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THE DIVINE COMEDY

LA COMEDIA DI DANTE ALIGHIERI

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Translated by

HENRY JOHNSON

;?

/T^ ^:.^/V^C^^-t
9%t

NEW HAVEN: YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON: HUMPHREY MILFORD

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS MDCCCCXV

Copyright, 1915 BY Yale University Press

Printed from type February,
1915, 750

copies

Great Singer of the waking soul immortal, Great Poet, fearless in the depths of being. Great Lover, who in life hast passed death's portal, I follow after, in thy clear light seeing The flashings greet thee in the abyss of thunder

Below us now the

last,

faint cloudlet fleeing

As thou beholdest Her in heavenly wonder Light upon light beyond the bounds of story, Thy powers to bear no more, bursting asunder
Nearing the presence of transcending Glory.

PREFACE
the

The purpose of the present translator has been to render poem of Dante into modern English, line-for-line. A
would look
like a bibliography,

preface which should attempt to state his complete obligations

and would certainly

be unsatisfactory in one phase, namely, in the expression

of just feelings.

Long study

of some books which never

disappoint,

such as Toynbee's Dante Dictionary and Charles Eliot Norton's prose translation of the Divine Comedy, makes a mere mention of their titles almost a

personal neglect.

One would

also gladly record his grati-

tude for pleasure and profit from writings that help genially and with an ample, scholarly generosity, such as the commentary of Benvenuto da Imola in its original form
or as expounded in the valuable Vernon Readings.

In view of the essential inadequacy of any enumeration of books used such a listing has not been attempted. Since a metrical translation is a work of art as well as a work of science, the translator must avoid, when he is at
his task, consultation of previous poetical solutions of the

problem.
it

Given the Italian text and sound commentaries,

has seemed merely honorable to rely solely on one's

control of the English

medium, unaided.

That the result

should prove the same as another's in very

not caused discouragement.

many

cases has

Translation of the Divine

Comedy

is

progressive, yet the time seems not yet

a variorum, composite version.

after long literary use

come for The English language has

become

sufficiently clarified to fur-

nish the verbal and rhythmical means of embodying any

viii

PREFACE

Experiments in imitating foreign excellences thought. have their own interest yet criticism rejoices that the day of mock-Miltonic lines or like solecisms is past. Purity in rendering is now so highly esteemed that the intrusion of an explanation into a text is intellectually resented.' Only Dante could tell what he would change if he were engaged on the Comedy today. As Dante is a very
;

great poet, every quality of his style

tion
;

demands considera-

words and of their place in sentence and in line can not be deemed fortuitous. His firmness of phrase is that of a living organism, and not of a crystal. The beauty and strength of the Italian language and the charm of rhyme as used by the poet are not to be enjoyed completely by those to whom the idiom is not native. An English translator of the Divine Comedy has at his command, even if he were perfectly in control of his medium, only the strength and beauty of his own language; his results can be at best an English re-expression of his original, and with such rhythmical qualities as are pleasing Good workmanship asks the favor of to the English ear. no poetical or other license, but claims the privilege of occasional expression of a necessary connoted value, for example, of a "then" or "there," or the use of an ellipsis when the Italian poet has worked thus economically. It is a fact, perhaps not too obvious to mention, that a translator of the Divine Comedy must receive his first impulse from within, and must continue to the end in a kind of solitude, looking to a reward that is ideal. His
his choice of

object

is to attain,

endeavor, a faithful result.

without sparing himself conscientious His courage is his own, and he

values above price the personal help which he receives from

friends as unpractical as himself.

The present

translator's

indebtedness

is

great to the corporation of his college for

their indulgence,

which has rendered possible the making of

PREFACE
this

ix

by-product since its inception in 1892, and to the Bowdoin library that has generously supplemented his own working collection by the purchase, especially, of the
reprints of the editions of the early commentaries.

His
the

debt of gratitude to three friends

who have gone over

proofs of the translation can not be adequately stated in

a few words.

Professor Kenneth McKenzie of Yale Uni-

versity has given the translator the benefit of invaluable

a scholarly and literary excellence would be impertinent to praise. To Dean Kenneth C. M. Sills and Professor Frederick W. Brown, colleagues of the translator, his obligation is intimate and of wide
critical observations, of

that

it

scope for helpfulness in discussion of every factor of his

work; their unstinting and

all

self-sacrificing willingness at

times and the contribution of both

when

aid was needed

leave the
It

maker

of this book forever in their debt.

has seemed well to put in an appendix rather than in

footnotes translations of the Latin which

in the original text.

Dante employed The other non-Italian lines, the Pro-

vengal passage, Purg.

XXVI.

140-147, have been trans-

lated at their place in the text.

Bowdoin College, February 1, 1915.

CONTENTS
INFERNO
Canto I
Introductory

VirgU

The ForestThe MountainThe Three Beasts

1

Canto II
Dante's

Doubt

Beassured

.........

The

Three

Heavenly

Ladies

^Dante

Canto III
The Gate of Hell The "Vestibule warm The Acheron Charon Swoon

.........

Canto IV
Castle

Punishment of the LukeThe Earthquake^Dante's

9

First

Circle

Heathen

of InfernoLimbo, HomerThe Noble

Abode of the Virtuous

Great

of History and Scholars of Antiquity

....

Personages
13

Canto
Second Circle

Upper InfernoPunishment of Sins of IncontinenceMinosThe First LandslidePunishment of the LustfulThe Infernal GateSemiramis, Dido, Cleopatra Paolo and Francesca

......
.

18

Canto VI
Third Circle Cerberus Punishment of the Gluttonous The Filthy Eain Ciacco He foretells the fortunes of the Blacks and Whites in Florence

22


xii

CONTENTS
Canto VII

Fourth Circle
Prodigal
to

PlutusPunishment of the Avaricious and the The Endless Stone-rollingFortuneDescent The Stygian MarshPunishment of the Fifth
Circle

the Wrathful

26

Canto VIII
Fifth CirclePhlegyasFilippo Argenti

Lower
Spirits

Inferno

Punishment

The City of Dis

of

of

Sins

Violence

Entrance of Virgil and Dante to Dis opposed by the Evil

30

Canto IX
Virgil tells

Dante of a previous Visit to Lower Inferno Appearance of the Three Furies and Medusa The coming of the Angel who opens the Gate of Dis Sixth Circle Punishment of Heretics The Burning Tombs

34

Canto
Sixth Circle
canti

Farinata Farinata

Damned

Uberti Cavalcante de CavalDante's continued Exile The without Knowledge of the Present
degli
'

foretells

...

38

Canto XI
Sixth Circle

Pope Anastatius II. Classification of the Sins punished in Lower Inferno Three classes of Violence, in Three Eings of the Seventh Circle Two kinds of Fraud Ten classes of ordinary Fraud, in the Ten Bolge of the Eighth Circle Treachery, in the Ninth and last Circle The less heinous Sins of Incontinence, outside Lower . Inferno Virgil explains the nature of Usury

42

Canto XII
Seventh Circle, First Eing
against
one's

Punishment of the Sin of Violence Neighbor The Minotaur The Second Landslide The Eiver of Blood The Centaurs, Chiron, Nessus Tyrants, Dionysius Murderers, Guy de Montfort, AttUa, Pyrrhus

.......

45


CONTENTS
Canto XIII
Seventh Circle, Second Ring Punishment of the Sin of Violence against Oneself The Forest of Suicides Pier delle Vigne The Squanderers The Black Hounds
xiii

49

Canto XIV
Seventh Circle, Third Ring

Punishment of the Sin of Violence against God The Sandy Plain and the Rain of Fire CapaneusPhlegethonThe Source of the Rivers of
Inferno

The Statue

in Crete

.....
at their

54

Canto
Seventh Circle, Third Ring
foretells

XV
Sodomy
.

Brunetto Latini His Denunciation entines He Dante's Suffering

bitter

^Violence against Nature,

of the Flor-

hands

58

Canto XVI
Seventh Circle, Third Ring
tines
to

Dante explains the Degeneracy Approach the Descent into the Eighth GirdleFirst Glimpse of Geryon
Canto XVII
against God, Usury

Other

Sodomites

.....
Circle

Three Florenof Florence Dante's

62

Seventh Circle, Third Ring

The Third kind of Violence Description of Geryon^Descent on

Geryon 's Back to the Eighth Circle

....

66

Canto XVIII
Eighth Circle

Punishment of the Fraudulent, scourged by Horned DemonsMalebolgeFirst Bolgia Panders and SeducersJason Second BolgiaFlatterers The Ditch
of Filth

70

Canto
Eighth Circle

XIX

Third Bolgia Simonists The Sinners, head downwards and with their feet burning Reference to Dante's Breaking of the Font in the Baptistery Descent into the Bolgia Pope Nicholas III. Dante inveighs against the Greed of the Popes

.....

74


xiv

CONTENTS
Canto

XX

Eighth Circle Fourth Bolgia Soothsayers The Sinners, with heads twisted, look constantly backward Manto
Virgil relates the

Founding of Mantua

....

78

Canto

XXI

Eighth Circle Fifth Bolgia Barrators The Sinners immersed in boiling Pitch Reference to the Arsenal at Venice Malebranche The next Bridge shattered when Christ descended into Hell

......

82

Canto XXII
Eighth Circle Fifth Bolgia and escapes their Hooks
fall into the Pitch

Two Devils

^A

Barrator tricks the Devils in Pursuit fight and

86

Canto XXIII
Eighth Circle
with Dante in his arms escapes from the Devils by sliding down the Embankment to the Sixth Bolgia Hypocrites The Sinners wear cowled Cloaks of

Virgil

gilded lead

The Jovial Friars of

Canto

Bologna

Caiaphas

91

XXIV

Eighth Circle

The

simile of the Frost

Virgil
He

and Dante

climb up over the broken Bridge to the Bank of the Seventh Bolgia Thieves The naked Sinners are tor-

mented by Serpents aster to the Whites

Vanni

.......
Fucci

prophesies Dis-

95

Canto
Eighth Circle

XXV

Seventh BolgiaCacusA Sinner bitten by a

100

Serpent unites with it in the single form of a Serpent Another Sinner bitten by a Serpent exchanges forms with
it

Canto
Eighth Circle
is

XXVI

Eighth Bolgia Evil Counsellors Each Sinner enveloped in a Flame Ulysses He relates the Story of

his last

Voyage

........

105


CONTENTS
Canto XXVII
Eighth
tells

XV

Circle

Eighth
.

Bolgia

Guido
,

da Montefeltro

He
109

of the evil counsel that he gave Boniface VIII. and

of the vain effort of St. Francis to claim his soul after

death

Canto XXVIII
Eighth Circle Ninth Bolgia Its appearance compared with the Carnage on the Battlefields of Southern Italy from
earliest

Sinners are horribly dismembered by a Devil with a

Schismatics and Sword^MahometCurioMosca

Times

Sowers of Strife
de' Lamberti

The
113

de

Bom

.........
Canto

Bertran

XXIX
del

Eighth Circle
Bello

The Poets leave the Ninth BolgiaGeri Tenth Bolgia The Sinners are wasted by loathsome DiseasesFirst of AlchemistsThey are tortured by Leprosy
Falsifiers
class
Falsifiers,
.

117

Canto
Eighth Circle
fiers:

XXX
other classes of Falsi-

Tenth

Bolgia

Three

False Personators, Counterfeiters, Liars

afflicted respectively

These are with Madness, Dropsy and Fever

122

Potiphar's

WifeSinon
Canto

XXXI

The Poets leave the Tenth Bolgia The Giants Nimrod Antaeus sets Virgil and Dante down in the Ninth Circle, The Pit of Inferno

.126

Canto
Ninth Circle

XXXII

to kindred

TraitorsThe Plain of IceCainaTraitors AntenoraTraitors to Party or Country The Florentine Traitor at MontapertiGanelon
. .

130


xvi

CONTENTS
Canto XXXIII

Ninth Circle
tors in

to Quests

^AntenoraCount UgolinoTolomeaTraitors Frate AlberigoThe Bodies of certain TraiTolomea on earthDante's harsh

still

alive

ment of Alberigo

.......
XXXIV

treat-

135

Canto

Ninth Circle Judecca Traitors to Benefactors Lucifer Judas Brutus and Cassiua The Poets pass the Center of the Earth at Lucifer's Waist and climb to the Surface on the other Side

.......
Canto I

139

PURGATORIO

Invocation of the Muses

Dawn on the Shore of Purgatory Four Cardinal VirtuesCato, the Custodian of PurgatoryVirgil plains Dante's presenceVirgil cleanses Dante's Face
The new
Constellation, symbolic of the
ex-

from the Stains of

Hell,

and girds him with a Bush

147

Canto II
Sunrise

^The

Coming of the Boat with the Angelic

Pilot,

bringing Souls to Purgatory

Vision
living

The Souls newly landed marvel the sight of a friend Casella among ManDante recognizes Song them and vainly to embrace himCasella
at
his
tries
's

^Dante

is

dazzled

by the

The Souls listening to it are rebuked by Cato who sends them forward on their journey

.....

151

Canto III
Ante-Purgatory^The
those
first

class of the Negligent, Souls

of

who died excommunicated but repentant

Manfred

155

CONTENTS
Canto IV
Ante-Purgatory

xvii

The Poets begin the Ascent of the Mountain The second of the Negligent, Souls of those who deferred repentance the of LifeBelacqua
class

until

close

159

Canto
Ante-Purgatory
those

The

third class of the Negligent, Souls of

violence but repentant

who died by

Montefeltro

Pia

de' Tolomei

.....
Prayer

^Buonconto da

164

Canto VI
Ante-Purgatory

Efficacy

of

Intercessory

class of the Negligent, Souls of those

pentance because of engrossment in

ing with Sordello

Apostrophe
class

Fourth Public AffairsMeetwho delayed

re-

to Italy

....
Ascent

168

Canto VII
Ante-Purgatory
Tribute

Fourth of the VirgilNight stays takes the Poets to the Valley of of HapsburgCharles of Anjou
to

Negligent
the the

.....

Sordello Sordello PrincesRudolph

's

172

Canto VIII
Ante-Purgatory The Valley of the Princes The Two Guardian Angels Nino Visconti The Three Stars The Serpent

Conrad

Malaspina

......

176

Canto IX
Ante-Purgatory
gatory

Dante's DreamLuciaThe Gate of PurThe Keeper of the GateThe Three StepsThe Seven P's The Two KeysThe Poets enter Purgatory
.

181

Canto
Purgatory

X
illustrating

The

The First LedgePenance for the Vice of Pride

on
the

Carvings Humility

Mountain-wall,

185


xviii

CONTENTS
Canto XI

The First Ledge Pride Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer Omberto Aldobrandesco Oderisi of Gubbio Provenzan

Salvani

189

Canto XII
The First Ledge
First

PrideCarvings on the illustrating Vice The AngelThe

this

PThe

Hill of

San Miniato

Ledge Eemoval of the The Ascent to the

floor of the

Second Ledge

193

Canto XIII The Second

Penance for the Vice of EnvyInstances of Love, given by mysterious VoicesSapia of Siena
Ledg^e
.

198

Canto
The Second Ledge
of the Cities along the Arno

XIV
. .

EnvyGuide del DucaHis Denunciation Examples of Envy

Canto

202

XV

The Second Ledge

discourses

Envy ^Removal of the Second P Virgil upon temporal and spiritual Possession The Ascent to the Third Ledge Penance for the Vice of Wrath Examples of Forbearance

....

207

Canto XVI
The Third Ledge Wrath The Cloud of Smoke Dante questions Marco as to the Cause of universal Corruption Marco discourses upon Freewill, the human Soul, temporal
and
spiritual Leadership

......
this

211

Canto XVII
The Third Ledge

WrathInstances of Vice appear to Dante's ImaginationRemoval of the Third PAscent to the Fourth Ledge The Poets are again stayed by Night explains the Nature of the Seven Kinds of
^Virgil

Evil Disposition that are purged on the Seven Ledges

of Purgatory

216


CONTENTS
Canto XVIII
The Fourth Ledge
his

xix

Penance for the Vice of Sloth continues Discourse, expounding the Doctrine of Love and FreewillExamples of Zeal and Sloth cried aloud asleep by the Spirits as they runDante
falls
. .

^Virgil

220

Canto

XIX

The Fourth Ledge Sloth Dante 's Second Dream The Siren The Ascent to the Fifth Ledge Penance for the Vice of Avarice Pope Adrian V

.....

224

Canto

XX

The Fifth Ledge Avarice Instances of Virtuous Poverty and of Noble Use of Wealth Hugh Capet He cites Examples of Avarice The Trembling of the Mountain

229

Canto
The Fifth Ledge the Mountain

XXI
of
. .

AvariceThe Cause of the Trembling StatiusHis Eulogy of Virgil

Canto XXII
Ledge

233

The Ascent

to the Sixth

on the Ledge of Avarice His Conversion to Christianity due to Virgil The Sixth Ledge Penance for the Vice of Gluttony The Fruit-tree and the Water-fall Voices from the two proclaim Examples of Temperance

Statius explains

his presence

237

Canto XXIII
The Sixth Ledge Gluttony The Shades wasted by unsatisfied Hunger Forese Donati Nella The Immodesty of

the Florentine

Women

......
XXIV

242

Canto
The Sixth Ledge

Gluttony Forese Donati Bonagiunta of Lucca Gentucca ^Dante's Canzone ^Death of Corso Donati predicted The Second Fruit-tree A Voice from the Branches cites Examples of Gluttony The Angel The Eemoval of the Sixth P

246


XX

CONTENTS
Canto

XXV
discourses on the

The Ascent

to the Seventh

Ledge

Statius

Belation of the Soul and

Body and

the

aerial

assumed after Death The Seventh Ledge Lust purged by Fire Examples of Chastity cried out by the Spirits

Body

in the

Flames

251

Canto
The Seventh Ledge

XXVI
Guinizelli

LustGuide

Amaut

Daniel

255

Canto XXVII
The Seventh Ledge Lust The Poets pass through the Fire The Ascent from the Seventh Ledge The Third Nightfall Purgatory Dante's on Dream Leah Dawn

Virgil yields his Office as Guide

.....

259

Canto XXVIII
The Earthly Paradise The Forest Matilda She explains to Dante the Nature of the Place Lethe and Eunoe
.

264

Canto
The Earthly Paradise

XXIX
Procession of the Church

The mystic
Canto

268

XXX

The Earthly Paradise

sion, Beatrice

appears

finds

him gone

Beatrice rebukes
Canto

Invoked by the Figures of the ProcesDante turning to look for Virgil

Care of him

........
Dante and
tells

of her

273

XXXI

The Earthly Paradise Beatrice charges Dante with Unfaithfulness The Poet, confessing, swoons He is plunged in Lethe He gazes upon Beatrice unveiled

277

CONTENTS
Canto
The Earthly Paradise
falls

xxi

XXXII
find

The Procession moves to a lofty Tree Dante asleep He wakes to Beatrice seated beneath the Tree, with the VirtuesThe Griffon and the others have disappeared Allegorical Eepresentation of
the History of the Church

281

Canto XXXIII
The Earthly Paradise

Beatrice, accompanied by the leaves the Tree Dante walks beside her She the punishment of the Church's Enemies and the Coming of an Imperial Leader She bids Dante repeat Announcement MankindThe Fountain^Dante drinks
others,
foretells

this

to

of

Eunoe

286

PARADISO
Canto I
Prologue

Invocation

to Apollo

up

into the Sphere of Fire

Beatrice Beatrice

Order of the Universe

......
reveals to

and Dante caught him the

293

Canto II
Beatrice and Dante pass into the Heaven of the

who were forced

the

Moon

Beatrice

to violate Monastic

Heavenly Spheres

The Heaven of the Moon

Constance

....... .........
explains

Vows

Moon The Spots on

Spirits

the

Operation

of

the

297

Canto III

Picearda Donati

The Empress
302

Canto IV
The Heaven of the Moon

Beatrice

confutes the

Platonic

Error of the Return of the Soul to its Native Star She explains the Assignment of Souls to the Lower Heavens

306


xxii

CONTENTS
Canto

The Heaven of
Ambitious

the

Moon

Ascent to the Second Heaven

Justinian

Beatrice continues her Discourse MercurySouls of the

.

310

Canto VI
The Heaven of Mercury Justinian He discourses upon the Power of Rome Inveighs against the Factions of Guelph and Ghibelline The Seneschal Borneo

.... ....
The
the

314

Canto VII
The Heaven of Mercury
tion

Beatrice

discourses

upon Eedemp318

and the Nature of Created Things

Canto VIII
The Ascent
Lovers
to

the

Third
Martello

Carlo

He

Heaven,

Venus

Souls

of
of

explains

variety of Disposition and Character

....
Origin

323

Canto IX
The Heaven of Venus Marseilles Bahab

Cunizza
Canto

da

Bomano

^Polquet

of

327

The Ascent

to the

Theologians

St.

Fourth Heaven, the Sun Thomas Aquinas

The Souls of the

. .

332

Canto XI
The Heaven of the Sun
Francis of Assisi

St.

Thomas
. .

discourses
.
.

upon
.

St.
.

336

Canto XII
The Heaven of the Sun

St.

Bonaventura praises

St.

Dominie

340

CONTENTS
Canto XIII
of the Twenty-four Saints The Heaven of the about Dante St. Thomas explains how Solomon was unequalled in Wisdom He warns Dante against Hasty Judgment

xxiii

Sun^Dance

.........
Canto

345

XIV

The Heaven of the Sun

and Martyrs
Cross

to the Fifth Heaven,

These Souls are grouped

Canto

Discourse of SolomonThe Ascent Mars The Souls of Warrior Saints

in the

Form

of a

349

XV
contrasts the Sim-

The Heaven of Mars

plicity

CacciaguidaHe
XVI

of

the

Florence of his

Luxury of the City

.......
Day
Canto
.

with the present

353

The Heaven of Mars ^Discourse of Cacciaguida upon Ancestry and the Florentine Families of his Time

his
.

358

Canto XVTI
The Heaven of Mars
Future

Cacciaguida reveals to Dante his He urges Dante to relate the World what he
to

has learned on his Journey through the Bealm of Spirits

362

Canto XVIII
The Heaven of Mars

^JoshuaCharlemagneThe Ascent to the Sixth Heaven, Jupiter The Souls of the Just These
are grouped in the

Form

of an Eagle

....

367

Canto
The Heaven of Jupiter

XIX
Heathen from Heaven Wicked

The Eagle answers Dante's question

of

as to the Exclusion of the Virtuous

Prediction

that the latter will rise up against

Sovereigns at the

Day

Judgment

....

371


xxiv

CONTENTS
Canto

XX
. .

The Heaven of Jupiter The Six preeminently Just Souls Trajan The Eagle explains his presence there

375

Canto

XXI

The Ascent to the Seventh Heaven, Saturn The Souls of the Contemplative The Luminous Stairway St. Peter

Damian

.........

380

Canto XXII
The Heaven of Saturn
Benedict The Ascent to the Eighth Heaven, the Fixed Stars Dante gazes downward through the Seven Spheres at the Earth His contempt
St.

for

its

Insignificance

.......

384

Canto XXIII
The Heaven of the Fixed StarsThe Triumph of Christ Blessed VirginGabriel

The
389

Canto

XXIV
is

The Heaven of the Fixed Stars Dante subject of Faith by St. Peter

examined on the
393

Canto

XXV
.

The Heaven of the Fixed Stars Dante is examined by St. James on the subject of Hope St. John the Evangelist

397

Canto
The Heaven of
Fall of

XXVI

the Fixed Stars Dante is examined by St. John on the subject of Love Adam He explains the

Man
Canto XXVII

402

The Heaven of the Fixed Stars St. Peter denounces the Crimes of the Popes The Ascent to the Ninth Heaven, the Primum Mobile Beatrice explains the Nature of this

Sphere

406

CONTENTS
Canto XXVIII
The Primum Mobile
Light
or Crystalline

XXV

representing

the

Deity

Angels

Beatrice

The

explains their

Heaven The Point of Nine Orders of Nature

.

410

Canto
The
Crystalline

XXIX
415

Heaven

of the Angels

........
Canto

Beatrice discourses upon the subject

XXX

The Ascent

to

of Light

The Eose,

the EmpyreanThe Eiver

in

of Light The Sea which are seated the Blessed The

Seat awaiting Henry

VII

......
XXXI
^Beatrice

419

Canto
The Empyrean
seat

there

The Celestial Eose Bernard becomes

St.

Blessed

Virgin

........
Canto

resumes her Dante's Guide The

423

XXXII
.

The Empyrean

St.

in the Celestial

Bernard explains the Order of the Blessed Eose The Ave Maria sung by Gabriel

428

Canto XXXIII
The Empyrean
Bernard's Prayer to the Virgin The mystery of the Trinity in Unity The Union of the Divine and the Human in Christ The Vision ends
St.

432

Appendix

.........

439

INFERNO

INFERNO
CANTO
Half-way upon
I I

the journey of our life roused to find myself within a forest In darkness, for the straight way had been lost. And oh how painful telling what it was, This forest wild and rough, hard to pass through.
!

The very thought of which renews my fear So bitter is it, death is scarcely more But yet, to treat of the good that I found there, I speak of other things that there I saw. I cannot rightly tell how I came there, So full was I of slumber at the moment At which I had abandoned the true way. But after I had reached a mountain's foot, The place where to its termination came The valley which had pierced my heart with fear, Upward I looked, and saw its shoulders clothed Already with the rays that planet sheds, Which leads men on aright in every path. Then was the fear a little quieted, Which in my heart 's lake had not ceased throughout The night that I had spent so piteously. And like the swimmer, who with laboring breath Has come forth from the deep, and on the shore Turns round, and gazes at the perilous sea, So did my spirit, which was still in flight,

10

13

16

19

22

25

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Turn back to look again upon the pass, Which no one yet had ever left alive.

Resting a while my weary body, then I started on along the desert slope,

28

So that the firm foot ever was the lower almost where the steep began, behold! A leopardess, light and exceeding agile And she was covered with a spotted skin, And from before my face went not away, But rather was impeding so my path. That many times I turned me to go back. The time was the beginning of the morning The sun was mounting upward with those stars, Which were with him when first the Love Divine Set those fair things in motion hence I deemed The hour of time and the sweet season grounds Of hoping well concerning that wild beast Of bright and spotted coat and yet not so, But that the sight, which suddenly appeared

And

31

34

37

40

43

Before me, of a lion made

It

me

fear.

seemed to me that he was coming on Against me, with head high, and famishing. So that the air appeared in fright at him; And a she- wolf, who in her leanness seemed With every craving to be loaded down. And had ere now made many live distressed. She brought upon me such a heaviness, Because of fear that sprang from sight of her. That I lost hope of coming to the height. And like a man whose pleasure is to gain, But who, when comes a time which makes him In all his thoughts is saddened and laments, E 'en such this restless beast had rendered me, Which, coming on against me, thrust me back

46

49

52

55
lose,

58

';

'

INFERNO,
Little

3
%

While

by little where the sun is silent. was falling to a lower place,

61

Before

my

vision there disclosed himself

silence

One whom long And when in that

His form,
* ' ' '

seemed
' '

to

have made hoarse.

6*

great desert I beheld

I cried out,

Have pity on me,

art,
' ' :

Whate 'er thou

or shade, or
;

man

indeed

! '

He answered me Not man man was I once, And both my parents were of Lombardy, By country, Mantuans and I was born
;

67

Suh Julio, though late, and passed my life At Rome beneath the good Augustus rule During the days of false and lying gods. A poet was I, and I sang that just Son of Anchises, who came forth from Troy After the burning of proud Ilium. But thou, why turn 'st thou back to such distress ? Why not ascend this mountain of delight. Which is the source and cause of every joy?" "Art thou then, pray, that Virgil, and that fount
'

70

73

76

79
?
'

Which pours abroad

*
'

so wide a stream of speech

Began I, answering him with bashful brow Honor and light of other poets, now May the long study and great love avail me, Which made me search thy volume for thou art My Master and my Author thou alone Art he from whom that fair style has been taken.
;
;

82

85

'

Which has done honor to my name. Behold The beast, because of which I turned about famous Sage, from her, Grant me thy help, Because she makes my veins and pulses tremble. Thou must needs go another way, said he,
'

88

'

'

'

91

When
' '

If

from

he observed my tears begin to flow, this savage place thou wouldst escape

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Because this beast, at which thou criest out, Allows no man to pass along her way. But so obstructs him, that she works his death And has a nature so malign and evil, She never sates her gluttonous desire, And after feeding hungers even more. Many the animals with which she wives,

^
*7

100

And more

still

shall there be, until the shall

hound
103

Shall come,

and he

make her
;

die of grief.

His food shall not be either land or pelf, But wisdom, love, and valor and between Feltro and Feltro shall his birth-place be He that low Italy shall save, for which The maid Camilla, and Euryalus, Tumus and Nisus, met their death by wounds And he shall hunt her through each town, until He shall have put her back again in hell. Whence Envy was the first to send her forth. Wherefore I think and judge it best for thee, That thou shouldst follow me, and I as guide Will lead thee hence through an eternal place. Where thou shalt hear the shriekings of despair

106

109

112

US

Of them, the ancient spirits in their pain. Each one of whom proclaims the second death; And afterwards see those, who are content Within the fire, because they hope to come, Whenever it may be, unto the blest To whom if thou wouldst then ascend, for that Shall be a soul more worthy than myself With her will I leave thee when I depart. Because that Emperor, who reigns on high, In that I was rebellious to His law.
Wills not His city should be reached through me.

H^

121

124

His sway

is

everywhere, and there

He

reigns,

127

! ;;

'

' ;

INFERNO,
There
is

II

His

city,

and His

lofty seat

Oh, happy he,

:

whom

thereto

He

elects

! '

And I to him " Poet, I beg of thee, By that God, whom thou didst not know, I may escape the present ill and worse.

130
if so

That thou wilt lead me there, where thou hast said, That I may see Saint Peter's gate, and those Whom thou depictest in such sad estate. Then he moved on, and I behind him kept.
'

1^3

136

CANTO

II

The day was going, and the darkening air Was taking all the living things on earth From their fatigues and of them I alone Was making ready to sustain the war,
;

Both of the journey and the

suffering.

Which memory, that errs not, shall retrace. Ye Muses, lofty Genius, aid me now Thou Memory, that didst inscribe the things
I saw,
'
'

here shall thy dignity appear

' '

Poet,

I began,

' '

who

guidest me,

10

Consider thou my strength, if it suffice, Before thou trust me to the journey's depths.

Thou

sayest that the sire of Silvius

still

13

Went,

corruptible, unto the world

16

Immortal, and was in the senses there.

But if the Adversary of all evil Showed him that grace, weighing the high effect That was to spring from him, the Who and What, It seems not to a man of mind unmeet For in the empyrean he was chosen Father of fostering Rome and of her rule

1^

' '

THE DIVINE COMEDY

both of these,
sits

And

Were Where

speak the truth, then established for the holy place.

if I shall

22

the greatest Peter's follower.

thus, for
25

which thou laudest him, He heard the things, which of his victory And of the papal mantle were the cause. Thither went afterwards the Chosen Vessel That he might bring thence comfort for that faith Which is the entrance to salvation 's way.

Through going

28

But

I,

why
I

should

go ? or who concedes ?

81

nor am I Paul nor others deem me worthy. Wherefore, if I should yield myself to go, To go, I fear, were folly thou art wise Thou understandest better than I speak. And like to one, who unwills what he willed, And for new thoughts, changes his purpose so, That he leaves wholly what he had begun, Such I became on that dark slope, because

Aeneas

am

not,
I

For

that,

nor

3*

'

87

*0

Reflecting, I

had

left the enterprise.

Which was
" If
' *

so quickly entered on at first. have rightly understood thy words,

'

^
40

Magnanimous, Thy soul has been attacked by cowardice. Which oftentimes will so encumber men, It turns them back from honorable deeds. As falsely seeing does a beast which shies. That thou mayst free thee from that fear, I now Will tell thee why I came, and what I heard

Answered the shade

of the

*^

At
I

the

first

moment when

grieved for thee.

52

was among those who are in suspense, And One, blessed and beautiful, called me And she was such, I begged her to command.
eyes were gleaming brighter than the star

Her

55

; :

'

INFERNO,
She, in a language sweet

II

and

low,

began

With an
'

angelic voice to speak to

me
58

courteous

Mantuan

soul, of

whom the fame

world endures, and shall endure So long as motion lasts, my friend, but not A friend of Fortune's, on the desert slope Is so impeded in his journeying. That in his terror he has turned about I fear lest he have strayed so far already, That I am late in rising to his help. By that which I have heard of him in heaven. Now do thou go, and with thine ornate speech,
Still in the

61

6*

67

And
For
I

with whate'er behoves for his release,

I

Give him such aid that

may

be consoled.
70

am

Beatrice,

who bid

thee go

I left a place whither I would return Love moved me, and now makes me speak When I am once again before my Lord

to thee.
73

Thy
'

praise shall often be

Then she stood silent, Lady of virtue, thou through whom alone The human race exceeds all else contained
circles,

upon my lips.' and I made reply

76

Within that heaven which has the smallest So great my pleasure is if thou command, Had I obeyed already, it were late

79

No
But

further needest thou disclose thy

will.

tell

me, pray,

why thou

hast not forborne

82

'

Descending to this centre from the heights Of space, whither thou burnest to return. Since thou desir 'st to know so inwardly, Briefly will I relate, she answered me,
'

85

'Why I fear not to come within this place. Only of those things should one be in fear, Which have a power to inflict some harm.

88

''

'

THE DIVINE COMEDY

^l

Of others not, for they make not afraid. Such by the grace of God have I been made, That by your misery I am not touched, Nor by this burning flame am I assailed.

gentle

Lady

is

in heaven,

who

feels

94

Such pity of the hindrance, unto which I send thee, that stern judgment on high breaks. She bade Lucia come in her request,

97

And
Of

said

' : '

thee,

and

Thy faithful one has present need I commend him to thy care.
'

Lucia, foe of every cruelty,

100
I was,

Then moved, and came to that place where Seated by Rachel of the ancient time.

And

said

"

Beatrice, true praise of God,

103
so.

Why
And

aidest thou not

left the

him who loved thee

for thee
?

common multitude

Hearest thou not the pity of his plaint ? Seest thou not the death combatting him

106

Upon

the river, o 'er which the sea boasts not ?

'

Never were persons in the world so swift To work for their own good, or fly their harm,

109

As

I,

after the speaking of these words.

To come down hither from

my

blessed seat,

H^

Confiding in thy noble speech, which brings

Honor to thee and to all those who hear. "When she had ended thus her words to me, She turned away her gleaming eyes in tears. Wherefore I hastened yet the more to come And thus I came to thee as she desired, And took thee from before that savage beast
Obstructing the fair mountain's short ascent.

US

118

What

is it,

then?

Why

art thou halting?

Why?

121

Why in thy heart harbor such cowardice ? Why hast thou not a spirit bold and free.

!;

:'

' ;

INFERNO,

III

''

9
124

Since three such blessed ladies care for thee

"Within the court of heaven,

Are pledges

to

words thee of so great a good ?

'

and

my

E 'en

as the flowerets in the chilly night

closed, but

127

Droop

when

the sun shines white on

them
130

Raise up their heads, Such, from

all

open on their stalks

broken courage, I became, And such good daring hastened to my heart, That I began to speak like one set free How full of pity she who succored me How courteous thou, who wert so swift to heed The words of truth that she made known to thee Thou hast disposed my heart with such desire Of following after thee by these thy words, I have returned unto my first intent. Now lead thou onward one sole will is ours, My Guide, my Lord, my Master thou alone.
* ' ;
'

my

1^3

1^6

139

Thus had
I entered

I spoken, and he, moving on, on the deep and savage way.

1^2

CANTO

III

Through me ye go to the abode of woe Through me ye go to the eternal pain Through me ye go to be among the lost.
;

His Justice moved my lofty Maker's will, And He, who made me, is the Power Divine, The Highest Wisdom, and the Primal Love, Before I was were no created things, But the eternal I eternal stand Leave every hope behind, ye who go in. These words, of color indistinct and dark, I saw there written high upon a Gate
; ;

10

'

: '

'

'

10
' '

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Master,
he, as
it
' '

said

I,

' *

their sense

is

hard

to me.

*
'

And
'

one discerning clearly, said

behoves us leave behind
;

18

'

Here

all fear.

All cowardice must die for we are come Unto the place of which I said to thee, That thou shouldst there behold the wretched souls, By whom the Good of knowledge has been lost. And after he had laid his hand on mine, With cheerful look, which comforted my heart,
'

1^

19

He

brought

me

in unto the secret things.

cries

Here sighings and lamentings and deep

22

Of pain resounded through

"Whereat

the starless air,

first.

my tears

began to flow at

Strange tongues and speeches horrible, the words

25

Of suffering, accents of rage, and voices Both deep and hoarse, and with them sounds of hands. United in a tumult, whirling on Forever through that air of timeless gloom, Like sand borne onward by the circling wind. And I, whose head was girt with horror, said My Master, what is that I hear, and who Are they that seem so overcome with pain ? And he to me " This mode of misery
*
'

28

31

'

34

by the wretched souls of those, "Who lived with neither infamy nor praise. For they are mingled with that caitiff choir Of angels, who were not rebellious, nor Were faithful unto God, but were for self. The heavens expelled them so as not to be Less fair the depths of hell receive them not. Because the damned would make of them their And I " Master, what grief have they so great, That leads them to lament so bitterly ? He answered " I will tell thee in few words.
Is followed
; :
'

37

40

boast.

'

43

;; '

'

INFERNO,

III
lives

11
46

These have no hope of death, and their blind Are so debased, that they are envious Of every other lot. The world forbids That any fame of them should ever be Mercy and Justice hold them in disdain.

48

And

Let us not speak of them; but look, and pass," I beheld a banner as I looked,
so quickly in its whirling course,
to me to spurn all rest came a train of folk

52

Which moved
That
it

appeared
it

And

after

there

55

So long, that I could never have believed Death had undone so great a multitude And when I had made out one here, one there, I saw and knew the shade of him who made The great refusal through his cowardice.
Instantly then I

58

knew with

certainty

61

That these were of the

Displeasing both to

sect of caitiff souls,

God and

to

His

foes.

These wretches, who had never been alive, Were naked, and were stung unceasingly By wasps and by the gadflies that were there.

^
67

And

these

had made

their faces stream with blood,

Which, mingled with their tears, fell to their feet, And there was gathered up by loathsome worms.

When

next

I set

myself to look beyond,

'

70

I saw a folk on a great river 's bank Wherefore I said My Master, grant me now To know these, who they are, and what the law That makes them show such eagerness to cross, As through the faint light I can now discern.
:
'

73

'

And he to me These things shall When we ourselves have come to

'
:

'

be

made known
'

76

stay our steps

79

Upon

the dismal shores of Acheron,

Then with ashamed and downcast

eyes, in fear

! ;

'

12

THE DIVINE COMEDY

I

Lest words of mine were burdensome to him,

kept from speaking

lo
!

till

we reached

the stream.
82

And

toward us coming in a boat, An old man with the whitened hair of age. And crying Woe to you, ye souls depraved
' * :

Hope not
I

to ever see the

sky again

85

come

to take

you

to the other shore.

Into eternal darkness, heat and cold.

And

thou,

who

standest there, thou living soul,

'

88

Depart from these, the dead. But when he saw That I departed not, he said to me ''Along another way, by other ports Shalt thou come to the shore, not here, to pass A lighter boat than mine must carry thee." Then said my Leader Charon, be not vexed, It is so willed where power is to do That which is willed and more than that ask not. Thereon were quieted the woolly jaws
' ' :
' ;

91

94

'

97

Of him who

ferries o'er the livid marsh.

100

But

his eyes had wheels of flame. naked souls there came A change of color, and a chattering Of teeth, soon as they heard the cruel words.

And who around

to the weary,

They

fell to

blasphemy, cursing their God,

;

103

Their parents, the whole race the place and time

And seed of their begetting and their And afterwards they all together moved

birth
106

With loud lamenting to the evil bank Awaiting every man who fears not God.
Charon, the

Demon

of the blazing eyes,

109

beckoning to them collects them all. whosoe 'er delays smites with his oar. As in the end of autumn drop the leaves,

Now And

112

One following

the other,

till

at last

'

INFERNO, IV
The branch sees all its spoils upon the ground, In such wise did the evil seed of Adam Cast themselves down from that shore, one by one,

13

115

At

signals, as the bird at his recall.

11^

So they departed over the brown waves, And ere they disembarked on yonder strand, A new throng had assembled on this side. My son, the courteous Master said to me, All those who perish in the wrath of God
*
'

'

121

'

'

Come

here together out of every land.

are

And they

prompt

to pass the stream, because

124

them on, that fear them into desire. No good soul ever passes by this way And so, if Charon frets because of thee. Well mayst thou know what his speech signifies. When he had ceased to speak, the dusky plain Trembled so violently, that the thought Of such a terror bathes me now with sweat. The tearful land gave forth a wind, which flashed,
Justice divine so spurs

Has been transformed

in

127

'

130

133

As does

the lightning, with vermilion

light,

That overcame

my

senses utterly

And

I,

like

one

whom

slumber

seizes, fell.

136

CANTO IV
The deep sleep in my head was broken off By heavy thundering, so that I roused
Myself
like

one who has been waked by force

And risen erect I cast around my eye Now rested, and gazed fixedly to learn
I

The place in which I was and verily found that I was standing on the brink
;

"

;;

'

'

14

THE DIVINE COMEDY

abyss,
10

Above the woful vale of the

Which

gathers into thunder endless wailings.

So dark and deep and full of clouds it was That though my steadfast glances searched the depth
I

could not there distinguish anything.

13

"Descend we now to the blind world below," The Poet, pale as death, began to say, I will be first, and thou shalt follow me. And I, who had observed his color, said But how shall I come, if thou art afraid. Who art my wonted comfort in my doubt ? And he to me " The anguish of the folk
' * ' '
' :

16

'

19

Who are below,

;

has painted on

my face
22

The pity which thou deemest to be fear. Let us go on the long way urges us. So he advanced, and so made me go in To the first circle girding the abyss. As I was listening I heard no sound Of lamentation there, save only sighs.

25

Which caused a tremor

in the eternal air

28

This came from those not tortured, but in grief,

The crowds that were so many and so great Of infants and of women and of men. Then the good Master said: "Thou askest not

31

Who

are the spirits that thou seest here

I would that thou shouldst know, ere thou go on. That they sinned not but that they have deserts Suffices not, for they were not baptized.
;

34

Which

And

if

is a part of that faith thou dost hold. they were before Christianity,

37

They did not pay due worship unto God Numbered with such as these am I myself. For such defects, and not for other guilt, Are we among the lost, afflicted solely

40

'; ' '

INFERNO, IV
In that we
live in

15
'

longing without hope.

great woe seized

When

had heard

this,

my

heart,

43

Because I knew that people of great worth

Were
' '

there within that

Limbo

in suspense.
'

Tell me,

my

Master,

tell

me. Lord,
' '

'

said

I,

*6

Desirous of assurance in that faith,

Which conquers every

error,

has

it

been,
^^
'

That ever one went hence by his desert, Or by another 's, and was later blessed ? And he, who understood my covert speech, Replied " I was but new in this estate, When I saw come to us a Mighty One, Wearing a crown in sign of victory. He drew from here the shade of our first parent,
:

52

55

Of his son Abel, and of Noah of Moses, The Giver of the Law, the obedient The patriarch Abraham David, the King Israel with his father, and his sons,
; ;

58

And Rachel, for whose sake he did so much And many others and He made them blessed And I would have thee know that ere their day
;

61

No human

spirits ever

had been saved.

'

We had not ceased to

go because he spoke,

64

But kept on through the forest all the while. The forest, say I, of the crowded spirits. Our way had not yet led us far beyond Where I had slept, when I beheld a fire

67

Which overcame

a hemisphere of darkness.
it yet,

We were a little
Though not
* '

distance from

70

so far but I discerned in part.

73

That honorable people held that place. thou, who dost such honor both to art And science, who are these so honored here. That it divides them from the others' state?"

: :

'; ;

16

THE DIVINE COMEDY

he
:

" The honorable fame of these, Which in thy life above resounds abroad, Wins heaven's favor, that advances them." At the same time a voice was heard by me

And

76

79

'
'

Honor

the highest Poet, for his shade,

us,

That had departed from

now

returns.

'

And when
I

the voice to silence died away,

us,

82

saw four mighty shades draw on toward

Their semblance neither that of grief nor joy. Then the good Master thus began to speak

85

Note thou the one with that sword in his hand, comes before the three as if their lord That one is Homer, poet sovereign, The second there Horace the satirist Ovid is third, and Lucan is the last. Because each one shares with me in the name, Which by the single voice was heralded, They do me honor, and therein do well."
'

'

Who

88

^1

Thus saw I come together the Of these, the masters of the

That soars with

fair school
loftiest song.

94

eagle-flight above the rest.

When

they together had conversed a while,

^7

They turned to me with sign of salutation And he who was my Master smiled thereat. They paid me a far greater honor still, In that they made me of their company, And I among such wisdom was a sixth. Thus we passed on within the light, with talk Of things, which silence here becomes as well As utterance did there where we conversed. We came unto a noble castle 's base,
Encircled seven times with lofty walls,

100

103

106

Defended round with a fair rivulet. And this we passed as though 'twere solid ground

109

;;

;;

INFERNO, IV
Through seven gates
I

17

entered with these sages,

fresh

And came upon

meadow

and green.
112

People with slow and earnest eyes were there,

Having the look of great authority They spoke but seldom, and with gentle voices. Withdrawing thus toward one side we came Into an open, luminous, high place. Where everyone was plainly visible.

115

Upon the green enamel there in front Were pointed out to me the mighty

118
spirits,

have seen I magnify myself. I saw Electra with companions many, Among whom I knew Hector and Aeneas; Caesar in armor, with his falcon eyes Penthisilea with Camilla joined, And King Latinus on the other hand.
to

Whom but

121

124

By whom
I

Lavinia, his daughter, sat.

127

saw that Brutus who drove Tarquin forth, Lucretia, Julia, Marcia, and Cornelia;

And at one side, alone, the Saladin. When I had raised my brows a little more,
I

130

saw the Master of the Knowing seated

his philosophic family.
all

Among

All eyes are on him, him they honor

1^3

There Socrates and Plato I beheld. Standing before the others, nearest him Democritus, who based the world on chance Diogenes, Anaxagoras, and Thales, Empedocles, Heraclitus, and Zeno The good collector of the qualities, Dioscorides, I mean Orpheus, Tully,
;

136

139

Livy, and Seneca, the moralist

Euclid, geometer,

and Ptolemy, Hippocrates, and Avicenna, Galen;

142

;;

; '

18

THE DIVINE COMEDY

145

Averrhoes, who the great Comment made. cannot here make record of them all, Because my long theme so impels me on,

That many times my words come short of fact. The six-fold company becomes but two Another way the wise Guide leads me forth, Out of the quiet to the trembling air And I have reached a place where naught gives light.

148

151

CANTO V
From the first circle I descended thus Down to the second, which engirds less And pain the more, that goads to cries
There Minos stands in horrid
guise,

space.

of woe.
*

and snarls

Examining the sins there at the entrance. Judges, and sends as he entwines himself. mean, that when the ill-born soul has come
Before him,
it

confesses utterly
its sins.

And

that discriminator of

Noting what place in hell is due to it, "Winds round himself his tail so many times As the degrees he wills it be put down.

10

Ever before him stands a multitude Each soul in turn advances to its doom. It speaks and hears, and then is hurled below.
* *

13

thou that to the woful hostelry

'

IS

Art come, said Minos on beholding me. Suspending the discharge of his great office, "Look how thou enterest, and in whom thy trust;
'

1^

* *

Let not the wideness of the way delude thee. "Why criest thou too?" my Leader said to him; Hinder him not upon his destined way,
'

22

; ;

;'

; '

INFERNO, V
For it is so decreed, where power is To do that which is willed ask thou no more.
;

19

'

Now

are beginning to be heard the notes

;

25

Of those who suffer now I have advanced To where much lamentation strikes my ear. came into a place mute of all light,

28

Which

bellows like the ocean in a storm

it is

beaten by contending winds. The infernal hurricane, which never rests,

Carries along the spirits in its sweep Whirling and buffeting, it vexes them. When they are come in presence of the ruin, There the shrill cries, the plaint and the lament There are they blasphemous 'gainst Power Divine. I understood how to a punishment Like this the carnal sinners are condemned,

When

81

34

37

Who make
As by

their reason subject to desire.

40
full,

their wings the starlings are borne on,

cold, in flocks

comes the So were the evil This way and that

When

wide-spread and
blast

spirits

by that

it sweeps them, up and down They are not comforted by any hope Of resting, and not even of less pain.

*3

And

as the cranes go singing their sad lays,

46

Making themselves a long-drawn line in air. So I saw coming, uttering their wails. Shades borne on that commotion I have named Wherefore I said Master, what folk are these. To whom the black air gives such chastisement ? The foremost one of those, concerning whom Thou fain wouldst learn, replied he then, was once An Empress over many languages. To vice of carnal sin so given o 'er The lustful she made lawful by decree,
*
: '

49

'

'

'

52

'

'

'

'

55

'

; ;

'

20

THE DIVINE COMEDY

58

To take away the blame she had incurred. She is Semiramis, of whom we read That she succeeded Ninus, first his spouse She held the land which now the Sultan rules.
The other, she who slew herself for love, With the ashes of Sichaeus breaking faith
Next, Cleopatra the voluptuous.

61

And

there is Helen, for whose sake revolved So many guilty seasons yonder see The great Achilles, whose last foe was love.
; '

64

And he pointed out See Paris Tristan. More than a thousand shades, calling their names,
;
'

67

earthly life had been cut off by love. had heard my Teacher name to me Those dames and cavaliers of olden time, I felt such pity, I was nigh dismayed. And I began Poet, I fain would speak With those two yonder, who go side by side, And seem to be so light upon the wind. And he to me " Thou shalt observe when they

Whose
I

When

70

'

'

73

'

76

near to us then call them in the name Of Love, that is their guide, and they will come." Soon as the wind had bent their course toward us, I lifted up my voice " O weary souls,
;
:

Draw

79

Come speak with us, if it be not forbidden. As doves, when summoned by their longing, fly
'

82

On

open, steady wings to the sweet nest.

85

Borne onward through the air by their desire So left they then the throng where Dido was, And came to us through the malignant air. So powerful was my affection 's call. **0 living creature, gracious and benign,

88

Who

now journeying through this black Visiting us who dyed the world blood-red,
art

air,

'

'

INFERNO,
Were now
the Universal

V
friend,

21
91

King our

We both
What

would pray to Him to grant thee peace, Because thou pityest our wayward ill.
pleases thee to hear,

and what

to speak,

94

That we will hear, and thereof speak to you, While yet the wind is hushed for us, as now. The city, wherein I was born, is there Beside the sea-shore, where the Po comes down To be at rest with all his followers.
Love, that
is

97

quick to catch in gentle heart,

100

Enamoured this one of the comely form Taken from me the manner grieves me still. Love, that absolves from love no one beloved, Enamoured me so deeply of his charm, Thou seest even now it leaves me not. Love led us on to a united death Cai'na waits for him who quenched our life. These were the words that came to us from them.
;

103

106

'

No

sooner heard I those afflicted souls,

I

109
it

Than

bowed down

my

face,

and held

low
112

So long, the Poet said: "What thinkest thou?" When I made answer I began: "Alas! How many the sweet thoughts, what great desire

Led on
Thereon

these souls unto the

:

wof ul pass

! '

turned to them again to speak, Francesca, what thou sufferest Afflicts me in my pity even to tears. But tell me, at the time of those sweet sighs, What token and what way Love granted you.
I

115

And said

'

'

118

And

That ye did know the dubious desires?" she to me "There is no greater pain Than to remember in one's misery The happy time and that thy Teacher knows.
:
;

121

But

if

thou cherishest so great desire

124

;; :

; ; ;

22

THE DIVINE COMEDY

To learn what was the first root of our love, That I will tell, as one who tells in tears. One day we had been reading for delight Of Lancelot, how Love had urged him on We were alone suspicion had we none And more than once that reading made our eyes To meet, and changed the color in our faces But one point only was it conquered us When we had read how that the longed-for smile
;

127

130

133

Was
From

there impressed with such a lover's kiss,

This one,

who nevermore

shall be disjoined

me,

all

trembling, kissed

me on

the mouth.
it

136

Gallehaut was the book, and he

who wrote

That day we read in it no further on." While the one spirit had been saying this, The other wept so bitterly, that I, As I had died, for very pity swooned And fell, as falls the body of one dead.

139

142

CANTO VI

When
New

next my mind returned, that closed itself Before the pity of the kindred pair Which utterly confounded me with grief.
tortures and new tortured souls I see Around me, whichsoever way I move.
I turn,

Where'er
I

wherever

may

gaze.
7

am

at the third circle, of the rain

Unending, baleful, cold and burdensome. Whose rule and quality are never new. Great hailstones, water dark with filth, and snow Pour down together through the gloomy air

10

And

The earth receiving them gives forth a stench; Cerberus, a cruel and strange beast,

13

'

INFERNO, VI
out his triple throat barks like a dog Over the people that are there submerged. His eyes are red, his beard is black with grease, His belly huge his paws are armed with nails He claws the spirits, bites and lacerates. Under the rain, which makes them howl like dogs,
;

23

From

16

19

They make one

side a screen to shield the other

And often the unhallowed wretches turn. When Cerberus perceived us, the great worm,

22

Opening

his

mouths he showed

his fangs to us.

And had no limb Thereon my Leader

Took of the
Cast
it

that he held steady then

opened wide his hands,

25

earth,

and with

his fists both full

within those gullets ravenous.

As

is

the dog

who

in his

hunger barks

28

And

then grows quiet when he bites his food,

31

Intent alone on struggling to devour it, So had become those squalid visages Of Cerberus the demon, thundering Over the souls so that they fain were deaf. We walked upon the very shades, laid low Beneath the heavy rain our feet would fall
;

34

empty semblance of their forms. were lying on the ground, save one Who raised himself and sat upright as soon As he observed us pass in front of him. thou who are conducted through this hell, Said he to me, recall me, if thou canst For thou wast made ere I had been unmade. And I to him The anguish that thou hast Perchance has put thee from my memory. So that it seems not that I ever saw thee. But tell me who thou art, that hast been given In such a woful place such punishment,
the

Upon

They

all

37

'

'

'

40

'

'

'

'

'

43

46

;'

'

24

THE DIVINE COMEDY

'

greater, none displeases And he to me " Thy city, now so full Of envy that the sack is running over,
:

Though other

so.

49

Held me within it in the life of light. was called Ciacco by you, citizens And for the damning sin of gluttony,

52

As thou

dost see, I languish in the rain.

And

I,

sad soul,

am
' '

not alone in

this,

55

For all these others bear like penalty For like offence. And further spoke no word. Then made I answer Ciacco, thy distress So weighs upon me that it bids me weep. But tell me, if thou know'st, to what will come The citizens of the divided city If one of them be just; tell me the cause Why by such discord she has been assailed. And he to me: "After long quarreling
' : '

58

61

'

64

There shall be bloodshed, till the silvan party Drives forth the other with great injury. And afterwards shall come this party 's fall Within three suns, and that one shall rise up Through that one's power who temporizes now. A long time shall it carry high its head, Keeping the other under heavy loads,

67

70

Howe'er

it

grieve and suffer

shame thereby.
73

Two men

are just but are not listened to

For pride and envy, joined to avarice Have been three sparks to set men's hearts on Here brought he to an end the tearful sound And I " I fain would have thee teach me still.
:

fire."
76

Bestowing on me gift of further speech. Farinata and Tegghiaio, worthy both, Jacopo Rusticucci, Arrigo, Mosca, And others who were minded to do good,

79

"

; ' ''

INFERNO, VI
Tell

25
82

me where

they are,

let

For
If

great desire constrains

me know of them me now to learn

'

And

heaven soothe or hell be poisoning them. he " They are among the blacker souls
:

85

A different sin weights them to lower depths.

If thou go

down

so far, there thou shalt see them.

88

But when thou

I pray,

art again in the sweet world,

bring

me

to the

memory

of men.
'

More

say not, nor more wiU answer thee.

little
it
' :

His forthright gazing eyes he rolled asquint,

91

Viewed me a

while

then bowed his head,

shall he rise

And

fell

with

in blindness like the rest.

'

My

Leader said

No more

up
come

94

This side the sound of the angelic trump.

When

on that day the

hostile

power

shall

Each one

shall find again the

woful tomb,

97

Shall take again his flesh and wonted shape. Shall hear what thunders on forevermore.

Through the foul mixture of the shades and rain Were we thus moving forward with slow steps. Touching a little on the life to come. Wherefore I said: "Master, these torturings, Will they increase when the great doom has passed, Or lessen, or perchance burn still the same ? And he to me Return unto thy learning, Which holds that as a thing more perfect grows, It grows more conscious both of good and pain.
'
' : '

100

103

106

And

so,

though

this accursed folk

advance
* '

109

To true perfection never, they expect Thereafter to be more than they are now.

We followed by that road our circling course,

Saying much more, which I do not recount, And reached the point where the descent begins. There found we Pluto, the great enemy.

112

115

'

!!

'

'

26

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO
VII
! '

*
'

Pape Satan, pape Satan, aleppe

When
Said for

Pluto thus began with clucking voice,

That gentle Sage, learned in everything.

my

comfort

' : '

Suffer not thy fear

To harm

thee, for whatever power he have

Shall not stay thee from going

down

this rock.

'

Then turned he him around to that puffed face, And said " Be silent, thou accursed wolf Consume thee inwardly with thine own rage Not without cause go we to the abyss
:

10

on high where Michael Took vengeance of the proud adultery." Just as the sails all swelled out with the wind
It is so willed

13

Fall in a tangled heap

when

falls the

mast.
16

So

fell this

cruel wild beast to the ground.

To

the fourth hollow

we descended

then,

And

took in more and more the woful slope

ill.

Which draws within its sack the whole world's Justice of God oh, who but Thee heaps up The sum of pains and travails strange I saw Why does our sin so make us waste away ? As there above Charybdis breaks the wave,
!

19

22

Dashing against another meeting it. So here it was decreed the folk should dance. Here saw I many more than elsewhere who Both on the one side and the other with loud howls. Were rolling forward weights by push of chest. They struck against each other, and just there Each whirled around, and, rolling back, would cry Why boldest thou ? " " Why thro west thou away 1 Thus each returned along the gloomy round
' '

25

28

'

31

'

' ;; ;

'

INFERNO, VII
either hand to the point opposite To greet each other with their shameful cry When he had reached it, each one turned anew Through his half circle to the other joust.

27

On

34

And I, whose heart was, as it were, transfixed. Exclaimed "My Master, now make plain to me What folk this is and if these all were priests, These tonsured ones upon our left hand here. And he " These all, when in the former life, Looked so obliquely with the mind, that they Made no expenditure with measure due. Most plainly do their voices bark this out, When they have reached the two points of the circle. Where they are by the converse sin repelled. Those on whose heads no covering is of hair Were priests and popes and cardinals, in whom The mastery was held by avarice. And I " Master, among such folk as these There must be some whom I should recognize,
: ;

37

'

40

43

46

'

4^

Who

suffered the defilement of these sins.

:

'

52 And he to me " Vain thoughts thou harborest The undiscerning life, which made them sordid. Makes them obscure to all discerning now. 55 Forever shall they come to these two buttings These shall come forth from out their sepulchres [close. With fists clenched tight, and those with hair cropped 58 Ill-giving and ill-keeping took from them The fair world 's use, and set them here in strife Of such a sort no words of mine shall grace. 61 Now seest thou, son, how brief the mockery Of goods committed unto Fortune's care. For which mankind buffet each other so. 64 For all the gold that is beneath the moon, Or ever was, would not have power to give

' ; '

"

28

THE DIVINE COMEDY

'

Repose to one of all these weary souls. "Master," said I to him, "now tell me, too This Fortune, which thou speak 'st of, what is it, Which holds the world 's goods in its clutches so ? And he to me " foolish creatures, ye
:

67

70

How

great the ignorance that works your

harm
73

I pray,

my judgment

of her

now

take

in.

That One, of knowledge all transcendent, made The heavens, and appointed them their guides, So that each part on every other shines. Dispensing equally the light abroad.
Likewise, above the splendors of the world

76

He

set

a general minister and guide,

79

Who

should betimes transfer this empty wealth

race to race and from this stock to that,

From

Above prohibiting by human thought. Hence one race rules, another languishes, Both in obedience to her decree.

82

Which is concealed, as in the grass the snake. Your knowledge has no power to stop her course
Foreseeing, she decrees and executes

85

Her kingdom's laws, as theirs Her permutations know no time

the other gods.

of truce
88

Necessity compels her to be swift, So often comes one who shall know a change.

And

this is she who is so crucified, Even by those who ought to give her praise, But give her blame amiss and ill report. But her estate is bliss she hears it not. Happy among the other primal creatures.
;

91

94

She turns her sphere and joys in blissful life. But let us now descend to greater woe. Each star that upward moved when I went forth
Is falling

97

now

to linger is forbidden.

'

'

; ;

'

INFERNO, VII

29
100

We

crossed the circle to the other bank,

boiling spring, which overflows
cleft that

Above a

Down

through a

has beginning there.

^^^

The stream was darker far than any perse And we accompanied the dusky waves, Now entering a downward pathway strange.

A marsh,
The

that bears the

This cheerless

name of Styx, it forms, rivulet, when it has reached

1^6

foot of these malignant, grayish slopes.

And

I,

who

stood intently looking down,

109

Saw

people there bemired in that slough,

112

All naked, and in semblance sorely vexed.

They struck each other, not alone with hands, But with the head and breast and with the feet. And maimed each other piecemeal with their teeth. Son, now thou viewest Then the good Master said The souls of those whom anger overcame
' : '

H^

And

too, I will that

thou believe this truth,

sigh,

That 'neath the water there are some who

H^

Making the water bubble

at the top,
it

As

the eye tells thee, wheresoe'er

'

turn.
121

Fixed in the slime they say Sullen were we In the sweet air that 's gladdened by the sun, Having within our hearts the smoke of sloth; Now we are sullen in the swarthy mire.
:

124

This

hymn

they gurgle in their throats, because

'

With

perfect words they can not utter

the dry bank

it.

We passed between

and the swamp

the mire.

127

Far on the circle of the filthy fen. With eyes turned toward those gulping down Until at last we stood beneath a tower.

130

'

"

'

30

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO
VIII

I SAY, continuing, that long before

Our coming to the foot of that high tower, Our glances had gone upward to its top, For we had seen two flamelets set there, while
Another sent back signal from so far. The eye had barely power to take it in. Turned to the sea of all intelligence I said What does this say ? and what replies The other fire, and who are they that make it ? And he to me Over the slimy waves What is expected thou mayst now discern, If the marsh vapor hide it not from thee. Never did bowstring speed its arrow forth That it flew onward through the air so swift. As I beheld a little boat come on Across the water toward us instantly Under the guidance of a single boatman. Who cried aloud Art thou now come, fell soul ?
' * : '

'

10

'

13

16

'

'

'

''Phlegyas, Phlegyas, thou criest all in vain

19

For

this once,

' '

said

my

Lord.

* *

Us thou

shalt hold
22

No

longer than while passing o'er the slough."

Like one who listens to some great deceit That has been done him, and resents it sore,

Phlegyas became then in his gathered wrath. Guide went down into the little bark, And after him then made me enter it. And it seemed laden first when I was in. Soon as the Guide and I were in the boat The ancient prow set forth, cleaving the water Deeper than it was wont with other souls. When over the dead channel we were speeding

My

25

28

31

; : ! ';

' '

"

'

'

INFERNO, VIII
Before us rose one full of mire and said

31

Now, who art thou, that com 'st before thy time ? And I to him Although I come, I stay not But who art thou, that art become so foul ? "Thou seest I am one of those who weep." And I to him "With weeping and with wailing,
'
' ' * :

'

34

'

37

do thou still remain For thee I know, although thou art all filth. Then toward the boat he stretched out both his hands.

Accursed

spirit,

'

40

Wherefore the prudent Master thrust him back. Saying Away Down with the other dogs This done, around my neck he threw his arms, And kissed my face, and said Disdainful soul, Blessed is she who bore thee in her bosom That one was arrogant when in the world There is no goodness decks his memory.
'
!

'

'

43

'

'

46

And

therefore

is

his shade so furious here.

49

How many

hold themselves up there to be

Great kings,

who
' '

shall stand here like swine in mire,

'
!

Leaving behind them horrible dispraise

And

I to

him

Master, greatly should I

52

Rejoice to see him stifled in the stew

Before the time when we shall leave the lake."

And

he to

me " Ere
:

the shore lets itself

55

Be seen by
'Tis fitting

thee, thou shalt be satisfied. thou have joy of such desire." 58

Shortly thereafter I beheld him torn

In such a manner by the muddy folk That I still praise and thank my God for it. Have at Filippo Argenti They all cried out
'
: '

61

At

that the spirit of the Florentine

64

In rage turned on himself with his own teeth. We left him there therefore of him I say No more. But on my ears there smote such woe,
;

; !

';

"

! '

'

32
I

THE DIVINE COMEDY

opened wide

my

eyes, intent ahead.

:

Then the good Master said to me " My son, The city now draws near whose name is Dis, With weighty citizens, with great array.
'

67

And I " Already, Master, I discern Its mosques distinctly in the valley yonder, Vermilion, as if they had issued forth And he to me " The eternal fire From fire.
: ' ' :

70

73

Enkindling them within displays them red,

As thou

observest in this nether hell."

76

We

came at length within the fosses deep Encompassing that land disconsolate
Its walls

appeared

to

me

to be of iron.

79 Not without making a wide circuit first Reached we a place where with loud voice the boatman Here is the entrance. Cried to us " Get you out 82 More than a thousand of those rained from heaven I saw above the gates, who angrily Exclaimed Who is that one, who without death 85 through the kingdom of the people dead ? Goes
'
: !

'

And

then the Sage,

my

Master,

made a

sign
88

Of wishing to speak with them secretly. Repressing somewhat of their great disdain, They said Come thou alone Let him depart,
:

'

'

with such zeal has come within this realm Let him go back alone by the mad road
Try,
if

Who

91

he can

for thou shalt here remain,

Who

hast been showing

if I

him

so

dark a country.

'

Think, reader,

' '

was discomfited, Hearing the sound of the accursed words For I deemed not that I should e 'er return. my dear Guide, who more than seven times Hast brought me back to safety and hast drawn

94

97

From

the deep peril that confronted me.

'

' ; ; ; '

INFERNO, VIII
Leave me not thus undone,
' '

33
100

I said

'
'

and should
'

It be denied us to go further on. Let us retrace our steps together, quickly. And that Lord, who had led me thither, said
' '

103

Have thou no
one,

fear

because our passage, given

106

no one may take from us. But here await me and the weary spirit Comfort and feed with good expectancy
;

By Such an

wiU not leave thee in the nether world. Thus goes away and there abandons me The gentle Father, and I stay in doubt. For **yes" and "no" contend within my head. I could not hear what he held forth to them But he had not been standing with them long,
I
'

109

112

When
Then

each in emulation ran within.

115

these our adversaries shut the gates

Before my Lord's breast, who remained without And turned him back to me with footsteps slow. His eyes were fixed upon the ground his brows "Were shorn of boldness, as he, sighing, said: "Who has forbidden me the abodes of woe?" And then to me Thou, though I am enraged, Be not dismayed, for I shall bide the test, Whate 'er they go about within to stay me For this their overweening is not new. They used it once at a less secret gate, Which to this day remains without a bolt. Above it thou didst see the dead inscription And now this side of it descends the steep. Passing the circles unescorted, One By whom the land shall opened be to us.
;

US

'

'

121

124

127

'

130

'

'

34

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO IX

That color which faintheartedness had put Upon my face, seeing my Guide turn back,

He

Repressed the sooner his unwonted hue. stopped like one intently listening Because the eye could not conduct him far Through the black air and through the heavy mist.
'
*

must be, though, that we shall win the fight, Began he, else such aid was offered us. Oh, how I long to have Another come I plainly saw how he had covered up What he began to say with other words That followed and were different from the first. But none the less his language gave me fear, For I drew out the interrupted speech
'

It

'

! '

10

13

"Down

Perchance to a worse purport than he meant. to this depth of the distressful hollow

16

Do ever any come from that first grade, Whose only punishment is hope cut off?" So questioned I, and thus he answered me
* '

18

Rarely it comes to pass that one of us Goes on the journey which I now am making. 22 'Tis true that I was conjured hither once By that Erichtho, cruel one, who used Unto their bodies to call back the shades. 25 My flesh had been but short time bare of me When she forced me to go within that wall To bring a spirit of Judas' circle thence. 28 That is the lowest and the darkest place And farthest from the heaven that turns all Well do I know the road; so be at rest. [forth, This marsh, from which the great stench is breathed 31

! !

' ; ' '

INFERNO, IX
Engirds the doleful city round about, enter without anger. And more he said, which I have not in mind Because my eye had wholly drawn me toward The lofty tower with the glowing top. Where in an instant risen suddenly Were three infernal furies, stained with blood. Who had the limbs of women and the mien And they were girt with greenest water-snakes; Small serpents and horned snakes had they for hair. Wherewith their savage brows were clasped about. And he, who well did know the maids of her, Of never-ending lamentation Queen, Exclaimed Behold the fierce Erinyes

35

Which now we cannot

'

34

37

*0

43

'

'

' *

They are Megaera at the left upon The right, Alecto weeping, and between and then was silent. The two, Tisiphone Each with her nails made gashes in her breast Beat themselves with their palms, and shrieked so That I drew close to the Poet in my fear. Turn him to stone will we, Medusa, come They all were crying, looking down. 'Twas ill
:

46

; '

'

4^
loud,
52

'

'

'

on Theseus his assault." Turn backward keep thy face concealed, for if The Gorgon show herself and thou see her, No more returning upward would there be. So said the Master and then he himself Turned me around, nor trusted he my hands,
failed to avenge
; '

We

'

55

'

58

But with his own besides he closed my eyes. ye who have sound intellects, observe The doctrine that is here, hiding itself Beneath the veil of the unwonted verses And now was coming o'er the turbid waves The crashing of a sound, full of affright,

61

6*

"

36

THE DIVINE COMEDY

67

Wherewith began to tremble both the shores Not otherwise than that made by a wind, Impetuous because of adverse heats, Which smites the forest, and with nought to check, Shivers the branches, beats and bears them off; With dust before it, it goes on superb, Making the wild beasts and the shepherds flee.

70

He

set

my

eyes free, saying

'
:

'

Now

direct

73

The nerve of sight across that ancient scum, Yonder to where the smoke is bitterest." As frogs before their enemy the snake
All scatter through the water, vanishing,
Till

76

each

is

squatting huddled on the land

79

More than a thousand ruined souls I saw Thus fleeing from before One, who on foot

Was passing over Styx with soles unwet. He moved aside that thick air from his face,
Bringing his left hand oft in front of it, And only with that trouble seemed he weary. Perceiving that he was a Messenger From heaven, I turned to the Master, who made sign That I stand quiet and bow down to him. Oh, how disdainful he appeared to me He came to the gate, and with a little wand He opened it resistance there was none. Outcasts of heaven Thou despised folk Began he on the threshold horrible, Whence is this overweening, lodged in you ? And wherefore do ye kick against that will, Whose end there is no power can mutilate, And which has many times increased your pain ? What steads it you to butt against the Fates ? Your Cerberus, if ye remember well.
;

82

85

88

* *

'

^
*7

Has

still

his chin

and throat worn bare therefor."

' ;

'

INFERNO, IX
Then he returned along the filthy way, And spoke no word to us, but had the mien Of one whom other care constrains and pricks Than that of him who is before his face. And then we moved our feet toward that land, Free from our care after those holy words And without any strife we entered in, And I, who was desirous to behold The state of things in such a fortress locked, As soon as I was in, cast my eye round And saw on every hand a great plain, full Of sorrow and of torment of the damned.

37
100

103

106

109

E 'en
Or

as at Aries, beside the stagnant Rhone,

112

Quarnero by, That shuts in Italy and bathes her bounds, 115 The sepulchres make all the place uneven So did they here on every side, except That here the manner was more bitter far. US Because among the tombs were scattered flames, With which they were so heated through and through. That iron is called for hotter by no trade. 121 All of their lids were lifted up and forth Such grievous lamentations came as seemed In truth like those of wretched sufferers. 124 And I " Master, who are the people there,
as at Pola, with
; :

That having burial within those chests Make themselves heard with sighing in such pain ? 127 And he to me Here the arch-heretics Are with their followers of every sect [laden. And much more than thou deem'st these tombs are 130 Here like with like is in one sepulchre The monuments are heated more and less. And, turning to the right hand, we passed on 133 Between the torments and high battlements.
' ' :
'

'

''

'

'

38

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO X

Now

goes his way, along a secret path

city wall,
I.

Between the torments and the

My

Master, and, behind his shoulders,

' *

"Virtue Supreme, that through the impious rounds Dost turn me, I began, as pleases thee. Speak thou to me, and satisfy my wishes.
' '

The

people, lying in the sepulchres,

'

Could they be seen ? Already all the lids lifted up, and no one is on guard. And he to me " They all shall be locked in "When from Jehoshaphat they shall return Here with the bodies they have left above. On this side have their place of burial With Epicurus all his followers. Who hold that with the body dies the soul. So, to the question thou hast put, thou shalt

Are

10

13

"^^

Have present
:

satisfaction here within.

'

And also to the wish thou utterest not. And I " Good Leader, I keep not my heart
Concealed from thee save thus to speak but little Nor now alone hast thou thereto disposed me. Tuscan, who with speech so courteous
'

19

*
'

22

Goest through the city of the

fire, alive.

now please thee at this place to halt. Thy mode of speech hath manifested thee
it

May

25

A native of that noble

From
I

fatherland,
'

To which, perchance, I was too troublesome. All on a sudden had this sound come forth
one of the sepulchres
little closer to
;

28

wherefore in fear
doest thou
31

drew a
he to

my
!

Leader.

And

me " Turn
:

thee

What

'

'

'

'

' '

INFERNO,
See Farinata,

X
see him.
'

39

From
I

the waist

who has raised himself upward wholly shalt thou

had already And he had

fixed

my

gaze on his

34

risen erect with breast

and brow,
37

As

if

Hell were to him in great despite.

And

then the Leader's bold and ready hands

! '

Pushed me among the sepulchres to him, Saying to me "Be all thy words well ordered When I was at his tomb, close by the foot, He looked at me a while, and then, as 'twere
:

*0

In scorn, he asked:

"Who

were thy ancestors?"

*3

And

I,

who was

desirous to obey,
~

Hid it not from him, but disclosed them all. Whereon he lifted up his brows somewhat Fiercely were they adverse to me, Then said To my forerunners, to my partisans, So that I twice did scatter them abroad. Though they were banished, they came back both times
; *
: ' ' ' '

^6

*9

From
* '

every quarter," I replied to him;

art.
'

But your men have not rightly learned that Then close by him, uncovered to the view,
Arose a shade as far as to the chin I think that it had risen on its knees.
It looked

52

about me, as

if it

desired

55

To see if there were with me some one else; But when its expectation was all quenched, Weeping, it said " If thou for loftiness
:

58

Of genius go through

this blind prison, then

Where

is

my
:

son

Why is

he not with thee ?

'

And

I to him " I go not of myself. He, who waits yonder, guides me through this place
'

61

Perchance your Guido held him in disdain. Already had his words, and, too, the mode Of punishment read this one 's name to me,

64

'

' ''

"

'

40

THE DIVINE COMEDY

therefore had

And

my

answer been so
'

full.

Uprising suddenly, he cried out How Saidst thou, he held ? Is he not living still ? Does not the sweet light strike upon his eyes ? When he became aware of some delay
:
'

67

'

70

made, ere I replied, backward he

fell

Supine, and then no more appeared outside.

But the Magnanimous, at whose desire I had here stayed my steps, changed not his aspect. And neither moved his neck, nor bent his side. And if, continuing what first was said, They have acquired that art, said he, but ill, That is more torment to me than this bed. But fifty times shall not be re-enkindled The c6untenanee of her, who queens it here.
* *
' ' '
'

73

76

'

'

'

79

And,

Before thou learn how weighty is that art. as thou wouldst return to that sweet world,
Tell me,

82

why

is

so pitiless that people

its

Against

my

kin in each of
'

decrees ?

'

"Wherefore I said to him

'

And mighty
Make such

slaughter, that

The havoc wrought dyed Arbia red.

'

85

petitions in our temple rise.

' '

When
'
'

thereupon he, sighing, shook his head, There I was not alone, he said, and, surely, I had not moved with the others without cause. But I was there alone, when every one Assented Florence should be blotted out. And I defended her with open face. "Alas! So may your seed sometime find rest, Besought I him, loosen for me this knot. By which my judgment has been here enwound. It seems, if I do hear aright, that ye Can see beforehand what the times shall bring, And in the present have another way.
' ' ' ' '

88

^1

^4

97

'

'

' ; '

' ;

INFERNO,

X
;

41
100

"Like him, who has imperfect sight, we see The things far off, he answered " so much light The Sovereign Ruler still doth shed on us. "When they draw nigh, or are, our intellects Are wholly void, and if none other come To us, nought know we of your human state. Hence thou canst understand, that wholly dead Will be our knowledge from that moment when The portal of the future shall be closed. As in compunction for my fault, I said Then, you shall say now to that fallen one, His son is with the living still conjoined. And if, before I answered, I was dumb, Tell him that I was so, because I thought Already on the error you have solved. And now my Master was recalling me Wherefore, in greater haste, I prayed the spirit That he would tell me who might be with him. ** With more than a thousand lie I here, " he said The second Frederick, and the Cardinal Are here within I speak not of the rest. Therewith he hid himself and I toward The ancient Poet turned my steps, my thoughts Upon the speech that seemed to bode me ill. He started on and, as we walked along,
' '
'

103

106

109

'

112

'

115

US

'

'

'

121

124

He said to me Why art thou so perplexed ? And I contented him in his request.
'
: '

'

'
'

Let
'
'

memory hold fast what thou hast heard Against thyself, that Sage exhorted me And, raising his finger, "now give heed to this
'
'

127

'

'

When

thou shalt be in the sweet radiance Of that one, whose fair eyes see all, from her

130

Thou shalt know all the journey of thy life." Then to the left he bent his steps, and we,

133

'

'

42

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Leaving the wall, went onward toward the middle Along a path that strikes into a vale, Which even up there made its ill smell offend.

136

CANTO XI
Upon the edge of a high precipice Formed by a circle of great broken
rocks,

came above a still more cruel press And here, by reason of the horrible Excess of stench which the profound abyss Throws up, we made approach behind the lid Of a great tomb, on which I saw inscribed The words Pope Anastasius I hold, Whom from the forthright way Photinus drew. Our going down must needs be slow, so that Our sense may first become somewhat inured To the dismal blast, which then 'twill heed no more. Find thou So spoke the Master and I said
*
:

We

'

'

* *

10

'

'

'

13

Some compensation,
Unused.
' '

that the time pass not

'

My

he " Know that I think of that. son, there are within these rocks, began

And

'

1^

He then to say, ''three circles lessening From grade to grade, like those which thou
They are
all full

dost leave.
1^

of spirits of the

damned

But, that henceforth sight

Observe both

may suffice alone. how and why they are confined.

22
;

Of all the wickedness that earns the hate Of heaven, the end is injury and all Such ends by force grieve others, or by fraud. But because fraud is man 's peculiar sin, It more displeases God and hence are lower The fraudulent, and greater woe assails them.
;

25

INFERNO, XI
All the
first circle

43
28
is

holds the violent

used,

But, since against three persons force

It is constructed in three separate rounds.

Force

may

be used against one 's God, one 's

;

self,

31

One 's neighbors Of theirs, as thou

against them, I say, or things

shalt hear with plain discourse.
34

By force is death inflicted on one 's neighbor, And painful wounds and on his property
;

Ruin, burning, and harmful plundering

Hence murderers, those who deal evil blows, Those who lay waste and rob, in various troops Are all tormented here in this first round. Violent hands a man may lay upon Himself and his possessions hence it comes That in the second round in vain repents Each one who of your world deprives himself, Gambles away and dissipates his goods, And there goes weeping where he should rejoice.
;

37

40

^
46

Force

may

be used against the Deity,

By a heart's denying and blaspheming Him, And deeming Nature and God 's bounty nought
Therefore the smallest round with
its

own mark

49

Has

set a seal
all

on Sodom and Cahors,

all

Fraud,

God at heart. men 's consciences are gnawed, Is practised against him who trusts in us. And against him who cherishes no trust.

And

for which
tie

who

speak, despising

52

This latter mode would murderously sever

55

Only the

of love that Nature

makes
58

Therefore within the second circle nest Hypocrisy, and lies, and whosoe 'er
Bewitches, forging, theft, and simony,

By

Panders, and barrators, and such like filth. the other mode both that love is forgotten

61

'

44

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Is

that which afterwards added and begets a special faith Hence in the smallest circle, at that point Of the universe, on which is seated Dis, Whoso betrays is to all time consumed." And I " Master, thy reasoning proceeds
:

Which Nature makes, and

C*

^"^

Most clearly, and distinguishes full well Both the abyss and those possessing it. But do thou tell me those of the fat marsh, Those borne by the wind and beaten by the rain, And those that meet each other, so harsh of tongue, Why have they not their punishment within The ruddy city, if God holds them so In wrath ? if not, why are they in such case ? And he to me " Why is it that thy wit
: '
:

70

73

76

Doth go so far astray beyond its wont ? Or where is it thy mind is gazing else ? Rememberest thou not those words, in which

79

Thy
The

Ethics thoroughly investigates

dispositions

Heaven

will not abide

Incontinence, and wickedness, and

Bestiality?

mad

82

And how

incontinence
less

Less offends God, and so

If thou wilt note well

blame incurs ?
is,

what

this doctrine

85

And
That

call

suffer

back to thy memory who those are punishment above, outside.

88

Thou shalt see clearly why from these fell spirits They are set off, and wherefore less offended Vengeance divine doth deal them hammering blows."
*
'

Sun, that healest every troubled vision,

dost content

Si

Thou

me

so,

when thou
' '

dost solve,
94

That doubt, not

'

less

than knowledge, pleases me.

Turn once again a little back, I said, To where thou sayest that usury offends
'

; :'

45

INFERNO, XII
Goodness divine, and loosen
'
'

me
'

the knot.

'

Philosophy,

' '

said he to me,

'

points out,

ST'

To him who understands it, not alone In one sole part, how Nature takes her course

From the Intellect divine and from Its art And if thou con thy Physics faithfully. After not many pages thou shalt find.
That your art follows
her, as best it can,

100

103

As

the disciple does the master, so

is,

That your art

as 'twere, grandchild of God.

10^

By

thou remember Genesis In its beginning, it behoves mankind To earn its livelihood and to advance.
both,
if

And

as the usurer takes another way,

109

Both in herself and in her followers Nature he scorns, placing his hope elsewhere. But follow now, it pleases me to go

112

On the horizon are the Fishes quivering. And wholly over Caurus lies the Wain, And far on yonder we go down the steep.

115

CANTO XII
The place we reached for going down the bank Was alpine, and, by what was there besides.
Of such a kind as every eye would shun. As is that ruin, which, the hither side
Of Trent, struck the Adige
in its flank.

Either through earthquake, or support that failed,

For from the mountain 's summit, whence

it

moved

Down

to the plain this rock is shattered so,

'Twould give a kind of path to one above

Such the descent was of that precipice

10

'

'

46

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the margin of the broken chasm There lay outstretched the infamy of Crete, That was conceived in the false cow and when He saw us there, into himself he bit. Like one whom anger inwardly breaks down. My Sage cried out toward him " It may be, Thou think 'st the Duke of Athens to be here, Who in the world above gave thee thy death Away from here, thou beast this one comes not Instructed by thy sister, but doth go His way to look upon your punishments,
; :
!

And on

13

16

19

'

As

is

that bull, whose halter breaks just

He

has received the mortal stroke,

this
I

when and who

that

22

Can go no more, plunging

So saw

way and

then the Minotaur to do.

'

25

And he, perceiving, cried: ''Run to the passage! While he doth rage, 'tis well that thou descend. So we resumed our downward way, upon The unloading of those stones, which often moved Beneath the novel burden of my feet. I went on, thinking and he said Perchance Thou thinkest on this ruin in the guard Of that beast 's wrath, which I have just now quelled. Now I would have thee know, that when I went The other time down to the nether hell, This cliff had not yet fallen. But certainly, If I discern aright, it was not long
'

28

'

31

34

37

Before

He

came,

who

the great booty took

From Dis, from out the circle uppermost. *0 That in all parts this loathsome valley deep So trembled, that I thought the universe Felt love, through which, some think, the world has been 43 Converted into chaos many times

And

at that

moment did

this ancient rock

' ' !

'

'

INFERNO, XII
Make such a downfall here and otherwhere. But fix thine eyes upon the valley, for The river of blood is near, in which are boiled All who by violence do harm to men. blind cupidity, guilty and mad, Which in the brief life spurs us so, and then
'

47

46

49

So in the eternal steeps us wretchedly saw a wide foss, curving in an arc, Such that it was embracing all the plain. According as my Guide had said and 'twixt The foot of the bank and it, in single file Were running Centaurs, arrow-armed, as they Were wont to go a-hunting in the world. Seeing us coming down, each one stood still, And from the troop there came forth three with bows And javelins, that they had chosen, first. And "To what torment come ye, who descend The slope ? one of them cried out from afar. Tell us from there if not, I draw the bow. My Master said The answer we will make To Chiron near-by, there; unhappily Thy will was always thus precipitate. Then, touching me, he said That one is Nessus, Who for fair Dejanira met his death, And by himself wrought vengeance for himself
1
; : ' '
*

52

55

58

61

'

'

'

'

64

'

' *

67

He

in the middle, gazing at his breast,

70

Is the great Chiron,

That other, Pholus, Thousands on thousands they go round the

who did train Achilles who was so full of wrath.

foss,

73

With arrows shooting

souls that wrest themselves

their guilt allows.
'

Up from

the blood

more than

Nearer we drew to those swift-footed beasts Chiron then took an arrow, and put back,

76

With

the notch-end, his beard

upon

his jaws.

' ;

'

'

48

THE DIVINE COMEDY

his great
* *

When he had thus uncovered He said to his companions

:

mouth,

79

Do ye

note
'

Of him behind, that what he touches moves ? So are not wont to do the feet of the dead. And my good Leader, who was now before
His
breast,

82

where the two natures are conjoined,

is

Replied:

indeed alive and thus Alone, I needs must show him the dark vale Necessity induces him, not joy.
singing Alleluia

"He

85

From

Who

gave

me
I

this

One left off, new task he is no

;

88

robber,
91

a spirit fraudulent. But by that Power, by which I move my steps Along so wild a road, give unto us Some one of thine, to whom we may keep close, To show us where the ford is, and to carry
his back this one who is not spirit That he should make his passage through the air. Upon his right breast Chiron bent around, And said to Nessus Turn, and guide them so If other troops meet yours, make them keep off.
'

Neither

am

94

Upon

'

97

'

'

Then with the trusty escort we moved on, Along the margin of the crimson boiling.
In which the boiled were uttering loud shrieks. saw a folk down in it to the brows, And the great Centaur said Tyrants are these. Who took to blood and plundering, and here Lament their pitiless misdeeds among them Is Alexander, and fierce Dionysius Who caused that Sicily had years of pain
I
'
:

100

103

'

106

And

yonder forehead that has such black hair

109

Is Azzolino's;

and that one

there, the blond.

Is Obizzo of Este,

Above there

in the

who in truth was quenched world by his step-son."

112

'

'

'

INFERNO, XIII
I then turned to the Poet,
' '

49

Let him be

first to thee,

and he said and me be second.

'

A little further on the Centaur stopped

Above a folk, who far as to the throat Seemed issuing from out the boiling stream. Then at our side a solitary shade He showed us, saying In God 's bosom he Did cleave the heart still honored on the Thames. Then I saw folk, who forth from out the stream Held up the head and all the chest beside And many a one of them I recognized. In such a wise grew ever shallower
' : '

lis

118

'

121

124

'

That blood, until it cooked only the feet there, too, was our passage of the foss. As thou on this side seest the boiling stream Go on continually diminishing," The Centaur said, I will that thou believe That on this other, more and more it lowers Its bottom, till it comes again to where It is assigned to tyranny to groan.

And

'

127

'

'

130

Justice divine here goads that Attila

1^3
;

was a scourge upon the earth Pyrrhus And Sextus and eternally it milks The tears which with the boiling it unlocks From Rinier da Corneto, from Rinier Pazzo, Who on the highways carried on such war. Then he turned backward, and repassed the ford.
;

Who

136

'

139

CANTO

XIII

Not yet had Nessus come unto the bank Upon the other side, when we went on
Within a wood, in which no path was marked. Not leaves of green, but of a dusky hue
4

';

; '

"

50

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Not branches smooth, but gnarled and intertwined; Not any fruits were there, but poisoned thorns. Not such rough thickets nor so dense belong To those wild beasts who hate the places tilled Between Corneto and the Cecina. 'Tis here the filthy Harpies make their nests, Who drove the Trojans from the Strophades With dismal presage of a coming harm. Broad wings have they, and necks and faces human, And feet with claws, and the great body feathered; And on the strange trees utter their laments.

10

13

And

the good Master then began to say "Before thou enter further know that thou Art in the second round, and shalt be till Thou shalt come out upon the horrid sands. Therefore look well, and thou shalt see such things As might rob words of mine of thy belief.
'

16

19

I could hear sounds of wailing, long

drawn out

22

but saw no one to make them Wherefore, bewildered utterly, I stopped.

every
side,

On

was thinking then, from among the trunks Came from a folk that was concealed from us. Therefore the Master said " If thou wilt break
I think he thought that I

25

That

all

these voices

28

From

off

one of these plants a

little

twig,
'

The thoughts thou hast

will all be mutilated.

And then a little I stretched forth my hand, And plucked a small branch from a great thorn tree And its trunk cried Why art thou rending me ? When afterwards it had grown dark with blood,
' :

31

'

34

It cried

anew

' : '

Why

art thou tearing

me ?
37

Hast thou not any pity in thy spirit ? Men were we, and are now turned into stocks

Thy hand should

rightfully deserve to be

'

'

INFERNO, XIII
More pitiful, had we been serpents souls. As from a log that is green, which is on fire At one of the ends, and at the other drips And hisses with the escaping air so from
'

51
'

40

' *

That broken twig were issuing combined Both words and blood and therefore I let The tip, and stood like one who is afraid. Had it been in his power to believe
;

43
fall

46

At
*
'

first,

wounded

soul,

' '

replied

my

Sage,
49

What he has seen but only in my verse. Against thee he had not stretched forth his hand
But the incredible condition made Me prompt his doing that which weighs on me. But tell him who thou wast, so that he may, By way of some amends, refresh thy fame

52

On earth above, to which he can return. And the trunk said " So with sweet speech thou That I cannot be silent and may it not
'
:

[me. lur 'st 55

Offend you that I stick to talk a while. I am the one within whose keeping were Both keys of Frederick's heart, and them I turned Both locking and unlocking softly, so

58

That from
All

his secrets I kept out almost

;

61

men and to the glorious office brought Such faith that I lost sleep and pulse thereby. The harlot that from Caesar's dwelling-place Did never turn away her strumpet eyes, The common death and vice of courts, inflamed

64

Against

me then

the souls of every one

so.

67

And
That

the inflamed inflamed Augustus

my

glad honors turned to dismal griefs.

70

My

through disdainful taste, believing That it by dying would escape disdain, Made me unjust against my own just self.
spirit,

'

'

'

"

'

62

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the

And by

new

roots of this tree I swear

73

To you, that I did never break my faith To him, so worthy honor, and my lord. If one of you should go back to the world, Let him support my memory, which lies Still prostrate from the blow that envy gave. He paused a while, and then Since he is silent, The Poet said to me, lose not the hour But, if more please thee, speak to him and ask. Whence I to him Do thou still question him Of what thou thinkst would satisfy my wish For I could not, such pity fills my heart.
' :
'

76

'

79

'

'

'

'

'

82

'

So he began again " So may the man Do freely that which thy words ask,
:

85

soul
88

Incarcerated,

may

it

please thee

still

To

tell

us

how

the soul doth bind itself

;

and tell us, if thou canst. If from these members one is ever loosed. And then the trunk blew hard, and afterwards That wind to these words was transformed:
"Within these knots
' ' '

91

Briefly shall ye be answered.

its

When

the fierce
94

Spirit has taken

departure from

The body, whence itself has torn itself, Minos doth send it to the seventh gulf.
It falls to the

wood, not to a chosen spot,

it,

97

But, wheresoever fortune flings

It sprouts as

there
;

would a grain of

spelt

it

shoots

up
100

Into a sapling and a forest plant

The Harpies, feeding then upon its leaves, Give pain, and to the pain a window give.

We shall

go

like the others for

our

spoils,

103

But not that each one may reclothe himself For 'tis not just to have what one rejects. We are to drag them hither, and all through

106

"

'

"

'

'

INFERNO, XIII
The mournful woods our bodies shall be hanged, Each on the thorn-tree of its sore-vexed shade.
'

53

were still there attentive to the trunk, Thinking that it might wish to tell us more, When lo we were surprised by a great noise. The same as he is, who feels coming on The wild boar and the chase toward his post, Who hears the beasts and branches as they crash. And we beheld, upon the left hand, two, Naked and torn, and in such headlong flight. That they brake every barrier of the wood. The one in front Now hasten, hasten, death The other, who seemed to himself too slow. Was crying Lano, not so nimble were
!

We

109

112

115

'

'

US

'

'

Thy

legs

when

at II

Toppo

in the jousts

121

And

he,

perchance because of failing breath,

124

Made

of himself and of a bush a group.

Behind them was the forest full of bitches, Black, ravenous, and running like grey-hounds When they had been unleashed. Into the one Who had just squatted down they set their teeth, And him they lacerated, piece by piece Then carried off those miserable limbs. My Guide then took me by the hand, and led Me onward to the bush, whose plaint in vain Was through the bleeding fractures issuing. Jacomo, it cried, da Sant Andrea,
'
' ' *

127

130

'

'

'

133

How helped
What blame
* :
'

it

thee to
I

make

of

me

a screen ?
'

have of thy guilty life ? When over it the Master came to stand, He said Who wast thou, who dost now with blood Blow through so many wounds such woful words ? And that one said to us "0 souls that now Have come to look upon the shameful havoc
do
' :

136

139

'

; !

!; ;

54

THE DIVINE COMEDY

142

Collect

That has so severed from me these my leaves, them at the foot of the wretched bush I was a citizen of her, who took The Baptist in the place of her first patron

will with his art e 'er make her sad were not at the Arno 's passage still Some semblance of him left, those citizens, Who afterwards did build it up anew Over the ashes left by Attila, Would have put forth their toil in vain. I made A gibbet for myself of my own house.

Whence he

145

And

148

'

151

CANTO XIV
Because the
love I bore

my

native place

Constrained me,

I collected the

strown leaves,
faint of voice.

And

gave them back to him

now

Thence came we to the bound where separates The third round from the second where is seen
;

A mode of justice that is horrible.

Duly
to manifest the novel things I say that

we had reached a barren

plain,
10

Which from its The woful wood was round about it like A garland, as the sad foss was to that

bed doth every plant reject.

We

stayed our steps here on the very edge.

13

The floor was made of arid and dense sand Not otherwise in fashion than was that Which formerly was trodden by Cato 's feet. Vengeance of God oh, how thou shouldst be held In fear by everyone of those who read That which was manifested to ray eyes Many a flock I saw of naked souls
!

16

19

'

;;

INFERNO, XIV

55

Who

all

were weeping in great wretchedness

each seemed imposed a special law.
22

And on
For some

them were lying on the ground, Supine, and some were seated all crouched up, And others went about continually. Those that went round were far more numerous
of

25

And
'er

those were less

who

lay

down

to the pain,

But had

their tongues loosed to a greater grief. 28

the whole waste of sand, falling slowly,

Were raining down dilated flakes of fire, As those of snow on alps without a wind.
Like to the flames which Alexander saw
81

In those hot parts of India to fall Unbroken to the ground about his host. Whereat he took good care to have his troops Trample the soil, because the vapor thus Could be the better quenched while single still;

34

So was descending the eternal heat With which the sand was kindled, as the tinder Beneath the steel, for doubling of the pain. Without reposing ever was the dance

37

^
43

' *

Of the afflicted hands, now here, now there. With shaking the fresh burning from themselves. Master, began I, thou who conquerest All things, save the hard demons who came forth
'
'

'

'

Against us at the entrance of the gate. Who is that great one, who seems not to heed The fire, and lies disdainful and awry,

46

So that the rain seems not to ripen him ? And he himself, who had observed that I Was asking of my Guide concerning him. Cried: "What I was in life, that am I dead. Though Jove should weary his smith out, from whom
'

*^

52

He

took in anger the sharp thunderbolt

;'

'

56

THE DIVINE COMEDY

65

That I was smitten with on my last day, Or wearied he the others, turn by turn, At the black forge in Mongibello, crying, Good Vulcan, help me, help me even as He acted when in the Phlegraean fight,
!

'

W
*1

And should he hurl with all his might at me, He could not get thereby joyful revenge." Then spoke my Guide with such a vehemence
As
* '

had never heard him use before

Capaneus, in that thy haughtiness Is not extinguished, thou art punished more No torment could there be, save thine own rage,

^
^7

That were a pain proportioned to thy fury. Then with a better countenance he turned To me, and said One of the seven kings Besieging Thebes was he he held, and holds.
'
:

'

'

It seems,

God

in disdain,
;

and

prizes

Him

70

little, seems it but, as I did tell him. His scorn is his breast's fittest ornament. But come behind me, and take care that still Upon the scorched sand thou put not thy feet, But keep them ever close beside the wood. Silent we reached a place where gushes forth
'

But

73

76

Out of the wood a little rivulet, Of which the redness makes me shudder still. As from the Bulicame comes a stream Which sinful women share among them then, So this was flowing down across the sand. Its bed and both its sloping banks had turned To stone, and, too, the margins on each side. Whence I perceived our way across was there. ''Among all else that I have shown to thee Since we did make our entrance through the gate,

79

82

85

Of which

the threshold

is

denied to none,

'

'

; ;

INFERNO, XIV
There has been nothing by thine eyes discerned So notable as is this present stream, Which deadens all the little flames above it." These words were of my Leader wherefore I Besought him that he would bestow the food, Of which he had bestowed on me desire.
;

57
^8

91

* '

In mid-sea

lies

a devastated land,
'
'

'

9*

Then answered he, of which the name is Crete, Under whose king the olden world was chaste. A mountain is there, which formerly was glad With waters and with leaves, Ida its name

97

Now
Rhea

it is

desert like a thing outworn.

it

of old chose
;

to be her son

's

100

and to conceal him better. When he would weep, would have cries uttered Within the mountain stands a great old man,
Cradle secure

there.
103

Who
And And

holds his shoulders turned towards Damietta,

as into his mirror looks at
is

His head

fashioned of fine gold

;

Rome. his arms

there

106

breast are of pure silver

;

then as far
109
;

As to the fork he is of brass from Downward he is all chosen iron, save

That
his right foot is of

baked earth on

this one

More than upon

the other stands he straight.

112

And
Is

every part, excepting that of gold,

broken with a fissure that drips

tears,

Which, gathered, through that cavern make their way. US They flow from rock to rock down to this vale They form Acheron, Styx and Phlegethon Then through this narrow channel they go down 118 To where there is no more descending there They form Cocytus and what that pool is
;
;

Thou

shalt behold, as here it

is

not told.

'

And

I to

him:

''If this

stream present

now

121

';

; '

' ; '

58
Is flowing

THE DIVINE COMEDY

downward thus from our
to us only
:

world, why124
far,

Appears

it

on

this

border?"

And

he to me " The place is circular, Thou knowest, and although thou hast come

E 'er by the left descending toward the bottom, Through the whole circle thou hast not yet turned
So, if a novel thing appears to us,

127

ought not to bring wonder to thy face. And I again Master, where are they found, Lethe and Phlegethon? for thou say'st naught
It
' :
'

'

130

Of
*
'

one,

and that the other

'

this rain forms.

'
'

'

answered he, in truth Thou pleasest me but the red water 's boiling Might well have solved one that thou askest now. Lethe shalt thou behold, but not within This foss, where souls do lave themselves When guilt repented of has been removed. Then said he " Now it is time that we should leave
In
all

thy questions,
;

'

133

136

'

139

The wood behind see that thou follow me The margins, which burn not, afford a way. And every vapor over them is quenched.
;
'

1*2

CANTO XV
of the hard margins bears us on overhead the brook's steam made such shade As saves the water and the banks from fire. As do the Flemings 'twixt Wissant and Bruges, Fearing the flood that comes toward them rushing,

Now one
And

Who make
And
as the

the bulwark that the sea may flee Paduans along the Brenta, To give their towns and castles a defense. Or ever Chiarentana feel the heat.

;;

"

'

' '

INFERNO,

XV

59
10

In fashion similar had there been made, Though they were not so high nor yet so thick Made by the master, whosoe'er he was. Already were we so far from the wood,

13

That I could not have seen then where it was Although I had turned backward, when we met 1* A troop of souls now coming alongside The bank and each was looking so at us As in the evening men are wont to look 19 At one another under the new moon And they were sharpening their brows toward us, As an old tailor at his needle 's eye. 22 I was thus peered at by that company When I was recognized by one, who seized My garment's hem, and cried: "What a marvel this!"
;

And

arm to me, on his baked aspect, that So eyes The scorching of his visage hindered not
I,

when he

stretched out his

25

fixed

my

The recognition of him by

my mind
'

28

bending down my own toward his face, answered him Are you here, Ser Brunetto ? " My son, oh, let it not displease thee And he If Brunetto Latini a little while Turns back with thee, and lets the train go on. I said to him With all my might I beg you And if you will that I sit down with you, I will, if it please him with whom I go. son, said he, whoever of this herd Stops for an instant, lies a hundred years Thereafter, nor can fan himself from fire That smites him. So, go on I at thy skirts Will come and afterwards rejoin my band, Which goes lamenting endless penalties. I dared not go down from the road to walk

And
I

'

'

31

'

'

'

34

'

'

'

'

'

'

37

40

'

43

;;

'

60

THE DIVINE COMEDY

his level, but I held my head Bent down, as one who goes in reverent mood. "What fortune or what destiny," began he, Before the last day brings thee here below ?

Upon

46

'

'

* *

And who is this one who points out the way!" Up there in the bright life, I answered him,
' '

49

went astray while in a valley, ere My age was full, and only in the morn Of yesterday turned I my back on it This one appeared to me then into it Regressing, and now leads me home this way. And he to me " If thou thy star wilt follow,
'

'

52

'

55

Thou canst not

fail to

reach the glorious port.

If in the fair life I discerned aright

And
I

if I

had not met

my

death so soon,

58

Seeing the heavens so full of grace for thee

would have given thee comfort at the work. that ungrateful and malignant folk, That from Fiesole came down of old. And still keeps somewhat of the hills and rocks, "Will grow thine enemy, for thy good deeds

But

61

64

And

it is right,

for 'mid harsh sorb-trees 'twere

67

Not seemly the sweet fig-tree should bear fruit. Old fame in the world proclaims them to be blind, A people avaricious, envious, proud From their ways see that thou do cleanse thyself.

Thy fortune has

That both

in store for thee such honor,

70

sides will be

hungering for thee

shall be the grass.
73

But far

off

from the goat

Let then the beasts, come from Fiesole, Make litter of themselves, nor touch the plant.
If one upon their dung-heap still should rise. In which should live again the holy seed Of those from Rome, who had remained, when there

76

' ;

'

INFERNO,

XV
'

61

"Was made the nest of so much wickedness. *'If my request were perfectly fulfilled," I answered him, "you would not yet have been

"^^

From human

For in my The dear and kindly picture of you as A father, when on earth from hour to hour You taught me how man makes himself eternal In what esteem I hold it, whilst I live
It is fitting in

nature put to banishment mind is fixed, and my heart knows,

82

85

That which you

tell

my speech should be discerned. me of my course, I write,

88

And keep it to be glossed with other text By one, a Lady, who will understand.
If I attain to her.
not, Have plain to For Fortune as she will I am prepared. Such earnest is not novel to my ears Wherefore let Fortune ply her wheel, e 'en as It pleases her, and every boor his hoe.
:

Thus much would I you if conscience chide me

^^

8*

'

My

Master thereupon toward his right Turned backward, and his eyes were fixed on me Then said: ""Well does he listen who takes heed."
less for this I

*7

Not

go on talking

still

1^0

With Ser Brunetto, and

The
best of his
to
:

I ask

who

are
103

And he
As
If

companions and best known. me " It is good to know of some

it will

for the rest,

be laudable
106

we be silent, for the time were short For so much speech. Know then, in brief, that all Were clerks and scholars great and of great fame.

And by
Priscian

is

one self -same sin on earth defiled. going with that wretched crowd,

109

And

Francesco d'Accorso; and besides. If thou hadst had a hankering for such scurf,

': '

62

THE DIVINE COMEDY

couldst have seen there

Thou

him who was transferred

112

From Arno by

the servant of the servants

To Bacchiglione where he left behind His ill-strained nerves and I would tell of more, But to go, talking, may no longer be.
;

US

For

I see there

new smoke
'

rise

from the sand.

118

People come now with whom I must not be Permit my Treasure in which I still live To be commended to thee more I ask not.
'

'

Then he turned back, and seemed as one of those Who at Verona run the green cloth race Over the open field and seemed of these The one who wins and not the one who loses.
;

121

124

CANTO XVI
I

NOW was

where

heard the hollow sound

the bee-hives make,

Of the water
Like to that

to the other circle falling,

humming which

When
Was
' '

lo

three shades together

came away,

As they were running from

a band that

now
7

passing, 'neath the bitter torment's rain.

They came toward us and each was crying out Stop, thou who by thy garb seemest to us To be some one from our own wicked land. Ah me upon their limbs what wounds I saw Recent and old burnt in by the flames and still I grieve for them, when I but think of it.
'
! !

10

My

Teacher gave attention to their cries, turned his face toward me, and said Now wait To these it is due that we be courteous And if it were not the nature of the place To dart the fire, then I should say that haste

13

And

'

16

' ;

'

INFERNO, XVI
To thee were more becoming than to them. And they began again, as we stood still, The ancient verse and when they had reached us All three of them made of themselves a wheel. As champions wont to do, naked and oiled, Watching for hold and vantage ere they come Together to deliver blows and thrusts; Thus wheeling, each one held his face toward me
;

63
'

19

22

25

So that the neck continually turned In opposite direction from the feet.

"Ah!

if

the wretchedness of this soft place

'

28

Should bring us and our prayers into contempt, Began one, and our aspect stained and flayed, May that fame which is ours incline thy mind To tell us who thou art, that so secure Dost rub with living feet the ways of hell. He in whose footsteps thou dost see me tread, Though he go naked and deprived of skin. Was of a higher rank than thou mayst think. He was a grandson of the good Gualdrada His name was Guido Guerra; and in his life He wrought much both with wisdom and with sword. The other who behind me treads the sand Is Tegghiaio Aldobrandi, whose good name Should be esteemed up yonder in the world. And I who am placed with them on the cross Was lacopo Rusticucci, and surely My savage wife hurts me beyond all else." If I had been protected from the fire, I should have cast me down into their midst I think my Teacher would have suffered it. But as I should have been both burned and baked, Fear overcame the good will that I had, Which made me yearn to clasp them in my arms.
' *

31

34

37

40

43

^
49

"
;

''

64

THE DIVINE COMEDY

I began " It was sorrow, not contempt, So firmly fixed within me by your state That it will be long hence ere I shall be
:

Then

52

Divested of

it all,

as soon as this

55

Lord spoke words by which I was aware That those were coming of your quality. Of your own land am I, and at all times Your deeds and honored names with loving pride Have I recounted and have listened to. Leaving the gall, I go on for sweet fruits Promised to me by my veracious Guide But to the centre first I needs must fall." So may the soul long be the guide within Thy limbs, replied he then, and after thee So may thy fame shine forth, tell us if still Valor and courtesy abide within Our city so as they were wont to do. Or have departed from it utterly ? For Guglielmo Borsiere, lately come To share our pain, he yonder with the rest, Afflicts us sorely with his words on that." "New families and sudden gains have bred, Florence, in thee, such pride and such excess, That thou already sheddest tears therefor. Thus with my face uplifted, I cried out The three, who took this for an answer, looked
*
' ' ' '
'

My

58

61

64

67

'^0

73

'

76

At one
"If
' *

another, as

when men hear

' '

truth.
79

at so slight expense at other times

satisfiest others,
all replied,

Thou

Happy

art thou, if so thou speak at will.

82

So, if escaping these dark regions, thou

Return

to see the

beauty of the
*
:

stars,

And thou shalt say, rejoicing I have been, See that unto the folk thou speak of us.

85


INFERNO, XVI

65

And And
It

as they fled their nimble legs

thereupon they broke apart the wheel, seemed wings.

were not possible to say

Amen

88

As
I

quickly then as they had disappeared

it

Wherefore

pleased the Master to depart.

followed him, and

we had gone but

little

^^

Before the sound of water was so near,

That we, if speaking, could have scarce been heard. So as that river, which first keeps a path Its own, from Monte Viso toward the east.

94

Upon the left flank of the Appenine, Which is called Acquacheta up above,
low bed, And at Forli is lacking of that name, Goes sounding there above San Benedetto
it

^7

Ere

go valley-ward to

its

100

Deir Alpe, falling in a single leap Where by a thousand it should be received Thus downward from a bank precipitous We found that the stained water sounded so As would have stunned our ears in little time. I had a cord that was around me girt, And with it I aforetime had in mind To take the leopardess of the painted skin. When, as my Leader had commanded me, I had completely loosed it from myself, I reached it to him, knotted and coiled up. And thereupon he turned him toward the right And at some little distance from the edge

103

106

109

112

He

cast

it

down

into that deep abyss. 115

"Surely some novelty must correspond," Said I within myself, "to this new signal, Which with his eye my Master follows so." Ah, how great caution is befitting men

118

Who

are near those that see not deeds alone

'

'

66

THE DIVINE COMEDY

their
:

But with

wisdom look within the thoughts

I await shall soon

He

said to

me " What

121

Come up, and what thy thought is dreaming of Must soon disclose itself unto thy view. Always to such a truth as has the look Of falsehood, one should close his lips with all His might, lest faultless he be put to shame But here I can not hold my peace, and by The verses of this Comedy I swear reader, so may they not lack To thee, Long favor, that I saw, through that gross air And dark, come swimming up a shape, that were A thing of wonder to each steadfast heart Even so returns he who goes down at times To loose an anchor grappling either rock Or somewhat else that in the sea is hid, Who upward stretches and draws up his feet.
'

124

127

130

133

136

CANTO XVII
"Behold
the wild beast with the pointed
'

tail,
;

That passes mountains, breaks down walls and arms Behold the one infecting all the world. My Leader thus began to speak to me And beckoned him that he should come to shore Near where the marbles walked on come to end;

And he,

of Fraud the loathsome image, came Along, and landed there his head and bust.

But on the bank he drew not up his tail. His face was as the face of a just man, Of such benignity its outward skin, And all his trunk besides was serpent-like. Two paws he had, covered with hair as far

10

13

; '

INFERNO, XVII
As
to the arm-pits back and breast and both His sides had painted on them knots and wheels
;

67

With more

groundwork and relief, Cloth ne 'er was made by Tartar nor by Turk Such webs Arachne never laid on loom. As sometimes boats are at the shore, and lie In water partly, partly on the land As in yon lands of German gluttony The beaver doth adjust himself to wage His war so lay that worst of beasts upon The edge that closes in the sand with stone. And all his tail was quivering in the void
of color,
;

16

1^

22

25

And

twisting

upward
:

the empoisoned fork

28

Which armed the tip, as with the scorpion. The Leader said " It is now needful that Our way should bend itself a little space Toward the wicked beast that couches there." So we descended on the right hand side And took ten steps upon the very edge. Thus surely to avoid the sand and flames. And when we had come to him I behold A little further on upon the sand People that sit near to the empty place. The Master hereupon said unto me That thou mayst carry hence completely full
' *

31

34

37

Experience of this round, go view their

state.

Thy

conversation yonder be but brief;

40

Till

thou return, with this one

his strong shoulders

I will speak,

That
Thus,

may

be granted us.

'

still along upon the outer side Of this the seventh circle, all alone I went to where the wretched people sat. Their grief was bursting forth from out their eyes;

43

46

This side, that side, they used their hands to help

68

THE DIVINE COMEDY

'gainst the vapors,

Now

The dogs

in

Using the

now 'gainst burning summer do not otherwise, muzzle now and now the foot,

soil.

49

When gadflies, fleas, or flies have bitten them. When on the face of certain ones my eyes I fixed, on whom the grievous fire was falling.
Not one
I

62

recognized
color

but I observed
55

From

each one 's neck there hung a pouch, which had

A certain
Upon

and a certain mark.

*J8

And thereupon their eyes appeared to feed. And as I looked, coming into their midst,
a purse of yellow, I could see

Azure, which had a lion's face and bearing. The current of my look proceeding, next I saw another one of them blood-red.

*1

Display a goose, whiter than butter

is.

And

one

who had
:

his little white sack

marked

^
^7

an azure, pregnant sow. Said unto me " What doest thou in this ditch ? Now go thy way since thou art still alive
figure of
;

With

Know that Vitaliano shall sit here He was my neighborat my left-hand side. Of Florence these I am of Padua Often they stun my ears with crying out
;

,70
[screwed

'May

that one come, the sovereign cavalier,

' ' '

Who
As

will bring the three-beaked pouch.

And

then he

73

His mouth awry, and outward thrust his tongue, does the ox whene'er he licks his nose. And I, who feared lest further stay might grieve
enjoined me to make brief my stay, Turned me, and left the weary souls behind. found my Leader, who was mounted now

76

Him who

79

Upon

the croup of the fierce animal

He

said to

me " Now
:

be thou strong and bold

' ;; ;

'

INFERNO, XVII
Henceforward the descent
is

69
82

by such

stairs.

Mount thou

in front

for I will be between,

85

As one who has

In order that the tail may not do harm." the quartan shivering fit So near that pale already are his nails, All trembling for mere looking at the shade,
as

Such at these uttered words did I become But his reproofs caused me such shame

88

makes
91

A servant strong in a kind master

On
"So
I
'

's

sight.

those huge shoulders I arranged myself.

do, " The voice came not, that thine arms But he, who was my help another time, In other hazard, soon as I was up
'

wished to say, but as I thought

clasp

me

round.

'

9*

Clasped me, sustaining

me

within his arms

And

said

' : '

Now move

thee,

Geryon, and be
'

^^

Thy circles wide, and slow thy going down Think of the novel burden that thou hast. And as the little vessel from its place
Goes backward, backward, so did he draw thence he felt that he was all in play. To where his breast had been he turned his tail, And moved it stretched out like an eel and with His paws he gathered to himself the air. I do not think that there was greater fear When Phaethon let go the reins, whereby

100

And when

103

106

The heaven, as still is evident, was burned Nor when the wretched Icarus perceived
His loins unfeather with the melted wax. His father crying to him A wrong course Thou boldest!" than was mine, when on all sides I saw myself in air, and saw cut off
'
:

109

'

112

The sight of everything except the beast. As swimming slowly, slowly, it moves on,

115

70

THE DIVINE COMEDY

but I note
it not,

It wheels descending,

wind in face and from below. the right hand I could hear the rapids Now at Making beneath us noises horrible
Except for

US

And so with downward gaze stretch out my head. Then had I more dread of the precipice, For I saw fires, and heard laments, whereat
shrank back, wholly cowering. for I could not before, And saw sinking and the wheeling by the ills The That, great, were drawing near on divers sides. As when the falcon, long upon the wing, That without sight of lure or bird has caused The falconer to cry, "Ah me, thou stoopest now!" Descends in weariness whence it moved swift
I trembling
I

121

then,

124

127

130

With hundred

wheelings,

Disdainful, sullen,

from

and
its

alights far

off,

master's place;
133

So at the bottom Geryon

set us

Beside the very foot of that rough rock,

And, as our bodies burdened him no more. Sped fast away, as arrow-notch from string.

136

CANTO XVIII
There
As
is is

a place in hell called Malebolge,

color,

Wholly of stone and of an iron

the

waU

encircling

it

about.

Right in the midst of the malignant field There yawns a pit, exceeding wide and deep. Whose ordering I will in due time tell. The belt, then, that remains is round, between The foot of that high, hard bank and the pit. Its bed divided into valleys ten.

: ;

'

INFERNO, XVIII
As, where for the protection of the walls
Castles are girt with very

71
10

many

moats.
13

The ground where they are is configured, such The picture was that these presented here. As from the thresholds of such fortresses Are little bridges to the outer bank, So from the bottom of the cliff ran crags That crossed the banks and moats down to the "Which terminates and takes them to itself. This was the place where, shaken from the back Of Geryon, we found ourselves to the left The Poet kept, and I moved on behind. On the right hand I saw new piteous sights, New torments and new wielders of the scourge
;

1^
pit,

1^

22

is replete with them. bottom were unclad This side the middle they came facing us Beyond, with us although with greater steps. So they of Rome, because of the great host The year of Jubilee, upon the bridge Devised a way to have the people pass, So that on one side all are facing toward The castle, going to Saint Peter's, while Those on the other rim go toward the mount. This side and that along the gloomy rock Horned demons with great scourges I beheld, Who from behind them beat them cruelly. And oh, how they were making them lift up Truly not one Their heels at the first blows Was waiting for the second or the third While I was going on my eyes were met

And

the

first

bolgia

The sinners

at its

25

28

31

34

37

*0

By
' '

one,

and

So,

The sight to make out

upon the instant said of him before now I lack

I

not.

'

his form, I stayed

my

feet,

43

'

"

72

THE DIVINE COMEDY

And also the sweet Leader stopped with me, And granted that I go a little back. And that scourged one thought to conceal himself By lowering his face, but that availed Him little, for I said Thou, who dost cast
* *
:

46

Thine eye to earth, if thy face be not Venedico Caccianimico art;

false,

49

But what brings thee

to Salse that sting so

And

me " Unwillingly I tell it, But I am forced to it by thy clear speech. Which makes me call to mind the world of am the one who Ghisolabella led
he to
:

52

old.

55

Unto However may be told the shameful weep here, not the only Bolognese
Nay,
this place is so full of

the doing of the Marquis' will,

tale.

58

them, that not

^^

'Twixt Reno and Savena fewer tongues Learn to say sipa; and if thou of this Wilt have assurance or an evidence,
Recall to

mind our
* :

avaricious breasts."
64

Him

speaking thus a demon with his scourge

' !

Smote, as he said Away, thou pander There are no women to be turned to coin

Here
'

My

and thereupon With but a few steps taken we had come To where a crag was cutting from the bank. This we ascended very easily, And, turning to the right upon its ridge. From these eternal circles moved away. When we had come to that point where it yawns Beneath it to give passage to the scourged. The Leader said Wait, and let strike on thee
escort I rejoined,
: ' '

67

70

73

Sight of those others, ill-born, of

whom

yet

76

Thou

hast not seen the faces, inasmuch

'

INFERNO, XVIII
From
As they with us have gone along together." the old bridge we looked upon the line Coming toward us on the other side,

73

79

And which the scourge was likewise driving on. Without my asking the good Master said "Look at that great one who is coming, and "Who seems not for his pain to shed a tear.
What
aspect of a king he
still

82

retains

85

It is Jason,

who by courage and by wit

isle

Deprived the Colchians of the ram. The Of Lemnos was upon his way, where erst The women, in their boldness pitiless,

88

Had
It

given over

all their

males to death.
^1

was there with tokens and with ornate words

He

did deceive Hypsipyle, the maid,

all

Who
He
left

the other

women

first

deceived.
;

her there with child and lonely

for

such

^4

A fault condemns him to such suffering;

And
And
Medea
too
is

vengeance taken.
^7

With him

goes whoso in such wise deceives

let this

be enough to

know

of this
'

and of those within its fangs. We were already where the narrow path, Crossing the next embankment, makes Of that abutments for another arch. We heard from there people who whine within The next pouch, and are puffing with their muzzles. The while they beat themselves with their own palms. The banks were all encrusted with a mould From breath, that from below adhered to them And quarrelled with the eyes and with the nose. The bottom was so dark and deep, no place Sufficed for us to see it, unless we mounted The arch 's crown where highest rose the crag.
First valley,

100

103

106

109

'

! '

'' ;

74

THE DIVINE COMEDY

112

Hither we came, and thence down in the ditch I looked on people plunged into a filth That seemed from human privies to have come. And while my eyes were searching there below, I saw one with his head so foul with ordure

US

That were he clerk or layman appeared not. He shouted to me "Why so greedy thou To look at me more than at others foul ?
:

118

'

And

I to

him

' : '

Because,

if I recall

Aright, ere

now

have seen thee with dry hair

121

Thou art Alessio Interminei of Lucca;

I therefore eye thee

more than

all

the rest.

'

And then he said, beating his pate meanwhile Down here have made me sink the flatteries
' *

124

"With which
* *

Strive,
* '

' '

my tongue was never surfeited. said my Leader thereupon to me,

little

'

127

To thrust thy look a

further on.
130

So that thou mayst attain well with thine eyes The face of that unclean, disheveled wench,

Who
And
Thais
*

there doth scratch herself with her foul nails,

now is on her feet. who replied Unto her paramour, when he had said, Have I great thanks from thee ? Nay, marvelous
crouches now, and
the harlot,
it is,
'

133

*
!

'

And herewith

let

our sight be

satisfied.

'

136

CANTO XIX
O Simon Magus, O
Followers,

ye miserable

who

the things of God, that should

Be brides of For silver and

righteousness,

and plunderers ye

for gold do prostitute,

Now

it is meet the trumpet sound for you. Because in the third bolgia is your place

'

' ' '

INFERNO, XIX

75
7

We were already at the following tomb,

Mounted
to that part of the crag

which hangs
10

Over the very middle of the ditch. most high "Wisdom, how great art Thou showest In heaven, in earth, and in the evil world. And with what justice doth Thy Power allot Upon the bottom and upon the sides I saw the livid stone was full of holes, All of one size, and each was circular. They seemed to me not larger nor less wide Than those which in my beautiful Saint John

13

1^

Are made for stands for the baptizing priests. Not many years since one of these I broke
Because of someone perishing therein Be this a seal to undeceive all men. Forth from the mouth of each projecting were

18

22

A sinner's feet,
As
to the calf
;

and of

his legs as far

25

the rest remained within.

The soles of all were, both of them, on fire Wherefore so powerfully twitched their joints, [grass. They would have snapped green withes and ropes of Just as the flaming of things oiled is wont To move upon the outer surface only. Likewise was it with these from heels to toes.
*
'

28

Who
And
Said

is that.

Master,

who torments

himself,
'
'

31

twitches more than the others of like fate,

I
:

" and whom a ruddier flame is sucking ? And he to me " If thou wilt that I bear thee Down there, by that more sloping bank, from him Thou shalt learn of himself and of his wrongs, And I " Whate 'er thou wilt, to me is good.
:

34

'

37

Thou
Then
to

art

I part

and knowest that from thy will and knowest what I say not. the fourth embankment come, we turned
lord,

my

me

not,

'

^0

' ;

'

76

THE DIVINE COMEDY

And went down
at the left

hand there below

43

Into the narrow bottom pierced with holes.

Me

the good Master from his hip not yet

till

Set down,

he had brought

me

to the cleft

Of him who so lamented with his shanks. ** Whoe'er thou art that hast thine upper part
Beneath,

*6

sad soul, planted like a stake,"

*

Began

I saying,

'

if

thou art

able, speak.

'

I stood there like the friar

who

confesses

^^

Recalls

The treacherous assassin, who, e 'en fixed. him and thereby retards his death
' *
:

And

Stand 'st thou already there ? he cried out Stand 'st thou already there, O Boniface ?

52

By

several years the writing lied to me.

55

Art thou so quickly sated with that wealth, For which thou didst not fear to seize by guile The Lady beautiful, and afterwards To outrage her ? Such I became as those
'

'

58

Who

stand, not grasping a reply to them.

*

Mocked as it were, nor can themselves reply. Then Virgil said Say to him quickly, I
:
'

61
'

Am not the one, am not the one thou thinkest.

was enjoined on me. Whereat with all his might the spirit writhed His feet then sighing and with tearful voice Said to me " Thou, what askest thou of me ?
I

And

replied as

^
67

If to

know who

am

thou care so

That thou hast for that cause

much come down

the bank,
70

Know that with the Great Mantle I was vested. And verily I was the She-bear 's son,
So eager to advance the whelps, I put yonder wealth, and here myself, in purse. Beneath my head the others are dragged down Who had preceded me in simony.

Up

73

; ;

'

INFERNO, XIX

77

Now flattened through the fissures of the rock. Down thither shall I likewise fall whene'er That one shall come whom I believed thou wast, When I did put the question suddenly.
But for a longer time already I Have baked my feet and been inverted thus Than he is to stay planted with red feet For after him shall come, of uglier deed, Out of the west a shepherd without law Such as befits to cover him and me.
Jason shall live again, of whom men read In Maccabees and as to him was pliant His king, so who rules France shall be to him."
;

76

79

82

85

know not
In that
I

if I

was in this too rash answered him in just this strain

88

"Ah, tell me now how great the treasure was Our Lord required of Saint Peter ere

91

He put the keys into his custody ? Naught, certainly, except Follow thou me Nor of Matthias asked Peter and the rest Silver or gold, when he was chosen by lot
'

94

To take the place the guilty

soul

had

lost.

Therefore stay thou, for thou art punished well And keep thou well the ill-acquired coin.

97

Which

against Charles caused thee to be so bold.

100

And were I not prevented from it still By reverence for the keys that are supreme.
Which
I should

in the joyful life thou hadst in keeping,

of words still heavier Because your avarice afflicts the world. Raising the bad and trampling on the good. Of you as shepherds thought the Evangelist When she, who on the waters has her seat, Was seen by him to fornicate with kings

make use

103

106

78

THE DIVINE COMEDY

109

The one that with the seven heads was born And from the ten horns had authority As long as virtue to her spouse was pleasing. Of gold and silver have ye made your god And what else parts you from idolaters, Save that they one, and ye a hundred worship ? Ah, Constantine, of how much ill was mother Not thy conversion, but that gift of thine,
"Which the
first

112

115

father to be rich received!"

And
He

while I sang to him such notes as these,

it

US
rage,
121

Whether

was conscience gnawing him or

it

ceased not kicking hard with both his

feet.

I believe truly that

pleased

my

Leader,

He

listened on with such contented look,

124

Hearing the sound of the true words expressed.

Therefore he took me with both arms, and when He had me wholly on his breast, remounted

Along the way by which he had come down Nor wearied he of keeping me so clasped, But bore me to the summit of the arch. The crossing from the fourth bank to the fifth. And here he gently set his burden down Gently upon the rock so rough and steep, It were a passage hard for goats and thence Another deep vale was to me discovered.
;

127

130

133

CANTO XX
Op
a

new punishment must

the
first

make

verses

And
Of

give material to the twentieth canto

song, which
is

of the submerged.
all

I was, as far as

might be, now

placed

To gaze down into the discovered depth. Which tears of anguish bathed and I beheld
;

';

:!

INFERNO,
Come As in

XX

79
7

People along the round of that great vale

and in tears at such a pace world the litanies maintain. And, as my sight went lower down on them, Each one appeared distorted wondrously Between the chin and where the chest begins; For toward the reins the face was turned about, And to move backwards now they were compelled, For they had been deprived of forward sight. By force of palsy, it may be, some one Ere now has been thus twisted utterly, But I have not seen it, nor believe in it. So may God let thee, reader, gather fruit
silent

this

10

13

16

19

From what thou

readest, think

now

for thyself
22

How I was able to keep dry my face. When near at hand the image of ourselves
saw so twisted that the weeping eyes Did bathe the hinder parts along the cleft
I

Surely

wept, leaning against a rock

stone, so that

25

Of the hard
Here pity

my

Escort said
28

"Art thou even yet among the other fools? lives when it is truly dead. Who is more criminal than he who feels
In the presence of God's judgment passionate? up thy head, lift up, and see for whom The earth did open in the Thebans' sight.

Lift

31

Whereat they all cried, 'Whither fallest thou, Amphiaraus 1 Why dost leave the war ? And he ceased not from falling headlong down To Minos, who lays hold on everyone. Lo, of his shoulders he has made a breast
Because he wished to see too far before him.

34

37

Backward he
Behold
Tiresias,

looks,

and goes a backward path.

his semblance,

who changed

40

80

THE DIVINE COMEDY

a male a female he became,
;

When from

Changing his members every one and then It was first needful that he strike again The two entwined serpents with the rod, Ere he resume the plumage of a male. Aruns is he with back to this one 's belly, Who in Lunigian mountains, on which works The Carrarese who has his home below, Amid the marble 's whiteness had the cave For his abode whence gazing at the stars, Or out to sea, his view was not cut off.
;

43

46

49

And

that one who, with tresses unconfined

52

Covers her breasts, which are unseen by thee, And has on that side all her hairy skin,

Was Manto, who had

Then
settled there
It pleases

searched through
I
;

many

lands,

55

where

was born whereof

departed
58

me

that thou shouldst hear a while.

life

After her father had from

Bacchus' city came to be enslaved. She for a long time roamed about the world. Up in fair Italy there lies a lake, Benaco named, and at the foot of Alps That shut in Germany above the Tyrol. A thousand springs, I think, and more 'twixt Garda And Val Camonica bathe Apennino With water which in that lake comes to rest. A place is in the middle there, where might

And

61

64

67

The Trentine
Verona's
Peschiera
sits,

pastor, that of Brescia, or

bless, if

he should pass that way.

70

a fortress fair and strong,

and the Bergamasks, There where the shore is lowest round about. What in Benaco 's bosom may not bide Must wholly thence pour forth, and make itself
the Brescians

To front

73

;;

'

'

INFERNO,

XX
pasture-lands.

81

A
Soon

river

downward through green

head to flow, It is no more Benaco called, but Mincio Down to Governo where it joins the Po.
as the water gathers

'^^

It flows

not far before

it

finds a plain,

79

In which it spreads, making a swamp, and wont In summer to be noisome now and then. Passing that way the cruel virgin saw Land in the middle of the fen, that showed

82

No

tilth

and of inhabitants was bare

all

There, to avoid

human

fellowship,

85

Stayed with her servants, practising her arts, And lived, and left her body empty there. Later the men, who round about were scattered, Collected at that place, and it was strong By reason of the marsh on every side. They built the city over those dead bones And for the one who first did choose the place, Mantua called it without other lot. The population once was denser there Ere Casalodi through stupidity Had lost his rights by Pinamonte 's guile. Therefore I tell thee, shouldst thou ever hear

88

91

^
97

My city
;

given other origin.

'

So that no falsehood may defraud the truth. And I " Master, thy discourse is to me
'

100

So certain, and takes such hold on my faith, That others would be to me coals burnt out. But tell me of the people moving on, If thou seest anyone worthy of note Because to that alone my mind reverts. Then said he to me He who from his cheeks Stretches his beard over his dusky shoulders. Was once, when Greece was so devoid of males,
'
'
:

103

'

106

82

THE DIVINE COMEDY

109
;

Scarcely were any for the cradles left, An augur and with Calchas fixed the

moment
112

When the first cable should be cut at He was Eurypylus of him so-named
;

Aulis.

Tragedy in some place sings Well thou knowest this, who knowest the whole of That other one, who is about the flanks So slight, was Michael Scot and verily He understood the play of magic frauds. Behold Guido Bonatti, behold Asdente, Who now would wish he had attended to His thread and leather, but repents too late. Behold the wretched women who left needle, Shuttle and spindle, fortune-tellers grown. And working spells with herbs and images. But come now, for already with his thorns, Cain holds the confines of both hemispheres,
;

My lofty

it.

115

118

121

124

And below Seville touches now the wave. And yesternight the moon was round already
That must thou well remember, for one time In the deep wood she did not do thee harm. Thus spoke he to me, and we walked meanwhile.
*
'

127

ISO

CANTO XXI
From
bridge to bridge, talking of other things

Of which my comedy cares not to sing, Thus we came on, and held the summit, when

We
As

The

stopped to see of Malebolge 's clefts next, and the next lamentations vain

And

wonderfully dark I saw it was. Venetians arsenal In winter the tenacious pitch, to pay Their unsound ships that they can sail no more,
boils in the
'

'

;:

INFERNO, XXI
And
makes him a new ship, Another caulks the ribs of one which had
in their stead, one

83
10

Made many voyages one

;

at the

prow
13

hammering, another at the stern One twisting cordage, and one making oars And one is patching sails, foresail and main So, not by fire but by some art divine There was a thick pitch boiling there below, That smeared the bank like glue on every side. Itself I saw, but saw within it naught
Is

1^

But bubbles that the boiling caused to rise. The whole now swollen, now settled back compressed. While I was gazing down there fixedly, My Leader, saying, Beware, beware drew me Up to himself from that place where I stood. Then I turned round as one who longs to see The thing from which he is obliged to fly.
*
!

22

'

'

'

25

And whom
So that

a sudden fear robs of his strength,

28

to see he tarries not, but starts

And saw behind us that a devil, black. Was coming, running up along the rock.
Ah, in his aspect what ferocity How bitter he appeared to me in act. With wings outspread, and light upon his feet Upon his shoulder, which was sharp and high, A sinner with both haunches was the load.
31

34

And
'

of his feet he held the sinews clutched.

'

' '
'

Malebranche,

'

said he

Here

is

one of Santa Zita 's ancients

from our bridge, put thou him

;

37

going back for more. To that town I have stocked so well with them. There, save Bonturo, all are barrators.

Under, for I

am

40

A No for money there is made a Yes.

Down
there he hurled him,

'

and turned back along

43

"

'' ; ' ; ;'

84

THE DIVINE COMEDY

;

mastiff loosed was ne 'er In such a haste to follow up a thief. That one sank under then rose, doubled up.
;

The hard rock and a

46

The demons, though, that had the bridge for Here the holy face is not in place Cried The swimming here is not as in the Serchio
'

cover,
49

'

Therefore, unless thou longest for our hooks,

Come not above the surface of the pitch. Then with a hundred prongs and more they struck him,
'

52

And said " It

:

is

well that thou dance covered here.

'

So that thou thieve in secret, if thou canst. Not otherwise cooks have their scullions plunge The meat into the middle of the pot

55

With

hooks, in order that

And
It

the good Master said to

may

not seem that

crag,

may not float. me "So that thou art here, squat down
it
:

58

Behind a

and

so have thee a screen.

61

And whatsoe 'er

offence be done to me,

'

Have thou no fear, for I know these things well. As in such contest I have been ere now. Then he passed on, beyond the bridge 's head
as he reached the bank that was the sixth, Then he had need to have a steadfast front. "With that rage and with that tempestuousness With which the dogs rush forth on the poor man

6*

And

67

Who of a sudden begs where he has stopped. These issued forth from 'neath the little bridge,
And turned
But he
against
' *

70

him

all their

grappling-hooks
73

Let none of you be harmful Before your hook takes hold of me, let one Come forward from among you, and give ear.
cried out
:

then devise as to your grappling me. They all cried out " Let Malacoda go Whereat one moved, the others standing firm,
! :

And

'

76

'

' ; '

; '

' '

'

INFERNO, XXI
And came
' '

85
it

to him, saying

'
:

'

How

helps

him ?

'

Dost thou think, Malacoda, that thou seest Me coming hither," said my Master, ''safe Already from all hindrances of yours. Without intent divine and favoring fate ? Let me go on, for it is willed in heaven That I shall show another this wild road. Then was his arrogance so fallen that His hook he left to drop down at his feet,
'

"^^

82

85

And
Mid

told the rest

' : '

Now
'
'

let

him not be

struck.

'

My Leader said to me

thou that

sittest

88

the great splinters of the ridge, crouching.

Crouching, in safety

now

return to me.

'

Wherefore

And
That

then the devils

I

moved, and quickly came to him all pressed forward so

91

feared lest their compact be not kept.

9*

And

thus I once saw foot-soldiers afraid,

That came by compact from Caprona forth And saw so many enemies about, I drew with my whole person close beside My Leader, and turned not away my eyes From their appearances, which were not good For, lowering their grapples, one would ask Another Wilt thou that I touch his rump ? And they would answer Yes, give him a nick That demon, though, who was conversing with
'

97

100

'

'

'

'

103

turned in instant readiness " Be quiet, quiet, Scarmiglione Then said to us " One can no further go Along this rock, because the sixth arch lies All broken into fragments in the depths. And if it please you still to go ahead, Go on along this ridge nearby there is Another rock that furnishes a way.

My Leader,
And
said
:

! '

106

109

"
;

;'

;'

'

86

THE DIVINE COMEDY

112

Later than this by five hours yesterday Filled out a thousand years, two hundred, six And sixty since the way was broken here. In that direction I am sending some

115

Of

these of mine, to see if

;

any

air

Themselves go with them, they will not be bad. Come forward, Alichino, Calcabrina, And thou, Cagnazzo, he began to say "And, Barbariccia, do thou guide the ten. Come, Libicoeco, too, and Draghinazzo,
'

118

'

121

Tusked Ciriatto and Graffiacane, Farfarello, and mad Rubicante. Search ye the boiling pitch around let these

And

12*

Be safe as far as to the other crag Which all unbroken goes above the
"

dens.
?

'

me
Said

What
;

is it,

Master, that I see

let

127

"ah, without escort

us go
130

Alone, if thou knowest how. I want it not For me. If thou art wary, as it is Thy wont to be, seest thou not that they grin,

And with their brows are threatening us with harm ? And he to me :" I would not have thee fear
Let them keep grinning, just at their own will. For they do that at those who boil in pain. Upon the left bank then they made a turn But first had each one pressed between his teeth His tongue, toward their leader for a sign. And he had made a trumpet of his rump.
'

'

133

136

139

CANTO XXII
I

HAVE seen horsemen

ere now moving camp, Begin assaulting, do their mustering, And sometimes making off for their escape

;;

: :

INFERNO, XXII
have seen riders over land of yours, Aretines, and seen the raids go on, Arms clash at tournaments, and j ousters tilt, At times with trumpets, and at times with bells, With drums, and signals from a castle given. And with familiar and with foreign things; But ne'er to so perverse wind-instrument Have I seen horsemen move, nor men on foot, Nor ship by sign of land or of a star. With the ten demons we were going on Ah, horrid company but, in the church With saints, in taverns with the gluttonous. I was attentive only to the pitch,
I
!

87
*

10

13

16

To

see the whole condition of the bolgia

And
To

of the people that were burning there.

Just as the dolphins,

when they

give a sign

19

sailors by the arching of their backs, That they may give their thought to save their ship So, to alleviate the pain at times, One of the sinners brought his back in sight And hid it in less time than lightning takes. As at the edge of water in a ditch The frogs will stay with just their muzzles out, So that they hide their feet and other bulk So were the sinners staying on all sides But soon as Barbariccia drew near. Beneath the boiling they would draw them back. I saw, and my heart shudders at it still, One waiting so, as it will happen that, While one frog stays, another jumps away And GrafSacane, who was nearest him, Struck in his hook into his pitchy locks And drew him up, an otter as it seemed.

22

25

28

31

34

knew

the

name already

of each one,

37

'; ' : '

'

88
I

THE DIVINE COMEDY

had
so noted

them when they were chosen,

40
'

And when

they called each other, listened how.

"0

Rubicante, see thou set thy claws

all

Into his back so that thou take his skin,

Cried out together

the accursed ones.

43

" My Master, if thou canst, so do That thou mayst learn who is the unlucky one, Thus come into his adversaries hands. My Leader drew close to his side, and asked Of him whence he had come and he replied "I was born in the kingdom of Navarre. My mother placed me servant to a lord, For she had borne me to a ribald father, Destroyer of himself and of his goods. Then servant of good king Thibault was I There set myself to practise barratry, Of which I give accounting in this heat. And Ciriatto, from whose mouth came forth On either side a tusk, as from a hog 's, Made him to feel how one of them could rip. The mouse was fallen among evil cats But Barbariccia closed him in his arms. And said Stand off, while I have him enforked, And to my Master turned his face and said Ask further, if thou wilt learn more from him Before some other one undo him quite." The Leader Then tell now of the other sinners Dost thou know anyone beneath the pitch,

And

'

'

46

4^

52

'

65

58

'

'

'

61

'

'

'

64

Who

is

Italian

' '

And

he

"I

just

now
67

Parted from one, a neighbor, there beyond; Would I were still with him so covered up That I should have no fear of claw or hook And Libicocco said We have endured Too much and with the hook so seized his arm,
!

'

'

'

70

; '

'

'

'

'

'

'

INFERNO, XXII
He bore away a piece of flesh, torn off. And Draghignazzo too would fain have clutched Down at his legs round their decurion
;

89

^^

Did turn

at that with evil in his look.

little pacified,

When

they had been a

^^

still was gazing at his wound Leader asked without delay: "Who was The one from whom thou sayest that thou mad'st A parting that was ill, to come ashore ? And he made answer " It was Friar Gomita,

Of him who

My

79

'

He

of Gallura, vessel of all fraud,

82

Who

had

his lord 's foes in his hand,

and dealt
85

So with them, that each praises him therefor. Money he took and let them plainly go, As he has said in other duties too No petty barrator, but sovereign, he. With him associates Don Michel Zanche
;

88

Of Logodoro and
;

their tongues are

ne 'er
91

Weary of talking me Look at the

!

of Sardinia.

other one
I

who

grins
'

would say more, but

am

fearful lest
^4

He be preparing now to scratch my scurf. And the great Marshall turned to Farfarello,
Whose eyes were
rolling, as if
off

And
" If
' '

said

' '

Make

he would strike, from here, thou wicked bird

'

'

it

be your desire to see or hear,

97

terrified one then began again, Tuscans or Lombards, I will have some come. But let the Malebranche stay awhile Apart, that these their vengeance may not fear And I, while sitting in this very place. For one that I am, will have seven come When I shall whistle, as our custom is To do, when one of us is rising out.
'

The

100

103

'

! ;

' '

'

90

THE DIVINE COMEDY

10*
* * :

Cagnazzo raised his muzzle at such speech, Hear the sly trick Shaking his head, and said He has thought out for rushing down below He thereupon, who had great wealth of snares, Replied Given to tricks am I too much. When I procure my comrades greater sorrow. Then Alichino held not in, but said To him, against the others will " If thou Plunge down, I will not gallop after thee, But I will beat my wings above the pitch Leave we the ridge, and be the bank a screen. To see if thou alone prevail o 'er us. thou who readest, thou shalt hear new sport Each turned his eyes toward the other side He first who was most angry so to do. The Navarrese chose well his time, his feet Set firmly on the ground, and instantly Leaping, had from their purpose freed himself. At this each one of them felt stung with fault, But he the most who caused the loss and so He started forth, and cried out Thou art caught But it availed him little, for the wings Could not outstrip the fear that one went under, This one turned upward, as he flew, his breast. Not otherwise the wild duck suddenly Dives under when the falcon has drawn near. Who upward turns again, rumpled and vexed. Then Calcabrina, angered at the cheat, Kept flying on behind him, charmed to have That one escaped, that he might have a scuflBe.
! '

109

'

'

'

112

'

115

'

US

121

124

'

'

'

127

130

133

And when the barrator had disappeared, He turned upon his fellow with his claws And grappled with him there above the ditch.
But
that one was indeed a

136

hawk full-grown

139

' ;

INFERNO, XXIII
To claw him
well,

91

and both of them

fell

down

Into the middle of the boiling pool.

1*2 The heat was an ungrappler, suddenly But yet to raise themselves was not to be. They had their wings so sticky with the pitch. 1^ Then Barbariccia, all his troop distressed, Had four of them fly to the other side With all the drag-hooks, and right speedily 148 This side and that they went down to their posts They stretched their hooks out toward the two belimed,

Who
And

were already cooked within the crust

thus

we

left

them in

their troubled plight.

151

CANTO XXIII
Silent, alone, and without company,

One following the other, we went on, As Minor friars go along the way.

My thought
Upon

was by the present quarrel turned

;

the fable in which Aesop told

7

About the frog and mouse for now is not More like this instant, than the one case was To the other, if one rightly couple both End and beginning with attentive mind. And as one thought bursts from another, so From that one there was born another then. Which made my first fear double. Thus I thought
* *

10

It is

through us that these are put to scorn,

13

With injury and with such mockery As I believe must give them much offence.
If anger to ill-will be

added on, They will come after us more cruel than The dog is to the hare that he snaps up.

16

'

'

92

THE DIVINE COMEDY

I could feel
fear,

Already

my

hair

all rise

^9

keeping intent on aught behind Master, if thou speedily Do not conceal thyself and me, I dread The Malebranche they are after us Already I in fancy feel them now. And that one " If I were of leaded glass

With

us,

When

I said

'

'

22

'

25

I should no quicker draw unto myself Thy form without, than I take that within. Thy thoughts but now were coming among mine,

28

The same in act, and in their look the same. So that with both I made a single plan. In case the bank upon our right so lies
That we in the other bolgia can go down. We shall escape from the imagined chase." He had not finished stating such a plan, When I saw them come on with wings outspread Not far away, intent on seizing us. My Leader suddenly took hold of me, Like as a mother wakened by the noise,

31

34

37

Who
And

sees close to her the enkindled flames.

and flies, and tarries not, Having more thought of him than of herself, So long as only to put on a shift And, downward from the ridge of the hard bank,
takes her son,

^
43

Supine, he gave himself to the sloping rock,

Which walls the other bolgia on one side. Never did water through a conduit run

4C

At such

a speed to turn a land-mill 's wheel,

nearest to the paddle-boards,
49

When

it is

As did my Master o 'er that bordering slope, Who carried me along upon his breast, Not as companion, but as his own son.
His feet had scarcely in the depth below

52

' :

'

INFERNO, XXIII
The bottom touched, when those were on the height Above us but there was no need of fear, For the high Providence that willed to set
;

93

55

Them

as the ministers of the fifth ditch.

all of

Deprived them

power of going thence.

58

"We found a painted people there below, "With very slow steps, going round in tears, And with a look weary and overcome. They had cloaks on with hoods that came down low Before their eyes, and in such fashion made

61

As

in Cologne they

make them
so, it

for the monks.

They outwardly

are gilded

dazzles

^
^7

and of such weight that those Which Frederick put on were as of straw.
"Within, all lead,

mantle, wearisome eternally "We turned still ever to the left along

"With them, intent

upon

their tearful plaint.

70

But, weary with the weight, those people came

So slowly onward, that our company

"Was fresh at every movement of the hip.
"Wherefore
I to

my

Leader: "Find,

I pray,

73

Some one who may by deed or name be known. And, as we go, move thou thine eyes around. And one who understood the Tuscan speech,
'

76

Stay ye your feet, Ye who do run so through this dusky air Perhaps from me thou shalt get what thou seekest. "Whereat the Leader turned about and said
: '

Called to us from behind

'

'

79

and according to his pace proceed. stopped, and saw two show great haste of mind,
* *

"Wait,

'

82

By looks, to be with me but they moved slowly, Because so burdened in the narrow way. "When they had joined us, long, with eyes askance They looked at me without a word then turned
;

85

; : ' '

"

94

THE DIVINE COMEDY

another,

To one
* *

and between them said

one seems living
'

By

the action of his throat this

88

If they are dead, then by what privilege

Go they uncovered by the heavy stole ? Then said to me " Tuscan, who hast reached
:

^1

The college of the wretched hj^pocrites. And I Disdain not telling who thou art. To them " I had my birth and I grew up In the great city by fair Arno's stream,
'

'

9*

And I am with that body always mine. But who are ye, in whom such pain sends down, As I behold, its drops along your cheeks ? What punishment is on you glittering so ? And one replied to me " The orange hoods Are leaden, and so thick are they, the weights Are making thus their balances to creak. Jovial Friars were we and Bolognese.
:

^7

100

103

Loderingo he By name, together by thy city taken. As it is wont to choose one man alone, To guard its peace and we were such, as still Appears by the Gardingo's neighborhood." Friars, I began, your evil deeds But said no more, because my eye caught one Upon the ground with three stakes crucified.
I Catalano,
;

106

<

'

'

'

'

'

'

109

"When he saw me, no part of him but writhed,

112

As he with

sighing blew into his beard

this.

And
Said:

Friar Catalano noting

"The

transfixed one,

whom

thou look'st

at,

told

US

The Pharisees it was expedient To put one man to torture for the people. Traverse and naked is he on the road, As thou dost see, and he is forced to feel Whoever passes, how much he weighs, first.

118

'

;' '

'

INFERNO, XXIV
And
in like

95
121

manner

suffers in this ditch

His father-in-law, and all the council else, Which was a seed of evil for the Jews. Then saw I Virgil greatly wondering Above the one who was as on a cross So vilely in the eternal exile stretched.
'

124

Thereafter he addressed the Friar thus

' '

127

Be not

displeased to
lies

tell us, if

ye may,
130

If

on the right

any opening.
'

By which we two
To come and

can go our way from here Without enforcing the Black Angels power
extricate us
:
' '

from

this deep,

'

He answered then

Nearer than thou dost hope There is a rock from the great circling wall That starts and all the cruel valleys spans. Save that at this one it is broken down And covers it not its ruins ye can mount They lie a-slope and heap up at the base. The Leader stood a while with head bowed down
;

133

136

'

139

Then
*
'

said

'
'

The business was

sinners yonder.

ill
' '

told

by him.
Friar
142

Who hooks the

The
I

And the

Oft in Bologna I heard

devil vices

men assign many, among which

'

heard that he tells lies, and is their father. And then the Leader with great steps went on, Somewhat disturbed, with anger in his look Whereon I parted from the burdened ones. Following the prints of the beloved feet.

145

148

CANTO XXIV
In that part of the young year when the sun Tempers his locks beneath Aquarius And now the nights are moving toward the south.

' ;

96

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the hoar-frost, like to a copyist,

When

Draws his white sister 's image on the ground, Though briefly lasts the temper of his pen, The peasant, who has little fodder left, Rises and looks, and sees the plain all white. Whereat he smites upon his thigh goes back Into his house, and to and fro complains, Like the poor wretch who knows not what to do Then coming out again recovers hope.
;

10

Seeing the world to have an altered face

13

In

little

time,

and takes

his

shepherd 's crook

18

And

forth the tender sheep to pasture drives

Thus had the Master caused dismay in me, When I beheld him so disturbed in brow Thus quickly to the hurt the plaster came. Because, when we had reached the ruined bridge, The Leader turned to me with that sweet look, Which I saw first when at the mountain's foot. His arms he opened, following some plan Himself had chosen, looking carefully At first upon the ruin, and seized me. And like to one who works and estimates,
always seems beforehand to provide. So, as he lifted me toward the top Of one great rock, he eyed another splinter, Saying " On that one next seize hold, but first
:

19

22

25

Who

28

See
It

if it

be such as will bear thy weight.

'

was no way for one clothed with a cloak, For scarcely we, he light, and I pushed up. Could mount from jutting rock to jutting rock. And were it not that on that boundary The slope was shorter than upon the other,
I

31

34

know not about him,

were foredone.
37

But

since the whole of Malebolge slopes

;;

' '

'

INFERNO, XXIV
Toward the opening of the lowest pit, The site of every valley brings about
That one side rises more, the other less However, we at last attained the point Where the least stone of all is broken off. The breath had been from out my lungs so milked When I was up, that further I could not Nay, on my first arriving, sat me down. Henceforth thou must thus rid thyself of sloth, for one comes not to fame The Master said On downy seat or under coverlet; Without which whoso does consume his life, Such vestige upon earth leaves of himself As smoke in air, and in the water foam And therefore rise, conquer thy panting with
*
'
'

97

40

43

'

46

'

^
52

The

spirit that in

every battle wins.

65

heavy body it sink not. A longer stairway must be climbed it is not Enough to have left these if thou dost grasp
If with its
;
;

My
Then
' '

thought,
I rose up,

now

act so that

it

profit thee.

'

showing that I with breath Was better furnished than I felt, and said: Go on I am courageous now and strong. We took our upward way along the rock, Which was here rugged, narrow, difficult. And steeper far than was the one before. Not to seem weak I talked as I went on Whereon from the next foss a voice came out.
'

68

61

64

Ill-fitted to articulate its

words.
67

know not what

though I had reached The middle of the arch which crosses here But he who spoke the words seemed moved to wrath. had turned downward, but my living eyes Could not go to the bottom through the dark.
it said,

70

;;

'

'

98
:

THE DIVINE COMEDY

;

Whereat I " Master, see that thou do reach The other ring let us go down the wall
As, listening hence, I do not understand;

73

So I look down, and can distinguish naught. Other reply, said he, " I make thee not, Except in act because the fair request Should be in silence followed by the deed. We went on down the bridge to where its head
* '
'

'

'

76

'

79

with the eighth embankment joined The bolgia was made manifest to me And I saw there within a terrible
Is

and then
82

Thronging of serpents of a kind so strange, That still the memory congeals my blood. Let Lybia boast no longer with her sand For though chelydri, jaculi, phareae,
Cenchri with amphisbaena, she bring forth,

85

She never with

all

Ethiopia,

88

Nor with the land that by the

Red Sea

lies.

Has shown so many plagues, nor yet so Amid this cruel and most dismal swarm Were naked people running, terrified, And without hope of hole or heliotrope.

dire.

91

With

serpents were their hands behind them bound ;

the tail

9*

And these were thrusting through their loins And head, and were in front in knotted coils. And lo at one who was beside our bank,
!

97

Darted a serpent and transfixed him

there.

Where

to the shoulders knotted is the neck.

100

Never was

nor / so quickly writ, As he caught fire and burned, and utterly

And when

To ashes turned, perforce, as he fell down he was thus on the ground destroyed, The dust did draw together of itself, And turned to that same one again at once.

103

; ' ; ; ;

'

; ;

INFERNO, XXIV
In such a way, great sages have affirmed, The Phoenix dies, and then is born again When she draws near to her five hundredth year
In
life

99
106

she feeds on neither herb nor grain,

10^

tears of incense and amomum And nard and myrrh are her last winding-sheet. And like the one who falls and knows not how, By demon-force, which drags him to the ground, Or by obstruction else that binds a man When he gets up, so that he gazes round

But only

112

115

Wholly bewildered by the great distress That he has suffered from, and, looking, sighs Such was that sinner after he had risen. Power of God Oh, how severe it is. That showers down for vengeance blows like these The Leader then asked of him who he was And he replied " I rained from Tuscany
! :

118

121

Into this savage gullet not long since.

Life as a beast 's, not as a
;

man 's,

pleased me,
'

124

Mule that I was my name is Vanni Fucci, Beast, and Pistoia was my fitting den. And to the Leader I " Bid him not slip Away, but ask what crime thrust him down here I have seen him a man of blood and rage. The sinner, who had understood, feigned not, But turned toward me his spirit and his face. And took the hue of melancholic shame And said It hurts more that thou catch me in The misery, in which thou seest me, than When I was taken from the other life.
:

127

'

130

'

'

133

That which thou askest I can not refuse I am put down so far because I robbed The sacristy of the fair ornaments With which another once was falsely charged.

136

139

! ;; ;

' '

;::

100

THE DIVINE COMEDY

that thou mayest not enjoy this sight,

But

If ever thou art out of these dark places,

To my announcement lend
Then
folk

thine ears,

and hear

1*2

Pistoia first doth strip herself of Blacks,

From Valdimagra Mars

and fashions Florence renovates. is drawing forth A vapor that is wrapped in turbid clouds And with impetuous and bitter storm

145

There shall be fighting in the Pescian plain Whence it shall suddenly so rend the mist. That every White shall wounded be thereby And this I say that it may make thee grieve.
'

148

151'

CANTO XXV
At
the conclusion of his words the thief
figs,

Lifted his hands with both the

and cried
*

Thee I square them!'* From that time forth the serpents were my friends,
that,

"Take

God, for

it is

to

For one then coiled about his neck, as if It said " I will not have thee utter more
:

! '

About his arms another pinioned him Anew, clinching itself in front of him
Pistoia

So that he could not give a shake with them. Ah, Pistoia Why not plan To turn to ashes to endure no more,
!

10

Since in ill-doing thou excell'st thy seed

Through

all

the circles of dark hell I

saw

13

God so arrogant. Not even him who fell down from the walls At Thebes. He fled without another word
spirit against

No

16

And

beheld a centaur full of rage

out:

Come crying

"Where

is

the harsh one,

where?"

!;

; ;

INFERNO,

XXV

101
18

Maremma has not, I believe, of snakes So many as he had upon his croup
To where the semblance of ourselves begins. Behind the nape upon his shoulders lay A dragon on him with his wings outspread And whomsoe'er it meets it sets on fire. Then said my Master This is Cacus, who "Within his cavern 'neath Mount Aventine
:

22

'

'

25

Has made

full

many a

time a lake of blood.

28

He

goes not with his brothers by one road

Because of the deceptive theft he made Of the great herd that he had near to him Whereby his crooked deeds came to an end Beneath the club of Hercules, who dealt Some hundred blows on him, who felt not ten." While he spoke thus, and that one had run by, Behold, below us had three spirits come. Of whom my Leader had not been aware, Nor I, until they cried out: "Who are ye?" On that account our story came to an end, And afterwards we heeded them alone. I did not know them, but it happened then, As it is wont to happen by some chance. That one had cause to use another's name. Saying: "Where can have Cianfa stayed behind?" So, that my Leader might attentive stand, I put my finger up from chin to nose. If thou art, reader, slow to credit now What I shall tell, it were not strange, for I Who saw it, scarce admit it to myself. As I my brows held raised upon them, lo A serpent with six feet darted in front Of one and fastened on his every part For with his middle feet it clasped his paunch,

81

8*

87

^
^3

^
*9

52

;; ;

102

THE DIVINE COMEDY

with then
its
it

And And
Its

fore feet seized

upon

his

arms
66

set its teeth in both his cheeks

hind feet it spread out upon his thighs, And having put its tail between the two, It stretched it up behind along his reins.

Ivy was never rooted so to tree, As was this horrible wild-beast entwined About the other 's members with its own Thereafter, as if they had been hot wax, They stuck together, and their color mingled Now neither seemed to be what it had been. As moves along before the burning flame Over the paper upward color dark But not yet black, while its white dies away. The other two were looking on, and each Cried out " me, Agnello how thou changest !" See, how thou art now neither two nor one Already had the two heads grown to one, When there appeared to us two countenances Mixed in one face, wherein the two were lost. The two arms formed themselves out of four strips
:
!

68

^1

^
*7

70

73

The thighs and legs, the belly and the chest Became such members as were never seen. All their first aspect had been canceled there Two and yet none seemed the perverted form, And being such, with slow step went away. As under the great scourge of dogdays, when
It

76

79

changes hedge for hedge, the lizard seems

82

A flash of lightning, if it cross the way

So seemed a little serpent all on fire, Livid and black as pepper-corn, to come Toward the bellies of the other two And it transfixed in one of them that part, Where first our nourishment is taken then
;

85

INFERNO,
Fell

XXV

103

Who

down stretched out in front of him. The one was transfixed, gazed at it, but said naught, Nay, with steps stayed, was yawning, just as if
Sleep or a fever were assailing him.
the serpent,

88

He viewed

and the serpent him One from his wound, the other from his mouth Sent forth great smoke, and smoke encountered smoke. Thenceforth be Lucan silent where he tells Of poor Sabellus and Nasidius, And wait to hear that which is now revealed. Of Cadmus and of Arethusa silent Be Ovid, for if he as poet turn

91

9*

^7

Her
I

to a fountain, to a serpent him,

;

envy him not for never front to front Transmuted he two natures, so that both The forms were ready to exchange their matter. They mutually responded by such rules, The serpent cleft its tail into a fork. The stricken one together drew his feet. The legs and, too, the thighs along with them So stuck together that their juncture soon Had left behind it no apparent mark. The tail that had been cleft was taking on The shape the other one was losing, while Its skin was growing soft, the other 's hard. I saw the arms go through the arm-pits in, The two feet of the beast, that had been short, Lengthen as much as those were shortening.
Later the hinder
feet,

100

103

100

109

112

together twisted,
forth.

115

Became the member that a man conceals. And from his own the wretch had two thrust And while the smoke was veiling both of them With color new, and generates the hair Upon one side and strips it from the other,

US

'

; ;

104

THE DIVINE COMEDY

121

The one rose up, the other falling down, Nor did they turn for that the impious lights. Beneath which each of them was changing muzzle. The one erect drew his in toward the temples, And from superfluous matter coming there Issued the ears from cheeks that had been smooth That which did not run back, but was retained, Of its excess made of itself a nose, And made the lips of thickness suitable.

124

127

He that lay prone his muzzle forward thrusts, And backward draws his ears into his head.
;

130

As does the snail its horns and, too, his tongue, 133 "Which was before united and was quick In speaking, cleaves itself and in the other The forked tongue closes up; the smoke has ceased.
;

The

soul, that had become an animal, Fled down the valley, hissing as it went. The other after it with sputtering speech. Then turned he his new shoulders on it, saying Unto the third " I want Buoso should run.
:

136

139

As

I have, groveling, along this path.

'

The seventh

ballast thus I
;

saw

to change

142

And
The

change again
novelty, if

and here be my excuse my pen slightly stray.

145

And though my eyes might be somewhat confused And mind bewildered, yet thou couldst not flee Away so covertly, that I did not
Puccio Sciancato plainly recognize And he it was alone of all the three

148

Companions that came first, that was not changed The other he whom thou, Gaville, weepest.

151

INFERNO, XXVI

105

CANTO XXVI
Be
joyful, Florence, since thou art so great

That over land and over sea thou beatest Thy wings, and thy name spreads abroad through Among the thieves I came upon five such, Thy citizens, that shame came over me, And to great honor thou mount 'st not thereby. But if toward morning truth is in our dreams, Thou art to feel in little time from this What Prato craves for thee, and others too. And it were not too soon, if it were now So were it since it is to be indeed It will weigh the more on me, the more I age. We set out thence, and up along the stairs The bourns had made for our descent before, The Leader mounted now, and drew me up Pursuing thus the solitary way 'Mid stones and fragments of the rocky bridge, The foot without the hand to help sped not. I sorrowed then and sorrow now again When I direct my mind to what I saw. And curb my genius more than I am wont. That unless virtue guide it, it run not That I rob not myself, if some good star Or better thing have granted me that good. In as great numbers as the countryman,
!

hell 4

10

13

16

19

22

25

Who
From

rests

upon the

hillside,

at the season

When
Sees

he who lights the world hides least his face us, and hour when flies give place to gnats,
fireflies

28

in the valley at his feet,

31

With

Perhaps there where he gathers grapes, and ploughs flames as many glittering throughout

:'

; ;

106

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the eighth bolgia, I perceived, as soon
I

Was
As

was where

its

depth appeared in

sight.

And as

he who took vengeance by the bears Beheld Elijah's chariot depart

to

84

When up
For with

heaven the horses rose

erect,

his eyes he could not follow so

'^

That he saw other than the flame alone Ascending upward like a little cloud So each flame through the gulley of the ditch Was moving on, for none displayed its theft

*0

And
I stood

every one hides furtively a sinner.

upon the

bridge, so risen

up

*3

To
I

see,

that if I

had not

seized a rock,

should have fallen down, e 'en though not pushed.

*^

The Leader, who saw I was so intent, Said to me :" In those fires the spirits are Each swathes himself with what is burning him."

"My

Master," I replied, "for hearing thee

it

*9

Am I more certain, but I thought already

That

was

so,

and would already say

62

Who is within that fire that comes with top

So parted, it seems rising from the pyre Eteocles was laid on with his brother ? He answered me " Within it are Ulysses
' :

66

thus they go In punishment together as in wrath And in their flame do they lament with groans The ambush of the horse which made the gate By which the Romans noble seed came forth
; '

And Diomed tormented

68

They weep within it for the craft, whereby Deidamia dead grieves for Achilles Still and the penalty is there endured For the Palladium. " "If they can speak Within those sparks, said I, " I pray thee much,
; ' '

*1

64

'

; ' '

INFERNO, XXVI
deny me not The waiting till the horned flame hither come Thou seest that I bend toward it with desire. And he " Thy prayer is worthy of much praise,
:

107

A thousand,that thou wilt

Master,

and pray again my prayer be worth

^^
'

70

And therefore

but do thou Take heed that thy tongue hold itself in check.
I accept it
;

Leave me to speak, for I have understood What thou wilt have since they, as they were Greeks, Might be, perchance, disdainful of thy words. As soon as to that point the flame had come Where to my Leader it seemed place and time, After this manner heard I him to speak " ye, who both are in a single flame, If I had merit with you while I lived. If I had merit with you, much or little, When in the world I wrote the lofty verses, Move not but may there one of you relate Whither he journeyed, lost, unto his death. The ancient flame within its greater horn Began to shake itself with murmuring, Even as flame which wind is wearying; Then, moving to and fro the very tip, As though it were the tongue that formed the words. Cast forth a voice, and said: "When I departed From Circe, who hid me a year and more There near Gaeta, at a time before Aeneas had thus given it its name, Neither sweet care of son, nor piety Toward my old father, nor the love due her Which should have gladdened my Penelope, Could overcome the ardor that I had In me to gain experience of the world And of the vices and the worth of men
;

73

'

76

79

82

'

85

88

81

94

97

'

108

THE DIVINE COMEDY

IM

But I put forth on the deep, open sea With but one ship, and with that company Not large, and which had not deserted me. Both shores I visited as far as Spain, Even to Morocco, and Sardinia's isle

108

And

others bathed in the surrounding sea.

Myself and

companions had grown old And slow, when we had reached that narrow strait Where Hercules had set his boundaries, In order that man put not out beyond Seville I left behind upon the right. With Ceuta passed already on the left. brothers, said I, who are come at last, A hundred thousand perils undergone, Into the west, to that which still remains Of this, your senses vigil, now so brief, Do not deny experience, with the sun In front of you, of the unpeopled world. Consider of what origin ye are Ye were not made to live as do the brutes, But to seek virtue and to learn the truth. With these few words addressing them, I made So eager my companions for the voyage, That I could scarcely then have held them back And when our stern to the morning had been turned, The oars became our wings for that mad flight. As we went, ever gaining on the left. The night already looked on all the stars About the other pole, with ours so low That it rose not above the ocean floor. Five times rekindled and as many quenched Had been the light beneath the moon, since we Had entered on the passage of the deep, When there appeared to us a mountain, dark
*
* ' '

my

106

10^

112

H*^

H*

1*1

124

127

130

133

'

INFERNO, XXVII
Because of distance and it seemed to me Of such a height as I had never seen. We felt great joy, but soon it turned to grief Because a whirlwind rose from that new land And struck our ship upon the forward part. Three times it made her whirl around with all
;

109

136

139

The waters, and the

fourth, lifted the stern

And downward sent

the bow, as pleased Another,

'

Until the sea again closed over us.

142

CANTO XXVII
Already was the flame erect and quiet, For it had ceased to speak, and moving off From us with the sweet poet's license, when

Another that behind it came, caused us To turn our eyes toward its tip, because Of sound confused that issued forth from it. As the Sicilian bull, which bellowed first With the lament of him, and that was right, Who with his file had given it its form, Was wont to bellow with the sufferer 's voice So that, although it was a thing of brass. Yet it appeared to be transfixed with pain So, since at first they were without a way Or outlet from the fire, the woful words Into its language would transform themselves. But after they had found their course up through The point, and given it that quivering The tongue had given as they passed along, We heard the words " thou, to whom I turn

10

13

16

19

My voice,

and who just now spoke Lombard, saying

longer I urge thee not;'

'Now go thy way,

' :

110

THE DIVINE COMEDY

it

Though I come somewhat late, perchance, let Not weary thee to stop and talk with me Thou seest it wearies me not, and I burn.
If thou art fallen into this blind world

22

25

But now from that sweet land of Italy, Whence I bring all my guilt, tell me, I pray, If in Romagna they have peace or war
was of the mountains there between TJrbino and the chain whence Tiber breaks. I was attentive downward bending, when My Leader touched me on my side, and said And I, Speak thou it is an Italian. Who had already my reply prepared, Without delay began to speak " soul,
I
'
' * ' ; '
:

28

For

31

34

Who

art in thy concealment there below,

37

Thy land Romagna

is not and was never Without war in her tyrants' hearts, but none

Waged

openly did

I leave lately there.

Ravenna stands, as it has stood long years, The eagle of Polenta brooding there. So that he covers Cervia with his wings. The city that the long-drawn struggle made Erewhile, and of the French a bloody heap. Beneath the green paws finds itself again. Verrucchio's former mastiff and the new, Who gave ill treatment to Montagna, make

^
*3

^
*9

An

auger of their teeth, where they are wont.

The cities of Lamone and Santerno Are guided by the white lair 's lion cub, Ere summer yield to winter changing side

And

she whose flank the Savio bathes, as she

52

Is lying 'twixt the

mountain and the

tell

plain,

Lives between t3n'anny and free estate.

Now,

beseech thee,

us

who thou

art,

55


INFERNO, XXVII

'

111

Not obdurate more than another is; So may thy name maintain its front on earth. After the fire a little while had roared In its own mode, the sharp point moved this way And that, and then gave forth this breath If I believed that my reply would be To one who ever should return to earth, This flame would stand without more quiverings; But inasmuch as from this deep one ne 'er Returned alive, if I hear truth, without A fear of infamy I answer thee. I was a man of arms then cordelier, Trusting within, so girt, to make amends And certainly my trust were come to full But for the Great Priest, whom may woe befall "Who set me back again in my first sins And how and why I will thou learn from me. When I was still the form of bones and flesh My mother had bestowed on me, my deeds Were like the fox 's and not leonine. The shrewd devices and the covert ways, I knew them all, and practised so their art That to the ends of the earth the sound went forth. When I could see that I had now arrived
'

58

'

'

*1

64

67

70

73

76

79

At

that part of

my

age

when every one

coil his ropes, that

Should strike

his sails

and

which
82

Before was pleasing, then offended me, And penitent, confessed, I gave myself,

Wretched, alas and it would have availed. The Prince of the new Pharisees, who then Was having war near to the Lateran,
!

85

And

not with Saracens, nor yet with Jews,

88

For every enemy of his was Christian, And none had been at Acre conquering.

'

; '

'

112

THE DIVINE COMEDY

81

Nor in the Soldan 's land a trafficker, Regarded not his Supreme Office, nor His Holy Orders, nor in me that cord
"Which used to make those girt with it more But as within Soracte Constantine Bade that Silvester cure his leprosy,
lean.

9*

So this one bade that I, as an adept, Should cure the fever of his arrogance He asked of me advice, and I kept silent, Because his words seemed drunken then he said To me Let not thy heart mistrust from now I thee absolve teach thou me so to act That I throw Palestrina to the ground. I have the power to lock and unlock heaven, As thou dost know for that the keys are two. Which he who went before me held not dear. The weighty arguments then forced me there Where to keep silent seemed to me the worst. And I said Father, since thou washest me From that sin into which I now must fall, Long promise with short keeping will make thee To be triumphant on the lofty seat. Francis came afterwards, when I was dead, For me, but one of the dark Cherubim Said to him Take him not do me no wrong. He must come down among my menials, Because he gave the fraudulent advice. From which time on I have been at his hair For who repents not can not be absolved One can not both repent and will at once. Because the contradiction grants it not. wretched me how I awakened then When he seized me, saying to me Perchance
; ' : ;

97

100

103

106

'

109

112

115

118

121

'

Thou

didst not

deem me a

logician

'

INFERNO, XXVIII
He
bore

113
124

me

off to

Minos,

who

eight times

Twisted his
'

tail

round

his unyielding

back
it,

And when he in great rage had bitten He said This is a sinner for the fire
:

127

That hides

; '

wherefore

where thou
'

seest

am lost,
130

And in affliction, as I go thus robed. When he had thus brought to an end his

words,

The flame took its departure, sorrowing. Twisting and tossing with its pointed horn. Onward we pressed, I and my Leader both, Along the rock to the next arch that covers The ditch, in which the fee is paid by those. Who get a burden through dissevering,

133

186

CANTO XXVIII

Who

ever could, even with words unbound, Fully describe the blood and wounds that now I saw, although he told it many times ? All tongues would certainly come short of it, Because our language and the memory Have small capacity to hold so much. If all the people were assembled still Who on Apulia's field of fortune erst Were put to grief for their blood that was shed By them of Troy, and too by that long war Which furnished of the rings spoils heaped so high, As Livy writes, who does not err and those. Who in withstanding Robert Guiscard felt The pain of blows, and those whose bones are still Together in a heap at Ceperano, Where each Apulian was traitorous And those who were at Tagliacozzo, where
;

10

13

16

' ;;

"

114

THE DIVINE COMEDY

this 19

The old Alardo conquered without arms

one display his limb transpierced, lopped off it matched nowise The mode of the ninth bolgia hideous. Even a cask, with mid-piece lost, or stave,
one
his,
:

And should And that

22

open so as I saw one. Ripped from the chin to where the wind is broken. His entrails hanging down between his legs His pluck appeared and the distressful pouch Which turns to ordure what is swallowed down. While wholly upon him I fixed my gaze, He looked at me, and opening his breast With his own hands, said Now thou seest how I mangled, Mahomet. Do rend myself; how Before me Ali goes along in tears. With his face cleft from forelock to the chin And all the others whom thou seest here
Is not split
' *

25

28

31

84

Were

scatterers of scandal in their lives.

And

schism,

and for that reason are thus

us, fashions

cleft.

devil, here

behind

us

37

Thus cruelly, subjecting of this band Each one to hewing of his sword afresh. When we have gone around the wof ul road Because the wounds will have closed up again Ere one returns to pass in front of him. But who art thou, that musest on the rock, To put off going to that penalty. Perchance, adjudged upon thy self-reproof ? "Nor death has reached him yet, nor guilt leads him," Answered my Master, to torment him but To give him full experience, must needs I, who am dead, conduct him throughout hell
' '

*0

*3

4^

4*

From

circle

unto

circle here

below;
'

And

this is true, as 'tis I

speak to thee.

INFERNO, XXVIII
More than a hundred were there who heard him,

115
52

And

stopped then in the ditch to look at me,

65

"Now

Through wondering oblivious to their pain. then, bid Fra Doleino arm himself, Thou who perchance wilt shortly see the sun,

If he will not soon follow

me down

here. 68

So with provisions, that a

stress of

snow

Give not the Novarese the victory.

Which otherwise to gain were no slight thing." After one foot was lifted up to go

Had Mahomet

addressed

me with

these words
64

Then as he left he stretched it to the ground. Another, who had had his throat pierced through

And nose cut off up to beneath the brow. And had no longer but a single ear,
Standing to gaze in wonder with the rest, Before the rest then laid his windpipe open, Which outwardly was red in every part,
67

And said Thou who art not condemned by And whom I up in Italy have seen.
: '
'

guilt,

70

Unless remembrance lead

me

too far wrong.

73

Remember Pier da Medicina, if Thou e 'er return to look on that sweet

plain
76

That from Vercelli slopes to Marcabo, And let the two best men of Fano know, Messer Guido and Angiolello too. That, if our foresight here do not prove vain, They shall be cast into the sea and drowned In weighted sacks near La Cattolica, Because of a fell tyrant's treachery. Between the isles of Cyprus and Majorca Neptune ne'er looked upon so great a crime. Not of the pirates, nor of Argive stock. That traitor, who sees only with one eye,

79

82

85

'

"

' '

116

THE DIVINE COMEDY

holds the land which one

And

down here with me

88

Would

that his eyes had never fed upon,

Will have them come to him for parleying Then wiU deal so that 'gainst Focara's wind They will have need of neither vow nor prayer."

And

I to

him

*
:

'

Show

to

me and

declare,

91

If thou wilt that I take

up news

of thee,
'

Who
He
Of

is

the one to

whom

the sight was bitter ?

of one

laid his

hand then on the jaw

' : '

94

his companions, opening the mouth,

And

cried out

This

is he,

and he

talks not

This one in banishment

stifled the

doubt

97

In Caesar, affirming that the man equipped Sustained delay always with injury."
Oh,

how

aghast did he appear to me,

his tongue

100

Who
And

had

now

cut out from his throat,

103

Curio,
one,

who had been

so bold to speak

whose hands were both of them cut oflf, Raising the stumps into the dusky air. So that the blood was making his face foul. Cried out Thou wilt remember Mosca too, Who said, alas A thing done, there 's an end Which for the Tuscan folk was seed of ill. I added for him And thy kindred 's death Whereat he, heaping woe on woe, went off Upon his way, as one in sadness, mad. But I remained there gazing at the crowd,
' * : !
* !

106

'

'

109

112

And saw

a thing that I should be afraid,

115

If I were not

Without more proof, only to tell of it by conscience reassured, The good companion that emboldens man,
'Neath breastplate of
its

conscious purity.
118

I surely saw,

and seem to see it still, trunk without a head move on, e 'en

as

'!

"

INFERNO, XXIX
The others of the dismal herd were moving.

117

And by

the hair

it

held the severed head,

;
!

121

Swung like a lantern in the hand and that Kept looking at us as it said " me Thus of itself it made itself a lamp, And they were two in one and one in two How this can be. He knows who so ordains. When he had reached the bridge just at the foot He lifted high his arm with his whole head To bring more near to us his words, which were
:

124

127

"Now

see the grievous punishment, thou that

130

Art going breathing, looking on the dead, And see if there be any great as this And that thou mayst take tidings of me, know
I am Bertran de Born, the one that gave Evil encouragements to the young king.

133

Father and son I set at mutual war With wicked goading did Ahithophel Not more to David and to Absalom. As I divided those who were thus joined,

136

139

My own

brain I

am

carrying, alas
'

Divided from

its
is

source within this trunk.

Thus retribution

observed in me.

1^

CANTO XXIX
The many
people and the divers wounds
inebriation in

Wrought such

my eyes

That they were craving to remain and weep But Virgil said to me " Why watching still ? Why does thy gaze remain still fixed upon
:

The dismal mutilated shades down there ? Thou hast not done so at the other bolge

118

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Consider, if thou think 'st to count them, that

For two and twenty miles the valley turns

Already
is

the

moon beneath our

feet,

The time

allotted us is henceforth short

18

And
I

other things to see than those thou seest."

:

thereupon replied " If thou hadst noted The reason why I looked, thou wouldst, perchance,
' '

Meanwhile Have granted me a longer stay. The Leader went along, and I behind Was following, now making my reply.

16

And adding " In that hollow where Holding my eye just now so fixedly,
:

was
!

A spirit of my blood,
*
:

I think,

laments
22

The sin which is so dearly paid for there." Then said the Master Let thy thought henceforth Be not upon him broken give thy mind To somewhat else, and let him there remain For I saw him below the little bridge Pointing at thee and fiercely threatening With finger, and I heard them calling him
' ;

26

Geri del Bello

thou wast then so fully Engaged with him who once held Hautefort,
;

28

Thou didst not look that way; so he went off." His death by violence, my Leader, which Has not yet been avenged for him, said I, By any partner of the shame, made him Indignant whereupon, as I esteem, He went away without a word to me
'
'

31

'

' *

8*

And

thus makes

me more
to

pitiful for him.

* '

Thus talked we up

where upon the crag

the valley following.
if

87

A place
When

shows

first

Quite to the bottom,

more

light

were there.
*0

we, above the cloister that

is last

In Malebolge, came to such a place

119

INFERNO, XXIX
That its lay-brothers could be seen by us, Lamentings manifold were shot at me, That had their arrows barbed with suffering

43

Whereat my ears I covered with my hands. Such pain as there would be if all the ills From Valdichiana 's hospitals and from Maremma and Sardinia were together From July to September in one ditch Such was there here, and such a stench came forth As comes forth commonly from putrid limbs. Down over the last bank of the long crag We went, ever toward the left, and then My sight was livelier into the deep. In which the servant of the Lord on high,
Justice infallible, inflicts their doom.

46

49

52

55

Here registered on those who

I

falsified.

do not think it was a greater sorrow To see Aegina's people all diseased,

58

With

the air full of such malignity.

61

That all the living creatures, even to The little worm, fell down, and afterwards The ancient peoples, as the poets hold For true, restored themselves from seed of ants, Than it was to see throughout that valley dark The spirits languishing in divers heaps. One on his belly lay, and one across The shoulders of another, and one sprawled. Changing his place upon the dismal path. Not speaking, step by step, we went along, Looking upon and listening to the sick. Who could not lift their bodies. I saw two Sitting and leaning on each other so As stew-pan against stew-pan leans to warm, Spotted with scabs from head to foot and never
;

64

67

70

73

' '

'

"

'

120

THE DIVINE COMEDY

I

Have

seen curry-comb so handled by

for,

76

A stable-boy his master waited

Nor one who stays awake unwillingly, As each plied ceaselessly upon himself The bite of his own nails for the great rage

7*

And so

which has no relief besides. drawing down the scab As does the knife the scales from bream, or fish Of other kind which has them larger still. thou that with thy fingers dost dis-mail Thyself, to one of them began my Leader, And makest pincers of them now and then, Tell us if an Italian be among Those here within so may thy nails suffice

Of

itching,

their nails were

82

'

85

'

'

'

'

88

To

thee for this

'

work

to eternity

! '

"We

are Italians both,

so,
'

whom

thou seest here

?

*1

Disfigured

replied one as he wept.

"But who

art thou that askest this of us

:

The Leader said " I

who descends With this man living down from ledge to And to show hell to him is my intent.
one
'

am

*
ledge.

Their mutual support was broken then,

*7

And
With

each with trembling turned about toward me,

others
:

who had heard him by rebound.

Close the good Master drew

me

to himself,
; ' '

100

and I Say to them what thou wilt Began, since he had willed it should be so So may remembrance of you not steal off In the first world from out the minds of men, Nay, under many suns may it live on. Tell me, who may ye be and of what people ? Let not your foul, unseemly punishment Fright you from showing who ye are to me.
* '
'

And said

108

108

'

*
'

was an Aretine Albero of Siena,

;

'

109

'

'

; '

; ' ;

; ;

INFERNO, XXIX
Replied one,
* '

121

had me put

into the flames

But

that for which I died brings

me

not here.
112

Truly I said to him, speaking in jest, That I could raise myself in air by But curious and having little wit.

flight

He

show him the art and just Because I made him not a Daedalus, He had me burned by one whose son he was,
willed that I
;

115

Biit me, to the last bolgia of the ten,

118

For alchemy, which in the world I practised, Minos condemned, one not allowed to err. And I said to the Poet Now was ever So vain a people as the Sienese ? Assuredly the French is not, by much. Whereat the other leper who heard me, Answered what I had said Excepting Stricea,
'
:

'

121

'

124

'

'

He who could make expenses moderate, And Niccolo, the first discoverer
Of
the expensive using of the clove

127

Within that garden where such seed takes root Excepting too the company, in which Caccia of Asciano squandered vine and bough So large, and Abbagliato showed his wit. But that thou mayst know who thus seconds thee
Against the Sienese, sharpen thine eye Toward me, so that my face answer thee rightly Thus shalt thou see I am Capocchio's shade, Who made false metals by his alchemy Thou shouldst recall, if I descry thee well. The goodly ape of nature that I was.
'

130

^33

136

139

"

122

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO XXX

At

that time when, because of Semele,

Juno was angry with the Theban blood, As she had more than once made manifest, Athamas fell in such insanity That as he saw his wife coming in charge Of her two sons, one at each hand, he cried
Let us spread out the nets that I may catch The lioness and cubs as they pass by And then stretched out his talons pitiless. Seizing the one, who was Learchus named, And whirled him round and dashed him on the rock And with her other charge she drowned herself. And when the turn of Fortune had brought low The Trojans' loftiness, that had dared all. And king and kingdom both were blotted out, Hecuba, sad, distressed and captive led, When she had seen the dead Polyxena, And in her suffering became aware Of her own Polydorus on the strand, Out of her senses barked so as a dog So had the pain within her wrenched her mind. But never were there Theban furies seen Nor Trojan of such cruelty in one. Not to goad beasts, much less the limbs of men, As in two pale and naked shades I saw, That biting ran about in such a way As does the boar when let out from the sty. One coming to Capocchio struck his tusks Into his neck-joint so, that, dragging him. He made his belly scratch on solid ground.
'
'

10

13

16

22

25

28

The Aretine, who

still

stood trembling, said

81


INFERNO,
* '

'

'

'

XXX
'

123

Thus
' '

That sprite is Gianni Schicchi, and he goes in his anger treating others ill.
' '

Oh,

said I then to him,

' '

so

may

that other

34

Not fix his teeth in thee, let it not be A burden to thee to say who it is. And he to me That is Ere it go hence. The ancient soul of wicked Myrrha, who Became her father's love with love undue. She came in such wise to her sin with him,
'
'

'

'

37

*0

Herself disguising in another 's form,

As he did dare, who yonder goes away. That he might gain the lady of the stud, Disguise himself, as if Buoso Donati, Making a will and giving it due form. And after the two rabid ones had passed, On whom my eye was fixed, I turned it back To look upon the rest of the ill-born. I saw one made in fashion as a lute, Provided only he had had his groin Cut short at that part where a man is forked. The heavy dropsy, which unpairs the limbs With ill-digested humor, in such wise That face and belly do not correspond, Was causing him to hold his lips apart
'

43

46

^
52

55

As

does the hectic who, because of thirst

58
'

Turns one toward the chin, the other up. " ye who have not any punishment, And why, I know not, in this grievous world, Said he to us, behold and contemplate The misery of Master Adam when alive, I had enough of what I wished, and now,

'

'

^1

Alas one
!

little

drop of water crave

The little brooks, that in the Casentino Flow toward the Arno down the hills of green,

64

'

124

THE DIVINE COMEDY

67

Causing their channels to be cool and soft, Ever before me stand, and not in vain, Because their image dries me up far more, Than does the malady whereby I strip My face of flesh. The rigid Justice, which Is scourging me, at that place where I sinned, Finds means to put my sighs in flight the more. There is Romena, where I falsified The coinage that did bear the Baptist's stamp, For which I left above my body burnt. But could I see the wretched soul of Guido,

70

73

76

Or Alessandro, or their brother here. For Fontebranda I'd not give the sight. One is already in, if the mad shades That go around speak true but what Does that avail me, who have my limbs bound ?
;

79

were only still so light, that I Could in a hundred years advance one inch, I should have started on the way already, In search of him among the ugly folk, Although it circles for eleven miles And is not less than half a mile across. Through them am I in such a family They led me on to strike the flower-coins, That had indeed three carats of alloy. And I to him Who are the wretched two, That steam like wet hands in the winter-time,
If I
' ' * :

82

85

88

^1

And
*
'

close together lie at

' '

thy right confines?"

' '

found them here, he answered, when I rained Into this chasm and, since, they have not given A turn, nor will they ever, as I think. The false one, by whom Joseph was accused Is one the other, Sinon, the false Greek From Troy; sharp fever makes them smell so burnt."
I
; ;

94

87

' '

' ; !

'

' '

INFERNO,
And

XXX

125
100

one of them who took offence, perhaps, At being named so darkly, with his fist Struck him who spoke upon the hardened paunch, Which gave a sound as though it were a drum And Master Adam struck him with his arm Which did not seem less hard, upon the face,

103

Saying to him: "Although I am deprived Of motion by my heaviness of limb, I have one arm free for such need as this. When going to the fire To which he said Thou hadst it not thus ready but thou hadst It so, and more, when thou didst make the coins.
'
:

106

'

'

109

'

He

of the dropsy:

"Thou

say'st true of this;

112

But thou wast not

so true a witness there

When
"If
I

thou wast questioned of the truth at Troy."

false, thou madest the false coin," Said Sinon " I am here for one crime, but For more than any other demon, thou, "Remember, perjurer, the horse," replied

spoke

US

'

118
it
'

The one with the inflated paunch, and may Hurt thee that all the world should know of
'

'

it.

"And may the thirst hurt thee, that cracks thy tongue, And that foul water, said the Greek, that makes
'

121

'

'

'

Thy

belly such a hedge before thine eyes

: ' '

! '

The coiner then Thy mouth is gaping so To its own harm, as is its wont if I Am thirsty and a humor stuffs me up. Thou hast a burning and a head that aches To lap the mirror of Narcissus thou Wouldst to invite thee not need many words. I was all fixed in listening to them when The Master said to me " Now just look on For little I were quarreling with thee. When I heard him in anger speak to me,
; :

124

127

'

130

'

133

'

'

126
I

THE DIVINE COMEDY

turned

me toward him with such

shame, that

still

It is revolving in

my memory.
136

And

like to one who dreams of his own harm, And, dreaming, wishes that it be a dream. Longing, as though it were not, for what is, Did I become, without the power to speak, Who fain excused myself, and did excuse,

139

And
*
'

thought not that

*

did

it,

all

the while.
fault,
; '

Less shame doth wash

'

away a greater

1^2

The Master said, than thine has been therefore Of all thy sadness lay aside the load Account that I am always at thy side,
If
it

1*5

again befall that Fortune find thee

there are those in like dispute, because
it is

Where

Desire to hear

a base desire.

'

1*8

CANTO XXXI
One and
the same tongue first so wounded me That it tinged both my cheeks, and afterwards Supplied to me the means that healed again.
*

In such a way, I hear, Achilles' lance, His father's erst, was wont to be the cause

First of a sad

and then of a good

gift.

We turned our backs on the

great vale of woe

And up, over the bank that girds it round Went on our way across without a word.
Here it was less than night and less than day, So that my sight went little forward but
;

10

I
It

heard a horn give forth a blast so had made feeble any thunder-clap

loud,
13
its

Which turned my eyes, that followed back Upon itself, entirely to one place.

course

'

'

INFERNO, XXXI
After the dolorous rout, when Charlemagne

127
16

Had

lost the

consecrated multitude,
19

Roland gave not so terrible a blast. Not long had I my head turned thitherward When many lofty towers I seemed to see Whereat I: "Master, say, what city this?" And he to me "Because thou hastenest on Through darkness from too far away, it comes That the imagining that follows, errs.
:

22

Thou

wilt see plainly, if thou reachest there,

25

How much

the sense

is

cheated

when

far off
'

Give thyself therefore somewhat more the spur. Then tenderly he took me by the hand,

28

And

said

' : '

Before we further onward go,

less

So that the fact may seem

strange to thee,
3]

Know thou

that these not towers but giants are,

'

And, from the navel downward, all of them Are in the pit around about the bank.

As

in the dissipating mist, the look

34

Little

by little gives its shape again To that which the air-thickening vapor

hides,

So, piercing through the gross, dark air, as

we

37

Were drawing

ever nearer to the brink.

40

My
For
as

error fled away,

and my fear grew. upon the round, enclosing wall

Montereggione crowns itself with towers. So was the bank that winds about the pit Set with the towers of half the very forms Of giants horrible, whom Jove from heaven Is threatening still when he is thundering. And now I could discern of one the face, Shoulders and breast, and of the belly much. And both the arms that hung down by his sides.
Certainly Nature,

43

46

when

she left the art

49

'

' ;'

128

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Of creatures thus made, did exceeding well To take such executioners from Mars; And if she of the elephants and whales
Does not repent, whoever subtly looks Holds her in that more just and more discreet For where the instrument of mind is added Unto the evil will and to the power. The race can make against it no defence. His face appeared to me as long and large As is Saint Peter's cone at Rome; and such In their proportion were the other bones So that the bank, which from his middle down Was as an apron, showed so much of him

52

55

58

61

Above For
*
'

it fully,
ill

that three Frieslanders

Would make
I

boast to reach

up

to his hair.

64

could see thirty great palms of him

'

Downward from where one buckles on his cloak. Rafel mai amech zabi almi, Began thus crying out the savage mouth. To which no sweeter psalms were suitable. And toward him turned my Leader Foolish soul, Keep to thy horn, and with that vent thyself
*
:

67

'

70

When wrath or other passion touches thee. Seek at thy neck, and thou wilt find the cord That holds it tied, thou confused soul, And see it curving over thy great breast. Then said to me " Himself is his accuser This is that Nimrod, through whose evil thought One language only is not used on earth. Leave we him standing, speak we not in vain For such as every language is to him. Is his to others, which to none is known. Therefore we made our journey longer, now
' : '

73

76

79

82

Turned

to the left

and

at a cross-bow shot

' ' '

INFERNO, XXXI
"We found the next one, far more fierce and large. "Who could have been the master to gird him I can not say but he had his right arm Pinioned behind him, and in front his left, With such a chain as held him bound about From the neck downward and the uncovered part Within a five-fold turning had enwound. This haughty one once willed to make the trial Of his own power against the most high Jove, My Leader said, and from it has earned this. Ephialtes named, he made the mighty tests When giants made the gods afraid; the arms Which he used then, he nevermore shall move. And I to him " If it be possible,
; ' ' '
' '

129

85

88

^1

94

'

^7

would that of immense Briareus Whereat eyes might have experience. He answered: "Thou shalt see not far from here Antaeus, who unfettered speaks, and who Will put us at the bottom of all sin. Much further on is he whom thou wouldst see And he is bound, and formed like this one, save That in his countenance he seems more fierce. Never was earthquake yet so violent
I

My

'

'

100

103

'

106

To shake a tower

so mightily as then
109

Was Was
If I

Ephialtes, quick to shake himself.

I

Then feared

more than ever death, and naught

it

lacking to

save the fright alone,

112

We
*

had not beheld his twisted bonds. then proceeding further forward, came
to Antaeus,

Up
'

who

rose full five

ells.

Besides his head, above the rocky edge.

thou who in that valley big with

fate,

115

That made of Scipio an heir of glory. When Hannibal and those with him turned back,

;;

'

130

THE DIVINE COMEDY

US

Didst bring a thousand lions once, thy prey And who, if thou hadst been in that high war Thy brethren waged, it seems that men think still

That Earth 's sons would have been victorious

Set us below,

121

disdain not

so to do
124

There where Cocytus is locked up by cold. us not go to Tityus, nor Typhon This one can give of that which here is longed for Therefore stoop thou, and do not curl thy lip. He in the world can yet restore thy fame, For he doth live and still await long life. If ere that time Grace call him not to her. Thus said the Master, and that one in haste Stretched out the hands, whose grip once Hercules Felt mightily, and took my Leader up. "When Virgil felt himself thus seized, He said to me " Come hither that I may

Make

127

'

130

133

Seize thee

; '
'

then made one bundle of us both.

As seems

the Carisenda
its

Up by

sloping

when one looks side when a cloud moves

136

So over it, that it hangs counterwise Such seemed Antaeus to me as I stood Watching to see him stoop the moment such, I could have wished to go another road. But lightly in the depth which swallows up Judas with Lucifer he set us down
;

139

1*2

Nor made he there a tarrying, thus bent. But lifted himself up like mast in ship.

1*5

CANTO XXXII
Had
I

As would be

such verses harsh and hoarse of sound fitting for this dismal hole,
the other rocks all thrust their weight.

On which

'

;!

INFERNO, XXXII
would in greater fulness press the juice Of my conception but, as I have not. Not without fear I bring myself to speak For to describe of all the universe The bottom, is no task to take up lightly. Nor for a tongue that "Mamma!" and '^Papa!" But may those Ladies aid my verse, that gave Aid to Amphion in enclosing Thebes, So that the word and fact be not diverse. Rabble beyond all others miscreated, Now in the place, to speak of which is hard, It were better had ye here been sheep or goats When we were down in the dark pit, beneath The giant 's feet, and lower yet by far, I was still gazing at the lofty wall. When I heard said to me " Look to thy steps
I
; :

131
*

cries.

^^

13

16

1^

Go

so that thou tread not beneath thy soles

' '

The miserable, weary brothers heads. Whereat I turned, and saw in front of me
underneath my feet a lake which frozen semblance not of water but of glass. So thick a veil the Danube never made In winter for its course in Austria, Nor yet the Don beneath yon frigid sky, As there was here because if Tambernich, Or Pietrapana, down on it had fallen, It had not given a creak, even at the edge.

22

And Had

25

28

And

as the frog, that

it

may

croak, will stay

31

With muzzle out

of water,

when

of gleaning
34

The peasant- woman oftentimes will dream So up to where the hue of shame appears,
Livid, the woful shades were in the
ice.

Setting their teeth to give the note of storks.

Each held

his face

turned downward from the mouth

;

37

132

THE DIVINE COMEDY

cold,

The

Gives evidence

and from the eyes the saddened heart among them of itself.
*0

When

had looked about me for a while I turned me to my feet, and saw there two So close, the hair upon their heads was mixed. Say who ye are, said I, who hold your breasts And they bent their necks, So close together. And after they had raised their looks to me, Their eyes, which only inwardly before Were moist, gushed o'er the lids, and cold. Binding the tears between them, sealed them up. Never was plank so strongly bound to plank By clamp and thereupon, like two he-goats, They butted both, with anger overcome. And one of them, who by the cold had lost Both ears, with face still bending downward, said:
I
*
'
*

'

'

'

43

'

'

**

*9

52

* '

Why

dost thou gaze so fixedly at us ?

If thou desirest to

The valley

know who are these two, down which the Bisenzio flows
;

C6

once their father Albert 's and their own. They issued from one body thou mayst search Through all Caina and thou wilt not find A shade more worthy to be jellied fast Not he, of whom the breast and shadow both One self-same blow from Arthur 's hand broke through

Was

58

61

And

not Focaccia not this one, whose head

;

64 can not see beyond, Named Sassol Maseheroni. If thou art A Tuscan, well thou know'st now who he was. 67 And that thou put me not to further speech, Know I was Camicion de Pazzi I await Carlino's coming to make my excuse." 70 Later I saw a thousand faces, grown Dog-like through cold whence comes to me a shudder.

Obstructs

me

so, I

'

' '' '

:'

"

; ;' ;

INFERNO, XXXII
And will come evermore, at frozen pools. And as we went along toward the centre
To which
all

133

73

gravity collects, and I

''^

Was
If
it

shivering in the eternal cold.

will or destiny or
;

chance know not but, walking among the heads

was

I struck

my foot hard
cried to
:

in the face of one.

"Weeping

it

me " Why

dost thou kick

'

me ?

79

Unless thou com'st to make the vengeance more For Montaperti, why molest me, thou ? And I " My Master, now wait for me here,
:

82

I through this one may come out of doubt Then thou shalt make me hasten as thou wilt. The Leader stopped and I said to that one

That

'

S5

Who
' *

still

kept on with cursing in his rage

' '

* *

Of what sort thou, that chidest others thus ? Now who art thou, that goest, he replied, "Through Antenora, smiting others' cheeks.
'

88

So
' *

that,

were

I alive, it
if
* '

am alive, and Was my reply,

I
:

were too much ? thou wouldst have fame,

'

'

81

it

may be

dear to thee,
'

put thy name among my other notes. And he to me " The contrary I want
;

^
97

Take thyself off give me no more annoyance 111 knowest thou how to flatter in this swamp. Then at the nape I seized him by the hair,

And said

*
: '

It shall

be that thou

name

thyself,
'

Or that no hair remain upon thee here. Though thou tear out my hair, Whence he to me I will not tell thee who I am, nor show thee. Trample a thousand times upon my head." I had his hair now twisted in my hand
' : '

100

103

And had pulled

out more than one tuft for him.

Who

barked and kept his eyes held firmly down

'

'

; '

134

THE DIVINE COMEDY

cried another
:

Then

'

Bocea, what

ails

thee

106
noise,
'

Is it not

enough thy jaws should make a

I,

"Without thou bark ? what devil handles thee ?

"Now,"

said

"I wish not

that thou shouldst speak,

'

109

Accursed

traitor, for to

thy disgrace
wilt
112

I will give tidings of thee that are true.

" Go

off, " he answered, and tell what thou But be not silent about him who now
'

Had such a ready tongue, if thou go forth From here within. He is lamenting here
The Frenchmen 's silver. Thou canst say, I saw Him of Duera where sinners stand a-cold.' Shouldst thou be asked who else was there, thou hast
*

115

US

Him

of the Beccheria at thy side,

121

Is, I believe,

cut by Florence. Farther on Gianni de' Soldanier With Ganelon, and Tribaldello, who

Whose gorge was

We

Opened Faenza when its people slept." had already parted from that one When I saw two so frozen in one hole. One head was to the other as a hood

124

And

as one in his hunger bites his bread, So had the upper one set in his teeth There where the other 's brain joined with It was not otherwise that Tydeus gnawed

127

his nape.
130

At Menalippus' temples for despite. Than this one did the skull and other
*

parts.
133

thou that showest by so bestial token Hatred of him whom thou dost eat, said I, Tell me the wherefore, on condition such That if thou rightly do complain of him,
'
' ' ' '

136

knowing who ye are and what his sin. yet requite thee for it, up on earth, If that, with which I speak, be not dried up.
I,

May

'

139

INFERNO, XXXIII

135

CANTO XXXIII
Lifting his mouth up from his fell repast That sinner wiped it on the hair upon The head which he had at the back despoiled. Then he began Thou wilt that I renew Desperate grief, which weighs down on my heart At the mere thought now, ere I speak of it.
' '
:

But if my words shall be a seed to raise Infamy to the traitor that I gnaw, Thou shalt behold me speak and weep together. I know not who thou art, nor by what mode Down hither thou art come but Florentine Thou seemest verily, when I hear thee. I was Count Ugolino, thou shalt know,
;

10

18

This one the archbishop Ruggieri

now
16

Why I am

such a neighbor

I will tell thee.

That through the working of his evil thoughts I, who had put my trust in him was seized And later put to death, need not be said. But that which thou canst not have heard, that is, How cruel was my death, thou shalt hear now.

19

And know
From me

if

he has given

me

offence.

A narrow loop-hole in the mew, which has

its

22

name

of Hunger,
'

'

and in which
25

Hereafter others are to be shut up, Had shown me now athwart its opening

Moon after moon, when I had the bad dream "Which of the future rent for me' the veil. This one appeared to me master and lord,
Chasing the wolf and whelps upon the mountain Concealing Lucca from the Pisans' sight. With lean hounds, that were eager and well trained,

28

31

'

; ':

136

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Gualandi with Sismondi and, besides, Lanfranchi he had put in front of him. After short course the father and his sons Seemed to me weary, and it seemed to me As though I saw the sharp fangs slit their flanks. "When I before the morrow was awake, I could hear how my sons who were with me.

84

37

Were moaning
To think of

in their sleep, asking for bread.

if

Cruel indeed art thou,

now thou

grieve not

40

the forebodings of

my

heart
43

What dost thou weep at if thou weep not now ? They were awake, and now the time drew near When commonly the food was brought to us, And each was in suspense about his dream

And
I

then the horrible tower's door below heard nailed up whereat without a word
;

**

I looked into the faces of I

my

sons.

wept
'

not, so to stone I

turned within

49

They wept, and my poor little Anselm said Thou gazest so father, what aileth thee ? But I shed not a tear, nor answered I Through all that day, nor the night after it, Until the next sun came forth on the world. When now a little beam had made its way Into the woful prison and I caught
;

62

55

My

very aspect in four

faces,

then
58

Both of my hands for grief I bit, and they, Thinking that I had done it through desire Of eating, suddenly rose up, and said

much less will be our pain, if thou Wilt eat of us it is thou didst clothe us with This wretched flesh, and do thou strip it off. I calmed me then not to make them more sad, And that day and the next we all stayed dumb.
'Father,
;

'

'

INFERNO, XXXIII
Ah, why didst thou not open, thou hard earth ? after we had come to the fourth day At my feet Gaddo threw himself stretched out, Saying My father, why dost thou not help me ? He died there and as thou seest me, I saw The three fall one by one between the fifth And sixth days whereupon I set myself, Already blind, to groping over each, And two days called them, after they were dead Then fasting was more powerful than grief. When he had said this, with his eyes awry He seized the wretched skull again with teeth That were upon the bone strong as a dog's. Ah, Pisa, thou dishonor of the peoples Of the fair country where the si doth sound. Since those near by are slow to punish thee, Let both Caprara and Gorgona move And make a hedge for Arno at its mouth So that it drown all living souls in thee. For though Count Ugolino had the name Of traitor to thee in thy fortresses. Thou shouldest not have put to such a cross His sons for their young age made Uguccione And II Brigata innocent, thou Thebes Today, and those two whom my song has named. We passed now further on to where the ice Ruggedly wraps another people in. Not downward bent, but wholly backward thrown. The very weeping hinders weeping there The grief, which finds obstruction in their eyes. Turns inward to increase their suffering Because the tears first flowing form a mass

137

And

67

'

70

73

'

76

79

82

85

88

^l

94

97

And

like to crystal vizors

all

they

fill

up

Beneath the eyebrows

the cavity.

'

"

'

' '

'

138

THE DIVINE COMEDY

all feeling

Although

now

because of cold
features to abide,

100

Had
As

ceased within

my
;

it seemed to me wind whereat I said That I felt now a "My Master, who is causing this to move? For is not here below all vapor quenched ?

in a callous place,

1<^

'

He

thereupon to me Be where thine eye shall answer this for thee,

:

" Anon shalt thou

106

Beholding that which makes the blast rain down. And one among the wretched cried to us

'

10

From
Remove

that cold crust

last station

' : '

ye so cruel souls
112

That the
for

has been given you,

That I Somewhat, before the weeping freeze again.

me the hard veils from my face, may vent the grief that swells my heart.
' * * :

Whence I to him Say who thou art

:

If thou wilt that I aid thee,

;

115

if I relieve

thee not,
'

May I go to the bottom of the ice. He answered then " I am Fra Alberigo He of the fruits am I, of that bad garden, And am here getting back dates for my figs. " Oh " said I to him, art already dead ? And he to me " How, in the world above,
!

118

'

'

'

121

My body fares,

have no knowledge here.

124

This Ptolomea has such privilege,

That oftentimes the soul will fall down hither Ere Atropos has given it a thrust. And that thou mayst more willingly remove The glassy tears from off my face, know thou That from the moment that the soul betrays

127

As I did, does a demon seize upon Her body, and thereafter governs
Until
its

130
it

time completely be revolved.

to the cistern fashioned thus
133

She plunges

'

'

'

'

INFERNO, XXXIV
Perhaps the body
still

139

appears above
^36

'

'

Of this shade here, behind me wintering. Thou must know him, if thou cam 'st down just now He is Ser Branca d Oria many years Have passed away since he was thus shut up." Thou art deceiving me, I think, said I, "For Branca d' Oria is by no means dead. But eats and drinks and sleeps and puts on clothes. The ditch of Malebranche up above,
: '

'

'

'

139

'

'

'

142

Said

he,

'
'

there where doth boil the sticky pitch,

Had

Michel Zanche not yet reached, before

left

This one had

a devil in his stead

;

145

In his own body in his kinsman 's, too, "Who did the treachery along with him. But stretch thy hand now hither open thou My eyes and I for him opened them not,
; ; ' '

148

And to be rude to him was courtesy. Ah, Genoese, ye men estranged from all Right living, and of all corruption full. Why are ye not scattered from off the earth ? For with Romagna's basest spirit I Found such an one of you as for his deeds Already in Cocytus bathes his soul, And seems a living body still above.

151

154

157

CANTO XXXIV
"Vexilla regis prodeunt inferni Toward us therefore see in front of them,
;

'

My

Master

said,

' '

if

thou discernest him.

'

As when thick fog is breathing, or as when Our hemisphere is passing into night,
Appears far
off

a mill which the wind turns

140

THE DIVINE COMEDY

7

wind, Because there was no other shelter there. I was now where ^with fear I give it rhythm The shades are wholly covered up, and like A straw in glass, shone through and some of them Are lying down, and others stand up straight One on his head, another on his soles One like a bow, his face bends to his feet.

E 'en such a structure I appeared to see, And shrank behind my Leader, for the

10

18

When we had made

our way so far ahead, That it now pleased my Master to show me The one created with so fair a form. He from before me took himself, and made Me stop, saying " Lo Dis, and lo the place
:

18

Where thou must arm

thyself with fortitude."

22

How

became then frozen and grew hoarse,

not, reader, for I write it not.

Ask me
I died not,

Because but little were all use of words. nor did I remain alive Think for thyself now, if thou hast a grain Of wit, what I became, deprived of both. He, of the realm of woe the emperor, Stood from the middle of his breast above The ice; and better with a giant I Compare, than do the giants with his arms; See now of how great size that whole must be, That with a part so fashioned is conformed.
If he

25

28

81

was beautiful

as he is foul
lift his

3*

And
Oh,

did against his Maker

brows,
87

It well befits that all grief

come from him.

how great seemed the marvel to me when Upon his head three faces I beheld One was in front, and that was crimson-hued,
others,

The

two that were adjoined

to this

40

;;

;;

INFERNO, XXXIV
Above the very middle of each shoulder And at the place where was the crest they met 'Twixt white and yellow was the right the left Was such to look upon as theirs who come From whence the Nile descends. Beneath each one
;

141

43

There were put forth two mighty wings of size Such as was fitting for so great a bird Sails on the sea I never saw so large. They had no feathers, but their fashion was Like to a bat 's and he was flapping them So that three winds were moving out from him. Thereby Cocytus wholly turned to ice. With six eyes wept he over his three chins Trickled the bloody drivel and the tears. In each mouth he was mangling with his teeth A sinner, as a heckle would have done, So that he thus made woful three of them. For to the one in front the biting was
;
;

46

48

62

55

68

Naught to the clawing, for at times his back Remained with all the skin stripped off from it. "That soul up there with greatest punishment," The Master said, Judas Iscariot is
'
'

61

Of

His head within, outside he plies his legs. the two others who have their heads down, Brutus is he who hangs from that black mouth See how he writhes and utters not a word Cassius the other, who seems so large of limb.

64

67

But night again is rising, and we now Must needs depart, for we have seen the whole." As he desired, I clasped him round the neck, And then he seized the fitting time and place. And when the wings were opened wide enough, He caught hold fast upon the shaggy sides From shag to shag down he descended then

70

73

'

' ;

142

THE DIVINE COMEDY

76

When we had reached the place

Between the thick hair and the frozen crusts. where turns the thigh Exactly on the thickness of the haunch, The Leader, laboring and breathing hard, Turned his head there where he had had his legs,

79

grappled to the hair as one who mounts, So that I thought us turning back to hell. Keep thou good hold, because by stairs made thus, The Master said, panting like one fatigued, From so great evil we must needs depart. Then issuing through the opening of a rock, He put me on the edge of it to sit Afterwards stretched his wary step toward me. I raised my eyes and thought that I should see Lucifer 's form as I had left it placed, But saw him with his legs held upward now And if I then became perplexed in mind,
*
'

And

' '

82

'

'

'

86

88

^1

Those who are gross

may

think,

who do not
feet

see

What was
* *

the point that I had passed beyond.

'
'

Rise up,

'
'

the Master said,

upon thy

^4

The way is long, the road is difficult Already to mid-tierce the sun returns. It was not of a palace the great hall There where we were, rather a prison-house Of nature, both ill-paved and lacking light. "Before I tear myself from the abyss,
'

87

IW)

My Master,
* *

' '

said

I,

when once

risen up,
103

Where

To draw me out of error, speak a little. is the ice, and how is this one fixed Thus upside down ? and how in so short time. Has the sun transit made from eve to mom ? And he to me " Thou still imaginest Thyself beyond the centre where I seized The hair of the fell Worm, piercing the world.
'
:

IW

INFERNO, XXXIV
On that side wast thou when I made And when I turned me thou didst
descent

143
109

pass the point

112

To which are drawn from every side the weights Now thou art come beneath the hemisphere Opposite that by which the great dry land Is covered, and beneath whose weight consumed "Was He, whose birth and life were without sin. Thou hast thy feet upon a little sphere, Here forming the Judecca's other face. Here it is morning when it is evening yonder This one, who made our ladder of his hair, Is still fixed, even as he was before. On this side fell he down from out of heaven, And earth, before spread out upon this side, For fear of him made of the sea a veil, And came to our hemisphere and to escape Perchance from him, what on this side appears Left here the vacant place, and rushed up back."
;

US

H^

121

12*

A place is there below,

distant as far

127

As from Beelzebub his tomb extends. Which not by sight but by the sound

is

known
130

Of a small stream, that here descends along The hollow of a rock which it has worn
"With flowing

down

its

winding, gentle slope.

1^3

That hidden way the Leader and myself Entered upon, to the bright world returning; And with no care of having any rest We mounted, he first and I second, up So far that I through a round opening Beheld the things of beauty heaven bears Thence we came forth again to see the stars.

136

139

PURGATORIO

PURGATORIO
CANTO
To run
The She
o 'er better waters
vessel of
I

now

hoists sail

little

my

genius as
*

leaves behind her such a cruel sea

And

of that second realm I sing wherein

spirit purifies itself
to ascend to heaven.

The human

And
But

so

grows worthy

grant,

holy Muses, whose

am

I,

That here dead poesy may

rise

again
10

Arise,

Calliope somewhat and join unto my song that note The stroke of which the wretched Picae felt And knew there was no pardon evermore. Sweet color, like an orient sapphire's, now

And here may too

13

Was gathering within the sky, serene From the clear zenith to the primal round, And brought again delight unto my eyes
As soon as I came forth from that dead air, Which had been grievous both to eyes and breast

16

And the fair planet which incites Was making all the eastern sky
Toward the right hand turning The other pole, and saw four
I

to love

19

to laugh.

Veiling the Fishes that were in her train.

observed

22

stars that yet

Were never seen but by the primal race. The heavens seemed rejoicing in their flames.

25

148

THE DIVINE COMEDY

region of the north, widowed art thou,
of sight of these
28

For thou hast been deprived

When I from gazing at them had withdrawn And turned a little to the other pole,
Where now the Wain was no more to be seen, saw near by me an old man, alone, In aspect worthy of such reverence, That more was ne 'er due sire from a son. Long was his beard and mingled with white hair, In manner like unto his locks, of which A double list fell downward on his breast. The rays of these four holy lights adorned His countenance with such a glow, it seemed That I looked on as 'twere a sun before me. "Pray, who are ye, that up the hidden stream Have made escape from the eternal prison?" Said he, and moved those honorable plumes. Who was your guide ? Who was your lantern hence, As ye came forth from out that night profound,
I
'
'

31

34

87

*0

43

Which

leaves the infernal valley ever black ?

Are then the laws of Hell so broken, or Is there in Heaven some new counsel taken, Whereby ye damned come hither to my rocks ?

48

*
'

And

then

my

Leader, taking hold of me,

**

With words and with his hand and tokening Made reverential both my brow and knee. Then answered he "I came not of myself A Lady came from Heaven, at whose bidding
:

52

aided this one with

since thy will
is

my

company.
55

But

that our true estate

Shall now be more unfolded to thy ken, Mine can not be that thou shouldst be denied.

This

man

has not yet seen his last day

his folly

close,

58

But by

was

so near to it

':

PUEGATORIO,
That very
little

149

time there was to turn.

81

As I have told thee, I was sent to him To rescue him, nor was there other way Than this upon which I have set myself. The wicked I have shown him, and I now Would show those spirits that do undergo
Their purifying in thy guardianship.

64

How I have lead him would be long to tell Know from above comes down the helpful

67

power That guides him hither to thy sight and voice. So may his coming please thee, for he lives In search of liberty, which is so dear, As he well knows who spurns his life for it. Thou know'st, to whom death for it was not bitter In Utica where thou didst leave that robe, Which on the Great Day shall be found so bright.

70

73

The

everlasting edicts

we break not

76

He is alive, and Minos binds not me I am a dweller in that circle where

Are Marcia's chaste That thou, holy For her love then
eyes,

whose look

still

prays

79

breast, wilt keep her thine.

incline thyself to us.

82

Grant us to journey through thy seven realms I will report thy grace to her, if thou Still deignest to be mentioned there below. "While I was yonder," he made answer, *'so Was Marcia pleasant in my eyes, that all The favor that she wished I did for her. But as she dwells beyond the evil stream, She cannot move me longer, by that law
'

85

88

Made when
There
is

I issued thence.

But
;

if

of

Heaven
91

A Lady moves and

governs thee, thou say'st,

no need of soft words let it be Enough that thou for her requirest me.

'; ;

'

150

THE DIVINE COMEDY

94

Go then, and see that thou do gird this one With a smooth rush, and that thou wash his So that all stain be wiped away from it
For
it

face
97

'ertaken

were not becoming that the eye, by a cloud, should go before

first

The
This

of

them that serve

in Paradise.
100

little

island at the very base,

yonder where the waters beat on it. Has rushes growing from the yielding ooze. No other plant that should put forth a leaf Or should grow hard could there maintain its
If
it

Down

103
life,

bent not before the beating waves.

lo,

And

afterwards return not hither;

is rising,

106

* *

show you where gentler slope shall lead you up the Mount. A Therewith he disappeared and I arose, And saying naught drew very close to him, My Leader, and to him raised up my eyes. My son, " so he began, follow my steps Here turn we backward, for on this side slopes
will
'
;
'

The sun

and

109

'

112

This plain to

its

low-lying boundaries.

'

The dawn was conquering the morning hour

In flight before it now, so that afar 1 could discern the tremor of the sea. "We went along the lonely plain like one

US

118
lost.

Who

turns to find the path that he had

And till he finds it seems to walk in vain. When we had reached a place where still the dew
Strives with the sun, but for
still

121

being in
124

A place of shade
Then both

is

slow to disappear.

his hands my Master gently spread put them down upon the tender grass; I, who was aware of his intent, Held forth toward him my cheeks all stained with

And And

tears. 127


PURGATORIO,
Then he brought
II

151

back, uncovered wholly now, That color of my face which Hell had hidden. We came at last upon the desert shore,

130

Which never

yet had seen

its

waters sailed
133

By

craft of

man who

afterwards returned.

There he so girded me as pleased the other marvel for no sooner had he culled The lowly plant, than suddenly there sprang Another like it whence it had been plucked.
!

136

CANTO

II

The sun had now to this horizon mounted, Whose noonday circle at its highest point
Sweeps through the zenith of Jerusalem

And night which circles opposite to him Was issuing from the Ganges with the Scales
Which fall from her hands grasp when she exceeds So that the beautiful Aurora's cheeks, Where I was then, began to change from white And red to orange from oncoming age. We still were there beside the sea, like those Who think about the road and with the heart Go forward while the body tarries still. When lo as, at the coming of the day, Through the thick vapors Mars glows red afar Within the west above the ocean floor. Appeared, and may I see it yet again A light that came so swiftly o'er the sea That like its motion there was never flight And when I had withdrawn my gaze from it
'
!

10

13

16

1^

A little
My

only to interrogate
it

Leader,

had

brighter, larger grown.

'

: ;

152

THE DIVINE COMEDY

appeared to me something white, I knew not what; beneath
side of
it

Then on each

22

A
My

* *

slowly forth another whiteness still. 26 Master uttered not a word until The first white gleams appeared the wings they were Then, when he clearly knew the pilot, called 28 Bend thou thy knees, bend thou thy knees it is God 's Angel Fold thy hands Henceforth thou seest
! ! !

Came

Such doers of the holy

See

offices

how he

scorns the instruments of men,

31

And
See

will not use

Than his how he holds them pointed up

an oar, or other sail own wings between such distant shores

to heaven,

34

Beating the air with his eternal feathers.

That are not moulted as upon the earth Then as he near and nearer drew to us, The winged one of God appeared more bright, So that my eyes no longer bore the sight, But were perforce bent down. He came to shore
! '

87

*0

With vessel of such swiftness and so light The waters had not swallowed it at all

And

at the stern the heavenly Pilot stood

*3

Like one whose blessedness is writ in heaven While more than five score spirits sat within. In exitu Israel de Egypto They were together singing with one voice With all that more is written in that psalm And then he made the sign of Holy Cross, Whereat they cast themselves upon the strand, And he, as he had come, was swift to go. The huddling throng remaining in that place Seemed very strange to it, and gazed around Like one who makes essay of novel things. The sun was darting now on every side

**

49

52

55

';

'

PURGATORIO,
The arrows of the day, and with

II

153

their

glow
height,
58

Had chased the Goat from the mid-heaven's When the new people lifted up their brows
To us, and said Show us the way
:

know, to follow to the Mount. And Virgil answered them Perchance ye think That we have had experience of this place But we are pilgrims, even as yourselves. We came but now, a little ere ye came, Another way that was so rough and hard That climbing hence will be but play to us. The souls that had become aware of me Because I breathed and so was living still
* *

If

it

so be ye
'

'

'

61

64

'

67

Grew pallid at the miracle and then, As to a messenger with olive-branch

;

70

Men And
So on

press on earth to hear the news he brings

are not loath to tread on those before,

my

countenance those happy souls

all forgot.

73

Were

there with gaze affixed, each one, as if

76

This journey to grow fair were

Among them

saw one press forward so As if for love to throw his arms about me, That I was moved to do the like to him. O shades how empty, save in show Three times I clasped my hands behind it, and three times I drew them empty to my breast again. My color showed my wonder, I believe, Because the shade then smiled as it drew back
I
! !

79

82

And
Gently

I
it

pressed on, as

if to

follow

it.

bade

me

pause, and so I
;

it was and I That he would stay a while and speak with me. He answered me " As in my mortal frame I loved you, still I love you, freed from it.
:

Whose form

knew besought him then

85

88

'

' ' ;

154

THE DIVINE COMEDY

81

Therefore I stay; but thou, why journeyest thou?" "This journey, my Casella, I have made That I may yet another time return, I said; "but who has robbed thee of thy time?'* And he to me No one has done me wrong, Though he who takes both whom and when he will
' * *
:

9*

Has many times denied me passage

hither
87

For of a just will is his own composed. For three months now in truth he has brought o 'er With perfect peace whoever willed to come. So I, who had at that time turned my way To that sea shore where Tiber's flood grows salt, Benignantly by him was gathered in. To reach that mouth his wing is now intent,
Because collecting ever there are they Whose downward way leads not to Acheron. And I "If some new law deprives thee not
:

100

103

*
'

106

Of memory and thy voicing of love 's song Which once would quiet in me all desires, Be pleased to let it solace yet once more
which leaving not its outward form. Has hither come in such great weariness. Love, which discourses in my mind with me,
'

109

My soul,

112

Began he then to sing so sweetly, that The sweetness of it ever in me sounds. My Master and myself and all that were About him there seemed so content, as if Naught else were in the mind of anyone.

115

We were all standing fixedly

Upon
his notes,

intent

118

when

lo

the grave old

man
121

Crying:

"Ye

laggard

spirits,

what

is

this?

What negligence ? What standing still is this ? Run to the Mount to strip you of the slough.
Which
lets

not

God be manifest

to

you

! '

PURGATORIO,
As when

III

155
124

the doves are feeding in a flock

And, picking up the grain or tares, are still And make no showing of their wonted pride, If anything appear and cause them fright, They suddenly abandon all their food Because they are assailed by greater care So did I see this troop, but newly come, Leaving the song, and going toward the slope As one who goes, nor knows where leads his way Nor was our leaving slower than was theirs.

127

130

133

CANTO
Although
the sudden flight

III

had scattered

so

These souls about the plain, and turned again Toward the Mount, where reason is our spur, I drew the nearer to my true companion And how should I have sped without him, or Who would have led me upward o 'er the Mount ? He seemed to me remorseful for himself;
noble conscience, void of
all offence,

How

bitter is the sting of little faults

10

And when

his feet no longer moved in haste That robs of dignity all acts, my mind Which was restrained before, was now set free
its

To follow
1 set

intent with eagerness

hill.

13

my

face to go toward the

Which
The

rises highest

sunlight, flaming

heavenward from the ruddy at my back,

sea.

16

broken now before me in the shape. In which I caused the stopping of the rays. turned me to one side with fear lest I Had been abandoned, when I saw the earth

Was

19

'

; '

156

THE DIVINE COMEDY

22

Was darkened there before myself alone: And he, my comfort, turning wholly round,
Began Why dost thou Not trust that I am with
'

'

still

distrust

dost thou
25

thee,

and thy guide ?

lies

It is

already evening there where

The body buried in which I cast a shadow For Naples holds it, from Brundusium brought. And if no shadow falls before me now, Wonder no more at it than at the heavens, Whose rays are not impeded each by each. To suffer torments both of heat and cold Bodies like these are by that Power ordained, Which wills not that its ways be known to us

28

81

And mad

is

he who hopes our reason

infinity

may
takes.

34

E 'er

follow after through

The paths One Substance in Three Persons Be then content, mankind, with So it is For if ye had been able to see all.
;
'

37

And ye

There were no need that Mary should give birth have seen how fruitlessly they longed That this desire might be gratified. Which has become to them eternal grief. speak of Aristotle and of Plato

*0

43

And many

more.

' '

And then

he ceased to speak,
46

Remaining troubled, with his head bowed down. We had attained meanwhile the mountain 's base But there we found the cliff so steep to scale That all in vain the legs would there be nimble. 'Twixt Lerici and where Turbia lies, The most deserted, lonely path is as An easy, open stairway unto this. "Now who knows on which hand the side slopes down," Then said my Master, as he stayed his steps, So that one may ascend, though he lack wings ?
' *

49

52

'

;'

'

'

PURGATORIO,

III

157
65

And while he was still there with eyes cast down And pondering the way within his mind, And I was looking up about the rocks, On the left hand appeared to me a throng
Of souls that moved Seemed not to move,
' '

58

their feet
so slowly

toward us, and yet were they coming.

61

Master,

' '

I said,

On

this side

up thine eyes and see some one who may give us counsel.
'

'

lift

If thou canst not

now

find

it

of thyself.

'

He
'
'

looked at them, and with glad mien replied

^
'

They come

so slowly, let us go to them.

And may

thy hope be strengthened,

my sweet son.

While yet that people was as far away, (After we took, I mean, some thousand steps) As could be reached by a good slinger 's throw, They all were pressing nearer to the mass Of that hard, lofty cliff, so close and still As one who walks in doubt, and stops to look. O ye, whose end was good, Virgil began, Spirits elect, now tell us by that peace,
* *
' '

^7

70

73

'

"Which

I believe awaits

each one of you.

76

Where

is it

that the mountain falls away,

'

So that the going up is possible ? For who knows most dislikes most to lose time. As sheep that come forth from the fold by ones, By twos, by threes, while all the others stand, Timidly holding eye and nose to earth. And what the first one does the others do, Huddling so close to her, if she but stop. Silly and quiet, and they know not why So saw I move, as if to come to us, The head of that blest flock, in countenance Modest of mien, in motion dignified. When those who were in front saw that the light

79

82

85

^8

158

THE DIVINE COMEDY

my right side
91

"Was broken on the ground at

So that my shadow fell toward the rock, They stopped and drew themselves a little back And all the others that came after them, Not knowing why, yet did the same as they. "Before your question, I make known to you This is a human body that ye see, By which the sun 's light on the ground is cleft. I pray you, marvel not believe that not Without a power that comes down from heaven He now is seeking to surmount this wall." So spoke my Master and that worthy band
; ;

87

100

Replied:

"Turn

then; before us enter in,"

'

[signs.

And with the backs of hands stretched forth made 103 And one of them began Whoe 'er thou art, Do thou, who goest onward, turn thy face.
:
'

I turned,

To note if thou didst ever see me yonder." and looked upon him fixedly Fair-haired he was, and fair to look upon. But for one eyebrow that a blow had cleft.
I

IM

When
And

That

with due humility disclaimed had ever seen him, "Look," said he, pointed to a wound above his breast.
I
:

109

Then he said smiling " I am Manfred, son Of Empress Constance son wherefore, I pray, Whenever thou returnest to the world, Go thou to my fair daughter, who brought forth The glory of Sicily and Aragon, Tell her the truth, despite what others say. After my body was twice broken in
'
;

112

115

118

By

deadly thrusts,

gave myself in tears

us.

Unto that One who gladly pardons

My

sins

Is

were horrible, but infinite Goodness, whose great arms outstretched receive

121

PURGATORIO, IV
Each one
If he

159

of those

who turn

to it again.
124

me down, The Pastor of Cosenza, had but known How to read then the page of God aright,
sent to hunt

whom Clement

My

body's bones would

still

be lying there

127

Near by the head of Benevento 's bridge, Within the keeping of the heavy cairn. Now the rain bathes and the wind drives them forth From out the realm hard by the Verde 's banks, Whither he had them borne with tapers quenched. But by their curse a man is not so lost That love eternal cannot come again. If only hope have still the slightest green. In truth whoe 'er in contumacy dies Of Holy Church, though he at last repent. Must stay outside these bounds full thirty-fold The measure of the time which he had passed In his presumption, if good prayers work not The shortening of this decreed delay.
See

130

133

136

139

how

hereafter thou canst

make me happy,

142

to my good Constance both reveal thou hast seen me, and too this decree Great is the help that comes through those on earth.

Wouldst thou

How

' '

1*5

CANTO IV
Whenever through delights or pains received By some one faculty of ours the soul
Collects itself for that one thoroughly,
It

seems to give no heed to other power

And
One

this,

against that error which believes

soul above another burns in us.

And therefore, when

a thing

is

heard or seen.

'

' '

160

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the soul turned to
it

Which keeps

mightily,
10

Time passes, and the soul has paid no heed. One power is it, that is listening,
Another, that which keeps the soul entire The latter, as it were, fast bound, the former
loose.

Of

that I had a true experience,

13

Hearing that spirit 's For fifty full degrees the sun had climbed And I had not become aware of it, When we had come to where those souls cried out Behold here what ye asked. As with one voice The countryman, when grapes are turning brown, With but a little forkful of his thorns Will often cram a larger opening Than was the gap, through which we mounted up, My Leader and I after him, alone. When once the troop had taken leave of us. San Leo can be reached, and one goes down To Noli, or yet scales Bismantova
* * :

words, and marveling.

1^

'

19

22

25

With only feet, but here one needs to fly. mean with the swift wings and with the feathers Of great desire behind that leadership. Which gave me hope, and made a light for me.
the rocky cleft

28

We were still climbing through

With on each

31

side a wall that

hemmed

us

in,

And ground beneath that called for feet and hands, And had already reached the topmost edge
Of
'

34

this

high bank out on the open slope

' '

'

My Master,
he to
:

said

I,

'

what way

And

me " No

step of thine

we take ? be downward
shall
us.
'

'

37

But up the Mount behind me win thy way.

some wise escort shall appear to The lofty summit was above our sight,
Till

40

And

here the mountain's flank rose steeper far

'

PURGATORIO, IV
Weary was
''0

161
line.

Than from a centre the mid-quadrant I when I began to say:

! '

43

my sweet Father, turn thee and regard How I remain alone, if thou stay not
46

**My son," he answered, "draw thyself up here," And pointed out a little higher up

A ledge, that here encircled all the

hill.

The words he uttered then so spurred me on To force myself, that creeping after him I had this girdle underneath my feet. And there we stopped, and both of us sat down, Turned to the east, whence we had made the ascent For looking back is wont to give us cheer.

49

52

And

first I

turned

my

eyes to the low shores

55

Then

raised

them

to the sun,

That we were struck by it The Poet noted well how I stood there

and wondered much upon the left.

58

Astonished at the chariot of the sun, Passing its way between us and the north.

Wherefore he said " If with the mirror yonder, Which sends its light upward and downward both, Castor and Pollux were in company, Then thou wouldst see the ruddy Zodiac
:

61

64

Revolving closer to the Bears, unless It had departed from its ancient path.
If thou wouldst fain conceive

how

this

must

be,

67

With thoughts
So with
this

collected picture Zion placed

70

mountain on the earth, that both Have one horizon, and their hemispheres Diverse, so that the road which Phaethon To his destruction knew not how to drive. Must needs pass by the mountain on one side, And that one on the other, thou shalt find, If so thy intellect is clear and heeds."

73

'

162
**

THE DIVINE COMEDY

^^
' '

my Master, never yet," Said I, have I discerned so well as now. There where my power of mind seemed fallen short, That the mid-circle of the heavenly motion,
Assuredly,
Called the Equator in a certain science

79

And
Is,

ever biding 'twixt the sun and winter, thou reasonest, as far from here as Towards the north, as were the Hebrews wont

82

To see it in the region of the heat. But if it please thee, I would gladly learn How far we have to go, because the hill

85

And

still higher than my eyes can reach." he replied to me " Such is this Mount, That it is ever hard to climb below. And pains the less, the higher one ascends. Therefore, as soon as it shall seem to thee

Rises

88

^l

So pleasant, that

it is

as slight a task
9*

To scale it, as the floating down a stream, Then shalt thou be at this path 's end and there
;

Expect

to find repose for weariness.

'

No more I answer this I know for true. And when he had ceased speaking, lo, a voice Near by us sounded: "It may be that thou,
;

97

To sit thee down beforehand, shalt have need." At sound of it we each of us turned round, And saw upon the left a massive stone. Which neither he nor I perceived before. And when we went to it, persons were there
Reposing in the shade behind the rock, As one will indolently settle down. And one of them, who seemed so weary there, Was seated on the ground, and clasped his knees, Holding his face between them buried low.

100

103

106

"0

sweet

my

lord," said

I,

"now

cast thine eye

109

'

'

'

'' ;

PURGATORIO, IV
On him who shows himself more indolent Than if Sloth were his very sister born. Then turned he to us, and as he gave heed, Moving his look only along his thigh.
'

163

112

He said
I

* : '

Now

go thou up, for thou art valiant.

;

'

knew then who he was and weariness, Which still was quickening somewhat my breath, Prevented not my going up to him. And when I reached him, scarcely raised he up
His head, saying
' : '

115

US

Hast truly seen the sun

121

At thy
First

left

shoulder drive his chariot?"

His lazy acts and the few words he used

moved

my
I
;

lips

somewhat
tell

to smile,

and

then,
124

"Belacqua, "

began, "henceforth I grieve

For thee no more but

;

me why thou

art
'

Seated just here awaitest thou a guide. Or hast thou but resumed thy wonted ways ?
:

And he " Brother, of what good to go up ? The Winged One of God beside the gate Would not let me go on to torments then. Outside of it the heavens first must turn About me as long time as was my life, Because I sighed not well till the end of it. If prayers come not beforehand to my aid, Sprung from a heart that still survives in grace What profits other prayer, unheard in heaven ? Already was the Poet mounting up
Before me, saying Come for now thou seest The sun meridian high; and from the bank
' *
: !

127

130

133

'

136

Upon Morocco

falls the foot of night.

'

139

'

164

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO V

HAD already parted from

those shades

And followed in the

Behind me
:

footsteps of

my guide,
*

"When, pointing with his finger, one cried out

" See, the

light seems not to shine

Upon

the left of that one lower down,

'

And he appears to act as if alive. On hearing these words said I turned my eyes, And saw them looking, wondering, at me,
At me
*
'

alone,

and
'

at the broken light.

'

Why is thy spirit so entangled, said My Master, that thou slackenest thy pace ?
'
'

10

Or how concerns thee what is whispered here ? Follow thou me, and let the people talk;
Stand like a tower firm, that never shakes summit at the blowing of the winds. For he e'er moves his mark still further off, Within whom thought is springing after thought, Because the one makes less the other's power." What could I say in answer but I come " ?
Its
'
'

18

1^

18

And

so I said, with face of such a

hue
22

As sometimes makes one merit pardoning. Meanwhile across the mountain side there came
People in front of us a little space, Chanting the Miserere verse by verse. When they perceived my body gave no place

25

To passing of
Into an
*
'

the rays, they changed their song

'

And two

both long drawn out and hoarse. them in form of messengers Ran forth to meet us, and then asked of us
Oh,
'

of

28

"Make "Ye may

us acquainted, pray, with your condition."

go back,"

my Master

said to them,

31

'; ' ;

' '

'

PURGATORIO, V
*

165

'And thus report

this

to those
is

who bade you come,

34

That
If, as I

man's body

of very flesh.

deem, they stopped because they saw His shadow, they are answered let them pay Him honor, and he may be dear to them.
; '

Enkindled vapors

have never seen

37

when the sun goes down, That they returned not upward in less time And, joined by the others there, wheeled round Like a troop running forward without check.
clouds in August
* *

At Or

early night so swift to cleave the sky,

*0
to us

This folk, that presses to us now,

is large,

*3

And come
' '

to

beg thine

aid,

'

'

the poet said

'

*
'

go on, and listen as thou goest. soul, that art upon thy way to joy With members that thou hadst when thou wast born,

But

still

^
'

stay thy steps a while. on, crying, thou ever sawest one of us, So that thou mayst take yonder news of him. Oh, why dost thou go on ? Oh, why not stay ? We all had met our death by violence, And till the latest hour were in our sins
* *

They came
if

Look,

*^

52

Then

light

That, penitent and pardoning,

from heaven shone upon us we came

;

so,

55

Forth from that life at peace with God so that He fills our hearts with longing for His sight. ''Although I gaze upon your faces, none said I " but if I may I recognize, Please you in aught I can, spirits well-born, Then speak, and I will do it by that peace, Which, following the steps of such a guide Makes me go searching it from world to world. And one began Each one of us has trust In thy good offices without thine oath,
'
' ' ;

68

^1

'

'

'

64

'

' '

166
If lack of
I,

THE DIVINE COMEDY

67

power cut not off the will. speak alone before the rest, So who "Would pray thee, if thou e 'er shalt see the land
That 'twixt Romagna lies and that of Charles, That thou in Fano courteously beseech That their good prayers be offered up for me, That I may purge away my heavy sins. There I was born but the deep wounds from which Came forth the blood, in which I had my seat.
;

70

73

Were dealt me embosomed with the Antenors, Amidst whom I believed myself more sure. That one of Este had it done, who raged Against me far beyond what justice willed. If only toward La Mira, when I was Surprised at Oriaco, I had fled, I should be yonder still with those who breathe. I ran to the marshes, and the reeds and mire So hindered me, I fell and then I saw A pool made from my veins upon the ground. Then said another " As I pray thou mayst Have that desire which draws thee to the Mount,
;

76

79

82

'

85

Do thou
I

with kindly pity aid in mine.

88

was of Montefeltro, am Buonconte Nor Joan, nor any other, cares for me
Therefore I go with these of downcast brow.
'

And

Led
* *

him "What was the force or chance from Campaldino's field. That men have never known thy burial-place ?
I to
:

91

thee so far

'

Oh,

'
'

answered

he,

' '

at Casentino 's foot

94

A stream,
To

the Archiano, crosses, born In the Apennine above the Hermitage.

that place where

on,

its

name grows

void, I

had

97

Made my way

deep-wounded in the throat.

Fleeing on foot and bloodying the plain.

; ;

'

;;

PURGATORIO, V
There
I could see

167
100
fell.

no longer, and
;

my speech
there I

Ended with Mary 's name and

My

flesh alone

remained.
tell it

speak the truth

103

Among

the living

thus again

God's Angel seized me, and the one from Hell Cried Thou of Heaven, why dost thou rob me so ? Thou bearest hence this man 's immortal part
' :

10^

One petty tear is taking him from me But I will deal with the other otherwise.' Thou knowest well how in the air collects That humid vapor, which to water turns. Whene'er it mounts where cold envelops it.
That
evil will, that seeks alone the
ill,

109

112

He joined to thought, and moved the mist and wind By power that his nature gave to him
As day was
With
spent, he overspread the vale
to
115

From Pratomagno
clouds,

the mountain chain

118

and made the sky above so dense, The pregnant air was turned to water then The rain came down the water-courses took That part of it which earth could not endure And as it came together in great streams, Toward the royal river it rushed on So swiftly, there was nothing held it back. My body cold as ice, near by its mouth The raging Archiano found, and thrust Into the Arno loosed my bosom 's cross. That with my arms I made when pain o'ercame me Along its banks and bed it rolled me, till It covered me, and girt me with its spoil.
; ; ;

121

124

127

'

* *

Pray,

when thou

art returned unto the world,

130

* *

art from thy long journey rested, then," The third soul followed on the second's words, Think thou of Pia, whom Siena made,

And

133

';

168

THE DIVINE COMEDY

as he

And whom Maremma unmade,

knows

Who

with the

gem

set in the ring took

'

me
136

Before that day to be his wedded wife.

CANTO VI
As when the game of dice is broken up, He who has lost remains behind and grieves,
Recalling all the throws, and sadly learns. The other moves away with all the throng, This one in front, and that one seizing him Behind, and this one brings himself to mind

Beside him, he stays not, yet notes

it all

And
Such

he to

whom

he stretches out his hand

10

Stops crowding, and he so escapes the press I was in that thronging multitude,
I

As

And

turned here and there my face to them, by my promising made my escape.

13

Here was the Aretine, who by the arms Of savage Ghin di Tacco met his death And he who running in pursuit was drowned And here Novello 's Federigo prayed With hands outstretched, and he of Pisa, who Made good Marzucco seem so strong of heart. I saw Count Orso and the soul that hate And envy parted from its body, not. Men said, for any sin itself had done, Pierre de la Brosse 's and let her take care, The Lady of Brabant, while still she lives. That she come not for that to flock still worse. When I was free again from all these shades, Who only pray that others pray for them. That they the sooner come to saintliness.
;
;

16

18

22

25

"
;

''' '

PUEGATORIO, VI
Thus
I

169
28

began :" To me

it

seems that thou,

My Light,
And

expressly in one place deniest,

31

That prayer may cause decree of heaven to bend yet these people all do pray for this. Or might it be, then, that their hope is vain ? Or are thy words not duly clear to me ? And he to me " Both is my writing clear, And, too, the hope of these is not deceived. If it be well examined with sound mind. The peak of justice bends not to the vale, Because Love 's fire may in an instant work The satisfaction due from each one here And there, where I affirmed this, the defect Was not by praying remedied; because That was, forsooth, a prayer disjoined from God. But upon matters of such lofty doubt Fix not thy mind, unless she bid thee to. Who shall be light 'twixt truth and intellect. I know not if thou understand I speak Of Beatrice, whom on this mountain's top
:

3^

87

40

43

*6

Thou

shalt see smiling in her happiness.

'

And

"My Lord,
I
see,

let

us make greater haste,

as before
'

*9

For now

grow not weary

is

And
*
*

We

shall

shadow now. go forward with this day as far,

the slope

casting

'

52

He answered
But otherwise

me, ''as shall be in our power.

65

the fact is than thou deemest Before thou art up there, he shall return, Who now is hidden by the hillside so

That thou no longer dost obstruct his rays.

But yonder

see a soul,

who

all

apart

58

Is stationed as he casts his looks

He

will point out to us the quickest

on us way.

'

We

came

to him.

Lombard

soul,

how proud

^1

170

THE DIVINE COMEDY

all

And

disdainful wert thou, standing there

64

How
And

grave and slow wert thou to move thine eyes saying nothing to us, suffered us
fixed his gaze

To go our way, and only

Upon
But

us as a couching lion would.

*7

drawing near to him, besought That he might show to us the best ascent And he made no reply to his request, But of our country and our life instead He questioned us. The gentle Leader then "Mantua " and the shade, all in itself recluse. Sprang toward him from the place where it had been, Saying: "0 Mantuan, I am Sordello, And they embraced each other. Of thine own land.
Virgil,

70

73

'

'

servile Italy

hostel of grief

76

Ship without pilot in great tempest, not

Mistress of provinces, but brothel-house

ready was that gentle soul to give the sweet mention of his city's name A joyous welcome to its citizen But now thy living men cannot exist Without a war, and each man gnaws his neighbor, Of those whom one wall and one moat shut in. Search, wretched one, thy borders by the sea, And then look in thy bosom, if there be Within thee any part enjoying peace. What good comes, if Justinian readjust Thy bridle, and thy saddle be not filled ? If that had never been, thy shame were less. Ah, folk whose duty is to be devout

How

79

At

82

85

88

81

And let
If ye

the saddle be the seat of Caesar,

9*

know well what God appoints for you, Behold how fell this wild beast has become For lacking the correction of the spurs,

:;

PURGATORIO, VI
Since you upon the bridle have laid hand

171

German Albert, who abandonest Her, who has now grown savage and untamed,

^^

And oughtest to bestride her saddle bows, May righteous judgment, falling from the stars,
Come on thy blood, and be so new and plain, That thy successor shall have fear of it Because ye two, thy father and thyself, Have been held back by greed of yonder things Until the empire 's garden is a waste. Come see the Montagues and Capulets, The Filippesehi and Monaldi, thou Unheeding one, those sad and these in dread. Come, cruel one, and see affliction press Thine own nobility, and cure their wrongs

100

103

106

109

And
Come

thou shalt see how safe

is

Santafior.

see

how

thine

own Rome
not keep

is left

in tears,

112

Widowed,

alone,

and crying day and night

"My
Come

Caesar,

why

see the people,

And if no pity for And know what is

If
it

me company?" how they love each other us move thee, come the shame of thine own fame.

US

Most High Jove, Who once wert crucified for us on earth, Are thy just eyes turned otherwheres away ?
be granted me,

118

Or is it preparation in the abyss Of thine own counsel that thou mak'st for some Far good, completely hidden from our ken ? For all the towns of Italy are full Of tyrants, and each upstart partisan.

121

124

My Florence,
With
Thanks

Although a churl, is a Marcellus now. thou mayst well be satisfied

this digression, that concerns thee not,

127

to thy people, reasoning so well.

"

'

'

172

THE DIVINE COMEDY

180

Many

have justice in their hearts, and shoot slowly, not to wield the bow unwisely Thy people have it ever at their lips. Many refuse to bear the conunon charge Thy people answer in their eagerness Without request, and cry We load ourselves, Now be thou happy, for thou hast good ground, Thou wealthy, thou at peace, thou who art wise. If I speak truth, the facts conceal it not. Athens and Lacedemon, that had framed The ancient laws and were so civilized.

But

188

'

'

186

189

Gave

little

sign of living well, compared

With
So

thee,

who makest thy

provisioning
fails

1*2

subtle, that to

mid-November

To reach what thou hadst in October spun.

How

often, in the time that thou recaU'st,

146

and practices Hast thou transformed, and made thy members new If thou remember well and see the light, Thou wilt seem to thyself like some sick one, Who on the feathers cannot come to rest. And by her tossing seeks relief from pain,
law, thy coins, titles

Thy

1^

151

CANTO

VII

The salutations dignified and glad Had been repeated three and four
Sordello,
: *
'

times

when

drawing back, asked Who are ye ? "Before those souls had turned unto this Mount, Who were deemed worthy to ascend to God, My bones were buried by Octavian. I am Virgil and for no other sin Did I lose Heaven, than for not having faith.
; '

PURGATORIO, VII
Thus answered him

173

my

Leader.

As a man
10

Who

suddenly before him sees a thing At which he wonders, and believes and then Believes not, with "It is," "No, it is not;" Such he appeared, and then bent down his brow, And, turning to him in humility, Embraced him where the inferior lays hold.
* *

13

glory of the Latins,

' '

said he then,

16

"Through whom our language showed what were its [powers, Eternal Honor of my birth-place, thou,
"What merit or what grace shows thee to me ? If I am counted fit to hear thy words. Tell me, I pray thee, comest thou from Hell, And from what cloister ? " "I have come, said
' ' ' '

19

he,

22

Through all the circles of the woful realm. A power of Heaven moved me with it I come. Not what I did, but what I did not, made
;

25

high Sun, whom thou whom I learned late to know. Desirest, but There is a place down there, not sad with pains But only with its gloom, where the laments

Me

lose the sight of that

28

Have not
There

the sound of wailings, but of sighs.

I abide

with

little

innocents
the teeth of

31

have been bitten by Before they were exempt from human sin There I abide with those, who did not wear The holy virtues three, but without vice

Who

Death
34

Have known the others and have followed them. But if thou know 'st and canst, give us some sign, By which we may the sooner come up there Where Purgatory has its right beginning." He answered " No fixed place is set for us
:

37

40

I may go upward and around as As I am able I will be thy guide.

;

far

'

' '

'

174

THE DIVINE COMEDY

see already

But

how

the

day

declines,

*8

'tis not possible to mount by night; 'Twere well to think of some fair resting-place. Some souls are here upon our right, apart If thou permit me, I will lead thee there.

And

^
4^

And
*
'

How can

thou shalt know them, not without delight." this be ? " was answered " he who would
; '

Ascend by night, would he be hindered then By others ? or could not for lack of power ? And with his finger good Sordello marked Upon the ground, and said Only this line
'

52

'

Thou couldst not pass, when once the sun is gone For naught except the darkness of the night
Gives hindrance to thy going up, but that

55

With impotence to act hampers the will. One may, indeed, turn downward in the night
walk around the hill-side, wandering, While the horizon holds the day shut out. And as if marveling, my Leader said Then lead us to yon place, where thou dost say That we may have delight in tarrying. But little distance had we gone from there, When I perceived the mountain hollowed out. As here on earth the valleys hollow them. We will go yonder where the mountain-side Makes of itself a bosom, said the shade, And there await the coming of the day. Now steep, now level, was a winding path
' * '
'

58

And

51

54

* *

57

'

'

'

'

75

Which Where
Gold and

led us to a place beside the dell.

dies

away

the border

more than

half.

fine silver, cochineal, pearl-white,

73

The

clear

and bright blue wood of India,

it

Fresh emerald at the moment when

breaks,
76

Beside the grass and flowers set within

' ;

PURGATORIO, VII
That
vale,

175

would be

as

much

excelled in hue,
is

As

is

the less excelled by what

greater.
78

And

Nature had not only painted there, But had the sweetness of a thousand scents Blended in one, unknown, unseparate. And seated on the green and on the flowers Were souls that sang Salve, Regina, there, Who for the valley were not seen without. Before the little sun sink to its nest, Began the Mantuan, who had led us thither,
* '
'

82

85

Desire me not to guide you among these Because ye can from this ledge better far
*
'

88

Make out the faces and the acts of all Than if ye at their level were received. He yonder, who sits highest and appears To have neglected what he should have done, And who moves not his mouth to the others' songs. Was Emperor Rudolph, in whose power it was To heal the wounds that have slain Italy,
So that her help is late at other hands. The other, who appears to comfort him, Ruled where the waters spring, which Moldau bears To Elbe down, and Elbe to the sea. His name was Ottacar in swaddling-clothes He was far better than his bearded son. King Wenceslaus, who feeds on lust and sloth. And that small-nosed man, who takes counsel there So closely with that one of kindly look. Died fleeing and disflowering the lily
;

81

9*

97

100

103

See

how he

beats his breast.

Behold the other,

of his

106

Who

for his cheek has

made

own palm,
109

Sighing, a bed. Father and father-in-law Are they of him, who is the woe of France They know his vicious and foul life, and thence

;;

176

THE DIVINE COMEDY

112

Has sprung the grief that so transfixes them. He, who seems so large-limbed, whose song accords With that of him who has the virile nose. Was girded with the cord of every worth. And if the youth, who there behind him sits, Had after him remained the king, then worth From vessel unto vessel would have passed Which of the other heirs can not be said. The realms are held by James and Frederick But no one has the better heritage. 'Tis seldom through the branches rises up Man 's goodness and the Giver wills it so,
;

US

118

121

My

That we may make our prayer for it words fit him, the large-nosed one,
Peter,

to

Him.
124

as well

As they do

who

is

with him singing

127

Wherefore Apulia and Provence now grieve. The plant is as inferior to the seed As, more than Beatrice and Margaret, Constance is boasting of a husband still. Behold the monarch of the simple life,

130

Henry

of England, sitting there alone

He

in his branches has a better issue.

is

He, who

seated lowest on the ground

133

Among them, looking up, is Marquis William, For whom both Alessandria and her war
Make Montferrat and Canavese weep."
136

CANTO

VIII

It was the hour that sends the longing back

Of those upon the sea, and melts their hearts. The day that they have bid sweet friends farewell That pierces the new pilgrim's heart with love.

; '

'

PURGATORIO, VIII
If he but hear the far-off bell, that seems

177

To mourn the dying day, when I began To render vain my hearing, and to gaze Upon one of the souls that had arisen. And with its hand besought that others hear. Then, joining both its palms, it lifted them
toward the eastern sky. I heed naught else. Te lucis ante came forth from its lips With such devotion and with such sweet notes. As made me leave behind me my own thought;
fixed its look

10

And
As

if it

said to

God

'

'

'

13

And

then the others, sweetly and devout, Did follow on in singing all the hymn.

16

on the supernal wheels. Here, reader, sharpen well thine eyes for truth Surely the veil is now so thin indeed That it is easy to pass through within. I saw that gentle army silently Thereafter gazing up to heaven, as though In some expectancy, pallid and meek And from the height came downward as I looked, Two angels with two swords of flaming fire. But shortened and deprived of their points. Green as the little leaves just coming forth Their garments were, which by their wings of green Were smitten, flowing after them, and fanned. Above our heads one angel stopped his flight, The other on the other bank came down, So that the folk was kept between them there.
their eyes

Having

'

19

22

25

28

31

Plainly could I distinguish their blond heads

34

*
'

But by their faces was my vision dazzled, As any power, confounded by excess. They both from Mary 's bosom have come down,
Sordello said,
' '

'

37

as guardians of this vale

''

; '

'

178

THE DIVINE COMEDY

'

Against the serpent, that shall straightway come. And I, who knew not by what path it came, Turned me around, and chilly through and through,

40

Moved

to the trusted shoulders closer

*
:

still.

Let us at length go down Again Sordello Among the mighty shades, and speak to them To see you here will give them much delight. Only three steps, I think, I then went down, And was below, and saw one watching me Alone, as if to make out who I was. The air was darkening, yet not so much But that whate 'er between his eyes and mine It hid at first it could make clear to us. Toward me he moved, and I too moved toward him My Nino, noble judge, what joy was mine To see that thou wert not among the damned. No salutation fair from each to each
' '

**

4*

48

52

55

Was
'er
* '

silent

then he asked
*

"When
I

cam'st thou
'

first

the far waters to the mountain 's foot ?

Oh,

'
'

answered

I,

'

this

morning
I

came forth
still

58

From
In

out the dismal places, and

first life,

am

would win the other Thus journeying. When my response was heard, Sordello and the other one drew back. Like folk who were bewildered suddenly. One turned to Virgil, and the other cried To one who sat there Conrad, rise and come To see what God hath in His favor willed.
though
' ' '
'

my

61

^
67

'

"By

that especial gratitude thou owest,"

* '

Turning to me, he said, to Him who hides His primal cause so that there is no ford To reach it, when thou crossest the wide waves, Say to my Joan, that she shall cry for me Where answer to the innocent is made.

70

'

'

PURGATORIO, VIII
do not think her mother loves me longer Since she has changed her widow's wimples white, Which she must long for, wretched, once again. By her may very easily be learned
I

179
73

76

How

long the

fire

of love in

woman

lasts,

If eye and touch do not oft kindle it. The viper that is over Milan 's camp Will not make her so fair a sepulture As would have done Gallura's cock," His face As he was speaking bore impressed on it The token of the zeal for righteousness.

79

82

Which glows within

My

the heart in measure due. greedy eyes went up to heaven alone, There only where the stars more slowly turn, As nearer to its axle doth the wheel.
'

85

My Leader said
Up
there ? "

My son, what watehest thou " Yonder three torches, answered "Wherewith this pole of heaven is all aglow." And then he said to me " The four bright stars,
' : ' ' :

88
I,

^1

morning sawest, are sunk low On the other side, and these are where those were. While he yet spoke, Sordello drew him toward Himself, and said Behold our enemy, And pointed where he would that he should look. On that side, where the little valley had No barrier erected, was a snake.
this
' '
: '

Which thou

'

^4

87

The

Perchance such as gave Eve the bitter food. evil reptile came through grass and flowers, And ever and anon turned back his head,

100

Licking, as does a beast that sleeks itself. noted not, and so I cannot say, The way in which the heavenly Falcons moved.

103

But yet in motion saw I both of them. For when he heard the green wings cleave the

air,

106

'

'

'

180

THE DIVINE COMEDY

The serpent fled, and the two angels wheeled In upward equal flight back to their posts. The shade which had drawn closer to the judge When he had called, throughout the assault took not His eyes one instant from beholding me.
' '

10^

So may the lantern which leads thee on high

112

Find

in thine

own

free-will so
is

much

of
'

wax
115

As

to the

enameled summit
'
'

required,

So it began, if thou dost know true news Of Valdimacra or the region near. Then tell me, for I once was powerful there. My name was Conrad Malispini, not The elder, but the younger, sprung from him For mine I had the love which here is cleansed.
* *

118

'

Oh,

' '

said I to him,

'
'

have never been

;

121

Within your country 's bounds but where lives he Throughout all Europe, who knows not of them ? The fame which is the honor of your house
Proclaims
I
its lords,
it well,

124

proclaims their country

so.

They know

who
I

yet were never there.

127

swear to you, so

may

go on high,

That your most honored house lays not aside The glory of the purse nor of the sword. Custom and Nature both so favor it, That, though the guilty head set wrong the world. It goes straight on, and scorns the evil way. And he " Go, then for seven times the sun Shall not return to that couch, which the Ram With his four feet now covers and bestrides,
' : ;

130

133

Before this courteous esteem of thine Shall in the middle of thy head be nailed

136

With

greater nails than those of others' speech,

139

Unless the course of judgment shall be stayed."

PURGATORIO, IX

181

CANTO IX
The
concubine of old Tithonus

now

Forth from her sweet friend 's arms, was growing white Upon her balcony in the eastern sky 4 Her forehead all resplendent was with gems, Set in the shape of that cold animal, Who with his tail inflicts his blows on men ^ And, of the steps with which she climbs, the Night Had taken two in that place where we were. And now the third was bending low its wings. 10 When I, who had with me somewhat of Adam, 'ercome by sleep, reclined upon the grass. Where we already had our seats, all five. 13 It was the hour before the dawn, when first The swallow sings her melancholy lays, Perchance in memory of former woes. W And when our mind is more a wanderer From flesh, and less held captive to our thought,

And

in its visions
I

is

almost divine
19

an eagle poised In heaven, golden-feathered, and with wings Outspread, and all intent on swooping down. It seemed to me that I was at that place Where Ganymede 's folk were left behind, When to the highest conclave he was rapt. And in myself I thought Perhaps it strikes Here only through its custom, and disdains Elsewhere to bear aught upward in its claws. And then it seemed, that having wheeled a little, It came down, terrible as thunderbolt, And snatched me up, as far as to the fire
to see
:

In dream

seemed

22

25

28

And

there

it

seemed that

it

and

both burned,

31

'

'; ;

182

THE DIVINE COMEDY

so the imagined conflagration scorched 34

And
That

I perforce was wakened from my sleep. Not otherwise Achilles shook himself, Turning his eyes about him as he woke, Not knowing where he was, when he was stolen From Chiron by his mother, and was borne Still sleeping in her arms across to Scyros, Whence afterwards the Greeks made him depart Than I was startled now, when from my face Sleep took its flight, and I grew deathly pale,

37

40

My

Like one in terror, who turns icy cold. Comforter was at my side alone,

*3

* *

The sun already more than two hours high; I was with my face turned toward the sea. Be not afraid, my Lord said, be assured That we have to a point of vantage come

And

'

'

'

'

all thy strength Purgatory come See there the ledge that closes it around Where it seems parted is the way within. But now when in the white dawn ere the day

Restrain not, rather put forth

art

For thou

now

to

^
62

Thy soul within thee slept upon the flowers, With which the place below is beautiful, A Lady came, and said, I am Lucia Permit that I take him who is asleep,
*

65

And

I will

thus assist him on his way.

68

Sordello and the other noble forms

Remained she took thee, and as day grew bright Went upward, and I followed in her track. She placed thee here and when her fair eyes first Had showed me yonder entrance in the rocks, Both she and sleep together went away. As one who in his doubt is reassured, And changes into comfort what was fear
;
;

^1

'

"

';

'

PURGATORIO, IX
After the truth has been revealed to him, changed and as my Leader saw that now I was without a care, up by the cliff He moved, and I behind him toward the height. Reader, thou seest well how I exalt My matter, and, if therefore with more art I am sustaining it, pray, marvel not. "We had drawn nigh, and were at such a place, That, where first seemed to me to be a break. Or a mere fissure that divides a wall, I saw a gate, and, lower down, three steps, By which to come to it, of divers colors And too, a porter, who as yet spoke not. And as I opened wider still my eye, I saw him seated on the topmost step. Such in his face, that I endured it not. And in his hand he had a naked sword, That so cast on us its reflected rays. That I would often lift my eyes in vain. Speak where ye are, what is it ye desire ? Thus he began to say; ''where is the guide? Beware lest coming upward work you harm." A Lady, come from heaven, aware of this, My Master made reply to him, but now
I
;

183

87

70

73

76

79

82

'

85

'

'

88

'

'

Has

told us,

'

Yonder

go, there is the gate.

*
'

**May she advance your steps in good still more," Began the courteous guardian of the gate "Do ye come forward then unto our stairs." When to the first great stair we had come up, Its marble was so polished, white and smooth, That I was mirrored in it as I am The next of darker hue than purple-black, Was of a rough stone, as if seared with fire, And cracked throughout its length and all across

^1

94

97

' :

' '

'

'

184

THE DIVINE COMEDY

100

The third, which uppermost amassed itself, Seemed to me porphyry, as flaming bright As is the blood which spurts forth from a vein. On this God's Angel had placed both his feet, While seated on the threshold of the gate,

^^

Which seemed

to

me

a rock of adamant.

My Leader
Up
*
'

drew me of

my own

good will

10*

over the three steps, and said to

me
'

Humbly

beseech that he undo the lock.

Devoutly prostrate at the holy feet, I craved the mercy of his opening But first I smote three times upon my breast. Then seven P 's upon my brow he wrote With his sword's point, and said: ''When thou Hast come within, see that thou bathe these wounds. Ashes, or earth, that has been dug out dry, Would be of one shade with the garb he wore. And from beneath that he drew forth two keys.

109

112

'

115

One was

of gold, of silver was the other

118

and with the yellow next He so did to the gate that I was glad. ** Whenever one of these two keys so fails, That it turns not aright within the lock, Said he to us, " this narrow way bides closed. One is more precious, but the other calls For much of art and wit ere it unlocks.
First with the white,
'

121

124

Because

it is

the one to loose the knot.

127

From

Peter 's hand I have them, and he said

'Twere better fault to open than keep locked.

If people cast themselves before

my

feet.

'

Then of the sacred portal he pushed in The door, and said " Go in, but learn of me, That he who looks behind returns outside. And when the pivots of that sacred door,
:

130

'

133

'

'

PURGATORIO,

185

are of metal, resonant and strong, Within their hinges turned, Tarpeia gave Not forth such roaring nor appeared so harsh, When good Metellus was led out from her. And she for that remained thereafter poor. Then I, attentive to the first tone, turned And Te Deum laudamus seemed to hear. As 'twere a voice commingled with sweet sound. The same impression was made on me then By what I heard, as we are wont to have

Which

136

139

142

When

one

is

singing with the instruments

not.
1*5

For now the words are heard, and now are

CANTO X

We were
Which

within the threshold of the gate,

evil love in souls
it

unlearns to use.
*

makes the crooked way seem straight. When I by sound perceived it to be closed If I had turned my eyes to look at it. What fit excuse had there been for the fault? We were then climbing through a rocky cleft, Which moved to one and then the other side Like waters that recede and then draw near. Here there is need to use a little art, Began my Leader, ''as we closer draw. Now here, now there, to that side which recedes. And this had caused our steps to be so scant, That ere we had gone through this needle 's eye Already had the moon's decreasing disk Regained its bed, and sunk again to rest. But when we were in free and open space. Up where the mountain backward draws together,
Because
' ' ' '

10

13

16

'

186
I,

THE DIVINE COMEDY

ours,

wearied, and

Was
More

we both unsure, which way we stopped upon a level place,

edge, the limit of the void,

1*

lonely than the roads through desert lands

its

And from

22

To where from base the high bank rises sheer, A human body in three times would measure

And there, far as my eye in flight could reach, Now on the left side and now on the right.
This cornice seemed to

25

me

to be the same.

Our

had not yet moved thereon, before I had perceived the bank, which swept around And, being upright, gave no path to mount, To be of marble, white and so adorned
feet

28

81

With sculptures, that not Polycletus' self But Nature even were there put to shame. The Angel, who came down with that decree Of peace on earth, wept-for so many years. Which opened Heaven from its long interdict, Appeared before us there so truly carved

3*

87

And

in such attitude of gentleness. *0

That he seemed not an image that is dumb One would take oath that he was saying Ave; Because she too was imaged there, who turned The key to open the exalted love And in her mien she had impressed these words, Ecce ancilla Dei in very form, As is a figure, that is stamped in wax. Fix not thy mind upon one place alone, The gentle Master said, who had me then Upon that side where people have their hearts Wherefore I turned away my eyes, and saw, Beyond where Mary was, and at that side. Where he was standing who was urging me, Another story put upon the rock.
'
' '

43

*C

49

52

'

PURGATORIO,

187

Wherefore I passed by Virgil, and drew near, So that it might be set before my eyes. Carved in the very marble was the cart On which the oxen drew the sacred ark, That makes men fear an office not assigned. People appeared in front and all of them In seven bands divided, made one sense Say, "No," the other, "Yes, they really sing." Likewise about the smoke of incense clouds That had been imaged there, the eyes and nose Became discordant with their Yes and No. And there before the blessed vessel, went The lowly Psalmist, dancing, with loins girt. Both more and less than King in such a state.
;

55

58

61

^
^7

At a

great palace

window

opposite

Was
I

Michal's figure carved, thence looking down,

A lady of a sad

and scornful mien.

70

moved my feet from that place where I stood To look more clearly at another story.

Which, further on than Michal, gleamed all white. The exalted glory of the Roman prince, Whose worth it was incited Gregory To his great victory, was storied here I speak of Emperor Trajan, near whom stood A widow at the bridle of his steed. In attitude of weeping and of grief. Around him seemed to be a trampling throng Of horsemen, and the eagles in the gold Above his head moved plainly in the wind. The wretched woman stood among them all,

73

76

79

82

And seemed to say "My Lord,

:

For me for my son 's And he made answer to her

Until I have returned.
'
'

do vengeance now death, that breaks my heart.

'
:

'

'

Only wait
she, like

85

And

one

'

'

188
In

THE DIVINE COMEDY

whom
has
distress is urgent, said
?
'

* : '

My Lord,
88
'

If thou do not return

'

And

he

* * :

" To thee his good, if thou forget thine own ? Then he " Now comfort thee, for I must needs Fulfil my duty ere I move from here For justice wills it; pity holds me back." The One, who never sees a thing unknown, Produced that speaking for the eyes to see, Novel to us, because not found on earth. While I was there rejoicing to behold The images of such humilities. And, for their Maker 's sake, so dear to see, The Poet murmured See, here at this side Are many people, but they take few steps
place shall do
it.
: ' * :

Who

my

The one " What shall be

**

87

100

My

These will direct us to the lofty stairs." eyes, that were on gazing so intent, Were swift to turn about toward him to see Whatever new was there, as they are fain. I would not, reader, that thou be dismayed From any purposed good, because thou hearest

103

106

How God wills that indebtedness be paid. Give no attention to the form of pain
Think of what follows think, that
;

109

at the worst.
112

Beyond

the

Judgment-Day

it

cannot go.

"Master," began I, "that which yonder seems To come toward us, appears not to be men,
I

know not what, my

sight

is

so confused."

"Their burdened state of torment," answered he, Is bending them so downward to the earth. My eyes at first had need to struggle too. But look there fixedly, and by the sight Distinguish what comes on beneath those rocks.
' *

US

118

Thou canst now

see

how each one

beats his breast.

'

'

PURGATORIO, XI
Who,
ye proud Christians, wretched, weary souls, sick in vision of the mind, have trust In backward steps, do ye not understand.

189
121

That we are worms that have been born to form The angelic butterfly, which wings its way Upward to judgment, lacking all defence? "Why do your minds lift up themselves on high,
ye are but defective insects still, Even as worms in which formation fails ? As to support a ceiling or a roof

124

127

When

130

Sometimes a figure corbel-wise

is

seen

To bring

his knees

up
;

to his breast,

and cause
133

By

unreality a real distress

In him who sees it even such I saw These were, when I had given heed to them. True it is, these were more or less bowed down, As they had more or less upon their backs And he, who had most patience in his mien. Weeping, appeared to say " I can no more.
' :

136

139

CANTO XI
' *

Thou our

Father,

who

art in the heavens,

Not circumscribed, but for the greater love Thou bearest to the first effects on high. Praise to Thy Name and to Thy Power be From every creature, as it is most meet To render thanks for thy sweet effluence. The peace of thine own Kingdom come to us, For we cannot attain to it ourselves With all our mind, if it come not to us. As of their will Thine angels make to Thee Their sacrifice, as they Hosanna sing, So may all men make sacrifice of theirs.

10

'

'

190

THE DIVINE COMEDY

daily

Our

Manna

give to us this day,

this

18

Without which through He backward goes, who

rough and desert land toils most to go on

16

And

we have forgiven everyone The ill that we have borne, do Thou forgive In mercy, and regard not our desert. Our virtue, which is easily subdued,
as

1^

Let not the ancient adversary tempt.

But from him who

attacks, deliver us.

is

This latest prayer, dear Lord,

uttered

now
'

22

Not for ourselves, because there is no need. But for their sake, who have remained behind. Thus praying for themselves and us good speed, These shades kept on their way, under a load Like that of which we sometimes dream in sleep, Unequally distressed, all circling round Along this lowest cornice wearily. Purging away the cloudiness of earth.
If prayer for us is always rising there,

25

28

31

What can be here both done and said for them By those, whose wills are rooted in the good ? Surely men ought to help them wash away The marks that they bore hence, that they may rise,
Made clean and light, up to the wheeling stars. "Pray, so may justice and compassion soon Unburden you and let you move the wing, That shall uplift you as ye do desire. Show us upon which hand the shortest path Leads to the stairway, and if more than one. Teach us the one that slopes least steep of all
As this one who is with me, for the weight Of Adam 's flesh, with which he still is clad,
mounting up, against his will. Their words, which had been uttered answering
Is slow in
'

34

87

*0

*3

those,

*6

; ;

'

PURGATORIO, XI
I was following had said, was not manifest from whom they came But it was said Come ye toward the right Along the bank with us, and ye shall find The pass a living person may ascend. And if I were not hindered by the stone, Which is subduing now my haughty neck. So that I needs must carry my face low, At this one I would look, who still alive

191

Which he whom
It
'
:

'

^
52

55

Names not

himself, to see if I

may know
pitiful.

him,
58

And
I

for this burden

make him

was a Latin, a great Tuscan 's son Guglielmo Aldobrandesco was my father. I know not if his name was ever with you. Because of ancient blood and gallant deeds,

^1

My

ancestors

made me

so arrogant.
not.

That of our common mother I thought And went so far in scorn of every man,
I

^
^7

died for

it,

the Sienese

know

well,

And every child in Campagnatico. am Omberto not to me alone

;

Has pride done harm, but

It

all

my

fellows too
70

swept on to disaster with

therefore here,
till

itself

And

God

be satisfied,
'

I must needs bear this weight among the dead, Because among the living I would not.

As

was

listening, I held

one of Twisted himself beneath his crushing load. And saw and knew me and was crying out, Holding his eyes with difficulty fixed Upon me, as all bent I walked by them.
'

And

down my face them, not he who spoke to me.

73

76

'

Art not thou

'
'

Oderisi,

' '

answered

I,

79

Honor of Gubbio, and

of that art.

! ;

192

THE DIVINE COMEDY

is
'
'

Which
* *

in Paris called illuminating?"

more smiling are the leaves Of Franco of Bologna's penciling; The honor is all his, and mine in part. Truly so courteous I had not been "While I was living, for my great desire Of excellence, on which my heart was set.
Brother,
said he,
'

'

82

85

'Tis here is

paid the fee of such a pride

not yet here, if it

88

were with power to sin, Oh, the vainglory of the powers of

I

And

That,

still

were not, I turned to God.

man
its

91

How short
Endures,

the time the green

upon

top

ruder ages follow not In painting Cimabue thought to hold The field, and now hath Giotto all the cry,
if

^
87

So that the other's fame is grown obscure. So hath one Guido from the other taken The glory of our tongue, and one is bom, Who shall, perchance, drive both from out the nest. For earthly fame is but a breath of wind, That now from this side comes, and now from that, And with each changing quarter changes name. What greater fame is thine, if thou unflesh Thee in old age, than if thou were to die Ere thou wert done with rattle and with pap, Before a thousand years, a time beside Eternity more brief, than is a twinkling To heaven 's circle that is slowest turned. The fame of him, who makes so little way In front of me, rang through all Tuscany,

100

103

106

109

And scarcely in Siena now is whispered, Where he was lord, when they destroyed the rage Of Florence, who was haughty at that time, Even as now she has grown basely vile.

112

; ;

'

'

PURGATORIO, XII
Your fame is as the color of the grass, Which comes and goes, and he discolors

193
115
it,

By whom its tender green sprang from the earth." And I to him: "Thy true words teach my heart A humble goodness, and bring low my pride But who is he of whom thou now wert speaking ?
'

n^

'
'

That,

' '

answered
is

he,

' '

is

And

he

here, because he

Provenzan Salvani had presumed

121

To get Siena wholly in his hands. Thus he has gone, and goes, without repose

124

E 'er
And
I
:

since he died

who dares
spirit

too

much on

earth
127

Must pay such coin

"If now that

in satisfaction here."

which awaits, Ere it repent, the very brink of life. Remains below and may not mount up here, If good prayer come not to its aid, until As long a time has passed as was its life, How was the coming up vouchsafed to him?" "When his life was most glorious," said he, "Freely within the Campo of Siena He took his stand, all shame then laid aside. And there, that he might free his friend from pains That he endured as prisoner of Charles,
I

130

133

136

say no more

brought himself to tremble in each vein. I know that I speak darkly, But yet ere long thy neighbors will so act.
;

He

139

Thou

shalt be able to interpret

it

it.

That deed

was removed

for

him

those bounds.

'

1^2

CANTO XII
With
equal pace, like oxen 'neath the yoke.
I

We went along,
As long

and that burdened

soul.
it.

as the sweet Teacher suffered


194

THE DIVINE COMEDY

said
*
:

But when he

'

Leave him, press on, for here

sails

'Tis well that

with the

and oars each one

*
'

As

best he

may

should forward urge his bark,

Erect, as walking

makes

it

needful, I

Raised up my body, though my thoughts remained As they had been, both stooping and abased. I had moved onward, and was following

^0

My
When

Master's footsteps gladly, and we both thus he bade

"Were manifesting

now how light we were. me " Downward turn thine

:

eyes

13

thy way. That thou behold the bed beneath thy feet."
It will be well for thee, to ease

That there may be some memory of them, Above the buried dead their level tombs Have, figured, what aforetime they have been Whence many times for them will tears be shed, Because of pricking of remembrance there. That only to the pious gives the spur, So in that place I saw all figured o 'er,

16

19

22

But in the work, of better likeness far, As much of road as jutted from the Mount. saw that one, in his creation nobler Than any other creature, down from heaven
Descend like thunderbolt, there at one side. saw Briareus, on the other side, Transfixed by the celestial bolt, lie there Heavy upon the earth, in mortal chill. saw Thymbraeus, I saw Pallas, Mars, Still in their armor at their father 's side, Looking upon the giants' scattered limbs. saw, too, Nimrod stand beside the foot Of his great labor, as though dazed, and watch Tribes that in Shinar had been proud with him. Niobe, with what lamenting eyes

25

28

31

34

37

;!

'

PURGATORIO, XII
I

195
road,
^0

saw

thee, sculptured there

upon the

And on
Saul,

each hand were seven children slain

thine

how on

own sword

didst thou there

Appear in death upon Gilboa's height, "Which knew thereafter neither rain nor dew! mad Arachne, so I saw thee sad, Half spider now, over the shreds of what Thy hands had wrought to thine own injury
Rehoboam, here thine image seems No more to threaten, but with terror
filled

*3

46

chariot bears

it off

ere

men pursue
*9

Portrayed in the hard pavement also was How costly to his mother Alcmaeon made The unpropitious ornament appear Portrayed how his own sons did cast themselves Within the Temple on Sennacherib, And how, when he was dead, they left him there Portrayed the ruin and cruel butchery Tamyris wrought, when she to Cyrus said Blood hast thou thirsted for, with blood I fill thee Portrayed how the Assyrians in rout Fled, after Holofernes had been slain.
'
'

52

55

; '

58

And, too, the relics of the slaughtered one. saw there Troy in ashes and in caverns Ilion, how low and vile wert thou Portrayed by the image that is there discerned "What master ever was of brush or stylus, Who could set forth the shadows and the lines. That there would make each subtle wit admire ? Dead seemed the dead, the living seemed alive Who saw the real saw no more than I In what I trod on, as I went, bowed down. Then be ye proud, and go with haughty look, Children of Eve, and bend not down your face,
1

61

64

67

70

;! ; ;

'

196

THE DIVINE COMEDY

73

More

So that ye may behold your evil way. of the Mountain we have gone around, And of the sun 's course much more had been spent, Than had been noted by the mind not free. When he, who ever forward with his mind Attentive went, began Lift up thy head 'Tis time no more to go in such suspense. See, yonder is an angel, who prepares To come toward us see, now from work returns The sixth of the handmaidens of the day With reverence adorn thine acts and face, That it may please him to send us on high Think that this day shall never dawn again. His admonition that no time be lost
*
: ' ;

76

79

82

'

85

Was so familiar to me, that thereof He could not speak to me obscurely now.
To us came on the Creature Beautiful, Enrobed in white, and with a countenance Like a star trembling in the morning sky. With arms outspread, and then with outspread wings
88

^i

He said to us " Come And easily henceforth

:

here the steps are, near,

does one ascend."

How

few are they that

to this bidding

human
At such a

kind,
little

bom

to fly

come upward, why

so fall
?

wind do ye

He led And

us on to where the rock was cut,

there across

97

my

forehead struck his wings

IW^

Then promised me my journey should be safe. As on the right, to scale the hill whereon Above the Rubaconte stands the church,
That dominates the City guided well. The excessive steepness of the rise is broken By steps, that had been placed there in the days When records and when measures still were safe

103

"

; :

; ;

PURGATORIO, XII
So here was rendered easier the bank, That falls off sharply from the round above Though here and there the high rock grazes one. And as we turned our persons to go there, Beati pauperes spiritu was sung By voices in such wise no speech could tell. How different these passes are from those
In
hell,

197
106

109

112

for here

we enter

in with song,
116

We now
And

But there below with lamentations fierce were mounting by the sacred stairs,
I

appeared far lighter to myself Than on the plain I had appeared before. Wherefore I said Master, what heavy thing
*
: '

118

Is lifted

from me,
'

so that, as it were,
121

no weariness as I go on ? He answered When the P 's, that have remained Upon thy face and are almost extinct.
I feel
:
'

removed, conquered by good will, They will not only feel no weariness, But their delight will be to be urged on. And then I did, as those will do, who go With something on their head to them unknown. Except another 's signs make them suspect So that the hand lends aid to ascertain,
Shall, like the one, be utterly

Thy

feet will be so

124

'

127

130

And And

searches and finds out, that service doing That cannot then be rendered by the sight
133

with the fingers of my right hand spread I found the letters only six, which he Who bore the keys had cut above my temples
I did,

And, seeing what

my Leader smiled.

136

' ;

'

198

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO
XIII

We now were

at the topmost of the stairs,

Where was cut back a second time the Mount, Which frees from evil those ascending it.
There too a cornice binds the hill about, In manner as the lower one had done, Excepting that its arc more quickly curves. No shade is there, nor figure that appears, So bare the bank appears, so bare the way.
*

With but

the livid color of the stone.

'

" If we await those here whom we may ask, The Poet said, I fear perchance our choice Will have too much delay;" and thereupon Fixed on the sun his eyes with steady gaze
'
'

1*

And
' '

for his motion

made

of his right side

!

and thus turned his left about. thou sweet Light, I enter, trusting thee, On this new way be thou our guide, said he, " As it is needful here that we be led Thou givest earth its heat, thou art its light If other reason to the contrary
' ;
'

A centre,

1*

ought ever to be guides. As far as here is reckoned for a mile, So far had we already gone from there In little time because of ready will And toward us in their flight were heard to come But yet not seen by us, spirits that gave Their courteous invitations to Love's board.
not, thy rays

Urge

'

28

25

The first voice that was passing by in flight ''Vinum non habent" loudly said, and then Behind us went along, repeating it. And ere it utterly from hearing passed

28

31

; ;

"

: '

"

PURGATORIO, XIII
As
'
*

199

it

withdrew,

' *

am
'

Orestes,

' '

cried
'

Another passing, that too halted not. Father, what voices, then I asked, are these ?
'
'

34

And
' '

as I spoke, behold, the third one said

'
*

Love them who have done evil unto you. And the good Master said This circle whips The sin of envy, and on that account The lashes of the scourge are drawn from love. The curb must be of a contrasting sound
: '

37

40

And
But
fix

to

my

mind,

think that thou wilt hear

43

It ere

thou reach the Pass of Pardoning.

air,

thine eyes intently through the

And And

thou shalt see a people seated there In front of us, each one beside the cliff."
then
I

opened wider still my eyes and saw there shades with cloaks Not different in color from the stone. And when we were a little further on, I heard a cry " Mary, pray for us And cries to Michael, Peter and all Saints. I do not think there goes on earth today A man so hard, compassion would not pierce At sight of that which later I beheld For when I had approached so near to them, That what they did grew clear to me, the tears Flowed from my eyes for the great grief I felt. Coarse haircloth covered them, it seemed to me, And each one with his shoulder did support His neighbor, and the bank supported all. Thus do the blind, who lack the earthly goods, Stand at the Pardons, begging what they need.
I looked ahead,
!

46

49

52

55

58

61

And one upon the other drops his head. So that men's pity may be quickly spurred, Not only by the sound of what is said.

64

;;

;' ; ;

'

'

'

200

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the sight, which makes no less a plea.

But by As to the

blind the sunlight profits not,

67

So to these shades, where I was speaking then, The light of heaven was not bountiful For all their eyelids were pierced through with wire Of iron, and so stitched, as men treat hawks.
Because for wildness they abide not still. seemed to me I did them outrage thus Going my way seeing, not being seen Wherefore to my wise Counselor I turned. He well knew what the dumb one fain would say, And so he waited not till I had asked. But said Speak, and be brief and to the point.
It
' '
:

70

73

76

'

was coming with me on that side, Where from the cornice it is possible To fall, because no rim encircles it And on my other hand the pious shades Were there, and through the suture horrible
Virgil

79

82

Pressed out the tears, that, falling, bathed their cheeks.

I turned

me

to them,
' *

and "
:

folk assured,

'

85

Thus

began,

of seeing light above,

88

Which your

desire alone has in its care

So may grace quickly clear away the scum From off your consciences, so that the stream Of memory may through them flow down clear, Tell me, 'twere gracious and dear to me, If here among you be a Latin soul Perchance 'twere good for it, if I knew that.

91

'

*
'

brother, each one

is

a citizen
'

9*

but thou meanest one. Who passed his pilgrimage in Italy. These words as a reply I seemed to hear
city
;

Of a true

97

A little

further on than where I stood

I

Wherefore

made myself heard

still

more

there.

"

' ';

PURGATORIO, XIII
Among
the others was a shade that seemed
;

201
100

Expectant and

if

one would ask

'

'

How

so

It was that he like a blind man raised his chin. "Spirit," said I, "who conquerest thyself

103

To mount, if it was thou that answeredst me. Make thyself known to me by place or name. "I was a Sienese, and with the rest Cleanse here my guilty life, and beg with tears Of Him, that He vouchsafe Himself to us. Sapient I was not, though Sapia called, And at another 's hurt I was by far More glad than at good fortune of my own. That thou mayst know that I deceive thee not, Hear if I was not mad, as I have said.
'
.

106

109

112

My

arch of years already sweeping down,

Not far from Colle were

my townsmen joined

115

In battle with the enemy, and I Had prayed to God for that which He had willed. They were defeated there, and turned to flight In bitter straits and when I saw the chase,
;

US

I felt a joy unlike all other joys

So that

upward turned my daring face, And cried to God I fear Thee now no more, As does the blackbird, if the sky but clear. wished for peace with God toward the end Of life and even yet by penitence
I
'

121
*

124

My

debt had not been lessened, were

it

not
127

That one had held me in his memory,

Pier Pettignano, in his holy prayers,
in his charity was grieved for me. But who art thou, that seekest here to know Of our conditions, and hast eyes still free. As I believe, and breathing still, dost speak ?
'
'

Who

130

'

My

eyes,

' '

said

'

I,

'

shall yet

from me be taken

133

'

'' ;

' ;

'

202

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Though for but little time, as my offence In turning them with envy, is but slight. The fear is greater far, at which my soul
Is in suspense, of pains below, for I

136

am weighed down." And she to me Who then has guided thee Up here to us, if thou thinkst to return ? And I He who is with me, and speaks not And I am living therefore ask of me,
Already with that burden
*
: ' ' '

139

'

1*2

Spirit elect, if thou wilt that I yet

Should move
*
'

Oh, this

is
;

mortal feet for thee on earth. such a novel thing to hear,

'

my
is

'

145

a great mark of God 's love. me sometimes with thy prayer. And I beseech by what thou most desirest, If e 'er thou tread the land of Tuscany, That thou restore my fame among my kin. For thou shalt find them there with that vain folk That hope in Talamone, and shall lose More hope there still, than seeking the Diana:
Therefore assist

Said she " it

148

151

But even more

the admirals will lose there.

'

15*

CANTO XIV

"Who
*

is this

one that, circling thus our Mount

Ere death have given him the power of flight. Opens and shuts his eyes at his own will?"

know not, but I know he is not alone Do thou, who art the nearer to him, ask, And greet him gently, so that he may speak. Two spirits, who against each other leaned. Were thus discoursing of me at my right; Then turned their faces up, to speak to me
'

'

; '

'

'

PURGATORIO, XIV
And
one of them
' :

203
10

'

soul, that still confined

Within the body, journeyest toward heaven, For charity console us now, and say Whence thou hast come and who thou art for thou Dost make us marvel so at this thy grace, As that must do which never yet has been. Then said I " Through mid Tuscany there flows A stream, which risen on Falterona's height Finds not enough the hundred miles it courses. I bring this body from above its banks To tell you who I am would be vain speech.
;
' :

13

16

19

Because my name sounds not yet far abroad. If with my intellect I penetrate Thy meaning clearly, then replied to me He who spoke first, thou speakest of the Arno. Then said the other to him "Why did he Conceal that river's name, as does a man That of things horrible ? Whereon the shade Of whom the question had been asked, made thus His answer to it " I know not, but meet Were it the name of such a valley perished For from its source, where the rough mountain chain, From which Pelorus is cut off, so teems, That in few places it exceeds that mark,
' * * ' '
'

22

'

'

25

'

'

28

31

Unto the place to which it goes to give That back, which heaven sucks up from the sea, Whence all the rivers take what flows in them. Virtue is driven forth by all, as though

34

37

An

enemy, a serpent,

^be its

cause
40

The ill-starred region, or ill habit's spur; Wherefore the dwellers in that wretched vale

Have so transformed their nature, that As if they were in Circe 's pasturing.

it

seems
43

Among

foul hogs,

more

fit

for acorns than

; ;

204

THE DIVINE COMEDY

For other food, that hath been made for use Of men, it first directs its scanty course.
comes flowing down, More snarling than their power is calling for. And twists its muzzle from them in disdain. It goes on falling, and the more it swells, The more it finds the dogs becoming wolves.

Curs

it

finds next, as it

46

49

The accursed and ill-fated ditch it is. Then through more hollow gorges still it

falls

52

And

finds the foxes,

which so

full of

fraud
them.
55

Fear not that wit should

It will be well for him, if

set its traps for

I will not cease, because another hears

he recall
clear to me.
58

What
For

a true spirit

now makes

I behold

A
He

thy grandson, who, become hunter of those wolves upon the bank
river, terrifies

Of that proud

them

all.

sells their flesh,

while they are yet alive

61

Later, as worn-out cattle, slaughters them

Many he robs of life, himself of fame. He comes forth bloody from the gloomy woods,
Leaving them so, that in a thousand years They do not grow again to their first state. As at the announcement of distressful harm
*
'

6*

67

The face of him who

listens is disturbed.

From
So saw

whatsoever side the peril strikes

I

how the other soul, that turned To listen, now became disturbed and sad When it had taken to its mind these words.

70

What one had said and then the other's look Made me desire to know what were their names, And so I made request of them with prayers.
Whereon the spirit, which first spoke with me, Began anew Thou bidst me condescend
' :

73

76

'

PURGATORIO, XIV
To do for thee what thou deniest me; But since God wills that in thee should shine out Such grace, I will not treat thee scantily Then know Guido del Duca is my name.

205

^9

My blood was so with envy all on fire,

had seen a man becoming glad, Thou wouldst have seen my face one livid hue. Of that my sowing now I reap such straw.
If I

82

85

human race, why settest thou the heart On aught where fellowship must be renounced ?
This
is

Renier, of the house of Calboli

88

The glory and the honor, of whose worth

No one

has risen since to be the heir.

91

Not his blood only is despoiled, between The Po, the mountains, Reno and the sea. Of good that truth and happiness require For it is full within those boundaries Of poisonous stocks, so that but slowly now Could they by cultivation be made less. Where is good Lizio, Arrigo Mainardi, Pier Traversaro, Guido di Carpigna? Men of Romagna, turned to bastards, when Will a new Fabbro in Bologna rise ? A Bernardin di Fosco in Faenza, The noble scion of a little plant ? Marvel not, Tuscan, if I weep, when I Recall the time Guido da Prato lived Among us Ugolino d Azzo, too, Federico Tignoso and his friends, The Traversari, and the Anastagi (And both the houses now without an heir), The ladies and the knights, the toils and ease Which love and courtesy inspired in us. There where the hearts have grown so wicked now.
; '

94

97

100

103

106

109

"

206

THE DIVINE COMEDY

why
dost thou not
flee,

Brettinoro,

112

Since they have gone, that were thy family,

And many

people, not to share the guilt

to get

no sons, But Castrocaro ill, and Conio worse To trouble longer to beget such Counts. And the Pagani will do well, when once The Demon leaves them but not even so That a pure witness shall remain of them. Ugolin de Faltolin, secure Is thy good name, for men expect no more One who, degenerate, can blacken it. But now go, Tuscan, on thy way, because Weeping is dearer to me far than speech. So much has our discourse distressed my mind. We were aware that these dear souls perceived When we went on so of the way we took Their very silence made us confident. And when proceeding we became alone, A voice that seemed a thunder-bolt that cleaves The air, came on toward us, uttering Whoever findeth me, shall slay me " then It fled as when the thunder dies away, If suddenly it rends the cloud apart. And when from this our hearing had a truce, Behold, the other, with so loud a crash, It seemed like thunder quickly following I am Aglauros, who became a stone
;

Bagnacaval does well

115

118

'

121

124

'

127

130

'

133

136

'

'

139

And

to press closer to the Poet's side,

I stepped,

Backward With the air

and no more forward then.

side,

silent
:

now on every

1*2

me " That was the bit so hard, That ought to keep a man within his bounds

He

said to

But ye

will take the bait, so that the

hook

1*5

PURGATORIO,
Of
the old adversary draws
so the bridle

XV

207

you on, and recall count little. The heavens call you and around you turn, Showing eternal beauties to your eyes,

And

148

And

yet they gaze but

downward

to the earth
151

Wherefore He scourges you, who

sees all things."

CANTO XV
As much
as shows, between the day's third

hour

And

its

beginning, of the heavenly sphere

*

That ever like a child disports itself. So much now seemed toward the evening To be still left the sun for his full course There it was vesper-time, but midnight here. The rays were striking us full in the face, Because the Mountain had been circled so, That we were going now straight to the west, When I perceived my brow was weighted down With splendor far more than it was before A wonder to me were the things unknown. Wherefore I raised both hands above my brows, And made me a protection from the sun. Thus to diminish the excess of light. As when from water or a mirror leaps

10

13

1^

A ray

in the direction opposite.

19

In manner like to that in which it fell Rebounding upward, and departs as far, At equal distance from the plummet line, As both experience and science show E 'en so it seemed to me that I was now,

22

By

light reflected there in front of me.

So smitten that

my

sight

was swift

to flee.

'

"

208
* *

THE DIVINE COMEDY

is this,
'

Sweet Father, what

I

'

said

I,

' *

from which

25

cannot screen
'

my
'

sight so that

it

may
if still

Avail me, and which seems to move toward us ?

* *

Be not amazed,

he answered me,

' *

28

The family of heaven dazzle thee It is an angel, come to bid us mount. Soon it will be, when to behold these things
Will not be grievous to thee, but a joy.

81

As

great as in thy nature thou canst feel."

34

where the blessed Angel was, Enter ye here A stairway than the others far less steep." Already we were mounting, starting thence, With "Beati misericordes" sung Behind us, and ''Rejoice, conqueror." We two alone, my Master and myself, Were going upward, and thus journeying I thought to gain advantage from his words,

When we came
With

joyful voice he said

'

'

37

*0

And so addressed him with my questioning "What did the spirit from Romagna mean, When speaking of 'renouncing fellowship'?"
Wherefore he said " Of his own greatest fault He knows the harm, and so let none think strange That he reprove it, so men mourn it less. Because your longings are directed there Where by companionship each part is less, Envy inflates the bellows for your sighs. But if the love of that sphere which is highest Drew upward your desire, there would not be That fear within your breast; because the more They are in number, who up there say 'ours,' So much the more of good doth each possess, The more that cloister 's burning charity. "I am more empty of content," said I,
: '

43

46

*9

52

55

58

; '

'

' ;

PURGATORIO,
"Than
if I

XV

209

had kept silence at the first, more doubt I gather in my mind. How can it be, that good which has been shared, Should make the more possessors richer still, Than if it were possessed by but a few ?

And

still

^1

'

And

he to

me

' :
'

Because thou f astenest

^
67

Thy mind upon the things of earth alone. Thou gatherest darkness from the light itself.
That Good, unbounded and
ineffable,
love,

Which is above, so runs forth to meet As to a lucid body comes a ray. As much of order as it finds, so much It gives itself so that how far soe 'er
;

70

Love spreads, eternal worth beyond it grows The more they are who set their hearts on high, The more they love well and the more the love

73

And like a mirror each gives back to each. And if my words leave hunger unappeased,
Thou
shalt see Beatrice,

76

and she

will then

But do thou

Completely satisfy thine every wish. strive that soon may be erased,
the two already, the five wounds,
close in healing
' : '

79

As are Which
I

by the pain they

me,
'

feel.

'

fain

had said
I

Thou

satisfiest

82

When

observed the next round had been reached,

85

So that my eager eyes silenced my words. There seemed I of a sudden to myself In an ecstatic vision to be rapt, And in a temple to behold a throng A lady was about to go within, And said in a sweet mother 's way My son. Wherefore hast thou in this wise dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I sorrowing
' ' :

88

91

Have searched

for thee

; ' '

and

as she ceased to speak,

"

: '' ;

210

THE DIVINE COMEDY

9*

And

That which at first appeared, had disappeared. then there came another, on whose cheeks Those drops were flowing down, which grief distils "When anger at another has sprung up And she said " If thou art this city 's lord,
:

97

The name of which so set the gods in strife, And whence all science sparkles forth, then take, Pisistratus, thy vengeance of those arms
That dared embrace our daughter." And the lord With look of moderation seemed benign And mild, as in these words he answered her What shall we do to him who is ill- willed, If he who loves us is condemned by us ? Then I saw people all on fire with rage As they with stones were murdering a youth.
* *

100

103

106

And shouted to each other loud Kill, kill And by that death already weighted down,
: ' '

; '

109

I saw him bow himself toward the earth, But of his eyes still making gates to heaven And in such struggle prayed the Lord on high, With look that unlocks pity in the heart.

112

That He forgive his persecutors' sin. When outwardly my spirit had returned

115
it,

To those things which are true outside of

I

recognized
Leader,

my

wanderings not
see

false.

My
' '

who could

me

acting then

118

Like one who frees himself from slumber, said: What ails thee ? .Thou canst not support thyself,

But

hast been walking more than half a league,

121

Veiling thine eyes and with thy legs not free.

Like one

whom

"

my
But

sweet Father,
still

listen,

When

bending down." thou wilt I will tell thee what appeared my legs were taken from me so.

wine or sleep
' '

is

said

'

I,

'

if

124

'

;;

'

PURGATORIO, XVI
And
If thou didst have a hundred masks he Before thy face, the workings of thy mind, However slight, were not concealed from me. Thy visions came that thou have no excuse To close thy heart to waters of that peace. Which from the eternal Fountain are poured forth.
* * :
: '

211
127

130

I did not ask

What

ails

thee

'

as does one

133

Who

looks alone with that eye

all

which
lies;

sees not,
136

When

inanimate the body

I asked that I

might give strength to thy feet So must the sluggish be spurred on, when slow
'

To use their wakefulness at its return. As we were walking through the vesper-time,
Looking ahead, as far as sight could reach Against the late and shining rays, behold. Little by little there came on a smoke In our direction, and as dark as night,

139

1^

Nor was there any place

to go

from

it

This took from us our eyes and the pure

air.

1*6

CANTO XVI
Darkness of hell, and of a night deprived Of every planet, 'neath a little sky. As much as can be, darkened with the clouds,

Made not a veil so dense before my sight, As did the smoke that was now covering us. Nor was of such harsh texture to my sense
For
it

allowed not that

my

eyes be open

Therefore
Close to

my wise and trusty Escort drew my side, his shoulder proffering.

man
walks behind his guide,
10

And

as a blind

In order not to stray, or butt against

'

"
'

; '

'' '

"

212

THE DIVINE COMEDY

13

What might bring harm to him, or death perchance went along through air bitter and foul,

And

listened to
'
: '

my

Leader,
;

who ceased not

*

Take care be not cut off from me. I could hear voices, and each one appeared To be a prayer for peace and mercy to The Lamb of God, who taketh sins away. The Agnus Dei were their only prayers One word there was in all, their measure one, So that among them concord seemed complete.

To say

16

1^

*
'

Master, are these spirits, that

I asked.
:
' '

hear ?
'

22

And he to me Thou judgest well The knot of anger they are loosening.
*
'

Now who art thou, that cleavest here And speakest of us, even as if thou
Wert measuring
the time

our smoke,
still ?
'

25

by calends
' * :

Thus was it spoken by a single voice Whereon my Master said Reply to it. And ask if we go upward by this way.
'

28

And

"

creature, that dost cleanse thyself,

fair.
'

81

That thou mayst go before thy Maker

Thou
It

shalt hear wonders, if thou go with me.

' * :

answered

I will
;

follow thee as far

seeing.

34

As

is

allowed
*

if

smoke prevent our

Then hearing in its stead shall keep us joined. Then I began With that envelopment Which death dissolves, I journey upward hither Through the infernal anguish have I come As God has so included me in grace
: '

37

40

That he has willed that

should see his court

In manner all unknown to modern use. Conceal not who thou wast before thy death, But tell me and, too, if I rightly go Unto the pass thy words shall be our escort.
; ;

^
'

;;

'

'

PURGATORIO, XVI
was a Lombard Marco was my name I knew the world, and loved that worth at which The bow of everyone is now unbent For mounting upward thou dost go aright." Thus he replied, and added " I beseech That when thou art above thou pray for me. And I to him " I bind me by my faith To do what thou dost bid me but I burst With inward doubt, if I free not my mind. What first was single, is now double grown Through thy discourse, which makes that sure to me, Both here and elsewhere, which I join to it. The world is, to be sure, as utterly Deserted by all virtue as thou say'st, And big and covered with iniquity But I would pray that thou point out the cause, That I may see and show it then to others For one puts it in heaven, another here. A deep-drawn sigh, that grief closed with an Oh "
*
'

213
46

48

'

52

55

58

*1

'

'

'

64

He
' '

uttered

first
is

then
;

'
:

'

Brother,

' '

he began,
it

The world

blind

thou cam 'st from

if

in truth.
67

Ye who
To

are living would refer each cause

the heavens above alone, as

they swept
70

All things with them by some necessity.

in you would be destroyed and then it were not just to feel Joy for the good, and for the evil, grief. Your movements heaven begins I say not, all, But even if we grant that it were said, A light is given you for good and ill. If this

were

so,

Free-will,

73

And
In

a free

will,

which,

its first battles

if it bear the pain with the heavens, then if

76

Will conquer utterly,

nurtured

well.

To greater

force

and better nature ye

79

214

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Free subjects are, and that creates in you The mind, which heaven has not in its charge. But if the present world has gone astray, Within you is the cause, seek it within, And I will now be a true spy of it. It issues from His hand, who loves it ere
It has its being,

82

and

is

85

playful, like
88

A little maiden with her tears and smiles,

The
It

soul in ignorant simplicity,

Save

from a joyous Maker sprung. gladly turns to that which gives it joy.
that, as

Of a

slight

good at

first it

has a taste

81

Beguiled thereby, it then runs after it, Unless a guide or curb should turn its love.

Whence

it

was needful

to

Needful to have a king,

make law a curb, who might discern

94

Of the true city at the least the tower. The laws exist, but who puts hand to them ? No man, because the shepherd who leads on May chew the cud, but lacks the parted hoof. Wherefore the people, who behold their guide

97

100

Aim only

at that good, of

which themselves
103

Are greedy, feed on that and ask no more. Well canst thou see that evil leadership Has been the cause that made the world to sin, Not Nature that in you has grown corrupt. Rome, that has turned the world to good, was wont To have two suns, enabling men to see Both paths, that of the world, and God 's. Now one has quenched the other, and the sword Is joined unto the crozier and the two Must of necessity go ill together For they fear not each other, when conjoined.
;

106

109

112

If thou believe not, see the ripened ear.

'

' ' :

; ;

PURGATORIO, XVI
For by its seed shall every herb be known. That land where flow the Adige and the Po Was wont to know true worth and courtesy, Ere Frederick had strife and now it might In all security be journeyed through By whosoever out of shame would shun The discourse or the nearness of the good. Three old men are still there, indeed, in whom Old times rebuke the new they find it long Ere God remove them to the better life Corrado da Palazzo, good Gherardo, And Guido da Castello, better named The simple Lombard, as the Frenchmen say. Say henceforth that the Church of Rome confounds Two powers in herself, and in the mire Fallen, defiles her burden and herself. My Marco, said I, thou hast reasoned well Now I discern why from inheritance The sons of Levi were cut off but, pray, Who is Gherardo, who, thou say'st, remains As an example of that race extinct.
; ; ' ' ' '
' '

215

115

118

121

124

127

'

130

133

And
'

in reproval of this barbarous age

'

"Either thy words deceive me," answered he, Or test me, since, despite thy Tuscan speech. Thou seem 'st of good Gherardo to know naught. I know him by no other name, unless His daughter Gaia furnish one to me. May God be with you Further I come not. Thou seest yon whiteness, beaming through the smoke, Grow brighter now that is the Angel there I must depart ere I am seen of him. With this he turned, and would not hear me more.
'
!

136

139

1*2

'

1*5

216

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO XVII

If ever in the mountains, reader, clouds

thee in, through which thou couldst not Except as moles do through their skin, recall How, when the humid and dense vapors first Began to grow less thick, the round sun's rays Come feebly through then easy is the task
;

Have shut

see,

Of thy imagination

to behold

How now

at first I

saw again the sun.

10

Already sinking to his resting-place. my Master 's faithful steps, I issued forth from such a cloud to rays Already from the low shores passed away. thou imaginative power, that dost At times so snatch us from the things without One heeds not, though a thousand trumpets sound, Who moves thee, if the sense offer thee naught ? Light moves thee, which in heaven by itself Takes form, or by His will who sends it down. On my imagination then was stamped The loveless wrath of her, whose form was changed Into that bird 's, who most delights to sing And at the time my mind was so restrained Within itself, that nothing from without Could come that would be taken in by it.
So, following

13

16

19

22

Then

like a rain in

my

deep fantasy

25

Came down one

crucified, scornful

and

fierce

In aspect, and as such was meeting death. The great Ahasuerus stood near by Esther, his wife, and Mordecai the just. Who was so upright both in word and deed. And when as of itself this image burst

28

31

'

'

'

PURGATORIO, XVII
Like to a bubble when the water fails Of which it had been made, before me rose

217

In vision, weeping bitterly, a maid Who said these words " Queen, what was the cause That thou didst will in anger to be naught ? When, not to lose Lavinia, thou didst slay Thyself, thou didst lose me mother, 'tis I,
:

34

37

mourn thine, before another 's As when upon a sudden a new light
I

And

death.

'

*0

Strikes the closed eyes, and sleep is broken off, But quivers ere it wholly dissipates, So what I was imagining fell down, As soon as I was smitten in the face By light far more intense than we know here.
I

43

turned

me round

to see
' :

where

might

be,
'

46

'Tis here that one ascends, When a voice said And moved my mind from every other thought. It put within my will such eagerness
'

49

upon the one who spoke the words. It will not rest till it come face to face. As in the sun whose light weighs down our eyes, And who by his excess veils his own form. In such a way my power was failing there. This is a spirit come from God, who shows The upward way to us without our prayer.

To

look

52

'

'

55

And hides himself within his very light. He deals with us as one does with himself,
For whoso, knowing need, waits
According
to his to be begged.

58

Sets himself then malignly to refuse.

bidding

let

us go,
'

61

strive to mount For then we may not till the day returns. Thus spoke my Leader, and together now Toward a stairway we had turned to go

And

before the darkness come,

64

'

'

;;

; :

'

218

THE DIVINE COMEDY

as I

I felt

had reached the lowest step moving wing, A fanning of my face, and heard: ^'Beati Pacifici, from evil anger free. The last rays, just before the coming night,
near

As soon

me

as 'twere a

^7

'

7<*

Had
*
'

risen so high above us that the stars

sides.

Began appearing now on many

My strength, why dost thou seem to melt away V

73

Thus to myself I said, because I felt The power of my legs was put in truce. We had attained the place where now the stair Mounted no further, and were fixed, as when A ship arriving has come up to shore

76

And
If

I stood listening

little

while
this

79

any sound there were on

new round
82

* *

Then, turning to my Master, said to him Tell me, sweet Father, what offence it is
'

That in this circle where we are is purged ? Although our feet be stayed, stay not thy words. And he to me " The love of good, come short
:

85

Of what it should effect, is here restored The oar ill-slackened here is plied again. But that thou understand more clearly yet, Direct thy mind to me and thou shalt pluck Some good fruit of this tarrying. My son,
Neither Creator nor created one,
' *
'

88

*1

Thus he began, was ever without love. By nature or by will and this thou knowest. The natural is always without error The other love may err through evil end. Or for its lack, or e 'en excess, of strength. But while directed to the primal goods,
;

94

97

And
It

in the secondary, moderate,

ill

cannot be a cause of

delight

; ; ;

;; ;

PURGATORIO, XVII
Yet when
it

219
^^^

turns to wrong, or with more care

Or less than it should have, hastens toward good, The creature works against its Maker then. Hence thou mayst understand that love must be The seed in you of all your worth, and too Of every act that merits punishment. Now, since Love cannot turn aside its face

1^3

l^^

From

the well-being of

its subject, so

All things are safe from hatred of themselves And, since no being can be deemed apart, And by itself existing, from the First, Affection is cut off from hating Him.
It follows, if I

109

judge discerningly, loves is of his neighbor now. This love is born in three ways in your clay One man, if but his neighbor be suppressed,

112

The harm one

115

Hopes to excel, and for this solely longs. That from his greatness he may be brought low Another fears to lose his power, favor, Honor and fame, because of others' rise.

118

And grows so sad, he loves the And still another seems through

contrary injury
121

So angered, he grows greedy of revenge And such a one must work another's harm. This three-fold love is mourned for down below

124

Now

I desire that

thou shouldst learn of that

127
it

Which hastens to the good, disordinate. Each one confusedly thinks of a Good, In which the mind may rest, and longs for

And

therefore each one strives to

come

to

it.

draws you to behold Or to acquire it, just repentance comes And on this cornice ye have pain for it. Another good there is that brings no joy
If love be slow that

130

133

: '

220
It is

THE DIVINE COMEDY

not joy, not the essential part,
136

That is both fruit and root of every good. The love that yields itself too much to this

mourned for in three circles over us But by what reasoning its parts are three say not, that thou search them for thyself."
Is

139

CANTO XVIII
lofty Teacher had concluded thus His reasoning, and was intent to read Upon my face, if I were satisfied; And I, already driven by new thirst,

The

Was
* '

silent outwardly,

saying within
*
'

Perchance

my

too

But

that true Father,

much asking burdens him. who perceived the wish

itself,

That timidly had not disclosed

By

speaking gave
I said
is
* * :

me

courage
so, I

now

to speak.
10

Wherefore

My Master,

in thy light

My sight
Expound

quickened

clearly see
13

Whatever thy discourse imports or shows But I beseech thee. Father sweet and dear,
the love to which thou dost reduce Every good action and its opposite.
'

"Direct," said

he,

**

toward me the sharpened sight

16

Of intellect, and to thee shall be clear The error of the blind who will be guides. The soul which is created quick to love Moves easily to all that pleases it Soon as by pleasure it is roused to act. Your apprehension draws of what is true An image, and displays it in your mind. So that it makes the mind turn unto it. And if thus turned it bend itself thereto,

19

22

25

'

PURGATORIO, XVIII
is its love 'tis Nature 's self, through pleasure newly bound in you. For even as the fire is upward borne By reason of its form, born to aspire Where it abides the most in its own matter,
;

221

This bending

That

is

28

So does the captive mind move

to desire,

31

Which

is

the spirit's motion,

and ne'er
it rejoice.

rests

Until the thing beloved makes

Now

canst thou see

The truth That in itself

how deeply hidden is from all those people who aver

all love is to

34

be praised
it

Because, perchance, the matter that

;

seeks
'

37

' *

Seems always good but yet not every seal Is good, however good may be the wax. Thy words and my wit following after them, Reveal to me what love is, answered I. But this has made my mind conceive more doubt If from without love is thus offered us, And on no other footing moves the soul.
' ' ' '

40

43

Go

right or wrong, the merit

is

not hers."
46

And

he to
I

That

me may

' * :

As
;

far as reason sees,

tell

what
;

is

beyond, expect
49

To learn of Beatrice that work is faith 's. Every substantial form, that is distinct From matter and united with it, has
Specific virtue gathered in itself,

Which,

if

not operating,

is

not

felt,

52

Nor ever shows itself, but in effects. As life within a plant by the green leaves.
Therefore the source whence comes the intelligence
55

Of first cognitions, man knows not, nor whence The liking for the first things we desire, Which is in us as in the bee the zeal To make the honey and this primal wish
;

58

';

222

THE DIVINE COMEDY

!

Admits of no desert of praise or blame. That every other wish conform to this, The virtue that gives counsel is inborn In you to hold the threshold of assent. This is the principle whence is derived The measure of your merit, as it shall Receive and winnow good and evil loves. Those who by reasoning have searched the depths Learned of this liberty that is innate, And so gave moral science to the world. So, though we grant that of necessity All love that bums within you should arise, Within you too is power to restrain.
This noble virtue Beatrice understands

^
^^

70

78

As freedom of the will so see that thou Remember it, if she should speak thereof. The moon slow-moving toward the midnight hour Was making now the stars seem few to us,
;

'

76

Herself in form a bucket all on fire. She moved against the heavenly course on paths The Roman sees the setting sun inflame Between Sardinia and Corsica. The gentle shade, through whom Pietola Has greater fame than Mantua herself, Had laid the burden down that I imposed And I, who had been garnering his words Open and plain about my questionings, Stood like a man who wanders drowsily. But suddenly was taken from me there All drowsiness, by people who behind Our backs had come upon us in their round. As once Ismenus and Asopus saw Upon their banks at night fury and rout, If but the Thebans needed Bacchus' aid.

79

82

86

88

^1

; '

"

'

; :

PURGATORIO, XVIII
So on
this circle

223
84

swept upon their way,

By what I saw of them as they came on, Those whom goodwill and righteous love bestride.
They were upon us
soon, because they all In that great throng were moving at a run And two in front were shouting, as they wept 87

*
'

And Mary
' '

ran unto the hills in haste Caesar to bring Ilerda 'neath the yoke Did sting Marseilles and hasten into Spain.

100

'

'
'

Swift, swift, that no time

may

be lost because

103

Of
' '

little love,

'
'

the others cried behind,

106

"And zeal in good may make grace once more green." people in whom sharpened fervor now
Redeems perchance neglect and the delay

Ye

practised through lukewarmness in good deeds,

This one

who

lives,

and surely

I lie not,

109

Would
So
tell

fain go

up when sunlight comes again

is

us where the opening

near.
'

'

These words were spoken by

my Leader
: '

then

112

One

of those spirits said to

us,

Behind

and

We are so full We cannot tarry;

San Zeno 's abbot
in

him Come thou thou shalt find the gap. of eagerness to move,
so

115

therefore, pray, forgive,

If thou esteem this justice churlishness.

Verona once

118

Was I, beneath good Barbarossa 's rule. Of whom in sorrow Milan still is talking. And such a one with one foot in the grave
Shall for that monastery soon lament.

121

And

be in sadness for his power there

124

Because his son, evil in all his frame, And worse in mind, and too of evil birth. In place of its true shepherd he put there." I know not whether he said more, or ceased,

127

': ;

224

THE DIVINE COMEDY

So far already had he run ahead this I heard and gladly have retained. And he who was my help in every need

But

130

Said to

me

then

' : '

Now

turn thee to this side

133

See two of them that come, biting at sloth." They followed all the others, as they said The people for whose sake the sea was parted Had died before the Jordan saw its heirs
' *

'

And

thus: ''That folk, that with Anehises' son

'

136

Did not endure the toil unto the end, Gave themselves up to life inglorious. And when those shades were parted now

so far

139

From

us, that

they no longer could be seen,

diverse,
1*2

mind, from which sprang up And I so strayed from one thought to the next, That I had closed my eyes through wandering, And so transmuted thinking into dream.
Still others,

A new thought rose within my

many and

1*5

CANTO XIX
It was the hour when, vanquished by the earth

Or Saturn's rays betimes, the heat of day Can warm no more the coldness of the moon

When

geomancers see before the dawn Their Greater Fortune in the eastern sky Rise by a way that stays but briefly dusk saw in dream a woman, stammering, With squinting eyes, and crooked on her feet, Her hands deformed, her features colorless, gazed at her, and as the sunshine brings Comfort to chilly limbs that night weighs down. So did my look make nimble then her tongue.

10

'

PURGATORIO, XIX
And
Made
Did
thereupon in but a little time her all straight, and to her pallid face
give the color love would look for there.

225
13

And

had her power of speech thus freed, Then she began to sing in such a way, I hardly could have turned my mind from her.
as she

16

* *

am,

' '

she sang,

'
'

am the

Siren sweet,

1*

That in mid-sea bewitch the mariners, So full am I of pleasure to be heard. turned Ulysses from his wandering way With song of mine and he who with me grows
;

22

Familiar, rarely goes, I please

Her mouth was not

Beside
' '

yet closed,

him so." when there appeared

25

A lady of a saintly mien,

me
Virgil, Virgil,

prepared
?
'

to bring that one to dismay.

who

is

this

'

said she

28

Disdainfully; and he approached with eyes

Fixed then upon the modest one alone. She seized the other, and opening her in front, Rending the clothes, showed me her belly; then I woke because of stench that came from it. I turned my eyes, and the good Master said At least three times I called thee rise and come. And let us find the gate where thou mayst enter.
' * ; '

31

34

I rose

the circles of the holy

Mount

37

Already were all full of the high day, And we went on, the new sun at our backs. While following him I bore my brow like one Who has it heavy laden with his thought. And makes himself a half arch of a bridge, When I heard said Come ye, the passage-way and in a way so mild and kind Is here,
'

40

'

43

'

'

As we ne 'er hear within this mortal pale. With wings outspread, that seemed as of a swan,

46

'

'

226

THE DIVINE COMEDY

rock.
us,

He, who had spoken thus, directed us Upward between two walls of the hard

He moved

his pinions then,

and fanning

49

Proclaimed qui lugent to be of the blest. For they shall have their hearts in comfort rich. "What ails thee, that thou lookest only down Upon the ground ? my Guide began to say, When we had passed a little the Angel's place.
' ' * *

52

With such By a new

I

suspicion I

am made

to

go
'

55

vision that so

draws me down,
it.
* '

cannot rid

me

of the thought of
' '

*
'

Hast thou then seen, said he, that ancient witch Who is alone lamented for above ? Hast thou beheld how man is freed from her ?
;

58

Let it suffice strike with thy heels the earth Thine eyes turn upward to the lure, which He, The Eternal King, whirls onward with the spheres."

61

As when

the falcon looks,

first at his feet,

64

Then turns him at the cry, and stretches forth With longing for the food that draws him there, Such I became, and such, as far as reached The cleft to make a way for him who mounts, I made the ascent to where the round begins.

67

When
I

on

this fifth cornice

it

came forth

free,

70

saw upon

those

who were

in tears.
73

And
I

lay there with their faces to the earth.

" Adhaesit pavimento anima mea,"

heard them uttering with such deep sighs. The words were hardly to be understood. O ye elect of God, whose sufferings Both hope and justice make less hard to bear,
Direct us, pray, unto the high ascents.
* *
'

*
'

76

If safe

from lying prostrate ye have come,

in briefest time find out the way.

79

And would

; ;

'

PURGATORIO, XIX
your right hands be. Thus prayed the Poet, and was answered thus
to the outside let

227
'

E 'er

82

A little
And then

way

in front of us

and

Observed what else was hidden as he spoke I turned my eyes unto my Lord Whereon with a glad sign he gave assent

86

To what the look

of

my

desire

had craved.
88
lay,

When
I

could with myself do as I would,

drew near where that creature Had first attracted me, and said

whose words

to

him

"0

spirit, in

whom

grief

is

ripening

W
^*

That without which one cannot turn to God, Suspend a while for me thy greater care. Who wast thou, and why have ye thus your backs Turned upward, tell me, if thou wouldst that I Procure thee aught there whence I came alive." And he to me " Why heaven turns our backs Toward itself, thou yet shalt know, but first, Scias quod ego fui successor Petri. 'Twixt Sestri and Chiaveri there comes down A stream that is beautiful, and of its name The title of my race makes its chief boast. A month and little more I felt his load Who keeps the ample mantle from the mire Such weight, all other burdens are but feathers. I was converted late, alas but when I had become the Roman Shepherd, then
: !

87

100

103

106

I I

made discovery

of

how

false life

is.

saw that there the heart came not to rest, And could not mount up higher in that life So love of this was kindled in my soul. Up to that moment I had been a soul Wretched, apart from God, all avarice;

109

112

Now as

thou seest

am

punished here.

;; '

;;

'

"

228

THE DIVINE COMEDY

avarice effects
is

What

here

made known

115

In the purgation of converted souls More bitter punishment the Mount has not. Even as there our eye was not raised up To things on high, but fixed on those of earth, So justice here has sunk it to the earth. Even as avarice there quenched our love Of every good, and hence our work was lost, So justice here is holding us in bonds.

118

121

Bound as we are and captive, hand and foot As long as the just Lord shall please, so long Shall we stay here, outstretched and motionless." I had knelt down, and had in mind to speak But when I was beginning, he perceived.
Merely by
: ' ' :

124

127

listening,

my
me

reverence.
130

And said What reason is it bends thee down ? And I " By reason of your dignity

My
' *

conscience stung

that I stood erect,

'

"Straighten thy
;

legs, my brother," answered he, And rise for likewise with thee and the rest I am a fellow servant to One Power.

133

If ever thou didst understand the

words
so.

136

Of Holy Gospel: ^Neque nubent,' then Thou mayst know well why I am speaking Now go thy way I bid thee stay no more
;

139

ripen that which thou hast have a niece, Alagia named, in herself, provided that our house By its example cause her not to sin And she alone is left me on the earth.

Thy tarrying With which I

I

is

obstructive to

my

tears.

said.

Yonder Good

142

'

145

; ;

'

PURGATORIO,

XX

229

CANTO XX

A WILL strives

ill

against a better one

Wherefore against my pleasure, to please him, I drew the sponge unfilled from out the water. I moved on and my Leader moved along The unobstructed places by the rock. As on a wall we graze the battlements. For they, through whose eyes here fell drop by drop The evil that possesses all the world, On the other side approached too near the edge. A malediction on thee, old she-wolf, That more than all the other beasts hast prey, For this thine endless hunger, cavernous. Heaven, by whose revolution men
;

10

13

Believe conditions here below are changed.

When will he

come, through

whom she shall depart ?

16
I

We went
And
1

along with slow and scanty steps,

upon the shades heard Lamenting and bewailing piteously heard by chance in front of us a voice Cry out Sweet Mary " as it were with Like to a woman in the pangs of birth
I intent
*
! : '

19 tears,

And

Thou wast so poor, As men may judge of by that hostelry. Where thou didst lay thy holy burden down.
then there followed this
: '

'

22

'

And

following, this

"

good Fabricius,

25

Virtue with poverty thou didst prefer Above great riches with iniquity." So pleasing were these words to me, I went
Still

28

further on, that I might learn to

know
31

It

The spirit from whom they had seemed to come. had not ceased to speak, and now it told

'

230

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Nicholas gave largess to the maids,
in

How
* *

That they

honor might conduct their youth.

O
' '

soul that speakest so

much

good,

'

'

said

I,

34

Pray, tell me who thou wast, and why alone Thou dost renew these words of worthy praise? Thy speech shall not be without recompense, If I return to finish the short way Of that life that is flying to its goal. And he :" If I do tell thee, it is not
'

37

40

Because
I

I seek for

comfort from the earth,

43

But for that grace, that shines in thee ere death. was the root whence sprang that evil plant,

Which

casts such shade o'er all the Christian land

is

That good fruit

but rarely plucked from

it.

But if Douai, Lille, Ghent and Bruges had The power, vengeance would be taken soon And I implore it of the Judge of all. Hugh Capet was my name on earth of me Are born the Philips and the Louises,
;

46

49

By whom in recent days France has been ruled. was the son of a Parisian butcher And when the ancient kings had come to end,

52

Save only one who clad himself in gray, found that I held fast in hand the reins Of government within the realm, and power Of new-got lands, and had such store of friends, That to the crown thus widowed, my son 's head Was then promoted, and it is with him
I

55

58

Began the consecrated bones

of those.
61

So long as the great dowry of Provence Had not yet taken from my race its shame, It was of little power, but did no ill. Then it began with force and lying fraud Its plundering and later, for amends.
;

64

PURGATORIO,

XX

231

Took Normandy, Ponthieu and Gascony,

Charles came to Italy, and, for amends,
67

Made Conradin

his victim;

and then next

70

Thrust Thomas back to heaven, for amends.

I see a time, not far off

from today,

Which shall draw forth another Charles from France To make both him and his still better known. Unarmed he comes, alone, and with the lance
That Judas jousted with and thrusts it so, That he shall make the paunch of Florence burst. Thence he shall gain, not land, but sin and shame, For him so much the heavier, as he The lighter has esteemed such injury. The other, who comes captive from a ship, I see make his own daughter merchandise, Haggling as corsairs do with other slaves. What canst thou, avarice, do more with us,
;

73

76

79

82

thou so drawest my kindred to thyself. That it cares not for its own flesh and blood ? That past and future ill may both seem less, I see to Alagna come the Fleur-de-lys, And in His vicar's person Christ made captive.

When

85

I see

Him

I see

mocked a second time; the vinegar and gall renewed.

to be

88

And Him
I see in the

'twixt living robbers

put

to death.

new

Pilate cruelty

91

Not

satisfied with this, but, without law. Entering the Temple with his greedy sails.

When

shall

I,

my

Lord, rejoice to see

94

Thy vengeance wrought, which, being hidden, makes The anger in Thy secret counsel sweet ?

What
I

of the
first

Holy

Spirit's only Bride

97

was

In

my

and which made thee turn direction for some gloss of it,
saying,

; ; '

; ;; ;

'

232

THE DIVINE COMEDY

as an answer to our prayers, as long
100

Was
As

day lasts but when the night has come, Contrary sound we utter in its stead. Then we repeat Pygmalion 's story, how His hungering for gold insatiate Made him a traitor, thief and parricide
the
;

108

And

avaricious Midas' misery,

the prayer his greed

106

Which followed on

had made,
100

And which
The
foolish

deserves immortal ridicule

calls to

Achan each one

he stole the

mind,

And how

spoils, so that the

wrath
112

Of Joshua seems still to bite him here Sapphira and her husband we accuse We praise the kicks that Heliodorus had

And Polymnestor 's infamy sweeps on. The Mountain round, for Polydorus death Here, last of all, we cry out Crassus, pray. Tell us, thou knowest it, what is the taste of gold ? Sometimes we speak, one loud, another low,
' '
:

115

118

As our

affection spurs our utterance,

121

Either to greater or to lesser pace

So in the good we speak of here by day, I was not then alone but here near by
;

No

other person lifted

up

his voice.

'

had already started on from him, were striving to go on our way As far as was permitted to our power. When I perceived a trembling of the Mount, As of a thing in falling and a chill

We

124

And now

127

Seized me, as

it

does one

who

goes to death.
130
it

Certainly Delos was not shaken so

Before Latona made To bring forth there the two eyes of the heavens. Then there began on every side a cry,
her nest in

133

;;

'

: ;

PURGATORIO, XXI
Such that the Master drew toward me, and said Fear not, as long as I shall be thy guide. ''Gloria in excelsis Deo," all were saying, By what I understood from those near by, Whose cry I had been able to make out All motionless and in suspense we stood,
' '
'

233

136

139

Like to the shepherds who first heard the song, Until the trembling ceased, and then it stopped. Then we resumed our holy journeying, Watching the shades that lay there on the ground.

142

Returned already to their wonted plaint. Never with such assault did ignorance Make me desirous to inform myself.
If

1^5

memory

is

true to

me

in this.
148

As

seemed then subjected to in thought But, for our haste, I did not dare to ask, And by myself I could see nothing there So I went on, timid and deep in thought.
I

151

CANTO XXI
innate thirst that is ne 'er satisfied. Save with the water asked for as a boon By the poor woman of Samaria, Distressed me, and I felt the spur of haste, Following my Leader on the obstructed way. And the just vengeance made me share the pain

The

When

Luke writes for us how the Christ, Already risen from the sepulchral cave, Appeared unto the two upon the way,
lo,

as

A shade

appeared to us, behind us first, Watching the crowd that lay there at

10
its feet

Nor had we noticed

it

until

it

spoke.

'

'

'

"

234
* :
'

THE DIVINE COMEDY

!

Saying My brothers, may God give you peace We turned at once, and Virgil made such sign As was befitting, and beginning said Into the council of the blest mayst thou Be brought in peace, by that true court which sends Me back into eternal banishment. What ? said he, as we went on actively, If ye are shades that God deigns not above, Who has come with you by His stairs so far ? My Teacher answered " If thou seest the marks,
* *
'

13

16

'

'

'

19

'

'

22

Which this one bears and which the Angel drew, Thou knowest that with the good 'tis meet he reign. But since that one, who spins both day and night, Had not yet ceased to draw the flax for him, Which Clotho lays and packs for every one.
His
soul,

25

which

is

the sister of us both,

28

Ascending, could not come alone, because

Was drawn

Not seeing in our manner; therefore I forth from the ample jaws of Hell To be his guide, and I shall guide him on As far as what I teach has power to lead. But tell us, if thou knowest, why just now The Mountain trembled so, and why all seemed

31

34

E 'en down

to its soft base, to give one cry

'

His questions aimed so through the needle's eye Of my desire, that simply with the hope My thirst became less eager to be quenched. That one began This Mountain 's holy laws Know naught that is without due ordering, Or is outside the bounds of common use. This place is free from every change of this, That Heaven receives its own unto itself. Occasion may be here, but of naught else. Wherefore no rain, nor hail, nor snow, nor dew,
'
:

37

'

40

43

46

'

PURGATORIO, XXI
Nor hoar-frost ever falls here higher up Than the small stairway of the three short steps. Nor are there clouds, or dense or thin, that come, Nor lightning; Thaumas' daughter comes not here,

235

^9

Who

often changes place in yonder skies.

rises

Dry vapor

from below no higher Than to the topmost step of which I spoke. And where the feet of Peter's vicar rest.

52

It

may
It I

be

much
;

or

little

lower

down

56

quakes but with wind hidden in the earth

68

It

know not how, it never trembled here. quakes here when a soul perceives itself
it rises

All cleansed, so that

or begins
61

To mount on high, and such shouts follow it. Of being cleansed the will alone gives proof, Which comes upon the soul now free to change Its home, and with volition pleases it.
It wills

indeed before, but that desire

sin,

^
will.

Forbids, which by God's justice seeks the pain.

And

As formerly the I, who in this

Felt

and checks the

suffering have lain

67

Five hundred years and more, only just

now
feel,

my

will free to seek a better place.

^0

Therefore the earthquake came, which thou didst

And pious
;

souls throughout the

Mount gave
!

praise
'

To God and may He send them soon above Those were his words to us and as delight In drinking is as great as was the thirst,
;

73

cannot say

how much he did me

:

good.
76

And

the wise Leader

'
'

Now

I see the net

Which holds you here, and how one is unsnared. Whence comes the earthquake, and the common joy. May it please thee that I learn now who thou wast And may thy words make clear to me why thou

79

'; ; ;

"

' '

'

236

THE DIVINE COMEDY

lying here so

Wast
* '

many

centuries.

'

was the time when the good Titus arms, Helped by the King Most High, avenged the wounds, Whence issued forth the blood that Judas sold, That I, this spirit answered, lived on earth, With most enduring and most honoring name.
It
' ' '

82

'

'

85

The
I

Great in renown, but not as yet with faith. spirit of my voice was then so sweet,
Toulouse to her, and there

88

Rome drew me from

Statins they

earned the myrtle crown that decked my brows. name me yonder still of Thebes,
;

^1

And

then of great Achilles was

my

song.

But with

this load I fell beside the

way.

Seed to my ardor were the sparks,

that were

^
fire

So warm within me, of that flame divine From which more than a thousand take their speak of the Aeneid, which to me Was mother, and was nurse in poesy

^7

Without

it I

had not a drachma 's weight.

And if I could have been alive on earth When Virgil lived, I would consent to owe

1^

A sun more than I do for my release. These words turned Virgil toward me with a look
Which in its stillness said to But virtue cannot do all that

^03

me :" Be
it

! '

still

will

Laughter and tears are such quick followers On passion, in which each has had its source, That those most true obey the will the least. I only smiled, as one who makes a sign Whereat the shade spoke not, but looked at me Into my eyes, where soul is steadiest. So may thy toil attain its end of good, Said he, "why did thy countenance but now Display to me the flashing of a smile ?
' ' ' '

108

109

112

'! '

;'

'

PURGATORIO, XXII
Now am
That
I I caught, as 'twere,
silent,
;

237
115

on either side
;

and the other begs my Master knows My thought, and says to me " Fear not to speak, But speak to him, and give him answer now To what he asks with so great eagerness. Wherefore I said Perchance thou marvelest,

One keeps me

may

speak

I sigh

US

'

'

'

121

ancient spirit, that I should have laughed

But may a greater wonder seize thy mind This one who guides on high my eyes is he,
That
Virgil,

124

from

whom thou

didst first derive

of the gods.

Thy power

to sing of

men and

If thou didst think that aught else

made me

laugh,
'

127

Leave such a thought untrue, and, pray, believe. It was the words that thou didst speak of him. Already he was bending to embrace My Teacher 's knees but he said Brother, no, Thou art a shade, and lookest on a shade. Rising he said Now thou canst know how great The love is that so warms my heart for thee, That I can lose from mind our emptiness. And treat our shades as though a solid thing.
' ; :
'

130

'

'

133

'

138

CANTO XXII
Already was the Angel left behind. The Angel, who, erasing from my face A stroke, had turned our steps to this sixth round

And those, whose longing is for righteousness. He had proclaimed Beati, and his words Had closed with sitiunt, without the rest.
Lighter than through the other passages
I

was advancing with no

effort

now.

;; '

: :

' :

238

THE DIVINE COMEDY

spirits' lead,
' * :

When

Following upward the swift Virgil spoke, beginning

Love that burns

10

From
So,

Virtue's kindling ever kindles more,

13

If but its flame be manifest without

from that hour when Juvenal came down To us within Hell's limbo, and made known To me thy heart's affection, my goodwill Toward thee was such, that more did never bind The heart unto a person not yet seen

1^

And
But

so these stairs will

tell

me, and forgive

now seem short me as a friend,

to me.
1^

If confidence let loose

my

rein too much,

And

as a friend
it

henceforward talk with

me
22

How

was

possible that avarice

Found place within thy breast amid such store Of wisdom as thy diligence brought there ? These words at first moved Statius somewhat To laughter, but he answered presently
' * '

25

Thine every word

is

a dear proof of love.

28

'Tis true that

many

times appear such things

there concealed.

As

give false matter to our doubts, because

lie

The reasons that are true

Thy

question shows

me

that thou dost believe

31

That I was avaricious in yon life, Perchance because of that round where

was.
34

Now know that

From

avarice was too far off

me, and this excess of difference Thousands of moons have seen me punished for And if I had not set my care aright, When I observed where thy words did break forth, As if indignant with our human nature Through what dost thou not drive, accursed thirst
*

37

40

Of

gold, the appetite of mortal

men ?

I should

now, rolling,

feel the

dismal jousts.

'

'

;'

PURGATORIO, XXII
Then
I

239
*3

perceived how,

Could spread their

when they spend, our hands wings too wide, and I repented

As

well of this as of

my

other sins.
^^

How many when

Know that
With

they rise will have shorn locks,

Through ignorance, which lets them not repent Of such a sin in life, not even at last
a fault, whose opposition
sin,
is

49

Direct against a

repelling

it,

that together here must dry

its

green.
52

Therefore, if I have been

among

that folk

Lamenting
It
* *

avarice, to cleanse

my
'

soul,

thus befell

me

for

its

opposite.

thy song was of the cruel arms Borne to Jocasta 's two-fold sorrowing, Then said the singer of bucolic lays, By what thou touchest there with Clio 's aid, Thou wast not yet made faithful by the faith. Without which man's good works are not enough. If this be so, what was the sun, or what The candles that dispelled thy darkness so That thou set sail behind the Fisherman?" And he to him Thou at the first didst send
'

Now when

55

* *

58

61

'

'

^
67

Me to Parnassus to drink in its caves. And afterwards thou gav 'st me light to
Thou
didst like one,

God.

who walking

in the night

Carries a light behind, not for himself,

But making wise

those that do follow him,

'

When

thou saidst

Now

the world renews itself

first

70

Justice returns,

and the

days of men,
73

And from the heavens new progeny descends. Through thee I was a poet, and through thee A Christian but that thou mayst see what now I draw, my hand shall lay the color on. Already had the whole world been prepared
;

76

;;

'

240

THE DIVINE COMEDY

belief, the

For true

seed of which was sown

79

By the eternal kingdom 's messengers And thine own saying, just now spoken of,
So harmonized with the new preachers words, It soon became my wont to visit them. And later they appeared such holy men, That, when Domitian persecuted them.
'

82

Their lamentations did not lack

my

tears.

As long

as after that I

was on earth
;

85

I succored

them

their upright practices

ere

I in

Made me despise all other sects but my poem had led on the Greeks

88

Unto the streams of Thebes, I was baptized; But out of fear Christian in secrecy long made outward show of paganism And this lukewarmness kept me circling on. More than four centuries on that fourth round.

81

Thou, therefore, who hast raised the covering, Which hid from me the good of which I speak,
Tell

9*

While yet in the ascent we have the time. me where now our ancient Terence is,
Caecilius, Plautus, Varro, if thou know'st;

87

Tell
* *

me

if

they are damned, and in what place.

too,

* '

They, Persius

and
as

I,

and many more,

* '

'

^00

My Leader answered
The Muses suckled

him,

are with that Greek

since,

none ever

In the dark prison 's first encircling space. There oftentimes our talk is of the mount. With those who nursed us ever on its slopes. We have Euripides and Antiphon, Simonides and Agathon, and Greeks

103

106

Yet many more, whose brows were laurel-crowned;

And

of thy people there Antigone,

109

Argia and Deiphyle are seen

'

; '

; '

PURGATORIO, XXII
Ismene,

241

And

she

still as sad as when on earth who showed Langia Thetis, too

;

112

Deidamia with her sisters, and She who was daughter of Tiresias. Both of the poets now had ceased to speak, Intent anew on looking to all sides, "When they were free from climbing and from walls And now the first four maidens of the day Remained behind, while at the pole the fifth
'

115

118

Directed upward
:

still its

blazing point;
121

My Leader said " I think it best that we Turn our right shoulders to the outer edge.
wont to do. Thus at that point usage became our guide And we went on our way with much less doubt For the assenting of that worthy soul. They went along in front, and I, alone Behind them, listened to the words they spoke,
Circling the
as

Mount

we

are

'

124

127

Which gave me teaching

in the art of verse.

130

But soon their pleasant talk was broken off "When we came on a tree right in the way, "With apples on it, sweet to smell and good.

And as a fir-tree tapers to the top From branch to branch, so that

I

133

one downward grew,

136

think so that no one might go beyond.

that side where our path was thus cut off

On

Clear water streamed

down from

the lofty rock,

139

And

spread

itself,

in falling, o 'er the leaves.

"When the two poets had drawn near the tree, A voice that issued from within the leaves Cried out Of this food ye shall suffer dearth. Then said Mary was thinking more of how The wedding might be honorably complete, Than of her mouth, which answers now for you
'
:

'

'

'

'

142

'

'

;' ;

242

THE DIVINE COMEDY

145
satisfied

for all their drink with water; Daniel Despised his food and learned how to be wise The primal age was beautiful as gold,

The Roman dames of old

Were

148

And made And made

Honey and

with hunger acorns savory, with thirst nectar of every stream

161

locusts were the viands that Nourished the Baptist in the wilderness Wherefore his name is glorious, and so great As in the Gospel is revealed to you.
'

154

CANTO XXIII
While
thus through the green foliage I peered,
is

As he
Than

wont

to do,

After the

little birds,

who wastes his life he who was more

' : '

My son, come now, Because the time that is allotted us, Must be apportioned to a better use. I turned my face, and not less readily My steps, toward the Sages, whose discourse Was such as made my going of no cost. And lo, a sound of song through tears was heard ''Labia mea, Domine," that gave Both joy and pain to hear, such were its notes. Sweet Father, what is that, thus I began, That I am hearing ? And he said The shades, That going loose the knot of debt, perchance.
father to

me

said

'

10

'

'

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

As

thoughtful pilgrims do, who overtake People unknown to them upon their way. And turn to look at them, but tarry not Behind us came, and with their quicker pace Went by, glancing at us and wondering.

16

19

'

' ;

PURGATORIO, XXIII

243

A throng of souls, all silent and devout. Each one had dark, deep-sunken eyes, a face Of pallor, and was so emaciate. The skin gave but the form of bones beneath. I do not think that Erysichthon was
So to a very skin withered away, When in his starving he was most afraid. I said within me as I thought Behold The people that did lose Jerusalem, "When Mary struck her beak into her son. The sockets of their eyes seemed rings without Their gems; he who reads OMO in man's face "Would surely there have recognized the M. Who would believe an apple 's fragrance so Could govern things by waking a desire.
'
:
'

22

25

28

'

81

34

Or water 's
I

odor, if he

knew not how ?

37

wondered then what made them hunger so, What were the cause, not manifest as yet. Of their great leanness and their wretched scurf. When lo, from 'neath the hollow of the head A shade had turned its eyes toward me then stared,
;

40

And
But

cried aloud:
I

"What

grace to

me

is

this!"
43

Never should

have known him by his face;

was revealed to me That which within the look was overcome. That spark rekindled wholly in my mind My knowledge of the features here so changed,
in his voice there

46

And now
* *

knew again Forese 's

its

face.

Oh, pray give not thy thought to the dry scab

49

That gives
*
'

color to

my

skin,

' '

Nor to my lack of flesh, but tell About thyself, and tell me who they are, The two souls yonder that escort thee here

he begged, me truth
52

Do

not delay, I pray, to speak to me.

'


' :; ' ;

244
*
'

THE DIVINE COMEDY

face,
'

Thy
I

'

answered him,

' *

which at thy death

55

wept for once, gives

me

as grievous cause
58

For mourning now, seeing it so transformed. But tell me, in God 's name, what strips you so Nor make me speak while I am wondering Full of another wish, one must speak ill. And he to me " In the eternal plan
' :

61

Power descends upon the stream and

These people, who

tree
^4

Left there behind, through which I grow so lean.

now

singing as they weep,

Have followed appetite beyond due bounds. Are here in thirst and hunger sanctified. The odor of the apple and the spray That scatters as it falls upon the green. Kindle in us desire to eat and drink. And not once only as we go our round

67

70

Upon this level is our pain renewed, Our pain, I say, but should say, our relief
Because that longing leads us to the tree, Which had led Christ in happiness to say, Eli, when He released us with his blood.
' '

73

'

And I to him Forese, from that day When thou didst change world to a better
' :

'

76
life.

Five years have not revolved up to this time.

If first the

power

in thee

still

to sin

79

Had

ended, ere the hour had supervened.

grief

Which with good

weds us anew

to God,
Still

How

is it

thou didst come up hither ?

restored
'

82

Down
Time

there below I thought to find thee, where

is
'

"My

And he to me by time. Nella with her weeping that burst forth,

85

Is she who brought me here so soon to drink Of the sweet wormwood of these torturings For with her prayers devout and with her sighs

88

'

; '

PURGATORIO, XXIII
She led me forth from where the spirits wait, set me free from all the other rounds. So much more dear and precious unto God Is my dear widow, whom I fondly loved, As she the more is lonely in good works For the Barbagia of Sardinia Shows in its women far more modesty Than that Barbagia in which she was left

245

And

^^

**

By

me.

What

wilt thou have

me

say, sweet brother ?

97

A future time is now within my sight,

To which
this

hour

shall not be
it

very

old.

When from the

pulpit

shall be forbidden

100

The dames of Florence, brazen-faced, to go. Showing their bosoms with the breasts exposed.

What women ever were in Barbary, What Saracens, that needed discipline
Of
soul, or otherwise, to

103

And

if

the shameless ones but

make them dress ? knew of that

106

Which heaven
For,
if

speedily prepares for them.

109

now to howl me not, They shall be sad before the down shall come To his cheeks, whom the lullaby now soothes. Pray, brother, hide thyself no more from me
Their mouths would be wide open
the foresight here deceive

112

Thou

seest that not only

I,

but

all
'

These people gaze where thou dost veil the sun. Wherefore I said If thou bring back to mind, What thou with me and I with thee have been,
'
: '

US

The present memory

From

will be grievous still. he who goes in front of me Turned me the other day, when to you here Showed herself round the sister of that one

that

life,

118

; '

I pointed to the sun.

'

'

He through

the deep

121

Of night has led me from the truly dead,

;'

' ;

246

THE DIVINE COMEDY

In this true flesh that follows after him. 124 Thence have his comforts brought me upward, e 'er Ascending, circling as I rise, the Mount, Which makes you straight, made crooked in the world.

He

says that he shall bear

me company

127

Till I

And
Virgil,
'

I
'

have come where Beatrice will be must needs remain without him there. is the one to whom I pointed,
' '

130

Who

tells

me

this

this other is that shade,

For whom your kingdom quaked in every slope, When it just now released him from itself."

133

CANTO XXIV
Our
talk made not our steps more slow, nor did Our steps our talk, but speaking, we went on As freely as a ship with a good wind.

The

shades, which seemed things dead a second time,

Were

taking through the sockets of their eyes

at me, living, they knew.

A wondering gaze
And
*
'

I,

continuing

my

words, then said

Perchance he is more slow in going up Than else he would be for another's sake. But tell me, if thou knowest, Piccarda's place
Tell me if I see anyone to note Among these people, who so gaze
at me.
'

10

**My
I

sister,

who was

beautiful

and good,

13

know not which

;

the more,

is

now
'

in bliss,
'

On high Olympus crowned

triumphantly.
' :

Thus spoke he first and then Here naught forbids The naming of each one, our semblance is
This one," pointing him out,

1^

Because of abstinence so dried away. *'is Bonagiunta,

19

;; '

PURGATORIO, XXIV
Bonagiunta of Lucca and that face Beyond him, more pricked through than all the Is his, who held in arms the Holy Church He was of Tours, and purges by his fast Bolsena 's eels and the Vernaccia wine. And many others named he, one by one, And with the naming, all appeared content. So that thereat I saw not one dark look. I saw how, in their hunger, bit the air Ubaldin della Pila, and Boniface, Who shepherded so many with the rook I saw Messer Marchese, who had once
;

247

rest,

22

'

25

28

31

Time, with

less thirst, for

drinking at Forli,
34

And, even so, never felt sated there. But as one does, who looks and then esteems One man beyond the rest, so did I him Of Lucca, who appeared most to desire To know me. He was murmuring, and I heard

37

What seemed
Of
*
'

'

'

Gentucca,

' '

where he

felt the

wound
40

justice, that so plucks

them.

Then

I said

soul, that seemest so to wish to speak

With me,

And
*
'

so do that I may understand. with thy speaking satisfy us both.

is

'

There

a
'

woman
'

The

veil,

who wears not yet thus he began, and who shall make
born,
'
'

43

My
Thou

city,

though men blame

it,

dear to thee.
46

shalt go hence with this

my

if thou errest from my The truth of things shall make it to thee clear. But tell me, am I looking at that one, Who drew the new rhymes forth, beginning thus 'Ladies, who have intelli^nce of love'f" And I to him " I am one who, when Love Inspires me, note, and in the way that he

And

prophecy murmuring.

49

52

'' '

; :

248

THE DIVINE COMEDY

'

Dictates within, I give the outward form.

* *

brother,

now

I see,

' '

said he,

' '

the knot

55

That, from the sweet

I see distinctly

new

style I hear, kept

back
58

The Notary, Guittone, and myself.

how your pens go

on,

Thus

closely following the dictator 's lead.

^1

And

Which certainly came not to pass with ours he who sets himself to further search,

Finds no more difference between the styles." Then he was silent, as if satisfied. And as the birds that winter by the Nile Sometimes will make a company in air, Then fly in greater haste, going in file. So all the people that were gathered there, Turning their faces, went with quicker steps. Light through their leanness and through their And as a man weary with running, lets His fellows go ahead, and walks himself, Until the panting of his chest be eased, So now Forese let this holy flock Pass on, and came behind with me, and said
* *

^
^7

desire.

70

73

When

shall it be that I see thee again

' '

'

*
'

know

not,

answered
is

'

I,

'

my

length of

life,

76

Yet

my

returning will not be so soon.

earlier at the shore
I

But

that desire

Because the place, where

was

set to live,

79

From day to day strips itself more of good, And seems appointed to a grievous fall.
'

"Now

go," said he, "for that one most at fault

82

I see a beast

draw downward

at its tail

Toward that vale, where faults are never cleansed. The beast goes on more swiftly with each step
Increasing ever,
till it

85

dashes him,

And

leaves his

body wretchedly undone.

' ;;

'

PURGATORIO, XXIV
Those wheels have now not far to turn, said he, Raising his eyes to heaven, ere that be clear, Which words of mine no further may declare. Remain thou now behind, for in this realm Time is so precious, that I lose too much, Going on thus at even pace with thee. As sometimes at a gallop issues forth A horseman from a riding troop, and goes To win the honor of the first attack, So parted he from me with greater strides And I remained upon the way with those, Who had been such great marshals in the world. When he had gone so far in front of us, That my eyes were engaged in following him.
' '
' ' '

249
88

81

8*

87

100

As was my mind in following his words. Another apple-tree appeared, with boughs Heavy with fruit and green, and not far off, Because I only then turned to that side. I saw beneath it people lift their hands, And cry out toward the leaves I know not what.

103

106

And

Like greedy children, who beseech in vain. he who is besought, will answer not
But, that their longing

109

may be made more keen,

112

'

and hides it not. Then they departed, as if undeceived And thereupon we came to the great tree. Which so rejects the many prayers and tears. Pass onward without drawing near to it A tree, which once was eaten of by Eve, Is higher up this plant t^s raised from it. Thus 'mid the branches spoke I know not who So Virgil, Statins and myself drew close. And by the rising side went further on.
holds high

He

up

their wish,

'

115

'

US

'
'

Bethink you,

' '

said he,

'
'

of the accursed ones,

121

;'

; '

250

THE DIVINE COMEDY

in the clouds, who, gorged with food

Formed

and drink,
124

Fought against Theseus with

their double breasts

And

who at drinking were Gideon spurned their company. When he went down the hills toward Midian." To one of the two margins we kept close,
of the Hebrews,
soft, that

So

127

And

passed, hearing of sins of gluttony.

130

That had their sequel of distressful gains. Then with more room upon the lonely way Some thousand steps and more had borne us Each one in contemplation, speaking not. "What think ye of, ye three who go alone?"

on,
133

A voice said suddenly

As would a
I raised

whereat

I started,

frightened, timid animal.

136

head to see who it might be And never in a furnace were there seen Metals or glass so glowing or so red As One I saw, who said " If ye are pleased To make the ascent, here there is need to turn
:

my

139
;
'

Here he ascends, who goes in search of peace. His aspect had bereft me of my sight
Therefore

142

I turned back to my Teacher's steps, walked as one, who follows what he hears. As when, the herald of the dawn, the breeze Of May stirs gently with its fragrant breath. Impregnate with the sweet of herb and flower So felt I on the middle of my brow A wind that blew, and I could feel the plumes That brought the fragrance of ambrosia And I heard said Blessed are they, whom grace

And

1*5

1*8

' *

151

Has

so illumined, that the love of taste

'

Kindles within them not too great desire. And who do ever thirst for what is just.

15*

' ;

'

PURGATORIO,

XXV

251

CANTO XXV
It was an hour

when the ascent allowed Of no delay, because the sun had left The noon-day circle to the Bull, and night To the Scorpion. Wherefore as does the man

Who
And And
In

halts not, but goes on,

whate 'er appear,

7

If he be goaded by necessity Thus did we enter by the narrow way,

one before another took the stairs, That by their narrowness part those who mount.
as the little stork, that lifts its
its

wings

10

and ventures not To quit the nest, and lets them fall again Such I was, with desire, kindled and quenched, Of questioning, to motion come at last, Such as he makes, whose lips prepare to speak. Then my sweet Father, though our pace was quick, Did not refrain, but spoke Discharge the bow Of speech, which thou hast drawn up to the iron. Then confidently opening my mouth, Thus I began How can one grow lean there
desire to
fly,
' : ' ' : '

13

16

'

19

' *

* *

need of nourishment ? If thou recall how Meleager 's life Consumed with the consuming of the brand. This thing were not so hard to thee, he said If thou shouldst think how with your quivering Your image in the mirror quivers too. That would seem easy that now seems so hard. That thou mayst come to rest within thy will,
feels not the
'

Where one

'

22

'

25

28

Lo, Statins here,

'
'

and him

I call

and pray,
'

That he be now a healer of thy wounds.

If in thy presence I unfold to

him

31

;; ; '

252

THE DIVINE COMEDY

' * * ' '

The eternal view, Statius replied, that I May not deny thee shall be my excuse. Then he began Son, if thy mind regard My words and take them in, they will be light Upon thy questioning. The perfect blood, Which never is drunk up by thirsty veins
: ' '

34

37

And

so remains behind, like to the food

Which thou removest from

the table, takes

40

Within the heart virtue informative Of all the human members, being that Which courses through the veins to change Again digested, flows to parts whereof
'Tis comelier to be silent

to

them;
43

than to speak
46

Thence

it distils

upon another's blood

;

In Nature 's vessel both are there received, Disposed, one to be passive, one to act, Due to the perfect place whence it has sprung;

And

thus conjoined, the one begins to work, Coagulating first, then giving life To that which it had formed to work upon.
active virtue thus

49

The

made

soul,

like that

52

In plants, but so far different, as this Is on its way, and that has reached its port,

So works at length, that now it moves and feels, Like a sea-fungus and begins to make Organs for powers of which it is the germ. The virtue come from the begetter's heart, My son, will now unfold, and now extend. When on all members Nature is intent But how from animal it should become
;

55

58

61

A
For

child,

thou seest not yet this

;

is

a point

Which

led astray a wiser

man than
separate

thou
64

in his teaching he

made

From

soul potential intellect, because

PURGATORIO,
He saw no
Open thy
organ taken up by
it.

XXV

253

breast unto the coming truth

67

that as soon as in the embryo The brain has been perfected in its parts, The Primal Motor turns to it in joy Over such art of Nature 's, and inbreathes

Know

'^0

A spirit that is new,

"Which draws
all

replete with power,

it

that which

finds active there

all

73

To

its

own

substance,

making

one soul,
76

"Which lives and feels, revolving in itself. That thou mayst wonder less at what I say, Note how the sun 's heat is turned into wine. When joined to moisture that the vine has given.

When

Lachesis has no more thread, this soul

79

and bears away Potentially the human and divine; Then all the other faculties are mute; But memory, intelligence and will.
Is let loose

from the

flesh,

82

In action keener far than e 'er before.

With unarrested movement, by

Strangely
it falls to

itself

85

one of the two shores.

88

And
It has

there first knows its ways. As soon as there been circumscribed in its due place, There radiates the virtue formative,

In form and mass as in the living members.

And

as the air,

when

it is

full of rain,

91

Becomes adorned with divers

colorings,

Reflected in it through another's rays. So here the neighboring air will shape itself Into that form, which by its virtue now The soul that stops there like a seal imprints

94

And
So

afterwards, like to the

fire,

little
it

flame

97

Following the
its

wherever

may

move.

new form

follows the spirit's ways.

'

'

; ;

254
Since after that

THE DIVINE COMEDY

its

semblance is therefrom, 'Tis called a shade and forms the organs then
;

^00

Of every sense, even to that of sight. Thence we have speech, and thence our laughter thence We have our utterance of tears and sighs, Which thou upon the Mountain mayst have heard. As our desires and our affections else
;

^03

106

Impress themselves on us, the shade takes shape This is the cause of what thou wonderest at.
'

And now the final circle had been reached By us, and we had turned toward the right, And had become intent on other care
At
this point flames are shot forth from the bank, While upward from this cornice breathes a blast Throwing them back, freeing a path from them So one by one we were constrained to go Along the open side, while here I feared The fire, and there I feared I might fall down. My Leader said "Along this place one must Hold tightly drawn the bridle of the eyes, Because for little one might go astray. " Summae Deus cletnentiae" they sang Within the bosom of the mighty glow,
:

1^9

1^2

115

US

'

121

Which made me not

less

eager

now

to turn

And

saw spirits moving through the Wherefore I looked at them and at

I

flame,

124

my

steps,

From

When

time to time dividing thus my gaze. they had reached the ending of the hymn,
cried out loudly
:

127

They

"Virum non
' : '

cognosco,"
130

then did softly recommence their song. Diana kept This finished, still they cried

And

Within the wood, and drove out Heliee, Who tasted Venus poison. Then again They turned to sing and then they cried in praise
' '

'

1^3

'

PURGATORIO, XXVI
Of women and of husbands who were chaste, As virtue and as marriage both enjoin. And I believe this mode suffices them For all the time that fire is burning them
For such the cure and such the food must be That work the healing of the final wound.

255

136

139

CANTO XXVI
"While thus we went along the edge, the one Before the other, the good Master oft Would say Take heed and let my warning help. The sun was striking my right shoulder now, And with his rays was changing all the blue Within the western sky to white and I Made ruddier the flame where I did cast My shadow on it yet this sign so slight I saw observed by many passing shades. This was the cause that gave an opening To them to speak of me and they began To say His body does not seem to be Fictitious." Then toward me came certain ones So far as possible, ever with care Not to come forth where they would not be burned. thou who goest in the others train, Not for thy sloth, but reverent perchance, Answer thou me who burn in thirst and fire Nor is it I alone need thy reply All these thirst more for it than Indian Or Ethiop for water that is cold. Pray, tell us how it is that thou canst make
'

'

'

10

'

'

13

'

'

'

16

IS

22

Thyself a wall against the sun, as

if
'

Thou hadst not yet entered

the net of death.

'

256

THE DIVINE COMEDY

25

Thus one of them addressed me, and I then Should have declared myself, had I not been
Intent on something strange that then appeared

For

in the middle of the burning road

28

Came on with

faces opposite to these

81

A folk that made me wonder in suspense.

On either side I see each shade make haste, And one will to another give a kiss And tarry not, content with brief caress

Thus with the brown troop of the ants will one Touch muzzle with another, if perchance They may espy their fortune or their way. Soon as they end this friendly welcoming,
Before the first step hastens further on, Each group endeavors to outcry the other

^
87

The new folk Sodom and Gomorra The other That the bull may haste
'
!

'

'

'

shout,
to

*0

'

meet
43

Her
Then

lust,

Pasiphae enters the cow.

'

like the cranes, as if some sought in flight Riphaean mountains, and some sought the sands, These fearful of the cold, and those of sun. The one folk goes away, the other comes,

*6

And And

they return in tears to their

to the cry that

first

songs.
49

most

befits their plight

The very ones who had besought me, came Close to my side as they had done before. And, by their looks, intent on listening. I, who had twice observed what they desired, Began to speak souls, assured to have. Whenever it may be, a state of peace, Neither unripe nor yet mature my limbs
'
:

52

'

65

not left yonder, but are here with me Together with their blood and with their joints. I go hence upward to be blind no more

Were

58

; '

' ;

PURGATORIO, XXVI
On
high a Lady wins us grace, whereby my mortal body through your world.

257

I bring

So may your greatest longing be appeased, And thus the heaven that is full of love And is most ample, soon become your home,
Tell me, that I

^^

may trace it yet upon My paper, who ye are, and what that throng May be, that goes its way behind your backs?"

64

Not otherwise confused the mountaineer Is troubled, and with gazing round is dumb. When rough and savage he comes into town. Than was each shade in its appearance then But when they were relieved of wondering.

67

70

Which
*
'

is

soon quieted in lofty hearts,

'

Blessed art thou, that for a better

*

life,

.73

That one began who first had questioned me, Ladest thy ship with knowledge of our land. The folk that comes not with us did offence In that for which once Caesar, triumphing.
'

76

Heard people crying out against him Queen Therefore these cry out Sodom when they leave, As thou hast heard them, in their own reproof, Thus adding to the burning by their shame. Our sinning was hermaphrodite and since
! '
!

'

'

79

82

We kept not in the

bounds of human law.

85

But followed like the beasts our appetite. To our opprobrium we all repeat, Whene 'er we separate, her name, who made
Herself a brute within the brute-like frame.

Thou knowest now our

and what our guilt If thou perchance wouldst know what are our names, Time fails to tell, nor could I but indeed will make void thy wish to know of me For I am Guido Guinizelli; now
deeds,
;

88

91

'

"

'

258

THE DIVINE COMEDY

' ' '

I purge myself, for full repentance came What in Lycurgus grief Before my death. To see their mother her two sons became, Such I became, but rose not to such height, When I heard then my father tell his name,

9*

97

Father of others better than myself, and graceful rhymes of love Then thoughtful I went on, and neither heard Nor spoke, but long I gazed at him, and yet I drew no nearer to him for the flames. When I had fed my eyes with looking long,

Who e 'er made sweet

lOO

103

I offered to his service all I was,

With

affirmation that inspires belief.

:

" Thou leavest such a trace so plain, by what I hear. As Lethe cannot take away, nor dim. But, if thy words just now swore truth, tell me What is the reason that thou showest forth In speech and look that thou dost hold me dear. And I to him made answer Your sweet lays,

And he to me

106

Within me and

109

'

'

'

112

Which shall, as long as modern use endures, Make dear their very characters in ink.
'

* *

Brother,

' '

said he,

* '

this

one

whom

pick out,

115

(He pointed
* *

to a spirit there in front,)

Was in

the mother- tongue a better

all

workman.
118

All verse of love and

;

prose of romance
let

His work excelled and

the foolish talk.

to the truth,
121

Who deem
They look
to

his better that one of Limoges.

rumor more than

fix their

And

thus

opinion, ere the art

listened to

Or reason has been

by them.
124

Many of old treated Guittone thus, From mouth to mouth crying his

praise alone.

Until the truth has conquered him with most.

;'

PURGATORIO, XXVII
Now
Is
if

259
127

thou hast such ample privilege,

That thou mayst to that cloister go, where Christ Abbot of the college, do thou say^^^

One Paternoster unto Him for me, As far as need is for us of this world, In which the power to sin is no more ours."
Perchance that he might so give place to one Close by behind, he vanished through the fire, As when a fish in water seeks the depths. I went a little forward toward the one That he had pointed out, and said to him. That for his name my longing had prepared A gracious place then willingly he said "Your courteous request so pleases me. That I nor can nor will hide me from you I am Arnaut, who weep, yet singing go
;

133

136

139

142

With

grief I see the folly that

is

past.

And see with joy the hoped-for day before. Now by that Power that is guiding you Up to the summit of these stairs, I pray
That in due time ye
call to

145

mind

my pain

; '

Then hid himself

in the refining

fire.

148

CANTO XXVII
As when he
The Ebro
first

sends forth his quivering rays

There where his Maker shed His blood, meanwhile

falling 'neath the lofty Scales,

And

Ganges' waters hot with blazing noon, So stood the sun and day was at its close. When God 's glad Messenger appeared to us, Outside the flame, and standing on the bank. And singing there "Beati mundo corde,"
;
:

'

'

260

THE DIVINE COMEDY

ours.
10
' *

With voice that was more living far than Then Holy souls, no one goes farther on,
:

If first the fire bite not

enter ye this,
'

And

be not deaf to what they sing beyond,

us,

when we were near to him Whereat when I had heard him, I became Even as one whom men put in the grave. Above my clasped hands I stretched forward while
Said he to

13

1^

watched the fire, picturing vividly The human bodies I had e 'er seen burned. Then the good escorts turned about to me,
I

19

And Virgil said to me My son, in this It may be there is torment, but not death.
*

'

Recall to mind, recall to mind,

if I

22

Even on Geryon

safely guided thee.

25

What shall I do, now we are nearer God ? Know certainly, that if within the heart
Of these flames thou shouldst stand a thousand They could not rob thee of a single hair
years,

And

if

thou think perchance that

I deceive,

28

Move toward them, and gain faith by thine own self With thine own hands upon thy garments hem. Now put away, put all away thy fear And yet, Turn hither, and come on secure.
' ' '

31

Against
Seeing

my

conscience, I stood motionless.

still,

me

motionless, unyielding
'
:
'

34

said, disturbed a little Now, my son. Thou seest this wall 'twixt thee and Beatrice. As at the name of Thisbe, Pyramus Opened his dying eyes, and looked at her,

He

'

37

What
So

time the mulberry became blood-red,

my To my
I,

obduracy softened, turned wise Leader, when I heard the name,

in

40

Which

my mind

is

ever springing up.

''

PURGATORIO, XXVII
Whereat, nodding his head, he said to me "What? do we mean to stay this side?" then smiled. As on a child, won over by a fruit. He entered then the fire in front of me, Asking of Statins to come behind.

261
43

46

had for long before divided us. had entered, into boiling glass I could have flung me, to become more cool. Such was the burning without measure there. For consolation my sweet Father spoke Only of Beatrice as he went on, Saying " E 'en now I seem to see her eyes. A voice we heard beyond was singing now, And guided us and we, intent alone On that, came forth upon the upward way.

Who

When

49

52

'

55

"Venite, henedicti Patris mei,"

58

Sounded within a

light, that

overcame
'

My vision
*
'

so, I

could not look thereon.

' '
; '

The sun sinks down, it added evening comes Tarry not now, but go with eager steps. While yet there is no darkness in the west. Straight rose the pathway upward through the rock, Toward such a quarter, that I now cut off
'

61

64

In front of

me

the rays of the low sun.

67

we made essay and myself perceived By vanished shadows, that the sun had set Behind us. Ere in its immensity The whole horizon had but one sole hue, And night was everywhere dispensed abroad. Each one of us made of a step his bed, Because the nature of the Mount had reft Our power of ascent and not our will.
the steps of which

Few were
Before

my

sages

70

73

As when they ruminate

the goats are tame,

76

; ;

' ; ;

262

THE DIVINE COMEDY

so agile on the heights wanton, ere they had been fed, and rest Quiet in shade, while still the sun is hot, "Watched by the shepherd, who upon his staff

Which were but now

And

79

Now leans, and, as he leans, is keeping them And as the herdsman in the open fields
Passes the night in quiet by his flock.

82

And
At
I,

watches

lest

some wild beast scatter

all

it,

that time such

like the goat,

we were, and like

three of us,

85

the shepherds, they,

88

Hemmed
Little of

in on either side by lofty rock. aught outside could there be seen

But

in that little I could see the stars.

is

Clearer and larger too than

their wont.
these, 91

Thus ruminating, and admiring

A sleep possessed me,

It

sleep that oftentimes Before the deed has been, has news of it.

was the hour,

I think,

when from
fire

the east
of love

94

First strike the mountain Cytherea's rays.

Who

ever seems to burn with

A lady young and beautiful appeared

*

97

To me in dream, who through a meadow went. Plucking the flowers, and in her song she said Let that one know, who asks my name, that I Leah, and go moving my fair hands About to make a garland for myself. I deck me here to please me at my glass But from her mirror, where all day she sits. My sister Rachel never turns away Her pleasure is to see her own fair eyes, As mine to deck myself with my own hands Seeing brings her content, as working, me.
'

100

Am

103

106

'

And now the

splendors of the break of day, Rising the dearer to the pilgrims eyes.
'

109

''

:;

PURGATORIO, XXVII
As they returning lodge less far from home, Were making darkness flee on every side,

263

1^2

And with
Saw
'
'

it

too

my sleep

whence

rising, I

the great masters were already risen.

fruit,

That pleasant

which mortal men with care

find.
'

US

Upon

so

many

branches seek to

Shall pacify thy hungerings today.

Such were the words in which then Virgil spoke, Addressing me, and never were there gifts. That could have given pleasure like to these. Such longing upon longing came to me To be above, that then at every step I felt my pinions growing for the flight.

^^

121

When all the stairway underneath our feet Was hastened over to the topmost step. On me then Virgil fixed his eyes, and said
'

124

The fire of time and of eternity Thou hast beheld, my son, and now art come Where, of myself, I can no more discern. Hither with wit I brought thee, and with art
'

127

130

Henceforth take thine own pleasure for thy guide the steep ways thou 'rt free, and from the strait. 133 See there the sun that shines upon thy brow, See the young grass, the flowers, and the shrubs. Which here the ground produces of itself. 136 Until the fair eyes shall have come with joy, That with their tears caused me to come to thee. Thou canst be seated, and canst walk 'midst these. 139 Await no more my words, nor sign from me, For free, upright, and sound thy judgment is 'Twere wrong to disobey its will, and hence 142 Over thyself I crown and mitre thee.

From

'

'

264

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO XXVIII

Now eager to search

through and round about The wood divine of dense and living growth, Which tempered the new daylight to my eyes, Without awaiting more I left the bank,

And

entered on the plain with slowest steps.

all sides

Where on

the ground breathed fragrance forth.

7

A sweet breeze,

had naught Of veering change, was blowing on my brow,

that within itself

With force no greater than a gentle wind. In which the branches, quickly tremulous, Were bending all toward the region where
The holy Mountain casts its shadow first Yet from their places they swayed not so far, That in the tree-tops there the little birds

10

13

Had

ceased to exercise their every art

16

But full of joyfulness they sang, and took The early breezes in the foliage, Which e 'er kept up the burden to their rhymes. Such as from branch to branch collects itself
Beside the shore of Chiassi through the pines.

19

Aeolus lets the Scirocco .forth. Already had my slow steps carried me So far within the ancient wood, that I Could no more see where I had entered in

When

22

And

lo,

my

further course a stream cut

off,

25

Which with its little waves toward the left Bent down the grass that grew forth from its
All waters that are purest on the earth

banks.
28

Would seem
Compared
Although
it

have in them something admixed, which naught is hidden. moves in the brown dusk beneath
to to that, within

31

' :

PURGATORIO, XXVIII
The shadow there perpetual, which lets The rays of sun or moon ne 'er enter in.

265

My

feet stood

still,

but with

my

eyes I passed

34

Beyond the little stream, to gaze upon The fresh May-blossoms there of many hues

And

then appeared to me, as will appear

thing which on a sudden turns

37

away
40

All other thoughts for very wondering,

A solitary lady, who walked there

Singing, and culling from
' '

among

the flowers,
I said

Which painted all her pathway. Then Lady fair, who in the rays of love
Dost

43

warm
it

thyself, if I

may

trust to looks
46

Which
I

are the heart's accustomed witnesses,

pray that

may come

within thy will

to draw forward toward this stream so far That I may understand what thou dost sing. Thou makest me remember where and what Proserpina was at the season when Her mother lost her, and she lost the spring. And as a lady, who is dancing, turns
'

Now

49

52

With

feet together

and

close to the ground,

And
Upon

one before another scarcely puts,

55

and yellow flowerets She turned toward me, not otherwise than would
the red

A virgin,

lowering her modest eyes

And made my

prayers content, for she approached

58

So near that the sweet sound could come to me Together with the meanings of her song. As soon as she was where the grasses are Just bathed by waves of that fair stream, she raised
I

61

Her eyes upon me, as a gracious boon. do not think so great a light shone out Beneath the lids of Venus, when her son

64

'

; ; ' ' '

266

THE DIVINE COMEDY

his

Wholly against

wont had pierced them through.

^7
flowers,

Smiling, upon the right bank opposite,

She went on plucking with her hands more

* *

"Which the high land produces without seed. Three steps alone the stream kept us apart But Hellespont, where Xerxes crossed, which Puts curb on all the haughtiness of man, Surging 'twixt Sestos' and Abydos' shores Was not more hated in Leander's heart, Than this by me, because it parted not. Ye are new come perhaps because I here,
'

70
still

73

76

;
'

Thus she began,

'

am

smiling in this place

79

Chosen to be the nest of human kind, Some questioning may keep you in suspense But the psalm Delectasti gives you light. Which can dispel the clouds of intellect. But thou in front, who wast beseeching me, Say if thou wouldst hear more for I have come
; * '

82

Ready to satisfy all thy requests, The water and the sound within the wood, I said, combat in me a new belief
'

'

'

85

'

In something I have heard opposed to

:

this.

'

Whence she replied " I will relate how that, Which makes thee wonder, springs from its own And purge away the cloud that falls on thee.

88

cause.
91

The highest Good, pleasing Itself alone, Made man both good, and for good, and gave him
This place as earnest of eternal peace.

Through his default his dwelling here was brief Through his default, to tears and laboring He changed his honest laughter and sweet play. That the disturbance, which below is made By exhalations from the water and the earth. Which, as they may, follow the train of heat.

9*

97

;;

PUEGATORIO, XXVIII
Should not break forth in any war on man, This Mountain rose so far toward the heavens And is free from them, upward from the gate. Now, since in circuit the whole air revolves "With primal revolution from above. Unless its round be broken at some part, Upon this height, which stands out wholly free In living air, this motion strikes, and makes The wood, for it is dense, give forth the sound And then the smitten plant has such a power, That with its virtue it fills all the air. Which in its turning scatters it around

267
100

103

106

109

The rest of earth, according as itself Or its own sky has made it fit, conceives

112

And brings forth divers trees of divers powers. When ye hear this, it should no more appear

115

A marvel on the earth, that any plant

And
Should there take root without apparent seed. thou shalt know that all the holy plain Where thou art now, is full of every seed. And has such fruit as yonder is not plucked. The water that thou seest has no vein Restored by vapor from the cold condensed,
that draw and lose again their breath from a fountain, constant, sure, Which ever takes from God 's own will, as much As it pours freely out on either side On this side is descending with a power That takes away man 's memory of sin
issues
118

121

As streams

But

124

127

On that side gives it back, of all good deeds. On this side Lethe is its name, while there
'Tis called

1^0

Its

Eunoe, and works not until waters have been tasted there and here
the other savors this excels
133

And

all

; ; :

'

268

THE DIVINE COMEDY

though thy thirst might yet be wholly quenched, I reveal no more to thee,
136
I that

And

Even should
Nor think

I add, in grace, a corollary too

words will be less dear, If they go further than I promised thee. Those who in ancient times have sung the Age Of Gold and its estate of bliss, perchance Upon Parnassus dreamed of scenes like these. The root of mankind here was innocent Here Spring eternal, and here every fruit This is the nectar, of which each one speaks. Then turned I wholly backward to behold My Poets, and I saw that with a smile They had been listening to her last words To the fair Lady then I turned my eyes.
'

my

139

142

145

148

CANTO XXIX
When
And
thus her words were ended, she went on Singing like one who is inspired with love "Beati, quorum tecta sunt peccata."
*

like the nymphs, who go along alone Through forest shades, and one of them desires To see the sun, and one would flee his light. Then she advanced stream upward, following The bank, and I with equal pace abreast.

Her little steps with little answering. There were not of her steps and mine as yet A hundred, when both banks so turned that I Was facing now again toward the east. Nor was our way in that direction long Before the Lady turned full round to me. Lo, Saying My brother, look and listen
'
!

10

13

'

'

'

PURGATORIO, XXIX

2^
16

A sudden lustre

ran on every side

Through the great forest, and awoke the thought That there had been a lightning-flash, perchance.
Yet, as the lightning stays but as
it

comes,

19

And And

this,

remaining, shone out more and more,

I said within

my
air

mind: "What thing

;

is

this?"
22

a sweet melody was running through

whereon a righteous zeal Made me reprove the hardihood of Eve, Who, when the heaven and the earth obeyed, The only woman, and but just now formed, Endured not to remain 'neath any veil Beneath which, if she had but been devout,
All these ineffable delights ere this
I should

The gleaming

25

28

While

have known, and for a longer time. went on amid such great first-fruits
in eagerness for further joys,

31

Of

the eternal pleasure, all enrapt.

still

And
The

'Neath the great branches there in front of us

air

34

And

became as 'twere a flaming fire. the sweet sound was heard to be a song.
if I

Most holy Virgins,

ever bore

37

Hunger

or cold or fasting for your sake,

Occasion spurs

me

to claim their reward. 40

Now Helicon must needs pour forth for me, And with her choir Urania give aid
To put
in verse things difficult to think.

A little further on,

through the long tract Of middle space between ourselves and them,

43

Appeared delusively seven trees of gold But when I once had come so near to them,
That common qualities, which cheat the sense, Lost not by distance their especial form. The power that brings matter for our thought

46

49

;'

270
Distinguished

THE DIVINE COMEDY

'
! '

now that they were candlesticks, heard the cry Hosanna " in the song. Above, the pageant beautiful flamed forth Far brighter than the moon in the clear sky At midnight in the middle of her month. With mind all full of wonder I turned round To the good Virgil, and he answered me With look in which amazement shone no less. Then turned I back my gaze to the high things, Which moved so slowly as they came toward us.

And

62

65

58

New- wedded brides would have outstripped them The Lady cried Why art thou glowing thus
'

quite.

'

61

At
Then

the sole aspect of the living lights,

lookest not at that which follows

And
I

them ?

'

saw people, following after those seemed to be their leaders, clad in white, Such whiteness as was never yet on earth. The water was resplendent at my left,

W
67

Who
And

like

a mirror gave
it,

If I looked into

me back again. my own left side.

When

had such a place upon

my

bank,

70

That the stream only separated me. That I might better see, I stayed my steps

Then

I beheld the little flames advance,

73

Leaving behind them trails of painted air. And seem like pennons streaming in the wind So that the air was parted over them In seven bands, of every hue like those Of Delia's girdle and the sun-made bow. These banners were extending rearward far

76

79

Beyond my power to see, and, as I think, The outermost were then ten steps apart. Under so fair a sky as I describe Came four and twenty elders, two by two,

82

'

PURGATORIO, XXIX
And each of them was crowned with flower-de-luce And they all sang Blessed art thou among The daughters born of Adam blessed be
*

271

'

85

Thy

beauties unto all eternity

'

After the flowers and the fresh herbage Opposite me upon the other bank,

else,

88

No

longer had with them that folk

elect,

Even as light succeeds to light in heaven, Four living creatures followed after them.

91

And with green leaves each one of them was And every one was feathered with six wings,

crowned.
94

The feathers full of eyes, and such would be The eyes of Argus, were they still alive. To tell thee, reader, of their forms, no more I lavish rhymes other expense constrains
;

97

Me

so, I

cannot here be prodigal.

100

But read Ezechiel, who paints them so As from the region of the cold he saw Them coming with the wind, and cloud, and And as thou findest them upon his page,

fire

103

E 'en

such were these, except that for the wings

106

John is with me, and separates from him. The space that was between these four contained A chariot triumphal, on two wheels. Which by a Griffon 's neck was drawn along. It lifted upward both its wings between The middle band and three on either side. So that he did none harm by cleaving it. So high they rose, that they were out of sight His members were of gold, as far as he Was like a bird, and others red and white. Never did Africanus give Rome joy, Nor e 'en Augustus, with a car so fair The chariot of the sun were poor to that.

109

112

115

272

THE DIVINE COMEDY

US

That of the sun, which straying was consumed, When Earth had offered up her prayer devout, And Jove was in his secret counsel just. Beside the right wheel in a circle danced Three ladies and, so ruddy one of them, She would be hardly seen within the fire. The other was as if her flesh and bone Had been of emerald the third one was Like the new-fallen snow to look upon. And they seemed led along now by the white, Now by the ruddy, and from this one's song The others took their movements, slow and swift. Beside the left wheel four made holiday,
; ;

121

124

127

130

All clad in purple, following the

mode
133

Of one of them, in whose head were three eyes. The next in order to this group described Were two old men, unlike in garb, but like In their demeanor, dignified and grave One showed himself as of the family Of that supreme Hippocrates, whom Nature

136

Made

for the creatures that she holds most dear

139

The other showed a care the contrary, Bearing a sword so glittering and sharp, Even this side the stream it made me fear. Next I saw four of humble outward mien; Behind them all was an old man, alone, Coming in sleep, and of a visage keen. And like to those of the first company These seven were habited but round their heads They had not of the lilies made their wreath. Rather of roses, and of other flowers All red the eyes not far away had sworn
;

1*2

1*5

148

That

all

were in a flame above their brows.

the car was opposite to me,
151

And when

273

PURGATORIO,
It
;

XXX

thundered and these worthy people seemed To be forbidden further to advance,

with the ensigns at the front stopped there.
154

And

CANTO XXX
the Septentrion of the primal heaven, "Which neither rise nor setting ever knew, Nor veil of other cloud than that of sin, And which was making here each one aware Of his own duty, as the lower makes Him know, who turns the helm to gain the port,

When

Had come
Toward

to rest, the truthful folk,

it

who had
;

First come between

and the

Griffon, turned

the car, as to their peace

and one
10

Among

them, as a messenger from heaven,

thrice,
rest.

Sang "Veni, sponsa, de Lihano" Crying aloud, and after him the

And like the

And

blessed dead at the last

trump

13

Rising in readiness, each from his tomb.

voicing Alleluias, newly clad, car divine
tanti senis,
life.

A hundred such upon this

Were
rising

16

now ad vocem

Ministering servants of eternal

All saying: "Benedictus, qui venis,"

19

And, strewing flowers above them and around,

''Manibus o date lilia plenis." at the beginning of the day All rosy have I seen the eastern sky. The heavens elsewhere beautifully clear, And then the sun would rise with shaded face, His light so tempered by the vaporous air, That human eyes could look upon it long So it was there within a cloud of flowers,

Ere now

22

25

28

'

'

274

THE DIVINE COMEDY

rising

Which then was

from angelic hands,

81

And

falling back again, within, without,

Appeared to me a Lady, olive-crowned Over a veil pure white, with mantle green.

And

My

spirit,

robed in color of the vivid flame. though the time had been so long
it

W
'7

had felt the awe, Which made it tremble and had broken it. Without the further knowledge of the eyes, By hidden virtue, which came forth from her, Felt the great power of the olden love. Soon as my vision had been smitten thus By that high virtue which had pierced me through Ere yet I was beyond my boyhood's time, I turned me to the left, in the same trust With which a child runs to its mother's side, When fear has come upon it or distress. To say to Virgil Not a single dram Of blood is left in me that trembles not
Since in her presence
' : '

*0

*3
/

^
49

know

the tokens of the love of old.

'

But Virgil had abandoned us, left now Without him, Virgil, sweetest Father mine,
Virgil, to whom for my salvation, I Had given myself and then of no avail Was all our Ancient Mother lost to keep
;

^^2

My cheeks, that dew had cleansed,

**

from darkening
not yet.
fall.
'

tears.

Dante, though Virgil go away, not yet

55

Let thy tears

fall, let

thy tears
tears

fall

For by another sword thy

must

And as an admiral goes forward now And now goes aft, to see the men who serve On other ships, and cheers them to do well.
So there upon the car at its left edge, When I had turned at hearing called

58

61

my name,

; ;

'

'

PURGATORIO,

XXX

275

Which by necessity is here set down, saw the Lady, who had first appeared Beneath the veil of the angelic greeting, Direct her eyes toward me this side the stream. Although the veil, which fell down from her head, And was encircled with Minerva's leaves. Allowed not that her form be manifest, Queen-like, and in her bearing haughty still She then went on, like one who speaks and yet Is holding back the warmest of his words:
I

^
67

70

"Look

at

me

well; I

am

indeed, indeed

73

Am
I

Beatrice.

How

deignedst thou approach

is

The Mount ? Didst not know man

drooped my eyes to the clear fount, I saw myself in it, they sought the grass, My brow was heavy with such weight of shame. For as a mother to her son seems proud, So seemed she then to me because the taste Finds bitterness in pity that is stern. She kept her silence and then suddenly The Angels sang forth: ''In te, Domine, Speravi," and with ''pedes meos" closed.
;
;

happy here 1 but when

'

76

79

82

And

as the

snow among the

living rafters

85

Along the back of Italy congeals, Blown down and packed by the Slavonian winds.

And when
So that Such was

melted trickles through itself, If but the land that lacks the shadows, breathe,
'tis

88

it

seems as candle-melting

fire

I there without a tear or sigh

^1

Before the song of those, that ever sing

But when

After the notes of the eternal spheres I heard in the sweet harmonies

^*

Compassion for myself, more than if they Had said Lady, why put him thus to shame ?
' : '

'

276

THE DIVINE COMEDY

97

The ice, that held my heart so tightly clasped, Became as breath and water, and through mouth And eyes, with anguish issued from my breast. Still at the mentioned side upon the car She stood, nor moved as she at length addressed
* *

100

Her words unto the pious beings Ye keep your vigils in the eternal
So that nor night nor sleep can

thus
day,
103

steal

from you
106

A step which Earth may take upon her ways

Wherefore my answer is with greater care, That he may understand who yonder weeps, So that his grief may be as was his fault. Not only by the work of mighty spheres, Which turn to some allotted end each seed According as the stars companion it, But by a bounty of God's gracious gifts,

109

112

Which have such

That sight
This one in his

lofty vapors for their rain.

like ours

may

not attain to them,

115

new

life

potentially

Was

such, that every upright tendency

Would have wrought out in him a wondrous proof But so much more malign and wild becomes The ground with evil seed, or left untilled, As it has greater vigor in the soil. Some time did I sustain him with my face, For as I showed to him my youthful eyes I led him with me, turned to what is right.
Upon the threshold of my second age As soon as I was standing, and changed
life,

US

121

124

He gave himself to others, leaving me. When I from flesh to spirit had arisen,

127

My
I

beauty and
less

my

virtue both increased,

was

pleasing and less dear to

him
130

He

turned his steps to ways not of the truth,

'

'

'

PURGATORIO, XXXI
And followed the false images of good, "Which keep no promise wholly that they make.
To pray for inspirations helped me not, With which in dream and otherwise I

277

133

called
136

Him
For

back to me, so slight his care for them.

fell

So low he

that all expedients

proved already short, Except to show him those who have been lost. So to the portal of the dead I went, And unto him, who led him to this height, I poured my supplications forth with tears. The high decree of God were set at naught, If Lethe should be passed, and such a viand Were tasted by him without any scot Of penitence made manifest in tears.
his salvation
'

139

1*2

145

CANTO XXXI
* '

THOU who
Turning
to

art

beyond the sacred stream,

the point of her discourse.

me

Which even with the edge seemed keen As she began again without delay,
' '

to me.

Say, say,

if this is

true

to such a charge

Thine own confession must needs be conjoined." powers were confused to such degree, That, though my voice moved, it was quenched before The organs making it could set it free. Pausing a little, then she said: "What think 'st thou? Reply to me for the sad memories The water has not yet destroyed in thee. My fear and my confusion both combined In forcing such a Yes from out my mouth. That one had needed eyes to make it out.

My

10

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

278

THE DIVINE COMEDY

16

And as a cross-bow breaks both string and bow When it discharges with a strain too great, And with less force the arrow hits the mark E 'en so beneath that heavy load I burst As I poured forth my flooding tears and sighs
With
voice that slackened in
' :
'

19

its issuing.

Within desires of mine, Wherefore she said Which were conducting thee to love that Good, Beyond which there is naught to be aspired to, What pits across thy path, or yet what chains
Didst thou encounter, that thou shouldst divest
Thyself of hope of passing further on?

22

25

And what
Upon

allurements, or what benefits

*

28

the brows of others were displayed, That thou shouldst wander in pursuit of them ? After the drawing of a bitter sigh, Scarcely had I a voice for answering, Such labor had my lips in forming it. Weeping I said to her The present things With their false pleasure turned my steps away. Soon as your face was hidden from my sight. And she Hadst thou been silent, or denied That which thou dost confess, thy fault would not Be known the less, by such a Judge it is known.
'
* :

31

'

34

'

* *

37

But when the accusation of the sin Bursts forth from one 's own mouth, then in our court The wheel turns itself back against the edge. But yet, in order that thou mayst now bear Shame for thy error, and another time. Hearing the Sirens, thou mayst have more strength. Put by the sowing of thy tears, and listen Thus shalt thou hear how, once my flesh entombed. Thou shouldst have turned thy steps just opposite.
Never did Nature
offer thee,

40

43

46

nor Art,

49

'

' :

PURGATORIO, XXXI
Pleasure so great as the fair limbs in which
I

279

was enclosed, and which are strewn in earth

if

And

the highest pleasure failed thee so

death,

52

what mortal thing was there That should have drawn thee then to its desire ? Truly thou shouldst, at the first arrow-shot Of things fallacious, then have risen up And followed me, who was no longer such.

Upon my

55

And
Or

there should not have weighted

down thy

wings,

58

Awaiting further blows, a damsel young.

other vanity of so brief use.

E 'en

two or three the young bird

will await,

61

But

in the sight of those full-fledged, in vain

Is the net spread,

and

is

the arrow shot.

'

Even

as children in their
listening,

shame stand dumb

64

And

with eyes fixed on the ground, Repentantly acknowledging their guilt.

and then she said lift thou up thy beard, And thou shalt feel a greater pain by sight. With less resistance would a sturdy oak Tear up its roots before a wind of ours, Or one that blows from off larbas land. Than I raised up my chin at her behest
I
; '
'

Such, standing there, was

67

Since hearing grieves thee,

'

70

'

73

she named my beard instead knew the venom of her argument. And when my face was openly upraised,

And when
I

of eyes,
76

My sight
Of

perceived that from their scattering

flowers those primal creatures

now had

ceased
79

My eyes,

as yet with little confidence,

Saw Beatrice turned toward the animal, Which, with two natures, is in person one. Beyond the stream under her veil she seemed Surpassing even more her ancient self,

82

'

'

280

THE DIVINE COMEDY

85

Than she had all the others when with us. The nettle of repentance stung me so, That of all other things, what most had drawn Me to its love, became most hated now. Such knowledge of myself had pierced my heart, That overwhelmed I fell what I became Is known to her who was the cause of it. Then, when my heart restored my outward power, The Lady whom I came upon alone Hold to me, hold to me I saw above me, saying drawn me to the stream, that now For she had Had reached my throat, and dragging me, she went Over the water like a shuttle, light. When I was near the blessed bank, I heard
; ! '
' * :

88

91

9*

97

''Asperges

me"

so sweetly,
it,

memory
100

my verse. When the fair Lady, opening her arms, Had clasped my head, she caused it to submerge
Cannot contain

and far

less

Till of the water I was forced to drink She took me thence, presenting me thus bathed Within the dance of the four beautiful,

103

And
*
'

over

me

each one held out her arm.

106

Here we are nymphs, but in the heavens stars Ere Beatrice descended to the world Were we ordained for handmaids unto her.
lead thee to her eyes, but, for the light

We

109

Of joy within them, three that are beyond.

Whose

gaze

is

deeper

still,
;

112 Thus saying they began They led me with them to the Griffon 's breast. Where Beatrice was standing, turned toward us. US They said See that thou do not spare thine eyes, For thou art placed before those emeralds. Whence Love once drew those weapons aimed at thee."
* : '

sharpen thine. and afterward

shall

'

'

PURGATORIO, XXXII

281
118

thousand longings hotter than the flame fast my eyes upon the gleaming eyes, Which were upon the Griffon fixed alone.

Held

As

in a glass the sun, not otherwise

121

The two-fold animal shone there within,

Now with

the one,
if I

now with
it

the other power.

124

Think, reader,

deemed

marvelous,

When I beheld the thing itself at rest. And in its image ever varying. While full of awe and happiness, my soul Was tasting of the food, which of itself
Quenching the thirst, arouses thirst anew, The other three, who in their bearing showed Themselves of higher rank, came forward now, Dancing to their angelic caroling.
*
'

127

130

Turn, Beatrice, turn thou thy holy eyes, Such was their song, upon thy faithful one, Who has, to see thee, taken so many steps;
'
'

'

133

And

of thy grace do us the grace, that thou

136

Unveil thy mouth to him, that he discern The second beauty, that thou dost conceal."
splendor of eternal living
light,

139

Who
Upon

has become so pallid in the shade

Parnassus, or drunk at
to
its well,

have a clouded mind, Tried he to render thee as thou didst seem Beneath the brooding heaven 's harmonies, When thou didst free thyself in that free air ?

That would not seem

142

145

CANTO XXXII

My eyes
On
That

had been

so fixed

and

so intent

satisfaction of their ten years' thirst.

all

my

other senses were extinct

'

282

THE DIVINE COMEDY

they themselves had walls on either side
*

And

Of unconcern, so with the ancient net The holy smile drew them unto itself; When forcibly my gaze was turned about Toward my left hand by those Goddesses, Too fixedly Because I heard them say
' :

! '

'

And that condition of the eyes for sight When they have just been smitten by the sun Made me deprived of vision for a time
But when the
what was less, compared with what was more, From which I had been forced to turn away) saw the glorious army now had wheeled On its right flank, returning, with the sun
sight re-formed for
(I say for less,

10

13

l^

And

with the seven flames in face of

a troop will turn to save
its shields,
it

it.

As when
Under
Before

itself,

19

and with

its

banner wheels
22

can have wholly faced about,

celestial realm,

That soldiery of the

Which
Before

led the others,

its

had

all

passed by us
25

pole had turned the car around.

The ladies then returning to the wheels, The Griffon drew the blessed burden on. Yet so, that not a single feather moved. The fair One, who had drawn me at the ford, And Statins and myself followed the wheel

28

Which made

its

orbit with the lesser arc.

Through the high

forest passing,

empty now

31

By

fault of her

who

in the serpent trusted,

34

Our

steps were measured to angelic strains.

In three flights of an arrow from its string As long a space were covered, as, perchance We had advanced, when Beatrice came down. Then "Adam" I heard murmured by them all,

37

'

283

PUEGATORIO, XXXII

Who formed

a circle next, about a plant,

^^

Stripped on each branch of flower and every leaf. Its crown, which spreads the wider as it mounts, Would have been wondered at by Indians, For its great height, if in their forests found.

"Blessed art thou, O Griffon, who with beak Dost not break down this wood, so sweet to taste, Because the belly writhes in pain therewith." When thus had cried, around the sturdy tree, The others, then the two-fold animal
' '

*3

^
49

Thus

of all righteousness the seed

is

kept.

'

And turning to the pole which he had drawn, He dragged it underneath the widowed tree. And what had come from it, to it left bound.
As when streams down the great light of the sun, Commingled with the rays that shine behind
The heavenly Carp, our earthly plants begin To swell, and each one afterwards takes on
Afresh its coloring, before the sun Has yoked his steeds beneath another star So, showing color less deep than the rose But more than violet, renewed itself This plant, which had at first its boughs so bare. I understood it not, nor here is sung The hymn which at the time that people sang. Nor did I hear that music to the end. Could I portray how the unloving eyes Drooped slumbering, when Syrinx' tale was told, The eyes to which long vigil cost so dear, E 'en as a painter from his model paints

52

55

58

61

64

67

Would

I depict

how

then

fell asleep

Who

would do that must picture slumber

well.

Therefore I pass to when I woke, and say That splendor rent apart my veil of sleep.

70

'

"

'

'

'

284

THE DIVINE COMEDY

one who cried
'
:

And

'

Arise

what doest thou ?

'

To see some flowerets of the apple-tree, Which makes the angels greedy for its fruit, And makes perpetual marriage-feasts in heaven, Peter and John and James were led by One, And being overcome, came to themselves Hearing what words had broken deeper sleep, And saw their company had now grown less, With Moses and Elias no more there,

73

76

79

And changed
As such an

their Master's raiment, as before;

82

and saw that One In pity standing over me, her, who had been The first to guide my steps along the stream, And, all in doubt, said Where is Beatrice ? Then she replied Behold her, seated there Beneath the tree 's fresh leaves, upon its root. Behold the company surrounding her The others in the Griffon's train are mounting up, Singing a sweeter song and more profound.
one, I woke,

'

85

'

'

88

'

And

if she further spoke I know not now, Because already she was in my sight.

81

Who

had closed up

my mind

to other thought.

Alone she sat upon the ground itself, Like one left there as guardian of the car. Which I had seen the two-fold One bind fast.

**

Around her in a ring Made of themselves

the seven

nymphs

97

a wall, holding those lamps

From Aquilo and Auster

both secure.
100

"A

forest-dweller here a little while,

Thou shalt with me for aye be citizen Of that Rome, where a Roman too is Christ. To profit then the world of evil life Fix now thine eyes upon the car, and when Thou hast returned, write down what thou hast

103

seen.

PURGATORIO, XXXII
Thus Beatrice and I, who at the feet Of her commands was all devout, gave heed With mind and eyes, as she made known her will. Never with such swift motion from dense clouds Descended fire, when it was coming down
;

285
10^

^^

that confine which stretches most remote, saw then swoop down the Bird of Jove All through the tree, and tear away the bark As well as flowers and new foliage And smote upon the car with all his might,

From
I

As

112

115

storm a ship Is beaten by the waves on every side Then into the body of the vehicle Triumphal, I saw leaping, a she-fox. Which seemed as if to fast from all good food But, then rebuking her for ugly sins, My Lady made her turn in such a flight, As with her fleshless bones was possible. Then, downward by the way it came at first I saw the eagle to the chariot's ark Descend, and leave it feathered from itself. And as a voice from an afflicted heart, I heard one come from heaven, saying thus ''Thou art ill-laden, my little bark!" And then it seemed to me the earth had opened Between the wheels, and forth a dragon came. Who upward through the chariot thrust his tail; And like a wasp that draws away its sting, Now drawing his malignant tail, he drew
it

Whereon

reeled, as in a

118

121

124

127

130

133

The chariot floor in part, and wandered off. That which remained, like fertile land with grass, Covered itself anew with feathers given Perchance with holy and benign intent. And with them were the pole and both the wheels

136

139

;:;

286

THE DIVINE COMEDY

New-covered in so short a time, the mouth Is longer open for one sigh breathed forth. "When thus transformed the holy edifice Then put forth heads upon its parts, with three

1*2

Above the pole and at each corner one. The first had horns, as oxen but the four
;

1*6

on the forehead but a single horn A monster such as this was never seen And as a fortress on a mountain height, Upon this seemed to me to sit secure A shameless harlot with quick-turning eyes. As if he would not be deprived of her, I saw a giant standing at her side, And they would kiss each other now and then But since her lustful, wandering eye had turned In my direction, that fierce paramour Had scourged her from her crown unto her feet.

Had

1*8

151

154

Then

full of jealousy

He

loosed the monster,

and cruel rage, and on through the wood

157

Dragged this so far, that he with that alone Screened the strange beast and harlot from my view.

1^0

CANTO XXXIII
"Deus, venerunt gentes," group by group. Now three, now four, the ladies had begun
In tears to sing as a sweet psalmody,

And Beatrice, compassionate, with sighs Was listening, in aspect such, that more Had Mary scarcely changed before the cross.
But when the other virgins now gave place To her to speak, risen she stood upright.

And

answered, of a color like to flame

'

"

PURGATORIO, XXXIII
''

287
10

Modicum,

et

non

videhitis me,

Et iterum, beloved sisters mine, Modicum, et vos videhitis me." And then before her she made go the

seven,

13

And by

a sign bade follow her myself,

16

The Lady, and the Sage who had remained. Thus she was going onward, and I think Her tenth step was not set upon the ground When she had smitten mine eyes with her own,

And
' '

with a tranquil aspect said to

me
'

19

Come faster so that if I talk with thee. Thou mayst be better placed for listening. When, as my duty was, I was by her,
She said
' : '

22

Brother,

why

venturest thou not

25

To question me, now that thou art with me ? Their lot, who with exceeding reverence
In presence of their betters have to speak,

And bring not to their teeth their words alive, Was like to mine, when with imperfect speech
began My Lady, all my need You know, and what is good for it. Then she

28

Thus

'

'

'

'

*
'

From

fear as well as

shame

it is

my will

31

That thou henceforward disengage thyself. So that thou speak no more like one who dreams. Know that the vessel which the serpent broke Was and is not but let him think, who bears The blame of it, God's vengeance fears not sops. Not for all time shall be without an heir
;

34

37

The

eagle

who gave
it first

feathers to the car,

40

grew monstrous, then a prey; and therefore tell, A time is granted us, by stars now near Free from all hindrance and impediment. When a five hundred, ten and five sent down

By which

For

I see certainly,

43

288

THE DIVINE COMEDY

God, shall slay, with her who has usurped, is sharer in her sin.
**

By

The giant who

If thou be less

persuaded by my words, Obscure as those of Themis or the Sphinx, Because like theirs they cloud the intellect, The facts shall soon become the Naiades And solve this hard enigma without harm Either to flocks or to the growing grain.

*^

Do thou
The

take note

and, as I utter them,

52

See that thou mark these words for those

who

live

And

life that is a running unto death keep in mind, when thou dost write them down,

55

Not

to conceal

how thou

hast seen the plant

58
offence.

Which

here has been despoiled a second time

For whosoever breaks or plunders it With blasphemy of deed does God

Who made
For
biting
it,

it

holy for His use alone.

and in desire Five thousand years and more the first soul longed For Him, who punished in Himself the bite.
in pain

Thy

wit

is

sleeping, if

it fail to

judge

^
*7

it rises up To such great height with its inverted top. And if it had not been for the vain thoughts Like Elsa's water round about thy mind, And if their joy were not a Pyramus To the mulberry, thou wouldst have morally, Through incidents so manifold alone. Seen God was just, by the forbidden tree.

That for especial cause

70

But, as

I see

thee in thine intellect

73

Made
The

as of stone, and, stony, darkened so,

I also will that

I say is dazzling thee, thou shouldst bear it hence, If not in words, yet painted in thy mind.

light of

what

76

'

'

'

289

PURGATORIO, XXXIII
palm-wreathed staff. And then I said Like wax beneath the seal, That changes not the figure pressed on it, My brain has now received its stamp from you. But why so high above my vision soar
as pilgrims bring the
' : '

Even

'

79

82

Your words, that I so long for, and my But lose the more, the more they strive
'
'

eyes
for
'
'

them?"
that school 85
far
88

That thou mayst come

to

know,

'
'

she said,

Which thou
Its teaching

hast followed, and mayst see

how

has the power to follow me,

And see your ways are separate as far From those of God, as is the earth below From the swift heaven that is placed most
Whereon
Nor am
I

high,"
91

answered
I

That ever
I

remember not estranged myself from you,

:

"

conscious of remorse for it."

it
' '

"And

if

thou canst not bring

to

thy mind,

'

94

She answered with a smile, remember now It was this very day that thou didst drink Of Lethe and, if fire is proved by smoke, This thy forgetfulness makes evident That fault was in thy will, elsewhere intent. And verily henceforth my words shall be
;

97

100

Naked
That
I

to thee, as far as shall befit

'

And

uncover them to thy rude sight. now more flashing and with slower steps

103

The sun had reached the noon-day circle's height, With the beholder changing here and there, 106 When, like the one who goes ahead as guide And stops, if he find any novelty, Or trace of one, the seven ladies stopped 109 Beside the margin of a shadow, pale As that which 'neath green leaves and boughs of black The cold streams have above them in the Alps.

' ';

'

'

290

THE DIVINE COMEDY

112

In front of them Euphrates seemed to me To rise with Tigris from a single spring, And then part company, like lingering friends. Light, Glory of the human race,
* '

115

water is it, that is here poured forth one beginning, and divides itself ? To such a prayer was answered me "Beseech and then Matilda, that she tell it thee Replied, as one who frees herself from blame, The Lady beautiful This thing and others
'

What From

US

; '

'

'

'

121

have made known

*

to him, and I

am

sure
'

That Lethe 's water hid them not from him. And Beatrice Perhaps a greater care, Which oftentimes bereaves of memory, Has made the vision of his mind grow dim. But yonder see Eunoe flowing down Lead him to it, and there, as is thy wont, Quicken anew in him his swooning power. And as a gentle soul makes no excuse, But lets another's will become her own, As soon as it is outwardly disclosed, So then the Fair One took me by the hand, And, moving onward, said to Statins,
:

'

12*

127

'

130

133

In manner as a lady
I

'

'

Come with him

! '

If I had, reader, longer space to write,

136

would

at least in part sing the sweet draught,

left

Which never would have

But inasmuch
That for
I
this

me

satisfied

as all the leaves are full

139

second canticle were planned.

142

The curb of art lets me go on no further. came again from that most holy wave So made anew, even as plants are fresh

With

the fresh life of their fresh foliage.

to

Pure and disposed

mount unto

the stars.

145

PARADISO

PARADISO
CANTO
The
glory of the

One who moves

all

things

Penetrates through the universe, resplendent

In one part more and in another less. have been in the heaven which receives Most of His light and seen things, which whoso Descends from there above neither knows how Nor has the power to tell for, drawing near Its own desire, our intellect goes in So deeply, memory can not follow it. Howbeit, whatever of the holy realm I had the power to treasure in my mind, That shall be now the matter of my song. good Apollo, for this final labor Make of me such a vessel of thy worth As thou wouldst have for the loved laurel gift. Thus far one summit of Parnassus was Enough for me, but now with both I need To enter the arena that remains. Enter this breast of mine, and do thou breathe In such wise as when thou from out the sheath Power Of his limbs drewest Marsyas. Divine, if thou so lend thyself to me That I the shadow of the blessed realm Imprinted in my head make manifest. Thou shalt see me come to thy chosen tree
I
; ;

10

13

16

19

22

25

294

THE DIVINE COMEDY

myself there with those leaves, of which The matter and thyself shall make me worthy. So rarely, Father, do men gather them For triumph or of Caesar or of poet, A fault, and to the shame of human wills,

And crown

28

That the Peneian leaf should bring forth joy

"Within the joyous Delphic deity.

31

When

it

gives

man

a longing for

itself.

great flame follows

up a

little

spark

3*

Perhaps with better voices after me Prayer shall be made, for Cyrrha to respond. The world's lamp rises up to mortals through Different passages but from the one Where with three crosses are four circles joined, With better course and with a better star Conjoined it issues, and the mundane war Tempers and seals the better in its way. Such passage was it nearly, that had made There morning and here evening and all That hemisphere was white the other part Was black, when I saw Beatrice now turned To her left side and gazing on the sun Eagle ne'er fixed himself upon it so. And even as a second ray is wont To issue from the first and remount upward.
;
;
;

37

4^

43

^
*9

Like to a pilgrim wishing to return

So of her action through the eyes poured in To my imagination, mine was made, And on the sun, beyond our wont, I fixed My eyes. There much is granted to our powers

52

55

Which here is not, in virtue of the place Made the due habitation of mankind.
Not long could I endure it, nor so briefly But that I saw it sparkle round about.
58

'

PARADISO,
Like boiling iron coining from the

295

fire.

And

day seemed joined to day, As if the One who has the power had now Adorned the heaven with another sun.
of a sudden

^1

Beatrice stood with her eyes wholly fixed

**

On the eternal wheels and I on her Had fixed my eyes, removed from there
;

above.
67

Gazing on her such I became within As Glaucus when he tasted grass that made

Him
May

consort in the sea of other gods.

Words can

not

tell

how man grows more than man

70

this example then suffice to him For whom grace hath in store experience. If I was only what of me thou last Didst make, Love that governest the heavens, Thou knowest, who with Thy light didst lift me up. When the revolving, which Thou longed-for makest Eternal, drew my thought unto itself With harmony accorded and assigned

73

76

By

Thee, so much of heaven then appeared Enkindled with the sun 's flame, that ne 'er rain

79

Nor river made a lake spread out so wide. The newness of the sound and the great light
Kindled in me desire to know their cause With keenness such as I had never felt. Whence she, who saw me as I see myself, To put to rest my agitated mind, Opened her lips ere I did mine to ask And she began Thy self thou makest dense With false imagining, so that thou seest Not what thou wouldst see, hadst thou cast that Thou art not on the earth, as thou believest But lightning, flying from its proper site, Ne 'er sped as thou who art returning thither.
' : '

82

85

88

off.

91

'

296
If

THE DIVINE COMEDY

^*

by the brief, fond words she spoke with smiles I was divested of my first doubt, now I was the more entangled with a new Within me, and I said Already I Rested content from wondering much, but now I wonder how bodies as light as these
'
:

'

97

can transcend.

' '

Whereon with pitying

sigh

100

She turned her eyes toward me with the look

A mother casts on her delirious child.

And
she began
' * :

All things existing have

103

Order among Which makes

themselves,

and

this is form,

the universe like unto God.

106

Herein the exalted creatures see the trace Of the Eternal Worth, which is the end Whereto the mentioned order is ordained. Within that order that I indicate All natures tend to move by diverse lots As more or less near to their origin Wherefore their motion is to diverse ports O 'er the great sea of being, and each one

109

112

With
This

instinct given

it

that bears

it

on. 115

This bears away the

is

fire

toward the moon

the motive force in mortal hearts

118

This binds together and unites the earth.

Not' only the created things which lack

bow arrow forth. But those possessing intellect and love. The Providence ordaining all doth make With its own light that heaven ever quiet
Intelligence doth this

121

In which revolves the one of greatest speed.

And now

an appointed site Are we borne by the power of that cord Which to a joyful mark directs whate 'er It shoots. In truth, as form ofttimes doth not
to that as

124

127


PARADISO,
Accord with the intention of the
II
art,

: ; ;

'

297

Because the deaf material answers not So from this course the creature will at times Depart, that has the power, though thus impelled, To bend away toward another part, Even as one may see the fire to fall

130

133

Out of a cloud, if the first impetus, Wrenched by false pleasure, turns it to the earth. Thou shouldst not marvel, if I rightly judge, At thine ascending, more that at a stream
That from high mountain-top flows to the base. were a marvel in thee, if, deprived Of hindrance, thou wert seated down below, As quiet in living fire would be on earth. Thereon she turned her face again toward heaven.
It
'

136

139

142

CANTO
YE,

II

who

in a very little bark.

Eager to listen, have been following Behind my ship that singing makes its way. Turn back to look again upon your shores Put you not out to sea, lest it befall That, losing me, ye should remain astray. The water which I take, was never sailed Minerva breathes, Apollo is my guide. And Muses nine point out to me the Bears. Ye other few who in due time have lifted Your necks for angels bread, on which man Below, but never knows satiety.
'

10
lives

Ye may well send over the deep, salt sea Your vessel that doth in my furrow keep
Before the water that grows smooth again.

13


298

'

THE DIVINE COMEDY

1*

Those glorious men who went across the sea To Colchis marveled not as ye shall do, When they saw Jason to a ploughman turned.

The concreated and perpetual thirst For that realm in God's image bore us on Almost as swift as ye see heaven move. Beatrice upward gazed, and I on her

1^

22

And

in the time perchance a quarrel takes

25

To hit and fly and be loosed from the notch, I saw that I had come where a strange thing Drew to itself my sight and therefore she, From whom no working of my mind could hide, Toward me turned, as glad as beautiful. Direct thy grateful mind to God, she said,
;

28

* *

'

'

with the first star has united us. It seemed to me that there was covering us
'

'

Who

'

31

and polished cloud. As it were a diamond smitten by the sun. Within itself had the eternal pearl
dense, solid

A lucid,

34

Received A ray of
If I

us, as in
light,

water is received remaining still as one.

37

was body,

and man knows not here

How

one dimension brooked another, as

40

Must be if body into body glide, The more should the desire enkindle us To see that Essence, in which is beheld How God and our own nature were made one. Then shall be seen that which we hold by faith, Not demonstrated, but known of itself.
Like to the primal truth that man believes. answered Lady, with my utmost power Devoutly do I render thanks to Him, Who has removed me from the mortal world. But tell me what the dusky marks upon
I
' :

43

'

46

49

'

'

PARADISO,
This body are, which cause

II

299

men

there below
62

Upon
* *

the earth to fable about Cain."

little,

and then said to me If the opinion held by mortal men Errs where the key of sense does not unlock, Surely the shafts of wonder ought not now To pierce thee since, the senses leading on. Thou seest that the reason's wings are short. But tell me what thou think 'st of it thyself." And I " What seems to us diverse up here, I think is caused by bodies rare and dense. And she Thou shalt see surely quite submerged
She smiled a
; : '
:

55

58

'

61

In error thy

belief, if

thou heed well

64

The adverse argument that I shall make. The eighth sphere shows you many lights, which both In quality and quantity may be
Observed to be of aspects various.

and density worked this, would there be in all, Allotted more or less or equally. Virtues that are diverse must be the fruits Of formal principles, and these, save one, "Would by thy reasoning's sequence be destroyed.
If rarity

67

One

single virtue

70

Further,

if

of that duskiness the cause

73

which thou askest, then Either this planet through and through would lack In part its matter thus or, as a body Divides the fat and lean, so would this one Have in its volume alternating leaves. Were the first true, it would be manifest In the eclipses of the sun by light
rarity, of
;

Were

76

79

Then shining through,

as

On what

is

rare.

This
other,

is

when elsewhere not so hence we

;

it falls

82

Must view the

and

if I

refute


300

THE DIVINE COMEDY

also,

That

thy opinion

is

proved

false.

If then this rarity does not pass through,

85

There must needs be a limit, beyond which Its contrary lets it no further pass, And thence another body's ray is thrown Backward, as color turns back through a glass Which hides behind it lead. Now thou wilt say That there the ray doth manifest itself Dimmer than in the other parts, because It is reflected there from further back. Prom this objection can experiment The wonted spring of streams of human arts Deliver thee, if ever thou essay. Take thou three mirrors two remove from thee An equal distance, and between them let The other more remote be in thy sight. Turning toward them, have placed behind thy back
;

88

81

8*

^^

100

A light that shall the

And
striking on

three illuminate.
108

all come back to thee. Although the further image stretch not out

them

In quantity so large, thou shalt see there it must needs be brilliant equally. Now, as beneath the strokes of the warm rays,

How

108

What
Thee,
I

underlies the snow is left all bare Both of the former color and the cold.

who

art left thus in thine intellect,

109

would inform with light so full of life That it shall tremble as thou look'st on it. Within the heaven of the peace divine Revolves a body, in whose virtue lies The being of all that which it contains. The heaven following, that has so many sights, Imparts that being to diverse essences From it distinguished and by it contained

112

US

'

PARADISO,
The other spheres through To
their

II

301
^^^

special difference

Dispose the powers distinct, within themselves,

own ends and sowing

of their seed.
^21

These organs of the universe proceed Thus, as thou seest now, from grade to grade, For from above they take and downward work. Pay thou such heed to me, how I proceed Through this place to the truth which thou desirest,

^24

That thou canst

'

later keep the ford alone.

127

The holy circles movement and their virtue, As from the workman comes the hammer 's art, Must from the blessed movers be breathed forth And from the deep mind turning it, the heaven

^30

Which with

so

many

lights is beautiful,

Taking the image, makes thereof a seal. And as the soul that is within your dust Resolves itself through members different

133

And unto diverse potencies conformed, In such a way doth the Intelligence Spread through the stars its goodness multiplied, Itself revolving on its unity.
Virtue diverse makes a diverse alloy

136

139

With the precious body that it vivifies. With which, as life in you, it is bound up.
Because of the glad nature whence it flows The mingled virtue through the body shines. As through the living eye one 's happiness. From this comes that, which between light and light Seems different, not from aught dense or rare This as the formal principle brings forth In goodness due the turbid and the clear.
'

1*2

1*5

1*8

;;

302

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO
III

That

sun, which first with love had warmed my breast, Fair truth 's sweet aspect had disclosed to me By proof and by disproof and that I might Confess myself corrected and assured,
;

As

far as

was

befitting I raised

My head, to make expression, erect. But there appeared a vision, which held me So closely to itself to look on it, That my confession I remembered not.
As through transparent, polished glasses, or Through waters clear and tranquil, not so deep As that the bottom should be lost to sight.
The
outlines of our faces are returned
faint, that

up more

10

13

So

on a brow of white a pearl

16

Comes to our pupils not less speedily Such I saw many a face, eager to speak

Whence Which kindled love between the man and spring. At once, as soon as I had noted them, Deeming that they were mirrored likenesses,
I rushed to a fault counter to that

19

To

see

And naught I saw and

;

whose they might be I turned my eyes forward turned them now

eyes were glowing as she smiled. not that I smile," she said to me,

22

Directly to the light of that sweet guide,

Whose holy

"Wonder
' '

25

After thy childlike thought, because thy foot

itself

Does not yet trust

upon the

truth.
28

But turns

thee, as

it is

wont, to vacancy.

Real substances are these which thou dost see. For vows they kept not relegated here. So, speak with them, and hear them, and believe,

31

'

'

'

PARADISO,
For
the true light that gives

III

303

them peace grants not

'

That from itself they turn aside their feet. And I turned to the shade that seemed to have Most eagerness to talk, and like a man Bewildered through too great desire, began:
* *

34

well-created spirit,

who

in the rays

37

Of
It

life

eternal dost the sweetness feel

40

is, untasted, never understood. were a gracious act to me, if thou Content me with thy name and with your lot. Whereon she, promptly and with laughing eyes Our charity locks not the door upon A just wish, any more than that which wills That all its court should be like to itself. I was a virgin sister in the world And if thy memory duly search itself, Being more beautiful will hide me not From thee, but thou wilt recognize Piccarda,
' * '

Which

43

46

49

Who
As our

placed here with these other blessed ones

affections are inflamed alone
is

Am blessed in the slowest of the spheres.

52

In what

pleasing to the Holy Spirit,

55

formed as He ordains. which seems so far down, is given To us because of our neglected vows. In some particular left unfulfilled. Whence I to her Your wondrous aspects have A splendor of I know not what divine, Transmuting you from what I once conceived. Hence I was tardy in remembering But what thou tellest me assists me so That I refigure thee more clearly now.

They joy

in being

And

this lot,

'

'

'

58

61

But yet

tell

me ye who
:

are

happy

here,

64

Do

ye desire a more exalted place

:;

'

304

THE DIVINE COMEDY

*
'

That ye may see more, or make you more friends ? She with those other shades first smiled a little After that answered me so joyously, That she seemed one who burned in love 's first fire Brother, virtue of charity doth put Our will to rest, and make us only wish For what we have, and thirst for naught beside. If we desired to have a higher place, Then our desires would be discordant from The will of Him who bids us here abide,
* '

67

70

73

Which thou

shalt see can not be in these circles,

76

If life in charity

must needs be

here,

And
Nay,

if its

it is

nature thou consider well. the essence of this blessed being

itself

79

To keep

within the will divine,

wills themselves

become as one. So that as we exist from seat to seat Throughout this realm, it pleases all the realm As it does Him, who wills in us His will And His will is our peace it is that sea Toward which in self-motion are all things. What He creates, and that which nature does. It was then clear to me how everywhere In heaven is Paradise, even though the grace Of the Chief Good rains not there in one mode.
;

By which our

82

85

'

88

But

as befalls, if one food satisfies

91
taste,

And

for another

still

remains the

That, giving thanks for that, we ask for this Even so did I with act and with my words To learn from her what was the web, in which She had not drawn the shuttle to the head.

^4

"A

perfect life and high desert enheavens

' '

97

Above,

said she,

' '

Lady

in

whose rule

Some

in

your world below are habited

PARADISO,
And veiled,

III

305
1^0

that they till death may watch and sleep With Him, their Spouse, who every vow accepts, Conformed by love to that which pleases Him. To follow her I fled the world, a child,

103

And And

in her habit I enclosed myself,

gave

my

Then men, accustomed more

promise to her Order's way. to ill than good,

106

From

the sweet cloister dragged

me
life

forth

and God
109

Doth know what afterwards

This other splendor,
too,

my

became.

To thee at my right The light of our sphere is enkindled now, Knows in herself what of myself I say. She was a sister, from whose head likewise The shadow of the sacred veil was taken. But when she too was turned back to the world, Her liking and good usage set at naught. The veil was never loosened from her heart.
This
is

who shows herself side, and who with all

112

US

the light of the great Constance,

'

who

118

Of the second blast of Swabia conceived Thus unto me The third, the final power. She spoke, and thereupon began Ave Maria singing, and still singing passed
'

121

From
As
it

My gaze,

weight through watery depths. 124 which had been following her as long was possible, when it lost her.
sight, like things of

Unto the mark of greater longing turned. Wholly reverting now to Beatrice But she flashed forth so brightly as I looked, That at the first my sight endured it not.

127

Which made me slower

in

my

questioning.

130

306

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO IV

Between two

viands, equally far off

And

appetizing, one would starve to death

Ere, a free man, he brought one to his teeth. So would a lamb stand still in equal dread Between the ravenings of two savage wolves; So would a dog stand still between two does. Hence, if I spoke not, I blame not myself, Urged in an equal measure by my doubts. Since it was necessary, nor commend. I spoke not, but depicted on my face Was my desire, and questioning therewith More ardent far than if by speech distinct. So Beatrice did as erst Daniel When he removed Nebuchadnezzar's wrath

10

18

Which caused
:

in

him such unjust

cruelty.
16

And said " I plainly see how thou art drawn By this and that desire, so that thy care
In such wise binds
:

itself, it

breathes not forth.

19

Thou reasonest If the good will endures, Then by what reason can man 's violence
Lessen for

me

the measure of desert

Besides, a cause of doubt is given thee

22

In the appearance that the souls return,

As it is taught by Plato, to the stars. These are the questions that upon thy will Thrust equally, and therefore I will first Treat of the one that has the more of gall. The one most God-like of the Seraphim, Moses and Samuel and either John Which thou mayst choose, nay, Mary even, say Have not their seats in other heaven than

25

28

I,

3]

PARADISO, IV
Those
spirits

307
thee,

which just now appeared to

Nor for their being, more or fewer years. But all make the first circle beautiful,

84

And

variously have sweet

life,

because
37

Of feeling more or less the eternal breath. Here they appeared, not that this sphere has been
Allotted to them, but to signify

The one of heaven of the least ascent. Thus must your wit be spoken to, because Only through what is sensed it apprehends "What it then makes worthy of intellect.

*0

On

this

account the Scripture condescends

^
46

To your capacity, and feet and hands To God attributes, and means otherwise And Holy Church in aspect like to men Gabriel and Michael represents to you, And him who made Tobias whole again.
That which Timaeus argues of the souls Is not like this which here is to be seen,
Since
it

*9

appears that he thinks as he says.

its

He

says the soul returns to

it is

own
it

star

62

In his belief that

severed thence
as a form.
55
it

When
But

nature has bestowed

his opinion is of other guise,

Perchance, than his words sound, and

Significance that one
If his thought
is

may have
58

may

not deride.

that to these wheels return

The honor of their influence and blame, Perchance his bow has hit upon some truth. This principle, ill-understood, misled
Nearly the whole world formerly, which then Unduly named Jove, Mercury and Mars. The other doubt disturbing thee has less Of venom in it, since its harmfulness

61

64

308

THE DIVINE COMEDY

67

Could not lead thee away from me elsewhere. That heaven 's justice seems to be unjust In mortal eyes is argument of faith, Not of heretical iniquity. But inasmuch as your intelligence Is well equipped to penetrate this truth,
I will content thee, as

70

thou dost desire.

73

If

it is

violence

when

the one suffering

Contributes naught to that which forces him.

These souls were not excused because of that For will, if it wills not, can not be quenched, But does as nature does in fire, though it

76

A
For

if it

thousand times be wrenched by violence much or little bend itself,

;

79

It follows force
Still to

and thus did

these, while able

return unto the holy place.

82

had been that their will was entire Such as held Lawrence on his gridiron. And rendered Mucins stern to his own hand, It would have driven them back along the road
If
it

85

Whence they were dragged,

But
will of such a firmness

as soon as they were loosed

is

too rare.
88

And by

them As thou shouldst have, that argument is met Which would have troubled thee yet many times. But now another pass before thine eyes Crossing thy way is such, that of thyself Thou wouldst not issue thence ere thou wert weary. I have put in thy mind for certain, how
these words, if thou hast gathered

91

9*

A blessed soul
As
it is

has not the power to

lie.

And

always near the primal truth then thou mightest from Piccarda hear Constance kept affection for the
to contradict
veil.

97

How

So that she seems

me

here.

'

PARADISO, IV
It

309

has happened, brother,

That, to
flee peril,

many

times ere

now

^^^

one against desire

103

Has done that which it was not meet to do Even as Alcmaeon, whom his father prayed To do so, slew his mother and became
Devoid of pity to save piety. Concerning this I wish that thou observe That force mingles with will, and they effect That the offences can not be excused. Absolute will consents not to the wrong,

^06

109

But yet consents in so far as it fears. If it draw back, to fall to greater harm. Hence, when Piccarda utters this, she thinks Of the will absolute, and I of the other, So that we both together speak the truth. Such was the rippling of the holy stream, Which issued from the Fount whence all truth
'

112

115

flows
lis

And

such,

it

set at rest

both

my

desires.

Love of the First Lover," said I then, thou divine one, whose o 'erflowing speech So warms me that it quickens more and more, My own affection is not of a depth Sufficing to repay you grace for grace May He, who sees and can, respond for this.
*
'

"O

121

Our

intellect is

never

satisfied,

124

I plainly see, unless truth be its light.

Outside of which there

is

no truth extends.
a beast,
127

It rests therein, as in his lair

and it can reach it If not, then each desire would be in vain. On this account there springs up like a shoot, Doubt at the foot of truth, and nature it is That drives us summit-ward from height to To me this gives assurance; this bids me,
as
it is

As soon

reached

130

height.
133

'

310

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Lady, with reverence to question you Of other truth that is obscure to me. I fain would know if man for broken vows Can satisfy you so with other goods That shall not in your scales be light of weight. '* Beatrice looked upon me with her eyes Full of the sparks of love and so divine, That overcome, my power turned its back. And I was lost, as it were, with eyes downcast.

136

139

1*2

CANTO V
* *

If I flame on thee in the heat of love

the measure that on earth is seen vanquish so the valor of thine eyes. Marvel thou not thereat for this proceeds From perfect sight, which as it apprehends So moves its foot to the apprehended good.

Beyond

And

I plainly see

how

in thine intellect

There shines already the eternal light Which, only seen, always enkindles love If any other thing seduce your love, It is naught but some vestige of that light
111

10

understood, that

is

there shining through.

13

Thou wouldst know whether for a vow not kept With other service so much may be done As shall secure the soul from lawful suit.
'

In such wise Beatrice began this chant

16

And
' '

as a

man who

breaks not

off his

speech.
19

The

Continued thus the holy reasoning greatest gift which in His bounty God Made at creation, and the most conformed To His own goodness, and which He Himself

PARADISO, V
Most prizes, was the freedom of the will, Wherewith the creatures with intelligence All, and they only, were and are endowed. Now will appear to thee, if thou conclude From this, the high worth of the vow, if such That God consent when thou consentest for In making compact between God and man, Out of this treasure, such as I have named, Is made a victim, and by its own act. As compensation what then can be rendered? Thinkest thou to use well what thou hast offered. Thou wouldst do good work with ill-gotten gain.
;

311
22

25

28

31

Thou art now clear as to the greater point But because Holy Church exempts in this, Which seems against the truth I have disclosed, Thou must still sit a while at table, for The solid food which thou hast taken calls For further aid to thee, digesting it. Open thy mind to that which I reveal To thee, and close it in for to have heard
;

34

37

40

is not to know. In the essence of this sacrifice two things Are in agreement one is that of which It is made, the other the agreement's self. This last can never be annulled, except

And not

retained a thing

43

46

being kept; and bearing upon this That which was said before is so precise Hence for the Hebrews the necessity But to make offering although some thing Thus offered might be changed, as thou must know. The former, shown then as material,
;

By

49

52

May

well be such, that one errs not, if one

55

Put in its place other material. But let no one at his own judgment

shift

;'

; ;

'

312

THE DIVINE COMEDY

The load his shoulder bears without the turning Both of the white, and of the yellow key And let him hold as foolish every change,

58

down be not contained In the one taken up, as four in six. Hence whatsoever thing that weighs so much That by its worth it bears down every scale, Can with no other outlay be redeemed.
Unless the thing laid

^^

Let mortals take no vow in trifling mood Be faithful not perverse in doing so,
;

64

As Jephthah was

in his first offering,

'
:

Who

have done ill, Than in the keeping of the vow do worse As foolish wilt thou find the Greeks great leader,

would have better said

^7

'

Wherefore Iphigenia wept, that she Was fair of face, and caused to weep for her Wise men and fools who heard of such a rite. Be ye more grave in moving. Christians;

70

73

Be ye not as a feather to each wind. Nor trust by every water to be washed. Ye have the Old and the New Testament, And of the Church the Shepherd is your guide For your salvation deem ye this enough.
If evil covetousness cry

76

aught

else

79

To you, be men, not silly sheep, so that The Jew among you may not laugh at you.

Do

not ye act as does the lamb that leaves

82

Its

mother's milk in

silly

wantonness
'

To please itself, fighting against itself. Thus Beatrice to me, as I write down Then turned herself in fulness of desire To where the universe is most alive. Her ceasing and her changed appearance put My eager mind to silence, though it had

85

88

'

'

PARADISO, V New questionings already to advance. And even as the arrow which has found
The mark before the string is still, Into the second kingdom had sped
so
on.

313

^1

we
^^

My Lady
When

beheld so joyous here

she had entered in this heaven 's light, The very planet grew more bright with it. And if the star knew such a change, and smiled, What did I then become, who even by nature

^7

Am so transmutable in
As
in a fish-pond
fishes

every

way
100

The

which is still and clear, move to what comes from without

In such wise that they deem it food for them More than a thousand splendors saw I thus Moving toward us, and in each one of them Was heard Lo, one who shall increase our loves And as each one was coming up to us, The shade was seen in plenitude of joy In the clear brightness issuing forth from it.
*
' :

103

'

106

if that which is here begun, Should not continue, how thou wouldst then have An anxious craving to know more and thou Wilt of thyself perceive how I desired To hear what their conditions were from these As soon as they appeared before my eyes. "0 thou well-born, whom Grace permits to see The thrones of the eternal triumph ere Thou hast abandoned the life militant. The light that through all heaven is spread abroad Enkindles us and so, if thou desirest Enlightenment of us, sate thee at will." Thus was I spoken to by one among Those pious spirits and by Beatrice Speak, speak securely, and trust them as gods.

Think, reader,

109

112

US

US

121

'

'

314
* *

THE DIVINE COMEDY

how thou dost nest thyself own light, and drawest it through
;

Clearly I see

124

In thine thine eyes, Because they sparkle as thou smilest but 127 I know not who thou art, nor why thou hast, worthy soul, thy grade within this sphere, Veiled unto mortals with another's rays." 130 This had I said when turned toward the light Which first addressed me whereupon it grew Brighter by far than it had been before. 133 Even as the sun, which by excess of light Conceals itself when once the tempering Of the dense vapors is consumed by heat 136 Through greater joy then hid itself from me
;

The holy form

in its

own

radiance.

it answered In manner as the following canto sings.

And

thus, closely enclosed,

me
139

CANTO VI
Since Constantine had turned the eagle back. Counter to heaven's course which it pursued Behind the ancient who had taken to wife Lavinia, two hundred years and more The bird of God remained on Europe 's verge. Near to the mountains whence it first went forth And there from hand to hand governed the world Beneath the shadow of the sacred wings, And changing thus had come upon my own. Caesar I was, and am Justinian, Who, as the Primal Love within me willed, Drew from the laws what was too much and vain And ere I was intent upon the work, I held one nature was in Christ, not more.
' '

10

13

PARADISO, VI
with such faith I was contented but The blessed Agapetus, who was then The Supreme Pastor, with the words he spoke
;

315

And

^^

Directed

me

to purity of faith.

Him

I believed,

and what was in

his faith

^^

I see

now

clearly,

even as thou seest

All contradiction to be false and true.

As soon

as with the church I

moved my

feet,

22

It pleased God to inspire me, of His Grace, With this high task, to which I wholly gave me,

^^ Entrusting to my Belisarius was heaven's right hand so joined, My arms, with whom It was a sign that I myself should rest. 28 Now here to the first question terminates

My answer
To follow

but

its

nature forces

me
still,

it

with something further

with how much

That thou mayst see Against the standard that is sacrosanct Both who assumes and who opposes it What virtue makes it merit reverence And he began from that time when. Observe. To give to it a kingdom, Pallas died. Thou knowest that it made its dwelling-place In Alba for three hundred years and more.
'

reason moves

31

34

'

'

37

Till when three against three fought for it still. Thou knowest, from the Sabine women 's wrong To Lucrece woe, its deeds, in seven kings.
'

40

Subduing neighboring peoples round about. Thou knowest its deeds, by Roman heroes borne 'Gainst Brennus, against Pyrrhus, and against The other princes and confederates Whereby Torquatus and that Quinctius named For locks unkempt, Decii and Fabii Acquired the fame which gladly I embalm.

43

46

316
It

THE DIVINE COMEDY

**

Who
Under

brought to earth the Arabs in their pride, in the train of Hannibal had passed The Alpine rocks, from which thou, Po, dost
it

glide.

youth did Scipio And Pompey triumph and unto the hill Beneath which thou wast born, bitter it seemed. Then, near the time when Heaven wholly willed To bring the world to its own mood serene, Caesar assumed it by the will of Rome And what it did from Var even to Rhine,
in their
;

C2

65

58

Isere beheld

and Saone, and Seine

beheld.
*1

And every valley by which Rhone is filled. What then it did, Ravenna left behind And Rubicon o 'erleaped, was of such flight
That neither tongue nor pen could follow it. it wheeled the host afterwards toward Dyrrachium, and smote Pharsalia so That, on the hot Nile even, men felt the pain. Antandros and the Simois, whence erst It came, it saw again, and too the place Where Hector lies and, ill for Ptolemy, Then shook itself thence upon Juba swooped Like lightning afterwards turned toward your west Where it had heard the Pompeys trumpet sound.

Toward Spain

64

07

70

'

What
It

with the ruler following it did Brutus and Cassius attest in hell;

73

made Perugia

grieve,

and Modena.
76

Because of it sad Cleopatra still Is weeping, who, fleeing in front of it, Seized from the viper sudden and black death. With him it sped even to the Red Sea shore

79

was so composed in peace, That upon Janus was his temple closed. But what the ensign that now makes me speak
it

By

the world

82

;;

PARADISO, VI
done before and later was to do Throughout the mortal realm subject to it, Grows in appearance little and obscure, If it be viewed in the third Caesar 's hand With eye unclouded and affection pure Because the Living Justice which inspires me Granted to it, in his hand whom I name, Glory of taking vengeance for its wrath. Marvel now here at my reply to thee
It

317

Had

^^

^8

^1

sped with Titus afterwards to take

94

Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin. And when the Holy Church was bitten by The Lombard tooth, victorious Charlemagne Came to her succor underneath its wings. Now canst thou judge aright of such as those Whom I accused above, and of their faults, Which are the cause of all your ills. One lifts

^^

The yellow lilies 'gainst the public standard, Another claims it for his faction so That it is hard to see which errs the more. Use then the Ghibellines, use they their skill
'Neath other standard
!

100

103
ill

This one follows

Ever the man who

justice parts

from

it

Let this new Charles with his Guelf followers Not strike it down but let him fear the talons That from a loftier lion stripped the fell. Sons many times already have bewept A father 's fault and let him not believe That for his lilies God will change His arms
; ;

106

109

This

little

star embellishes itself

112

With the good spirits who were active that Honor and fame might follow after them

And

Mount

when, thus deviating, the desires thither, then the rays of the true love

115

'

318

THE DIVINE COMEDY

less of life.

Must needs mount up on high with

But, that our wages are commensurate

1^8

With our desert, is part of our delight. Because we see them neither less nor more.
Hereby the Living Justice makes so sweet Within us our affection, it may ne 'er Be turned aside to any wickedness. As diverse voices make sweet notes on earth, So in this life of ours do diverse seats Render sweet harmony among these wheels.
121

124

And

here within the present pearl gives light

light of

127

Romeo, of whom the work Was ill requited, though both fair and great. But they who worked against him in Provence Laugh not and so he goes an evil way Who turns to his own harm others good deeds. Four daughters, and each one of them a queen, Had Raymond Berenger, and this for him Romeo did, a humble foreigner And afterwards distorted words moved him To call this just man to account, and he Rendered to him seven and five for ten Thence he departed poor, in his old age, And if the world but knew the heart he had, As bit by bit he begged his livelihood. Much as it praises him, it would praise him more.

The

130

'

133

136

139

'

1*2

CANTO
"Osanna sanctus Deus Sahaoth,
Superillustrans claritate tua
Felices ignes

VII

To

its

horum malachoth!" own melody revolving, thus

: ; :

'

PARADISO, VII
This substance, upon which a two-fold light
Is doubled,

319

was beheld by me

to sing
7

And to their dance it and the others moved, And veiled themselves from me like swiftest sparks And
* ' *
'

In sudden distance. I was in suspense, saying Tell her, tell her, to myself, Tell her who is my Lady, saying still, Who slakes the thirst within me with sweet drops
'

'

'

'.

10

'

'

; '

But by that reverence, the mistress now Of all my being, for Be and Ice even, I was bowed down as one who falls asleep. Not long did Beatrice let me be thus,

13

16

When

she began, with smile so radiant

19

That one were happy with it in the flames "By what infallibly appears to me, How it could be that vengeance, which was just, With justice was avenged, has set thee thinking

But

I will speedily set free

thy mind

22

And do

thou

listen, for

my words on thee
25

A present of great doctrine will bestow.

As he who was not born endured no rein For his own good upon the power that wills. He, damning self, damned all his progeny Wherefore the human race lay sick down there For many ages in great error, till It pleased the Word of God there to descend Where to His person He that nature joined Which from its Maker had estranged itself.

28

31

By the sole act of His eternal love. Now turn thy sight to that which now
This nature to
its

I say

34

Maker thus united Was, as it was created, pure and good But through itself it came to banishment

37

From

Paradise, because

it

turned aside

; ;

'

320

THE DIVINE COMEDY

*

From out the way of truth and from its life. The penalty, then, offered by the cross, If measured by the nature there assumed, None ever bit so justly and likewise
;

Was

never one of such iniquity, If we regard the Person suffering, In whom this nature was contracted thus.

*8

So from one act there issued things diverse For unto God and to the Jews was pleasing One death, whereat earth quaked and heaven opened. It should no longer now seem hard to thee When it is told thee that a vengeance just Was afterwards avenged by a just court.

^
^
52

But

I see

now

that thy

mind

is

involved

From thought
' :

to thought within a knot,

from which
55

With great desire it waits to be set free. Thou say est I understand well what I hear But it is hidden from me wherefore God
For our redemption just
this

My

brother, this decree lies buried

method chose. from

58

The eyes of every one, of whom the wit Has not matured within the flame of love. But inasmuch as at this work men gaze So much and see so little, I will say Why such a method was the worthiest. Goodness Divine which ever from Itself Spurns envy, sparkles so, on fire within,
That the eternal beauties are displayed. That which, without a mean, distils from It, Has after that no end, for Its imprint. When It has sealed, can never be removed. That which, without a mean, rains down from Because it is not subject to the power

6^

^
^7

It,

70

Of

the

new

things,

is

wholly unconfined

:;

PARADISO, VII
Pleases It most, the most conformed to It

321
73

Because the Holy Ardor, lighting all, Is liveliest in that most like Itself. Of all these things is the advantage given The human creature, and, if one thing fail, It needs must fall from its nobility. It loses liberty through sin alone, Making it unlike to the Highest Good, So that Its white light scarce illumines it

76

79

And
111

to its dignity it ne'er returns,

it fill

82

Unless

again the sin-made void,

85

pleasures balanced with just penalties.

in its seed your nature wholly sinned,
dignities
;

When

was removed As out of Paradise not by itself Could it recover them by any way,
it

Out of these

88

If thou full subtly do consider

it,

Except

it

pass by one of these two fords

91

Either that God, solely by courtesy

Of

His,

had pardoned, or that by himself

94

Man should have satisfied his folly 's debt. Let now thy gaze be fixed within the abyss
Of the
eternal counsel, to

my

words
97

Holding as closely as thou hast the power.

Now

satisfaction

man

could never make

Within

his limits, for he could not

go
100

Down in humility, obeying now. So deep, as in his disobedience He thought to rise for this cause was man barred From power by himself to satisfy. Therefore was God obliged by His own ways To bring man back into his perfect life, I say by one way, or, indeed, by both. But as the work of one who works is prized
;

103

106

; ;

'

322

THE DIVINE COMEDY

So much the more, the more it represents Of the heart 's goodness, whence it issued forth Goodness Divine, whose stamp is on the world, With moving onward along all its ways To lift you again upward was content And 'twixt the first day and the final night Nor was nor shall be along either way Progress so high and so magnificent God was more bounteous to give Himself

109

112

lis

To make man able to uplift himself. Than had He pardoned, of Himself alone

And
Of
Now,
I

all

the other methods were but short

the

118

justice, if

Son

of

God

had not
on man 's
flesh.

Humbled Himself

to taking

to fulfil for thee thine every wish,

121

turn back to make clear a certain point That thou mayst view it as I do myself.

Thou sayest I see the water, see the fire, The air, the earth, and all of them combined Come to corruption, lasting but a while
' :

124

And yet,

these are created things

wherefore,

127

If that which I have stated has been true. Against corruption they should be secure.

The

angels, brother,

and the

stainless place

130

In which thou art now, may be called created In their whole being, even as they are But both the elements which thou hast named,
informed. Created was the matter which they have, Created was the virtue which informs

133

And whatsoever things By a created virtue are

are

made

of

them
136

These stars which round about them have The ray and motion of the holy lights Draw from potentiate elements combined

their courses.
139

PAEADISO, VIII
The soul of every brute and of the plants. But the Supreme Benignity inspires, Immediate, your life, enamouring it
So of
Itself,
;

323

1*2

that ever afterwards

It longs for It

and thence thou canst besides

if

1*5

Infer your resurrection,

thou

call

Again

to

mind

in

what way human

first

flesh
' '

Was

made, when the

parents both were formed.

1*8

CANTO
The

VIII

imperiled world was wonted to believe

fair

That the

Cyprian beamed forth

mad

love,

In the third epicycle as she turned; "Wherefore not only did they honor her

With

sacrificing

and with votive

cry,

The ancient peoples in the ancient error. But honored Cupid and Dione too, This one her mother deemed, and that her son. Who, they related, sat in Dido 's lap And took from her, with whom I now begin, The appellation of the star, on which The sun looks fondly, rearward or in front. I had not noticed the ascent to it But full assurance that I was therein My Lady gave me, whom I saw now grown More beautiful. As in a flame a spark Is seen, as voice is separate from voice. When one is constant, and one goes and comes
So
I in this light

10

13

16

could see other lamps

19

Move

circling swifter

and

less swift, I think.

In measure with the eternal vision theirs. From a cold cloud never descended winds

22


'

324

THE DIVINE COMEDY

visible or not, that

So rapid,

they

Would

not have seemed hindered and slow to him

lights divine

Who

had beheld these

advance

25

Toward us, leaving the circling that had first Begun among the exalted Seraphim. And amid those who most in front appeared Hosanna sounded so, that never since
Lacked I desire of hearing it again. Then one drew nearer to us, and alone Began We to thy pleasuring are all In readiness, that thou mayst joy in us. With the celestial Princes we revolve, With but one circle circling, and one thirst, To whom thou in the world saidst formerly 'Ye who by intelligence the third heaven move;'
'

28

31

'

34

37

And
After

are so full of love that, to please thee,

quiet will not be less sweet.
'

A little
my

eyes

had made
to

their offering

*0

Of reverence

my

Lady, and she then

43

Had made them

with herself content and sure,

They turned back to the light, that of itself Had made such proffer, and: "Say who ye are,"

Were then my words, with great affection stamped. And how I saw it grow in quantity And quality through new joy when I spoke.
Thus added
to the joys that

46

Grown

thus,

it

said to
;

were its own me " The world below

:

49

Held me not long and had it longer been. Much evil would not be, that still shall be. My happiness keeps me concealed from thee, Which radiates around me, hiding me As it were a creature swathed in its own silk. Much didst thou love me, and didst have good cause, For had I stayed below, I should have shown

52

55

; '

PARADISO, VIII
Of my own love for thee more than the leaves. That left-hand bank, which by the Rhone is washed After it has been mingled with the Sorgue, Awaited me in due time for its lord And that horn of Ausonia, suburbed By Bari, by Gaeta and Catona, Below the Tronto 's and the Verde 's mouths. Already there was shining on my brow The crown of that land which the Danube loves When it has left behind the German banks

325

58

61

64

And

fair Trinacria, that

darkens 'twixt

67

Pachynus and Pelorus on the gulf Which is by Eurus blasts the most disturbed, Not through Typhoeus but through sulphur rising,
'

70

Would From Charles and Rudolph through myself

have awaited
still its

sovereigns

descended.
73

If evil governing, which always strikes

had not moved The Palermo to cry out Die, die and if My brother had foreseen this he would now
hearts of subject peoples,
' :
!

'

76

Shun

Catalonia's greedy poverty,

79

it might not work his harm For truly it is needful to provide By him or others that his laden bark

In order that

Should have no greater burden put on it. His nature, which of liberal descent Is niggardly, had need of soldiery Such as cared not to store away in chests.
**

82

'

Since I believe that the exalted joy,

85

Infused in me by what thou sayest, my Lord, Where every good has both its end and source,

By thee

is

seen as I myself see

;

it,

88

me the more this too I prize, That thou discernest that, looking to God.
It pleases

''

;'

''

326

THE DIVINE COMEDY

;

Glad thou hast made me

so

make

clear to me,

Since, speaking, thou hast raised in

me

a doubt,
'

from sweet seed bitter can issue forth. This I to him; and he to me "If I Can show one truth to thee, to what thou askest
:

How

94

Thy

face shall turn, as

now thy back

is

turned.
^7

The Good, which the whole realm that thou dost scale Revolves and satisfies, makes as a power
In these great bodies Its own providence And not the natures merely are foreseen, In that Mind which is perfect by itself.

100

But their safe-ordering as well as they. Hence whatsoever arrow this bow shoots, As if disposed, falls to an end foreseen, Even as a thing directed to its mark. The heaven through which thou journeyest would work
In such wise its effects, were this not so. That they would not be works of art, but ruins This can not be, if the intellects which move These stars are not defective, and the First Defective too, who them imperfect made.

103

106

109

And Wilt thou have this truth made more clear ? Not so, for it is impossible, I see, That nature weary in what is required. Whence he again: "Now, say, would it be worse That man on earth were not a citizen ? Yes, I replied, no reason ask I here. "And can it be, except they live below In divers ways for divers offices? No, if your Master writes well on this point. By such deduction he had come thus far, And then concluded " It must needs be, hence.
'

'

112

' *

'

US

'

'

'

' *

'

'

118

'

121

That diverse are the roots of your effects Whence one is Solon, one is Xerxes born,

124

; '

'

PARADISO, IX
One
is

327

Melchisedech, and one

is

he
1^7

Who

lost his

son

when

flying through the air.

The nature of the spheres, which is a seal To mortal wax, practises well its art Without distinction of this inn from that. Hence it befalls that Esau is apart In seed from Jacob, and Quirinus comes

130

From From

so

mean

sire,

he

is

assigned to Mars.
its

Nature begotten would go on

that of
its

way

1^3

begetters never changed.

136

Except God 's Providence should overcome. Now that which was behind thee is before

But

that thou learn

my joy

in thee, I will
139

That with a corollary thou be cloaked. Ever does nature come to evil test,
If
it

find fortune with itself at odds,

its place.

Like every other seed out of

And if the world down there would fix its mind On the foundation-base that nature lays,
Obeying that, it would have people good. But to religion ye turn him aside Born to be girded with a sword; and him Who is a man for preaching ye make king

142

145

So that your track

is

outside of the road.

'

148

CANTO IX
After
I

was enlightened by thy Charles,

Beautiful Clemence, of those frauds he told

me
;

Which were to be experienced by his But said Speak not, and let the years
' : '

seed,
roll

on

So I am able to say naught, except That just lament shall follow on your wrongs.

' : ;

328

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the life within that holy light
7

And now

Toward the sun that fills it had turned back, As to that Good sufficing for all things. Ah, souls deceived and creatures impious,

10

Who
And
lo,

turn aside your hearts from such a Good,

13

Directing unto vanity your brows

another of those splendors made way toward me, and signified its will To do me pleasure, brightening outwardly. The eyes of Beatrice, which were now fixed Upon me as before, made me assured Of dear assenting unto my desire.
Its
'

16

Pray, grant

my

will a
'

blessed spirit,

'

said I

speedy answering, " give me proof

;

19

That what

I think, I

may

reflect

on

thee.

'

was still new to me, From out its deep where it was singing first, Went on as one whom doing good delights "Within that region of the wicked land Of Italy, that 'twixt Rialto lies And Brenta 's springs and Piave 's, is a hill That rises to no lofty altitude And whence a fire-brand came down formerly That made a great assault upon these parts. From one and the same root sprang it and I Cunizza was I called, and I glow here, For I was overcome by this star 's light. But I grant pardon to myself with joy I'or that which caused my lot, which grieves me not, Which to your common herd seems hard, perchance. Of the resplendent and beloved jewel Of this our heaven, nearest to me now, Great fame was left behind, and ere it die This hundredth year shall come a fifth time yet.

Whereon

the light which

22

25

28

31

34

37

40

'

'

329

PARADISO, IX
See whether

So that the

first

man should make himself excel, may leave another life

crowd
;

And

to this gives no thought the present

^^

And

That Tagliamento and Adige hem which, though smitten, repents not yet but soon

It will befall that

Padua

at the

Marsh

46

Will change the water that Vicenza bathes, Because the peoples are 'gainst duty stubborn.

And there where

Sile

and Cagnano

join,

^^

One lords it and holds high his head, for whom The ensnaring net is making even now.
Tears shall yet fall in Feltro for the breach Of her inhuman pastor's faith, so shameful.
52

One never entered Malta for the like. Exceeding large would be the vat that should
Receive the life-blood of the Ferrarese,

^^

And weary who should weigh it ounce by ounce, Of which this courteous priest will make a gift To show himself his party 's and such gifts To the region 's life will be conformable. Mirrors there are above, ye call them Thrones,
;

58

^l

sheds the light on us. So that to us these words seem to be good. Here she, grown silent, had to me a look As if she were turned elsewhere by the wheel In which she put herself, as formerly.
'
.

From which God judging

64

The other

joy, already

known

to

me

67

As an

illustrious thing,

Like a fine
Brightness
is

grew in my sight ruby on which sunlight falls. through rejoicing gained on high,
;

'^0

As here
' '

a smile

but down below the shade

sad.
73
'

Grows dark without, even as the mind is As God sees all, and thy sight is in Him, blessed Spirit, so no wish Said I, "

'

;;

'

330

THE DIVINE COMEDY

heaven,
76

Can ever steal itself away from thee. Thy voice, then, which is ever gladdening

Joined to the singing of those fires devout, "Which of six wings make for themselves a cowl, Why satisfies it not now my desires ?
Surely
*
'

79

should not wait for thee to ask.

'

If I could enter thee as thou dost me.

'

The greatest vale in which the water spreads, Began his words then saying, save that sea, Which is a garland round about the earth,
'

'

82

'Twixt shores discordant 'gainst the sun extends

85

makes a meridian Where the horizon first it is wont to make. I was a dweller on that valley's shore Between the Ebro and the Magra's course Which, short, parts Genoese from Tuscan land. One sunrise nearly and one sunset knowing, Sit Buggea and the city whence I sprang
So
far, that it

88

81

Which warmed

Folco that people called

its own blood. me unto whom My name was known, and now this heaven stamps

the harbor once with

9*

Itself with me, as I was stamped with it For Belus' daughter was no more on fire, Wronging Sichaeus and Creusa too. Than I, while it comported with my locks Nor she of Rhodope, deluded by Dcmophoon, nor yet Alcides, when

87

100

He

held lole shut within his heart.

103

Yet here is no repentance, only smiles Not for the fault, which comes not back to mind, But for the Power which ordered and foresaw. We gaze here on the Art which beautifies Effect so great and we discern the Good By which the world below turns heavenly.
;

106

PARADISO, IX
But that thou mayst bear hence thy wishes
Still
all

331
l^^

Fulfilled that have been born within this sphere,

further

it

behoves

Thou

fain wouldst

me know who
like

to proceed.
is

within this light

112

That here beside me,

a ray of sun
ll^

In limpid water, is now sparkling so. Therefore know thou that there within at rest Is Rahab, and our order, joined by her, Is sealed by her in the supreme degree.

Triumphant Christ Was she received up by this heaven where The shadow of your earth comes to its point. Well it behoved to leave her in some heaven As palm of that exalted victory Which with one palm and the other had been gained
First of the souls of the

118

121

Because she favored when first glorious Was Joshua upon the Holy Land,

124

Which touches memory Thy city which of that one

little
is

in the pope.
127

a plant

Who first upon his Maker

And
of

turned his back.

130

whom

is

the envy so bewept,

Brings forth and scatters the accursed flower By which the sheep and lambs are led astray.

For of its shepherd it has made a wolf. For this the Gospel has been left aside And the great Doctors, and alone perused Are the Decretals, as their margins show. On this are pope and cardinals intent They go not in their thoughts to Nazareth,

133

136

Where

Gabriel spread his wings

but Vatican
139

Shall with the other chosen parts of Rome,

In which has found their place of burial The soldiery of Peter 's following, Be soon set free from the adultery."

142

; ;

332

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO X

Looking upon His own Son with the Love Which is eternally breathed forth by both, The Power primal and ineffable

Made with such order whatsoe'er revolves Through mind or space, that he who looks on Can not remain without a taste of Him,
Lift then,
reader, to the exalted wheels

*
it

With me thy sight straight upward to that part Where the one motion on the other strikes And there begin to gaze with love upon
That Master's
art,

10

which

He

within Himself
13

So loves that from it He ne'er turns His eye. Behold how from that point there branches off The sloping circle that bears up the orbs To satisfy the world that calls on them And if their path were not oblique, in vain

16

Would many
Well-nigh
all

a virtue be in heaven, while

19

potency were dead below And if from straight its deviation were Greater or less, then great were the defect

Above
Remain,

in

mundane

order,

reader, then

and below. upon thy bench,

is

22

Reflecting on that which

offered thee.
25

Wilt thou have joy rather than weariness. I have set before thee henceforth feed thyself For to itself is drawing all my care That matter of which I am made a scribe. Of nature 's ministers the mightiest, Who stamps the worth of heaven on the world And with his light measures the time for us. With that part which above is called to mind
;

28

31

'

PARADISO,
He ever And I was
I

X
spirals,

333

Conjoined was circling through the

earlier presents himself.

where
3*

with him

but of the ascent

had no knowledge otherwise than one first thought knows of its approach. It is Beatrice who thus conducts from good To better with such instantaneousness That what she does has no extent in time. How lucent of itself must that have been Which was within the sun where I had come, Apparent not by color but by light Though I should call on genius, art and use,
Before a
I could not tell so one could picture
it

37

40

43

But one may trust, and let him long to see. And, are the powers of our fancy low For such a height, it is no marvel, since Beyond the sun was never eye could go. Such there was the fourth family of Him, The exalted Father, who e'er satisfies it, Showing how He breathes forth and how begets. And Beatrice began Give thanks, give thanks Unto the angels' Sun, who by His grace Has raised thee to this one perceived by sense. Never was heart of mortal so disposed Unto devotion and with all its will So ready to betake itself to God As I was at those words and all my love Was so bestowed on Him, that Beatrice
'

46

49

'

52

'

55

58

Was
But
it

thereby in oblivion eclipsed.

displeased her not
;

and so she smiled That by the splendor of her smiling eyes She turned my mind from one to many things. Lights living, overwhelming, many I saw

61

64

Make us

a centre and themselves a crown.

334

THE DIVINE COMEDY

in voice than in appearance bright. of Latona girdled thus
*7

More sweet The daughter

We

see sometimes

when

the air impregnated

70

Has thus retained the thread that makes her zone. In heaven's court, whence I come back, are jewels
Many, so precious and so beautiful That they may not be taken from that realm Of them these lights were singing and let him Who does not wing himself to fly up there, Look for the dumb to bring the tidings thence.
;

73

When with their singing thus those burning suns Had circled round about us the third time
Like stars not far off from the unmoving poles. They seemed as ladies, not released from dancing, But having paused, and, silent, listening.
Till

76

79

they have caught again the notes renewed.

'

And

within one I heard beginning

'

Since

82

The ray of grace, by which enkindled is True love, and which increases thereupon

By

loving multiplied, so shines in thee

85

That it conducts thee upward by that stair Which none descend but to ascend again, He who refused to give thee from his flask Wine for thy thirst, would not be free except As water which descends not to the sea. Thou wouldst fain know with what plants is enflowered
This garland, which, encircling, joys to see
I

88

91

The Lady fair who strengthens thee for heaven. was one of the lambs, that holy flock Which Dominic is leading by a way Where they will fatten, if they wander not.

84

This one, the nearest at

my
;

right, to

me

97

Was Was

brother and master

he,

Albert of Cologne
I.

and Thomas of Aquino

PARADISO,

335
100

If thus of all the rest thou wouldst be told,

Follow behind my speaking with thy sight, Circling above along the blessed wreath. That flaming next is issuing from the smile Of Gratian, who gave one and the other court

103

Such aid as pleases well in Paradise. The other who next him adorns our choir "Was Peter, who like the poor widow gave. His treasure offering to Holy Church. The fifth light, the most beautiful of ours, Breathes from such love, that all the world below
Craves to have tidings of
Is that exalted
it
;

106

109

there within

mind

in which

was put

112

Wisdom

so deep, that, if the truth is true.

To see so much a second has not risen. Next see that candle 's light, which in the flesh Below with farthest penetration saw The angelic nature and its ministry. Within the other little light he smiles, Who was the advocate of Christian times. And of whose Latin Augustine made use. Now if thou leadest on the eye of the mind

115

118

121

From

light to light,

my

praises following.
thirst.

Already for the eighth thou stayest with

Therein, through seeing every good, rejoices

124

The holy soul, who the fallacious world Makes manifest to him who listens well. Below within Cieldauro lies the body Whence it was hunted forth, and came itself From martyrdom and exile to this peace.
See yonder flaming of the glowing breath

127

130

and Bede, and of that Richard Who in contemplating was more than man. This light from which thy look returns to me,
Isidore,

Of

133

'

; ;

336
Is of

THE DIVINE COMEDY

a
spirit,

who

in his grave thoughts

Seemed

to himself but slow to

come

to death

It is the light eternal of Siger

136

Who,
Then

as he lectured in the Street of Straw,

'

Syllogized truths that were invidious.

as a horologe

which summons us

13^

At

the arising of the Bride of

God

To seek the Bridegroom 's love with matin-song, In which one part another draws and thrusts, Its tin! tin! sounding with so sweet a note That the well-ordered spirit swells with love So saw I move itself the glorious wheel And give back voice to voice in harmony And with a sweetness that can not be known, Save there where joy prolongs itself for aye.

1^

1^

1^

CANTO XI
Insensate care of mortals, what defects Are in those syllogisms which make thee beat Thy wings to what is base One went his way In the pursuit of laws, another was For aphorisms, and for the priesthood one, And one would reign by sophisms and by force,
!

One plunder, one in business of the state, One in the pleasure of the flesh involved Was wearying himself, and one was giving
Himself to
idleness,

while disengaged

10

From
Above

all

these things I

was with Beatrice

13

in heaven thus gloriously received.

When
He

each one had in turning reached the point

the circle where he was before.

Upon

stopped, like candle in a candlestick.

'

'

PARADISO, XI
And I could hear within that light which Had spoken to me, how it thus began,
' '

337
first

16

Making itself the clearer as it smiled Even as I am glowing with its ray,
So, as I look on the Eternal Light,
I

19

apprehend the occasion of thy thoughts.

22
,

Thou art in doubt, and wishest that my words Be made more clear in open, fuller speech To be upon the level of thy sense. When I before now said Where they well fatten, And when I said A second has not risen
' :

25

'

And

here

is

need that one distinguish

that
all

well.
28

The Providence, the Ruler of the world

With counsel such

created sight
31

Is overcome before it reach the depths. So that the bride of Him, who with loud cries Espoused her with the blessed blood, might go

And

To her Beloved, in herself secure also still more faithful unto Him,

34

Ordained, to favor her, two princes,

who
37

On

this side

and on that should be her guides,

The one all seraph in his burning zeal, The other through his wisdom on the earth

A splendor

with the light of cherubim.

of one, because of both
40

My words shall be

He speaks who praises one, whiche'er he takes. For to one end the works of each were done. Between Tupino and the water flowing Down from the hill blessed Ubaldo chose, A fertile slope hangs from a mountain 's height.
From which
Perugia's Porta Sole feels
;

43

46

The cold and heat behind it Gualdo joins Nocera to bemoan their heavy yoke. From this slope at the place where most it breaks

49

338

THE DIVINE COMEDY

upon the world a
sun,
52

Its steepness, rose

As from

the Ganges this one does sometimes.

Wherefore let him who of this place would talk Not say Ascesi, that were speaking short, But Orient, if he would fitly speak. Not from his rising very far as yet

55

Did he begin to cause the earth to feel Of his great virtue certain comforting For he in youth incurred his father's wrath For such a lady, to whom, as to death. The gate of pleasure is unbarred by none

58

And

in the presence of his spiritual court,

to her

61

Et coram patre he was joined

Thereafter day by day he loved her more. Deprived of her first husband she remained A thousand and a hundred years and more Despised, obscure, even till him, unwooed. To hear that he, who made the world to fear, Had found her with Amyclas free from care

64

67

When his voice sounded, had availed her not, Nor had availed her constancy and strength, Such that, when Mary at its foot remained. Along with Christ she mounted on the cross. But lest I too obscurely should proceed,
Francis and Poverty henceforth regard

70

73

As

these two lovers in

my

speech diffuse.
76

Their concord and their looks of happiness

love and wonder and a sweet regard To be the cause of holy thoughts so that The venerable Bernard was the first To bare his feet, and following such peace. To run, and, running, to himself seem slow. unknown riches O prolific good
;
!

Made

79

82

Egidius bares his

feet,

Sylvester

his,

PARADISO, XI
Following the bridegroom, so the bride attracts.

339

Then goes his way that father and that master With her, his lady and that family Already girded with the humble cord Baseness of heart did not weigh down his brow For being Pietro Bernardone's son. Nor for appearing marvelously despised But he, king-like, opened to Innocent His hard intention, and from him received The first seal for his Order. Afterwards When the poor folk had grown in following
;

85

88

91

94

After that one, of

whom

the marvelous life

97

Better in heaven's glory would be sung,

The Eternal Spirit through Honorius Had bound the circle of a second crown

Upon

this archimandrite's holy will.

And when

he had, through thirst for martyrdom,

100

In the proud presence of the Sultan preached Christ and the others of His following, And, since he found the people too unripe

103

To be converted, not
Returned

to stay in vain.

to the fruit of the Italian herbage,

On the harsh rock Tiber from Arno parting From Christ did he receive the final seal,
Which
for two years his
to to

106

members bare
to the

about.
109

When He, who Was pleased

Which by
Unto

such good set him apart,

his

reward self-abasement he had earned,

112

draw him up

his brethren as to rightful heirs

His dearest Lady he commended, while

Commanding

that they love her faithfully;

illustrious soul

And from her bosom the

115

Willed to go forth, returning to its realm, And for his body willed no other bier.

340

THE DIVINE COMEDY

US

Think now what that one was who worthily Could be a colleague to keep Peter's bark

On the deep sea upon the And this our patriarch was
;

rightful course

wherefore whoe 'er

121

him as he commands, Thou mayst discern loads goodly merchandise. But for new pasturage his flock has grown
Is following after

124

So greedy that it can not fail to be That it should spread abroad through various glades And by as much as they go farther off From him remote and vagabond, the more

127

Empty of milk they turn back to the fold. There are indeed of such as fear the harm And cleave close to the shepherd but so few,
;

130

A
Now

little

cloth suffices for their cowls.

133

if

the words I utter be distinct,

If thou attentive be in listening, If that

which

have said thou

call to

mind,
136
see.
:

Thy wish
The

will be content in part, because

thou shalt And see how reasons he who wears the thong 'Where they well fatten, if they wander not.' "
plant,
this hewing,

from which

139

CANTO XII
Soon as the blessed flame had taken up The final word to give it utterance. Began the holy mill-stone to revolve. And in its wheeling had not wholly turned
Before another, circling, shut
it in,

Motion to motion fitted, song to song Song which excels that of our muses so,

Our

sirens, in those dulcet pipes, as does

A primal

splendor that which

is reflected.

PARADISO, XII
Like two bows curving through a tender cloud,

341
^^

Both of

like coloring

At

the

command

of

and parallel, Juno to her maid,

13

The one without born of the one within, Like the words uttered by that wanderer Consumed by love as vapor by the sun

And

causing here the people to foreknow,

1^

Through God's established covenant with Noah, About the world no more to be submerged: So of those sempiternal roses turned Around us the two garlands, with, likewise, The outer to the inner answering. After the dancing and the exalted, grand Festivity of flaming and of song, Light full of joy and gentleness with light. Had come to rest at once and with one will, Just as the eyes which must together close And open at the pleasure moving them. Out of the heart of one of these new lights There came a voice, which made me seem the needle To the star in turning me to where it was. And said: "The Love which makes me beautiful Draws me of the other leader to discourse,

19

22

25

28

31

By whom
It is
fit

is

spoken here so well of mine.

is

that where one

the other be
their glory shine.

34

Led

in,

so that as they united warred,

Likewise together

may

The ranks of Christ, which it has cost so dear To arm again, behind the standard now "Were moving, slow, full of distrust and few.

37

When

He, who reigns forever Emperor, Provided for the imperiled soldiery Through grace alone, not that it merited And as was said, sent to His Bride as aid

40

43

342

THE DIVINE COMEDY

at whose doings, at whose words, The people gone astray correct themselves. In that part of the world where Zephyr sweet Rises to open the new leaves with which Europe is seen to clothe herself anew, Not very far from where the surges beat, Behind which, for his long, swift course, the sun Sometimes from every man conceals himself,
Is Callaroga
's

Two champions

*^

49

site,

the fortunate,

52

'Neath the great shield 's protection, upon which

The lion both is subject and subdues. Within it was the lover amorous Of the Christian faith, the holy athlete, born. Benignant to his own, and harsh to his foes. And, soon as once created, was his mind

55

68

With

living virtue so replete, that in ^1

His mother it made her a prophetess. When were complete between him and the Faith The espousals at the sacred font, where each With mutual salvation dowered each. The lady, by whom the assent was given For him, beheld in dream the marvelous fruit That was to issue from him and his heirs And that he might be what he was in name, A spirit went forth hence that he be called By His possessive whose he wholly was. And Dominic was he called. I speak of him

64

67

70

As

of the tiller of the

field,

whom

Christ
73

Elected to His garden for His aid.

Truly he seemed a messenger of Christ And His familiar the first love he showed Was for the first of counsels given by Christ. Awake and silent he was oftentimes Found by his nurse upon the ground, as though
;

76

! !

'

PARADISO, XII
He would
mother
have said
his,
' :

343
came.
79

It is for this I

Oh, truly Felix, thou his father art

Joanna thou If this interpreted means as is said. Not for the world, for which men now are Following the Ostian and Thaddeus, But for a love of the true manna, he
truly

toiling,

82

In

little

time to a great teacher grew,

85

Such that he set himself to tend the vines. Which soon grow white, if the vinedresser fail And from the Seat, which to the righteous poor Was more benign ere now, not in itself, But through the one who sits degenerate, Not to dispense some two or three for six, Not the first vacancy in fortune 's gift,

88

91

Non decimas quae sunt pauperum Dei, Asked he but would against the erring world Have leave to combat for that seed, of which Are four and twenty plants surrounding thee. With doctrine and with will together then With the apostolic office he moved on Like to a torrent pressed by a lofty vein
;

94

97

And

on the stocks of heresy he smote With rushing power, there most instinct with Where the resistance was most vigorous.
then divers streams had origin,

100
life

From him

103

Watering the garden of the catholic So that its bushes stand the more alive. If such was one wheel of the chariot In which the Holy Church made her defence, And on the field subdued her civil strife. To thee in truth should be most evident The other's excellence, concerning which So courteous was Thomas ere I came.

106

109

'

;'

344

THE DIVINE COMEDY

1^2

The track, however, which the highest part Of its circumference made, is derelict, So that where crust was, there is now a mould. His household, which went straight on, with their

feet

US

Upon his foot-prints, are so turned about That he in front treads upon him behind.

And soon shall men see

Of that

of the harvesting

118

ill culture, and the tare complain That of the granary it is bereft. Yet I affirm, that whoso leaf by leaf Would search our volume might still find a page Where he could read I am what I am wont But it will not be from Casale, nor From Acquasparta, whence such come that one Evades the writing, and one narrows it. Bonaventura 's life am I, who sprang From Bagnoregio, who e 'er placed behind The left-hand care in his great offices. lUuminato and Augustine are here, Who were among the first unsandaled poor That in the cord made themselves friends to God.
:

121

'

124

127

130

Hugh of Saint Victor is along with them, And Peter Mangiadore and Peter of Spain,
;

133

Who shines below in his twelve books and Nathan, The prophet and the metropolitan Chrysostom Anselm and Donatus, he Who deigned to the first art to set his hand Raban is here, and, shining at my side Is the Calabrian Abbot Joachim, Who with prophetic spirit was endowed. To envy of so great a paladin Have I been moved by the ardent courtesy Of Brother Thomas and his measured words And with me has been moved this company.
;
; ; ;

136

139

142

'

145

345

PARADISO, XIII

CANTO

XIII

Let him imagine, who would understand Aright what I now saw (and keep the image,
While I am speaking, like a solid rock), That fifteen stars, which in their different The heaven vivify with radiance such
fields

As overcomes all denseness of the air; Imagine that the Wain, for which the bosom Suffices of our heaven both night and day, So that it hides not when it turns its pole Imagine that the opening of that horn, Which has beginning at that axle 's point On which the Prime Wheel in its motion turns, Have constituted of themselves two signs In heaven such as Minos' daughter made. Feeling the chill of death and that the one Within the other have its rays, while both Revolve in such a manner, that one first Advance and have the other following; And he shall have foreshadowed, as it were, The very constellation 's twofold dance. Which circled round the point at which I was Since it is by as much beyond our use, As is beyond Chiana's wont to move That heaven's which surpasses all the rest. Not Bacchus there nor paean did they sing
;

10

13

16

19

22

25

But divine nature

in its Persons three, in one Person joined.

And

It

with the

human

The measure of

their song

and

circling filled,
us,

28

Those holy lights attentive were to Finding felicity from care to care. In those harmonious divinities

31

346

THE DIVINE COMEDY

The silence then was broken by that light In which the wondrous life of God's poor man Was told me, and it said When the one straw
:

'

'

34

Is threshed,

when

its

seed

now

is

laid away,

Sweet love invites me

to beat out the other.

Thou dost believe that into that breast, whence The rib was drawn to form the cheeks so fair Of her whose palate costs the whole world dear,

37

And

into that one which, pierced by the lance, Before and since such satisfaction made As overcomes the balance of all sin.

*0

Whatever it is granted to possess Of light to human nature by that Power Which made them both completely was infused. And so thou wonderest at what I said Above, when I told that no second had The good, which in the fifth light is enclosed. Open thine eyes to what I answer now And thou shalt see my words and thy belief Become a circle's centre in the truth. Both that which dies not and that which can die Are but the splendor cast by that idea Which is brought forth in loving by our Sire Because that living light, that from its Fount Of light so streams that It parts not from It Nor from the Love which joins with them, the third. Of its own goodness makes its radiance one,
Mirrored, as
it

43

46

49

52

55

58

were, in nine subsistences.

Itself eternally

remaining one.
61

Thence

it

descends to the last potencies

Downward from act to act becoming such As then to cause but brief contingencies;

And

these contingencies I understand

64

To be

the generated things produced

;;

PARADISO, XIII

347

By the moving heaven, with seed and without. The wax of these and that which gives it form Is not of one mode, and so 'neath the signet Ideal, then, it more or less shines through; "Whence it will happen that a tree, the same
In species, bears a better or worse fruit

67

70

And ye are bom with intellects unlike. And if the wax were perfectly prepared, And were the heavens in their highest power,
The whole light of the seal would then appear. But nature gives it ever with defect, For she is like the artist at his work With skill in art and with a trembling hand. But if by the ardent love, the Vision clear Of the First Power be disposed and stamped,
All of perfection has been there acquired.

73

76

79

Thus was the earth made worthy formerly Of all perfection in the living being And thus was made the Virgin to conceive. So I commend the opinion thou dost hold That human nature never was nor e 'er Shall be what it in those two persons was. Now, if I were no further to proceed, Then how can it be said that that one was Without an equal ? would begin thy words. But, so that what appears not may be clear, Think who he was, and of the cause which moved him. When Ask! was said to him, to make request.
*
'

82

85

88

91

have not spoken so, that thou canst not See plainly that he was a king who chose Wisdom that he might be a king indeed

94

Not for the knowing in what number are The Motors here on high, nor if necesse

97

With a contingent

ever necesse

made

';

348
Not,
si est

THE DIVINE COMEDY

dare

primum motum

esse,

100

Or, if in the semicircle can be

made
I said,

A triangle
Wherefore,
if

and not rectangular. thou note this and what

its

103

A kingly prudence is that peerless seeing.

Which with
arrow

my

intention strikes.
'

And

if

thou turn clear eyes to the has

wilt observe that solely
it

risen,

106

Thou

respects
109

Kings who are many, and the good are rare. With this distinction take what I have said Which thus can stand with what thou dost Of the first father and of our Beloved,

believe
112

And

be this ever to thy feet as lead

thee slow to move, as one fatigued.

To make

Both to the yea and nay which thou seest not For he is very low among the fools, Who makes an affirmation or denies Without distinction in this case or that Because it comes to pass that oftentimes The rash opinion leans toward the false.

115

118

And

then self-love will bind the

intellect.

For more than vainly does he leave the shore

Since he returns not such as he sets out.

121

Who
And

fishes for the truth

and has not

as

skill

of this are Parmenides, Melissus,

124

went their way Not knowing whither, open proofs to the world. Sabellius and Arius, and those fools Did so, who were as swords to Holy Writ In making faces crooked that were straight.
Bryson, and

many such

127

Let not the folk be yet too confident In judging, as he is who in' the field

130

Would reckon up
For
I

the ears ere they are ripe

have seen

all

winter long at

first

133

':

PARADISO, XIV
The briar show
itself rigid,

349

ungentle,
;

And later bear the rose upon its tip And I saw once a ship, that straight and swift Had sailed across the sea on its whole course
At
last to perish at the

^36

harbor 's mouth.

139

Let not

Dame Bertha think or Goodman Martin, For seeing one man rob, another pray,
That they have seen them in the plan of God
of

For one

them may

rise,

the other

'

fall.

142

CANTO XIV
From
a round vessel 's centre to its rim Or from its rim to centre water moves As it is struck within or from outside. Into my mind had fallen suddenly

What I am saying at the moment when The glorious life of Thomas ceased to speak,
Because of the similitude which rose Of speech of his and that of Beatrice, Whom after him it pleased thus to begin "This man has need, and tells you not of it, Neither by voice nor by his thought as yet, Of following to its root another truth.
7

10

him if it shall so be that the light, With which your substance blossoms, will remain With you eternally as it is now And, if it do remain, say to him how, When ye shall be again made visible.
Tell
It

13

16

can be that

it

injure not your sight."

As when by

greater gladness urged and

all at

drawn

19

Those dancing in a ring will

once

Raise up their voice and lend their motions joy,

350

THE DIVINE COMEDY

22

So at her eager and devout request The holy circles showed a new delight In turning and in wondrous melody.

Whoso laments
To
live

for this that here

we

die

25

up there on

high, has not beheld

28

There the refreshment of the eternal rain. That One and Two and Three which ever lives, And ever reigns in Three and Two and One, Not circumscribed, and circumscribing all, Three times was by each of those spirits sung "With such a melody as well might be

31

Of every merit

fitting

recompense.
34

And

I heard, in the lesser circle's light

The most divine, a modest voice, perchance Such as the Angel's was to Mary, thus Reply As long as lasts the festival Of Paradise, so long our love shall cast About us such a vesture 's radiance.
*
: '

37

Its brightness shall be as

our ardor

is,

40

Our ardor as our vision, and that such As is the grace it has above its worth. When, glorious and sanctified, the flesh
Shall be put on again, our persons then Will be more pleasing, being all complete Wherefore, whatever of gratuitous light

43

46

The Supreme Good

gives us will be increased.

49

Light which prepares us for beholding Him;

Whence

it

must be the vision

shall increase,
is

Increase the ardor which by that

kindled,
this.

Increase the radiance which comes from But even as a coal which gives a flame That by a vivid glowing it outdoes

52

So that

it

guards

its

semblance, thus

Shall this effulgence, which

now

circles us

55

'

PARADISO, XIV
Be in appearance by that flesh surpassed "Which all this while the earth is covering Nor can so great light weary us, because The organs of the body shall be strong
For all that which can then give us delight. So ready and so eager seemed to me Both one and the other choir to say Amen, They showed for their dead bodies true desire.
'

351

58

61

Perhaps not only for themselves, but too For mothers, fathers, and the rest held dear Before they had become eternal flames. And lo, around in brightness uniform, A lustre rose beyond that which was there, Like a horizon that is growing bright.

64

67

As

at the rise of early evening

70

Begin in the heavens new appearances So that the sight will seem and not seem true It seemed to me that new subsistences I there began to see, and a ring form Outside the other two circumferences. very sparkling of the Holy Spirit How sudden and how glowing it became
Before

73

76

my

eyes, that, vanquished, bore it not

79
left

But Beatrice, so smiling-beautiful Then showed herself to me, it must be

Among those sights that followed not the mind. Thence my eyes took new power to lift themselves
Once more, and with my Lady now alone I saw myself to higher bliss translated. That I was lifted higher I well perceived

82

85

By

the enkindled smiling of the star

88

"Which seemed to be more ruddy than its wont. With all my heart, and with that speech which is One and the same in all, I made to God

;'

352

THE DIVINE COMEDY

81

A holocaust befitting the new grace

And
not yet was exhausted in my breast The ardor of the sacrifice before I knew my offering had been received Propitiously for with such ruddy glowing
;

84

Splendors appeared within two rays, Helios, who so adornest them

!

I said:

'

' *

Even as with lesser and with greater lights Marked out, the Milky Way appears so white
Between the poles of the world, the truly wise Are made to doubt, so, starry in Mars depths, Those rays made up the venerable sign
'

8^

100

Which

in a circle quadrants joining make.

And

here

my memory

outstrips

my

wit

103

Because in such wise that cross flashed forth Christ, Aught to compare with it I can not find.

But he who takes

and follows Christ Shall yet excuse me for what I say not
his cross

106

When

in His glowing lightning he sees Christ.

109

From horn to horn and between top and base Were lights in motion, glistening brilliantly As they would meet each other or would pass.
Thus are the particles of bodies here, Straight and awry, in motion swift and In their appearance changing, long and Seen moving in the light, of which a band
Is

112

slow.
short,

US
skill.

sometimes in the darkness men procure For their protection with their thought and As harp and viol well attempered, strung

118

Of many strings, make sweetly tinkling sounds To him by whom the meaning is not grasped. So from the lights which there appeared to me Was gathered through the cross a melody Which rapt me, though I knew not what the hymn.

121


PARADISO,
I

XV

353
124

full well it was of lofty praise, For "Rise and conquer!" came to me, who was As one who understood not and yet heard. So much enamoured with it I became That until then there was not anything Had held me bound with fettering so sweet. Perchance my words appear too confident, Deeming the pleasure less of those fair eyes In which I gaze and longing is at rest. But who considers that the living seals Of every beauty have more power, the higher. And that I had not there turned round to them,

knew

127

130

133

can excuse me wherein I accuse Myself for my excusing, and may see That I speak truth for the holy joy is here Not banned, since it grows purer as it mounts.
;

He

136

139

CANTO XV

WILL benign, into which ever love That righteously inspires resolves itself.

As

into evil will, cupidity,

Silence imposed on that sweet-sounding lyre,

And

Which heaven 's

How

caused to come to rest the holy strings, right hand both loosens and makes tense. 7 shall to righteous prayers those substances

Be deaf, who, that they might give me the will To pray to them, were still, with one accord ?
without end one should lament Who, for the love of aught that does not last, Despoils himself forever of that love. As through the tranquil and pure evening skies
It is well that

10

13

Rushes from time to time a sudden

fire.

' ;

354

THE DIVINE COMEDY

1^

Causing to move the eyes that were at ease, seems to be a star that changes place, Save that from where it was enkindled, naught Is lost, and its enduring is but brief So from the arm which stretches to the right Down to that cross 's foot there ran a star

And

1^

From

out the constellation that shone there

22

Not from its ribbon did the gem depart, But through the radial band it ran along.

As it were a fire through alabaster seen. With such affection did Anchises shade Come forward, if we trust our greatest Muse,
'

25

When

in

Elysium he perceived
superinfusa
tibi,

his son.
28

"0

sanguis mens,

Gratia Dei, sicut Bis

cui
81

unquam

coeli

ianua reclusaf"
;

Thus spoke that light so I gave heed to it. Then to my Lady I turned back my gaze. And at the sight of both was struck with awe. For there within her eyes glowed such a smile
That I thought with my own to touch the depths Both of my grace and of my Paradise. Then, joyous both to hear and look upon, The spirit added to his first words things I understood not, so profound his speech Nor did he hide himself from me by choice But by necessity, for his conception

34

37

40

Above the mark of mortals raised itself. And when the bow of his affection 's fire
spent so much words fell Toward the mark of our intelligence. The first thing that was understood by me Was this Blessed be Thou, Three and One,
of heat, that his
'

43

Had

46

'

Who

art so greatly courteous in

my

seed

! '

PAEADISO,
And
Is

XV

355
*9

then "
:

A hunger pleasing and long felt,

From
Thou

the great volume 's reading drawn, in which

52

never any change of white or black,

hast relieved, my son, within this light, In which I speak to thee, thanks be to her, Who gave thee feathers for the lofty flight. Thou dost believe that thy thought streams to

me

55

From that One who is First, as radiate From one, if that be known, the five and six And so thou dost not ask me who I am, And why more joyful I appear to thee
Than any other in this happy throng. Thou dost believe the truth, because the
lesser

58

61

And

great of this

life

on that mirror gaze.

In which, ere thou dost think, thou spread 'st thy thought. 64 But, that the sacred love, in which I watch

With ceaseless vision, and which makes me thirst With sweet desire, may better be fulfilled. Let now thy voice secure, happy and bold Sound forth the will, sound the desire, to which
I

67

My answer has already been decreed." turned to Beatrice, and she had heard Before I spoke, and granted me a sign
: '
'

70

Which made to grow the wings of my desire. Then said I When the Prime Equality Appeared to you, as of one weight became Affection and intelligence to each Because the sun, which with his heat and light Made you to glow and burn, so equal is
That
all

73

76

comparisons with

it fall

short.
79

But will in mortals and their faculty, For reason that is manifest to you. Are variously feathered in their wings. Whence I, a mortal, feel myself in this

82

'

356

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Unequal state, and so, save with my heart, For thy paternal welcome give not thanks.
But, living topaz, thee I supplicate,
85

Who
* '

gem-like in this precious jewel art,

That thou wouldst satisfy me with thy name."

leaf of mine, in

whom

took delight
'

88

In mere expectancy, I was thy root. Such a beginning made he, answering That one from whom is named Then said to me Thy family, and who a hundred years And more circles the Mountain 's lowest round, He was my son, and thy great-grandsire truly
* * : ;

^^

**

were befitting that thou shortenedst For him the long fatigue with works of thine. Florence within the ancient circling walls, From which she still receives both tierce and nones, Was then in peace abiding, sober, chaste. No necklace had she and no coronet, No dames with broidered shoes, no girdle worn More to be looked at than the wearer 's self. No daughter at her birth as yet would cause Fear in her father, for the time and dowry
It

^7

100

103

Did not exceed the bound this side or that. She had no houses void of families Nor yet had Sardanapalus arrived To show what in a chamber may be done. Nor yet had Montemalo been surpassed
Uccellatoio which, as surpassed In mounting up, so shall be in its fall. Bellincion Berti I have seen go girt With leather and with bone, and his dame leave Her mirror and not have a painted face
;

106

109

By your

112

Him
I

of the Nerli,

him

of the Vecchio, too,

115

have seen contented with their furs unlined,

; ;

'

PARADISO,
And
their

XV

357

dames with the spindle and the flax. women Each of them Sure of her burial-place, and none as yet Deserted in her bed because of France And one would watch the cradle carefully, And comforting, would use the speech which first To fathers and to mothers gives delight Another, as she from the distaff drew The thread, would to her household tell the tales About the Trojans, Fiesole and Eome. For a Cianghella, a Lapo Saltarello,
fortune-favored
!

118

121

124

127

Would have been reckoned then as marvelous As Cincinnatus or Cornelia now.

To so reposeful, to so fair a life Of citizens, to a community So trusty, and to such a pleasant
130

inn,
133

Mary, appealed to with loud cries, gave me, And in your ancient Baptistery, at once Christian and Cacciaguida I became. Moronto was my brother, and Eliseo My wife came from the valley of the Po, And from that source thy surname was derived. 1 followed, next, Conrad, the Emperor,

136

139

And he

girt

me

as of his soldiery,
1*2

Into such favor came I by good work.

Following him, I went against that law Iniquitous, whose people now usurp Through guiltiness of pastors, your just rights. In that place and by that foul folk was I Loosed from the bands of the deceitful world, By love of which are many souls defiled And came from martyrdom unto this peace.
'

1*5

1*8

'

358

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO XVI

How petty our nobility of blood

If thou dost

make

the folk to boast of thee

^

Down
It will

here where our affection languishes,

no more be marvelous to me For there where appetite is never wrong,

I say in heaven, I

made my

boast of

it.

Truly thou art a cloak soon shortening, So that, if naught be added day by day, Time will go round about thee with his shears. With You, which Rome was first to tolerate, In which her family least perseveres, My words began again and Beatrice, "Who was apart from us a little then, Smiling thereat, seemed like the one who coughed At the first fault written of Guenever. "You are my father, I began to say,
; ' '

10

13

18

You give me all my confidence to speak, You so uplift me, I am more than I. Gladness is filling by so many streams
'
'

18

mind, that it makes of itself a joy. In that it can endure this and burst not. May you then tell me, my dear forefather, Who were your ancestors, and what the years That were recorded in your boyhood's time. Tell me about the sheepfold of Saint John,

My

22

25

How

large

it

was

then,

and who the people were

'

Worthy to have the highest seats in it. As at the breathing of the wind a coal
Is

28

quickened into flame, so That light glow brighter at

to

beheld

my

blandishments
31

As

my

eyes

it

grew more

beautiful,

: !

PARADISO, XVI
So with a voice more sweet and
In modern utterance, he said to
*
'

359

soft,

but not
3*

me

From

that day

when Ave was

said until

The birth

in which

my

mother, sainted now,

fifty

Was
This

lightened of the burden I had been,

fire

had come

five

hundred,
it

times

^"^

And

thirty to its Lion, that

there
*0

Might reinflame itself beneath his paw. My ancestors and I had our birth-place

Where the last ward is first encountered by Him who is running in your annual games.
Let this thou hearest of my elders be Enough of who they were and whence they came It is fitter to keep silence than discourse. All those who at that time were able there Between Mars and the Baptist to bear arms Were as the fifth part of the living now.
;

^^

46

The

citizenry,

though a mixture now

Certaldo and Fighine,

49

From Campi, from

Was
Oh,

then seen pure in the lowest artisan.

52
I

better were it if the folk have named were neighbors, and to have Galleazzo and Trespiano at your bounds, Than to have them within and bear the stench Of Aguglione 's churl, of Signa 's, who Already has eyes keen for barratry If that folk most degenerate on earth Had been to Caesar not a step-mother But kindly, as a mother to her son, A money-changing, trading Florentine New-made would be turned back to Simifonti Where his grandfather went about and begged And Montemurlo would be still the Counts The Cerchi in Acone's parish still,

how much

That

55

58

61

64

',

360

THE DIVINE COMEDY

67

Perhaps the Buondelmonti in Valdigreve.

An intermingling made of persons ever Was a beginning of the city 's harm,
As
in the

body

is

superfluous food.

A blind bull is more

Than
If thou regard

headlong in his
;

fall

70

the blind lamb

and many a time one sword

73

Does more and better cutting than the five. Luni and Urbisaglia, How they have gone, and how are passing on Chiusi and Sinigaglia after them To hear how families are undone will not Appear to thee a novel thing nor hard, Since even cities have their term of life. Your things have all of them their death, even as
Yourselves, but
it

76

79

conceals itself in such

;

Of them

as long endure

and

lives are short.

And

as the heaven of the

moon

revolves,

82

Covering, uncovering, without pause the shores,

Even

so with Florence fortune deals

to thee a

Should not appear

What I shall tell Of whom the fame

The Ughi,
Greei,

wherefore marvelous thing of the high Florentines,

;

85

is

hidden by time.

saw
88

the Catellini, Filippi,

Ormanni, and Albertini, even

citizens.

In their decline illustrious

And

saw these, as great as they were old, With him of La Sannella, him of L 'Area, And Soldanieri, and Ardinghi, and Bostichi. Over the gate, which is at present laden
I

91

94

With such great weight

of recent felony
97

That soon there will be jetsam from the bark, The Ravignani dwelt, from whom descended Is the Count Guido, and whoever since

Has taken on high

Bellincione 's name.

PARADISO, XVI
of La Pressa knew already how One needs to rule, and Galigaio had Already hilt and pummel gilt at home. The column of the Vaio was great already, Sacehetti, Giuoechi, Fifanti and Barueei, The Galli, and those the bushel makes to blush. The stock whence the Calfucci sprang was great Already, and the Sizii and Arrigucci Had been already drawn to the curule chairs. Oh, how great saw I those who are undone By their own pride And with all their great deeds The balls of gold kept Florence flourishing. So did the forefathers of those who now
!

361
100

He

103

10^

109

112

Grow

fat remaining in consistory

115

Whenever in your church the see is vacant. The overweening stock, that dragon-like Is at his heels who flees, but is a lamb To him who shows his teeth, or purse forsooth, Was coming up already, but of folk
So humble, Ubertin Donato grieved their kinsman by his father-in-law. Already Caponsacco had come down From Fiesole to the market-place, and Giuda And Infangato were good citizens. I say a thing incredible and true You reached the little circle by a gate To which those of La Pera gave the name. Of those who bear the ensign beautiful Of the great baron, whose renown and worth The feast of Thomas reconfirms, each one Received from him knighthood and privilege Although that one who binds it with a fringe

118

When made

121

124

127

130

Is

with the

common

people joined today.

133

The Gualterotti and Importuni throve

362

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Already; Borgo were now quieter, If from new neighbors they had kept a fast. The house, from which was born your weeping, sprung From righteous indignation that brought you Your death, making your happy life to end, Was honored, both itself and its allies. Buondelmonte, how wrongly thou didst flee Its nuptials through another's counseling!

136

139

Happy would many be who now are sad, If to the Ema God had yielded thee. When to the city thou first mad 'st thy way
But
it

142

was due that mutilated stone

the bridge, that Florence offer
it

1*5

Which guards
With
these

A victim in her final days of peace.

and other families with them Florence I saw in such repose, that she
148

Had no occasion why she should lament And with these families her populace
1

151

saw

so glorious

and

so just, the lily

154

never set reversed upon the staff Nor through dissensions to vermilion changed,"

Was

CANTO XVII
As came
Clymene, that he might learn Of that which he had heard against himself. The one who still makes fathers to their sons Reluctant, such was I, and such was deemed
to

and by the holy lamp me had changed its place. Wherefore my Lady said to me " Send forth The flame of thy desire so that it come Clearly impressed from the internal stamp
Beatrice,

By

Which

previously for

' ;

'

PARADISO, XVII
Not that our knowledge may increase through that Thou say 'st, but that thou may 'st accustom thee To tell thy thirst, that one pour out for thee.
' ' *

363
10

dear earth-spring of mine, who

now

dost so

13

Uplift thyself, thou seest contingent things,

As earthly minds see that there can Two angles of a triangle obtuse,

not be
16

Ere in themselves they are, while thou dost gaze Upon the Point, to which all times are now While I was still in Virgil 's company Upward along the Mount which cures the souls, And going downward in the world of death, Grave words about the future of my life
myself Truly four-square against the blows of chance. Wherefore my will would be content to learn What is the fortune drawing nigh for me. For slower comes the arrow once foreseen.
said to
;

19

22

Were

me

although

I feel

25

'

Thus spoke I unto that same light which erst To me had spoken, and as Beatrice Had willed it, had my longing been confessed. Not with ambiguous phrase, with which were limed The foolish formerly, ere He was slain. The Lamb of God, who takes away our sins, But with clear words and with precise discourse That love as of a father answered me. Enclosed and manifest in its own smile Contingency, which stretches not beyond The volume of your things material.
*
'

28

31

34

37

Is all depicted in the

Eternal Vision
40
it

But yet from thence takes it necessity No more than from the sight which mirrors A vessel which is going down the stream. From That, as to the ear sweet harmony

43

364

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Comes from an organ, comes to me the sight Of times which now prepare themselves for thee.

As through

his cruel, false step-mother's act

left

^
49

Hippolytus

Athens, even so
This
is

Must thou

leave Florence.

willed, this

now

and will soon be brought to pass By him whose mind is on it in that place Where Christ is every day a merchandise. The blame shall follow the defeated side In outcry, as is wont but vengeance shall Bear witness to the Truth dispensing it. Thou shalt leave everything which thou dost love Most tenderly, and this shall be the bolt Which by the bow of exile is shot first.
Is sought for,
;

52

55

Thou shalt experience how salt the taste Of others' bread, and how the path is hard

58

And what

Descending and ascending others stairs. will load thy shoulders heaviest Will be the evil, senseless company With which thou art to fall into this vale
'

^1

Which

all ingrates, all

mad and

furious,

6*

Will turn against thee, but thereafter soon Shall it, not thou, have temples red for that. Of their bestiality their own procedure Will give the proof so that it well beseems To make thyself a party by thyself. The first refuge for thee and the first inn
;

^'^

70

Shall be of the great

Lombard 's courtesy

73

Who on the ladder bears the holy bird. Who will hold thee in such benign regard,
That what
is

slowest done
first

All others shall be

and asked between between you two.

With him thou

shalt see that one,

who

at birth
star.

76

Received such impress from this

mighty

PARADISO, XVII
That all his doings shall be notable. Not yet have men become aware of him
Because of youthf ulness because these wheels Have only through nine years around him turned. But ere the Gascon cheat the lofty Henry Some sparkles of his virtue shall appear In unconcern for money and for toils.
;

365

"^^

82

And

his magnificences shall be

known
his foes

85

So well hereafter, that for them

Will not be able to keep mute their tongues. Look thou to him and to his benefits Through him shall many people be transformed, Changing condition, rich and mendicant. And thou shalt bear hence, written in thy mind Of him, but shall not tell it "; and he said Things past belief of those who shall be there.

88

91

Then added Son, these are interpretings Of what was said to thee behold the snares Hidden behind few revolutions more. Yet I would not that thou shouldst hold in hate
: '

94

97

Thy

neighbors, for thy life shall far outlast

their perfidious deeds."

The punishment of
Since by
its silence
it

now

the holy soul

100

had finished the inserted woof Into the web I held out warped to it. Then I began, like one who in his doubt Has longing for the counsel of some one Who sees, and wills straightforwardly, and
'
'

Showed

103

loves
106

Clearly I
Is

see,

my father, how the

me
to give

time

such a blow As heaviest falls on him who most gives up So with foresight it is good to arm myself, That, if the place most dear be taken from me, I may not lose the others by my songs.

spurring toward

109

; ;

366

THE DIVINE COMEDY

1^2

Down through the infinitely bitter world, And on the Mountain, from whose summit
I

fair
115

was uplifted by

my Lady 's

eyes.

And

afterward through heaven from light to light I have learned that which, if I tell again Will be to many of great bitterness
if to

And

truth I

am

a timid friend,

118

I fear the loss of living

among

those
121

By whom
The
light in

these will be called the olden times."

which I there began to flash, Like to a golden mirror in the sun And then replied " A conscience that is dark,
treasure,

which

my

Had

found, was smiling,

first

124

Be

it

for

its

own

or for another's shame,

"Will feel, indeed, that

what thou say 'st

is

harsh
127

But none the

less, all

falsehood laid aside,

thy vision manifest, and then Let there be scratching where the itching is For if thy voice at the first taste shall be molestation, it will afterwards Digested leave a vital nourishment. This cry of thine shall do as does the wind, Which beats the hardest on the highest peaks And this shall be of honor no slight proof. Hence have been shown to thee within these wheels, Upon the Mount, and in the dolorous vale. Only the souls which unto fame are known; Because the mind of him who hears rests not, Nor by example that should have its root Unknown and hidden is his faith confirmed. Nor yet by other unapparent proof."
all

Make

130

133

136

139

142

'

'

PARADISO, XVIII

367

CANTO XVIII
Now was
enjoying only
its

own word

That blessed mirror, and I, tempering The bitter with the sweet, was tasting mine, When spoke that Lady, who was leading me To God Change thou thy thought, think that Near Him who lifts the load of every wrong. I turned me at the loving sound of her, My comfort, and what love I then beheld Within the holy eyes I leave untold Not merely that I trust not words of mine,
: ' ' '

*
I

am
7

10

But memory can not return so far Above itself, unless another guide. This can I of that moment still recount
on her From every other longing was set free. While the Eternal Pleasure, whose ray fell Direct on Beatrice, from her fair face With the second aspect was contenting me. The light of her smile overwhelming me, She said to me " Turn thou and listen, for Not only in my eyes is Paradise. As here the affection in the countenance Is sometimes seen, if it be great enough For the whole soul to be possessed by it, So in the holy splendor 's flaming light, To which I turned, I recognized the will In it to discourse with me still somewhat. It said, beginning " In this resting-place, Fifth of the tree which from its top has life. That bears fruit ever and sheds never leaf. Are blessed spirits which below, before
affection as I gazed
:

13

That

my

16

19

'

22

25

28

31

'

368

THE DIVINE COMEDY

They came to heaven, were of great renown So that with them would any muse be rich. Therefore gaze thou upon the arms of the cross The one whom I name there will do the act That in a cloud is done by its swift fire. At Joshua 's name I saw along the cross A light drawn out even as it was named, Nor did I note the word before the deed. And at the lofty Maccabeus' name I saw another moving like a wheel, And of that top the whip was happiness. For Charlemagne and Roland thus my gaze
'

34

37

*0

*3

Intently followed two of them, as one

And

Follows his flying falcon with his eye. afterward my gaze was drawn along

46

That cross by William and by Renouard, By the Duke Godfrey and Robert Guiscard. Moving and mingling with the other lights The soul that had addressed me showed me then What artistry was his in heaven 's choir. I turned me round to my right side, that I Might see in Beatrice what I should do. Either by act betokened or by words And saw her eyes of such clear brilliancy, So full of gladness that her countenance
Excelled her other and her latest wont.

49

62

65

And

even as through feeling more delight In his good works a man from day to day Of his advance in virtue grows aware, So I, seeing that Marvel more adorned, Became aware that my revolving course Along with heaven had increased its arc. And like the change in little space of time In a fair lady, when her face becomes

58

61

64

: !

PARADISO, XVIII
Relieved from burden of a sense of shame Such was there in my eyes, when I had turned,

369

67

In the pure whiteness of the temperate

I

star,

The sixth, that had received me to itself. saw within that torch of Jupiter The sparkling of the love existing there

70

Make

to

my

eyes the tokens of our speech.

And

even as birds

when

risen

from the

shore,

73

As Make

if with one rejoicing for their food,

of themselves a troop,

now round, now long,

76

So holy creatures there within the lights Went singing as they flew, and made themselves

Now

First, they

in their own groups. moved singing to their melody Becoming then one of these characters,

D,

now

I,

now L

79

little while they waited silently. Pegasean goddess, who dost make Men 's wits renowned and renderest them long-lived, And they with thee the cities and the realms. Light me thyself, so that I may set forth Their figures, as I have conceived of them; In these brief verses let thy power appear

82

85

For they displayed themselves in five times seven Vowels and consonants, and I observed The parts so as they seemed to me expressed
Diligite justitiani the first

88

91

Of all the picture were, as verb and noun Qui judicatis terram were the last. Then in the of the fifth word they stayed In their due order, so that Jupiter Seemed to be silver there inlaid with gold. And I saw other lights descend upon The top of the and there grow still and sing, I think, the Good which moves them to Itself.

9*

97

;; !

370

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the striking of the burning logs
100

As on

rise innumerable sparks, wherefrom The foolish use to draw an augury, So there seemed then more than a thousand lights To rise thence and to mount, some much, some little, As was allotted by the enkindling sun And when each one had quieted itself In its own place, an eagle 's head and neck I saw was figured by that inlaid fire. He who paints there has no one guiding Him, He guides and from Him comes that to the mind Which is the forming power for the nests The other blessedness, which seemed at first Content to be enlilied on the M,

There

103

106

109

112

With

little

motion followed out the print.

sweet star,
justice is

What gems, and in what number, Made plain to me that our own

US

Effected by that heaven thou dost ingem Wherefore I pray the Mind in which begin Thy motion and thy power, that it view whence Issues the smoke that vitiates thy ray So that it now again be moved to wrath, That in that temple men should buy and sell. Whose walls were built of blood and martyrdoms. soldiery of heaven, on whom I gaze, Pray ye for those who are upon the earth, Following the bad example, all astray The use was once to war with swords but now They take away, now here, now there, the bread The pitying Father would lock up from none
;

US

121

124

127

But

who writest but to cancel it, Think how are still alive Peter and Paul,
thou,
:

130

Well canst thou say " I have

Who died for the vineyard that thou layest waste. my heart so set

133

' ' ;

'

'

PARADISO, XIX
On him who willed to live alone, and who For dancing was brought forth to martyrdom,
That
I

371

know not

the fisherman nor Paul.

'

136

CANTO XIX
The beautiful image which the entwined souls Were making, in their sweet fruition glad, Appeared before me with its wings outstretched.
Each one appeared a ruby, which as it were Burned with a ray of sunlight, so on fire
That
it

reflected

it

into

my

eyes.

And

that which

it befits

me now

to trace

''

Voice ne'er reported and ink never wrote,

Nor ever was it by the fancy grasped For I beheld and also heard the beak To speak, and its voice utter " I " and My, When in conception it was We and Our. For being just and tender, it began,
* '
' '

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

' '

Am

I exalted to the glory

here

Which

suffers not to be excelled

by wish
16

And on
Have

the earth the

I left

memory

of

me
evil folk
'

such that there the

but the story follow not. As one heat only makes itself be felt
it,

Commend

19

From many

coals, so

came from many

loves
22

But one sound from that image issuing At which I said then " perpetual flowers Of the eternal gladness, who to me Make all your odors sweet seem but as one.
:

Breathing, give

me

release

from that great

fast

25

Which
For
I

for so long has kept

me

hungering,

have found no food for

it

on earth.

'

372

THE DIVINE COMEDY

I

Truly
Its

know

that if God's justice makes

28

By

mirror of another realm in heaven, yours it is apprehended with no veil.

31

Ye know with what attention I prepare To listen, and ye know what doubt it is
That has become so old a fast to me. Such as the falcon issuing from the hood, Which moves his head about and claps his wings, Meaning to show himself made beautiful.
'

34

Saw

I that figure,

woven of the praise

37

Of Such as they know who there on high rejoice. Then it began That One, whose compass swept The world's remotest bound, and marked within So much obscure and so much manifest. Could not have made such imprint of His worth On all the universe, but that His word Should have remained in infinite excess. And this makes plain that the first haughty one, Who was the height of all created things. Fell, as he would not wait for light, unripe Thence it appears that lesser natures all Are scant receptacles for boundless Good, Itself alone the measure of Itself. Our vision then, which of necessity Is one ray of the Mind with which all things Are full to the uttermost, can not possess Of its own nature such a power but that It should discern its Origin far on Beyond that which appears unto itself. Therefore the sight, which your world has received
Grace Divine, becoming with the songs
* : '

40

43

46

49

52

55

58

Into eternal justice, penetrates

Within as does the eye into the sea Which, though it see the bottom from the shore,

^l

; ; !

;'

PARADISO, XIX
At
Light
sea beholds
it

373
less

not,

which none the

Is there,

but hidden from him, being deep.

64

is not, save it come from the serene That never clouds itself nay, is darkness rather, Or shadow of the flesh, or poison thence. Open enough to thee is now the place, Which hid the living justice, and whereof Thou mad 'st so frequent question for thou saidst *A man is born upon the Indus' bank Where there is no one who of Christ may tell, Nor who may read nor who may write and all He wills to do and all his deeds are good,
; ; ;

*^

70

73

As

far as

human

reasoning perceives.
78

Without a

sin in living or in speech

And

unbaptized and without faith he dies

is this justice that

Where Where is his fault, if he does not believe ? Now who art thou, that wouldst sit on the bench To judge of aught a thousand miles away With petty vision of a span in reach ? Surely for him who subtly deals with me,
If there were not the Scripture over you.

condemns the man ?

79

82

There would be room for doubting marvelously. earthly animals ye gross minds Primal Will, which of Itself is good. The Moved never from Itself, the Supreme Good. The just is what is consonant with It No good created draws It to itself. But It by radiance is its very cause." Like as the stork, when she has fed her young, Goes circling in her flight above the nest While that one who is fed looks up at her. Even such became, and so raised I my eyes, The blessed image, which moved now its wings
!

85

88

81

9*

; !

374

THE DIVINE COMEDY

* *
:

With impulse by so many counsels made. Wheeling it sang, and said As are my notes To thee, who dost not understand them, such The eternal judgment is to mortal man," After the Holy Spirit's glowing flames

^7

100

Had
Thus
it

quieted themselves,
the
'

still

in the sign,
to the world,
103

Which made

Romans reverend
:
'

began again Unto this realm No one has risen believing not in Christ, Before or since they nailed Him to the cross.
lo
!

But

many

are they that cry Christ

Christ

106

Who

at the Judgment shall be far less near To Him, than such an one who knows not Christ
109

Christians like those the Ethiop shall condemn,

When
What

the two companies shall separate,

rich, the other poor.

The one forever

shall the Persians say

unto your kings

112

When
There

they shall see the open book wherein

All their dispraises have been written

shall be seen that

down ?

one among the deeds

US

Of

Albert, which shall soon

make move

the pen.
118

And make a desert of the realm of Prague. There shall be seen the misery which he, Who is to die by blow of a wild boar. Brings on the Seine by coinage falsified. There shall be seen the pride that whets the thirst Which maddens Scot and Englishman alike So that they can not keep within their bounds Seen the luxurious and effeminate life
Of him of Spain, and that Bohemian 's Who ne 'er knew valor, nor desired to know Seen how the cripple of Jerusalem Has with a single I his goodness marked. Whereas the contrary is marked with M

121

124

127

!'

PARADISO,

XX

375
^^^

Seen both the avarice and cowardice Of him who guards the island of the fire Whereon Anchises ended his long life

And

to

make

clearly

known

his pettiness,

1^3

The

letters of his writing shall be small,

And make a note of much in little space And plain to all appear the filthy deeds
His uncle and his brother wrought, whose stock So famous and whose crowns they bastardized And he of Portugal shall be known there, And he of Norway, and of Rascia he. Who to his hurt looked on Venetian coin. happy Hungary, if she endure

136

139

1*2

No

longer to be

If she shall

harmed Happy Navarre, arm her with her girding hills

!

And

all

should know, in earnest of this end,

beast
side.
'

1*5

That Nicosia and Famagosta now Lament and wail by reason of their Which parts not from the others at his

1*8

CANTO XX
When that one who illumines all the world
from our hemisphere descending, so That day in every quarter wastes away. The heaven, enkindled erst by him alone, Makes itself suddenly appear again With many lights, in them reflecting one. And this act of the heaven came to me In mind when now the ensign of the world And of its leaders in its blessed beak Ceased utterance for all those living lights, Gleaming more brightly far, commenced to sing Songs lapsing from my memory and lost.
Is
;

10

;;

376

THE DIVINE COMEDY

13

Sweet Love, which with a smile dost cloak thyself, How ardent thou appearedst in those flutes Which had the breath of holy thoughts alone After the precious and resplendent stones, With which I saw the sixth light was ingemmed, Had brought to silence their angelic chimes, I seemed to hear the murmuring of a stream, That falls in limpid flow from rock to rock,

16

19

As

Showing the fulness of its lofty source. at the cithern 's neck sound takes its form,

22

And at

the vent-hole in the bagpipe 's reed

25

The wind that is within it, even so Delay of waiting being set aside, That sound of murmuring arose within The eagle 's neck, as through a hollow space. There it became a voice, and issued thence From out its beak in form of words, such as The heart awaited, where I wrote them down. "The part in me which sees and bears the sun In mortal eagles, it began to me, Must now be looked on fixedly, because Among the fires of which I make my form, Those of the eye which sparkles in my head Are they who are supreme of all their grades. He in the middle as the pupil shines Who was the singer of the Holy Spirit And brought the ark from city unto city Now knows he of the merit of his song, How far it was the effect of his design, By the rewarding, which is like to it.
' ' '
'

28

31

34

37

40

Of five who make a circle as my brow, The one who is the nearest to my beak Consoled the grieving widow for her son Now knows he at how dear a cost it is,

43

46

'

PARADISO,

XX

377

Not following Christ, by the experience Of this sweet life and of its opposite. And he, the next on the circumference Of which I speak, upon the upper arc.

^^

By a true penitence delayed his death Now knows he that the eternally decreed
transmuted when a worthy prayer Makes there tomorrow's that which was today's. The next who follows, with the laws and me, With good intention that bore evil fruit, Made himself Greek to give the pastor room Now knows he how the ill from his good deed Deduced, is not injurious to him. Although thereby the world should be destroyed. And he, whom on the sloping arc thou seest, Was William, whom that land deplores, which sheds Its tears for Charles and Frederick alive Now knows he how the ardent love of heaven Is given the righteous king, and to the view In his effulgency still makes it seen. Who would believe down in the erring world The Trojan Rhipeus to be here, the fifth
Is not

52

55

58

61

64

67

Upon

the circle of these holy lights ?

70

Now knows he much

of what the world has not The power to behold of grace divine. Although his sight may not discern the depth.

'

Like to the lark that goes her way in air, Singing at first, then silences her voice
Content, with her last sweetness satisfied.

73

Such seemed to me the image of the imprint Of the Eternal Pleasure, at the will Of Whom each thing becomes that which it And although there I was unto my doubt Like glass unto the color which it clothes,

76

is.

79

; :

378
It

THE DIVINE COMEDY

could not,
force of
silent,
:

bear to bide
'
'

its

time,
?
'

[forth
'

But from

my mouth
its

What
;

things are these

urged

82

By

own weight and thereupon

^5

I saw great festal joy of flashing light. Then all at once with eye enkindled more The blessed ensign made reply to me, Not to keep me in wondering suspense I see that these things are believed by thee, Because I tell them, but thou seest not how
* *

88

And
Thou

so are hidden,

though they are believed.

91

who apprehends indeed thing by name whereas its quiddity

dost as one
;

He can not see, if some one show it not. Regnum coelorum suffers violence From ardent love, and from a lively hope Which vanquishes the will of God but not In such wise as man overmasters man,
;

9*

97

But vanquishes,

for vanquished

it

would
fifth

be,

And
The

vanquished, vanquishes benignantly.

of the eyebrow

first life

and the

100

Cause thee to see and marvel that with them The region of the angels is adorned. They came not from their bodies, as thou deem'st,
Gentiles, but Christians, trusting firmly in

103

The Feet that suffered, or should suffer yet. The one came back unto his bones from Hell,
is ne'er returning to good will, was a reward of lively hope Of lively hope that lent its power to prayers Made unto God, that he might be raised up, So that his will might have the power to move. The glorious soul, of which these words are spoken, Returning to the flesh briefly sojourned. And put its faith in Him with power to help

106

Where

there

And

this

109

112

' ;

379

PARADISO,
And
in believing

XX

burned with

so great flame

US

Of a true love, that at the second death came to this festivity. The other, by the grace which from a spring
It fitly

118

Wells up, so deep that no created eye Has ever reached so far as its first wave, Set all his love below on righteousness So God, from grace to grace, opened his eyes

121

On our redemption that was yet to be Wherefore believing in it, from that time He bore the stench of paganism no more, Rebuking the perverse because of it. To him for baptism were those Ladies three Whom thou saw 'st near the wheel upon the Before baptizing a full thousand years.
Oh,

124

127 right,

how remote, predestination, is Thy root from sight of those who do not
The Primal Cause
in its entirety

130 see

And

do ye, mortals, keep yourselves restrained In passing judgment for to us who look On God, are all the chosen not yet known
;

133

And

sweet to us

is

this deficiency,

136

For our good is perfected in this good. That what is willed of God we also will.

'

In such wise by that image so divine, That my short sight might be made clear for me,

139

As

Given to me was a sweet medicine. a good lutanist accompanies One singing well with quivering of the strings, Whereby the song acquires more pleasantness So, while it spoke, as I recall to mind,

142

145.

Did

behold the blessed lights of both.

148

Just as the winking of the eyes agrees.

With

flamelets set in motion to the words.

' ;

380

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO XXI

Already on

my Lady 's

countenance

them my mind That from all other objects had withdrawn And she was smiling not, but thus to me Began If I should smile, thou wouldst become What Semele became, to ashes turned; Because my beauty which along the stairs
eyes were fixed again, with
* *

My

Of the eternal palace kindles more. As thou hast seen, the higher it ascends,
Glows,
if

Before

Would

untempered, so resplendently, brilliancy thy mortal power be as foliage that the thunder blasts.
its

10

To the seventh splendor

are

we

lifted up,

13

That underneath the Lion's burning breast Now radiates downward, mingled with his strength. Fix thou thy mind on following thine eyes,

16

And

let

them mirrors

for the figure be

'

Which in this mirror to thee shall appear, He who should know the feasting of my eyes,

19

What sort

it

was,

upon that

blessed sight,
22

When

transferred

me

to another care.

Would know

the pleasure that I felt to yield

Obedience to my celestial guide, Were he to counterpoise this side with that.

Within the crystal circling round the world, Bearing the name of its illustrious leader. Beneath whose sway all wickedness lay dead. Colored like gold on which the sunlight falls, I saw a ladder stretching up so far That with my eyes I could not follow it. I saw, besides, descending by its steps

25

28

31

' ;

'

PARADISO, XXI
So many splendors that I thought all light That shines in heaven was poured down from And as, their natural custom following, The daws together at the break of day

381

it.

34

To warm their chilly feathers move about Then some will go away without return, Others come back to whence they started forth,

37

And some continue in their wheeling flight Such seemed to me to be the manner here,
As it collected, of that sparkling light As soon as it had reached a certain step

*0

And
* '

that one which kept nearest us, became

I

^
46
;

So bright that

was saying in
I

my

thought

I see indeed the signal of thy love

she,

But

on

whom

wait to learn the

how
so.
'

And when
Against

of speech and silence, moves not

desire, it is well that I ask not.

But

as she in the sight of

Him, who

sees

49

All things, had seen the silence that I kept,

!" She said to me "Let loose thy warm desire And I began " It is not my desert That makes me worthy of thine answering,
: :

52

But

for her sake,

life,

who granted

that I ask,
55

blessed

who

dost abide concealed

Within thy joy, do thou make known to me The cause which has brought thee so near my

side
58

And

tell

me wherefore

silent in this

wheel
'

Is the sweet

symphony

of Paradise,
61

"Which so devoutly sounds through those below. "Thou hast thy hearing mortal, as thy sight,"

answered me one is the cause that here There is no song and Beatrice smiles not.
It
' ;

'

The holy ladder's steps have

come down

64

So far that I might solely give thee joy

; ;: ;

'; ' ;

382

THE DIVINE COMEDY

67

Of speech and of the light that mantles me Nor was I swifter through a greater love, For up there love as great and greater bums, Even as the flaming manifests to thee But the deep charity, which makes us prompt To serve the counsel governing the world, As thou observest, makes allotment here. Clearly I see, O Sacred Lamp, said I,
'

70

* *

'

'

73

*
'

How

a free love suffices in this court

76

For following the eternal Providence But this it is seems hard for me to grasp, Why thou among thy consorts wast alone
Predestined to the
I
office

that thou hast.

'

had not come

Before
its

to uttering

my

last

middle part the light

it

word had made

79

A centre, whirling with

And
* '

a mill-stone's speed.

then the love within

A light divine is falling

pierces this, where I

made reply upon me

82

And
Lifts

am

at the heart

The power of which, combining with

my

sight,

85

me above myself

so far, I see
88

The Supreme Essence, from which it is drawn. Thence comes the joy wherewith I flame because According to my sight, as that is clear, I show an equal clearness in my flame. But even that most enlightened soul in heaven, The Seraph with his eye most fixed on God,
;

91

Would
Of

fail of satisfying

thy demand
94

For that which thou dost ask in the abyss

the Eternal Statute lies so deep.
It is cut off

from

all

created sight.
97

When

thou returnest to the mortal world,

goal.

Carry this back, so that it may no more Presume to move its feet toward such a

;'

PARADISO, XXI
On
earth the

383
100

Consider,

mind is smoky which shines here then, how can it do below

' *

it can not, though heaven take it up," Such were the bounds prescribed me by its words, That I ceased questioning, and drew me back To ask it, humbly minded, who it was. Between the two Italian shores rise rocks, And not far distant from thy native land, So high, the thunders sound far lower down. And form a ridge called Catria, on whose slope

What

103

100

109

There is a consecrated hermitage That was for worship only set apart, Thus it began again the third discourse And then it said as it continued There
' ' : '

112

I gave myself so firmly to serve God,

That merely with the food of olive juice I easily endured the heat and cold, Contented in my contemplative thoughts.

115

Of old that

cloister

Abundantly, but

it is

rendered to these heavens empty now.

118

As

presently must be perforce revealed.

121

In that place was I Peter Damian Our Lady's house by the Adriatic shore

Knew me
But
little

as Peter,
life

named

the Sinner, too.

124

was left to me When I was called and dragged toward the hat, Which ever is transferred from bad to worse. Lean and unshod came Cephas, as he came, That mighty vessel of the Holy Spirit, Taking the food of whatsoever inn. Now will they have one propping on each side, The modern pastors, and one leading them. So heavy now, and one hold up their trains. Their mantles cover up their palfreys so
mortal

127

130

133

' ;

'

384

THE DIVINE COMEDY

hide.
!

That two beasts move under a single

Patience, that endurest, oh, so

much

'

At

this voice I beheld

more

flamelets come,

136

From step to step descending, and And every whirl made them more
About
this

whirl round,
beautiful.
139

one they came and there remained, And cried with such deep sound, none here could be Compared with it nor could I understand it,
;

The thundering had overcome me

so.

1*2

CANTO XXII
Oppressed with my amazement, to my guide I turned me, as a child runs always back Thither where he has greatest confidence And she was like a mother who gives help At once to her pale, breathless son with voice That has been wont to comfort him, and said To me Knowest thou not thou art in heaven ? That heaven is all holy knowest thou not. And that the deeds done here come from good zeal ? What change in thee the singing would have wrought, And I by smiling, thou canst now conceive, Since by their cry thou wast so deeply moved In which, if thou hadst understood their prayers, Already were the vengeance known to thee. Which thou shalt see before thou come to die. The sword of here on high cuts not in haste, Nor tardily, save as it seems to him Awaiting it in his desire or fear. But turn thou now about toward the others, For most illustrious spirits shalt thou see, If, as I say, thou but turn back thy gaze.
' '
:

10

13

1^

19

'

; '

PARADISO, XXII
With
eyes directed as pleased her, I saw

385
22

A hundred little spheres together gain A greater beauty by their mutual rays.
I stood as

one repressing in himself

25

The point of his desire, not venturing To ask, so greatly does he fear excess. And when the largest and most luminous Moved itself forward from among those pearls To satisfy my wish about itself, I heard within it "If thou couldst behold,
:

28

31

do now, the charity which burns Among us here, thy thoughts would be expressed But lest thou, waiting, shouldst be slow to reach The lofty end, even unto thy thought,
I

As

34

Of which thou art so cautious, I reply. That mountain on whose slope Cassino lies, Was formerly frequented on its top

37

By a deceived and evil-minded folk. And I am he, who first bore to that height
The name of Him, who brought down to the earth The truth which so sublimely raises us; And grace with such abundance shone on me, That the surrounding towns I drew away
impious worship that seduced the world. These other fires were all contemplatives,

40

43

From

46

Enkindled by that heat which brings to birth The flowers and the fruits of sanctity. Maearius and Romualdus both are here, Here are my brothers, who confined their steps Within the cloisters and kept sound their hearts. And I to him The affection, which thou showest Speaking with me, and the benevolence I seem to see and note in all your fires, Within me so expands my confidence
' '
:

49

'

52

55

'

386

THE DIVINE COMEDY

sunlight does the rose when, opening,
all

As

She has become Wherefore I pray

If I

she has power to be

thee, let me. Father,

know
'

58

That

may be recipient of such grace I may see thee with a form unveiled.
said
* :

Whereon he

'

Brother, thy high desire

61

Shall be fulfilled in that last sphere on high,

are fulfilled all others and my own There perfect and mature, and lacking naught

Where

64

Is all desiring; in that sphere alone Is every part there

where

it

always was.
67

For it is not in space and has not poles Our ladder reaches even up to it, And hence thus from thy vision steals away. Even so high Jacob, the patriarch,
Beheld
it

70

stretching to

its

topmost part
to load
it so.

When

angels seemed to
is

him

But there

now no one that lifts his feet From earth that he may mount it, and my rule

73

Remains below to spoil the folios. The walls that used to be an abbey, now Are turned to dens, and the monastic robes Become as sacks replete with wretched flour. But heavy usury is levied not
So much against God 's pleasure as that fruit Which works such madness in the monkish heart.

76

79

For whatsoever by the Church

Is

is

kept,

82

And
The

wholly theirs who ask it in God's name, not for kinsmen, nor for others worse.
mortals has a softness such
lasts

flesh of

85

That good beginning

not there below

till

From

springing of the oak

acorns form.
88

Peter began with gold and silver none,

And

myself with fasting and with prayers.

PARADISO, XXII
thou seest how each of these commenced, Then seest further whither it has strayed, Thou wilt observe that white is turned to black. Truly would be the Jordan driven back, And the sea fleeing when God willed it so. More wonderful to view than succor here." Thus spoke he to me, and then drew him back Unto his company, and that closed up Then all together like a whirlwind rose. And the sweet Lady merely with a sign Impelled me up that ladder in their train. My nature by her power overcome. But here below where men mount and descend By natural law, was motion ne'er so swift That it could be compared unto my wing.

387

And And if

Francis humbly his society.

^1

94

97

100

103

So may I, reader, yet return to those Devoutly triumphing, for sake of which I often weep for sin and beat my breast, Thou hadst not moved thy finger back and forth Through flame so quickly as I saw the sign That follows Taurus, and had entered it. glorious stars, light impregnated Of virtue great, whence I acknowledge came My genius wholly, whatsoe 'er it is, With you was rising and would hide with you

106

109

112

115

He who
"When

is

father of each mortal

life,

first I felt

the air of Tuscany

And then, when

grace was given

me

to go

118

Within the lofty wheel that whirls you round, Your region of it was allotted me. To you devoutly now breathes her desire My soul for acquisition of the power For that hard pass which draws her to itself.

121

388
* *

THE DIVINE COMEDY

art to the Ultimate Salvation risen
124

Thou

So near," thus Beatrice began, "that thou Shouldst have thine eyes both clarified and keen.

And
I

therefore, ere thou enter farther in,

see

127

Look backward, down, and

how

great a world
180

have already put beneath thy feet So that thy heart in fulness of its joy Present itself to the triumphant throng. Through this round ether coming in its bliss." Backward I turned my sight through each and all The seven spheres, and I beheld this globe Such that I smiled at its appearance mean And I approve that counsel as the best Which holds it least in worth righteous indeed May he be called who thinks of other things. I saw Latona's daughter bathed in light Without the shadow that had been the cause Why once I deemed her to be rare and dense. The aspect of thy son, Hyperion, Here I endured, and moving on their round Saw Maia and Dione near to him. From there appeared to me the tempering power Of Jove between his father and his son And there was clear the varying of their place. And all the seven showed themselves to me, How great they are and how exceeding swift,
;

133

136

18^

1^

1^

1*8

And how far separated their abodes. To me, revolving with the eternal Twins, The little threshing-floor, which renders us So fierce, lay all in view from hills to shores. To her eyes beautiful then turned I mine.

151

154

PARADISO, XXIII

389

CANTO XXIII
As the bird Upon the
rests

among

the branches loved

little

nest of her sweet

ones
all

Throughout the night that hides

things from us,

*

And then, that she may see And find the food to still
Forestalls the time

their longed-for looks,

their hungering.
7

In which the heavy tasks are her delight. upon the open twig, And ardent with desire awaits the sun, Fixedly watching for the birth of dawn So was my Lady standing now erect, Attentive, and toward that region turned 'Neath which the sun displays a lessened haste, So that, beholding her in this suspense And longing, I became as one whose wish Seeks some new thing and is appeased with hope. But brief the time between that when and this, Of my expecting, say I, and my sight Of heaven growing bright and brighter still. And Beatrice to me " Behold the hosts
:

10

13

16

19

Of the Triumphant Christ, and all the fruit Borne by the revolution of these spheres." It seemed to me her face was all aglow,

22

And
That
As,

in her eyes fulness of joy so great.

I,

perforce,

must leave

it

undescribed.
25

when

Trivia
I

moon is full and clear the sky, smiles among the eternal nymphs.
the
depths,

Who paint the heaven throughout all its

saw above the myriads of lamps A Sun, enkindling each and all of them. As does our own the spectacle on high, And through its living light was shining down

28

31

'

'

390

THE DIVINE COMEDY

in such brilliancy
it

The lucent Substance

Upon my

face that I sustained

not. 34

and beloved Guide She said to me " That overwhelming thee Is virtue, against which is no defence. The Wisdom and the Power that opened wide The paths to heaven from the earth is here, Of which there was such long desire of old. As fire from cloud unlocks itself, because, Expanding so, it can not be contained,
Beatrice, sweet
:

37

'

40

And 'gainst its nature downward falls to earth Even so had then my mind amid those feasts Becoming greater issued from itself. And
* '

*3

can not

summon back what

it

became.

Open thine eyes, and look on what I am Such things hast thou beheld, thou hast become Of strength sufficient to sustain my smile. was as one who comes to consciousness From a forgotten vision, and who tries In vain to bring it back to mind, when I
'

^
*8

Had

heard

this invitation, that deserves

62

Such gratitude as never from the book That registers the past can be effaced. If all those tongues that Polyhymnia
Together with her sisters made to be The richest with their sweetest milk, were now To sound to aid me, not the thousandth part Of truth were reached, singing the holy smile

65

68

And how it made the holy face resplendent. And thus, depicting Paradise, must needs
The sacred poem now move on by bounds. Even as one who finds his way cut off. But whoso thinks upon the ponderous theme

^1

And

on the mortal shoulder with

its load.

'

PARADISO, XXIII
Would
It is

391

not reproach

it,

if

thereunder trembling.
^'^

no voyage for a little bark, This which the daring prow goes cleaving, nor For boatman who is sparing of himself. "Why with my face art thou enamoured so As not to turn to that fair garden, which Beneath the rays of Christ is blossoming ? Here is the rose, in which the Word Divine Made Itself flesh and here the lilies are, By whose sweet odor the good way was taken. Thus Beatrice and I, in readiness Completely for her counseling, again Entered the battle of the feeble brows.
; '
;

'^0

73

76

As

beam of sunlight that streams clear Through rifted cloud, my shadow-covered Have seen ere now a field of flowers, so.
in a

79

eyes
82

Many

a throng of splendors I beheld

Bright with a burning radiance from on high, Without the source of brightness being seen. Benignant Power which thus imprintest them,

85

On high didst Thou uplift Thyself to grant Scope to the eyes that there were powerless. The name of that fair flower which I invoke Ever at morn and eve wholly constrained

88

My mind

to gaze

upon the greater

fire.

And when was painted on my eyes the kind And greatness of that living star which there
Conquers as it has conquered here below, the mid-heaven there came down a torch, Formed in a round in fashion of a crown. Engirding her within its circling sweep. Whatever melody sounds sweetest here Below, and to itself most draws the soul. Would seem but thunder of a rended cloud

91

From

94

97

'

392

THE DIVINE COMEDY

100

Compared to the resounding of that lyre With which was crowned the sapphire beautiful, Wherewith ensapphired is the brightest heaven. I am Angelic Love, and circle round The exalted joy that breathes forth from the womb That was the hostelry of our desire And I shall circle, Lady of Heaven, until Thy Son thou follow, and make more divine The highest sphere, because thou enterest it. Thus had the circling melody ensealed Itself, and all the other lights were now Making the name of Mary to resound. Of all the revolutions of the world The royal mantle, most on fire and most Enlivened with the breath and laws of God,
' ' '

103

106

109

112

Had
Its

at so great a distance over us

115
it

inner shore, that where I was

its

had

appearance to my view. Therefore my eyes were lacking in the power To follow after the encrowned flame.

Not yet made

US

Which

raised itself to be beside her Seed.

And

as a babe,

when

it

has fed upon

121

Its mother 's milk, holds out its arms to her In love that even outwardly flames up

So did those splendors upward stretch themselves,

124

Each with his flame, that their exalted love Of Mary was made manifest to me. Then they remained there in my sight and sang
Regina coeli with a sweetness such. The charm of it has never gone from me. Oh, what abundant wealth is there piled up Within those most rich coffers, that were once Good husbandmen in sowing here below Here live they, joying in a treasure gained

127

130

133

'

PARADISO, XXIV
And where
In Babylonian exile as they wept the gold was left aside by them.

393

Here triumphs under the exalted Son Of God and Mary, in his victory, "With both the ancient council and the new,

136

He who

of so great glory holds the keys.

139

CANTO XXIV
*
'

YE who are the fellowship elect To the great supper of the Blessed Lamb,

Who

so feeds you,

your wish

is e 'er fulfilled,

As by the grace of God this man foretastes Of that which from your table falls, before A time has been prescribed to him by death,
Give heed to his immeasurable desire Bedew him somewhat ye drink ever of
;

The Fountain, whence comes that of which he Thus Beatrice and those rejoicing souls Became as spheres on fixed poles that turn, Flaming as with the comet 's brilliancy.
;

thinks.

'

10

And

like the clock-work's wheels, that so revolve

13

one giving heed the first appears To be at rest, the outermost to fly, These carols, differently dancing, so Caused me to have opinion of their wealth
to

That

16

As they were in their motion swift and One I had noted as most beautiful, And thence I saw a fire so happy come

slow.
19

And

That none of greater brightness there remained it revolved three times round Beatrice "With so divine a song that fantasy Repeats it not to me therefore my pen
;

22

: '

'

394
'erleaps
it,

THE DIVINE COMEDY

and
I write it not,

because
speech,
folds.

25

Imagination and
'
'

much more our

such

Is of too vivid color for

holy sister mine, whose prayer of us

Is so devout,

28

by thine

affection 's fire

*

From bonds
Directed to

of that fair sphere thou freest me.

fire

For, having ceased to move, the blessed

31

my Lady

thereupon
34

The breath whose words were such

And

she

' *

as I have said. Eternal light of that great man,

To whom our Lord bequeathed the keys, that He Had borne below, of this amazing joy. Put this man to the test on points both light

37

And

grave, as shall please thee, about the faith,

thyself didst walk

Through which
It is not

upon the

sea.

If he loves rightly, rightly hopes, believes,

40

hidden from

thee, for

thou hast
43

Thy sight where everything is seen portrayed. But as this kingdom has made citizens
Through the true
It is well that

faith, to set its glory forth

it fall

speaking of

to him.

'

As when the bachelor arms himself, and speaks First when the master has set forth the case, To bring the proof and not to settle it So I with every reason armed myself
While she yet spoke, to be prepared for such A questioner and for professing thus. Tell me, good Christian, manifest thyself Faith, what is it ? " Whereon I raised my brow Toward the light from which this had been breathed Then turned I me to Beatrice, and she Made quickly signals to me that I pour The water forth from my internal fount. The grace which grants that I confess myself
'

46

49

' *

52

55

'

58

'

"
;

' :

'

'

PARADISO, XXIV
Before the chief centurion, I began, Cause my conceptions to be well expressed. And I went on As the veracious pen Of thy dear brother, who with thee put Rome On the right pathway. Father, wrote of it.
' ' '
' '

395

'

'

^1

Faith

is

the substance of the things hoped for

64

And
' *

evidence of those not seen

to

Appears

me

its essence.

Thou

thinkest rightly, if

and this Then I heard thou comprehend

; '

'

^"^

Why he first placed it with the substances,

And with the evidences And I thereon continued
afterwards.
'
' ' :

The deep

things,

70

That grant me visible appearance here. Are so concealed from sight of those below, That they exist there to belief alone, On which is founded the exalted hope. And takes the name of substance on that ground And it behoves us thus from this belief

73

76

To

syllogize, lacking in other sight

it

Therefore

takes the
:

name

of evidence."
79

And

heard " If whatsoe 'er is won Below as doctrine were thus understood. The sophist 's cunning would have no place there. Such was the breath from that enkindled love
then
I
:

'

82

It added then Gone over very well Already is this coin 's alloy and weight But tell me if thou hast it in thy purse ? Whereon I " Yes, I have, so bright and round That of its stamp I have no doubt at all. Then from the deep light that was glowing there Came forth: "This precious jewel, upon which Is founded every virtue, whence came it To thee ? And I " The Holy Spirit 's rain That is abundant, and that is outpoured
*
' : ' ' ' :

85

88

91

'

'

'

'

'

'

396

THE DIVINE COMEDY

S*

Is

the parchments, both the Old and New, argument convincing me thereof With such acuteness, that compared with it

Upon

All demonstration seems obtuse to me.

:

'

Then heard I " That which is such proof to thee, The ancient proposition and the new. Why boldest thou them for divine discourse?" And I The proof that shows their truth to me
* * :

97

100

works that followed, for which Nature never iron heated nor her anvil beat. It was replied to me " Tell me what makes Thee sure that these works were ? The very thing That shall be proved, naught else, swears it to thee. "If without miracles," said I, "the world Was turned to Christianity, this one Is such, the others were no hundredth part For thou didst enter, poor and hungering, Into the field, to sow the goodly plant. That was a vine, but turned a bramble now, When this was ended, the high, holy court Resounded through its spheres a Praise we Ood In the melody that in those heights is sung. That Baron, who had thus from branch to branch, Examining, already drawn me on Until we were approaching the last leaves. Began again The Grace that with thy mind Holds friendly in her course, has until now Opened thy lips as it should open them. Even so that I approve what they put forth, But now what thou believest shalt thou state. And how it comes to be of thy belief.
Is

Her

'

103

'

106

109

'

112

US

'

'

US

121

'

*
'

holy Father, spirit

who

dost see
'

124

What

thou believedst so that thou outdidst The younger feet toward the sepulchre,

: '

PARADISO,
'
'

XXV

397
^^'^

Began I, thou wilt that I here declare The form of my unhesitating faith,

And also hast thou asked And I respond In one God

:

the cause of
I believe,
all

it

^^^
.

Sole and eternal,

who moves

the heavens,
desire.
^^^

Himself not moved, with love and with And for such faith have I not only proofs

Both physical and metaphysical, But too that given me by the truth that rains [Psalms, Through Moses down, through Prophets, and through Through the Evangel, and through you who wrote After the fiery Spirit made you divine.

136

And in three Persons I believe, eternal, And these one Essence, one and three-fold
That
it

l^^

so
142

admits of are and

is

conjoined.

Of

the profound divine condition, which

I touch upon, sets on my mind its seal The evangelic doctrine many times.

And

this is the beginning, this the spark,

145

Which afterwards expands to vivid flame, "Within me sparkling like a star in heaven. Even as a lord, who hears what pleases him,
Rejoicing in the news, embraces then

'

148

Thus, giving

His servant, soon as he has ceased to speak me his blessing as he sang, When I was silent thrice encircled me The apostolic light, at whose command
;

151

I spoke

so

had

I pleased

him

in

my speech.

154

CANTO XXV
If e 'er
it happen that the sacred poem. To which both heaven and earth have so put hand, That it has made me lean for many years,

'

; ; ;

; '

'

398

THE DIVINE COMEDY

*

O'ercome the cruelty that bars me out Of the fair sheep fold, where a lamb I slept, Foe to the wolves that wage their war on it

With other
Will
I

voice thenceforth, with other fleece,

On

go back a poet, and will then my baptismal font receive the crown
entered, which
to God,
10

For there into the faith I Makes known the souls

and

for its sake

13

Had Peter then encircled thus my brow. Following that, there moved a light toward us From out that sphere whence issued the first-fruit That Christ left of His vicars after Him.

And
* '

full of

joy
!

my Lady

said to
'

me

16

Behold the Baron, for whose sake there below is visited. Galicia As when a dove alights beside his mate
Look, look

i^

And each
Beheld
I

one to the other manifests.

great Prince glorious
the other, as they praised
25
22

Circling and cooing, his affection, so

how each

Was welcomed by

The food of their partaking there on high. But when their gratulation was completed, Silently, coram me, each one stood still, So blazing that it overcame my face.

And
' *

thereupon, smiling, said Beatrice

28

Illustrious life, through

basilica is written,

whom
make

the bounteousness
31

Of our

This height re-echo with the voice of hope

'
'

Thou figurest it, thou knowest, as many times As Jesus showed most brightness to the three. Lift up thy head, and be thou reassured
'

'

34

For that which hither from the mortal world Ascends, must needs be ripened in our rays, This comfort from the second fire was mine
j

37

;'

PARADISO,
And
*

XXV
eyes,

399

to the hills I lifted

up mine

'

Which bowed them down before with too great weight. Since now by grace it is our Emperor 's will

*0

That thou before thy death stand face to face In the most secret chamber with his counts, So that, the truth of this court seen, thereby Thou mayst confirm thine own and others' hope, Which there below enamours rightfully Say what it is, and how within thy mind It comes to flower, and whence it came to thee. Thus spoke, continuing, the second light. And that compassionate one, who guided then The feathers of my wings for flight so high, Thus answering, anticipated me ''There is no child of the Church Militant
*
'

43

46

49

52

Possessed of greater hope, as

it is

written
55

Within the Sun, that shines on all our band Therefore it is granted him that he should come From Egypt to Jerusalem to see,
Before for him the warfare terminate. The two remaining points, which are called Not for the learning but so that he may
for,

58

Report how much

;

this virtue pleases thee.

To him I leave for they Nor cause of boasting

will not be hard,

;

61

And may
As pupil

the grace of

let him answer them. God grant this to him.

'

follows teacher, readily

in that in

64

'

'

which he is expert. brought to light Hope, said I, "is an expectation sure Of glory that shall be, which is produced
If so his quality be
'

And glad
'

67

By

grace divine and merit that precedes.

stars does this light

From many
But he

come

to

me

70

into

my

heart instilled

it first,

;'

'

'

400

THE DIVINE COMEDY

:

For

Singer supreme of Him, the Guide Supreme. in his theody he says 'Sperent In te who know Thy name and who is there That knows it not, if he has faith like mine ?
; '

73

To

his instilling didst thou

add thine own

'

76

In thine Epistle

later, so that I

Am full, and upon others shower your rain.

While

I still spoke, within the living bosom Of that great fire was quivering a blaze, Sudden and frequent, like the lightning's flash. Then breathed it forth " The love with which I still
:

79

82

Am glowing toward the virtue,

With me
to the

which kept on
of the
field,

palm and leaving

I

Wills that I breathe again to thee,

who

dost
'

85

were pleased, if thou Wouldst speak of what Hope promises to thee. And I " The Scriptures Old and New set up The mark of souls whom God has made His friends,
Delight in
it
;

and

88

And

this it is that points that out to me.

91

Isaiah says that every one shall be

In his own land with double garment clothed.

And his own land shall be this joyous life And with far greater fulness has been made
This revelation manifest to us

94

There where thy brother of the white robes

treats.

'

And

closely following these words, at first

97

Sperent in te above us could be heard. To which the carols all made their response

Then

in their midst a light

became

so bright

100

That, had the Crab but one such crystal, then

Would

winter have a month of one sole day.

103

And

and go and join the dance happy maiden, only that she may Honor the bride, and not for any wrong
as will rise

;;

'

PARADISO,
So
I

XXV

401
1^^

beheld the brightened splendor come

Toward the two, who like a wheel revolved, As well accorded with their ardent love. It joined there in the measure and the song And upon them my Lady kept her gaze, Even as a bride, silent and motionless. "This is the one, who lay upon the breast Of Him, our Pelican, and he it was

109

112

From on
Remove

the cross to the great office chosen."

;

My Lady thus

nor any more did she

115

the fixed attention of her look After her words, for that cause, than before. Like one who gazes and applies himself To see the sun a little in eclipse And through his seeing comes to see no more

118

Such had I grown to be at this last fire, Till it was said Why dazzlest thou thyself To see a thing which here has not its place ? Earth is my body upon earth, and bides
' : '

121

124

There with the others till our number be With the eternal purpose equalized. With the two robes in the blest cloister are The two lights only that went up on high

127

And this thou shalt report unto

At
this voice

your world.

'

came

to rest the flaming whirl

130

Together with the sweet commingled sound That had been uttered by the three-fold breath, Even as when, to end fatigue or risk,

133

The

oars, that beat the

water back but now,

136

All stop their motion at the whistle 's sound.

And oh, in what commotion was my mind When I had turned to look on Beatrice,
Because
I

could not see her, though I was

139

Close at her side and in the world of bliss

'

'

'

402

THE DIVINE COMEDY

CANTO XXVI

While I still feared because of ray quenched sight, From the effulgent flame that quenched it came A breath which made me give attentive heed,
Saying
'

'

Until thou gain again the sense

which thou hast upon me consumed, thou with converse fill its place. Do thou commence, then, and tell whither tends Thy soul and be assured the power of sight In thee is overwhelmed and is not dead Because the Lady, who through this divine Region is guiding thee, has in her look The virtue Ananias hand possessed.

Of

sight,

It is well that

^0

'

'

I said

' '

At her own

pleasure, soon or late,

13

Be cured

the eyes that were the gates where she

fire,

Came

in with the

wherewith

I ever burn.
16

* *

The Good that makes this court content is both Alpha and Omega of whatsoe 'er Of scripture Love reads me, softly or loud. The self-same voice that took away from me Fear of the sudden dazzling, placed on me The care of further speaking, and it said Surely with sieve of finer mesh must thou Needs do the sifting thou hast need to say Who made thy bow at such a target aim. And I " By philosophic arguments
' ;
' :

19

22

25

And by

authority come

down from

here
28

Such love must needs impress itself on me; For good, as being good, is grasped no sooner But it enkindles love, and so much more As it has more of goodness in itself.
Hence, to the Being so pre-excellent

31

:; '

'

PARADISO, XXVI
That every good which
Is but
is

403

outside of It
84

a beam of Its own radiance, More than to any other must the mind Of each one who discerns the truth whereon This argument is based, be moved in love. This truth is made plain to my intellect By him who proves to me the primal love Of all the sempiternal substances.

8^

The voice of the true Author makes

it

plain,

40

Who says
'

to Moses, speaking of
I

Himself
*3

All goodness will

too, dost

cause thee to behold.

plain to me, beginning

Thou,

make

it

The high announcement which proclaims below Above all other trump, that hidden here." And I heard Through intelligence of man
'
'

through authorities in unison The highest of thy laws looks unto God. 48 But tell me further if thou feel besides Cords drawing thee toward Him, that thou mayst thus Say with how many teeth this love bites thee. 52 The holy purpose of Christ 's Eagle thus
'

And

Was

not obscure

nay, rather, I perceived

55

Whither he would that my profession tend. Therefore again began I " All those bites That have the power to turn the heart to God
:

Have been concurrent to the love in me For the existence of the world, and mine, The death that He endured that I may live,

58

And

that which

all

the faithful hope as

I,

With the aforenamed lively consciousness, Have drawn me from the sea of wrongful

61
love.

And

of the right have set

me on

the shore.
all

The leaves, with which enleaved is Of the Eternal Gardener, love I

the garden

64

'

'

'

' ;;

404

THE DIVINE COMEDY

He
bears to them.
'

According to the good

As

soon as

had

ceased, a song most sweet

'

^7

Resounded through the heavens, and my Lady Holy Holy Holy Said with the others
! '
: ' ! !

And

as at a keen light one breaks his sleep,

''0

Because the visual spirit runs to meet The splendor that goes on from coat to coat, And he, awakened, shrinks from what he sees, So void of thought his sudden wakening,
Until discernment come to succor

73

him
76

So from

my

eyes was every mote expelled

By

Beatrice with radiance of her own,

cast their light

Which
So that
I

more than a thousand miles

79

then saw better than before, And like one who is in a stupor, asked About a fourth light which I saw with then

us.

And

my Lady

' *
:

There within those rays

^2

With joy

looks on its

Maker

the

first
'

soul
85

Ever created by the Primal Power. As at the passing of the wind a branch Will bend its top, and afterwards will raise Itself, by its own virtue lifted up, So had I done while she was speaking thus, In my amazement then a wish to speak. With which I burned, restored my confidence
;

88

And

I began fruit, that wast alone Produced mature, O ancient Sire, to whom Is every bride a daughter and daughter-in-law
* * :

81

With

all

devotion thee I supplicate

to

9*
seest

That thou wilt speak

Unsaid, that I

me thou
;

my wish.
'

may

hear thee speedily.

Sometimes an animal when covered up So twists that its desire must needs appear By that which wraps it, moving thus with

97

it

PARADISO, XXVI

405
1^

And in like manner

Cause through
its

did this

first

of souls

covering to appear to
pleasure
:

me
103

How
Then
it

gladly for

my

it

had come.

Do

breathed forth ''Without thy proffering, discern thy will better than thou

Dost whatsoever is most sure to thee For I behold it in the truthful Glass,

106

Which makes
While

Itself reflection of all else,

Its reflection

naught can make

it is

itself.

Thou wouldst

fain

know how long

since

God

109

Within the lofty garden placed me, where This Lady for a stair so high prepared thee, And for how long it was my eyes' delight,

112

and made. Now, not the tasting of the tree, my son, Caused by itself so great an exile, but Only the overstepping of the bound. There, whence thy Lady caused Virgil to go,
of the idiom that I used
I

And And

of the great displeasure the true cause.

115

118

longed for this assembly while the sun Four thousand times, three hundred times, and twice 121 Revolved and I saw him return to all
;

path nine hundred times was upon the earth. The language that I spoke was all extinct Long ere the people of Nimrod essayed To do the work they could not consummate For no effect that comes from reasoning, Because of human pleasure, that is changed Obeying heaven, was ever permanent. A work of nature is it man should speak But, so or so, nature permits you then To do according as it pleases you. Ere I descended to the pains of hell,
lights his

The

upon

And

thirty while I

124

127

130

133

406
I was the

THE DIVINE COMEDY

name on earth of the Supreme Good, Whence comes the gladness that envelops me
;

El was It later called and that must be, For mortal custom is as foliage On branch, that passes, and another comes.

136

Upon

the

Mount

that highest rears itself

139

Above the wave was I, with sinless life And sinful, from the first hour to that next The sixth, when the sun 's quadrant has been changed.

'

'

1*2

CANTO XXVII
* *

Glory to Father, and to Son, and to The Holy Ghost, began all Paradise,
' '

So that I was inebriate with sweet song. That which I saw appeared to me a smile Of the universe by hearing and by sight
;

Had my
joy
!

inebriation entered me.

happiness ineffable
of perfectness of love

and peace riches without longing and secure Before these eyes of mine four torches stood Enkindled, and that one which first had come Commenced to make itself a brighter flame And he became in outward semblance such As Jupiter would be, if he and Mars Were birds, and were their plumage interchanged. The Providence, which makes assignment here Of turn and office, had on every side Imposed a silence on the blessed choir, When I heard " If I change my color, yet
life
:

10

13

1^

19

Marvel thou not All these change

at

it

for thou shalt see

color,

even while I speak.

; ;

'

PARADISO, XXVII
usurps on earth my place, my place, My place, that is without an occupant Before the presence of the Son of God, Has of my cemetery made a sewer

407
22

He who

^^

Of blood and

filth,

with which he, the perverse.

'

on high, down there is pleased. Such color as from the sun opposite At morning or at evening paints a cloud, Saw I then all the heavens overspread And as a modest lady, who abides Sure of herself, and at another's fault When merely listened to, grows timorous. So Beatrice changed semblance and I think That such eclipse there was in heaven at The time of suffering of the Power Supreme. And thereupon continuing his words With such a voice transmuted from itself That his appearance knew not greater change The Bride of Christ was not on my blood nurtured And not on that of Linus, nor on that Of Cletus to be used for gain of gold But for the winning of this happy life
;

Who fell from here

28

31

34

37

'

40

43

Did
It

Sixtus, Pius, Calixtus,

Their blood,

Urban shed when they had wept so many

tears.

was not our intention that a part Of the Christian people should sit on the right Of our successors, part upon the left Nor that the keys, which had been granted me, Become an emblem on a standard borne In combat against those who were baptized, Nor that I be a figure on a seal To venal and mendacious privileges, At which I often redden and flash forth.
In shepherd 's clothing ravening wolves are seen

46

49

52

55

'

'

408

THE DIVINE COMEDY

;

here on high through all the pastures oh Defense of God, why art thou still asleep ? They of Cahors and Gaseony prepare To drink our blood. O thou begun so well, To what vile end is it needful that thou fall ? But the high Providence, which saved for Rome The glory of the world through Scipio,
"Will succor speedily, as I conceive.

From

58

61

And

then,

my

son,

who

for thy mortal weight

'

6*

Shalt yet return below, open thy mouth.

Conceal not that which I do not conceal. Even as our air the frozen vapors sends Downward in flakes, when the Goat's horn in heaven
Is

67

touched by the sun, in such a way saw I

the ether beautify
itself,

Upward

70

And

those triumphant vapors send in flakes,

Which had been making sojourn

there with us.

73

My sight was
And
Deprived
it

following their semblances,

till

followed,

the interval so vast

76

of proceeding further on.

Whereon my Lady, who observed me freed

From gazing upward, said to me " Cast down Thy sight, and see how fast thou hast revolved.
:

'

when I had looked down before had moved through all the arc, Which the first climate makes from middle to end So beyond Cadiz I could see the mad Track of Ulysses and, that side, almost The shore on which Europa made herself A burden sweet more of this threshing-floor Were bared to me, save that the sun advanced Beneath my feet, a sign and more removed.
Since that hour
I

79

saw that

82

85

My mind enamoured, fondly following My Lady ever, far more than before

88

PARADISO, XXVII Was

To
In
ardent to lead back

409

my

eyes to her.
^^

If nature or if art

has made

a lure

catch the eyes, so that the

mind be

held,

human

flesh or in its

pictured forms,
94

They all united would seem naught beside The joy divine reflected upon me When I had turned me to her smiling face. The virtue which her look vouchsafed to me From the fair nest of Leda parted me.

^^

And

to the swiftest

heaven thrust

me

on. 100

Its parts

most full of life and So uniform that I can not assert

lofty are

Which

Beatrice selected for

my

place. 103

But she who saw

my

longing thus began,

happiness, that

Smiling with so much

*

God
10^

Appeared rejoicing in her countenance The nature of the world which holds at rest The centre, and around it moves all else. Commences here as with a starting-point. This heaven has no place of being but The Mind Divine, in which take fire the love That turns it and the virtue that it showers. Encircling light and love encompass it, As it the others, and that envelope
'

109

112

He who envelops it alone controls. No other motion marks for it its own,
But all the rest are measured by this one, Even as ten is by its half and fifth. And how time has its roots in such a vase

115

118

And

in the others has its foliage

is

Henceforth

clearly manifest to thee.

121

covetousness, that dost so submerge

Mortals beneath thee, that no one has power

To draw away

his sight

from out thy waves

' ;;

410

THE DIVINE COMEDY

will,

The

indeed, comes to a blossoming

124

In men, but then the never-ceasing rain

Converts the true plums into blighted
fruit.

Only

in little children is faith

;

found

127

innocence afterwards each of these. Before the cheeks are covered, takes its flight. While he still prattles, such a one will fast, As later, when his tongue is loosed, devours

And

130

Whatever food under whatever moon

Another, prattling, loves and listens to His mother, and when he speaks perfectly
133

Will then desire to see her burial.

Even so the skin, at Makes itself black

the

first

aspect white,

136

of the fair child of him.

Who
Do

brings the morning and the evening leaves.

thou, lest thou shouldst

deem

it

strange, reflect

139

That there is no one governing on earth The human family goes, then, astray. But before January wholly goes From winter, by that hundredth part down there
Neglected, these supernal spheres shall roar In such wise that the long-awaited storm Shall turn the sterns to where the prows are now,

142

145

So that the

fleet shall

run

its

course aright
flower.
'

And a true

fruit shall follow

on the

148

CANTO XXVIII
When she, by whom my mind is lifted up
To
Paradise, had thus laid bare the truth
'

Against the wretched mortals present Like him who in a mirror sees the flame Of an enkindled torch behind him ere

life

PARADISO, XXVIII
He have
it

411

in his sight or in his thought,

if so

And

turns about to see

the glass

him the truth, and sees that it accords With that, as music with the verse 's rhythm Even so my memory calls up again
Tell

10

"What

did then, gazing in her fair eyes,

to capture me.
13

Wherewith Love made the cord

And as I turned about and mine were touched By that which is apparent in that heaven When one looks truly on it as it whirls,
saw a Point, that radiated light So keenly, that the sight on which it burns Must close, because of its intensity And whate 'er star seems smallest seen from here Would seem a moon if it were placed by that, As one star by another has its place.
I

1^

1^

Perchance as closely as a halo seems

22

To engird the light that paints it, when the cloud Of vapor bearing it is densest, thus
Apart, around the Point a circling
fire

25

Revolved so rapidly as to surpass The swiftest motion that engirds the world; And this was by another girdled round, That by a third, the third one by a fourth, The fourth by the fifth, and that next by the sixth, Thereon the seventh followed, now spread out To such a width, that Juno 's messenger Entire were narrow to encompass it So, too, the eighth and ninth and each of these More slowly moved, according as it was In number farther off from unity. And that one had the clearest flame of all, Whose place from the Pure Spark was least remote, Because, I think, it shares most in Its truth.
;

28

31

34

37

'

; ;

'

412

THE DIVINE COMEDY

*0
* *
:

Lady, who saw me in great suspense In my anxiety, said On that Point Does Heaven and all nature, too, depend. Look on that circle most conjoined to It, And know that in its motion it is so swift Because of burning love that spurs it on.

My

*3

'

And
As

I to

her

"Were

the world ordered so

48

I behold those wheels, then

what

is

now
49

Set forth to me had satisfied my mind But in the world of sense it may be seen, The heavens are so much the more divine As they are from the centre more remote. So, if my longing is to have an end Within this marvelous, angelic temple. Which has for confines only love and light, Why the example and the exemplar go Not in one manner I still need to hear For I contemplate this in vain alone.
' * *

52

55

If insufficient for a knot like this

58

Thy

fingers prove,
it

it is

not marvelous.
'

So hard has

My

become through not being tried." Lady thus afterwards saying Take
;
:

'

^1

What

I shall say, if

thou wouldst satisfy

^4

Thyself,

and on

it

use thy subtlety.

The spheres corporeal wide and narrow are According to the virtue more or less That is extended throughout all their parts. The greater goodness will work greater weal, The greater body for greater weal empowered,
If in its parts dwells fulness equally.

67

Hence this one, that sweeps with it onward all The universe remaining, corresponds To the circle that loves most and that most knows. Wherefore, if thou wilt cast thy measure round

70

73

'

PARADISO, XXVIII
The virtue, not the form of Substances That now appear as circles to thy sight, Thou shalt see wonderful conformity, Of more with greater, and with lesser, less,
In each of the heavens to its Intelligence. Even as remains resplendent and serene The hemisphere of the air, when Boreas Has from that cheek, whence he is mildest, blown,
'

413

"^^

^^

So that the mist that clouded it before Is cleared away, dissolved, and heaven smiles

82

On
So
I

us with beauties of

its

every part;
85

became when I was furnished with The clear response my Lady made to me. And like a star in heaven the truth was seen. And afterwards when she had ceased to speak Not otherwise does iron throw out sparks

88

When it And every

is

molten, than the circles sparkled

91

spark kept following their blaze So many that their number thousanded More than the doubling of the squares of chess. I heard Hosanna sung from choir to choir

94

To the

fixed Point,

And ever shall, in which they And she, who saw the doubting

which holds them to the place, e 'er have been.

thoughts within
97
first circles to

My

mind, said

'
: '

The

thy sight
100

Have shown
Themselves

the Seraphim

So swiftly follow they their

like to the

and Cherubim. bonds to make

Point as most they can measure of their sight sublime. Those other loves that round about them go, Thrones of the sight of God are called, because Of the first triad they were set as bounds. And thou shouldst know that the delight of all Is as their vision's fathoming of truth,

They can

in the

103

106

414

THE DIVINE COMEDY

intellect of all finds rest.

Wherein the

By

this is to be seen

how

blessedness

109

founded on the act which sees, and not On that which loves, which follows afterwards And of this sight the measure is desert, Which is brought forth by grace and by good- will And such is the advance from grade to grade. The following triad, which likewise puts forth In this eternal spring-time bud and leaf, Which no nocturnal Aries despoils, Perpetually do Hosanna sing With triple melodies that sound in three Orders of joy, wherewith they are three-fold.
Is

112

US

118

This hierarchy three Divinities

121

Compose

first,

Dominations, next
124

Virtues, and third, the order of the Powers. Then, in two dances. Principalities Revolve, and the Archangels next the last And last of all, the Angelic hosts in joy. All of these orders fix their gaze on high,

127

And downward
That
all

exercise such influence

are drawn, and, too, all

draw toward God.

130

And

Dionysius with such desire Applied himself to contemplate these orders, Distinguishing their names as I have done.

But

later Gregory parted from him Wherefore, as soon as he with opened eyes Was in this heaven, at himself he smiled. I would not have thee wonder, if on earth A mortal have proclaimed such secret truth For he disclosed it to him, who had seen On high much of these circles' truth besides."

133

136

139

PARADISO, XXIX

415

CANTO XXIX
covered by the Ram and by the Scales, Both children of Latona make a zone Of the horizon at one time, as long As from the zenith's instant balancing Till both, departing from that girdle, break The equipoise, changing their hemispheres, So long, a smile depicted on her face, Did Beatrice keep silence as she watched The Point that had o'ercome me, fixedly. Then she began " I tell, I do not ask,

When,

10

What

thou wouldst hear, for

have seen

it

there
13

Where every Where and every When are centred. Not for the acquisition to Himself Of good, which is not possible, but that His Splendor might, resplendent, say I AM In His eternity outside of time, Outside of all bounds else, as pleased Himself, The Eternal Love in new loves showed Himself.

16

Nor did He lie before as if inert For not before nor afterwards went on The moving o 'er the waters face by God. Since form and matter, joined and simple, went
'

18

22

Forth into being that has no defect. Like to three arrows from a three-stringed bow; And as in glass, amber or crystal shines A ray in such wise that from its approach To its completeness no time intervenes So the triform effect of Him, its Lord,

25

28

Rayed into being all at once, complete. Without distinction in its issuance. Order was concreated and was fixed

31

; ;

416

THE DIVINE COMEDY

;

those, in which pure act brought forth, were the summit of the world Pure power of action held the lowest part

For substances and

Was

34

Midway this potentiality was bound With act by such a bond as ne 'er unbinds. Jerome wrote for you how the angels were
Created a long tract of centuries Ere the remaining universe was made

37

But by

the writers of the

is

Holy Spirit

40

This truth

written in
it,

many

passages.
*3

And
And,

thou wilt note

if

thou give good heed

it,

too, the

reason sees somewhat of

effect their perfect

Which could not grant

So long and not

the movers should exist

work.
46

Now knowest thou where created were these loves, And when, and how so that extinguished now
;

In thy desire already are three flames.

Nor could one come in counting to a score As quickly as of the Angel host a part
Disturbed the lowest of your elements. The rest remained and it began that art Which thou beholdest, with so great delight That never from their circling do they cease.
;

49

52

And

the beginning of the fall was that

55

Accursed haughtiness of him, whom thou Hast seen with all the weights of the world compressed. 58 Those whom thou seest here in lowliness Confessed themselves as from that Goodness sprung. Which had made them for so great knowledge apt 61 Hence was their vision lifted up by grace
Illuminating and their merit so
I

That they possess a full and steadfast will. would not have thee doubtful, but assured,

64

To

receive grace is meritorious

;;

PARADISO, XXIX
As
the affection opens unto
if
it.

417

words have been gathered in, Regarding this consistory thou mayst Contemplate much, needing no other aid. But since men teach through your schools on the earth That such is the angelic nature that It understands, and recollects, and wills, I will speak further so that thou mayst see In purity the truth, down there confused
Henceforth,

my

67

70

73

Through

their equivocation as they teach.

76

Since they were gladdened by the face of God,

These Substances have never turned aside Their sight from it, from which is nothing hid So have not vision that may be cut off By a new object; hence there is no need By a divided concept to recall. So that down there men dream when not asleep, Believing and believing not truth told.

79

82

But

in the one

is

more fault and more shame.

86

Ye

go not onward by one path below,

Philosophizing; fondness for display

And thinking thereupon transport you so. And yet this, here on high, is borne with less
Of indignation than when men reject, Or when they wrest, the written "Word of God. They think not there what is the cost of blood To sow it in the world, and how he pleases Who keeps close by it in humility. To make display strives every one, and makes His own inventions, and these are the themes Of preachers, and the Gospel is not heard. One says that at Christ 's passion, turning back, The moon had interposed herself, and thus The light was not cast downward from the sun

88

91

94

97

;; ;

418

THE DIVINE COMEDY

itself

Another, that the light hid of

100

Spaniards and the Indians, As to the Jews, such an eclipse was true. Florence has not so many Lapi and Bindi
to the

Hence

103

As

fables like to these, that the year through

106

Are cried out from the pulpits on all sides So that the poor sheep, who are ignorant, Return from pasture fed upon the wind But not to see the harm absolves them not. Christ did not say to His first company Go and preach idle tales unto the world, But gave them a foundation that was true And this alone was uttered by their mouths, So that to fight for kindling of the faith They made the Gospel to be shield and lance. Now they go forth with jests and elownishness To preach, and only that the laugh be good. The cowl puffs out, and more is not required
* *

109

112

US

But such a bird

That,

is

nesting in the hood,

118

if the people saw it, they would see In what a pardoning they have confidence

Wherefore has folly grown so great on earth That without proof of any evidence. At any promise made would men collect. Saint Anthony fattens his pig on this, And others also who are far more pigs. Paying with money that has not the stamp. But as we have digressed enough, turn back Thine eyes forthwith toward the straight highway, So that the path be shortened with the time. This nature mounts up so excessively In number that there never yet was speech

121

124

127

130

Nor mortal concept

And

if

that could go so far. thou note that which has been revealed

133

; ;

PARADISO,
By

XXX

419

Daniel, thou wilt see that he hides

irradiates
it

A fixed number in his myriads.

The Primal Light
it all

136

by modes as many As are the splendors with which It is paired Hence, as affection follows on the act
received in

And is

139

Conceiving, so the sweetness of love glows

Diversely in this nature and is warm. Behold of the Eternal Goodness now The height and breadth since It has made So many mirrors, in which it is broken,

1^2
Itself

One

in Itself remaining, as before."

1*5

CANTO XXX
six thousand miles perchance from us glowing the sixth hour, and this world now Bending its shadow toward the level bed, When the mid-heaven, deep to us, begins To take on such a change that some one star Loses its semblance at this depth below And as the brightest handmaid of the sun Comes further on, so heaven shuts itself From light to light even to that most fair

Distant
Is

Not otherwise the triumph which disports Ever about the Point which vanquished me, Seeming enclosed by that enclosed by It, Little by little to my sight was quenched So that to turn my eyes to Beatrice I was by seeing naught, and love, constrained. If whate 'er hitherto is said of her

10

13

16

Were

all

included in a single praise.

slight to
fill

That praise were

the present need.

'

420

THE DIVINE COMEDY

1^

The beauty that I saw transcends the bounds Not only of ourselves, but I am sure Its Maker only can enjoy it all.
This pass has overcome me, I concede, More than did e 'er the crisis of his theme

22

Comic or tragic writer overwhelm

For, as the sun to the most quivering sight,
25

Even

so the

memory

of that sweet smile

Takes from

my

intellect its

very

self.

From

the

first

day when in the

life

on earth

28

I looked upon her face until this sight. Naught has cut off my song from following, But now I am compelled to cease henceforth

31

From

following her beauty in

my verse,
34

As every

artist at his uttermost.

She, of a quality that I resign

To greater than my trumpet's heralding. Which leads its arduous matter to a close, With act and utterance of a zealous guide Began again "We have now issued from
:

37

The greatest body, to pure light, this heaven Light intellectual and full of love,
Love of true good and full of joy, a joy Transcending every sweetness. Here shalt thou Behold the one and the other soldiery Of Paradise one in the semblances That thou shalt look on at the Judgment Day. Even as a sudden flash of lightning routs The spirits of the sight, so that it checks The strongest objects' action on the eye: So round about me shone a vivid light, And left me swathed in its effulgency With such a veil, that naught appeared to me. "Ever the Love which gives this heaven rest
;

*0

43

'

^
49

52

'

'

PARADISO,

XXX
'

421

With such a greeting welcomes to itself, To make the candle fitted for its flame. No sooner had these brief words come within

65

My being,

than

understood that I
58

Was rising in excess of power of mine And with new vision I rekindled me,
So that no light has such intensity That my eyes had not power to withstand. And I beheld a river formed of light, Glowing effulgently, between two banks Painted with colors of a wondrous spring. From such a stream were issuing living sparks, And on all sides were settling on the flowers That were as rubies compassed round with gold;

*^1

W
67

Then with the odors

all

inebriate

Would

sink themselves within the marvelous flood,

And
*
'

if

one entered came another forth.

desire that burns
70

and urges thee Now to have knowledge of what thou dost see, Pleases me all the more, the more it swells But thou must needs drink of this water ere So great a thirst be satisfied in thee. Thus spoke she who was of my eyes the Sun Then said The river and the topazes That enter and come forth, the smiling flowers. Are of their truth but shaded prophecies Not that these things themselves are hard to know But there is a defect on thine own part, That thou not yet hast such exalted sight." There is no babe that springs so suddenly With face toward the milk, if he awake

The high

73

'

' *

76

79

82

Much
To make

later than his wont, as I did then.

still

better mirrors of

my

eyes,

85

By

stooping toward the water that flows

down

422
In order that

THE DIVINE COMEDY

man
be perfected there.
the eaves of

And when
From

my

eyelashes drank

88

moment it appeared to me a long form to have become a round. Then like to those who have been under masks, "Who seem not as at first if they lay off The form not theirs in which they disappeared
Thereof, that

^1

Thus changed for me to greater festival The flowers and the sparks, so that I saw Both Courts of Heaven there made manifest. Splendor of God, by help of which I saw The exalted triumph of the realm of truth, Give me the power to tell how I saw

84

*7

light is thereabove

which

visible

100

Makes the Creator

to that creature 's sight

Which has

its

peace only in seeing

its

Him
103

And

it

spreads out in figure circular

So far and wide, that

circumference
106

Would
Its

be too large a girdle for the sun.

is

whole appearance

a ray, that falls

Upon the summit of the First Moved Heaven, Which thence receives its light and potency.

And

as a hill in water at its base Mirrors itself, as if to see itself

109

Adorned, when it is rich in green and flowers, So mirrored, on more than a thousand seats On every side above the light I saw All those of us who had returned on high. And if the lowest rank receives a light So great within itself, how great the breadth

112

115

Of

this rose in the

outmost of

its

leaves
118

My vision in the width and in the height

Lost not
itself, but comprehended That joy in quantity and quality.

all

'

PARADISO, XXXI
There near and far add not nor take away, For where God governs with immediate rule, The law of nature is not relevant.
Into the yellow of the eternal rose,

423
^21

124

Which spreads out, tier on tier, with redolence Of praise to the Sun that makes perpetual spring. Did Beatrice draw me who was as one
Silent

127

and fain

to speak,

Of

the white robes

how

great the

Behold and said company

* *

Behold our city 's circuit, oh, how vast Behold our benches now so full that few Are they who are henceforward lacking here. On that great seat, above which is the crown Already placed, on which thine eyes are fixed, Ere thou shalt banquet at this wedding-feast, Shall sit the soul, on earth imperial first, Of lofty Henry, who to Italy Shall come as leader ere she is prepared. The blind cupidity bewitching you Has made you like the little child, who dies Of hunger and who drives away the nurse

130

133

136

139

And

one shall then be prefect in the court Divine, who openly or covertly Will not go on with him along one road
shall not long be then
office,

142

But

endured by God

145

In the holy

soon to be thrust
is
'

down
148

Where Simon Magus

for his deserts

still.

And

put him of Alagna lower

CANTO XXXI
In form then of a rose of gleaming white Was shown to me the sainted soldiery. Which in His blood Christ made to be His

bride.

424

THE DIVINE COMEDY

*

But the other host, which, flying, sees and sings The glory of the One enamouring it, And, too, the goodness which made it so great, Even as a swarm of bees, that now will sink Within the flowers, and now return to where
Their labor has become a savor sweet.
Into the great flower sank, which
is

adorned

^0

With leaves so many, thence to rise again To where their love eternally sojourns. They had their faces all of living flame, Their wings were golden, and the rest so white That never snow attains to that degree. When they went down within the flower from rank To rank they gave that peace and ardor forth Which they had gained as they had fanned their sides. Nor did the interposing of so great

13

1^

19

A flying plenitude between what was

Above
it

and the flower impede the

sight
22

And

splendor, for the light divine goes through

in measure of its worthiness.

The world

And

so,

that naught can be an obstacle.

25

This realm, secure and full of joy, and thronged

With

those of ancient

Had

sight

and

love fixed wholly

and of recent time, on one mark.

28

Trinal Light, which in a single star

Dost sparkle on their

sight,

imparting thus
here.
81

Thy

peace, look

If the barbarians,

down upon our tempest who come from parts

That are each day by Helice o'erspread. Revolving with her son so fondly loved. Were filled with stupefaction when they saw Rome and her lofty works, when Lateran Was sovereign above all mortal things,
I,

3*

who from human

things to those divine,

87

;'

; ;

PARADISO, XXXI
From those of time unto eternity, From Florence to a people just and sane, Had come, what wonder must have filled me
Truly with that and with

425

then

*0

my

joy

I felt

Delight in hearing not and standing mute.

And

even as a pilgrim who is pleased With gazing in the temple of his vow.

*3

And

hopes that he

may

yet

tell

how

it

was,

So through the living

light with

wandering gaze
again.

^
49

I cast my eyes about the ranks, now up. Now downward, and now sweeping round

Faces I saw persuasive in their love, Embellished by Another's light, and smiles Their own, and acts with every grace adorned.

The form of Paradise in general My look had now included as a whole

52

And on no single part yet fixed the sight And I was turning with rekindled wish To seek my Lady 's answer as to things Concerning which my mind was in suspense.
One thing I meant, another answered me For thinking to see Beatrice, I saw

55

58

An aged man, as those in glory, robed. His eyes and cheeks were overspread with joy Benignant, and his mien affectionate, Such as befits a father's tenderness. And Where is she ? " I uttered suddenly. Whereon he said To terminate thy longing
' : '

^1

C4

' *

Did Beatrice move me to leave my place To the third circle from the highest rank
If thou look up, thou

67

mayst again

see her
'

Upon

the throne that she has merited.

Without replying I raised up my eyes, And saw her as she made herself a crown,

70

'

426

THE DIVINE COMEDY

the highest thundering
is

Reflecting from herself the eternal rays.

From that place of No eye of mortal

As was my

73

so far removed,

In whatsoever sea

it

deepest sinks,
7^

from Beatrice But it was naught to me, her image so Came down to me unblurred by aught between. "O Lady, thou in whom my hope is strong, And who for my salvation didst endure
vision there

79

To leave in hell the footsteps of thy feet Of things so many that my eyes have seen, As through the power and goodness that are I recognize the grace and virtue come.

82

thine
85

From

servitude to liberty hast thou

all

by all the modes That thou hadst in thy power to this end. What thou hast greatly wrought in me, protect, So that my soul, which thou hast rendered whole, Be from this body loosed well-pleasing thee. Thus I had prayed and she, so far away

Led me, by

those paths,

88

'

91

As

it

appeared, smiled as she looked at

* *

me
94

Thereon she turned to the Eternal Fount.

Then said to me the aged saint That thou Mayst perfectly attain thy journey 's end, Whereunto prayer and holy love sent me, Fly through this garden with thine eyes, for thus To look upon it will prepare thy sight For rising higher through the ray divine. The Queen of Heaven, then, for whom I burn Wholly with love, will grant us every grace, For I am Bernard, faithful unto her." Like him, who from Croatia, it may be, Has come to look on our Veronica, And, never sated with its ancient fame,
:

97

100

103

'

' :

PARADISO, XXXI
Says in his thought, as long as it is shown My Lord Christ Jesus, very God, was then Your countenance in fashion like to this?" Even such was I, viewing the fervency Of charity in him, who in this world
* *

427
106

109

Through contemplation tasted of that

*
'

peace.
112

son of grace, this state of happiness,

'

Thus he began, "will not be known to thee Keeping thy gaze but downward on this deep But view the circles, to the most remote,
Until thou see enthroned the Queen, of

115

whom
118

This

is

the subject
eyes,

and devoted realm.

as at morning-tide

'

I raised

my

and

The regions of the eastern sky surpass

In light that part in which the sun goes down,
So, as if rising

from a valley up
height,

121

To mountain

my

eyes beheld a part

124

On the utmost verge outglow all else around And as, where we await the chariot-pole

And

That Phaethon guided ill, it brightest flames. on this side and that the light grows less.
127

Thus, vividly that peaceful oriflame

at the middle point, and on each side In equal mode displayed a lessened flame. And at that middle point with wings outspread More than a thousand angels I beheld.

Shone

130

Diversely bright and skilled,

I

make

festival.

saw there on

and on their songs Smiling a beauty, that was happiness

their sports
all

133

"Within the eyes of

the other saints.

136

And,

if I

had in utterance such wealth

essay the least of her delightfulness. Bernard, beholding that my eyes were fixed

As To

in imagining, I should not dare

139

428

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Intently on the glow that glowed for him,

With such affection turned his eyes to her As made my own to gaze more ardently.

142

CANTO XXXII
With
his affection set on his delight, That contemplator, glad, assumed the task Of teacher, and began these holy words The wound that Mary closed, anointing it, That one, there at her feet, so beautiful. Is she who opened it, and gave the thrust. Below her, in the order that is made By the third seats, sits Rachel, and along With her is Beatrice, as thou mayst see. Sarah, Rebecca, Judith, and the one, Great-grandmother of him who sang, and said In grief for sinning: 'Miserere mei/ Thou mayst behold thus downward, rank on rank Arranged, as with the name of each I go Downward throughout the rose from leaf to leaf And downward from the seventh row, even as
'

10

13

16

Down

to itself, the

Hebrew women

follow,
1^

Dividing all the tresses of the flower Because according to the look that faith Cast upon Christ, these are the wall which serves

As

separation of the sacred stairs.

On

this side

where the flower

faith in Christ

is

mature
to come.

22

With

all its leaves,

are seen the seats of those

Who
On
The

had a

who was

the other side, where unfilled spaces break

semicircles, is the place of those

25

And

Whose faces turned as upon this side

to Christ already come.

the glorious seat

28

; ;

PARADISO, XXXII
Of Heaven's Lady and the other seats Below it form so great a boundary, So, opposite, the seat of the great John Who, holy ever, endured the wilderness And martyrdom, and then for two years Hell, And, lower, thus allotted to divide Are Francis, Benedict, and Augustine, And others hither down from rank to rank.
Consider

429

31

3*

now

the deep foresight of God,

of the faith

37

For the one and the other aspect

Shall join to
fill

garden equally And know that downward from the rank, which strikes Midway across the two dividing lines. They sit not there through merit of their own, But through another 's, on conditions fixed Because all these are spirits loosed from bonds Before they had true powers to elect.
this

*0

43

This by their faces and their voices too Like children's canst thou clearly understand,
If thou but look and listen well to them. Thou, doubting now, keepst silent in thy doubt But I will loose for thee the powerful bond With which thy subtle thoughts are binding thee. Within this kingdom 's amplitude there is

^
^9

52

concerned with chance. As, too, for sadness, thirst or hunger, none For by eternal law is whatsoe 'er
is

No

place for aught that

55

Thou seest here established so that all As ring to finger justly corresponds.

And

for this reason this folk, hastened

life, is

on

68

To true

not sine causa here

61

Among themselves more excellent and less. The King, through whom this kingdom has repose In such great love and in such great delight,

'

430

THE DIVINE COMEDY

is

no will to dare for aught beside, minds in His own glad sight, Endows them as it pleases Him with grace Diversely and here let the fact suffice. And this the Holy Scripture notes for you
There
Creating
all
;

67

Expressly and with clearness in those twins That in their mother had their anger stirred.
So, following the color of the hair
70

Of grace like that, must needs the highest light Be as their crown according to their worth.
So, only in first keenness differing,
73

They have been placed in stations different, And not by recompense for practices. To win salvation in the early times
Accordingly, along with innocence.

76

Merely the faith of parents was enough.

With the first ages afterwards complete, Through circumcision it behoved the males To gain the power for their innocent wings. But, when the time of grace had supervened,
Without the baptism, perfect now, of Christ, Such innocence was held back there below. Look now upon the face which bears to Christ
can Alone prepare thee for beholding Christ.
likeness, for its brightness
'

79

82

85

The nearest
I

And

beheld upon her raining

fly

down
minds

88

So great a
Created to

joy, borne in the holy

through that altitude.

91

That whatsoever I had seen before Bore me not up in so great wondering, Nor showed to me such likeness unto God. And that love, which had first descended there, Before her presence had spread wide his wings,
Singing, ''Ave Maria, gratia plena."

9*

'

PARADISO, XXXII
The
blessed court responded to the song

431
97

* *

Divine on every side in such a wise That every countenance grew more serene. O holy Father, who for me endurest

^^^

To be

in this deep, leaving the sweet place

sittest

In which thou

by eternal

lot.

Who

is

that angel,

who

looks with such joy

103

Into the eyes of her,

who

is

our Queen,
fire ?
'

And

so

enamoured that he seems of

Thus I sought out the teaching once again Of him who grew through Mary beautiful, As does the star of morning from the sun. And he to me " Such confidence and grace As can be in an Angel and a soul Are all in him, and we would have it so. For he is that one who bore down the palm To Mary when the Son of God was pleased To take on Him the burden of our load. But come now with thine eyes, and in this way Of this most just and pious empire note The great patricians as I speak of them. Those two who there on high sit happiest, For being nearest to the Empress placed, Are of this rose two roots, as one may say. He who upon the left is near to her
:

106

109

112

115

118

121

That Father is through whose most daring taste The human race tastes so great bitterness. Upon the right that Father of old time Behold, of Holy Church, unto whom Christ

124

The keys entrusted of

this lovely flower.

And

he

who

had, before he came to die,

127

Seen all the grievous days of the fair Bride That with the spear and with the nails was won,
Sits there beside

him

at his other

hand

130

'

432

THE DIVINE COMEDY

That leader rests, 'neath whom the thankless folk Lived upon manna, fickle and perverse. Opposite Peter see where Anna sits, So well contented, gazing on her child. And sings Hosanna and moves not her eyes.

133

And

seated opposite the eldest Sire

136

Lucia, at whose call thy

Lady went,
bend thy brow.
139

When

to rush headlong thou didst

But as for thee the time of slumber flies, Here we will stop, as a wise tailor does, Who makes the gown according to his cloth,

And

will direct our eyes to the First Love That thou, looking toward Him, mayst penetrate As far through His effulgence as thou canst. But, lest perchance by moving wings of thine, Thou shouldst go backward thinking to advance, There is a need of grace obtained by prayer, Of grace from her who can give aid to thee And with affection do thou follow me So that thy heart depart not from my words. And he began this holy orison.
'

1*2

1*5

1*8

151

CANTO XXXIII
Virgin Mother, daughter of thy Son, Lowly, and higher than all creatures raised, Term by eternal counsel fixed upon. Thou art she who didst so ennoble man. That even He who had created him To be Himself his creature disdained not. Within thy womb rekindled was the love,
' *

By virtue

of whose heat this flower thus

Is blossoming in the eternal peace.

PARADISO, XXXIII
Here thou
art unto us a noon-day torch

433
^^

Of

charity,

and among mortal men

1*

Below, thou art a living fount of hope.

Lady, thou art so great and so prevailest, That who seeks grace without recourse to thee, Would have his wish fly upward without wings. Thy loving-kindness succors not alone Him who is seeking it, but many times Freely anticipates the very prayer. In thee is mercy, pity is in thee, In thee magnificence, whatever good
Is in created being joins in thee.

1^

1^

Now

man, who has through the universe nethermost abyss up to this place Beheld the lives of spirits one by one. Supplicates thee, of grace, for power such
this

22

From

25

That he may with his eyes lift himself up Higher toward the Final Blessedness. And I, who ne'er for my own vision burned More than I do for his, put forth to thee All of my prayers, and pray they fall not short, That with thy prayers thou wouldst disperse for him
All clouds of his mortality, so that
I

28

31

The Supreme Bliss may be revealed to him. Queen, who canst effect pray thee, too, That which thou wilt, keep his affections sound

34

After so great a vision has been his. Let thy care stay his human impulses Behold how Beatrice, and all the Blest Are for my prayers folding their hands to thee!" The eyes that God both loves and venerates, Fixed upon him who prayed, displayed to us
dear to her are prayers of the devout. Then turned they unto the Eternal Light,

37

^
*3

How

434

THE DIVINE COMEDY

as it must be believed, no eye So clear of any creature enters in. And I, who to the end of all desires Was drawing near, even as I should, perceived The ardor of my longing come to end. And Bernard made a sign to me, and smiled, That my gaze should be upward but I was Already of myself such as he wished For more and more my sight, becoming pure,

To which,

^
49

52

Was
Of

entering the very radiance

itself.

the exalted Light, true in

Thenceforward was my vision 's power increased Beyond our speech, which fails at such a sight And fails the memory at such excess.

55

Such as he is, who in his dream beholds And, following the dream, the passion stays Imprinted, but naught else comes back to mind,

58

Even such am

I,

for utterly, as

it

were,
distills

^1

My

vision ends, while for

me

yet

Within my heart the sweetness born of it. Thus is the snow beneath the sun unsealed, Thus, on the light leaves by the Sibyl written. The oracles were lost before the wind. Light Supreme, which art so high upraised Above our mortal thoughts, lend to my mind A little of what Thou didst then appear.

6*

67

And

grant
it

my tongue
that
is

to

have so much of power,

70

That
If
it

may

leave to those

who

are to

come
73

Of Glory

Thine one single spark

little forth.

return somewhat to memory,

in these verses sound a
of

And
More

Thy

victory shall be conceived.

76

1 think by the keenness of the living ray

Which

I endured, that I

had been undone.

PARADISO, XXXIII
If

435
it.

my
I

And

eyes had been turned away from remember that I was for this
to endure, so

^^

The bolder

Conjoined my gaze Grace abundant, whereby I presumed To fix my look through the Eternal Light So long, that I consumed my sight thereon 1 saw within its depths enclosed all that,

much that I with the Unbounded Power.

^2

85

Which in the universe is scattered leaves, With love as in a single volume bound
Substance and accidents and properties Fused as it were together in such wise. That what I speak of is one simple Light. That I beheld the universal form Of this knot I believe, because I feel My joy expanding as I speak of this.
88

*1

One single instant robs my memory more Than five and twenty centuries from the emprise When Argo 's shadow left Neptune amazed. So was my mind completely in suspense,
Fixedly gazing, motionless, intent. And ever with its gazing more on fire. And such before that Light does one become,
It is impossible

94

87

100

To turn away from

one e 'er consent it to view aught

outside of
is
it

else

Because the good, the object of the

Is all collected there
;

will,

103

That

is

defective which

perfect there.
10^

Henceforth, briefer shall be

my speech of that
a
child's.

Which

remember

even, than
still

Who

bathes his tongue

at his

mother 's breast.

109

Not that more than one single semblance was Within the Living Light on which I gazed,

Which

is

forever such as

it

has been,

; ;

436

THE DIVINE COMEDY

112

my sight which took on strength in me Looking thereon, one sole appearance seemed Transformed to me, as I myself was changed. In the Exalted Light's profound and clear Subsistence there appeared to me three rounds Of colors three, and in dimension one One seemed reflected from the other as Iris from Iris, and the third seemed fire, That from the other twain breathes equally.
But through
Oh,

115

118

how far short is speech, and

oh,

how weak
I

121

For

my

conception, which, to

what

saw,
12*

Is such, to call

it little is not meet. Light Eternal, that alone abidest

Within Thyself, knowing alone Thyself, Self-known and knowing, lovest and dost smile That circle, which appeared to be in Thee As though conceived as a reflected light. After my eyes somewhat had viewed it round, Within itself with color of its own Seemed to be painted with our image there Wherefore my sight was wholly set on it.

127

130

As

the geometer,

who wholly

sets

133

Himself to square the circle, and finds not thought the principle of which he is In need, even such was I at this new sight. I would see how the image was conformed

By

136

To the circle, and how there it had its place But my own wings were not for this except That then my mind was smitten by a flash Of lightning, wherein what it longed for came. To the high fantasy here power failed But now was turning my desire and will,
;

139

142

Like to a wheel that evenly

is

moved.
stars.

The Love that moves the sun and the other

1*5

APPENDIX

APPENDIX
LATIN IN THE DIVINE COMEDY
Inferno
:

70
6

XVIII

sub Julio at the time of Julius Caesar. suo loco in its due place.
ita

XXI

42
1

yes.

XXXIV

Vexilla

regis

prodeunt

inferni

The

banners of the King of Hell advance, words adapted from the hymn, Vexilla Regis prodeunt; Fulget Crucis

mysterium, etc., written by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609).

PURGATORIO
II

46
37

III

In exitu Israel de E gyp to When Israel went out of Egypt (Psalm CXIV. 1). quia mediaeval Latin for quod, and

meaning
the thing

seholastieally the fact that

is.

V
VII

24 83

Miserere
Salve,

Have mercy (Psalm LI. 1). Regina Hail, Queen, words beginning an antiphon in honor of the Virgin Mary, and forming part of
the divine
office.

VIII

13

Te

lucis ante

Thee, before [the close]

IX

140

beginning of the hymn, Te lucis ante terminum. Te Deum laudamus We praise Thee, God!
of light, the

440

THE DIVINE COMEDY

X
XII
XIII

40 44
110
29

Ave

Hail.

Ecce ancilla Dei Behold the handmaid of the Lord (Luke I. 38). Beati pauperes spiritu Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matt. V. 3). Vinum non habent They have no wine (John II. 3).
Beati
misericordes

XV
XVI
XVII

38
19 68

Blessed

are

the

merciful (Matt. V. 7).

Agnus Dei

The Lamb of God.

Blessed are the peace-

Beati pacifici

XIX

50
73

makers (Matt. V. 9). Qui lugent They that mourn (Matt.

V. 4). Adhaesit pavimento anima mea My soul cleaveth unto the dust (Psalm

CXIX.
99
137
Scias

25).

quod

ego

fui

successor

Petri

Know
Neque

that I was a successor of Peter. nubent They neither marry

(Matt.

XXII.

30).

XX
XXII
XXIII

136
5-6

Gloria in excelsis
the highest

Deo

Glory

to

God

in

(Luke
sitiunt

11. 14).

Beati

....

Blessed are they

11

which do thirst (Matt. V. 6, in part). Labia mea, Domine O Lord, [open thou] my lips (Psalm LI. 15).

XXV

121

Summae Deus
ency

clementiae

God

of clem-

supreme,

words
/

hymn
128

attributed to St.

beginning Ambrose.

Virum non cognosco

(Luke L 34).
Beati

know not a man

Blessed are
the

XXVII

mundo

corde

pure in heart (Matt. V. 8).

APPENDIX
XXVII
58
Venite, benedicti Patris mei
blessed of

441

Come, ye

my
Thou

Father (Matt.
hast

XXV.

34).

XXVIII

80

Delectasti

made me glad
sunt
peccata
sins

(Psalm XCII. 4).

XXIX

Beati,

quorum
are

teeta

Blessed

they

whose
1,

are

covered (Psalm

XXXII.

adapted).
[with

XXX

11

Veni, sponsa, de Libano

Come

17 19 21

me] from Lebanon, my spouse (Song of Solomon IV. 8). ad voeem tanti senis at the voice of so great an elder.
Benedictus, qui venis
that comest (Matt.

Blessed art thou

XXI.

9,

adapted).

Manibus o date
lilies

lilia

plenis

with full hands

Oh, give (Aeneid VI.

884).

83

84

XXXI
XXXIII

98
1

Lord, Domine, speravi In thee, my trust (Psalm XXXI. 1). my feet (Psalm XXXI. 8). Asperges me Purge me (Psalm LI. 7). Deus, venerunt gentes God, the heathen are come (Psalm LXXIX.

In

te,

do I put pedes meos

1).

10-12

Modicum,

et

non

videbitis

me,

Et

iterum, Modicum, et vos videbitis

me

little

while,

and ye
little

shall not see

me: and
shall see

again, a

while,

and ye

me (John XVI.

16).

Paradiso

70
121

per verba
Ave, Maria

in words.

Ill

Hail, Mary.

442

THE DIVINE COMEDY

IV
VII
129
1-3

frustra

in vain.

Osanno, sanctus Deus Sabaoth,

Superillustrans claritate tua
Felices ignes

horum malachoth

Hosanna, holy God of Sabaoth,

Illumining exceedingly with light

From Thee
realms!

the

happy

fires

of these

85

tota

wholly.
of his

XI
XII
XIII

62

Et coram patre And in presence

father.

92 98 99

decimas qui sunt pauperum Dei

belonging to the poor of God.
necesse
[a] necessary [premise]. [a]

tithes

necesse
si

necessary [conclusion].

100

est

dare

primum motum

esse

if

prime motion can be said

to be.

XV

28-31

sanguis mens, Gratia Dei, sicut

superinfusa
tibi,

cui

Bis unquara coeli janua reclusa?

blood of mine,

grace of

God

XVIII

91

93

poured forth Exceedingly! To whom, as unto thee Was ever opened twice the gate of heaven? Love righteousness. Diligite justitiam qui judicatis terram ye that be judges of the earth (Wisdom of Solomon
1.1).

XX

94
132

Regnum coelorum
Heaven (Matt. XI.
tota

The
12).

kingdom of

in its entirety.

APPENDIX
XXIII
128

443

Regina

coeli Queen of Heaven, words beginning an antiphon in honor of

the Virgin.

XXV
XXIX
XXXII

26
98

coram me

in

my

presence.

12
15

Sperent in te They will put their trust in thee (Psalm IX. 10). ubi .... quando where .... when.
Subsisto

AM.
Have mercy upon me
1).

12
59

Miserere mei

(Psalm LI.
sine causa

95

without cause. Ave, Maria, gratia plena

full

Hail, Mary,

of grace, words in the divine office beginning the prayer to the

Virgin, taken from

Luke

I.

28.

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