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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/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> + |