The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

Line 75. The legend is that St. Gregory was so moved with admiration at the anecdote of Trajan which forms the subject of the succeeding bas-relief — viz., that on the prayer of a widow he left his army when starting on aii expedition and returned to Bome to revenge her murdered son — ^that by his prayers he obtained his transference from Limbo to Paradise. Dante again mtroduces this legend in the " Paradise," Canto XX. Line 94. God.

170 PURGATORY. Ca»to X. The whilst I took delight to gaze on each Of those examples of humility, Charming to dwell on, by their skill so rich; ** Lo yonder, though they very slowly hie," ^^ Murmured the poet, " many people go, These will instruct us how to climb on high.** My eyes that ever were intent to know And gaze on novelties for which they yearn, In turning round towards him were not slow. ^^ I would not, reader, you should 'wildered turn From your fair purpose in despair, to hear How God wills that the proud forgiveness earn. Linger not o'er the form of penance here : Think of what follows, think whate'er their pain, "^ Beyond the judgment cannot last the fear. " That which I see, my master," I began, " Seems not like persons who towards us come ; Yet what I know not, so my sight is vain." And he to me : ** The heavy-laden doom "* Which makes their torment, bows them to the ground, So that my eyes at first in doubt did roam. But look intently, and make out unbound Each huddled mass that 'neath yon stones creeps on. Now you can see how each himself does wound." ^^ Proud Christians, wretched, weary, and undone ! Who of your mental sight are so bereaved That you have faith in backward paths alone : That we are worms have you not yet perceived. Bom but to form the Angelic butterfly ^^ That soars up to judgment unreprieved ? Of what your spirit does it vaunt so high ? Since you are unformed insects at the best, • Worms as it were unfinished utterly. As roof or ceiling for support does rest ^^ Upon a bracket, which in shape is seen A figure with his knees against his breast, Wliich through mere fiction causes anguish keen. And true in him who looks on it ; so made Those did I see, when I had pierced their mien. ^^ True, they, as more or less was on them laid. Bowed in proportion to the weights they bore. And who most patience in his gestures had, Weeping, appeared to say, " I can no more."

CANTO XI. After the spirits have recited the Lord's Prayer, Yirgil demands of them the way up the momitain . One of them directs the m to accompany them along the ledge, and declares himself to be Omberto, who was murdered at Gampagnatioo. Dante then recognises in another Oderisi the Illuminator, who discourses on the vanity of worldly fame, and points out to him Provenzana Salvani, a chief in Siena. " OuB Fatter who do dwell in Heaven above, Not circumscribed, but tbat You there do place Upon Your primal effluence, higher love, For ever hallowed be Your Name and grace, By each created thing, as is most right * In rendering thanks Your savour to embrace. The peace of Your own kingdom on us light. Which of ourselves we never could attain, Unless it come through striving with all might. As, by their own desire, Your angels fain "* Singing Hosanna, sacrifice to You, So may Your will be done on earth by man. Provide us with our daily manna free. Without the which, this desert road along, He would go back, who strives most to flee. ^^ And as we pardon imto each the wrong Which we have suffered, be our pardoner. Nor weigh the merits which to us belong. Our virtue, which so easily does err. Do not you test it with the ancient foe, ^ Deliver us from him that so does spur. This last petition, O dear Lord, we owe Not for ourselves, for whom is no more need, Rather for those we've left behind below." So for their voyage, and for ours, good speed, ^ Those shadows praying, 'neath their burden hied. Like to the nightmare, which bad dreams oft breed : Each in their separate proportion tried, Along that first ledge pass they on outworn, Purging the fogmists of their earthly pride. ^ Since ever there to us goodwill is borne, For them on earth, what can they do or say, Who with the good root dowered, to grace are bom ? Well should they help their sins to wash away. Which hence they carried, so that pure and light ^' They may ascend unto the starry ray.