s: There in the self-same marble were engrav'd


s: The cart and kine, drawing the sacred ark,


s: Before it came much people; and the whole


s: Parted in seven quires.  One sense cried, "Nay,"


s: Another, "Yes, they sing."  Like doubt arose


s: Betwixt the eye and smell, from the curl'd fume


s: Of incense breathing up the well-wrought toil.


s: With light dance leaping, girt in humble guise,


s: Sweet Israel's harper: in that hap he seem'd


s: Less and yet more than kingly.  Opposite,


s: At a great palace, from the lattice forth


s: Look'd Michol, like a lady full of scorn


s: Which at the hack of Michol whitely shone,


s: I mov'd me.  There was storied on the rock


s: Whose mighty worth mov'd Gregory to earn


s: His mighty conquest, Trajan th' Emperor.


s: In tears and mourning.  Round about them troop'd


s: Full throng of knights, and overhead in gold


s: The eagles floated, struggling with the wind.


s: The wretch appear'd amid all these to say:


s: "Grant vengeance, sire! for, woe beshrew this heart


s: My son is murder'd."  He replying seem'd;


s: "Wait now till I return." And she, as one


s: Made hasty by her grief; "O sire, if thou


s: Dost not return?"--"Where I am, who then is,


s: May right thee."--"What to thee is other's good,


s: If thou neglect thy own?"--"Now comfort thee,"


s: At length he answers.  "It beseemeth well


s: So justice wills; and pity bids me stay."


s: He, whose ken nothing new surveys, produc'd


s: That visible speaking, new to us and strange


s: The like not found on earth.  Fondly I gaz'd


s: Shapes yet more precious for their artist's sake,


s: When "Lo," the poet whisper'd, "where this way


s: (But slack their pace), a multitude advance.


s: These to the lofty steps shall guide us on."


s: Mine eyes, though bent on view of novel sights


s: Their lov'd allurement, were not slow to turn.


s: Of thy good purpose, hearing how just God


s: Decrees our debts be cancel'd.  Ponder not


s: The form of suff'ring.  Think on what succeeds,


s: Think that at worst beyond the mighty doom


s: "What I see hither tending, bears no trace


s: That my foil'd sight can guess."  He answering thus:


s: "So courb'd to earth, beneath their heavy teems


s: Of torment stoop they, that mine eye at first


s: Struggled as thine.  But look intently thither,


s: What underneath those stones approacheth: now,


s: E'en now, mayst thou discern the pangs of each."


s: Christians and proud! poor and wretched ones!


s: That feeble in the mind's eye, lean your trust


s: That we are worms, yet made at last to form


s: The winged insect, imp'd with angel plumes


s: That to heaven's justice unobstructed soars?


s: Why buoy ye up aloft your unfleg'd souls?


s: That crumples up its knees unto its breast,


s: With the feign'd posture stirring ruth unfeign'd


s: These fashion'd, when I noted well their guise.


s: Each, as his back was laden, came indeed


s: Or more or less contract; but it appear'd


s: As he, who show'd most patience in his look,


s: Wailing exclaim'd: "I can endure no more."


s: The heavens thy dwelling, not in bounds confin'd,


s: But that with love intenser there thou view'st


s: Thy primal effluence, hallow'd be thy name:


s: Thy might, for worthy humblest thanks and praise


s: Is thy blest Spirit.  May thy kingdom's peace


s: With all our striving thither tend in vain.


s: Tender meet sacrifice, circling thy throne


s: With loud hosannas, so of theirs be done


s: By saintly men on earth.  Grant us this day


s: Through this rough desert retrograde, who most


s: Toils to advance his steps.  As we to each


s: 'Gainst the old adversary prove thou not


s: From his incitements and defeat his wiles.


s: This last petition, dearest Lord! is made


s: Not for ourselves, since that were needless now,


s: But for their sakes who after us remain."


s: Thus for themselves and us good speed imploring,


s: Those spirits went beneath a weight like that


s: We sometimes feel in dreams, all, sore beset,


s: Round the first circuit, purging as they go,


s: The world's gross darkness off: In our behalf


s: If there vows still be offer'd, what can here


s: For them be vow'd and done by such, whose wills


s: Have root of goodness in them?  Well beseems


s: That we should help them wash away the stains


s: They carried hence, that so made pure and light,


s: They may spring upward to the starry spheres.


s: Your burdens speedily, that ye have power


s: To stretch your wing, which e'en to your desire


s: Shall lift you, as ye show us on which hand


s: Toward the ladder leads the shortest way.


s: For this man who comes with me, and bears yet


s: The charge of fleshly raiment Adam left him,


s: Despite his better will but slowly mounts."


s: From whom the answer came unto these words,


s: Which my guide spake, appear'd not; but 'twas said:


s: "Along the bank to rightward come with us,


s: And ye shall find a pass that mocks not toil


s: That I am hinder'd by the rock, wherewith


s: This arrogant neck is tam'd, whence needs I stoop


s: My visage to the ground, him, who yet lives,


s: Whose name thou speak'st not him I fain would view.


s: My sire's, I know not if ye e'er have heard.


s: My old blood and forefathers' gallant deeds


s: Wax'd in my scorn of all men, that I fell,


s: Fell therefore; by what fate Sienna's sons,


s: Hath injur'd, but my kindred all involv'd


s: In mischief with her.  Here my lot ordains


s: Under this weight to groan, till I appease


s: Amongst the living, here amongst the dead."


s: List'ning I bent my visage down: and one


s: (Not he who spake) twisted beneath the weight


s: That urg'd him, saw me, knew me straight, and call'd,


s: Companion of their way.  "O!"  I exclaim'd,


s: Which they of Paris call the limmer's skill?"


s: "Brother!" said he, "with tints that gayer smile,


s: Bolognian Franco's pencil lines the leaves.


s: His all the honour now; mine borrow'd light.


s: In truth I had not been thus courteous to him,


s: The whilst I liv'd, through eagerness of zeal


s: For that pre-eminence my heart was bent on.


s: Here of such pride the forfeiture is paid.


s: O powers of man! how vain your glory, nipp'd


s: E'en in its height of verdure, if an age


s: To lord it over painting's field; and now


s: The cry is Giotto's, and his name eclips'd.


s: Thus hath one Guido from the other snatch'd


s: The letter'd prize: and he perhaps is born,


s: Who shall drive either from their nest.  The noise


s: That blows from divers points, and shifts its name


s: Shifting the point it blows from.  Shalt thou more


s: Live in the mouths of mankind, if thy flesh


s: Part shrivel'd from thee, than if thou hadst died,


s: Or ere some thousand years have passed? and that


s: To the heaven's slowest orb.  He there who treads


s: Is in Sienna scarce with whispers nam'd:


s: There was he sov'reign, when destruction caught


s: The madd'ning rage of Florence, in that day


s: Proud as she now is loathsome.  Your renown


s: Is as the herb, whose hue doth come and go,


s: And his might withers it, by whom it sprang


s: Crude from the lap of earth."  I thus to him:


s: "True are thy sayings: to my heart they breathe


s: The kindly spirit of meekness, and allay


s: What tumours rankle there.  But who is he


s: Of whom thou spak'st but now?"--"This," he replied,


s: He reach'd, with grasp presumptuous, at the sway


s: Of all Sienna.  Thus he still hath gone,


s: Thus goeth never-resting, since he died.


s: Such is th' acquittance render'd back of him,


s: Who, beyond measure, dar'd on earth."  I then:


s: "If soul that to the verge of life delays


s: Nor hither mount, unless good prayers befriend,


s: How chanc'd admittance was vouchsaf'd to him?"


s: "When at his glory's topmost height," said he,


s: A suitor to  redeem his suff'ring friend,


s: Who languish'd in the prison-house of Charles,


s: Nor for his sake refus'd through every vein


s: To tremble.  More I will not say; and dark,


s: I know, my words are, but thy neighbours soon


s: Shall help thee to a comment on the text.


s: This is the work, that from these limits freed him."


s: Long as the mild instructor suffer'd me;


s: But when he bade me quit him, and proceed


s: (For "here," said he, "behooves with sail and oars


s: Each man, as best he may, push on his bark"),


s: Upright, as one dispos'd for speed, I rais'd


s: My body, still in thought submissive bow'd.


s: I now my leader's track not loth pursued;


s: And each had shown how light we far'd along


s: When thus he warn'd me: "Bend thine eyesight down:


s: For thou to ease the way shall find it good


s: Upon earth-level tombs, the sculptur'd form


s: Of what was once, appears (at sight whereof


s: Tears often stream forth by remembrance wak'd,


s: Whose sacred stings the piteous only feel),


s: So saw I there, but with more curious skill


s: Of portraiture o'erwrought, whate'er of space


s: From forth the mountain stretches.  On one part


s: Created noblest, light'ning fall from heaven:


s: On th' other side with bolt celestial pierc'd


s: Briareus: cumb'ring earth he lay through dint


s: Of mortal ice-stroke.  The Thymbraean god


s: With Mars, I saw, and Pallas, round their sire,


s: Arm'd still, and gazing on the giant's limbs


s: Strewn o'er th' ethereal field.  Nimrod I saw:


s: At foot of the stupendous work he stood,


s: Leagued in his proud attempt on Sennaar's plain.


s: Sev'n sons on either side thee slain!  Saul!


s: How ghastly didst thou look! on thine own sword


s: Ne'er visited with rain from heav'n or dew!


s: Th' unfinish'd web thou weaved'st to thy bane!


s: Louring no more defiance! but fear-smote


s: With none to chase him in his chariot whirl'd.


s: How dear Alcmaeon forc'd his mother rate


s: His sons, and how a corpse they left him there.


s: Was shown the scath and cruel mangling made


s: "Blood thou didst thirst for, take thy fill of blood!"


s: Th' Assyrians, Holofernes slain, and e'en


s: The relics of the carnage.  Troy I mark'd


s: In ashes and in caverns.  Oh! how fall'n,


s: How abject, Ilion, was thy semblance there!


s: Had trac'd the shades and lines, that might have made


s: The subtlest workman wonder?  Dead the dead,


s: The living seem'd alive; with clearer view


s: His eye beheld not who beheld the truth,


s: Than mine what I did tread on, while I went


s: Low bending.  Now swell out; and with stiff necks


s: Pass on, ye sons of Eve! veil not your looks,


s: How much we now had circled of the mount,


s: And of his course yet more the sun had spent,


s: When he, who with still wakeful caution went,


s: Admonish'd: "Raise thou up thy head: for know


s: Time is not now for slow suspense.  Behold


s: That way an angel hasting towards us!  Lo!


s: Where duly the sixth handmaid doth return


s: From service on the day.  Wear thou in look


s: And gesture seemly grace of reverent awe,


s: Consider that this day ne'er dawns again."


s: Time's loss he had so often warn'd me 'gainst,


s: I could not miss the scope at which he aim'd.


s: The goodly shape approach'd us, snowy white


s: In vesture, and with visage casting streams


s: Of tremulous lustre like the matin star.


s: His arms he open'd, then his wings; and spake:


s: "Onward: the steps, behold! are near; and now


s: Th' ascent is without difficulty gain'd."


s: A scanty few are they, who when they hear


s: Though born to soar, why suffer ye a wind


s: Where the rock parted; here against my front


s: Did beat his wings, then promis'd I should fare


s: That steep, upon whose brow the chapel stands


s: Th' impetuous rise is broken by the steps


s: Carv'd in that old and simple age, when still


s: Thus is th' acclivity reliev'd, which here


s: Precipitous from the other circuit falls:


s: But on each hand the tall cliff presses close.


s: As ent'ring there we turn'd, voices, in strain


s: The straits of hell; here songs to usher us,


s: There shrieks of woe!  We climb the holy stairs:


s: Than on the plain before, whence thus I spake:


s: "Say, master, of what heavy thing have I


s: Been lighten'd, that scarce aught the sense of toil


s: Affects me journeying?"  He in few replied:


s: "When sin's broad characters, that yet remain


s: Upon thy temples, though well nigh effac'd,


s: Shall be, as one is, all clean razed out,


s: Then shall thy feet by heartiness of will


s: Be so o'ercome, they not alone shall feel


s: No sense of labour, but delight much more


s: Shall wait them urg'd along their upward way."


s: Then like to one, upon whose head is plac'd


s: Somewhat he deems not of but from the becks


s: Lends therefore help to' assure him, searches, finds,


s: And well performs such office as the eye


s: Wants power to execute: so stretching forth


s: The fingers of my right hand, did I find


s: Six only of the letters, which his sword


s: Who bare the keys had trac'd upon my brow.


s: The leader, as he mark'd mine action, smil'd.


s: We reach'd the summit of the scale, and stood


s: Which healeth him who climbs.  A cornice there,


s: Like to the former, girdles round the hill;


s: Save that its arch with sweep less ample bends.


s: Shadow nor image there is seen; all smooth


s: The rampart and the path, reflecting nought


s: But the rock's sullen hue.  "If here we wait


s: For some to question," said the bard, "I fear


s: Our choice may haply meet too long delay."


s: He fastn'd, made his right the central point


s: From whence to move, and turn'd the left aside.


s: "O pleasant light, my confidence and hope,


s: Conduct us thou," he cried, "on this new way,


s: Where now I venture, leading to the bourn


s: Owes warmth and lustre.  If no other cause


s: Forbid, thy beams should ever be our guide."


s: Far, as is measur'd for a mile on earth,


s: In brief space had we journey'd; such prompt will


s: Impell'd; and towards us flying, now were heard


s: Unto love's table bade the welcome guest.


s: The voice, that firstlew by, call'd forth aloud,


s: "They have no wine;" so on behind us past,


s: In the faint distance, when another came


s: Wing'd its fleet way.  "Oh father!"  I exclaim'd,


s: "What tongues are these?"  and as I question'd, lo!


s: A third exclaiming, "Love ye those have wrong'd you."


s: "This circuit," said my teacher, "knots the scourge


s: For envy, and the cords are therefore drawn


s: Is of a harsher sound, as thou shalt hear


s: (If I deem rightly), ere thou reach the pass,


s: Where pardon sets them free.  But fix thine eyes


s: Intently through the air, and thou shalt see


s: Along the shelving grot."  Then more than erst


s: I op'd my eyes, before me view'd, and saw


s: Shadows with garments dark as was the rock;


s: And when we pass'd a little forth, I heard


s: Michael and Peter! all ye saintly host!"


s: I do not think there walks on earth this day


s: Man so remorseless, that he hath not yearn'd


s: Mine eyes a load of sorrow teemed, when now


s: I stood so near them, that their semblances


s: Came clearly to my view.  Of sackcloth vile


s: Their cov'ring seem'd; and on his shoulder one


s: Did stay another, leaning, and all lean'd


s: Against the cliff.  E'en thus the blind and poor,


s: Near the confessionals, to crave an alms,


s: Stand, each his head upon his fellow's sunk,


s: So most to stir compassion, not by sound


s: Of words alone, but that, which moves not less,


s: Of his fair light; for, through the orbs of all,


s: A thread of wire, impiercing, knits them up,


s: It were a wrong, methought, to pass and look


s: To my sage counsel therefore did I turn.


s: Nor waited for my questioning, but said:


s: "Speak; and be brief, be subtle in thy words."


s: On that part of the cornice, whence no rim


s: Engarlands its steep fall, did Virgil come;


s: On the' other side me were the spirits, their cheeks


s: That through the dread impalement forc'd a way.


s: I turn'd me to them, and "O shades!" said I,


s: "Assur'd that to your eyes unveil'd shall shine


s: The lofty light, sole object of your wish,


s: So may heaven's grace clear whatsoe'er of foam


s: Floats turbid on the conscience, that thenceforth


s: The stream of mind roll limpid from its source,


s: That soul may profit, if I learn so much."


s: Of one true city.  Any thou wouldst say,


s: So heard I answering, as appeal'd, a voice


s: That onward came some space from whence I stood.


s: A spirit I noted, in whose look was mark'd


s: Expectance.  Ask ye how?  The chin was rais'd


s: As in one reft of sight.  "Spirit," said I,


s: "Who for thy rise are tutoring (if thou be


s: That which didst answer to me,) or by place


s: Or name, disclose thyself, that I may know thee."


s: I cleanse away with these the evil life,


s: Vouchsafe him to us.  Though Sapia nam'd


s: Of others' hurt, than of the good befell me.


s: That thou mayst own I now deceive thee not,


s: Hear, if my folly were not as I speak it.


s: When now my years slop'd waning down the arch,


s: Near Colle met their enemies in the field,


s: And I pray'd God to grant what He had will'd.


s: There were they vanquish'd, and betook themselves


s: I mark'd the hunt, and waxing out of bounds


s: In gladness, lifted up my shameless brow,


s: Cried, "It is over.  Heav'n! fear thee not."


s: Upon my verge of life I wish'd for peace


s: "But who art thou that question'st of our state,


s: Who go'st to my belief, with lids unclos'd,


s: And breathest in thy talk?"--"Mine eyes," said I,


s: "May yet be here ta'en from me; but not long;


s: With envious glances.  But the woe beneath


s: Urges my soul with more exceeding dread.


s: That nether load already weighs me down."


s: She thus: "Who then amongst us here aloft


s: Hath brought thee, if thou weenest to return?"


s: "He," answer'd I, "who standeth mute beside me.


s: I live: of me ask therefore, chosen spirit,


s: For thee my mortal feet."--"Oh!" she replied,


s: "This is so strange a thing, it is great sign


s: That God doth love thee.  Therefore with thy prayer


s: Sometime assist me: and by that I crave,


s: Which most thou covetest, that if thy feet


s: E'er tread on Tuscan soil, thou save my fame


s: Amongst my kindred.  Them shalt thou behold


s: With that vain multitude, who set their hope


s: Confounded, more shall when the fancied stream


s: They sought of Dian call'd: but they who lead


s: Their navies, more than ruin'd hopes shall mourn."


s: "Say who is he around our mountain winds,


s: Or ever death has prun'd his wing for flight,


s: That opes his eyes and covers them at will?"


s: "I know not who he is, but know thus much


s: He comes not singly.  Do thou ask of him,


s: For thou art nearer to him, and take heed


s: Accost him gently, so that he may speak."


s: Thus on the right two Spirits bending each


s: Toward the other, talk'd of me, then both


s: Addressing me, their faces backward lean'd,


s: And thus the one began: "O soul, who yet


s: Pent in the body, tendest towards the sky!


s: Recounting whence thou com'st, and who thou art:


s: For thou dost make us at the favour shown thee


s: Marvel, as at a thing that ne'er hath been."


s: "There stretches through the midst of Tuscany,"


s: I straight began: "a brooklet, whose well-head


s: Not satisfied, when he some hundred miles


s: Hath measur'd.  From his banks bring, I this frame.


s: To tell you who I am were words misspent:


s: For yet my name scarce sounds on rumour's lip."


s: "If well I do incorp'rate with my thought


s: The meaning of thy speech," said he, who first


s: Addrest me, "thou dost speak of Arno's wave."


s: To whom the other: "Why hath he conceal'd


s: Doth of some horrible thing?"  The spirit, who


s: Thereof was question'd, did acquit him thus:


s: "I know not: but 'tis fitting well the name


s: Should perish of that vale; for from the source


s: Where teems so plenteously the Alpine steep


s: Maim'd of Pelorus, (that doth scarcely pass


s: Whereunto ocean is restor'd, what heaven


s: Drains from th' exhaustless store for all earth's streams,


s: Throughout the space is virtue worried down,


s: As 'twere a snake, by all, for mortal foe,


s: Or through disastrous influence on the place,


s: That custom goads to evil: whence in those,


s: Nature is so transform'd, it seems as they


s: Had shar'd of Circe's feeding.  'Midst brute swine,


s: His obscure way; then, sloping onward, finds


s: Curs, snarlers more in spite than power, from whom


s: He turns with scorn aside: still journeying down,


s: By how much more the curst and luckless foss


s: Swells out to largeness, e'en so much it finds


s: Dogs turning into wolves.  Descending still


s: Through yet more hollow eddies, next he meets


s: They do not fear that skill can master it.


s: Nor will I cease because my words are heard


s: By other ears than thine.  It shall be well


s: A hunter of those wolves, upon the shore


s: Of the fierce stream, and cows them all with dread:


s: Their flesh yet living sets he up to sale,


s: Then like an aged beast to slaughter dooms.


s: Many of life he reaves, himself of worth


s: And goodly estimation.  Smear'd with gore


s: Mark how he issues from the rueful wood,


s: Leaving such havoc, that in thousand years


s: It spreads not to prime lustihood again."


s: As one, who tidings hears of woe to come,


s: Changes his looks perturb'd, from whate'er part


s: That spirit, who had turn'd to listen, struck


s: With sadness, soon as he had caught the word.


s: His visage and the other's speech did raise


s: The shade, who late addrest me, thus resum'd:


s: "Thy wish imports that I vouchsafe to do


s: For thy sake what thou wilt not do for mine.


s: But since God's will is that so largely shine


s: His grace in thee, I will be liberal too.


s: Envy so parch'd my blood, that had I seen


s: A fellow man made joyous, thou hadst mark'd


s: Such harvest reap I of the seed I sow'd.


s: O man, why place thy heart where there doth need


s: This is Rinieri's spirit, this the boast


s: Nor his the only blood, that hath been stript


s: ('twixt Po, the mount, the Reno, and the shore,)


s: Of all that truth or fancy asks for bliss;


s: But in those limits such a growth has sprung


s: Of rank and venom'd roots, as long would mock


s: Slow culture's toil.  Where is good Liziohere


s: Wonder not, Tuscan, if thou see me weep,


s: When I recall to mind those once lov'd names,


s: That dwelt with you; Tignoso and his troop,


s: With Traversaro's house and Anastagio's,


s: (Each race disherited) and beside these,


s: The ladies and the knights, the toils and ease,


s: Where now such malice reigns in recreant hearts.


s: Since forth of thee thy family hath gone,


s: And many, hating evil, join'd their steps?


s: Well doeth he, that bids his lineage cease,


s: A race of Counties from such blood as theirs.


s: When from amongst you tries your demon child.


s: Not so, howe'er, that henceforth there remain


s: Thou sprung of Fantolini's line! thy name


s: Is safe, since none is look'd for after thee


s: To cloud its lustre, warping from thy stock.


s: But, Tuscan, go thy ways; for now I take


s: Far more delight in weeping than in words.


s: Such pity for your sakes hath wrung my heart."


s: We knew those gentle spirits at parting heard


s: Our steps.  Their silence therefore of our way


s: Assur'd us.  Soon as we had quitted them,


s: Advancing onward, lo! a voice that seem'd


s: Like vollied light'ning, when it rives the air,


s: Will slay me," then fled from us, as the bolt


s: Lanc'd sudden from a downward-rushing cloud.


s: When it had giv'n short truce unto our hearing,


s: As the quick-following thunder: "Mark in me


s: Aglauros turn'd to rock."  I at the sound


s: Retreating drew more closely to my guide.


s: Now in mute stillness rested all the air:


s: And thus he spake: "There was the galling bit.


s: He drags you eager to him.  Hence nor curb


s: Avails you, nor reclaiming call.  Heav'n calls


s: And round about you wheeling courts your gaze


s: With everlasting beauties.  Yet your eye


s: Turns with fond doting still upon the earth.


s: Therefore He smites you who discerneth all."


s: As much as 'twixt the third hour's close and dawn,


s: Appeareth of heav'n's sphere, that ever whirls


s: Of his slope journey towards the western goal.


s: Evening was there, and here the noon of night;


s: and full upon our forehead smote the beams.


s: For  round the mountain, circling, so our path


s: Direct we journey'd: when I felt a weight


s: Of more exceeding splendour, than before,


s: Press on my front.  The cause unknown, amaze


s: Possess'd me, and both hands against my brow


s: Lifting, I interpos'd them, as a screen,


s: Clipp'd the diminish'd orb. As when the ray,


s: Of mirror, leaps unto the opposite part,


s: (And so much differs from the stone, that falls


s: Through equal space, as practice skill hath shown);


s: Thus with refracted light before me seemed


s: The ground there smitten; whence in sudden haste


s: My sight recoil'd.  "What is this, sire belov'd!


s: 'Gainst which I strive to shield the sight in vain?"


s: Cried I, "and which towards us moving seems?"


s: He answer'd, "yet with dazzling radiance dim


s: Inviting man's ascent.  Such sights ere long,


s: Not grievous, shall impart to thee delight,


s: Up to their pitch."  The blessed angel, soon


s: As we had reach'd him, hail'd us with glad voice:


s: Than ye have yet encounter'd."  We forthwith


s: Ascending, heard behind us chanted sweet,


s: "Blessed the merciful," and "happy thou!


s: That conquer'st."  Lonely each, my guide and I


s: Some profit from his words I hop'd to win,


s: And thus of him inquiring, fram'd my speech:


s: "What meant Romagna's spirit, when he spake


s: Of bliss exclusive with no partner shar'd?"


s: He straight replied: "No wonder, since he knows,


s: What sorrow waits on his own worst defect,


s: If he chide others, that they less may mourn.


s: Is lessen'd, envy bloweth up the sighs of men.


s: No fear of that might touch ye, if the love


s: For there, by how much more they call it ours,


s: Wraps that fair cloister in a brighter flame."


s: "Than if thou hadst been silent at the first,


s: And doubt more gathers on my lab'ring thought.


s: How can it chance, that good distributed,


s: The many, that possess it, makes more rich,


s: Than if 't were shar'd by few?"  He answering thus:


s: "Thy mind, reverting still to things of earth,


s: Strikes darkness from true light.  The highest good


s: The sempiternal effluence streams abroad


s: So that the more aspirants to that bliss


s: Are multiplied, more good is there to love,


s: And more is lov'd; as mirrors, that reflect,


s: Who of this want, and of all else thou hast,


s: Shall rid thee to the full.  Provide but thou


s: That from thy temples may be soon eras'd,


s: E'en as the two already, those five scars,


s: That when they pain thee worst, then kindliest heal,"


s: "Thou," I had said, "content'st me," when I saw


s: The other round was gain'd, and wond'ring eyes


s: Did keep me mute.  There suddenly I seem'd


s: Of many persons; and at th' entrance stood


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 theeor 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: 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: 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


s: Shone out.  "Why partest from me, O my strength?"


s: My o'ertoil'd sinews slacken.  We had reach'd


s: The summit, and were fix'd like to a bark


s: Arriv'd at land.  And waiting a short space,


s: If aught should meet mine ear in that new round,


s: Then to my guide I turn'd, and said: "Lov'd sire!


s: Declare what guilt is on this circle purg'd.


s: If our feet rest, no need thy speech should pause."


s: He thus to me: "The love of good, whate'er


s: Wanted of just proportion, here fulfils.


s: Here plies afresh the oar, that loiter'd ill.


s: But that thou mayst yet clearlier understand,


s: Give ear unto my words, and thou shalt cull


s: Some fruit may please thee well, from this delay.


s: My son," he thus began, "was without love,


s: Or natural, or the free spirit's growth.


s: Thou hast not that to learn.  The natural still


s: Is without error; but the other swerves,


s: If on ill object bent, or through excess


s: Of vigour, or defect.  While e'er it seeks


s: The primal blessings, or with measure due


s: Th' inferior, no delight, that flows from it,


s: Partakes of ill.  But let it warp to evil,


s: Or with more ardour than behooves, or less.


s: Works 'gainst its Maker.  Hence thou must infer


s: That love is germin of each virtue in ye,


s: And of each act no less, that merits pain.


s: Now since it may not be, but love intend


s: The welfare mainly of the thing it loves,


s: All from self-hatred are secure; and since


s: Of equal force restrains from hating that.


s: "Grant the distinction just; and it remains


s: The' evil must be another's, which is lov'd.


s: Three ways such love is gender'd in your clay.


s: There is who hopes (his neighbour's worth deprest,)


s: For his own greatness that another fall.


s: There is who so much fears the loss of power,


s: Fame, favour, glory (should his fellow mount


s: Above him), and so sickens at the thought,


s: He loves their opposite: and there is he,


s: Whom wrong or insult seems to gall and shame


s: That he doth thirst for vengeance, and such needs


s: Must doat on other's evil.  Here beneath


s: This threefold love is mourn'd.  Of th' other sort


s: Be now instructed, that which follows good


s: But with disorder'd and irregular course.


s: On which the soul may rest, the hearts of all


s: Yearn after it, and to that wished bourn


s: All therefore strive to tend.  If ye behold


s: There is, where man finds not his happiness:


s: Essence, of every good the branch and root.


s: Along three circles over us, is mourn'd.


s: Expect not, fitter for thine own research."


s: The teacher ended, and his high discourse


s: Concluding, earnest in my looks inquir'd


s: If I appear'd content; and I, whom still


s: Unsated thirst to hear him urg'd, was mute,


s: "Perchance my too much questioning offends"


s: But he, true father, mark'd the secret wish


s: By diffidence restrain'd, and speaking, gave


s: Me boldness thus to speak: 'Master, my Sight


s: Gathers so lively virtue from thy beams,


s: That all, thy words convey, distinct is seen.


s: Wherefore I pray thee, father, whom this heart


s: Holds dearest! thou wouldst deign by proof t' unfold


s: That love, from which as from their source thou bring'st


s: All good deeds and their opposite.'"  He then:


s: "To what I now disclose be thy clear ken


s: How much those blind have err'd, who make themselves


s: The guides of men.  The soul, created apt


s: To love, moves versatile which way soe'er


s: Aught pleasing prompts her, soon as she is wak'd


s: By pleasure into act.  Of substance true


s: Your apprehension forms its counterfeit,


s: Attracts the soul's regard.  If she, thus drawn,


s: incline toward it, love is that inclining,


s: And a new nature knit by pleasure in ye.


s: Then as the fire points up, and mounting seeks


s: His birth-place and his lasting seat, e'en thus


s: Which is a spiritual motion, that ne'er rests


s: Enough to show thee, how the truth from those


s: Praise-worthy in itself: although perhaps


s: Its substance seem still good.  Yet if the wax


s: Be good, it follows not th' impression must."


s: "What love is," I return'd, "thy words, O guide!


s: And my own docile mind, reveal.  Yet thence


s: New doubts have sprung.  For from without if love


s: No other footing, tend she right or wrong,


s: Is no desert of hers."  He answering thus:


s: "What reason here discovers I have power


s: To show thee: that which lies beyond, expect


s: Spirit, substantial form, with matter join'd


s: Which is not felt except it work, nor prov'd


s: By the green leaf.  From whence his intellect


s: Man therefore knows not, or his appetites


s: Their first affections; such in you, as zeal


s: Volition, meriting nor blame nor praise.


s: That as she list are summon'd to her bar,


s: Ye have that virtue in you, whose just voice


s: Uttereth counsel, and whose word should keep


s: The threshold of assent.  Here is the source,


s: Whence cause of merit in you is deriv'd,


s: E'en as the affections good or ill she takes,


s: Or severs, winnow'd as the chaff.  Those men


s: Who reas'ning went to depth profoundest, mark'd


s: That innate freedom, and were thence induc'd


s: To leave their moral teaching to the world.


s: All love that glows within you; to dismiss


s: Or harbour it, the pow'r is in yourselves.


s: She touch upon that theme."  The moon, well nigh


s: To midnight hour belated, made the stars


s: Appear to wink and fade; and her broad disk


s: Seem'd like a crag on fire, as up the vault


s: That course she journey'd, which the sun then warms,


s: When they of Rome behold him at his set.


s: And now the weight, that hung upon my thought,


s: Was lighten'd by the aid of that clear spirit,


s: I therefore, when my questions had obtain'd


s: Rush'd on.  With fury and like random rout,


s: As echoing on their shores at midnight heard


s: If Bacchus' help were needed; so came these


s: Tumultuous, curving each his rapid step,


s: Soon they o'ertook us; with such swiftness mov'd


s: The mighty crowd.  Two spirits at their head


s: Cried weeping; "Blessed Mary sought with haste


s: And flew to Spain."--"Oh tarry not: away;"


s: The others shouted; "let not time be lost


s: Through slackness of affection.  Hearty zeal


s: Haply supplies, where lukewarm erst ye fail'd,


s: Slow or neglectful, to absolve your part


s: Of good and virtuous, this man, who yet lives,


s: (Credit my tale, though strange) desires t' ascend,


s: So morning rise to light us.  Therefore say


s: Which hand leads nearest to the rifted rock?"


s: So spake my guide, to whom a shade return'd:


s: "Come after us, and thou shalt find the cleft.


s: Speeds our unwearied course.  Vouchsafe us then


s: That name, ne'er utter'd without tears in Milan.


s: And there is he, hath one foot in his grave,


s: Who for that monastery ere long shall weep,


s: Ruing his power misus'd: for that his son,


s: Of its true pastor."  Whether more he spake,


s: Or here was mute, I know not: he had sped


s: E'en now so far beyond us.  Yet thus much


s: I heard, and in rememb'rance treasur'd it.


s: He then, who never fail'd me at my need,


s: Cried, "Hither turn.  Lo! two with sharp remorse


s: Chiding their sin!"  In rear of all the troop


s: These shouted: "First they died, to whom the sea


s: Endur'd not suffering, for their portion chose


s: Life without glory."  Soon as they had fled


s: Past reach of sight, new thought within me rose


s: By others follow'd fast, and each unlike


s: Its fellow: till led on from thought to thought,


s: And pleasur'd with the fleeting train, mine eye


s: Was clos'd, and meditation chang'd to dream.


s: No reliques chafe the cold beams of the moon,


s: Where gray dawn checkers first the shadowy cone;


s: When 'fore me in my dream a woman's shape


s: There came, with lips that stammer'd, eyes aslant,


s: Distorted feet, hands maim'd, and colour pale.


s: I look'd upon her; and as sunshine cheers


s: Limbs numb'd by nightly cold, e'en thus my look


s: Unloos'd her tongue, next in brief space her form


s: With love's own hue illum'd. Recov'ring speech


s: She forthwith warbling such a strain began,


s: That I, how loth soe'er, could scarce have held


s: Attention from the song.  "I," thus she sang,


s: On the wide sea are wilder'd when they hear:


s: Such fulness of delight the list'ner feels.


s: Enchanted drew.  Whoe'er frequents me once


s: Parts seldom; so I charm him, and his heart


s: Contented knows no void."  Or ere her mouth


s: Was clos'd, to shame her at her side appear'd


s: A dame of semblance holy.  With stern voice


s: She utter'd; "Say, O Virgil, who is this?"


s: Which hearing, he approach'd, with eyes still bent


s: Toward that goodly presence: th' other seiz'd her,


s: And, her robes tearing, open'd her before,


s: And show'd the belly to me, whence a smell,


s: Exhaling loathsome, wak'd me.  Round I turn'd


s: Mine eyes, and thus the teacher: "At the least


s: Three times my voice hath call'd thee.  Rise, begone.


s: Let us the opening find where thou mayst pass."


s: I straightway rose.  Now day, pour'd down from high,


s: Fill'd all the circuits of the sacred mount;


s: And, as we journey'd, on our shoulder smote


s: The early ray.  I follow'd, stooping low


s: My forehead, as a man, o'ercharg'd with thought,


s: Who bends him to the likeness of an arch,


s: That midway spans the flood; when thus I heard,


s: "Come, enter here," in tone so soft and mild,


s: With swan-like wings dispread and pointing up,


s: The sloping, walls retir'd; then mov'd his plumes,


s: And fanning us, affirm'd that those, who mourn,


s: Are blessed, for that comfort shall be theirs.


s: "What aileth thee, that still thou look'st to earth?"


s: Began my leader; while th' angelic shape


s: "New vision," I replied, "hath rais'd in me


s: Surmisings strange and anxious doubts, whereon


s: Or room or entrance."--"Hast thou seen," said he,


s: "That old enchantress, her, whose wiles alone


s: The spirits o'er us weep for?  Hast thou seen


s: How man may free him of her bonds?  Enough.


s: Let thy heels spurn the earth, and thy rais'd ken


s: Fix on the lure, which heav'n's eternal King


s: Whirls in the rolling spheres."  As on his feet


s: The falcon first looks down, then to the sky


s: Turns, and forth stretches eager for the food,


s: That woos him thither; so the call I heard,


s: Gave way, I journey'd, till the plain was reach'd.


s: On the fifth circle when I stood at large,


s: A race appear'd before me, on the ground


s: All downward lying prone and weeping sore.


s: "My soul hath cleaved to the dust," I heard


s: With sighs so deep, they well nigh choak'd the words.


s: Tow'rds the steep rising our uncertain way."


s: "If ye approach secure from this our doom,


s: Prostration--and would urge your course with speed,


s: See that ye still to rightward keep the brink."


s: So them the bard besought; and such the words,


s: Beyond us some short space, in answer came.


s: I noted what remain'd yet hidden from them:


s: Thence to my liege's eyes mine eyes I bent,


s: And he, forthwith interpreting their suit,


s: Beckon'd his glad assent. Free then to act,


s: As pleas'd me, I drew near, and took my stand


s: O`er that shade, whose words I late had mark'd.


s: And, "Spirit!"  I said, "in whom repentant tears


s: Mature that blessed hour, when thou with God


s: Shalt find acceptance, for a while suspend


s: For me that mightier care.  Say who thou wast,


s: Why thus ye grovel on your bellies prone,


s: And if in aught ye wish my service there,


s: Whence living I am come."  He answering spake


s: "The cause why Heav'n our back toward his cope


s: Reverses, shalt thou know: but me know first


s: And title of my lineage from that stream,


s: His limpid waters through the lowly glen.


s: A month and little more by proof I learnt,


s: With what a weight that robe of sov'reignty


s: Upon his shoulder rests, who from the mire


s: Would guard it: that each other fardel seems


s: But feathers in the balance.  Late, alas!


s: Rome's pastor, I discern'd at once the dream


s: And cozenage of life, saw that the heart


s: Rested not there, and yet no prouder height


s: Lur'd on the climber: wherefore, of that life


s: From God, and covetous of all earthly things;


s: Now, as thou seest, here punish'd for my doting.


s: Such cleansing from the taint of avarice


s: Do spirits converted need.  This mount inflicts


s: Fasten'd below, nor e'er to loftier clime


s: Were lifted, thus hath justice level'd us


s: Here on the earth.  As avarice quench'd our love


s: Of good, without which is no working, thus


s: Here justice holds us prison'd, hand and foot


s: Chain'd down and bound, while heaven's just Lord shall please.


s: So long to tarry motionless outstretch'd."


s: My knees I stoop'd, and would have spoke; but he,


s: I did him reverence; and "What cause," said he,


s: "Hath bow'd thee thus!"--"Compunction," I rejoin'd.


s: "Up," he exclaim'd, "brother! upon thy feet


s: (Thine and all others') of one Sovran Power.


s: If thou hast ever mark'd those holy sounds


s: Of gospel truth, 'nor shall be given ill marriage,'


s: Thou mayst discern the reasons of my speech.


s: Go thy ways now; and linger here no more.


s: With which I hasten that whereof thou spak'st.


s: Ill strives the will, 'gainst will more wise that strives


s: His pleasure therefore to mine own preferr'd,


s: I drew the sponge yet thirsty from the wave.


s: Who led me, coasting still, wherever place


s: Walks near the battlements on narrow wall.


s: For those on th' other part, who drop by drop


s: Too closely press the verge.  Accurst be thou!


s: Inveterate wolf! whose gorge ingluts more prey,


s: Than every beast beside, yet is not fill'd!


s: So bottomless thy maw!--Ye spheres of heaven!


s: To whom there are, as seems, who attribute


s: All change in mortal state, when is the day


s: Of his appearing, for whom fate reserves


s: To chase her hence?--With wary steps and slow


s: We pass'd; and I attentive to the shades,


s: And, 'midst the wailing, one before us heard


s: In the sharp pangs of childbed; and "How poor


s: Thou wast," it added, "witness that low roof


s: Where thou didst lay thy sacred burden down.


s: O good Fabricius! thou didst virtue choose


s: With poverty, before great wealth with vice."


s: The words so pleas'd me, that desire to know


s: The spirit, from whose lip they seem'd to come,


s: Did draw me onward.  Yet it spake the gift


s: Bounteous bestow'd, to save their youthful prime


s: Unblemish'd.  "Spirit! who dost speak of deeds


s: So worthy, tell me who thou was," I said,


s: "And why thou dost with single voice renew


s: Memorial of such praise. That boon vouchsaf'd


s: Still speeding to its close on restless wing."


s: "I," answer'd he, "will tell thee, not for hell,


s: Which thence I look for; but that in thyself


s: Grace so exceeding shines, before thy time


s: Of that ill plant, whose shade such poison sheds


s: O'er all the Christian land, that seldom thence


s: Good fruit is gather'd.  Vengeance soon should come,


s: Had Ghent and Douay, Lille and Bruges power;


s: And vengeance I of heav'n's great Judge implore.


s: The Philips and the Louis, of whom France


s: Newly is govern'd; born of one, who ply'd


s: The slaughterer's trade at Paris.  When the race


s: Of ancient kings had vanish'd (all save one


s: Wrapt up in sable weeds) within my gripe


s: I found the reins of empire, and such powers


s: Of new acquirement, with full store of friends,


s: That soon the widow'd circlet of the crown


s: He, from whose bones th' anointed race begins.


s: Till the great dower of Provence had remov'd


s: The stains, that yet obscur'd our lowly blood,


s: It wrought no evil: there, with force and lies,


s: Young Conradine an innocent victim slew,


s: And sent th' angelic teacher back to heav'n,


s: Still for amends.  I see the time at hand,


s: That forth from France invites another Charles


s: To make himself and kindred better known.


s: Unarm'd he issues, saving with that lance,


s: Which the arch-traitor tilted with; and that


s: He carries with so home a thrust, as rives


s: The bowels of poor Florence.  No increase


s: Shall be his guerdon, and so much the more


s: As he more lightly deems of such foul wrong.


s: Had steps on shore, exposing to the mart


s: His daughter, whom he bargains for, as do


s: The Corsairs for their slaves.  O avarice!


s: What canst thou more, who hast subdued our blood


s: Of their own flesh?  To hide with direr guilt


s: Past ill and future, lo! the flower-de-luce


s: And he 'twixt living robbers doom'd to bleed!


s: Such violence cannot fill the measure up,


s: To see the vengeance, which thy wrath well-pleas'd


s: In secret silence broods?--While daylight lasts,


s: So long what thou didst hear of her, sole spouse


s: Of the Great Spirit, and on which thou turn'dst


s: Of all our prayers: but when it darkens, then


s: A different strain we utter, then record


s: Pygmalion, whom his gluttonous thirst of gold


s: Made traitor, robber, parricide: the woes


s: Mark'd for derision to all future times:


s: And the fond Achan, how he stole the prey,


s: That yet he seems by Joshua's ire pursued.


s: Sapphira with her husband next, we blame;


s: And praise the forefeet, that with furious ramp


s: Spurn'd Heliodorus.  All the mountain round


s: Rings with the infamy of Thracia's king,


s: Who slew his Phrygian charge: and last a shout


s: Ascends: "Declare, O Crassus! for thou know'st,


s: The flavour of thy gold."  The voice of each


s: Now high now low, as each his impulse prompts,


s: Is led through many a pitch, acute or grave.


s: Therefore, not singly, I erewhile rehears'd


s: But near me none beside his accent rais'd."


s: With utmost efforts to surmount the way,


s: When I did feel, as nodding to its fall,


s: The mountain tremble; whence an icy chill


s: Seiz'd on me, as on one to death convey'd.


s: Couch'd to bring forth the twin-born eyes of heaven.


s: Drew near, and cried: "Doubt not, while I conduct thee."


s: "Glory!" all shouted (such the sounds mine ear


s: Gather'd from those, who near me swell'd the sounds)


s: "Glory in the highest be to God."  We stood


s: The shepherds, who first heard in Bethlehem's field


s: That song: till ceas'd the trembling, and the song


s: Was ended: then our hallow'd path resum'd,


s: Eying the prostrate shadows, who renew'd


s: Their custom'd mourning.  Never in my breast


s: As in that moment; nor through haste dar'd I


s: To question, nor myself could aught discern,


s: So on I far'd in thoughtfulness and dread.


s: The natural thirst, ne'er quench'd but from the well,


s: After my guide, impell'd; and pity mov'd


s: My bosom for the 'vengeful deed, though just.


s: When lo! even as Luke relates, that Christ


s: A shade appear'd, and after us approach'd,


s: Contemplating the crowd beneath its feet.


s: We were not ware of it; so first it spake,


s: Saying, "God give you peace, my brethren!" then


s: Sudden we turn'd: and Virgil such salute,


s: As fitted that kind greeting, gave, and cried:


s: "Peace in the blessed council be thy lot


s: Awarded by that righteous court, which me


s: "How!" he exclaim'd, nor from his speed meanwhile


s: Desisting, "If that ye be spirits, whom God


s: Vouchsafes not room above, who up the height


s: Has been thus far your guide?"  To whom the bard:


s: "If thou observe the tokens, which this man


s: Trac'd by the finger of the angel bears,


s: 'Tis plain that in the kingdom of the just


s: He needs must share.  But sithence she, whose wheel


s: Spins day and night, for him not yet had drawn


s: That yarn, which, on the fatal distaff pil'd,


s: Clotho apportions to each wight that breathes,


s: His soul, that sister is to mine and thine,


s: Not of herself could mount, for not like ours


s: Her ken: whence I, from forth the ample gulf


s: Of hell was ta'en, to lead him, and will lead


s: Far as my lore avails.  But, if thou know,


s: Instruct us for what cause, the mount erewhile


s: Thus shook and trembled: wherefore all at once


s: Seem'd shouting, even from his wave-wash'd foot."


s: That questioning so tallied with my wish,


s: The thirst did feel abatement of its edge


s: E'en from expectance.  He forthwith replied,


s: This mount can witness, or by punctual rule


s: Unsanction'd; here from every change exempt.


s: Can reach us.  Tempest none, shower, hail or snow,


s: Hoar frost or dewy moistness, higher falls


s: Than that brief scale of threefold steps: thick clouds


s: Nor scudding rack are ever seen: swift glance


s: Ne'er lightens, nor Thaumantian Iris gleams,


s: That yonder often shift on each side heav'n.


s: The highest of the trinal stairs, whereon


s: Peter's vicegerent stands.  Lower perchance,


s: With various motion rock'd, trembles the soil:


s: But here, through wind in earth's deep hollow pent,


s: I know not how, yet never trembled: then


s: For rising, and such loud acclaim ensues.


s: Desire of bliss is present from the first;


s: But strong propension hinders, to that wish


s: By the just ordinance of heav'n oppos'd;


s: Th' allotted torment, as erewhile to sin.


s: Five hundred years and more, but now have felt


s: Free wish for happier clime.  Therefore thou felt'st


s: The mountain tremble, and the spirits devout


s: Heard'st, over all his limits, utter praise


s: To that liege Lord, whom I entreat their joy


s: To hasten."  Thus he spake: and since the draught


s: No words may speak my fullness of content.


s: "Now," said the instructor sage, "I see the net


s: That takes ye here, and how the toils are loos'd,


s: Why rocks the mountain and why ye rejoice.


s: Vouchsafe, that from thy lips I next may learn,


s: Who on the earth thou wast, and wherefore here


s: So many an age wert prostrate."--"In that time,


s: When the good Titus, with Heav'n's King to help,


s: Aveng'd those piteous gashes, whence the blood


s: Most lasting and most honour'd there was I


s: Abundantly renown'd," the shade reply'd,


s: "Not yet with faith endued.  So passing sweet


s: Statius they name me still.  Of Thebes I sang,


s: And next of great Achilles: but i' th' way


s: Fell with the second burthen.  Of my flame


s: Those sparkles were the seeds, which I deriv'd


s: From the bright fountain of celestial fire


s: That feeds unnumber'd lamps, the song I mean


s: Which sounds Aeneas' wand'rings: that the breast


s: I hung at, that the nurse, from whom my veins


s: The Mantuan, when he heard him, turn'd to me,


s: Enjoin'd me silence but the power which wills,


s: Bears not supreme control: laughter and tears


s: Follow so closely on the passion prompts them,


s: They wait not for the motions of the will


s: In natures most sincere.  I did but smile,


s: As one who winks; and thereupon the shade


s: Broke off, and peer'd into mine eyes, where best


s: Mayst thou conduct such great emprize," he cried,


s: "Say, why across thy visage beam'd, but now,


s: The lightning of a smile!"  On either part


s: Now am I straiten'd; one conjures me speak,


s: Th' other to silence binds me: whence a sigh


s: I utter, and the sigh is heard.  "Speak on;"


s: The teacher cried; "and do not fear to speak,


s: But tell him what so earnestly he asks."


s: Whereon I thus: "Perchance, O ancient spirit!


s: Thou marvel'st at my smiling. There is room


s: For yet more wonder.  He who guides my ken


s: On high, he is that Mantuan, led by whom


s: Thou didst presume of men and gods to sing.


s: If other cause thou deem'dst for which I smil'd,


s: Leave it as not the true one; and believe


s: Those words, thou spak'st of him, indeed the cause."


s: Now down he bent t' embrace my teacher's feet;


s: But he forbade him: "Brother! do it not:


s: Thou art a shadow, and behold'st a shade."


s: He rising answer'd thus: "Now hast thou prov'd


s: The force and ardour of the love I bear thee,


s: And as a substance treat an empty shade."


s: Now we had left the angel, who had turn'd


s: One gash from off my forehead raz'd: while they,


s: Whose wishes tend to justice, shouted forth:


s: "Blessed!"  and ended with, "I thirst:" and I,


s: More nimble than along the other straits,


s: So journey'd, that, without the sense of toil,


s: I follow'd upward the swift-footed shades;


s: When Virgil thus began: "Let its pure flame


s: From virtue flow, and love can never fail


s: Shine manifestly forth.  Hence from that hour,


s: When 'mongst us in the purlieus of the deep,


s: Who told of thine affection, my good will


s: Therefore these stairs will now seem short to me.


s: The rein with a friend's license, as a friend


s: Forgive me, and speak now as with a friend:


s: How chanc'd it covetous desire could find


s: Place in that bosom, 'midst such ample store


s: Of wisdom, as thy zeal had treasur'd there?"


s: First somewhat mov'd to laughter by his words,


s: Statius replied: "Each syllable of thine


s: Is a dear pledge of love.  Things oft appear


s: That minister false matters to our doubts,


s: When their true causes are remov'd from sight.


s: Thy question doth assure me, thou believ'st


s: Because thou found'st me in that circle plac'd.


s: And e'en for that excess, thousands of moons


s: Have wax'd and wan'd upon my sufferings.


s: And were it not that I with heedful care


s: Noted where thou exclaim'st as if in ire


s: With human nature, 'Why, thou cursed thirst


s: Of gold! dost not with juster measure guide


s: The fierce encounter of the voluble rock.


s: Then was I ware that with too ample wing


s: The hands may haste to lavishment, and turn'd,


s: In penitence.  How many from their grave


s: Shall with shorn locks arise, who living, aye


s: And at life's last extreme, of this offence,


s: Through ignorance, did not repent.  And know,


s: The fault which lies direct from any sin


s: Wastes its green rankness on one common heap.


s: Therefore if I have been with those, who wail


s: Their avarice, to cleanse me, through reverse


s: Of their transgression, such hath been my lot."


s: To whom the sovran of the pastoral song:


s: "While thou didst sing that cruel warfare wag'd


s: From thy discourse with Clio there, it seems


s: As faith had not been shine: without the which


s: Good deeds suffice not.  And if so, what sun


s: Rose on thee, or what candle pierc'd the dark


s: That thou didst after see to hoist the sail,


s: And follow, where the fisherman had led?"


s: He answering thus: "By thee conducted first,


s: I enter'd the Parnassian grots, and quaff'd


s: Of the clear spring; illumin'd first by thee


s: Open'd mine eyes to God.  Thou didst, as one,


s: Who, journeying through the darkness, hears a light


s: Behind, that profits not himself, but makes


s: His followers wise, when thou exclaimedst, 'Lo!


s: That thou mayst mark more clearly what I trace,


s: My hand shall stretch forth to inform the lines


s: With livelier colouring.  Soon o'er all the world,


s: By messengers from heav'n, the true belief


s: Teem'd now prolific, and that word of thine


s: Accordant, to the new instructors chim'd.


s: Pursuing them, I mix'd my tears with theirs,


s: And, while on earth I stay'd, still succour'd them;


s: And their most righteous customs made me scorn


s: All sects besides.  Before I led the Greeks


s: In tuneful fiction, to the streams of Thebes,


s: I was baptiz'd; but secretly, through fear,


s: Remain'd a Christian, and conform'd long time


s: To Pagan rites.  Five centuries and more,


s: T for that lukewarmness was fain to pace


s: Round the fourth circle.  Thou then, who hast rais'd


s: The covering, which did hide such blessing from me,


s: Whilst much of this ascent is yet to climb,


s: Say, if thou know, where our old Terence bides,


s: They dwell, and in what province of the deep."


s: "These," said my guide, "with Persius and myself,


s: And others many more, are with that Greek,


s: Of mortals, the most cherish'd by the Nine,


s: In the first ward of darkness.  There ofttimes


s: We of that mount hold converse, on whose top


s: For aye our nurses live.  We have the bard


s: And blind Tiresias' daughter, and the bride


s: Or the steep walls obstructed, round them cast


s: Inquiring eyes.  Four handmaids of the day


s: Had finish'd now their office, and the fifth


s: Was at the chariot-beam, directing still


s: Its balmy point aloof, when thus my guide:


s: "Methinks, it well behooves us to the brink


s: Bend the right shoulder' circuiting the mount,


s: Was usher to the road, the which we chose


s: Less doubtful, as that worthy shade complied.


s: List'ning their speech, that to my thoughts convey'd


s: But soon they ceas'd; for midway of the road


s: A tree we found, with goodly fruitage hung,


s: Upward from bough to bough less ample spreads,


s: So downward this less ample spread, that none.


s: Methinks, aloft may climb.  Upon the side,


s: That clos'd our path, a liquid crystal fell


s: From the steep rock, and through the sprays above


s: Stream'd showering.  With associate step the bards


s: Drew near the plant; and from amidst the leaves


s: A voice was heard: "Ye shall be chary of me;"


s: And after added: "Mary took more thought


s: For joy and honour of the nuptial feast,


s: Than for herself who answers now for you.


s: With water for their beverage.  Daniel fed


s: On pulse, and wisdom gain'd.  The primal age


s: Made acorns tasteful, thirst each rivulet


s: Run nectar.  Honey and locusts were the food,


s: And greatness, which the' Evangelist records."


s: On the green leaf mine eyes were fix'd, like his


s: The more than father warn me: "Son! our time


s: Asks thriftier using.  Linger not: away."


s: Thereat my face and steps at once I turn'd


s: Toward the sages, by whose converse cheer'd


s: I journey'd on, and felt no toil: and lo!


s: A sound of weeping and a song: "My lips,


s: O Lord!" and these so mingled, it gave birth


s: To pleasure and to pain.  "O Sire, belov'd!


s: Say what is this I hear?"  Thus I inquir'd.


s: "Spirits," said he, "who as they go, perchance,


s: Their debt of duty pay."  As on their road


s: The thoughtful pilgrims, overtaking some


s: Not known unto them, turn to them, and look,


s: But stay not; thus, approaching from behind


s: With speedier motion, eyed us, as they pass'd,


s: The eyes of each were dark and hollow: pale


s: Their visage, and so lean withal, the bones


s: Stood staring thro' the skin.  I do not think


s: When pinc'ed by sharp-set famine to the quick.


s: "Lo!" to myself I mus'd, "the race, who lost


s: Prey'd on her child."  The sockets seem'd as rings,


s: From which the gems were drops.  Who reads the name


s: Had trac'd most plainly.  Who would deem, that scent


s: Of water and an apple, could have prov'd


s: Not knowing how it wrought?  While now I stood


s: Wond'ring what thus could waste them (for the cause


s: Of their gaunt hollowness and scaly rind


s: Appear'd not) lo! a spirit turn'd his eyes


s: In their deep-sunken cell, and fasten'd then


s: "What grace is this vouchsaf'd me?"  By his looks


s: I ne'er had recogniz'd him: but the voice


s: Brought to my knowledge what his cheer conceal'd.


s: Was kindled from that spark; and I agniz'd


s: This wan and leprous wither'd skin," thus he


s: Suppliant implor'd, "this macerated flesh.


s: Are those twain spirits, that escort thee there?


s: Be it not said thou Scorn'st to talk with me."


s: "That face of thine," I answer'd him, "which dead


s: For weeping, when I see It thus transform'd.


s: Say then, by Heav'n, what blasts ye thus?  The whilst


s: Is he to speak, whom other will employs."


s: He thus: "The water and tee plant we pass'd,


s: Infus'd, the which so pines me.  Every spirit,


s: Whose song bewails his gluttony indulg'd


s: Too grossly, here in hunger and in thirst


s: Is purified.  The odour, which the fruit,


s: And spray, that showers upon the verdure, breathe,


s: Inflames us with desire to feed and drink.


s: To the tree leads us, by which Christ was led


s: Our ransom from his vein."  I answering thus:


s: "Forese! from that day, in which the world


s: For better life thou changedst, not five years


s: Have circled.  If the power of sinning more


s: Were first concluded in thee, ere thou knew'st


s: To God, how hither art thou come so soon?


s: I thought to find thee lower, there, where time


s: Is recompense for time."  He straight replied:


s: "To drink up the sweet wormwood of affliction


s: I have been brought thus early by the tears


s: Stream'd down my Nella's cheeks.  Her prayers devout,


s: Her sighs have drawn me from the coast, where oft


s: Expectance lingers, and have set me free


s: From th' other circles.  In the sight of God


s: She whom I lov'd so fondly, as she ranks


s: The tract most barb'rous of Sardinia's isle,


s: Hath dames more chaste and modester by far


s: Than that wherein I left her.  O sweet brother!


s: What wouldst thou have me say?  A time to come


s: Stands full within my view, to which this hour


s: Shall not be counted of an ancient date,


s: When from the pulpit shall be loudly warn'd


s: Th' unblushing dames of Florence, lest they bare


s: What savage women hath the world e'er seen,


s: What Saracens, for whom there needed scourge


s: To force them walk with cov'ring on their limbs!


s: But did they see, the shameless ones, that Heav'n


s: Wafts on swift wing toward them, while I speak,


s: Their mouths were op'd for howling: they shall taste


s: Of Borrow (unless foresight cheat me here)


s: Or ere the cheek of him be cloth'd with down


s: Ah! now, my brother, hide thyself no more,


s: Gaze, where thou veil'st the intercepted sun."


s: Whence I replied: "If thou recall to mind


s: Remembrance of those days may grieve thee sore.


s: That I forsook that life, was due to him


s: Who there precedes me, some few evenings past,


s: When she was round, who shines with sister lamp


s: To his, that glisters yonder," and I show'd


s: The sun.  "Tis he, who through profoundest night


s: Of he true dead has brought me, with this flesh


s: As true, that follows.  From that gloom the aid


s: Of his sure comfort drew me on to climb,


s: And climbing wind along this mountain-steep,


s: Which rectifies in you whate'er the world


s: Made crooked and deprav'd I have his word,


s: But there must leave me.  Virgil is that spirit,


s: Who thus hath promis'd,"  and I pointed to him;


s: "The other is that shade, for whom so late


s: Through every pendent cliff and rocky bound."


s: Our journey was not slacken'd by our talk,


s: Nor yet our talk by journeying.  Still we spake,


s: And urg'd our travel stoutly, like a ship


s: When the wind sits astern.  The shadowy forms,


s: That seem'd things dead and dead again, drew in


s: At their deep-delved orbs rare wonder of me,


s: Continued, and thus spake; "He journeys up


s: For others' sake.  But tell me, if thou know'st,


s: Who eye me thus."--"My sister (she for whom,


s: Which name was fitter ) wears e'en now her crown,


s: He added: "Since spare diet hath so worn


s: Our semblance out, 't is lawful here to name


s: Each one.  This," and his finger then he rais'd,


s: Of Lucca: and that face beyond him, pierc'd


s: Had keeping of the church: he was of Tours,


s: And all, as they were nam'd, seem'd well content;


s: That wav'd the crozier o'er a num'rous flock.


s: I saw the Marquis, who tad time erewhile


s: To swill at Forli with less drought, yet so


s: Was one ne'er sated.  I howe'er, like him,


s: That gazing 'midst a crowd, singles out one,


s: Was none amongst them took such note of me.


s: Somewhat I heard him whisper of Gentucca:


s: The sound was indistinct, and murmur'd there,


s: Where justice, that so strips them, fix'd her sting.


s: "Spirit!" said I, "it seems as thou wouldst fain


s: Speak with me.  Let me hear thee.  Mutual wish


s: To converse prompts, which let us both indulge."


s: He, answ'ring, straight began: "Woman is born,


s: Whose brow no wimple shades yet, that shall make


s: My city please thee, blame it as they may.


s: Go then with this forewarning.  If aught false


s: My whisper too implied, th' event shall tell


s: Of that new lay th' inventor, which begins


s: With 'Ladies, ye that con the lore of love'."


s: Who am the scribe of love; that, when he breathes,


s: Take up my pen, and, as he dictates, write."


s: "Brother!" said he, "the hind'rance which once held


s: Short of that new and sweeter style I hear,


s: Is now disclos'd.  I see how ye your plumes


s: Stretch, as th' inditer guides them; which, no question,


s: Ours did not.  He that seeks a grace beyond,


s: Sees not the distance parts one style from other."


s: And, as contented, here he held his peace.


s: Like as the bird, that winter near the Nile,


s: In squared regiment direct their course,


s: Then stretch themselves in file for speedier flight;


s: Thus all the tribe of spirits, as they turn'd


s: Through leanness and desire.  And as a man,


s: Tir'd With the motion of a trotting steed,


s: Slacks pace, and stays behind his company,


s: Till his o'erbreathed lungs keep temperate time;


s: Proceed, behind them lingering at my side,


s: And saying: "When shall I again behold thee?"


s: "How long my life may last," said I, "I know not;


s: Sithence the place, where I am set to live,


s: Is, day by day, more scoop'd of all its good,


s: "Go now," he cried: "lo! he, whose guilt is most,


s: Passes before my vision, dragg'd at heels


s: Of an infuriate beast.  Toward the vale,


s: Where guilt hath no redemption, on it speeds,


s: Each step increasing swiftness on the last;


s: Until a blow it strikes, that leaveth him


s: A corse most vilely shatter'd.  No long space


s: Those wheels have yet to roll"  (therewith his eyes


s: Look'd up to heav'n) "ere thou shalt plainly see


s: That which my words may not more plainly tell.


s: I quit thee: time is precious here: I lose


s: Too much, thus measuring my pace with shine."


s: One knight, more enterprising than the rest,


s: Pricks forth at gallop, eager to display


s: His prowess in the first encounter prov'd


s: So parted he from us with lengthen'd strides,


s: And left me on the way with those twain spirits,


s: Who were such mighty marshals of the world.


s: No nearer reach'd him, than my thought his words,


s: The branches of another fruit, thick hung,


s: And blooming fresh, appear'd.  E'en as our steps


s: Turn'd thither, not far off it rose to view.


s: Beneath it were a multitude, that rais'd


s: Their hands, and shouted forth I know not What


s: Unto the boughs; like greedy and fond brats,


s: That beg, and answer none obtain from him,


s: Of whom they beg; but more to draw them on,


s: He at arm's length the object of their wish


s: Above them holds aloft, and hides it not.


s: At length, as undeceiv'd they went their way:


s: And we approach the tree, who vows and tears


s: Sue to in vain, the mighty tree.  "Pass on,


s: And come not near.  Stands higher up the wood,


s: Whereof Eve tasted, and from it was ta'en


s: 'this plant." Such sounds from midst the thickets came.


s: Whence I, with either bard, close to the side


s: That rose, pass'd forth beyond.  "Remember," next


s: We heard, "those noblest creatures of the clouds,


s: How they their twofold bosoms overgorg'd


s: Oppos'd in fight to Theseus: call to mind


s: The Hebrews, how effeminate they stoop'd


s: To ease their thirst; whence Gideon's ranks were thinn'd,


s: As he to Midian march'd adown the hills."


s: Thus near one border coasting, still we heard


s: Reguerdon'd.  Then along the lonely path,


s: Once more at large, full thousand paces on


s: We travel'd, each contemplative and mute.


s: "Why pensive journey thus ye three alone?"


s: Thus suddenly a voice exclaim'd: whereat


s: I shook, as doth a scar'd and paltry beast;


s: Then rais'd my head to look from whence it came.


s: Was ne'er, in furnace, glass, or metal seen


s: So bright and glowing red, as was the shape


s: He cried, "here must ye turn.  This way he goes,


s: Who goes in quest of peace."  His countenance


s: Had dazzled me; and to my guides I fac'd


s: Backward, like one who walks, as sound directs.


s: As when, to harbinger the dawn, springs up


s: On freshen'd wing the air of May, and breathes


s: Of fragrance, all impregn'd with herb and flowers,


s: Perceiv'd, that moving shed ambrosial smell;


s: And then a voice: "Blessed are they, whom grace


s: Still hung'ring as the rule of temperance wills."


s: It was an hour, when he who climbs, had need


s: And to the Scorpion left the night.  As one


s: That makes no pause, but presses on his road,


s: Whate'er betide him, if some urgent need


s: That steep and narrow scale admits to climb.


s: E'en as the young stork lifteth up his wing


s: Through wish to fly, yet ventures not to quit


s: Of questioning my guide arose, and fell,


s: A man prepar'd for speech.  Him all our haste


s: Restrain'd not, but thus spake the sire belov'd:


s: Fear not to speed the shaft, that on thy lip


s: Stands trembling for its flight.  Encourag'd thus


s: I straight began: "How there can leanness come,


s: Where is no want of nourishment to feed?"


s: "If thou," he answer'd, "hadst remember'd thee,


s: This would not trouble thee: and hadst thou thought,


s: With mimic motion vibrates, what now seems


s: Hard, had appear'd no harder than the pulp


s: Of summer fruit mature.  But that thy will


s: Lo Statius here! on him I call, and pray


s: That he would now be healer of thy wound."


s: The secrets of heaven's vengeance, let me plead


s: So Statius answer'd, and forthwith began:


s: "Attend my words, O son, and in thy mind


s: Receive them: so shall they be light to clear


s: The doubt thou offer'st. Blood, concocted well,


s: Which by the thirsty veins is ne'er imbib'd,


s: And rests as food superfluous, to be ta'en


s: From the replenish'd table, in the heart


s: Which passes through the veins itself to make them.


s: Yet more concocted it descends, where shame


s: Forbids to mention: and from thence distils


s: T' endure, to act the other, through meet frame


s: Of its recipient mould: that being reach'd,


s: Then vivifies what its own substance caus'd


s: The active virtue (differing from a plant


s: No further, than that this is on the way


s: To operate, that now it moves, and feels,


s: As sea sponge clinging to the rock: and there


s: Assumes th' organic powers its seed convey'd.


s: 'This is the period, son! at which the virtue,


s: That from the generating heart proceeds,


s: Is in the heart by forgeful nature plann'd.


s: For thy consid'ring.  At this point, more wise,


s: Than thou hast err'd, making the soul disjoin'd


s: "Open thy bosom to the truth that comes.


s: Know soon as in the embryo, to the brain,


s: On such great work of nature, and imbreathes


s: New spirit replete with virtue, that what here


s: Active it finds, to its own substance draws,


s: And forms an individual soul, that lives,


s: And feels, and bends reflective on itself.


s: And that thou less mayst marvel at the word,


s: Mark the sun's heat, how that to wine doth change,


s: Mix'd with the moisture filter'd through the vine.


s: "When Lachesis hath spun the thread, the soul


s: Takes with her both the human and divine,


s: Far keener than before, the other powers


s: Inactive all and mute.  No pause allow'd,


s: In wond'rous sort self-moving, to one strand


s: Of those, where the departed roam, she falls,


s: Here learns her destin'd path.  Soon as the place


s: Receives her, round the plastic virtue beams,


s: And as the air, when saturate with showers,


s: The casual beam refracting, decks itself


s: With many a hue; so here the ambient air


s: Weareth that form, which influence of the soul


s: Imprints on it; and like the flame, that where


s: The fire moves, thither follows, so henceforth


s: The new form on the spirit follows still:


s: Hence hath it semblance, and is shadow call'd,


s: With each sense even to the sight endued:


s: Hence speech is ours, hence laughter, tears, and sighs


s: Which thou mayst oft have witness'd on the mount


s: Th' obedient shadow fails not to present


s: Whatever varying passion moves within us.


s: And this the cause of what thou marvel'st at."


s: Now the last flexure of our way we reach'd,


s: And to the right hand turning, other care


s: Hurls forth redundant flames, and from the rim


s: Driveth them back, sequester'd from its bound.


s: Behoov'd us, one by one, along the side,


s: That border'd on the void, to pass; and I


s: Fear'd on one hand the fire, on th' other fear'd


s: Headlong to fall: when thus th' instructor warn'd:


s: "Strict rein must in this place direct the eyes.


s: Then from the bosom of the burning mass,


s: "O God of mercy!" heard I sung; and felt


s: Between their footsteps and mine own was fain


s: To share by turns my view.  At the hymn's close


s: They shouted loud, "I do not know a man;"


s: Then in low voice again took up the strain,


s: Which once more ended, "To the wood," they cried,


s: "Ran Dian, and drave forth Callisto, stung


s: Unto their song; then marry a pair extoll'd,


s: Who liv'd in virtue chastely, and the bands


s: Of wedded love.  Nor from that task, I ween,


s: Surcease they; whilesoe'er the scorching fire


s: Enclasps them.  Of such skill appliance needs


s: To medicine the wound, that healeth last.


s: While singly thus along the rim we walk'd,


s: Oft the good master warn'd me: "Look thou well.


s: Now all the western clime irradiate chang'd


s: From azure tinct to white; and, as I pass'd,


s: My passing shadow made the umber'd flame


s: Burn ruddier.  At so strange a sight I mark'd


s: This bred occasion first to speak of me,


s: "He seems," said they, "no insubstantial frame:"


s: Then to obtain what certainty they might,


s: Stretch'd towards me, careful not to overpass


s: The burning pale.  "O thou, who followest


s: The others, haply not more slow than they,


s: But mov'd by rev'rence, answer me, who burn


s: In thirst and fire: nor I alone, but these


s: All for thine answer do more thirst, than doth


s: Indian or Aethiop for the cooling stream.


s: Tell us, how is it that thou mak'st thyself


s: Hadst enter'd?"  Thus spake one, and I had straight


s: Declar'd me, if attention had not turn'd


s: To new appearance.  Meeting these, there came,


s: Midway the burning path, a crowd, on whom


s: The shadows all press forward, sev'rally


s: Each snatch a hasty kiss, and then away.


s: E'en so the emmets, 'mid their dusky troops,


s: Their mutual road perchance, and how they thrive.


s: That friendly greeting parted, ere dispatch


s: Of the first onward step, from either tribe


s: Loud clamour rises: those, who newly come,


s: Shout "Sodom and Gomorrah!" these, "The cow


s: Pasiphae enter'd, that the beast she woo'd


s: Might rush unto her luxury."  Then as cranes,


s: That part towards the Riphaean mountains fly,


s: Part towards the Lybic sands, these to avoid


s: The ice, and those the sun; so hasteth off


s: One crowd, advances th' other; and resume


s: Their first song weeping, and their several shout.


s: Who had erewhile besought me, and their looks


s: Mark'd eagerness to listen.  I, who twice


s: Their will had noted, spake: "O spirits secure,


s: Whene'er the time may be, of peaceful end!


s: My limbs, nor crude, nor in mature old age,


s: Have I left yonder: here they bear me, fed


s: With blood, and sinew-strung.  That I no more


s: May live in blindness, hence I tend aloft.


s: There is a dame on high, who wind for us


s: This grace, by which my mortal through your realm


s: I bear.  But may your utmost wish soon meet


s: Such full fruition, that the orb of heaven,


s: Fullest of love, and of most ample space,


s: Henceforth to stand recorded) who ye are,


s: And what this multitude, that at your backs


s: Have past behind us."  As one, mountain-bred,


s: Rugged and clownish, if some city's walls


s: He chance to enter, round him stares agape,


s: Each spirit.  But when rid of that amaze,


s: He, who before had question'd, thus resum'd:


s: "O blessed, who, for death preparing, tak'st


s: Their crime, who not with us proceed, was that,


s: For which, as he did triumph, Caesar heard


s: The snout of 'queen,' to taunt him.  Hence their cry


s: Themselves, and aid the burning by their shame.


s: Following like beasts our vile concupiscence,


s: Hence parting from them, to our own disgrace


s: Record the name of her, by whom the beast


s: In bestial tire was acted.  Now our deeds


s: Thou know'st, and how we sinn'd.  If thou by name


s: Wouldst haply know us, time permits not now


s: Already cleanse me."  With such pious joy,


s: (Save that I more represt it) when I heard


s: From his own lips the name of him pronounc'd,


s: My betters, who have ever us'd the sweet


s: And pleasant rhymes of love.  So nought I heard


s: Nor spake, but long time thoughtfully I went,


s: Approach'd not nearer.  When my eyes were fed


s: By looking on him, with such solemn pledge,


s: He thus bespake me: "What from thee I hear


s: Is grav'd so deeply on my mind, the waves


s: Of Lethe shall not wash it off, nor make


s: A whit less lively.  But as now thy oath


s: Has seal'd the truth, declare what cause impels


s: That love, which both thy looks and speech bewray."


s: "Those dulcet lays," I answer'd, "which, as long


s: As of our tongue the beauty does not fade,


s: Shall make us love the very ink that trac'd them."


s: "Brother!"  he cried, and pointed at a shade


s: Before him, "there is one, whose mother speech


s: He in love ditties and the tales of prose


s: Without a rival stands, and lets the fools


s: Talk on, who think the songster of Limoges


s: O'ertops him.  Rumour and the popular voice


s: They look to more than truth, and so confirm


s: Guittone, giving him the prize, till truth


s: By strength of numbers vanquish'd.  If thou own


s: Free entrance to the cloister, whereof Christ


s: For dwellers in this world, where power to sin


s: No longer tempts us."  Haply to make way


s: For one, that follow'd next, when that was said,


s: He vanish'd through the fire, as through the wave


s: A fish, that glances diving to the deep.


s: For which my heart, I said, kept gracious room.


s: So wins on me, I have nor power nor will


s: To hide me.  I am Arnault; and with songs,


s: Thorough this ford of fire I wade, and see


s: The day, I hope for, smiling in my view.


s: I pray ye by the worth that guides ye up


s: Remember ye my suff'rings."  With such words


s: Now was the sun so station'd, as when first


s: His early radiance quivers on the heights,


s: Where stream'd his Maker's blood, while Libra hangs


s: So day was sinking, when the' angel of God


s: Appear'd before us.  Joy was in his mien.


s: Forth of the flame he stood upon the brink,


s: And with a voice, whose lively clearness far


s: Surpass'd our human, "Blessed are the pure


s: In heart," he Sang: then near him as we came,


s: "Go ye not further, holy spirits!"  he cried,


s: "Ere the fire pierce you: enter in; and list


s: Attentive to the song ye hear from thence."


s: Laid in the grave.  My hands together clasp'd,


s: And upward stretching, on the fire I look'd,


s: Erewhile beheld alive consum'd in flames.


s: Th' escorting spirits turn'd with gentle looks


s: Toward me, and the Mantuan spake: "My son,


s: Here torment thou mayst feel, but canst not death.


s: Safe e'en on Geryon brought thee: now I come


s: More near to God, wilt thou not trust me now?


s: Of this be sure: though in its womb that flame


s: A thousand years contain'd thee, from thy head


s: No hair should perish.  If thou doubt my truth,


s: Approach, and with thy hands thy vesture's hem


s: Stretch forth, and for thyself confirm belief.


s: Turn hither, and come onward undismay'd."


s: I still, though conscience urg'd' no step advanc'd.


s: When still he saw me fix'd and obstinate,


s: Somewhat disturb'd he cried: "Mark now, my son,


s: Fast from his veins), and took one parting glance,


s: While vermeil dyed the mulberry; thus I turn'd


s: To my sage guide, relenting, when I heard


s: The name, that springs forever in my breast.


s: He shook his forehead; and, "How long," he said,


s: "Linger we now?"  then smil'd, as one would smile


s: Upon a child, that eyes the fruit and yields.


s: And Statius, who erewhile no little space


s: Had parted us, he pray'd to come behind.


s: Rag'd the conflagrant mass.  The sire belov'd,


s: Of Beatrice talk'd.  "Her eyes," saith he,


s: "E'en now I seem to view."  From the other side


s: A voice, that sang, did guide us, and the voice


s: Following, with heedful ear, we issued forth,


s: There where the path led upward.  "Come," we heard,


s: "Come, blessed of my Father."  Such the sounds,


s: That hail'd us from within a light, which shone


s: So radiant, I could not endure the view.


s: "The sun," it added, "hastes: and evening comes.


s: With blackness, strive ye for the pass."  Our way


s: Upright within the rock arose, and fac'd


s: Such part of heav'n, that from before my steps


s: The beams were shrouded of the sinking sun.


s: The sun behind us couch'd: and ere one face


s: Of darkness o'er its measureless expanse


s: Involv'd th' horizon, and the night her lot


s: A stair his pallet: not that will, but power,


s: Had fail'd us, by the nature of that mount


s: Forbidden further travel.  As the goats,


s: That late have skipp'd and wanton'd rapidly


s: Upon the craggy cliffs, ere they had ta'en


s: Their supper on the herb, now silent lie


s: While noonday rages; and the goatherd leans


s: Upon his staff, and leaning watches them:


s: And as the swain, that lodges out all night


s: In quiet by his flock, lest beast of prey


s: Close pent on either side by shelving rock.


s: Gazing on them, and in that fit of musing,


s: Sleep overcame me, sleep, that bringeth oft


s: First lighten'd on the mountain, she whose orb


s: Seems always glowing with the fire of love,


s: Was passing o'er a lea; and, as she came,


s: Bending to cull the flowers; and thus she sang:


s: A garland, these fair hands unwearied ply.


s: To please me at the crystal mirror, here


s: Before her glass abides the livelong day,


s: Her radiant eyes beholding, charm'd no less,


s: Than I with this delightful task.  Her joy


s: And now as glimm'ring dawn appear'd, that breaks


s: More welcome to the pilgrim still, as he


s: Sojourns less distant on his homeward way,


s: Darkness from all sides fled, and with it fled


s: My slumber; whence I rose and saw my guide


s: Which through so many a branch the zealous care


s: Of mortals roams in quest of, shall this day


s: Appease thy hunger."  Such the words I heard


s: From Virgil's lip; and never greeting heard


s: So pleasant as the sounds.  Within me straight


s: Thenceforward at each step I felt the wings


s: Increasing for my flight.  When we had run


s: O'er all the ladder to its topmost round,


s: As there we stood, on me the Mantuan fix'd


s: His eyes, and thus he spake: "Both fires, my son,


s: The temporal and eternal, thou hast seen,


s: No further reaches.  I with skill and art


s: Thus far have drawn thee.  Now thy pleasure take


s: For guide.  Thou hast o'ercome the steeper way,


s: O'ercome the straighter.  Lo! the sun, that darts


s: His beam upon thy forehead! lo! the herb,


s: The arboreta and flowers, which of itself


s: This land pours forth profuse!  Will those bright eyes


s: With gladness come, which, weeping, made me haste


s: To succour thee, thou mayst or seat thee down,


s: Or wander where thou wilt.  Expect no more


s: Sanction of warning voice or sign from me,


s: Discreet, judicious.  To distrust thy sense


s: Were henceforth error.  I invest thee then


s: With crown and mitre, sovereign o'er thyself."


s: Through that celestial forest, whose thick shade


s: With lively greenness the new-springing day


s: Attemper'd, eager now to roam, and search


s: Its limits round, forthwith I left the bank,


s: Pursuing, o'er the ground, that on all sides


s: Delicious odour breath'd.  A pleasant air,


s: Of softest influence: at which the sprays,


s: Obedient all, lean'd trembling to that part


s: Where first the holy mountain casts his shade,


s: Yet were not so disorder'd, but that still


s: Applied their wonted art, and with full joy


s: Welcom'd those hours of prime, and warbled shrill


s: Amid the leaves, that to their jocund lays


s: inept tenor; even as from branch to branch,


s: The dripping south.  Already had my steps,


s: Though slow, so far into that ancient wood


s: Transported me, I could not ken the place


s: Where I had enter'd, when behold! my path


s: Was bounded by a rill, which to the left


s: With little rippling waters bent the grass,


s: That issued from its brink.  On earth no wave


s: How clean soe'er, that would not seem to have


s: Some mixture in itself, compar'd with this,


s: Transpicuous, clear; yet darkly on it roll'd,


s: Darkly beneath perpetual gloom, which ne'er


s: Admits or sun or moon light there to shine.


s: My feet advanc'd not; but my wond'ring eyes


s: Pass'd onward, o'er the streamlet, to survey


s: The tender May-bloom, flush'd through many a hue,


s: That from our bosom every thought beside


s: And culling flower from flower, wherewith her way


s: Thou, who (if looks, that use to speak the heart,


s: Are worthy of our trust), with love's own beam


s: Dost warm thee," thus to her my speech I fram'd:


s: "Ah! please thee hither towards the streamlet bend


s: Thy steps so near, that I may list thy song.


s: Beholding thee and this fair place, methinks,


s: I call to mind where wander'd and how look'd


s: Proserpine, in that season, when her child


s: The mother lost, and she the bloomy spring."


s: Doth foot it featly, and advances scarce


s: One step before the other to the ground;


s: Thus turn'd she at my suit, most maiden-like,


s: Valing her sober eyes, and came so near,


s: That I distinctly caught the dulcet sound.


s: Lav'd the green sward, her eyes she deign'd to raise,


s: That shot such splendour on me, as I ween


s: Ne'er glanced from Cytherea's, when her son


s: Had sped his keenest weapon to her heart.


s: Upon the opposite bank she stood and smil'd


s: through her graceful fingers shifted still


s: The intermingling dyes, which without seed


s: That lofty land unbosoms.  By the stream


s: The Hellespont, where Xerxes pass'd it o'er,


s: That flood, because it gave no passage thence.


s: "Strangers ye come, and haply in this place,


s: Wond'ring, ye not without suspicion view


s: My smiles: but that sweet strain of psalmody,


s: 'Thou, Lord! hast made me glad,' will give ye light,


s: Which may uncloud your minds.  And thou, who stand'st


s: The foremost, and didst make thy suit to me,


s: Say if aught else thou wish to hear: for I


s: Came prompt to answer every doubt of thine."


s: She spake; and I replied: "I know not how


s: To reconcile this wave and rustling sound


s: Of forest leaves, with what I late have heard


s: Of opposite report."  She answering thus:


s: "I will unfold the cause, whence that proceeds,


s: Which makes thee wonder; and so purge the cloud


s: That hath enwraps thee.  The First Good, whose joy


s: For happiness, and gave this goodly place,


s: His pledge and earnest of eternal peace.


s: Favour'd thus highly, through his own defect


s: He fell, and here made short sojourn; he fell,


s: And, for the bitterness of sorrow, chang'd


s: That vapours none, exhal'd from earth beneath,


s: Or from the waters (which, wherever heat


s: Attracts them, follow), might ascend thus far


s: To vex man's peaceful state, this mountain rose


s: So high toward the heav'n, nor fears the rage


s: Exempted, where the gate his limit bars.


s: Because the circumambient air throughout


s: With its first impulse circles still, unless


s: Aught interpose to cheek or thwart its course;


s: Is open, doth that motion strike, and makes


s: Beneath its sway th' umbrageous wood resound:


s: And in the shaken plant such power resides,


s: The voyaging breeze, upon whose subtle plume


s: That wafted flies abroad; and th' other land


s: Or in the clime, that warms it), doth conceive,


s: Of various virtue.  This when thou hast heard,


s: Some plant without apparent seed be found


s: To fix its fibrous stem.  And further learn,


s: This holy plain is fill'd, and in itself


s: Bears fruit that ne'er was pluck'd on other soil.