s: v. 121.  Stricca.] This is said ironically.  Stricca, Niccolo


s: Folcacchieri, belonged to a company of prodigal and luxurious


s: young men in Sienna, called the "brigata godereccia."  Niccolo


s: was the inventor of a new manner of using cloves in cookery, not


s: very well understood by the commentators, and which was termed


s: v. 134.  Cappocchio's ghost.] Capocchio of Sienna, who is said to


s: v. 16.  Hecuba. See Euripedes, Hecuba; and Ovid, Metnm. l. xiii.


s: v. 33.  Schicchi.]  Gianni Schicci, who was of the family of


s: Cavalcanti, possessed such a faculty of moulding his features to


s: the resemblance of others, that he was employed by Simon Donati


s: to personate Buoso Donati, then recently deceased, and to make a


s: will, leaving Simon his heir; for which service he was


s: renumerated with a mare of extraordinary value, here called "the


s: v. 60. Adamo's woe.]  Adamo of Breschia, at the instigation of


s: Cuido Alessandro, and their brother Aghinulfo, lords of Romena,


s: coonterfeited the coin of Florence; for which crime he was burnt.


s: pile of stones near Romena as the place of his execution.


s: v. 64.  Casentino.] Romena is a part of Casentino.


s: v. 77.  Branda's limpid spring.]  A fountain in Sienna.


s: v. 88.  The florens with three carats of alloy.]  The floren was


s: a coin that ought to have had tmenty-four carats of pure gold.


s: Villani relates, that it was first used at Florence in 1253, an


s: aera of great prosperity in the annals of the republic; before


s: which time their most valuable coinage was of silver.  Hist. l.


s: v. 98.  The false accuser.]  Potiphar's wife.


s: Vulnus in Herculeo quae quondam fecerat hoste


s: The same allusion was made by Bernard de Ventadour, a Provencal


s: poet in the middle of the twelfth century: and Millot observes,


s: that it was a singular instance of erudition in a Troubadour.


s: But it is not impossible, as Warton remarks, (Hist. of Engl.


s: Poetry, vol. ii. sec. x. p 215.) but that he might have been


s: indebted for it to some of the early romances.


s: In Chaucer's Squier's Tale, a sword of similar quality is


s: And other folk have wondred on the sweard,


s: That could so piercen through every thing;


s: And fell in speech of Telephus the king,


s: For he couth with it both heale and dere.


s: Whose smile and frown like to Achilles' spear


s: Is able with the change to kill and cure.


s: When Charlemain with all his peerage fell


s: See Warton's Hist. of Eng. Poetrg, v. i. sect. iii. p. 132.


s: "This is the horn which Orlando won from the giant Jatmund, and


s: which as Turpin and the Islandic bards report, was endued with


s: magical power, and might be heard at the distance of twenty


s: miles."  Charlemain and Orlando are introduced in the Paradise,


s: v. 36.  Montereggnon.] A castle near Sienna.


s: v. 105.  The fortunate vale.] The country near Carthage.  See


s: Liv. Hist. l. xxx. and Lucan, Phars. l. iv. 590. Dante has kept


s: the latter of these writers in his eye throughout all this


s: v. 123.  Alcides.]  The combat between Hercules Antaeus is


s: adduced by the Poet in his treatise "De Monarchia," l. ii. as a


s: proof of the judgment of God displayed in the duel, according to


s: the singular superstition of those times.


s: v. 128.  The tower of Carisenda.]  The leaning tower at Bologna


s: Ne da lingua, che chiami mamma, o babbo.


s: Dante in his treatise " De Vulg. Eloq." speaking of words not


s: admissble in the loftier, or as he calls it, tragic style of


s: poetry, says- "In quorum numero nec puerilia propter suam


s: simplicitatem ut Mamma et Babbo," l. ii. c. vii.


s: v. 29.  Tabernich or Pietrapana.] The one a mountain in


s: Sclavonia, the other in that tract of country called the


s: v. 33.  To where modest shame appears.]  "As high as to the


s: v. 35.  Moving their teeth in shrill note like the stork.]


s: So Boccaccio, G. viii. n. 7. "Lo scolar cattivello quasi cicogna


s: v. 53.  Who are these two.]  Alessandro and Napoleone, sons of


s: Alberto Alberti, who murdered each other.  They were proprietors


s: of the valley of Falterona, where the Bisenzio has its source, a


s: river that falls into the Arno about six miles from Florence.


s: v. 59.  Not him,]  Mordrec, son of King Arthur.


s: v. 60. Foccaccia.]  Focaccia of Cancellieri, (the Pistoian


s: family) whose atrocious act of revenge against his uncle is said


s: to have given rise to the parties of the Bianchi and Neri, in the


s: Macchiavelli, Hist. l. ii. The account of the latter writer


s: differs much from that given by Landino in his Commentary.


s: v. 63.  Mascheroni.]  Sassol Mascheroni, a Florentiue, who also


s: v. 66.  Camiccione.]  Camiccione de' Pazzi of Valdarno, by whom


s: his kinsman Ubertino was treacherously pnt to death.


s: v. 67.  Carlino.]  One of the same family.  He betrayed the


s: Castel di Piano Travigne, in Valdarno, to the Florentines, after


s: the refugees of the Bianca and Ghibelline party had defended it


s: against a siege for twenty-nine days, in the summer of 1302.  See


s: v. 81. Montaperto.] The defeat of the Guelfi at Montaperto,


s: occasioned by the treachery of Bocca degli Abbati, who, during


s: the engagement, cut off the hand of Giacopo del Vacca de'Pazzi,


s: bearer of the Florentine standard.  G. Villani, l. vi. c. 80, and


s: v. 113.  Him of Duera.]  Buoso of Cremona, of the family of


s: Duera, who was bribed by Guy de Montfort, to leave a pass between


s: entrusted by the Ghibellines, open to the army of Charles of


s: Anjou, A.D. 1265, at which the people of Cremona were so enraged,


s: v. 118.  Beccaria.]  Abbot of Vallombrosa, who was the Pope's


s: Legate at Florence, where his intrigues in favour of the


s: Ghibellines being discovered, he was beheaded. I do not find the


s: occurrence in Vallini, nor do the commentators say to what pope


s: he was legate. By Landino he is reported to have been from Parma,


s: v. 118.  Soldanieri.]  "Gianni Soldanieri,"  says Villani, Hist.


s: l. vii. c14, "put himself at the head of the people, in the hopes


s: ever to have befallen him, who has headed the populace in


s: v. 119.  Ganellon.]  The betrayer of Charlemain, mentioned by


s: Archbishop Turpin.  He is a common instance of treachery with the


s: And in the Monke's Tale, Peter of Spaine.


s: v. 119.  Tribaldello.]  Tribaldello de'Manfredi, who was bribed


s: to betray the city of Faonza, A. D. 1282. G. Villani, l. vii. c.


s: v. 128.  Tydeus.] See Statius, Theb. l. viii. ad finem.


s: v. 14.  Count Ugolino.]  "In the year 1288, in the month of July,


s: party, composed of certain of the Guelphi, being headed by the


s: Judge Nino di Gallura de'Visconti; another, consisting of others


s: of the same faction, by the Count Ugolino de' Gherardeschi; and


s: the third by the Archbishop Ruggieri degli Ubaldini, with the


s: Lanfranchi, Sismondi, Gualandi, and other Ghibelline houses.  The


s: and his party, and having betrayed Nino, his sister's son, they


s: contrived that he and his followers should either be driven out


s: of Pisa, or their persons seized.  Nino hearing this, and not


s: seeing any means of defending himself, retired to Calci, his


s: castle, and formed an alliance with the Florentines and people of


s: order to cover his treachery, when everything was settled for his


s: Settimo; whence, as soon as he was informed of Nino's departure,


s: he returned to Pisa with great rejoicing and festivity, and was


s: elevated to the supreme power with every demonstration of triumph


s: pleased the Almighty that a total reverse of fortune should


s: ensue, as a punishment for his acts of treachery and guilt:  for


s: he was said to have poisoned the Count Anselmo da Capraia, his


s: sister's son, on account of the envy and fear excited in his mind


s: held by the Pisans.  The power of the Guelphi being so much


s: diminished, the Archbishop devised means to betray the Count


s: Uglino and caused him to be suddenly attacked in his palace by


s: the fury of the people, whom he had exasperated, by telling them


s: that Ugolino had betrayed Pisa, and given up their castles to the


s: assault; and two of his sons, with their two sons also, were


s: conveyed to prison."  G. Villani l. vii. c. 120.


s: "In the following march, the Pisans, who had imprisoned the Count


s: offspring of his son the Count Guelfo, in a tower on the Piazza


s: of the Anzania, caused the tower to be locked, the key thrown


s: into the Arno, and all food to be withheld from them.  In a few


s: days they died of hunger; but the Count first with loud cries


s: declared his penitence, and yet neither priest nor friar was


s: allowed to shrive him.  All the five, when dead, were dragged out


s: tower was called the tower of famine, and so shall ever be."


s: Chancer has briefly told Ugolino's story. See Monke's Tale,


s: v. 29.  Unto the mountain.]  The mountain S. Giuliano, between


s: Tu, Signor, me vestisti e tu mi spoglia:


s: Ben puoi'l Regno me tor tu che me'l desti.


s: Italy as explained by Dante himself, in his treatise De Vulg.


s: (Januensiem) Oreintalem (Meridionalis Europae partem) tenent;


s: videlicet usque ad promontorium illud Italiae, qua sinus


s: v. 82.  Capraia and Gorgona.]  Small islands near the mouth of


s: v. 94.  There very weeping suffers not to weep,]


s: So Giusto de'Conti, Bella Mano. Son. "Quanto il ciel."


s: Che il troppo pianto a me pianger non lassa.


s: v. 116.  The friar Albigero.]  Alberigo de'Manfredi, of Faenza,


s: one of the Frati Godenti, Joyons Friars who having quarrelled


s: with some of his brotherhood, under pretence of wishing to be


s: reconciled, invited them to a banquet, at the conclusion of which


s: and dispatch those whom he had marked for destruction.  Hence,


s: adds Landino, it is said proverbially of one who has been


s: stabbed, that he has had some of the friar Alberigo's fruit.


s: v. 123.  Ptolomea.]  This circle is named Ptolomea from Ptolemy,


s: the son of Abubus, by whom Simon and his sons were murdered, at a


s: -sorrow's eye, glazed with blinding tears.


s: v. 136.  Branca Doria.]  The family of Doria was possessed of


s: great influence in Genoa.  Branca is said to have murdered his


s: father-in-law, Michel Zanche, introduced in Canto XXII.


s: v. 162  Romagna's darkest spirit.]  The friar Alberigo.


s: v. 6.  A wind-mill.]  The author of the Caliph Vathek, in the


s: notes to that tale, justly observes, that it is more than


s: probable that Don Quixote's mistake of the wind-mills for giants


s: was suggested to Cervantes by this simile.


s: v. 37. Three faces.]  It can scarcely be doubted but that Milton


s: derived his description of Satan in those lines,


s: Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envy, and despair.


s: from this passage, coupled with the remark of Vellutello upon it:


s: "The first of these sins is anger which he signifies by the red


s: face; the second, represented by that between pale and yellow is


s: envy and not, as others have said, avarice; and the third,


s: denoted by the black, is a melancholy humour that causes a man's


s: thoughts to be dark and evil, and averse from all joy and


s: Compare Spenser, F. Q. b. i. c. xi. st. 10;  Ben Jonson's Every


s: Man out of his humour, v. 7; and Fletcher's Prophetess, a. 2. s.


s: v. 46.  Like a bat.]  The description of an imaginary being, who


s: is called Typhurgo, in the Zodiacus Vitae, has some touches very


s: In solio, crines flammanti stemmate cinctum


s: Alae humeris magnae, quales vespertilionum


s: Nudus erat longis sed opertus corpora villis.


s: Framde like the wings of flinder mice, &c.


s: v. 61. Brutus.]  Landino struggles, but I fear in vain, to


s: extricate Brutus from the unworthy lot which is here assigned


s: him.  He maintains, that by Brutus and Cassius are not meant the


s: individuals known by those names, but any who put a lawful


s: monarch to death.  Yet if Caesar was such, the conspirators might


s: v. 89.  Within one hour and half of noon.]  The poet uses the


s: Hebrew manner of computing the day, according to which the third


s: hour answers to our twelve o'clock at noon.


s: v. 120.  By what of firm land on this side appears.]  The


s: v.123.  The vaulted tomb.]  "La tomba."  This word is used to


s: express the whole depth of the infernal region.


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: When lo!  as near upon the hour of dawn,


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: 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: Straight I began:  "O thou, my luminary!


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: I3ut Virgil with entreaty mild advanc'd,


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, hut 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: Sordello paus'd not:  "To the valley now


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 he 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!  Ere 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: 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: Reader!  I would not that amaz'd thou miss


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!  O 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: To mark if e'er I knew him?  and to crave


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: Less bright succeed not!  Cimabue thought


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!  O 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 first?  flew 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!  I 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: Lo!  I behold thy grandson, that becomes


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 Lizio?  where


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: O Brettinoro!  wherefore tarriest still,


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


s: A dame, whose sweet demeanour did express


s: A mother's love, who said, "Child!  why hast thou


s: Dealt with us thus?  Behold thy sire and I


s: Sorrowing have sought thee;" and so held her peace,


s: And straight the vision fled.  A female next


s: Appear'd before me, down whose visage cours'd


s: Those waters, that grief forces out from one


s: By deep resentment stung, who seem'd to say:


s: Of adverse gods, and whence each science sparkles,


s: Avenge thee of those arms, whose bold embrace


s: Hath clasp'd our daughter; "and to fuel, meseem'd,


s: Benign and meek, with visage undisturb'd,


s: Her sovran spake:  "How shall we those requite,


s: The man that loves us?"  After that I saw


s: With stones a stripling youth, and shout amain


s: "Destroy, destroy: "and him I saw, who bow'd


s: Heavy with death unto the ground, yet made


s: His eyes, unfolded upward, gates to heav'n,


s: Praying forgiveness of th' Almighty Sire,


s: Amidst that cruel conflict, on his foes,


s: With looks, that With compassion to their aim.


s: Returning, sought again the things, whose truth


s: Meanwhile the leader, who might see I mov'd,


s: As one, who struggles to shake off his sleep,


s: Exclaim'd:  "What ails thee, that thou canst not hold


s: Thy footing firm, but more than half a league


s: Hast travel'd with clos'd eyes and tott'ring gait,


s: Like to a man by wine or sleep o'ercharg'd?"


s: "Beloved father!  so thou deign," said I,


s: "To listen, I will tell thee what appear'd


s: Before me, when so fail'd my sinking steps."


s: He thus: "Not if thy Countenance were mask'd


s: With hundred vizards, could a thought of thine


s: How small soe'er, elude me.  What thou saw'st


s: Was shown, that freely thou mightst ope thy heart


s: To the waters of peace, that flow diffus'd


s: From their eternal fountain.  I not ask'd,


s: What ails thee?  for such cause as he doth, who


s: Looks only with that eye which sees no more,


s: When spiritless the body lies; but ask'd,


s: To give fresh vigour to thy foot.  Such goads


s: The slow and loit'ring need; that they be found


s: Not wanting, when their hour of watch returns."


s: So on we journey'd through the evening sky


s: With level view could stretch against the bright


s: Vespertine ray: and lo!  by slow degrees


s: Gath'ring, a fog made tow'rds us, dark as night.


s: There was no room for 'scaping; and that mist


s: Bereft us, both of sight and the pure air.


s: Hell's dunnest gloom, or night unlustrous, dark,


s: Of every planes 'reft, and pall'd in clouds,


s: Did never spread before the sight a veil


s: In thickness like that fog, nor to the sense


s: So palpable and gross.  Ent'ring its shade,


s: Mine eye endured not with unclosed lids;


s: Which marking, near me drew the faithful guide,


s: As the blind man behind his leader walks,


s: On what might harm him, or perhaps destroy,


s: I journey'd through that bitter air and foul,


s: Still list'ning to my escort's warning voice,


s: "Look that from me thou part not."  Straight I heard


s: Voices, and each one seem'd to pray for peace,


s: That taketh sins away.  Their prelude still


s: Was "Agnus Dei," and through all the choir,


s: One voice, one measure ran, that perfect seem'd


s: The concord of their song.  "Are these I hear


s: Spirits, O master?"  I exclaim'd; and he:


s: "Thou aim'st aright: these loose the bonds of wrath."


s: "Now who art thou, that through our smoke dost cleave?


s: And speak'st of us, as thou thyself e'en yet


s: Dividest time by calends?"  So one voice


s: Bespake me; whence my master said: "Reply;


s: And ask, if upward hence the passage lead."


s: "O being!  who dost make thee pure, to stand


s: Beautiful once more in thy Maker's sight!


s: Along with me: and thou shalt hear and wonder."


s: Thus I, whereto the spirit answering spake:


s: "Long as 't is lawful for me, shall my steps


s: Follow on thine; and since the cloudy smoke


s: Forbids the seeing, hearing in its stead


s: Shall keep us join'd."  I then forthwith began


s: And, if so largely God hath doled his grace,


s: That, clean beside all modern precedent,


s: From me conceal not who thou wast, ere death


s: Had loos'd thee; but instruct me: and instruct


s: If rightly to the pass I tend; thy words


s: Not inexperienc'd of the world, that worth


s: I still affected, from which all have turn'd


s: The nerveless bow aside.  Thy course tends right


s: When thou shalt come aloft."  And I to him:


s: "Accept my faith for pledge I will perform


s: What thou requirest.  Yet one doubt remains,


s: That wrings me sorely, if I solve it not,


s: With one elsewhere declar'd, each strength'ning other.


s: Of all good as thou speak'st it and so swarms


s: With every evil.  Yet, beseech thee, point


s: The cause out to me, that myself may see,


s: Then heaving forth a deep and audible sigh,


s: "Brother!" he thus began, "the world is blind;


s: And thou in truth com'st from it.  Ye, who live,


s: Drew with it all that moves.  If this were so,


s: Free choice in you were none; nor justice would


s: There should be joy for virtue, woe for ill.


s: Your movements have their primal bent from heaven;


s: Not all; yet said I all; what then ensues?


s: Light have ye still to follow evil or good,


s: And of the will free power, which, if it stand


s: Firm and unwearied in Heav'n's first assay,


s: Conquers at last, so it be cherish'd well,


s: Triumphant over all.  To mightier force,


s: Free, not constrain'd by that, which forms in you


s: The reasoning mind uninfluenc'd of the stars.


s: If then the present race of mankind err,


s: Seek in yourselves the cause, and find it there.


s: Herein thou shalt confess me no false spy.


s: "Forth from his plastic hand, who charm'd beholds


s: Comes like a babe, that wantons sportively


s: Weeping and laughing in its wayward moods,


s: Save that her Maker being one who dwells


s: To whate'er yields her joy.  Of some slight good


s: The flavour soon she tastes; and, snar'd by that,


s: With fondness she pursues it, if no guide


s: Recall, no rein direct her wand'ring course.


s: Hence it behov'd, the law should be a curb;


s: A sovereign hence behov'd, whose piercing view


s: Might mark at least the fortress and main tower


s: Of the true city.  Laws indeed there are:


s: But who is he observes them?  None; not he,


s: Who goes before, the shepherd of the flock,


s: Who chews the cud but doth not cleave the hoof.


s: Therefore the multitude, who see their guide


s: Strike at the very good they covet most,


s: Feed there and look no further.  Thus the cause


s: But ill-conducting, that hath turn'd the world


s: To evil.  Rome, that turn'd it unto good,


s: Was wont to boast two suns, whose several beams


s: Cast light on either way, the world's and God's.


s: One since hath quench'd the other; and the sword


s: Is grafted on the crook; and so conjoin'd


s: Each must perforce decline to worse, unaw'd


s: By fear of other.  If thou doubt me, mark


s: The blade: each herb is judg'd of by its seed.


s: That land, through which Adice and the Po


s: Their waters roll, was once the residence


s: That frown'd on Frederick; now secure may pass


s: Those limits, whosoe'er hath left, for shame,


s: To talk with good men, or come near their haunts.


s: Three aged ones are still found there, in whom


s: The old time chides the new: these deem it long


s: In Gallic phrase more fitly the plain Lombard.


s: On this at last conclude.  The church of Rome,


s: Hath miss'd her footing, fall'n into the mire,


s: And there herself and burden much defil'd."


s: Convince me: and the cause I now discern


s: To Levi's offspring.  But resolve me this


s: Who that Gherardo is, that as thou sayst


s: "Either thy words," said he, "deceive; or else


s: Are meant to try me; that thou, speaking Tuscan,


s: Appear'st not to have heard of good Gherado;


s: The sole addition that, by which I know him;


s: Unless I borrow'd from his daughter Gaia


s: Another name to grace him.  God be with you.


s: The dawn with white ray glimm'ring through the mist.


s: Appear."  He said, and would not hear me more.


s: Call to remembrance, reader, if thou e'er


s: Hast, on a mountain top, been ta'en by cloud,


s: Through which thou saw'st no better, than the mole


s: Doth through opacous membrane; then, whene'er


s: Into thin air, how faintly the sun's sphere


s: Seem'd wading through them; so thy nimble thought


s: The sun, that bedward now his couch o'erhung.


s: Thus with my leader's feet still equaling pace


s: From forth that cloud I came, when now expir'd


s: The parting beams from off the nether shores.


s: O quick and forgetive power!  that sometimes dost


s: Though round about us thousand trumpets clang!


s: What moves thee, if the senses stir not?  Light


s: Kindled in heav'n, spontaneous, self-inform'd,


s: Or likelier gliding down with swift illapse


s: By will divine.  Portray'd before me came


s: Whose form was chang'd into the bird, that most


s: Delights itself in song: and here my mind


s: To aught that ask'd admittance from without.


s: Fell rancour, malice deep, wherein he died;


s: Esther his bride, and Mordecai the just,


s: Blameless in word and deed.  As of itself


s: Burst, like a bubble, Which the water fails


s: That fed it; in my vision straight uprose


s: A damsel weeping loud, and cried, "O queen!


s: O mother!  wherefore has intemperate ire


s: Driv'n thee to loath thy being?  Not to lose


s: Lavinia, desp'rate thou hast slain thyself.


s: Now hast thou lost me.  I am she, whose tears


s: Mourn, ere I fall, a mother's timeless end."


s: New radiance strike upon the closed lids,


s: The broken slumber quivering ere it dies;


s: Vanishing, soon as on my face there struck


s: The light, outshining far our earthly beam.


s: As round I turn'd me to survey what place


s: I had arriv'd at, "Here ye mount," exclaim'd


s: A voice, that other purpose left me none,


s: I could not choose but gaze.  As 'fore the sun,


s: That weighs our vision down, and veils his form


s: In light transcendent, thus my virtue fail'd


s: Who marshals us our upward way, unsought;


s: And in his own light shrouds him;. As a man


s: Doth for himself, so now is done for us.


s: For whoso waits imploring, yet sees need


s: Of his prompt aidance, sets himself prepar'd


s: Till morn again return."  So spake my guide;


s: And to one ladder both address'd our steps;


s: And the first stair approaching, I perceiv'd


s: That fann'd my face and whisper'd: "Blessed they


s: The peacemakers: they know not evil wrath."


s: Now to such height above our heads were rais'd


s: The last beams, follow'd close by hooded night,


s: That many a star on all sides through the gloom