The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

138 PURGATORY. Cahto II. See in no need of human means he stands : So that he wants not oars, nor other sail Except his pinions, from such distant strands. See how he rears them towards the Heavenly pale, Drawing the breezes with the eternal plumes, That like our mortal hair ne'er change nor flEkil. Then, as towards us nearer still he looms, The bird divine more brilliant clear appeared, So that the eye shrank back as near he comes. I bent mine down : and he the landing neared, With his small bark, so rapid and so light That as it went the wave it scarcely sheared. Stood on the stem Heaven's pilot, clothed in light, Amongst the blest inscribed, did he appear ; Within the bark a hundred spirits sit : In excitu Israel^ from Egypt's fear. They all together in one voice did sing, Witii all that follows when that Psalm we hear. When he had signed the holy cross, they fling Themselves, together all, upon the plain. And as he came, he vanished, swift of wing. Gazing around, the crowd that there remain In utter ignorance of the place did seem, Like one who strives strange things to attain. On every side there darted down its beam The sun, who from the centre of the sky Had routed Capricorn with arrowy flame. When the new people raised their foreheads high Towards us, saying to us : ** If you know, Show us the path, towards the mount to hie." And Virgil said : " You think that we can show. Perchance experienced in this place, the way. But like yourselves, we here are pilgrims too. Shortly before you did we hither stray By another path, that was so wild and rude. That any climbing henceforth will be play." The spirits, who in me the breathing viewed. Perceived from that that I was still alive, And marvelling became all marble hued. As when one bears an olive branch, arrive ^® The people all around the news to hear. And each one to approach does press and strive ; So gazing on my face they centered here. Those happy spirits all, forgotting even To travel onwards, to become more fair. " Line 46. When Israel came oat of Egypt. Psalm cxIt.

Cahto II. PURQATORY. 139 One of them saw I pierce their ranks close riven Me to embrace, with such a loving haste, That I to do the same was also driven. O empty shadows with but semblance graced ! Three times around his form my arms I threw, ^ And each time drew them idly to my breast. With wonder I believe I changed my hue ; Because the shadow smiled, and past away And pressing onwards I his steps pursue. He asked me tenderly that I should stay : ^ Then knew I who he was, and him besought For parlance with me somewhat to delay. He answered me : " As I your love have sought In mortal body, so I love you freed ; Therefore I pause ; but how have you been brought ?" ^ ^' Casella mine, I made this voyage decreed, Back to return to earth, where I belong. But why so long has been debarred your meed ?" And he to me : " No one has done me wrong. But he who when and whom he pleases takes, ^^ This longed-for passage has denied me long : Since of God's justest will his own he makes. But truly for three months past he has ta'en, In perfect peace, whoe'er an entrance seeks. Whence I, who dwelt but now, towards the main ^^ Where mixes with the brine the Tiber's wave, Benignantly was gathered in his train. Back to that shore with outstretched wing he clave, Because at all times he coUects there. Whoe'er descend not into Acheron's grave." ^°* And I : " K new laws do not from you bear The memory or use of amorous song. Which erst was wont to quiet all my care. Please you with that to pour your balm along My wearied soul, that with its body joined, ^^® In coming hither has been grieved so long." ** Love that now parleys with me in my mindj*' So sweetly then did he begin the strain. That lingers yet the dulcet sound behind. Line 91. A celebrated Florentine musician, and friend of Dante. Line 93. Casella having been dead for some years, Dante asks him how he has been so long delayed in his voyage to Purgatory. Line 98. At that period the jubilee was held at Rome, since which time all spirits not condemned to Hell were allowed free passage to Purgatory through the prayers of the Pope. It will be noticed that from Rome only Dante g^ives the place of departure for all spirits to the realms of purification. Line 112. The first verse of one of Dante's canzoni, " Amor che nella mente mi ragiona," introduced in the " Convito" of our author.

140 PUUGATORY. Cakto III. Mj master, and myself, and all the train "^ That were with him, such exquisite pleasure show, Forgetting all things else, in rapture fain. We thus were all engrossed with the sweet flow Of the notes, when lo ! the honoured guardian old Came crying : " What is this, you spirits slow ? ^** What negligence is this, and dallying bold ? To cast aside your shell, to the mountain speed, So that God manifest you may behold." As when upgathering wheat, or darnel weed The doves collecting, to the pastures steer, Nor show the accustomed shyness of their breed. If anything appears which wakes their fear, Leave on a sudden the delicious bait, Because assailed by stronger impulse there ; So did I see that troop arrived so late, Their song abandoned, towards the mountain start, Like one who goes, nor knows his future fate : And no less rapidly do we depaal.

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