The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri
p. 178Cakto XII. As on the right hand, to ascend the mount ^^ Where's built the church which overlooks the town, Aye so well governed, o'er the Rubacont, The labour of the ascent is softened down By stairs, which in the early age were made. When weights and archives false were yet unknown ; ^^^ So is the steepness of the bank allayed, Which from the higher cliff doth sheer descend ; But close on each side hangs the rock o'erhead.
There, as we turned the mountain to ascend, Beati pauperes Bpiritu, there chanted ^^® Voices, whose tones description all transcend. Ah, what a difference to these straits is granted, From the Infernal ! welcomed here with airs. Beneath with wailings fierce of rage undaunted. Now did we mount above the holy stairs, ^^* And to myself meseemed in lighter mood, Than ever till that time to me appears.
Whence I : " My master say, what heavy load Is lifted off me that no trace of pain Or toil besets me on this upward road ?" ^^ He answered : " When the P's which now remain Upon thy forehead still, though somewhat faded, Like to the one shall be entirely ta'en, Thy feet by good desire wijl be so aided. That not alone fatigue they will not know, ^^ But with delight the path will be invaded.
Then was I like to those who onwards go With something unperceived upon the head, Till taught by glances which their neighbours throw : Wherefore to clear my doubts, my hand doth aid, ^^^ And seeks, and finds, and doth that office do, Which by the sight alone cannot be made ; And by the right hand's fingers touched, I knew There rested but six letters, which erewhile He of the keys upon my temples drew : ^^ At which my leader watched me with a smile.
Line 101. The church of San Miniato, built on a hill overlookiDg the Amo, where it is crossed by the bridge Rnbaconte. The well-governed tow^n, it need hardly be said, is Florence. Line 116. Dante, having been purged of his besetting sin of Pride, is Burprised.at the lightness of the ascent after the removal of that burden.
CANTO XHL They reach the seoond cornice, on which is purged the sin of Enyjr. Ab they proceed along it they hear yoices ftx>in invisible spirits inoolcating charity. Farther on they see the sools of the envions, clad in sackcloth, and with their eyes sewed up with an iron wire. Amongst these Dante conversea with Sapia, a lady of Siena, who acquaints bim with her story.
We now had readied the summit of the stairs, Where for the second time the mount is cut, Ascending which the soul is freed from cares. There in like manner did a cornice jut, Exactly like the first, around the hill, ^ Save that its bound in closer ring is shut. No shade is here, no outline drawn with skill. Appears the bank, appears the narrow way Like quarried rock, of livid colour still.
" If here to question people we should stay^ Haply I fear me," so the poet spake, " Our choice will not be made without delay. Then on the sun a fixed gaze did he make ; Made of his right the point on which to turn. And swinging round his left;, his course did take. " dulcet light, on which my trust is borne. By the new path conduct us on benign,** He said, " to lead us to the wished-f or bourne.
The earth thou warmest y. thou dost o'er it shine : If other cause doth not oppose its bar,. Ever should be our guides those rays of thine. The distance of a mile on earth, so far From there abeady had we onwards gone In little time, through will so ready there ; When there were heard towards us flying on, Although unwitnessed, spirits who did bring Sweet invitations to Love's benison.
The first voice which past by upon the wing, Vinvm non hahenty did it loudly say. And from behind us the same words did fling. Ere from the hearing it had past away In distance, past another like a wave, Crying, " Orestes I," nor yet did stay.
Iff
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Line 29. The speech of Mary at the wedding feast in Gana. It is not very appropriately introduced as an example of Charity. Line 83. The voice of Orestes is- introduced, famous for his friendship with Pylades.
180 PURGATORY. Cakto XIIL
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178 PURGATORY. Cakto XII. As on the right hand, to ascend the mount ^^ Where's built the church which overlooks the town, Aye so well governed, o'er the Rubacont, The labour of the ascent is softened down By stairs, which in the early age were made. When weights and archives false were yet unknown ; ^^^ So is the steepness of the bank allayed, Which from the higher cliff does sheer descend ; But close on each side hangs the rock o'erhead. There, as we turned the mountain to ascend, Beati pauperes Bpiritu, there chanted ^^® Voices, whose tones description all transcend. Ah, what a difference to these straits is granted, From the Infernal ! welcomed here with airs. Beneath with wailings fierce of rage undaunted. Now did we mount above the holy stairs, ^^* And to myself meseemed in lighter mood, Than ever till that time to me appears. Whence I : " My master say, what heavy load Is lifted off me that no trace of pain Or toil besets me on this upward road ?" ^^ He answered : " When the P's which now remain Upon your forehead still, though somewhat faded, Like to the one shall be entirely ta'en, Your feet by good desire wijl be so aided. That not alone fatigue they will not know, ^^ But with delight the path will be invaded." Then was I like to those who onwards go With something unperceived upon the head, Till taught by glances which their neighbours throw : Wherefore to clear my doubts, my hand does aid, ^^^ And seeks, and finds, and does that office do, Which by the sight alone cannot be made ; And by the right hand's fingers touched, I knew There rested but six letters, which erewhile He of the keys upon my temples drew : ^^ At which my leader watched me with a smile. Line 101. The church of San Miniato, built on a hill overlookiDg the Amo, where it is crossed by the bridge Rnbaconte. The well-governed tow^n, it need hardly be said, is Florence. Line 116. Dante, having been purged of his besetting sin of Pride, is Burprised.at the lightness of the ascent after the removal of that burden.
CANTO XHL They reach the seoond cornice, on which is purged the sin of Enyjr. Ab they proceed along it they hear yoices ftx>in invisible spirits inoolcating charity. Farther on they see the sools of the envions, clad in sackcloth, and with their eyes sewed up with an iron wire. Amongst these Dante conversea with Sapia, a lady of Siena, who acquaints bim with her story. We now had readied the summit of the stairs, Where for the second time the mount is cut, Ascending which the soul is freed from cares. There in like manner did a cornice jut, Exactly like the first, around the hill, ^ Save that its bound in closer ring is shut. No shade is here, no outline drawn with skill. Appears the bank, appears the narrow way Like quarried rock, of livid colour still. " If here to question people we should stay^ Haply I fear me," so the poet spake, " Our choice will not be made without delay." Then on the sun a fixed gaze did he make ; Made of his right the point on which to turn. And swinging round his left;, his course did take. " dulcet light, on which my trust is borne. By the new path conduct us on benign,** He said, " to lead us to the wished-f or bourne. The earth you warmest y. you do o'er it shine : If other cause does not oppose its bar,. Ever should be our guides those rays of your." The distance of a mile on earth, so far From there abeady had we onwards gone In little time, through will so ready there ; When there were heard towards us flying on, Although unwitnessed, spirits who did bring Sweet invitations to Love's benison. The first voice which past by upon the wing, Vinvm non hahenty did it loudly say. And from behind us the same words did fling. Ere from the hearing it had past away In distance, past another like a wave, Crying, " Orestes I," nor yet did stay.
Iff
p. 85
p. 80
Line 29. The speech of Mary at the wedding feast in Gana. It is not very appropriately introduced as an example of Charity. Line 83. The voice of Orestes is- introduced, famous for his friendship with Pylades.
180 PURGATORY. Cakto XIIL
p. 85
p. 40
p. 45
p. 50
p. 55
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