Now we had gain'd the summit of the stair,
Where for the second time recedes that hill,
Which from the pilgrim all his sins doth bear.
And here, as at the first, a cornice still
Encircles all the mountain; but I knew
Its are more quickly did the circuit fill.
No sign, or form of sculpture met my view;
But on the bank, and on the level way,
The stone was of a dull and livid hue.
" If here to ask the passengers we stay, "
The Poet reason'd thus, " I fear, perchance,
That all too long we may our choice delay. "
Then turn'd he to the sun a stedfast glance;
His right foot firm upon the ground he prest,
While circling round, his left he did advance,
And said: " O fairest Light, in whom I trust,
Lead thou us on, throughout this path unknown;
For here we have much need of guidance just.
Thy golden splendours on the world are thrown;
And if by lawful cause we are not stay'd,
Our steps should walk within thy rays alone. "
As far upon our way we now had sped,
As on this lower earth were call'd a mile,
Swiftly, because by ardent longing led;
And spirit voices, all unseen the while,
Came floating tow'rd us, on the viewless air,
Inviting us to feast on love's own smile.
The first who did the gentle message bear
" Vinum non habent " said; and aye this lay
Came from afar, in echoes sweet and clear.
Ere in the distance they had died away,
A voice " I am Orestes " said; and still
Pass'd on, nor longer did with us delay.
" O father, " then I said, " what voices fill
Mine ears? " and as I spake, a third drew nigh,
Crying: " Give love to him who does you ill. "
Then my good Master: " In this zone they lie
Who for the guilt of envy suffer pain:
Thus love, for them, the knotted scourge doth tie.
Far different is the curb that must restrain
The evil will; as thou shalt hear, ere we
Unto the pass of pardon can attain.
But look with stedfast gaze, and thou shalt see,
Before us, some who seated on the ground,
And ranged along the bank, all seem to be.
And then, with wond'ring eyes I look'd around,
And shadowy forms I saw, in mantles weird,
Of the dull colour of this stony bound.
When we were somewhat nearer, they appear'd
To cry: " O Mary, pray for us; " and then
To all the Saints their Litany we heard.
I think that none among the sons of men
Have hearts so hard, as, for those spirits' woe,
Who in this circle came within my ken,
To feel no pity. When I nearer saw
Their gestures, sorrowful compassion made
Tears from my eyes in floods to overflow.
They in vile garb of sackcloth were array'd,
And each upon the other's shoulder leant,
And on the stony bank they all were stay'd.
Even so the blind, whose every store is spent,
Sit begging near the churches, and beseech
For alms, their heads upon each other bent:
And thus, not only from their mournful speech,
Does pity wake in him who passes by;
Not less their looks have power his heart to reach.
And, as unto the blind the sunny sky
Brings no bright joy, those Shades I speak of now
Perceive no blessid radiance from on high;
For 'neath their brows, an iron thread did sew
The lids together, as a falcon's eyes
Ye close, when from his Master he would go.
Meseem'd, it here were in discourteous guise
To pass, when seeing, yet of them unseen;
Wherefore I turn'd me to my counsellor wise:
And well he knew what these my thoughts had been,
And thus he did not wait for my demand.
" Speak; but thy words must here be few, I ween, "
He said; and came to me, toward that hand
Where round the cornice no encircling wall
Between me and the precipice did stand.
Anear me, seated by the cliff, were all
The Shades, from whose fast-closid lids there ran
The mournful drops which o'er their cheeks did fall.
Then I toward them turn'd, and thus began:
" O ye, who have the certain hope, one day
To see the Light which gladly ye had won,
As ye would grace should quickly wash away
The guilt from out your conscience, so that clear
And bright may there descend the heavenly ray,
Speak, (for to me the knowledge were most dear,)
If ye be Shades of Latium: it were well,
Perchance, that I might know if such be here. "
" My brother, in a land that doth excel
We all have our true home; but thou wouldst say,
Who pilgrims erst in Italy did dwell. "
A little further onward in the way
Than where I stood, as of this voice I deem'd,
And to draw near to it I did essay.
Among the rest, I saw a Shade who seem'd
To wait; and wouldst thou ask me in what guise?
As one on whom the sun hath never beam'd.
" Spirit, " I said, " who for the hope to rise
Dost suffer pain, I pray thee not to hide
Thy name, or where thine earthly dwelling lies. "
" Sienna was my home, " the Shade replied;
" And, with the rest, I cleanse me from my blame,
Weeping to Him whose love is still our guide.
No sapience had I, although my name
Was Sapia; because another's tears
Even as a wish'd-for joy to me became:
And, lest thou think I would deceive thine ears,
Be all my folly unto thee reveal'd.
As I went down into the vale of years,
My citizens were met in Colli's field,
Against their enemies; then did I pray
To God for that which he indeed had will'd.
There in the battle was their proud array
Turn'd to the bitterness of flight: and now,
Within my heart surpassing gladness lay;
So great, that daringly I raised my brow
To Heaven, and said: " I fear thee never more;"
As doth the bird when winter sunbeams glow.
Though peace I sought with God ere life was o'er,
I had not yet had entrance to this place,
To purge away my guilt by penance sore,
If, in his prayers before the throne of grace,
Pietro Pettignano had forgot
His pity for my sad and evil case.
But who art thou who askest of our lot,
Walking among us with unclosid eyes,
And living breath, if I deceive me not? "
I said: " My lids, one day, shall on this wise
Be closed; yet little time it shall be so,
For seldom have they look'd in envious guise.
Far greater is the terror which doth grow
In thought within me of the torment dread,
That weighs upon the burden'd souls below. "
And she to me: " Who hath thee hither led,
If back thou goest to the world beneath? "
" He who is with me, and no word hath said, "
I answer'd; " still unknown to me is death:
Then speak, if thou wouldst that for thee I bring,
O chosen one, the prayers of living breath? "
" This is, in sooth, so new and strange a thing, "
She said, " it needs must be our Heavenly Sire
Doth hold thee in his love's o'ershadowing:
Therefore, by all that thou dost most desire,
I beg thy prayers. If to the Tuscan land
Thou goest, tell that heavenward I aspire.
Thou shalt behold my friends among the band
Who trust in Talamoni; hope more vain
Than e'en in seeking Dian's fount doth stand:
But they who rule the fleet shall have most loss and pain.