Part 9

Ah, Genoese, men unlike, of every custom and full of every flaw, why are you not scattered from the world?

For with the worst spirit of Romagna I found one of you, who for his deeds already bathes in soul in Cocytus,

and in body seems still alive above.

Inferno Canto XXXIV

“The banners of the infernal king advance against us; therefore look ahead,” my master said, “if thou discern it.”

As when a thick mist breathes, or when our hemisphere grows dark, one sees from far a mill the wind turns,

so seemed to me then to see such a structure; then for the wind I shrank behind my leader, for there was no other cavern.

Already was I—and with fear I put it in verse— there where all the shades were covered, and showed through like straw in glass.

Some are lying; others stand erect, one with the head and one with the soles; another, like an arch, turns the face to the feet.

When we had advanced so far that my master pleased to show me the creature who had the fair aspect,

he drew before me and made me stay, “Behold Dis,” saying, “and behold the place where thou must arm thee with fortitude.”

How I then became frozen and faint, ask it not, reader, for I write it not, since every speech would be too little.

I died not, and I remained not alive; now think for thyself, if thou hast a flower of wit, what I became, deprived of both the one and the other.

The emperor of the dolorous realm from mid-breast issued forth from the ice; and more do I accord with a giant

than giants do with his arms: see now how great must be that whole which fits with such a part.

If he was as fair as he is now foul, and against his Maker lifted his brow, well from him must proceed all mourning.

Oh how great a marvel he seemed to me when I saw three faces on his head! The one in front, and it was vermilion;

the other two joined with this above the middle of each shoulder, and joined themselves at the place of the crest:

and the right appeared between white and yellow; the left, to look on, was such as those come from where the Nile descends.

Beneath each issued two great wings, as befitted so great a bird: sails of the sea saw I never such.

They had no feathers, but were of the bat’s fashion; and these he flapped, so that three winds moved from him:

whence all Cocytus froze. With six eyes he wept, and down three chins trickled the tear and bloody foam.

From every mouth, with his teeth, he tore a sinner, in fashion of a hack, so that he made three thus dolorous.

To the one in front the biting was naught compared with the clawing, for sometimes the back remained all flayed of its skin.

“That soul up there who has the greater pain,” said the master, “is Judas Iscariot, who holds the head within and moves the legs without.

Of the other two who have the head below, he who hangs from the black muzzle is Brutus: see how he writhes, and speaks not!

and the other is Cassius, who seems so limbly. But night is rising, and now it is time to depart, for we have seen all.”

As pleased him, I clasped his neck; and he took time and place, and when the wings were opened wide,

he seized on the hairy flanks; from fleece to fleece he then descended between the thick hair and the frozen crusts.

When we were there where the thigh turns, exactly on the bulk of the haunch, the leader, with toil and anguish,

turned the head where he had the legs, and grappled to the hair like one who climbs, so that in hell I thought we returned again.

“Hold fast well, for by such stairs,” said the master, panting like a weary man, “must we depart from so great an evil.”

Then he issued forth through the hole of a rock and set me on the edge to sit; thereafter he proffered me his cautious step.

I raised my eyes and thought to see Lucifer as I had left him, and saw him holding his legs above;

and if I then became troubled, let the gross folk think it, who see not what point it was that I had passed.

“Rise up,” said the master, “upon thy feet: the way is long and the path is evil, and already the sun returns to mid-tierce.”

It was no walk of a palace where we were, but a natural hollow which had ill floor and scant of light.

“Before I tear me from the abyss, my master,” said I when I was upright, “speak to me a little to draw me from error:

where is the ice? and how is this one fixed so upside down? and how, in so short a while, has the sun made transit from eve to morn?”

And he to me: “Thou imaginest still to be beyond the center, where I took hold of the hair of the wicked worm that bores the world.

From there wast thou as far as I descended; when I turned, thou didst pass the point to which all weights are drawn from every part.

And now art thou come beneath the hemisphere which is opposed to that which covers the great dry land, and beneath whose summit was consumed

the man who was born and lived without sin; thou hast thy feet upon a little sphere which makes the other face of Judecca.

Here it is morn, when there it is eve; and this one, who made us stair with his hair, is fixed still as he was at first.

On this side he fell down from heaven; and the earth, which before thrust itself out here, for fear of him made of the sea a veil,

and came to our hemisphere; and perchance fleeing from him, that which appears here left void place here, and sprang upward.”

There is a place below, remote from Beelzebub as far as the tomb extends, known not by sight but by sound

of a little rill that descends there through the hole of a rock which it has gnawed, with the course it winds, and little slopes.

The leader and I by that hidden path entered to return into the clear world; and without caring for any rest,

we climbed up, he first and I second, so far that I saw of the fair things which heaven bears, through a round aperture.

And thence we issued to see again the stars.

PURGATORIO

Purgatorio Canto I

To course better waters the little bark of my wit now lifts her sails, leaving behind her a sea so cruel;

and I shall sing of that second realm where the human spirit is purged, and becomes worthy to ascend to heaven.

But here let dead poesy rise again, o holy Muses, since I am yours; and here let Calliope arise a little,

following my song with that sound whereof the wretched Magpies felt the blow such that they despaired of pardon.

Sweet color of oriental sapphire, which was gathering in the serene aspect of the middle, pure to the first circle,

to my eyes began again to give delight, as soon as I issued forth from the dead air which had saddened my eyes and breast.

The fair planet that comforts with love made all the east to smile, veiling the Fishes that were in her escort.

I turned to the right hand, and set my mind on the other pole, and saw four stars never seen save by the first folk.

The heaven seemed to rejoice in their flames: o northern widowed site, since thou art prived of beholding those!

As I was parted from their gaze, turning a little to the other pole, where the Wain had already disappeared,

I saw near me a lone old man, worthy of so much reverence in aspect that more should no son to a father.

Long the beard and mingled with white hair he bore, like to his locks, of which a double list fell on his breast.

The rays of the four holy lights so adorned his face with light that I saw him as the sun were before.

“Who are ye that, against the blind river, have fled the eternal prison?” said he, moving those honest plumes.

“Who guided you, or what was your lantern, issuing from the deep night that ever makes black the infernal vale?

Are the laws of the abyss thus broken? or is there changed in heaven new counsel, that, damned, ye come to my grottoes?”

My leader then took me, and with words and with hands and with signs reverent made my legs and brow.

Then answered him: “I came not of myself: a lady descended from heaven, by whose prayers I succored this one of my company.

But since it is thy will that our condition be more unfolded as it is true, it cannot be but that I deny it thee.

This one never saw the last evening; but by his folly came so near it that little time was to turn.

As I said, I was sent to him to save him; and there was no other way than this through which I have set me.

I have shown him all the wicked folk; and now I intend to show those spirits who purge themselves under thy governance.

How I have drawn him, were long to tell; a power descends from on high that aids me to lead him to see and hear thee.

Now may it please thee to grant his coming: liberty he goes seeking, which is so dear, as knows who for her refuses life.

Thou knowest it, for not was she bitter to thee, death in Utica, where thou leftest the vesture which on the great day shall be so bright.

Not are the eternal edicts broken for us, for this one lives and Minos binds not me; but I am of the circle where are the chaste eyes

of thy Marcia, who in aspect still prays thee, o holy breast, that for thine thou hold her: for her love then incline to us.

Let us go through thy seven realms; gratitude shall I bear of thee to her, if thou deem worthy to be named there below.”

“Marcia pleased so much the eyes of mine while I was on that side,” said he then, “that whatsoever graces she asked, I did.

Now that beyond the evil river she dwells, she can move me no more, by that law which was made when I issued forth from it.

But if a lady of heaven moves and rules thee, as thou sayest, there is no need of flattery: enough that for her thou seek me.

Go then, and see that thou gird this one with a pure reed and wash his face, so that every stain thence be wiped;

for it were not fitting, the eye surprised by any mist, to go before the first minister, who is of those of paradise.

This little island around and around, there below where the wave beats it, bears reeds above the soft slime:

no other plant that makes leaf or hardens, can have life there, because it yields not to the blows.

Then let not your return be from here; the sun shall show you, who now rises, to take the mount by easier ascent.”

Thus he vanished; and I rose up without speaking, and wholly drew me to my leader, and directed my eyes to him.

He began: “Son, follow my steps: let us turn back, for on this side slopes down this plain to its low confines.”

The dawn was vanquishing the matutinal hour which fled before, so that from far I knew the trembling of the marine.

We went along the lonely plain like one who returns to the lost road, and until he reach it seems to go in vain.

When we were there where the dew fights with the sun, to be in part where, in the breeze, it little dries,

both his hands upon the grass spread softly my master placed: whereof I, who was aware of his art,

offered to him my tearful cheeks; there he made me all uncovered that color which hell had hidden from me.

We came then on the desert shore, which never saw navigate its waters man, who thereafter is expert to return.

There he girt me as pleased another: o marvel! for such as he chose the humble plant, such was it reborn

suddenly there whence he plucked it.

Purgatorio Canto II

Already was the sun come to the horizon whose meridian circle covers Jerusalem with its highest point;

and the night, which opposite circles it, issued from Ganges with the Balance, which fall from her hand when she prevails;

so that the white and vermilion cheeks, where I was, of fair Aurora through too great age were becoming orange.

We were still along the sea, like folk who think on their road, who go with the heart and with the body stay.

And behold, as, surprised by the morning, through the thick vapors Mars glows red down in the west above the marine soil,

such appeared to me—if still I see it— a light coming through the sea so swift that no flight equals its moving.

From which when I had drawn back a little the eye to ask my leader, I saw it made more lucent and greater.

Then on every side to it appeared a something white, and beneath a little by little another issued to it.

My master still spoke not, while the first white wings appeared; when he well knew the boatman,

the cried: “See, see that the knees bend. Behold the angel of God: bow the hands; now shalt thou see of such officials.

See how he scorns human means, so that he wills no oar, nor other veil than his wings, between so distant shores.

See how he holds them toward heaven, touching the air with the eternal feathers, which change not as mortal hair.”

Then, as more and more toward us came the divine bird, more clear appeared: wherefore the eye near sustained him not,

but bowed down; and he came to the shore with a little vessel swift and light, so that the water swallowed none of it.

At the stern stood the celestial pilot, such that alone described he would make blessed; and more than a hundred spirits sat within.

‘In exitu Israel de Egypto’ they all sang together with one voice with what of that psalm is written after.

Then he made them the sign of holy cross; whereon they cast themselves all on the beach: and he went his way, as he came, swift.

The crowd that remained there, savage seemed of the place, looking around as one who tastes new things.

From all parts was shooting the day the sun, which with the counted shafts had chased Capricorn from mid-heaven,

when the new folk raised the brow toward us, saying to us: “If ye know, show us the way to go to the mount.”

And Virgil answered: “Ye believe perchance that we are expert of this place; but we are pilgrims as ye are.

Awhile ago we came, before you a little, by another way, which was so rough and strong, that the ascent now shall seem to us a game.”

The souls, who became aware of me by the breathing, that I was still alive, marveling became pale.

And as to a messenger who bears the olive the people draw to hear news, and none shows himself shy of thronging,

so on my face fixed those fortunate souls all, almost forgetting to go to make themselves fair.

I saw one of them draw forward to embrace me with such great affection that moved me to do the like.

O shadows vain, save in aspect! three times behind her I clasped the hands, and as often returned with them to the breast.

Of marvel, I believe, I painted me; wherefore the shade smiled and drew back, and I, following her, pushed myself beyond.

Sweetly she said that I should pause; then I knew who she was, and prayed that, to speak with me, she would stay a little.

She answered me: “As I loved thee in the mortal body, so I love thee freed: therefore I stay; but thou, why goest thou?”

“Casella mine, to return another time there where I am, do I this journey,” said I; “but to thee how is so much now taken?”

And he to me: “No wrong is done me, if he who takes when and whom he pleases hath many times denied me this passage;

for of just will he makes his own: but truly for three months he has taken from who would enter, with all peace.

Wherefore I, who was now turned to the marine where the water of Tiber is salted, was benignly taken in by him.

To that mouth he now has his wing straight, for always there are gathered those who toward Acheron stoop not.”

And I: “If new law takes not from thee memory or use of the amorous song that was wont to quiet all my griefs,

of that please to console a little the soul of me, which, with its person coming here, is so afflicted!”

‘Love that discourses in my mind’ began he then so sweetly, that the sweetness still sounds within me.

My master and I and that folk who were with him seemed so content, as if naught else touched the mind of any.

We were all fixed and intent on his notes; and behold the honest old man crying: “What is this, slow spirits?

what negligence, what staying is this? Run to the mount to strip you of the rock which lets not God be manifest to you.”

As when, gathering grain or tare, the doves assembled at the feeding, quiet, without showing the wonted pride,

if something appears whereof they have fear, suddenly leave the bait, for assailed they are by greater care;

so saw I that fresh band leave the song, and flee toward the coast, as one who goes, nor knows where he issues;

nor our departure was less swift.

Purgatorio Canto III

Although the sudden flight scattered those folk through the champaign, turned to the mount where reason urges us,

I shrank to the faithful company: and how were I without him run? who had drawn me up the mountain?

He seemed to me remorseful of himself: o dignified and clean conscience, how bitter is to thee a little fault!

When his feet left the haste, which honesty dismays at every act, my mind, which first was restrained,

the intent widened, as wandering, and gave my face against the hill which toward the highest heaven most dilates.

The sun, which behind flamed red, was broken before me at the figure which had in me the support of its rays.

I turned at the side with fear of being abandoned, when I saw alone before me the dark earth;

and my comfort: “Why only distrust?” began to say to me all turned; “believest thou not me with thee and that I guide thee?

Already is it vespers there where is buried the body within which I made shade; Naples has it, and from Brindisi is taken.

Now, if before me nothing shadows, marvel not more than at the heavens which one upon the other ray not intercepts.

To suffer torments, heat and cold similar bodies the Power disposes which, as it does, wills not that to us be revealed.

Mad is he who hopes that our reason can traverse the infinite way which holds one substance in three persons.

Stay content, human folk, at the quia; for, if ye could have seen all, need were not that Mary should bear;

and to see ye have desired without fruit them whose desire should be quieted, which eternally is given them for mourning:

I say of Aristotle and of Plato and of many others”; and here he bowed the brow, and said no more, and remained troubled.

We became meanwhile at foot of the mount; there we found the rock so steep, that in vain would the legs be ready.

Between Lerici and Turbia the most desert, the most broken ruin is a stair, compared to that, easy and open.

“Now who knows on which hand the coast descends,” said my master, halting the step, “so that can ascend who goes without wing?”

And while he, holding the face low, examined of the path the mind, and I looked up around the rock,

on the left hand appeared to me a folk of souls, who moved the feet toward us, and seemed not, so came they slow.

“Lift,” said I, “master, thine eyes: behold from here who shall give us counsel, if thou from thyself canst have it not.”

He looked then, and with free mien answered: “Let us go there, for they come softly; and thou fix the hope, sweet son.”

Still was that people from far, I say after our thousand steps, as far as a good thrower would draw with hand,

when they pressed all to the hard masses of the high bank, and stood firm and close as to watch, who goes doubting, stays.

“O well finished, o already elected spirits,” Virgil began, “by that peace which I believe is expected by you all,

tell us where the mountain lies, so that possible may be the going up; for to lose time to him who knows most most irks.”

As the little sheep issue from the fold one, two, three, and the others stay timid, lowering the eye and the muzzle;

and what the first does, the others do, thronging to her, if she stop, simple and quiet, and the wherefore know not;

so saw I move to come the head of that fortunate flock then, modest in face and in going honest.

As those in front saw broken the light on the ground from my right side, so that the shadow was from me to the cave,

they stopped, and drew themselves back a little, and all the others who came after, not knowing why, did likewise.

“Without your asking I confess to you that this is a human body which ye see; wherefore the light of the sun on earth is cleft.

Marvel not, but believe that not without virtue that comes from heaven he seeks to overpass this wall.”

Thus the master; and that worthy folk “Return,” said, “enter forward then,” making sign with the backs of the hands.

And one of them began: “Whosoever thou art, thus going, turn the face: set mind if beyond thou sawest me ever.”

I turned to him and looked him fixed: blond was he and fair and of gentle aspect, but one of the brows a blow had divided.

When I had humbly denied ever to have seen him, he said: “Now see”; and showed me a wound atop the breast.

Then smiling said: “I am Manfred, nephew of Costance the empress; wherefore I pray thee that, when thou returnest,

go to my fair daughter, mother of the honor of Sicily and Aragon, and tell the truth to her, if other is said.

After I had broken the person by two mortal points, I yielded me, weeping, to him who willingly pardons.

Horrible were my sins; but the infinite goodness has so great arms that takes whatever turns to it.

If the pastor of Cosenza, who to the chase of me was sent by Clement then, had in God read well this face,

the bones of my body would be still at the head of the bridge near Benevento, under the guard of the heavy mulberry.

Now the rain bathes them and moves the wind outside the realm, well-nigh along the Verde, where he transmuted them to quenched light.

By their malediction is not so lost the eternal love, that it cannot return, while hope has flower of the green.

True is it that whoever dies in contumacy of Holy Church, albeit at end repent, must stay from this bank without,

for every time that he has been, thirty, in his presumption, if such decree be not shortened by good prayers.

See now if thou canst make me glad, revealing to my good Costance how thou hast seen me, and also this forbidding;

for here by those beyond much time is gained.”

Purgatorio Canto IV

When by delights or verily by griefs, which some virtue of ours comprehends, the soul well collects itself to that,

it seems to no power more to attend; and this is against that error which believes that one soul above another in us is kindled.

And therefore, when is heard a thing or seen which holds the soul strongly turned to it, goes the time and the man perceives it not;

for another power is that which listens, and another is that which has the soul entire: this is well-nigh bound and that is loosed.

Of this had I true experience, hearing that spirit and admiring; for well fifty degrees had ascended

the sun, and I was not aware, when we came where those souls to us cried: “Here is your asking.”

“Stories of the world, in your language.”