, even as thou art, blind.
"Ye that are living think ye know
'Heaven the cause of all, as though
"It carried all by strong
c" Necessity along.
': If it were so, from you were thrust
"Free will aside, nor were it just
" Good to requite with joy,
" And evil with annoy.
" In heaven your movements are begot
"(Grant all, although I say it not):
"Yet is light yours to guide
"And good from ill divide:
" Yours is free will; if 'gainst the stars
" Ye faint not in your primal wars,
"At last ye conquer all,
" Good nurture braced withal.




234


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XVI.


79 A maggior forza ed a miglior natura
Liberi soggiacete, e quella cria
La mente in voi, che il ciel non ha in sua cura
82 Pero, se il mondo presente disvia,
In voi e la cagione, in voi si cheggia,
Ed io te ne saro or vera spia.
8s Esce di mano a Lui, che la vagheggia
Prima che sia, a guisa di fanciulla,
Che piangendo e ridendo pargoleggia,
88 L' anima semplicetta, che sa nulla,
Salvo che, mossa da lieto fattore,
Volentier torna a cio che la trastulla.
91 Di picciol bene in pria sente sapore;
Quivi s' inganna, e dietro ad esso corre,
Sc guida o fren non torce suo amore.
94 Onde convenne legge per fren porre;
Convenne rege aver, che discernesse
Della vera cittade almen la torre.
97 Le leggi son, ma chi pon mano ad esse?
Nullo; perocch& il pastor che precede
Ruminar pub, ma non ha 1' unghie fesse.




CANTO XVI.]


PURGATORY.


235


"Unto a higher power are ye,
"To better nature, subjects free.
"Thence 'tis your mind is given,
c" Unrecked of by the heaven.
"And if the present world go wrong,
"Seek ye the cause, where it doth belong,
"Even in yourselves; and I
"Will be your faithful spy.
"The simple soul, that knoweth nought,
"Save that by blithe Creator wrought
"She ever is inclined
"Where pastime she may find,
"Speeds from His hand in girlish glee,
"That loved her ere she came to be,
" And sports her like a child,
"By tears, by smiles beguiled.
"Some trifling good at first she tastes:
"Cozened whereby she thither hastes,
"Except some guide or rein
"Her lightsome love restrain.
"That rein must be by laws provided,
"And by a king must ye be guided,
"Who the true city's tower
"Hath set his eyes before.
"The laws are there, but none that will
"Uphold them: your chief pastor still
"Can chew the cud, but yet
"His hoof hath never split.




236              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XVI.
1oo Perche la gente, che sua guida vede
Pure a quel ben ferire ond' ell' 6 ghiotta,
Di quel si pasce, e piu oltre non chiede.
103 Ben puoi veder che la mala condotta
t la cagion che il mondo ha fatto reo
E non natura che in voi sia corrotta.
0o6 Soleva Roma, che il buon mondo feo,
Due Soli aver, che 1' una e 1' altra strada
Facean vedere, e del mondo e di Deo.
109 L' un 1' altro ha spento; ed e giunta la spada
Col pastorale, e 1' un con 1' altro insieme
Per viva forza mal convien che vada;
Ix2 Perocch6, giunti, 1' un 1' altro non teme.
Se non mi credi, pon mente alla spiga,
Ch' ogni erba si conosce per lo seme.
115 In sul paese ch' Adige e Po riga
Solea valore e cortesia trovarsi,
Prima che Federico avesse briga:




CANTO XVI.J


PURGATORY.


237


"And they who see their leader turn,
"And clutch but that for which they burn,
"Fill themselves with that food,
"Nor seek for other good.
"Well seest thou this world's guilty living
"Flows from their leader's ill contriving,
"And not from any sin
"Your nature wrought within.
"Rome, that the world so well bestowed,
"Two Suns was wont to guard, that showed
" Both paths that should be trod,
"Through the world and to God.
"Now are there twain no more, for one
"The other's shining hath undone:
"And in one hand combined
"The sword and crook are joined.
"And when they come together there,
"No more may each the other fear:
"Wherefore they stray perforce,
"Nor keep the even course.
"If thou believest not my speech,
"Then let the fruit the lesson teach 
"Remember, in its seed
"May every herb be read.
"Where Po, where Adige wash the ground,
"Could worth, could courtesy be found,
" Ere Frederick was yet
"By strife of arms beset:




238              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XVI.
xi8 Or puo sicuramente indi passarsi
Per qualunque lasciasse, per vergogna,
Di ragionar coi buoni, o d' appressarsi.
I21 Ben v' en tre vecchi ancora, in cui rampogna
L' antica eta la nuova, e par lor tardo
Che Dio a miglior vita li ripogna;
124 Corrado da Palazzo, e il buon Gherardo,
E Guido da Castel, che me' si noma
Francescamente il semplice Lombardo.
127 Di' oggimai che la Chiesa di Roma,
Per confondere in se due reggimenti,
Cade nel fango, e se brutta e la soma.
130 O Marco mio, diss' io, bene argomenti;
Ed or discerno, perche dal retaggio
Li figli di Levl furono esenti:
33 Ma qual Gherardo e quel che tu per saggio
Di' ch' e rimaso della gente spenta,
In rimproverio del secol selvaggio?
136 O tuo parlar m' inganna o e' mi tenta,
Rispose a me; ch6, parlandomi Tosco,
Par che del buon Gherardo nulla senta.




CANTO XVI.]


PURGATORY.


239


"Now passage free may there be given
"To all that erst by shame were driven
" Forth from the neighbourhood,
"And converse of the good.
"Still three are left, of ancient name,
'To put the newer age to shame:
" Seems long to them ere they
" By God are called away.
"Of the good Gerard 'tis I tell,
"Conrad, and Guido of Castel,
"Whom Frenchmen better style
"The Lombard without guile.
"Henceforward say, the Church of Rome,
"To double empire that hath come,
"Sinks in the miry road,
"Befouled with all her load."
"My Marco, well thy rede I learn;
"And well" I said "can I discern
"Why Levi's children ne'er
"The heritage might share.
"But who this Gerard, left alone,
"Thy pattern of 4^ w ld bygone,
"Who yonder doth abide,
"This savage age to chide?"
"Deceiv'st thou me, or thinkest how
"To try me," he replied "that thou
"In speech of Tuscany
"Good Gerard would'st deny?
~...~   f.C
eeet  f




240              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XVL.
139 Per altro soprannome io nol conosco,
S' io nol togliessi da sua figlia Gaia.
Dio sia con voi, che pit non vegno vosco.
142 Vedi 1' albor, che per lo fummo raia,
Gia biancheggiare, e me convien partirmi,
L' Angelo 6 ivi, prima ch' io gli appaia.
145 Cosi torn6, e piU non voile udirmi.:,-......
o f*e




CANTO XVI.]


PURGATORY.


241


("No other surname can I use,
" His daughter Gaia's save I choose:
"God be with you, for now
"I may no further go.
"Behold in front the radiance brighten,
"And through the smoke already whiten!
" It is the Angel there;
"And ere he shall appear,
"I must be gone, nor see his face."
Therewith he turned him from his place,
Even as he spake, nor bore
To hear me any more.


R




CANTO DECIMOSETTIMO.


RICORDITI, lettor, se mai nell' alpe
Ti colse nebbia, per la qual vedessi
Non altrimenti, che per pelle talpe;
4 Come, quando i vapori umidi e spessi
A diradar cominciansi, la spera
Del Sol debilemente entra per essi;
7 E fia la tua immagine leggiera
In giugnere a veder, cor' io rividi
Lo Sole in pria, che gia nel corcare era.
Io Si, pareggiando i miei co' passi fidi
Del mio Maestro, uscii fuor di tal nube
Ai raggi, morti gia nei bassi lidi.
1i O immaginativa, che ne rube
Tal volta sl di fuor, ch' uom non s' accorge,
Perch6 d' intorno suonin mille tube,




CANTO XVII.


READER, if e'er on Alpine height
A cloud of mist hath dimmed thy sight,
Shrouding thee like the blind
Mole by his skin confined,
Bethink thee, when the humid mass
Of vapour first away will pass,
How feebly the Sun's sphere
Therethrough begins to peer:
And nimbly will thy fancy rise
To comprehending in what wise
I saw the Sun again
On couch already lain.
So as I left that cloud's confine,
My Master's paces matched with mine,
Shone forth those rays, by death
Already quenched beneath.
O thou, imagination strong,
That canst our senses bear along
Deaf to aught else, although
A thousand trumpets blow,
R 2




244              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XVII.
i6 Chi muove te, se il senso non ti porge?
Muoveti lume, che nel Ciel s' informa
Per se, o per voler che giu lo scorge.
I9 Dell' empiezza di lei, che muto forma
Nell' uccel che a cantar piu si diletta,
Nell' immagine mia apparve 1 orma:
22 E qui fu la mia mente sl ristretta
Dentro da se, che di fuor non venia
Cosa che fosse allor da lei recetta.
25 Poi piovve dentro all' alta fantasia
Un crocifisso dispettoso e fiero
Nella sua vista, e cotal si moria.
28 Intorno ad esso era il grande Assuero,
Ester sua sposa e il giusto Mardocheo,
Che fu al dire ed al far cosi intero.
3I E come questa immagine rompeo
Se per s& stessa, a guisa d' una bulla
Cui manca 1' acqua sotto qual si feo;
34 Surse in mia visione una fanciulla,
Piangendo forte, e diceva: O regina,
Perche per ira hai voluto esser nulla?




CANTO XVII.]


PURGATORY.


245


Thy motion whence, that is not given
From sense without? 'Tis light from Heaven
That moves thee, self-inclined
Or by high will designed.
Then was there imaged in my thought
The shadow of that horror wrought
By her, that turned to be
Bird of sweet melody.
And there my mind was held so fast,
That never aught that outward passed
Unto my sense within
Could any entrance win.
Next on my fancy high descended
The form of one on cross suspended,
His look all scorn and pride
Even until he died.
Beside did Assuerus stay,
Esther and righteous Mordecai,
That ever was found true
In word, in action too.
And as again that image burst,
Even of its own self dispersed,
As bubble breaks, when fails it
The water that enveils it,
There rose the vision of a maid,
Sore weeping, and 'O queen' she said
'Why in thy rage distraught
'Wouldst bring thyself to nought?




246


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XVII.


37 Ancisa t' hai per non perder Lavina;
Or m' hai perduta; io son essa che lutto,
Madre, alla tua pria ch' all' altrui ruina.
40 Come si frange il sonno, ove di butto
Nuova luce percuote il viso chiuso,
Che fratto guizza pria che muoia tutto;
43 Cost 1' immaginar mio cadde giuso,
Tosto ch' un lume il volto mi percosse,
Maggiore assai, che quel ch' 6 in nostr' uso.
46 Io mi volgea per vedere ov' io fosse,
Quand' una voce disse: Qui si monta:
Che da ogni altro intento mi rimosse;
49 E fece la mia voglia tanto pronta
Di riguardar chi era che parlava,
Che mai non posa, se non si raffronta.
52 Ma come al Sol, che nostra vista grava,
E per soverchio sua figura vela,
Cosi la mia virtu quivi mancava.
55 Questi e divino spirito, che ne la
Via d'andar su ne drizza senza prego,
E col suo lume sZ medesmo cela.




CANTO XVII.]


PURGATORY.


247


'Thyself hast slain, that wouldst thereby
'Lavinia save; yet lost am I,
'Who grieve for thee, my mother,
' More than for any other.'
As when on eyelids closed there breaks
The flash of some new light, and shakes
Our sleep, that quickly flies,
But quivers ere it dies,
So fell my fancy from its place,
Shattered by light that on my face
Smote with a stronger blow
Than ever here we know.
I turned about that I might tell
Where I was come, when voice there fell,
" Here may ye mount" that cried,
And drove all else aside.
Thereat did my desire awake
So keen to see who 'twas that spake,
No staying could it brook,
But face to face must look.
Yet on our sight as Sun doth press
Hiding him in his own excess,
So fainted all my gaze
Before those shining rays.
"'Tis spirit divine, without our prayer
" That guides us to the mounting stair,
"And veils him from our sight
"In his own proper light.




248              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XVII.
58 Si fa con noi, come 1 uom si fa sego;
Che quale aspetta prego, e 1' uopo vede,
Malignamente gia si mette al nego.
6r Ora accordiamo a tanto invito il piede:
Procacciam di salir pria che s' abbui,
Che poi non si porfa, se il di non ricde.
64 Cosi disse il mio Duca, ed io con lui
Volgemmo i nostri passi ad una scala;
E tosto ch' io al primo grado fui,
67 Senti'mi presso quasi un muover d' ala,
E ventarmi nel viso, e dir: Beati
Pacifici, che son senza ira mala.
7o Gia eran sovra noi tanto levati
Gli ultimi raggi che la notte segue,
Che le stelle apparivan da piu lati.
73 0 virtu mia, perch& sl ti dilegue?
Fra me stesso dicea, ch  mi sentiva
La possa delle gambe posta in tregue.




CANTO XVII.]


PURGATORY.


249


"He doth by us as we would do
"By our own selves: for even so,
"Who sees his brother's need
"And takes thereof no heed,
"But waits to give the boon he ought,
"Until with prayer he be besought,
"Already doth he choose
"Unkindly to refuse.
"Let our feet answer to his call:
"Haste we to mount, ere darkness fall:
"Then must our power delay
"Till the return of day."
My Leader thus: with him I went,
Bending our steps to the ascent;
And soon as I had set
On the first stair my feet,
I felt the fanning of a wing
About my face, and heard one sing
"Peacemakers, blest are ye,
"From evil wrath kept free."
Far were uprisen o'er our heads
Those latest rays, that night succeeds,
And now on every side
The stars were multiplied.
Then as I felt my limbs unloose,
As though their power were laid to truce,
'Why, 0 my strength,' I asked,
'Faintest thou overtasked?'




25o


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XVII.


76 Noi eravam dove piu non saliva
La scala su, ed eravamo affissi,
Pur come nave ch' alla piaggia arriva:
79 Ed io attesi un poco s' io udissi
Alcuna cosa nel nuovo girone
Poi mi volsi al Maestro mio, e dissi:
82 Dolce mio Padre, di', qiale offensione
Si purga qui nel giro, dove semo?
Se i piP si stanno, non stea tuo sermone.
85 Ed egli a me: L' amor del bene, scemo
Di suo dover, quiritto si ristora,
Qui si ribatte il mal tardato remo:
88 Ma perchP piA aperto intendi ancora,
Volgi la mente a me, e prenderai
Alcun buon frutto di nostra dimora.
91 NP creator, n& creatura mai,
Cominci6 ei, figliuol, fu senza amore,
O naturale, o d' animo; e tu il sai.
94 Lo natural e sempre senza errore;
Ma 1' altro puote errar per malo obbietto,
O per poco, o per troppo di vigore.




CANTO XVII.]


PURGATORY.


25,


The summit of the stairway's round
We gained; and there our feet were bound,
As ship that shore doth reach
And grounds upon the beach.
I listened for a while, if aught
In that new ring my hearing caught:
Unto my Master then
I turned and spake again.
"O my sweet Father, tell what sin
"Is purged this circle here within;
"Nor though our feet delay,
"C Let thy discoursing stay."
And he to me: " The love too weak,
"As duty bids us, good to seek,
"This circle will restore,
"And rouse the slackened oar.
"But bend thy mind to me, and learn
"The truth more clearly to discern,
' That here while we remain
"Some profit thou mayest gain.
"Creator," he began "my son,
"Nor creature, well thou knowest, was none
"But was to love inclined,
" In nature or in mind.
"Love natural is from error free:
"The other fails, or in degree,
"As less or more his flame,
"Or if perverse his aim.




252              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XVII.
97 Mentre ch' egli l ne' primi ben diretto,
E ne' secondi se stesso misura,
Esser non puo cagion di mal diletto;
Too Ma, quando al mal si torce, o con piu cura,
O con men che non dee, corre nel bene,
Contra il Fattore adovra sua fattura.
103 Quinci comprender puoi ch' esser conviene
Amor sementa in voi d' ogni virtute,
E d' ogni operazion che merta pene.
ro6 Or perche mai non puo dalla salute
Amor del suo suggetto torcer viso,
Dall' odio proprio son le cose tute:
109 E perche intender non si puo diviso,
E per s& stante, alcuno esser dal primo,
Da quello odiare ogni affetto l deciso.
112 Resta, se dividendo bene estimo,
Che il mal che s' ama e del prossimo, ed esso
Amor nasce in tre modi in vostro limo.




CANTO XVII.]


PURGATORY.


253


" Yet while aright he keep his course,
"And in due measure spend his force,
" Evil delight can never
" Be born of his endeavour.
"But if he go aside to ill,
"Or with unregulated will
"Of good pursue the track,
"Too forward or too slack,
"Against Creator works his creature:
"Now canst thou see that in your nature
"'Tis love that sows the seed
"Of good or evil deed.
"Now, being that the eyes of love
" Ne'er from their subject's weal may move,
"All things secure and free
" Must from self-hatred be.
"Again, as nought can stand aside,
" Nor from its primal cause divide,
"That too is cut away,
"Nor can to hate be prey.
"If my division holdeth good,
"Remains therefrom that we conclude,
"Love misdirected will
"Pursue its neighbour's ill.
"'Tis from a single source it springs
"But fruit of three-fold fashion brings,
"As in your clay 'tis bred
"And there is nourished.




254


PURGATORIO.


r CANTO XVII.


J1I fi chi, per esser suo vicin soppresso,
Spera eccellenza, e sol per questo brama
Ch' el sia di sua grandezza in basso messo.
I18 S chi podere, grazia, onore, e fama
Teme di perder perch' altri sormonti,
Onde s' attrista st, che il contrario ama;
12I Ed 6 chi per ingiuria par ch' adonti
Sl, che si fa della vendetta ghiotto;
E tal convien, che il male altrui impronti.
124 Questo triforme amor quaggiu disotto
Si piange; or vo' che tu dell' altro intende,
Che corre al ben con ordine corrotto.
127 Ciascun confusamente un bene apprende,
Nel qual si queti 1' animo, e desira:
Perche di giugner lui ciascun contende.
130 Se lento amore in lui veder vi tira,
O a lui acquistar, questa cornice,
Dopo giusto penter, ve ne martira.
33 Altro ben 6 che non fa 1' uom felice;
Non 6 felicita, non 6 la buona
Essenza, d' ogni ben frutto e radice.




CANTO XVII.J


PURGATORY.


255


"There is who hopes for highest place,
" If but his neighbour he abase,
"And greatness only so
"Desireth to bring low.
"There is who power and fame and prize
" Feareth to lose if others rise:
"So longs he, grieving sore,
"For some reverse in store.
"And there is one that wronged hath been,
"And would with vengeance sate his spleen;
"Fain is he to requite
"With ill another's spite.
"This triple love below is punished:
"Now of the other be thou monished,
"That unto good will haste
"With eagerness misplaced.
"All long to rest their mind on good,
But indistinctly understood:
"So the desire of each
" Striveth thereto to reach.
"Ye who were drawn with love too cold
"That good to compass and behold,
"If duly ye repented,
"Are on this ledge tormented.
"Yet is there good that cannot bless
"Nor issue to true happiness,
"That essence fair, the root
"Of goodness and its fruit.




256               PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XVII.
I36 L' amor, ch' ad esso troppo s' abbandona,
Di sovra noi si piange per tre cerchi;
Ma come tripartito si ragiona,
i39 Tacciolo, acciocche tu per te ne cerchi.




CANTO XVII.]


PURGATORY.


257


"The love that to such good gives heed,
" And follows with unmeasured speed,
"Above us thou shalt see
" Lament in circles three.
" But by what rule of reason guided
" It is in triple sort divided,
"I will forbear to speak:
" Thyself the cause shalt seek."


s




CANTO DECIMOTTAVO.


POSTO avea fine al suo ragionamento
L' alto Dottore, ed attento guardava
Nella mia vista, s' io parea contento:
4 Ed io, cui nuova sete ancor frugava,
Di fuor taceva, e dentro dicea: Forse
Lo troppo dimandar, ch' io fo, gli grava.
7 Ma quel padre verace, che s' accorse
Del timido voler che non s' apriva,
Parlando, di parlare ardir mi porse.
io Ond' io: Maestro, il mio veder s' avviva
SI nel tuo lume, ch' io discerno chiaro
Quanto la tua ragion porti o descriva:
13 Per6 ti prego, dolce Padre caro,
Che mi dimostri amore, a cui riduci
Ogni buono operare e il suo contraro.




CANTO XVIII.


MY Teacher sage an end had made
Of his discourse profound, and stayed
To look upon my face,
If there content had place.
And I by thirst anew o'erwrought
Kept silence, but within I thought
'Haply his grace 'twill task
'If overmuch I ask.'
But he my Father true, that well
My undisclosed desire could tell,
Upraised my courage weak
And speaking bade me speak.
Then "Master," I began "my sight
" So well is quickened in thy light,
"That clearly I can reach
"The import of thy speech.
" I pray thee then, sweet Father dear,
"That love thou wouldst discover, where
"Thou findest all the source
"Of good or evil course."
S 2




26o


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XVIII.


i6 Drizza, disse, ver me 1' acute luci
Dello intelletto, e fieti manifesto
L' error dei ciechi che si fanno duci.
9L L' animo, ch' e creato ad amar presto,
Ad ogni cosa < mobile che piace,
Tosto che dal piacere in atto e desto.
22 Vostra apprensiva da esser verace
Tragge intenzione, e dentro a voi la spiega,
Si che 1' animo ad essa volger face.
25 E se, rivolto, in ver di lei si piega,
Quel piegare e amor, quello: natura,
Che per piacer di nuovo in voi si lega.
28 Poi come il fuoco muovesi in altura,
Per la sua forma ch"'  nata a salire
La dove piu in sua materia dura;
3I Cosl I' animo preso entra in disire,
Ch' e moto spiritale, e mai non posa
Fin che la cosa amata il fa gioire.
34 Or ti puote apparer quant' & nascosa
La veritade alla gente ch' avvera
Ciascuno amore in s6 laudabil cosa;




CANTO XVIII.]


PURGATORY.


z6i


"Direct" he said, "direct to me
"Thy keen intelligence, and see
"Into what error fall
"Your blinded leaders all.
"The mind, created apt for love,
"To pleasant things will quickly move,
"Soon as by pleasure led
"To action it is sped.
"Your apprehension shows in you
"The idea it draws from Being true,
"And straightway is the mind
"To turn thereto inclined:
"Thither it bends, and in that bending
"Is love, is Nature's own intending,
"Which following pleasure's train
"In you is bound again.
"And as the flame will upward mount,
'Drawn by its form to seek its fount,
" Of its own matter there
"In fuller meed to share,
"So doth the enraptured soul acquire
"That spirit motion, that desire,
"Which rests not till it proves
"Joy in the thing it loves.
"Now mayest thou gather how the truth
"Is hid from those who hold it sooth
" That love howe'er bestowed
"Must aye be counted good:




262              PURGATORIO.        [ CANTO XVIII.
37 Perocch6 forse appar la sua matera
Sempr' esser buona; ma non ciascun segno
t buono, ancor che buona sia la cera.
40 Le tue parole e il mio seguace ingegno,
Risposi lui, m' hanno amor discoverto;
Ma cio m' ha fatto di dubbiar piu pregno;
43 Che s' amore e di fuori a noi offerto,
E 1' anima non va con altro piede,
Se dritta o torta va, non e suo merto.
46 Ed egli a me: Quanto ragion qui vede
Dirti poss' io; da indi in l& t' aspetta
Pure a Beatrice; ch' & opra di fede.
49 Ogni forma sustanzial, che setta
S da materia, ed & con lei unita,
Specifica virtu ha in s6 colletta,
52 La qual senza operar non e sentita,
N6 si dimostra, ma' che per effetto,
Come per verdi fronde in pianta vita.
5 Pero, la onde vegna lo intelletto
Delle prime notizie, uomo non sape,
Ne de' primi appetibili 1' affetto,




CANTO XVIII.]


PURGATORY.


263


"Haply because they think they know
"That from good matter good must grow:
"Yet is the seal not sure
Although the wax be pure."
" Now by thy words is love" I said
" To my obedient wit displayed;
"Yet greater doubt from thence
"Grows in my labouring sense.
"If love be from external source,
"And that alone direct our course,
"'Tis not the soul's deserving,
"Its following or its swerving."
"All that in reason lies I show:
"Henceforward wait" he said "till thou
"By Beatrice be taught
"What can by faith be wrought.
" Every substantial form, not tied
"To matter but thereto allied,
"Hath to itself assigned
"The virtue of its kind:
"Which is not save by working known,
"And only in effect is shown,
" As life in plants, not seen
" Save in their foliage green.
"Wherefore man knows not whence deriven
"The understanding that receives
"The firstlings of our sight,
"No, nor our appetite:




264


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XVIII.


58 Che sono in voi, si come studio in ape
Di far lo mele; e questa prima voglia
Merto di lode o di biasmo non cape.
61 Or, perche a questa ogni altra si raccoglia,
Innata v' & la virti che consiglia,
Che dell' assenso de' tener la soglia.
64 Quest' 6 il principio, la onde si piglia
Cagion di meritare in voi, secondo
Che buoni e rei amori accoglie e viglia.
67 Color che ragionando andaro al fondo,
S' accorser d' esta innata libertate,
Per6 moralitS lasciaro al mondo.
70 Onde pognam che di necessitate
Surga ogni amor che dentro a voi s' accende,
Di ritenerlo e in voi la potestate.
73 La, nobile virtui Beatrice intende
Per lo libero arbitrio, e pero guarda
Che 1' abbi a mente, s' a parlar ten prende.
76 La luna, quasi a mezza notte tarda,
Facea le stelle a noi parer piui rade,
Fatta com' un secchione che tutto arda;




CANTO XVIII.]


PURGATORY.


265


"These are in you by instinct born,
" As bees to make their honey turn:
" This primal will can ne'er
"In praise or blame have share.
" Now, since on this all others wait,
"Yours is the faculty innate,
"That stands at judgment's door
" To be your counsellor.
"This is the principle, whereto
"Occasion of desert in you
" Is coupled, good that choose
" And evil love refuse.
"And they who reason's depths could sound
"That innate liberty have found,
"And to the world thereby
" Have left morality.
"Conclude we so, when love inspires you,
"'Tis of necessity it fires you;
"Yet still the power ye hold
"Whereby it is controlled.
" This noble virtue by the name
"Free-will shall Beatrice proclaim;
"Bear this in mind if she
" Thereof shall speak with thee."
The latened Moon, to midnight growing,
Thinned all the stars were round us showing,
The fashion of her light
As pitcher burning bright.




266


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XVIII.


79 E correa contra il ciel per quelle strade
Che il Sole infiamma allor, che quel da Roma
Tra i Sardi e i Corsi il vede quando cade;
82 E quell' ombra gentil, per cui si noma
Pietola piu che villa Mantovana,
Del mio carcar deposto avea la soma:
85 Perch' io, che la ragione aperta e piana
Sovra le mie questioni avea ricolta,
Stava com' uom che sonnolento vana.
88 Ma questa sonnolenza mi fu tolta
Subitamente da gente, che dopo
Le nostre spalle a noi era gia volta.
91 E quale Ismeno gia vide ed Asopo,
Lungo di s& di notte furia e calca,
Pur che i Teban di Bacco avesser uopo;
94 Cotal per quel giron suo passo falca,
Per quel ch' io vidi di color, venendo,
Cui buon volere e giusto amor cavalca.
97 Tosto fur sovra noi, perchi, correndo,
Si movea tutta quella turba magna;
E due dinanzi gridavan piangendo:




CANTO XVIII.]


PURGATORY.


267


Against the course of heaven she sped,
Along the road that flames with red,
When Sol to Roman eyes
'Twixt Corse and Sardia dies.
That gentle shade, whose high renown
Sets Pietola 'bove Mantua's town,
Had lifted from my breast
The load that had oppressed:
And, for my questioning was all
Clear open answer matched withal,
With sight confused I stood,
As one in drowsy mood:
When suddenly upon us burst,
And all that drowsiness dispersed,
A troop that drew them near
Hurrying in our rear.
And like the trampling and the throng
By night Ismenus' banks along,
What time the Theban rout
For aid to Bacchus sought:
So saw I there a crowd that kept
Their course, and round the circle swept,
Spirits whom righteous love
And good will onward drove.
Upon us soon they were, for fast
Was running all that concourse vast:
And twain that went before
Cried in their weeping sore




268


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XVIII.


oo0 Maria corse con fretta alla montagna;
E Cesare, per soggiogare Ilerda,
PunSe Marsilia, e poi corse in Ispagna.
1o3 Ratto, ratto, che il tempo non si perda
Per poco amor, gridavan gli altri appresso;
ChW studio di ben far grazia rinverda.
106 O gente, in cui fervore acuto adesso
Ricompie forse negligenza e indugio,
Da voi per tiepidezza in ben far messo,
o09 Questi che vive (e certo io non vi bugio)
Vuole andar su, purche il Sol ne riluca;
Per6 ne dite ov' e presso il pertugio.
112 Parole furon queste del mio Duca:
Ed un di quegli spirti disse: Vieni
Diretro a noi, e troverai la buca.
IJs Noi siam di voglia a muoverci sl pieni,
Che ristar non potem  pero perdona,
Se villania nostra giustizia tieni.
I8 To fui Abate in san Zeno a Verona,
Sotto lo imperio del buon Barbarossa,
Di cui dolente ancor Melan ragiona.




CANTO XVIII.]


PURGATORY.


269


"Mary made haste to reach the hills: 
And "Caesar smote upon Marseilles,
"Then hurried into Spain,
"Ilerda's town to gain."
( Fast, fast" the others cried, that close
Were pressing, "lest the time ye lose
"Through lack of love, for grace
"By good zeal grows apace."
"O ye whose fervour of to-day
"Quits past neglect and past delay,
"When but lukewarm your mind
"Was to good deed inclined,
'"This man yet lives (I do not gloze),
"And upward with the Sunlight goes:
" Wherefore declare to me
"How near the passage be."
Such was the question of my Guide:
And of those spirits one replied:
"Come after as we go
"And thou the gap shalt know.
"So charged with eager haste our will,
"We may not stop. Count it not ill,
"But pardon our offence,
" If justice call us hence.
"San Zeno's Abbey once I schooled
"While the good Barbarossa ruled,
"His rule whom never yet
"Can sad Milan forget.




270              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XVIII.
I2I E tale ha gih 1' un pie dentro la fossa,
Che tosto piangera quel monistero,
E tristo fia d' avervi avuto possa;
124 Perch6 suo figlio, mal del corpo intero,
E della mente peggio, e che mal nacque,
Ha posto in luogo di suo pastor vero.
127 io non so se piu disse, o s' ei si tacque,
Tant' era gia di la da noi trascorso;
Ma questo intesi, e ritener mi piacque.
130 E quei, che m' era ad ogni uopo soccorso,
Disse: Volgiti in qua, vedine due
Venire, dando all' accidia di morso.
133 Diretro a tutti dicean: Prima fue
Morta la gente, a cui il mar s' aperse,
Che vedesse Giordan le rede sue;
136 E quella, che 1' affanno non sofferse
Fino alla fine col figliuol d' Anchise,
St stessa a vita senza gloria offerse.




CANTO XVIII.]


PURGATORY.


271


" Now hath he foot in grave, who soon
"Shall for that monastery moan,
"And rue that there his hand
"Had ever held command:
"For that in their true pastor's stead
"He set his son, of bastard breed,
"Crippled in limb, and worse
"Crossed in his mind perverse."
I know not whether more he said
Or held his peace, so far he sped:
But this I heard aright
And kept for my delight.
And he, my help in every need,
Said "Turn thou hither, see where speed
"Two souls, intent to sting
"Their slothful dallying."
Behind they shouted "Dead were they,
"For whom the sea made open way,
"Ere yet to Jordan's shores
"Came his inheritors.
"And they, who with Anchises' son
"Endured not till the end was won,
"Shrank from the toil and strife,
"To choose inglorious life."




272              PURGATORIO.      [CANTO XVII.
139 Poi quando fur da noi tanto divise
Quell' ombre, che veder piu non potersi,
Nuovo pensiero dentro a me si mise,
142 Del qual piu altri nacquero e diversi;
E tanto d' uno in altro vaneggiai,
Che gli occhi per vaghezza ricopersi,
145 E il pensamento in sogno trasmutai.




CANTO XVIII.]


PURGATORY.


273


When from our sight those shades were parted,
Within me then fresh thoughts upstarted,
And others from them grew
Diverse and ever new:
Idly from each to each I passed:
And when my eyes were closed at last,
Onward my fancy ranged,
Until to dream it changed.


T




CANTO DECIMONONO.


NELL' ora che non puo il calor diurno
Intiepidar piu il freddo della Luna,
Vinto da Terra o talor da Saturno;
4 Quando i geomanti lor Maggior Fortuna
Veggiono in oriente, innanzi all' alba,
Surger per via che poco le sta bruna;
7 Mi venne in sogno una femmina balba,
Negli occhi guercia, e sovra i pie distorta,
Con le man monche, e di colore scialba.
io Io la mirava; e, come il Sol conforta
Le fredde membra che la notte aggrava,
Cosi lo sguardo mio le facea scorta
I3 La lingua, e poscia tutta la drizzava
In poco d' ora, e lo smarrito volto,
Come amor vuol, cost lo colorava.




CANTO XIX.


THE hour was come when faints away
'Neath the Moon's chill the heat of day,
Or by the Earth controlled,
Or now by Saturn cold;
When geomants in eastern sky
Their Greater Fortune can descry,
Its darksome road upon
Before the dawn hath shone:
Then to my dreams a woman came,
Blear-eyed and stammering and lame,
Her hands deformed and weak,
And sickly pale her cheek.
I gazed on her: and as the Sun
Cheers the chilled limbs by night fordone,
So quickened in my look
Her tongue fresh impulse took:
And thereat in a little space
She grew erect, and her wan face
Was with the colour dressed
That comes at love's behest.




276              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XIX.
i6 Poi ch' ell' avea il parlar cost disciolto,
Cominciava a cantar si, che con pena
Da lei avrei mio intento rivolto.
19 lo son, cantava, io son dolce Sirena,
Che i marinari in mezzo mar dismago;
Tanto son di piacere a sentir piena.
22 Io volsi Ulisse del suo cammin vago
Col canto mio; e qual meco si ausa
Rado sen parte, sl tutto 1' appago.
5 Ancor non era sua bocca richiusa,
Quando una donna apparve santa e presta
Lunghesso me, per far colei confusa.
8s 0 Virgilio, Virgilio, chi 6 questa?
Fieramente diceva; ed ei veniva
Con gli occhi fitti pure in quella onesta.
31 L' altra prendeva, e dinanzi 1' apriva
Fendendo i drappi, e mostravami il ventre;
Quel mi svegli6 col puzzo che n' usciva.
34 Io volsi gli occhi, e il buon Virgilio: Almen tre
Voci t' ho messe, dicea: surgi e vieni,
Troviam 1' aperta per la qual tu entre.




CANTO XIX.]


PURGATORY.


277


And when her speech was thus set free,
Then she began to sing to me,
That hardly could I ever
My gaze from her dissever.
'I am' she sang 'the Siren sweet,
'Who on mid sea the mariners meet,
'And charm them with my measure,
'That fills them all with pleasure:
'Ulysses from his wandering track
'I drew: right seldom turns he back,
'Who once with me will dwell,
'So potent is my spell.'
Her mouth had closed not, when I saw
A holy dame beside me draw,
Alert of mien, as bound
That other to confound.
'O Virgil, Virgil, who is here?'
Proudly she said, and he drew near,
Fastening his eyes upon
That honourable one.
He seized the other and unripped
Her raiment and her belly stripped:
The stench therefrom that broke
My slumber all awoke.
I turned, and my good Virgil said:
" Thrice have I called thee: leave thy bed,
"And come the gate to win
"Where thou shalt enter in."




278


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIX.


a7 Su mi levai, e tutti eran gia pieni
Dell' alto dl i giron del sacro monte,
Ed andavam col Sol nuovo alle reni.
40 Seguendo lui, portava la mia fronte
Come colui che 1' ha di pensier carca,
Che fa di se un mezzo arco di ponte;
43 Quand' io udi': Venite, qui si varca,
Parlare in modo soave e benigno,
Qual non si sente in questa mortal marca.
46 Con 1' ali aperte che parean di cigno,
Volseci in su colui che sl parlonne,
Tra' due pareti del duro macigno.
49 Mosse le penne poi e ventilonne,
Qui lugent affermando esser beati,
Ch' avran di consolar 1' anime donne.
52 Che hai, che pure in ver la terra guati?
La Guida mia incomincio a dirmi,
Poco ambedue dall' Angel sormontati.
s5 Ed io: Con tanta suspizion fa irmi
Novella vision ch' a se mi piega,
Si ch' io non posso dal pensar partirmi.




CANTO XIX.]


PURGATORY.


279


I rose, and saw the high day fill
The circles of that holy hill:
And onward did we wind
With the new Sun behind.
Following I went, as one who bears
Upon his front the load of cares,
His body bent, as though
To half an arch 'twould grow,
When "Come" I heard "the pass to meet."
Uttered in tone so kindly sweet,
We may not know such sound
Within this mortal bound.
With wings, that seemed a swan's, outspread,
He turned us, he that word who said,
And 'twixt two walls we passed,
Of hardest flint made fast.
The fanning of his plumes we caught,
And "Blest are they who mourn;" he taught
"Yea, blest are they whose soul
"Shall comfort all control."
We parted from that Angel's side,
And both were mounting, when my Guide:
"What aileth thee, that stays
"Upon the ground thy gaze?"
And I: "The vision that I met
"Such strange suspicion doth beget,
"That still within my heart
"Abides nor will depart."




i8o


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIX.


58 Vedesti, disse, quella antica strega,
Che sola sovra noi omai si piagne?
Vedesti come 1' uom da lei si slega?
6i Bastiti, e batti a terra le calcagne;
Gli occhi rivolgi al logoro, che gira
Lo Rege eterno con le ruote magne.
64 Quale il falcon che prima ai pie si mira,
Indi si volge al grido, e si protende
Per lo disio del pasto che la il tira;
67 Tal mi fec' io, e tal, quanto si fende
La roccia per dar via a chi va suso,
N' andai infino ove il cerchiar si prende.
7o Com' io nel quinto giro fui dischiuso,
Vidi gente per esso che piangea,
Giacendo a terra tutta volta in giuso.
73  Adhaesit pavimento anima mea,
Senti' dir lor con sl alti sospiri,
Che la parola appena s' intendea.
76 0 eletti di Dio, li cui soffriri
E giustizia e speranza fan men duri,
Drizzate noi verso gli alti saliri.




CANTO XIX.]


PURGATORY.


28i


" Hast seen that ancient witch that will
"Above" he said "be grieving still?
"Hast seen, how from her chain
"Man may be loosed again?
"Let be, and groundward press thy heels:
"Look thou upon the lure that wheels,
"Swung in wide circling ring
"By the Eternal King."
As falcon then, at first that eyes
His feet, but at the call will rise,
And spreads himself, and moves
Towards the meat he loves:
So turned I, so above I went,
Where parts the rock for the ascent,
Until the road I found
Whereby to travel round.
So was I loosed again, and there
In the fifth circle I was ware
Of those were weeping sore,
Stretched prone upon the floor.
"Upon the dust my soul is lying"
I heard them say, so deeply sighing,
That hardly could I reach
The import of their speech.
"Elect of God, whose sore distress
"Justice and hope can render less,
" Oh! grant us guidance right
"To climb the lofty height."




282


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XIX.


79 Se voi venite dal giacer sicuri,
E volete trovar la via piu tosto,
Le vostre destre sien sempre di furi.
82 CosI prego il Poeta, e sl risposto
Poco dinanzi a noi ne fu; perch' io
Nel parlare avvisai 1' altro nascosto;
8s E volsi gli occhi allora al Signor mio:
Ond' egli m' assenti con lieto cenno
Ci6 che chiedea la vista del disio.
88 Poi ch' io potei di me fare a mio senno,
Trassimi sovra quella creatura,
Le cui parole pria notar mi fenno,
91 Dicendo: Spirto, in cui pianger matura
Quel senza il quale a Dio tornar non puossi,
Sosta un poco per me tua maggior cura.
94 Chi fosti, e perche volti avete i dossi
Al su, mi di', e se vuoi ch' io t' impetri
Cosa di la ond' io vivendo mossi.
97 Ed egli a me: Perche i nostri diretri
Rivolga il cielo a s&, saprai: ma prima,
Scias quod ego fui successor Petri.




CANTO XIX.]


PURGATORY.


283


"If here to lie ye have no need,
"And only seek above to speed,
"Your right hands ever keep
"Without you round the steep."
So prayed the Poet, so reply
Short space in front there came, and I
Turned as they spake to know
Who 'twas lay hid below.
Then on my Lord my eyes I bent:
And he with sign of glad assent
Granted me the request
My longing face expressed.
When thus my thought I might pursue,
Above that creature then I drew,
From whence the words that came
My notice first did claim.
"Spirit," I said "whose tears will learn thee
"To ripen what to God can turn thee,
"Let thy great cares give place,
"And bide with me a space.
"Tell who thou wast, and why your backs
"Are upward turned, and if there lacks
"Aught thou would'st ask therefrom
"Whence living I have come."
And he to me: "Thou shalt be told
"Wherefore the skies our backs behold:
"But first of this be ware,
"I sat in Peter's chair.




284              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XIX.
joo Intra Siestri e Chiaveri si adima
Una fiumana bella, e del suo nome
Lo titol del mio sangue fa sua cima.
o03 Un mese e poco piti prova' io come
Pesa il gran manto a chi dal fango il guarda,
Che piuma sembran tutte 1' altre some.
io6 La mia conversione, ome! fu tarda;
Ma, come fatto fui Roman Pastore,
Cosi scopersi la vita bugiarda.
109 Vidi che 11 non si quetava il cuore,
Ne piu salir poteasi in quella vita;
Per che di questa in me s' accese amore.
IT2 Fino a quel punto misera e partita
Da Dio anima fui, del tutto avara:
Or, come vedi, qui ne son punita.
115 Quel ch' avarizia fa, qui si dichiara
In purgazion dell' anime converse,
E nulla pena il monte ha piu amara.
1i8 SI come 1' occhio nostro non s' aderse
In alto, fisso alle cose terrene,
Cosl giustizia qui a terra il merse.




CANTO XIX.]


PURGATORY.


285


"'Twixt Chiavari and Sestri flows
(A river fair, whose name bestows
"Upon my blood its crown,
" And title of renown.
"A month, scarce more, I proved how hard
"'Tis the great mantle clean to guard:
"All other burden less
"Than lightest down would press.
"Came my conversion ah! how late:
"But when I took Rome's pastorate,
"Then was unfolded plain
"Our life how false and vain.
" There the heart rests it not, nor higher,
"I saw, can in that life aspire:
"Then kindled was my love
" Unto this life above.
" Till then, to avarice wholly given,
"My hapless soul from God was riven:
"Now seest thou how my sin
"Is punished here within.
"What comes of avarice is here
"By these converted souls made clear,
" In their purgation shown:
" In all this mount are none
"More bitter penalty that know:
"Our eyes, because we kept them low,
"Fixed upon earthly things,
"Here justice earthward brings.




286


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XIX.


r2I  Come avarizia spense a ciascun bene
Lo nostro amore, onde operar perdcsi,
Cosi giustizia qui stretti ne tiene
124 Ne' piedi e nelle man legati e presi;
E quanto fia piacer del giusto Sire,
Tanto staremo immobili e distesi.
127 Io m' era inginocchiato, e volea dire;
Ma com' io cominciai, ed ei s' accorse,
Solo ascoltando, del mio riverire:
130 Qual cagion, disse, in giu cosi ti torse?
Ed io a lui: Per vostra dignitate
Mia coscienza dritto mi rimorse.
133 Drizza le gambe, levati su, frate,
Rispose: non errar, conservo sond
Teco e con gli altri ad una potestate.
136 Se mai quel santo evangelico suono,
Che dice NZeque nubent, intendesti
Ben puoi veder perch' io cosi ragiono.
I39 Vattene omai; non vo' che piu t' arresti,
Ch6 la tua stanza mio pianger disagia,
Col qual maturo cio che tu dicesti.




CANTO XIX.]


PURGATORY.


287


"As avarice our love will spoil
"For every good, and waste our toil,
"So justice here, again
"Will fetter and enchain
"Our hands and feet, and hold us fast:
"And while our just Lord's pleasure last,
"So long here must we lie
"Outstretched immoveably."
I turned to speak, my knees down bending:
And he was ware of my intending,
Though but his hearing's sense
Told of my reverence.
"What cause" he said "doth downward bow thee?"
And I: "The worship that I owe thee:
"For as I stood, the smart
"Of conscience pricked my heart."
"Brother, rise up," he said "and see
"Thou err not: with the rest and thee
"Thy fellow-servant I
"Obey one majesty.
"And if that holy Gospel word,
"'They marry not,' thou e'er hast heard,
"Well canst thou understand
"The truth of my command.
"Go now: I would not have thee stay,
"For while thou stand, my tears delay,
"Nor ripen that wherefrom
"What thou hast told shall come.




288              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XIX.
142 Nepote ho io di 1I ch' ha nome Alagia,
Buona da s6, pur che la nostra casa
Non faccia lei per esemplo malvagia;
145 E questa sola di la m' e rimasa.




CANTO XIX.]


PURGATORY.


289


"Alagia my good niece is still
"Yonder, so turn she not to ill
"After our evil line:
" And she is all of mine."


u




CANTO VENTESIMO.


CONTRA miglior voler voler mal pugna;
Onde contra il piacer mio, per piacerli,
Trassi dell' acqua non sazia la spugna.
4 AMossimi; e il Duca mio si mosse per li
Lochi spediti pur lungo la roccia,
Come si va per muro stretto ai merli;
7 Che la gente, che fonde a goccia a goccia
Per gli occhi il mal che tutto il mondo occupa,
Dall' altra parte in fuor troppo s' approccia.
ro Maladetta sie tu, antica lupa,
Che piui che tutte 1' altre bestie hai preda,
Per la tua fame senza fine cupa!
13 0 ciel, nel cui girar par che si creda
LIe condizion di quaggii trasmutarsi,
Quando verra per cui questa disceda?




CANTO XX.


WILL, matched 'gainst better will, is weak:
So 'gainst my pleasure his to seek
I laid the sponge aside,
Albeit unsatisfied.
I moved: my Guide was passing where
Along the rock the road was clear,
As though on wall he went
Close to the battlement.
For they who drop by drop the ill
That clogs the world in tears distil
Are ranged along the ledge
Near to the outer edge.
Thou ancient wolf, be thou accurst,
Thou of all beasts of prey the worst,
Whose hunger is not sated,
Nor e'er thy greed abated!
Ye heavens, with whose revolving range
'The world's condition seems to change,
When shall he come, whose might
That beast will put to flight?
U 2




292


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XX.,


16 Noi andavam con passi lenti e scarsi,
Ed io attento all' ombre ch' io sentia
Pietosamente piangere e lagnarsi:
s; E per ventura udi': Dolce Maria:
Dinanzi a noi chiamar cosi nel pianto,
Come fa donna che in partorir sia;
2I E seguitar: Povera fosti tanto,
Quanto veder si pu6 per quell' ospizio,
Ove sponesti il tuo portato santo.
25 Seguentemente intesi: O buon Fabbrizio,
Con poverta volesti anzi virtute,
Che gran ricchezza posseder con vizio.
as Queste parole m' eran si piaciute,
Ch' io mi trassi oltre per aver contezza
Di quello spirto, onde parean venute.
31 Esso parlava ancor della larghezza
Che fece Niccolao alle pulcelle,
Per condurre ad onor lor giovinezza.
3I 0 anima che tanto ben favelle,
Dimrni chi fosti, dissi, e perch& sola
Tu queste degne lode rinnovelle?




CANTO XX.]


PURGATORY.


z93


With paces few and slow we went:
And I was on those shades intent,
Whose weeping and whose cries
I heard in piteous wise.
When "Mary sweet" I heard one call
In front of us, such wail withal
As when a woman plains
Taken in labour-pains:
The voice went on: " How poor wert thou,
"We by that hostelry may know,
"Whereto thou didst consign
"That holy load of thine."
"O good Fabricius," followed close
"Who poverty with virtue chose,
"Rather than store of gold
"With infamy to hold!"
Those words to me brought such delight,
I drew me further, that I might
The spirit know from whom
That utterance seemed to come.
And still of that largess he taught,
Nicholas to those maidens brought,
To guard their honour sure,
And keep them virgin pure.
"O soul, that dost discourse so well,
"Tell who thou wast," I said, "and tell
"Wherefore these praises meet
"Thou only dost repeat.




294


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XX.


37 Non fia senza merce la tua parola,
S' io ritorni a compier lo cammin corto
Di quella vita che al termine vola.
-l0 Ed egli: Io ti dir6, non per conforto
Ch' io attenda di la, ma perch& tanta
Grazia in te luce prima che sie morto.
43 Io fui radice della mala pianta,
Che la terra cristiana tutta aduggia
Si, che buon frutto rado se ne schianta.
46 Ma, se Doagio, Lilla, Guanto, e Bruggia
Potesser, tosto ne saria vendetta;
Ed io la cheggio a lui che tutto giuggia.
49 Chiamato fui di la Ugo Ciapetta:
Di me son nati i Filippi e i Luigi,
Per cui novellamente e Francia retta.
Figliuol fui d' un beccaio di Parigi.
Quando li regi antichi venner meno
Tutti, fuor ch' un, renduto in panni bigi,. Trovaimi stretto nelle mani il freno
Del governo del regno, e tanta possa
Di nuovo acquisto, e si d' amici pieno,




(''NTro XX.]


PURGATORY.


295


"Thy answer shall not guerdon lack,
" If to the road I travel back,
"Where I shall end at last
"That life that flies so fast."
"And I will tell," he said "but not
" For comfort that may thence be got,
"But for the grace in thee
"That shines ere dead thou be.
" I was of that ill plant the root,
"Which Christendom so spreads about,
"That scarcely may it bear
"Good fruitage anywhere.
"If Douay, Bruges, Lille and Ghent,
"Could order, soon were vengeance sent:; And for that doom I call
"To him who judgeth all.
"Hugh Capet I was called: and mine
"The Lewises' and Philips' line,
"Who in this modern day
"The realm of Francia sway.
"A Paris butcher's son was I:
"When dwindled were and all gone by
"The ancient kings, save one,
"That weeds of grey put on,
"I found my hands so firmly hold
"The reins their kingdom that controlled,
"I had of friends such store,
"And such new-gathered power,




296             PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XX.
58 Ch' alla corona vedova promossa
La testa di mio figlio fu, dal quale
Cominciar di costor le sacrate ossa.
61 Mentre che la gran dote Provenzale
Al sangue mio non tolse la vergogna,
Poco valea, ma pur non facea male.
64 Li comincio con forza e con menzogna
La sua rapina; e poscia, per ammenda,
Ponti e Normandia prese, e Guascogna.,7 Carlo venne in Italia, e, per ammenda,
Vittima fe' di Curradino; e poi
Ripinse al Ciel Tommaso, per ammenda.
Tempo vegg' io, non molto dopo ancoi,
Che tragge un altro Carlo fuor di Francia,
Per far conoscer meglio e sc e i suoi.
73 Senz' arme n' esce solo, e con la lancia
Con la qual giostr6 Giuda; e quella ponta
Si, ch' a Fiorenza fa scoppiar la pancia.




CANTO XX.,


PURGATORY.


297


"That to the widowed crown my heir
"Uplifted was on head to wear;
"With him the line began
"In bones anoint that ran.
"Till the rich dower of Provence came
" And in my blood extinguished shame,
"Small was their worth, but still
'They wrought but little ill.
" Began their rapine's course from thence
"With falsehood and with violence,
"Following their evil ends;
"And then to make amends,
" Gascoigne they took, and took Ponthieu
"And Normandy; their Carlo too
"On Italy descends:
"And then to make amends,
"' Seizes Conradin for his prize,
"And makes of him a sacrifice:
"And then to make amends,
"Thomas to Heaven he sends.
" Soon can I see the time advance,
"To draw another Charles from France,
"That better known may be
"He and his company.
"' Unarmed he comes, and but the spear
" Of Judas' jousting will he bear:
"Therewith he drives to make
"The paunch of Florence break.




298


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XX.


76 Quindi non terra, ma peccato ed onta
Guadagnera, per se tanto piu grave,
Quanto piu lieve simil danno conta.
79 L' altro, che gia uscl preso di nave,
Veggio vender sua figlia, e patteggiarne,
Come fanno i corsar dell' altre schiave.
82 0 avarizia, che puoi tu piu fame,
Poscia ch' hai lo mio sangue a te sl tratto,
Che non si cura della propria carne?
85 Perche men paia il mal futuro c il fatto,
Veggio in Alagna entrar lo fiordaliso,
E nel Vicario suo Cristo esser catto.
88 Veggiolo un' altra volta esser deriso;
Veggio rinnovellar 1' aceto e il fele,
E tra vivi ladroni esser anciso.
9T Veggio il nuovo Pilato sl crudele,
Che ci6 nol sazia, ma, senza decreto,
Porta nel tempio le cupide vele.
94 0 Signor mio, quando saro io lieto
A veder la vendetta, che, nascosa,
Fa dolce 1' ira tua nel tuo segreto?




CANTO XX.J


PURGATORY.


299


"No territory may he win
"Thereby, but only shame and sin,
"That worse on him will light
"Who counts such loss but slight.
"One more I see, from ship-board ta'en,
"His daughter bartering for gain,
" As corsairs traffic make
"Of the slave maids they take.
"   avarice, what more canst do,
"My blood that hast perverted so,
"They of their flesh devise
"To make their merchandise?
" I see, to cover all their sin,
" The fleur-de-lis Alagna win,
"And in his Vicar there
"Christ made a prisoner.
"I see him mocked and ill entreated,
" The vinegar and gall repeated,
"While at his slaying stand
"Live thieves on either hand.
" I see that Pilate, nothing sated,
"Nor lawful sentence e'er awaited,
"Into the Temple strive
"His greedy flag to drive.
"When, O my Lord, shall I be blest,
"Seeing the vengeance manifest,
"Which in thy secret stays,
"And thy just wrath allays?




300               PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XX.
97 Ci6 ch' io dicea di quell' unica sposa
Dello Spirito Santo, e che ti fece
Verso me volger per alcuna chiosa,
0oo Tanto e risposta a tutte nostre prece,
Quanto il dl dura; ma, quand' e' s' annotta,
Contrario suon prendemo in quella vece.
J03 Noi ripetian Pigmalion allotta,
Cui traditore e ladro e patricida
Fece la voglia sua dell' oro ghiotta;
o06 E la miseria dell' avaro Mida,
Che segul alla sua dimanda ingorda,
Per la qual sempre convien che si rida.
109 Del folle Acam ciascun poi si ricorda,
Come fur6 le spoglie, si che 1' ira
Di Josue qui par ch' ancor lo morda.
ij2 Indi accusiam col marito Safira:
Lodiamo i calci ch' ebbe Eliodoro;
Ed in infamia tutto il monte gira




CANTO XX.]


PURGATORY.


301


"For what in praise of her I cried,
"The Holy Spirit's only bride,
"When towards me thou didst turn
"And would'st my meaning learn,
"'Tis the response our prayers alway
"Are closed withal, while lasts the day:
"When falls the night, we choose
"The counter sound to use.
"Then is Pygmalion's story told,
"How in his hungry lust for gold
"A thief, a traitor, he,
"A murderer came to be.
"Then we recall the misery wrought
"By gift that greedy Midas sought:
"Still must his laughter flow
"Who of that tale shall know.
"Then Achan's folly is our theme,
"Who stole the spoil: and still we seem
"Upon the righteous stroke
"Of Joshua's wrath to look.
"Sapphira's and her husband's fraud
"We execrate: and we applaud
"The kicks and scourging sore
"That Heliodorus bore.




302               PURGATORIO.           [CANTO XX.
i15 Polinestor ch' ancise Polidoro:
Ultimamente ci si grida: Crasso,
Dicci, che il sai, di che sapore e 1' oro?
118 Talor parla 1' un alto, e 1' altro basso,
Secondo 1' affezion ch' ad ir ci sprona,
Ora a maggiore, ed ora a minor passo;
21 Pero al ben che il di ci si ragiona,
Dianzi non er' io sol; ma qui da presso
Non alzava la voce altra persona.
124 Noi eravam partiti gia da esso,
E brigavam di soverchiar la strada
Tanto, quanto al poter n' era permesso;
I27 Quand' io senti', come cosa che cada,
Tremar lo monte: onde mi prese un gielo,
Qual prender suol colui che a morte vada.
3,o Certo non si scotea si forte Delo,
Pria che Latona in lei facesse il nido,
A partorir li due occhi del cielo.




CANTO XX.]


PURGATORY.


303


"Then Polymnestor we recall
"That murdered Polydore: and all
"The mountain with one shout
"Of shame is girt about.
"And last of all, to make an end,
"'CTell, Crassus, tell,' our cry we send,
"' How doth gold taste, for thou
"' Its savour well should'st know?'
" Sometimes one loud, one low, we speak,
" As our affection, strong or weak,
"Impels our forward course
" With swift or gentle force;
"And though our daily tale of praise
"None else was nigh aloud to raise,
"Yet not alone was I
"Of good to testify."
Now had we left that soul behind,
And up the mountain did we wind,
Striving to climb the road
Far as our power allowed:
When, like a falling thing, the hill
Trembled and shook; and sudden chill
Seized me, as one who knows
That to his death he goes.
Certes, did Delos ne'er so shake,
Before Latona came to make
The nest, wherefrom were given
Those twin-born eyes of heaven.




304


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XX.


I33 Poi cominci6 da tutte parti un grido
Tal, che il Maestro inver di me si feo,
Dicendo: Non dubbiar, mentr' io ti guido.
136 Gloria it excelsis, tutti, Deo
Dicean, per quel ch' io da vicin compresi,
Onde intender lo grido si poteo.
139 Noi stavamo immobili e sospesi,
Come i pastor che prima udir quel canto,
Fin che il tremar cesso, ed ei compiesi.
142 Poi ripigliammo nostro cammin santo:
Guardando 1' ombre che giacean per terra,
Tornate gia in sull' usato pianto.
145 Nulla ignoranza mai con tanta guerra
Mi fe' desideroso di sapere,
Se la memoria mia in cio non erra,
148 Quanta pareami allor pensando avere:
Ne per la fretta dimandare er' oso,
Ne per me 1i potea cosa vedere:
15I Cosi m' andava timido e pensoso.




CANTO XX.]


PURGATORY.


30o5


Then from all quarters such a shout
Began, my Master turned about,
And "Fear not thou" he cried
"While I am still thy guide."
Then "Glory in the highest," all
"Glory to God! " I heard them call:
For so I caught the sound
From those were near around.
Motionless stayed we and suspended,
Till with the hymn that trembling ended,
Like to the shepherd throng,
The first who heard that song.
Our holy road again we, took,
And on those shades we bent our look,
To earthward turned again,
After their wont to plain.
Never, except my memory tire,
Did ignorance with such desire
For knowledge charge my mind,
As there I seemed to find:
I dared not ask, so hasted we,
Nor of myself aught could I see:
So on my way I went
In timorous wonderment.


x




CANTO VENTESIMOPRIMO.


LA sete natural che mai non sazia,
Se non con 1' acqua onde la femminetta
Sammaritana dimando la grazia,
4 Mi travagliava, e pungeami la fretta
Per la impacciata via retro al mio Duca,
E condoleami alla giusta vendetta.
7 Ed ecco, sl come ne scrive Luca,
Che Cristo apparve ai due ch' erano in via,
GiX surto fuor della sepulcral buca,
io Ci apparve un' ombra, e retro a noi venia
Da pie guardando la turba che giace;
N6 ci addemmo di lei, si parl6 pria,
13 Dicendo: Frati miei, Dio vi dea pace.
Noi ci volgemmo subito e Virgilio
Rende' gli il cenno ch' a ci6 si conface.




CANTO XXI.


THE natural thirst that is not stilled,
Save by that water it be filled,
That grace, whose healing aid
She of Samaria prayed,
Within me wrought, and haste impelled
My course along the cumbered field,
To my Guide's footsteps cleaving,
For the just torment grieving.
And lo! even as by Luke 'tis writ,
How twain were on their journey met
Of Christ, but newly risen
From his sepulchral prison,
So there appeared a shade behind,
Eyeing the crowd that lay reclined:
And, for no heed we took,
He was the first that spoke.
"Brethren," he said "God give you peace":
Then straight we turned us from our place,
And Virgil made the sign
Meet for that word benign;
2




308


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXI.,6 Poi cominci6: Nel beato concilio
Ti ponga in pace la verace corte,
Che me rilega nell' eterno esilio.
19 Come, diss' egli, e parte andavam forte,
Se voi siete ombre che Dio su non degni,
Chi v' ha per la sua scala tanto scorte?
22 E il Dottor mio: Se tu riguardi i segni
Che questi porta e che 1' Angel profila,
Ben vedrai che coi buon convien ch' ei regni.
25 Ma perch6 lei che dl e notte fila,
Non gli avea tratta ancora la conocchia,
Che Cloto impone a ciascuno e compila,
28 L' anima sua, ch' e tua e mia sirocchia,
Venendo su, non potea venir sola;
Perocch' al nostro modo non adocchia.
31 Ond' io fui tratto fuor dell' ampia gola
D' inferno, per mostrargli, e mostrerolli
Oltre, quanto il potrX menar mia scuola.
34 Ma dinne, se tu sai, perchi tai crolli
Di6 dianzi il monte, e perche tutti ad una
Parver gridare infino ai suoi pi6 molli?




CANTO XXI.]


PURGATORY.


3o9


And then "Of peace in council blest
"Be thou by that true court possessed,
"Whence into exile I
"Am sent eternally."
Then, (and our march the while was stout)
"If ye be shades from God shut out,
"By whom have ye been led
'" His stair so far to tread? "
"Mark thou" my Teacher answered "where
"His brows the Angel's token bear,
"That well his pass may prove
"To the blest realm above.
"But, for not yet his skein allotted,
"For each by Clotho packed and knotted,
"Is gathered by the fay
"That spinneth night and day,
"His soul, my sister and thine own,
"Upward could never come alone,
"Whose eyesight may not brook
"After our wont to look.
"Wherefore from Hell's wide gullet brought
"His passage hither have I taught;
"Yea, and I still will teach,
"Far as my school may reach.
"But tell, I pray, whence came the throes
"That shook the mount, and whence arose
"The cry that filled the place
"Down to its watery base."




310


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXI..7 Si mi die' dimandando per la cruna
Del mio disio, che pur con la speranza
Si fece la mia sete men digiuna.
40 Quei cominci6: Cosa non 6 che sanza
Ordine senta la religione
Della montagna, o che sia fuor d' usanza.
43 Libero 6 qui da ogni alterazione;
Di quel che il Ciel da se in se riceve
Esserci puote, e non d' altro, cagione:
46 Perch6 non pioggia, non grando, non neve,
Non rugiada, non brina piu su cade,
Che la scaletta dei tre gradi breve.
49 Nuvole spesse non paion, n6 rade,
N6 corruscar, n6 figlia di Taumante,
Che di la cangia sovente contrade.
52 Secco vapor non surge piu avante
Ch' al sommo dei tre gradi ch' io parlai,
Ov' ha il Vicario di Pietro le piante.
55 Trema forse piui giu poco od assai;
Ma, per vento che in terra si nasconda
Non so come, quassui non tremo mai:




CANTO XXI.]


PURGATORY.


3I 


The needle's eye his question pierced
Of my desiring, and the thirst
That late I felt was stayed,
Though but by hope allayed.
That other then began: "This mound
"Such holy rule doth compass round,
"Nought can it feel, but will
"Keep wont and order still.
"Here 'tis from alteration free:
"No movement ever can there be,
"Save from one cause alone,
"When Heaven receives its own.
"Here falls nor rain, nor snow, nor hail;
c Frost, nay, nor dew can ne'er prevail
"'Bove the three steps that lead
" To the short stairway's head.
"No cloud, or dense or rare, may show;
"Nor lightning flash, nor painted bow,
"By Iris wrought, whose range
"So oft on earth doth change.
"E'en vapour dry may ne'er attain
"Above that triple stair, nor gain
" The threshold where his feet
"Hath Peter's Vicar set.
"Haply the wind in earth that lies,
"Hidden we know not how, will rise,
"And there some trembling make,
"But here 'twill never shake.




31


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXI,


58 Tremaci quando alcuna anima monda
Sentesi, sl che surga, o che si muova
Per salir su, e tal grido seconda.
41i Della mondizia sol voler fa prova,
Che, tutta libera a mutar convento,
L' alma sorprende, e di voler le giova.
64 Prima vuol ben; ma non lascia il talento,
Che divina giustizia contra voglia,
Come fu al peccar, pone al tormento.
67 Ed io che son giaciuto a questa doglia
Cinquecento anni e piu, pur mo sentii
Libera volonta di miglior soglia.
70 Pero sentisti il tremoto, e li pii
Spiriti per lo monte render lode
A quel Signor, che tosto su gl' invii.
73 Cosl ne disse; e per6 ch' ei si gode
Tanto del ber quant' e grande la sete,
Non saprei dir quant' ei mi fece prode.
76 E il savio Duca: Omai veggio la rete
Che qui vi piglia, e come si scalappia,
Per che ci trema, e di che congaudete.




CANTO XXI.]


PURGATORY.


3I3


"'Tis when some soul its cleansing ends,
"And lifts itself, or heavenward bends,
"Then trembles all our bed,
"And with that cry 'tis sped.
"This cleansing from its will it learns;
"And gladdened by that will it turns,
"Thenceforth abroad to range,
"Free its abode to change.
" Such will it felt at first: but stayed
" Its choice, by heavenly justice swayed,
"To sin erewhile that leant,
"But now to punishment.
"And I that here have lain in woe
"Five hundred years and more, but now
"Have felt my will was freed
"To fairer place to speed.
"Thence came the trembling, thence the sound
"Of praise that ran the mount around,
"Poured from those spirits of love:
"God guide them soon above."
'Twas thus he spake: I may not tell
What gladness from his speech befell:
As when our thirst is greatest,
Then is our drink the sweetest.
And my sage Leader: "By this token
"I see the net and how 'tis broken,
"Why the mount shakes, and why
" Mingles your joyous cry.




3I4


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXI.,


79 Ora chi fosti piacciati ch' io sappia,
E, perch& tanti secoli giaciuto
Qui sei, nelle parole tue mi cappia.
s8 Nel tempo che il buon Tito con 1' aiuto
Del sommo Rege vendic6 le fora,
Ond' usci il sangue per Giuda venduto,
8s Col nome che piu dura e piu onora
Era io di la, rispose quello spirto,
Famoso assai, ma non con fede ancora.
88 Tanto fu dolce mio vocale spirto,
Che, Tolosano, a se mi trasse Roma,
Dove mertai le tempie ornar di mirto.
9g Stazio la gente ancor di la mi noma:
Cantai di Tebe, e poi del grande Achille,
Ma caddi in via con la seconda soma.
94 Al mio ardor fur seme le faville,
Che mi scaldar, della divina fiamma,
Onde sono allumati piu di mille;
97 Dell' Eneida dico, la qual mamma
Fummi, e fummi nutrice poetando:
Senz' essa non fermai peso di dramma.




CANTO XXI.]


PURGATORY.


3I5


"Now please thee who thou wast unfold,
"And by thy speech may I be told,
"Why on this bed of pain
"These ages thou hast lain."
"When the good Titus, with the aid
"Of the most mighty King," he said
"Avenged the wounds whence blood
"Of Judas' selling flowed,
"Then was I yonder, then with name
"Of best and most enduring fame
"Right well was I renowned;
"Yet faith I had not found.
"Then my sweet verse was of such worth,
"That from Toulouse Rome drew me forth,
"And myrtle crown I won
"To bind my brows upon.
"Statius men call me still: I told
"Of Thebes and of Achilles bold,
"But fainted in the road
"Beneath my second load.
"My ardour from those embers burst,
"Which by the flame divine were nursed,
"That flame abroad which shed
"A thousand lights hath fed.
"'Tis the Aeneid was to me
"Mother and nurse in poesy:
"Without that kindly aid
"A drachm I scarce had weighed.




316             PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XXI.
aoo E, per esser vivuto di la, quando
Visse Virgilio, assentirei un sole
Piu che non deggio al mio uscir di bando.
103 Volser Virgilio a me queste parole
Con viso che, tacendo, disse: Taci:
Ma non puo tutto la virtu che vuole;
oG6 Ch& riso e pianto son tanto seguaci
Alla passion da che ciascun si spicca,
Che men seguon voler nei piu veraci.
109 Io pur sorrisi, come 1' uom ch' ammicca;
Perche 1' ombra si tacque, e riguardommi
Negli occhi, ove il sembiante piu si ficca.
112 E, se tanto lavoro in bene assommi,
Disse, perch& la tua faccia testeso
Un lampeggiar di riso dimostrommi?
1i5 Or son io d' una parte e d' altra preso;
L' una mi fa tacer, 1' altra scongiura
Ch' io dica: ond' io sospiro, e sono inteso.
Ji8 Di', il mio Maestro, e non aver paura,
Mi disse, di parlar; ma parla, e digli
Quel ch' ei dimanda con cotanta cura.




CANTO XXI 3


PURGATORY.


3 T7


(And, so it had been mine to live
"With Virgil yonder, I would give
"Consent to lie in bond
"A year my debt beyond."
Then at that word was Virgil turned;
In his mute face 'Be mute' I learned:
Yet doth not power alway
Our will's behest obey.
For laughter and for tears are all
Quick to attend at passion's call;
And these in truthful soul
Our will can least control.
So o'er my face a smile there broke,
A sign whereat he paused to look
Into my eyes, for there
My thought would most appear.
And " So mayest thou fulfil " he said
"All the great task upon thee laid,
"Tell me what wrought the smile
"1 That lit thy face erewhile."
Now am I held on either side:
For of those souls one bade me hide,
And one for answer pressed:
I sigh and stand confessed.
Then said my Master, " Put away
"All fear of speaking, speak and say
" What his demand requires,
"And he so sore desires."




318               PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XXI.
121 Ond' io: Forse che tu ti maravigli,
Antico spirto, del rider ch' io fei;
Ma piui d' ammirazion vo' che ti pigli.
124 Questi, che guida in alto gli occhi miei,
t quel Virgilio, dal qual tu togliesti
Forza a cantar degli uomini e de' Dei.
127 Se cagione altra al mio rider credesti,
Lasciala per non vera esser, e credi
Quelle parole che di lui dicesti.
I30 GiX si chinava ad abbracciar li piedi
Al mio Dottor; ma e' gli disse: Frate,
Non far, ch& tu se' ombra, ed ombra vedi.
133 Ed ei surgendo: Or puoi la quantitate
Comprender dell' amor ch' a te mi scalda,
Quando dismento nostra vanitate,
136 Trattando 1' ombre come cosa salda.




CANTO XXI.]


PURGATORY.


319


Then I: "Perchance thy wonder grew,
"Spirit of eld, my smile to view:
"But greater marvel yet
" My answer shall beget.
"He who on high my eyes doth lift
"Is that same Virgil, of whose gift
"Thy song had strength so well
"Of gods and men to tell.
" If any other cause thy thought
"Found for my laughter, deem it nought:
"Henceforth the reason own
"Was in thy words alone."
Downward already, as intent
To clasp my Teacher's feet, he bent;
Yet as he stooped, my Lord
Had stayed him with this word:
"My brother, do it not: in me
"A shade thyself a shade dost see.
Thereat he rose, and "Now
"The love wherewith I glow
"Thou in full quantity mayest weigh,
"When our impalpability
'I doubt, and seek to clasp
"Shadow in solid grasp."




CANTO VENTESIMOSECONDO.


GIA era 1' Angel retro a noi rimaso,
L' Angel che n' avea volti al sesto giro,
Avendomi dal viso un colpo raso:
4 E quei ch' hanno a giustizia lor disiro
Detto n' avea Beali, e le sue voci
Con sitiunt, senz' altro, ci6 forniro.
7 Ed io, piA lieve che per 1' altre foci,
M' andava si, che senza alcun labore
Seguiva in su gli spiriti veloci:
ro Quando Virgilio comincio: Amore,
Acceso di virtut, sempre altro accese,
Pur che la fiamma sua paresse fuore.
13 Onde, dall' ora che tra noi discese
Nel limbo dello inferno Giovenale,
Che la tua affezion mi fe' palese,




CANTO XXII.


Now the sixth circle we had gained:
Our Angel guide behind remained:
Yet ere he went, a stroke
From off my face he took.
And we had heard his utterance bless
Those who desire for righteousness;
Yet stayed he at the word
" They thirst": no more we heard.
Along the upward pass I bore
With lighter step than e'er before,
And without toil I sped
Where those swift spirits led.
Virgil began "Love set on fire
"By worth will others' love inspire,
"If only outward shows
"The flame within that glows.
"So, since to Limbo of our Hell
"Descended Juvenal to tell
"The love that in thy breast
"For me was manifest,
y




322


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XX II.


6 Mia benvoglienza inverso te fu quale
Piu strinse mai di non vista persona,
S1 ch' or mi parran corte queste scale.
19 Ma dimmi, e come amico mi perdona
Se troppa sicurta m' allarga il freno,
E come amico omai meco ragiona:
22 Come pot&o trovar dentro al tuo seno
Luogo avarizia, tra cotanto senno
Di quanto per tua cura fosti pieno?
25 Queste parole Stazio muover fenno
Un poco a riso pria; poscia rispose:
Ogni tuo dir d' amor m' e caro cenno.
2s Veramente piu volte appaion cose,
Che danno a dubitar falsa matera,
Per le vere ragion che sono ascose.
3I La tua dimanda tuo creder m' avvera
Esser, ch' io fossi avaro in 1' altra vita,
Forse per quella cerchia dov' io era:
34 Or sappi ch' avarizia fu partita
Troppo da me, e questa dismisura
Migliaia di lunari hanno punita,




CANTO XXII.]


PURGATORY.


323


" Grew my good-will towards thee more keen
"Than e'er was felt for one unseen,
"So that e'en now this stair
"To me will short appear.
"But tell, and as a friend forgive
"If overbold my course I drive,
"And speak in kindly wise,
"As friend to friend replies:
"How was it avarice could find
"A lodging place within thy mind,
"Where thou didst so endeavour
"To store up wisdom ever?"
This speech at first had Statius made
To smile a little: then he said:
"Every word of thine
" Is of thy love the sign.
"Truly ofttimes will things appear
"That from false matter doubt will rear,
"Yet by true cause begot,
"Although we see it not.
"For in thy question I can read
"Thou thinkest 'twas because to greed
"I was in life a prey,
"That in that ring I lay.
" Know then I failed in my respect
" For avarice: and this defect
"By penance to atone
"Thousands of moons have gone.
Y 2




t3)4


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXII.


37 E, se non fosse ch' io drizzai mia cura,
Quand' io intesi la dove tu esclame,
Crucciato quasi all' umana natura:
-p Perch& non reggi tu, o sacra fame
Dell' oro, 1' appetito dei mortali?
Voltando sentirei le giostre grame.
-  Allor m' accorsi che troppo aprir 1' all
Potean le mani a spendere, e pentemi
Cosi di quel come degli altri mali.
46 Quanti risurgeran coi crini scemi,
Per ignoranza, che di questa pecca
Toglie il penter vivendo, e negli estremi!
49 E sappi che la colpa, che rimbecca
Per dritta opposizione alcun peccato,
Con esso insieme qui suo verde secca.
52 Pero, s' io son tra quella gente stato
Che piange 1' avarizia, per purgarmi,
Per lo contrario suo m' & incontrato..( Or quando tu cantasti le crude armi
Della doppia tristizia di Giocasta,
Disse il Cantor de' bucolici carmi,




CANTO XXII.]


PURGATORY.


32,5


"And had I not my fault amended,
"And to that verse of thine attended,
" Where moved by anger sore
" Man's nature to deplore,
' Wherefore' thou saidst' 0 fasting just,
"'From gold restrain'st not mortal lust? 
"I Below I had been found
"Urged in grim tourney round.
"Then knew I how our hand offends,
"When overlavishly it spends,
"And from that sin I turned,
" And others too unlearned.
" Many with wasted hair will wake,
"Who for that sin forgot to make
" Repentance in the past,
"In life and at the last.
"Know too, the fault that would correct
"By opposition one defect
"Must here in common doom
" Its verdure all consume.
"So, if I purge me in the pale
"Of those that avarice bewail,
"'Twas for the counter sin
"That I was set therein."
" Yet when thy verse the warfare taught
"Jocasta's two-fold sorrow wrought,"
(Thus answered he that erst
Bucolic lays rehearsed)




I


i26              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO ~
5s5 Per quello che Clio teco 11 tasta,
Non par che ti facesse ancor fedele
La fe, senza la qual ben far non basta.
6l Se cos) e, qual sole o quai candele
Ti stenebraron sl, che tu drizzasti
Poscia diretro al Pescator le vele?
r6  Ed egli a lui: Tu prima m' inviasti
Verso Parnaso a ber nelle sue grotte,
E poi, appresso Dio, m' alluminasti.
67 Facesti come quei che va di notte,
Che porta il lume retro, e se non giova,
Ma dopo se fa le persone dotte,;o Quando dicesti: Secol si rinnuova;
Torna giustizia, e primo tempo umano,
E progenie discende dal ciel nuova.
7' Per te poeta fui, per te cristiano;
Ma perche veggi me' cio ch' io disegno,
A colorare stendero la mano.
76 Gia era il mondo tutto e quanto pregno
Della vera credenza, seminata
Per li messaggi dell' eterno regno;,XII.




CANTO XXII.].


PURGATORY.


3127


"And when thy Clio touched the string,
"Thou seemedst not to the faith to cling,
" That faith, without whose might
':Good works are counted light.
"If so, what sun, what candle led thee
"To pierce the darkness through, and sped thee,
"' Where in the Fisher's wake
"Thy sails their way should take?"
"Thou showedst me first" he answered "where
"To taste Parnassus' fountains fair:
"Afterward on the road
" Didst light that leads to God.
"'Twas thine to be as one at night,
"Behind his back that bears a light,
"Whence others may be taught
"Though him it profit nought.
"So didst thou sing the world's new birth,
"And justice lighting on the earth,
"And a new progeny
"Descending from the sky.
"And understand that by thy aid
"Poet was I and Christian made:
"And now the outline faint
"My hand shall reach to paint.
"Then was the world impregnate all
"The seed of true belief withal,
"The seed by message sown
s" From the eternal throne.




328


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XX 1 I.


79 E la parola tua sopra toccata
S1 consonava ai nuovi predicanti,
Ond' io a visitarli presi usata.
2 Vennermi poi parendo tanto santi,
Che, quando Domizian li perseguette,
Senza mio lagrimar non fur lor pianti.
^5 E mentre che di la per me si stette,
Io gli sovvenni, e lor dritti costumi
Fer dispregiare a me tutte altre sette;
S8 E pria ch' io conducessi i Greci ai fiumi
Di Tebe, poetando, ebb' io battesmo;
Ma per paura chiuso cristian fu'mi,
91 Lungamente mostrando paganesmo;
E questa tiepidezza il quarto cerchio
Cerchiar mi fe' piu ch' al quarto centesmo.
94 Tu dunque, che levato hai il coperchio
Che m' ascondeva quanto bene io dico,
Mentre che del salire avem soverchio,
97 Dimmi dov' e Terenzio nostro antico,
Cecilio, Plauto e Varro, se lo sai,
Dimmi se son dannati, ed in qual vico.




CANTO XXII.]


PURGATORY.


329


" So well thy late-repeated word
"Did with the preachers new accord,
"That oft I made resort
"To hear of their report.
"So holy grew to me their band,
"That, when Domitian reached his hand
"To persecute, my tears
" Flowed to unite with theirs.
"And yonder while I yet remained,
"I lent them aid, and I attained
"Their customs just to prize,
"And other sects despise.
" And ere my verse to Thebes had brought
"The Greeks, to baptism I had sought,
" But stayed for fear of ill
"A hidden Christian still,
"A Pagan long in outward guise:
"And this lukewarmness to chastise,
"In the fourth circle placed
"Four centuries I paced.
"But thou, who didst the veil uplift
"Which hid from me so great a gift,
"While yet remains the time
"That we must upward climb,
"Of ancient Terence let me hear,
" Cecilius, Plautus, Varro, where
"They lie, and show to me
"Their place, if damned they be."




33~


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXI [.


ioo Costoro, e Persio, ed io, ed altri assai,
Rispose il Duca mio, siam con quel Greco
Che le Muse lattar pih ch' altro mai,
10o  Nel prirno cinghio del carcere cieco.
Spesse fiate ragioniam del monte,
Che sempre ha le nutrici nostre seco.
Io6 Euripide v' e nosco, ed Antifonte,
Simonide, Agatone ed altri piie
Greci che gia di lauro ornar la fronte.
109 Quivi si veggion delle genti tue
Antigone, Deifile ed Argia,
Ed Ismene sl trista come fue.
r 2 Vedesi quella che mostro Langia;
Evvi la figlia di Tiresia e Teti,
E con le suore sue Deidamia.
I.5 Tacevansi ambedue gia li poeti,
Di nuovo attenti a riguardare intorno,
Liberi dal salire e dai pareti;
is8 E gia le quattro ancelle eran del giorno
Rimase addietro, e la quinta era al temo,
Drizzando pure in su 1' ardente corno;




CANTO XXII.]


PURGATORY.


33T


" Persius, and they and I,' replied
My Leader " are that Greek beside,
"Who from the Muses' breast
More milk than any pressed,
"In the dark pit's first ring confined:
"Oft in our talk we bring to mind
" The mount wherein alway
" Our nursing mothers stay.
" Euripides and Antiphon
" Are with us there, and Agathon,
" Simonides, and more
"Whose brows the laurel wore.
"And there is seen Antigone,
"Argeia too, Deiphile,
" Ismene mourning still,
"And more thy verse that fill.
"There she who showed Langia's water,
Thetis and old Tiresias' daughter,
"Deidamia there
"With all her sisters fair."
Now silent were the Poets twain,
Turning with eager gaze again
Round them, their climbing o'er,
By walls enclosed no more.
Four handmaids of the day were gone,
And now the fifth was set alone
At the car's pole, where blazed
The torch aloft upraised;




33z,


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXII.


i2r  Quando il mio Duca: To credo ch' allo estremo
Le destre spalle volger ci convegna,
Girando il monte come far solemo.
124 Cosi 1' usanza fu 11 nostra inscgna,
E prendemmo la via con men sospetto
Per 1' assentir di quell' anima degna.
127 Elli givan dinanzi, ed io soletto
Diretro, ed ascoltava i lor sermoni
Ch' a poetar mi davano intelletto.
o30 Ma tosto ruppe le dolci ragioni
Un arbor che trovammo in mezza strada,
Con pomi ad odorar soavi e buoni.
133 E come abete in alto si digrada
Di ramo in ramo, cosi quello in giuso,
Cred' io perche persona su non vada.
3(> Daal lato, onde il cammin nostro era chiuso,
Cadea dell' alta roccia un liquor chiaro,
E si spandeva per le foglie suso.,39 Li due poeti all' arbor s' appressaro;
Ed una voce per entro le fronde
Grido: Di questo cibo avrete caro.




CANTO XXII.J


PURGATORY.


333


When thus my Leader "Round this ledge
"Turn we right shoulder to the edge,
"Circling about the mount
" Even as we are wont."
So took we custom for our guide,
And onward with less doubt we hied,
For that to us was lent
That noble soul's assent.
In front they moved, and I behind,
Mlateless, to their discourse inclined,
To my poetic sense
That gave intelligence.
But soon was their sweet talk o'erset,
When in mid-road a tree we met,
And goodly apples there
Of sweetest scent and fair;
And as the fir from bough to bough
Grows less above, so this below:
'Twas fashioned thus, that none,
I deem, should mount thereon.
Upon the side which closed our road
Out of the lofty rock there flowed
A liquor clear forth shed,
Over the foliage spread.
The Poets to the tree drew nigh:
And from within the leaves a cry
Came forth "This meat to have
"With longing shall ye crave."




334


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXII.


142 Poi disse: Piu pensava Maria, onde
Fosser le nozze orrevoli ed intere,
Ch' alla sua bocca, ch' or per voi risponde.
145 E le Romane antiche per lor bere
Contente furon d' acqua, e Daniello
Dispregi6 cibo, ed acquist6 sapere.
14S Lo secol primno quant' oro fu bello,
Fe' savorose con fame le ghiande,
E nettare con sete ogni ruscello.
I5 Mele e locuste furon le vivande,
Che nutriro il Batista nel diserto;
Perch' egli e glorioso, e tanto grande
154 Quanto per 1' Evangelio v' e aperto.




CANTO XXII.]


PURGATORY.


335


Then followed: "Mary save her care
" To make the feast complete and rare,
" Nor of her mouth took heed,
"Which now for you doth plead.
"Rome's ancient women were content
"With water for their nourishment:
"And Daniel meat despised,
" And only wisdom prized.
"The primal age was golden bright:
"Hunger in acorns found delight,
"And thirst made every stream
"Like richest nectar seem.
"Locusts and honey the repast
"That fed the Baptist in the waste,
' Thence to such greatness grown
" As is in Gospel shown."




CANTO VENTESIMOTERZO.


MENTRE che gli occhi per la fronda verde
Ficcava io cosi, come far suole
Chi dietro agli uccellin sua vita perde,
4 Lo piu che Padre mi dicea: Figliuole,
Vienne oramai, che il tempo che c' 6 imposto
Piu utilmente compartir si vuole;
7 Io volsi il viso, e il passo non men tosto
Appresso ai savi, che parlavan sle,
Che 1' andar mi facean di nullo costo.
io Ed ecco piangere e cantar s' udle:
Labia mea, Domine, per modo
Tal che diletto e doglia parturie.
13 0 dolce Padre, che 6 quel ch' i' odo?
Comincia' io; ed egli: Ombre che vanno,
Forse di lor dover solvendo il nodo.




CANTO XXIII.


WHILE on the foliage green my eyes
I fastened even in such wise,
As one that in the prey
Of birds throws life away,
My more than father said, " My son,
"Come, for the time that is to run
"A better use must find,
"To other work assigned."
My face, my feet, as swift I turned
After those sages, where I learned
Discourse, my toil that paid,
And all the cost outweighed.
And lo! midst weeping came this word
Chanted, " Unclose my lips, 0 Lord"
And from that strain there grew
Delight and sadness too.
Then I began "My Father sweet,
"What sound is this that here we meet?"
"'Tis shades who pass, the net
"Unloosing of their debt."
z




,338


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXIII.


10 Si come i peregrin pensosi fanno,
Giugnendo per cammin gente non nota,
Che si volgono ad essa e non ristanno;
19 Cosi diretro a noi, piu tosto mota,
Venendo e trapassando, ci ammirava
D' anime turba tacita e devota..2 Negli occhi era ciascuna oscura e cava,
Pallida nella faccia, e tanto scema,
Che dall' ossa la pelle s' informava.
2, Non credo che cosi a buccia estrema
Eresiton se fosse fatto secco,
Per digiunar, quando piu n' ebbe tema.
28 lo dicea fra me stcsso pensando: Ecco
La gente che perde' Gerusalemme,
Quando Maria nel figlio die' di becco.
3r Parean 1' occhiaie anella senza gciinne.
Chi nel viso degli uomini legge omo,
Ben avria quivi conosciuto 1' emme.
34 Chi credcrebbe che 1' odor d' un porno
Si governasse, generando brama,
E quel d' un' acqua, non sapendo como?




CANTO XXIII.]


PURGATORY..339


Like as when pilgrims pensive go,
And meet with those they do not know,
They turn about to look,
But will no staying brook:
So came behind us, speeding fast,
A troop of souls, that as they passed
Wondering turned about,
All silent and devout.
Hollow their eyes and sunk in gloom,
Their face with pallor overcome,
And wasted so, their skin
Showed all the bones within,
Ne'er so was Erysichthon's hide,
I deem, by hunger parched and dried,
When famine most he feared,
As theirs that here appeared.
In thought I said, 'Behold the host
'Of whom Jerusalem was lost,
'When Mary took her son
To fix her teeth upon.'
Seemed gemless rings their eye-holes' place:
There he that in the human face
Can OMO written learn
The M could well discern.
Could any have believed the force
Of scented fruit, or water's course,
Such craving had begot,
The reason knowing not?
Z 2




340


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXIII,


37 Gia era in ammirar che sl gli affama,
Per la cagione ancor non manifesta
Di lor magrezza e di lor trista squama;
40 Ed ecco del profondo della testa
Volse a me gli occhi un' ombra, e guard6 fiso,
Poi grid6 forte: Qual grazia m' a questa?
43 Mai non 1' avrei riconosciuto al viso;
Ma nella voce sua mi fu palese
Ci6 che 1' aspetto in se avea conquiso.
46 Questa favilla tutta mi raccese
Mia conoscenza alla cambiata labbia,
E ravvisai la faccia di Forese.
49 Deh non contendere all asciutta scabbia,
Che mi scolora, pregava, la pelle,
Ne a difetto di carne ch' io abbia;
52 Ma dimmi il ver di te, e chi son quele
Due anime che la ti fanno scorta:
Non rimaner che tu non mi favelle.
5s La faccia tua, ch' io lagrimai gia morta,
Mi d5 di pianger mo non minor doglia,
Rispos' io lui, veggendola sl torta.




CANTO XXIII.]


PURGATORY.


34t


I marvelled whence their hunger grew,
For that not yet was clear to view
The cause which made them lean,
And bred their scurf unclean:
And lo! from hollow of his head
A shade looked forth, and fastened
His eyes upon my face,
And cried "Whence came this grace?'
By visage ne'er had he been known:
But in his voice to me was shown
All that his changed aspect
Had overborne and wrecked.
Rekindled by that spark I knew
What his marred lips had hid from view,
And I beheld again
Forese's visage plain.
"Oh! fix not thou" he prayed "thy mind
"On my blotched skin, my scabby rind,
"Nor on the leanness gaze
" My wasted flesh displays;
"But tell me truly of thy state,
"And who these twain that on thee wait:
"Delay not thou, nor fail
"To let me hear thy tale."
"Thy face, that as already dead
"Of late I mourned for, now" I said
" Sorrow no less hath wrought,
" Seeing it so distraught.




34'2             PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXIII
iS Pc.ro rmi di', per Dio, che sl vi sfoglia;
Non mi far dir mentr' io mi maraviglio,
Che mal puo dir chi 6 picn d' altra voglia.
6i Eid egli a me: Dcll' eterno consiglio
Cade virtu nell' acqua, e nella pianta
Rimasa a dietro ond' io sl m' assottiglio.
64 Tutta csta gente che piangendo canta,
Per seguitar la gola oltra misura,
In fame e in sete qui si rifA santa.
r67 Di bere e di mangiar n' accende cura
L) odor ch' esce del pomo, e dello sprazzo
Che si distende su per la verdura.
71 E non pure una volta, questo spazzo
Girando, si rinfresca nostra pena;
Io dico pena, e dovrei dir sollazzo;
7  Che quella voglia all' arbore ci mena,
Che meno Cristo lieto a dire: Ell,
Quando ne liber6 con la sua vena.
h6 Ed io a lui: Forese, da quel di
Nel qual mutasti mondo a miglior vita,
Cinqu' anni non son volti infino a qui.




CATNTO XXIII.]


PURGATORY.


343


"Tell, for God's sake, wbat strips thy frame,
" Nor, while I marvel, answer claim:
"For he can speak but ill
"Whom other care doth fill."
He answered, "By eterne decree
"The virtue shed on stream and tree,
"That late ye left behind,
"My grossness hath refined:
" And all this folk that chant and weep,
"Whose appetite no bound would keep,
" Hunger and thirst endure,
"Thereby to make them pure.
6' The scent that from the fruit is shed,
"The spray that o'er the leaves is spread,
"Within us the desire
"Of meat and drink will fire.
"Nor, as around this floor we drive,
"Once only doth our pain revive;
"Pain do I say, that might
"Solace be named aright:
"For that same will whose dictate high
"Led Christ with joy to say ' Eli,'
"When with His blood He freed us,
"Unto the tree will lead us."
And I: " Forese, from the day
"That changed thy world, and sped thy way,
"The better life to taste,
"Five years have scarcely passed.




344


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXIII.


79 Se prima fu la possa in te finita
Di peccar piH, che sorvenisse 1' ora
Del buon dolor ch' a Dio ne rimarita,
8S2 Come se' tu quassi venuto? Ancora
lo ti credea trovar laggiu di sotto,
Dove tempo per tempo si ristora.
8s  Ond' egli a me: SI tosto m' ha condotto
A ber lo dolce assenzio de' martiri
La Nella mia col suo pianger dirotto.
8s Con suoi prieghi devoti e con sospiri
Tratto m' ha della costa ove s' aspetta,
E liberato m' ha degli altri giri.
91 Tant' e a Dio piu cara e piu diletta
La vedovella mia, che molto amai,
Quanto in bene operare e piA soletta;
94 Che la Barbagia di Sardigna assai
Nelle femmine sue & piu pudica,
Che la Barbagia dov' io la lasciai.
97 O dolce frate, che vuoi tu ch' io dica?
Tempo futuro m' a gia nel cospetto,
Cui non sara quest' ora molto antica,




CANTO XXIII.]


PURGATORY.


345


"If power to sin in thee was ended,
"Before the gracious hour descended,
"That to sweet sorrow given
" Remarries us to Heaven,
" How hast thou come to mount the hill
"So far? I thought to find thee still,
"Where time must needs restore
"The time misspent before."
And he: "My Nella's tears have flowed
"So far to speed me on my road,
"My punishment to meet,
"And taste its wormwood sweet.
" Her prayers devout, her sighs, had grace
"To draw me from the waiting-place,
" And free me from the task
"The other circles ask.
" More dear, more precious in God's sight
"Is she, my widow, my delight,
"For that in lonelihood
"She travaileth for good.
"Now may Sardinia's Barbary coast
"Of modest women make its boast,
" That Barbary beside,
"Where left I her to bide.
"What would'st thou, brother sweet, be told?
"A coming time I can behold,
" Whereto this present day
"Shall seem not far away,




346


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXTI II


oo0  Ncl qual sar'l in pergamo interdetto
Alle sfacciate donne Fiorentine
L' andar mostrando con le poppc il petto.
jo3 OQlai Barbare fur inai, quai Saracine,
Cui bisognasse, per farle ir coverte,
0 spiritali o altre discipline?
io6 Ma se le svergognate fosser certe
Di quel che il ciel veloce loro ammanna,
Gia per urlare avrian le bocche aperte.
109 Che, se 1' antiveder qui non m' inganna,
Prima fien triste, che le guance impeli
Colui che mo si consola con nanna.
112 Deh, frate, or fa che piu non mi ti celi;
Vedi che non pur io, ma questa gente
Tutta rimira la dove il Sol veli.
rI5 Perch' io a lui: Se ti riduci a mcnte
Qual fosti meco e quale io teco fui,
Ancor fia grave il memorar presente.
uiS Di quella vita mi volse costui
Che mi va innanzi, 1' altr' ier, quando tonda
Vi si mostr6 la suora di colui;




CANTO XXIII.]


PURGATORY.


3~.7


"When pulpit shall the ban proclaim
"'Gainst every shamefaced Florence dame,
"Henceforth abroad that dare
"Her paps and breast to bare.
"What Saracen, what Barbary quean,
"Abroad uncovered would be seen,
' Or must be taught by rule,
" r spiritual school?
"But if those shameless ones were ware
"Of what the rapid heavens prepare,
"Their open mouths were fain
"To howl and howl again.
"If fails me not the future's store,
"Sorrow shall come on them before
"His cheeks with down are clad,
"Whom lullaby makes glad.
"Brother, thyself no longer hide:
"Not I alone, but these beside
"All marvel at the sight
" Of the Sun's thwarted light."
Wherefore I said: " If thou canst reach
"Back to our converse, each with each,
"Memory will again
"Fill thee with present pain.
" He turned me from that life away,
" He who now leads, that yesterday,
"When" (and I showed the Sun)
"Yon bright" one's sister shone




348              PURGATORIO.       [CANTO XXIII.
121 E il Sol mostrai. Costui per la profonda
Notte menato m' ha da' veri morti,
Con questa vera carne che il seconda.
124 Indi m' han tratto su li suoi conforti,
Salendo e rigirando la montagna
Che drizza voi che il mondo fece torti.
127 Tanto dice di farmi sua compagna,
Ch' io saro la dove fia Beatrice;
Quivi convien che senza lui rimagna.
13o  Virgilio & questi che cosi mi dice,
E addita' lo, e quest' altro e quell' ombra
Per cui scosse dianzi ogni pendice,33 Lo vostro regno che da se lo sgombra.




CANTO XXIII.]


PURGATORY.


349


" Rounded and full. 'Tis he hath led
" Through deep night of the very dead
"This living flesh of mine,
"That follows in his line.
"Thence hath he holpen me to rise
"About the mount in circling wise,
" The mount that will correct
"In you the world's defect.
" His company he voucheth me,
"Until with Beatrice I be:
" There must he turn away,
"And I without him stay.
"Virgil is he this word that said,
"Yonder he goes" (and sign I made
With pointing of my hand):
" The other of our band
" Is that same shade for whom but now
"Your kingdom all, above, below,
"Through every shelving nook
"At his releasing shook."




CANTO VENTESIMOQUARTO.


NL il dir 1' andar, ne 1' andar lui piu lento
Facea, ma ragionando andavam forte,
Si come nave pinta da buon vento.
4 E 1' ombre, che parean cose rimorte,
Per le fosse degli occhi ammirazione
Traean di me, di mio vivere accorte.
7 Ed io, continuando il mio sermone,
Dissi: Ella sen va su forse pih tarda
Che non farebbe, per V altrui cagione.
Ar Ma dimmi, se tu sai, dov' e Piccarda;
Dimmi s' io veggio da notar persona
Tra questa gente che si mi riguarda.
3 La mia sorella, che tra bella e buona
Non so qual fosse piu, trionfa lieta
Nell' alto Olimpo gia di sua corona.




CANTO XXIV.


OUR speech no whit our going stayed,
Nor was it yet thereby delayed:
Talking we went, as sail
Before a favouring gale.
Through the deep pits that were their eyes
Those seeming twice-dead shades surprise
Drank inward, when they knew
That living breath I drew.
And my discourse went on: " Perchance
"More swiftly would that shade advance,
"But that he bates his speed
"'To serve another's need.
' But, if thou knowest, tell me where
"Is thy Piccarda, and declare
" Whoso of note there be
"'Mongst these who gaze on me."
"My sister, erst most fair, most pure,
"In high Olympus dwells secure,
" Rejoicing in her crown,
"The prize of victory won."




352


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXIV.


i6 SI disse prima, e poi: Qui non si vieta
Di nominar ciascun, da ch' 6 sl munta
Nostra sembianza via per la dieta.
19 Questi, e mostr6 col dito, e Bonagiunta,
Bonagiunta da Lucca; e quella faccia
Di la da lui, pii che 1' altre trapunta,
22 Ebbe la santa Chiesa in le sue braccia:
Dal Torso fu, e purga per digiuno
L' anguille di Bolsena e la vernaccia.
25 Molti altri mi nomo ad uno ad uno;
E del nomar parean tutti contenti,
Si ch' io pero non vidi un atto bruno.
28 Vidi per fame a v6to usar li denti
Ubaldin dalla Pila, e Bonifazio
Che pastur6 col rocco molte genti.
Jx Vidi messer Marchese, ch' ebbe spazio
Gia di bere a Forlt con men secchezza,
E sl fu tal che non si senti sazio.
34 Ma, come fa chi guarda, e poi fa prezza
Pit d' un che d' altro, fe' io a quel da Lucca,
Che piui parea di me voler contezza.




CANTO XXIV.]


PURGATORY.


353


So first; and then: "It is no blame,
" If here'" he said "each shade we name,
"For that our daily waste
"Our likeness hath effaced.
"This" (and he pointed with his hand)
"Is Bonagiunta, from the land
"Of Lucca; and that shade
" Beyond, with face most frayed,
"Did once the Holy Church enfold:
"From Tours he came: now fasting cold
"Purgeth his wine away,
"And eels of Bolsena."
And more he named me one by one:
On every brow contentment shone,
Yea, and I could not trace
Black look on any face.
There saw I Ubaldino try
On emptiness his teeth to ply,
And Boniface, whose stock
Once ruled his ample flock.
There the Lord Marquess too, that erst
With room to slake a lesser thirst
Was at Forli supplied,
Nor yet was satisfied.
As he, the crowd around that views,
Will one before another choose,
So did more notice claim
He that from Lucca came.
A a




354              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXIV.
37 Ei mormorava, e non so che Gentucca
Sentiva io la ov' ei sentia la piaga
Della giustizia che sl gli pilucca.
40 0 anima, diss' io, che par sl vaga
Di parlar meco, fa sl ch' io t' intenda,
E te e me col tuo parlare appaga.
43 Femmina t nata, e non porta ancor benda,
Comincio ei, che ti fara piacere
La mia cittA, come ch' uom la riprenda.
46 Tu te n' andrai con questo antivedere;
Se nel mio mormorar prendesti errore,
Dichiareranti ancor le cose vere.
49 Ma di' s' io veggio qui colui che fuore
Trasse le nuove rime, cominciando:
Donne, czh avete intelletto d Amore.
52 Ed io a lui: Io mi son un che, quando
Amor mi spira, noto, ed a quel modo
Che ditta dentro, vo significando.
55 0 frate, issa veggio, disse, il nodo
Che il Notaro, e Guittone, e me ritenne
Di qua dal dolce stil nuovo ch' i' odo.




CANTO XXIV.]


PURGATORY.


355


He murmured: and I seemed to hear
Somewhat as if " Gentucca'" there
Was muttered where he felt
The stripe that justice dealt.
" 0 soul," I said, "that seem'st to seek
"So eagerly with me to speak,
" To thee and me be kind,
"And let me know thy mind."
And he began: "A maid is born,
"That hath not yet the wimple worn:
" Of her thou'lt learn to love
"My city, some reprove.
"With this presage go thou along:
"And if my murmuring led thee wrong,
" The truths that thou shalt see
"Will all make clear to thee.
"But say if here his face I scan,
"Who those new rimes drew forth, that ran,
"' Ye ladies, in whose sense
"'Is Love's intelligence.'"
I answered; "I am one who hark
"To Love's inspiring, and I mark,
"As he within doth teach,
"To utter forth my speech."
"Brother, I see the knot, whereby
"Guitto, the Notary, and I
"Were let from drawing near
"To that sweet style I hear:
A a 2




356


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXIV.


58 Io veggio ben come le vostre penne
Diretro al dittator sen vanno strette,
Che delle nostre certo non avvenne.
6i E qual piU a guardar oltre si mette,
Non vede piui dall' uno all' altro stilo.
E quasi contentato si tacette.
64 Come gli augei che vernan lungo il Nilo
Alcuna volta di lor fanno schiera,
Poi volan piu in fretta e vanno in filo;
67 Cosi tutta la gente che 11 era,
Volgendo il viso, raffrett6 suo passo,
E per magrezza e per voler leggiera.
70 E come 1' uom che di trottare 6 lasso
Lascia andar li compagni, e si passeggia
Fin che si sfoghi 1' 'affollar del casso;
73 SI lasci6 trapassar la santa greggia
Forese, e dietro meco sen veniva,
Dicendo: Quando fia ch' io ti riveggia?
76 Non so, rispos' io lui, quant' io mi viva;
Ma gia non fia il tornar mio tanto tosto,
Ch' io non sia col voler prima alla riva.




CANTO XXIV.]


PURGATORY.


357


" I see " he said " your pens go straight,
"Following him that doth dictate:
"But with our enterprise
"'Twas surely otherwise.
"And he who looks beyond can never
"Know what this style from that doth sever."
Therewith as though content
He ceased his argument.
As birds that seek to Nilus warm
In winter, now in squadron form,
Now swifter flight design
And lengthen into line:
So all the people in that place
Turned them about with quickened pace,
Made light by their desire,
And by their lean attire.
And then as one with running spent
Letteth his fellows pass, content
To slacken, till he rest
The panting of his chest:
So passed that holy flock, so stayed
With me Forese, and he said,
"When shall be granted me
"Thy face again to see?"
" How long" I said "my life shall last
" I know not: but howe'erso fast
"My turning, yet the shore
"My heart will reach before:




358


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXIV,


79 Perocch6 il luogo, u' fui a viver posto,
Di giorno in giorno pii di ben si spolpa,
Ed a trista ruina par disposto.
82 Or va, diss' ei, ch6 quei che pii n' ha colpa
Vegg' io a coda d' una bestia tratto
In ver la valle, ove mai non si scolpa.
85 La bestia ad ogni passo va piui ratto,
Crescendo sempre fin ch' ella il percuote,
E lascia il corpo vilmente disfatto.
s8 Non hanno molto a volger quelle ruote,
(E drizz6 gli occhi al ciel) che ti fia chiaro
Cio che il mio dir piui dichiarar non puote.
9I Tu ti rimani omai, ch& il tempo 6 caro
In questo regno si, ch' io perdo troppo
Venendo teco sl a paro a paro.
94 Qual esce alcuna volta di galoppo
Lo cavalier di schiera, che cavalchi,
E va per farsi onor del primo intoppo,
97 Tal si parti da noi con maggior valchi;
Ed io rimasi in via con esso i due,
Che fur del mondo sl gran maliscalchi.




CANTO XXIV.]


PURGATORY.


359


" For that the land where I am placed
"'Makes day by day of good more waste,
"And seemeth destined all
"In ruin sad to fall."
"Now go" he said "for in my sight
"He, upon whom most blame doth light,
"Is dragged at courser's tail
"Towards the remorseless vale.
"Fast speeds the brute and faster still,
"His pace aye quickening, until
"He strikes and lets him lie
"Disfigured horribly.
"Not far" he said "'those wheels must turn"
(And pointed heavenward) "ere thou learn
c" The truth that prompts my speech,
"Clearer than I can teach.
"Now stay behind, for time is dear
" Within this kingdom, and I fear
"My loss too great, if slow
" Along with thee I go."
As forth from mounted squadron makes
A knight, and into gallop breaks,
Some honour to be.winning,
The first assault beginning:
Even so with longer bounds he darted,
And from our company departed:
With those did I remain,
The world's great marshals twain.




360              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXIV.
ioo E quando innanzi a noi entrato fue,
Che gli occhi miei si fero a lui seguaci,
Come la mente alle parole sue,
103 Parvermi i rami gravidi e vivaci
D' un altro pomo, e non molto lontani,
Per esser pure allora volto in laci.
io6 Vidi gente sott' esso alzar le mani,
E gridar, non so che, verso le fronde,
Quasi bramosi fantolini e vani,
o19 Che pregano, e il pregato non risponde;
Ma per fare esser ben la voglia acuta,
Tien alto lor disio e nol nasconde.
112 Poi si parti si come ricreduta;
E noi venimmo al grande arbore adesso,
Che tanti prieghi e lagrime rifiuta.
x15 Trapassate oltre senza farvi presso;
Legno 6 piui su che fu morso da Eva,
E questa pianta si levo da esso.
1I8 Si tra le frasche non so chi diceva;
Per che Virgilio e Stazio ed io ristretti
Oltre andavam dal lato che si leva.




CANTO XXIV.]


PURGATORY.


36i


And when beyond us he was got
So far, my eyes could follow not,
More than my mind could reach
The meaning of his speech,
Behold! another tree, with load
Of heavy fruitful boughs, there showed:
Not far from me it lay,
But newly turned that way.
And folk beneath its branches there,
Crying I know not what, there were,
With hands uplifted all,
As eager children call
To one who grants not their request:
But still, to give their longing zest,
Upholds aloft the prize,
Nor hides it from their eyes.
As undeceived then passed they by,
And we to the great tree drew nigh,
That unrelenting hears
So many prayers and tears.
"Draw ye not close, but onward move:
"The other tree is far above,
"Which gave to Eve its fruit:
"From thence is this the shoot."
From out the boughs such voice was sent:
Then Virgil, I, and Statius went,
Drawn close along the ledge,
By the path's upper edge.




362               PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXIV.
121 Ricordivi, dicea, dei maledetti
Nei nuvoli formati, che satolli
Teseo combatter coi doppi petti;
124 E degli Ebrei ch' al ber si mostrar molli,
Per che no' i volle Gedeon compagni,
Quando ver Madian discese i colli.
127 SI, accostati all' un de' due vivagni,
Passammo, udendo colpe della gola,
Seguite gil da miseri guadagni.
130 Poi, rallargati per la strada sola,
Ben mille passi e piui ci portaro oltre,
Contemplando ciascun senza parola.
133 Che andate pensando sl voi sol tre?
Subita voce disse; ond' io mi scossi,
Come fan bestie spaventate e poltre.
136 Drizzai la testa per veder chi fossi;
E giammai non si videro in fornace
Vetri o metalli sl lucenti e rossi,
I39 Corn' io vidi un che dicea: Se a voi piace
Montare in su, qui si convien dar volta;
Quinci si va chi vuole andar per pace.




CANTO XX1V.]


PURGATORY.


363


And then "Remember ye" 'twas said
"That cursed cloud-born crew, full fed,
" With double breasts that rose
"And Theseus dared oppose:
"The dainty drink those Hebrews used,
"Whom Gideon for his mates refused,
"When from the mountains' crown
"He came 'gainst Midian down."
So to one margin keeping fast,
Listening to those words we passed,
That told how gluttons win
Sad guerdon for their sin.
From thence along the lonely shore
At large we went a mile and more,
Uttering no word of speech,
But contemplative each.
When suddenly "What muse ye on,
"Ye three," I heard "that go alone?"
And at that voice I started,
As frighted beasts fainthearted.
To see where I was come I raised
My head, and ne'er in furnace blazed
Metal or glass, to sight
More ruddy or more bright,
Than one who spake me "Hither lies
"The turning, if ye fain would rise:
"Here shall he enter in
" Who goes his peace to win."




364              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXIV.
142 L' aspetto suo m' avea la vista tolta:
Perch' io mi volsi retro a' miei dottori,
Com' uom che va secondo ch' egli ascolta.
J45 E quale, annunziatrice degli albori,
L' aura di maggio muovesi, ed olezza,
Tutta impregnata dall' erba e dai fiori;
148 Tal mi senti' un vento dar per mezza
La fronte, e ben senti' muover la piuma,
Che fe' sentir d' ambrosia 1' orezza.
151 E senti' dir: Beati cui alluma
Tanto di grazia, che 1' amor del gusto
Nel petto lor troppo disir non fuma,
154 Esuriendo sempre quanto 6 giusto.




CANTO XXIV.]


PURGATORY.


365


My sight before his face grew blind:
Unto my doctors then behind
I turned, as one who goes
By path his hearing shows.
As moves, as breathes the gale of May,
Heralding forth the dawn of day,
Impregnate with the power
Of scented herb and flower:
Even so I felt a wind that stirred
About my temples, and I heard
The plumes that overhead
Ambrosial fragrance shed.
Then too I heard " How blest are they
"Whom grace illumines with such ray,
"That they can see aright
"To guide their appetite,
"Nor let the love of taste inspire
"Within their breast too great desire,
"Their hunger ever shown
"In righteousness alone."




CANTO VENTESIMOQUINTO.


ORA era onde il salir non volea storpio,
Che il Sole avea lo cerchio di merigge
Lasciato al Tauro e la notte allo Scorpio.
4 Per che, come fa 1' uom che non s' affigge,
Ma vassi alla via sua, checch6 gli appaia,
Se di bisogno stimolo il trafigge;
7 Cosl entrammo noi per la callaia,
Uno innanzi altro, prendendo la scala
Che per artezza i salitor dispaia.
1o E quale il cicognin che leva 1' ala
Per voglia di volare, e non s' attenta
D' abbandonar lo nido, e gi la cala;
13 Tal era io, con voglia accesa e spenta
Di dimandar, venendo infino all' atto
Che fa colui ch' a dicer s' argomenta.




CANTO XXV.


THE hour allowed no halting feet:
For to the Bull the Sun's retreat
Left the meridian height,
To Scorpio the night.
Wherefore, as one who stays not still,
But forward goes, appear what will,
Whene'er some pressing need
Pricks him to greater speed,
So entered we the pass, and there
One before other clomb the stair,
The pathway's narrow beach
Severing each from each.
As the young stork that longs to fly,
And lifts his wings, yet dares not try
To leave his nest, and fain
Must let them fall again,
So longed I there to ask: the fire,
Now lit, now quenched, of my desire
Grew till I turned about,
As one to speak sets out.




368


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXV.


I6 Non lasci6, per 1' andar che fosse ratto,
Lo dolce Padre mio, ma disse: Scocca
L' arco del dir che infino al ferro hai tratto.
19 Allor sicuramente aprii la bocca,
E cominciai: Come si pub far magro
La dove 1' uopo di nutrir non tocca?
22 Se t' ammentassi come Meleagro
Si consum6 al consumar d' un stizzo,
Non fora, disso, questo a te sl agro:
25 E, se pensassi come al vostro guizzo
Guizza dentro allo specchio vostra image,
Cio che par duro ti parrebbe vizzo;
28 Ma perch& dentro a tuo voler t' adage,
Ecco qui Stazio, ed io lui chiamo e prego,
Che sia or sanator delle tue piage.
31 Se la veduta eterna gli dislego,
Rispose Stazio, la dove tu sie,
Discolpi me non potert' io far nego.
34 Poi cominci6: Se le parole mie,
Figlio, la mente tua guarda e riceve,
Lume ti fieno al come che tu die.




CANTO XXV.]


PURGATORY.


369


And my sweet Father caught my look:
Fast though our going was, he spoke:
"Discharge thy arrow's point,
"<Now drawn unto the joint."
With boldness then could I unclose
My lips, and I began " To those
"Who need no nourishment
"Whence is this leanness sent?"
"If but thou would'st" he said, " recall,
" How Meleager wasted all
"With wasting of a brand,
"This could'st thou understand:
"Think, too, how in the mirror dances
" The image of thy quivering glances,
"And thou wilt light regard
"What now thou findest hard.
"Yet, that thy wish thou mayest complete,
Lo! Statius here: and I entreat
" And pray him that he deign
" To heal thee of thy pain."
"If the eternal vision I
" Unfold to him, while thou art by,
"Let this my fault appay,
"That cannot say thee nay."
Thus Statius, and " If thou canst reach *
" Thy mind to comprehend my speech,
" It shall be light to shine
"On this demand of thine.
B b




37O


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXV.


37 Sangue perfetto, che mai non si beve
Dall' assetate vene, e si rimane
Quasi alimento che di mensa leve,
40 Prende nel cuore a tutte membra umane
Virtute informativa, come quello
Ch' a farsi quelle per le vene vane.
43 Ancor digesto, scende ov' & piu bello
Tacer che dire; e quindi poscia geme
Sovr' altrui sangue in natural vasello.
46 Ivi s' accoglie 1' uno e 1' altro insieme,
L' un disposto a patire e 1' altro a fare,
Per lo perfetto luogo onde si preme;
49 E, giunto lui, comincia ad operare,
Coagulando prima, e poi avviva
Ci6 che per sua materia fe' constare.
52 Anima fatta la virtute attiva,
Qual d' una pianta, in tanto differente,
Che quest'  in via, e quella e giS a riva,
55 Tanto ovra poi che gia si muove e sente,
Come fungo marino; ed indi imprende
Ad organar le posse ond' & semente.




CANTO XXV.]


PURGATORY.


371


"The blood perfected that remains
"Untasted by the thirsty veins,
" And in the heart is stored,
" As meat removed from board,
"Informing virtue there doth take,
"The human members all to make,
"Even as these are bred
" With what the veins hath fed.
"It sinks, digested once again,
"To where we speak not of; and then
"On other's blood 'twill fall
" In vessel natural.
"There mingles each with each, this kind
"To act, and that to bear, designed,
"Implenished with the grace
"Drawn from their perfect place.
"United there, its work it plies,
"Coagulates, then vivifies
"What solid first it makes,
" And for its matter takes.
"From this activity derives
"A soul, like that in plant which lives;
"Yet hath this reached the shore,
"And that must grow to more.
"Feeling and movement next it gains,
"Like to sea-sponge, and then attains
"Those powers to organise,
" Whose seed within it lies.
Bb 2




372              PURGATORIO.          [CANTO XXV.
5s Or si spiega, figliuolo, or si distende
La virtu ch' e dal cuor del generante,
Dove natura a tutte membra intende:
61 Ma, come d' animal divenga fantc,
Non vedi tu ancor: quest' e tal punto
Che piu savio di te fe' gia errante;
f4 Si che, per sua dottrina, fe' disgiunto
Dall' anima il possibile intelletto,
Perch& da lui non vide organo assunto.
67 Apri alla verita che viene il petto,
E sappi che, sl tosto come al feto
L' articolar del cerebro e perfetto,
7o Lo Motor primo a lui si volge lieto
Sovra tanta arte di natura, e spira
Spirito nuovo di virtu repleto,
73 Che ci6 che truova attivo quivi tira
In sua sustanzia, e fassi un alma sola,
Che vive e sente, e s& in s6 rigira.
76 E perche meno ammiri la parola,
Guarda il calor del Sol che si fa vino,
Giunto all' umor che dalla vite cola.




CANTO XXV.]


PURGATORY.


373


" Now spreads, my son, through every part
"The power of the begetter's heart,
"There where by nature's hand
"Our members all are planned.
"H' owbeit thou lackest yet to learn
"How animal to child will turn:
" Upon this point ere now
"Erred one more wise than thou.
" His teaching from the soul would ever
" The intellect potential sever,
" For that no organ fit
"He saw assigned for it.
"Ope now thy breast to truth and know,
"That soon as in the embryo
"The fittings of the brain
"To perfectness attain,
"Turns thither the First Mover, glad
"In the great work by nature made,
" And breathes new spirit sweet,
"With virtue all replete:
"That spirit to its substance takes
"What it finds active there, and makes
"One soul, with life, with sense,
"And with intelligence.
"And if thou marvel at my words,
"Think how the Sun his heat affords
"To mingle with the vine,
"And turn its juice to wine.




374


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXV.


79 E quando Lachesis non ha piu lino,
Solvesi dalla came, ed in virtute
Ne porta seco e 1' umano e il divino.
82 L' altre potenze tutte quante mute;
Memoria, intelligenza, e volontade,
In atto molto piu che prima acute.
85 Senza arrestarsi, per s6 stessa cade
Mirabilmente all' una delle rive;
Quivi conosce prima le sue strade.
H8 Tosto che luogo 11 la circonscrive,
La virtu informativa raggia intorno,
Cosi e quanto nelle membra vive;
91 E come 1' aere, quand' e ben piorno,
Per F altrui raggio che in s6 si riflette,
Di diversi color diventa adorno,
94 CosI 1' aer vicin quivi si mette
In quella forma che in lui suggella,
Virtualmente, 1' alma che ristette:
97 E simigliante poi alla fiammella
Che segue il fuoco lU 'vunque si muta,
Segue allo spirto sua forma novella.




CANTO XXV.]


PURGATORY.


375


"When Lachesis can spin no more,
"Then the divine, the human power,
"Are with it borne away,
"Loosed from their fleshly stay.
"The other faculties are still:
"Memory, intellect and will,
"Become in act more keen
"Than yet they e'er had been.
"Pausing not, of itself 'twill sink
"Wondrously down to either brink:
" There first it comes to know
"The road whereby 'twill go.
"And soon as there its place hath bound it,
"Informing virtue's rays surround it,
"In measure and in mode
" As erst its members showed.
"Then, as with rain full-charged the air
' From other's ray reflected there
"Is clad in raiment bright,
"With divers colours dight,
"So here the air that lies without
"Is shed the abiding soul about,
"And in like form is dressed,
" By virtual seal impressed.
"Thereafter like the flame that changes,
"Following the fire where'er it ranges,
"So doth the new form cling,
"The spirit following.




376


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XSXV.


ioo Perocche quindi ha poscia sua paruta,
t chiamata ombra; e quindi organa poi
Ciascun sentire infino alla veduta.
103 Quindi parliamo, e quindi ridiam noi,
Quindi facciam le lagrime e i sospiri
Che per lo monte aver sentiti puoi.
oG6 Secondo che ci affiggono i disiri
E gli altri affetti, 1' ombra si figura,
E questa e la cagion di che tu ammiri.
o19 E gia venuto all' ultima tortura
S' era per noi, e volto alla man destra,
Ed eravamo attenti ad altra cura.
112 Quivi la ripa fiamma, in fuor balestra,
E la cornice spira fiato in suso,
Che la riflette, e via da lci sequestra;
115 Onde ir ne convenia dal lato schiuso
Ad uno ad uno, ed io temeva il fuoco
Quinci, e quindi temea cadere in giuso.
us Lo Duca mio dicea: per questo loco
Si vuol tenere agli occhi stretto il freno,
Perocch' errar potrebbesi per poco.




CANTO XXV.]


PURGATORY.


3 7


"And for that thence its semblance came,
"Shadow is given it for name:
"Then organs it dispenses
"For sight and all our senses.
"Thence speak we, thence our smiles arise,
"Thence come our weeping and our sighs:
"Such canst thou hear resound,
"Travelling the hill around.
"As our desires, our feelings range,
"So doth our shadow's fashion change:
"Now is the reason clear
"Of all thy marvel here."
Now were we come unto the place
Of the last turning, and our face
To the right hand we bent,
On other cares intent.
Here outward flashed the bank in flame,
While upward from the cornice came
A blast, that drove it back,
And freed the outward track.
Whence it behoved us one by one
To pass the unguarded side upon;
And here I feared the glow,
And there the gulf below.
Then spake my Leader, " Strictest rein
"Must in this place our eyes refrain:
"For from the path to swerve
"Right little here will serve."




378


PURGATOR1O.


[CANTO XXV.


121 Sumnmae Dens clementiae, nel seno
Al grande ardore allora udii cantando,
Che di volger mi fe' caler non meno:
124 E vidi spirti per la fiamma andando;
Perch' io guardava loro, ed a' miei passi,
Compartendo la vista a quando a quando.
I27 Appresso il fine ch' a quell' inno fassi,
Gridavano alto: Virum non cognosco;
Indi ricominciavan 1' inno bassi.
I3o Finitolo, anco gridavano: Al bosco
Si tenne Diana, ed Elice caccionne
Che di Venere avea sentito il tosco.
133 Indi al cantar tornavano; indi donne
Gridavano, e mariti che fur casti,
Come virtute e matrimonio imponne.
i36 E questo modo credo che lor basti
Per tutto il tempo che il fuoco gli abbrucia;
Con tal cura convien, con cotai pasti
139 Che la piaga dassezzo si ricucia.




CANTO XXV.]


PURGATORY.


379


" O God of mercy, God of grace,"
They sang within that flame's embrace:
With like heat did I burn,
And fain would thither turn.
I looked where through the fire there went
Spirits: and thither was I bent,
On them and on my going
Divided heed bestowing.
That hymn unto its ending ran:
Whereon "I have not known a man"
Loud cried they: softly then
Began their hymn again.
That too was finished, and they cried:
"Diana in the wood did bide,
"And Helice forth hasted,
"Love's poison that had tasted."
They turned them then to sing the names
Of husbands many, many dames,
Who chastity had found,
In virtuous wedlock bound.
So it sufficeth them, I trow,
What time within the fire they glow:
Such diet shall restore,
Such care their latest sore.




CANTO VENTESIMOSESTO.


MENTRE che sl per 1' orlo, uno innanzi altro,
Ce n' andavamo, e spesso il buon Maestro
Diceva: Guarda; giovi ch' io ti scaltro,
4 Feriami il Sole in sull' omero destro,
Che gia, raggiando, tutto 1' occidente
Mutava in bianco aspetto di cilestro;
7 Ed io facea con 1' ombra piu rovente
Parer la fiamma; e pure a tanto indizio
Vid' io molt' ombre, andando, poner mente.,o Questa fu la cagion che diede inizio
Loro a parlar di me; e cominciarsi
A dir: Colui non par corpo fittizio.,
13 Poi verso me, quanto potevan farsi,
Certi si feron, sempre con riguardo
Di non uscir dove non fossero arsi.




CANTO dXXVI.


WHILST one before another round
The margin of that ring we wound,
"Take heed" my Master said
"And profit by my aid."
The Sun on tny right shoulder pressed,
And in his radiance all the west
Was changed from heavenly blue
Unto a paler hue.
I seemed to make my shadow throw
Upon the flame a ruddier glow,
And many shades there turned
When but that sign they learned.
This was the cause that presently
Made them begin to speak of me:
"Yon body seems" they spake
"Of no fictitious make."
And certain of their band I saw,
Far as they might, towards me draw,
But yet within the fire
They kept, and came not nigher.




382


PURGATORIO.


[ CANTO XXVI.


16 0 tu, che vai, non per esser piu tardo,
Ma forse reverente, agli altri dopo,
Rispondi a me che in sete ed in fuoco ardo
I9 Na solo a me la tua risposta e uopo;
Che tutti questi n' hanno maggior sete
Che d' acqua fredda Indo o Etiopo.
22 Dinne corn' & che fai di te parete
Al Sol, come se tu non fossi ancora
Di morte entrato dentro dalla rete.
25 SI mi parlava un d' essi, ed io mi fora
Gia manifesto, s' io non fossi atteso
Ad altra novita ch' apparse allora;
28 Ch6 per lo mezzo del cammino acceso
Venia gente col viso incontro a questa,
La qual mi fece a rimirar sospeso.
3I Li veggio d' ogni parte farsi presta
Ciascun' ombra, e baciarsi una con una,
Senza restar, contente a breve festa:
34 Cosl per entro loro schiera bruna
S' ammusa 1' una con 1' altra formica,
Forse ad espiar lor via e lor fortuna.




CANTO XXVI,]


PURGATORY.


383


"Thou, who behind the rest art going,
"Belike not sloth but reverence showing,
"Oh! let me answer claim,
"That burn in thirst and flame.
"Not I alone thy answer wait:
"All these beside with thirst as great
"Long, as for cooling cup
" Indian or Ethiop.
"Tell us how 'tis thou makest thus
"A wall betwixt the Sun and us,
"As though the toils of death
"Thou hadst not passed beneath."
So of their band one made request;
And soon had I been manifest,
But that before my view
Appeared a marvel new.
Along the pathway all aflame
A counter-stream of people came,
Wherefore I stayed amazed,
And on that vision gazed.
And everywhere with eager greeting,
Each with a kiss his fellow meeting,
Those spirits forward went,
With welcome brief content.
Thus emmets in their dusky throng
Meet each with each and pass along,
And haply so are ware
How on their road they fare.




384              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XXVr.
37 Tosto che parton 1' accoglienza amica,
Prima che il primo passo 11 trascorra,
Sopragridar ciascuna s' affatica;
40 La nuova gente: Soddoma e Gomorra;
E 1' altra: Nella vacca entra Pasife,
Perche il torello a sua lussuria corra.
43 Poi come gru, ch' alle montagne Rife
Volasser parte, e parte inver le arene,
Queste del giel, quelle del sole schife,
46 L' una gente sen va, 1' altra sen viene,
E tornan lagrimando ai primi canti,
Ed al gridar che piu lor si conviene;
49 E raccostarsi a me, come davanti,
Essi medesmi che m' avean pregato,
Attenti ad ascoltar nei lor sembianti.
52 Io, che due volte avea visto lor grato,
Incominciai: 0 anime sicure
D' aver, quando che sia, di pace stato,




CANTO XXVI.]


PURGATORY.


385


They ceased them from their greeting fond,
Yet, ere they passed one step beyond,
Each strove with louder cry
The other to outvie.
The latest comers called the name
Of Sodom and Gomorrha's shame:
While by the other crowd
The tale was echoed loud
"Pasiphae with passion burned,
"'And to a heifer's semblance turned,
"That so the bull were sped
"Unto her lustful bed."
Like cranes, if part to Scythia's land
Were flying, part to Afric's sand,
These urged the frost to shun,
And those the burning sun,
So went, so came, those bands along,
And with their tears began their song,
Began their cry again,
That best befits their pain.
Then towards me, as before, there pressed
Those same, who late had made request,
And on their face the look,
Of keen regard which spoke.
And for that twice had been displayed
Their longing, I began, and said:
"0 souls, whom soon or late
"Peace surely doth await,
C c




386


PURGATORIO.


[CANTO XXVI.


55 Non son rimase acerbe n6 mature
Le membra mie di la, ma son qui meco
Col sangue suo e con le sue giunture.
58 Quinci su vo per non esser piu cieco:
Donna e di sovra che n' acquista grazia,
Per che il mortal pel vostro mondo reco.
6i Ma se la vostra maggior voglia sazia
Tosto divenga, si che il ciel v' alberghi,
Ch' e pien d' amore e pier ampio si spazia,
64 Ditemi, acciocch& ancor carte ne verghi,
Chi siete vol, e chi e quella turba
Che se ne va diretro ai vostri terghi?
67 Non altrimenti stupido si turba
Lo montanaro, e rimirando ammuta,
Quando rozzo e salvatico s' inurba,
70 Che ciascun' ombra fece in sua paruta;
Ma poich& furon di stupore scarche,
Lo qual negli alti cuor tosto s' attuta,
73 Beato te, che delle nostre marche,
Ricominci6 colei che pria m' inchiese,
Per morir meglio esperienza imbarche!




CANTO XXVI.]


PURGATORY.


387


"My limbs not yet are laid below,
"Or rathe or ripe, but with me go;
"With them their blood they bring,
"And every fastening.
"I mount, that so my blindness cease:
"A heavenly lady wins me grace:
"Wherefore in mortal guise
"Through this your world I rise.
"But, so may your desire be blest,
"And in that heaven may ye have rest,
"That widest room attains,
"Where love in fulness reigns,
"Tell to me who ye are, and tell,
"That so my page may mark it well,
"Who are this crowd, that wind,
"Passing your backs behind."
Like as when first to peopled town
The unkempt mountaineer comes down,
And speechless stares astounded,
His senses all confounded,
So every shade amazement showed:
But when was put away the load
Of awe, from lofty heart
That soonest will depart,
Then "Well is thee, who from our shore"
(So he began who spake before)
"Would'st knowledge gather in,
"A better death to win!
C c 2




388


PURGATORI b.


[ CANTO XXVI.


76 La gente, che non vien con noi, offese
Di ci6, per che gia Cesar, trionfando,
Regina, contra s&, chiamar s' intese;
79 Per6 si parton Soddoma gridando,
Rimproverando a s6, corn' hai udito,
Ed aiutan 1' arsura vergognando.
82 Nostro peccato fu ermafrodito;
Ma perche non servammo umana legge,
Seguendo come bestie 1' appetito,
85 In obbrobrio di noi, per noi si legge,
Quando partiamci, il nome di colei
Che s' imbestio nell' imbestiate schegge.
88 Or sai nostri atti, e di che fummo rei:
Se forse a nome vuoi saper cli semo,
Tempo non & da dire, e non saptei.
91 Farotti ben di me volere scemo;
Son Guido Guinicelli, e gia mi purgo
Per ben dolermi prima ch' all' estremo.
94 Quali nella tristizia di Licurgo
Si fer due figli a riveder la madre,
Tal mi fec' io, ma non a tanto insurgo,




CANTO XXVI.]


PURGATORY.


389


"Those others by that sin offended,
"Which once on Caesar's ears attended,
"When at his triumphing
"' Queen! queen!' he heard them sing.
"Wherefore, as thou hast heard, they cry
"On Sodom, self-reproachfully,
"And go their way, the flame
" Made hotter by their shame.
"Hermaphrodite was our offence;
"But, for we had not continence,
"Nor followed human rite,
"But, brute-like, appetite,
"Must we to our disgrace be taught
"To tell the name of her who sought
"To deed of beastly kind,
" In brute-formed case confined.
"Now are our acts, our sins made clear:
"If thou desire our names to hear,
"There is no time to tell,
Nor should I know them well.
"Yet shalt thou fail not of my name,
"That Guido Guinicelli am,
"Soon to my purging passed,
"Repenting ere the last."
As once, when chanced Lycurgus' pain,
Two sons their mother found again,
So overborne was I,
But with less ecstasy,




390              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XXVI.
97 Quand' i' udl' nomar s& stesso il padre
Mio, e degli altri miei miglior, che mai
Rime d' amore usar dolci e leggiadre:
Ioo E senza udire e dir pensoso andai,
Lunga fiata rimirando lui,
N& per lo fuoco in 1A piu m' appressai.
o13 Poich6 di riguardar pasciuto fui,
Tutto m' offersi pronto al suo servigio,
Con 1' affermar che fa credere altrui.
106 Ed egli a me: Tu lasci tal vestigio,
Per quel ch' i odo, in me, e tanto chiaro,
Che Lete nol puo torre n& far bigio.
O19 Ma, se le tue parole or ver giuraro,
Dimmi che & cagion per che dimostri
Nel dire e nel guardare avermi caro?
112 Ed io a lui: Li dolci detti vostri
Che, quanto durera 1' uso moderno,
Faranno cari ancora i loro inchiostri.
15 0 frate, disse, questi ch' io ti scerno
Col dito, ed addit6 un spirto innanzi,
Fu miglior fabbro del parlar materno.




CANTO XXVI.]


PURGATORY.


391


Hearing him thus himself disclose
My father, aye and theirs, who chose
In dulcet rimes and gay
Love's praises to essay.
I heard not, spake not, as I went,
Long time upon his face intent;
Yet, for I feared the fire,
I could not draw me nigher.
When of my gaze I had my fill,
I made me ready for his will,
With that assent secure,
Which maketh credence sure.
And he to me: "Such impress clear
"Thou leavest in the words I hear,
" That Lethe ne'er can sever,
" Nor turn to dimness ever.
"Yet, if erewhile thou truly swarest,
"Tell me, whence came the love thou bearest
"For me, that in thy face
"And in thy speech I trace."
And I: "Those ditties sweet of yours,
"That will, while modern use endures,
"Most precious make us think
"Even their very ink."
" Brother," he said "but yonder shade"
(And with his finger sign he made)
"To better craft could reach
"In our dear mother speech:




392              PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XXVI.
xx8 Versi d' amore e prose di romanzi
Soverchio tutti, e lascia dir gli stolti
Che quel di Lemosl credon ch' avanzi.
121 A voce piut ch' al ver drizzan li volti,
E cosl ferman sua opinione,
Prima ch' arte o ragion per lor s' ascolti.
124 Cosi fer molti antichi di Guittone, 
Di grido in grido pur lui dando pregio,
Fin che 1' ha vinto il ver con piu persone.
127 Or, se tu hai sl ampio privilegio,
Che licito ti sia 1' andare al chiostro,
Nel quale e Cristo abate del collegio,
130 Fagli per me un dir di un paternostro,
Quanto bisogna a noi di questo mondo,
Dove poter peccar non e piu nostro.
'33 Poi, forse per dar luogo altrui secondo,
Che presso avea, disparve per lo fuoco,
Come per 1' acqua pesce andando al fondo.
136 Io mi feci al mostrato innanzi un poco,
E dissi ch' al suo nome il mio disire
Apparecchiava grazioso loco.




CANTO XXVI.]


PURGATORY.


393


"Far he out-topped all those who vaunt
"Their verse of love, their prose romaunt;
"The Limoges poet's lays
"He left for fools to praise.
"The cry they heed, but not the truth,
" And their opinion hold for sooth,
"Before they learn to know
"What art and reason show.
"Many of yore Guittone praised:
"With voice on voice his fame they raised,
"Until the glamour passed,
"And truth prevailed at last.
"Now, if such privilege be thine,
"That to the cloister thou mayest win,
" Unto the college, where
"Christ sits in abbot's chair,
"Of paternoster say for me
"Far as befits this world, where we
" Need not 'gainst sin to pray,
"Whose power is ta'en away."
Then giving place to one who came
Behind, he vanished in the flame,
As fish through water clear
Sink down and disappear.
Somewhat towards that shade I drew,
Late pointed at, and prayed him shew
His name, that to my mind
Would gracious entrance find.




394                PURGATORIO.           [CANTO XXVI.
139  Ei comincib liberamente a dire:
Tan mi' abelis vostre cortes deman,
Qu' ieu no-m puesc, ni-n vueil a vos cobrire.
142  7eu sui Arnaut, que plor, e vai cantan;
Consiros vei la passada folor,
E  vei jausen lo jorn, qu' esper denan.
145 Ara vos prec per aquella valor,
Que vos guida al som de t escalina,
Sovenhavos a temps de ma dolor.
148 Poi s' ascose nel fuoco che gli affina.




CANTO XXVI.]


PURGATORY.


395


Then freely his discourse began:
"M' abelis tan vos corts deman,
"Q' jet non mi pik disir,
" Ni veuil a vos cobrir.
" 7eu sui Arnaut, que cantan vada,
"Consiros la folor passada;
" E vei lo jorn jausen,
" Que jeu esper denan.
"Vos prec per la valor, la quale
"Guida vos al som delle scale,
" Sovenhavos ancor
"A temps de ma dolor."
And when his speech was ended, then
He parted from my sight again,
Vanishing as he came
In the refining flame.




CANTO VENTESIMOSETTIMO.


Si come quando i primi raggi vibra
La dove il suo Fattore il sangue sparse,
Cadendo Ibero sotto I' alta Libra,
4 E 1' onde in Gange da nona riarse,
Si stava il Sole; onde il giorno sen giva,
Quando 1' Angel di Dio lieto ci apparse.
7 Fuor della fiamma staVa in sulla riva,
E cantava: Beati munzdo corde,
In voce assai piu che la nostra viva.
io Poscia: Piu non si va, se pria non morde,
Anime sante, il fuoco: entrate in esso,
Ed al cantar di la non siate sorde.
13 Si disse, come noi gli fummo presso:
Perch' io divenni tal, quando lo intesi,
Quale e colui che nella fossa e messo.




CANTO XXVII.


HIs first rays quivering on the road,
There where his Maker shed His blood,
While Ebro's darkened stream
Sank 'neath the Scales supreme,
And Ganges in the noon-tide smarted,
So stood the Sun: and day departed,
When with glad aspect bright
God's Angel met our sight.
Outside the flame he stood apart:
"Blest are" he sang "the pure in heart,"
In voice of livelier tone
Than here is ever known.
Then he went on: "Above to bring you,
"Ye holy souls, the fire must sting you:
"Pass in, nor let your ear
"Be deaf the chant to hear."
So, as we drew us nigh, we heard:
And, when I understood his word,
Pale I became, as though
Doomed into pit to go.




398              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXVI1.
I6 In sulle man commesse mi protesi,
Guardando il fuoco, e immaginando forte
Umani corpi gia veduti accesi.
I9 Volsersi verso me le buone scorte,
E Virgilio mi disse: Figliuol mio,
Qui pu6 esser tormento, ma non morte.
22 Ricordati, ricordati... e, se io
Sovr' esso Gerion ti guidai salvo,
Che faro ora presso piu a Dio?
25 Credi per certo che, se dentro all' alvo
Di questa fiamma stessi ben mill' anni,
Non ti potrebbe far d' un capel calvo.
28 E, se tu credi forse ch' io t' inganni,
Fatti ver lei, e fatti far credenza
Con le tue mani al lembo de' tuoi panni.
31 Pon giu omai, pon giu ogni temenza,
Volgiti in qua, e vieni oltre sicuro;Ed io pur fermo, e contro a coscienza.
34 Quando mi vide star pur fermo e duro,
Turbato un poco, disse: Or vedi, figlio,
Tra Beatrice e te 6 questo muro.




CANTO XXVII.]


PURGATORY.


399


My hands I clasped and upward raught:
And as the fire I marked, the thought
Of human bodies came,
Erst seen consumed in flame.
Towards me those kindly spirits made,
That with me went, and Virgil said:
"Here torment there may be,
"But never death for thee.
"Bethink, bethink thee, O my son,
"If safely Geryon's self upon
"I kept thee, shall I here
"Fail, when to God more near?
"Within this flame, believe it sure,
"A thousand years though thou endure,
" Thy head it should not scald,
"Nor by one hair make bald.
"And if thou thinkest I deceive,
"Draw nearer towards it, and believe
"The witness of thy hand
"Upon thy raiment's band.
"Henceforth lay low thy fear, lay low,
"Turn thee and boldly onward go."
Yet still with hardihood
My conscience I withstood.
And for that stubborn yet I stayed,
Troubled was he, and "Son," he said
"This wall the barrier is
"'Twixt thee and Beatris."




400              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXVII.
37 Come al nome di Tisbe aperse il ciglio
Piramo in sulla morte, e riguardolla,
Allor che il gelso diventb vermiglio;
40 Cosi, la mia durezza fatta solla,
Mi volsi al savio Duca, udendo il nome
Che nella mente sempre mi rampolla.
43 Ond' ei croil6 la fronte, e disse: Come?
Volemci star di qua? indi sorrise,
Come al fanciul si fa ch' e vinto al pome.
46 Poi dentro al fuoco innanzi mi si mise,
Pregando Stazio che venisse retro,
Che pria per lunga strada ci divise.
49 Come fui dentro, in un bogliente vetro
Gittato mi sarei per rinfrescarmi,
Tant' era ivi lo incendio senza metro.
52 Lo dolce Padre mio, per confortarmi,
Put di Beatrice ragionando andava,
Dicendo: Gli occhi suoi gia veder parmi.
55 Guidavaci. una voce che cantava
Di la; e noi, attenti pure a lei,
Venimmo fuor 1i dove si montava.




CANTO XXVII.]


PURGATORY.


40o


As dying Pyramus' eyes awoke
At Thisbe's name, on her to look,
What time the crimson dye
Suffused the mulberry,
So melting my hard will, I neared
To my sage Leader, when I heard
The name, that in my heart
From well-spring aye will start.
And then, with nodding of his head,
"Must we still stay without?" he said,
And smiled, as though upon
A child with apple won.
Then foremost to the flame he passed,
And Statius at his prayer went last,
Who the long while had been
His feet and mine between.
But when into the flame I stepped,
To molten glass I would have leapt,
To cool me, from that heat,
Beyond all measure great.
My Father sweet, my comfort seeking,
Of Beatrice alone was speaking;
"Her eyes already seem
"On me" he said "to beam."
Then guided by a voice we went
That sang beyond: and all attent
We issued forth and stood
Before the upward road.
D d




I            40~o


P4URGATORIO.


[CANTO XXVI 1.


58 Venite, benedicti patris mei,
Son6 dentro ad un lume che 11 era,
Tal, che mi vinse, e guardar nol potei.
6r Lo Sol sen va, soggiunse, e vien la sera;
Non v' arrestate, ma studiate il passo,
Mentre che 1' occidente non s' annera.
64 Dritta salia la via per entro ii sasso,
Verso tal parte, ch' io toglieva i raggi
Dinanzi a me del Sol ch' era gia basso.
67 E di pochi scaglion levammo i saggi,
Che il Sol corcar, per I ombra che si spense,
Sentimmo dietro ed io e li miei saggi.
7o E pria che in tutte le sue parti immense
Fosse orizzonte fatto d' un aspetto,
E notte avesse tutte sue dispense,
7, Ciascun di noi d' un grado fece letto;
Che la natura del monte ci affranse
La possa del salir piul che il diletto.
76 Quali si fanno ruminando manse
Le capre, state rapide e proterve
Sovra le cime, avanti che sien pranse,




CANTO XXVII.]


PURGATORY.


403


" Come, blessed of my Father, come!"
Sounded within a light, wherefrom
Was baffled all my power,
And I could gaze no more.
And next: "The Sun is near his end,
"And evening comes: do ye attend
"Upon your steps, nor stay
"Until the west be gray."
Straight rose the pathway through the rock,
And as I upward went, I broke
In front of me the shining
Of the Sun low declining.
That staircase scarce had we assayed,
Before we saw the shadow fade,
And my wise Leaders learned
The Sun to rest was turned.
And ere through all his parts one face
Masked the horizon's boundless space,
And her full share of heaven
Unto the night was given,
Each for his bed a stair had found;
For such the nature of that mound,
Our power to rise was gone,
Not our delight alone.
As goats, when they have fed their fill,
That late were wanton on the hill,
Now let their roaming cease,
And chew the cud in peace,
D d 2




404              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXVII.
s9 Tacite all' ombra, mentre che il Sol ferve,
Guardate dal pastor che in sulla verga
Poggiato s' &, e lor poggiato serve;
82 E quale il mandrian che fuori alberga,
Lungo il peculio suo queto pernotta,
Guardando perche fiera non lo sperga;
s  Tali eravamo tutti e tre allotta,
Io come capra, ed ei come pastori,
Fasciati quinci e quindi d' alta grotta.
ss Poco potea parer 11 del di fuori;
Ma per quel poco vedev' io le stelle,
Di lor solere e piti chiare e maggiori.,9 Si ruminando, e sl mirando in quelle,
Mi prese il sonno; ii sonno che sovente,
Anzi che il fatto sia, sa le novelle.
94 Nell' ora credo, che dell' oriente
Prima raggio nel monte Citerea,
Che di fuoco d' amor par sempre ardente,
97 Giovane e bella in sogno mi parea
Donna vedere andar per una landa,
Cogliendo fiori, e cantando dicea:




CANTO XXVII.]


PURGATORY.


405


While the sun beats, in shadow sleeping,
Under their watchful herdsman's keeping,
That leans upon his staff,
And leaning keeps them safe:
And as the swain the live night long
Is lodged his quiet flock among,
On guard lest unaware
Wild beast shall chase and tear:
So in that place all three we lay,
As goat was I, as shepherds they,
Held in on either side,
By the high rock entied.
Small space was there to look without,
Yet through that space the stars shone out,
Beyond their wont to sight
Far larger and more bright.
So ruminant, so gazing still,
Sleep overcame me, sleep that will
Ofttimes the future see
Before it come to be.
And in the hour when first, I deem,
Shone on the mount the orient beam
Of Venus, in whose rays
Love's flame seems aye to blaze,
Came to my dreams a lady young
And fair, that moved a plain along,
Gathering flowers gay,
And singing on her way.
D d 3




.f


L


400             PURGATORIO.       [CANTO XXVII.
TOo Sappia, qualunque il mio nome dimanda,
Ch' io mi son Lia, e vo movendo intorno
Le belle mani a farmi una ghirlanda.
xo3 Per piacermi allo specchio qui m' adomo;
Ma mia suora Rachel mai non si smaga
Dal suo miraglio, e siede tutto giorno.
to6 Ell' & de' suoi begli occhi veder vaga,
Corn' io dell' adornarmi con le mani;
Lei lo vedere, e me 1' ovrare appaga.
109 E giA, per gli splendori antelucani,
Che tanto ai peregrin surgon piui grati,
Quanto tornando albergan men lontani,
IT2 Le tenebre fuggian da tutti i lati,
E il sonno mio con esse; ond' io leva'mi,
Veggendo i gran Maestri gi& levati.
115 Quel dolce pome, che per tanti rami
Cercando va la cura dei mortali,
Oggi porrA in pace le tue fami:
i 8 Virgilio inverso me queste cotali
Parole us6, e mai non furo strenne
Che fosser di piacere a queste eguali.




CANTO XXVII.]


PURGATORY.


407


' Let him,' she said 'that asketh, know
'My name is Leah, and I go,
'Plying my fingers fair,
'A garland to prepare.
'To deck myself it needeth me,
'Ere in the glass I look: but she,
'My sister Rachel stays,
'Content all day to gaze.
' In her fair eyes she takes her fill,
'I with my hands must deck me still:
'Before the glass to shine
'Her lot, to labour mine.'
The lights that usher in the dawn,
Those lights to pilgrims homeward drawn
That grow each day more dear,
As to their goal they near,
Scattered the darkness round us shed,
And thereat all my slumber fled:
Uprose I then again
With my great Masters twain.
"That apple sweet, from bough to bough
"By man so dearly sought, shalt thou
" This day possess in peace,
"And all thy hunger cease."
As Virgil turned to me, I met
With words like these: and never yet
Did any gifts impart
Such gladness to my heart.




408               PURGATORIO.         [CANTO XXVLI.
12I Tanto voler sovra voler mi venne
Dell' esser su, ch' ad ogni passo poi
Al volo mi sentia crescer le penne.
124 Come la scala tutta sotto noi
Fu corsa, e fummo in su il grado superno,
In me ficco Virgilio gli occhi suoi,
I27 E disse: II temporal fuoco e 1' eterno
Veduto hai, figlio, e sei venuto in parte
Dov' io per me pit oltre non discerno.
130 Tratto t' ho qui con ingegno e con arte;
Lo tuo piacere omai prendi per duce:
Fuor sei dell' erte vie, fuor sei dell' arte.
133 Vedi 1A il Sol che in fronte ti riluce;
Vedi 1' erbetta, i fiori e gli arbuscelli,
Che qui la terra sol da s6 produce.
I36 Mentre che vegnan lieti gli occhi belli,
Che lagrimando a te venir mi fenno,
Seder ti puoi e puoi andar tra elli.




CANTO XXVII.]


PURGATORY.


409


At every step there seemed to grow
Desire upon desire, as though
With wings I were arrayed,
My upward flight to aid.
When all the stair we had o'errun,
And stood the topmost step upon,
Then Virgil fixedly
Fastened his eyes on me:
Now hast thou looked, my son, on all,
"The eternal flame, the temporal:
"Now shalt thou pass before,
"Where I can guide no more.
"So far my art hath led, my skill:
" Henceforth take guidance from thy will:
"Now hast thou left behind
" The steep road, the confined.
"Look on the Sun, resplendent o'er thee,
"The flowers, the trees that lie before thee,
" The herbage green, that earth
"Brings of herself to birth.
"Till those fair eyes shall meet thee glad,
"That weeping sent me to thy aid,
"Here mayest thou sit, or rove
" At large about the grove.




410              PURGATORIO.        [CANTO XXVJI.
J39 Non aspettar mio dir piii, ne mio cenno:
Libero, dritto e sano 6 tuo arbitrio,
E fallo fora non fare a suo senno;
42a Perch' io te sovra te corono e mitrio.




CANrTO XXVII.]   PURGATORY.              41 
"No longer on my word abide,
" Nor look for sign from me to guide:
" Now hast thou judgment found,
" Free and upright and sound.
" Henceforth in thee it were offence,
" Not to be guided by thy sense:
"Now o'er thyself I set
" Mitre and coronet."




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