Classic Poem

CANTO II

The day was going, and the darkened air
Was taking from its toil each animal
That is on the earth; I only, alone there,
Essayed to arm my spirit against all
The terror of the journey and pity's plea,
Which memory, that errs not, shall recall.
O Muses, O high Genius, strengthen me!
O Memory, that what I saw hast writ,
Here shall be made known thine integrity.
I began: " Poet, who guidest now my feet,
Look if the virtue in me avail to endure
The arduous pass, ere thou trust me to it.
Thou sayest the father of Silvius went secure
In his corruptible body, and that world knew
Which Death knows not, of all his senses sure.
But if the Adversary of Sin that due
Of favour gave him, weighing the high effect
And who, and what, should be his great issue,
This seems not unmeet to man's intellect;
For he was born to father and prepare
Rome and her fostering rule, as one elect.
Both of these, the true history to declare,
Were the foundations of that sainted spot
Which is the seat of greatest Peter's heir.
By this adventure, whence thy praise he got,
He learned things that for him were argument
Of victory, and the Papal Mantle wrought.
Afterwards too the Chosen Vessel went
The confirmation of that faith to bring
Which is for way of our salvation sent.
But I, why go? By whose commissioning?
I am not Aeneas, no, nor Paul: too weak
I, and others also, deem me for this thing.
If I resign me, then, that world to seek,
I fear the quest prove folly and accurst.
Thou art wise and canst divine more than I speak. "
And like one who unwills whaThe willed first
And by new thoughts his former thoughts grow sick,
So that his resolution is dispersed,
So on that dim slope did my purpose stick,
For I with thinking had dulled down the zest
That at the starting sprang so prompt and quick.
" If rightly I read the trouble in thy breast, "
The shade of the Magnanimous replied,
" With cowardice thy spirit is oppressed,
Which oftentimes a man hath mortified,
So that it turns him back from noble deed,
As with false seeing a beast will start aside.
Now, that thy heart may from this fear be freed,
Hear why I came and what I heard, and where,
When first I felt the pity of thy need.
I was with those who are in suspense: and there
A Lady of so great beauty and blessedness,
I craved for her command, called me to her.
Her eyes so shone, the Morning Star shines less.
And she began to speak, gentle and low,
In the angel voice that did her soul express:
" O courteous Mantuan spirit, whom men fame so
That thy renown yet lasts, and till Time end
The motion of his hours, shall greater grow,
He that is my friend, but not fortune's friend,
Stands so bewildered on the desert moor
That from the way he shrinks, in terror penned.
Already I fear he may have erred so sore
That I have risen to succour him too late,
From what I have heard of him within Heaven's door.
Go now, and with thy poet's speech ornate
And what means else may rescue courage weak
Help him, and me deliver of this care's weight.
I am Beatrice who send thee, him to seek.
I come from that place for which now I sigh.
It was love moved me and made my lips to speak.
Often to thy praise will I testify
When I am come into my Lord's presence.
She then was silent; and I made reply:
" O Lady, who art the only virtue whence
Mankind may overpass what is contained
Within the heaven of least circumference,
So welcome is the bidding thou hast deigned,
That were it now done, it were done too slow.
It needs but that thy wish should be explained:
But tell me why into this core of woe
Thou shun'st not to descend, turning thy face
From the ample air, whither thou yearn'st to go?"
" Since thou," she answered, " so much of this case
Desirest knowledge, briefly shalt thou hear
Why I shrink not to come into this place.
Those things that have the power to wound and sear,
To them alone should due of dread be paid;
To the others not, they are not things to fear.
I am by God so, in his mercy, made,
I am not hurt by touching of your pain,
Nor in the scorch of this fire am I frayed.
There is a glorious Lady in heaven who hath ta'en
So great compassion on this soul distrest
That the hard law she hath chosen to restrain.
She called to her Lucy, and made request,
Saying, Now thy faithful one hath need of thee:
I entrust him to thee; and do thou the rest.
Lucy, the enemy of all cruelty,
Arose and came and stood within my gaze
There, where the ancient Rachel sat by me.
She spoke and said: Beatrice, God's true praise,
Why helpest thou not him, who loved thee so
That for thy sake he left the vile crowd's ways?
Hearest thou not the plaining of his woe?
Seist thou not what death would him undo
By that wild stream the sea may not o'ercrow? —
None in the world was ever swift to ensue
His good, or fly his hurt, as these my feet
At once, after those words were uttered few,
Hasted to come down from my blessed seat,
Confiding in thy speech, so nobly graced,
It honours both thee and those hearing it."
Having said this, her footsteps she retraced,
Turning from me her eyes that wept and shone;
At sight of which she made me more to haste.
Thus I came to thee, as she desired, and won
Thee from that ravening beast which would withhold
The short way to the Beauteous Mount begun.
What is it, then, keeps thee? Why, why haltest cold?
Why in thy heart nourishest fear so base?
Why art thou not delivered, eager, bold,
When three such blessed Ladies of their grace
Care in the court of Heaven for thy plight,
And my words promise thee such good to embrace?"
As little flowers, that by the chill of night
Are closed, prick up their stems drooping and bent,
And to the early ray re-open white,
So was it with my courage fallen and spent;
And I began, as one from bondage freed,
So good a warmth about my body went:
" O most compassionate She, who helps my need!
O courteous thou, who to that uttered word
Didst listen, and to its truth so swift give heed!
Thou makest me so eager in accord
With what thou say'st, and quickenest so my heart,
That to my first resolve I am restored.
Now it is one will moves us both; thou art
Guide, master, lord! " These words to him I said,
And then, perceiving thaThe made to start,
Began the desolate, arduous path to tread.