Purgatory Read online

  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.

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  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

  Making a signal to us with bent hands.

  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,

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  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

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  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,

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  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

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  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.”

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  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