The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri
Lme 79. Charles II., King of Naples, eldest son of Charles of Ai^oa. He was taken prisoner in a naval action with the forces of Aragon, and after his release he married his daughter to a Marqnis of Ferrara, ia consideration of a heavy payment. Line 86. Bishop Boniface YIII. was seized at Alagna by command of Philip le Bel, and kept as a prisoner in his palace for throe days. The indignity so worked on his proud heart that he died three days afterwards. Line 91. Alluding probably to the destruction of the Order of Templars in 1310. Line 97* The spirit at last answers Dante's question as to why he alone recited Uie worthy praises of libeiaJ deeds, saying that such was not the case. Line 103. Son of a king of Tyre, who killed Sioheus, Dido's husband, ^n., book i., 1. 360. Line 109. Stoned by order of Joshua for concealing the spoils. Joshua, ch. vii. P
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p. 210Cahto XX. Then with her husband, we accuse Sapphire : We praise the kicks bestowed on Heliodorus : And with the shame rings all the mountain's spire Of Polinestor, who slew PoUdorus. "* Tell us the taste of gold, for thou dost know, Crassus ! lastly do we shout in chorus. So do we speak, one high the other low.
As inclination spurreth us to say Now in more swift, and now in time more slow. ^^ But of the good, of which we speak by day, 1 spake not now alone, but near me then No other voice was raised with equal sway. From him we now had parted, and again We strove along the encumbered path to crawl.
As much as to our power was granted ; when I felt as something tottering to its fall, The mountain tremble ; like one deathwards driven, The sudden frore my senses did appal. Certes, so strongly was not Delos riven ^^ Before Latona there her nest did hide, There to bring forth the twin-bom eyes of Heaven.
Then there began a cry on every side, Such that mv master closer to me drew, Saying, " Doubt nothing while beside thy guide." ^^ Gloria in exceUis Beo, cried the crew As I made out from those the nearest placed, From whence the meaning of the cry I knew. Immovable and doubtful did we rest. Like to the shepherds who first heard that strain, Till it was finisht, and the trembling ceased. Then we resumed our holy path again.
Watching the shadows who on earth still lay While in their wonted mourning they complain. No ignorance ere felt so great a fray Created in me, with desire to know. If on that point my memory doth not stray. As then meseemM in my thoughts to flow ; Nor through our haste to question did I dare. Nor by myself could I perceive the how, ^^ Timid and thoughtful, so I travelled there.* Line 113. Sent by Selencns against Jerusalem to spoil the temple.
On his crossing its threshold " there appeared nnto them a horse, with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and smote at Heliodoms with his forefeet. 2 Maccabees iii. 25. Line 115. King of Thrace, who to obtain his treasure slew the son whom Priam had entrusted to his care. Virgil, ^n., book iii. Line 132. The twin eyes of Heaven are ApoUo and Diana, the son and moon,twin children of Latona.
CANTO XXI. Prooeeding on their way, the poets ore joined by the shadow of Statins, who explains to them that the earthquake on the mountain takes place whenever a spirit in Pursatory is released Heavenwards, when all the S]pirits unite m praising God. He tells the poets who he is, and describes ms enthusiasm for Yii^, whom he then learns to his delight to be one of his companions. That natural thirst which none can satisfy.
Except the water, for the which of old The woman of Samaria made her cry, Within me travailed, haste my steps controlled Behind my guide o'er the strewed path to steer, * The while that justest yengeance I controlled. And lo, as Luke doth write, that did appear Christ unto two, upon their way, and joined Already risen from the sepulchre. So did a shadow join us from behind, Regarding at his feet the prostrate press.
Nor were we 'ware, till his saluting kind Addressed us, " Brothers mine, God give ye peace. Sudden we turned, and Virgil him addressed With salutation fitted to his grace, And then began, " Within the conclave blest. Place thee in peace the righteous majesty. Though endless exile be to me its 'hest. " How?" did he say. " Then wherefore do ye hie. If ye be shades, unworthy God's high spheres ? And who has led ye on lus steps so high ?
My teacher : " If thou seest the signs he bears, Which on his brow the Angel did indite, Clearly thou'lt know him of the kingdom's heirs. But since the one who spinneth day and night, Has from her spindle not yet drawn the line. Which Clotho unto each allotteth right ; His spirit, sister unto thine and mine, Thus soaring upwards, could not venture sole.
Since in our fashion it cannot divine. ^ Whence I was drawn from out the ample hole Of Hell to lead him, and so far will show A(3 can conduct the virtue of my school. Line 25. Lachesis, one of the Fates.
Lme 79. Charles II., King of Naples, eldest son of Charles of Ai^oa. He was taken prisoner in a naval action with the forces of Aragon, and after his release he married his daughter to a Marqnis of Ferrara, ia consideration of a heavy payment. Line 86. Bishop Boniface YIII. was seized at Alagna by command of Philip le Bel, and kept as a prisoner in his palace for throe days. The indignity so worked on his proud heart that he died three days afterwards. Line 91. Alluding probably to the destruction of the Order of Templars in 1310. Line 97* The spirit at last answers Dante's question as to why he alone recited Uie worthy praises of libeiaJ deeds, saying that such was not the case. Line 103. Son of a king of Tyre, who killed Sioheus, Dido's husband, ^n., book i., 1. 360. Line 109. Stoned by order of Joshua for concealing the spoils. Joshua, ch. vii. P
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210 PURGATORY. Cahto XX. Then with her husband, we accuse Sapphire : We praise the kicks bestowed on Heliodorus : And with the shame rings all the mountain's spire Of Polinestor, who slew PoUdorus. "* Tell us the taste of gold, for you do know, Crassus ! lastly do we shout in chorus. So do we speak, one high the other low. As inclination spurs us to say Now in more swift, and now in time more slow. ^^ But of the good, of which we speak by day, 1 spake not now alone, but near me then No other voice was raised with equal sway." From him we now had parted, and again We strove along the encumbered path to crawl. As much as to our power was granted ; when I felt as something tottering to its fall, The mountain tremble ; like one deathwards driven, The sudden frore my senses did appal. Certes, so strongly was not Delos riven ^^ Before Latona there her nest did hide, There to bring forth the twin-bom eyes of Heaven. Then there began a cry on every side, Such that mv master closer to me drew, Saying, " Doubt nothing while beside your guide." ^^ Gloria in exceUis Beo, cried the crew As I made out from those the nearest placed, From whence the meaning of the cry I knew. Immovable and doubtful did we rest. Like to the shepherds who first heard that strain, Till it was finisht, and the trembling ceased. Then we resumed our holy path again. Watching the shadows who on earth still lay While in their wonted mourning they complain. No ignorance ere felt so great a fray Created in me, with desire to know. If on that point my memory does not stray. As then meseemM in my thoughts to flow ; Nor through our haste to question did I dare. Nor by myself could I perceive the how, ^^ Timid and thoughtful, so I travelled there.* Line 113. Sent by Selencns against Jerusalem to spoil the temple. On his crossing its threshold " there appeared nnto them a horse, with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and smote at Heliodoms with his forefeet." 2 Maccabees iii. 25. Line 115. King of Thrace, who to obtain his treasure slew the son whom Priam had entrusted to his care. Virgil, ^n., book iii. Line 132. The twin eyes of Heaven are ApoUo and Diana, the son and moon,twin children of Latona.
CANTO XXI. Prooeeding on their way, the poets ore joined by the shadow of Statins, who explains to them that the earthquake on the mountain takes place whenever a spirit in Pursatory is released Heavenwards, when all the S]pirits unite m praising God. He tells the poets who he is, and describes ms enthusiasm for Yii^, whom he then learns to his delight to be one of his companions. That natural thirst which none can satisfy. Except the water, for the which of old The woman of Samaria made her cry, Within me travailed, haste my steps controlled Behind my guide o'er the strewed path to steer, * The while that justest yengeance I controlled. And lo, as Luke does write, that did appear Christ unto two, upon their way, and joined Already risen from the sepulchre. So did a shadow join us from behind, Regarding at his feet the prostrate press. Nor were we 'ware, till his saluting kind Addressed us, " Brothers mine, God give you peace." Sudden we turned, and Virgil him addressed With salutation fitted to his grace, And then began, " Within the conclave blest. Place you in peace the righteous majesty. Though endless exile be to me its 'hest." " How?" did he say. " Then wherefore do you hie. If you be shades, unworthy God's high spheres ? And who has led you on lus steps so high ?" My teacher : " If you seest the signs he bears, Which on his brow the Angel did indite, Clearly you'lt know him of the kingdom's heirs. But since the one who spins day and night, Has from her spindle not yet drawn the line. Which Clotho unto each allots right ; His spirit, sister unto your and mine, Thus soaring upwards, could not venture sole. Since in our fashion it cannot divine. ^ Whence I was drawn from out the ample hole Of Hell to lead him, and so far will show A(3 can conduct the virtue of my school. Line 25. Lachesis, one of the Fates.
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