Purgatory

  Doth human worth mount up; and so ordains

  Began, with wonder, from those spirits to mark

  He who bestows it, that as his free gift

  One risen from its seat, which with its hand

  It may be call’d. To Charles my words apply

  Audience implor’d. Both palms it join’d and rais’d, No less than to his brother in the song;

  Fixing its steadfast gaze towards the east,

  Which Pouille and Provence now with grief confess.

  As telling God, “I care for naught beside.”

  So much that plant degenerates from its seed,

  “Te Lucis Ante,” so devoutly then As more than Beatrice and Margaret

  Came from its lip, and in so soft a strain,

  Costanza still boasts of her valorous spouse.

  22

  The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory That all my sense in ravishment was lost.

  The serpent.” Whence, not knowing by which path

  And the rest after, softly and devout,

  He came, I turn’d me round, and closely press’d,

  Follow’d through all the hymn, with upward gaze

  All frozen, to my leader’s trusted side.

  Directed to the bright supernal wheels.

  Sordello paus’d not: “To the valley now

  Here, reader! for the truth makes thine eyes keen: (For it is time) let us descend; and hold

  For of so subtle texture is this veil,

  Converse with those great shadows: haply much

  That thou with ease mayst pass it through unmark’d.

  Their sight may please ye.” Only three steps down

  I saw that gentle band silently next

  Methinks I measur’d, ere I was beneath,

  Look up, as if in expectation held,

  And noted one who look’d as with desire

  Pale and in lowly guise; and from on high

  To know me. Time was now that air arrow dim;

  I saw forth issuing descend beneath

  Yet not so dim, that ‘twixt his eyes and mine

  Two angels with two flame-illumin’d swords,

  It clear’d not up what was conceal’d before.

  Broken and mutilated at their points.

  Mutually tow’rds each other we advanc’d.

  Green as the tender leaves but newly born,

  Nino, thou courteous judge! what joy I felt,

  Their vesture was, the which by wings as green

  When I perceiv’d thou wert not with the bad!

  Beaten, they drew behind them, fann’d in air.

  No salutation kind on either part

  A little over us one took his stand,

  Was left unsaid. He then inquir’d: “How long

  The other lighted on the’ Opposing hill,

  Since thou arrived’st at the mountain’s foot,

  So that the troop were in the midst contain’d.

  Over the distant waves?”—”O!” answer’d I,

  Well I descried the whiteness on their heads;

  “Through the sad seats of woe this morn I came,

  But in their visages the dazzled eye

  And still in my first life, thus journeying on,

  Was lost, as faculty that by too much

  The other strive to gain.” Soon as they heard

  Is overpower’d. “From Mary’s bosom both

  My words, he and Sordello backward drew,

  Are come,” exclaim’d Sordello, “as a guard

  As suddenly amaz’d. To Virgil one,

  Over the vale, ganst him, who hither tends,

  The other to a spirit turn’d, who near

  23

  The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory Was seated, crying: “Conrad! up with speed:

  The pole is all on fire. “He then to me:

  Come, see what of his grace high God hath will’d.”

  “The four resplendent stars, thou saw’st this morn

  Then turning round to me: “By that rare mark

  Are there beneath, and these ris’n in their stead.”

  Of honour which thou ow’st to him, who hides

  While yet he spoke. Sordello to himself

  So deeply his first cause, it hath no ford,

  Drew him, and cry’d: “Lo there our enemy!”

  When thou shalt he beyond the vast of waves.

  And with his hand pointed that way to look.

  Tell my Giovanna, that for me she call

  Along the side, where barrier none arose

  There, where reply to innocence is made.

  Around the little vale, a serpent lay,

  Her mother, I believe, loves me no more;

  Such haply as gave Eve the bitter food.

  Since she has chang’d the white and wimpled folds,

  Between the grass and flowers, the evil snake

  Which she is doom’d once more with grief to wish.

  Came on, reverting oft his lifted head;

  By her it easily may be perceiv’d,

  And, as a beast that smoothes its polish’d coat,

  How long in women lasts the flame of love,

  Licking his hack. I saw not, nor can tell,

  If sight and touch do not relume it oft.

  How those celestial falcons from their seat

  For her so fair a burial will not make

  Mov’d, but in motion each one well descried,

  The viper which calls Milan to the field,

  Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes.

  As had been made by shrill Gallura’s bird.”

  The serpent fled; and to their stations back

  He spoke, and in his visage took the stamp

  The angels up return’d with equal flight.

  Of that right seal, which with due temperature

  The Spirit (who to Nino, when he call’d,

  Glows in the bosom. My insatiate eyes

  Had come), from viewing me with fixed ken,

  Meanwhile to heav’n had travel’d, even there

  Through all that conflict, loosen’d not his sight.

  Where the bright stars are slowest, as a wheel

  “So may the lamp, which leads thee up on high, Nearest the axle; when my guide inquir’d:

  Find, in thy destin’d lot, of wax so much,

  “What there aloft, my son, has caught thy gaze?”

  As may suffice thee to the enamel’s height.”

  I answer’d: “The three torches, with which here It thus began: “If any certain news

  24

  The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory Of Valdimagra and the neighbour part

  CANTO IX

  Thou know’st, tell me, who once was mighty there

  They call’d me Conrad Malaspina, not

  Now the fair consort of Tithonus old,

  That old one, but from him I sprang. The love

  Arisen from her mate’s beloved arms,

  I bore my people is now here refin’d.”

  Look’d palely o’er the eastern cliff: her brow,

  “In your dominions,” I answer’d, “ne’er was I.

  Lucent with jewels, glitter’d, set in sign

  But through all Europe where do those men dwell,

  Of that chill animal, who with his train

  To whom their glory is not manifest?

  Smites fearful nations: and where then we were,

  The fame, that honours your illustrious house,

  Two steps of her ascent the night had past,

  Proclaims the nobles and proclaims the land;

  And now the third was closing up its wing,

  So that he knows it who was never there.

  When I, who had so much of Adam with me,

  I swear to you, so may my upward route

  Sank down upon the grass, o’ercome with sleep,

  Prosper! your honour’d nation not impairs

  There where all five were seated. In that hour,

  The
value of her coffer and her sword.

  When near the dawn the swallow her sad lay,

  Nature and use give her such privilege,

  Rememb’ring haply ancient grief, renews,

  That while the world is twisted from his course

  And with our minds more wand’rers from the flesh,

  By a bad head, she only walks aright,

  And less by thought restrain’d are, as ‘t were, full And has the evil way in scorn.” He then:

  Of holy divination in their dreams,

  “Now pass thee on: sev’n times the tired sun

  Then in a vision did I seem to view

  Revisits not the couch, which with four feet

  A golden-feather’d eagle in the sky,

  The forked Aries covers, ere that kind

  With open wings, and hov’ring for descent,

  Opinion shall be nail’d into thy brain

  And I was in that place, methought, from whence

  With stronger nails than other’s speech can drive,

  Young Ganymede, from his associates ‘reft,

  If the sure course of judgment be not stay’d.”

  Was snatch’d aloft to the high consistory.

  25

  The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory

  “Perhaps,” thought I within me, “here alone

  Slept in thee, o’er the flowery vale beneath

  He strikes his quarry, and elsewhere disdains

  A lady came, and thus bespake me: “I

  To pounce upon the prey.” Therewith, it seem’d,

  Am Lucia. Suffer me to take this man,

  A little wheeling in his airy tour

  Who slumbers. Easier so his way shall speed.”

  Terrible as the lightning rush’d he down,

  Sordello and the other gentle shapes

  And snatch’d me upward even to the fire.

  Tarrying, she bare thee up: and, as day shone,

  There both, I thought, the eagle and myself

  This summit reach’d: and I pursued her steps.

  Did burn; and so intense th’ imagin’d flames,

  Here did she place thee. First her lovely eyes

  That needs my sleep was broken off. As erst

  That open entrance show’d me; then at once

  Achilles shook himself, and round him roll’d

  She vanish’d with thy sleep.” Like one, whose doubts His waken’d eyeballs wond’ring where he was,

  Are chas’d by certainty, and terror turn’d

  Whenas his mother had from Chiron fled

  To comfort on discovery of the truth,

  To Scyros, with him sleeping in her arms;

  Such was the change in me: and as my guide

  E’en thus I shook me, soon as from my face

  Beheld me fearless, up along the cliff

  The slumber parted, turning deadly pale,

  He mov’d, and I behind him, towards the height.

  Like one ice-struck with dread. Solo at my side

  Reader! thou markest how my theme doth rise,

  My comfort stood: and the bright sun was now

  Nor wonder therefore, if more artfully

  More than two hours aloft: and to the sea

  I prop the structure! Nearer now we drew,

  My looks were turn’d. “Fear not,” my master cried,

  Arriv’d’ whence in that part, where first a breach

  “Assur’d we are at happy point. Thy strength

  As of a wall appear’d, I could descry

  Shrink not, but rise dilated. Thou art come

  A portal, and three steps beneath, that led

  To Purgatory now. Lo! there the cliff

  For inlet there, of different colour each,

  That circling bounds it! Lo! the entrance there,

  And one who watch’d, but spake not yet a word.

  Where it doth seem disparted! Ere the dawn

  As more and more mine eye did stretch its view,

  Usher’d the daylight, when thy wearied soul

  I mark’d him seated on the highest step,

  26

  The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory In visage such, as past my power to bear.

  I cast me, praying him for pity’s sake

  Grasp’d in his hand a naked sword, glanc’d back

  That he would open to me: but first fell

  The rays so toward me, that I oft in vain

  Thrice on my bosom prostrate. Seven times0

  My sight directed. “Speak from whence ye stand:”

  The letter, that denotes the inward stain,

  He cried: “What would ye? Where is your escort?

  He on my forehead with the blunted point

  Take heed your coming upward harm ye not.”

  Of his drawn sword inscrib’d. And “Look,” he cried,

  “A heavenly dame, not skilless of these things,”

  “When enter’d, that thou wash these scars away.”

  Replied the’ instructor, “told us, even now,

  Ashes, or earth ta’en dry out of the ground,

  ‘Pass that way: here the gate is.”—”And may she

  Were of one colour with the robe he wore.

  Befriending prosper your ascent,” resum’d

  From underneath that vestment forth he drew

  The courteous keeper of the gate: “Come then

  Two keys of metal twain: the one was gold,

  Before our steps.” We straightway thither came.

  Its fellow silver. With the pallid first,

  The lowest stair was marble white so smooth

  And next the burnish’d, he so ply’d the gate,

  And polish’d, that therein my mirror’d form

  As to content me well. “Whenever one

  Distinct I saw. The next of hue more dark

  Faileth of these, that in the keyhole straight

  Than sablest grain, a rough and singed block,

  It turn not, to this alley then expect

  Crack’d lengthwise and across. The third, that lay

  Access in vain.” Such were the words he spake.

  Massy above, seem’d porphyry, that flam’d

  “One is more precious: but the other needs

  Red as the life-blood spouting from a vein.

  Skill and sagacity, large share of each,

  On this God’s angel either foot sustain’d,

  Ere its good task to disengage the knot

  Upon the threshold seated, which appear’d

  Be worthily perform’d. From Peter these

  A rock of diamond. Up the trinal steps

  I hold, of him instructed, that I err

  My leader cheerily drew me. “Ask,” said he,

  Rather in opening than in keeping fast;

  “With humble heart, that he unbar the bolt.”

  So but the suppliant at my feet implore.”

  Piously at his holy feet devolv’d

  Then of that hallow’d gate he thrust the door, 27

  The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory Exclaiming, “Enter, but this warning hear:

  Flies and advances. “Here some little art

  He forth again departs who looks behind.”

  Behooves us,” said my leader, “that our steps

  As in the hinges of that sacred ward

  Observe the varying flexure of the path.”

  The swivels turn’d, sonorous metal strong,

  Thus we so slowly sped, that with cleft orb

  Harsh was the grating; nor so surlily

  The moon once more o’erhangs her wat’ry couch,

  Roar’d the Tarpeian, when by force bereft

  Ere we that strait have threaded. But when free

  Of good Metellus, thenceforth from his loss

  We came and open, where the mount above

  To leanness doom’d. Attentively I turn’d,

  One solid mass retires, I spent, with toil,

  List’ning the thunder, tha
t first issued forth;

  And both, uncertain of the way, we stood,

  And “We praise thee, O God,” methought I heard

  Upon a plain more lonesome, than the roads

  In accents blended with sweet melody.

  That traverse desert wilds. From whence the brink

  The strains came o’er mine ear, e’en as the sound

  Borders upon vacuity, to foot

  Of choral voices, that in solemn chant

  Of the steep bank, that rises still, the space

  With organ mingle, and, now high and clear,

  Had measur’d thrice the stature of a man:

  Come swelling, now float indistinct away.

  And, distant as mine eye could wing its flight,

  To leftward now and now to right dispatch’d,

  CANTO X

  That cornice equal in extent appear’d.

  Not yet our feet had on that summit mov’d,

  When we had passed the threshold of the gate

  When I discover’d that the bank around,

  (Which the soul’s ill affection doth disuse,

  Whose proud uprising all ascent denied,

  Making the crooked seem the straighter path),

  Was marble white, and so exactly wrought

  I heard its closing sound. Had mine eyes turn’d,

  With quaintest sculpture, that not there alone

  For that offence what plea might have avail’d?

  Had Polycletus, but e’en nature’s self

  We mounted up the riven rock, that wound

  Been sham’d. The angel who came down to earth

  On either side alternate, as the wave

  With tidings of the peace so many years

  28

  The Divine Comedy of Dante - Purgatory Wept for in vain, that op’d the heavenly gates

  Preceding the blest vessel, onward came

  From their long interdict) before us seem’d,

  With light dance leaping, girt in humble guise,

  In a sweet act, so sculptur’d to the life,

  Sweet Israel’s harper: in that hap he seem’d

  He look’d no silent image. One had sworn

  Less and yet more than kingly. Opposite,

  He had said, “Hail!” for she was imag’d there,

  At a great palace, from the lattice forth

  By whom the key did open to God’s love,

  Look’d Michol, like a lady full of scorn

  And in her act as sensibly impress

  And sorrow. To behold the tablet next,

  That word, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord,”

  Which at the hack of Michol whitely shone,

  As figure seal’d on wax. “Fix not thy mind

  I mov’d me. There was storied on the rock

  On one place only,” said the guide belov’d,

  The’ exalted glory of the Roman prince,