The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri
Cahto II. HELL. " If thy words* meaning clearly I devise," Answered tlie shadow of that noble bard, " Thy spirit of its vileness feels the poise, Which many a time and oft will man retard, So that the honoured enterprise they leave. As beasts in darkness falsely things regard. That to this terror thou mayst give reprieve, I'll tell thee why I came, and what I heard, At the first moment I for thee did grieve.
I was 'mongst those the mid- suspended herd, The while a lady called me, blest and fair, Such that I prayed her to vouchsafe her word. Her eyes shone clearer than the morning star, " And she began to address me, slow and sweet, That of an angel speaking I was 'ware. * O courteous Mantuan spirit, whom I greet, Whose fame yet lasteth in the world below. And will last on while Earth retains its seat, ^ My friend, but not of Fortune, now in woe.
Within a desert wild is held at bay. That terror makes him the true path forego : I fear already he has lost his way, And to his succour I am come too late, ^ From what, in Heaven, of him I heard them say. Now go to him, and with thy speech ornate. And with whate'er can save him in his need, Help him, that I be not disconsolate. 'Tis Beatrice who now claims thy deed ; ^® To seek the place I've left I now am fiiin.
Love moved my steps, and Love now makes me plead. When I return before my Lord again I'U speak thy praises often at his throne. Then she was silent, and I thus began : ^^ Line 52. "I was 'mongst those the mid-suspended herd. Virgil, with the other great men of the Pagan world, was suspended in Limbo, wmch, though within the gate of Hell, is neither in Hell nur Heaven. It is described in tiie fourth Canto.
Line 61. *' My friend, but not of Fortune. '* L'amico mio, e non della ventura. I have preferred the simple translation, the meaning of whioh is olear. Although Dante is my finend, he was never Fortune's. The commentators explain the phrase, Dante loved me, but not what he could gain through me, which appears to me forced, and to convey idle praise. Line 70. " *Tis Beatrice who now claims thy deed.
In this iK>em Beatrice aUegorically represents the spirit of Bieligion. She was Dante's first and last love on earth, and in most parts of the poem, though not iu all, Dante's passionate adoration shows that his thoughts were with the breathing woman whose name he immortalised.
so
8 HELL. Cahio U. * lady of all virtue, who alone Eaisest the human race beyond compare, O'er all that 'neath the Lunar skies are known, Such pleasure have I thy command to share, That were it done, obedience would be slow ; There was but need thy purpose to lay bare. But tell to me the reason, why below Thou dost not hesitate thy steps to guide From that broad region where thou yearn' st to go.' * Since thou wouldst know so deeply,' she replied, ^ * I'll tell thee briefly why with holy cheer To come even here I am not terrified. Those things alone one ever ought to fear That have the power to wreak on others ill ; Nought else can ever cause of dread appear. I am so fashioned by God's grace and will That me, even here, your misery cannot move, Nor flames of all this burning work me ill. A gentle lady in the skies above So moumeth o'er this case I've told to thee, ®* That there stem judgment is o'ercome by love. This one called Lucia to her bidding — * He, Thy faithful one, is now in sorest need Of thee, and him I recommend to thee.' Lucia, the foe of every cruel deed, Started at once, and in the place appeared Where I with Bachel have my seat decreed. And said, ' O Beatrix, God's praise averred ! Why dost not succour him, who loved thee so, That for thy sake he left the vulgar herd ?
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Line 78. *' O'er all that 'neath the Lnnar skies are known. Dante's astronomy is the Pythagorean system. It will be described afterwards in detail. The earth is the centre, surrounded by the nine revolving spheres, of which the moon is the lowest. The phrase means, therefore, that Beatrice excels all the beings on the earth. Line 93. " Nor flames of all this burning work roe ill.
The flames and bnming are nsed metaphorically for the yearning of those in Limbo for the Paradise they cannot obtain. In Limbo the poet describes no real flames, the sole ponishment there being the loss of happiness. Line 94. '' A gentle lady in the skies above. Supposed to be allegorical of the Divine clemency. Line 100. " Lucia.
Allegorical of illumioating gprace, as she is found afterwards amongst the blessed enumerated in Paradise; a real person is also probably intended.
Cahto II. HELL. " If your words* meaning clearly I devise," Answered tlie shadow of that noble bard, " Your spirit of its vileness feels the poise, Which many a time and oft will man retard, So that the honoured enterprise they leave. As beasts in darkness falsely things regard. That to this terror you mayst give reprieve, I'll tell you why I came, and what I heard, At the first moment I for you did grieve. I was 'mongst those the mid- suspended herd, The while a lady called me, blest and fair, Such that I prayed her to vouchsafe her word. Her eyes shone clearer than the morning star, " And she began to address me, slow and sweet, That of an angel speaking I was 'ware. * O courteous Mantuan spirit, whom I greet, Whose fame yet lasts in the world below. And will last on while Earth retains its seat, ^ My friend, but not of Fortune, now in woe. Within a desert wild is held at bay. That terror makes him the true path forego : I fear already he has lost his way, And to his succour I am come too late, ^ From what, in Heaven, of him I heard them say. Now go to him, and with your speech ornate. And with whate'er can save him in his need, Help him, that I be not disconsolate. 'Tis Beatrice who now claims your deed ; ^® To seek the place I've left I now am fiiin. Love moved my steps, and Love now makes me plead. When I return before my Lord again I'U speak your praises often at his throne.' Then she was silent, and I thus began : ^^ Line 52. "I was 'mongst those the mid-suspended herd." Virgil, with the other great men of the Pagan world, was suspended in Limbo, wmch, though within the gate of Hell, is neither in Hell nur Heaven. It is described in tiie fourth Canto. Line 61. *' My friend, but not of Fortune." '* L'amico mio, e non della ventura." I have preferred the simple translation, the meaning of whioh is olear. Although Dante is my finend, he was never Fortune's. The commentators explain the phrase, Dante loved me, but not what he could gain through me, which appears to me forced, and to convey idle praise. Line 70. " *Tis Beatrice who now claims your deed." In this iK>em Beatrice aUegorically represents the spirit of Bieligion. She was Dante's first and last love on earth, and in most parts of the poem, though not iu all, Dante's passionate adoration shows that his thoughts were with the breathing woman whose name he immortalised.
so
8 HELL. Cahio U. * lady of all virtue, who alone Eaisest the human race beyond compare, O'er all that 'neath the Lunar skies are known, Such pleasure have I your command to share, That were it done, obedience would be slow ; There was but need your purpose to lay bare. But tell to me the reason, why below You do not hesitate your steps to guide From that broad region where you yearn' st to go.' * Since you would know so deeply,' she replied, ^ * I'll tell you briefly why with holy cheer To come even here I am not terrified. Those things alone one ever ought to fear That have the power to wreak on others ill ; Nought else can ever cause of dread appear. I am so fashioned by God's grace and will That me, even here, your misery cannot move, Nor flames of all this burning work me ill. A gentle lady in the skies above So moums o'er this case I've told to you, ®* That there stem judgment is o'ercome by love. This one called Lucia to her bidding — * He, Your faithful one, is now in sorest need Of you, and him I recommend to you.' Lucia, the foe of every cruel deed, Started at once, and in the place appeared Where I with Bachel have my seat decreed. And said, ' O Beatrix, God's praise averred ! Why do not succour him, who loved you so, That for your sake he left the vulgar herd ?
p. 90
p. 100
p. 105
Line 78. *' O'er all that 'neath the Lnnar skies are known. Dante's astronomy is the Pythagorean system. It will be described afterwards in detail. The earth is the centre, surrounded by the nine revolving spheres, of which the moon is the lowest. The phrase means, therefore, that Beatrice excels all the beings on the earth. Line 93. " Nor flames of all this burning work roe ill.
The flames and bnming are nsed metaphorically for the yearning of those in Limbo for the Paradise they cannot obtain. In Limbo the poet describes no real flames, the sole ponishment there being the loss of happiness. Line 94. '' A gentle lady in the skies above. Supposed to be allegorical of the Divine clemency. Line 100. " Lucia.
Allegorical of illumioating gprace, as she is found afterwards amongst the blessed enumerated in Paradise; a real person is also probably intended.
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