And I gaz’d upward round the stony height,
Who hopes, our reason may that space explore,
Of spirits, that toward us mov’d their steps,
Which holds three persons in one substance knit.
Yet moving seem’d not, they so slow approach’d.
Seek not the wherefore, race of human kind;
I thus my guide address’d: “Upraise thine eyes, Could ye have seen the whole, no need had been
Lo that way some, of whom thou may’st obtain
For Mary to bring forth. Moreover ye
Counsel, if of thyself thou find’st it not!”
Have seen such men desiring fruitlessly;
Straightway he look’d, and with free speech replied: To whose desires repose would have been giv’n,
“Let us tend thither: they but softly come.
That now but serve them for eternal grief.
And thou be firm in hope, my son belov’d.”
I speak of Plato, and the Stagyrite,
Now was that people distant far in space
And others many more.” And then he bent
A thousand paces behind ours, as much
Downwards his forehead, and in troubled mood
As at a throw the nervous arm could fling,
Broke off his speech. Meanwhile we had arriv’d
When all drew backward on the messy crags
Far as the mountain’s foot, and there the rock
Of the steep bank, and firmly stood unmov’d
Found of so steep ascent, that nimblest steps
As one who walks in doubt might stand to look.
To climb it had been vain. The most remote
“O spirits perfect! O already chosen!”
Most wild untrodden path, in all the tract
Virgil to them began, “by that blest peace,
‘Twixt Lerice and Turbia were to this
Which, as I deem, is for you all prepar’d,
A ladder easy’ and open of access.
Instruct us where the mountain low declines,
“Who knows on which hand now the steep de-
So that attempt to mount it be not vain.
9
The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory For who knows most, him loss of time most grieves.”
Who journey’st thus this way, thy visage turn,
As sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one, Think if me elsewhere thou hast ever seen.”
Or pairs, or three at once; meanwhile the rest
I tow’rds him turn’d, and with fix’d eye beheld.
Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose
Comely, and fair, and gentle of aspect,
To ground, and what the foremost does, that do
He seem’d, but on one brow a gash was mark’d.
The others, gath’ring round her, if she stops,
When humbly I disclaim’d to have beheld
Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern;
Him ever: “Now behold!” he said, and show’d
So saw I moving to advance the first,
High on his breast a wound: then smiling spake.
Who of that fortunate crew were at the head,
“I am Manfredi, grandson to the Queen
Of modest mien and graceful in their gait.
Costanza: whence I pray thee, when return’d,
When they before me had beheld the light
To my fair daughter go, the parent glad
From my right side fall broken on the ground,
Of Aragonia and Sicilia’s pride;
So that the shadow reach’d the cave, they stopp’d
And of the truth inform her, if of me
And somewhat back retir’d: the same did all,
Aught else be told. When by two mortal blows
Who follow’d, though unweeting of the cause
My frame was shatter’d, I betook myself
“Unask’d of you, yet freely I confess,
Weeping to him, who of free will forgives.
This is a human body which ye see.
My sins were horrible; but so wide arms
That the sun’s light is broken on the ground,
Hath goodness infinite, that it receives
Marvel not: but believe, that not without
All who turn to it. Had this text divine
Virtue deriv’d from Heaven, we to climb
Been of Cosenza’s shepherd better scann’d,
Over this wall aspire.” So them bespake
Who then by Clement on my hunt was set,
My master; and that virtuous tribe rejoin’d;
Yet at the bridge’s head my bones had lain,
“Turn, and before you there the entrance lies,”
Near Benevento, by the heavy mole
Protected; but the rain now drenches them,
Then of them one began. “Whoe’er thou art,
And the wind drives, out of the kingdom’s bounds,
10
The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory Far as the stream of Verde, where, with lights
That firmly keeps the soul toward it turn’d,
Extinguish’d, he remov’d them from their bed.
Time passes, and a man perceives it not.
Yet by their curse we are not so destroy’d,
For that, whereby he hearken, is one power,
But that the eternal love may turn, while hope
Another that, which the whole spirit hash;
Retains her verdant blossoms. True it is,
This is as it were bound, while that is free.
That such one as in contumacy dies
This found I true by proof, hearing that spirit Against the holy church, though he repent,
And wond’ring; for full fifty steps aloft
Must wander thirty-fold for all the time
The sun had measur’d unobserv’d of me,
In his presumption past; if such decree
When we arriv’d where all with one accord
Be not by prayers of good men shorter made
The spirits shouted, “Here is what ye ask.”
Look therefore if thou canst advance my bliss;
A larger aperture ofttimes is stopp’d
Revealing to my good Costanza, how
With forked stake of thorn by villager,
Thou hast beheld me, and beside the terms
When the ripe grape imbrowns, than was the path,
Laid on me of that interdict; for here
By which my guide, and I behind him close,
By means of those below much profit comes.”
Ascended solitary, when that troop
Departing left us. On Sanleo’s road
CANTO IV
Who journeys, or to Noli low descends,
Or mounts Bismantua’s height, must use his feet;
When by sensations of delight or pain,
But here a man had need to fly, I mean
That any of our faculties hath seiz’d,
With the swift wing and plumes of high desire,
Entire the soul collects herself, it seems
Conducted by his aid, who gave me hope,
She is intent upon that power alone,
And with light furnish’d to direct my way.
And thus the error is disprov’d which holds
We through the broken rock ascended, close
The soul not singly lighted in the breast.
Pent on each side, while underneath the ground
And therefore when as aught is heard or seen,
Ask’d help of hands and feet. When we arriv’d
11
The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory Near on the highest ridge of the steep bank,
Its course it enter’d. Whence he thus to me:
Where the plain level open’d I exclaim’d,
“Were Leda’s offspring now in company
�
�O master! say which way can we proceed?”
Of that broad mirror, that high up and low
He answer’d, “Let no step of thine recede.
Imparts his light beneath, thou might’st behold
Behind me gain the mountain, till to us
The ruddy zodiac nearer to the bears
Some practis’d guide appear.” That eminence
Wheel, if its ancient course it not forsook.
Was lofty that no eye might reach its point,
How that may be if thou would’st think; within
And the side proudly rising, more than line
Pond’ring, imagine Sion with this mount
From the mid quadrant to the centre drawn.
Plac’d on the earth, so that to both be one
I wearied thus began: “Parent belov’d!
Horizon, and two hemispheres apart,
Turn, and behold how I remain alone,
Where lies the path that Phaeton ill knew
If thou stay not.”—” My son!” He straight reply’d,
To guide his erring chariot: thou wilt see
“Thus far put forth thy strength; “and to a track
How of necessity by this on one
Pointed, that, on this side projecting, round
He passes, while by that on the’ other side,
Circles the hill. His words so spurr’d me on,
If with clear view shine intellect attend.”
That I behind him clamb’ring, forc’d myself,
“Of truth, kind teacher!” I exclaim’d, “so clear Till my feet press’d the circuit plain beneath.
Aught saw I never, as I now discern
There both together seated, turn’d we round
Where seem’d my ken to fail, that the mid orb
To eastward, whence was our ascent: and oft
Of the supernal motion (which in terms
Many beside have with delight look’d back.
Of art is called the Equator, and remains
First on the nether shores I turn’d my eyes,
Ever between the sun and winter) for the cause
Then rais’d them to the sun, and wond’ring mark’d
Thou hast assign’d, from hence toward the north
That from the left it smote us. Soon perceiv’d
Departs, when those who in the Hebrew land
That Poet sage how at the car of light
Inhabit, see it tow’rds the warmer part.
Amaz’d I stood, where ‘twixt us and the north
But if it please thee, I would gladly know,
12
The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory How far we have to journey: for the hill
Were sister to him.” Straight he turn’d to us,
Mounts higher, than this sight of mine can mount.”
And, o’er the thigh lifting his face, observ’d,
He thus to me: “Such is this steep ascent,
Then in these accents spake: “Up then, proceed
That it is ever difficult at first,
Thou valiant one.” Straight who it was I knew;
But, more a man proceeds, less evil grows.
Nor could the pain I felt (for want of breath
When pleasant it shall seem to thee, so much
Still somewhat urg’d me) hinder my approach.
That upward going shall be easy to thee.
And when I came to him, he scarce his head
As in a vessel to go down the tide,
Uplifted, saying “Well hast thou discern’d,
Then of this path thou wilt have reach’d the end.
How from the left the sun his chariot leads.”
There hope to rest thee from thy toil. No more
His lazy acts and broken words my lips
I answer, and thus far for certain know.”
To laughter somewhat mov’d; when I began:
As he his words had spoken, near to us
“Belacqua, now for thee I grieve no more.
A voice there sounded: “Yet ye first perchance
But tell, why thou art seated upright there?
May to repose you by constraint be led.”
Waitest thou escort to conduct thee hence?
At sound thereof each turn’d, and on the left
Or blame I only shine accustom’d ways?”
A huge stone we beheld, of which nor I
Then he: “My brother, of what use to mount,
Nor he before was ware. Thither we drew,
When to my suffering would not let me pass
find there were some, who in the shady place
The bird of God, who at the portal sits?
Behind the rock were standing, as a man
Behooves so long that heav’n first bear me round
Thru’ idleness might stand. Among them one,
Without its limits, as in life it bore,
Who seem’d to me much wearied, sat him down,
Because I to the end repentant Sighs
And with his arms did fold his knees about,
Delay’d, if prayer do not aid me first,
Holding his face between them downward bent.
That riseth up from heart which lives in grace.
“Sweet Sir!” I cry’d, “behold that man, who shows What other kind avails, not heard in heaven?”’
Himself more idle, than if laziness
Before me now the Poet up the mount
13
The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory Ascending, cried: “Haste thee, for see the sun
I said it, somewhat with that colour ting’d
Has touch’d the point meridian, and the night
Which ofttimes pardon meriteth for man.
Now covers with her foot Marocco’s shore.”
Meanwhile traverse along the hill there came,
A little way before us, some who sang
CANTO V
The “Miserere” in responsive Strains.
When they perceiv’d that through my body I
Now had I left those spirits, and pursued
Gave way not for the rays to pass, their song
The steps of my Conductor, when beheld
Straight to a long and hoarse exclaim they chang’d; Pointing the finger at me one exclaim’d:
And two of them, in guise of messengers,
“See how it seems as if the light not shone
Ran on to meet us, and inquiring ask’d:
From the left hand of him beneath, and he,
Of your condition we would gladly learn.”
As living, seems to be led on.” Mine eyes
To them my guide. “Ye may return, and bear
I at that sound reverting, saw them gaze
Tidings to them who sent you, that his frame
Through wonder first at me, and then at me
Is real flesh. If, as I deem, to view
And the light broken underneath, by turns.
His shade they paus’d, enough is answer’d them.
“Why are thy thoughts thus riveted?” my guide
Him let them honour, they may prize him well.”
Exclaim’d, “that thou hast slack’d thy pace? or how Ne’er saw I fiery vapours with such speed
Imports it thee, what thing is whisper’d here?
Cut through the serene air at fall of night,
Come after me, and to their babblings leave
Nor August’s clouds athwart the setting sun,
The crowd. Be as a tower, that, firmly set,
That upward these did not in shorter space
Shakes not its top for any blast that blows!
Return; and, there arriving, with the rest
He, in whose bosom thought on thought shoots out,
Wheel back on us, as with loose rein a troop.
Still of his aim is wide, in that the one
“Many,” exclaim’d the bard, “are these, who throng Sicklies and wastes to nought the other’s
strength.”
Around us: to petition thee they come.
What other could I answer save “I come?”
Go therefore on, and listen as thou go’st.”
14
The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory
“O spirit! who go’st on to blessedness
Those who inhabit Fano, that for me
With the same limbs, that clad thee at thy birth.”
Their adorations duly be put up,
Shouting they came, “a little rest thy step.
By which I may purge off my grievous sins.
Look if thou any one amongst our tribe
From thence I came. But the deep passages,
Hast e’er beheld, that tidings of him there
Whence issued out the blood wherein I dwelt,
Thou mayst report. Ah, wherefore go’st thou on?
Upon my bosom in Antenor’s land
Ah wherefore tarriest thou not? We all
Were made, where to be more secure I thought.
By violence died, and to our latest hour
The author of the deed was Este’s prince,
Were sinners, but then warn’d by light from heav’n, Who, more than right could warrant, with his wrath
So that, repenting and forgiving, we
Pursued me. Had I towards Mira fled,
Did issue out of life at peace with God,
When overta’en at Oriaco, still
Who with desire to see him fills our heart.”
Might I have breath’d. But to the marsh I sped,
Then I: “The visages of all I scan
And in the mire and rushes tangled there
Yet none of ye remember. But if aught,
Fell, and beheld my life-blood float the plain.”
That I can do, may please you, gentle spirits!
Then said another: “Ah! so may the wish,
Speak; and I will perform it, by that peace,
That takes thee o’er the mountain, be fulfill’d,
Which on the steps of guide so excellent
As thou shalt graciously give aid to mine.
Following from world to world intent I seek.”
Of Montefeltro I; Buonconte I:
In answer he began: “None here distrusts
Giovanna nor none else have care for me,
Thy kindness, though not promis’d with an oath;
Sorrowing with these I therefore go.” I thus:
So as the will fail not for want of power.
“From Campaldino’s field what force or chance
Whence I, who sole before the others speak,
Drew thee, that ne’er thy sepulture was known?”
Entreat thee, if thou ever see that land,
“Oh!” answer’d he, “at Casentino’s foot
Which lies between Romagna and the realm
A stream there courseth, nam’d Archiano, sprung