The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

Canto IX. PURGATOKT. 165 So did I shake myself as slumber's charm *^ Fled from me, and I grew as white as stone, Like to a man who freezes in alarm. Beside me was my comforter alone, Two hours already was the sun on high. And towards the seashore was my vision thrown. " Fear you no more," I heard my master cry, " Make yourself sure, for our emprise has thrived ; Loose not, but tighten now your panoply. To Purgatory now have you arrived. Behold the cliff that girds its sojourn. See you the entrance, where it seems rived. Before the dawning that precedes the mom, The while your spirit in that slumber lay. Upon the flowers which yonder vale adorn, A lady came. * I'm Lucia,' did she say, * Let me take up your friend in slumber chained. So will I help him onwards on his way.' Sordello and the other souls remained ; She carried you, and as the day grew clear, I following on her steps, this height we gained. She pointed out, the while she placed you here. Yon open entrance, with her heaven-clear eyes. Then, as sleep left you, did she disappear." Like to a man his doubts who certifies, And changes into comfort his affright, When the discovered truth before him lies. So did I rally ; and when free and light My leader saw me, upwards by the steep He moved, and I behind him towards the height. Eeader, you seest to what height does creep ^" My matter, therefore marvel not, with art Yet more, if I sustain its purpose deep. We had drawn nearer, and had reached the part. That there, what formerly had seemed a break, As 'twere a fissure which a wall does part. As a gate I saw, 'neath which three steps did make The ascent to reach it, each of different hue, Guarded by one, who yet had nothing spake ; And as more open to the sight it grew, I saw him seated on the topmost stand. Such in the face I could not bear the view. A naked sword he held within his hand. Whose dazzling rays were so reflected there. That oft in vain my sight towards it wonned.

166 PURGATORY. Cakto IX. <* What is your pleasure ? speak from where you are," ^ Began he then to say. " Where is your guide ? Look that your coming up no damage bear." ** A lady of the sky, in these things tried," Answered my master to him, ** even now Told us, go on, the gate's on yonder side." ^ *' Well will she help you on your path I trow," The courteous porter thus commenced again : " Before our steps you may come forward now." There did we come, and the first step I gain White marble was, so polished and so bright, ^ That in it all myself was mirrored plain. Darker than sable was the second pight. Made of a rugged and fire-scathed stone Cracked on its surface, and athwart its site. The third, whose mass above them both was thrown, ^^ Seemed to me made of flaming porphyry. Like blood that &om a vein is bubbling on. O'er this both feet he planted royally God's Angel, who was seated on the sill. Which made of diamond appeared to me, ^^ By the three steps above, with cheering will My leader drew me, saying, " Seek with meet Humility, that he your wish fulfil." I sank devoutly at the sacred feet, And first three times upon my breast I smote, ^^^ Then prayed to him to ope for pity sweet. Seven P's upon my forehead then he wrote With his sword's point, and " See that you do lave These wounds," he said, " when you within have got," Ashes on earth dug drily from a cave ^^* Would be the colour of his vestment's fold, From under which he drew two keys that save. The one was silver, and the other gold. First with the white, then with the golden key. He touched the gate, that I my longing hold, ^ ** Whenever either key does fail to agree, So that it will not travel in the wards," He said to me, " this passage is not free. Line 95. The three steps of white marble, rough stone, and porphyry are aUegorical of confession, the contrition attending on it, and the fervent charity thereby attained. Line 112. "The seven P's" denote the seven capital sins, Peccata, of vehice he is to be cleared in his passage throngh Purgatory. Line 118. The golden key is the authority vested in the Ghoroh to absolve sinners, the silver one the doctrinal learning needful to the priest for thQ P^rforpiance of that office.

Cahio X. PURGATORY. 167

More precious one, the other one accords Oulj with wit and knowledge in its use, Because by that we turn the secret wards. Prom Peter do I hold it, its abuse, He told, to those sunk humblj at my feet, Be more in opening than in keeping dose." He thrust the portal of the sacred gate, Bidding us " Enter, but be well aware. Who looks back is cast outside by Fate." And when there swung upon its hinges there The portals of that entrance consecrate. Which were of sounding metal, strong and clear, Creakt not so loud the famed Tarpeian Gate When good Metellus there was overthrown. And with rapt treasury 'twas desolate. Wrapt in attention, after the first tone, Te Deum Laudamus on my ear did steal, With voices mingled in sweet undertone. Such an effect exactly did reveal That which I heard, as in a church's dome When singing mingles with the organ's peal : And now the words are heard, and now o'ercome.

U5

ISO

p. 135

p. 140

p. 145

Line 136. The Tarx>eian Ghite, in which was the Roman treasnry, which the tribune Metellos in vain attempted to gaard against the followers of Csssar. Lncan's " Pharsalia," book iii.