s: Sinon the other, that false Greek from Troy.


s: Sharp fever drains the reeky moistness out,


s: In such a cloud upsteam'd."  When that he heard,


s: One, gall'd perchance to be so darkly nam'd,


s: With clench'd hand smote him on the braced paunch,


s: That like a drum resounded: but forthwith


s: Returning with his arm, that seem'd as hard.


s: "Though my o'erweighty limbs have ta'en from me


s: The power to move," said he, "I have an arm


s: Was answer'd: "When thou wentest to the fire,


s: Then readier when it coin'd th' impostor gold."


s: And thus the dropsied: "Ay, now speak'st thou true.


s: But there thou gav'st not such true testimony,


s: When thou wast question'd of the truth, at Troy."


s: "If I spake false, thou falsely stamp'dst the coin,"


s: Said Sinon; "I am here but for one fault,


s: "Remember," he replied, "O perjur'd one,


s: The horse remember, that did teem with death,


s: And all the world be witness to thy guilt."


s: "To thine," return'd the Greek, "witness the thirst


s: Whence thy tongue cracks, witness the fluid mound,


s: Rear'd by thy belly up before thine eyes,


s: A mass corrupt."  To whom the coiner thus:


s: "Thy mouth gapes wide as ever to let pass


s: Yet I am stuff'd with moisture.  Thou art parch'd,


s: Pains rack thy head, no urging would'st thou need


s: I was all fix'd to listen, when my guide


s: And I do quarrel with thee."  I perceiv'd


s: How angrily he spake, and towards him turn'd


s: With shame so poignant, as remember'd yet


s: Confounds me.  As a man that dreams of harm


s: Befall'n him, dreaming wishes it a dream,


s: And that which is, desires as if it were not,


s: Such then was I, who wanting power to speak


s: Wish'd to excuse myself, and all the while


s: Excus'd me, though unweeting that I did.


s: "More grievous fault than thine has been, less shame,"


s: My master cried, "might expiate.  Therefore cast


s: Chance bring thee, where like conference is held,


s: Such wrangling is a joy for vulgar minds."


s: THE very tongue, whose keen reproof before


s: Had wounded me, that either cheek was stain'd,


s: Now minister'd my cure.  So have I heard,


s: Achilles and his father's javelin caus'd


s: Pain first, and then the boon of health restor'd.


s: W cross'd th' encircled mound in silence.  There


s: Was twilight dim, that far long the gloom


s: Mine eye advanc'd not: but I heard a horn


s: Sounded aloud. The peal it blew had made


s: The thunder feeble.  Following its course


s: The adverse way, my strained eyes were bent


s: O'erthrew the host of Charlemagne, and quench'd


s: His saintly warfare.  Thitherward not long


s: My head was rais'd, when many lofty towers


s: Methought I spied.  "Master," said I, "what land


s: Is this?"  He answer'd straight: "Too long a space


s: To traverse: thou hast therefore widely err'd


s: Thou well shalt see, how distance can delude


s: The sense.  A little therefore urge thee on."


s: "Yet know," said he, "ere farther we advance,


s: That it less strange may seem, these are not towers,


s: But giants.  In the pit they stand immers'd,


s: Each from his navel downward, round the bank."


s: Our vision traces what the mist involves


s: Condens'd in air; so piercing through the gross


s: We near'd toward the brink, mine error fled,


s: And fear came o'er me.  As with circling round


s: Of turrets, Montereggion crowns his walls,


s: E'en thus the shore, encompassing th' abyss,


s: Was turreted with giants, half their length


s: Uprearing, horrible, whom Jove from heav'n


s: Yet threatens, when his mutt'ring thunder rolls.


s: Shoulders, and breast, and of the belly huge


s: Great part, and both arms down along his ribs.


s: All-teeming nature, when her plastic hand


s: Left framing of these monsters, did display


s: Past doubt her wisdom, taking from mad War


s: Such slaves to do his bidding; and if she


s: Repent her not of th' elephant and whale,


s: Wiser and more discreet; for when brute force


s: Resistance none avails.  His visage seem'd


s: In length and bulk, as doth the pine, that tops


s: Saint Peter's Roman fane; and th' other bones


s: The bank, which girdled him below, such height


s: Arose his stature, that three Friezelanders


s: Had striv'n in vain to reach but to his hair.


s: Downward from whence a man his garments loops.


s: So shouted his fierce lips, which sweeter hymns


s: Became not; and my guide address'd him thus:


s: "O senseless spirit! let thy horn for thee


s: Interpret: therewith vent thy rage, if rage


s: Or other passion wring thee.  Search thy neck,


s: There shalt thou find the belt that binds it on.


s: Where hangs the baldrick!"  Then to me he spake:


s: "He doth accuse himself.  Nimrod is this,


s: Through whose ill counsel in the world no more


s: One tongue prevails.  But pass we on, nor waste


s: Our words; for so each language is to him,


s: Then to the leftward turning sped we forth,


s: And at a sling's throw found another shade


s: Far fiercer and more huge.  I cannot say


s: What master hand had girt him; but he held


s: Behind the right arm fetter'd, and before


s: The other with a chain, that fasten'd him


s: From the neck down, and five times round his form


s: Apparent met the wreathed links.  "This proud one


s: Would of his strength against almighty Jove


s: Make trial," said my guide; "whence he is thus


s: "Great was his prowess, when the giants brought


s: Fear on the gods: those arms, which then he piled,


s: Now moves he never."  Forthwith I return'd:


s: "Fain would I, if 't were possible, mine eyes


s: Experience next."  He answer'd: "Thou shalt see


s: Not far from hence Antaeus, who both speaks


s: And is unfetter'd, who shall place us there


s: Where guilt is at its depth.  Far onward stands


s: Whom thou wouldst fain behold, in chains, and made


s: Like to this spirit, save that in his looks


s: More fell he seems."  By violent earthquake rock'd


s: Ne'er shook a tow'r, so reeling to its base,


s: I dreaded death, nor than the terror more


s: That held him fast.  We, straightway journeying on,


s: Without the head, forth issued from the cave.


s: "O thou, who in the fortunate vale, that made


s: Great Scipio heir of glory, when his sword


s: Drove back the troop of Hannibal in flight,


s: Who thence of old didst carry for thy spoil


s: An hundred lions; and if thou hadst fought


s: In the high conflict on thy brethren's side,


s: Seems as men yet believ'd, that through thine arm


s: The sons of earth had conquer'd, now vouchsafe


s: To place us down beneath, where numbing cold


s: Locks up Cocytus.  Force not that we crave


s: Or Tityus' help or Typhon's.  Here is one


s: Can give what in this realm ye covet.  Stoop


s: Therefore, nor scornfully distort thy lip.


s: Renown on thee, for he doth live, and looks


s: Grace call him not unto herself."  Thus spake


s: The teacher.  He in haste forth stretch'd his hands,


s: And caught my guide.  Alcides whilom felt


s: That grapple straighten'd score.  Soon as my guide


s: Had felt it, he bespake me thus: "This way


s: That I may clasp thee;" then so caught me up,


s: That we were both one burden.  As appears


s: Where it doth lean, if chance a passing cloud


s: Such then Antaeus seem'd, as at mine ease


s: I mark'd him stooping.  I were fain at times


s: T' have pass'd another way.  Yet in th' abyss,


s: Lightly he plac'd us; nor there leaning stay'd,


s: COULD I command rough rhimes and hoarse, to suit


s: That hole of sorrow, o'er which ev'ry rock


s: His firm abutment rears, then might the vein


s: Of fancy rise full springing: but not mine


s: Such measures, and with falt'ring awe I touch


s: The mighty theme; for to describe the depth


s: To jest with, and demands a tongue not us'd


s: To infant babbling.  But let them assist


s: My song, the tuneful maidens, by whose aid


s: Amphion wall'd in Thebes, so with the truth


s: My speech shall best accord.  Oh ill-starr'd folk,


s: In such a mansion, as scarce thought finds words


s: To speak of, better had ye here on earth


s: Been flocks or mountain goats.  As down we stood


s: In the dark pit beneath the giants' feet,


s: Bespoke me thus: "Look how thou walkest.  Take


s: Good heed, thy soles do tread not on the heads


s: Of thy poor brethren."  Thereupon I turn'd,


s: A lake, whose frozen surface liker seem'd


s: To glass than water.  Not so thick a veil


s: In winter e'er hath Austrian Danube spread


s: O'er his still course, nor Tanais far remote


s: Under the chilling sky.  Roll'd o'er that mass


s: Not e'en its rim had creak'd. As peeps the frog


s: Croaking above the wave, what time in dreams


s: The village gleaner oft pursues her toil,


s: So, to where modest shame appears, thus low


s: Blue pinch'd and shrin'd in ice the spirits stood,


s: Moving their teeth in shrill note like the stork.


s: His face each downward held; their mouth the cold,


s: Their eyes express'd the dolour of their heart.


s: A space I look'd around, then at my feet


s: Saw two so strictly join'd, that of their head


s: The very hairs were mingled.  "Tell me ye,


s: Whose bosoms thus together press," said I,


s: "Who are ye?"  At that sound their necks they bent,


s: And when their looks were lifted up to me,


s: Straightway their eyes, before all moist within,


s: Distill'd upon their lips, and the frost bound


s: The tears betwixt those orbs and held them there.


s: Plank unto plank hath never cramp clos'd up


s: So stoutly.  Whence like two enraged goats


s: They clash'd together; them such fury seiz'd.


s: And one, from whom the cold both ears had reft,


s: Exclaim'd, still looking downward: "Why on us


s: Dost speculate so long?  If thou wouldst know


s: Who are these two, the valley, whence his wave


s: Their sire Alberto, and next him themselves.


s: They from one body issued; and throughout


s: Caina thou mayst search, nor find a shade


s: Not him, whose breast and shadow Arthur's land


s: At that one blow dissever'd, not Focaccia,


s: No not this spirit, whose o'erjutting head


s: Obstructs my onward view: he bore the name


s: Well knowest who he was: and to cut short


s: Carlino here my kinsman, whose deep guilt


s: Shall wash out mine."  A thousand visages


s: Then mark'd I, which the keen and eager cold


s: Had shap'd into a doggish grin; whence creeps


s: A shiv'ring horror o'er me, at the thought


s: Of those frore shallows.  While we journey'd on


s: Toward the middle, at whose point unites


s: All heavy substance, and I trembling went


s: Through that eternal chillness, I know not


s: But, passing 'midst the heads, my foot did strike


s: With violent blow against the face of one.


s: "Wherefore dost bruise me?" weeping, he exclaim'd,


s: "Unless thy errand be some fresh revenge


s: For Montaperto, wherefore troublest me?"


s: That I through him may rid me of my doubt.


s: Thenceforth what haste thou wilt."  The teacher paus'd,


s: Still curs'd me in his wrath.  "What art thou, speak,


s: That railest thus on others?"  He replied:


s: "Now who art thou, that smiting others' cheeks


s: Through Antenora roamest, with such force


s: As were past suff'rance, wert thou living still?"


s: "And I am living, to thy joy perchance,"


s: That with the rest I may thy name enrol."


s: Said he, "thou tender'st: hence; nor vex me more.


s: Ill knowest thou to flatter in this vale."


s: Then seizing on his hinder scalp, I cried:


s: "Name thee, or not a hair shall tarry here."


s: "Rend all away," he answer'd, "yet for that


s: Though at my head thou pluck a thousand times."


s: Now I had grasp'd his tresses, and stript off


s: More than one tuft, he barking, with his eyes


s: Drawn in and downward, when another cried,


s: "What ails thee, Bocca?  Sound not loud enough


s: Thy chatt'ring teeth, but thou must bark outright?


s: True tidings will I bear."--"Off," he replied,


s: "Tell what thou list; but as thou escape from hence


s: To speak of him whose tongue hath been so glib,


s: Forget not: here he wails the Frenchman's gold.


s: 'Him of Duera,' thou canst say, 'I mark'd,


s: Where the starv'd sinners pine.'  If thou be ask'd


s: What other shade was with them, at thy side


s: The biting axe of Florence.  Farther on,


s: We now had left him, passing on our way,


s: Pent in one hollow, that the head of one


s: Is raven'd up through hunger, th' uppermost


s: Did so apply his fangs to th' other's brain,


s: Where the spine joins it.  Not more furiously


s: Than on that skull and on its garbage he.


s: "O thou who show'st so beastly sign of hate


s: 'Gainst him thou prey'st on, let me hear," said I


s: "The cause, on such condition, that if right


s: Warrant thy grievance, knowing who ye are,


s: If that, wherewith I speak be moist so long."


s: HIS jaws uplifting from their fell repast,


s: That sinner wip'd them on the hairs o' th' head,


s: Which he behind had mangled, then began:


s: Sorrow past cure, which but to think of wrings


s: My heart, or ere I tell on't. But if words,


s: That I may utter, shall prove seed to bear


s: The traitor whom I gnaw at, thou at once


s: Shalt see me speak and weep.  Who thou mayst be


s: I know not, nor how here below art come:


s: When I do hear thee.  Know I was on earth


s: Ruggieri.  Why I neighbour him so close,


s: Now list.  That through effect of his ill thoughts


s: What therefore thou canst not have heard, that is,


s: How cruel was the murder, shalt thou hear,


s: And know if he have wrong'd me.  A small grate


s: Within that mew, which for my sake the name


s: Of famine bears, where others yet must pine,


s: Already through its opening sev'ral moons


s: Had shown me, when I slept the evil sleep,


s: That from the future tore the curtain off.


s: This one, methought, as master of the sport,


s: Rode forth to chase the gaunt wolf and his whelps


s: Unto the mountain, which forbids the sight


s: Of Lucca to the Pisan.  With lean brachs


s: After short course the father and the sons


s: Seem'd tir'd and lagging, and methought I saw


s: The sharp tusks gore their sides.  When I awoke


s: Before the dawn, amid their sleep I heard


s: My sons (for they were with me) weep and ask


s: For bread.  Right cruel art thou, if no pang


s: Thou feel at thinking what my heart foretold;


s: And if not now, why use thy tears to flow?


s: Now had they waken'd; and the hour drew near


s: When they were wont to bring us food; the mind


s: Of each misgave him through his dream, and I


s: Heard, at its outlet underneath lock'd up


s: The' horrible tower: whence uttering not a word


s: They wept: and one, my little Anslem, cried:


s: "Thou lookest so!  Father what ails thee?"  Yet


s: I shed no tear, nor answer'd all that day


s: Came out upon the world.  When a faint beam


s: Through agony I bit, and they who thought


s: I did it through desire of feeding, rose


s: O' th' sudden, and cried, 'Father, we should grieve


s: Far less, if thou wouldst eat of us: thou gav'st


s: 'And do thou strip them off from us again.'


s: Then, not to make them sadder, I kept down


s: My spirit in stillness.  That day and the next


s: We all were silent.  Ah, obdurate earth!


s: To the fourth day, then Geddo at my feet


s: Outstretch'd did fling him, crying, 'Hast no help


s: For me, my father!'  There he died, and e'en


s: Plainly as thou seest me, saw I the three


s: Fall one by one 'twixt the fifth day and sixth:


s: "Whence I betook me now grown blind to grope


s: Call'd on them who were dead.  Then fasting got


s: The mastery of grief."  Thus having spoke,


s: Once more upon the wretched skull his teeth


s: He fasten'd, like a mastiff's 'gainst the bone


s: Firm and unyielding.  Oh thou Pisa! shame


s: Of all the people, who their dwelling make


s: In that fair region, where th' Italian voice


s: Is heard, since that thy neighbours are so slack


s: To punish, from their deep foundations rise


s: The mouth of Arno, that each soul in thee


s: To stretch his children on the rack.  For them,


s: Of gentle ones, of whom my song hath told,


s: Their tender years, thou modern Thebes! did make


s: Where others skarf'd in rugged folds of ice


s: Not on their feet were turn'd, but each revers'd.


s: For at their eyes grief seeking passage finds


s: For increase of sharp anguish: the first tears


s: Hang cluster'd, and like crystal vizors show,


s: Now though the cold had from my face dislodg'd


s: Each feeling, as 't were callous, yet me seem'd


s: Some breath of wind I felt.  "Whence cometh this,"


s: All vapour quench'd?"--"'Thou shalt be speedily,"


s: He answer'd, "where thine eye shall tell thee whence


s: The cause descrying of this airy shower."


s: Then cried out one in the chill crust who mourn'd:


s: "O souls so cruel! that the farthest post


s: Hath been assign'd you, from this face remove


s: The harden'd veil, that I may vent the grief


s: Impregnate at my heart, some little space


s: "Say who thou wast, if thou wouldst have mine aid;


s: Its fruitage, and am here repaid, the date


s: More luscious for my fig."--"Hah!"  I exclaim'd,


s: "Art thou too dead!"--"How in the world aloft


s: And that thou mayst wipe out more willingly


s: The glazed tear-drops that o'erlay mine eyes,


s: Know that the soul, that moment she betrays,


s: Till all its time be rounded; headlong she


s: Falls to this cistern.  And perchance above


s: Who here behind me winters.  Him thou know'st,


s: The years are many that have pass'd away,


s: Since to this fastness Branca Doria came."


s: "Now," answer'd I, "methinks thou mockest me,


s: But doth all natural functions of a man,


s: Eats, drinks, and sleeps, and putteth raiment on."


s: By th' evil talons guarded, where the pitch


s: Tenacious boils, had Michael Zanche reach'd,


s: Who with him treachery wrought.  But now put forth


s: Thy hand, and ope mine eyes."  I op'd them not.


s: With every foulness stain'd, why from the earth


s: Are ye not cancel'd?  Such an one of yours


s: Is in Cocytus plung'd, and yet doth seem


s: "THE banners of Hell's Monarch do come forth


s: Towards us; therefore look," so spake my guide,


s: "If thou discern him."  As, when breathes a cloud


s: Heavy and dense, or when the shades of night


s: Fall on our hemisphere, seems view'd from far


s: A windmill, which the blast stirs briskly round,


s: Such was the fabric then methought I saw,


s: To shield me from the wind, forthwith I drew


s: Behind my guide: no covert else was there.


s: Now came I (and with fear I bid my strain


s: Record the marvel) where the souls were all


s: Whelm'd underneath, transparent, as through glass


s: Pellucid the frail stem.  Some prone were laid,


s: Others stood upright, this upon the soles,


s: That on his head, a third with face to feet


s: Arch'd like a bow.  When to the point we came,


s: Whereat my guide was pleas'd that I should see


s: He from before me stepp'd and made me pause.


s: "Lo!"  he exclaim'd, "lo Dis! and lo the place,


s: Where thou hast need to arm thy heart with strength."


s: Since words would fail to tell thee of my state.


s: I was not dead nor living.  Think thyself


s: If quick conception work in thee at all,


s: How I did feel.  That emperor, who sways


s: The realm of sorrow, at mid breast from th' ice


s: Stood forth; and I in stature am more like


s: A giant, than the giants are in his arms.


s: Mark now how great that whole must be, which suits


s: May all our mis'ry flow.  Oh what a sight!


s: How passing strange it seem'd, when I did spy


s: Of hue vermilion, th' other two with this


s: Midway each shoulder join'd and at the crest;


s: The right 'twixt wan and yellow seem'd: the left


s: To look on, such as come from whence old Nile


s: Stoops to the lowlands.  Under each shot forth


s: Outstretch'd on the wide sea.  No plumes had they,


s: But were in texture like a bat, and these


s: He flapp'd i' th' air, that from him issued still


s: Three winds, wherewith Cocytus to its depth


s: Was frozen.  At six eyes he wept: the tears


s: Adown three chins distill'd with bloody foam.


s: At every mouth his teeth a sinner champ'd


s: Bruis'd as with pond'rous engine, so that three


s: Were in this guise tormented.  But far more


s: Than from that gnawing, was the foremost pang'd


s: By the fierce rending, whence ofttimes the back


s: Was stript of all its skin.  "That upper spirit,


s: Who hath worse punishment," so spake my guide,


s: And plies the feet without.  Of th' other two,


s: Whose heads are under, from the murky jaw


s: Who hangs, is Brutus: lo! how he doth writhe


s: And speaks not!  Th' other Cassius, that appears


s: So large of limb.  But night now re-ascends,


s: And it is time for parting.  All is seen."


s: I clipp'd him round the neck, for so he bade;


s: And noting time and place, he, when the wings


s: Enough were op'd, caught fast the shaggy sides,


s: And down from pile to pile descending stepp'd


s: Between the thick fell and the jagged ice.


s: Soon as he reach'd the point, whereat the thigh


s: Upon the swelling of the haunches turns,


s: My leader there with pain and struggling hard


s: Turn'd round his head, where his feet stood before,


s: And grappled at the fell, as one who mounts,


s: That into hell methought we turn'd again.


s: "Expect that by such stairs as these," thus spake


s: The teacher, panting like a man forespent,


s: And plac'd me on a brink to sit, next join'd


s: With wary step my side.  I rais'd mine eyes,


s: Where he was lately left, but saw him now


s: With legs held upward.  Let the grosser sort,


s: Who see not what the point was I had pass'd,


s: Bethink them if sore toil oppress'd me then.


s: "Arise," my master cried, "upon thy feet.


s: The way is long, and much uncouth the road;


s: And now within one hour and half of noon


s: The sun returns."  It was no palace-hall


s: But natural dungeon where ill footing was


s: And scant supply of light.  "Ere from th' abyss


s: "My guide! vouchsafe few words to set me free


s: From error's thralldom.  Where is now the ice?


s: How standeth he in posture thus revers'd?


s: And how from eve to morn in space so brief


s: Hath the sun made his transit?"  He in few


s: Thus answering spake: "Thou deemest thou art still


s: On th' other side the centre, where I grasp'd


s: Th' abhorred worm, that boreth through the world.


s: Thou wast on th' other side, so long as I


s: Descended; when I turn'd, thou didst o'erpass


s: That point, to which from ev'ry part is dragg'd


s: All heavy substance.  Thou art now arriv'd


s: Which the great continent doth overspread,


s: The Man, that was born sinless, and so liv'd.


s: Thy feet are planted on the smallest sphere,


s: Here rises, when there evening sets: and he,


s: Whose shaggy pile was scal'd, yet standeth fix'd,


s: As at the first.  On this part he fell down


s: From heav'n; and th' earth, here prominent before,


s: Through fear of him did veil her with the sea,


s: And to our hemisphere retir'd.  Perchance


s: To shun him was the vacant space left here


s: By what of firm land on this side appears,


s: That sprang aloof."  There is a place beneath,


s: The vaulted tomb, discover'd not by sight,


s: But by the sound of brooklet, that descends


s: Which, as it winds with no precipitous course,


s: The wave hath eaten.  By that hidden way


s: To the fair world: and heedless of repose


s: We climbed, he first, I following his steps,


s: Till on our view the beautiful lights of heav'n


s: Dawn'd through a circular opening in the cave:


s: O'er better waves to speed her rapid course


s: The light bark of my genius lifts the sail,


s: Well pleas'd to leave so cruel sea behind;


s: In which the human spirit from sinful blot


s: Is purg'd, and for ascent to Heaven prepares.


s: Here, O ye hallow'd Nine! for in your train


s: I follow, here the deadened strain revive;


s: A somewhat higher song, of that loud tone,


s: Which when the wretched birds of chattering note


s: Had heard, they of forgiveness lost all hope.


s: Sweet hue of eastern sapphire, that was spread


s: High up as the first circle, to mine eyes


s: Forth from the atmosphere of deadly gloom,


s: That had mine eyes and bosom fill'd with grief.


s: The radiant planet, that to love invites,


s: Made all the orient laugh, and veil'd beneath


s: The Pisces' light, that in his escort came.


s: To the right hand I turn'd, and fix'd my mind


s: On the' other pole attentive, where I saw


s: Four stars ne'er seen before save by the ken


s: Of our first parents.  Heaven of their rays


s: Seem'd joyous.  O thou northern site, bereft


s: Indeed, and widow'd, since of these depriv'd!


s: As from this view I had desisted, straight


s: Turning a little tow'rds the other pole,


s: There from whence now the wain had disappear'd,


s: Alone, so worthy of rev'rence in his look,


s: That ne'er from son to father more was ow'd.


s: Low down his beard and mix'd with hoary white


s: Descended, like his locks, which parting fell


s: Upon his breast in double fold.  The beams


s: So brightly shone, and with such radiance clear


s: Deck'd it, that I beheld him as the sun.


s: "Say who are ye, that stemming the blind stream,


s: Forth from th' eternal prison-house have fled?"


s: He spoke and moved those venerable plumes.


s: "Who hath conducted, or with lantern sure


s: Lights you emerging from the depth of night,


s: That makes the infernal valley ever black?


s: Are the firm statutes of the dread abyss


s: Broken, or in high heaven new laws ordain'd,


s: That thus, condemn'd, ye to my caves approach?"


s: My guide, then laying hold on me, by words


s: And intimations given with hand and head,


s: Made my bent knees and eye submissive pay


s: Due reverence; then thus to him replied.


s: "Not of myself I come; a Dame from heaven


s: Descending, had besought me in my charge


s: To bring.  But since thy will implies, that more


s: This mortal ne'er hath seen the farthest gloom.


s: So near, that little space was left to turn.


s: Then, as before I told, I was dispatch'd


s: Save this which I have ta'en.  I have display'd


s: And purpose now those spirits to display,


s: That under thy command are purg'd from sin.


s: How I have brought him would be long to say.


s: From high descends the virtue, by whose aid


s: I to thy sight and hearing him have led.


s: Now may our coming please thee.  In the search


s: They know, who for her sake have life refus'd.


s: Thou knowest, to whom death for her was sweet


s: In Utica, where thou didst leave those weeds,


s: That in the last great day will shine so bright.


s: He breathes, and I am free of Minos' power,


s: Of thy chaste Marcia beam, who still in look


s: Prays thee, O hallow'd spirit! to own her shine.


s: Then by her love we' implore thee, let us pass


s: Through thy sev'n regions; for which best thanks


s: If mention there below thou not disdain."


s: "Marcia so pleasing in my sight was found,"


s: He then to him rejoin'd, "while I was there,


s: That all she ask'd me I was fain to grant.


s: Now that beyond the' accursed stream she dwells,


s: Which was ordain'd me, when I issued thence.


s: Not so, if Dame from heaven, as thou sayst,


s: Moves and directs thee; then no flattery needs.


s: Enough for me that in her name thou ask.


s: Go therefore now: and with a slender reed


s: See that thou duly gird him, and his face


s: Lave, till all sordid stain thou wipe from thence.


s: For not with eye, by any cloud obscur'd,


s: Who stands the foremost minister in heaven.


s: This islet all around, there far beneath,


s: Where the wave beats it, on the oozy bed


s: Produces store of reeds. No other plant,


s: Cover'd with leaves, or harden'd in its stalk,


s: There lives, not bending to the water's sway.


s: Will show you, that now rises, where to take


s: Speechless, and to my guide retiring close,


s: Toward him turn'd mine eyes.  He thus began;


s: "My son! observant thou my steps pursue.


s: We must retreat to rearward, for that way


s: The champain to its low extreme declines."


s: The dawn had chas'd the matin hour of prime,


s: I spy'd the trembling of the ocean stream.


s: Who, wander'd from his track, thinks every step


s: Trodden in vain till he regain the path.


s: When we had come, where yet the tender dew


s: Strove with the sun, and in a place, where fresh


s: The wind breath'd o'er it, while it slowly dried;


s: My master plac'd, in graceful act and kind.


s: Stretch'd out to him my cheeks suffus'd with tears.


s: That hue, which the dun shades of hell conceal'd.


s: Man, that could after measure back his course,


s: He girt me in such manner as had pleas'd


s: Him who instructed, and O, strange to tell!


s: Resembling, straightway in its place arose.


s: Now had the sun to that horizon reach'd,


s: That covers, with the most exalted point


s: Sounds, from the stream of Ganges issued forth,


s: Holding the scales, that from her hands are dropp'd


s: When she reigns highest: so that where I was,


s: Aurora's white and vermeil-tinctur'd cheek


s: To orange turn'd as she in age increas'd.


s: Meanwhile we linger'd by the water's brink,


s: Like men, who, musing on their road, in thought


s: Journey, while motionless the body rests.


s: Through the thick vapours Mars with fiery beam


s: Glares down in west, over the ocean floor;


s: So seem'd, what once again I hope to view,


s: A light so swiftly coming through the sea,


s: No winged course might equal its career.


s: From which when for a space I had withdrawn


s: Thine eyes, to make inquiry of my guide,


s: And brightness: thou on either side appear'd


s: Something, but what I knew not of bright hue,


s: Stood, while the brightness, that we first discern'd,


s: Open'd the form of wings: then when he knew


s: The pilot, cried aloud, "Down, down; bend low


s: Thy knees; behold God's angel: fold thy hands:


s: Now shalt thou see true Ministers indeed.


s: "Lo how all human means he sets at naught!


s: So that nor oar he needs, nor other sail


s: Except his wings, between such distant shores.


s: Lo how straight up to heaven he holds them rear'd,


s: Winnowing the air with those eternal plumes,


s: That not like mortal hairs fall off or change!"


s: As more and more toward us came, more bright


s: Appear'd the bird of God, nor could the eye


s: Endure his splendor near: I mine bent down.


s: He drove ashore in a small bark so swift


s: And light, that in its course no wave it drank.


s: The heav'nly steersman at the prow was seen,


s: Within a hundred spirits and more there sat.


s: All with one voice together sang, with what


s: Then soon as with the sign of holy cross


s: He bless'd them, they at once leap'd out on land,


s: The swiftly as he came return'd. The crew,


s: There left, appear'd astounded with the place,


s: Gazing around as one who sees new sights.


s: From every side the sun darted his beams,


s: And with his arrowy radiance from mid heav'n


s: Had chas'd the Capricorn, when that strange tribe


s: Lifting their eyes towards us: "If ye know,


s: Declare what path will Lead us to the mount."


s: Them Virgil answer'd.  "Ye suppose perchance


s: Us well acquainted with this place: but here,


s: We, as yourselves, are strangers.  Not long erst


s: By other road so rough and hard, that now


s: The' ascent will seem to us as play."  The spirits,


s: Who from my breathing had perceiv'd I liv'd,


s: Grew pale with wonder.  As the multitude


s: Flock round a herald, sent with olive branch,


s: To hear what news he brings, and in their haste


s: Tread one another down, e'en so at sight


s: Of me those happy spirits were fix'd, each one


s: Where cleans'd from sin, it might be made all fair.


s: To do the like was mov'd.  O shadows vain


s: Except in outward semblance! thrice my hands


s: I clasp'd behind it, they as oft return'd


s: I needs must think was painted in my looks,


s: For that the shadow smil'd and backward drew.


s: Then who it was I knew, and pray'd of it,


s: To talk with me, it would a little pause.


s: It answered: "Thee as in my mortal frame


s: I lov'd, so loos'd forth it I love thee still,


s: And therefore pause; but why walkest thou here?"


s: "Not without purpose once more to return,


s: Journeying this way;" I said, "but how of thee


s: Hath so much time been lost?"  He answer'd straight:


s: Who when and whom he chooses takes, me oft


s: This passage hath denied, since of just will


s: His will he makes.  These three months past indeed,


s: He, whose chose to enter, with free leave


s: Hath taken; whence I wand'ring by the shore


s: Where Tyber's wave grows salt, of him gain'd kind


s: Admittance, at that river's mouth, tow'rd which


s: His wings are pointed, for there always throng


s: Then I: "If new laws have not quite destroy'd


s: Memory and use of that sweet song of love,


s: That while all my cares had power to 'swage;


s: My spirit, that incumber'd with its frame,


s: Travelling so far, of pain is overcome."


s: "Love that discourses in my thoughts."  He then


s: The sweetness thrills me yet.  My gentle guide


s: And all who came with him, so well were pleas'd,


s: That seem'd naught else might in their thoughts have room.


s: Fast fix'd in mute attention to his notes


s: We stood, when lo! that old man venerable


s: What negligence detains you loit'ring here?


s: Run to the mountain to cast off those scales,


s: That from your eyes the sight of God conceal."


s: As a wild flock of pigeons, to their food


s: Collected, blade or tares, without their pride


s: Accustom'd, and in still and quiet sort,


s: Their meal, assail'd by more important care;


s: So I that new-come troop beheld, the song


s: Deserting, hasten to the mountain's side,


s: As one who goes yet where he tends knows not.


s: Nor with less hurried step did we depart.


s: Them sudden flight had scatter'd over the plain,


s: Turn'd tow'rds the mountain, whither reason's voice


s: Depriv'd, might I have sped, or who beside


s: Would o'er the mountainous tract have led my steps


s: Seem'd smitten.  O clear conscience and upright


s: How doth a little fling wound thee sore!


s: Soon as his feet desisted (slack'ning pace),


s: From haste, that mars all decency of act,


s: My mind, that in itself before was wrapt,


s: Its thoughts expanded, as with joy restor'd:


s: My face, where highest to heav'n its top o'erflows.


s: The sun, that flar'd behind, with ruddy beam


s: His rays resistance met.  I turn'd aside


s: When thus my solace, turning him around,


s: Bespake me kindly: "Why distrustest thou?


s: Believ'st not I am with thee, thy sure guide?


s: It now is evening there, where buried lies


s: The body, in which I cast a shade, remov'd


s: To Naples from Brundusium's wall.  Nor thou


s: Torments of heat and cold extreme, like frames


s: That virtue hath dispos'd, which how it works


s: Who hopes, our reason may that space explore,


s: Which holds three persons in one substance knit.


s: Seek not the wherefore, race of human kind;


s: Could ye have seen the whole, no need had been


s: Have seen such men desiring fruitlessly;


s: To whose desires repose would have been giv'n,


s: That now but serve them for eternal grief.


s: And others many more."  And then he bent


s: Downwards his forehead, and in troubled mood


s: Broke off his speech.  Meanwhile we had arriv'd


s: Far as the mountain's foot, and there the rock


s: Found of so steep ascent, that nimblest steps


s: To climb it had been vain.  The most remote


s: Most wild untrodden path, in all the tract


s: "Who knows on which hand now the steep declines?"


s: My master said and paus'd, "so that he may


s: Ascend, who journeys without aid of wine?"


s: And while with looks directed to the ground


s: And I gaz'd upward round the stony height,


s: Of spirits, that toward us mov'd their steps,


s: Yet moving seem'd not, they so slow approach'd.


s: I thus my guide address'd: "Upraise thine eyes,


s: Lo that way some, of whom thou may'st obtain


s: Counsel, if of thyself thou find'st it not!"


s: Straightway he look'd, and with free speech replied:


s: "Let us tend thither: they but softly come.


s: And thou be firm in hope, my son belov'd."


s: Now was that people distant far in space


s: As at a throw the nervous arm could fling,


s: When all drew backward on the messy crags


s: Of the steep bank, and firmly stood unmov'd


s: As one who walks in doubt might stand to look.


s: Virgil to them began, "by that blest peace,


s: Which, as I deem, is for you all prepar'd,


s: Instruct us where the mountain low declines,


s: So that attempt to mount it be not vain.


s: For who knows most, him loss of time most grieves."


s: As sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one,


s: Or pairs, or three at once; meanwhile the rest


s: Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose


s: To ground, and what the foremost does, that do


s: The others, gath'ring round her, if she stops,


s: Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern;


s: Who of that fortunate crew were at the head,


s: Of modest mien and graceful in their gait.


s: When they before me had beheld the light


s: From my right side fall broken on the ground,


s: So that the shadow reach'd the cave, they stopp'd


s: And somewhat back retir'd: the same did all,


s: Who follow'd, though unweeting of the cause.


s: That the sun's light is broken on the ground,


s: Marvel not: but believe, that not without


s: Over this wall aspire."  So them bespake


s: My master; and that virtuous tribe rejoin'd;


s: "Turn, and before you there the entrance lies,"


s: Then of them one began.  "Whoe'er thou art,


s: Who journey'st thus this way, thy visage turn,


s: Think if me elsewhere thou hast ever seen."


s: I tow'rds him turn'd, and with fix'd eye beheld.


s: He seem'd, but on one brow a gash was mark'd.


s: Him ever: "Now behold!"  he said, and show'd


s: High on his breast a wound: then smiling spake.


s: Costanza: whence I pray thee, when return'd,


s: Aught else be told.  When by two mortal blows


s: Weeping to him, who of free will forgives.


s: Hath goodness infinite, that it receives


s: All who turn to it.  Had this text divine


s: Been of Cosenza's shepherd better scann'd,


s: Yet at the bridge's head my bones had lain,


s: Protected; but the rain now drenches them,


s: And the wind drives, out of the kingdom's bounds,


s: Far as the stream of Verde, where, with lights


s: Extinguish'd, he remov'd them from their bed.


s: Yet by their curse we are not so destroy'd,


s: But that the eternal love may turn, while hope


s: Retains her verdant blossoms.  True it is,


s: Against the holy church, though he repent,


s: Must wander thirty-fold for all the time


s: Be not by prayers of good men shorter made


s: Look therefore if thou canst advance my bliss;


s: Thou hast beheld me, and beside the terms


s: By means of those below much profit comes."


s: Entire the soul collects herself, it seems


s: And thus the error is disprov'd which holds


s: The soul not singly lighted in the breast.


s: And therefore when as aught is heard or seen,


s: That firmly keeps the soul toward it turn'd,


s: Time passes, and a man perceives it not.


s: For that, whereby he hearken, is one power,


s: Another that, which the whole spirit hash;


s: This is as it were bound, while that is free.


s: This found I true by proof, hearing that spirit


s: And wond'ring; for full fifty steps aloft


s: When we arriv'd where all with one accord


s: The spirits shouted, "Here is what ye ask."


s: When the ripe grape imbrowns, than was the path,


s: By which my guide, and I behind him close,


s: Or mounts Bismantua's height, must use his feet;


s: With the swift wing and plumes of high desire,


s: And with light furnish'd to direct my way.


s: We through the broken rock ascended, close


s: Pent on each side, while underneath the ground


s: Ask'd help of hands and feet.  When we arriv'd


s: Near on the highest ridge of the steep bank,


s: Where the plain level open'd I exclaim'd,


s: "O master! say which way can we proceed?"


s: He answer'd, "Let no step of thine recede.


s: Some practis'd guide appear."  That eminence


s: Was lofty that no eye might reach its point,


s: And the side proudly rising, more than line


s: From the mid quadrant to the centre drawn.


s: If thou stay not."--" My son!"  He straight reply'd,


s: "Thus far put forth thy strength;" and to a track


s: Pointed, that, on this side projecting, round


s: Circles the hill.  His words so spurr'd me on,


s: That I behind him clamb'ring, forc'd myself,


s: Till my feet press'd the circuit plain beneath.


s: There both together seated, turn'd we round


s: To eastward, whence was our ascent: and oft


s: Many beside have with delight look'd back.


s: First on the nether shores I turn'd my eyes,


s: Then rais'd them to the sun, and wond'ring mark'd


s: That from the left it smote us.  Soon perceiv'd


s: Amaz'd I stood, where 'twixt us and the north


s: Its course it enter'd.  Whence he thus to me:


s: Of that broad mirror, that high up and low


s: Imparts his light beneath, thou might'st behold


s: Wheel, if its ancient course it not forsook.


s: How that may be if thou would'st think; within


s: Plac'd on the earth, so that to both be one


s: Where lies the path that Phaeton ill knew


s: To guide his erring chariot: thou wilt see


s: He passes, while by that on the' other side,


s: If with clear view shine intellect attend."


s: "Of truth, kind teacher!"  I exclaim'd, "so clear


s: Where seem'd my ken to fail, that the mid orb


s: Of art is called the Equator, and remains


s: Ever between the sun and winter) for the cause


s: Thou hast assign'd, from hence toward the north


s: Departs, when those who in the Hebrew land


s: Inhabit, see it tow'rds the warmer part.


s: But if it please thee, I would gladly know,


s: How far we have to journey: for the hill


s: Mounts higher, than this sight of mine can mount."


s: He thus to me: "Such is this steep ascent,


s: But, more a man proceeds, less evil grows.


s: When pleasant it shall seem to thee, so much


s: That upward going shall be easy to thee.


s: Then of this path thou wilt have reach'd the end.


s: There hope to rest thee from thy toil.  No more


s: I answer, and thus far for certain know."


s: A voice there sounded: "Yet ye first perchance


s: May to repose you by constraint be led."


s: At sound thereof each turn'd, and on the left


s: Nor he before was ware.  Thither we drew,


s: find there were some, who in the shady place


s: Thru' idleness might stand.  Among them one,


s: Who seem'd to me much wearied, sat him down,


s: And with his arms did fold his knees about,


s: Holding his face between them downward bent.


s: "Sweet Sir!"  I cry'd, "behold that man, who shows


s: Were sister to him."  Straight he turn'd to us,


s: And, o'er the thigh lifting his face, observ'd,


s: Then in these accents spake: "Up then, proceed


s: Thou valiant one."  Straight who it was I knew;


s: Nor could the pain I felt (for want of breath


s: Still somewhat urg'd me) hinder my approach.


s: And when I came to him, he scarce his head


s: Uplifted, saying "Well hast thou discern'd,


s: How from the left the sun his chariot leads."


s: To laughter somewhat mov'd; when I began:


s: "Belacqua, now for thee I grieve no more.


s: But tell, why thou art seated upright there?


s: Waitest thou escort to conduct thee hence?


s: Then he: "My brother, of what use to mount,


s: When to my suffering would not let me pass


s: The bird of God, who at the portal sits?


s: Behooves so long that heav'n first bear me round


s: That riseth up from heart which lives in grace.


s: What other kind avails, not heard in heaven?"'


s: Ascending, cried: "Haste thee, for see the sun


s: Has touch'd the point meridian, and the night


s: Now covers with her foot Marocco's shore."


s: Now had I left those spirits, and pursued


s: Pointing the finger at me one exclaim'd:


s: "See how it seems as if the light not shone


s: From the left hand of him beneath, and he,


s: As living, seems to be led on."  Mine eyes


s: I at that sound reverting, saw them gaze


s: Through wonder first at me, and then at me


s: And the light broken underneath, by turns.


s: "Why are thy thoughts thus riveted?"  my guide


s: Exclaim'd, "that thou hast slack'd thy pace? or how


s: Imports it thee, what thing is whisper'd here?


s: Come after me, and to their babblings leave


s: The crowd. Be as a tower, that, firmly set,


s: Shakes not its top for any blast that blows!


s: He, in whose bosom thought on thought shoots out,


s: Still of his aim is wide, in that the one


s: Sicklies and wastes to nought the other's strength."


s: What other could I answer save "I come?"


s: I said it, somewhat with that colour ting'd


s: Meanwhile traverse along the hill there came,


s: When they perceiv'd that through my body I


s: Gave way not for the rays to pass, their song


s: Straight to a long and hoarse exclaim they chang'd;


s: And two of them, in guise of messengers,


s: "Of your condition we would gladly learn."


s: To them my guide.  "Ye may return, and bear


s: Tidings to them who sent you, that his frame


s: His shade they paus'd, enough is answer'd them.


s: Him let them honour, they may prize him well."


s: Ne'er saw I fiery vapours with such speed


s: Cut through the serene air at fall of night,


s: Nor August's clouds athwart the setting sun,


s: That upward these did not in shorter space


s: Return; and, there arriving, with the rest


s: Wheel back on us, as with loose rein a troop.


s: "Many," exclaim'd the bard, "are these, who throng


s: Go therefore on, and listen as thou go'st."


s: With the same limbs, that clad thee at thy birth."


s: Shouting they came, "a little rest thy step.


s: Hast e'er beheld, that tidings of him there


s: Thou mayst report.  Ah, wherefore go'st thou on?


s: By violence died, and to our latest hour


s: Were sinners, but then warn'd by light from heav'n,


s: Did issue out of life at peace with God,


s: Who with desire to see him fills our heart."


s: That I can do, may please you, gentle spirits!


s: Speak; and I will perform it, by that peace,


s: Which on the steps of guide so excellent


s: Following from world to world intent I seek."


s: In answer he began: "None here distrusts


s: Thy kindness, though not promis'd with an oath;


s: So as the will fail not for want of power.


s: Whence I, who sole before the others speak,


s: Entreat thee, if thou ever see that land,


s: Which lies between Romagna and the realm


s: Of Charles, that of thy courtesy thou pray


s: By which I may purge off my grievous sins.


s: From thence I came.  But the deep passages,


s: Whence issued out the blood wherein I dwelt,


s: Were made, where to be more secure I thought.


s: The author of the deed was Este's prince,


s: Who, more than right could warrant, with his wrath


s: Might I have breath'd. But to the marsh I sped,


s: And in the mire and rushes tangled there


s: Fell, and beheld my life-blood float the plain."


s: Then said another: "Ah! so may the wish,


s: That takes thee o'er the mountain, be fulfill'd,


s: As thou shalt graciously give aid to mine.


s: Giovanna nor none else have care for me,


s: Sorrowing with these I therefore go."  I thus:


s: "From Campaldino's field what force or chance


s: Drew thee, that ne'er thy sepulture was known?"


s: "Oh!"  answer'd he, "at Casentino's foot


s: A stream there courseth, nam'd Archiano, sprung


s: E'en where its name is cancel'd, there came I,


s: Pierc'd in the heart, fleeing away on foot,


s: And bloodying the plain.  Here sight and speech


s: Fail'd me, and finishing with Mary's name


s: I fell, and tenantless my flesh remain'd.


s: I will report the truth; which thou again


s: Tell to the living.  Me God's angel took,


s: Whilst he of hell exclaim'd: "O thou from heav'n!


s: Say wherefore hast thou robb'd me?  Thou of him


s: Th' eternal portion bear'st with thee away


s: For one poor tear that he deprives me of.


s: "Thou knowest how in the atmosphere collects


s: Soon as it mounts where cold condenses it.


s: Still follows evil, came, and rais'd the wind


s: Given by his nature.  Thence the valley, soon


s: As day was spent, he cover'd o'er with cloud


s: And stretch'd the sky above, so that the air


s: Impregnate chang'd to water.  Fell the rain,


s: And to the fosses came all that the land


s: Contain'd not; and, as mightiest streams are wont,


s: To the great river with such headlong sweep


s: Rush'd, that nought stay'd its course.  My stiffen'd frame


s: Laid at his mouth the fell Archiano found,


s: Loos'ning the cross, that of myself I made


s: When overcome with pain.  He hurl'd me on,


s: Along the banks and bottom of his course;


s: Then in his muddy spoils encircling wrapt."


s: "Ah! when thou to the world shalt be return'd,


s: And rested after thy long road," so spake


s: Next the third spirit; "then remember me.


s: Maremma took it from me.  That he knows,


s: When from their game of dice men separate,


s: He, who hath lost, remains in sadness fix'd,


s: Revolving in his mind, what luckless throws


s: He stops not; and each one, to whom his hand


s: Is stretch'd, well knows he bids him stand aside;


s: And thus he from the press defends himself.


s: E'en such was I in that close-crowding throng;


s: And promising, I 'scap'd from it with pains.


s: Who in his chase was swallow'd by the stream.


s: Stretch'd forth, entreated; and of Pisa he,


s: And from its frame a soul dismiss'd for spite


s: I speak of Peter de la Brosse; and here,


s: While she yet lives, that Lady of Brabant


s: Let her beware; lest for so false a deed


s: She herd with worse than these. When I was freed


s: From all those spirits, who pray'd for others' prayers


s: To hasten on their state of blessedness;


s: That heaven's supreme decree can never bend


s: Do these entreat.  Can then their hope be vain,


s: He thus to me: "Both what I write is plain,


s: And these deceiv'd not in their hope, if well


s: Thy mind consider, that the sacred height


s: Of judgment doth not stoop, because love's flame


s: Who sojourns here, in right should satisfy.


s: Besides, when I this point concluded thus,


s: Because the pray'r had none access to God.


s: Yet in this deep suspicion rest thou not


s: Who betwixt truth and mind infuses light.


s: I know not if thou take me right; I mean


s: Upon this mountain's crown, fair seat of joy."


s: Then I: "Sir! let us mend our speed; for now


s: Stretches its shadow far."  He answer'd thus:


s: "Our progress with this day shall be as much


s: Than thou supposest is the truth.  For there


s: Thou canst not be, ere thou once more behold


s: Him back returning, who behind the steep


s: Thou dost not break.  But lo! a spirit there


s: It will instruct us in the speediest way."


s: We soon approach'd it.  O thou Lombard spirit!


s: How didst thou stand, in high abstracted mood,


s: Scarce moving with slow dignity thine eyes!


s: It spoke not aught, but let us onward pass,


s: It answer to his question none return'd,


s: Demanded.  When my courteous guide began,


s: Rose towards us from the place in which it stood,


s: And cry'd, "Mantuan! I am thy countryman


s: Sordello."  Each the other then embrac'd.


s: But brothel-house impure! this gentle spirit,


s: Ev'n from the Pleasant sound of his dear land


s: With such glad cheer; while now thy living ones


s: Whom the same wall and the same moat contains,


s: Seek, wretched one! around thy sea-coasts wide;


s: Then homeward to thy bosom turn, and mark


s: What boots it, that thy reins Justinian's hand


s: Nought doth he now but aggravate thy shame.


s: Ah people! thou obedient still shouldst live,


s: If well thou marked'st that which God commands.


s: Look how that beast to felness hath relaps'd


s: From having lost correction of the spur,


s: Since to the bridle thou hast set thine hand,


s: When thou should'st clasp her flanks with forked heels.


s: Just judgment from the stars fall on thy blood!


s: Such as may strike thy successor with dread!


s: For that thy sire and thou have suffer'd thus,


s: Through greediness of yonder realms detain'd,


s: Who car'st for nought! those sunk in grief, and these


s: With dire suspicion rack'd. Come, cruel one!


s: Come and behold the' oppression of the nobles,


s: And mark their injuries: and thou mayst see.


s: Come and behold thy Rome, who calls on thee,


s: Desolate widow! day and night with moans:


s: "My Caesar, why dost thou desert my side?"


s: Come and behold what love among thy people:


s: Come and blush for thine own report.  For me,


s: Who wast in earth for our sakes crucified!


s: Are thy just eyes turn'd elsewhere? or is this


s: Of thy sage counsel made, for some good end,


s: Entirely from our reach of thought cut off?


s: So are the' Italian cities all o'erthrong'd


s: With tyrants, and a great Marcellus made


s: My Florence! thou mayst well remain unmov'd


s: At this digression, which affects not thee:


s: Thanks to thy people, who so wisely speed.


s: Many have justice in their heart, that long


s: Have it on their lip's edge.  Many refuse


s: To bear the common burdens: readier thine


s: Answer uneall'd, and cry, "Behold I stoop!"


s: Make thyself glad, for thou hast reason now,


s: Thou wealthy! thou at peace! thou wisdom-fraught!


s: Facts best witness if I speak the truth.


s: Tow'rds thee, who usest such nice subtlety,


s: Reaches the thread thou in October weav'st.


s: Customs, and laws, and coins, and offices


s: Have been by thee renew'd, and people chang'd!


s: If thou remember'st well and can'st see clear,


s: Thou wilt perceive thyself like a sick wretch,


s: Who finds no rest upon her down, but oft


s: Shifting her side, short respite seeks from pain.


s: After their courteous greetings joyfully


s: Sev'n times exchang'd, Sordello backward drew


s: Exclaiming, "Who are ye?"  "Before this mount


s: Was sought, my bones had by Octavius' care


s: Depriv'd of heav'n, except for lack of faith."


s: Beholding, whence his wonder riseth, cries


s: Such he appear'd; then downward bent his eyes,


s: Caught him, where of mean estate might clasp


s: His lord.  "Glory of Latium!" he exclaim'd,


s: "In whom our tongue its utmost power display'd!


s: Boast of my honor'd birth-place! what desert


s: Shows thee to me?  If I to hear that voice


s: Am worthy, say if from below thou com'st


s: And from what cloister's pale?"--"Through every orb


s: Of that sad region," he reply'd, "thus far


s: And with such aid I come.  There is a place


s: There underneath, not made by torments sad,


s: But by dun shades alone; where mourning's voice


s: Sounds not of anguish sharp, but breathes in sighs.


s: Who by death's fangs were bitten, ere exempt


s: From human taint.  There I with those abide,


s: But understood the rest, and without blame


s: Follow'd them all.  But if thou know'st and canst,


s: Where Purgatory its true beginning takes."


s: He answer'd thus: "We have no certain place


s: Far as I can, I join thee for thy guide.


s: But thou beholdest now how day declines:


s: And upwards to proceed by night, our power


s: Excels: therefore it may be well to choose


s: A place of pleasant sojourn.  To the right


s: Some spirits sit apart retir'd.  If thou


s: Consentest, I to these will lead thy steps:


s: And thou wilt know them, not without delight."


s: "How chances this?"  was answer'd; "who so wish'd


s: To ascend by night, would he be thence debarr'd


s: By other, or through his own weakness fail?"


s: The good Sordello then, along the ground


s: Trailing his finger, spoke: "Only this line


s: Thou shalt not overpass, soon as the sun


s: Hath disappear'd; not that aught else impedes


s: Thy going upwards, save the shades of night.


s: These with the wont of power perplex the will.


s: With them thou haply mightst return beneath,


s: Or to and fro around the mountain's side


s: Wander, while day is in the horizon shut."


s: My master straight, as wond'ring at his speech,


s: Exclaim'd: "Then lead us quickly, where thou sayst,


s: That, while we stay, we may enjoy delight."


s: A little space we were remov'd from thence,


s: When I perceiv'd the mountain hollow'd out.


s: Ev'n as large valleys hollow'd out on earth,


s: "That way," the' escorting spirit cried, "we go,


s: Betwixt the steep and plain a crooked path


s: Where more than half the sloping edge expires.


s: Refulgent gold, and silver thrice refin'd,


s: And scarlet grain and ceruse, Indian wood


s: But newly broken, by the herbs and flowers


s: Plac'd in that fair recess, in color all


s: Had been surpass'd, as great surpasses less.


s: Nor nature only there lavish'd her hues,


s: But of the sweetness of a thousand smells


s: A rare and undistinguish'd fragrance made.


s: "Salve Regina," on the grass and flowers


s: Here chanting I beheld those spirits sit


s: Who not beyond the valley could be seen.


s: "Before the west'ring sun sink to his bed,"


s: Began the Mantuan, who our steps had turn'd,


s: "'Mid those desires not that I lead ye on.


s: Than in the nether vale among them mix'd.


s: He, who sits high above the rest, and seems


s: To have neglected that he should have done,


s: And to the others' song moves not his lip,


s: The Emperor Rodolph call, who might have heal'd


s: The wounds whereof fair Italy hath died,


s: So that by others she revives but slowly,


s: He, who with kindly visage comforts him,


s: Sway'd in that country, where the water springs,


s: That Moldaw's river to the Elbe, and Elbe


s: Who in his swaddling clothes was of more worth


s: Pamper'd with rank luxuriousness and ease.


s: And that one with the nose depress, who close


s: In counsel seems with him of gentle look,


s: Flying expir'd, with'ring the lily's flower.


s: Look there how he doth knock against his breast!


s: Makes of one hand a couch, with frequent sighs.


s: They are the father and the father-in-law


s: Of Gallia's bane: his vicious life they know


s: And foul; thence comes the grief that rends them thus.


s: "He, so robust of limb, who measure keeps


s: With ev'ry virtue bore his girdle brac'd.


s: And if that stripling who behinds him sits,


s: King after him had liv'd, his virtue then


s: From vessel to like vessel had been pour'd;


s: Which may not of the other heirs be said.


s: By James and Frederick his realms are held;


s: Doth human worth mount up; and so ordains


s: He who bestows it, that as his free gift


s: It may be call'd.  To Charles my words apply


s: No less than to his brother in the song;


s: Which Pouille and Provence now with grief confess.


s: So much that plant degenerates from its seed,


s: Costanza still boasts of her valorous spouse.


s: "Behold the king of simple life and plain,


s: He through his branches better issue spreads.


s: "That one, who on the ground beneath the rest


s: Sits lowest, yet his gaze directs aloft,


s: Us William, that brave Marquis, for whose cause


s: Now was the hour that wakens fond desire


s: In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart,


s: Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell,


s: Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far,


s: That seems to mourn for the expiring day:


s: Began, with wonder, from those spirits to mark


s: One risen from its seat, which with its hand


s: Audience implor'd. Both palms it join'd and rais'd,


s: Fixing its steadfast gaze towards the east,


s: As telling God, "I care for naught beside."


s: Came from its lip, and in so soft a strain,


s: That all my sense in ravishment was lost.


s: Follow'd through all the hymn, with upward gaze


s: Here, reader! for the truth makes thine eyes keen:


s: That thou with ease mayst pass it through unmark'd.


s: Pale and in lowly guise; and from on high


s: Two angels with two flame-illumin'd swords,


s: Green as the tender leaves but newly born,


s: Their vesture was, the which by wings as green


s: Beaten, they drew behind them, fann'd in air.


s: The other lighted on the' Opposing hill,


s: So that the troop were in the midst contain'd.


s: Well I descried the whiteness on their heads;


s: Is overpower'd.  "From Mary's bosom both


s: Are come," exclaim'd Sordello, "as a guard


s: Over the vale, ganst him, who hither tends,


s: The serpent."  Whence, not knowing by which path


s: He came, I turn'd me round, and closely press'd,


s: All frozen, to my leader's trusted side.


s: (For it is time) let us descend; and hold


s: Converse with those great shadows: haply much


s: Their sight may please ye."  Only three steps down


s: To know me.  Time was now that air arrow dim;


s: Yet not so dim, that 'twixt his eyes and mine


s: It clear'd not up what was conceal'd before.


s: Mutually tow'rds each other we advanc'd.


s: Nino, thou courteous judge! what joy I felt,


s: When I perceiv'd thou wert not with the bad!


s: Was left unsaid.  He then inquir'd: "How long


s: Since thou arrived'st at the mountain's foot,


s: Over the distant waves?"--"O!" answer'd I,


s: "Through the sad seats of woe this morn I came,


s: And still in my first life, thus journeying on,


s: The other strive to gain."  Soon as they heard


s: My words, he and Sordello backward drew,


s: Was seated, crying: "Conrad! up with speed:


s: Come, see what of his grace high God hath will'd."


s: Then turning round to me: "By that rare mark


s: Of honour which thou ow'st to him, who hides


s: So deeply his first cause, it hath no ford,


s: When thou shalt be beyond the vast of waves.


s: There, where reply to innocence is made.


s: Her mother, I believe, loves me no more;


s: Since she has chang'd the white and wimpled folds,


s: Which she is doom'd once more with grief to wish.


s: How long in women lasts the flame of love,


s: If sight and touch do not relume it oft.


s: The viper which calls Milan to the field,


s: As had been made by shrill Gallura's bird."


s: He spoke, and in his visage took the stamp


s: Of that right seal, which with due temperature


s: Meanwhile to heav'n had travel'd, even there


s: Where the bright stars are slowest, as a wheel


s: Nearest the axle; when my guide inquir'd:


s: "What there aloft, my son, has caught thy gaze?"


s: I answer'd: "The three torches, with which here


s: The pole is all on fire."  He then to me:


s: "The four resplendent stars, thou saw'st this morn


s: Are there beneath, and these ris'n in their stead."


s: While yet he spoke.  Sordello to himself


s: Drew him, and cry'd: "Lo there our enemy!"


s: And with his hand pointed that way to look.


s: Along the side, where barrier none arose


s: Between the grass and flowers, the evil snake


s: And, as a beast that smoothes its polish'd coat,


s: Licking his hack.  I saw not, nor can tell,


s: How those celestial falcons from their seat


s: Mov'd, but in motion each one well descried,


s: Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes.


s: The serpent fled; and to their stations back


s: The angels up return'd with equal flight.


s: The Spirit (who to Nino, when he call'd,


s: Had come), from viewing me with fixed ken,


s: Through all that conflict, loosen'd not his sight.


s: "So may the lamp, which leads thee up on high,


s: Find, in thy destin'd lot, of wax so much,


s: As may suffice thee to the enamel's height."


s: Thou know'st, tell me, who once was mighty there


s: That old one, but from him I sprang.  The love


s: "In your dominions," I answer'd, "ne'er was I.


s: But through all Europe where do those men dwell,


s: The fame, that honours your illustrious house,


s: Proclaims the nobles and proclaims the land;


s: So that he knows it who was never there.


s: Prosper! your honour'd nation not impairs


s: That while the world is twisted from his course


s: And has the evil way in scorn."  He then:


s: "Now pass thee on: sev'n times the tired sun


s: Revisits not the couch, which with four feet


s: With stronger nails than other's speech can drive,


s: If the sure course of judgment be not stay'd."


s: Look'd palely o'er the eastern cliff: her brow,


s: Of that chill animal, who with his train


s: Smites fearful nations: and where then we were,


s: Two steps of her ascent the night had past,


s: And now the third was closing up its wing,


s: When I, who had so much of Adam with me,


s: Sank down upon the grass, o'ercome with sleep,


s: There where all five were seated.  In that hour,


s: When near the dawn the swallow her sad lay,


s: Rememb'ring haply ancient grief, renews,


s: And with our minds more wand'rers from the flesh,


s: And less by thought restrain'd are, as 't were, full


s: With open wings, and hov'ring for descent,


s: And I was in that place, methought, from whence


s: Young Ganymede, from his associates 'reft,


s: Was snatch'd aloft to the high consistory.


s: "Perhaps," thought I within me, "here alone


s: He strikes his quarry, and elsewhere disdains


s: To pounce upon the prey."  Therewith, it seem'd,


s: Terrible as the lightning rush'd he down,


s: And snatch'd me upward even to the fire.


s: There both, I thought, the eagle and myself


s: Did burn; and so intense th' imagin'd flames,


s: That needs my sleep was broken off.  As erst


s: Achilles shook himself, and round him roll'd


s: His waken'd eyeballs wond'ring where he was,


s: To Scyros, with him sleeping in her arms;


s: E'en thus I shook me, soon as from my face


s: The slumber parted, turning deadly pale,


s: Like one ice-struck with dread.  Solo at my side


s: My comfort stood: and the bright sun was now


s: More than two hours aloft: and to the sea


s: My looks were turn'd.  "Fear not," my master cried,


s: "Assur'd we are at happy point.  Thy strength


s: Shrink not, but rise dilated.  Thou art come


s: That circling bounds it!  Lo! the entrance there,


s: Where it doth seem disparted! re the dawn


s: Usher'd the daylight, when thy wearied soul


s: Slept in thee, o'er the flowery vale beneath


s: Who slumbers.  Easier so his way shall speed."


s: Tarrying, she bare thee up: and, as day shone,


s: This summit reach'd: and I pursued her steps.


s: Here did she place thee.  First her lovely eyes


s: That open entrance show'd me; then at once


s: She vanish'd with thy sleep.  Like one, whose doubts


s: Are chas'd by certainty, and terror turn'd


s: Such was the change in me: and as my guide


s: He mov'd, and I behind him, towards the height.


s: Reader! thou markest how my theme doth rise,


s: I prop the structure! nearer now we drew,


s: Arriv'd' whence in that part, where first a breach


s: A portal, and three steps beneath, that led


s: For inlet there, of different colour each,


s: And one who watch'd, but spake not yet a word.


s: As more and more mine eye did stretch its view,


s: I mark'd him seated on the highest step,


s: In visage such, as past my power to bear.


s: Grasp'd in his hand a naked sword, glanc'd back


s: The rays so toward me, that I oft in vain


s: My sight directed.  "Speak from whence ye stand:"


s: He cried: "What would ye?  Where is your escort?


s: Take heed your coming upward harm ye not."


s: "A heavenly dame, not skilless of these things,"


s: Replied the' instructor, "told us, even now,


s: "Pass that way: here the gate is." --"And may she


s: Befriending prosper your ascent," resum'd


s: The courteous keeper of the gate: "Come then


s: Before our steps."  We straightway thither came.


s: The lowest stair was marble white so smooth


s: And polish'd, that therein my mirror'd form


s: Distinct I saw.  The next of hue more dark


s: Than sablest grain, a rough and singed block,


s: Crack'd lengthwise and across.  The third, that lay


s: Massy above, seem'd porphyry, that flam'd


s: Red as the life-blood spouting from a vein.


s: On this God's angel either foot sustain'd,


s: Upon the threshold seated, which appear'd


s: My leader cheerily drew me.  "Ask," said he,


s: "With humble heart, that he unbar the bolt."


s: That he would open to me: but first fell


s: Thrice on my bosom prostrate.  Seven times


s: The letter, that denotes the inward stain,


s: He on my forehead with the blunted point


s: Of his drawn sword inscrib'd.  And "Look," he cried,


s: "When enter'd, that thou wash these scars away."


s: Ashes, or earth ta'en dry out of the ground,


s: Were of one colour with the robe he wore.


s: From underneath that vestment forth he drew


s: Two keys of metal twain: the one was gold,


s: Its fellow silver.  With the pallid first,


s: And next the burnish'd, he so ply'd the gate,


s: Faileth of these, that in the keyhole straight


s: Access in vain."  Such were the words he spake.


s: "One is more precious: but the other needs


s: Skill and sagacity, large share of each,


s: Be worthily perform'd.  From Peter these


s: So but the suppliant at my feet implore."


s: Then of that hallow'd gate he thrust the door,


s: Exclaiming, "Enter, but this warning hear:


s: He forth again departs who looks behind."


s: The swivels turn'd, sonorous metal strong,


s: Roar'd the Tarpeian, when by force bereft


s: Of good Metellus, thenceforth from his loss


s: To leanness doom'd.  Attentively I turn'd,


s: List'ning the thunder, that first issued forth;


s: And "We praise thee, O God," methought I heard


s: The strains came o'er mine ear, e'en as the sound


s: With organ mingle, and, now high and clear,


s: Come swelling, now float indistinct away.


s: When we had passed the threshold of the gate


s: (Which the soul's ill affection doth disuse,


s: Making the crooked seem the straighter path),


s: I heard its closing sound.  Had mine eyes turn'd,


s: For that offence what plea might have avail'd?


s: We mounted up the riven rock, that wound


s: Flies and advances.  "Here some little art


s: Behooves us," said my leader, "that our steps


s: Observe the varying flexure of the path."


s: Thus we so slowly sped, that with cleft orb


s: The moon once more o'erhangs her wat'ry couch,


s: Ere we that strait have threaded.  But when free


s: One solid mass retires, I spent, with toil,


s: And both, uncertain of the way, we stood,


s: Upon a plain more lonesome, than the roads


s: That traverse desert wilds.  From whence the brink


s: Of the steep bank, that rises still, the space


s: Had measur'd thrice the stature of a man:


s: And, distant as mine eye could wing its flight,


s: To leftward now and now to right dispatch'd,


s: Not yet our feet had on that summit mov'd,


s: Was marble white, and so exactly wrought


s: With quaintest sculpture, that not there alone


s: Been sham'd.  The angel who came down to earth


s: Wept for in vain, that op'd the heavenly gates


s: From their long interdict, before us seem'd,


s: In a sweet act, so sculptur'd to the life,


s: He look'd no silent image. One had sworn


s: He had said, "Hail!" for she was imag'd there,


s: That word, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord,"


s: As figure seal'd on wax.  "Fix not thy mind


s: On one place only," said the guide belov'd,


s: Who had me near him on that part where lies


s: The heart of man.  My sight forthwith I turn'd


s: And mark'd, behind the virgin mother's form,


s: Upon that side, where he, that mov'd me, stood,


s: I passed athwart the bard, and drew me near,


s: That it might stand more aptly for my view.


s: There in the self-same marble were engrav'd


s: The cart and kine, drawing the sacred ark,


s: Before it came much people; and the whole


s: Parted in seven quires.  One sense cried, "Nay,"


s: Another, "Yes, they sing."  Like doubt arose


s: Betwixt the eye and smell, from the curl'd fume


s: Of incense breathing up the well-wrought toil.


s: With light dance leaping, girt in humble guise,


s: Sweet Israel's harper: in that hap he seem'd


s: Less and yet more than kingly.  Opposite,


s: At a great palace, from the lattice forth


s: Look'd Michol, like a lady full of scorn


s: Which at the hack of Michol whitely shone,


s: I mov'd me.  There was storied on the rock


s: Whose mighty worth mov'd Gregory to earn


s: His mighty conquest, Trajan th' Emperor.


s: In tears and mourning.  Round about them troop'd


s: Full throng of knights, and overhead in gold


s: The eagles floated, struggling with the wind.


s: The wretch appear'd amid all these to say:


s: "Grant vengeance, sire! for, woe beshrew this heart


s: My son is murder'd."  He replying seem'd;


s: "Wait now till I return." And she, as one


s: Made hasty by her grief; "O sire, if thou


s: Dost not return?"--"Where I am, who then is,


s: May right thee."--"What to thee is other's good,


s: If thou neglect thy own?"--"Now comfort thee,"


s: At length he answers.  "It beseemeth well


s: So justice wills; and pity bids me stay."


s: He, whose ken nothing new surveys, produc'd


s: That visible speaking, new to us and strange


s: The like not found on earth.  Fondly I gaz'd


s: Shapes yet more precious for their artist's sake,


s: When "Lo," the poet whisper'd, "where this way


s: (But slack their pace), a multitude advance.


s: These to the lofty steps shall guide us on."


s: Mine eyes, though bent on view of novel sights


s: Their lov'd allurement, were not slow to turn.


s: Of thy good purpose, hearing how just God


s: Decrees our debts be cancel'd.  Ponder not


s: The form of suff'ring.  Think on what succeeds,


s: Think that at worst beyond the mighty doom


s: "What I see hither tending, bears no trace


s: That my foil'd sight can guess."  He answering thus:


s: "So courb'd to earth, beneath their heavy teems


s: Of torment stoop they, that mine eye at first


s: Struggled as thine.  But look intently thither,


s: What underneath those stones approacheth: now,


s: E'en now, mayst thou discern the pangs of each."


s: Christians and proud! poor and wretched ones!


s: That feeble in the mind's eye, lean your trust


s: That we are worms, yet made at last to form


s: The winged insect, imp'd with angel plumes


s: That to heaven's justice unobstructed soars?


s: Why buoy ye up aloft your unfleg'd souls?


s: That crumples up its knees unto its breast,


s: With the feign'd posture stirring ruth unfeign'd


s: These fashion'd, when I noted well their guise.


s: Each, as his back was laden, came indeed


s: Or more or less contract; but it appear'd


s: As he, who show'd most patience in his look,


s: Wailing exclaim'd: "I can endure no more."


s: The heavens thy dwelling, not in bounds confin'd,


s: But that with love intenser there thou view'st


s: Thy primal effluence, hallow'd be thy name:


s: Thy might, for worthy humblest thanks and praise


s: Is thy blest Spirit.  May thy kingdom's peace


s: With all our striving thither tend in vain.


s: Tender meet sacrifice, circling thy throne


s: With loud hosannas, so of theirs be done


s: By saintly men on earth.  Grant us this day


s: Through this rough desert retrograde, who most


s: Toils to advance his steps.  As we to each


s: 'Gainst the old adversary prove thou not


s: From his incitements and defeat his wiles.


s: This last petition, dearest Lord! is made


s: Not for ourselves, since that were needless now,


s: But for their sakes who after us remain."


s: Thus for themselves and us good speed imploring,


s: Those spirits went beneath a weight like that


s: We sometimes feel in dreams, all, sore beset,


s: Round the first circuit, purging as they go,


s: The world's gross darkness off: In our behalf


s: If there vows still be offer'd, what can here


s: For them be vow'd and done by such, whose wills


s: Have root of goodness in them?  Well beseems


s: That we should help them wash away the stains


s: They carried hence, that so made pure and light,


s: They may spring upward to the starry spheres.


s: Your burdens speedily, that ye have power


s: To stretch your wing, which e'en to your desire


s: Shall lift you, as ye show us on which hand


s: Toward the ladder leads the shortest way.


s: For this man who comes with me, and bears yet


s: The charge of fleshly raiment Adam left him,


s: Despite his better will but slowly mounts."


s: From whom the answer came unto these words,


s: Which my guide spake, appear'd not; but 'twas said:


s: "Along the bank to rightward come with us,


s: And ye shall find a pass that mocks not toil


s: That I am hinder'd by the rock, wherewith


s: This arrogant neck is tam'd, whence needs I stoop


s: My visage to the ground, him, who yet lives,


s: Whose name thou speak'st not him I fain would view.


s: My sire's, I know not if ye e'er have heard.


s: My old blood and forefathers' gallant deeds


s: Wax'd in my scorn of all men, that I fell,


s: Fell therefore; by what fate Sienna's sons,


s: Hath injur'd, but my kindred all involv'd


s: In mischief with her.  Here my lot ordains


s: Under this weight to groan, till I appease


s: Amongst the living, here amongst the dead."


s: List'ning I bent my visage down: and one


s: (Not he who spake) twisted beneath the weight


s: That urg'd him, saw me, knew me straight, and call'd,


s: Companion of their way.  "O!"  I exclaim'd,


s: Which they of Paris call the limmer's skill?"


s: "Brother!" said he, "with tints that gayer smile,


s: Bolognian Franco's pencil lines the leaves.


s: His all the honour now; mine borrow'd light.


s: In truth I had not been thus courteous to him,


s: The whilst I liv'd, through eagerness of zeal


s: For that pre-eminence my heart was bent on.


s: Here of such pride the forfeiture is paid.


s: O powers of man! how vain your glory, nipp'd


s: E'en in its height of verdure, if an age


s: To lord it over painting's field; and now


s: The cry is Giotto's, and his name eclips'd.


s: Thus hath one Guido from the other snatch'd


s: The letter'd prize: and he perhaps is born,


s: Who shall drive either from their nest.  The noise


s: That blows from divers points, and shifts its name


s: Shifting the point it blows from.  Shalt thou more


s: Live in the mouths of mankind, if thy flesh


s: Part shrivel'd from thee, than if thou hadst died,


s: Or ere some thousand years have passed? and that


s: To the heaven's slowest orb.  He there who treads


s: Is in Sienna scarce with whispers nam'd:


s: There was he sov'reign, when destruction caught


s: The madd'ning rage of Florence, in that day


s: Proud as she now is loathsome.  Your renown


s: Is as the herb, whose hue doth come and go,


s: And his might withers it, by whom it sprang


s: Crude from the lap of earth."  I thus to him:


s: "True are thy sayings: to my heart they breathe


s: The kindly spirit of meekness, and allay


s: What tumours rankle there.  But who is he


s: Of whom thou spak'st but now?"--"This," he replied,


s: He reach'd, with grasp presumptuous, at the sway


s: Of all Sienna.  Thus he still hath gone,


s: Thus goeth never-resting, since he died.


s: Such is th' acquittance render'd back of him,


s: Who, beyond measure, dar'd on earth."  I then:


s: "If soul that to the verge of life delays


s: Nor hither mount, unless good prayers befriend,


s: How chanc'd admittance was vouchsaf'd to him?"


s: "When at his glory's topmost height," said he,


s: A suitor to  redeem his suff'ring friend,


s: Who languish'd in the prison-house of Charles,


s: Nor for his sake refus'd through every vein


s: To tremble.  More I will not say; and dark,


s: I know, my words are, but thy neighbours soon


s: Shall help thee to a comment on the text.


s: This is the work, that from these limits freed him."


s: Long as the mild instructor suffer'd me;


s: But when he bade me quit him, and proceed


s: (For "here," said he, "behooves with sail and oars


s: Each man, as best he may, push on his bark"),


s: Upright, as one dispos'd for speed, I rais'd


s: My body, still in thought submissive bow'd.


s: I now my leader's track not loth pursued;


s: And each had shown how light we far'd along


s: When thus he warn'd me: "Bend thine eyesight down:


s: For thou to ease the way shall find it good


s: Upon earth-level tombs, the sculptur'd form


s: Of what was once, appears (at sight whereof


s: Tears often stream forth by remembrance wak'd,


s: Whose sacred stings the piteous only feel),


s: So saw I there, but with more curious skill


s: Of portraiture o'erwrought, whate'er of space


s: From forth the mountain stretches.  On one part


s: Created noblest, light'ning fall from heaven:


s: On th' other side with bolt celestial pierc'd


s: Briareus: cumb'ring earth he lay through dint


s: Of mortal ice-stroke.  The Thymbraean god


s: With Mars, I saw, and Pallas, round their sire,


s: Arm'd still, and gazing on the giant's limbs


s: Strewn o'er th' ethereal field.  Nimrod I saw:


s: At foot of the stupendous work he stood,


s: Leagued in his proud attempt on Sennaar's plain.


s: Sev'n sons on either side thee slain!  Saul!


s: How ghastly didst thou look! on thine own sword


s: Ne'er visited with rain from heav'n or dew!


s: Th' unfinish'd web thou weaved'st to thy bane!


s: Louring no more defiance! but fear-smote


s: With none to chase him in his chariot whirl'd.


s: How dear Alcmaeon forc'd his mother rate


s: His sons, and how a corpse they left him there.


s: Was shown the scath and cruel mangling made


s: "Blood thou didst thirst for, take thy fill of blood!"


s: Th' Assyrians, Holofernes slain, and e'en


s: The relics of the carnage.  Troy I mark'd


s: In ashes and in caverns.  Oh! how fall'n,


s: How abject, Ilion, was thy semblance there!


s: Had trac'd the shades and lines, that might have made


s: The subtlest workman wonder?  Dead the dead,


s: The living seem'd alive; with clearer view


s: His eye beheld not who beheld the truth,


s: Than mine what I did tread on, while I went


s: Low bending.  Now swell out; and with stiff necks


s: Pass on, ye sons of Eve! veil not your looks,


s: How much we now had circled of the mount,


s: And of his course yet more the sun had spent,


s: When he, who with still wakeful caution went,


s: Admonish'd: "Raise thou up thy head: for know


s: Time is not now for slow suspense.  Behold


s: That way an angel hasting towards us!  Lo!


s: Where duly the sixth handmaid doth return


s: From service on the day.  Wear thou in look


s: And gesture seemly grace of reverent awe,


s: Consider that this day ne'er dawns again."


s: Time's loss he had so often warn'd me 'gainst,


s: I could not miss the scope at which he aim'd.


s: The goodly shape approach'd us, snowy white


s: In vesture, and with visage casting streams


s: Of tremulous lustre like the matin star.


s: His arms he open'd, then his wings; and spake:


s: "Onward: the steps, behold! are near; and now


s: Th' ascent is without difficulty gain'd."


s: A scanty few are they, who when they hear


s: Though born to soar, why suffer ye a wind


s: Where the rock parted; here against my front


s: Did beat his wings, then promis'd I should fare


s: That steep, upon whose brow the chapel stands


s: Th' impetuous rise is broken by the steps


s: Carv'd in that old and simple age, when still


s: Thus is th' acclivity reliev'd, which here


s: Precipitous from the other circuit falls:


s: But on each hand the tall cliff presses close.


s: As ent'ring there we turn'd, voices, in strain


s: The straits of hell; here songs to usher us,


s: There shrieks of woe!  We climb the holy stairs:


s: Than on the plain before, whence thus I spake:


s: "Say, master, of what heavy thing have I


s: Been lighten'd, that scarce aught the sense of toil


s: Affects me journeying?"  He in few replied:


s: "When sin's broad characters, that yet remain


s: Upon thy temples, though well nigh effac'd,


s: Shall be, as one is, all clean razed out,


s: Then shall thy feet by heartiness of will


s: Be so o'ercome, they not alone shall feel


s: No sense of labour, but delight much more


s: Shall wait them urg'd along their upward way."


s: Then like to one, upon whose head is plac'd


s: Somewhat he deems not of but from the becks


s: Lends therefore help to' assure him, searches, finds,


s: And well performs such office as the eye


s: Wants power to execute: so stretching forth


s: The fingers of my right hand, did I find


s: Six only of the letters, which his sword


s: Who bare the keys had trac'd upon my brow.


s: The leader, as he mark'd mine action, smil'd.


s: We reach'd the summit of the scale, and stood


s: Which healeth him who climbs.  A cornice there,


s: Like to the former, girdles round the hill;


s: Save that its arch with sweep less ample bends.


s: Shadow nor image there is seen; all smooth


s: The rampart and the path, reflecting nought


s: But the rock's sullen hue.  "If here we wait


s: For some to question," said the bard, "I fear


s: Our choice may haply meet too long delay."


s: He fastn'd, made his right the central point


s: From whence to move, and turn'd the left aside.


s: "O pleasant light, my confidence and hope,


s: Conduct us thou," he cried, "on this new way,


s: Where now I venture, leading to the bourn


s: Owes warmth and lustre.  If no other cause


s: Forbid, thy beams should ever be our guide."


s: Far, as is measur'd for a mile on earth,


s: In brief space had we journey'd; such prompt will


s: Impell'd; and towards us flying, now were heard


s: Unto love's table bade the welcome guest.


s: The voice, that firstlew by, call'd forth aloud,


s: "They have no wine;" so on behind us past,


s: In the faint distance, when another came


s: Wing'd its fleet way.  "Oh father!"  I exclaim'd,


s: "What tongues are these?"  and as I question'd, lo!


s: A third exclaiming, "Love ye those have wrong'd you."


s: "This circuit," said my teacher, "knots the scourge


s: For envy, and the cords are therefore drawn


s: Is of a harsher sound, as thou shalt hear


s: (If I deem rightly), ere thou reach the pass,


s: Where pardon sets them free.  But fix thine eyes


s: Intently through the air, and thou shalt see


s: Along the shelving grot."  Then more than erst


s: I op'd my eyes, before me view'd, and saw


s: Shadows with garments dark as was the rock;


s: And when we pass'd a little forth, I heard


s: Michael and Peter! all ye saintly host!"


s: I do not think there walks on earth this day


s: Man so remorseless, that he hath not yearn'd


s: Mine eyes a load of sorrow teemed, when now


s: I stood so near them, that their semblances


s: Came clearly to my view.  Of sackcloth vile


s: Their cov'ring seem'd; and on his shoulder one


s: Did stay another, leaning, and all lean'd


s: Against the cliff.  E'en thus the blind and poor,


s: Near the confessionals, to crave an alms,


s: Stand, each his head upon his fellow's sunk,


s: So most to stir compassion, not by sound


s: Of words alone, but that, which moves not less,


s: Of his fair light; for, through the orbs of all,


s: A thread of wire, impiercing, knits them up,


s: It were a wrong, methought, to pass and look


s: To my sage counsel therefore did I turn.


s: Nor waited for my questioning, but said:


s: "Speak; and be brief, be subtle in thy words."


s: On that part of the cornice, whence no rim


s: Engarlands its steep fall, did Virgil come;


s: On the' other side me were the spirits, their cheeks


s: That through the dread impalement forc'd a way.


s: I turn'd me to them, and "O shades!" said I,


s: "Assur'd that to your eyes unveil'd shall shine


s: The lofty light, sole object of your wish,


s: So may heaven's grace clear whatsoe'er of foam


s: Floats turbid on the conscience, that thenceforth


s: The stream of mind roll limpid from its source,


s: That soul may profit, if I learn so much."


s: Of one true city.  Any thou wouldst say,


s: So heard I answering, as appeal'd, a voice


s: That onward came some space from whence I stood.


s: A spirit I noted, in whose look was mark'd


s: Expectance.  Ask ye how?  The chin was rais'd


s: As in one reft of sight.  "Spirit," said I,


s: "Who for thy rise are tutoring (if thou be


s: That which didst answer to me,) or by place


s: Or name, disclose thyself, that I may know thee."


s: I cleanse away with these the evil life,


s: Vouchsafe him to us.  Though Sapia nam'd


s: Of others' hurt, than of the good befell me.


s: That thou mayst own I now deceive thee not,


s: Hear, if my folly were not as I speak it.


s: When now my years slop'd waning down the arch,


s: Near Colle met their enemies in the field,


s: And I pray'd God to grant what He had will'd.


s: There were they vanquish'd, and betook themselves


s: I mark'd the hunt, and waxing out of bounds


s: In gladness, lifted up my shameless brow,


s: Cried, "It is over.  Heav'n! fear thee not."


s: Upon my verge of life I wish'd for peace


s: "But who art thou that question'st of our state,


s: Who go'st to my belief, with lids unclos'd,


s: And breathest in thy talk?"--"Mine eyes," said I,


s: "May yet be here ta'en from me; but not long;


s: With envious glances.  But the woe beneath


s: Urges my soul with more exceeding dread.


s: That nether load already weighs me down."


s: She thus: "Who then amongst us here aloft


s: Hath brought thee, if thou weenest to return?"


s: "He," answer'd I, "who standeth mute beside me.


s: I live: of me ask therefore, chosen spirit,


s: For thee my mortal feet."--"Oh!" she replied,


s: "This is so strange a thing, it is great sign


s: That God doth love thee.  Therefore with thy prayer


s: Sometime assist me: and by that I crave,


s: Which most thou covetest, that if thy feet


s: E'er tread on Tuscan soil, thou save my fame


s: Amongst my kindred.  Them shalt thou behold


s: With that vain multitude, who set their hope


s: Confounded, more shall when the fancied stream


s: They sought of Dian call'd: but they who lead


s: Their navies, more than ruin'd hopes shall mourn."


s: "Say who is he around our mountain winds,


s: Or ever death has prun'd his wing for flight,


s: That opes his eyes and covers them at will?"


s: "I know not who he is, but know thus much


s: He comes not singly.  Do thou ask of him,


s: For thou art nearer to him, and take heed


s: Accost him gently, so that he may speak."


s: Thus on the right two Spirits bending each


s: Toward the other, talk'd of me, then both


s: Addressing me, their faces backward lean'd,


s: And thus the one began: "O soul, who yet


s: Pent in the body, tendest towards the sky!


s: Recounting whence thou com'st, and who thou art:


s: For thou dost make us at the favour shown thee


s: Marvel, as at a thing that ne'er hath been."


s: "There stretches through the midst of Tuscany,"


s: I straight began: "a brooklet, whose well-head


s: Not satisfied, when he some hundred miles


s: Hath measur'd.  From his banks bring, I this frame.


s: To tell you who I am were words misspent:


s: For yet my name scarce sounds on rumour's lip."


s: "If well I do incorp'rate with my thought


s: The meaning of thy speech," said he, who first


s: Addrest me, "thou dost speak of Arno's wave."


s: To whom the other: "Why hath he conceal'd


s: Doth of some horrible thing?"  The spirit, who


s: Thereof was question'd, did acquit him thus:


s: "I know not: but 'tis fitting well the name


s: Should perish of that vale; for from the source


s: Where teems so plenteously the Alpine steep


s: Maim'd of Pelorus, (that doth scarcely pass


s: Whereunto ocean is restor'd, what heaven


s: Drains from th' exhaustless store for all earth's streams,


s: Throughout the space is virtue worried down,


s: As 'twere a snake, by all, for mortal foe,


s: Or through disastrous influence on the place,


s: That custom goads to evil: whence in those,


s: Nature is so transform'd, it seems as they


s: Had shar'd of Circe's feeding.  'Midst brute swine,


s: His obscure way; then, sloping onward, finds


s: Curs, snarlers more in spite than power, from whom


s: He turns with scorn aside: still journeying down,


s: By how much more the curst and luckless foss


s: Swells out to largeness, e'en so much it finds


s: Dogs turning into wolves.  Descending still


s: Through yet more hollow eddies, next he meets


s: They do not fear that skill can master it.


s: Nor will I cease because my words are heard


s: By other ears than thine.  It shall be well


s: A hunter of those wolves, upon the shore


s: Of the fierce stream, and cows them all with dread:


s: Their flesh yet living sets he up to sale,


s: Then like an aged beast to slaughter dooms.


s: Many of life he reaves, himself of worth


s: And goodly estimation.  Smear'd with gore


s: Mark how he issues from the rueful wood,


s: Leaving such havoc, that in thousand years


s: It spreads not to prime lustihood again."


s: As one, who tidings hears of woe to come,


s: Changes his looks perturb'd, from whate'er part


s: That spirit, who had turn'd to listen, struck


s: With sadness, soon as he had caught the word.


s: His visage and the other's speech did raise


s: The shade, who late addrest me, thus resum'd:


s: "Thy wish imports that I vouchsafe to do


s: For thy sake what thou wilt not do for mine.


s: But since God's will is that so largely shine


s: His grace in thee, I will be liberal too.


s: Envy so parch'd my blood, that had I seen


s: A fellow man made joyous, thou hadst mark'd


s: Such harvest reap I of the seed I sow'd.


s: O man, why place thy heart where there doth need


s: This is Rinieri's spirit, this the boast


s: Nor his the only blood, that hath been stript


s: ('twixt Po, the mount, the Reno, and the shore,)


s: Of all that truth or fancy asks for bliss;


s: But in those limits such a growth has sprung


s: Of rank and venom'd roots, as long would mock


s: Slow culture's toil.  Where is good Liziohere


s: Wonder not, Tuscan, if thou see me weep,


s: When I recall to mind those once lov'd names,


s: That dwelt with you; Tignoso and his troop,


s: With Traversaro's house and Anastagio's,


s: (Each race disherited) and beside these,


s: The ladies and the knights, the toils and ease,


s: Where now such malice reigns in recreant hearts.


s: Since forth of thee thy family hath gone,


s: And many, hating evil, join'd their steps?


s: Well doeth he, that bids his lineage cease,


s: A race of Counties from such blood as theirs.


s: When from amongst you tries your demon child.


s: Not so, howe'er, that henceforth there remain


s: Thou sprung of Fantolini's line! thy name


s: Is safe, since none is look'd for after thee


s: To cloud its lustre, warping from thy stock.


s: But, Tuscan, go thy ways; for now I take


s: Far more delight in weeping than in words.


s: Such pity for your sakes hath wrung my heart."


s: We knew those gentle spirits at parting heard


s: Our steps.  Their silence therefore of our way


s: Assur'd us.  Soon as we had quitted them,


s: Advancing onward, lo! a voice that seem'd


s: Like vollied light'ning, when it rives the air,


s: Will slay me," then fled from us, as the bolt


s: Lanc'd sudden from a downward-rushing cloud.


s: When it had giv'n short truce unto our hearing,


s: As the quick-following thunder: "Mark in me


s: Aglauros turn'd to rock."  I at the sound


s: Retreating drew more closely to my guide.


s: Now in mute stillness rested all the air:


s: And thus he spake: "There was the galling bit.


s: He drags you eager to him.  Hence nor curb


s: Avails you, nor reclaiming call.  Heav'n calls


s: And round about you wheeling courts your gaze


s: With everlasting beauties.  Yet your eye


s: Turns with fond doting still upon the earth.


s: Therefore He smites you who discerneth all."


s: As much as 'twixt the third hour's close and dawn,


s: Appeareth of heav'n's sphere, that ever whirls


s: Of his slope journey towards the western goal.


s: Evening was there, and here the noon of night;


s: and full upon our forehead smote the beams.


s: For  round the mountain, circling, so our path


s: Direct we journey'd: when I felt a weight


s: Of more exceeding splendour, than before,


s: Press on my front.  The cause unknown, amaze


s: Possess'd me, and both hands against my brow


s: Lifting, I interpos'd them, as a screen,


s: Clipp'd the diminish'd orb. As when the ray,


s: Of mirror, leaps unto the opposite part,


s: (And so much differs from the stone, that falls


s: Through equal space, as practice skill hath shown);


s: Thus with refracted light before me seemed


s: The ground there smitten; whence in sudden haste


s: My sight recoil'd.  "What is this, sire belov'd!


s: 'Gainst which I strive to shield the sight in vain?"


s: Cried I, "and which towards us moving seems?"


s: He answer'd, "yet with dazzling radiance dim


s: Inviting man's ascent.  Such sights ere long,


s: Not grievous, shall impart to thee delight,


s: Up to their pitch."  The blessed angel, soon


s: As we had reach'd him, hail'd us with glad voice:


s: Than ye have yet encounter'd."  We forthwith


s: Ascending, heard behind us chanted sweet,


s: "Blessed the merciful," and "happy thou!


s: That conquer'st."  Lonely each, my guide and I


s: Some profit from his words I hop'd to win,


s: And thus of him inquiring, fram'd my speech:


s: "What meant Romagna's spirit, when he spake


s: Of bliss exclusive with no partner shar'd?"


s: He straight replied: "No wonder, since he knows,


s: What sorrow waits on his own worst defect,


s: If he chide others, that they less may mourn.


s: Is lessen'd, envy bloweth up the sighs of men.


s: No fear of that might touch ye, if the love


s: For there, by how much more they call it ours,


s: Wraps that fair cloister in a brighter flame."


s: "Than if thou hadst been silent at the first,


s: And doubt more gathers on my lab'ring thought.


s: How can it chance, that good distributed,


s: The many, that possess it, makes more rich,


s: Than if 't were shar'd by few?"  He answering thus:


s: "Thy mind, reverting still to things of earth,


s: Strikes darkness from true light.  The highest good


s: The sempiternal effluence streams abroad


s: So that the more aspirants to that bliss


s: Are multiplied, more good is there to love,


s: And more is lov'd; as mirrors, that reflect,


s: Who of this want, and of all else thou hast,


s: Shall rid thee to the full.  Provide but thou


s: That from thy temples may be soon eras'd,


s: E'en as the two already, those five scars,


s: That when they pain thee worst, then kindliest heal,"


s: "Thou," I had said, "content'st me," when I saw


s: The other round was gain'd, and wond'ring eyes


s: Did keep me mute.  There suddenly I seem'd


s: Of many persons; and at th' entrance stood