The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

p. 116

ISO

p. 135

Line 124. The industry of the early commentators has not informed us who this person was — a solitary exception throughout this long poem.

148 PURGATORY. Cauto V. The bard already onwards went before. And told me : " Now come on : this moment lo ! The sun has reached to noon, and on the shore Night covers with her foot Morocco now."

CANTO V. The poets meet with others, who, having deferred their r^jentance until death, suffered violent ends, but had time to repent, and obtain pardon at the last. Amongst these, Giacopo del Cassero, Buonconte da Montefeltro, and Pia, a Siennese lady, describe their deaths, and urge Dante to obtain on earth prayers in their behalf. Already from those shadows had I gone. And followed in the footsteps of my guide, When from behind, with finger pointing on, " See how there does not seem to shine," one cried, " The sunray from the left of him beneath, * He seems alive who follows thus his guide !" I turned my eyes at sound of what he says, And saw him gaze on me with marvelling fear. At me, and at the light my body frays. " Why does your spirit so much interfere ^® With these?" my master said, " to slack your walk; What is't to you that they should murmur here ? Follow you me, and let the people talk : Stand like a solid tower, that does not bow Its crest at any time, though wild winds stalk. ^* Always the man in whom new thought does grow On previous thought, from his true course does roam, Because the one does flag the other's glow." What could I say to him, except, I come ? I said so, whilst such hue my cheeks immerse ^ As often wins man pardon from his doom. In the meanwhile, across the hill traverse, A little to our front some people came, Singing their Miserere^ verse by verse. When they perceived that through my bodily frame ** There was no passage for the rays to pierce. They changed their song into a hoarse acclaim, And two of them, in form of messengers. Ran out to meet us, and requesting stood, " Pray you to tell us your condition, sirs." ^^

RES^nS^SK

Canto V. PURGATORY. 149 My master then : ** You can resume your road, And take back unto those who made you plead, That this man's body is true flesh and blood. If they remained because they saw his shade, As I believe, enough such answer given ; ®* Yield him due honour, he can grant them aid." I never saw the falling stars at even, Nor sunset lightning through an August cloud, Cleave with such swiftness the serene of Heaven, As these returned above unto the crowd, ^' And joined there with the rest, turned towards us soon. Like to a troop beneath no bridle bowed. ** This multitude, who towards us presses on. Come to make prayers to you," the poet cried, " But onwards go, and hear as you do wonne." ** ** soul, who unto joyousness do glide. With limbs with which you erst were bom, to-day," Crying they came, " Your step a little bide. Behold, if one of us you aye did see. So that of him you hence the news mayst bear ; '"^ Ah, why do go ? Ah, wherefore do not stay ? All of us killed by force of old we were, And sinners all unto the latest hour. When of the light of Heaven we grew aware. So, through repentance and forgiveness' power, ** From life we issued, Godwards pacified. Who does the heart with hope to see him dower." " Howe'er I gaze upon you," I replied, " None do I recognise ; but if the grace You seek is in my power, souls Heaven allied, ®° Speak you, and I will do it by the peace. Which, following such a guide through good and ill. From world to world to seek, I onwards press." And one began : " Each one will trust right well Without an oath in this your offered boon, ^ For goodwill fathoms not the impossible. Whence I, who ere the rest now speak alone, Pray you, if e'er that region you do see Betwixt Romagna and King Carlo's throne. That with your prayers you mayst so courteous be ^^ In Fano's town, that vows for me be paid, So that from weight of sin I be purged free. Line 69. The Marco d'Ancoua, between Romajma and Apnlia, the kingdom which Charles of Anjon conquered from Manfred.