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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:32:18 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:32:18 -0700 |
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diff --git a/old/orig8795-h/8795-h.htm b/old/orig8795-h/8795-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94aaedc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig8795-h/8795-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,576 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Dante's Purgatory, Complete</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:15%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + table {font-size: 120%;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + table {font-size: 120%;} + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + + +<h2>THE VISION OF PURGATORY, Complete +<br>By Dante Alighieri, <br>Illustrated by Dore</h2> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="#contents"><b>List of Cantos</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Begin Part One</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Vision of Purgatory, Complete, by Dante Alighieri + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: The Vision of Purgatory, Complete + +Author: Dante Alighieri + +Release Date: August 5, 2004 [EBook #8795] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VISION OF PURGATORY, COMPLETE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br><br> + +<center> +<h1>THE VISION</h1><br> +<h2>OF</h2><br> +<h1>HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE</h1><br> +<h2>BY</h2><br> +<h1>DANTE ALIGHIERI</h1> + +<br><br> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.net/8/7/8/8789/8789-h/8789-h.htm"><b>HELL</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.net/8/7/9/8799/8799-h/8799-h.htm"><b>PARADISE</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br><br><br><br><br><br> +<h2>PURGATORY</h2> +<h3>Complete</h3> +<br><br><br> +<h3>TRANSLATED BY</h3><br> +<h2>THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img alt="coverth.jpg (42K)" src="images/coverth.jpg" height="478" width="553"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/titlepage.jpg"><img alt="title2.jpg (21K)" src="images/title2.jpg" height="535" width="416"></a> + +<br><br><br><br> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>PURGATORY</h1> +</center> +<br><br> + +<a name="contents"></a> + +<br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>LIST OF CANTOS</h2> +</center> + +<center> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td> + +<a href="p1.htm#1">Canto 1</a> <br> +<a href="p1.htm#2">Canto 2</a><br> +<a href="p1.htm#3">Canto 3</a><br> +<a href="p1.htm#4">Canto 4</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#5">Canto 5</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#6">Canto 6</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#7">Canto 7</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#8">Canto 8</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#9">Canto 9</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#10">Canto 10</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#11">Canto 11</a><br> +</td> +<td> +<a href="p3.htm#12">Canto 12</a> <br> +<a href="p3.htm#13">Canto 13</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#14">Canto 14</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#15">Canto 15</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#16">Canto 16</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#17">Canto 17</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#18">Canto 18</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#19">Canto 19</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#20">Canto 20</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#21">Canto 21</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#22">Canto 22</a><br> +</td> +<td> +<a href="p4.htm#23">Canto 23</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#24">Canto 24</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#25">Canto 25</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#26">Canto 26</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#27">Canto 27</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#28">Canto 28</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#29">Canto 29</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#30">Canto 30</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#31">Canto 31</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#32">Canto 32</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#33">Canto 33</a><br> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Begin Part One</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Vision of Purgatory, Complete +by Dante Alighieri + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VISION OF PURGATORY, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 8795-h.htm or 8795-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/8/7/9/8795/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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VISION OF PURGATORY, Complete +<br>By Dante Alighieri, <br>Illustrated by Dore</h2> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="#contents"><b>List of Cantos</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Begin Part One</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Vision of Purgatory, Complete, by Dante Alighieri + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: The Vision of Purgatory, Complete + +Author: Dante Alighieri + +Release Date: August 5, 2004 [EBook #8795] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VISION OF PURGATORY, COMPLETE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br><br> + +<center> +<h1>THE VISION</h1><br> +<h2>OF</h2><br> +<h1>HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE</h1><br> +<h2>BY</h2><br> +<h1>DANTE ALIGHIERI</h1> + +<br><br> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.net/8/7/8/8789/8789-h/8789-h.htm"><b>HELL</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.net/8/7/9/8799/8799-h/8799-h.htm"><b>PARADISE</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br><br><br><br><br><br> +<h2>PURGATORY</h2> +<h3>Complete</h3> +<br><br><br> +<h3>TRANSLATED BY</h3><br> +<h2>THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img alt="coverth.jpg (42K)" src="images/coverth.jpg" height="478" width="553"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/titlepage.jpg"><img alt="title2.jpg (21K)" src="images/title2.jpg" height="535" width="416"></a> + +<br><br><br><br> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>PURGATORY</h1> +</center> +<br><br> + +<a name="contents"></a> + +<br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>LIST OF CANTOS</h2> +</center> + +<center> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td> + +<a href="p1.htm#1">Canto 1</a> <br> +<a href="p1.htm#2">Canto 2</a><br> +<a href="p1.htm#3">Canto 3</a><br> +<a href="p1.htm#4">Canto 4</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#5">Canto 5</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#6">Canto 6</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#7">Canto 7</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#8">Canto 8</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#9">Canto 9</a><br> +<a href="p2.htm#10">Canto 10</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#11">Canto 11</a><br> +</td> +<td> +<a href="p3.htm#12">Canto 12</a> <br> +<a href="p3.htm#13">Canto 13</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#14">Canto 14</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#15">Canto 15</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#16">Canto 16</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#17">Canto 17</a><br> +<a href="p3.htm#18">Canto 18</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#19">Canto 19</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#20">Canto 20</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#21">Canto 21</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#22">Canto 22</a><br> +</td> +<td> +<a href="p4.htm#23">Canto 23</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#24">Canto 24</a><br> +<a href="p4.htm#25">Canto 25</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#26">Canto 26</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#27">Canto 27</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#28">Canto 28</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#29">Canto 29</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#30">Canto 30</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#31">Canto 31</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#32">Canto 32</a><br> +<a href="p5.htm#33">Canto 33</a><br> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Begin Part One</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Vision of Purgatory, Complete +by Dante Alighieri + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VISION OF PURGATORY, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 8795-h.htm or 8795-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/8/7/9/8795/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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H. F. CARY, M.A.</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img alt="coverth.jpg (42K)" src="images/coverth.jpg" height="478" width="553"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/titlepage.jpg"><img alt="title2.jpg (21K)" src="images/title2.jpg" height="535" width="416"></a> + +<br><br><br><br> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>PURGATORY</h1> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>LIST OF CANTOS</h2> +</center> + +<center> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td> + + + +<a href="#1">Canto 1</a><br> +<a href="#2">Canto 2</a><br> +<a href="#3">Canto 3</a><br> +<a href="#4">Canto 4</a><br> + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<table summary="Purgatory"> +<tr><td> +<br><br> + + + +<br><br> +<a name="1"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO I</h2> +<br> + +<p> +O'er better waves to speed her rapid course<br> +The light bark of my genius lifts the sail,<br> +Well pleas'd to leave so cruel sea behind;<br> +And of that second region will I sing,<br> +In which the human spirit from sinful blot<br> +Is purg'd, and for ascent to Heaven prepares.<br> +<br>Here, O ye hallow'd Nine! for in your train<br> +I follow, here the deadened strain revive;<br> +Nor let Calliope refuse to sound<br> +A somewhat higher song, of that loud tone,<br> +Which when the wretched birds of chattering note<br> +Had heard, they of forgiveness lost all hope.<br> +<br>Sweet hue of eastern sapphire, that was spread<br> +O'er the serene aspect of the pure air,<br> +High up as the first circle, to mine eyes<br> +Unwonted joy renew'd, soon as I 'scap'd<br> +Forth from the atmosphere of deadly gloom,<br> +That had mine eyes and bosom fill'd with grief.<br> +The radiant planet, that to love invites,<br> +Made all the orient laugh, and veil'd beneath<br> +The Pisces' light, that in his escort came.<br> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/01-19.jpg"><img alt="01-19th.jpg (38K)" src="images/01-19th.jpg" height="477" width="432"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + +<br>To the right hand I turn'd, and fix'd my mind<br> +On the' other pole attentive, where I saw<br> +Four stars ne'er seen before save by the ken<br> +Of our first parents. Heaven of their rays<br> +Seem'd joyous. O thou northern site, bereft<br> +Indeed, and widow'd, since of these depriv'd!<br> +<br>As from this view I had desisted, straight<br> +Turning a little tow'rds the other pole,<br> +There from whence now the wain had disappear'd,<br> +I saw an old man standing by my side<br> +Alone, so worthy of rev'rence in his look,<br> +That ne'er from son to father more was ow'd.<br> +Low down his beard and mix'd with hoary white<br> +Descended, like his locks, which parting fell<br> +Upon his breast in double fold. The beams<br> +Of those four luminaries on his face<br> +So brightly shone, and with such radiance clear<br> +Deck'd it, that I beheld him as the sun.<br> +<br>"Say who are ye, that stemming the blind stream,<br> +Forth from th' eternal prison-house have fled?"<br> +He spoke and moved those venerable plumes.<br> +"Who hath conducted, or with lantern sure<br> +Lights you emerging from the depth of night,<br> +That makes the infernal valley ever black?<br> +Are the firm statutes of the dread abyss<br> +Broken, or in high heaven new laws ordain'd,<br> +That thus, condemn'd, ye to my caves approach?"<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/01-49.jpg"><img alt="01-49th.jpg (35K)" src="images/01-49th.jpg" height="477" width="430"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>My guide, then laying hold on me, by words<br> +And intimations given with hand and head,<br> +Made my bent knees and eye submissive pay<br> +Due reverence; then thus to him replied.<br> +<br>"Not of myself I come; a Dame from heaven<br> +Descending, had besought me in my charge<br> +To bring. But since thy will implies, that more<br> +Our true condition I unfold at large,<br> +Mine is not to deny thee thy request.<br> +This mortal ne'er hath seen the farthest gloom.<br> +But erring by his folly had approach'd<br> +So near, that little space was left to turn.<br> +Then, as before I told, I was dispatch'd<br> +To work his rescue, and no way remain'd<br> +Save this which I have ta'en. I have display'd<br> +Before him all the regions of the bad;<br> +And purpose now those spirits to display,<br> +That under thy command are purg'd from sin.<br> +How I have brought him would be long to say.<br> +From high descends the virtue, by whose aid<br> +I to thy sight and hearing him have led.<br> +Now may our coming please thee. In the search<br> +Of liberty he journeys: that how dear<br> +They know, who for her sake have life refus'd.<br> +Thou knowest, to whom death for her was sweet<br> +In Utica, where thou didst leave those weeds,<br> +That in the last great day will shine so bright.<br> +For us the' eternal edicts are unmov'd:<br> +He breathes, and I am free of Minos' power,<br> +Abiding in that circle where the eyes<br> +Of thy chaste Marcia beam, who still in look<br> +Prays thee, O hallow'd spirit! to own her shine.<br> +Then by her love we' implore thee, let us pass<br> +Through thy sev'n regions; for which best thanks<br> +I for thy favour will to her return,<br> +If mention there below thou not disdain."<br> +<br>"Marcia so pleasing in my sight was found,"<br> +He then to him rejoin'd, "while I was there,<br> +That all she ask'd me I was fain to grant.<br> +Now that beyond the' accursed stream she dwells,<br> +She may no longer move me, by that law,<br> +Which was ordain'd me, when I issued thence.<br> +Not so, if Dame from heaven, as thou sayst,<br> +Moves and directs thee; then no flattery needs.<br> +Enough for me that in her name thou ask.<br> +Go therefore now: and with a slender reed<br> +See that thou duly gird him, and his face<br> +Lave, till all sordid stain thou wipe from thence.<br> +For not with eye, by any cloud obscur'd,<br> +Would it be seemly before him to come,<br> +Who stands the foremost minister in heaven.<br> +This islet all around, there far beneath,<br> +Where the wave beats it, on the oozy bed<br> +Produces store of reeds. No other plant,<br> +Cover'd with leaves, or harden'd in its stalk,<br> +There lives, not bending to the water's sway.<br> +After, this way return not; but the sun<br> +Will show you, that now rises, where to take<br> +The mountain in its easiest ascent."<br> +<br>He disappear'd; and I myself uprais'd<br> +Speechless, and to my guide retiring close,<br> +Toward him turn'd mine eyes. He thus began;<br> +"My son! observant thou my steps pursue.<br> +We must retreat to rearward, for that way<br> +The champain to its low extreme declines."<br> +<br>The dawn had chas'd the matin hour of prime,<br> +Which deaf before it, so that from afar<br> +I spy'd the trembling of the ocean stream.<br> +<br>We travers'd the deserted plain, as one<br> +Who, wander'd from his track, thinks every step<br> +Trodden in vain till he regain the path.<br> +<br>When we had come, where yet the tender dew<br> +Strove with the sun, and in a place, where fresh<br> +The wind breath'd o'er it, while it slowly dried;<br> +Both hands extended on the watery grass<br> +My master plac'd, in graceful act and kind.<br> +Whence I of his intent before appriz'd,<br> +Stretch'd out to him my cheeks suffus'd with tears.<br> +There to my visage he anew restor'd<br> +That hue, which the dun shades of hell conceal'd.<br> +<br>Then on the solitary shore arriv'd,<br> +That never sailing on its waters saw<br> +Man, that could after measure back his course,<br> +He girt me in such manner as had pleas'd<br> +Him who instructed, and O, strange to tell!<br> +As he selected every humble plant,<br> +Wherever one was pluck'd, another there<br> +Resembling, straightway in its place arose.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO II</h2> +<br> + +<p>Now had the sun to that horizon reach'd,<br> +That covers, with the most exalted point<br> +Of its meridian circle, Salem's walls,<br> +And night, that opposite to him her orb<br> +Sounds, from the stream of Ganges issued forth,<br> +Holding the scales, that from her hands are dropp'd<br> +When she reigns highest: so that where I was,<br> +Aurora's white and vermeil-tinctur'd cheek<br> +To orange turn'd as she in age increas'd.<br> +<br>Meanwhile we linger'd by the water's brink,<br> +Like men, who, musing on their road, in thought<br> +Journey, while motionless the body rests.<br> +When lo! as near upon the hour of dawn,<br> +Through the thick vapours Mars with fiery beam<br> +Glares down in west, over the ocean floor;<br> +So seem'd, what once again I hope to view,<br> +A light so swiftly coming through the sea,<br> +No winged course might equal its career.<br> +From which when for a space I had withdrawn<br> +Thine eyes, to make inquiry of my guide,<br> +Again I look'd and saw it grown in size<br> +And brightness: thou on either side appear'd<br> +Something, but what I knew not of bright hue,<br> +And by degrees from underneath it came<br> +Another. My preceptor silent yet<br> +Stood, while the brightness, that we first discern'd,<br> +Open'd the form of wings: then when he knew<br> +The pilot, cried aloud, "Down, down; bend low<br> +Thy knees; behold God's angel: fold thy hands:<br> +Now shalt thou see true Ministers indeed."<br> + + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/02-27.jpg"><img alt="02-27th.jpg (33K)" src="images/02-27th.jpg" height="476" width="436"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +Lo how all human means he sets at naught!<br> +So that nor oar he needs, nor other sail<br> +Except his wings, between such distant shores.<br> +Lo how straight up to heaven he holds them rear'd,<br> +Winnowing the air with those eternal plumes,<br> +That not like mortal hairs fall off or change!"<br> +<br>As more and more toward us came, more bright<br> +Appear'd the bird of God, nor could the eye<br> +Endure his splendor near: I mine bent down.<br> +He drove ashore in a small bark so swift<br> +And light, that in its course no wave it drank.<br> +The heav'nly steersman at the prow was seen,<br> +Visibly written blessed in his looks.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/02-42.jpg"><img alt="02-42th.jpg (31K)" src="images/02-42th.jpg" height="477" width="427"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +Within a hundred spirits and more there sat.<br> +"In Exitu Israel de Aegypto;"<br> +All with one voice together sang, with what<br> +In the remainder of that hymn is writ.<br> +Then soon as with the sign of holy cross<br> +He bless'd them, they at once leap'd out on land,<br> +The swiftly as he came return'd. The crew,<br> +There left, appear'd astounded with the place,<br> +Gazing around as one who sees new sights.<br> +<br>From every side the sun darted his beams,<br> +And with his arrowy radiance from mid heav'n<br> +Had chas'd the Capricorn, when that strange tribe<br> +Lifting their eyes towards us: "If ye know,<br> +Declare what path will Lead us to the mount."<br> +<br>Them Virgil answer'd. "Ye suppose perchance<br> +Us well acquainted with this place: but here,<br> +We, as yourselves, are strangers. Not long erst<br> +We came, before you but a little space,<br> +By other road so rough and hard, that now<br> +The' ascent will seem to us as play." The spirits,<br> +Who from my breathing had perceiv'd I liv'd,<br> +Grew pale with wonder. As the multitude<br> +Flock round a herald, sent with olive branch,<br> +To hear what news he brings, and in their haste<br> +Tread one another down, e'en so at sight<br> +Of me those happy spirits were fix'd, each one<br> +Forgetful of its errand, to depart,<br> +Where cleans'd from sin, it might be made all fair.<br> +<br>Then one I saw darting before the rest<br> +With such fond ardour to embrace me, I<br> +To do the like was mov'd. O shadows vain<br> +Except in outward semblance! thrice my hands<br> +I clasp'd behind it, they as oft return'd<br> +Empty into my breast again. Surprise<br> +I needs must think was painted in my looks,<br> +For that the shadow smil'd and backward drew.<br> +To follow it I hasten'd, but with voice<br> +Of sweetness it enjoin'd me to desist.<br> +Then who it was I knew, and pray'd of it,<br> +To talk with me, it would a little pause.<br> +It answered: "Thee as in my mortal frame<br> +I lov'd, so loos'd forth it I love thee still,<br> +And therefore pause; but why walkest thou here?"<br> +<br>"Not without purpose once more to return,<br> +Thou find'st me, my Casella, where I am<br> +Journeying this way;" I said, "but how of thee<br> +Hath so much time been lost?" He answer'd straight:<br> +"No outrage hath been done to me, if he<br> +Who when and whom he chooses takes, me oft<br> +This passage hath denied, since of just will<br> +His will he makes. These three months past indeed,<br> +He, whose chose to enter, with free leave<br> +Hath taken; whence I wand'ring by the shore<br> +Where Tyber's wave grows salt, of him gain'd kind<br> +Admittance, at that river's mouth, tow'rd which<br> +His wings are pointed, for there always throng<br> +All such as not to Archeron descend."<br> +<br>Then I: "If new laws have not quite destroy'd<br> +Memory and use of that sweet song of love,<br> +That while all my cares had power to 'swage;<br> +Please thee with it a little to console<br> +My spirit, that incumber'd with its frame,<br> +Travelling so far, of pain is overcome."<br> +<br>"Love that discourses in my thoughts." He then<br> +Began in such soft accents, that within<br> +The sweetness thrills me yet. My gentle guide<br> +And all who came with him, so well were pleas'd,<br> +That seem'd naught else might in their thoughts have room.<br> +<br>Fast fix'd in mute attention to his notes<br> +We stood, when lo! that old man venerable<br> +Exclaiming, "How is this, ye tardy spirits?<br> +What negligence detains you loit'ring here?<br> +Run to the mountain to cast off those scales,<br> +That from your eyes the sight of God conceal."<br> +<br>As a wild flock of pigeons, to their food<br> +Collected, blade or tares, without their pride<br> +Accustom'd, and in still and quiet sort,<br> +If aught alarm them, suddenly desert<br> +Their meal, assail'd by more important care;<br> +So I that new-come troop beheld, the song<br> +Deserting, hasten to the mountain's side,<br> +As one who goes yet where he tends knows not.<br> +<br>Nor with less hurried step did we depart.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="3"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO III</h2> +<br> + + +<p>Them sudden flight had scatter'd over the plain,<br> +Turn'd tow'rds the mountain, whither reason's voice<br> +Drives us; I to my faithful company<br> +Adhering, left it not. For how of him<br> +Depriv'd, might I have sped, or who beside<br> +Would o'er the mountainous tract have led my steps<br> +He with the bitter pang of self-remorse<br> +Seem'd smitten. O clear conscience and upright<br> +How doth a little fling wound thee sore!<br> +<br>Soon as his feet desisted (slack'ning pace),<br> +From haste, that mars all decency of act,<br> +My mind, that in itself before was wrapt,<br> +Its thoughts expanded, as with joy restor'd:<br> +And full against the steep ascent I set<br> +My face, where highest to heav'n its top o'erflows.<br> +<br>The sun, that flar'd behind, with ruddy beam<br> +Before my form was broken; for in me<br> +His rays resistance met. I turn'd aside<br> +With fear of being left, when I beheld<br> +Only before myself the ground obscur'd.<br> +When thus my solace, turning him around,<br> +Bespake me kindly: "Why distrustest thou?<br> +Believ'st not I am with thee, thy sure guide?<br> +It now is evening there, where buried lies<br> +The body, in which I cast a shade, remov'd<br> +To Naples from Brundusium's wall. Nor thou<br> +Marvel, if before me no shadow fall,<br> +More than that in the sky element<br> +One ray obstructs not other. To endure<br> +Torments of heat and cold extreme, like frames<br> +That virtue hath dispos'd, which how it works<br> +Wills not to us should be reveal'd. Insane<br> +Who hopes, our reason may that space explore,<br> +Which holds three persons in one substance knit.<br> +Seek not the wherefore, race of human kind;<br> +Could ye have seen the whole, no need had been<br> +For Mary to bring forth. Moreover ye<br> +Have seen such men desiring fruitlessly;<br> +To whose desires repose would have been giv'n,<br> +That now but serve them for eternal grief.<br> +I speak of Plato, and the Stagyrite,<br> +And others many more." And then he bent<br> +Downwards his forehead, and in troubled mood<br> +Broke off his speech. Meanwhile we had arriv'd<br> +Far as the mountain's foot, and there the rock<br> +Found of so steep ascent, that nimblest steps<br> +To climb it had been vain. The most remote<br> +Most wild untrodden path, in all the tract<br> +'Twixt Lerice and Turbia were to this<br> +A ladder easy' and open of access.<br> +<br>"Who knows on which hand now the steep declines?"<br> +My master said and paus'd, "so that he may<br> +Ascend, who journeys without aid of wine?"<br> +And while with looks directed to the ground<br> +The meaning of the pathway he explor'd,<br> +And I gaz'd upward round the stony height,<br> +Of spirits, that toward us mov'd their steps,<br> +Yet moving seem'd not, they so slow approach'd.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/03-50.jpg"><img alt="03-50th.jpg (35K)" src="images/03-50th.jpg" height="476" width="428"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>I thus my guide address'd: "Upraise thine eyes,<br> +Lo that way some, of whom thou may'st obtain<br> +Counsel, if of thyself thou find'st it not!"<br> +<br>Straightway he look'd, and with free speech replied:<br> +"Let us tend thither: they but softly come.<br> +And thou be firm in hope, my son belov'd."<br> +<br>Now was that people distant far in space<br> +A thousand paces behind ours, as much<br> +As at a throw the nervous arm could fling,<br> +When all drew backward on the messy crags<br> +Of the steep bank, and firmly stood unmov'd<br> +As one who walks in doubt might stand to look.<br> +<br>"O spirits perfect! O already chosen!"<br> +Virgil to them began, "by that blest peace,<br> +Which, as I deem, is for you all prepar'd,<br> +Instruct us where the mountain low declines,<br> +So that attempt to mount it be not vain.<br> +For who knows most, him loss of time most grieves."<br> +<br>As sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one,<br> +Or pairs, or three at once; meanwhile the rest<br> +Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose<br> +To ground, and what the foremost does, that do<br> +The others, gath'ring round her, if she stops,<br> +Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern;<br> +So saw I moving to advance the first,<br> +Who of that fortunate crew were at the head,<br> +Of modest mien and graceful in their gait.<br> +When they before me had beheld the light<br> +From my right side fall broken on the ground,<br> +So that the shadow reach'd the cave, they stopp'd<br> +And somewhat back retir'd: the same did all,<br> +Who follow'd, though unweeting of the cause.<br> +<br>"Unask'd of you, yet freely I confess,<br> +This is a human body which ye see.<br> +That the sun's light is broken on the ground,<br> +Marvel not: but believe, that not without<br> +Virtue deriv'd from Heaven, we to climb<br> +Over this wall aspire." So them bespake<br> +My master; and that virtuous tribe rejoin'd;<br> +"Turn, and before you there the entrance lies,"<br> +Making a signal to us with bent hands.<br> +<br>Then of them one began. "Whoe'er thou art,<br> +Who journey'st thus this way, thy visage turn,<br> +Think if me elsewhere thou hast ever seen."<br> +<br>I tow'rds him turn'd, and with fix'd eye beheld.<br> +Comely, and fair, and gentle of aspect,<br> +He seem'd, but on one brow a gash was mark'd.<br> +<br>When humbly I disclaim'd to have beheld<br> +Him ever: "Now behold!" he said, and show'd<br> +High on his breast a wound: then smiling spake.<br> +<br>"I am Manfredi, grandson to the Queen<br> +Costanza: whence I pray thee, when return'd,<br> +To my fair daughter go, the parent glad<br> +Of Aragonia and Sicilia's pride;<br> +And of the truth inform her, if of me<br> +Aught else be told. When by two mortal blows<br> +My frame was shatter'd, I betook myself<br> +Weeping to him, who of free will forgives.<br> +My sins were horrible; but so wide arms<br> +Hath goodness infinite, that it receives<br> +All who turn to it. Had this text divine<br> +Been of Cosenza's shepherd better scann'd,<br> +Who then by Clement on my hunt was set,<br> +Yet at the bridge's head my bones had lain,<br> +Near Benevento, by the heavy mole<br> +Protected; but the rain now drenches them,<br> +And the wind drives, out of the kingdom's bounds,<br> +Far as the stream of Verde, where, with lights<br> +Extinguish'd, he remov'd them from their bed.<br> +Yet by their curse we are not so destroy'd,<br> +But that the eternal love may turn, while hope<br> +Retains her verdant blossoms. True it is,<br> +That such one as in contumacy dies<br> +Against the holy church, though he repent,<br> +Must wander thirty-fold for all the time<br> +In his presumption past; if such decree<br> +Be not by prayers of good men shorter made<br> +Look therefore if thou canst advance my bliss;<br> +Revealing to my good Costanza, how<br> +Thou hast beheld me, and beside the terms<br> +Laid on me of that interdict; for here<br> +By means of those below much profit comes."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="4"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO IV</h2> +<br> + +<p>When by sensations of delight or pain,<br> +That any of our faculties hath seiz'd,<br> +Entire the soul collects herself, it seems<br> +She is intent upon that power alone,<br> +And thus the error is disprov'd which holds<br> +The soul not singly lighted in the breast.<br> +And therefore when as aught is heard or seen,<br> +That firmly keeps the soul toward it turn'd,<br> +Time passes, and a man perceives it not.<br> +For that, whereby he hearken, is one power,<br> +Another that, which the whole spirit hash;<br> +This is as it were bound, while that is free.<br> +<br>This found I true by proof, hearing that spirit<br> +And wond'ring; for full fifty steps aloft<br> +The sun had measur'd unobserv'd of me,<br> +When we arriv'd where all with one accord<br> +The spirits shouted, "Here is what ye ask."<br> +<br>A larger aperture ofttimes is stopp'd<br> +With forked stake of thorn by villager,<br> +When the ripe grape imbrowns, than was the path,<br> +By which my guide, and I behind him close,<br> +Ascended solitary, when that troop<br> +Departing left us. On Sanleo's road<br> +Who journeys, or to Noli low descends,<br> +Or mounts Bismantua's height, must use his feet;<br> +But here a man had need to fly, I mean<br> +With the swift wing and plumes of high desire,<br> +Conducted by his aid, who gave me hope,<br> +And with light furnish'd to direct my way.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/04-31.jpg"><img alt="04-31th.jpg (44K)" src="images/04-31th.jpg" height="476" width="434"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>We through the broken rock ascended, close<br> +Pent on each side, while underneath the ground<br> +Ask'd help of hands and feet. When we arriv'd<br> +Near on the highest ridge of the steep bank,<br> +Where the plain level open'd I exclaim'd,<br> +"O master! say which way can we proceed?"<br> +<br>He answer'd, "Let no step of thine recede.<br> +Behind me gain the mountain, till to us<br> +Some practis'd guide appear." That eminence<br> +Was lofty that no eye might reach its point,<br> +And the side proudly rising, more than line<br> +From the mid quadrant to the centre drawn.<br> +I wearied thus began: "Parent belov'd!<br> +Turn, and behold how I remain alone,<br> +If thou stay not."—"My son!" He straight reply'd,<br> +"Thus far put forth thy strength;" and to a track<br> +Pointed, that, on this side projecting, round<br> +Circles the hill. His words so spurr'd me on,<br> +That I behind him clamb'ring, forc'd myself,<br> +Till my feet press'd the circuit plain beneath.<br> +There both together seated, turn'd we round<br> +To eastward, whence was our ascent: and oft<br> +Many beside have with delight look'd back.<br> +<br>First on the nether shores I turn'd my eyes,<br> +Then rais'd them to the sun, and wond'ring mark'd<br> +That from the left it smote us. Soon perceiv'd<br> +That Poet sage now at the car of light<br> +Amaz'd I stood, where 'twixt us and the north<br> +Its course it enter'd. Whence he thus to me:<br> +"Were Leda's offspring now in company<br> +Of that broad mirror, that high up and low<br> +Imparts his light beneath, thou might'st behold<br> +The ruddy zodiac nearer to the bears<br> +Wheel, if its ancient course it not forsook.<br> +How that may be if thou would'st think; within<br> +Pond'ring, imagine Sion with this mount<br> +Plac'd on the earth, so that to both be one<br> +Horizon, and two hemispheres apart,<br> +Where lies the path that Phaeton ill knew<br> +To guide his erring chariot: thou wilt see<br> +How of necessity by this on one<br> +He passes, while by that on the' other side,<br> +If with clear view shine intellect attend."<br> +<br>"Of truth, kind teacher!" I exclaim'd, "so clear<br> +Aught saw I never, as I now discern<br> +Where seem'd my ken to fail, that the mid orb<br> +Of the supernal motion (which in terms<br> +Of art is called the Equator, and remains<br> +Ever between the sun and winter) for the cause<br> +Thou hast assign'd, from hence toward the north<br> +Departs, when those who in the Hebrew land<br> +Inhabit, see it tow'rds the warmer part.<br> +But if it please thee, I would gladly know,<br> +How far we have to journey: for the hill<br> +Mounts higher, than this sight of mine can mount."<br> +<br>He thus to me: "Such is this steep ascent,<br> +That it is ever difficult at first,<br> +But, more a man proceeds, less evil grows.<br> +When pleasant it shall seem to thee, so much<br> +That upward going shall be easy to thee.<br> +As in a vessel to go down the tide,<br> +Then of this path thou wilt have reach'd the end.<br> +There hope to rest thee from thy toil. No more<br> +I answer, and thus far for certain know."<br> +As he his words had spoken, near to us<br> +A voice there sounded: "Yet ye first perchance<br> +May to repose you by constraint be led."<br> +At sound thereof each turn'd, and on the left<br> +A huge stone we beheld, of which nor I<br> +Nor he before was ware. Thither we drew,<br> +find there were some, who in the shady place<br> +Behind the rock were standing, as a man<br> +Thru' idleness might stand. Among them one,<br> +Who seem'd to me much wearied, sat him down,<br> +And with his arms did fold his knees about,<br> +Holding his face between them downward bent.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/04-100.jpg"><img alt="04-100th.jpg (63K)" src="images/04-100th.jpg" height="547" width="430"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>"Sweet Sir!" I cry'd, "behold that man, who shows<br> +Himself more idle, than if laziness<br> +Were sister to him." Straight he turn'd to us,<br> +And, o'er the thigh lifting his face, observ'd,<br> +Then in these accents spake: "Up then, proceed<br> +Thou valiant one." Straight who it was I knew;<br> +Nor could the pain I felt (for want of breath<br> +Still somewhat urg'd me) hinder my approach.<br> +And when I came to him, he scarce his head<br> +Uplifted, saying "Well hast thou discern'd,<br> +How from the left the sun his chariot leads."<br> +<br>His lazy acts and broken words my lips<br> +To laughter somewhat mov'd; when I began:<br> +"Belacqua, now for thee I grieve no more.<br> +But tell, why thou art seated upright there?<br> +Waitest thou escort to conduct thee hence?<br> +Or blame I only shine accustom'd ways?"<br> +Then he: "My brother, of what use to mount,<br> +When to my suffering would not let me pass<br> +The bird of God, who at the portal sits?<br> +Behooves so long that heav'n first bear me round<br> +Without its limits, as in life it bore,<br> +Because I to the end repentant Sighs<br> +Delay'd, if prayer do not aid me first,<br> +That riseth up from heart which lives in grace.<br> +What other kind avails, not heard in heaven?"'<br> +<br>Before me now the Poet up the mount<br> +Ascending, cried: "Haste thee, for see the sun<br> +Has touch'd the point meridian, and the night<br> +Now covers with her foot Marocco's shore."</p> + + + + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br> +<br> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm">Next Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/old/orig8795-h/p2.htm b/old/orig8795-h/p2.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b50291 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig8795-h/p2.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1068 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Dante's Purgatory, Part 2.</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:15%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + table {font-size: 120%;} + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> +<h2>THE VISION OF PURGATORY, Part 2.</h2> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p3.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> + +<br><br> + + + +<center> +<h1>THE VISION</h1><br> +<h2>OF</h2><br> +<h1>HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE</h1><br> +<h2>BY</h2><br> +<h1>DANTE ALIGHIERI</h1> + +<br><br><br> +<br><br><br> +<h2>PURGATORY</h2> +<h3>Part 2</h3> +<br><br><br> +<h3>TRANSLATED BY</h3><br> +<h2>THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img alt="coverth.jpg (42K)" src="images/coverth.jpg" height="478" width="553"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/titlepage.jpg"><img alt="title2.jpg (21K)" src="images/title2.jpg" height="535" width="416"></a> + +<br><br><br><br> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>PURGATORY</h1> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>LIST OF CANTOS</h2> +</center> + +<center> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td> + + +<a href="#5">Canto 5</a><br> +<a href="#6">Canto 6</a><br> +<a href="#7">Canto 7</a><br> +<a href="#8">Canto 8</a><br> +<a href="#9">Canto 9</a><br> +<a href="#10">Canto 10</a><br> + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<table summary="Purgatory"> +<tr><td> +<br><br> + + + + + +<br><br> +<a name="5"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO V</h2> +<br> + +<p>Now had I left those spirits, and pursued<br> +The steps of my Conductor, when beheld<br> +Pointing the finger at me one exclaim'd:<br> +"See how it seems as if the light not shone<br> +From the left hand of him beneath, and he,<br> +As living, seems to be led on." Mine eyes<br> +I at that sound reverting, saw them gaze<br> +Through wonder first at me, and then at me<br> +And the light broken underneath, by turns.<br> +"Why are thy thoughts thus riveted?" my guide<br> +Exclaim'd, "that thou hast slack'd thy pace? or how<br> +Imports it thee, what thing is whisper'd here?<br> +Come after me, and to their babblings leave<br> +The crowd. Be as a tower, that, firmly set,<br> +Shakes not its top for any blast that blows!<br> +He, in whose bosom thought on thought shoots out,<br> +Still of his aim is wide, in that the one<br> +Sicklies and wastes to nought the other's strength."<br> + What other could I answer save "I come?"<br> +I said it, somewhat with that colour ting'd<br> +Which ofttimes pardon meriteth for man.<br> + Meanwhile traverse along the hill there came,<br> +A little way before us, some who sang<br> +The "Miserere" in responsive Strains.<br> +When they perceiv'd that through my body I<br> +Gave way not for the rays to pass, their song<br> +Straight to a long and hoarse exclaim they chang'd;<br> +And two of them, in guise of messengers,<br> +Ran on to meet us, and inquiring ask'd:<br> +"Of your condition we would gladly learn."<br> + To them my guide. "Ye may return, and bear<br> +Tidings to them who sent you, that his frame<br> +Is real flesh. If, as I deem, to view<br> +His shade they paus'd, enough is answer'd them.<br> +Him let them honour, they may prize him well."<br> + Ne'er saw I fiery vapours with such speed<br> +Cut through the serene air at fall of night,<br> +Nor August's clouds athwart the setting sun,<br> +That upward these did not in shorter space<br> +Return; and, there arriving, with the rest<br> +Wheel back on us, as with loose rein a troop.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/05-42.jpg"><img alt="05-42th.jpg (38K)" src="images/05-42th.jpg" height="477" width="428"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + + "Many," exclaim'd the bard, "are these, who throng<br> +Around us: to petition thee they come.<br> +Go therefore on, and listen as thou go'st."<br> + "O spirit! who go'st on to blessedness<br> +With the same limbs, that clad thee at thy birth."<br> +Shouting they came, "a little rest thy step.<br> +Look if thou any one amongst our tribe<br> +Hast e'er beheld, that tidings of him there<br> +Thou mayst report. Ah, wherefore go'st thou on?<br> +Ah wherefore tarriest thou not? We all<br> +By violence died, and to our latest hour<br> +Were sinners, but then warn'd by light from heav'n,<br> +So that, repenting and forgiving, we<br> +Did issue out of life at peace with God,<br> +Who with desire to see him fills our heart."<br> + Then I: "The visages of all I scan<br> +Yet none of ye remember. But if aught,<br> +That I can do, may please you, gentle spirits!<br> +Speak; and I will perform it, by that peace,<br> +Which on the steps of guide so excellent<br> +Following from world to world intent I seek."<br> + In answer he began: "None here distrusts<br> +Thy kindness, though not promis'd with an oath;<br> +So as the will fail not for want of power.<br> +Whence I, who sole before the others speak,<br> +Entreat thee, if thou ever see that land,<br> +Which lies between Romagna and the realm<br> +Of Charles, that of thy courtesy thou pray<br> +Those who inhabit Fano, that for me<br> +Their adorations duly be put up,<br> +By which I may purge off my grievous sins.<br> +From thence I came. But the deep passages,<br> +Whence issued out the blood wherein I dwelt,<br> +Upon my bosom in Antenor's land<br> +Were made, where to be more secure I thought.<br> +The author of the deed was Este's prince,<br> +Who, more than right could warrant, with his wrath<br> +Pursued me. Had I towards Mira fled,<br> +When overta'en at Oriaco, still<br> +Might I have breath'd. But to the marsh I sped,<br> +And in the mire and rushes tangled there<br> +Fell, and beheld my life-blood float the plain."<br> + Then said another: "Ah! so may the wish,<br> +That takes thee o'er the mountain, be fulfill'd,<br> +As thou shalt graciously give aid to mine.<br> +Of Montefeltro I; Buonconte I:<br> +Giovanna nor none else have care for me,<br> +Sorrowing with these I therefore go." I thus:<br> +"From Campaldino's field what force or chance<br> +Drew thee, that ne'er thy sepulture was known?"<br> + "Oh!" answer'd he, "at Casentino's foot<br> +A stream there courseth, nam'd Archiano, sprung<br> +In Apennine above the Hermit's seat.<br> +E'en where its name is cancel'd, there came I,<br> +Pierc'd in the heart, fleeing away on foot,<br> +And bloodying the plain. Here sight and speech<br> +Fail'd me, and finishing with Mary's name<br> +I fell, and tenantless my flesh remain'd.<br> +I will report the truth; which thou again<br> +Tell to the living. Me God's angel took,<br> +Whilst he of hell exclaim'd: "O thou from heav'n!<br> +Say wherefore hast thou robb'd me? Thou of him<br> +Th' eternal portion bear'st with thee away<br> +For one poor tear that he deprives me of.<br> +But of the other, other rule I make."<br> + "Thou knowest how in the atmosphere collects<br> +That vapour dank, returning into water,<br> +Soon as it mounts where cold condenses it.<br> +That evil will, which in his intellect<br> +Still follows evil, came, and rais'd the wind<br> +And smoky mist, by virtue of the power<br> +Given by his nature. Thence the valley, soon<br> +As day was spent, he cover'd o'er with cloud<br> +From Pratomagno to the mountain range,<br> +And stretch'd the sky above, so that the air<br> +Impregnate chang'd to water. Fell the rain,<br> +And to the fosses came all that the land<br> +Contain'd not; and, as mightiest streams are wont,<br> +To the great river with such headlong sweep<br> +Rush'd, that nought stay'd its course. My stiffen'd frame<br> +Laid at his mouth the fell Archiano found,<br> +And dash'd it into Arno, from my breast<br> +Loos'ning the cross, that of myself I made<br> +When overcome with pain. He hurl'd me on,<br> +Along the banks and bottom of his course;<br> +Then in his muddy spoils encircling wrapt."<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/05-123.jpg"><img alt="05-123th.jpg (44K)" src="images/05-123th.jpg" height="549" width="432"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + + "Ah! when thou to the world shalt be return'd,<br> +And rested after thy long road," so spake<br> +Next the third spirit; "then remember me.<br> +I once was Pia. Sienna gave me life,<br> +Maremma took it from me. That he knows,<br> +Who me with jewell'd ring had first espous'd."</p> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/05-130.jpg"><img alt="05-130th.jpg (44K)" src="images/05-130th.jpg" height="461" width="432"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<a name="6"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO VI</h2> +<br> + +<p>When from their game of dice men separate,<br> +He, who hath lost, remains in sadness fix'd,<br> +Revolving in his mind, what luckless throws<br> +He cast: but meanwhile all the company<br> +Go with the other; one before him runs,<br> +And one behind his mantle twitches, one<br> +Fast by his side bids him remember him.<br> +He stops not; and each one, to whom his hand<br> +Is stretch'd, well knows he bids him stand aside;<br> +And thus he from the press defends himself.<br> +E'en such was I in that close-crowding throng;<br> +And turning so my face around to all,<br> +And promising, I 'scap'd from it with pains.<br> + Here of Arezzo him I saw, who fell<br> +By Ghino's cruel arm; and him beside,<br> +Who in his chase was swallow'd by the stream.<br> +Here Frederic Novello, with his hand<br> +Stretch'd forth, entreated; and of Pisa he,<br> +Who put the good Marzuco to such proof<br> +Of constancy. Count Orso I beheld;<br> +And from its frame a soul dismiss'd for spite<br> +And envy, as it said, but for no crime:<br> +I speak of Peter de la Brosse; and here,<br> +While she yet lives, that Lady of Brabant<br> +Let her beware; lest for so false a deed<br> +She herd with worse than these. When I was freed<br> +From all those spirits, who pray'd for others' prayers<br> +To hasten on their state of blessedness;<br> +Straight I began: "O thou, my luminary!<br> +It seems expressly in thy text denied,<br> +That heaven's supreme decree can never bend<br> +To supplication; yet with this design<br> +Do these entreat. Can then their hope be vain,<br> +Or is thy saying not to me reveal'd?"<br> + He thus to me: "Both what I write is plain,<br> +And these deceiv'd not in their hope, if well<br> +Thy mind consider, that the sacred height<br> +Of judgment doth not stoop, because love's flame<br> +In a short moment all fulfils, which he<br> +Who sojourns here, in right should satisfy.<br> +Besides, when I this point concluded thus,<br> +By praying no defect could be supplied;<br> +Because the pray'r had none access to God.<br> +Yet in this deep suspicion rest thou not<br> +Contented unless she assure thee so,<br> +Who betwixt truth and mind infuses light.<br> +I know not if thou take me right; I mean<br> +Beatrice. Her thou shalt behold above,<br> +Upon this mountain's crown, fair seat of joy."<br> + Then I: "Sir! let us mend our speed; for now<br> +I tire not as before; and lo! the hill<br> +Stretches its shadow far." He answer'd thus:<br> +"Our progress with this day shall be as much<br> +As we may now dispatch; but otherwise<br> +Than thou supposest is the truth. For there<br> +Thou canst not be, ere thou once more behold<br> +Him back returning, who behind the steep<br> +Is now so hidden, that as erst his beam<br> +Thou dost not break. But lo! a spirit there<br> +Stands solitary, and toward us looks:<br> +It will instruct us in the speediest way."<br> + We soon approach'd it. O thou Lombard spirit!<br> +How didst thou stand, in high abstracted mood,<br> +Scarce moving with slow dignity thine eyes!<br> +It spoke not aught, but let us onward pass,<br> +Eyeing us as a lion on his watch.<br> +But Virgil with entreaty mild advanc'd,<br> +Requesting it to show the best ascent.<br> +It answer to his question none return'd,<br> +But of our country and our kind of life<br> +Demanded. When my courteous guide began,<br> +"Mantua," the solitary shadow quick<br> +Rose towards us from the place in which it stood,<br> +And cry'd, "Mantuan! I am thy countryman<br> +Sordello." Each the other then embrac'd.<br> + Ah slavish Italy! thou inn of grief,<br> +Vessel without a pilot in loud storm,<br> +Lady no longer of fair provinces,<br> +But brothel-house impure! this gentle spirit,<br> +Ev'n from the Pleasant sound of his dear land<br> +Was prompt to greet a fellow citizen<br> +With such glad cheer; while now thy living ones<br> +In thee abide not without war; and one<br> +Malicious gnaws another, ay of those<br> +Whom the same wall and the same moat contains,<br> +Seek, wretched one! around thy sea-coasts wide;<br> +Then homeward to thy bosom turn, and mark<br> +If any part of the sweet peace enjoy.<br> +What boots it, that thy reins Justinian's hand<br> +Befitted, if thy saddle be unpress'd?<br> +Nought doth he now but aggravate thy shame.<br> +Ah people! thou obedient still shouldst live,<br> +And in the saddle let thy Caesar sit,<br> +If well thou marked'st that which God commands.<br> + Look how that beast to felness hath relaps'd<br> +From having lost correction of the spur,<br> +Since to the bridle thou hast set thine hand,<br> +O German Albert! who abandon'st her,<br> +That is grown savage and unmanageable,<br> +When thou should'st clasp her flanks with forked heels.<br> +Just judgment from the stars fall on thy blood!<br> +And be it strange and manifest to all!<br> +Such as may strike thy successor with dread!<br> +For that thy sire and thou have suffer'd thus,<br> +Through greediness of yonder realms detain'd,<br> +The garden of the empire to run waste.<br> +Come see the Capulets and Montagues,<br> +The Philippeschi and Monaldi! man<br> +Who car'st for nought! those sunk in grief, and these<br> +With dire suspicion rack'd. Come, cruel one!<br> +Come and behold the' oppression of the nobles,<br> +And mark their injuries: and thou mayst see.<br> +What safety Santafiore can supply.<br> +Come and behold thy Rome, who calls on thee,<br> +Desolate widow! day and night with moans:<br> +"My Caesar, why dost thou desert my side?"<br> +Come and behold what love among thy people:<br> +And if no pity touches thee for us,<br> +Come and blush for thine own report. For me,<br> +If it be lawful, O Almighty Power,<br> +Who wast in earth for our sakes crucified!<br> +Are thy just eyes turn'd elsewhere? or is this<br> +A preparation in the wond'rous depth<br> +Of thy sage counsel made, for some good end,<br> +Entirely from our reach of thought cut off?<br> +So are the' Italian cities all o'erthrong'd<br> +With tyrants, and a great Marcellus made<br> +Of every petty factious villager.<br> + My Florence! thou mayst well remain unmov'd<br> +At this digression, which affects not thee:<br> +Thanks to thy people, who so wisely speed.<br> +Many have justice in their heart, that long<br> +Waiteth for counsel to direct the bow,<br> +Or ere it dart unto its aim: but shine<br> +Have it on their lip's edge. Many refuse<br> +To bear the common burdens: readier thine<br> +Answer uneall'd, and cry, "Behold I stoop!"<br> + Make thyself glad, for thou hast reason now,<br> +Thou wealthy! thou at peace! thou wisdom-fraught!<br> +Facts best witness if I speak the truth.<br> +Athens and Lacedaemon, who of old<br> +Enacted laws, for civil arts renown'd,<br> +Made little progress in improving life<br> +Tow'rds thee, who usest such nice subtlety,<br> +That to the middle of November scarce<br> +Reaches the thread thou in October weav'st.<br> +How many times, within thy memory,<br> +Customs, and laws, and coins, and offices<br> +Have been by thee renew'd, and people chang'd!<br> + If thou remember'st well and can'st see clear,<br> +Thou wilt perceive thyself like a sick wretch,<br> +Who finds no rest upon her down, but oft<br> +Shifting her side, short respite seeks from pain.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="7"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO VII</h2> +<br> + +<p>After their courteous greetings joyfully<br> +Sev'n times exchang'd, Sordello backward drew<br> +Exclaiming, "Who are ye?" "Before this mount<br> +By spirits worthy of ascent to God<br> +Was sought, my bones had by Octavius' care<br> +Been buried. I am Virgil, for no sin<br> +Depriv'd of heav'n, except for lack of faith."<br> + So answer'd him in few my gentle guide.<br> + As one, who aught before him suddenly<br> +Beholding, whence his wonder riseth, cries<br> +"It is yet is not," wav'ring in belief;<br> +Such he appear'd; then downward bent his eyes,<br> +And drawing near with reverential step,<br> +Caught him, where of mean estate might clasp<br> +His lord. "Glory of Latium!" he exclaim'd,<br> +"In whom our tongue its utmost power display'd!<br> +Boast of my honor'd birth-place! what desert<br> +Of mine, what favour rather undeserv'd,<br> +Shows thee to me? If I to hear that voice<br> +Am worthy, say if from below thou com'st<br> +And from what cloister's pale?"—"Through every orb<br> +Of that sad region," he reply'd, "thus far<br> +Am I arriv'd, by heav'nly influence led<br> +And with such aid I come. There is a place<br> +There underneath, not made by torments sad,<br> +But by dun shades alone; where mourning's voice<br> +Sounds not of anguish sharp, but breathes in sighs."<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/07-21.jpg"><img alt="07-21th.jpg (40K)" src="images/07-21th.jpg" height="477" width="433"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +There I with little innocents abide,<br> +Who by death's fangs were bitten, ere exempt<br> +From human taint. There I with those abide,<br> +Who the three holy virtues put not on,<br> +But understood the rest, and without blame<br> +Follow'd them all. But if thou know'st and canst,<br> +Direct us, how we soonest may arrive,<br> +Where Purgatory its true beginning takes."<br> + He answer'd thus: "We have no certain place<br> +Assign'd us: upwards I may go or round,<br> +Far as I can, I join thee for thy guide.<br> +But thou beholdest now how day declines:<br> +And upwards to proceed by night, our power<br> +Excels: therefore it may be well to choose<br> +A place of pleasant sojourn. To the right<br> +Some spirits sit apart retir'd. If thou<br> +Consentest, I to these will lead thy steps:<br> +And thou wilt know them, not without delight."<br> + "How chances this?" was answer'd; "who so wish'd<br> +To ascend by night, would he be thence debarr'd<br> +By other, or through his own weakness fail?"<br> + The good Sordello then, along the ground<br> +Trailing his finger, spoke: "Only this line<br> +Thou shalt not overpass, soon as the sun<br> +Hath disappear'd; not that aught else impedes<br> +Thy going upwards, save the shades of night.<br> +These with the wont of power perplex the will.<br> +With them thou haply mightst return beneath,<br> +Or to and fro around the mountain's side<br> +Wander, while day is in the horizon shut."<br> + My master straight, as wond'ring at his speech,<br> +Exclaim'd: "Then lead us quickly, where thou sayst,<br> +That, while we stay, we may enjoy delight."<br> + A little space we were remov'd from thence,<br> +When I perceiv'd the mountain hollow'd out.<br> +Ev'n as large valleys hollow'd out on earth,<br> + "That way," the' escorting spirit cried, "we go,<br> +Where in a bosom the high bank recedes:<br> +And thou await renewal of the day."<br> + Betwixt the steep and plain a crooked path<br> +Led us traverse into the ridge's side,<br> +Where more than half the sloping edge expires.<br> +Refulgent gold, and silver thrice refin'd,<br> +And scarlet grain and ceruse, Indian wood<br> +Of lucid dye serene, fresh emeralds<br> +But newly broken, by the herbs and flowers<br> +Plac'd in that fair recess, in color all<br> +Had been surpass'd, as great surpasses less.<br> +Nor nature only there lavish'd her hues,<br> +But of the sweetness of a thousand smells<br> +A rare and undistinguish'd fragrance made.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/07-82.jpg"><img alt="07-82th.jpg (43K)" src="images/07-82th.jpg" height="477" width="433"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + + "Salve Regina," on the grass and flowers<br> +Here chanting I beheld those spirits sit<br> +Who not beyond the valley could be seen.<br> + "Before the west'ring sun sink to his bed,"<br> +Began the Mantuan, who our steps had turn'd,<br> + "'Mid those desires not that I lead ye on.<br> +For from this eminence ye shall discern<br> +Better the acts and visages of all,<br> +Than in the nether vale among them mix'd.<br> +He, who sits high above the rest, and seems<br> +To have neglected that he should have done,<br> +And to the others' song moves not his lip,<br> +The Emperor Rodolph call, who might have heal'd<br> +The wounds whereof fair Italy hath died,<br> +So that by others she revives but slowly,<br> +He, who with kindly visage comforts him,<br> +Sway'd in that country, where the water springs,<br> +That Moldaw's river to the Elbe, and Elbe<br> +Rolls to the ocean: Ottocar his name:<br> +Who in his swaddling clothes was of more worth<br> +Than Winceslaus his son, a bearded man,<br> +Pamper'd with rank luxuriousness and ease.<br> +And that one with the nose depress, who close<br> +In counsel seems with him of gentle look,<br> +Flying expir'd, with'ring the lily's flower.<br> +Look there how he doth knock against his breast!<br> +The other ye behold, who for his cheek<br> +Makes of one hand a couch, with frequent sighs.<br> +They are the father and the father-in-law<br> +Of Gallia's bane: his vicious life they know<br> +And foul; thence comes the grief that rends them thus.<br> + "He, so robust of limb, who measure keeps<br> +In song, with him of feature prominent,<br> +With ev'ry virtue bore his girdle brac'd.<br> +And if that stripling who behinds him sits,<br> +King after him had liv'd, his virtue then<br> +From vessel to like vessel had been pour'd;<br> +Which may not of the other heirs be said.<br> +By James and Frederick his realms are held;<br> +Neither the better heritage obtains.<br> +Rarely into the branches of the tree<br> +Doth human worth mount up; and so ordains<br> +He who bestows it, that as his free gift<br> +It may be call'd. To Charles my words apply<br> +No less than to his brother in the song;<br> +Which Pouille and Provence now with grief confess.<br> +So much that plant degenerates from its seed,<br> +As more than Beatrice and Margaret<br> +Costanza still boasts of her valorous spouse.<br> + "Behold the king of simple life and plain,<br> +Harry of England, sitting there alone:<br> +He through his branches better issue spreads.<br> + "That one, who on the ground beneath the rest<br> +Sits lowest, yet his gaze directs aloft,<br> +Us William, that brave Marquis, for whose cause<br> +The deed of Alexandria and his war<br> +Makes Conferrat and Canavese weep."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="8"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO VIII</h2> +<br> + +<p>Now was the hour that wakens fond desire<br> +In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart,<br> +Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell,<br> +And pilgrim newly on his road with love<br> +Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far,<br> +That seems to mourn for the expiring day:<br> +When I, no longer taking heed to hear<br> +Began, with wonder, from those spirits to mark<br> +One risen from its seat, which with its hand<br> +Audience implor'd. Both palms it join'd and rais'd,<br> +Fixing its steadfast gaze towards the east,<br> +As telling God, "I care for naught beside."<br> + "Te Lucis Ante," so devoutly then<br> +Came from its lip, and in so soft a strain,<br> +That all my sense in ravishment was lost.<br> +And the rest after, softly and devout,<br> +Follow'd through all the hymn, with upward gaze<br> +Directed to the bright supernal wheels.<br> + Here, reader! for the truth makes thine eyes keen:<br> +For of so subtle texture is this veil,<br> +That thou with ease mayst pass it through unmark'd.<br> + I saw that gentle band silently next<br> +Look up, as if in expectation held,<br> +Pale and in lowly guise; and from on high<br> +I saw forth issuing descend beneath<br> +Two angels with two flame-illumin'd swords,<br> +Broken and mutilated at their points.<br> +Green as the tender leaves but newly born,<br> +Their vesture was, the which by wings as green<br> +Beaten, they drew behind them, fann'd in air.<br> +A little over us one took his stand,<br> +The other lighted on the' Opposing hill,<br> +So that the troop were in the midst contain'd.<br> + Well I descried the whiteness on their heads;<br> +But in their visages the dazzled eye<br> +Was lost, as faculty that by too much<br> +Is overpower'd. "From Mary's bosom both<br> +Are come," exclaim'd Sordello, "as a guard<br> +Over the vale, ganst him, who hither tends,<br> +The serpent." Whence, not knowing by which path<br> +He came, I turn'd me round, and closely press'd,<br> +All frozen, to my leader's trusted side.<br> + Sordello paus'd not: "To the valley now<br> +(For it is time) let us descend; and hold<br> +Converse with those great shadows: haply much<br> +Their sight may please ye." Only three steps down<br> +Methinks I measur'd, ere I was beneath,<br> +And noted one who look'd as with desire<br> +To know me. Time was now that air arrow dim;<br> +Yet not so dim, that 'twixt his eyes and mine<br> +It clear'd not up what was conceal'd before.<br> +Mutually tow'rds each other we advanc'd.<br> +Nino, thou courteous judge! what joy I felt,<br> +When I perceiv'd thou wert not with the bad!<br> + No salutation kind on either part<br> +Was left unsaid. He then inquir'd: "How long<br> +Since thou arrived'st at the mountain's foot,<br> +Over the distant waves?"—"O!" answer'd I,<br> +"Through the sad seats of woe this morn I came,<br> +And still in my first life, thus journeying on,<br> +The other strive to gain." Soon as they heard<br> +My words, he and Sordello backward drew,<br> +As suddenly amaz'd. To Virgil one,<br> +The other to a spirit turn'd, who near<br> +Was seated, crying: "Conrad! up with speed:<br> +Come, see what of his grace high God hath will'd."<br> +Then turning round to me: "By that rare mark<br> +Of honour which thou ow'st to him, who hides<br> +So deeply his first cause, it hath no ford,<br> +When thou shalt be beyond the vast of waves.<br> +Tell my Giovanna, that for me she call<br> +There, where reply to innocence is made.<br> +Her mother, I believe, loves me no more;<br> +Since she has chang'd the white and wimpled folds,<br> +Which she is doom'd once more with grief to wish.<br> +By her it easily may be perceiv'd,<br> +How long in women lasts the flame of love,<br> +If sight and touch do not relume it oft.<br> +For her so fair a burial will not make<br> +The viper which calls Milan to the field,<br> +As had been made by shrill Gallura's bird."<br> + He spoke, and in his visage took the stamp<br> +Of that right seal, which with due temperature<br> +Glows in the bosom. My insatiate eyes<br> +Meanwhile to heav'n had travel'd, even there<br> +Where the bright stars are slowest, as a wheel<br> +Nearest the axle; when my guide inquir'd:<br> +"What there aloft, my son, has caught thy gaze?"<br> + I answer'd: "The three torches, with which here<br> +The pole is all on fire." He then to me:<br> +"The four resplendent stars, thou saw'st this morn<br> +Are there beneath, and these ris'n in their stead."<br> + While yet he spoke. Sordello to himself<br> +Drew him, and cry'd: "Lo there our enemy!"<br> +And with his hand pointed that way to look.<br> + Along the side, where barrier none arose<br> +Around the little vale, a serpent lay,<br> +Such haply as gave Eve the bitter food.<br> +Between the grass and flowers, the evil snake<br> +Came on, reverting oft his lifted head;<br> +And, as a beast that smoothes its polish'd coat,<br> +Licking his hack. I saw not, nor can tell,<br> +How those celestial falcons from their seat<br> +Mov'd, but in motion each one well descried,<br> +Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes.<br> +The serpent fled; and to their stations back<br> +The angels up return'd with equal flight.<br> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + The Spirit (who to Nino, when he call'd,<br> +Had come), from viewing me with fixed ken,<br> +Through all that conflict, loosen'd not his sight.<br> + "So may the lamp, which leads thee up on high,<br> +Find, in thy destin'd lot, of wax so much,<br> +As may suffice thee to the enamel's height."<br> +It thus began: "If any certain news<br> +Of Valdimagra and the neighbour part<br> +Thou know'st, tell me, who once was mighty there<br> +They call'd me Conrad Malaspina, not<br> +That old one, but from him I sprang. The love<br> +I bore my people is now here refin'd."<br> + "In your dominions," I answer'd, "ne'er was I.<br> +But through all Europe where do those men dwell,<br> +To whom their glory is not manifest?<br> +The fame, that honours your illustrious house,<br> +Proclaims the nobles and proclaims the land;<br> +So that he knows it who was never there.<br> +I swear to you, so may my upward route<br> +Prosper! your honour'd nation not impairs<br> +The value of her coffer and her sword.<br> +Nature and use give her such privilege,<br> +That while the world is twisted from his course<br> +By a bad head, she only walks aright,<br> +And has the evil way in scorn." He then:<br> +"Now pass thee on: sev'n times the tired sun<br> +Revisits not the couch, which with four feet<br> +The forked Aries covers, ere that kind<br> +Opinion shall be nail'd into thy brain<br> +With stronger nails than other's speech can drive,<br> +If the sure course of judgment be not stay'd."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="9"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO IX</h2> + +<br><br> +<a href="images/09-1.jpg"><img alt="09-1th.jpg (28K)" src="images/09-1th.jpg" height="458" width="428"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>Now the fair consort of Tithonus old,<br> +Arisen from her mate's beloved arms,<br> +Look'd palely o'er the eastern cliff: her brow,<br> +Lucent with jewels, glitter'd, set in sign<br> +Of that chill animal, who with his train<br> +Smites fearful nations: and where then we were,<br> +Two steps of her ascent the night had past,<br> +And now the third was closing up its wing,<br> +When I, who had so much of Adam with me,<br> +Sank down upon the grass, o'ercome with sleep,<br> +There where all five were seated. In that hour,<br> +When near the dawn the swallow her sad lay,<br> +Rememb'ring haply ancient grief, renews,<br> +And with our minds more wand'rers from the flesh,<br> +And less by thought restrain'd are, as 't were, full<br> +Of holy divination in their dreams,<br> +Then in a vision did I seem to view<br> +A golden-feather'd eagle in the sky,<br> +With open wings, and hov'ring for descent,<br> +And I was in that place, methought, from whence<br> +Young Ganymede, from his associates 'reft,<br> +Was snatch'd aloft to the high consistory.<br> +"Perhaps," thought I within me, "here alone<br> +He strikes his quarry, and elsewhere disdains<br> +To pounce upon the prey." Therewith, it seem'd,<br> +A little wheeling in his airy tour<br> +Terrible as the lightning rush'd he down,<br> +And snatch'd me upward even to the fire.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/09-29.jpg"><img alt="09-29th.jpg (42K)" src="images/09-29th.jpg" height="477" width="438"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +There both, I thought, the eagle and myself<br> +Did burn; and so intense th' imagin'd flames,<br> +That needs my sleep was broken off. As erst<br> +Achilles shook himself, and round him roll'd<br> +His waken'd eyeballs wond'ring where he was,<br> +Whenas his mother had from Chiron fled<br> +To Scyros, with him sleeping in her arms;<br> +E'en thus I shook me, soon as from my face<br> +The slumber parted, turning deadly pale,<br> +Like one ice-struck with dread. Solo at my side<br> +My comfort stood: and the bright sun was now<br> +More than two hours aloft: and to the sea<br> +My looks were turn'd. "Fear not," my master cried,<br> +"Assur'd we are at happy point. Thy strength<br> +Shrink not, but rise dilated. Thou art come<br> +To Purgatory now. Lo! there the cliff<br> +That circling bounds it! Lo! the entrance there,<br> +Where it doth seem disparted! Ere the dawn<br> +Usher'd the daylight, when thy wearied soul<br> +Slept in thee, o'er the flowery vale beneath<br> +A lady came, and thus bespake me: I<br> +Am Lucia. Suffer me to take this man,<br> +Who slumbers. Easier so his way shall speed."<br> +Sordello and the other gentle shapes<br> +Tarrying, she bare thee up: and, as day shone,<br> +This summit reach'd: and I pursued her steps.<br> +Here did she place thee. First her lovely eyes<br> +That open entrance show'd me; then at once<br> +She vanish'd with thy sleep." Like one, whose doubts<br> +Are chas'd by certainty, and terror turn'd<br> +To comfort on discovery of the truth,<br> +Such was the change in me: and as my guide<br> +Beheld me fearless, up along the cliff<br> +He mov'd, and I behind him, towards the height.<br> + Reader! thou markest how my theme doth rise,<br> +Nor wonder therefore, if more artfully<br> +I prop the structure! Nearer now we drew,<br> +Arriv'd' whence in that part, where first a breach<br> +As of a wall appear'd, I could descry<br> +A portal, and three steps beneath, that led<br> +For inlet there, of different colour each,<br> +And one who watch'd, but spake not yet a word.<br> +As more and more mine eye did stretch its view,<br> +I mark'd him seated on the highest step,<br> +In visage such, as past my power to bear.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/09-74.jpg"><img alt="09-74th.jpg (41K)" src="images/09-74th.jpg" height="541" width="429"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +Grasp'd in his hand a naked sword, glanc'd back<br> +The rays so toward me, that I oft in vain<br> +My sight directed. "Speak from whence ye stand:"<br> +He cried: "What would ye? Where is your escort?<br> +Take heed your coming upward harm ye not."<br> + "A heavenly dame, not skilless of these things,"<br> +Replied the' instructor, "told us, even now,<br> +'Pass that way: here the gate is."—"And may she<br> +Befriending prosper your ascent," resum'd<br> +The courteous keeper of the gate: "Come then<br> +Before our steps." We straightway thither came.<br> + The lowest stair was marble white so smooth<br> +And polish'd, that therein my mirror'd form<br> +Distinct I saw. The next of hue more dark<br> +Than sablest grain, a rough and singed block,<br> +Crack'd lengthwise and across. The third, that lay<br> +Massy above, seem'd porphyry, that flam'd<br> +Red as the life-blood spouting from a vein.<br> +On this God's angel either foot sustain'd,<br> +Upon the threshold seated, which appear'd<br> +A rock of diamond. Up the trinal steps<br> +My leader cheerily drew me. "Ask," said he,<br> + "With humble heart, that he unbar the bolt."<br> + Piously at his holy feet devolv'd<br> +I cast me, praying him for pity's sake<br> +That he would open to me: but first fell<br> +Thrice on my bosom prostrate. Seven times<br> +The letter, that denotes the inward stain,<br> +He on my forehead with the blunted point<br> +Of his drawn sword inscrib'd. And "Look," he cried,<br> +"When enter'd, that thou wash these scars away."<br> + Ashes, or earth ta'en dry out of the ground,<br> +Were of one colour with the robe he wore.<br> +From underneath that vestment forth he drew<br> +Two keys of metal twain: the one was gold,<br> +Its fellow silver. With the pallid first,<br> +And next the burnish'd, he so ply'd the gate,<br> +As to content me well. "Whenever one<br> +Faileth of these, that in the keyhole straight<br> +It turn not, to this alley then expect<br> +Access in vain." Such were the words he spake.<br> +"One is more precious: but the other needs<br> +Skill and sagacity, large share of each,<br> +Ere its good task to disengage the knot<br> +Be worthily perform'd. From Peter these<br> +I hold, of him instructed, that I err<br> +Rather in opening than in keeping fast;<br> +So but the suppliant at my feet implore."<br> + Then of that hallow'd gate he thrust the door,<br> +Exclaiming, "Enter, but this warning hear:<br> +He forth again departs who looks behind."<br> + As in the hinges of that sacred ward<br> +The swivels turn'd, sonorous metal strong,<br> +Harsh was the grating; nor so surlily<br> +Roar'd the Tarpeian, when by force bereft<br> +Of good Metellus, thenceforth from his loss<br> +To leanness doom'd. Attentively I turn'd,<br> +List'ning the thunder, that first issued forth;<br> +And "We praise thee, O God," methought I heard<br> +In accents blended with sweet melody.<br> +The strains came o'er mine ear, e'en as the sound<br> +Of choral voices, that in solemn chant<br> +With organ mingle, and, now high and clear,<br> +Come swelling, now float indistinct away.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="10"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO X</h2> +<br> + +<p>When we had passed the threshold of the gate<br> +(Which the soul's ill affection doth disuse,<br> +Making the crooked seem the straighter path),<br> +I heard its closing sound. Had mine eyes turn'd,<br> +For that offence what plea might have avail'd?<br> + We mounted up the riven rock, that wound<br> +On either side alternate, as the wave<br> +Flies and advances. "Here some little art<br> +Behooves us," said my leader, "that our steps<br> +Observe the varying flexure of the path."<br> + Thus we so slowly sped, that with cleft orb<br> +The moon once more o'erhangs her wat'ry couch,<br> +Ere we that strait have threaded. But when free<br> +We came and open, where the mount above<br> +One solid mass retires, I spent, with toil,<br> +And both, uncertain of the way, we stood,<br> +Upon a plain more lonesome, than the roads<br> +That traverse desert wilds. From whence the brink<br> +Borders upon vacuity, to foot<br> +Of the steep bank, that rises still, the space<br> +Had measur'd thrice the stature of a man:<br> +And, distant as mine eye could wing its flight,<br> +To leftward now and now to right dispatch'd,<br> +That cornice equal in extent appear'd.<br> + Not yet our feet had on that summit mov'd,<br> +When I discover'd that the bank around,<br> +Whose proud uprising all ascent denied,<br> +Was marble white, and so exactly wrought<br> +With quaintest sculpture, that not there alone<br> +Had Polycletus, but e'en nature's self<br> +Been sham'd. The angel who came down to earth<br> +With tidings of the peace so many years<br> +Wept for in vain, that op'd the heavenly gates<br> +From their long interdict before us seem'd,<br> +In a sweet act, so sculptur'd to the life,<br> +He look'd no silent image. One had sworn<br> +He had said, "Hail!" for she was imag'd there,<br> +By whom the key did open to God's love,<br> +And in her act as sensibly impress<br> +That word, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord,"<br> +As figure seal'd on wax. "Fix not thy mind<br> +On one place only," said the guide belov'd,<br> +Who had me near him on that part where lies<br> +The heart of man. My sight forthwith I turn'd<br> +And mark'd, behind the virgin mother's form,<br> +Upon that side, where he, that mov'd me, stood,<br> +Another story graven on the rock.<br> + I passed athwart the bard, and drew me near,<br> +That it might stand more aptly for my view.<br> +There in the self-same marble were engrav'd<br> +The cart and kine, drawing the sacred ark,<br> +That from unbidden office awes mankind.<br> +Before it came much people; and the whole<br> +Parted in seven quires. One sense cried, "Nay,"<br> +Another, "Yes, they sing." Like doubt arose<br> +Betwixt the eye and smell, from the curl'd fume<br> +Of incense breathing up the well-wrought toil.<br> +Preceding the blest vessel, onward came<br> +With light dance leaping, girt in humble guise,<br> +Sweet Israel's harper: in that hap he seem'd<br> +Less and yet more than kingly. Opposite,<br> +At a great palace, from the lattice forth<br> +Look'd Michol, like a lady full of scorn<br> +And sorrow. To behold the tablet next,<br> +Which at the hack of Michol whitely shone,<br> +I mov'd me. There was storied on the rock<br> +The' exalted glory of the Roman prince,<br> +Whose mighty worth mov'd Gregory to earn<br> +His mighty conquest, Trajan th' Emperor.<br> +A widow at his bridle stood, attir'd<br> +In tears and mourning. Round about them troop'd<br> +Full throng of knights, and overhead in gold<br> +The eagles floated, struggling with the wind.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/10-74.jpg"><img alt="10-74th.jpg (40K)" src="images/10-74th.jpg" height="476" width="433"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +The wretch appear'd amid all these to say:<br> +"Grant vengeance, sire! for, woe beshrew this heart<br> +My son is murder'd." He replying seem'd;<br> + "Wait now till I return." And she, as one<br> +Made hasty by her grief; "O sire, if thou<br> +Dost not return?"—"Where I am, who then is,<br> +May right thee."—"What to thee is other's good,<br> +If thou neglect thy own?"—"Now comfort thee,"<br> +At length he answers. "It beseemeth well<br> +My duty be perform'd, ere I move hence:<br> +So justice wills; and pity bids me stay."<br> + He, whose ken nothing new surveys, produc'd<br> +That visible speaking, new to us and strange<br> +The like not found on earth. Fondly I gaz'd<br> +Upon those patterns of meek humbleness,<br> +Shapes yet more precious for their artist's sake,<br> +When "Lo," the poet whisper'd, "where this way<br> +(But slack their pace), a multitude advance.<br> +These to the lofty steps shall guide us on."<br> + Mine eyes, though bent on view of novel sights<br> +Their lov'd allurement, were not slow to turn.<br> + Reader! I would not that amaz'd thou miss<br> +Of thy good purpose, hearing how just God<br> +Decrees our debts be cancel'd. Ponder not<br> +The form of suff'ring. Think on what succeeds,<br> +Think that at worst beyond the mighty doom<br> +It cannot pass. "Instructor," I began,<br> +"What I see hither tending, bears no trace<br> +Of human semblance, nor of aught beside<br> +That my foil'd sight can guess." He answering thus:<br> +"So courb'd to earth, beneath their heavy teems<br> +Of torment stoop they, that mine eye at first<br> +Struggled as thine. But look intently thither,<br> +An disentangle with thy lab'ring view,<br> +What underneath those stones approacheth: now,<br> +E'en now, mayst thou discern the pangs of each."<br> + Christians and proud! O poor and wretched ones!<br> +That feeble in the mind's eye, lean your trust<br> +Upon unstaid perverseness! Know ye not<br> +That we are worms, yet made at last to form<br> +The winged insect, imp'd with angel plumes<br> +That to heaven's justice unobstructed soars?<br> +Why buoy ye up aloft your unfleg'd souls?<br> +Abortive then and shapeless ye remain,<br> +Like the untimely embryon of a worm!<br> + As, to support incumbent floor or roof,<br> +For corbel is a figure sometimes seen,<br> +That crumples up its knees unto its breast,<br> +With the feign'd posture stirring ruth unfeign'd<br> +In the beholder's fancy; so I saw<br> +These fashion'd, when I noted well their guise.<br> + Each, as his back was laden, came indeed<br> +Or more or less contract; but it appear'd<br> +As he, who show'd most patience in his look,<br> +Wailing exclaim'd: "I can endure no more."</p> + + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br> +<br> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p3.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> + +</body> +</html> + + diff --git a/old/orig8795-h/p3.htm b/old/orig8795-h/p3.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..03cc5dc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig8795-h/p3.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1387 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Dante's Purgatory, Part 3.</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:15%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + table {font-size: 120%;} + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> +<h2>THE VISION OF PURGATORY, Part 3.</h2> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +<br><br><br><br> + + + +<center> +<h1>THE VISION</h1><br> +<h2>OF</h2><br> +<h1>HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE</h1><br> +<h2>BY</h2><br> +<h1>DANTE ALIGHIERI</h1> + +<br><br><br> +<br><br><br> +<h2>PURGATORY</h2> +<h3>Part 3</h3> +<br><br><br> +<h3>TRANSLATED BY</h3><br> +<h2>THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img alt="coverth.jpg (42K)" src="images/coverth.jpg" height="478" width="553"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/titlepage.jpg"><img alt="title2.jpg (21K)" src="images/title2.jpg" height="535" width="416"></a> + +<br><br><br><br> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>PURGATORY</h1> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>LIST OF CANTOS</h2> +</center> + +<center> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td> + + +<a href="#11">Canto 11</a><br> +<a href="#12">Canto 12</a><br> +<a href="#13">Canto 13</a><br> +<a href="#14">Canto 14</a><br> +<a href="#15">Canto 15</a><br> +<a href="#16">Canto 16</a><br> +<a href="#17">Canto 17</a><br> +<a href="#18">Canto 18</a><br> + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<table summary="Purgatory"> +<tr><td> +<br><br> + + + + + +<br><br> +<a name="11"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XI</h2> +<br> + +<p>"O thou Almighty Father, who dost make<br> +The heavens thy dwelling, not in bounds confin'd,<br> +But that with love intenser there thou view'st<br> +Thy primal effluence, hallow'd be thy name:<br> +Join each created being to extol<br> +Thy might, for worthy humblest thanks and praise<br> +Is thy blest Spirit. May thy kingdom's peace<br> +Come unto us; for we, unless it come,<br> +With all our striving thither tend in vain.<br> +As of their will the angels unto thee<br> +Tender meet sacrifice, circling thy throne<br> +With loud hosannas, so of theirs be done<br> +By saintly men on earth. Grant us this day<br> +Our daily manna, without which he roams<br> +Through this rough desert retrograde, who most<br> +Toils to advance his steps. As we to each<br> +Pardon the evil done us, pardon thou<br> +Benign, and of our merit take no count.<br> +'Gainst the old adversary prove thou not<br> +Our virtue easily subdu'd; but free<br> +From his incitements and defeat his wiles.<br> +This last petition, dearest Lord! is made<br> +Not for ourselves, since that were needless now,<br> +But for their sakes who after us remain."<br> +<br>Thus for themselves and us good speed imploring,<br> +Those spirits went beneath a weight like that<br> +We sometimes feel in dreams, all, sore beset,<br> +But with unequal anguish, wearied all,<br> +Round the first circuit, purging as they go,<br> +The world's gross darkness off: In our behalf<br> +If there vows still be offer'd, what can here<br> +For them be vow'd and done by such, whose wills<br> +Have root of goodness in them? Well beseems<br> +That we should help them wash away the stains<br> +They carried hence, that so made pure and light,<br> +They may spring upward to the starry spheres.<br> +<br>"Ah! so may mercy-temper'd justice rid<br> +Your burdens speedily, that ye have power<br> +To stretch your wing, which e'en to your desire<br> +Shall lift you, as ye show us on which hand<br> +Toward the ladder leads the shortest way.<br> +And if there be more passages than one,<br> +Instruct us of that easiest to ascend;<br> +For this man who comes with me, and bears yet<br> +The charge of fleshly raiment Adam left him,<br> +Despite his better will but slowly mounts."<br> +From whom the answer came unto these words,<br> +Which my guide spake, appear'd not; but 'twas said.<br> +<br>"Along the bank to rightward come with us,<br> +And ye shall find a pass that mocks not toil<br> +Of living man to climb: and were it not<br> +That I am hinder'd by the rock, wherewith<br> +This arrogant neck is tam'd, whence needs I stoop<br> +My visage to the ground, him, who yet lives,<br> +Whose name thou speak'st not him I fain would view.<br> +To mark if e'er I knew him? and to crave<br> +His pity for the fardel that I bear.<br> +I was of Latiun, of a Tuscan horn<br> +A mighty one: Aldobranlesco's name<br> +My sire's, I know not if ye e'er have heard.<br> +My old blood and forefathers' gallant deeds<br> +Made me so haughty, that I clean forgot<br> +The common mother, and to such excess,<br> +Wax'd in my scorn of all men, that I fell,<br> +Fell therefore; by what fate Sienna's sons,<br> +Each child in Campagnatico, can tell.<br> +I am Omberto; not me only pride<br> +Hath injur'd, but my kindred all involv'd<br> +In mischief with her. Here my lot ordains<br> +Under this weight to groan, till I appease<br> +God's angry justice, since I did it not<br> +Amongst the living, here amongst the dead."<br> +<br>List'ning I bent my visage down: and one<br> +(Not he who spake) twisted beneath the weight<br> +That urg'd him, saw me, knew me straight, and call'd,<br> +Holding his eyes With difficulty fix'd<br> +Intent upon me, stooping as I went<br> +Companion of their way. "O!" I exclaim'd,<br> +<br>"Art thou not Oderigi, art not thou<br> +Agobbio's glory, glory of that art<br> +Which they of Paris call the limmer's skill?"<br> +<br>"Brother!" said he, "with tints that gayer smile,<br> +Bolognian Franco's pencil lines the leaves.<br> +His all the honour now; mine borrow'd light.<br> +In truth I had not been thus courteous to him,<br> +The whilst I liv'd, through eagerness of zeal<br> +For that pre-eminence my heart was bent on.<br> +Here of such pride the forfeiture is paid.<br> +Nor were I even here; if, able still<br> +To sin, I had not turn'd me unto God.<br> +O powers of man! how vain your glory, nipp'd<br> +E'en in its height of verdure, if an age<br> +Less bright succeed not! Cimabue thought<br> +To lord it over painting's field; and now<br> +The cry is Giotto's, and his name eclips'd.<br> +Thus hath one Guido from the other snatch'd<br> +The letter'd prize: and he perhaps is born,<br> +Who shall drive either from their nest. The noise<br> +Of worldly fame is but a blast of wind,<br> +That blows from divers points, and shifts its name<br> +Shifting the point it blows from. Shalt thou more<br> +Live in the mouths of mankind, if thy flesh<br> +Part shrivel'd from thee, than if thou hadst died,<br> +Before the coral and the pap were left,<br> +Or ere some thousand years have passed? and that<br> +Is, to eternity compar'd, a space,<br> +Briefer than is the twinkling of an eye<br> +To the heaven's slowest orb. He there who treads<br> +So leisurely before me, far and wide<br> +Through Tuscany resounded once; and now<br> +Is in Sienna scarce with whispers nam'd:<br> +There was he sov'reign, when destruction caught<br> +The madd'ning rage of Florence, in that day<br> +Proud as she now is loathsome. Your renown<br> +Is as the herb, whose hue doth come and go,<br> +And his might withers it, by whom it sprang<br> +Crude from the lap of earth." I thus to him:<br> +"True are thy sayings: to my heart they breathe<br> +The kindly spirit of meekness, and allay<br> +What tumours rankle there. But who is he<br> +Of whom thou spak'st but now?"--"This," he replied,<br> +"Is Provenzano. He is here, because<br> +He reach'd, with grasp presumptuous, at the sway<br> +Of all Sienna. Thus he still hath gone,<br> +Thus goeth never-resting, since he died.<br> +Such is th' acquittance render'd back of him,<br> +Who, beyond measure, dar'd on earth." I then:<br> +"If soul that to the verge of life delays<br> +Repentance, linger in that lower space,<br> +Nor hither mount, unless good prayers befriend,<br> +How chanc'd admittance was vouchsaf'd to him?"<br> +<br>"When at his glory's topmost height," said he,<br> +"Respect of dignity all cast aside,<br> +Freely He fix'd him on Sienna's plain,<br> +A suitor to redeem his suff'ring friend,<br> +Who languish'd in the prison-house of Charles,<br> +Nor for his sake refus'd through every vein<br> +To tremble. More I will not say; and dark,<br> +I know, my words are, but thy neighbours soon<br> +Shall help thee to a comment on the text.<br> +This is the work, that from these limits freed him."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="12"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XII</h2> + +<br><br> +<a href="images/12-1.jpg"><img alt="12-1th.jpg (60K)" src="images/12-1th.jpg" height="544" width="435"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>With equal pace as oxen in the yoke,<br> +I with that laden spirit journey'd on<br> +Long as the mild instructor suffer'd me;<br> +But when he bade me quit him, and proceed<br> +(For "here," said he, "behooves with sail and oars<br> +Each man, as best he may, push on his bark"),<br> +Upright, as one dispos'd for speed, I rais'd<br> +My body, still in thought submissive bow'd.<br> +<br>I now my leader's track not loth pursued;<br> +And each had shown how light we far'd along<br> +When thus he warn'd me: "Bend thine eyesight down:<br> +For thou to ease the way shall find it good<br> +To ruminate the bed beneath thy feet."<br> +<br>As in memorial of the buried, drawn<br> +Upon earth-level tombs, the sculptur'd form<br> +Of what was once, appears (at sight whereof<br> +Tears often stream forth by remembrance wak'd,<br> +Whose sacred stings the piteous only feel),<br> +So saw I there, but with more curious skill<br> +Of portraiture o'erwrought, whate'er of space<br> +From forth the mountain stretches. On one part<br> +Him I beheld, above all creatures erst<br> +Created noblest, light'ning fall from heaven:<br> +On th' other side with bolt celestial pierc'd<br> +Briareus: cumb'ring earth he lay through dint<br> +Of mortal ice-stroke. The Thymbraean god<br> +With Mars, I saw, and Pallas, round their sire,<br> +Arm'd still, and gazing on the giant's limbs<br> +Strewn o'er th' ethereal field. Nimrod I saw:<br> +At foot of the stupendous work he stood,<br> +As if bewilder'd, looking on the crowd<br> +Leagued in his proud attempt on Sennaar's plain.<br> +<br>O Niobe! in what a trance of woe<br> +Thee I beheld, upon that highway drawn,<br> +Sev'n sons on either side thee slain! O Saul!<br> +How ghastly didst thou look! on thine own sword<br> +Expiring in Gilboa, from that hour<br> +Ne'er visited with rain from heav'n or dew!<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/12-39.jpg"><img alt="12-39th.jpg (40K)" src="images/12-39th.jpg" height="465" width="434"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>O fond Arachne! thee I also saw<br> +Half spider now in anguish crawling up<br> +Th' unfinish'd web thou weaved'st to thy bane!<br> +<br>O Rehoboam! here thy shape doth seem<br> +Louring no more defiance! but fear-smote<br> +With none to chase him in his chariot whirl'd.<br> +<br>Was shown beside upon the solid floor<br> +How dear Alcmaeon forc'd his mother rate<br> +That ornament in evil hour receiv'd:<br> +How in the temple on Sennacherib fell<br> +His sons, and how a corpse they left him there.<br> +Was shown the scath and cruel mangling made<br> +By Tomyris on Cyrus, when she cried:<br> +"Blood thou didst thirst for, take thy fill of blood!"<br> +Was shown how routed in the battle fled<br> +Th' Assyrians, Holofernes slain, and e'en<br> +The relics of the carnage. Troy I mark'd<br> +In ashes and in caverns. Oh! how fall'n,<br> +How abject, Ilion, was thy semblance there!<br> +<br>What master of the pencil or the style<br> +Had trac'd the shades and lines, that might have made<br> +The subtlest workman wonder? Dead the dead,<br> +The living seem'd alive; with clearer view<br> +His eye beheld not who beheld the truth,<br> +Than mine what I did tread on, while I went<br> +Low bending. Now swell out; and with stiff necks<br> +Pass on, ye sons of Eve! veil not your looks,<br> +Lest they descry the evil of your path!<br> +<br>I noted not (so busied was my thought)<br> +How much we now had circled of the mount,<br> +And of his course yet more the sun had spent,<br> +When he, who with still wakeful caution went,<br> +Admonish'd: "Raise thou up thy head: for know<br> +Time is not now for slow suspense. Behold<br> +That way an angel hasting towards us! Lo<br> +Where duly the sixth handmaid doth return<br> +From service on the day. Wear thou in look<br> +And gesture seemly grace of reverent awe,<br> +That gladly he may forward us aloft.<br> +Consider that this day ne'er dawns again."<br> +<br>Time's loss he had so often warn'd me 'gainst,<br> +I could not miss the scope at which he aim'd.<br> +<br>The goodly shape approach'd us, snowy white<br> +In vesture, and with visage casting streams<br> +Of tremulous lustre like the matin star.<br> +His arms he open'd, then his wings; and spake:<br> +"Onward: the steps, behold! are near; and now<br> +Th' ascent is without difficulty gain'd."<br> +<br>A scanty few are they, who when they hear<br> +Such tidings, hasten. O ye race of men<br> +Though born to soar, why suffer ye a wind<br> +So slight to baffle ye? He led us on<br> +Where the rock parted; here against my front<br> +Did beat his wings, then promis'd I should fare<br> +In safety on my way. As to ascend<br> +That steep, upon whose brow the chapel stands<br> +(O'er Rubaconte, looking lordly down<br> +On the well-guided city,) up the right<br> +Th' impetuous rise is broken by the steps<br> +Carv'd in that old and simple age, when still<br> +The registry and label rested safe;<br> +Thus is th' acclivity reliev'd, which here<br> +Precipitous from the other circuit falls:<br> +But on each hand the tall cliff presses close.<br> +<br>As ent'ring there we turn'd, voices, in strain<br> +Ineffable, sang: "Blessed are the poor<br> +In spirit." Ah how far unlike to these<br> +The straits of hell; here songs to usher us,<br> +There shrieks of woe! We climb the holy stairs:<br> +And lighter to myself by far I seem'd<br> +Than on the plain before, whence thus I spake:<br> +"Say, master, of what heavy thing have I<br> +Been lighten'd, that scarce aught the sense of toil<br> +Affects me journeying?" He in few replied:<br> +"When sin's broad characters, that yet remain<br> +Upon thy temples, though well nigh effac'd,<br> +Shall be, as one is, all clean razed out,<br> +Then shall thy feet by heartiness of will<br> +Be so o'ercome, they not alone shall feel<br> +No sense of labour, but delight much more<br> +Shall wait them urg'd along their upward way."<br> +<br>Then like to one, upon whose head is plac'd<br> +Somewhat he deems not of but from the becks<br> +Of others as they pass him by; his hand<br> +Lends therefore help to' assure him, searches, finds,<br> +And well performs such office as the eye<br> +Wants power to execute: so stretching forth<br> +The fingers of my right hand, did I find<br> +Six only of the letters, which his sword<br> +Who bare the keys had trac'd upon my brow.<br> +The leader, as he mark'd mine action, smil'd.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="13"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XIII</h2> +<br> + +<p>We reach'd the summit of the scale, and stood<br> +Upon the second buttress of that mount<br> +Which healeth him who climbs. A cornice there,<br> +Like to the former, girdles round the hill;<br> +Save that its arch with sweep less ample bends.<br> +<br>Shadow nor image there is seen; all smooth<br> +The rampart and the path, reflecting nought<br> +But the rock's sullen hue. "If here we wait<br> +For some to question," said the bard, "I fear<br> +Our choice may haply meet too long delay."<br> +<br>Then fixedly upon the sun his eyes<br> +He fastn'd, made his right the central point<br> +From whence to move, and turn'd the left aside.<br> +"O pleasant light, my confidence and hope,<br> +Conduct us thou," he cried, "on this new way,<br> +Where now I venture, leading to the bourn<br> +We seek. The universal world to thee<br> +Owes warmth and lustre. If no other cause<br> +Forbid, thy beams should ever be our guide."<br> +<br>Far, as is measur'd for a mile on earth,<br> +In brief space had we journey'd; such prompt will<br> +Impell'd; and towards us flying, now were heard<br> +Spirits invisible, who courteously<br> +Unto love's table bade the welcome guest.<br> +The voice, that first? flew by, call'd forth aloud,<br> +"They have no wine;" so on behind us past,<br> +Those sounds reiterating, nor yet lost<br> +In the faint distance, when another came<br> +Crying, "I am Orestes," and alike<br> +Wing'd its fleet way. "Oh father!" I exclaim'd,<br> +"What tongues are these?" and as I question'd, lo!<br> +A third exclaiming, "Love ye those have wrong'd you."<br> +<br>"This circuit," said my teacher, "knots the scourge<br> +For envy, and the cords are therefore drawn<br> +By charity's correcting hand. The curb<br> +Is of a harsher sound, as thou shalt hear<br> +(If I deem rightly), ere thou reach the pass,<br> +Where pardon sets them free. But fix thine eyes<br> +Intently through the air, and thou shalt see<br> +A multitude before thee seated, each<br> +Along the shelving grot." Then more than erst<br> +I op'd my eyes, before me view'd, and saw<br> +Shadows with garments dark as was the rock;<br> +And when we pass'd a little forth, I heard<br> +A crying, "Blessed Mary! pray for us,<br> +Michael and Peter! all ye saintly host!"<br> +<br>I do not think there walks on earth this day<br> +Man so remorseless, that he hath not yearn'd<br> +With pity at the sight that next I saw.<br> +Mine eyes a load of sorrow teemed, when now<br> +I stood so near them, that their semblances<br> +Came clearly to my view. Of sackcloth vile<br> +Their cov'ring seem'd; and on his shoulder one<br> +Did stay another, leaning, and all lean'd<br> +Against the cliff. E'en thus the blind and poor,<br> +Near the confessionals, to crave an alms,<br> +Stand, each his head upon his fellow's sunk,<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/13-55.jpg"><img alt="13-55th.jpg (47K)" src="images/13-55th.jpg" height="553" width="439"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +So most to stir compassion, not by sound<br> +Of words alone, but that, which moves not less,<br> +The sight of mis'ry. And as never beam<br> +Of noonday visiteth the eyeless man,<br> +E'en so was heav'n a niggard unto these<br> +Of his fair light; for, through the orbs of all,<br> +A thread of wire, impiercing, knits them up,<br> +As for the taming of a haggard hawk.<br> +<br>It were a wrong, methought, to pass and look<br> +On others, yet myself the while unseen.<br> +To my sage counsel therefore did I turn.<br> +He knew the meaning of the mute appeal,<br> +Nor waited for my questioning, but said:<br> +"Speak; and be brief, be subtle in thy words."<br> +<br>On that part of the cornice, whence no rim<br> +Engarlands its steep fall, did Virgil come;<br> +On the' other side me were the spirits, their cheeks<br> +Bathing devout with penitential tears,<br> +That through the dread impalement forc'd a way.<br> +<br>I turn'd me to them, and "O shades!" said I,<br> +<br>"Assur'd that to your eyes unveil'd shall shine<br> +The lofty light, sole object of your wish,<br> +So may heaven's grace clear whatsoe'er of foam<br> +Floats turbid on the conscience, that thenceforth<br> +The stream of mind roll limpid from its source,<br> +As ye declare (for so shall ye impart<br> +A boon I dearly prize) if any soul<br> +Of Latium dwell among ye; and perchance<br> +That soul may profit, if I learn so much."<br> +<br>"My brother, we are each one citizens<br> +Of one true city. Any thou wouldst say,<br> +Who lived a stranger in Italia's land."<br> +<br>So heard I answering, as appeal'd, a voice<br> +That onward came some space from whence I stood.<br> +<br>A spirit I noted, in whose look was mark'd<br> +Expectance. Ask ye how? The chin was rais'd<br> +As in one reft of sight. "Spirit," said I,<br> +"Who for thy rise are tutoring (if thou be<br> +That which didst answer to me,) or by place<br> +Or name, disclose thyself, that I may know thee."<br> +<br>"I was," it answer'd, "of Sienna: here<br> +I cleanse away with these the evil life,<br> +Soliciting with tears that He, who is,<br> +Vouchsafe him to us. Though Sapia nam'd<br> +In sapience I excell'd not, gladder far<br> +Of others' hurt, than of the good befell me.<br> +That thou mayst own I now deceive thee not,<br> +Hear, if my folly were not as I speak it.<br> +When now my years slop'd waning down the arch,<br> +It so bechanc'd, my fellow citizens<br> +Near Colle met their enemies in the field,<br> +And I pray'd God to grant what He had will'd.<br> +There were they vanquish'd, and betook themselves<br> +Unto the bitter passages of flight.<br> +I mark'd the hunt, and waxing out of bounds<br> +In gladness, lifted up my shameless brow,<br> +And like the merlin cheated by a gleam,<br> +Cried, "It is over. Heav'n! I fear thee not."<br> +Upon my verge of life I wish'd for peace<br> +With God; nor repentance had supplied<br> +What I did lack of duty, were it not<br> +The hermit Piero, touch'd with charity,<br> +In his devout orisons thought on me.<br> +"But who art thou that question'st of our state,<br> +Who go'st to my belief, with lids unclos'd,<br> +And breathest in thy talk?"--"Mine eyes," said I,<br> +"May yet be here ta'en from me; but not long;<br> +For they have not offended grievously<br> +With envious glances. But the woe beneath<br> +Urges my soul with more exceeding dread.<br> +That nether load already weighs me down."<br> +<br>She thus: "Who then amongst us here aloft<br> +Hath brought thee, if thou weenest to return?"<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/13-129.jpg"><img alt="13-129th.jpg (49K)" src="images/13-129th.jpg" height="545" width="433"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>"He," answer'd I, "who standeth mute beside me.<br> +I live: of me ask therefore, chosen spirit,<br> +If thou desire I yonder yet should move<br> +For thee my mortal feet."--"Oh!" she replied,<br> +"This is so strange a thing, it is great sign<br> +That God doth love thee. Therefore with thy prayer<br> +Sometime assist me: and by that I crave,<br> +Which most thou covetest, that if thy feet<br> +E'er tread on Tuscan soil, thou save my fame<br> +Amongst my kindred. Them shalt thou behold<br> +With that vain multitude, who set their hope<br> +On Telamone's haven, there to fail<br> +Confounded, more shall when the fancied stream<br> +They sought of Dian call'd: but they who lead<br> +Their navies, more than ruin'd hopes shall mourn."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="14"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XIV</h2> +<br> + +<p>"Say who is he around our mountain winds,<br> +Or ever death has prun'd his wing for flight,<br> +That opes his eyes and covers them at will?"<br> +<br>"I know not who he is, but know thus much<br> +He comes not singly. Do thou ask of him,<br> +For thou art nearer to him, and take heed<br> +Accost him gently, so that he may speak."<br> +<br>Thus on the right two Spirits bending each<br> +Toward the other, talk'd of me, then both<br> +Addressing me, their faces backward lean'd,<br> +And thus the one began: "O soul, who yet<br> +Pent in the body, tendest towards the sky!<br> +For charity, we pray thee' comfort us,<br> +Recounting whence thou com'st, and who thou art:<br> +For thou dost make us at the favour shown thee<br> +Marvel, as at a thing that ne'er hath been."<br> +<br>"There stretches through the midst of Tuscany,"<br> +I straight began: "a brooklet, whose well-head<br> +Springs up in Falterona, with his race<br> +Not satisfied, when he some hundred miles<br> +Hath measur'd. From his banks bring, I this frame.<br> +To tell you who I am were words misspent:<br> +For yet my name scarce sounds on rumour's lip."<br> +<br>"If well I do incorp'rate with my thought<br> +The meaning of thy speech," said he, who first<br> +Addrest me, "thou dost speak of Arno's wave."<br> +<br>To whom the other: "Why hath he conceal'd<br> +The title of that river, as a man<br> +Doth of some horrible thing?" The spirit, who<br> +Thereof was question'd, did acquit him thus:<br> +"I know not: but 'tis fitting well the name<br> +Should perish of that vale; for from the source<br> +Where teems so plenteously the Alpine steep<br> +Maim'd of Pelorus, (that doth scarcely pass<br> +Beyond that limit,) even to the point<br> +Whereunto ocean is restor'd, what heaven<br> +Drains from th' exhaustless store for all earth's streams,<br> +Throughout the space is virtue worried down,<br> +As 'twere a snake, by all, for mortal foe,<br> +Or through disastrous influence on the place,<br> +Or else distortion of misguided wills,<br> +That custom goads to evil: whence in those,<br> +The dwellers in that miserable vale,<br> +Nature is so transform'd, it seems as they<br> +Had shar'd of Circe's feeding. 'Midst brute swine,<br> +Worthier of acorns than of other food<br> +Created for man's use, he shapeth first<br> +His obscure way; then, sloping onward, finds<br> +Curs, snarlers more in spite than power, from whom<br> +He turns with scorn aside: still journeying down,<br> +By how much more the curst and luckless foss<br> +Swells out to largeness, e'en so much it finds<br> +Dogs turning into wolves. Descending still<br> +Through yet more hollow eddies, next he meets<br> +A race of foxes, so replete with craft,<br> +They do not fear that skill can master it.<br> +Nor will I cease because my words are heard<br> +By other ears than thine. It shall be well<br> +For this man, if he keep in memory<br> +What from no erring Spirit I reveal.<br> +Lo! I behold thy grandson, that becomes<br> +A hunter of those wolves, upon the shore<br> +Of the fierce stream, and cows them all with dread:<br> +Their flesh yet living sets he up to sale,<br> +Then like an aged beast to slaughter dooms.<br> +Many of life he reaves, himself of worth<br> +And goodly estimation. Smear'd with gore<br> +Mark how he issues from the rueful wood,<br> +Leaving such havoc, that in thousand years<br> +It spreads not to prime lustihood again."<br> +<br>As one, who tidings hears of woe to come,<br> +Changes his looks perturb'd, from whate'er part<br> +The peril grasp him, so beheld I change<br> +That spirit, who had turn'd to listen, struck<br> +With sadness, soon as he had caught the word.<br> +<br>His visage and the other's speech did raise<br> +Desire in me to know the names of both,<br> +whereof with meek entreaty I inquir'd.<br> +<br>The shade, who late addrest me, thus resum'd:<br> +"Thy wish imports that I vouchsafe to do<br> +For thy sake what thou wilt not do for mine.<br> +But since God's will is that so largely shine<br> +His grace in thee, I will be liberal too.<br> +Guido of Duca know then that I am.<br> +Envy so parch'd my blood, that had I seen<br> +A fellow man made joyous, thou hadst mark'd<br> +A livid paleness overspread my cheek.<br> +Such harvest reap I of the seed I sow'd.<br> +O man, why place thy heart where there doth need<br> +Exclusion of participants in good?<br> +This is Rinieri's spirit, this the boast<br> +And honour of the house of Calboli,<br> +Where of his worth no heritage remains.<br> +Nor his the only blood, that hath been stript<br> +('twixt Po, the mount, the Reno, and the shore,)<br> +Of all that truth or fancy asks for bliss;<br> +But in those limits such a growth has sprung<br> +Of rank and venom'd roots, as long would mock<br> +Slow culture's toil. Where is good Lizio? where<br> +Manardi, Traversalo, and Carpigna?<br> +O bastard slips of old Romagna's line!<br> +When in Bologna the low artisan,<br> +And in Faenza yon Bernardin sprouts,<br> +A gentle cyon from ignoble stem.<br> +Wonder not, Tuscan, if thou see me weep,<br> +When I recall to mind those once lov'd names,<br> +Guido of Prata, and of Azzo him<br> +That dwelt with you; Tignoso and his troop,<br> +With Traversaro's house and Anastagio's,<br> +(Each race disherited) and beside these,<br> +The ladies and the knights, the toils and ease,<br> +That witch'd us into love and courtesy;<br> +Where now such malice reigns in recreant hearts.<br> +O Brettinoro! wherefore tarriest still,<br> +Since forth of thee thy family hath gone,<br> +And many, hating evil, join'd their steps?<br> +Well doeth he, that bids his lineage cease,<br> +Bagnacavallo; Castracaro ill,<br> +And Conio worse, who care to propagate<br> +A race of Counties from such blood as theirs.<br> +Well shall ye also do, Pagani, then<br> +When from amongst you tries your demon child.<br> +Not so, howe'er, that henceforth there remain<br> +True proof of what ye were. O Hugolin!<br> +Thou sprung of Fantolini's line! thy name<br> +Is safe, since none is look'd for after thee<br> +To cloud its lustre, warping from thy stock.<br> +But, Tuscan, go thy ways; for now I take<br> +Far more delight in weeping than in words.<br> +Such pity for your sakes hath wrung my heart."<br> +<br>We knew those gentle spirits at parting heard<br> +Our steps. Their silence therefore of our way<br> +Assur'd us. Soon as we had quitted them,<br> +Advancing onward, lo! a voice that seem'd<br> +Like vollied light'ning, when it rives the air,<br> +Met us, and shouted, "Whosoever finds<br> +Will slay me," then fled from us, as the bolt<br> +Lanc'd sudden from a downward-rushing cloud.<br> +When it had giv'n short truce unto our hearing,<br> +Behold the other with a crash as loud<br> +As the quick-following thunder: "Mark in me<br> +Aglauros turn'd to rock." I at the sound<br> +Retreating drew more closely to my guide.<br> +<br>Now in mute stillness rested all the air:<br> +And thus he spake: "There was the galling bit.<br> +But your old enemy so baits his hook,<br> +He drags you eager to him. Hence nor curb<br> +Avails you, nor reclaiming call. Heav'n calls<br> +And round about you wheeling courts your gaze<br> +With everlasting beauties. Yet your eye<br> +Turns with fond doting still upon the earth.<br> +Therefore He smites you who discerneth all."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="15"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XV</h2> +<br> + +<p>As much as 'twixt the third hour's close and dawn,<br> +Appeareth of heav'n's sphere, that ever whirls<br> +As restless as an infant in his play,<br> +So much appear'd remaining to the sun<br> +Of his slope journey towards the western goal.<br> +<br>Evening was there, and here the noon of night;<br> +and full upon our forehead smote the beams.<br> +For round the mountain, circling, so our path<br> +Had led us, that toward the sun-set now<br> +Direct we journey'd: when I felt a weight<br> +Of more exceeding splendour, than before,<br> +Press on my front. The cause unknown, amaze<br> +Possess'd me, and both hands against my brow<br> +Lifting, I interpos'd them, as a screen,<br> +That of its gorgeous superflux of light<br> +Clipp'd the diminish'd orb. As when the ray,<br> +Striking On water or the surface clear<br> +Of mirror, leaps unto the opposite part,<br> +Ascending at a glance, e'en as it fell,<br> +(And so much differs from the stone, that falls)<br> +Through equal space, as practice skill hath shown;<br> +Thus with refracted light before me seemed<br> +The ground there smitten; whence in sudden haste<br> +My sight recoil'd. "What is this, sire belov'd!<br> +'Gainst which I strive to shield the sight in vain?"<br> +Cried I, "and which towards us moving seems?"<br> +<br>"Marvel not, if the family of heav'n,"<br> +He answer'd, "yet with dazzling radiance dim<br> +Thy sense it is a messenger who comes,<br> +Inviting man's ascent. Such sights ere long,<br> +Not grievous, shall impart to thee delight,<br> +As thy perception is by nature wrought<br> +Up to their pitch." The blessed angel, soon<br> +As we had reach'd him, hail'd us with glad voice:<br> +"Here enter on a ladder far less steep<br> +Than ye have yet encounter'd." We forthwith<br> +Ascending, heard behind us chanted sweet,<br> +"Blessed the merciful," and "happy thou!<br> +That conquer'st." Lonely each, my guide and I<br> +Pursued our upward way; and as we went,<br> +Some profit from his words I hop'd to win,<br> +And thus of him inquiring, fram'd my speech:<br> +<br>"What meant Romagna's spirit, when he spake<br> +Of bliss exclusive with no partner shar'd?"<br> +<br>He straight replied: "No wonder, since he knows,<br> +What sorrow waits on his own worst defect,<br> +If he chide others, that they less may mourn.<br> +Because ye point your wishes at a mark,<br> +Where, by communion of possessors, part<br> +Is lessen'd, envy bloweth up the sighs of men.<br> +No fear of that might touch ye, if the love<br> +Of higher sphere exalted your desire.<br> +For there, by how much more they call it ours,<br> +So much propriety of each in good<br> +Increases more, and heighten'd charity<br> +Wraps that fair cloister in a brighter flame."<br> +<br>"Now lack I satisfaction more," said I,<br> +"Than if thou hadst been silent at the first,<br> +And doubt more gathers on my lab'ring thought.<br> +How can it chance, that good distributed,<br> +The many, that possess it, makes more rich,<br> +Than if 't were shar'd by few?" He answering thus:<br> +"Thy mind, reverting still to things of earth,<br> +Strikes darkness from true light. The highest good<br> +Unlimited, ineffable, doth so speed<br> +To love, as beam to lucid body darts,<br> +Giving as much of ardour as it finds.<br> +The sempiternal effluence streams abroad<br> +Spreading, wherever charity extends.<br> +So that the more aspirants to that bliss<br> +Are multiplied, more good is there to love,<br> +And more is lov'd; as mirrors, that reflect,<br> +Each unto other, propagated light.<br> +If these my words avail not to allay<br> +Thy thirsting, Beatrice thou shalt see,<br> +Who of this want, and of all else thou hast,<br> +Shall rid thee to the full. Provide but thou<br> +That from thy temples may be soon eras'd,<br> +E'en as the two already, those five scars,<br> +That when they pain thee worst, then kindliest heal,"<br> +<br>"Thou," I had said, "content'st me," when I saw<br> +The other round was gain'd, and wond'ring eyes<br> +Did keep me mute. There suddenly I seem'd<br> +By an ecstatic vision wrapt away;<br> +And in a temple saw, methought, a crowd<br> +Of many persons; and at th' entrance stood<br> +A dame, whose sweet demeanour did express<br> +A mother's love, who said, "Child! why hast thou<br> +Dealt with us thus? Behold thy sire and I<br> +Sorrowing have sought thee;" and so held her peace,<br> +And straight the vision fled. A female next<br> +Appear'd before me, down whose visage cours'd<br> +Those waters, that grief forces out from one<br> +By deep resentment stung, who seem'd to say:<br> +"If thou, Pisistratus, be lord indeed<br> +Over this city, nam'd with such debate<br> +Of adverse gods, and whence each science sparkles,<br> +Avenge thee of those arms, whose bold embrace<br> +Hath clasp'd our daughter; "and to fuel, meseem'd,<br> +Benign and meek, with visage undisturb'd,<br> +Her sovran spake: "How shall we those requite,<br> +Who wish us evil, if we thus condemn<br> +The man that loves us?" After that I saw<br> +A multitude, in fury burning, slay<br> +With stones a stripling youth, and shout amain<br> +"Destroy, destroy!" and him I saw, who bow'd<br> +Heavy with death unto the ground, yet made<br> +His eyes, unfolded upward, gates to heav'n,<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/15-103.jpg"><img alt="15-103th.jpg (38K)" src="images/15-103th.jpg" height="445" width="432"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +Praying forgiveness of th' Almighty Sire,<br> +Amidst that cruel conflict, on his foes,<br> +With looks, that With compassion to their aim.<br> +<br>Soon as my spirit, from her airy flight<br> +Returning, sought again the things, whose truth<br> +Depends not on her shaping, I observ'd<br> +How she had rov'd to no unreal scenes<br> +<br>Meanwhile the leader, who might see I mov'd,<br> +As one, who struggles to shake off his sleep,<br> +Exclaim'd: "What ails thee, that thou canst not hold<br> +Thy footing firm, but more than half a league<br> +Hast travel'd with clos'd eyes and tott'ring gait,<br> +Like to a man by wine or sleep o'ercharg'd?"<br> +<br>"Beloved father! so thou deign," said I,<br> +"To listen, I will tell thee what appear'd<br> +Before me, when so fail'd my sinking steps."<br> +<br>He thus: "Not if thy Countenance were mask'd<br> +With hundred vizards, could a thought of thine<br> +How small soe'er, elude me. What thou saw'st<br> +Was shown, that freely thou mightst ope thy heart<br> +To the waters of peace, that flow diffus'd<br> +From their eternal fountain. I not ask'd,<br> +What ails thee? for such cause as he doth, who<br> +Looks only with that eye which sees no more,<br> +When spiritless the body lies; but ask'd,<br> +To give fresh vigour to thy foot. Such goads<br> +The slow and loit'ring need; that they be found<br> +Not wanting, when their hour of watch returns."<br> +<br>So on we journey'd through the evening sky<br> +Gazing intent, far onward, as our eyes<br> +With level view could stretch against the bright<br> +Vespertine ray: and lo! by slow degrees<br> +Gath'ring, a fog made tow'rds us, dark as night.<br> +There was no room for 'scaping; and that mist<br> +Bereft us, both of sight and the pure air.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="16"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XVI</h2> +<br> + +<p>Hell's dunnest gloom, or night unlustrous, dark,<br> +Of every planes 'reft, and pall'd in clouds,<br> +Did never spread before the sight a veil<br> +In thickness like that fog, nor to the sense<br> +So palpable and gross. Ent'ring its shade,<br> +Mine eye endured not with unclosed lids;<br> +Which marking, near me drew the faithful guide,<br> +Offering me his shoulder for a stay.<br> +<br>As the blind man behind his leader walks,<br> +Lest he should err, or stumble unawares<br> +On what might harm him, or perhaps destroy,<br> +I journey'd through that bitter air and foul,<br> +Still list'ning to my escort's warning voice,<br> +"Look that from me thou part not." Straight I heard<br> +Voices, and each one seem'd to pray for peace,<br> +And for compassion, to the Lamb of God<br> +That taketh sins away. Their prelude still<br> +Was "Agnus Dei," and through all the choir,<br> +One voice, one measure ran, that perfect seem'd<br> +The concord of their song. "Are these I hear<br> +Spirits, O master?" I exclaim'd; and he:<br> +"Thou aim'st aright: these loose the bonds of wrath."<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/16-23.jpg"><img alt="16-23th.jpg (42K)" src="images/16-23th.jpg" height="477" width="435"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>"Now who art thou, that through our smoke dost cleave?<br> +And speak'st of us, as thou thyself e'en yet<br> +Dividest time by calends?" So one voice<br> +Bespake me; whence my master said: "Reply;<br> +And ask, if upward hence the passage lead."<br> +<br>"O being! who dost make thee pure, to stand<br> +Beautiful once more in thy Maker's sight!<br> +Along with me: and thou shalt hear and wonder."<br> +Thus I, whereto the spirit answering spake:<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/16-32.jpg"><img alt="16-32th.jpg (37K)" src="images/16-32th.jpg" height="455" width="434"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +"Long as 't is lawful for me, shall my steps<br> +Follow on thine; and since the cloudy smoke<br> +Forbids the seeing, hearing in its stead<br> +Shall keep us join'd." I then forthwith began<br> +"Yet in my mortal swathing, I ascend<br> +To higher regions, and am hither come<br> +Through the fearful agony of hell.<br> +And, if so largely God hath doled his grace,<br> +That, clean beside all modern precedent,<br> +He wills me to behold his kingly state,<br> +From me conceal not who thou wast, ere death<br> +Had loos'd thee; but instruct me: and instruct<br> +If rightly to the pass I tend; thy words<br> +The way directing as a safe escort."<br> +<br>"I was of Lombardy, and Marco call'd:<br> +Not inexperienc'd of the world, that worth<br> +I still affected, from which all have turn'd<br> +The nerveless bow aside. Thy course tends right<br> +Unto the summit:" and, replying thus,<br> +He added, "I beseech thee pray for me,<br> +When thou shalt come aloft." And I to him:<br> +"Accept my faith for pledge I will perform<br> +What thou requirest. Yet one doubt remains,<br> +That wrings me sorely, if I solve it not,<br> +Singly before it urg'd me, doubled now<br> +By thine opinion, when I couple that<br> +With one elsewhere declar'd, each strength'ning other.<br> +The world indeed is even so forlorn<br> +Of all good as thou speak'st it and so swarms<br> +With every evil. Yet, beseech thee, point<br> +The cause out to me, that myself may see,<br> +And unto others show it: for in heaven<br> +One places it, and one on earth below."<br> +<br>Then heaving forth a deep and audible sigh,<br> +"Brother!" he thus began, "the world is blind;<br> +And thou in truth com'st from it. Ye, who live,<br> +Do so each cause refer to heav'n above,<br> +E'en as its motion of necessity<br> +Drew with it all that moves. If this were so,<br> +Free choice in you were none; nor justice would<br> +There should be joy for virtue, woe for ill.<br> +Your movements have their primal bent from heaven;<br> +Not all; yet said I all; what then ensues?<br> +Light have ye still to follow evil or good,<br> +And of the will free power, which, if it stand<br> +Firm and unwearied in Heav'n's first assay,<br> +Conquers at last, so it be cherish'd well,<br> +Triumphant over all. To mightier force,<br> +To better nature subject, ye abide<br> +Free, not constrain'd by that, which forms in you<br> +The reasoning mind uninfluenc'd of the stars.<br> +If then the present race of mankind err,<br> +Seek in yourselves the cause, and find it there.<br> +Herein thou shalt confess me no false spy.<br> +<br>"Forth from his plastic hand, who charm'd beholds<br> +Her image ere she yet exist, the soul<br> +Comes like a babe, that wantons sportively<br> +Weeping and laughing in its wayward moods,<br> +As artless and as ignorant of aught,<br> +Save that her Maker being one who dwells<br> +With gladness ever, willingly she turns<br> +To whate'er yields her joy. Of some slight good<br> +The flavour soon she tastes; and, snar'd by that,<br> +With fondness she pursues it, if no guide<br> +Recall, no rein direct her wand'ring course.<br> +Hence it behov'd, the law should be a curb;<br> +A sovereign hence behov'd, whose piercing view<br> +Might mark at least the fortress and main tower<br> +Of the true city. Laws indeed there are:<br> +But who is he observes them? None; not he,<br> +Who goes before, the shepherd of the flock,<br> +Who chews the cud but doth not cleave the hoof.<br> +Therefore the multitude, who see their guide<br> +Strike at the very good they covet most,<br> +Feed there and look no further. Thus the cause<br> +Is not corrupted nature in yourselves,<br> +But ill-conducting, that hath turn'd the world<br> +To evil. Rome, that turn'd it unto good,<br> +Was wont to boast two suns, whose several beams<br> +Cast light on either way, the world's and God's.<br> +One since hath quench'd the other; and the sword<br> +Is grafted on the crook; and so conjoin'd<br> +Each must perforce decline to worse, unaw'd<br> +By fear of other. If thou doubt me, mark<br> +The blade: each herb is judg'd of by its seed.<br> +That land, through which Adice and the Po<br> +Their waters roll, was once the residence<br> +Of courtesy and velour, ere the day,<br> +That frown'd on Frederick; now secure may pass<br> +Those limits, whosoe'er hath left, for shame,<br> +To talk with good men, or come near their haunts.<br> +Three aged ones are still found there, in whom<br> +The old time chides the new: these deem it long<br> +Ere God restore them to a better world:<br> +The good Gherardo, of Palazzo he<br> +Conrad, and Guido of Castello, nam'd<br> +In Gallic phrase more fitly the plain Lombard.<br> +On this at last conclude. The church of Rome,<br> +Mixing two governments that ill assort,<br> +Hath miss'd her footing, fall'n into the mire,<br> +And there herself and burden much defil'd."<br> +<br>"O Marco!" I replied, shine arguments<br> +Convince me: and the cause I now discern<br> +Why of the heritage no portion came<br> +To Levi's offspring. But resolve me this<br> +Who that Gherardo is, that as thou sayst<br> +Is left a sample of the perish'd race,<br> +And for rebuke to this untoward age?"<br> +<br>"Either thy words," said he, "deceive; or else<br> +Are meant to try me; that thou, speaking Tuscan,<br> +Appear'st not to have heard of good Gherado;<br> +The sole addition that, by which I know him;<br> +Unless I borrow'd from his daughter Gaia<br> +Another name to grace him. God be with you.<br> +I bear you company no more. Behold<br> +The dawn with white ray glimm'ring through the mist.<br> +I must away--the angel comes--ere he<br> +Appear." He said, and would not hear me more.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="17"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XVII</h2> +<br> + +<p>Call to remembrance, reader, if thou e'er<br> +Hast, on a mountain top, been ta'en by cloud,<br> +Through which thou saw'st no better, than the mole<br> +Doth through opacous membrane; then, whene'er<br> +The wat'ry vapours dense began to melt<br> +Into thin air, how faintly the sun's sphere<br> +Seem'd wading through them; so thy nimble thought<br> +May image, how at first I re-beheld<br> +The sun, that bedward now his couch o'erhung.<br> +<br>Thus with my leader's feet still equaling pace<br> +From forth that cloud I came, when now expir'd<br> +The parting beams from off the nether shores.<br> +<br>O quick and forgetive power! that sometimes dost<br> +So rob us of ourselves, we take no mark<br> +Though round about us thousand trumpets clang!<br> +What moves thee, if the senses stir not? Light<br> +Kindled in heav'n, spontaneous, self-inform'd,<br> +Or likelier gliding down with swift illapse<br> +By will divine. Portray'd before me came<br> +The traces of her dire impiety,<br> +Whose form was chang'd into the bird, that most<br> +Delights itself in song: and here my mind<br> +Was inwardly so wrapt, it gave no place<br> +To aught that ask'd admittance from without.<br> +<br>Next shower'd into my fantasy a shape<br> +As of one crucified, whose visage spake<br> +Fell rancour, malice deep, wherein he died;<br> +And round him Ahasuerus the great king,<br> +Esther his bride, and Mordecai the just,<br> +Blameless in word and deed. As of itself<br> +That unsubstantial coinage of the brain<br> +Burst, like a bubble, Which the water fails<br> +That fed it; in my vision straight uprose<br> +A damsel weeping loud, and cried, "O queen!<br> +O mother! wherefore has intemperate ire<br> +Driv'n thee to loath thy being? Not to lose<br> +Lavinia, desp'rate thou hast slain thyself.<br> +Now hast thou lost me. I am she, whose tears<br> +Mourn, ere I fall, a mother's timeless end."<br> +<br>E'en as a sleep breaks off, if suddenly<br> +New radiance strike upon the closed lids,<br> +The broken slumber quivering ere it dies;<br> +Thus from before me sunk that imagery<br> +Vanishing, soon as on my face there struck<br> +The light, outshining far our earthly beam.<br> +As round I turn'd me to survey what place<br> +I had arriv'd at, "Here ye mount," exclaim'd<br> +A voice, that other purpose left me none,<br> +Save will so eager to behold who spake,<br> +I could not choose but gaze. As 'fore the sun,<br> +That weighs our vision down, and veils his form<br> +In light transcendent, thus my virtue fail'd<br> +Unequal. "This is Spirit from above,<br> +Who marshals us our upward way, unsought;<br> +And in his own light shrouds him. As a man<br> +Doth for himself, so now is done for us.<br> +For whoso waits imploring, yet sees need<br> +Of his prompt aidance, sets himself prepar'd<br> +For blunt denial, ere the suit be made.<br> +Refuse we not to lend a ready foot<br> +At such inviting: haste we to ascend,<br> +Before it darken: for we may not then,<br> +Till morn again return." So spake my guide;<br> +And to one ladder both address'd our steps;<br> +And the first stair approaching, I perceiv'd<br> +Near me as 'twere the waving of a wing,<br> +That fann'd my face and whisper'd: "Blessed they<br> +The peacemakers: they know not evil wrath."<br> +<br>Now to such height above our heads were rais'd<br> +The last beams, follow'd close by hooded night,<br> +That many a star on all sides through the gloom<br> +Shone out. "Why partest from me, O my strength?"<br> +So with myself I commun'd; for I felt<br> +My o'ertoil'd sinews slacken. We had reach'd<br> +The summit, and were fix'd like to a bark<br> +Arriv'd at land. And waiting a short space,<br> +If aught should meet mine ear in that new round,<br> +Then to my guide I turn'd, and said: "Lov'd sire!<br> +Declare what guilt is on this circle purg'd.<br> +If our feet rest, no need thy speech should pause."<br> +<br>He thus to me: "The love of good, whate'er<br> +Wanted of just proportion, here fulfils.<br> +Here plies afresh the oar, that loiter'd ill.<br> +But that thou mayst yet clearlier understand,<br> +Give ear unto my words, and thou shalt cull<br> +Some fruit may please thee well, from this delay.<br> +<br>"Creator, nor created being, ne'er,<br> +My son," he thus began, "was without love,<br> +Or natural, or the free spirit's growth.<br> +Thou hast not that to learn. The natural still<br> +Is without error; but the other swerves,<br> +If on ill object bent, or through excess<br> +Of vigour, or defect. While e'er it seeks<br> +The primal blessings, or with measure due<br> +Th' inferior, no delight, that flows from it,<br> +Partakes of ill. But let it warp to evil,<br> +Or with more ardour than behooves, or less.<br> +Pursue the good, the thing created then<br> +Works 'gainst its Maker. Hence thou must infer<br> +That love is germin of each virtue in ye,<br> +And of each act no less, that merits pain.<br> +Now since it may not be, but love intend<br> +The welfare mainly of the thing it loves,<br> +All from self-hatred are secure; and since<br> +No being can be thought t' exist apart<br> +And independent of the first, a bar<br> +Of equal force restrains from hating that.<br> +<br>"Grant the distinction just; and it remains<br> +The' evil must be another's, which is lov'd.<br> +Three ways such love is gender'd in your clay.<br> +There is who hopes (his neighbour's worth deprest,)<br> +Preeminence himself, and coverts hence<br> +For his own greatness that another fall.<br> +There is who so much fears the loss of power,<br> +Fame, favour, glory (should his fellow mount<br> +Above him), and so sickens at the thought,<br> +He loves their opposite: and there is he,<br> +Whom wrong or insult seems to gall and shame<br> +That he doth thirst for vengeance, and such needs<br> +Must doat on other's evil. Here beneath<br> +This threefold love is mourn'd. Of th' other sort<br> +Be now instructed, that which follows good<br> +But with disorder'd and irregular course.<br> +<br>"All indistinctly apprehend a bliss<br> +On which the soul may rest, the hearts of all<br> +Yearn after it, and to that wished bourn<br> +All therefore strive to tend. If ye behold<br> +Or seek it with a love remiss and lax,<br> +This cornice after just repenting lays<br> +Its penal torment on ye. Other good<br> +There is, where man finds not his happiness:<br> +It is not true fruition, not that blest<br> +Essence, of every good the branch and root.<br> +The love too lavishly bestow'd on this,<br> +Along three circles over us, is mourn'd.<br> +Account of that division tripartite<br> +Expect not, fitter for thine own research."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="18"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XVIII</h2> +<br> + +<p>The teacher ended, and his high discourse<br> +Concluding, earnest in my looks inquir'd<br> +If I appear'd content; and I, whom still<br> +Unsated thirst to hear him urg'd, was mute,<br> +Mute outwardly, yet inwardly I said:<br> +"Perchance my too much questioning offends."<br> +But he, true father, mark'd the secret wish<br> +By diffidence restrain'd, and speaking, gave<br> +Me boldness thus to speak: "Master, my Sight<br> +Gathers so lively virtue from thy beams,<br> +That all, thy words convey, distinct is seen.<br> +Wherefore I pray thee, father, whom this heart<br> +Holds dearest! thou wouldst deign by proof t' unfold<br> +That love, from which as from their source thou bring'st<br> +All good deeds and their opposite." He then:<br> +"To what I now disclose be thy clear ken<br> +Directed, and thou plainly shalt behold<br> +How much those blind have err'd, who make themselves<br> +The guides of men. The soul, created apt<br> +To love, moves versatile which way soe'er<br> +Aught pleasing prompts her, soon as she is wak'd<br> +By pleasure into act. Of substance true<br> +Your apprehension forms its counterfeit,<br> +And in you the ideal shape presenting<br> +Attracts the soul's regard. If she, thus drawn,<br> +incline toward it, love is that inclining,<br> +And a new nature knit by pleasure in ye.<br> +Then as the fire points up, and mounting seeks<br> +His birth-place and his lasting seat, e'en thus<br> +Enters the captive soul into desire,<br> +Which is a spiritual motion, that ne'er rests<br> +Before enjoyment of the thing it loves.<br> +Enough to show thee, how the truth from those<br> +Is hidden, who aver all love a thing<br> +Praise-worthy in itself: although perhaps<br> +Its substance seem still good. Yet if the wax<br> +Be good, it follows not th' impression must."<br> +"What love is," I return'd, "thy words, O guide!<br> +And my own docile mind, reveal. Yet thence<br> +New doubts have sprung. For from without if love<br> +Be offer'd to us, and the spirit knows<br> +No other footing, tend she right or wrong,<br> +Is no desert of hers." He answering thus:<br> +"What reason here discovers I have power<br> +To show thee: that which lies beyond, expect<br> +From Beatrice, faith not reason's task.<br> +Spirit, substantial form, with matter join'd<br> +Not in confusion mix'd, hath in itself<br> +Specific virtue of that union born,<br> +Which is not felt except it work, nor prov'd<br> +But through effect, as vegetable life<br> +By the green leaf. From whence his intellect<br> +Deduced its primal notices of things,<br> +Man therefore knows not, or his appetites<br> +Their first affections; such in you, as zeal<br> +In bees to gather honey; at the first,<br> +Volition, meriting nor blame nor praise.<br> +But o'er each lower faculty supreme,<br> +That as she list are summon'd to her bar,<br> +Ye have that virtue in you, whose just voice<br> +Uttereth counsel, and whose word should keep<br> +The threshold of assent. Here is the source,<br> +Whence cause of merit in you is deriv'd,<br> +E'en as the affections good or ill she takes,<br> +Or severs, winnow'd as the chaff. Those men<br> +Who reas'ning went to depth profoundest, mark'd<br> +That innate freedom, and were thence induc'd<br> +To leave their moral teaching to the world.<br> +Grant then, that from necessity arise<br> +All love that glows within you; to dismiss<br> +Or harbour it, the pow'r is in yourselves.<br> +Remember, Beatrice, in her style,<br> +Denominates free choice by eminence<br> +The noble virtue, if in talk with thee<br> +She touch upon that theme." The moon, well nigh<br> +To midnight hour belated, made the stars<br> +Appear to wink and fade; and her broad disk<br> +Seem'd like a crag on fire, as up the vault<br> +That course she journey'd, which the sun then warms,<br> +When they of Rome behold him at his set.<br> +Betwixt Sardinia and the Corsic isle.<br> +And now the weight, that hung upon my thought,<br> +Was lighten'd by the aid of that clear spirit,<br> +Who raiseth Andes above Mantua's name.<br> +I therefore, when my questions had obtain'd<br> +Solution plain and ample, stood as one<br> +Musing in dreary slumber; but not long<br> +Slumber'd; for suddenly a multitude,<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/18-87.jpg"><img alt="18-87th.jpg (39K)" src="images/18-87th.jpg" height="472" width="435"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +The steep already turning, from behind,<br> +Rush'd on. With fury and like random rout,<br> +As echoing on their shores at midnight heard<br> +Ismenus and Asopus, for his Thebes<br> +If Bacchus' help were needed; so came these<br> +Tumultuous, curving each his rapid step,<br> +By eagerness impell'd of holy love.<br> +<br>Soon they o'ertook us; with such swiftness mov'd<br> +The mighty crowd. Two spirits at their head<br> +Cried weeping; "Blessed Mary sought with haste<br> +The hilly region. Caesar to subdue<br> +Ilerda, darted in Marseilles his sting,<br> +And flew to Spain."--"Oh tarry not: away;"<br> +The others shouted; "let not time be lost<br> +Through slackness of affection. Hearty zeal<br> +To serve reanimates celestial grace."<br> +<br>"O ye, in whom intenser fervency<br> +Haply supplies, where lukewarm erst ye fail'd,<br> +Slow or neglectful, to absolve your part<br> +Of good and virtuous, this man, who yet lives,<br> +(Credit my tale, though strange) desires t' ascend,<br> +So morning rise to light us. Therefore say<br> +Which hand leads nearest to the rifted rock?"<br> +<br>So spake my guide, to whom a shade return'd:<br> +"Come after us, and thou shalt find the cleft.<br> +We may not linger: such resistless will<br> +Speeds our unwearied course. Vouchsafe us then<br> +Thy pardon, if our duty seem to thee<br> +Discourteous rudeness. In Verona I<br> +Was abbot of San Zeno, when the hand<br> +Of Barbarossa grasp'd Imperial sway,<br> +That name, ne'er utter'd without tears in Milan.<br> +And there is he, hath one foot in his grave,<br> +Who for that monastery ere long shall weep,<br> +Ruing his power misus'd: for that his son,<br> +Of body ill compact, and worse in mind,<br> +And born in evil, he hath set in place<br> +Of its true pastor." Whether more he spake,<br> +Or here was mute, I know not: he had sped<br> +E'en now so far beyond us. Yet thus much<br> +I heard, and in rememb'rance treasur'd it.<br> +<br>He then, who never fail'd me at my need,<br> +Cried, "Hither turn. Lo! two with sharp remorse<br> +Chiding their sin!" In rear of all the troop<br> +These shouted: "First they died, to whom the sea<br> +Open'd, or ever Jordan saw his heirs:<br> +And they, who with Aeneas to the end<br> +Endur'd not suffering, for their portion chose<br> +Life without glory." Soon as they had fled<br> +Past reach of sight, new thought within me rose<br> +By others follow'd fast, and each unlike<br> +Its fellow: till led on from thought to thought,<br> +And pleasur'd with the fleeting train, mine eye<br> +Was clos'd, and meditation chang'd to dream.</p> + + + + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br> +<br> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/old/orig8795-h/p4.htm b/old/orig8795-h/p4.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6d628d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig8795-h/p4.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1239 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Dante's Purgatory, Part 4.</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:15%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + table {font-size: 120%;} + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> +<h2>THE VISION OF PURGATORY, Part 4.</h2> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p3.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p5.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h1>THE VISION</h1><br> +<h2>OF</h2><br> +<h1>HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE</h1><br> +<h2>BY</h2><br> +<h1>DANTE ALIGHIERI</h1> + + + +<br><br><br> +<br><br><br> +<h2>PURGATORY</h2> +<h3>Part 4</h3> +<br><br><br> +<h3>TRANSLATED BY</h3><br> +<h2>THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img alt="coverth.jpg (42K)" src="images/coverth.jpg" height="478" width="553"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/titlepage.jpg"><img alt="title2.jpg (21K)" src="images/title2.jpg" height="535" width="416"></a> + +<br><br><br><br> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>PURGATORY</h1> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>LIST OF CANTOS</h2> +</center> + +<center> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td> + + +<a href="#19">Canto 19</a><br> +<a href="#20">Canto 20</a><br> +<a href="#21">Canto 21</a><br> +<a href="#22">Canto 22</a><br> +<a href="#23">Canto 23</a><br> +<a href="#24">Canto 24</a><br> +<a href="#25">Canto 25</a><br> + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<table summary="Purgatory"> +<tr><td> +<br><br> + + + + + +<br><br> +<a name="19"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XIX</h2> +<br> + +<p>It was the hour, when of diurnal heat<br> +No reliques chafe the cold beams of the moon,<br> +O'erpower'd by earth, or planetary sway<br> +Of Saturn; and the geomancer sees<br> +His Greater Fortune up the east ascend,<br> +Where gray dawn checkers first the shadowy cone;<br> +When 'fore me in my dream a woman's shape<br> +There came, with lips that stammer'd, eyes aslant,<br> +Distorted feet, hands maim'd, and colour pale.<br> +<br>I look'd upon her; and as sunshine cheers<br> +Limbs numb'd by nightly cold, e'en thus my look<br> +Unloos'd her tongue, next in brief space her form<br> +Decrepit rais'd erect, and faded face<br> +With love's own hue illum'd. Recov'ring speech<br> +She forthwith warbling such a strain began,<br> +That I, how loth soe'er, could scarce have held<br> +Attention from the song. "I," thus she sang,<br> +"I am the Siren, she, whom mariners<br> +On the wide sea are wilder'd when they hear:<br> +Such fulness of delight the list'ner feels.<br> +I from his course Ulysses by my lay<br> +Enchanted drew. Whoe'er frequents me once<br> +Parts seldom; so I charm him, and his heart<br> +Contented knows no void." Or ere her mouth<br> +Was clos'd, to shame her at her side appear'd<br> +A dame of semblance holy. With stern voice<br> +She utter'd; "Say, O Virgil, who is this?"<br> +Which hearing, he approach'd, with eyes still bent<br> +Toward that goodly presence: th' other seiz'd her,<br> +And, her robes tearing, open'd her before,<br> +And show'd the belly to me, whence a smell,<br> +Exhaling loathsome, wak'd me. Round I turn'd<br> +Mine eyes, and thus the teacher: "At the least<br> +Three times my voice hath call'd thee. Rise, begone.<br> +Let us the opening find where thou mayst pass."<br> +<br>I straightway rose. Now day, pour'd down from high,<br> +Fill'd all the circuits of the sacred mount;<br> +And, as we journey'd, on our shoulder smote<br> +The early ray. I follow'd, stooping low<br> +My forehead, as a man, o'ercharg'd with thought,<br> +Who bends him to the likeness of an arch,<br> +That midway spans the flood; when thus I heard,<br> +"Come, enter here," in tone so soft and mild,<br> +As never met the ear on mortal strand.<br> +<br>With swan-like wings dispread and pointing up,<br> +Who thus had spoken marshal'd us along,<br> +Where each side of the solid masonry<br> +The sloping, walls retir'd; then mov'd his plumes,<br> +And fanning us, affirm'd that those, who mourn,<br> +Are blessed, for that comfort shall be theirs.<br> +<br>"What aileth thee, that still thou look'st to earth?"<br> +Began my leader; while th' angelic shape<br> +A little over us his station took.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/19-51.jpg"><img alt="19-51th.jpg (38K)" src="images/19-51th.jpg" height="476" width="436"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>"New vision," I replied, "hath rais'd in me<br> +Surmizings strange and anxious doubts, whereon<br> +My soul intent allows no other thought<br> +Or room or entrance."—"Hast thou seen," said he,<br> +"That old enchantress, her, whose wiles alone<br> +The spirits o'er us weep for? Hast thou seen<br> +How man may free him of her bonds? Enough.<br> +Let thy heels spurn the earth, and thy rais'd ken<br> +Fix on the lure, which heav'n's eternal King<br> +Whirls in the rolling spheres." As on his feet<br> +The falcon first looks down, then to the sky<br> +Turns, and forth stretches eager for the food,<br> +That woos him thither; so the call I heard,<br> +So onward, far as the dividing rock<br> +Gave way, I journey'd, till the plain was reach'd.<br> +<br>On the fifth circle when I stood at large,<br> +A race appear'd before me, on the ground<br> +All downward lying prone and weeping sore.<br> +"My soul hath cleaved to the dust," I heard<br> +With sighs so deep, they well nigh choak'd the words.<br> +"O ye elect of God, whose penal woes<br> +Both hope and justice mitigate, direct<br> +Tow'rds the steep rising our uncertain way."<br> +<br>"If ye approach secure from this our doom,<br> +Prostration—and would urge your course with speed,<br> +See that ye still to rightward keep the brink."<br> +<br>So them the bard besought; and such the words,<br> +Beyond us some short space, in answer came.<br> +<br>I noted what remain'd yet hidden from them:<br> +Thence to my liege's eyes mine eyes I bent,<br> +And he, forthwith interpreting their suit,<br> +Beckon'd his glad assent. Free then to act,<br> +As pleas'd me, I drew near, and took my stand<br> +O`er that shade, whose words I late had mark'd.<br> +And, "Spirit!" I said, "in whom repentant tears<br> +Mature that blessed hour, when thou with God<br> +Shalt find acceptance, for a while suspend<br> +For me that mightier care. Say who thou wast,<br> +Why thus ye grovel on your bellies prone,<br> +And if in aught ye wish my service there,<br> +Whence living I am come." He answering spake<br> +"The cause why Heav'n our back toward his cope<br> +Reverses, shalt thou know: but me know first<br> +The successor of Peter, and the name<br> +And title of my lineage from that stream,<br> +That' twixt Chiaveri and Siestri draws<br> +His limpid waters through the lowly glen.<br> +A month and little more by proof I learnt,<br> +With what a weight that robe of sov'reignty<br> +Upon his shoulder rests, who from the mire<br> +Would guard it: that each other fardel seems<br> +But feathers in the balance. Late, alas!<br> +Was my conversion: but when I became<br> +Rome's pastor, I discern'd at once the dream<br> +And cozenage of life, saw that the heart<br> +Rested not there, and yet no prouder height<br> +Lur'd on the climber: wherefore, of that life<br> +No more enamour'd, in my bosom love<br> +Of purer being kindled. For till then<br> +I was a soul in misery, alienate<br> +From God, and covetous of all earthly things;<br> +Now, as thou seest, here punish'd for my doting.<br> +Such cleansing from the taint of avarice<br> +Do spirits converted need. This mount inflicts<br> +No direr penalty. E'en as our eyes<br> +Fasten'd below, nor e'er to loftier clime<br> +Were lifted, thus hath justice level'd us<br> +Here on the earth. As avarice quench'd our love<br> +Of good, without which is no working, thus<br> +Here justice holds us prison'd, hand and foot<br> +Chain'd down and bound, while heaven's just Lord shall please.<br> +So long to tarry motionless outstretch'd."<br> +<br>My knees I stoop'd, and would have spoke; but he,<br> +Ere my beginning, by his ear perceiv'd<br> +I did him reverence; and "What cause," said he,<br> +"Hath bow'd thee thus!"—"Compunction," I rejoin'd.<br> +"And inward awe of your high dignity."<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/19-131.jpg"><img alt="19-131th.jpg (44K)" src="images/19-131th.jpg" height="465" width="425"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>"Up," he exclaim'd, "brother! upon thy feet<br> +Arise: err not: thy fellow servant I,<br> +(Thine and all others') of one Sovran Power.<br> +If thou hast ever mark'd those holy sounds<br> +Of gospel truth, 'nor shall be given ill marriage,'<br> +Thou mayst discern the reasons of my speech.<br> +Go thy ways now; and linger here no more.<br> +Thy tarrying is a let unto the tears,<br> +With which I hasten that whereof thou spak'st.<br> +I have on earth a kinswoman; her name<br> +Alagia, worthy in herself, so ill<br> +Example of our house corrupt her not:<br> +And she is all remaineth of me there."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="20"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XX</h2> +<br> + +<p>Ill strives the will, 'gainst will more wise that strives<br> +His pleasure therefore to mine own preferr'd,<br> +I drew the sponge yet thirsty from the wave.<br> +<br>Onward I mov'd: he also onward mov'd,<br> +Who led me, coasting still, wherever place<br> +Along the rock was vacant, as a man<br> +Walks near the battlements on narrow wall.<br> +For those on th' other part, who drop by drop<br> +Wring out their all-infecting malady,<br> +Too closely press the verge. Accurst be thou!<br> +Inveterate wolf! whose gorge ingluts more prey,<br> +Than every beast beside, yet is not fill'd!<br> +So bottomless thy maw!—Ye spheres of heaven!<br> +To whom there are, as seems, who attribute<br> +All change in mortal state, when is the day<br> +Of his appearing, for whom fate reserves<br> +To chase her hence? —With wary steps and slow<br> +We pass'd; and I attentive to the shades,<br> +Whom piteously I heard lament and wail;<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/20-17.jpg"><img alt="20-17th.jpg (38K)" src="images/20-17th.jpg" height="477" width="440"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +And, 'midst the wailing, one before us heard<br> +Cry out "O blessed Virgin!" as a dame<br> +In the sharp pangs of childbed; and "How poor<br> +Thou wast," it added, "witness that low roof<br> +Where thou didst lay thy sacred burden down.<br> +O good Fabricius! thou didst virtue choose<br> +With poverty, before great wealth with vice."<br> +<br>The words so pleas'd me, that desire to know<br> +The spirit, from whose lip they seem'd to come,<br> +Did draw me onward. Yet it spake the gift<br> +Of Nicholas, which on the maidens he<br> +Bounteous bestow'd, to save their youthful prime<br> +Unblemish'd. "Spirit! who dost speak of deeds<br> +So worthy, tell me who thou was," I said,<br> +"And why thou dost with single voice renew<br> +Memorial of such praise. That boon vouchsaf'd<br> +Haply shall meet reward; if I return<br> +To finish the Short pilgrimage of life,<br> +Still speeding to its close on restless wing."<br> +<br>"I," answer'd he, "will tell thee, not for hell,<br> +Which thence I look for; but that in thyself<br> +Grace so exceeding shines, before thy time<br> +Of mortal dissolution. I was root<br> +Of that ill plant, whose shade such poison sheds<br> +O'er all the Christian land, that seldom thence<br> +Good fruit is gather'd. Vengeance soon should come,<br> +Had Ghent and Douay, Lille and Bruges power;<br> +And vengeance I of heav'n's great Judge implore.<br> +Hugh Capet was I high: from me descend<br> +The Philips and the Louis, of whom France<br> +Newly is govern'd; born of one, who ply'd<br> +The slaughterer's trade at Paris. When the race<br> +Of ancient kings had vanish'd (all save one<br> +Wrapt up in sable weeds) within my gripe<br> +I found the reins of empire, and such powers<br> +Of new acquirement, with full store of friends,<br> +That soon the widow'd circlet of the crown<br> +Was girt upon the temples of my son,<br> +He, from whose bones th' anointed race begins.<br> +Till the great dower of Provence had remov'd<br> +The stains, that yet obscur'd our lowly blood,<br> +Its sway indeed was narrow, but howe'er<br> +It wrought no evil: there, with force and lies,<br> +Began its rapine; after, for amends,<br> +Poitou it seiz'd, Navarre and Gascony.<br> +To Italy came Charles, and for amends<br> +Young Conradine an innocent victim slew,<br> +And sent th' angelic teacher back to heav'n,<br> +Still for amends. I see the time at hand,<br> +That forth from France invites another Charles<br> +To make himself and kindred better known.<br> +Unarm'd he issues, saving with that lance,<br> +Which the arch-traitor tilted with; and that<br> +He carries with so home a thrust, as rives<br> +The bowels of poor Florence. No increase<br> +Of territory hence, but sin and shame<br> +Shall be his guerdon, and so much the more<br> +As he more lightly deems of such foul wrong.<br> +I see the other, who a prisoner late<br> +Had steps on shore, exposing to the mart<br> +His daughter, whom he bargains for, as do<br> +The Corsairs for their slaves. O avarice!<br> +What canst thou more, who hast subdued our blood<br> +So wholly to thyself, they feel no care<br> +Of their own flesh? To hide with direr guilt<br> +Past ill and future, lo! the flower-de-luce<br> +Enters Alagna! in his Vicar Christ<br> +Himself a captive, and his mockery<br> +Acted again! Lo! lo his holy lip<br> +The vinegar and gall once more applied!<br> +And he 'twixt living robbers doom'd to bleed!<br> +Lo! the new Pilate, of whose cruelty<br> +Such violence cannot fill the measure up,<br> +With no degree to sanction, pushes on<br> +Into the temple his yet eager sails!<br> +<br>"O sovran Master! when shall I rejoice<br> +To see the vengeance, which thy wrath well-pleas'd<br> +In secret silence broods?—While daylight lasts,<br> +So long what thou didst hear of her, sole spouse<br> +Of the Great Spirit, and on which thou turn'dst<br> +To me for comment, is the general theme<br> +Of all our prayers: but when it darkens, then<br> +A different strain we utter, then record<br> +Pygmalion, whom his gluttonous thirst of gold<br> +Made traitor, robber, parricide: the woes<br> +Of Midas, which his greedy wish ensued,<br> +Mark'd for derision to all future times:<br> +And the fond Achan, how he stole the prey,<br> +That yet he seems by Joshua's ire pursued.<br> +Sapphira with her husband next, we blame;<br> +And praise the forefeet, that with furious ramp<br> +Spurn'd Heliodorus. All the mountain round<br> +Rings with the infamy of Thracia's king,<br> +Who slew his Phrygian charge: and last a shout<br> +Ascends: "Declare, O Crassus! for thou know'st,<br> +The flavour of thy gold." The voice of each<br> +Now high now low, as each his impulse prompts,<br> +Is led through many a pitch, acute or grave.<br> +Therefore, not singly, I erewhile rehears'd<br> +That blessedness we tell of in the day:<br> +But near me none beside his accent rais'd."<br> +<br>From him we now had parted, and essay'd<br> +With utmost efforts to surmount the way,<br> +When I did feel, as nodding to its fall,<br> +The mountain tremble; whence an icy chill<br> +Seiz'd on me, as on one to death convey'd.<br> +So shook not Delos, when Latona there<br> +Couch'd to bring forth the twin-born eyes of heaven.<br> +<br>Forthwith from every side a shout arose<br> +So vehement, that suddenly my guide<br> +Drew near, and cried: "Doubt not, while I conduct thee."<br> +"Glory!" all shouted (such the sounds mine ear<br> +Gather'd from those, who near me swell'd the sounds)<br> +"Glory in the highest be to God." We stood<br> +Immovably suspended, like to those,<br> +The shepherds, who first heard in Bethlehem's field<br> +That song: till ceas'd the trembling, and the song<br> +Was ended: then our hallow'd path resum'd,<br> +Eying the prostrate shadows, who renew'd<br> +Their custom'd mourning. Never in my breast<br> +Did ignorance so struggle with desire<br> +Of knowledge, if my memory do not err,<br> +As in that moment; nor through haste dar'd I<br> +To question, nor myself could aught discern,<br> +So on I far'd in thoughtfulness and dread.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="21"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXI</h2> +<br> + +<p>The natural thirst, ne'er quench'd but from the well,<br> +Whereof the woman of Samaria crav'd,<br> +Excited: haste along the cumber'd path,<br> +After my guide, impell'd; and pity mov'd<br> +My bosom for the 'vengeful deed, though just.<br> +When lo! even as Luke relates, that Christ<br> +Appear'd unto the two upon their way,<br> +New-risen from his vaulted grave; to us<br> +A shade appear'd, and after us approach'd,<br> +Contemplating the crowd beneath its feet.<br> +We were not ware of it; so first it spake,<br> +Saying, "God give you peace, my brethren!" then<br> +Sudden we turn'd: and Virgil such salute,<br> +As fitted that kind greeting, gave, and cried:<br> +"Peace in the blessed council be thy lot<br> +Awarded by that righteous court, which me<br> +To everlasting banishment exiles!"<br> +<br>"How!" he exclaim'd, nor from his speed meanwhile<br> +Desisting, "If that ye be spirits, whom God<br> +Vouchsafes not room above, who up the height<br> +Has been thus far your guide?" To whom the bard:<br> +"If thou observe the tokens, which this man<br> +Trac'd by the finger of the angel bears,<br> +'Tis plain that in the kingdom of the just<br> +He needs must share. But sithence she, whose wheel<br> +Spins day and night, for him not yet had drawn<br> +That yarn, which, on the fatal distaff pil'd,<br> +Clotho apportions to each wight that breathes,<br> +His soul, that sister is to mine and thine,<br> +Not of herself could mount, for not like ours<br> +Her ken: whence I, from forth the ample gulf<br> +Of hell was ta'en, to lead him, and will lead<br> +Far as my lore avails. But, if thou know,<br> +Instruct us for what cause, the mount erewhile<br> +Thus shook and trembled: wherefore all at once<br> +Seem'd shouting, even from his wave-wash'd foot."<br> +<br>That questioning so tallied with my wish,<br> +The thirst did feel abatement of its edge<br> +E'en from expectance. He forthwith replied,<br> +"In its devotion nought irregular<br> +This mount can witness, or by punctual rule<br> +Unsanction'd; here from every change exempt.<br> +Other than that, which heaven in itself<br> +Doth of itself receive, no influence<br> +Can reach us. Tempest none, shower, hail or snow,<br> +Hoar frost or dewy moistness, higher falls<br> +Than that brief scale of threefold steps: thick clouds<br> +Nor scudding rack are ever seen: swift glance<br> +Ne'er lightens, nor Thaumantian Iris gleams,<br> +That yonder often shift on each side heav'n.<br> +Vapour adust doth never mount above<br> +The highest of the trinal stairs, whereon<br> +Peter's vicegerent stands. Lower perchance,<br> +With various motion rock'd, trembles the soil:<br> +But here, through wind in earth's deep hollow pent,<br> +I know not how, yet never trembled: then<br> +Trembles, when any spirit feels itself<br> +So purified, that it may rise, or move<br> +For rising, and such loud acclaim ensues.<br> +Purification by the will alone<br> +Is prov'd, that free to change society<br> +Seizes the soul rejoicing in her will.<br> +Desire of bliss is present from the first;<br> +But strong propension hinders, to that wish<br> +By the just ordinance of heav'n oppos'd;<br> +Propension now as eager to fulfil<br> +Th' allotted torment, as erewhile to sin.<br> +And I who in this punishment had lain<br> +Five hundred years and more, but now have felt<br> +Free wish for happier clime. Therefore thou felt'st<br> +The mountain tremble, and the spirits devout<br> +Heard'st, over all his limits, utter praise<br> +To that liege Lord, whom I entreat their joy<br> +To hasten." Thus he spake: and since the draught<br> +Is grateful ever as the thirst is keen,<br> +No words may speak my fullness of content.<br> +<br>"Now," said the instructor sage, "I see the net<br> +That takes ye here, and how the toils are loos'd,<br> +Why rocks the mountain and why ye rejoice.<br> +Vouchsafe, that from thy lips I next may learn,<br> +Who on the earth thou wast, and wherefore here<br> +So many an age wert prostrate."—"In that time,<br> +When the good Titus, with Heav'n's King to help,<br> +Aveng'd those piteous gashes, whence the blood<br> +By Judas sold did issue, with the name<br> +Most lasting and most honour'd there was I<br> +Abundantly renown'd," the shade reply'd,<br> +"Not yet with faith endued. So passing sweet<br> +My vocal Spirit, from Tolosa, Rome<br> +To herself drew me, where I merited<br> +A myrtle garland to inwreathe my brow.<br> +Statius they name me still. Of Thebes I sang,<br> +And next of great Achilles: but i' th' way<br> +Fell with the second burthen. Of my flame<br> +Those sparkles were the seeds, which I deriv'd<br> +From the bright fountain of celestial fire<br> +That feeds unnumber'd lamps, the song I mean<br> +Which sounds Aeneas' wand'rings: that the breast<br> +I hung at, that the nurse, from whom my veins<br> +Drank inspiration: whose authority<br> +Was ever sacred with me. To have liv'd<br> +Coeval with the Mantuan, I would bide<br> +The revolution of another sun<br> +Beyond my stated years in banishment."<br> +<br>The Mantuan, when he heard him, turn'd to me,<br> +And holding silence: by his countenance<br> +Enjoin'd me silence but the power which wills,<br> +Bears not supreme control: laughter and tears<br> +Follow so closely on the passion prompts them,<br> +They wait not for the motions of the will<br> +In natures most sincere. I did but smile,<br> +As one who winks; and thereupon the shade<br> +Broke off, and peer'd into mine eyes, where best<br> +Our looks interpret. "So to good event<br> +Mayst thou conduct such great emprize," he cried,<br> +"Say, why across thy visage beam'd, but now,<br> +The lightning of a smile!" On either part<br> +Now am I straiten'd; one conjures me speak,<br> +Th' other to silence binds me: whence a sigh<br> +I utter, and the sigh is heard. "Speak on;"<br> +The teacher cried; "and do not fear to speak,<br> +But tell him what so earnestly he asks."<br> +Whereon I thus: "Perchance, O ancient spirit!<br> +Thou marvel'st at my smiling. There is room<br> +For yet more wonder. He who guides my ken<br> +On high, he is that Mantuan, led by whom<br> +Thou didst presume of men and gods to sing.<br> +If other cause thou deem'dst for which I smil'd,<br> +Leave it as not the true one; and believe<br> +Those words, thou spak'st of him, indeed the cause."<br> +<br>Now down he bent t' embrace my teacher's feet;<br> +But he forbade him: "Brother! do it not:<br> +Thou art a shadow, and behold'st a shade."<br> +He rising answer'd thus: "Now hast thou prov'd<br> +The force and ardour of the love I bear thee,<br> +When I forget we are but things of air,<br> +And as a substance treat an empty shade."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="22"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXII</h2> +<br> + +<p>Now we had left the angel, who had turn'd<br> +To the sixth circle our ascending step,<br> +One gash from off my forehead raz'd: while they,<br> +Whose wishes tend to justice, shouted forth:<br> +"Blessed!" and ended with, "I thirst:" and I,<br> +More nimble than along the other straits,<br> +So journey'd, that, without the sense of toil,<br> +I follow'd upward the swift-footed shades;<br> +When Virgil thus began: "Let its pure flame<br> +From virtue flow, and love can never fail<br> +To warm another's bosom' so the light<br> +Shine manifestly forth. Hence from that hour,<br> +When 'mongst us in the purlieus of the deep,<br> +Came down the spirit of Aquinum's hard,<br> +Who told of thine affection, my good will<br> +Hath been for thee of quality as strong<br> +As ever link'd itself to one not seen.<br> +Therefore these stairs will now seem short to me.<br> +But tell me: and if too secure I loose<br> +The rein with a friend's license, as a friend<br> +Forgive me, and speak now as with a friend:<br> +How chanc'd it covetous desire could find<br> +Place in that bosom, 'midst such ample store<br> +Of wisdom, as thy zeal had treasur'd there?"<br> +<br>First somewhat mov'd to laughter by his words,<br> +Statius replied: "Each syllable of thine<br> +Is a dear pledge of love. Things oft appear<br> +That minister false matters to our doubts,<br> +When their true causes are remov'd from sight.<br> +Thy question doth assure me, thou believ'st<br> +I was on earth a covetous man, perhaps<br> +Because thou found'st me in that circle plac'd.<br> +Know then I was too wide of avarice:<br> +And e'en for that excess, thousands of moons<br> +Have wax'd and wan'd upon my sufferings.<br> +And were it not that I with heedful care<br> +Noted where thou exclaim'st as if in ire<br> +With human nature, 'Why, thou cursed thirst<br> +Of gold! dost not with juster measure guide<br> +The appetite of mortals?' I had met<br> +The fierce encounter of the voluble rock.<br> +Then was I ware that with too ample wing<br> +The hands may haste to lavishment, and turn'd,<br> +As from my other evil, so from this<br> +In penitence. How many from their grave<br> +Shall with shorn locks arise, who living, aye<br> +And at life's last extreme, of this offence,<br> +Through ignorance, did not repent. And know,<br> +The fault which lies direct from any sin<br> +In level opposition, here With that<br> +Wastes its green rankness on one common heap.<br> +Therefore if I have been with those, who wail<br> +Their avarice, to cleanse me, through reverse<br> +Of their transgression, such hath been my lot."<br> +<br>To whom the sovran of the pastoral song:<br> +"While thou didst sing that cruel warfare wag'd<br> +By the twin sorrow of Jocasta's womb,<br> +From thy discourse with Clio there, it seems<br> +As faith had not been shine: without the which<br> +Good deeds suffice not. And if so, what sun<br> +Rose on thee, or what candle pierc'd the dark<br> +That thou didst after see to hoist the sail,<br> +And follow, where the fisherman had led?"<br> +<br>He answering thus: "By thee conducted first,<br> +I enter'd the Parnassian grots, and quaff'd<br> +Of the clear spring; illumin'd first by thee<br> +Open'd mine eyes to God. Thou didst, as one,<br> +Who, journeying through the darkness, hears a light<br> +Behind, that profits not himself, but makes<br> +His followers wise, when thou exclaimedst, 'Lo!<br> +A renovated world! Justice return'd!<br> +Times of primeval innocence restor'd!<br> +And a new race descended from above!'<br> +Poet and Christian both to thee I owed.<br> +That thou mayst mark more clearly what I trace,<br> +My hand shall stretch forth to inform the lines<br> +With livelier colouring. Soon o'er all the world,<br> +By messengers from heav'n, the true belief<br> +Teem'd now prolific, and that word of thine<br> +Accordant, to the new instructors chim'd.<br> +Induc'd by which agreement, I was wont<br> +Resort to them; and soon their sanctity<br> +So won upon me, that, Domitian's rage<br> +Pursuing them, I mix'd my tears with theirs,<br> +And, while on earth I stay'd, still succour'd them;<br> +And their most righteous customs made me scorn<br> +All sects besides. Before I led the Greeks<br> +In tuneful fiction, to the streams of Thebes,<br> +I was baptiz'd; but secretly, through fear,<br> +Remain'd a Christian, and conform'd long time<br> +To Pagan rites. Five centuries and more,<br> +T for that lukewarmness was fain to pace<br> +Round the fourth circle. Thou then, who hast rais'd<br> +The covering, which did hide such blessing from me,<br> +Whilst much of this ascent is yet to climb,<br> +Say, if thou know, where our old Terence bides,<br> +Caecilius, Plautus, Varro: if condemn'd<br> +They dwell, and in what province of the deep."<br> +"These," said my guide, "with Persius and myself,<br> +And others many more, are with that Greek,<br> +Of mortals, the most cherish'd by the Nine,<br> +In the first ward of darkness. There ofttimes<br> +We of that mount hold converse, on whose top<br> +For aye our nurses live. We have the bard<br> +Of Pella, and the Teian, Agatho,<br> +Simonides, and many a Grecian else<br> +Ingarlanded with laurel. Of thy train<br> +Antigone is there, Deiphile,<br> +Argia, and as sorrowful as erst<br> +Ismene, and who show'd Langia's wave:<br> +Deidamia with her sisters there,<br> +And blind Tiresias' daughter, and the bride<br> +Sea-born of Peleus." Either poet now<br> +Was silent, and no longer by th' ascent<br> +Or the steep walls obstructed, round them cast<br> +Inquiring eyes. Four handmaids of the day<br> +Had finish'd now their office, and the fifth<br> +Was at the chariot-beam, directing still<br> +Its balmy point aloof, when thus my guide:<br> +"Methinks, it well behooves us to the brink<br> +Bend the right shoulder' circuiting the mount,<br> +As we have ever us'd." So custom there<br> +Was usher to the road, the which we chose<br> +Less doubtful, as that worthy shade complied.<br> +<br>They on before me went; I sole pursued,<br> +List'ning their speech, that to my thoughts convey'd<br> +Mysterious lessons of sweet poesy.<br> +But soon they ceas'd; for midway of the road<br> +A tree we found, with goodly fruitage hung,<br> +And pleasant to the smell: and as a fir<br> +Upward from bough to bough less ample spreads,<br> +So downward this less ample spread, that none.<br> +Methinks, aloft may climb. Upon the side,<br> +That clos'd our path, a liquid crystal fell<br> +From the steep rock, and through the sprays above<br> +Stream'd showering. With associate step the bards<br> +Drew near the plant; and from amidst the leaves<br> +A voice was heard: "Ye shall be chary of me;"<br> +And after added: "Mary took more thought<br> +For joy and honour of the nuptial feast,<br> +Than for herself who answers now for you.<br> +The women of old Rome were satisfied<br> +With water for their beverage. Daniel fed<br> +On pulse, and wisdom gain'd. The primal age<br> +Was beautiful as gold; and hunger then<br> +Made acorns tasteful, thirst each rivulet<br> +Run nectar. Honey and locusts were the food,<br> +Whereon the Baptist in the wilderness<br> +Fed, and that eminence of glory reach'd<br> +And greatness, which the' Evangelist records."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="23"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXIII</h2> +<br> + +<p>On the green leaf mine eyes were fix'd, like his<br> +Who throws away his days in idle chase<br> +Of the diminutive, when thus I heard<br> +The more than father warn me: "Son! our time<br> +Asks thriftier using. Linger not: away."<br> +<br>Thereat my face and steps at once I turn'd<br> +Toward the sages, by whose converse cheer'd<br> +I journey'd on, and felt no toil: and lo!<br> +A sound of weeping and a song: "My lips,<br> +O Lord!" and these so mingled, it gave birth<br> +To pleasure and to pain. "O Sire, belov'd!<br> +Say what is this I hear?" Thus I inquir'd.<br> +<br>"Spirits," said he, "who as they go, perchance,<br> +Their debt of duty pay." As on their road<br> +The thoughtful pilgrims, overtaking some<br> +Not known unto them, turn to them, and look,<br> +But stay not; thus, approaching from behind<br> +With speedier motion, eyed us, as they pass'd,<br> +A crowd of spirits, silent and devout.<br> +The eyes of each were dark and hollow: pale<br> +Their visage, and so lean withal, the bones<br> +Stood staring thro' the skin. I do not think<br> +Thus dry and meagre Erisicthon show'd,<br> +When pinc'ed by sharp-set famine to the quick.<br> +<br>"Lo!" to myself I mus'd, "the race, who lost<br> +Jerusalem, when Mary with dire beak<br> +Prey'd on her child." The sockets seem'd as rings,<br> +From which the gems were drops. Who reads the name<br> +Of man upon his forehead, there the M<br> +Had trac'd most plainly. Who would deem, that scent<br> +Of water and an apple, could have prov'd<br> +Powerful to generate such pining want,<br> +Not knowing how it wrought? While now I stood<br> +Wond'ring what thus could waste them (for the cause<br> +Of their gaunt hollowness and scaly rind<br> +Appear'd not) lo! a spirit turn'd his eyes<br> +In their deep-sunken cell, and fasten'd then<br> +On me, then cried with vehemence aloud:<br> +"What grace is this vouchsaf'd me?" By his looks<br> +I ne'er had recogniz'd him: but the voice<br> +Brought to my knowledge what his cheer conceal'd.<br> +Remembrance of his alter'd lineaments<br> +Was kindled from that spark; and I agniz'd<br> +The visage of Forese. "Ah! respect<br> +This wan and leprous wither'd skin," thus he<br> +Suppliant implor'd, "this macerated flesh.<br> +Speak to me truly of thyself. And who<br> +Are those twain spirits, that escort thee there?<br> +Be it not said thou Scorn'st to talk with me."<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/23-47.jpg"><img alt="23-47th.jpg (46K)" src="images/23-47th.jpg" height="471" width="430"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>"That face of thine," I answer'd him, "which dead<br> +I once bewail'd, disposes me not less<br> +For weeping, when I see It thus transform'd.<br> +Say then, by Heav'n, what blasts ye thus? The whilst<br> +I wonder, ask not Speech from me: unapt<br> +Is he to speak, whom other will employs."<br> +<br>He thus: "The water and tee plant we pass'd,<br> +Virtue possesses, by th' eternal will<br> +Infus'd, the which so pines me. Every spirit,<br> +Whose song bewails his gluttony indulg'd<br> +Too grossly, here in hunger and in thirst<br> +Is purified. The odour, which the fruit,<br> +And spray, that showers upon the verdure, breathe,<br> +Inflames us with desire to feed and drink.<br> +Nor once alone encompassing our route<br> +We come to add fresh fuel to the pain:<br> +Pain, said I? solace rather: for that will<br> +To the tree leads us, by which Christ was led<br> +To call Elias, joyful when he paid<br> +Our ransom from his vein." I answering thus:<br> +"Forese! from that day, in which the world<br> +For better life thou changedst, not five years<br> +Have circled. If the power of sinning more<br> +Were first concluded in thee, ere thou knew'st<br> +That kindly grief, which re-espouses us<br> +To God, how hither art thou come so soon?<br> +I thought to find thee lower, there, where time<br> +Is recompense for time." He straight replied:<br> +"To drink up the sweet wormwood of affliction<br> +I have been brought thus early by the tears<br> +Stream'd down my Nella's cheeks. Her prayers devout,<br> +Her sighs have drawn me from the coast, where oft<br> +Expectance lingers, and have set me free<br> +From th' other circles. In the sight of God<br> +So much the dearer is my widow priz'd,<br> +She whom I lov'd so fondly, as she ranks<br> +More singly eminent for virtuous deeds.<br> +The tract most barb'rous of Sardinia's isle,<br> +Hath dames more chaste and modester by far<br> +Than that wherein I left her. O sweet brother!<br> +What wouldst thou have me say? A time to come<br> +Stands full within my view, to which this hour<br> +Shall not be counted of an ancient date,<br> +When from the pulpit shall be loudly warn'd<br> +Th' unblushing dames of Florence, lest they bare<br> +Unkerchief'd bosoms to the common gaze.<br> +What savage women hath the world e'er seen,<br> +What Saracens, for whom there needed scourge<br> +Of spiritual or other discipline,<br> +To force them walk with cov'ring on their limbs!<br> +But did they see, the shameless ones, that Heav'n<br> +Wafts on swift wing toward them, while I speak,<br> +Their mouths were op'd for howling: they shall taste<br> +Of Borrow (unless foresight cheat me here)<br> +Or ere the cheek of him be cloth'd with down<br> +Who is now rock'd with lullaby asleep.<br> +Ah! now, my brother, hide thyself no more,<br> +Thou seest how not I alone but all<br> +Gaze, where thou veil'st the intercepted sun."<br> +<br>Whence I replied: "If thou recall to mind<br> +What we were once together, even yet<br> +Remembrance of those days may grieve thee sore.<br> +That I forsook that life, was due to him<br> +Who there precedes me, some few evenings past,<br> +When she was round, who shines with sister lamp<br> +To his, that glisters yonder," and I show'd<br> +The sun. "Tis he, who through profoundest night<br> +Of he true dead has brought me, with this flesh<br> +As true, that follows. From that gloom the aid<br> +Of his sure comfort drew me on to climb,<br> +And climbing wind along this mountain-steep,<br> +Which rectifies in you whate'er the world<br> +Made crooked and deprav'd I have his word,<br> +That he will bear me company as far<br> +As till I come where Beatrice dwells:<br> +But there must leave me. Virgil is that spirit,<br> +Who thus hath promis'd," and I pointed to him;<br> +"The other is that shade, for whom so late<br> +Your realm, as he arose, exulting shook<br> +Through every pendent cliff and rocky bound."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="24"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXIV</h2> +<br> + +<p>Our journey was not slacken'd by our talk,<br> +Nor yet our talk by journeying. Still we spake,<br> +And urg'd our travel stoutly, like a ship<br> +When the wind sits astern. The shadowy forms,<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/24-4.jpg"><img alt="24-4th.jpg (38K)" src="images/24-4th.jpg" height="464" width="434"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +That seem'd things dead and dead again, drew in<br> +At their deep-delved orbs rare wonder of me,<br> +Perceiving I had life; and I my words<br> +Continued, and thus spake; "He journeys up<br> +Perhaps more tardily then else he would,<br> +For others' sake. But tell me, if thou know'st,<br> +Where is Piccarda? Tell me, if I see<br> +Any of mark, among this multitude,<br> +Who eye me thus."—"My sister (she for whom,<br> +'Twixt beautiful and good I cannot say<br> +Which name was fitter ) wears e'en now her crown,<br> +And triumphs in Olympus." Saying this,<br> +He added: "Since spare diet hath so worn<br> +Our semblance out, 't is lawful here to name<br> +Each one. This," and his finger then he rais'd,<br> +"Is Buonaggiuna,—Buonaggiuna, he<br> +Of Lucca: and that face beyond him, pierc'd<br> +Unto a leaner fineness than the rest,<br> +Had keeping of the church: he was of Tours,<br> +And purges by wan abstinence away<br> +Bolsena's eels and cups of muscadel."<br> +<br>He show'd me many others, one by one,<br> +And all, as they were nam'd, seem'd well content;<br> +For no dark gesture I discern'd in any.<br> +I saw through hunger Ubaldino grind<br> +His teeth on emptiness; and Boniface,<br> +That wav'd the crozier o'er a num'rous flock.<br> +I saw the Marquis, who tad time erewhile<br> +To swill at Forli with less drought, yet so<br> +Was one ne'er sated. I howe'er, like him,<br> +That gazing 'midst a crowd, singles out one,<br> +So singled him of Lucca; for methought<br> +Was none amongst them took such note of me.<br> +Somewhat I heard him whisper of Gentucca:<br> +The sound was indistinct, and murmur'd there,<br> +Where justice, that so strips them, fix'd her sting.<br> +<br>"Spirit!" said I, "it seems as thou wouldst fain<br> +Speak with me. Let me hear thee. Mutual wish<br> +To converse prompts, which let us both indulge."<br> +<br>He, answ'ring, straight began: "Woman is born,<br> +Whose brow no wimple shades yet, that shall make<br> +My city please thee, blame it as they may.<br> +Go then with this forewarning. If aught false<br> +My whisper too implied, th' event shall tell<br> +But say, if of a truth I see the man<br> +Of that new lay th' inventor, which begins<br> +With 'Ladies, ye that con the lore of love'."<br> +<br>To whom I thus: "Count of me but as one<br> +Who am the scribe of love; that, when he breathes,<br> +Take up my pen, and, as he dictates, write."<br> +<br>"Brother!" said he, "the hind'rance which once held<br> +The notary with Guittone and myself,<br> +Short of that new and sweeter style I hear,<br> +Is now disclos'd. I see how ye your plumes<br> +Stretch, as th' inditer guides them; which, no question,<br> +Ours did not. He that seeks a grace beyond,<br> +Sees not the distance parts one style from other."<br> +And, as contented, here he held his peace.<br> +<br>Like as the bird, that winter near the Nile,<br> +In squared regiment direct their course,<br> +Then stretch themselves in file for speedier flight;<br> +Thus all the tribe of spirits, as they turn'd<br> +Their visage, faster deaf, nimble alike<br> +Through leanness and desire. And as a man,<br> +Tir'd With the motion of a trotting steed,<br> +Slacks pace, and stays behind his company,<br> +Till his o'erbreathed lungs keep temperate time;<br> +E'en so Forese let that holy crew<br> +Proceed, behind them lingering at my side,<br> +And saying: "When shall I again behold thee?"<br> +<br>"How long my life may last," said I, "I know not;<br> +This know, how soon soever I return,<br> +My wishes will before me have arriv'd.<br> +Sithence the place, where I am set to live,<br> +Is, day by day, more scoop'd of all its good,<br> +And dismal ruin seems to threaten it."<br> +<br>"Go now," he cried: "lo! he, whose guilt is most,<br> +Passes before my vision, dragg'd at heels<br> +Of an infuriate beast. Toward the vale,<br> +Where guilt hath no redemption, on it speeds,<br> +Each step increasing swiftness on the last;<br> +Until a blow it strikes, that leaveth him<br> +A corse most vilely shatter'd. No long space<br> +Those wheels have yet to roll" (therewith his eyes<br> +Look'd up to heav'n) "ere thou shalt plainly see<br> +That which my words may not more plainly tell.<br> +I quit thee: time is precious here: I lose<br> +Too much, thus measuring my pace with shine."<br> +<br>As from a troop of well-rank'd chivalry<br> +One knight, more enterprising than the rest,<br> +Pricks forth at gallop, eager to display<br> +His prowess in the first encounter prov'd<br> +So parted he from us with lengthen'd strides,<br> +And left me on the way with those twain spirits,<br> +Who were such mighty marshals of the world.<br> +<br>When he beyond us had so fled mine eyes<br> +No nearer reach'd him, than my thought his words,<br> +The branches of another fruit, thick hung,<br> +And blooming fresh, appear'd. E'en as our steps<br> +Turn'd thither, not far off it rose to view.<br> +Beneath it were a multitude, that rais'd<br> +Their hands, and shouted forth I know not What<br> +Unto the boughs; like greedy and fond brats,<br> +That beg, and answer none obtain from him,<br> +Of whom they beg; but more to draw them on,<br> +He at arm's length the object of their wish<br> +Above them holds aloft, and hides it not.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/24-112.jpg"><img alt="24-112th.jpg (43K)" src="images/24-112th.jpg" height="476" width="434"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>At length, as undeceiv'd they went their way:<br> +And we approach the tree, who vows and tears<br> +Sue to in vain, the mighty tree. "Pass on,<br> +And come not near. Stands higher up the wood,<br> +Whereof Eve tasted, and from it was ta'en<br> +'this plant." Such sounds from midst the thickets came.<br> +Whence I, with either bard, close to the side<br> +That rose, pass'd forth beyond. "Remember," next<br> +We heard, "those noblest creatures of the clouds,<br> +How they their twofold bosoms overgorg'd<br> +Oppos'd in fight to Theseus: call to mind<br> +The Hebrews, how effeminate they stoop'd<br> +To ease their thirst; whence Gideon's ranks were thinn'd,<br> +As he to Midian march'd adown the hills."<br> +<br>Thus near one border coasting, still we heard<br> +The sins of gluttony, with woe erewhile<br> +Reguerdon'd. Then along the lonely path,<br> +Once more at large, full thousand paces on<br> +We travel'd, each contemplative and mute.<br> +<br>"Why pensive journey thus ye three alone?"<br> +Thus suddenly a voice exclaim'd: whereat<br> +I shook, as doth a scar'd and paltry beast;<br> +Then rais'd my head to look from whence it came.<br> +<br>Was ne'er, in furnace, glass, or metal seen<br> +So bright and glowing red, as was the shape<br> +I now beheld. "If ye desire to mount,"<br> +He cried, "here must ye turn. This way he goes,<br> +Who goes in quest of peace." His countenance<br> +Had dazzled me; and to my guides I fac'd<br> +Backward, like one who walks, as sound directs.<br> +<br>As when, to harbinger the dawn, springs up<br> +On freshen'd wing the air of May, and breathes<br> +Of fragrance, all impregn'd with herb and flowers,<br> +E'en such a wind I felt upon my front<br> +Blow gently, and the moving of a wing<br> +Perceiv'd, that moving shed ambrosial smell;<br> +And then a voice: "Blessed are they, whom grace<br> +Doth so illume, that appetite in them<br> +Exhaleth no inordinate desire,<br> +Still hung'ring as the rule of temperance wills."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="25"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXV</h2> +<br> + +<p>It was an hour, when he who climbs, had need<br> +To walk uncrippled: for the sun had now<br> +To Taurus the meridian circle left,<br> +And to the Scorpion left the night. As one<br> +That makes no pause, but presses on his road,<br> +Whate'er betide him, if some urgent need<br> +Impel: so enter'd we upon our way,<br> +One before other; for, but singly, none<br> +That steep and narrow scale admits to climb.<br> +<br>E'en as the young stork lifteth up his wing<br> +Through wish to fly, yet ventures not to quit<br> +The nest, and drops it; so in me desire<br> +Of questioning my guide arose, and fell,<br> +Arriving even to the act, that marks<br> +A man prepar'd for speech. Him all our haste<br> +Restrain'd not, but thus spake the sire belov'd:<br> +"Fear not to speed the shaft, that on thy lip<br> +Stands trembling for its flight." Encourag'd thus<br> +I straight began: "How there can leanness come,<br> +Where is no want of nourishment to feed?"<br> +<br>"If thou," he answer'd, "hadst remember'd thee,<br> +How Meleager with the wasting brand<br> +Wasted alike, by equal fires consum'd,<br> +This would not trouble thee: and hadst thou thought,<br> +How in the mirror your reflected form<br> +With mimic motion vibrates, what now seems<br> +Hard, had appear'd no harder than the pulp<br> +Of summer fruit mature. But that thy will<br> +In certainty may find its full repose,<br> +Lo Statius here! on him I call, and pray<br> +That he would now be healer of thy wound."<br> +<br>"If in thy presence I unfold to him<br> +The secrets of heaven's vengeance, let me plead<br> +Thine own injunction, to exculpate me."<br> +So Statius answer'd, and forthwith began:<br> +"Attend my words, O son, and in thy mind<br> +Receive them: so shall they be light to clear<br> +The doubt thou offer'st. Blood, concocted well,<br> +Which by the thirsty veins is ne'er imbib'd,<br> +And rests as food superfluous, to be ta'en<br> +From the replenish'd table, in the heart<br> +Derives effectual virtue, that informs<br> +The several human limbs, as being that,<br> +Which passes through the veins itself to make them.<br> +Yet more concocted it descends, where shame<br> +Forbids to mention: and from thence distils<br> +In natural vessel on another's blood.<br> +Then each unite together, one dispos'd<br> +T' endure, to act the other, through meet frame<br> +Of its recipient mould: that being reach'd,<br> +It 'gins to work, coagulating first;<br> +Then vivifies what its own substance caus'd<br> +To bear. With animation now indued,<br> +The active virtue (differing from a plant<br> +No further, than that this is on the way<br> +And at its limit that) continues yet<br> +To operate, that now it moves, and feels,<br> +As sea sponge clinging to the rock: and there<br> +Assumes th' organic powers its seed convey'd.<br> +'This is the period, son! at which the virtue,<br> +That from the generating heart proceeds,<br> +Is pliant and expansive; for each limb<br> +Is in the heart by forgeful nature plann'd.<br> +How babe of animal becomes, remains<br> +For thy consid'ring. At this point, more wise,<br> +Than thou hast err'd, making the soul disjoin'd<br> +From passive intellect, because he saw<br> +No organ for the latter's use assign'd.<br> +<br>"Open thy bosom to the truth that comes.<br> +Know soon as in the embryo, to the brain,<br> +Articulation is complete, then turns<br> +The primal Mover with a smile of joy<br> +On such great work of nature, and imbreathes<br> +New spirit replete with virtue, that what here<br> +Active it finds, to its own substance draws,<br> +And forms an individual soul, that lives,<br> +And feels, and bends reflective on itself.<br> +And that thou less mayst marvel at the word,<br> +Mark the sun's heat, how that to wine doth change,<br> +Mix'd with the moisture filter'd through the vine.<br> +<br>"When Lachesis hath spun the thread, the soul<br> +Takes with her both the human and divine,<br> +Memory, intelligence, and will, in act<br> +Far keener than before, the other powers<br> +Inactive all and mute. No pause allow'd,<br> +In wond'rous sort self-moving, to one strand<br> +Of those, where the departed roam, she falls,<br> +Here learns her destin'd path. Soon as the place<br> +Receives her, round the plastic virtue beams,<br> +Distinct as in the living limbs before:<br> +And as the air, when saturate with showers,<br> +The casual beam refracting, decks itself<br> +With many a hue; so here the ambient air<br> +Weareth that form, which influence of the soul<br> +Imprints on it; and like the flame, that where<br> +The fire moves, thither follows, so henceforth<br> +The new form on the spirit follows still:<br> +Hence hath it semblance, and is shadow call'd,<br> +With each sense even to the sight endued:<br> +Hence speech is ours, hence laughter, tears, and sighs<br> +Which thou mayst oft have witness'd on the mount<br> +Th' obedient shadow fails not to present<br> +Whatever varying passion moves within us.<br> +And this the cause of what thou marvel'st at."<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/25-107.jpg"><img alt="25-107th.jpg (38K)" src="images/25-107th.jpg" height="477" width="429"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>Now the last flexure of our way we reach'd,<br> +And to the right hand turning, other care<br> +Awaits us. Here the rocky precipice<br> +Hurls forth redundant flames, and from the rim<br> +A blast upblown, with forcible rebuff<br> +Driveth them back, sequester'd from its bound.<br> +<br>Behoov'd us, one by one, along the side,<br> +That border'd on the void, to pass; and I<br> +Fear'd on one hand the fire, on th' other fear'd<br> +Headlong to fall: when thus th' instructor warn'd:<br> +"Strict rein must in this place direct the eyes.<br> +A little swerving and the way is lost."<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/25-117.jpg"><img alt="25-117th.jpg (38K)" src="images/25-117th.jpg" height="475" width="434"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>Then from the bosom of the burning mass,<br> +"O God of mercy!" heard I sung; and felt<br> +No less desire to turn. And when I saw<br> +Spirits along the flame proceeding, I<br> +Between their footsteps and mine own was fain<br> +To share by turns my view. At the hymn's close<br> +They shouted loud, "I do not know a man;"<br> +Then in low voice again took up the strain,<br> +Which once more ended, "To the wood," they cried,<br> +"Ran Dian, and drave forth Callisto, stung<br> +With Cytherea's poison:" then return'd<br> +Unto their song; then marry a pair extoll'd,<br> +Who liv'd in virtue chastely, and the bands<br> +Of wedded love. Nor from that task, I ween,<br> +Surcease they; whilesoe'er the scorching fire<br> +Enclasps them. Of such skill appliance needs<br> +To medicine the wound, that healeth last.</p> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/25-119.jpg"><img alt="25-119th.jpg (33K)" src="images/25-119th.jpg" height="473" width="440"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + + + + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br> +<br> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p3.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p5.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +</body> +</html> + + diff --git a/old/orig8795-h/p5.htm b/old/orig8795-h/p5.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d9e839 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig8795-h/p5.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1418 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Dante's Purgatory, Part 5.</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:15%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + table {font-size: 120%;} + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> +<h2>THE VISION OF PURGATORY, Part 5.</h2> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br><br><br><br> + + + +<center> +<h1>THE VISION</h1><br> +<h2>OF</h2><br> +<h1>HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE</h1><br> +<h2>BY</h2><br> +<h1>DANTE ALIGHIERI</h1> + +<br><br><br> +<br><br><br> +<h2>PURGATORY</h2> +<h3>Part 5</h3> +<br><br><br> +<h3>TRANSLATED BY</h3><br> +<h2>THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img alt="coverth.jpg (42K)" src="images/coverth.jpg" height="478" width="553"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img alt="front2.jpg (41K)" src="images/front2.jpg" height="477" width="431"></a> +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/titlepage.jpg"><img alt="title2.jpg (21K)" src="images/title2.jpg" height="535" width="416"></a> + +<br><br><br><br> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>PURGATORY</h1> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>LIST OF CANTOS</h2> +</center> + +<center> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td> + + +<a href="#26">Canto 26</a><br> +<a href="#27">Canto 27</a><br> +<a href="#28">Canto 28</a><br> +<a href="#29">Canto 29</a><br> +<a href="#30">Canto 30</a><br> +<a href="#31">Canto 31</a><br> +<a href="#32">Canto 32</a><br> +<a href="#33">Canto 33</a><br> + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<table summary="Purgatory"> +<tr><td> +<br><br> + + + + + + +<a name="26"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXVI</h2> +<br> + +<p>While singly thus along the rim we walk'd,<br> +Oft the good master warn'd me: "Look thou well.<br> +Avail it that I caution thee." The sun<br> +Now all the western clime irradiate chang'd<br> +From azure tinct to white; and, as I pass'd,<br> +My passing shadow made the umber'd flame<br> +Burn ruddier. At so strange a sight I mark'd<br> +That many a spirit marvel'd on his way.<br> +<br>This bred occasion first to speak of me,<br> +"He seems," said they, "no insubstantial frame:"<br> +Then to obtain what certainty they might,<br> +Stretch'd towards me, careful not to overpass<br> +The burning pale. "O thou, who followest<br> +The others, haply not more slow than they,<br> +But mov'd by rev'rence, answer me, who burn<br> +In thirst and fire: nor I alone, but these<br> +All for thine answer do more thirst, than doth<br> +Indian or Aethiop for the cooling stream.<br> +Tell us, how is it that thou mak'st thyself<br> +A wall against the sun, as thou not yet<br> +Into th' inextricable toils of death<br> +Hadst enter'd?" Thus spake one, and I had straight<br> +Declar'd me, if attention had not turn'd<br> +To new appearance. Meeting these, there came,<br> +Midway the burning path, a crowd, on whom<br> +Earnestly gazing, from each part I view<br> +The shadows all press forward, sev'rally<br> +Each snatch a hasty kiss, and then away.<br> +E'en so the emmets, 'mid their dusky troops,<br> +Peer closely one at other, to spy out<br> +Their mutual road perchance, and how they thrive.<br> +<br>That friendly greeting parted, ere dispatch<br> +Of the first onward step, from either tribe<br> +Loud clamour rises: those, who newly come,<br> +Shout "Sodom and Gomorrah!" these, "The cow<br> +Pasiphae enter'd, that the beast she woo'd<br> +Might rush unto her luxury." Then as cranes,<br> +That part towards the Riphaean mountains fly,<br> +Part towards the Lybic sands, these to avoid<br> +The ice, and those the sun; so hasteth off<br> +One crowd, advances th' other; and resume<br> +Their first song weeping, and their several shout.<br> +<br>Again drew near my side the very same,<br> +Who had erewhile besought me, and their looks<br> +Mark'd eagerness to listen. I, who twice<br> +Their will had noted, spake: "O spirits secure,<br> +Whene'er the time may be, of peaceful end!<br> +My limbs, nor crude, nor in mature old age,<br> +Have I left yonder: here they bear me, fed<br> +With blood, and sinew-strung. That I no more<br> +May live in blindness, hence I tend aloft.<br> +There is a dame on high, who wind for us<br> +This grace, by which my mortal through your realm<br> +I bear. But may your utmost wish soon meet<br> +Such full fruition, that the orb of heaven,<br> +Fullest of love, and of most ample space,<br> +Receive you, as ye tell (upon my page<br> +Henceforth to stand recorded) who ye are,<br> +And what this multitude, that at your backs<br> +Have past behind us." As one, mountain-bred,<br> +Rugged and clownish, if some city's walls<br> +He chance to enter, round him stares agape,<br> +Confounded and struck dumb; e'en such appear'd<br> +Each spirit. But when rid of that amaze,<br> +(Not long the inmate of a noble heart)<br> +He, who before had question'd, thus resum'd:<br> +"O blessed, who, for death preparing, tak'st<br> +Experience of our limits, in thy bark!<br> +Their crime, who not with us proceed, was that,<br> +For which, as he did triumph, Caesar heard<br> +The snout of 'queen,' to taunt him. Hence their cry<br> +Of 'Sodom,' as they parted, to rebuke<br> +Themselves, and aid the burning by their shame.<br> +Our sinning was Hermaphrodite: but we,<br> +Because the law of human kind we broke,<br> +Following like beasts our vile concupiscence,<br> +Hence parting from them, to our own disgrace<br> +Record the name of her, by whom the beast<br> +In bestial tire was acted. Now our deeds<br> +Thou know'st, and how we sinn'd. If thou by name<br> +Wouldst haply know us, time permits not now<br> +To tell so much, nor can I. Of myself<br> +Learn what thou wishest. Guinicelli I,<br> +Who having truly sorrow'd ere my last,<br> +Already cleanse me." With such pious joy,<br> +As the two sons upon their mother gaz'd<br> +From sad Lycurgus rescu'd, such my joy<br> +(Save that I more represt it) when I heard<br> +From his own lips the name of him pronounc'd,<br> +Who was a father to me, and to those<br> +My betters, who have ever us'd the sweet<br> +And pleasant rhymes of love. So nought I heard<br> +Nor spake, but long time thoughtfully I went,<br> +Gazing on him; and, only for the fire,<br> +Approach'd not nearer. When my eyes were fed<br> +By looking on him, with such solemn pledge,<br> +As forces credence, I devoted me<br> +Unto his service wholly. In reply<br> +He thus bespake me: "What from thee I hear<br> +Is grav'd so deeply on my mind, the waves<br> +Of Lethe shall not wash it off, nor make<br> +A whit less lively. But as now thy oath<br> +Has seal'd the truth, declare what cause impels<br> +That love, which both thy looks and speech bewray."<br> +<br>"Those dulcet lays," I answer'd, "which, as long<br> +As of our tongue the beauty does not fade,<br> +Shall make us love the very ink that trac'd them."<br> +<br>"Brother!" he cried, and pointed at a shade<br> +Before him, "there is one, whose mother speech<br> +Doth owe to him a fairer ornament.<br> +He in love ditties and the tales of prose<br> +Without a rival stands, and lets the fools<br> +Talk on, who think the songster of Limoges<br> +O'ertops him. Rumour and the popular voice<br> +They look to more than truth, and so confirm<br> +Opinion, ere by art or reason taught.<br> +Thus many of the elder time cried up<br> +Guittone, giving him the prize, till truth<br> +By strength of numbers vanquish'd. If thou own<br> +So ample privilege, as to have gain'd<br> +Free entrance to the cloister, whereof Christ<br> +Is Abbot of the college, say to him<br> +One paternoster for me, far as needs<br> +For dwellers in this world, where power to sin<br> +No longer tempts us." Haply to make way<br> +For one, that follow'd next, when that was said,<br> +He vanish'd through the fire, as through the wave<br> +A fish, that glances diving to the deep.<br> +<br>I, to the spirit he had shown me, drew<br> +A little onward, and besought his name,<br> +For which my heart, I said, kept gracious room.<br> +He frankly thus began: "Thy courtesy<br> +So wins on me, I have nor power nor will<br> +To hide me. I am Arnault; and with songs,<br> +Sorely lamenting for my folly past,<br> +Thorough this ford of fire I wade, and see<br> +The day, I hope for, smiling in my view.<br> +I pray ye by the worth that guides ye up<br> +Unto the summit of the scale, in time<br> +Remember ye my suff'rings." With such words<br> +He disappear'd in the refining flame.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="27"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXVII</h2> +<br> + +<p>Now was the sun so station'd, as when first<br> +His early radiance quivers on the heights,<br> +Where stream'd his Maker's blood, while Libra hangs<br> +Above Hesperian Ebro, and new fires<br> +Meridian flash on Ganges' yellow tide.<br> +<br>So day was sinking, when the' angel of God<br> +Appear'd before us. Joy was in his mien.<br> +Forth of the flame he stood upon the brink,<br> +And with a voice, whose lively clearness far<br> +Surpass'd our human, "Blessed are the pure<br> +In heart," he Sang: then near him as we came,<br> +"Go ye not further, holy spirits!" he cried,<br> +"Ere the fire pierce you: enter in; and list<br> +Attentive to the song ye hear from thence."<br> +<br>I, when I heard his saying, was as one<br> +Laid in the grave. My hands together clasp'd,<br> +And upward stretching, on the fire I look'd,<br> +And busy fancy conjur'd up the forms<br> +Erewhile beheld alive consum'd in flames.<br> +<br>Th' escorting spirits turn'd with gentle looks<br> +Toward me, and the Mantuan spake: "My son,<br> +Here torment thou mayst feel, but canst not death.<br> +Remember thee, remember thee, if I<br> +Safe e'en on Geryon brought thee: now I come<br> +More near to God, wilt thou not trust me now?<br> +Of this be sure: though in its womb that flame<br> +A thousand years contain'd thee, from thy head<br> +No hair should perish. If thou doubt my truth,<br> +Approach, and with thy hands thy vesture's hem<br> +Stretch forth, and for thyself confirm belief.<br> +Lay now all fear, O lay all fear aside.<br> +Turn hither, and come onward undismay'd."<br> +I still, though conscience urg'd' no step advanc'd.<br> +<br>When still he saw me fix'd and obstinate,<br> +Somewhat disturb'd he cried: "Mark now, my son,<br> +From Beatrice thou art by this wall<br> +Divided." As at Thisbe's name the eye<br> +Of Pyramus was open'd (when life ebb'd<br> +Fast from his veins), and took one parting glance,<br> +While vermeil dyed the mulberry; thus I turn'd<br> +To my sage guide, relenting, when I heard<br> +The name, that springs forever in my breast.<br> +<br>He shook his forehead; and, "How long," he said,<br> +"Linger we now?" then smil'd, as one would smile<br> +Upon a child, that eyes the fruit and yields.<br> +Into the fire before me then he walk'd;<br> +And Statius, who erewhile no little space<br> +Had parted us, he pray'd to come behind.<br> +<br>I would have cast me into molten glass<br> +To cool me, when I enter'd; so intense<br> +Rag'd the conflagrant mass. The sire belov'd,<br> +To comfort me, as he proceeded, still<br> +Of Beatrice talk'd. "Her eyes," saith he,<br> +"E'en now I seem to view." From the other side<br> +A voice, that sang, did guide us, and the voice<br> +Following, with heedful ear, we issued forth,<br> +There where the path led upward. "Come," we heard,<br> +"Come, blessed of my Father." Such the sounds,<br> +That hail'd us from within a light, which shone<br> +So radiant, I could not endure the view.<br> +"The sun," it added, "hastes: and evening comes.<br> +Delay not: ere the western sky is hung<br> +With blackness, strive ye for the pass." Our way<br> +Upright within the rock arose, and fac'd<br> +Such part of heav'n, that from before my steps<br> +The beams were shrouded of the sinking sun.<br> +<br>Nor many stairs were overpass, when now<br> +By fading of the shadow we perceiv'd<br> +The sun behind us couch'd: and ere one face<br> +Of darkness o'er its measureless expanse<br> +Involv'd th' horizon, and the night her lot<br> +Held individual, each of us had made<br> +A stair his pallet: not that will, but power,<br> +Had fail'd us, by the nature of that mount<br> +Forbidden further travel. As the goats,<br> +That late have skipp'd and wanton'd rapidly<br> +Upon the craggy cliffs, ere they had ta'en<br> +Their supper on the herb, now silent lie<br> +And ruminate beneath the umbrage brown,<br> +While noonday rages; and the goatherd leans<br> +Upon his staff, and leaning watches them:<br> +And as the swain, that lodges out all night<br> +In quiet by his flock, lest beast of prey<br> +Disperse them; even so all three abode,<br> +I as a goat and as the shepherds they,<br> +Close pent on either side by shelving rock.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/27-97.jpg"><img alt="27-97th.jpg (40K)" src="images/27-97th.jpg" height="456" width="433"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>A little glimpse of sky was seen above;<br> +Yet by that little I beheld the stars<br> +In magnitude and rustle shining forth<br> +With more than wonted glory. As I lay,<br> +Gazing on them, and in that fit of musing,<br> +Sleep overcame me, sleep, that bringeth oft<br> +Tidings of future hap. About the hour,<br> +As I believe, when Venus from the east<br> +First lighten'd on the mountain, she whose orb<br> +Seems always glowing with the fire of love,<br> +A lady young and beautiful, I dream'd,<br> +Was passing o'er a lea; and, as she came,<br> +Methought I saw her ever and anon<br> +Bending to cull the flowers; and thus she sang:<br> +"Know ye, whoever of my name would ask,<br> +That I am Leah: for my brow to weave<br> +A garland, these fair hands unwearied ply.<br> +To please me at the crystal mirror, here<br> +I deck me. But my sister Rachel, she<br> +Before her glass abides the livelong day,<br> +Her radiant eyes beholding, charm'd no less,<br> +Than I with this delightful task. Her joy<br> +In contemplation, as in labour mine."<br> +<br>And now as glimm'ring dawn appear'd, that breaks<br> +More welcome to the pilgrim still, as he<br> +Sojourns less distant on his homeward way,<br> +Darkness from all sides fled, and with it fled<br> +My slumber; whence I rose and saw my guide<br> +Already risen. "That delicious fruit,<br> +Which through so many a branch the zealous care<br> +Of mortals roams in quest of, shall this day<br> +Appease thy hunger." Such the words I heard<br> +From Virgil's lip; and never greeting heard<br> +So pleasant as the sounds. Within me straight<br> +Desire so grew upon desire to mount,<br> +Thenceforward at each step I felt the wings<br> +Increasing for my flight. When we had run<br> +O'er all the ladder to its topmost round,<br> +As there we stood, on me the Mantuan fix'd<br> +His eyes, and thus he spake: "Both fires, my son,<br> +The temporal and eternal, thou hast seen,<br> +And art arriv'd, where of itself my ken<br> +No further reaches. I with skill and art<br> +Thus far have drawn thee. Now thy pleasure take<br> +For guide. Thou hast o'ercome the steeper way,<br> +O'ercome the straighter. Lo! the sun, that darts<br> +His beam upon thy forehead! lo! the herb,<br> +The arboreta and flowers, which of itself<br> +This land pours forth profuse! Till those bright eyes<br> +With gladness come, which, weeping, made me haste<br> +To succour thee, thou mayst or seat thee down,<br> +Or wander where thou wilt. Expect no more<br> +Sanction of warning voice or sign from me,<br> +Free of thy own arbitrement to choose,<br> +Discreet, judicious. To distrust thy sense<br> +Were henceforth error. I invest thee then<br> +With crown and mitre, sovereign o'er thyself."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="28"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXVIII</h2> +<br> + +<p>Through that celestial forest, whose thick shade<br> +With lively greenness the new-springing day<br> +Attemper'd, eager now to roam, and search<br> +Its limits round, forthwith I left the bank,<br> +Along the champain leisurely my way<br> +Pursuing, o'er the ground, that on all sides<br> +Delicious odour breath'd. A pleasant air,<br> +That intermitted never, never veer'd,<br> +Smote on my temples, gently, as a wind<br> +Of softest influence: at which the sprays,<br> +Obedient all, lean'd trembling to that part<br> +Where first the holy mountain casts his shade,<br> +Yet were not so disorder'd, but that still<br> +Upon their top the feather'd quiristers<br> +Applied their wonted art, and with full joy<br> +Welcom'd those hours of prime, and warbled shrill<br> +Amid the leaves, that to their jocund lays<br> +inept tenor; even as from branch to branch,<br> +Along the piney forests on the shore<br> +Of Chiassi, rolls the gath'ring melody,<br> +When Eolus hath from his cavern loos'd<br> +The dripping south. Already had my steps,<br> +Though slow, so far into that ancient wood<br> +Transported me, I could not ken the place<br> +Where I had enter'd, when behold! my path<br> +Was bounded by a rill, which to the left<br> +With little rippling waters bent the grass,<br> +That issued from its brink. On earth no wave<br> +How clean soe'er, that would not seem to have<br> +Some mixture in itself, compar'd with this,<br> +Transpicuous, clear; yet darkly on it roll'd,<br> +Darkly beneath perpetual gloom, which ne'er<br> +Admits or sun or moon light there to shine.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/28-22.jpg"><img alt="28-22th.jpg (30K)" src="images/28-22th.jpg" height="476" width="432"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>My feet advanc'd not; but my wond'ring eyes<br> +Pass'd onward, o'er the streamlet, to survey<br> +The tender May-bloom, flush'd through many a hue,<br> +In prodigal variety: and there,<br> +As object, rising suddenly to view,<br> +That from our bosom every thought beside<br> +With the rare marvel chases, I beheld<br> +A lady all alone, who, singing, went,<br> +And culling flower from flower, wherewith her way<br> +Was all o'er painted. "Lady beautiful!<br> +Thou, who (if looks, that use to speak the heart,<br> +Are worthy of our trust), with love's own beam<br> +Dost warm thee," thus to her my speech I fram'd:<br> +"Ah! please thee hither towards the streamlet bend<br> +Thy steps so near, that I may list thy song.<br> +Beholding thee and this fair place, methinks,<br> +I call to mind where wander'd and how look'd<br> +Proserpine, in that season, when her child<br> +The mother lost, and she the bloomy spring."<br> +<br>As when a lady, turning in the dance,<br> +Doth foot it featly, and advances scarce<br> +One step before the other to the ground;<br> +Over the yellow and vermilion flowers<br> +Thus turn'd she at my suit, most maiden-like,<br> +Valing her sober eyes, and came so near,<br> +That I distinctly caught the dulcet sound.<br> +Arriving where the limped waters now<br> +Lav'd the green sward, her eyes she deign'd to raise,<br> +That shot such splendour on me, as I ween<br> +Ne'er glanced from Cytherea's, when her son<br> +Had sped his keenest weapon to her heart.<br> +Upon the opposite bank she stood and smil'd<br> +through her graceful fingers shifted still<br> +The intermingling dyes, which without seed<br> +That lofty land unbosoms. By the stream<br> +Three paces only were we sunder'd: yet<br> +The Hellespont, where Xerxes pass'd it o'er,<br> +(A curb for ever to the pride of man)<br> +Was by Leander not more hateful held<br> +For floating, with inhospitable wave<br> +'Twixt Sestus and Abydos, than by me<br> +That flood, because it gave no passage thence.<br> +<br>"Strangers ye come, and haply in this place,<br> +That cradled human nature in its birth,<br> +Wond'ring, ye not without suspicion view<br> +My smiles: but that sweet strain of psalmody,<br> +'Thou, Lord! hast made me glad,' will give ye light,<br> +Which may uncloud your minds. And thou, who stand'st<br> +The foremost, and didst make thy suit to me,<br> +Say if aught else thou wish to hear: for I<br> +Came prompt to answer every doubt of thine."<br> +<br>She spake; and I replied: "I know not how<br> +To reconcile this wave and rustling sound<br> +Of forest leaves, with what I late have heard<br> +Of opposite report." She answering thus:<br> +"I will unfold the cause, whence that proceeds,<br> +Which makes thee wonder; and so purge the cloud<br> +That hath enwraps thee. The First Good, whose joy<br> +Is only in himself, created man<br> +For happiness, and gave this goodly place,<br> +His pledge and earnest of eternal peace.<br> +Favour'd thus highly, through his own defect<br> +He fell, and here made short sojourn; he fell,<br> +And, for the bitterness of sorrow, chang'd<br> +Laughter unblam'd and ever-new delight.<br> +That vapours none, exhal'd from earth beneath,<br> +Or from the waters (which, wherever heat<br> +Attracts them, follow), might ascend thus far<br> +To vex man's peaceful state, this mountain rose<br> +So high toward the heav'n, nor fears the rage<br> +Of elements contending, from that part<br> +Exempted, where the gate his limit bars.<br> +Because the circumambient air throughout<br> +With its first impulse circles still, unless<br> +Aught interpose to cheek or thwart its course;<br> +Upon the summit, which on every side<br> +To visitation of th' impassive air<br> +Is open, doth that motion strike, and makes<br> +Beneath its sway th' umbrageous wood resound:<br> +And in the shaken plant such power resides,<br> +That it impregnates with its efficacy<br> +The voyaging breeze, upon whose subtle plume<br> +That wafted flies abroad; and th' other land<br> +Receiving (as 't is worthy in itself,<br> +Or in the clime, that warms it), doth conceive,<br> +And from its womb produces many a tree<br> +Of various virtue. This when thou hast heard,<br> +The marvel ceases, if in yonder earth<br> +Some plant without apparent seed be found<br> +To fix its fibrous stem. And further learn,<br> +That with prolific foison of all seeds,<br> +This holy plain is fill'd, and in itself<br> +Bears fruit that ne'er was pluck'd on other soil.<br> + The water, thou behold'st, springs not from vein,<br> +As stream, that intermittently repairs<br> +And spends his pulse of life, but issues forth<br> +From fountain, solid, undecaying, sure;<br> +And by the will omnific, full supply<br> +Feeds whatsoe'er On either side it pours;<br> +On this devolv'd with power to take away<br> +Remembrance of offence, on that to bring<br> +Remembrance back of every good deed done.<br> +From whence its name of Lethe on this part;<br> +On th' other Eunoe: both of which must first<br> +Be tasted ere it work; the last exceeding<br> +All flavours else. Albeit thy thirst may now<br> +Be well contented, if I here break off,<br> +No more revealing: yet a corollary<br> +I freely give beside: nor deem my words<br> +Less grateful to thee, if they somewhat pass<br> +The stretch of promise. They, whose verse of yore<br> +The golden age recorded and its bliss,<br> +On the Parnassian mountain, of this place<br> +Perhaps had dream'd. Here was man guiltless, here<br> +Perpetual spring and every fruit, and this<br> +The far-fam'd nectar." Turning to the bards,<br> +When she had ceas'd, I noted in their looks<br> +A smile at her conclusion; then my face<br> +Again directed to the lovely dame.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="29"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXIX</h2> +<br> + +<p>Singing, as if enamour'd, she resum'd<br> +And clos'd the song, with "Blessed they whose sins<br> +Are cover'd." Like the wood-nymphs then, that tripp'd<br> +Singly across the sylvan shadows, one<br> +Eager to view and one to 'scape the sun,<br> +So mov'd she on, against the current, up<br> +The verdant rivage. I, her mincing step<br> +Observing, with as tardy step pursued.<br> +<br>Between us not an hundred paces trod,<br> +The bank, on each side bending equally,<br> +Gave me to face the orient. Nor our way<br> +Far onward brought us, when to me at once<br> +She turn'd, and cried: "My brother! look and hearken."<br> +And lo! a sudden lustre ran across<br> +Through the great forest on all parts, so bright<br> +I doubted whether lightning were abroad;<br> +But that expiring ever in the spleen,<br> +That doth unfold it, and this during still<br> +And waxing still in splendor, made me question<br> +What it might be: and a sweet melody<br> +Ran through the luminous air. Then did I chide<br> +With warrantable zeal the hardihood<br> +Of our first parent, for that there were earth<br> +Stood in obedience to the heav'ns, she only,<br> +Woman, the creature of an hour, endur'd not<br> +Restraint of any veil: which had she borne<br> +Devoutly, joys, ineffable as these,<br> +Had from the first, and long time since, been mine.<br> +<br>While through that wilderness of primy sweets<br> +That never fade, suspense I walk'd, and yet<br> +Expectant of beatitude more high,<br> +Before us, like a blazing fire, the air<br> +Under the green boughs glow'd; and, for a song,<br> +Distinct the sound of melody was heard.<br> +<br>O ye thrice holy virgins! for your sakes<br> +If e'er I suffer'd hunger, cold and watching,<br> +Occasion calls on me to crave your bounty.<br> +Now through my breast let Helicon his stream<br> +Pour copious; and Urania with her choir<br> +Arise to aid me: while the verse unfolds<br> +Things that do almost mock the grasp of thought.<br> +<br>Onward a space, what seem'd seven trees of gold,<br> +The intervening distance to mine eye<br> +Falsely presented; but when I was come<br> +So near them, that no lineament was lost<br> +Of those, with which a doubtful object, seen<br> +Remotely, plays on the misdeeming sense,<br> +Then did the faculty, that ministers<br> +Discourse to reason, these for tapers of gold<br> +Distinguish, and it th' singing trace the sound<br> +"Hosanna." Above, their beauteous garniture<br> +Flam'd with more ample lustre, than the moon<br> +Through cloudless sky at midnight in her full.<br> +<br>I turn'd me full of wonder to my guide;<br> +And he did answer with a countenance<br> +Charg'd with no less amazement: whence my view<br> +Reverted to those lofty things, which came<br> +So slowly moving towards us, that the bride<br> +Would have outstript them on her bridal day.<br> +<br>The lady called aloud: "Why thus yet burns<br> +Affection in thee for these living, lights,<br> +And dost not look on that which follows them?"<br> +<br>I straightway mark'd a tribe behind them walk,<br> +As if attendant on their leaders, cloth'd<br> +With raiment of such whiteness, as on earth<br> +Was never. On my left, the wat'ry gleam<br> +Borrow'd, and gave me back, when there I look'd.<br> +As in a mirror, my left side portray'd.<br> +<br>When I had chosen on the river's edge<br> +Such station, that the distance of the stream<br> +Alone did separate me; there I stay'd<br> +My steps for clearer prospect, and beheld<br> +The flames go onward, leaving, as they went,<br> +The air behind them painted as with trail<br> +Of liveliest pencils! so distinct were mark'd<br> +All those sev'n listed colours, whence the sun<br> +Maketh his bow, and Cynthia her zone.<br> +These streaming gonfalons did flow beyond<br> +My vision; and ten paces, as I guess,<br> +Parted the outermost. Beneath a sky<br> +So beautiful, came foul and-twenty elders,<br> +By two and two, with flower-de-luces crown'd.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/29-80.jpg"><img alt="29-80th.jpg (36K)" src="images/29-80th.jpg" height="472" width="435"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +All sang one song: "Blessed be thou among<br> +The daughters of Adam! and thy loveliness<br> +Blessed for ever!" After that the flowers,<br> +And the fresh herblets, on the opposite brink,<br> +Were free from that elected race; as light<br> +In heav'n doth second light, came after them<br> +Four animals, each crown'd with verdurous leaf.<br> +With six wings each was plum'd, the plumage full<br> +Of eyes, and th' eyes of Argus would be such,<br> +Were they endued with life. Reader, more rhymes<br> +Will not waste in shadowing forth their form:<br> +For other need no straitens, that in this<br> +I may not give my bounty room. But read<br> +Ezekiel; for he paints them, from the north<br> +How he beheld them come by Chebar's flood,<br> +In whirlwind, cloud and fire; and even such<br> +As thou shalt find them character'd by him,<br> +Here were they; save as to the pennons; there,<br> +From him departing, John accords with me.<br> +<br>The space, surrounded by the four, enclos'd<br> +A car triumphal: on two wheels it came<br> +Drawn at a Gryphon's neck; and he above<br> +Stretch'd either wing uplifted, 'tween the midst<br> +And the three listed hues, on each side three;<br> +So that the wings did cleave or injure none;<br> +And out of sight they rose. The members, far<br> +As he was bird, were golden; white the rest<br> +With vermeil intervein'd. So beautiful<br> +A car in Rome ne'er grac'd Augustus pomp,<br> +Or Africanus': e'en the sun's itself<br> +Were poor to this, that chariot of the sun<br> +Erroneous, which in blazing ruin fell<br> +At Tellus' pray'r devout, by the just doom<br> +Mysterious of all-seeing Jove. Three nymphs<br> +at the right wheel, came circling in smooth dance;<br> +The one so ruddy, that her form had scarce<br> +Been known within a furnace of clear flame:<br> +The next did look, as if the flesh and bones<br> +Were emerald: snow new-fallen seem'd the third.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/29-118.jpg"><img alt="29-118th.jpg (39K)" src="images/29-118th.jpg" height="475" width="417"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +Now seem'd the white to lead, the ruddy now;<br> +And from her song who led, the others took<br> +Their treasure, swift or slow. At th' other wheel,<br> +A band quaternion, each in purple clad,<br> +Advanc'd with festal step, as of them one<br> +The rest conducted, one, upon whose front<br> +Three eyes were seen. In rear of all this group,<br> +Two old men I beheld, dissimilar<br> +In raiment, but in port and gesture like,<br> +Solid and mainly grave; of whom the one<br> +Did show himself some favour'd counsellor<br> +Of the great Coan, him, whom nature made<br> +To serve the costliest creature of her tribe.<br> +His fellow mark'd an opposite intent,<br> +Bearing a sword, whose glitterance and keen edge,<br> +E'en as I view'd it with the flood between,<br> +Appall'd me. Next four others I beheld,<br> +Of humble seeming: and, behind them all,<br> +One single old man, sleeping, as he came,<br> +With a shrewd visage. And these seven, each<br> +Like the first troop were habited, but wore<br> +No braid of lilies on their temples wreath'd.<br> +Rather with roses and each vermeil flower,<br> +A sight, but little distant, might have sworn,<br> +That they were all on fire above their brow.<br> +<br>Whenas the car was o'er against me, straight.<br> +Was heard a thund'ring, at whose voice it seem'd<br> +The chosen multitude were stay'd; for there,<br> +With the first ensigns, made they solemn halt.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="30"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXX</h2> +<br> + +<p>Soon as the polar light, which never knows<br> +Setting nor rising, nor the shadowy veil<br> +Of other cloud than sin, fair ornament<br> +Of the first heav'n, to duty each one there<br> +Safely convoying, as that lower doth<br> +The steersman to his port, stood firmly fix'd;<br> +Forthwith the saintly tribe, who in the van<br> +Between the Gryphon and its radiance came,<br> +Did turn them to the car, as to their rest:<br> +And one, as if commission'd from above,<br> +In holy chant thrice shorted forth aloud:<br> +"Come, spouse, from Libanus!" and all the rest<br> +Took up the song—At the last audit so<br> +The blest shall rise, from forth his cavern each<br> +Uplifting lightly his new-vested flesh,<br> +As, on the sacred litter, at the voice<br> +Authoritative of that elder, sprang<br> +A hundred ministers and messengers<br> +Of life eternal. "Blessed thou! who com'st!"<br> +And, "O," they cried, "from full hands scatter ye<br> +Unwith'ring lilies;" and, so saying, cast<br> +Flowers over head and round them on all sides.<br> +<br>I have beheld, ere now, at break of day,<br> +The eastern clime all roseate, and the sky<br> +Oppos'd, one deep and beautiful serene,<br> +And the sun's face so shaded, and with mists<br> +Attemper'd at lids rising, that the eye<br> +Long while endur'd the sight: thus in a cloud<br> +Of flowers, that from those hands angelic rose,<br> +And down, within and outside of the car,<br> +Fell showering, in white veil with olive wreath'd,<br> +A virgin in my view appear'd, beneath<br> +Green mantle, rob'd in hue of living flame:<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/30-32.jpg"><img alt="30-32th.jpg (34K)" src="images/30-32th.jpg" height="457" width="426"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +And o'er my Spirit, that in former days<br> +Within her presence had abode so long,<br> +No shudd'ring terror crept. Mine eyes no more<br> +Had knowledge of her; yet there mov'd from her<br> +A hidden virtue, at whose touch awak'd,<br> +The power of ancient love was strong within me.<br> +<br>No sooner on my vision streaming, smote<br> +The heav'nly influence, which years past, and e'en<br> +In childhood, thrill'd me, than towards Virgil I<br> +Turn'd me to leftward, panting, like a babe,<br> +That flees for refuge to his mother's breast,<br> +If aught have terrified or work'd him woe:<br> +And would have cried: "There is no dram of blood,<br> +That doth not quiver in me. The old flame<br> +Throws out clear tokens of reviving fire:"<br> +But Virgil had bereav'd us of himself,<br> +Virgil, my best-lov'd father; Virgil, he<br> +To whom I gave me up for safety: nor,<br> +All, our prime mother lost, avail'd to save<br> +My undew'd cheeks from blur of soiling tears.<br> +<br>"Dante, weep not, that Virgil leaves thee: nay,<br> +Weep thou not yet: behooves thee feel the edge<br> +Of other sword, and thou shalt weep for that."<br> +<br>As to the prow or stern, some admiral<br> +Paces the deck, inspiriting his crew,<br> +When 'mid the sail-yards all hands ply aloof;<br> +Thus on the left side of the car I saw,<br> +(Turning me at the sound of mine own name,<br> +Which here I am compell'd to register)<br> +The virgin station'd, who before appeared<br> +Veil'd in that festive shower angelical.<br> +<br>Towards me, across the stream, she bent her eyes;<br> +Though from her brow the veil descending, bound<br> +With foliage of Minerva, suffer'd not<br> +That I beheld her clearly; then with act<br> +Full royal, still insulting o'er her thrall,<br> +Added, as one, who speaking keepeth back<br> +The bitterest saying, to conclude the speech:<br> +"Observe me well. I am, in sooth, I am<br> +Beatrice. What! and hast thou deign'd at last<br> +Approach the mountain? knewest not, O man!<br> +Thy happiness is whole?" Down fell mine eyes<br> +On the clear fount, but there, myself espying,<br> +Recoil'd, and sought the greensward: such a weight<br> +Of shame was on my forehead. With a mien<br> +Of that stern majesty, which doth surround<br> +mother's presence to her awe-struck child,<br> +She look'd; a flavour of such bitterness<br> +Was mingled in her pity. There her words<br> +Brake off, and suddenly the angels sang:<br> +"In thee, O gracious Lord, my hope hath been:"<br> +But went no farther than, "Thou Lord, hast set<br> +My feet in ample room." As snow, that lies<br> +Amidst the living rafters on the back<br> +Of Italy congeal'd when drifted high<br> +And closely pil'd by rough Sclavonian blasts,<br> +Breathe but the land whereon no shadow falls,<br> +And straightway melting it distils away,<br> +Like a fire-wasted taper: thus was I,<br> +Without a sigh or tear, or ever these<br> +Did sing, that with the chiming of heav'n's sphere,<br> +Still in their warbling chime: but when the strain<br> +Of dulcet symphony, express'd for me<br> +Their soft compassion, more than could the words<br> +"Virgin, why so consum'st him?" then the ice,<br> +Congeal'd about my bosom, turn'd itself<br> +To spirit and water, and with anguish forth<br> +Gush'd through the lips and eyelids from the heart.<br> +<br>Upon the chariot's right edge still she stood,<br> +Immovable, and thus address'd her words<br> +To those bright semblances with pity touch'd:<br> +"Ye in th' eternal day your vigils keep,<br> +So that nor night nor slumber, with close stealth,<br> +Conveys from you a single step in all<br> +The goings on of life: thence with more heed<br> +I shape mine answer, for his ear intended,<br> +Who there stands weeping, that the sorrow now<br> +May equal the transgression. Not alone<br> +Through operation of the mighty orbs,<br> +That mark each seed to some predestin'd aim,<br> +As with aspect or fortunate or ill<br> +The constellations meet, but through benign<br> +Largess of heav'nly graces, which rain down<br> +From such a height, as mocks our vision, this man<br> +Was in the freshness of his being, such,<br> +So gifted virtually, that in him<br> +All better habits wond'rously had thriv'd.<br> +The more of kindly strength is in the soil,<br> +So much doth evil seed and lack of culture<br> +Mar it the more, and make it run to wildness.<br> +These looks sometime upheld him; for I show'd<br> +My youthful eyes, and led him by their light<br> +In upright walking. Soon as I had reach'd<br> +The threshold of my second age, and chang'd<br> +My mortal for immortal, then he left me,<br> +And gave himself to others. When from flesh<br> +To spirit I had risen, and increase<br> +Of beauty and of virtue circled me,<br> +I was less dear to him, and valued less.<br> +His steps were turn'd into deceitful ways,<br> +Following false images of good, that make<br> +No promise perfect. Nor avail'd me aught<br> +To sue for inspirations, with the which,<br> +I, both in dreams of night, and otherwise,<br> +Did call him back; of them so little reck'd him,<br> +Such depth he fell, that all device was short<br> +Of his preserving, save that he should view<br> +The children of perdition. To this end<br> +I visited the purlieus of the dead:<br> +And one, who hath conducted him thus high,<br> +Receiv'd my supplications urg'd with weeping.<br> +It were a breaking of God's high decree,<br> +If Lethe should be past, and such food tasted<br> +Without the cost of some repentant tear."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="31"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXXI</h2> +<br> + +<p>"O Thou!" her words she thus without delay<br> +Resuming, turn'd their point on me, to whom<br> +They but with lateral edge seem'd harsh before,<br> +"Say thou, who stand'st beyond the holy stream,<br> +If this be true. A charge so grievous needs<br> +Thine own avowal." On my faculty<br> +Such strange amazement hung, the voice expir'd<br> +Imperfect, ere its organs gave it birth.<br> +<br>A little space refraining, then she spake:<br> +"What dost thou muse on? Answer me. The wave<br> +On thy remembrances of evil yet<br> +Hath done no injury." A mingled sense<br> +Of fear and of confusion, from my lips<br> +Did such a "Yea" produce, as needed help<br> +Of vision to interpret. As when breaks<br> +In act to be discharg'd, a cross-bow bent<br> +Beyond its pitch, both nerve and bow o'erstretch'd,<br> +The flagging weapon feebly hits the mark;<br> +Thus, tears and sighs forth gushing, did I burst<br> +Beneath the heavy load, and thus my voice<br> +Was slacken'd on its way. She straight began:<br> +"When my desire invited thee to love<br> +The good, which sets a bound to our aspirings,<br> +What bar of thwarting foss or linked chain<br> +Did meet thee, that thou so should'st quit the hope<br> +Of further progress, or what bait of ease<br> +Or promise of allurement led thee on<br> +Elsewhere, that thou elsewhere should'st rather wait?"<br> +<br>A bitter sigh I drew, then scarce found voice<br> +To answer, hardly to these sounds my lips<br> +Gave utterance, wailing: "Thy fair looks withdrawn,<br> +Things present, with deceitful pleasures, turn'd<br> +My steps aside." She answering spake: "Hadst thou<br> +Been silent, or denied what thou avow'st,<br> +Thou hadst not hid thy sin the more: such eye<br> +Observes it. But whene'er the sinner's cheek<br> +Breaks forth into the precious-streaming tears<br> +Of self-accusing, in our court the wheel<br> +Of justice doth run counter to the edge.<br> +Howe'er that thou may'st profit by thy shame<br> +For errors past, and that henceforth more strength<br> +May arm thee, when thou hear'st the Siren-voice,<br> +Lay thou aside the motive to this grief,<br> +And lend attentive ear, while I unfold<br> +How opposite a way my buried flesh<br> +Should have impell'd thee. Never didst thou spy<br> +In art or nature aught so passing sweet,<br> +As were the limbs, that in their beauteous frame<br> +Enclos'd me, and are scatter'd now in dust.<br> +If sweetest thing thus fail'd thee with my death,<br> +What, afterward, of mortal should thy wish<br> +Have tempted? When thou first hadst felt the dart<br> +Of perishable things, in my departing<br> +For better realms, thy wing thou should'st have prun'd<br> +To follow me, and never stoop'd again<br> +To 'bide a second blow for a slight girl,<br> +Or other gaud as transient and as vain.<br> +The new and inexperienc'd bird awaits,<br> +Twice it may be, or thrice, the fowler's aim;<br> +But in the sight of one, whose plumes are full,<br> +In vain the net is spread, the arrow wing'd."<br> +<br>I stood, as children silent and asham'd<br> +Stand, list'ning, with their eyes upon the earth,<br> +Acknowledging their fault and self-condemn'd.<br> +And she resum'd: "If, but to hear thus pains thee,<br> +Raise thou thy beard, and lo! what sight shall do!"<br> +<br>With less reluctance yields a sturdy holm,<br> +Rent from its fibers by a blast, that blows<br> +From off the pole, or from Iarbas' land,<br> +Than I at her behest my visage rais'd:<br> +And thus the face denoting by the beard,<br> +I mark'd the secret sting her words convey'd.<br> +<br>No sooner lifted I mine aspect up,<br> +Than downward sunk that vision I beheld<br> +Of goodly creatures vanish; and mine eyes<br> +Yet unassur'd and wavering, bent their light<br> +On Beatrice. Towards the animal,<br> +Who joins two natures in one form, she turn'd,<br> +And, even under shadow of her veil,<br> +And parted by the verdant rill, that flow'd<br> +Between, in loveliness appear'd as much<br> +Her former self surpassing, as on earth<br> +All others she surpass'd. Remorseful goads<br> +Shot sudden through me. Each thing else, the more<br> +Its love had late beguil'd me, now the more<br> +I Was loathsome. On my heart so keenly smote<br> +The bitter consciousness, that on the ground<br> +O'erpower'd I fell: and what my state was then,<br> +She knows who was the cause. When now my strength<br> +Flow'd back, returning outward from the heart,<br> +The lady, whom alone I first had seen,<br> +I found above me. "Loose me not," she cried:<br> +"Loose not thy hold;" and lo! had dragg'd me high<br> +As to my neck into the stream, while she,<br> +Still as she drew me after, swept along,<br> +Swift as a shuttle, bounding o'er the wave.<br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/31-100.jpg"><img alt="31-100th.jpg (39K)" src="images/31-100th.jpg" height="474" width="427"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<br>The blessed shore approaching then was heard<br> +So sweetly, "Tu asperges me," that I<br> +May not remember, much less tell the sound.<br> +The beauteous dame, her arms expanding, clasp'd<br> +My temples, and immerg'd me, where 't was fit<br> +The wave should drench me: and thence raising up,<br> +Within the fourfold dance of lovely nymphs<br> +Presented me so lav'd, and with their arm<br> +They each did cover me. "Here are we nymphs,<br> +And in the heav'n are stars. Or ever earth<br> +Was visited of Beatrice, we<br> +Appointed for her handmaids, tended on her.<br> +We to her eyes will lead thee; but the light<br> +Of gladness that is in them, well to scan,<br> +Those yonder three, of deeper ken than ours,<br> +Thy sight shall quicken." Thus began their song;<br> +And then they led me to the Gryphon's breast,<br> +While, turn'd toward us, Beatrice stood.<br> +"Spare not thy vision. We have stationed thee<br> +Before the emeralds, whence love erewhile<br> +Hath drawn his weapons on thee." As they spake,<br> +A thousand fervent wishes riveted<br> +Mine eyes upon her beaming eyes, that stood<br> +Still fix'd toward the Gryphon motionless.<br> +As the sun strikes a mirror, even thus<br> +Within those orbs the twofold being, shone,<br> +For ever varying, in one figure now<br> +Reflected, now in other. Reader! muse<br> +How wond'rous in my sight it seem'd to mark<br> +A thing, albeit steadfast in itself,<br> +Yet in its imag'd semblance mutable.<br> +<br>Full of amaze, and joyous, while my soul<br> +Fed on the viand, whereof still desire<br> +Grows with satiety, the other three<br> +With gesture, that declar'd a loftier line,<br> +Advanc'd: to their own carol on they came<br> +Dancing in festive ring angelical.<br> +<br>"Turn, Beatrice!" was their song: "O turn<br> +Thy saintly sight on this thy faithful one,<br> +Who to behold thee many a wearisome pace<br> +Hath measur'd. Gracious at our pray'r vouchsafe<br> +Unveil to him thy cheeks: that he may mark<br> +Thy second beauty, now conceal'd." O splendour!<br> +O sacred light eternal! who is he<br> +So pale with musing in Pierian shades,<br> +Or with that fount so lavishly imbued,<br> +Whose spirit should not fail him in th' essay<br> +To represent thee such as thou didst seem,<br> +When under cope of the still-chiming heaven<br> +Thou gav'st to open air thy charms reveal'd.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="32"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXXII</h2> +<br> + +<p>Mine eyes with such an eager coveting,<br> +Were bent to rid them of their ten years' thirst,<br> +No other sense was waking: and e'en they<br> +Were fenc'd on either side from heed of aught;<br> +So tangled in its custom'd toils that smile<br> +Of saintly brightness drew me to itself,<br> +When forcibly toward the left my sight<br> +The sacred virgins turn'd; for from their lips<br> +I heard the warning sounds: "Too fix'd a gaze!"<br> +<br>Awhile my vision labor'd; as when late<br> +Upon the' o'erstrained eyes the sun hath smote:<br> +But soon to lesser object, as the view<br> +Was now recover'd (lesser in respect<br> +To that excess of sensible, whence late<br> +I had perforce been sunder'd) on their right<br> +I mark'd that glorious army wheel, and turn,<br> +Against the sun and sev'nfold lights, their front.<br> +As when, their bucklers for protection rais'd,<br> +A well-rang'd troop, with portly banners curl'd,<br> +Wheel circling, ere the whole can change their ground:<br> +E'en thus the goodly regiment of heav'n<br> +Proceeding, all did pass us, ere the car<br> +Had slop'd his beam. Attendant at the wheels<br> +The damsels turn'd; and on the Gryphon mov'd<br> +The sacred burden, with a pace so smooth,<br> +No feather on him trembled. The fair dame<br> +Who through the wave had drawn me, companied<br> +By Statius and myself, pursued the wheel,<br> +Whose orbit, rolling, mark'd a lesser arch.<br> +<br>Through the high wood, now void (the more her blame,<br> +Who by the serpent was beguil'd) I past<br> +With step in cadence to the harmony<br> +Angelic. Onward had we mov'd, as far<br> +Perchance as arrow at three several flights<br> +Full wing'd had sped, when from her station down<br> +Descended Beatrice. With one voice<br> +All murmur'd "Adam," circling next a plant<br> +Despoil'd of flowers and leaf on every bough.<br> +Its tresses, spreading more as more they rose,<br> +Were such, as 'midst their forest wilds for height<br> +The Indians might have gaz'd at. "Blessed thou!<br> +Gryphon, whose beak hath never pluck'd that tree<br> +Pleasant to taste: for hence the appetite<br> +Was warp'd to evil." Round the stately trunk<br> +Thus shouted forth the rest, to whom return'd<br> +The animal twice-gender'd: "Yea: for so<br> +The generation of the just are sav'd."<br> +And turning to the chariot-pole, to foot<br> +He drew it of the widow'd branch, and bound<br> +There left unto the stock whereon it grew.<br> +<br>As when large floods of radiance from above<br> +Stream, with that radiance mingled, which ascends<br> +Next after setting of the scaly sign,<br> +Our plants then burgeon, and each wears anew<br> +His wonted colours, ere the sun have yok'd<br> +Beneath another star his flamy steeds;<br> +Thus putting forth a hue, more faint than rose,<br> +And deeper than the violet, was renew'd<br> +The plant, erewhile in all its branches bare.<br> +<br>Unearthly was the hymn, which then arose.<br> +I understood it not, nor to the end<br> +Endur'd the harmony. Had I the skill<br> +To pencil forth, how clos'd th' unpitying eyes<br> +Slumb'ring, when Syrinx warbled, (eyes that paid<br> +So dearly for their watching,) then like painter,<br> +That with a model paints, I might design<br> +The manner of my falling into sleep.<br> +But feign who will the slumber cunningly;<br> +I pass it by to when I wak'd, and tell<br> +How suddenly a flash of splendour rent<br> +The curtain of my sleep, and one cries out:<br> +"Arise, what dost thou?" As the chosen three,<br> +On Tabor's mount, admitted to behold<br> +The blossoming of that fair tree, whose fruit<br> +Is coveted of angels, and doth make<br> +Perpetual feast in heaven, to themselves<br> +Returning at the word, whence deeper sleeps<br> +Were broken, that they their tribe diminish'd saw,<br> +Both Moses and Elias gone, and chang'd<br> +The stole their master wore: thus to myself<br> +Returning, over me beheld I stand<br> +The piteous one, who cross the stream had brought<br> +My steps. "And where," all doubting, I exclaim'd,<br> +"Is Beatrice?"—"See her," she replied,<br> +"Beneath the fresh leaf seated on its root.<br> +Behold th' associate choir that circles her.<br> +The others, with a melody more sweet<br> +And more profound, journeying to higher realms,<br> +Upon the Gryphon tend." If there her words<br> +Were clos'd, I know not; but mine eyes had now<br> +Ta'en view of her, by whom all other thoughts<br> +Were barr'd admittance. On the very ground<br> +Alone she sat, as she had there been left<br> +A guard upon the wain, which I beheld<br> +Bound to the twyform beast. The seven nymphs<br> +Did make themselves a cloister round about her,<br> +And in their hands upheld those lights secure<br> +From blast septentrion and the gusty south.<br> +<br>"A little while thou shalt be forester here:<br> +And citizen shalt be forever with me,<br> +Of that true Rome, wherein Christ dwells a Roman<br> +To profit the misguided world, keep now<br> +Thine eyes upon the car; and what thou seest,<br> +Take heed thou write, returning to that place."<br> +<br>Thus Beatrice: at whose feet inclin'd<br> +Devout, at her behest, my thought and eyes,<br> +I, as she bade, directed. Never fire,<br> +With so swift motion, forth a stormy cloud<br> +Leap'd downward from the welkin's farthest bound,<br> +As I beheld the bird of Jove descending<br> +Pounce on the tree, and, as he rush'd, the rind,<br> +Disparting crush beneath him, buds much more<br> +And leaflets. On the car with all his might<br> +He struck, whence, staggering like a ship, it reel'd,<br> +At random driv'n, to starboard now, o'ercome,<br> +And now to larboard, by the vaulting waves.<br> +<br>Next springing up into the chariot's womb<br> +A fox I saw, with hunger seeming pin'd<br> +Of all good food. But, for his ugly sins<br> +The saintly maid rebuking him, away<br> +Scamp'ring he turn'd, fast as his hide-bound corpse<br> +Would bear him. Next, from whence before he came,<br> +I saw the eagle dart into the hull<br> +O' th' car, and leave it with his feathers lin'd;<br> +And then a voice, like that which issues forth<br> +From heart with sorrow riv'd, did issue forth<br> +From heav'n, and, "O poor bark of mine!" it cried,<br> +"How badly art thou freighted!" Then, it seem'd,<br> +That the earth open'd between either wheel,<br> +And I beheld a dragon issue thence,<br> +That through the chariot fix'd his forked train;<br> +And like a wasp that draggeth back the sting,<br> +So drawing forth his baleful train, he dragg'd<br> +Part of the bottom forth, and went his way<br> +Exulting. What remain'd, as lively turf<br> +With green herb, so did clothe itself with plumes,<br> +Which haply had with purpose chaste and kind<br> +Been offer'd; and therewith were cloth'd the wheels,<br> +Both one and other, and the beam, so quickly<br> +A sigh were not breath'd sooner. Thus transform'd,<br> +The holy structure, through its several parts,<br> +Did put forth heads, three on the beam, and one<br> +On every side; the first like oxen horn'd,<br> +But with a single horn upon their front<br> +The four. Like monster sight hath never seen.<br> +O'er it methought there sat, secure as rock<br> +On mountain's lofty top, a shameless whore,<br> +Whose ken rov'd loosely round her. At her side,<br> +As 't were that none might bear her off, I saw<br> +A giant stand; and ever, and anon<br> +They mingled kisses. But, her lustful eyes<br> +Chancing on me to wander, that fell minion<br> +Scourg'd her from head to foot all o'er; then full<br> +Of jealousy, and fierce with rage, unloos'd<br> +The monster, and dragg'd on, so far across<br> +The forest, that from me its shades alone<br> +Shielded the harlot and the new-form'd brute.</p> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/32-148.jpg"><img alt="32-148th.jpg (47K)" src="images/32-148th.jpg" height="458" width="429"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + +<a name="33"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CANTO XXXIII</h2> +<br> + +<p>"The heathen, Lord! are come!" responsive thus,<br> +The trinal now, and now the virgin band<br> +Quaternion, their sweet psalmody began,<br> +Weeping; and Beatrice listen'd, sad<br> +And sighing, to the song', in such a mood,<br> +That Mary, as she stood beside the cross,<br> +Was scarce more chang'd. But when they gave her place<br> +To speak, then, risen upright on her feet,<br> +She, with a colour glowing bright as fire,<br> +Did answer: "Yet a little while, and ye<br> +Shall see me not; and, my beloved sisters,<br> +Again a little while, and ye shall see me."<br> +<br>Before her then she marshall'd all the seven,<br> +And, beck'ning only motion'd me, the dame,<br> +And that remaining sage, to follow her.<br> +<br>So on she pass'd; and had not set, I ween,<br> +Her tenth step to the ground, when with mine eyes<br> +Her eyes encounter'd; and, with visage mild,<br> +"So mend thy pace," she cried, "that if my words<br> +Address thee, thou mayst still be aptly plac'd<br> +To hear them." Soon as duly to her side<br> +I now had hasten'd: "Brother!" she began,<br> +"Why mak'st thou no attempt at questioning,<br> +As thus we walk together?" Like to those<br> +Who, speaking with too reverent an awe<br> +Before their betters, draw not forth the voice<br> +Alive unto their lips, befell me shell<br> +That I in sounds imperfect thus began:<br> +"Lady! what I have need of, that thou know'st,<br> +And what will suit my need." She answering thus:<br> +"Of fearfulness and shame, I will, that thou<br> +Henceforth do rid thee: that thou speak no more,<br> +As one who dreams. Thus far be taught of me:<br> +The vessel, which thou saw'st the serpent break,<br> +Was and is not: let him, who hath the blame,<br> +Hope not to scare God's vengeance with a sop.<br> +Without an heir for ever shall not be<br> +That eagle, he, who left the chariot plum'd,<br> +Which monster made it first and next a prey.<br> +Plainly I view, and therefore speak, the stars<br> +E'en now approaching, whose conjunction, free<br> +From all impediment and bar, brings on<br> +A season, in the which, one sent from God,<br> +(Five hundred, five, and ten, do mark him out)<br> +That foul one, and th' accomplice of her guilt,<br> +The giant, both shall slay. And if perchance<br> +My saying, dark as Themis or as Sphinx,<br> +Fail to persuade thee, (since like them it foils<br> +The intellect with blindness) yet ere long<br> +Events shall be the Naiads, that will solve<br> +This knotty riddle, and no damage light<br> +On flock or field. Take heed; and as these words<br> +By me are utter'd, teach them even so<br> +To those who live that life, which is a race<br> +To death: and when thou writ'st them, keep in mind<br> +Not to conceal how thou hast seen the plant,<br> +That twice hath now been spoil'd. This whoso robs,<br> +This whoso plucks, with blasphemy of deed<br> +Sins against God, who for his use alone<br> +Creating hallow'd it. For taste of this,<br> +In pain and in desire, five thousand years<br> +And upward, the first soul did yearn for him,<br> +Who punish'd in himself the fatal gust.<br> +<br>"Thy reason slumbers, if it deem this height<br> +And summit thus inverted of the plant,<br> +Without due cause: and were not vainer thoughts,<br> +As Elsa's numbing waters, to thy soul,<br> +And their fond pleasures had not dyed it dark<br> +As Pyramus the mulberry, thou hadst seen,<br> +In such momentous circumstance alone,<br> +God's equal justice morally implied<br> +In the forbidden tree. But since I mark thee<br> +In understanding harden'd into stone,<br> +And, to that hardness, spotted too and stain'd,<br> +So that thine eye is dazzled at my word,<br> +I will, that, if not written, yet at least<br> +Painted thou take it in thee, for the cause,<br> +That one brings home his staff inwreath'd with palm.<br> +<br>I thus: "As wax by seal, that changeth not<br> +Its impress, now is stamp'd my brain by thee.<br> +But wherefore soars thy wish'd-for speech so high<br> +Beyond my sight, that loses it the more,<br> +The more it strains to reach it?"—"To the end<br> +That thou mayst know," she answer'd straight, "the school,<br> +That thou hast follow'd; and how far behind,<br> +When following my discourse, its learning halts:<br> +And mayst behold your art, from the divine<br> +As distant, as the disagreement is<br> +'Twixt earth and heaven's most high and rapturous orb."<br> +<br>"I not remember," I replied, "that e'er<br> +I was estrang'd from thee, nor for such fault<br> +Doth conscience chide me." Smiling she return'd:<br> +"If thou canst, not remember, call to mind<br> +How lately thou hast drunk of Lethe's wave;<br> +And, sure as smoke doth indicate a flame,<br> +In that forgetfulness itself conclude<br> +Blame from thy alienated will incurr'd.<br> +From henceforth verily my words shall be<br> +As naked as will suit them to appear<br> +In thy unpractis'd view." More sparkling now,<br> +And with retarded course the sun possess'd<br> +The circle of mid-day, that varies still<br> +As th' aspect varies of each several clime,<br> +When, as one, sent in vaward of a troop<br> +For escort, pauses, if perchance he spy<br> +Vestige of somewhat strange and rare: so paus'd<br> +The sev'nfold band, arriving at the verge<br> +Of a dun umbrage hoar, such as is seen,<br> +Beneath green leaves and gloomy branches, oft<br> +To overbrow a bleak and alpine cliff.<br> +And, where they stood, before them, as it seem'd,<br> +Tigris and Euphrates both beheld,<br> +Forth from one fountain issue; and, like friends,<br> +Linger at parting. "O enlight'ning beam!<br> +O glory of our kind! beseech thee say<br> +What water this, which from one source deriv'd<br> +Itself removes to distance from itself?"<br> +<br>To such entreaty answer thus was made:<br> +"Entreat Matilda, that she teach thee this."<br> +<br>And here, as one, who clears himself of blame<br> +Imputed, the fair dame return'd: "Of me<br> +He this and more hath learnt; and I am safe<br> +That Lethe's water hath not hid it from him."<br> +<br>And Beatrice: "Some more pressing care<br> +That oft the memory 'reeves, perchance hath made<br> +His mind's eye dark. But lo! where Eunoe cows!<br> +Lead thither; and, as thou art wont, revive<br> +His fainting virtue." As a courteous spirit,<br> +That proffers no excuses, but as soon<br> +As he hath token of another's will,<br> +Makes it his own; when she had ta'en me, thus<br> +The lovely maiden mov'd her on, and call'd<br> +To Statius with an air most lady-like:<br> +"Come thou with him." Were further space allow'd,<br> +Then, Reader, might I sing, though but in part,<br> +That beverage, with whose sweetness I had ne'er<br> +Been sated. But, since all the leaves are full,<br> +Appointed for this second strain, mine art<br> +With warning bridle checks me. I return'd<br> +From the most holy wave, regenerate,<br> +If 'en as new plants renew'd with foliage new,<br> +Pure and made apt for mounting to the stars.</p> + + + +<br><br><br><br> +<a href="images/33-134.jpg"><img alt="33-134th.jpg (36K)" src="images/33-134th.jpg" height="474" width="430"></a> +<br><br><br><br> + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br> +<br> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="8795-h.htm">Main Index</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +</body> +</html> + |
