and are rested from the long road,’
132
the third spirit followed on the second,
‘please remember me, who am La Pia. →
Siena made me, in Maremma I was undone. →
He knows how, the one who, to marry me, →
136
first gave the ring that held his stone.’
OUTLINE: PURGATORIO VI
Continuation: seekers of prayer
1–12
simile: Dante as winner in a game of dice
13–24
six recently deceased souls seek his aid
25–27
Dante finally escapes their importuning
I. The efficacy of prayer
28–33
Dante accosts Virgil: doesn’t the text of his poem assert that such prayers as these are vain?
34–42
Virgil denies this: (1) God’s will is never forced, (2) pagan prayers were not addressed to the true God—
43–48
and Beatrice will make this plain
Interlude: timeliness
49–51
Dante’s desire to continue the journey
52–57
Virgil on the limitations on their upward movement
II. Sordello
58–60
Virgil indicates a soul, seated apart, who will show them the way
61–66
the modern poet’s apostrophe of this “Lombard soul,” who only silently took notice of their approach
67–69
Virgil asks for direction; the soul wants information
70–75
Virgil’s mention of Mantua stirs Sordello to reveal his identity and the two townsmen embrace
“Digression”: state of Italy
76–90
poet’s apostrophe of “enslaved Italy”:
(a) Italy a ship adrift; a brothel (76–78)
(b) embrace of Mantuans and civil war (79–87)
(c) Justinian’s empty saddle (88–90)
91–96
poet’s apostrophe of the Church:
(a) its leaders should not have interfered in politics and simply allowed the emperor to govern
97–117
poet’s apostrophe of Emperor Albert (†1308):
(a) curses him for not “riding” Italy (97–105)
(b) invites him to see woeful Italians (106–108)
(c) to see distressed noble families (109–111)
(d) to see “widowed” Rome (112–114)
(e) to see civil strife and his renown (115–117)
118–126
poet’s apostrophe of God:
(a) has He forsaken Italy or is there a plan?
(b) Italy is full of tyrants and opposing fools
127–151
poet’s apostrophe of Florence:
(a) ironic denial “digression” is apt (127–129)
(b) Florentines are just (130–132)
(c) Florentines are willing to serve (133–135)
(d) Florentines are rich, at peace, wise (136–138)
(e) laws of Athens and Sparta no match for those of Florence (139–144)
(f) Florentine mutability (145–151)
PURGATORIO VI
When the game of dice breaks up, →
the loser, left dejected,
3
rehearses every throw and sadly learns,
while all the others crowd around the winner.
One goes in front, one grabs him from the back,
6
and, at his side, another calls himself to mind.
The winner does not stop, but listens first to one
and then another. Those to whom he gives his hand
9
then let him be, and so he gets away.
Such was I among that pressing throng,
turning my face this way and that,
12
and through my promises I freed myself of them.
The Aretine was there who met his death → →
at the fierce hands of Ghino di Tacco,
15
and the other who was drowned in the frenzied chase. →
There Federico Novello was beseeching →
with outstretched hands, and he of Pisa
18
who made the good Marzucco show his strength.
I saw Count Orso, and that soul severed →
from its body both by spite and envy,
21
or so he said, and not for any crime—
Pierre de la Brosse. And let the Lady
of Brabant be mindful, while she remains on earth,
24
lest she be made to join a flock far worse.
As soon as I was free of all those shades,
whose only prayer it was that others pray
27
and speed them on to blessedness,
I began: ‘O my light, it seems to me, →
that in a certain passage you explicitly deny
30
that prayer can bend decrees of Heaven,
‘and yet these people pray for that alone.
Will this their hope, then, be in vain,
33
or are your words not really clear to me?’
He answered: ‘Plain is my writing →
and their hopes not false
36
if with a sound mind you examine it,
‘for not demeaned or lessened is high justice
if in one instant love’s bright fire achieves
39
what they who sojourn here must satisfy.
‘And there where I affirmed that point
defect was not made good by prayer
42
because that prayer did not ascend to God.
‘But do not let these doubts beset you →
with high questions before you hear from her
45
who shall be light between the truth and intellect—
‘I don’t know if you understand: I speak of Beatrice.
You shall see her above, upon the summit
48
of this mountain, smiling and in bliss.’
Then I: ‘My lord, let us go on more quickly,
for now I am not wearied as I was,
51
and look, the hill already casts a shadow.’
‘We will go on as long as this day lasts,’
he answered, ‘as far as we still can,
54
but the truth is other than you think.
‘Before you reach the top you’ll see again
the one whose beams you do not break
57
because he is now hidden by the slope.
‘But see that soul there seated all alone
who looks in our direction.
60
He will let us know the shortest way.’
We came up to him. O Lombard soul, how lofty →
and disdainful was your bearing,
63
and in the calmness of your eyes, what dignity!
He did not speak to us →
but let us approach, watching us
66
as would a couching lion. →
Nevertheless, Virgil drew up closer,
asking him to point us to the best ascent.
69
To this request he gave no answer
but asked about our country and condition. →
My gentle guide began: ‘Mantua—’
72
and the shade, who had seemed so withdrawn, →
leaped toward him from his place, saying: →
‘O Mantuan, I am Sordello of your city.’
75
And the two of them embraced.
Ah, Italy enslaved, abode of misery, →
pilotless ship in a fierce tempest tossed,
78
no mistress over provinces but a harlot! →
Ho
w eager was that noble soul,
only at the sweet name of his city,
81
to welcome there his fellow citizen!
Now your inhabitants are never free from war,
and those enclosed within a single wall and moat →
84
are gnawing on each other.
Search, miserable one, around your shores,
then look into your heart,
87
if any part of you rejoice in peace.
If there is no one in your saddle, what good →
was it Justinian repaired your harness?
90
Your shame would be less great had he not done so.
Ah, you who should be firm in your devotion →
and let Caesar occupy the saddle,
93
if you but heeded what God writes for you,
see how vicious is the beast not goaded
and corrected by the spurs,
96
ever since you took the bridle in your hands.
O German Albert, who abandon her →
now that she’s untamed and wild,
99
you who should bestride her saddle-bow,
may the just sentence falling from the stars
upon your blood be strange enough and clear
102
that your successor live in fear of it!
In that far land, both you and your father, →
dragged along by greed, allowed
105
the garden of the empire to be laid waste.
Come and see the Montecchi and Cappelletti, → →
Monaldi and Filippeschi, those already wretched
108
and the ones in dread, you who have no care.
Come, cruel one, come and see the tribulation →
your nobles suffer and consider their distress.
111
Then you shall see how dark is Santafiora.
Come and see your Rome and how she weeps, →
widowed and bereft, and cries out day and night:
114
‘My Caesar, why are you not with me?’
Come and see your people, how they love →
one another, and, if no pity for us moves you,
117
come for shame of your repute.
And if it is lawful to ask, O Jove on high, →
you who were crucified on earth for us,
120
are your righteous eyes turned elsewhere,
or, in your abyss of contemplation
are you preparing some mysterious good,
123
beyond our comprehension?
For each Italian city overflows with tyrants →
and every clown that plays the partisan
126
thinks he is the new Marcellus.
My Florence, you may well be pleased →
with this digression, which does not touch you,
129
thanks to the exertions of your people.
Many others have justice in their hearts,
even if its arrow’s late to fly from all their talking,
132
but yours have justice ready on their tongues.
Many others refuse the public burden. But yours
are eager with an answer without even being asked,
135
crying out: ‘I’ll take it on my shoulders.’ →
Count yourself happy then, for you have reason to,
since you are rich, at peace, and wise!
138
If I speak truth, the facts cannot deny it.
Athens and Sparta, which made the ancient laws →
and had such civil order, gave only hints
141
of a life well lived compared to you,
who make such fine provisions
that the plans you’ve spun but in October
144
do not survive to mid-November
How many times within your memory
have you changed laws, coinage, offices,
147
as well as customs, and renewed your members!
If you recall your past and think upon it clearly, →
you will see that you are like a woman, ill in bed,
who on the softest down cannot find rest
151
but twisting, turning, seeks to ease her pain.
OUTLINE: PURGATORIO VII
I. Sordello (continued)
1–3
Sordello wants to know who these two are
4–9
Virgil identifies himself; his lack of faith
10–15
simile: one lost in wonder; Sordello’s embrace
16–21
Sordello wants to account for Virgil’s presence
22–24
Virgil insists upon the will of a heavenly power
25–27
Virgil’s sin one of omission, not commission
28–36
Virgil’s Limbo: unbaptized infants, virtuous pagans
37–39
Virgil seeks directions for reaching true purgatory
40–45
Sordello is free to guide him but night, when they will not be able to proceed, arrives soon
46–48
souls here on the right will interest him
49–51
Virgil: what would hold back a night-climber, external restraint or lack of inner power?
52–60
Sordello: darkness would make him wish not to climb
61–63
Virgil: lead us, then, to the place you describe
64–66
the hollow in the mountain’s flank
67–69
Sordello directs them there to await the day
70–72
they follow the slope toward the edge of the valley
73–81
the colors and perfume of the grass and flowers
82–84
Salve, Regina is the hymn sung by the souls there
85–90
Sordello invites them to observe from a distance
III. The princes
91–96
Emperor Rudolph I of Habsburg (†1291)
97–102
Ottokar II, king of Bohemia (†1278)
103–106
Philip III, king of France (†1285)
107–111
Henry I, king of Navarre (†1274)
112–114
Pedro III, king of Aragon (†1285)
113
Charles I, king of Naples and Sicily (†1285)
115–120
Pedro’s son Pedro, who died in his boyhood
121–129
digression: how rarely does nobility follow bloodlines!
130–132
Henry III, king of England (†1272)
133–136
William VII, marquis of Monferrato (†1292)
PURGATORIO VII
Once the courteous and joyful greetings →
had been repeated a third time and a fourth,
3
Sordello drew back and asked: ‘Who then are You?’
‘Before souls worthy of ascent to God →
could be directed to this mountain,
6
Octavian interred my bones.
‘I am Virgil, and for no other failing →
did I lose Heaven but my lack of faith.’ →
9
That was the answer that my leader gave. →
Like one who of a sudden sees a thing before him
at which he wonders, who both believes and doesn’t,
12
saying to himself: ‘It is—but no, it cannot be,’
such seemed the other. He bowed his head,
humbly drew near again and, opening his arms,
15
bent down to cl
asp him deferentially. →
‘O glory of the Latins,’ he exclaimed, →
‘through whom our language showed what it could do,
18
O eternal honor of the town where I was born,
‘what merit or what grace brings you to me?
If I am worthy of your words, tell me
21
if you come from hell, and from what cloister.’ →
‘Through all the circles of the woeful kingdom →
I have made my way,’ he answered. ‘Power
24
from Heaven moved me and with that power I come.
‘Not for what I did but what I did not do →
I lost the vision of the lofty Sun you long for
27
and which I came to know too late.
‘There is a place down there, not sad with torments →
but only darkness, where lamentations sound,
30
not loud as wailing but soft as sighs.
‘There I abide with the innocent little ones
seized in the fangs of death
33
before they could be cleansed of mortal guilt.
‘There I abide with those who were not clothed
in the three holy virtues, yet, blameless,
36
knew the others and followed every one.
‘But if you know the way and are permitted,
show us how to go, so that we may come sooner
39
where purgatory has its true beginning.’
He answered: ‘We are set in no fixed place. →
I may ascend and move about, and I will walk
42
with you and be your guide as far as I’m allowed.
‘But see, already day is waning
and we may not ascend by night. →
45
Now is the time to choose a resting place.
‘There, to the right, are spirits set apart. →