The Divine Comedy by Dante Part 17

It were a wrong, methought, to pa.s.s and look On others, yet myself the while unseen.

To my sage counsel therefore did I turn.

He knew the meaning of the mute appeal, Nor waited for my questioning, but said: "Speak; and be brief, be subtle in thy words."

On that part of the cornice, whence no rim Engarlands its steep fall, did Virgil come; On the' other side me were the spirits, their cheeks Bathing devout with penitential tears, That through the dread impalement forc'd a way.

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

"a.s.sur'd that to your eyes unveil'd shall shine The lofty light, sole object of your wish, So may heaven's grace clear whatsoe'er of foam Floats turbid on the conscience, that thenceforth The stream of mind roll limpid from its source, As ye declare (for so shall ye impart A boon I dearly prize) if any soul Of Latium dwell among ye; and perchance That soul may profit, if I learn so much."

"My brother, we are each one citizens Of one true city. Any thou wouldst say, Who lived a stranger in Italia's land."

So heard I answering, as appeal'd, a voice That onward came some s.p.a.ce from whence I stood.

A spirit I noted, in whose look was mark'd Expectance. Ask ye how? The chin was rais'd As in one reft of sight. "Spirit," said I, "Who for thy rise are tutoring (if thou be That which didst answer to me,) or by place Or name, disclose thyself, that I may know thee."

"I was," it answer'd, "of Sienna: here I cleanse away with these the evil life, Soliciting with tears that He, who is, Vouchsafe him to us. Though Sapia nam'd In sapience I excell'd not, gladder far Of others' hurt, than of the good befell me.

That thou mayst own I now deceive thee not, Hear, if my folly were not as I speak it.

When now my years slop'd waning down the arch, It so bechanc'd, my fellow citizens Near Colle met their enemies in the field, And I pray'd G.o.d to grant what He had will'd.

There were they vanquish'd, and betook themselves Unto the bitter pa.s.sages of flight.

I mark'd the hunt, and waxing out of bounds In gladness, lifted up my shameless brow, And like the merlin cheated by a gleam, Cried, "It is over. Heav'n! fear thee not."

Upon my verge of life I wish'd for peace With G.o.d; nor repentance had supplied What I did lack of duty, were it not The hermit Piero, touch'd with charity, In his devout orisons thought on me.

"But who art thou that question'st of our state, Who go'st to my belief, with lids unclos'd, And breathest in thy talk?"--"Mine eyes," said I, "May yet be here ta'en from me; but not long; For they have not offended grievously With envious glances. But the woe beneath Urges my soul with more exceeding dread.

That nether load already weighs me down."

She thus: "Who then amongst us here aloft Hath brought thee, if thou weenest to return?"

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

I live: of me ask therefore, chosen spirit, If thou desire I yonder yet should move For thee my mortal feet."--"Oh!" she replied, "This is so strange a thing, it is great sign That G.o.d doth love thee. Therefore with thy prayer Sometime a.s.sist me: and by that I crave, Which most thou covetest, that if thy feet E'er tread on Tuscan soil, thou save my fame Amongst my kindred. Them shalt thou behold With that vain mult.i.tude, who set their hope On Telamone's haven, there to fail Confounded, more shall when the fancied stream They sought of Dian call'd: but they who lead Their navies, more than ruin'd hopes shall mourn."

CANTO XIV

"Say who is he around our mountain winds, Or ever death has prun'd his wing for flight, That opes his eyes and covers them at will?"

"I know not who he is, but know thus much He comes not singly. Do thou ask of him, For thou art nearer to him, and take heed Accost him gently, so that he may speak."

Thus on the right two Spirits bending each Toward the other, talk'd of me, then both Addressing me, their faces backward lean'd, And thus the one began: "O soul, who yet Pent in the body, tendest towards the sky!

For charity, we pray thee' comfort us, Recounting whence thou com'st, and who thou art: For thou dost make us at the favour shown thee Marvel, as at a thing that ne'er hath been."

"There stretches through the midst of Tuscany,"

I straight began: "a brooklet, whose well-head Springs up in Falterona, with his race Not satisfied, when he some hundred miles Hath measur'd. From his banks bring, I this frame.

To tell you who I am were words misspent: For yet my name scarce sounds on rumour's lip."

"If well I do incorp'rate with my thought The meaning of thy speech," said he, who first Addrest me, "thou dost speak of Arno's wave."

To whom the other: "Why hath he conceal'd The t.i.tle of that river, as a man Doth of some horrible thing?" The spirit, who Thereof was question'd, did acquit him thus: "I know not: but 'tis fitting well the name Should perish of that vale; for from the source Where teems so plenteously the Alpine steep Maim'd of Pelorus, (that doth scarcely pa.s.s Beyond that limit,) even to the point Whereunto ocean is restor'd, what heaven Drains from th' exhaustless store for all earth's streams, Throughout the s.p.a.ce is virtue worried down, As 'twere a snake, by all, for mortal foe, Or through disastrous influence on the place, Or else distortion of misguided wills, That custom goads to evil: whence in those, The dwellers in that miserable vale, Nature is so transform'd, it seems as they Had shar'd of Circe's feeding. 'Midst brute swine, Worthier of acorns than of other food Created for man's use, he shapeth first His obscure way; then, sloping onward, finds Curs, snarlers more in spite than power, from whom He turns with scorn aside: still journeying down, By how much more the curst and luckless foss Swells out to largeness, e'en so much it finds Dogs turning into wolves. Descending still Through yet more hollow eddies, next he meets A race of foxes, so replete with craft, They do not fear that skill can master it.

Nor will I cease because my words are heard By other ears than thine. It shall be well For this man, if he keep in memory What from no erring Spirit I reveal.

Lo! behold thy grandson, that becomes A hunter of those wolves, upon the sh.o.r.e Of the fierce stream, and cows them all with dread: Their flesh yet living sets he up to sale, Then like an aged beast to slaughter dooms.

Many of life he reaves, himself of worth And goodly estimation. Smear'd with gore Mark how he issues from the rueful wood, Leaving such havoc, that in thousand years It spreads not to prime l.u.s.tihood again."

As one, who tidings hears of woe to come, Changes his looks perturb'd, from whate'er part The peril grasp him, so beheld I change That spirit, who had turn'd to listen, struck With sadness, soon as he had caught the word.

His visage and the other's speech did raise Desire in me to know the names of both, whereof with meek entreaty I inquir'd.

The shade, who late addrest me, thus resum'd: "Thy wish imports that I vouchsafe to do For thy sake what thou wilt not do for mine.

But since G.o.d's will is that so largely shine His grace in thee, I will be liberal too.

Guido of Duca know then that I am.

Envy so parch'd my blood, that had I seen A fellow man made joyous, thou hadst mark'd A livid paleness overspread my cheek.

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

O man, why place thy heart where there doth need Exclusion of partic.i.p.ants in good?

This is Rinieri's spirit, this the boast And honour of the house of Calboli, Where of his worth no heritage remains.

Nor his the only blood, that hath been stript ('twixt Po, the mount, the Reno, and the sh.o.r.e,) Of all that truth or fancy asks for bliss; But in those limits such a growth has sprung Of rank and venom'd roots, as long would mock Slow culture's toil. Where is good Liziohere Manardi, Traversalo, and Carpigna?

O b.a.s.t.a.r.d slips of old Romagna's line!

When in Bologna the low artisan, And in Faenza yon Bernardin sprouts, A gentle cyon from ign.o.ble stem.

Wonder not, Tuscan, if thou see me weep, When I recall to mind those once lov'd names, Guido of Prata, and of Azzo him That dwelt with you; Tignoso and his troop, With Traversaro's house and Anastagio's, (Each race disherited) and beside these, The ladies and the knights, the toils and ease, That witch'd us into love and courtesy; Where now such malice reigns in recreant hearts.

O Brettinoro! wherefore tarriest still, Since forth of thee thy family hath gone, And many, hating evil, join'd their steps?

Well doeth he, that bids his lineage cease, Bagnacavallo; Castracaro ill, And Conio worse, who care to propagate A race of Counties from such blood as theirs.

Well shall ye also do, Pagani, then When from amongst you tries your demon child.

Not so, howe'er, that henceforth there remain True proof of what ye were. O Hugolin!

Thou sprung of Fantolini's line! thy name Is safe, since none is look'd for after thee To cloud its l.u.s.tre, warping from thy stock.

But, Tuscan, go thy ways; for now I take Far more delight in weeping than in words.

Such pity for your sakes hath wrung my heart."

We knew those gentle spirits at parting heard Our steps. Their silence therefore of our way a.s.sur'd us. Soon as we had quitted them, Advancing onward, lo! a voice that seem'd Like vollied light'ning, when it rives the air, Met us, and shouted, "Whosoever finds Will slay me," then fled from us, as the bolt Lanc'd sudden from a downward-rushing cloud.

When it had giv'n short truce unto our hearing, Behold the other with a crash as loud As the quick-following thunder: "Mark in me Aglauros turn'd to rock." I at the sound Retreating drew more closely to my guide.

Now in mute stillness rested all the air: And thus he spake: "There was the galling bit.

But your old enemy so baits his hook, He drags you eager to him. Hence nor curb Avails you, nor reclaiming call. Heav'n calls And round about you wheeling courts your gaze With everlasting beauties. Yet your eye Turns with fond doting still upon the earth.

Therefore He smites you who discerneth all."

CANTO XV

As much as 'twixt the third hour's close and dawn, Appeareth of heav'n's sphere, that ever whirls As restless as an infant in his play, So much appear'd remaining to the sun Of his slope journey towards the western goal.

Evening was there, and here the noon of night; and full upon our forehead smote the beams.

For round the mountain, circling, so our path Had led us, that toward the sun-set now Direct we journey'd: when I felt a weight Of more exceeding splendour, than before, Press on my front. The cause unknown, amaze Possess'd me, and both hands against my brow Lifting, I interpos'd them, as a screen, That of its gorgeous superflux of light Clipp'd the diminish'd orb. As when the ray, Striking On water or the surface clear Of mirror, leaps unto the opposite part, Ascending at a glance, e'en as it fell, (And so much differs from the stone, that falls Through equal s.p.a.ce, as practice skill hath shown); Thus with refracted light before me seemed The ground there smitten; whence in sudden haste My sight recoil'd. "What is this, sire belov'd!

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

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

"Marvel not, if the family of heav'n,"

He answer'd, "yet with dazzling radiance dim Thy sense it is a messenger who comes, Inviting man's ascent. Such sights ere long, Not grievous, shall impart to thee delight, As thy perception is by nature wrought Up to their pitch." The blessed angel, soon As we had reach'd him, hail'd us with glad voice: "Here enter on a ladder far less steep Than ye have yet encounter'd." We forthwith Ascending, heard behind us chanted sweet, "Blessed the merciful," and "happy thou!

That conquer'st." Lonely each, my guide and I Pursued our upward way; and as we went, Some profit from his words I hop'd to win, And thus of him inquiring, fram'd my speech: