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yvcush.Juiy   I840.u^the  pantrv  of  thA  prts on.  formerly  the  rihof-ei  .     \ 

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VISION; 

TELL,  PURGATOKY,  AND  PARADISE 

OV 

DANTE  ALIGHIERL 

TRANILATBD  BT 

THE  REV.  HENRY  FRANCIS  GARY,  A.M 


WITH  THB  LIFS  OF  DANTK,  CHROMOLO01CAL  TIEW  Of 
HIS  A0B,  ADDITIONAL  N0TB8  AND  INDEX. 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  TWELVE  SNaRAVlHaS 
FAOM  DESIGNS  BY  JOHN  FLAXHAN.  R.  A. 

nU>M  THS  LAIT  CORRBOTBD  LONDON  BDlTIOir. 


NEW-YORK: 

D.  APPLETON  A  COMPAKY, 

846  ft  848  BROADWAY. 

ILDOOaux. 


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^    5>8b«i 


5'3ii^'*a. 


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PREFACE. 


In  the  years  1805  and  1806, 1  paUished  tht 
First  Part  of  the  following  Translation,  with  the 
Text  of  the  Original.  Since  that  period,  two 
impressions  of  the  whole  of  the  Dirina  Comme- 
dia,  in  Italian,  have  made  their  appearance  in 
this  country.  It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should 
add  a  third :  and  I  am  induced  to  hope  that  the 
J'oem,  even  in  the  present  version  of  it,  may  not 
be  without  interest  for  the  mere  English  reader. 

The  translation  of  the  Second  and  Third  PartSt 
"  The  Purgatory"  and  "  The  Paradise,"  was  be- 
gun long  before  the  First,  and  as  early  as  the 
year  1797;  but,  owing  to  inany  interruptions, 
not  concluded  till  the  summer  before  last.  On 
a  retrospect  of  the  time  and  exertions  that  have 
been  thus  employed,  I  dd  not  regard  those  hours 
as  the  least  happy  of  my  life,  during  which  (to 
use  the  eloquent  language  of  Mr.  Coleridge) 
^my  individual  recollections  have  been  fob* 
pended,  and  lulled  to  sleep  amid  the  music  of 
nobler  thoughts ;"  nor  that  study  misapplied, 
which  has  familiarized  me  with  one  of  the  sub- 
limest  efforts  of  the  human  invention. 

To  those  who  shall  be  at  the  trouble  of  exam^ 
ining  into  the  degree  of  accuracy  with  which 
the.  task  has  been  executed,  I  may  be  allowed 
to  suggest,  that  their  judgment  idiould  not  be 
fiumed  on  a  comparison  with  any  single  text 


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4  PREFACE 

of  my  Author ;  since,  in  more  instances  than  I 
have  noticed,  I  have  had  to  make  my  choice 
out  of  a  Tariety  of  readings  and  interpretations 
presented  by  different  editions  and  commenta- 
tors. 

In  one  or  two  of  those  editions  is  to  be  fonnd 
the  title  of  "  The  Vision ;"  which  I  hare  ad5i>t- 
ed,  as  more  conformable  to  the  genius  of  oux 
language  than  that  of  "  The  Diyine  Comedy." 
Dante  himself,!  belieye,  termed  it  simply  '*  The 
Comedy ;"  in  the  first  place,  because  the  style 
was  of  the  middle  kind ;  and  in  the  next,  be- 
cause the  story  (if  story  it  may  be  called)  ends 
happily. 

January^  1814. 


The  above  Advertisement  was  prefixed  t»  an 
edition  of  the  following  Translation,  printed  in 
so  small  a  character  as  to  deter  a  numerous 
class  of  readers  from  perusing  it.  Among  the 
few  into  whose  hands  it  fell,  about  two  years 
ago,  Mr.  Coleridge  became  one ;  and  I  have 
both  a  pride  and  a  pleasure  in  acknowledging 
that  it  has  been  chiefly  owing  to  the  prompt  and 
strenuous  exertions  of  that  Gentleman  in  rec- 
ommending the  book  to  public  notice,  that  the 
opportunity  has  been  afforded  me  of  sending  it 
forth  in  its  present  form. 

Jvly,  1819. 


When  a  Third  Edition  was  called  for  in  1831, 
my  duties  as  an  Assistant  Librarian  in  the  Brit- 
ii^  Museum  were  such  as  to  prevent  me  from 
engaging  in  any  task  that  would  have  required 
an  increase  of  sedentary  labor.     I  was  thus 


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PRE]?  ACE.  5 

hindered  not  only  from  attending  to  the  scou- 
racy  of  the  press,  (which  indeed  the  care  of 
my  Publisher  rendered  almost  mmecessary,)  but 
from  collecting  and  putting  in  order  the  soTeral 
corrections  and  additions,  which  I  had  occasion- 
ally noted  with  the  purpose  of  introducbg  them 
into  that  edition. 

A  long  interval  of  leisure  may  since  have 
enabled  me  to  do  more  effectually  what  I  ^vas 
before  compelled  to  leave  undone.  In  the  hope 
of  rendering  the  Life  of  Dante  and  the  Notes  on 
the  Poem  less  imperfect,  I  have  consulted  most 
of  the  writers  by  whom  my  Author  has  been 
recently  illustrated.  Wherever  an  omission  or 
an  error  in  the  tianslation  has  been  pointed  out 
to  me,  I  have  done  my  best  to  supply  the  ouh 
and  to  correct  the  other ;  and  my  obligations  in 
all  these  instances  are  acknowledged  in  the 
Notes.  Among  those  who  have  not  thoaght  a 
few  hours  thrown  away  in  noticing  such  over- 
sights, it  is  gratifying  to  me  to  mention  the 
names  of  Mr.  Carlyle,  one  of  the  most  origi 
nal  thinkers  of  our  time  ;  my  long-experienced 
fiiend,  Mr.  Darley,  one  of  our  most  genuine 
poets;  and  Mr.  Lyell,  my  respected  fellow- 
laborer  in  the  mine  of  Dante.  At  an  advanced 
age,  I  do  not  imagine  myself  capable  of  other- 
wise improving  an  attempt  which,  however  de- 
fective, has  at  least  the  advantage  of  having  had 
my  earlier  days  bestowed  on  it. 

February^  1844. 


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CONTENTS 


riei 

PREFACE > 

LIFE  OF  DANTE • 

CBRONOLCXJICAL  VIEW  OF  TIIK  AGE  OF 

DANTE 44 

THE  VISION  OF  DANTE : 

Hkll,  Canto  l—XXXIV i\ 

PUKGATORT,  CaIITO  I— XXXIII M 

Paradbb,  Caxto  I— XXXin 4M 

MiifiF     : sn 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE, 


Dante,^  a  name  al>breyiated,  as  was  the  ouilaai 
In  those  days,  firom  Durante  or  Durando,  was  of  a 
very  ancient  Florentine  family.  The  first  of  his 
ancestors,'  concerning  whom  any  thin^  certam  is 
known,  was  Cacciagoida,'  a  Florentine  knight,  who 
died  fightmg  in  the  holy  war,  under  the  Emperor 
Conrad  III.  Cacciaguida  had  two  brothers,  Moronto 
and  Eliseo,  the  former  of  whom  is  not  jrecorded  to 
have  left  any  posterity ;  the  latter  is  the  head  of 
the  family  of  the  Eiisei,  or  perhaps  (for  it  is  doubt- 
ful which  is  the  case)  only  transmitted'  to  his  de- 
scendants a  name  which  he  had  himself  inherited. 
From  Cacciaguida  himself  were  sprung  the  Ali- 
ghieri,  so  called  firom  one  of  his  sons,  who  bore  the 
appellation  firom  his  mother's  fisunily,^  as  is  affirmed 
by  the  Poet  himself,  under  the  person  of  Cacda- 


>  A  note  by  Salvinl,  on  Mantori  della  Ferf.  Pees.  Ital.,  lib 
m.cap.a  ' 

*  Leonardo  Aretino,  Vita  di  Dante. 

*  Far.  XV.  He  was  born,  as  most  have  supposed,  in  1106^ 
and  died  about  1147.  Bat  Lombardi  compntes  liis  birth  to 
have  happened  about  1090.  See  note  t)  Par.  zri.  31.  For 
wtutt  is  known  of  Us  descendants  till  the  birth  of  Dante,  see 
note  to  Par.  xv.  86. 

«  Vellutello,  Vita  di  Dante.  There  is  reason  to  suppose 
that  she  was  the  daughter  of  Aldigerio,  who  was  a  lawyer  of 
Verona,  and  brother  of  one  of  the  same  name,  bishop  of  that 
city,  and  aath<«  of  an  epistle  addressed  to  his  mother,  a  reli- 
idons  recluse,  with  the  title  of  Tractatos  Adalgerl  Epise.  nd 
Roeuvidam  reclausam  (or,  ad  Orismundam  matrem  inelusam) 
de  Rebus  moralibas  SeeCanceilieriOsservaziooi  fcc  BomSi 
1818,  r- 119- 


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10  LIFE  OT  DANTE. 

guidft,  in  the  fifteenth  canto  of  the  Paradise.  Thii 
name,  Aligtiieri,  is  derived  from  the  coat  of  anns,' 
a  wing  or,  on  a  field  azure,  still  borne  by  the  de- 
scendants of  our  Poet  at  Verona,  in  the  days  of 
Leonardo  Aretino. 

Dante  was  bom  at  Florence  in  May,  1265.  His 
mother's  name  was  Bella,  but  of  what  family  is  no 
longer  known.  His  father"  he  had  the  misfortune 
to  lose  in  his  chUdhood ;  but  by  the  advice  of  his 
surviving  relations,  and  with  the  assistance  of  an 
able  preceptor,  Brunette  Latini,  he  applied  himself 
closely  to  poKte  literature  and  other  liberal  studies, 
at  the  same  time  that  he  omitted  no  pursuit  neces- 
sary for  the  accomplishment  of  a  manly  character, 
and  mixed  with  the  youth  of  his  age  in  fdl  honorable 
and  noble  exercises. 

In  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  he  was 
present  at  the  memorable  battle  of  Campaldino,* 
where  he  served  in  the  foremost  tnx^  of  cavalry, 
and  was  exposed  to  inmiinent  danger.  Xiconardo 
Aretino  refers  to  a  'letter  of  Dante,  in  which  he 
described  the  order  of  that  battle,  and  mentioned 
his  having  been  engaged  in  it  The  cavalry  of  the 
Aretini  at  the  first  onset  gained  so  great  an  advan- 
tage over  the  Florentine  horse,  as  to  compel  them 
to  retreat  to  their  body  of  infantry.  This  circum- 
stance m  the  event  proved  highly  fortunate  to  the 
Florentines ;  for  their  own  cavalry  being  thus  joined 
to  their  foot,  while  that  of  their  enemies  was  led 
by  the  pursuit  to  a  considerable  distance  from  theirs, 
they  were  by  theso  means  enabled  to  defeat  with 
ease  their  separate  forces.  In  this  battle,  the  Uber- 
ti,  Lamberti,  and  Abati,  with  all  the  other  ex- 
citizens  of  Florence  who  adhered  to  the  Ghibel« 


■  Pelll  describes  the  arms  diflferently.  Memorie  per  la  Vita 
di  Dante.  Opere  dl  Dante.  Ediz.  Zatta,  1758.  torn.  iv.  part, 
tt.  p.  16.  The  male  line  ended  in  Pletro,  the  sixth  in  descent 
from  oar  Poet,  and  fitther  of  Ginevra.  married  in  1548  to  the 
Conte  Marcantonio  8arego«  of  Verona.    PeUi,  p.  19. 

s  His  fkther  AUghiero  had  been  before  married  to  Lapa, 
daughter  of  Chiarissimo  Cialnffi ;  and  by  her  had  a  son 
named  Francesco,  who  left  two  daughters,  and  a  son,  whom 
he  named  Durante  aftn  his  bn)ther.  Francesco  appears  to 
Jiare  been  mistaken  for  a  son  of  our  Poet^s.  Boccaccio  men- 
tions also  a  sister  of  Dante,  who  was  married  to  Poggi.  and 
was  the  mother  of  Andrea  Poggi,  Boccaccio*s  intimate.  PeUi, 
p.  917. 

*  G.  VUlaoi  describes  this  engagement,  lib.  viL  csfk  330. 


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LIFE  OF  DAI9T&.  1| 

fine'  interest,  were  with  the  Aretini ;  while  thoe^ 
inhahitaiits  of  Arezzo,  who,  owing  to  their  attach* 
•  ment  to  the  Gueiph'  party  had  been  banished  from 
their  own  city,  were  ranged  on  the  nde  of  the 
.  Florentines.  In  the  foUowmg  year,  Dante  took 
part  in  another  engagement  iMtween  his  comitry- 
inen  and  the  citizens  of  Pisa,  from  whom  they  took 
the  castle  of  Caprona,'  situated  not  far  from  that 
city. 

From  what  the  Poet  has  told  us  m  his  Tteatise, 
entitled  the  Vita  Nnova,  we  learn  that  he  was  a 
lover  long  before  he  was  a  soldier,  and  that  his  pas* 
sion  for  the  Beatrice  whom  he  has  immortalized, 
commenced*  when  she  was  at  the  becrmning  and  he 
near  the  end  of  his  ninth  year.  Their  firrt  meeting 
was  at  a  banquet  in  the  house  of  Folco  Portinaii, 
her  father;  and  the  impression  then  made  on  the 
susceptible  and  constant  heart  of  Dante  was  not 
obliterated  by  her  death,  which  happened  after  an 
interval  of  sixteen  years. 

But  neither  war,  nor  love,  prevented  Dante  from 
gratifying  the  earnest  desire  which  he  had  of  know- 
ledge and  mental  improvement  By  Benvenuto 
da  Imola,  one  of  the  earliest  of  his  commentators, 
it  is  related,  that  he  studied  m  his  youth  at  the 
universities  of  Bologna  and  Padua,  as  well  as  m 
that  of  his  native  city,  and  devoted  hunself  to  the 
pursuit  of  natural  and  moral  philosophy.  There  is 
reason  to  believe  that  his  eagerness  for  the  acqui- 
sition of  learning,  at  some  time  of  his  life,  led  him 
as  far  as  Paris,  and  even  Oxford  ;*  in  the  former 


1  Tot  the  supposed  origin  of  these  denomhuttions,  see  note 
to  Par.  vi.  107. 

«  Hell,  xxi.  92. 

s  See  also  the  beginning  of  the  Vita  Nnova. 

*  Folco  di  Ricovero  Portlnari  was  the  founder  of  the  hos 
pital  ofS.  Maria  Nnova,  in  1380,  and  of  other  charitable  insti- 
tntions,  and  died  in  1389,  as  appeared  from  his  epitaph.  PeUi^ 
p.S5. 

B  Giovanni  Yillani,  who  was  his  contemporary,  and,  as 
Yiilani  himself  says,  his  neighbor  in  Florence,  Informs  as, 
that  **  he  went  to  stndy  at  Bologna,  and  then  to  Paris,  and  to 
many  ^trts  of  the  world,**  (an  exj^esslon  that  may  well  In 
clnde  England,)  **  subsequently  to  his  banishment.**  Hi»t^ 
lib.  ix.  cap.  135.  Indeed,  as  we  shall  see,  it  is  uncertain 
whether  he  might  not  have  been  more  than  once  a  student 
at  Paris. 

Bat  the  fitct  of  his  ha^ng  visited  England  rests  on  a  i 
sage  aUndlng  to  it  in  the  Latin  poems  of  Boccaodo^a 


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19  LIFE  Of  DANTE. 

of  wfaicfa  umveraities  ho  is  iaid  to  have  takea  tlM 
degree  of  a  Bachelor,  and  distingoiahed  himself 
in  the  theological  deputations ;  but  to  have  been 
hindered  from  commencing  Master,  by  a  failure  in 
his  pecuniary  resources.  Francesco  da  Buti,  an- 
other of  his  commentators  in  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury, asserts  that  he  entered  the  order  of  the  Frati 
Minori,  but  laid  aside  the  habit  before  he  was  pro- 
fessed. 

In  his  own  city,  domestic  troubles,  and  yet  more 
serere  public  calamities,  awaited  him.  In  1291, 
he  was  induced,  by  the  solicitation  of  his  friends, 
to  console  himself  for  the  loss  of  Beatrice  by  a 
matrimonial  connection  with  Gemma,  a  lady  of 


the  authority  of  Giovanni  da  Serravalle,  Bishop  of  Fermo, 
who,  as  Tiraboschi  observes,  though  he  lived  at  the  distance 
of  a  century  from  Dante,  might  have  known  those  who  were 
contemporaries  with  him.  This  writer,  in  an  inedited  com 
mentary  on  the  Commedia,  written  while  he  was  attending 
the  council  of  Constance,  says  of  our  Poet :  "  Anagorice  dl- 
iexit  theologiam  sacram,  in  quft  din  studuit  tam  in  Oxoniis 
in  regno  Angliae,  quam  Parisils  in  regno  Francis,'*  Ace.  And 
again:  "Dantes  se  in  Juventnte  dedit  omnibus  artibus  libe- 
raiibns,  studens  eas  Paduae,  Bononis,  demum  Oxoniis  et 
Farisiis,  ubi  fecit  multos  actus  mirabiles,  infantum  quod  ab 
aiiquibus  dicebattir  magnus  phitosophus,  ab  aiiqnibus  mag 
nus  Theologus,  ab  aiiquibus  magnus  poeta."  Tiraboseki 
Star.  deUa  Poes,  Ital^  voi.  ii.  cap.  iv.  p.  14,  as  extracted  from 
Tiraboschi^s  great  work  by  Mathias,  and  edited  by  ^t  gen- 
tleman.   Lond.  1803. 

The  bishop  translated  the  poem  itself  into  Latin  prose,  at 
the  instance  of  Cardinal  Amedeo  di  Saluzzo,and  of  two  Eng- 
lish bishops,  Nicholas  Bubwith,  of  Bath,  and  Robert  Halam, 
of  Salisbury,  who  attended  the  same  council.  One  copy  only 
of  the  version  and  commentary  is  known  to  be  in^served, 
and  that  is  in  the  Vatican.  I  would  suggest  the  probability 
of  others  existing  in  this  country.    StilUngfleet,  in  the  Ori- 

gnes  Sacne,  twice  quotes  passages  from  the  Paradise,  "  ren- 
sred  into  Latin,"  (and  it  is  Latin  prose,)  as  that  learned  bishop 
says,  *'  by  F.  S.**  Orig.  Sacr^  b.  ii.  chap.  ix.  sect  xviii.  $  4, 
and  chap.  x.  sect  v.  Edit  Cambridge,  1701.  See  notes  to 
Par.  xxiv.  86  and  104.  This  work  was  begun  in  Febmary, 
1410,  and  finished  in  the  same  month  of  the  following  year. 

The  word  **  anagorice,"  (into  which  the  Italians  altered 
**anagogice,")  which  occurs  in  the  former  of  the  above  ex- 
tiacts,  is  explained  by  Dante  In  the  Convito.  Open  di  DanU, 
torn.  L  p.  43.  Ediz.  Venes.  1793 ;  and  more  briefly  by  field. 
Of  the  Church,  b.  Ui.  cap.  26.  ''The  Anagogicall'*  sense  is, 
"when  the  things  literally  expressed  unto  us  do  signifie 
■omething  in  the  state  of  heaven's  hapitiness.**  It  was  used 
by  the  Greek  Fathers  to  signify  merely  a  more  recondite 
sense  in  a  text  of  Scripture  than  chat  which  the  plain  woide 
oOenA:   8oe  Origen  in  Booth's  Beliquis  Bacm,  vol.  Iv.  p. 


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LIFE  OK  DANT^  IJ 

Che  noble  famfly  c£  the  Doni^,  by  whom  he  had 
a  numerooe  o&pnng.  Bat  the  yiolence  of  hei 
temper  proved  a  source  of  the  bitterest  suflfering  t« 
him ;  and  in  that  passage  (rf  the  Inferno,  where  (me 
of  the  characters  says/ 

La  fiera  nu^He  plu  ch*  altro,  ml  iraoee. 

—  me,  my  wife 
Of  sava^  temper,  more  than  aught  beside. 
Hath  to  this  eyil  brought, 

bis  own  conjugal  unhappiness  must  have  recurred 
forcibly  and  painfully  to  his  mind.'  It  is  not  im« 
probaUe  that  political  animosity  might  have  had 
some  share  in  these  dissensions;  for  his  wife  was 
a  kinswoman  of  Corso  Donati,  one  of  the  most  formi- 
dable, as  he  was  one  of  the  most  inreterate  of  his 
opponents. 

In  1300  he  was  chosen  chief  of  the  Prion,  who 
at  that  tune  possessed  the  supreme  authority  in  the 
state;  his  colleagues  being  Falmieri  degii  Altoviti 
and  Neri  di  Jacopo  degii  Aiberti.  From  this  exalta- 
tion our  poet  dated  the  cause  of  all  his  subsequent 
misfortunes  in  life.^ 

In  order  to  show  jthe  occasion  of  Dante's  exile,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  enter  moro  particularly  into 
the  state  of  parties  at  Florence.  The  city,  which 
had  been  disturbed  by  many  divisions  between  the 
Guelphs  and  Ghibellines,  at  length  remained  in 
the  power  of  the  former ;  but  after  some  time  these 
were  again  split  into  two  factions.  This  perverse 
occurrence  originated  with  the  inhabitants  of  Pis- 
toia,  who,  from  an  unhappy  quarrel  between  two 
powerful  families  m  that  city,  were  all  separated 
into  parties  known  by  those  denommations.  With 
the  intention  <^  compomng  their  differences,  the 
>rincipals  on  each  side  were  summoned  to  the  city 


>  Yet  M.  Artand,  in  his  *«HUtoire  de  Dante,"  (6vo.  Paris, 
1841,  p.  85,)  represents  Gemma  as  a  tender,  faithml,  and  af- 
fiectiooate  wife.  I  certainly  do  not  find  any  menti<m  of  ha 
onbappy  temper  in  the  early  biographers.  Begard  for  her  or 
for  her  children  might  have  restrained  tliem.  But  in  the  next 
century,  Landino,  though  commending  her  good  qualities, 
does  not  st^uple  to  assert  tliat  in  this  respect  she  was  more 
than  a  Xanth^pe. 

*  I^ecmardo  Aretino.  A  late  biccrapher,  on  the  authority 
of  M^rclilonne  Stefkni,  assigns  difierent  colleagues  to  Dante 
la  his  office  of  PriiY.  See  Balbo.  Vita  di  Dante,  vol.  i.  p^  91A 
Bdis.Torin.1839. 


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14  LIFE  OF  DAJXTE. 

of  Florence ;  but  this  measure,  instead  of  remedyfng 
the  evil,  only  contributed  to  increase  its  yirulence, 
by  communicating  it  to  the  citizens  of  Florence 
themselves.  For  the  contendmg  parties  were  so 
far  from  being  brought  to  a  reconciliation,  that  each 
contrived  to  gain  fresh  partisans  among  the  Floreu" 
tines,  with  whom  many  of  them  were  closely  con- 
nected by  the  ties  of  Uood  and  friendship ;  and  who 
entered  into  the  dispute  with  such  acrimony  and 
eagerness,  that  the  whole  city  was  soon  engaged 
either  on  one  part  or  the  other,  and  even  brothers 
of  the  same  family  were  divided.  It  was  not  long 
before  they  passed,  by  the  usual  gradations,  from 
contumely  to  violence.  The  factions  were  now 
known  by  the  names  of  the  Neri  and  the  Bianchi, 
the  former  generally  siding  with  the  Guelphs,  or 
adherents  of  the  papal  power,  the  latter  with  the 
Ghibellines,  or  those  who  supported  the  authority  of 
the  emperor.  The  Neri  assembled  secretly  in  the 
church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  determined  on  in- 
terceding with  Pope  Boniface  VIII.  to  send  Charles 
of  Valois  to  pacify  and  reform  the  city.  No  sooner 
did  this  resolution  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
Bianchi,  than,  struck  with  apprehension  at  the  con- 
sequences of  such  a  measure,  they  took  arms,  and 
repau*ed  to  the  Priors;  demandmg«  of  them  the 
punishment  of  their  adversaries,  for  having  thus 
entered  .into  private  deliberations  concerning  the 
state,  which  they  represented  to  have  been  dono 
with  the  view  of  expelling  them  from  the  city 
Those  who  had  met,  bemg  alarmed  in  their  turn, 
had  also  recourse  to  arms,  and  made  theu:  complaints 
to  the  Priors.  Accusing  then:  opponents  of  having 
armed  themselves  without  any  previous  public  dis- 
cussion ;  and  affirming  that,  under  various  pretexts, 
they  had  sought  to  dnve  them  out  of  their  country, 
they  demanded  that  they  might  be  punished  as  dis- 
turbers of  the  public  tranquillity.  The  dread  and 
danger  became  general,  when,  by  the  advice  of 
Dante,  the  Priors  called  in  the  multitude  to  their 

Ctection  and  assistance ;  and  then  proceeded  to 
lish  the  principals  of  the  two  factions,  who  were 
these:  Coiso  Donati,^  Geri  Spini,  Giachonotto  de' 
Pazzi,  Rosso  della  Tosa,  and  others  of  the  Nera 


I  or  tiiig  ramarkaUe  man,  see  move  in  the  Pnrg.  xxIt. 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  15 

MTty,  who  were  exiled  to  the  Casteho  delle  Piev« 
A  Parngia;  and  of  the  Bianca  party»  who  were 
bauished  to  Serrazana,  Gentile  and  TQmg;iano  de' 
Cerchi,  Gnido  Cayalcanti>*  Baschiera  deUa  Toea, 
Baltlinaccio  Adimari,  Naldo,  son  of  Lottino  Ghe- 
rardini,  and  others.  On  this  occasion  Dante  was 
accused  of  favoring  the  Bianchi,  though  he  ap- 
peals to  haye  conducted  himself  with  impartiality ; 
and  the  deliberation  held  by  the  Neri  for  intro- 
ducing Charles  of  Valois'  might,  periiaps,  haye  jus- 
tified him  in  treatmg  that  party  with  yet  greater 
rigor.  The  suspicion  against  lum  was  increased, 
when  those,  whom  he  was  accused  of  favoring,  were 
soon  after  allowed  to  return  from  their  banishment, 
while  the  sentence  passed  upon  the  other  faction 
still  remained  in  full  force.  To  this  Dante  replied, 
that  when  those  who  had  been  sent  to  Serrazana 
were  recalled,  he  was  no  longer  in  office ;  and  that 
their  return  had  been  permitted  on  account  of  the 
death  of  Guide  Cavalcanti,  which  was  attributed  to 
the  unwholesome  aur  of  that  place.  The  partiality 
which  had  been  shown,  however,  affi>rded  a  pretext 
to  the  Pope'  for  dispatching  Charies  of  Valois  to 
Florence,  by  whose  influence  a  great  reverse  was 
soon  produced  m'the  public  affairs ;  the  ex-citizens 
being  restored  to  their  place,  and  the  whole  of  the 
Bianca  party  driven  into  exile.  At  this  juncture, 
Daute  was  not  in  Florence,  but  at  Rome,  whither 
he  had  a  short  time  before  been  sent  ambassador  to 
the  Pope,  with  the  offer  of  a  voluntary  return  to 
peace  and  amity  among  the  citizens.  His  enemies 
had  now  an  opportunity  of  revenge,  and  during  his 
absence  on  this  pacific  missicm,  proceeded  to  pass  an 
iniquitous  decree  of  banishment  against  him  and 
Palmieri  Altoviti ;  and  at  the  same  time  confiscated 
his  possessions,  which  indeed  had  been  previously 
given  up  to  pillage.^ 


>  See  notes  to  He\l,  x.  59,  and  Pnrg.  zL  96. 

•  See  Pnrg.  xx.  69. 

s  Bonifiice  Vin.  had  before  sent  the  Cardinal  Matteo  d*Ae- 
qnasparta  to  Florence,  with  the  view  of  supporting  his  ow« 
adherents  In  that  city.  The  cardinal  is  supposed  to  lie  al- 
luded to  in  the  Paradise,  xii.  115. 

*  On  the  27th  of  January,  1302,  he  was  mulcted  8000  lire, 
and  condemned  to  two  years'  banishment ;  and  in  case  the 
fine  was  not  iiaid,  his  goods  were  to  be  confiscf^ed.  On  ^the 
16th  of  March,  the  same  y^,  he  was  sentenced  to  a  pmnish- 
Beat  due  only  to  the  most  desperate  of  maleikctocs.   The 


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16  LIFE  GF  DANTE 

On  hearing  the  ti^gs  of  his  ruin,  Dan^  m« 
fltantly  quitted  Rome,  and  passed  with  all  poesible 
expedition  to  Sienna.  Here  bein^  more  fully  ap* 
prized  of  the  extent  of  the  calamity,  for  which  hs 
could  see  no  remedy,  he  came  to  the  desperate 
resolution  of  joining  hunself  to  the  other  exiles. 
His  first  meeting  with  them  was  at  ft  consultation 
which  they  had  at  Gor^onza,  a  small  castle  subject 
to  the  jurisdiction  of  Arezzo,  in  which  city  it  was 
finally,  after  a  long  deliberation,  resolved  that  they 
should  take  up  their  station.*    Hither  they  accord- 


decree,  that  Dante  and  his  associates  in  exile  should  be 
burned,  if  they  fell  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  was  first 
discovered  in  1772,  by  the  Conte  Lodovico  Savioli.  See  H- 
raboschi,  where  the  document  is  given  at  iength. 

I  At  Arezzo  It  was  his  fortune,  in  1303,  to  meet  with 
Busone  da  Giibbia,  who  two  years  before  had  been  expelied 
fh>m  his  country  as  a  Ghibelline,  in  about  the  twentieth  year 
of  his  age.  Busone,  himself  a  cultivator  of  the  Italian  poetry, 
here  contracted  a  friendship  with  Dante,  which  was  after- 
wards cemented  by  the  reception  afforded  him  under  Busone*s 
roof  during  a  part  of  his  exile.  He  was  of  the  ancient  and 
noble  family  of  the  Rafaelll  of  Gubbio^  and  to  his  banish- 
ment owed  the  honorable  offices  which  he  held  of  govemoi 
of  Arezzo  in  1316  and  1317;  of  governor  of  Viterbo  in  the 
latter  of  these  years ;  then  of  captain  of  Pisa ;  of  deputy  to 
the  Emperor  in  1337 ;  and  finally  of  Roman  senator  in  1337. 
He  died  probably  about  1350.  The  historian  of  Italian  litera- 
ture speaks  slightly  of  his  poetical  productions,  consisting 
chiefly  of  comments  on  the  Divina  Commedia,  which  were 
written  in  terza  rima.  They  have  been  published  by  Sig. 
Francesco  Maria  Rafiielli,  who  has  collected  all  the  informa- 
tion that  could  be  obtained  rcspecUng  them.  DelieuB  ErutU- 
for,  V.  xvil.  He  wrote  also  a  romance,  entitled  L^Jlvventuroso 
CieUianOy  which  has  never  been  printed.  THraboBchi^  Star, 
delta  Poe».  Ital.,  v.  ii.  p.  56.  In  AUaccl's  Collection,  Ediz.  Nar 
poll.  1661,  p.  112,  is  a  sonnet  by  Busone,  on  the  death  of  a  lady 
and  of  Dante,  which  concludes, 

Ma  i  mi  conforto  ch'  to  credo  che  Deo 
Dante  abbia  posto  in  glorioso  scanno. 

At  the  end  of  the  Divina  Commedia,  in  No.  3581  of  the 
Harleian  MSS  in  the  British  Museum,  are  four  poems.  The 
first,  beginnmg, 

O  voi  che  siete  nel  verace  Inme, 

is  attributed,  as  Vfoal,  to  Jacopo  Dante.  The  second,  which 
begins, 

Ado  thn  sia  piu  frutto  e  piu  diletto 
A  qu  )i  che  si  diiettan  di  sapere 
DeU  alta  comedia  vero  inteiletto, 

and  proceeds  with  a  brief  explanation  of  the  principal 
of  the  poem,  is  here  attributed  to  Messer  Busone  d*Ar 
B  is  also,  inserted  in  Nos  3450  and  3460  of  the  same 


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UTE  OF  DANTE.  17 

ngly  repaired  in  a  numeronB  body,  made  the  CSooni 
Alessandro  da  Romena  their  leader,  and  af^inted 
a  council  of  twelve,  of  winch  nomber  Dante  waa 
one.  In  the  year  1304,  having  been  joined  by  • 
very  strong  force,  which  was  not  only  furnished 
them  by  Arezzo,  but  sent  from  Bologna  and  Pistoia, 
they  made  a  sudden  attack  on  the  city  of  Florence, 
gained  possession  of  one  of  the  gates,  and  conquered 
part  of  the  territory,  but  were  finally  compelled  t* 
retreat  without  retaining  any  of  the  advantages  they 
had  acquired. 

Disappointed  m  this  attempt  to  remstate  himself 
in  his  coun\ry,  Dante  quitted  Arezzo ;  and  his  course 
is,^  for  the  most  part,  afterwards  to  be  traced  <m]y 
by  notices,  casually  dropped  in  his  own  writings, 
or  discovered  in  documents,  which  either  chance  or 
the  zeal  of  antiquaries  may  have  broii|fat  to  light 
From  an  instiiraent'  in  the  possession  of  the  Marchesi 
Fapafavi,  of  Padua,  it  has  been  ascertained  that, 
in  1306,  he  was  at  that  city  and  with  that  family. 
Shnilar  proof  exists  of  his  having  been  present  in 
the  following  year  at  a  congress  of  the  Ghibellines 
and  the  Bianchi,  held  m  the  sacristy  of  the  church 
belonging  to  the  abbey  of  S.  Gaudenzio  in  Mu- 
gello;  and  from  a  passage  in  the  Purgatory^  we 
collect,  that  before  the  expiration  of  1307  he  had 
found  a  refuge  in  Lunigiana,  with  the  Marchese 


and  I  have  had  occasion  to  refer  to  it  in  the  notes  to  Parg. 
sxix.  140.  The  third  is  a  sonnet  by  Cino  da  Pistoia  to  Ba- 
8one ;  and  the  ibnrth,  Basone*s  answer.  Since  this  note  was 
written,  Bosone's  Romance,  above  mentioned,  has  been  edit- 
ed at  Florence  in  the  year  1832,  by  the  late  Doctor  Nott. 

1  A  late  writer  has  attempted  a  recital  of  his  wanderings. 
For  this  purpose,  he  assigns  certain  arbitrary  dates  to  the 
completion  of  the  several  parts  of  the  Divina  Commedia ;  and 
selecting  from  each  what  lie  supposes  to  be  reminiscences  of 
particular  places  visited  by  Dante,  together  with  allusions  to 
events  then  passing,  contrives,  by  the  help  of  some  question- 
able doctunents,  to  weave  out  of  the  whole  a  continued 
narrative,  which,  though  it  may  pass  for  current  with  tlie 
unwary  reader,  will  not  satisfy  a  more  diligent  inquirer  after 
the  truth.  See  Troya*8  Veltro  Allegorico  di  Dante.  Flo- 
lence,  1826. 

*  Millesimo  trecentesimo  sexto,  die  vigesimo  septlmo  men- 
sis  Augusti,  Padue  in  contrata  Sancti  Martini  in  domo  Domino 
Amate  Domini  Papafave,  prcesentibus  Dantino  quondam  Al- 
Ugerii  de  Florentia  et  nunc  stat  Padue  in  contrata  Sanetl 
Laurentii,  ^.    Pe^/t,  p.83. 

*  Pelll,  p.  85,  where  the  document  is  given 

*  Ctoto  viU.  133. 


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16  LIFE  OF  DAKTE. 

Morello  or  Mai  cello  Malaspina,  who,  thoagh  ibr 
roerly  a  supporter'  of  the  opposite  party,  was  iioii 
magnanimous  enough  to  welcome  a.  noble  enemy  in 
his  misfortmifi. 

The  time  at  which  he  sought  an  asylum  at  Ve- 
rona, under  the  hospitable  roof  of  the  Signori  della 
Scala,  is  less  distinctly  marked.  It  would  seem  as 
if  those  yerses  in  the  Paradise,  where  the  shade  of 
his  ancestor  declares  to  him, 

Lo  primo  tao  riftig^o  e*l  prime  ostello 
Sara  la  cortesia  del  gran  Lombardo, 
Firsts  reftige  thou  most  find,  first  place  of  mat 
In  the  great  Lombard's  courtesy, 

should  not  be  interpreted  too  strictly :  but  whether 
he  experienced  that  courtesy  at  a  very  early  period 
€i  his  banishment,  or,  as  others  have  imagined,  not 
till  1308,  wllen  he  had  quitted  the  Marchese  Mo- 
rello, it  is  believed  that  he  left  Verona  in  disgust  at 
the  flippant  levity  of  that  court,  or  at  some  slight 
which  he  conceived  to  have  been  shown  him  by  his 
munifioent  patron  Can  Grande,  on  whose  UbenJity 
he  has  passed  so  high  an  encomium.'  Supposing 
the  latter  to  have  been  the  cause  of  his  departure, 
it  must  .necessarily  be  placed  at  a  date  posterior  to 
1308  ;  for  Can  Grande,  though  associated  with  his 
amiable  brother  Alboino^  in  Uie  government  of  Ve- 
rona, was  then  only  seventeen  years  of  ace,  and 
therefore  incapable  of  giving  the  alleged  o&nce  to 
hisguest 

The  mortifications  which  he  underwent  during 
these  wanderings,  will  be  best  described  in  his  own 
language.  In  his  Convito  he  speaks  of  his  banish- 
ment, and  the  poverty  and  distress  which  attended 
it,  m  very  affectmg  terms.    "  Alas  !"*  said  he  «*  had 


>  Hell,  xiiv.  144.    M<nv11o*8  wife  Alagia  Is  hcmorably  men- 
tioned in  tLd  Pnrg.  xiz.  140. 
s  Canto  zvii.  68. 

*  Hell,  i.  98,  and  Par.  xvii.  75.  A  Latin  Epistle  dedicatory 
of  the  Paradise  to  Can  Grande  is  attributed  to  Dante.  With 
oat  better  proof  than  has  been  yet  addnced,  I  cannot  con- 
clndo  it  to  be  genuine.  See  the  questiou  discnssed  by  Fra- 
ticelll,  in  the  Opere  llinori  di  Dante,  torn.  ill.  p*«  ii.  12",  Fir 
1841. 

*  Alboino  is  spoken  of  in  the  Convito,  p.  179,  in  such  a 
mannw,  tliat  it  is  not  easy  to  say  wheUier  a  ccnnpliment 
or  a  refieetion  is  intended ;  but  I  am  inclined  to  thinlc  the 
latter. 

*  '  Ahi  piaccinto  Ibsse  al  Dispensatme  dell*  Umverso^**  Ibc 
p  II. 


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JtJFE  OF  D/tNTE.  If 

H  pleMed  the  DkpoiMwr  of  the  Unirene,  that  Um 
occasion  of  this  excuse  had  never  existed ;  that  nei* 
ther  others  had  committed  wrong  agrainst  me,  nor  I 
Buffered  imjnstiy ;  sufiered,.  I  say,  the  punishment 
of  exile  and  of  poverty ;  since  it  was  the  pleasure 
of  the  citizens  of  that  fairest  and  most  renowned 
daughter  of  Rome,  Florence,  to  cast  me  forth  out 
of  her  sweet  bosom,  in  which  I  had  my  birth  and 
nourishment  even  to  the  ripeness  of  my  age ;  and 
in  which,  with  her  good  will,  I  desire,  with  aU  my 
heart,  to  rest  this  wearied  spirit  of  mine,  and  to  ter- 
minate the  time  allotted  to  me  on  earth.  Wan- 
dering over  almost  every  part,  to  which  this  our 
language  extends,  I  have  gone  about  like  a  mendi- 
cant; showing,  against  my  will,  the  wound  with 
whioh  fortune  has  smitten  me,  and  which  is  often 
imputed  to  his  ill-deserving  on  whom  it  is  inflicted. 
I  have,  indeed,  been  a  vessel  without  sail  and  with- 
out steerage,  carried  about  to  divers  ports,  and  roads, 
and  shores,  by  the  dry  wind  that  spnngs  out  of  sad 
poverty ;  and  have  appeared  before  the  eyes  of 
many,  who,  perhaps,  from  some  report  that  had 
reached  them,  had  imagined  me  of  a  different  form ; 
in  whose  sight  not  only  my  person  was  disparaged, 
but  every  actipn  of  mine  became  of  less  value,  as 
well  abready  performed,  as  those  which  yet  remained 
for  me  to  attempt"  It  is  no  wonder  that,  with 
feelings  like  these,  he  was  now  willing  to  obtain  by 
humiliation  and  entreaty,  what  he  had  before  been 
unable  to  effect  by  force. 

He  addressed  several  supplicatory  epistles,  not 
only  to  individuals  who  composed  the  government, 
but  to  the  people  at  larger  particulari^  one  letter, 
of  consider8j[>le  length,  which  Leonardo  Aretino  re- 
lates to  have  begun  with  this  expostulation  *  "  Po- 
pule  mi,  quid  feci  tibi  ?" 

While  he  anxiously  waited  the  result  of  these 
endeavors  to  obtain  his  pardon,  a  different  com- 
plexion was  given  to  the  face  of  public  afiaira  by 
the  exaltation  <^  Henry  of  Luxemburgh*  to  the 
imperial  throne ;  and  it  was  generally  expected 
that  the  most  important  political  changes  would 
follow,  on  the  arrival  of  the  new  sovereign  in  Italy. 
Another  prospect,  more  suitable  to  the  temper  of 
i)ante,  now  disclosed  itself  to  his  hopes :  he  onco 


>  Par.  xtU.80.  and  zzz.  141. 


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so  LIFE  OF  DANTR 

more  anumed  a  lofty  t<me  of  defiance ;  and,  as  il 
should  seem,  without  much  regard  either  to  cou- 
sistency  or  prudence,  broke  out  into  bitter  invec- 
tives against  the  rulers  of  Florence,  threatening 
them  with  merited  vengeance  from  the  power  of 
the  Emperor,  which  he  declared  that  they  had  no 
adequate  means  of  opposing.  He  now  decidedly 
relinquished  the  party  of  the  Guelphs,  which  had 
been  espoused  by  his  ancestors,  and  under  whose 
banners  he  had  served  in  the  earlier  part  of  his 
life  on  the  plains  of  Campaldino;  and  attached 
hunself  to  the  cause  of  their  opponents,  the  Ghibel- 
lines.  Reverence  for  his  country,  says  one  of  his 
biographers,^  prevailed  on  him  to  absent  himself 
from  the  hostile  army,  when  Henry  of  Luxem- 
burgh  encamped  before  the  gates  of  Florence^ 
but  it  is  difficult  to  give  him  credit  for  being  now 
much  influenced  by  a  principle  which  had  not  for- 
merly been  sufficient  to  restrain  him  from  similar 
violence.  It  is  probable  that  he  was  actuated  by 
some  desire,  However  weak,  of  preserving  appear- 
ances ;  for  of  his  personal  courage  no  question  can 
be  made.  Dante  was  fated  to  disappointment 
The  Emperor's  campaign  ended  m  nothmg;  the 
Emperor  himself  died  the  following  summer,  (in 
1313,)  at  Buonconvento ;  and,  with  him,  all  hopes 
of  regammg  his  native  city  expired  in  the  breast 
of  the  unhappy  exile.  Several  of  his  biographerBp 
affirm  that  he  now  made  a  second  journey  to  raris, 
where  Boccaccio  adds  that  he  held  a  public  dis- 
putation' on  various  questions  of  theology.  To 
what  other  places^  he  might  have  roamed  during 
his  banishment,  is  very  uncertain.  We  are  told 
that  he  was  in  Casentino,  with  the  Conte  Guide 

>  Leonardo  Aretino. 

s  Benvenuto  da  Imola,  Filippo  Villanl,  and  Boccaccio 

*  Another  public  philosophical  disputation  at  Verona,  la 
1320,  published  at  Venice  in  1508,  seems  to  be  regarded  by 
Tiraboschi  with  some  suspicion  of  its  authenticity.  It  is  en- 
titled, '*  Questio  florulenta  et  perutilis  de  duobus  elemenUs 
aquae  et  term  tractans,  nuper  reperta,  qus  olim  Mantue 
auspicata,  Veronae  vero  disputata  et  decisa,  ac  manu  propriH 
•cripta  a  Dante  Florentino  Poet&  clarissimo,  quae  diligenter  et 
accurate  correcta  fuit  per  Rev.  Magistrum  Joan.  Benedic 
turn  Moncettum  de  Castilicme  Aretino  Regentem  Patavinum 
Ordinis  Eiemltarum  Divi  Augostinl,  sacrcque  Theologias 
Doctorem  excellentissimum.** 

*  Vellntellf  sayr  that  he  was  also  in  Gennany.  Vita  del 
Poetft. 


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Lira  OF  DANTE.  gi 

Sahratico,^  at  one  time;  and,  at  another,  in  the 
mountains  near  Urbino,  with  the  Si^n^oii  della  Fag- 
giola.  At  the  monastery  of  Santa  Cpoce  di  Fonte 
Avellana,  a  wild  and  soUtary  retreat  in  the  territory 
of  Gubbio,  was  shown  a  chamber  in  which,  as  a 
Latin  inscription'  declared,  it  was  believed  that  he 
had  composed  no  small  portion  of  his  divine  work. 
A  tower,*  belongmg  to  the  Conti  Falcacci,  m  Gub- 
bio,  claims  for  itse&  a  similar  honor.  In  the  casllo  ■ 
of  Cohnollaro,  near  the  river  Saonda,  and  about 
six  miles  from  the  same  city,  he  was  courteously 
entertained  by  Busone  da  Gubbio,*  whom  he  had 
formerly  met  at  Arezzo.    There  are  some  traces 


1  He  was  grandson  to  the  valiant  Gnidofnienra     PtUi,  f 
95.    SeeH.xvi.38. 
'  fiooce  cabienlnm  hospes 

In  qno  Dante*  Aligherias  habitasse 
la  eoqoe  non  minlmam  imBclaii  ac 
,  Pene  divint  opet\M  partem  c(Mn- 
posniase  dicitor  nndique  fiitiscens 
Ac  tantnm  non  solo  cqnatom 

Philippns  Rodnlphins 

Lanrentti  Nieolai  Caidinalis 

Aroplissimi  Fiatris  Fillns  sonunns 

ColiegU  Prases  pro  ezlmia  erga 

CivenLsnnm  i^etate  refid  haneqne 

niios  efllgieni  ad  tanU  viri  memo- 

riam  revoeandam  Antonio  Petreio 

Canon.  Floren.  procnrante 

Collocari  mandavit 

Kal.  Mali.  M  J).L.YIL  PeOi,  p.  W. 

•  la  this  U  Inscribed, 

Hie  mansit  Dantes 
Al^hierius  Poeta 
Et  carmlna  scripsit  PeUit  p.  97. 

«  The  following  sonnet,  said  to  be  addressed  to  him  by 
Dante,  was  published  in  the  Delitic  Eruditoram,  and  is  in* 
■erted  in  the  Zatta  edition  of  our  Poet's  Worlcs,  tom.iv.^pail 
J.  p.  5i64,  in  which  alone  I  have  seen  it : 

Tn,  che  stampi  lo  coUe  ombroso  e  fresco, 
Ch'  ^  CO  lo  Flume,  che  non  e  tonrente, 
Unci  moUe  lo  chiama  qnella  gente 
In  nome  Italians  e  non  Tedesco: 
Ponti,  sera  e  mattln,  contento  al  desco, 
•  Perchd  del  car  figliuol  vedi  presente 
£1  frutto  che  sperassi,  e  si  repente 
S*  avaccia  nello  stil  Greco  e  Francesco 
Perphd  cima  dUngegno  non  s'astalla 
In  quella,  Italia  di  dolor  ostello, 
Dl  cui  si  speti  gi&  cotanto  frutto ; 
Gavazsi  pur  el  inrimo  Raffitello, 

Che  tra  dotti  vedrallo  esser  vednto, 
Come  sopr*  acqna  si  sostien  1%  galU. 


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S3  LIFE  OF  DANTE. 

of  his  having  made  a  temporary  abode  at  Udine, 
aiid  particularly  of  his  having  been  in  the  FriuU 
with  Pagano  della  Torre,  the  patriarch  of  Aquileia, 
at  the  castle  of  Tolmino,  where  he  is  also  said  to 
have  employed  himself  on  the  Divina  Commedia, 
and  .where  a  rock  was  pointed  out  that  was  called 
the  Seat  of  Dante.*  What  is  known  with  greater 
certainty  is,  that  he  at  last,  found  a  refuge  at  Ra/- 
•venna, .with  Guide  Novello  da  Polenta;*  a  splendid 
protector  of  learning ;  himself  a  poet ;  and  the  kins- 
man of  that  unfortunate  Francesca,*  whose  story  had 
been  told  by  Dante  with  such  unrivalled  pathos. 


TVatulation. 

Thou,  who  where  Linci  sends  his  stream  to  drench 
The  valley,  walk'st  that  fresh  and  shady  hill 
(Soft  liinci  well  they  call  the  gentle  rill, 
Nor  smooth  Italian  name  to  German  wrench) 

Evening  and  morning  seat  thee  on  thy  bench, 
Content ;  beholding  fruit  of  knowledge  fill 
So  early  thy  son*s  branches,  that  grow  still 
EnrichM  with  dews  of  Grecian  lore  and  French. 

Though  genius,  with  like  hopefril  fruitage  hung, 
Sinread  not  aloft  in  recreant  Italy, 
Where  grief  her  home,  and  worth  has  made  his  grave . 

Yet  may  ttie  eider  Rafihello  see. 
With  joy,  nis  ofl&i»ing  seen  the  leamM  among. 
Like  buoyant  thing  that  floats  above  the  wave. 

I  The  considerations  which  induced  the  Cavalier  Vannettl 
to  conclude  that  a  part  of  the  Commedia,  and  the  Cansone 
beginning 

Canzon,  da  che  convien  pur,  ch*  io  mi  dogUa, 

were  written  in  the  valley  Lagariiia,  in  the  territory  of 
Trento,  do  not  appear  entitled  to  much  notice.  Vannetti's 
letter  is  in  the  Zatta  edition  of  Dante,  tom.  iv.  part  ii.  p.  143. 
There  may  be  better  ground  for  concluding  that  he  was, 
sometime  during  his  exile,  with  Lanteri  Paratico,  a  man  of 
anclbnt  and  noble  fitmily,  at  the  castle  of  Paratico,  near  Bres 
cia,  and  that  he  there  employed  himself  on  his  poems.  The 
moof  of  this  rests  upon  a  communication  made  by  the  Abate 
Kodella  to  Dionisi,  of  an  extract  from  a  chronicle  remaining 
at  Brescia.  See  Cancellieri.  Osservazioni  intomo  alia  ques- 
tione  sopra  Toriginalitd  della  Divina  Commedia,  &c.  Roma, 
1814,  p.  125. 

a  See  Hell,  xxvii.  38. 

*  Hell,  V.  113,  and  note.  Former  biographers  of  Dante  have 
represented  Guido,  his  last  patron,  as  the  father  of  Francesca 
Troya  asserts  that  he  was  her  nephew.  See  his  Yeltro  Alle* 
gorico  di  Dante.  Ed.  Florence,  1826,  p.  17G.  It  ft  to  be  re- 
.fretted  that,  in  this  instance,  as  in  others,  he  gives  no  au- 
thority  for  his  assertion.  He  is,  however,  followed  by  Balbo, 
Vita  di  Dante,  Torino,  1839,  v.  ii.  p.  315;  and  Artand,  His- 
toire  de  Dante,  Paris,  1841,  p.  470. 


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tIFE  (^  DANTE.  8a 

tt  would  appear  finnn  (me  of  hie  Epietlea,  that 
about  the  year  1316  he  had  the  option  given  him  of 
returning  to  Florence,  on  the  ignominioue  terms  of 
paying  a  fine^  and  of  making  a  public  avowal  of  hie 
ofifence.  It  may,  perhaps,  be  in  reference  to  this 
offer,  which,  for  the  same  reason  that  Socrates  re- 
fused  to  save  hie  life  on  similar  conditions,  he  indig- 
nantly rejected,  that  he  promises  himself  he  shall 
one  day  return  "  in  other  guise," 

and  standing  up 
At  his  bai^mal  font,  shail  claim  the  wreath 
Due  to  the  poet's  temples.  •PkT*  zxv. 

Such,  mdeed,  was  the  glory  which  his  compositions 
in  his  native  tongue  had  now  gained  him,  that  he 
declares,  m  the  treatise  De  Vmgari  Eloquentia,'  it 
had  in  some  measure  reconciled  iSxa  even  to  his  ban- 
ishment 

In  the  service  of  his  last  patron,  in  whom  he 
seems  to  have  met  with  a  more  congenial  mind 
than  in  any  of  the  former,  his  talents  were  grate- 
fully exerted,  and  his  affections  interested  but  too 
deeply ;  for  having  been  sent  by  Guido  on  an  em- 
bassy to  the  Venetians,  and  not  being  able  even  to 
obtain  an  audience,  on  account  of  the  rancorous 
animosity  with  which  they  regarded  that  prince, 
Dante  returned  to  Ravenna  so  overwhelmed  with 
disappointment  and  grief,  that  he  was  seized  by  an 
iUness  which  terminated  fatally,  either  ui'July  ot 
September,  1321.*  Guido  testified  his  sorrow  and 
respect  by  the  sumptuousness  of  his  obsequies,  and 
by  his  intention  to  erect  a  monument,  which  he  did 
not  live  to  complete.  His  countrymen  showed,  too 
late,  that  they  knew  the  value  of  what  they  had 
•lost  At  the  beguming  of  the  next  century,  their 
posterity  marked  their  regret  by  entreatmg  that  the 
mortal  remains  of  their  illustrious  citizen  might  be 
restored  to  them,  and  deposited  among  the  tombs  of 
their  fathers.    But  the  people  of  Ravenna  were  un« 

1  Quantum  vero  saos  fkmilfares  gloriosos  efficiat,  bos  ipsi 
novimns,  qni  hnjns  dolcedine  glwin  nostnun  exilium  pester* 
gamns.    Lib.  i.  cap.  17. 

>Filippo  Yillani;  Domenlco  di  Bandino  d*Arezxo;  and 
Giov.  VUIani,  Hist.  Ub.  he.  cap.  135.  The  last  writer,  whose 
authority  is  perhaps  tlie  best  on  this  point,  in  the  Ginntl  edi- 
tion of  1559,  mentions  Joly  as  the  month  in  which  he  died; 
bat  there  is  a  MS.  of  VUlani*s  history,  it  is  said,  in  the  library 
of  St.  Mark,  at  Venice,  in  which  his  death  is  placed  in  Sep- 
tember 


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94  LIFE  OF  DANTfi. 

willm|f  to  part  with  the  nd  and  honorable  memorial 
of  their  own  hoi^itality.  No  better  success  attended 
the  subsequent  negotiations  of  the  Florentines  fur 
the  same  purpose,  &ough  renewed  under  the  auspi- 
ces of  Leo  X.,  and  conducted  through  the  poweiful 
mediation  of  Michael  Angelo.^ 

The  sepulchre,  designed  and  commenced  by  Guide 
da  Polenta,  was,  in  1&3,  erected  by  liemardo  Bem- 
bo,  the  father  of  the  Cardinal ;  and,  by  him,  decora- 
ted, besides  other  ornaments,  with  an  effigy  of  the 
poet  in  bas-relief,  the  sculpture  of  Pietro  L^mbaido, 
and  with  the  following  epitaph : 

Exlgnft  tnnrali,  Danthes,  hie  sorte  Jacebas, 

Sqnalenti  nalli  cognite  penA  slta. 
At  nuiic  mannoreo  sabnlxns  conderis  arcQ, 

Omnibus  et  culm  splendidiore  nites. 
Nimirum  Bembns  Musis  incensus  Etroscis 

Hoc  tibi,  quern  imprimis  he  coluere,  dedit. 

A.  yet  more  magnificent  memorial  was  raised  so 

lately  as  the  year  1780,  by  the  Cardmal  Gonzaga,* 

Hu  children  consisted  of  one  daughter  and  five 

sons,  two  of  whom,  Pietro*  and  Jacopo,^  inherited 


1  PelU,  p.  104. 

•  TiraboschL 

In  the  Literary  Journal,  Feb.  16, 1804,  p.  193,  is  the  follow 
ing  article :— '*  A  subscription  has  been  opened  at  Florence 
fcNT  erecting  a  monument  in  the  cathedral  there,  to  the  mem 
qry  of  the  great  poet  Dante.  A  drawing  of  this  monument 
has  been  submitted  to  the  Florentine  Academy  of  the  Fine 
Arts,  and  has  met  with  universal  approbation.'*  A  monu- 
ment, executed  by  8tefkno  Ricci  of  Arezzo,  has  since  been 
erected  to  him  in  the  Santa  Cfoce  at  Fl<»ence,  which  I  had 
the  gratification  of  seeing  in  the  year  1833. 

*  Pietro  was  also  a  poet  His  commentary  on  the  Divina 
Commedia,  which  is  in  Latin,  has  never  been  published. 
Lionardo,  the  grandson  of  Pietro,  came  to  Florence,  with . 
other  young  men  of  Verona,  in  the  time  of  Leonardo  Are- 
tino,  who  tells  us  that  he  showed  him  there  the  house  of 
Dante  and  of  his  ancestors.  Vita  di  Dante.  To  Pietro,  the 
son  of  Lionardo,  Mario  Filelfo  addressed  his  life  of  our  Poet. 
The  son  of  this  Pietro,  Dante  UI^  was  a  man  of  letters,  and 
an  elegant  poet  Some  of  his  worits  are  presierved  in  collec- 
tions :  he  is  commended  by  Yalerianus  de  Infelicitate  Literat 
lib.  1,  and  is,  no  doubt,  the  same  wh(nn  Landino  speaks  of  as 
living  in  his  time  at  Ravenna,  and  calls  '*  uomo  molto  Ute- 
rato  ed  eloquente  e  degno  di  tai  sangue,  e  quale  meritamente 
•I  dovrebbe  rivocar  nella  sua  antica  patria  e  nostra  repub- 
Uca.**  In  1495,  the  Florentines  took  Landlno*s  advice,  and 
Invited  him  back  to  the  city,  offering  to  restore  all  they  could 
of  the  property  that  had  belonged  to  his  ancestors ;  but  he 
would  not  quit  Verona,  where  he  was  established  in  much 
opulence.  VelltUeUo,  Vita.  He  afterwards  ezparieoced  a  sad 
reverse  of  fortune.    He  had  three  sons,  one  of  whoa,  Fian- 


\ 

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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  3ft 

■ome  portioH  oi  their  father's  abilities,  which  they 
employed  chiefly  in  the  pious  task  of  illustrating  his 
Dirina  Commedia.  The  former  of  these  poes^sed 
acquirements  of  a  more  profitable  kind  ;  and  obtain- 
ed considerable  wealth  at  Verona,  where  he  was 
settled,  by  the  exercise  of  the  legal  profession.  He 
was  honored  with  the  friendship  of  Petrarch,  by 
whom  some  verses  were  addressed  to  him'  at  Tre- 
vigi,  in  1361.  .     . 

His  daughter  Beatrice^  (whom  he  is  said  to  have 
named  after  the  daughter  of  Folco  Portinari)  became 
a  nun  in  the  convent  of  S.  Stefano  dell'  Uliva,  at 
Ravenna ;  and,  among  the  entries  of  expenditure  by 
the  Florentine  Republic,  appears  a  present  of  ten 
golden  florins  sent  to  her  in  1350,  by  the  hands  of 
Boccaccio,  from  the  state.  The  imagination  can 
picture  to  itself  few  objects  more  interesting,  than 
the  daughter  of  Dante,  dedicated  to  the  service  of 
religion  in  the  city  where  her  father's  ashes  were  de» 
posited,  and  receiving  from  his  countrymen  this  tardy 
tribute  of  their  reverence  for  his  divine  genius,  and 
her  own  virtues. 

It  is  but  justice  to  the  wife  of  Dante  not  to  omit 
what  Boccaccio*  relates  of  her ;  that  after  the  ban- 
ishment of  her  husband  she  secured  some  share  of 
his  property  from  the  popular  fury,  under  the  name 
of  her  dowry;  that  out  of  this  she  contrived  to 
support  theur  little  family  with  exemplary  discre- 

cesco,  made  a  translation  of  Vltniviiis,  which  is  supposed  to 
have  perished.  A  better  fate  has  befallen  an  elegant  dia- 
logue written  by  him,  which  was  published,  not  many  years 
agorin  the  Anecdota  Literaria,  edit.  Roma,  (no  date^  vol.  ii. 
p.  307.  It  is  entitled  Francisci  AligerU  Dantis  m.  Fllii  Dia- 
logns  Alter  de  Antiqnitatibos  Valentinis  ex  Cod.  MS.  Mem 
branaceo.  Ssc.  xvi.  nunc  primnm  in  Incem  edit!28.  Pietro, 
another  son  of  Dante  III.,  who  was  also  a  scholar,  and  held 
the  office  of  Proveditore  of  Verona  in  1539,  was  the  father 
of  Ginevra,  mentioned  above  in  the  note  to  p.  10.  See  Pelli, 
p.  S28,  &«.  Vellutello,  in  his  life  of  the  Poet,  acknowledges 
iklB  obligations  to  this  last  Pietro  for  the  information  he  had 
given  him. 

*  Jacopo  is  mentioned  by  Bembo  among  the  Rimatorl, 
lib.  ii.  delia  Volg.  Ling,  at  the  beginning ;  arjd  some  of  his 
verses  are  {ureserved  in  MS.  in  the  Vatican,  and  at  Florence. 
He  was  living  in  13^  and  had  children,  of  whom  littie  is 
known.  The  names  of  our  Poet's  other  sons  were  (rabriello, 
Aligero,  and  Eliseo.  The  last  two  died  in  their  childhood. 
Of  Gabriello,  nothing  certain  is  known. 

I  Carm.  Ub.  iii.  ep.  vii. 
«Pelli,p.33. 

*  Vita  di  Dante,  p  57,  ed.  tlienxe,  1576 

2 


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96  UFE:  of  DANTE 

tioii;  and  that  she  even  removed  from  them  th« 
preasure  of  poverty,  by  such  mdustrious  efforts  as  m 
her  former  affluence  she  had  never  been  called 
on  to  exert  Who  does  not  regret,  that  with  qual- 
'  ities  so  estimable,  she  wanted  the  sweetness  of  tem- 
per necessary  for  riveting  the  affections  of  her 
husband? 

Dante  was  a  man  of  middle  stature  and  grave 
deportment ;  of  a  visage  rather  long ;  large  eyes ; 
an  aquiline  nose  ;  dark  complexion ;  large  and 
prominent  cheek-bones;  black  curling  hair  and 
beard;  the  imder  lip  projecting  beyond  the  upper* 
He  mentions,  in  the  Convito,  that  his  sight  had 
been  transiently  impaired  by  intense  application  to 
books.^  In  his  dress,  he  studied  as  much  plainness 
as  was  suitable  with  his  rank  and  station  in  life ; 
and  observed  a  strict  temperance  in  his  diet  He 
was  at  times  extremely  absent  and  abstracted ;  and 
i^pears  to  have  indulged  too  much  a  disposition  to 
sarcasm.  At  the  table  of  Can  Grande,  when  the 
company  was  amused  by  the  conversation  and  tricks 
of  a  bufiS>on,  he  was  asked  by  his  patron,  why  Can 
Grande  himself,  and  the  quests  who  were  present, 
failed  of  receiving  as  much  pleasure  from  the  ex- 
ertion of  his  talents,  as  this  man  had  been  able  to 
give  them.  *'  Because  all  creatures  delight  in  their 
own  resemblance,"  was  the  reply  of  Dante.'  In 
other  respects,  his  manners  are  said  to  have  been 
dignified  and  polite.  He  was  particularly  careful 
not  to  make  any  approaches  to  flattery,  a  vice 
which  he  justly  held  in  the  utmost  abhorrence.  He 
spoke  seldom,  and  in  a  slow  voice;  but  what  he 
said  derived  authority  from  the  subtileness  of 'his 
observations,  somewhat  like  his  own  poetical  heroes, 
who 

1  *'  Per  aflhticare  f o  vise  molto  a  stadio  di  leggere,  intanto 
debilitai  gli  spiritl  vislvi,  ehe  le  stelle  mi  pareano  tatte  d'aU 
enno  albnre  ombrate :  e  per  longa  riposanza  in  laoghl  acxaA, 
e  fireddi,  e  con  affipeddare  lo  corpo  dell'  occhio  con  acqoa  pore, 
rivinsi  la  virtt  disgregata,  che  tornal  nel  prioia  bnono  state 
della  vista."    Qmvito,  p.  108.  • 

s  There  is  here  a  point  of  resemblance  (nor  is  it  the  only 
one)  in  the  ehaiacter  of  Hilton.  **  I  had  mther/*  says  tlie 
author  of  Pandise  Lost,  **  since  the  life  of  man  is  likened  toa 
scene,  that  all  my  entrances  and  exits  might  mix  with  such 
persons  only,  whose  worth  erects  them  and  their  actions  to  a 
grave  and  tragic  deportment,  and  not  to  have  to  do  with 
clowns  and  vices.'*  ColatUrwHt.  Pr»$9  Jforkt,  vol.  i.  p.  33B. 
Edit  London,  1758. 


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UFE  OF  DANTE.  27 

Fturiayan  rado  con  tocI  soavL 

spake 

fleldom,  but  all  their  words  were  toneftil  iweet 

Hb  was  connected  in  habits  of  intimacy  and  friend* 
■hip  with  the  most  uigenious  men  of  his  time; 
with  Guido  Cavalcanti  ;*  with  Buonaggiunta  da 
Lucca  ;•  with  Forese  Donati  ;•  with  Cino  da 
Pistoia  ;*  with  Giotto,*  the  celebrated  painter,  by 
whose    hand  his    likeness*  was   preserved ;    wiu 


2  See  HelU  z.  and  notes. 

s  See  Purg.  xzlv.  Yet  Tiraboschi  observes,  that  bhongh  it 
is  not  improbable  that  Buona^anta  was  the  contemporary 
andfiriendofDante,  it  cannot  be  considered  as  certain.  Stor. 
della  Poes.  Ital^  torn.  L  p.  109,  Mr.  Mathias*s  Edit 

s  See  Purg.  zxiii.  44. 

4  Guittorino  de*  Sigiboldi,  commonly  called  Clno  da  Pistoia, 
^besides  the  passage  that  will  be  cited  in  «.  following  note 
nrom  the  De  Volg.  Eioq.,)  is  again  spoken  of  in  the  same 
treatise,  lib.  i.  c.  17,  as  a  great  master  of  the  Temacnlar  dic- 
tion in  his  Canzoni,  and  classed  with  our  Poet  himself,  who 
is  termed  **  Amicus  ejus ;"  and  likewise  in  lib.  iL  c.  S,  where 
he  is  said  to  have  written  of  «^'  Love."  His  verses  are  cited 
too  in  other  chapters.  He  addressed  and  received  sonnets 
from  Dante;  and  wrote  a  sonnet,  ot  canzone,  on  Dante's 
dcHBith,  which  is  preserved  in  the  library  of  St  Marie,  at  Yen- 
ice.  'Hraboechi,  della  Poes.  ItaU  v.  i.  p.  116,  and  v.  ii.  p.  60. 
The  same  honor  was  done  to  the  memory  of  dno  by  Pe 
trarch,  son.  71,  part  L  ^  Celebrated  both  as  a  lawyer  and  a 
poet  he  is  better  known  by  the  writings  which  he  has  left  in 
the  latter  of  these  characters,"  insomuch  that  Tiraboschi  has 
observed,  that  among  those  who  preceded  Petrarch,  there  is, 
perhaps,  none  who  can  be  compared  to  him  in  elegance  and 
sweetness.  "There  are  many  editi<Mis  of  his  poems,  the 
most  callous  being  that  published  at  Venice  in  1580,  by  P. 
FaustinoTasso;  In  which,  however,  the  Padre  degli  Agoe- 
tini,  not  without  reason,  suspects  that  the  second  book  is  by 
later  hands."  Tirabosehiy  ibid.  There  has  been  an  editioii 
by  Seb.  Clampi,  at  Fisa,  in  1813,  &c. ;  but  see  the  remarks  on 
it  in  Gamba's  Testi  di  Lingua  Ital.  S94.  He  was  interred  at 
Pistoia,  with  this  epitaph :  "  Cino  ezimio  Juris  Interpret!  Bar- 
tolique  prsceptori  dignissimo  populus  Pistcnriensis  Civl  sno 
B.M.  fecit    Obiit  anno  1336."  Guidi  Pamiroli  de  CUrit  Le- 

Cum  JnterpretilntSf  lib.  ii.  cap.  xxlx.  Lips.  4to.  3721.  A  Latin 
tter  supposed  to  be  addressed  by  Dante  to  Cino  was  pub- 
lished for  the  first  time  from  a  MS.  in  the  Laurentian  library, 
by  M.  Witte. 

*  See  Pure.  xL 

<  Mr.  EasUake,  In  a  note  to  Kugler's  Hand-Book  of  Paint' 
img,  traiulaUd  by  a  Lady,  Land.  1843,  p.  50,  describes  the 
discovery  and  restoration,  in  July,  1840,  of  Dante's  portrait 
by  Giotto,  in  the  chapel  of  the  Podest&  at  Florence,  where  it 
had  been  covered  with  whitewash  m  plaster.  But  it  could 
scarcely  have  been  concealed  so  soon  as  our  distinguished 
artist  supposes,  since  Landino  speaks  of  it  as  remaining  in 
his  time,  and  Vasaii  says  it  was  still  to  be  seen  when  he  wrote. 


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98  LIFE  OF  DANTE. 

Oderigi  da  Gubbio/  the  illuminator ;  and  inth  an 
eminent  musician* — 

his  Casella,  whom  he  wooed  to  sing. 

Met  in  the  milder  shades  of  Purgatory.    JiitltorCa  SonneU. 

Besides  these,  his  acquaintance  extended  to  some 
others,  whose  names  illustrate  the  first  dawn  of 
ItaUan  literature.  Lapo  degli  Uberti  f  Dante  da 
Majano  •*   Cecco  AngioUeri  f    Dino  Frescobaldi  ;* 

X  See  Purg.  xi. 
>  Ibid,  canto  U. 

*  Lapo  is  said  to  have  been  the  son  of  Farinata  degli  Ubcrti» 
(see  Hell,  x.  32,  and  Tiraboschi  della  Poes.  Ital.,  ▼.  i.  p.  116,) 
and  the  fother  of  Fazio  degli  Uberti,  author  of  the  Dittamondo, 
a  poem  which  is  thought,  in  the  energy  of  its  style,  to  make 
some  approaches  to  the  Divina  Commedia,  (ibid.  v.  ii.  p.  63,) 
though  Monti  passes  on  it  a  much  less  favorable  sentence,  (see 
his  Proposta,  v.  ill.  p^"  %  p.  ccx.  8vo.  1824.)  He  is  probably  the 
Lapo  mentioned  in  the  sonnet  to  Guido  Cavalcanti,  begin- 
ning, 

Guido  voirei  che  tn  e  Lapo  ed  io, 

which  Mr.  Hayley  has  so  happily  translated,  (see  Hell,  x.  62 ;) 
and  also  in  a  passage  that  occurs  in  the  De  Vulg.  Eloq.  ▼.  i. 
p.  116,  *'  duanqnam  fere  omne»^Tnsci  in  suo  turplloquio  sint 
obtnsi,  nonnnllos  Vulgaris  excellentiam  cognovisse  sentimus, 
scilicet  Guidonem  Lapum,  et  unum  alinm,  Florentinos,  et 
Cinum  Pistoriensem,  quem  nunc  indigne  postponimns,  non 
Indigne  coacti."  "Although  almost  all  the  Tuscans  are 
marred  by  the  baseness  of  their  dialect,  yet  I  perceive  that 
some  have  known  the  excellence  of  the  vernacular  tongue, 
namely,  Guido  Lapo,"  (I  suspect  Dante  here  means  his  two 
firiendtf  Cavalcanti  and  Uberti,  though  this  has  hitherto  been 
taken  ftir  the  name  of  one  persfii,>  "  and  one  other,"  (who  Is 
supposed  to  be  the  author  himself,)  '*  Florentines ;  and  last, 
though  not  of  least  regard,  Cino  da  Pistoia.** 

*  Dante  da  Majano  flourished  about  1290.  He  was  a  Flo- 
rentine, and  composed  many  poems  in  praise  of  a  Sicilian 
lady,  who,  being  herself  a  poetess,  was  insensible  neither  to 
his  verses  nor  his  love,  so  that  she  was  called  the  Nina  of 
Dante.  Pellijp. 60,  and  Tiraboschi,  Storia  della  Poes.  Ital., 
y.  i.  p.  137.  lliere  are  several  of  his  sonnets  addressed  to 
our  Poet,  who  declares,  in  his  answer  to  one  of  them,  that^ 
although  he  knows  not  the  name  of  its  author,  he  discoven 
in  it  the  traces  of  a  great  mind. 

*  Of  Cecco  Angiolieri,  Boccaccio  relates  a  pleasant  story  in 
the  Decameron,  G.  0,  N.  4.  He  lived  towards  the  end  of  the 
thirteenth  century,  and  wrote  several  sonnets  to  Dante,  which 
are  in  Aliacci's  collection.  In  some  of  them  he  wears  the  sem^ 
blance  of  a  firiend ;  but  in  one  the  mask  drops,  and  shows  that 
he  was  well  disposed  to  be  a  rival.  See  Crescimbeni,  Com.  alia 
Btoria  di  Volg.  Poes.,  v.  ii.  par.  U.  Ub.  U.  p.  103;  Pelli,  p.  61. 

<  Dino,  son  of  Lambertucclo  Frescobaldi.  Crescimbeni  (ibid, 
lib.  ill.  p.  120)  assures  us  that  he  was  not  inferior  to  Cino  da 
Plstoia.  Pelli,  p.  61.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  firiend  of 
Dante*s,  in  whose  writings  I  have  not  observed  any  mention 
of  him.  Boccaccio,  in  his  Life  of  Dante,  calls  Dino  '*  in  quo* 
tempi  fomotissimo  didtore  in  ilma  in  FIrenie." 


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LIFE  C^  DANTE.  Sf 

Gioranni  di  Virgilio ;'  Giovanni  Qoirino ;'  and 
Francesco  Stabili,*  who  is  better  known  by  tho 
appellation  of  Cecco  d'Ascoli ;  most  of  them  either 
honestly  declared  their  sense  of  his  superiority,  or 
betrayed  it  by  their  vain  endeavors  to  detract  from 
the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held. 

He  is  said  to  have  attained  some  Acellence  in 
£he  art  of  designing ;  which  may  easily  be  believed, 
when  we  consider  that  no  poet  has  afforded  more 
lessons  to  the  statuary  and  the  painter,*  in  the  va- 
riety of  objects  which  he  represents,  and  in  the 
accuracy  and  spirit  with  which  they  are  brought 
before  the  eye.  Indeed,  on  one  occasion,*  he  men- 
tions that  he  was  employed  in  delineating  the  fi^rure 
of  an  angel,  on  the  firat  anniversary  of  Beatnce*! 
death.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  the  seed  of  the  Pa- 
radise was  thus  cast  into  liis  mind ;  and  that  he 
was  now  endeavoring  to  express  by  the  pencil  an 
idea  of  celestial  beatitude,  which  could  only  be  con- 


1  Giovanni  di  Virgilio  addressed  two  Latin  eclognes  to 
Dante,  which  were  answered  in  similar  compositions ;  and  is 
said  to  have  been  his  friend  and  admirer.  See  Boccaccio, 
Vita  di  Dante ;  and  Pelli,  p.  137.  Dante's  poetical  Kenios 
sometimes  breaks  through  the  rudeness  oC  style  in  hui  two 
Latin  eclogues. 

*  Muratcffi  had  seen  several  sonnets,  addressed  to  Giovanni 
Quirino  by  Dante,  in  a  MS.  preserved  in  the  Ambrosian  11- 
hrary.  Delia  Perfetta  Poesia  ItaL  Ediz.  Venezia,  1770,  torn 
I.  Ub.  1.  c  iii.  p.  9. 

*  For  the  correction  of  many  errors  respecting  this  writer, 
see  Tiraboschi,  Stor.  della  Lett.  Ital.,  tom.  v.  lib.  iL  cap.  ii. 
^  15,  &c.  He  was  burned  in  1317.  In  his  Acerba,  a  poem 
in  sesta  rima,  he  has  taken  several  occasions  of  venting  his 
spleen  against  his  great  contemporary. 

*  Besides  Fllippo  Brunelleschi,  who,  as  Vasaii  tells  us, 
diede  molta  opera  alle  cose  di  Dante,  and  Michael  Angelo, 
whose  Last  Judgment  is  probably  the  mightiest  effort  of 
modem  art,  as  the  loss  of  his  sketches  on  the  margin  of  the 
Divina  Commedia  may  be  regarded  as  the  severest  loss  the 
art  has  sustained ;  besides  these,  Andrea  Orgagna,  Gio.  Aa« 
gelico  di  flesole,  Lnca  Signorelli,  Spinello  Aretino,  Giacomo 
da  Pontormo,  and  AurelioLomi,  have  been  recounted  among 
the  many  artists  who  have  worked  on  the  same  originaL 
See  Cancellieri,  Osservationi,  &c.  p.  75.  To  these  we  may 
justly  wide  ourselves  in  being  able  to  ndd  the  names  of  Rey- 
nolds. Fuseii,  and  Flaxman.  The  firescoes  by  Comelitu  in 
the  Villa  Masslml  at  Rome,  lately  executed,  entitle  the  Ger- 
mans to  a  share  in  this  distinction. 

*  "  In  quel  giomo,  nel  quale  si  compieva  Panno,  che  qu«s« 
ta  donna  era  fatta  delle  clttadine  di  vita  eterna,  io  mi  sedeva 
in  parte,  nella  quale,  ricordandomi  di  lei,  io  disegnava  ano 
Angelo  sopra  certe  tavolette,  e  mentre  io  il  disegnava,  volrt 
gli  occhi,  6x,"    Vita  JSTuova,  p.  268. 


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so  hOPE  OF  DANTE. 

yeyed  in  its  full  perfection  through  the  medium  fd 
Bong. 

As  nothing  that  related  to  such  a  man  was 
thought  unworthy  of  notice,  one  of  his  biographers,^ 
who  had  seen  his  hand-writmg,  has  recorded  that 
it  was  of  a  long  and  delicate  character,  and  re 
markable  for  neatness  and  accuracy. 

Dante  wrote  in  Latin  a  Treatise  de  Monarchic, 
and  two  books  de  Vulgar!  Eloquio.^  In  the  former, 
he  defends  the  Imperial  rights  against  the  preten- 
sions of  the  Pope,  with  arguments  that  are  some* 
times  chimerical,  and  sometimes  sound  and  con- 
clusive. The  latter,  which  he  left  unfinished,  con- 
tains not  only  much  information  concerning  the 
progress  which  the  vernacular  poetry  of  Italy  had 
then  made,  but  some  reflections  on  the  art  itself, 
that  prove  him  to  have  entertained  large  and  philo- 
sophical principles  respecting  it 

His  Latin  style,  however,  is  generally  rude  and 
unclassical.  It  is  fortunate  that  he  did  not  trust  to 
it,  as  he  once  intended,  for  the  work  by  which  his 
name  was  to  be  perpetuated.  In  the  use  of  his 
own  language  he  was,  beyond  measure,  more  suc- 
cessful. The  prose  of  his  Vita  Nuova  and  his  Con- 
vito,  although  five  centuries  have  intervened  since 
its  composition,  is  probably,  to  an  Italian  eye,  still 
devoid  neither  of  freshness  nor  elegance.  In  the 
Vita  Nuova,  which  he  appears  to  have  written  about 
his  twenty-eighth  year,  he  gives  an  account  of  his 
youthful  attachment  to  Beatrice.  It  is,  according 
to  the  taste  of  those  times,  somewhat  mystical :  yet 
there  are  some  particulars  in  it  which  have  not 
at  all  the  air  of  a  fiction,  such  as  the  death  of 
Beatrice's  father,  Folco  Portinari;  her  relation  to 
the  friend  whom  he  esteemed  next  after  Guide  Ca- 


>  Leonardo  Aretino.  A  specimen  of  it  was  believed  to 
exist  when  Pelll  wrote,  about  sixty  years  ago,  and  perhatw 
still  exists  in  a  MS.  preserved  in  the  archives  at  Gabble,  at 
the  end  of  which  was  the  sonnet  to  Bosone,  said  to  be  in  the 
hand-writing  of  Dante.    Pelli,  p.  51. 

«  These  two  were  first  published  in  an  Italian  transla- 
tion, supposed  to  be  Trlssino's,  and  were  not  allowed  to 
be  genuine,  till  the  Latin  original  was  published  at  Paris 
in  1577.  Tirabosehi.  A  copy,  written  in  the  fourteenth 
eentnry,  is  said  to  have  been  lately  found  in  the  public  U- 
brary  at  Grenoble.  See  Fraticelli's  Opere  mlnori  dl  Dante, 
IS>  fir.  1840,  v.  3.  pt*  ii.  p.  xvL  A  collation  of  this  BIS.  is 
very  desirable 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  91 

▼4canti;  his  own  attempt  to  conceal  his 


by  a  pretended  attachment  to  another  lady;  and 
the  anguish  he  felt  at  the  death  of  his  mistren.' 
He  tells  ns  too,  that  at  the  time  of  her  decease, 
he  chanced  to  be  composing  a  canzone  in  her  praise, 
and  that  he  was  interrupted  by  that  event  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  first  stanza ;  a  circumstance  which 
we  can  scarcely  suppose  to  have  been  a  mere  in- 
vention. 

Of  the  poetry,  with  which  the  Vita  Nuova  is 
plentifully  mterspersed,  the  two  sonnets  that  follow 
may  be  taken  as  a  specimen.  Near  the  beginning 
he  relates  a  marvellous  vision,  which  appeared  to 
him  in  sleep,  soon  after  his  mistress  had  for  the  first 
time  addressed  her  speech  to  him ;  and  of  this  dream 
he  thus  asks  for  an  interpretation  >^ 

To  every  heart  that  feels  the  gentle  flame, 
To  whom  this  present  sayiiq^  comes  in  sight, 
In  that  to  me  their  thooghta  they  may  indite, 
All  health !  in  Love,  our  lord  and  master*s  name. 

Now  on  its  way  the  second  quarter  came 
Of  those  twelve  hours,  wherein  the  stars  are  bright. 
When  Love  was  seen  before  me,  in  such  might, 
As  to  remember  shakes  with  awe  my  frame. 

Suddenly  came  he,  seeming  glad,  and  keeping 
My  heart  in  hand ;  and  in*his  arms  he  had 
MJjl  Lady  in  a  folded  garment  sleeping : 

I^e  waked  her ;  and  that  heart  all  burning  bade 
Her  feed  upon,  in  lowly  guise  and  sad : 
Then  from  my  view  he  turned ;  and  parted,  weeping. 

To  this  sonnet.  Guide  Cavalcanti,  among  others, 
returned  an  answer  in  a  composition  of  &q  same 
form;  endeavoring  to  give  a  happy  turn  to  the 
dream,  by  which  the  mmd  of  the  Poet  had  been  so 
deeply  impressed.  From  the  intorcouise  thus  begun, 
when  Dante  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  arose  that 
friendship  which  terminated  only  with  the  death  of 
Goido. 

The  other  sonnet  is  one  that  was  written  after  the 
death  of  Beatrice : — 

Ah  pilgrims !  ye  that,  haply  musing,  go, 
On  aught  save  that  which  on  your  road  ye  meet, 
From  land  so  distant,  tell  me,  I  entreat. 
Come  ye,  as  by  your  mien  and  looks  ye  show  1 


1  Beatrice*!  marriage  to  Simone  de'  Bardi,  which  is  t«A 
lected  from  a  cbiuse  in  her  father's  will  dated  January  t&, 
1387,  would  have  been  a  &ct  too  wuentlmental  to  be  intio- 
dooed  into  the  Vita  Nuova,  and  is  not,  I  believe,  noticed  liy 
any  of  the  early  biographers. 


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as  LIFE  OF  DANTE. 

Why  rooDm  ve  not,  as  through  these  gates  of  wo 
Ye  wend  along  our  city's  midmost  street, 
Even  like  Uiose  who  nothing  seem  to  weet 
What  chance  hath  fairn,  why  she  is  grieving  sot 

If  ye  to  listen  but  awhile  would  stay, 
Well  knows  this  lieart,  which  inly  sigheth  sore, 
That  ye  would  then  pass,  weeping  on  your  way. 

Oh  hear :  her  Beatrice  is  no  more ; 
And  words  there  are  a  man  of  her  might  say. 
Would  make  a  stranger's  eye  that  loss  deplore. 

In  the  Convito,*  or  Banquet,  which  did  not  fol- 
low till  some  time  after  his  banishment,  he  ex- 
plains very  much  at  large  the  sense  of  three,  out 
of  fourteen,  of  his  canzoni,  the  remainder  of  which 
he  had  intended  to  open  in  the  same  manner. 
"  The  viands  at  his  Beuiquet,"  he  tells  his  readers, 
quaintly  enough,  "  will  be  set  out  in  fourteen  dif- 
ferent manners;  that  is,  will  consist  of  fourteen 
canzoni,  the  materials  of  which  are  love  and  virtue. 
Without  the  present  bread,  they  would  not  be  free 
from  some  shade  of  obscurity,  so  as  to  be  prized 
by  many  less  for  their  usefulness  than  for  their 
beauty ;  but  the  bread  will,  in  the  form  of  the 
present  exposition,  be  that  light,  which  will  bring 
forth  all  their  colors,  and  display  their  true  mean- 
ing to  the  view.  And-  if  the  present  work,  which 
is  named  a  Banquet,  and  I  wish  may  prove  so,  be 
handled  after  a  more  manly  guise  than  the  Vita 
Nuova,  I  intend  not,  therefore,  that  the  former 
should  in  any  part  derogate  from  the  latter,  but 
that  t^e  one  should  be  a  help  to  the  other :  seeins 
that  it  is  fitting  in  reason  for  this  to  be  fervid  and 
impassioned;  uiat^  temperate  and  manly.  For  it 
becomes  us  to  act  and  speak  otherwise  at  one  age 
than  at  another;  since  at  one  age,  certain  man- 
ners are  suitable  and  praiseworthy,  which,  at  an- 
other, become  disproportionate  and  blameable."  He 
then  apologizes  for  speaking  of  himself  ^*  I  fear 
the  di^race,"  says  he,  "  of  having  been  subject  to 
80  mudi  passion,  as  one,  reading  these  canzoni, 
may  conceive  me  to  have  been ;  a  disgrace,  that 
is  removed  by  my  speaking  thus  um-eservedly  of 

1  Perticari  Pegli  Scrittori  del  trecento,  lib.  iL  c  v.)  speak- 
ing of  the  Convito,  observes  that  Salviatl  himself  has  termed 
it  the  most  ancient  and  principal  of  all  excellent  prose  works 
In  Italian.  On  the  other  hand,  Balbo  (Yita  di  JDante,  v.  iL 
pii  86)  pronounces  it  to  be,  on  the  whole,  certainly  the  lowest 
among  Dante's  writiuffs.  In  this  difference  of  opinion,  a 
fbralgner  may  be  pemdtted  to  judge  for  himself 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  33 

myself,  wh.ch  shows  not  passion,  but  virtue,  to 
have  been  the  moving  cause.  I  intend,  moieover, 
to  set  forth  their  true  meaning,  which  some  may 
not  perceive,  if  I  declare  it  not^  He  next  pro- 
ceeds to  give  many  reasons  why  his  commentary 
was  not  written  rather  in  Latin  than  in  ItaUan; 
for  which,  if  no  excuse  be  now  thought  necessary, 
it  must  be  recollected  that  the  Italian  language 
was  then  in  its  infancy,  and  scarce  supposed  to 
possess  dignity  enough  for  the  purposes  of  instruc- 
tion. "The  Latin,"  he  allovps,  *< would  have  ex- 
plained his  canzoni  better  to  foreigners,  as  to  the 
Germans,  the  English,  and  others ;  but  then  it 
must  have  expounded  their  sense,  without  the 
power  of,  at  the  same  time,  transferring  their 
beauty:"  and  he  soon  after  tells  us,  that  many 
noble  persons  of  both  sexes  were  ignorant  of  the 
learned  language.  The  best  cause,  however,  which 
he  assigns  for  this  preference,  was  his  natural  love 
of  his  native  tongue,  and  the  desire  he  felt  to  exalt 
it  above  the  Proven9aI,  which  by  many  was  said 
to  be  the  more  beautiful  and  perfect  language  ;  and 
against  such  of  his  countrymen  as  maintained  so 
unpatriotic  an  opinion  he  inveighs  with  much 
warmth.  ^ 

In  his  exposition  of  the  first  canzone  of  the  three, 
he  tells  his  reader,  that  "  the  Lady,  of  whom  he 
was  enamored  after  his  fiist  love,  was  the  most 
beauteous  and  honorable  daughter  of  the  Emperor 
of  the  universe,  to  whom  Pythagoras  gave  the  name 
of  Philosophy :"  and  he  applies  the  same  title  to  the 
object  of  his  afiections,  when  he  is  commenting  on 
the  other  two. 

The  purport  of  his  thurd  canzone,  which  is  less 
mysterious,  and,  therefore,  perhaps  more  likely  to 
please  than  the  others,  is  to  show  that  "  virtue  only 
is  true  nobiUty.*'  Towards  the  conclusion,  after 
having  spoken  of  virtue  itself,  much  as  Pindar  would 
have  spoken  of  it,  as  being  <<  the  gift  of  God  only ;" 

Che  solo  Iddlo  all'  anima  la  dona, 
he  thus  describes  't  as  acting  throughout  the  several 
stages  of  life. 

L'anima,  cui  adorna,  &c. 

The  soul,  that  goodness  like  to  this  adorns, 
Holdeth  it  not  conceal'd ; 
But,  from  her  first  espousal  to  Uie  firame, 
Bhows  it,  till  death,  xeveal'd. 


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a4  I'IFB  OF  DANTE. 

Obedient,  sweet,  and  tail  of  seemly  shame^ 

She,  in  the  primal  age. 

The  person  decks  with  beanty ;  moulding  it 

Fitly  throngh^every  part 

In  riper  inanlTood,  temperate,  firm  of  heart. 

With  love  replenished,  and  with  coorteoos  pniM 

In  loyal  deeds  alone  she  hath  delight 

And,  in  her  elder  days. 

Fat  prudent  and  jftst  largeness  is  she  known ; 

Rejoicing  with  herself, 

That  wisdom  in  her  staid  discourse  be  shown. 

Then,  in  life's  fourth  division,  at  the  last 

She  weds  with  God  acain. 

Contemplating  the  end  she  shall  attain ; 

And  looketh  back ;  and  blesseth  the  time  past. 

His  lyric  poems,  indeed,  generally  stand  much,  la 
need  of  a  comment  to  explain  them  ;  but  the  diffi- 
culty arises  rather  from  the  thoughts  themselves, 
than  from  any  imperfection  of  the  language  in  which 
those  thoughts  are  conveyed.  Yet  they  abound  not 
only  in  deep  moral  reflections,  but  in  touches  of 
tenderness  and  passion. 

Some,  it  has  been  already  mtimated,  have  sup* 
posed  that  Beatrice  was  only  a  creature  of  Dante's 
imagination  ;  and  there  can  be  no  question  but  that 
he  has  invested  her,  in  the  Divina  Commedia,  with 
the  attributes  of  an  allegorical  being.  But  who  can 
doubt  of  her  having  had  a  real  existence,  when  she  is 
spoken  of  Si  such  a  strain  of  passion  as  in  these  lines  ? 

Quel  ch*  ella  par,  qnando  on  poco  sorride, 

Non  si  pub  dicer  ne  tenere  a  mente, 

Si  6  nnovo  miracolo  e  genUle.  Fita  AWoo. 

Mira  ehe  qnando  ride 

Passa  ben  di  dolcezza  ogni  altra  cosa.  Cam,  xr. 

The  canzone,  from  which  the  last  couplet  is  taken, 
presents  a  portrait  which  might  well  supply  a  pahitei 
with  a  far  more  exalted  idea  of  female  beauty,  than 
he  could  form  to  himself  from  the  celebrated  Ode  of 
Anacreon  on  a  similar  subject.  After  a  minute  de- 
scription of  those  parts  of  her  form,  which  the  gar- 
ments of  a  modest  woman  would  sufier  to  be  seen, 
he  raises  the  whole  by  the  superaddition  of  a  moral 
grace  and  dignity,  such  as  the  Christian  religioD 
alone  could  supply,  and  such  as  the  pencil  of  Raphael 
afterwards  aimed  to  represent 

Umile  vergognoea  e  temperata, 

£  sempre  a  vend  grata, 

Intra  suoi  be*  eostnmi  nn  atto  regna, 

Che  d*  ogni  rivevenza  la  &  degna.^ 

a  t  am  aware  that  this  canzone  is  not  ascribed  to  Dante. 
In  the  collection  of  S^nettl  e  Canzoni  printed  by  the  Ginntt 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  3fi 

One  or  two  of  the  sonnets  prove  tiiat  he  could  at 
times  condescend  to  sporttveness  and  pleasantry. 
The  following  to  Brunetto,  I  should  conjecture  to 
have  been  sent  with  his  Vita  Nuova,  wiiich  was 
written  the  year  before  Brunette  died. 
1  Master  Branetto,  this  I  send,  entreatiiig, 

Ye*U  entertain  this  lass  of  mine  at  Eastor ; 
She  does  nel-come  amons  yon  as  a  feaster ; 
No :  she  has  need  of  reaoing,  not  of  eating. 
Nor  let  her  find  yon  at  some  merry  meeting, 

Laugtiing  amidst  buffoons  and  droUers,  lest  her 
Wise  sentence  should  escape  a  noisy  jester: 
She  must  be  wooed,  and  is  well  worth  the  weeting. 
If  in  this  sort  yon  fail  to  make  her  oat. 

Yon  have  amongst  you  many  sapient  men, 
All  famous  as  was  Albert  of  Cologne. 
I  have  been  posed  amid  that  learned  rout. 

And  if  they  cannot  spell  her  right,  why  then 
Call  Master  Giano,  and  the  deed  is  done. 

Another,  though  on  a  more  serious  subject,  is  yet 
remarkable  for  a  fancifulnees,  such  as  that  with 
which  Chaucer,  by  a  few  ^irited  touches,  often 
conveys  to  us  images  more  strUdng  than  others  ha^e 
done  by  repeated  and  elaborate  em)rts  of  skilL 

Came  Melancholy  to  my  side  one  day, 

And  said :  **  I  must  a  little  bide  with  thee  :** 

And  brought  along  with  her  in  ctHnpany  ^ 

Sorrow  and  Wrath.->auoth  I  to  her, "  Away : 

i  will  have  none  of  you :  make  no  delay.** 

And,  like  a  Greek,  she  gave  me  stout  reply. 
Then,  as  she  talk'd,  I  lookM  and  did  espy 
Where  Love  was  coming  onward  on  the  way. 

A  garment  new  of  cloth  of  black  he  had. 
And  on  his  head  a  hat  of  mourning  wore ; 
And  he,  of  truth,  unfelgnedly  was  crying. 

Forthwith  I  askM:  *'  What  ails  thee,  caitiff  bid  r* 
And  he  rejoined :  "  Sad  thought  and  anguish  sore, 
Sweet  brother  mine !  our  laay  lies  a-dying.** 

For  purity  of  diction,  the  Rime  of  our  author 
are,  I  think,  on  the  whole,  preferred  by  Muratori 

In  1527  Monti,  in  his  Proposta,  under  the  word  "  Induare," 
remarks  that  it  is  quite  in  the  style  of  Fazio  degli  Ubertl ; 
and  adds,  that  a  very  rare  MS.  possessed  by  Perticiuri  restores 
it  to  that  writer.  On  the  other  hand,  Missirini,  in  a  lata 
treatise  *'On  the  Love  of  Dante  and  on  the  P<Nrtrait  of  Bear 
trice,**  printed  at  Florence  in  1832,  makes  so  little  doubt  of  its 
being  genuine,  that  he  founds  on  it  the  chief  argoment  to 
prove  an  old  picture  in  his  possession  to  be  intended  for  a 
representation  of  Beatrice.  See  Fraticelli*8  Opero  Min(»i  A 
Dante,  tom.  i.  p.  cciii.  12<>,  Fir.  1834. 

1  Fraticelli  (Ibid.,  p.  cccU.  ccciii.)  questloos  the  genuine 
ness  of  this  sonnet,  and  decides  on  the  spurionsness  of  that 
which  follows.  J  do  not,  in  either  instance,  feel  the  jastnew 
of  his  reasons. 


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36  LUE  OF  DANTE. 

to  his  Divina  Commedia,  though  that  abw  is  al> 
lowed  to  be  a  model  of  the  pure  Tuscan  idio^n. 
To  this  singular  production,  which  has  not  only 
stood  the  test  of  agiMs,  but  given  a  tone  and  color 
to  the  poetry  of  modem  Europe,  and  even  ani- 
mated the  genius  of  Milton  and  of  Michael  Angelo, 
it  would  be  difficult  to  assign  its  place  according 
to  the  received  rules  of  criticism.  Some  have 
termed  it  an  epic  poem ;  a;id  others,  a  satire :  but 
it  matters  little  by  what  name  it  is  called.  It  suf- 
fices that  the  poem  seizes  on  the  heart  by  its  two 
great  holds,  terror  and  pity;  detains  the  fancy  by 
an  accurate  and  lively  delineation  of  the  objects 
it  represents ;  and  displays  throu^out  such  an 
originality  of  conception,  as  leaves  to  Homer  and 
Shakspeare  alone  the  power  of  challenging  the 
pre-emmence    or    equality.*     The   fiction,  it  has 


1  Yet  his  pretensions  to  wiginality  have  not  been  wholly 
xmqnestioned.  Dante,  it  has  lieen  supposed,  was  more  im- 
mediately influenced  in  his  choice  of  a  snbject  by  the  Yisicm 
of  Alberico,  written  in  barbarous  Latin  prose  abont  the  be- 
ginning of  the  twelfth  century.  The  incident,  which  is  said 
to  have  given  birth  to  this  composition,  is  not  a  little  mar- 
vellous. Alberico,  the  son  of  noble  parents,  and  bom  at  a 
cAtle  in  the  neighborhood  of  Alvito,  in  the  diocese  of  Sora> 
in  the  year  1101,  or  soon  after,  when  he  had  cmnpleted  his 
ninth  year,  was  seized  with  a  violent  fit  of  illness,  which  de- 
inrived  him  of  his  senses  for  the  space  of  nine  days.  During 
the  continuance  of  this  trance,  he  had  a  vision,  in  which  he 
seemed  to  himself  to  be  carried  away  by  a  dove,  and  con- 
ducted by  St  Peter,  in  company  with  two  angels,  through 
Purgatory  and  Hell,  to  survey  the  torments  of  sinners ;  the 
saint  giving  him  infcwmation,  as  they  proceeded,  respecting 
what  he  saw:  after  which  they  were  transported  together 
through  the  seven  heavens,  and  taken  up  into  Paradise,  to 
behold  the  glory  of  the  blessed.  As  soon  as  he  came  to  him- 
self again,  he  was  permitted  to  make  profession  of  a  religious 
life  in  the  Monastery  of  Monte  Cassino.  As  the  account  he 
gave  of  his  vision  was  strangely  altered  in  the  reports  that 
went  abroad  of  it,  Girardo  the  ablrat  employed  one  of  the 
monks  to  take  down  a  relation  of  it,  dictated  by  the  mouth 
o{  Alberico  himself  Senioretto,  who  was  chosen  abbot  in 
1137,  not  contented  with  this  narrative,  although  it  sieemed 
to  have  every  chance  of  being  authentic,  ordered  Alberico 
to  revise  and  correct  it,  which  he  accordingly  did,  with  the 
assistance  of  Pietro  Diacono,  who  was  his  associate  in  th^ 
monastery,  and  a  few  years  younger  than  himself;  and  whose 
testimony  to  his  extreme  and  perpetual  self-mortification, 
and  to  a  certain  abstractedness  of  demeanor,  which  showed 
him  to  converse  with  other  thoughts  than  those  of  this  life, 
Is  still  on  record.  The  time  of  Alberico*8  death  is  not  known ; 
but  it  is  conjectured  that  he  reached  to  a  good  old  age.  His 
Visi(m,  with  a  iwefiice  by  the  first  editor,  Guido,  and  prece- 
ded by  a  letter  firom  Alberico  himself  is  preserved  in  a  Ma 


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LITE  CF  DANTE.  37 

been  remariEed,'  is  admirable,  and    the  woriE  of 
an  inventive  talent  truly  great.      It  comprises  a 


numbered  257  in  the  archives  of  the  monastery,  which  con- 
tains  the  works  of  Pietro  Diacono«  and  which  was  written 
between  the  years  1159  and  1181.  The  probability  of  our  Po- 
et's having  been  indebted  to  it,  was  first  remarked  either  by 
Giovanni  Bottari  in  a  letter  inserted  in  the  Deca  di  Simboli, 
and  printed  at  Rome  in  1753 ;  or,  as  F.  Caneellieri  conijectares; 
Id  the  {nreceding  year  by  Aieasio  Simmaco  Bfazzocchi.  In 
1801,  extracts  tma  Alberico's  '^^sion  were  laid  before  the  pub- 
lic in  a  quarto  pamphlet,  inrinted  at  Rome  with  the  title  of 
Lettera  di  Eustaxio  Dicearcheo  ad  Angelio  Sidicino,  under 
which  appellations  the  writer,  Giustino  di  Costanzo,  con- 
cealed his  own  name  and  that  of  his  fHend  Lulgi  Anton. 
Sompano ;  and  the  whole  has  since,  in  1814,  been  edited  in 
the  same  city  by  Francesco  Caneellieri,  who  has  added  to  the 
original  an  Italian  translation.  Such  parts  of  it  as  bear  a 
marked  resemblance  to  passages  in  the  Divina  Commedia, 
will  be  found  distributed  in  their  proper  places  throughout 
the  following  notes.  The  reader  will  in  these  probably  see 
enough  to  convince  him  that  our  authw  had  read  this  singu- 
lar work,  although  nothing  to  detract  from  his  claim  to  origi- 
nality. 

Long  before  the  public  notice  had  been  directed  to  this 
supposed  imitation,  Malatesta  Fcnrta,  in  the  Dialogue  entitied 
Rossi,  as  referred  to  by  Fontanini  in  his  Eloquenasa  Italiana, 
had  suggested  the  probability  that  Dante  had  taken  his  plan 
from  an  ancient  romance  caUed  Guerrino  di  Durazzo  11  Mes- 
chino  The  above-mentioned  Bottari,  however,  adduced  rea- 
sons for  concluding  that  this  book  was  written  origincmy  in 
Provencal,  and  not  translated  into  Italian  till  after  the  time 
of  our  Poet,  by  one  Andrea  di  Barberino,  who  embellished  it 
with  many  images,  and  particularly  with  similes,  borrowed 
firom  the  Divina  Ckimmedia. 

Mr.  WartoD,  in  one  part  of  his  History  of  English  Poetry, 
(vol.  i.  s.  xviii.  p.  463,)  nas  observed,  that  a  poem,  entitied  La 
Voye  on  le  Songe  d'Enfer,  was  written  by  Raoul  de  Houdane, 
about  the  year  1180 ;  and  in  another  part  (vol.  ii.  s  z.  p.  319) 
he  has  attributed  the  origin  of  Dante's  Poem  to  that  "  favw- 
ite  apologue,  the  Sonmium  Scipionis  of  Cicero,  which,  in 
Chaucer's  words,  treats 

of  heaven  and  hell 
And  yearth  and  souls  that  therein  dwell." 

A»»e$Mji  of  FbuUt. 

It  is  likely  that  a  litde  research  nright  discover  many  other 
■ow^es,  firom  which  his  invention  might  with  an  equal  ap- 
pearance of  truth  be  derived.  The  method  of  conveying  in- 
striction  or  entertitinment  under  the  form  of  a  vision,  in 
which  the  living  should  be  made  to  converse  with  the  dead, 
was  so  obvious,  that  it  would  be,  perhaps,  difficult  to  mention 
any  country  in  which  it  had  not  been  employed.  It  is  the 
scale  of  magnificence  on  which  this  conception  was  framed, 
and  the  wonderful  development  of  it  in  all  its  -parts,  tha 
may  Justiy  entitie  our  Poet  to  rank  among  the  row  minds, 
to^whom  the  power  of  a  great  creative  foculty  can  be  as« 
cribcd. 

'  Leorardo  Aietino,  Vita  di  Dante 


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S8  l^IFE  OF  DANTE. 

desciiptioii  of  the  heayens  and  heavenly  bodies ;  9 
description  of  men,  their  deserts  and  pnnishments, 
of  supreme  happiness  and  utter  misery,  and  of  the 
middle  state  between  the  two  extremes :  nor,  per- . 
haps,  was  there  ever  any  one  who  chose  a  more  am- 
ple and  fertile  subject ;  so  as  to  affi>rd  scope  for  the 
expression  of  all  hu  ideas,  from  the  yast  multitude  of 
spirits  that  are  introduced  speakingr  on  such  different 
topics ;  who  are  of  so  many  difierent  countries  and 
ages,  and  under  circumstances  of  fortune  so  striking 
and  so  diyeisified ;  and  who  succeed,  one  to  another, 
with  such  a  rapidity  as  neyer  sufien  the  attention  for 
an  instant  to  pall. 

His  solicitude,  it  is  true,  to  define  all  his  images 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  bring  them  distinctly  within 
the  circle  of  our  yision,  and  to  subject  them  to  the 
power  of  the  pencil,  sometimes  renders  him  Uttle 
better  than  grotesque,  where  Milton  has  since 
taught  us  to  expect  sublimity.  But  his  faults,  in 
general,  were  less  those  of  the  poet  than  of  the  age 
in  which  he  hyed.  For  his  haying  adopted  the  pop- 
ular creed  in  all  its  extravagance,  we  have  no  more 
right  to  blame  him  than  we  should  have  to  blame 
Homer  because  he  made  use  of  the  heathen  dei- 
ties, or  Shakspeare  on  account  of  his  witches  and 
fairies.  The  supposed  influence  of  the  stars  on  the 
disposition  of  men  at  their  nativity,  was  hardly  sep- 
arable from  the  distribution  which  he  had  made 
of  the  glorified  spirits  through  the  heavenly  bodies, 
as  the  abodes  of  bliss  suited  to  their  several  endow- 
ments. And  whatever  philosophers  may  think  of 
the  matter,  it  is  certainly  much  better,  for  the  ends 
of  poetry  at  least,  that  too  much  should  be  believed, 
rather  than  less,  or  even  no  more  than  can  be  jnoved 
to  be  true.  Of  what  he  considered  the  cause  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty,  he  is  on  all  occasions  tho 
zealous  and  feariess  advocate ;  and  of  that  higher 
freedom,  which  is  seated  in  the  will,  he  was  an 
assertor  equally  strenuous  and  enhffhtened.  The 
conteiiiporary  of  Thomas  Aquinas,  it  is  not  to  be 
wondered  if  he.  has  given  his  poem  a  tincture  of 
the  scholastic  theology  which  the  writings  of  that 
extraordinary  man  had  rendered  so  prevalent,  and 
without  which  it  could  not  perhaps  have  been  made 
acceptable  to  the  generality  of  his  readers.  The 
I^iraseology  has  been  accused  of  bemg  at  times  hiUnd 
and  micouth;  but,  if  this  is  acknowledged,  yet  it 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  ^ 

most  be  remembered  that  he  gave  a  permanent 
stamp  and  character  to  the  language  in  whi<;h  he 
wrote,  and  m  which,  before  him,  nothing  great  had 
been  attempted ;  that  the  diction  is  strictly  vemacu- 
lar,  without  any  debasement  of  foreign  idiom ;  that 
his  numbers  have  as  much  variety  as  the  Italian 
tongue,  at  least  in  that  kind  of  metre,  could  supply ; 
and  that,  although  succeeding  writen  may  have  sur- 
passed him  in  the  lighter  graces  and  embellishments 
of  style,  not  one  of  them  has  equalled  him  in  sue- 
cinctness,  vivacity,  and  strength. 

Never  did  any  poem  rise  so  suddenly  mto  notice 
after  the  death  of  its  author,  or  engage  the  public 
attention  more  powerfully,  than  the  Divina  Com- 
media.  This  cannot  be  attributed  solely  to  its  intrin- 
sic excellence,  'the  freedom  with  which  the  writer 
had 'treated  the  most  distinguished  characten  of  ha 
time,  gave  it  a  further  and  stronger  hold  on  the  cu- 
riosity <^  the  age :  many  saw  in  i^  their  acquaint- 
ances, kinsmen,  and  friends,  or,  wnat  scarcely  touch- 
ed them  less  nearly,  their  enemies,  either  consigned 
to  infamy  or  recorded  with  honor,  and  represented  in 
another  world  as  tasting 

Of  heaven's  sweet  cup,  oi  poisonous  drug  of  hell; 

so  that  not  a  page  could  be  opened  without  exciting 
the  strongest  personal  feelings  in  the  mind  of  the 
reader.  These  sources  of  interest  must  certainly 
be  taken  into  our  account,  when  we  consider  the 
rapid  diffusion  of  the  work,  and  the  unexampled 
pams  that  were  taken  to  render  it  universally  in-' 
telligible.  Not  only  the  profound  and  subtile  alle- 
gory whidi  pervaded  it,  the  mysterious  style  of 
|NX>i^cy  which  the  writer  occasionally  assumed, 
the  bold  and  unusual  metaphors  which  he  every- 
where employed,  and  the  great  variety  of  know- 
ledge he  (Hsplayed ;  but  his  hasty  allusions  to  pass- 
ing events,  and  his  description  of  persons  by  acci- 
dental circumstances,  such  as  some  peculiarity  of 
form  or  feature,  the  place  of  their  nativity  or  abode, 
some  office  they  held,  or  the  heraldic  insignia  they 
bore — all  asked  for  the  help  of  commentators  and 
expounders^  who  were  not  long  wanting  to  the  task. 
Besides  his  two  sons,  to  whom  that  labor  most  prop- 
erly belonged,  many  others  were  found  ready  to 
engage  in  it  Before  the  century  had  expired, 
there  appeared  the  commentaries  of  Acc<»bo  do' 


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40  LIFE  OF  DANTE. 

B<mfantiiii,^  a  Franciscan;  of  Micchino  da  Mez- 
zano,  a  canon  of  Ravenna;  of  Fra.  Riccardo,  a 
Carmelite ;  of  Andrea,  a  Neapolitan ;  of  Gniniforte 
Bazzisio,  a  Bergamese ;  of  Fra.  Paolo  Albertino ; 
and  of  several  writers  whose  names  are  unknown, 
and  whose  toils,  when  Pelli  wrote,  were  concealed 
in  the  dust  of  private  libraries.'  About  the  year 
1350,  Giovanni  Visconti,  archbishop  of  Milan,  se* 
lected  six  of  the  most  learned  men  in  Italy,  two 
divines,  two  philosophers,  and  two  Florentines; 
and  gave  it  them  in  charge  to  contribute  theur  joint 
endeavors  towards  the  compilation  of  an  ample 
comment,  a  copy  of  which  is  preserved  in  the  Lau- 
rentian  library  at  Florence.  Whose  these  were 
is  no  longer  known;  but  Jacopo.della  Lana,*  and 
Petrarch,  are  conjectured  to  have  been  among  the 
number.  At  Florence,  a  public  lecture  was  found- 
ed for  the  purpose  of  explaining  a  poem,  that  was 
at  the  same  tim%the  boast  and  the  disgrace  of  the 
city.  The  decree  for  this  institution  was  passed 
in  1373 ;  and  in  that  year  Boccaccio,  the  first  of 
their  writers  in  prose,  was  appointed,  with  an  an- 
nual salary  of  a  hundred  florins,  to  deliver  lectures 
in  one  of  the  churches,  on  the  first  of  their  poets. 
On  this  occasion  he  wrote  his  comment,  which  ex- 
tends only  to  a  part  of  the  Inferno,  and  has  been 
printed.  In  1375  Boccaccio  died;  and  among  his 
successors  in  this  honorable  employment  we  find  the 
names  of  Antonio  Piovano  in  1381,  and  of  Filippo 
ViUani  in  1401. 

The  example  of  Florence  was  speedUy  followed 
by  Bologna,  by  Pisa,  by  Piacenza,  and  by  Venice. 
Benvenuto  da  Imola,  on  whom  the  office  of  lec- 
turer devolved    at    Bologna,  sustained    it  for  the 


1  TiraboscH,  Stor.  deUa  Poes.  Ital.,  vol.  ii.  p.  39 ;  and  Pelll, 
p.  119. 

*  The  Lettera  di  Enstazio  Dicearcheo,  &c.,  mentioned  above, 
p  37,  contains  many  extracts  from  an  early  MS.  of  the  Diviua 
Ck)mmedia,  with  marginal  notes  in  Latin,  preserved  in  the 
m>-ma8tery  of  Monte  Cassina  To  these  extracts  I  shall  have 
txeqnent  occasion  to  refer. 

*  Pelll,  p.  119,  informs  us,  that  the  writer,  who  is  termed 
8<nnetimes  "  the  good,"  sometimes  the  "  old  commentator,** 
by  those  depnted  to  correct  the  Decameron,  in  the  preface  to 
their  explanatory  notes,  and  who  began  his  w^wk  in  1334,  ia 
known  to  be  Jacopo  della  Lana ;  and  that  his  commentary 
was  translated  into  Latin  by  Alberigo  da  Rosada,  Doctor  <» 
Laws  at  Bologna 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  41 

Bpac6  of  ten  yeaiB.  From  the  comment,  which  he 
compoeed  for  the  puipoBo,  and  which  he  sent  abroad 
in  1379,  those  pasaages  that  tend  to  illustrate  the 
history  of  Italy,  have  been  published  by  MuratorL' 
At  Fisa,  the  same  charge  was  committed  to  Fran- 
cesco da  Buti  about  1386. 

On  the  invention  of  printing,  in  the  succeeding 
century,  Dante  was  one  of  those  writers  who  were 
first  and  most  frequently  given  to  the  press.  But  I 
do  not  mean  to  enter  on  an  account  of  the  numerous 
editions  of  our  author,  which  wertf  then,  or  have 
since  been  published ;  but  shall  content  myself  with 
adding  such  remarks  as  have  occurred  to  me  on 
reading  the  principal  writers,  by  whose  notes  those 
editions  have  been  accompanied. 

Of  the  four  chief  commentators  on  Dante,  name- 
ly, Landmo,  Vellutello,  Venturi,  and  Lombardi,  the 
6i8t  appears  to  enter  most  thoroughly  into  the  mind 
of  the  Poet.  Within  little  more  than  a  century  of 
the  time  in  which  Dante  had  lived ;  himself  a  Flo- 
rentine, while  Florence  was  still  free,  and  still  re- 
tained something  of  her  ancient  simplicity;  the 
associate  of  those  great  men  who  adorned  the  age 
of  Lorenzo  de'  Medici ;  Landino"  was  the  most 
capable  of  forming  some  estimate  of  the  mighty 
stature  of  his  compatriot,  who  was  indeed  greater 
than  them  alL  His  taste  for  the  classics,  which 
were  then  newly  revived,  and  had  become  the  prin- 
cipal objects  of  public  curiosity,  as  it  impaired  his 
relish  for  what  has  not  inaptly  been  termed  the  ro^ 
mantic  literature,  did  not,  it  is  true,  improve  him  for 
a  critic  on  the  Divina  Commedia.  The  adventures 
of  King  Arthur,  by  which*  Dante  had  been  de- 
lighted, appeared  to  Landino  no  better  than  a  fabu- 
lous and  inelegant  book.^  He  is,  besides,  sometimes 
unnecessarily  prolix ;  at  others,  silent,  where  a  real 


1  Antlq.  ItaL  v.  1.  The  Italidn  comment  published  under 
the  name  of  Benvenuto  da  Imola,  at  Milan,  in  1473,  and  at 
Venice  in  1477,  is  altogether  different  f>om  that  which  Mora' 
twi  has  brought  to  light,  and  appears  to  be  the  same  as  the 
Italian  comjnent  of  Jacopo  della  Lana  before  mentioned. 
See  Tiraboschi. 

*  Cristofibro  Landino  was  bom  in  1434,  and  died  in  1504  01 
1506.  See  Bandini,  Specimen  Litteiat.  Florent.  Edit  Flo- 
rence, 1751. 

*  Sec  note  to  Purgatory,  XTvl.  132. 

^  "  1 .  favoloso,  e  non  molto  elegante  libro  della  Tavola  Ro 
kmda.      Landino^  in  the  notes  to  the  Paradise^  xvl. 


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43  LIFE  OF  DANTE. 

difficulty  asks  for  solution;  and,  now  and  then,  a 
little  visionary  in  his  interpretation.  The  commen- 
tary of  his  successor,  Vellutello,^  is  more  evenly 
dlfl^ised  over  the  text;  and  although  without  pre- 
tensions to  the  higher  qualities,  by  which  Landino 
is  distmguished,  he  is  generally  under  the  mfluence 
of  a  sober  good  sense,  which  renders  him  a  steady 
and  useful  guide.  Venturi,'  who  followed  after  a 
long  interval  of  time,  was  too  much  swayed  by  his 
principles,  or  his  prejudices,  as  a  Jesuit,  to  sufl^ 
him  tc  judge  fairly  of  a  Ghlbelline  poet ;  and  either 
this  h'as,  or  a  real  want  of  tact  for  the  higher 
excellence  of  his  author,  or,  perhaps,  both  these  im- 
perfections together,  betray  him  into  such  imperti- 
nent and  injudicious  sallies,  as  dispose  us  to  quarrel 
with  our  companion,  though,  in  ihe  main,  a  very 
attentive  one,  generally  acute  and  lively,  and  at 
times  even  not  devoid  of  a  better  understanding  for 
the  merits  of  his  master.  To  him,  and  in  our  own 
times,  has  succeeded  the  Padre  Lombcuxii.'  This 
good  Franciscan,  no  doubt,  must  have  given  him- 
self much  pains  to  pick  out  and  separate  those  ears 
of  grain,  which  had  escaped  the  nail  of  those  who 
had  gone  before  him  in  that  labor.  But  his  zeal 
to  do  something  new  often  leads  him  to  do  some- 
thing that  is  not  over  wise ;  and  if  on  certam  occa- 
sions we  applaud  his  sagaciousness,  on  others  we  do 
not  less  wonder  that  his  ingenuity  should  have  been 
so  strangely  perverted.  l£s  manner  of  writing  is 
awkward  and  tedious;  his  attention,  more  than  is 
necessary,  directed  to  grammatical  niceties ;  and  his 
attachment  to  one  of  the  old  editions,  so  excessive, 
as  to  render  him  disingenuous  or*  partial  in  his  repre- 
sentation of  the  rest  But  to  compensate  this,  he  is 
a  good  Ghibelline;  and  his  opposition  to  Venturi 
seldom  fails  to  awaken  him  into  a  perception  of 
those  beauties  which  had  only  exercised  the  q[>leen 
of  the  Jesuit 

He  who  shall  undertake  another  commentary  on 
Dante,^  yet  comj^eter  than  any  of  those  which  havd 


1  Alessandro  Vellutello  was  bora  in  1519. 

s  Pompeo  Venturi  was  born  in  1693,  and  «lied  in  1753. 

*  Baldassare  Lombardi  died  January  3, 1808.  See  Cancel- 
Ueri.    Osservazioni,  Ax.  Roma,  1814,  p.  112. 

*  Francesco  Cionacci,  a  noble  Florentine,  projected  an  edi- 
tion of  the  Divina  Conunedla  in  one  hundred  volumes,  each 
containing  a  single  canto,  followed  by  all  the  commentaries, 


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LIFE  OF  DANTE.  43 

hitherto  appeared,  must  make  use  of  these  four,  but 
depend  on 'none.  To  them  he  must  add  several 
others  of  mmor  note,  whose  diligence  will  neverthe- 
less be  found  of  some  advantage,  and  among  whom 
I  can  particularly  distinguish  VolpL  Besides  this, 
many  commentaries  and  marginal  annotations,  that 
are  yet  inedited,  remain  to  be  exaimined ;  many 
editions  and  manuscripts^  to  be  more  carefully  col- 
lated; and  many  separate  dissertations  and  works 
of  criticism  to  be  considered.  But  this  is  not  all. 
That  line  of  reading  which  the  Poet  himself  appears 
to  have  pursued  (and  there  are  many  vestiges  m  his 
works  by  which  we  shall  be  enabled  to  discover  !t) 
must  be  diligently  tracked ;  and  the  search,  I  have 
little  doubt,  would  lead  to  sources  of  information, 
equally  profitable  and  unexpected. 

If  there  is  any  thing  of  novelty  in  the  notes 
which  accompany  the  following  translation,  it  will 
be^  found  to  consist  chiefly  in  a  comparison  of  the 
Poet  with  hunself,  that  is,  of  the  Divina  Commedia 
with  his  other  writings  f  a  mode  of  illustration  so 
obvious,  that  it  is  only  to  be  wondered  how  others 
should  happen  to  have  made  so  little  use  of  it.  As 
to  the  imitations  of  my  author  by  later  poets,  Italian 
and  English,  which  I  have  collected  in  addition  to 
those  few  that  had  been  already  remarked,  they 
contribute  littie  or  nothing  to  the  purposes  of  illus- 
tration, but  must  be  considered  merely  as  matter  of 
curiosity,  and  as  instances  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  great  practitioners  in  art  do  not  scruple  to  profit 
by  £eir  piedecessors.  < 

accordiiig  to  the  order  of  time  in  which  they  were  written, 
and  accompanied  by  a  Latin  translation  for  the  use  of  for- 
eigners.   CancMier%  ibid,  p.  64. 

^  The  Connt  Mortara  has  lately  shown  me  many  various 
leadings  he  has  remarked  on  collating  thp  nomerons  MSS. 
of  Dante  in  the  Canonici  collection  at  the  Bodleian.  It  is  ta 
be  hoped  he  will  make  them  pablic.    TJan.  1843.J 

>  Ilie  edition  which  is  referred  to  In  the  following  i 
Is  that  printed  at  Venice  in  2  vols.  8vo.  1793. 


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CHRONOLOGICAL  VIEW 

OF 

THE    AGE    OF    DANTE 


A.D 

1265  May.-— DANTE,  son  of  Alighieri  degli  Ali- 

ghieri  and  Bella,  is  bom  at  Florence.  Of 
his  own  ancestry  he  speaks  in  the  Paradisoj 
Canto  XV.  and  xvi. 

In  the  same  year,  Manfredi,  kmg  of  Naples 
and  Sicily,  is  defeated  and  slain  by  Charles 
of  Anion.    H.  xxviii.  13,  and  Purg.  iii.  IIQ. 

Guido  Novello  of  Polenta  obtains  5ie  sovoi- 
eignty  of  Ravenna.    H.  xxvii.  38.  ^ 

Battle  of  Evesham.  Simon  de  Montfort,  lead- 
er of  the  barons,  defeated  and  slain. 

1266  Two  of  the  Frati  Godenti  chosen  arbitrators  of 

the  differences  of  Florence.     H.  xxiii.  104. 
Gianni  de'  Soldanieri  heads  the  populace  in 

that  city.    H.  xxxii  118. 
Roger  Bacon  sends  a  copy  of  his  Opus  Majus 
to  Pope  Clement  IV. 
1268  Charles  of  Anjou  puts  Conradine  to  death, 
and  becomes  king  of  Naples.    H.  xxviiL  16, 
and  Purg.  xx.  66. 
1270  Louis  IX.  of  France  dies  before  Tunis.    His 
widow  Beatrice,  daughter  of  Raymond  Be- 
renger,  hved  till  1295^    Purg.  vii.  126.   Par. 
vL  135. 
1272  Henry  III.  of  England  is  succeeded  by  Ed- 
ward I.     Purg.  viL  129. 
Guy  de  Montfort  murders  Prince  Henry,  son 
of  Richard,  king  of  the  Romans,  and  ne- 
phew  of  Henry  III.  of  England,  at  Viterbo 
H.  xii.  119.    Richard  dies,  as  is  supposed^ 
of  grief  for  this  event 
Abulfeda,  the  Arabic  writer,  is  bom. 
1274  Our  Poet  first  sees  Beatrice,  daughter  of  F(do6 
Portinari. 
Rodolph  acknowledged  emperor. 
Philip  III.  of  France  marries  Mary  of  Bra- 
bant, who  lived  till  1321.    Purg.  vL  24 


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CHRONOLOGICAL  VIEW.  46 

A.  D.  •         . 

1274  Thomas  Aquinas  dies.    Porg.  zx.  67,  and  Par 

X.96 
Buonaventura  dies.    Par.  xil  25. 

1275  Pierre  de  la  Brosse,  secretary  to  Philip  III.  of 

France,  executed.    Purg.  vL  23. 

1276  Giotto,  the  painter,  is  bom.    Purg.  xL  95. 
Pope  Adrian  V.  dies.    Purg.  xix.  97. 

Guido  Guinicelli,  the  poet,  dies.  Purg.  xL  96, 
and  xxvL  83. 

1277  Pope  John  XXL  dies.    Par.  xii.  126. 

1278  Ottocar,  king  of  Bohemia,  dies.     Purg.  yii. 

97.    Robert  of  Gloucester  is  living  at  this 
time. 

1279  Dionysins  succeeds  to  the  throne  of  Portugal. 

Par.  xix.  135. 

1280  AJbertus  Magnus  dies.    Par.  x.  95. 

Our  Poet's  Send,  Busone  da  Gubbio,  is  bom 
about  this  time.  See  the  Life  of  Dante  pre- 
fixed. 

William  of  Ockham  is  bom  about  this  time. 

1281  Pope  Nicholas  IIL  dies.    H.  xix.  71. 

Dante  studies  at  the  universities  of  Bologna 
and  Padua. 

About  this  time  Ricordano  Malaspma,  the  Flo- 
rentine annalist,  dies. 

1282  The  Sicilian  vespers.    Par.  viil  80. 

The  French  defeated  by  the  people  of  Forli. 

H.  xxviL  41. 
Tribaldello  de'  Manfredi  betrays  the  city  of 

Faenaa.    H.  xxxii.  119. 
\3S4  Prince  Charles  of  Anjou  is  defeated,  and  made 

prisoner  by  Rugier  de  Lauria,  admiral  to 

Peter  III.  of  Aragon.    Purg.  xx.  78. 
Charles  I.  king  of  Naples,  dies.    Purg.  vii.  111. 
Alonzo  X.  of  Castile,  dies.    He  caused  the 

Bible  to  be  translated  into  Castilian,  and  all 

legal  instruments  to  be  drawn  up  in  that 

language.    Sancho  IV.  succeeds  lum. 
Philip  (next  year  IV.  of  France)  marries  Jane, 

daughter  of  Henry  of  Navarre.    Purg.  vii. 

102. 
1285  Pope  MarUn  IV.  dies.    Purg.  xxiv.  23. 

Piulip  III.  of  France  and  Peter  III.  of  Aragon 

die.    Purg.  viL  101  and  110. 
Henry  II.  kmg  of  Cyprus,  comes  to  the  thron» 

Par.  xix.  144. 


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46  CHRONOLOGICAL  VIEW 

A.D.       . 

12^5  Simou  Memmi,  the  painter,  celebrated  by  Pe« 
trarch,  is  bom. 

1287  Guide  dalle  Colonne  (mentioned  by  Dante  in 

his  De  Vulgar!  Eloquio)  writes  "  The  War 
of  Troy." 
.  Pope  Honorius  IV.  dies 

1288  Haquin,  king  of  Norway,  makes  war  on  Den- 

mark.    Par.  xix.  135. 

Count  Ugolino  de'  Gherardeschi  dies  of  famine. 
H.  xxxiii.  14. 

The  Scottish  poet,  Thomas  Learmouth,  com- 
monly called  Thomas  the  Rhymer,  is  living 
at  thu  time. 

1289  Dante  is  in  the  battle  of  Campaldino,  where 

the  Florentines  defeat  the  people  of  Axezzo, 
June  11.    Purg.  v.  90. 

1290  Beatrice  dies.    Purg.  xxxiL  2. 

He  serves  in  the  war  waged  by  the  Floren- 
tines upon  the  Pisans,  and  is  present  at 
the  surrender  of  Caprona  in  the  autumn. 
H.  xxL  92. 

Guide  dalle  Colonne  dies. 

William,  marquis  of  Montferrat,  is  made  pris- 
oner by  his  traitorous  subjects,  at  Alessan^ 
dria  m  Lombardy.    Purg.  vil  133. 

Michael  Scot  dies.    H..xx.  115. 

1291  Dante  marries  Gemma  de'  Donati,  with  whom 

he  lives  unhappily.    By  this  marriage  ho 

had  five  sons  and  a  daughter. 
Can  Grande  della  Scala  is  bom,  March  9. 

H.  L  98.    Purg.  XX.  16.    Par.  xviL  75,  and 

x.wii.  135. 
The  renegade  Christians  assist  the  Saracens  to 

recover  St  John  D'Acre.    H.  xxviL  84. 
The  Emperor  Rodolph  dies.    Purg.  vi.  104, 

and  vii.  91. 
Alonzo  III.  of  Ari^n  dies,  and  is  succeeded 

by  James  IL    rurg.  viL  113,  and  Par.  xix 

133. 
.  Eleanor,  widow  of  Henry  IIL  dies.  Par.  vL  135. 

1292  Pope  Nicholas  IV.  dies. 
Rc^r  Bacon  dies. 

Jo^  Balid,  king  of  Scotland,  crowned. 
1294  Clement  V.  abdicates  the  papal  chair.    H. 
iiL56. 
Dante  writes  his  Vita  Nuova. 


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OF  THE  AGE  OF  DANTE  47 

A.D. 

1294  Fra  Gnittone  d'Arezzo,  the  poet,  diet.    Fvaeg, 
xxiv.  56. 

Andreli  Taffi,  of  Florence,  the  wwker  in  Mo- 
saic, dies. 
15^5  Dante's  preceptor,  Brunette  Latini,  diet.    H. 
XV.  28. 

Charles  M artel,  king  of  Hongary,  visits  Flo- 
rence. Par.  viiL  57,  and  dies  in  the  same 
year. 

Frederick,  son  of  Peter  III.  of  Aragon,  he- 
comes  king  of  Sicily.  Purg.  viL  117,  and 
Par.  xix.  127. 

Taddeo,  the  physician  of  Florence,  called  the 
Hippocratean,  dies.    Par.  xii.  77. 

Marco  Polo,  the  traveller,  returns  from  the 
East  to  Venice. 

Ferdinand  IV.  of  Castile  .comes  to  the  throne. 
Par.  jdx.  122. 
1296  Forese,  the  companion  of  Dante,  dies.    Purg 
xxxiiL44. 

Sadi,  the  most  celebrated  of  the  Peisian  wri- 
ters, dies. 

War  between  England  and  Scotland,  which 
terminates  in  ihe  submission  of  the  Scots  to 
Edward  I. ;  but  in  the  following  year.  Sir 
William  Wallace  attempts  the  deliverance 
of  Scotland.  Par.  xix.  121. 
1298  The  Emperor  Adolphus  falls  in  a  battle  with 
his  rival,  Albert  I.,  who  succeeds  him  in  the 
Empire.    Purg.  vL  98. 

Jacopo  da  Varagine,  archbii^op  of  Genoa, 
author  of  the  Legenda  Aurea,  dies. 

1300  The  Bianca  and  Nera  parties  take  their  rise 

in  Pistoia.    H.  xxxii.  60. 
This  is  the  year  in  which  he  supposes  him- 
self to  see  his  vision.    H.  L   1,   and  xxi 

109. 
He  is  chosen  chief  magistrate,  or  first  of  the 

Priors  of  Florence :  and  continues  in  office 

from  June  15  to  August  15. 
Cimabue,  the  painter,  dies.    Purg.  xi.  93. 
Guide  Cavalcanti,  the  most  beloved  of  oui 

Poet's  Mends,  dies.    H.  x.  59,  and  Purg. 

XL  96.  ■ 

1301  The  Bianca  party  expels  the  Nera  from  Pistoia^ 

H.  xxiv.  142. 


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48  CHRONOLOGICAL  VIEW 

A.D. 

1302  January  27.    Duriiig  his  absence  at  Romei 

Dante  is  mulcted  by  his  fellow-citizens  in 

the  sum  of  8000  lire,  and  condenmed  to  two 

years*  banishment 
March  10.    He  is  sentenced,  if  taken,  to  be 

burned. 
Fulcieri  de'  Calboli  commits  great  atrocities 

on  certain  of  the  Ghibelline  party.     Purg. 

xiv.  61. 
Carlino  de'  Pazzi  betrays  the  castle  di  Piano 

Travigne,  m  Valdamo,  to  the  Florentines. 

H.  xxxii.  67. 
The  French  vanquished  in  the  battle  of  Cour- 

traL    Purg.  xx.  47. 
James,  king  of  Majorca  and  Minorca,  dies 

Par.  xix.  133. 

1303  Pope  Boniface.  VIIL  dies.    H.  xix.  55.    Purg 

XX.  86 ;  xxxii.  146,  and  Par.  xxviL  20. 
The   other  exiles    aj^xtint  Dante  one  of   a 
council    of   twelve,  under  Alessandro    da 
Romena.     He  appears  to  have  been  much 
dissatisfied  with  his  colleagues.    Par.  xvii 

Robert  of  Brunne  translates  into  English  verse 
the  Manuel  de  P«ch^,  a  treatise  written  in 
French  by  Robert  Grosseteste,  bishop  of 
Lincoln. 

1304  Dante  joins  with  the  exiles  in  an  unsuccessful 

attack  on  the  city  of  Florence. 
May.      The    bridge    over  the  Amo  breaks 

down  during  a  representation  of  the  infer- 

nal  torments  exhibited  on  that  river.    H 

xxvi.  9. 
July  20.     Petrarch,  whose  father  had  been 

banished  two  years  before  from  Floienco,  it 

bom  at  Arezzo. 

1305  Winceslaus  II.  king  of  Bohemia,  dies.    Purg 

viL  99,  and  Par.  xix.  123. 
A  conflagration  happens   at  Florence.      H 

xxvi.  9. 
Sir  William  Wallace  is  executed  at  London. 

1306  Dante  visits  Padua. 

1307  He  is  m  Lunigiana  with  the  Marchese  Mar 

cello  Malaspina.  Purg.  viii.  133  ;  xix.  140 
Dolcino,  the  fanatic,  is  burned.  H.  xxviiu  5J 
Edward  II.  of  England  comes  to  the  throne. 


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OF  THE  AGE  OF  DANTE.  49 

A.  D. 

1308  The  Emperor  Albert  I.  murdered.    Ptarg.  tI 

98,  and  Par.  six.  114. 
Corso  Douati,  Dante's  political  enemy,  slain. 

Purg.  xxiv.  81. 
He  seeks  an  asylnm  at  Verona,  under  the  roof 

of  the  Signori  della  Scala.    Par.  xvii.  69. 
He  wanders,  about  this  time,  over  various  parts 

of  Italy.    See  his  Convito.    He  is  at  Paris 

a  second  time  ;  -and,  according  to  one  of  the 

early  commentaton,  visits  Oidbrd. 
Robert,  the  patron  of  Petrarch,  is  crowned 

king  of  Sicily.     Par.  ix.  2. 
Duns  Scotus  dies.    He  was  bom  about  the 

same  time  as  Dante. 

1309  Charles  II.  kmg  of  Naples  dies.     Par.  zix. 

125. 

1310  The  Order  of  the  Templais  abolished.    Purg. 

XX.  94. 
Jean  de  Meun,  the  continuer  of  the  Roman 

de  la  Rose,  dies  about  this  time. 
Pier  Cresoen2i  of  Bologna  wcites  his  book  on 
agriculture,  in  Latin. 
•  1311  Fra  Giordano  da  Rivalta,  of  Pisa,  a  Domi- 
nican, the  author  of  sermons  esteemed  for 
tiv)  purity  of  the  Tuscan  language,  dies. 

1312  Robert,  king  of  Sicily,  opposes  the  corona 

tion  of  the  Emperor  Henry  VII.  Par.  viii. 
59. 

Ferdinand  IV.  of  Castile,  dies,  and  is  succeed- 
ed by  Alonzo  XI. 

Dino  Compagni,  a  distinguished  Florentine, 
concludes  &i  history  of  his  own  time,  writ- 
ten in  elegant  Italian. 

Gaddo  Gaddi,  the  Florentine  artist,  dies. 

1313  The    Emperor    Henry  of   Luxemburgh,   by 

whom  he  had  hoped  to  be  restored  to  Flor- 
ence,  dies.  Par.  xviL  80,  and  xxx.  135 
Henry  is  succeeded  by  Lewis  of  Bavaria. 

Dante  takes  refuge  at  Ravenna,  with  Guido 
Novello  da  Polenta. 

Giovanni  Boccaccio  is  bom. 

Pope  Clement  V.  dies.  H.  xix.  86,  and  Par 
xxvii.  53,  and  xxx.  141. 

1314  Philip  IV.  of  France  dies.    Purg.  vii  108,  and 

Par.  xix.  117. 
Louis  X.  succeeds 

8 


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60  CHRONOLOGICAL  VIEW. 

• 

A.  D 

1314  Ferdinand  IV.  of  Spain,  dies.    Par.  six.  I:S9L 
Giacopo  da  Carrara  defeated  by  Can  Graadoi 

who   makes   himself  Master   of  Vicenza. 
Par.  ix.  45. 

1315  Louis  X.  of  France  marries  Clemenza,  sister 

to  our  Poet's  friend,  Charles  Martol,  king 
of  Hungary.    Par.  ix.  2. 

1316  Louis  X.  of  France  dies,  and  is  succeeded  by 

Philip  V. 
John  ^UCII.  elected  Pope.    Par.  xxviL  53. 
loinville,  the  French  historian,  dies  about  this 

1.^20  About  this  time  John  Gower  is  bom,  eighl 
years  before  his  friend  Chaucer. 

1321  July.  Dante  dies  at  Ravenna,  of  a  complain* 
brought  on  by  disappointment  at  his  failure 
in  a  negotiation  which  he  had  been  con 
ductin?  with  the  Venetiafis,  for  hid  patron 
Guido  Novello  da  Polenta. 
His  obsequies  are  sumptuously  performed  at 
Ravenna  by  Guido,  who  hiii^lf  died  in  the 

ryew 


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THE  VISION  OP  DANTE. 


HELL. 


CANTO  I. 


ARGUMENT. 

The  writer,  having  loit  his  way  in  a  gloomy  forest,  and  betsf 
hindered  kv  certain  wild  I>ea8t8  firom  ascending  a  mountain 
is  met  by  Yirgil,  who  promises  to  show  him  the  punish- 
ments of  Hell,  and  afterwards  of  Purgatory :  and  that  he 
shall  then  lie  conducted  by  Beatrice  into  FaiadiM.  He 
follows  the  Boman  poet. 

In  the  midway'  of  this  our  mortal  life, 
I  found  me  in  a  gloomy  wood,  astray 
Gone  from  the  path  direct :  and  e'en  to  teU» 
It  were  no  easy  task,  how  savage  wild 
That  forest,  how  robust  and  rough  its  growth* 
Which  to  remember'  only,  my  £nnay 
Benews,  m  bitterness  not  far  from  death. 
Tet,  to  discourse  of  what  there  good  befell. 
All  else  will  I  relate  discovered  Siere. 

How  first  I  entered  it  I  scarce  can  say. 
Such  sleepy  dulness  in  that  instant  weigh'd 


>  Intkemidwuf.}  That  the  era  of  the  Poem  Is  intended  by 
tliese  words  to  be  fixed  to  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  the  poefs 
age,  A.  D.  1300,  will  appear  mora  plainly  in  Canto  zzi.,  where 
that  date  is  explicitly  marlced. 

In  his  Ckmvito,  human  life  is  compared  to  an  arch  or  bow, 
the  highest  point  of  which  is,  in  tluMe  well  fi-amed  by  ndtnre, 
at  their  thirty-fifth  year.  Opera  dl  Dante,  ediz.  Yen.  8vo, 
17S3.  t.  L  p.  195. 

*  JTkieh  to  remember.]  "Even  when  I  remember  I  am 
afinid,  and  trembling  talceth  hold  on  my  flesh/*    Job  xxl  6. 


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52  THE  VISION.  13-3li 

My  senses  down,  when  the  true  path  I  left ; 

But  when  a  mountam's  foot  I  reach'd,  where  closed 

The  valley  that  had  pierced  my  heart  with  dread, 

I  look'd  aloft,  and  saw  his  shoulders  broad 

Already  vested  with  that  planet's  beam,^ 

Who  leads  all  wanderers  safe  through  every  way 

Then  was  a  little  respite  to  the  fear, 
That  in  my  heart's  recesses'  deep  had  lain 
All  of  that  night,  so  pitifully  pass'd : 
And  as  a  man,  with  difficult  short  breath, 
Forespent  with  toiling,  'scaped  from  sea  to  shore, 
Turns'  to  the  perilous  wide  waste,  and  stands 
At  gaze  ;  e'en  so  my  spirit,  that  yet  fail'd, 
Strugglmg  with  terror,  tum'd  to  view  the  straits 
That  none  hath  pass'd  and  lived.    My  weary  frame 
After  short  pause  recomforted,  again 
I  joumey'd  on  over  that  lonely  steep. 
The  hinder  foot  still  firmer.^    Scarce  the  ascent 
Began,  when  lo !  a  panther,*  nimble,  light. 
And  cover'd  with  a  speckled  skin,  appear'd ; 
Nor,  when  it  saw  me,  vanish'd ;  rather  strove 
To  check  my  onward  gomg ;  that  oft-times, 
With  purpose  to  retrace  my  steps,  I  tum'd. 

The  hour  was  mommg|s  prime,  and  on  his  way 
Aloft  the  sun  ascended  with  those  stars,* 
That  with  him  rose  when  Love  divine  first  moved 
Those  its  fab:  works :  so  that  wHh  joyous  hme 
All  things  conspired  to  fill  me,  the  gay  skin^ 


^  That  planet^ §  beam.]    The  son. 

*  Jfy  kearfg  recesses.}    Nel  lago  del  cnor. 

Lombardi  cites  an  Imitation  of  this  by  Sedi  in  his  Dltirambo  i 
Imon  vinl  son  qn^H,  che  acqaemno 
Le  procelle  si  fosche  e  mbelle, 
Che  nel  lago  4el  cnot  Tanime  Lnqoietano 

*  Turns.]    Bo  in  onr  Poefs  second  psalm : 

Came  colui,  che  andando  per  lo  bosco, 

Da  si^o  panto,  a  qnel  si  volge  e  goarda 
Even  as  one,  in  passing  throogfa  a  wood, 
Pierced  by  a  thorn,  at  which  he  tains  and  looks. 
<  TIU  kinder  foot.]    It  is  to  be  remembered,  that  in  as* 
tending  a  hill  the  weight  of  the  body  rests  on  the  hinder 
Ibot. 
»  .Opanther.}    Pleasure  or  laxary. 

*  frith  those  stars.]    The  san  was  In  Aries,  in  which  sign 
he  sapposes  it  to  have  begun  its  coarse  at  the  creation. 

*  7%egay  skin.]    A  late  editor  of  the  Divina  Coounedia, 
Mgnor  ZotUj  has  spt^n  of  the  {nnesent  translation  at  the 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


Mhsa,  HELL,  Canto  L  SI 

Of  that  swift  animal,  the  matin  dawn. 
And  the  sweet  season.    Soon  that  joy  was  chaieA. 
And  by  new  dread  succeeded,  when  in  yiew 
A  lion^  came,  'gainst  me  as  it  appeared. 
With  his  head  held  aloft  and  hunger-nxid, 
That  e'en  the  aur  was  fear-strnck.    A  she-wolf* 
Was  at  his  heels,  who  in  her  leanness  seem'd 
Full  of  all  wants,  and  many  a  land  hath  made 
Disconsolate  ere  now.    She  with  such  fear 
Overwhelmed  me,  at  the  sight  of  her  appall'd. 
That  of  the  height  all  hope  I  lost    As  one, 
Who,  with  his  gain  elated,  sees  the  time 
When  all  unwares  is  gone,  he  inwardly 


only  one  that  has  rendered  this  passage  rightly:  bnt  Mr. 
Hayley  had  shown  me  the  way,  in  his  very  sldlfoi  version  of 
the  first  three  Cantos  of  the  Inferno,  inserted  in  the  notes  to 
his  Essay  on  Epic  Poetry : 

I  now  was  raised  to  hope  sublime 
By  these  bright  omens  of  my  &te  benign, 
The  beaateous  beast  and  the  sweet  hoar  of  prime. 

All  the  C(nnmentat(Mrs,  whom  I  have  seen,  oncterstand  our 
Poet  to  say  that  the  season  of  the  year  and  the  hour  of  the 
day  induced  him  to  hope  for  the  gay  skin  of  the  panther ;  and 
there  is  something  in  the  sixteenth  Canto,  verse  107,  which 
countenances  their  interi»etation,  although  that  which  I  have 
followed  still  appears  to  me  the  more  probable. 

>  jS  lion.]    Pride  or  ambition 

>  j9  «JU-«cMrf/.J    Avarice 

It  cannot  be  doubted  that  the  image  of  these  three  beasts 
coming  against  him  is  taken  by  our  authw  ftom  the  prophet 
Jeremuh,  v.  6 :  '*  Wherefore  a  lion  out  of  the  forest  slwll  slay 
them,  and  a  wolf  of  the  evenings  shall  spoil  them,  a  leopard 
shall  watch  over  their  cities."  Bossetti,  following  Dionisi 
«nd  oJier  later  CommentaUNrs,  interprets  Dante*s  leopard  to 
denote  Florence,  his  lion  the  king  of  France,  and  his  wolf  the 
Court  of  Rome.  It  is  far  from  improbable  that  our  author 
might  have  had  a  second  allegory  of  this  sort  in  his  view; 
even  as  Spenser  in  the  introductory  letter  to  his  poem,  tells  us 
that  *'  in  the  Faery  Q,ueen  he  meant  Glory  in  his  general  in- 
tention, but  in  his  particular  he  conceived  the  most  excellent 
and  glorious  person  of  his  sovereign  the  Queen."  "  And  yet," 
he  adds,  "  in  some  places  else  I  do  otherwise  shadow  her." 
Such  involution  of  allegorical  meanings  may  well  be  supposed 
to  have  been  firequently  present  to  the  mind  of  Dante  ttirough- 
out  the  composition  of  this  poem.  Whether  his  acute  and 
eloquent  interi»eter,  Rossetti,  may  not  have  been  ca^ed 
much  too  fiir  in  the  ponoit  of  a  &vorite  hypothesis,  is  another 
question  ;*  and  I  must  avow  my  disbelief  of  the  secret  jargon 
imputed  to  our  poet  and  the  other  writers  of  that  time  in  the 
Comment  on  the  Divina  Commedia  and  in  the  Spirito  Antipa- 
pale,  the  latter  of  which  works  is  familiarized  to  the  English 
leader  in  Miss  Ward's  faithfbl  translation. 


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54  THE  VISION.  53-M 

Monnis  with  heart-gri|Hng  anguuh ;  sach  wem  J, 
Haunted  by  that  fell  beast,  never  at  peace. 
Who  coining  o'er  against  me,  by  degrees 
Impeird  me  where  the  sun  in  silence  rests.^ 

While  to  the  lower  space  with  backward  step 
'  f  fell,  my  ken  discem'd  the  form  of  one         [c^»eech 
Whose  voice  seem'd  faint  through  long  disuse  of 
When  him  in  that  great  desert  I  espied, 
**  Have  mercy  on  me,"  cried  I  out  aloud, 
**  Spirit !  or  livmg  man !  whate'er  then  be."    • 

He  answered:  "  Now  not  man,  man  once  I  waS} 
And  bom  of  Lombard  parents,  Mantuans  both 
By  country,  when  the  power  of  Julius"  yet 
Was  scarcely  firm.    At  Rome  my  life  was  pass'd, 
Beneath  the  mild  Augustus,  in  the  time 
Of  fabled  deities  and  false.    A  bard 
Was  I,  and  made  Anchises*  iq>right  son 
The  subject  of  my  song,  who  came  from  Troy, 
When  the  flames  preyed  on  Ilium's  haughty  towem.* 
But  thou,  say  wherefore  to  such  perils  past 
Retum'st  thou?  wherefore  not  tlus  pleasant  mount 
Ascendest,  cause  and  source  of  all  delight?'* 
**  And  art  thou  then  that  Virgil,  that  well-spring 
From  which  such  copious  floods  of  eloquence 
Have  issued?"  I  with  front  abash'd  replied. 
"  Glory  and  light  of  all  the  tuneful  train ! 
May  it  avail  me,  that  I  long  with  zeal 
Have  sought  thy  volume,  and  with  love  immense 

*  FFkere  tk»  tun  in  tiletue  rests.} 

The  sun  to  me  is  dark, 
And  silent  as  the  moon, 
When  she  deserts  the  night. 
Hid  in  her  vacant  interiunar  cave. 

JdUton^  Sam  Jigsn, 

The  same  metaphor  will  recur.  Canto  v.  verse  29. 
Into  a  place  I  came 
Where  light  was  silent  all. 

*  ffhem  the  power  of  JvliusJ] 

Nacqni  sab  Julio,  ancorchd  fosse  tardL 

This  is  explained  by  the  Commentators:  '^Although  it  were 
rather  late  with  respect  to  my  birth,  before  Julias  Cesar  as- 
sumed the  supreme  anthority,  and  made  himself  perpetual 
dictator.**  Virgil,  indeed,  was  bom  twenty-five  years  before 
that  event. 

*  Jltum*s  hatighty  towers.\ 

Cecilitque  supertram 
niom.  FirgUt  JEs.  ilL  9 


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Bl-IOSL  HELL,  Canto  I.  55 

Haye  coim'd  it  o'er.    My  master  thoo,  and  goUU  2' 

Thou  he  from  whom  alone  I  have  deriyed 

That  style,  which  for  its  beauty  into  fame 

Exalts  me.    See  the  beast,  from  whom  I  fled. 

O  save  mo  from  her,  thou  illustrious  sage ! 

For  every  vein  and  pulse  throughout  my  frame 

She  hath  made  tremble."    He,  soon  as  he  saw 

That  I  was  weeping,  answer'd,  **  Thou  must  needs 

Another  way  pursue,  if  thou  wouldst  *scape 

From  out  that  savage  wilderness.    This  beast. 

At  whom  thou  criest,  her  way  will  suffer  none 

To  pass,  and  no  less  hind'rance  makes  than  death 

So  bad  and  so  accursed  in  her  kind, 

That  never  sated  is  her  ravenous  will,  * 

Still  after  food*  more  craving  than  before. 

To  many  an  animal  m  wedlock  vile 

Sho  fastens,  and  shall  yet  to  many  more, 

(Jntil  that  greyhound'  come,  who  shall  destroy 

Her  with  sharp  pain.    He  will  not  life  support 

By  earth  nor  its  base  metals,  but  by  love. 

Wisdom,  and  virtue ;  and  his  land  shall  be 

The  land  'twizt  either  Feltro.^    In  his  might 


^  Jtfy  master  tkouy  arid  guide.] 

Tn  86*  lo  mio  maestro,  e*l  mio  aaUue, ' 
Ta  se*  solo  c<diii. 

Thou  art  my  father,  thoa  my  aathor,  thoa. 

Jiri/ton,P.XM,ii.864. 

*  StiU  after  food,].  SoFrozzl: 

La  Toglia  sempre  ha<lkroe,  e  mtd  non  s'empie. 
Ed  al  pin  puto  piu  riman  digiona. 

Jl  QuadririgiOt  lib.  11.  cap.  zl 
Venturi  observes  that  the  verse  in  the  original  is  borrowed  by 
Bemi. 

*  That  grejfkound.]  This  passage  has  been  commonly  xat- 
derstood  as  a  eologiom  on  the  liberal  sj^t  of  his  Yenmeso 
patnm,  Can  Grande  della  Scala. 

*  ^Twixt  either  Feltro.]  Verona,  tl^e  conntry  of  Can  della 
Scala,  is  situated  between  Feltro,  a  city  in  the  Marea  Trivi- 
giana,  and  Monte  Feltro,  a  city  in  the  territory  of  Urbino. 

Bat  Dante  perhaps  does  not  merely  poiht  oat  the  place  of 
Can  Grande's  nativity,  for  he  may  allnde  farther  to  a  pro- 
fdiecy,  ascribed  to  Michael  Scot,  which  imported  that  the 
**  Doe  of  Verona  would  be  lord  of  Padoa  and  of  all  the  Marca 
Trivii^na.**  It  was  fulfilled  in  the  year  1329,  a  little  before 
Can  Grande's  death.  See  G.  Villanl  Hist  ll  x.  cap.  cv.  and 
czli.  and  some  lively  criticism  by  Gaspare  Gozzi,  entitled  Gin- 
dido  degli  Antichi  Poeti,  frc.,  printed  at  the  end  of  the  Zatta 
edition  of  Dante,  t  iv.  part  11.  p.  15.  The  prophecy,  it  is 
likely,  was  a  forgery;  for  Michael  died  before  1900,  whea 


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66  THE  VISION.  l(»-ir 

Shall  safety  to  Italia's  plains'  arise, 

For  whose  fair  realm,  Camilla,  virgin  pore, 

Nisus,  Euryalus,  and  Tumus  fell. 

He,  with  incessant  chase,  through  every  town 

Shall  worry,  until  he  to  hell  at  length. 

Restore  her,,  thence  by  envy  first  let  loose. 

I,  for  thy  profit  pondering,  now  devise 

That  thou  mayst  follow  me ;  and  I,  thy  guide, 

Will  lead  thee  hence  through  an  eternal  space. 

Where  thou  shalt  hear  despairing  shrieks,  and  see 

Spirits  of  old  tormented,  who  invoke 

A  second  death  f  and  those  next  view,  who  dwell 

Content  in  fire,*  for  that  they  hope  to  come. 

Whene'er  the  time  may  be,  among  the  blest. 

Into  whose  regions  if  thou  then  desire 

To  ascend,  a  spirit  worthier*  than  I 

Must  lead  thee,  in  whose  charge,  when  I  depart 

Thou  Shalt  be  left:  for  that  Ahnighty  King, 

Who  reigns  above,  a  rebel  to  his  law 

Adjudges  me ;  and  therefore  hath  decreed 

That,  to  his  city,  none  through  me  should  come. 

He  in  all  parts  hath  sway ;  mere  rules,  there  holds 

His  citadel  and  throne.    O  happy  those. 

Whom  there  he  chooses !"     I  to  hun  in  few : 

**  Bard !  by  that  God,  whom  thou  didst  not  adore. 


Can  Grande  was  only  nine  years  old.  See  Hell,  xx.  115,  and 
Par.  xvii.  75.  Troya  has  given  a  new  interpretation  to  Dante's 
prediction,  which  he  applies  to  Uguccione  della  Faggiola, 
whose  country  also  was  situated  between  two  Feltros.  See 
the  Veltro  Allegorico  di  Dante,  p.  110.  Bat  after  all  the  pains 
he  has  taken,  this  very  able  writer  fails  to  make  it  clear  that 
Uguccione,  though  he  acted  a  prominent  part  as  a  Ghibeline 
leader,  is  intended  here  or  in  Pui^tory,  c.  xxxili.  38.  The  main 
proofe  rest  on  an  ambiguous  reiKMrt  mentioned  by  Boccaccio  of 
the  Inferno  l)eing  dedicated  to  him,  and  on  a  snspicioos  letter 
attributed  to  a  certain  fMar  Ilario,  in  which  the  friar  describes 
Dante  addressing  him  as  a  stranger,  and  desiring  him  to  con> 
vey  that  portion  of  the  poem  to  Uguccione.  There  is  no  di- 
rect  allusion  to  liim  throughout  the  Divina  Comroedia,  as 
mere  is  to  the  other  chief  public  protectors  of  our  poet  during 
his  exile. 

1  Italia: $  plaifu.]  "Umile  Italia,"  from  Virgil,  JEn.,  lib 
UL522. 

Humilemque  yidemus 
Italiam. 

s  A  second  death.]  "  Aiid  in  these  da3rs  men  shall  seek 
death,  and  shall  not  find  it;  and  shall  desire  to  die, and  death 
shhll  flee  from  them.**    Rev.  ix.  6. 

*  Content  in  fire.]    The  spirits  in  Purgatory. 

*  A  gpirit  worthier.]  Beatrice,  who  conducts  the  foet 
flurongh  Paradise 


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196-133.  HELL,  Caicto  IL  57 

I  do  beseech  thee  (that  this  ill  and  wone 
I  may  escape)  to  lead  me  where  thou  saidst, 
That  I  Saint  Peter's  gate^  may  yiew,  and  ihotp 
Whs,  as  thou  tell'st,  are  m  such  dismal  plight" 
Onward  he  moved,  I  close  his  steps  punaed. 


CANTO    IL 


ARGUMENT 
After  the  invocation,  which  poets  are  nsed  to  prefix  to  their 
worlcs,  he  shows,  that,  on  a  consideration  of  his  own 
strength,  he  donbted  whether  it  sufficed  for  the  jonmey 
propmed  to  him,  but  that,  being  comforted  by  Virgil,  he 
at  last  toolc  courage,  and  followed  him  as  his  guide  aiMl 
master. 

Now  was  the  day  departing,*  and  the  air, 
Lnbrown'd  with  shadows,  from  their  toils  releasecl 
All  animals  on  earth ;  and  I  alone 
Prepared  myself  the  conflict  to  sustam. 
Both  of  sad  pity,  and  that  perilous  road. 
Which  my  unerring  memory  shall  retrace 

0  Muses !  O  hi^  genhis !  now  vouchsafe 
Tour  aid.    O  mind !'  that  all  I  saw  hast  kept 
Safe  in  a  written  record,  here  thy  worth 
And  eminent  endowments  come  to  proo£ 

1  thus  began :  **  Bard !  thou  who  art  my  guide* 
Consider  well,  if  virtue  be  m  me 

Sufficient,  ere  to  this  high  enterprise 

Thou  trust  me.    Thou  hast  told  that  Silvius*  sire/ 

Yet  clothed  in  corruptible  flesh,  among 

The  immortal  tribes  had  entrance,  and  was  there 

Sensibly  present    Yet  if  heaven's  great  Lord, 

1  Saint  PeUr**  gate.]  The  gate  of  Purgatory,  which  the 
poet  feigns  to  Iw  guarded  by  an  anger  placed  on  that  station 
by  St.  Peter. 

s  Kbw  vmu  the  day.]  A  compendium  of  Virgil's  de8crlp> 
tion,  iEn.,  Ub.  iv.  522.  Compare  Apollonius  Rhodios,  lib.  ilL 
744,  and  lib.  iv.  1058. 

The  day  gan  failin ;  and  the  darke  night, 
That  revith  bestis  fh>m  their  businesse, 
Berafle  me  my  l>ooke,  &c 

Chaucer.    The  AeeenMe  qf  S^ndea. 
Omtni.] 

O  thought !  that  write  all  that  I  met. 
And  in  the  tresoiie  it  set 
Of  my  braine,  now  shall  men  see 
If  any  virtue  in  thee  be. 

Chaucer.     Temple  of  FasM  b.  liv.tfL 
*  BSvUu*  §ir$  I    JEneas 


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58  TH£  VISION.  Ifr^ 

Almighty  lc^^  to  ill,  saeh  favor  ahow'd 

In  contemplation  of  the  high  effect, 

Both  what  and  who  from  him  should  issue  forth. 

It  seems  in  reason's  judgment  well  deserved ; 

Sith  he  of  Rome  and  of  Rome's  empire  wide, 

In  heaven's  empyreal  height  was  chosen  sire : 

Both  which,  if  truth  be  spoken,  were  ordain'd 

And  stablish'd  for  the  holy  place,  where  sits 

Who  to  great  Peter's  sac^d  chair  succeeds. 

He  from  this  journey,  in  thy  song  renown'd, 

Leam'd  things,  that  to  his  victory  gave  rise 

And  to  the  papal  robe.    In  after-times 

The  chosen  vessel'  also  travell'd  there,* 

To  bring  us  back  assurance  in  that  faith 

Which  is  the  entrance  to  salvation's  way 

But  I,  why  should  I  there  presume?  or  who 

Permits  it?  not  ^neas  I,  nor  Paul. 

Myself  I  deem  not  worthy,  and  none  else 

Will  ddem  me.    I,  if  on  this  voyage  then 

I  venture,  fear  it  will  in  folly  end. 

Thou,  who  art  wise,  better  my  meaning  know'st, 

Than  I  can  speak."    As  one,  who  unresolves 

What  he  hath  late  resolved,  and  with  new  thougbta 

Changes  his  purpose,  from  his  first  intent 

Removed ;  e'en  such  was  I  on  that  dun  coast, 

Wasting  in  thought  my  enterprise,  at  first 

So  eagerly  embraced.     "  If  right  thy  words 

I  scan,"  replied  that  shade  magnanimous, 

**  Thy  soul  is  by  vile  fear  assail'd,'  which  oft 

So  overcasts  a  man,  that  he  recoils 

From  noblest  resolution,  like  a  beast 

At  some  false  semblance  in  the  twilight  gloom 

That  from  thia  terror  thou  mayst  free  thyself, 

I  will  instruct  thee  why  I  came,  and  what 

I  heard  in  that  same  instant,  when  for  thee 

Grief  touch'd  me  first.    I  was  among  the  tribe. 

Who  rest  suspended,*  when  a*  dame,  so  blest 

I  The  chosen  ve»»et,l  St.  Paal.  Acts  ix.  15.  "  Bat  the  Lori 
said  unto  bim.  Go  thy  way ;  f<Hr  he  is  a  chosen  vessel  unto  me.** 

>  There.}  This  refers  to  "  the  immortal  tribes,**  v.  15.  BU 
Paul  haviog  been  caught  np  to  heaVen.    3  Cat,  zii.  S. 

*  ThfftoulubfvtiefearaeeaiPd,} 

L*anima  toa  i  da  viltate  offesa 
So  .a  Benii,  OrL  Inn.  lib.  iU.  c  i.  st.  53. 

Se  Talma  avete  offesa  da  viltate. 

*  Wk§  ffwtl  9u$peMdei.'\  The  spirits  in  Umbo,  neither  ad 
altted  to  a  state  of  gl)ry  nor  doomed  to  ponishmaat. 


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a^Bi.  HELL,  Camto  II.  59 

And  lovely  I  bosoagfat  her  to  command, 
Call'd  me ;  her  eyes  were  brighter  than  the  star 
Of  day ;  and  she,  with  gentle  voice  and  soft, 
Angelically  tuned,  her  speech  address'd : 
'  O  courteous  shade  of  Mantua !  thou  whose  fame 
'  Yet  lives,  and  shall  live  long  as  nature  lasts !' 
'  A  friend,  not  of  my  fortune  but  myself,* 

<  On  the  wide  desert  in  his  road  has  met 

'  Hind'rance  so  great,  that  he  through  fear  has  tum'd. 

*  Now  much  I  OTead  lest  he  past  help  have  stray'd, 
'  And  I  be  risen  too  late  for  his  relief, 

*  From  what  in  heaven  of  him  I  heanL    Speed  now, 

*  And  by  thy  eloquent  persuasive  tongue, 

*■  And  by  all  means  for  his  deliverance  meet, 

<  Assist  hun.    So  to  me  will  comfort  spring. 
'  It  who  now  bid  thee  on  this  errand  forth, 

<  Am  Beatrice ;'  from  a  place  I  come 

*  Revisited  with  joy.    Love  brought  me  thence, 

*  Who  prompts  my  speech.    When  in  my  Master's 
'  I  stand,  thy  praise  to  him  I  oft  will  tell.'         [sight 

*'  She  then  was  silent,  and  I  thus  began : 

<  O  Lady !  by  whose  influence  alone 

<  Mankind  excels  whatever  is  contain'd^ 

<  Within  that  heaven  which  hath  the  smallest  orb, 
'  So  thy  command  delights  me,  that  to  obey, 

<  If  it  were  done  already,  would  seem  late. 

'  No  need  hast  thou  farther  to  speak  thy  will: 

*  Yet  tell  the  reason,  why  thou  art  not  loth 

*  To  leave  that  ample  space,  where  to  return 
'  Thou  bumest,  for  this  centre  here  beneath.' 


1  ^»  luUure  lasts.]  Quanto  *1  motd  lontana.  '*  Mondo," 
Instead  of  "moto,^*  which  Lojnbardi  claims  as  a  reading  pe- 
culiar to  the  Nidobeatina  edition  and  some  MSS.,  is  also  in 
Landino's  edition  of  1484.  Of  this  Monti  was  not  aware. 
See  his  Proposta,  nnder  the  word  "  Lontanare.*' 

*  ji  friendy  not  of  my  fortune  but  myself.]  Be  non  fortunn 
fed  hominibns  solere  esse  amicnm. 

Gomelii  J^epotis  Attici  Fitm^  ».  ix. 
Cetera  fiurtiuie,  non  mea  tnrba,  fait. 

Ovid,  Trist.  Ub.  i.  el.  v.  34. 
My  fortune  and  my  seeming  destiny 
He  made  the  bond,  and  Inrolce  it  not  with  me. 

CoUridge*s  Death  of  WaUenstein,  act  i.  sc  7 

*  Beatriee.]  The  daughtmr  of  Foico  Portinari,  who  is  here 
Invested  with  the  character  of  celestial  wisdom  or  theology. 
See  the  IMe  of  Dante  prefixed. 

*  Wkattmer  is  eOftt«En*i.]  Every  other  thing  comprised 
within  the  lunar  heaven,  which,  being  the  lowest  of  aU,  has 
the  nuallest  dide. 


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^  ••  THE  >  ISION.  8ft-]Al 

**  She  then ;  <  Since  thou  so  deeply  wonldst  mqniiief 
I  will  instruct  thee  briefly  why  no  dread 
Hinders  my  entrance  here.    Those  things  alone 
Are  to  be  fear'd  whence  eyil  may  proceed ; 
None  else,  for  none  are  terrible*  beside. 
I  am  so  framed  by  God,  thanks  to  his  grace  I 
That  any  suflSsrance  of  your  misery 
Touches  me  not,  nor  flame  of  that  fierce  fire 
Assails  me.    In  high  heaven  a  blessed  damo' 
Reades,  who  mourns  with  such  effectual  grief 
That  hind'rance,  which  I  send  thee  to  remore. 
That  Grod*s  stem  judgment  to  her  will  inclineih 
To  Lucia'  calling,  her  she  thus  beq>ake : 

*  Now  doth  thy  faithful  servant  need  thy  aid, 

*  And  I  commend  him  to  thee."    At  her  word 
Sped  Lucia,  of  all  cruelty  the  foe. 

And  coming  to  the  place,  where  I  abode 
Seated  with  Rachel,  her  of  ancient  days. 
She  thus  addressed  me :  "  Thou  true  praise  of  God ' 
'  Beatrice !  why  is  not  thy  succor  lent 
'  To  him,  who  so  much  loved  thee,  as  to  leave 
'  For  thy  sake  all  the  multitude  admires? 
'  Dost  thou  not  hear  how  pitiful  his  wail, 
'  Nor  mark  the  death,  which  in  the  torrent  flood, 
'*  Swoln  mightier  than  a  sea,  him  struggling  holds  f " 
Ne'er  among  men  did  any  with  such  speed 
Haste  to  their  profit,  flee  from  their  annoy, 
As  when  these  words  were  spoken,  I  came  here, 
Down  from  my  blessed  seat,  trusting  the  force 
Of  thy  pure  eloquence,  which  thee,  and  all 
Who  well  have  mark'd  it,  into  honor  brin^p.' 
**  When  she  had  ended,  her  bright  beammg  eyes 
Tearful  she  tum'd  aside ;  whereat  I  felt 
Redoubled  zeal  to  serve  thee.    As  she  wiU'd, 
Thus  am  I  come :  I  saved  thee  from  the  beast, 
Who  thy  near  way  across  the  goodly  mount 
Prevented.     What  is  this  comes  o*er  thee  then? 
Why,  why  dost  thou  hang  back  ?  why  in  thy  breasi 
Harbor  vile  fear?  why  hast  not  courage  thtre. 


»  4  hlestied  dameJ]    The  Dtvine  Mercy. 

9  Lu^ia.]  The  enlightening  Grace  of  Heaven;  as  it  is 
e<MDnionly  explained.  Bat  Lombardi  has  well  observed,  that 
as  oar  poet  places  her  in  the  Paradise,  c.  xxxii.,  among  the 
souls  of  the  blessed,  so  it  is  probable  that  she,  like  Beatrice, 
had  a  real  existence ;  and  he  accordingly  supposes  her  to 
have  been  Saint  Lucia  the  martyr,  although  she  is  heie 
reiffesentative  of  an  abstract  idea 


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J34-14L  HELL,  Canto  III.  §i 

And  noble  daring ;  nnce  three  maids/  00  Uest, 
Thy  safety  plan,  e'en  in  the  court  of  heaven ; 
And  so  much  certain  good  my  words  forebode  V* 

As  florets,'  by  the  frosty  air  of  night  [leaves. 

Bent  down  and  closed,  when  day  has  blanch'd  their 
Rise  all  unfolded  on  their  spiry  stems ; 
So  was  my  famting  vigor  new  restored, 
And  to  my  heart  such  kindly  courage  ran, 
That  I  as  one  undaunted  soon  repU^ : 
"  O  full  of  pity  she,  who  undertook 
My  succor !  and  thou  kind,  who  didst  perfoim 
So  soon  her  true  behest !     With  such  desire 
Thou  hast  disposed  me  to  renew  my  voyage, 
That  my  first  purpose  fully  is  resuined. 
Lead  on :  one  only  will  is  in  us  both. 
Thou  art  my  guide,*my  master  thou,  and  lord." 

So  spake  I ;  and  when  he  had  onward  moved, 
I  entePd  on  the  deep  and  woody  way. 


CANTO   IIL 

AKGUMENT. 
Dante,  following  Virgil,  conies  to  the  gate  of  Hell ;  where, 
after  having  read  the  dreadful  words  that  are  written 
thereon,  they  both  enter.  Here,  as  he  understands  Arom 
Virgil,  those  were  punished  who  had  passed  their  time 
(for  living  it  could  not  be  called)  in  a  state  of  apathy  and 
indifference  both  to  good  and  evil.    Then  pursuing  their 

>  Three  maids,]  The  Divine  Mercy,  Lucia,  and  Beatrio 
»  Jls  florets.] 
Come  fioretto  dal  nottumo  gelo 
Chinato  e  chiuso,  poi  che  il  sol  I'imbianca, 
S^apre  e  si  leva  dritto  sopra  11  stelo. 

Boccaccio.  Il  FUostrato,  p.  ill.  st.  xiii 
But  rieht  as  floures  through  the  cold  of  night 
Iclosed,  stoupen  in  her  stalkes  lowe, 
Sedressen  hem  agen  the  sunne  bright. 
And  spreden  in  her  kinde  course  by  r owe,  &c. 

Chaucer.  TVoUus  and  Creseide,  b.  ii. 
It  is  from  Boccaccio  rather  than  Dante  that  Chaucer  ha^ 
taken  this  simile,  which  he  applies  to  Troilus  on  the  same 
occasion  as  Boccaccio  has  done.  He  appears  indeed  to  have 
Imitated  Gt  rather  paraphrased  the  Filostrato  in  his  Troilus 
and  Creseide ;  for  it  is  not  yet  known  who  that  Lollius  is, 
from  whom  he  lurofesses  to  take  the  poem,  and  who  Is  again 
mentioned  in  the  House  of  Fame,  b.  lii. 

The  simile  in  the  text  has  been  imitated  by  many  others ; 
among  whom  see  Bemi,  Orl.  Inn.,  lib.  1,  c.  xil.  st.  86.  Marino, 
Adone,  c.  xvii.  st.  63,  and  Son.  "  Donna  vestita  di  nero,"  and 
Spenser's  JPaery  Uueen,  b.  Iv.  c.  xii.  st.  34,  and  b.  vi.  c.  ii.  st 
35)  and  Boccaccio  again  in  the  Teseide^  lib.  9,  st.  28. 


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ed  tHE  TISION.  IHM 

way,  Uwy  MTlve  at  tbe  riv«r  Aeberoa ;  and  th«n  find  Um 
old  ferryman  Charon,  who  takes  the  spirita  over  to  tha 
opposite  shore ;  which  as  soon  as  Dante  reaches,  he  ia. 
seized  with  terror,  and  falls  hito  a  trance. 

**  TBAOuaH  me  you  pass  into  the  city  of  wo: 
Through  me  you  pass  into  eternal  pain : 
Tlirough  me  among  the  people  lost  for  aye. 
Justice  the  founder  of  my  fabric  moved : 
To  rear  me  was  the  task  of  power  divine, 
Supremest  wisdom,  and  primeval  love.* 
Before  me  things  create  were  none,  save  thingi 
£temal,  and  eternal  I  endure. 
All  hope  abandon,^  ye  who  enter  here." 

Such  characters,  in  color  dun,  I  marked 
Over  a  portal's  lofty  arch  inscribed. 
Whereat  I  thus :  "  Master,  thecte  words  import 
Hard  meaning."    He  as  one  prepared  replied : 
**  Here  thou  must  all  distrust  behind  thee  leave ; 
Here  be  vile  fear  extinguished.    We  are  come 
Where  I  have  told  thee  we  shall  see  the  souls 
To  misery  doom'd,  who  intellectual  good  [forth 

Have  lost"  And  when  his  hand'  he  had  stretch'd 
To  mine,  with  pleasant  looks,  whence  I  was  cheer'd, 
Into  that  secret  place  he  led  me  on. 

Here  sighs,^  with  lamentations  and  loud  moans. 
Resounded  through  the  air  pierced  by  no  star, 
That  e'en  I  wept  at  entering.     Various  tongues, 
Horrible  languages,  outcries  of  wo, 
Accents  of  anger,  voices  deep  and  hoarse, 
With  hands  together  smote  that  swell'd  the  sounds. 
Made  up  a  tumult,  that  for  ever  whirls 
Round  through  that  air  with  solid  darkness  stam'd, 


>  Power  divine^ 


Svfreaust  wisdom,  and  primeval  love.} 
The  three  Persons  of  the  Blessed  Trinity. 

*  All  hope  abajido*.l 

Lasciate  ogni  speranza  vol  ch*  entrato 
80  Bemi,  Orl.  Inn.,  lib.  1,  c.  8,  st.  53. 
Lascia  pur  della  vita  ogni  speranza. 

*  Jtnd  when  kit  hand.] 

With  that  my  hand  in  his  he  caught  anone ; 
On  which  I  comfort  caught,  and  went  in  fast. 

Chaucer.  TTie  Assemble  of  UnUes. 
«  Here  sighs.]  "  Post  hec  omnia  ad  loca  tartarea,  et  ad  oa 
infemalis  baratri  dednctos  sum,  qui  simile  iddebatur  pnteo, 
loca  vero  eadem  horridis  tenebris,  fstoribus  exhalantibns, 
Btridoribns  quoqie  et  nimiis  plena  erant  ejnlatibus,  juxta 
quern  infemum  vermis  erat  infinitse  magnitodinis,  ligatiu 
maxima  catena.'     Alkeriei  FtriOf  $  9. 


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W-f3.  HELL,  Camto  m.  es 

Like  to  the  sand^  that  m  the  whirlwind  fliea. 

I  then,  with  erroi*  yet  encompaae'd,  cried : 
<*  O  master !  what  is  this  I  hear  7  what  race 
Are  these,  who  seem  so  overcome  with  wo?" 

He  thus  to  me :  "  This  miserahle  fate 
Suffer  the  wretched  souls  of  those,  who  lived 
Without  or  praise  or  blame,  with  that  ill  band 
Of  angels  mix'd,  who  nor  rebellious  proved, 
Nor  yet  were  true  to  God,  but  for  themselves 
Were  only.    From  his  bounds  Heaven  crove  them 
Not  to  impabr  his  lustre ;  nor  the  depth  [forth, 

Of  Hell  receives  them,  lest  the  accuned  tribe* 
Should  glory  thence  with  exultation  vain." 

I  then :  *<  Master !  what  doth  aggrieve  them  thus, 
That  they  lament  so  loud  ?"    He  straight  replied : 
«  That  will  I  tell  thee  briefly.    These  of  death 
No  hope  may  entertain :  and  their  blmd  life 
So  meanly  passes,  that  all  other  lots 
They  envy.    Fame^  of  them  the  worid  hath  none. 
Nor  suffers ;  mercy  and  justice  scorn  them  both. 
Speak  not  of  them,  but  look,  and  pass  them  by." 

And  I,  who  straightway  look'd,  beheld  a  flag,* 
Which  whirling  ran  around  so  rapidly. 
That  it  no  pause  obtam'd :  and  following  came 
Such  a  l<mg  tram  of  spirits,  I  should  ne'er 

^  Like  to  the  §amdJ]    UnnnmberM  as  the  sands 

Of  Barca  or  Cyrene^s  torrid  soil. 

Levied  to  side  with  warring  winds,  and  poise 

Their  lighter  wings. MUton.  P.  X..,  b.  iL  903. 

With  error,]  Instead  of  *'  errw,**  VeUnteUo*s  edition  of 
1544  has  **  omTt**  a  reading  remarked  also  by  Landino,  in  hit 
notes.  So  mnch  mistaken  is  the  collator  of  the  Monte  Casslno 
MS.  in  callins  it  **lezione  da  ninno  notata;*'  **a  reading 
which  no  one  has  observed." 

*  Lest  the  aeeursed  tribal  Lest  the  rebellions  angels  shoold 
exalt  at  seeing  those  who  were  nentral,  and  therefcnre  less 
£ailty,  condemned  to  the  same  panishment  with  themselves. 

Rdssetti,  in  a  long  note  on  this  passage,  has  ably  exposed 
the  idansible  interpretation  of  Monti,  who  wonld  have  "alcu- 
na  gloria**  mean  *'  no  glory,**  and  thns  make  Viigil  say  '*  that 
the  evil  ones  wonld  derive  no  honor  ftom  the  TOciety  of  the 
aentral.**  A  similar  mistake  in  the  same  word  is  made  else* 
where  by  L(»nbardi.    See  my  note  on  c.  zii.  v.  9. 

*  Ibme  ]  CanceU*d  Aom  hc»iven  and  sacred  memory, 

Nameless  in  dark  oblivion  let  them  dwell. 

Jlfi/ton.  P.ZM,b.vi.380. 
Therefore  eternal  silence  be  their  doom. 

nid,3B5, 

*  ^  AvO All  the  grisly  legions  that  troop 

Under  the  sooty  mg  of  Acheron. 

MiUem.    GpMtw 


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04  '  THE  VISION  M-n 

Have  thou^  that  death  so  many  had  deqpoird. 

When  som^  of  these  I  recognisedj  I  saw 
And  knew  the  shade  of  him,  who  to  base  feaH 
Yielding,  abjured  his  high  estate.     Forthwith 
I  understood,  for  certain,  this  the  tribe 
Of  those  ill  spirits  both  to  God  displeasing 
And  to  his  foes.    These  wretches,  who  ne'er  lived, 
Went  on  in  nakedness,  and  sorely  stung 
By  wasps  and  hornets,  which  bedew'd  their  cheeks 
With  blood,  that,  mix'd  with  tears,  dropp'd  to  their 
And  by  disgustful  worms  was  gather'd  there,     [feet. 

Then  looking  farther  onwards,  I  beheld 
A  throng  upon  the  shore  of  a  great  stream : 
Whereat  I  thus :  "  Sir !  grant  me  now  to  know 
Wh(Hn  here  we  view,  and  whence  unpell'd  they  seem 
So  eager  to  pass  o'er,  as  I  discern 
Through  the  blear  light  1"  ^    He  thus  to  me  in  few : 
**  This  shalt  thou  know,  soon  as  our  steps  arrive 
Beside  the  woful  tide  of  Ashero^." 
Then  with  dyes  downward  cast,  andfill'd  with  shame, 
Fearing  my  words  offensive  to  his  ear. 
Till  we  had  reached  the  river,  I  from  speech 
Abstam'd.    And  lo  1 4oward  us  in  a  bark 
Comes  on  an  old  man,'  hoary  white  with  eld, 


■  Wkoto  hose  fear 


Yielding^  abjured  his  high  estate. J 

This  is  commonly  imderstood  of  Celestine  the  Fifth,  who  ab< 
dicated  the  papal  power  in  1394.  Ventuii  mentions  a  work 
written  by  Innocenzio  Barcellini,  of  the  Celestine  order,  and 
printed  at  Milan  in  1701,  in  which  an  attempt  is  made  to  pat 
a  different  interpretation  on  this  passage. 

Lombard!  would  apply  it  to  some  one  of  Dante's  fellow- 
citizens,  who,  refusing,  through  avarice  or  want  of  spirit,  to 
support  the  party  of  the  Bianchi  at  Florence,  had  been  the 
main  occasion  of  the  miseries  that  befell  them.  Bat  the  tes- 
timony of  Fazio  degli  Uberti,  who  lived  so  near  the  time  of 
our  author,  seems  almost  decisive  on  this  point.  He  expressly 
speaks  of  the  Pope  Celestine  as  being  in  hell.  See  the  Ditta- 
mondo,  L.  iv.  cap.  xzi.  The  usual  interpretation  is  farther 
confirmed  in  a  passage  in  Canto  xxvii.  v.  101. 

Petrarch,  while  he  passes  a  high  encomium  on  Celestine 
for  his  abdication  of  the  papal  power,  gives  us  to  understand 
that  there  were  others  who  thought  it  a  disgraceful  act.  See 
the  De  Vitft  SoUt,  b.  ii.  sect.  iii.  c.  18. 

s  Through  the  blear  light.]    Lo  fioco  lume.  . 
SoFiMcaja,  canz.  vL  st  12:  dual  fioco  lume. 

*  An  old  man.} 

Portitor  has  horrendns  aquas  et  flumina  servat 
Terribili  squalore  Charon,  cui  plurima  mento 
Canities  incoltajacet:  stant  lumina  fiamma 

Virg.  JEn.,  Ub.  vi.  998. 


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TS-ltS.  HELL,  Curro  III.  ff 

Crying, ''  Wo  to  yon,  wicked  spirits !  hope  not 

Ever  to  see  the  sky  aj^ain.    I  come 

To  take  you  to  the  other  shore  across, 

Into  eternal  darkness,  there  to  dwell 

In  fierce  heat  and  m  ice.^    And  thou,  who  them 

Standest,  Hye  spirit !  get  thee  hence,  and  leare 

These  who  are  dead."     But  soon  as  he  beheld 

I  left  them  not,  "  By  othet  way,"  said  he, 

*'  By  other  haven  shalt  thou  come  to  shore, 

Net  by  this  passage ;  thee  a  nimbler  boat' 

Must  carry."    Then  to  him  thus  spake  my  guide : 

"  Charon !  thyself  torment  not :  so  *tis  will'd, 

Where  will  and  power  are  one :  adL  thou  no  mocv." 

Straightway  in  silence  fell  the  shasgy  cheeks 
Of  him,  the  boatman  o'er  the  liyid  lake,' 
4round  whose  eyes  glared  wheeling  flames.    Mean- 

whOe 
Those  qiirits,  faint  and  naked,  color  changed, 
And  gnash'd  their  teeth,  soon  as  the  cruel  wonb 
They  heard.  God  and  their  parents  they  blaspheroedy 
The  human  kind,  the  place,  the  time,  and  seed, 
That  did  engender  them  and  giro  them  birth. 

Th^i  all  together  sorely  wailing  drew 
To  the  cursed  strand,  that  every  man  must  pass 
Who  fears  not  God.    Charon,  demoniac  form. 
With  eyes  of  burning  coal,^  collects  them  all. 
Beckoning,  and  each,  that  lingers,  with  his  oar 


*  Infiereeheatandinice.'] 

^The  bitter  change 

Of  fierce  extremes,  extremes  by  chango  more  fierce, 
From  beds  of  raging  fire  to  starve  in  ice 

Their  soft  etheteal  warmth. 

Milton,  P.  l.^  b.  IL  601. 

^The  delighted  spirit 

To  bathe  in  fiery  floods^  cmt  to  reside 
In  thrilling  regions  of  thick-ribbed  ice. 

Shaksp.  Measure  for  Measure^  a.  lU.  s.  1. 
flee  note  to  C.  xxxil.  83. 

*  A  nimbler  boat.]  He  perhajM  allndes  to  the  bark  **  swift 
and  light,**  in  which  the  Angel  conducts  the  spirits  to  Pur- 
gatory.   See  Ptcr^M  c.  ii.  10. 

»  The  livid  lake.]    Vada  livida.         FiVr.  JEn.,  lib.  vl.  330. 

^Totins  at  lacAs  pntideqne  palndis 

Lividisdma,  maximeque  est  profunda  vorago. 

CatHlluSj  zviU.  10. 

*  With  offes  of  burning  eo(U.\ 

His  looks  were  dreadful,  and  his  fiery  eyes, 
like  two  great  beacons,  glared  bright  and  wide. 

l^nser,  F.Q^h  vi.  c  vU.  st.  48. 


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66  THE  VJ810N.  104  .m 

Strik6].    As  fall  off  the  light  autumnal  leaves,^ 
One  still  another  following,  till  the  bough 
Strews  all  its  honors  on  the  earth  beneath ; 
E'en  in  like  manner  Adam's  eyil  brood 
Cast  themselves,  one  by  one,  down  from  the  abon 
Each  at  a  beck,  as  falc(m  at  his  call.* 

Thus  go  they  over  through  the  umber'd  wigre ; 
And  ever  they  on  the  opposmg  bank 
Be  landed,  on  this  side  another  throng 
Still  gatheis.  "  Son,"  thus  spake  the  courteous  guid% 
**  Those  who  die  subject  to  the  wrath  of  Grqd 
All  here  together  come  from  every  clime, 
And  to  overpass  the  river  are  not  loth : 
For  so  heaven's  justice  goads  them  on,  that  feai 
Is  tum'd  into  desire.    Hence  ne'er  hath  pass'd 
Good  spirit    If  of  thee  Charon  complam, 
Now  mayst  thou  know  the  import  of  his  words." 

This  said,  the  gloomy  region  trembling  shook 
So  terribly,  that  yet  with  clammy  dews 
Fear  chills  my  brow.    The  sad  earth  gave  a  blast. 
That,  lightening,  shot  forth  a  vermilion  flame, 
Which  all  my  senses  couquer'd  quite,  and  I 
Down  dropp'd,  as  one  with  sudden  slumber  seized 


CANTO     V. 


ARGUMENT. 

The  poet,  being  roused  by  a  clap  of  Uiander,  and  following 
his  guide  onwards,  descends  into  Limbo,  which  is  the  first 
circle  of  Hell,  where  he  finds  the  souls  of  those,  who,  Al- 
though they  have  lived  virtnoiisly,  and  have  not  to  suuor 
for  great  sins,  nevertheless,  through  lack  of  baptism,  merit 
not  the  bliss  of  Paradise.  Hence  he  is  led  on  by  Virgil  to 
descend  into  the  second  circle. 

Broke  the  deep  slumber  in  my  bruin  a  oradi 
3f  heavy  thunder,  that  I  shook  myself, 
As  one  by  main  force  roused.    Risen  upright, 

1  jlMfall  off  the  light  aMtumnal  leaves.} 

Qunra  multa  in  silvis  actomni  fr^re  primo 

Labsa  cadont  folia. Virg,  JEn.,  lib.  vL  300 

Thick  as  automnal  leaves,  that  strew  the  brooks 
In  Vallombrosa,  where  th*  EtroriaA  shades 
High  over-arch*d  imbower.         Milton^  P,  Z..,  b.  i.  3M. 
Compare  Apoll.  Rhod.,  lib.  iv.  p.  814. 

s  jSs  falcon  at  his  call,}  This  is  VeUateIlo*8  explanation, 
and  seems  preferable  to  that  commonly  given:  **as  a  Urd 
t»«t  it  enticed  to  the  cage  by  the  caU  of  another  ** 


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4^  HELL,  Canto  IV.  o7 

My  mtod  eyes  I  moved  aioimd,  and  ■eaieh'ck 
With  fixed  ken.  to  Irnow  what  place  it  was 
Wherein  I  stood.    For  certain,  on  the  brink 
I  found  me  of  the  lamentable  yale, 
The  dread  abyss,  that  joins  a  thundroos  soitfid' 
Of  plaints  innumerable.    Dark  and  deep, 
Andihick  with  clouds  o'erspread,  mine  eye  in  vain 
Explored  its  bottom,  nor  could  aught  discern. 

**  Now  let  us  to  the  blind  world  there  beneath 
Descetid ;"  the  bard  began,  all  pale  of  look : 
"  Igo  the  first,  and  thou  shalt  follow  next" 

Then  I,  his  altered  hue  perceiving,  ^us : 
**  How  may  I  speed,  if  thou  yieldeet  to  dread. 
Who  still  art  wcmt  to  comfort  me  in  doubt?" 

He  then :  **  The  anguish  of  that  race  below 
With  pity  stains  my  cheek,  which  thou  for  fear 
Mistakest    Let  us  on.    Our  length  of  way 
Urges  to  haste."    Onward,  this  said,  he  moved ; 
And  entering  led  me  with  him,  on  the  bounds 
Of  the  first  circle  that  surrounds  the  abyss. 

Here,  as  mine  ear  could  note,  no  plaint  was  heard 
Except  of  sighs,  that  made  the  eternal  air 
Tremble,  not  caused  by  tortures,  but  from  grief 
Felt  by  those  multitudes,  many  and  vast. 
Of  men,  women,  and  infants.    Then  to  me 
The  gentle  guide :  "  Inquirest  thou  not  what  spirits 
Are  &ese  which  thou  beholdest?    Ere  thou  pass 
Farther,  I  would  thou  know,  that  these  of  sin 
Were  blameless  ;  and  if  aught  they  merited. 
It  profits  not,  since  baptism  was  not  theirs. 
The  portaP  to  thy  faith.    If  they  before 
The  Gospel  lived,  they  served  not  God  aright ; 
And  among  such  am  L     For  these  defects, 
And  for  no  other  evil,  we  are  Ibst ; 
Only  so  far  afflicted,  that  we  live 
Desiring  without  hope."*    Sore  grief  assail'd 

^  A  ^undrous  toitnd  ]    Imitated,  as  Mr.  Thyer  has  re- 
suurked,  by  Milton,  P.  L.,  b.  viii.  242: 

^But  long,  ere  our  approaching,  heard 

Noise,  other  than  the  sound  of  dance  or  song, 
Torment,  and  iond  lament,  and  fnrioiis  rage. 
>  PorUd.]    « Porta  della  fede/*    This  was  an  alteration 
made  in  the  text  by  the  Academicians  della  Cmsea,  on  the 
anthoritv,  as  it  would  appear,  of  only  two  MSS.    The  other 
reading  is  *<  parte  della  fede  ;*'  **  part  of  the  &ith.** 
*  DeairiMg  wWumt  hope.] 

And  with  d  uriie  to  languish  without  hope. 

MUUnhP-L^h,!  998. 


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08  THE  VISION. 

My  heart  at  Jheariiig  this,  for  well  I  know 

Suspended  in  that  Limbo  many  a  soul 

Of  mighty  worth.    "  O  tell  me,  sire  revered ! 

Tell  me,  my  master !"  I  began,  through  wish 

Of  full  assurance  in  that  holy  faith 

Which  vanquishes  all  error ;  "  say,  did  e'er 

Any,  or  through  his  own  or  other's  merit, 

Come  forth  from  thence,  who  afterwards  was  bless'd  f 

Piercing  the  secret  purport^  of  my  speech. 
He  answered :  "  I  was  new  to  that  estate. 
When  I  beheld  a  puissant  one*  arrive 
Among  us,  with  victorious  trophy  crown'd 
He  forth'  the  shade  of  our  first  parent  drew, 
Abel  his  child,  and  Noah  righteous  man, 
Of  Moses  lawgiver  for  faith  approved. 
Of  patriarch  Abrahcun,  and  David  king, 
Israel  with  his  sire  and  with  his  sons. 
Nor  without  Rachel  whom  so  hard  he  won, 
•And  others  many  more,  whom  he  to  bliss 
ExaltcAi     Before  these,  be  thou  assured. 
No  spirit  of  human  kind  was  ever  saved." 

We,  while  he  spake,  ceased  not  our  onward  road • 
Still  passing  through  the  wood ;  for  so  I  name 
Those  spuits  thick  beset    We  were  not  far 
On  this  side  from  the  summit,  when  I  kenn'd 
A  flam9,  that  o'er  the  darken'd  hemisphere 
Prevailing  shmed.    Yet  we  a  httle  space 
Were  distant,  not  so  far  but  I  m  part 
Discover'd  that  a  tribe  in  honor  high 

1  Secret  purport,]  Lombardl  well  observes,  that  Dante 
seems  to  have  been  restrained  by  awe  and  reverence  fr^ 
uttering  the  name  of  Christ  in  this  place  of  torment ;  and 
that  for  the  same  cause,  probably,  it  does  not  occor  once 
throughout  the  whole  of  this  first  psirt  of  the  poem. 
9  A  puissant  one.]    Our  Saviour. 

s  He  forth.]    The  author  of  the  Cluadriregio  has  intradnced 
a  sublime  description  into  his  imitation  of  this  passage : 
Pose  le  rcni  li  dove  si  serra ; 

Ma  Cristo  lui  e  *1  catarcion.d*  acciajo 
£  queste  porte  allora  gettb  a  terra. 
Qnando  in  la  grotta  entib  '1  lucido  rajo, 
Adamo  disse :  questo  ^  lo  splendore 
Che  mi  spirb  in  faccia  da  piimajo. 
Yenuto  se*  aspettato  Signore.  L.  ii.  cap.  3. 

Satan  hung  writhing  round  the  bolt ;  but  him, 
The  huge  portcullis,  and  those  gates  of  brass, 
Christ  threw  to  earth.    As  down  the  cavern  streamM 
The  radiance :  "Light,**  said  Adam,  *'this,  that  breathed 
First  on  mo.    Thou  art  come,  expected  Lord  !** 
JHfoch  that  follows  is  closely  copied  by  Frezzl  firom  our  poet 


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09HW.  HELL,  Canto  IV.  69 

That  place  possessed.  "  O  thou,  who  every  art 
And  science  vainest !  who  are  these,  that  boast 
Such  honor,  separate  from  all  the  rest  7" 

He  answered :  "  The  renown  of  their  great  namei; 
That  echoes  through  your  world  above,  acquires 
Favor  in  heaven,  which  holds  them  thus  advanced." 
Meantime  a  voice  I  heard :  "  Honor  the  bard 
Sublime  !^  his  shade  returns,  that  left  us  late '." 
No  sooner  ceased  the  sound,  than  I  beheld 
Four  mighty  spirits  toward  us  bend  their  steps. 
Of  semblance  neither  sorrowful  nw  glad.' 

When  thus  my  master  kmd  began :  "  Mark  him. 
Who  in  his  right  hand  bears  that  falchion  keen, 
The  other  three  preceding,  as  their  lord. 
This  is  that  Homer,  of  aU  bards  supreme: 
Flaccus  the  next,  in  satire's  vein  excelling ; 
The  third  is  Naso ;  Lucan  is  the  last. 
Because  they  all  that  appellation  own, 
With  which  the  voice  smgly  accosted  me, 
Honoring  they  greet  me  thus,  and  well  they  judge.'* 

So  I  l^held  united  the  bright  school 
Of  him  the  monarch  of  sublimest  song,' 


-  Honor  the  bard 


SubHtne.\ 

Onorate  V  altissimo  poeta. 
So  Chiabrera,  Canz.    Brioche.  32. 

Onorando  1'  altissimo  poeta. 

•  Of  semblance  neither  sorrowful  nor  glad.] 

She  nas  to  sober  ne  to  glad.    Chaucer's  Dreawt. 

*  The  monarch  of  sublimest  «oit^.]    Homer. 

It  appears  from  a  passage  in  the  Convito,  that  there  was 
nu  Latin  translation  of  Homer  in  Dante*s  time.  "Sappia 
'/ascnno,  &c.**  p.  20.  *'  Every  one  should  know,  that  noth^ 
in^,  harmonized  by  musical  enchainment,  can  be  tmnsmnted 
^om  one  tongue  into  another  without  breaking  all  its  sweet- 
ness and  harmony.  And  this  is  the  reason  why  Homer  has 
never  been  turned  from  Greek  into  Latin,  as  the  other  wri- 
ters we  have  of  theirs."  This  sentence,  I  fear,  may  well  be 
regarded  as  conclusive  against  the  present  undertaking.  Yet 
would  I  willingly  bespeak  for  it  at  least  so  much  indulgence 
as  Politian  claimed  for  himself,  when  in  the  I^tin  transla- 
tion, which  he  afterwards  made  of  Homer,  but  which  has 
since  unfortunately  perished,  he  ventured  on  certain  liberties 
both  of  phraseolc^  and  metre,  for  which  the  nicer  critics  of 
his  time  thought  fit  to  call  him  to  an  account:  "Egovero 
tametsi  rudis  in  primls  non  adeo  tamen  obtusi  sum  pectoris 
in  versus  maxime  fkciundis,  nt  spatia  ista  morasque  non 
sentian^'.  Vero  cum  mihi  de  Gneco  pene  ad  verbum  forent 
antiquissima  interpretanda  carmlna,  fateor  affectavi  equidem 
at  in  verbis  obsoietam  vetustatem,  sic  in  mensilrft  ipsft  et 
numero  gratam  quandam  nt  speravi  novitatem."  Ep.  lib.  i 
Baptists  Gaarino. 


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70  THE  VISION.  M-in 

That  o'er  the  others  like  an  eagle  eoan. 

When  they  together  short  discourse  had  held. 
They  tum'd  to  me,  with  salutation  kind 
Beckoning  me ;  at  the  which  my  master  smiled : 
Nor  was  Uiis  aU ;  but  greater  honor  still 
They  gave  me,  for  they  made  me  of  their  tribe ; 
And  I  was  sixth  amid  so  leam'd  a  band. 

Far  as  the  luminous  beacon  on  we  passed, 
Speaking  of  matters,  then  befitting  well 
To  speak,  now  fitter  left  untold.^    At  foot 
Of  a  magnificent  castle  we  arrived, 
Seven  times  with  lofty  walls  begirt,  and  round 
Defended  by  a  pleasant  stream.    0*er  this 
As  o'er  dry  land  we  passed.  Next,  through  seven  gates^ 
I  with  those  sages  enter'd,  and  we  came 
Into  a  mead  with  lively  verdure  fresh. 

There  dwelt  a  race,  who  slow  their  eyes  around 
Majestically  moved,  and  in  their  port 
Bore  enunent  authority :  they  spake 
Seldom,  but  all  their  words  were  tuneful  sweet 

We  to  one  side  retired,  into  a  place 
Open  and  bright  and  lofty,  whence  each  one 
Stood  manifest  to  view.    Incontinent, 
There  on  the  green  enameP  of  the  plain 
Were  shown  me  the  great  spirits,  by  whose  8i|^t 
I  am  exalted  in  my  own  esteem. 

Electra'  there  I  saw  accompanied 

1  Fitter  l^  wU4ild,'\ 

Che  *1  tacere  h  bello^ 
So ourpoet,  in  Canzone  14 : 

La  vide  In  parte  che  *1  tacere  h  bello. 
Raccellai,  Le  Api,  789: 

Ch'  a  dire  d  bmtto  ed  a  tacerlo  h  bello 
And  Bembo: 

Vie  piik  bello  h  il  taccrle,  che  il  favellame. 

Oli  A96l,y  lib.  1. 
s  Chreen  enanui'.^    "Verde  smalto.**    Dante  here  ases  • 
metaphor  that  has  since  become  very  common  in  poetry. 
0*er  the  smooth  enamelled  green.       Milton^  Arcadet. 
'*  Enamelline,  and  perhaps  pictures  in  enamel,  were  com- 
mon in  the  middle  ages,  &,c."    IVarUm^  Hist,  of  Eng,  Poetrft 
V.  i.  c.  ziii.  p.  376.    **  This  art  flourished  most  at  Limoges,  in 
France.    Bo  early  as  the  year  1197,  we  have  duas  tabulas 
cneas  superauratas  de  labore  Limogiae.     Chart,  ana   1197 
apnd  Ughelin.  tom.  vii.  Ital.  Sacr.  p.  1374.**     Warten.    Ibid. 
Additions  to  v.  1.  printed  in  vol.  ii.     Compare  Walpole*f 
Anecdotes  of  Painting  in  England,  vol.  1.  c  ii. 

*  Electro.]  The  daughter  of  Atlas,  and  mother  of  Darda- 
nus  the  founder  of  Troy.  See  Virg.  iEn.,  1.  viii.  134,  as  ra- 
ferred  to  by  Dante  in  the  treatise  **  De  MonarchiA,*'  lib.  tt. 


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118-1S9  HELL.  Cajito  IV.  71 

By  many,  among  whom  Hector  1  knew* 
Anchiaes'  pkraB  son,  and  with  hawk'»  eyo 
CflBsar  all  arm'd,  and  by  Camilla  thero 
Penthesilea.    On  the  other  side, 
Old  king  Latinos  seated  by  his  child 
Layinia,  and  that  Bratus  I  beheld 
Who  Tarqnin  chased,  Lucretia,  Gate's  wife 
Marcia,  with  Julia^  and  Cornelia  there ; 
And  sole  apart  retired,  the  Soldan  fierce.* 

Then  when  a  little  more  I  raised  my  brow, 
I  spied  the  master  of  the  sapient  thnmg,' 
Seated  amid  the  philosophic  tram. 

**  Eleetra,  scilicet,  nata  magnl  nominis  regis  Atlantis,  at  d« 
ambobus  testimonium  reddit  poeta  noster  in  octavo,  uU 
JSneas  ad  Evandnim  sic  ait, 

"  Dardanus  Iliacs,"  &c. 

1  Julia.}  The  daughter  of  Julius  Ceesar,  and  wife  of  Pompey. 

s  Tke  Soldan  fierce.]  Saladin,  or  Salaheddin,  the  rival  of 
Bichard  Coeur-de-Lion.  See  D^Herbelot,  Bibl.  Orient,  the 
Life  of  Saladin,  by  Bohao*edin  Ebn  Shedad,  pnblUhed  by 
Albert  Schultens,  with  a  Latin  translation,  and  Knolles*s 
Hist,  of  the  Turks,  p.  57  to  73.  "  About  this  time  (1193) 
died  the  great  Sultan  Saladin,  the  greatest  terror  of  the 
Christians,  who,  mindful  of  man's  fragility  and  the  vanity 
of  WiHTldly  honors,  commanded  at  the  time  of  his  death  no 
solemnity  to  be  used  at  his  burial,  but  only  his  shirt,  in  man- 
ner of  an  ensign,  made  fost  unto  the  point  of  a  lance,  to  be 
carried  before  his  dead  body  as  an  ensign,  a  plain  inriest  going 
before,  and  crying  aloud  unto  the  people  in  this  sort, '  Sala- 
din, Conqueror  of  the  East,  of  all  the  greatness  and  riches 
he  had  in  his  life,  carrieth  not  with  him  any  thing  more  than 
his  shirt* .  A  sight  worthy  so  great  a  king,  as  wanted  noth 
ing  to  his  eternal  commendation  more  than  the  true  know- 
ledge of  his  salvation  in  Christ  Jesus.  He  reigned  about 
sixteen  years  with  great  honor."  He  is  introduced  by  Pe 
trarch  in  the  Triumph  of  Fame,  c.  il. ;  and  by  Boccaccio  in 
the  Decameron,  6.  x.  N.  9. 

*  T%e  master  of  the  tapient  throng.] 
Maestro  di  color  che  sanno. 

Aristotle.— FjBtnurch  assigns  the  first  place  to  Plato.  Sea 
niimiph  of  Fame,  c  ill. 

Volsimi  da  man  manea,  e  vidi  Plato 
Che  'n  quella  schicra  andb  piu  presso  al  segno 
A  qual  agginnge,  a  chi  dal  cielo  d  dato 
Aristodle  pM  pien  d*  alto  ingegno. 
Pnlci,  in  his  Morgante  Maggiore,  c.  xviii.,  says, 
l^u  se'  U  maestro  di  color  che  sanno. 

The  reverence  in  which  the  Stagirite  was  held  by  our 
Author,  cannot  be  better  shown  than  by  a  passage  in  his 
Convito,  p.  143 :  "  Che  Aristotile  sia  degnissimo,  4cc.**  "  That 
Aristotle  is  most  worthy  of  trust  and  obedience,  may  be  thus 
IKoved.  Among  the  workmen  or  artificers  of  diflforent  arts 
and  operations,  which  are  in  order  to  some  final  art  or  opera- 
tion, he,  who  to  the  artist  or  operator  in  that  ought  chiefly 


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72  THE  VISION.  190-141 

Him  all  admirer  all  pay  him  reverence  due 
There  Socrates  and  Plato  both  I  mark'd 
Nearest  to  him  in  rank,  Democritus 
Who  sets  the  world  at  chance,^  Diogenes* 
With^  Heraclitus,  and  Empedodes, 
And  Anaxagoras,  and  Thales  sage, 
Zeno,  and  Dioscorides  well  read 
In  nature's  secret  lore.    Orpheus  I  mark'd 
And  Linus,  Tully  and  moral  Seneca, 
Euclid  and  Ptolemy,  Hippocrates, 
Galenus,  Avicen,'  and  him  who  made 
That  commentary  vast,  Aveiioes  * 


to  be  obeyed  and  trasted  by  the  rest,  as  being  the  one  who 
alone  considers  the  ultimate  end  of  all  the  other  ends.  Thai 
he,  who  exercises  the  occupation  of  a  knight,  ought  to  be 
obeyed  bv  the  swrnd-cutler,  the  bridle-maker,  the  armorer, 
and  by  all  those  trades  which  are  in  order  to  Uie  occupation 
of  a  knight.  And  because  all  human  operations  respect  a 
certain  end,  which  is  that  of  human  life,  to  which  man,  in- 
asmuch as  he  is  man,  is  ordained,  the  master  or  artist,  who 
considers  of  and  teaches  us  that,  ought  chiefly  to  be  obeyed 
and  trusted :  now  tliis  is  no  other  than  Aristotle ;  and  he  is 
therefore  the  most  deserving  of  trust  and  obedience." 

1 Demoeritua, 

Who  sets  the  world  at  ehanee.\ 
Democritus,  who  maintained  the  world  to  have  been  formed 
by  the  fortuitous  concourse  of  atoms. 

s  Jlvieen.]    See  D*Herbelot,  Bibl.  Orient,  article  Sina.    He 
died  in  1050.    Pulci  here  again  imitates  our  poet : 
Avicenna  quel  che  11  sentimento 
Intese  di  Aristotile  e  i  segreti^ 

Averrois  che  fece  11  gran  comento.  Morg.  Mag.t  c  zxr. 
Chancer,  in  the  Prologue  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  makM 
the  Doctonr  of  Phisike  fomiliar  with 

Avicen, 

Averrois. 

Sgnarda  Avicenna  mio  con  tre  corone, 
Ch*  egli  fii  Prence,  e  di  scienza  pieno, 
£  ntii  tanto  all'  umane  pers<me. 

F^ezzi.  Jl  Quadrir.t  1.  Iv.  cap.  0 
Fait  Avicenna  vir  summi  ingenii,  magnus  Philosophns, 
excellens  medicus,  et  summus  apud  sues  Theologus.    Sebas- 
tian Scheffer,  Introd.  in  Artem  Medicam,  p.  63,  as  quoted  in 
the  Historical  Observations  on  the  Quadriregio.    Eoiz.  1735. 

» Him  who  made 

That  eommentar%  vast^  Averroe».'\ 
n  nan  Platone,  e  V  altro  che  sta  attento 
Mirando  ii  cielo,  e  sta  a  lui  a  lato 
Averrois,  che  fbce  11  gran  c<»nento. 

JiVezzi.  B  Quadrir.f  I.  iv.  cap.  9. 
Averroes,  called  by  the  Arabians  Roschd,  translated  and 
eommentBd  the  works  of  Aristotie     According  to  TiraboschI 
OMofia  delU  Lett.  Ital.,  t  v.  1.  iL  c  U.  se«t.  4)  he  was  thu 


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1«^148.  HELL,  Canto>.  73 

Of  all  to  tpewk  at  full  wtan  yain  attempt ; 
For  my  wide  theme  bo  urges,  that  oft-tunes 
My  words  fall  short  of  what  hechanced.    In  two 
'Die  six  associates  part    Another  way 
My  sage  guide  leads  me,  from  that  air  serene. 
Into  a  climate  ever  yex'd  with  storms : 
And  to  a  part  I  come,  wheVe  no  light  slunes 


CANTO  V. 

ARGUMENT. 

Camins  into  th€  second  circle  of  Hell,  Dante  at  the  entnuies 
beh«MdB  Minos  the  Infernal  Judge,  by  whom  he  is  admon* 

'  ished  to  beware  how  he  enters  those  regions.  Here  he  wit' 
nesses  the  punishDient  of  carnal  sinners,  who  are  tossed 
*abont  ceaselessly  in  tlys  dark  air  by  the  most  farious  winds. 
Among  these  he  meets  with  Francesca  of  Rimini,  through 
pity  at  whose  sad  tale  he  foils  &inting  to  the  ground. 

From,  the  first  circle'  I  descended  thus 
Down  to  the  second,  which,  a  lesser  quice 


source  of  modem  philosophical  impiety  The  critic  quotes 
8(Mne  passages  from  Petrardi  (Senil,  I.  v.  ep.  iil.  et  Oper.,  v.  U. 
p.  1143)  to  show  how  strongly  such  sentiments  prevailed  in 
the  time  of  that  poet,  by  whom  they  were  held  in  horror  and 
detestation.  He  adds,  that  this  fanatic  admirer  of  Aristotle 
translated  his  writings  with  that  felicity  which  nright  be  ex- 
pected from  one  who  did  not  know  a  syllable  of  Greek,  and 
who  was  therefore  compelled  to  avail  himself  of  the  unfaith- 
fol  Arabic  versions.  D^IIerbelot,  on  the  other  hand,  Informs 
us,  that  "Averroes  was  the  first  who  translated  Aristotle 
from  Greek  into  Arabic,  before  the  Jews  had  made  their 
translation ;  and  that  we  had  for  a  long  time  no  other  text 
of  Aristotle,  except  that  of  the  Latin  translation,  which  was 
made  from  this  Arabic  version  of  this  great«  philosopher, 
(Averroes,)  who  afterwards  added  to  it  a  very  ample  com- 
mentary, of  which  Thomas  Aquinas,  and  the  other  scholastic 
writers,  availed  themselves,  before  the  Greek  ori^als  of 
Aristotle  and  his  commentators  were  known  to  us  in  Europe." 
According  to  D'Herbelot,  he  died  In  1198;  but  Tiraboschi 
places  that  event  about  1206. 

"  Averroes,"  says  Warton, "  as  the  Asiatic  schools  decayoc] 
by  »he  indolence  of  the  Caliphs,  was  one  of  those  philosophers 
who  adorned  the  Moorish  schools  erected  in  Africa  and  Spain 
He  was  a  professor  in  the  University  of  Morocco  He  wrote 
a  commentary  on  all  Aristotle's  works.  He  was  styled  the 
most  Peripatetic  of  all  the  Arabian  writers.  He  was  bom  at 
Cordova,  of  an  ancient  Arabic  family."  Hist.  Eng^.  Poetrf^ 
vol.  i.  sect.  xvii.  p.  441. 

1  FVom  the  first  cirele.}    Chiabrera*s  twenty-first  sonnet  it 
on  a  painting,  by  Cesare  Corte,  from  this  Canto.    Mr.  Fuseli, 
a  muck  greater  name,  has  lately  employed  his  wonder-%vork 
Ing  pencil  on  the  sante  subject. 
4 


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t4  THE  VISION.  3-tt 

Embracing^  bo  much  more  of  grief  contains, 

Provoking  bitter  moans.    There  Minos  stands, 

Grinning  with  ghastly  feature  :^  he,  of  all 

Who  enter,  strict  examining  the  crimes, 

Gi^es  sentence,  and  dismisses  them  beneath, 

According  as  he  foldeth  him  around : 

For  when  befcnre  him  copies  the  ill-fated  soul, 

It  all  confesses ;  and  that  judge  severe 

Oi  sins,  considering  what  place  in  hell 

Suits  the  transgression,  with  his  tail  so  oft 

Himself  encircles,  as  degrees  beneath 

He  dooms  it  to  descend.    Before  him  stand 

Aiway  a  numerous  throng ;  and  in  his  turn 

Each  one  to  judgment  passing,  iq>eaks,  and  hean 

His  fate,  thence  downward  to  his  dwelling  hurl'd. 

"  O  thou !  who  to  this  residence  of  wo 
Approachest !"  when  he  saw  nfe  coming,  cried 
Minos,  relinquishing  his.  dread  employ, 
"  Look  how  thou  enter  here ;  beware  in  whom 
Thou  place  thy  trust ;  let  not  the  entrance  broad 
Deceive  ih.ee  to  thy  harm."    To  him  my  guide : 
"  Wherefore  exclaimest  ?    Hmder  not  his  way 
By  destiny  appointed ;  so  'tis  will'd. 
Where  will  and  power  are  one.  A^  thou  no  more.^ 

Now  'gin  the  rueful  wailings  to  be  heard. 
Now  am  t  come  where  many  a  plaining  voice 
Smites  on  mine  ear.    Into  a  place  I  came 
Where  light  was  silent  all.    Bellowing*  there  groan'd 
A  noise,  as  of  a  sea  in  tempest  torn 
By  warrmg  winds.    The  stormy  blast  of  hell 
With  restless  fury  drives  the  spirits  on, 
Whirrd  round  and  dash*d  amain  with  sore  annoy. 
When  they  arrive  before  the  ruinous  sweep, 
There  shrieks  are  heard,  there  lamentations,  moans. 
And  blasphemies  'gainst  the  good  Power  in  heaven. 

I  understood,  that  to  this  torment  sad 
The  carnal  sinners  are  condemnM,  in  whom 
Reason  by  lust  is  sway'd.    As  in  large  troops 
And  multitudinous,  when  winter  reigns, 
The  starlings  on  their  wings  are  borne  abroad ; 
So  bears  the  tyrannous  gust  those  evil  souls. 
On  this  side  and  on  that,  above,  below. 

Of  nmUig'  with  ghatUy  /eaeure. J    Hence  HUton : 

Death 

Grina'd  hoirible  a  ghastly  smile. 

•P.X.,b.U.84S. 


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iS-tt.  HELL,  Cuno  V.  75 

It  driyes  them :  hope  oi  rest  to  solace  them 

Ts  none,  nor  e'en  of  milder  pang.    As  cranes,' 

Chanting  their  dolorous  notes,  traverse  the  sky, 

Stretch'd  out  in  long  array ;  so  I  beheld 

Spirits,  who  came  loud  w4iling,  hurried  on 

fiy  their  dire  doom.     Then  I :  <<  Instructor  I  who 

Are  these,  by  the  black  air  so  scourged  ?" — **  The  fiist 

'Moug  those,  of  whom  thou  question'st,"  he  repUed, 

*<  O'er  many  tongues  was  empress.     She  in  vice 

Of  luxury  was  so  shameless,  that  die  made 

Liking^  be  lawful  by  promulged  decree, 

To  clear  the  blame  she  had  herself  incurr'd 

This  is  Semiramis,  of  whom  'tis  writ, 

That  she  succeeded  Ninus  her  espoused ;' 

And  held  the  land,  which  now  the  Soldstn  rules. 

The  next  in  amorous  fury  ijlew  herself. 

And  to  Sicheus'  ashes  broke  her  faith : 

Then  follows  Cleopatra,  lustful  queen." 

There  mark'd  I  Helen,  for  whose  sake  so  long 
The  time  was  fraught  with  evil ;  there  the  great 
Achilles,  who  with  love  fought  to  the  end. 

>  As  cranes.^    This  simile  is  imitated  by  Lorenzo  de  Me 
dici,  in  his  Ambra,  a  poem,  first  pobiished  by  Mr.  Roscoe,  in 
the  Appendix  to  his  lofe  of  Lorenzo : 
.   Marking  the  tracts  of  air,  the  clamorqas  cranes 
Wheel -their  dne  flight  in  varied  ranlos  descried ; 
And  each  with  ontstreteh'd  neck  his  rank  maintaiiis, 
In  marsliallM  order  through  th*  ethereal  void. 

RoscoCf  V.  i.  c.  v.  p.  257,  4to.  edit. 
Compare  Homer,  H.,  ill.  3.  Virgil,  ^n.,  1.  x.  264.    Oppian 
Halieut.,  lib.  1. 620.    Rnccellai,  Le  Api,  942,  and  Dante's  ho' 
gatory,  xxiv.  G3. 
3  Liking.l    His  lostes  were  as  law  in  his  degree. 

C%aMc«r,  Monkeys  Tale.  J^ero. 
*  Thai  the  jueeeeded  JVtn««  her  espoused.] 

Che  succedette  a  Nino  e  fa  sua  sposa. 
M  Artand,  in  his  Histoire  de  Dante,  p.  589,  mentions  a 
manoscript  work  called  Attacanti's  Qnadragesimale  de  redita 
peccatOTis  ad  Denm,  in  which  the  line  is  thus  cited : 
Che  sngger  dette  a  Nino  e  fti  sua  sposa. 
"  Who  suckled  Ninus,  and  was  his  wife." 
This  remarkable  reading  had  been  before  noticed  by  Federlcl 
Intomo  ad  alcune  varianti  nel  teste  della  Divina  Commedia* 
Ed.  Milan.  1836.    See  the  Biblioteca  Italiana,  torn.  82,  p.  282> 
It  appears  from  the  treatise  De  Monarchic,  (1.  ii.)  that  Dante 
derived  his  knowledge  of  Assyrian  liistory  from  his  fieivorite 
author  Oroslus,  (1.  i.  c.  iv.)  who  relates  that  Semiramis  both 
succeeded  Ninus  tlirough  the  artifice  of  personating  her  son, 
and  that  she  committed  incest  with  her  son ;  but  as  the  name 
of  hex  husband  Ninus  only  is  there  recorded,  and  as  other  his- 
torians call  the  son  Ninias,  it  is  probable  tliat  the  common 
leading  is  right.    . 


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76  THE  VISION.  W^Uk 

Pans  I  saw,  and  TriBtan ;  and  beside, 

A  thousand  more  he  show'd  me,  and  by  ni^e 

Pointed  them  out,  whom  love  bereaved  of  life. 

When  I  had  heard  my  sage  instructor  name 
Those  dames  and  knights  of  antique  days,  o'eipowei'd 
By  pity,  well-nigh  in  amaze  my  mind 
Was  lost ;  and  I  began :  **  Baid !  willingly 
I  would  address  those  two  together  coming, 
Which  seem  so  light  before  the  wind."    He  thus: 
«*  Note  thou,  when  nearer  they  to  us  approach. 
Then  by  •that  love  which  carries  them  along. 
Entreat ;  and  they  will  come."    Soon  as  the  wind 
Sway'd  them  towards  us,  I  thus  framed  my  q>eech 
"  O  wearied  spuits !  come,  and  hold  discourse 
With  us,  if  by  none  else  restrained."    As  doves 
By  fond  desire  invited,  on  wide  wings 
And  firm,  to  their  sweet  nest  returning  home, 
Cleave  the  air.  Wafted  by  their  will  along ; 
Thus  issued,  from  that  troop  where  Dido  ranks, 
They,  through  the  ill  air  speeding :  with  such  force 
My  cry  prevail'd,  by  strong  affection  urged. 

**  O  gracious  creature  and  benign !  who  go'st 
Visiting,  through  this  element  obscure,^ 
Us,  who  the  world  with  bloody  stain  imbrued ; 
If,  for  a  friend,  the  King  of  all  we  own*d. 
Our  prayer  to  him  should  for  thy  peace  arise, 
Since  thou  hast  pity  on  our  evil  plight. 
Of  whatsoe'er  to  hear  or  to  discourse 
It  pleases  thee,  that  will  we  hear,  of  that 
Freely  with  thee  discourse,  while  e'er  the  wind, 
As  now,  is  mute.    The  land,'  that  gave  me  birtbi 
Is  situate  on  the  coast,  where  Po  descends 
To  rest  m  ocean  with  his  sequent  streams. 

"  Love,  that  in  gentle  heart  is  quickly  leam'd,* 

>  Element  obscure  ]  "  L*aer  perso.**  Much  is  said  by  tb« 
commentators  concerning  the  exact  sense  of  the  word  '*  perso.** 
It  cannot  be  explained  in  clearer  terms  than  those  used  by 
Dante  himself  in  his  Convito :  "  D  perso  i  nn  colore  misto  m 
purpureo  e  nero,  ma  vince  11  nero."  p.  185.  "  It  is  a  color 
mixed  of  purple  and  black,  but  the  black  prevails."  The 
word  recurs  several  times  in  this  poem.  Chaucer  also  uses 
it  in  the  Prologue  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  Doctoor  of  Phis 
Ike: 

In  sangnin  and  in  perse  he  clad  was  alle. 

*  TTieland.]    Ravenna. 

*  Lovef  that  in  gentle  heart  is  quickly  teanCd.} 

Amor,  ch*  al  cor  gentil  ratto  8*appvends. 
A  line  taken  by  Marino,  Adone,  c.  cxli.  st.  351. 


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100-114.  H£LL,  Canto  V.  77 

Entan^ed  him  by  that  fair  fonn,  from  me 
Ta'en  in  such  cruel  sort,  as  grieves  me  still : 
Love,  that  denial  takes  from  none  beloved,' 
Caught  me  with  pleasing  him  so  passing  well. 
That,  as  thou  seest,  he  yet  deserts  me  not 
Love  brought  us  to  one  death :  Calna'  waits 
The  soul,  who  spilt  our  life."    Such  were  their  words  ] 
At  hearing  which,  downward  I  bent  my  looks. 
And  held  them  there  so  long,  that  the  bard  cried : 
**  What  art  thou  pondering?"    I  in  answer  thus : 
"  Alas !  by  what  sweet  thoughts,  what  fond  desire 
Must  they  at  length  to  that  ill  pass  have  reached !" 

Then  turning,  I  to  them  my  speech  addressed, 
And  thus  began :  "  Francesca !'  your  sad  fate 
Even  to  tears  my  grief  and  pity  moves. 

That  the  reader  of  the  original  may  not  be  misled  as  .to  the 
exact  sense  of  the  word  "  s'apprende/'  which  I  have  rendered 
**  is  leani*d,*'  it  may  he  right  to  apprize  him  that  it  signifies  **  is 
caught,"  and  that  it  is  a  metaphor  from  a  thing  taking  fire. 
Thos  it  is  Qsed  by  Gnido  Golnicelli,  whom  indeed  our  poet 
seems  here  to  have  had  in  view : 

Fnoco  d*  Amore  in  gentil  cor  s'apprende, 
Come  vertate  in  pietra  preziosa. 

Sonetti,  Sre.,  di  diversi  Antichi  Toseani.    Edix» 
Oiuatif  1537, 1.  iz.  p.  107 
The  fire  of  love  in  gentle  heart  is  caught, 
As  virtue  in  the  precious  stone. 
^  Lovcy  that  denial  takes  from  none  beloved,] 
Amor,  ch*  a  null'  amato  amar  perdona. 
80  Boccaccio,  in  his  Filocopo,  1. 1. 

Anu^e  mai  non  perdonb  Tamore  a  nnllo  amato 
And  Pnlci,  in  the  M<»rgante  Ma^iore,  c.  iv. 
£  perch^  amor  mai  volontier  perdona,- 
Che  non  sia  al  fin  sempre  amato  chi  ama. 
buleed,  n.any  of  the  Italian  poets  have  repeated  this  verse, 
s  Caina.]    The  place  to  which  murderers  are  doomed, 
s  Francesea.]    Francesca,  daughter  of  Goido  da  Polenta, 
lord  of  Ravenna,  was  given  by  her  fkther  in  mirriage  to 
Lanciotto,  son  of  Malatesta,  lord  of  Rimini,  a  man  of  extra- 
ordinary courage,  bat  deformed  in  his  person.    His  brother 
Paolo,  who  unhappily  possessed  those  graces  which  the 
husband  of  Francesca  wanted,  engaged  her  affections ;  and 
being  taken  in  adultery,  they  were  both  put  to  death  by 
the  enraged  Lanciotto.    See  notes  to  Canto  xxvii.  v.  38  and 
43.    Troya  relates,  that  they  were  buried  together ;  and  that 
three  centuries   aAer,  thi,  bodies  were   found  at  Rimini, 
thither  they  had  been  removed  fhnn  Pesaro,  with  the  silkeu 
garments  yet  fresh.    Veldro  Allegorico  di  Dante.    Edix.  189^ 
p.  33. 

The  whole  of  this  passage  is  alluded  to  by  Petrarch,  in  hit 
Trtamph  of  Lovo,  c  ill. : 


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tS  THE  VISION.  115-191 . 

But  tell  me ;  in  the  time  of  your  sweet  sighs, 
By  what,  and  how  Love  granted,  that  ye  knew 
Your  yet  uncertain  wishes?"     She  rephed : 
"  No  greater  grief  than  to  remember  days 
Of  joy,  when  misery  is  at  haud.^    That  kens 
Thy  ieam'd  instructor.     Yet  so  eagerly 
If  thou  art  bent  to  know  the  primal  root, 
F'^m  whence  our  love  gat  being,  I  will  do 
A  3  one,  who  weeps  and  tells  his  tale.    One  day, 
i  or  our  delight  we  read  of  Lancelot,' 
How  him*  love  thrall'd.    Alone  we  were,  and  no 
Suspicion  near  us.    Oft-times  by  that  reading 
Our  eyes  were  drawn  together,  and  the  hue 
Fled  from  our  altered  cheek.     But  at  one  pomt' 
Alone  we  fell.    When  of  that  smile  we  read, 

Ecco  qnei  che  le  carte  empion  dl  sogni 
-    Lancilotto  Tristano  e  gli  a  tri  eiranti : 
Onde  convien  che  *1  vnlgo  errante  ugogni ; 
Vedi  Giiievra,  Isotta  e  Taltre  amanti ; 
£  la  coppia  d*Arimino  che*  nsieme 
Vanno  facendo  dolorosi  plant!. 
Mr.  Leigh  Hnnt  has  expanded  the  present  episode  into  • 
•eautiful  poem,  in  his  **  Story  of  Rimini." 

*  JVo  p'eaUr  grief  than  to  remember  day» 
Ofjoy^  when  misery  is  at  hand.] 

Imitated  by  Cliancer : 

For  of  Fortnnis  sharp  adversite 
The  worste  kind  of  infortune  is  this, 
A  man  to  have  been  in  prosperite, 
And  it  reniembir  when  it  passid  is. 

Troilus  and  Creseide,  b.  iii 
By  Marino: 

Che  non  ha  doglia  il  misero  maggiore, 
Che  ricordar  ia  gioia  entro  il  dolore. 

JldonSf  c.  xiv.  st.  100 
And  by  Fortignerra : 

Rimembrare  il  ben  perdnto 

Fa  piu  meschino  io  {nresente  stato. 

RiceiardettOt  c.  xl  St.  83 
The  original,  perhaps,  was  in  Boutins  de  Consol.  Phllosoph. 
^'In  omni  adversitate  fortans  infelicissimom  genus  est  intuT' 
tonil  Aiisse  felicem  et  non  esse.*'    1. 3,  pr.  4. 

Bofitins,  and  Cicero  de  Amicitift,  were  the  two  first  books 
that  engaged  the  attention  of  Dante,  as  he  himself  teili  us  in 
the  Convito,  p.  68. 

s  Lancelot.]  One  of  the  Knights  of  the  Round  Table,  and 
the  lover  of  Ginevra,  or  Goinever,  celebrated  in  romance. 
The  incident  alluded  to  seems  to  have  made  a  strong  impies- 
lion  on  the  imagination  of  Dtmte,  who  introduces  it  a^Biin,  in 
the  Pftntdise,  Canto  zvL 

*  M  one  point,] 

Qoesto  quel  punto  fVi,  che  sol  mi  vinse. 

TassOf  U  Torrismondo  a.  1.  8. 3. 


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13IK138.  HEIX,  Camto  VL  70 

The  wished  smile,  so  rapturously  kiss'd 
By  one  so  deep  in  love,  then  he,  who  ne'er 
From  me  shall  separate,  at  once  my  lips 
All  trembling  kiss'd.    The  book  and  writer  both 
Were  love's  purveyors.    In  its  leaves  that  day 
We  read  no  more."^    While  thus  one  spuit  spake. 
The  other  wail'd  so  sorely,  that  heart-struck 
I,  through  compassion  fainting,  seem'd  not  far 
From  death,  and  like  a  corse  fell  to  the  ground.' 


CANTO  VI. 


AB6UMENT. 

On  his  racovery,  the  Poet  finds  himself  in  the  third  cifde. 
where  the  glattonons  are  ponished.  Their  tonnent  is,  to 
lie  in  the  mire,  under  a  continual  and  heavy  storm  of  hail, 
snow,  and  discolored  water ;  Cerberus  meanwhile  BarUng 
over  them  with  his  threefold  throat,  and  rending  them 
piecemeal.  One  of  these,  who  on  earth  was  named  Ciacco, 
foretells  the  divisions  with  which  Florence  is  about  to  be. 
distracted.  Dante  proposes  a  question  to  his  guide,  who 
solves  it ;  and  they  proceed  towards  the  fourth  circle. 

My  sense  reviving,*  that  erewhile  had  droop'd 
With  pity  for  the  kmdred  shades,  whence  grief 
O'ercame  me  wholly,  straight  around  I  see 
New  torments,  new  tormented  souls,  which  way 
Soe'er  I  move,  or  turn,  or  bend  my  sight     ^ 
In  the  third  circle  I  arrive,  of  showers 
Ceaseless,  accursed,  heavy  and  cold,  unchanged 
For  ever,  both  in  kind  and  in  degree. 
Large  hail,  discolor'd  water,  sleety  flaw 

»  — — —  In  its  leave*  that  day 
We  reaa  no  more.]  Nothing  can  exceed  the  dellcacj  with 
which  Francesca  in  these  words  intimates  her  guilt 

•  ,9nd  like  a  eoraefdl  to  the  ground.] 

E  caddi,  come  corpo  morto  cade. 
SoPuld: 

E  cadde  come  morto  in  terra  cade. 

JdorganU  Maggiore,  c  zzii. 
And  Ariosto : 

E  cada,  eome  corpo  morto  cade. 

Orl.  FHr.j  c  ii.  St  55. 
"  And  when  I  saw  him,  I  fell  at  his  feet  as  dead.'*    Reve 
lation,  i.  17. 

*  Jig  senoe  reviving.] 

Al  tomar  deUa  mente,  che  si  ehluse, 
Dinanfi  alia  pieti  de*  duo  cognati. 
Bemi  has  made  a  sportive  application  of  these  lines,  in  his 
OH.  Inn.,  Ub.  ilL  c  ^  st  1. 


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80  THE  VISION.  10-44 

Through  the  dun  midnight  air  stream'd  down  amain 
Stank  all  the  land  whereon  that  tempest  fell. 

Cerberus,  cruel  monster,  fierce  and  strange, 
Through  his  wide  threefold  throat,  barks  as  a  dog 
Over  the  multitude  immersed  beneath. 
His  eyes  glare  crimson,  black  his  unctuous  beard, 
His  belly  large,  and  claw'd  the  hands,  with  which 
fle  tears  the  spirits,  flays  them,  and  their  limbs    , 
Piecemeal  disparts.     Howling  there  spread,  as  curs. 
Under  the  rainy  deluge,  with  one  side 
The  other  screening,  oft  they  roll  them  round, 
A  wretched,  godless  crew.     When  that  great  worm* 
Descried  us,  savage  Cerberus,  he  oped 
His  jaws,  and  the  fangs  show'd  us ;  not  a  limb 
Of  him  but  trembled.    Then  my  guide,  his  palms 
Expanding  on  the  ground,  thence  fill'd  with  earth 
Raised  them,  and  cast  it  in  his  ravenous  maw. 
E'en^  a  dog,  that  yelling  bays  for  food 
His  keeper,  when  the  morsel  comes,  lets  fall 
.His  fury,  bent  alone  with  eager  haste 
To  swallow  it ;  so  dropp'd  the  loathsome  cheeks 
Of  demon  Cerberus,  who  thundering  stuns 
The  spirits,  that  thciy  for  deafness  wish  in  vain. 

We,  o^er  the  shades  thrown  prostrate  by  the  brunt 
Of  the  heavy  tempest  passing,  set  our  feet 
Upon  their  emptiness,  that  substance  seem*d. 

They  all  along  the  earth  extended  lay, 
Save  one,  that  sudden  raised  himself  to  sit. 
Soon  as  that  way  he  saw  us  pass.    "  O  thou  !** 
He  cried,  "  who  through  the  infernal  shades  art  led. 
Own,  if  again  thou  know'st  me.    Thou  wast  framed 
Or  e'er  my  frame  was  broken."    I  replied : 
"  The  anguish  thou  endurest  perchance  so  takes 
Thy  form  from  m}'  remembrance,  that  it  seems 
As  if  I  saw  thee  never.     But  inform 


1  7%^t  great  worm.]  Juxta— infernmn  vermis  erat  infinttn 
magnitudinls  ligatus  inaxiin&  caten&.    Alberici  Visio,  $  9. 

In  Canto  xxjdv.,  Lucifer  is  called 
The  abhorred  worm,  that  boreth  through  the  world. 

This  is  imitated  by  Aiiosto,  Orl.  Fur.,  c.  xlvi.  st  76. 

8hakspeare,Milt<m,  and  Cowper,  who  well  understood  that 
the  most  common  words  are  often  the  most  impressive,  have 
used  the  synonymous  term  in  our  language  with  the  best 
effect ;  as  Pindar  has  done  in  Greek : 

*Axd  Tavyirov  iiiv  Adxatvav 
iwi  6i|fMr2  Kdva  rpix^tv  miuviirarov  ipwtrdv* 
Heyne^a  Pindar.  Fragm,  Epinic.  ii.  2,  /n  J 


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0-73.  HELL,  Gai«to  VL  Q 

Me  who  thoa  art,  that  in  a  place  so  sad 
Art  set,  and  in  such  torment,  that  although 
Other  be  greater,  none  disguiBteth  more." 
He  thus  in  answer  to  my  words  rejom'd  i 
«  Thy  city,  heapM  with  envy  to  the  brim, 
iiye,  that  the  measure  overflows  its  boundi. 
Held  me  in  brighter  days.    Ye  citizens 
Were  wont  to  name  me  Ciacco.'    For  the  sin 
Of  gluttony,  damned  vice,  beneath  this  rain» 
E'en  as  thou  seest,  I  with  fatigue  am  worn : 
Nor  I  sole  spirit  in  this  wo :  all  these 
Have  by  like  crime  incurr'd  like  punishment*' 

No  more  he  said,  and  I  my  speech  resumed* 
*'  Ciacco !  thy  dire  affliction  grieves  me  much. 
Even  to  tears.    But  tell  me,  if  thou  know'st, 
What  shall  at  length  befall  the  citizens 
Of  the  divided  city  f  whether  any 
Just  one  inhabit  there :  and  tell  the  cause, 
Whence  jarring  Discord  hath  assail'd  it  thus." 

He  then :  **  After  long  striving  they  will  come 
To  blood ;  and  the  wild  party  from  the  woods* 
Will  chase  the  other*  with  much  injury  forth. 
Then  it  behooves  that  this  must  fall*  within 
Three  solar  circles  ;•  and  the  other  rise 
By  borrowed  force  of  one,  who  under  shore 
Now  rests.^    It  shall  a  long  space  hold  aloof 
Its  forehead,  keeping  under  heavy  weight 
The  other  oppressed,  indignant  at  the  load. 
And  grieving  sore.    The  just  are  two  in  number,* 


>  Ciaeeo.]  So  called  firom  his  inordinate  appetite ;  Ciacco, 
la  Italian,  signifying  a  pig.  The  real  name  of  this  glnttiMi 
has  not  been  transmitte<l  to  us.  He  is  introduced  in  Boccac- 
cio's Decameron,  Giom.  ix.  Nov.  8. 

)  Tke  divided  city.]  The  city  of  Florence,  divided  in  to  the 
Bianchi  and  Neri  /actions. 

*  T\4  wild  partvfrom  the  woods.]  So  called,  because  it  waa 
headed  by  Yeri  de'  Cerchi,  whose  family  had  lately  come 
Into  the  city  from  Acone,  and  the  woody  country  of  the  Val 
di  Nievole. 

*  Th$  other.}  The  opposite  party  of  the  Neri,  at  the  head 
of  which  was  Corso  Donati. 

»  T^is  vnutfall.}   The  Bianchi. 

*  Three  eolar  eireles.]  Three  years. 

*  ■  Of  01U,  who  under  shore 
JiTow  rests.] 

Charles  of  Valois,  by  whose  means  the  Neri  were  replaced 

*  The  just  are  two  in  number.]  Who  these  two  were,  the 
tommentators  are  not  agreed.  Some  understand  them  to  be 
Dante  himself  and  his  mend  Ouido  CavalcantL    Bat  this 


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S3  THE  VISION.  74-«e 

But  they  neglected.    Ayarice,  envy,  pride,' 

Tliree  fatal  sparks,  have  set  the  hearts  of  all 

On  fire.*'    Here  ceased  the  lamentable  sound ; 

And  I  continued  thus:  "  Still  would  I  learn 

More  from  thee,  farther  parley  still  entreat 

Of  Farinata  and  Tegghiaio^  say, 

They  who  so  well  deserved ;  of  Giacopo,' 

Anigo,  Mosca,^  and  the  rest,  who  bent 

Their  minds  on  workmg  good.    Oh !  tell  me  where 

They  bide,  and  to  their  Imowledge  let  me  come. 

For  I  am  press'd  with  keen  desire  to  hear 

If  heaveh's  sweet  cup,  or  poisonous  drug  of  hell. 

Be  to  theur  lip  assignU'*    He  answered  straight : 

**  These  are  yet  blacker  spurits.    Various  crimes 

Have  sunk  them  deeper  m  the  dark  abyss. 

If  thou  so  far  descendest,  thou  mayst  see  them. 

But  to  the  pleasant  world,  when  thou  retum'st. 

Of  me  make  mention,  I  entreat  thee,  there. 

No  more  I  tell  thee,  answer  thee  no  more." 

This  said,  his  fixed  eyes  he  tum'd  askance, 
A  little  eyed  me,  then  bent  down  his  head, 
And  'midst  his  blind  companions  with  it  fell. 

When  thus  my  guide :  *^  No  more  his  bed  he  leaveti 


would  aigae  a  presumption  which  oar  Poet  hilnself  else- 
where contradicts ;  for,  in  tbo  Purgatory,  he  owns  his  con- 
sciousness of  not  being  exempted  £rom  one  at  least  of  **tho 
three  fatal  sparks,  which' had  set  the  hearts  of  all  on  fire.** 
Bee  Canto  xiii.  126.  Others  refer  the  encominm  to  Bardnccio 
and  Giovanni  Vespignano,  adducing  the  following  passage 
fnnn  Villani  in  support  of  their  oi^nion :  "  In  the  year  1^1 
died  in  Florence  two  just  and  good  men,  of  holy  life  and  con- 
versation, and   bountiful  in  almsgiving,  although  lay 


The  one  was  named  Bardnccio,  and  was  buried  in  S.  Spirito, 
in  the  place  of  the  Frati  Romitani :  the  other,  named  Gio- 
vanni da  Vespignano,  was  buried  in  8.  Pietro  Maggiore.  And 
by  each,  God  showed  open  miracles,  in  healing  the  sick  and 
lunatic  after  divers  manners;  and  for  each  there  was  or* 
dained  a  solemn  funeral,  and  many  images  of  wax  set  up  is 
discharge  of  vows  that  had  been  made/'  G.  Villani,  lib.  z 
cap.  179. 

» Avarice^  envy,  pride.} 

Invidia,  superbia  ed  avarizie 
Vedea  moltiplicar  tra  mici  figliuoli. 

Ihzio  degli  Ubertiy  Dittamondo,  lib.  i.  cap.  zxlx. 
3  Of  Fhrinata  and  Teffghiaio.]   See  Canto  x.'and  Notes,  and 
Canto  xri.  and  Notes. 

*  Oiaeopo.]   Giacopo  Rusticucci.  See  Canto  zvi.  and  Notes. 

*  JhrifOy  Mo»ea,'\  Of  Afrigo,  who  Is  said  by  the  e<Mnmenta< 
ton  to  have  been  of  the  noble  fltmlly  of  the  FifiuitL  no  men- 
tion afterwards  oeenrs.  Mosca  degU  Ubertl,  or  de*  Lambefd» 
If  Introduced  in  Canto  zzviii. 


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07*117.  HELL,  Camto  VU.  8S 

Ere  the  last  angel-tnimpet  blow.    The  Powet 
Adverse  to  these  shall  then  in  glory  come, 
Each  one  forthwith  to  his  sad  tomb  repair, 
Resume'  his  fleshly  vesture  and  his  form. 
And  hear  the  eternal  doom  re-echoing  rend 
The  vault"    So  pass'd  we  through  that  mixture  fou] 
Of  spirits  and  rain,  with  tardy  steps ;  meanwhile 
Touching,'  though  slightly,  on  the  life  to  come. 
For  thus  I  questioned :  **  Shall  these  tortures,  sir  I 
When  the  great  sentence  passes,  be  increased. 
Or  mitigated,  or  as  now  severe  V* 

He  then :  "  Consult  thy  knowledge ;'  that  decides, 
That,  as  each  thing  to  more  perfection  grows, 
It  feels  more  sensibly  both  gMxl  and  pain. 
Though  ne'er  to  true  perfection  may  arrive 
This  race  accursed,  yet  nearer  then,  than  now. 
They  shall  approach  it"    Compassing  that  path, 
Circuitous  we  joumey'd ;  and  discourse, 
Much  more  than  I  relate,  between  ns  passed : 
Till  at  the  point,  whence  the  steps  led  below. 
Arrived,  there  Plutus,  the  great  foe,  we  found. 


CANTO   VIL 


.     ARGUMENT. 

In  the  present  Canto,  Dante  describes  his  descent  into  the 
fonrth  circle,  at  the  beginning  of  which  he  sees  Plntos  sta- 
tioned.  Here  one  like  doom  awaits  the  prodical  and  the 
avaricious;  which  is,  to  meet  in  direful  conflict,  rolling 
great  wei^^hts  asainst  each  other  with  mntoat  upbraidings. 
From  hence  Virgil  takes  occasion  to  show  how  vain  fbe 
goods  that  are  committed  into  the  charge  of  Fortune;  and 
this  moves  oar  auth<»r  to  inqoire  what  being  that  Fortune 
is,  of  whom  he  speaks :  which  question  being  resolved,  they 
go  down  into  the  fifth  circle,  where  they  find  the  wrathlnl 
and  gloomy  tormented  in  iihe  Stygian  lake.  Having  made 
a  compass  round  great  part  of  this  lake,  they  come  at  last  to 
the  base  of  a  lofty  tower. 

1  RetumeJ]    Imitated  by  Frezzi : 

Allor  rii^lieran  la  came  e  Tossa ; 
Li  rei  oscnri,  e  i  buon  con  splendoii 
Per  la  virtu  della  dlvina  poMa. 

n  Quadr.t  lib.  iv.  cap.  zv. 
s  Touching.']  Conversing,  though  in  a  slight  and  superfidal 
manner,  on  this  life  to  c<m)e. 

*  QnuvU  th^  knotoledge.]  We  are  referred  to  the  following 
passage  in  St.  Angu8tin:~**Cum  fiet  resurroetio  camls,  et  bo- 
Dornm  gaudia  et  malortim  tmnaenta  majora  erant.**— ^*  At  the 
lesnixeotion  of  the  flesh,  both  the  hapi^ness  of  the  good  and 
the  torments  6f  tho  wicked  will  be  incnased.** 


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84  THE  visicn:*!.  hm 

"Am  me  I  O  Satan !  Satan  !*'*  loud  ezclaim'd 
Flatus,  in  accent  hoarsi3  of  wild  alann : 
And  the  kind  sage,  whom  no  event  surprised, 
To  comfort  me  Uras  spake :  "  Let  not  thy  fear 
Harm  thee,  for  power  in  him,  be  sure,  is  none 
To  hinder  down  this  rock  thy  safe  descent" 
Then  to  that  swohi  lip  turning,  "  Peace !"  he  cried, 
"  Curst  wolf!  thy  fury  inward  on  thyself        [founds 
Prey,  and  consume  thee  I    Through  the  dark  pro* 
Not  without  cause,  he  passes.    So  'tis  willed 
On  high,  there  where  the  g;reat  Archangel  pour'd 
Heaven's  vengeance  on  the  drst  adulterer  proud.*^ 

As  sails,  fuU  spread  and  bellying  with  the  wind. 
Drop  suddenly  coll^ised,  if  the  mast  split ; 
So  to  the  ground  down  dropped  the  cruel  fiend. 

Thus  we,  descendmg  to  the  fourth  steep  ledgOy 
Gain'd  on  tiie  dismal  shore,  that  all  the  wo 
Hems  in  of  all  the  universe.    Ah  me ! 
Almighty  Justice !  in  what  store  thou  heap*stP 
New  pains,  new  troubles,  as  I  here  beheld. 


^Jlhmel  O  Satan  I  Satan!} 

Pape  Satan,  Pape  Satan,  aleppe. 

Pqjte  is  said  by  the  commentators  to  be  the  same  as  the 
Latin  word  ptqta  I  **  strange !"  Of  aleppe  they  do  not  give  a 
more  satisfactory  account. 

See  the  Life  of  Ben  vennto  Cellini,  translated  by  Dr.  NogenL 
V.  ii.  b.  iii.  c  vii.  p.  113,  where  he  mentions  **  having  heard 
the  words  Potx,  paixt  Satan  1  aUeiy  paixl  in  the  courts  of  jus- 
tice at  Paris.  I  recollected  what  Dante  said,  when  he  with 
his  master  Virgil  entered  the  gates  of  hell :  for  Dante,  and 
Giotto  the  painter,  were  together  in  France,  and  visited  Paris 
with  particular  attention,  wh«re  the  court  of  Justice  may  be 
considered  as  hell.  Hence  it  is  that  Dante,  who  was  like- 
wise perfect  master  of  the  French,  made  use  of  that  expres- 
sion ;  and  I  have  often  been  suriHised  that  it  was  never  un- 
derstood in  that  sense." 

»  The  first  adulterer  proud.}  Satan.  The  word  "fornica- 
tion," or  *•  adultery,"  "  strupo,"  is  here  used  for  a  revolt  of 
the  affections  from  God,  according  to  the  sense  in  which  it  is 
often  applied  in  Scripture.  But  Monti,  following  Grassi's 
"  Essay  on  Synonymes,"  supposes  "  strupo"  to  mean  "  troop ;" 
the  word  '^stmp"  being  still  used  in  the  Piemontese  dialect 
f<»r  "a  flock  of  sheep,"  and  answering  to  **troupeau"  in 
French.  In  that  case,  '*  superbo  strupo"  would  signify  "  the 
troop  of  rebel  angels  who  sinned  through  pride." 

^  In  what  store  thou  heapht.}  Some  understand  "  chi  stipa** 
to  mean  either  "who  can  imagine,"  or  "who  can  describe 
the  torments,"  4c«.  I  have  followed  Landino,  whose  words, 
though  very  plain,  seem  to  have  been  mistaken  by  Lombar- 
di:  "Chi  stipa,  chi  accnmula,  ed  insleme  ivicoglie;  quail 
dica,  la  giosuzia  adoni  tanti  snpfpUdi." 


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»-6«.  HELL,  Canto  VJL  $§ 

Wherefore  doth  fault  of  oun  bring  us  to  this? 

E'en  as  a  billow,'  on  Charybdis  rising, 
Against  encountered  billow  dashing  breaks ; 
Such  is  the  dance  this  wretched  race  must  lead, 
Whom  more  than  elsewhere  numerous  here  I  found 
From  one  side  and  the  other,  with  loud  voice. 
Both  rolled'  on  weights,  by  main  force  of  their  breasts^ 
Then  smote  together,  and  each  one  forthwith 
Roll'd  them  back  voluble,  turning  again ; 
Exclahning  these,  "  Why  boldest  thou  so  fast  V 
Those  answering,  "  And  why  castest  thou  away  7" 
So,  still  repeating  their  despiteful  sonflf. 
They  to  the  opposite  point,  on  either  hand. 
Traversed  the  horrid  circle  ;  then  arrived, 
Both  tum'd  them  round,  and  through  the  middle  space 
Conflicting  met  again.    At  sight  whereof 
I,  stung  with  grief,  thus  spake :  **  O  say,  my  guide ! 
What  race  is  this.  Were-  these,  whose  heads  are  shorn. 
On  our  left  hand,  all  separate  to  the  church?" 

He  straight  replied :  **  In  their  first  life,  these  all 
In  mind  were  so  distorted,  that  they  made. 
According  to  due  measure,  of  their  wealth 
No  use.    This  cleariy  from  their  words  collect, 
Which  they  howl  forth,  at  each  extremity 
Arriving  of  the  circle,  where  their  crime 
Contrary  m  kind  disparts  them.    To  the  church 
Were  separate  those,  that  with  no  hctiry  cowls 
Are  crowned,  both  Popes  and  Cardinals,'  o*er  whom 
Avarice  dominion  absolute  maintains." 

I  then :  "  'Mid  such  as  these  some  needs  must  b^ 
Whom  I  shall  recognise,  that  with  the  blot 
Of  these  foul  sins  were  stain'd."  He  answering  thus : 
**  Vain  thought  conceivest  thou.    That  ignoble  life. 
Which  made  them  vile  before,  now  makes  them  dark, 

1  JE'en  as  a  billow.] 

As  when  two  billows  In  the  Irish  sowndes, 
Forcibly  driven  with  c<mtrarie  tides, 
Do  meet  together,  each  aback  relwnnds 
With  roaring  rage,  and  dashing  on  all  sides, 
That  fiUeth  all  the  sea  with  foam,  divides 
The  doubtAil  current  into  divers  wayes. 

Spenser^  F.  ^.,  b.  iv.  e.  i.  st  4S. 
*  Popes  and  Cardinals.l    Ariosto  having  personified  Ava* 
tiee  as  a  strange  and  hideons  monster,  says  ofher : 
Pe^o  &cea  nella  Romana  corte, 
Che  v*avea  ncdsi  Cardinali  e'^jrf. 

Orl.  Far.,  e.  JcxvL  tt  39; 
Worse  did  she  in  the  Court  of  Rome,  for  there 
She  had  slain  Popes  and  Cardinals. 

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^  THE  VISION. 

And  to  all  knowledge  indiscemible. 
For  ever  they  shall  meet  in  this  rude  shock : 
These  from  the  tomb  with  clenched  grasp  shall  risoi 
Those  with  close-shaven  locks.    That  ill  they  gave^ 
And  ill  they  kept,  hath  of  the  beauteous  world 
Deprived,  and  set  them  at  this  strife,  which  needs 
No  labored  phrase  of  mine  to  set  it  o& 
Now  mayst  thou  see,  my  son !  how  brief,  how  mint 
The  goods  committed  into  Fortune's  hands. 
For  which  the  human  race  keep  such  a  coil ! 
Not  all  the  gold*  that  is  beneath  the  moon. 
Or  ever  hath  been,  of  these  toil-worn  souls 
Might  purchase  rest  for  one."    I  thus  rejoined: 
"  My  guide !  of  thee  this  also  would  I  learn ; 
This  Fortune,  that  thou  speak'st  of,  what  it  is, 
Whose  talons  grasp  the  blessings  of  the  world." 
He  thus :  "  O  beings  blind !  what  ignorance 
Besets  you !    Now  my  judgment  hear  and  mark. 
He,  whose  transcendent  wisdom^  passes  all, 
The  heavens  creating,  gave  them  ruling  powers 
To  guide  them ;  so  that  each  part*  shines  to  eaoh. 
Their  light  in  equal  distribution  pour'd. 
By  similar  appointment  he  ordain'd, 
Over  the  world's  bright  images  to  rule, 
Superintendence  of  a  guiding  hand 
And  general  minister,^  which,  at  due  time,   • 
May  change  the  empty  vantages  of  life 
From  race  to  race,  from  one  to  other's  blood, 
Beyond  prevention  of  man's  wisest  care : 
Wherefore  one  nation  rises  into  sway, 
Another  languishes,  e'en  as  her  will 
Decrees,  from  us  conceal'd,  as  in  the  grass 
The  serpent  tram.    Against  her  naught  avails 
Tour  utmost  wisdom.    She  with  foresight  plans, 

1  J^ot  all  the  gold,}    Tatto  roro  ch'  i  sotto  la  luna 
For  all  the  gode  under  the  ccdde  mone. 

Ckaueert  Legende  of  Hypermnutf, 
^  Heywhoae  tranacenimt  wisdom.]    Compare  Frezzi: 

Die  i  prime'  prince  in  ogni  parte 

Sempro  e  m  tatto,  &c. 

n  Quadrir.y  lib.  ii.  cap.  it. 
>  Each  part.]  Each  hemisphere  ofthe  heavens  shines  npMi 
that  hemisphere  of  the  earth  which  is  placed  under  it. 

*  Oeneral  minister.]  Lombard!  cites  an  apposite  passage 
flpom  Augnstin*  D4  Civitate  Dei,  lib.  v. :— "  Nos  eas  caasaa, 
41UB  dicuntor  fortaitaB  (unde  etiam  fortona  nomen  accept^ 
Bon  didrnns  nallas,  sed  latentss,  easque  triboimns,  vel  ved 
Dei,  vel  qoommlibet  kpiritmim  volontatL** 


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8»^U7.  HELL,  Canto  VIL  (ff 

Jodgee,  and  carries  on  her  reign,  as  theirs 

The  other  powers  divine.    Her  changes  know 

None  intermission :  by  necessity^ 

She  is  made  swift,  so  frequent  come  who  claim 

Succession  in  her  fayors.     This  is  she, 

So  execrated  e>n  by  those  whose  debt 

To  her  is  rather  praise  :  they  wrongfully 

With  blame  requite  her,  and  with  evil  word ; 

But  she  is  blessed,  and  for  that  recks  not : 

Amidst  the  other  primal  beings  glad, 

Rolls  on  her  sphere,  and  in  her  bliss  exults. 

Now  on  our  way  pass  we^ to  heavier  wo 

Descending:  for  each  star^  is  falling  now, 

That  mounted  at  our  entrance,  and  forbids 

Too  long  our  tarrying."    We  ihe  drcle  croBB*d 

To  the  next  steep,  arriving  at  a  well, 

That  boiling  pours  itself  down  to  a  foss 

Sluiced  from  its  source.    Far  murkier  was  the  wave 

Than  sablest  grain :  and  we  in  company 

Of  the  inky  waters,  journeying  by  tiieir  side. 

Entered,  though  by  a  different  track,'  beneath. 

Into  a  lake,  the  Stygian  named,  expcmds 

The  dismal  stream,  when  it  hath  reached  the  foot 

Of  the  gray  withered  cli£5s.    Intent  I  stood 

To  gaze,  and  in  the  marish  sunk  descried 

A  miry  tribe,  all  naked,  and  with  looks 

Betokening  rage.    They  with  their  hands  alone 

Struck  not,  but  with  the  head,  the  breast,  the  feet, 

Cuttmg  each  other  piecemeal  with  their  fangs. 

>  By  necessity.}  This  sentiment  called  forth  the  Femehen 
■ion  of  Francesco  Stabili,  commonly  called  Cecco  d^AseoB 
in  his  Acerba,  lib.  i.  c.  i. 

In  cib  peecasti,  O  Fiorentin  poeta, 

Ponendo  cbe  li  ben  della  fortuna^ 

Necessitati  sieno  con  lor  meta. 

Non  h  forttma,  cni  ragion  non  vinca. 

Or  pensa  Dante,  se  prova  nessnna 

Si  pab  piu  fare  che  qaesta  convinca. 

Herein,  O  bard  of  Florence,  didst  thou  err, 

Laying  it  down  that  fortune's  largesses 

Are  fated  to  their  goal.    Fortune  is  none, 

That  reason  cannot  conqacr.    Mark  thoa,  Dante, 

If  any  axgoment  may  gainsay  this, 
s  Eeuih  star.]    So  Boccaccio :  "  Giu  ogoi  Stella  a  cader  co- 
nincib,  che  salia."    Dec.  G.  3,  at  the  end. 

*  ^  digsrent  track.\  Una  via  diversa.  Some  uodentaiid 
this  *'a  strange  path;*'  as  the  word  is  ased  in  the  prece- 
ding. Canto;  "fiera  cradele  e  diverse,**  **  monster  fierce  and 
strange  :**  and  In  the  Vita  Naova,  "visi  divers!  ed  oniUlfa 
vedere,"  "  visages  Btranffft  and  horrible  to  see.'* 


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fi6  THE  VISION.  ll»-]3t 

The  good  instractor  spake :  *'  Now  leett  thoa,  ma 
The  sonb  of  those,  whom  anger  overcame; 
This  too  for  certain  know,  that  underneath 
The  water  dwells  a  multitude,  whose  sighs 
Into  these  bubbles  make  the  surface  heave. 
As  thine  eye  tells  thee  wliereeoe'er  it  turn. 
Fix'd  in  the  slime,  they  say :  *  Sad  once  were  W6» 
*  In  the  sweet  air  made  gladscmie  by  the  sun, 
'  Carrying  a  foul  and  lazy  mist  within : 
<  Now  in  these  murky  settlings  are  we  sad.' 
Such  dolorous  stram  they  gurgle  m  their  throats, 
But  word  distmct  can  utt«r  none."    Our  route 
Thus  compAss'd  we,  a  segment  widely  stretoh'd 
Between  tiie  dry  embanlunent,  and  the  core 
Of  the  loath'd  pool,  tummg  meanwhile  our  eyes 
Downward  on  those  who  ^p*d  its  muddy  lees ; 
Nor  stopp'd,  till  to  a  towePs  low  base  we  came. 


CANTO  VIII. 


ARGUMENT. 


A  signal  havhig  been  made  from  the  tower,  Phlegyas,  the 
ferryman  of  the  lake,  speedily  crosses  it,  and  conveys  Vir- 
gil and  Dante  to  the  other  side.  On  their  passage,  they 
meet  with  Filiiqpo  Argenti,  whose  Airy  ana  torment  are 
described.  They  then  arrive  at  the  city  of  Dis,  the  en- 
trance whereto  is  denied,  and  the  portals  closed  against 
ttiem  by  many  Demons. 

My  theme  pursuing,*  I  relate,  that  ere 
We  reach'd  the  lofty  turret's  base,  our  eyes 
Its  height  ascended,  where  we  marked  uphung 
Two  cressets,  and  another  saw  from  far 

>  Mf  theme  pureiung.}  It  is  related  by  some  of  the  earl; 
commentators,  that  the  seven  preceding  Cantos  Were  found 
at  Florence  after  oar  Poet's  banishment,  by  some  one,  who 
.  was  searching  over  his  papers,  which  were  left  in  that  city : 
that  by  this  person  they  were  taken  to  Dino  Frescobaldi ;  and 
that  he,  being  much  delighted  with  them,  forwarded  them  to 
the  Marchese  Morello  Malaspina,  at  whose  entreaty  the  poem 
was  resmned.  This  account,  though  very  circumstantially 
related,  is  rendered  improbable  by  the  prophecy  of  Ciacco  in 
the  sixth  Canto,  which  must  have  been  written  after  the 
events  to  which  it  alludes.  The  manner  in  which  the  pres- 
ent Canto  opens  furnishes  no  proof  of  the  truth  of  the  report ; 
for,  as  Maflei  remaiks  in  his  Osservazloni  Letterarie,  tom.  IL 
p.  249,  refeired  to  by  Lombardi,  it  might  as  well  be  affirmed 
that  Ariotto  was  intenupted  in  his  Orlando  FurioeOi  because 
he  begins  c  xvin 

Dico  la  bella  storia  ripigllando 
Xadc  xxU. 

Ma  tonaado  al  lavar«  che  vario  onUseo 


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»>4S.  HELL,  Cakto  VIIL  89 

Retvm  tfao  tigna],  so  remote,  that  scaiee 
The  eye  could  catch  its  beam.    I,  turning  roond 
To  the  deep  source  of  knowledge,  thus  mquired : 
*'  Say  what  this  means ;  and  what  that  other  light 
In  answer  set :  what  agency  doth  this  ?" 

"  There  on  the  filthy  waters,"  he  replied, 
«<  E'en  now  what  next  awaits  us  mayst  thou  see. 
If  the  niarsh-gender'd  fog  conceal  it  not." 

Never  was  arrow  from  the  cord  dismissed, 
That  ran  its  way  so  nimbly  through  the  air. 
As  a  small  bark,  that  through  the  waves  I  spied 
Toward  us  coming,  under  the  sole  sway 
Of  one  that  ferried  it,  who  cried  aloud :  [gya«>' 

"Art  thou  arrived,  feU  spirit ?"—"  Phlegyas,  Phle« 
This  time  thou  criest  in  vain,"  my  lord  r^ied ; 
"  No  longer  shalt  thou  have  us,  but  while  o'er 
The  slimy  pool  we  pass."    As  one  who  hears 
Of  some  great  wrong  he  htith  sustain'd,  whereat 
Inly  he  pmes ;  so  Phlegyas  inly  pined 
In  his  fierce  ire.    My  guide,  descendmg,  stepped 
Into  the  skifi^  and  bstde  me  enter  next. 
Close  at  his  side  ;  nor,  till  my  entrance,  seem'd  . 
The  vessel  freighted.    Soon  as  both  embark'd, 
Cutting  the  waves,  goes  on  the  ancient  prow. 
More  deeply  than  with  others  it  is  wont. 

While  we  our  course^  o'er  the  dead  channel  held. 
One  drench'd  in  mire  before  me  came,  and  said : 
"  Who  art  thou,  that  thus  comest  ere  thine  hour?" 

I  answer'd :  "  Though  I  come,  I  tarry  not ; 
Bnt  who  art  thou,  that  art  become  so  foul?" 

"  One,  as  thou  seest,  who  mo^un :"  he  straight 
replied. 

To  which  I  thus :  "  In  mounung  and  m  wo. 
Curst  spirit  I  tarry  thou.    I  know  thee  well. 
E'en  thus  in  filth  disguised."  Then  stretch'd  he  forth 
Hands  to  the  bark  ;  whereof  my  teacher  sage 
Aware,  thrusting  him  back :  "  Away !  down  there 
To  the  other  dogs !"  then,  with  his  arms  my  neck 
Encircling,  kiss'd  my  cheek,  and  spake  :  **  O  soul, 
Justly  disdainful !  blest  was  she  in  whom 

^  Phl^at.]    Phlegyas,  who  was  so  incensed  againaC  Apol- 
lo, for  having  violated  his  daughter  Coronis,  that  he  set  fire  to 
the  temple  of  that  deity,  by  whose  vengeance  he  was  cast 
Into  Tartams.    See  Virg.  iEn.,  1.  vi.  618. 
-  *  JVkiU  we  our  course.} 

Solcando  noi  per  quella  morta  gora. 

JFWzzi  //  Q:iutdnr.t  lib.  it  cap.  7. 


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90  THE  VISION.  H^n 

Thou  wast  ccmoeived.^    He  in  the  world  i«m  odo 

For  arrogance  noted :  to  his  memory 

No  virtue  lends  its  lustre  ;  even  so 

Here  b  his  shadow  furious.    There  above, 

How  many  now  hold  themselves  mighty  kings. 

Who  here  like  swine  shall  wallow  in  the  mire, 

leaving  behind  them  horrible  dispraise." 

I  then :  '*  Master !  him  fain  would  I  beheld 
Whelm'd  in  these  dregs,  before  we  quit  the  lake  " 
'  He  thus :  "  Or  ever  to  thy  view  the  shore 
Be  offered,  satisfied  shall  be  that  wish. 
Which  well  deserves  completion."    Scarce  his  wordf 
Were  ended,  when  I  saw  the  miry  tribes 
Set  on  him  with  such  violence,  that  yet 
For  that  render  I  thanks  to  Grod,  and  praise 
«  To  Filippo  Aigenti  !"*  cried  they  all : 
And  on  himself  the  moody  Florentine 
Tum*d  his  avenging  fangd.    Him  here  we  1^, 
Nor  speak  I  of  i^m  more.     But  on  mine  ear 
Sudden  a  sound  of  lamentation  smote, 
Whereat  mine  eye  unbarr'd  I  sent  abroad. 

And  thus  the  good  instructor :  "  Now,  my  sou. 
Draws  near  the  city,  that  of  Dis  is  named,' 
With  its  grave  denizens,  a  mighty  throng." 

I  thus :  "  The  minarets  already.  Sir ! 
There,  certes,  in  the  valley  I  descry, 
Gleaming  vermilion,  as  if  they  from  fire 
Had  issued."    He  replied :  "  £t3mal  fire, 
That  inward  bums,  ^ows  them  with  ruddy  flame 
Illumed ;  as  in  this  nether  hell  thou  seest" 

We  came  within  the  fosses  deep,  that  moat 
This  region  comfortless.     The  walls  appeared 
As'  they  were  framed  of  uron.    We  had  made 
Wide  circuit,  ere  a  place  we  reached,  where  loud 
The  mariner  cried  vehement :  "  Gro  forth : 
The  entrance  is  here."     Upon  the  gates  I  spied 


Thou  toast  conceived.}  "  Che  'n  te  s'incinse."  Several  (tf 
the  commentators  have  stumbled  at  this  word,  which  is  the 
same  as  *'  enceinte'*  in  French,  and  "  inciens*'  in  Lato.  For 
Diany  instances  in  which  it  is  thns  used,  see  the  notes  on 
Bocca<xio's  Decameron,  p.  101,  m  the  Ginnti  edhion,  1573. 

*  FUivpo  ^rgenti.]  Boccaccio  tells  us,  **  he  was  a  man  re- 
markable for  the  large  proportions  and  extraordinary  vigor  of 
his  bodily  firame,  and  the  extreme  waywardness  and  irascibil- 
ity of  his  temper."  .  Decam.,  g.  ix.  n.  8. 

>  TVUeitify  that  of  Dis  is  named.]    SoAriosto.    Oil.For.,c. 
tL  St  33:       Fatto  era  an  stagno  piii  aicuro  e  bnMo, 
Pi  quel  ohe  dnge  la  citt4  dl  Dite. 


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fit-iet.  HELL,  Canto  VUL  9| 

More  than  a  thotuand,  -vdio  of  old  from  heaven 
Were  showered.*     With  ireful  gestures,  «*Who  it 
this/*  [through 

They  cried,  "that,  without  death  first  felt,  goes 
The  regions  of  the  dead  ?"     My  sapient  goide 
Made  sign  that  he  for  secret  purley  wi^'d ;   • 
Whereat  their  angry  scorn  abating,  thus 
They  spake :  "  Come  thou  alone  ;  and  let  him  go. 
Who  hath  so  hardily  enter*d  this  realm. 
Alone  return  he  by  his  witless  way ; 
If  well  he  know  it,  let  him  prove.    For  thee, 
Here  sha^t  thou  tarry,  who  through  clime  so  dark 
Hast  been  his  escort."    Now  bethink  thee,  reader ! 
What  cheer  was  mine  at  sound  of  those  curst  words 
I  did  believe  I  never  should  return. 

"  O  my  loved  guide !  who  more  than  seven  timee^ 
Security  hast  render'd  me,  and  drawn 
From  peril  deep,  whereto  I  stood  exposed. 
Desert  me  not,"  I  cried,  "  in  this  extreme. 
And,  if  our  onward  going  be  denied. 
Together  trace  we  back  our  steps  with  speed." 

My  liege,  who  thither  had  conducted  me. 
Replied ;  "  Fear  not :  for  of  our  passage  none 
Hath  power  to  disappoint  us,  by  such  nigh 
Authority  permitted.     But  do  thou 
Expect  me  here ;  meanwhile,  thy  wearied  spirit 
Comfort,  and  feed  with  kindly  hope,  assured 
I  wjU  not  leave  thee  in  this  lower  world." 

This  said,  departs  the  sire  benevolent. 
And  quits  me.    Hesitating  I  remain 
At  war,  'twixt  will  and  will  not,*  in  my  thoughts. 


-  From  neaven 


Were  shotDer'd.}    Da  ciel  piovatl. 
Thus  Frezzi : 

li  maladetti  piovntl  da  clclo. 

//  Quad.,  lib.  iv.  cap.  4 
And  Puici,  in  the  passage  cited  in  the  note  Uf  C.  xzi.  117. 

•  Seven  times.]  The  commentators,  says  Ventnri,  perplei 
themselves  with  the  inquiry,  what  seven  perils  these  were 
f^ora  which  Dante  had  been  delivered  by  Virgil.  Reckoning 
the  beasts  in  the  first  Canto  as  one  of  them,  and  adding  Cha 
ron,  Minos,  Cerberus,  Plntns,  Phlegyas,  and  Filippo  Argenti, 
as  so  many  others,  we  shall  have  the  number ;  and  if  ttads  be 
not  satisfactory,  we  may  suppose  a  determinate  to  have  beea 
put  for  an- indeterminate  number. 
»  ^t  war  Hwixt  vUl  and  will  not,\ 

Che  si,  e  nb  nel  capo  mi  tenzona. 
Thus  our  Poet  in  his  eighth  Canzone : 

Ch*  il  si,  eU  nb  tiitutto  in  vostra  mano 
Ha  posto  taaoxe 


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Va  THE  VISION.  U0-1» 

I  could  not  hear  what  terms  he  o^r'd  them, 
But  they  conferred  not  long,  for  all  at  once 
Pellmell'  rush'd  back  withm.   Closed  were  the  gateOi 
By  those  our  adversaries,  on  the  breast 
Of  my  liege  lord :  excluded,  he  retum'd 
To  me  with  tardy  steps.    Upon  the  ground 
His  eyes  were  bent,  and  from  his  brow  erased 
All  confidence,  while  thus  in  sighs  he  spake  : 
**  Who  hath  denied  me  these  abodes  of  wo?" 
Then  thus  to  me  ;  "  That  I  am  anger'd,  think 
No  ground  of  terror :  m  this  trial  I 
ShaU  vanquish,  use  what  arts  they  may  within 
For  hind'rance.    This  their  msolence,  not  new..* 
Erewhile  at  gate  less  secret  they  di^la/d, 
Which  still  is  without  bolt ;  upon  its  arch 
Thou  saw'st  the  deadly  scroll :  and  even  now, 
On  this  side  of  its  entrance,  down  the  steep. 
Passing  the  circles,  unescorted,  comes 
One  whose  strong  might  can  open  us  this  land." 


CANTO   IX. 

ARGUMENT. 
After  some  hinderances,  and  having  seen  the  hellish  fVuiet 
and  other  monsters,  the  Poet,  by  the  help  of  an  angel, 
enters  the  city  of  Dis,  wherein  he  discovers  that  the  hero- 
tics  are  punished  in  tombs  burning  with  intense  fire :  and 
he,  together  with  Virgil,  passes  onward  between  the  sep 
uichres  and  the  walls  of  the  city. 

The  hue,*  which  coward  dread  on  my  pale  cheeks 
Imjmnted  when  I  saw  my  guide  turn  back,    « 
Chased  that  from  his  which  newly  they  had  worn. 

And  Boccaccio,  Ninf.  Fiesol.,  st.  233 : 

II  81  e  il  nb  nel  capo  gll  contende. 

The  words  I  have  adopted  as  a  translation,  are  Sbak 
8peare*s,  Measure  for  Measure,  a.  ii.  s.  1. 

»  PelltiulLt  «Apruova.  "Certatim."  "ATenvl."  I  had 
before  translated,  '*  To  trial  ;**  and  have  to  thank  Mr.  Carlyle 
for  detecting  the  error. 

3.  This  their  insolence^  not  new."]  Virgil  assures  our  Poet, 
that  these  evil  spirits  had  formerly  shown  the  same  insolence 
when  our  Saviour  descended  into  hell.  They  attempted  to 
prevent  him  from  entering  at  the  gate,  over  which  Dante  had 
read  the  fatal  inscription.  "That  gate  \\hich,**  says  the 
Roman  poet,  **  an  angel  had  just  pawed,  by  whose  aid  we 
shall  overcome  this  opposition,  and  gain  admittance  into  the 
city." 

*  The  hue,]  Virgil,  perceiving  that  Dante  was  pale  with 
fear,  restrained  those  outward  t<dcens  of  displeasiire  whlek 
hit  own  coontenance  had  betrayed. 


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«-3d  HELL,  Cakto  DC  M 

And  inwardly  reetrain'd  it    He,  as  one 
Who  listens,  stood  attentive :  for  his  eye 
Not  far  could  bad  him  through  the  sable  air, 
And  the  thick-gathering  cloud.    <*  It  yet  behooret 
We  win  this  fight ;"  thus  he  began :  "  if  not. 
Such  aid  to  us  is  olSferU — Oh !  how  long 
Me  seems  it,  ere  the  promised  help  arrive." 

I  noted,  how  the  sequel  of  his  words 
Cloaked  their  beginnmg ;  for  the  last  he  spake 
Agreed  not  with  the  firat.    But  not  the  less 
My  fear  was  at  his  saying ;  sith  I  drew 
To  import  worse,  perchance,  than  that  he  held, 
H»  mutilated  speech.    "  Doth  ever  any 
Into  this  rueful  concave's  extreme  depth 
Descend,  out  of  the  first  degree,  whose  pain 
Is  deprivation  merely  of  sweet  hope  V 

Thus  I  inquiring.    "  Rarely,"  he  replied, 
"  It  chances,  that  among  us  any  makes 
This  journey,  which  I  wend.    Erewhile,  'tis  true, 
Once  came  I  here  beneath,  conjured  by  fell 
Erictho,^  sorceress,  who  compell'd  the  shades 
Back  to  their  bodies.    No  long  space  my  flesh 
Was  naked  of  me,'  when  within  these  walls 
She  made  me  enter,  to  draw  forth  a  spirit 
From  out  of  Judas'  circle.    Lowest  place 
Is  that  of  all,  obscurest,  and  removed 
Farthest  from  heaven's  all-circling  orb.    The  road 
Full  well  I  know :  thou  therefore  rest  secure. 
That  lake,  the  noisome  stench  exhaling,  round 
The  city  of  grief  encompasses,  which  now 
We  may  not  fenter  without  rage."    Yet  more  , 

He  added :  but  I  hold  it  not  in  mind. 
For  that  mme  eye  toward  the  lofty  tower 
Had  drawn  me  wholly,  to  its  burning  top , 
Where,  in  an  instant,  I  beheld  uprisen 

1  ErietAo.]  Erictho,  a  Thessalian  sorceress,  according  to 
Lnean,  Pharsal.,  I.  vi.,  was  employed  by  Sextus,  son  of  Pom- 
pey  the  Great,  to  conjure  up  a  spirit,  who  should  inform  him 
of  the  issue  of  the  civil  wars  between  his  father  and  Cesar. 

> ^o  long  8pae4  myfieth 

Was  naked  of  me.] 

Qus  corpus  complexa  anime  tarn  fortis  inane. 

Ovid,  Met.,  1.  ziii.  fab.  2. 
Dante  appears  to  have  fallen  into  an  anachronism.  Virgirs 
death  did  not  happen  till  long  after  this  period.  But  Lom< 
bardi  shows,  in  opposition  to  the  other  commentators,  that 
the  anachronism.is  only  apparent.  Erictho  might  well  have 
survived  the  battle  of  Pharsalia  long  enough  to  be  employed 
In  her  magical  pnc¥ces  at  the  time  of  Vu^U's  decease. 


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94  THE  VISION.  30-« 

At  unce  three  hellish  furies  stain'd  with  hhjodt 
In  limb  and  motion  feminine  they  seem'd ; 
Around  them  greenest  hydras  t^nsting  roU*d 
Their  volumes ;  adders  and  cerastes^  crept 
Instead  of  hair^  and  their  fierce  temples  bound. 

He,  knowing  well  the  miserable  hags 
Who  tend  the  queen  of  endless  wo,  thus  spake: 
"  Mark  thou  each  dire  Erynnis.    To  the  left. 
This  is  Megiera ;  on  the  right  hand,  she 
Who  wails,  Alecto ;  and  Tisiphone 
r  th'  midst"    This  said,  in  silence  he  remain'd. 
Their  breast  they  each  one  clawing  tore;  them- 
selves raised «] 
Smote  with  their  palms,  and  such  thrill  clamot 
That  to  the  bard  I  clung,  suspicion-bound. 
**  Hasten  Medusa :  so  to  adamant 
Him  shall  we  change  ;*'  all  looking  down  exclaimed: 
"  E'en  when  by  Theseus*  might  assailed,  we  took 
No  ill  revenge."     "  Turn  thyself  round,  and  keep 
Thy  countenance  hid :  for  if  the  Gorgon  dire 
Be  shown,  and  thou  shouldst  view  it,  thy  return 
Upwards  would  be  for  ever  lost"    This  said, 
Himself,  my  gentle  master,  tum*d  me  round ; 
Nor  trusted  he  my  hands,  but  with  his  own 
He  also  hid  me.    Ye  of  intellect 
Sound  and  entire,  mark  well  thr   ore'  conceal'd 
Under  dose  texture  of  the  mystic  strain. 

And  now  there  came  o*er  the  perturbed  waves 
Loud-crashing,  terrible,  a  sound  that  made 

1  Adders  vui  cerastes.] 
Vipereom  crlnem  vittis  innexa  craentis. 

Firg.  JEn.,  1.  vl.  381. 

spin&qae  vasi  torqnente  cerasts 

•  *  '^      *      ^*  *  * 

♦  ♦  ♦  et  torrida  dipsas 

Et  gravis  in  geminiun  vergens  caput  amphisbaena. 

Zucan,  Phars(U.t  1.  ix.  710 
go  Milton : 

Scorpion  and  asp,  and  amphisbaena  dire, 
Cerastes  homM,  hydras  and  elops  drear, 

And  dipsas. P.  Z,.,  b.  x.  5S4 

s  The  lore.}  The  poet  probably  intends  to  call  the  reader  • 
attention  to  the  allegorical  and  mysUc  sense  of  the  present 
Canto,  and  not,  as  Ventnri  supposes,  to  that  of  the  whole 
work.  Landino  supposes  this  hidden  meaning  to  be,  that  in 
the  case  of  those  vices  whicb  proceed  from  incontinence  and 
Intemperance,  reason,  which  Is  figured  under  the  person  of 
Virgil,  with  the  ordinary  grace  of  God,  may  be  a  sufficient 
sa^Suard ;  but  that  in  the  instance  of  more  heinous  crimes, 
such  at  those  we  shall  hereafter  see  punished,  a  special 
grace,  represented  by  the  angel,  is  requisite  for  our  defence. 


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WMI7.  HELL,  Canto  IX.  9^ 

Either  shore  tremble,  as  if  of  a  wind' 
Impetuous,  from  conflicting  vapors  sprung, 
That  'gainst  some  forest  driving  all  his  mig^t, 
Plucks  off  the  branches,  beats  them  down,  and  hutlt 
Afar  f  then,  onward  passing,  proudly  sweeps 
His  whirlwind  rage,  while  beasts  and  shepherds  fly. 

Mine  eyes  he  loosed,  and  spake :  **  And  now  direct 
Thy  visual  nerve  along  that  ancient  foam. 
There,  thickest  where  the  smoke  ascends."    As  frogs 
Before  their  foe  the  serpent,  through  the  wave 
Ply  swiftly  all,  till  at  the  ground  each  one 
Lies  on  a  heap ;  more  than  a  thousand  spirits 
Destroy'd,  so  saw  I  fleeing  before  one 
Who  pass'd  with  unwet  feet  the  Stygian  sound 
He,  from  his  face  removing  the  gross  air. 
Oft  his  left  hand  forth  stretch'd,  and  seem'd  alone 
By  that  annoyance  wearied.  '  I  perceived 
That  he  was  sent  from  heaven ;  and  to  my  guide 
Tum*d  me,  who  signal  made,  that  I  should  stand 
Quiet,  and  bend  to  him.   •  Ah  me !  how  full 
Of  noble  anger  seem'd  he.    To  the  gate 
He  came,  and  with  his  wand*  touched  it,  whereat 
Open  without  unpedunent  it  flew. 

"  Outcasts  of  heaven !  O  abject  race,  and  scornM  !** 
Began  he,  on  the  horrid  grunsel  standing, 
"  Whence  doth  this  wild  excess  of  insolence 
Lodge  in  you?  wherefore  kick  you  'gainst  that  will 
Ne'er  frustrate  of  its  end,  and  which  so  oft 
Hath  laid  on  you  enforcement  of  your  pangs? 
What  profits,  at  the  fates  to  butt  the  horn? 
Your  Cerbertis,*  if  ye  remember,  hence 

^jSwind.\    Imitated  by  Bemi: 

Com'  un  grappo  di  vento  in  la  marina 

L*  onde,  e  le  navi  sottosopra  caccia, 

Ed  in  terra  con  fniia  repentina 

Gli  arbori  abbatte,  svegiie,  sfronda  e  straccia. 

Smarriti  fuggon  i  lavoratori 

£  per  le  selve  le  fiere  e'  pastori.  Orl,  Inn^  lib.  i.  c.  ii.  st  & 
«  ^far.]  *'  Porta  i  fiori,"  "  carries  away  the  blossoms,"  is 
the  common  reading.  "Porta  Aiori,"  which  is  the  right 
reading,  adopted  by  Lombardi  in  his  edition  from  the  Nido* 
beatina,  for  which  he  claims  it  exclusively,  I  had  also  seen  - 
in  LandiBo's  edition  of  1^84,  and  adopted  from  thence,  long 
before  it  was  my  chance  to  meet  with  Lombardi. 

*  With  his  toand.] 

She  with  her  rod  did  softly  smite  the  raile,* 

Which  straight  flew  ope.  Spenser,  F.  Q.,  b.  iv.  c.  iii.  st  4& 

*  Tour  Cerberus.']  Cerberus  is  feigned  to  have  been  dragged 
by  Hercules,  bound  with  a  threefold  chain,  of  which,  sayt 
the  angel,  he  still  bears  the  marks. 


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96  THE  VISION. 

Bean  iitill,  peePd  of  their  hair,  hb  throat  and  maw** 

This  said,  he  tum'd  back  o*er  the  filthy  way, 
And  syllable  to  ua  spake  none ;  but  wore 
The  semblance  of  a  man  by  other  care 
Beset,  and  keenly  press'd,  than  thought  of  him 
Who  in  his  presence  stands.    Then  we  our  step* 
Toward  that  territory  moved,  secure 
After  the  hallow'd  words.    We,  unopposed, 
There  enter'd ;  and,  my  mind  eager  to  learn 
What  state  a  fortress  like  to  that  might  hold, 
1,  soon  as  enter'd,  throw  mine  eye  around, 
And  see,  on  every  part,  wide-stretching  space, 
Replete  with  bitter  pam  and  torment  ill. 

As  where  Rhone  stagnates  on  the  plahis  of  Arlee, 
Or  as  at  Fola,*  near  Quarnaro's  gulf. 
That  closes  Italy  and  laves  her  ^unds. 
The  place  is  all  thick  spread  with  sepulchres ; 
So  was  it  here,  save  what  in  horror  here 
ExceU'd :  for  *midst  the  graves  were  scattered  flames. 
Wherewith  intensely  all  throughout  they  bum*d,* 
That  iron  for  no  craft  there  hotter  needs. 

Their  lids  all  hung  suq>ended ;  and  beneath, 
From  them  forth  issued  lamentable  moans. 
Such  as  the  sad  and  tortured  well  might  raise. 

I  thus :  "  Master !  say  who  are  these,  interred 
Within  these  vaults,  of  whom  distmct  we  hear 
The  dolorous  sighs."    He  answer  thus  retum'd : 


Lombardl  blanies  the  other  interpreters  for  having  rap- 
posed  that  the  angel  attributes  this  exploit  to  Hercules,  a 
fabulous  hero,  rather  than  to  our  Saviour.  It  would  seem  as 
if  the  good  father  had  forgotten  that  Cerberus  is  himself  no 
less  a  creature  of  the  imagination  than  the  hero  who  en 
countered  him. 

»  The  plains  of  Arle*.]  In  Provence.  See  Ariosto,  OrL 
Fur.,c.  xxxix.  st.73: 

Fu  da  ogni  parte  in  quest*  ultima  guerra 
(Benche  la  cosa  non  fu  ngual  divisa, 
Ch*  assai  piu  andar  dei  Saracin  sotterra 
Per  man  di  Bradamante  e  di  Marfisa) 
Se  ne  vede  ancor  segno  in  quella  terra, 
Che  presso  ad  Arii,  ove  11  Rodano  stagna, 
Plena  di  sepolture  6  la  campagna. 
Iliese  sepulchres  are  mentioned  in  the  Life  of  Charlemagne, 
which  goes  under  the  name  of  Archbishop  Tnrpin,  cap.  28  and 
30,  and  by  Fazio  degli  Uberti,  Dittamondo.    L.  iv.  cap.  xxi. 

s  .at  Pola.i  A  city  of  Istria,  situated  near  the  gulf  of 
Qnarnaro,  in  the  Adriatic  sea. 

s  T^  bum'd.]  Mr.  Darley  observes,  that  in  the  Incanta« 
tion  of  Her\'or  (vide  Northern  Antiguitles,  vol.  ii.)  the  spUrll 
uf  Angantyr  lies  in  a  tomb  '*  all  on  fire.** 


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lSS-131.  HELL,  Canto  X.  07 

**  The  arch-heretics  are  here,  accompanied 
By  every  sect  their  followers ;  and  much  more, 
Than  thou  helieyest,  the  tombs  are  freighted :  lik« 
With  like  is  buried  ;  and  the  monuments 
Are  different  in  degrees  of  heat"    This  said. 
He  to  the  right  hand  turning,  on  we  pass'd 
Betwixt  the  afflicted  and  the  ramparts  high. 


CANTO  X. 


ARGUMENT. 
Dante,  haviag  obtained  permission  from  his  guide,  .lolds  dt^^ 
coarse  with  Fafinata  degli  Uberti  and  Cavalcante  Caval- 
canti,  who  lie  in  their  Ifery  tombs  that  are  yet  open,  and 
not  to  be  closed  np  till  after  the  last  judgment.  Farinata 
predicts  the  Poet*s  exile  from  Florence;. and  shows  him 
that  the  condemned  have  knowledge  of  future  things,  but 
are  ignorant  of  what  is  at  present  passing,  unless  it  be  re^ 
veal^  by  s<Hne  new-comer  uom  earth. 

Now  by  a  secret  pathway  we  proceed, 
Between  the  walls,  that  hem  the  region  round, 
And  the  tormented  souls :  my  master  first, 
I  close  behind  his  steps.    **  Virtue  supreme  !" 
I  thus  began :  "  who  through  these  ample  orbs 
In  circuit  lead'st  me,  even  as  thou  will'st ; 
Speak  thou,  and  satisfy  my  wish.     May  those, 
Who  lie  within  these  sepulchres,  be  seen  7 
Already  all  the  lids  are  raised,  and  none 
O'er  them  keeps  watch."   He  thus  in  answer  spake  i 
'<  They  shall  be  dosed  all,  what-time  they  here 
From  Josaphat*  returned  riiall  come,  and  bring 
Their  bodies,  which  above  they  now  have  left. 
The  cemetery  on  this  part  obtain, 
With  Epicurus,  all  his  followers. 
Who  with  the  body  make  the  roirit  die. 
Here  therefore  satisfaction  shall  be  soon, 
Both  to  the  question  ask*d,  and  to  the  wish* 

^  JosttphatJ]  t  seems  to  have  been  a  common  opinion 
among  the  Jew&.  as  well  as  among  many  Christians,  tliat  the 

Seneral  Judgment  will  be  held  in  the  valley  of  Josaphat,  or 
ehoshaphat :  *'  I  will  also  gather  all  nations,  and  will  bring 
them  down  into  the  valley  of  Jehoshaphat,  and  will  plead 
with  them  there  for  my  people,, and  for  my  heritage  Israel, 
whom  they  have  scattered  among  the  nations,  and  parted  my 
Iand.»'    Joel,iii.  2. 

s  T%e  with.]  The  wish,  that  Dante  had  not  expressed,  was 
to  see  and  converse  with  the  followers  of  Epicurus;  among 
whom,  we  shall  see,  were  Farinata  degU  Uberti  and  Caval* 
cante  Cavalcanti. 

6 


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98  THE  VISION.  VHtk 

WhiCQ  thoa  oonoeal'st  in  silence."    I  replied : 
"  I  keep  not,  guide  beloTed !  from  thee  my  heart 
Secreted,  but  to  shun  vain  length  of  words ; 
A  lesson  erewhile  taught  me  by  thyselfl" 

»  O  Tuscan !  thou,  who  throuj^  the  city  of  fira 
Alive  art  passing,  so  discreet  of  speech : 
Here,  please  thiM,  stay  awhile.    Thy  utteranee 
Declares  the  place  of  thy  nativity 
To  be  that  noble  land,  with  which  perchance 
I  too  severely  dealt."    Sudden  that  sound 
Forth  lEBued  from  a  vault,  whereat,  in  fear, 
I  somewhat  closer  to  my  leader's  side  [Turn 

Approaching,  he  thus  spake:  <<What  dost  thoul 
Lo !  Farinata^  there,  who  hath  himself 
Uplifted :  from  his  girdle  upwards,  all 
Exposed,  behold  him."    On  his  face  was  mine 
Already  fix'd :  his  breast  and  forehead  there 
Erectmg,  seem'd  as  in  high  scorn  he  held 
E'en  hell.    Between  the  sepulchres,  to  him 
My  guide  thrust  me,  with  fearless  hands  and  prcnnpC  j 
This  warning  added :  '*  See  thy  words  be  clear." 

He,  soon  as  there  I  stood  at  the  tomb's  foot. 
Eyed  me  a  space  ;  then  in  disdamful  mood 
Address'd  me :  *'  Say  what  ancestors  were  thme.** 

I,  willing  to  obey  him,  straight  reveal'd 
The  whole,  nor  kept  back  aught :  whence  he,  his 

brow 
Somewhat  uplifting,  cried :  '*  Fiercely  were  they 
Adverse  to  me,  my  party,  and  the  blood 
From  whence  I  sprang :  twice,*  therefore,  I  abroad 
Scattered  them."        "  Though  driven  out,  yet  they 

each  time 
From  all  parts,"  answer'd  I,  '*  retum'd ;  an  art 
Which  yours  have  shown  they  are  not  skill'd  to  learn.* 


1  Fbrinata.]  Fuln&ta  degli  TJbertI,  a  noUe  Flovontine^ 
was  the  leader  of  the  GhibelUiie  fkctkm,  when  they  obtained 
a  ilsnal  victory  over  the  Gnelfi  at  Montaperto,  near  the  liver 
Arbia.    BlacchiavelU  calls  him  "  a  man  .of  exalted  soul,  and 

Kat  military  talents.*'  Hist,  of  Flor^  b.  11.  His  nandsoa, 
nifado,  or,  as  be  is  commonly  called,  Fazio  degu  Ubertl, 
wrote  a  poem,  entitled  the  IMttamondo,  in  imitation  of  Dante. 
I  shall  have  Oequent  occasion  to  refer  to  it  throaghoat 
those  notes.  At  the  conclusion  of  cap.  97,  1,  ii,  he  makes 
menticHi  of  his  ancestor  Faiinata.  See  note  to  life  of  Dante, 
p.  S8. 

•  T»nee.\  The  first  time  in  1248,  when  they  wero  drivea 
oat  by  Frederick  the  Second.  See  G.  VUlani,  lib.  vi.  e  34* 
and  tho  second  time  in  1960.   See  note  to  v.  83. 


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tt-64.  HELL,  Camto  X.  9t 

Then,  peering  forth  from  the  unckwed  jaw, 
ftoee  from  his  side  a  shade/  high  as  the  chin, 
Leaning,  methought,  upon  its  knees  upraised. 
It  look'd  around,  aa  eager  to  exi^ore 
If  there  were  other  with  me  ;  but  perceiving 
That  fond  imagination  quench'd,  with  tears 
Thus  spake :  "  If  thou  through  this  blind  prison  go'st, 
Led  by  thy  lofty  genius  and  profound. 
Where  is  my  son  !*  and  wherefore  not  with  thee  Y* 

I  straight  replied :  "  Not  of  myself  I  come ; 
By  him,  who  thero  expects  me,  throi^h  this  clime 
Conducted,  whom  perchance  Guide  thy  son 
Had  m  contempt"^    Already  had  his  words 
And  mode  of  punishment  resui  me  his  name, 

1  jS  shade.']  The  spirit  of  Cavalcante  Cavalcantl,  a  noble 
Fknentine,  of  the  Goelph  party. 

s  Jfy  tonJ]  Guido,  the  son  of  Cavalcante  CavalcantI ;  *'  he 
whom  I  call  the  first  of  my  (Heads,**  says  Dante  in  his  Vita 
Nuova,  where  the  commencement  of  their  friendship  is  re- 
lated. From  the  character  given  of  him  by  contemporary 
writers,  his  temper  was  weii  formed  to  assimilate  with  that 
of  oar  poet.  "^He  was,**  according  to  6.  Viliani,  lib.  tIU.  c. 
41,  "of  a  philosophical  and  elegant  mind,  if  he  had  not  been 
too  delicate  and  fostidious.**  And  I^o  Oompagni  terms  him 
**  a  young  and  noble  knight,  brave  and  coorteoos,  bat  of  a 
lofty,  acfxnftd  spirit,  much  addicted  to  solitude  and  study.*' 
Moratori,  Ber.  Ital.  Script,  t  9,  Ub.  i.  p.  481.  He  died,  either 
in  e^e  at  Serrazana,  or  soon  after  his  retnm  to  Florence, 
December,  1900,  daring  the  spring  of  which  year  the  action 
of  this  poem  is  supposed  to  be  passing. 

* Outdo  thy  son 

Had  in  contempt.'] 

Guido  CavalcantI,  being  more  given  to  philosophy  than 
poetry,  was,  perhaps,  no  ereat  admirer  of  Virgil.    Some  po- 


his  repntauon  for  sUU  in  the  art  was  such  as  to  eclipse  that 
of  his  predecessor  and  namesake,  Guido  Guinicelli ;  as  we 
shall  see  in  the  Purgatory,  Canto  xi.,  in  the  notes  to  which 
the  reader  will  find  specimens  of  the  poems  that  have  been 
left  by  each  of  these  writers.  His  "  Canzone  sopra  U  Ter* 
reno  Amore*^  was  thought  worthy  of  being  illustrated  by  nu- 
merous and  ample  commentaries.  Cresclmbeni,  1st  della 
Volg.  Foes.,  lib.  V. 

Our  Author  addressed  him  in  a  playful  sonnet,  of  whieh 
the  fUlowing  spirited  translation  is  found  In  the  notes  ts 
Hayley*s  Essay  on  Epic  Poetry,  Ep.  ilL : 
Henry!  1  wish  that  yon,  and  Charles,  and  I, 

By  some  sweet  spell  within  a  bark  were  placed, 

A  gallant  bark  with  magic  virtue  graced. 

Swift  at  our  will  with  every  wind  to  fly ; 
00  that  no  changes  of  the  shitting  sky. 

No  stormy  tenKws  of  the  watery  waste, 

IQjght  bar  our  course,  but  heighten  still  our  taste 

Ofsprightly  joy,  and  of  our  social  tie : 


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100  THE  VISION. 

Whence  I  so  fully  aii8wer*d.    He  at  once 
Excl&imM,  npetarting : "  How !  said'st  thou,  he  had  7^ 
No  longer  lives  he  ?    Strikes  not  on  his  eye 
The  blessed  daylight  ?"    Then,  of  some  delay 
I  made  ere  my  reply,  aware,  down  fell 
Supine,  nor  after  forth  appeared  he  more. 

Meanwhile  the  other,  great  of  soul,  near  whom 
I  yet  was  station*d,  changed  not  countenanco  steiq« 
Nor  moved  the  neck,  nor  bent  his  ribbed  side. 
"  And  if,''  continuing  the  first  discourse, 
"  They  in  this  art,"  he  cried,  **  small  skill  have  shown ; 
That  doth  torment  me  more  e'en  than  this  bed. 
But  not  yet  fifty  times'  shall  be  relumed 
Her  aspect,  who  reigns  here  queen  of  this  realm,' 
Ere  thou  shalt  know  the  full  weight  of  that  art 
So  to  the  pleasant  world  mayst  thou  return,^ 


Then  that  my  Lucy,  Lucy  &ir  and  fi-ee, 

With  those  soft  nymphs,  on  whom  year  souls  are  bent, 

The  kind  magician  might  to  us  convey, 
To  talk  of  love  throughout  the  live-long  day; 

And  that  each  fair  might  be  as  well  content, 

As  I  in  truth  believe  our  hearts  would  be. 

The  two  friends,  here  called  Henry  and  Charles,  are,  in  the 
original,  Gnido  and  Lapo,  concerning  the  latter  m  whom,  see 
the  Life  of  Dante  prefixed ;  and  Lucy  is  Monna  Bice. 

A  more  literal  versicm  of  the  sonnet  may  be  found  in  the 
**Canzonlere  of  Dante,  translated  by  Charles  Lyell,  Esq.'* 
dvo,  London,  1835,  p.  407. 

1  Said^st  thou^  he  had?  I  In  .£schylus,  the  shade  of  Darius 
Is  reixesented  as  inquiring  with  similar  anxiety  after  the  fiite 
of  his  son  Xerxes : 

AtosMCk,   "iHovdia  ii  H/pftfv  f/My^itfy  ^eiv  oh  roXXCiv  iiha-^ 

Darius,  Ilfi;  it  S^  Kai  trot  riXwr^v ;  hrri  ris  ournpfa ; 

II£P2!AI.  741,  Btootn/ieUPs  EdiL 

Jltossa.    Xerxes  astonishM,  desolate,  alone [safel 

OhettofDar.   How  will  this  end  1   Nay,  pause  not   Is  he 
The  Persians.    PoUei's  Translation, 

*  JTot  yet  fifty  tinus.'\  *'  Not  fifty  months  shall  be  passed 
before  thou  shalt  learn,  by  wotol  experience,  the  difficulty 
of  returning  firom  banishment  to  thy  native  city.** 

*  Quem  of  this  realm.\  The  moon,  one  of  whose  titles  in 
heathen  mythology,  was  Proserpine,  queen  of  the  shadae 
below. 

*  So  to  the  pleasant  world  mayst  thou  return.] 

E  se  tu  viai  nel  dulce  nK»ndo  reggi. 
Lombard!  would  construe  this :  **  And  if  thou  ever  remain 
In  the  pleasant  worid.**  His  chief  reasons  for  thus  deparUng 
from  the  common  interpretation,  are,  first,  that  **se'*  in  the 
sense  of  "so**  cannot  be  followed  by  **mai,*'  any  more  than 
In  Latin,  ''sie**  can  be  followed  by  ''unquam  y*  and  next, 
that  "leggl**  Is  too  nnlUn  "riedi**  to  be  put  for  it    A  mora 


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i       I 


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61-«3.  HELL,  CAirre  X  £01 

As  thoQ  flhalt  tell  me  why,  in  all  their  laws, 
Against  my  kin  this  people  is  so  fell." 

«  The  slaughter^  and  great  hayoc,**  I  replied, 
*'  That  colored  Arbia's  flood  with  crimson  staiiv— 
To  these  impute,  that  in  our  hallowed  dome 
Such  orisons'  ascend."     Sighing  he  shook 
The  head,  then  thus  resumed :   "  In  that  affiuy 
I  stood  not  singly,  nor,  without  just  cause. 
Assuredly,  should  with  the  rest  have  stirr'd ; 
But  singly  there  I  stood,*  when,  by  consent 
Of  all,  f'lorence  had  to  the  ground  been  razed. 
The  one  who  openly  forbade  the  deed." 

**  So  may  thy  lineage^  find  at  last  repose," 

intimato  aemiaiiitence  with  the  early  Florentine  writers  waold 
have  tanghthUn  that  "maLV  is'osed  in  other  senses  than  those 
which  ''  nnquani*'  appears  to  have  had,  particolarly  in  that 
of  "  pur,"  "  yet;**  as  may  be  seen  in  the  notes  to  the  Decam- 
eron, p.  43,  Ed.  Gionti,  1573 ;  and  that  the  old  writers  both  ol 
prose  and  verse  changed  *'  riedo**  into  "  reggio,*'  as  of  **  fiedo** 
they  made  **  feggio.*'  Inf.,  c.  xv.  v.  39,  and  c.  xvii.  v.  75.  See 
paae  98  of  the  same  notes  to  the  Decameron,  where  a  poet 
before  Dante*s  time  is  said  to  have  translated  "Redeunt 
flores,**  "  Reggiono  i  fiorL** 

1  The  slaughter.]  "  By  means  of  Farinata  degli  Ubertl, 
the  Gnelfi  were  conquered  by  the  army  of  king  Manfiredi, 
near  the  river  Arbia,  with  so  great  a  slaughter,  that  those 
who  escaped  from  that  defeat  took  refuge,  not  in  Florence, 
which  city  they  considered  as  lost  to  them,  but  in  Lucca.*' 
Hacchiavelli,  Hist  of  Flor.,  b.  ii.,  and  G.  Viliani,  Ub.  vi.  c* 
Izzx.  and  Ixxxi. 

s  Sneh  orisons.]  This  appears  to  allude  to  certain  prayers 
which  were  offered  up  in  the  churches  of  Florence,  for  delir- 
erance  from  the  hostile  attempts  of  the  Uberti :  or,  it  may  be, 
that  the  public  councils  being  held  in  churches,  the  speeches 
delivered  in  them  against  the  Uberti  are  termed  "  orisons,**  or 
prayers. 

'  Sifurly  there  I  stood.]  Guido  Novello  assembled  a  council 
(tf  the  Ghibeliini  atEmpoli ;  where  it  was  agreed  by  all,  that, 
in  order  to  maintain  the  ascendency  of  the  Ghibelline  party 
in  Tuscany,  it  was  necessary  to  destroy  Florence,  wliich  could 
serve  only  (the  people  of  that  city  being  Gnelfi)  to  enable  the 
partv  attached  to  the  church  to  recover  its  strength.  This 
cruel  sentence,  passed  upon  so  noble  a  city,  met  With  no  op- 
position from  any  of  its  citizens  or  friends,  except  Farinata 
degli  Ul)erti,  who  openly  and  without  reserve  forbade  the 
measure ;  affirming,  that  he  had  endured  so  many  hardships, 
and  encountered  so  many  dangers,  with  no  other  view  than 
that  of  being  able  to  pass  his  days  in  his  own  country.  Mao* 
ehiavelU,  Hist,  of  Flor.,  b.  ii. 

*  5.'  may  thy  lineage.] 

Deh  se  riposi  mal  vostra  semensa. 

Hero  Lombanli  is  again  mistaken,  as  at  v.  80,  above.  Let 
ne  take  this  occasion  to  api^ze  the  reader  of  Italian  poetry, 
that  one  not  well  versed  in  it  is  very  apt  to  misapprehend 


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103  THE  VISION.  y4-13i 

I  thus  adjured  him,  "  as  thou  solve  this  knot, 
Which  now  involves  my  mind.    If  right  I  hear, 
Ye  seem  to  view  beforehand  that  which  time 
Leads  with  him,  of  the  present  uninform  d." 

"  We  view,*  as  one  who  hath  an  evil  sight," 
He  answered,  "  plamly,  objects  far  remote ; 
So  much  of  his  large  splendor  yet  imparts 
The  Almighty  Ruler :  but  when  they  appro&^» 
Or  actually  exist,  our  intellect 
Then  wholly  fails ;  nor  of  your  human  state, 
Except  what  others  bring  us,  know  we  aught 
Hence  therefore  mayst  thou  understand,  that  all 
Our  knowledge  in  that  instant  shall  expire, 
When  on  futurity  the  portals  close." 

Then  conscious  of  my  fault,'  and  by  remorse 
Smitten,  I  added  thus :  "  Now  shalt  tiiou  say 
To  him  there  fallen,  that  his  offspring  still 
Is  to  the  living  join'd ;  and  bid  him  Imow, 
That  if  from  answer,  silent,  I  abstained, 
*Twas  that  my  thought  was  occupied,  intent 
Upon  tliat  error,  which  thy  help  hath  solved." 

But  now  my  master  summoning  me  back 
I  heard,  and  with  more  eager  haste  besought 
The  spirit  to  inform  me,  who  with  him 
Partook  his  lot    He  answer  thus  returned : 
"  More  than  a  thousand  with  me  here  are  laid. 
Within  is  Frederick,*  second  of  that  name, 


the  word  "sc,"as  I  think  Cowperhas  done  in  translaitog 
Milton*s  Italian  verses.  A  good  instance  of  the  diffei..nt 
meanings  In  which  it  is  ns^  is  afforded  in  the  foUowtng 
lines  by  Bernardo  Capello : 

E  to,  che  dolcemente  i  fiori  e  1*  erba 

Ck>n  licve  corso  mormorando  bagni, 

Tranqulllo  finme  di  vaghezza  pieno ; 
Se'l  clelo  al  mar  si  chiaro  t'  accompagni ; 

8e  panto  di  pietade  in  te  si  serlui : 

Le  mie  lagrlme  accogli  entro  ai  tuo  seno. 
Here  the  first  *'  se*'  signifies  '*  so,"  an4  the  second,  **  if.*' 

*  We  vieio.]  The  departed  spirits  know  things  past  and 
to  come ;  yet  are  Ignorant  of  things  present.  Agamemnon 
foretells  what  should  happen  unto  Ulysses,  yet  ignorantly 
inqnires  what  is  become  of  his  own  son."  Brovn  on  Ume 
Burial,  ch.  iv. 

*  My  fattlt.]  Dante  felt  remorse  for  not  having  returned  an 
hnmediate  answer  to  the  inquiry  of  Cavalctmte,  flrom  which 
delay  he  was  led  to  believe  that  his  son  Guido  was  no  longer 
living. 

*  I'Wderiek.i  The  Emperor  Frederick  the  Second,  w  ho  died 
kiiaSO.    See  notes  to  On  ito  xiii. 


Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


lfU-138.  HELL,  Cabto  XL  10| 

And  the  Lord  Cardinal  ;^  and  of  the  rest 

I  speak  not**    He,  this  said,  firom  sight  withdrew. 

But  I  my  steps  toward  the  ancient  bard 

Reverting,  ruminated  on  the  words 

Betokening  me  such  ilL    Onward  he  moved. 

And  thus,  in  gomg,  question'd:  "Whence  the  amaz« 

Thatholdsthy  senses  wrapt?*'    I  satisfied 

The  inquiry,  and  the  sage  enjoinM  me  straight : 

**  Let  thy  safe  memory  store  what  thou  hast  heard 

To  thee  importing  harm ;  and  note  thou  this," 

With  his  raised  miger  bidding  me  take  heed, 

*<  When  thou  shalt  stand  before  her  gracious  beams 

Whose  bright  eye  all  surveys,  she  of  thy  life 

The  future  tenor  will  to  thee  unfold." 

F;«rthwith  he  to  the  left  hand  tnm'd  his  feet ; 
We  left  the  wall,  and  towards  the  middle  space 
Went  by  the  patii  that  to  a  valley  strikes, 
Which  e'en  thus  high  exhaled  its  noisome  steam 


CANTO  XL 

ABGUMENT. 

Dante  arrives  at  the  vene  of  a  rocky  precifdce  which  enckMes 
the  seventh  circle,  where  he  sees  the  sepulchre  of  Anas- 
tasins  the  Heretic;  behind  the  Ud  of  which  pausing  a 
little,  to  make  himself  capable  by  degrees  of  enduring  the 
fetid  smell  that  steamed  upward  firom  the  abyss,  he  b 
instructed  by  Virgil  concenUng  the  manner  in  which  the 
three  {oMoynng  curcles  are  disposed,  and  what  description 
of  sinners  is  punished  in  each.  He  then  inquires  the 
reason  why  the  carnal,  the  cluttonous,  the  avaricious 
and  prodigal,  the  wrathftd  and  jloomy,  nfBdi  not  their 
punishments  within  the  city  of  Sis.    He  next  asks  how 

X  The  Lord  Cardinal,]  Ottaviano  Ubaldini,  a  Florentine, 
made  cardinal  in  1345,  and  deceased  about  1S73.  On  account 
of  his  great  influence,  he  was  generally  known  by  the  appel- 
lation of  "*  the  Cardinal.'*  It  is  reported  of  him,  that  he  de 
dared,  if  there  were  any  such  thing  as  a  hxunan  soul,  he  had 
lost  his  for  the  Ghibelllni. 

"  I  know  not,"  says  Tiraboschi, "  whether  It  is  on  sufficient 
grounds  that  Crescimbeni  numbers  among  the  Poets  of  this 
age  the  Cardinal  Uttaviano,  cnr  Ottaviano  degli  Ubaldinl,  a 
Fl<Nrentine,  archdeacon  and  procurator  of  the  church  of  Bo- 
logna, afterwards  made  Cardinal  by  Innocent  IV.  in  1245,  and 
employed  in  the  most  important  public  aflkirs,  wherein,  how- 
ever, he  showed  himself,  more  than  became  his  character,  a 
(kvorer  of  the  Ghibellines.  He  died,  not  in  the  year  1272,  as 
Claconio  and  other  writers  have  reported,  but  at  soonest  aflef 
the  July  of  1273,  at  which  time  he  was  in  Mugello  with  Pops 
Gregory  X.**  THrdbosehi  Delia  Poee,  iLt  Mr  Mathiae*  Editt 
tip.  140. 

*  Mar  graeiout  beam.}    Beatrice. 


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i04  THE  VISION.  l-» 

the  crime  of  usury  is  an  offence  against  God;  and  at 
length  the  two  Poets  go  towards  the  place  from  whenee 
a  passagis  leads  down  to  the  seventh  circle. 

Upon  the  utmost  verge  of  a  high  bank, 
By  craggy  rocks  enTiron*d  round,  we  came, 
Where  woes  beneath,  more  cruel  yet,  were  stow'd : 
And  here,  to  shun  the  horrible  excess 
Of  fetid  exhalation  upward  cast 
From  the  profound  abyss,  behind  the  lid 
Of  a  great  monument  we  stood  retired. 
Whereon  this  scroll  I  marked :  "  I  have  in  eharge 
Pope  Anastasins,'  whom  Photinus  drew 
From  the  right  path.'* — **  Ere  our  descent,  behooves 
We  make  delay,  that  somewhat  first  the  sense, 
To  the  dire  breath  accustomed,  afterward 
Regard  it  not."     My  master  thus  ;  to  whom 
Answering  I  spake  :  "  Some  compensation  find, 
That  the  time  pass  not  wholly  lost."     He  then : 
"  Lo  !  how  ray  thoughts  e*en  to  thy  wishes  tend. 
My  son  ."  Within  these  rocks,"  he  thus  began, 
"  Are  three  close  cu-cles  in  gradation  placed. 
As  these  which  now  thou  leavest    Each  one  is  full 
Of  spirits  accursed  ;  but  that  the  sight  alone 
Hereafter  may  suffice  thee,  listen  how 
And  for  what  cause  in  durance  they  abide 

"  Of  all  malicious  act  abhorr'd  in  heaven. 
The  end  b  injury  ;  and  all  such  end 
Either  by  force  or  fraud*  works  other's  wo 
But  fraud,  because  of  man  peculiar  evil, 
To  God  is  more  displeasing ;  and  beneath, 
The  fraudulent  are  therefore  doom'd  to  endure 
Severer  pang.    The  violent  occupy 

1  Pope  ^nastaitius.]  The  commentators  are  not  agreed 
concerning  the  person  who  is  here  mentioned  as  a  foilowei 
of  tl^  heretical  Photinns.  By  some  he  is  supposed  to  have 
been  Anastasids  the  Second  ;  by  others,  the  Fourth  of  that 
name ;  while  a  third  set,  jealous  of  the  Integrity  of  the  papal 
faith,  contend  that  our  poet  has  confounded  him  with  Anasta* 
slus  I.,  Emperor  of  the  East.  Fazio  degli  Uberti,  like  oui 
author,  makes  him  a  pope : 

Anastasio  papa  in  quel  tempo  era, 
Di  Fotin  vago  a  mai  gradn  de  sul. 

Dittamondo,  I.  ii.  cap.  xiv. 

s  My  MM.]  The  remainder  of  the  present  Canto  may  be 
considered  as  a  syllabus  of  the  whole  of  this  part  of  the 
poem. 

3  Either  by  force  or  fraud.}  "Cum  antem  duotnis  modis, 
id  est,  tfnt  vi,  aut  firaude  fiat  injuria  .  .  .  ntmmqiie  homlnl 
alienissinnm ;  sed  firans  odio  digna  majore."  Cic.  de  Qf*,  Itt 
i.cxiiL 


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aMM.  HELL,  Camto  XI  105 

AH  the  fint  circle ;  and  because,  to  force, 

Three  persons  are  obnozioas,  in  three  rounds, 

Each  withm  other  separate,  is  it  framed. 

To  God,  his  neighbor,  and  himself,  by  man 

Force  may  be  offer'd ;  to  himself  I  say, 

And  his  possessions,  as  thou  soon  shalt  hear 

At  fulL    Death,  violent  death,  and  painful  wdundf 

Upon  his  neighbour  he  inflicts ;  and  wastes, 

By  devastation,  pillage,  and  the  flames, 

tiis  Tubstance.    Slayers,  and  each  one  that  smitM 

In  malice,  plunderers,  and  all  robbers,  hence 

The'torment  undergo  of  the  first  round. 

In  different  herds.    Man  can  do  violence 

To  himself  and  his  own  blessings :  and  for  this, 

He,  in  the  second  round  must  aye  deplore 

With  unavailing  penitence  his  crime, 

Whoe'er  deprives  himself  <tf  life  and  light. 

In  reckless  lavishment  his  talent  wastes. 

And  sorrows*  there  where  he  should  dwell  in  joy. 

To  God  may  force  be  ofier'd,  in  the  heart 

Denying  and  blaspheming  his  high  power. 

And  Nature  with  her  kindly  law  contemning. 

And  thence  the  inmost  round  marks  with  its  seal 

Sodom,  and  Cahors,'  and  all  such  as  speak 

Contemptuously  of  the  Godhead  in  their  hearts. 

<*  Fraud,  that  in  every  conscience  leaves  a  stingi 
May  be  by  man  employ'd  on  one,  whose  trust 
He  wins,  or  on  another  who  withholds 
Strict  confidence.    Seems  as  the  latter  way 
Broke  but  the  bond  of  love  which  Nature  makes. 
Whence  in  the  second  circle  have  their  nest, 
Dissimulation^  witchcraft,  flatteries. 
Theft,  falsehood,  simony,  all  who  seduce 
To  lust,  or  set  their  honesty  at  pawn, 
With  such  vile  scum  as  these.    The  other  way  • 
Forgets  both  Nature's  general  love,  and  that 
Which  thereto  added  ^Iterward  gives  birth 
To  special  faith.    Whence  m  the  lesser  circb, 
Point  of  the  universe,  dread  seat  of  Dis, 


1  And  $omnD9.'\  This  fine  moral,  that  not  to  enjoy  onr  be- 
log  is  to  be  UDcrateful  to  the  Author  of  it,  is  well  exi>resse4 
in  Spenser,  F.  4^  b.  iv.  c.  viiL  st  15. 

For  he  whose  dales  in  wilf\il  woe  are  wome,     . 
The  grace  of  his  Creator  doth  despise. 
That  will  not  nse  his  gifts  for  thankless  nigardlse. 
*  Cdkor^.l  A  city  (j€  Gnienne,  much  teqnented  by  nstixen 


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106  THE  VISION.  60-ltl 

The  traitor  is  eternally  consumed.*' 

I  thus :  **  Instructor,  clearly  thy  discooTBo 
Proceeds,  distinguishing  the  Mdeous  chami 
And  its  inhabitants  wiSi  skill  exact 
But  tell  me  this :  they  of  the  dull,  fat  pool, 
Whom  the  rain  beats,  or  whom  the  tempeot  drnrei» 
Or  who  with  tongues  so  fierce  conflicting  meet. 
Wherefore  within  the  city  fire-illumed 
Are  not  these  punish'd,  if  God's  wrath  be  on  them  f 
And  if  it  be  not,  wherefore  in  such  guise 
Are  they  condenm'df    He  answer  thus  retom'd: 
"  Wherefore  in  dotage  wanders  thus  thy  mind. 
Not  so  accustomed?  or  what  other  thoughts 
Possess  it  ?    Dwell  not  in  thy  memory 
The  words,  wherein  thy  ethic  page*  describes 
Three  dispositions  adverse  to  Heaven's  will, 
Inccntinence,  malice,  and  mad  brutishness, 
And  how  incontinence  the  least  ofl^nds 
Grod,  and  least  guilt  incurs?    If  well  thou  note 
This  judgment,  and  remember  who  they  are. 
Without  these  walls  to  vain  repentance  doom'd. 
Thou  shalt  discern  why  they  apsut  are  placed 
From  these  fell  spirits,  and  less  wreakful  pours 
Justice  divine  on  them  its  vengeance  do¥m." 
"  O  sun !  who  healest  all  unperfect  sight, 
Thou  so  content'st  me,  when  thou  solvest  my  doubtj 
That  ignorance  not  less  than  knowledge  charms. 
Yet  somewhat  turn  thee  back,"  I  in  these  words 
Contmued,  '*  where  thou  said'st,  that  usury 
Ofiends  celestial  Groodness ;  and  this  knot 
Perplex'd  unravel."    He  thus  made  reply: 
**  Philosophy,  to  an  attentive  ear. 
Clearly  points  out,  not  in  one  part  alone, 
How  imitative  Nature  takes  her  course 
From  the  celestial  mind,  and  from  its  art : 
And  where  her  laws'  the  Stagirite  unfolds, 

1  Thy  ethic  page."]  He  refers  to  AristotIe*8  Ethics :  '*  Mcrd 
ii  radraXcKriov  SWijv  roinoaiiivovs  ipx^^  ^'''t  fHv  fcspl  ri 
109  ^KT&p  Tfta  ierlv  Mn  Kaxla  ixpoffla  ^npi^Tiju" 

Ethie.  J<neomaeh^  lib.  vfl.  c.  1. 

**  In  the  next  place,  entering  on  another  division  of  the  sub- 
ject, let  it  be  defined,  that  resTiecting  morals  there  are  three 
sorts  of  things  to  be  avoided,  'malice,  incontinence,  and  tira 
tishness.'* 

•  Her  laws.}  Aristotle^s  Physics.—**  'H  Tix?ni  lUfittr&i 
r^v  66aiv.''  Aristot  ^YZ-  AKP.  Ub.  ii.  c.  2.  '*  Art  imitatM 
ttatnre.*'— flee  the  Ooitlvatloiie  of  Alamamii,  Ub.  1. 


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105-121.  HELL,  CAirro  XI.  107 

Not  many  leaves  scann'd  o'er,  observing  well 
Thou  shsdt  discover,  that  your  art  on  her 
Obsequious  foUows,  as  the  learner  treads 
In  his  instructor's  step ;  so  that  your  art 
Deserves  the  name  of  second  in  descent' 
From  Grod.    These  two,  if  thou  recall  to  mind 
Creation's  holy  book»'  from  the  beginning 
Were  the  right  source  of  life  and  ezceUenc* 
To  human  £md.    But  in  another  path 
The  usurer  walks ;  and  Nature  in  herself 
And  in  her  follower  thus  he  sets  at  naught, 
.  Placing  elsewhere  his  hope.*    But  follow  now 
My  steps  on  forward  journey  bent ;  for  now 
The  Pisces  play  with  undulating  glance 
Along  the  horizon,  and  the  Wain^lies  all 
O'er  the  n(Mth-west ;  and  onward  there  a  space 
Is  our  steep  passage  down  the  rocky  height" 


CANTO  XII. 

ARGUMENT. 

Descendhig  by  a  very  nigged  way  Into  the  seventh  circl^ 
where  the  violent  are  punished,  Dante  and  hi*  leader  find 
it  guarded  by  the  Bfinotaur ;  whose  fory  being  pacified  by 
"^^rgil,  they  step  downwards  from  erag  to  crtig ;  till,  draw- 
ing near  to  the  bottom,  they  descry  a  river  of  blood,  wherehi 
are  tormented  such  as  have  committed  violence  against 

l*arte  umana 

Altro  non  d  da  dir  ch'  un  dolce  sinrone, 
Un  correger  soave,  un  pio  sostegno, 
Uno  esperto  imitar,  comporra  accorto 
Un  soUecito  attar  eon  studio  e'ngegno 
La  cagion  natural,  V  effetto,  e  *1  opm, 
1  Second  in  dtsentt.} 

Si  che  vostr*  arte  a  IMo  quasi  d  nipote. 
BoFrezri!— 

Giustizia  ta  da  cielo,  e  di  Dlo  d  flglia, 
E  ogni  bona  legge  a  Dlo  6  nipote. 

Jl  Ovodrtr.,  lib.  iv.  cap.  8. 
s  CrealunCa  holy  book.l  Genesis,  c.  ii.  v.  15 :  '*  And  the  Loid 
God  took  the  man,  and  put  him  into  the  garden  of  Eden,  to 
dress  it,  and  to  keep  it."    And,  Genesis,  c.  lii.  v.  19 :  *'  In  the 
sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread." 

>  Plaehur  dtewktre  his  hope.]  The  usurer,  trusthig  in  the 
produce  of  his  wealth  lent  out  on  usury,  deniises  nature  dl- 
redly,  because  he  does  not  avail  himself  of  her  means  for 
maintaining  or  enriching  himself;  and  indirectly,  because  he 
does  not  avail  himself  of  the  means  which  art,  the  follower 
and  imitator  of  nature,  would  afford  him  for  the  same  pnr> 

iS. 

Tk»  IFsNi.]  The  constellation  Bo6tes,  or  Chaites's  Wafak 

Digitized  by  LjOOQIC 


108  THE  VISION.  Wt 

their  neighbor.  At  these,  when  they  strive  to  emerge  ttom 
the  blooiH  a  troop  of  Centaurs,  running  along  the  side  of  tht 
river,  aim  their  arrows ;  and  three  of  their  band  opposing 
oar  travellers  at  the  foot  of  the  steep,  Virgil  prevails  so  fiur, 
thai  one  consents  to  carry  them  both  across  the  stream ; 
riad  on  their  passage,  Dante  is  informed  by  him  of  the 
coarse  of  the  nver,  and  of  those  that  are  punished  therein 

The  place,  where  to  descend  the  precipice 
We  came,  was  rough  as  Alp ;  and  on  its  verge 
Such  object  lay,  as  every  eye  would  shun. 

As  is  that  ruin,  which  Adice's  stream' 
On  this  side  Trento  struck,  shouldering  the  wave, 
Or  loosed  by  earthquake  or  for  lack  of  prop ; 
For  from  the  mountain's  summit,  whence  It  moved 
To  the  low  level,  so  the  headlong  rock 
Is  shiver'd,  that  some  passage'  it  might  give 
To  him  who  from  above  would  pass ;  e'en  such 
Into  the  chasm  was  that  descent :  and  there 
At  point  of  the  disparted  ridge  lay  stretch'd 
The  infamy  of  Crete,*  detested  brood 
Of  the  feign'd  heifer  ^  and  at  sight  of  us 
It  gnaw'd  itself,  as  one  with  rage  distract,    [deem'st 
To  him  my  guide  exclaim'd:    "Perchance  thou 
The  King  of  Athens*  here,  who,  in  the  world 


>  Mice^a  ttream.']  After  a  great  deal  having  been  said  on 
the  subject,  it  still  appears  verv  uncertain  at  wliat  part  of  the 
river  this  fall  of  the  mountain  happened. 

s  Some  piutage.]  Lombardi  erroneously,  I  think,  under- 
stands by  **  alcuna  via**  **  no  passage  ;'*  in  which  sense  "  al- 
cuno**  is  certainly  sometimes  used  by  some  old  writers.  Mon- 
ti,  as  usual,  agrees  with  Lombardi.    See  note  to  c.  iii.  v.  40. 

*  The  infamjf  of  Crete.}    The  Minotaur. 
«  The  feign'd  hetfer.]    PaslphaS. 

•  The  king  of^atkena.]  Theseus,  who  was  enabled  by  the 
mstruction  of  Ariadne,  the  sister  of  the  Minotaur,  to  destroy 
that  monster.    **Ducad*Atene.**  So  Chaucer  calls  Theseoi 

Whilom,  as  olde  stories  tellen  us. 
There  was  a  duk,  that  highte  Theseus. 

The  KnighWe  TaU 

AndShakspeare: 

Happy  be  Theseos,  our  renowned  Duke. 

Midsummer  J^kt'e  Dreamy  a.  1.  s.  1. 

««This  Is  in  reality,**  observes  Mr.  Douce,  "  no  misappli^ 
tion  of  a  modem  title,  as  Mr.  Stevens  conceived,  but  a  legitl* 
mate  use  of  the  word  in  its  wimitive  Latin  sense  of  lead^, 
and  so  it  is  often  used  in  the  Bible.  Shakspeare  might  liave 
found  l>ike  Theseos  in  ttie  Book  of  Troy,  or  in  TarberviUe*s 
Ovid*s  Ei.istle8.  flee  the  aigoment  to  that  of  Phaedra  and 
Hippolytas.'*    VoueeU  JUuitratiotu  9f  Shak§f9ar§t  8vo.  1807 


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18-44.  HELL,  Gamto  XIL  100 

Abore,  thy  death  contrhred.    Monster!  aywmt! 
He  comes  not  tutor'd  by  thy  sister's  art,' 
But  to  behold  your  torments  is  he  come." 

Like  to  a  bull,'  that  with  impetuous  spring 
Darts,  at  the  moment  when  the  fatal  blow 
Hath  struck  him,  but  unable  to  proceed 
Hunees  on  either  side ;  so  saw  I  plunre 
The  Minotaur ;  whereat  the  sage  ezcTaim'd : 
**  Run  to  the  pasisage !  while  he  storms,  *tis  well 
That  thou  descend."    Thus  down  our  road  we  took 
Through  those  dilapidated  crags,  that  oft 
Moved  underneath  my  feet,  to  weight*  like  thein 
Unused.    I  pondering  went,  and  thus  he  spake : 
"  Perhaps  thy  thoughts  are  of  this  ruin'd  steep, 
Guarded  by  the  brute  violence,  which  I 
Have  vanquished  now.    Know  then,  that  when  I  ent 
Hither  descended  to  the  nether  hell, 
This  rock  was  not  yet  fallen.    But  past  doubt, 
(If  well  I  mark)  not  long  ere  He  arrived,* 
Who  cairied  off  from  Dis  the  mighty  spoil 
Of  the  highest  circle,  then  through  all  its  bounds 
Such  trembling  seized  the  deep  concave  and  fool, 
I  thought  the  univene  was  thnll'd  with  love, 
Whereby,  there  are  who  deem,  the  world  hath  oft 
Been  into  ehaos  tum'd  :*  and  in  that  point. 
Here,  and  elsewhere,  that  old  rock  toppled  down. 
But  fix  thme  eyes  beneath :  the  river  of  blood* 

>  Tkf  nster**  art.]    Ariadne, 
s  Like  to  a  bull.] 

'SLi  i*  Brav  i^vv  Ix"*^  n(\sKvv  aJ^ijtos  Avi^fj 

K4t//a(  i^SviOtv  csp<f«v  0o6i  iypaiXoiOf 

Homer,  U.,  1.  zvU.  JSSSL 
As  when  some  vigorous  youth  with  sharpened  axe 
A  pastured  bnllock  smites  behind  the  horns, 
And  hews  the  muscle  through ;  he  at  the  stroke 
Springs  forth  and  falls.  Ottoper't  TrwMlativtu 

*  To  weight  I 

«— —  Incimibent  on  the  dusky  air 

That  felt  unusual  weight.         Milton^  P.  L^  b.  i.  227. 

*  He  arrived.]  Our  Saviour,  who,  according  to  Dante, 
when  he  ascended  firom  hell,  carried  with  him  the  souls  of 
the  Patriarchs,  and  of  other  just  men,  out  of  the  first  cirelew 
Bee  Canto  iv. 

•  Bee»  into  ehaoo  turn'd.]  This  Ofdnion  is  attributed  to 
Smpedocles. 

•  7%«  river  ef  Nood.]  Delude  vidi  locum  (Clu.  lacum  1) 
— ignom  totnm,  ut  mihi  videbatur,  plenum  sanguine.  Sed 
Mm  mihi  Apostolus,  sed  non  lacgnis,  sed  ignis  est  ad  cofti 


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110  THE  VISIt/N. 

ApproaobeSj  in  the  which  all  those  are  tteep*d» 
Who  have  by  violence  injured."    O  blind  lost ! 
O  foolish  wrath !  who  so  dost  goad  us  on 
In  the  brief  life,  and  in  the  eternal  then 
Thus  miserably  o'erwhelm  us.    I  beheld 
An  ample  foas,  that  in  a  bow  was  bent, 
As  circling  all  the  plain ;  for  so  my  guide 
Had  told.    Between  it  and  the  rampart's  base, 
On  trail  ran  Centaurs,  with  keen  arrows  ann'd. 
As  to  the  chase  they  on  the  earth  were  wont 
•     At  seeing  us  descend  they  each  one  stood ; 
And  issuing  from  the  troop,  three  sped  with  bows 
And  missile  weapons  chosen  first ;  of  whom 
One  cried  from  far :  "  Say,  to  what  pain  ye  come 
Condemn'd,  who  down  this  steep  have  joumey'd 

[Speak 
From  whence  ye  stand,  or  else  the  bow  I  draw." 

To  whom  my  guide :  **  Our  answer  shall  be  made 
To  Chiron,  there,  when  nearer  him  we  come. 

111  was  thy  mmd,  thus  ever  quick  and  rai^" 
Then  me  he  touched,  and  spake :  <<  Nessus  is  this, 
Who  for  the  fair  Delanira  died, 

And«  wrought  himself  revenge^  for  his  own  fate. 
He  in  the  midst,  that  on  his  breast  looks  down, 
Is  the  great  Chiron  who  Achilles  nursed ; 
That  other,  Pholus,  prone  to  wrath."    Ajound 
The  foss  these  go  by  thousands,  aimmg  shafts 
At  whatsoever  spirit  dares  emerge' 
From  out  the  blood,  more  than  his  guilt,  allows. 
We  to  those  beasts,  that  rapid  strode  along. 
Drew  near ;  when  Chiron  took  an  arrow  forth, 
And  with  the  notch  push'd  back  his  shaggy  beard 
To  the  cheek-bcm^,  then,  his  great  mouth  to  view 

eremandos  homicidas,  et  odiosos  depntatas.  Hane  tamen  8i> 
militndinem  propter  sanguinis  efiusionem  TetineL  JUberid 
Fitio,  $  7. 

i  ^M  icrowht  himself  revenge.]  Nessus,  when  dying  by 
the  hand  of  Hercules,  chaived  De'ianira  to  preserve  the  gore 
firom  his  woand ;  for  that  if  the  auctions  ot  Hercules  should 
at  any  time  be  estranged  firom  her,  it  would  act  as  a  charm, 
and  recall  them.  Deianira  had  occasion  to  try  the  experi- 
ment; and  the  venom  acting,  as  Nessus  had  intended, 
caused  Hercules  to  expire  in  torments.  See  tiie  Trachinia 
of  Sophocles. 

s  Emerg'e.}  Muitos  in  eis  vidi  usque  ad  talos  demeigi, 
alios  usque  ad  genua,  vel  femora,  alios  usque  ad  pectu 
Jnxta  peco^  vkfi  modum :  aUos  vero  qui  majoris  enminia 
noxa  tenebantnr  in  Ipsis  sanunltatibas  snperMdBn  coipert 


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7$-vm,  HELL,  Canto  XIl.  m 

Exposing,  to  k  is  fellows  thus  exclsim*d : 

"  Are  ye  aware,  that  he  who  oiMnes  behind 

Moves  what  he  touches?    The  feet  of  the  de%d 

Are  not  so  wont"    My  trusty  gruide,  who  now 

Stood  near  his  breast,  where  the  two  natures  join» 

Thus  made  reply :  "  He  is  indeed  alive. 

And  solitary  so  must  needs  by  me 

Be  shown  the  gloomy  vale,  thereto  induced 

By  strict  necessity,  not  by  delight 

She  left  her  joyful  harpings  in  the  sky, 

Who  this  new  office  to  my  care  consigned. 

He  is  no  robber,  no  dark  spirit  L 

But  by  that  virtue,  which  empowen  my  step 

To  tread  so  wild  a  path,  grant  us,  I  pray, 

One  of  thy  band,  whom  we  may  trust  secure^ 

Who  to  the  ford  may  lead  us,  and  convey 

Across,  him  mounted  on  his  back ;  for  he 

Is  not  a  spirit  that  may  walk  the  air." 

Then  on  his  right  breast  turning,  Chiron  thuf 
To  Nesius^  spake :  **  Return,  and  be  their  guide. 
And  if  ye  chance  to  cross  another  troop. 
Command  them  keep  aloof."    Onward  we  moved, 
The  faithful  escort  by  our  side,  along 
The  border  of  the  crimson-seething  flood. 
Whence,  from  those  steep*d  within,  loud  shrieks  arose 

Some  there  I  mark'd,  as  high  as  to  their  brow 
Immersed,  of  whom  the  mighty  Centaur  thus : 
"  These  are  the  souls  of  tyrants,  who  were  given 
To  blood  and  rapine.    Here  they  wail  aloud 
Their  merciless  wrongs.    Here  Alexander  dwells, 
And  Dionysius  fell,  who  many  a  year 
Of  wo  wrought  for  fair  Sicily.    That  brow. 
Whereon  the  hair  so  jetty  clustering  hangs. 


>  Jfesaus.]  Oar  Poet  was  probably  induced,  by  the  follow- 
ing line  in  Ovid,  to  assign  to  Nessos  the  task  of  condacting 
diem  over  the  f<ml : 

Nessus  adit  membrisqne  valens  scitosqne  vad(mun. 

Jlfetom.,  1.  iz. 
And  Ovid*s  authority  was  Sophocles,  who  says  of  this 
Oentaor— 

*Oj  rhv  fiaOii^jtovv  noranii  ESitvov  jSporodf 
Wtodod  ir6peve  xepo-tv  oUre  iroitirtnotf 
Kwratf  ipiaffiavy  oUre  Xat^cciv  vttii, 

I  7V«dl.57Ql 

He  in  his  arms,  across  Evenus*  stream 
Deep-flowing,  bore  the  passenger  for  hkn. 
Without  or  sail  or  Ullow-cleaving  oar. 


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113  THE  VISION.  lltt-ltt 

Is  Azzolino  ;^  that  with  flaxen  locks 

Obizzo*  of  Este,  in  the  world  destioy'd 

By  his  foul  step-son."    To  the  bard  revered 

I  tum'd  me  round,  and  thus  he  spake :  "  Let  him 

Be  to  thee  now  first  leader,  me  but  next 

To  him  in  rank."    Then  farther  on  a  space 

The  Centaur  paused,  near  some,  who  at  the  throat 

Were  extant  from  the  wave ;  and,  showing  us 

A  spirit  by  itself  apart  retired, 

ExciaimM :  <*«He*  in  God's  bosom  sDiote  the  heaitf 

Which  yet  is  honor'd  on  the  bank  of  Thames  " 

A  race  I  next  espied  who  held  the  head, 
And  even  all  the  bust,  above  the  stream.. 
Midst  these  I  many  a  face  remember'd  welL 
Thus  shallow  more  and  more  the  blood  became, 
So  that  at  last  it  but  imbrued  the  feet ; 
And  there  our  passage  lay  athwart  the  foes. 

^  Azzolino.]  Azzolino,  or  EzzoHno  di  Romano,  a  most 
cruel  tyrant  in  the  Marca  Trivigiana,  Lord  of  Padua,  Vicen 
za,  Verona,  and  Brescia,  who  died  in  1260.  His  atrocitim 
form  the  subject  -of  a  Latin  tragedy,  called  Eccerinis,  by  Al 
bertino  Mossato,  of  Padua,  the  contemporary  of  Dante,  and 
the  most  elegant  writer  of  Latin  verse  of  that  age.  See  also 
the  Paradise,  Canto  ix.  Bemi,  Orl.  Inn.,  lib.  ii.  c^  xzv.  st.  50. 
Ariosto,  Orl.  Fur.,  c  iii.  st.  33;  and  Tassoni,  Secchia  Rapita, 
c.  viii.  St.  11. 

s  Obizzo  of  Este.l  Marquis  of  Ferrara  and  of  the  Marca 
d*Ancona,  was  murdered  by  his  own  son  (whom,  for  that 
most  unnatural  act,  Dante  calls  his  step-son)  for  the  sake  of 
the  treasures  which  his  rapacity  had  amassed.  See  Ariosto, 
Orl.  Fur.,  c.  iii.  st.  32.  He  died  in  1293,  according  to  Gibbon, 
Ant.  of  the  House  of  Brunswick,  Posth.  Works,  v.  ii.  4to. 

*  He.]  "  Henrie,  the  brother  of  this  Edmund,  and  son  to 
the  foresaid  king  of  Almaine,  (Richard,  brother  of  Henry  III 
of  England,)  as  he  returned  from  Affrike,  where  he  had  been 
with  Prince  Edward,  was  slain  at  Viterbo  in  Italy  (whither 
he  was  come  about  business  which  he  had  to  do  with  the 
Pope)  by  the  hand  of  Guy  de  Montfort,  the  son  of  Simon  de 
Montfort,  Esal  of  Leicester,  in  revenge  of  the  same  Simon's 
death.  The  murther  was  committed  afore  the  high  altar,  as 
the  same  Henrie  kneeled  there  to  hear  divine  service.**  A  D. 
1273.  Holinsked's  Chron^p.^5.  See  also Giov.Villanl  Hist, 
lib.  vii.  c.  40,  where  it  is  said  "  that  the  heart  of  Henry  was 
pat  into  a  golden  cup,  and  placed  on  a  pillar  at  London 
bridge  over  the  river  Thames,  for  a  memorial  to  the  English 
of  the  said  outrage.'*  Lombardi  suggests  that  "ancor  si 
cola"  in  the  text  may  mean,  not  that  ''the  heart  was  still 
honored,"  but  that  it  was  put  into  a  perforated  cup  in  order 
that  the  blood  dripping  from  it  might  excite  the  spectators  to 
revenge.  This  is  surely  too  improbable. 
Un  poco  prima  dove  piu  si  stava 
Sicuro  Enrico,  il  conte  di-Monforte 
L*alma  del  corpo  col  coltel  gli  cava. 

AuM  tUgli  Dberti,  DiUamemdOf  1.  ii.  capi.  niS 


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117-140.  H£LL»  Camio  XIII.  118 

"  As  ever  on  this  side  the  boiling  wave 
Thou  seest  diminishing,"  the  Centaur  sai^, 
"  So  on  the  other,  be  thou  well  assured, 
It  lower  still  and  lower  sinks  its  bed, 
Till  in  that  part  it  re-uniting  join, 
Where  'tis  the  lot  of  tyranny  to  mourn. 
There  Heaven's  stem  justice  lays  chastising  hand 
On  Attila,  who  was  the  scourge  of  earth. 
On  Sextus  and  on  Pyrrhus,*  and  extracts 
Tears  ever  by  the  seething  flood  unlocked 
From  the  Rinieri,  of  Cometo  this, 
Pazzo  the  other  neuned,'  who  fill'd  the  ways 
With  violence  and  war."    This  said,  he  tum'd. 
And  quitting  us,  alone  repassed  the  ford 


CANTO   XIII 


ARGUMENT 


Still  ia  the  seventh  circle,  Dante  enters  its  second  compart- 
ment, which  contains  both  those  who  have  done  videnoe 
on  their  own  persons  and  those  who  have  violently  con- 
smned  their  goods ;  the  first  changed  into  rough  and  knot- 
ted trees  whereon  the  harpies  build  their  nests,  the  latter 
chased  and  torn  by  black  female  mastifis.  Among  the  for 
mer,  Piero  delie  Vigne  is  one  who  tells  him  the  cause  of 
his  having  committed  suicide,  and  moreover  in  what  man 
ner  the  souls  axe  transformed  into  those  trunks.  Of  the 
latter  crew,  he  recognises  Lano,  a  Siennese,  and  Giacomo, 
a  Paduan :  and  lastly,  a  Florentine,  who  had  hung  himself 
from  his  own  roo^  speaks  to  him  of  the  calamities  of  his 
countrymen. 

Ers  Nessus  yet  had  reach'd  the  other  bank, 
We  enter'd  on  a  forest,"  where  no  track 
Of  steps  had  worn  a  way.    Not  verdant  there 
The  foliage,  but  of  dusky  hue ;  not  light 
The  boughs  and  tapering,  but  with  knares  deform'd 
And  matted  thick :  fruits  there  were  none,  but  thomf 

i  On  Sextus  and  on  Pyrrh%u.\  Sextus,  either  the  son  of 
Tarquin  the  Proud,  or  of  Poropey  the  Great ;  and  Pynrhns 
ktnc  of  Epiras. 

» The  Rinieri,  of  Cometo  «Am, 

Paxzo  the  other  named. ] 

Two  noted  marauders,  by  whose  depredations  the  public 
ways  in  Italy  were  infested.  The  latter  was  of  the  noble 
fiunily  of  Pazzi  in  Florence. 

*  A  forest.}  Inde  In  aliam  vallem  nimis  terribiliorem 
deveni  plenam  subtilissimis  arboribus  in  mod\mi  hastarum 
sezaginta  brachiorum  longltudinem  habentibus,  quanmi  om 
ninm  capita,  ac  si  sudes  acutissima  erant,  et  spinosa    Jilberiet 

8 


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114  THE  VISION.  >» 

Instead,  with  yenom  fiU'd.    Leas  shaip  than  thaM* 
Less  intricate  the  brakes,  wherein  abide 
Those  animals,  that  hate  the  cultured  fields, 
Betwi:it  Cometo  and  Ceoina's  stream.' 

Here  the  brute  Harpies  make  their  nest,  the  saoM 
Who  from  the  Strophadee^  the  Trojan  band 
Drove  with  dire  boding  of  their  future  wo. 
Broad  are  their  pennons,*  of  the  human  form 
Their  neck  and  countenance,  arm'd  with  talons  keen 
The  feet,  and  the  huge  belly  fledged  with  wings. 
These  sit  and  wail  <m  the  drear  mystic  wood. 

The  kind  instructor  in  these  words  began : 
**  Ere  farther  thou  proceed,  know  thou  art  now 
I'  th'  second  round,  and  shalt  be,  till  thou  como 
Upon  the  horrid  sand :  look  therefore  well 
Around  thee,  and  such  things  thou  shalt  behold. 
As  would  my  speech  discreSt"    On  all  sides 
I  heard  sad  plqiiiingB  breathe,  and  none  could  see 
From  whom  they  might  have  issued.    In  amaze 
Fast  bound  I  stood.    He,^  as  it  seemed,  believed 
That  I  had  thought  so  many  voices  come 
From  some  amid  those  thicKets  dose  concealM, 
And  thus  his  speech  resumed :  "  If  thou  lop  off 
A  single  twig  from  one  of  those  ill  plants,. 
The  thought  thou  hast  conceived  shall  vanish  quite." 

Thereat  a  little  stretching  forth  my  hand. 
From  a  great  wildmg  gathered  I*  a  lu-anch, 
And  straight  the  tnmk  exclaimed ;  <<  Why  pluck'st 

thou  me?" 
Then,  as  the  dark  blood  trickled  down  its  side. 
These  words  it  added:  "Wherefore  tear'st  m©  thus? 
Is  there  no  touch  of  mercy  in  thy  breast  ? 
Men  once  were  we,  that  now  are  rooted  here. 

1  Bettrixt  Cometo  and  Cedna'a  stream.]  A  wild  and  woody 
tract  of  countiy,  aboonding  in  deer,  goats,  and  wild  boars. 
Cecina  is  a  river  not  far  to  the  soath  of  Leghorn;  Cometo, 
a  small  city  on  the  same  coast,  in  the  patrimony  of  the 
ehnrch. 
s  The  Strophadee.j  See  Virg.  JEn.,  lib.  iii.  310. 
*  Broad  are  their  pennotu.] 

Virginei  volucnun  vnltos,  foedissima  ventris 
Prolavies,  nncsqae  manus  et  pallida  semper 

Ora  fame. Firg.  JEn.,  lib.  liL  218. 

«  Gathered  I.]    SoFrezzi: 

A  quelle  fhtsche  stesi  sn  la  mano, 
E  d*iuia  vetta  nir  ramnscel  ne  colsi ; 
Allora  ella  gridb :  oim^,  &  piano, 
S  sangue  y'vo  nsci,  ond'  io  lo  tolsl. 

II  Qttodrtr ,  lib.  i.  cap.  4 


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HELL,  Canto  XIIL  114 

Thy  hand  mig^ht  well  have  spared  na,  had  we  bees 
The  souls  of  serpents."     As  a  brand  yet  ffceen, 
That  burning  at  one  end  from  the  other  sends 
A  groaning  sound,  and  hisses  with  the  wind 
That  forces  out  its  way,  so  burst  at  once 
Forth  from  the  broken  splinter  words  and  blood. 

I,  letting  fall  the  bough,  remain'd  as  one 
Assail'd  by  terror ;  and  the  sage  replied : 
"  If  he,  O  injured  spirit !  could  have  believed 
What  he  hath  seen  but  in  my  verse  described,^ 
He  never  against  thee  had  stretch'd  his  hand. 
But  I,  because  thethmg  surpass'd  belief, 
Prompted  him  to  this  deed,  which  even  now 
Myself  I  rue.    But  tell  me,  who  thou  wast ; 
That,  for  this  wrong  to  do  thee  some  amenda^ 
In  the  upper  world  (for  thither  to  return 
Is  granted  him)  thy  fame  he  may  Tevive." 
"  That  pleasai  t  word  of  thine,***  the  trunk  replied, 
"  Hath  so  inveigled  me,  that  I  from  speech 
Cannot  refrain,  wherein  if  I  indulge 
A  little  longer,  in  the  snare  detained. 
Count  it  not  grievous.    I  it  was,*  who  held 


1  In  my  verse  described.]  The  commentators  explain  this, 
"  If  he  could  have  believed,  in  consequence  of  my  assurances 
alone,  that  of  which  he  hath  now  had  ocular  (voof,  he  would 
not  have  stretched  forth  his  hand  against  thee."  But  I  am 
of  opinion  that  Dante  makes  Virgil  allude  to  his  own  story  of 
Polydorus,  in  the  third  book  of  the  i£neid. 

3  That  pleasant  word  of  thine.]  "  Since  you  have  inveigled 
me  to  speak  by  holding  forth  so  gratifying  an  expectation,  let 
it  not  displease  yon  if  I  am  as  it  were  detained  in  the  tnare 
you  have  spread  for  me,  so  as  to  be  somewhat  prolix  lu  my 
answer." 

»  /  it  was.]  Piero  delle  Vigne,  a  native  of  Capua,  who 
firom  a  low  condition  raised  lOmself,  by  his  eloquence  and 
legal  knowledge,  to  the  office  of  Chancellcnr  to  the  Emperor 
Frederick  U. ;  whose  confidence  in  him  was  such,  that  his 
Influence  in  the  empire  became  unbounded.  The  courtiers, 
envious  of  his  exalted  situation,  contrived,  by  means  of  forged 
letters,  to  make  Frederick  believe  that  he  held  a  secret  and 
traitorous  intercourse  with  the  Pope,  who  was  then  at  enmity 
with  the  Elmperor.  In  consequence  of  this  supposed  crime, 
he  was  cruelly  condemned,  by  his  too  credulous  sovereign,  to 
lose  his  eyes^  and  being  driven  to  despair  by  his  unmerited 
calamity  and  disgrace,  he  put  an  end  to  his  life  by  dashing 
out  his  brains  ag^nst  the  walls  of  a  church,  in  the  year  1245. 
Both  Frederick  and  Piero  delle  Vigne  composed  verses  in  the 
Sicilian  dialect,  which  are  now  extant. 

A  canzone  by  each  of  them  may  be  seen  in  the  ninth  book 
of  the  Sonetti  and  Canzoni  di  diversi  Autorl  Toscanl,  pub- 
lished by  the  Giusn  in  1527.  See  ftirther  the  note  on  Pog., 
Canto  iii.  130. 


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116  THEVISIOiN.  W-lOl, 

Both  keyH  to  Frederick's  heart,  and  tum'd  the  la^^ndni 

Opening  and  shutting,  with  a  skill  so  sweet. 

That  brides  me,  into  his  inmost  breast 

Scarce  any  other  could  admittance  find. 

The  faith  I  bore  to  my  high  charge  was  such^ 

It  cost  me  the  life-blood  that  warm'd  my  veiav 

The  harlot,*  who  ne'er  tum'd  her  gloating  eyes 

From  Cesar's  household,  common  vice  and  pest 

Of  courts,  'grainst  me  inflamed  the  minds  of  all ; 

And  to  Augustus  they  so  spread  the  flame, 

That  my  glad  honors  changed  to  bitter  woes 

My  soul,  disdainful  and  di^usted,  sought 

Refuge  in  death  from  scorn,  and  I  became, 

Just  as  I  was,  unjust  toward  myself. 

By  the  new  roots,  which  fix  this  stem,  I  swear, 

That  never  faith  I  broke  to  my  liege  lord. 

Who  merited  such  honor ;  and  of  you. 

If  any  to  the  world  indeed  return, 

Clear  he  from  wrong  my  memory,  that  lies 

Yet  prostrate  under  envy's  cruel  blow.'* 

First  somewhat  pausmg,  till  the  mournful  words 
Were  ended,  then  to  me  the  bard  began : 
"  Lose  not  the  time  ;  but  speak,  and  of  him  ask. 
If  more  thou  wish  to  learn."    Whence  I  replied : 
''  Question  thou  him  again  of  whatsoe'er 
Will,  as  thou  think'st,  content  me  ;  for  no  power 
Have  I  to  ask,  such  pity  is  at  my  heart" 

He  thus  resumed :  "  So  may  he  do  for  thee 
Freely  what  thou  entreatest,  as  thou  yet 
Be  pleased,  imprison'd  spirit  I  to  declare, 
How  in  these  gnarled  joints  the  soul  is  tied  ; 
And  whether  any  ever  from  such  frame 
Be  looseu'd,  if  thou  canst,  that  also  telL" 

Thereat  the  trunk  breathed  hard,  and  the  wind  soon 
Changed  into  sounds  articulate  like  these : 
"  Briefly  ye  shall  be  answer'd.    When  departs 
The  fierce  soul  from  the  body,  by  itself 
Thence  torn  asunder,  to  the  seventh  gulf 
By  Minos  doom'd,  into  the  wood  it  falls. 
No  place  assign'd,  but  wheresoever  chance 
Hurls  it ;  there  sprouting,  as  a  grain  of  spelt, 


I  The  harlot.]    Envy.    Chancer  alludes  to  this,  In  thfl  Pl» 
logiie  to  the  Lc^ade  of  Good  Women : 

Eavle  is  lavender  to  the  court  alway, 
For  she  ne  parteth  neither  night  ne  day 
Out  of  tha  house  of  Cesar :  thos  saith  DuL 


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109-135  HELL,  Canto  Xm.  117 

It  rises  to  a  sapUng^  growing  thence 

A  savage  plant    The  Harpies,  on  its  leaves 

Then  feeding,  cause  both  pain,  and  for  the  pain 

A  vent  to  griet    We,  as  tjie  rest,  shall  come 

For  our  own  spoils,  yet  not  so  that  with  them 

We  may  again  be  clad ;  for  what  a  man 

Takes  from  hunself  it  is  not  just  he  have. 

Here  we  perforce  shall  drag  them ;  and  throughout 

The  dismal  glade  our  bodies  shall  be  hung. 

Each  on  the  wild  thorn  of  his  wretched  shade.* 

Attentive  yet  to  listen  to  the  trunk 
We  stood,  expecting  farther  speech,  when  us 
A  noise  surprised  ;  as  when  a  man  perceives 
The  wild  boar  and  the  hunt  approach  his  place 
Of  stationed  watch,  wha  of  the  beasts  and  boughs 
Loud  rustling  round  him  hears.    Andio!  there  camt 
Two  naked,  torn  with  briers,  in  headlons^  flight, 
That  they  before  them  broke  each  fan  o  th'  wood. 
"  Haste  now,"  the  foremost  cried,  "  now  haste  thee 
The  other,  as  seem'd,  impatient  of  delay,       [death  !" 
Exclaiming,  **  Lano  !*  not  so  bent  for  speed 
Thy  smews,  in  the  lists  of  Toppo*8  field." 
And  then,  for  that  perchance  no  longer  breath 
Sufficed  him,  of  himself  and  of  a  bush 
One  group  he  made.    Behind  them  was  the  wood 
Full  of  black  female  mastiffii,  gaunt  and  fleet. 
As  greyhounds  that  have  newly  slipp'd  the  leash. 
On  him,  who  squatted  down,  they  stuck  their  fangs, 
And  having  rent  him  piecemeal,  bore  away 
The  tortured  limbs.    My  guide  then  seized  my  hand, 
And  led  me  to  the  thicket,  which  in  vain 
Moum'd  through  its  bleeding  wounds :  "  O  Giacomo 
Of  Sant*  Andrea  !"  what  avails  it  thee," 
It  cried,  "  that  of  me  thou  hast  made  thy  screen  7 

Etch  fan  0'*  tk*  toood,'\    Hence  perhaps  Milton : 
Leaves  and  fuming  rills,  Anrora^s  fan.      P.  X.,  b.  v.  6. 
Some  have  translated  '*  rosta,*'  **  Impediment,"  instead  of 
"fen." 

s  Lano.l  Lano,  a  Biennese,  who,  being  reduced  by  prodi- 
gality to  a  state  of  eztireme  want^  found  his  existence  no  longer 
supportable ;  and  having  been  sent  by  his  countrymen  on  a 
mtlitary  expedition  to  assist  the  Florentines  against  the  Are- 
tini,  toulc  that  opportunity  of  exposing  himself  to  certain  death, 
in  the  engagement  which  toolc  place  at  Toppo  near  Arezso 
Bee  6.  YUiani,  Hist,  Ub.  7,  c.  cxix. 

■  •  O  CHaeomo 

Of  Sani*  Andrea  I]  Jacopo  da  Sant*  Andrea,  a  Padnan 
who,  having  wasted  his  iMPoperty  In  the  most  wanton  acts  ot 
proAision,  UUod  himself  in  despair. 


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118  THE  VISION.  136-ltt 

For  thy  ill  life»  what  blame  on  me  recoils?" 

When  o'er  it  he  had  paused,  my  master  sjiake : 
**  Say  who  wast  thou,  that  at  so  many  points 
Breathest  out  with  blood  thy  lamentable  q>eeoh  ?** 

He  answer'd :  "  O  ye  spirits !  arrived  in  time 
To  spy  (he  shameful  havoc  that  from  me 
My  leaves  hath  sever'd  thus,  gather  them  up, 
And  at  the  fc^t  of  their  sad  parent-tree 
Carefully  lay  them.    In  that  city^  I  dwelt. 
Who  for  the  Baptist  her  first  patron  changed, 
Whence  he  for  this  shall  cease  not  with  his  art 
To  work  her  wo :  and  if  there  still  remain'd  not 
On  Amo's  passage  some  faint  glimpse  of  him. 
Those  citizens,  who  rear'd  once  more  her  walls 
Upon  the  ashes  left  by  Attila, 
Had  labored  without  profit  of  their  toiL 
I  slung  the  fatal  noose'  from  my  own  roofL" 


CANTO  XIV. 

ARGUMENT. 

They  arrive  at  the  beginninf  (^  the  third  of  those  compart- 
ments  into  which  tliis  seventh  circle  is  divided.  It  is  a 
irtain  of  dry  and  hot  sand,  where  three  kinds  of  violence 
are  ponished ;  namely,  against  God,  against  Natore,  and 
against  Art ;  and  those  who  have  thus  sinned,  are  tw- 
mented  by  flakes  of  fire,  which  are  eternally  showering 
down  upon  them.  Among  the  violent  against  God  is 
found  Capaneus,  whose  blasphemies  they  hear.  Next, 
taming  to  the  left  along  the  forest  of  self-slayers,  and 
having  jonmeyed  a  litUe  onwards,  they  meet  with  a 
streamlet  of  blood  that  issues  f>om  the  forest  and  tra- 
verses the  sandy  plain.  Here  Virgil  speaks  to  our  Poet 
of  a  huge  ancient  statue  that  stands  within  Mount  Ida 

1  /tt  that  city.]  "I  was  an  inhabitant  of  Florence,  that 
city  which  changed  her  first  patron  Mars  for  St.  John  the 
Baptist ;  for  which  reason  the  vengeance  of  the  deity  thus 
slighted  will  never  be  appeased ;  and  if  some  remains  of  his 
statue  were  not  still  visible  on  the  bridge  over  the  Amo,  she 
would  have  been  already  levelled  to  the  ground ;  and  thus 
the  citizens,  who  raised  her  again  fnm  the  ashes  to  which 
Attila  had  reduced  her,  would  have  iabcured  in  vain.*'  See 
Paradise,  Canto  xvi.  44. 

The  relic  of  antiquity,  to  which  the  superstition  of  Florence 
attached  so  high  an  importance,  was  carried  away  by  a  flood, 
that  destroyed  the  bridge  on  which  it  stood,  in  the  year  1337, 
but  without  the  ill  efiects  that  were  apprehended  from  the 
losTof  their  fimded  Palladium. 

s  I  slung  the  fatal  nooseJ]  We  are  not  informed  who  this 
suicide  was ;  s<Niie  calling  him  Rooco  de'  Moazi,  and  othen 
Lotto  degU  AgU. 


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b^  HELL,  Canto  XIY.  119 

in  Crete,  fhMn  a  fiuiire  in  which  statue  thme  ii  a  drip 
pine  of  tears,  from  which  the  said  streualet,  togethel 
with  the  three  other  infernal  rivers,  are  formei^ 

Soon  as  the  charity  of  native  land 
Wrought  in  my  bosom,  I  the  scattered  leaves 
Collected,  and  to  hun  restored,  who  now 
Was  hoarse  with  utterance.     To  the  limit  thence 
We  came,  which  from  the  third  the  second  round 
Divides,  and  where  of  justice  is  displayed 
Contrivance  horrible.     Things  then  fijst  seen 
Ciearlier  to  manifest,  I  tell  how  next 
A  plain  we  reach'd,  that  from  its  steril  bed 
Each  plant  repeU'd.  The  mournful  wood  waves  round 
Its  garland  on  all  sides,  as  round  the  wood 
Spreads  the  sad  foss.    There,  on  the  very  edge. 
Our  steps  we  stayed.     It  was  an  area  wide 
Of  arid  sand  and  thick,  resembling  most 
The  soil  that  erst  by  Gate's  foot*  was  trod.       [fear'd 

Vengeance  of  Heaven !  Oh!  how  shouldst  thou  be 
By  all,  who  read  what  here  mine  eyes  beheld. 

Of  naked  spirits  many  a  flock  I  saw, 
All  weeping  piteously,  to  different  laws 
Subjected ;  for  on  the  earth  some  lay  supine, 
Some  crouching  close  were  seated,  others  paced 
Incessantly  around ;  the  latter  tribe 
More  numerous,  those  fewer  who  beneath 
The  torment  lay,  but  louder  in  their  gribf. 

O'er  all  the  sand  fell  slowly  wafting  down 
Dilated  flakes  of  fire,*  as  flakes  of  snow 
On  Alpine  summit,  when  the  wind  is  hush'd. 
As,  in  the  torrid  Indian  clime,"  the  son 
Of  Ajnmon  saw,  upon  his  warrior  band 
Descending,  solid  flames,  that  to  the  grouifd 
Came  down ;  whence  he  bethought  him  with  his  troop 
To  trample  on  the  soil ;  for  easier  thus 
The  vapor  was  extinguish'd,  while  alone : 
So  fell  the  eternal  fiery  flood,  wherewith 
The  marl  glow'd  underneath,  as  under  stove* 

i  By  Caio^s  foot.}    See  Lucan,  Phars.,  lib.  ix. 

a  Dilated  fidkea  of  fire."]    Compare  Tasso,  6  L.,  c.  x.  st  61 

Al  fin  ginngemmo  al  loco,  ove  gi&  scese 

Fiamma  del  cielo  in  dilatate  falde, 

E  di  natura  vendicb  l*ofifese 

Sovilt  la  gente  in  mai  oprar  si  salde. 

*  A9  in  the  torrid  Indian  clime.^    Landlno  refers  to  AlbertM 
liagniu  fox  the  circomstance  here  alluded  to. 

*  At  under  atove.^    So  Frezad : 

Bi  come  1'  esca  al  foco  del  focile.       Lib.  i.  cap.  17. 


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12C  THE  VISION.  3«-T» 

The  viands,  doubly  to  augment  the  pain. 
Unceasing  was  the  play  of  wretched  hands, 
Now  this,  now  that  way  glancing,  to  shake  oflf 
The  heat,  still  falling  fresh.     I  thus  began : 
"  Instructor !  thou  who  all  things  overcomest, 
Except  the  hardy  demons  that  rush'd  forth 
To  stop  our  entrance  at  the  gate,  say  who 
Is  yon  huge  spirit,  that,  as  seems,  heeds  not 
The  burning,  but  lies  writhen  in  proud  scorn, 
As  by  the  sultry  tempest  immatured?" 

Straight  he  himself,  who  was  aware  I  ask*d 
My  guide  c^"  him,  exclaim'd :  "  Such  as  I  was 
When  Hving,  dead  such  now  I  am.    If  Jove 
Weary  his  workman  out,  from  whom  m  ire 
He  snatch'd  the  lightnings,  that  at  my  last  day 
Transfix'd  me  ;  if  the  rest  he  weary  out, 
At  their  black  smithy  laboring  by  turns. 
In  Mongibello,*  while  he  cries  aloud, 
*  Help,  help;  good  Mulciber  !'  as  erst  he  cried 
In  the  Phlegrcean  warfare  ;  and  the  bolts 
Launch  he,  full  aim'd  at  me,  with  all  his  might ; 
He  never  should  enjoy  a  sweet  revenge." 

Then  thus  my^ide,  in  accent  higher  raised 
Than  I  before  had  heard  him :  "  Capaneus ! 
Thou  art  more  punish'd,  in  that  this  thy  pride 
Lives  yet  unquench'd :  no  torment,  save  thy  rage. 
Were  to  thy  fury  pain  proportioned  full."  . 

Next  turning  round  to  me,  with  milder  lip 
He  spake :  "  This  of  the  seven  kings  wus  one,' 
Who  girt  the  Theban  walls  with  siege,  and  held. 
As  still  he  seems  to  hold,  God  in  disdain, 
And  sets  his  high  omnipotence  at  naught. 
But,  as  I  told  lum,  his  despiteful  mood 
Is  ornament  well  suits  the  breast  that  wears  it. 
Follow  me  now  ;  and  look  thou  set  not  yet 

1  TnMon^ello.] 

More  hot  than  iBtn*  or  flaming  Mongibell. 

Spenser,  F,  Q.,  b.  ii.  c.  ix.  at  SO. 
Siccome  alia  Aicina  hi  Mongibello 
Fabrica  tuonoil  demonio  Vulcano, 
Batte  folgorie  focn  col  martello, 
£  con  esso  1  suoi  fabri  ia  ognl  mano. 

Bemiy  Ori.  Inn^  lib.  1.  c  xvl.  it  SI. 
See  Vlrg.iEn.,llb  vlU.  416.    It  woold  be  endless  to  refer  to 
panllel  passages  in  the  Greek  writers. 

s  7TU$  of  the  seven  kinga  was  one.]  Ck>mpaie  .£sch.  Seven 
Chieft,  425.  Euripides,  PbiBn.,  1179,  and  Slatiiia,  Theb.,  lib 
t.881 


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Tl-MB  HELL,  Clnto  XIV.  121 

Thy  foot  in  the  hot  sand,  bat  to  the  wood 

Keep  ever  close."    Silently  on  we  passed 

To  where  there  gushes  from  the  forest's  bound 

A  little  brook,  whose  crimson'd  wave  yet  lifts 

My  hair  with  horror.    As  the  rill,  that  runs 

From  Bulicame,^  to  be  portion*d  out 

Amom^  the  smful  women,  so  ran  this 

Down  through  the  sand ;  its  bottom  and  each  bank 

Stone-built,  and  either  margfin  at  its  side, 

Whereon  I  straight  perceived  our  passage  lay. 

**  Of  all  that  I  have  shown  thee,  since  that  gate 
We  enter'd  first,  whose  threshold  is  to  none 
Denied,  naught  else  so  worthy  of  regard. 
As  is  this  river,  has  thine  eye  discem'd. 
O'er  which  the  flaming  volley  all  is  quench'd." 

So  spake  my  guide ;  and  I  him  thence  besonghty 
That  having  given  me  appetite  to  know. 
The  food  he  too  would  give,  that  hunger  craved. 

"  In  midst  of  ocean,"  forthwith  he  began, 
"  A  desolate  country  lies,  which  Crete  is  named : 
Under  whose  monarch,'  in  old  times,  the  world 
Lived  pure  and  chaste.     A  mountain  rises  there, 
Call'd  Ida,  joyous  once  with  leaves  and  streams, 
Deserted  now  like  a  forbidden  thing. 
It  was  the  spot  which  Rhea,  Saturn's  spouse. 
Chose  for  the  secret  cradle  of  her  son ; 
And  better  to  conceal  him,  drown'd  m  shouts 
His  infant  cries.    Within  the  mount,  upright 
An  ancient  form  there  stands,  and  huge,  that  turns 
His  shoulders 'towards  Damiata ;  and  at  Rome, 
As  in  his  muror,  looks.    Of  finest  gold 
His  head*  is  shaped,  pure  silver  are  the  breast 

^  Bulicame.)  A  warji  mediciiial  spring  near  Viterbo ;  ths 
waters  of  which,  as  Landino  and  Vellutelli  affirm,  passed  by 
a  place  of  ill  fame.  Venturi,  with  less  probability,  conjee- 
tores  that  Dante  would  imply  that  it  was  the  scene  of  ma^ 
Ucentioiis  merriment  among  those  who  treqaented  its  baths 

*  Under  whose  numareh.] 

Credo  pudicitiam  Satomo  lege  moratam 

In  terns. Juv,  Satir.  vi. 

in  Saturn's  reign,  at  Nature's  early  birth. 

There  was  a  thing  callM  chastity  on  earth.       Drydem. 

*  me  head.}  This  is  imitated  by  Frezzi,  in  the  aiiadriieglo» 
io.  ir.  cap.  14: 

La  statoa  grande  vidi  in  an  gran  piano,  &c. 
*Thi8  image's  head  was  of  fine  gold,  his  breast  and  hta 
anas  of  silV'sr,  lils  belly  and  his  thighs  of  brass : 
"His  legs  of  iron,  his  feet  pail  of  Iron  and  part  of  clay." 
Daniel,  ch.  IL  32.  33. 

6 


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139  THE  VISION.  l«3-m 

And  aims,  thence  to  the  middle  is  of  brass. 
And  downward  all  beneath  well-temper'd  steeU 
Save  the  right  foot  of  potter's  clay,  on  which 
Than  on  the  other  more  erect  he  stands. 
Each  part,  except  the  gold,  is  rent  throughout ; 
And  from  the  fissure  tears  distU,  which  joined 
Penetrate  to  that  cave.    They  in  their  course, 
Thus  far  precipitated  down  the  rock. 
Form  Acheron,  and  Styx,  and  Phlegethon ; 
Then  by  this  straiten'd  channel  paasmg  hene» 
Beneath,  e'en  to  the  lowest  depth  of  aU, 
Form  there  Cocytus,  of  whose  lake  (thyself 
Shalt  see  it)  I  here  give  thee  no  account" 

Then  I  to  him :  "  If  from  our  worid  this  duioe 
Be  thus  derived ;  wherefore  to  us  but  now 
Appears  it  at  this  edge  ?"    He  straight  replied : 
*'  The  place,  thou  know'st,  is  round ;  and  though  ffreaft 
Thou  have  already  pass'd,  still  to  the  left  [pt^ 

Descending  to  the  nethermost,  not  yet 
Hast  thou  the  circuit  made  of  the  whole  orb^ 
Wherefore,  if  aught  of  new  to  us  appear. 
It  needs  not  bring  up  wonder  in  thy  looks." 

Then  I  agam  inquired:  "  Where  flow  the  stream* 
Of  Phlegethon  and  Lethe  ?  for  of  one 
Thou  tell'st  not ;  and  the  other,  of  that  Grower, 
Thou  say'st,  is  form'd."    He  answer  thus  retum'd* 
"  Doubtless  thy  questions  all  well  pleased  I  hear. 
Yet  the  red  seething  wave^  might  have  resolved 
One  thou  proposest    Lethe  tl]^ushalt  see. 
But  not  withm  this  hollow,  in  the  place 
Whither,^  to  lave  themselves,  the  spirits  go, 
Whose  blame  hath  been  by  penitence  removed." 
He  added :  «  Time  is  now  we  quit  the  wood. 
Look  thou  my  steps  pursue :  the  margins  gtvo 
Safe  passage,  unimpeded  by  the  flames ; 
For  over  them  all  vapor  is  extinct" 


CANTO   XV. 


ARGUMENT. 


TUdag  their  way  upon  one  of  the  mounds  by  which  IW 
■tieamlet,  spoken  of  in  the  last  Canto,  was  embanked,  and 
having  gene  so  fiur  that  they  conld  no  longer  have  diseemedl 

1  Tk«  rtd  »e$tki$i£  irovs.]    This  he  might  have  known  wis 
rhtogethon. 
•  WkUkmr,}   On  the  other  side  ofPnigatory 


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l-sa  HELL,  CiNTo  XV  133 

the  forest  if  they  had  tamed  round  to  look  for  it,  they  meet 
a  troop  of  spirits  that  come  along  the  sand  by  the  side  of  the 
pier.  These  are  they  who  have  done  violence  to  Nature  ; 
and  among  them  Dante  distinguishes  Brunetto  Latinl,  who 
had  been  formerly  his  master ;  with  whom,  turning  a  little 
backward,  he  holds  a  discourse  which  occupies  the  remain 
der  of  this  Canto. 

One  of  the  solid  marginB  bears  ns  now 
Envolop'd  in  the  mist,  that,  from  the  stream^ 
Arising,  hovers  o'er,  and  saves  from  fire 
Both  piers  and  water.    As  the  Flemings  rear 
Their  mound,  Hwixt  Ghent  and  Bruges,  to  chase  Mck 
The  ocean,  fearing  his  tumultuous  tide 
That  drives  toward  them ;  or  the  Paduans  theirs 
Along  the  Brent&,  to  defend  their  towns 
And  castles,  ere  the  genial  warmth  be  felt 
On  ChiarentanaV  top ;  such  were  the  mounds. 
So  framed,  though  not  in  height  or  bulk  to  these  . 
Made  equal,  by  the  master,  whosoe'er 
He  was,  that  raised  them  here.    We  from  the  wood 
Were  now  so  far  removed,  that  turning  round 
I  might  not  have  discem'd  it,  when  we  met 
A  troop  of  spirits,  who  came  beside  the  pier. 

They  each  one  eyed  us,  as  at  eventide 
One  eyes  another  under  a  new  moon ; 
And  toward  us  sharpen'd  their  sight,  as  keen 
As  an  old  tailor  ^t  his  needle's  eye.' 

Thus  narrowly  explored  by  all  the  tribe, 
1  was  agnized  of  one,  who  by  the  skirt 
Caught  me,  and  cried, "  What  wonder  have  we  here  V 

And  I,  when  he  to  me  outstretch'd  his  arm, 
Intently  fix'd  my  ken  on  his  parch'd  looks. 
That,  although  smirch'd  with  fire,  they  hinder*d  not 
But  I  remember'd  him ;  and  towards  his  face 
My  hand  inclining,  answer'd,  "  Ser  Brunetto  !* 

Cftiarentoiuz.]  A  part  of  the  Alps  where  the  Brenta  rises ; 
Vhich  river  is  much  swollen  as  soon  as  the  snow  begins  to  dis* 
solve  on  the  mountains. 

^  Jit  em  old  tailor  at  his  needless  eve.]  In  Fazio  degU  Uber^ 
tTs  Bittamondo,  1.  iv.  cap.  4,  the  tailor  is  introduced  m  a  sim 
Ito  scarcely  less  picturesque : 

Perchd  tanto  mi  stringe  a  questo  punto 
La  lunga  tema,  ch*  lo  fo  come  11  sarto 
Che  quando  affietta  spesso  passa  11  punto. 
*  Brunetto.]    "Bet  Brunetto,  a  Florentine,  the  secretarv 
or  chancellor  of  the  city,  and  Dante*s  preceptor,  hath  left 
us  a  work  so  little  read,  that  both  the  subject  of  It  and  the 
lansoage  of  it  have  been  mistaken.    It  is  in  the  French 
spoken  in  the  leign  of  St  Louis,  under  the  title  of  Treeor: 
tnd  eontains  a  spedet  of  philosophical  cooise  of  leetnrei 


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134  THE  VISION.  3&-ai 

And  are  ye  here  V*    He  thus  to  me :  "  My  son  I 
Oh  let  it  not  displease  thee,  if  Brunetto 


divided  into  theory  and  practice,  or,  as  he  expresses  it,  urn 
enekausaement  des  ehoses  divines  et  humainet,  Bcc  SirR 
Clayton's  Translation  of  Tenhove*s  Memoirs  of  the  Medici, 
▼ol.  L  cti.  iL  p.  104.  Ttie  Treaor  has  never  l)een  printed  in 
the  original  langnaee.  There  is  a  fine  manuscript  of  it  in  the 
British  Mosemn,  with  an  illuminated  portrait  of  Brunetto  in 
his  study,  prefixed.  Mus.  Brit  MSS.  17.  K  1,  Tesor.  It  &• 
divided  into  four  books :  the  first,  on  Cosmocony  and  Theol- 
ogy ;  the  second,  a  translation  of  Aristotle^s  Ethics ;  the  third, 
on  Virtues  and  Vices ;  the  fourth,  on  Rhetoric.  For  an  in- 
teresting memoir  relating  to  this  work,  see  Hist,  de  TAcad. 
des  Inscriptions,  tom.  vii.  296. 

His  Tesoretto,  one  of  the  earliest  productions  of  Italian 
poetry,  is  a  curious  work,  not  unlike  the  writings  of  Chaucer 
in  style  and  numbers ;  though  Bembo  remarks,  uiat  his  pupil, 
however  largely  he  had  stolen  firom  it,  could  not  have  much 
enriched  himself.  As  it  is,  perhaps,  but  little  known,  I  will 
here  add  a  slight  sketch  of  it 

Brunetto  describes  himself  as  returning  firom  an  embassy  to 
the  king  of  Spain,  on  which  he  had  been  sent  by  the  Guelph 
party  f>om  Fl<N«nce.  On  the  plain  of  Roncesvailes  he  meets 
a  scholar  on  a  bay  mule — 

un  scolaio 

Sur  un  muletto  baio. 

There  a  scholar  I  espied 
On  a  bay  mule  that  did  ride— 

who  tells  him  that  the  Guelfi  are  driven  out  of  the  city 
with  great  loss.  Struck  with  grief  at  these  moumAil  tidings, 
and  musing  with  tiis  head  bent  downwards,  he  loses  his 
road,  and  wanders  into  a  wood.  Here  Nature,  whose  figure 
Is  described  with  sublimity,  appears,  and  dlsciosei  to  him 
ihe  secrets  of  her  operations.    After  this,  he  wanders  into  a 

Deh  che  paese  fiero 
Trovai  in  quella  parte. 

Che  •'to  sapesa  d*arte 
Qulvi  mi  Usognava. 

Che  quanto  piu  mirava 
nu  mi  parea  selvaggio. 

Quivi  non  a  via^o, 
Quivi  non  a  persone, 

Q,ui%i  non  a  magiona. 
Non  bestia  non  uccello, 

Non  fiume  non  ruscello, 
Non  formica  non  mosca, 

Non  cosa  ch*io  conosca. 
Ed  io  pensando  forte 

Pottai  ben  della  morte, 
£  non  h  maraviglia, 

Che  ben  trecento  migUa, 
IHirava  d*ogni  lato, 

Quel  paese  snuigato. 

Well-away!  whatfearlhlgroiini 
In  ihat  aavafe  part  1 1tmm£ 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


ai-3a.  HELL,  Canto  XV.  135 

Latini  but  a  little  space  with  thee 

Turn  back,  and  leave  his  fellows  to  proceed  ** 


If  of  art  I  anght  conld  ken, 

Well  behooved  me  use  it  then. 

More  I  look'd,  the  more  T  deemed 

That  it  wild  and  desert  seem*d. 

Not  a  road  was  there  in  sight, 

Not  a  house,  and  not  a  wight ; 

Not  a  bird,  and  not  a  brute, 

Not  a  rill,  and  not  a  root ; 

Not  an  emmet,  not  a  fly, 

Not  a  thing  I  mote  descry. 

Sore  I  doubted  therewithal 

Whether  death  would  me  befall : 

Nor  was  wonder,  for  around 

Full  three  hundred  miles  of  ground 

Right  across  on  every  side 

La,y  the  desert  bare  and  wide 
'-and  proceeds  on  his  way,  under  the  protection  of  a  banner 
with  which  Nature  had  furnished  him,  till  on  the  third  day 
he  finds  himself  in  a  pleasant  champain,  where  are  assem- 
bled many  emperors,  kings,  and  sages : 
Un  gran  piano  glocondo 
Lo  piu  gajo  del  mondo 
E  lo  piu  degnitoso. 

Wide  and  far  the  champain  lay, 

None  in  all  the  earth  so  gay. 
It  is  the  habitation  of  Virtue  and  her  daughters,  the  four 
Card'nal  Virtues.  Here  Brunetto  sees  also  Courtesy,  Bounty, 
Loyalty,  and  Prowess,  and  hears  the  instructions  they  give 
to  a  knight,  which  occupy  about  a  fourth  part  of  the  poem. 
Leaving  this  territory,  ne  passes  over  valleys,  mountains, 
woods,  forests,  and  bridges,  till  he  arrives  in  a  beautiful  val- 
ley covered  with  flowers  on  all  sides,  and  the  richest  in  the 
WOTld;  but  which  was  continually  shifting  its  appearance 
from  a  round  figure  to  a  square,  from  obscurity  to  light,  and 
from  popnlousness  to  solitude.  This  is  the  region  of  Pleas- 
ure, or  Cupid,  who  is  accompanied  by  four  ladies,  Love, 
Hope,  Fear,  and  Desire.  In  one  part  of  it  he  meets  with 
Ovid,  and  is  instructed  by  him  how  to  conquer  the  passion 
of  love,  and  to  escape  firom  that  place.  After  his  escape,  he 
makes  his  confession  to  a  friar,  and  then  returns  to  the 
foest  of  visions ;  and,  ascending  a  mountain,  meets  with 
Ptolemy,  a  venerable  old  man.  Here  the  narrative  breaks 
vS.  The  poem  ends,  as  it  began,  with  an  address  to  Rustico 
di  Ulippo,  on  whom  he  lavishes  every  sort  of  praise. 

It  has  been  observed,  that  Dante  derived  the  idea  of  open- 
ing his  poem  by  describing  himself  as  lost  in  a  wood,  from 
the  Tetoretto  of  his  master.   I  know  not  whether  it  has  been 
remarked,  that  the  crime  of  usury  is  branded  by  both  these 
poets  as  oUSensive  to  God  and  Nature  :~ 
Un  altro,  che  non  cura 
Di  Dio  ne  di  Natnra, 
Si  diventa  usuriere. 
One,  that  holdeth  not  in  mind 
I^aw  of  God  or  Nature^s  kind. 
Taketh  him  to  usury. 


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126  THE  VISION. 

I  thus  to  him  replied :  "  Much  as  I  crai, 
1  thereto  pray  thee ;  and  if  thou  be  willmg 
That  I  here  seat  me  with  thee,  I  consent ; 
His  leave,  with  whom  I  journey,  first  obtam'd.'* 

"  O  son !"  said  he,  "  whoever  of  this  throng 
One  instant  stops,  lies  then  a  hundred  years, 
No  fan  to  ventilate  him,  when  the  fire 
Smites  sorest.    Pass  thou  therefore  on.    I  close 
Will  at  thy  garments  walk,  and  then  rejoin 
My  troop,  who  go  mourning  their  endless  doom." 

I  dared  not  fi^m  the  path  descend  to  tread 
On  equal  ground  with  him,  but  held  my  head 
Bent  down,  as  one  who  walks  in  reverent  guise. 

"  What  chance  or  destmy,"  thus  he  began, 
"  Ere  tne  last  day,  conducts  thee  here  below? 
And  who  is  this  that  shows  to  thee  the'-way?" 

"  There  up  aloft,"  I  answered,  "  in  the  Ufe 
Serene,  I  wandered  in  a  valley  lost. 
Before  mine  age'  had  to  its  fulness  reached. 
But  yester-morn  I  left  it :  then  once  more 
Into  that  vale  returning,  him  I  met ; 
ajid  by  this  path  homeward  he  leadis  me  back." 

"  If  thou,"  he  answered,  «<  follow  but  thy  star, 
Thou  canst  not  miss  at  last  a  glorious  haven ; 
Unless  in  fairer  days  my  judgment  err'd. 
And  if  my  fate  so  early  had  not  chanced. 
Seeing  the  heavens  thus  bounteous  to  thee,  I 
Had  gladly  given  thee  comfort  in  thy  'work. 
But  that  ungrateful  and  malignant  race, 
Who  in  old  times  came  down  from  Fesole,' 

—or  that  the  sin  for  which  Bmnetto  is  condemned  by  hi» 
papii  is  mentioned  in  his  Tesoretto  with  great  horror.  Bat 
see  what  is  said  on  this  subject  by  Perticari,  Degli  Scrittori 
del  Tr»cento,  1.  i.  c.  Iv.  Dante's  twenty-fifth  sonnet  is  a  io- 
cose  one,  addressed  to  Branetto,  of  which  a  translation  is  in- 
serted in  the  Life  of  Dante  prefixed.  He  died  in  1395.  6 
Viliani  stuns  up  his  account  of  him  by  saying,  that  he  was 
himself  a  worldly  man ;  but  tliat  he  was  the  first  to  refine 
^e  Florentines  nrom  their  grossness,  and  to  instruct  them  in 
speaking  fwoperly,  and  in  conducting  the  aflhirs  of  the  re- 
public on  principles  of  policy. 

i  Brfore  viine  a^e,]  On  the  whole,  Vellutello^s  explana. 
tion  of  this  is,  I  tliink,  most  satis&ctory.  He  supposes  it  tc 
mean,  "before  the  appointed  end  of  his  life  was  arrived— 
before  his  days  were  accomplished.'*  Lombardi,  conciudinc 
that  the  fblness  of  age  must  be  the  same  as  '*  the  midway  of 
this  our  morta*  life,"  (see  Canto  i.  v.  1,}  understands  that  he 
had  \oit  himself  in  the  wood  before  that  time,  and  that  he 
Uien  only  discovered  his  having  gcme  astray. 

*  fVho  in  old  timet  came  down  prom  Feeole,]  See  G.  VUlani, 
Hist.,  Ub  iv.  cap.  v. ;  and  Macchiav.  Hist  of  Flor.,  b.  iL 


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63-103.  HELL»  Canto  XV.  m 

Ay  and  still  smack  of  their  rough  moimt&ui-fliiit» 

Will  for  thy  good  deeds  show  thee  enmity. 

Nor  wonder ;  for  among  ill-savor'd  crabs 

It  suits  not  the  sweet  fig-tree  lay  her  fruit. 

Old  fame  reports  them  in  the  world  for  blind,' 

Covetous,  envious,  proud.    Look  to  it  well : 

Take  heed  thou  cleanse  thee  of  their  ways.  For  thee^ 

Thy  fortune  hath  such  honor  in  reserve. 

That  thou  by  either  party  shalt  be  craved 

With  hunger  keen :  but  be  the  fresh  herb  far 

From  the  goat's  tooth.    The  herd  of  Fesole 

May  of  themselves  make  litter,  not  touch  the  plant* 

If  any  such  yet  spring  on  their  rank  bed, 

In  which  the  holy  seed  revives,  transmitted 

From  those  true  Romans,  who  still  there  remained. 

When  it  was  made  the  nest  of  so  much  ill." 

«  Were  all  my  wish  fulfiUM,"  I  straight  replied, 
"  Thou  from  the  confines  of  man's  nature  yet 
Hadst  not  been  driven  forth ;  for  in  my  mind 
Is  fix'd,  and  now  strikes  full  upon  my  heart, 
The  dear,  benign,  paternal  image,  such 
As  thine  was,  when  so  lately  thou  didst  teach  me 
The  way  for  man  to  win  eternity : 
And  how  I  prized  the  lesson,  it  behooves, 
l*hat,  long  as  life  endures,  my  tongue  should  speak 
What  of  my  fate  thou  tell'st,  that  write  I  down ; 
And,  with  another  text'  to  comment  on, 
For  her  I  keep  it,  the  celestial  dame. 
Who  will  know  all,  if  I  to  her  arrive. 
This  only  would  I  have  thee  clearly  note : 
That,  so  my  conscience  have  no  plea  against  me, 
Do  fortune  as  she  list,  I  stand  prepared. 
Not  new  or  strange  such  earnest  to  mine  ear. 
Speed  Fortune  then  her  wheel,  as  likes  her  best ; 
iTie  clown  his  mattock ;  all  thmgs  have  their  couiso  ** 

Thereat  my  sapient  guide  upon  his  right 
Tum'd  himself  back,  then  look'd  at  me,  and  spake : 
•*  He  listens  to  good  purpose  who  takes  note." 

I  not  the  less  still  on  my  way  proceed, 
Discoursing  with  Brunette,  and  inquire 
Who  are  most  known  and  chief  among  his  tribe. 

1  Blind.}  It  is  said  that  the  Florentines  were  thus  called, 
In  consequence  of  their  having  beisn  deceived  by  a  shallow 
urtifice  practised  on  them  by  the  Pisans,  in  the  year  1117 
Bee  G.  Villani,  lib.  iv.  cap.  xxx. 

s  fFith  another  Uxt.]  He  refers  to  the  prediction  of  Fall' 
■Ma,  in  Canto  z. 


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138  THE  VISION.  104-19t 

",  To  know  of  some  is  well ;"  he  thus  replied, 
"  But  of  the  rest  silence  may  best  beseem. 
Time  would  not  serve  us  for  report  so  long. 
In  brief  I  tell  thee,  that  all  these  were  clerks, 
Men  of  great  learning  and  no  less  renown, 
By  one  same  sin  polluted  in  the  world. 
With  them  is  Priscian ;'  and  Accorso's  son, 
Francesco,'  herds  among  that  wretched  throng: 
And,  if  the  wish  of  so  hnpure  a  blotch 
Possessed  thee,  him'  thou  also  might'st  have  seen, 
Who  by  the  servants'  servant*  was  transferred 
From  Amo's  seat  to  Bacchi|^ione,  where 
His  ill-strain'd  nerves  he  left     I  more  would  add. 
But  must  from  farther  speech  and  onward  way 
Alike  desist ;  for  yonder  I  behold 
A  mist  new-risen  on  the  sandy  plain. 
A  company,  with  whom  I  may  not  sort. 
Approaches.     I  commend  my  Treasure  to  thee,* 
Wherein  I  yet  survive ;  my  sole  request." 

This  said,  he  tum'd,  and  seem'd  as  one  of  thoee 
Who  o'er  Verona's  champain  try  their  speed 
For  the  green  mantle ;  and  of  them  he  seem'd, 
Xot  he  who  loses  but  who  gains  the  prize. 

1  Priseian.]  There  is  no  reason  to  believe,  as  the  coin 
mentators  observe,  that  the  grammarian  of  this  namo  was 
stained  with  the  vice  imputed  to  him  ;  and  we  must  there- 
fore suppose  that  Dante  puts  the  individual  fw  the  species, 
and  implies  the  frequency  of  the  crime  among  those  who 
abused  the  opportunities  which  the  education  of  youth  af- 
forded them,  to  so  abominable  a  purpose. 

>  FVanceaee.}  Accorso,  a  Florentine,  interpreted  the  Ro 
man  law  at  Bologna,  and  died  in  1229,  at  the  age  of  78.  His 
authority  was  so  great  as  to  exceed  that  of  all  the  other  in- 
terpreters, so  that  Cino  da  Pistoia  termed  him  the  Idol  of 
Advocates.  His  sepulchre,  and  that  of  his  son  Francesco 
here  spoken  of,  is  at  Bologna,  with  this  short  epitaph :  **  Se- 
pulcruni  Accursii  Glossatoris  et  Francisci  ejus  Filli."  See 
Gnidi  Panziroii,  l>e  Claris  Legum  Interpretibus,  lib.  ii.  cap. 
xzix.  Lips.  4to.  1721. 

.  '  Him.]    Andrea  de*  Mozzi,  who,  that  his  scandalous  life 

might  bo  less  exposed  to  observation,  was  translated  either 

by  Nicolas  III.  or  Boniface  VIII.  from  the  see  of  Florence  to 

that  of  Vicenza,  through  which  passes  the  river  Bacchiglione 

At  the  latter  of  these  places  he  died. 

*     *  The  seroantt*  tenant.]  Servo  de*  servi.  So  Ariosto,  Sat  iii- 

Degli  servl    - 

lo  sia  11  gran  servo. 

*  I  comment  my  Treasure  to  thee.]  Bnuietto*s  great  work, 
the  Treeor: 

Sieti  raecomandato  M  mio  Tesoro. 

Bo  Ginsto  de*  Conti,  in  his  Bella  Mano,  Son.  "  Occhi  :** 

Siavi  raecomandato  il  mio  Tesoro 


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KO.  HELL,  Canto  XVL  l$$ 

CANTO  XVL 

ABGUMENT. 

Journeying  along  the  piw,  which  crosses  the  sand,  they  an 
now  so  near  the  end  of  it  as  to  hear  the  noise  of  the 
stream  falling  into  the  eighth  circle,  when  they  meet  the 
spirits  of  three  military  men .  who  judging  IHinte,  fh>m 
his  dress,  to  be  a  conntrymun  of  theirs,  entreat  him  to 
stop.  He  complies,  and  speaks  with  them.  The  two 
Poets  then  reach  tlie  place  where  the  water  descends, 
being  the  termination  of  this  third  compartment  in  the 
seventh  circle ;  and  here  Virgil  having  thrown  down  into 
the  hollow  a  cord,  wherewith  Dante  was  girt,  they  be- 
hold ^t  that  signal  a  monstrous  and  horrible  figure  come 
swimming  up  to  them. 

Now  came  I  where  the  water's  din  was  heard. 
As  down  it  fell  into  the  other  round, 
Resounding  like  the  hum  of  swarming  bees : 
When  forth  together  issued  from  a  troop, 
That  pass'd  beneath  the  fierce  tormentmg  storm, 
Three  spirits,  running  swift.    They  towards  us  camoi 
And  each  one  cried  aloud,  "  Oh  !  do  thou  stay, 
Whom,  by  the  fashion  of  thy  garb,  we  deem 
To  be  some  inmate  of  our  evil  land." 

Ah  me !  what  wounds  I  mark'd  upon  their  limbii 
Recent  and  old,  inflicted  by  the  flames ! 
E'en  the  remembrance  of  them  grieves  me  yet 

Attentive  to  their  cry,  my  teacher  paused, 
And  tum'd  to  me  his  visage,  and  then  spake : 
"  Wait  now :  our  courtesy  these  merit  well : 
And  were  't  not  for  the  nature  of  the  place. 
Whence  glide  the  fiery  darts,  I  should  have  said. 
That  haste  had  better  suited  the6  than  them." 

They,  when  we  stopp'd,  resumed  their  ancient  wail 
And,  soon  as  they  had  reached  us,  all  the  three 
Whirl'd  round  together  in  one  restless  wheel 
As  niked  champions,  smear'd  with  slippery  oil, 
Are  wont,  intent,  to  watch  their  place  of  hold 
And  vantage,  ere  in  closer  strife  they  meet ; 
Thus  each  one,  as  he  wheel'd,  his  countenance 
At  me  directed,  so  that  opposite 
The  neck  moved  ever  to  the  twinkling  feet. 

"  If  wo  of  this  unsound  and  dreary  waste," 
Thug  one  began,  "  added  to  our  sad  cheer 
Thus  peelM  with  flame,  do  call  forth  scorn  on  Uf 
And  our  entreaties,  let  our  great  renown 
Inclme  thee  to  inform  us  who  thou  art, 
That  dofit  imprint,  with  Uvmg  feet  unharmed. 


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13a  THE  VISION.  34*4 

The  890  of  HelL    He,  in  whose  tracit  tl  ou  Meit 
My  steps  puraumg,  naked  though  he  be 
And  reft  of  ail,  was  of  more  high  estate 
Than  thou  beiievest ;  grandchild  of  the  chaite 
Gualdrada/  him  they  Goidoguerra  call'd. 
Who  in  his  lifetime  many  a  noble  act' 
Achieved,  both  by  his  wisdom  and  his  sword. 
The  other,  next  to  me  that  beats  the  sand. 


1  Chutldrada,}  Gnaldradawas  the  datwht^  of  BelUndonC 
Berti«  of  whom  mention  is  made  in  the  Paradise,  Canto  xv 
and  xvi.  He  was  of  the  family  of  Ravignani,  a  branch  of 
the  Adimari.  The  Emperor  Otho  IV.  being  at  a  festival  in 
Florence,  where  Goaldrada  was  present,  was  stmek  with  hei 
beanty ;  and  inqniring  who  she  was,  was  answered  by  ))el- 
lincione,  that  she  was  the  daughter  of  one  who,  if  it  was  his 
majesty's  pleasure,  would  make  her  admit  the  honor  of  his 
salute.  On  overhearing  this,  she  arose  ftom  her  seat,  and 
blushing,  in  an  animated  tone  of  voice,  desired  her  father 
that  he  would  not  be  so  liberal  in  his  offers,  for  that  no  man 
should  ever  be  allowed  that  freedom  except  him  who  should 
be  her  lawful  husband.  The  Emperor  was  not  less  delighted 
by  her  resolute  modesty  than  he  had  before  been  by  the 
loveliness  of  her  person ;  and  calling  to  him  Guido,  one  of  hit 
barons,  gave  her  to  him  in  marriage ;  at  the  same  time  rais 
ing  him  to  the  rank  of  a  count,  and  bestowing  on  her  the 
whole  of  Casentino,  and  a  part  of  the  territory  of  Romagna, 
as  her  portion.  Two  sons  were  the  ofisinring  of  this  union, 
Guglielmo  and  Buf^eri ;  the  latter  of  whom  was  fisither  of 
Guidoguerra,  a  man  of  great  military  skill  and  prowess ;  who, 
at  the  head  of  four  hundred  Florentines  of  the  Gnelph  purty, 
was  signally  instrumental  to  the  victory  obtained  at  Bene 
vento,  by  Charles  of  Ai\Jou,  over  Manfiredi,  King  of  Naples, 
In  1265.  One  of  the  consequences  of  this  victory  was  the 
expulsion  of  the  Ghibellini,  and  the  re-establishment  of  the 
Guelfi  at  Florence. 

Borghini,  (Disc,  deli'  Orig.  dl  Firenze,  ediz.  1755,  page  6,) 
as  cited  by  Lombardi,  endeavors,  by  a  comparison  of  dates, 
to  throw  discredit  on  the  above  relation  of  Gualdrada's  an- 
swer to  her  fother,  which  is  found  in  G.  ViUani,  lib.  v.  cap.  37 ; 
and  Lombardi  adds,  that  if  it  had  been  true,  BelUncione 
would  have  been  worthy  of  a  place  In  the  eighteenth  Canto 
of  Hell,  rather  than  of  being  mentioned  with  praise  in  the 
Paradise :  to  which  it  may  be  answered,  that  the  proposal  of 
the  father,  however  Irreconcilable  it  may  be  to  our  notioos 
of  modern  refinement,  might  possibly  in  those  times  have 
been  considered  rather  as  a  sportive  sally  than  as  a  serious 
exposure  of  his  daughter's  innocence.  The  incident  is  re- 
lated in  a  manner  very  nn&vorable  to  Berti,  by  Francesco 
Sansovino,  in  one  of  his  Novelle,  inserted  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Boscoe  in  his  entertaining  selection  firom  the  Italian  Novel- 
Uts,  V  liL  p  137. 

*  Mamif  a  noble  act] 

Molto  egU  opA  col  senno  e  con  la  mano. 

Tus0, 0.  Zn,  e.  i.  St  !• 


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iM-m.  HELL,  Cakto  XVh  |S| 

Is  Aldobrandi,'  name  deserving  well, 
In  the  upper  world,  of  honor ;  and  myself. 
Who  m  this  torment  do  partake  with  them. 
Am  Rnsticucci,'  whom,  past  doubt,  my  wife, 
Of  savage  temper,  more  than  aught  beside 
Hath  to  this  evil  brought.*'     If  from  the  fire 
I  had  been  sheltered,  down  amidst  them  straight 
I  then  had  cast  me  ;  nor  my  guide,  I  deem. 
Would  have  restrained  my  going :  but  that  fear 
Of  the  dire  bumuig  vanquished  Uie  desire. 
Which  made  me  eager  of  their  wishM  embrace. 

I  then  began :   <<  Not  scorn,  but  grief  much  more 
Such  as  long  time  alone  can  cure,  your  doom 
FixM  deep  within  me,  soon  as  this  my  lord 
Spake  words,  whose  tenor  taught  me  to  expect 
That  such  a  race,  as  ye  are,  was  at  hand. 
I  am  a  countryman  of  yours,  who  still 
Afiectionate  have  uttered,  and  have  heard 
Your  deeds  and  names  renowned.    Leaving  the  galli 
For  the  sweet  fruit  I  go,  that  a  sure  guide 
Hath  promised  to  me.    But  behooves,  that  far 
As  to  the  centre  first  I  downward  tend." 

"  So  may  long  space  thy  spirit  guide  thy  limbs," 
He  answer  straight  returned ;  "  and  so  thy  fame 
8hme  bright  when  thou  art  gone,  as  thou  shalt  tell, 
If  courtesy  and  valor,  as  they  wont, 
Dwell  in  our  city,  or  have  vanish'd  clean : 
For  one  amidst  us  late  condemned  to  wail, 
Bondere,'  yonder  walking  with  his  peers. 
Grieves  us  no  little  by  the  news  he  brings." 

"  An  upstart  multitude  and  sudden  gains, 
Pride  and  excess,  O  Florence  !  have  in  thee 
Engendered,  so  that  now  in  tears  thou  moum'sf. !" 

Thus  crieid  I,  with  my  face  upraised,  and  they 
All  three,  who  for  an  answer  took  my  words, 
Look'd  at  each  other,  as  men  look  when  truth 

1  Aldobrandi.}  Tegghiaio  Aldolnrandi  was  <^  the  noble 
Amily  of  Adimari,  anoinach  esteemed  for  his  military  talents. 
Be  endeav(Nml  to  dissuade  the  Fiorentines  from  the  attacic 
which  they  meditated  against  the  Siennese ;  and  the  rejeo* 
lloa  of  his  cooasel  occasioned  the  memorable  defeat  wmeh 
the  former  sustained  at  Montaperto,  and  the  conseqaent  kmn- 
Ishment  of  the  Goelfi  from  Florence. 

*  Rustieucei.]  Giacopo  Rnsticuccl,  a  Florentine,  remark- 
able for  his  opulence  and  the  generosity  of  his  spirit 

*  Borsitre.)  GnglielmoBorsiere,  another  Florentine,  whom 
Boccaccio,  in  a  8t<^  which  he  relates  of  him,  terms  **  a  maa 
of  conrteons  and  elegant  manners,  and  of  great  readiness  la 
•QBvenation.*'    D$e.  Oiom*,  i.  JVov.  8. 


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133  .  IHE  VISION.  78-iei 

Comes  to  their  ear.    **  If  at  so  little  cost/*' 
They  all  at  once  rejoin'd,  "  thou  satisfy 
Others  who  question  thee,  O  happy  thou ! 
Gifted  with  words  so  apt  to  spesjc  thy  thought. 
Wherefore,  if  thou  escape  this  darksome  clmie^ 
Returning  to  behold  the  radiant  stars, 
When  thou  with  pleasure  shalt  retrace  the  past/ 
See  that  of  us  thou  speak  among  mankind." 

Tlus  said,  they  broke  the  circle,  and  so  swift 
Fled,  that  as  pinions  seem'd  their  nimble  feet. 

Not  in  so  short  a  time  might  one  have  said 
'  Amen,"  as  they  had  vanish'd.     Straight  my  guide 
Pursued  his  track.    I  follow'd:  and  small  space 
Had  we  pass'd  onward,  when  the  water's  sound 
Was  now  so  near  at  hand,  that  we  had  scarce 
Heard  one  another's  speech  for  the  loud  din. 

E'en  as  the  river,'  that  first  holds  its  course 
Unmingled,  from  the  Mount  of  Vesulo, 
On  the  left  side  of  Apenniue,  toward 
The  east,  which  Acquacheta  higher  up 
They  call,  ere  it  descend  into  the  vale. 
At  Forli,^  by  that  name  no  longer  known, 
Rebellows  o'er  Saint  Benedict,  roU'd  on 
From  the  Alpme  summit  down  a  precipice. 
Where  space*  enough  to  lodge  a  thousand  spreads ; 
Thus  downward  from  a  craggy  steep  we  found 


1  At  so  Uttl8  eo8t]    They  intimate  to  our  Poet>  (as  Lran- 
bardi  well  observes)  the  inconveniencea  to  which  his  fkeedom 
of  speech  was  about  to  expose  him  in  the  fVitore  coarse  oi 
his  life. 
3  TVhen  thou  with  pleasure  shalt  retrace  the  past.} 
Qaando  ti  glover&  dicere  io  fed. 
So  Tasso,  G.  L.,  c.  xv.  st.  38: 

duandn  mi  giover&  narrar  altmi 
Le  novit&  veditte,  e  dire ;  io  Aii. 

*  E'en  as  the  river.}  He  compares  the  &11  of  PUegethon 
to  that  of  the  Montone  (a  river  in  Romagna)  Arom  the  Apea 
nine  above  the  Abbey  of  St.  Benedict  All  the  other  streams, 
that  rise  between  the  sources  of  the  Po  and  the  Montone,  and 
fiill  firom  the  leA  fide  of  the  Apennine,  join  the  Po,  and  ac- 
eompany  it  to  the  sea. 

*  At  JbrZiJ  Because  there  it  loses  the  naaie  of  Acqua- 
ebete,  and  takes  that  of  Montone. 

*  Vfhere  space.}  Either  because  the  abbey  was  capable  of 
containing  more  than  those  who  occupied  it,  or  because  (says 
lAnd^o)  the  lords  of  that  territory,  as  Boccaccio  relate  on 
the  anthority  of  the  abbot,  had  intended  to  build  a  castle  near 
the  water-fiai,  and  to  collect  withjin  its  walls  the  popolatkNi 
tf  the  naighbociiif  viUagef 


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Ifitr}»i.  HELL,  Canto  XVI.  ISI 

That  this  daik  wave  resounded,  roarinsr  loud, 
So  that  the  ear  its  clamor  soon  had  stunned. 

I  had  a  cord^  that  braced  my  girdle  round, 
Wherewith  I  erst  had  thought  fast  bound  to  tak* 
The  painted  leopard.    This  when  I  had  all 
Unlooeen'd  from  me  (so  my  master  bade) 
I  gathered  up,  and  stretch'd  it  forth  to  him. 
Then  to  the  right  he  tum'd,  and  from  the  brink 
Standing  few  paces  distant,  cast  it  down 
Lito  the  deep  abyss.    '<  And  .somewhat  strange," 
Thus  to  myself  I  spake,  <*  signal  so  straiige 
Betokens,  which  my  guide  with  earnest  eye 
Ihus  follows."    Ah !  what  caution  must  men  use 
With  those  who  look  not  at  the  deed  alone. 
But  ^y  into  the  thoughts  with  subtle  skilL' 

"  Quickly  shall  come,"  he  said,  "  what  I  expeot ; 
Thine  eye  discover  quickly  that,  whereof 
Thy  thought  is  dreammg."     Ever  to  that  truth,* 
Which  but  the  semblance  of  a  falsehood  wears, 
A  man,  if  possible,  should  bar  his  lip ; 
Since,  although  blameless,  he  incurs  reproach. 


1  j9  eord.]  This  passage,  as  it  is  confessed  by  Landino, 
Involves  a  fiction  sufficiently  obscure.  His  own  attempt  to 
unravel  it  does  not  mucli  lessen  the  difficulty.  That  which 
Lombardi  has  made  is  something  better.  It  is  believed  that 
our  Poet,  in  the  earlier  part  of  his  life,  had  entered  into  the 
order  of  St.  Francis.  By  observins  the  rules  of  that  profes- 
sioo,  he  had  designed  to  mortifV  his  carnal  appetites,  or,  as 
he  exfunesses  it,  '*  to  take  tlie  painted  leopard"  (that  animal, 
which,  as  we  have  seen  in  «  note  to  the  first  Canto,  repte- 
sented  Pleasure)  "  with  this  cord.**  This  part  of  the  habit  be 
is  now  desired  by  Virgil  to  take  ofi";  and  it  is  thrown  down 
the  gulf,  to  allure  Geryon  to  them  with  the  expectation  (^ 
eaMying  down  one  who  had  cloaked  Ids  iniquities  under  the 
garb  of  penitence  and  self-mortification ;  and  thus  (to  apply 
to  Dante  on  this  occasion  the  words  of  Milton) 

He,  as  Franciscan,  thought  to  pass  disguised 

*  But  spy  into  thi  thoughts  with  subtle  skiil.} 

Sorrise  Uranio,  che  per  entro  vede 
Gli  altrui  pensier  col  senno. 

Jlfeiutiii.  Sonetto.    Mtntre  io  dsrwua. 

*  Ever  to  that  truth.]  This  memorable  apophthegm  is  re 
foaled  by  I,^nigl  Polei  and  Triaaino : 

Sempre  a  quel  ver,  ch*  ha  fkceia  di  menzogna, 
E  piu  senno  tacer  la  lingua  cheta, 
Che  spesso  senza  colpa  £i  vergogna. 

Morifante  Magg^  c.  xziv. 
La  verity,  che  par  mensogna, 
J    a  doviebbe  tacer  dall*  uom  ch*  h  saggio. 


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134  THE  VISION.  iStS-tH 

But  silence  here  were  vain ;  and  by  these  notes,' 
Which  now  I  sing,  reader,  I  swear  to  thee, 
So  may  they  favor  find  to  latest  times ! 
That  through  the  gross  and  murky  air  I  spied 
A  shape  come  swimming  up,  that  might  have  quell'd 
The  stoutest  heart  with  wonder ;  m  such  guise 
As  one  returns,  who  hath  been  down  to  loose 
An  anchor  grappled  fast  against  some  rock. 
Or  to  aught  else  that  in  the  salt  wave  lies. 
Who,  upward  springing,  close  draws  in  hia  feet 


CANTO    XVIL 

ARGUMENT. 
Tli.e  monster  Geryon  is  described;  to  whom  while  Virgil  is 
speaidng  in  order  that  he  may  carry  them  both  down  to 
tho  next  circle,  Dante,  by  permission,  goes  a  little  farther 
along  the  edge  of  the  void,  to  descry  the  third  species  of 
sinners  contained  in  this  compartment,  namely,  those  who 
have  done  violence  to  Art ;  and  then  retmming  to  his  mas- 
ter, they  both  descend,  seated  on  the  back  of  Geryon. 

"  Lo !  the  fell  monster^  with  the  deadly  stmg. 
Who  passes  mountains,  breaks  through  fenced  walla 
And  firm  embattled  spears,  and  with  his  filth 
Taints  all  the  world."  Thus  me  my  guide  addressed. 
And  beckon'd  him,  that  he  should  come  to  shore, 
Near  to  the  stony  causeway's  utmost  edge. 

Forthwith  that  image  vile  of  Fraud  appeared, 
His  head  and  upper  part  exposed  on  land, 
But  laid  not  on  the  diore  his  bestial  train. 
His  face  the  semblance  of  a  just  man's  wore, 
So  kind  and  gracious  was  its  outward  cheer ; 
The  rest  was  serpent  all :  two  shaggy  claws 
Reach'd  to  the  arm-pits ;  and  the  back  and  breafltf 
And  either  side,  were  painted  o'er  with  nodes 
And  orbits.    Colors  variegated  more 
Nor  Turks  nor  Tartars  e'er  on  cloth  of  state 
With  interchangeable  embroidery  wove, 

1  By  these  notes.]    So  Frezzi : 

Per  qneste  rime  mie,  lettor,  ti  ginro. 

Jl  Quadrir^  Ub.  Ui.  ca^  Iff 
In  like  manner,  Pindar  confirms  his  veracity  by  an  oath : 
Nal  fii  ydp  *Opicov,  ifiav  id^av, 
J^em.t  xL  30. 
which  is  imitated,  as  usual,  by  Chiabrera : 
Ed  io  lango  il  Permesso 
Sacro  alle  Mose  obligherb  mia  fede. 

Ctmz.  £rtoeA«,  3diiL  7iw 
•  7%»  fsU  m»nH9r.]   Fraud. 


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10-61  HELL,  Canto  XVn.  lU 

Nor  qpread  Arachne  o'er  her  curkms  loom. 
As  oft-times  a  light  skiff,  moorM  to  the  shore. 
Stands  part  in  water,  part  upon  the  land ; 
Or,  as  where  dwells  the  greedy  German  boor. 
The  beaver  settles,  watching  for  his  prey ; 
So  on  the  rim,  that  fenced  the  sand  with  rock, 
Sat  perch'd  the  fiend  of  eviL    In  the  void 
Glancmg,  his  tail  upturned  its  venomoos  fork, 
With  sting  like  scorpion's  arm'd.    Then  thus  mf 

guide : 
*'  Now  need  our  way  must  turn  few  steps  apart, 
Far  as  to  that  ill  beast,  who  couches  there." 

Thereat,  toward  the  right  our  downward  course 
We  shaped,  and,  better  to  escape  the  flame 
And  burning  marl,  ten  paces  on  the  verge 
Proceeded.    Soon  as  we  to  him  arrive* 
A  little  farther  on  mine  eye  beholds 
A  tribe  of  spirits,  seated  on  the  sand 
Near  to  the  void.    Forthwith  my  master  spake : 
"  That  to  the  full  thy  knowledge  may  extend 
Of  all  this  round  contains,  go  now,  and  mark 
The  mien  these  wear :  but  hold  not  long  discouiM. 
Till  thou  retumest,  I  with  him  meantime 
Will  parley,  that  to  us  he  may  vouchsafe 
The  aid  of  his  strong  shoulders."    Thus  alone. 
Yet  forward  on  the  extremity  I  paced 
Of  that  seventh  circle,  where  the  mournful  tribe 
Were  seated.    At  the  eyes  forth  gush'd  their  pangA 
Agamst  the  vapors  and  the  torrid  soil 
Alternately  their  shifting  hands  they  plied. 
Thus  use  the  doss  m  summer  still  to  ply 
Their  jaws  and  feet  by  turns,  when  bitten  sore 
By  gnats,  or  flies,  or  gadflies  swarming  round. 

Noting  the  visages  of  some,  who  lay 
Beneath  the  pelting  of  that  dolorous  fire. 
One  of  them  all  I  knew  not ;  but  perceived. 
That  pendent  from  his  neck  each  bore  a  pouch* 
With  colors  and  with  emblems  various  mark'd. 
On  which  it  seem'd  as  if  their  eye  did  feed. 

And  when,  among  them,  looking  round  I  came, 
A  yellow  purse*  I  saw  with  azure  wrought, 

1  ^  pouch.\  A  purse,  whereon  the  armorial  bearings  of 
each  were  emblazoned.  According  to  Landlno,  oar  poet 
implies  that  the  usurer  can  pretena  to  no  other  honor  ttiao 
such  as  he  derives  from  his  parse  and  his  family.  The  de- 
•cripUon  of  persons  by  their  heraldic  insignia  is  remarkable 
teth'on  the  present  and  several  other  occasions  In  this  poemi 

^Jiftlhwyurte.]  ThearmsoftheGlanflgllazziofFloraae* 


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196  THE  VISION  8&^ 

That  wore  a  lion's  countenance  and  port 

Then,  still  my  sight  pursuing  its  career, 

Another*  I  beheld,  than  blo^  more  red, 

A  goose  display  of  whiter  wmg  than  curd. 

And  one,  who  bore  a  fat  and  azure  swine' 

Pictured  on  his  white  scrip,  address'd  me  thus : 

<<  What  dost  thou  in  this  deep  7    Go  now  and  knoWf 

Sin€«  yet  thou  livest,  that  my  neighbor  here 

Vitaliano'  on  my  left  shall  sit. 

A  Paduan  with  these  Florentines  un  L 

Oft-times  they  thunder  in  mine  ears,  ezclaimingt 

'  Oh !  haste  that  noble  knig^t,^  he  who  the  pouch 

'  With  the  three  goats'  will  bring.' "    This  said,  he 

writhed 
The  mouth,  and  loll'd  the  tongue  out,  like  an  ox 
That  licks  his  nostrils.     I,  lest  longer  stay 
He  ill  might  brook,  who  hade  me  stay  not  long, 
Backward  my  steps  from  those  sad  ^irits  tum'd. 

My  guide  abready  seated  on  the  haunch 
Of  the  fierce  animal  I  found ;  and  thus 
He  me  encouraged.    '*  Be  thou  stout :  be  bold. 
Down  such  a  steep  flight  must  we  now  descend. 
Mount  thou  before :  for,  that  no  power  the  tail 
May  have  to  harm  thee,  I  will  be  i*  th*  midst" 

As  one,'  who  hath  an  ague  fit  so  near. 
His  nails  already  are  tum'd  blue,  and  he 
Quivers  all  o'er,  if  he  but  eye  the  shade ; 
Such  was  my  cheer  at  hearing  of  his  words. 
But  shame''  soon  interposed  her  threat,  who  makes 

1  Another.}  Those  of  the  Ubbriachi,  another  Florentine 
fiunily  of  high  distiDction. 

«  ^  fat  and  azure  swine.\  The  arms  of  the  Scrovignl,  a 
noble  family  of  Psidna. 

*  Vitaliano.]    Vitallano  del  Dente,  a  Paduan. 

4  That  noble  knifht,\  Giovanni  Bujamonti,  a  Florentine 
usurer,  the  most  infamous  of  his  time. 

ft  Goats.\  Monti,  in  his  Pmposta,  had  introduced  a  foce 
tions  dialogue  on  the  supposed  mistake  made  in  the  interpre 
tation  of  this  word  **  Becchi"  by  the  con^pUers  of  the  Delia 
Crusca  Dictionary,  who  translated  it  "goats,*'  instead  of 
*' beaks.**  He  afterwards  saw  his  own  error,  and  had  the 
ingenuousness  to  confess  it  in  the  Appendix,  p.  274.  Hav- 
ing in  the  former  editions  of  this  work  been  betrayed  into 
the  same  misunderstanding  of  my  author,  I  cannot  do  less 
than  follow  so  good  an  example,  by  acknowledging  and  cor- 
recting it. 

9  As  o%e.\    Dante  trembled  with  fear,  like  a  man  who,  ex- 
pecting the  return  of  a  quartan  ague,  shakes  even  at  the 
sight  of  a  place  made  cool  by  the  shade. 
^  Ifvt  $kamt,\   I  have  ftnUowed  the  reading  in  Vellolello^ 


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8^187.  HELL,  Lmstto  XVIL  137 

The  serFant  bold  in  presence  of  his  lord 

I  settled  me  upon  those  shouldeis  huge. 
And  would  have  said,  but  that  the  words  to  aid 
My  purpose  came  not, "  Look  thou  clasp  me  fins  " 

but  he  whose  succor  then  not  first  I  proved, 
Soon  as  I  mounted,  in  his  arms  aloft. 
Embracing,  held  me  up  ;  and  thus  he  spake : 
"  Geryon !  now  move  thee :  be  thy  wheeling  gyrm 
Of  ample  circuit,  easy  thy  descent 
Thmk  on  the  unusual  burden  thou  su8tain*st " 

As  a  small  vessel,  backening  out  from  land, 
Her  station  quits  ;  so  thence  the  monster  loosed. 
And,  when  he  felt  himself  at  large,  tum'd  round 
There,  where  the  breast  had  been,  his  forked  tail. 
Thus,  like  an  eel,  outstretch^  at  length  he  steered* 
Gathering  the  air  up  with  retractile  claws. 

Not  greater  was  the  dread,  when  Phaeton 
The  reins  let  drop  at  random,  whence  hiffh  heaven, 
Whereof  signs  yet  appear,  was  wrapt  in  flames ; 
Nor  when  ill-fated  Icarus  perceived, 
By  liquefaction  of  the  scalded  wax. 
The  trusted  pennons  loosen'd  from  his  loins, 
His  sire  exclaiming  loud,  **  III  way  thou  keep'st," 
Than  was  my  dread,  when  round  me  on  each  part 
The  air  I  view'd,  and  other  object  none 
Save  the  fell  beast.     He,  slowly  sailing,  wheels 
His  downward  motion,  unobserved  of  me. 
But  that  the  wind,  arising  to  my  face, 
Breathes  on  me  from  below.    ^T ow  on  our  right 
I  heard  the  cataract  beneath  us  leap  [plore, 

With  hideous  crash ;  whence  bending  down  to  ex* 
New  terror  I  conceived  at  the  steep  plunge  ; 
For  flames  I  saw,  and  wailings  smote  mine  ear : 
60  that,  all  trembling,  close  I  crouch'd  my  limbs, 
And  then  distinguish  d,  unperceived  before, 
By  the  dread  torments  that  on  every  side 
Drew  nearer,  how  our  downward  course  we  wound. 

As  falcon,  that  hath  long  been  on  the  wmg. 
But  lure  nor  bird  hath  seen,  while  in  despair 
The  falconer  cries, "  Ah  me !  thou  stoop'st  to  earth,** 
Wearied  descends,  whence  nimbly  he  arose 
In  many  an  airy  wheel,  and  lighting  sits 

Ma  vergogna  mi  fe  le  sue  minacce , 
which  appears  preferable  to  the  common  one. 

Ma  vergogna  mi  fer,  &c. 
It  is  necessary  that  I  should  observe  this,  because  i  has 
been  imputed  to  me  as  a  mistalce. 


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138  THE  VISION.  n^U%, 

At  distance  from  his  lord  in  angry  mood ; 
So  Geryon  lighting  places  us  on  foot 
Low  down  at  base  of  the  deep-fiirrow*d  rock, 
And,  of  his  burden  there  discharged,  forthwitii 
Sprang  forward,  like  an  arrow  from  the  string 


CANTO  XVIIL 


ARGUMENT. 


The  Poet  describes  the  sitaation  and  fonn  of  the  eifhth  circle 
divided  into  ten  gnlfs,  which  contain  as  many  (Ufferent  de- 
scripti(ms  of  fraudulent  sinners ;  but  in  the  present  Canto 
he  treats  only  of  two  sorts :  the  first  is  of  those  who,  either 
for  their  own  pleasure,  or  for  that  of  another,  have  seduced 
any  woman  from  her  duty;  and  these  are  scourged  of 
demons  in  the  first  gulf:  the  other  sort  is  of  flatterers,  wha 
in  the  second  gulf  are  condemned  to  remain  immersed  in 
filth. 

There  is  a  place  within  the  depths  of  hell 
Call'd  Malebolge,  all  of  rock  dark-stain'd 
With  hue  ferruginous,  e'en  as  the  steep 
That  round  it  cu-cling  wmds.    Right  in  the  midst 
Of  that  abominable  region  yawns 
A  spacious  gulf  profound,  whereof  the  frame 
Due  time  shall  tell.     The  circle,  that  remams. 
Throughout  its  round,  between  the  gulf  and  base  • 
Of  the  high  craggy  banks,  successive  forms 
Ten  bastions,  in  its  hollow  bottom  raised. 

As  where,  to  guard  the"  walls,  full  many  a  foss 
Begirds  some  stately  castle,  surs  defence* 
Afrording  to  the  space  within ;  so  here 
Were  modell'd  these :  and  as  like  fortresses, 

1  Sure  defence.]    La  parte  dov'  e*  son  rendon  sicura. 
This  is  the  common  reading;  besides  which  there  are  two 
others : 

La  parte  dove  il  sol  rende  figura ; 
and, 

La  parte  dov*  el  son  rende  figura : 
the  former  of  which  two,  Lombardi  says,  is  found  in  Daniello*8 
edition,  printed  at  Venice,  1568 ;  in  that  printed  in  the  same 
city  with  the  commentaries  of  Landino  and  Vellutello,  1572 ; 
and  also  in  some  MSS.  The  latter,  which  has  very  much  the 
appearance  of  being  genuine,  was  adopted  by  Lombardi  him- 
self, on  the  authority  of  a  text  supplied  to  be  in  the  hand 
writing  of  FUippo  Villani,  but  so  defaced  by  the  alterations 
made  In  it  by  some  less  skilful  hand,  that  the  traces  of  the 
old  ink  were  with  diflUculty  recovered ;  and  it  has,  since  the 
publication  of  Lombardi*s  edition,  been  met  with  also  in  the 
Monte  Cassino  MB. 

Monti  is  decided  In  fttvor  of  Lombardl's  reading,  and  BiagloU 
opposed  to  it 


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15-46.  HELL,  Canto  XVUL  l^d 

K'en  from  their  threshold  to  the  brink  with  Kit, 
Are  flank'd  with  bridges  ;  from  the  rock's  low  base 
Thus  flinty  paths  advanced,  that  'cross  the  moles 
And  dikes  struck  onward  far  as  to  the  g^alf. 
That  in  one  bound  collected  cuts  them  off. 
Such  was  the  place,  wherein  we  found  ourselves 
From  Geryon*s  back  dislodged.    The  bard  to  left 
Held  on  hss  way,  and  I  belund  him  moved. 

On  our  right  hand  new  misery  I  saw, 
New  pains,  new  executioners  of  wrath, 
That  swarming  peopled  the  first  chasm.    Below 
Were  naked  sinners.     Hitherward  they  came, 
Meeting  our  faces,  from  the  middle  point ; 
With  us  beyond,*  but  with  a  larger  stride. 
E'en  thus  the  Romans,*  when  the  year  returns 
Of  Jubilee,  with  better  speed  to  rid 
The  thronging  multitudes,  their  means  devise 
For  such  as  pass  the  bridge  ;  that  on  one  side 
All  front  toward  the  castle,  and  approach 
Saint  Peter's  fane,  on  the  other  towards  the  mouit 

Each  diverse  way,  along  the  grisly  rock, 
Hom'd  demons  I  beheld,  with  lashes  huge, 
That  on  their  back  unmercifully  smote. 
Ah  !  how  they  made  them  bound  at  the  first  stripe  I 
None  for  the  second  waited,  nor  the  third. 

Meantime,  as  on  I  pass'd,  one  met  my  sight, 
Whom  soon  as  view'd,  "  Of  him,"  cried  I,  "  not  yet 
Mine  eye  hath  had  his  fill."     I  therefore  stay'd* 
My  feet  to  scan  him,  and  the  teacher  kind 
Paused  with  me,  and  consented  I  should  walk 
Backward  a  space  ;  and  the  tormented  spirit. 
Who  thought  to  hide  him,  bent  his  visage  down. 

1  With  us  beyond.]  Beyond  the  middle  point  they  tended 
the  same  way  with  ns,  but  their  pace  was  quicker  than 
onrs. 

*  E'en  thu9  the  Romans.]  In  the  year  1300,  Pope  Bbniface 
VUL,  to  remedy  the  inconvenience  occasioned  by  the  press 
of  people  who  were  passing  over  the  bridge  of  dt.  Angelo 
dnitng  the  time  of  the  Jubilee,  caused  it  to  be  divided  length- 
wise by  a  partition ;  and  ordered,  that  all  those  who  were 
going  to  St.  Peter's  should  keep  one  side,  and  those  returning, 
the  other.  6.  Villani,  who  was  present,  describes  the  order 
that  was  preserved,  lib.  viii.  cap.  36.  It  was  at  this  time,  and 
on  this  occasion,  as  the  honest  historian  tells  us,  that  ho  first 
conceived  the  design  of  "  compiling  his  book." 

s  /  therefore  stayed.]  **  I  pled!  aflissi*'  is  the  reading  of  the 
Nidobeatina  edition ;  but  Lombardi  is  under  an  error,  when 
he  tells  ns  that  the  other  editions  have  "gll  occhi  affissi;»* 
for  Yellatello's,  at  least,  printed  in  1544,  agrees  with  the 
Nidobeatina.     ■ 


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140  TIIE  VISION.  4T-8i 

But  it  avaHM  liim  naught ;  for  I  excIaimM : 
<*  Thou  who  dost  cast  thine  eye  upon  the  groundy 
Unless  thy  features  do  belie  thee  much, 
^Venedico*  art  thou.     But  what  brings  thee 
*Into  this  bitter  seasoning?'"     He  replied: 
"  Unwillingly  I  answer  to  thy  words. 
But  thy  clear  speech,  that  to  my  mind  recalk 
The  world  I  once  inhabited,  constrains  me. 
Know  then  'twas  I  who  led  fair  Ghisola 
To  do  the  Marquis'  will,  however  fame 
The  shameful  tale  have  bruited.     Nor  alone, 
Bologna  hither  sendeth  me  to  mourn. 
Rather  with  us  the  place  is  so  o'erthrong'd, 
That  not  so  many  tongues  this  day  are  taught, 
Betwixt  the  Reno  and  Savena's  stream, 
To  answer  Sipa^  in  theu*  country's  phrase. 
And  if  of  that  securer  proof  thou  need, 
Remember  but  our  craving  thirst  for  gold.** 

Him  speaking  thus,  a  demon  with  his  thong 
Struck  and  exclahn'd,  "  Away,  corrupter !  hero 
Women  are  none  for  sale."     Forthwith  I  join'd 
My  escort,  and  few  paces  thence  we  came 
To  where  a  rock  forth  issued  from  the  bank. 
That  easily  ascended,  to  the  right 
Upon  its  splinter  turning,  we  depart 
From  those  eternal  barriers.    When  arrived 
Where,  underneath,  the  gaping  arch  lets  pass 
The  scourged  souls :  "  Pause  here,"  the  teacher  said,  , 
"  And  let  these  others  miserable  now  *  * 

Strike  on  thy  ken  ;  faces  not  yet  beheld, 
For  that  together  they  with  us  have  walk'd.** 

From  the  old  bridge  we  eyed  the  pack,  who  came 
From  the  other  side  toward  us,  like  the  rest, 
Excoriate  from  the  lash.     My  gentle  guide. 
By  me  unquestion'd,  thus  his  speech  resumed : 

1  Venedico.]  Venedico  Caccianimico,  a  Bolognese,  who 
prevs^led  on  his  sister  Ghisola  ti  prostitute  herself  to  Obizzo 
da  Este,  Marqais  of  Ferrara,  whom  we  have  seen  among  the 
tyrants,  Canto  xii. 

3  Seaaoninff.]  Salse.  Monti,  in  his  Proposta,  following 
Benvenuto  da  Imola,  takes  this  to  be  the  name  of  a  place.  If 
so,  a  play  must  have  been  Intended  on  the  word,  which  can- 
not be  preserved  in  English. 

s  7b  answer  Sipa.]  He  denotes  Bologna  by  its  situation 
between  the  rivers  Savena  to  the  east,  and  Reno  to  the  west 
»f  that  city ;  and  by  a  peculiarity  of  dialect,  the  use  of  the 
affirmative  «^a  instead  either  of  si,  or,  as  Monti  will  have  M, 
of  sia. 


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8I*1«,  HELL,  Canto  XVIIL  14| 

'*  Behold  that  lofty  shade,  who  this  way  tendi, 

And  seems  too  wo-begone  to  drop  a  tear. 

How  yet  the  regnal  aspect  he  retains ! 

Jason  is  he,  whose  skill  and  prowess  won 

The  ram  from  Colchus.    To  the  Lemnian  isle 

His  passage  thither  led  him,  when  those  bold 

And  pitiless  women  had  slain  all  their  males. 

There  he  with  tokens  and  fair  witching  words 

Hypsipyle'  beguiled,  a  virgin  young, 

Who  first  had  all  the  rest  herself  beguiled 

Impreg;nated,  he  left  her  there  forlorn. 

Such  is  the  guilt  condenms  him  to  this  pain. 

Here  too  Meidea*s  ii^uries  are  avenged. 

All  bear  him  company,  who  like  deceit 

To  his  have  practised.    And  thus  much  to  know 

Of  the  first  vale  suffice  thee,  and  of  those 

Whom  its  keen  torments  urge."    Now  had  we  oonM 

Where,  crossing  the  next  pier,  the  straiten'd  path 

Bestrides  its  shoulders  to  another  arch. 

Hence,  in  the  second  chasm  we  heard  the  ghosts. 
Who  gibber  in  low  melancholy  sounds, 
With  wide-stretch'd  nostrils  snort,  and  on  themselvft 
Smite  with  their  palms.     Upon  the  banks  a  scurf, 
From  the  foul  steam  condensed,  encrusting  hung, 
That  held  sharp  combat  with  the  sight  and  smelL 

So  hollow  is  the  depth,  that  from  no  part. 
Save  on  the  summit  of  the  rocky  span, 
Could  I  distinguish  aught    Thus  far  we  came ; 
And  thence  I  saw,  within  the  foes  below, 
A  crowd  immersed  in  ordure,  that  appear'd 
Draff  of  the  human  body.     There  beneath 
Searching  with  eye  irtjuisitive,  I  mark'd 
One  with  his  head  so  grimed,  'twere  hard  to  deem 
If  he  were  clerk  or  layman.     Loud  he  cried : 
"  Why  greedily  thus  bendest  more  on  me. 
Than  on  these  other  filthy  ones,  thy  ken  V* 

"  Because,  if  true  my  memory/*  I  replied, 
« I  heretofore  have  seen  thee  with  dry  locks ; 
And  thou  Alessio''  art,  of  Lucca  sprung. 
Therefore  than  all  the  rest  I  scan  thee  more.*' 

Then  beating  on  his  brain,  these  words  he  spake : 

^  Mypsipyle.]  See  Apollonins  Rhodios,  1.  i.,  and  Valeritifl 
Flaccns,  1.  li.  Hypsipyle  deceived  the  other  women,  by  ccm 
cealing  her  father  Thoas,  when  they  had  agreed  to  put  all 
their  males  to  death. 

*  Meano.]  Alessio,  of  an  ancient  and  considerable  fomilf 
\n  Lnosa,  called  the  Interminei 


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143  THE  VISION  lS3-im 

'*  Me  thus  low  down  my  flatteries  have  sunk. 
Wherewith  I  ne'er  enough  could  glut  my  tonguo.** 

My  leader  thus :  "  A  little  further  stretch 
Thy  face,  that  thou  the  visage  well  may'st  note 
Of  that  besotted,  sluttish  courtesan, 
Who  there  doth  rend  her  with  defiled  naik, 
Now  crouching  down,  now  risen  cm  her  feet. 
Thals^  is  this,  the  harlot,  whose  fcdse  lip 
Answered  her  doting  paramour  that  aak*d, 
*  Thankcst  me  much !' — *  Say  rather,  wondrously.* 
And,  seeing  this,  here  satiate  be  our  view." 

CANTO  XIX 

ARGUMENT. 

They  come  to  the  third  gulf,  wheretn  am  panished  those 
who  have  been  guilty  of  simony.  These  era  fixed  with 
the  head  downwards  in  certain  apertures,  so  that  no  more 
of  them  than  the  legs  appear  withont,  and  on  the  soles  of 
their  feet  are  seen  burning  flames.  Dante  is  taken  down 
by  his  guide  into  the  bottom  of  the  gulf;  and  there  finds 
Pope  Nicholas  the  Fifth,  whose  evU  deeds,  together  with 
those  of  other  pontifis,  are  bitterly  reprehended.  l^rgU 
then  carries  him  up  again  to  the  arch,  which  aflbrds  thuB 
a  passage  over  the  following  gulf. 

Wo  to  thee,  Simon  Magus !  wo  to  you. 
His  wretched  followers !  who  the  things  of  GJod, 
Which  should  be  wedded  unto  goodness,  them. 
Rapacious  as  ye  are,  do  prostitute 
For  gold  and  silver  in  adultery. 
Now  must  the  trumpet  sound  for  you,  since  youn 
Is  the  third  chasm.    Upon  the  following  vault 
We  now  had  mounted,  where  the  rock  impends 
Directly  o'er  the  centre  of  the  foes.  . 

Wisdom  Supreme !  how  wonderful  the  art. 
Which  thou  dost  manifest  in  heaven,  in  earth. 
And  in  the  evil  world,  how  just  a  meed 
Allotting  by  thy  virtue  unto  all. 

I  saw  the  livid  stone,  throughout  the  sides 
And  in  its  bottom  full  o^  apertures. 
All  equal  in  their  width,  and  cu:cular  each. 
Nor  ample  less  nor  larger  they  appeared 

1  Tkais.]    He  alludes  to  that  passage  in  the  Eunuehm  ct 
Terence,  where  Thraso  asks  if  Thais  was  obliged  to  him  for 
the  present  he  had  sent  her;  and  Gnatho  replies,  that  she 
had  expressed  her  obligation  in  the  most  forcible  terms. 
T.  Magnas  veto  agere  gratias  Thais  mihi  1 
O.  Ingentei  Eun^  a.  iil.  ■.  1. 


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HELL,  Caiito  XIX.  143 

Th«B,  in  St  John'i  fair  dome'  of  me  beknred, 

Those  framed  to  hold  the  pure  baptismal  streams. 

One  of  the  which  I  brake,  some  few  years  past. 

To  save  a  whehnin^r  infant :  and  be  ttiis 

A  seal  to  undeceire  whoever  doubts 

The  motive  of  my  deed.    From  out  the  mouth 

Of  every  one  emerged  a  sinner's  feet. 

And  of  the  legs  high  upward  as  the  calfl 

The  rest  beneath  was  hid.    On  either  foot 

The  soles  were  burning ;  ndience  the  flexile  joints 

Glanced  wkh  such  violent  motion,  as  had  snapp'd 

Asunder  cords  or  twisted  withs.    As  flame. 

Feeding  on  unctuous  matter,  glides  along 

The  simace,  scarcely  touching  where  it  moves ; 

So  here,  from  heel  to  point,  glided  the  flames. 

**  Master !  say  who  is  he,  than  all  the  rest 
Glancing  in  fiercer  agony,  on  whom 
A  ruddier  flame  doth  prey  ?"  I  thus  inquired. 

« If  thou  be  willing,"  he  replied,  « that  I 
Carry  thee  down,  where  least  the  slq>e  bank  falls. 
He  of  hnnself  atM  tell  thee,  and  his  wrongs." 

I  then :  '*  As  pleases  thee,  to  me  is  best 
Thou  art  my  lonl :  and  knoVst  that  ne'er  I  quit 
Thy  will :  what  silence  hides,  that  knowest  thou.'* 

Thereat  on  the  fourth  pier  we  came,  we  tum'd. 
And  on  our  left  descended  to  the  depth, 
A  narrow  strait,  and  perforated  close.' 
Nor  from  his  side  my  leader  set  me  down,     . 
Till  to  his  orifice  he  brought,  whose  limb 
Quivering  expressed  his  pang.    "  Whoe'er  thou  art. 
Sad  spirit !  thus  reversed,  and  as  a  stake 
Driven  in  the  soil,"  I  in  Uiese  words  began ; 
"  If  thou  be  able,  utter  forth  thy  voice." 

There  stood  I  like  the  frtar,  that  doth  shrive 
A  wretch  for  murder  doom'd,  who,  e'en  when  fix'd,* 

1  SaiRt  JohfCt  fair  dome.'\  The  apertures  in  the  rock  wero 
of  the  same  dimensions  as  the  fonts  of  St.  John  the  Baptist 
at  Florenee;  one  of  which,  Dante  says,  he  had  broken,  to 
rescue  a  child  that  was  playing  near  and  fell  in.  He  inti- 
mates, that  the  motive  of  his  breaking  the  font  had  been  ma- 
liciously represented  by  his  enemies. 

9  }Fhenfix*d.}  The  commentators  on  Boccaccio's  Decame- 
ron, p.  73,  ediz.  Giunti,  1573,  cite  the  words  of  the  statute  by 
which  morderers  were  sentenced  thns  to  snfier  at  Florence. 
**  AssBssinns  trahator  ad  caudam  mnli  sen  asinl  nsqne  ad  lo- 
cum jastitie ;  et  ibidem  plantetor,  caplte  deorsnm,  ita  qnod 
moriatnr."  "  Let  the  assasshi  be  drasged  at  the  tail  of  a 
male  or  ass  to  the  place  of  justice ;  and  there  let  him  be  set 
In  the  ground  with  his  face  downward,  so  that  he  die  *' 


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144  THE  VISION. 

Calleth  him  back,  whence  death  awhSe  delayi. 

He  shouted:  "  Ha!  already  standest  there? 
Already  standest  there,  O  Boniface  !^ 
By  many  a  year  the  writing  play'd  me  false. 
So  early  dost  thou  surfeit  with  the  wealth, 
For  wtuch  thou  fearedst  not  in  guile^  to  take 
The  lovely  lady,  and  then  mangle  her?" 

I  felt  as  those  who,  piercing  not  the  drift 
Of  answer  made  them,  stand  as  if  exposed 
In  mockery,  nor  know  what  to  reply ; 
When  Virgil  thus  admonished :  "  Tell  him  quick, 
'  I  am  not  he,  not  he  whom  thou  believest' " 

And  I,  as  was  enjoin'd  me,  straight  replied. 

That  heard,  the  spirit  all  did  wrench  his  feet, 
And,  sighing,  next  in  woful  accent  spake : 
"  What  then  of  me  requirest  ?    If  to  know 
So  much  imports  thee,  who  I  am,  that  thou 
Hast  therefore  down  the  bank  descended,  leara 
That  in  the  mighty  mantle  I  was  robed," 
And  of  a  she-bear  was  indeed  the  son. 
So  eager  to  advance  my  whelps,  that  there 
My  haying  in  my  purse  above  I  stow'd. 
And  here  myself.    Under  my  head  are  dragged 
The  rest,  my  predecessoi:^  in  the  guilt 
Of  simony.    Stretch'd  at  theu:  length,  they  lie 
Along  an  opening  in  the  rock.    Midst  them 
I  also  low  shall  fall,  soon  as  he  comes. 
For  whom  I  took  thee,  when  so  hastily 
I  questioned.     But  already  longer  time 
Hath  pass'd,  since  my  soles  kindled,  and  I  thus 
Upturned  have  stood,  than  is  his  doom  to  stand 
Planted  with  fiery  feet,  for  after  him. 
One  yet  of  deeds  more  ugly  shall  arrive. 
From  forth  the  west,  a  shepherd  without  law,^ 


.  1  O  Ben\,'aee  !\  The  spirit  mistakes  Dante  for  Boniface 
VIII.  who  was  then  alive ;  and  who  he  did  not  expect  wodid 
have  arrived  so  soon,  in  consequence,  as  it  should  seem,  of  a 
prophecy,  which  predicted  the  death  of  that  pope  at  a  lat^ 
period.    Boniface  died  in  1303. 

9  InguUeJ]  "Thoa  didst  presume  to  arrive  by  fraudulent 
means  at  the  papal  power,  and  afterwards  to  abuse  it." 

*  In  the  mighty  mantle  I  toa»  robed.]  Nicholas  III.  of  the 
Orsini  family,  whom  the  Poet  therefore  calls  "  figliuol  dell* 
ofsa,"  ••  son  of  the  she-bear.'*    He  died  in  1281. 

*  jFVotn  forth  the  vest,  a  shepherd  vithout  law.]  Bertrand 
de  Got,  Archbishop  of  Bordeaux,  who  succeeded  to  the  pontic 
ficate  in  1305,  and  assumed  the  title  of  Clement  V.  He  trans- 
fenred  the  holy  see  to  Avignon  in  1308,  (where  it  remained 
tUl  1376,)  and  died  in  1314 


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tV-M0.  HELL,  Canto  XIX.  145 

Fated  to  cover  both  hk  fonn  and  mine. 
He  a  new  Jason^  ahall  be  call'd,  of  whom 
In  Maccabees  we  read ;  and  ^yor  such 
As  to  that  priest  his  king  indulgent  show'd, 
Shall  be  of  France's  monarch*  shown  to  him." 

I  know  not  if  I  here  too  far  presumed, 
But  in  this  strain  I  answer'd :  "  Tell  me  now, 
What  treasures  from  St  Peter  at  the  first 
Our  Lord  demanded,  when  he  put  the  keys 
Into  his  charge  ?    Surely  he  ask'd  no  more 
But  *  Follow  me  !*    Nor  Peter,'  nor  the  rest. 
Or  gold  or  silver  of  Matthias  took, 
When  lots  were  cast  upon  the  forfeit  place 
Of  the  condemned  soul.*    Abide  thou  then ; 
Thy  punishment  of  right  is  merited : 
And  look  thou  well  to  that  ill-gotten  coin. 
Which  agamst  Charlei^  thy  hcodihood  mspired. 
If  reverence  of  the  keys  restrain'd  me  not. 
Which  thou  in  happier  times  didst  hold,  I  yet 
Severer  q>eech  might  use.    Your  avarice 
O'ercasts  the  world  with  mourning,  under  foot* 
Treading  the  good,  and  raising  bad  men  up. 
Of  shepherds  like  to  you,  the  Evangelist^ 

1  ^  new  Jason.]  ^'But  after  the  death  of  Seleucus,  when 
Antiochus)-  called  Eplphanes,  took  the  kingdom,  Jason,  the 
brother  of  Onias,  labored  underhand  to  be  hlgh-prlest,  prom- 
ising onto  the  king,  by  intercession,  thrqe  hundred  and  tluree- 
score  talents  of  silver,  and  of  another  revenue  eighty  talents.* 
Maceab.,  b.  11.  ch.  iv.  7,  8. 

«  Of  Franee't  monarch.]  Philip  IV.  of  France.  See  G 
Villanl,  Ub.  viii.  c  Ixxx. 

*  JVor  Peter.]    Acts  of  the  f^'^i  ties,  ch.  i.  96. 

*  The  condemned  eonl.]    Jvtm  b 

•  Jlfainst  Charles.]  Nicholas  III.  was  enrAged  against 
Charles  I.  King  of  Biclly,  because  he  rciected  with  scorn  a 
proposition  made  by  that  pope  for  an  alliance  between  their 
families.    See  a  ViUani,  Hist.,  lib.  vU.  c.  Uv. 

•  Under  fooU, 

So  shall  the  worid  go  on. 

To  good  malignant,  to  bad  men  benign. 

Maton,P.L^h,tii.5a8, 
»  The  Evangelist.]  Eev.  c.  xvli.  1, 2,  3.— Petrarch,  In  one 
of  his  Epistles,  had  his  eye  on  these  lines :  **  Oaude  {inmuun) 
et  ad  aliquid  utilis  inventa  ^loriare  bonorum  hostis  et  nuuorum 
hospeSy  atque  asylum  pesstma  rerum  Bahfflon  feris^'Rhodan* 
rypis  imposita^famosa  dieam  an  infamis  meretriXyfomicata  cum 
rwibus  terra.  Ilia  equldem  ipsa  es  quam  in  spiritu  sacer 
Vidlt  Evangellsta.  JUa  eadem^  iatquam^  es,  non  alia,  sedens 
svper  aquas  mulias,sive  ad  littora  tribus  einctafiuminibus  sivs 
rerum  atque.  divittaiiim  turba  mortalium  quibus  losciviens  ac 
secura  insides  opwn  immemor  mtemarum  sive  ut  idem  qui  vidit, 
nposiiU.    Populi  et  gentes  et  Ungofls  a  que  sunt,  super  qoas 

r 


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146  THE  VISION.  llO-lia 

Was  ware,  when  her,  who  sits  upon  the  wavef, 
With  kmgB  m  filthy  whoredom  he  beheld ; 
She  who  with  seven  heads  towered  at  her  birthy 
And  from  ten  horns  her  proof  of  glory  drew, 
Long  as  her  spouse  in  virtue  took  dehght. 
Of  gold  and  silver  ye  have  made  your  god, 
Dinering  wherein  urom  the  idolater, 
But  that  he  worships  one,  a  hundred  ye? 
Ah,  Constantme  !^  to  how  much  ill  gave  birth, 

meretrix  sedes,  reeognosce  baUtmn,**  &c  Petrarckm  Q^era,  lA 
fol,  Basil.,  1554.  EpUt  sine  titulo  Liber,  ep.  xvi.  p.  729.  Tlw 
text  is  here  probably  corrapted.  The  constnictiun  certainly 
may  be  rendered  easier  by  (nnitting  the  ad  before  /tttom,  and 
tc^-stitutlng  a  comma  for  a  Ml  stop  after  expotvit.  With 
all  the  respect  that  is  due  to  a  venerable  prelate  and  truly 
learned  critic,  I  cannot  but  point  out  a  mistake  he  has  fallen 
into,  relating  to  this  passage,  when  he  observes,  that  "Num- 
beriess  passages  in  the  writings  of  Petrarch  speak  of  Rome 
under  the  name  of  Babylon.  But  an  equal  stress  is  not  to  be 
laid  on  all  these.  It  should  be  remembered,  that  the  popes,  in 
Petrarch's  time,  resided  at  Avignon,  greatly  to  the  disparage- 
ment of  themselves,  as  he  thought,  and  especially  of  Rome ; 
of  which  this  sinsular  man  was  a  little  less  than  idolatrous. 
The  situation  or  the  place,  surrounded  by  waters,  and  his 
splenetic  concern  for  the  exUed  church,  (for  under  this  idea 
he  painted  to  himself  the  pope's  migration  to  the  bonks  of 
Avignon,)  brought  to  his  mind  the  condition  of  the  Jewish 
church  in  the  Babylonian  captivity.  And  this  parallel  was  all, 

gsrhaps,  that  he  meant  to  insinuate  in  most  of  those  passages, 
ut  when  he  applies  the  prophecies  to  Rome,  as  to  the 
Apocalyptic  Babylon,  (as  he  clearly  does  in  the  epistle  under 
.  consideration,)  his  meaning  is  not  equivocal,  and  we  do  him 
but  justice  to  give  him  an  honorable  place  among  the 
TBSTK8  VBRiTATis."  An  tutroduction  to  the  etudvof  the 
Propheeiea,  ^,  by  Richaid^^,  D.  D.,  serm.  vii.  p.  239,  note 
y,  ed.  1772.  r^  *■ 

Now,  a  reference  to  the  fj^^is  printed  in  Italics,  which  the 
Bishop  of  Worcester  has  omitted  in  his  quotation,  will  m  ike 
it  sufficiently  evident,  that  Avi^nonf  and  not  Rome,  is  here 
alluded  to  by  Petrarch. 

The  application  that  is  made  of  tliese  prophecies  by  two 
men  so  eminent  for  their  learains  and  sagacity  as  Dante  and 
Petrarch  is,  however,  very  remarkable,  and  must  be  satis&c- 
tory  to  those  who  have  renounced  the  errors  and  conraptions 
of  the  papacy.  Such  applications  were  indeed  firequent  in 
the  middle  ages,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  ''Sermons"  above 
referred  to.  Balbo  observes,  that  it  is  not  Rome,  as  most 
erroneously  interraeted,  but  Avignon,  and  the  court  there, 
that  is  termed  Babylon  by  Dante  and  Petrarch.  \lta  dl 
Dante,  v.  ii.  p.  103. 

1  Ah,  Constamtinel}  He  alludes  to  the  pretended  cUt  of 
the  Lateran  by  Ck>nstantine  to  Sylvester,  of  which  Dante 
himself  seems  to  imply  a  doubt,  in  his  treatise  "De  Mo- 
narchic."— ^"Ergo  scindere  Imperium,  Imperatori  non  licet 
St  ergo  allqusB  dignitates  per  Constantinum  essent  alienata 
'ut  dicunt)  ab  Im^o,"  4cc,  lib  ili    **  Therefore  to  make  a 


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119-135.  HELL,  Canto  XX.  147 

Not  thy  conversion,  but  that  plenteons  dower. 
Which  the  first  wealthy  Father  gain'd  from  thee** 

Meanwhile,  as  thus  I  siing,  he,  whether  wrath 
Or  conscience  smote  him,  violent  npsprang 
Spinning  on  either  sole.    I  do  believe 
My  teacher  well  was  pleased,  with  so  composed 
A  lip  he  listened  ever  to  the  somid 
Of  the  truo  words  I  utter'd.    In  both  arms 
He  caught,  and,  to  his  bosom  lifting  me. 
Upward  retraced  the  way  of  his  descent 

Nor  weary  of  his  weight,  he  press'd  me  clcie, 
Till  to  the  summit  of  the  rock  we  came, 
Our  passage  from  the  fourth  to  the  fifth  pier. 
His  cherishM  burden  there  gently  he  placed 
Upon  the  rugged  rock  and  steep,  a  path 
Not  easy  for  the  clambering  goat  to  mount. 

Thence  to  my  view  ano^er  vale  appeared. 


CANTO  XX. 

ARGUMENT. 

The  Poet  relatef  the  pnnishinent  of  snch  as  presumed,  whUe 

living,  to  predict  future  events.    It  Is  to  have  their  &ces 

reversed  and  set  the  contrary  way  on  their  limbs,  so  that, 

rent  In  the  empire  exceeds  the  lawful  power  of  the  emperor 
himself.  If,  then,  some  dignities  were  by  Ck>n8tantine  alien- 
ated (as  they  report)  from  the  empire,  Au;/'  In  another  part 
of  the  same  treatise  he  speaks  of  the  alienation  with  lest 
doubt.  Indeed,  but  not  with  less  disapprobation :  **  O  fellcem 
popnlum !  O  Ansonlam  te  gloriosam  I  si  vel  nunqnam  infir- 
mator  Imperii  tui  extltlsset ;  vel  nunqnam  sua  pia  intentlo . 
Ipsum  fefelllsset."— *'  O  happy  people !  O  glorious  Italv !  if 
either  he  who  thus  weakened  thine  empire  had  never  been 
*  Iwm,  or  had  never  suffered  his  own  pious  intentions  to  mis- 
lead him.**    Lib.  IL  od  jinm. 

The  gift  is  by  Ariosto  very  humorously  placed  in  the  mooa, 
among  the  things  lost  or  abused  on  earth : 
Di  vaij  fieri  ad  un  gran  monte  passa, 
Ch*  ebber*gik  buono  odore,  or  puzzan  forte, 
Questo  era  11  dono  (se  pei^  dlr  lece) 
Che  Costantlno  al  buon  Silvestro  fece. 

Orl.  Fur^  c  zxxiv.  st  80. 
Milton  has  translated  both  this  passage  and  that  in  the 
text    Proge  Works,  vol.  i.  p.  11,  ed.  1753. 

Ah,  Ck>nstantlne !  of  how  much  ill  was  rai|se 
Not  thy  conversion,  but  those  rich  domains 
That  the  first  wealthy  pope  received  of  thee. 
Then  pass*d  he  to  a  flowery  mountain  green. 
Which  once  smelt  sweet,  now  stinks  as  odiously ; 
This  was  that  gift.  If  you  the  truth  will  have, 
That  Ponstantlne  to  good  BilvMter  gave. 


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148  THE  VISION.  l-n 

being  deprived  of  the  power  to  eee  befim  them,  they  ait 
constrained  ever  to  walk  backwards.  Among  these  Virgil 
points  out  to  him  AmphiaraUs,  Tiresias,  Amns,  and  Manto. 
(from  the  mention  of  whom  he  takes  occasion  to  speak  of 
the  <nrigin  of  Bfantna,)  together  with  several  others,  who 
had  practised  the  arts  of  divination  and  astrpiogy. 

And  now  the  verse  proceeds  to  torments  newi 
Fit  argument  of  this  the  twentieth  strain 
Of  the  first  song,  whose  awfid  theme  records 
The  spirits  whelmM  in  wo.    Earnest  I  looked 
Into  Uie  depth,  that  open'd  to  my  view, 
Moistened  with  tears  of  anguish,  and  beheld 
A  tribe,  that  came  along  the  hollow  vale. 
In  silence  weepmg :  such  their  step  as  walk 
Quues,  chanting  solemn  litanies,  on  earth. 

As  on  them  more  direct  mine  eye  descends, 
Each  wonderously  seem'd  to  be  reversed^ 
At  the  neck-bone,  so  that  the  countenance 
Was  from  the  reins  averted  ;  and  because 
None  might  before  him  look,  they  were  compeird 
To  advance  with  backward  gait    Thus  one  perhaps 
Hath  been  by  force  of  palsy  clean  transposed, 
But  I  ne*er  saw  it  nor  believe  it  so. 

Now,  reader !  think  within  thyself,  so  God 
Fruit  of  thy  reading  give  thee !  how  I  long 
Could  keep  my  visage  dry,*  when  I  beheld 
Near  me  our  form  dutorted  in  such  guise, 
That  on  the  hinder  parts  fallen  from  the  face 
The  tears  down-streammg  rolled.    Against  a  rock 
I  lean'd  and  wept,  so  that  my  guide  exclaim*d : 
*'  What,  and  art  thou,  too,  witless  as  the  rest? 
Here  pity  most  doth  show  herself  alive,  . 
When  she  is  dead.    What  gruilt  exceedeth  his, 
Who  with  Heaven's  judgment  m  his  passion  strives  ?  . 
Raise  up  thy  head,  raise  up,  and  see  the  man 
Before  whose  eyes'  earth  gaped  m  Thebes,  when  all 

i  Reverged.] 

But  very  unconth  slriit  was  to  behold  • 
How  he  did  fashion  his  nntoward  pace ; 
For  as  he  forward  mov*d  his  footing  old, 
80  backward  still  was  tum'd  his  wrinkled  &ce : 
Unlike  to  men  who  ever  as  they  trace, 
Both  feet  and  fece  one  way  are  wont  to  lead 

Spnuer,  Faery  ^futn,  b.  i.  c  viiL  st  SI 

•  — — —  Hoap  /  lof^ 
Could  ketp  my  vUagt  dry.1 

Sight  so  deform  what  heart  of  man  coald  long 
Dnr-eyed  behold  1    Adam  could  not,  bat  wei^ 

Jllt2to»,P.Z.nb.xL4M;. 

•  Btf^re  tniUM  ^<s.J   Amphiumfis,  one  of  the  sevea  Usp 


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31-40.  HELL,  Canto  XX.  |4f 

Cried  out,  <  Axnphiarails,  whither  nuhest? 
Why  leavest  thou  the  war  7*    He  not  the  lets 
Fell  mmingi  far  as  to  Mhios  down. 
Whose  grapple  Bone  eludes     Lo !  how  he  makes 
The  breast  his  shoulders ;  and  who  once  too  far 
Befoie  him  wish'd  to  see,  now  backward  looks. 
And  treads  reverse  his  path.    Tiresias^  note. 
Who  semblance  changed,  when  woman  he  became 
Of  male,  through  every  limb  transformed ;  and  then 
Once  more  behooved  him  with  his  rod  to  strike 
The  two  entwining  serpents,  ere  the  plumes. 
That  marked  the  bnetter  sex,  might  shoot  again. 

**  Aruns,^  with  rere  his  belly  facing,  comes. 
On  Luni's  mountams  midst  the  marbles  white. 
Where  delves  Carrara's  hind,  who  wons  beneath, 
A  cavern  was  his  dwelling,  whence  the  stars    - 

who  besieged  Thebes.  He  is  said  to  have  been  swallowed  ii|. 
by  an  opening  of  the  earth.  See  Lidgate's  Storie  of  Thebes, 
part  iii.,  where  it  is  toid  how  the  "  Bishop  Amphiaraiis*'  &U 
down  to  heil : 

And  thus  the  derill,  for  his  oatrages, 

Like  his  desert  payed  him  his  wages. 
A  diflforent  reascm,  for  his  being  doomed  thus  to  pedsh,  Is 
assigned  by  Pindar : 

h  6*  *A,fi(pidpiitf  &c        JWm.  is 
For  thee,  Amphlaraiis,  earth, 
By  Jove's  all-riving  thunder  cleft, 
Her  mighty  bosom  openM  wide, 
Thee  and  thy  plunging  steeds  to  hide, 
Or  ever  on  thy  back  the  spear 
Of  Periclymenus  impressed 
A  woond  to  shame  thy  wariike  breast 
For  struck  with  panic  fear 
The  gods'  own  children  flee. 
1  Ruininf.]  *'  Suinare.**  Hence,  perhaps,  Bliltcm,  P.  L.,  b.vt.  BUHL 

Heaven  mining  from  heaven. 
«  Ttretias.] 

— —  Dno  magnOTum  viridi  cofinntia  sylvft 
Ckirpora  serpentam  baeuli  violaverat  ictn. 
Deque  viro  &ctns  (mirabtle)  fosmina,  septem 
Egerat  autumnos.    Octavo  mrsns  eosdem 
Yidit.    Et,  est  vestrs  si  tanta  potentia  plage. 
Nunc  quoque  vos  ferlam.    Percussis  angnibus  isdem 
Forma  prior  rediit,  genitivaque  venlt  imago. 

Ovid,  Met.,  lib.  ill. 
*  Arun$.\  Amns  is  said  to  have  dwelt  in  the  mountiUns 
of  Luni,  (from  whence  that  territory  is  still  called  Lunigiana,) 
above  Carrara,  celebrated  for  its  marble.  Lncan.  Phan.,  lib. 
'.  575.  So  Boccaccio,  in  the  flammetta,  lib.  iii.:  "Quale 
Arunte,**  fee.  **  Like  Aruns,  who  amidst  the  white  marbles 
of  Luni  contemplated  the  celestial  bodies  and  their  motions.** 
I  Fas&o  degU  Ubertt,  Dittamondo,  1.  iii.  cap.  vi. 


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150  THE  VKION.  47Hift 

And  main-sea  wide  in  boundless  view  he  held 

**  The  next,  whose  loosen'd  tresses  overspread 
Her  bosom,  which  thou  seest  not  (for  each  hair 
On  that  side  grows)  was  Manto,'  she  who  search*d 
Through  many  regions,  and  at  length  her  seat 
Fix'd  in  my  native  land :  whence  a  short  space 
My  words  detain  thy  audience.    When  her  sire 
From  life  departed,  and  in  servitude 
The  city  dedicate  to  Bacchus  moumM, 
Long  time  she  went  a  wanderer  through  the  world 
Aloft  in  Italy's  delightful  land 
A  lake  there  lies,  at  foot  of  that  proud  Alp 
That  o*er  the  Tyrol  locks  Germania  in, 
Its  name  Benacus,  from  whose  ample  breast 
A  thousand  springs,  methinks,  and  more,  between 
Camonica'  and  Garda,  issuing  forth. 
Water  the  Apennine.    There  is  a  spot' 
At  midway  of  that  lake,  where  he  who  bears 
Of  Trento's  flock  the  pastoral  staff,  with  him 
Of  Brescia,  and  the  Veronese,  might  each 
Passing  that  way  his  benediction  give. 
A  garrison  of  goodly  site  and  strong 

1  Manto.]  The  daughter  of  Tiresias  of  Thebes,  a  city  dedl 
eated  to  Bacchus.  From  Manto,  Mantua,  the  country  of  viiq|ii 
derives  its  name.  The  Poet  proceeds  to  describe  the  situation 
of  that  place.  But  see  the  note  to  PurgaUnry,  Canto  zzii. 
V.  112. 

*  Camoniea.]    Lombardi,  instead  of 

Fra  Garda,  e  val  Camoniea  e  Apennlno, 
reads 

Fra  Garda  e  val  Camoniea  Pennino, 
from  the  Nidobeatina  edition,  (to  which  he  might  have  added 
that  of  Vellntello  in  1544,)  and  two  MSS.,  all  of  which  omit 
the  second  conjunction,  the  only  part  of  the  alteration  that 
affects  the  sense.  I  have  re-translated  the  passage,  which  la 
the  former  editions  stood  thus : 

which  a  thousand  rills 

Methinks,  and  more,  Mrater  between  the  vale 

Camoniea  and  Garda,  and  the  height 

Of  Apennine  remote. 
It  should  be  added  that  Vellutello  reads  "Yaldhnonica»*  fiv 
^  Val  Camoniea;"  but  which  of  these  is  right  remains  to  be 
determined  by  a  collation  of  editions  and  MSS.,  and  still  more 
perhaps  by  a  view  of  the  country  in  the  neighborhood  of  ihe 
take,  (now  called  the  Lago  di  Garda,)  wiUi  a  reference  to 
this  passage. 

*  There  is  a  epot]  Prato  di  Fame,  where  the  dioceses  of 
Tranto,  Verona,  and  Brescia  meet. 

*  jSgarrison  of  goodly  eite  and  atrong.] 

Gaza,  bello  e  forte  amese 
IH  ftonteggiar  i  regni  di  Soria. 

Taeeo^  Oer.  Lib^  c.  L  st  67. 


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tthioa.  .    HELL,  Canto  XX.  I5i 

Pesohiera'  stoiids,  to  awe  with  front  opposed 
The  Bergamese  and  Brescian,  whence  the  shore 
More  slope  each  way  descends.    There,  whalsoe'er 
Benacus'  bosom  holds  not,  tumbUng  o'er 
Down  falls,  and  winds  a  river  flood  beneath 
Through  the  green  pastures.    Soon  as  in  his  cooiw 
The  stream  makes  head,  Benacus  then  no  man 
They  call  the  name,  but  Mincius,  till  at  last 
Reaching  Govemo,  into  Fo  he  falls. 
Not  far  his  courpe  hath  run,  when  a  wide  flat 
It  finds,  which  overstretching  as  a  marsh 
It  covers,  pestilent  in  summer  oft. 
Hence  journeying,  the  savage  maiden  saw 
Midst  of  the  fen  a  territory  waste 
And  naked  of  inhabitants.    To  shun 
All  human  converse,  here  she  with  her  slaves, 
Plying  her  arts,  remam'd,  and  lived,  and  left 
Her  lK>dy  tenantless.    Thenceforth  the  tribes. 
Who  round  were  scatter'd,  gathering  to  that  place, 
Assembled ;  for  its  strength  was  great,  enclo^ 
On  all  parts  by  the  fen.    On  those  dead  bones 
They  reared  themselves  a  city,  for  her  sake 
Calling  it  Mantua,  who  first  chose  the  spot. 
Nor  ask'd  another  omen  for  the  name ; 
Wherein  more  numerous  the  people  dwelt, 
Ere  Casalodi's  madness*  by  deceit 
Was  wrong'd  of  Pinamonte.    If  thou  hear 
Henceforth  another  origin*  assigned 
Of  that  my  country,  I  forewarn  thee  now. 
That  falsehood  none  beguile  thee  of  the  truth.*' 
I  answer'd,  '*  Teacher,  I  conclude  thy  words 
So  certain,  that  all  else  shall  be  to  me 
As  embers  lacking  life.    But  now  of  these, 
Who  here  proceed,  instruct  me,  if  thou  see 
Any  that  merit  more  especial  note. 


t  Peaehiera.']  A  garrison  sitaated  to  the  south  of  Ihe  lake, 
where  it  empties  itself  and  forms  the  Mincius. 

*  OualodPa  madnett.]  Alberto  da  Casalodi,  who  had  got 
possession  of  Mantua,  was  persuaded,  by  Pinamonte  Bnona- 
cossi,  that  he  might  ingratiate  himself  with  the  people,  by 
banisliing  to  their  own  castles  the  nobles,  who  were  obnox- 
ious to  them.  No  sooner  was  this  done,  than  Pinamonte  put 
himself  at  the  head  of  the  populace,  drove  ont  Casalodi  and 
his  adherents,  and  obtained  the  sovereignty  for  himself. 

*  Another  origin.}  Lombardi  refers  toServios  on  the  Tenth 
Book  of  the  iEneid.  Alii  a  Tarchone  Tyrrheni  firatre  condi- 
tam  dicunt  Mantuam  autem  ideo  nominatam  quia  Etrosca 
Ungoa  Mantom  ditem  patrem  appellant. 


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159  THE  VISION.  104-lU 

For  thereon  is  my  mind  alone  intent"  [cheek 

He  straight  replied:    <*That  spirit,   from  whose 
The  beard  sweeps  o'er  his  shoulders  brown,  what  tim« 
Grscia  was  emptied  of  her  males,  that  scarce 
The  cradles  were  supplied,  the  seer  was  he 
In  Aulis,  who  with  Calchas  gaye  the  sign 
When  first  to  cut  the  cable.     Him  they  named 
Eurypilus :  so  sings  my  tragic  strain,' 
In  whish  majestic  measure  well  thou  know*st, 
Who  know'st  it  all.     That  other,  round  the  loins 
So  slender  of  his  shape,  was  Michael  Scot,' 

1  So  sings  my  tragic  strain.^ 

Suspensi  Eurypilnm  scitatiun  oracula  Phoebi 
Mittimus. rirg.  JEneid.y  ii.  14. 

>  Michael  Scot.'\  "  Egli  non  ha  ancora  guari,  che  in  qnesta 
citt&  fn  un  gran  maestro  in  negromanzia,  il  quale  ebbe  nome 
Michele  Scotto,  percib  che  di  Scozia  era."  Boccaccio,  Dec. 
Oiom..,  viii.  nov.  9. 

**  It  is  not  long  since  there  was  in  this  city  (Fioronce)  a 
great  master  in  necromancy,  who  was  failed  Michele  Scotto, 
because  he  was  from  Scotland."  See  also  Giov.  Villani,  HisU, 
lib.  X.  cap.  cv.  and  cxli.  and  lib.  xii.  cap.  xviii.,  and  Fazio  degli 
Ubcrti,  Dittamondo,  1.  ii«.cap.  xzvii. 

I  make  no  aaptogy  for  adding  the  following  curious  particu< 
lars  extracted  trom  the  notes  to  Mr.  Scott's  Lay  of  the  Last 
Minstrel,  a  |ipem  in  which  a  happy  use  is  made  of  the  snper- 
stitions  relating 'to  the  subject  of  this  note.  "Sir  Michael 
Bcott,  of  Balwearie,  flourished  during  the  thirteenth  century, 
and  was  one  of  the  ambassadors  sent  to  bring  the  Maid  of 
Norway  to  Scotland  upon  the  death  of  Alexander  III.  He 
was  a  man  of  much  learning,  chiefly  acquired  in  foreign 
countries.  He  wrote  a  commentary  upon  Aristotle,  printed 
At  Venice  in  1496,  and  several  treatises  upon  natural  philo- 
sophy, from  which  he  appears  to  have  been  addicted  to  the 
abstruse  studies  of  judicial  astrology,  alchymy,  physii^nomy, 
and  chiromancy.  Hence  he  passed  among  his  contempora- 
ries for  a  skilful  magician.  Dempster  infonns  us,  that  he  re- 
members to  have  heard  in  his  youth,  that  the  magic  books 
of  Michael  Scott  were  still  in  existence,  but  could  not  be 
opened  without  danger,  on  account  of  the  fiends  who  were 
thereby  invoked.  Dempsteri  Historia  Ecclesiastica,  1627, 
lib.  xii.  p.  495.  Leslie  characterizes  Michael  Scott  as  '  Singu- 
lar! philosophis  astronomie  ac  medicinie  lande  pmtans, 
dicebatur  penitissimos  magice  recessus  indagasse.*  A  per- 
sonage thus  spoken  of  by  biographers  and  historians  lose^ 
little  of  his  mystical  fame  in  vulgar  tradition.  Accordingly, 
the  memory  of  Sir  Michael  Scott  survives  in  many  a  legend; 
and  in  the  south  of  Scotiand  any  work  of  great  labor  and 
antiquity  is  ascribed  either  to  the  agency  of  Auld  Michael,  of 
Sir  William  Wallace,  or  of  the  devil.  Tradition  varies  con- 
cerning the  place  of  his  burial:  some  contend  for  Holme 
Coltraiue  In  Cumberland,  others  for  Melrose  Abbey :  but  all 
agree  that  his  books  of  magic  were  interred  in  his  grave,  of 
preserved  in  the  convent  where  he  died."  7%e  Lajf  of  tlU 
Laai  JUhtstrelt  b]f  Walter  Scott,  Esq^  Lond.  4to.  1805,  p.  23^ 
notes 


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I15-1S6.  HELL,  CAino  XX,  159 

Rractised  in  every  slight  of  magic  wile* 

**  Guido  Bonatti^  see :  Asdente'  mark, 
Who  now  were  willing  he  had  tended  still 
The  thread  and  cordwain,  and  too  late  repents. 
**  See  next  the  wretches,  who  the  needle  left* 
The  shuttle  and  the  spindle,  and  became 
Diviners :  baneful  witcheries  they  wrought 
With  images  and  herbs.     Btit  onward  now : 
For  now  doth  Cain  with  fork  of  thorns*  con&e 
On  either  hemisphere,  touching  the  wave 
Beneath  the  towers  of  Seville.    Yesternight 
The  moon  was  roimd.    Thou  mayst  remember  well 


Mr.  Warton,  speaking  of  the  new  translations  of  Aristotle, 
frran  the  original  Greek  into  Latin,  about  the  twelfth  cen- 
tnrv,  observes:  **I  believe  the  translators  understood  very 
little  Greek.  Our  countryman,  Michael  Scotus,  was  one  of 
the  first  of  them;  who  was  assisted  by  Andrew,  a  Jew. 
Michael  was  astrologer  to  Frederic  II.  Emperor  of  Germany, 
and  appears  to  have  executed  his  traiislaticms  at  Toledo  in 
Spain,  about  the  year  1290.  These  new  versiohs  were  per- 
haps little  more  than  corrections  from  those  of  the  early 
Arabians,  made  under  the  inspection  of  the  learned  Spanish 
^racens."  History  of  Engligh  Poetry,  vol.  U  dissert.  iL  and 
sect  ix.  p.  392. 

Among  the  Canonic^  MBS.  in  the  Bodleian, Xhave  seen 
(No  520)  the  astrolc^cal  works  of  Michael  Scot,  on  vellum, 
with  an  illuminated  portrait  of  him  at  the  be^ning. 

1  Ouido  Bonatti.]  An  astrologer  of  Forli,  on  whose  skill 
Guido  da  Montefeltro,  lord  of  that  place,  so  much  relied,  that 
he  is  reported  never  to  have  gone  into  battle,  except  in  the 
hour  recommended  to  him  as  fortunate  by  Bonatti. 

Landino  and  Vellutello  speak  of  a  book  which  he  com- 
posed on  the  subject  of  his  art.  Macchiavelli  mentions  him 
in  the  History  of  Florence,  1.  i.  p.  24,  ed.  1550.  '*  He  flourished 
about  1330  and  1260.  Though  a  learned  astronomer,  he  was 
seduced  by  astrology,  through  which  he  was  greatly  in  favor 
with  many  princes  of  that  time.  His  many  works  are  mis- 
erably spoiled  by  it.**  BettineUh  Ritorgimento  tTfttUiOt  t.  i. 
p.  118, 8vo.  1786.  He  is  referred  to  in  Brown's  Vulgsr  Er- 
n»8,  b.  4,  c.  13. 

'  Aadente.l  A  shoemaker  at  Parma,  who  deserted  his  busi- 
ness to  imtctise  the  arts  of  divination.  How  much  this  man 
had  attracted  the  public  notice  appears  from  a  passage  in 
our  author's  Convito,  p.  179,  where  it  is  said,  in  speaking  of 
the  derivation  of  the  word  "  noble,"  that  "  if  those  whoju^re 
best  known  were  accounted  the  most  noble,  Asdehte,  tiie 
shoemaker  of  Parma,  would  be  more  noble  than  any  one  in 
tiiat  dty." 

*  Coin  with  fork  of  thoms.1  By  Cain  and  the  thorns,  or 
what  is  still  vulgarly  called  the  Man  In  the  Moon,  the  Poet 
denotes  that  luminary.  The  same  superstition  is  alluded  to 
in  the  Paradise,  Canto  ii.  52.  The  curious  reader  may  con- 
salt  Brand  on  Popular  Antiquities,  4to.  1813.  vol.  ii.  p.  476; 
■M  Doace*s  lilustratioils  of  Shakspeare,  8vo.  1807,  v.  L  p.  16 


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154  THE  VISION.  1S7-1M 

For  she  good  aBrvice  did  thee  in  the  gloom 

Of  the  deep  wood."    This  said,  both  onward  moved 


CANTO    XXI. 


AAGUMENT. 

Btill  in  the  eighth  circle,  which  bean  the  name  of  MalebolM, 
they  look  down  from  the  bridce  that  passes  over  its  filth 
gulf,  upon  the  biurterers  or  public  peculators.  These  are 
plunged  in  a  lake  of  boiling  pitch,  and  guarded  by  Demons, 
to  whom  Virgil,  leaving  Dante  apart,  presents  himself;  ana 
license  being  obtained  to  paJM  onward,  both  pursue  their 
way. 

Thus  we  from  bridge  to  bridge,  with  other  talk. 
The  which  my  drama  cares  not  to  rehearse, 
PassM  on ;  and  to  the  summit  reaching,  stood 
To  view  another  gap,  within  the  round 
Of  Malebolge,  other  bootless  pangs. 

Marvellous  darkness  shadow'd  o'er  the  place. 

In  the  Venetians'  arsenal^  as  boils 
Through  wintry  months  tenacious  pitch,  to  smear 
Their  unsound  vessels ;  for  the  inclement  time 
Sea-faring  men  restrains,  and  in  that  while 
His  bark  one  builds  anew,  an<fther  stops 
The  ribs  of  his  that  hath  made  many  a  voyage, 
One  hammers  at  the  prow,  one  at  the  poop. 
This  shapeth  oars,  that  other  cables  twirls. 
The  mizen  one  repairs,  and  main-sail  rent ; 
So,  not  by  force  of  fire  but  art  divme, 
Boird^  here  a  glutinous  thick  mass,  that  round 
Limed  all  the  shore  beneath.     I  that  beheld. 
But  therein  naught  distmguish'd,  save  the  bubbles 
Raised  by  the  boiling,  and  one  mighty  swell 
Heave,*  and  by  turns  subsidmg  faU.    While  there 

^  In  the  Venetian**  artenal.} 

Come  dentr'ai  Naval  della  gran  terra, 
Tra  le  lacune  del  mar  d*Adria  posta, 
Serban  la  pece  la  togata  gente, 
Ad  nso  dl  lor  navi  e  dl  lor  triremi ; 
•       Per  solcar  poi  sicuri  il  mare  ondoso,  8lc. 

Rueeellai^  Le  Jipi^  v.  165. 
Dryden  seems  to  have  had  the  passage  in  the  text  before 
him  in  his  Annus  Mirabilis,  st.  146,  &c. 

s  BoiPd.]    "^di  flumen  magno  de  Inferno  procedere  ardent 
atque  piceum.    Mheriei  FieiOf  ^  17 

• One  mighty  etoeU 

Heave,] 
Vidi  etiam  os  pntei  magnum  gammas  emittentem,  et  nimf 
sonom  nnrc  deorsnm  descendentem.    jUUriei  FUm  %  IL 


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|»-M.  HELL,  Canto  XXI.  155 

I  fixM  my  kea  bdow,  "  Maik !  maik  V*  my  guide 
Exclaimiag,  drew  me  towards  him  from  the  place 
Wherein  I  stood.    I  tum*d  myself,  as  one 
Impatient  to  behold  that  which  beheld 
He  needs  must  shun,  whom  sudden  fear  unmans. 
That  he  his  fli^rht  delays  not  for  the  view. 
Behind  me  I  discem'd  a  devil  black, 
That  running  up  advanced  along  the  rock. 
Ah !  what  fierce  cruelty  his  look  bespake ! 
In  act  ho>7  bitter  did  he  seem,  with  wmgs 
Buoyant  outstretch'd  and  feet  of  nimblest  tread. 
His  shoulder,  proudly  eminent  and  sharp, 
Was  with  a  sinner  charged ;  by  either  haunch 
He  held  him,  the  foot's  sinew  griping  fast 

'*  Ye  of  our  bridge !"  he  cried,  **  keen-talon'd  fiends  I 
Lo !  one  of  Santa  Zita's  elders.^    Him 
Whelm  ye  beneath,  while  I  return  for  more. 
That  land  hath  store  of  such.    All  men  are  there, 
Except  Bouturo,  barterers  .**  of  *  no' 
For  lucre  there  an  *  aye'  is  quickly  made." 

Him  dashing  down,  o'er  the  rough  rock  he  tum'd ; 
Nor  ever  after  thief  a  mastiff  loosed 
Sped  with  like  eager  haste.    That  other  sank. 
And  forthwith  writhing  to  the  surface  rose. 
But  those  dark  demons,  shrouded  by  the  bridge, 
Cried,  "  Here  the  hallow'd  visage*  saves  not :  here 
Is  other  swimming  than  in  Serchio's  wave,* 
Wherefore,  if  thou  desire  we  rend  thee  not. 
Take  heed  thou  mount  not  o'er  the  pitch."  This  naid, 
They  grappled  him  with  more  than  hundred  hooks. 
And  shouted :  "  Cover'd  thou  must  sport  thee  here ; 
So,  if  thou  canst,  in  secret  mayst  thou  filch." 
E'en  thus  the  cook  bestirs  him,  with  his  grooms, 

^  One  of  Santa  Zita*t  ader§.]  The  elders  or  chief  ma^ 
bates  of  Lucca,  where  San.ta  Zita  was  held  in  especial  ven- 
eration. The  name  of  this  sinner  is  supposed  to  have  been 
liartino  Botaio. 

s  Exf^t  SonturOj  harierera.]  This  is  said  ironically  of 
Bontoro  de'  Dati.  BYharUrera  are  meant  pecnlativs,  of 
every  description;  all  who  traffic  the  interests  of  the  pat  lie 
for  their  own  private  advantaga 

*  The  haUoto^d  vi«age.\  A  representation  of  the  head  of  ooi 
Saviour  worshipped  at  Lucca. 

*  Is  other  etrimming  than  in  Serehie'e  wave.] 

Qui  si  nuota  altrimenti  che  nel  Serchio. 
Serchio  is  the  river  that  flows  by  Lucca.    So  Puld,  Bloig 
Magg.,  c  xziv. 

Uoi  si  nuota  nel  sangue,  e  son  nelSerehio. 


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156  THE  VISION.  Si^H 

To  thrust  tho  fleah^  into  tho  caldron  down 
With  flesh-hooks,  that  it  float  not  on  the  topi. 

Me  then  my  guide  bespake :  "  Lest  they  d30er^ 
That  thou  art  here,  behind  a  craggy 'rock 
Bend  low  and  screen  thee :  and  whatever  of  force 
Be  offer'd  me,  or  insult,  fear  thou  not ; 
For  I  am  well  advised,  who  have  been  erst 
In  the  like  fray."     Beyond  the  bridge's  head 
Therewith  he  pass*d ;  and  reaching  the  sixth  pier. 
Behooved  him  then  a  forehead  terror-proofl 

With  storm  and  fury,  as  when  dogs  rush  foith 
Upon  the  poor  man's  back,  who  suddenly 
From  whence  he  standeth  makes  his  suit ;  so  rushM 
Those  from  beneath  the  arch,  and  against  him 
Their  weapons  all  they  pointed.    He,  aloud : 
"  Be  none  of  you  outrageous :  ere  your  tine 
Dare  seize  me,  come  forth  from  among  you  onO) 
Who  having  heard  my  words,  decide  he  then 
If  he  shall  tear  these  limbs."    They  shouted  loud, 
"  Gro,  Malacoda  !'*    Whereat  one  advanced. 
The  others  standing  firm,  and  as  he  came, 
"  What  may  this  turn  avail  him  ?"  he  exclaim'd. 

"Believest  thou,  Malacoda  I  I  had  come 
Thus  far  from  all  your  skirmishing  secure," 
My  teacher  answer'd,  "  without  will  divine 
And  destiny  propitious  ?    Pass  we  then  ; 
For  so  Heaven's  pleasure  is,  that  I  should  lead 
Another  through  this  savage  wilderness:" 

Forthwith  so  fell  his  ]Mide,  that  he  let  drop 
The  instrument  of  torture  at  his  feet. 
And  to  the  rest  exclaun'd ;  "  We  have  no  power 
To  strike  him."    Then  to  me  my  guide :   "  O  thou ! 
Who  on  the  bridge  among  the  crags  dost  sit 
Low  crouching,  safely  now  to  me  return."       [fiendf 

I  rose,  and  towards  him  moved  with  speed ;  the 
Meantime  all  forward  drew :  me  terror  seized. 
Lest  they  should  break  the  compact  they  had  madew 
Thus  issuing  from  Caprona,'  once  I  saw 
Th'  infantry,  dreading  lest  his  covenant  [round. 

The  foe  should  brea^;  so  close  he  hemm*d  them 

1  The  JU»h.\  In  eitndem  flmnen  connnnt:  mrsnmqne 
asffnrgeates,  ac  denno  recidentes,  tamdin  ibidem  cruciantur, 
donee  in  morero  carniam  excocti,  Idc.    jUberiei  Fuio^  ^  17. 

s  fV<m  CsvrojM.}  The  surrender  of  the  castle  of  Caprona 
to  the  combined  f<»rees  of  Florence  and  Lncca,  on  condition 
^at  the  garrison  should  march  out  in  safety*,  to  which  even 
Dante  was  a  witness,  took  place  in  1290.  See  6.  Villan^ 
Hist,  Ub  v&  e.  198. 


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Mkll7.  HELL,  CAMTa  XXL  157 

I  to  my  leader's  nde  adhered,  mine  eyes 
With  fix'd  and  motionleoB  obsenrance  bent 
On  their  unkindly  visage.    They  their  hooks 
Protrudmg,  one  the  other  thus  bespake : 
<*  Wilt  thbn  I  touch  him  on  the  hip?"    To. whom 
Was  answered :  "  Even  so ;  nor  miss  thy  aim." 

But  he,  who  was  in  conference  with  my  gnide» 
Tum'd  rapid  round ;  and  thus  the  demon  spake : 
"  Stay,  stay  thee,  Scarmiglione !"    Then  to  os 
He  added :  **  Farther  footing  to  your  step 
This  rock  aflSirds  not,  shiverd  to  the  base 
Of  the  sixth  arch.    But  would  ye  still  proceed, 
Up  by  this  cavern  go :  not  distant  far. 
Another  rock  will  yield  you  passage  safe. 
Yesterday,'  later  by  five  hours  than  now, 
Twelve  hundred  tlureescore  years  and  six  had  fill'd 
The  circuit  of  their  course,  since  here  the  way 
Was  broken.    Thitherward  I  straight  dispatch 
Certam  of  these  my  scouts,  who  shall  espy 
If  any  on  the  surface  bask.    With  them 
Go  ye :  for  ye  shall  find  them  nothing  fell. 
Come,  Alichmo,  forth,"  with  that  he  cried, 
**  And  Calcabrina,  and  Cagnazzo'  thou ! 


1  Tetterday.]  This  passage  fixes  tbe  era  of  Duite*8  descent 
at  Good  Friday,  in  the  year  1300,  (34  vears  firom  oar  blessed 
Lord's  incarnaUon  being  added  to  1S66,)  and  at  the  thirty- 
fifth  year  of  oar  Poet*8  age.    See  Canto  i.  v.  1. 

Tlie  awful  event  alluded  to,  the  Evangelists  inform  as, 
happened  *'at  the  ninth  hour,"  that  is,  oar  sixth,  when  "  the 
rocks  were  rent,'*  and  the  convalsi(»,  according  to  Dante, 
was  felt  even  In  the  depths  of  Hell.    See  Canto  xli,  v.  3& 

s  Ctt£jiazio.]  Palci  introduces  some  of  these  demons  in  a 
very  pleasant  adventure,  related  near  the  beginning  of  the 
•econd  Canto  of  his  Morgante  Maggioce : 

Non  senti  to,  Olando,  in  qnella  tomba 

Qaelle  parole,  che  colui  rimbombal 

lo  voglio  andar  a  scoprir  qoello  avello, 

LA  doVe  e' par  che  qnella  voce  s'oda, 

Ed  eseane  Cagnazzo,  e  Farfarello, 

O  LiUcoeco,  col  soo  Malacoda ; 

E  finalmente  s'accostava  a  qoello, 

Perb  che  Orlando  questa  impresa  loda, 

E  disse ;  scooprl,  se  vi  Aissi  dentro 

Qnanti  ne  piovon  mai  dal  del  nel  centro. 

StenxeaO^l. 

**  Perceivest  the  words,  Orlando,  which  this  fellow 

Doth  in  our  ears  out  of  tliat  tomb  rebellow? 

"ni  go,  and  straight  the  sepulchre  uncase, 

Ttam  whence,  as  seems  to  me,  that  voice  was  besilt 

Be  Farflurel  and  Cagnazzo  to  my  ftice, 

Or  lihleoe  with  l^Seo^  stiR^d  :** 


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158  THE  VISION.  118-111 

The  troop  of  ten  let  Barbuicoia  lead. 

With  Libicocco,  Draghmazzo  haatOj 

Fan^d  Ciriatto,  Gramacane  fierce, 

And  Farfarello,  and  mad  Rubicant 

Search  ye  around  the  bubblmg  tar.    For  theM, 

In  safety  lead  them,  where  the  other  cng 

Unmtemipted  traverses  the  dens." 

I  then :  **  O  mabter !'  what  a  si^t  is  there ! 
Ah !  without  escort,  journey  we  alone, 
Which,  if  thou  know  the  way,  I  covet  not 
Unless  thy  prudence  fail  thee,  dost  not  mark 
How  they  do  gnarl  upon  us,  and  their  scowl 
Threatens  us  present  tortures  V*    He  replied : 
**  I  charge  thee,  fear  not :  let  them,  as  they  will, 
Gnarl  on :  'tis  but  in  token  of  their  qpite 
Against  the  souls  who  mourn  in  torment  steep'd.*' 

To  leftward  o'er  the  pier  they  tum'd ;  but  each 
Had  first  between  his  teeth  press'd  close  the  tongrue« 
Toward  their  leader  for  a  signal  looking. 
Which  he  with  sound  obscene'  triumpluuit  gave. 


CANTO    XXII 

ARGUMENT. 

Vligil  and  Dante  proceed,  accompanied  by  the  Demons,  and 

see  other  sinners  of  the  same  description  in  the  same  gidf. 

The  device  of  Ciampolo,  one  of  these,  to  escape  firom  the 

Demons,  who  had  laid  hold  on  him. 

It  hath  been  heretofore  my  chance  to  see 
Horsemen  with  martial  order  shifting  camp. 
To  onset  sallying,  or  in  muster  ranged. 
Or  in  retreat  sometimes  outstretch'd  for  flight : 
liight-armed  squadrons  and  fleet  foragers 
Scouring  thy  plains,  Arezzo !  have  I  seen. 
And  clashii^  tournaments,  and  tilting  jousts. 
Now  with  the  sound  of  trumpets,  now  of  beUs, 

An.1  finally  he  drew  near  to  the  place ; 
Th'  emprize  Orlando  praising  with  this  word: 
**  Uncase  it,  though  within  as  many  dwell. 
As  ever  were  from  heaven  rain'd  down  to  hell.** 
1  Owtagter!]    Lombardl  tells  ns  that  every  edition,  ezcepi 
his  &vorite  Nidobeatina,  has  "  O  me"  printed  separately,  in* 
Jtead  of  "  Omh.*'    This  is  not  the  case  at  least  with  Landi* 
lio*s  of  1484.    But  there  is  no  end  of  these  inaccuracies. 

s  With  sound  obscene.]    Compare  the  original  with  Aiistih 
phaaes,  Nubes.  165  :— 


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^•M.  HELL,  Canto  XXIL  150 

Tabon,^  or  aignab  made  from  castled  heig^ta. 

And  with  inventions  moltiform,  our  own, 

Or  introduced  from  foreign  land ;  but  ne'er 

To  such  a  strange  recorder  I  beheld, 

In  evolution  moving,  horse  nor  foot, 

Nor  ship,  that  tackM  by  sign  from  land  or  star. 

With  the  ten  demons  on  our  way  we  went ; 
Ah,  fearful  company !  but  in  the  church* 
With  saints,  with  gluttons  at  the  tavern's  meM. 

Still  earnest  on  the  pitch  I  gazed,  to  mark  «• 

All  things  whate'er  the  chasm  contained,*  and  those 
Who  bum'd  within.    As  dolphins*  that,  in  sign 
To  manners,  heave  high  their  arched  backs. 
That  thence  forewam'd  they  may  advise  to  save 
Their  threaten'd  vessel ;  so,  at  intervals. 
To  ease  the  pain,  his  back  some  sinner  showed, 
Then  hid  more  nimbly  than  this  lightnmg-glance. 

E'en  as  the  frogs,  that  of  a  watery  moat 
Stand  at  the  brink,  with  the  jaws  only  out. 
Their  feet  and  of  the  trunk  all  else  conceal'd, 
Thus  on  each  part  the  sinners  stood ;  but  soon 
As  Barbariccia  was  at  hand,  so  they 
Drew  back  under  the  wavew     I  saw,  and  yet 
My  heart  doth  stagger,  one,  that  waited  thus, 
As  it  befalls  that  oft  one  frog  remains. 
While  the  next  springs  away :  and  Graffiacan,* 

1  T\ibor$.']  "  Tabor,  a  dram,  a  common  accompaniment  of 
war,  is  mentioned  as  one  of  the  instraments  of  martial  mosie 
in  this  battle  (in  Richard  Cceor-de-Lion)  with  characterisU 
cal  {HTopriety.  tt  was  imported  into  the  European  armies 
firom  the  Saracens  in  the  holy  war.  Joinville  describes  a 
snperb  bark  or  galley  belonging  to  a  Saracen  chief  which,  be 
says,  was  filled  with  cymbals,  tabors,  and  Saracen  horns. 
Hist  de  S.  Loys,  p.  30."  fVarton'*  Hist,  of  Engluh  Poetry, 
V.i.$4,p.l67. 

*  In  the  church.}  This  proverb  is  repeated  by  PnlcL  Moig« 
Magg.,  c.  xvU. 

*  Whai£eT  the  chasm  eontaiii'd.]  Monti,  in  his  Proposta, 
Interprets  "  contegno"  to  mean,  not  "  contents**  but  "  state,** 
**  condition.*' 

<  Jis  dolphins."] 

li  lieti  delfinl 

Givan  saltando  sopra  Tonde  chiare, 
Che  8<^lion  di  fortnna  esser  divini. 

Freizi.    tt  quadrvr.^  lib.  i.  cap.  15. 

*  Oraffiacan.']  Fnseli,  in  a  note  to  his  third  Lecture,  ob- 
serves, that "  the  Minos  of  Dante,  in  Messer  Blagio  da  Cesc 
na,  and  his  Charon,  have  been  recognised  by  all ;  bat  lesi 
tiie  shivering  wretch  held  over  the  barge  4>y  a  hook,  and  evi- 
dently  taken  firom  this  passage.*'  He  is  speaking  of  Michael 
Angelo*8  Last  Jac^^ment 


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160  THE  VISION. 

Who  of  the  fiendi  was  neareit,  grapplmg  seized 
His  clotted  locks,  and  dragg'd  hun  sprawling  iip> 
That  he  appeared  to  me  an  otter.    Each 
Already  by  their  names  I  knew,  so  well 
When  they  were  chosen  I  observed,  and  marit'd 
How  one  the  other  call'd.    **  O  Rubicant  I 
See  that  this  hide  thou  with  thy  talons  flay,*' 
Shouted  together  all  the  cursed  crew. 
Then  I :  **  Inform  thee.  Master !  if  thou  may, 
^What  wretched  soul  is  this,  on  whom  their  hands 
tlis  foes  have  laid."     My  leader  to  lus  side 
Approached,  and  whence  he  came  inquired ;  to  whom 
Was  answer*d  thus :  **  Bom  in  Navarre's  domain,' 
My  mother  placed  me  in  a  lord's  retinue ; 
For  she  had  .borne  pie  to  a  losel  vile, 
A  spendthrift  of  his  substance  and  himself 
The  good  king  Thibault'  after  that  I  served  :* 
To  peculating  here  my  thoughts  were  tum'd. 
Whereof  I  give  account  in  this  dire  heat" 
Straight  Uiriatto,  from  whose  mouth  a  tusk 


1  Bom  in  Jfavarre^s  domain.]  The  name  of  this  pecolafor 
Is  said  to  have  been  Ciampolo. 

«  Th«  good  king  TMbavIU  "  Thibanlt  I.  King  of  Navane, 
died  on  the  8th  of  June,  13^  as  much  to  be  commended  for 
the  desire  he  showed  of  aiding  the  war  in  the  Holy  Land,  as 
reprehensible  and  faulty  for  his  design  of  oppressing  the 
lights  and  privileffes  of  the  church ;  on  which  account  it  is 
said  that  the  whole  kingdom  was  under  an  interdict  for  the 
space  of  three  entire  years.— Thlbaolt  undoubtedly  merits 
praise,  as  for  his  other  endowments,  so  especially  for  his  cul- 
tivation of  the  liberal  arts,  his  exercise  and  knowledge  of 
music  and  poetry,  in  which  he  so  much  excelled,  that  he  was 
accustomed  to  compose  verses  and  sing  them  to  the  viol,  and 
to  exhibit  his  poetical  compositions  publicly  in  his  paiace, 
that  they  might  be  criticised  by  alL"  Mariana^  Hittorjf  of 
Spainy  b.  xiii.  c.  9. 

An  account  of  Thibault,  and  two  of  his  songs,  with  what 
were  probably  the  orisinal  melodies,  may  be  seen  in  Dr. 
Bumey's  History  of  Music,  v.  ii.  c.  iv.  His  poems,  which 
are  in  the  French  language,  were  edited  by  M.  TEv^que  de 
la  Ravalli^re.  Paris,  1742,  2  vol.  ISmo.  Dante  twice  quotes 
one  of  his  verses  in  the  Treatise  de  Vulg.  £loq.,  lib.  i.  c.  ix. 
and  lib.  ii.  c.  v.,  and  refers  to  him  again,  lib.  ii.  c.  vi. 

From  **  the  -good  king  Thibault*'  afe  descended  the  good. 
but  more  unfortunate  monarch,  Louis  XVL  of  France,  and 
eonsequently  the  present  legitimate  sovereign  of  that  realm. 
Bee  Henault,  Abr«g6  Chron.  1358,  3,  4. 

*  /  torved.]  Again  Lombardi  misrepresents  the  readings 
of  other  editions,  as  he  does  throughout  this  Canto  in  several 
instances,  wherein  he  professes  to  follow  that  which  he  has 
•elected  for  his  aodel ;  but,  as  these  varieties  regard  certain 
dellcaeies  o€  thp  origiiial  langnago,  and  do  not  afibct  the 
■aaae,  I  shall  not  trouble  my  leaden  by  aotldiig  them. 


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S5-93.  HELL,  Canto  XXII.  151 

Issued  on  either  side,  as  from  a  boar, 

Ripp*d  him  with  one  of  these.    'Twixt  evil  claws 

The  mouse  had  fallen :  but  Barbariccia  cried, 

Seizing  him  with  both  arms :' "  Stand  thou  ^art, 

White  I  do  fix  him  on  my  prong  transpierced." 

Then  added,  turning  to  my  guide  his  face, 

"  Inquire  of  him,  if  more  thou  wish  to  learn, 

Ere  he  again  be  rent."     My  leader  thus : 

**  Then  tell  us  of  the  partners  in  thy  guilt ; 

Knowest  thon  any  sprung  of  Latian  land 

Under  the  tar?" — "  I  parted,"  he  replied, 

**  But  now  from  one,  who  sojoum'd  not  far  thenoe : 

So  were  I  under  shelter  now  with  him. 

Nor  hook  nor  talon  then  should  scare  me  more." 

"  Too  long  we  suffer,"  Libicocco  cried ; 
Then,  darting  forth  a  prong,  seized  on  his  arm, 
And  mangled  bore  away  the  sinewy  part 
Him  Draghinazzo  by  his  thiffhs  beneath 
Would  next  have  caught ;  ■  whence  angrily  their  chiefj 
Turning  on  all  sides  round,  with  threatening  brow 
Restrain'd  them.    When  their  strife  a  little  ceased, 
Of  him,  who  yet  was  gazing  on  hffl  wound, 
My  teacher  thus  without  delay  inquired : 
**  Who  was  the  spirit,  from  whom  by  evil  hap 
Parting,  as  thou  hast  told,  thou  camest  to  shore?"-— 

"  It  was  the  friar  Gomita,"*  he  rejoined, 
''  He  of  Gallura,  vessel  of  all  guile. 
Who  had  his  master's  enemies  in  hand. 
And  used  them  so  that  they  commend  him  well. 
Money  he  took,  and  them  at  large  dismissed ; 
So  he  reports ;  and  in  each  other  charge 
Committed  to  his  keeping  play'd  the  part 
Of  barterer  to  the  height.    With  him  doth  herd 
The  chief  of  Logodoro,  Michel  Zanche.' 
Sardinia  is  a  theme,  whereof  their  tongue 
Is  never  weary.    Out!  alas!  behold 
That  other,  how  he  grins.    More  would  I  say. 
But  tremble  lest  he  mean  to  maul  me  sore."  • 


>  The  friar  Gomita.^  He  waa  intrusted  by  Nino  de'  VI  *• 
oonti  with  the  government  of  Gallnra,  one  of  the  foor  jurlsdle  • 
tions  into  which  Sardinia  was  divided.  Having  his  master's 
enemies  in  his  ix>wer,  he  took  a  bribe  from  them,  and  allowed 
them  to  escape.  Mention  of  Nino  will  recur  in  the  notes  to 
Oaoto  xzziii.,  and  in  the  Purgatory,  Canto  viiL 

s  Michel  Zanehe.}  The  president  of  Logodoro,  another  of 
Ihe  four  Sardinian  jurisdictions  See  Canto  xzxili.  Note  to 
V.J36. 


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199  THE  VISION.  99»ll» 

Their  captain  then  to  Farfarello  tunun^, 
Who  roll'd  his  moony  eyes  m  act  to  strike. 
Rebuked  him  thus :  "  Off,  cursed  bird !  ayaont  V* 

*'  If  ye  desire  to  see  or  hear,"  he  thus 
Quaking  with  dread  resumed,  **  or  Tuscan  spirits 
Or  Lombard,  I  will  cause  them  to  appear. 
Meantime  let  these  ill  talons  bate  their  fiiry. 
So  that  no  yengeance  they  may  fear  from  them. 
And  I,  remaining  in  this  self-same  place, 
Will,  for  myself  but  one,  make  seven  appear. 
When  my  shrill  whistle  shall  be  heard :  for  so 
Our  custom  is  to  call  each  other  up." 

Cagnazzo  at  that  word  deriding  grinned. 
Then  wagg'd  the  head  and  spake :  **  Hear  his  devico. 
Mischievous  as  he  is,  to  plunge  him  down." 

Whereto  he  thus,  who  fail'd  not  in  rich  store 
Of  nice-wove  toils :  "  Mischief,  forsooth,  extreme  i 
Meant  only  to  procure  myself  more  wo." 

No  longer  Alichino  then  refrain'd. 
But  thus,  the  rest  gainsaying,  him  bespake : 
**  If  t]}ou  do  cast  thee  down,  I  not  on  foot 
Will  chase  thee,  but  above  the  pitch  will  beat 
My  plumes.    Quit  we  the  vantage  ground,  and  let 
The  bank  be  as  a  shield ;  that  we  may  see, 
If  singly  thou  prevail  against  us  all." 

Now,  reader,  of  new  sport  expect  to  hear.    . 

They  each  one  tum'd  his  eyes  to  the  other  shore. 
He  first,  who  was  the  hardest  to  persuade. 
The  spirit  of  Navarre  chose  well  his  time, 
Planted  his  feet  on  land,  and  at  one  leap 
leaping,  disappointed  their  resolve. 

Them  quick  resentment  stung,  but  him  the  most, 
Who  was  the  cause  of  failure :  in  pursuit 
He  therefore  sped,  exclaiming,  "  Thou  art  caught'* 

But  little  it  avail'd ;  terror  outstripp*d 
His  following  flight ;  the  other  plunged  beneath, 
And  he  with  upward  pinion  raised  hu  breast : 
E'en^us  the  water-fowl,  when  she  perceives 
The  falcon  near,  dives  instant  down,  while  he 
Enraged  and  spent  retires.    That  mockery 
In  Calcabrina  fury  stirr'd,  who  flew 
After  him,  with  desire  of  strife  inflamed: 
And,  for  the  barterer  had  'scaped,  so  tum*d 
His  talons  on  his  comrade.    O'er  the  dike 
In  grapple  close  they  join'd ;  but  the  othei  proved 
A  goshawk  able  to  rend  well  his  foe ; 
And  in  the  boilmg  Isike  both  fell.    The  heat 


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14&148.  HELL,  Canto  XXm.  1$% 

Was  umpire'  soon  between  them  ;  but  in  ^-ain 
To  Jift  themselves  they  strove,  so  fast  were  glued 
Their  pennons.     Barbariccia,  as  the  rest, 
That  chance  lamenting,  four  in  flight  diq>atch'd 
From-  the  other  coast,  with  all  their  weapons  arm'dt 
They,  to  their  post  on  each  side  speedily 
Descendmg,  stretch'd  their  hooks  toward  the  fiendi% 
Who  floundered,  inly  burning  from  their  scam : 
And  we  departing  left  them  to  that  broiL 


CANTO   XXIIL 

AEGUMENT. 
The  enraged  Demons  pursue  Dante,  bnt  he  is  preserved  from 
them  by  Virgil.  On  reaching  the  sixth  gaif,  he  beholds 
the  punishment  of  the  hypocrites ;  which  is,  to  pace  cmi- 
tinually  round  the  gulf  under  the  pressure  of  caps  and 
hoods,  that  are  gilt  on  the  outside,  but  leaden  within.  He 
is  addressed  by  two  of  these,  Catalano  and  Loderingo, 
knights  of  Saint  Mary,  otherwise  called  Joyous  Friars  of 
Bologna.  Caiaphas  is  seen  fixed  to  a  cross  on  the  ground, 
and  lies  so  stretched  along  the  way,  that  all  tread  on  Mm 
in  passing. 

In  silence  and  in  solitude  we  went, 
One  first,  the  other  following  his  steps. 
As  minor  friars  journeying  on  their  road. 

The  present  fray  had  tum'd  my  thoughts  to  muse 
Upon  old  jEsop's  fable,'  where  he  told 
What  fate  unto  the  mouse  and  frog  befell ; 
For  language  hath  not  sounds  more  like  in  sense. 
Than  are  these  chances,  if  the  origin 
And  end  of  each  be  heedfully  compared. 
And  as  one  thought  bursts  from  another  forth, 
So  afterward  from  that  another  sprang. 
Which  added  doubly  to  my  former  fear. 
For  thus  I  reasoned :  "  These  through  us  have  been 
So  foil'd,  with  loss  and  mockery  so  complete. 
As  needs  must  sting  them  sore.    If  anger  then 
Be  to  their  evil  will  conjoin'd,  more  fell 
They  shall  pursue  us,  than  the  savage  hound 
Snatches  the  leveret  panting  'twixt  his  jaws." 

Already  I  perceived  my  hair  stand  all 

1  Umpire.  \  Schermidor.  The  reader,  if  he  thinks  It  worth 
while,  may  consult  the  Proposta  of  Monti  on  this  word,  which 
With  Lombard!,  he  would  alter  to  sghermitor. 

a  JSlgop^s  fable.}  The  fable  of  the  firog,  who  ofiered  to  car 
ly  tiie  mouse  across  a  ditch,  with  the  intention  of  drowning 
bim,  when  bothwere  carried  off  by  a  kite.  It  Is  not  among 
hose  Greek  &ble8  which  go  onde :  the  name  of  MBOp. 


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164  THE  VISION. 

On  end  with  terror,  and  look'd  eager  liack. 

*'  Teacher/'  I  thus  began,  **  if  speedily 
Thyself  and  me  thou  hide  not,  much  I  dread 
Those  evil  talons.     Even  now  behind 
They  urge  us :  quick  imagination  works 
So  forcibly,  that  I  already  feel  them." 

He  answerM :  «  Were  I  form'd  of  leaded  glaw, 
I  should  not  sooner  draw  unto  myself 
Thy  outward  image,  than  I  now  imprint 
That  from  within.   This  moment  came  thy  thougbis 
Presented  before  mine,  with  similar  act 
And  countenance  similar,  so  that  from  both 
I  one  design  have  framed.     If  the  right  coast 
Incline  so  much,  that  we  ms^  thence  descend 
Into  the  other  chasm,  we  shall  escape 
Secure  from  this  imagined  pursuit" 

He  had  not  spoke^  his  purpose  to  the  end, 
When  I  from  far  beheld  them  with  spread  wings 
Approach  to  take  us.    Suddenly  my  guide 
Caught  me,  even  as  a  mother  that  from  sleep 
Is  by  the  tioise  aroused,  and  near  her  sees 
The  climbing  fires,  who  snatches  up  her  babe 
And  flies  ne'er  pausing,  careful  more  of  him 
Than  of  herself,  that  but  a  single  vest 
Clings  roimd  her  limbs.    Down  from  the  jutting  beach 
Supine  he  cast  him  to  that  pendent  rock, 
Which  closes  on  one  part  the  other  chasm. 

Never  ran  water  with  such  hurrying  pace 
Adown  the  tube  to  turn  a  land-mill's  wheel. 
When  nearest  it  approaches  to  the  spokes, 
As  then  along  that  edge  my  master  ran, 
Canying  me  in  his  bo^m,  as  a  child, 
Not  a  companion.     Scarcely  had  his  feet 
Reach'd  to  the  lowest  of  the  bed  beneath. 
When  over  us  the  steep  they  reach'd :  but  faac 
In  him  was  none ;  for  that  high  Providence 
Which  placed  them  ministers  of  the  fifth  foss. 
Power  of  departing  thence  took  from  them  alL 

There  in  the  depth  we  saw  a  painted  tribe, 
Who  paced  with  tardy  steps  around,  and  wept. 


1  He  had  not  ^poke.\  Ciunqae  ego  cnm  angelis  relietns 
Btarem  pavidas,  nnus  ex  illis  tartareis  minlstris  horridis  (Qu 
nonridns  1}  hispidU  (Qa.  hispidos  ?)  aspectnqae  proceras  fet- 
tiniu  adveniens  me  impellere,  et  quomodocmnqae  nocera 
conabatur:  earn  ecce  apostoliu  velocius  accnnrens,  meqne 
•iiblto  arriiriens  in  qaendiun  loeom  gloiioM.projecit  vialonis. 
jUkmiei  Viaw,  %  15 


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W-lOQt.  HELL,  Camto  XXIIL  IM 

Faint  in  appeannce  and  o'ercome  with  tofl. 
Caps  had  they  on,  with  hoods,  that  fell  low  down 
Before  their  eyes,  in  fashion  like  to  those 
Worn  by  the  monks  in  Cologne.*    Their  outside 
Was  OYerlaid  with  gold,  dazzling  to  view, 
But  leaden  all  withm«  and  of  such  weight, 
That  Frederick's*  compared  to  these  were  straw. 
Oh,  everiasting  wearisome  attire ! 

We  yet  once  more  with  them  together  tum*d 
To  leftward,  on  their  dismal  moan  intent 
But  by  the  weight  oppressed,  so  slowly  came 
The  fainting  people,  that  our  company 
Was  changed,  at  every  moYement  of  the  step. 

Whence  I  my  guide  address'd :  "  See  that  thoQ 
find 
Some  epirit,  whose  name  may  by  his  deeds  be  known ; 
And  to  that  end  look  round  thee  as  thou  go*st.** 

Then  one,  who  understood  the  Tuscan  voice. 
Cried  after  us  aloud :  "  Hold  in  your  feet. 
Ye  who  so  swiftly  speed  through  the  dusk  air. 
Perehance  from  me  thou  shaft  obtain  thy  wish." 

Whereat  my  leader,  turning,  me  bespake : 
**  Pause,  and  then  onward  at  Uieir  pace  proceed.** 

I  stay'd,  and  saw  two  spirits  in  whose  look 
Impatient  eagerness  of  mind  was  mark'd 
To  overtake  me  ;  but  the  load  they  bare 
And  narrow  path  retarded  their  approach. 

Soon  as  arrived,  they  with  an  eye  askance 
Perused  me,  but  spake  not :  then  turning,  each 
To  other  thus  conferring  said :  **  This  one 
Seems,  by  the  action  of  his  throat,  alive ; 
And,  be  they  dead,  what  privilege  allows 
They  walk  unmantled  by  the  cumbrous  stole?" 

Then  thus  to  me :  "  Tuscan,  who  visitest 
The  college  of  the  mourning  hypocrites. 
Disdain  not  to  instruct  us  who  thou  art" 

**  By  Amo's  pleasant  stream,"  I  thus  repliedy 
"  In  the  great  city  I  was  bred  and  grew, 
And  wear  the  body  1  have  ever  worn. 
But  who  are  ye,  from  whom  such  mighty  grief, 
As  now  I  witness,  courseth  down  your  cheeks? 
Wha^ torment  breaks  forth  in  this  bitter  wo?" 

>  Monks  in  Cwogne.1  They  wore  their  cowls  nniuaally 
large. 

s  R^ederi6k*9.l  The  Emperor  Frederick  II.  is  said  to  have 
puDished  those  who  were  guilty  of  high  treason  by  wrapping 
theoi  up  in  lead,  and  oasti^  them  into  a  Aimace. 


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166  THE  VISION.  lOi-U^ 

«  Oar  bonnets  gleaming^  bright  with  orange  hue," 
^One  of  them  aniwer^d,  «  are  so  leaden  groes. 
That  with  their  weight  they  make  the  balances 
To  crack  beneath  them.    Joyous  friatB*  we  wers* 
Bol<^a's  natiYes ;  Catalano  I, 
He  Loderinffo  named ;  and  by  thy  land 
Together  taken,  as  men  use  to  take 
A  single  and  indifferent  arbiter, 
To  reconcile  their  strifes.    How  there  we  spedy 
Gardingo*s  vicmage*  can  best  declare." 

"  O  friars !"  I  began,  «*  your  miseries—" 
But  there  brake  off,  for  one  had  caught  mine  eye» 
Fix'd  to  a  cross  wiUi  three  stakes  on  the  ground : 
He,  when  he  saw  me,  writhed  himself,  t^ughoat 

1  Our  hennett  gleaming  bright  wUk  orangt  ku».'\  It  It  ob 
served  by  Ventun,  that  the  word  "  ranee"  does  not  here  sig- 
nify "  rancid  or  disgostftil,**  as  it  is  explained  by  the  old  com- 
mentators,  but  *'  <ntuige-colored,**  in  which  sense  it  occurs  in 
the  PniKatory,  Canto  iL  9. 

By  the  erroneoos  intenwetation  Milton  appears  to  have 
been  misled ;  *'  Ever  since  the  day  peepe,  till  now  the  sua 
was  grown  somewhat  ranke:*  Prose  Worke^  v.  i.  p.  160,  ed. 
1753. 

•  Joy OU9  friar §.}  "Those  who  ruled  'the  citv  of  Ftorence 
on  the  part  of  the  Ohibellines,  perceiving  this  discontent  and 
murmuring,  which  they  were  feurflil  might  produce  a  rebel- 
lion against  themselves,  in  order  to  satisfy  the  people,  made 
choice  of  two  knights,  Frati  Godentl  (joyous  friars)  of  Bo- 
logna, on  whom  they  conferred  the  chief  power  in  Florence ; 
one  named  M.  Catalano  de*  Malavolti,  the  other  M.  Loderingo 
dl  Liandolo ;  one  an  adherent  of  the  Guelph,  the  other  of  the 
Ghibelline  pojrty.  It  is  to  be  remarked,  that  the  Joybus 
Friars  were  called  Knights  of  St  Mary,  and  became  knights 
on  taking  that  habit:  their  robes  were  white,  the  mantle 
sable,  and  the  arms  a  white  field  and  red  cross  with  two  stars : 
their  office  was  to  defend  widows  and  orphans ;  they  were  to 
act  as  roediaton ;  they  had  internal  r^nlations  like  other 
religions  bodies.  The  above-mentioned  M.  Loderingo  was 
the  founder  of  that  order.  But  it  was  not  long  before  they 
too  well  deserved  the  appellation  given  them,  and  were 
found  to  be  more  bent  on  enjoying  themselves  than  on  any . 
other  ol^t  These  two  friars  were  called  in  by  the  Floren 
tines,  and  had  a  residence  assigned  them  in  the  palace  be 
longing  to  the  people,  over  against  the  Abbey.  Such  was 
the  dependence  placed  on  the  character  of  their  <urder,  that 
it  was  expected  they  would  be  impartial,  and  would  save  the 
etunmonwealth  any  unnecessary  expense ;  instead  of  which, 
though  inclined  to  opposite  parties,  they  secretly  and  hypo- 
critically concurred  in  promoting  their  own  advantage  rather 
than  the  public  good.*'  O.  ViUani,  b.  vi^.  13.  This  hap 
pened  in  1366. 

*  Oardingo's  vieinage.\  The  name  of  that  part  of  the  city 
which  was  inhabited  by  the  powerfril  Ghibelline  fiunily  of 
the  Uberti,  and  destroyed  under  the  partial  and  iniqoltooa 
Administration  of  Catalano  and  fcoderinigo. 


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II9>I51.  HELL,  Canto  XXUL  ]67 

t>uioited,  nifflmg  with  deep  fighs  his  beard. 

And  Catalano,  who  thereof  was  'ware, 

Thus  spake :  **  That  pierced  spirit,'  whom  intent 

Thoa  view'st,  was  he  who  gave  the  Pharisees 

Counsel,  that  it  were  fitting  for  one  man 

To  suffer  for  the  people.    He  doth  lie 

Transverse ;  nor  any  passes,  but  him  fint 

Behooves  make  feeling  trial  how  each  weiriis. 

In  straits  like  this  along  the  foss  are  placed 

The  father  of  his  consort,*  and  the  rest 

Partakers  in  that  council,  seed  of  ill 

And  soRow  to  the  Jews."  .  I  noted  then 

How  Virgil  gazed  with  wonder  upon  him, 

Thus  abjectly  extended  on  the  cross 

In  banidbment  etemaL     To  the  friar 

He  next  his  words  address'd :  "  We  pray  ye  lell, 

If  so  be  lawful,  whether  on  our  right 

Lies  any  opening  in  the  rock,  whereby 

We  both  may  issue  hence,  without  constraint 

On  the  dark  angels,  that  compeird  they  come 

To  lead  us  from  this  depth."    He  thus  replied : 

**  Nearer  than  thou  dost  hope,  there  is  a  rock 

From  the  great*  circle  moving,  which  o'ersteps 

Each  vale  of  horror,  save  that  here  his  cope 

Is  shattered.     By  the -ruin  ye  may  mount : 

For  on  the  side  it  slants,  and  most  the  height 

Rises  below."     With  head  bent  down  awMe 

My  leader  stood  ;  then  spake :  "  He  wam*d  us  ill,^ 

Who  yonder  hangs  the  sinners  on  his  hook." 

To  whom  the  mar :  "  At  Bologna  erst 
I  many  vices  of  the  devil  heard  ; 
Among  the  rest  was  said,  <  He  is  a  liar,* 
*  And  the  father  of  lies !' "     When  he  had  spoke, 
My  leader  with  large  strides  proceeded  on. 
Somewhat  disturb'd  with  anger  in  his  look. 

I  therefore  left  the  spirits  heavy  laden. 
And,  following,  his  beloved  footsteps  marked. 

>  That  pierced  spirit.]    Ca'iaphas. 

*  The  father  of  hie  eoneort.]  Annas,  fiither-in-law  to  Cal* 
aphas. 

*  Great.]  In  the  former  editions  it  was  printed  '*next** 
The  oRor  was  observed  by  Mr.  Carlyle. 

*  He  wam'd  ua  ill.]  He  refers  to  the  falsehood  told  him 
by  the  demon.    Canto  zxi.  108. 

^  He  tea  liar.]  "*  He  is  a  liar  and  the  father  of  it."  Johnt 
c  viii.  44.  Dante  had  perhaps  heard  this  text  from  one  of  the 
pulpitB  in  Bologna. 


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168  THE  VISI0I4.  l-ti 

CANTO   XXIV. 

ARGUMENT. 
Under  the  etcort  of  his  faithful  master,  Dante  not  wlthou 
difficulty  makes  his  way  out  of  the  sixth  gulf:  and  In  the 
seventh,  sees  the  robbers  tormented  by  venomovu  and  pes- 
tilent serpents.  The  soul  of  Vanni  Fncci,  who  had  piilaffed 
the  sacristy  of  Saint  James  tn  Pistoia,  predicts  some  ca>* 
lamities  that  impended  over  tnat  city,  and  over  the  Floren 
tines. 

In  the  year's  early  nonage/  when  the  sum 
Tempers  his  tresses  in  Aquarius*  urn, 
And  now  towards  equal  day  the  nights  recede ; 
When  as  the  rime  upon  the  earth  puts  on 
Her  dazzling  sister's  image,'  but  not  long 
Her  milder  sway  endures  ;  then  riseth  up 
The  village  hmd,  whom  fails  his  wmtry  store,* 
And  looking  out  beholds  the  plain  around 
All  whiten'd ;  whence  impatiently  he  smites 
His  thighs,  and  to  his  hut  returning  in, 
There  paces  to  and  fro,  wailing  his  lot. 
As  a  discomfited  and  helpless  man  ; 
Then  comes  he  forth  again,  and  feels  new  hope 
Spring  in  his  bosom,  finding  e'en  thus  soon 
The  world  hath  changed  its  countenance,  grasps  his 
And  forth  to  pasture  orives  his  little  flock :      [crook, 
So  me  my  guide  disheartened,  when  I  saw 
His  troubled  forehead ;  and  so  speedily 
That  ill  was  cured  ;  for  at  the  fallen  bridge 
Arriving,  towards  me  with  a  look  as  sweet. 
He  tum'd  him  back,  as  that  I  first  beheld 
At  the  steep  moimtain's  foot.    Regarding  well 
The  ruin,  and  some  counsel  first  maintained 
With  his  own  thought,  he  open'd  wide  his  arm 

^  IntJU  fear't  earlf  nonage,]    '*  At  the  latter  part  of  Jaa 
•ary,  when  the  sua  enters  Into  Aquarius,  and  the  equinox  It 
drawing  near,  when  the  hoar-frosts  in  the  morning  oAen  wear 
the  appearance  of  snow,  but  are  melted  by  the  rising  sun." 
•   Htr  dattling  tister't  ima£e.] 

Xiyviv  fiiXatvav,  aitfXify  wpd;  Kdciv. 
JEsdk^,  Septem  Contra  TMas,  v.  490,  BUmfid^*  «^ 

Kdcii 

«vXoO  ^(/rovpos,  U\\fla  k6vis, 

JEtckfl.  J3/roniemnonj  v.  478,  Blmi^iML 
WTumfailt  his  wintrff  store,] 
A  cui  la  roba  manca. 
■o  in  the  Purgatorio,  c.  xiii.  61. 

Cosi  gli  dechi  a  cui  la  roba  maiMa 


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tS-M.  HELL,  Camto  XXIY.  lag 

And  took  me  up.    As  one,  who,  while  he  workiy 
Coiiiputes  his  labor's  issue,  that  he  seems 
Still  to  foresee  the  effect ;  so  lifting  me 
Up  to  the  summit  of  one  peak,  he  fix'd 
His  eye  upon  another.    "  Grapple  that,** 
Said  he,  "  but  first  make  proof,  if  it  be  such 
As  will  sustain  thee."    For  one  capp'd  with  lead 
This  were  no  journey.    Scarcely  he,  though  light» 
And  I,  though  onwud  push'd  from  crag  to  crag. 
Could  mount.    And  if  the  precinct  of  this  coast 
Were  not  less  ample  than  the  last,  for  him 
I  know  not,  but/ny  strength  had  surely  fail'd. 
But  Malebolge  all  toward  the  mouth 
Indinmg  of  the  nethermost  abyss. 
The  site  of  every  valley  hence  requires, 
7hat  one  side  upward  slope,  the  other  falL 

At  length  the  point  from  whence^  the  utmost  stonA 
Juts  down,  we  reach'd ;  soon  as  to  that  arrived. 
So  was  the  breath  exhausted  ]&om  my  lungs, 
I  could  no  further,  but  did  seat  me  there. 

"  Now  needs  thy  best  of  man  ;"  so  spake  my  guide  t 
"  For  not  on  downy  plumes,^  nwr  under  shade   • 
Of  canopy  reposing,  fame  is  won ; 
Without  which  whosoe'er  consumes  his  days, 
Leaveth  such  vestige  of  himself  on  earth. 
As  smoke  in  air,  or  foam  upon  the  wave. 
Thou  therefore  rise :  vanqinsh  thy  wearinesG^ 
By  the  mind's  effi>rt,  in  each  struggle  form'd 
To  vanquish,  if  she  suffer  not  the  weight 
Of  her  corporeal  frame  to  crush  her  t^wn. 

1  F)rom  tohenee.]    Mr.  Carlyle  notes  the  mistake  in  my  fi» 
ner  translation ;  and  I  have  corrected  it  accordingly. 

*  JVbt  on  dotony  plumes.] 

Lettor,  tu  del  pensar  che,  senza  ardire, 
Senza  afianno  soffirir,  raomo  non  paotf 
Fama  acqnistar,  ne  gran  cose  fomlre. 

fhiio  degli  Uberti^  DittamofldOf  lib.  1^  cap.  iv. 
Nessnn  mai  per  foggir,  o  per  riposo, 
Venne  in  altezza  fama  ovver  in  gloria. 

Frettit  U  Quadrir^  lib.  iL  cap.  it. 
Signor,  non  sotto  Tombra  in  piaggia  moUe 
Tra  font!  e  fior,  tra  NInfe  e  tra  Sirene, 
Ma  in  cima  aU'erto  e  faticoso  colle 
Delia  virtu  riposto  £  il  nostro  bene. 

Taasoj  O,  Z.,  c.  xvii.  %t.  9L 

*  FianquUh  thy  ioeariness.\ 

Qiiin  corpus  onostnm 

Hestemis  vitiis  animum  quoqne  pnegravat  uni, 
4tnie  affi^t  humi  divinn  particaiam  anne. 

JBor.  54*.,  IL  Ub.  U  m 

8 


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170  THE  VISION.  sym 

A  longer  ladder  yet  remaini  to  scale 
From  these  to  have  escaped  sufficeth  not 
If  well  thou  note' me,  profit  by  my  words." 

I  straightway  rose,  and  show'd  myself  less  spent 
Thau  I  in  truth  did  feel  me;    «  On,"  I  cried, 
"  For  I  am  stout  and  fearless."    Up  the  rock 
Our  way  we  held,  more  nigged  than  before. 
Narrower,  and  steeper  far  to  climb.    From  talk 
I  ceased  not,  as  we  joiumey'd,  so  to  seem 
Least  faint ;  whereat  a  voice  from  the  other  foss 
Did  issue  forth,  for.  utterance  suited  ilL 
Though  on-the  arch  that  crosses  there  I  stO'Xl, 
What  were  the  words  I  knew  not,  but  who  sp«ke 
Seem'd  moved  m  anger.    Down  I  stoop'd  to  look ; 
But  my  quick  eye  might  reach  not  to  the  depth 
For  shrouding  darkness ;  wherefore  thus  I  spake :    ' 
'*  To  the  next  circle,  teacher,  bend  thy  steps, 
And  from  the  wall  dismount  we ;  for  as  hence 
I  hear  and  understand  not,  so  I  see 
Beneath,  and  naught  discern." — "  I  answer  not," 
Said  he,  <<  but  by  the  deed.    To  faur  request 
Silent  performance  maketh  best  return." 

We  from  the  bridge's  head  descended,  where 
To  the  eighth  mound  it  joins ;  and  then,  the  chasm 
Opemng  to  view,  I  saw  a  crowd  within 
Of  serpents*  terrible,  so  strange  of  shape 
And  hideous,  that  remembrance  in  my  veins 
Yet  shrinks  the  vital  current    Of  her  sands^ 
Let  Lybia  vaunt  no  more ;  if  Jaculus, 
Pareas  and  Chelyder  be  her  brood, 
Cenchris  and  Amphisbena,  plagues  so  dire 
Or  in  such  numbers  swarming  ne'er  she  show'd. 
Not  with  all  Ethiopia,  and  whatever 
Above  the  Erythrsan  sea  is  spawn'd. 

Amid  this  dread  exuberance  of  wo 
Ran  naked  sphits  wmg'd  with  horr'd  fear, 
Nor  hope  had  they  of  crevice  whero  to  hide, 
Or  heliotrope*  to  charm  them  out  of  view. 

1  SerpeiUs.}  Vldi  locum  horridum  teDebrosom  fflBUnllNH 
exhalantibas  flammis  crepitantibns  serpentibus,  draconibos 
repletam.    Alherict  Fisio,  $  12. 

*  Of  her  tandt.]    Ck>mpare  Lncan,  Ph&rs.,  lib.  ix.  703. 

*  Miotrope.]  Viridl  colore  est  (gemma  heliotropion)  non 
ita  acuto  sed  nubilo  magis  et  represso,  stellis  puniceis  snper- 
spersa.  Causa  lUMninis  de  eflfectu  lapidis  est  et  potestate. 
Dejecta  in  labris  eneis  radios  soils  mntat  sanguineo  reper* 
cnssu,  utraque  aquft  splendorem  a^ris  abjlcit  et  avertlt 
Etiam  iUnd  posse  dicltnr,  ut  herbA  ejnsdem  nominis  mixta 
•t  pneeantatlonibus  legitimis  conseciata,  enm,  a  quocunqoe    . 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


•S-111,  HELL,  Cantd  XXIV.  I7i 

With  serpents  were  their  hands  behind  them  bomid. 

Which  through  their  reins  infixM  the  tail  and  head, 

Twisted  in  fdds  before.    And  lo !  on  one 

Near  to  our  side,  darted  an  adder  up, 

And,  where  the  neck  is  on  the  shoulders  tied. 

Transpierced  him.    Far  more  quickly  than  e'er  pen 

Wrote  O  or  I,  he  kindled,  bum'd,  and  changed 

To  ashes  all,  pourM  out  upon  the  earth. 

When  there  dissolved  he  lay,  the  dust  again 

Uproll'd  spontaneous,  and  the  self  same  form 

Instant  resumed.    So  mighty  sages  tell, 

The  Arabian  Phoenix,^  when  five  hundred  yean 

Have  well-nigh  circled,  dies,  and  springs  forthwith 

Renascent :  blade  nor  herb  throughout  his  life 

He  tastes,  but  tears  of  frankincense'  alone 

And  odorous  amomum :  swaths  of  nard 

And  myrrii  his  funeral  shroud.    As  one  that  falls, 

He  knows  not  how,  by  force  demoniac  dragg'd 

To  earth,  or  through  obstruction  fettering  up 

gestabitur,  snbtrahat  visibns  obvionun.  Solinui,  e.  xl.  ''  A 
stone,'*  says  Boccaccio,  in  his  humorous  tale  of  Calandrino, 
**  which  we  lapidaries  call  heliotrope,  of  such  extraordinary 
virtue,  that  the  bearer  of  it  is  effectually  concealed  from  the 
sight  of  all  present."    Decam.,  G.  viii.  N.  3. 

In  Chiabrera's  Ruggiero,  Scaltriroento  begs  of  Sofia,  who  is 
sending  him  on  a  perilous  errand,  to  lend  him  the  heliotrope 

In  mia  man  fida 

L*eIitropia,  per  cui  possa  involarmi 
Secondo  il  mio  talento  agli  occhi  altruL  c  vL 

Trust  to  my  hand  the  heliotrope,  by  which 
I  may  at  will  from  others'  eyes  conceal  me. 
Compare  Ariosto,  II  Negromante,  a.  3,  s.  3.    Pnlci,  Morg. 
Magg.,  c.  xxv.,  and  Fortiguerra,  Ricciardetto,  c.  x.  st  17. 

Ck)wer,  in  his  Confessio  Amantis,  lib.  vii.  enumerates  it 
among  the  Jewels  in  the  diadem  of  the  sun : — 
Jaspis  and  helitropius.. 
1  The  Arabian  Phanix.}     This  is  translated  from  Ovi<^ 
Me)am.,lib.zv.:~ 

Una  est  qnse  reparat,  seque  ipsa  reseminat  ales ; 
Assyrii  Phoenica  vocant.    Nee  fruge  neque  herbis, 
Sed  thuris  lacrymis,  et  succo  vivit  amomi. 
Hffic  ubi  quinqne  sue  complevit  secuia  vits, 
Ilicis  in  ramis,  tremuleve  cacumine  palms, 
Unguibus  et  pando  nidum  sibi  construit  ore. 
Qua  simul  ut  casias,  et  nardi  lenis  aristas, 
Quassaque  cum  fulvd  snbstravit  cinnama  mynrhft, 
Be  super  imponit,  finitque  in  odoribus  evum* 
Bee  also  Petrarch,  Canzone : — 
Qual  piu,  &c. , 
■  Tears  of  frankincense."] 

Incense  e  minra  ^  quello  onde  si  paspe, 
Facio  degli  Ubertl,  Dittamondo,  in  a  gorgeous  descriptiim  el 
the  f  hoBuix,  lib  II.  cap.  r. 


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179'  THE  IflSION.  11»-14» 

In  ehaiift  invisible  the  powen  of  man, 
Who,  risen  from  his  trance,  gazeth  around,^ 
Bewildered  with  the  monstrous  agony 
Hh  hath  endured,  and  wildly  staring  sighs ; 
So  stood  aghast  the  sinner  when  he  rose. 

Oh !  how  severe  Grod's  judgment,  that  deals  a«t 
Such  blows  in  stormy  vengeance.    Who  he  was. 
My  teacher  next  inquired ;  and  thus  in  few 
He  answered :  **  Vanni  Fucci*  am  I  called, 
Not  long  smce  rained  down  from  Tuscany 
To  this  dire  gullet    Me  the  bestial  life 
And  not  the  human  pleased,  mule  that  I  was. 
Who  in  Pistoia  found' my  worthy  den.** 

I  then  to  Virgil :  <<  Bid  him  stir  not  hence ; 
And' ask  what  crime  did  thrust  him  hither :  once 
A  man  I  knew  him,  choleric  and  bloody.** 

The  sinner  heard  and  feign'd  not,  but  towards  dm 
His  mind  directing  and  his  face,  wherein 
Was  dismal  shame  depictured,  thus  he  spake : 
"  It  grieves  me  more  to  have  been  caught  by  thee 
In  this  sad  plight,  which  thou  beholdest,  than 
When  I  was  Uken  from  the  other  life. 
I  have  no  power  permitted  to  deny 
What  thou  inquirest    I  am  doom'd  thus  low 
To  dwell,  for  that  the  sacristy  by  me 
Was  rifled  of  its  goodly  ornaments. 
And  with  the  guilt  another  falsely  charged. 
But  that  thou  mayst  not  joy  to  see  me  thus. 
So  as  thou  e'er  shalt  *scape  this  darksome  realm, 
Open  thine  ears  and  hear  what  I  forebode. 
Reft  of  the  Neri  first  Pistoia*  pmes ; 
•Then  Florence^  changeth  citizens  and  laws; 

>  Oaitth  around,\    • 

Bn  ml  leva!  senza  far  piik  parole, 

Cogli  occhi  intomo  stupido  miiando, 
81  eome  i'E^entico  far  vaxAe. 

FVetzi,  11  Qnadrir^  lib,  ii.  cap.  liL 
I  Fanni  Fiteei.}  He  is  said  to  have  been  an  illegitimata 
offitpring  of  the  family  of  La^ari  in  Pistoia,  and,  having  robbed 
the  sacristy  of  the  chnrch  of  St.  James  in  that  city,  to  have 
charged  Vanni  della  Nona  with  the  sacrilege ;  in  consequence 
of  which  accusation  the  latter  suffered  death. 

>  Putoia.\  "  In  May,  1301,  the  Blanchi  party  of  Pistoia, 
with  the  assistance  and  &vor.of  the  Blanchi,  who  ruled  Flor 
ence,  drove  out  the  party  of  the  Neri  f^fom  the  former  plaee, 
destroying  their  houses,  palaoes,  and  &mis."  Oiov,  FtUani, 
Bi9t^  lib.  viU.  c.  xliv. 

«  Then  JXorenM.]  **  Boon  after  the  Blanchi  will  be  ex- 
pelled ftom  Florence,  the  Neii  will  pMvail,  and  the  lawn  aa4 
People  will  be  changed." 


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144-lM.  HELL.  Canto  XXV.  171 

From  Valdimagra,^  drawn  by  wrathful  Ma^ 
A  trapor  rises,  wrapt  in  turbid  mists. 
And  sharp  and  eager  drtyeth  on  the  storm 
With  arrowy  hnrtEng  o'er  Piceno*s  field, 
Whence  suddenly  the  cloud  shall  burst,  and  stiiko 
Bach  helpless  Bianco  prostrate  to  the  ground. 
This  have  I  told,  that  grief  may  rond  Siy  hearts* 


CANTO  XXV. 

ARGUMENT. 
l*he  St  crilegioas  Facci  vents  his  ftiry  in  blasphemy,  is  seised 
by  serpents,  and  flying  is  pnrstied  by  Uacus  in  the  fonn  of 
a  Centaor,  who  is  described  with  a  swarm  of  serpents  on 
his  hannch,  and  a  drafon  on  his  shoulders  breathing  forth 
fire.  Oar  Poet  then  meets  with  the  spirits  of  three  of  his 
countrymen,  two  of  whom  undergo  a  marvellous  trantfor- 
mation  in  his  jHresence. 

When  he  had  spoke,  the  sinner  raised  his  hands' 
Pointed  in  mockery,  and  cried :  *<  Take  them,  God ! 

1  FVom  raldimat^a.]  The  commentators  explain  this  pro- 
phetical threat  to  aiiude  to  the  victory  obtained  by  the  Mar- 
quis Morello  Malaspina  of  Valdimagra,  (a  tract  of  country 
now  called  the  Luiugiana,)  who  put  himself  at  the  head  of 
the  Neri,  and  defeated  their  opponents,  the  Bianchi,  in  the 
Campo  Piceno,  near  Pistoia,  soon  after  the  occurrence  related 
in  the  preceding  note  on  v.  142.  Of  this  engagement  I  find  no 
mention  in  Villani.  Balbo  (Vita  di  Dante,  v.  ii.  p.  143)  refers 
to  Gerini,  Memorie  Storiche  di  Lunigiana,  tom.  ii.  p.  133,  for 
the  whole  history  of  this  Morello,  or  Moroello.  Currado  Ma- 
laspinlt  is  introduced  in  the  eighth  Canto  of  the  Purgatory « 
where  It  appears,  that  although  on  the  present  occasion  they 
espoused  contrary  sides,  most  important  favors  were  never- 
theless conferred  by  tliat  family  on  our  Poet,  at  a  subsequent 
period  of  his  exile,  in  1307. 
9  Hi*  hands.] 

Le  mani  alxb,  con  ambeduo  le  fiche. 
SoFrezzi: 

.  £  fe  le  fiche  a  Dio  *1  snperbo  vermo. 

Jl  Q^adrir^  lib.  IL  ea^  xix. 
lo  vidi  rira  poi  con  crudel  faccia ; 
E  fe  le  nche  a  Dio  il  mostro  rio, 
Strlngendo  i  dentl  ed  alzando  le  braecia. 
lb.  lib.  ili.  cap.  z. 
AndTrlssino: 

Poi  focea  con  le  man  le  fiche  al  cielo 
Dicendo:  Togli,  Iddio ;  che  pnol  piu  farmll 

L*  Ral.  LiberaU,  e.  ztL 
**  The  practice  of  thrusting  out  ttie  thumb  between  the  first 
and  second  fingers,  to  express  the  feelings  of  insult  and  eon- 
tempt,  has  prevailed  very  ^nerally  amcmg  the  nations  of 
Europe,  and  for  many  ages  nad  been  denominated  *  itaaking 
the  fig,*  or  described  at  least  by  some  equivalent  expression/ 
D9ue^9  lUuatraUont  of  Skakspeore,  vol.  i.  p.  493,  ed.  180T 
The  passage  in  the  original  text  has  not  escaped  this  diligent 
eommentator. 


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41-65.  H£XU  Canto  XXV.  |7j 

The  finger  lifted.     If,  O  reader !  now 
Thou  be  not  apt  to  credit  what  I  tell,^ 
No  marvel ;  for  myself  do  scarce  alloiv 
The  witness  of  mine  eyes.     But  as  I  look'd 
Toward  them,  lo  !   a  serpent  with  six  feet 
Springs  forth  on  one,  and  fastens  full  upon  him : 
His  midmost  grasp'd  the  belly,  a  forefoot 
Seized  on  each  arm  (while  deep  m  either  cheek* 
He  flesh'd  his  fangs)  ;  the  hinder  on  the  thighs 
Were  spread,  'twixt  which  the  tad  inserted  curl'd 
Upon  the  reins  behind.      Ivy  ne  er  clasp'd* 
A  dodder'd  oak,  as  round  the  other's  limba 
The  hideous  monster  intertwined  his  own. 
Then,  as  they  both  had  been  of  burning  ^ax. 
Each  melted  into  other,  mingling  hues. 
That  which  was  either  now  was  seeoi  no  more. 
Thus  up  the  shrinking  paper,   ere  it  burns, 
A- brown  tint  glides,  not  turning  yet  to  black, 
And  the  clean  white  expires.     1  he  other  two 
Look'd  on,  exclaimmg,  "  Ah  .how  dost  thou  change, 
Agnello!*    See  !  Thou  art  nor  double  i^ow. 
Nor  only  one."     The  two  heads  no^becan^e 
One,  and  two  figures  blended  m  one  fo^ 
Appeared,  where  boUi  were  lo«t   Of  th^  four  length- 
Two  arms  were  made^Jhe  belly  a^dth^  chest, 

magnum  tetnim,  et  a*!'^®  f  „fennm  serneillS'  ^»>  q«o  anlma- 
mm  mnimndo  demer»  est^^len^°i^»^^Ubus  a?  ,corpioni- 
bus;  .tabant  verp  ibi  e*  d«roo  ^^j^^^^  Unentea  et  ore 
vultus  et  capita  hominom  cum  «  '^P^iitlbus  percutien- 

tes.   Jllberici  Ftsto,  '^  23.  »~ 

Owout  Ktaads  ApvH  ''^"'^      HuHpides^^ 

Likei^T  to  an  ofik.  ""^^         ManvQf       ^'^'■ 

appose  that  by  '^  papl^^  ^*j^,„ces  on  ejtr,;^  ^^_ic^t  nf  a  |^n,p 
w  candle,  aisfTLomlJi^rdi  otia  ^^  ^^^^^  thL*?'"  ^^^f^r^- 

wenzio  (Agricdt.  ni>-  y»-  ^^t  Tiralmschi  lm?^V^'^  ^^"^  was 
wen  made  or  tJio  rl^"*:„*„  use  tow^r^h  thelftV''^';*^  ^^^^  n^- 
prinadeofJincnc^irie  ^"\*^;  tb«?  tnvi^ntor  of  i?*' ^^'^"J^rthe 
g>'«eenthcpTitur>%  """^     nla  in(vnuf»<:lor5r  it,\.Y„^  Pier  *la 

Ji«ed,  was  u^e/Tlurin^  t^^^J^t,  4.  "^'^'■^  ^'^^f*  Utu 

"^^  torn.  V.  lib.  L  <i^*r-  *_      ^^ble  BP  todu^t. 

All  my  *»<'T^^  ^  drawn  with  a  pen 

Upon  a  parcHment ,  ^^i^gpeare,  K.  John,  aot  v  ^  ^ 


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174  THE  VISION.  »-4» 

I  level  them  at  theeu"    From  that  day  forth 

The  serpents  were  my  friends ;  for  round  his  ne4k 

One  of  them  rollmg  twisted,  as  it  said, 

"  Be  silent,  tongue !"     Another,  to  his  arms 

Upglidmg,  tied  them,  riveting  itself 

So  close,  it  took  from  them  the  power  to  move. 

Pistoia !  ah,  Pistoia !  why  dost  doubt 
To  turn  thee  into  ashes,  cumbering  earth 
No  longer,  since  in  evil  act  so  far 
Thou  hast  outdone  thy  seed  ?*    I  did  not  mark, 
Through  all  the  gloomy  circles  of  the  abyss, 
Spirit,  that  swell'd  so  proudly  'gainst  his  God  ; 
Not  him,"  who  headlong  fell  from  Thebes.    He  lied^ 
Nor  utter*d  more ;  and  after  him  there  came 
A.  centaur  full  of  fury,  shouting,  "  Where, 
Where  is  the  caitiiT?"     On  Marenmia's  marsh* 
'  Swarm  not  the  serpent  tribe,  as  on  his  haunch 
They  swarm*d,  to  where  the  human  face  begins 
Behind  his  head,  upon  the  shoulders,  lay 
With  open  wings  a  dragon,  breathing  fire 
On  whorasoe'er  he  met.     To  me  my  guide : 
*.*  Cacus*  is  this,  who  underneath  the  rock 
Of  Aventine  spread  oft  a  lake  of  blood. 
He,  from  his  brethren  parted,  here  must  tread 
A  different  journey,  for  his  fraudful  theft 
Of  the  great  herd  that  near  him  stall'd ;  whence  foujid 
His  felon  deeds  their  end,  beneath  the  mace 
Of  stout  Alcides,  that  perchance  laid  on 
A  hundred  blows,*  and  not  the  tenth  was  felt" 

While  yet  he  spake,  the  centaur  sped  away . 
And  under  us  three  spirits  came,  of  whom 
Nor  I  nor  he  was  ware,  till  they  exclaim'd, 
'"  Say  who  are  ye  !"    We  then  brake  off  discoune. 
Intent  on  these  alone.    I  knew  them  not : 
But,  as  it  chanceth  oft,  befell,  that  one 
Had  need  to  name  another.    "  Where,**  said  he, 
**  Doth  Cianfa*  lurk  Y*    I,  for  a  sign  my  guide 
Should  stand  attentive,  placed  against  my  lips 

*  Thfseed.]    Thy  ancestry. 

s  JVotAm.]    Capaneus.    Canioziv. 

*  On  Maremma^s  marsh.]    An  extensive  tract  near  the  sea* 
shore  of  Toscany. 

*  Caeus.]    VirgU,  JEn.,  lib.  viil.  193. 

^  Ji  hundred  bhw*.}    Less  than  ten  blows,  oat  of  the  him* 
dnd  Hercules  gave  him,  had  deprived  him  of  feeling. 

*  Cianfa.']    He  is  said  to  have  been  of  the  flunily  of  Dnnatf 
v<  Florence. 


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♦l-es.  HELL*  Canto  XXV.  17ft 

The  finger  lifted.    If,  O  reader !  now 
Thou  be  not  apt  to  credit  what  I  tell, 
No  marvel ;  for  myself  do  scarce  allow 
The  witness  of  mine  eyes.    But  as  I  lookM 
Toward  them,  lo !  a  serpent  with  six  feet 
Springs  forth  on  one,  and  fastens  full  upon  him : 
His  midmost  grasp'd  the  belly,  a  forefoot 
Seized  on,  each  arm  (while  deep  in  either  cheek' 
He  flesh'd  his  fangs)  ;  the  hinder  on  the  thighs 
Were  spread,  'twixt  which  the  tail  inserted  curi'd 
Upon  the  reins  behind.     Ivy  ne'er  claspM' 
A  dodder'd  oak,  as  round  the  other's  limbs 
The  hideous  monster  intertwined  his  own. 
Then,  as  they  both  had  been  of  burning  wax, 
Each  melted  into  other,  mingling  hues, 
That  which  was  either  now  was  seen  no  more. 
Thus  up  the  shrinking  paper,'  ere  it  burtas, 
A>  brown  tint  glides,  not  turning  yet  to  black. 
And  the  clean  white  expires.    The  other  two 
Look'd  on,  exclaiming,  *<  Ah !  how  dost  thou  chaugOi 
Agnello  !^    See  !  Thou  art  nor  double  now. 
Nor  only  one."    The  two  heads  now  became 
One,  and  two  figures  blended  in  one  form 
Appeared,  where  both  were  lost   Of  the  four  lengths 
Two  arms  were  made :  the  belly  and  the  chest, 

1  In  either  cheek.]  Ostendit  mihi  post  hoc  apostolot  lacam 
magnom  tetnim,  et  aqae  salphures  plenum,  in  quo  anima- 
ram  mnltitado  demena  est,  plennm  serpentibns  ac  scorpion!- 
bos ;  stabant  vero  ibi  et  dsmones  serpentes  tenentes  et  ora 
vnlttis  et  capita  homlnam  cum  eisdem  serpentibos  percntien- 
tes.  Alberiei  Visio^  ^  23. 
«  Ivy  ne^er  clasp* d.] 

'Ovoia  Kicabs  ipvbs  Sirui  T9icS*  2|o^ai. 

EuripideSf  ffeeubOy  v.  103.  . 
like  ivy  to  an  oak,  how  will  I  cling  to  her! 
•  7%us  vp  the  thrinkiTut  paper.\  Manyof  the  commentators 
suppose  that  by  **  papijro"  is  here  meant  the  Wick  of  a  lamp 
or  candle,  afad  Ltnnbardi  adduces  an  extract  from  Pier  Cre- 
icenzio  (Agricolt.,  lib.  vi.  cap.  ix.)  to  show  that  this  use  was 
then  made  of  the  plant  But  Tiraboschi  has  proved  that  pa- 
per made  of  linen  came  into  use  towards  the  latter  half  of  the 
foorteenth  centory,  and  that  the  inventor  of  it  was  Pi^r  da 
Fabiano,  who  carried  on  his  manufactory  in  the  city  of  Tre- 
vigi;  whereas  paper  of  cotton,  with,  peniaps,  some  linen 
v^ed,  was  used  during  the  twelfth  century.  Star,  della  Lett, 
HmI^  tom.  V.  lib.  i.  cap.  iv.  sect  4. 

All  my  bowels  crumble  up  to  dust 

I  am  a  scribbled  form,  drawn  with  a  pen 
Upon  a  parchment ;  and  against  this  fire 
Do  I  shrink  up.        Shakepeare,  K,  Jokn^  act  v.  sc.  7. 
^  .Agnello.]    Agnello  Brunelleschl. 


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17e  THE  VISION.  M-Hi 

The  thighs  and  legs,  mto  such  memben  changed 

As  ueveir  eye  hath  seen.  ■  Of  fonner  shape 

All  trace  was  vanished.    Two,  yet  neither,  seem'd 

That  image  miscreate,  and  so  pass'd  on 

With  tardy  steps.    As  underneath  the  scourge 

Of  the  fierce  dog-star  that  lays  bare  the  fiel£i, 

Shifting  from  brake  to  brake  the  lizard  seems 

A  flash  of  lightning,  if  he  thwart  the  road ; 

So  toward  the  entraib  of  the  other  two 

Approaching  seem'd  an  adder  all  on  fire, 

As  the  dark  pepper-grain  livid  and  swart 

In  that  part,^  whence  our  life  is  nourished  first. 

One  he  transpierced ;  then  down  before  him  fell 

Stretch'd  out    The  pierced  spirit  lookM  on  him, 

But  spake  not ;  yea,  stood  motionless  and  yawn'd, 

As  if  by  sleep  or  feverous  fit  assail'd.* 

He  eyed  the  serpent,  and  the  serpent  him. 

One  from  the  wound,  the  other  from  the  mouth 

Breathed  a  thick  smoke,  whose  vapory  columns  K>f.n*d. 

Lucan'  in  mute  attention  now  may  hear, 
Nor  thy  disastrous  fate,  Sabellus,  teU, 
Nor  thine,  Nasidius.    Ovid^  now  be  mute 
What  if  in  warbling  fiction  he  record 
Cadmus  and  Arethusa,  to  a  snake 
Him  changed,  and  her  into  a  fountain  clear, 
I  envy  not ;  for  never  face  to  face 
Two  natures  thus  transmuted  did  he  sing, 
Wherein  both  shapes  were  ready  to  assume 
The  other's  substance.    They  in  mutual  guise 
So  answerM,  that  the  serpent  split  his  train 
Divided  to  a  fork,  and  the  pierced  spirit 
Drew  close  his  steps  together,  legs  and  thighs 
Compacted,  that  no  sign  of  juncture  soon 
Was  visible :  the  tail,  disparted,  took 
The  figure  which  the  spirit  lost ;  its  skin 
Softening,  his  indurated  to  a  rind. 
The  shoulders  next  I  marii'd,  that  entering  Join'd 

i  In  that  part.]    The  navel. 

^  JItifhf  aleef  or  fmerems  JU  aataS'd.l 

O  Rome !  thy  head 

Is  drowned  in  sleep,  and  all  thy  txidy  fev*ry. 

Bm  Jonson't  CaUUiiu* 
s  Luam.]    Phan.,  lib.  ix.  766  and  793. 
Lncan  di  aicnn  di  qoesti  poetando 
Conta  si  come  Sabello  e  Nasidio 
Fu  pnnti  e  trasformati  ivi  passando. 

Fittio  degli  Uberti,  DittavMndo^  1.  v  eap.  XfIL 
«  Ovid.]    Metam.,  lib.  iv.  ^ind  v 


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HI9-138.  HELL,  Canto  XXV.  177 

The  monslerVi  ann-pits/ whose  two  shorter  feet 

So  lengthened,  as  the  others  dwmdling  shrank. 

The  feet  behmd  them  twisting  up  hecaite 

That  part  that  man  conceals,  which  m  the  wretch 

Was  cleft  in  twain.   While  both  the  shadowy  smoikt 

With  a  new  color  veils,  and  generates 

The  excrescent  pile  on  one,  peeling  it  off 

From  the  other  body,  lo !  upon  his  feet 

One  upright  rose,  and  prone  the  other  fell 

Not  yet  their  glaring  and  malignant  lampe 

Were  shifted,  though  each  feature  changed  beneath. 

Of  him  who  stood  erect,  the  mounting  ftu;e 

Retreated  towards  the  temples,  and  what  there 

Superfluous  matter  came,  shot  out  in  ears   [dragg'ciy 

From  the  smooth  cheeks;  the  rest,  not  backward 

Of  its  excess  did  shape  the  nose ;  and  swell'd 

Into  due  size  protuberant  the  lips. 

He,  on  the  earth  who  lay,  meanwhile  extends 

His  sharpened  visage,^  and  draws  down  the  ears 

Into  the  head,  as  doth  the  slug  his  horns. 

His  tongue,  continuous  before  and  apt 

For  utterance,  severs ;  and  the  other's  fork 

Closing  unites.    That  done,  the  smoke  was  laid. 

The  soul,  transformed  into  the  brute,  glides  off, 

Hissmg  along  the  vale,  and  after  him 

The  other  taUdng  sputters ;  but  soon  turn'd 

His  new-grown  shoulders  on  him,  and  in  few 

Thus  to  another  spake:  "  Along  this  path 

Crawling,  as  I  have  done,  speed  Buoso'  now !'' 

So  saw  I  fluctuate  in  successive  change 
The  unsteady  ballast  of  the  seventh  hold : 
And  here  if  aught  my  pen*  have  swerved,  events 
So  strange  may  be  its  warrant    O'er  mine  eyes 
Confusion  hung,  and  on  my  thoughts  amaze. 

Yet  scaped  they  not  so  covertly,  but  well 
I  mark'd  Sciancato  :*  he  alone  it  was 

>  His  thMTpen*dvuajfe,\  Compare  Milton,  P.  L.,  b.  x.  511,  &e. 
s  Buoso.]    He  is  also  said  by  some  to  have  been  of  the 
Donati  fiimily;  but  by  others  of  the  Abbatt. 

*  Mjf  pern.}  Lombardi  jnst-y  prefers  **la  peuia"  to  *Ma 
linnia;**  but,  when  he  tells  us  that  the  former  is  in  the 
NIdobeatina,  and  the  latter  in  the  other  editions,  he  ought  to 
have  excepted  at  least  Landino*s  of  1484,  and  VellnteUo's  of 
1544,  and,  perhaps,  many  besides  these. 

*  Seimmemto.]  Fnccio  Scianeato,  a  noted  robber,  whose  fiun* 
ily,  Ventori  says,  he  has  not  been  able  to  discover.  The 
I^lin  annotate  on  the  Monte  Caasino  MB.  iiifonns  us  that  he 
was  one  of  the  Oaligai  of  Florence,  the  decline  of  whith 
house  is  mentioned  in  the  Paradise,  Canto-xri.  96. 


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178  THE  VISION.  130, 14». 

Of  the  three  fimt  that  came,  who  changed  not :  tlioa 
The  other's  fate,  Gaville  !^  still  dost  me. 


CANTO    XXVI. 

ARGUMENT. 
Semonnting  by  the  steps,  down  which  they  had  descended  to 
the  seventh  gnl^  they  go  forward  to  the  arch  that  stret^Mf 
uver  the  eSghth,  and  from  thence  behold  nomberless  flames 
wherein  are  punished  the  evil  counsellors,  each  flame  coor 
taining  a  sinner,  save  one,  in  which  were  Diomede  aai 
Ulysses,  the  latter  of  whom  relates  the  manner  of  liis  leath. 

Florence,  exult !  for  thou  so  mi|htily 
Hast  thriven,  that  o*er  land  and  sea?  thy  wings 
Thou  beatest,  and  thy  name  spreads  over  helL 
Among  the  plunderers,  such  the  three  I  found 
Thy  citizens ;  whence  shame  to  me  thy  son, 
And  no  proud  honor  to  thyself  redounds. 

But  if  our  minds,'  when  dreaming  near  the  dawn, 
Are  of  the  truth  presageful,  thou  ere  long 
Shalt  feel  what  Prato*  (not  to  say  the  rest) 
Wou^d  fain  might  come  upon  thee ;  and  that  chance 
Were  in  good  time,  if  it  befell  thee  now. 
Would  so  it  were,  since  it  must  needs  befall'! 
For  as  time'  wears  me,  I  shall  grieve  the  more. 

We  from  the  depth  departed ;  and  my  guide 

1  OaviUe.]  Francesco  Gnercio  Cavalcante  was  killed  at 
Gaville,  near  Florence ;  and  in  revenge  of  his  death  several 
inhabitants  of  that  district  were  pat  to  death. 

s  0*er  land  and  seaJ] 

For  he  can  spread  thy  name  o*ei  lands  and  seas. 

Milton,  Sm.  viiU 

>  But  if  our  mind$.\ 

Namqne  sab  Aaroram,  jam  dormitante  lacemft, 
Somnia  qao  cemi  tempore  vera  solent. 

Ovid,  EpisL  zlx. 

The  same  poetical  snpcrstition  is  alladed  to  in  the  Porga 
lory.  Canto  ix.  and  zxvil. 

*  Skalt  feel  what  Prato.]  The  poet  prognosticates  the  ca 
lamlties  which  were  soon  to  befkll  his  native  city,  and  Which, 
he  says,  even  her  nearest  neighbor,  Prato,  woald  wish  her 
The  calamities  more  particalarly  pointed  at  are  said  to  be  the 
fall  of  a  wooden  bridge  over  the  Arno,  in  May,  1304,  where  a 
large  multitude  were  assembled  to  witness  a  representatioa 
of  hell  and  the  infernal  torments,  in  consequence  of  which 
accident  many  lives  were  lost;  and  a  conflagration,  that  in 
the  following  month  destroyed  more  than  seventeen  hun- 
dred houses,  many  of  them  sumptuous  buildings.  See  G. 
VUlani,  Hist.,  lib.  viU.  c.  Ixz.  and  Ixxi. 
'  ^Ji»  time.1  **  I  shall  feel  all  calamities  more  senaiUy  at  I 
■m  farther  advanced  in  life.* 


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15-47  HEXX.  Carto  XXVI.  I7f 

Remounting  scaled  the  flinty  stepe,^  wh-ch  late 
We  downward  traced,  and  drew  me  up  the  steepw 
PuTBumg  Jius  our  solitary  way 
Among  the  crags  and  splinteis  of  the  rock, 
8yed  not  our  feet  without  the  help  of  hands. 

Then  sorrow.seized  me,  which  e'en  now  revtves,  • 
As  my  thought  turns  again  to  what  I  saw, 
And,  more  than  I  am  wont,'  I  rein  and  cuih 
The  powers  of  nature  in  me,  lest  they  run 
Where  Virtue  guides  not ;  that,  if  aught  ci  good 
My  gentle  ^tar  or  something  better  gave  me, 
I  envy  not  myself  the  precious  boon. 

As  in  that  season,  when  the  sun  least  veiJb 
His  face  that  lightens  all,  what  time  the  fly 
Gives  way  to  the  shrill  gnat,  the  peasant  then, 
Upon  some  cliff  reclined,  beneath  him  sees 
Fire-flies  innumerous  spangling  o'er  the  vale. 
Vineyard  or  tilth,  where  his  day-labor  lies ; 
With  flames  so  numberless  throughout  its  space 
Shone  the  eighth  chasm,  apparent,  when  the  depth 
Was  to  my  view  exposed.    As  he,  whose  wrongs^ 
The  bears  avenged,  at  its  departure  saw 
Elijah's  chariot,  when  the  steeds  erect  [while, 

Raised  their  steep  flight  for  heaven ;  his  eyes,  mean- 
Straining  pursued  them,  till  the  flame  alone, 
Upsoaring  like  a  misty  speck,  he  kenn'd : 
E'en  thus  along  the  fulf  moves  every  flame, 
A  sinner  so  enfolded  close  in  each. 
That  none  exhibits  token  of  the  theft. 

Upon  the  bridge  I  forward  bent  to  look, 
And  grasp'd  a  flmty  mass,  or  else  dad  fallen. 
Though  push'd  not  from  tiie  height  The  guide,  who 
How  I  did  gaze  attentive,  thus  began :  [mark'd. 


»  Tke  flinty  st^s^  Venturi,  after  Danielio  and  Volpl,  ex- 
^ns  the  word  in  the  original,  **  borai,'*  to  mean  the  stones 
that  project  from  a  wall,  for  other  buildings  to  be  joined  to^ 


which  the  workmen  call  "  toothings.** 

*JHore  than  I  am  vontJ]  "When  I  reflect  on  the  pvuiish- 
ment  allotted  to  those  who  do  not  give  sincere  and  npright 
advice  to  others,  I  am  more  anxious  than  ever  not  to  abase 
to  so  bad  a  purpose  those  talents,  whatever  they  may  be, 
which  Nature,  or  rather  Providence,  has  conferred  on  me.** 
It  is  inrobable  that  this  declaration  was  the  result  of  real 
feeling  in  the  mind  of  Dante,  whose  political  character  would 
have  given  great  weight  to  any  opinion  or  party  he  had  es- 
poused,  and  to  whom  indigence  and  exile  might  have  ofibred 
strong  traaptations  to  deviate  from  that  line  of  conduct  which 
a  strict  sense  of  duty  prescribed. 

*  wf « JU  wJkot*  wrtm^*}    Kings,  b  ii.  c  il. 


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180  THE  VISION.  48^ 

<<  Within  theie  ardors  are  the  spirits,  eaea 

Swathed  in  confining  fire." — **  Master !  thy  word** 

I  answered,  "  hath  assured  me ;  yet  I  deem'tf 

Already  of  the  truth,  already  wished 

To  ask  thee  who  is  in  yon  fire,  that  comee  « 

So  parted  at  the  summit,  as  it  seem'd 

Ascending  fiorn  that  funeral  pile^  where  lay 

The  Theban  brothers."     He  replied:  "  Within 

Ulysses  there  and  Diomede  endure 

Their  penal  tortures,  thus  to  vengeance  now 

Together  hasting,  as  erewhile  to  wrath. 

These  in  the  flame  with  ceaseless  groans  deploro 

The  ambush  of  the  horse,'  that  open'd  wide 

A  portal  for  that  goodly  seed  to  pass, 

Which  sow'd  imperial  Rome ;  nor  less  the  gail« 

Lament  they,  whence,  of  her  Achilles  *reft, 

Deldamia  yet  in  death  complains. 

And  there  is  rued  the  stratagem  that  Troy 

Of  her  Palladium  spoil'd." — ^*  If  thev  have  power 

Of  utterance  from  withm  these  sparks,"  said  I, 

'*.0,  master !  think  my  prayer  a  thousand  fold 

In  repetition  urged,  that  thou  vouchsafe 

To  pause  till  here  the  homed  flame  arrive 

See,  how  toward  it  with  desbe  I  bend." 

He  thus :  "  Thy  prayer  is  worthy  of  much  praise^ 
And  I  accept  it  therefore ;  but  do  thou 
Thy  tongue  refrain :  to  question  them  be  mine ; 
For  I  divine  thy  wish ;  and  they  perchance,  [Uiee." 
For  they  were  Greeks,'  might  shun  discourse  with 

When  there  the  flame  had  come,  where  time  and 
Seem'd  fitting  to  my  guide,  he  thus  begran:      [place 

1  Ateending  from,  HuU  funeral  pile.]  The  flame  Is  said  to 
have  divided  on  the  fanerai  pile  which  consumed  the  bodies 
of  Eteocies  and  Poiynices,  as  if  conscious  of  the  enmity  that 
actuated  them  while  living. 

Ecce  iterum  fratris  primos  ut  contigit  artns 
Ignis  edax,  tremuere  rogif  et  novus  advena  busto 
Pellitnr,  exundant  diviso  \ertice  flammc, 
Altemosque  apices  abrapti  luce  comscant. 

$UUiu9,  7Ae».,  Ub.  xiL 
Coin^re  Lncan,  Pharsal.,  lib.  1. 145. 

s  Tks  ambutk  of  the  horse,]  "  The  ambush  of  the  wooden 
horse,  that  caused  iEneas  to  quit  the  city  of  Troy  and  seek 
bis  finrtnne  in  Italy,  where  his  descendants  fbunded  the  Ro* 
maa  empire.*' 

>  fbr  theg  toere  Greek*.]  By  this  it  is,  perhaps,  Implied 
that  they  were  hanghtjr  and  arrogant.  So,  in  our  Poet*s 
twenly-ronrth  Sonnet,  of  which  a  traoslatioa  is  inserted  ia 
the  Lub  prefixed,  he  says, 

Bd  ella  mi  rispose,  some  un  Oieoo 


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lt-113.  HELL,  CiNTO  XXVI.  Ml 

"  O  ye,  who  dwell  two  spirits  in  one  fire  I 

If,  uVing,  I  of  you  did  merit  aught, 

Whatever  the  measure  were  of  that  desert, 

When  in  the  worid  ray  lofty  strain  I  ponr'd, 

Move  ye  not  on,  till  one  of  you  unfold 

In  what  clime  death  o*ertook  him  self-destroy'd." 

Of  the  old  flame  forthwith  the  greater  horn- 
Began  to  roll,  murmuring,  as  a  firo 
That  labors  with  the  wind,  thein  to  and  fro 
Wagging  the  top,  as  a  tongue  uttering  soundly 
Threw  out  its  voice,  and  spake :  "  When  I  escaped 
From  Circe,  who  beyond  a  circling  year 
Had  held  me  near  Caieta^  by  her  charms, 
Ere  thus  ^neas  yet  had  named  the  shore ; 
Nor  fondness  for  my  son,'  nor  reyerence 
Of  my  old  father,  nor  return  of  love. 
That  should  have  crown'd  Peneh^  with  joy, 
Could  overcome  m  me  the  zeal  I  had 
To  explore  the  world,  and  search  the  ways  of  life* 
Man's  evil  and  his  virtue.    Forth  I  sailed 
Into  the  deep  illimitable  main. 
With  but  one  bark,  and  the  small  faithful  band 
That  yet  cleaved  to  me.    As  Iberia  far, 
Far  as  Marocco,  either  shore  I  saw, 
And  the  Sardinian  and  each  isle  beside 
Which  round  that  ocean  bathes.    Tardy  with  age 
Were  I  and  my  companions,  when  we  came 
To  the  strait  pass,*  where  Hercules  ordain'd 
The  boundaries  not  to  be  o'erstepp'd  by  man. 
The  walls  of  Seville  to  my  right  I  left, 
On  the  other  hand  already  Ceuta  pass'd. 

*  O  brothers  !*  I  began,  •  who  to  the  west 

*  Through  perils  without  number  now  have  reached  ^ 

*  To  this  the  short  remaining  watch,  that  yet 

*  Our  senses  have  to  wake,  refuse  not  proof 

1  Caieta.]    Virgil,  iBneid,  lib.  vii.  1. 

•  JVVw  fondness  for  my  son.]    Imitated  by  Taaso,  G.  L.,  c. 
viU.  St  7. 

Ne  timer  dl  fttica  b  di  periglio, 

Ne  vagtiezza  del  regno,  ne  pietade 

Del  vecchio  EenittNr,  si  degno  a^tto 

Intiepedir  nel  generoso  petto. 
This  imagined  voyage  of  Ulysses  into  the  Atlantic  is  allii* 
4ed  to  by  Paid : 

E  sopvatotto  eomioendava  Ulisse, 

Che  per  veder  nell*  altro  mondo  gisse. 

Jlor£,Maggn^  JQtv 
And  by  Tasso,  G.  L^  c  xv.  25. 

*  The  sUmU  p€$s.]   The  stnits  of  Glbnltar 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


189.  THE  VISION.  x^4-l» 

'  Of  the  unpeopled  world,  following  the  track 
Of  Phoebiis.    Cairto  mind  from  whence  ye  sprang 
'  Ye  were  not  form'd  to  live  the  life  of  brutes, 
But  virtue  to  pursue  and  knowledge  high.' 
With  these  few  words  I  sharpened  for  the  voyage 
The  mind  of  my  associates,  that  I  then 
Could  scarcely  have  withheld  them.    To  the  dawm 
Our  poop  we  tum'd,  and  for  the  witless  flight 
Made  our  oars  wings,'  still  gaining  on  the  left 
Each  star  of  the  other  pole  night  now  beheld,' 
And  ours  so  low,  that  from  the  ocean  floor 
It  rose  not    Five  times  re-illumed,  as  oft 
Vanish'd  the  light  from  underneath  the  moon, 
Since  the  deep  way  we  entered,  when  from  far 
Appear'd  a  mountain  dim,*  loftiest  methoug^t  . 
Of  all  I  e'er  beheld.    Joy*  seized  us  straight'; 
But  soon  to  mourning  changed.    From  the  new  land 
A  whirlwind  sprung,  and  at  her  foremost  side 
Did  strike  the  vessel    Thrice*  it  whirled  her  round 
With  all  the  waves ;  the  fourth  time  lifted  up 
The  poop,  and  sank  the  prow :  so  fate  decreed : 
And  over  us  the  booming  billow  closed."' 

1  Madt  our  oars  wing's.] 

0Z6*  tkfjpt*  ipcruH,  rd  re  irrcpd  vnvtrl  iriXorreu. 

Horn.  Od.,  xL  194 
So  Chiabrera,  Cans.  Etoiche.,  ziii. 

Farb  de*  remi  un  volo. 
And  Tasso,  Ibid.,  26. 

*  J^kt  now  beheld.]    Petrarch  is  here  cited  by  Lombardl : 

Ne  \k  sn  sopra  il  cerchio  della  Inna 

Vide  mai  tante  stelle  alcana  notte.        Canx,  xxxvii.  1. 

Nor  there  above  the  circle  of  the  moon 

Did  ever  night  behold  so  many  stars.  * 

>  jt  mountain  dim.]  The  mountain  of  Pnrgatory.— Amosf 
the  various  opinions  of  theologians  respecting  the  sitoatioa 
of  the  terrestrial  paradise,  Pietro  Lombardo  relates,  that  **it 
was  separated  by  a  long  space,  eitlier  of  sea  or  land  fron  the 
legions  inhabited  by  men,  and  placed  in  the  ocean  reaching 
as  far  as  to  the  Innar  circle,  so  that  the  waters  of  the  delogo 
d'd  not  reach  it*'    5«nt.,  lib.  iL  dist  17.    ThnsLombardL 

*  Tl&ice.] 

Ast  ilium  ter  fluotus  Ibide^i 

Torquet  agens  dream,  et  rapidus  vorat  ttquore  vortex. 

Fir/,  ^tt.,  lib.  i.  IK 

*  Closed.]  Venturl  refers  to  Pliny  and  Bolinus  for  the 
cqirinion  that  Ulysses  was  the  founder  of  Lisbon,  from  whence 
he  thinks  it  was  easy  for  the  fancy  of  a  poet  to  send  him  on 

'  yet  Amber  enterjprises.  Perhaps  the  story  (which  it  is  not 
vnUkely  that  our  author  will  be  found  to  have  borrowed 
ftom  some  legeiul  ot  the  middle  aces^  may  have  taken  its 


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1-31  HELL,  Canto  XXVll  |83 

CANTO   XXVIL 

ARGUMENT. 
Th0  Poet,  treating  of  the  same  punishment  as  in  the  last 
Canto,  relates  that  he  turned  towards  a  flame  In  which  \pM 
the  Ck>nnt  Gnido  da  Montefeltro,  whose  inquiries  respectinf 
the  state  of  Romagna  he  answers ;  and  Guide  is  thereby 
induced  to  declare  who  he  is,  and  why  condemned  to  that 
torment. 

Now  upward  rose  the  flame,  and  stili'd  its  light 
To  speak  no  more,  and  now  passM  on  with  leave 
From  the  mild  poet  gain'd ;  when  following  came 
Another,  from  whose  top  a  sound  confused, 
Forth  issuing,  drew  our  eyes  that  way  to  look. 

As  the  Sicilian  bull,*  that  rightfully 
Hif  cries  first  echoed  who  had  shaped  its  mould, 
Did  so  rebellow,  with  the  voice  of  him 
Tormented,  that  the  brazen  monster  seemed 
Pierced  through  with  pain ;  thus,  while  no  way  they 
Nor  avenue  inmiediate  through  the  flame,      [found, 
Into  its  language  tum'd  the  dismal  words : 
But  soon  as  they  had  won  their  passage  forth. 
Up  from  the  point,  which  vibrating  obey*d 
Their  motion  at  the  tongue,  these  sounds  were  heard : 
"  O  thou !  to  whom  I  now  direct  my  voice. 
That  lately  didst  exclaun  m  Lombard  phrase, 
*  Depart  thou ;  I  solicit  thee  no  more  ;' 
Though  somewhat  tardy  I  perchance  arrive, 
Let  it  not  irk  thee  here  to  patise  awhile,  ^ 
And  with  me  parley :  lo !  it  irks  not  me. 
And  yet  I  bum.    If  but  e'en  now  thou  fall 
Into  this  blind  world,  from  that  pleasant  land 
Of  Latium,  whence  I  draw  my  sum  of  guilt, 
Tell  me  if  those  who  in  Romagna  dwell 
Have  peace  or  war.    For  of  the  mountains  thero* 
Was  I,  betwixt  Urbino  and  the  height 
Whence  Tiber  first  unlock«  his  mighty  flood.*' 

Leaning  I  listened,  yet  with  heedful  ear. 
When,  as  he  touch*d  my  side,  the  leader  thus : 
*'  Speak  thou :  he  is  a  Latian."     My  reply 

rise  partly  from  the  obscure  oracle  returned  by  the  ghost  of 
Tiresias  to  Ulysses,  (see  the  eleventh  book  of  the  Odyssey,) 
and  partly  from  the  fote  which  there  was  reason  to  suppose 
had  befallen  some  adventurous  explorers  of  the  Atmntie 
ocean.' 

1  Tke  SteUian  bull.]  The  engine  of  torture  invented  b| 
P^Uns,  for  the  tyrant  Phalaris. 

t  Of  tke  mowUaint  tkere.]    Montefeltro 


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184  THE  VISfON.  39^ 

Was  ready,  and  I  spake  without  delay : 
«  O  spirit !  who  art  hidden  here  below, 
Never  was  thy  Romania  without  war 
In  her  proud  tyrants'  bosoms,  nor  is  now : 
But  open  war  there  left  I  none.    The  state, 
Ravenna  hath  maintain'd  this  many  a  year. 
Is  steadfast    There  Polenta's  eagrle*  broods ; 
And  in  his  broad  circumference  of  {^nme 
O'ershadows  Cervia.    The  green  talons  grasp 
The  land,'  that  stood  erewhUe  the  proof  so  l<mg. 


1  Polenta* §  eagle.l  Goido  Novello  da  Polenta,  who  >ore  an 
eafle  for  his  coat  of  arms.  The  name  of  Polenta  was  de 
rived  from  a  castle  so  called,  in  the  nelghborihood  of  Brlt- 
tonoro.  Corvia  Is  a  small  maritime  city,  about  fifteen  miles 
to  the  south  of  Ravenna.  Guido  was  the  son  of  Ostaisio  da 
Polenta,  and  made  himself  master  of  Ravenna  in  1265.  In 
1322  he  was  de|Nrived  of  his  sovereignty,  and  died  at  Bologna 
in  the  year  following.  This  last  and  most  munificent  patron 
of  Dante  is  himself  enumerated,  by  the  historian  of  Italian 
literature,  among  the  poets  of  his  time.  Tiraboschl,  Storia 
della  Lett.  Ital.,  torn.  v.  lib.  ill.,  c.  ii.  sect.  13.  The  passaire  in 
the  text  might  have  removed  the  uncertainty  which  Tira- 
boschl expressed,  respecting  the  duration  of  Gnldo*s  absence 
from  Ravenna,  when  he  was  driven  from  that  city  in  129S,  by 
the  arms  of  Pietro,  archbishop  of  Monreale.  It  must  evidently 
have  been  very  sliort,  since  his  government  is  here  rej^- 
sented  (in  1300)  as  not  having  sufEered  any  material  disturb 
ance  for  many  years. 

In  the  Pro^mium  to  the  Annotations  on  the  Decameron  ol 
Boccaccio,  written  by  thoee  who  were  deputed  to  th«t  work, 
Edlz.  Giunti,  1573,  it  is  said  of  Guido  Novello,  "del  quale  si 
leggono  ancora  alcune  composizioni,  per  poche  che  elle  sieno, 
secondo  quella  eti,  belie  e  leggiadre  :**  and  in  the  collection 
edited  by  Allacci  at  Naples,  1661,  p.  382,  is  a  sonnet  of  his, 
which  breathes  a  high  and  pure  spirit  of  Platonism. 

Among  the  MSS.  of  the  Iliad  in  the  Ambrosian  library  at 
Milan,  described  by  Mai,  there  is  one  that  was  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Guido.  Jliadis  FtagmeiUa^  Sr^  fol.  Medial.^  1819 
PnxBmium,  p.  xlviii.    It  was,  perhaps,  seen  tfy  Dante. 

To  this  account  I  must  now  subjoin  that  which  has  since 
been  given,  but  without  any  reference  to  authorities,  by 
Troya :  "  In  the  course  of  eight  years,  from  1310  to  131^ 
Guido  III.  of  Polenta,  father  of  Francesca,  togetier  with  his 
sons  Bernardino  and  Ostasio,  had  died.  A  third  son,  named 
Bannino,  was  father  of  Guido  IV.  Of  these  two  it  is  not 
known  whether  they  held  the  lordship  of  Ravenna.  But  it 
came  to  the  tons  or  Ostasio,  Guido  Vl,  called  Novello,  and 
Rinaldo,  the  archbishop:  on  the  sons  of  Bernardino  devolved 
the  sovereignty  of  the  neighboring  city  of  Cervia." 

Vdtro  AUegorico  d  DcnUf  ed.  1826,  p.  17& 

>  7^  l*»dA  The  territory  of  Forli,  the  inhabitants  of 
which,  in  128^  were  enabled,  by  the  stratagem  of  Guido  da 
Montefeltro,  who  then  governed  it,  to  defeat  with  great 
slaughter  the  French  army  by  which  it  had  been  besieged 
See  G.  Villani,  lib.  vli.  c  81.  The  Poet  informs  Gnido,  its 
ibnner  ruler,  that  it  is  now  in  the  potscaiton  of  fflnihftlds 


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HELL,  CANfo  XXVn.  186 

And  piled  in  bloody  heap  the  hoit  of  France. 

"  The  old  mastiff  of  Vemichio  and  the  yonng^/ 
That  tore  Montagna^  in  their  wrath,  still  make, 
Where  they  are  wont,  an  augre  of  their  fanga. 

"  Lamone's  city,  and  Santemo's,*  range 
Under  the  lion  of  the  snowy  lair,^ 
Liconstant  partisan,  that  changeth  aides. 
Or  ever  summer  yields  to  winter's  frost 
And  she,  whose  flank  is  wash'd  of  Saviors  waye,* 
As  *twixt  the  level  and  the  steep  she  lies, 
Lives  so  'twixt  tyrant  power  and  liberty. 

"  Now  tell  us,  I  entreat  thee,  who  art  thou : 
Be  not  more  hard  than  others.  Li  the  world, 
So  may  thy  name  still  rear  its  forehead  high." 

Then  roar'd  awhile  the  fire,  its  sharpen'd  pomt 
On  either  side  waved,  and  thus  breathed  at  last : 
"  If  I  did  think  my  answer  were  to  one 
Who  ever  could  return  unto  the  world, 
This  flame  should  rest  unshaken.    But  smce  ne'er 
If  true  be  told  me,  any  from  this  depth 
Has  found  his  upward  way,  I  answer  thee, 
Nor  fear  lest  infamy  record  the  words. 
'  **  A  man  of  arms'  at  first,  I  clothed  me  then 
In  good  Saint  Francis'  girdle,  hoping  so 
To  have  made  amends.    And  certainly  m^  hope 
Had  faird  not,  but  that  he,  whom  curses  light  on. 
The  high  priest,^  again  seduced  me  into  sin. 

Ordolaffi,  at  Ardelaffi,  whom  he  designates  by  his  coat  of 
anns,  a  lion  vert. 

>  7%e  old  mattiff  of  Vormehio  and  the  youm^.j  Malatesta, 
and  Malatestino  his  son,  lords  of  Rimini,  called,  from  their 
ferocity,  the  mastifis  of  Vermchio,  which  was  the  name  of 
their  castle.  Malatestino  was,  perhaps,  tlie  husband  of  Fran- 
cesea,  daughter  "aC  Gnido  da  Polenta.  See  Notes  to  Canto 
V.113. 

s  MoiUagrnaJ]  Montagna  de'  JParcitati,  a  noble  kni^t,  and 
leader  of  the  GhibelUne  party  at  Rimini,  murdered  by  Mala- 
testino. 

>  LMmone*s  eit^  and  Santemo^s.]  Lamone  is  the  river  at 
Faenza,  and  Santemo  at  Imola. 

*  7%e  lion  of  the  snowy  lair.]  Machinardo  Pagano,  whose 
arms  were  a  lion  azure  on  a  field  argent ;  mentioned  again  in 
the  Purgatory,  Canto  xiv.  122.  See  G.  Villanl  passim,  where 
he  is  called  Machinardo  da  Suslnana. 

*  Whose  flank  is  wasVd  of  Saviors  wave.}  Cesena,  situated 
at  the  foot  of  a  mountain,  and  washed*  bv  the  river  Savio, 
that  often  descends  with  a  swollen  and  rapid  stream  from  the 
Apennine. 

*  A  man  of  arms.]    Guido  da  Montefeltro. 
'  TUkigkpriesL}    Boailkce  YIIL 


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186  THE  VISION. 

And  how,  and  wherefore,  listen  while  I  telL 
Long  as  this  spirit  moved  the  bones  and  pulp 
My  mother  gave  me,  less  my  deeds  beiq>ake 
The  natm«  of  the  lion  than  the  fox.' 
All  ways  of  winding  subtlety  I  knew, 
And  with  such  art  conducted,  that  the  sound 
Reached  the  world's  limit.    Soon  as  to  that  pari 
Of  life  I  found  me  come,  when  each  behooves 
To  lower  sails'  and  gather  in  the  lines ; 
That,  which  before  had  pleased  me,  then  I  rued, 
And  to  repentance  and  confession  tum'd. 
Wretch  that  I  was ;  and  well  it  had  bestead  «ne. 
The  chief  of  the  new  Pharisees*  meantime, 

I  The  nature  of  the  lion  than  the  fox.] 

Non  ftiron  leonine  ma  di  volpe. 
So  Paid,  Morg.  Magg.,  c.  xii.  :— 

£  furon  le  sue  opre  e  le  sue  coipe 
Non  creder  leonine  ma  di  volpe. 

Fraiis  quasi  vulpecule,  vis  leonis  videtnr.  Cicero  it  Qfieiia 
Ub.  i.  c.  13. 

9  7b  lower  saUs.]  Our  Poet  had  the  same  train  of  thought 
as  when  he  wrote  that  most  beautifiil  passage  in  his  ConviU\ 
beginning  "  £  qui  6  da  sapere,  che  siccome  dice  Tnllio  in 
quelle  di  Senettute,  la  naturale  morte,"  &c.,  p.  909.  "  As  it 
hath  been  said  by  Cicero,  in  his  treatise  on  old  age,  natural 
death  is  like  a  port  and  haven  to  us  alter  a  long  voyage ;  and 
even  as  the  good  mariner,  when  he  draws  near  the  port, 
lowers  his  sails,  and  enters  it  softly  with  a  weak  and  inof- 
fensive motion,  so  ought  we  to  lower  the  sails  of  our  worldly 
operations,  and  to  return  to  God  with  all  our  understanding 
and  heart,  to  the  end  that  we  mav  reach  this  haven  with  all 
quietness  and  with  all  peace.  And  herein  we  are  mightily 
instructed  by  nature  in  a  lesson  of  mildness ;  for  in  such  a 
death  itself  there  is  neither  pain  nor  bitterness ;  but,  as  ripe 
fruit  is  lightly  and  without  violence  loosened  from  its  branch, 
80  our  soul  without  grieving,  departs  firom  the  body  in  which 
it  hath  been.** 

So  mayst  thou  live,  till  like  ripe  fruit  thou  drop 
Into  thy  mother's  lap,  or  be  with  ease 
GatherNd,  not  harshly  pluck'd,  for  death  mature. 

Milton,  P.  i.,  b.  xi.  537. 

•  The  ehi^of  the  new  Pharisees.]  Boniface  VIIJ.,  whose 
enmity  to  the  family  of  Colonnaf-prdmpted  him  to  destroy 
their  houses  near  the  Lateran.  Wishing  to  obtain  possessioa 
of  their  other  seat,  Penestrino,  he  consulted  with  Guide  da 
Montefeltro  how  he  might  accomplish  his  purpose,  oftbring 
him  at  the  same  time  absolution  for  his  past  sins,  as  well 
as  for  that  which  he  was  then  tempting  him  to  commit. 
Guide's  advice  was,  that  kind  words  and  fair  promises  would 
put  his  enemies  into  his  power ;  and  they  accordiiu^  soon 
afterwards  fell  mto  the  snare  laid  for  them,  A.  D.  11N6.  See 
G.  Villanl,  lib.  viU.  c.  23. 

There  is  a  relation  similar  to  this  In  the  history  of  Ferreto 
Vincentlno,  lib.  iL  anno  1294;  and  the  writnr  adds,  that  our 
Poet  had  Justly  condemned  Guido  to  the  tonnenta  he  has 


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»-08.  HELL,  Canto  XXVU.  187 

Waging  his  warfare  near  the  Lateran, 

Not  with  the  Saracens  or  Jews,  (his  foes 

All  Christians  were,  nor  against  Acre  one 

Had  fought,^  nor  traffick'd  in  the  Soldan's  land) 

He,  his  great  charge  nor  sacred  ministry, 

In  himself  reverenced,  nor  m  me  that  cord 

Which  used  to  mark  with  leanness  whom  it  girded. 

As  in  Soracte,  Constantino  besought,' 

To  cure  his  leprosy,  Sylvester's  aid ; 

So  me,  to  cure  the  fever  of  his  pride, 

This  man  besought :  my  counsel  to  that  end 

He  ask'd ;  and  I  i^as  silent ;  for  his  words 

Seem'd  drunken :  but  forthwith  he  thus  resumed: 

'  From  thy  heart  banbh  fear :  of  all  aSence 

*  I  hitherto  absolve  thee.     In  return, 

*  Teach  me  my  purpose  so  to  execute, 

*  That  Penestnno  cumber  earth  no  more. 


allotted  him.  See  Maratori,  Script  Ital.,  torn.  ix.  p.  970^ 
where  the  editor  observes:  **Probosi  hujas  facinoris  narra- 
tionl  fidem  adjangere  nemo  probas  velit,  quod  facile  confinxer- 
int  Bonifacii  smoli,'*  &c.  And  indeed  it  woald  seem  as  if 
Dante  himseif  had  either  not  heard,  or  had  not  believed,  the 
report  of  Guido's  having  sold  himself  thns  foolishly  to  the 
Pope,  when  he  wrote  the  passage  in  the  Convito  cited  in  the 
note  to  V.  76 ;  for  he  soon  after  speaJcs  of  him  as  one  of  those 
noble  spirits  "  who,  when  they  approached  the  last  haven, 
lowered  the  sails  oi*  their  worldly  operations,  and  gave  them- 
selves np  to  religion  in  their  old  age,  laying  aside  every  world- 
ly delight  and  wish.*' 

>  ■  JWr  against  Acre  one 
Had  fought.]  He  alludes  to  the  renegade  Christians,  by 
whom  the  Saracens,  in  April,  1291,  were  assisted  to  recover 
St  John  d'Acre,  the  last  possession  of  the  Christians  in  the 
Holy  Land.  The  regret  expressed  by  the  Florentine  annalist, 
6.  vlllani,  for  the  loss  of  this  valuable  fortress,  is  well  worthy 
of  obser\'sti  ^n,  lib.  vii.  c.  144.  **  From  this  event  Christendom 
■nfiered  the  greatest  detriment:  for  by  the  loss  of  Acre  there 
no  longer  remained  in  the  Holy  Land  any  footing  for  the 
Christians ;  and  all  our  good  maritime  places  of  trade  never 
aftenvards  derived  half  the  advantage  fh>m  their  merchan- 
dise and  manufactures ;  so  favorable  was  the  situation  of  Ihe 
city  of  Acre,  in  the  very  firont  of  our  sea,  in  the  middle  of 
Syria,  and  as  it  were  in  the  middle  of  the  inhabited  world, 
seventy  miles  from  Jerusalem,  both  source  and  receptacle  of 
every  kind  of  merchandise,  as  well  from  the  east  as  firom  the 
west;  the  resort  of- all  pecmle  from  all  countries,  and  of  the 
eastern  nations  of  every  dinerent  tongue ;  so  that  it  might  be 
considered  as  the  aliment  of  the  world." 

s  A»  in  Soracte,  Ckmetantine  hesovght.]  So  in  Dante's  trea- 
tise De  Monarchic:  "Dicunt  quidam  adhuc,  quod  Constan- 
tinns  Imperator,  mundatus  a  lepr&  intercessione  Sylvestri, 
tone  sommi  pontificis,  imperii  sedem,  scilicet  Romam,  donavit 
ecclesis,  cum  mnltis  aliis  imperii  dignitatibus."  Lib.  iii.  Com 
pare  Fiuio  d^li  Uberti,  DitUmondo^  lib.  ii.  cap.  xii. 


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188  THE  VISION.  M-IA* 

'  Heaven,  as  thra  knowest,  I  -haye  no  powei  to  ahiil 
'  And  open  .  and  the  keys  are  .therefore  twain, 

*  The  which  my  predecessor*  meanly  prized.' 

**  Then,  yielding  to  the  forceful  arguments. 
Of  silence  as  more  perilous  I  deem'd, 
And  answered :  *  Father !  since  thou  washest  me 

*  Clear  of  that  guilt  wherein  I  now  must  fall, 

<  Large  promise  with  performance  scant,  be  sure, 

*  Shall  make  thee  triumph  in  thy  lofty  seat* 

**  When  I  was  numbered  with  the  dead,  then  came 
Saint  Francis  for  me ;  but  a  cherub  dark 
He  met,  who  cried :  *  Wrong  me  not ;  he  is  mJie, 

*  And  must  below  to  join  the  wretched  crew, 

<  For  the  deceitful  counsel  which  he  gave. 

*  E'er  smce  I  watch'd  him,  hovering  at  his  haur 

<  No  power  can  the  impenitent  absolve ; 

'  Nor  to  repent,  and  wUl,  at  once  consist, 

<  By  contradiction  absolute  forbid.' 

Oh  misery !  how  I  shook  myself,  when  he 

Seized  me,  and  cried,  <  Thou  haply  thought'st  me  not 

*  A  disputant  in  logic  so  exact !' 

To  Minos  down  he  bore  me ;  and  the  judge 
Twined  eight  times  rouncl  his  callous  back  the  tail,    . 
Which  biting  with  excess  of  rage,  he  spake : 

<  This  is  a  guilty  soul,  that  in  the  fire 

*  Must  vanish.*    Hence,  perdition-doom'd,  I  rove 
A  prey  to  rankling  sorrow,  in  this  garb." 

When  he  had  thus  fulfiU'd  his  words,  the  flame 
In  dolor  parted,  beating  to  and  fro, 
And  writhmg  its  sharp  horn.    We  onward  went, 
I  and  my  leader,  iip  along  the  rock, 
Far  as  another  arch,  that  overhangs 
The  foss,  wherem  the  penalty  is  paid 
Of  those  who  load  them  with  -committed  sm. 


CANTO    XXVIIL 

ARGUMENT. 
Thev  arrive  in  the  ninth  golf,  where  the  sowers  of  scandal, 
schismatics,  and  heretics,  are  seen  with  their  limbs  misera 
bly  maimed  or  divided  in  different  ways.  Among  these  the 
Poet  finds  Mahomet,  Piero  da  Medicini,  Curio,  Mosca,  and 
Bertrand  de  Bom. 

Who,  e'en  in  words  nnfetter*d,  might  at  full 
Tell  of  the  wounds  and  blood  that  now  I  saw. 
Though  he  repeated  oft  the  tale?    No  tongue 

i  JUjf  predeees$ar,]    Celestine  V.    See  Notes  to  Canto  UL 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


4-17.  HELL,  Canto  XXYIIL  189 

So  yast  a  theme  could  equal,  speech  and  thougbi 
Both  impotent  alike.    If  in  one  band 
Collected,  stood  the  people  all,  who  e'er 
Pour*d  on  Apulia's  happy  soil^  their  blood, 
Slain  by  the  Trojans,'  and  in  that  long  war,* 
When  of  the  rings^  the  measured  booty  made 
A  pile  so  high,  as  Rome's  hktorian  writes 
Who  errs  not ;  with  the  multitude,  that  felt 
Th«>  griding  force  of  Guiscard's  Norman  steel,* 
And  those  the  rest,"  whose  bones  are  gather'd  yet 
At  Ceperano,  there  where  treachery 
Branded  the  Julian  name,  or  where  beyond 
Thy  walls,  O  Tagliacozzo,^  without  arms 
The  old  Alardo  conquer'd ;  and  his  limbs 


1  Happjf  BoU.I  There  is  a  strange  discordance  here  anumf 
the  expounders.  ^  Fortnnata  terra.'*  Because  of  the  vicUi- 
sltndes  of  fortane  which  it  experienced :  Landino.  Fortu- 
nate, with  respect  to  those  who  ccmquered  in  it :  Vellutelio. 
Or  on  account  of  its  natural  fertiJity :  VenturL  The  context 
requires  that  we  should  understand,  by  " fortunata,**  "ca- 
lamitous,** **disgraziata,"  to  which  sense  the  word  is  extended 
in  the  Vocabulary  of  La  Crusca :  L(»nbardl.    Vol[rt  is  silent. 

On  this  note  the  late  Archdeacon  Fisher  favored  me  with 
the  following  remark :  *'  Volpi  is,  indeed,  silent  at  the  pas- 
sage; but  in  the  article  *Puglia,*  in  his  second  Index,  he 
writes,  Dante  la  chiama  fortunata,  ciod  pingue  e  feconda. 
This  is  your  own  translation  r  and  is  the  same  word  in  mean- 
ing with  sMalnuv  and  felix,  ia  Xenophon's  Anabasis  and 
Horace  passim.** 

'  7^  IVmant.]  Some  MSS.  have  **  Romani  ;**  and  Lom- 
bardi  has  admitted  it  into  the  text.  Venturi  bad,  indeed,  be- 
fine  met  with  the  same  reading  in  some  edition,  but  he  has 
not  told  us  in  which. 

a  In  that  long  toar,]  The  war  of  Hannibal  in  Italy.  ^  When 
]f ago  brought  news  of  his  victories  to  Carthage,  in  order  to 
make  his  successes  more  easily  credited,  he  commanded  the 
golden  rings  to  be  poured  out  in  the  senate-house,  which 
made  so  large  a  heap,  that,  as  some  relate,  they  filled  three 
fnodii  and  a  half.  A  more  probable  account  represents  them 
■ot  to  have  exceeded  one  vMdiiu,*^  JLa^Vi  Hitt^  lib.  xxiii.  13. 

*  The  rings.}    So  Frezzi : 

Non  quella,  che  riempid  i  moggi  d*anella. 

R  Quadrir^  lib.  ii.  cap.  9. 

•  OuUeartTa  Jibrntan  steel.]  Robert  Guiscard,  who  con 
quered  the  kingdom  of  Naples,  and  died  in  1110.  6.  Villani, 
lib.  iv.  cap.  18.    He  is  introduced  in  the  Paradise,  Canto  xviii. 

"  ^nd  those  the  rest.]  The  army  of  Manfredl,  which,  through 
the  treachery  of  the  Apulian  troops,  was  overcome  by  Charles 
of  Aigon  in  1365,  and  fell  in  such  numbers,  that  the  bones  ol 
the  slain  were  still  gathered  near  Oeperano.  G.  Villani,  lib. 
Tii.  cap.  9.    See  the  Purgatory,  Canto  iii. 

T  o  Tagliaeotzo.]  He  alludes  to  the  victtnry  which  Charles 
gained  over  Conradino,  by  the  sage  advice  of  the  Keur  de 
VfOeri,  in  lS6a    d.  ViUanl,  Ub.  viL  e.  37. 


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too  THE  VISION.  18-ft> 

One  were  to  show  transpierced,  another  his 
Clean  lopp'd  away ;  a  spectacle  like  this 
'Were  but  a  thing  of  naught,  to  the  hideous  sight 
Of  the  ninth  chasm.    A  rundlet,  that  hath  lost 
Its  middle  or  side  stave,  gapes  not  so  wide 
As  one  I  mark'd,  torn  from  the  chin  throughout 
Down  to  the  hinder  passage :  *twixt  the  legs 
Dangling  his  entrails  hung,  the  midriff  lay 
Open  to  view,  and  wretched  ventricle. 
That  turns  the  en?Iutted  aliment  to  dross. 

While  eagerly  I  fix  on  him  my  gaze. 
He  eyed  me,  with  his  hands  laid  lus  breast  bare, 
And ^ried,  "  Now  mark  how  I  do  rip  me:  lo  J 
How  is  Mahomet  mangled :  before  me 
Walks  Ali^  weeping,  from  the  chin  his  face 
Cleft  to  the  forelock ;  and  the  others  all. 
Whom  here  thou  seest,  while  they  lived,  did  sow 
Scandal  and  schism,  and  therefore  thus  are  rent 
A  fiend  is  here  behind,  who  with  his  sword 
Hacks  us  thus  cruelly,  slivering  again 
Each  of  this  ream,  when  we  have  compass'd  round 
The  dismal  way ;  for  first  our  gashes  close 
Ere  we  repass  before  him.    But,  say  who 
Art  thou,  that  standest  musing  on  the  rock, 
Haply  so  lingering  to  delay  the  pain 
Sentenced  upon  thy  crimes." — "  Him  death  not  ^et," 
My  guide  rejoin'd,  "  hath  overta'en,  nor  sm 
Conducts  to  torment ;  but,  that  he  may  mahe 
Full  trial  of  your  state,  I  who  am  dead 
Must  through  the  depths  of  hell,  from  orb  to  orb. 
Conduct  him.    Trust  my  words ;  for  they  are  true." 

More  than  a  hundred  spuits,  when  that  they  heard, 
Stood  in  the  foss  to  mark  me,  through  amaze 
Forgetful  of  their  pangs.    "  Thou,  who  perchance 
Shalt  shortly  view  the  sun,  this  wammg  thou 
Bear  to  Dolcino  .-*  bid  hun,  if  he  wish  not 

1  Mi.]    The  disciple  of  Mahomet. 

a  Dolcino.]  **  In  1305,  a  friar,  called  Dolcino,  who  belonged 
to  no  regular  order,  contrived  to  raise  in  Novara,  in  "Lom- 
hardy,  a  larce  company  of  the  meaner  sort  )f  people,  decla- 
ring himself  to  be  a  true  apostle  of  Christ,  and  promulgating 
a  community  of  property  and  of  wives,  with  many  othw 
such  heretical  doctrines.  He  blamed  the  pope,  cardinals, 
and  other  prelates  of  the  holy  church,  for  not  observing  theli 
duty,  nor  leading  the  angelic  life,  and  affirmed  that  he  ought 
to  be  pope.  He  was  followed  by  more  than  three  thousand 
ndwc '     '•     »  • 


men  and  women,  who  lived  promiscuously  on  the  mountains 

together,  like  beasts,  and,  when  they  wanted  jMv>visioB 

mpplled  themselves  by  depredation  and  mpine.    This  lute 


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S4-75. 


HELL,  Canto  XXVm. 


191 


Here  soou  to  follow  me,  that  with  good  store 

Of  food  he  arm  him,  lest  unprisonmg  snows 

Yield  him  a  victim  to  Novara*B  power ; 

No  easy  conquest  else :"  with  foot  upraised 

For  stepping,  spake  Mahomet,  on  the  grpmid 

Then  fix'd  it  to  depart.    Anollier  shade, 

Pierced  in  the  throat,  his  nostrils  mutilate 

E'en  from  beneath  the  eyebrows,  and  one  ear 

Jjopp'd  off,  who,  with  the  rest,  through  wonder  stood 

Gazing,  before  the  rest  advanced,  and  bared 

His  T^d-pipe,  that  without  was  all  o'ersmear'd 

With  crimson  stam.  "  O  thou !"  said  he,  "  whom  sin 

Condemns  not,  and  whom  erst  (unless  too  near 

Resemblance  do  deceive  me)  I  aloft 

Have  seen  on  Latian  ground,  call  thou  to  mind 

Piero  of  Medicina,'  if  again 

Returning,  thou  behold'st  the  pleasant  land' 

That  from  Vercelli  slopes  to  Mercab6 ; 

And  there  instruct  the  twain,*  whom  Fano  boasts 

Her  worthiest  sons.  Guide  and  Angelo, 

That  if  'tis  given  us  here  to  scan  aright 

The  future,  they  out  of  life's  tenement* 

for  two  years,  till  many  being  struck  with  compunction  at 
the  dissolute  life  they  led,  liis  sect  was  much  diminished ; 
and,  through  failure  of  food  and  the  severity  of  the  snows, 
he  was  taken  by  the  people  of  Novara,  and  burnt,  with  Mar- 
garita, his  companion,  and  many  other  men  and  women 
whom  his  errors  had  seduced."     O.  Villani,  lib.  viii.  c.  84. 

Landino  observes,  that  he  was  possessed  of  singular  elo* 
qnence,  and  that  both  he  and  Maj^arita  endured  their  fata 
with  a  firmness  worthy  of  a  better  cause.  For  a  further  ae- 
eonnt  of  liim,  see  Muratori,  Rer.  Ital.  Script.,  torn.  ix.  p.  4S7. 

Fazio  degli  Uberti,  speaking  of  the  polygamy  allowed  by 
Mahomet,  adds : 

£  qui  con  fra  DOIcin  par  che  s'intenda. 

DiUamondo,  lib.  v.  cap.  zii. 

1  Medicina.]  A  place  in  the  territory  of  Bologna.  Piero 
fomented  dissensions  among  the  inhabitants  of  that  city,  and 
among  the  leaders  of  the  neighboring  states. 

s  7%e  pleasant  land.]    Lombardy. 

*  7%e  twain.]  Guide  del  Cassero  and  Angiolello  da  Ca^ 
gnano,  two  of  the  w(»rthiest  and  most  distinguished  citizens 
of  Fano,  were  invited  by  Malatestino  da  Rimini  to  an  enter- 
tainment, on  pretence  that  he  had  some  important  business 
to  transact  with  them ;  and,  according  to  instructions  given 
by  him,  they  were  drowned  in  their  passage  near  Cattolica, 
between  Rimini  and  Fano. 

*  Out  of  lifers  tenement.]  "Fuor  dl  lor  vasello,"  is  con- 
strued by  the  old  Latin  annotator  on  the  Monte  Cassino  MS. 
and  by  Lombard!,  **out  of  the  ship."  Volpi  understands 
**  vasello"  to  mean  "  their  city  or  country."  Others  take  the 
word  in  the  sense  according  to  which,  though  not  withcm 
■ome  doubt,  it  is  rendered  in  this  translation. 


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109  THE  VISION.  76-10^ 

Shall  be  east  forth,  and  whelm'd  under  the  waves 

Near  to  Cattolica,  tbnmgh  perfidy 

Of  a^ell  tyrant    *Twixt  the  Cyprian  isle 

And  Balearic,  ne'er  hath  Neptune  seen 

An  injury  so  foul,  by  pirates  done. 

Or  Argive  crew  of  old.    That  one-eyed  traitor 

(Whose  realm,  there  is  a  spirit  here  were  fain 

His  eye  had  still  lacked  sight  of)  them  shall  bring 

To  conference  with  him,  then  so  shape  his  end. 

That  they  shall  need  not  'gamst  Focara's  wind* 

Offer  up  vow  nor  prayer."    I  answering  thus : 

**  Declare,  as  thou  dost  wish  that  I  abOve 

May  carry  tidings  of  thee,  who  is  he,  [brance.** 

In  whom  that  sight  doth  wake  such  sad  remem* 

Forthwith  he  laid  his  hand  on  the  cheek-bone 
Of  one,  his  fellow-spirit,  and  his  jaws 
Expanding,  cried :  "  Lo !  this  is  he  I  wot  of: 
He  speaks  not  for  himself:  the  outcast  this. 
Who  overwhelm'd  the  doubt  in  Cesar's  mind,* 
Affirming  that  delay  to  men  prepared 
Was  ever  harmful."    Oh  I  how  terrified 
Methought  was  Curio,  from  whose  throat  was  cut 
The  tongue,  which  spake  that  hardy  word.  Then  one, 
Maim'd  of  each  hand,  uplifted  in  the  gloom 
The  bleeding  stumps,  that  they  with  gory  spots 
Sullied  his  face,  and  cried :  <*  Remember  thee 
Of  Mosca*  too*;  I  who,  alas !  exclaun*d, 

1  Fheara's  wind.]  Focara  is  a  mountain,  from  which  a 
wind  blows  that  Is  peculiarly  dangerous  to  the  navigators  of 
that  coast 

s  The  doubt  in  Casar's  mind,]    Curio,  whose  speech  (ae- 
eordlng  to  Lncan)  determined  Julius  Cesar  to  proceed  when 
he  ha^  arrived  at  Rimini,    (the  ancient  Ariminum,)  and 
jdonbted  whether  be  should  prosecute  the  civil  war. 
ToUe  moras :  semper  nocult  dlfferre  paratls. 

Phargal.,  I.  i.  S8L 
Haste  then  thy  towering  eagles  on  their  way ; 
When  fair  occasion  calls,  'tis  fatal  to  delay.     Roioe. 

s  Mosea.]  Bnondelmonte  was  engaged  to  marry  a  lady  of 
the  Amidei  family,  but  broke  his  promise,  and  united  himself 
to  one  of  the  Donati.  This  was  so  much  resented  by  the 
forftier,  that  a  meeting  of  themselves  and  their  kinsmen  was 
held,  to  consider  of  the  best  means  of  revenging  the  insult, 
liosca  degli  Uberti,  or  de*  Lrfunberti,  persuaded  them  to  re- 
solve on  the  assassination  of  Bnondelmonte,  exclaiming  to 
them,  "  the  thing  once  done,  there  is  an  end.**  The  counsel 
and  its  effects  were  the  source  of  many  terrible  calamities  to 
the  state  of  Florence.  •*  This  murder.'^  says  G.  Villani,  lib.  v. 
cap.  38,  "was  the  cause  and  beginning  of  the  accursed 
Gnelph  and  Ghibelline  parties  in  Florence."  It  happened  in 
1S15.    See  the  Paradise,  Oauto  xvi.  139. 


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lCk3-130.  HELL,  Canto  XXVID.  ]|a 

'  The  deed  once  done,  there  is  an  end,'  that  proved 
A  seed  of  sorrow  to  the  Tuscan  race." 

I  added :  "  Ay,  and  death  to  thine  own  tribn  " 
Whence,  heaping  wo  on  wo,  he  hurried  off^ 
As  one  grief-stung  to  madness.    But  I  there 
Still  lingered  to  hehold  the  troop,  and  saw 
Thing,  such  as  I  may  fear  without  more  proof 
To  tell  of.  hut  that  conscience  makes  me  firm. 
The  boon  companion,^  who  her  strong  breast-plat* 
Buckles  on  him,  that  feels  no  guilt  within, 
And  bids  him  on  and  fear  not    Without  doubt 
I  saw,  and  yet  it  seems  to  pass  before  me, 
A  headless  trunk,  that  even  as  the  rest 
Of  the  sad  flock  paced  onward.    By  the  hair 
It  bore  the  sever'd  member,  lantern-wise 
Pendent  in  baud,  which  look'd  at  us,  and  said, 
«  Wo  's  me !"    The  spuit  lighted  thus  hunself ; 
And  two  there  were  in  one,  and  one  in  two. 
How  that  may  be,  he  knows  who  ordereth  so. 

When  at  the  bridge's  foot  direct  he  stood, 
His  arm  aloft  he  reax'd,  thrusting  the  head 
Full  in  our  view,  that  nearer  we  might  hear 
The  words,  which  thus  it  utter'd ;  "  Now  behold 
This  grievous  torment,  thou,  who  breathing  go'st 
To  spy  the  dead :  behold,  if  any  else 
Be  terrible  as  this.    And,  that  on  earth 
Thou  mayst  bear  tidings  of  me,  know  that  I 
Am  Bertrand,'  he  of  Bom,  who  gave  kmg  John 

>  TTU  boon  eompanion.l 

What  stronger  breastplate  than  a  heart  nntainted  ? 
Shakspeare,  3  Hen.  r/.,*act  ill.  sc.  3. 

>  Bertrani.\  Bertrand  de  Bom,  Vicomte  de  Hante&rt,  near 
Perigoeux  in  Guienne,  who  incited  John  to  rebel  a^nst  his 
&ther,  Henry  II.  of  England.  Bertrand  holds  a  distinguished 
p^ace  among  the  Provencal  poets.  He  is  quoted  in  Dante,  de 
vnlg.  Bl3q.,  lib.  ii.  cap.  3,  where  it  is  said,  **  that  he  treated 
of  war,  which  no  Italian  poet  had  yet  done."  "  Arma  vero 
nnllum  Italnui  adhnc  poetasse  invenio.**  The  triple  division 
of  subjects  for  poetry,  made  in  this  chapter  of  the  de  Vulg. 
Eloq.,  is  very  remarkaUe.    It  will  be  found  in  a  note  on  Pur- 

Story,  C^nto  zxvi.  113.  F<Nr  the  translation  of  some  extracts 
»m  Bertrand  de  Bom*s  poems,  see  Millet.  Hist.  Litteraire 
des  Troubadours,  torn.  i.  p.  210 ;  but  the  historical  parts  of 
that  worlc  are,  I  believe,  not  to  be  relied  on.  Bertrand  had  a 
son  of  the  same  name,  who  wrote  a  poem  against  John,  king 
t^  England.  It  is  that  species  of  composition  called  the  ser^ 
ventese:  and  is  in  the  Vatican,  a  MS.  In  Ck)d.  3304.  See  Ba- 
stero.  La  Crusca  Provenzale.  Roma,  1734,  p.  80.  For  many 
parttculars  respecting  both  Bertnnds,  consult  Raynouard*s 
Poesies  des  Troubadours ;  in  which  excellent  work,  and  in 
his  Lexique  Roman,  Paris,  1838,  several  of  their  poems,  in  the 
ftoveafal  language,  may  be  seen 

9 


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194  TEE  VISION.  131-: 

The  cmiQflel  mischieTous.    Father  anc  son 
I  set  at  mutual  war.    For  Absalom 
And  David  more  did  not  Ahitophel, 
Spurring  them  on  maliciously  to  strife. 
For  parting  those  so  closely  knit,  my  brain 
Parted,  alas !  I  carry  from  its  source. 
That  in  this  trunk  inhabits.    Thus  the  law 
Of  retribution  fiercely  works  in  me." 


CANTO  XXIX. 


ARGUMENT. 


Dante,  at  the  desire  of  Virgil,  proceeds  onward  to  the  bridge 
that  crosses  tlie  tenth  gulf,  from  whence  he  hean  the  cries 
of  the  alchemists  and  forgers,  who  are  tormented  therein ; 
bnt  not  being  able  to  discern  any  thing  on  account  of  the 
darkness,  they  descend  the  rock,  that  bounds  this  the  last 
of  the  compartments  in  which  the  eighth  circle  is  divided, 
and  then  behold  the  spirits  who  are  aflUcted  bv  divers 
plagues  and  diseases.  Two  of  them,  namely,  Grifolino  of 
Arezzo  and  Capocchio  of  Sienna,  are  introduced  speaking. 

So  were  mine  eyes  inebriate  with  the  view 
Of  the  vast  multitude,  whom  various  wounds 
Disfigured,  that  they  long'd  to  stay  and  weep. 

But  Virgil  roused  me :  "  What  yet  gazest  on  1 
Wherefore  doth  fasten  yet  thy  sight  below 
Among  the  maim'd  and  miserable  shades? 
Thou  hast  not  ^own  in  any  chasm  beside 
This  weakness.  Know,  if  thou  wouldst  number  themv 
That  two  and  twenty  miles  the  valley  winds 
Its  circuit,  and  already  is  the  moon 
Beneath  our  feet :  the  time  permitted  now 
Is  short ;  and  more,  not  seen,  remains  to  see.*' 

"  If  thou,"  I  straight  repUed,  "  hadst  weigh'd  ih« 
cause. 
For  which  I  look'd,  thou  hadst  perchance  excused 
The  tarrying  still."    My  leader  part  pursued 
His  way,  the  while  I  foUow'd,  answering  him. 
And  adding  thus :  "  Withm  that  cave  I  deem, 
Whereon  so  fixedly  I  held  my  ken. 
There  is  a  spirit  dwells,  one  of  my  blood. 
Wailing  the  crime  that  costs  him  now  so  dear." 

Then  spake  my  master:  "  Let  thy  soul  no  more 
Afflict  itself  for  him.    Direct  elsewhere 
Its  thought,  and  leave  him.    At  the  bridge's  foot 


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SM'4JS.  HELXi,  Canto  XXIX.  1|5 

I  mark*d  honr  he  did  point  with  menacinjr  look 
At  thee,  and  heard  him  by  the  otheis  named 
Geri  of  Bello.^    Thou  so  wholly  then 
Wert  busied  with  his  spurit,  who  once  ruled 
The  towers  of  Hautefort,  that  thou  lookedst  not 
That  way,  ere  he  was  gone."-—*'  O  guide  beloved 
His  violent  death  yet  unavenged,"  said  I, 
*<  By  any,  who  are  partners  in  hk  shame, 
Made  him  contemptuous ;  therefore,  as  I  think. 
He  pass'd  me  speechless  by ;  and,  doing  so, 
Hath  made  me  more  compassionate  his  fate." 

So  we  discoursed  to  where  the  rock  first  show'd 
The  other  valley,  had  more  light  been  there, 
£*en  to  the  lowest  depth.    Soon  as  we  came 
O'er  the  last  cloister  in  the  dismal  rounds 
Of  Malebolge,  and  the  brotherhood 
Were  to  our  view  exposed,  then  many  a  dart 
Of  sore  lament  assail'd  me,  headed  all  - 
With  points  of  thrilling  pity,  that  I  closed 
Both  ears  agamst  the  volley  with  mine  hands. 

As  were  the  torment,^  if  each  lazar-house 
Of  Valdichiana,'  in  the  sultry  time 

1  OeriofBdlo.]  A  kinsman  of  the  Poet's,  who  was  mur- 
dered by  one  of  the  Saifchetti  family.  His  being  placed  here, 
may  be  considered  as  a  proof  that  Dante  was  more  impartial 
in  Uke  allotment  of  his  punishments  than  has  generally  been 
supposed.  He  was  the  son  of  Bello,  who  was  brother  to  Bel- 
linclone,  oar  Poefs  grandfather.  Felll,  Mem.  per  la  Vita  dl 
Dante.    Opere  di  Dante.    Zatta  ediz.,  torn.  iv.  part  ii.  p.  S3. 

>  Jls  vere  the  torment.]    It  is  very  probable  that  these  lines 
gave  Milton  the  idea  of  his  celebrated  description: 
Immediately  a  place 
Before  their  eyes  appeared,  sad,  noisome,  dark. 
A  lazai^honse  it  seem*d,  wherein  were  laid  > 
Numbers  of  all  diseased,  all  maladies,  &c. 

P.  i.,  b.  xl.  477. 
Tet  the  enumeration  of  diseases,  which  folIo\v8,  appears  to 
have  been  taken  by  Milton  firom  the  Quadriregii : 
Quivi  eran  zoppi,  monchi,  sordi,  e  orbi, 
Quil^  era  il  mal  podagrico  e  di  fianco, 
Q,nivi  la  frenesia  cogli  occhi  torbi. 
Qnivl  11  dolor  gridante,  e  non  mai  stance, 
Qnivi  il  catarro  con  la  gran  cianfarda, 
L*asma,  la  polmonia  quivl  eran*  anco 
L*idroplsia  qnivi  era  grave  e  tarda, 
Di  tutte  febbri  quel  piano  era  pieno, 
Quivl  quel  mal,  che  par  che  la  carne  arda. 

Lib.  ii.  cap.  a 

s  Of  Vdldiehiana.)    The  valley  through  which  passes  the 

fiver  Chinna,  bounded  by  ArezEO,  Cortona,  Montepulciano. 

and  ChiusL    In  the  heat  of  autumn  it  was  formerly  rendered 

mwholesome  by  the  stagnation  of  the  water,  but  has  shiee 


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196  THE  VISION.  4&^% 

'Twixt  July  and  September,  with  the  nle 
Sardinia  and  Maremma's  pcKstilent  fen,* 
Had  heapM  their  maladies  all  in  one  foes 
Together ;  sach  was  here  the  torment :  dire 
The  ftench,  as  issaing  streams  fr<Hn  fester'd  liokhs. 

We  on  the  utmost  shore  of  the  long  rock 
Descended  still  to  leftward.    Then  my  sight 
Was  livelier  to  explore  the  depth,  wherein 
The  minister  of  the  most  mighty  Lord, 
All-searching  Justice,  dooms  to  punishment 
The  forgers  noted  on  her  dread  record. 

More  rueful  was  it  not  methmks  to  see 
The  nation  in  iBgina*  droop,  what  time 
Each  living  thmg,  e'en  to  the  little  woim, 
AH  fell,  so  full  of  malice  was  the  air, 
(And  afterward,  as  bards  of  yore  have  told. 
The  ancient  people  were  restored  anew 
From  seed  of  emmets)  than  was  here  to  see 
The  spirits,  that  languished  through  the  muricy  vale* 
Up-piled  on  many  a  stack.    Confused  they  lay, 
One  o'er  the  belly,  o'er  the  shoulders  one 
Roird  of  another ;  sideling  crawl'd  a  third 
Along  the  dismal  pathway.    Step  by  step 
We  joumey'd  on,  in  silence  looking  round, 
And  listening  those  diseased,  who  strove  in  vain 
To  lift  their  forms.    Then  two  I  mark'd,  that  sat 
Propp'd  'gainst  each  other,  as  two  brazen  pans 
Set  to  retain  the  heat    From  head  to  foot, 
A  tetter  bark'd  them  roimd.    Nor  saw  I  e'er 
Groom  currying  so  fast,  for  whom  his  lord 
Impatient  waited,  or  himself  perchance 
Tired  with  long  watching,  as  of  these  each  one 
Plied  quickly  his  keen  naUs,  through  furionsness 
Of  ne'er  abated  pruriency.    The  crust 
Came  drawn  from  underneath  in  flakes,  like  scales 
Scraped  from  the  bream,  or  fish  of  broader  mail 

"  O  thou !  who  with  thy  fingers  rendest  off 
Thy  coat  of  proof,"  thus  spake  my  guide  to  one, 
*'  And  sometimes  makest  tearing  pincers  of  them, 
Tell  me  if  any  bom  of  Latian  land 
Be  among  these  within :  so  may  thy  nails 

been  drained  by  the  Emperor  Leopold  U.  The  Chiana  If 
mentioned  as  a  remarkably  sluggish  stream,  in  the  Paradise, 
Canto  ziiL  31. 

>  Marenma*g  pestilent  fen,]    8ee  Note  to  Canto  xxv.  v.  18. 

•  Jk  JSS^ina.]  He  allndes  to  the  flOde  of  the  ants  eba&fed 
Into  Myrmidons.    Ovid.  .¥«<.,  Ub.  vU. 


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«7 131  HELL,  Canto  XXtiC.  197 

Serve  thee  for  everlasting  to  this  toU.^ 

'-*  Both  are  of  Latium^^  weeping  he  replied, 
'*  Whom  tortured  thus  thou  seest :  but  who  art  thott 
That  hast  inquired  of  us  V*    To  whom  my  guide . 
. "  One  that  descend  with  this  man,  who  yet  lives. 
From  rock  to  rock,  and  show  him  hell's  abyss  " 

Then  started  they  asunder,  and  each  tum'd 
Trembling  toward  us,  with  the  rest,  whose  ear 
Those  words  redounding  struck.    To  me  my  lieffe 
A^dress'd  him .  **  Speak  to  them  whatever  thoa  Ust" 

And  I  ^herewith  began :  "  So  may  no  time 
Filch  your  remembrance  from  the  thoughts  of  men 
In  the  upper  world,  but  after  many  suns 
Survive  it,  as  ye  tell  me,  who  ye  are, 
And  of  whal  race  ye  come.    Your  punishment, 
Unseemly  and  disgustful  in  its  kind, 
Deter  you  not  from  opening  thus  much  to  me." 

"  Arezzo  was  my  dwelling,'**  answered  <me, 
**  And  me  Albero  of  Sienna  brought 
To  die  by  fire :  but  that,  for  which  I  died. 
Leads  me  not  here.    True  is,  in  sport  I  told  him. 
That  I  had  leam'd  to  wing  my  flight  in  air ; 
And  he,  admiring  much,  as  he  was  void    * 
Of  wisdom,  will'd  me  to  declare  to  him 
The  secret  of  mine  art :  and  only  hence, 
Because  I  made  him  not  a  Deedalus, 
Prevail'd  on  one  supposed  his  sire  to  bum  me. 
But  Minos  to  this  chasm,  last  of  the  ten, 
For  that  I  practised  alchemy  on  earth, 
Has  doom'd  me.    Him  no  subterfuge  eludes." 

Then  to  the  bard  I  spake :  "  Was  ever  race 
Light  as  Sienna's  ?*  Sure  not  France  herself 
Can  show  a  tribe  so  frivolous  and  vain." 

The  other  leprous  spirit  heard  my  words. 
And  thus  retum'd :  "  Be  Stricca'  from  this  charge 


1  Jlreito  was  my  dtodling.]  Grifolino  of  Arezzo,  who  prom* 
iaed  Albero,  son  of  the  Bishop  of  Sienna,  that  he  would  teach 
him  the  art  of  flying;  and,  because  he  did  not  keep  his  prom- 
ke,  Albero  prevailed  on  his  father  fo  have  him  burnt  for  a 
Becmnancer. 

• Was  ever  race 

LigjU  as  Sienna's  ?]    The  same  Imputation  is  again  east 
en  the  Siennese,  Porg.,  Canto  ziii.  141. 

*  Strieca.}  This  is  said  ironically.  Stricca,  Niccolo  Salim- 
beni,  Caccia  of  Asciano,  and  Abbagliato,  or  Meo  de*  Folcao- 
chieri,  bel<niged  to  a  company  of  prodigal  and  luxuriont 
young  men  in  Sienna,  called  the  **  brijfata  godereccia,^^  Nic- 
folo  was  tlie  inventoi  of  a  new  manner  of  using  cloves  la 


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198  THE  VISION.  18»-13I 

Exempted,  he  who  knew  so  temperately 
To  lay  oat  fortmie's  gifts  ;-  and  Nicoolo, 
Who  first  the  spice's  costly  loxnry 
Discoyer'd  in  that  garden,^  where  such  seed 
Roots  deepest  in  the  soil :  and  be  that  troop 
Exempted,  with  whom  Caccia  of  Asciano 
Lavish'd  fais  vineyards  and  wide-spreading  woodsy 
And  his  rare  wisdom  Abbagliato*  show'd 
A  spectacle  for  alL    That  thou  mayst  know 
Who  seconds  thee  against  the  Sicnnese 
Thus  gladly,  bend  this  way  thy  sharpened  fught, 
That  well  my  face  may  answer  to  thy  ken  ; 
So  shalt  thou  see  I  am  Capocchio's  ghost,' 
Who  forged  transmuted  metals  by  the  power 
Of  alchemy ;  and  if  I  scan  thee  right, 
Thou  needs  must  well  remember  how  I  aped 
Creative  nature  by  my  subtle  art." 


cookery,  not  very  well  nndentood  by  the  conunentatcHri,  and 
which  was  termed  the  "  eostuma  ricca.*^ 

Pagliarini,  io  his  Historical  Observations  on  the  Qoadri- 
regio,  lib.  UL  cap.  13,  adduces  a  passage  from  a  B18.  History  ol 
Sienna,  in  which  it  is  told  that  these  spendthrifts,  out  of  the 
snm  raised  for  the  sale  of  their  estates,  built  a  palace,  which 
they  inhabited  in  common,  and  made  the  receptacle  of  their 
apparatus  for  luxurious  enjoyment;  and  that  among  their 
other  extravagances,  they  had  their  hcurses  shod  with  silver, 
and  forbade  their  servants  to  pick  up  the  jnecious  shoes  if 
they  dropped  off.  The  end  was,  as  might  be  expected,  ex- 
treme poverty  and  wretchedness.  LaniUno  says,  they  spent 
two  hundred  thousand  florins  in  twentv  months. 

Horses  shod  with  silver  are  mentioned  by  Fazio  deril 
Uberti: 

Ancora  in  questo  tempo  si  fu  vlsto 
Quel  Roberto  Gniscardo,  che  d*argento 
I  cavagli  ferri>  per  far  Tacqulsto. 

Dittamondot  1.  ii.  c  34,  as  conected  by  Pertlcaii. 

1  J»  tkmt  farden,]    Sienna. 

s  Mba/rluUo.]  LomlMtrdl  understands  '*  Abbagliato**  not  to 
be  the  name  of  a  man,  but  to  be  the  epithet  to  **senno,**  and 
construes  **  B  l*abbagliato  suo  senno  proferse,*'  **  and  mani- 
fested to  the  world  the  blindness  of  their  understanding.** 
So  little  doubt,  however,  is  made  of  there  being  such  a  per- 
son, that  Allacci  speaks  of  his  grandfather  Folcacchiero  de* 
Folcacchieri,  of  Sienna,  as  one  who  may  dispute  with  the 
Sicilians  the  praise  of  being  the  first  inventor  of  Italian  po- 
etry. Tiraboschi,  indeed,  observes,  that  tliis  genealogy  is  not 
authenticated  by  Allacci ;  yet  it  is  difficult  to  suppose  that  he 
should  have  mentioned  it  at  all,  if  Heo  de*  Fokaccliieri,  ta 
Abbagliato,  as  he  was  called,  had  never  existed.  Vol.  i.  p. 
05.    Mr.  Mathlas*  edit. 

*  Cofoeekio't  gkott.)  Capoccliio  of  Sienna,  who  Is  said  to 
teve  been  a  fellow-stndent  of  Dante*B,  in  natural  philoewphy. 


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HM  HELL,  Canto  XXX.  lOS 

CANTO  XXX. 

ARGUMENT. 
In  the  same  golf,  other  kindi  of  imposton,  u  thoee  who  have 
counterfeited  the  persons  of  others,  or  debased  the  current 
coin,  or  deceived  by  speech  under  fklse  pretences,  are  de- 
sorilied  as  snflering  ^rauious  diseases.  Binon  of  Troy  and 
Adamo  of  Brescia  mutually  reproach  each  other  with  their 
several  impostures. 

What  time  resentment  bum'd  in  Juno's  breast 
For  Semele  against  the  Theban  blood, 
As  more  than  once  in  dire  mischance  was  rued ; 
Such  fatal  phrensy  seized  on  Athamas,^ 
That  he  his  spouse  beholding  with  a  babe 
Laden  on  either  arm,  "  Spread  out,"  he  cried, 
**  The  meshes,  that  I  take  the  lioness 
And  the  young  lions  at  the  pass  :**  then  forth 
Stretch'd  he  lus  merciless  talons,  grasping  one, 
One  helpless  innocent,  Learchus  named. 
Whom  swinging  down  he  dash'd  upon  a  rock  ; 
And  with  her  other  burden,'  self-destroy'd, 
The  hapless  mother  plunged.    And  when  the  prid« 
Of  all-presuming  Troy  fell  from  its  height, 
By  fortune  overwhelm'd,  and  the  old  king  , 
With  his  realm  perish'd ;  then  did  Hecuba,' 
A  wretch  forlorn  and  captive,  when  she  saw 
Polyxena  first  slaughtered,  and  her  son, 
Her  Polydorus,^  on  the  wild  sea-beach 
Next  met  the  mourner's  view,  then  reft  of  sense 
Did  she  run  barking  even  as  a  dog ; 
Such  mighty  power  had  grief  to  wrench  her  soiiL 
But  ne'er  the  Furies,  or  of  Thebes,  or  Troy, 
With  such  fell  cruelty  were  seen,  theur  goads 
Infixing  in'  th3  limbs  of  man  or  beast, 
As  now  two  pale  and  naked  ghosts  I  saw, 
That  gnarling  wildly  scampePd,  like  the  swine 
Excluded  from  his  stye.    One  reach'd  Capocchio, 
And  m  the  neck-jomt  sticking  deep  his  fangs, 
Dragg'd  him,  that,  o'er  the  solid  pavement  rubb'd 

>  Jitkamas.}    From  Ovid,  Metam.,  lib.  iv. 

Protiniu  iEk>lides,  &o. 
s  mth  her  other  bwrdeii.} 

Seque  super  pontnm  nullo  tardata  timore 
Mittit,  onusque  snum.  Oriel,  MeUun^  lib.  vt 

s  Hecuba.]    See  Euripides,  Hecuba;  and  Ovid,  Metam^ 
lib.xiU. 
«  HerPoi^donu.] 

Aspiclt  ejectnm  PoUdori  in  Uttore  carpus,      (hid.  tkU 


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BOO  THE  yiSION.  3]<4ft. 

His  belly  streteh'd  out  prone.    The  other  ^ape» 
He  of  Arezzo,  there  left  tremblmg,  spake : 
"  That  sprite  of  air  is  Sehicchi ;'  in  like  mood 
Of  mndom  mischief  vents  he  still  his  spite.*' 

To  whom  I  answering^ :  <*  Oh !  as  thou  dost  hope 
The  other  may  not  flesh  its  jaws  on  thee. 
Be  patient  to  inform  us,  who  it  is. 
Ere  it  speed  hence." — **  That  is  the  ancient  soul 
Of  wretched  Myrrha,'**  he  replied,  V  who  bum'd 
With  most  unholy  flame  for  her  own  sire, 
And  a  false  shape  assummg,  so  perfonn'd 
The  deed  of  sin  ;  e'en  as  the  other  there, 
That  onward  passes,  dared  to  couaterfelt 
Ponati's  features,  to  feign'd  testament 
The  seal  affixing,  that  himself  might  gain, 
For  his  own  share,  the  lady  of  the  henL" 

When  yanish'd  the  two  furious  shades,  on  rhom 
Mine  eye  was  held,  I  tum'd  it  back  to  yiew 
The  other  cursed  spuits.    One  I  saw 
In  fashion  like  a  lute,  had  but  the  groin 
Been  severed  where  it  meets  the  forked  part 
Swoln  dropsy,  disproportioning  the  limbs 
With  ill-converted  moisture,  that  the  paunch 
Suits  not  the  visage,  open'd  wide  his  lips, 
Gasping  as  in  the  hectic  man  for  drought. 
One  towards  the  chin,  the  other  upws^  curl'd. 

"  O  ye !  who  in  this  wcHrld  of  misery. 
Wherefore  I  know  not,  are  exempt  from  pain,*' 
Thus  he  began,  "  attentively  regard 
Adamo's  wo.*    When  living,  full  supply 
Ne*er  lack*d  me  of  what  most  I  coveted ; 
One  drop  of  water  now,  alas !  I  crave. 
The  rills,  that  glitter  down  the  grassy  slopes 
Of  Casentino,^  making  fresh  and  soft 

1  Sekieehi.]  Gianni  Sehicchi,  who  was  of  the  family  of 
Cavalcanti,  possessed  such  a  focnlty  of  monlding  his  features 
to  the  resemblance  of  others,  that  he  was  employed  by  Simon 
Donati  to  personate  Bnoso  Donati,  then  recently  deceased, 
and  to  make  a  will,  leaving  Simon  his  heir ;  for  which  service 
he  was  remunerated  with  a  mare  of  extraordinary  value,  here 
called  '*  the  lady  of  the  herd.*' 

s  Myrrka.]    See  Ovid,  Metam.,  lib.  x. 

*  JidaiM*t  Kw.J  Adamo  of  Brescia,  at  the  Instigation  of 
Gnido,  Alessandro,  and  their  brother  Aghinnlfo,  lords  of  R  >- 
mena,  counterfeited  the  coin  of  Florence ;  tat  which  crime 
he  was  burnt.  Landlno  says,  that  in  his  time  the  peasants 
still  pointed  out  a  pile  of  stones  near  Romena,  as  die  placs 
•f  his  execution.    See  Troya,  Veltro  Allegorloo,  p.  8S. 

«  GMoUtM.]    BomenaisapartofCaieatliio. 


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•9-98.  HELL,  GiMTO  XXX.  M|] 

Tbe  banloi  whereby  they  glide  to  Amo's  stream. 

Stand  ever  in  my  view ;  imd  not  in  vain ; 

For  moce  the  pictured  semblance  dries  me  up, 

Much  more  than  the  disease,  which  makes  the  flesh 

Desert  these  shrivelled  cheeks.    So  front  the  place. 

Where  I  transgressed,  stem  justice  urging  me, 

Takes  means  to  quicken  more  my  laboring  sighs 

There  is  Romena,  where  I  falsified 

The  metal  with  the  Baptist's  form  impress'd, 

For  which  on  earth  I  left  my  body  burnt 

But  if  I  here  might  see  the  sorrowing  soul 

Of  Guide,  Aleesandro,  or  their  brother. 

For  Branda's  Qmpid  spring*  I  would  not  change 

The  welcome  sight    One  is  e'en  now  within. 

If  truly  the  mad  spirits  tell,  that  round 

Are  wandering.    But  wherein  besteads  me  thatt 

My  limbs  are  fettered.    Were  I  but  so  light, 

That  I  each  hundred  years  might  move  one  inch, 

I  had  set  forth  already  on  this  path, 

Seeking  him  out  amidst  the  shapeless  crew. 

Although  eleven  miles  it  wind,  not  less* 

Than  half  of  one  across.    They  brought  me  down 

Among  this  tribe ;  induced  by  them,  I  stamp'd 

The  florins  with  three  carats  of  alloy."' 

"  Who  are  that  abject  pair,"  I  next  inquired, 
**  That  closely  bounding  thee  upon  thy  right 
Lie  smoking,  like  a  baud  in  winter  steep'd 
In  the  chiU  stream  ?"— "  When  to  this  gulf  I  dropp'd," 

>  Branda'$  limpid  spriiu^.l    A  foantain  in  Sienna. 

3  /..ess.]  Lombardljostly  ccmclndes  that  as  Adamo  vdshes 
to  ezacgerate  the  difficulty  of  finding  the  spirit  whom  he 
wishedto  sec, "  men,**  and  not "  jrfu**  ("  less,**  and  not "  more** 
than  tbe  half  of  a  mile)  is  probably  the  true  reading ;  fof 
tiiere  are  authorities  for  both. 

>  7%«  Jtbrins  with  three  carats  of  alloy.]  The  florin  was  a 
coin  that  ought  to  have  had  twenty-four  carats  of  pure  gold. 
Villani  relates,  that  it  was  first  used  at  Florence  in  1253,  an 
era  <^great  prosperity  in  the  annals  of  the  republic ;  before 
which  time  dieir  most  valuable  coinage  was  uf  silver.  Hist, 
Ub.  vi.  c.  liv. 

Fasio  de^i  Uberti  uses  the  word  to  denote  the  purest  gold 
Pure  era  come  l*oro  del  fi<»rino. 

Dittamoniot  L.  iL  cap.  ziv. 
*'  Among  the  ruins  of  Chaucer's  house  at  Woodstock  the> 
found  an  ancient  coin  of  Florence ;  I  think,  a  Florein,  anr 
cieatly  common  in  England.    Chaucer,  Pardon,  Tale  v.  3390 

For  that  the  Floraines  been  so  <Ur  and  bright 
Edward  the  Tliird,  in  1344,  altered  it  flrom  a  lower  value  to 
ft*.  9tL    The  particular  piece  I  have  mentioned  seems  aboot 
that  value.'*  Wartoih  Mitt,  tf  Bug,  PoOnh  v. iLsect.  iL^U, 


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309  THEMSION.  VMM. 

He  aii8A'*er'd, "'  here  I  found  them ;  anee  that  hour 
Mlioy  have  in>t  tum'd,  nor  ever  shall,  I  ween. 
Till  time  hath  run  hjs  course.    One  is  that  dame. 
The  false  accuser*  of  the  Hebrew  yeuth ; 
Sinon  the  ot&er,  that  false  Greek  from  Troy* 
Sharp  fever  drains  the  reeky  moistness  out, 
In  such  a' cloud  upsteam'd."    When  that  he  heaiid« 
One,  gaird  perchance  to  be  so  darkly  named, 
With  clench'd  hand  smote  him  on  the  braced  paunch, 
That  like  a  drum  resounded :  but  forthwith 
Adamo  smote  him  on  the  face,  the  blow 
Returning  with  his  arm,  that  seem'd  as  hard. 

**  Though  my  o'erweighty  limbs  have  ta*en  from  mo 
The  power  to  move,"  said  he,  "  I  have  an  arm 
At  liberty  for  such  employ."    Tc  whom 
Was  answered ;  "  When  thou  wentest  to  the  fire, 
Thou  hadst  it  not  so  ready  at  command. 
Then  readier  when  it  coin'd  the  impostor  gold." 

And  thus  the  dropsied :  *<  Ay,  now  speak'st  thou 
But  there  thou  gavest  not  such  true  testimony,  [true : 
When  thou  wast  question'd  of  the  truth,  at  Troy." 

"  If  I  spake  false,  thou  falsely  stamp'dst  the  coin," 
Said  Sinon  ;  "  I  am  here  for  but  one  fault. 
And  thou  for  more  than  any  imp  beside." 

"  Remember,"  he  replied,  "  O  perjured  one ! 
The  horse  remember,  tiiat  did  teem  with  death ; 
And  all  the  world  be  witness  to  thy  guilt." 

"  To  thme,"  returned  the  Greek, "  witness  the  thirat 
Whence  thy  tongue  cracks,  witness  the  fluid  mound 
Rear'd  by  thy  belly  up  before  thine  eyes, 
A  mass  corrupt."     To  whom  the  coiner  thus : 
"  Thy  mouth  gapes  wide  as  ever  to  let  pass 
Its  eyil  saying.     Me  if  thirst  assails. 
Yet  I  am  sti^d  with  moisture.    Thou  art  parch'di 
Pains  rack  thy  head :  no  urging  wouldst  thou  need 
To  moke  thee  lap  Narcissus'  mirror  up." 

I  was  all  fix*d  to  listen,  when  my  guide 
Admonish'd :  "  Now  beware.*   A  little  more. 
And  I  do  quarrel  with  thee."     I  perceived 
How  angrily  he  spake,  and  towards  him  tum'd 
With  shame  so  poignant,  as  remember'd  yet 
Confounds  me.    ^  a  man  that  dreams  of  harm 
Befallen  him,  dreammg  wishes  it  a  dream. 
And  that  which  is,  desires  as  if  it  were  not ; 
Such  then  was  I,  who,  wanting  power  to  speak, 

^  T%o  fal—  «eeii««r.]    Potlphu**  wi& 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


iaB-l«^  HELL,  Canto  XXXI.  90s 

Wirii'd  to  excuse  myself,  and  all  the  while 
Excus^  me,  though  miweetmg  that  I  did.    [shame,*' 
'*  More  grievous  fault  than  thine  has  been,  less 
My  master  cried,  **  might  expiate.    Therefore  cast 
All  sorrow  from  thy  soul ;  and  if  ajpain 
Chanoe  bring  thee,  wh^re  like  con&rence  is  held. 
Think  I  am  ever  at  thy  side.    To  hear 
Such  wrangling  is  a  joy  for  vulgar  minds." 


CANTO  XXXL 

ARGUMENT. 
The  Poets,  followil^;  the  sound  of  a  load  hom,  are  led  by  It 
to  Uie  ninth  circle,  in  which  there  are  four  ronnds,  one  en- 
closed within  the  other,  and  containing  as  many  »(»ts  of 
Traitors ;  but  the  present  Canto  shows  only  that4he  circle 
is  encompassed  with  Giants,  one  of  whom,  Antens,  takes 
them  both  In  his  arms  and  places  ^em  at  the  bottom  ot 
the  circle. 

The  very  tongue,*  whose  keen  reproof  before 
Had  wounded  me,  that  either  cheek  was  stain'd, 
Now  minister'd  my  cure.    So  have  I  heard, 
Achilles'  and  his  father's  javelin  caused 
Pam  first,  and  then  the  boon  of  health  restored. 

Turning  our  back  upon  the  vale  of  wo. 
We  cross'd  the  encircled  mound  in  silence.    Thero 
Was  less  than  day  and  less  than  night,  that  far 
Mine  eye  advanced  not :  but  I  heard  a  hom 
Sounded  so  loud,  the  peal  it  rang  had  made 

1  TTU  very  tongue.] 

Vnlniu  in  Hercaleo  qne  qnondam  fecerat  hoste 
Vnlneris  aozilinm  Fellas  hasta  fait. 

Ovidf  Rem,  Amor^  47. 
The  same  allusion  was  made  by  Bernard  de  Ventadoiu',  a 
Provencal  poet  in  the  middle  of  the  twelfth  century ;  and 
MUlot  observes,  that "  it  was  a  singular  instance  of  erudition 
In  a  Troubadour."  But  it  is  not  impossible,  as  Warton  re- 
marks, (Hist  of  Engl.  Poetry,  vol.  ii.  sect  z.  p.  215,)  but  that 
he  might  have  been  indA>ted  for  it  to  some  of  the  early  ro- 


In  Chaucer's  Squier's  Tale,  a  sword  of  similar  quality  is 

introduced : 

And  other  fblk  have  wondred  on  the  sweard. 
That  could  so  piercen  through  every  thing; 
And  fell  in  speech  of  Telephns  the  king, 
And  of  Achilles  for  his  queint  spere. 
For  he  couth  with  it  both  heale  and  dere. 

80  Bhakspeaie,  Henry  VL  P.  IL  act  v.  sc.  1. 

Whose  smile  and  frown  I  ke  to  Achilles*  tpeai 
Is  able  with  the  ebangs  to  kill  and  cure. 


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904  THE  VISION.  U-A 

The  thunder  feeble.    FoUowing  its  eoune 
The  adyerse  way,  my  strained  eyes  were  bent 
On  that  one  spot    So  terrible  a  blast 
Orlando*  blew  not,  when  that  dismal  rout 
O'erthrew  the  host  of  Charlemam,  and  quenohM 
His  saintly  warfare.    Thitherward  not  long 
My  head  was  raised,  when  many  a  lofty  tower 
Methought  I  spied.    "  Master,"  said  I,  »  what  land 
Is  this  1"   He  answer'd  straight :  "  Too  long  a  %NU)t 
Of  intervening  darkness  has  thine  eye  * 
To  traverse :  thou  hast  therefore  widely  err'd 
In  thy  imagining.    Thither  arrived 
Thou  well  shalt  soe,  how  distance  can  delude 
.  The  sense.    A  little  therefore  urge  thee  on." 

Then  tenderly  he  caught  me  by  the  hand: 
«  Yet  know,"  said  he,  **  ere  farther  we  advancot 
That  it  less  strange  may  seem,  these  are  not  towent 
But  giants.    In  the  pit  tfiey  stand  immersed. 
Each  from  his  navel  downward,  round  the  bank.'* 

As  when  a  fog  disperseth  gradually, 
Our  vision  traces  what  the  mist  involves 
Condensed  m  air ;  so  piercing  through  the  gmtft 
And  gloomy  atmosphere,  as  more  and  more 
We  nearM  toward  the  brink,  mine  error  fled. 
And  fear  came  o'er  me.    As  with  circling  roaiM^ 
Of  turrets,  Montereggion*  crowns  his  walls ; 
£*en  thus  the  shore,  encompassing' the  abyss^ 
Was  turreted  with  giants,*  half  their  length 
Uprearing,  horrible,  whom  Jove  from  heaven 
Yet  threatens,  when  his  muttering  thunder  rolls 

Of  one  already  I  descried  the  face, 
Shoulders,  and  breast,  and  <^  the  belly  huge 
Great  part,  and  both  arms  down  along  his  ribs. 

All-teeming  Nature,  when  her  plastic  hand 
Left  framing  of  these  monsters,  did  display 
Past  doubt  her  wisdom,  taking  from  mad  War 

I  Orlando.} 

When  Charlemain  with  all  his  peerage  fell 
At  Fontarabia.  Jdtlton,  P.  L^  b.  i.  588. 

See  Warton*s  Hist,  of  Eng.  Poetry,  vol.  i.  sect.  Ui.  p.  ISi 
**Thi8  is  the  horn  which  Orlando  won  firooi  the  giant  Jat- 
mnnd,  and  which,  as  Turpin  and  the  islandic  bards  report, 
was  endued  with  magical  power,  and  might  be  heard  at  the 
distance  of  twenty  miles.**  Charlemain  and  Orlando  are  in- 
troduced in  the  Paradise,  Canto  zviii. 

•  MtnUreggU*.}    A  castle  near  Sienna. 

*  OitmU.l  The  giants  round  the  pit,  it  is  lemaiked  by 
Warton,  are  in  the  Arabian  vein  of  &bUog.  Bee  ]>*lierbek)V 
BiU.  Oiientato.  V.  Rocail,  p.  717,  a. 


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4lhn  HELL,  Cakto  XXXL  t09 

Such  flaTQi  to  do  his  biddmg ;  and  if  she 
Repent  her  not  of  the  elephant  and  whale. 
Who  ponden  well  confeoeee  her  therein 
Wiser  and  more  discreet ;  for  when  brute  fovo« 
And  evil  will  are  back'd  with  subtlety, 
Resistance  none  avails.    His  yisa|^  seem'd 
In  length  and  bulk,  as  doth  the  pine'  that  tops 
Saint  Peter's  Roman  fane  ;  and  the  other  booes 
Of  like  pnqportion,  so  that  from  above 
The  bank,  which  girdled  him  below,  such  height 
Arose  his  stature,  that  three  Friezelanders 
Had  striven  in  vain  to  reach  but  to  his  haur. 
Full  thirty  ample  palms  was  he  exposed 
Downward  from  whence  a  man  his  garment  loopi. 
"  Raphel'  bal  ameth,  sabl  ahnl  :** 
So  shouted  his  fierce  lips,  which  sweeter  hymns 
Became  not ;  and  my  guide  addressed  bun  thus : 
"  O  senseless  spirit !  let  thy  horn  for  thee 
Interpret :  therewith  vent  thy  rage,  if  rage 
Or  other  passion  wring  thee.    Search  thy  neck. 
There  shalt  thou  find  the  belt  that  binds  it  on. 
Spirit  confused !'  lo,  on  thy  mighty  breast 
Where  hangs  the  baldrick  !"   Then  to  me  he  spake 
**  He  doth  accuse  himself!    Nimrod  is  this. 
Through  whose  ill  counsel  in  the  world  no  more 
One  tongue  prevails.    But  pass  we  on,  nor  waste 
Our  words ;  for  so  each  language  is  to  him, 
As  his  to  others,  understood  by  none." 

Then  to  the  leftward  tunung  sped  we  forth. 
And  at  a  sling's  throw  found  another  shade 
Far  fiercer  and  more  huge.    I  cannot  say 
What  master  hand  had  girt  him ;  but  he  held 
Behind  the  right  arm  fetter'd,  and  before, 

1  7%e  pine.]  "The  large  pine  of  bronze,  which  once  (>ma 
mented  the  top  of  the  mole  of  Adrian,  was  aAerwards  em* 
ployed  to  decorate  the  top  of  the  belfiry  of  St.  Peter ;  and  having 
(according  to  Bnti)  been  thrown  down  by  lightning,  it  was, 
after  lying  some  time  onihe  steps  of  this  palace,  transferred 
to  the  place  where  it  now  is,  in  the  Pope's  garden,  by  the 
side  of  the  great  corridor  of  Belvedere.  In  the  time  of  our 
Poet,  the  pine  was  then  eiOier  on  the  belfry  or  on  the  steps  ot 
St.  Peter.**    Lombard*. 

*  Rapkd,  l-c,]  lliefle  anmeaning  soands,  it  is  supposed,  are 
meant  to  express  the  eonftuioa  of  laogoages  at  the  boilding 
of  the  tower  of  Babel 

»  Brn'mt  Mi0(««d. J  I  had  befine  translated  "■  Wild  spirit  V* 
aad  nave  altered  it  at  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Darley,  who  well 
li^serves,  that  *«anima  eonftisa'*  is  peculiarly  appropriate  ts 
ViBUod.  the  author  of  the  conftaskm  at  BabeL 


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te6  TKE  VISION*    .  8i>-lSti 

The  other,  with  a  chain,  that  fasten'd  hun 

From  the  neck  down ;  and  five  times  roond  his  foim 

Apparent  met  the  wreathed  links.   **  This  proud  an# 

Would  of  his  strength  against  almighty  Joto 

Make  trial/'  said  my  guide :  **  whence  he  is  thus 

Requited :  Ephialtes  Um  they  call. 

Great  was  his  prowess,  when  the  giants  brongfat 

Fear  on  the  gods :  those  arms,  which  then  he  jitiod^ 

Now  moves  he  never."    Forthwith  I  returned : 

**  Fam  would  I,  if 't  were  possible,  mine  eyes, 

Of  Briareus  immeasurable,  gain'd 

Experience  next"    He  answer'd :  *'  Thou  shalt  see 

Not  far  from  hence  Antseus,  who  both  speaks 

And  m  unfettered,  who  shall  place  us  there 

Where  guilt  is  at  its  depth.    Far  onward  stands 

Whom  thou  wouldst  fain  behold,  in  chains,  and  made 

Like  to  this  spirit,  save  that  in  his  looks 

More  fell  he  seems."    By  violent  earthquake  rock'd 

Ne'er  shook  a  tower,  so  reeling  to  its  base. 

As  Ephialtes.     More  than  ever  then 

I  dreaded  death ;  nor  than  the  terror  more 

Had  needed,  if  I  had  not  seen  the  cords 

That  held  him  fast  We,  straightway  journeying  om^ 

Came  to  Antieus,  who,  five  el&  complete 

Without  the  head,  forth  issued  from  the  cave. 

"O  thou,  who  in  the  fortunate  vale,'  that  made 
Great  Scipio  heir  of  glory,  when  his  sword 
Drove  back  the  troop  of  Hannibal  in  flight, 
Who  thence  of  old  didst  carry  for  thy  qx>il 
An  hundred  lions ;  and  if  thou  hadst  fought 
In  the  high  conflict  on  thy  brethren's  side. 
Seems  as  men  yet  believed,  that  through  thme  ana 
The  sons  of  earth  had  conquered ;  now  vouchsafe 
To  place  us  down  beneath,  where  numbing  cold 
liocks  up  Cocytus.    Force  not  that  we  crave 
Or  Tityus'  help  or  Typhon's.    Here  is  one 
Can  give  what  in  this  realm  ye  covet    Stoop 
Therefore,  nor  scornfully  distort  thy  lip. 
He  in  the  upper  world  can  yet  bestow 
Renown  on  thee  ;  for  he  doth  live,  and  looks 
For  life  yet  longer,  if  before  the  time 
Grace  call  him  not  unto  herself"    Thus  spake 
The  teacher.    He  in  haste  forth  stretch'd  his  hands, 

^  7%$fortunaU  val».\  The  coantry  near  Curthage.  See 
liv.  Hist,  1.  xxxn  and  Loean,  Phan^  1.  iv.  500,  4eo.  Dants 
hat  kept  the  latter  of  these  writers  in  his  eye  throughout  all 


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I9»-136.      .  HELL,  Canto  XXXI.  5M)7 

And  caught  my  ^de.    Alcides^  whilom  felt 
That  grapple,  straiten'd  sore.    Soon  as  my  guid« 
Had  folt  it,  he  bespake  me  thus :  "  This  way. 
That  I  may  clasp  thee ;"  then  so  caught  me  up, 
That  we  were  both  one  burden.    As  appears 
The  tower  of  Carisenda,'  from  beneath 
Where  it  doth  lean,  if  chance  a  passing  cloud 
So  sail  across,  that  opposite  it  hangs ; 
Such  then  Antaeus  seem*d,  as  at  mine  ease 
I  mark'd  hun  stooping.     I  were  fain  at  times 
To  have  pass'd  another  way.    Yet  in  the  ab3rMy 
That  Lucifer  with  Judas  low  ingulfe, 
Iiightly  he  placed  us ;  nor,  there  leaning,  stay'd ; 
But  rose,  as  in  a  bark  the  stately  mast 


CANTO  XXXII. 

ARGUMENT. 

This  Canto  treats  of  the  first,  and,  in  part,  of  the  second  of 
those  rounds,  into  which  the  ninth  and  last,  or  frozen  cir 
cle,  is  divided.  In  the  former,  called  Caina,  Dante  finds 
Camiccione  de*  Pazzi,  who  gives  him  an  account  of  other 
sinners  who  are  there  punished ;  and  in  the  next,  named 
Antenora,  he  hears  in  like  manner  from  Bocca  degli  AblMttl 
who  his  fellow-sufferers  are. 

CoDLo  I  command  rough  rhymes  and  hoarse,  to 
That  hole  of  sorrow  o'er  which  every  rock  [suit 

His  firm  abutment  rears,  then  might  the  vein 
Of  fancy  rise  full  springing :  but  not  mine  « 

Such  measures,  and  with  faltering  awe  I  touch 
The  mighty  theme ;  for  to  descri^  the  depth 
Of  all  the  universe,  is  no  emprize 
To  jest  with,  and  demands  a  tongue  not  used 
To  infant  babbling.'    But  let  them  assist 

1  Jilcide8.'\  The  combat  between  Hercules  and  Antens  it 
adduced  by  the  Poet  in  his  treatise  '*De  Monarchi&,'*  lib.  ii., 
as  a  proof  of  the  judgment  of  God  displayed  in  the  dud, 
accc»rding  to  the  singular  superstition  of  those  times.  "  Cer- 
laniine  vero  dupliclter  Dei  judicium  aperitur  vel  ex  coUi- 
sione  viriuni,  sicut  fit  per  duellum  pugilum,  qui  dnelliones 
etiam  vocantnr ;  vel  ex  contentione  plurium  ad  altquod  sig- 
nam  prsvalere  conantium,  sicut  fit  per  pugnam  athletamm 
currentium  ad  bravium.      Primus  istorum  modorum  apad 

E»ntlles  figuratus  fuit  in  illo  duello  Herculis  et  Antsi,  c^jas 
ncaans  meminit  in  quarto  Ptiarsalie,  et  Ovidius  In  nono  do 
renim  tiransmntatione." 
*  The  totojr  of  Carisenda,}    The  leaning  tower  at  Ikdogna. 

t ji  tongue  not  used 

T^u^antbaUiing.] 
Nd  da  lingua,  che  chiami  mamma,  o  babbo 


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f08  THE  YISaON.  l»-« 

My  aong)  the  taneftil  maidenf,  by  whofe  aid 

Amphion  wall'd  in  Thebes ;  ao  with  the  truth 

My  speech  shall  best  accord.    Oh  ill-starr'd  folk» 

Beyond  all  others  wretched !  who  abide 

In  such  a  mansion,  as  scarce  thought  finds  words 

To  speak  of,  better  had  ye  here  on  earth 

Been  flocks,  or  mountain  goats.    As  down  we  stood 

In  the  dark  pit  beneath  the  giants'  feet, 

But  lowiT  far  than  they,  and  I  did  gaze 

Still  on  the  lofty  battlement,  a  voice 

Bespake  me  thus :  **  hock  how  thou  walkest   TaJBft 

Good  heed,  thy  soles  do  tread  not  on  the  heads 

Of  thy  poor  brethren."    Thereupon  I  tum*d, 

And  saw  before  and  underneath  my  feet 

A  lake,'  whose  frozen  surface  liker  seem'd 

To  glass  than  water.    Not  so  thick  a  veil 

In  winter  e'er  hath  Austrian  Danube  spread 

O'er  his  still  course,  nor  Tanais  far  remote 

Under  the  chilling  sky.    RoU'd  o'er  that  mass 

Had  Tabemich  or  Pietnq>ana'  fallen. 

Not  e'en  its  rim  had  creaJt'd .  As  peeps  the  firog 

Croaking  above  the  wave,  what  time  in  dreams 

The  village  gleaner  oft  pursues  her  toil. 

So,  to  where  modest  shame  appears,'  thus  low 

Blue  pinch'd  and  shrined  in  ice  the  spirits  stood, 

Moving  their  teeth  in  shrill  note  like  the  stork.^ 


Dante  in  his  treatise  "De  Vulg.  Eloq.,"  speaking  of  words 
sot  admissible  in  the  loftier,  or,  as  he  calls  It,  tragte  style  of 
poetry,  says :  "  In  quorum  nnmero  nee  pnerilla  i»opter  suam 
simplicitatem  at  Blamma  et  Babbo,"  lib.  U.  c  vii. 

i  Ji  lake.]  The  same  torment  Is  introduced  into  the  Edda, 
eom^Ied  in  the  eleventh  and  twelfth  centories.  flee  the 
**  Song  of  the  Smi,**  translated  by  the  Rev.  James  Beresf(Md, 
London,  1805;  and  compare  Warton's  Hist,  of  Eng.  Poetry, 
V.  i.  dissert,  i.,  and  Gray's  Posthumous  Works,  edited  by  Mr. 
Mathias,  v.  ii.  p.  106.  Indeed,  as  an  escape  from  **  the  pen- 
alty of  Adam,  the  sSluon's  difference,**  forms  one  of  the 
most  natural  topics  of  consolation  fw  the  loss  of  life,  so  does 
a  renewal  of  that  suffering  in  its  fiercest  extremes  of  heat 
and  cold  bring  bef<Nre  the  imagination  of  men  in  general  (ex- 
cept indeed  the  terrors  of  a  self-accusing  conscience)  the 
liveliest  idea  of  future  punishment  Refer  to  Shakspeare  and 
Milton  in  the  notes  to  Canto  iii.  82 ;  and  see  Douce*8  lUustm- 
tions  of  Shakspeare,  8vo.  1807,  v.  i.  p.  182. 

*  Tabernieh  t  Fi'etra^iM.]  The  one  a  mountain  in  Sda* 
vonia,  the  other  in  that  tract  of  country  called  the  Garftgnaas, 
not  fkr  firom  Lucca. 

*  T»  «A«r«  moclMt  tlumt  appeart.]  "  As  high  as  to  the  ikes." 
«  Jfcsiiy  ttetr  tutk  ta  thriU  noU  lHu  ik»  flerft.] 

Mettendo  i  deati  In  nota  di  eieogna. 


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It-tt  HELL,  CAirro  XXXIL  )M)i 

His  face  each  downward  held ;  their  moath  the  oohl. 
Their  eyes  express'd  the  dolor  of  their  heart 

A.  space  I  look'd  around,  then  at  my  feet 
Saw  two  so  strictly  joined,  that  of  their  head 
The  very  hain  were  mingled.    "  Tell  me  ye, 
Whose  bosoms  <4ius  together  press/'  said  I, 
"  Who  are  ye  7"    At  that  sound  their  necks  they 

bent; 
And  when  their  looks  were  Jfted  up  to  me, 
Straightway  their  eyes,  before  all  moist  within, 
Distiird  upon  their  lips,  and  the  frost  bound 
The  tears  betwixt  those  orbs,  and  held  them  there. 
Plank  unto  plank  hath  never  cramp  closed  up- 
So  stoutly.    Whence,  like  two  enraged  goats, 
They  clash'd  together :  them  such  fury  seized. 

And  one,  from  whom  the  cold  both  ears  had  reft, 
Exclaun'd,  still  looking  downward :  "  Why  on  us 
Dost  speculate  so  long?    If  thou  wouldst  know 
Who  are  these  two,^  the  valley,  whence  his  wave 
Bisenzio  slopes,  did  for  its  master  own 
Their  sire  Alberto,  and  next  him  themselves. 
They  from  one  body  issued :  and  throughout 
Calna  thou  ^ayst  search,  nor  find  a  shade 
More  worthy  in  congealment  to  be  fixM ; 
Not  him,'  whose  breast  and  shadow  Arthur's  hand 
At  that  one  blow  dissevered ;  not  Focaccia  ;* 
No,  not  this^ipirit,  whose  o^eijutting  head 
Obstructs  my  onward  view :  he  bore  the  name 
Of  Mascheroni  :*  Tuscan  if  thou  be, 

80  Boceaccio,  6.  viii.  N.  7.  **Lo  scolar  cattiTello  quasi  d 
cugna  divennto  si  forte  batteva  i  denti.** 

1  ffho  are  these  two.]  Alessandru  and  Napoleone,  sons  of 
Alberto  Albert!,  who  murdered  eacli  other.  They  were  pro- 
prietors of  the  valley  of  Falterona,  where  the  Bisenslo  has 
its  source,  'a  river  that  falls  into  the  Arno  about  six  miles 
from  Florence. 

s  A*oC  him.]  Mordrec.  son  of  King  Arfhar.  In  the  romanee 
of  Lancelot  of  the  Lake,  Arthur,  having  discovered  the  trai- 
torous intentions  of  his  son,  pierces  him  through  with  the 
stroke  of  his  lance,  so  that  the  sunbeam  passes  through  the 

nof  Mordreo ;  and  this  disruption  of  the  shadow  is  no 
t  what  our  Poet  alludes  to  in  the  text. 

>  FbcMeeia.]  Focaccia  of  Cancellieri  (the  Fistoian  tkmily) 
whose  atrocious  act  of  revenge  against  his  uncle  Is  said  to 
have  given  rise  to  the  parties  of  the  Blanchi  and  Neri,  in 
the  year  1300.  See  G.  Villani,  Hist.,  Ub.  vUi.  c.  37,  and 
Macchiavelli,  HUt,  lib.  ii.  The  account  of  the  latter  writer 
diflers  much  from  that  given  by  Landino  in  his  Commen- 
lary. 

*  MuehmrmU.]  Sassol  Bfaseheroni,  a  Florentine,  who  alse 
sraideied  his  ancle. 


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SIO  THE  VISION.  64-«l 

Well  knowest  who  he  was.    And  to  cut  ahoit 

All  farther  question,  in  my  form  behead 

What  once  was  Camiccione.'    I  await 

Carlino'  here  my  kinnnan,  whose  deep  gjoilt 

Shall  wash  out  mine.'*    A  thousand  visages 

Then  mark'd  I,  which  the  keen  and  eager  cdd 

Had  shaped  into  a  doggish  grin ;  whence  creeps 

A  shivering  horror  o'er  me,  at  the  thought 

Of  those  frore  shallows.    While  we  joumey'd  on 

Toward  the  middle,  at  whose  point  unites 

All  heavy  substance,  and  I  trembling  went 

Through  that  eternal  dullness,  I  know  not 

If  will"  it  were,  or  destiny,  or  chance, 

But,  passing  'midst  the  heads,  my  foot  did  strike 

With  violent  blow  against  the  face  of  one.    [claim'd 

"  Wherefore  dost  bruise  me  V*    weeping  he  tx 
**  Unless  thy  errand  be  some  fresh  revenge 
For  Montaperto,^  wherefore  troublest  me  V* 

I  thus :  "  Instructor,  now  await  me  here, 
That  I  through  him  may  rid  me  of  my  doubt: 
Thenceforth  what  haste  thou  wilt"    The  teacher 
And  to  that  shade  I  spake,  who  bitterly       [paused ; 
Still  cursed  me  in  his  wrath.    "  What  art  thou,  speak. 
That  railest  thus  on  others?"     He  replied: 
**  Now  who  art  thou,  that  smiting  others'  cheeks, 
Through  Antenora*  roamest,  with  such  force 
As  were  past  sufferance,  wert  thou  living  still?" 

**  And  I  am  living,  to  thy  joy  perchance," 
Was  my  reply,  "  if  fame  be  dear  to  thee, 

I  Camieeione.]  Camiccione  de'  Pazzi  of  Valdamo,  by  whom 
his  kinsman  Ubertino  was  tfeacherously  put  to  death. 

s  Carlino.]  One  of  the  same  family.  He  betrayed  the 
Castel  di  Piano  Travigne,  in  Valdamo,  to  the  Florentines, 
after  the  refugees  of  me  Blanca  and  Ghibelllne  party  had 
defended  it  ag^nst  a  siege  for  twenty-nine  days,  in  the  sum- 
mer of  J303.  See  GU  Vulani,  lib.  viil.  c.  lii.,  and  Dino  Ck>m 
pagni,  lib.  11. 

»  y  v>m.] 

Whether  upheld  by  strength,  or  chance,  or  fate. 

MUton,  P.  £..,  b.  i.  131 

«  Montaperto.]  The  defeat  of  the  Guelfi  at  Montaperto, 
occasioned  by  the  treachery  of  Bocca  degli  Abbati,  who,  da- 
ring the  engagement,  cut  off  the  hand  of  Giacopo  del  Vacca 
de*  Pazzi,  bearer  of  the  Florenthie  standard.  G.  Vlllanl,  lib.  vi. 
C.  Uxx.  and  Notes  to  Canto  x.    This  event  happened  in  1260. 

*  jtiUetura.]  "  So  called  fh>m  Antenor,  who,  accwding  to 
Dictys  Cretensls  (De  Bello  Tmj.,  lib.  v.)  and  Dares  Phryglnt 
(Be  Excldio  Trojs)  betrayed  Troy  his  conntry."  Lombardu 
See  note  on  Porg.,  Canto  v.  75.  Antenm  acts  this  part  in 
Boecaccio's  FUostrato,  and  in  Chance  r*8  Trolliu  and  Creseldft 


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•»-llf.  HELL,  Canto  XXXn.  91| 

That  with  the  nst  I  may  thy  name  emoU." 

**  The  contrary  of  what  I  covet  most/' 
Said  he,  **  thou  tender^st :  hence !  nor  vex  me  mora 
III  knowee^  thoa  to  flatter  in  thia  vale." 

Then  ueiiing  on  his  hinder  scalp  I  cried : 
**  Name  thee,  or  not  a  hair  shall  tarry  here/' 

**  Rend  all  away,"  he  answer'd,  <-  yet  for  that 
I  will  not  tell,  nor  show  thee,  who  I  am, 
Though  at  my  head  thou  pluck  a  thousand  times." 

Now  I  had  grasp'd  his  tresses,  and  stripped  off 
More  than  one  tuft,  he  barking,  with  his  eyes 
Drawn  in  and  downward,  when  another  cried, 
*'  What  ails  thee,  Boccal    Sound  not  loud  enough 
Thy  chattering  teeth,  but  thou  must  bark  outright  1 
What  devil  wrings  thee  ?"— "  Now,"  said  I, «  be  dumb, 
Accursed  traitor !    To  thy  shame,  of  thee 
True  tidmgs  will  I  bear."— «*  Off!"  he  replied ; 
**  Tell  what  thou  list :  but,  as  thou  scape  from  hence, 
To  speak  of  him  whose  tongue  hath  been  so  glib. 
Forget  not :  here  he  wails  &e  Frenchman's  gold. 
<  Him  of  Duera,'^  thou  canst  say,  *  I  marked, 
*  Where  the  starved  sinners  puie.'     If  thou  be  ask'd 
What  other  shade  was  with  them,  at  thy  side 
Is  Beccaria,*  whose  red  gorge  distam'd 
The  biting  axe  of  Florence.    Farther  on, 
If  I  misdeem  not,  Soldanieri'  bides. 
With  Ganellon,^  and  Tribaldello,*^  him 

1  Him  of  Duera.]  Buoso  of  Cremona,  of  the  fiunily  of 
Daent,  who  waa  bribed  by  Guy  de  Montfort,  to  leave  a  pass 
between  Piedmont  and  Parma,  with  the  defence  of  which  he 
had  been  intmsted  by  the  Ghibellines,  open  to  the  army  of 
Charles  of  Anjon,  A.  D.  1365,  at  which  the  people  of  Cre- 
mona were  so  enraged,  that  they  extirpated  the  whole  fiunily. 
6.  \111ani,  lib.  vU.  c.  iv.^ 

s  Beeearia.]  Abbot  of  Vallombrosa,  who  was  the  Pope  t 
Legate  at  Florence,  where  his  intrigues  in  favor  of  the  Ghi- 
bellines being  dlKbovered,  he  was  beheaded.  I  do  not  find 
the  occurrence  in  Villani,  nor  do  the  commentators  say  to 
what  Pope  he  was  legate.  By  Landino  he  is  reported  to 
have  been  fVom  Parma ;  by  Vellutello,  (torn  Favia. 

>  Soldanieri.]  "  Gianni  Soldanieri,*'  sap  Villani,  Hist.,  lib. 
vii.  c.  xiv.,  **  put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  people,  in  the 
hopes  of  rising  into  power,  not  aware  that  the  result  would 
be  mischief  to  the  Ghibelline  party,  and  his  own  ruin ;  an 
event  which  seems  ever  to  have  be&llen  him  who  has  head- 
ed the  populace  in  Florence."— A.  D.  126e. 

*  OatuUonA    The  betrayer  of  Charlemain,  mentioned  by 
Archbishop  Torpin.    He  is  a  common  instance  of  treachery 
«Uh  the  poets  of  the  middle  ages. 
Trop  son  fol  e  mal  pensant, 
FU  valent  que  Gueneloo.    TkOaut,  Rot  de  J^avarf 


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813  THE  Vl:^10N.  190-iai 

Who  oped  Faenza  when  the  people  s  ept" 

We  now  had  left  hun,  passing  on  cur  way» 
When  I  beheld  two  spirits  by  the  ice 
Pent  in  one  hollow,  that  the  head  of  one 
Was  cowl  unto  the  other ;  and,  as  bread 
Is  raven'd  up  through  hunger,  the  uppermost 
Did  so  apply  his  fangs,  to  Uie  other's  brain. 
Where  the  spine  joins  it.     Not  more  furiously 
On  Menalippus'  temples  Tydeus'  gnaw'd. 
Than  on  that  skull  and  -on  its  garbage  be. 

"  O  thou !  who  show^st  so  beastly  sign  of  hate 
'Gainst  him  thou  prey'st  on,  let  me  hear,"  said  I, 
**  The  cause,  on  such  condition,  that  if  right 
Warrant  thy  grievance,  knowing  who  ye  are. 
And  what  the  color  of  his  sinning  was, 
I  may  repay  thee  in  the  world  above. 
If  that,  wherewith  I  speak,  be  moist  so  long." 


CANTO    XXXIII 


ARGUMENT. 
The  Poet  is  told  by  Coimt  UgoUno  de*  6herarde«ebi  of  tbt 
cruel  manner  In  which  he  and  his  children  were  fiunished 
in  the  tower  at  Pita,  by  command  of  the  Archbishop  Rof- 
Kieri.  He  next  dlscoiiraes  of  the  third  roond,  called  Ptolo- 
mea,  wherein  those  are  panished  who  have  betrayed  others 
under  the  semblance  of  kindness ;  and*  amonc  these  he 
finds  the  Friar  Alberigo  de'  Manfiredi,  who  tells  him  of  one 
whose  sonl  was  already  tormented  in  tliat  place,  thou|:h 
his  body  appeared  still  to  be  alive  nfton  the  earth,  beiif 
yielded  up  to  the  governance  of  a  fiend. 

His  jaws  uplifting  from  their  fell  repast. 
That  sinner  wiped  them  on  the  hairs  o'  the  head. 
Which  he  behind  had  mangled,  then  began : 
**  Thy  will  obeying,  I  call  up  afresh 
Sorrow  past  cure ;  which,  but  to  think  of,  wring! 
My  heart,  or  ere  I  tell  on  *t.    But  if  words, 
That  I  may  utter,  shall  prove  seed  to  bear 

O  new  Scariot  and  new  Ganillon, 
O  false  dissembler,  Ax. 

Chancer,  Abit»e'«  PrietWt  Tal0» 
And  in  the  Monke*s  Tale,  Peter  of  Spaine. 

•  Trihaldello,]    Tribaldello  de*  Manft«di,  who  was  bribei 
to  betray  the  city  of  Faenza,  A.  D.  1S83.    6.  ViUaai,  Ub.  viL 
e.lzzx. 
1  TyiMW.]    See  Statins,  Theb.,  lib.  viiL  ad 


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•-14.  HELL,  Canto  XXXIIL  913 

Fruit  of  eternal  infamy  to  him, 

The  traitor  whom  I  gnaw  at,  thou  at  once 

Shalt  see  me  speak  and  weep.    Who  thou  mayst  h% 

I  know  not,  nor  how  here  below  art  come : 

But  Florentine  thou  seelnest  of  a  truth, 

When  I  do  hear  thee.    Know,  I  was  on  earth 

Count  Ugdino,^  and  the  Archbishop  he 

i  CotaU  Ugoiine.]  **  In  the  year  1288,  in  the  month  of  July* 
Pisa  was  mnch  divided  by  competitors  for  the  sovereignty : 
one  party,  c<Hnposed  of  eertaln  of  the  Goelphi,  being  headed 
by  the  Jadge  Nino  di  GaUora  de*  Visconti ;  another,  consist 
ing  of  others  of  the  same  faction,  by  the  Coant  Ugollno  de* 
Gherardesehi ;  and  a  third  by  the  Archbishop  Rugi^eri  degll 
Ubaldini,  with  the  Lanfranchi,  Sismondi,  Gnalandi.  and  other 
Ghibelline  houses.    The  Coont  Ugolino,  to  elfect  his  por- 

ese,  united  with  the  Archbishop  and  his  party,  and  havinc 
trayed  Nino,  his  sister*s  son,  they  contrived  that  he  and 
his  followers  should  either  be  driven  out  of  Pisa,  or  their 
persons  seized.  Nino,  hearing  this,  and  not  seeing  any 
means  of  defending  himself;  retired  to  Calci,  his  castle,  and 
formed  an  ^Uance  with  the  Florentines  and  people  of  Lncca, 
against  the  Pisans.  The  Count,  before  Nino  was  gtme,  in 
order  to  coyer  his  treachery,  when  every  thing  was  settled 
for  his  expulsion,  quitted  Pisa,  and  repaired  to  a  manor  of 
his  called  Settimo ;  whence,  as  soon  as  he  was  informed  of 
Nino's  departure,  he  returned  to  Pisa  with  great  rejoicing 
and  festivity,  and  was  elevated  to  the  supreme  power  with 
every  demonstration  of  triumph  and  honor.  But  his  great- 
ness was  not  of  long  continuance.  It  |4eased  the  Almighty 
that  a  total  reverse  of  fortune  should  ensue,  as  a  punish- 
ment tea  his  acts  of  treachery  and  guilt ;  for  he  was  said  to 
have  poisoned  the  Count  Anselmo  da  Caprala,  his  sister's 
son,  on  account  Of  the  envy  and  fear  excited  in  his  mind  by 
the  high  esteem  in  which  the  gracious  manners  of  Anselmo 
were  held  by  the  Pisans.  The  power  of  the  Guelphi  being 
so  much  diminished,  the  Archbishop  devised  means  to  be- 
tray the  Count  Ugolino,  and  caused  him  to  be  suddenly  at- 
tacked in  his  palace  by  the  fury  of  the  people,  whom  he  had 
exasperated,  by  telling  them  that  Ugolino  had  betrayed  Pisa, 
and  given  up  their  castles  to  ttie  cloieens  of  Florence  and  of 
Lucca.  He  was  Immediately  compelled  to  surrender;  his 
bastard  son  and  his  grandson  fell  In  the  assault ;  and  two  of 
his  sons,  with  their  two  sons  also,  were  conveyed  to  prison.'* 
G.  ViUtmi,  lib.  viL  e.  cxz. 

'  In  the  following  March,  the  PUuuu,  who  had  Imfvlsoned 
the  Count  Ugolino,  with  two  of  his  sons  and  two  of  his 
grandchildren,  the  offiprlng  of  his  son  the  Count  Guelfo,  In 
a  tower  on  the  Piazza  of  the  Anzianl,  caused  the  tower  to  be 
locked,  the  key  thrown  into  the  Amu,  and  all  food  to  be 
withheld  from  them.  In  a  few  days  they  died  of  hunger ; 
but  the  Count  first  with  loud  cries  declared  his  penitence, 
and  yet  neither  priest  nor  friar  was  allowed  to  shrive  him 
Ail  the  five,  when  dead,  were  dragged  out  of  the  prison,  and 
meanly  Interred ;  and  from  thenceliivward  the  tower  was 
called  the  tower  of  fkmlne,  and  so  shall  ever  be."  md^ 
e.  cxxvlL  Pioya  asserts  that  Dante,  for  the  sake  of  poetical 
«fl»ct,  has  maek  mtaepvesentod  the  real  fkcts     See  his 

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214  THE  VISION.  IMJ 

Ruggieri.    Why  I  neighbor  him  eo  dose, 
Now  list    That  through  efiect  of  his  ill  thoughts 
In  him  my  trust  reposing,  I  was  ta'en 
And  after  murdered,  need  is  not  I  telL 
What  therefore  thou  canst  not  have  heard,  that  is. 
How  cruel  was  the  murder,  shalt  thou  hear. 
And  know  if  he  have  wrong'd  me.    A  small  grate 
Within  that  mew,  which  for  my  sake  the  name 
Of  famine  bears,  where  others  yet  must  pine, 
Already  through  its  opening  several  moons' 
Had  ^own  me,  when  I  slept  the  evil  sleep 
That  from  the  future  tore  the  curtain  off 
This  one,  methought,  as  master  of  the  sport. 
Rode  forth  to  chase  the  gaunt  wolf,  and  his  whelps, 
Unto  the  mountain*  which  forbids  the  sight 
Of  Lucca  to  the  Pisan.    With  lean  brachs 
Inquisitive  and  keen,  before  him  ranged 
Lanfranchi  with  Sismondi  and  GualandL 
After  short  course  the  father  and  the  sons 
Seem'd  tired  and  lagging,  and  methougkt  I  saw 
The  sharp  tusks  gcae  their  sides.    When  I  awoke, 
Before  the  dawn,  amid  their  sleep  I  heard 
My  sons  (for  they  were  with  me)  weep  and  ask 
For  bread.    Ri|rht  cruel  art  thou,  if  no  pang 
Thou  feel  at  thmking  what  my  heart  foretold ; 
And  if  not  now,  why  use  thy  tears  to  flow? 
Now  had  they  waken'd ;  and  the  hour  drew  near 
When  they  were  wont  to  bring  us  food ;  the  mind 
Of  each  misgave  him  through  his  dream,  and  I 
Heard,  at  its  outlet  underneath  lock'd  up 
The  horrible  tower :  whence,  uttering  not  a  word 
I  look'd  upon  the  visage  of  my  sons. 
I  wept  not :  so  all  stone  I  felt  within.' 

Veltro  Allegorico  di  Dante.  Ed.  1836,  p.  28, 9.  This  would 
render  a  conjecture,  which  the  same  writer  elsewhere  haz- 
ards, still  more  imiH'obable ;  that  the  story  might  have  been 
written  by  Dante  when  the  facts  were  yet  recent,  and  after- 
wards introduced  into  his  poem     Jbid.,  p.  96. 

Chancer  has  iMriefly  told  Ugolino's  story.  See  Monke's 
Tale,  Hogeline  of  Pise. 

1  Several  tnoons.]  9Iany  editions,  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  MSS.,  instead  of  "  piu  lane,"  rea!d  **  piu  Inme  ;*'  according 
to  which  reading  Ugolino  wonld  say,  that  the  day  had  broke, 
and  shone  through  the  grated  window  of  the  plson,  before 
he  fell  asleep. 

3  Unto  the  mountain.]  The  motuitain  S.  Ginliano  between 
Pisa  and  Lncca. 

>  Jill  etone  I  felt  wtkin.\  "  My  heart  is  tnrnM  to  stone ;  1 
itiike  it,  and  it  hurts  my  hand."    Skak*.,  Otk^^  act  iv.  sc.  1 


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48-m  HELL,  Canto  XXXIII.  315 

They  wept:  and  one,  my  little  Anselm,  cried, 

<  Thou  lookest  bo  !     Father,  what  ails  thee  Y    Yet 

I  shed  no  tear,  nor  answer'd  all  that  day 

Nor  the  next  night,  until  another  sun 

Came  out  upon  the  world.    When  a  famt  beam 

Had  to  our  doleful  prison  made  its  way. 

And  in  four  countenances  I  descried 

The  image  of  my  own,  on  either  hand 

Through  agony  I  bit ;  and  they,  who  thought 

I  did  it  through  desire  of  feeding,  rose 

O'  the  sudden,  and  cried,  *  Father,  we  ^ould  grieve 

*  Far  less,  if  thou  wouldst  eat  of  us :  thou  gayest' 

*  These  weeds  of  miserable  flesh  we  wear ; 

*  And  do  thou  strip  them  off  from  us  again.' 
Then,  not  to  make  them  sadder,  I  kept  down 
My  spirit  in  stillness.    That  day  and  the  next 

>  We  all  were  silent    Ah,  obdurate  earth  ! 
Why  open'dst  not  upon  us  ?    When  we  came 
To  the  fourth  day,  then  Gaddo  at  my  feet 
Outstretched  did  fling  him,  crying,  *  Hast  no  help 

*  For  me,  my  father  !*    There  he  died ;  and  e'en 
Plainly  as  thou  seest  me,  saw  1  the  three 

Fall  one  by  one  'twixt  the  fifth  day  and  sixth : 
Whence  I  betook  me,  now  grown  blind,  to  grope 
Over  them  all,  and  for  three  days  aloud 
Called  on  them  who  were  dead.    Then,  fasUng  got 
The  mastery  of  grief."    Thus  having  spoke. 
Once  more  upon  the  wretched  skull  his  teeth 
He  fastened  like  a  mastiff  *s  'gainst  the  bone, 
Fum  and  unyielding.    Oh,  £ou  Pisa !  shame 
Of  all  the  people,  who  their  dwelling  make 
Li  that  fair  region,'  where  the  Italian  voice 

1  Thougavest.] 

Ta  ne  vestisti 
Ctueste  misere  carni,  e  ta  le  spoglia 
imitated  by  Filicaja,  Canz.  ill. 

Di  questa  Imperial  cadaca  ipoglia 
Ta,  Signer,  me  vestisti  e  ta  mi  spoglia : 
Ben  paoi  '1  Regno  me  Ua  tu  che  me  '1  destL 
And  by  Maffei  in  the  Merope : 

Ta  disclogleste 
Ctneste  misere  membra  e  ta  le  annodL 
M  tkatfair  region.] 

Del  bel  paese  14,  dove  ^1  si  saona. 
Italy,  as  explained  by  Dante  himself,  in  his  treatise  Dt 
Volg.  Eloq.,  lib.  i .  cap.  8.  **  aoi  antem  5t  dicnnt  a  prcdictia 
finibas  (Janoensiom)  Orientalem  (Meridionalis  Europe  par* 
tnn)  tenent;  videlicet  asqae  ad  promontoriom  iUad  ItaUa^ 
foa  simu  Adriaticl  maris  indplt  et  Siciliam." 


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916  THE  VllSION.  OHlli 

Is  heard ;  siiice  that  thy  neighbors  aie  so  slack 

To  punish,  from  their  deep  foundations  rise 

Capraia  and  Gorgona,^  and  dam  up 

The  mouth  of  Amo  ;  that  each  soul  in  theo 

May  perish  in  the  waters.    Whdt  if  fame 

Reported  that  thy  castles  were  betray'd 

By  Ugolino,  yet  no  right  hadst  thou 

To  stretch  his  children  on  the  rack.    For  them, 

Brigata,  Uguccione,  and  the  pair 

Of  gentle  ones,  of  whom  my  song  hath  told. 

Their  tender  years,  thou  modem  Thebes,  did  mako 

Uncapable  of  guilt.     Onward  we  pass'd. 

Where  others,  skarf 'd  in  rugged  folds  of  ice. 

Not  on  their  feet  were  tum'd,  but  each  reversed. 

There,  very  weeping  suffers  not  to  weep ;' 
For^  at  their  eyes,  grief,  seeking  passage,  finds 
Impediment,  and  rolling  inward  turns 
For  increase  of  sharp  anguish :  the  first  tears 
Hang  cluster'd,  and  like  crystal  vizors  show, 
Under  the  socket  brimming  all  the  cup. 

Now  though  the  cold  had  from  my  face  dislodged 
Each  feeling,  as  *i  were  callous,  yet  me  seem'd 
Some  breath  of  wind  I  felt.    "  Whence  cometh  this," 
Said  I,  "  my  Master?     Is  not  here  below 
All  vapor  quenched?" — "  Thou  shalt  be  speedily," 
He   answer'd,  "where   thine   eyes  shall  tell  thee 
The  cause  descrying  of  this  airy  shower."    [whence, 

Then  cried  out  one,  in  the  chUl  crust  who  moum'd: 
"  O  souls !  so  cruel,  that  the  farthest  post 
Hath  been  assign'd  you,  from  this  face  remove 
The  harden'd  veil ;  that  I  may  vent  the  grief 
Impregnate  at  my  heart,  some  little  space, 
Ere  it  congeal  again."     I  thus  replied : 
"  Say  who  thou  wast,  if  thou  wouldst  have  mine  aid ;  ^ 
And  if  I  extricate  thee  not,  far  down 
As  to  the  lowest  ice  may  I  descend." 

"  The  friar  Alberigo,"'  answer'd  he, 

1  Qgn-aia  and  Oorgona.]  Small  islands  near  the  moatn  oi 
the  Arno. 

*  TherCf  very  weeping  auffem  not  to  weep.l 

Lo  pianto  stesso  li  pianger  non  lascla. 
So  Giusto  de' Conti.    Bella  Mano.  Son.    '*  aaanto  11  cieL** 
Che  il  troppo  pianto  a  me  pianger  non  lassa. 

*  The  friar  Mberigo.]  Alberigo  de*  Manfred!  of  Faensa 
one  of  the  Frati  Godenti,  Joyous  Friars,  who  having  qtiar 
relied  with  some  of  his  brotherhood,  under  pretenee  o(  wish 
Ing  to  be  reconciled,  invited  them  to  a  banquet,  at  the  com. 
•liurion  of  which  he  called  for  the  Droit,  a  sifnal  fior  Ihi 

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117-139  HELL,  Canto  XXXUL  <i7 

**  Am  I,  who  from  the  eril  j^sideii  pluck'd 

Its  fraitsfe,  and  am  here  repaid,  the  date^ 

More  luaeioas  for  my  %."—>«  Hah!"  I  exclahn'd, 

**  Alt  thou  too  deadr— ^<  How  in  the  wotld  akft 

It  fareth  with  my  body,"  answer'd  he, 

**  I  am  right  ignorant    Such  privilege 

Hath  Ptotomea,*  that  oft-times  the  soul* 

Dn^  hither,  ere  by  Atropos  divorced. 

And  that  thou  mayst  wipe  out  more  willmgly 

The  glazed  tear-drops'  that  o'erlay  mme  eyes. 

Know  that  the  soul,  that  moment  she  betrays. 

As  I  did,  yields  her  body  to  a  fiend 

Who  after  moves  and  governs  it  at  will. 

Till  all  its  time  be  ronnded :  headlong  she 

Falls  to  this  cistern.    And  perchance  above 

Doth  yet  appear  the  body  <^  a  ghost. 

Who  here  behind  me  wmten.    Him  thoa  know'sC 

If  thou  but  newly  art  arrived  below. 

The  years  are  many  that  have  paas'd  away, 

Since  to  this  £BStnesB  Branca  Doria'  came." 

'*  Now,"  answer'd  I,  **  methmks  thou  mockest  me , 
For  Branca  Doria  never  yet  hath  died, 
But  doth  all  natural  functions  of  a  man, 

anassini  to  rash  In  and  disnateh  those  whom  he  had  marked 
for  destractton.    Hence,  adds  Landino,  it  is  said  proverbially 
of  one  who  has  been  stabbed,  that  he  has  had  some  of  the 
ftiar  Alberigo's  fimit 
Thus  Polci,  MoTf .  llacEn  c  zzv. 

Le  flratte  amaredl  firate  Alberioo. 

Ckme  DIo  rende  dataro  per  ficob 

FkxU  degU  m§rtit  JPttt— i»nrf»,  I.  iv.  eap.  ilx. 

*  Pt9l&m0m.\  This  drele  is  named  Ptolomea  from  Ptolemy 
the  son  of  Abobns,  by  whom  Simon  and  his  sons  were  mnr^ 
dered,  at  a  great  bangnet  he  had  made  for  them.  See  1  Bfao- 
cabeM,  ch.  zvL  Or  from  Ptolemy,  king  of  Egypt,  the  be- 
trayer of  Pompey  the  Great 

<  Tk4  M|i/.]  Chancer  seems  to  allude  to  this  in  the  fVere*s 
Tale,  whMe  a  fiend  assames  the  person  of  a  yeoman,  and 
tolls  the  Somnnoiir  that  he  shall  one  day  come  to  a  plaee 
where  he  shaU  vnderstand  the  mystery  of  snch  possessions, 

Bet  than  VirgUe,  while  he  was  on  live, 

OrDantahK). 
See  Mr.  Soathey*s  Tkle  of  Doniea. 

*  Tkeglaud  Uar-infs.'] 

—  sorrow's  eye,  glazed  with  Minding  tears. 

Skakspeare,  Rich,  11^  act  iL  sc  8. 
■  DrciiM  Dmria.l    The  &mi]y  of  Doria  was  possessed  of 
peat  infloence  in  Genoa.    Branca  is  said  to  have  mordered 
hii  &theHn4^w,  Michel  Zanche,  introdoced  in  Canto  zziL 
10  ^^ 


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S18  THE  VISION.  140-lii 

Eatf,  drinkf,  and  ileeps,^  and  putteth  taimeut  oa"* 

He  thui :  **  Not  yet  unto  that  upper  foai 
By  th'  evil  talons  goaided,  where  the  pitch 
Tenacious  boUa,  had  Michel  Zanche  reach'd» 
When  tlUs  one  left  a  demon  in  his  stead 
In  his  own  body,  and  of  one  his  kin, 
Who  with  him  treadieoy  wrouffht  But  now  pot  Ibrtk 
Thy  hand,  and  ope  mine  eyes?'    I  oped  theni  nst 
III  manners  were  best  couztesy  to  him. 

Ah  Genoese !  men  perrefse  in  every  way. 
With  eyery  foulness  stain'd,  why  bma  the  eartik 
Are  ye  not  oancell'd?  Such  an  one  of  youn 
I  with  Roma^fna's  dariLest  qtirit*  found, 
As,  for  his  domffs,  even  now  in  soul 
Is  in  Cocyttts  phraged,  and  yet  doth  i 
In  body  liill  aUye  upon  the  earth. 


^^^^»^^»^^s^ 


CANTO  XXXIV 

ARGUMENT. 
In  the  fourth  and  last  roasd  of  the  ninth  circle,  those  who 
have  betnyed  their  bene&ctors  aro  wholly  covered  with 
ice.  And  in  the  midst  is  Lucifer,  at  whose  back  Dante 
and  Virgil  ascend,  till  by  a  secret  path  they  reach  the  snr- 
foce  of  the  other  hemisphere  of  the  earth,  and  once  more 
obtain  sight  of  the  stars. 

"  The  bannen^  of  Hell's  Monarch  do  come  forth 
Toward  us ;  therefore  look,"  so  spake  my  guide, 
<<  If  thou  discern  him."    As,  when  breathes  a  clouJ 
Heavy  and  dense,  or  when  the  shades-of  night 
Fall  on  our  hemisphere,  seems  view'd  from  far 
A  windmill,^  which  the  blast  stirs  briskly  round ; 
Such  was  the  fabric  then  methought  I  saw. 

To  shield  me  firom  the  wind,  forthwith  I  drew 
Behind  my  guide :  no  covert  else  was  there. 

1  JCots,  dHiik$f  and  »lup$.} 

But  »tis  a  spirit 

Pro,  No,  wench,  it  eats  and  sleeps,  and  hath  such  senses 
As  we  have,  such  Skaktpeaire^  Tmpettj  act  L  sc  t. 

s  JUwuigiM*$  darkest  tpirit.]    The  flrlar  Alberigo. 

*  TkebamMora,] 

Vexilla  regis  pcod6unt  infemL 
A  parody  of  the  first  verse  in  a  hymn  that  was  sung  by  the 
ehnrch  in  praise  of  the  cross. 

«  A  windmia.}  The  author  of  the  Caliph  Vathek,  in  the 
notes  to  diat  tale,  justfy  observes  that  it  is  more  than  proba- 
ble that  Don  auixote's  mistake  of  the  windmills  for  i^ls 
was  suggested  to  Gervantes  by  this  simile. 


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lt-«7.  HELL,  Canto  XXXIY.  319 

Nofw  came  I  (and  with  fear  I  bid  my  atrain 
Record  the  marrel)  where  the  eonla  were  all 
Whelm'd  underneath,  traniparent,  af  through  gla« 
Pellooid  the  frail  stem.    Some  prone  were  laid ; 
Others  itood  upright,  this  iqx>n  the  aoles, 
That  on  his  head,  a  third  with  face  to  feet 
Arch'd  like  a  bow.    When  to  the  point  we  came. 
Whereat  my  guide  was  pleased  that  I  should  see 
The  creature  eminent  in  beauty  osce, 
He  from  before  me  stepp'd  and  made  me  pause. 

**  Lo !''  he  exclaim'd,  "  lo  Dis ;  and  lo  the  place, 
Where  thou  hast  need  to  arm  thy  heart  with  strength.** 

How  frozen  and  how  faint  I  then  became, 
Ask  me  not,  reader !  for  I  write  it  not ; 
Since  words  would  fail  to  tell  thee  of  my  state. 
I  was  not  dead  nor  Urinpr.'    Think  thyself, 
If  quick  conception  wo^  m  thee  at  all. 
How  I  did  feeL    That  emperor,  who  sways 
The  reahn  of  sorrow,  at  mid  breast  from  the  ice 
Stood  forth  ;  and  I  in  stature  am  more  like 
A  giant,*  than  the  giants  are  his  arms. 
Mark  now  how  great  that  whole  must  be,  which  suits 
With  such  a  part.    If  he  were  beautiful 
As  he  is  hideous  now,  and  yet  did  dare 
To  scowl  upon  his  Maker,  well  from  him 
May  all  our  misery  flow.    Oh  what  a  sight ! 
How  passing  strange  it  seem'd,  when  I  md  spy 
Upon  his  head  three  faces  :*  one  in  front 

• 

^  Iw<u  not  dead  nor  living.} 

o^r*  h  ToTj  ^tithots, 

o^r*  iv  ^tv  ipiOfiovitivti, 

Etaripideo.    Svfpliees,  Y.  VJ9t  MtMnni^n  tdJtt, 

tam  ibi  me  nescio  quis  arrlpit 

Timidam  atqoe  pavidam,  sec  viTam  nee  mortnam. 

PUntuSt  CareutiOt  act  T.  sc  8 

*  A  giant.} 

Nel  prime  ellma  tta  eome  signoro 
Colli  Kiganti ;  ed  an  delle  sue  bracde 
Piu  che  nollo  di  loro  d  assal  maggiore. 

I>)rezzi,  B  Qjiuidrir.,  lib.  iL  cap.  L 

*  TVm/mm.]    It  can  scarcely  be  doubted  but  that  Miltoa 
derived  his  description  of  Satan,  in  those  line*— 

Each  passion  dimm'd  his  &ce 

Thrice  changed  wiu  pale  ire,  envy  and  despair. 

P.  Z..,  b.  iv.  144. 
from  this  passase,  eoapled  with  the  remark  of  Vellatello 
npon  it:  "The  i»t  of  these  sins  is  anger,  which  he  signifies 
by  the  red  fltce ;  the  second,  represented  by  that  between 
pale  and  yellow,  Is  envy,aad  not,  as  others  have  said,  avarice; 


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iKM)  THE  VISION. 

Of  hoe  yennilioii,  the  other  two  with  thk 
Midway  each  thoulder  jiNii'd  and  at  the  erett ; 
The  riffht  'twizt.wan  and  yellow  seem'd ;  the  left 
To  look  on,  each  as  come  firom  whence  olc  Nile 
Stoops  to  the  lowlands.    Under  each  shot  forth 
Two  mighty  wings,  enormous  as  became 
A  bird  so  vast    Siiils^  never  soca  I  saw 
Outstretch'd  on  the  wide  sea.    No  plnmes  had  they, 
Bat  were  in  texture  like  a  bat  f  and  these 

and  the  third,  denoted  by  the  black,  is  a  melancholy  hnmot 
that  caoses  a  iiian*8  thoughts  to  be  dark  and  evil,  and  aveme 
ftom  all  )oy  and  tranquillity." 

Lombardi  would  understand  the  three  facet  to  tiguiiy  the 
three  parts  of  the  world  then  known,  in  all  of  which  Lucifei 
had  his  subjects :  the  red  denoting  the  Europeans,  who  were 
in  the  middle ;  the  yellow,  the  Asiatics,  on.  the  Tight ;  and  the 
black,  the  Africans,  who  were  on  the  left;  arcoirdtng  to  the 
position  of  the  faces  themselves. 

Arn>  tton  ebbe  mai  si  grande  vela, 
Ne  hitra  nave,  come  I'ali  sue; 
Jie  mai  tessuta  (u.  si  grande  tela. 

JVezzt,  //  Quadrir^  lib.  11.  cap.  zix. 

His  sail-broad  vans 

He  spreads  for  flight. 

Oomnare  Spenser,  F.  Q.,  b.  I.  c.  zL  st  10;  Ben  Jonson's 
Every  Man  out  of  his  Humor,  v.  7 ;  and  Fletcher's  Prophetess, 
act  S,  scene  3. 

In  his  description  of  Satan,  Frezxi  has  departed  not  less 


from  Dante  than  our  own  poet  has  done ;  for  he  has  painted 
him  on  a  high  tHh>ne,  with  a  benignant  and  glad  counte- 
nance, yet  ftUl  of  majtBsty,  a  tri|4e  crown  on  his  head,  six 


shining  wings  on  his  shoulders,  and  a  court  thronged  with 
giants,  centaurs,  and  mighty  captains,  besides  youths  and 
damsels,  who  are  disporting  in  the  neighboring  meadows 
with  song  and  dance ;  but  no  sooner  does  Minerva,  who  is 
the  author's  conductress,  present  her  crystal  shield,  than  aA 
this  triumph  and  Jollity  is  seen  through  it  transformed  into 
loathsomeness  and  horror.  There  are  many  touches  in  this 
lecture  that  will  remind  the  reader  of  Milton. 

>  Lik«  «  boL]  The  description  of  an  imaginary  being,  whe 
is  called  Typhnrgo,  in  the  ZodiMcus  FtUh  has  something  very 
like  this  of  Dante's  Lucifer. 

Ingentem  vidi  regem,  ingentique  sedentem 
In  scriio^  ciines  flammanti  stemmate  cinctum, 

utrinque  patentee 

Aim  hnmeris  magne,  quales  vespertilionum 

Membraais  eontexte  amplis— 

Nudos  erat  longis  sed  opertus  corpora  villis. 

M.  PalvHgeiiii,  Zod,  TiL,  Ub.  Ix. 
A  mlghtv  king  I  might  disceme, 

Placed  hie  on  lofty  chaire. 
His  haire  with  fyry  garland  deckt 
Pttft  up  in  fiendish  wise. 


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47*68.  HELL,  Canto  XXXIV.  93| 

He  flappM  i'  th*  air,  that  fimn  him  ianied  still 
Three  winds,  ^idierewith  Cocytus  to  its  depth 
Wae  frozen.    At  six  eyes  he  wept :  the  team 
Adown  three  chins  distiU'4  with  bloody  foam. 
At  eyery  month  his  teeth  a  sinner  champ'd. 
Braised  as  with  ponderous  engine ;  so  tlutt  threo 
Were  in  this  guise  tormented.    But  far  more 
Than  from  tluit  gnawing,  was  the  f<nemost  pancfd 
By  the  fierce  rending,  whence  oft-times  the  back 
Was  strippM  of  all  its  skin.    **  That  upper  spirit, 
Who  hath  worst  punishment,"  so  spake  my  guide, 
**  Is  Judas,  he  that  hath  his  head  within 
And  plies  the  feet  without   .Of  th*  other  two, 
Whose  heads  are  under,  from  the  murky  jaw 
Who  hangs,  is  Brutus :'  lo !  how  he  doth  writhe 
And  speaks  not.    The  other,  Cassius,  that  appears 
So  large  of  limb.    But  night  now  reascends ; 
And  it  is  time  for  parting.    All  is  seen." 

I  clipped  him  round  the  neck ;  for  so  he  bade : 
And  noting  time  and  place,  he,  when  the  wings 
Enough  were  oped,  caught  fast  the  shaggy  sides. 
And  down  from  pile  to  pile  descending  stepp'd 


Large  wings  on  him  did  stow 
Framde  like  the  wings  of  mnder  mice,  fce. 

Qoog^t  TraiuUUum. 
1  Brutus.]  Landino  stmggles,  but  1  fear  in  vain,  to  extri- 
eate  Bmtos  from  the  unworthy  lot  which  is  here  assigned 
him.  He  maintains,  that  by  Brutas  and  Cassins  are  not 
meant  the  individuals  known  by  those  names,  but  any  who 
put  a  lawful  monarch  to  death.  Yet  if  Cesar  was  such,  the 
consj^rators  might  be  regarded  as  deserving  of  their  doom. 

**  O  uomini  eccellenti  !'*  exclaims  the  commentator,  with  a 
spirit  becoming  one  who  felt  that  he  lived  in  a  free  states 
**  ed  al  tatto  degni  a  quali  Roma  fosse  patria,  e  de*  quail  res 
teri  sempre  etema  memoria ;  legginsi  tutte  le  leggi  di  qua 
Innque  republica  bene  instituta,  e  troveremo  che  a  nessnno 
si  propose  maggior  inremio  che  a  chi  uccide  11  tiiranno."  Cow- 
ley, as  conspicuous  for  his  loyalty  as  for  his  genius,  in  an  ode 
inscribed  with  the  name  of  this  patriot,  which,  though  not 
free  from  the  usual  foults  of  the  poet,  is  yet  a  noble  one,  has 
l^aced  his  character  in  the  right  point  of  view- 
Excellent  Brutus !  of  all  human  race 
The  best,  till  nature  was  improved  by  grace. 

If  Dante,  however,  believed  Brutus  to  have  been  actuated 
by  evU  inoHtlves  in  putting  C«ar  to  death,  the  excellence  of 
the  patriot's  character  in  other  respects  would  only  have 
aggravated  hu  guilt  in  that  particular.  ^'Totias  autemL.« 
Jnstitia  nulla  eapltalior  est  quam  eorum,  qui  cum  mazinM* 
fiOlont  id  agant,  ut  vhri  boni  esse  videantnr.**  a  de  Qg^ 
ttki.eap.xiiL 


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293  THE  VIiaON.  «^107 

Between  the  thick  fell  and  the  jagged  ice. 

Soon  as  he  reach'd  the  point,  whereat  the  thigh 
Upon  the  swellmg  of  the  haunches  tarns, 
My  leader  there,  with  paip  and  straggling  hard, 
Tum*d  round  his  head  where  his  feet  stood  before, 
And  grappled  at  the  fell  as  one  who  monnts ; 
That  into  hell  methought  we  tnm'd  again. 

«  Expect  that  by  such  stairs  as  these,''  thns  spakt 
The  teacher,  pantmg  like  a  man  forespent, 
"  Wo  must  depart  from  evil  so  extreme :" 
Then  at  a  rocky  opening  issued  forth. 
And  placed  me  on  the  brink  to  sit,  next  join'd 
With  wary  step  my  side.    I  raised  mine  eyes, 
Believing  that  I  Lucifer  should  see 
Where  he  was  lately  left,  but  saw  him  now 
With  legs  held  upward.     Let  the  grosser  sort, 
Who  see  not  what  the  point  was  1  had  pass'd, 
Bethink  them  if  sore  toil  oppressed  me  then. 

«  Arise,"  my  master  cried,  "  upon  thy  feet 
The  way  is  long,  and  much  uncouth  the  road ; 
And  now  within  one  hour  and  half  of  noon' 
The  sun  returns."    It  was  no  palace-hall 
Lofty  and  luminous  wherein  we  stood. 
But  natural  dungeon  where  ill-footing  was 
And  scant  supply  of  light    "  Ere  from  the  abysi 
I  separate,"  thus  when  risen  I  began : 
"  My  guide !  vouchsafe  few  words  to  set  me  fret 
From  error's  thraldom.    Where  is  now  the  ice? 
How  standeth  he  in  posture  thus  reversed? 
And  how  from  eve  to  mora  in  space  so  brief 
Hath  the  sun  made  his  transit?"    He  in  few 
Thus  answering  spake :  "  Thou  deemest  thou  art  Atk 
On  the  other  side  the  centre,  where  I  grasp'd 
The  abhorred  worm  that  boreth  through  the  woild. 
Thou  wast  on  the  other  side,  so  long  as  I 
Descended ;  when  I  tum'd,  thou  didst  o'eipass 
That  point,'  to  which  from  every  part  is  dragg'd 
All  heavy  substance.    Thou  art  now  arrived 
Under  the  hemisphere  opposed  to  that. 


1  mthin  one  hour  and  half  of  noon.]  The  Poet  uses  the 
Hebrew  manner  of  compfating  the  day,  according  to  which 
the  third  hoar  answers  to  our  twelve  oxloclc  at  noon. 

«  That  point.}  Monti  observes,  that  if  this  passage  had 
Chanel  to  meet  the  eye  of  Newton,  it  might  better  have 
wakened  his  thought  to  conceive  the  system  of  attjracti<m, 
than  the  accidental  fiOling  of  an  apple.  PropostOf  v.  lii.  p**  S 
p,  Izxviii.  8<>.  1824. 


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109-133.  HELL,  Canto  XXXUT.  999 

Which  the  great  continent  doth  oyenpiead. 

And  underneath  whose  canopy  expired 

The  Man  that  was  bom  sinlew,  and  so  lived. 

Thy  feet  are  planted  on  the  smallest  sphere, 

Whose  other  aspect  is  Judecca.    Mom 

Here  rises,  when  there  evening  sets :  and  he. 

Whose  shiurgy  pile  we  scaled)  yet  standeth  fiz*d, 

As  at  the  rat    On  this  part  he  fell  down 

From  heaven ;  and  th'  earth,  here  prominent  befort 

Through  fear  of  hun  did  veil  her  with  the  sea, 

And  to  our  hemisphere  retired.    Perchance, 

To  shun  him,  was  the  vacant  space  left  here, 

By  what  of  firm  land  on  this  side  appears,' 

That  sprang'  aloofl"    There  is  a  place  beneath, 

From  Belzebub  as  distant,  as  extends 

The  vaulted  tomb  f  discovered  not  by  sight. 

But  by  the  sound  of  brooklet,  that  descends 

This  way  along  the  hollow  of  a  rock. 

Which,  as  it  winds  with  no  precipitous  course, 

The  wave  hath  eaten.    By  that  hidden  way 

My  guide  and  I  did  enter,  to  return 

To  the  fair  world :  and  heedless  of  repose 

We  climVd,  he  first,  I  following  his  steps. 

Till  on  our  view  the  beautiful  hghts  of  heaven 

Dawn'd  through  a  circular  opening  in  the  cave : 

Thence  issuing  we  again  beheld  the  stars. 

1  By  what  affirm  land  on  tkU  tide  appear$.\  The  moon 
tain  of  Purgatory. 

*  The  vaulted  Umt.}  *«  La  tomfaa."  This  wocd  is  «wd  to 
expvets  tbe  whole  defth  of  the  infisnud  leglon. 


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THE  VISION  OP  DANTE. 


PURGATORY. 


CANTO  I. 


AB6UMENT. 

TIm  foei  describes  the  delight  he  experienced  at  issuing  • 
littM  kefore  dawn  from  the  infernal  regions,  into  the  pore 
ab  that  enrroands  the  isle  of  Purgatory ;  and  then  relates 
how,  taming  to  the  right,  he  beheld  four  stars  never  seen 
before  but  by  our  first  parents,  and  met  on  his  left  the 
shade  of  Cato  of  Utica,  who,  having  warned  him  and  Vir- 
gil what  is  needM  to  be  done  before  they  proceed  on  their 
way  through  Purgatory,  disappears;  and  the  two  poets 
go  towards  the  shore,  where  Virgil  cleanses  Dante*s  face 
with  the  dew,  and  girds  him  with  a  reed,  as  Cato  had  com- 
manded. 

C^iR  better  waves'  to  speed  her  rapid  course 
The  light  bark  of  my  genius  lifts  the  sail, 
Well  pleased  to  leave  so  cruel  sea  behind ; 
And  of  that  second  tegion  will  I  sing, 
In  which  the  human  spirit  from  sinful  blot 
Is  purged,  and  for  ascent  to  Heaven  prepares. 

Here,  O  ye  halloVd  Nine !  for  in  your  train 
I  follow,  here  the  deaden'd  strain  revive ; 
Nor  let  Calliope  refuse  to  sound 
A  somewhat  higher  song,  of  that  loud  tone 

^  0*er  better  wave».\    SoBeml.  Oil.  Inn.,  lib.  11.0.  L* 
Per  coner  magcior  acqua  alza  le  vele, 
O  debU  navieSla  del  mio  ingegno. 


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226  THE  VISION  llHtt 

Which  when  the  wretched  biids  of  chattenngr  note* 
Had  heard,  they  of  forgnrenen  lost  all  hope. 

Sweet  hue  of  eastern  sapphire,  that  was  spread 
0*er  the  serene  aspect  of  the  pure  air, 
High  up  as  the  first  circle,*  to  mine  eyes 
Unwonted  joy  renewed,  soon  as  I  'scaped 
Forth  from  the  atmosphere  of  deadly  gloom, 
That  had  mine  eyes  and  bosom  fiU'd  with  grief! 
The  ludiant  planet,*  that  to  love  invites. 
Made  all  the  orient  laugh,^  and  veil'd  beneath 
The  Pisces*  light,*  that  in  his  escort  came. 

To  the  right  hand  I  tum'd,  and  fix'd  my  mind 
On  the  other  pole  attentive,  where  I  saw 
Four  stars*  ne'er  seen  before  save  by  the  ken 
Of  our  first  parents.^    Heaven  of  their  rays 


1  Birds  of  ckatUring  note.]  For  the  fable  of  the  danghteis 
of  Pieras,  who  challenged  the  muses  to  sing,  and  were  by 
them  changed  into  magpies,  see  Ovid,  Met^  lib.  v.  fab.  5. 

*  The  firtt  etre^e.]  Either,  as  some  suppose,  the  moon ; 
or,  as  Lombardi  (who  likes  to  be  as  &r  off  the  rest  of  the  com- 
mentators as  possible)  will  have  it,  the  highest  circle  of-  the 
stars. 

s  Planet.]    Venus. 

«  Made  aU  the  orient  laugh.]  Hence  Chancer,  Enighfs  Tale: 

And  all  the  orisont  langheth  of  the  sight 
It  is  somethnes  read  "orient" 

*  The  Piaeee*  HgJU.]  The  constellation  of  the  Fish  veiled 
by  the  more  lominons  body  of  Venus,  then  a  morning  star. 

*  Fmr  ttart.]  Ventori  observes  that  "  Dante  here  speaks 
as  a  poet  and  almost  in  the  spirit  of  prophecy ;  or,  what  it 
more  likely,  describes  the  heaven  about  that  pole  according 
to  his  own  invention.  In  our  days,"  he  adds,  "the  cross, 
composed  of  four  stars,  three  of  the  second  and  one  of  the 
third  magnitude,  serves  as  a  guide  to  those  who  sail  ftom 
Europe  to  the  south ;  but  in  the  age  of  Dante  these  dis«ove« 
ries  bad  not  been  made ;"  yet  it  appears  probable,  that  either 
ftom  long  tradition,  or  firom  the  relation  of  later  voyagers,  the 
real  truth  might  pot  have  been  unknown  to  our  Poet  Sene- 
ca's prediction  of  the  discovery  of  America  may  be  accounted 
for  in  a  similar  manner.  But  whatever  may  be  thought 
of  this,  it  is  certain  that  the  four  stars  are  here  symbolical 
of  the  four  cardinal  virtues.  Prudence.  Justice,  Fortitude, 
and  Temperance.  See  Canto  xzxi.  v.  105.  M.  Artaud  men 
tlons  a  globe  constructed  by  an  AraUan  in  l^pt,  with  the 
date  of  the  year  G33  of  the  Hegira,  correspondiiig  to  1^35 
of  our  era,  in  which  the  southern  cross  is  positively  mark- 
ed See  his  Histolre  de  Dante,  ch.  jxxi.  and  zl.  8°.  Par 
1841 

V  Our  Jlret  parenU.]    In  the  terrestrial  paradise,  placed,  as 
^byon  " 


i  shall  see,  by  our  Poet,  on  the  fununit  of  Pnigiaory. 


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M-50.  PURGATORY,  Canto  I  897 

Seem'd  joymn.    O  thcra  northern  lito !  bereft 
Indeed,  and  widow'd,  mice  a(  theee  deprived. 

Am  from  thk  view  I  had  deaated,  atraight 
TuminfiT  a  itttie  towarda  the  other  pde, 
There  nom  whence  now  the  wain^  had  diaappeai'dt 
I  saw  an  dd  man'  atandmg  by  my  side 
Alone,  so  worthy  of  reverence  in  his  look, 
That  ne'er  from  son  to  father  more  was  owed. 
Low  down  his  beard,  and  mix'd  with  hoary  white 
Descended,  like  his  locks,  whichMMtrting,  fell 
Upon  his  breast  in  double  fold.    The  be^iins 
Of  those  fonr  Imninaries  on  his  face 
So  brightly  shone,  and  with  snch  radiance  clear 
Deck'd  it,  that  I  beheld  hun  as  the  sun.  * 

**  Say  who  are  ye,  that  stemming  the  blind  streaUi 
Forth  from  the  eternal  prison-hovse  have  fled?" 
He  epoke  and  moved  those  venerable  plmnes.* 
<<  Who  hath  conducted,  or  with  lantern  sure 
Lights  yon  emerging  from  the  depth  of  night, 
That  makes  the  infernal  valley  ever  black? 
Are  the  firm  statutes  of  the  dread  abyss 
Broken,  or  in  high  heaven  new  laws  ordainM, 
That  thus,  condemn'd,  ye  to  my  caves  approach?" 

My  guide,  then  laying  hold  on  me,  by  words 
And  intimations  given  with  hand  and  head, 

1  The  KNmi.]    Charles's  Wiin,  or  Bodtes. 

*  jSnddman.]    Gate. 

Becretosqne  plos ;  his  dantem  Jiura  Catonem. 

Firg.  JBiH.t  viii.  fJTO. 
The  commentaton,  and  Lombardi  among  the  lest,  might 
have  saved  themselves  and  their  readers  mnch  needless 
trouble  if  they  would  have  consulted  the  prose  writings  of 
Dante  with  m<»re  diligenee.  In  the  Cmivlto,  p.  Sll,  he  has 
himself  declared  his  opinion  of  the  illustrioas  Roman. 
**  Quale  nomo/*  &c.  "  What  earthly  man  was  more  worthy 
to  follow  God  than  Catol  Certainly  none.**  And  again, 
p.  813:  *'Nel  nome  di  cui,**  &e.  "  In  whose  name,  what- 
ever needs  be  said  concerning  the  signs  of  nobility  may  be 
concluded ;  for,  in  him,  that  nobility  displays  thaoii  aU  throogh- 
ont  all  ages/* 

*  VenerdbU  plunut.} 

Insperata  tn«  quum  veniet  plnma  superbie. 

^.Cbrm.,lib.iv.odelO. 

The  same  metaphor  has  occuned  in  Hell,  Canto  xz.  v.  4L 

the  plumes, 

That  mark*d  the  better  sex. 
It  is  used  by  Ford  in  the  Iiady*s  Trial,  act  iv.  se.  t. 
—-Now  the  down 
Of  softness  is  exr.hamad  tot  plames  oCaflS. 


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338  THEyiSaON.  U-W 

Made  my  bent  knees  and  eye  snbmiesiTe  pay 
Due  rererence ;  then  thus  to  him  replied : 

"  Not  of  myaelf  I  come ;  a  Dame  from  heayen 
Descending,  him  besought  me  in  my  charge 
To  bring.    But  since  thy  will  implies,  that  more 
Our  true  condition  I  unfold  at  large, 
Mine  is  not  to  deny  thee  thy  request 
This  mortal  ne'er  hath  seen  the  farthest  gloom  f 
But  erring  by  his  folly  had  approach*d 
&o  near,  mat  little  space  was  left  to  turn 
Then,  as  before  I  told,  I  was  diiq»atch*d 
To  work  his  rescue ;  and  no  way  remain*d 
Save  this  which  I  have  ta'en.    I  have  displa^d 
Before  him  all  the  regions  €x(  the  bad ; 
And  purpose  now  those  spirits  to  display, 
That  under  thy  coipmand  are  purged  from  sin. 
How  I  have  brought  him  would  be  long  to  say. 
From  high,  descends  the  virtue,  by  whose  aid 
I  to  thy  sight  and  hearing  him  have  led. 
Now  may  our  coming  please  thee.    In  the  search 
Of  liberty  he  journeys :  that  how  dear. 
They  know  who  for  her  sake  hate  life  refused. 
Thou  knowest,  to  whom  death  tor  her  was  sweet 
In  Utica,  idiere  thou  didst  leave  those  weeds,, 
That  in  the  last  great  day  will  shine  so  bri^t 
For  us  the  etemid  edicts  are  unmoved: 
He  broathes,  and  I  of  Minos  am  not  bound,' 
Abidmg  in  that  circle,  where  the  eyes 
Of  thy  chaste  Marcia^  beam,  who  still  in  look 

1  A  Dame  from  heaven.]    Beatrice.    See  Hell,  IL  54. 

•  Tke  fartkett  £100$^.]    L'altima  s«nu 
So  Ariosto,  O.  F.,  canto  xxxiv.  st  59. 

Che  non  ban  visto  ancor  roltUna  lera. 
And  Filicaja,  canto  iz.    Al  S<mno. 

L*altitna  lera. 
And  Bfr.  Mathias,  Canzone  a  Guglieliiio  Bofcoe  pmneasa  alia 
Storia  deila  Poesia  Italiana,  p.  13. 

Di  morte  non  vedri  rultUna  teia. 

•  OfMinoeamnatbimiuL]    SeeHell,v.i. 
«  JlfomcJ 

Da  fiedera  pritd 

niibata  tcwi :  da  tantam  nomen  inane 
Connobii ;  Uceat  tiuniilo  acriprisw,  Gatonls 
Martla.  Luean.  Pkart.,  Ub.  IL  344 

Our  aathor*8  habit  of  patting  an  allegorical  Interpietatida 
oa  every  thing,  a  habit  which  appears  to  have  descended  to 
that  age  ftom  certain  fltthers  of  the  chureh,  is  nowhere 
more  appaient  than  in  his  explanation  of  tliis  nassage.  See 
OonvitOk  pbSU,**  Mania  Ita  vesglne,**  *c    ''lUida  was  a 


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»4M.  PURGATORY,  CAirro  L  890 

Phtji  thee,  O  hallow'd  i;»irit !  to  own  her  thine. 
Then  hy  her  love  we  unplore  thee,  let  vm  pass 
Hurough  thy  seven  regions  ;^  for  which,  best  thanki 
I  for  thy  favor  will  to  her  return, 
If  mention  there  below  thou  not  disdain." 

"  Marcia  so  pleasing  in  my  raght  was  foundi" 
He  then  to  him  rejoined,  **  while  I  was  there. 
That  all  she  B8k*d  me  I  was  fain  to  grant 
Now  that  beyond  the  accuraed  stream  she  dweUs» 
She  may  no  longer  move  me,  by  that  law,' 
Which  was  ord^un'd  me,  when  I  esued  thence. 
Not  so,  if  Dame  from  heaven,  as  thou  sayst, 
Moves  and  directs  thee  ;  then  no  flattery  needs. 
Enough  for  me  that  in  her  name  thou  ask. 
Go  therefore  now :  and  with  a  slender  reed' 
See  that  thou  duly  gird  him,  and  his  face 
Lave,  till  all  scurdid  stain  thou  wipe  from  thenoe. 
For  not  %ith  eye,  by  any  cloud  obscured, 
Would  it  be  seemly  before  him  to  come, 
Who  stands  the  foremost  minister  in  heaven. 
This  islet  all  around,  there  far  beneath. 
Where  the  wave  beats  it,  on  the  oozy  bed 
Produces  store  of  reeds.    No  other  plant, 
Cover'd  with  leaves,  or  hardened  in  its  stalk. 
There  lives,  not  bending  to  the  water's  sway. 
After,  this  way  return  not ;  but  the  sun 
Will  show  you,  that  now  rises,  where  to  take* 
The  mountain  in  its  easiest  ascent." 

He  disappear*d ;  and  I  myself  upraised 


virgin,  and  in  that  state  she  siipiifies  childhood ;  then  she 
came  to  Cato,  and  in  that  state,  she  represents  yonth ;  she 
then  bare  children,  hy  whom  are  represented  the  virtues  that 
we  have  said  belong  to  that  age."  Dante  would  surely  have 
d(Ae  well  to  remomber  his  own  rule  laid  down  in  the  Do 
Monarch.,  lib.  i^.  **  Advertendum,  Ace**  *'Ck>nceming  the 
mystical  sense  it  must  be  observed  that  we  may  err  In  two 
ways,  either  by  seeing  it  where  it  is  not,  or  by  taking  it  other- 
wise than  it  ought  to  be  taken." 

>  Throuj^h  tkf  seven  r^ons,]  The  seven  rounds  of  Pnr^ 
(Ktoiy,  in  which  the  seven  capital  sins  are  punished. 

s  By  that  law.}  When  he  was  delivered  by  Christ  fkom 
limbo,  a  change  of  afibcticmB  accompanied  h^  change  of 
place. 

s  jS  slender  reed.}  The  reed  is  here  supposed;  with  sufB- 
eient  probaUUty,  to  be  meant  for  a  type  of  slmirticity  and 


*  Wkere  to  take.}  "Prendere  il  monte,**  a  reading  which 
Lombardi  claims  for  his  fitvorite  Nldobeatina  edition,  is  also 
found  in  LandiB0*8  of  »8i. 


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930  THE  TISION.  ie»-]3i 

SpeechlMS,  and  to  my  guide  retiring  ckw. 
Toward  him  tnm'd  mine  eyea.    He  thus  began : 
'*  My  son !  observant  thou  my  steps  pnisue. 
We  most  retreat  to  rearward ;  for  that  way 
The  champain  to  its  low  extreme  dedines." 

The  dawn  had  diased  the  matin  hour  of  jHime, 
Which  fled  before  it,  so  that  from  afar 
I  spied  the  trembling  of  the  ocean  stream.^ 

We  traverMd  the  deserted  plain,  as  one 
Who,  wander'd  from  his  track,  thhiks  every  step 
Trodden  in  vain  till  he  regain  the  path. 

When  we  had  come,  where  yet  the  tender  dew 
Strove  with  the  suit,  and  in  a  place  where  fresh 
The  wind  breathed  o*er  it,  wbke  it  slowly  dried ; 
Both  hands  extended  on  the  watery  grass 
My  master  placed,  in  graceful  act  and  kind. 
Whence  I,  of  his  intent  before  apprized, 
Stretch'd  out  to  hun  my  cheeks  suffused  with  team 
There  to  my  visage  he  anew  restored 
That  hue  which  me  dun  shades  oi  hell  oonoeal'd 

Then  on  the  solitary  riiore  arrived, 
That  never  sailing  on  its  waters  saw 
Man  that  could  a^r  measure  back  his  course. 
He  girt  me  in  such  manner  as  had  pleased  * 

EUm  who  instructed ;  and  O  strange  to  tell  * 
As  he  selected  every  humble  plant, 
Wherever  one  was  pluck'd,  another*  there  « 

Resembling,  straightway  in  its  place  arose. 


CANTO   II 

ABGUMENT. 
Tbey  behold  a  vessel  under  condact  of  an  angel,  coming 
over  the  waves  with  spirits  to  Puimtory,  among  whom, 
when  the  passengers  have  landed,  Dante  reeogmses  his 
friend  Casella;  but,  while  thev  are  entertained  by  hin 
with  a  song,  they  hear  Cato  exclaiming  against  their  negli- 
gent loiterhig,  and  at  that  rebuke  hasten  forwards  to  tas 
mountain. 

1  I  spied  the  trembling  of  the  ocean  ttream,} 
Conobbi  il  trem<dar  della  marina. 
80  TriBsino  in  the  Sofonisbo. 

E  resta  in  tremolar J*onda  marina. 

And  Fortlgnerra,  Ricdardetto,  canto  iz.  st  17. 

■        vlsto  il  tremolar  della  i 

•  Jiwtier.}    From  Viig.  JEn^  lib.  vi.  143 

Frimo  avolso  non  delkit  alter. 


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IHM.  PURGATORY,  Canto  II.  231 

Now  had  the  sun^  to  that  horizon  reached. 
That  coven,  with  the  most  exalted  point 
Of  its  meridian  circle,  Salem's  walls  ; 
And  night,  that  opposite  to  him  her  orb 
Rounds,  from  the  stream  of  Ganges  issued  forth. 
Holding  the  scales,'  that  from  her  hands  are  dropp'd 
When  she  reigns  highest :'  so  that  where  I  was, 
Aurora's  white  and  vermeil-tinctured  cheek 
To  orange  tum'd^  as  she  in  age  increased. 

Meanwhile  we  linger'd  by  the  water's  brink.- 
Like  men,'  who,  musing  on  their  road,  in  thought 
Journey,  while  motionless  the  body  rests. 
When  lo !  as,  near  upon  the  hour  of  dawn, 
Through  the  thick  vapors*  Mara  with  fiery  beam 
Glares  down  in  west,  over  the  ocean  floor ; 
So  seem'd,  what  once  again  I  hope  to  view, 
A  light,  so  swiftly  coming  through  the  sea. 
No  winged  course  might  equal  its  career. 
From  which  when  for  a  space  I  had  withdrawn 
Mine  eyes,  to  make  inquiry  of  my  guide. 
Again  I  look'd,  and  saw  it  grown  in  size 
And  brightness :  then  on  either  side  appear'd 
Somethmg,  but  what  I  knew  not,  of  bright  hue. 
And  by  degrees  from  underneath  it  came 
Another.     My  preceptor  silent  yet 

1  JVVto  had  tA0  gun.]  Dante  was  now  antipodal  to  Jenua- 
.em ;  so  that  while  the  .sun  was  setting  with  respect  to  that 
place,  which  he  supposes  to  be  the  middle  of  the  inhabited 
earth,  to  him  it  was  rising.  See  Routh^s  BeliquUe  Sacrs, 
torn.  iU.  p.  356. 

So  Fazio  degll  Uberti,  Dittamondo,  lib.  vi.  cap.  vi 

questo  monte  4  qnello 

Ch*  in  laezzo  11  mondo  aponto  si  divisa. 

9  The  seales.]    The  constellation  Libra. 

»  When  she  reigns  highest.]  "Qnando  soverchia"  Is  (ao 
cording  to  Ventori,  whom  I  have  followed)  '*  when  the  an 
tumnal  equinox  is  passed.**  Lombardi  supposes  it  to  mean 
**  when  the  nights  begin  to  increase,  that  is,  after  the  sum- 
mer solstice.*' 

*  To  orange  ttirn'd.]  "L'aurora  gii  di  vermlglia  comin- 
eiava  apjraressandosi  11  sole  a  divenir  rancia.**  Boccaccio, 
Decam.,  G.  iU.,  at  the  beginning.    See  notes  to  Hell,  zxiU.  101 

*  Like  men.]    Che  va  col  cnore  e  col  corpo  diniora. 
So  Frezzi : 

E  mentre  11  corpo  posa,  col  cor  varca- 

n  Quadrir^  lib.  Iv.  cap.  8 

*  Through  the  thick  vapors.]  So  In  the  Convlto,  p.  fS. 
**  Esse  pare,  Ace**  **  He  (Miars)  appears  more  or  less  inflamed 
with  beat,  according  to  the  thickness  or  rarity  of  the  vapon 
that  follow  him.*» 


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932  THE  VISION.  S6-ii 

Stood,  while  the  brightnew,  that  we  fint  cli8eeni*d» 
Open'd  the  form  of  wings :  then  when  he  knew 
The  pilot,  cried  aloud,  "  Down,  down ;  bend  low 
Thy  kneee ;  behold  God's  angel :  fold  thy  hands 
Now  shalt  thoa  see  true  ministers  indeed. 
Lo !  how  all  human  means  he  sets  at  naught ;      * 
So  that  nor  oar  he  needs,  nor  other  sail 
Except  his  wings,'  between  such  distant  rirores. 
Lo !  how  straight  up  to  heaven  he  holds  them  lear^dj 
Wumowing  the  air*  with  those  eternal  plumes. 
That  not  &e  mortal  hairs  fall  ;^or  change.*' 

As  more  and  more  toward  us  came,  more  bright 
Appealed  the  bird  of  €rod,  not  could  the  eye 
Endure  his  splendor  near :  I  mine  bent  down 
He  drove  ashore  in  a  small  bark  so  swift 
And  light,  that  in  its  course  no  wave  it  drank. 
The  heavenly  steersman  at  the  prow  was  seen, 
Visibly  written  Blessed  in  his  Xooka. 
Withm,  a  hundred  spirits  and  more  there  sat 

« In  Exitu«  Israel  de  Egypto," 
All  with  one  voice  together  sang,  with  what 
In  the  remainder  oi  that  hymn  is  writ. 
Then  soon  as  with  the  sign  of  holy  cross 
He  blessM  them,  they  at  once  leap'd  out  on  land  . 
He,  swiftly  as  he  came,  jetum'd.    The  crew, 
There  left,  appear*d  astounded  with  the  place, 
Gazing  around,  as  one  who  sees  new  sights. 

From  every  side  the  sun  darted  his  beams. 
And  with  his  arrowy  radiance^  from  mid  heaven 

^  Except  hit  wingt.l    Hence  Milton : 

Who  after  came  firom  earth,  sailing  arrived 
Wafted  by  angels.  P.  Z^  b.  iii.  ver.  531 

*  Wimtmoing  tlU  mir,} 

Tiattando  raers  ccm  I'eteme  panne. 
80  FUicaJa,  cans.  viil.  st.  11. 

Ma  trattar  Taere  coll*  etame  plnme 

*  In  ExUu,]  "  When  Israel  came  cat  of  Egypt.*'  Fs.  exlv 

*  With  kit  arrowf  radiance,]    So  Milton: 

—  and  now  went  fwth  the  mom : 

tbom  before  her  vanish'd  night, 

Shot  through  with  urient  beams.       P.  jL.,  b.  tL  ver.  15. 
This  has  been  regarded  by  some  critics  as  a  conceit,  Into 
Which  Milton  was  betrayed  by  the  Italian  poets ;  but  It  is  In 
Imth  anth<nized  by  one  of  the  cwrectest  of  the  Grecians. 
*0u  al6\a  vD|  ivapi^oniva 
rUrUi  Kamvdlu  re,  ^Xoyt^usvp 


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5S-«6.  PURGATORY,  Canto  IL  839 

Had  chased  the  Capricorn,  when  that  strange  trihe. 
Lifting  their  eyes  toward  us:  "  If  ye  know, 
Declare  what  path  will  lead  us  to  the  mount*' 

Them  Virgil  answer'd :  "  Ye  suppose,  perchancoi 
Us  well  acquainted  with  this  place :  but  here. 
We,  as  younelyes,  are  strangers.    Not  long  erst 
We  came,  before  you  but  a  Tittle  space. 
By  other  road  so  rough  and  hard,  that  now 
The  ascent  will  seem  to  us  as  play."    The  spirits, 
Who  from  my  breathing  had  perceived  I  liyed. 
Grew  pale  with  wonder.    As  the  multitude 
Flock  round  a  herald  sent  with  olive  branch. 
To  hear  what  news  he  brings,  and  in  their  hast»> 
Tread  one  another  down ;  e'en  so  at  sight 
Of  me  those  happy  spirits  were  fix'd,  each  one 
Forgetful  of  its  errand  to  depart 
Where,  cleansed  from  sin,  it  might  be  made  all  fair 

Then  one  I  saw  darting  before  the  rest 
With  such  fond  ardor  to  embrace  me,  I 
To  do  the  like  was  moved.    O  shadows  vain ! 
Except  in  outward  semblance :  thrice  my  hands^ 
I  clasp'd  behind  it,  they  as  oft  retum'd 
Empty  into  my  breast  again.    Surprise 
I  need  must  think  was  painted  in  my  looks. 
For  that  the  shadow  smiled  and  backward  drew. 
To  follow  it  I  hastened,  but  with  voice 
Of  sweetness  it  enjoin'd  me  to  desist. 
Then  who  it  was  I  knew,  and  pray'd  of  it. 
To  talk  with  me  it  would  a  little  pause. 
It  answer'd :  '*  Thee  as  in  my  mortal  frame 
I  loved,  so  loosed  from  it  I  love  thee  still, 
And  therefore  pause :  but  why  walkest  thou  here?" 


Ecco  dinanri  a  te  fVi|^  repents 
Saettata  la  notte. 

MariMt,  Son,  al  Sig,  CXnthio  Jildobrandin». 
1  TTtriee  «y  kamdg.] 

Ter  conatits  M  cello  dare  brachia  eircimi, 
Ter  ihistra  comiNrensa  manus  efiVigit  imago ; 
Par  levibns  ventis  volncrique  similHma  somno. 

Firg'  'MiUf  11. 794. 
Compare  Homer,  Od.,  xi.  305. 

The  ineident  in  the  text  is  pleasantly  alluded  to  in  (hat  de 
lightfU  book,  the  Capricci  del  Botaio  of  Gelli,  (Opere.  Milan. 
1805,  V.  ii.  p.  96,)  of  which  there  is  an  English  translation 
entitled  **The  FeariVill  Fancies  of  the  Florentine  Cooper. 
Written  in  Toscane,  by  John  Baptist  Gelli,  one  of  the  free 
stndie  of  Florence.  And  for  recreation  translated  into  Eng* 
Ushb   W.  Barker.**    &>.LondnlS». 


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S84  THE  VISION  ST-Ktt 

**  Not  without  pnipose  once  more  to  ntuni» 
Thou  find'st  me,  my  Casella,^  where  I  am,' 
JFoumeymg  this  way,"  I  eaid :  "  but  how  of  thee 
Hath  so  much  time  been  lost?"*     He  answer'd 
straight: 

*<  No  outrage  hath  been  done  to  me,  if  he,^ 
Who  when  and  whom  he  chooses  takes,  hath  oft 
Denied  me  passage  here  ;  since  of  just  will 
His  will  he  makes.    These  three  months  past^  in- 
He,  whoso  chose  to  enter,  with  free  leave         [deed, 
Hath  taken ;  whence  I  wandering  by  the  shore* 
Where  Tiber's  wave  grows  salt,  of  hun  gainM  kmd 
Admittance,  at  that  river's  mouth,  toward  which 
His  wings  are  pointed ;  for  there  always  throng 
All  such  as  not  to  Acheron  descend." 

Then  I :  "If  new  law  taketh  not  from  thee 
Memory  or  custom  of  love-tuned  song, 

1  My  Casella,]  A  Flarentine,  celebrated  for  his  skill  in 
music,  "in  whose  company,**  says  Landino,  ** Dante  often 
recreated  his  spirits,  wearied  by  severer  stadies.**  See  Dr. 
Barney's  History  of  Music,  vol.  ii.  cap.  iv.  p.  322.  Milton 
has  a  fine  allusion  to  this  meeting  in  his  sonnet  to  Henry 
Lawes, 

Dante  shall  give  fame  leave  to  set  thee  higher 
Than  his  Casella,  whom  he  wooed  to  sing, 
Met  in  the  ndlder  shades  of  Porgatory. 

*  Where  I  am.]  "LA  dove  io  son."  Lombard!  under- 
stands this  difierently:  "Not  without  porpose  to . return 
again  to  the  earth,  where  I  am ;  that  is,  where  I  usually 
dwell."  .  •-.  7 

*  Hath  80  nmcA  ^xme  been  loeU}  There  is  some  uncertainty 
in  this  passage.    If  we  read 

Ma  a  te  com*  era  tanta  terra  tolta  1 
with  the  Nidobeatina  and  Aldine  editions,  and  many  MSS., 
it  signifies  "  Why  art  thou  deprived  of  so  desirable  a  region 
as  that  of  Purgatory  1  why  dost  thou  not  hasten  to  be  cleansed 
of  thy  sinsi**  If  with  the  AcademicJans  della  Crusca,  we 
read, 

Diss  *io,  ma  a  te  come  tant*  ora  h  tolta  1 
whicn  is  not  destitute  of  authority  to  support  it,  and  which 
has  the  advantage  over  the  other,  as  it  marks  Dante*8 
speech  from  Casella*s,  then  it  must  mean  as  I  have  trans- 
lated it,  "Why  hast  thou  lost  so  much  time  in  arriving 
here  1**  Lombard!,  who  Is  for  the  former  reading,  supposes 
Casella  to  be  just  dead;  those  who  prefer  the  latter,  sup- 
pose him  to  have  been  dead  for  some  years,  but  now  only  just 
arrired. 

*  He,]    The  conducting  angel. 

*  Theee  three  menthe  poet.]  Since  the  time  of  the  Jubilee, 
during  which  ail  spirits  not  condemned  to  eternal  ponish 
ment  were  supposed  to  pass  over  to  Purgatory  as  soon  as  they 
pleased. 

*  The  thoreJ]    Ostia 


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163-126.         PURGATORY,  Gamtu  II.  i35 

That  whilom  all  my  cares  had  power  to  saage ; 
Please  thee  therewith  a  little  to  console 
My  spirit,  that  encmnber'd  with  its  frame, 
Tntvelling  so  far,  of  pain  is  overcome." 

"  Love,  that  dkcooraes  in  my  thoughts,"*  he  then 
Began  in  such  soft  accents,  that  within 
The  sweetness  thrills  me  yet    My  gentle  guide. 
And  all  who  came  with  him,  so  well  were  pleased. 
That  seem'd  naught  else  might  in  then:  thoughta 
have  room. 

Fast  fix'd  in  mute  attention  to  his  notes 
We  stood,  when  lo !  that  old  man  venerable 
Exclaiming,  "  How  is  this,  ye  tardy  spuits  ? 
What  negligence  detams  you  loitering  here? 
Run  to  the  mountam  to  cast  off  those  scales. 
That  from  your  eyes  the  sight  oi  God  conceaL" 

As  a  wild  flock  of  pigeons,  to  their  food 
Collected,  blade  or  tares,  without  their  pride 
Accustomed,  and  in  still  and  quiet  sort. 
If  aught  alarm  them,  suddenly  desert 
Their  meal,  assail'd  by  more  important  care ; 
So  I  that  new-come  troop  beheld,  the  song 
Deserting,  hasten  to  the  mountain's  side, 
As  one'  who  goes,  yet,  where  he  tends,  knows  not. 

Nor  with  less  hurried  step  did  we  depart 


CANTO   III. 

AKGUMENT. 
Onr  Poet,  perceiving  no  shadow  except  that  cast  by  his  own 
body,  is  fearfiil  that  Yirgil  has  deserted  him;  but  he  is 
fireed  from  that  error,  and  'both  arrive  together  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountain :  on  finding  it  too  steep  to  climb, 
they  inquire  the  way  from  a  troop  of  spirits 'that  are 
coining  towards  them,  and  are  by  them  shown  which  is 
the  easiest  ascent.  Manfredi,  king  of  Naples,  who  is 
one  of  these  spirits,  bids  Dante  inform  his  daughter 
Costanza,  queen  of  Aragon,  of  the  manner  in  which  he 
had  died. 

Them  sudden  flight  had  scattei^d  o*er  the  plain, 
Tum'd  towards  the  mountain,  whither  reason's  voice 

1 "  Lave^  that  dUcourse*  in  my  tko%ighU.^*\ 

"  Amor  che  nella  mente  mi  ragiona.'* 
The  first  verse  of  a  canzone  in  the  Convito  of  Dante,  which 
he  again  cites  in  his  treatise  de  Vnlg.  Eloq.,  lib.  ii.  cap.  6. 

s  Ji»  one,'\    CkHn*  uom,  che  va,  ne  sa  dove  rieaca. 
BoFrezzi: 

CkMne  chi  va,  ni  sa  dove  camina. 

R  Qtuulnr.,  lib.  1.  cap.  3. 


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336  THE  VISION.  3-9i 

Drives  us :  I,  to  my  faithful  company 
Adhering,  left  it  not.    For  how,  of  lum 
Deprived,  might  I  have  sped?  or  who,  besidei 
Would  o*er  the  mountainous  tract  have  led  my  steps? 
He,  with  the  hitter  pang  of  self-remorse, 
SeemM  smitten.    O  clear  conscience,  and  upright ! 
How  doth  a  little  failing  wound  thee  sore.^ 

Soon  as  his  feet  desisted  (slackening  pace) 
From  haste,  that  mars  all  decency  of  act,' 
My  mind,  that  in  itself  before  was  wrapt. 
Its  thought  expanded,  as  with  joy  restored ; 
And  full  against  the  steep  ascent  I  set 
My  face,  where  highest'  to  heaven  its  top  o'erflowi 

The  sun,  that  flared  behind,  with  ruddy  beam 
Before  my  fonn  was  broken ;  for  in  me 
His  rays  resistance  met     I  tumM  aside 
With  fear  of  being  left,  when  I  beheld 
Only  before  myself  the  ground  obscured. 
When  thus  my  solace,  turning  him  around, 
Beq>ake  me  kindly :  "  Why  distrustest  thou? 
Believest  not  I  am^ith  thee,  thy  sure  guide? 
It  now  is  evening  there,  where  buried  Ues 
The  body  in  which  1  cast  a  shade,  removed 
To  Naples*  from  Brundnsium*s  wall.    Nor  thou 
Marvel,  if  befcM^  me  no  shadow  fall. 
More  than  that  in  the  skyey  element 
One  ray  obstructs  not  other.    To  endure 
Torments  of  heat  and  cold  extreme,  like  frames 


^  Hov  doth  a  little  failing  wound  thee  8ore.'\ 
Ch'  era  al  c<»r  picciol  &llo  amaro  mono. 

Tas80t  O,  L^  canto  z.  st  59. 
s  Haste^  that  tnars  all  decency  of  ai^.\    Aristotle,  in  hit 
Physiog.,  c.  iii.,  reckons  it  among  the  ivai^oSf  wiintiay  "  the 
signs  of  an  impudent  man  ;'*  that  he  is  ir  rati  iuv4aeotP  ^^f 
**  quick  in  his  motions."    Compare  Sophocles,  Electra,  878. 
Td  Kdofitov  ludttoa, 
Joy,  mv  dear  sister,  Wings  my  quick  retom, 
And  with  more  speed  than  decency  allows.        Potter. 
s  TFhere  higheet]    Lombard!  proposes,  with  some  hesita. 
tlon,  a  different  meaning  from  that  which  has  hitherto  been 
affixed  to  the  words, 

Che  *nyerso  *I  ciel  piii  alto  si  dislaga ; 
and  would  construe  them,  "  that  raises  itself  higher  than 
every  other  mountain  above  vhe  sea:*'  "sopra  Tallagamento 
delle  aequo  del  mare.'*  The  coi^ture  is  at  least  insenioos, 
and  has  obtained  new  force  by  the  arguments  of  Monti  in 
hisProposta. 

4  To  JiTaplee.]    Virgil  died  at  Brundoslnm,  from  whenes 
Us  body  is  said  to  have  been  removed  to  Naples. 


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Sl-41  PURGATORY,  Ciirro  m.  S87 

That  Tirtae  hath  dwpoeed,  which,  how  it  woi^ 
Wiik  not  to  us  should  be  revealed.    Ihmao, 
Who  hopes  our  reason  may  that  q»ce  explore. 
Which  holds  three  perM>ns  in  one  substance  knit. 
Seek  not  the  wherefore,  race  of  human  kind ; 
Could  ye  have  seen  the  whole,  no  need  had  been 
For  Mary  to  bring  forth.    Moreover,  ye 
Have  seen  such  men  desiring  fruitlessly  ;^ 
To  whose  desires,  repose  would  have  been  given* 
That  now  but  serve  them  for  eternal  griet 
I  speak  of  Plato,  and  the  Stagirite, 
And  others  many  more."    And  then  he  bent 
Downwards  his  forehead,  and  in  troubled  mood* 
Broke  off  his  qieech.    Meanwhile  we  had  arrived 
Far  as  the  mountain's  foot,  and  there  the  rock 
Found  of  so  steep  ascent,  that  nimblest  steps 
To  climb  it  had  been  vain.    The  most  remote. 
Most  wild,  untrodden  path,  in  all  the  tract 
'Twixt  Lerice  and  Tnrbia,'  were  to  this 
A  ladder,  easy  and  open  of  access.  [chnes  f* 

**  Who  knows  on  which  hand  now  the  steep  de« 
My  master  said,  and  paused ;  '*  so  that  he  may 
Ascend,  who  joumep  without  aid  of  wing?" 
And  while,  with  looks  directed  to  the  ground. 
The  meaning  of  the  pathway^  he  explored. 
And  I  gaxed  upward  round  the  stony  height ; 
On  the  left  hand  appear'd  to  us  a  troq> 
Of  spirits,  that  toward  us  moved  their  steps ; 
Yet  moving  seem'd  not,  they  so  slow  approached. 

I  thus  my  guide  addressM :  **  Upraise  thine  eyes : 

I  Detiringfrwitletslif.']    Bee  Hell,  Canto  iv.  39. 

s  Jn  troubled  mood.]  Beeanse  he  himself  (VlrgU)  was 
among  the  nnmber  m  spizitB  who  thai  desired  without 
hppe. 

*  '  Twixt  Leriee  and  Turbui.]  At  that  time  the  two  extre- 
mities of  the  Genoese  repablic ;  the  former  on  the  east,  the 
latter  on  the  west  A  very  ingenioos  writer  has  had  occa- 
sion, for  a  diflforent  purpose,  to  roenti<Hi  one  (^  these  places  as 
remarkably  seclnded  by  its  mountainoos  situation.  "On  an 
eminence  among  the  mountains,  between  the  two  little  cities, 
Nice  and  Monaco,  is  tHe  village  of  TcrMa,  a  name  fomoed 
fiom  the  Greek  rpSwaia."  Mitford  on  the  Harmonf  of  Lam* 
gnage^  sect  xv.  p.  351, 3d  edit 

*  T%9  ntuting  of  (JUpcUAwoy.]    Lombard!  reads, 

—  tenea  1*  viso  basso, 
Esaminando  del  cammin  la  mente, 
and  explains  it,  **  he  bent  down  his  foce,  his  mind  being  oeca 
fried  with  considering  their  way  to  ascend  the  mountain.**    f 
ioabt  much  whether  the  words  can  bear  that  constructii>a. 


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S88  THE  VISION.  ei-99 

ho  I  that  way  aome,  ei  whom  thou  ma3r8t  ebtam 
Counsel,  if  of  thyself  thou  find'st  it  not'*  [plied.* 

Straightway  he  looked,  and  with  free  i^ech^e* 
«  Let  UB  tend  thither :  they  but  softly  come. 
And  thou  be  firm  in  hope,  my  son  beloved." 

Now  was  that  crowd  firom  us  distant  as  far, 
(When  we  some  thousand  steps,'  I  say,  had  pass'd) 
As  at  a  throw  the  nervous  arm  could  fling ; 
When  all  drew  backward  on  the  massy  crags 
Of  the  steep  bank,  and  firmly  stood  unmoved. 
As  one,  who  walks  in  doubt,  might  stand  to  look. 

**  O  spirits  perfect !  O  already  chosen !" 
Virgil  to  them  began :  **  by  that  blest  peace, 
WUch  as  I  deem,  is  for  you  all  prepared, 
iLstruct  us  where  the  mountain  low  declines, 
So  that  attempt  to  mount  it  be  not  vain. 
For  who  knows  most,  him  loss  of  time  most  grieves." 

As  sheep,'  that  step  from  forth  their  fold,  by  one. 
Or  pairs,  or  three  at  once  ;  meanwhile  the  rest 
Stand  fearfully,  bending  the  eye  and  nose 
To  ground,  and  what  the  foremost  does,  that  do 
The  others,  gathering  round  her  if  she  stops. 
Simple  and  quiet,  nor  the  cause  discern ; 
So  saw  I  moving  to  advance  the  first. 
Who  of  that  fortunate  crew  were  at  the  head. 
Of  modest  mien,  and  graceful  in  their  gait 
When  they  before  me  had  beheld  th6  hght 
From  my  right  side  fall  broken  on  the  ground. 
So  that  die  shadow  reached  the  cave ;  they  8topp*d» 
And  somewhat  back  retired :  the  same  did  all 
Who  followed,  though  unweeting  of  the  cause 

"  UnaskM  of  you,  yet  freely  I  confess. 
This  is  a  human  body  which  ye  see. 
That  the  sun's  light  is  broken  on  the  ground. 
Marvel  not :  but  believe,  that  not  without 
Virtue  derived  from  Heaven,  we  to  climb 
Over  this  wall  aspire."    So  them  bespake 

1  Jfhen.we  some  thousand  statm.]  Mr.  Cariyle  puts  a  query 
to  my  former  translation  of  this  passage.  It  was  eertainlf 
erroneous. 

3  Jis  she^.]  The  imitative  natore  of  these  animals  sup- 
plies our  Poet  with  another  comparison,  in  his  Ck)nvito.,  p.'34, 
**Qaesti  sono  da  chiamare  pecore,*'  &c.  *'These  may  be 
called  flocks  of  sheep  and  not  men ;  for  if  one  sheep  should 
throw  himself  down  a  precipice  of  a  thousand  feet,  all  the 
rest  would  follow ;  and  if  one  for  any  cause  in  passing  a  road 
should  leap,  all  the  rest  would  do  the  some,  though  they  saw 
Bothing  to  leap  over  ** 


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99-111.  PURGATORY,  Canto  HI.  939 

My  maiter ;  and  that  virtaons  tribe  rejoin'd : 
**  Tam,  and  before  you  there  the  entrance  lies ," 
Makmgr  a  signal  to  us  with  bent  hands. 

Then  of  them  one  began :  "  Whoe'er  thou  art, 
Who  joumey'st  thus  this  way,  thy  visage  turn ; 
Think  if  me  elsewhere  thou  hast  ever  seen." 

I  towards  him  tum'd,  and  with  fix'd  eye  beheld. 
Comely  and  fair,  and  gentle  of  aspect 
He  seem'd,  but  on  one  brow  a  gash  was  mark'd. 

When  humbly  I  disclaim*d  to  have  beheld 
Him  ever :  **  Now  behold !"  he  said,  and  show*d 
High  on  his  breast  a  wound :  then  smiling  spake. 

'*  I  am  M anfredi,'  grandson  to  the  Queen 
Custanza  :*  whence  I  pray  thee,  when  retvim'd, 


1  MoMfredi.]  King  of  Naples  and  Sicily,  and  the  nataral 
s<Mi  of  Frederick  IL  He  was  lively  and  agreeable  in  hit 
maanert,  and  delighted  in  poetry,  mosic,  and  dancing.  Bat 
he  was  loxarioos  and  ambitioas,  void  of  religion,  and  in  his 
philosophy  an  Epicnrean.  See  G.  Villani,  lib.  vi.  cap.  xlvii., 
and  Mr.  Mathias^s  Tiraboschi,  vol.  i.  p.  99.  He  fell  in  the 
battle  with  Charles  of  Anjon,  in  13615,  alluded  to  in  Canto 
xxviiL  of  Hell,  ver.  13,  or  rather  in  that  which  ensoed  in  the 
coorse  of  a  few  days  at  Benevento.  Bat  the  successes  of 
Charles  were  so  rapidly  followed  np,  that  our  author,  exact 
as  he  generally  is,  might  not  have  thought  it  necessary  to 
distingt^h  ^em  In  point  of  time ;  for  this  seems  the  best 
method  of  reconciling  some  little  apparent  inconsistency  be- 
tween him  and  the  annalist.  ''Dying  excommunicated, 
King  Charles  did  not  allow  of  his  beii^  buried  in  sacred 
ground,  but  he  was  interred  near  the  bridge  of  Benevento ; 
and  on  his  grave  there  was  cast  a  stone  by  every  one  of  the 
army,  whence  there  was  formed  a  great  mound  of  stones. 
But  smne  have  said,  that  afterwards,  by  command  of  the 
Pope,  the  Bishop  of  Cosenza  took  up  his  bodv,  and  sent  it 
out  of  the  kingdom,  because  it  was  the  land  or  the  church : 
and  that  it  was  buried  by  the  river  Verde,  on  the  borders  of 
the  Idngdom  and  of  Qampagna.  This,  however,  we  do  not 
affirm.*'  O.  Villani,  Hist,  Ub.  vii.  cap.  9.  Manfiredi  and  his 
fother  are  spoken  of  by  our  Poet  in  his  De  Vulg.  Eloq.,  lib.  i. 
cap.  13,  with  singular  commendation.  "  Siquldem  illustres,*' 
fcc.  "Those  illustrioTu  worthies,  Frederick  the  Emperor, 
and  his  well-born  son  Manfiredi,  manifested  their  nobility  and 
uprightness  of  form,  as  long  as  fortune  remained,  by  follow- 
ing pursuits  worthy  of  men,  and  disdained  those  which  are 
suited  only  to  brutes.  Such,  therefore,  as  were  of  a  lofty 
spirit,  and  graced  with  natural  endowments,  endeavored  to 
walk  in  the  track  which  the  majesty  of  such  great  princes 
had  marked  out  for  them:  so  that  whatever  was  in  their 
time  attempted  by  eminent  Italians,  first  made  its  appearance 
in  the  court  of  crowned  sovereigns ;  and  because  Sicily  was 
a  royal  throne,  it  came  to  pass  that  whatever  was  produced 
in  the  vernacular  tongue  by  our  predecessors  was  called  Sic! 
lian;  which  neither  we  n(Nr  our  posterity  shall  be  able  to 
ehange.** 

k]    See  Paradise,  Canto  Ui.  191. 


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940  THE  VISION.  llA-lll 

To  my  fair  daughter'  go,  the  parent  glad 
Of  Aragonia  an^  Sicilia's  pride ; 
And  of  the  truth  mform  her,  if  of  me 
Aught  else  be  told.    When  by  two  mortal  blows 
My  frame  was  shattered,  I  betook  myself 
Weeping  to  him,  who  of  free  will  forgives. 
My  sins  were  horrible :  but  so  wide  arms 
Hath  goodness  infinite,  that  it  receives 
All  who  turn  to  it    Had  this  text  divine 
Been  of  Cosenza's  shepherd  better  scann*d, 
Who  then  by  Clemenr  on  my  hunt  was  set. 
Yet  at  the  bridge's  head  my  bones  had  lain. 
Near  Benevento,  by  the  heavy  mole 
Protected ;  but  the  rain  now  drenches  them. 
And  the  wind  drives,  out  of  the  kingdom's  boundSf 
Far  as  the  stream  of  Verde,'  where,  with  lights 
Extinguished,  he  removed  them  from  their  bed. 
Yet  by  their  curse  we  are  not  so  destroy'd. 
But  that  the  eternal  love  may  turn,  while  hope* 
Retams  her  verdant  blossom.    True  it  is, 
That  such  one  as  in  contumacy  dies 
Against  the  holy  church,  though  he  repent. 
Must  wander  thirty-fold  for  all  the  time 
In  his  presumption  passed ;  if  such  decree 
Be  not  by  prayers  of  good  men  shorter  m^e. 
Look  therefore  if  thou  canst  advance  my  bliss ; 
Revealing  to  my  good  Costanza,  how 
Thou  hast  beheld  me,  and  beside,  the  terms 
Laid  on  me  of  that  interdict ;  for  here 
By  means  of  those  below  much  profit  comes.*' 


1  JUjf  fair  daughter  J]  Costanza,  the  daughter  of  Bfuiftedl, 
and  wife  of  Peter  III.,  kinff  of  Aragon,  by  whom  she  was 
mother  to  Frederick,  king  of  Sicily,  and  James,  king  of  Ara- 
gon. With  the  latter  of  these  she  was  at  Rome  1S96.  8ee 
6.  VUlani,  lib.  viil.  cap.  18,  and  Notes  to  Canto  vii. 
s  CUment.]    Pope  Clement  IV 

•  Tke  Hream  of  Verde.}    ArivernearAscoli,  that  falls  into 
the  Tronto.    The  **  extinguished  lights**  formed  part  of  the 
eeremony  at  the  interment  of  one  excommnBieated. 
Passa  la  mora  di  Ifanfirft,  cui  lava 

U  Verde. 

merti,  DiUamonde,  lib.  Ui.  eap.  L,  as 
corrected  by  PerttesiL 
«  Bope,] 

Mentre  che  la  speranza  ha  fior  del  verde. 
So  Tasso,  O.  L.,  Canto  xix.  at.  53. 

— ~  infin  che  verde  6  fior  di  speme 


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M  PURGATORY,  Camiy)  iV.  941 

CANTO    IV. 


AR6UMEKT. 
Dante  and  VirgU  aseend  the  mountain  of  Pnrgatoiy,  by  a 
steep  and  narrow  path  pent  in  on  each  side  by  rock,  UU 
they  reach  a  part  of  it  that  opens  Into  a  ledge  or  cornice. 
There  seating  themselves,  and  turning  to  the  east,  Dante 
wonders  at  seeing  the  sun  on  their  left,  the  cause  of  which 
is  explained  to  him  by  Virgil ;  and  wliile  they  continue 
their  discourse,  a  voice  addresses  them,  at  which  they  turn, 
and  find  several  spirits  behind  the  rock,  and  among  the  rest 
one  named  Belacqua,  who  had  been  Icnown  to  our  Poet  mi 
earth,  and  who  tells  that  he  is  doomed  to  linger  there  on 
account  of  his  having  delayed  his  repentance  to  the  last 

Whsn*  by  sensations  of  delight  or  pain, 
That  any  of  our  faculties  hath  seized. 
Entire  the  soul  collects  herself,  it  seems 
She  is  intent  upon  that  power  alone ; 
And  thus  the  error  is  disproved,  which  holds 
The  soul  not  singly  lighted  in  the  breast 
And  therefore  whenas  aught  is  heard  or  seen, 

>  Ifhm.]  It  must  be  owned  the  beginning  of  tliis  Canto  is 
somewhat  dt>scure.  Vellutello  refers,  for  an  elucidation  of  it, 
to  the  reasoning  of  Statins  in  the  twenty-fifth  Canto.  Per- 
haps some  illustration  may  be  derived  firom  the  following 
passage  in  the  Summa  Tlieologiae  of  Thomas  Aquinas.  *'  Some 
say  tliat  in  addition  to  the  vegetable  soul,  which  was  present, 
from  the  first,  there  supervenes  another  soul,  which  is  the 
sensitive,  and  again,  in  addition  to  that,  another,  which  is 
the  intellective.  And  so  there  are  in  man  three  souls,  one  of 
which  exists  potentially  with  regard  to  another :  but  this  hat 
been  already  disproved.  And  accordingly  others  say  that 
that  same  soul,  which  at  first  was  merely  vegetative,  is, 
through  action  of  the  seminal  virtue,  carried  forward  till  it 
reaches  to  that  point,  in  which,  being  still  the  same,  it  never- 
theless becomes  sensitive ;  and  at  length  the  same  by  an  ul- 
terior prop«ssi<»  is  led  on  till  it  becmnes  intellective;  not, 
indeed,  through  the  seminal  virtue  acting  in  it,  but  by  virtue 
of  a  superior  agent,  that  is,  God,  enlightening  it  from  with- 
out." (This  opinion  he  next  proceeds  to  confute.)  **  Dicunt 
ergo  quidam  qubd  supra  animam  vegetabilem,  qua  prime  in-  ' 
erat,  supervenit  alia  anima,  quse  est  sensitiva,  supra  illam 
Itemm  alia  que  est  intellective.  Et  sic  stmt  in  homine  tres 
anims,  quarum  una  est  in  potentia  ad  aiiara,  quod  supra  im- 
pobatum  est  Et  ideo  alii  dicunt,  qubd  ilia  .eadem  anima, 
^ue  prime  fuit  vegetativa  tantum,  postmodum  per  actionem 
virtutis,  qua  est  in  semine,  perducitur  ad  hoc,  ut  ipsa  eadem 
fiat  sensitiva;  et  •tandem  ipsa  eadem  perducitur  ad  hoc,  ut 
ipsa  eadem  fiat  intellective,  non  quidem  per  virtutem  acti- 
vam  seminis,  sed  per  virtutem  superioris  agentis,  scilicet  Del 
deforis  illnstrantis.**  Thorn.  Jiquin.  Opera.  Edit.  Venet.,  1^95, 
torn.  X.;  Swmma  Theolog.  Ima  Para.,  Quattio  cxviU.  jirt,  ii 
Bee  also  Lettere  di  Fra  Guittone,  4«.  Roma,  1745,  p.  15 ;  and 
Ronth*0  note  on  the  Gorglas  of  Plato  p.45L 
11 


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d4d  THE  VISION.  M« 

Tniit  firmly  keeps  the  soul  toward  it  tnm'd 
Time  pasKs,  and  a  man  perceives  it  not 
For  that,  whereby  we  hearken,  is  one  power; 
Another  that,  which  the  whole  spirit  hath : 
This  is  as  it  were  bound,  while  that  is  free. 

This  found  I  true  by  proof,  hearing  that  i^>irit« 
And  wondering ;  for  full  fifty  steps'  aloft 
The  sun  had  measured,  unobserved  of  me. 
When  we  arrived  where  all  with  one  accord 
The  spuits  shouted,  **  Here  is  what  ye  ask." 

A  larger  aperture  oft-times  is  stopp'd. 
With  forked  stake  of  thorn  by  villager, 
When  the  ripe  grape  imbrowns,  than  was  the  palh« 
By  which  my  guide,  and  I  behind  him  close. 
Ascended  solitary,  when  that  troop 
Departing  left  us.    On  SanleoV  road 
Who  journeys,  or  to  Noli'  low  descends. 
Or  mounts  Bismantua's^  height,  must  use  his  &et ; 
Bni  here  a  man  had  need  to  fly,  I  mean 
With  the  swift  wing*  and  plumes  of  high  desire, 
Conducted  by  his  aid,  who  gave  me  hope. 
And  with  light  furnished  to  direct  my  way. 

We  through  the  broken  rock  ascended,  close 
Pent  on  each  side,  while  underneath  the  ground 
Ask*d  help  of  hands  and  feet.    When  we  arrived 
Near  on  Uie  highest  ridge  of  the  steep  bank. 
Where  the  plain  level  opened,  I  exclaim'd, 
"  O  Master !  say,  which  way  can  we  proceed." 

He  answer'd,  **  Let  no  step  of  thme  recede. 
Behind  me  gain  the  mountain,  till  to  us 
8ome  practSed  guide  appear."    That  eminence 
Was  lofty,  that  no  eye  might  reach  its  point ; 
And  the  side  proudly  rising,  more  than  line* 
From  the  mid  quadrant  to  the  centre  drawn. 
I,  wearied,  thus  began :  "  Parent  beloved ! 
Turn  and  behold  how  I  remain  alone. 
If  thou  stay  not" — "  My  son !"  he  straight  repli«a^ 

1  fStU  fifty  atqfs.']  Three  honra  and  twenty  minutes,  fifteen 
decrees  being  reckoned  to  an  honr. 

*Sanl«o.}  A  fortress  on  the  summit  of  Montefeltro.  The 
sitnation  is  described  by  Troya,  Veltro  Allegorico,  p.  11.  It 
is  a  consirfcaoiis  object  to  traveiiers  along  the  cornice  on  the 
riviera  di  Genoa. 

*  JVWt.]  In  the  Genoese  tenritory,  between  Finale  and  Sar 
vona. 

*  Bitmantua.     A  steep  mountain  in  the  territory  of  Reiglow 

•  With  the  »io^mW']  Compare  Paradise,  Canto  xxxiuTn. 

•  More  than  line.\  ft  was  much  nearer  to  being  perpendle- 
tilar  than  horizontal 


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PURGATORY,  Cabt/o  IV.  343 

*'  Thvm  far  put  forth  thy  strength ;"  and  to  a  traek 
Pointed,  that,  on  this  side  projectmg,  round 
Circles  the  hill.    His  words  so  spurr'd  me  on, 
That  I,  behind  him,  clambering,  forced  myself, 
Till  my  feet  press'd  the  circuit  plain  beneath. 
There  both  together  seated,  tum*d  we  round 
To  eastward,  whence  was  our  ascent :  and  oft 
Many  beside  have  with  delight  looked  back. 

First  on  the  nether  snores  I  tum'd  mme  eyes. 
Then  raised  them  to  the  sun,  and  wondering  mark'd 
That  from  the  left'  it  smote  us.    Soon  perceived 
That  poet  sage,  how  at  the  car  of  light 
Amazed'  I  stood,  where  'twixt  us  and  the  north 
Its  course  it  entered.    Whence  he  thus  to  me : 
"  Were  Leda's  ofl^ring*  now  in  company 
Of  that  broad  mirror,  that  high  up  and  low 
Imparts  his  light  beneath,  thou  mightst  behold 
The  hiddy  Zodiac  nearer  to  the  Beais 
Wheel,  if  its  ancient  course  it  not  forsook. 
How  that  may  be,  if  thou  wouldst  think ;  withm 
Pondering,  imagine  Sion  with  this  mount 
Placed  on  the  earth,  so  that  to  both  be  cme 
Horizon,  and  two  hemispheres  apart. 
Where  lies  the  path^  that  Phadton  ill  knew 
To  guide  his  erring  chariot :  thou  wilt  see* 


1  fVom  the  left.]  Yellatello  observes  an  imitatioii  of  Lucaa 
In  this  passage : 

Iffnotam  vobis,  Arabes,  venistis  in  orbem, 
Umbras  mirati  nemorom  non  ire  sinistras. 

Phars.,  lib.  iiL  848. 

s  Amaxed.]  He  wonders  that  belns  turned  to  the  east  he 
thoold  see  the  snn  on  his  left,  since  in  all  the  regions  on  this 
tide  of  the  tropic  of  Cancer  it  is  seen  on  the  right  of  one 
who  turns  his  face  towards  the  east;  not  recollecting  that 
he  was  now  antipodal  to  Europe,  from  whence  he  had  leea 
the  snn  taking  an  opposite  course. 

«  fVere  Leda*»  offspring.]  '■*  At  the  constellation  of  the 
Gemini  is  nearer  the  Bears  than  Aries  is,  it  is  certain  that  if 
the  sun,  instead  of  being  in  Aries,  had  been  in  Gemini,  both 
the  snn  and  that  pcwtion  of  the  Zodiac  made  .'  ruddy*  by  the 
tun,  would  have  been  seen  to  *  wheel  nearer  to  the  Bears.* 
By  the  'ruddy  Zodiac*  must  necessarily  be  understood  that 
portion  of  the  Zodiac  affected  or  made  red  by  the  sun; 
for  the  whole  of  the  Zodiac  never  changes,  nor  appears  to 
ehange,  with  respect  to  the  remainder  of  the  heavens.'*— 
Ltmbardi. 

*7%epath.]    The  ecliptic 

*  TlMt  wiU  »ee.]  *'  If  you  consider  that  this  moimtain  of 
Purgatory,  and  that  of  Sion,  are  anUpodai  to  each  other,  yott 
will  perceive  that  the  son  must  rise  on  opposite  sides  of  tlis 
lespeetive  eminences,** 


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344  THE  VISION.  70-M» 

How  of  necoflsity  by  this,  on  one, 

He  passes,  while  by  that  on  the  other  side ; 

If  with  that  clear  view  thine  mtellect  attend." 

<<  Of  truth,  kmd  teacher !"  I  exclaun'd,  «  so  doai 
Aught  saw  I  never,  as  I  now  discern. 
Where  seemM  my  ken  to  fail,  that  the  mid  oH>' 
Of  the  supernal  motion  (which  m  terms 
Of  art  is  call'd  the  Equator,  and  remains 
Still  'twixt  the  sun  and  winter)  for  the  cause 
Thou  hast  assigned,  from  hence  toward  the  north 
Departs,  when  those,  who  m  the  Hebrew  land 
Were  dwellers,  saw  it  towards  the  warmer  part 
But  if  it  please  thee,  I  would  gladly  know. 
How  far  we  have  to  journey :  for  the  hill 
Mounts  higher,  than  this  sight  of  mine  can  mount*' 

He  thus  to  me :  "  Such  is  this  steep  ascent, 
That  it  is  ever  difficult  at  first, 
But  more  a  man  proceeds,  less  evil  grows.' 
When  pleasant  it  shall  seem  to  thee,  so  much 
That  upward  going  shall  be  easy  to  thee 
As  in  a  vessel  to  go  down  the  tide. 
Then  of  this  path  thou  wilt  have  reachM  the  end. 
There  hope  to  rest  thee  from  thy  toil.    No  more 
I  answer,  and  thus  far  for  certain  know.*' 
As  he  his  words  had  spoken,  near  to  us  - 
A  voice  there  sounded :  "  Yet  ye  first  perchance 
May  to  repose  you  by  constraint  be  led." 
At  sound  thereof  each  tum'd ;  and  on  the  left 
A  huge  stone  we  beheld,  of  which  nor  I 
Nor  he  before  was  ware.    Thither  we  drew ; 
And  there  were  some,  who  m  the  shady  place 
Behind  the  rock  were  standmg,  as  a  man 
Through  idleness  might  stand.    Among  them  one. 
Who  seem*d  to  be  much  wearied,  sat  him  down, 
And  with  his  arms  did  fold  his  knees  about. 
Holding  his  face  between  them  downward  bent 

"  Sweet  Sir !"   I  cried,  « behold  that  man  who 
Himself  more  idle  than  if  lazmess  [showa 

Were  sister  to  hun."    Straight  he  tum*d  to  us. 


1  TAot  the  mid  ori.]  "  That  the  equator  (which  is  always 
ritoated  between  that  part  where,  when  the  snn  Is,  he  causes 
summer,  and  the  other  where  his  absence  produces  winter 
recedes  from  this  mountain  towards  the  north,  at  the  time 
when  the  Jews  inhabiting  Mount  Sion  saw  it  depart  towards 
the  south.'*— /.omftardt. 

s  But  more  «  mqn  jiroMcds,  /ess  §9il  grove.]  Beeause  ts 
ftseending  he  gets  rid  of  the  weight  of  hu  sins. 


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lir-135  PURGATORY,  Giirro  TV.  f^$ 

And,  o*er  the  thigh  lifUng  his  face,  observed. 
Then  in  these  accents  spake :  **  Up  then,  proceed; 
Thou  valiant  one."    Straight  who  it  was  I  knew ; 
Nor  could  the  pam  I  felt  (for  want  of  breath 
Still  somewhat  urged  me)  hinder  my  approach. 
And  when  I  came  to  him,  he  scarce  his  head 
Uplifted,  saying,  "  Well  hast  thou  discerned. 
How  from  the  left  the  sun  his  chariot  leads." 

His  lazy  acts  and  broken  words  my  lips 
To  laughter  somewhat  moved ;  when  I  began : 
**  Belacqua,^  now  for  thee  I  grieve  no  more. 
But  tell,  why  thou  art  seated  upright  there. 
Waitest  thou  escort  to  conduct  thee  hence? 
Or  blame  I  only  thine  accustomed  ways?" 
Then  he  :  "  My  brother !  of  what  use  to  mount, 
When,  to  my  suffering,  would  not  let  me  pass 
The  bird  of  God,*  who  at  the  ported  sits? 
Behooves  so  long  that  heaven  first  bear  me  round 
Without  its  limits,  as  in  life  it  bore  ; 
Because  I,  to  the  end,  repentant  sighs 
DelayM ;  if  prayer  do  not  aid  me  first, 
That  riseth  up  from  heart  which  lives  in  grace 
What  other  kmd  avails,  not  heard  in  heaven?" 

Before  me  now  the  poet,  up  the  mount 
Ascending,  cried :  "  Haste  thee :  for  see  the  sun 
Has  touch'd  the  point  meridian ;  and  the  night 
Now  covers  with  her  foot  Marocco's  shore."' 

1  Bdacqua.]  Concerning  this  man,  the  c<mimentaton 
afibrd  no  inforntation, .  except  that  in  the  margin  of  the 
Monte  Cassino  MS.  there  is  found  this  brief  notice  of  him : 
**  Iste  Belacqna  faittoptimus  magister  citharamm,  et  leuto- 
rom,  et  irfgrissimus  homo  in  operibos  mundi  sicnt  in  operibas 
animc."  "This  Belacqna  was  an  excellent  master  of  the 
harp  and  lute,  but  very  negligent  in  his  aflaira,  both  spiritoal 
and  temporal."  Lettera  di  Eustazio  Ditearekeo  ad  Angtlm 
8i4iein0.    4to.  Roma.    1801. 

s  Tke  Hrd  of  Ood.]  Here  are  two  other  leadinn,  ^  Uscier* 
and  "Angel,"  "Usher"  and  "Angel"  of  God. 

s  Maneeo*a  ahvre.]  Caopre  la  notte  gi4  eol  pii  Maroceo. 
Hence,  perhaps,  Bfilton : 

Damasco,  or  Marocco,  or  Trebisond. 

P.£.,b.i.584. 
Instead  of  Morocco,  as  he  elsewhere  calls  it : 
Morocco  and  Algiers  and  Tremisen. 

P.i^b.iL40i. 
Jt  the  vowels  were  to  change  ptaces,  the  vene  wonld  \m 
^"' ibe  spoiled. 


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i^  THE  VISION.  um 

CANTO  V. 

ARGUBIENT. 
They  meet  with  others,  who  had  defened  their  lepentaai;* 
till  thev  were  overtaken  by  a  yiolent  death,  when  soflteient 
space  being  allowed  them,  they  were  then  saved;  and 
among  these,  Giacopo  del  Cassero,  Buonconte  da  Monte- 
feltro,  and  Pia,  a  lady  of  Sienna. 

Now  had  I  left  those  spirits,  and  pursued 
The  steps  of  my  conductor ;  when  behind, 
Pointing  the  finger  at  me,  one  exclaimed : 
"  See,  how  it  seems  as  if  the  light  not  shone 
From  the  left  hand^  of  him  beneath,'  and  he, 
As  livmg,  seems  to  be  led  on."     Mine  eyes, 
I  at  that  sound  reverting,  saw  them  gaze, 
Through  wonder,  first  at  me  ;  and  then  at  me 
And  the  light  broken  underneath,  by  turns.    * 
"  Why  are  thy  thoughts  thus  riveted,"  my  guide 
Exclaimed, "  that  thou  hast  slacked  thy  pace  ?  or  how 
Imports  it  thee,  what  thin^  is  whisper'd  here  7 
Come  after  me,  and  to  their  babblings  leave 
The  crowd.    Be  as  a  tower,'  that,  mmly  set. 
Shakes  not  its  top  for  any  blast  that  blows. 
He,  m  whose  bosom  thought  on  thought  shoots  out. 
Still  of  his  aim  is  wide,  in  that  the  one 
Sicklies  and  wastes  to  naught  the  other's  strength.** 

What  other  could  I  answer,  save  "  I  come  7" 
I  said  it,  somewhat  with  that  color  tmged. 
Which  oft-times  pardon  meriteth  for  man. 

Meanwhile  traverse  along  the  hill  there  came, 
A  little  way  before  us,  some  who  sang 
The  "  Miserere"  in  responsive  strains. 
When  they  perceived  that  through  my  body  I 
Gave  way  not  for  the  rays  to  pass,  their  song 

1  It  seems  as  if  the  light  not  shone 
Fhm.  the  left  hand.}  The  snn  was,  therefore,  on  the  right 
of  our  travellers.  For,  as  before,  when  seated  and  loolmig 
to  the  east  flrom  whence  they  had  ascended,  the  son  was  on 
their  left ;  so  now  that  they  have  risen  and  are  again  going 
forward,  it  must  be  on  the  opposite  side  of  them. 

s  Cf  him  beneoth.\    Of  Dante,  who  was  following  YirgUnp 
the  mountain,  and  therefore  was  the  lower  of  the  two. 

*  Be  as  a  tower.}    Sta  come  tonre  ferma. 
9o  Bemi,  Orl.  Inn.,  lib.  i.  canto  xvi.  st.  48. 

In  quel  doe  piedl  sta  fermo  il  gigaate 
Com*  una  torre  in  mezto  d'lm  castellob 
And  Milton,  P.  L,  b.  i.  501. 

Stood  like  a  tower. 


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■7-63.  PURGATORY.  Canto  V.  347 

Straight  to  a  long  and  hoaise  ^claim  they  changed ; 
And  two  of  them,  in  guise  of  messengers, 
Ean  on  to  meet  us,  and  inquiring  ask'd : 
'*  Of  your  c<nidition  we  would  gladly  learn/' 

To  them  my  guide.    "  Ye  may  return,  and  bear 
Tidings  to  them  who  sent  you,  that  his  fhune 
Is  real  flesh.    If,  as  I  deem,  to  view 
His  shade  they  paused,  enough  is  answered  them : 
Him  let  them  honor :  they  may  prize  him  welL" 

Ne'er  saw  I  fiery  vapors'  with  such  speed 
Cut  through  the  serene  air  at  fall  of  night, 
Nor  August's  clouds  athwart  the  setting  sun, 
That  upward  these  did  not  in  shorter  space 
Return  ;  and,  there  arriving,  with  the  rest 
Wheel  back  on  us,  as  with  loose  rein  a  troop. 

'*  Many,"  exclaim'd  the  bard,  "  are  these,  who 
Around  us :  to  petition  thee,  they  come.  [throng 
Go  therefore  on,  and  listen  as  thou  go'st" 

"  O  spirit !  who  go'st  on  to  blessedness. 
With  the  same  limbs  that  clad  thee  at  thy  birth," 
Shouting  they  came :  **  a  little  rest  thy  step. 
Look  if  thou  any  one  among  our  tribe 
Hast  e'er  beheld,  that  tidings  of  him  there' 
Thou  mayst  report    Ah,  wherefore  go'st  thou  on? 
Ah,  wherefore  tarriest  thou  not?    We  all 
By  violence  died,  and  to  our  latest  hour 
Were  sinners,  but  then  wam'd  by  light  from  heaven ; 
So  that,  repenting  and  forgiving,  we 
Did  issue  out  of  life  at  peace  ^nth  God, 
Who,  with  desire  to  see  him,  fills  our  heart." 

Then  I :  "*The  visages  of  all  I  scan, 
Yet  none  of  ye  remember.    But  if  aught 
That  I  can  do  may  please  you,  gentle  spirits ! 
Speak,  and  I  will  perform  it ;  by  that  peace* 
Which,  on  the  steps  of  guide  so  excellent 
Following,  from  world  to  world,  intent  I  seek  " 

In  answer  he  began :  *<  None  here  distrusts 

1  AV«r  8aio  I  fiery  vapors.}  Imitated  by  Taaso,  G.  L^ 
eanto  ziz.  st.  62. 

Tal  suol  fendendo  liqnido  sereno 
Stella  cader  della  graa  madre  in  seno. 
And  by  mtan,  P.  L.,  b.  iv.  558. 

Swift  as  a  shooting  star 

In  antomn  thwarts  the  night,  when  vapors  fired 
Im]Hress  the  air. 
Oompare  Statins,  Theb.,  1.  OS. 

nicet  ligne  Jovis,  lapsisque  dtat^  astrls* 
There.1    Upon  the  earth. 


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.948  THE  VISION.  M-«t 

Thy  kindneM,  though  not  promised  with  au  oath ; 
So  as  the  will  fail  not  for  want  of  power. 
Whence  I,  who  sole  before  the  others  qieak. 
Entreat  thee,  if  thou  ever  see  that  land^ 
Which  lies  between  Romagna  and  the  realm 
Of  Charles,  that  of  thy  courtesy  thou  pray 
Those  who  inhabit  Fano,  that  for  me 
Their  adorations  duly  be  put  up, 
By  which  I  may  pur^e  off  my  grievous  sms. 
From  thence  I  came?    But  the  deep  passages. 
Whence  issued  out  the  blood'  wherem  I  dwelt. 
Upon  my  bosom  in  Antenor's  land^ 
Were  made,  where  to  be  more  secure  I  thought 
The  author  of  the  deed  was.Este's  prince, 
Who,  more  than  right  could  warrant,  with  his  wrath 
Pursued  me.    Had  I  towards  M ira  fled, 
When  overtaken  at  Oriaco,  still 
Might  I  have  breathed.    But  to  the  marsh  I  sped ; 
And  in  the  mire  and  rushes  tangled  there 
Fell,  and  beheld  my  life-blood  float  the  plain.** 
Then  said  another :  **  Ah !  so  may  the  wish. 
That  tEikes  thee  o'er  the  ifk>untain,  be  fulfill'd. 
As  thou  shalt  graciously  give  aid  to  mine. 
Of  Montefeltro  I  f  Buonconte  I : 
Giovanna*  nor  none  else  have  care  for  me  ; 
Sorrowing  with  these  I  therefore  go.'*    I  thus: 
"  From  Campaldmo's  field  what  force  or  chance 

1  TluU  land.]  The  Marca  d*Ancona,  between  R<»nagna 
and  Apulia,  the  kingdom  of  Charies  of  Anjou. 

3  From  tkenee  I  came.]  Giaccpo  del  Cassero,  a  citizen  of 
Fano,  who  having  spoken  ill  of  Azzo  da  Este,  Marqnis  of 
Ferrara,  was  by  his  orders  pnt  to  death.  Giacopo  was  over 
taken  by  the  assassins  at  Oriaco,  a  place  near  the  Brenta, 
ftom  whence  if  he  had  fled  towards  Mira,  higher  up  on  that 
river,  instead  of  making  for  the  marsh  on  the  sea-shore,  he 
might  have  escaped. 

*  The  blood.]    Supposed  to  be  the  seat  of  life. 

*  Jlntator't  land.]  The  city  of  Padna,  said  to  be  founded 
hy  Anten<Nr.— This  implies  a  reflection  on  the  Padnans.  Seo 
Hell,  xxxii.  89.  Thos  G.  Villani  calls  the  Venetians  "  the 
perfidious  descendants  from  the  blood  of  Antenor,  the  be 
trayer  of  Ws  country,  Troy."    Lib.  xi.  cap.  89 

*  OfMonUfdtro  L]  Buonconte  (son  of  Guide  da  Monte- 
feltro, whom  we  have  had  Iq  the  twenty-seventh  Canto  of 
Hell)  fell  in  the  battle  of  Campaldino,  (1289,)  fighting  on  the 
side  of  the  Aretini.  In  this  engagement  onr  Poet  took  a  dis- 
tiugnished  part,  as  we  have  seen  related  in  his  life.  Sts  Fazio 
degii  Uberti,  Dittamondo,  lib.  ii.  cap.  xziz. 

*  CTMoanno.]    EitbOT  the  wife,  or  a  kinswoman  of  Buoa 


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•1-WO.  PURGATORY,  Canto  V.  249 

Drew  thee,  that  ne'er  thy  sepulture  was  known?" 

"  Oh !''  answer'd  he,  "  at  Casentino's  foot 
A  stream  there  courseth,  named  Archiano,  sprung 
In  Apennine  above  the  hermit's  seat' 
E'en  where  its  name  is  cancell'd,*  them  came  I, 
Pierced  in  the  throat,*  fleeing  away  on  foot, 
And  bloodybig  the  plain.    Here  sight  and  speech 
Fail'd  me ;  and,  finishing  with  Mwy*B  name, 
I  fell,  and  tenantlesa  my  flesh  remain'd. 
I  will  report  the  truth ;  which  thou  again 
Tell  to  the  livmg.    Me  God's  angel  took,* 
While  he  of  hell  exclaim'd :  *  O  thou  from  heaven ! 
*'Say  wherefore  hast  thou  robb'd  me  ?    Thou  of  him 

*  Th'  eternal  portion  bear'st  with  thee  away, 

*  For  one  poor  tear'  that  he  deprives  me  of. 
'  But  of  the  other,  other  rule  I  make.' 

"  Thou  know'st  how  in  the  atmosphere  collects 
That  vapor  dank,  returning  into  water 
Soon  as  it  mounts  where  cold  condenses  it 
That  evil  will,'  which  in  his  intellect 
Still  follows  evil,  came ;  and  raised  the  wind 
And  smoky  mist,  by  virttie  of  tlie  power 
Given  by  his  nature.    Thence  the  valley,  soon 
As  day  was  spent,  he  cover'd  q'er  with  cloud. 
From  Pratomagno  to  the  mountain  range  f 
And  stretch'd  the  sky  above ;  so  that  the  air 
Impregnate  changed  (o  water.     Fell  the  rain ; 
And  to  the  losses  came  all  that  the  land 
Contain'd  not ;  and,  as  mightiest  streams  are  wont, 
To  the  great  river,  with  such  headlong  sweep. 


1  T7te  hermiVa  seat."]    The  hermitage  of  CamaldoU. 
s  Where  its  name  is  cancelled.]    That  is,  between  Bibbiena 
and  Poppi,  where  the  Archiano  falls  into  the  Amo. 

*  Tlroat.J  In  the  former  editions  it  was  printed  "  heut.** 
Ifr.  Cariyle  has  observed  the  error. 

*  Me  OoiTs  angel  took.]  Cum  autem  finem  vitee  explesset 
servas  Dei  aspiciens  vidit  diabolum  Fimul  et  Angelum  ad 
animam  stantem  ac  nnom  qaemque  illam  sibi  tollere  fesU- 
Bantem.    Alherici  Visio^  $  18. 

»  For  one  poor  tear.}    Visum  est  quod  angelus  Domini  la- 

ehrimas  quas  dives  ille fuderat  in  ampulla  tenerSt    Al' 

heriei  Fisio,  $  18. 

*  That  evil  toill.]  The  devil.  Lombard!  refer*  us  to  Alber- 
tas  Magnus,  de  Potentift  Demonnm.  Tliis  notion  of  the  Evil 
Bp\xit  having  power  over  the  elements,  appears  to  have  arisen 
from  his  being  termed  the  'prince  of  the  air,*  in  the  New 
Testament 

*  Urom  Pratomagno  to  the  mounUiin  range.}  From  Prato- 
magno, now  called  Prato  Veechio  (which  divides  the  Yalr 
daino  from  Casentino)  as  fiur  as  to  the  Apennine. 


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350  rHE  V.SION.  1S1-13S 

Rash'd,  that  naught  stayed  its  coune.    My  stifl^'l 
Laid  at  hki  mouth,  the  fell  Arohiano  found,    [framo; 
And  dash'd  it  into  Amo ;  from  my  breast 
Loosening  the  cross,  that  of  myaeU  I  made 
When  overcome  with  pain.    He  hurl*d  me  on, 
.AJong  the  banks  and  bottom  of  his  coune ; 
Then  in  his  muddy  spoils  encircling  wrapp'd." 

"  Ah !  when  thou  to  the  world  shalt  be  retuni*d» 
And  rested  after  thy  long  road,"  so  spake 
Next  the  third  spuit ;  "  then  remember  me. 
I  once  was  Pia.'    Sienna  gave  me  life ; 
Maremma  took  it  from  me.    That  he  knows. 
Who  me  with  jewelFd  ring  had  first  espoused." 


CANTO   VL 

ARGUMENT. 
Many  besides,  who  are  in  like  case  with  those  sfxAen  of  la 
the  last  Canto,  beseech  our  Poet  to  obtain  for  them  the 
prayers  of  their  friends,  when  he  shall  be  returned  to  this 
world.  This  moves  him  to  express  a  doubt  to  his  guide, 
how  the  dead  can  be  profited  by  the  prayers  of  the  living ; 
for  the  solution  of  which  doubt  he  is  referred  to  Beatrice 
Afterwards  he  meets  with  Sordello  the  Mantuan,  whose 
afi^ction,  shown  to  Virgil  his  countryman,  leads  Dante  to 
break  forth  into  an  invective  against  the  unnatural  diii 
sions  with  which  Italy,  and  more  especially  Florence,  was 
distracted. 

When  from  their  game  of  dice  men  separate, 
He  who  hath  lost  remains  in  sadness  fii^'d. 
Revolving  in  his  mind*  what  luckless  throws  = 
He  cast:  but,  meanwhile,  all  the  company 
Go  with  the  other ;  one  before  him  runs, 
And  one  behind  hb  mantle  twitches,  one 
Fast  by  his  side  bids  him  remember  him. 
He  stopB  not ;  and  each  one,  to  whom  his  hand 
Is  stretch'd,  well  knows  he  bids  him  stand  aside ; 

1  Pia.]  She  is  said  to  have  been  a  Siennese  lady,  of  the 
fkmily  of  Tolommei,  secretly  made  away  with  by  her  hus- 
band Nello  della  Pietra  of  the  same  city,  in  Maremma,  where 
he  had  some  possessions. 

>  Revolving  in  kit  mind."] 

■  Riman  dolente 
Ripetendo  le  volte,  e  triste  impara. 

Lombard!  explains  this :  "That  the  loser  remains  by  him 
self,  and  taking  up  the  dice  easts  them  over  again,  as  if  to 
learn  how  he  may  throw  the  numbers  he  could  vdsh  to  come 
up.**  There  is  something  very  natural  in  this ;  bat  whether 
the  aeuki  can  be  fiibrly  deduced  ftom  the  words,  is  anottet 


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10-25.  PURGATORY,  Canto  VI.  351 

And  thus*  he  from  the  press  defends  hunselfl 
E'en  sach  was  I  in  that  close-crowding  throng  ; 
And  turning  so  my  face  around  to  all, 
And  promising,  I  'scaped  from  it  with  pains. 

Here  of  Arezzo  him^  I  saw,  who  fell 
By  Ghino's  cruel  arm ;  and  him  beside,' 
Who  in  his  chase  was  swallowed  by  the  frtream. 
H^re  Frederic  Novello,*  with  his  hand 
Stretched  forth,  entreated ;  and  of  Pisa  he,' 
Who  put  the  good  Marzuco  to  such  proof 
Of  constancy.    Count  Orso'  I  beheld ; 
And  from  its  frame  a  soul  dismissed  for  spite 
And  enyy,  as  it  said,  but  for  no  crime ; 
I  speak  of  Peter  de  la  Brosse '?  and  here, 

>  And  thvs.'\  The  late  Archdeacon  Fisher  pointed  out  to 
me  a  passage  in  the  Novela  de  la  Gitanilia  of  Cervantes, 
Ed.  Valentia,  1797,  p.  12,  ttom  which  it  appears  that  it  was 
asual  for  money  to  be  given  to  bystanders  at  play  by  win- 
ners; and  as  he  well  remarked:  "Dante  is  uerefore  do- 
scribing,  with  his  nsnal  power  of  observation,  what  he  had 
often  seen,  the  shuffling,  boon-denying  exit  of  the  snccessfbl 
gamester." 

3  Of  Arezzo  him.]  Benincasa  of  Arez20,  eminent  for  hit 
skill  m  jurisprudence,  who  having  condemned  to  death  Tur- 
rkjio  da  Turrita,  brother  of  Ghino  di  Tacco,  for  his  robberies 
ill  Maremma,  was  murdered  by  Ghino,  in  an  apartment  of  his 
own  house,  in  the  presence  of  many  witnesses.  Ghino  was 
nut  only  suffered  to  escape  in  safety,  but  (as  the  commenta- 
tor inform  us)  obtained  so  high  a  reputation  by  the  liberality 
with  which  he  was  accustomed  to  dispense  the  fruits  of  his 
plunder,  and  treated  those  who  fell  into  his  hands  with  so 
mdch  courtesy,  that  he  was  afterwards  invited  to  Rome,  and 
kidghted  by  Boniface  VIII.  A  story  is  told  of  him  by  Boo- 
caucio,  G.  z.  N.  2. 

•  Him  beside.}  Clone,  or  Ciacco  de'  Tarlatti  of  Arezzo.  He 
is  said  to  have  been  carried  by  his  horse  into  the  Arno,  and 
theje  drowned,  while  he  was  in  pursuit  of  certain  of  his  en- 
emies. 

•  Frederic  J^oveUo.]  Son  of  the  Conte  Guido  da  BattlfoUe, 
and  slain  by  one  of  the  family  of  Bostoli. 

6  Of  Pisa  he.]  Farinata  de'  Scornigiani  of  Pisa.  Hit  fk- 
ther  Marzuco,  who  had  entered  the  order  of  the  Fratl  Minori, 
so  entirely  overcame  the  feelings  of  resentment,  that  he  even 
kissed  the  hands  of  the  slayer  of  his  son,  and,  as  he  was 
following  the  funeral,  exhorted  his  kinsmen  to  reconciliation. 
The  eighteenth  and  thirtieth  in  the  collection  of  Guittone 
d'Arezzo's  Letters  are  addressed  to  Marzuco.  The  latter  is 
inverse. 

•  Count  Orso.]  Son  of  Napoleone  da  Cerbaia,  slain  by 
Alberto  da  Mangona,  his  uncle. 

t  Peter  de  la  Brosse.]  Secretary  of  Philip  IlL  of  France 
The  courtiers,  envying  the  high  place  which  he  held  in  the 
king's  fovor,  prevailed  on  Mary  of  Brabant  to  chaxge  him 
fliliely  with  an  attempt  upon  her  person ;  to  which  supposed 
crime  he  suffered  death. 


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95S  THE  VISION.  SA-St. 

While  she  yet  lives,  that  Lady  of  Brabant, 

Let  her  beware ;  lest  for  so  false  a  deed 

She  herd  with  worse  than  these.    When  I  was  freed 

From  all  those  spirits,  who  pray'd  for  others'  prayen 

To  hasten  on  their  state  of  blessedness ; 

Straight  I  began :  "  O  thou,  my  luminary ! 

It  seems  expressly  in  thy  text^  denied, 

That  heaven's  supreme  decree  can  ever  bend 

To  supplicaticm ;  yet  with  this  design 

Do  these  entreat    Can  then  their  hope  be  vain  T 

Or  is  thy  saying  not  to  me  reveal'd?" 

He  thus  to  me :  "  Both  what  I  write  is  plaint 
And  tneee  deceived  not  in  their  hope ;  if  well 
Thy  mind  cimsider,  that  the  sacred  height 
Of  judgment*  doth  not  stoop,  because  love's  flame 
In  a  short  moment  all  fulfils,  which  he. 
Who  sojourns  here,  in  right  should  satisfy. 
Besides,  when  I  this  point  concluded  thus, 
By  praying  no  defect  could  be  supplied ; 
Because  the  prayer  had  none  access  to  God. 
Yet  in  this  deep  suspicion  rest  thou  not 
Contented,  unless  she  assure  thee  so. 
Who  betwixt  truth  and  mind  infuses  light ; 
I  know  not  if  thou  take  me  right ;  I  mean 
Beatrice.    Her  thou  shalt  behold  above,* 
Upon  this  mountain's  crown,  fair  seat  of  joy." 

Then  I :  ''  Sir !  let  us  mend  <  ur  speed ;  for  now 
I  Ure  not  as  before :  and  lo !  the  hilT 

So  say  the  Italian  commentators.  Henaalt  represents  the 
matter  very  differently:  **  Pierre  de  la  Brosse,  formerly  bar- 
ber to  St  Louis,  afterwards  the  favorite  of  Philip,  fearing 
the  too  great  attachment  of  the  king  for  his  wife  Mary,  ae 
coses  this  princess  of  having  poisoned  Louis,  eldest  son  of 
Philip,  by  his  first  marriage.  This  calumny  is  discovered  by 
a  nun  of  Nlvelle  in  Flanders.  La  Brosse  is  hnng."  Ahr^k 
C:hron.,  1275,  &c.  The  Deputati,  or  those  deputed  to  wnte 
annotations  on  the  Decameron,  suppose  that  Boccaccio,  in 
the  Giomata,  11.  Novella  9,  took  the  story  Arom  this  passage 
in  Dante,  only  concealing  the  real  names  and  chanpng  the 
incidents  in  some  parts,  in  order  not  to  wound  the  feelings 
of  those  whom,  as  it  was  believed,  these  incidents  had  m 
lately  befkllen.    Ediz.  Giunti,  1573,  p.  40. 

1  /» tkf  UxL\    He  refers  to  Virgil,  iEn.,  lib.  vi.  378. 
Desine  fkta  de(km  fleet!  sperare  preeando. 

a  jt^  #flcr«rf  height 

Cf  judgment.] 
00  Shakspeare,  Measure  for  Measure,  act  ii.  se.  & 
If  he,  which  is  the  top  of  Judgment. 

*  4iMM.]    See  Pnigat,  c  zxx.  v.  33. 

^  Tk»  hulJ]   It  was  now  past  the  iioob. 


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»-7»  PURGATORY.  Ciirto  VL  S58 

Stretches  its  shadow  far."    He  answei'd  thus : 
**  Our  progress  with  this  day  shall  be  as  much 
As  we  may  now  diq>atch ;  but  otherwise' 
Than  thou  supposest  is  the  truth.    For  there 
Thou  canst  not  be,  ere  thou  once  more  behold 
Him  back  returning,  who  behmd  the  steep 
Is  n«w  BO  hidden,  that,  as  erst,  his  beam 
Thou  dost  not  break.    But  lo !  a  epint  there 
Stands  solitary,  and  toward  us  looks : 
It  will  instruct  us  in  the  speediest  way.*' 

We  soon  approach'd  it    O  thou  Lombard  spirit ! 
How  didst  thou  stand,  in  high  abstracted  mood. 
Scarce  moving  with  dow  dignity  thine  eyes. 
It  spoke  not  aught,  but  let  us  onward  pavy 
Eyeing  us  as  a  lion  on  his  watch.^ 
But  Virgil,  with  entreaty  mild,  advanced, 
Requesting  it  to  show  the  best  ascent 
It  answer  to  his  question  none  retum'd ; 
But  of  our  country  and  our  kind  of  life 
Demanded.    When  my  courteous  guide  began, 
"  Mantua,"  the  shadow,  m  itself  alworb'd,' 
Rose  towards  us  from  the  place  in  which  it  stood. 
And  cried,  **  Mantuan !  I  am  thy  countryman, 
Sordello.'"    Each  the  other  then  embraced. 


1  Eyeing  ut  as  a  lion  on  Ms  vatch.] 

A  guisa  di  leon  qaando  si  posa. 
A  line  taken  by  Tasso,  6.  L.,  can.  z.  st  56. 

s  The  shadovty  in  itself  obsorb*d.]  I  had  before  translated 
**The  solitary  shadow;"  and  have  made  the  alteration  in 
consequence  of  Monties  just  remark  on  the  original,  that 
entta  in  se  romita  does  not  mean  "solitary,"  bnt  ** collected, 
concentrated  in  itself."  Bee  his  Proposta  under  **  Romito.** 
Vellntello  had  shown  him  the  way  to  this  interpretation, 
when  he  explained  the  words  by  tutta  in  se  raccotta  e  sola. 
Petrarch  applies  the  expression  to  the  spirit  of  Lanra,  when 
departing  from  the  body.  See  his  Triumph  of  Death,  cap.  L 
▼.158. 

*  Sordello.]  The  historv  of  Bordello's  life  is  wrapped  in  the 
obscniity  of  romance^  That  he  distinguished  himself  by  his 
skill  in  Provencal  poetry  is  certain ;  and  many  feats  of  mili- 
tary prowess  have  been  attributed  to  him.  It  is  probable 
that  he  was  bom  towards  the  end  of  the  twelfth,  and  liied 
about  the  middle  of  the  succeeding  century.  Tirabofctii. 
who  terms  him  the  most  illustrious  of  all  the  Provencal 
poets  of  his  age,  has  taken  much  pains  to  sift  all  the  notices 
he  could  collect  relating  to  him,  and  has  particularly  ex- 
posed the  fabulous  narrative  which  Platina  has  introduced 
on  ttiis  subject  in  his  history  of  Mantua.  Honorable  men- 
tion of  his  name  is  made  by  our  Poet  in  the  treatise  de 
YiUf.  Eloq.,  lib.  i.  cap.  15,  wliere  it  is  said  that,  remarkable 
M  he  was  for  eloquence,  he  deserted  the  vernacular  langnaft 


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S54  THEYiaON.  7«-« 

Ah,  dayudi  Italy !  thou  inn  of  grief!' 
Vessel  without  a  pilot  in  loud  stonn ! 
Lady  no  longer  of  fair  provinces, 
But  brothel-house  impure !  this  gentle  spirit, 
Even  from  the  pleasant  sound  of  his  dear  land 
Was  prompt  to  greet  a  fellow-citizen 
With  such  glad  cheer:  while  now  thy  living  onesF 
In  thee  abide  not  without  war ;  and  one 
Malicious  gnaws  another ;  ay,  of  those 
Whom  the  same  wall  and  the  same  moat  contains. 
Seek,  wretched  one  !  around  thy  sea-coasts  wide ; 
Then  homeward  to  thy  bosom  turn ;  and  mark. 
If  any  part  of  thee  sweet  peace  enjoy. 
What  boots  it,  that  thy  reins  Justinian's  hand* 
Refitted,  if  thy  saddle  be  unpress'd  ? 
Naught  doth  he  now  but  aggravate  thy  shame. 
Ah,  people !  thou  obedient  still  shouldst  live. 
And  in  the  saddle  let  thy  Csosar  sit. 
If  well  thou  markedst  that  which  God  commands..^ 

Look  how  that  beast  to  fellness  hath  relapsed. 
From  having  lost  correction  of  the  spur, 
Since  to  the  bridle  thou  hast  set  thine  hand. 


of  his  own  country,  not  only  in  his  poems,  but  In  every  other 
kind  of  writing.  Tiraboschi  had  at  first  concluded  him  to 
be  the  same  writer  whom  Dante  elsewhere  (De  Vulg.  £loq., 
lib.  ii.  c.  1.3)  calls  Gottus  Mantuanus,  but  afterwards  gave 
up  that  opinion  to  the  authority  of  the  Conte  d'Arco  and 
the  Abate  Bettinelli.  By  Bastero,  in  his  Crusca  Provenzale, 
Ediz.  Roma,  1734,  p.  H  among  Bordello's  MS.  poems  in 
the  Vatican  are  mentioned  *'Canzoni,  Tenzoni.  tk>bbole,** 
and  various  **  Serventesi,"  particularly  one  in  the  form  of  a 
funeral  song  on  the  death  of  Blancas,  in  which  the  poet 
reprehends  all  the  reigning  princes  in  ChristendcMn.  This 
last  was  well  suited  to  attract  the  notice  of  our  author. 
Mention  of  Bordello  will  recur  in  the  notes  to  the  Paradise, 
c.  ix.  V.  33.  Bince  this  note  was  written,  many  of  Bordello** 
poems  have  been  brought  to  light  by  the  industry  of  M.  Rav 
Douard  in  his  Choix  des  Poesies  des  Troubadours  and  his 
Lexique  Roman. 
»  Thou  inn  ofgritf.] 

S*  io  son  d'ogni  doI<ne  ostello  e  chiave. 

F'ita  J^uova  di  DanU^  p.  S85. 

Thou  most  beauteous  inn, 

Why  should  hard-favor'd  grief  be  lodged  in  thee  ? 

Shakapeare,  Richard  ILy  act  v.  sc.  1. 
<  Thy  living  one»»'\    Compare  Milton,  P.  L.,  b.  ii.  496,  &c. 

*  Juttinian*9  hand.]  "  What  avails  it  that  Justinian  deliv 
ered  thee  from  the  Goths  and  reformed  thy  laws,  if  thou  art 
BO  longer  under  the  control  of  his  successors  in  the  empire  V 

*  T%at  which  God  conmandt.}  He  alludes  to  the  precept— 
"  Sender  xuntoCmwt  the  thlngi  ^hich  are  Cesar's." 


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««-n6.  PURGATORY,  Canto  VL  255 

O  German  Albert  !*  who  abandon*8t  her 

That  is  grown  savage  and  unmanageable, 

When  thou  shouldst  clasp  her  flanks  with  forked  LeeUh 

Just  judgment  from  the  stars  fall  on  thy  blood ; 

And  be  it  strange  and  manifest  to  all ; 

Such  as  may  strike  thy  successor*  with  dread ; 

For  that  thy  sire*  and  thou  have  sufler'd  thus, 

Through  greedinjss  of  yonder  realms  detained. 

The  garden  of  the  empire  to  run  waste. 

Come,  see  the  Capuiets  and  Montagues,^ 

The  Filippeschi  and  Monaldi,*  man 

Who  carest  for  naught !  those  sunk  in  grief,  and  these 

With  dire  suspicion  rack'd.    Come,  cruel  one  ! 

Come,  and  behold  the  oppression  of  the  nobles. 

And  mark  their  injuries ;  and  thou  mayst  see 

What  safety  Santafiore  can  supply.' 

Come  and  behold  thy  Rome,^  who  calls  on  thee. 

Desolate  widow,  day  and  night  with  moans, 

"  My  Cesar,  why  dost  thou  desert  Iny  side  V* 


1  O  German  Albert  /]    The  Emperor  Albert  I.  succeeded  < 
Adolphus  in  1298,  and  was  murdered  in  1308.    See  Par., 
Canto  xix.  114. 

>  Thy  successor.]  The  successor  of  Albert  was  Henry  of 
Luzemburgh,  bV  whose  interposition  in  the  a&irs  of  Italy 
our  Poet  hoped  to  have  been  reinstated  in  his  native  city. 

*  7%y  sire.]  The  Emperor  Bodolph,  too  intent  on  increas- 
ing his  power  in  Germany  to  give  much  of  his  thoughts  to 
Italy,  "  the  garden  of  the  empire." 

*  Captdets  and  Montagiies.]  Our  ears  are  so  familiarized 
to  the  names  of  these  rival  houses  in  the  language  of  Shak- 
speare,  that  I  have  used  them  instead  of  the  "Montecchi" 
and  "  Cappelletti."  They  were  two  powerftil  Ghibelline 
families  of  Verona.  In  some  parts  of  that  play,  of  which 
they  form  the  leading  characters,  our  great  dramatic  poet 
seems  to  have  been  not  a  little  indebted  to  the  Hadriana  of 
Luigi  Groto,  commonly  called  II  cieco  d' Adria.  See  Walker's 
Historical  Memoir  on  Italian  Tragedy,  4to.  1799,  $  L  p.  49. 

B  filippeschi  and  Monaldi.]  Two  other  rival  families  in 
Orvieto. 

*  fFhat  safety  Santafiore  can  supply.]  A  place  between 
Pisa  and  Sienna.  What  he  alludes  to  is  so  doubtful,  that  it 
is  not  certain  whether  we  should  not  read  "  come  si  cura**— 
"How  Santafiore  is  governed."  Perhaps  the  event  related 
in  the  note  to  v.  58,  canto  zi.  may  be  pointed  at. 

T  Come  and  behold  thy  Rome.]  Thus  in  the  Latin  Epistle  to 
the  Cardinals,  which  has  been  lately  discovered  in  the  Lan- 
rentian  library,  and  has  every  appearance  of  being  Dante*^B : 
**  Romam  urbem,  nunc  utroque  lumine  destitntam,  nunc  Han- 
nibali  nednm  aliis  miserandam,  solam  sedentem  et  viduam, 
pront  superius  proclamatur,  qualis  est,  pro  modulo  nostra 
imaginis,  ante  mortales  oculos  affigatis  omnes."  Opeie  minocl 
di  Dante,  torn.  iU. ;  P**  il.  p.  870, 12o  Fir.  184a 


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S56  THE  VISION.  117*-1« 

Come,  and  behold  what  love  among  thy  people: 
And  if  no  pity  teaches  thee  for  va, 
Come,  and  blush  for  thine  own  report    For  me» 
If  it  be  lawful,  O  Ahnighty  Power! 
Who  wast  in  earth  for  our  sakes  crucified, 
Are  thy  just  eyes  tum*d  elsewhere  ?  or  is  this 
A  preparation,  in  the  wondrous  depth 
Of  thy  sage  counsel  made,  for  some  good  end* 
Entirely  from  our  reach  of  thought  cut  off? 
So  are  the  Italian  cities  all  o'erthronsfd 
With  tyrants,  and  a  great  MarcellusTmade 
Of  every  petty  factious  villager. 

My  Florence !  thou  mayst  well  remain  unmoved 
At  this  digression,  which  afiects  not  thee : 
.Thanks  to  thy  people,  who  so  wisely  speed. 
Many  have  justice  in  their  heart,  that  long 
Waiteth  for  counsel  to  direct  the  bow, 
Or  ere  it  dart  unto  its  aim:  but  thine 
Have  it  on  theif  lip's  edge.    Many  refuse' 
To  bear  the  common  burdens :  readier  thine 
Answer  uncalled,  and  cry,  "  Behold  I  stoop !" 

Make  thyself  glad,  for  thou  hast  reason  now, 
Thou  wealthy !  thou  at  peace !  thou  wisdom-franghll 
Facts  best  will  witness  if  I  speak  the  truth. 
Athens  and  Lacedsemon,  who  of  old 
Enacted  laws,  for  civil  arts  renown'd, 
Made  little  progress  in  improving  life 
Towards  thee,  who  usest  such  nice  subtlety. 
That  to  the  middle  of  November  scarce 
Reaches  the  thread  thou  in  October  weavest 
How  many  times  within  thy  memory. 
Customs,  and  laws,  and  coins,  and  offices 
Have  been  by  thee  renew'd,  and  people  changed 

If  thou  remember*st  well  and  canst  see  clear, 
Thou  wilt  perceive  thyself  like  a  sick  wretch,' 


1  Marcellus.]  Un  Marcel  diTents 

Ogni  villan  che  parteggiando  viene. 
Repeated  by  Alamanni  in  his  Coltivazione,  lib.  i. 

He  SHTobably  means  the  Marcelliu  who  opposed  Julias 
Cesar. 

s  Many  r^tuc]  He  appears  to  have  been  of  Plaio*s  mind, 
that  in  a  commonwealth  of  worthy  inen,  place  and  power 
wonld  be  as  much  declined  as  they  are  now  songht  after  and 
eoveted.  Ktviwvgiu  wdXit  ivSp6v  kfyaB&v  i<  yiwoiTo^  ntpi* 

s  A  siek  wretek.}  Imitated  by  the  Cardiiial  de  PoUgnae  la 
hisAnti-Lacrattiis,lib.L10S8. 


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m,153.  PUROiTORT,  Canto  Vn.  Wl 

Who  findi  BO  rest  upon  her  down,  hut  olt 
Shifting  her  side,  8lM>rt  respite  seeks  from  pain. 


CANTO    VIL 

ARGUMENT, 
rhe  approach  of  night  hindering  farther  ascent,  Sordello  con* 
dnct>  onr  Poet  apart  to  an  eminence,  fW>ni  whence  they 
behold  a  pleasant  recess,  In  form  of  a  flowery  valley,  scorp- 
ed  out  of  the  monntain ;  where  are  many  famous  splribk 
and  among  them  the  Emperor  Rodolph,  Ottocar,  Xing  or 
Bohemia,  Philip  III.  of  France,  Henry  of  Navarre,  Peter  III 
of  Anigon,  Charles  I.  of  Naples,  Henjy  IIL  df  En^and,  anA 
William,  Marquis  of  Montferrat. 

After  their  courteous  greetings  joyfully 
Seven  times  exchanged,  Sordello  hackward  drew 
Exclaiming,  **  Who  are  ye  1" — "  Before  this  mount 
By  spirits  worthy  of  ascent  to  God*^ 
Was  sought,  my  bones  had  by  Octavius'  care 
Been  buried.     I  am  Vurgil ;  for  no  sin 
Deprived  of  heaven,  except  for  lack  of  faith." 
So  answer'd  him  in  few  my  gentle  guide. 

As  one,  who  aught  before  him  suddenly 
Beholding,  whence  his  wonder  riseth,  cries, 
•*  It  is,  yet  is  not,"  wavering  in  belief; 
Such  he  appear'd ;  then  downward  bent  his  eyes,      • 
And,  drawing  near  with  reverential  step, 
Caugnt  mm,  where  one  of  mean  estate  might  clasp 
His  lord.*    «  Glory  of  Latium !"  he  exclaimed, 
**  In  whom  our  tongue  its  utmost  power  displayed ; 
Boast  of  my  honor'd  birth-place !  what  desert' 
Of  mme,  what  favor,  rather,  undeserved, 
Shows  thee  to  me?    If  I  to  hear  that  voice 
Am  worthy,  say  if  from  below  thou  comest,        [orb 
And  from  what  cloister's  pale." — "  Through  eveiy 

Cea  tectum  peragrat  membris  languentibus  i^r, 
In  latns  altcme  Isevom  deztramqne  recnmbens : 
Nee  jnvat:  inde  oculos  tollit  rosupinus  in  altum: 
Nnsquam  Inventa  quies ;  semper  qncsita :  quod  Ull 
Primum  in  deliciis  Aierat,  mox  torquet  et  angit: 
Nee  morbnm  saoat,  nee  fallit  tsdia  morbi. 

* Where  one  of  mean  estate  might  clasp 

His  lord.]    So  Ariosto,  Orl.  F.,  c  xxiv.  st.  19. 

E  Tabbracciaro,  ove  il  maggior  s^abbracda, 

Ck>l  capo  nudo  e  col  ginocchio  chino. 

■  What  desert.]    So  Frezzi : 

Unal  grazia,  o  qual  destin  m*  ha  flttto  degno 
Che  io  ti  vegria.      •       11  Quadrir.fVLb.t9  cap.  A 
17 


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958  THE  VISION. 

Of  that  sad  region,"  be  replied,  <<  thos  far 

Am  I  airived,  by  beayenly  inflaence  led : 

And  with  such  aid  I  come.    Not  for  my  doing,' 

But  for  not  doing,  have  I  lost  the  sight 

Of  that  high  Sun,  whom  thou  desirest,  and  who 

By  me  too  late  was  known.    There  is  a  place* 

There  underneath,  not  made  by  torments  sad. 

But  by  dun  shades  alone ;  where  mourning's  voice 

Sounds  not  of  anguish  sharp,  but  breathes  in  ngfas 

There  I  with  little  innocents  abide. 

Who  by  death's  fangs  were  bitten,  ere  exempt 

From  human  taint    There  I  with  those  abide. 

Who  the  three  holy  virtues*  put  not  on, 

But  understood  the  rest,^  and  without  blame 

Follow'd  them  all    But,  if  thou  know'st,  and  eanst* 

Direct  us  how  we  soonest  may  arrive. 

Where  Purgatory  its  true  beginning  takes.** 

He  answered  Uius :  "  We  have  no  certain  place 
Assigned  us :  upwards  I  may  go,  or  round. 
Far  as  I  can,  I  jom  thee  for  thy  guide. 
But  thou  beholdest  now  how  day  declmes ; 
And  upwards  to  proceed  by  night,  our  power 
Excels :  therefore  it  may  be  well  to  choose 
A  place  of  pleasant  sojourn.    To  the  right 
Some  spuits  sit  apart  retired.     If  thou 
,  Consentest,  I  to  these  will  lead  thy  steps : 
And  thou  wilt  know  them,  not  without  delight." 

"  How  chances  this?"  was  answer'd :  "  whoso  wish'd 
To  ascend  by  night,  would  he  be  thence  debarred 
By  other,  or  through  his  own  weakness  fail?" 

The  good  Sordello  then,  along  the  ground 
Trailing  his  finger,  spoke :  "  Only  this  Ime* 
Thou  shalt  not  overpass,  soon  as  the  sun 
Hath  disappear'd ;  not  that  aught  else  impedes 
Thy  going  upwards,  save  the  shades  of  night 
These,  with  the  want  of  power,  perplex  the  will. 
With  them  thou  haply  mightst  return  beneath. 
Or  to  and  fro  around  the  mountain's  side 
Wander,  while  day  is  in  the  horizon  shut" 

1  Jfotfor  my  doing.]  I  am  indebted  to  the  Idndness  of  llr 
Lyell  for  pointing  oat  to  me  that  three  lines  of  the  ori^nal 
were  here  omitted  in  the  former  editions  of  this  transUtion. 

t  There  it  a  place.]    Limbo.    See  Hell,  Canto  It.  34. 

*  The  three  holy  vtrtuesA    Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity. 

*  7%e  reeU]   Pradence,  Justice,  Fortitude,  and  Temperance 
ft  Onlf  this  line.]  ''  Walk  while  ye  have  the  light,  lest  dark- 

aess  come  upon  you ;  for  he  that  walketh  in  dariiness,  know- 
eth  not  whither  he  goeth.**    John  xU.  35. 


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UreSk  PURGATORY,  Canto  YIL  259 

My  master  straiglit,  as  wondering  at  his  speeeh, 
Exclaim'd :  **  Then  lead  us  quickly,  where  thou  saysi 
That,  while  we  stay,  we  may  enjoy  delight" 

A  little  space  we  were  removed  from  thence, 
When  I  perceived  the  mountain  hoUow'd  out, 
Even  as  large  valleys^  hollow'd  out  on  earth. 

"  That  way,"  the  escorting  spirit  cried,  "  we  go. 
Where  in  a  bosom  the  high  bank  recedes : 
And  thou  await  renewal  of  the  day." 

Betwixt  the  steep  and  plain,  a  crooked  path 
Led  us  traverse  into  the  ridge's  side. 
Where  more  than  half  the  sloping  edge  ezjNres. 
Refulgent  gold,  and  silver  thrice  refined, 
And  scarlet  grain  and  ceruse,  Indian  wood* 
Of  lucid  dye  serene,- fresh  emeralds* 
But  newly  broken,  by  the  herbs  and  flowers 
Placed  in  that  fair  recess,  in  color  all 
Had  been  surpassed,  as  great  surpasses  less. 
Nor  nature  only  there  lavished  her  hues. 
But  of  the  sweetness*  of  a  thousand  smells 
A  rare  and  undistinguished  fragrance  made. 

"  Salve  Regina,"*  on  the  grass  and  flowers, 

1  w9«  large  valleys.j    Viatores  enim  per  viam  rectam  dam 
anjbulant,  campum  juxta  viam  cernentes  spatiosom  et  pal- 
chram,  oblitique  itineris  dicunt  intra  se  iter  per  campom  istom 
fociamns,  &c.    Alberiei  FUiOj  $  28. 
s  JndioM  taood.] 

Indico  legno  lucido  e  serene. 
It  is  a  little  uncertain  what  is  meant  by  this.    Indigo,  al- 
thoagh  it  is  extracted  from  an  herb,  seems  the  most  likely. 
Monti  in  his  Proposta  maintains  it  to  be  ebony. 
*  Dre9h  emerald*.'} 

Under  foot  the  violet, 
Crocus,  and  hyacinth  with  rich  inlay 
Broider'd  the  ground,  morecolor*d  than  with  stone 
Of  eostUest  emblem.  MUtoUf  P.  L.y  b.  iv.  703L 

Zaffir,  mbini,  oro,  topazj,  e  perle, 
E  diamanti,  e  crisoliti  e  giacinti 
Potriano  i  fieri  assimigliar,  che  per  le 
Liete  piagge  v*avea  I'aura  dlplnti ; 
Si  verdi  rerbe,  che  potendo  averle 
Qua  giu  me  foran  gli  smeraldi  vinti. 

AriottOy  Orl.  Fur.y  Canto  xxziv.  st  4il 
4  T%e  gwetitMtt.l 

E  quella  ai  fieri,  ai  ponii,  e  alia  verznra 
Gli  odor  diversi  depredando  giva, 
E  di  tntti  faceva  una  mistura, 

Che  di  soaviti  Talma  notriva.  Ibid.  st.  51 

A  Balve  Regina.}    The  beginning  Qf  a  prayer  to  the  Yirgin 

It  is  sufficient  here  to  observe,  that  in  similar  instances  I  shall 

either  preserve  the  original  Latin  words  or  translate  them,  at 

it  may  seem  best  to  suit  the  purpose  of  the  verse. 


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960  THE  VISION.  8M1L 

Here  chanting,  I  beheld  those  spirits  sit, 
Who  not  beyond  the  valley  could  be  seen. 

"  Before  the  westering  sun  sink  to  his  bed," 
Began  the  Mantuan,  who  our  steps  had  tum*d» 
**  *Mid  those,  desire  not  that  I  lead  ye  on. 
For  from  this  eminence  ye  shall  discern 
Better  the  acts  and  visages  of  all, 
Than,  in  Uie  nether  vale,  among  thorn  mix'd 
He,  who  sits  high  above  the  rest,  and  seems 
To  have  neglected  that  he  should  have  done. 
And  to  the  others'  song  moves  not  his  lip. 
The  £mperor  Rodolph^  call,  who  might  have  heai'd 
The  wounds  whereof  fair  Italy  hath  died, 
So  that  by  others  she  revives  but  slowly. 
He,  who  with  kindly  visage  comforts  him, 
Sway'd  in  that  country,^  where  the  water  springs. 
That  Moldaw's  river  to  the  Elbe,  and  Elbe 
Rolls  to  the  ocean :  Ottocar*  his  name  : 
Who  in  his  swaddling  clothes  was  of  more  worth 
Than  Winceslaus  his  son,  a  bearded  man, 
Pamper'd  with  rank  luxuriousness  and  ease. 
And  that  one  with  the  nose  depress'd,^  who  close 
In  counsel  seems  with  him  of  gentle  look,* 
Flying  expired,  withering  the  lily's  flower. 
Look  there,  how  he  doth  knock  against  his  breast! 
The  other  ye  behold,  who  for  his  cheek 
Makes  of  one  hand  a  couch,  with  frequent  sighs. 
They  are  the  father  and  the  father-m-law 
Of  Gallia's  bane  :•  his  vicious  life  they  know 

•     1  Tie  Emperor  Rodolph.]    See  the  last  Canto,  v.  104.    H« 
died  in  1291. 
9  T%at  country.]    Bohemia. 

*  Ottoear.]  King  of  Bohemia,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle 
of  Marchfield,  foaght  with  Rodolph,  Angnst  26, 1278.  Win- 
ceslaus II.  his  son,  who  succeeded  him  in  the  kingdom  of 
Bohemia,  died  in  1305.  The  latter  is  again  taxed  with  lnxa> 
ry  in  the  Paradise,  xlx.  123. 

*  7%a«  one  with  the  nose  depreae^d.]  Philip  HI.  of  France, 
&ther  of  Philip  IV.  He  died  in  1285,  at  Perpignan,  in  his  re- 
treat from  Aragon. 

*  Him  of  gentle  look.}  Henry  of  Navarre,  father  of  Jane 
married  to  PMlip  IV.  of  France,  whom  Dante  calls  *'mal  di 
Francia"— "  6allia*8  bane.'* 

*  Oailia*9  bane.]  G.  Villani,  lib.  vii.  cap.  146,  speaks  with 
equal  resentment  of  Philip  IV.  "  In  1291,  on  the  night  of 
the  calends  of  May,  Philip  le  Bel,  King  of  France,  by  advice 
of  Biccio  and  Musciatto  Franzesi,  ordered  all  the  Italians; 
who  were  in  his  country  and  realm,  to  be  seissed,  under  pre- 
tence of  seizing  the  money-lenders,  but  thus  he  caused  the 
good  merchants  also  to  be  seized  and  ransomed;  for  whiek 


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lia-12».         PURGATORY,  Canto  VII.  j361 

And  foul ;  thence  comes  the  grief  that  rends  them 
thus. 
"  He  80  robust  of  limb,^  who  measure  keeps 
In  song  with  him  of  feature  prominent,' 
With  every  virtue  bore  his  girdle  braced. 
And  if  that  stripUng,'  who  behind  him  sits. 
King  after  him  had  lived,  his  virtue  then 
From  vessel  to  like  vessel  had  been  pour'd ; 
Which  may  not  of  the  other  heirs  be  said. 
By  James  and  Frederick^  his  realms  are  held ; 
Neither  the  better  heritage  obtains. 
Rarely*  into  the  branches  of  the  tree 


he  was  mnch  blamed  and  held  in  great  abhorrence.  And 
from  thenceforth  the  realm  of  France  fell  evermore  into  deg- 
radation and  decline.  And  it  is  observable,  that  between 
the  taldLg  of  Acre  and  this  seizure  in  France,  the  merchants 
of  Florence  received  great  damage  and  ruin  of  their  prop- 
ert^j^r 

>  J7e,  90  robust  of  limb.\  Peter  III.,  called  the  Great,  King 
of  Aragon,  who  died  in  1285,  leaving  four  sons,  Alonzo, 
James,  Frederick,  and  Peter.  The  two  former  succeeded 
him  in  the  kingdom  of  Aragon,  and  Frederick  in  that  of 
SicUy.  See  6.  Viliani,  lib.  vU.  cap.  102,  and  Mariana,  lib  jdv. 
cap.  9. 

He  is  ennn.erated  among  the  Provencal  poets  by  MilloL 
Hist  Litt  des  Troubadours,  torn.  iii.  p.  150. 

*  Him  of  feature  prominent.]  "  Dal  maschio  naso'*—"  with 
the  masculine  nose.**  Charles  I.  King  of  Naples,  Count  of 
Aqkra,  and  brother  of  St.  Louis.    He  <ued  in  1284. 

The  annalist  of  Florence  remarks,  that  "  there  had  been 
no  sovereign  of  the  house  of  France,  since  the  time  of  Char- 
lemagne, by  whom  Charles  was  surpassed,  either  in  military 
renown  and  prowess,  or  in  the  lofklness  of  his  understand- 
In^*'  G.  Viliani,  Ub.  vii.  cap.  94.  We  shall,  however,  find 
many  of  his  actions  severely  reprobated  in  the  twentieth 
Canto. 

*  That  ttripling.]  Either  (as  the  old  commentators  sup- 
pose) Alonzo  III.  King  of  Aragon,  the  eldest  son  of  Peter  III, 
who  died  in  1291,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven ;  or,  according 
to  Venturl,  Peter  the  youngest  son.  The  former  was  a  young 
INrlnce  of  virtue  sufficient  to  h»ve  justified  the  eulogium  and 
the  hopes  of  Dante.    See  Mariana,  lib.  xiv.  cap.  14. 

*  By  Jame*  and  Frederick.]    See  note  to  Canto  ilL  113. 
»  Rardy.] 

Full  well  can  the  wise  poet  of  Florence, 
That  hlght  Dantes,  speake  in  this  sentence ; 
Lo !  in  such  manner  rime  is  Dantes  tale. 
Full  selde  uprtseth  by  his  branches  smale 
Prowesse  of  man,  for  God  of  his  goodnesse 
Well  that  we  claim  of  him  our  gentlenesse : 
Fw  of  our  elders  may  we  nothing  claime 
Bat  temporal  thing,  that  men  may  hurt  and  maime. 

Ckaueer^  Wife  of  Satk4*9  TaU, 
Oonpaie  Homer,  Od.,  b.  ii  v.  970,  Pindar,  Nem^  zi.  48,  and 
lwipi£a,Electn,a60. 

Digitized  by  LjOOQIC 


962  THE  VISION  13^138 

Doth  human  worth  mount  up :  and  so  ordains 

He  who  bestows  it,  that  as  his  free  gift 

It  may  be  call'd.    To  Charles*  my  words  apply 

No  less  than  to  his  brother  in  the  song  ;• 

Which  Pouille  and  Provence  now  wiUi  grief  confe« 

So  much  that  plant  degenerates  from  its  seed, 

As,  more  than  Beatrix  and  Margaret, 

Costanza'  still  boasts  of  her  valorous  spouse. 

"  Behold  the  king  of  simple  life  and  plain, 
Harry  of  England,'  sitting  there  alone : 
He  through  his  branches  better  issue*  spreads. 

"  That  one,  who,  on  the  ground,  beneath  the  M«t| 
Sits  lowest,  yet  his  gaze  directs  aloft. 
Is  William,  that  brave  Marquis,*  for  whose  cauae. 
The  deed  of  Alexandria  and  his  war 
Makes  Montferrat  and  Canavese  weep." 

1  7\»  Charles.]  "Al  Nasuto"—"  Charles  H.  King  of  Na- 
ples, is  no  less  inferior  to  his  father  Charles  I.,  than  James 
and  Frederick  to  theirs,  Peter  in."  See  Canto  xz.  78,  and 
Paradise,  Canto  xix.  1525. 

*  Costama.]  Widow  of  Peter  m.  She  has  been  already 
mendoned  in  the  third  Canto,  v.  112.  By  Beatrix  and  Mar- 
nuret  are  probably  meant  two  of  the  daughters  of  Raymond 
Berenger,  Count  of  Provence ;  the  latter  married  to  St.  Louis 
of  France,  the  former  to  his  brother,  Charles  of  Anjou,  Kii% 
of  Naples.  See  Paradise,  Canto  vi.  135.  Dante  therefore  con- 
siders Peter  as  the  most  illustrious  of  the  three  monarchs. 

>  Harry  of  England.]  Henry  III.  The  contemporary  an 
nalist  speaks  of  this  king  in  similar  terms.  6.  Viliani,  lib.  v. 
cap.  4.  "From  Richard  was  horn  Henry,  who  reigned  after 
him,  who  was  a  plain  man  and  of  good  folth,  but  of  little 
Murage."  With  the  exception  of  the  last  part  of  the  sen- 
tence, which  must  be  changed  fw  its  opposite,  we  might  well 
ima^ne  ourselves  to  be  reading  the  character  of  our  present 
venerable  monarch,  (A.  D.  1819.)  Fazio  degli  Ubertl,  Ditta- 
raondo,  1.  iv.  cap.  xzv.,  where  he  gives  the  characters  of  our 
Norman  kings,  speaks  less  respectfully  of  Henry.  CapitoU 
zxiil-xxv.  lib.  iv.,  of  tliis  neglected  poem  appear  to  deserve 
the  notice  of  our  antiquarians. 

*  Better  issue.]  Edward  I.;  of  whose  glory  our  Poet  was 
perhaps  a  witness,  in  his  visit  to  England.  **  From  the  said 
Henry  was  born  the  good  King  Edward,  who  reinis  in  our 
times,  who  has  done  great  things,  whereof  we  shall  make 
mention  in  due  place."    G.  VUlanif  ibid. 

B  William,that  Wave  Marquis.]  William,  Marquis  of  Mont- 
ferrat, was  treacherously  seized  by  his  own  subjects,  at  Ales- 
sandria, in  Lombardy,  A.  D.  1290,  and  ended  his  life  in  prison. 
Bee  6.  viliani,  lib.  vii.  cap.  135.  A  war  ensued  between  the 
people  of  Alessandria  and  those  of  Montferrat  and  the  Caiiai> 
"'  '  '^  now  a  part  of  Piedmont. 


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M9  PURGATORY,  Canto  VIH.  363 

CANTO  VIII. 

ARGUMENT. 
Two  angels,  with  flaming  swords  broken  at  the  points,  de- 
scend to  keep  watch  over  the  valley,  into  which  Virgil 
and  Dante  entering  by  desire  of  Bordello,  our  Poet  meets 
with  joy  the  spirit  of  Nino,  the  judge  of  Gallnra,  one  who 
was  well  known  to  him.  Meantime  three  exceedingly 
bright  stars  appear  near  the  pole,  and  a  serpent  creeps 
subtly  into  the  valley,  bat  flees  at  hearing  the  approach  of 
those  angelic  guards.  Lastly,  <k>nrad  Malaspina  predicts 
to  our  Poet  his  future  banishnoient. 

Now  was  the  hour  that  wakens  fond  desire 
In  men  at  sea,  and  melts  their  thouj^htful  heut 
Who  in  the  mom  have  bid  sweet  friends  farewell, 
And  pilgrim  newly  on  his  road  with  love 
Thrills,  if  he  hear  the  vesper  bell  from  far,^ 
That  seems  to  mourn  for  the  expiring  day  :* 
When  I,  no  longer  takmg  heed  to  hear. 
Began,  with  wonder,  from  those  spirits  to  mark 
One  risen  from  its  seat,  which  with  its  hand 
Audience  implored.    Both  palms  it  jomM  and  raised^ 
Fixmg  its  steadfast  gaze  toward  the  east. 
As  telling  God,  "  I  care  for  naught  beside." 

"  Te  Lucis  Ante,"*  so  devoutly  then 
Came  from  its  lip,  and  in  so  soft  a  strain. 
That  all  my  sense*  in  ravishment  was  lost 
And  the  rest  after,  softly  and  devout, 
FoUow'd  through  all  the  hymn,  with  upward  gaze 
Directed  to  the  bright  supernal  wheels.  [keen : 

Here,  reader!*  for  the  truth  make  thine  («yes 

*  Hear  the  vesper  bell  from  far.] 

I  hear  the  far-ofl'corfeu  sound.        Milton* s  Peiueros0, 
S  That  seems  to  mourn  for  the  expiring'  day.] 
The  curfew  tolls  the  knell'of  parting  day. 

Gray's  Elegy, 

glorno-H^he  si  muore 

is  flrom  Statins : 

Jam  moriente  die.  Sylv.,  I.  iv.  6.  3. 

>  Te  Lucis  Jlnte.]  **Te  lucis  ante  terminum,'*  says  Lom- 
bard!, is  the  first  verse  of  the  hymn  sung  by  the  church  in 
the  last  part  of  the  sacred  oflice  termed  compiota,  a  service 
which  our  Chaucer  calls  *'  complin." 

*  All  my  sense.] 

Fece  me  a  me  usclr  di  mente. 

Me  snrpuerat  mlhi.         Herat.  Gtrm.,  lib.  iv.  od.  13. 

*  Here^  reader!]  Lombardi*s  explanation  of  this  passage, 
by  which  the  c(»nmentat(Nrs  have  been  much  perplexed, 
though  it  may  be  thought  rather  too  subtile  and  flne-spun, 
like  the  veil  itself  spoken  of  in  the  text,  cannot  be  denied 
the  praise  of  extraordinary  ingenuity.  "This  admonitloa 
•r  the  poet  to  his  reader,'*  he  observes, "  seems  to  relat*  It 


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264  THE  VISION.  S(M4; 

For  of  so  snbtle  texture  is  this  veil, 

That  thou  with  ease  mayst  pass  it  through  uikznark'd 

I  saw  that  gentle  band  silently  next 
Look  up,  as  if  in  expectation  held, 
Pale  and  in  lowly  guise  ;  and,  from  on  hi^, 
I  saw,  forth  issuing  descend  beneath. 
Two  angels,  with  two  flame-illuinined  swords, 
Broken  and  mutilated  of  their  points. 
Green  as  the  tender  leaves  but  newly  bom. 
Their  vesture  was,  the  which,  by  wings  as  green 
Beaten,  they  drew  behmd  them,  fann'd  in  air. 
A  little  over  us  one  took  his  stand ; 
The  other  lighted  on  the  opposing  hill ; 
So  that  the  troop  were  in  the  midst  contained. 

Well  I  descried  the  whiteness  on  their  heads 
But  in  their  visages  the  dazzled  eye 
Was  lost,  as  faculty^  that  by  too  much 
Is  overpowered.    "  From  Mary's  bosom  both 
Are  come,"  exclaim'd  Sordello,  "  as  a  guard 
Over  the  vale,  'gainst  him,  who  hither  tends, 
The  serpent"   Whence,  not  knowing  by  which  path 
He  came,  I  tum'd  me  round ;  and  closely  press'*!, 
All  frozen,  lo  my  leader's  trusted  side. 

Sordello  paused  not :  "  To  the  valley  now 
(For  it  is  time)  let  us  descend  ;  and  hold 

what  has  been  before  said,  thut  these  spirits  sang  the  whdia 
of  the  hymn  *  Te  lucis  ante  tenninam'  throughout,  even  that 
second  strophe  of  it— 

Procnl  recedant  somnia, 

Et  noctioin  phantasroata, 

Hostemque  nostrum  comprime, 

Ne  poliuantor  corpora ; 
and  he  must  imply,  that  these  souls,  being  ineorporeal,  did 
not  offer  up  tUs  petition  on  their  own  account,  but  on  ours, 
who  are  vet  in  this  worid ;  a^  he  afterwards  malces  those  othet 
spirits,  who  repeat  the  Pater  Noster,  expressly  declare,  whea 
after  that  inrayer  they  add, 

This  last  petition,  dearest  Lcnrd !  is  made 
Not  for  ourselves,  Ace.  Canto  zl. 

As,  iherefore,  if  we  look  through  a  very  fine  veil,  the  sight 
easily  passes  on,  without  perceiving  it,  to  objects  that  lie  on 
the  other  side ;  so  here  the  poet  fears  that  our  mind*s  eye 
may  insensibly  pass  on  to  contemplate  these  spirits,  as  if  they 
were  praying  for  the  relief  of  their  own  wants ;  without  dis- 
covering the  veil  of  our  wants,  with  wlilch  they  invest  them* 
■elves  in  the  act  of  offering  up  this  prayer.'* 
»  wf  #  f acuity. 1 

My  earthly  by  his  heavenly  overpower*d 

As  with  an  object,  that  exeels  the  sense, 

Denied  and  spent.  JI(t/(#n,P.i^l>.vlU.4SX 


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49-73  PURGATORY,  Canto  VIII.  265 

ConTefse  ^ith  those  great  shadows :  haply  much 
Their  sight  may  please  ye."    Only  three  steps  down 
Methinks  I  measured,  ere  I  was  beneath, 
And  noted  one  who  look'd  as  with  desire 
To  know  mQ.    Time  was  now  that  air  grew  dun ; 
Yet  not  so  dim,  that,  'twixt  his  eyes  and  mine, 
It  cleared  not  up  what  was  concealed  before. 
Mutually  towards  each  other  we  aHyanced. 
Nino,  thou  courteous  judge  !^  what  joy  I  felt, 
When  I  perceived  thou  wert  not  with  the  bad. 

No  salutation  kind  on  either  part 
Was  left  unsaid.    He  then  inquired :  "  How  'ong, 
Since  thou  arrivedst  at  the  mountain's  foot, 
Over  the  distant  waves?" — **  Oh !"  answer'd  I, 
*<  Through  the  sad  seats  of  wo  this  mom  I  came ; 
And  still  in  my  finst  life,  thus  journeying  on, 
The  other  strive  to  gain."     Soon  as  they  heard 
My  words,  he  and  Sordello  backward  drew, 
As  suddenly  amazed.     To  Virgil  one, 
The  other  to  a  spirit  tum'd,  who  near 
Was  seated,  crying:  "  ConraM^  up  with  speed: 
Come,  see  what  of  his  grace  high  God  hath  wiird." 
Then  turning  round  to  me :  <*  By  that  rare  mark 
Of  honor,  which  thou  owest  to  him,  who  hides 
So  deeply  his  first  cause  it  hath  no  ford ; 
When  thou  shalt  be  beyond  the  vast  of  waves, 
Tell  my  Giovanna,'  that  for  me  she  call 
There,  where  reply  to  innocence  is  made. 
Her  mother,^  I  believe,  loves  me  no  more ; 

1  JVtno,  thou  courteous  judge.']  Nino  di  Gallnra  de*  Viscontl, 
nephew  to  Coant  Ugoiino  cfe*  Gherardeschi}  and  betrayed  by 
him.    See  Notes  to  Hell,  Canto  xxxiii. 

*  Conrad.]    Currado,  father  to  Marcello  Malaspina. 

*  My  Oiovanna.]  The  daughter  of  Nino,  and  wife  of  Rie- 
eardo  da  Camino  of  Trevigi,  concerning  whom  see  Paradise. 
c.  ix.  43. 

*  Her  mother.]  Beatrice,  Marchioness  of  Este,  wife  of 
Nino,  and  after  his  death  married  to  Galeazzo  de*  Visconti 
of  Miian.  It  is  remarked  by  Lombard!,  that  the  time  v/hlch 
Dante  assigns  to  this  Journey,  and  conseimentiv  to  (his  col- 
loquy with  Nhio  Visconti,  the  beginning,  that  is,  of  April,  is 
prior  to  the  time  which  Bernardino  Corio,  in  his  hLntory  of 
Milan,  part  the  second,  fixes  for  the  nuptials  of  Beatrice 
with  Galeazzo ;  for  he  records  her  having  been  betrothed  to 
that  prince  after  the  May  of  this  year,  (1300,)  and  her  having 
been  solemnly  espoused  at  Modena  on  the  29th  of  Jane. 
Besides,  however,  the  greater  credit  due  to  Dante,  on  ac- 
count of  his  having  lived  at  the  time  when  these  events 
happened,  another  circumstance  in  his  favor  is  the  d!screp> 
ancy  remarked  by  Giovambatista  Giraldi  (Commentor.  deile 
cose  di  Feiraia)  in  those  writers  by  whom  the  history  of 

12 


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S66  THE  VISION.  74-f» 

Since  8he  has  changed  the  white  and  wimpled  folds* 

Which  ahe  is  doom'd  once  more  with  grief  to  wish. 

By  her  it  easily  may  be  perceived, 

How  long  in  woman  lasts  the  flame  of  loye» 

If  sight  and  tonch  do  not  relume  it  ofL 

For  her  so  fair  a  burial  will  not  make 

The  viper,'  which  calls  Milan  to  the  field, 

As  had  been  madiD  by  shrill  Gallura's  bird.'" 

He  q>oke,  and  in  his  visage  took  the  stamp 
Of  that  right  zeal,  which  with  due  temperature 
Glows  in  the  bosom.    My  insatiate  eyes 
Meanwhile  to  heaven  had  travelled,  even  there 
Where  the  bright  stais  are  slowest,  as  a  wheel 
Nearest  the  asde ;  when  my  guide  inquired : 
«  What  there  aloft,  my  son,  has  caught  thy  gazef ' 

I  answer'd :  "  TTie  three  torches,*  with  which  aer« 
The  pole  is  all  on  fire."    He  then  to  me : 
"  The  four  resplendent  stars,  thou  saw'st  this  mom, 
Are  there  beneath  ;  and  these,  risen  in  their  stead." 

While  yet  he  spoke,  Sordello  to  himself 
Drew  him,  and  cried «  "  Lo  there  our  enemy!" 
And  with  his  hand  pointed  that  way  to  look. 

Along  the  side,  where  barrier  none  arose 
Around  the  little  vale,  a  serpent  lay, 
Such  haply  as  gave  Eve  the  bitter  food.* 
Between  the  grass  and  flowers,  the  evil  snake 

Beatrice's  life  has  been  recorded.  Notbing  can  set  the 
general  accuracy  of  our  Poet,  as  to  historical  ihcts,  in  a 
stronger  point  of  view,  than  the  difficulty  there  is  in  con- 
victing him  of  even  so  slight  a  deviation  from  it  as  is  h«e 
suspected. 

1  7%ff  white  and  wimpled  folds.]  The  weeds  of  widow- 
hood. 

*  The  viper. "{  The  arms  of  Galeazzo  and  the  ensign  of  the 
Bfilanese. 

*  ShriU  Oallura*M  bird.}  The  cock  was  the  ensign  of  6al- 
lura,  Nino's  i»ovince  in  Sardinia.  Hell,  zzii.  80,  and  notes. 
It  is  not  known  whether  Beatrice  had  any  fhrther  cause  to 
regret  her  nuptials  with  Galeazzo,  than  a  certain  shame 
which  appears,  however  unreasonably,  to  have  attached  to  a 
second  marriage. 

*  7»«  three  torches.'}  The  three  evangelical  virtues.  Faith, 
Hope,  and  Chari^.  These  are  supposed  to  rise  in  the  even- 
ing, in  order  to  denote  their  belonging  to  the  contemplative; 
as  the  four  others,  which  are  made  to  rise  in  the  morning^ 
were  probably  intended  to  signify  that  the  cardinal  virtues 
belong  to  the  active  life :  or  perhaps  it  may  mark  the  succes- 
sion, in  order  of  time,  of  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen  system  of 
morality. 

*  Such  haply  09  gave  Eve  the  hitter  food.}  CcMnpaie  Milton's 
description  of  that  serpent  in  the  ninth  book  of  the  Paradise 


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lW-134.        PURGATORY,  Canto  VIIL  487 

Came  on,  reverting  <^t  his  lifted  head ; 
And,  as  a  beast  that  smooths  its  polish^  coat, 
Licking  liis  back     I  saw  not,  nor  can  tell, 
How  those  celesUai  falcons  from  their  seat 
Moved,  but  in  motion  each  one  well  descried. 
Hearing  the  air  cut  by  their  verdant  plumes. 
The  serpent  fled ;  and,  to  their  stations,  back 
The  angels  up  retum'd  with  equal  flight 

The  spirit,  (who  to  Nino,  when  he  call'd. 
Had  come,)  from  viewing  me  with  fixed  ken, 
ThFiugh  all  that  conflict,  loosen'd  not  his  sight 

**  So  may  the  lamp,^  which  leads  thee  up  on  hight 
Fmd,  in  thy  free  resolve,  of  wax  so  much. 
As  may  suffice  thee  to  the  enamell'd  height," 
It  ttms  began :  **  If  any  certain  news 
Of  Valdimagra'  and  the  neighbor  part 
Thou  know'st,  tell  me,  who  once  was  mighty  there. 
They  call'd  me  Conrad  Malaspina ;  not 
That  old  one  ;•  but  from  him  I  sprang.    The  love 
I  bore  my  people  is  now  here  refined." 

"  In  your  domains,"  I  answered,  "  ne'er  was  I. 
But,  through  all  Europe,  where  do  those  men  dwell, 
To  whom  their  glory  is  not  manifest  ? 
The  fame,  that  honors  your  illustrious  house, 
Proclauns  the  nobles,  and  proclauns  the  land ; 
So  that  he  knows  it,  who  was  never  there. 
I  swear  to  you,  so  may  my  upward  route 
Prosper,  your  honor'd  nation  not  impairs 
The  value  of  her  coflfer  and  her  sword. 
Nature  and  use  give  her  such  privilege. 
That  while  the  world  is  twisted  from  his  coune 
By  a  bad  head,  she  only  walks  aright, 
Aiid  has  the  evil  way  in  scorn."    He  then : 
"  Now  pass  thee  on :  seven  times  the  tired  sua*  • 
Revisits  not  the  couch,  which  with  four  feet 

1  Maff  the  lamp.]  "  May  the  tfiviDe  grace  find  so  hearty  a 
eo-operation  on  the  part  of  thy  own  will,  as  shall  enable  thee 
to  ascend  to  the  terrestrial  paradise,  which  is  on  the  top  of 
this  mountain." 

s  VMimagra.]    See  Hell,  Canto  xxiv.  144,  and  notes. 

*  That  old  one.]  An  ancestor  of  Conrad  Malaspina,  who 
was  also  of  that  name. 

*  Seven  timea  the  tired  «tm.]  "  The  sun  shall  not  enter  into 
the  consteUation  of  Aries  seven  times  more,  befor^  thou  shalt 

.  have  still  better  cause  for  the  good  opinion  thou  exiuressest 
of  Valdimagra,  in  the  kind  reception  thou  shalt  there  meet 
with."  Dante  was  hospitably  received  by  the  Blareheso 
Maroello,  or  Moieilo  Malas^na,  during  his  baniahriient,  A.D 
1107. 


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968  THE  VISION.  13S-i3S 

The  forked  Aries  covere,  ere  that  Idnd 
Opinion  shall  be  nail'd  into  thy  brain 
With  stronger  nails  than  other's  speech  ca'i  drive ; 
If  the  sure  course  of  judgment  be  not  stay'd  " 


CANTO    IX. 


ARGUMENT. 

Dsnto  is  carried  up  the  mountain,  aaleep  and  draamlng,  by 
Lucia ;  and,  on  wakening,  finds  himself,  two  hours  alter 
sunrise,  witli  Virgil,  near  the  gate  of  Purgatory,  through 
which  they  are  admitted  by  the  angel  deputed  by  Saint 
Peter  to  keep  it. 

Now  the  fair  consort  of  Tithonus  old/ 
Arisen  from  her  mate's  beloved  arms, 
Look'd  palely  o'^r  the  eastern  cliff;  her  brow> 
Lucent  with  jewels,  slitter'd,  set  in  sign 
Of  that  chill  animal,  who  with  his  train 
Smites  fearful  nations :  and  where  then  we  were, 
Two  steps  of  her  ascent  the  night  had  pass'd ; 
And  now  the  third  was  closing  up  its  wing,* 

1  JVO10  the  fair  contort  of  Tithon%u  old.} 

La  eoncubina  di  Titone  antico. 
80  Tassoni,  Secchia  Rapita,  c  viii.  st.  15. 

La  puttanella  del  canuto  amante. 
Venturi,  after  some  of  the  old  commentators,  interprets  this 
to  mean  an  Aurora,  or  dawn  of  the  moon ;  but  this  seems 
highly  improbable.  From  what  follows  it  may  be  coi^ec- 
tured,  tliat  our  Poet  intends  us  to  understand  that  it  was  now 
near  the  break  of  day. 

s  Of  thai  chUl  animal.)    The  scorpion. 

*  The  third  va$  elottng  m  ito  ving.]  The  night  being 
divided  into  four  watches,  I  think  he  may  mean  tliat  thS 
third  was  past,  and  tlie  fourth  and  last  was  begtm,  so  tliat 
there  might  be  some  faint  glimmering  of  morning  twiliglit; 
and  not  merely,  as  Lombardi  supposes,  that  the  third  watek 
was  drawing  towards  its  close,  which  would  still  leave  aa 
insurmountable  difficulty  in  the  first  verse.  At  the  begla- 
ning  of  Canto  xv.  our  Poet  makes  the  evening  commence 
three  hours  befcnre  sunset,  and  he  may  now  consider  the 
dawn  as  beginning  a^  the  same  distance  uom  sunrise.  Those 
who  would  i^ave  the  flawn,  spoken  of  in  the  first  verse  of  tlM 
present  Canto,  to  signify  the  rising  of  the  moon,  construe 
the  **  two  steps  <^  her  ascent  which  the  night  had  pass'd,'*  Inte 
as  many  hours,  and  not  watches ;  so  as  to  piake  it  now  about 
the  third  hour  of  the  night.  The  old  Latin  annotator  on  the 
Monte  Cassino  MS.  alone,  as  idur  as  I  know,  supposing  the 
division  made  by  St.  Isidore  (Oris.,  lib.  5)  of  the  night  into 
•even  parts  to  be  adopted  by  our  Poet,  concludes  that  it  WM 


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9-84,  PURGATORY,  Canto  IX.  9^9 

When  I,  who  had  bo  much  of  Adam  with  me, 
Sank  down  upon  the  grass,  overcome  with  sleep, 
There  where  all  five^  were  seated.    In  that  hour, 
When  near  the  dawn  the  swallow  her  sad  lay, 
Remembermg  haply  ancient  grief,'  renews ; 
And  when  our  minds,  more  wanderers  from  the  flesl^ 
And  less  by  thought  restrain'd,  are,  as  't  were,  full 
Of  holy  divination  in  their  dreams ; 
Then,  in  a  vision,  did  I  seem  to  view 
A  golden-feather'd  eagle*  in  the  sky. 
With  open  wings,  and  hovering  for  descent ; 
And  I  was  in  that  place,  methought,  from  whence 
Young  Ganymede,  from  his  associates  *reft. 
Was  suatch'd  aloft  to  the  high  consistory. 
"  Perhaps,"  thought  I  within  me,  "  here  alone 
He  strikes  his  quarry,  and  elsewhere  disdains 

the  third  of  these ;  and  he  too,  therefore,  is  for  the  Innu 
dawn.  Rosa  Morando  ingenuously  confesses,  that  to  him 
the  whole  passage  is  "  non  esplicabile  o  almeno  difficiUlmo,** 
inexplicable,  or,  at  best,  extremely  difficnlt. 

1  ^UJive.]  Virgil,  Dante,  Sordello,  Nino,  and  Corrado  Ma- 
laspina. 

'  Rememberii^  haply  ancient  grief.]  Prc^e  having  been 
changed  into  a  swallow  after  the  outrage  done  her  by  Tereus. 
See  Ovid,  Metam.,  lib.  vi. 

*  Jl  golden-feather*  d  eagle.]  So  Chaucer,  in  the  House  of 
Fame,  at  the  conclnsion  of  the  first  book. and  beginning  of 
tiie  second,  represents  himself  carried  up  by  the  **grim 
pawes*'  of  a  golden  eagle.  Much  of  his  description  is  closely 
imitated  from  Dante  :— 

Methought  I  saw  an  eagle  sore. 

It  was  of  golde  and  shone  so  bright, 
That  never  sawe  men  soche  a  s^ht. 

The  House ofthm4,h, L 
This  eagle,  of  which  I  have  yon  tolde, 
That  with  fethirs  shone  al  of  golde, 
Whiche  that  so  hie  gan  to  sore, 
I  gan  beholdin  more  and  more 
To  seen  her  beautee  and  the  W(mder, 
But  never  was  that  dente  of  thonder, 
Ne  that  thinge  that  men  callin  foudre, 
That  smite  sometime  a  toure  to  pondre, 
And  in  his  swifte  comminge  brend. 
That  so  swithe  gan  downwarde  discende 
As  this  foule  whan  that  it  behelde, 
That  I  a  roume  was  in  the  felde> 
And  with  his  grim  pawes  stronge, 
Within  his  sliarpe  nailis  longe, 
Me  fleyng  at  a  swappe  he  hent,  Ice.      Ibid.  b.  ii 
''Avis  Candida  columbs  similis  adveniens per 

eomam  caidtis  suo  me  ore  apprehendens  ferre  sublimen  eepit.** 

MbarUi  FiMVt  ( 1. 


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270  THE  \1SI0N.  fa-m. 

To  pounce  upon  the  prey."    Therewith,  it  8eem*dt 

A  little  wheeling  in  his  aery  tour, 

Terrible  as  the  lightning,  rush'd  he  down, 

And  snatch'd  me  upward  even  to  the  fire. 

There  both,  I  thought,  the  eagle  and  myself, 

Did  bum  ;  and  so  intense  the  imagined  flames. 

That  needs  my  sleep  was  broken  off.     As  erst 

Achilles  shook  himself,  and  round  him  roU'd 

His  waken'd  eyeballs,  wondering  where  he  was, 

Whenas  his  mother  had  from  Chiron  fled 

To  Scyros,  with  him  sleeping  in  her  arms  ; 

(There*  whence  the  Greeks  did  after  sunder  him  0 

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

The  slumber  parted,  turning  deadly  pale, 

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

My  comfort  stood :  and  the  bright  sun  was  now 

More  than  two  hours  aloft :  and  to  the  sea 

My  looks  were  tum'd.  "  Fear  not,"  my  master  crie^ 

"  Assured  we  are  at  happy  point.    Thy  strength 

Shrink  not,  but  rise  dilated.    Thou  art  come 

To  Purgatory  now.     Lo !  there  the  cliff 

That  circling  bounds  it.     Lo !  the  entrance  there, 

Where  it  doth  seem  disparted.     Ere  the  dawn 

Usher*d  the  daylight,  when  thy  wearied  soul 

Slept  in  thee,  o'er  the  flowery  vale  beneath 

A  lady  came,  and  thus  bespake  me :  *  I 

Am  Lucia.''    Suffer  me  to  take  this  man. 

Who  slumbers.    Easier  so  his  way  shall  speed.' 

Sordello  and  the  other  gentle  shapes 

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

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

Here  did  she  place  thee.     First,  her  lovely  eyes 

That  open  entrance  show'd  me  ;  then  at  once 

S!ie  vanished  with  thy  sleep."  Like  one,  whose  doubti 

Are  chased  by  certainty,  and  terror  turn'd 

To  comfort  on  discovery  of  the  truth. 

Such  was  the  change  in  me :  and  as  my  guide 

Beheld  me  fearless,  up  along  the  cliff 

He  moved,  and  I  behind  him,  towards  the  height. 

Reader !  thou  markest  how  my  theme  doth  rise ; 
Nor  wonder  therefore,  if  more  artfully 
I  prop  the  structure.    Nearer  now  we  drew. 
Arrived  whence,  in  that  part,  where  first  a  breach 
As  of  a  wall  appeared,  I  could  descry 

1  There.]    Bfr.  Darley  has  noted  the  omission  of  this  line  in 
the  preceding  editions. 
*  Lucia.\    See  Hell,  c.  ii.  97,  and  Paradise,  c.  zzzii.  223. 


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09-106.  PURGATORY,  Canto  IX.  271 

A  portal,  and  three  steps  beneath,  that  led 

For  inlet  there,  of  difierent  color  each ; 

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

As  more  and  more  mine  eye  did  stretch  its  view* 

I  mark'd  him  seated  on  the  highest  step, 

In  visage  such,  as  past  my  power  to  bear. 

Grasp'd  in  his  hand,  a  naked  sword  glanced  back 

The  rays  so  towards  me,  that  I  oft  in  vain 

My  sight  directed.  "  Speak,  from  whence  ye  stand  ;** 

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

Take  heed  your  coming  upward  harm  ye  not." 

"  A  heavenly  dame,  not  skilless  of  these  things," 
Replied  the  instructor,  "  told  us,  even  now, 
*  Pass  that  way :  here  the  gate  is.* " — '*  And  may  shoj 
Befriending,  prosper  your  ascent,"  resumed 
The  courteous  keeper  of  the  gate :  "  Come  then 
Before  our  steps."    We  straightway  thither  came. 

The  lowest  stair'  was  marble  white,  so  smooth 
And  polish'd,  that  therein  my  mirror'd  form 
Distmct  I  saw.    The  next  of  hue  more  dark 
Than  sablest  grain,  a  rough  and  singed  block, 
Crack'd  lengthwise  and  across.    The  third,  that  lay 
Massy  above,  seem'd  porphyry,  that  flamed 
Red  as  the  life-blood  spouting  from  a  vein. 
On  this  God's  angel  either  foot  sustained. 
Upon  the  threshold  seated,  which  appeared 
A  rock  of  diamond.    Up  the  trinal  steps 
My  leader  cheerly  drew  me.     "  Ask,"  said  he, 
"  With  humble  heart,  that  he  unbar  the  bolt" 

Pioui^ly  at  his  holy  feet  devolved 
I  cast  me,  praying  him  for  pity's  sake 
That  he  would  open  to  me ;  but  first  fell 
Thrice  on  my  bosom  prostrate.    Seven  times* 
The  letter,  that  denotes  the  inward  stain. 
He,  on  my  forehead,  with  the  blunted  point 
Ol'his  drawn  sword,  inscribed.  And  "  Look,"  he  cried, 
'*  When  enter'd,  that  thou  wash  these  scars  away." 

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

1  TAe  lotoett  stcUr.]  By  the  white  step  is  meant  the  dis- 
tinctness with  which  the  consciences  of  the  penitent  reflects 
his  offences;  by  the  burnt  and  cracked  one,  his  contrition 
on  their  accomnt;  and  by  that  of  porphyry,  the  fervor  with 
which  he  resolves  on  the  future  pursuit  of  piety  and  virtue. 
Hence,  no  doubt,  Milton  describing  **  the  gate  of  heaven.** 
P.  L.,  b.  ill.  516. 

Each  stair  mysteriously  was  meant. 

t  Seven  times.]  Seven  F's,  to  denote  the  seven  sins  (Pec- 
cata)  of  which  he  was  to  be  cleansed  in  his  passage  througfa 
Purgatory. 


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872  THE  VISION.  107-191 

Were  of  one  color  with  the  robe  he  wore. 
From  underneath  that  vestment  forth  he  drew 
Two  keys,'  of  metal  twain :  the  one  was  gold. 
Its  fellow  silver.    With  the  pallid  first, 
And  next  the  bumish'd,  he  so  ply'd  the  gate. 
As  to  content  me  welL    "  Whenever  one 
Faileth  of  these,  that  in  the  key-hole  straight 
It  turn  not,  to  this  alley  then  expect 
Access  in  vain."     Such  were  the  words  he  spake 
"  One  is  more  precious :'  but  the  other  needs 
Skill  and  sagacity,  large  share  of  each. 
Ere  its  good  task  to  disengage  the  ki:ot 
Be  worthily  performed.     From  Peter  theac 
I  hold,  of  him  instructed  that  I  err 
Rather  in  opening,  than  in  keeping  fast ; 
So  but  the  suppliant  at  my  feet  implore." 

Then  of  that  hallow'd  gate  he  thrust  the  door. 
Exclaiming,  "  Enter,  but  this  warning  hear : 
He  forth  again  departs  who  looks  behind." 

As  in  the  hinges  of  that  sacred  ward 
The  swivels  turn'd,  sonorous  metal  strong, 
Harsh  was  the  grating ;'  nor  so  surlily 
Roar'd  the  Tarpeian,*  when  by  force  bereft 
Of  good  Metellus,  thenceforth  from  his  loss 

>  7\oo  keys.]  Lombardi  remarks,  that  painters  ha>« 
usnaliy  drawn  Saint  Peter  with  two  keys,  the  one  of  go»d 
and  the  other  of  silver ;  but  that  Niccolo  Alemannl,  in  iwis 
Dissertation  de  Parietinls  Lateranensibus,  produces  instajicos 
of  his  being  reiwesented  with  one  key,  and  with  three.  We 
have  here,  however,  not  Saint  Peter,  bat  an  angel  deiHited 
by  him. 

3  One  ig  more  preciout.]  The  Rolden  key  denotes  tlie  divine 
anthority  by  which  the  priest  absolves  the  sinners :  th«  sil- 
ver exi»esses  the  learning  and  judgment  requisite  for  to*  due 
discharge  of  that  office. 

*  HavMh  was  the  £ratinf.'] 

On  a  sudden  open  fly 

With  impetuous  recoil  and  larring  sound 
Th*  infernal  doors,  and  on  their  hinges  grata 
Harsh  thunder.  MUton,  P  /  , ».  11  b83. 

*  The  T\uT9eian.] 

Protlnns  abdncto  patuemnt  templa  Metello. 

Tunc  mpes  Tarpeia  sonat :  magnoque  reclusas 

Testatur  stridore  fores :  tunc  conditus  Imo 

Eruitur  templo  mnltls  intactus  ab  annis 

Romani  census  populi,  Ace.     Lueaitt  Ph.,  lib.  iil.  157. 

The  tribune  with  unwilling  steps  withdrew, 

While  impious  hands  the  rude  assault  renew; 

The  brazen  gates  with  thundering  strokes  resound 

And  the  l^a^ieian  mountain  rings  around. 

At  length  the  sacred  storehouse,  open  laid, 

The  hoarded  wealth  of  ages  past  display*d.       Roio$» 


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131-138.        PURGATORY,  Cmro  X.  278 

To  leannoM  domn'd.    Attenthrely  I  tum*d, 

Loatening  the  thunder  that  first  issued  forth ; 

And  **  We  praise  thee,  O  God,"  methou^ht  I  heardi 

In  accents  blended  with  sweet  melody. 

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

Of  choral  voices,  that  in  solemn  chant 

With  orgoD}  mingle,  and,  now  high  and  clear 

Come  swelling,  now  float  indistinct  away. 


CANTO  X. 


ARGUMENT. 

Being  admitted  at  the  gate  of  PiiTgat(»y,  om  Poe/i  aseend  a 
winding  path  up  the  rock,  till  they  reach  an  open  and  level 
space  that  extends  each  way  ronnd  the  monntain.  On  the 
side  that  rises,  and  which  is  of  white  marble,  are  seen  art- 
fully engraven  many  stories  of  humility,  which  while  they 
are  contemplating^  there  approach  the  souls  of  those  who 
expiate  the  sin  or  pride,  and  who  are  bent  down  beneath 
the  weight  of  heavy  stones. 

When  we  had  pass'd  the  threshold  of  the  gate, 
(Which  the  soul's  ill  affection  doth  disuse. 
Making  the  crooked  seem  the  straighter  path) 
I  heard  its  closing  sound.     Had^mine  eyes  tum'd, 
For  that  offence  what  plea  might  have  avail'd  ? 

We  mounted  up  the  riven  rock,  that  wound' 
On  either  side  alternate,  as  the  wave 

1  Organ.]  Organs  were  used  in  Italy  as  early  as  in  the  sixth 
century.  See  Tiraboschi,  Stor.  della  Lett.  Ital.,  4to.  vol.  iii. 
lib.  iii.  cap.  i.  $11,  where  the  followins  description  of  that 
instrument  is  quoted  from  Casslodorus,  in  Psalm.  150:— "Or- 

Snum  itaque  est  quasi  turris  diversis  fistulis  fabricata,  quibns 
in  follium  vox  copiosissima  destinatur,  et  ut  eam  modulatlo 
decora  componat,  Unguis  quibusdam  ligneis  ab  interiore  parte 
construitur,  quas  disciplinabiliter  Magistrorum  digiti  repri- 
mentes  grandisonam  efficiunt  et  suavisonam  cantilenam."  If 
I  remember  right  there  is  a  passage  in  the  Emperor  Julian's 
V'ritings,  which  shows  that  the  organ  was  not  unknown  in 
his  time. 

s  TViat  toound.]  Venturl  justly  observes,  that  the  PadiQ 
d* Aquino  has  misrepresented  the  sense  of  this  passage  in  hll 
translation. 

dabat  ascensum  tendentibus  ultra 

Scissa  tremensque  silex,  tenuique  erratica  motu. 
The  verb  '^muover"  is  used  in  the  same  signification  in  th« 
Inferno,  Canto  xviil.  21. 

Cosi  da  imo  della  roccia  scogli 
Moven. 

from  the  rock's  low  base 

Thus  flinty  paths  advanced 
Ia  neither  place  is  actual  motioa  intended  to  ^  ezivesae^ 
18 


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574  THE  VISION.  8-1^ 

Flies  and  advances.    '*  Here  some  little  art 
Behooves  us/'  said  my  leader,  "  that  our  stepi 
Observe  the  varying  flexure  of  the  path." 

Thus  we  so  slowly  sped,  that  with  cleft  orb 
The  moon  once  more  o'erhangs  her  watery  conch. 
Ere  we  that  strait  have  threaded.    .But  when  free, 
We  came,  and  open,  where  the  mount  above 
One  solid  mass  retires ;  I  spent  with  toil,^ 
And  both  uncertain  of  the  way,  we  stood, 
Upon  a  plain  more  Lonesome  than  the  roads 
That  traverse  desert  wilds.    From  whence  the  brink 
Borders  upon  vacuity,  to  foot 
Of  the  steep  bank  that  rises  still,  the  space 
Had  measured  thrice  the  stature  of  a  man : 
And,  distant  as  mine  eye  could  wing  its  flight, 
To  leftward  now  and  now  to  right  <£spatch'd. 
That  cornice  equal  in  extent  appeared. 

Not  yet  our  feet  had  on  that  smnmit  moved, 
When  I  discover'd  that  the  bank,  around, 
Whose  proud  uprising  all  ascent  denied. 
Was  marble  white  ;  and  so  exactly  wrought 
With  quaintest  sculpture,  that  not  there  alone 
Had  Polycletus,  but  e'en  nature's  self 
Been  shamed.   The  angel,  (who  came  down  to  earth 
With  tidings  of  the  peace  so  many  years 
Wept  for  in  vain,  that  oped  the  heavenly  gates 
From  their  long  interdict)  before  us  seem'd, 
In  a  sweet  act,  so  sculptured  to  the  life, 
He  look'd  no  silent  image.    One  had  sworn 
He  had  said  **  Hsdl  !"^  for  she  was  imaged  there. 
By  whom  the  key  did  open  to  God's  love  ; 
And  in  her  act  as  sensibly  impress'd 
That  word,  "  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord," 
As  figure  seal'd  on  wax.    '*  Fix  not  thy  mind 
On  one  place  only,"  said  the  guide  beloved,- 
Who  had  me  near  hun  on  that  part  where  lies 
The  heart  of  man.    My  sight  forthwith  I  tum'd. 
And  mark'd,  behind  the  virgin  mother's  form, 

1  /  tpent  vith  toU,}    Dante  only  was  wearied,  because  he 
only  had  the  weight  of  a  bodily  frame  to  encumber  him. 

s  Hail.]    On  whom  the  angel  Hail 

Bestow*d,  the  holy  salutation  used 
Long  after  to  blest  Mary,  second  Eve. 

Milton,  P.  Z..,  V.  387. 
^  The  basso  relievo  on  the  border  of  the  second  rock  In 
Purgatory,  furnished  the  idea  of  the  Annunziata,  painted  by 
Marceilo  Venustl  from  his  (Miehael  Angelo's)  design  in  this 
•aciisty  of  St.  Giov.  Latexan.*'    fkitlh  Zecture  iii.,  note. 


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4&-m.  PURGATORY,  Canto  X.  ^75 

Upon  that  side  where  he  that  moved  me  stood, 
Another  story  graven  on  the  rock. 

I  paas'd  athwart  the  hard,  and  drew  me  near, 
That  it  might  stand  more  aptly  for  my  view. 
There,  in  me  self-same  marble,  were  engraved 
The  cart  and  kine,  drawing  the  sacred  ark. 
That  from  unbidden  office  awes  mankmd.' 
Before  it  came  much  people ;  and  the  whole 
Parted  in  seven  quires.    One  sense  cried  **  Nay,** 
Another,  "  Yes,  they  sing."    Like  doubt  arose 
Betwixt  the  eye  and  smell,  from  the  curl'd  fame 
Of  incense  breathing  up  the  well-wrought  toil. 
Preceding*  the  blest  vessel,  onward  came 
With  light  dance  leaping,  girt  in  humble  guise, 
Israers  sweet  harper :  in  that  hap  he  seem'd 
Less,  and  yet  more,  than  kingly.    Opposite, 
At  a  great  palace,  from  the  lattice  forth 
LookM  Michol,  like  a  lady  full  of  scorn 
And  sorrow.    To  behold  the  tablet  next. 
Which,  at  the  back  of  Michol,  whitely  shone, 
I  moved  me.    There,  was  storied  on  the  rock 
The  exalted  glory  of  the  Roman  prince. 
Whose  mighty  worth  moved  Gregory*  to  earn 
His  mighty  conquest,  Trajan  the  Emperor.* 


i  ThatfnnnunbiddeinfffieeawM  mankind.]  "And  when  they 
came  to  Nachon's  threshing-floor,  Uzzah  pat  forth  his  hand  to 
the  ark  of  God,  and  took  hold  of  it;  for  the  oxen  shook  it." 

"  And  the  anger  of  the  Lord  was  kindled  against  Uzzah ; 
and  God  smote  him  there  for  hb  error ;  and  there  he  died  by 
the  ark  of  God.*'    2  Sam.  c.  vi.  7. 

*  Preceding.}  "  And  David  danced  before  the  Lord  with 
all  his  might ;  and  David  was  girded  with  a  Unen  ephod.*' 
8  Sam.  vi.  14« 

'  Oregory.'\  St  Gregory's  prayers  are  said  to  have  deliver- 
ed Trajan  from  hell.    See  Paradise,  Canto  zx.  40. 

«  Trajan  the  Emperor.]  For  this  story,  Landino  refers  to 
two  writers,  whom  he  calls  "  Helinando,"  of  France,  by  whom 
he  means  Elinand,  a  monk  and  chronicler,  in  the  reign  of 
Philip  Aagnstos,  and  "  Polycrato,"  of  £agland,  by  whom  is 
meant  John  of  Salisbury,  author  of  the  Polycraticus  de  Cu- 
rialium  Nugis,  in  the  twelfth  centnry.  The  passage  in  the 
text  I  find  nearly  a  translation  frmn  that  worlc,  lib.  v.  c.  8. 
The  original  appears  to  be  in  Dio  Cassius,  where  it  is  told  of 
the  Emperor  Hadrian,  lib.  Lrix.  iu(\u  ywpaiicitf  «.  r.  X. 
**  when  a  woman  appeared  to  him  with  a  suit,  as  he  was  on 
a  Journey,  at  first  he  answered  her,  'I  have  no  leisure ;'  but 
she  cryins  out  to  him,  *  then  reign  no  longer,^  he  turned  about, 
and  heara  her  cause."  Lombard!  refers  also  to  Johannes  Di« 
aconus.  Vita  S.  Gregor.,  lib.  U.  cap.  44;  the  Euchologyof 
the  Greeks,  cap.  96;  and  St  Thomas  Aquinas  Sup^em. 
QoBuL 73,  art  5  ad  5.  Compare  Fazio  dc^li  Uberti,  Ditta- 
mondo,  Ub.  iL  cap  9, 


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976  THE  VKION.  70-loi 

A  widow  at  hb  bridle  stood,  attired 

In  tears  and  mourning.    Round  about  Uiem  troop*d 

Full  throng  of  knights  ;  and  overhead  in  gold 

The  eagles  floated,*  struggling  with  the  wind. 

The  wretch  appeared  amid  all  these  to  say : 

**  Grant  vengeance,  Sire  !  for,  wo  beshrew  this  heaiti 

My  son  is  murder'd."     He  replying  seem'd : 

"  Wait  now  till  I  return."     And  she,  as  one 

Made  hasty  by  her  grief:  "  O  Sire !  if  thou 

Dost  not  return  ?" — "  Where  I  am,  who  then  is, 

May  right  thee." — "  What  to  thee  »  other's  good. 

If  thou  neglect  thy  own  ?" — "  Now  comfort  thee  ;** 

At  length  he  answers.    '<  It  beseemeth  well 

My  duty  be  perform'd,  ere  I  move  hence : 

So  justice  wills  ;  and  pity  bids  me  stay." 

He,  whose  ken  nothing  new  surveys,  produced 
That  visible  speaking,  new  to  us  and  strange, 
The  like  not  found  on  earth.     Fondly  I  gazed 
Upon  those  patterns  of  meek  humbleness. 
Shapes  yet  more  precious  for  their  artist's  sake ; 
When  "  Lo !"  the  poet  whisper'd,  "  where  this  way, 
(But  slack  their  pace)  a  multitude  advance. 
These  to  the  lofty  steps  shall  guide  us  on." 

Mme  eyes,  though  bent  on  view  of  novel  sights. 
Their  loved  allurement,  were  not  slow  to  turn. 

Reader !  I  would  not  that  amazed  thou  miss 
Of  thy  good  purpose,  hearing  how  just  God 
Decrees  our  debts  be  cancell'd.    Ponder"  not 
The  form  of  suffering.    Think  on  what  succeeds: 
Think  that,  at  worst,  beyond  the  mighty  doom 
It  cannot  pass.    "  Instructor !"  I  began, 
''  What  I  see  hither  tending,  bears  no  trace 
Of  human  semblance,  nor  of  aught  beside 
That  my  foil'd  sight  can  guess."  He  answering  thus : 
**  So  courb'd  to  earth,  beneath  their  heavy  terms 
Of  torment  stoop  they,  that  mine  eye  at  first 
Struggled  as  thine.    But  look  intently  thither ; 
And  (Sseutangle  with  thy  laboring  view, 
What,  underneath  those  stones,  a{^roacheth :  now, 
E'en  now,  mayst  thou  discern  the  pangs  of  each." 


1  The  eagles  floated.}  See  Perticari*8  Letter  on  this  passage 
Opere,  vol.  ill.  p.  ^553.  £d.  Bel.  1823.  The  eagles  were  r 
metal ;  not  worked  on  a  standard,  as  Villanl  supposed. 

•  Ponder.]    This  is,  in  truth,  an  unanswerable  objecti(» 
the  doctrine  of  Purgatory.    It  ts  difficult  to  conceive  how 
best  can  meet  death  witbont  horror,  if  they  believe  itmv 
followed  by  immediate  and  Intense  sul&iing. 


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U0-1S4.  PURGATORY,  Caitpo  X.  977 

Chratiaiis  and  proud !  O  poor  and  wretched  ones ' 
That,  feeblti  in  the  mmd*s  eye,  lean  your  trust 
Upon  unstaid  perreneaeas:  know  ye  not 
That  we  are  worms,  yet  made  at  last  to  form 
The  wmged  insect,*  unp'd  with  angel  plumes. 
That  to  heaven's  justice  unobstructed  soars? 
Why  buoy  ye  up  aloft  your  unfledged  souls? 
Abcartive*  then  and  shapeless  ye  remain. 
Like  the  untimely  embryon  of  a  worm. 

As,  to  support'  incumbent  floor  or  roof, 
For  corbel,  is  a  figure  sometimes  seen. 
That  crumples  up  its  knees  unto  its  breast ; 
With  the  feign'd  posture,  stirring  ruth  unfeigned 
In  the  beholder's  fancy ;  so  I  saw 
These  fashion'd,  when  I  noted  well  their  giuse. 


1  7%e  winded  inteet]    L'angelica  fkrfidla. 

The  batterfly  was  an  axcient  and  well-known  symbol  c^ 
the  hnraan  soiu.  Venturi  cites  some  lines  fhnn  the  Canzoni 
Anacreontiche  of  Magatotti,  in  which  this  passage  is  imi^ 
tated. 

3  Abortive.]  The  word  in  the  (Miglnal  is  entomata.  Some 
critics,  and  Salvini  among^  the  rest,  have  supposed  that 
Dante,  finding  in  a  vocabnlary  the  Greek  word  fyro^a  with 
the  article  rl  placed  after  it  to  denote  its  gender,  mistook 
them  for  one  w<u'd.  From  this  error  he  is  well  excnlpated 
by  Rosa  Morando  in  a  passage  quoted  by  Lombard!  from 
the  Osserv.  Parad.  III.,  where  it  is  shown  that  the  Italian 
word  is  formed,  for  the  sake  of  the  verse,  in  analogy  with 
some  others  used  by  onr  Poet;  and  that  Redi  himself,  an 
excellent  Greek  scholar  and  a  very  accurate  writer,  has 
even  in  prose,  where  such  licenses  are  less  allowable,  thus 
lengthened  it.  It  may  be  considered  as  some  proof  of  our 
amhor's  acquaintance  with  the  Greek  language,  that  in  the 
Convito,  p.  26,  he  finds  fault  with  the  version  of  Aristotle's 
EtUcs  made  by  Taddeo  d'Alderotto,  the  Florentine  physi* 
clan;  and  that  in  the  treatise  de  Monarchic,  lib.  i.  p.  110,  he 
quotes  a  Greek  word  from  Aristotle  himself.  On  the  other 
hand,  he  speaks  of  a  passage  in  the  same  writer  being  doubt* 
All,  on  acconht  of  its  being  differentlv  interpreted  in  two 
different  translations,  a  new  and  an  ola  one.  Convito,  p.  75. 
And  fOT  the  word  "  antentin,"  he  refers  to  a  vocabulary  com- 
Diled  by  Uguccione  Bentivma  of  Pisa,  a  MS.  that  is,  per- 
haps, still  remaining,  as  Cinelli,  in  his  31S.  history  of  Tuscan 
writers  referred  to  by  Blscioni  in  the  notes  on  the  Convito, 
p.  143,  speaks  of  it  as  being  preserved  in  the  library  of  S. 
Francesco  at  Cesena.  After  all,  Dante*s  knowledge  of  Greek 
most  remain  as  questionable  as  Shakspeare's  of  that  Ian* 
goage  and  of  Latin. 

'  j9«,  to  sujmort.]  Chillingworth,  cap.  vi.  $  54,  speaks  d 
**  those  cronching  anticks,  which  seem  in  sreat  buildings  to 
labor  under  the  weight  they  bear."  And  Lord  Shaftesbury 
lias  a  similar  illostration  in  his  Essay  on  Wit  and  Homoi^ 


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878  THE  VISION.  lS5-ltt 

Each,  as  his  back  was  laden,  came  indeed 
Or  more  or  less  contracted ;  and  it  seem'd 
As  he,  who  showed  most  patience  in  his  look, 
Wailinf  ezclaim'd :  **  1  can  endure  no  more  " 


CANTO    XL 


ARGUMENT. 
After  a  prayer  uttered  by  the  spirits,  who  were  spoken  of  ia 
the  last  Canto,  Virril  inquires  the  way  upwards,  and  is 
answered  by  one,  who  declares  himself  to  have  been  On»- 
berto,  son  of  the  Count  of  Santafiore.  Next  our  Poet  dis- 
tinguishes Oderigi,  the  illuminator,  who  discourses  on  the 
vanity  of  worldly  fame,  and  points  out  to  him  the  soul  of 
Provenzano  Salvani. 

**  0  THOU  Almighty  Father !'  who  dost  make 
The  heavens  thy  dwelling,  not  in  bounds  confined. 
But  that,  with  love  intenser,  there  thou  vieVst 
Thy  primal  efiluence ;  haliow'd  be  thy  name: 
Join;  each  created  being,  to  extol 
Thy  might ;  for  worthy  humblest  thanks  and  praiw 
Is  thy  blest  Spirit    May  thy  kmgdom's  peace 
Come  unto  us ;  for  we,  unless  it  come. 
With  all  our  striving,  thither  tend  in  vam. 
As,  of  their  will,  the  angels  unto  thee 
Tender  meet  sacrifice,  circling  thy  throne 
With  loud  hosannas ;  so  of  theirs  be  done 
By  sauitly  men  on  earth.-    Grant  us,  this  day. 
Out  daily  manna,  without  which,  he  roams 
Through  this  rough  desert  retrograde,  who  most 
Toils  to  advance  his  steps.    As  we  to  each 
Pardon  the  evil  done  us,  pardon  thou 
Benign,  and  of  our  merit  take  no  count 
'Gainst  the  old  adversary,  prove  thou  not 
Our  virtue,  easily  subdued ;  but  free 
From  his  incitements,  and  defeat  his  wiles. 
This  last  petition,  dearest  Lord !  is  made 
Not  for  ourselves ;  since  that  were  needless  now ; 
But  for  their  sakes  who  after  us  remam.*' 

Thus  for  themselves  and  us  good  speed  imploringt 
fhose  spirits  went  beneath  a  weight  like  that 

1  O  thou  Almighty  Fhther.}  The  first  four  lines  are  bor- 
rowed by  Pnlci,  Moig.  Magg.,  c.  vi. 

Dante  in  his  *  Credo'  has  again  versified  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
if  indeed  the  *  Credo*  be  Dante's,  which  some  have  doubted; 
and  in  the  preface  to  AUac^'s  Ctdlection  it  is  ascribed  to  Anr 
tODlo  di  Fenaia. 


Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


9M5  PURGATORY,  Camto  XL  879 

We  sometimes  feel  in  dreams ;  all,  sore  beset, 
But  with  unequal  anguish ;  wearied  all ; 
Round  the  first  circuit ;  purging  as  they  go 
The  world's  gross  darlmess  oS.    In  our  l^hoof 
If  there  vows  still  be  offer'd,  what  can  here 
For  them  be  voVd  and  done  by  such,  whose  wilhi 
Have  root  of  goodness  in  them  ?*    Well  beseems 
That  we  should  help  them  wash  away  the  stains 
They  carried  hence ;  that  so,  made  pure  and  light. 
They  may  spring  upward  to  the  starry  spheres. 

**  Ah !  80  may  mercy-temper'd  justice  rid 
Your  burdens  speedily ;  that  ye  have  power 
To  stretch  your  wing,  which  e'en  to  your  desire 
Shall  lift  you ;  as  ye  show  us  on  which  hand 
Toward  the  ladder  leads  the  shortest  way. 
And  if  there  be  more  passages  than  one, 
Instruct  us  of  that  easiest  to  ascend: 
For  this  man,  who  comes  with  me,  and  bears  yet 
The  charge  of  fleshly  raiment  Adam  left  him. 
Despite  his  better  will,  but  slowly  mounts." 
From  whom  the  answer  came  unto  these  words, 
Which  my  guide  spake,  appeared  not ;  but  *twas  sai(| 
"  Along  the  bank  to  rightward  come  with  us ; 
And  ye  shall  find  a  pass  that  mocks  not  toil 
Of  living  man  to  climb :  and  were  it  not 
That  I  am  hinder'd  by  the  rock,  wherewith 
This  arrogant  neck  is  tamed,  whence  needs  I  stoop 
My  visage  to  the  ground  ;  him,  who  yet  lives. 
Whose  name  thou  speak'st  not,  him  I  fain  would  view ; 
To  mark  if  e'er  I  knew  him,  and  to  crave 
His  pity  for  the  fardel  that  I  bear. 
I  was  of  Latium ;'  of  a  Tuscan  bom, 
A  mighty  one :  Aldobrandesco's  name, 
My  sire's,  I  know  not  if  ye  e'er  have  heard* 
My  old  blood  and  forefathers'  gallant  deeds 
Made  me  so  haughty,  that  I  clean  forgot 
The  common  mother ;  and  to  such  excess 
Wax'd  in  my  scorn  of  all  men,  that  I  fell. 
Fell  therefore ;  by  what  fate.  Sienna's  sons. 


•  Suck,  whose  wills 


Have  root  of  goodness  in  them.]  The  Poet  has'  before 
told  OS,  that  there  are  do  others  on  earth  whose  prayers  avail 
to  shorten  the  pains  of  those  who  are  in  Purgatory. 

*  /  was  of  Latium.^  Ombcrto,  the  son  of  Gugilehno  Aldo- 
brandesco,  Count  of  Santafiore,  in  the  territory  of  Sienna. 
His  arrogance  provoked  his  countrymen  to  such  a  pitch  of 
Airy  agtdnst  mm,  that  he  was  murdered  by  them  at  Ca» 
faipiatico. 


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880  THE  VISION.  «-» 

Each  child  in  Campagnatico,  can  toll. 
I  am  Omberto:  not  me,  only,  pride 
Hath  injured*  but  my  kindred  ail  involved 
In  mischief  with  her.    Here  my  lot  ordains 
Under  this  weight  to  groan,  till  I  appease 
God*s  angry  justice,  since  I  did  it  not 
Among  the  living,  here  among  the  dead.'* 

Listening  I  bent  my  visage  down :  and  one 
(Not  he  who  spake)  twisted  beneath  the  weight 
That  urged  him,  saw  me,  knew  me  straight,  and 
Holding  his  eyes  with  difficulty  fixM  [callM ; 

Intent  upon  me,  stooping  as  I  went 
Companion  of  their  way.    **  O  I"  I  exclaim'd. 
**  Art  thou  not  Oderigi  ?*  art  not  thou 
Agobbio's  glory,  glory  of  that  art 
Which  they  of  Paris  call  the  limner's  skill?" 

"  Brother !"  said  he,  "  with  tints,  that  gayer  maul9f 
Bolognian  Franco's*  pencil  lines  the  leaves. 
His  all  the  honor  now ;  my  light  obscured. 
In  truth,  I  had  not  been  thus  courteous  to  him 
The  while  I  lived,  through  eagerness  of  zeal 
For  that  pre-eminence  my  heart  was  bent  on. 
Here,  of  such  pride,  the  forfeiture  is  paid.' 
Nor  were  I  even  here,  if,  able  still 
To  sin,  I  had  not  tum'd  me  unto  God. 
O  powers  of  man !  how  vain  your  glory,  nipp'd 
E'en  in  its  height  of  verdure,  if  an  age 
Less  bright  succeed  not*    Cimabue^  thought 

1  Oderifi.]  The  illnniinator,  or  miniature  painter,  a  friend 
of  Giotto  and  Dante. 

*  Bolognian  FV-aneo.]  Franco  of  Bologna,  wko  is  said  to 
have  been  a  pnpil  of  Oderigl*8. 

*  The  forfeiture  is  paid.] 

Di  tal  superfoia  qui  si  paga  il  fio. 
80  in  the  Inferno,  c.  xxvii.  135. 

'  in  che  si  paga  il  fto. 
And  Ariosto,  Orl.  For.,  c.  xxii.  59. 

Prostate  old,  che  qui  si  paga  11  fio. 

4 jf  an  age 

Leae  bright  euceeed  not.]  If  a  generation  of  men  do  not 
follow,  among  whom  none  exceeds  or  equals  those  who  have 
immediately  preceded  them.  *'  Etati  grosse ;"  to  which  Volpl 
remarlcs  a  similar  expression  in  Boilean. 

Viilon  sAt  le  premier,  dans  ces  si^cles  grossien, 
TMbrouiUer  Tart  confhs  de  nos  vieux  romanciers. 

^rt  Poetique^  ch.  i. 

*  Oiwuibue.]  Giovanna  Cimabne,  the  restorer  of  painting, 
was  bom  at  Florence,  of  a  noble  family,  in  1340,  and  died  is 
1900.    The  passage  in  the  text  is  an  allusion  to  his  epitaph. 

Grodidit  at  Cimabos  pictura  castra  tenere, 
Sic  tenoit  vivens :  nunc  tenet  astia  polL 


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•4-96.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XI.  281 

To  lord  it  over  painting's  field  ;  and  now 
The  cry  is  Giotto's,'  and  his  name  eclipsed. 
Thus  hath  one  Guide  from  the  other^  snatch  d 


^  1%fi  cry  it  Oiotto^s.}  In  Giotto  we  have  a  proof  at  how 
early  a  period  the  fine  arts  were  encouraged  in  Italy.  His 
talents  were  discovered  by  Cimabne,  while  he  was  tending 
sheep  for  his  father  in  the  neighborhood  of  Florence,  and 
he  was  afterwards  patronised  by  Pope  Benedict  XI.  and 
Robert  King  of  Naples ;  and  enjoyed  the  society  and  friend- 
ship of  Dante,  whose  likeness  he  hsis  transmitted  to  posterity 
He  died  in  1336,  at  the  age  of  60. 

«  One  Outdo  from  the  other.\  Guide  Cavalcanti,  the  fHqnd 
of  our  Fuet,  (see  Hell,  Canto  oc.  59,)  had  eclipsed  the  literary 
fame  of  Guide  Gninicelli,  of  a  noble  family  in  Bologna,  whom 
we  shall  meet  with  in  the  twenty-sixth  Canto,  and  of  whom 
firequent  and  honorable  mention  is  made  by  our  Poet  in  his 
treatise  de  Vulg.  Eloq.  GuinicelU  died  in  1276,  as  is  proved 
by  Fantnzzi,  on  the  Bologniaa  writers,  tom.  iv.  p.  345.  See 
Mr.  Mathias's  Tiraboschi,  tom.  i.  p.  110.  There  are  more  of 
6uinicein*8  poems  to  be  found  in  Allacci*s  Collection,  than 
Tiruboschi,  who  tells  us  he  had  not  seen  it,  supposed.  From 
these  I  have  selected  two,  which  appear  to  me  singularly 
pathetic.  It  must  however  be  observed,  that  the  former  of 
them  is  attributed  in  the  Vatican  MS.  3213,  to  Cino  da  Pistoia, 
as  Bottari  informs  us  in  the  notes  to  Lettere  di  Fra  Guittone 
d'Arezzo,  p.  171.  Many  of  Cavalcanti's  writings,  hitherto 
in  MS.,  are  said  to  be  publishing  at  Florence.  See  Esprit  des 
Joumanx,  Jan.,  1813.  [They  were  edited  there  in  that  year, 
but  not  for  sale,  by  Antonio  Cicciaporci,  as  I  learn  from 
Gamba's  Testi  di  Lingua  Ital.,  272.J 

Noi  provamo  ch*  in  questo  cieco  mondo 
Ciascun  si  vive  in  angosciosa  doglia, 
Ch'  in  onni  avversita  ventura  *i  tira. 
Beata  1'  alma  che  lassa  tal  pondo. 
E  va  nel  ciel,  dove  ^  compita  zoglia, 
Zoglioso  cor  far  de  corrotto  e  dira. 
Or  dunque  di  chel  vostro  cor  sospira 
Che  rallegrar  si  dS  del  sue  migliore, 
Che  Die,  nostro  signore, 
Volse  di  lei,  come  avea  I'angel  detto, 
Fare  il  ciel  perfetto. 
Per  nuova  cosa  ognl  santo  la  mira : 
Ed  ella  sta  d'avante  alia  salute ; 
Ed  in  ver  lei  parla  ogni  vertute. 

Allacci,  Ediz.  Jfdpolij  1661  p.  97& 

By  proof,  in  this  blind  mortal  world,  we  know, 
That  each  one  Ijves  in  grief  and  sore  annoy ; 
Such  ceaseless  strife  of  fortune  we  sustain. 
Blessed  the  soul,  that  leaves  this  weight  below 
And  goes  its  way  to  heaven,  where  it  hath  joy 
Entire,  without  a  touch  of  wrath  or  pain. 
Now  then  what  reason  hath  thy  heart  to  sigh, 
That  should  be  glad,  as  for  desire  iVilQlI'd, 
That  God,  our  sovereign,  willM 
She,  as  He  told  His  angel,  should  be  given 
To  bless  and  perfect  heaven  1 


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S88  THE  VISION  97,1 

Tho  lettered  p^ize :  and  he,  perhaps,  k  bom,' 
Who  shall  dnve  either  from  their  nest    The 

Each  saint  looks  on  her  with  admiring  eye ; 
And  she  stands  ever  in  salvation's  sight ; 
And  every  virtae  bends  on  her  its  light 

Ck)nforto  gi&  conforto  Tamor  chiama, 
E  pieti  i»ega  per  Dio,  &tti  resto ; 
Or  V*  inchinate  a  si  dolce  pregfaiera ; 
Spogliatevi  di  qaesta  vesta  grama, 
Da  che  voi  sete  per  ragion  nchiesto. 
Che  I'nomo  per  dolor  more  e  dispera. 
Ck>n  voi  vedeste  poi  la  bella  ciera. 
Be  v'  accogliesse  morte  in  disperanza, 
De  si  grave  pesanza 
Traete  il  vostro  cor  ormai  per  Dio, 
Che  non  sia  cosi  rio 
Yer  Talma  vostra  che  ancora  spiera 
Vederla  in  ciel  e  star  nelle  sue  braccia, 
Donque  spene  dh  ccmfortar  vi  piaccia. 

AUaeei^  Edit.  Jfapdi^  1661,  p.  38IL 

**  Comfort  thee,  ccunfort  thee,**  exclaimeth  Love ; 

And  Pity  by  thy  God  adjures  thee  "  rest  :** 

Oh  then  incline  ye  to  such  gentle  prayer ; 

Nor  Reason's  plea  should  ineffectual  prove, 

Who  bids  ye  lay  aside  this  dismal  vest : 

For  man  meets  death  through  sadness  and  despair. 

Among  you  ye  have  seen  a  face  so  fair : 

Be  this  in  mortal  mourning  some  relief. 

And,  for  more  balm  of  grief. 

Rescue  thy  spirit  from  its  heavy  load, 

Reniembering  thy  God ; 

And  that  in  heaven  thou  hopest  again  to  share 

In  sight  of  her,  and  with  thine  arms  to  fold : 

Hope  then ;  nor  of  this  comfort  quit  thy  hold. 

To  these,  I  will  add  a  sonnet  by  the  same  writer,  from  the 
poems  printed  with  the  Bella  Mano  of  Giusto  de*  Conti.  Edii. 
1715,  p.  167. 

lo  vo  dal  ver  la  mia  donna  laudare, 

£  rassembraria  alia  rosa,  ed  al  ^lia 

Piu  che  Stella  Diana  splende,  e  pare, 

Cib  che  lassu  d  hello  a  lei  somiglio. 
Verdi  rivere  a  lei  rassemturo,  Tare, 

Tutto  color  di  pcnrpora,  e  vermiglio, 

Oro,  ed  argento,  e  ricche  jrioie  preclare , 

Medesmo  amor  per  lei  ramna  miglio. 
Passa  per  via  adoma,  e  si  gentile, 

Cui  bassa  oi^oglio,  a  cui  dona  salute, 

£  fal  di  nostra  fe,  se  non  la  crede. 
E  non  le  pub  appressare,  uom  che  sia  vile, 

Ancor  ve  ne  dirb  maggior  vertute, 

Nullo  uom  pub  mal  pensar  flnchd  la  vede. 

I  would  from  truth  my  lady*s  praise  supply, 
Resembling  her  to  lily  and  to  rose ; 
Brighter  than  morning's  lucid  star  she  shows 
And  fkir  as  that  which  fairest  is  on  high. 

1  For  note,  see  i  8B4. 


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M»  100.  PURGATORY,  Camto  XL  88S 

Of  woridly  fame  is  bat  a  blast  of  wind, 

That  blows  from  divene  points,  and  shifts  its  namoy 


To  the  blae  wave,  I  liken  her,  and  sky, 
All  color  that  with  pink  and  crimson  glows, 
Gold,  silver,  and  rich  stones :  nay,  lovelier  grows 
E'en  love  himself,  when  she  is  standing  by. 

She  passeth  on  so  gracious  and  so  mild, 
One*s  pride  is  quench'd.  and  one  of  sick  is  welt : 
And  they  believe,  who  (torn  the  fUth  did  err; 

And  none  may  near  her  come  by  harm  dafiled. 
A  mightier  virtue  have  I  yet  to  tell ; 
No  man  may  think  of  evil,  seeing  her. 

The  two  following  sonnets  of  Guide  Cavalcantl  may  enabls 
the  reader  to  form  some  judgment  whether  Dante  had  snlll- 
rlent  reason  for  preferring  him  to  his  prodecessor.  GuinicelU 

lo  temo  che  la  mia  disawentura 

Non  faccia  si  ch*  io  dico  io  mi  dispero, 

Perb  ch'  io  sento  nel  cor  un  penseiro, 

Che  fa  tremar  la  mente  di  panra. 
E  par  ch'  ei  dica :  Amor  non  t'assicura 

In  guisa  che  tu  possa  di  leggiero 

Alia  tua  donna  si  contare  il  vero, 

Che  m(Nrte  non  ti  ponga  In  sua  fignnu 
Delia  gran  doglia,  che  I'anima  sente, 

Si  parte  dallo  core  un  tal  sospiro 

Che  va  dicendo :  spiritei  Ibggite ; 
Ailor  null'  uom,  che  sia  pietoso,  miro ; 

Che  consulasse  mia  vita  dolente, 

Dicendo :  spiritei  non  vi  partite. 

Anecdota  Literaria  ex  MSS.  Codicibu9  eruta 
£diz.  Roma,  (no  year,)  v.  ill.  p.  45% 

I  fear  lest  my  mischance  may  so  prevail, 
lliat  it  may  make  me  of  myself  desfMir. 
For,  my  heart  searching,  I  discover  there 
A  thought  that  makes  the  mind  with  terror  quail. 

It  says,  meseemeth,  "  Love  shall  not  avail 
To  strengthen  thee  so  much,  that  thou  shalt  dare 
Tell  her,  thou  lovest,  thy  passion  or  thy  prayer. 
To  save  from  power  of  death  thy  visage  pale." 

Through  the  thread  sorrow  that  o'erwhelms  my  soul, 
There  issues  from  my  bo8<Hn  such  a  sigh. 
As  passeth,  crying;  ''Spirits,  flee  away." 

And  then,  when  I  am  fidnting  in  my  dole, 
No  man  so  merciful  there  standeth  by. 
To  comfort  me,  and  answer,  "  Spirits,  stay.** 

Belt&  di  donna,  e  di  saccente  core, 

E  cavaiieri  armati,  che  sian  genti, 

Cantar  d'aagelli,  e  ragionar  d'amore, 

Adomi  legni  in  mar,  mrti  e  correnti : 
Aria  serena,  quando  appar  I'albore, 

E  bianca  neve  scender  senza  venti, 

Rivera  d'acqua,  e  prato  d'ogni  fiore, 

Oru,  e  argento,  azurro  in  omamenti : 
C^  che  pub  la  beitate,  e  la  valenza 

Delia  mia  donna  in  suo  gentil  coragglo. 

Par  che  lassembia  vile  a  chi  do  goarda. 


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£84  THE  VISION  101-lH 

Shifting  the  point  it  blows  from.    Shalt  thou  moro 

Live  in  the  mouths  of  mankind,  if  thy  flesh 

Part  shriveird  from  thee,  than  if  thou  hadst  died 

Before  the  coral  and  the  pap  were  left ; 

Or  e'er  some  thousand  years  have  pass'd?  and  thai 

Is,  to  eternity  compared,  a  space 

Briefer  than  is  the  twinkling  of  an  eye 

To  the  heaven's  slowest  orb.    He  there,  who  treadi 

So  leisurely  before  me,  far  and  wide 

Through  Tuscany  resounded  once  ;  and  now 

Is  m  Sienna  scarce  with  whispers  named : 

There  was  he  sovereign,  when  destruction  caught 

The  maddenmg  rage  of  Florence,  in  that  day 

Proud  as  she  now  Is  loathsome.    Your  renown 

Is  as  the  herb,  whose  hue  doth  come  and  go ; 

And  his  might  withers  it,  by  whom  it  sprang 

Crude  from  the  lap  of  earth."     I  thus  to  him : 

^*  True  are  thy  sayings :  to  my  heart  they  breathe 

The  kindly  spirit  of  meekness,  and  allay 

What  tumors'  rankle  there.    But  who  is  he,    [pliedj 

Of  whom  thou  spakest  but  now?"    **  This,"  he  re- 

**  Is  Provenzano.     He  is  here,  because 

He  reach'd,  with  grasp  presumptuous,  at  the  sway 

Of  all  Sienna.    Thus  he  still  hath  gone, 

K  tanto  ha  piu  d*offni  altra  conoscenza, 
auanto  lo  Ciel  di  questa  terra  ^  maggio, 
A  simii  di  natora  ben  non  tarda. 

La  Bella  Mano  e  Rinu  Jintiche.    Ediz.  Fir.,  1715,  p.  1S8 
Whatso  is  fair  in  lady's  face  or  mind. 

And  gentle  knights  caparisoned  and  gay, 
Singing  of  sweet  birds  unto  love  inclined, 

And  gallant  barks  that  cut  the  watery  way; 
The  white  snow  Mling  without  any  wind, 
The  cloudless  sky  at  break  of  early  day. 
The  crystal  stream,  with  flowers  the  meadow  lined, 

Bilver,  and  gold,  and  azure  for  array : 
To  him  that  sees  the  beauty  and  the  worth 
Whose  power  doth  meet  and  in  my  lady  dwell, 
All  seem  as  vile,  their  price  and  lustre  gone. 
And,  as  the  heaven  is  higher  than  the  earth, 
So  she  in  knowledge  dpth  each  one  excel, 
Not  slow  to  good  in  nature  like  her  own. 
1  H«t  perhaps,  it  hom.'\    Some  imagine,  with  much  i»ob- 
ability,  that  Dante  here  augurs  the  greatness  of  his  own  po< 
etical  reputation.     Others  have  absurdly  fancied  that  he 
prophesies  the  glory  of  Petrarch.    But  Petrarch  was  not  yet 
bom.    Lombard!  doubto  whether  it  is  not  spoken  generally 
of  human  vicissitudes. 
•  H%xt  twmor».\ 

Apt  words  have  power  to  swage 
Tne  tomors  of  a  troubled  mind. 

JKtf (oi»'«  Stmatfn  JlgmUtt9 


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It5-143.  PURG ATORlf ,  Cant  >  XD.  285 

Thus  goetb  neyer-resting,  since  ho  died. 

Bach  is  the  acquittance  rendered  back  of  him* 

Who,  in  the  mortal  life,  too  much  hath  dared." 

I  then :  *'  IS  soul,  that  to  life's  verge  delays 

Repentance,  linger  in  that  lower  space. 

Nor  hither  mount,  (unless  good  prayers  befriend) 

Or  ever*  time,  long  as  it  lived,  he  past ; 

How  chanced  admittance  was  vouchsafed  to  him?^ 

**  When  at  his  glory's  topmost  height,"  said  he» 
'  Refpect  of  dignity  all  cast  aside. 
Freely  he  fix'd  him  on  Sienna's  plain, 
A  suitor*  to  redeem  his  sufifering  friend, 
Who  languish'd  in  the  prison-house  of  Charles ; 
Nor,  for  his  sake,  refused  through  every  vein 
To  tremble.    More  I  will  not  say ;  and  dark, 
I  know,  my  words  are ;  but  thy  neighbors  soon* 
Shall  help  thee  to  a  comment  on  the  text 
This  is  the  work,  that  from  these  limits  freed  him." 


CANTO  XII 

ARGUMENT 

Dante  being  desired  by  Virgil  to  look  down  on  the  gronnd 
which  they  are  treading,  observes  that  it  is  wrought  over 

1  Or  ever.]  This  line  was  omitted  in  the  former  editicms,  at 
Mr.  Lyell  has  pointed  out  to  me. 

s  ^  aMitor.]  Provenzano  Salvani  hnmbled  himself  so  &r 
for  the  sake  of  one  of  his  friends,  who  was  detained  in  cai>- 
tivity  by  Charles  I.  of  Sicily,  as  personally  to  supplicate  the 
people  of  Sienna  to  contribute  the  sum  required  by  the  king 
for  his  ransom :  ana  this  act  of  self-abasement  atoned  for  his 
ceneral  ambition  and  pride.  He  fell  in  the  battle  of  Vald 
^Elsa,  wherein  the  Florentines  discomfited  the  Siennese  in 
lune,  1269.  6.  Villani  relates  some  curious  particulars  of  his 
fate.  **Messer  Provenzano  Salvani,  the  lord  and  conductor 
of  the  army,  was  taken,  and  his  head  cut  off  and  carried 
throush  all  the  camp  fixed  upon  a  lance.  And  well  was  ac- 
complished the  prophecy  and  revelation  made  to  him  by  the 
Devil  by  way  of  witchcraft,  but  he  understood  it  not;  for 
having  c<nnpelled  him  to  answer  how  he  should  succeed  in 
the  said  engagement,  he  told  him  lyingly:  'Thou  shaltgo, 
fight,  conquer  not,  die  in  the  battle,  and  thy  head  shall  be  &e 
highest  in  the  camp.'  And  he  thought  to  have  the  victory, 
atad  firom  these  words  thought  to  remain  master  of  all,  and 
noted  not  the  &llacy,  where  he  said  *  conquer  not,  die.'  And 
therefore  it  is  great  folly  to  trust  such  counsel  as  that  of  the 
Devil."    lib.  vU.  cap.  31. 

*  Tly  neighbors  soon.)  *'  Thou  wilt  know  In  the  time  of 
thy  banishment,  which  in  near  at  hand,  what  it  is  to  solicit 
favors  of  others,  and  *  tremble  tiirough  e^ery  vein,*  lest  they 
shmdd  be  reAued  thee. ' 


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Sto  THE  VISION.  !-« 

with  imafery  exhibition  various  instaates  4>f  pride  re* 
corded  in.  histoiv  and  fame.  They  leave  the  first  cornice, 
and  are  ushered  to  the  next  by  an  angel  who  points  out 
the  way. 

With  equal  pace,  as  oxen  in  the  yoke, 
I,  with  that  laden  spirit,  joumey*d  on, 
Long  as  the  mild  instructor  suffered  me ; 
But,  when  he  bade  me  quit  him,  and  proceed, 
(For  "  Here,"  said  he,  "  behopves  with  sail  and  oan 
Each  man,  as  best  he  may,  push  on  his  bark") 
Upright,  as  one  disposed  for  speed,  I  raised 
My  body,  still  in  thought  submissive  bow'd. 

I  now  my  leader's  track  not  loth  pursued ; 
And  each  had  shown  how  light  we  fared  along, 
When  thus  he  wam'd  me:  "Bend  thine  eyesight 
For  thou,  to  ease  the  way,  shalt  find  it  good    [down 
To  ruminate  the  bed  beneath  thy  feet" 

As,  in  memorial  of  the  buried,  drawn 
(Jpon  earth-level  tombs,  the  sculptured  form 
Of  what  was  once,  appears,  (at  sight  whereof 
Tears  often  stream  forth,  by  remembrance  waked. 
Whose  sacred  stings  the  piteous  often  feel) 
So  saw  I  there,  but  vnih  more  curious  skill 
Of  portraiture  o'erwrought,  whatever  of  space 
From  forth  the  mountain  stretches.    On  one  part 
Him  I  beheld,  above  all  creatures  erst 
Created  noblest,  lightening  fall  from  heaven : 
'On  the  other  side,  with  bolt  celestial  pierced, 
Briareus ;  cumbering  earth  he  lay,  tlu-ough  dint 
Of  mortal  ice-stroke.    The  Thymbrasan  god,* 
With  Mars,^  I  saw,  and  Pallas,  round  their  sire, 
Arm'd  still,  and  gazing  on  the  giants*  limbs 
Strewn  o'er  the  ethereal  field.    Nimrod  I  saw : 
At  foot  of  the  stupendous  work  he  stood, 
A%  if  bewilder'd,  lookmg  on  the  crowd 
Leagued  in  his  proud  attempt  on  Sennaar's  plain.* 


>  The  7TiymbraaHgod.\    Apollo. 
Si  modo,  quern  perhibes,  pater  est  Thymbnens  Apollo. 
Firg.f  Oeorg.^  iv.  323. 
•  Mart.} 

With  snch  a  grace, 
The  giants  that  attempted  to  scale  heaven. 
When  they  lay  dead  on  the  Phiegnean  plain, 
Man  did  appear  to  Jove. 
Beaumont  and  FleUher.    The  Prophetees^  act  ii.  ae.  9. 
s  Mennaar's  ^ain^ 

The  builders  such  of  Babel  on  the  plain 

Of  Sennaar.  MUUm,  P.  L,,h.m,4ttl 


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J3-68.  PURGATORY,  CAMToXn.  887 

O  Niobe !  in  what  a  trance  of  wo 
Thee  I  beheld,  upon  that  highway  drawn, 
Seven  sons  on  either  side  thee  slam.    O  Saul ! 
How  p;haflUy  didst  thou  look,  on  thine  own  sword 
Expiring,  m  Gilboa,  from  that  hour 
Ne'er  visited  with  rain  irom  heaven,  or  dew 

O  fond  Arachne !  thee  I  also  saw. 
Half  spider  now,  in  anguidi,  crawling  up 
The  unfinished  web  thou  weavedst  to  thy  bane 

0  Rehoboam !'  here  thy  shape  doth  seem 
Lowering  no  more  defiance ;  but  fear-smote, 
With  none  to  chase  him,  in  his  chariot  whirled. 

Was  shown  beside  upon  the  solid  floor. 
How  dear  Alcmson*  forced  his  mother  rate 
That  ornament,  in  evil  hour  received : 
How,  in  the  temple,  on  Sennacherib'  fell 
His  sons,  and  how  a  corpse  they  left  him  there. 
Was  shown  the  scath,  and  cruel  mangling  made 
By  Tomyris*  on  Cyrus,  when  she  cried, 
"  Blood  thou  didst  thirst  for :  take  thy  fill  of  blood.** 
Was  shown  how  routed  in  the  battle  fled 
The  Assyrians,  Holofemes*  slain,  and  e*en 
The  relics  of  the  carnage.    Troy  I  mark'd, 
In  ashes  and  in  caverns.    Oh !  how  fallen. 
How  abject,  Ilion,  was  thy  semblance  there. 

What  master  of  the  pencil  or  the  style*        [mad« 
Had  traced  the  shades  and  lines,  that  might  have 
The  subtlest  workman  wonder  7    Dead,  the  dead ; 
The  living  seem'd  alive :  with  clearer  view, 
His  eye  beheld  not,  who  beheld  the  truth. 
Than  mine  what  I  did  tread  on,  while  I  went 
Low  bending.    Now  swell  out,  and  with  stiff  necks 
Pass  on,  ye  sons  of  Eve !  veil  not  your  looks, 
Lest  they  descry  the  evil  of  your  path. 

1  noted  not  (so  busied  was  my  thought) 
How  much  we  now  had  circled  of  the  mount ; 

1  O  Rehoboam.]    1  Kings,  xU.  18. 

s  JilcauBon.}  Virg^  JEn.,  lib.  vi.  445,  and  Homer,  Od.,  xL  33S. 

*  SeMutekerib.]   2  Kings,  xix.  37. 

*  Tomyrio.]  Capot  Cyri  ampntatiim  in  utrem  bnmano  san- 
guine repletom  coiyici  Begina  jabet  cum  hac  exprobations 
cmdelitatis,  Satia  te,  inqoit,  sanguine  qnem  sitisti,  ctUusqus 
insatiabilis  semper  fUsti.  JMttn.,  lib.  i.  cap.  & 

^Holofemet.]    Judith,  xiiL 

*  What  matter  of  the peneU  or  the  et^e.} 

inimitable  on  earth 

By  model,  or  by  ihading  pencil  drawn. 

^t/t(m,P.Zr.,b.Ui.508l 


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388  THE  VISION.  69-104. 

And  of  his  courae  yet  mote  the  Bun  had  spent ; 
When  he,  who  with  still  wakeful  caution  w^nt, 
Admonished :  **  Raise  thou  up  thy  head :  for  know 
Time  is  not  now  for  slow  suq>en6e.     Behold, 
That  way,  an  an^el  hasting  towards  us.     Lo, 
Where  duly  the  sixth  handmaid*  doth  return 
From  service  on  the  day.    Wear  thou,  in  look 
And  gesture,  seemly  grace  of  reverent  awe ; 
That  gladly  he  may  rorward  us  aloft. 
Consider  that  this  day  ne'er  dawns  again." 

Time's  loss  he  had  so  often  wam'd  me  'gainst, 
I  could  not  miss  the  scope  at  which  he  aim'd. 

The  goodly  shape  approach'd  us,  snowy  white 
In  vesture,  and  with  visage  casting  streams 
Of  tremulous  lustre  like  the  matin  star. 
His  arms  he  opeu'd,  then  his  wings ;  and  spake : 
"  Onward !  the  steps,  behold,  are  near ;  and  now 
The  ascent  is  without  difficulty  gain'd." 

A  scanty  few  are  they,  who,  when  they  hear 
Such  tidings,  hasten.    O,  ye  race  of  men  ! 
Though  bwm  to  soar,  why  suffer  ye  a  wmd 
So  slight  to  baffle  ye  ?     He  led  us  on 
Where  the  rock  parted  ;  here,  against  my  front, 
Did  beat  his  whigs ;  then  promised  I  should  fa^ 
In  safety  on  my  way.     As  to  ascend 
That  steep,  upon  whose  brow  the  chapel  stands,* 
(O'er  Rubaconte,  looking  lordly  down 
On  the  well-guided  city^  up  the  right 
The  unpetuous  rise  is  broken  by  the  steps 
Carved  in  that  old  and  simple  age,  when  still 
The  registry^  and  label  rested  safe ; 
Thus  is  the  acclivity  relieved,  which  here, 
Precipitous,  from  the  other  circuit  falls : 
But,  on  each  hand,  the  tall  clifi*  presses  close. 

As,  entering,  there  we  tum'd,  voices,  in  strain 
Inefiable,  sang :  "  Blessed^  are  the  poor 

^  The  sixth  handmaid.]   Compare  C«Ato  zxii.  116. 

*  The  ehapd  ttandt.]  The  ehorch  of  San  Miniate  in  Flor 
ence,  situated  on  a  height  that  overlooks  the  Amo,  where  it 
is  crossed  by  the  bridge  Rnbaconte,  so  called  from  Messer 
Rubaconte  da  Mandella,  of  Milan,  chief  magistrate  of  Flor- 
ence, by  whom  the  bridge  was  founded  in  IS^.  See  G.  VU- 
lani,  lib.  vi.  cap.  27. 

s  The  well-guided  city.']    This  is  said  ironically  of  Florence. 

*  The  regietry.]  In  allusion  to  certain  instances  of  fraud 
committed  in  Dante's  time  with  respect  to  the  public  accounts 
and  measures.    See  Paradise,  Canto  xvi.  103. 

*  BleeeedA  "  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theln  it  the 
kingdom  of  heaven."    Matth*  v.  3. 


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PURGATORY,  Canto  XllL  389 

In  spirit''    Ah !  how  far  unlike  to  these 
The  straits  of  hell :  here  songs  to  usher  us^ 
There  shrieks  of  wa    We  climb  the  holy  st&in 
And  lighter  to  myself  by  far  I  seem'd 
rhan  on  the  plain  before ;  whence  thus  I  spake : 

*  Say,  master,  of  what  heavy  thing  have  I 

Been  lightened ;  that  scarce  aught  the  sense  of  toil 
Affects  me  journeying?"     He  in  few  replied: 

*  When  sin's  broad  characters/  that  yet  remain 
Upon  thy  temples,  though  well  nigh  effaced, 
8hall  be,  as  one  is,  all  clean  razed  out ; 

Then  shall  thy  feet  by  heartiness  of  will 

Be  so  overcome,  they  not  alone  shall  feel 

No  sense  of  labor,  but  delight  much  more 

Shall  wait  them,  urged  along  their  upward  way." 

Then  like  to  one,  upon  whose  head  is  placed 
Somewhat  he  deems  not  of,  but  from  the  becks 
Of  others,  as  they  pass  him  by ;  his  hand 
Lends  therefore  help  to  assure  him,  searches,  findf^ 
And  well  performs  such  office  as  the  eye 
Wants  power  to  execute ;  so  stretching  forth 
The  fingers  of  my  right  hand,  did  I  find 
Six  only  of  the  letters,  which  his  sword. 
Who  bare  the  keys,  had  traced  upon  my  brow. 
The  leader,  as  he  mark'd  mine  action,  smiled. 


CANTO    XIII 

ARGUMENT. 
They  gain  the  second  cornice,  where  the  sin  of  envy  Jt 

Surged;  and  having  proceeded  a  little  to  the  right,  they 
ear  voices  nttered  by  invisible  spirits  recounting  famous 
examples  of  charity,  and  next  behold  the  shades,  or  souls, 
of  the  envious  clad  in  sackcloth,  and  having  their  eyes 
sewed  up  with  an  iron  thread.  Among  these  Dante  finds 
Sapia,  a  Siennese  lady,  from  whom  he  learns  the  cause  of 
her  being  there. 

We  reached  the  summit  of  the  scale,  and  stood 
Upon  the  second  buttress  of  that  mount 
Which  healeth  him  who  climbs.    A  cornice  there, 
Like  to  the  former,  girdles  round  the  hill ; 
Save  that  its  arch,  with  sweep  less  ample,  bends. 

Shadow,  nor  image  there,  is  seen :  sdl  smooth 

1  Sin's  bread  eharaetera.]  Of  the  seven  P's,  that  denoted 
tl^.e  same  number  of  sins  (Peccata)  where'if  he  was  to  be 
cleansed,  (see  Canto  ix.  100,)  the  first  had  now  vanished  in 
ctmsequence  of  his  having  passed  the  pUtce  where  the  sin  » 
pride,  the  diief  of  then^  was  expiated. 
18 


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900  TU£  VISION.  l^-H 

The  rampart  and  the  path,  reflecting  naught 
But  Uie  rock*s  sullen  hue.    **  If  here  we  wait. 
For  some  to  question/*  said  the  bard,  <<  I  fear 
Our  choice  may  haply  meet  too  long  delay." 

Then  fixedly  upon  the  sun  his  eyes 
He  fastened ;  made  his  right  the  central  pcnnt 
From  whence  to  move ;  and  tum'd  the  left  aside 
"  O  pleasant  light,  my  confidence  and  hope ! 
Conduct  us  thou,"  he  cried,  **  on  this  new  way, 
Where  now  I  venture ;  leading  to  the  bourn 
We  seek.    The  universal  world  to  thee 
Owes  warmth  and  lustre.    If  no  other  cause 
Forbid,  thy  beams  should  ever  be  our  guide." 

Far,  as  is  measured  for  a  mile  on  euth. 
In  brief  space  had  we  joumey'd ;  such  prompt  will 
Impeird ;  and  towards  us  flying,  now  were  heard 
Spirits  invisible,  who  courteously 
Unto  love's  table  bade  the  welcome  guest 
The  voice,  that  first  flew  by,  called  forth  aloud, 
"  They  hav6  no  wine  ;***  so  on  behind  us  passed. 
Those  sounds  reiterating,  nor  yet  lost 
In  the  faint  distance,  when  another  came 
Crying,  "  I  am  Orestes,"*  and  alike 
Wing*d  its  fleet  way.     "  O  father !"  I  exclaim'd, 
"  What  tongues  are  these  ?"  and  as  I  questioned,  lo . 
A  third  exclaiming,  "  Love  ye  those  have  wrong*d 
you."*  [scourge* 

"  This   circuit,"  said  my  teacher,   **  knots   the 
For  envy ;  and  the  cords  are  therefore  drawn 
By  charity's  correcting  hand.    The  curb 
Is  of  a  harsher  sound ;  as  thou  shalt  hear 
(If  I  deem  rightiy)  ere  thou  reach  the  pass, 
Where  pardon  sets  them  free.    But  fix  thine  eyes 
Intently  through  the  air ;  and  thou  shait  see 
A  multitude  before  thee  seated,  each  , 

Along  the  shelving  grot"    Then  more  than  erst 


I  If.]  "I 
«TA«yAa 


.    'UnleM  there  be  some  urgent  neoMslty  for  tmveUiiii 
ly  nuht,  the  day-light  should  be  pcefened  for  that  pnrpoie.'* 

s  They  have  no  wtne.]  John  U.  3.  These  words  of  the  Vlr- 
jln  are  referred  to  as  an  instance  of  charity. 

*  Orettet.]    Alluding  to  his  friendship  with  Pylades. 

*  Love  ffo  tkooe  have  w^ong^d  you.]  *'But  I  say  unto  you. 
Love  your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good  to 
them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  which  desf^tefuly  use 
you,  and  persecute  you."    Matt.  v.  44. 

*  The  scourge.}  **  The  chastisement  of  envy  consists  la. 
hearing  examples  of  the  opposite  virtue,  chari^.  As  a  coiH 
and  restraint  on  this  vice,  you  will  presently  hear  very  dtf 
fineat  sounds,  those  of  threatening  and  punishment'* 


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PURGATORY,  Canto  XTO.  201 

I  oped  nunfr  ejta ;  before  me  viewed ;  and  asw 
Shadoiwft  with;  ganaenta  dark  as  was  the  rack  } 
And  when  we  pase'd  a  little  foith^  I  heard 
A  crying,  "  Blessed  Mary !  pray  for  us, 
Michael  and  Feter!  ail  ye  saintiy  host  l**^ 

I  do  not  think  there  walks  on  earth  this  day 
Man  so  remorseless,  that  lie  had  not  yeam'd 
With  pity  at  the  sight  that  next  I  saw. 
Mine  eyes  a  load  of  sorrow  teemM,  when:  now 
I  stood  so  near  them,  tiiat  Uieir  semblances 
Came  clearly  to  my  view.    Of  sackcloth  vils 
Their  covering  seem'd ;  and,  on  his  shoulder,  ana 
Did  stay  another,  leaning ;  and  all  leaned 
Against  the  cliff    E'en  thus  the  blind  and  posr^ 
Near  the  confessicmals,  to  crave  an  alms. 
Stand,  each  his  head  upon  his  fellow's  swik ; 
So  most  to  stir  compassion^  not  by  sound 
Of  words  alone,  but  that  which  moves  not  lean* 
The  sight  of  misery.    And  as  never  beam 
Of  noon-day  visiteth  the  eyeless  man, 
E'en  so  was  heaven  a  niggard  unto  these 
Of  bis  f&ft  light :  for,  through  the  orbs  of  all, 
A  thread  of  wire,  impiercing,  knits  them  up, 
As  for  the  taming  of  a  haggard  hawk. 

It  were  a  wrong,  methought,  to  pass  and  look 
On  others,  yet  myself  the  v^\e  unseen. 
To  my  sage  counsel  therefore  did  I  turn. 
He  knew  the  meaning  of  the  mute  appeal> 
Nor  waited  for  my  questionings  but  said : 
"  Speak ;  and  be  brief,  be  subtile  m  thy  words.'* 

On  that  part  of  the  cornice,  whence  no  rim 
Engarlands  its  steep  fall,  did  Virgil  come ; 
On  the  other  side  me  were  the  i^irits,  their  cheeks 
Bathing  devout  with  penitential  tears. 
That  through  the  dread  impalement  forced  a  way. 

I  tum'd  me  to  them,  and  "  O  shades !"  said  I, 
"  Assured  that-to  your  eyes  unveil'd  shall  shine 
The  lofty  light,  sole  object  of  your  wish, 
So  may  heaven's  grace^  clear  whatsoe'er  of  foam 

>  So  map  heaven's^  grace.] 

So  toeto  gmzia  risolva  le  scMome 
Di  Yostra  coscienza,  si  che  chiaro 
Per  esso  Menda  cMla  mente  il  fioine. 
This  is  a  fine  moral,  and  finely  expressed.    ITnleM  the^  etm^ 
sdeaee  be  cleared  ftom  its  impurity,  which  it  can  only  tho- 
■oof^y  be  by  an  inflneaoe  ftom  idiovB,  the  mind  itaalf  cannot 
Mt  finely  and  dasdit    **IfyewlUdoUswill,yes]ialliQUM» 
•f  the  doQtrine.** 


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893  THE  VISION  81-114 

Floats  turbid  on  the  conBcience,,  tl  at  thenceforth 

Ttie  stream  of  mmd  roll  limpid  from  its  source ; 

As  ye  declare  (for  so  shall  ye  impart 

A  boon  I  dearly  prize)  if  any  soul 

Of  Latium  dwell  amouj^  ye :  and  perchance 

That  soul  may  profit,  if  1  learn  so  much." 

**  My  brother !  we  are,  e&ch  one,  citizens 
Of  one  true  city.'    Any,  thou  wouldst  say, 
Who  lived  a  stranger  in  Italia's  land." 

So  heard  I  answering,  as  appeared,  a  voice 
That  onward  came  some  space  from  whence  I  st^ed 

A  spirit  I  noted,  m  whose  look  was  mark'd 
Expectance.    Ask  ye  how  ?    The  chin  was  raised 
As  in  one  reft  of  sight.    "  Spirit,"  said  I, 
<<  Who  for  thy  rise  art  tutoring,  (if  thou  be 
That  which  didst  answer  to  me)  or  by  place, 
Or  name,  disclose  thjrself,  that  I  may  know  thee.** 

"  I  was,"  it  answered,  **  of  Sienna :  here 
I  cleanse  away  with  these  the  evil  life. 
Soliciting  with  tears  that  He,  who  is. 
Vouchsafe  hun  to  us.    Though  Sapia*  named. 
In  sapience  I  excelled  not ;  gladder  far       ^ 
Of  other's  hurt,  than  of  the  good  befell  me. 
That  thou  m9.yei  own  I  now  deceive  thee  not, 
Hear,  if  my  folly  were  not  as  I  speak  it 
When  now  my  years  sloped  waning  down  the  arch, 
It  so  bechanced,  my  fellow-citizens 
Near  CoUe  met  their  enemies  in  the  field ; 
And  I  pray'd  Grod  to  grant  what  He  had  willed.' 
rhere  were  they  vanquish^,  and  betook  themselves 
Unto  the  bitter  passages  of  flight. 
I  mark'd  the  hunt ;  and  waxing  out  of  bounds 
In  gladness,  lifted  up  my  shameless  brow. 
And,  like  the  merlin^  cheated  by  a  gleam, 

1  CUitens 

Of  one  true  eity.J    "  For  here  we  have  no  continuing  city 
bnt  we  seelc  one  to  come.**    Heb.  ziiL  14. 

*  Sqpia.]  A  lady  of  Sienna,  who  living  in  exile  at  Ck>lle. 
was  BO  overioyed  at  a  defeat  which  her  conntrymen  snstainea 
near  that  place,  that  she  declared  nothing  more  was  wanting 
to.  make  W  die  contented.  The  Latin  annotaUMr  on  the 
Monte  Cassino  MS.  says  of  this  lady:  "ftiit  uxor  D.  Cinii  de 
Figezo  de  Senis.** 

>  AtuI  Iprafd  Ood  to  grant  what  He  had  mlTi,}  Fhat  her 
countrymen  should  be  Mfeated  in  battle. 

^  TTU  merlinJ]  The  stinry  of  the  merlin  is,  that  having 
been  induced  by  a  i^eam  of  fine  weather  in  the  winter  to 
escape  from  his  master,  he  was  soon  oppressed  by  the  rigor 
of  the  season. 


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115-145.        PURGATORY,  Cantj)  XUI.  293^ 

Cried,  *  It  is  over.    Heaven !  I  fear  thee  not ' 

Upon  my  rerge  of  life  I  wish'd  for  peace 

With  God ;  nor  yet  repentance  had  supplied 

What  I  did  lack  of  duty,  were  it  not 

The  hermit  Piero,'  touched  with  charity, 

In  his  devout  oraisons  thought  on  me. 

But  who  art  thou  that  (juestion'st  of  our  state. 

Who  go*st,  as  I  believe,  with  lids  unclosed, 

And  breathest  in  thy  talk  ?'* — **  Mine  eyes,**  said  It 

'*  May  yet  be  here  ta*en  from  me  ;  but  not  long ; 

For  they  have  not  ofifended  grievously 

With  envious  glances.    But  the  wo  beneath* 

Urges  my  soul  with  more  exceeding  dread. 

That  nether  load  already  weighs  me  down." 

She  thus :  "  Who  then,  among  us  here  aloft, 
Hath  brought  thee,  if  thou  weenest  to  return?" 

"  He,"  answered  I, "  who  standeth  mute  beside  me. 
I  live :  of  me  ask  therefore,  chosen  spirit ! 
If  thou  desire  I  yonder  yet  should  move 
For  thee  my  mortal  feet" — **  Oh !"  she  replied, 
"  This  is  so  strange  a  thing,  it  is  great  sign 
That  God  doth  love  thee.    Therefore  with  thy  prayer 
Sometime  assist  me  :  and,  by  that  I  crave, 
Which  most  thou  covetest,  that  if  thy  feet 
E*er  tread  on  Tuscan  soil,  thou  save  my  fame 
Amongst  my  kindred.    Them  shalt  thou  behold 
With  that  vain  multitude,'  who  set  their  hope 
On  Telamone's  haven  ;  there  to  fail 
Confounded,  more  than  when  the  fancied  stream 
They  sought,  of  Dian  call'd :  but  they,  who  lead 
Their  navies,  more  than  ruin'd  hopes  shall  mourn." 


>  The  kermit  Piero.]  Piero  Fettinagno,  a  holy  hermit  of 
Florence. 

*  The  wo  heneath.]  Dante  felt  that  he  was  mnch  mate 
rabject  to  the  sin  of  pride,  than  to  that  of  envy;  and  this  is 
just  what  we  shoold  have  concluded  of  a  mind  sach  as  his. 

*  That  vain  mtUtitudeJ]  The  Siennese.  See  Hell,  c.  xxlz. 
118.  **■  Their  acquisition  of  Telamone,  a  seaport  on  the  con 
fines  of  the  Maremma,  has  led  them  to  conceive  hopes  of 
becoming  a  naval  power :  but  this  scheme  will  prove  as  chi- 
merical as  their  former  plan  for  the  discovery  of  a  sabterra« 
neons  stream  under  their  city.**  Why  they  gave  the  appel 
lation  of  Diana  to  the  imagined  stream,  Venturi  says  he 
:«aves  it  to  the  antiquaries  of  Sienna  to  conjecture. 

*  They,  vho  lead.]  The  Latin  note  to  the  Monte  Cassino 
BIS.  informs  us,  that  those  who  were  to  command  the  fleets 
<tf  the  Siennese,  in  the  event  of  their  becoming  a  naval  power, 
lost  their  lives  during  their  employment  at  Telamone,  throogk 
dte  pestilent  air  of  the  Marenuna,  which  lies  near  that  place 


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9M  .1'HE  \£8I0N  hM 

CANTO   XIV 

ARGUMENT. 
Onr  Poet  on  thto  second  cornlee  finds  tdso  the  sools  of  Chydo 
del  Duca  of  Brettinoio,  and  Rinieri  da  Calboll  of  Romafoa ; 
the  latter  of  whom,  hearing  that  he  comes  from  the  bank! 
of  the  Amo,  Inveighs  against  the  degeneracy  of  all  those 
who  dwell  in  the  cities  visited  by  that  stream ;  and  tte 
former,  in  liiie  manner,  against  the  £nbabitants  of  Ro- 
magna.  On  leaving  these,  our  Poets  hear  voices  recordiof 
noted  instances  of  envy. 

"  Say,*  who  is  he  around  our  mountain  wmds. 
Or  ever  death  has  pruned  his  wing  for  flight ; 
That  opes  his  eyes,  and  covers  them  at  will?** 

"  I  know  not  who  he  is,  but  know  thus  much ; 
He  comes  not  singly.    Do  thou  ask  of  him, 
For  thou  art  nearer  to  him  ;  and  take  heed, 
Accost  him''  gently,  so  that  he  may  speafcx" 

Thus  on  the  right  two  spuits,  bending  each 
Toward  the  other,  talk'd  of  me  ;  then  both 
Addressing  me,  their  faces  backward  lean'd. 
And  thus  the  one'  began :  "  O  soul,  who  yet 
Pent  in  the  body,  tendest  towards  the  sky ! 
For  charity,  we  pray  thee,  comfort  us  ; 
Recounting  whence  thou  comest,  and  who  thou  art : 
For  thou  dost  make  us,  at  the  favour  shown  thee. 
Marvel,  as  at  a  thing  that  ne'er  hath  been." 

"  There  stretches  through  the  midst  of  Tuscany,*' 
I  straight  began,  "  a  brooklet,*  whose  well-head 
Springs  up  in  Falterona ;  with  his  race 
Not  satisfied,  when  he  some  hundred  miles 
Hath  measured.     From  his  banks  bring  I  this  frame 

1  Say.]    The  two  spirits  who  thus  speak  to  each  other  are, 
Guido  del  Duca  of  Brettinoro,  and  Rinieri  da  Calboli  of  Ro 


9  Accost  him.]  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  Latin  an- 
notator  on  the  Monte  Cassino  MS.  agrees  with  Landino  in 
reading  "  a  colo,"  instead  3f  "accolo,"  and  interprets  it  as  ho 
does:  "Nil  aliud  vnlt  auctor  dicere  de  colo,  nisi  qnod  cum 
interroget  Ita  dulclter  ut  respondeat  (sic)  eum  ad  colum,  ia 
est  quad  tantnm  respondeat  ar.ctor  eis  qnod  animns  eorum 
remaneat  in  qniete  et  non  in  snspenso."  "  The  author  means 
to  say,  that  the  spirit  should  intern^te  him  courteously, 
that  he  may  return  such  an  answer  as  shall  put  a  period  to 
their  suspense."  Still  I  have  retained  my  translation  of  the 
common  reading  generally  supposed  to  be  put  by  syncope  for 
**  accoglilo,*'  "  accost  him." 

s  The  one.]    Guido  del  Duca. 

*  A  brooklet.]  The  Amo,  that  riws  in  Falterona,  a  monn- 
lain  in  the  Apennine.  Its  course  is  a  hundred  and  twenty 
■lies,  according  to  6.  Villani,  who  traces  It  accurately. 


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»-53.  PURGATORY.  Cufro  XIV.  2M 

To  tell  you  who  I  am  were  words  miaBpexit : 
For  yet  my  name  scarce  sounds  on  rumor's  lip.** 

"  If  well  I  do  incoiporate  with  my  thought 
The  meanmg  of  thy  speech,"  said  he,  who  firrt 
Addressed  me,  "  thou  dost  speak  of  Aino's  wave." 

To  whom  the  other  :*  **  Why  hath  he  concealed 
The  title  of  that  river,  as  a  man 
Doth  of  some  horrible  thing  ?"    The  spirit,  who 
Thereof  was  questioned,  did  acquit  him  thus : 
'*  I  know  not :  but  'tb  fitting  well  the  name 
Should  perish  of  that  vale ;  for  from  the  source,' 
Where  tetnns  so  plenteously  the  Alpine  steep 
Maim'd  of  Pelorus,"  (that  doth  scarcely  pass* 
Beyond  that  limit,)  even  to  the  point 
Where  unto  ocean  is  restored  what  heaven  [streams, 
Drains  from  the  ezhaustless  store  for  aU  earth's 
Throughout  the  space  is  virtue  worried  down, 
As  't  were  a  snake,  by  all,  for  mortal  foe ; 
Or  through  disastrous  influence  on  the  place. 
Or  else  oiktortion  of  misguided  wills 
That  custom  goads  to  evil :  whence  in  those. 
The  dwellers  in  that  miserable  vale, 
Nature  is  so  transform'd,  it  seems  as  they 
Had  shared  of  Circe's  feeding.    'Midst  brute  swine* 
Worthier  of  acorns  than  of  other  food 
Created  for  man's  use,  he  shapeth  first 
His  obscure  way ;  then,  sloping  onward,  finds 
Curs,*  snarlers  more  in  spite  than  power,  from  whom 
He  turns  with  scorn  aside :  still  journeying  down. 
By  how  much  more  the  cursed  and  luckless  foss'' 
Swells  out  to  largeness,  e'en  so  much  it  finds 
Dogs  turning  into  wolves."    Descending  still 

1  The  other.]    Rinieri  da  Calboli. 

«  FVom  the  source.]  "  From  the  rise  of  the  Amo  in  that 
'Alpine  steep,'  the  Apennlne,  Arom  whence  Pelorns  in  Sicily 
was  torn  by  a  convulsion  of  the  earth,  even  to  the  point 
where  the  same  river  unites  its  waters  to  the  ocean,  Virtue 
is  persecuted  by  all." 

s  Maim'd  of  Pelorus.]  Virg.,  Ma.^  lib.  ill.  414.  Lacan, 
Fhars.,  lib.  iii.  438. 

A  hill 

Tom  from  Pelorus.  XUton,  P.  Z..,  b.  i.  232. 

^  That  doth  seareely  pass.]  "  Peloros  is  in  few  places  higher 
than  Falterona,  where  the  Amo  springs."  LomtMurdi  explains 
this  differently,  and,  I  ^ink,  erroneously 

B  *  Midst  brute  swine.]    The  people  of  Casentinc. 

*  Curt.]    The  Amo  leaves  Arezzo  about  four  miles  to  th« 

kit 

V  Fbss.]    So  in  his  anger  he  terms  the  Amo. 

*  Wolves.]    The  Florentines. 


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296  THE  VISION.  s-i-M 

Through  yet  more  hollow  eddies,  next  he  meets 

A  race  of  foxes,'  so  replete  with  craft, 

They  do  not  fear  that  skill  can  master  it. 

Nor  will  I  cease  because  my  words  are  Leaid* 

By  other  ecus  than  thme.    It  shall  be  well 

For  this  man,'  if  he  keep  in  memory 

What  from  no  erring  spirit  I  reveal. 

Lo !  I  behold  thy  grandson,^  that  becomes 

A  hunter  of  those  wolves,  upon  the  shore 

Of  the  fierce  stream  ;  and  cows  them  all  with  dread. 

Their  flesh,  yet  living,  sets  he  up  to  sale. 

Then,  like  an  aged  l^ast,  to  slaughter  dooms. 

Many  of  life  he  reaves,  himself  of  worth 

And  goodly  estimation.    Smear'd  with  gore, 

Mark  how  he  issues  from  the  rueful  wood  ; 

Leaving  such  havoc,  that  in  thousand  years 

It  spreads  not  to  prime  lustihood  again." 

As  one,  who  tidings  hears  of  wo  to  come. 
Changes  his  looks  perturb'd,  from  whate'er  part 
The  peril  grasp  him  ;  so  beheld  I  change 
That  spirit,  who  had  tum'd  to  listen ;  struck 
With  sadness,  soon  as  he  had  caught  the  word. 

His  visage,  and  the  other's  speech,  did  raise 
Desire  in  me  to  know  the  names  of  both  ; 
Whereof,  with  meek  entreaty,  I  inquired. 

The  shade,  who  late  address'd  me,  thus  resumed 
"  Thy  wish  imports,  that  I  vouchsafe  to  do 
For  thy  sake  what  thou  wilt  not  do*  for  mine. 
But,  since  God's  will  is  that  so  largely  shhie 
His  grace  in  thee,  I  will  be  liberal  too. 
Guide  of  Duca  know  then  that  I  am. 
Envy  so  parch'd  my  blood,  that  had  I  seen 
A  felk>w-man  made  joyous,  thou  hadst  mark'd 
A  livid  paleness  overspread  my  cheek. 
Such  harvest  reap  I  of  the  seed  I  sow'd. 
O  man !  why  place*  thy  heart  where  there  doth  need 
Exclusion  of  participants  m  good? 


1  Fhxes.]    The  Pisans. 

s  My  words  are  keard.\  It  should  be  recollected  thatGaido 
Btill  addressea  himself  to  Rinieri. 

*  For  this  man.]  **  For  Dante,  who  has  told  as  that  he 
comes  from  the  banks  of  Arno." 

*  !7%y  grandson.]  Fulcieri  da  Calboli,  grandson  of  Rinien 
da  Calboli  who  is  here  spoken  to.  The  atrocities  predicted 
came  to  pass  in  1302.    See  6.  Villani,  lib.  viii.  c.  !^. 

*  What  thou  wilt  not  do.]  Dante  having  declined  telling 
him  his  name.    See  v.  5!2. 

*  Why  p^MM.]  This  will  be  explained  in  the  ensning  Canta 


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W-101.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XIV.  2^7 

This  is  Rinieri's  spirit ;  this,  the  boast 
And  honor  of  the  house  of  Calboli ; 
Where  of  his  worth  no  herita^  remains. 
Nor  his  the  only  blood,  that  hath  been  stripped, 
('Twixt  Po,  the  mount,  the  Reno,  and  the  shore^) 
Of  all  that  truth  or  fancy^  asks  for  bliss : 
But,  m  those  limits,  such  a  growth  has  sprung 
Of  rank  and  venom'd  roots,  as  long  would  mock 
Slow  culture's  toil.    Where  is  good  Lizio  ?'  where 
Manardi,  Traversaro,  and  Carpigna?* 
O  bastard  slips  of  old  Romagna's  line ! 
When  in  Bologna  the  low  artisan. 
And  in  Faenza  yon  Bemardin*  sprouts, 
A  gentle  cion  from  ignoble  stem. 
Wonder  not,  Tuscan,  if  thou  see  me  weep. 
When  I  recall  to  mind  those  once  loved  names. 
Guide  of  Prata,'  and  of  Azzo  him" 

1 '  Twixt  Po,  thA  mount,  the  Reno,  and  the  shore.]  The  boon 
daries  of  Romagna. 

a  Fancy.]  **TrastalIo.**  duadrio,  In  the  notes  on  the  sec 
ond  of  the  Salmi  Penitenziall  of  our  author,  understands  this 
In  a  higher  sense,  as  meaning  that  joy  which  results  from  aa 
easy  and  constant  practice  of  virtue.  See  Opere  di  Dante, 
Zatta  ediz.  torn.  iv.  part  ii.  p.  193.  And  he  is  followed  by 
Lombard!. 

*  Lizio.]  Lizio  da  Valbona  introduced  into  Boccaccio*8 
Decameron,  G.  V.  N.  4. 

*  Manardi,  Traversaro,  and  Carpigna.]  Arrigo  Manardi  of 
Faenza,  or,  as  some  say,  of  Brettinoro ;  Pier  Traversaro,  lord 
of  Ravenna ;  and  Gnido  di  Carpigna  of  Montefeltro. 

*  In  Bologna  the  low  artisan.]  One  who  had  been  a  me- 
chanic, named  Laml)ertaccio,  arrived  at  almost  supreme 
power  in  Bolegna. 

Quando  in  Bologna  nn  Fabro  si  rallinia : 
Q,uando  in  Faenza  un  Bemardin  di  Fosco. 
The  pointing  and  the  marginal  note  of  the  Monte  Cassino 
MS.  entirely  change  the  sense  of  these  two  lines.  There  is  a 
mark  of  interrogation  added  to  each ;  and  by  way  of  answer 
to  both  there  is  written,  **  Quasi  dicat  numquam.'*  Fabro  is 
made  a  proper  name,  and  it  is  said  of  him :  "  Iste  fuit  Dom. 
Faber  de  Lambertaciis  de  Bononia;**  and  Benvennto  da 
Imola  calls  him  "Nobilis  Miles.'*  I  have  not  ventured  to 
.  alter  the  translation  so  as  to  make  it  accord  with  this  inter- 
pretation, as  it  must  have  been  done  in  the  face,  I  believe, 
of  nearly  all  the  editions,  and,  as  far  as  may  be  gathered 
firom  the  silence  of  Lombard!,  of  the  MSS.  also  which  that 
commentator  had  consulted.  But  those,  who  wish  to  see 
more  on  the  subject,  are  referred  to  Monties  Proposta,  torn.  ilL 
p»«  2,  under  the  word  "  Rallignare.'* 

*  Yon  Bemardin.]  Bemardin  di  Fosco,  a  man  of  low  on 
gin,  but  great  talents,  who  governed  at  Faenza. 

'  FraUL]    A  place  between  Faenza  and  Ravenna. 

*  Of  Alto  him,]  UgoUno^  of  the  Ubaldinl  family  in  Tas- 
stay. 


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^298  THE  YlSICm.  106-11*. 

That  dwelt  with  us  ;^  T^oso*  and  lus  troi/p. 
With  Travenaro*8  house  and  Anastagto's,' 
(Each  race  disherited ;)  and  beside  these, 
The  Udies*  and  die  kni^its,  the  toils  and  eaae. 
That  wttch*d  ns  into  lo^  and  courtesy- ;' 
Where  now  such  maliee  reigns  in  recreant  heartSL 
O  Brettinoro  !*  wherefore  tarriest  still. 


1  With  us."]  Lombardi  claims  the  reading,  "  nmco,'*  instead 
of  "  vo$co,"  "  with  us,"  instead  of  "  with  yrm,"  for  lite  £ivar- 
ite  edition ;  bat  it  is  also  in  Landino's  of  1488. 

<  TSgnoso.]    Federigo  Tignoso  of  Rimini. 

*  TVaversaro^s  haute  amd  Ana9tagio'».'\  Two  noble  £uniUef 
of  Ravenna.  See  v.  100.  She,  to  whom  Dryden  has  given 
the  name  of  Honoria,  in  the  fliMe  so  admirably  paraphjfased 
from  Boceacdo,  was  of  the  fimner :  her  lover  and  the  spectre 
were  of  the  Anastagi  family.    See  Canto  xxviiL  JO. 

*  Tlu  ladiesj  ^.] 

Le  donne,  eri  cavalier,  gli  af&nni,  e  gU  agl 
Che  ne  *nvogliava  amore  e  cortesia. 
These  two  lines  express  the  tme  spirit  of  chivalry.  "  Agi** 
is  understood,  by  the  commentators  whom  I  have  consulted, 
to  mean  "  the  ease  procured  for  others  by  Uie  exertions  of 
knight-errantry.**  But  surely  it  signifies  the  alternation  of 
ease  with  labor.  Venturi  is  of  opinion  that  the  opening  of 
the  Orlando  Furioso— 

Le  donne,  i  cavalier,  Tarme,  gli  amori, 

Le  cortesie,  Taadaci  imprese  io  canto, 
originates  in  this  passage. 

*  Courtesy.]  "  Cortesia  e  onestade,**  &c.  Qmv/to,  p.  65. 
**  Courtesy  and  honor  are  all  one ;  and  because  Anciently 
virtue  and  good  manners  were  usual  in  courts,  as  the  con- 
trary now  is,  this  term  was  derived  from  thence :  courtesy 
was  as  much  as  to  say,  custom  of  courts ;  which  WOTd,  if  it 
were  now  taken  firom  courts,  especially  those  of  Itidy,  would 
be  no  other  than  turpitude,"  ^turpezza." 

Courtesy, 

Which  oft  is  sooner  found  in  lowly  sheds 
With  smoky  rafters,  than  In  tapstry  hails 
And  courts  of  inrinces,  where  it  first  was  named, 
And  yet  is  most  pretended.  MUtan,  ComiuM, 

Marino  has  exceeded  his  usual  extravagance  In  his  play 
oo  this  word. 

Ma  come  pub  vero  diletto  ?  b  come 
Vera  quiete  altrui  donar  la  Corte  1 
Le  di^  la  Cortesia  del  proinrio  nome 
Solo  il  principio,  11  fine  ha  della  Morte. 

Jidone^  c.  iz.sc.77. 
«  O  Brettinoro.]  A  beautifUly  situated  castle  in  Bonrngna, 
the  hospitable  residence  of  <3uido  del  Duoa,  who  is  here 
speaking.  Landino  relates,  that  there  were  Several  of  this 
family,  who,  when  a  stranger  'axrlved  among  them  oou' 
tended  with  tme  another  by  whom  b»  should  be  entertained* 
and  HiKt  in  older  to  end  this  dispute,  they  set  sp  a  plllai 
with  as  many  rings  as  there  were  fkthers  of  families  aoMag 


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.15-134.         PURGATORY,  Canto  XIV.  299 

Since  foriu  of  thee  thy  family  hath  gone» 
And  many,  hating  evil,  join'd  thr>ir  steps? 
Well  doeth  he,  tht  X  bids  his  lineage  cease 
Bagnacavallo  ;^  Castracaro  ill, 
And  Conio  woise,^  who  care  to  propagate 
A  race  of  Counties*  from  such  blood  as  thein 
Well  shall  ye  also  do,  Pagani,^  then 
When  from  among  you  hies  your  demon  child ; 
Not  so  howe'er,"  £at  thenceforth  there  remam 
True  proof  of  what  ye  were.    O  Hugolin,* 
Thou  sprung  of  Fantolini's  ILie  I  thy  name 
Is  safe :  since  none  is  look'd  for  after  thee 
To  cloud  its  lustre,  warping  from  thy  stock. 
But,  Tuscan !  go  thy  ways ;  for  now  I  take 
Far  more  delight  in  weeping,  than  in  words. 
Such"'  pity  for  your  sakes  hath  wrung  my  heart" 
We  knew  those  gentle  spinta,  at  parting,  heard 
Our  steps.    Their  silence  therefore,  of  our  way, 
Assured  us.    Soon  as  we  had  quitted  them, 
Advancing  onward,  lo  I  a  voice,  that  seem'd 

them,  a  ring  being  assigned  to  each,  and  that  accordingly  as 
a  stranger  on  his  arrival  hung  his  horse's  bridle  on  one  or 
other  of  these,  he  became  his  guest  to  whom  the  ring  be- 
longed. 

1  BagnaeavaUo.l    A  castle  between  Imola  and  Ravenna 

» Caatrewiro  ilh 

And  Conio  worse,]    Both  in  Romagna 

*  Counties.)  I  have  used  this  word  here  for  "  Ck>tuits,"  as 
it  is  in  Shakspeare. 

4  Poffani.']  The  Pagan!  were  lords  of  Faenza  and  Lnola. 
One  of  them,  Machinardo,  was  named  the  Demon,  from  his 
Ireachery.    See  Hell,  Canto  xzvii.  47,  and  note. 

»  A***  so  howler.]  "Yet  your  offiiprlng  will  be  stained 
with  some  vice,  and  will  not  afford  true  proof  of  the  worth 
of  your  ancestors." 

*  Huffolin.]  Ugolino  Ubaldinl,  a  noble  and  virtnons  person 
in  Faenza,  who,  on  accomit  of  his  age  probably,  was  not 
likely  to  leave  any  ofispring  behind  him.  He  is  enomerated 
among  the  poets  by  Crescimbeni,  and  by  Tiraboschi,  Mr. 
Mathias's  edit.,  vol.  L  p.  143 ;  and  Perticari  cites  a  beautiful 
little  poem  by  him  in  the  Apologia  di  Dante,  parte  ii.  c  27, 
but  with  so  little  appearance  of  antiquity  that  nothing  less 
than  the  assurance  of  so  able  a  critic  could  induce  one  for  a 
moment  to  receive  it  as  genuine. 

7  Sueh.}  Here  again  the  Nidobeatina  edition  adopted  by 
liombardi,  and  the  Monte  Cassino  MS.,  dUbr  fiFom  the  oon- 
mon  reading,  and  both  have 

Si  m*  ha  nostra  region  la  m«ite  stretta 

Our  country's  sorrow  has  sc  wmag-my  heact 

ief 

ffi  m*  ha  vostia  x«i^loii,  Jce. 


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300  'rHE  VISION.  135-151 

Like  YolleyM  lightning,  when  it  rives  the  air« 
Met  us,  and  shouted,  **  Whosoever  finds 
Will  slay  me  ;"*  then  fled  from  us,  as  the  bolt 
Lanced  sudden  from  a  downward-rushing  cloud. 
When  it  had  gi^ren  short  truce  unto  our  hearing, 
Behold  the  other  with  a  crash  as  loud 
As  the  quick-following  thunder :  "  Mark  in  me 
A.glauros,'  tum'd  to  rock."     I,  at  the  sound 
Retreating,  drew  more  closely  to  my  guide. 
Now  in  mute  stillness  rested  all  the  air ; 
And  thus  he  spake :  **  There  was  the  galling  bit,' 
Which*  should  keep  man  within  his  boundary. 
But  your  old  enemy  so  baits  the  hook. 
He  drags  you  eager  to  him.    Hence  nor  curb 
Avails  you,  nor  reclaiming  call.    Heaven  calls,* 
And,  round  about  you  wheeling,  courts  your  gaze 
With  everlasting  beauties.     Yet  your  eye 
Turns  with  fond  doting  still  upon  the  earth. 
Therefore  He  smites  you  who  discemeth  alL" 


CANTO    XV. 

ARGUMENT. 
An  angel  invites  them  to  ascend  the  next  steep.  On  their 
way  Dante  sn^ests  certain  doubts,  which  are  resolved  by 
Viip] ;  and,  when  they  reach  the  third  cornice,  where  the 
sin  of  anger  is  purged,  our  Poet,  in  a  kind  of  walcing  dream 
beholds  remarkable  instances  of  patience ;  and  soon  after 
they  are  enveloped  in  a  dense  fog. 

As  much"  as  Hwixt  the  third  hour's  close  and  dawn, 
Appeareth  of  heaven's  sphere,  that  ever  whirls 

1 Whosoever  finds 

Will  slay  me.]  The  words  of  Cain,  Gen.  iv.  14 
^Jiglauros.\  Ovid.  Met,  lib.  U.  fab.  12. 
«  Thera  was  the  galling  hitj.  Referring  to  what  had  been 
before  said,  Canto  xiil.  35.  The  commentators  remark  the 
unusual  word  *'  camo,"  which  occurs  here  in  the  original : 
but  they  have  not  observed,  I  believe,  that  Dante  himself 
uses  it  in  the  De  Monarchi&,  lib.  iii.  p.  155.  For  the  Greek 
word  x^l^'^^  B^  &  fragment  by  S.  Petrus  Alex,  in  Routh*s 
Rellquie  Sacre,  vol.  iii.  p.  342,  and  note. 

4  Whidi.]    Mr.  Darley  has  noticed  the  omission  of  this  line 
In  the  former  editions. 
*  Heemem  calls.} 

Or  ti  soUeva  a  plik  beata  spene, 
Bilrando  il  del,  che  ti  si  volve  intomo 
Immortal  ed  adomo.  Petrarea,  Canione.  I^v0pmumii9» 
^Jismueko]   It  wanted  three  hours  of  sunset. 


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»^.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XV  SOI 

As  itsstleflfl  as  an  infant  in  his  play ; 

So  much  appeared  remaining  to  the  sun 

Of  his  slope  journey  towards  the  western  goal. 

Evenmg  was  there,  and  here  the  noon  of  night; 
And  full  upon  our  forehead  smote  the  beams. 
For  round  the  mountain,  circling,  so  our  path 
Had  led  us,  that  toward  the  sunset  now. 
Direct  we  joumey*d ;  when  I  felt  a  weight 
Of  more  exceeding  splendor,  than  before. 
Press  on  my  front    The  cause  unknown,  amaze 
Possess'd  me ;  and  both  hands*  against  my  brows 
Lifting,  I  interposed  them,  as  a  screen. 
That  of  its  gorgeous  superflux  of  light 
Clips  the  diminish'd  orb.     As  when  the  ray,* 
Striking  on  water  or  the  surface  clear 
Of  mirror,  leaps  unto  the  opposite  part, 
Ascending  at  a  glance,'  e'en  as  it  fell. 
And  as  much^  differs  from  the  stone,  that  falls 
Through  equal  space,  (so  practic  skill  hath  shown ;) 
Thus,  with  refracted  light,  before  me  seem'd 
The  ^und  there  smitten ;  whence,  in  sudden  haste* 
My  sight  recoil'd.    "  What  is  this,  sire  beloved ! 
'Gainst  which  I  strive  to  shield  the  sight  in  vam  V 
Cried  I,  "  and  which  toward  us  moving  seems?** 

"  Marvel  not,  if  the  family  of  heaven," 
He  answer'd,  **  yet  with  dazzling  radiance  dim 
Thy  sense.     It  is  a  messenger  who  comes, 

>  Both  ha7ids.\ 
Baislng  his  hana  to  save  the  dazzled  sense. 

S<nUhey*s  7%a/aAa,  b.  xU. 

*  j3s  when  the  ray.] 

Sicut  aqne  trenralum  labris  abi  Itunen  aSnis 
Sole  repercassum,  aut  radiantis  imagine  lun», 
Omnia  pervolitat  late  loca,  Jamque  sub  auras 
Erigitnr,  summique  ferit  laquearia  tectL 

.ahi.,lib.viiL9SL 
Oompare  ApoU.  Rhodius,  iiL  755. 

*  Jiseending  at  a  glance.] 

dnod  simul  ac  [wimnm  sub  divo  splendor  aqual 

Fonitnr:  extemplo,  cobIo  stellante,  serena 

Bidera  respondent  In  aqnft  radiantia  mnndi. 

Jamne  vides  igitnr,  quam  parvo  tempcne  imago 

^theris  ex  oris  ad  terraroni  accidat  oras. 

X,«(cr«t,  Ub.  iv.  SIS. 
^  And  09  much.]  Lcnnbardi,  I  think  justly,  observes  that 
this  does  not  refer  to  the  length  of  time  which  a  stone  is  in 
foiling  to  the  gronud,  but  to  the  perpendicular  line  which 
it  describes  when  faliinc,  as  contrasted  with  the  ancle  ti 
kieidence  fbrmed  by  li^t  reflected  ftom  water  or  nam  a 

■IROB. 


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303  TH£  VISION  3<M« 

Inviting  mun^s  ascent    Such  sights  eie  long. 

Not  grieToos,  shall  impart  to  thee  delight, 

As  t%  perc^Uon  is  by  nature  wrcmg^ 

Up  to  their  pitch."    The  blessed  angel,  soou 

As  we  had  reach'd  him,  hail'd  us  with  glad  voioe ! 

«  Here  enter  on  a  ladder  far  less  steep 

Than  ye  have  yet  encoonter'd."    We  forthwith 

Ascending,  heard  behind  us  chanted  sweet, 

<^  Blessed  the  merciful,"^  and  "  Happy  thou. 

That  conquer'sf    Lonely  each,  my  guide  ^nd  I9 

Pursued  our  u^ard  way ;  and  as  we  went. 

Some  profit  from  his  words  I  hoped  to  win, 

And  thus  of  him  inquiring,  framed  my  speech : 

«  What  meant  Romagna's  spirit,^  when  he  ^ake 

Of  bliss  exclusive,  with  no  partner  shared  V* 

He  straight  replied :  "  No  wonder,  since  he  knowsi 
What  sorrow  waits  on  his  own  worst  defect. 
If  he  chide  others,  that  they  less  may  mourn. 
Because  ye  point  your  wishes  at  a  mark. 
Where,  by  communion  of  possessors,  part 
Is  lessen'd,  envy  bloweth  up  men's  sighs. 
No  fear  of  that  might  touch  ye,  if  the  love 
Of  higher  sphere  exalted  your  desire. 
For  there,*  by  how  much  more  they  call  it  our^f 
So  much  propriety  of  each  in  good 
Increases  more,  and  heighten'd  charity 
Wraps  that  fair  cloister  in  a  brighter  flame." 

■"  Now  lack  I  satisfaction  more,"  said  I, 
**  Than  if  thou  hadst  been  silent  at  the  first ; 
And  doubt  more  gathers  on  my  laboring  thought. 
How  can  it  chance,  that  good  distributeid. 
The  many,  that  possess  it,  makes  more  rich. 
Than  if 't  were  shared  by  few  ?"  He  answering  thus  * 
**  Thy  mmd,  reverting  still  to  thmes  of  earth, 
Strikes  darkness  from  true  l^^ht.  The  highest  good 
Unlinuted,  ineffable,  doth  so  speed 
To  love,  as  beam  to  lucid  body  darts, 

i  Blessed  the  merctful.}  Matt.  v.  7. 

s  Romagna*s  spiriL]    Guido  del  Dnea,  of  Brottinoro,  whom 
we  have  Been,  in  the  preceding  canto. 

>  J^  there.]  Landino  has  han  cited,  in  addition  to  8e- 
nsea  and  Boetiva,  the  two  followinf  apposite  ixissaget  tinm 
Aagiutine  and  Saint  Gfogory :  "  NoUo  modo  it  minor  acce- 
4eBte  consiNrtio  possefsio  bcmitatis,  qnam  tanto  latins  qnaato 
copcordins  indivldua  socionun  possidet  cacitas.*'  jitigmatim* 
4sm9UaUD§i,  **anl&cibaainvidl0  ean«daiideiat,iUam 
Doisesrioi 
fOftat** 


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f>m  PURGATCHIT,  Camto  XV  303 

GiTiiigr  as  much  of  afdsr  as  it  finds. 
The  sempitenial  effloeiice  streams  tkn^ 
Spreading,  wherever  charity  extends. 
So  that  &  more  aspirants  to  that  bhss 
Are  muttiptied,  more  good  is  there  to  lovi), 
And  more  is  loved ;  as  mirrors,  that  refiect. 
Each  unto  other,  propagated  iig^t. 
If  these  my  words  avail  not  to  allay 
Thy  thirstnig,  Beatrice  thou  shait  see,  4 

Who  of  this  want,  and  of  all  elae  thou  hast. 
Shall  rid  thee  to  the  full     Provide  but  th<m,' 
That  from  thy  temples  may  be  soon  erased« 
E'en  as  the  two  alnady,  those  five  scars. 
That,  when  they  pain  thee  worst,  then  kindliest  hoaL" 
**  Thou/'  I  had  said,  "  contenfst  me  f  when  I  saw 
The  other  round  was  ffain'd,  and  wondering  eyes 
Did  keep  me  mute.    There  suddenly  I  seem'd 
By  an  ecstatic  vision  wrapt  away ; 
Ajid  in  a  teazle  saw,  metheught,  a  crowd 
Of  many  persons ;  and  at  the  entrance  stood 
A  dame,^  whose  sweet  demeanor  did  express 
A  mother's  love,  who  said,  "Chikl !  why  hast  thou 
Dealt  with  us  thus  ?    Behold  thy  sire  and  I 
Sorrowing  have  sought  Uiee ;''  and  so  held  her  peace ; 
Aim!  straight  the  vision  fled.    A  female  next 
Appeared  before  me,  down  whose  visage  courwd 
Those  waters,  that  grief  forces  out  from  one 
By  deep  resentment  stung,  who  seem'd  to  say: 
"  If  thou,  Pisistratus,  be  IcMrd  indeed 
Over  this  city,*  named  with  such  debate 
Of  adverse  gods,  and  whence  each  science  spai^cles. 
Avenge  thee  of  those  arms,  whose  bold  embnee 
Hath  daip'd  our  daughter;''  and  to  her,  meseemM, 
Benign  and  meek,  wkh  visage  undisturb'd. 
Her  sovereign  spake :  <<^How  shall  we  those  reqsite* 
Who  wish  us  e^,  if  we  thus  cond^nn 
The  man  that  kyves  us  ?"    After  that  I  saw 

1  Provide  but  tkeuJ]  "Take  heed  that  thou  be  healed  of 
the  five  remaining  ;iln8,  as  thoa  already  art  of  the  two, 
namely,  pride  and  envy.** 

*  A  dame.]    Lake,  ii.  48. 

>  Over  tJUe  ettv.]  Athens,  named  after  *A0i$mv,  Minerva,  la 
eonseqaence  of  her  having  produced  a  more  valuable  gift  for 
It  in  the  olive,  than  Neptune  had  done  in  the  horse. 

*  How  ehaJU  we  tkoee  requiU.\  The  answer  of  Pisistratus 
Ihe  tyrant  to  his  wife,  when  she  ui^  him  to  inflict  the  imn- 
Munent  of  death  on  a  yoong  man,  who,  li^lamed  with  love 
Ibr  his  daughter,  had  snatched  a  kiss  from  faerinpubUe.  Ths 
stoi7lsliaMb7^atartaiMailji«,4ib  t  1 


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304  THE  VISION.  lo«-i43 

A  multitude,  in  fury  burning,  day 
With  stones  a  stripling  youth,^  and  shout  amain 
•*  Destroy,  destroy ;"  and  him  I  saw,  who  bow'd 
Heavy  with  death  unto  the  ground,  yet  made 
His  eyes,  unfolded  upward,  gates  to  heaven, 
Praying  forgiveness  of  the  .^dmighty  Sire, 
Amidst  that  cruel  conflict,  on  his  foes, 
With  looks  that  win  compassion  to  their  aim. 

Soon  as  my  spirit,  from  her  airy  flight 
Retnmmg,  sought  again  the  things  whose  truth 
Depends  not  on  her  shaping,  I  observed 
She  had  not  roved  to  falsehood  m  her  dreams. 

Meanwhile  the  leader,  who  might  see  I  moved 
As  one  who  struggles  to  shake  off  his  sleep. 
Exclaimed :  **  What  ails  thee,  that  thou  canst  not  hold 
Thy  footmg  firm  ;  but  more  than  half  a  league 
Hast  travell'd  with  closed  eyes  and  tottering  gait. 
Like  to  a  man  by  wine  or  sleep  o'ercharged  V* 

"  Beloved  father !  so  thou  deign,"  said  I, 
"  To  listen,  I  will  tell  thee  what  appear'd 
Before  me,  when  so  fail'd  my  sinking  steps." 

He  thus :  ''  Not  if  thy  countenance  were  mask'd 
With  hundred  vizards,  could  a  thought  of  thine, 
How  small  soe'er,  elude  me.    What  thou  saw'st 
Was  shown,  that  freely  thou  mightst  ope  thy  heart 
To  the  waters  of  peace,  that  flow  diffused 
From  their  etemid  fountain.     I  not  ask'd. 
What  ails  thee  ?  for  such  cause  as  he  doth,  who 
Looks  only  with  that  eye,  which  sees  no  more. 
When  spiritless  the  body  lies ;  but  ask'd^ 
To  give  fresh  vigor  to  thy  foot.    Such  goads. 
The  slow  and  loitering  need ;  that  they  be  found 
Not  wanting,  when  their  hour  of  watch  returns." 

So  on  we  joumey'd,  through  the  evening  sky 
Gazmg  mtent,  far  onward  -as  our  eyes. 
With  level  view,  could  stretch  against  the  bright 
Vespertine  ray :  and  lo !  by  slow  degrees 
GaUiering,  a  fog  made  towards  us,  dark  as  night 
There  was  no  room  for  'scaping ;  and  that  mist 
Bereft  us,  both  of  sight  and  tlie  pure  air. 

CANTO   XVI. 

ARGUMENT. 
Am  they  proceed  through  the  mist,  they  hear  the  voices  ot 
spirits  praying.     Bfarco  Lombardo,  one  of  these,  poiatt 

ijiMriplitigyoutk.]    The  protomartyr  Stephen. 


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A-^  PURGATORY,  Canto  XVL  305 

oat  to  Dante  the  error  of  such  as  impate  onr  aetkms  to  ae 
cessity ;  explains  to  him  that  man  is  endued  with  freo  will ; 
and  shows  that  much  of  human  depravity  results  from 
the  undue  mixture  of  spiritual  and  temptual  authority  in 
rulers. 

Hell's  dunnest  gloom,  or  night  unlustrous,  daric. 
Of  every  planet  'reft,  and  pall'd  in  clouds, 
Did  never  spread  before  the  sight  a  veil 
In  thickness  like  that  fog,  nor  to  the  sense 
So  palpable  aud  gross.     Entering  its  shade. 
Mine  eye  endured  hot  with  unclosed  lids ; 
Which  marking,  near  me  drew  the  faithful  ga'dc^ 
Offering  me  his  shoulder  for  a  stay. 

As  the  blind  man  behind  his  leader  walks, 
Lest  he  should  err,  or  stumble  unawares 
On  what  might  harm  him  or  perhaps  destroy ; 
I  joumey'd  through  that  bitter  air  and  foul, 
Still  listening  to  my  escort's  warning  voice, 
**  Look  that  from  me  thou  part  not."  Straight  I  heard 
Voices,  and  each  one  seem'd  to  pray  for  peace, 
And  for  compassion,  to  the  Lamb  of  God 
That  taketh  sins  away.     Their  prelude  still 
Was  "  Agnus  Dei ;"  and  through  all  the  choir, 
One  voice,  one  measure  ran,  that  perfect  seem'd 
The  concord  of  their  song.     "  Are  these  I  hear 
Spirits,  O  master?"  I  exclaim'd  ;  and  he, 
**  Thou  aim'st  suright :  these  loose  the  bonds  of  wrath." 

**  Now  who  art  thou,  that  through  our  smoke  dost 
cleave,  ^ 

And  speak'st  of  us,  as  thou'  thyself  e'en  yet 
Dividedst  time  by  calends  ?"     So  one  voice 
Bespake  me ;  whence  my  master  said,  "  Reply ; 
And  ask,  if  upward  hence  the  passage  lead." 

"  O  being !  who  dost  make  thee  pure,  to  stand 
Beautiful  once  more  in  thy  Maker's  sight ; 
Along  with  me :  and  thou  shalt  hear  and  wonder.' 
Thuri'l,  whereto  the  spirit  answering  spake: 
'<  Long  as  'tis  lawfuKfor  me,  shall  my  steps 
Follow  on  thine  ;  asd  since  the  cloudy  smoke 
Forbids  the  seeing,  hearing  m  its  stead 
Shall  keep  us  join'd."     I  then  forthwith  began : 
**  Yet  in  my  mortal  swathing,  I  ascend 
To  higher  regions ;  and  am  hither  como 
Thorough  the  feariful  agony  of  hell. 
And,  if  so  largely  God  hath  doled  his  grace, 
That,  clean  beside  all  modem  precedent, 

>  JSa  thou,]    *'As\f  thou  wert  still  living.** 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


300  I^IE  VISION.  41-71 

He  wills  me  to  behold  his  kingly  state ; 
From  me  conceal  not  who  thou  wast,  ere  death 
Had  loosed  thee ;  but  instruct  me :  and  instruct 
If  rightly  to  the  pass  I  tend ;  thy  words 
The  way  directing,  as  a  safe  escort." 

« I  was  of  Lombardy,  and  Marco  call'd :' 
Not  inexperienced  of  the  world,  that  worth 
I  still  affected,  from  which  all  have  tum'd 
The  nerveless  bow  aside.    Thy  course  tends  right 
Unto  the  summit :"  and,  replying  thus. 
He  added,  "  I  beseech  thee  pray  for  me. 
When  thou  shalt  come  aloft"    And  I  to  him: 
**  Accept  my  faith  for  pledge  I  will  perform 
What  thou  requirest    Yet  one  doubt  remains. 
That  wrings  me  sorely,  if  I  solve  it  not 
Smgly  before  it  urg^d  me,  doubled  now 
By  thine  opinion,  when  I  couple  that  [other 

With  one  elsewhere^  declared;  each  strengthening 
The  world  indeed  is  even  so  forlorn  ' 
Of  all  good,  as  thou  speak'st  it,  and  so  swancs 
With  every  evil.    Yet,  beseech  thee,  pomt 
The  cause  out  to  me,  that  myself  may  see. 
And  unto  others  show  it :  for  in  heaven 
One  places  it,  and  one  on  earth  below." 

Then  heaving  forth  a  deep  and  audible  sigh, 
"  Brother !"  he  thus  began,  "  the  world  is  blind ; 
And  thou  in  truth  comest  from  it    Ye,  who  live, 
Do  so  each  cause  refer  to  heaven  above, 
E'en  as  its  motion,  of  necessity, 
Drew  with  it  all  that  moves.    If  this  were  so,' 

1  I  was  ofLombardVj  and  Marco  called.]  A  Venetian  gen- 
tleman. **  Iiombardo/*  both  was  his  surname,  and  denoted 
the  country  to  which  he  belonged.  G.  Villani,  lib.  vii  cap. 
120,  terms  him  *'  a  wise  and  worthy  courtier." 

Benvennto  da  Imola,  says  Landino,  relates  of  him,  that 
being  Imprisoned  and  not  able  to  pay  the  price  of  his  ransom, 
he  applied  by  letter  to  his  friend  Riccardo  da  Camino,  lord  of 
Trevigi,  for  relief.  Riccardo  set  on  foot  a  contribution  among 
several  nobles  of  Lombardy  for  the  purpose ;  of  which  when 
Marco  was  informed,  he  wrote  bacic  with  much  indignation 
to  Riccardo,  that  he  had  rather  die  than  remain  under  obliga- 
tions to  so  many  benefactors.  It  is  added  that  Riccardo  then 
riid  the  whole  out  of  his  own  pnrw.  Of  this  generous  man 
have  occasion  to  speak  again  in  the  notes  to  Canto  viii.  71, 
and  to  Par.  Canto  ix.  48. 

*  Elsewhere.]  He  refers  to  what  Guide  del  Duca  had  said 
in  the  fourteenth  Canto,  concerning  the  degeneracy  of  his 
countrymen. 

I  ](f  thie  were  so.]  Mr.  Crowe,  in  his  Lewesdon  Hill,  has 
expressed  similar  sentiments  with  much  energy. 


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W-90.  PURGATORY.  Cahto  XVI.  807 

Free  choice  in  yua  were  none ;  nor  juetioe  would 
There  should  be  joy  for  virtue,  wo  for  ilL 
Your  movements  have  their  primal  bent  from  heaven ; 
Not  all :  yet  said  I  all ;  what  then  ensues? 
Light  have  ye  still  to  follow  evil  or  ^ood, 
And  of  the  will  free  power,  which,  if  it  stand 
Firm  and  unwearied  in  Heaven's  first  assay, 
Conquers  at  last,  so  it  be  cherished  well, 
Triumphant  over  alL    To  might'er  force,' 
To  better  nature  subject,  ye  abide 
Free,  not  constrained  by  that  which  forms  in  yon 
The  reasoning  mind  uninfiuenced'of  the  stars. 
If  then  the  present  race  of  mankind  err. 
Seek  in  younelves  the  cause,  and  find  it  there. 
Herein  thou  shalt  confess  me  no  false  spy.        [holds 
"  Forth  from  his  plastic  hand,  who  charm'd  be- 
Her  image  ere  she  yet  exist,  the  soul 
Comes  l&e  a  babe,  that  wantons  sportively,' 
Weeping  and  laughing  in  its  wayward  moods ; 
As  artleoB,  and  as  ignorant  of  aught. 


Of  this  be  rare, 

Where  freedom  is  not,  there  no  virtue  is : 
If  there  be  none,  this  world  is  all  a  cheat, 
And  the  divine  stability  of  heaven 
(That  assured  seat  for  good  men  after  death) 
Is  bnt  a  transient  clond,  displayed  so  fair 
To  cherish  virtaons  hope,  but  at  our  need 
Eludes  the  sense,  and  fools  our  honest  faith, 
Vanishing  in  a  lie,  &c. 

So,  also,  Frezzi,  in  his  anadriregio. 

Or  sappi  ben  che  Dlo  ha  dato  il  fVeno 
A  vol  di  vol ;  e,  «e  non  fosse  questo, 
Llbero  arbltrio  in  vol  sarebbe  meno.       Lib.  il.  cap.  .. 

There  Is  much  more  on  this  subject  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
eighth  Capltolo  of  this  book.  Compare  also  Origen.  in  Gene- 
sin.  Patmm  Gnecor.,  vol.  xi  p.  14.  Werceburgi  1783,  8vo., 
and  Tertullian,  Contra  Marcionem,  lib.  il.  p.  458.  LntetUe, 
1641,  fol. 

A  very  noble  passage  on  the  Areedom  of  the  will  occurs  In 
the  first  book  De  Monarchic,  beginning,  **  Et  humanum  ge* 
BUS,  potlssimnm  llbernm,  optime  se  habet.**  *'Tbe  human 
race,  when  most  completely  free,  is  in  its  highest  state  of  ex- 
cellence.** 

»  To  mightier  force.]  ^Though  ye  are  sutiject  to  a  higher 
power  than  that  of  the  heavenly  constellations,  even  to  fio 
power  of  the  great  Creator  himself,  yet  ye  are  still  left  in  lAe 
possession  of  liberty.** 

s  Like  a  babe^  that  wajUona  sportively. I    This  reminds  ns  id 
ttie  Emperor  Hadrian*s  verses  to  his  departing  soal. 
Animula  vagula  blandula,  dec 


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308  THE  VISION  91-111 

Save  that  her  Maker  being  one  who  dw  ^ 
With  gladness  ever,  willingly  she  turns 
To  whatever  yields  her  joy.    Of  some  slight  good 
The  flavor  soon  she  tastes ;  and,  snared  by  Uiat, 
With  fondness  she  pursues  it ;  if  no  guide 
Recall,  no  rein  direct  her  wandering  course. 
Hence  it  behooved,  the  law  should  be  a  curb ; 
A.  sovereign  hence  behooved,  whose  piercmg  view 
Might  mark  at  least  the  fortress^  and  main  tower 
Of  the  true  city.     Laws  indeed  there  are : 
But  who  is  he  observes  them  ?    None ;  not  he. 
Who  goes  before,  the  shepherd  of  the  flock, 
Who*  chews  the  cud  but  doth  not  cleave  the  hoot 
Therefore  the  multitude,  who  see  their  guide 
Strike  at  the  very  good  they  covet  most, 
Feed  there  and  look  no  further.    Thus  the  cause 
Is  not  corrupted  nature  in  yourselves. 
But  ill-conducting,  that  hath  tum'd  the  world 
To  evil.    Rome,  that  tum'd  it  unto  good. 
Was  wont  to  boast  two  suns,'  whose  several  beams 
Cast  light  on  either  way,  the  world's  and  God*s. 
One  since  hath  quench'd  the  other ;  and  the  sword 
Is  grafted  on  the  crook  ;  and,  so  conjoined, 
Each  must  perforce  decline  to  worse,  unawed 
By  fear  of  other.    If  thou  doubt  me,  mark 


1  The  fortress.]  Justice,  the  most  necessary  virtae  in  the 
chief  niHgistrate,  as  the  commentators  for  the  most  part  ex- 
plain it :  and  it  appears  manifest  from  all  our  Poet  says  in 
nis  first  boolc  De  Monarchic,  concerning  the  authority  of  the- 
temporal  Monarch  and  concerning  Justice,  that  they  are 
right.  Yet  Lombardi  understands  the  law  here  spoken  of  to 
be  the  law  of  God ;  the  sovereign,  a  spiritual  ruler,  and  the 
true  eity,  the  society  of  true  believers ;  so  that  thefortrest, 
according  to  him,  denotes  the  principal  parts  of  Christiaa 
dtty. 

s  fVho.}  He  compares  the  Pope,  on  account  of  the  union 
of  the  temporal  with  the  spiritual  power  in  his  person,  to  an 
unclean  beast  in  the  Levitical  law.  "  The  camel,  because  he 
cheweth  the  cud,  but  divideth  not  the  hoof;  he  is  unclean 
unto  you.'*    Levit.  xi.  4. 

s  Two  tuns.]  The  Emperor  and  the  Bishop  of  Rome 
There  is  something  similar  to  this  in  the  De  Monarchic, 
lib.  iii.  p.  138.  *'  They  say  first,  according  to  that  text  in 
Genesis,  that  God  made  two  great  lights,  the  greater  light 
and  the  lesser,  the  one  to  rule  the  day,  and  the  other  the 
night ;  then,  that  as  the  moon,  which  is  the  lesser  light,  has 
no  brightness,  except  as  she  receives  it  firom  the  sun,  so 
neither  has  the  temporal  kingdom  authoritv,  except  what 
it  receives  firom  the  spiritual  government.*'  The  fallacy 
of  which  reasoning  (if  such  it  can  be  called)  he  i»oceed«  lo 


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114-13G.        PURGATORY,  Canto  XVI.  30$ 

The  blade :  each  h6rb  is  judgred  of  by  its  seed. 
That  land,'  througrh  which  Adice  and  the  Po 
Their  waters  roll,  was  once  the  residence 
Of  courtesy  and  valor,  ere  the  day* 
That  frown'd  on  Frederick ;  now  secure  nc  ay  ptm 
Those  limits,  whosoe'er  hath  left,  for  shamef 
To  talk  with  good  men,  or  come  near  their  haunts. 
l*hree  aged  ones  are  still  found  there,  in  whom 
The  old  time'  chides  the  new :  these  deem  it  lonfi^ 
Ere  God  restore  them  to  a  better  world : 
The  good  Gherardo  ;*  of  Palazzo  he, 
Conrad  ;*  and  Guide  of  Castello,*  named 
In  Gallic  phrase  more  fitly  the  plain  Lombard. 
On  this  at  last  conclude.    The  church  of  Rome, 
Mixing  two  governments  that  ill  assort, 
Hath  miss'd  her  footing,  fallen  into  the  mire,^ 
And  there  herself  and  burden  much  defiled.'' 
"  O  Marco !"  1  replied,  "  thine  argfuments 
Convince  me:  and  the  cause  I  now  discern. 
Why  of  the  heritage  no*  portion  came 
To  Levi's  offspring.     But  resolve  me  this : 

1  That  land.]    Lombardy. 

*  Ere  the  day.]  Before  the  Emperor  Frederick  II.  was  de- 
feated before  Parma,  in  1248.    6.  YUlani,  Ub.  vi.  cap.  3S. 

>  Tie  old  time.]    L'antica  etL 

It  is  silly  sooth, 

And  dallies  with  the  innocence  of  love^ 
Like  the  old  age. 

Shakspearef  Tweiflk  Kigkty  act  U.  so.  4. 

*  The  good  Oherardo.]  Gherardo  dl  Camlno,  of  Trevlri. 
He  is  honorably  mentioned  in  our  Poet*s  Convito,  p.  I'HI. 
**  Let  us  suppose  that  Gherardo  da  Camino  had  been  the 
grandson  of  tlie  meanest  hind  that  ever  drank  of  the  Sile  or 
the  Cagnano,  and  that  his  grandfather  was  not  yet  forgotten ; 
who  will  dare  to  say  that  Gherardo  da  Camino  was  a  mean 
man,  and  who  will  not  agree  with  me  in  calling  him  noble  1 
Certainly  no  one,  however  raresamptuous.  Will  deny  this ;  for 
such  he  was,  and  as  such  let  him  ever  be  remembered.** 
TiralKMchi  supposes  him  to  have  been  the  same  Gherardo 
with  whom  the  Provencal  poets  were  used  to  meet  a  hospit- 
able reception.  "This  is  probably  that  same  Gherardo,  who, 
together  with  his  sons,  so  early  as  before  the  year  1254,  gave 
a  kind  and  hospitable  reception  to  the  Provencal  poets.*' 
Mr.  Mathia8*s  edition,  torn.  i.  p.  137. 

»  Ckmradi^    Currado  da  Palazzo,  a  gentleman  of  Brescia. 

*  Quido  of  CaeteUo.]  Of  Reggio.  All  the  Italians  were 
called  Lombards  by  the  French. 

^  Fallen  into  the  mire.]  There  is  a  passage  resembling  this 
hi  the  De  Vulg.  Eloq.,  lib.  iL  cap.  4.  "Ante  omnia  ergo 
dicimm  unumquemque  debere  materia  pondus  proprlis  ha 
meris  excipere  aequale,  ne  f<Hrte  humerorum  nimio  pravatara 
virtntem  in  OBnimi  cespitaie  necesse  niV* 


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310  THE  VISION.  VrMM 

Who  that  CUierardo  is,  that  as  thicm  sayst 
Is  left  a  sample  of  (he  peririi'd  race, 
And  for  rebuke  to  this  untoward  age  1" 

<*  Either  thy  words,"  said  he,  "  deceiye,  or  else 
Are  meant  to  try  me ;  that  thou,  q^eaking  Tuseaiiy 
Appear%t  not  to  have  heard  of  good  Gheraido ; 
The  sole  addition  that,  by  which  I  know  him ; 
Unless  I  borrowed  from  his  daughter  Gala^ 
^Lnother  name  to  grace  him.    God  be  with  you^ 
I  bear  you  company  no  more.    Behdd  [waaL 

The  dawn  with  white  ray  glimmering  through  the 
I  must  away — the  angel  comes^-ere  he 
Appear."     He  said,  and  would  not  hear  me  mom. 


CANTO    XVII. 

ARGUBIENT. 
The  Poet  hunm  fhnn  tiiat  thicl^ vapor;  and  soon  after  his 
&iicy  represents  to  him  in  lively  portraiture  some  notwi 
examples  of  anger.  This  imagination  is  dissipated  by  tha 
appearance  of  an  angel,  who  marshals  them  onward  to  the 
fourth  c<miice,  on  which  the  sin  of  gloominess  or  indiflbr- 
ence  is  purged ;  and  here  Virgil  shows  him  that  this  vice 
proceeds  from  a  defect  of  love,  and  that  all  love  can  be 
only  of  two  sorts,  either  natural,  or  of  the  soul ;  of  which 
sorts  the  former  is  always  right,  but  the  latter  may  err 
either  in  respect  of  object  or  of  degree. 

Call  to  remembrance,  reader,  if  thou  e'er 
Hast  on  an  Alpine  height^  been  ta'en  by  cloud, 

1  His  daughter  Gma.]  A  lady  equally  admired  for  her 
modesty,  the  beauty  of  her  person,  and  the  excellency  of  her 
talents.  Gaia,  says  Tiraboschi,  may  perhaps  lay  claim  to  Uie 
praise  of  having  been  the  first  among  the  Italian  ladies,  by 
whom  the  vernacular  poetry  was  cultivated.    This  appears 

Slthough  no  one  has  yet  named  her  as  a  poetess)  from  the 
R.  Commentary  on  the  Commedia  of  Dante,  by  Giovanni 
da  Serravalle,  auerwards  bishop  of  Fermo,  where,  comment- 
ing on  Canto  xvi.  of  the  Pui^tory,  he  says :  "  De  istft  Gaj4 
filiA  dloti  boni  Gerard!,  possent  dici  mults  laudes,  quia  fuit 
prudens  domina,  literata.  magni  consilii,  et  magns  prudentiaB, 
maxima)  pulchritudlnis,  qum  scivit  bene  loqui  rhytmatice  in 
vuIgarL" 

*OnanMpineheigkL]  "Nell'alpe."  Although  the  Alps, 
as  Landino  remarks,  are  properly  those  mountains  which 
divide  Italy  from  France,  yet  from  them  all  high  mountains 
are  in  the  Tuscan  language,  though  not  in  the  Latin,  termed 
Alps.  Milton  uses  the  word  thus  generally  in  Uie  Samsxm, 
Agonistes: 

Nor  breath  of  venud  air  fhmi  anowy  Alp. 
And  this  i»  a  suAoient  answer  to  tiie  charge  of  improprfety, 
which  is  brought  by  Doctor  Johnson,  on  ^e  intfoduction  of  if 
tato  that  drama.    See  the  BamUer,  No^  140^ 


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»4N.  PURGATORY,  Canto  tVU,  311 

Through  which  thoa  saVst  no  better  thaa  the  mde 

Doth  trough  opacous  membrane ;  then,  whene'er 

The  watery  vapors  dense  began  to  melt 

Into  thin  air,  how  faintly  the  sun's  sphere 

Seem'd  wading  through  them :  so  thy  nimble  thought 

May  image,  Irow  at  first  I  rebeheld 

The  sun,  that  bedward  now  his  couch  o'erfanng. 

Thus,  with  my  leader's  feet  still  equalling  pace, 
From  forth  that  cloud  I  came,  when  now  expired 
The  parting  beams  from  off  the  nether  shores. 
«  O  quick'  and  forgetive  power !  that  sometimes  dost 
So  rob  us  of  ourselves,  we  take  no  mark 
Though  round  about  us  thousand  trumpets  clang ; 
What  moves  thee,  if  the  senses  stir  not?    Light 
Moves  thee  from  heaven,  spontaneous,  self-inform'd ; 
Or,  likelier,  gliding  down  with  swift  illapee 
By  will  divine.    Portray'd  before  me  came 
The  traces  of  her  dire  impiety. 
Whose  form  was  changed  mlo  the  bird,  that  most 
Delights  itself  in  songr  and  here  my  Ynind 
Was  inwardly  so  wrapt,  it  gave  no  place 
To  aught  that  ask'd  admittance  from  without 

'  — ^—  7^  birdt  ^kat  most 
Delights  itself  in  sonf.]    I  cannot  think  with  Vellntello, 
that  the  swallow  is  here  meant.    Dante  probably  alludes  to 
the  story  of  Philomela,  as  it  is  fonnd  in  IIomer*8  Odyssey, 
b.  xix.  518,  ratiier  than  as  later  poets  have  told  it    *'  She  In- 
tended to  slay  the  son  of  her  husband's  brother  Amphion, 
incited  to  it  by  the  envy  of  his  wife,  who  had  six  children, 
while  herself  had  only  two,  but  through  mistake  slew  her 
own  son  Itylus,  and  for  her  punishment  was  transformed  by 
Jupiter  into  a  nightingale.*'    Cowper's  note  on  this  passage. 
In  speaking  of  the  nightingale,  let  me  observe,  that  while 
some  have  considered  its  song  as  a  melancholy,  and  others 
as  a  cheerfhl  one,  Chiabrera  appears^  to  have  come  neaxest 
tlie  truth,  when  he  says,  in  the  Alcippo,  act  i.  sc  1. 
Nonmai  si  stanca  d'iterar  le  note, 
O  gioconde  o  dogliose, 
Al  sentir  dilettose. 
Unwearied  still  reiterates  her  lays. 
Jocund  and  sad,  delightfal  to  the  ear. 
See  a  very  pleasing  letter  on  this  sul^t  by  a  late  illus- 
trious statesman.    JIddress  to  the  reader  prefixed  to  Fbx^s  Nit- 
torff  of  James  IL,  Edit,  1808,  p.  xii. ;  and  a  beautiful  poem  by 
Mr.  Coleridge.    I  know  not  whether  the  following  lines  by  « 
neglected  poet  have  yet  been  noticed,  as  showing  the  diver* 
flty  of  oj^ons  that  have  prevailed  respecting  the  song  of 
this  bird. 

The  cheeiAal  birds 

With  sweetest  notes  to  sing  their  Maker's  inaise, 
Among  the  which,  the  merrie  nightingale 
yViih  swete  and  swete,  her  breast  a^nst  a  thorn, 
Binget  oat  all  night         Fallans,  TaU  of  Ttoo  Swmnm 


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312  THE  VISION.  SS-St. 

Next  shower'd  into  my  fantasy  a  shape 
As  of  one  crucified/  whose  visage  spake 
Fell  rancor,  malice  deep,  wherein  he  died ; 
And  round  him  Ahasuerus  the  g^reat  king ; 
Esther  his  bride ;  and  Mordecai  the  just, 
Blameless  in  word  and  deed.     As  of  itself 
That  unsubstantial  coinage  of  the  brain 
Burst,  like  a  bubble,*  when  the  water  fails 
That  fed  it ;  in  my  vision  straight  uprose 
A  damseP  weeping  loud,  and  cried,  **  O  que^n ! 

0  mother !  wherefore  has  intemperate  ire  ' 
Driven  thee  to  loathe  thy  being?    Not  to  lose 
Lavinla,  de^erate  thou  hast  slain  thyself. 
Now  hast  thou  lost  me.     I  am  ahe^.  whose  tears 
Mourn,  ere  I  fall,  a  mother's  timeless  end." 

E'en  as  a  sleep  breaks  off,  if  suddenly 
New  radiance  strike  upon  the  closed  lids, 
The  broken  slumber  quivering  ere  it  dies  ;* 
Thus,  from  before  me,  sunk  that  imagery, 
Vanishing,  soon  as  on  my  face  there  struck 
The  light,  outshining  far  our  earthly  beam. 
As  round  I  tum'd  me  to  sun^y  what  place 

1  had  arrived  at,  **  Mere  ye  mount :"  exclaim'd 
A  voice,  that  other  purpose  left  me  none^ 
Save  will  so  eager  to  behold  who  spake, 

I  could  not  choose  but  gaze.     As  'ibre  the  sun. 
That  weighs  our  vision  down,  and  veils  his  form 
In  light  transcendent,  thus  my  virtue  fail'd 
Unequal.     "  This  is  Spirit  from  above, 
Who  marshals  us  our  upward  way,  unsought ; 
And  in  his  own  light  shrouds' him.    As  a  man 
Doth  for  himself,  so  now  is  done  for  us. 

1  One  crucified.]    Haman.    See  the  book  of  Esther,  c.  vU. 
"  In  the  Lu'&etta  of  Haman,  we  owe  the  sablime  conception 
of  his  figure  (by  Michael  Angelo)  to  this  passage."    fhueli, 
Lecture  ui.  note, 
s  Like  a  bubble.] 

The  earth  hath  bubbles,  as  the  water  has, 
And  these  are  of  them. 

Shaktpearey  Macbeth,  act  i.  sc.  ilL 
s  A  damsel.]    Lavinia,  monming  for  her  mother  ^Amata 
who,  impelled  by  grief  and  indignation  for  the  sapposea 
death  of  Tamus,  destroyed  herself.    JEn.,  lib.  xii.  595. 

*  The  broken  slumber  quivering  ere  it  dies.]  Venturi  sug- 
gests that  this  bold  and  unusual  metaphor  may  have  been 
formed  on  that  in  VirgU. 

Tempus  erat  quo  prima  qules  mortalibus  mgAM 
Indpit,  et  dono  divftm  gratissima  serpit 

-   ,lib.lLi(» 


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«7-»3.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XVH.  m 

For  whoso  waits  imploriilg,  yet  sees  need 

Of  his  prompt  aidance,  sets  himself  prepared 

For  blunt  denial,  ere  the  suit  be  made. 

Refuse  we  not  to  lend  a  ready  foot 

At  such  inviting :  haste  we  to  ascend, 

Before  it  darken :  for  we  may  not  then, 

Till  mom  again  return/'     So  spake  my  guide ; 

And  to  one  ladder  both  address'd  our  steps ; 

And  the  first  stair  approaching,  I  perceived 

Near  me  as  't  were  the  waving  of  a  wing, 

That  fann'd  my  face,  and  whisper'd :  "  Blessed  they, 

The  peace-makers  :*  they  know  not  evil  wrath." 

Now  to  such  height  above  our  heads  were  raised 
The  last  beams,  foUow'd  close  by  hooded  night, 
That  many  a  star  on  all  sides  tliroudi  the  ^oom 
Shone  out.  "  Why  partest  from  me,  O  my  strength  ?" 
So  with  myself  I  communed  ;  for  I  felt 
My  o'ertoird  smews  slacken.    We  had  reach'd 
The  summit,  and  were  fix'd  like  to  a  bark 
Arrived  at  land.     And  waiting  a  short  space. 
If  aught  should  meet  mine  ear  in  that  new  round,  - 
Then  to  my  guide  I  tum'd,  and  said :  "  Loved  siie ! 
Declare  what  guilt  is  on  this  circle  purged. 
If  our  feet  rest,  no  need  thy  speech  should  pause." 

He  thus  to  me :  "  The  love'  of  good,  whate'er 
Wanted  of  just  proportion,  here  fulfils. 
Here  plies  afresh  the  oar,  that  loiter'd  ill. 
But  that  thou  mayst  yet  clearlier  understand. 
Give  ear  unto  my  words  ;  and  thou  shalt  cull 
Some  fruit  may  please  thee  well,  from  this  delay. 

"  Creator,  nor  created  being,  e'6r. 
My  son,"  he  thus  began,  "  was  without  love. 
Or  natural,'  or  the  free  spirit's  growth. 
Thou  hast  not  that  to  learn.    The  natural  still 
Is  without  error :  but  the  other  swerves. 
If  on  ill  object  bent,  or  through  excess 
Of  vigor,  or  defect.    While  e°er  it  seeks^ 

1  Tke peaee-maker».]  "Blessed  are  the  peace-makers, for 
they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God."    MaU^  v.  9. 

s  The  love.]  "A  defect  in  our  love  towards  God,  or  lake- 
warmness  in  piety,  is  here  removed." 

*  Or  Ttatural.]  Lombardi  refers  to  the  Convito,  Canz.  1 
Tratt  S,  cap.  3,  Where  this  subjeet  ki  diffiisely  treated  by  our 
Poet 

*  IVhile  e*er  it  teeks.]    SoFrezzi: 

S  s*egli  i  ben,  che  d*altro  ben  dipenda, 
Non  8*ami  quasi  per  se  esistente, 
Be  vnoi,  che  quando  6  tolto,  non  t*oflrenda. 

-  ^  S  Q^adrir.,  Ub  iL  cap.  14 


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314  THE  VISION.  M-ISI 

The  pimal  bleanngs,^  or  with  measore  dae 

The  inferior,'  no  deligh^ ,  that  flows  from  it. 

Partakes  of  ilL    But  let  it  warp  to  evil, 

Or  with  more  ardor  than  behooves,  or  less, 

Parsae  the  good ;  the  thing  created  then 

Works  'gainst  its  Maker.    Hence  thou  must  iii^» 

That  love  is  germin  of  each  virtue  in  ye. 

And  of  each  act  no  less,  that  merits  pain. 

Now*  since  it  may  not  be,  but  love  intend 

The  welfare  mainly  of  the  thing  it  loves. 

All  from  self-hatred  are  secure  ;  and  since 

No  being  can  be  thought  to  exist  apart. 

And  independent  of  the  first,  a  bar 

Of  equal  force  restrains  from  hating  that 

'*  Grant  the  distmction  just ;  and  it  remains 
The  evil  must  be  another's,  which  is  loved. 
Three  ways  such  love  is  gendef'd  in  your  clay. 
There  b*  who  hopes  (his  neighbor's  worth  depress'd) 
Pre-eminence  himself ;  and  covets  hence. 
For  his  own  greatness,  that  another  fall. 
There  is*  who  so  much  feare  the  loss  of  power, 
Fame,  favor,  glory,  (should  his  fellow  mount 
Above  him,)  and  so  sickens  at  the  thought, 
He  loves  their  opposite  :  and  there  is  he," 
Whom  wrong  or  insult  seems  to  gall  and  shame, 
That  he  doth  thirst  €or  vengeance  ;  and  such  needs 
Must  doat  on  other's  evil.     Here  beneath, 
This  threefold  love  is  moum'd.^    Of  the  other  sort 
Be  now  instructed  ;  that  which  follows  good. 
But  with  disorder'd  and  irregular  course. 

**  All  indistinctly  apprehend  a  bliss, 


This  Capitolo,  which  describes  the  punishment  of  those 
who  give  way  to  inordinate  grief  for  the  loss  of  their  kindred, 
Ss  marked  by  much  power  of  imagination  and  a  sublime 
morality. 

^  The  prifMl  blessings.}    Spiritual  good. 

«  7%e  inferior.}    Temporal  good. 

*  JVow.J  "It  is  impossible  for  any  being,  either  to  hale 
Itself,  or  to  hate  the  First  Cause  of  all,  by  which  it  exists. 
We  can  therefore  only  rejoice  in  the  evil  which  befiUls  others,** 


*  There  is.}    The  proud. 

•  T^ereis.] 


,    The  envious. 

<  There  is  he}    The  resentful. 
T  This  tkretfold  Urns  is  vunanCd.}   Frezzi  alludes  to  this 
distinction. 

Snperbia  pnote  essere  In  tre  modi ; 
Bi  come  si  dimostra  dalla  Mnsa, 
La  qual  hai  letta,  e  che  tn  tanto  lodl. 

n  Q:Mdrir.f  lib.  ilL  cap.  %. 


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19H37.       PURGATORY,  Canto  XVIH.  Jlft 

On  which  the  soul  may  rest ;  the  hearts  of  all 
Yearn  after  it ;  and  to  that  wished  bourn 
All  therefore  strive  to  tend.     If  ye  behold, 
Or  seek  it,  with  a  love  remiss  and  lax ; 
This  cornice,  after  just  repenting,  lays 
Its  penal  torment  on  ye.    Other  good 
There  is,  where  man  finds  not  his  happme« : 
It  is  not  true  fruition ;  not  that  ble^t 
Essence,  of  every  good  the  branch  and  root 
The  love  too  lavishly  bestow'd  on  this, 
Along  three  circles^  over  us,  is  moum'd.     " 
Account  of  that  division  tripartite 
Expect  not,  fitter  for  thine  own  research.** 


CANTO  XVIII. 

ARGUMENT. 
Virgil  disconnes  farther  concerning  the  nature  of  love.  Thea 
a  mulUtade  of  spirits  rasli  by ;  two  of  whom  in  van  of  the 
rest,  record  instances  of  zeal  and  fervent  affection,  and 
another  who  was  abbot  of  San  Zeno  in  Verona,  declares 
himself  to  Virgil  and  Dante;  and  lastly  follow  other  spirito, 
shouting  forth  memorable  examples  of  the  sin  for  which 
they  suffer.  The  Poet,  punuing  his  meditations,  fklls  into 
a  dreamy  slumber. 

The  teacher  ended,'  and  his  high  discourse 
Concluding,  earnest  in  my  looks  inquired 
If  I  appeared  content ;  and  I,  whom  still 
Unsatod  thirst  to  hear  him  urged,  was  mute. 
Mute  outwardly,  yet  inwardly  I  said ! 
"  Perchance  my  too  much  questioning  oSenda.** 
But  he,  true  father,  mark'd  the  secret  wish 
By  diffidence  restrained  ;  and,  speaking,  gave 

^  Along  three  circles.']  According  to  the  allegorical  com- 
mentators, as  Ventnrl  has  observed.  Reason  is  reiuresented 
under  the  person  of  Vii^l,  and  Sense  under  that  of  Dante. 
The  former  leaves  to  the  latter  to  discover  for  itself  the  three 
carnal  sins— avarice,  gluttony,  and  libidinousness ;  having 
already  declared  the- nature  of  the  spiritual  sins— pride,  envy, 
anger,  and  indifference,  or  lukewarmness  In  piety,  which 
the  Italians  call  ocodta,  from  the  Greek  word  iia^tay  and 
which  Chaucer  vainly  endeavored  to  naturalize  in  our  lan< 

Siage.    See  the  Persone's  Tale.    Lomlwurdi  refers  to  Thomas 
quinas,  Ifj.  1.,  Quest  73,  Art.  S,  for  the  division  here  made 
by  our  Poet. 

s  The  teacher  ended.]    Compare  Plato,  Protagoras,  v.  ill.  p. 
193,  Bin.  edit^  UpuTaydpas  fth  rootOra  ic.rJk.    ApoU.  Rhod. 
I  i.  513,  and  MUton,  P.  L.,  b.  viii.  1. 
The  angel  ended,  and  in  Adam*s  ear 
8o  charming  left  his  voice,  that  he  awhile 
lliooght  him  still  speaking,  stUl  stood  fii'd  to  hear 


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SI6  THE  VISION.  »-» 

Me  boldnen  thus  to  speak :  "  Master !  my  sij^t 
Gathera  so  lively  virtue  from  thy  beams, 
That  all,  thy  words  convey,  distinct  is  seen. 
Wherefore  I  pray  thee,  father,  whom  this  heart 
Holds  dearest,  thou  wouldst  deign  by  proof  t'  unfold 
That  love,  from  which,  as  from  their  source,  thou 

brinifst 
All  good  deeds  and  their  opposite."    He  then : 
"  To  what  I  now  disclose  be  thy  clear  ken 
Directed ;  and  thou  plainly  shalt  behold  [self  es 

How  much  those  blind  have  err'd,  who  make  thexn- 
The  guides  of  men.    The  soul,  created  apt 
To  love,  moves  versatile  which  way  soe'er 
Aught  pleasing  prompts  her,  soon  as  she  is  waked 
By  pleasure  into  act    Of  substance  true 
Your  apprehension^  forms  its  counterfeit ; 
And,  in  you  the  ideal  shape  presenting. 
Attracts  the  soul's  regard.    If  she,  thus  drawn. 
Incline  toward  it ;  love  is  that  inclining, 
And  a  new  nature  knit  by  pleasure  in  ye. 
Then,  as  the  fire  points  up,  and  mounting  seeks 
His  birthplace  and  his  lasting  seat,  e'en  Uius 
Enters  the  captive  soul  into  desire. 
Which  is  a  spiritual  motion,  that  ne'er  rests 
Before  enjoyment  of  the  thhig  it  loves. 
Enough  to  show  thee,  how  the  truth  from  those 
Is  hidden,  who  aver  all  love  a  thing 
Praiseworthy  in  itself ;  although  perhaps* 


1  Yow  afijfrekeMio%,\  It  is  literally,  **  Tour  apprehensiTS 
finally  derives  intension  from  a  thing  really  ezistinf,  and 
displays  that  intension  within  yon,  so  that  it  makes  the  soul 
tnm  to  it*'  The  commentators  labor  in  explaining  this ;  bat 
whatever  sense  they  have  elicited,  may,  I  think,  be  resolved 
into  the  words  of  the  translation  in  the  text. 

«  P0rAap«.J  "  Our  author,**  Venturi  observes,  "  nses  the 
language  of  the  Peripatetics,  which  denominates  the  kii^  of 
thir.gs,  as  determinable  by  many  differences,  natUr.  Love, 
then,  in  kind,  perhaps,  appears  good ;  and  it  is  said  perhap»t 
because,  strictly  speaking,  in  kind  there  is  neither  good  nor 
bad.  neither  praiseworthy  nor  blameable."  To  this,  Lom 
bardi  adds,  that  what  immediately  follows,  namely,  that 
**  every  mark  is  not  good  althongh  the  wax  be  so,'*  answers 
to  this  inter]n«tatlon.  For  the  wax  is  inrecisely  as  the  deter- 
minable matter,  and  the  mark  or  impression  as  the  deter- 
mining form ;  and  even  as  the  wax,  which  is  either  good  or 
at  least  not  bad,  may,  by  being  imprinted  by  a  bad  figure, 
acquire  the  name  of  bad ;  so  may  love  be  said  generally  to 
be  good  or  at  least  not  bad,  and  acquire  the  name  of  bad  by 
being  determined  to  aik  imflt  object.  "  As  the  wax  takes  all 
shapes,  and  yet  is  wax  still  at  the  bottom ;  the  H  (twoKtk 


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PlJRGATORy,  Camto  XVIIL  317 

Iti  matter  seem  still  good.    Yet  if  the  wax 
Be  good,  it  follows  not  the  impression  must** 

"What  love  b,**  I  retum'd,  "  thy  words,  O  guide ! 
And  my  own  docile  mind,  reveaL    Yet  thence 
New  doubts  have  sprang.    For,  from  without,  if  lore 
Be  offered  to  us,  and  the  spirit  knows 
No  other  footing ;  tend  she  right  or  wrong, 
Is  no  desert  of  hers."    He  answering  thus : 
«  What  reason  here  discovers,  I  have  power 
To  show  thee :  that  which  lies  beyond,  expect 
From  Beatrice,  faith  not  reason's  task. 
Spirit,^  substantial  form,  with  matter  join'd, 
Not  in  confusion  mix'd,  hath  in  itself 
Specific  virtue  of  that  union  bom. 
Which  is  not  felt  except  it  work,  nor  proved 
But  through  effect,  as  vegetable  life 
By  the  green  leal    From  whence  his  intellect 
Deduced  its  primal  notices  of  things, 
Man  therefore  knows  not,  or  his  appetites 
Their  first  affections ;  such  in  you,  as  zeal 
In  bees  to  gather  honey  ;  at  the  first. 
Volition,  meritmg  nor  blame  nor  praise. 
But  o'er  each  lower  faculty  supreme, 
That,  as  she  list,  are  summoned  to  her  bar. 
Ye  have  that  virtue'  in  you,  whose  just  voice 
Uttereth  counsel,  and  whose  word  should  keep 
The  threshold  of  assent.    Here  is  the  source. 
Whence  cause  of  merit  in  you  is  derived ; 
E'en  as  the  affections,  good  or  ill,  she  takes. 
Or  severs,"  winnow'd  as  the  chaff    Those  men,* 

fiwov  still  is  wax ;  so  the  soul  transported  in  so  many  several 
passions  of  joy,  fear,  hope,  sorrow,  anger,  and  the  like,  has 
tar  its  general  gronndwork  of  all  this.  Love.**  Henry  More, 
Discourse  xvL  This  passa|e  in  the  most  philosophical  of 
oar  theologians,  may  serve  for  an  answer  to  the  objection  of 
those  who  blame  Collins  for  not  having  brought  in  Love 
among  the  "  Passions**  in  his  exqoisite  ode. 

A  SpiriL]  The  homan  soul,  which  difiers  from  that<tf  brates, 
Inasmuch  as  though  united  with  the  body  it  has  a  separate 
existence  of  its  own. 

>  T%at  virtue.]    Reason. 

*  Or  severs.]  Lest  the  reader  of  the  original  should  be  mis- 
led, it  is  right  to  warn  him  that  the  word  "  vigliare**  must  not 
be  confounded  with  *' vagliare**  to  winnow,  and  strictly  means 
"  to  separate  from  the  straw  what  remains  of  the  grain  after 
the  threshing.**  The  process  is  distinctly  described  in  the 
notes  on  the  Decameron,  p.  77,  Ediz.  Giunti,  1573,  where  this 
passage  is  referred  to. 

*  TTkose  men.]  The  great  moral  philosophers  among  tl»e 
heathens. 


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318  THE  VISION.  e&-^ 

Who,  reasoning,  went  to  depth  profooncest,  mark'd 

That  mnate  freedom ;  and  were  thence  induced 

To  leave  their  moral  teaching  to  the  world. 

Grant  then,  that  from  necessity  arise 

All  love  that  glows  within  you ;  to  dismiss 

Or  harbor  it,  the  power  is  m  yourselves. 

Remember,  Beatrice,  in  her  style, 

Denominates  free  choice  by  eminence 

The  noble  virtue ;  if  in  talk  with  thee 

She  touch  upon  that  theme."     The  moon,  well  nigh 

To  midnight  hoiur  belated,  made  the  stars 

Appear  to  wink  and  fade ;  and  her  broad  disk 

Seem'd  like  a  crag*  on  fire,  as  up  the  vault* 

That  course  she  joumey'd,  which  the  sun  then  warmsf 

When  they  of  Rome  behold  hun  at  his  set 

Betwixt  Sardinia  and  the  Corsic  isle. 

And  now  the  weight,  that  hung  upon  my  thought, 

Was  lighten'd  by  the  aid  of  that  clear  spirit. 

Who  raiseth  Andes*  above  Mantua's  name. 

i^therefore,  when  my  questions  had  obtained 

Solution  plain  and  ample,  stood  as  one 

Musing  in  dreamy  slumber ;  but  not  long 

Slumber'd  ;  for  suddenly  a  multitude. 

The  steep  abeady  turning  from  behind, 

Rush'd  on.    With  fury  and  like  random  rout, 

As  echoing  on  their  shores  at  midnight  heard 

Ismenus  and  Asopus,^  for  his  Thebes 

If  Bacchus'  help  were  needed ;  so  came  these 

Tumultuous,  curvmg  each  his  rapid  step, 

1  j3  erag.]  I  have  preferred  the  reading  of  Landino,  schef 
rion^  "  crag,'*  conceiving  it  to  be  more  poetical  than  secchion^ 
"  buclcet,"  which  is  the  common  reading.  The  same  cause, 
the  vapors,  which  the  conunentatcnrs  say  might  give  the  ap- 
pearance of  increased  magnitude  to  the  moon,  might  also 
make  her  seem  broken  at  her  rise.  Lombardl  explains  it  dif- 
ferently. The  moon  being,  as  he  says,  in  the  fifth  night  of 
her  wane,  has  exactly  the  figure  of  a  brazen  bucket,  round  at 
the  bottom  and  open  at  top ;  and,  if  we  suppose  it  to  be 
all  on  fire,  we  shall  have,  beside^  the  form  of  the  moon,  her 
color  also.  There  is  a  simile  in  one  of  Fieldlng*8  novels  very 
like  this,  but  so  ludicrous  that  I  am  unwilling  to  disturb  tli.8 
reader's  gravity  by  inserting  it. 

*  Vpthe  vauii.}  The  moon  passed  with  a  motion  opposite 
to  that  of  the  heavens,  through  the  constellaUon  of  the  Scor- 
pion, in  which  the  sun  is,  when  to  those  who  are  in  Rome  he 
appears  to  set  between  the  Isies  of  Corsica  and  Sardini]t. 

s  Ande*.]  Andes,  now  Pietola,  made  more  famous  than 
Mantua,  near  which  it  is'  situated,  by  having  been  the  birth- 
place of  Vligil. 

*  Jtmeru*  ani  AMopua.'l    Riven  near  Thebes. 


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95-128.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XVni.  319 

By  eagerness  impelPd  of  holy  love. 

Soon  they  overtook  us ;  with  such  swiftness  moved 
The  mighty  crowd.    Two  spirits  at  their  head 
Cried,  weepmg,  "  Blessed  Mary*  sought  with  haste 
The  hilly  region.    Caesar,'  to  subdue 
Ilerda,  darted  in  Marseilles  his  sting. 
And  flew  to  Spam." — "  Oh,  tany  Hot :  away !" 
The  others  shouted  ;  "  let  not  time  be  lost 
Through  slackness  of  affection.    Hearty  zeal 
To  serve  reanimates  celestial  grace." 

^  O  ye !  in  whom  intenser  fervency 
Haply  supplies,  where  lukewarm  erst  ye  faiPd, 
Slow  or  neglectful,  to  absolve  your  part 
Of  good  and  virtuous  ;  this  man,  who  yet  lives, 
(Credit  my  tale,  though  strange)  desires  to  ascend 
So  morning  rise  to  light  us.     Therefore  say 
Which  hand  leads  nearest  to  the  rifted  rock." 

So  spake  my  guide  ;  to  whom  a  shade  retum'd : 
"  Come  after  us,  and  thou  shalt  find  the  cleft. 
We  may  not  linger :  such  resistless  will ' 
Speeds  our  unwearied  course.    Vouchsafe  us  then 
Thy  pardon,  if  our  duty  seem  to  thee 
Discourteous  rudeness.     In  Verona  I 
Was  abbot*  of  San  Zeno,  when  the  hand 
Of  Barbarossa  grrasp'd  Imperii' sway, 
That  name  ne'er  utter'd  without  tears  in  Milan. 
And  there  is  he,*  hath  one  foot  in  his  grave. 
Who  for  that  monastery  ere  long  shall  weep, 
Ruing  his  power  misused :  for  that  his  son, 
Of  body  ill  compact,  and  worse  in  mind, 
And  bom  in  evil,  he  hath  set  in  place 
Of  its  true  pastor."    Whether  more  he  s{>ake, 
Or  here  was  mute,  I  know  not :  he  had  sped 
E'en  now  so  far  beyond  us.    Yet  thus  much 


1  Mary.]  "  And  Mary  arose  in  those  days,  and  went  into 
the  hill-conntry  with  haste,  into  a  city  of  Jada ;  and  en- 
tered into  the  hoosa  of  Zacharias,  and  saluted  Elisabeth.*' 
Luke,  i.  39,  40. 

3  Cmsar.]  See  Lncan,  Phars.,  lib.  ilL  and  iv.,  and  Cssar  de 
Bello  Civili,  lib.  i.  Caesar  ieft  Brutus  to  romplete  the  siege 
of  Marseilles,  and  hastened  on  to  the  attack  of  Afranins 
and  Petreios,  the  generals  of  Pompey,  at  Ilerda  (Lerida)  in 
Spain. 

>  Mbot.}  Alberto,  abbot  of  San  Zeno  In  Verona,  when 
Frederick  I.  was  emperor,  by  whom  Milan  was  besieged  and 
rednced  to  ashes,  in  1162. 

*  There  U  A«.]  Alberto  della  Scala,  Lord  of  Verona,  who 
had  made  his  natoral  son  abbot  of  San  Zeno. 


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320  THE  VISION.  139-14S 

I  heard,  and  in  remembrance  treasured  it 

He  then,  who  never  fail'd  me  at  my  need, 
Cried,  **  Hither  turn.     Lo !  two  with  sharp  remoiM 
Chiding  their  sin."     In  rear  of  all  the  troop 
These  shoated :  "  First  they  died,'  to  whom  the  AM 
Open'd,  or  ever  Jordan  saw  his  heirs : 
And  they,'  who  ^ith  iBneas  to  the  end 
Endured  not  sufiering,  for  their  portion  chose 
Life  without  glory."     Soon  as  they  had  fled 
Past  reach  of  sight,  new  thought  within  me  rose 
By  others  foUow'd  fast,  and  each  unlike 
Its  fellow :  till  led  on  from  thought  to  thought. 
And  pleasured  with  the  fleeting  train,  mine  eye 
Was  closed,  and  meditation  changed  to  dream 


CANTO  XIX 

ARGUMENT. 

The  Poet,  after  describing  bis  dream,  relates  how,  at  the  stun 
moning  of  ah  angel,  he  ascends  n^ith  Vii^l  to  the  fifth  cor 
nice,  where  tbe  sin  of  avarice  is  cleansed,  and  where  ht 
finds  Pope  Adrian  the  Fifth. 

It  was  the  hour,*  when  of  diurnal  heat 
No  reliques  chafe  the  cold  beams  of  the  moon, 
O'erpower'd  by  earth,  or  planetary  sway 
Of  Saturn  :  and  the  geomancer^  sees 
His  Greater  Fortune  up  the  east  ascend, 
Where  gray  dawn  checkers  first  the  shadowy  cone  ; 
When,  lore  me  in  my  dream,  a  woman's  shape' 

1  Firtt  t/Uf  died.]  The  Israelites^  who,  on  account  c '  their 
disobedience,  died  before  reaching  the  (Hromlsed  land. 

«  jjjwi  tkeif.]  Those  Trojans,  who,  wearied  with  their  voy 
age,  chose  rather  to  remain  in  Sicily  with  Acestes,  than  ae 
company  JBneas  to  Italy.    Firg.  JEn.,  lib.  v. 

*  The  hour.]    Near  the  dawn. 

*  The  ge^maneer.]  The  geomancers,  saya  Landino,  when 
they  divined,  drew  a  figore  consisting  of  sixteen  marks,  named 
ftom  so  many  stars  which  constitute  the  end  of  Aqnarius  and 
the  beginning  of  Pisces.  One  of  these  they  called  "  the 
greater  fortune.**  Chaucer  has  imitated  this  in  a  descripUon  , 
of  morning,  (Troilus  and  Creseide,  b.  iii.)  for  he  did  not  find 
it  in  hit  original,  Boccaccio's  FUostrato  :— 

But  when  tbe  cocke,  commune  astrologer, 
6an  on  his  brest  to  bete,  and  after  crowe, 
And  Lucifer  the  dayis  messMiger 
6an  for  to  rise,  and  out  his  bemis  throwe. 
And  estward  rose,  to  him  that  could  it  knows, 
Fortnna  Major. 

*  A  wman**  thape.]    Woridly  happiness.     This  aUefoiv 
'  I  OS  of  the  **  Choice  of  Hercttlet.'* 


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»-37.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XIX  321 

There  came,  with  lips  that  stammer'd,  eyes  ailant. 
Distorted  feet,  hands  maim'd,  and  color  pale. 

I  loc^'d  upon  her :  and,  as  sunshine  cheers 
Limbs  numb'd  by  nightly  cold,  e'en  thus  my  look 
Unloosed  her  tongue  ;  next,  in  brief  space,  her  fomi 
Decrepit  raised  erect,  and  faded  face 
With  love's  own  hue'  illumed     Recovering  speech. 
She  forthwith,  warbling,  such  a  strain  began. 
That  I,  how  loth  soe'er»  could  scarce  have  held 
Attention  from  the  song.    "  I,"  thus  she  sang, 
"  I  am  the  Syren,  she,  whom  mariners 
On  the  wide  sea  are  wilder'd  when  they  hear : 
Such  fulness  of  delight  the  listener  feels. 
I,  from  his  course,  Ulysses*  by  my  lay 
Enchanted  drew.    Whoe'er  frequents  me  once. 
Parts  seldom :  so  I  charm  him,  and  his  heart 
Contented  knows  no  void."    Or  ere  her  mouth 
Was  closed,  to  shame  her,  at  my  side  appear'd 
A  dame*  of  semblance  holy.     With  stem  voice 
She  utter'd :  "  Say,  O  Virgil !  who  is  this  ?" 
Which  hearing,  he  approach'd,  with  eyes  still  bent 
Toward  that  goodly  presence:  the  other  seized  her. 
And,  her  rob^  tearing,  open'd  her  before. 
And  show'd  the  belly  to  me,  whence  a  smell. 
Exhaling  loathsome,  waked  me.    Round  I  tum'd 
Mine  eyes:  and  thus  the  teacher :  "  At  the  least 
Three  times  my  voice  hath  call'd  thee.   Rise,  begone. 
Let  us  the  opening  find  where  thou  mayst  pass. ' 

I  straightway  rose.      Now  day,  pour'd  down  from 
Fill'd  all  the  circuits  of  the  sacred  mount ;         [high, 


1  Love*9  own  hue."] 

A  smile  that  g1ow*d 

Cele^al  rosy  red,  love's  proper  hue. 

MUton,  P.  Z,.,  b.  viii.  619. 

fades  pulcherrima  tunc  est, 

Quum  porphyriaco  variatur  Candida  rubro. 
Cluid  color  hie  roseus  sibi  vult  t  designat  aroorem : 
dnippe  amor  est  igni  slmilis ;  flammasqne  mbentes 
Ignis  habere  solet. 

PalingeHii  TLodiacu*  FittBy  lib.  zii. 

*  Ulyaaet.']  It  is  not  easy  to  determine  why  Ulysses,  cojt- 
trary  to  the  authority  of  Homer,  is  said  to  have  been  drawn 
aside  firom  his  course  by  the  song  of  the  Syren.  No  improba 
ble  way  of  accounting  for  the  contradiction  is,  to  suppose  that 
she  is  here  rejN'esented  as  purposely  deviating  from  the  truth. 
Or  Dante  may  have  followed  some  legend  of  the  middle  ages, 
in  whkh  the  wanderings  of  Ulysses  were  represented  other* 
wise  than  in  Hcnuer. 

*  A  doMie.'i    Philosophy,  or  perliaiM  Truth 

Si 


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33d  THE  VISION.  38-« 

And  as  we  joiimey*d,  on  our  shonlder  smote 

The  eaily  ray.    I  follow'd,  stooping  low 

My  forehead,  as  a  man,  overcharged  with  thougnty 

Who  bends  him  to  the  likeness  of  an  arch 

That  midway  spans  the  flood ;  when  thus  I  heaidy 

"  Come,  enter  here,"  in  tone  so  soft  and  mild, 

As  never  met  the  ear  on  mortal  strand. 

With  swan-like  wings  dispread  and  pointing  up. 
Who  thus  had  spoken  marshallM  us  along, 
Where,  each  side  of  the  solid  masonry. 
The  sloping  walls  retired ;  then  mov^  his  plumes, 
And  fanning  us,  affirmed  that  those,  who  mourn,' 
Are  blessed,  for  that  comfort  shall  be  theirs. 

**  What  aileth  thee,  that  still  thou  look'st  to  earth'/* 
Began  my  leader ;  while  the  angelic  shape 
A  little  over  us  his  station  took. 

"  New  vision,"  I  replied,  "  hath  raised  in  me 
Surmisings  strange  and  anxious  doubts,  whereon 
My  soul  intent  allows  no  other  thought 
Or  room,  or  entrance." — '*  Hast  thou  seen,"  said  he, 
**  That  old  enchantress,  her,  whose  wiles  alone 
The  spirits  o*er  us  weep  for?     Hast  thou  seen 
How  man  may  free  him  of  her  bonds  ?    Enough. 
Let  thy  heels  spurn  the  earth  f  and  thy  raised  ken 
Fix  on  the  lure,  which  heaven's  eterbal  King 
Whirls  in  the  rolling  spheres."     As  on  his  feet 
The  falcon*  first  looks  down,  then  to  the  sky 
Turns,  and  forth  stretches  eager  for  the  food, 
That  woos  him  thither ;  so  the  call  I  heard : 
So  onward,  far  as  the  dividing  rock 
Gave  way,  I  joumey'd,  till  the  plain  was  reached. 

>  Who  mourn.]   "Blessed  are  they  that  monm;  for  they 
fhall  be  comforted.*'    Matt,  v.  4. 

3  Let  thy  heel*  spurn  the  earth.]    This  is  a  metaphor  froin 
hawking,  though  less  apparent  than  in  the  lines  that  follow. 
■  Thefaieon.] 

Poi  come  fa  '1  falcon,  qnando  si  move, 
Cosi  Omilti  al  cielo  alzb  la  vista. 

J^ezzi,  n  Quadrir.t  lib.  iv.  cap.  v. 
lo  vidi  poi  color  tatti  levare 
Inverso  il  clelo,  come  fa  '1  falcone, 
duando  la  preda  sua  prende  in  su  Tare. 

Ibid^y  cap.  xUL 
One  of  our  periodical  critics  has  remarked,  that  Dante  most 
have  loved  hawking ;  and  "  that  he  paints  his  bird  always  to 
the  life.»'  Edinburgh  Review,  No.  Iviii.  p.  472.  In  the  same 
manner  Mr.  Blomfield  supposes  that  JBschylua  was  addicted 
to  fishing,  because  he  often  takes  his  metaphors  firom  fishiM 
nets.  See  that  gentleman's  notes  to  the  Pers».  Gloesar.,  v.  430. 


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69-105.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XIX.  323 

On  the  fifth  circle  when  T  stood  at  large, 
A  race  appeared  before  me,  on  the  ground 
All  downward  lying  prone  and  weeping  sore. 
"  My  soul*  hath  cleaved  to  the  dust,"  I  heard 
With  sighs  so  deep,  they  well-nigh  choked  the  words. 

"  O  ye  elect  of  God !  whose  penal  woes 
Both  hope  and  justice  mitigate,  direct 
Towards  the  steep  rising  our  uncertain  way.*' 

"  If  ye  approach  secure  from  this  our  doom, 
Prostration,  and  would  urge  your  course  with  speed. 
See  that  ye  still  to  rightward  keep  the  brink." 

So  them  the  bard  besought ;  and  such  the  words, 
Beyond  us  some  short  space,  in  answer  came. 

I  noted  what  remain'd  yet  hidden  from  thee?  i* 
Thence  to  my  liege's  eyes  mine  eyes  I  bent, 
And  he,  forthwith  interpreting  their  suit, 
Beckon'd  his  glad  assent     Free  then  to  act 
As  pleased  me,  I  drew  near,  and  took  my  stand 
Over  that  shade  whose  words  I  late  had  mark'd. 
And,  "  Spirit  I"  I  said,  "  in  whom  repentant  tears 
Mature  that  blessed  hour  whenlhou  with  God 
Shalt  find  acceptance,  for  a  while  suspend 
For  me  that  mightier  care.     Say  who  thou  wast ; 
Why  thus  ye  grovel  on  your  beUies  prone  ; 
And  if,  in  aught,  ye  wish  my  service  there. 
Whence  living  I  am  come."     He  answering  spake : 
"  The  cause  why  Heaven  our  back  toward  his  cope 
Reverses,  shalt  thou  know :  but  me  know  first, 
The  successor  of  Peter,'  and  the  name . 
And  title  of  my  lineage,  from  that  stream^ 
That  'twixt  Chiaveri  and  Siestrl  draws 
His  limpid  waters  through  the  lowly  glen. 
A  month  and  little  more  by  proof  I  leam'd 
With  what  a  weight  that  robe  of  sovereignty 
Upon  his  shoulder  rests,  who  from  the  mire 
Would  guard  it ;  that  each  other  fardel  seems 
But  feathers  in  the  balance.    Late,  alas ! 

1  MfftovZ.]  "My  soul  cleaveth  to  the  dost:  quicken  thott 
nie  according  to  thy  word."    Psalm  cxix.  25. 

>  /  noted  what  remained  yet  hidden  from  them.}  They  were 
ignorant,  it  appeared,  whether  Dante  was  come  there  to  be 
purged  of  his  sins. 

«  The  sueeeetor  of  Peter.]  Ottobuono,  of  the  fiunily  of  Pl- 
eschi.  Counts  of  Lavagno,  died  thirty-nine  days  after  he  bfr 
came  pope,  with  the  title  of  Adrian  v.,  in  1376. 

*  That  stream.}  The  river  Lavagno,  in  the  Genoese  tOTti« 
torv;  to  the  east  of  which  territory  are  situated  Siestrl  and 
Chiaveri. 


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324  THE  VISION.  10C-13t 

Was  my  conyeraion :  but,  when  I  became 

Rome's  pastor,  I  discern'd  at  once  the  dream 

And  cozenage  of  life ;  saw  that  the  heart 

Rested  not  there,  and  yet  no  prouder  height 

Lured  on  the  climber :  wherefore,  of  that  life 

No  more  enamor'd,  in  my  bosom  love 

Of  purer  being  kindled.     For  till  then 

I  was  a  soul  in  misery,  alienate 

From  God,  and  covetous  of  all  earthly  things ; 

Now,  as  thou  seest,  here  punish'd  for  my  doting. 

Such  cleansing  from  the  taint  of  avarice, 

Do  spirits,  converted,  need.    This  mount  inflicts 

No  direr  penalty.    E'en  as  our  eyes 

Fastened  below,  nor  e*er  to  loftier  clime 

Were  lifted  ;^  thus  hath  justice  levelled  us. 

Here  on  the  earth.    As  avarice  quenched  our  love 

Of  good,  without  which  is  no  working ;  thus 

Here  justice  holds  us  prison'd,  hand  and  foot 

Chained  down  and  bound,  while  heaven's  just  Loxd 

shall  please. 
So  Ion?  to  tarry,  motionless,  outstretched." 

My  knees  I  stoop'd,  and  would  have  spoke ;  but  he. 
Ere  my  beginning,  by  his  ear  perceived 
I  did  him  reverence ;  and  "  What  cause,"  said  he, 
"Hath  bow'd  thee  thus ?"—«  Compunction,"  I  re- 
«  And  inward  awe  of  your  high  dignity."        [join'd, 

"  Up,"  he  exclaim'd,  "  brother !  upon  thy  feet 
Arise ;  err  not :'  thy  fellow-servant  I, 
(Thine  and  all  othera')  of  one  Sovereign  Power. 
If  thou  hast  ever  mark'd  those  holy  sounds 
Of  gospel  truth,  *  nor  shall  be  given  in  marriage,** 
Thou  mayst  discern  the  reasons  of  my  speech. 
Go  thy  ways  now ;  and  linger  here  no  more. 
Thy  tarrying  is  a  let  unto  &e  tears. 
With  which  I  hasten  that  whereof  thou  spakest* 

1  Were  lifted.]  Rosa  Morando  and  Lombardl  are  very  ■•• 
vera  on  Veninrra  perplexity  occasioned  by  the  word  "  aderse." 
They  have  ncme  of  them  noticed  Landino's  reading  of 
''apene.'*    Edis.  1484. 

s  Err  not]  *'  And  I  fsU  at  Ills  feet  to  worship  him.  And 
he  said  onto  me,  See  thou  do  it  not :  I  am  thy  fellow-servant, 
and  of  thy  brethren  that  have  the  testimony  of  Jesus.**  Rev. 
zix.10. 

•  JV«r  BhfoUhe  given  in  fMrriage.}  **Since  in  this  state  we 
neither  marry  nor  are  given  in  marriage,  I  am  no  l(mger  the 
sponse  of  the  chnrdi,  and  therefore  no  longer  retain  my  tat 
mer  dignity.*'    See  JMott.,  zziL  30. 

<  TkatwIuTtfthm  tpaksaU]   See  v.  80. 


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140-143  PURGATORY,  Canto  XX  dd& 

I  have  on  earth  a  kmswoman  ;^  her  name 
Alagia»  worthy  in  herself,  bo  ill 
Example  of  our  house  corrupt  her  not : 
And  she  is  all  remaineth  of  me  there." 


CANTO   XX. 

ARGUMENT. 
Among  those  on  the  fifth  cornice,  Hugh  Capet  records  llhw* 
trious  examples  of  voluntary  poverty  &;id  of  bounty ;  then 
tells  who  himself  is,  and  speaks  of  his  descendants  on  th4 
French  throne ;  and,  lastly,  adds  some  noted  instances  of 
avarice.  When  he  has  ended,  the  mountain  shakes,  and 
all  tne  spirits  sini:  *'  Glory  to  God.** 

Tll  strives  the  will,  'gainst  will  more  wise  that  strives : 
His  pleasure  therefore  to  mine  own  preferred, 
I  drew  the  sponge'  yet  thirsty  from  the  wave. 

Onward  I  moved :  he  also  onward  moved, 
Who  led  me,  coasting  still,  wherever  place 
Along  the  rock  was  vacant ;  as  a  man 
Walks  near  the  battlements  on  narrow  waU. 
For  those  on  the  other  part,  who  drop  by  drop 
Wring  out  their  all-infecting  malady. 
Too  closely  press  the  verge.    Accursed  be  thou, 
Inveterate  wolf !'  whose  gorge  ingluts  more  prey, 
Than  every  beast  beside,  yet  is  not  filFd ; 
So  bottomless  thy  maw. — ^Ye  spheres  of  heaven ! 
To  whom  there  are,  as  seems,  who  attribute 
All  change  in  mortal  state,  when  is  the  day 
Of  his  appearing,^  for  whom  fate  reserves 
To  chase  her  hence? — ^With  wary  steps  and  slow 
We  pass'd  ;  and  I  attentive  to  the*  shades. 
Whom  piteously  I  heard  lament  and  wail ; 
And,  'midst  the  wailing,  one  before  us  heard 
Cry  out  "  O  blessed  Virgin  !**  as  a  dame 
In  the  sharp  pangs  of  childbed ;  and  "  How  poor 
Thou  wast,"  it  added,  "  witness  that  low  roof 
Where  thou  didst  lay  thy  sacred  burden  down. 
O  good  Fabricius  I*  thou  didst  virtue  choose 

1  j9  kinstDoman.]  Alagia  is  said  to  have  been  the  wife  of 
the  Marchese  Marcello  Malaspina,  one  of  the  Poet's  protectors 
dnrlng  his  exile.    See  Canto  vUi.  133. 

>  I  drew  the  8ponge.\  "I  did  not  persevere  in  my  inqniiiet 
from  the  spirit,  though  still  anxious  to  learn  more." 

•  Wolf.i  Avarice.  ^ 

^  Of  hia  appearing."]  He  is  thought  to  allude  to  Can  Grande 
dellaScala.    See  Hell,  canto  1. 98. 

*  fhirtetM.]  So  our  anthor  in  the  second  book  of  the  De 
Monarehift,  p.  121.    ''Nonne  Fabridum,  &c.*>     ''Has  nol 


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326  TH£  VISION.  S6-S1 

With  poverty,  before  great  wealth  with  viee." 

The  words  bo  pleased  me,  that  desire  to  know 
The  spirit,  from  whose  lip  they  seem'd  to  come, 
Did  draw  me  onward.    Yet  it  spake  the  gift 
Of  Nicholas,'  which  on  the  maidens  he 
Bonnteons  bestow'd,  to  save  their  youthful  prime 
Unblemish'd.    "  Spirit !  who  dost  speak  of  deeds 
So  worthy,  tell  me  who  thou  wast,*'  I  said, 
"  And  why  thou  dost  with  single  voice  renew 
Memorial  of  such  praise.     That  boon  vouchsafed 
Haply  shall  meet  reward  ;  if  I  return 
To  finish  the  short  pilgrimage  of  life, 
Still  speeding  to  its  close  on  restless  wing.*' 

"  I,"  answered  he,  "  will  tell  thee  ;  not  for  help, 
Which  thence  I  look  for ;  but  that  in  thyself 
Grace  so  exceeding  shines,  before  thy  time 
Of  mortal  dissolution.     I  was  root^ 
Of  that  ill  plant,  whose  shade  such  poison  shedK 
O'er  all  the  Christian  land,  that  seldom  thence 
Good  fruit  is  gather'd.   Vengeance  soon  should  comef 
Had  Ghent  and  Douay,  LiUe  and  Bruges  power  ;* 
And  vengeance  I  of  heaven's  great  Judge  implore. 
Hugh  Capet  was  I  bight :  from  me  descend 
The  Philips  and  the  Louis,  of  whom  France 
Newly  is  govem'd :  bom  of  one,  who  plied 
The  slaughterer's  trade*  at  Paris.    When  the  race 

Fabricins  given  as  another  example  of  resisting  avarice, 
when,  poor  as  he  was,  he  preserved  his  faith  to  the  repablic, 
and  rejected  with  scorn  a  great  som  of  gold  that  was  offered 
him  1  Oar  Poet  in  the  sixth  book  records  tliis,  when  he  saya^ 
—  Parvoqae  potentem 

Fabricimn.*' 
Compare  Petrarch,  Tr.  della  Fama,  c.  i. 

Un  Cario  ed  un  Fabricio  assai  piu  belli 

Con  la  lor  poverti,  che  Mida  e  Crasso 

Con  r<»ro  ond*  a  vbrtu  Airon  rubelli. 
1  JSTieholtu.]  The  story  of  Nicholas  is,  that  an  angel  hav 
Ing  revealed  to  him  that  the  &ther  of  a  family  was  so  impov- 
erished as  to  resolve  on  exposing  the  chastity  of  his  three 
daughters  to  sale,  he  threw  In  at  the  window  of  their  house 
three  bags  of  money,  containing  a  sufficient  portion  for  each 
of  them, 
s  Root.\    Hugh  Capet,  ancestor  of  Philip  IV. 

*  Had  Ohent  and  Douay,  LiUe  and  Brvgea  power.]  ThetP 
elties  had  lately  been  seized  by  Philip  IV.  The  spirit  is  made 
to  intimate  the  approaching  defeat  of  the  French  army  by  the 
Flemings,  in  the  battle  of  Courtrai,  which  happened  in  1903- 

*  The  elaughtertr'e  trade.]  This  reflection  on  the  birth  of 
his  ancestor,  induced  Francis  L  to  ihrbid  the  reading  of  Dante 
in  his  dominions.  Hugh  Capet,  who  came  to  the  throne 
of  Fhuice  in  987,  was  however  the  grandson  of  Robert,  who 


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PURGATORY,  Canto  XX.  337 

Of  ancient  k'ngs  had  yanish'd  (all  save  one^ 
Wrapp'd  up  in  sable  weeds)  within  my  gripe 
I  found  the  reins  of  empire,  and  such  powers 
Of  new  acquirement^  with  full  store  of  friends. 
That  soon  the  widow'd  circlet  of  the  crown 
Was  girt  upon  the  temples  of  my  son,* 
He,  from  whose  bones  the  anointed  race  begins. 
Till  the  great  dower  of  Provence*  had  removed 
The  stauis,^  that  yet  obscured  our  lowly  blood. 
Its  sway  indeed  was  narrow ;  but  howe'er 
It  wrought  no  evil :  there,  with  force  and  lies. 
Began  its  rapine  :  after,  for  amends,' 
Poitou  it  seized,  Navarre  and  Gascony.' 


was  the  brother  of  Endes,  King  of  France  in  888 ;  and  it  may, 
therefore,  well  be  questioned,  whether  by  Beccalo  di  Parigi 
is  meant  literally  one  who  carried  on  the  trade  of  a  batcher, 
at  Paris,  and  whether  the  sanguinary  disposition  of  Hugh 
Capet's  father  is  not  stigmatized  by  this  opprobrious  appeiki' 
tion.    See  Cancellieri,  Osservazioni,  &c.,  Roma,  1814,  p.  6. 

>  ^11  save  one.]  The  posterity  of  Charlemagne,  the  second 
race  of  French  monarchs,  had  failed,  with  the  exception  of 
Charles  of  Lorraine,  who  is  said,  on  account  of  the  melan- 
choly temper  of  his  mind,  to  have  always  clothed  himself  in 
black.  Venturi  suggests  tliat  Dante  may  have  confounded 
him  with  Childeric  III^  the  last  of  the  Merovingian,  or  first 
race,  who  was  deposed  and  made  a  monlc  in  751. 

9  My  son.]  Hugh  Capet  caused  his  son  Robert  to  be 
crowned  at  Orleans. 

«  The  great  dower  of  Provence.]  Louis  IX.  and  his  brother 
Charles  of  Anjon,  married  two  of  the  four  daughters  of  Ray- 
mond Berenger,  Count  of  Provence.    See  Par.,  c.  vi.  135. 

*  The  stains.]  Lombardi  understands  this  differently  from 
all  the  other  commentators  with  whom  I  am  acquainted. 
The  word  "  vergogna"  he  takes  in  the  sense  of  "  a  praise- 
worthy shame  of  doing  ill  ;*'  and  according  to  him,  the  trans- 
lation should  run  thus : 

The  shame  that  yet  i-estrainM  my  race  from  ill. 
By  "  Provenza"  he  understands  the  estates  of  Toulouse,  the 
dowry  of  the  only  daughter  of  Raymond,  Count  of  Toulouse, 
married  to  a  brother  of  Louis  IX. 

ft  For  amends.]    This  is  ironical. 

e  Poitou  it  seized,  J^avarre  and  Oascony.]  I  venture  to  read-^ 
Potti  e  Navarra  prese  e  Guascogna, 
instead  of 

Ponti  e  Normandia  prese  e  Gnascc^a. 
Seized  Ponthieu,  Normandy  and  Gascogny. 
Landino  has  "  Potti,"  and  he  is  probably  right :  for  Poitoa 
was  annexed  to  the  French  crown  by  Philip  IV.  See  He  • 
nault,  Abr6ge  Chron.,  A.  D.  1283,  &c.  Normandy  had  been 
united  to  it  long  before  by  Philip  Augustus,  a  circumstance 
of  which  it  is  difficult  to  imagine  that  Dante  should  have 
been  ignorant ;  but  Philip  IV.,  says  Henault,  ibid.,  took  the 
title  of  King  of  Navarre :  and  the  subjugation  of  Navarrs 


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328  THE  VISION.  65, 66 

To  Italy  came  Chailes ;  and  for  amends, 
Yomig  Conradine,'  an  innocent  victim,  slew ; 

Is  also  alluded  to  in  the  Paradise,  Canto  zix.  140.  In  1303^ 
Pliilip  IV.  summoned  Edward  I.  to  do  him  homage  for  tlie 
duchy  of  Gascogny,  wliich  he  had  conceived  the  design  of 
seizing.    See  6.  Villani,  lib.  viU.  cap.  iv. 

The  whole  passage  has  occasioned  much  perplexity.  I 
cannot  witlihold  from  my  readers  the  advantage  of  an  at- 
tempt made  to  unravel  it  by  the  late  Archdeacon  Fisher, 
which  that  gentleman,  though  a  stranger,  had  the  goodness 
to  communicate  to  me  in  the  following  terms :  '*  I  am  en- 
couraged to  offer  yon  an  elucidation  of  a  passage,  with  the 
interpretation  of  which  I  was  never  yet  satisfied.  As  it  goes 
to  establisli  the  accuracy  of  two  very  happy  conjectures 
which  you  have  made  at  Purg.  xx.  66,  yon  will  perhaps  £m- 
give  me,  if  my  notion  a  little  militates  against  your  solution 
of  tiie  difficulty.    The  passage  is  as  follows : 

r  fed  radice  della  mala  pianta, 
Che  la  terra  Cristiana  tntta  aduggia, 
Bi  che  buon  frutto  rado  se  ne  schlanta. 
Ma  se  Doagio,  Guanto,  Lilla,  e  Bruggia 
Potesser,  tosto  ne  saria  vendetta: 
Ed  io  la  cheggio  a  lui,  che  tutto  giuggia 

Mentre  che  la  gran  dote  Provenzale 
Al  sangue  mio  non  tolse  la  vergogna, 
Poco  valea,  ma  pur  non  facea  male. 
Li  comincib  con  forza  e  con  menzogna 
La  sua  rapina ;  e  poscia,  per  amTmenda, 
Potti  e  Navarra  prese,  e  Guascogna. 

It  IS  my  persuasion  that  the  stanzas  I  have  copied  are  ons 
passage,  continuous  in  its  sense,  interrupted  only  by  a  pa 
renthesis  of  four  stanzas,  which  are  introduced  as  necessary 
to  the  political  solution  of  the  meaning.  Again,  I  think  that 
my  quoted  stanzas  refer  to  only  one  person,  and  that  Philip 
IV.  of  France.  He  is  depicted  by  both  the  phrases,  mala 
pianta,  and  sangue  mio.  I  do  not  find  that  Louis  IX.  ob 
tained  any  part  of  Provence  by  dowry,  owing  to  his  marriage 
with  the  daughter  of  the  prince  of  that  country ;  at  least  no- 
thing equivalent  to  the  words  la  gran  dote  P.'ovenzale.  1 
suppose  the  stanzas  quoted  to  depict  tbe  three  great  events 
in  the  life  of  Piiilip  IV.  He  married,  during  the  life  of  his 
father,  the  heiress  of  the  kingdom  of  Navarre,  and  also  of 
the  duchy  of  Champagne.  Philip  obtained  at  once  the  soV' 
ereignty  of  both  these  dowries,  and  left  to  his  son  Pliilip  V. 
the  title  of  King  of  France  and  Navarre.  On  the  accession 
of  Philip  IV.  to  the  throne,  he  became  embroiled  with  the 
English  respecting  the  duchy  of  Guienne,  which,  after  having 
changed  masters  frequently,  was  then  in  the  possession  of 
Edward  I.  The  word  Guienne  included  Poitou  and  Gascony, 
and  was  generally  the  country  termed  by  Ceesar,  Aquitania. 
By  perfidy,  and  the  childish  ignorance  of  Edmund,  the  brother 

or  Edward  I^  Philip  got  possession  of  Guienne The 

duchy  of  Champagne,  now  annexed  to  the  crown  of  France, 
lying  adjacent  to  that  of  Flanders,  Philip  next  endeavored 
to  lay  hands  on  that  fief:  and  failing  in  treacherous  nego 
tiation,  he  carried  a  cruel  and  murderous  war  into  the  low 
CDuntneSy  and  laid  them  desolate.    His  progress  was  stopped 


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«7-77.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XX.  339 

And  sent  the  angelic  teachei*  back  to  heaven, 
Still  for  amends.     I  see  the  time  at  hand, 
That  forth  fr»m  France  invites  another  Charles' 
To  make  himself  and  kindred  better  known. 
UnarmM  he  issues,  saving  with  that  lance, 
Which  the  arch-traitor  tilted  with  •*  and  that 
fte  carries  with  so  home  a  thiast,  as  rives 
The  bowels  of  poor  Florence.     No  increase 
Of  territory  hence,  but  sin  and  shame 
Shall  be  his  guerdon ;  and  so  much  the  more 
As  he  more  lightly  deems  of  such  foul  wrong. 


by  the  Flemings  at  the  battle  of  CJourtrai,  and  he  was  soon 
after  compelled  to  surrender  Guienne  to  the  English  kin^ 
and  t^nake  peace  with  bis  nnmeroos  enemies. 

'*  Now  to  these  three  leading  epochs  of  Philip's  life,  the 
Poet  seems  to  allude.  Doagio,  Guanto,  Lilla  e  Bmggia  refer 
to  his  desolating  war  in  Flanders ;  Vendetta,  to  the  battle  of 
Conrtrai ;  la  gran  dote  Provenzale,  to  the  dowry  of  the  king- 
dom of  Navarre  and  the  duchy  of  Champagne ;  forza  e  men- 
togna,  to  his  conduct  respecting  Guienne  with  its  two  sister 
lurovinces,  as  yon  so  convincingly  coi\jectured,  Fotti  e  Guas- 
cogna.*' 

^  Toung'  Ck)nradine.\  Charles  of  Anjou  put  Conradino  to 
death  in  1368,  and  became  King  of  Naples.  See  Hell,  Canto 
xxviii.  16,  and  note.  Compare  Fazio  degli  Uberti.  Dittamon- 
do,  lib.  11.  cap.  xxix. 

«  The  angelic  teacher.]  Thomas  Aquinas.  He  was  reported 
to  have  been  poisoned  by  a  physician,  who  wished  to  ingra- 
tiate himself  with  Charles  of  Anjou.  "  In  the  year  1323^  at 
the  end  of  July,  by  the  said  Pope  John  and  by  his  cardinals, 
was  canonized  at  Avignon  Thomas  Aquinas,  of  the  order  of 
Saint  Dominic,  a  master  in  divinity  and  philosophy,  a  man 
most  excellent  in  all  science,  and  who  expounded  the  sense 
of  scripture  better  than  any  one  since  the  time  of  Augiutin. 
He  lived  In  the  time  of  Charles  I.  King  of  Sicily ;  auditing 
to  the  council  at  Lyons,  it  is  said  that  he  was  killed  by  a 
physician  of  the  said  king,  who  put  poison  for  him  into  some 
sweetmeats,  thinking  to  ingratiate  himself  with  King  Charles, 
because  he  was  of  the  lineage  of  the  lords  of  Aquino,  who 
had  rebelled  against  the  king,  and  doubting  lest  he  should 
be  made  cardinal :  whence  the  church  of  God  received  great 
damage.  He  died  at  the  abUey  of  Fossanova,  in  Campagua.** 
O.  ViUani,  lib.  iz.  cap.  218.  We  shall  find  him  in  the  Para- 
dise, Canto  X. 

»  Another  Ckarlee.]  Charles  of  Valois,  brother  of  Philip 
IV.,  was  sent  by  Pope  Boniface  VHI.  to  settle  the  disturbed 
state  of  Florence.  In  consequence  of  the  measures  he  adopt- 
ed for  that  purpose,  our  Poet  and  his  fVlends  were  condemned 
to  exile  and  death.*  See  G.  Villanl,  lib.  viii.  c.  xlvlli. 


■  Wia  that  lancet 


Which  the  arch-traitor  tilted  with.] 

con  la  lancla 

Con  la  qua!  giostrb  Giuda. 
If  I  remember  right,  in  one  of  the  old  romances,  Jndat  li 
represented  tilting  with  our  Saviour. 


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330  THE  VISION.  ';8-t» 

I  see  the  other,'  (who  a  prisoner  late 
Had  stepped  on  shore)  exposing  to  the  mart 
His  daughter,  whom  he  bargains  for,  as  do 
The  Corsairs  for  their  slaves.     O  avarice ! 
What  canst  thou  more,  who  hast  subdued  oar  blood 
So  wholly  to  thyself,  they  feel  no  care 
Of  their  own  flesh?    To  hide  with  direr  ^uilt 
Past  ill  and  future,  lo !  the  flower-de-luc^ 
Enters  Alagna ;  in  his  Vicar  Christ 
Himself  a  captive,  and  his  mockery 
Acted  agauL     Lo !  to  his  holy  lip 
The  vinegar  and  gall  once  more  applied ; 
And  he  'twizt  living  robbers  doom'd  to  Ueed. 
Lo !  the  new  Pilate,  of  whose  cruelty 
Such  violence  cannot  fill  the  measure  up,        ^ 
With  no  decree  to  sanction,  pushes  on 
Into  the  temple'  his  yet  eager  sails. 
«  O  sovereign  Master  !^  when  shall  I  rejoice 


1  The  other.]  Charles,  King  of  Naples,  the  eldest  son  of 
Charles  of  Ank>a,  having,  contrary  to  the  directions  of  his 
father,  engaged  with  Roggier  de  Laorbi,  the  admiral  of  Peter 
of  Aragon,  was  made  pmoner,  and  carried  into  Sicily,  June, 
1284.  He  afterwards,  in  consideration  of  a  large  sum  of 
money,  married  his  daughter  to  Azzo  Vm.  Marquis  of  Fer- 
rara.  I  take  Lauria  to  be  the  hero  meant  by  Petrarch  in  his 
Triumph  of  Fame, 

duel  di  Luria  seguiva  11  Saladino.  Cap.  ii.  v.  151. 

Of  whom  Biagioli  says  in  a  note,  "^on  so  chi  sia,  e  n<m 
trovo  n^  vivo  nd  morto  chi  mel  dica.*'  *'  I  know  not  who  he 
is,  and  I  find  no  one  alive  or  dead  to  tell  me."  Mariana,  lib. 
zivA:ap.  10,  calls  Lauria  *'  a  brave  captain,  signalized  by  his 
former  victories."  See  also  the  seventh  book  of  G.  Villani's 
history,  and  Boccaccio*s  Decameron,  6.  5,  N.  6 ;  where  he  Is 
named  Ruggieri  deir  Oria. 

*  7%«  Jlower-de-luee.]  Boniface  VTII.  was  seized  at  Alagna 
in  Campagna,  by  the  order  of  Philip  IV.  in  the  year  1303,  and 
soon  after  died  of  grief.  6.  Villani,  lib.  viii.  cap.  63.  *'  As  it 
pleased  God,  the  heart  of  Boniface  being  petrified  with  grief, 
through  the  injury  he  had  sustained,  when  he  came  to  Rome, 
he  fell  into  a  strange  malady,  fcff  he  gnawed  himself  as  one 
Drantic,  and  in  this  state  expired."  His  character  is  strongly 
drawn  by  the  annalist  in  the  next  chapter.  Thus,  says  Lan* 
dino,  was  verified  the  prophecy  of  Celestine  respecting  him, 
that  he  should  enter  on  the  popedom  like  a  fox,  reign  like  a 
lion,  and  die  like  a  dog. 

>  Into  the  temple.y  ft  is  uncertain  whether  oiir  Poet  alludes 
still  to  the  event  mentioned  in  the  preceding  note,  or  to  the 
destruction  of  the  order  of  the  Templars  in  1310,  but  the 
latter  appears  more  probable. 

*  O  toverei^  Master.]  Lombard!,  who  rightly  corrects  Ven- 
tnri*s  explanation  of  this  passage,  with  which  I  will  not 
trouble  the  reader,  should  have  acknowiedsed,  if  he  was  con- 
scioas  of  it,  that  his  own  Interpretation  of  it  was  the  lama 


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9«-133.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XX.  331 


To  see  the  vengeance,  which  thy  wrath,  well-ple) 
In  secret  silence  broods? — ^While  daylight  lasts, 
So  long  what  thon  didst  hear^  of  her,  sole  spouse 
Of  the  Great  Spirit,  and  on  which  thou  tum'dst 
To  me  for  comment,  is  the  general  theme 
Of  all  our  prayers :  but,  when  it  darkens,  then 
A  different  strain  we  utter ;  then  record 
Pygmalion,'  whom  his  gluttonous  thirst  of  gold 
Made  traitor,  robber,  parricide :  the  woes 
Of  Midas,  which  his  greedy  wish  ensued, 
Marked  for  derision  to  all  future  times: 
And  the  fond  Achan,*  how  he  stole  the  prey. 
That  yet  he  seems  by  Joshua's  ire  pursued. 
Sapphira  with  her  husband  next  we  blame ; 
And  praise  the  forefeet,  that  with  furious  ramp 
Spum*d  Heliodorus.^    AH  the  mountam  round 
Rings  with  the  infamy  of  Thracia's  king,* 
Who  slew  his  Phrygian  charge :  and  last  a  shout 
Ascends:  *  Declare,  O  Crassus  !*  for  thou  know'st. 
The  flavor  of  thy  gold.'    The  voice  of  each 
Now  high,  now  low,  as  each  his  impulse  prompts. 
Is  led  through  many  a  pitch,  acute  or  grave. 
Therefore,  not  singly,  I  erewhile  rehearsed 
That  blessedness  we  tell  of  in  the  day : 
But  near  me,  none,  beside,  his  accent  raised.*' 
From  him  we  now  had  parted,  and  essay'd 
With  utmost  efforts  to  surmount  the  way ; 
When  I  did  feel,  as  nodding  to  its  fall, 

as  that  before  given  by  Vellutello :  "  When,  O  Lord,  shaH  I 
behold  that  vengeance  accomplished,  which  "being  already 
determined  in  thy  secret  jndgment,  thy  retributive  justice 
even  now  contemplates  with  delight  1'* 
I  What  thou  didst  hear.]    See  v.  21. 
s  PfgmalionJl 

Hie  Sycharam 

Impios  ante  aras,  atque  aori  cscus  amore, 
Clam  ferro  incautom  snperat. 

Firg".  JEn^i  1. 1. 350. 

*  Aehan."]    Joshua,  vli. 

^  Heliodorus.]  "  For  there  appeared  anto  them  an  horse, 
with  a  terrible  rider  upon  him,  and  adorned  with  a  very  fair 
covering,  and  he  ran  fiercely  and  smote  at  Heliodorus  with 
his  fore  feet'*    2  .Vocco^cm,  iii.  25. 

*  TTkrada'a  hiitgr.]  Polymnestor,  the  murderer  of  Polydo- 
ms.    Hell,  Canto  XXX.  19. 

*  Cratsua.]  Marcus  Crassus,  who  fell  miserably  in  the 
Parthian  war.    See  Appian.  Parthica. 

E  vidi  Ciro  phi  di  sangue  avaro, 

Che  Crasso  d*oro,  e  i*uno  e  I'altro  n  ebbe 

Tanto,  che  pprve  a  ciascheduno  amaro.       PetrareA 


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332  THE  VISION.  124-U\ 

The  niountaia  tremble ;  whence  an  icy  chill 
Seized  on  me,  as  on  one  to  death  convey'd. 
So  shook  not  Delos,  when  Latona  there 
Couch'd  to  bring  forth  the  twin-bom  eyes  of  heaven 

Forthwith  from  every  side  a  shout  arose 
So  vehement,  that  suddenly  my  guide  [thee." 

Drew  near,  and  cried :  "  Doubt  not,  while  I  conduct 
"  Glory !"  all  shouted,  (such  the  sounds  mine  ear 
GatherM  from  those,  who  near  me  sweird  the  sounds,) 
"  Glory  in  the  highest  be  to  God."     We  stood 
Immoveably  suspended,  like  to  those. 
The  shepherds,  who  first  heard  in  Bethlehem's  field 
That  song :  till  ceased  the  trembling,  and  the  soAg 
Was  ended:  then  our  hallow'd  path  resumed, 
Eying  the  prostrate  shadows,  who  renewed 
Their  custom'd  mourning.    Never  in  my  breast 
Did  ignorance  so  struggle  with  desire 
Of  knowledge,  if  my  memory  do  not  err. 
As  in  that  moment ;  nor  through  haste  dared  I 
To  question,  nor  myself  could  aught  discern. 
So  on  I  fared,  in  thoughtfulness  and  dread. 


CANTO   XXI. 

ARGUMENT. 
The  two  poets  are  overtaken  by  the  spirit  of  Btatias,  wAo» 
being  cleansed,  is  on  his  way  to  Paradise,  and  who  explains 
the  caase  of  the  mountain  shaking,  and  of  the  hymn ;  his 
joy  at  beholding  Virgii. 

The  natural  thurst,  ne'er  quench'd  but  from  the 
Whereof  the  woman  of  Samaria  craved,  [well* 

Excited ;  haste,  along  the  cumber'd  path, 
After  my  guide,  impelled ;  and  pity  moved 
My  bosom  for  the  Vengeful  doom  though  }\uL 
When  lo !  even  as  Luke'  relates,  that  Chnst 
Appeared  unto  the  two  upon  their  way, 
New-risen  from  his  vaulted  grave ;  to  us 
A  shade  appear'd,  and  after  us  approach'd, 
Contemplating  the  crowd  bedeath  its  feet. 
We  were  not  ware  of  it ;  so  first  it  spake, 
Saying,  "  God  give  you  peace,  my  brethren !"  then 
Sudden  we  tum'd :  and  Virgil  such  salute, 
AfT  fitted  that  kind  greeting,  gave ;  and  cried : 

>  7^  lodl.]    "  The  woman  saith  unto  him,  Sir,  give  iiio 
Uiis  water,  that  I  thirst  not.**    JohHt  iv.  15. 
«  Luke,}    Chapter  xxiv.  13. 


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IJMi.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXL  333 

*'  Peace  in  the  blesMd  council  be  t\ty  lot, 

Awarded  by  that  righteous  court  which  me 

To  everlasting  banishment  exiles."  [while 

"  How  !"  he  exclaimed,  nor  from  his  speed  mean- 
Desisting  ;*  "  If  that  ye  be  spirits  whom  God 
Vouchsafes  not  room  above  ;  who  up  the  height 
Has  been  thus  far  your  guide  V*  To  whom  the  bard : 
"  If  thou  observe  the  tokens,'  which  this  man, 
Traced  by  the  finger  of  the  angel,  bears  ; 
'Tis  plain  that  in  the  kingdom  of  the  just        [wheel 
He  needs  must  share.     But  sithence  she,*  whose 
Spins  day  and  night,  for  him  not  yet  had  drawn 
That  yam,  which  on  the  fatal  distaff  piled, 
Clotho  apportions  to  each  wight  that  breatlies ; 
His  soul,  that  sister  id  to  mine  and  thine. 
Not  of  herself  could  mount ;  for  not  like  ours 
Her  ken :  whence  I,  from  forth  the  ample  gulf 
Of  hell,  was  ta'en,  to  lead  him,  and  will  lead 
Far  as  my  lore  avails.     But,  if  thou  know. 
Instruct  us  for  what  cause,  the  mount  erewhile 
Thus  shook,  and  trembled :  wherefore  all  at  once 
SeemM  shouting,  even  from  his  wave-wash*d  foot." 

Thus  questioning  so  tallied -with  my  wish, 
The  thirst  did  feel  abatement  of  its  edge 
E*en  from  expectance.     He  forthwith  replied . 
"  In  its  devotion,  naught  irregular 
This  mount  can  witness,  or  by  punctual  rule 
Unsanction'd ;  here  from  every  change  exempt, 
Other  than  that,  which  heaven  in  itself 
Doth  of  itsel^eceive,^  no  influence 
Can  reach  us.    Tempest  none,  shower,  hail,  or  bnow, 
Hoar  frost,  or  dewy  moistness,  higher  falls 
Than  that  brief  scale  of  threefold  steps :  thick  clouds, 
Nor  scudding  rack,  are  ever  seen:  swift  glance 

i nor  from  hi*  speed  meamehUe 

Deeieting.]  The  unintelligible  reading  of  almost  all  the 
editions  here  (but  not  of  all,  as  Lombardi  would  lead  ns  to 
suppose,  except  his  favorite  Nidobeatina)  is 

E  perchd  andate  forte  1 
Vellutello  has  also  that  which  is  no  doubt  the  right : 
£  parte  andava  forte. 
'  7^  toketu.]  The  letter  P  for  Peccata,  sins,  inscribed  upon 
his  forehead  by  the  Angel,  in  order  to  his  being  cleared  of 
them  in  his  passage  through  Purgatory  to  Paradise. 
*  She.}    Lachesis,  one  of  the  three  f^tes. 
— ■  tJkotf  lohich  keave%  in  itself 

Doth  of  itself  receive.]  Ventori,  I  think  rightiy,  hit«n««« 
this  to  be  light. 


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334  THE  VISION.  4»*8l 

Ne*er  lightens ;  nor  Thamnantian^  Iris  gleams, 

That  yonder  often  shifts  on  each  side  heaven. 

Vapor  adust  doth  never  mount  above 

The  highest  of  the  trinal  stairs,  whereon 

Peter's  vicegerent  stands.    Lower  perchance. 

With  iTdrious  motion  rock'd,  trembles  the  soil: 

But  here,  through  wind  in  earth's  deep  hollow  pent* 

I  know  not  how,  yet  never  trembled :  then 

Trembles,  when  any  spirit  feels  itself 

So  purified,  that  it  may  rise,  or  move 

For  rismg ;  and  such  loud  acclaim  ensues. 

Purification,  by  the  will  alone. 

Is  proved,  that  free  to  change  society 

Seizes  the  soul  rejoicing  in  her  will. 

Desire  of  bliss  is  present  from  the  first ; 

But  strong  propension  hinders,  to  that  wish* 

By  the  just  ordinance  of  heaven  opposed ; 

Propension  now  as  eager  to  fulfil 

The  allotted  torment,  as  erewhile  to  sin. 

And  I,  who  in  this  punishment  had  lain 

Five  hundred  years  and  more,  but  now  have  felt  . 

Free  wish  for  happier  clime.    Therefore  thou  fek'iil 

The  mountain  tremble  ;  and  the  spirits  devout 

Heard'st,  over  all  his  limits,  utter  praise 

To  that  lieee  Lord,  whom  I  entreat  their  joy 

To  hasten.    Thus  he  spake :  and,  since  the  draught 

Is  grateful  ever  as  the  thirst  is  keen, 

No  words  may  speak  my  fulness  of  content 

"  Now,"  said  the  mstructor  sage,  "  I  see  the  net* 
That  takes  ye  here ;  and  how  the  toiL^pure  loosed ; 
Why  rocks  the  mountain,  and  wny  ye  rejoice. 
Vouchsafe,  that  from  thy  lips  I  next  may  learn 
Who  on  the  earth  thou  wast ;  and  wherefore  here, 

1  Tkaumaniian.]    Figlia  di  Tanmante. 

Qdwiiavros  Qvydnip.  Hesiod.  T^lec^^TSO. 

Compare  Plato,  Theiet.,  v.  ii.  p.  76.  Bip.  edit.  Virg.  iEn.,  iz.5; 
and  Spenser,  Faery  Claeen,  b.  v.  c  iii.  st.  25. 

Fair  is  Thaomantias  in  her  crystal  gown. 

DruMtHoiuLt 

*  To  that  wish,]  Lombardi  here  alters  the  sense  by  reading 
with  the  Nidobeatina,  "  con  tal  voglia,"  instead  of  "  contra 
vogUa,"  and  explains  it :  "  With  the  same  ineffsctoal  will, 
with  which  man  was  contrary  to  sin,  while  he  resolved  on 
•inning,  even  with  the  same,  wonid  he  wish  to  rise  from  his 
torment  in  Purgatory,  at  the  same  time  that  through  inclina- 
tion to  satisfy  Uie  divine  Justice  he  yet  remains  there.*' 

*  I  tee  the  net.]  "I  perceive  that  ye  are  detained  here  by 
your  wish  to  satisfy  the  divine  justice  ** 


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«»-110.  PURGATORY,  Cantu  XXL  335 

So  many  an  agre,  wert  prostrate."—-"  In  that  time, 
When  the  good  Titua,*  with  Heaven's  King  to  help, 
Avenged  those  piteous  gashes,  whence  the  blood 
By  Judas  sold  did  issue ;  with  the  name' 
Most  lasting  and  most  honor'd,  there,  was  I 
Abundantly  renown'd,"  the  shade  replied, 
**  Not  yet  with  faith  endued.    So  passing  sweet 
My  vocal  spirit ;  from  Tolosa,'  Rome 
To  herself  drew  me,  where  I  merited 
A  myrtle  garland^  to  inwreath  my  brow 
Statius  they  name  me  stilL     Of  Thebes  I  sang. 
And  next  of  great  Achilles ;  but  i'  the  way 
.  Feil*  with  the  second  burden.     Of  my  flame 
Those  sparkles  were  the  seeds,  which  I  derived 
From  the  bright  fountain  of  celestial  fire 
That  feeds  unnumber'd  lamps ;  the  song  I  mean 
Which  sounds  JSneas'  wanderings :  that  the  breast 
I  hung  at ;  that  the  nurse,  from  whom  my  veins 
Drank  inspiration :  whose  authority 
Was  ever  sacred  with  me.     To  have  lived 
Coeval  with  the  Mantuan,  I  would  bide 
The  revolution  of  another  sun 
Beyond  my  stated  years  in  banishment" 

The  Mantuan,  when  he  heard  him,  tum*d  to  me ; 
And  holding  silence,  by  his  countenance 
Enjom'd  me  silence :  but  the  power,  which  wills. 
Bears  not  supreme  control :  laughter  and  tears 
Follow  so  closely  on  the  passion  prompts  them, 
They  wait  not  for  the  motions  of  the  will 

>  When  the  good  THtus.]  When  it  was  so  ordered  by  the 
divine  Providence  that  Titus,  by  the  destraction  of  Jerusalem, 
should  avenge  the  death  of  our  Saviour  on  the  Jews. 

s  7%e  name."]    The  name  of  Poet 

s  FVom  Tolosa.]  Dante,  as  many  others  have  done,  con- 
founds Statius  the  poet,  who  was  a  Neapolitan,  with  a  rheto- 
rician of  the  same  name,  who  was  of  Tolosa,  or  Thoulouse. 
Thus  Chaucer,  Temple  of  Fame,  b.  iii. 

The  Tholason,  that  height  Stace. 
And  Boccaccio,  as  cited  by  Lombard! : 

E  Stazio  di  Tolosa  ancoracaro.  Amoros.  Via.  Cani.&» 

*  A  myrtle  garland.} 

Gt  vos,  O  lauri,  carpam,  et  te,  prozima  myrte. 

Firg.  Eel.,  11. 
aual  vaghezza  di lauro?  o  qual  dl  mirto  ?      Petrarea, 
Yet  once  more,  O  ye  laurels,  and  once  more 
Ye  myrtles  brown.  JUUtont  LyeidM^* 

*  FbUJ]  Statins  lived  to  write  only  a  small  part  of  the 
AchiUeid. 


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336  THE  VISION.  111-137 

In  natures  most  sincere.     I  did  but  smile,* 
As  one  who  winks ;  and  thereapon  the  shade 
Broke  off,  and  peered  into  mine  eyes,  where  best 
Our  looks  interpret     **  So  to  good  event 
Mayst  thou  conduct  such  great  emprize,"  he  cried 
**  Say,  why  across  thy  visage  beam'd,  but  now. 
The  ^gfatuing  of  a  smile."     On  either  part 
Now  am  I  straiten'd ;  one  conjures  me  speak, 
The  other  to  silence  binds  me :  whence  a  sigh 
I  utter,  and  the  «gh  is  heard.     "  Speak  on," 
The  teacher  cried :  "  and  do  not  fear  to  speak  ; 
But  tell  him  what  so  earnestly  he  asks." 
Whereon  I  thus:  **  Perchance,  O  ancient  spirit  I 
Thou  marvell'st  at  my  smiling.     There  is. room 
For  yet  more  wonder.     He,  who  gruides  my  ken 
On  high,  he  is  that  Mantuan,  led  by  whom 
Thou  didst  presume  of  men  and  gods  to  sing. 
If  other  cause  thou  deem'dst  for  which  I  smiled. 
Leave  it  as  not  the  true  one  ;  and  believe 
Those  words,  thou  spakest  of  him,  indeed  the  cause.** 
Now  down  he  bent  to  embrace  my  teacher's  feet ; 
But  he  forbade  him :  "  Brother !  do  it  not : 
Thou  art  a  shadow,  and  behold'st  a  shade." 
He,  rising,  answer'd  thus :  "  Now  hast  thou  proved 
The  force  and  ardor  of  the  love  I  bear  thee. 
When  I  forget  we  are  but  things  of  air, 
And,  as  a  substance,  treat  an  empty  shade."    • 


CANTO   XXII. 


ARGUMENT. 

Dante,  Virgil,  and  Statins  mount  to  the  sixth  cornice,  where 
the  sin  of  gluttony  is  cleansed,  tlie  two  Latin  Poets  dis- 
coursing by  the  way.  Turning  td  the  riglit,  they  find  a  tree 
hung  with  sweet-smelling  fruit,  and  watered  by  a  shower 
that  issues  from  the  roclc.  Voices  are  heard  to  proceed  from 
among  the  leaves,  recording  examples  of  temperance 

Now  we  had  left  the  angel,  who  had  tum'd 
To  the  sixth  circle  our  ascending  step  ; 
One  gash  from  off  my  forehead  razed ;  while  they, 
Whose  wishes  tend  to  justice,  shouted  forth, 
«  Blessed  !**«  and  ended  with  " I  thirst:"  and  I, 

^  I  did  but  §mile.]  "  I  smiled  no  more  than  one  would  do 
who  wished  by  a  smile  to  intimate  his  consciousness  of  any 
thing  to  another  person.'* 

s  Blessed.]  "  Blessed  be  they  which  do  hunger  and  thifst 
after  righteousness,  fcnr  they  shall  be  filled."    Matt,  v.  6l 


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•-4I.  PURGATORY  Canto  XXH.  337 

Mora  nimble  than  along  the  other  straits, 
So  journe/d,  that,  without  the  sense  of  toil, 
I  followed  upward  the  swift-footed  shades  ; 
When  Virgil  thus  began :  *'  Let  its  pure  flamo 
From  virtue  flow,  and  love  can  never  fail 
To  warm  another's  bosom,  so  the  light 
Shme  manifestly  forth.    Hence,  from  that  hour» 
When,  'mongst  us  in  the  purlieus  of  the  deep/ 
Came  down  the  spirit  of  Aqmnum*s  bard,' 
Who  told  of  thine  afifection,  my  good  will 
Hath  been  for  thee  of  quality  as  strong 
As  ever  link'd  itself  to  one  not  seen. 
Therefore  these  stairs  will  now  seem  short  to  me. 
But  tell  me :  and,  if  too  secure,  I  loose 
The  rem  with  a  friend's  license,  as  a  friend 
Forgive  me,  and  speak  now  as  with  a  friend: 
How  chanced  it  covetous  desire  could  find 
Place  in  that  bosom,  'midst  such  ample  store 
Of  wisdom,  as  thy  zeal  had  treasured  there  ?" 

First  somewhat  moved  to  laughter  by  his  wo^xls. 
Statins  replied :  "  Each  syllable  of  thine 
Is  a  dear  pledge  of  love.    Things  oft  appear. 
That  minister  false  matter  to  our  doubts. 
When  their  true  causes  are  removed  from  sight. 
Thy  question  doth  assure  me,  thou  believest 
I  was  on  earth  a  covetous  man ;  perhaps 
Because  thou  found'st  me  in  that  circle  placed. 
ICnow  then  I  was  too  wide  of  avarice : 
And  e'en  for  that  excess,  thousands  of  moons 
Have  wax'd  and  waned  upon  my  sufferings. 
And  were  it  not  that  X  with  heedful  care 
Noted,  where  thou  exclaim'st  as  if  in  ire 
With  human  nature,  <  Why,'  thou  cursed  thirst 
Of  gold !  dost  not  with  juster  measure  guide 
The  appetite  of  mortals?'  I  had  met 
The  fierce  encounter*  of  the  voluble  rock. 
Then  was  I  ware  that,  with  too  ample  wing, 
The  hands  may  haste  to  lavishment ;  and  tum'd 

>  Jiquinum^s  bard.]  Juvenal  had  celebrated  his  contempo- 
•vy,  Statius,  Sat  viL  83;  thonch  some  eritics  imagine  UuU 
there  is  a  secret  derision  couched  under  his  praise. 

s  Why.]    Uuid  non  nKNrtalla  pectora  cogis, 

Aurl  sacra  fiunes  1  Firg,  JEn,,  lib.  lii.  57. 

Ventnri  supposes  that  Dante  might  have  mistaken  the 
meaning  of  the  word  »aera^  and  construed  it  "  holy,**  instead 
of  "cursed.**  But  I  see  no  necessity  for  having  recourse  to 
so  improbable  a  conjecture. 

*  J%$fieret  MMounCer.]    See  Hell,  Canto  rii.  96. 

15 


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338  THE  VISION.  44-m 

Am  from  my  other  ovil,  so  from  thk » 

In  penitence.    How  many  from  their  grave 

Shall  with  Bham  locks'  arise,  who  living,  ay, 

And  at  life's  last  extreme,  of  this  offence. 

Through  ignorance,  did  not  repent !   And  knoWf 

The  fault,  which  lies  direct  from  any  sin 

In  level  opposition,  here,  with  that. 

Wastes  its  green  rankness  on  one  common  heap 

Therefore,  if  I  have  heen  with  those,  who  wail 

Their  avarice,  to  cleanse  me  ;  through  reverse 

Of  their  transgression,  such  hath  been  my  lot" 

To  whom  the  sovereign  of  the  pastoral  song . 
"  While  thou  didst  smg  that  cruel  warfare  waged 
By  the  twin  sorrow  of  Jocasta*s  womb,* 
From  thy  discourse  with  Clio'  there,  it  seems 
As  faith  had  not  been  thine ;  without  the  which. 
Good  deeds  suffice  not    And  if  so,  what  sun 
Rose  on  thee,  or  what  candle  pierced  the  dark, 
Tliat  thou  didst  after  see  to  hoise  the  sail, 
And  follow  where  the  fisherman  had  led?" 

He  answering  thus:  "  By  thee  conducted  first, 
I  enter'd  the  Parnassian  grots,  and  quaflTd 
Of  the  clear  spring ;  illumined  fiist  by  thee, 
Open'd  mine  eyes  to  God.    Thou  didst,  as  one. 
Who,  journeying  through  the  darkness,  bears  a  light 
Behind,  that  pr&ts  not  himself,  but  makes 
His  followers  wise,  when  thou  ezclaimedst,  *  Lo ' 
A  renovated  world,^  Justice  retum'd, 
Times  of  primeval  innocence  restored, 
And  a  new  race  descended  from  above.' 
Poet  and  Christian  both  to  thee  I  owed. 
Tliat  thou  mayst  mark  more  cleariy  what  I  trace, 
My  hand  shall  stretch  forth  to  inform  the  Imes 
With  livelier  coloring.    Soon  o'er  all  the  world, 
By  messengers  from  heaven,  the  true  belief 

>  With  »hom  loeka.'l   See  Hell,  Canto  vii.  58. 
s  The  tvnn  sorrow  of  JocoMUit  womi.]    Eteoclef  and  Poly 
nices. 
»  WWi  aio.} 
Unem  nrins  heromn  Clio  dabU  ?  immodicnm  im 
T)'dea  1  laurigeii  snbitos  an  vatis  hiatus  1 

StaLf  Thebaid.,  L  4A. 
^  A  renovated  world.] 
Mafniu  ab  hitegro  ssclonim  nascitor  ordo. 
Jam  ledit  et  Virgo ;  redeont  Saturaia  regna ; 
Jam  nova  progenies  coelo  demittitor  alto. 

Firr.  Ed.^  iv.  & 
For  the  application  of  Viigirs  prophecy  to  the  incamatloiH 
•ee  Natalis  Alexander,  Hist  Eccl.,  Sec.  i.  Dissert.  1.    Paii^ 
1679,  V.  i.  p.  106. 


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7^105.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXII.  339 

Teem'd  now  prolific  ;  and  that  word  of  tliinoi 

Accordant,  to  the  new  instructors  chimed- 

Induced  by  which  agreement,  I  was  wont 

Resort  to  them  ;  and  soon  their  sanctity 

So  won  upon  me,  that,  Domitian's  rage 

Pursuing  them,  I  mlx'd  my  tears  with  theirs ; 

And,  while  on  earth  I  stay'd,  still  succor'd  them ; 

And  their  most  righteous  customs  made  me  scorn 

All  sects  besides.    Before'  I  led  the  Greeks, 

In  tuneful  fiction,  to  the  streams  of  Thebes, 

I  was  baptized ;  but  secretly,  through  fear, 

Remained  a  Christian,  and  conformed  long  tima 

To  Pagan 'rites.     Four  centuries  and  more, 

I,  for  that  lukewarmness,  was  fain  to  pace 

Round  the  fourth  circle.   Thou  then,  who  hast  raised 

The  covering  which  did  hide  such  blessing  from  me, 

While  much  of  this  ascent  is  yet  to  climb, 

Say,  if  thou  know,  where  our  old  Terence'  bides, 

CaBcilius,'  Plautus,  Varro  ;*  if  condemned 

They  iwell,  and  in  what  province  of  the  deep." 

"  These,"  said  my  guide,  "  with  Persius  and  myself. 

And  others  many  more,  are  with  that  Greek,' 

Of  mortals,  the  most  cherishM  by  the  nine. 

In  the  first  ward*  of  darkness.    There,  oft-times, 

We  of  that  mount  hold  converse,  on  whose  top 

For  aye  our  nurses  live.    We  have  the  bard 

Of  PeUa,'  and  the  Teian,"  Agatho,» 

1   Btfore.]    Before  I  had  composed  the  Thebaid. 
s  Our  old  Terence.]    **  Antico,"  which  is  found  in  many  o* 
the  old  editions,  seems  preferable  to  "  amico." 

s  CtBeiliut.r  Cfleciliiis  Statins,  a  Latin  comic  poet,  of  whose 
works  some  fragments  only  renuiin.  Onx  Poet  had  Horace  in 
his  eye. 

IHcitnr  Afrani  toga  convenisse  Menandro, 
Ptantns  ad  exemplar  Bicnli  raroperare  Bpicharmi, 
Vincere  Cecilius  gravitate,  Terentius  arte. 

EpieUt  lib.  il.  1. 

*  Varro.]  "ftnam  multa  pene  omnia  tradidit  Varro." 
Quintflian.  Instit.  Orat^  lib.  zli.  "  Vix  aperto  ad  phllosophiam 
aditn,  primus  M.  Varro  vetemm  omninm  doctissimns."  Bar 
iolet.  de  liberis  reete  irutit.    Edit.  Lugd.  1 S33,  p.  137. 

*  That  Oreek.]    Homer. 

•  In  the  first  ward.]    In  Limbo.  • 
T The  bard 

OfPella.]    Euripides. 

8  The  Teian.]    Euriplde  v'  6  nosco  e  Anacreonte. 

The  Monte  CassinoMS.  reads  **  Antifonte*'  "  Antlpho,"  In 
stead  of  *'  Anacreonte."  Dante  probably  knew  little  more  of 
these  Greek  writers  than  the  names. 

•  JtfotAo.]  Chaucer,  speaking  of  the  Daisy  as  a  reiiiesentar 
tUm  01  Alcestis,  refers  to  Agaton : 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


340  THE  YlSIOrr.  lOMIt 

Simouidefl,  and  many  a  Grecian  else 

Ingarlanded  with  lanrel.    Of  thy  train.' 

Antigone  is  there,  Delphile, 

Argia,  and  as  sorrowful  as  erst 

Ismene,  and  who  showM  Langia's  waye  ^ 

Deldamia  with  her  sisters  there, 

And  bUnd  Tiresias*  daughter,'  and  the  bride 


No  wonder  it  thoiwh  Jove  her  stelUfie, 

As  telUth  AgaUm  ux  her  goodnesse. 

Legende  of  Chad  Women. 
And  Mr.  Tjrrwhitt  tells  ns  that  **  he  has  nothing  to  say  of  this 
writer  except  that  one  of  the  same  name  is  qnoted  in  the 
Prol.  to  the  tragedie  of  Camblses  by  Thomas  Preston.  There 
is  no  reason,"  he  adds,  **  for  supposing  with  Gloss.  Ur.  that  a 
philosopher  of  Samos  is  meant,  or  any  of  the  Agathoes  of 
antiquity."  I  am  inclined,  however,  to  believe  that  Chancer 
most  have  meant  Agatho,  the  dramatic  writer,  whose  name, 
at  least,  appears  to  have  been  familiar  in  the  middle  ages; 
for,  besides  the  mention  of  him  in  the  text,  he  is  quoted  by 
Dante  in  the  Treatise  De  Monarchic,  Ub.  ilL  **Deus  per  nun- 
cinm  fkcere  non  potest,  genita  non  esse,  genita,  Juxta  sen- 
tentiam  Agathonis."  Tlie  original  is  to  be  found  in  Aristotle, 
Ethic.  Nicom.,  lib.  vi.  c.  2. 

MtfMV  yif  ah'oV  xai  9ei(  vrtpttrKtrai 
*jL.yhriTa  mutv  &99*  (2y  J  mpayftha, 

Agatho  is  mentioned  by  Xenophon  in  his  Symposium,  by 
Plato  in  the  Protag<Mras,  and  in  the  Banquet,  a  favc^te 
book  with  our  author,  and  by  Aristotle  in  his  Art  of  Poetry, 
where  the  foliowine  remarltable  passage  occurs  respecting 
him,  firom  which  I  wUl  leave  it  to  the  reader  to  decide  whether 
it  is  possible  that  the  allusion  in  Chancer  might  have  arisen : 
iv  Mats  ith  Iv  ^  S6o  t&>  yvtaplfuav  Itrrlv  iwofLdrtAVf  rd  6k 
i\Xa  wcvoiriiiiva'  h  htais  ii  oidiv'  olov  h  t^  *Ayd$uvos 
*Av0e(.  hfioltas  yip  h  rofirtp  rd  rs  xpdyiiara  Kal  ri 
ivSnara  vevofi^rai,  xal  ohiiv  ^rrov  thi^patvti.  Edit.  M94, 
p.  33.  **  There  are,  however,  some  tragedies,  in  which  one 
or  two  of  the  names  are  historical,  and  the  rest  feigned ; 
there  are  even  s<nne,  in  which  none  of  the  names  are  hisrori* 
cal ;  such  is  Agatho's  tragedy  called  Tko  Flower;  fw  in  ihaC 
all  is  invention,  both  incidents  and  names ;  and  yet  it  pleases  ** 
Jlrietotie'e  7VMtt«s  on  Po«try,  by  Thomas  Twining,  8vo  Edit 
1813,  vol.  i.  p.  128. 
1  Of  tky  train.]  "  Of  those  celebrated  in  thy  Poem." 
s  FTke  ekoto'd  Jjangi^e  wave.]  Hypsipile.  See  note  to 
Canto  xxvi.  v.  ^. 

s  Tvreaiae^  iaav^fhier^  Dante,  as  some  have  thou^t,  had 
forgotten  thnt  he  had  placed  Manto,  the  daughter  of  Tiresias, 
among  the  sorcerers.  See  Hell,  Canto  zx.  Vellutello  endeavors, 
rather  awkwardly,  to  reconcile  the  apparent  inconsistency, 
by  observing,  that  although  she  was  placed  there  as  a  sinner, 
yet,  as  one  of  famous  memory,  she  had  also  a  place  among 
)he  worthies  in  Limbo 


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U3-138.        PURGATORY,  Canto  XXIL  341 

Sea-bom  of  Peleiu."'    Either  poet  now 
Was  silent ;  and  no  longer  by  the  ascent 
Or  the  steep  walls  obstructed,  round  them  cast 
Inquiring  eyes.    Four  handmaids'  of  the  day 
Had  finished  now  their  office,  and  the  fifth 
Was  at  the  chariot-beam,  directmg  still 
Its  flamy  point  aloof ;  when  thus  my  guide : 
'*  Methinks,  it  well  behooves  us  to  the  brink 
Bend  the  right  shoulder,  circuiting  the  mount. 
As  we  have  ever  used."    So  custom  there 
Was  usher  to  the  road ;  the  which  we  chose 
Less  doubtful,  as  that  worthy  shade'  complied. 

They  on  before  me  went :  I  sole  pursued, 
Listenmg  their  speech,  that  to  my  thoughts  contey'd 
Mysterious  lessons  of  sweet  poesy. 
But  soon  they  ceased ;  for  midway  of  the  road 
A  tree  we  found,  with  goodly  fruitage  hung, 
And  pleasant  to  the  smell :  and  as  a  fir, 
Upward  from  bough  to  bough,  less  ample  spreads ; 
So  downward  this  less  ample  spread  \*  that  none, 
Methinks,  aloft  may  climb.    Upon  the  side, 
That  closed  our  path,  a  liquid  crystal  fell 
From  the  steep  rock,  and  through  the  sprays  above 
Streamed  showering.    With  associate  step  the  bards 
Drew  near  the  plant ;  and,  from  amidst  the  leaves, 
A  voice  was  heard :  **  Ye  shall  be  chary  of  me  ;" 

Lombardi,  or  rather  the  Delia  Crusca  academiciani,  exciue 
our  author  better,  by  observing  that  Tiresias  had  a  daughter 
named  Daphne.  See  Diodoms  Biculas,  lib.  iv.  $  66.  I  have 
here  to  aclcnowledge  a  commtinication  made  to  me  by  the 
learned  writer  of  an  anonymous  letter,  who  observes  that 
Bfanto  and  Daphne  are  only  different  names  for  the  same 
person ;  and  that  Servins,  in  his  Commentary  on  the  JSneld, 
X.  196,  says,  that  some  make  Manto  the  prophetess  to  be  a 
daughter  of  Hercules. 
1  7%ebride 

Sea-bom  of  Peleus,]    Thetis. 
3  Fbur  handnuuds.]    Compare  Canto  xU.  v.  74. 
s  7%at  worthy  shade.}    Statins. 

*  Downward  this  less  ample  spread.]  The  early  commenta 
tors  understand  that  this  tree  had  its  root  upwtad  and  the 
boughs  downward;  and  this  opinion,  however  derided  by 
their  successors,  is  not  a  little  countenanced  by  the  imitation 
of  Frexzi,  who  lived  so  near  the  time  of  our  Poet : 
Su  dentro  al  cielo  avea  la  sua  radice, 
B  gitt  inverse  terra  i  rami  spande. 

// Qttoinr.,  lib.  Ir.  cap  1 
—  It  had  in  heaven 
Its  root  above,  and  downward  to  the  earth 
Blietch'd  forth  the  branches. 


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843  1H£  VISION.  iS^Uk 

And  after  added :  '*  Mary  took  more  thouj^it 
For  joy  and  honor  of  the  nuptial  feast, 
Than  for  herself,  who  answers  now  for  yon. 
The  women  of  old  Rome'  were  satisfied 
With  water  for  their  beverage.    Daniel'  fed 
On  pulse,  and  wisdom  gain'd.    The  primal  age 
Was  beautiful  as  gold :  and  hunger  then 
Made  acorns  tasteful ;  thirst,  each  riyulet 
Run  nectar.    Honey  and  locusts  were  the  food 
Whereon  the  Baptist  in  the  wilderness 
Fed,  and  that  eminence  of  glory  reached 
And  greatness,  which  th'  Evangelist  records.** 


CANTO  XXIIL 


ARGUMENT. 
They  are  overtaken  liy  the  spirit  of  Forese,  who  had  beea  a 
friend  of  oar  Poet's  on  earth,  and  who  now  inveighs  bit* 
terly  against  the  immodest  dress  of  their  countrywomen  at 
Florence. 

On  the  green  leaf  mine  eyes  were  fix*d,  like  his 
Who  throws  away  his  days  in  idle  chase 
Of  the  diminutive  birds,  when  thus  I  heard 
The  more  than  father  warn  me :  *<  Son !  our  tune 
Asks  thriftier  using.    Linger  not :  away." 

Thereat  my  face  and  steps  at  once  I  tum'd 
Toward  the  sages,  by  whose  converse  cheer'd 
I  joumey'd  on,  and  felt  no  toil :  and  lo ! 
A  sound  of  weeping,  and  a  song:  '<  My  lips,^ 

>  Mary  took  more  thoughL]  "  The  blessed  virgin,  who  an- 
swers fat  yon  now  in  heaven,  when  she  said  to  Jesus,  at  the 
marriage  in  Cana  of  Galilee,  *they  have  no  wine,*  regarded 
not  the  gratification  of  her  own  taste,  bat  the  honor  of  the 
nuptial  banquet** 

s  Th«  women  of  old  Rome.]   See  Valerius  Maximas,l.iLcL 

*  Danid.]  "  Then  said  Daniel  to  Melzar,  whom  the  prince 
of  the  eunuchs  had  set  over  Itamiel,  Hananiah,  Michael,  and 
Azariah,  Prove  thy  servants,  I  beseech  thee,  ten  days ;  and 
let  them  give  us  pulse  to  eat,  and  water  to  drink.**  Danielj  i. 
11,12. 

'*Thus  Melzar  took  away  the  portion  of  their  meat,  and  the 
^Ine  that  they  should  drink :  and  gave  them  pulse.  As  for 
tliese  four  children,  God  gare  them  knowledge  and  skill  In 
all  learning  and  wisdom :  and  Daniel  had  understanding  in 
all  visions  and  dreams."    Jbi<Lt  18, 17. 

*  Mf  l^.}  "  O  Lord,  open  thou  my  lips ;  and  my  mouth 
%hall  show  forth  thy  praise.*'    Ptatm  U.  15. 


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10-37.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXIH.  343 

O  Lord !"  and  these  so  mingled*  it  gave  birth 
To  pleasure  and  to  pain.  "  O  Sire  beloved! 
Siy  what  is  this  I  hear."    Thus  I  inqmred. 

"  Spurits,"  said  he,  "  who,  as  they  go,  perchance^ 
Theur  debt  of  duty  pay."    As  on  their  road 
The  thoughtful  pilgrims,  overtaking  some 
Not  known  unto  them,  turn  to  them,  and  look, 
But  stay  not ;  thus,  approaching  &om  behind 
With  speedier  motion,  eyed  us,  as  they  pass'd, 
A  crowd  of  spirits,  silent  and  devout. 
The  eyes^  of  each  were  dark  and  hollow ;  pale 
Their  visage,  and  so  lean  withal,  the  bones 
Stood  staring  through  the  skin.    I  do  not  think 
Thus  dry  and  meager  Erisicthon  show'd, 
When  pinch'd  by  sharp-set  famine  to  the  quick. 

"  Lo !"  to  myself  I  mused,  **  the  race,  who  lost 
Jerusalem,  when  Mary'  with  dire  beak 
Prey*d  on  her  child."    The  sockets  seem'd  as  rings,* 
From  which  the  gems  were  dropp'd.   Who  reads  the 
Of  man  upon  his  forehead,  there  the  M  [name^ 

Had  traced  most  plainly.    Who  would  deem,  that 
Of  water  and  an  apple  could  have  proved        [scent 
Powerful  to  generate  such  pining  want. 
Not  knowing  how  it  wrought?    While  now  I  stood, 
Wondering  what  thus  could  waste  them,  (for  the  cause 
Of  their  gaunt  hoUowness  and  scaly  rind 
Appeared  not,)  lo !  a  spirit  tum'd  lus  eyes 
In  their  deep-sunken  celb,  and  fastened  them 

1  7%«  eyes.]    Compare  Ovid,  Metam.,  lib.  viii.  801. 
Hirtns  erat  crinis ;  cava  lamina,  pallor  in  ore : 


Dara  cutis,  per  qnam  spectari  viscera  possent : 
Ossa  sub  incurvis  ezstabant  arida  lombis. 
s  When  Mary.]    Josephos,  de  Bello  Jnd.,  lib.  vil.  c,  xzi.  p 
95L    Ed.  Genev.,  fol.  1611.    The  shocking  story  is  well  told. 

•  Rinfe.] 

Senza  fior  prato  o  senza  gemma  aniello. 

Petrarca,  Son.  Laseiata  haif  morte. 
O  ring  of  which  the  rnbie  Is  outfall. 

Chaueert  TntUue  and  Oreeeidey  b.  v 

In  this  hatit 

Met  I  my  father  with  his  bleeding  rings, 
Their  precious  stones  new  lost 

Shakepeare^  Leavj  act  v.  scene  3 

*  Who  reads  the  name.]  "  He  who  pretends  to  distinguish 
the  letters  which  form  OMO  in  the  features  of  the  human 
&ce,  might  easiiy  have  traced  but  the  M  on  their  emaciated 
countenances."  The  temples,  nose,  and  forehead  are  sup- 
posed to  represent  this  letter ;  and  the  eyes  the  two  O^f 
placed  within  each  side  of  it 


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344  THE  VISION.  m-T^ 

On  me,  then  cried  with  Tehemence  aloud : 
**  What  grrace  is  this  vouchsafed  me  ?"    By  his  look* 
I  ne'er  had  recognised  him :  but  the  voice 
Brought  to  my  Imowledge  what  his  cheer  conceal' d 
Remembrance  of  his  alter'd  lineaments 
Was  kindled  from  that  spark ;  and  I  agnized 
The  visage  of  Forese.'    "  Ah !  respect 
This  wan  and  leprous-wither'd  skin/'  thus  he 
Suppliant  unplored,  *<  this  macerated  flesh. 
Speak  to  me  truly  of  thyself.    And  who 
Are  those  twain  spirits,  that  escort  thee  there  7 
Be  it  not  said  thou  scom'st  to  talk  with  me. ' 

"  That  face  of  thine,"  I  answer'd  him, "  which  dead 
I  once  bewaii*d,  disposes  me  not  less 
For  weeping,  when  I  see  it  thus  transformed. 
Say  then,  by  H'>aven,  what  blasts  ye  thus?    The 
I  wonder,  ask  not  speech  from  me :  unapt       [whilsl 
Is  he  to  speak,  whom  other  will  employs." 

He  thus :  "  The  water  and  the  plant,  we  pass'd* 
With  power  are  gifted,  by  the  eternal  will 
Infused ;  the  which  so  pines  me.     Every  spirit. 
Whose  song  bewails  his  gluttony  indulged 
Too  grossly,  here  in  hunger  and  in  thirst 
Is  purified.    The  odor,  which  the  fruit. 
And  spray  that  showers  upon  the  verdure,  breathCf 
Inflames  us  with  desire  to  feed  and  drink. 
Nor  once  alone,  encompassing  our  route, 
We  come  to  add  fresh  fuel  to  the  pain : 
Pain,  said  I  ?  solace,  rather :  for  that  will. 
To  the  tree,  leads  us,  by  which  Christ  was  led 
To  call  on  Eli,  joyful,  when  he  paid 
Our  ransom  from  his  vein."    I  answering  thus ; 
♦*  Forese !  from  that  day,  in  which  the  world 
For  better  life  thou  changedst,  not  five  years 
Have  circled.    If  the  power'  of  smning  more 
Were  first  concluded  in  thee,  ere  thou  knewest 
That  kindly  grief  which  re-espouses  us 
To  God,  how  hither  art  thou  come  so  soon? 

>  JFbrete.J  One  of  the  brothers  of  Piccarda ;  he  who  is  asctB 
spoken  of  in  the  next  Canto,  and  introduced  in  the  ParadUse 
Canto  iii.  Cionacci,  in  his  Storia  della  Beata  Umiiiana, 
Parte  iv.  cap.  i.,  is  referred  to  by  Lombard!,  in  order  to  show 
that  Forese  was  also  the  brother  of  Corso  Donatio  our  aathor*s 

S^litical  enemy.    See  next  Canto,  v.  81.    Tiraboschi,  after 
rescimbeni.  enuronrates  him  among  the  Tuscan  poets.   Stor. 
della  Poes.  It,  r.  L  p.  139. 

^  If  the  power .]  "If  thou  didst  delay  thy  repentance  to  the 
lut,  when  thou  hadst  lost  the  power  of  sinning,  how  happeai 
It  thou  art  arrived  here  so  early  1" 


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T6-M.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXm.  345 

I  ihongfat  to  find  thee  lower.^  there,  where  time 
Is  recompense  for  time."     He  straight  replied : 
**  To  drink  up  the  sweet  wormwood  of  afiRiction 
I  have  been  brought  thus  early,  by  the  tears 
Streamed  down  my  NellaV  cheeks.    Her  prayeif 

devout, 
Her  sighs  have  drawn  me  from  the  coast,  where  oil 
Expectance  lingers ;  and  have  set  me  free 
From  the  other  circles.    In  the  sight  of  God 
So  much  the  dearer  is  my  widow  prized. 
She  whom  I  loved  so  fondly,  as  she  ranks 
McTe  smgly  eminent  for  virtuous  deeds. 
The  tract,  most  barbarous  of  Sardinia's  isle,* 
Hath  dames  more  chaste,  and  modester  by  far. 
Than  that  wherem  I  left  her.    O  sweet  brother ! 
What  wouldst  thou  have  me  say?^    A  time  to  come 
"Stands  full  within  my  view,  to  which  this  hour 
Shall  not  be  counted  of  an  ancient  date. 
When  from  the  pulpit  shall  be  loudly  wam*d 
The  unblushing  dames  of  Florence,*  lest  they  bare 
Unkerchief 'd  bosoms  to  the  common  gaze. 
What  savage  women  hath  the  world  e'er  seen. 
What  Saracens,*  for  whom  there  needed  scourge 
Of  spiritual  or  other  discipline. 
To  force  them  walk  with  covering  on  their  limbs? 

1  Lttoer.]    In  the  Ante-Pnrgatory.    See  Canto  iL 

ajfyJVetfa.]    The  wife  of  Forese. 

s  The  tract,  most  barbamnu  of  Sardinia**  i»U.]  The  Bar- 
hagia  is  a  part  of  Sardinia,  to  which  that  name  was  given,  on 
account  or  the  nncivilized  state  of  its  inliabitants,  who  are 
said  to  have  gone  nearlymaked. 

*  Wkatwouldatthoukav$me9ayl\  The  interrogative,  which- 
LomlMirdi  wonld  dismiss  from  this  place,  as  unmeaning  and 
•aperflnoos,  appears  to  me  to  be  Che  natural  result  of  a  deep 
feeling,  and  to  prepare  us  for  the  invective  that  follows.         v 

*  The  wMuMhing  dames  of  Florence.]  Landino's  note  ex- 
hibits a  curious  instance  of  the  changeableness  of  his  coun- 
trywomen. He  even  goes  beyond  the  acrimony  of  the  original. 
**In  those  days,*'  says  the  commentatcNr,  *'no  less  than  in 
ours,  the  Florentine  ladles  exposed  the  neck  and  bosom,  a 
dress,  no  doubt,  more  suitable  to  a  harlot  than  a  matron.  But, 
as  they  changed  soon  after,  insomuch  that  they  wore  collars 
up  to  the  chin,  covering  the  whole  of  the  neck  and  throat,  so 
have  I  hopes  they  will  change  again ;  not  indeed  so  much 
lirom  motives  of  decency,  as  through  that  fickleness  which 
pervaa<»(  3very  action  of  their  lives.** 

*  Saracen*.\  "^hls  word,  during  the  middle  ages,  was  in- 
discriminately applied  to  Pagans  and  Mahometans ;  in  short, 
to  all  nations  (except  the  Jews)  who  did  not  profess  Chris- 
tianity.'* Jff-.  EUit*e  apedment  of  Early  Engliek  Metricai 
Jtotnancett  voL  L  p.  19G,  (a  note^)  Load.  8vo.  idttS. 


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340  rHE  VISION.  hMhVm 

But  did  they  see,  the  shamelesB  ones,  what  Heaven 
Wafts  on  swift  wing  toward  them  while  I  speak, 
Their  months  w«re  oped  for  howling :  they  shall  tasN 
Of  sorrow  (unless  foresight  cheat  me  here) 
Or  ere  the  cheek  of  him  be  clothed  with  down. 
Who  is  now  rock'd  with  lullaby*  asleep. 
Ah  I  now,*  my  brother,  hide  thyself  no  more : 
Thou  seest'  how  not  I  alone,  but  all. 
Gaze,  where  thou  yeil'st  the  intercepted  sun.'' 
Whence  I  replied :  "  If  thou  recall  to  mind 
What  we  were  once  together,  even  yet 
Remembrance  of  those  days  may  grieve  thee  sore. 
Thai  I  fonook  that  life,  was  due  to  him 
Who  there  precedes  me,  some  few  evenings  past, 
When  she  was  round,  who  shines  with  sister  lamp 
To  his  that  glisters  yonder,"  and  I  show'd 
The  sun.    "  'Tis  he,  who  through  profbundest  night' 
Of  the  true  dead  has  brought  me,  with  this  flesh 
As  true,  that  follows.     From  that  gloom  the  aid 
Of  his  sure  comfort  drew  me  on  to  climb. 
And,  climbing,  wind  along  this  mountain-steep. 
Which  rectifies  in  you  whatever  the  world 
Made  crooked  and  depraved.    I  have  his  word, 
That  he  will  bear  me  company  as  far 
As  till  I  come  where  Beatrice  dwells: 
But  there  must  leave  me.    Virgil  is  that  spuit. 
Who  thus  hath  promised,"  and  I  pointed  to  him ; 
"  The  other  is  that  shade,  for  whom  so  late 
Your  realm,  as  he  arose,  exulting,  shook 
Through  every  pendent  cliff  and  rocky  bound." 


CANTO  XXIV 

ARGUMENT. 
Forese  points  out  several  others  by  name  .who  are  here,  like 
himself,  purifying  themselves  from  the  vice  of  gluttony ; 
and,  among  the  rest,  Baonaggianta  of  Lucca,  with  whom 
our  Poet  converses.  Forese  then  predicts  the  violent  end 
of  Dante*s  political  enemy,  Corso  Donati ;  and,  when  he 
has  quitted  them,  the  Poet,  in  company  with  Statius  and 
Virgil,  arrives  at  another  tree,  from  whence  issue  voices  . 

Colui  che  mo  si  consola  con  nanna. 
**  Nanna**  is  said  to  have  been  the  sound  with  which  the  Flo- 
rentine  women  hushed  their  children  to  sleep. 

3  Tk0u  teesL]    Thou  sees t  how  we  wonder  that  thou  art 
Aere  in  a  Uvlog  body. 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


iHW.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXIV.  347 

that  record  ancient  examples  of  glattony ;  and  proceeding 
forwards,  tliey  are  directed  by  an  angel  whicli  way  to 
ascend  to  tlie  next  cornice  of  the  mountain. 

Our  journey  was  not  slacken'd  by  our  talk, 
Nor  yet  our  talk  by  journeying.    Still  we  spake, 
And  urged  our  travel  stoutly,  like  a  ship 
When  the  wind  sits  astern.    The  shadowy  forms, 
That  seem'd  things  dead  and  dead  again,  drew  in 
At  their  deep-delved  orbs  rare  wonder  of  me, 
Perceiving  I  had  life  :  and  I  my  words 
Continued,  and  thus  spake :  "  He  journeys^  up 
Perhaps  more  tardily  than  else  he  would, 
For  others'  sake.     But  tell  me,  if  thou  know*st. 
Where  is  Piccarda  ?*    Tell  me,  if  I  see 
Any  of  mark,  among  this  multitude 
Who  eye  me  thus." — "  My  sister  (she  for  whom, 
'Twixt  beautiful  and  good,'  I  cannot  say 
Which  name  was  fitter)  wears  e'en  now  her  crown, 
And  triumphs  in  Olympus."     Saying  this. 
He  added :  "  Since  spare  diet*  hath  so  worn 
Our  semblance  out,  'tis  lawful  here  to  name 
Each  one.    This,"  and  his  finger  then  he  raised, 
*  Is  Buonaggiunta," — Buonaggiunta,  he 

1  He  journeys.]    The  soul  of  Statins  perhaps  proceeds  more 
slowly,  in  order  that  he  may  enjoy  as  kmg  as  possible  the 
company  of  Virgil, 
a  Piccarda.]    See  Paradise,  Canto  ilL 
'  *  Tuixt  beautiful  and  good.] 

Tra  bella  e  onesta 

Qual  fu  piu,  lascib  in  dubbio. 

PetrarcOj  Son*  Ripensando  a  qud, 
*Dia.]    Dieta. 

And  dieted  with  fasting  every  day. 

Spenser,  F.  Q.,  b.  i.  c.  1.  st  2G. 

Spare  fast  that  oft  with  gods  doth  diet. 

Milton^  R  Penserose 

Bumaggiunta.]  Buonaggiunta  Urbiclani,  of  Lucca 
**  There  is  a  canzone  by  this  poet,  printed  in  the  collection 
made  by  the  Glunti,  (p.  209,)  and  a  sonnet  to  Guide  Guini' 
celli  in  that  made  by  Corbinelli,  (p.  169,)  fh>m  which  we  col- 
lect that  he  lived  not  about  1230,  as  Quadrio  supposes,  (t.  ii. 
p.  159,)  but  towards  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century  Ck>n- 
eeming  other  poems  by  Buonaggiunta,  that  are  preserved  in 
MS.  in  some  libraries,  Crescimbeni  may  be  consulted.**  Tir 
raboschiy  Mr.  Mathias*s  ed.,  V.  i.  p.  115.  Three  of  these,  a 
canzone,  a  sonnet,  and  a  ballata,  have  been  published  in  the 
Anecdota  Literaria  ex  MSS.  Ck)dicibus  eruta,  8vo.  Roma,  (no 
yeai%)  v.  iii.  p.  453.  He  is  thus  mentioned  by  our  author  in 
his  Treatise  de  Vulg.  Eloq.,  lib.  i.  cap.  xiii.  **Next  let  xa 
come  to  the  Tuscans,  who,  made  senseless  by  their  folly, 
arrogaatiy  assume  to  themselves  the  tftie  of  a  vemacalaf 


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S48  THE  TlSIOlf .  tl-ti 

Of  Lacca:  and  that  face  beyond  him,  pierced 
Unto  a  leaner  fineness  than  the  rest, 
Had  keeping  of  the  church ;  he  was  of  Toon, 
And  purges  by  wan  abstinence  away 
Bolsena's  eels  and  cups  of  museadel "' 

diction,  more  excellent  than  the  rest ;  nor  are  the  Ttdgaraloae 
mbled  by  this  wild  opinion,  but  many  famous  men  have 
maintained  it,  as  Guittone  d*  Arezzo,  who  never  addicted  him- 
self to  the  polished  8ty\9  of  the  court,  Buonantunta  of  Lacca, 
Gallo  aC  Pisa,  Mino  Mocato  of  Sienna,  and  BruDetto  of  Flo* 
rence,  whose  compositions,  if  there  shall  be  leisure  for  exam- 
ining them,  will  be  found  not  to  be  in  the  diction  of  the  court, 
bat  fai  that  of  their  respective  cities.*' 

As  a  specimen  of  Buonacgiunta's  manner,  the  reader  wLl 
take  the  following  Sonnet  from  Corbinelirs  CoUecti(Hi  added 
to  the  Bella  Mano  :— 

Q,xuA  Q<Hno  h  in  su  la  rota  per  Ventura, 
Non  si  rallegri,  perch^  sia  innalzato ; 
Che  qnando  pid  si  mostra  chiara,  e  pwa, 
Allor  si  gira,  ed  hallo  disbassato. 
E  nullo  prato  ha  si  firesca  verdura, 
Che  li  snoi  Haiti  non  cangino  stato ; 
£  <|aesto  saccio,  ehe  avvien  per  natora 
Piu  grave  cade,  chi  piii  d  montato. 
Non  si  dee  nomo  troppo  rallegrare 

Di  gran  grandezza,  n^  tenere  spene ; 
Che  egli  i  gran  doglia,  allegrezza  folUre: 
Anzi  si  debbe  molio  umiliajre : 

Non  far  soperchio,  perche  aggia  gran  bene ; 
Che  ogni  nnonte  a  valle  dee  venire. 
La  BMa  Mom  e  Rime  jintichet  edit.  Firemen  1715,  p.  170 
What  man  is  raised  on  Fortune's  wheel  aloft, 

Let  him  not  triumph  in  his  bliss  elate ; 
For  when  she  smiles  with  visage  fair  and  soft. 

Then  whirls  she  round,  reversing  his  estate. 
fVesh  was  the  verdure  in  the  sunny  croft. 

Yet  so<m  the  wither'd  flowerets  met  their  fote ; 
And  thines  exalted  most,  as  chanceth  oft. 

Fall  nrom  mi  high  to  earth  with  ruin  great. 
Therefore  ought  none  too  greatly  to  rejoice 
In  greatness,  nor  too.fost  his  hope  to  hold: 
For  one,  that  triumphs,  great  pun  is  to  fkO. 
But  liwly  meekness  is  the  wiser  choice ; 

And  he  must  down,  that  is  too  proud  and  bold : 
For  every  mountain  stoopeth  to  the  vale. 
>  H9  wa»  of  7\wr«.]    Blmon  of  Tours  became  pope  iritb 
the  tiUe  of  Ifartin  IV.  U>  1981,  and  died  in  1985. 

*  BoUmta^t  etla  and  eups  of  mn*tadel.\  The  Nldobeatlna 
edition  and  the  Mmite  Cassino  BIS.  agree  in  reading 

L'angtiille  dl  Bolsena  in  la  vemaccia ; 
from  which  it  would  seem,  that  Martin  the  Fourth  refined  so 
mudi  on  epicurism  as  to  luive  his  eels  killed  by  being  put  into 
the  wine  called  vemaccia,  in  order  to  heighten  their  flavor. 
The  Latin  annotator  on  the  MS.  relates,  that  the  followlsg 
epitaph  was  inscribed  on  the  sepulchre  of  the  pope : 
Gandent  angoilla,  qvod  mortaus  hie  Jacet  lUey 
'^iqioaniDO'  .---^    -_ 


Qai  qiaan  uorte  leat  ezcpiiabat  eas. 


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PURGATORY.  Canto  XXIV.  34» 

He  ■how'd  me  many  others,  one  by  one 
And  all,  as  they  were  named,  eeem'd  well  content ; 
For  no  dark  gesture  I  discem'd  in  any. 
I  saw,  through  hunger,  Ubaldino^  grmd 
His  teeth  on  emptiness ;  and  Boniface,' 
That  waved  the  crosier*  o'er  a  numerous  flock: 
I  saw  the  Marquis,^  who  had  time  erewhile 
To  swill  at  Forii  with  less  drought ;  yet  so, 
Was  one  ne'er  sated.    I  howe'er,  like  him 
That,  gazing  'midst  a  crowd,  singles  out  one* 
So  singled  lum  of  Lucca ;  for  methought 
Was  none  amongst  them  took  such  note  of  me. 
Somewhat  I  hea^  him  whisper  of  Grentucca:* 
The  sound  was  indistinct,  and  murmur'd  there,* 
Where  juMice,  that  so  strips  them,  fix'd  her  sting. 

**  Spirit !"  said  I,  **  it  seems  as  thou  wouldst  fain 
&>eak  with  me.  Let  me  hear  thee.  Mutual  wish 
To  conyerse  prompts,  which  let  us  both  indulge." 

He,  answering,  straight  began :  "  Woman  is  bom» 
Whose  brow  no  wimple  shades  yet,''  that  shall  make 


1  Dbaldino.}  Ubaldino  degU  Ubaldlnl,  of  Pila,  in  the  Flor 
entlne  territory. 

3  Bonifaee.]  Archbishop  of  Ravenna.  By  Ventori  he  if 
called  Bonifazlo  de*  Fieschit  a  Genoese ;  by  VellatellOt  the 
son  of  the  above-mentioned  Ubaldini;  and  by  Landino> 
Francioso,  a  Frenchman. 

>  Crosier.]  It  is  uncertain  whether  the  word  "rocco,"  hi 
the  original,  means  a  "  crosier"  or  a  "  bishop^s  rochet,"  that 
is,  his  episcopal  gown.  In  support  of  the  latter  interpreta* 
tion  Lombardl  cites  Du  Fre3ne*8  Glossary,  article  Roccos. 
**  Rochettum  hodie  vocant  vestem  linteam  episcoporum  .  .  • 
quasi  parvum  roccnm  ;'*  and  ezpl^ns  the  verse^ 

Che  pasture  col  rocco  molte  genti : 

"who,  from  the  revenues  of  his  bishopiick,  8Upp(»rted  hi 
luxury  a  large  train  of  dependants."  If  the  reader  wishes  to 
learn  more  on  the  subject,  he  is  referred  to  Monti's  Proposta, 
«nder  the  word  **  Rocco." 

•  The  MatquU.]  The  Marchese  de*  Rigogliosi,  of  ForlL 
When  his  butler  told  him  it  was  commonly  reported  in  the 
city  that  he  did  nothing  but  drink,  he  is  said  to  have  answered : 
**  And  do  you  tell  them  that  I  am  always  thirsty." 

•  OeHtueea,]  Of  this  lady  it  is  thought  that  our  Poet 
became  enamored  during  hii  exile.  See  note  to  Canto 
xxxi.56. 

•  Tkere,\  In  the  throat,  the  part  in  which  they  felt  the 
tonnent  inflicted  by  the  divine  Justice. 

«  ] 

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1  Wkoteimo  nowimpU  tkadegf^}   <' Who  has  nqt  yai 
osnimed  the  diess  of  a  woman." 


S50  THE  VISION. 

My  city  please  thee,  blame  it  as  they  laay.* 
Go  then  with  this  forewarning.     If  aught  else 
My  whisper  too  implied,  the  event  shsill  tell. 
But  say,  if  of  a  truth  I  see  the  man 
Of  that  new  lay  the  inventor,  which  begins 
With  *  Ladies,  ye  that  con  the  lore  of  love/  '*• 

To  whom  I  thus :  "  Count  of  me  but  as  one. 
Who  am  the  scribe  of  love ;  that,  when  he  breathes, 
Take  up  my  pen,  and,  as  he  dictates,  write." 

"  Brother  !"  said  he,  "  the  hind'rance  which  once 
The  notary,'  with  Guittone^  and  myself,  [held 


1  Blame  it  as  they  may.]    See  Hell,  Canto  xxL  39. 

s  Ladies y  ye  that  eon  the  lore  of  love.] 

Donne  ch*  aveto  intelletto  d'amore. 
The  first  verse  of  a  canzone  in  onr  author's  Vita  Nuova. 

*  The  notary.]  Jacopo  da  Lentino,  called  the  Notary,  a 
poet  of  these  times.  He  was  probably  an  Apulian :  for  Papte 
(De  Vnlg.  Eloq.,  lib.  i.  cap.  12,)  quoting  a  verse  which  belongs 
to  a  canzone  of  his,  published  by  the  Giunti,  without  men- 
tioning the  TiTiter's  name,  terms  him  one  of  "  the  illustrious 
Apuiians,**  inrefulgentes  Apull.  See  Tiraboschi.  Mr.  Ma^ 
thias's  edit.  vol.  i.  p.  137.  Crescimbeni  (lib.  i.  Delia  Volg. 
Foes.,  p.  72,  4to  ed.  1698)  gives  an  extract  from  one  of  his 
poems,  {Nrintedin  Allacci's  Collection,  to  show  that  the  whim- 
sical ccnnpositions  called  "  Ariette,"  are  not  of  modem  in- 
vention. His  poems  have  been  collected  among  the  Poeti 
del  primo  secolo  della  Lingua  Italiana,  2  vol.  8vo.  Firenze, 
J816.    They  extend  from  p.  249  to  p.  319  of  the  first  volume. 

«  OtUttone.]  Fra  Guittone,  of  Arezzo,  holds  a  distin- 
guished place  in  Italian  literature,  as,  besides  his  poems 
printed  in  the  Collection  of  the  Giunti,  he  has  left  a  collec- 
tion of  letters,  forty  in  number,  which  afibrd  the  earliest 
specimen  of  that  kind  of  writing  in  the  language.  They  were 
published  at  Rome  in  1743,  with  learned  illustrations  by 
Giovanni  Bottari.  He  was  also  the  first  who  gave  to  the 
sonnet  its  regular  and  legitimate  form,  a  species  of  composi- 
tion in  which  not  only  his  own  countrymen,  but  many  of  the 
best  poets  in  all  the  cultivated  languages  of  modem  Europe, 
have  since  so  much  delighted. 

Guittone,  a  native  of  Arezzo,  was  the  son  of  Viva  di  Mi- 
chele.  He  was  of  the  order  of  the  "  Frati  Godenti,"  of  which 
an  account  may  be  seen  in  the  notes  to  Hell,  Canto  xxiii. 
In  the  year  1293  he  founded  a  monastery  of  the  order  of 
Camaldoli,  in  Florence,  and  died  in  the  following  year. 
Tiraboschi,  ibid.  p.  119.  Dante,  in  the  Treatise  de  Vulg. 
Eloq.,  lib.  i.  cap.  13,  (see  note  to  v,  20,  aoove,)  and  lib.  U.  cap. 
0,  blames  him  for  preferring  the  plebeian  to  the  more  courtly 
style ;  and  Petrarch  twice  places  him  in  the  company  of  our 
Poet.  Triumph  of  Love,  cap.  iv.,  and  Son.  Par.  Sec.  "  Sen- 
Buccio  mio.'l  The  eighth  book  in  the  collection  of  the  old 
poets  published  by  the  Giunti  in  1527,  consists  of  sonnets  and 
eanzoni  by  Guittone.  They  axe  marked  by  a  peculiar  so- 
lemnity  of  manner,  of  which  the  ensuing  sonnet  will  aflbrd  a 
proof  and  an  example : 


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fj-W.  PURGAJTORY,  Canto  XXTV.         361 

Short  of  that  new  and  sweeter  style*  I  hear, 
Is  now  disclosed :  I  see  how  ye  your  plumes     [tion, 
Stretch,  as  the  mditer  guides  them ;  which,  no  ques- 
Ouis  did  not.    He  that  seeks  a  grace  beyond, 
Sees  not  the  dbtance  parts  one  style  from  other.** 
And,  as  contented,  here  he  held  his  peace 

lAe  as  the  birds,''  that  winter  near  the  Nile, 
In  squared  regiment  direct  their  course. 
Then  stretch  themselves  m  file  for  speedier  flight ; 
Thus  all  the  tribe  of  spirits,  as  they  tum'd  .     . 

Their  visage,  faster  fled,  nimble  alike 
Through  leanness  and  desire.    And  as  a  man, 
Tired  with  the  motion  of  a  trotting  steed,* 
Slacks  pace,  and  stays  behind  his  company, 

(Sran  placer  Signer  mio,  e  gran  desire 

Harei  d*essere  avanti  al  divin  trono, 

Dove  si  prenderi  pace  e  perdono. 

Di  8U0  ben  fatto  e  d'(^ni  suo  fallire  ; 
E  gran  placer  harel  hor  di  sentire  • 

Quella  sonante  tromba  e  qnei  gran  suono, 

£  d'udir  dire :  hora  venuti  sono, 

A  chi  dar  pace,  a  chi  cradei  martire. 
Qnesto  tutto  vorrei  caro  slgnore ; 

Perch^  fia  scritto  a  ciaschedun  nel  volto 

Q,ael  chd  gi^  tenne  ascoso  deatro  al  core : 
Allhor  vedrete  a  la  mia  fronte  awolto 
■   Un  brieve,  che  dirA ;  che  '1  crudo  amore 

Per  voi  me  prese,  e  mai  non  m'  ha  disciolto. 

Great  joy  it  were  to  me  to  join  ihe  throng, 

That  thy  celestial  throne,  O  Lord,  surround. 
Where  perfect  peace  and  pardon  shall  be  founds 
Peace  for  good  doings,  pardon  for  the  wrong : 
Great  joy  to  hear  the  vault  of  heaven  prolons 
That  everlasting  trumpet's  mighty  sound. 
That  shall  to  each  award  their  final  bound. 
Wailing  to  these,  to  those  the  blissful  song. 
All  this,  dear  Lord,  were  welcome  to  my  soul. 
For  on  his  brow  then  every  one  shall  bear 
Inscribed,  what  late  was  hidden  in  the  heart; 
And  round  my  forehead  wreath'd  a  letter'd  scroll 
Shall  in  this  tenor  mv  sad  fate  declare : 
"  Love's  bondman  I  from  him  might  never  part." 
Bottari  doubts  whether  some  of  the  sonnets  attributed  to 
Guittone  in  the  Rime  Antiche  are  by  that  writer.    See  his 
notes  to  Lettere  di  Fra  Guittone,  p.  135. 

1  That  new  and  sweeter  style.]    He  means  the  style  intro- 
duced in  our  Poet's  time. 

«  TheMrds.l    Hell,  Canto  v.  46.    Euripides,  Helena,  1495^ 
and  Statins,  Theb.,  lib.  v.  12. 

»  Tiredwithtkemotionofa  trotting  steed.]  I  have  followel 
Venturi's  explanation  of  this  passage.   Others  understand 

di  trottare  e  lasso, 

of  the  fatigue  produced  by  running. 


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350  THE  TISIOM.  n-m 

Till  his  o'eiteeathed  IxmgB  keep  temperate  time  ; 
£*en  80  Foreee  let  that  holy  crew 
Proceed,  behind  them  lingering  at  my  side, 
And  saying :  *'  When  sh^  I  again  behold  thee  7^ 

**  How  long  my  life  may  last,"  said  I,  **  I  know  nots 
This  know,  how  soon  soeyer  I  return, 
My  wishes  will  before  me  haye  arriyed: 
Sithence  the  place,*  where  I  am  set  to  liye, 
Is,  day  by  day,  more  scoop'd  of  all  its  good ; 
And  dismal  ruin  seems  to  threaten  it" 

**  Go  now,"  he  cried :  <Mo !  he,'  whose  guilt  is  most, 
Passes  before  my  yision,  dragg'd  at  heels 
Of  an  infuriate  beast    Toward  the  yale. 
Where  guilt  hath  no  redemption,  on  it  speeds. 
Each  step  increasing  swiftness  on  the  last ; 
Until  a  blow  it  strikes,  that  leayeth  him 
A  corse  most  yilely  ahatter'd.    No  long  space 
Those  wheels  haye  yet  to  roll,"  (therewith  his  eyes 
Look'd  uj^to  heayen,)  *<  ere  thou  shalt  plainly  see 
That  which  my  words  may  not  more  plainly  telL 
I  quit  thee :  time  is  precious  here :  I  lose 
Too  much,  thus  measuring  my  pace  with  thine." 

As  from  a  troop  of  well-rankM  chiyalry. 
One  knight,  more  enterprinng  than  the  rest. 
Pricks  forth  at  gallop,  eager  to  display 
His  prowess  in  the  firat  encounter  proyed ; 
So  parted  he  from  us,  with  lengthened  strides  ; 
And  left  me  on  the  way  with  those  twain  spirits. 
Who  were  such  mighty  marshals  of  the  world. 

When  he  beyond  us  had  so  fled,  mine  eyes 
No  nearer  reached  him,  than  my  thought  his  words ; 
The  branches  of  another  fruit,  thick  hung. 


1  Tike  place.]    Florence. 

s  He.]  Cano  Donati  was  suspected  of  aiming  at  the  soy* 
ereignty  of  Florence.  To  escape  the  fury  of  his  fellow-citi- 
zens, he  fled  away  on  horseback,  bat  fiUling,  was  overtaken 
and  slain,  A.  D.  1306.  The  contemporary  annalist,  after  lega- 
ting at  length  the  circumstances  or  his  fote,  adds,  **  that  he 
was  one  of  the  wisest  and  most  valorous  knights,  the  best 
speakei,  the  most  expert  statesman,  the  most  renowned  and 
enterprising  man  of  his  age  in  Italy,  a  comely  knight,  and  of 
graceful  carriage,  bat  very  worldly,  and  in  his  time  had 
formed  many  conspiracies  in  Florence,  and  entered  into  many 
scandalous  practices  for  the  sake  of  attaining  state  and  lord- 
ship." 6.  Villani,  lib.  viiL  cap.  96.  The  character  of  Corso 
is  forcibly  drawn  by  another  of  his  ccmtemporaries,  Dino 
Compagni,  lib.  ill.  Moratori,  Rer.  Ital.  Script.,  tom.  ix.  p.  533. 
Gaittone  d*Axes»>*t  seventh  Letter  is  addressed  to  him.    U 


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I03-148.       PUB6AT0RY,  Canto  XXIV.  3tt 

And  bloomingr  fresh,  appeared.    E'en  as  our  steps 
TumM  thither ;  not  far  off,  it  rose  to  view. 
Beneath  it  were  a  multitude,  that  raised 
Their  hands,  and  shouted  forth  I  know  not  what 
Unto  the  boughs ;  like  greedy  and  fond  brats. 
That  beg,  and  answei:  none  obtain  from  him. 
Of  whom  they  beg ;  but  more  to  draw  them  on, 
He,  at  arm's  length,  the  object  of  their  wish 
Above  them  holSn  aloft,  and  hides  it  not 

At  length,  as  undeceived,  they  went  their  way : 
And  we  approach  the  tree,  whom  vows  and  tears 
Sue  to  in  vain ;  the  mighty  tree.     "  Pass  on. 
And  come  not  near.     Stands  higher  up  the  wood. 
Whereof  Eve  tasted :  and  from  it  was  ta'en    [came. 
This  plant"    Such  sounds  from  midst  the  thicketff 
^Whence  I,  with  either  bard,  close  to  the  side 
That  rose,  paas'd  forth  beyond.    "  Remember,''  next 
We  heard,  **  those  unblest  creatures  of  the  cloudS}^ 
How  they  their  twyfold  bosoms,  overgorged. 
Opposed  in  fight  to  Theseus :  call  to  mind 
The  Hebrews,'  how,  effeminate,  they  stoop'd 
To  ease  their  thirst ;  whence  Gideon's  ranks  were 
As  he  to  Madian'  march'd  adown  the  hills."  [thinn'<d. 

Thus  near  one  border  coasting,  still  we  heard 
The  sins  of  gluttony,  with  wo  erewhile 
Regruerdon'd.     Then  along  the  lonely  path,^ 
Once  more  at  large,  full  thousand  paces  on 
We  travell'd,  each  contemplathre  and  mute? 

"  Why  pensive  journey  so  ye  three  alone  ?" 
Thus  suddenly  a  voice  exclaim'd :  whereat 
I  shook,  as  doth  a  scared  and  paltry  beast ; 
Then  raised  my  head,  to  look  from  whence  it  came 

Was  ne'er,  in  furnace,  glass,  or  metal,  seen 
So  bright  and  glowing  red,  as  was  the  shape 
I  now  beheld.     **  If  ye  desire  to  mount," 
He  cried ;  "  here,  must  ye  turn.    This  way  he  goes, 
Who  goes  in  quest  of  peace."    His  countenance 
Had  daizled  me  ;  and  to  my  guides  I  faced 
Backward,  like  one  who  walks  as  sound  directs. 

As  when,  to  harbinger  the  dawn,  springs  up 

1  Creatures  of  the  douda.]    The  Centaurs     Ovid,  Bfet,  Il\ 
JUL  feb.  4. 

*  The  Hebrewa.]    Judges,  vii 

*  To  Madian.'l 

The  matchless  Gidecm  in  porsnit 
Of  Madiao  and  her  vanqnish'd  kings. 

Milton^  Sanuom  JgomaUi, 


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354  THE  VISION.  j«3-lfl 

On  frwhen'd  win?  the  air  of  May^  and  breathes 
Of  fragrance,  all  impregn'd  with  herb  and  flowen ; 
E*en  such  a  wind  I  felt  upon  my  front 
Blow  gently,  and  the  moving  of  a  wing 
Perceived,  that,  moving,  sh^  ambroeid  smell ; 
And  then  a  voice :  **  Blessed  are  they,  whom  grace 
Doth  so  illume,  that  appetite  in  them 
Exhaleth  no  inordinate  desire, 
Still  hungering  as  the  rule  of  temperance  wills  '* 


CANTO    XXV 


ARGUMENT. 
VirgU  and  Statiiu  resolve -scmie  doubts  that  have  ariseo  ii^ 
the  mind  of  Dante  ih)m  what  he  had  just  seen.    They  aUr 
arrive  on  the  seventh  and  last  cornice,  where  the  sin  of  hi 
*   continence  is  purged  in  fire ;  and  the  spirits  of  those  suffer 
ing  therein  are  heard  to  record  illustrious  instances  0/ 
'  chastity. 

It  was  an  hour,  when  he  who  climbs,  had  need 
To  walk  uncrippled :  for  the  snn^  had  now 
To  Taurus  the  meridian  curcle  left, 
■And  to  the  Scorpion  left  the  night    As  one. 
That  makes  no  pause,  but  presses  on  his  road> 
What#^r  betide  him,  if  some  urgent  need 
Impel  yjo  entered  we''  upon  our  way, 
One  before  other ;  for,  but  singly,  none 
That  steep  and  narrow  scale  admits  to  climb. 

E'en  as  the  young  stork  lif  3th  up  his  wing 
Through  wish  to  fly,  yet  ventures  not  to  quit 
The  nest,  and  drops  it ;  so  in  me  desha 
Of  questioning  my  guide  arose,  and  fell, 
Arriving  even  to  the  act  that  marks 
A  man  prepared  for  speech.    Him  all  our  haste 

1  The  «vn.J    The  sun  had  passed  the  meridian  two  hours, 
and  that  meridian  was  now  occupied  by  the  constellation  of 
Taurus,  to  which  as  the  Scorpion  is  opposite,  the  latter  con* 
ttellation  was  consequently  at  the  meridian  of  night. 
«  So  entered  toe.] 

Davanti  a  me  andava  la  mia  gulda : 
E  poi  lo  dletro  per  una  via  stretta 
S^;uendo  lei  come  mia  scorta  fida. 

F)rezzij  11  Quadrir.,  lib.  ii.  cap.  S. 
The  good  prelate  of  Foligno  has  followed  our  Poet  so  closely 
throughout  this  Capltolo,  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  tran- 
scribe almost  the  whole  of  it  in  order  to  show  how  much  he 
has  copied.  These  verses  of  his  own  may  well  be  applied  t» 
him  on  tlie  occasion. 


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1»-4S.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXV.  355 

Re8train*d  not ;  but  thus  spake  the  sire  beloved : 
'*  Fear  not  to  speed  the  shafti'  that  on  thy  lip 
Stands  trembling  for  its  flight."     Encouraged  thus, 
I  straight  began :  "  How  there  can  leanness  come,' 
Where  is  no  want  of  nourishment  wO  feed  ?" 

"  If  thou,"  he  answerM,  "  hadst  remember'd  thee. 
How  Meleager'  with  the  wasting  brand 
Wasted  alike,  by  equal  fires  consumed ; 
This  would  not  trouble  thee :  and  hadst  thou  thought, 
How  in  the  mirror*  your  reflected  form 
With  mimic  motion  vibrates ;  what  now  seems 
Hard,  had  appeared  no  harder  than  the  pulp 
Of  summer-fruit  mature.     But  that  thy  will 
In  certamty  may  find  its  full  repose, 
Lo  Statins  here !  on  him  I  call,  and  pray 
That  he  would  now  be  healer  of  thy  wound." 

"  If,  in  thy  presence,  I  unfold  to  him 
The  secrets  of  heaven's  vengeance,  let  me  plead 
Thine  own  injunction  to  exculpate  me." 
So  Statins  answered,  and  forthwith  began : 
«*  Attend  my  words,  O  son,  and  in  thy  mind 
Receive  them ;  so  shall  they  be  light  to  clear 
The  doubt  thou  offer'st    Blood,  concocted  well, 
Which  by  the  thirsty  vems  is  ne'er  imbibed. 
And  rests  as  food  superfluous,  to  be  ta'en 
From  the  replenish'd  table,  in  the  heart 
Derives  efiectual  vhlue,  that  informs 


1  Fear  not  to  speed  the  shaft.]  "  Fear  not  to  utter  the  W(»ds 
that  are  already  at  the  tip  of  thy  tongue." 

rioXXd  nh  ipruirhs 

rXwtrffa  fioi  ro^ev/iar'  ixei  inpl  xdwv 

KsXaifiaai.  Pindar,  Itthm.,  v.  GO. 

Full  many  a  shaft  of  sonnding  rhyme 

Stands  trembling  on  my  lip 

Their  glory  to  declare. 

>  How  there  eon  leanness  eome.]  **  How  can  spirits,  that 
need  not  corporeal  noorishment,  be  snbject  to  leanness  T* 
This  question  gives  rise  to  the  following  explanation  of  Sta- 
tins respecting  the  formation  of  the  human  body  fh)m  the 
first,  its  junction  with  the  soul,  and  the  passage  of  the  Hitter 
to  another  world. 

s  Meleager.]  Virgil  reminds  Dante  that,  as  Meleager  was 
wasted  away  by  the  decree  of  the  Fates,  and  not  through 
want  of  blood ;  so  by  the  divine  appointment,  there  may  be 
leanness  where  there  is  no  need  of  nourishment. 

*  In  the  mirror.]  As  the  reflection  of  a  form  in  a  mirror  is 
modified  In  agreement  with  the  modification  of  the  form  it- 
self; so  the  sonl,  separated  from  the  earthly  body,  Impresses 
the  image  or  ghost  of  that  body  with  its  owi  afifections 


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156  THE  VISION.  43-n 

The  leveral  hHman  limbs,  as  being  that 

Which  passes  through  the  Teins  itself  to  make  them 

Yet  more  concocted  it  descends,  where  shame 

Forbids  to  mention :  and  from  thence  distills 

In  natural  vessel  on  another's  blood. 

There  each  unite  together  ;  one  disposed 

To  endure,  to  act  the  other,  through  that  power 

Derived  from  whence  it  came ;'  and  bemg  met. 

It  'gins  to  work,  coagrulating  first ; 

Then  vivifies  what  its  own  substance  made 

Consist    With  animation  now  indued. 

The  active  virtue  (difiering  from  a  plant 

No  further,  than  that  this  is  on  the  way, 

And  at  its  limit  that)  continues  yet 

To  operate,  that  now  it  moves,  and  feels. 

As  sea-sponge'  clinging  to  the  rock :  and  there 

Assumes  the  organic  powers  its  seed  convey'd. 

This  is  the  moment,  son !  at  which  the  virtue, 

That  from  the  generating  heart  proceeds. 

Is  pliant  and  expansive ;  for  each  limb 

Is  in  the  heart  by  forgeful  na^ture  plann'd. 

How  babe'  of  animal  becomes,  remains 

For  thy  considering.    At  this  point,  more  wise. 

Than  thou,  has  err'd,*  making  the  soul  disjoin'd 

From  passive  intellect,  because  he  saw 

No  organ  for  the  latter's  use  assign'd. 

"  Open  thy  bosom  to  the  truth  that  comes 
Know,  soon  as  in  the  embryo,  to  the  brain 
Articulation  is  complete,  then  turns 
The  primal  Mover  witk  a  smile  of  joy 
On  such  great  work  of  nature ;  and  imbreathes 
New  spirit  replete  with  vutue,  that  what  here 

1  JVmr  vhenee  it  eanu.\  ''Rrom  the  heart,**  as  Lombaida 
rightly  interprets  it. 

s  j9«  sea-gpongre.]    The  fcetns  is  in  this  stage  a  KoSphyte. 

s  Babe.]  By  "  fante,'*  which  is  here  rendered  '*  babe.**  Is 
meant  "the  human  creature.'*  **The  creature  that  is  dls 
tinguished  from  others  by  its  faculty  of  speech,**  Just  ai 
Homer  calls  men, 

ytvtai  fttp6xia¥  ivOp^ntv. 
*  More  vise, 
Than  tho%  has  err'd.]  Averroes  Is  said  to  be  here  meant 
Ventnri  refers  to  his  commentary  on  Aristotle,  De  Anim., 
lib.  iiL  cap.  5,  for  the  opinion  that  there  is  only  one  universal 
mtellect  <Nr  mind  pervading  every  individual  of  the  human 
race.  Much  of  the  knowledge  disfriayed  by  our  Poet  in  the 
inresent  Canto,  appears  to  have  been  derived  from  the  medl- 
eat  work  of  Aveiroei  called  the  CoUiget,  Ub.  iL  f.  10.  Yen 
1490,  fol 


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TS-IU.         PURGATORY,  Ciirro  XXV.         .  357 

Actiye  it  finds,  to  its  own  substance  draws ; 
And  forais  an  individual  soul,  that  lives, 
And  feels,  and  bends  reflective  on  itself. 
And  that  thou  less  mayst  marvel  at  the  word, 
Mark  the  sun*s  heat  ;^  how  that  to  wine  doth  change) 
Mix'd  with  the  moisture  filtered  through  the  vine. 

**  When  Lachesis  hath  spun  the  thread,'  the  soul 
Takes  with  her  both  the  human  and  divine, 
Memory,  intelligence,  and  will,  in  act 
Far  keener  than  before  ;  the  other  powers 
Inactive  all  and  mute.    No  pause  allow*d. 
In  wondrous  sort  self-moving,  to  one  strand 
Of  those,  where  the  departed  roam,  she  falls : 
Here  learns  her  destined  path.    Soon  as  the  place 
Receives  her,  round  the  plastic  virtue  beams, 
Distinct  as  in  the  living  limbs  before : 
And  as  the  air,  when  saturate  with  showers, 
The  casual  beam  refracting,  decks  itself 
With  many  a  hue  ;  so  here  the  ambient  air 
Weareth  that  form,  which  influence  of  the  soul 
Imprints  on  it :  and  like  the  flame,  that  where 
The  fire  moves,  thither  follows ;  ^,  henceforth, 
The  new  form  on  the  spuit  follows  still : 
Hence  hath  it  semblance,  and  is  shadow  call'd, 
,  With  each  sense,  even  to  the  sight,  endued :    [sighs. 
Hence  speech  is  ours,  hence  laughter,  tears,  and 
Which  thou  mayst  oft  have  witness  d  on  the  mount 
The  obedient  shadow  fails  not  to  present 
Whatever  varying  passion  moves  within  us. 
And  this  the  cause  of  what  thou  marvell'st  at*' 

Now  the  last  flexure  of  our  way  we  reach'd ; 
And  to  the  right  hand  turning,  other  care 
Awaits  us.     Here  the  rocky  precipice 
Hurls  forth  redundant  flames ;  and  from  the  rim 
A  blast  up-blown,  with  forcible  rebuff 
Driveth  them  back,  sequester'd  from  its  bound. 

Behooved  us,  one  by  one,  along  the  side. 
That  bordered  on  the  void,  to  pass  ;  and  I 
Fear'd  on  one  hand  the  fire,  on  the  other  fear*d 

1  Mark  the  tun*»  heat.]  Redi  and  Tlraboschi  (Mr.  Mathias't 
cd^  V.  ii.  p.  36)  have  considered  thia  ai  an  anticipation  01  a 
profound  discovery  of  Galileo's  in  natural  philosophy;  bat  it 
Is  in  reality  taken  from  a  passage  in  Cicero  **  de  Senectnte,** 
where,  speaidng  of  the  grape,  he  says,  *'  qnc,  et  sncco  ierrm  et 
calore  soils  af^iescens,  pnmo  est  peracerba  gnstato,  deinde 
matnrata  dnlcescit.'* 

s  Ifhem  LaehetiM  hath  tywm  th$  thread]  When  a  inan*t 
Ife  on  earth  is  at  an  end 


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t58 .  THE  VISION.  114-133 

Headlong  to  fall :  when  thiM  the  instnietor  wam*d 
"  Strict  rein  must  in  this  place  direct  the  eyes. 
A  little  fwenrmg^  and  the  way  is  loet." 

Then  from  Hm  boeom  of  the  burning  mass, 
•<  O  God  of  mercy  !''*  heard  I  sung,  and  felt 
No  lea  desire  to  turn     And  when  I  saw 
Spirits  along  the  flame  proceeding,  I 
Between  their  footsteps  and  mine  own  was  fain 
To  share  by  turns  my  view.    At  the  hymn's  close 
They  shouted  loud,  "  I  do  not  know  a  man  f 
Then  in  low  yoice  again  took  up  the  stram  ; 
Which  once  more  ended, "  To  the  wood,"  they  criedi 
"  Ran  Dian,  and  drave  forth  Calhsto*  stung 
With  Cytherea's  poison :"  then  retum'd 
Unto  their  song ;  then  many  a  pair  extoU'd, 
Who  lived  in  virtue  chastely  and  the  bands 
Of  wedded  love.    Nor  from  that  task,  I  ween, 
Surcease  they ;  whilesoe'er  the  scorching  fire 
Enclasps  them.    Of  such  skill  appliance  needs, 
To  medicine  the  wound  that  healeth  last^ 


CANTO   XXVI. 

ARGUMENT 
The  spirits  wonder  at  seeing  the  shadow  cast  by  the  body  of 
Dante  on  the  flame  as  he  passes  it  This  moves  one  of 
them  to  address  him.  It  proves  to  be  Guido  Goinicelli,  the 
Italian  poet,  who  points  out  to  him  the  spirit  of  Aniaiilt 
Daniel,  the  Proven9al,  with  whom  he  also  speaks. 

WmLB  singly  thus  along  the  rim  we  walk'd,' 
Oft  the  good  master  wam'd  me :  "  Look  thou  weU. 
Avail  it  that  I  caution  thee."    The  sun 
Now  all  the  western  clime  irradiate  changed 
From  azure  tinct  to  white  ;  and,  as  I  pass'd, 
My  passing  shadow  made  the  umber'd  flame 

1  "  O  Ood  of  mertw.*']    **  Snmms  Dens  dementis.*' 

The  beginning  of  the  hymn  sung  on  the  Sabbath  at  matins, 

as  it  stands  in  the  ancient  breviaries ;  for  in  the  modem  it  is 

**  snmms  parens  dementis."    Lombardi. 

*  I  do  not  know  a  man.]    Lnlce,  i.  34. 

s  CaUitto.]    See  Ovid,  Met.,  iib.  ii.  fab.  5. 

*  THe  woundy  that  koaleth  last.]  The  marginal  note  in  the 
Monte  Cassino  MS.  on  this  passage  is :  "  idest  ultima  litera 
que  denotat  ultimnm  peccatum  mortale  ;*'  and  the  editor 
lemarics,  that  Dante  in  these  last  two  verses  admonishes  him- 
self, and  lu  himself  all  those  gniltv  of  carnal  sin,  in  what  man- 
ner the  wonnd,  inflicted  by  it,  and  expressed  by  the  last  P.  on 
bis  forehead,  may  b6  healed 


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T-SL  PURGATORY,  Camto  XXVI.  359 

Bum  ruddier.  '  At  so  strange  a  sight  I  mark'd 
That  many  a  spirit  marveird  on  his  way. 

This  bred  occasion  first  to  speak  of  me. 
**  He  seems/'  said  they,  "  no  insubstantial  frame :" 
Then,  to  obtain  what  certamty  they  might, 
Stretch'd  towards  me,  careful  not  to  overpass 
•  The  burning  pale.     "  O  thou !  who  followest 
The  others,  haply  not  more  slow  than  they, 
But^moved  by  reverence ;  answer  me,  who  bum 
In  thirst  and  fire  :  ngr  I  alone,  but  these 
All  for  thine  answer  do  more  thirst,  than  doth 
Indian  or  ^thiop  for  the  cooling  stream. 
Tell  us,  how  is  it  that  thou  mak'st  thyself 
A  wall  against  the  sun,  as  thou  not  yet 
Into  the  inextricable  toils  of  death 
Hadst  enter'd  ?"    Thus  spake  one ;  and  I  had  straight 
Declared  me,  if  attention  had  not  tum*d 
To  new  appearance.    Meeting  these,  there  came, 
Midway  the  bummg  path,  a  crowd,  on  whom 
Earnestly  gazing,  from  each  part  I  view 
The  shadows  all  press  forward,  severally 
Each  snatch  a  hasty  kiss,  and  then  away. 
E'en  so  the  emmets,  'mid  their  dusky  troops, 
Peer  closely  one  at  other,  to  spy  out 
Their  mutual  road  perchance,  and  how  they  thrive. 

That  friendly  greeting  parted,  ere  dispatch 
Of  the  first  onward  step,  from  either  tribe 
Loud  clamor  rises :  those,  who  newly  come. 
Shout  **  Sodom  and  Gomorrah !"  these,  "  The  cow 
PasiphsB  enter'd,  that  the  beast  she  woo'd 
Might  rush  unto  her  luxury."     Then  as  cranes, 
That  part  towards  the  Riphsean  mountains  fly, 
Part  towards  the  Lybic  sands,  these  to  avoid 
The  ice,  and  those  the  sun  ;  so  hasteth  off 
One  crowd,  advances  the  other  ;  and  resume 
Their  first  song,  weeping,  and  their  several  shout.' 

Again  drew  near  my  side  the  very  same. 
Who  had  erewhile  besought  me ;  and  their  looks 
Mark'd  eagerness  to  listen.     I,  who  twice 
Their  will  had  noted,  spake :  "  O  spirit^  secure. 
Whene'er  the  time  Ihay  be,  of  peaceful  end  ; 
My  limbs,  nor  crade,  nor  in  mature  old  age. 
Have  I  left  yonder :  here  they  bear  me,  fed 
With  blood,  and  sinew-strung.    That  I  no  more 
May  live  in  blindness,  hence  I  tend  aloft. 

^  T%tir  first  aonft^  vupingy  and  tkHr  severai  $hout.]    See 
the  last  Canto,  v,  118,  and  v.  123. 


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S0O  THE  VISION.  59-«> 

There  is  a  dame  on  high,  who  wun  for  ni 

This  grace,  by  which  my  mortal  through  your  realm 

I  bear.    But  may  your  utmost  wish  soon  meet 

Such  full  fruition,  that  the  orb  of  heayen. 

Fullest  of  love,  and  of  most  ample  ^>ace, 

Receive  you  ;  as  ye  tell  (upon  my  page 

Henceforth  to  stand  recorded)  who  ye  are ; 

And  what  this  multitude,  that  at  your  backs 

Have  pass'd  behind  us."    As  one,  mountain-bredf 

Rugged  and  clownish,  if  some  city's  walls 

He  chance  to  enter,  round  him  stares  agape. 

Confounded  and  struck  dumb ;  e'en  such  ai^ar'd 

Each  spirit    But  when  rid  of  that  amaze, 

(Not  long  the  mmate  of  a  noble  heart,') 

He,  who  before  had  questioned,  thus  resumed : 

"  O  blessed !  who,  for  death  preparing,  takest 

Experience  of  our  limits,  in  thy  bark ; 

Their  crime,  who  not  with  us  proceed,  was  that 

For  which,  as  he  did  triumph,  CaMar*  heard        [cnr 

The  shout  of  'queen,'  to  taunt  him.    Hence  thea 

Of  <  Sodom,'  as  they  parted  ;  to  rebuke 

Themselves,  and  aid  the  burning  by  their  shame 

Our  sinning  was  Hermaphrodite :  but  we, 

Because  the  law  of  human  kind  we  broke, 

Followmg  like  beasts  our  vile  concupiscence, 

Hence  parting  from  them,  to  our  own  disgrace 

Record  the  name  of  her,  by  whom  the  beast 

In  bestial  tire  was  acted.    Now  our  deeds 

Thou  know'st,  and  how  we  sinn'd.    If  thou  by  namn 

1  Amate^ 

(A*0£  long  the  inmate  of  a  noble  heart.)] 

stupore 

Lo  qnal  negU  altl  cor  tosto  s'attuta. 
rhof  Speroni : 

lo  stupore 

Lo  qnal  dagli  alti  cor  tosto  si  parte.  Cahaee. 

He  does  not  say  that  wonder  is  not  natural  t>  a  lofty  mind, 
for  it  is  the  very  principle  of  Icnowlodge.  ,^d\a  y^P  ^<Ao- 
96fo9  roZro  rl  ir<i0o(,  rd  Oav/id^ctv,  oh  y^P  iAAv  dpx^ 
fi\oo9^ias1iaiT4.  Plato,  Theat.  Edit.  Bipont,  torn.  ii.  p.  76; 
bnt  that  it  is  not  of  long  continuance  in  such  a  mind.  On 
this  subject  it  is  well  said  by  Doctor  Hortley :  "  Wonder, 
connected  with  a  principle  of  rational  curiosity,  is  the  source 
of  all  knowledge  and  discovery,  and  it  is  a  principle  even  of 
piety:  but  wonder,  which  ends  in  wonder,  and  is  satisfied 
with  wonder,  is  the  quality  of  an  idiot."  Sermons^  vol.  i.  p 
837.  Compare  Aristotle,  Metaph.,  lib.  i.  p.  335,  Edit.  Sylb. 
The  above  passace  tram  Plato  is  adduced  by  Clemens  AleZ' 
and.,  Strom.,  lib.  ii.  sect  9. 

s  Cm»ar.]    For  the  opprobrium  cast  on  Coear't  eflfemlnacy 
see  Snetonios,  Julius  Cosar,  c.  49. 


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81-111  PURGATORY,  CAurt)  XXVI.  36 1 

Woaldst  ha{>iy  know  us,  time  permits  not  now 

To  tell  so  much,  nor  can  I.     Of  myself 

Learn  what  thou  wiahest.     Guinicelli'  I ; 

Who  having  truly  sorrow'd  ere  my  last. 

Already  cleanse  me."     With  such  pious  joy, 

As  the  two  sons  upon  their  mother  gazed 

From  sad  Lycurgus'  rescued  ;  such  my  joy 

(Save  that  I  more  repressed  it)  when  I  heard 

From  his  own  lips  the  name  of  him  pronounced, 

Who  was  a  father  to  me,  and  to  those 

My  betters,  who  have  ever  used  the  sweet 

And  pleasant  rhymes  of  love.     So  naught  I  heard* 

Nor  spake ;  but  long  time  thoughtfully  I  went, 

Gazing  on  him  ;  and,  only  for  the  fire, 

Approach'd  not  nearer.     When  my  eyes  were  fed 

By  looking  on  him ;  with  such  solemn  pledge, 

As  forces  credence,  I  devoted  me 

Unto  his  service  wholly.     In  reply 

He  thus  bespake  me :  "  What  from  thee  I  hear 

Is  graved  so  deeply  on  my  mind,  the  waves 

Of  Lethe  shall  not  wash  it  off,  nor  make 

A  whit  less  lively.     But  as  now  thy  oath 

Has  seal'd  the  truth,  declare  what  cause  impels 

That  love,  which  both  thy  looks  and  speech  bewray." 

"  Those  dulcet  lays,"  I  answer'd ;  "  which,  as  long 
As  of  our  tongue  the  beauty  does  not  fade. 
Shall  make  us  love  the  very  ink  that  traced  them." 

**  Brother !"  he  cried,  and  pointed  at  the  shade 
Before  him,  "  there  is  one,  whose  mother  speech 
Doth  owe  to  him  a  fairer  ornament. 
He'  in  love  ditties,  and  the  tales  of  prose, 

*  Ouiniedli.]  See  Note  to  Canto  xi.  96. 
«  Lyeurffus.]  Statius,  Theb.,  lib.  iv.  and  v.  Hypsipile  had 
left  her  infant  chaise,  the  son  of  Lycnrgus,  on  a  bank,  where 
it  was  destroyed  by  a  serpent,  when  she  went  to  show  the 
Argive  army  the  river  of  Langia :  and,  on  her  escaping  the 
eflbcts  of  Lycnrgus's  resentment,  the  joy  her  own  chlldrea 
felt  at  the  sight  of  her  was  such,  as  onr  Poet  felt  on  behold- 
ing his  predecessor  Guinicetli. 

The  incidents  are  beautifally  described  in  Statins,  and  seem 
to  have  made  an  impression  on  Dante,  for  he  before  (Canto 
xxil.  110)  characterizes  Hypsipile  as  her— 
Who  show'd  Langla's  wave, 
s  He.]   The  united  testimony  of  Dante,  and  of  Petrarch, 
|Aace»  Arnault  Daniel  at  the  head  of  the  Provencal  poets. 
— —  pol  v'era  un  drappello 
Dl  portamenti  e  di  volgari  strani : 
Fra  tutti  11  primo  Amaldo  Daniello 
Gran  maestro  d*amor  ch'  a  la  sna  terra 
Anccr  fit  on<a  col  rao  dir  nnovo  e  bcliu. 

^  Petrareoj  TVionfo  SAmon,  c.  I?.    . 

16 


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363  THE  VISION.  lU 

Withont  a  inral  stands ;  and  lets  the  fools 

That  he  was  bom  of  po(»r  bat  noUe  parents,  at  the  castle  of 
Ribeyrac  in  P^riford,  and  that  he  was  at  the  Enclish  court,  is 
ttie  amoont  <^  Millot*s  infonnation  concerning  him,  (torn,  ii 
p.  479.)  The  account  there  given  of  liis  writings  is  not  much 
more  satls&ctory,  and  the  criticism  on  them  most  go  for  little 
better  than  nothing.  It  is  to  be  regretted  tliat  we  have  not  an 
opportunity  of  jndBng  for  ourselves  of  his  *'  love  ditties  and 
bis  tales  of  prose.** 

Vers!  d*amore  e  prose  di  roman:d 
Our  Poet  ftequentiy  cites  him  in  the  work  De  Vulgar!  Eao> 
quio.  In  the  second  chapter  of  the  second  book,  he  Is  in- 
stanced as  one  **  who  had  treated  of  love  ;**  and  in  the  tenth 
chapter,  he  is  said  to  have  used  in  almost  all  his  canzoni  a 
particular  kind  of  stanza,  the  sestine,  which  Dante  had  fol- 
lowed iix  one  of  his  own  canzoni,  beginning, 

Al  poco  giomo  ed  al  gran  cerchio  d*<nnbFa. 
This  stanza  is  termed  by  Gray,  **both  in  sense  and  sound,  a 
very  mean  composition.'*  Oray'a  WorJu^  4to.  Lend.  1814, 
vol.  ii.  p.  33.  According  to  Cresclmbeni,  (Delia  Volg.  Poes., 
lib.  i.  p.  7,  ed.  1698,}  he  died  in  1189.  Arnault  Daniel  was  not 
soon  forsotten;  for  Ausias  March,  a  Catalonian,  who  was 
himself  mstlngnished  as  a  Provencal  poet  in  the  middle  of  the 
fifteenth  century,  makes  honorable  mention  of  him  in  some 
verses,  which  are  quoted  by  Bastero  in  his  Crusca  Proven 
zale,  Ediz.  Roma.  1724,  p.  75. 

Envers  alguns  a^o  miracle  par ; 
Mas  sin's  membram  d*en  Amau  Daniel 
E  de  aquels  que  la  terra  los  es  vel, 
Sabrem  Amor  vers  nos  que  pot  donar. 

To  some  this  seems  a  miracle  to  be ; 

But  if  we  Arnault  Daniel  call  to  mind, 

And  those  beside,  whom  earthly  veil  doth  bind, 

We  then  the  mighty  power  of  love  shall  see. 

Since  this  note  was  written,  M.  Raynonard  has  made  na 
better  acquainted  with  the  writings  and  history  of  the  Pro- 
vencal poets.  I  have  much  pleasure  In  citing  the  following 
particnuurs  respecting  Arnault  Daniel  from  his  Cholx  des  Po 
Ssies  des  Troubadours,  torn.  il.  pp.  318, 319. 

"  L*autorit6  de  Dante  suifirait  pour  nous  convainore  qu*  Ar 
naud  Daniel  avait  compost  plnsieurs  romans.  Mais  11  reste 
■ne  preuve  positive  de  Pezistence  d'un  roman  d'Amaud 
Daniel ;  c'est  celui  de  Lancelot  du  Lac,  dont  la  traduction  fVit 
fkite,  vers  la  fin  du  treizldme  si^de,  en  allemand,  par  Ulrich 
de  Zatehitschoven,  qui  nomme  Amand  Daniel  c(»nme  Tauteur 
«>riginal.**« 

"  Le  Tasse,  dans  l*un  de  ses  ouvrages,*  s*ezprime  en  ces 
termes,  an  si^et  des  romans  composes  par  les  troubadours : 

<<  £  romanzi  furono  detti  quel  poemi,  o  piu  tosto  quelle 


(•)  Des  eztraits  de  cette  traduction  allemande  ont  4ti 
pablMs. 

(J)  DiscoTso  sopra  11  parere  flttto  del  Signor  Fr.  Patrido,  etCi, 
•dit  fol.  torn.  iv.  p.  810. 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


lis.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXVI.  36 

Talk  on,  who  think  the  songster  of  LimogeiE^ 

Istoric  &volose,  che  farono  seritte  nella  lingua  de*  Provenzali 
o  de*  Castigliani ;  le  quali  non  si  scrivevano  in  veni,  ma  in 
orosa,  come  alcnni  hanno  osservato  prima  da  me,  perchi 
Dante,  parlando  d* Arnaldo  Daniello,  disse : 

Versi  d*amore  e  prose  di  romanzi,  etc. 

Enfin  Pnlci,  dans  son  Morgante  Maggiore«  nomme  Amaod 
Daniel  comme  autenr  d*im  ruman  de  Renaud : 
Dopo  costui  venne  il  famoso  Arnaldo 
Che  molto  diligenteniente  ha  scritt^f 
E  investigb  le  opre  di  Kinaldo, 
De  le  gran  cose  che  fece  in  Egitto,  etc.** 

Morgante  Maggiore,  Canto  xxvii.  ott.  80 

See  also  Raynouard,  torn.  v.  30. 

1  The  songster  of  Limoges.]  Giraud  de  Bomeil,  of  Sldeoil 
a  castle  in  Limoges.  He  was  a  Troubadour,  much  admired 
and  caressed  in  his  day,  and  appears  to  have  been  in  favor 
with  the  monarchs  of  Castile,  Leon,  Navarre,  and  Aragon. 
Giraud  is  mentioned  by  Dante  in  a  remarkable  passage  of  the 
De  Vulg.  Eloq.,  lib.  ii.  cap.  2.  '*  As  man  is  endowed  with  a 
triple  soul,  vegetable,  animal,  and  rational,  so  he  walks  in  a 
triple  path.  Inasmuch  as  he  is  vegetable,  he  seeks  utility, 
in  which  he  has  a  common  nature  with  plants ;  inasmuch  as 
he  ;s  animal,  he  seeks  for  pleasure,  in  which  he  participates 
with  brutes ;  inasmuch  as  he  is  rational,  he  seeks  for  honor, 
in  which  he  is  either  alone,  or  is  associated  with  the  angels. 
Whatever  we  do,  appears  to  be  done  through  these  three 
principles,'*  &c.— '*With  respect  to  utility,  we  shall  find  on  a 
minute  inquiry  that  the  primary  object  with  all  who  seek  it, 
is  safety ;  with  regard  to  pleasure*  love  is  entitled  to  the  first 
place ;  and  as  to  honor,  no  one  will  hesitate  in  assijipiing  the 
same  pre-eminence  to  virtue.  These  three  then,  sa&ty,  love, 
virtue,  appear  to  be  three  great  subjects,  which  ought  to 
be  treated,  with  most  grandeur;  that  is,  those  things  which 
chiefly  pertain  to  these,  as  courage  in  arms,  ardency  of  love, 
and  the  direction  of  the  will :  concerning  which  alone  we 
shall  flnd  on  inquiry  that  illustrious  men  have  composed 
their  poems  in  the  vernacular  tongues :  Bertrand  de  Bom,  of 
arms ;  Arnault  Daniel,  of  love ;  Giraud  de  Bomeil,  of  recti- 
tude ;  Cino  da  Pistoia,  of  love ;  his  friend,'*  (by  whom  he 
means  himself,)  **of  rectitude;  but  I  find  no  Italian  as  yet 
who  has  treated  of  arms."  Giraud  is  again  quoted  in  the 
sixth  chapter  ok  this  book.  The  following  notice  respecting 
him  is  found  in  Gray*s  posthumous  Works,  4to.  Lcmd.  1814, 
▼ol.  ii.  p.  33.  **  The  canzone  is  of  very  ancient  date,  the  in- 
vention  of  it  being  ascribed  to  Girard  de  Bomeil  of  the  school 
of  Provence,  who  died  in  1178.  He  was  of  Limoges,  and  was 
called  U  Maestro  de*  Trovatori."  That  he  was  distinguished 
bv  this  title  (a  circumstance  that,  perhaps,  induced  Danle  to 
vindicate  the  superior  claims  of  Arnault  Daniel)  is  mentioned 
by  Bastero  in  his  Crusca  Provenzale,  Ediz.  Roma,  p.  84,  where 
we  find  the  following  list  of  his  MS.  poems  preserved  in  the 
Vatican,  and  in  the  library  of  S.  Lorenzo  at  Florence.  *'  Una 
tenzone  col  Re  d' Aragona ;  e  un  Serventese  contra  Cardaillac, 
e  diverse  Oanzoni  massimamente  tre  pel  ricuperamento  del 
8.  Sepolero,  o  dl  Terra  Santa,  ed  alcune  col  titolo  di  Cante- 
fete,  eiod  plcciole  cantari,  owero  canzonette.**  The  li^t 
Which  these  and  similar  writings  might  €^\^  sot  only  on  tlM 


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364  THE  VISION  114-1» 

O'ertops  him.    Rumor  and  the  p(^ar  yoiee 

They  look  to,  more  than  truth  ;  and  so  confirm 

Opinion,  ere  by  art  or  reason  taught 

Thus  many  of  the  elder  time  cri^  up 

Guittone,*  giving^  him  the  prize,  till  truth 

By  strength  of  numbers  vanquish'd.    If  thou  own 

So  ample  privilege,  as  to  have  gain'd 

Free  entrance  to  the  cloister,  whereof  Christ 

Is  Abbot  of  the  college  ;  say  to  him 

One  paternoster  for  me,  far  as  needs* 

For  dwelleiB  in  this  world,  where  power  to  sin 

No  longer  tempts  us.**    Haply  to  make  way 

For  one  that  follow'd  next,  when  that  was  said, 

He  vanished  through  the  fire,  as  through  the  wayn 

A  fish,  that  glances  diving  to  the  deep. 

I,  to  the  spirit  he  had  shown  me,  drew 
A  little  onward,  and  besought  his  name, 
For  which  my  heart,  I  said,  kept  gracious  room. 
He  frankly  thus  began :  "  Thy  courtesy* 

events,  but  still  more  on  the  manners  of  a  most  Interestlni 
period  of  history,  would  surely,  without  taking  into  the  ac- 
count any  merit  they  may  possess  as  poetical  compositions, 
render  them  objects  well  deserving  of  more  curiosity  than 
they  appear  to  have  hitherto  excited  in  the  public  mind. 
Many  of  his  poems  are  still  remaining  in  MS.  According  to 
Nostradamus  he  died  in  1278.  Millot,  Hist.  Lltt.  des  Troub., 
tom.  ii.  p.  1,  and  23.  But  I  suspect  that  there  is  some  error 
In  this  date,  and  that  he  did  not  live  to  so  late  a  period. 
Some  of  his  poems  have  since  been  published  by  Raynouard 
Poesies  des  Troubadours,  tom.  iii.  p.  304,  &c. 

1  Onittone.]    See  Canto  xxiv.  56. 

3  Fhr  a»  needs.^    See  Canto  xi.  23. 

>  Tkf  courtesy.]  Arnault  is  here  made  to  speak  in  his  own 
tongue,  the  Provencal.  According  to  Dante,  (De  Vulg.  Eloq., 
lib.  i.  c.  8,)  the  Provencal  was  one  language  with  the  Span- 
ish. What  he  says  on  this  subject  is  so  curious,  that  the 
leader  will  perhaps  not  be  displeased  if  I  give  an  abstract 
of  it. 

He  first  makes  three  great  divisions  of  the  European  Ian 
gnages.  **One  of  these  extends  firom  the  mouths  of  the 
Danube,  or  the  lake  of  Mcotis,  to  the  western  limits  of  Eng- 
land, and  is  bounded  by  the  limits  of  the  French  and  Italians, 
and  by  the  ocean.  One  idiom  obtained  over  the  whole  of 
this  space :  but  was  afterwards  subdivided  into  the  Sclavo- 
nian,  Hungarian,  Teutonic,  Saxon,  English,  and  the  vernacu- 
lar tongues  of  several  other  people,  one  sign  remaining  to 
all,  that  they  use  the  affirmative  io,  (our  English  ay.)  The 
whole  of  Europe,  bMinning  fhom  the  Hungarian  limits  and 
stretching  towards  the  east,  has  a  second  idimn,  which 
reaches  still  ftirther  than  the  end  of  Europe,  info  Asia.  This 
is  the  Greek.  In  all  that  remains  of  Europe,  there  is  a  third 
tdimn,  subdivided  into  three  dialects,  which  may  be  severally 
dlstingoished  by  the  use  of  the  affirmatives,  m,  oU,  and  §i 


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IW,134.       PURGATORY,  Canto  XXVL  365 

60  wins  on  me,  I  have  nor  power  nor  will 
To  hide  me.    I  am  Arnault ;  and  with  songSi 


the  first  spoken  by  the  Spaniards,  the  next  by  the  French, 
the  third  by  the  Latins,  (or  Italians.)  The  first  occupy  the 
western  part  of  southern  Europe,  beginning  from  the  limits 
of  the  Geneose.  The  third  occupy  the  eastern  part  from  the 
said  limits,  as  far,  that  is,  as  to  the  promontory  of  Italy, 
where  the  Adriatic  sea  begins,  and  to  Sicily.  The  second 
are  in  a  manner  northern,  with  respect  to  these,  for  they 
have  the  Grermans  to  the  east  and  north,  on  the  west  (hey 
are  (ouaded  by  the  English  sea  and.  the  mountains  of  Aia- 

Son,  and  on  the  south  by  the  people  of  Provence  and  the 
oclivity  of  the  Apennine." 

Ibid.  o.  X.  "  Each  of  these  three,"  he  observes,  "  has  its 
own  claims  to  distinction.  The  excellency  of  the  French 
language  consists  in  its  being  best  adapted,  on  account  of  its 
facility  and  agreeableness,  to  prose  narration,  (quicquid  re- 
dactum,  sive  inventum  est  ad  vulgare  prosaicum,  suum  est ;) 
and  lie  instances  the  books  compiled  on  the  gests  of  the  Tro- 
jans and  Romans,  and  the  delightful  Adventures  of  King 
Arthur,  with  many  other  histories  and  works  of  instruction. 
The  Spanish  (or  Provenjal)  may  boast  of  its  having  pro- 
duced such  as  first  cultivated  in  this,  as  in  a  more  peiifect 
and  sweet  language,  the  vernacular  poetry:  among  whom 
are  Tierre  d'Auvergne,  and  others  more  ancient.'  The  privi- 
leges of  the  Latin,  or  Italian,  are  two ;  first,  that  it  may 
reckon  for  its  own  those  writers  who  have  adopted  a  more 
sweet  and  subtile  style  of  poetry.  In  the  number  of  whom  are 
Cino  da  Pistoia  and  his  firiend ;  and  the  next,  that  its  writers 
seem  to  adhere  to  certain  general  rules  of  grammar,  and  in 
so  doing  give  it,  in  the  opinion  of  the  intelligent,  a  very 
weighty  pretension  to  preference."  Since  the  last  edition  of 
this  book,  it  has  appeared  that  Mr.  Gray  understood  by  the 
words  "  Grammatics,  quae  communis  est ;"  •  "  the  Latin  or 
mother-tongue,"  and  not,  as  I  have  rendered  them,  "  general 
rules  of  grammar."  In  this  latter  sense,  however,  the  word 
•*  Grammatica"  has  been  used  twice  before  in  the  Treatise  de 
Vulg.  Eloq.,  though  it  is  certainly  afterwards  applied  in  the 
sense  in  which  Gray  took  it.  See  the  edition  of  Gray's 
Works,  for  which  we  are  so  much  indebted  to  Mr.  Mathias, 
4to.  liondon,  1814,  vol.  ii.  p.  35.  We  learn  from  our  author's 
Vita  Nuova,  p.  358,  that  there  were  no  poetic  compositions 
in  the  Provencal  or  Italian,  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years  Ixifore  the  Vita  Nuova  was  written;  and  that  the  first 
who  w/ote  in  the  vernacular  languages,  wrote  to  make  him  • 
self  understood  by  a  lady.  M.  Raynouard  supposed  the  tex* 
of  all  the  editions  to  be  miserably  corrupted  in  thii  place,  and 
took  much  pains  to  restore  it.  I  will  add  the  passage  as  that 
learned  writer  concluded  it  to  have  come  from  the  hand  of 
Dante:— 

"Tan  m'abelUs  vostre  cortes  deman, 
Ch'  ieu  non  me  pnese  ni  m  voil  a  vos  colnrire ; 
Jeu  sui  Amautz,  che  plor  e  vai  cantan ; 
Ckmsiros,  vei  la  passada  follor, 
E  vel  jauzen  lo  joi  qu'esper  denan ; 
Ar^  vos  prec,  per  aquella  valor 
One  us  guida  al  som  sens  freich  e  sens  colina, 
tkfvefSDB.  vos  atenprar  ma  dolor. 


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S66  THE  VISION  m^m 

Sorely  waymentiiig  for  my  folly  past, 
Thorough  this  ford  of  fire  I  wade,  and  seo 
The  day,  I  hope  for,  smiling  in  my  view. 
I  pray  ye  by  the  worth  that  guides  ye  up 
Unto  the  summit  of  the  scale,  in  time 
Remember  ye  my  sufferings."    With  such  words 
He  disappear'^  in  the  refining  flame. 


CANTO    XXVIL 


ARGUMENT. 
An  augel  sends  them  forward  throngh  the  fire  to  the  last 
ascent,  which  leads  to  the  terrestrial  Paradise,  situated  on 
the  summit  of  the  mountain.  They  have  not  proceeded 
many  steps  on  their  way  upward,  when  the  foil  of  night 
hinders  them  from  going  further ;  and  our  Poet,  who  has 
lain  down  with  Virgil  and  Statins  to  rest,  beholds  in  a 
dream  two  females,  figuring  the  active  and  contemplative 
life.  With  the  return  of  morning,  they  reach  the  height; 
and  here  Virgil  gives  Dante  full  liberty  to  use  his  own 
pleasure  and  judgment  in  the  choice  of  his  way,  till  he 
shall  meet  with  Beatrice. 

Now  was  the  sun^  so  stationed,  as  when  first 
His  early  radiance  quivers  on  the  heights. 
Where  streamed  his  Maker's  blood ;  while  Libra  hangs 
Above  Hesperian  Ebro ;  and  new  fires, 
Meridian,  flash  on  Ganges'  yellow  tide. 

"  Tant  me  plait  votre  courtoise  demande, — que  Je  ne  puis 
ni  ne  me  veux  4  vous  cacher ;— je  suis  Amaud,  qui  pleure 
et  va  chantant ;— «oncieux,  je  vols  la  pass^e  folle,— et  vols 
joyeux  le  bonheur,  que  j'espere  k  I'avenir; — ^maintenant  je 
vous  prie,  par  cette  vertu— qui  vous  guide  au  sommet,  sans 
firoid  et  sans  chaud ;— qu*il  souvienne  k  vous  de  soulager  ma 
doulcur. 

**  II  n'ost  pas  nn  des  nombrenx  manuscrits  de  la  Divina 
Commedia,  nas  une  des  Editions  mulUpli6es  qui  en  ont  4t6 
donn^es,  qui  ne  pr6sente  dans  les  vers  que  Dante  prdie  an 
troubadoiu:  Amaud  Daniel,  un  texte  d^ngnrA  et  devenu,  de 
copie  en  copie,  presque  inintelligible. 

"  Cependant  j'ai  pens6  qu'il  n'6tait  pas  impossible  de  r6ta- 
blir  le  texte  de  ces  vers,  en  comparant  avec  soin,  dans  les 
manuscrits  de  Dante  que  possddent  les  d^pdts  publics  de 
Paris,  toutes  les  variantes  qu'ils  pouvaient  foumir,  et  en  les 
choisissant  d*aprds  les  regies  grammaticales  et  les  notions 
lexicographiques  de  la  langne  des  troubadours.  Mon  espoir 
n'a  point  6t6  tromp^,  et  sans  aucun  secours  conjectural,  sans 
aucun  d^placement  nl  changement  de  mots,  je  suis  parvenu, 
par  le  simple  choix  des  variantes,  &  retrouver  le  texte  primitif 
tel  qnUl  a  dft  ^tre  produit  par  Dante." 

Raynouard.  Lexique  Roman.,  torn.  i.  p.  xlii.  S".,  Par.  1830. 

*  7!l<  sun.]  At  Jerusalem  it  was  dawn,  in  Spain  midnight, 
MNi  In  India  noonday,  while  It  was  sunset  in  Purgatory. 


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•-«.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXVH.  367 

So  day  was  Binking,  when  the  angel  of  God 
A^iear'd  before  us.    Joy  was  in  his  mien. 
Forth  of  the  flame  he  stood  upon  the  Inink ; 
And  with  a  voice,  whose  lively  clearness  far 
Surpassed  our  human,  "  Blessed*  are  the  pure 
In  heart,'*  he  sang :  then  near  him  as  we  came, 
'*  Go  ye  not  further,  holy  qiirits  V*  he  cried, 
**  Ere  the  fire  pierce  you :  enter  in ;  and  list 
Attentive  to  the  song  ye  hear  from  thence.** 

I,  when  I  heard  lus  saying,  was  as  one 
Laid  in  the  grave.'    My  hands  together  dasp'd, 
And  upward  stretehing,  on  the  fire  I  looked 
And  busy  fancy  conjured  up  the  forms 
Erewhile  beheld  alive  consumed  in  flames. 

The  escorting  spirits  tum'd  with  ffentle  looks 
Toward  me ;  and  the  Mantuan  spiuLO :  **  My  son. 
Here  torment  thou  mayst  feel,  but  canst  not  death. 
Remember  thee,  remember  thee,  if  I 
Safe  e'en  on  Geryon  brought  thee ;  now  I  come 
More  near  to  Grod,  wilt  thou  not  trust  me  now? 
Of  this  be  sure ;  though  in  its  womb  that  flame 
A  thousand  years  contain'd  thee,  from  thy  head 
No  hair  shoiUd  perish.    If  thou  doubt  my  truth. 
Approach ;  and  with  thy  hands  thy  vesture's  hem 
Streteh  forth,  and  for  thyself  confirm  belief! 
Lay  now  all  fear,  oh !  lay  all  fear  aside. 
Turn  hither,  and  come  onward  undismay'd.'* 

I  still,  though  conscience  urged,  no  step  adyancea. 

When  still  he  saw  me  fix'd  and  obstinato) 
Somewhat  disturb'd  he  cried :  **  Mark  now,  my  son« 
From  Beatrice  thou  art  by  this  wall 
Divided"    As  at  Thisbe's  name  the  eye 

I  Blessed.]    Matt.  V.  81 
» ■        ■■■  As  one 
LaM  in  ike  ^rovtf.] 

Quale  k  colnl  che  nella  fossa  d  ummo. 
iKnnbardi  UDderstands  this  of  a  man  who  is  taken  to  exeeu 
tion  in  the  manner  described  in  Hel!,  c  ziz.  52.  *'Oo!al/ 
he  thinks,  cannot  be  property  applied  to  a  corse.  Yet  Bob' 
caccio*s  imitation  confirms  die  opinion  of  the  other  com 
mentators : — 

Essa  era  tale,  a  gnardaria  nel  viso, 
Qnal  donna  mfiNrta  alia  fossa  p(vtata. 

n  FUostrato,  p.  V.  st  83 
Which  Chancer  has  thus  translated : — 

She  was  right  soche  to  sene  in  her  visage, 
As  is  that  wight  that  men  on  bere  ybinoe. 

TVot/M  0Md  Qreseidef  b.  iv. 


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368  THE  VISION.  38^ 

Of  Pyramus  wm  open'd,  (when  life  ebb'd 
Fast  from  his  veins)  and  took  one  partmg  glance, 
While  vermeil  dyed  the  molberry  ;^  thus  I  tom'd 
To  my  sage  guide,  relenting,  when  I  heard 
The  name  that  springs  for  ever  in  my  breast 

He  shook  his  forehead ;  and, "  How  long,"  he  saidf 
**  Linger  we  now?**  then  smiled,  as  one  would  smile 
Upon  a  child  that  eyes  the  fruit  and  yields. 
Into  the  fire  before  me  then  he  walk'd ; 
And  Statius,  who  erewhile  no  little  space 
Had  parted  us,  he  pray'd  to  come  behind. 
I  would  have  cast  me  into  molten  glass 
To  cool  me,  when  I  entered ;  so  intense 
Raged  the  conflagrant  mass.    The  sire  beloved. 
To  comfort  me,  as  he  proceeded,  still 
Of  Beatrice  talk'd.    **  Her  eyes,**  saith  he, 
**  E'en  now  I  seem  to  view.**     From  the  other  side 
A  voice,  that  sang,  did  guide  us ;  and  the  voice 
Following,  with  heedful  ear,  we  issued  forth,  [heard, 
There  where  the  path  led  upward.     "  Come,*'^  we 
"  Come,  blessed  of  my  Father.**     Such  the  soimds. 
That  hail'd  us  from  within  a  light,  which  shone 
So  radiant,  I  could  not  endure  the  view. 
"  The  sun,'*  it  added,  **  hastes :  and  evening  comes. 
Delay  not :  ere  the  western  sky  is  hung 
*  With  blackness,  strive  ye  for  the  pass."     Our  way 
Upright  within  the  rock  arose,  and  faced 
Such  part  of  heaven,  that  fh)m  before  my  steps 
The  beams  were  shrouded  of  the  sinking  sun. 
Nor  many  stairs  were  overpast,  when  now 
By  fading  of  the  shadow  we  perceived 
The  sun  behind  us  couch*d ;  and  ere  one  face 
Of  darkness  o*er  its  measureless  expanse 
Involved  the  horizon,  and  the  night  her  lot 
Held  individual,  each  of  us  had  made 
A  stair  his  pallet ;  not  that  will,  but  power, 
Had  fail'd  us,  by  the  nature  of  that  mount 
Forbidden  further  travel.     As  the  goats, 
That  late  have  skipp'd  and  wanton*d  rapidly 
Upon  the  craggy  cliffs,  ere  they  had  ta'en 
Their  supper  on  the  herb,  now  silent  lie 
And  ruminate  beneath  the  umbrage  brown, 
While  noonday  rages ;  and  the  goatherd  leans 
Upon  his  staff*,  and  leanmg  watches  them :  , 

I  WhtU  vermeil  dyed  the  mulberry.]     Ovid   Metam.,  lib 
Iv.  125. 
•  Ckmu.]    Matt,  xzv  34. 


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«-117.         PURGATORY.  Canto  XXVII.  Z^ 

And  as  the  fwain,  that  lodges  out  all  night 
In  quiet  by  his  flock,  lest  beast  of  prey 
Disperse  them :  even  so  all  three  abode, 
I  as  a  goat,  and  as  the  shepherds  they, 
Close  pent  on  either  side  by  shelving  rock. 

A  little  glimpse  of  sky  was  seen  above  ; 
Yet  by  that  Uttle  I  beheld  the  stars, 
In  magnitude  and  lustre  shining  forth 
With  more  than  wonted  glory.    As  I  lays 
Gazing  on  them,  and  in  tiiat  fit  of  musing, 
Sleep  overcame  me,  sleep,  that  bringeth  oft 
Tidings  of  future  hap.    About  the  hour, 
As  I  believe,  when  Venus  from  the  east 
First  lightened  on  the  mountain,  she  whose  orb 
Seems  alway  glowing  with  the  fire  of  love, 
A  lady  young  and  beautiful,  I  dream'd. 
Was  passing  o*er  ajea ;  and,  as  she  came, 
Methought  I  saw  her  ever  and  anon 
Bending  to  cull  the  flowers ;  and  thus  she  sang 
"  Know  ye,  whoever  of  my  name  would  ask. 
That  I  am  Leah  :^  for  my  brow  to  weave 
A  garland,  these  fair  hands  unwearied  ply. 
To  please  me'  at  the  crystal  mirror,  here 
I  deck  me.    But  my  sister  Rachel,  she' 
Before  her  glass  abides  the  livelong  day, 
Her  radiant  eyes  beholding,  charm'd  no  less, 
Than  I  with  this  delightful  task.     Her  joy 
In  contemplation,  as  in  labor  mine.'* 

And  now  as  glimmering  dawn  appeared,  that  breaks 
More  welcome  to  the  pilgrim  still,  as  he     - 
Sojourns  less  distant  on  his  homeward  way, 
Darkness  from  all  sides  fled,  and  with  it  fled 
My  slumber ;  whence  I  rose,  and  saw  my  guide 
Already  risen.    "  That  delicious  fruit. 
Which  through  so  many  a  branch  the  zealous  care 
Of  mortals  roams  in  quest  of,  shall  this  day 


1  /  am  Leah.]  By  Leah  is  nnderstood  the  active  life,  as 
Rachel  figures  the  contemplative.  Michel  Angelo  has  made 
these  allegorical  personages  the  subject  of  two  stataes  on  the 
monument  of  Julius  II.  in  the  church  of  S.  Pietru  in  VincolQ. 
See  Mr.  Dnppa*s  Life  of  Michel  Angelo,  Sculpture  viiLandz., 
and  p.  347. 

*  To  pUa$e  me.]  "For  the  sake  of  that  enjoyment  which 
I  shall  have  in  beholding  my  God  fkce  to  face,  I  thus  exercise 
myself  in  good  works." 

*  8keA  **Hef  delight  is  in  admiring  in  her  minor,  that  is, 
in  the  Sapfeme  Being,  the  light,  or  knowledge,  that  He  voneh- 
■albs  her.** 


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370  THE  VISION.  118-ia 

Appease  thy  hunger."    Such  the  words  I  htard 
From  Virgil's  Up ;  and  never  greeting  heard. 
So  pleasant  as  the  sounds.    Within  me  straight 
Desire  so  grew  upon  desire  to  mount, 
Thenceforward  at  each  step  I  felt  the  wings 
Increasing  for  my  flight    When  we  had  run 
0*er  all  the  ladder  to  its  topmost  round, 
As  there  we  stood,  on  me  the  Mantuan  fix'd 
His  eyes,  and  thus  he  spake :  '^  Both  fires,  my  m«» 
The  temporal  and  eternal,  thou  hast  seen ; 
And  art  arrived,  where  of  itself  my  ken 
No  further  reaches.    I,  with  skill  and  art. 
Thus  far  have  drawn  thee.    Now  thy  pleasure  take 
For  guide.    Thou  hast  o'ercome  the  steeper  way, 
Overcome'  the  straiter.    Lo !  the  sun,  that  darts 
His  heam  upon  thy  forehead :  lo !  the  herb,^ 
The  arborets  and  flowers,  which  of  itself 
This  land  pours  forth  profuse.  Till  those  bright  eyei^ 
With  gladness  come,  which,  weepuig,made  me  haste 
To. succor  thee,  thou  mayst  or  seat  thee  down. 
Or  wander  where  thou  wilt.    Elpect  no  more 
Sanction  of  warning  voice  or  sign  from  me. 
Free  of  thy  own  arbitrement  to  choose. 
Discreet,  judicious.    To  distrust  thy  sense 
Were  henceforth  error.    I  invest  thee  then 
With  crown  and  mitre,  sovereign  o'er  thyself." 


CANTO  XXVIII 

ARGUMENT. 

Daute  wanders  throngh  the  forest  of  the  terrestrial  Paradise, 
till  he  Is  stopped  by  a  stream,  on  the  other  side  of  which 
he  beholds  a  fair  lady*  culling  flowers.  He  speaks  to  her ; 
and  she,  in  reply,  expiains  to  him  certain  tnings  toaching 
the  nature  of  that  place,  and  tells  that  the  water,  which 
flows  between  them,  is  here  called  Lethe,  and  in  another 
place  has  the  name  of  Ennoe. 


"i  L0I  the  herb.1  **  In  alinm  campnm  transit  t 

Ipse  vero  campus  splendidus,  suavis  ac  decoms  quanta  mag- 
nltudinis,  quanta  gloria,  quanteqne  sit  pulchritndlnis,  nuUa 
lingua,  nullusque  sermo,  potest  enarrare:  plenns  est  enim 
omni  Jucunditate,  et  gandio,  et  latitia.  Ibi  lilicHram,  et  rosa 
rum  odor,  ibi  odoramentomm  omnium  redolet  firagrantia, 
bl  n-annc,  omninmque  etemarum  deiidamm  redundat  almn- 
iantia.  In  hi^us  camni  medio  paradlsos  est**  JUhtrid 
Vitio,  $  90. 

*  TlkMe  bright  aye* -1    The  eyes  of  Beatrice 


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1-94.  PURGATORY,  Camto  XXVIH.  371 

TuRouoH  that  celestial  forest,  whose  thick  shade 
With  lively  greenness  the  new-springing  day 
Attempered,  eager  now  to  roam,  and  search 
Its  limits  nrand,  forthwith  I  left  the  bank ; 
Along  the  ehampain  leisnrely  my  way 
Punning,  o*er  the  ground,  that  on  all  sides 
Delicious  odor  breUhed.    A  pleasant  tir,^ 
That  intermitted  never,  never  ve^d. 
Smote  on  my  temples,  gently,  as  a  whid 
Of  softest  influence :  at  which  the  sprays, 
Obedient  all,  lean'd  trembling  to  that  part' 
Where  first  the  holy  mountain  casts  h»  shade ; 
Yet  were  not  so  disorder'd,  but  that  still 
Upon  their  top  the  feather'd  quiristeni* 
Applied  their  wonted  art,  and  with  full  joy 
Welcomed  those  hours  of  prime,  and  warbled  sloill 
Amid  the  leaves,  that  to  their  jocund  lays 
Kept  tenor ;  even  as  from  branch  to  bnmch, 
Along  the  pmy  forests  on  the  shore 
Of  Chiassi,^  toOb  the  gathering  melody, 
When  Eolus  hath  from  his  cavern  loosed 
The  dripping  south.    Already  had  my  stqis, 
Though  slow,  so  far  into  that  ancient  wood 
Transported  me,  I  could  not  ken  the  place 


jipletutuUnr.] 

Cantaa  fra  i  rami  gU  angeUetti  va^, 
Azzarri,  e  bianchi,  e  verdi,  e  lossi,  e  glalli ; 
Monnoranti  rascelll,  e  ched  laghi 
Di  limpldezza  vineono  i  cristalli. 
Una  dole*  aura,  ehe  ti  par  che  vagfai 
A  nn  mode  sempie,  e  oal  tno  ttU  non  ftUi, 
Facea  si  Taria  tremolar  d*intomo, 
Che  non  potea  nojar  calor  del  giomo. 

Jlriotto,  OH.  fkr.,  c.  zzziv.  st  50. 
Therewith  a  wlnde,  nnnethe  It  might  be  less, 
Abide  in  the  levis  grene  a  noise  soft, . 
AccOTdant  to  the  ^nUs  song  on  loft 

Chaucer,  The  AssemKe  ofFndet. 
•  To  ihatpart.1   The  west. 

s  Th*  feather  d  auir%»ter$.\  Imitated  by  Boccaccio,  Flair 
aetta,  lib.  iv.  "  Odi  i  quemli  nccelli,'*  &c.— "  Hear  the  qiier»- 
loas  birds  plaining  wiUi  sweet  songs,  and  the  boughs  tiemlH 
ling,  and,  moved  by  a  gentle  wind,  as  it  were  keeping  tenctt 
to  their  notes.** 

^  Chia»$i,'\  This  is  the  wood  where  the  scene  of  Boecae* 
cio*8  snblimert  story  (taken  entirely  firran  Elinand,  as  I  leai^ 
in  the  notes  to  the  Decameron,  Ediz.  Ginnti,  1533;  p.  68^  iji 
laid.  See  Dec,  6.5,  N.  8,  and  Dryden's  Theodore  and  ^oaov 
ria.  Our  Poet  perhaps  wandered  in  U  dndng  his  aM»  wMi 
€iUdo  Novello  oa  Polenta. 


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373  THE  VISION. 

Where  I  had  eiiter*d ;  when,  behold !  my  path 
Was  bounded  by  a  rill,  which,  to  the  left, 
With  little  rippling  waters  bent  the  grass 
That  issued  fh>m  its  brink.    On  earth  no  wave 
How  clean  soe'er,  that  would  not  seem  to  have 
Some  mixture  in  itself,  compared  with  this, 
Transpicuous  clear ;  yet  darkly  on  it  roll'd, 
Darkly  beneath  perpetual  gloom,  which  ne'er 
Admits  or  sun  or  moonlight  there  to  shme. 

My  feet  advanced  not ;  but  my  wondering  eyes 
Pass'd  onward,  o*er  the  streamlet,  to  survey 
The  tender  May-bloom,  flushed  through  many  a  hue. 
In  prodigal  variety :  and  there. 
As  object,  rismg  suddenly  to  view. 
That  from  our  bosom  every  thought -beside 
With  the  rare  marvel  chases,  I  l^held 
A  lady*  all  alone,  who,  singing,  went, 
And  culling  flower  fh>m  flower,  wherewith  her  way 
Was  all  o'er  painted.    **  Lady  beautiful ! 
Thou,  who  (if  looks,  that  use  to  speak  the  heart. 
Are  worthy  of  our  trust)  with  love*s  own  beam 
Dost  warm  thee,"  thus  to  her  my  speech  I  framed ; 
**  Ah !  please  thee  hither  towards  the  streamlet  bend 
Thy  steps  so  near,  that  I  may  list  thy  song. 
Beholding  thee  and  this  fair  place,  methiaks, 
I  call  to  mind  where  wandePd  and  iiow  look'd 
Proserpine,  in  that  season,  when  her  child 
The  mother  lost,  and  she  the  bloomy  spring." 

As  when  a  lady,  turning  in  the  dance, 
Doth  foot  it  featly,  and  advances  scarce 
One  step  before  the  other  to  the  ground ; 
Over  the  yellow  and  vermilion  flowers 
Thus  tum*d  she  at  my  suit,  most  maiden-like. 
Veiling  her  sober  eyes ;  and  came  so  near, 
That  I  distmctly  caught  the  dulcet  sound. 
Arriving  where  the  limpid  waters  now 

>j9  ladjf.]  Most  of  the  commentaton .  snppoee,  that  by 
this  lady,  who  in  the  last  Canto  is  called  Matilda,  is  to  bo 
understood  the  Coantess  Matilda,  who  endowed  the  holy  see 
with  the  estates  called  the  Patrimony  of  St.  Peter,  and  died 
in  1115.  See  6.  Villani,  lib.  iv.  cap.  xx.  But  it  seems  more 
IHTobabie  that  she  should  be  intended  for  an  allegorical  per- 
sonage. Venturi  accordingly  supposes  that  she  represents  ' 
ttue  acdve  life.  Bat,  as  Lombardi  Justly  observes,  we  have 
had  tlrat  alr^y  shadowed  fwth  in  the  character  of  Leah; 
and  he  therefore  sn^ests,  that  by  Matilda  may  be  understood 
that  aflfoction  which  we  ought  to  bear  towards  the  holy 
ehurch,  and  for  whkli  the  lady  above  meatioaed  was  so  id> 
aiarkable. 


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•1-100.       PURGATORY.  Camto  XXVIH.  373 

Laved  the  green  swerd,  her  eyes  she  deign'd  to  ruMy 
That  shot  such  splendor  on  me,  as  I  ween 
Ne'er  glanced  from  Cytherea's,  when  her  son 
Had  spsd  has  keenest  weapons  to  her  heart 
Upon  the  opposite  bank  she  stood  and  smiled ; 
As  through  her  graceful  fingers  shifted  still 
The  intermingling  dyes,  winch  without  seed 
That  lofty  land  unbosoms.    By  the  stream 
Three  paces  only  were  we  sunder'd :  yet, 
The  Hellespont,  where  Xerxes  pass'd  it  o*er, 
(A  curb  for  ever  to  the  pride  of  raan,^ 
Was  by  Leander  not  more  hateful  held 
For  floating,  with  inhospitable  wave, 
'Twixt  Sestus  and  Abydos,  than  by  me 
That  flood,  because  it  gave  no  passage  thence. 

"  Strangers  ye  come  ;  and  haply  in  this  placet 
That  cradled  human  nature  in  her  birth, 
Wondering,  ye  not  without  suspicion  view 
My  smiles :  but  that  sweet  strain  of  psalmody, 
*  Tif[>u,  Lord !  hast  made  me  glad,"  will  give  ye  light. 
Which  may  unoloud  your  minds.    And  thou,  who 

stand'st 
The  foremost,  and  didst  make  thy  suit  to  me, 
Say  if  aught  else  thou  wish  to  hear :  for  I 
Came  prompt  to  answer  every  doubt  of  thme." 

She  spake  ;  and  I  replied :  **  I  know  not  how* 
To  reconcile  this  wave,  and  rustling  sound 
Of  forest  leaves,  with  what  I  late  have  heard 
Of  opposite  report"     She  answering  thus : 
**  I  wUl  unfold  the  cause,  whence  that  proceeds. 
Which  makes  thee  wonder ;  and  so  purge  the  cloud 
That  hath  enwrapp'd  thee.    The  First  Good,  whose 
Is  only  in  himself,  created  man,  [joy 

For  happiness ;  and  gave  this  goodly  place, 
His  ple(%e  and  earnest  of  eternal  peace. 
Favor'd  thus  highly,  through  his  own  defect 
He  fell ;  and  here  made  short  sojourn ;  he  fell, 
And,  for  the  bitterness  of  sorrow,  changed 
Laughter  unblamed  and  ever-new  delight 
That  vapors  none,  exhaled  from  earth  beneath. 
Or  from  the  waters,  (which,  wherever  heat 

1  Jl  curb  for  ever  to  tAtf  pride  of  man.]  Because  Xerxes  had 
been  so  hambled,  when  he  was  compelled  to  repass  the  Hel- 
lespont in  one  small  bark,  after  having  a  little  before  crcrsed 
with  a  prodigioos  army,  In  the  hopes  of  snbdoing  Greece. 

s  TTkoUt  Lord!  htut  made  mm  glad.]    Psalm  xdL4. 

s  Jkn0»  not  koto  1    See  Canto  xzL  45. 


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374  THE  VISION.  IW-IW 

Attracts  them,  follow,)  might  ascend  thus  far 

To  yex  man's  peaceful  state,  this  mountain  rose 

So  high  toward  the  heayeu,  nor  fears  the  rage 

Of  elements  contending ;'  from  that  part 

Exempted,  where  the  gate  his  limit  bars. 

Because  the  circumambient  air,  throughout, 

With  its  first  impulse  circles  still,  unless 

Aught  mterpose  to  check  or  thwart  its  course ; 

Upon  the  summit,  which  on  eyery  side 

To  visitation  of  the  impassive  air 

Is  open,  doth  that  motion  strike,  and  makes 

Beneath  its  siliray  the  umbrageous  wood  resound : 

And  in  the  shaken  plant  such  power  resides, 

That  it  impregnates  with  its  efficacy 

The  voyanng  breeze,  upon  whose  subtle  plume 

Thatf  waned,  flies  abroad  ;  and  the  other  land,' 

Receiving,  (as  'tis  worthy  in  itself. 

Or  in  the  cUme,  that  warms  it,)  doth  conceive  ; 

And  from  its  womb  produces  many  a  tree 

Of  various  virtue.    This  when  thou  hast  heardk 

The  marvel  ceases,  if  in  yonder  earth 

Some  plant,  without  apparent  seed,  be  found 

To  fix  its  fibrous  stem.    And  further  learn, 

That  with  prolific  foison  of  all  seeds 

This  holy  plain  is  fill'd,  and  in  itself 

Bears  fruit  that  ne'er  was  pluck'd  on  other  soif 

"  The  water,  thou  behold'st,  springs  not  from.  «ein 
Restored  by  vapor,  that  the  cold  converts ; 
As  stream  that  intermittently  repairs 
And  spends  his  pulse  of  hfe  ;  but  issues  forth 
From  fountain,  solid,  undecaymg,  sure : 
And,  by  the  iiHll  omnific,  full  supply 
Feeds  whatsoe'er  on  either  side  it  pours ; 
On  this,  devolved  with  power  to  take  away 
Remembrance  of  offence  ;  on  that,  to  bring 
Remembrance  back  of  every  good  deed  done. 
From  whence  its  name  of  Lethe  on  this  part ; 

1  Ofelewtentt  eontendinf.]  Id  the  Dittamondo  of  Fhxie 
DegU  Uberti»  1.  i.  cap.  zi.,  there  is  a  description  of  the  terres- 
trial Paradise*  in  which  the  poet  has  had  Dante  before  him. 

>  The  other  Umd.]  The  continent,  inhabited  by  the  living, 
and  separated  fh)m  Purgatory  by  the  ocean,  is  allbcted  (and 
that  diversely,  aecording  to  the  natpre  of  the  soil,  or  the  cli- 
Biate)  by  a  vlrtae,  or  efficacy,  conveyed  to  it  by  the  winds 
firom  plants  growing  in  the  terrestrial  Paradise,  which  is  situ- 
ated on  the  summit  of  Purgatory ;  and  this  is  the  cause  why 
some  plant!  are  found  on  earth  without  any  apparent  seed  to 
produce  them. 


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I3&-153.        PURGATORY  Camto  XXIX.  375 

Ou  the  oth^,  Ennoe :  both  of  which  most  Gni 

Be  tasted,  ere  it  work ;  the  last  exceeding 

All  flavors  else.    Albeit  thy  thirst  may  now 

Be  w^l  c<mtented,  if  I  here  break  off, 

No  more  revealing ;  yet  a  con^lary 

I  freely  give  beside :  nor  deem  my  words 

Less  grateful  to  thee,  if  they  somewhat  pass 

The  stretch  of  promise.    They,  whose  verae  of  yum 

The  golden  age  recorded,  and  its  bliss, 

Ou  the  Parnassian  mountain,*  of  this  place 

Perhaps  had  dream'd.    Here  was  man  guiltless ;  hero 

Perpetual  spring,'  and  every  fruit ;  and  this 

The  far-famed  nectar.'*     Turning  tq  the  bards. 

When  she  had  ceased,  I  noted  in  their  looks 

A  smile  at  her  conclusion ;  then  my  face 

Again  directed  to  the  lovely  dame. 


CANTO   XXIX 

ARGUMENT 
The  lady,  who  ia  a  following  Canto  is  called  Matilda,  moves 
along  the  side  of  the  stream  in  a  contrary  direction  to  the 
current,  and  Dante  keeps  equal  pace  with  her  on  the  oppo- 
site bank.  A  marvellous  sight,  preceded  by  music,  af^iiean 
in  view. 

Singing,'  as  if  enamor*d,  she  resumed 
And  closed  the  song,  with  "  Blessed  they*  whose  sins 
Are  cover'd."    Like  the  wood-nymphs  then,  that 
Singly  across  the  sylvan  shadows  ;  one  [tripp'd 

Eager  to  view,  and  one  to  'scape  the  sun ; 
So  moved  she  on,  against  the  current,  up 
The  verdant  rivage.     I,  her  mincing  step 
Observing,  with  as  tardy  step  pursued. 

Between  us  not  an  hundred  paces  trod, 
The  bank,  on  each  side  bending  equally, 
Gave  me  to  face  the  orient    Nor  our  way 
Far  onward  brought  us,  when  to  me  at  once 

^  On  the  Panuutian  numntatn.] 

In  bicipiti  somniasse  Pamasso.  PertkUt  ProL 

<  Perpetual  tpring.] 

Vet  erat  teternnm,  placidiqne  tepentibns  auris 
Mnlcebant  zephyri  natos  sine  semine  flores. 


Flumina  jam  lactis,  jam  finmina  nectaris  ibant 

Ovid,  Metam.,  lib.  i.  v.  Ut 
*  Singing.]    Cantava  come  fosse  innamorata. 

Chudo  Caealcanii,  Poeti  del  frimo  eeeolo,  v  S;  p.S63» 
«  Blessed  Oey.]    Psalm  zxzii.  1 


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S76  THE  Vision.  19-if 

She  tam'd,  and  cried:  *'My  brother,   look,  u^i 

And  lo !  a  sadden  lustre  ran  across  [hearker  '' 

Through  the  great  forest  on  all  parts,  so  iuight, 

I  doubted  whether  lightnmg  were  abroad ;     ^ 

But  that,  expiring  ever  in  the  spleen 

That  doth  unfold  it,  and  this  during  still, 

And  waxing  still  in  splendor,  made  me  questioa 

What  it  might  be :  and  a  sweet  melody 

Ran  through  the  lummons  air.    Then  did  I  chide, 

With  warrantable  zeal,  the  hardihood 

Of  our  first  parent ;  for  that  there,  where  earth 

Stood  in  obedience  to  the  heavens,  she  only. 

Woman,  the  creature  of  an  hour,  endured  not 

Restramt  of  any  veil,  which  had  she  borne 

Devoutly,  joys,  inefiable  as  these, 

Had  from  the  first,  and  long  time  since,  been  mmft. 

While,  through  that  wilderness  of  primy  sweets 
That  never  fade,  suspense  I  walk'd,  and  yet 
Expectant  of  beatitude  more  high  ; 
Before  us,  like  a  blazing  fire,  the  air 
Under  the  green  boughs  glow'd  ;  and,  for  a  song, 
Distinct  the  sound  of  melody  was  heard. 

0  ye  thrice  holy  virgins !  for  your  sakes 
If  e'er  I  sufier'd  hunger,  cold,  and  watching, 
Occasion  calls  on  me  to  crave  your  bounty. 
Now  through  my  breast  let  Helicon  his  stream 
Four  copious,  and  Urania^  with  her  choir 
Arise  to  aid  me  ;  while  the  verse  unfolds 
Things,  that  do  almost  mock  the  grasp  of  thought 

Onward  a  i^ace,  what  seem'd  seven  trees  of  gold 
The  intervening  distance  to  mine  eye 
Falsely  presented ;  but,  when  I  was  come 
So  near  them,  that  no  lineament  was  lost 
Of  those,  with  which  a  doubtful  object,  seen 
'  Remotely,  plays  on  the  misdeeming  sense  ; 
Then  did  the  faculty,  that  ministers 
Discourse  to  reason,  these  for  tapers  of  gold' 

1  Urania.]  Landino  observes,  that  iatendin%  to  slag  ot 
heavenly  things,  he  rightly  invokes  Urania.    Thus  Milton : 

Descend  fh)m  Heaven,  Urania,  by  that  name 
If  rightly  thou  art  call'd.  P.  i.,  b.  vU.  1. 

9  Tapers  of  gold.]  See  Rev.  i.  12.  The  Commentatcnrs  an 
not  agreed  whether  the  seven  sacraments  of  the  Church,  or 
the  seven  gifts  of  the  Spirit  are  intended.  In  his  Convito, 
our  author  says :  *'  Because  these  gifts  proceed  from  inefl&bie 
charity,  and  divine  charity  is  appropriated  to  the  Holy  Spirit, 
hence,  also,  it  is  that  they  are  called  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
the  which,  as  Isaiah  distinguishes  them,  aie  seven.**   P.  180 


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50-75.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXIX.  377 

Distingaish ;  and  i'  the  singing  trace  the  sonnd 
**  Hosanna."  Above,  their  beauteous  garniture 
.Fleuned  with  more  ample  lustre,  than  the  moon 
Through  cloudless  sky  at  midnight,  in  her  noon. 

I  tum'd  me,  full  of  wonder,  to  my  guide ; 
And  he  did  answer  with  a  countenance 
Charged  with  no  less  amazement :  whence  my  vie^ 
Reverted  to  those  lofty  things,  which  came 
So  slowly  moving  towards  us,  that  the  bride 
Would  have  outstripp'd  them  on  her  bridal  day. 

The  lady  call'd  aloud :  **  Why  thus  yet  burns 
Affection  in  thee  for  these  living  lights. 
And  dost  not  look  on  that  which  follows  them  ?" 

I  straightway  mark'd  a  tribe  behind  them  walk. 
As  if  attendant  on  their  leaders,  clothed 
With  raiment  of  such  whiteness,  as  on  earth 
Was  never.     On  my  left,  the  watery  gleam 
Borrowed,  and  gave  me  back,  when  there  I  look'dj 
As  in  a  mirror,  ray  left  side  portray'd. 

When  I  had  chosen  on  the  river's  edge 
Such  station,  that  the  distance  of  the  stream 
Alone  did  separate  me ;  there  I  stay'd 
My  steps  for  clearer  prospect,  and  beheld 
The  flames  go  onward,  leaving,"  as  they  went, 
The  air  behind  them  painted  as  with  trail 
Of  liveliest  pencils ;'  so  distinct  were  mark'd 


1  The  bride.} 

£  come  va  per  via  sposa  novella 
A  passi  rari,  e  porta  gli  occhi  bassi 
Con  faccia  veigognosa,  e  non  faveila. 

J^ezzi,  H  Quadrir.t  lib.  i.  cap.  16 
•  Leaving.} 

Lasciando  dietro  a  se  Taer  dipinto. 
Che  lascia  dietro  a  se  Taria  dipinta. 

Mr.  Malhias^s  Ode  to  Mr.  JWcAo^t, 

Oray*s  Worke^  vol.  i.  p.  532. 

«  PeneiU.]  Since  this  translation  was  made,  Perticarl  has 
affixed  another  sense  to  the  word  "  pennelli,"  which  he  in- 
terprets "pennons"  or  "streamers."  Monti,  in  his  Pro- 
posta,  highly  applauds  the  discovery.  The  conjectnre  loses 
something  of  its  probability,  if  we  read  the  whole  passage, 
not  as  Monti  gives  it,  but  as  it  stands  in  Landino's  edition 
of  1484. 

Et  vidi  le  fiamelle  andar  davante 

lasciando  drieto  a  se  laire  dipinto 

che  di  tratti  pennegli  havea  sembiante 
Slche  11  sopra  rimanea  distinto 

di  sette  liste  tntte  in  que  color! 

onde  &  larcho  el  sole  &  delia  eldnto 


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S78  THE  VISION.  7»-M 

All  thoM  seven  listed  colors,^  whence  the  Ban 
Maketh  his  bow,  and  Cynthia  her  zone. 
These  stieamingr  gonfalons  did  flow  beyond 
My  vision  ;  and  ten  pacee,^  as  I  gness, 
Parted  the  outermost    Beneath  a  sky 
So  beautiful,  came  four  and  twenty  elders,* 
By  two  and  two,  with  flower-de-luces  crown'd. 
All  sang  one  song :  "  Blessed  be  thou^  among 
The  daughters  of  Adam !  and  thy  loveliness 
Blessed  for  ever !"    After  that  the  flowers, 
And  the  fresh  herblets,  on  the  (^posite  brink, 
Were  free  from  that  elected  race ;  as  light 
In  heaven  doth  second  light,  came  after  them 
Four*  anunals,  each  crown'd  with  verdurous  leaf. 
With  six  wings  each  was  plumed ;  the  plumage  full 
Of  eyes ;  and  the  eyes  of  Argus  would  be  such. 
Were  they  endued  with  life.    Reader !  more  rhymes 
I  will  not  waste  in  shadowing  forth  their  form : 
For  other  need  so  straitens,  that  in  this 
I  may  not  give  my  bounty  room.    But  read 
Ezekiel  ;*  for  he  paints  them,  from  the  north 
How  he  beheld  them  come  by  Chebar's  flood, 
In  whirlwind,  cloud,  and  fire  ;  and  even  such 
As  thou  shalt  find  them  character'd  by  him, 

1  Listed  colors,} 

Di  sette  liste  tntte  in  quel  colori,  &c. 

a  bow 

CoDsi^ciioiu  with  three  listed  colors  gay. 

MUton,  P.  L,,  b.  zL  865. 

*  Ten  paces.]  For  an  explanation  of  the  allegorical  mean- 
ing of  tills  myaterions  procession,  Ventnri  refers  those,  "who 
wontd  see  in  the  dark,"  to  the  commentaries  of  Landino, 
Vellntello,  and  others ;  and  adds,  that  it  is  evident  the  Poet 
has  accommodated  to  his  own  fancy  many  sacred  images  ia 
the  Apocalypse.  In  Yassari^s  Life  of  Giotto,  we  learn  thai 
Dante  recommended  that  book  to  his  firiend,  as  affording  fit 
subjects  for  his  pencil. 

*  Fifur  and  twenty  elders.}  "  Upon  the  seats  I  saw  four  and 
twenty  elders  sitting."    Reo.  iv.  4. 

*  Blessed  he  thou.}  "  Blessed  art  thon  among  wcnnen,  and 
blessed  is  the  fruit  of  thy  womb."    Luke^  1. 42. 

s  F\mr.}    The  four  evangelists. 

*  Eiekid.}  '*  And  I  looked,  and  behold,  a  whirlwind  came 
out  of  the  north,  a  great  cloud,  and  a  fire  infolding  itself,  and 
a  brightness  was  about  it,  and  out  of  the  midst  thereof  as  the 
color  of  amber,  out  of  the  midst  of  the  fire. 

'*  Also  out  of  the  midst  thereof  came  the  likeness  of  four 
nving  creatures.  And  this  was  their  appearance;  they  had 
tie  likeness  of  a  man. 

"  And  every  one  had  four  feces,  and  every  one  had  foof 
Wings."    JBzfJfcieJ,  i.  4-6. 


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loa-in.        PURGATORY,  Canto  XXTX.  |79 

Here  were  they ;  save  as  to  the  pennons :  there. 
From  him  departing,  John^  accords  with  me. 

The  space,  surrounded  by  the  four,  enclosed 
A  car  triumphal  ^  on  two  wheels  it  came, 
Drawn  at  a  Gryphon's*  neck  ;  and  he  above 
Stretch'd  either  wing  uplifted,  'tween  the  midst 
And  the  three  listed  hues,  on  each  side,  three  ; 
So  that  the  wings  did  cleave  or  injure  none  y 
And  out  of  sight  they  rose.    The  members,  fai 
As  he  was  bird,  were  golden ;  white  the  rest, 
With  vermeil  intervein'd.    So  beautiful^ 
A  car,  in  Rome,  ne'er  graced  Augustus*  pomp. 
Or  Africanus' :  e'en  the  sun's  itself 
Were  poor  to  this ;  that  chariot  of  the  sun, 
Erroneous,  which  in  blazing  ruin  fell 
At  Tellus'  prayer*  devout,  by  the  just  doom 
Mysterious  of  all-seemg  Jove.    Three  nymphs,*- 
At  the  right  wheel,  came  circling  in  smooth  dance : 


1  John.]  "  And  the  four  beasts  had  each  of  them  six  wings 
about  him."  Rev.  iv.  8.  "  Allter  senas  alas  propter  senarii 
nnmeri  perfectlonem  positum  arbitror;  quia  in  sexta  etate,  Id 
est  adveniente  plenitudine  temporum,  ha:c  Apostolus  peracta 
commemorat ;  in  novissimo  enim  animall  conclusit  omnia." 
PrimasH,  Jiwuttini  disctpulif  Episcopi  CommenL,  lib.  guinqua 
in  JSpocal.,  Ed.  Basil,  1544.  *'  With  this  hiterpretation  it  is 
very  consonant  that  Ezekiel  discovered  in  these  animals  only 
four  wings,  because  his  prophecy  does  not  extend  beyond  the 
fourth  age ;  beyond  that  is  the  end  of  the  synagogue  and 
the  calling  of  the  Gentiles :  whereas  Dante  beholdin|  them 
in  the  sixth  age,  saw  them  with  six  wings,  as  did  Saint  John." 
Lombardi. 

3  .a  tar  triumphal.]  Either  the  Christian  church,  or  per^ 
haps  the  Papal  chair. 

*  Oryphon.]  Under  the  gryphon,  an  imaginary  creature, 
the  fore-part  of  which  is  an  eagle,  and  the  .hinder  a  lion,  is 
shadovred  forth  the  union  of  the  divine  and  human  nature  in 
Jesus  Christ. 

*  So  beautiful.] 

E  certo  qnando  Rmna  piii  onore 
Di  carro  trionfale  a  Scipione 
Fece,  non  fu  cotal,  nh  di  splendore 
Passato  fu  da  quello,  il  qual  Fetone 
Abbandonb  per  soverchio  tremore. 

Boecaecio,  Teseide,  lib.  Ix.  8t.  31 
Thus  in  the  Quadriregio,  lib.  i.  cap.  5. 
Mai  vide  Roma  carro  trionfante 
Quanto  era  questo  bel,  ne  vedr4  uncuanco. 
»  TWluM'  prayer.]    Ovid,  Met^  lib.  ii.  v.  279. 

*  TTiree  nymphs.]  I'he  three  evangelical  virtues :  the  first 
Charity,  the  next  Hope,  and  the  third  Faith.  Faith  may  be 
produced  by  charity,  or  charity  by  faith,  but  the  inducement! 
w»  hope  miut  arise  either  fh>m  one  or  other  of  these. 


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S80  THE  VISION.  11M41 

The  one  so  ruddy,  that  her  form  had  scarce 
Been  known  withm  a  furnace  of  clear  flame  ^ 
The  next  did  look,  as  if  the  flesh  and  bones 
W«re  emerald ;  snow  new-fallen  seem'd  the  third. 
Now  seem'd  the  white  to  lead,  the  ruddy  now ; 
And  from  her  song  who  led,  the  others  took 
Their  measure,  swift  or  slow.    At  the  other  whee1» 
A  band  quaternion,'  each  in  purple  clad, 
Advaneed  with  festal  step,  as,  of  them,  one 
The  rest  conducted  ;'  one,  upon  whose  front 
Three  eyes  were  seen.     In  rear  of  all  this  g^oap. 
Two  old  men'  I  beheld,  dissimilar 
In  raiment,  but  in  port  and  gesture  like. 
Solid  and  mainly  grave  ;  of  whom,  the  one 
Did  show  himself  some  favor'd  counsellor 
Of  the  great  Coan,^  him,  whom  nature  made 
To.  serve  the  costliest  creature  of  her  tribe : 
His  fellow  mark'd  an  opposite  intent ; 
Bearing  a  sword,  whose  glitterance  and  keen  edgo. 
E'en  as  I  view'd  it  with  the  flood  between, 
Appaird  me.    Next,  four  others'  I  beheld. 
Of  humble  seeming :  and,  behind  them  all, 
One  single  old  man,'  sleeping  as  he  came, 
With  a  shrewd  visage.    And  these  seven,  each 

1  A  band  quatemioTu]  The  four  moral  or  cardinal  Tirtoeai 
of  whom  Prudence  directs  the  others. 

«  One 

The  rest  conducted.}  Prudence,  described  with  three  eyes, 
because  she  regards  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  fature. 

*  Two  old  men.]  Saint  Luke,  the  physician,  characterized 
as  the  writer  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  and  Saint  Paul,  le- 
presented  with  the  sword,  on  account,  as  it  shonld  seem,  of 
the  power  of  liis  style. 

*  Of  the  great  Cktan.]  Hippocrates,  **  whom  nature  made  for 
the  benefit  of  her  fiiTorite  creature,  man.** 

»  Fhut  others.]  "  The  commentattwrs,**  says  Venturi,  "  sup- 
pose theae  four  to  be  the  four  evangelists ;  bat  I  shonld  rather 
take  them  to  bo  four  prf  ncipal  doctOTS  of  the  church."  Yet 
both  Landino  and  VeUutello  ezraessly  call  them  the  authors 
of  the  epistles,  James,  Peter,  John,  and  Jude. 

*  One  single  old  man.]  As  some  say,  St  John,  under  his 
character  of  the  author  of  the  Apocalypse.  But,  in  the  poem 
attribnted  to  Giacopo,  the  son  of  our  Poet,  which  in  some 
MSS.  and  io  one  of  the  earliest  editions,  accompanies  the 
original  of  this  work,  and  is  descriptive  of  its  plan,  this  old 
Vian  is  said  to  be  Moses. 

W\  vecchio,  ch*  era  dietro  a  tutti  loro, 
Fa  Moyse. 

And  the  old  man,  who  was  behind  them  all. 
Was  Moses. 
Bee  No.  3459  of  the  Harl.  MSS.  in  the  Pritish  Museum.   - 


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148-150.       PURGATORY,  Canto  XXX.  381 

Like  the  first  troop  were  habited ;  but  wore 
No  Iflud  of  lilies  on  their  temiples  wreathed. 
Rather,  with  roses  and  each  vermeil  flower, 
A  sight,  but  little  distant,  might  have  sworn. 
That  they  were  all  on  fire*  above  their  brow. 

When  as  the  car  was  o'er  against  me,  straight 
Was  heard  a  thundering,  at  whose  voice  it  seem'd 
.  The  chosen  multitude  were  stayed ;  for  there, 
With  the  first  ensigns,  made  they  solemn  halt 


CANTO    XXX. 


AKGUMENT. 
Beatrice  descends  from  heaven,  and  rebukes  the  Poet 

Soon  as  that  polar  light,^  fair  ornament 
Of  the  first  heaven,  which  hath  never  known 
Setting  nor  rising,  nor  the  shadowy  veil 
Of  other  cloud  than  sin,  to  duty  there 
Each  one  convoying,  as  that  lower  doth 
The  steersman  to  his  port,  stood  firmly  fix'd ; 
Forthwith  the  samtly  tribe,  who  in  the  van 
Between  the  Gryphon  and  its  radiance  came, 
Did  turn  them  to  the  car,  as  to  their  rest: 
And  one,  as  if  commission'd  from  above. 
In  holy  chant  thrice  shouted  forth  aloud ; 
'*  Come,*  spouse !  from  Libanus :"  and  all  the  leit 
Took  up  the  song. — At  the  last  audit,  so 
The  blest  shall  rise,  from  forth  his  cavern  each 
Upliftmg  lightly  his  new-vested  flesh ; 
As,  on  the  sacred  litter,  at  the  voice 
Authoritative  of  that  elder,  sprang 
A  hundred  ministers  and  messengers 
Of  life  eternal.    *'  Blessed*  thou,  who  comest !" 

lAUonJt^.]    So  Giles  Fletcher— 

•The  wood's  late  wintry  head 
With  flaming  primroses  set  all  on  fire. 

ChrisVs  Triumph  after  Death. 

3  That  polar  lu^ht.]  The  seven  candlesticks  of  gold,  which 
he  calls  the  polar  light  of  heaven  itself,  because  they  per- 
form the  same  office  for  Christians  that  the  polar  star  does 
for  mariners,  in  guiding  them  to  their  port 

*  Ctmi«.]  **  Come  with  me  firom  Ijebanon,  my  spouse,  with 
me,  from  Lebanon.'*    Seng  of  Solomoni  iv.  8. 

«  Bleooed,}  *'  Blessed  is  he  that  coraeth  in  tlie  name  of  th« 
Laid.'*    Jlfott.zzi.9. 


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S8S  THE  YKK)N.  9i-ai 

And,  <<  Oh  r  tbey  eried,  "  from  full  handi^  seatter  y« 
Unwitherin^  lilies  i*  and,  so  saying,  cast        # 
Flowers  over  head  and  roond  them  on  all  sides. 

I  have  beheld,  ere  now,  at  break  of  day. 
The  eastern  clime  all  roseate ;  and  the  ricy 
Opposed,  one  deep  and  beautifdl  serene ; 
And  the  son's  face  so  shaded,  and  with  mists 
Attemper'd,  at  his  rising,  that  the  eye 
Long  while  endured  the  sight :  thus,  in  a  cloud 
Of  m>wera,'  that  frcji  those  hands  angelic  roM, 
And  down  within  and  outside  of  the  car 
Fell  showering,  in  white  veil  with  olive  wreathed* 
A  virgin  in  my  view  appeared,  beneath 
Green  mantle,  robed  in  hne  of  living  flame : 
And'  o'er  my  spirit,  tiiat  so  long  a  time 
Had  from  her  presence  felt  no  dmddering  dread. 
Albeit  mine  eyes  discem'd  her  not,  there  movei} 
A  hidden  virtue  from  her,  at  whose  touch 
The  power  of  ancient  love^  was  strong  within  me 

^Fnmf%illluMd».\    Maaibos date Ulia plenis. 

VWg^  M%^  lib.  vL  8B4 

« J%  a  elond 

OfJUneert.}    Dentro  una  nuvola  di  fioii. 
—  ningontque  rosanim. 
Floribos,  ombrantes  matrem,  itc       Lueretiu$,  lib.  IL 
ThUfMiitoo: 

Eve  separate  he  spies, 

Veird  in  a  cloud  of  fragrance,  wliere  she  stood. 

P.JL.,b.iz.v.4ai 
And  Thomson,  in  his  Invocation  to  Spring : 

veil*d  in  a  shower 

Of  shadowing  roses,  on  our  plains  descend, 
s  And,]    In  the  first  edition  it  stood  thus : 
And  o'er  my  spirit,  that  in  former  days 
WItliin  hor  presence  liad  abode  so  long. 
No  shuddering  terror  crept    Bfine  eyes  no  taon 
Had  knowledge  of  her ;  yet  there  moved  fh>m  her 
A  hidden  virtue,  at  whose  touch  awaked,  &c. 
And  this  was  a  translation  of  the  common  reading,  which  has 
**  con  la  sua  inresenza,"  instead  of  "che  alia  siu  inesenza,'* 
and  a  ftili  stop  instead  of  a  comma  after  *'  iniflnto.'*    As  I 
have  little  doin)t  but  that  the  reading  of  the  Nidobeatina 
edition  and  tliat  of  many  MSS.  is  right  in  this  instance,  I 
have  altered  the  version  as  it  now  stands  in  the  text,  which 
still  perhaps  needs  some  explanation.    His  spirit,  which  had 
been  so  long  una  wed  by  the  presence  of  Beatrice,  (for  she  had 
been  ten  years  dead,)  now  felt,  through  a  secret  influence 
proceeding  Arom  her,  its  ancient  love  revived,  though  hii 
light  had  not  yet  distinguished  her. 
*  7%$  power  tf  ancieiU  love.] 

D'antlco  amor  senti  la  gran  potenca. 
b>  sento  si  d*amor  la  gran  possansa. 

DvUe,  OnuMivl 


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l»-76.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXX.  38S 

No  sooner  on  my  vision  streaming,  smote 
The  heavenly  influence,  which,  years  past,  and  e'en 
In  childhood,  thriU'd  me,  than  towards  Virgil  I 
Tum'd  me  to  leftward ;  pantmg,  like  a  habe, 
That  flees  for  refuge  to  his  mother's  breast, 
If  aught  have  terrmed  or  work'd  him  wo : 
And  would  have  cried,  "  There  is  no  dram  of  bloodf 
That  doth  not  quiver  in  me.    The  old  flame^ 
Throws  out  clear  tokens  of  reviving  fire/' 
But  Virgil  had  bereaved  us  of  hunself ; 
Virgil,  my  best-loved  father ;  Virgil,  he 
To  whom  I  gave  me  up  for  safety :  nor* 
All,  our  prime  mother  lost,  avail'd  to  save 
My  undew'd  cheeks  from  blur  of  soiling  tears. 

"  Dante !  weep  not,  that  Vu-gil  leaves  thee ;  nay, 
Weep  thou  not  yet :  behooves  &ee  feel  the  edge 
Of  other  sword ;  and  thou  shalt  weep  for  that/* 

As  to  the  prow  or  stem,  some  admiral 
Paces  the  deck,  inspiriting  his  crew. 
When  'micHhe  sail^ards  all  hands  ply  aloof; 
Thus,  on  the  left  side  of  the  car,  I  saw 
(Turning  me  at  the  sound  of  mine  own  name. 
Which  here  I  am  compelled  to  register) 
The  vugin  station'd,  who  before  appeared 
Veil'd  in  that  festive  shower  angelical. 

Towards  me,  across  the  stream,  she  bent  her  eyei 
Though  from  her  brow  the  veil  descending,  bound 
With  foliage  of  Minerva,  sufler'd  not 
That  I  beheld  her  clearly :  then  with  act 
Full  royal,  still  insultmg  o'er  her  thrall. 
Added,  as  one  who,  speaking,  keepeth  back 
The  bitterest  saying,  to  condude  the  speech : 
**  Observe  me  welL    I  am,  in  sooth,  I  am 
Beatrice.    What !  and  hast  thou  deign'd  at  last 
Approach  the  mountain?    Knewest  not,  O  man ! 
Thy  happiness  is  here  ?"    Down  fell  mme  eyes 
On  the  clear  fount ;  but  there,  myself  espying, 
Recoil'd,  and  sought  the  greenswerd ;  such  a  weiglit 


SvegUa  d'antieo  aioor  la  gran  possanza. 

4to.  1814,  vol.  i.  p. 


Mr,  JUdtkitu*s  Ods  to  Mr.MekoU,  GrenTs  IVorkM, 


iT%eoldJUme,] 

Agnosco  veteris  vettigia  flammc. 

Fir£r.  JEn^  lib.  iv.  23. 
Ccmosco  t  segni  dell*  antieo  taoco, 

OiuMto  tW  Contit  La  Bella  Maito, 
•  AVr.]  ^Hot  all  the  beauties  of  the  tenestrial  Pwradlie, 
1b  which  I  was,  were  tdiBcieiit  to  allay  my  griet*' 


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384  THE  VISION.  77  loa. 

Of  sh&me  was  on  my  forehead.    With  a  mien 

Of  that  stem  majesty,  which  doth  surround 

A  mother's  presence  to  her  awe-struck  child, 

She  look'd ;  a  flavor  of  such  bitterness 

Was  mingled  in  her  pity.     There  her  words 

Brake  off;  and  suddenly  the  angels  sang, 

"  In  thee,  O  gracious  liord !  my  hope  hath  been :" 

But*  went  no  farther  than,  "  Thou,  Lord !  hast  set 

My  feet  in  ample  room."     As  snow,  that  lies, 

Amidst  the  living  rafters'  on  the  back 

Of  Italy,  congeal'd,  when  drifted  high 

And  closely  piled  by  rough  Sclavonian  blasts ; 

Breathe  but  the  land  whereon  no  shadow  falls,* 

And  straightway  melting  it  distils  away, 

Like  a  fire-wasted  taper :  thus  was'  I, 

Without  a  sigh  or  tear,  or  ever  these 

Did  sing,  that,  with  the  chiming  of  heaven's  sphere* 

Still  in  their  warbling  chune :  but  when  the  strain 

Of  dulcet  symphony  express'd  for  me 

Their  soft  compassion,  more  tka]^  could  the  words, 

•*  Virgin !  why  so  consumest  him  ?"  then,  the  ice,* 

Congeal'd  about  my  bosom,  tum'd  itself 

To  spirit  and  water ;  and  with  anguish  forth 

Gush'd,  through  the  lips  and  eyelids,  from  the  heart 

Upon  the  chariot's  same  edge'  still  she  stood, 
Immoveable ;  and  thus  address'd  her  words 
To  those  bright  semblances  with  pity  touch'd : 
"  Ye  in  the  eternal  day  your  vigils  keep ; 
So  that  nor  night  nor  slumber,  with  close  stealth, 
Conveys  from  yoij  a  smgle  step,  in  all 

i  But.\  They  sang  the  thirty-first  Psalm,  to  the  end  of  the 
eighth  verse.  What  follows  in  that  Psalm  would  not  have 
Slated  the  place  or  the  occasion. 

»  The  living  rafters.l  "  Vive  trartri."  The  leafless  woods 
on  the  Apennine. 

Fraxineeque  trabes.  ^'"'VT-j  •35it.,  lib.  vl.  181. 

and 

Trabibosque  obscnnis  acernis.  IbitLf  lib.  iz.  87. 

s  T%e  land  whereon  no  thadoto  falls.}  '*  When  the  wind 
blows  from  off  Africa,  where,  at  the  time  of  the  eqninoz, 
bodies,  being  under  the  equator,  cast  little  or  no  shadow ;  or, 
in  other  werds,  when  the  wind  is  south." 

*  The  ice.]  Milton  has  transferred  this  conceit,  ttiongh 
scarcely  worth  the  pains  of  removing,  into  one  of  his  Italian 
poems,  Son.  v. 

>  Same  edge.]  The  Nidobeatina  edition,  and  many  MSS. 
here  read  **  delta  coscia,"  instead  of  "  destra,**  o^^  dritta  cot- 
eia ;"  and  it  is  probable  from  what  has  gone  UMfc,  that  tiM 
"brmer  is  the  right  reading.    See  v.  60. 


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107-144.  PURGATORY,  Caivto  XXX.  3Ba 

The  goingB  on  of  time ;  thence,  with  more  heed 

I  shape  mine  answer,  for  his  ear  intended, 

Who  there  stands  weeping ;  that  the  sorrow  now 

May  equal  the  transgression.    Not  alone 

Through  operation  of  the  mighty  orhs. 

That  mark  each  seed  to  some  predestined  aim, 

As  with  aspect  or  fortunate  or  ill 

The  constellations  meet ;  but  through  benign 

Largess  of  heavenly  graces,  which  ram  down 

From  such  a  height  as  mocks  our  vision,  this  man 

Was,  in  the  fresmiess  of  his  being,^  such. 

So  gifted  virtually,  that  in  him 

All  better  habits  wondrously  had  thrived. 

The  more  of  kj^dly  strength  is  in  the  soil. 

So  much  doth  evil  seed  and  lack  of  culture 

Mar  it  the  more,  and  make  it  run  to  wildness. 

These  looks  sometime  upheld  him ;  for  I  show'd 

My  youthful  eyes,  and  led  him  by  their  light 

In  upright  walking.     Soon  as  I  had  reach'd 

The  threshold  of  my  second  age,^  and  changed 

My  mortal  for  immortal ;  then  he  left  me, 

And  gave  himself  to  others.     When  from  flesh 

To  spirit  I  had  risen,  and  increase 

Of  beauty  and  of  virtue  circled  me, 

I  was  less  dear  to  him,  and  valued  less. 

His  steps  were  tum'd  into  deceitful  ways. 

Following  false  images  of  good,  that  make 

No  promise  perfect.    Nor  avail'd  me  aught 

To  sue  for  inspirations,  with  the  which, 

I,  both  in  dreams  of  night,  and  otherwise. 

Did  call  him  back  ;  of  them,  so  little  reckM  him. 

Such  depth  he  fell,  that  all  device  was  short 

Of  his  preserving,  save  that  he  should  view 

The  children  of  perdition.    To  this  end 

I  visited  the  purlieus  of  the  dead : 

And  one,  who  hath  conducted  him  thus  high. 

Received  my  supplications  urged  with  weepiiig 

It  were  a  breaking  of  God's  hig^  decree, 


1  IwUufreaknets  of  kit  heing.l 

Nella  soa  vita  naova. 
Bomb  suppose  our  Poet  allades  to  the  work  so  called,  writt^ 
in  his  youth. 

s  Tk€  tknthold  of  my  oeeond  are.}  In  the  Convlto,  oar  Poet 
malces  a  division  of  human  life  into  four  ages,  the  first  of 
which  lasts  till  the  twenty-fifth  year.  Beatrice,  therefbif, 
Muned  ftom  this  life  to  a  better,  about  that  period.  See  th* 
Ufa  of  Dante  prefixed. 

17 


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B86  THE  VISION.  '  M5»14t 

If  Lethe  ifaoiild  be  pav'd,  and  inch  food^  tasted* 
Without  the  coet  of  eome  repentant  tear." 


^^^>^^v\^^t^^^^^^t^^»^^%^^»'^^^^^^ 


CANTO   XXXL 

ARGUMENT 
Beatrice  condnnefl  her  reprehension  of  Dante,  who  ccmfesMi 
his  errrar,  and  foils  to  the  gnmnd:  coming  to  himself 
again,  he  is  by  Matilda  drawn  tiirongh  the  waters  of 
I^the,  and  jnesented  first  to  the  four  virgins  who  figuM 
the  cardinal  virtoes ;  these  in  their  turn  lead  him  to  the 
Gryphon,  a  symbol  of  our  Saviour ;  and  the  three  Tirdni, 
reprasenting  the  evangelical  virtues,  intercede  for  him 
with  Beatnee,  that  she  would  display  to  him  her  fecond 
beauty. 

«  O  THOU !"  her  words  she  thus  without  delay 
Resuming,  tum'd  their  pomt  on  me,  to  whom 
They,  with  but  lateral  edge,'  seem'd  harsh  before : 
*'  Say  thou,  who  stand'st  beyond  the  holy  stream, 
If  this  be  true.    A  charge,  so  grievous,  needs 
Thine  own  avowal."    On  my  faculty 
Such  strange  amazement  hung,  the  voice  expired 
Imperfect,  ere  its  organs  grave  it  birth. 

A  little  space  reframing,  then  she  cfpake : 
**  What  dost  thou  muse  on  7  Answer  me.   The  wave 
On  thy  remembrances  of  evil  yet 
Hath  done  no  injury."    A  mingled  sense 
Of  fear  and  of  confmnon,  from  my  lips 
Did  such  a  "  Yea"  produce,  as  needed  help 
Of  vision  to  interpret.    As  when  breaks, 
In  act  to  be  discharged,  a  cross-bow  bent 
Beyond  its  pitch,  both  nerve  and  bow  o'erstretch'd ; 
The  flagging  weapon  feebly  hits  the  mark : 
Thus,  tears  and  sighs  forth  gushmg,  did  I  burst 
Beneath  the  heavy  load :  and  thus  my  voice 
Was  slackened  on  its  way.    She  straight  began : 
"  When  my  desire  mvited  thee  to  love 
The  good,  which  sets  a  bound  to  our  aspinngs ; 
What  bar  of  thwarting  foss  or  Unked  chain 
Did  meet  thee,  that  thou  so  shouldst  quit  the  hqpe 
Of  further  progress.?  or  what  bait  of  ease. 
Or  promise  of  allurement,  led  thee  on 
Elsewhere,  that  thou  c^lsewhere  shouldst  rather  wait  V* 

1  Such  food.]    The  oblivion  of  sins. 

>  With  but  lateral  edge.]  The  words  of  Beatrice,  when  boI 
addressed  directly  to  himself,  but  spoken  to  the  angel  of  hin^ 
Dante  had  thought  sufficiently  harsh. 


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S»-58.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXXI.  387 

A  bitter  sigh  I  drew,  then  scarce  found  roice 
To  answer ;  hardly  to  these  sounds  my  lips 
Gave  utterance,  wailing :  **  Thy  fair  looks  withdrawn « 
Things  present,  with  deceitful  pleasures,  tum'd 
My  steps  aside."    She  answering  spake :  "  Hadst  thoQ 
Been  silent,  or  denied  what  thou  avow'st. 
Thou  hadst  not  hid  thy  sin  the  more ;  such  eye 
Obserress  it    But  whene'er  the  sinner's  cheek 
Breaks  forth  into  the  precious>streaming  teais 
Of  self-accusing,  in  our  court  the  wheel 
Of  justice  doth  run  counter  to  the  edge.* 
Ilowe'er,  that  thou  mayst  profit  by  thy  shame 
For  errors  past,  and  that  henceforth  more  strength 
May  arm  thee,  when  thou  hear'st  the  Syren-voice ; 
Lay  thou  aside  the  motive  to  this  grief, 
And  lend  adentive  ear,  while  I  unfold 
How  opposite  a  way  my  buried  flesh 
Should  have  impell'd  thee.    Never  didst  thou  spy, 
In  art  or  nature,  aught  so  passing  sweet, 
As  were  the  limbs  that  in  their  beauteous  frame 
Enclosed  me,  and  are  scatter'd  now  in  dust 
If  sweetest  thing  thus  fail'd  thee  with  my  death. 
What,  afterward,  of  mortal,  should  thy  wish  . 
Have  tempted?  When  thou  first  hadst  felt  the  dart 
Of  perishable  things,  in  my  departing 
For  better  realms,  thy  wing  thou  shoiddst  have  pruned 
To  follow  me ;  and  never  stooped  again. 
To  'bide  a  second  blow,  for  a  slight  girl,' 

1  Counter  to  the  ed^e.]  "  The  Weapons  of  divine  justice  are 
blunted  by  the  confession  and  sorrow  of  the  offender.** 

s  Far  a  eligktgirl.^  **  Danielle  and  Yentarl  say  that  this 
alludes  to  Gentucca  of  Lucca,  mentioned  in  the  twenty- 
fourth  Canto.  They  did  not,  however,  observe  that  Buonag- 
giinta  there  gives  us  to  understand  that  Dante  Icnew  not  if 
Gen^cca  were  then  in  the  world,  and  that  Beatrice  is  now 
reprehending  him  for  past  and  not  for  future  errors.**  Thus 
Lombardi.  Pelli  (Memor.,  p.  57)  acquaints  us  that  Corbinelll, 
m  the  Life  of  Dante,  added  to  the  edition  of  the  De  Vulg. 
Eloq.,  sajTS  the  name  of  this  lady  was  "  Pargoletta.*'  But  the 
intimation,  as  Pelli  Justly  remarks,  can  scarcely  be  deemed 
authentic  The  annotator  on  the  Monte  Cassino  MS.  gives  a 
verv  difl^nt  turn  to  the  allusion.  "  Qxxm  proca  ftiit,**  Ace 
**ThLs  was  either  a  mistress ;  or  else  it  is  put  for  the  poetic 
art,  as  when  he  says  in  a  certain  song: 

lo  mi  son  pargoletta  bella  e  nnova 
Esonvenuta. 
which  rebuke  of  Beatrice*s  may  be  delivered  in  the  person  of 
many  theologians  dissuading  nom  poetry  and  other  worldly 
seleBces ;  a  rebuke  that  should  be  directed  against  tiioee  who 
teed  the  poets  to  gratify  tlieir  own  inclination,  and  not  fat 
the  lake  of  instruction,  that  they  may  deftat  the  errors  of 


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888  THE  VISION.  ST-M 

Or  other  gaud  as  tranaiAnt  and  as  vain. 
The  new  and  inexperienced  bird^  awaits, 
Twice  it  may  be,  or  thrice,  the  fowler's  aim ; 
Bat  in  the  sight  of  one  whose  plumes  are  full, 
In  vam  the  net  is  spread,  the  arrow  wing'd." 

I  stood,  as  children  silent  and  ashamed 
Stand,  listening,  with  their  eyes  upon  the  earth. 
Acknowledging  their  fault,  and  self-condemn'd 
And  she  resumed :  "  If,  but  to  hear,  thus  pains  thes ; 
Raise  thou  thy  beard,  and  lo !  what  sight  shall  do  * 

With  less  reluctance  yields  a  sturdy  holm. 
Rent  from  its  fibres  by  a  blast,  that  blows 
From  off  the  pole,  or  from  larbas'  land,* 
Than  I  at  her  behest  my  visage  raised : 
And  thus  the  face  denoting  by  the  beard.* 
£  mark'd  the  secret  stmg  her  words  convey'd. 

No  sooner  lifted  I  mine  aspect  up, 
Than  I  perceived^  those  primal  creatures  cease 
Their  flowery  sprinkling ;  and  mine  eyes  beheld 
(Yet  unassured  and  wavering  m  their  view) 
Beatrice ;  she,  who  towards  the  mystic  shape, 
That  joins  two  natures  in  one  form,  had  tum*d : 
And,  even  under  shadow  of  her  veil. 
And  parted  by  the  verdant  rill  that  flow'd 
Between,  in  loveliness  she  seem'd  as  much 
Her  former  self-surpassing,  as  on  earth 
All  others  she  surpassed.    Remorseful  goads 
Shot  sudden  through  me.   Each  thing  else,  the  m«r« 

the  Gentiles.*'  It  remains  to  be  considered  whether  our 
Poet's  marriage  with  Gemma  de*  Dtniati,  and  the  difficnltiet 
In  which  that  engacement  involved  him,  may  not  be  the  oIh 
ject  of  Beatrice's  dufrfeasure. 

1  Bird.]  **  Sorely  in  vain  the  net  is  spread  in  the  sight  ol 
%ny  bird."    Prov.  i.  17. 

s  JVcm  larbtu'  land.]    The  south. 

*  Tkt  beard.)  **l  perceived,  that  when  she  desired  me  to 
false  my  beard,  instead  of  telling  me  to  lift  np  mv  head,  a  se- 
vere reflection  was  implied  on  my  want  of  that  wisdom  which 
shoold  accompany  the  age  of  manhood." 

*  Than  I  perceived.]  I  had  before  translated  this  diflte^ 
ently,  and  in  agreement  with  those  editions  which  read, 

Posarsi  quelle  belle  creatore 

Da  l<no  apparsion. 
Instead  of 

Posarsi  quelle  prime  creature 

Da  lOTO  aspersion, 
for  which  reading  I  am  indebted  to  Lombard!,  who  derives 
It  firom  the  Nliobeatina  edition.    By  the  **  primal  ereatiuet* 
are  meant  the  angels,  who  were  scattering  the  flowers  oa 
Beatrice. 


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85-lW.        PURGATORY,  Canto  XXXI.  38» 

Its  love  had  late  begrailed  me,  now  the  more 
Was  loathsome.    On  my  heart  so  keenly  smote 
The  bitter  consciousness,  that  on  the  ground 
O'erpower*d  I  fell :  and  what  my  state  was  then, 
She  knows,  who  was  the  cause.    When  now  my 

strength 
Flow*d  back,  returning  outward  from  the  heart. 
The  lady,'  whom  alone  I  first  had  seen, 
I  found  above  me.    "  Loose  me  not,"  she  cried : 
«( Loose  not  thy  hold :"  and  lo !  had  dragged  me  high 
As  to  my  neck  into  the  sfiream ;  while  she. 
Still  as  she  drew  me  after,  swept  along. 
Swift  as  a  shuttle,  bounding  o'er  the  wave. 

The  blessed  shore  approaching,  then  was  heard 
So  sweetly,  "  Tu  asperges  me,*'^  that  I 
May  not  remember,  much  less  tell  the  sound. 

The  beauteous  dame,  her  arms  expanding,  claq>'d 
My  temples,  and  immerged  me  where  'twas  fit 
The  wave  should  drench  me  f  and,  thence  raising  up, 
Within  the  fourfold  dance  of  lovely  nymphs 
Presented  me  so  laved ;  and  with  their  arm 
They  each  did  cover  me.    *<  Here  are  we  nymphs. 
And  in  the  heaven  are  stars."    Or  ever  earth 
Was  visited  of  Beatrice,  we, 
Appointed  for  her  handmaids,  tended  on  her. 
We  to  her  eyes  will  lead  thee :  but  the  light 
Of  gladness,  that  is  in  them,  well  to  scan. 
Those  yonder  three,^  of  deeper  ken  than  ours. 
Thy  sight  shall  quicken.*'    Thus  began  their  song : 
And  then  they  led  me  to  the  Gryphon's  breast, 
Where,  tum'd  toward  us,  Beatrice  stood. 
"  Spare  not  thy  vision.    We  have  station'd  thee 
Before  the  emeralds,'  whence  love,  erewhile, 

1  Tlulady.]    MaUlda. 

3  Tu.  agperget  ««.]  **  Forge  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall 
be  clean ;  wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow.'*  P«. 
li.  7.  Sans  by  the  choir,  while  the  priest  is  sprinkling  the 
people  with  holy  water. 

*  And  in  the  heaven  are  etare.}    See  Canto  L  34. 

*  Those  yonder  three.]    Faith,  hope,  and  charity. 

*  The  emeralde.}  The  eyes  of  Beatrice.  The  author  of 
Qlnstrations  of  Shakspeare,  8vo.,  1807,  vol.  il.  p.  193,  hat 
referred  to  old  writers,  by  whom  the  efrithet  green  is  given 
to  eyes,  as  by  the  early  French  poets,  and  by  Shakspeare, 
Romeo  and  Juliet,  act  ill.  sc  5. 

—^  an  eagle,  madam, 

Hath  not  so  green,  so  qoiclc,  so  fkir  an  eye. 

Mr.  Donee's  coqjectue,  that  eyes  of  this  color  are  much 

less  common  now  than  fonnerly,  is  not  so  (wobable  as  that 

writers,  and  especially  poets,  should  at  timet  be  somewhat 


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390  THE  VI^ON.  IVhl^ 

Hath  drawn  his  weapons  on  thee.**    As  they  qmkai 

A  thousand  fervent  wishes  riveted 

Mine  eyes  upon  her  beaming  eyes,  that  stood. 

Still  fix'd  toward  the  Gryphon,  motionless. 

As  the  sun  strikes  a  minor,  even  thus 

Within  those  orbs  the  twyfold  being  shcme ; 

For  ever  varying,  in  one  £ffure  now 

Reflected,  now  m  other.    Reader !  muse 

How  wondrous  in  my  sight  it  seem'd,  to  mark 

A  thing,  albeit  steadfast  in  itself. 

Yet  in  its  imaged  semblance  mutable. 

Full  of  amaze,  and  joyous,  while  my  soul 
Fed  on  the  viand,  whereof  still  desire 
Grows  with  satiety ;  the  ether  three. 
With  gesture  that  declared  a  loftier  line. 
Advanced :  to  their  own  carol,  on  they  came 
Dancing,  in  festive  ring  angelical. 

"  Turn,  Beatrice  !'*  was  their  song :  "  Oh !  turn 
Thy  saintly  sight  on  tMs  thy  faithful  one. 
Who,  to  behold  thee,  many  a  wearisome  pace 
Hath  measured.    Gracious  at  our  prayer,  vouchsafe 
Unveil  to  him  thy  cheeks ;  that  he  may  mark 
Thy  second  beauty,  now  coaceaVd,"    O  splendor  I 
O  sacred  light  eternal !  who  is  he. 
So  pale  witii  musing  in  Pierian  shades. 
Or  with  that  fount  so  lavishly  imbued. 
Whose  spirit  should  not  fail  him  in  the  essay 
To  represent  thee  such  as  thou  didst  seem, 
When  under  cope  of  the  still-chimmg  heaven 
Thou  gavest  to  open  air  thy  charms  reveal'd? 


CANTO  XXXII. 

ARGUMENT. 
Dante  ia  warned  not  to  gaze  too  fixedly  on  Beatrice.    Vhe 
procession  moves  on,  accompanied  by  Matilda,  Statins,  and 
Dante,  till  they  reach  an  exceeding  lofty  tree,  where  d'ven 
strange  chances  befall. 

Mink  eyes  with  such  an  eager  coveting 
Were  bent  to  rid  them  of  their  ten  years'  thirst,^ 
No  other  sense  was  waking :  and  e'en  they 

loose  and  general  in  applying  terms   expressive  of  fiolor, 
whereof  an  instance  may  be  seen  in  some  ingenious  remarks 
byMr.BlomfieldonthewordicvilMo;.    JEschyliPenm  Edit 
1814,  Glossar.,  p.  107. 
'  TlUiMtmffear»*tlUrH.]  Beatrice  had  been  dead  ten  yean 


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*-37  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXXIL  391 

Were  fenced  on  either  side  from  heed  of  aught ; 

So  tangled,  in  its  customed  toils,  that  smile 

Of  saintly  brightness  drew  me  to  itself: 

When  forcibly,  toward  the  left,  my  sight 

The  sacred  virgins  tum'd ;  for  from  their  lips 

I  heard  the  warning  soondB :  "  Too  fix'd  a  gaze !'" 

Awhile  my  Vision  labor'd ;  as  when  late 
Upon  the  overstrained  eyes  Uie  sun  hath  smotA  * 
*But  soon,'  to  lesser  object,  as  the  view 
Was  now  recovered,  (lesser  in  respect 
To  that  excess  of  sensible,  whence  late 
I  had  perforce  been  sundered,)  on  their  right 
I  mark'd  that  glorious  army  wheel,  and  turn. 
Against  the  sun  and  sevenfold  lights,  their  front. 
As  when,  then:  bucklers  for  protection  raised, 
A  well-ranged  troop,  with  portly  banners  curl'd^ 
Wheel  circling,  ere  the  whole  can  change  their 
E'en  thus  the  goodly  regiment  of  heaven,    [ground ; 
Proceeding,  all  did  pass  us,  ere  the  car 
Had  sloped  his  beam.    Attendant  at  the  wheels 
The  damsels  tum'd ;  and  on  the  Gryphon  moved 
The  sacred  burden,  with  a  pace  so  smooth. 
No  feather  on  him  trembled.    The  fair  dame. 
Who  through  the  wave  had  drawtf  me,  companied 
By  Statins  and  myself,  pursued  the  wheel, 
Whose  orbit,  rolUng,  mark'd  a  lesser  arch,     [blame. 

Through  the  high  wood,  now  void  (the  more  her 
Who  by  the  serpent  was  beguiled)  I  pass'd. 
With  step  in  cadence  to  the  harmony 
Angelic    Onward  had  we  moved,  as  far. 
Perchance,  as  arrow  at  three  several  flights 
Full  wing'd  had  sped,  when  from  her  station  down 
Descended  Beatrice.    With  one  voice 
All  murmured  **  Adam ;"  circling  next  a  plant* 

1  7bo  JWd  a  gau.\  The  allegorical  interpretation  of  Yel- 
latello,  whether  it  be  considered  as  justly  inferrible  firom  tlie 
text  or  not,  conveys  so  usefhl  a  lesson,  that  it  deserves  oar 
notice.  "The  understanding  is  sometimes  so  intentiy  en- 
gaged in  contemplating  the  light  of  divine  truth  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, that  it  becomes  dazzled,  and  is  made  less  capable  of 
attaining  such  knowledge,  than  if  it  had  sought  aAer  it  with 
greater  moderation." 

*  Bvt  soon,}  As  soon  as  his  sight  was  recovered,  so  as  to 
bear  the  view  of  that  glorious  inrocession,  which,  splendid  as 
it  was,  was  yet  less  so  than  Beatrice,  by  whom  his  vision  had 
been  overpowered,  Bui, 

*  A  ptont.]  Lombardi  has  coi^tnred,  with  much  proba- 
bility, that  this  tree  is  not  (as  preceding  commentators  had 
iupposed)  merely  intended  to  represent  the  tree  of  knowledge 


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892  THE  VISION. 

Despoird  of  flowora  and  leaf,  on  every  boagfa. 
Its  treases/  spreading  more' as  more  they  rose, 
Were  such,  as  'midst  their  forest  wilds,  for  height, 
The  Indians'  might  have  gazed  at.    "  Blessed  thou. 
Gryphon  !*  whose  beak  hath  never  pluek'd  that  tree 
Pleasant  to  taste :  for  hence  the  appetite 
Was  warp'd  to  evil."    Round  the  stately  trunk 
Thus  shouted  forth  the  rest,  to  whom  retum'd  ^ 

The  animal  tvnce-gender'd :  **  Yea !  for  so 
The  generation  of  the  just  are  saved." 
And  turning  to  the  chariot-pole,  to  foot 
He  drew  it  of  the  widow'd  branch,  and  bound 
There,  loft  unto  the  stock^  whereon  it  grew. 

As  when  large  floods  ^f  radiance*  from  above 
Stream,  with  that  radiance  minted,  which  ascendf 
Next  after  setting  of  the  scaly  sign. 
Our  plants  then  burgein,  and  each  wears  anew 
His  wonted  colors,  ere  the  sun  have  yoked 


of  good  and  evil,  bot  that  the  Roman  empire  is  figured  by  iL 
Among  the  maxims  maintained  by  our  Poet,  as  the  sams 
commentator  observes,  were  these :  that  one  monarchy  had 
been  willed  by  Providence,  and  was  necessary  for  universal 
peace ;  and  that  this  monarchy,  by  right  of  justice  and  by 
the  divine  ordinance,  belonged  to  the  Roman  people  only. 
His  Treatise  de  Monarchic  was  written  indeed  to  inculcate 
these  maxims,  and  to  prove  that  the  temporal  monarchy  de- 
pends immediately  on  God,  and  should  be  kept  as  distinct  as 
possible  from  the  authority  of  the  pope. 

>  Its  tresses.]    "  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  tree  in  the  midst  of 
»he  earth,  and  the  height  thereof  was  great."    Damd,  iv.  10. 
s  The  Indians.] 

duos  oceuio  proprior  gerit  India  lucos. 

Ftr^.  Qeorg.^  lib.  li.  122. 

Such  as  at  this  day  to  Indians  known. 

MiUmt,  P.  L.,  b.  ix.  1103. 

•         Blessed  thou, 

OryphonI]  Our  Saviour*s  submission  to  the  Roman  em- 
pire appears  to  be  intended,  and  particularly  his  injunction, 
**  to  render  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  ate  C«sar*s." 

•  Thers,  lesft  unts  the  stock.]  Dante  here  seems,  1  think, 
to  intimate  what  he  has  attempted  to  prove  at  the  conclusioa 
of  the  second  book  de  Monarchic ;  namely,  that  our  Saviour, 
by  his  suflfering  under  the  sentence,  not  of  Herod,  but  of 
Pilate,  who  was  the  delegate  of  the  Roman  empen»r,  acknow- 
ledged and  confirmed  the  suinremacy  of  that  empercnr  over 
the  whole  world ;  for  if,  as  he  argues,  all  mankind  were  be- 
come sinners  through  the  sin  of  Adam,  no  punishment,  that 
was  inflicted  by  one  who  had  a  right  of  jurisdiction  over 
less  than  the  whole  human  race,  could  have  been  sufl9cient  • 
to  satisfy  for  the  sins  of  all  men.  See  note  to  Paradise,  c. 
vi.80. 

•  tVhm  large  Jloods  of  retdianee.]    When  tlie  smi  enten 
Into  Aries,  (he  constellation  next  to  that  of  the  Fish. 


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8»-95.  PURGATORY,.  Camto  XXXD.  39S 

Beneath  another  star  his  flamy  steeds ; 
Thus  pnttui^  forth  a  hue  more  faint  than  rose, 
And  deeper  than  the  violet,  was  renewed 
The  plant,  erewhile  in  all  its  branches  bare. 
Unearthly  was  the  hymn,  which  then  arose. 
I  understood  it  not,  nor  to  the  end 
Endured  the  harmony.    Had  I  the  skill 
To  pencil  forth  how  closed  the  unpitying  eyes* 
Slumbering,  when  Syrinx  warbled,  (eyes  that  paid 
So  dearly  for  their  watching)  then,  like  painter, 
That  with  a  model  paints,  I  might  design 
The  manner  of  my  falling  into  sleep. 
But  feign  who  will  the*  slumber  cunningly, 
I  pass  it  by  to  when  I  waked ;  and  tell. 
How  suddenly  a  flash  of  splendor  rent 
The  curtain  of  my  sleep,  and  one  cries  out, 
**  Arise :  what  dost  thou?"    As  the  chosen  three, 
.On  Tabor's  moimt,  admitted  to  behold 
The  blossoming  of  that  fair  tree,'  whose  fruit 
Is  coveted  of  angels,  and  doth  make 
Perpetual  feast  in  heaven  ;  to  themselves 
Returning,  at  the  word  whence  deeper  sleeps' 
Were  br(«en,  they  their  tribe  diminish'd  saw ; 
Both  Moses  and  Elias  gone,  and  changed 
The  stole  their  master  wore  ;  thus  to  myself 
Returning,  over  me  beheld  I  stand 
The  piteous  one,*  who,  cross  the  stream,  had  brought 
My  steps.    "  And  where,"  all  doubting,  I  exclaim'd, 
«  Is  Beatrice?"—"  See  her,"  she  replied, 
'<  Beneath  the  fresh  leaf,  seated  on  its  root 
Behold  the  associate  choir,  that  circles ler. 
The  others,  with  a  melody  more  sweet 
And  more  profound,  journeying  to  higher  realms, 
Upon  the  Gryphon  tend."     If  there  her  words 
Were  closed,  I  know  not ;  but  mine  eyes  had  now 
Ta'en  view  of  her,  by  whom  all  other  thoughts 
Were  barr'd  admittance.    On  the  very  ground 
Alone  she  sat,  as  she  had  there  been  left 
A  guard  upon  the  wain,  which  I  beheld 
Bound  to  the  twyform  beast    The  seven  nymphs 

1  The  unpitying  epea.j    See  Ovid,  Met.,  lib.  i.  689. 
s  T%e  UoBaoming  of  that  fait  tree.]    Ova  Sayionr's  transfiga- 
ration.    "  As  the  apple-tree  among  the  trees  of  the  wood,  so 
*  is  my  beloved  among  the  sons."    Solotnon*s  Seng,  11  3. 

*  Demer  sleqis.]    The  sleep  of  death,  in  the  instance  <^  the 
roler  or  the  Synagogue's  daughter  and  of  Lazarus. 

*  ThspiUm$  MM.J    MatUda. 


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394  THE  .VISION.  vft-139 

Did  make  themielTeB  a  cloister  rmcid  ab.Mtt  her ; 
And,  in  their  handn,  upheld  thoee  lights^  secure 
From  blast  septentrion  and  the  gosty  south. 

**  A  little  while  thou  shalt  be  forester  here ;. 
And  citizen  shalt  be,  for  eyer  with  me. 
Of  that  true  Rome,*  wherein  Christ  dwells  a  Roman 
To  profit  the  misguided  world,  keep  now 
Thine  eyes  upon  the  car ;  and  what  thoa  seest. 
Take  heed  thou  write,  returning  to  that  place.*** 

Thus  Beatrice :  at  whose  feet  inclined 
Devout,  at  her  behest,  my  thought  and  eyes, 
I,  as  she  bade,  directed.    Never  fire. 
With  so  swift  motion,  forth  a  stormy  cloud 
Leap*d  downward  from  the  welkin's  forthest  bound, 
As  I  beheld  the  Inrd  of  Jove^  descend 
Down  through  the  tree ;  and,  as  he  rush'd,  the  rind 
Disparting  crush  beneath  him ;  buds  much  more, 
And  leaflets.    On  the  car,  with  all  his  might 
He  struck  ;*  whence,  staggering,  like  a  ship  it  reel'd, 
At  random  driven,  to  starboard  now,  overcome. 
And  now  to  larboard,  by  the  vaulting  waves. 

Next,  springing  up  mto  the  chariot's  womb, 
A  fox*  I  saw,  witii  hunger  seeming  pined* 
Of  all  good  food.    But,  for  his  ugly  sins 
The  saintly  maid  rebukmg  him,  away 
Scampering  he  tum'd,  fast  as  his  hide-bound  corpse 
Would  bear  him.  Next,  from  whence  bef<Hre  he  came 
I  saw  the  eagle  dart  into  the  hull 
O'  the  car,  cuod  leave  it  with  his  feathers  lined  :* 
And  then  a  voice,  like  that  which  issues  forth 
From  heart  Vith  smrow  rived,  did  issue  forth 
From  heaven,  and,  **  O  poor  bark  of  mine  !"  it  cried, 
**  How  badly  art  thou  freighted."    Then  it  seem'd 
That  the  earth  q>en'd,  between  either  wheel ; 
And  I  beheld  a  dragon''  issue  thence, 


1  Thoae  lights.}    The  tapers  of  gold. 

*  Of  that  true  Rome.]    Of  heaven. 

*  Jh  that  place.  |    To  the  earth. 

«  The  bird  of  Jove.)  This,  which  Is  Imitated  frmn  Ezekiel 
xvli.  3, 4,  is  typical  of  the  persecutions  which  the  church  sus- 
tained rrom  the  Roman  emperors. 

•  A  fot.]  By  the  fox  probably  is  represented  the  treachery 
(^  the  heretics. 

•  mth  hit  feathera  lined.]  In  allusion  to  the  donaHons 
made  by  Constantine  to  the  church. 

v  Ji  dragon.]  Probably  Mahomet ;  Ibr  what  Lombaidl  odbis 
(o  the  eontnury  is  tu  firom  latUftetay. 


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iai-157.       PURGATORY,  Canto  XXXin.         3OT 

That  through  the  chariot  'fix'd  his  forked  train ; 
And  like  a  wasp,  that  draggeth  back  the  sting, 
So  drawing  forth  his  baleful  train,  he  dragg'd 
Part  of  the  bottom  forth ;  and  went  his  way 
Exulting.    What  remained,  as  lively  turf 
With  green  herb,  so  did  clothe  itself  with  plumes,^ 
Which  haply  had,  with  purpose  chaste  and  kind. 
Been  offered ;  and  therewith  were  clothed  the  wheels* 
Both  one  and  other,  and  the  beam,  so  quickly, 
A  sigh  were  not  breathed  sooner.  Thus  transform'd, 
The  holy  structure,  through  its  several  parts. 
Did  put  forth  heads  ;*  three  on  the  beam,  and  onQ 
On  every  side :  the  first  like  oxen  hom'd ; 
But  with  a  single  horn  upon  their  front. 
The  four.    Like  monster,  sight  hath  never  seen. 
O'er  it'  methought  there  sat,  secure  as  rock    . 
On  mountain's  lofty  top,  a  shameless  whore. 
Whose  ken  roved  loosely  round  her.    At  her  side^ 
As  'twere  that  none  might  bear  her  off,  I  saw 
A  giant  stand ;  and  ever  and  anon 
They  mingled  kisses.    But,  her  lustful  eyes 
Chancing  on  me  to  wander,  that  fell  minion 
Scourged  her  from  head  to  foot  all  o'er ;  then  full 
Of  jealousy,  and  fierce  with  rage,  unloosed 
The  monster,  and  dragg'd  on,^  so  far  across 
The  forest,  that  from  me  its  shades  alone 
Shielded  the  harlot  and  the  new-form'd  brute. 


CANTO  XXXIII. 

ARGUMENT. 

AAer  a  hymn  sung,  Beatrice  leaves  the  tree,  and  takes  with 

her  the  seven  virgins,  Matilda,  Statins,  and  Dante.    She 

>  With  plumes.]  The  increase  of  wealth  and  temporal  do- 
minion, which  followed  the  supposed  gift  of  Constantine. 

*  Heiads.]  By  the  seven  head«,  it  is  supposed  with  snfll- 
eient  probability,  are  meant  the  seven  capital  sins:  bytbe 
three  with  two  horns,  pride,  anger,  and  avarice,  i^|iurioas  bo'Ji 
to  man  himself  and  tor  his  neighbor :  by  the  four  with  one 
horn,  gluttony,  gloominess,  concuiriscence,  and  envy,  hnrtftil, 
at  least  in  their  primary  etfoctSy  chiefly  to  him  who  is  guilty 
of  them.  Vellntello  refers  to  Rev.  xvii.  Landino,  who  is 
followed  by  LombardijUnderstuids  the  seven  heads  to  sigai^ 
the  seven  sacraments,  and  the  ten  horns  the  ten  cominand- 
meiits.    Compare  Hell,  c  ziz.  112. 

*  O'er  U.\  The  harlot  is  thought  to  represent  the  state  of 
the  church  under  Boniface  VJII.,  and  die  giant  to  figure 
PhOipIV.orFranee. 

*  Dragg'd  on.]  Tberemoval  of  the  pc^*s  resideBee  flfom 
Rome  to  Avignon  is  pdnled  at. 


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396  THE  VISION  1-H 

• 
fhen  daricly  iiredicts  to  oar  Poets  some  fntnre  events.  Last* 
ly,  the  whole  band  arrive  at  the  fountain,  from  whence  the 
two  streams,  Lethe  and  Eanoe,  separating,  flow  diflferent 
ways ;  and  Matilda,  at  tne  desire  of  Beatrice,  causes  ffur 
Poet  to  drink  of  the  latter  stream. 

**  The  heathen,*  Lord !  are  come  :**  responsiye  thus, 
The  trmal  now,  and  now  the  virgin  hand 
Quaternion,  their  sweet  psahnody  began, 
Weeping ;  and  Beatrice  listened,  sad  | 

And  sighing,  to  the  song,  in  such  a  mood, 
That  Mary,  as  she  stood  beside  the  cross,         [place 
Was  scarce  more  changed.    But  when  they  gave  her 
To  speak,  then,  risen  upright  on  her  feet, 
She,  with  a  color  glowing  bright  as  fire. 
Did  answer :  "  Yet  a  little  while,*  and  ye 
Shall  see  me  not ;  and,  my  beloved  sisters ! 
Again  a  little  while,  and  ye  shall  see  me" 

Before  her  then  she  marshallM  all-  the  seven ;    . 
And,  beckoning  only,  motion'd  me,  the  dame, 
And  that  remaining  sage,'  to  follow  her. 

So  on  she  passed ;  and  had  not  set,  I  ween, 
Her  tenth  step  to  the  ground,  when,  with  mine  eyef , 
Her  eyes  encoimter'd  ;  and,  with  visage  mild, 
"  So  mend  thy  pace,"  she  cried,  "  that  if  my  words 
Address  thee,  thou  mayst  still  be  aptly  placed 
To  hear  them."    Soon  as  duly  to  her  side 
I  now  had  faasten'd :  "  Brother  I"  she  began, 
<*  Why  makest  thou  no  attempt  at^iuestioning, 
As  thus  we  walk  together?"     Like  to  those 
Who,  speaking  with  too  reverent  an  awe 
Before  their  betters,  draw  not  forth  the  voice 
Alive  unto  their  lips,  befell  me  then 
That  I  in  sounds  imperfect  thus  began : 
"  Lady !  what  I  have  need  of,  that  thou  know'st ; 
And  what  will  suit  my  need."    She  answering  thus 
"  Of  fearfulness  and  shame,  I  will  that  thou 
Henceforth  do  rid  thee  ;  that  thou  speak  no  more, 
As  one  who  dreams.^    Thus  far  be  taught  of  me : 
The  vessel  which  thou  saw'st  the  serpent  break, 

1  Tke  heathe*.']  **  O  God,  the  heathen  are  come  into  thins 
inheritance.**    P»alm  Ixxix.  1. 

*  Tet  a  little  wHle.]  "  A  little  while,  and  ye  shall  not  see 
roe ;  and  again  a  little  whUe,  and  ye  shall  see  me."  Jaknt 
zvl.  16. 

*  That  remaining  »a£e.]    Statins 

*ja*9ne  vha  dretmt.]    Imitated  by  Petrarch,  L.  L  s.  41. 
■       Be  parole  fU« 
SonoUnpeifette  e  quMi  d*iioin  che  sogna. 


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35-50.  PURGATORY,  Camto  XXXUI.  397 

Was,  and  is  not :'  let  him»  who  hath  the  blame» 
Hope  not  to  scare  God's  vengeance  with  a  sop.' 
Without  an  heir  for  ever  shall  not  be 
That  eagle,*  he,  who  left  the  chariot  plumed, 
Which  monster  made  it  first  and  next  a  prey 
Piamly  I  view,  and  therefore  speak,  the  stars 
•  E'en  now  approaching,  whose  conjunction,  free 
From  all  impediment  and  bar,  brings  on 
A  season,  in  the  which,  one  sent  from  Grod, 
(Five  hundred,  five,  and  ten,  do  mark  him  out) 
That  foul  one,  and  the  accomplice  of  her  guilt. 
The  giant,  both,  shall  slay.     And  if  perchance 
My  saying,  dark  as  Themis  or  as  Sphinx, 
Fail  te  persuade  thee,  (since  like  them  it  foils 
The  intellect  with  blindness,)  yet  ere  long 
Events  shall  be  the  Naiads,^  that  will  solve 


1  Was,  and  i§  noU\  "The  beast  that  was,  and  is  not' 
Rev.,  xviL  11. 

*  Hope  not  to  start  Ooffs  vengeance  trith  a  sop.}  "  Let  not 
him  who  hath  occasioned  the  destraction  of  the  church,  that 
vessel  which  the  serpent  brake,  hope  to  appease  the  anger  of 
the  Deity  by  any  outward  acts  of  religions,  or  rather  super 
stitious  ceremony;  snch  as  was  tha^  in  oar  Poet's  time, 
performed  by  a  murderer  at  Florence,  who  imagined  himself 
secure  from  vengeance,  if  he  ate  a'  sop  of  bread  in  wine  upon 
the  grave  of  the  person  murdered,  within  the  space  of  nine 
days." 

*  TTkat  eagle.]  He  prognosticates  that  the  Emperor  of 
Germany  will  not  always  continue  to  submit  to  the  usurpa- 
tions of  the  Pope,  and  foretells  the  coming  of  Henry  VlL 
Dake  of  Luxemlnirgh,  signified  by  the  numerical  Mures 
DVX ;  or,  as  Lombardi  supposes,  of  Can  Grande  della  Scala, 
appointed  the  leader  of  the  GhibelUne  forces.  It  is  unneces- 
sary to  point  out  the  imitatioa  of  the  Apocalypse  in  the  man- 
ner of  this  prophecy. 

Troya  assigns  reasons  for  appl^ng  the  prediction  to  Ugue 
clone  della  Fagglola,  rather  than  to  Henry  or  Can  Grande. 
VelUt>  Allegorico  di  Dante,  Edlz.  1886,  p.  143.  But  see  my 
note,  H.  i.  103. 

*  71«  AVusif.]  Dante,  it  is  observed,  has  been  led  into  a 
mistake  by  a  cormptioa  in  the  text  of  Ovid's  Metam.,  1.  vlL 
757,  where  he  found— 

Carmina  Naiades  non  intelleeta  prionun 

Solvnnt 
instead  of 

Carmina  Lalades  noa  intelleeta  inri(Mrum 

Solverat. 
as  it  has  been  since  eorrected  by  Heinsius. 

Lombardi,  after  Rosa  Moranda,  questions  the  proprietv  of 
this  emendation,  and  refers  to  Pansanlas,where  "  tM  Nymplis** 
Me  spoken  of  at  ezpoimden  of  oracles,  for  a  vindicatioBof  th« 
poet*  s  aMUiaey. 


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308  THE  VISION.  Sl-n 

This  knotty  ikMUb ,  and  no  damage  light* 

On  flock  or  field.    Take  heed ;  a[nd  as  these  wovdf 

By  me  are  uttered,  teach  them  even  so. 

To  those  who  lire  that  life,  which  is  a  race 

To  death :  and  when  thou  writest  them,  keep  in  mind 

Not  to  conceal  how  thou  hast  seen  the  plant, 

That  twice*  hath  now  been  spoil'd.  This  whoso  robs, , 

Hiis  whoso  plucks,  with  blasphemy  of  deed 

Sins  agamst  God,  who  for  his  use  alone 

Creating  hallowM  it    For  taste  of  this. 

In  pam  and  in  desire,  five  thousand  years* 

And  upward,  the  first  soul  did  yearn  for  him 

Who  punish'd  in  himself  .the  fatal  gust 

'*  Thy  reason  slumbers,  if  it  deem  this  hei^t, 
And  summit  thus  mverted,^  of  the  i^ant. 
Without  due  cause :  and  were  not  vainer  thoughts. 
As  Elsa's  numbing  waters,*  to  thy  soul, 
And  their  fond  pleasures  had  not  dyed  it  dark 
As  Pyramus  the  mulberry ;  thou  hadst  seen,* 
In  such  momentous  curcumstance  alone, 
God's  equal  justice  morally  implied 
In  the  forbidden  tree.    But  since  I  mark  thee, 
In  understanding,  harden'd  into  stone. 

Should  the  reader  blaioe  me  tat  not  departing  from  the 
error  of  the  original,  (if  error  It  be,)  he  may  snbstitote 
Events  shall  be  the  (Edlpos  will  solve,  ice, 
1  JV*0  damage  light.] 

Protinas  Aonlls  immissa  est  belloa  Tbebis, 
Cessit  et  exitio  mnltis ;  pecorique  sibique 
Rmricole  pavere  feram.  Ovid^  ihid, 

s  ThDtee.]  First  by  the  eagle  and  next  by  the  giant  See 
the  last  Canto,  v.  110,  and  v.  154. 

•  Fiv$  thousand  fears.]  That  such  was  the  opinion  of  the 
church,  Lombard!  shows  by  a  reference  to  Baronios.  Martyr. 
Rom.,  Dec.  S5.  Anno  a  creatione  mnndi,  onando  a  principio 
creavit  Dens  coelum  et  terram,  qninqnies  millesimo  eenteslmc 
nonagesimo— Jesns  Christos— conceptns.  Edit  Col.  Agripp., 
4to,  1610,  p.  858. 

<  Inverted.]  The  branches,  unlike  those  of  other  trees, 
spreading  more  widely  the  higher  they  rose.  See  the  last 
Canto,  V.  39. 

•  Elsa*s  numHng  waters.]  The  Elsa,  a  little  stream,  which 
flows  into  the  Amo  about  twenty  miles  below  Florence,  is 
said  to  possess  a  petrifying  qnaUty.  Fazio  degU  Uberti,  at  the 
conclusion  of  Cap.  viii  L  3,  of  the  Dlttamondo,  mentions  a 
successfhl  experiment  he  lutd  himself  made  of  the  property 
here  attributed  to  it 

•  1%suhadst  sesnA  This  is  obscure.  But  it  would  seem  as 
If  he  meant  to  incaicate  his  fovorite  doctrine  of  the  invlo- 
toUlity  of  the  empire,  and  of  the  care  taken  by  Provldeiioe  Is 
protect  it 


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74-92.  PURGATORY,  Canto  XXXm.        390 

And,  to  that  hardness,  spotted  too  and  stamM, 

So  that  thine  eye  is  dazzled  at  my  word ; 

I  will,  that,  if  not  written,  yet  at  least 

Painted  thou  take  it  in  thee,  for  the  cause,   [palm.*' 

That  one  brings  home   his  staff  inwreath'd  with 

I  thus :  **  As  wax  by  seal,  that  changeth  not 
Its  impress,  now  is  stamped  my  brain  by  thee. 
But  wherefore  soars  thy  wish'd-for  speech  so  high 
Beyond  my  sight,  that  loses  it  the  more. 
The  more  it  strains  to  reach  it  ?" — "  To  the  end 
That  thou  mayst  know,"  she  answerM  straight, "  the 
That  thou  hast  foUow'd ;  and  how  far  behmd,  [school, 
When  following  my  discourse,  its  learning  halts : 
And  mayst  behold  your  art,^  from  the  divine 
As  distant,  as  the  disagreement  is  [orb." 

'Twixt  earth  and  heaven's  most  high  and  rapturous 

"  I  not  remember,"  I  replied,  **  that  e'er 
I  was  estranged  from  thee ;  nor  for  such  fault 
Doth  conscience  chide  me."    Smilmg  she  retum'd : 


1  Tliat  one  brings  home  kU  staff  inwreath'd  vith  palm.\ 
'*  For  the  same  cause  that  the  palmer,  returning  from  Pales* 
tine,  brings  home  his  staff,  or  bourdon,  bound  with  palm,** 
that  is,  to  show  where  he  has  been. 

Che  si  reca  *1  bordon  di  palma  cinto. 

"  It  is  to  be  understood,"  says  our  Poet  in  the  Vita  Nnova« 
**  that  people,  who  go  on  the  service  of  the  Most  High,  are 
probably  named  in  three  ways.  They  are  named  palmers^ 
inasmuch  as  they  go  beyond  sea,  A-om  whence  they  oAen 
bring  back  the  palm.  Inasmnch  as  they  go  to  the  house  of 
Galicia,  they  are  called  pilgrims ;  because  the  sepulchre  of 
8t  James  was  iiirther  mm  his  country  than  that  of  any 
other  Apostle.  They  are  called  Bomei,"  (for  which  I  know 
of  no  other  word  we  have  in  English  except  Roamert,)  *'  in- 
asmuch as  they  go  to  Rome."  p.  275. 

**  In  regard  to  the  word  bourtUm^  why  it  has  been  applied  to 
a  pilgrim's  staff,  it  is  not  easy  to  guess.  I  believe,  however, 
that  this  hame  has  been  g^ven  to  such  sort  of  staves,  because 
pill^ms  usually  travel  and  perform  their  pilgrim^es  on  foot, 
their  staves  serving  them  instead  of  horses  or  mules,  then 
called  bourdons  and  burdones,  by  writers  in  the  middle  ages." 
Mr.  Johnes'B  Translation  ofJoinville's  Memoirs,  Dissertation 
xv^  by  M.  du  Cange,  p- 152,  4to  edit. 

The  word  is  thrice  used  by  Chaucer  in  the  Romaimt  of  the 
Rose. 

9  Mayst  btkold  your  art.}  The  second  persons,  singular  and 
{Aural,  are  here  used  intentionally  by  our  author,  the  one 
referring  to  himself  alone,  the  second  to  mankind  in  general. 
Compare  Hell,  xi.  107.  But  I  will  follow  the  example  of 
Bmnek,  who,  in  a  note  on  a  passage  in  the  Philoctetes  of 
Sophocles,  V.  309,  where  a  similar  distinction  requires  to  be 
made,  says  that  it  would  be  lidicaloaB  to  multiply  tnitaaeef 
la  a  matter  lo  well  known. 


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400  THE  VISION.  93-12t 

« If  thon  canst  not  remember,  call  to  mind     • 
How  lately  thou  hast  drunk  of  Lethe's  waye ; 
And,  sure  as  smoke  doth  indicate  a  flame, 
In  that  forgetfuInesB  itself  conclude 
Blame  from  thy  alienated  will  incurred. 
•From  henceforth,  verily,  my  words  shall  be 
As  naked,  as  will  suit  them  to  appear 
In  thy  unpractised  view."     More  sparkling  now» 
And  with  retarded  course,  the  sun  possessM 
The  circle  of  mid-day,  that  varies  still 
As  the  aspect  varies  of  each  several  clime ; 
When,  as  one,  sent  in  vaward  of  a  troop 
For  escort,  pauses,  if  perchance  he  spy 
Vestige  of  somewhat  strange  and  rare  ;  so  paused 
The  sevenfold  band,  arriving  at  the  verge 
Of  a  dun  umbrage  hoar,  such  as  is  seen. 
Beneath  green  leaves  and  gloomy  branches,  oft 
To  overbrow  a  bleak  and  alpine  cUS. 
And,  where  they  stood,  before  them,  as  it  seem'd. 
I,  Tigris  and  Euphrates'  both,  beheld 
Forth  from  one  fountain  issue ;  and,  like  friends, 
Linger  at  parting.     "  O  enlightening  beam ! 
O  glory  of  our  kind !  beseech  thee  say 
What  water  this,  which,  from  one  source  derived 
Itself  removes  to  distance  from  itself?" 

To  such  entreaty  answer  thus  was  made : 
«  Entreat  Matilda,  that  she  teach  thee  this." 

And  here,  as  one  who  clears  himself  of  blame 
Imputed,  the  fair  dame  retum'd :  "  Of  me 
He  this  and  more  hath  leamM ;  and  I  am  safe 
That  Lethe's  water  hath  not  hid  it  from  him." 

And  Beatrice :  *'  Some  more  pressing  care. 
That  oft  the  memory  'reaves,  perchance  hath  matae 
His  mind's  eye  dark.    But  lo,  where  Eunoe  flow»-  / 


1  SopmuedJ]  Lombard!  imagines  that  the  seven  nirmplM. 
who  represent  the  foor  cardinal  and  the  three  evaagetjcal 
▼irtnes,  are  made  to  stop  at  the  verge  of  the  shade,  becaoM 
retirement  is  the  fhend  of  every  virtaoos  quality  and  spMtoal 
gift. 
'  /,  TigriM  and  Eupkrate*.] 

dnaque  capnt  rapido  toliit  cam  Tigride  magnus 
Euphrates,  tiuos  non  diversis  fontibns  edit 
Persis.  Luean.^  Phar».f  lib.  IIL  358. 

Tigris  et  Euphrates  uno  se  fonte  resolvunt. 

Boetiua  de  Consol,  Philosophy  lib.  v.  Metr  L 

1&  oltre  ond*  esce 

D^im  medesimo  fonte  Eofrate  e  Tigre. 

Potrarcii,  Son.  MU  Fmteri^  4ni 


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I27-I4a.     PURGATORY,  Canto  XXXUI.  401 

Lead  thither ;  and,  as  thou  art  wont,  revive 

His  fainting  virtue."     As  a  courteous  spirit, 

That  profiers  no  excuses,  but  as  soon . 

As  he  hath  token  of  another's  will, 

Makes  it  his  own ;  when  she  had  ta*en  me,  thus 

The  lovely  maiden  moved  her  on,  and  call'd 

To  Statins,  with  an  air  most  lady-like : 

"  Come  thou  with  him."    Were  further  space  allow'di 

Then,  Reader !  might  I  sing,  though  but  in  part, 

That  beverage,  with  whose  sweetness  I  had  ne'er 

Been  sated.     But,  since  all  the  leaves  are  full. 

Appointed  for  this  second  strain,  mine  art 

With  warning  bridle  checks  me.     I  retum'd 

From  the  most  holy  wave,  regenerate. 

E'en  as  new  plants  renew'd*  with  foliage  new. 

Pure  and  made  apt  for  mounting  to  the  stars. 

1  Renewed  ] 

come  piante  novelle 

Rinnovellate'da  novella  fh)nda. 

80  new  this  new-borne  knight  to  battle  new  did  rise. 

Spejuer^  Fhenf  Queene^  b.  i.  c.  xi.  st.  34. 
**  Rinnovellate**  is  another  of  those  words  which  Chancer 
in  vain  endeavored  to  introduce  into  our  language  from  the 
Italian,  unless  it  be  supposed  that  he  rather  borrowed  it  from 
the  French.  •'  Certes  ones  a  yere  at  the  lest  way  It  is  lawftil 
to  ben  honseled,  fot  sothely  ones  a  yere  all  things  in  the  earth 
lenorelen.**    The  Perwu^s  Date. 


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THE  VISION  OF  DANTE. 


PARADISE. 


CANTO    I. 


ARGUMENT. 
The  Pcet  ascends  with  Beatrice  towards  the  first  heaven; 
and  is,  by  her,  resolved  of  certain  doabts  which  arise  in  hlf 
mind. 

Hi8  glory,  by  whose  might  all  things  are  moved, 
Pierces  the  universe,'  and  in  one  part 
Sheds  more  resplendence,  elsewhere  less.    In  heaven 
That  largeliest  of  his  light  partakes,  was  I, 
Witness  of  things,  which,  to  relate  again, 
Surpasseth  power  of  hun  who  comes  from  thence ; 
For  that,  so  near  approaching  its  desure, 
Our  intellect  is  to  such  depth  absorbed, 
That  memory  cannot  follow.    Nathless  all, 
That  in  my  thoughts  I  of  that  sacred  realm 
Could  store,  shall  now^  be  matter  of  my  song. 
-—  _    »_ 

^  Pierces  the  univeree.']    Per  l*aniverso  penetra,  9cc. 

his  magnetic  beam,  that  gently  warms 

The  universe,  and  to  each  inward  part 
With  gentle  penetration^  thongh  unseen, 
Shoots  invirible  virtne  ev*n  to  the  deep. 

Milton,  P.  L.,  b.  ill  5M 
*  Shall  now.]    Sar&  ora  materia  del  mio  canto. 


Shall  be  the  copious  matter  of  my  song. 


b.  iii.  413. 


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404  THE  VISION,  lS-30 

Benigu  Apollo  !^  this  last  labor  aid ; 
And  make  me  such  a  vessel  of  thy  worth. 
As  thy  own  laurel  claims,  of  me  beloved. 
Thus  far*  hath  one  of  steep  Parnassus'  brows 
Sufficed  me ;  henceforth,  there  is  need  of  both 
For  my  remaining  enterprise.     Do  thou* 
Enter  into  my  bosom,  and  there  breathe 
So,*  as  when  MarsyaS*  by  thy  hand  Was  diagg'd 
Forth  from  his  limbs,  unsheathed.     O  power  divine  I 
If  thou  to  me  of  thine  impart  so  much, 
That  of  that  happy  realm  the  shadowM  form 
Traced  in  my  thoughts  I  may  set  forth  to  vit  w ; 
Thou  shalt  behold  me  of  thy  favor'd  tree 
Come  to  the  foot,  and  crown  myself  with  leaves : 
For  U  that  honor  thou,  and  my  high  theme 
Will  fit  me.     If  but  seldom,  mighty  Sire ! 
To  grace  his  triumph,  gathers  thence  a  wreath 
Cassar,  or  bard,*  (more  shame  for  human  wills 
Depraved,)  joy  to' the  Delphic  god  must  sjuing 

^  Benign  Apollo.]    Chancer  has  Smitmted  this  invocatios 
very  closely,  at  the  beginning  of  the  Third  Booke  of  Fame. 
If,  divine  vertue,  thou 
Wilt  helpe  roe  to  shewe  now 
That  in  my  head  ymarked  is, 


Thon  Shalt  see  me  go  as  blive 
Unto  the  next  lanrer  I  see. 
And  kisse  it,  for  it  is  thy  tree. 
Now  entre  Uion  my  breast  anone. 

3  Tkuafar.]  He  appears  to  mean  nothing  more  than  that 
this  part  of  his  poem  will  require  a  greater  exertion  of  his 
powers  than  the  former. 

*  Do  thou.]  Make  me  thine  Instrument ;  and,  through  me, 
ntter  such  sound  as  when  thon  didst  contend  with  Mp*- 
syas. 

*  Marsyas.]    Ovid,  Met,  lib.  vi.  fab.  7.    Compare  Boccac^ 


cio.  II  Filocopo.,  lib.  v.  p.  35.  v.  11.  Ediz.  Fir.  1723.  "  £^lt 
nel  mlo  petto  entrl,**  ice.—**  May  he  enter  my  bosom,  and  m 
my  voi*^  sound  like  his  own,  when  hie  made  that  daring  mor 


tal  deserve  to  come  forth  unsheathed  ftom  his  limbs." 
*  Gmot,  or  bard  ]    So  Petrarch,  Son.  Par.  TMma. 

•         Arbor  vittorlo&x  trlonfele, 

Onor  d*  Imperauorl  e  dl  poetL 

And  Frezzl.    n  Qoadrlr.,  lib.  ill.  cap.  14. 
— — -  alloro, 
Che  imperatorl  e*  poetl  corona. 

And  Spenser.    F.  Q.,  b.  i.  c.  1,  st.  9. 

The  laurel,  meed  of  mighty  conqueronn, 
And  poets  sage. 


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nsx  PARADISE,  Canto  I.  405 

From  the  Peneian  foliage,  when  one  breast 
Is  with  such  thirst  inspired.    From  a  small  spark' 
Great  flame  hath  risen :  after  me,  perchance, 
Others  with  better  voice  may  pray,  and  gain. 
From  the  CyrrhsBan  city,  answer  kmd. 

Through  divers  passages,  the  world's  bright  lamp 
Rises  to  mortals  ;  but  tlu*ough  that'  which  joins 
Four  circles  with  the  threefold  cross,  in  best 
Course,  and  in  happiest  constellation*  set, 
He  comes ;  and,  to  the  worldly-  wax,  best  gives 
Its  temper  and  impression.    Morning  there,^ 
Here  eve  was  well  nigh  by  such  passage  made ; 
And  whiteness  had  o'erspread  that  hemisphere. 
Blackness  the  other  part  ;'when  to  the  lefL^ 
I  saw  Beatrice  tum*d,  and  on  the  sun 
Gazing,  as  never  eagle  fix'd  his  ken. 
As  from  the  first  a  second  beam*  is  wont 
To  issue,  and  reflected  upwards  rise. 
Even  as  a  pilgrim  bent  on  his  return ; 
So  of  her  act,  that  through  the  eyesight  pass'd 
Into  my  fancy,  mine  was  form'd :  and  straight, 
Beyond  our  mortal  wont,  I  fix'd  mine  eyef 
Upon  the  sun.    Much  is  allow'd  us  there, 

^  Fhfm  a  tmall  tpark.] 

—  roXXdv  r'  8ptt  n^p  i^  iAg 
'LicipiMToi  ivOopdv  itffTuffCv  CXay. 

Upon  the  mountain  from  one  spark  hath  leapt 
The  fire,  that  hath  a  mighty  forest  bnm'd. 

Pindar,  Pytk,  liL  07. 
s  Tlirougk  tkoL']    **  Where  the  fonr  circles,  the  hoiiEon,  the 
aodlac,  the  equator,  and  the  equinoctial  colore  join ;  the  last 
three  Intersectinc  each  other  so  as  to  form  three  crosses,  at 
may  be  seen  In  the  armillary  sphere." 

*  In  happiest  eonsteUation.']  Aries.  Some  understand  the 
planet  Venus  by  the  "  miglior  stella." 

*  Morning  there.']  It  was  morning  where  he  then  was,  and 
about  eventide  on  the  earth. 

^  To  the  l^t."]  Being  in  the  opposite  hemisphere  to  oon^ 
Beatrice,  that  she  may  behold  the  rising  sun,  turns  herself  to 
the  left. 

*  Ae  from  the  iirgt  a  eeeond  beam.]  "  Like  a  reflected  sun 
beam,*'  which  he  ciunpares  to  a  pilgrim  hastening  hone- 
Wards. 

Ne  simil  tanto  mat  raggio  secondo 

Dal  prime  usci.  FUicaja,  canz.  zv.  st  4. 

fficnt  vlr  in  peregrinatione  constitutus,  <Mnni  studio,  om 
nlque  conatn  doroum  redire  festinat,  ac  retrorsum  non  resph 
cit  sed  ad  domum,  quam  reliquerat,  reverti  desiderat.  Alberie% 


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409  •    THE  VISION.  S«-qi 

That  here  exeeedi  our  power ;  thanki  to  the  |daee 
Made'  for  the  dwelUng^  of  the  hnman  kind 

I  snfl^d  it  not  long ;  and  yet  so  long, 
That  I  beheld  it  bickering  iparin  around, 
As  iron  that  comes  boiling  from  the  fire.* 
And  suddenly  upon  the  day  appeared* 
A  day  new-risen ;  as  he,  who  hath  the  power, 
Had  with  another  sun  bedeck'd  the  sky. 

Her  eyes  fast  fix'd  on  the  eternal  wheels,* 
Beatrice  stood  unmoyed ;  and  I  with  ken 
Fix'd  upon  her,  ih>m  upward  gaze  removed, 
At  her  aspect,  such  inwardly  became 
As  Glaucus,*  when  he  tasted  of  the  herb 
That  made  him  peer  among  the  ocean  gods : 
Words  may  not  tell  of  that  transhuman  change ; 
And  thextfore  let  the  example  serve,  though  weak« 
For  those  whom  grace  hath  better  proof  in  store. 

>  Made.]  And  therefore  best  adapted,  says  Veatiuri,  to  the 
good  temperament  and  vigor  of  the  hnman  body  and  its  fae- 
nities.  The  Poet  speaks  of  the  terrestrial  paradise  where  he 
then  was. 

s  j9«  iron  that  comes  hotline  from  the  Jire.\  Ardentem;  et 
scintillas  emittentem,  ae  si  ferrum  cum  de  fornace  trahitnr. 
Mberiei  Vieioy  $  5.    This  simile  is  repeated,  $  16. 

SoMUton.    P.  L.,  b.  iU.  594. 

—  As  glowing  iron  with  fire. 

*  Upon  the  day  affear'd.] 

If  the  heaven  had  ywonne 

All  new  of  God  another  sunne. 

Chancer^  Ftrei  Booke  of  Faimie, 
E  par  ch*  aggionga  nn  altro  sole  al  cielo. 

Arioeio^  Q.  F.,  c.  z.  it  109. 
Ed  eeeo  an  Instro  lampeggiar  ^  Intonio 
Che  sole  a  sole  agglonse  e  giomo  a  giomo. 

Marinot  jidone^t  c  zL  St.  27. 
dnando  a  paro  col  sol  ma  pin  Incente 
L*angelo  gU  appari  snll*  oiiente.       7W««,  O.  Z..,  c.  i. 

seems  another  mom 

Ri8*n  on  mid-noon.  Milton,  P.  Z..,  b.  v.  311. 

Cknnpare  Euripides.    Ion.  1550.    ^AvO^Xiov  itf6mntovn 

*  Eternal  whede.]  The  heavens,  eternal,  and  always  cir- 
ding. 

*  Jl»  OUuutuM.]  Ovid.,  Met.,  Ub.  ziU.  &b.  9.  Plato,  In  the 
tenth  book  of  the  Repablic,  makes  a  very  noble  comparison 
tmm  Glaucns,  bat  applies  it  differently.  Edit  Bipont,  voL 
vii.  p.  317.  Berkeley  appears  not  to  have  been  aware  of  the 
passage,  when  he  says  that  *'Procliis  compares  the  sool,  in 
oer  descent  invested  with  growinc  prejndices,  to  Glaueus 
diving  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  and:  there  contracting  divers 
eoats  of  sea-weed,  coral,  and  shells,  wUeh  stick  close  to  him, 
%nd  conceal  his  tme  shape.**    Sirie.;  Ed.  1744,  p.  151. 


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71-108  PARADISE,  Canto  I.  407 

If  ^  I  were  only  what  thou  didst  create, 
Then  newly,  Love !  by  whom  the  heayen  is  ruled ; 
Thou  know'st,  who  by  thy  light  didst  bear  me  up. 
When  as  the  wheel  which  thou  dost  oyer  guide, 
Desired  Spirit !  with  its  harmony,* 
Tempered  of  thee  and  measured,  charm*d  mine  ear 
Then  seem'd  to  me  so  much  of  heayen'  to  blaze 
With  the  sun's  flame,  that  rain  or  flood  ne'er  made 
A  lake  so  broad.    The  newness  of  the  sound. 
And  that  great  light,  inflamed  me  with  desbre. 
Keener  than  e'er  was  felt,  to  know  their  cause. 

Whence  she,  who  saw  me,  clearly  as  myself, 
To  calm  my  troubled  mmd,  before  I  ask'd, 
Open'd  her  lips,  and  gracious  thus  began : 
<<  With  false  imagination  thou  thyself 
Makest  dull ;  so  that  thou  seest  not  the  thing. 
Which  thou  hadst  seen,  had  that  been  shaken  oiC 
Thou  art  not  on  the  earth  as  thou  believest ; 
For  lightning,  scaped  from  its  own  proper  place. 
Ne'er  ran,  as  thou  hast  hither  now  retum'd." 

Although  diyested  of  my  first-raised  doubt 
By  those  brief  words  accompanied  with  smiles. 
Yet  in  new  doubt  was  I  entangled  more. 
And  said :  '*  Already  satisfied,  I  rest 
From  admiration  deep ;  but  now  admire 
How  I  aboye  those  lighter  bodies  rise." 

Whence,  after  utterance  of  a  piteous  sigh. 
She  towards  me  bent  her  eyes,  with  such  a  look, 
As  on  her  phrensied  child  a  mother  casts ; 
Then  thus  began :  "  Among  themselves  all  things 
Have  order ;  and  from  hence  the  form,^  which  makes 
The  universe  resemble' God.    In  this 

>  If.]  **Thoii.  O  divine  Spirit,  Imowest  whether  I  had  not 
risen  above  my  human  nature,  and  were  not  merely  such  as 
Ibon  hadst  then  fonned  ine.** 

*  Mtammtif.]    The  hannony  of  the  spheres. 

And  after  that  the  melodle  herd  he 
That  Cometh  of  thilke  speris  thryis  three, 
That  welles  of  mnsike  ben  and  melodie 
In  this  world  here,  and  cause  of  hannonie. 

Ckaueert  Tke  AnsenMe  of  FMiet* 
— — —  In  their  motion  hannony  divine 
So  smooths  her  channinc  tones,  that  God*s  own  ear 
listens  delighted.  MUton,  P.  L^  b.  v.  827. 

*  8o  muck  of  1uaaoem,\  Tlie  sphere  of  fire,  as  Lombardi  well 
eznlainsit. 

^RromhomcetJuft/rm.l  This  older  it  Is,  that  gives  to  the 
«Biverse  the  form  of  unity,  and  therefora  of  resemblanee  is 
Qod.    . 


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408  THE  VISION.  103-lli 

The  higher  creatures  see  the  printed  stepi 
Of  that  eternal  worth,  which  is  the  end 
Whither  the  line  is  drawn.'    All  natures  lean. 
In  this  their  order,  diversely ;  some  more, 
Some  less  approaching  to  their  primal  source. 
Thus  they  to  different  havens  are  moved  on 
Through  the  vast  sea  of  being,  and  each  one 
With  instinct  given,  that  bears  it  m  its  course : 
This  to  the  lunar  sphere  directs  the  fire ; 
This  moves  the  hearts  of  mortal  animals ; 
This  the  brute  earth  together  knits,  and  bmds. 
Nor  only  creatures,  void  of  intellect, 
Are  aim'd  at  by  this  bow ;  but  even  those, 
That  have  intelligence  and  love,  are  pierced. 
That  Providence,  who  so  well  orders  all. 
With  her  own  light  makes  ever  cahn  the  heaven,' 
In  which  the  substance,  that  hath  greatest  speed,' 
Is  tum'd :  and  thither  now,  as  to  our  seat 
Predestined,  we  are  carried  by  the  force 
Of  that  strong  cord,  that  never  looses  dart 
But  at  fair  aim  and  glad.    Yet  b  it  true. 
That  as,  oft-times,  but  ill  accords  the  form 
To  the  design  of  art,  through  sluggishness^ 

1  JVkither  the  line  is  drawn.]  All  things,  as  they  have 
their  beginning  fh>m  the  Supreme  Being,  so  are  they  referred 
to  Him  again. 

s  The  heaven.]  The  empyrean,  which  is  always  motioii 
less. 

*  The  enhtanee,  that  hath  greatest  speed.]  The  .primnm 
mobile. 

*  T%ronffh  sluggishness.] 

Perch'  a  risponder  la  materia  k  Bcnrda. 
So  Filicaja,  canz.  vi.  st.  9. 

Perche  a  risponder  la  discordia  h  sorda. 

**  The  workman  hath  in  his  heart  a  purpose,  he  carrieth  in 
mind  the  whole  form  which  his  w(m1c  should  have ;  there 
wanteth  not  in  him  skill  and  desire  to  bring  his  labor  to  the 
best  effect ;  only  the  matter,  which  he  hath  to  work  on,  is 
unframable."   ^Hooker's  Eccl.  Polity,  b.  v.  $  9. 

Our  Poet,  in  his  De  Monarchic,  has  expressed  the  same 
thought  more  fully.  "  Sciendum,  &c.,"  lib.  ii.  p.  115.  *'  We 
must  know,  that  as  art  Is  found  in  a  triple  degree,  in  the 
mind  that  is  of  the  artist,  in  the  instrument,  and  in  the 
matter  formed  by  art.  so  we  may  contemplate  nature  also  in 
a  triple  degree.  For  nature  is  in  the  mind  of  the  first  mover, 
who  is  God ;  then  in  heaven,  as  in  an  instrument,  by  means 
of  which  the  similitude  of  the  eternal  goodness  is  unfolded 
In  variable  matter:  and,  as  the  artist  being  perfect,  and  the 
instrument  in  the  best  order,  if  there  is  any  fault  in  the  form 
of  art,  it  Is  to  be  imputed  only  to  the  matter;  so,  since  God 
reaches  to  the  end  of  perfection,  and  his  instrument,  which 
VI  heaven,  is  not  in  any  wise  deficient  of  due  perfectton,  (jak 


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190-137.  PARADISE,  Canto  II.  40ft 

Of  unreplying  matter ;  so  this  courae^ 
Is  sometimes  quitted  by  the  creature,  who 
Hath  power,  directed  thus,  to  bend  elsewhere ; 
As  from  a  cloud  the  fire  is  seen  to  fall, 
From  its  origfinal  impulse  warp'd,  to  earth. 
By  vicious  fondness.    Thou  no  more  admire 
Thy  soarincr,  (if  I  rightly  deem,)  than  lapse 
Of  torrent  downwards  fiiom  a  mountain's  height 
There  would*  in  thee  for  wonder  be  more  cause, 
If,  free  of  hinderance,  thou  hadst  stay'd  below, 
As  living  fire  unmoved  upon  the  earth.'' 
So  sud,  she  tum'd  toward  the  heaven  her  face. 


CANTO    II. 


ARGUMENT. 

Dante  and  his  celestial  guide  enter  the  moon.  The  e&use  of 
the  spots  or  shadows,  which  appear  in  that  body,  is  ex- 
plained to  him. 

All  ye,  who  in  small  bark'  have  foUowmg  sail'd, 
Eager  to  listen,  on  the  adventurous  track 
Of  my  proud  keel,  that  singing  cuts  her  way. 
Backward  return  with  speed,  and  your  own  shores 
Revisit ;  nor  put  out  to  open  sea, 
Where  losing  me,  perchance  ye  may  remain 
Bewilder'd  in  deep  maze.    The  way  I  pass, 
Ne'er  yet  was  run :  Minerva  breathes  the  gale  ; 
Apollo  guides  me  ;  and  another  Nine, 

appears  from  what  we  know  by  philosophy  concerning  heay^ 
en)  it  remaineth  that  wliatever  malt  is  in  inferior  things,  is  a 
fanlt  of  the  matter  worked  on,  and  clean  beside  the  Intentloa 
of  God  and  of  heaven.*' 

1  Tlt«  course.]    Some  beings,  abusing  the  liberty  gtvea 
them  by  God,  are  repugnant  to  the  order  established  by  Him. 
>  TTkere  teould.]    Hence,  perhaps,  Milton : 

in  our  proper  moUon  we  ascend 

Up  to  oar  native  seat :  descent  and  fall 
To  as  were  adverse.  P.  Z..,  b.  IL  v.  77. 

•  Jn  nuUl  bMTk.] 

Ck>a  la  barchetta  mia  cantando  in  rima. 

Ptdeif  Mwg,  Magg.y  c.  xxviU. 
lo  me  n*andrb  eon  la  barchetta  mia, 
Qaaoto  I'acqaa  comp<Mrta  on  picciol  legna  MAs 

Ch^y,  shall  my  little  bark  attendant  sail  1 
^  ^  Pqim,  X*»ay  o%  Man^  Ep.  iv 


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410  IHE  VISiON.  «r^ 

To  my  rapt  Bigfat,  the  aictic  beams  leyeaL 
Ye  other  few  who  have  oatstretch'd  the  neck 
Timely  for  food  of  angels,  on  which  here 
They  live,  yet  never  know  satiety ; 
Through  the  deep  brine  ye  fearless  may  pat  out 
Your  vessel ;  marking  well  the  furrow  broad 
Before  you  in  the  wave,  that  on  both  sides 
Equal  returns.    Those,  glorious,  who  pass'd  o'er 
To  Colchos,  wonder'd  not  as  ye  will  do, 
When  they  saw  Jason  following  the  plough. 

The  increate  perpetual  thirst,'  that  draws 
Toward  the  realm  of  Grod's  own  form,  bore  us 
Swift  almost  as  the  heaven  ye  behold. 

Beatrice  upward  gazed,  and  I  on  her ; 
And  in  such  space  as  on  the  notch  a  dart 
Is  placed,  then  loosen'd  flies,  I  saw  myself 
Arrived,  where  wondrous  thing  engaged  my  right 
Whence  she,  to  whom  no  care  of  mine  was  hid. 
Turning  to  me,  with  aspect  glad  as  fair, 
Bespake  me :  <<  Gratefully  durect  thy  mind 
To  Grod,  through  whom  to  this  first  star^  we  come.*' 

Meseem'd  as  if  a  cloud  had  cover'd  us. 
Translucent,  solid,  firm,  and  polish'd  bright. 
Like  adamant,  which  the  sun's  beam  had  smit 
Within  itself  the  ever-during  pearl 
Received  us ;  as  the  wave  a  ray  of  light 
Receives,  and  rests  unbroken.    If  I  then 
Was  of  coiporeal  frame,  and  it  transcend 
Our  weaker  thought,  how  one  dimension  thus. 
Another  could  endure,  which  needs  must  be 
If  body  enter  body ;  how  much  more 
Must  the  desire  iimame  us  to  behold 
That  essence,  which  discovers  by  what  means 
God  and  our  nature  join'd !    There  will  be  seen 
That,  which  we  hold  through  faith ;  not  shown  by 
But  in  itself  intelligibly  plain,  [proofs 

E'en  as  the  truth'  that  man  at  first  believes. 


1  The  inereate  perpOual  tktrtt.]  The  desire  of  celestial 
beatitude,  natural  to  tlie  souL 

*  This  first  star,]    The  moon. 

s  E'en  as  the  truth,]  '*IAke  a  truth,  that  does  not  need 
demonstration,  trat  is  self-evident."  Tlius  Plato,  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  Sixth  Book  of  the  Republic,  lays  down  ibar 
ivinciples  of  information  in  the  human  mind :  **  1st,  intuittcm 
of  selfevident  truth,  v6ri<ris;  3d,  demonstration  by  reasoning, 
iidwoia;  3d,  belief  «^n  testimony,  vtans;  4th,  probability,  or 


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4T-7»,  PARADISE,  Canto  n.  411 

I  aiiswer*d:  **  Lady !  I  with  thoughls  deyrat. 
Such  as  I  best  can  fhune,  give  thanks  to  hun. 
Who  hath  removed  me  from  the  mortsd  world. 
But  tell,  I  pray  thee,  whence  the  gloomy  spots 
Upon  this  body,  which  below  on  earth 
Give  rise  to  talk  of  Cam'  in  fabling  quamt?" 

She  somewhat  smiled,  then  spake :  **  If  mortals  erf 
In  their  opinion,  when  the  key  of  sense 
Unlocks  not,  surely  wonder's  weapon  keen 
Ought  not  to  pierce  thee :  since  thou  find'st»  the  wingi 
Of  reason  to  pursue  the  senses'  flight 
Are  short.    But  what  thy  own  thought  is,  declare." 

Then  I :  "  What  various  here  above  appeaoi. 
Is  caused,  I  deem,  by  bodies  dense  or  rare.'*' 

She  then  resumed :  "  Thou  certainly  wilt  see 
In  falsehood  thy  belief  o'erwhelm'd,  if  well 
Thou  listen  to  the  arguments  which  I 
Shall  bring  to  face  it    The  eighth  sphere  displays 
Numberless  lights,'  the  which,  in  kmd  and  size, 
May  be  remarked  of  different  aspects : 
If  rare  or  dense  of  that  were  cause  alone, 
One  single  virtue  then  would  be  m  all ; 
Alike  distributed,  or  more,  or  less. 
Different  virtues  needs  must  be  the  fruits 


coQjeetore,  cI«ao£a.'*  I  cannot  resist  adding  a  passage  to  the 
like  effect  from  Hooker*s  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  b.ii.  $7.  ''The 
truth  is,  that  the  mind  of  man  desireth  evermore  to  know 
the  tmth,  ace<»rding  to  the  most  infallible  certainty  which 
the  nature  of  things  can  yield.  The  greatest  assurance 
generally  with  all  men,  is  that  which  we  have  by  plain  as- 
pect ana  intuitive  beholding.  Where,  we  cannot  attain  unto 
this,  there  what  appeareth  to  be  true,  by  strong  and  invinci- 
Ue  demonstration,  such  as  wherein  it  is  not  by  any  way 
possible  to  be  deceived,  thereunto  the  mind  doth  neces- 
sarily assent,  neither  is  it  in  the  choice  thereof  to  do  other- 
wise. And  in  case  these  both  do  fail,  then  which  way 
greatest  probability  leadetb,  thither  the  mind  doth  evermore 
incline.'* 

1  CSstn.]    Compare  HeU,  Canto  xz.  123,  an^nota. 

*  By  bodies  detue  or  rare.]  Lombard!  observes,  that  the 
Ofrinion  respecting  the  spots  in  the  moon,  which  Dante  repre- 
sents himself  as  here  yielding  to  the  arguments  of  Beatrice, 
is  iNTofessed  by  our  author  in  the  Convito,  so  that  we  may 
conclude  that  work  to  have  been  composed  before"  this  por- 
tion of  the  Divina  Commedia.  **  The  shadow  in  the  ^oon 
Is  nothing  else  but  the  rarity  of  its  body,  which  hinders  the 
rays  of  the  sun  from  terminating  and  being  reflected,  as  in 
Other  ports  of  it."  P.  70. 

s  J^mioriooo  lighU.]  The  fixed  stars,  which  diflbr  both  is 
bvlknndsidendor. 


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418  THE  YISIC^.  n-^M» 

Of  formal  prindples ;  and  theie,  stye  one,^ 

Will  by  thy  reasoning  be  destroy'd.    Beside, 

If  rarity  weie  of  that  dude  the  eaose, 

Which  thou  inquirest,  either  in  some  part 

That  planet  must  throughout  be  void,  mnr  fed 

With  its  own  matter;  or,  as  bodies  share 

Their  fat  and  leanness,  in  like  manner  this 

Must  m  its  volume  change  the  leaves.*    The  first. 

If  it  were  true,  had  through  the  sun's  eclipse 

Been  manifested,  by  tranqiarency 

Of  liffht,  as  through  aught  rare  beside  efiiiBed 

But  wis  is  not    Therefore  remams  to  see 

The  other  cause :  and,  if  the  other  fall. 

Erroneous  so  nrast  prove  what  seem'd  to  thee. 

If  not  from  side  to  side  this  rarity 

Pass  through,  there  needs  must  be  a  limit,  whence 

Its  contrary  no  farther  lets  it  pass. 

And  hence  the  beam,  that  from  wiUiont  proceeds, 

Must  be  pour'd  back ;  as  color  comes,  through  ^laai 

Reflected,  which  behind  it  lead  conceals. 

Now  wilt  thou  say,  that  there  of  murkier  hue. 

Than  in  the  other  part,  the  ray  is  shown. 

By  being  thence  refracted  farther  back. 

From  this  perplexity  will  free  thee  soon 

Experience,  if  thereof  thou  trial  make. 

The  fountain  whence  your  arts  derive  their  streoaos 

Three  mirrors  shalt  thou  take,  and  two  remove 

From  thee  alike ;  and  more  remote  the  third, 

Betwixt  the  former  pair,  shall  meet  thine  eyes ; 

Then  tum'd  toward  them,  cause  behind  thy  back 

A  light  to  stand,  that  on  the  three  shall  shine. 

And  thus  reflected  come  to  thee  from  alL 

Though  that,  beheld  most  distant,  do  not  stretch 

A  space  so  ample,  yet  in  brightness  thou 

Wilt  own  it  equalling  the  rest    But  now, 

1  Save  one.]  '^  Except  that  inrinciple  of  rarity  and  demny* 
ness  which  th«n  hast  assigned.*'  By  ^formal  principle^** 
frmcipjfeTmalU  are  meant  **  constitcient  or  essential  caiues.** 
Milton,  in  imitati<ni  of  this  passage,  introduces  the  anml 
arguing  with  Adam  rewpeeting  the  causes  of  the  spots  on  um 
moon.  But,  as  i  late  French  translator  of  the  Paradise,  H 
Artaud,  Well  remarks,  his  reasmiing  is  physical ;  that  of  Dante 
partly  metaphysical  and  partly  theologic 

Whence  in  her  visage  round  those  spots,  nnpnrged 
Vapors  not  yet  into  her  substance  tnm*d. 

MUton,  P.  Z,.,  b.  V  490. 

s  CJumge  the  leaves.]    Would,  like  leaves  of  parchment,  bs 
darker  in  some  part  than  others. 


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lt»-190  PARADISE,  Ca^tto  n.  413 

As  under  snow  the  ground,  if  the  wann  ray 

Smites  it,  remains  dismantled  of  the  hue 

And  cold,  that  cover'd  it  before ;  so  thee 

Dismantled  in  thy  mind,  I  will  inform 

With  light  so  lively,  that  the.  tremulous  beam 

Shall  quiver  where  it  falls.    Within  the  heaven,*' 

Where  peace  divine  inhabits,  circles  round 

A  body,  in  whose  virtue  lies  the  being 

Of  all  that  it  contains.    The  following  heaven, 

That  hath  so  many  lights,  this  being  divides. 

Through  difierent  essences,  from  it  distinct, 

And  yet  contained  within  it.     The  other  orbs 

Their  separate  distinctions  variously 

Dispose,  for  their  own  seed  and  produce  apt 

Thus  do  these  organs  of  the  world  proceed, 

As  thou  beholdest  now,  from  step  to  step ; 

Their  influences  from  above  deriving. 

And  thence  transmitting  downwards.   Mark  me  well;  . 

How  through  this  passage  to  the  truth  I  ford. 

The  truth  thou  lovest ;  that  thou  henceforth,  alone, 

Mayst  know  to  keep  the  shallows,  safe,  untold 

"  The  virtue  and  motion  of  the  sacred  orbs. 
As  mallet  by  the  workman's  hand,  must  needs 
By  blessed  movers'  be  inspired.    This  heaven,' 
Made  beauteous  by  so  many  luminaries. 
From  the  deep  spirit,^  that  moves  its  circling  sphere. 
Its  image  takes  and  impress  as  a  seal : 
And  as  the  soul,  that  dwells  within  your  dust. 
Through  members  different,  yet  together  form'dy 
In  different  powers  resolves  itself;  e'en  so 
The  intellectual  efficacy  unfolds 
Its  ^roodness  multiplied  throughout  the  stars ; 
On  Its  own  unity  revolving  stilL 
Diflferent  virtue*  compact  different 

1  JViikin  th$  heaven.]  Aceofdiog  to  our  Poet*8  syaleiii, 
there  are  ten  heavens.  The  heaven,  "  where  peace  divine 
Inhabits,'*  is  the  empyrean ;  the  body  within  it,  that  **  chcles 
round,"  is  the  primom  mobile ;  "  the  following  heaven,"  that 
of  the  fixed  stars ;  and  **  the  other  orbs,"  the  seven  lower 
heavens,  are  Saturn,  Japiter,  Mars,  the  San,  Venus,  Mercury 
and  the  Moon.    Thus  Milton,  P.  L.,  b.  iii.  481 : 

They  pass  the  planets  seven,  and  pass  the  fix*d, 
And  that  crystalline  sphere  whose  balance  weighs 
The  trepidation  talk'd,  and  tliat  first  moved. 

*  By  hUssed  movere,]    By  angels. 

*  TTkis  h«a9«».}    The  heaven  of  fixed  stars. 

*  T%e  deep  apirit.'l    The  moving  angel. 

*  DifftmU  vtrtiM.]  *' There  is  one  glory  of  the  sun,  aii4 
Aaother  glory  of  tbe  moon,  and  another  glory  of  the  stars:  Ibr 


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414  THE  VISION  1«^1« 

Makes  with  the  precious  body  it  enlivens, 

With  which  it  knits,  as  life  in  yon  is  knit 

From  its  original  nature  full  of  joy, 

The  virtue  mingled*  through  the  body  Klines, 

As  joy  through  pupil  of  the  living  eye. 

From  hence  proceeds  that  which  from  light  to  li|^ 

Seems  different,  and  not  from  dense  or  rare. 

This  is  the  formal  cause,  that  generates, 

Proportion'd  to  its  power,  the  dusk  or  clear." 


CANTO   III. 

ARGUMENT. 
In  the  moon  Dante  meets  with  Piccarda,  the  sister  of  Forese, 
who  tells  him  that  this  planet  is  allotted  to  those,  who, 
after  having  made  profession  of  chastity  and  a  religions 
life,  had  been  compelled  to  violate  their  vows ;  and  she 
then  points  out  to  him  the  spirit  of  the  Empress  Ckwtanza. 

That  sun,'  which  erst  with  love  my  bosom  warm'd, 
Had  of  fair  truth  unveiFd  the  sweet  aspect, 
By  proof  of  right,  and  of  the  false  reproof; 
Aiid  I,  to  own  myself  convinced  and  free 
Of  doubt,  as  much  as  needed,  raised  my  head 
Erect  for  speech.     But  soon  a  sight  appeared. 
Which,  80  intent  to  mark  it,  held  me  fix'd. 
That  of  confession  I  no  longer  thought 

As  through  translucent  and  smooth  glass,  or  wave 
Clear  and  uimioved,  and  flowing  not  so  deep 
As  that  its  bed  is  dark,  the  shape  returns 
So  faint  of  our  impictured  lineaments. 
That,  on  white  forehead  set,  a  pearl  as  strong 
Comes  to  the  eye ;  such  saw  I  many  a  face. 
All  stretch'd  to  speak ;  from  whence  I  straight  con- 
Delusion'  opposite  to  that,  which  raised,        [ceived. 
Between  the  man  and  fountain,  amorous  flame. 


otie  star  differeth  firom  another  star  in  glory.**  1  Cor.,  zv  41 
The  words  are  nearly  Plato*s,  whom  St.  Paul  seems  to 
have  had  in  view  throughout  this  part  of  his  argument. 
Wa  fth  [ivrdms']  ^XtoV  /tta  St,  csXi/jvijS'  fila  i^,  tQv 
xdhTttv  darptav  k,  r.  X.    Eidnomis.,  Ed.  Bip.  v.  iz.  p.  S62. 

1  The  virtue  mingled.]    Virg.  ^n.,  lib.  vi.  724. 
Principle  coelom,  &c 

s  7%at  9un.\    Beatrice. 

s  Delusion.}  "  An  error  the  contrary  to  that  of  Narcissus ; 
because  he  mistook  a  shallow  for  a  substance ;  I,  a  substanco 
iiir  a  shadow.** 


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18-60.  PARADISE,  Canto  H.  416 

Sudden,  as  I  perceiyed  them,  deeming  these 
Reflected  semblances,  to  see  of  whom 
They  were,  I  tnin'd  mine  eyes,  and  nothing  saw ; 
Then  tom'd  them  back,  directed  on  the  light 
Of  my  sweet  guide,  who,  smiling,  shot  for£  beams 
From  her  celestial  eye^    "  Wonder  not  thou," 
She  cried,  *<  at  this  my  smiling,  when  I  see 
Thy  childish  judgment ;  since  not  yet  on  truth 
It  rests  the  foot,  but,  as  it  still  is  wont. 
Makes  thee  fall  back  in  unsound  yacancy. 
True  substances  are  these,  which  thou  behold'st. 
Hither  throu^  failure  of  their  vow  exiled. 
But  speak  thou  with  them ;  listen,  and  belieye, 
That  the  true  light,  which  fills  them  with  desu«» 
Permits  not  from  its  beams  their  feet  to  stray." 

Straight  to  the  shadow,  which  for  conyerse  seem'd 
Most  earnest,  I  addressed  me ;  and  began. 
As  one  by  oyer-eagemess  perplex'd : 
«  O  sphit,  bom  for  joy !  who.  in  the  rays 
Of  life  eternal,  of  that  sweetness  know'st 
The  flavor,  which,  not  tasted,  passes  far 
All  apprehensi<m ;  me  it  well  would  please, 
If  thou  wouldst  tell  me  of  thy  name,  and  this 
Your  station  here."  Whence  she  with  kindness  prompt, 
And  eyes  glistering  with  smiles:  "  Our  charity, 
To  any  wuh  by  justice  introduced. 
Bars  not  the  door ;  no  more  than  she  above, 
Who  would  have  all  her  court  be  like  herself. 
I  was  a  virgin  sister  in  the  earth : 
And  if  thy  mind  observe  me  well,  this  form, 
With  such  addition  graced  of  loveliness. 
Will  not  conceal  me  long ;  but  thou  wilt  know 
Piccarda,^  in  the  tardiest  sphere  thus  placed, 
Here  'mid  these  other  blessed  also  blest, 
Our  hearts,  whose  his\  affections  bum  alone 
With  pleasure  from  the  Holy  Spirit  conceived, 
Admitted  to  his  order,  dwell  in  joy. 
And  this  condition,  which  appears  so  low, 
Is  for  this  cause  assigned  us,  diat  our  vows 
Were,  in  some  part,  neglected  and  made  void." 

Whence  I  to  her  replied :  **  Somethmg  divino 
Beams  in  your  countenances  wdhdrous  fair ; 
From  former  knowledge  quite  transmuting  you. 

>  Piuarda,]  The  sister  of  Corso  Donati,  and  of  Forese, 
whom  we  have  seen  in  the  Pnigatorv,  Canto  xxiii.  Petraieb 
has  been  supposed  to  allude  to  th!s  lady  in  his  Trinmidi  of 
Chastity,  v.  100,  Ate 


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416  THE  VISiON.  CHMi 

Therefore  to  recollect  was  I  so  idow. 
But  what  thou  sayst  hath  to  my  memory 
Giveo  DOW  such  aid,  that  to  retrace  your  forms 
Is  easier.    Yet  inform  me,  ye,  who  here 
Are  happy ;  long  ye  for  a  higher  place, 
More  to  behold,  and  more  in  love  to  dwell  7" 

She  with  those  other  spirits  gently  smiled ; 
Then  answer'd  with  such  gladness,  that  she  seem'd 
With  love's  first  flame  to  glow :  "  Brother !  our  wiL 
Is,  in  composure,  settled  by  the  power 
Of  charity,  who  makes  us  will  alone 
What  we  possess,  and  naught  beyond  desire : 
If  we  shoidd  wish  to  be  exalted  more. 
Then  must  our  wishes  jar  with  the  high  will 
Of  him,  who  sets  us  here ;  which  in  these  orbs 
Thou  wilt  confess  not  possible,  if  here 
To  be  in  charity  must  needs  befall, 
And  if  her  nature  well  thou  contemplate. 
Rather  it  is  inherent  in  this  state 
Of  blessedness,  to  keep  ourselves  within 
The  divine  will,  by  which  our  wills  with  his 
Are  one.     So  that  as  we,  from  step  to  step,- 
Are  placed  throughout  this  kingdom,  pleases  all. 
Even  as  our  Kii\g,  who  in  us  plants  his  will ; 
And  in  his  will  is  our  tranquillity : 
It  is  the  mighty  ocean,  whither  tends 
Whatever  it  creates  and  nature  makes.'' 

Then  saw  I  clearly  how  each  spot  in  heaven 
Is  Paradise,  though  with  like  gracious  dew 
The  supreme  virtue  shower  not  over  all. 

But  as  it  chances,  if  one  sort  of  food 
Hath  satiated,  and  of  another  still 
The  appetite  remains,  that  this  is  ask'd, 
And  thanks  for  that  retum'd ;  e'en  so  did  I, 
In  word  and  motion,  bent  from  her  to  learn 
What  web  it  was,^  through  which  she  had  not  drawn 
The  shuttle  to  its  point    She  thus  began : 
"  Exalted  worth  and  perfectness  of  life 
The  Lady'  higher  up  inshrine  in  heaven, 
By  whose  pure  laws  upon  your  nether  earth 


1  rHuU  web  it  IPO*.]  "What  vow  of  religious  life  It  was 
that  she  had  been  hindere<nroin  completing,  had  been  com 
pelled  to  break.** 

*  Tk«  Ladjf.]  St.  Clare,  the  foundress  of  the  order  called 
after  hor.  She  was  born  of  opulent  and  noble  parents  at 
AssisI,  in  1193,  and  died  in  1253.  See  Biogr.  Univ.,  t.  i.  p.  591^ 
8vo.  Paris,  1813. 


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IM-m.  tARADlBE,  Canto  ill  417 

The  robe  and  YtH  they  wear ;  to  that  intent, 
That  e'en  till  death  they  may  keep  watch,  or  sleep. 
With  theur  great  bridegroom,  who  accepts  each  yow» 
Which  to  his  gracious  pleasure  loye  conforms. 
I  from  the  world,  to  follow  her,  when  young 
ESscaped ;  and,  in  her  vestas  mantling  me. 
Made  promise  of  the  way  her  sect  enjoins. 
Thereafter  men,  for  ill  than  geod  more  apt, 
Forth  snatch*d  me  from  the  pleasant  cloister's  pale. 
God  knowB^  how,  after  that,  my  life  was  framed. 
This  other  splendid  shape,  which  thou  behold'sl 
At  my  right  side,  burning  with  all  the  light 
Of  this  our  orb,  what  of  myself  I  tell 
May  to  herself  apply.    From  her,  like  me 
A  sister,  with  like  violence  were  torn 
The  saintly  folds,  that  shaded  her  fair  brows. 
E'en  when  she  to  the  world  again  was  brought 
In  spite  of  her  own  will  and  better  wont. 
Yet  not  for  that  the  bosom's  ipward  veil 
Did  she  renounce.     This  is  the  lummary 
Of  mighty  Constance,'  who  from  that  loud  blast, 

I  Ood  ktunes.}  Rodolfo  da  Tossignano,  Hist.  Seraph.  Rellg. 
P.  i.  p.  138,  as  cited  by  Lombardi,  relates  the  following  le- 
gend of  Piccarda : — "  Her  brother  Ck>rso,  inflamed  with  rage 
against  his  virgin  sister,  having  joined  with  him  Farinata, 
an  in&mons  assassin,  and  twelve  other  abandoned  ruffians, 
entered  (he  monastery  by  a  ladder,  and  carried  away  his 
sister  forcibly  to  his  own  house ;  and  then  tearing  on  her 
religious  habit,  compelled  her  to  go  in  a  secular  garment  to 
her  nuptials.  Before  the  spouse  of  Christ  came  together 
with  her  new  husband,  she  knelt  down  before  a  crucifix  and 
recommended  her  virginity  to  Christ.  Soon  after  her  whole 
body  was  smitten  with  leprosy,  so  as  to  strike  grief  and 
horror  into  the  beholders ;  and  thus  in  a  few  days,  through 
the  divine  disposal,  she  imssed  with  a  palm  of  virginity  to 
the  Lcmi.*'  Perhaps,  adoB  the  worthy  Franciscan,  our  Poet 
not  being  able  to  certUy  himself  entirely  of  this  occurrence^ 
has  chosen  to  pass  it  over  discreetly,  by  making  Piccarda 
say- 
God  knows  how,  after  that,  my  life  was  framed. 

*  Constance.]  Daughter  of  Ruggieri,  king  of  Sicily.  Who 
being  taken  by  force  out  of  a  monastery  where  she  had  pro- 
fessed, was  married  to  the  Emperor  Henry  VI.  and  by  him 
was  mother  to  Frederick  IL  She  was  fifty  years  old  or  more 
at  the  time,  and  ''becatise  it  was  not  credited  that  she  could 
have  a  child  at  that  age,  she  was  delivered  in  a  pavilion,  and 
it  was  given  out  that  any  lady  who  pleased  was  at  liberty 
to  see  her.  Many  came,  and  saw  her ;  and  the  suspicion 
ceased."  Rie4n'dano  Malatpina  in  Mnratori,  Rer.  It,  Scrtpt^f 
t  viii.  p.  939 ;  and  O.  Filkau,  in  the  same  words,  Hist.^  lib.  v. 
cl6. 

The  fVench  translator  above-mentioned  speaks  of  her  hav 
Ing  poisoned  her  hitsband.    The  death  of  Henry  VI.  is  re 


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4ld  THE  VISION.  ISti^lA* 

Which  blew  the  aeoond^  over  Soabia's  realm. 
That  power  produced,  which  was  the  thud  and  last." 

She  ceaaed  firom  further  talk,  and  then  began 
«  Ave  Maria"  singing;  and  with  that  song 
Vanished,  as  heavy  substanee  through  deep  wav« 

Mine  eye,  that,  far  as  it  was  capable. 
Pursued  her,  when  in  dimness  she  was  lost, 
Tum'd  to  the  mark  where  greater  want  imp^'dy 
And  bent  on  Beatrice  all  its  gaze. 
But  she,  as  lightning,  beamM  iqwn  my  lo<^; 
So  that  the  sight  sustam'd  it  not  at  fint 
Whence  I  to  question  her  became  less  prompt 


CANTO    IV. 


ARGUMENT. 


While  they  still  continne  in  the  moon,  Beatrice  remoTes  oer 
tain  donbts  which  Dante  had  conceived  respecting  the 
place  assigned  to  the  blessed,  and  respecting  the  will  ab- 
■olate  or  conditional.  He  inqaires  whether  it  is  possible  te 
make  satisflMtion  for  a  vow  brolcen. 

Bktwken  two  kuMls  of  food,'  both  equally 
Remote  and  tempting,  first  a  man  might  die 
Of  hunger,  ere  he  one  could  freely  choose. 
E*en  so  would  stand  a  lamb  between  the  maw 
Of  two  fierce  wolves,  in  dread  of  both  alike : 
E'en  80  between  two  deer*  a  dog  would  stand. 
Wherefore,  if  I  was  silent,  fault  nor  praise 
I  to  myself  impute ;  by  equal  doubts 
Held  in  suspense ;  smce  of  necessity 

corded  in  the  Chronicon  Sicilie,  bv  an  anonymous  writer. 
(Moratori,  t.  z.)  bat  not  a  word  of  his  having  been  poisoned 
by  Constance ;  and  Ricordano  Malaspina  even  mentions  her 
decease  as  happening  before  that  of  her  husband,  Henry  V.» 
tot  so  this  author,  with  some  others,  terms  hith. 

1  The  BtemuLl  Henry  VI...  son  of  Frederick  I.,  was  the 
second  emperor  of  the  faonse  of  Suabia ;  and  his  son  Fred- 
erick n.  '*  the  third  and  last.** 

s  Bettoeen  two  kinds  of  food.]  *'  SI  aliqna  dico  simt  penitas 
ffqualla,  non  magls  movetur  homo  ad  nnnm  qiam  ad  allud ; 
■lent  fameiicas,  si  habet  cibum  seqnaliter  appetibilem  iik  dUk 
versis  partibas,  et  secundum  equalem  dlstantlam,  non  magUi 
movetur  ad  nnnm  qnam  ad  alteram.'*  Thomas  Jlquhuu, 
gumm.  Theology  i"*  ix^  Partis,  anestio.  ziii.  Art  vl 
*  Between,  two  dur.} 

Tigris  at,  auditis,  diversi  valle  da<Hiim. 
Extimolata  fiune,  mogitibos  armentomm, 
Nescl*.  ntr^  potios  mat,  et  mere  ardet  utroque. 

Oe*^  MoUm^  lib.  v.  WL 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


10-31.  PARADISE,  Canto  IV.  410 

It  happened.    Silent  was  I,  yet  desire 
Was  painted  in  my  looks ;  and  thus  I  spake 
My  wish  more  earnestly  than  langfuage  could. 

As  Daniel,^  when  the  haughty  kmg  he  freed 
From  ire,  that  spurr'd  him  on  to  deeds  unjust 
And  violent ;  so  did  Beatrice  then. 

**  Well  I  discern/'  she  thus  her  words  addre8B*d» 
*<  How  thou  art  drawn  by  each  of  these  desires  f 
So  that  thy  anxious  thought  is  in  itself 
Bound  up  and  stifled,  nor  breathes  freely  forth. 
Thou  argruest :  if  the  good  intent  remain ; 
What  reason  that  another's  violence 
Should  'stint  the  measure  of  my  fair  desert? 

"  Cause  too  thou  find'st  for  doubt,  in  that  it  seemsi 
That  spirits  to  the  stars,  as  Plato'  deem'd. 
Return.     These  are  the  questions  which  thy  will 
Urge  equally ;  and  therefore  I,  the  first. 
Of  that*  will  treat  which  hath  the  more  of  gall.* 
Of  seraphim*  he  who  is  most  enskied, 
Moses  and  Samuel,  and  either  John, 
Choose  which  thou  wilt,  nor  even  Marjr's  self,    ■ 
Have  not  in  any  other  heaven  theur  seats. 


1  Daniel.]  See  Daniel,  li.  Beatrice  did  for  Dante  what 
Daniel  did  for  Nebuchadnezzar,  when  he  freed  the  king  from 
the  uncertainty  respecting  his  dream,  which  had  enraged 
him  against  the  Chaldeans.  Lombardi  conjectures  that "  Fe 
si  Beatrice"  should  be  read,  instead  of  ''Fessi  Beatrice;*' 
and  his  conjecture  has  since  been  confirmed  by  the  Monte 
GaasinoMS. 

t  By  each  of  these  detires.l  His  desire  to  have  each  of  the 
doubts,  wliich  Beatrice  mentions,  resolved. 

»  Plato.']  nvarHaai  Si  k.  r.  X.  Plato,  Timcus,  v.  ix.  p.  396 
Edit  BIp.  '*  The  Creator,  when  he  had  firamed  the  universe, 
distributed  to  the  stars  an  equal  number  of  souls,  appointing 
to  each  soul  its  several  star." 

*  Of  that]    Plato's  ophiion.  * 

B  Which  hath  the  more  of  gall.]  Which  is  the  more  dan- 
fCfons. 

*  Of  Seraphim,]  "  He  among  the  Seraphim  who  is  most 
nearly  united  with  Ck>d,  Moses,  Samuel,  and  both  the  Johns, 
the  Baptist  and  the  Evangelist,  dwell  not  in  any  other  heaven 
than  ao  those  spirits  whom  thou  hast  just  beheld ;  nor  does 
even  the  blessed  Virgin  herself  dwell  in  any  other:  nor  Is 
their  existence  either  longer  or  shorter  than  that  of  these 
■piritB."  She  flrat  resolves  his  doubt  whether  souls  do  not 
letum  to  their  own  stars,  as  he  had  read  in  the  Timeens  of 
Plato.  Angels,  then,  and  beatified  spirits,  she  declares,  dwell 
all  and  eternally  together,  only  parteking  more  or  less  of  the 
divine  glory,  In  the  empvrean ;  although,  in  condescension  to 
human  understanding,  they  appear  to  have  difibrent  ipheres 
allotted  to  them. 


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480  THEV.SION. 

Than  have  those  wpinia  which  bo  late  thou  saw*!! ; 

Nor  more  or  fewer  years  exist ;  but  all 

Make  the  first  circle'  beauteous,  diversely 

Partaking  of  sweet  life,  as  more  or  less 

Afflation  of  eternal  bliss  pervades  them. 

Here  were  they  shown  thee,  not  that  fate  aasigiit 

This  for  their  sphere,  but  for  a  sign  to  thee 

Of  that  celestisd  farthest  from  the  height 

Thus  needs,  that  ye  may  apprehend,  we  speak : 

Since  from  things  sensible  alone  ye  learn 

That,  which,  digested  rightly,  after  turns 

To  intellectual.    For  no  other  cause 

The  scripture,  condescending  graciously 

To  your  perception,  hands  and  feet'  lo  God 

Attributes,  nor  so  means :  and  holy  church 

Doth  represent  with  human  countenance 

Gabriel,  and  Michfi.el,  and  him  who  made 

Tobias  whole.'    Unlike  what  here  thou  seest, 

The  judgment  of  Timeus,^  who  affirms 

Each  soul  restored  to  its  particular  star ; 

Believing  it  to  have  been  taken  thence. 

When  nature  gave  it  to  inform  her  mould : 

Yet  to  appearance  1^  intention  is 

Not  what  his  words  declare :  and  so  to  shun 

Derision,  haply  thus  he  hath  disguised 

His  true  opinion.'    If  his  meaning  be, 

*  7*«  ^rst  circle.]    The  empyrean. 

*  JIandt  and  feet.]    ThosMUton:— 

What  sormoiuits  the  reach 

Of  human  sense,  I  shall  delineate%o, 
By  likening  spiritoal  to  corporeal  f<Mrm8, 
As  shall  express  them  best.  P.  Z*.,  b.  v.  575. 

These  passages,  rightly  considered,  may  tend  to  remove  the 
scruples  of  some,  who  are  offisnded  by  any  attempts  at  repre* 
senting  the  Deity  In  pictures. 

• Him  who  made 

Tobias  whole.] 
Raphael,  the  sociable  spirit,  that  deignM 
To  travel  with  Tobias,  and  secured 
His  marriage  with  the  seven  times  wedded  maid. 

Jbid.233. 

*  THmtBue.]  In  the  Ck)nvito,  p.  92,  our  author  again  refers 
to  the  Timeus  of  Plato,  on  the  subject  of  the  mundane  sys- 
tem ;  but  it  is  in  order  to  give  the  preference  to  the  opinion 
respecting  it  held  by  Aristotle. 

>  Hie  true  mnuion,]  In  like  manner,  our  learned  Stilling- 
fleet  has  professed  himself  "  somewhat  inclinable  to  think 
that  Plato  knew  more  of  the  lapse  of  mankind  than  he  would 
openly  discover,  and  for  that  end  disguised  it  a(^r  his  usual 
manner  in  that  hirpothesis  of  pre-ejdstence.'*  Orutines  S» 
ere,  b.  liL  c  iii.  $  15 


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Sft-91  PARADI8E,<:AinoIY.  481 

That  to  the  influenouijr  of  these  orbs  revert 
The  honor  and  the  blame  in  human  acts, 
Perchance  he  doth  not  wholly  miss  the  truth* 
This  principle,  not  understood  aright, 
Erewhile  perverted  well  nigh  all  the  world ; 
So  that  it  fell  to  fabled  names  of  Jove, 
And  Mercury,  and  Mars.    That  other  doubt. 
Which  moves  thee,  is  less  harmful ;  for  it  brings 
No  peril  of  removing  thee  from  m^ 

**  That,  to  the  eye  of  man,*  6ur  justice  seems 
Unjust,  is  arsrument  for  faith,  and  not 
For  heretic  declension.    But,  to  the  end 
This  truth*  may  stand  more  clearly  in  your  view, 
I  will  content  thee  even  to  thy  wish. 

**  If  violence  be,  when  that  which  suflfers,  naught 
Consents  to  that  which  forceth,  not  for  this 
These  spirits  stood  exculpate.    For  the  will. 
That  wUls  not,  still  survives  unquench'd,  and  doth, 
As  nature  doth  in  fire,  though  violence 
Wrest  it  a  thousand  times ;  for,  if  it  yield 
Or  more  or  less,  ao  far  it  follows  force. 
And  thus  did  these,  when  they  had  power  to  seek 
The  hallowed  place  agam.    In  them,  had  will 
Been  perfect,  such  as  once  upon  the  bars 
Held  Laurence'  firm,  or  wrought  in  Scsevola^ 
To  his  own  hand  remorseless ;  to  the  path,      [back, 
Whence  they  were  drawn«  their  steps  had  hastened 
When  liberty  retum'd :  but  in  too  few. 
Resolve,  so  steadfastt  dwells.    And  by  these  words 
If  duly  weigh'd,  that  argument  is  void. 
Which  oft  might  Kave  perplexed  thee  still.    But  now 
Another  question  thwarts  thee,  which,  to  solve. 
Might  try  thy  patience  without  better  aid. 
I  have,  no  doubt,  instiird  into,  thy  mind. 
That  blessdd  spirit  may  not  lie  ;  since  near 

>  TkaJt,  totkeejfeof  man.]  **  That  the  ways  of  divine  Jns- 
tlco  are  often  inscnitable  to  man,  oaght  rather  to  be  a  motive 
to  faitli  than  an  inducement  to  heresy.'*  Such  appears  to  mo 
the  most  satisfactory  expianation  of  the  passage. 

<  Tki»  truth.]  That  it  is  no  impeachment  of  6od*s  justice, 
if  merit  he  lessened  through  compulsion  of  others,  without 
any  fkllnre  of  good  intention  on  the  part  of  the  meritorious. 
After  all,  Beatrice  ends  by  admitting  that  there  was  a  defect 
in  the  will,  which  hindered  Constance  and  the  others  from 
seising  the  first  opportunity,  that  oflbied  itself  to  them,  of  re* 
turning  to  the  monastic  life. 

•  Laurence.}  Who  suffered  martyrdom  In  the  third  centOT]^ 

*Scmv0la.\   See Liv. Hist, D.1, lib. ILia 


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4!^  THE  VISION.  WhWk 

The  0oiirce  of  pronal  tnith  it  dwells  for  aye ; 
And  thou  mtghtst  after  of  Piccarda  learn 
That  Constance  held  afiection  to  the  veil ; 
So  that  she  seems  to  contradict  me  here. 
Not  seldom,  brother,  it  hath  chanced  for  men 
To  do  what  they  had  g^ladly  left  undone ; 
Yet,  to  shun  peril,  they  have  done  amiss : 
E'en  as  Alcmeon,'  at  his  father's*  suit 
Slew  his  own  mother ;'  so  made  pitiless. 
Not  to  lose  pity.    On  this  point  bethink  thee. 
That  force  and  will  are  blended  in  such  wise 
As  not  to  make  the  offence  excusable. 
Absolute  will  agrees  not  to  the  wrong ; 
But  inasmuch  as  there  is  fear  of  wo 
From  non-compliance,  it  agrees.    Of  will* 
Thus  absolute,  Piccarda  spake,  and  I 
Of  the  other ;  so  that  both  have  truly  said." 

Such  was  the  flow  of  that  pure  rill,  that  wt  H'd 
From  forth  the  fountam  of  all  truth ;  and  such 
The  rest,  that  to  my  wandering  thoughts  I  found. 

**  O  thou,  of  primal  love  the  prime  delight, 
Goddess  !*'  I  straight  replied,  "  whose  lively  words 
Still  shed  new  heat  and  vigor  through  my  soul ; 
Affection  fails  me  to  requite  thy  grace 
With  equal  sum  of  gratitude :  be  his 
To  recompense,  who  sees  and  can  reward  thee. 
Well  I  discern,  that  by  that  truth*  alone 
EnUghten'd,  beyond  which  no  truth  may  roam. 
Our  mind  can  satisfy  her  thuvt  to  know : 
Therein  she  resteth,  e'en  as  in  his  lair 
The  wild  beast,  soon  as  she  hath  reach'd  that  bound 
And  she  hath  power  to  reach  it ;  else  desire 
Were  given  to  no  end.    And  thence  doth  doubt 
Spring,  like  a  shoot,  around  the  stock  of  truth ; 
And  it  is  nature  which,  from  height  to  hei^t. 
On  to  the  smnmit  prompts  us.    This  invites, 

i^lemmon.']    Ovid,  Met,  Ub.  iz.  f.  10. 

—  Ultnsqae  parente  parentem 
NatoSf  erit  ftcto  plus  et  scelentos  eodem. 

*  His  father's.     Amphiar&os. 

*  His  ownmotksr.]    Eriphyle. 

«  Of  wiU.]  **What  Pieearda  asserts  of  Constance,  thai 
the  retained  her  afibction  to  the  monastie  life,  is  said  abso- 
lately  and  without  relation  to  circumstances;  and  thati 
which  I  aflirm,  is  spoken  of  tlie  will  conditionaUy  and  le- 
■pectively ;  so  that  our  apparent  diffuence  is  without  asf 
ttsagreement.** 

•TTkMt  truik,}   The  nght  of  diTtne  truth 


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kH^tm.  PARAI»SEk  Canto  V.  433 

This  doth  aasare  me,  Lady  t  veyerently 

To  ask  thee  of  another  truth,  that  yet 

I0  dark  to  me.    I  fain  would  know,  if  man 

By  other  woriu  well  d<Mie  may  bo  supply 

The  failure  of  his  tows,  that  in  your  seale 

They  lack  not  weight"    I  spake ;  and  on  mo  straight 

Beatrice  look'd,  with  eyes  that  shot  forth  sparks 

Of  love  celestial,  in  such  copious  stream, 

That,  virtue  sinking  in  me  overpowered, 

I  tum'd ;  and  downward  bent,  confused,  my  sight 


CANTO  V. 


ARGUMENT. 
The  qaestion  proposed  in  the  last  Canto  is  answered.  Dante 
ascends  with  Beatrice  to  the  planet  Mercury,  which  is  the 
second  heaven ;  and  here  he  finds  a  mnititude  of  spirits* 
one  of  whom  offers  to  satiny  him  of  any  thing  he  nmy  de- 
sire to  Icnow  from  them. 

"  If  beyond  earthly  wont,*  the  flame  of  love 
Illume  me,  so  that  I  o*ercome  thy  power 
Of  vision,  marvel  not :  but  learn  the  cause 
In  that  perfection  of  the  sight,  which,  soon 
As  apprehending,  hasteneth  on  to  reach 
The  good  it  apprehends.     I  well  discern. 
How  in  thine  intellect  already  shines 
The  light  eternal,  which  to  view  alone 
Ne'er  fails  to  kindle  love ;  and  if  aught  elBe 
Your  love  seduces,  'tis  but  that  it  shows 
Some  ill-mark'd  vestige  of  that  primal  beam. 

"  This  would'st  thou  know :  if  failure  of  the  vow 
By  other  service  may  be  so  supplied. 
As  from  self-question  to  assure  the  sod." 

Thus  she  her  words,  not  heedless  of  my  wish, 
Began ;  and  thus,  as  one  who  breaks  not  off 
Di&course,  continued  in  her  saintly  strain. 
"  Supreme  of  gifts,'  which  God,  creating,  gave 


1  If  beyond  earthly  wont.]  Dante  having  been  unable  to  sus- 
tain the  splendor  of  Beatrice,  as  we  have  seen  at  the  end  of 
the  last  Canto,  she  tells  him  to  attribate  hef  increase  of  bright- 
ness to  the  place  in  which  they  were. 

*  Supreme  of  gifts.]  So  in  the  De  Monarchii,  lib.  i.  p.  107 
and  108.  "Si  ergo  judicium  moveat,"  &c.  **If  then  the 
judgment  altogether  mive  the  appetite,  and  is  in  no  wise 
inrevented  by  it,  it  is  free.  But  if  the  judgment  be  moved  by 
the  appetite  in  any  way  preventing  it,  it  cannot  be  free :  be^ 
csttte  It  acts  not  of  itself  but  )s  led  captive  by  another.  And 


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484  THE  VISION.  l»-« 

Of  his  free  bounty,  aigii  moBt  eirideiit 
Of  goodness,  and  in  Us  account  most  prized, 
Was  liberty  of  will ;  the  boon,  wherevritb* 
All  intellectual  creatures,  and  them  sole, 
He  hath  endow'd.    Hence  now  thou  mayst  infer 
Of  what  high  worth  the  vow,  which  so  is  framed. 
That  when  man  offers,  God  well  pleased  accepts: 
For  in  the  compact  between  God  and  him, 
This  treasure,  sucb  as  I  describe  it  to  thee. 
He  makes  the  victim ;  and  of  his  own  act 
What  compensation  therefore  may  he  find  ? 
If  that,  whereof  thou  hast  oblation  made. 
By  using  well  thou  think'st  to  consecrate, 
Thou  wouldst  of  theft*  do  charitable  deed. 
Thus  I  resolve  thee  of  the  greater  pomt 

"  But  forasmuch  as  holy  church,  herein  • 

Dispensing,  seems  to  contradict  the  truth 
I  have  discovered  to  thee,  yet  behooves 
Thou  rest  a  little  longer  at  the  board, 
Ere  the  crude  aliment  which  thou  hai^  ta'en. 
Digested  fitly,  to  nutrition  turn. 
Open  thy  mind  to  what  I  now  unfold ; 
And  give  it  inward  keeping.     Knowledge  comes 
Of  learning  well  retained,  unfruitful  else. 

"  This  sacrifice,  in  essence,  of  two  things' 
Consisteth :  one  is  that,  whereof  'tis  made ; 
The  covenant,  the  other.     For  the  last. 
It  ne'er  is  cancelled,  if  not  kept :  and  hence 
I  spake,  erewhile,  so  strictly  of  its  force. 
For  this  it  was  enjoin'd  the  Israelites,' 

hence  it  is  that  bmtes  cannot  have  firee  jadginent,  becatise 
their  judgments  are  always  prevented  by  appetite.  And 
hence  it  may  also  appear  manifest,  that  intellectnal  sob 
stances,  whose  wills  are  immutable,  and  likewise  souls  sepa- 
rated from  the  body,  and  departing  from  it  well  and  holily, 
lose  not  the  liberty  of  choice  on  account  of  the  immntabinty 
of  the  will,  but  retain  it  most  perfectly  and  powerfully.  This 
being  discerned,  it  is  again  plain,  that  this  liberty  or  princi 
pie  of  ali  our  liberty,  is  the  greatest  good  conferred  on  human 
nature  by  God ;  because  by  this  very  thing  we  are  here  made 
happy,  as  men ;  by  this  we  are  elsewhere  happy,  as  divine 
beings." 

1  Thou  wouldst  of  tk^.]  "Licet  ftir  de  ftnrto,"  fcc.  D§ 
Monarchid,  lib.  11.  p.  123.  ''Although  a  thief  should  out  of 
that  which  he  has  stolen  give  help  to  a  poor  man,  yet  is  that 
not  to  be  called  almsgiving.** 

«  7\oo  thtTigs.]  The  one,  the  substence  of  the  vow,  as  of 
a  single  life  for  instance,  or  of  keej^hg  fast;  the  other,  the 
compact,  or  form  of  it. 

*  U  wa$  ayoin^d  the  IsraeHteaJ]    See  Lev.  c  zii.  and  zzvli 


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PARADISE,  Canto  V.  4^5 

Thoug^h  leaye  were  given  them,  as  thou  know'st,  to 

The  offering,  still  to  ofl^r.  The  other  part,     [change 

The  matter'and  the  substance  of  the  vow, 

May  well  be  such,  as  that,  without  offence, 

It  may  for  other  substance  be  exchanged. 

But,  at  his  own  discretion,  none  may  shift 

The  burden  on  his  shoulders ;  unreleased 

By  either  key,*  the  yellow  and  the  white. 

Nor  deem  of  any  change,  as  less  than  vain, 

If  the  last  bond^  be  not  within  the  new 

Included,  as  the  quatre  in  the  six. 

No  satisfaction  therefore  can  be  paid 

For  what  so  precious  in  the  balance  weighs, 

That  all  in  counterpoise  must  kick  the  l^am. 

Take  then  no  vow  at  random :  ta'en,  with  faith 

Preserve  it ;  yet  not  bent,  as  Jephthah  once, 

Blindly  to  execute  a  rash  resolve. 

Whom  better  it  had  suited  to  e^tclaim, 

*  I  have  done  ill,'  than  to  redeem  his  pledge 

By  doing  worse  :  or,  not  unlike  to  him 

In  folly,  that  great  leader  of  the  Greeks  ; 

Whence,  on  the  altar,  Iphigenia  moum'd 

Her  virgin  beauty,  and  hath  since  made  mourn 

Both  wise  and  siitaple,  even  all,  who  hear 

Of  60  fell  sacrifice.     Be  ye  more  staid, 

O  Christians !  not,  like  feather,  by  each  wind 

Removeable ;  nor  think  to  cleamse  yourselves 

In  every  water.     Either  testament. 

The  old  and  new,  is  yours :  and  for  yomr  guide, 

The  shepherd  of  the  church.     Let  this  suffice 

To  save  you.    When  by  evil  lust  ^nticed, 

Remember  ye  be  men,  not  senseless  beasts ; 

Nor  let  the  Jew,  who  dwelleth  m  your  streets, 

Hold  you  in  mockery.    Be  not,  as  the  Iamb, 

That,  fic^e  wanton,  leaves  its  mother's  milk, 

To  dally  with  itself  in  idle  play." 

Such  were  the  words  that  Beatrice  spake : 
These  ended,  to  that  region,*  where  the  world 

1  Either  kep.]    Pnigatory,  Canto  ix.  106. 

*  ^the  lust  bM«Q  If  the  thing  sabstitnted  be  not  far  mors 
precioos  than  that  which  is  released. 

*  THat  re^on."]  As  some  explain  it,  the  east:  according 
to  others,  the  equinoctial  line.  Lombardi  supposes  it  t9 
mean  that  she  looked  upwards.  Monti,  in  his  Proposta, 
rvol.  3,  pt«  3,  p.  Ixxix.  Bfilan,  18260  has  adduced  a  passage 
from  our  author's  Ck>nvito,  which  fixes  the  sense.  Dico  ao- 
cora,  che  quanto  U  Cielo  6  piu  presso  al  cerchio  equatore, 
tanto  i  piu  mobile  per  comparazione  alii  suoi;  perocchd  ha 


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426  THE  VKiON.  87*1SII 

If  Uveliest,  foil  of  .ond  desire  she  tam'd. 

Though  mainly  prompt  Jiew  qnestion  to  propoM» 
Her  nlence  and  changed  look  did  keep  nle  dumb 
And  as  the  arrow,  ere  the  cord  is  still, 
Leapeth  onto  its  mark ;  so  on  we  sped 
Into  the  second  realm.    There  I  beheld 
The  dame,  so  joyoos,  enter,  that  the  orfo 
Grew  brighter  at  her  smiles ;  and,  if  the  star 
Wero  mored  to  gladness,  what  then  was  my  eheer« 
Whom  natore  hath  made  apt  for  every  change ' 

As  in  a  qoiet  and  clear  lake  the  fish, 
If  aoght  approach  them  from  withoot,  do  draw 
Towards  it,  deeming  it  their  food ;  so  drew 
Foil  more  than  thoosand  splendors  towards  os ; 
And  in  each  one  was  heard :  *<  Lo !  one  arrived 
To  moltiply  oor  loves  V*  and  as  each  came. 
The  shadow,  streaming  forth  effol^nce  new, 
Witness'd  aogmented  joy.    Here,  Reader !  think. 
If  thoo  didst  miss  the  seqoel  of  my  tale, 
To  know  the  rest  how  sorely  thoo  wooldst  crave 
And  thoo  shalt  see  what  vehement  desire 
Possess'd  me,  soon  as  these  had  met  my  view. 
To  know  their  state.    **  O  bom  in  happy  boor ! 
Thoo,  to  whom  grace  voochsafes,  or  ere  thy  close 
Of  flc«hly  warfare,  to  behold  the  thrones 
Of  that  eternal  triomph ;  know,  to  os 
The  light  commonicated,  which  throogh  heaven 
Expatiates  withoot  boond.    Therefore,  if  aoght 
Thoo  of  oor  beams  wooldst  borrow  for  thine  aid. 
Spare  not ;  and,  of  Oor  radiance,  take  thy  fill." 

Thos  of  those  piteoos  spirits  one  bespake  me ; 
And  Beatrice  next :  "  Say  on ;  and  trost 
As  onto  gods." — **  How  in  the  light  sopreme 
Thoo  harbor'st,  and  from  thence  the  votoe  bring'st. 
That,  sparkling  in  thme  eyes,  denotes  thy  joy, 
I  mark :  but,  who  thoo  art,  am  still  to  seek ; 
Or  wherefore,  worthy  spuit !  for  thy  lot ' 
This  sphere'  assigned,  that  oft  from  mortal  ken 
Is  veil'd  by  others  beams."     I  said  ;  and  tum'd 
Toward  the  lostre,  that  with  greeting  kind 
ErewhLe  had  hailM  me.     Forthwith,  brighter  far 
Than  erst,  it  wax'd :  and,  as  himself  the  son 

piik  movimeiito,  e  piii  attoaliti,  e  plik  vita,  o  piik  fanna,  e  piA 
toeea  di  qoello,  ehe  i  fopra  se,  e  per  conaegnente  pin  virtno- 
•o.  p.48. 

»  Tkf»  sphere.)    The  planet  Mercury,  which,  being  nearest 
to  the  sun,  Is  oftenest  hidden  by  that  luminary. 


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139-134.  PARADISE,  Cantc  VL  497 

Hides  througrh  excess  of  light,  when  his  wann  gaze- 
Hath  on  the  mantle  of  thick  yapora  prey'd ; 
Within  its  proper  ray  the  saintly  shape 
Was,  through  increase  of  gladness,  thus  concealed ; 
And,  shrouded  so  in  splendor,  answer'd  me, 
E'en  "as  the  tenor  of  my  song  declares. 

CANTO   VI. 

ARGUMENT. 

rhe  spirit,  who  had  offered  to  satisfy  the  inquiries  of  Dante, 
declares  himself  to  be  the  Emperor  Justinian ;  and  after 
speaking  of  his  own  actions,  recounts  the  victories,  be- 
fore him,  obtained  under  ttie  Roman  Eagle.  He  then 
informs  our  Poet  that  the  soul  of  Romeo  the  {Algrim  is  in 
the  same  star. 

**  After  that  Constantino  the  eagle  tum'd' 
Against  the  motions  of  the  heaven,  that  roll'd 
Consenting  with  its  course,  when  he  of  yore, 
Lavinia's  spouse,  was  leader  of  the  flight ; 
A  hundred  years  twice  told  and  mere,'  his  seat 
At  Europe's  extreme  point,^  the  bird  of  Jove 
Held,  near  the  mountains,  whence  he  issued  first ; 
Tnere  under  shadow  of  his  sacred  plumes 
Swaying  the  world,  till  through  successive  hands 
To  mine  he  came  devolved.    CsBsar  I  was ; 
And  am  Justinian  ;  destined  by  the  will 
Of  that  prime  love,  whose  influence  I  feel. 
From  vain  excess  to  clear  the  mcumber'd  laws.* 

1  When  hit  warm  gaze.]  When  the  sun  has  dried  up  the 
vapors  that  shaded  his  br^htness. 

*  ^fter  that  Onutantine  the  eagle  turned.}  Constantine,  in 
transferring  the  seat  of  empire  from  Rome  to  Byzantium, 
carried  the  eagle,  the  Imperial  ensign,  from  the  west  to  the 
east,  ^neas,  on  the  contrary,  had,  with  better  augury, 
moved  along  with  the  san*8  course,  when  he  passed  fironi 
Troy  to  Italy. 

s  A  hundred  vearstwiee  told  andikore.]  The  Emperor  Con- 
stantine entered  Byzantium  in  334 ;  and  Justinian  began  his 
reign  in  537 

*  Jit  Eurepe^e  extreme  point.]  Constantinople  being  situ- 
ated  at  the  extreme  of  Europe,  and  on  the  borders  of  Asia, 
near  those  mountains  in  the  neighborhood  of  Troy,  from 
whence  the  first  founders  of  Rome  had  emigrated. 

>  TV  dear  the  ineumber*d  laws.]  The  code  of  laws  was 
abridged  and  reformed  by  Justinian. 

Giustiniano  son  io,  disse  il  primajo, 
Che  *1  troppo  e  *\  van  secai  for  delle  leggi, 
Ora  soggette  aO*  arme  e  al  denajo. 

fWzzt,  //  Q^adr^r^  lib.  Iv.  cap.  19 


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IS8  THiS  YlJSiON.  14-M 

Or  ere  that  work-  engaged  me,  I  did  hold 

In  Christ  oue  nature  only ;'  with  sach  faith 

Contented.     But  the  hlened  Agapete,' 

Who  was  chief  shepherd,  he  with  warning  voice 

To  the  true  faith  recalled  me.     I  believed 

His  words:  and  what  he  taught,  ncjw  plainly  leot 

As  thou  in  every  contradiction  seest 

The  true  and  false  opposed.     Soon  as  my  feet 

Were  to  the  church  reclaim'd,  to  my  great  task. 

By  inspiration  of  God's  grace  impelled, 

I  gave  me  wholly  ;  and  consign'd  mine  arms 

To  Belisarius,  with  whom  heaven's  right  hand 

Was  link'd  in  such  conjointment,  'twas  a  sign 

That  I  should  rest    To  thy  first  question  thus 

I  shape  mine  answer,  which  were  ended  here, 

But  that  its  tendency  doth  prompt  perforce 

To  some  addition ;  that  thou  well  mayst  mark, 

What  reason  on  each  side  they  have  to  plead, 

By  whom  that  holiest  banner  is  withstood, 

Both  who  pretend  its  power*  and  who  cppose.^ 

**  Beginning  from  that  hour,  when  Pallas  died* 
To  give  it  rule,  behold  the  valorous  deeds 
Have  made  it  worthy  reverence.    Not  unknown* 
To  thee,  how  for  three  hundred  years  and  more 
It  dwelt  m  Alba,  up  to  those  fell  lists 


1  In  Chriat  one  nature  ordy.]  Jnstinian  is  said  to  have  been 
a  follower  of  the  heretical  opinions  held  by  Entyches,  "  who 
taught  that  In  Christ  there  was  bat  one  nature,  viz.  that  of 
the  Incarnate  word.**  JUaeUune's  MoMhettHy  torn.  11.  cent.  v. 
p.  11.  cap.  v.  $  13. 

*  Affapete."]  "  Agapetns,  Bishop  of  Rome,  whose  Scheda 
Kegia,  addressed  to  the  Emperor  Justinian,  procured  him  a 
place  among  the  wisest  and  most  judicious  writers  of  this 
century.*'  thid.,  cent.  vL  p.  11.  cap.  ii.  $  8.  Compare  Fasio 
degU  Ubertl,  Dittamondo,  1.  ii.  cap.  zvi. 

*  fVho  pretend  iU  power.}    The  qhibelUnes 

*  And  vho  oppose.]    The  Guelphs. 

B  Pallaedied.]    See  Virgil,  .£n.,  lib.  x. 

0  Jfot  nnknovm.]  In  the  second  book  of  his  treatise  De 
Monarchic,  where  Dante  endeavors  to  prove  that'the  Roman 
people  had  a  right  to  govern  the  world,  he  refers  to  theli 
conquests  and  successes  in  nearly  the  same  order  as  in  this 
passage.  **The  Roman,**  he  affirms,  "might  tmly  say,  as 
the  Apoctre  did  to  Timothy,  There  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown 
of  righteousness ;  laid  up,  that  is,  in  the  eternal  providence 
of  God.**  p.  131.  And  again:  "Now  It  is  manifest,  that  by 
duel  (perdnellnm)  the  Roman  people  acquired  the  Empire; 
therefore  they  acquired  It  by  right,  to  prove  which  is  the  mala 
purpose  of  the  present  book.**  p.  132. 


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SMt.  PARAllfSE,  CAirro  Vt  4M 

Where,  for  its  sake,  were  met  the  riy&l  three  ;* 
Nor  aug^ht  onknowu  to  thee,  which  it  achieved 
Down*  from  the  Sabines'  wrong  to  Locrece'  wo ; 
Wiih  its  eeyen  kings  conqaeriiig  the  nations  round ; 
Nor  all  it  wrought,  by  Rcmaan  worthies  borne 
'Gainst  Brennus  and  the  Epirot  prince,'  and  hosts 
Of -single  chiefs,  or  states  in  league  combined 
Of  social  warfare :  hence,  Torquatus  stem. 
And  QuintiuS*  named  of  his  neglected  locks. 
The  DecU,  and  the  Fabii  hence  acgnired 
Their  fame,  which  I  with  duteous  zeal  embalm.* 
By  it  the  pride  of  Arab  hordes^  was  qnell'd. 
When  they,  led  on  by  Hannibal,  o'eipass'd 
The  Alpine  rocks,  whence  glide  thy  currents,  Po ! 
Beneath  its  guidance,  in  their  prime  of  days 
Scipio  and  Pompey  triumph'd ;  and'that  hill,^  • 
Under  whose  summit'  thou  didst  see  the  light, 
Rued  its  stem  bearing.    After,  near  the  hour,* 

t  ne  rival  three.}    The  Horatii  and  Cariatii. 
s  Down.}    **  From  the  rape  of  the  Sabine  women  to  the  vlo* 
lation  of  Lacretia.** 

•  The  Epirot  prince.]    King  P3rrrhus. 

*  Q^intius.]    Qnintios  Cincinnatos. 

E  Cincinnato  dall*  incolta  chioma.  Petrarctu 

CkHnpare  De  Monarchic,  lib.  ii.  p.  131,  &c.  **  Itaqne,  inqoit, 
0t  majwes  nostrt,**  &c. 

•  Embalm.]  l*he  word  in  the  original  is  **  mirro,**  which 
tome  thlnic  is  put  for  **  miro/*  "  I  behold  or  regard  ;V  and  oth- 
trs  understand,  as  I  have  rendered  it. 

*  Arab  haraes.j  The  Arabians  seem  to  be  pnt  for  the  bar- 
barians in  general.  Lombardi*s  comment  is,  that  as  the 
Arabs  are  an  AMatic  people,  and  it  is  not  recorded  that  Han- 
nibal had  any  other  troops  except  his  own  countrymen  the 
Carthacinians,  who  were  Africans,  We  must  understand  that 
Dante  denominates  that  people,  Arabs,  on  account  of  their 
origin.  **  Ab  Ifrico  Arable  felicis  rege,  qui  omnium  iwimus 
banc  terram  (Africam)  incolnisse  fertnr,*'&c.  Leo  JSlfrteanua. 
Africa  Deseriptio,  lib.  i.  cap.  i. 

1  That  hill.  |  The  city  of  Fesule,  which  was  sacked  by  the 
Romans  after  the  defeat  of  Catiline. 

•  Under  tohoae  tunmit.]  *•  At  the  foot  of  which  is  situated 
Florence,  thy  birthplace.'* 

*  Jfear  the  hour.]  Near  the  time  of  our  Saviour's  birth. 
*'The  inuneasnrable  goodness  of  the  Deity  being  willing 
again  to  conform  to  itself  the  human  creature,  which  l)y 
transgmsjion  of  the  first  man  had  f^om  God  departed,  and 
fallen  flrom  his  likeness,  it  was  determined  in  that  most  high 
and  closest  consistory  of  ttie  Godhead,  the  Trinity,  that  the 
Bon  of  God  should  descend  upon  earth  to  make  this  agree- 
ment. And  because  it  was  behovefnl,  that  at  his  coming, 
the  world,  not  only  the  heaven  bui  the  earth,  should  be  is 


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430  THE  VISK>N.  S74i 

When  neaTen  was  minddd  that  o'er  all  the  world 

His  own  deep  cahn  should  hrood,  to  Cflesar'e  hand 

Did  Rome  consign  it  y  and  what  then  it  wiou^^t^ 

From  Var  unto  the  Rhine,  saw  Isere's  flood, 

Saw  Loire  and  Seine,  and  every  vale,  that  fills 

The  torrent  Rhone.    What  after  that  it  wrought. 

When  from  Ravenna  it  came  forth,  and  leap'd 

The  Rubicon,  was  of  so  bold  a  flight. 

That  tongue  nor  pen  may  fottow  it   Towards  Spain 

It  wheel'd  its  bands,  then  toward  Djnmchium  smote, 

And  on  Phazsalik,  with  so  fierce  a  plunge, 

E'en  the  warm  Nile  was  conscious  to  the  pang ; 

Its  native  shores  Antandros,  and  the  streams 

Of  Sunois  revisited,  and  there 

Where  Hector  lies ;  then  ill  for  Ptolemy 

His  pennons  shook  again ;  lightning  thence  fell 

On  Juba ;  and  the  next,  upcm  your  west, 

At  sound  of  the  Pompeian  trump,  returned. 

**  What  following,  and  in  its  next  bearer's  gripe,* 
It  wrought,  is  now  by  Cassius  and  Brutus  • 

BarkM  of '  in  hell ;  and  by  Peru^a's  sons. 
And  Modena's,  was  moum'd.    Hence  weepeth  still 
Sad  Cleopatra,  who,  pursued  by  it. 
Took  from  the  adder  black  and  sudden  death. 
With  him  it  ran  e'en  to  the  Red  Sea  coast ; 
With  him  composed  the  world  to  such  a  peace, 
That  of  his  temple  Janus  barr'd  the  door. 

**  But  all  the  mighty  standard  yet  had  wrought. 
And  was  appointed  to  perform  thereafter. 
Throughout  the  mortal  kingdom  which  it  sway'd. 
Falls  in  appearance  dwindled  and  obscured. 
If  one  with  steady  eye  and  perfect  thought 
On  the  third  Caesar*  look ;  for.  to  his  hands, 

the  best  possible  disposition ;  and  the  best  disposition  of  tho 
earth  is,  when  it  is  a  monarchy,  that  is,  all  under  one  prince, 
as  hath  been  said  above ;  therefore  through  the  dl>ine  fore 
cast  was  ordained  that  people  and  that  city  for  the  accom- 
j^ishroent,  namely,  the  glorious  Rcnne.**  Qmvito,  p.  138. 
The  same  argument  is  repeated  at  the  conclusion  of  the  first 
'oook  of  our  author's  treatise  '*  De  Monarchic.'* 

i  WuU  then  it  wrougkt.]  In  tho  following  fifteen  lines  the 
Poet  has  comprised  the  exploits  of  Jnlhis  CaBsar,  for  which, 
and  for  the  allusions  in  the  greater  port  of  this  speech  of  Jus- 
tinian's, I  must  refer  my  reader  to  the  history  or  Rome. 

^  In  its  next  bearer*  e  fripe.]    With  Augustus  Cssar. 

*  Bark* d  of.]        roiaW  hXaicrii.     Sophoelet.  Electro.  299. 

«  The  third  Qesar.]  The  eagle  in  the  hand  of  Tiberius,  the 
third  of  the  CeBsars,  outdid  tdl  its  achievements,  both  past 
and  future,  by  becoming  the  instrument  of  that  mighty  hni 


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9^107.      #    PARADISE,  Canto  VI.  43| 

The  livingr  Justice,  in  whose  breath  I  more. 
Committed  glory,  e'en  into  his  hands,  • 

To  execute  the  vengeance  of  its  wrath. 

**  Hear  now,  and  wonder  at,  what  next  I  teU. 
After  with  Titus  it  was  sent  to  wreak 
Vengeance  for  vengeance*  of  the  ancient  sm. 
And,  when  the  Lombard  tooth,  with  fang  unpure. 
Did  gore  the  bosom  of  the  holy  church, 
Under  its  wings,  victorious,  Charlemam' 
Sped  to  her  rescue.    Judge  then  for  thyself 
Of  those,  whom  I  erewhiie  accused 'to  thee, 
What  they  are,  and  how  grievous  their  offendmg, 
Who  are  the  cause  of  all  your  ills.    The  one' 
Against  the  universal  ensign  rears 
The  yellow  lilies  ;*  and  with  partial  aim, 
That,  to  himself,  the  other"  arrogates : 
So  that  *tis  hard  to  see  who  most  offends. 
Be  yours,  ye  Ghibellines,*  to  veil  your  hearts 

mysterious  act  of  satisfaction  made  to  the  divine  justice  in  the 
crucifixion  of  our  Lord.  This  is  Lombardi*s  explanation ;  and 
he  deserves  much  credit  for  being  right,  where  all  the  other 
commentators,  as  fiur  as  I  know,  are  wrong.  See  aote  to 
Porg.,  Canto  xxxii.  50. 

>  Vengeance  far  vengta-Mt^  This  will  be  afterwards  ex- 
plained by  the  Poet  himself.    See  next  Canto,  v.  47,  and  note. 

3  C%ar/MMi<n.].  Dante  coold  not  be  ignorant  that  the  reign 
of  Justinian  was  long  prior  to  that  of  Charlemain;  bat  the 
spirit  of  the  former  emperor  is  represented,  both  in  this  in- 
stance and  in  what  follows,  as  conscious  of  the  events  th&k 
had  taken  i^ace  after  his  own  time. 

«  Th6  owe.]    The  Gnelph  party. 

4  The  yellow  lUies.]    The  French  ensign 
»  The  other.]    The  Ghibelline  party. 

•  Ye  Ohibellines.]  *'  Authors  di0er  much  as  to  the  begin- 
ning of  these  factions,  and  the  origin  of  the  names  by  whieh 
they  were  distinguished.  Some  say  that  they  began  in  Italy 
as  early  as  the  time  of  the  Emperor  Frederick  I.  in  his  well 
known  disputes  with  Pope  Alexander  III.  abont  the  year 
1160.  Others  make  them  more  ancient,  dating  them  from 
the  reign  of  the  Bmperor  Henry  IV.  who  died  in  1125.  But 
the  most  common  opinion  is,  that  they  arose  in  the  contests 
between  the  Emperor  Frederick  II.  and  Pope  Gregory  IX.,  and 
that  this  Emperor,  wishing  to  ascertain  who  were  his  own 
adherents,  and  who  those  of  the  Pope,  caused  the  former  to 
be  marked  by  the  appellation  of  Ghibellines,  and  the  latter  by 
Ihat  of  Goelphs.  It  is  m<xe  probable,  however,  that  the  fac- 
tions were  at  this  time  either  renewed,  or  diffhsed  more  wide- 
ly, and  that  their  origin  was  of  an  earlier  date,  since  it  is 
certain  that  G.  Villani,  b.  v.  c.  37,  Ricordano  Malaspina,  c.  civ., 
and  Pietro  Buoninsegni,  b.  1.  of  their  hist(nries  of  Florence, 
are  agreed,  that  even  firom  1215,  that  is,  long  before  Frederick 
had  succeeded  to  the  Empire,  and  Gregory  to  the  Pontificate, 
by  the  death  of  Buondelmone  Baondelmonti,  one  of  the  ehier 


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433  THE  VISION.  ♦      109-1« 

Beneath  another  standard :  ill  is  this 

Followed  of  him,  who  severs  it  and  justice: 

And  let  not  with  his  Guelphs  the    new*erown'd 

Assail  it ;  but  those  talons  hold  in  dread,      [Charlet' 

Which  from  a  lion  of  more  lofty  port 

Have  rent  tlie  casin^r.     Many  a  tune  ere  now 

The  sons  have  for  the  sire's  transgression  wail'd : 

Nor  let  him  trust  the  fond  belief,  that  heaven 

Will  truck  its  armor  for  his  lilied  shield. 

**  This  little  star  is  fumish'd  with  good  spuits, 
Whose  mortal  lives  were  busied  to  that  end, 
That  honor  and  renown  might  wait  on  them : 
And,  wheL  desiresi*  thus  err  in  their  intention, 
True  love  must  needs  ascend  with  slacker  beam. 
But  it  is  part  of  our  delight,  to  measure 

gentlemen  in  Florence,  (see  Par.,  Canto  xvi.  v.  139,)  the  fbe* 
tions  of  the  Guelft  and  Ghibellinl  were  introduced  into  that 
citv."  A.  6.  Artegiani,  Annotations  on  the  Ctaadriregio. 
p.  180.  "The  same  variety  of  opinion  prevails  with  regard 
to  the  origin  of  the  names.  Some  deduce  them  from  two 
brothers,  who  were  Germans,  the  one  called  Guelph  and  the 
other  Gibel,  who  being  the  partisans  of  two  powemil  fhmilies 
In  Pi^loia,  the  Fancianchi,  and  the  Cancel  lieri,  then  at  enmity 
with  each  other,  were  the  first  occasion  of  these  titles  hav- 
ing been  given  to  the  discord&nt  factions.  Others,  with  more 
probability,  derive  them  from  Gnelph  or  Gaelfene,  Duke  of 
bavaria,  and  Gibello,  a  castle  where  his  antagonist,  the  Em- 
peror Conrad  the  Third,  was  bom;  in  consequence  of  a  battle 
between  Gnelph  and  Henry  the  son  of  Conrad,  which  was 
'ought  (accordmg  to  Mini,  in  his  Defence  of  Florence,  p.  48* 
A.  D.  1138.  Others  assign  to  them  an  origin  yet  more  an- 
cient ;  asserting,  that  at  the  election  of  Frederick  L  to  the 
Empire,  the  Electors  concurred  in  choosing  him,  in  order  to 
extinguish  the  inveterate  discords  between  the  Guelphs  and 
Ghibellines,  that  prince  being  descended  by  the  paternal  line 
flrom  the  Ghibellines,  and  by  the  maternal  firoih  the  Guelphs. 
Bartolo,  however,  in  his  tractate  de  Guelphis  et  Gibellinis, 
gives  an  intrinsic  meaning  to  these  names  from  certain  pas- 
sagos  in  Scripture.  *  Sicut  Gibellns  Intennretatar  locus  forti- 
tudinis,  ita  Gibellini  appellantnr  confidentes  in  fortltudine 
niilitum  et  armorum,  et  sicut  Guelpha  interpretatur  os  loquens, 
ita  Guelphl  interpretantnr  confidentes  in  orationibus  et  in 
divinis.'  What  value  is  to  be  put  on  this  interpretation, 
which  well  accords  with  the  genius  of  those  times  when  it 
was  perhaps  esteemed  a  marvellous  mystery,  we  leave  it  to 
others  to  decide.**    Ibid. 

1  (Carles.]  The  Commentators  explain  this  to  mean 
Charles  U.  king  of  Naples  and  Sicily.  Is  it  not  more  likely 
to  allude  to  Charles  of  Valois,  son  of  Philip  III.  of  Franee, 
who  was  sent  for,  about  this  time,  into  Italy  by  Pope  Boni- 
face, with  the  promise  of  being  made  emperor  1  See  O.  Vil* 
lani,Ub.viii.cap.«L 

*  When  desires.]  When  honor  and  fiune  are  the  ehief  mo- 
tives to  action,  that  love,  which  has  heaven  fo  its  oldest, 
Bfintt  necessarily  become  less  ftrvent 


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mB-taa,  PARAI»EaS,  Canto  VI.  481 

Our  wagM  with  the  merit ;  and  admire 
The  doM  proportion.    Hence  doth  heavenly  justieo 
Temper  so  evenly  affection  in  us, 
It  ne'er  can  warp  to  any  wrongfidness. 
Of  diverse  voices  is  sweet  music  made: 
So  in  our  life  the  diflferent  degrees 
Render  sweet  harmony  among  these  wheels. 
*'  Within  the  pearl,  that  now  encloseth  us, 
Shines  Romeo's  light,'  whose  goodly  deed  and  fair 
Met  ill  acceptance.     But  the  Proven9als, 
That  were  his' foes,  have  little  cause  for  mirth. 
Ill  shapes  that  man  his  course,  whp  makes  his  wrong 
Of  other's  worth.     Four  daughter^  were  there  horn 
Tc  Raymond  Berenger  f  and  every  one 

>  Romeo's  light.]  The  story  of  Romeo  is  involved  in  8<mbo 
iincertainty.  Ttie  name  of  Romeo  signified,  as  ute  liave  seen 
in  tbe  note  Pnrg.,  Canto  xxxiii.  v.  78,  one  wlio  went  on  a  i^l 
grimage  to  Rome.  The  French  writers  assert  the  contina- 
ance  of  his  ministerial  office  eVen  after  the  decease  of  his 
sovereign,  Raymond  Berenger,  Count  of  Provence :  and  they 
rest  this  assertion  chiefly  on  the  &ct  of  a  certain  Romieu  de 
Villeneave,  who  was  the  contemporary  of  that  prince,  hav- 
ing left  large  possessions  behind  him,  as  appears  by  his  will 
preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  bishoinric  of  Venice.  Tlial 
they  are  right  as  to  the  name  at  least,  wonid  appear  firom 
the  following  marginal  note  on  the  Monte  Cassino  MS.  Ro- 
meo de  Villanova  districtns  civitatis  Ventiae  de  Provincia  « 
dim  administratoris  Raymundi  Belingeij  Comitis  de  Provin- 
cia—ivit  peregrinando  contemplatione  a4  Deiun.  Yet  it  is 
improbable,  on  the  other  hand,  that  the  Italians,  who  llv^ 
so  near  the  time,  should  be  misinformed  in  an  occnrrence  <^ 
such  notoriety.  Accmding  to  them,  after  he  had  long  been 
a  faithful  steward  to  Raymond,  when  an  account  was  re- 
quired  from  him  of  the  revenues  which  he  had  careflilly  hus- 
banded, and  hi%  master  as  lavishly  disbursed,  **  he  demanded 
the  little  mule,  the  stafi^  and  the  scrip,  vfrid^  which  he  ha^ 
first  entered  into  the  count's  service,  a  stranger  irflnim  ftoai 
the  shrine  of  St.  James,  in  Galicia,  an4  parted  as  ae  came ; 
nor  was  it  ever  known  whence  he  wtur,  or  whifher  he  went 
O.  FiUanit  lib.  vi.  c.  98.  The  same  incidents  are  told  of  him 
at  the  eon  elusion  of  cap.  zxviiL  |ib.  ii.  of  Fazio  degll  Uberti^s 
Dittamondo. 

*  Fbur  davghters.]  Of  the  four  daughters  of  Raymond 
Berenger,  Margaret,  the  eldest,  was  married  to  Louis  iX.  of 
France ;  Elean(^,  the  next,  to  Henry  m.  of  England ;  Sai^- 
cha,  the  third,  to  Richard,  Henry's  brother,  and  |Cing  of  the 
Romans!  and  the'young^t,  Bcnittriz,  to  Charles  L,  King  of 
Naples  and  ^cUy,  and  brother  to  Lo^iifl. 

9  Rafmpnd  fifirtnger.]  This  prince,  the  last  of  the  house 
of  Barcelona,  who  was  Count  of  Provence,  died  in  1245.  He 
is  in  the  list  of  Provencal  poets.  See  Millot,  Hist.  Litt.  des 
IViMbadoars,  torn.  ii.  p.  313.  But  M.  Raynouard  could  0nd 
BO  asannscript  of  his  works.  See  phoix  des  f  o^sies  des 
TVoBbadoors,  ton.  v.  p.  yii. 
19 


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434  THE  VISION.  137-144 

Became  a  ipieea:  and  thki  for  him  did  Romeo, 
Though  <rf  mean  itate  and  from  a  foreign  land. 
Yet  enTions  tongaes  incited  him  to  ask 
A  reckoning  of  that  juit  one,  who  reton'd 
TwelTe  fold  to  him  for  ten.    Aged  and  poor 
He  paited  thence :  and  if  the  world  did  know 
The  heart  he  had,  hedging  his  life  by  morsels, 
'Twould  deem  the  praise  it  yields  him,  scantly  dealt.' 

sr - 

CANTO    VIL 

ASGUMENT. 
In  eonteqaenee  of  what  had  been  said  by  Jnstiiviui,  who  fc>- 
tether  with  the  other  spirits  have  now  disappeared,  some 
doubts  arise  in  the  mind  of  Dante  respecting  the  hnnna 
redemption.  These  difficulties  are  fully  explained  by  Bea- 
trice. 

**  HosANNA.'  Sanctus  Deus  Sabaoth 
Saperillostrans  claritate  taa 
Felices  ignes  horum  malahoth." 
Thus  chanting  saw  I  turn  that  substance  bright,* 
With  fourfold  lustre  to  its  orb  asfain, 
Reyolving ;  and  the  rest,  unto  &eir  dance. 
With  it,  moved  also ;  and,  like  swiftest  sparks, 
,  In  sudden  distance  from  my  sight  were  veil'd.    [me, 
Me  doubt  possessed;  and  "Speak,"  it  whieper'd 
"  Speak,  speak  unto  thy  lady ;  that  she  quench 
Thy  thirst  with  drops  of  sweetness."    Yet  blank  awe, 
Which  lords  it  o'er  me,  even  at  the  sound 
Of  Beatrice's  name,  did  bow  me  down 
As  one  in  slumber  held.    Not  long  that.mood 
Beatrice  su^r'd :  she,  with  such  a  smile. 
As  might  have  made  one  blest  amid  the  flames,' 
Beaminfr  upon  me,  thus  her  words  began : 
<*  Thou  m  thy  thought  art  pondering  (as  I  deem,  . 
And  what  I  deem  is  truth)  how  just  revenge 
Could  be  with  justice  punish'd :  from  which  doubt 
I  soon  will  free  thee ;  so  thou  mark  my  words ; 
For  they  of  weighty  matter  shall  possess  thee. 

1  Ho§tmna.\  **  Hosanna  holy  God  of  Sabaoth,  abundantly 
Uhimining  with  thy  brightness  the  blessed  fires  of  these 
kingdoms." 

s  T%at  »ubttanee  Mg^kt.}    Justinian. 

•  Jtt  might  kav0  mads  mu  UeH  amid  tke  Jiam§s.]    SoGiosli 
de*  Conti.  Bella  Mano.    **  Qnal  salamandra.** 
Che  paoinmi  nolle  fiamme  flur  beato. 


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i.J^/^     ,'_j.i     u  A__^_A_  \-V.\  \i 


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t»-se.  PARADISE,  Canto  YIL  435 

Through  su^ring  not  a  curb  upon  the  power 

That  will'd  in  him,  to  his  own  profiting, 

That  man,  who  was  unborn,'  condemned  himself; 

And,  in  himself,  all,  who  since  him  have  lived, 

His  oflbpring:  whence,  below,  the  human  kmd 

Lay  sick  in  grievous  error  many  an  age ; 

Until  it  pleased  the  Word  of  God  to  come 

Among  them  down,  to  his  own  person  joinfaig 

The  nature  from  its  Maker  far  estrangedi 

By  the  mere  act  of  his  eternal  love. 

Contemplate  here  the  wonder  I  unfold. 

The  nature  with  its  Maker  thus  conjoined, 

Created  first  was  blameless,  pure,  and  good ; 

But,  through  itself  alone,  was  driven  forth 

From  Panuiise,  because  it  had  eschew'd 

The  way  of  truth  and  life,  to  evil  tum'd. 

Ne'er  then  was  penalty  so  just  as  that' 

Inflicted  by  the  cross,  if  thou  regard 

The  nature  in  assumption  doom  d ;  ne'er  wrong 

So  great,  in  reference  to  him,  who  took 

Such  nature  on  him,  and  endured  the  doom. 

So  difierent  effects'  flow'd  from  one  act : 

For  by  one  death  God  and  the  Jews  were  pleased ; 

And  heaven  was  open'd,  though  the  earth  did  quaka 

Count  it  not  hard  henceforth,  when  thou  dost  hear 

That  a  just  vengeance'  was,  by  righteous  court, 

Justly  revenged.    But  yet  I  see  thy  mind. 

By  thought  on  thought  arising,  sore  perplez'd ; 

And,  with  how  vehement  desire,  it  asks 

Solution  of  the  maze.    What  I  have  heard. 

Is  plain,  thou  sayst:  but  wherefore  God  this  way 

For  our  redemption  chose,  eludes  my  search. 

"  Brother !  no  eye  of  man  not  perfected. 
Not  fully  ripen*d  in  the  flame  of  love, 
May  fathom  this  decree.    It  is  a  mark. 
In  sooth,  much  aim*d  at,  and  but  little  kenn*d: 
And  I  will  therefore  show  thee  why  such  way 

I  That  man,  who  wot  uMbcm.l    Adam. 

s  Different  dfeet*.]  The  death  of  Christ  was  pleasing  to 
God,  inasmuch  as  it  satisfied  the  divine  Justice ;  and  to  the 
Jews,  because  it  gratified  their  malignity :  and  while  heaven 
cqiened  for  joy  at  the  ran8<Hn  of  man,  the  earth  trembled 
through  compassion  for  its  Maker. 

*  A  just  vengearue.]  The  purishment  of  Christ  by  the 
Jews,  although  Just  as  fiur  as  regarded  ^e  human  nature  as- 
sumed by  him,  and  so  a  righteous  vengeance  of  sin,  yet  being 
unjust  as  it  reffu&od  the  divine  nature,  was  itself  justly  re- 
venged on  the  Jews  by  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem. 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


4M  THE  VISION.  6»<^ 

Wat  worthieit    Thb  celestial  love,^  that  i^Hinv 
All  envying  in  its  bounty,  in  itself 
With  such  effulgence  blazeth,  as  sends  forth 
All  beauteor  js  things  eternal.    What  distils* 
Immediate  thence,  no  end  of  being  knows ; 
Bearing  its  seal  immutably  impressed. 
Whatever  thence  immediate  falls,  is  free. 
Free  wholly,  unccmtrollable  by  power 
Of  each  thing  new :  by  such  c<mformity 
More  grateful  to  its  author,  whose  bright  beams, 
Thou^  all  partake  their  shining,  yet  in  those 
Are  liveliest,  which  resemble  him  the  meet 
These  tokens  of  pre-eminence'  on  man 
Largely  bestow*d,  if  any  of  them  fail, 
He  needs  must  forfeit  fajs  nobility, 
No  longer  stamless.    Sm  alone  is  that. 
Which  doth  disfranchise  him,  and  make  unlike 
To  the  chief  good ;  for  that  its  light  in  him 
Is  darkened.    And  to  dignity  thus  lost 
Is  no  return ;  unless,  where  guilt  makes  void. 
He  for  ill  pleasure  pay  with  equal  pain. 
Your  nature,  which  entirely  in  its  seed 
TransgressM,  irom  these  distinctions  fell,  no  less 
Than  from  its  state  4n  Paradise ;  nor  means        ^ 
Found  of  recovery  (search  all  methods  out 
As  strictly  as  thou  may)  save  one  <^  these. 
The  only  fords  were  left  through  which  to  wade: 
Either,  that  God  had  of  his  courtesy 
Released  him  merely ;  or  else,  man  himself  ' 
For  his  own  folly  by  himself  atoned. 

"  Fix  now  thine  eye,  intently  as  thou  canst, 
On  the  everlasting  counsel ;  and  explore, 
Instructed  by  my  words,  the  dread  abyss. 

*'  Man  in  himself  had  evra  lack'd  the  means 

1  7%0  celestial  love.]  Ftam  BoeUos  de  Consol.  PhiloSn  lib 
lU.  Metr.  9. 

dnem  non  extemc  pepulerunt  fingere  cansn 
Materia  fluitantis  opus,  veram  insita  stunml 
Forma  boni  livore  carens ;  ta  cuBcta  snpemo 
Dacis  ab  exemplo,  pulchnun  pulcberrimus  ipse 
Mandam  mente  gerens,  gimilique  in  imagine  formans, 
Perfectasque  jabens  perfectum  absolvere  partes. 

•  What  distUe.]  **  That  which  proceeds  immediately  ftom 
God,  and  without  the  intervention  of  secondary  causes,  is 
immortal." 

*  7%ege  Uk§$u  af  j»r0-m»iunc«.]  The  before-mentioBed 
gifts  of  immediate  creati<m  by  God,  independence  on  second- 
ary causes,  and  consequent  similitude  and  agreeableness  is 
the  diviiie  Being,  all  at  first  confeired  on  smb. 


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M-ISS.  PARADISE,  Camto  VH.  4SJ 

Of  satisfastion,  for  he  could  not  8toq> 

Obeying,  in  humility  so  low, 

As  hig^h,  he,  disobeying,  thought  to  soar: 

And,  for  this  reason,  he  had  vainly  tried, 

Out  of  his  own  sufficiency,  to  pay 

The  rigid  satisfaction.    Then  behooved 

That  God  should  by  his  own  ways  lead  him  baok 

Unto  the  life,  from  whence  he  fell,  restored : 

By  both  his  ways,  I  mean,  or  one  alone.^ 

But  since  the  deed  is  ever  prized  the  more, 

The  more  the  doer's  good  intent  appears ; 

Goodness  celestial,  whose  broad  signature 

Is  on  the  universe,  of- all  its  ways 

To  raise  ye  up,  was  fam  to  leave  out  none. 

Nor  aught  so  vast  or  so  magnificent. 

Either  for  him  who  grave  or  who  received. 

Between  the  last  night  and  the  primal  day, 

Was  or  can  bel    For  God  more  bounty  slioVd, 

Giving  himself  to  make  man  capable 

Of  his  return  to  life,  than  had  the  terms 

Been  mere  and  unconditional  release. 

And  for  his  justice,  every  method  else 

Were  all  too  scant,  had  not  the- Son  of  God 

Humbled  himself  to  put  on  mortal  flesh. 

"  Now,  to  content  thee  fully,  I  revert ; 
And  further  in  some  part^  unfold  my  speech. 
That  thou  mayst  see  it  clearly  as  myself. 

**  I  see,  thou  sayst,  the  air,  the  fire  I  see. 
The  earth  and  water,  and  all  things  of  them 
Compounded,  to  corruption  turn,  and  soon 
Dissolve.    Yet  these  were  also  things  create. 
Because,  if  what  were  told  me,  had  been  tnie, 
They  from  corruption  had  been  therefore  free. 

«  The  angels,  O  my  brother  I  and  this  clime 
Wherein  thou  sirt,  impassible  and  pure, 

1  By  both  his  toayty  Inuauy  or  one  atone.]  lUther  by  mercy 
and  justice  'united,  or  by  mercy  alone. 

9  In  tome  part.]  She  reverts  to  that  part  of  her  discourse 
where  she  had  said  that  what  proceeds  immediately  from 
God  **  no  end  of  being  knows.*'  She  then  i»roceeds  to  tell 
him  that  the  elements,  which,  though  he  Imew  them  to  bo 
created,  he  yet  saw  dissolved,  received  their  form  not  im- 
mediately from  God,  but  firom  a  virtne  or  power  created  by 
God ;  that  the  sonl  of  brutes  and  plants  is  in  like  mannef 
drawn  forth  by  the  stars  with  a  combination  of  those  ele- 
ments meetiy  tempered,  '*di  complession  polenzlata  ;*'  but 
that  the  angels  and  the  heavens  may  be  said  to  be  created  is 
that  very  manner  in  which  they  exist,  without  any  intenren 
tion  of  agency. 


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0$  THE  VISION.  139-144. 

I  call  created,  even  as  they  are 

In  their  whole  heing.    Bat  the  elements, 

Which  thou  hast  named,  and  what  of  them  is  made^ 

Are  by  created  virtue  inform'd :  create, 

Their  subeitance ;  and  create,  the  informing  virtue 

In  these  bright  stars,  that  round  them  drcUng  move. 

The  soul  of  every  brute  and  of  each  plant. 

The  ray  and  motion  of  the  sacred  lights. 

Draw*  from  complexion  with  meet  power  endued 

But  this  our  life  the  eternal  good  inspires 

Immediate,  and  enamors  of  itself; 

So  that  our  wishes  rest  for  ever  here. 

"  And  hence  thou  mayst  by  inference  conclude 
Our  resurrection  certain,*  if  thy  mind 
Consider  how  the  human  flesh  was  framed. 
When  both  our  parents  at  the  first  were  made  " 


CANTO    VIII 

ARGUMENT. 
The  Poet  ascends  with  Beatrice  to  the  third  heaven,  which 
is  the  planet  Venus ;  and  here  finds  the  soul  of  Charies 
Martel,  King  of  Hungary,  who  had  been  Dante's  friend  on 
earth,  and  who  now,  after  spealdng  of  the  realms  to  which 
he  was  heir,  unfolds  the  cause  why  cliildren  differ  in  dis 
position  from  their  parents. 

^  Draw.]    I  had  before  rendered  tliis  differently,  and  I  now 
think  emmeoosly : 

With  complex  potency  attract  and  turn. 
*  Our  remrreetum.  eerUUn.]  Ventnri  appears  to  mistake 
the  Poet's  reasoning,  when  he  observes :  **  Wretched  for  us* 
if  we  had  not  arguments  more  convincing,  and  of  a  higtier 
Idnd,  to  assure  us  of  the  truth  of  our  resurrection."  It  is, 
perhaps,  here  intended  tluU  the  whole  of  Grod's  dispensation 
should  be  taken  into  the  account  The  conclusion  may  be 
that  as  befwe  sin  man  was  immortal,  and  even  in  flesh  pro 
ceeded  Immediately  iVom  God,  so  being  restored  to  the  fkvor 
of  heaven  by  tlie  expiation  made  for  sin,  he  necessarily  re> 
eovers  his  claim  to  immortality  even  in  the  body. 

There  is  much  in  this  poem  to  justify  the  encomium  which 
tlw  learned  Salvini  has  passed  on  it,  when,  in  an  epistle  to 
Redi,  imitating  what  Horace  had  said  of  Homer,  that  the  du- 
ties of  life  might  be  better  learned  firom  the  Grecian  bard, 
ttum  firom  the  teachers  of  the  porch  or  the  academy,  he  says : 
And  dost  thou  ask,  what  themes  my  mind  engage  ? 
The  lonely  hours  I  give  to  Dante's  page ; 
And  meet  more  sacred  learning  in  his  lines, 
Than  I  had  gain'd  from  aJ  the  school  divines. 
Se  volete  saper  la  vita  mia, 
Studiando  io  sto  lungi  da  tutti  gU  uomini ; 
Eo  ho  imparato  piu  teol<^a 
In  qnesti  giomi,  che  ho  riletto  Dante, 
Che  nelle  scuole  fatto  io  non  avria.    . 


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HM.  I^ARADISE,  Canto  VIU.  489 

The  worid*  was,  in  its  day  of  peril  daric. 
Wont  to  believe  the  dotage  of  fond  love. 
From  the  fair  Cyprian  deity,  who  rolls 
In  her  third  epicycle,'  shed  on  men 
By  stream  of  potent  radiance :  therefore  they 
Of  elder  time,  in  their  old  error  blind. 
Not  her  alone  with  sacrifice  adored 
And  invocation,  but  like  honors  paid 
To  Cupid  and  Dione,  deem'd  of  them 
Her  mother,  and  her  son,  him  whom  they  feij^i*^ 
To  sit  in  Dido's  bosom  :*  and  from  her. 
Whom  I  have  sung  preluding,  borrowed  they 
The  appellation  of  that  star,  which  views 
Now  obvious,^  and  now  averse,  the  sun* 

I  was  not  ware  that  I  was  wafted  up 
Into  its  orb ;  but  the  new  loveliness. 
That  graced  my  lady,  g^ve  me  ample  proof 
That  we  had  entered  there.    And  as  in  flame 
A  sparkle  is  distinct,  or  voice  in  voice 
Discerned,  when  one  its  even  tenor  keeps. 
The  other  comes  and  goes ;  so  in  that  light 
I  other  luminaries  saw,  that  coursed 
In  circling  motion,  rapid  more  or  less, 
As  their*  eternal  vision  each  impels. 

1  The  world.]  The  Poet,  on  his  arrival  at  the  third  heaven, 
tells  us  that  the  world,  in  its  days  of  heathen  darkness,  be* 
lleved  the  inflnence  of  sensnal  love  to  proceed  firom  the  star, 
to  which,  under  the  name  of  Venus,  they  paid  divine  honors : 
as  they  worshiped  the  supposed  mother  and  son  of  Venus, 
under  the  names  of  Dione  and  Cupid. 

•  Epicycle.] 

the  sphere 

With  centric  and  eccentric  scribbled  o*er. 
Cycle  and  epicycle.  JUilUnit  P.  L.^  b.  viii.  84. 

'^  In  sul  dosso  di  questo  cerchio,*'  &c.  Convito  di  Dante, 
p.  4S.  "  Upon  the  back  of  this  circle,  in  the  heaven  of  Ve- 
was,  whereof  we  are  now  treating,  is  a  little  sphere,  which 
has  in  that  heaven  a  revolution  of  its  own ;  whose  circle  the 
«8tronomers  term  epicycle." 
s  To  sit  in.  Dido*8  bosom.]    Virgil,  iEn.,  lib.  i.  7ia 

•  JVoip  obvious.]  Being  at  one  part  of  the  year,  &  mominfi 
and  at  another  an  evening  star.    So  Frezzi  :— 

— •  II  raggio  della  Stella 
Chel  sol  vagheggia  ox  drieto  or  davanU. 

n  Quadrir.i  lib.  i.  cap.  L 
— — —  whose  ray, 
Being  pagQ  snd  usher  to  the  day, 
Does  mourn  behind  the  sun,  before  him  play. 

•  Jf&  tksir.)  As  each,  according  to  their  Mveial  desert^ 
partakes  more  or  Jess  of  the  beatific  vision. 


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440  THE  VISION. 

Nerer  was  blast  from  vapor  chaigad  wUh  oold. 
Whether  invisible  to  eye  or  no,* 
Descended  with  such  i^>eed,  it  had  not  seem'd 
To  linger  ui  dull  tardiness,  compared 
To  those  celevtial  lights,  that  towards  us  came. 
Leaving  the  circuit  of  their  joyous  ring, 
Ckmducted  by  the  lofty  seraphim. 
And  after  them,  who  in  the  van  appeared. 
Such  an  Hosanna  sounded  as  hath  left 
Desire,  ne'er  since  extinct  in  me,  to  hear 
Reuew'd  the  strain.    Then,  parting  from  the  rest. 
One  near  us  drew,  and  sole*  began :  **  We  all 
Are  ready  at  .thy  pleasure,  well  diqKwed 
To  do  thee  gentle  service.    We  are  they, 
To  whom  thou  in  the  world  erewhile  didst  sing ; 
<  O  ye !  whose  mtellectual  ministry* 
Moves  the  third  heaven :'  and  in  one  wb  we  rolU 
One  motion,  one  impulse,  with  those  who  rule 
Princedoms  in  heaven ;'  yet  are  of  love  so  full. 
That  to  please  thee  'twill  be  as  sweet  to  rest" 

After  mine  eyes  had  with  meek  reverepce 
Sought  the  celestial  guide,  and  were  by  her 
Assured,  they  tum'd  again  unto  the  light, 
Who  had  so  largely  promised ;  and  with  voice 
That  bare  the  lively  pressure  of  my  zeal, 
"  Tell  who  ye  are,"  I  cried-    Forthwith  it  grew 
In  size  and  splendor,  through  augmented  joy ; 
And  thus  it  auswer'd :  "  A  short  date,  below. 
The  world  possess'd  me.    Had  the  time  been  more, 
Much  evil,  that  will  come,  had  never  chanced. 
My  gladness  hides  thee  from  me,  which  doth  shine 

I  ffkether  invisible  toegeor  no.]    He  calls  the  blast  inyisl- 
ble,  if  unattended  by  gross  vapor;  otherwise,  visible. 
t  Oye!  vhote  intellectual  minittry.l 

Vol  ch*  intendendo  11  terzo  del  movete. 

The  first  line  in  oar  Poet*s  first  Canzone.    See  his  Convlto, 
p.  4a 

*  Prineedom*  in  heaven.]  See  Canto  xxvlll.  112,  where  the 
princedoms  are,  as  here,  made  co-ordinate  with  this  thira 
sphere.  In  his  Convito,  p.  54,  he  has  ranlced  them  differently, 
matdng  the  thrones  the  moving  intelligences  of  Venus. 

*  Had  the  time  been  more.]  The  spirit  now  speaking  is 
Charles  Martel,  crowned  King  of  Hungary,  and  son  of  Charles 
U.,  King  of  Naples  and  Sicily,  to  which  dominions,  dying  in 
his  father's  lifetime,  he  did  not  succeed.  The  evil,  that 
would  have  been  prevented  by  the  longer  life  of  Charles 
Martel,  was  that  resistance  which  his  brother  Robert,  Kinf 
c»f  Sicily,  wh>  succeeded  him,  made  to  the  Emperor  Remn 
Vn.    ^  G.  Villani,  lib.  ix.  cap.  zzxviiL 


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«MT.  PARADISE.  Cahto  VUI.  441 

Aroimd,  and  Bfaroud  me,  aa  an  animal 
In  its  own  silk  enswath'd.    Thou  loyedst  me  well,' 
And  hadst  gooa  cause ;  for  had  my  sojourning 
Been  longer  on  the  earth,  the  love  I  bare  thee 
Had  put  forUi  more  than  blossoms.    The  left  bank,' 
That  Rhone,  when  he  hath  mix'd  with  Sorga,  laves. 
In  me  its  loid  expected,  and  that  horn 
Of  fair  Ausonia,'  with  its  borotighs  old, 
Bari,  and  Cioton,  and  Gaeta  piled. 
From  where  the  Trento  disembogues  his  waves, 
With  Verde  mingled,  to  the  salt-sea  flood. 
Already  on  my  temples  beam'd  the  crown. 
Which  grave  me  sovereignty  over  the  land^ 
By  Danube  wash'd,  whenas  he  strays  beyond  • 
The  limits  of  his  German  shores.    The  realm. 
Where,  on  the  gulf  by  stormy  Eurus  lash'd. 
Betwixt  Pelorus  and  Pachynian  heights. 
The  beautiful  Trinacria*  lies  in  gloom, 
(Not  through  TyphoBUs,*  but  the  vapory  doud 
Bituminous  upsteam'd)  t?uit  too  did  look 
To  have  its  sceptre  wielded  by  a  race 
Of  mouarchs,  sprung  through  me  Irom  Charles  and 
Rodolph  f 


1  7%ou  lov«dst  hm  vM.]  Charles  Maitel  might  have  been 
known  to  our  Poet  at  Florence,  whither  he  came  to  meet  his 
father  in  1295,  the  year  of  his  death.  The  retinue  and  the 
habiliments  of  the  young  monarch  are  minutely  described 
by  6.  Villanl,  who  adds,  that  **  he  remained  more  than  twenty 
days  in  Florence,  waiting  for  his  father  King  Charles  and  hit 
brothers :  during  which  time  great  honor  was  done  him  by 
the  Flwentines,  and  he  showed  no  less  love  towards  them, 
and  he  was  much  in  fovor  with  all."  Lib.  viiL  cap.  Hii. 
His  brother  Robert,  king  of  Naples,  was  the  ftiend  of  Pe- 
trarch. 

s  The  14%  Uaik.1   Provence. 

» Thatkom 

Cffair  ./fiwmiia.]    The  kingdom  of  Naples 

*  The  land.} .  Hungary. 

*  The  beautifid  Trinaeria.]  Sicily ;  so  called  iWnn  its  three 
promontories,  of  which  Pachynus  uid  Pelorus,  here  men 
tioned,  are  two. 

*  T^hmus.)  The  giant,  whom  Jupiter  is  fkbled  to  have 
overwhelmed  under  the  mountain  ^tna,  from  whence  he 
vomited  forth  smoke  and  flame. 

*  Sprung  throwk  me  from  Charles  and  Rodolph.}  "  Sicily 
would  be  stili  ruled  by  a  race  of  monarchs,  descended  through 
mo  from  Charles  I.  and  Rodolph  I.,  the  former  my  grand' 
&ther,  king  of  Naples  and  Sicily  ;  the  latter,  emperor  of  Ger- 
many, my  ftther-in-Iaw;'*  both  celebrated  in  the  Porgatory, 
Canto  vii. 


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449  THE  yiSK)N.  78-lM 

Had  not  in-lordiii|r,i  which  doth  dasperate  mako* 

The  people  ever,  in  Palenno  raised 

The  shoat  of  *  death/  re-echoed  loud  and  lon^. 

Had  but  my  Iwother's  foresight'  kenn*d  as  muchf 

He  had  been  warier,  that  the  greedy  want 

Of  Catal<Miia  might  not  work  his  bale. 

And  truly  need  there  is  that  he  forecast. 

Or  other  for  him,  lest  more  freight  be  laid 

On  his  already  over-laden  bark. 

Natore  in  him,  from  bounty  fallen  to  thrift, 

Would  ask  the  guard  of  braver  arms,  than  such 

As  only  care  to  have  their  cofiers  fiU'd." 

**  My  liege !  it  doth  enhance  the  joy  thy  words 
Infuse-  into  me,  mighty  as  it  is. 
To  think  my  gladness  manifest  to  thee. 
As  to  mysebf,  who  own  it,  when  thou  look'st 
Into  the  source  and  limit  of  all  good,  [speak. 

There,  where  thou  markest  that  which  thou  dost 
Thence  prized  of  me  the  more.    Glad  thou  hast 

made  me : 
Now  make  intelligent,  clearing  the  doubt 
Thy  speech  hath  raised  in  me ;  for  much  I  muse. 
How  bitter  can  spring  up,*  when  sweet  is  sown." 

I  thus  inquiring ;  he  forthwith  replied : 
«  If  I  have  power  to  show  one  truth,  soon  that 
Shall  face  thee,  which  thy  questioning  declares 

1  Had  not  iU-lordin^^    **  If  the  ill  conduct  of  oar  governon 
In  Sicily  had  not  excited  the  resentment  and  hatred  of  the 
people,  and  stimalated  them  to  that  dreadful  massacre  at  the 
BicUian  vespers ;"  in  consequence  of  which  the  kingdom  fell 
into  the  hands  of  Peter  III.  of  Aragon,  in  1283. 
Mlracol  parve  ad  ogni  persona 
Che  ad  una  voce  tutta  la  Cicilia 
Si  rubellb  dall'  una  all*  altra  nona, 
Gridando,  mora  mora  la  fkmiglia 
Di  Carlo,  mora  mora  gli  franceschl, 
E  cosi  ne  taglib  ben  otto  miglia. 
O  quanto  i  forestier  che  glungon  freschi 
Neir  altrui  terre,  denno  esser  cortesi, 
Fuggir  lussuria  e  non  esser  manescbd. 

J«lizto  d^li  Uberti,  DiUamondo^  lib.  11.  cap.  39 

*  Desperate  make.)  *'  Accuora.**  Monti  in  his  Proposta 
construes  this  **  afflicts."  Vellutetio^s  interpretation  of  it» 
which  is  *'  makes  desperate,"  appears  to  be  nearer  the  mark. 

s  JIfy  brother' $  foresight.']  He  seems  to  tax  his  brother  Ro- 
bert with  employing  necessitous  and  greedy  Catalonians  to 
administer  the  a&irs  of  his  kingdom. 

*  How  bitter  can  ejtriw  iip.]  "  How  a  covetous  son  can 
spring  from  a  liberal  father.^*  Tet  tliat  father  has  himself 
been  accused  of  avarice  in  the  Purgatory,  Canto  xx.  78  i 
though  his  general  character  was  that  of  a  bounteous  prince 


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103-1«{.  PARADISE,  Canto  \  in.  443 

Behind  thee  now  concealed.    The  Good,^  that  guides 

And  blessed  makes  this  reahn  which  thou  dost  mount. 

Ordains  its  providence  to  be  the  virtue 

In  these  great  bodies:  nor  the  natures  only 

The  all-perfect  mind  provides  for,  but  with  them 

That  which  preserves  them  too ;  for  naught,  that  liei 

Withm  the  range  of  that  unerring  bow. 

But  is  as  level  with  the  destined  aim, 

As  ever  mark  to  arrow's  point  opposed. 

Were  it  not  thus,  these  heavens,  thou  dost  visit. 

Would  their  effect  so  work,  it  would  not  be 

Art,  but  destruction ;  and  this  may  not  chance, 

If  th'  intellectual  powers,  that  move  these  stars. 

Fail  not,  and  who,  first  faulty  made  them,  fail 

Wilt  thou  this  truth  more  clearly  evidenced  ?" 

To  whom  I  thus :  « It  is  enough :  no  fear, 
I  see,  lest  nature  in  her  part  should  tire." 

He  straight  rejoin*d :  "  Say,  were  it  worse  for  man, 
If  he  lived  not  in  fellowship  on  earth  V* 

"  Yea,"  answer'd  I ;  "  nor  here  a  reason  needs." 

"  And  may  that  be,  if  different  estates 
Grow  not  of  difierent  duties  in  your  life  ? 
Consult  your  teacher,*  and  he  tells  you  *  no.' " 

Thus  did  he  come,  deducmg  to  tlus  pomt, 

^  The  Oood.]  The  Supreme  Being  uses  these  spheres  as 
the  intelligent  instniments  of  his  iHrovidence  in  the  condnct 
of  terrestrial  natures ;  so  that  these  natures  cannot  but  be 
conducted  aright,  unless  these  heavenly  bodies  should  them- 
selves fail  from  not  having  been  made  perfect  at  first,  or  the 
Creator  of  them  should  fail.  To  this  Dante  replies,  that  na- 
ture, he  is  satisfied,  thus  directed,  must  do  her  part.  Charles 
Martel  then  reminds  him,  that  he  had  learned  nrom  Aristotle, 
that  human  society  requires  a  variety  of  conditions,  and  con- 
sequently a  variety  of  qualifications  in  its  members.  Ac- 
cordingly, men,  he  concludes,  are  bom  with  different  powers 
and  capacities,  caused  by  the  influence  of  the  heavenly  bodies 
at  the  time  of  their  nativity;  on  which  influence,  and  not  on 
their  parents,  those  powers  and  capacities  depend.  Having 
thus  resolved  the  question  proposed,  Charles  Martel  adds,  by 
way  of  corollary,  tlmt  the  want  of  observing  their  natural 
bent  in  the  destination  of  men  to  their  several  offices  in  life, 
is  the  occasion  of  much  of  the  disorder  that  jurevails  in  the 
world. 

>  Consult  your  teacher  J]  Aristotle,  htl  l^  ivonoCwv  ^  irdXig, 
c.  r.  X.  De  Rep.,  lib.  iii.  cap.  4.  "  Since  a  state  is  made  up 
of  members  difiering  from  one  another;  (for  even  as  an  ani- 
mal, in  the  first  instance,  consists  of  soul  and  body;  and  the 
wait  of  reason  and  desire ;  and  a  fhmily,  of  man  and  woman  * 
and  property,  of  master  and  slave ;  in  like  manner  a  state 
consists  both  of  all  these,  and  besides  these  of  other  dissimi< 
lar  kinds ;)  it  necessarily  follows,  that  the  excellence  of  all 
the  members  of  the  state  cannot  be  one  and  the  same.*' 


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444  THE  yifiK)N.  l$fMH 

And  then  c<mcladed :  "  For  this  caaM  behoovM^ 

The  roots,  from  whence  your  operations  come* 

Must  differ.    Therefore  one  is  Solon  bom ; 

Another,  Xerxes ;  and  Melchisedec 

A  third ;  and  he  a  fourth,  whose  airy  voyage 

Cost  him  his  son.'    In  her  circuitous  course, 

Nature,  that  is  the  seal  to  mortal  wax, 

Doth  well  her  art,  but  no  distinction  owns 

'Twixt  one  or  other  household.    Hence  befalls 

That  Esau  is  so  wide  of  Jacob:*  hence 

Quirinus*  of  so  base  a  father  (q>ringB, 

He  dates  from  Mars  his  lineage.    Were  it  not 

That  Providence  celestial  overruled. 

Nature,  in  generation,  must  the  path 

Traced  by  the  generator  still  pursue 

Unswervingly.    Thus  p^ace  1  in  thy  sight 

That,  which  was  late  behind  thee.    But,  in  sigu 

Of  more  afiection  for  thee,  'tis  my  will 

Than  wear  this  corollary.    Nature  ever, 

Finding  discordant  fortune,  like  all  seed 

Out  of  its  proper  climate,  thrives  but  ill. 

And  were  the  world  below  content  to  mark 

And  work  on  the  foundation  nature  lays. 

It  would  not  lack  supply  of  excellence. 

But  ye  perversely  to  religion  strain 

Him,  who  was  bom  to  gud  on  him  the  swcod. 

And  of  the  fluent  phraseman  make  your  king: 

Therefore*  your  steps  have  wander*d'from  the  path.* 


*  '  Whose  airjf  voifiure 
Cost  him  his  son.]    Deoalns. 

*  Esau  is  so  vids  of  Jacob.]  Genesis,  xxv.  22.  Ventnil 
blames  cor  Poet  for  selecting  an  instance,  which,  as  that 
commentator  says,  proves  the  direct  contrary  of  that  wiiich 
he  intended,  as  they  were  born  under  the  same  ascendant ; 
and,  therefore,  if  the  stars  had  any  influence,  the  two  broth- 
ers should  have  been  bom  with  the  same  temperament  and 
disposition.  This  objection  is  well  answered  by  Lombard!, 
who  quotes  a  passage  from  Roeer  Bacon,  to  show  that  the 
imaliest  diversity  of  place  was  held  to  make  a  diversity  in 
the  influence  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  so  as  to  occasion  an  en- 
tire discrepancy  even  between  children  in  the  same  womb. 
It  must  be  recollected,  that  whatever  power  may  be  attribu* 
ted  to  ttfe  stars  by  our  Poet,  he  does  not  suppose  it  to  put  any 
constraint  on  the  freedom  of  the  human  will ;  so  that,,  chi- 
merical as  his  opinion  appears  to  ns,  it  was,  in  a  moral  point 
i^  view  at  least,  harmless. 

>  Q^irinus.]  Bobinlus,  bom  of  so  obscure  a  father,  that 
his  parentage  was  attributed  to  Mars. 

*  Therefore.]  "  The  wisdom  of  God  hath  divided  the  genius 
of  men  aceordisg  to  the  diflerent  afl&iis  of  the  world ;  and 


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Ml.  PARADISE,  Cjorto  IX. 


CANTO   IX. 

ARGVBfENT. 
The  next  spirit,  who  converses  with  onr  Foet  in  the  planet 
Veaos,  is  the  anKNToos  Cnnizza.  To  her  racceeds  Folco,  or 
Folqnes,  the  Provencal  hatdf  who  dectares  that  tlie  soul  <^ 
Bahah  the  harlot  is  there  also;  and  then,  blaming  the  Pope 
for  his  neglect  of  the  holy  land,  prognosticates  some  leverM 
to  tlie  papal  power. 

After  solution  of  my  doubt,  thy  Gharlee, 
O  fair  Clemenza,'  of  the  treachery"  spake, 
That  must  befall  his  seed  :  but, ««  Tell  it  not," 
Said  he,  "  and  let  the  destined  years  come  round." 
Nor  may  I  tell  thee  more,  save  that  the  meed 
Of  sorrow  well-deserved  shall  quit  your  wrongs. 

And  now  the  visage  of  that  saintly  light' 
Was  to  the  sun,  that  fills  it,  tum*d  again, 
As  to  the  good,  whose  plentitude  of  bliss 
Sufficeth  aiL    O  ye  misguided  souls ! 
Infatuate,  who  from  such  a  good  estrange 
Your  hearts,  and  bend  your  graze  on  vanity, 
Alas  for  you ! — ^And  lo !  toward  me,  next. 
Another  of  those  splendent  forms  approach'd. 
That,  by  its  outward  brightening,  testified 
The  will  it  had  to  pleasure  me.    The  eyes 
Of  Beatrice,  resting,  as  before. 
Firmly  upon  me,  manifested  forth 
Approval  of  my  wish.    "  And  O,"  I  cried, 
"  Blest  spirit !  quickly  be  my  will  performed ; 
And  prove  thou  to  me,^  that  my  inmost  thoughts 


varied  their  inclinaUons  acc<Nrding  to  the  variety  of  actions 
to  be  performed  therein.  Which  they  who  consider  not, 
mdely  mshing  noon  professions  and  vrays  of  life  nnequal  to 
their  natures,  dishonor  not  only  themselves  and  their  ftuie- 
tions,  but  pervert  the  harmony  of  the  whole  worid.'*  Bmon 
•n  Vulgar  Errors,  b.  i.  ch.-  5. 

1  0/atr  Clementa.]  Daughter  of  Charles  Martel,  and  lec 
ond  wife  of  Louis  X.  of  France. 

*  T%«  treachery.]  He  alludes  to  the  occupation  of  the  king' 
dom  of  Sicily  by  Robert,  in  exclusion  of  his  Inrother's  son 
Carobert,  or  Charles  Robert,  the  rightftil  heir.  SeeCYUlani, 
lib.  viU.  c  112. 

s  7%at  saintly  lighL\    Charles  Martel. 

*  Prove  thou  to  me,]  The  thoughts  of  all  created  minds 
being  seen  by  the  Deity,  and  all  that  is  in  the  Deity  being 
the  object  of  vision  to  beatified  spirits,  such  spirits  must 
ecmsequentiy  see  the  thoughts  of  all  created  minds.  Dante 
therefOTe  requests  of  the  sfrfrit,  who  now  approaches  him, 
a  proof  of  this  troth  with  regard  to  his  own  thoughts.    Sea 

▼.mi 


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446  THETBKMf. 

I  can  reBect  on  thee."    Thereat  the  ligi^ 
That  yet  was  new  to  me,  finom  the  rece«. 
Where  it  befoie  was  flinging,  thus  began, 
Am  one  who  joya  in  kin<faie«:  **  In  that  part' 
Of  the  depraTeid  Italian  land,  which  liea 
Between  Kialto  and  the  fonntain-flpringa 
Of  Bronta  and  of  Piaya,  there  doth  rise, 
But  to  no  lofty  eminence,  a  hill. 
From  whence  erewhile  a  firebrand  did  deeoendy 
That  sorely  ahent  the  region.    From  one  root 
I  and  it  sprang ;  my  name  on  earth  Conizsa : 
And  here  I  glitter,  for  that  by  its  light 
This  star  overcame  me.    Yet  I  nai^[ht  repine,' 
Nor  grudge  myself  the  cause  of  this  my  lot : 
Which  haply  yulgar  hearts  can  scarce  c<mceiTe 
"  This*  jewel,  that  is  next  me  in  our  heaven. 
Lustrous  and  costly,  great  renown  hath  left. 
And  not  to  perish,  ere  these  hundred  years 
Fire  timea^  absolve  their  round.    Consider  thou. 


1  In  that  jMrt.}  Between  Rlalto  in  the  Venetian  territory, 
and  the  sources  of  the  rivers  Brenta  and  Hava,  is  sitnated  a 
castle  called  Romano,  the  birthplace  of  the  famous  tyrant 
Ezzolino  or  Asrolino,  the  brother  of  Cnnizxa,  who  is  now 
speaking.  The  tyrant  we  have  seen  in  *^  the  river  of  Uood.** 
Hell,  Canto  zii.v.  110. 

*  Cunitza.]  The  adventures  of  Cnnizza,  overcome  by  the 
influence  of  her  star,  are  related  by  the  chronicler  Ridandino 
of  Padua,  lib.  i.  cap.  3,  in  Muratori,  Rer.  It.  Scrlpc,  torn.  vHL 
p.  173.  She  eloped  from  her  first  husband,  Richard  of  St. 
Boniface,  in  the  company  of  Sordello,  (see  Purg.,  Canto  vL 
and  viln)  with  whom  she  is  supposed  to  have  cohaUted  be- 
fore her  marriage :  then  lived  with  a  soldier  of  Trevigi,  whoeo 
wife  was  living*  at  the  same  time  in  the  same  city ;  and  on 
his  being  murdered  by  her  brother  the  tyrant,  was  by  hor 
brother  married  to  a  nobleman  of  Braganxo :  lasUy,  when  he 
also  had  fiUlen  by  the  same  hand,  she,  after  her  brother's 
death,  was  atpain  wedded  in  Verona. 

*  Tet  I  naught  repine.']  "  I  am  not  dissatisfied  that  I  am 
not  allotted  a  higher  place.'* 

*  ThU.]  Folco  of  Genoa,  a  celebrated  Froven^  poet,  eoof 
monly  termed  Folqnes  of  Marseilles,  of  which  place  he  was 
perhaps  bishop.  Many  errors  of  Nostradamus,  concerning 
him,  which  have  been  followed  by  Cresdmbeni,  Qnadrio,and 

.  MiUot,  are  detected  by  the  diligence  of  Tiraboschi.  Mr. 
Mathias's  edit.,  v.  1.  p.  la  All  that  appears  certain,  is  what 
we  are  told  in  this  Canto,  that  he  was  of  Genoa ;  and  by  Pe- 
trarch, in  the  Triumph  of  Love,  c.  iv.,  that  he  was  better 
known  by  the  appellation  he  derived  from  Marseilles,  and  at 
last  assumed  the  religious  habit. 

One  of  his  verses  is  cited  by  Dante,  De  Vnlg.  EUoq.,  lib.  UL 
cO. 
* RfH  <tM««.l    The  five  hundred  years  aw  elapsed:  and 


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4t-4ft.  PARAIHSE,  Camto  IX.  447 

If  to  excel  be  worthy  man's  endeavor. 

When  such  life  may  attend  the  first^    Yet  they 

Care  not  for  this,  the  crowd'  that  now  are  girt 

By  Adice  and  Tagliamento,  still 

Impenitent,  though  scourged.    The  hour  is  near* 

When  for  their  stubbomness,  at  Padua's  manh 

The  water  shall  be  changed,  that  laves  Yicenza. 

And  where  Cagnano  meets  with  ^ile,  one^ 

Lords  it,  and  bears  his  head  aloft,  for  whom 

The  web*  is  now  a-warping.    Feltro'  too 

Shall  sorrow  for  its  godless  shepherd's  fault. 

Of  so  deep  stain,  that  never,  for  the  like, 

Was  Malta's^  bar  unclosed.    Too  large  should  be 

The  skillet"  that  would  hold  Ferrara's  blood, 

And  wearied  he,  who  ounce  by  ounce  would  weigh  it, 


unless  the  Proven9aI  MSS.  should  be  brought  to  light,  the 
poetical  reputation  of  Folco  must  rest  on  the  mention  made 
of  him  by  the  more  fortunate  Italians. 

What  I  scarcely  ventured  to  hope  at  the  time  this  note 
was  written,  has  been  accomplished  by  the  great  learning 
and  diligence  of  M.  Raynouard.  See  his  Choix  des  Poesies 
des  Troubadours  and  Lexique  Roman  in  which  Folques  and 
his  Proven9al  brethren  are  awakened  into  the  second  life 
augured  to  them  by  our  Poet. 

1  trhen  ntck  life  may  attend  the  Jlr$L\  When  the  mortal 
life  of  man  may  be  attended  by  so  lasting  and  glorious  a  mem 
ory,  which  is  a  kind  of  second  life. 

*  The  ermod.]  The  people  who  inhabited  the  tract  of  conn- 
try  bounded  by  the  rivers  Tagliamento  to  the  east  and  Adice 
to  the  west. 

>  7%e  hour  is  near.]  Cunizza  foretells  the  defeat  of  Giaco- 
po  da  Canrara  and  the  Paduans,  by  Can  Grande,  at  Vicenza, 
on  the  18th  September,  1314.    See  G.  Villani,  lib.  iz.  cap.  63. 

*  One.]  She  predicts  also  the  fate  of  Riccardo  da  Camino^ 
who  is  said  to  have  been  murdered  at  Trevigi,  (where  the 
rivers  Sile  and  Cagnano  meet,)  while  he  was  eng^ed  in  play- 
ing at  chess. 

*  Tike  veb.]  The  net,  or  snare,  into  which  he  is  destined 
to  foil. 

*  FVtro.]  The  Bishop  of  Feltro  having  received  a  number 
of  Aigltives  fh>m  Ferrara,  who  were  in  opposition  to  the  Pope, 
under  a  ]womise  of  protection,  afterwards  gave  them  up ;  so 
that  they  were  reconducted  to  that  city,  and  the  greater  part 
of  them  there  put  to  death. 

T  JUalU**.]  A  tower,  either  in  the  citadel  of  Padua,  which, 
under  the  tyranny  of  Ezzolino,  had  been  '*  with  many  a  foul 
and  midnight  murder  fed;"  or  (as  some  say)  near  a  river  of 
the  same  name,  that  foils  into  the  lake  of  Bolsena,  in  which 
the  Pope  was  accustomed  to  imiNison  such  as  had  been 
guilty  of  an  irremissible  sin. 

*  XJie  skillet.]  The  blood  shed  could  not  be  contained  t« 
such  <  vessel,  if  it  wera  of  the  usual  slae. 


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448  THE  YBK>N.  9^n 

The  which  this  prieit,'  in  Aaw  of  puty-zaal, 
Coarteoat  will  give ;  nor  will 'the  gift  ill  suit 
•  The  eountrjr's  oiMtom.    We  descry^  above 
MirroiB,  ye  call  them  thrones,  from  which  to  of 
Reflected  ehine  the  jadgments  of  our  God: 
Whence  these  oar  sayings  we  ayonch  for  good." 

She  ended ;  and  appeared  on  other  thoogfats 
Intent,  re-entering  ^n  the  wheel  she  late 
Had  left.    That  other  joyance*  mean^pdiile  wax*d 
A  thing  to  marvel  at,^  in  splendor  glowing, 
like  choicest  ruby*  stricken  by  the  son. 
For,  in  that  upper  clime,  efinlgence*  comes 
Of  gladness,  as  here  laaghtw:  and  below, 
As  the  mind  saddens,  murkier  grows  the  shade. 

«  God  seeth  aU :  and  in  him  is  thy  sight," 
Said  I,  "  blest  spirit !  Therefore  will  of  his 
Cannot  to  thee  be  dark.    Why  then  delays 
Thy  voice  to  satisfy  my  wirii  untold ; 
That  voice,  which  joins  the  inexpressive  song, 
Pastime  of  heaven,  the  which  those  ardors  sinff. 
That  cowl  them  with  six  shadowing  wingr  tut- 
spread? 

1  This  priett.]  The  bishop,  who,  to  show  himself  a  zeal- 
OQs  partisan  of  the  Pope,  had  ccnninitted  the  above-mentioiied 
act  of  treachery.  The  oommeiitatdri  are  not  agreed  as  to  the 
name  of  this  faithless  prelate.  Troya  calls  him  Alessandro 
Novello,  and  relates  the  circmnstaaoes  at  Aill.  Veltro  Alie- 
gwico,  p.  139. 

*  IVe  descry.]  "  We  behold  the  things  that  we  predh;t,  ia 
the  mirrws  of  et^nal  truth.** 

'  That  other  joftinee.]    Foloo. 

4  Ji  thin/r  to  marvel  at,]  Preclara  cosa.  A  Latinism  ac- 
eording  to  Yeatort ;  but  the  word  '*  preclara**  had  been  alii  idy 
BfttunOized  by  Guide  Guinicelli : 

Oro  ed  aigento  e  rlcche  gloje  predare. 
See  the  sonnet,  of  which  a  version  has  been  given  in  a  bote 
to  Pnrg.,  Canto  xi.  v.  96. 

*  Choicest  ruby.]    Balascio. 

No  saphire  in  Inde  no  mhe  rich  of  grace 
There  lacked  then,  nor  emeraude  so  green. 
Bales.  ChaMcer,  Ths  Court  of  Lo^t. 

Bfr.  Tyrwhitt,  I  should  suppose  enrameonsly  as  to  the  svnse 
at  least  intended  by  Chaucer,  calls  it  '*  a  sort  of  Dastard 
ruby.** 

^Effmlrenee.]  As  joy  is  exparessed  by  laughter  oa  earth, 
so  is  it  by  an  increase  of  siriend<w  in  Paradise ;  and,  oa 
the  contrary,  grief  is  betokened  in  Hell  by  augmented  dark 
ness. 

*  Six  okadowint  mnrngs.]  **  Above  it  stood  the  seiapUms 
each  one  had  six  wlngs.^    AomA,  vi.  S. 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


77-94.  PARAIHSE,  Caitio  IX.  4^ 

I  would  not  wait  thy  asking,  wert  thoa  known 
To  me,  as  throughly  I  to  thee  am  known." 

He,  forthwith  answering,  thus  his  words  began : 
«  The  valley  of  waters,*  widest  next  to  that* 
Which  doth  the  earth  engarland,  shapes  its  comrsot 
Between  discordant  shores,'  against  the  sun 
Inward  so  far,  it  makes  meridian*  there. 
Where  was  before  the  horizon.     Of  that  vale 
Dwelt  I  upon  the  shore,  'twixt  Ebro's  stream 
And  Macra's,^  that  divides  with  passage  brief 
Grenoan  bounds  from  Tuscan.     East  and  west 
Are  nearly  one  to  Begga"  and  my  land 
Whose  haven''^  erst  was  with  its  own  blood  warm. 
Who  knew  my  name,  were  wont  to  call  me  Folco ; 
And  I  did  bear  impression  of  this  heaven," 
That  now  bears  mine :  for  not  with  fiercer  flame 
Glow'd  Belus'  daughter,*  injunng  alike 
SiohsBUS  and  Creusa,  than  did  I, 

Ante  majestatis  ejas  glorlara  cherubim  senas  lubentes  alas 
semper  adstantes  non  cessant  clamare  sanctns,  sanctus, 
■anctus.    AlherUi  Visio,  ^  30. 

six  wings  he  wore  to  shade 

His  lineaments  divine.  Milton,  P.  L^  b.  v.  27a 

^  T^e  valley  of  toaUr*.]    The  Mediterranean  sea 

*  That.]    The  great  ocean. 

*  DiseordatU  shores.]    Europe  and  Africa. 

*  Meridian.]  Extending  to  the  east,  the  Mediterranean  at 
last  reaches  the  coast  of  Palestine,  wliich  is  on  its  horizon 
when  it  enters  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar.  **  Wherever  a  man 
is,*'  says  Vellatello,  **  there  he  has,  above  his  head,  his  own 
particular  meridian  circle."   * 

• *  Twizt  Ebro*s  stream 

And  Macraes.]  Ebro,  a  river  to  tiie  west,  and  Macra,  to 
the  east  of  Genoa  where  Folco  was  bom ;  others  think  that 
Marseilles  and  not  Genoa  is  here  described ;  and  then  Elno 
must  be  understood  of  the  river  in  Spain. 

*  Begga.]    A  place  in  Africa. 

">  Whose  haven,]  Alluding  to  the  terrible  slaughter  of  the 
Genoese  made  by  the  Saracens  in  936 ;  for  which  event  Vel- 
latello  refers  tc  the  history  of  Augustine  Giustiniani.  Those 
who  conceive  that  our  Poet  speaks  of  Marseilles,  suppose  the 
slaughter  of  its  inhabitants  made  in  the  time  of  Julius  Cesar 
to  be  alluded  to.  It  must  however  have  been  Genoa,  as  that 
pla^e,  and  not  Marseilles,  lies  opposite  to  Bnggea  or  B^^ 
on  the  African  coast.  Fazio  degli  Uberti  describes  Buggea 
as  looking  towards  Majorca. 

Vidi  Buggea  che  vh  di  grande  loda ; 
dnesta  nel  mare  Mai<^ca  gnata. 

ZHUaviiondOt  1.  v  cap.  0. 

*  This  heave*,]  The  planet  Venus,  by  which  Folco  <to* 
elares  himself  to  have  been  formerly  influenced. 

*  Belna*  dangkur,]    Dido. 


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460  THE  VKOOIf .  99-ltt. 

Long  M  it  wmtBd  the  nmipeBi'd  down 

ThAt  fledged  my  cheek ;  nor  she  of  Rhedope/ 

That  was  begniled  of  Demophoon ; 

Nor  Jove'e  eon,*  when  the  charms  of  lole 

Were  shrined  within  his  heart    And  yet  there  bidet 

No  soROwfol  repentance  here,  but  mirth, 

Not  for  the  fault,  (that  doth  not  come  to  mind,) 

But  for  the  Tirtue,  whose  o*errullng  sway 

And  providence  have  wrought  thus  quamtly.    Here 

The  skiU  is  look'd  into,  that  fashioneth 

With  such  effectual  working,*  and  the  good 

Discem'd,  accruing  to  the  lower  world* 

From  this  abore.    But  fully  to  content 

Thy  wishes,  all  that  ULthis  sphere  have  birth. 

Demands  my  further  parie.    Inquire  thou  wouldst. 

Who  of  this  light  is  denizen,  that  here 

Beside  me  qxukles,  as  the  sun-beam  doth 

On  the  clear  wave.    Know  then,  the  soul  of  RahabP 

Is  in  that  gladsome  harbor ;  to  our  tribe 

United,  ami  the  foremost  rank  assign'd. 

She  to  this  heaven,*  at  which  the  shadow  ends 

Of  your  sublunar  worid,  was  taken  up. 

First,  in  Christ's  triumph,  of  all  souls  redeem'd : 

For  well  behooved,  that,  in  some  part  of  heaven, 

She  should  remain  a  trophy,  to  declare 

The  mighty  conquest  won  with  either  palm ;'' 

For  that  she  favor'd  first  the  high  exploit 

Of  Joshua  on  the  holy  land,  whereof 

The  Pope*  recks  little  now*    Thy  city,  plant 

i  Sk«  0/ Rkodope.]    Phyllis. 

s  Jov^s  i&n.\    Hercolet. 

s  With  tneh  efeetual  working.]  All  the  editions,  except 
the  Nidobeatina,  do  not,  as  Lombard!  affirms,  read  "  contan* 
to ;"  for  Vellatello's  of  1544  is  certainly  one  exception. 

•  Totke  lower  world.]  I  have  altered- my  former  transla- 
tion here,  in  compliance  with  a  readlnc  adc^ted  by  Lombardi 
from  the  Nidobeatina ;  Perche  *i  mondo,  instead  cMfPeiche  al 
mondo.    But  the  passage  is  sUU  otncnre. 

^Rakab.]    Heb.xi.31. 

•  This  heaven.]  "This  planet  of  Venus,  at  which  the 
shadow  of  the  earth  ends,  as  Ptolemy  writes  in  his  Alma- 
gest.**   FeltuteUo. 

V  jrUh  either  palm.]  By  both  his  hands  nailed  to  the 
eross. 

•  The  Pope.]  "  Who  cares  not  that  the  holy  land  Is  in  tht 
possession  of  the  Saracens.**    See  also  Oanto  xv.  136. 

Ite  snperirf,  O  roiseri  Christlanl 
Otmsomando  l*Qn  Taltro ;  e  non  vi  caglia 
Che  '1  sepolcro  di  Ciisto  6  in  man  di  canL 

Petrareot  TWm^o  dtfto  Asm,  cap  SI. 


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134-137.  PARADISE,  Cakto  X.  451 

Of  him,^  that  on  hk  Maker  tum'd  the  back. 
And  of  whose  envying  so  much  wo  hath  sprung, 
Engenders  and  expands  the  cursed  flower,' 
That  hath  made  wander  both  the  sheep  and  lambSf 
Turning  the  shepherd  to  a  wolf.    For  this. 
The  gospel  and  great  teachers  laid  aside. 
The  decretals,*  as  their  stufiTd  margins  show, 
Are  the  sole  study.    Pope  and  Cardinals, 
Intent  on  these,  ne'er  journey  but  in  thought 
To  Nazsu^th,  where  Gabriel  oped  his  wings. 
Yet  it  may  chance,  ere  long,  the  Vatican/ 
And  other  most  selected  parts  of  Rome, 
That  were  the  grave  of  Peter's  soldiery. 
Shall  be  deliver'd  from  the  adulterous  bond." 


CANTO    X. 

ARGUMENT. 
Their  next  ascent  carries  them  into  the  son,  which  is  the 
foorth  heaven.   Here  they  are  encompassed  with  a  wreath 

^  Of  him.}    Of  Satan. 

«  Tke  cursed  flower.]  The  coin  of  Florence,  called  the 
floren ;  the  covetous  desire  of  which  has  excited  the  Pope  to 
so  much  evil. 

s  Tke  deeretale.}  The  canon  law.  So  in  the  De  Monar- 
chic, lib.  iii.  p.  137.  •  **  There  are  also  a  third  set,  whom  they 
call  Decretaiists.  These,  alike  ignorant  of  theolc^  and  phi- 
losophy, relying  wholly  on  their  decretals,  (which  I  indeed 
esteem  not  unworthy  of  reverence,)  in  the  hope  I  suppose  of 
obtaining  for  them  a  paramoant  innaence,  derogate  from  the 
authority  of  the  empire.  Nor  is  this  to  be  wondered  at, 
when  I  have  heard  one  of  them  saying,  and  impudently 
maintaining,  that  traditions  are  the  foundation  of  the  faith 
of  the  church.**  He  proceeds  to  confute  this  opinion,  and 
concludes  **that  the  church  does  not  derive  its  authority 
from  traditions,  but  traditions  fh>m  the  church  :**  **  necesse 
est,  ut  non  ecclesis'  a  tradltlonlbus,  sed  ab  ecclesii  tradi- 
tionibns  accedat  authoritas.*'  In  accordance  with  the  senti- 
ments of  Dante  on  this  point,  the  Church  of  England  has 
framed  that  article,  so  well  worthy  of  being  duly  considered 
and  carried  into  practice,  which  begins :  **  It  is  not  necessary 
that  traditions  and  ceremonies  be  In  all  places  one,  or  utterly 
like ;  for  at  all  times  they  have  been  divers,  and  may  be 
changed  according  to  the  diversity  of  countries,  times,  and 
Dien*s  manners,  so  that  nothing  be  ordained  a^lnst  6od*s 
word."    Article  xxxlv. 

«  The  Fatican.}  He  alludes  either  to  the  death  of  Pope 
Boniface  VIIL,  or,  as  Ventnri  supposes,  to  the  coming  of  the 
Emperor  Henry  VII.  into  Italy ;  or  else,  ar.cording  to  the  yet 
more  probable  coqjectnre  of  Lombardl,  to  the  transfer  of  (h* 
holy  see  from  Rome  to  Avignon,  which  took  place  in  tlm 
pontificate  of  Clement  V. 


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4i3  THE  VTSIOS 


of  blessed  spiiits,  tivelve  ia  Bonber.  TImmmm  .iqniaM 
who  is  one  of  those,  declares  the  names  and  endowBeslk 
of  the  rest. 

Looking  into  hk  first-bom  with  the  love, 
Which  breathes  irom  both  eternal,  the  first  Migfal 
Ineffable,  wherever  eye  or  mind 
Can  roam,  hath  in  such  order  all  disposed, 
As  none  may  see  and  fail  to  enjoy.    Raise,  then 
O  reader !  to  the  lofty  wheels,  with  me, 
Thy  ken  directed  to  the  point,*  whereat 
One  motion  strikes  on  the  other.     There  begin 
Thy  wonder  of  the  mighty  Architect, 
Who  loves  his  work  so  inwardly,  his  eye 
Doth  ever  watch  it     See,  how  thence  oblique* 
Brancheth  the  circle,  where  the  planets  roll 
To  pour  their  wished  influence  on  the  world ; 
Whose  path  not  bending  thus,  in  heaven  above 
Much  virtue  would  be  lost,  and  here  on  earth 
All  power  well  nigh  extinct :  or,  from  direct 
Were  its  departure  distant  more  or  leas, 
1'  the  universal  order,  great  defect 
Must,  both  in  heaven  and  here  beneath,  ensue. 

Now  rest  thee,  reader !  on  thy  bench,  and  mos^ 
Anticipative  of  the  feast  to  come ; 
So  shall  delight  make  thee  not  feel  thy  toU 
Lo !  I  have  set  before  thee ;  for  thyself 
Feed  now :  the  matter  I  mdite,  henceforth 
Demands  entire  my  thought    Join  d  with  the  part/ 
Which  late  we  told  of,  the  great  minister* 
Of  nature,  that  upon  the  world  imprints 

>  The  point.]    "  To  that  part  of  heaven/*  as  Ventnri  ex* 

{tlains  it, "  in  which  the  equinoctial  circle  and  the  zodiac 
ntersect  each  other,  where  the  common  motion  of  the 
heavens  firom  cast  to  west  may  be  said  to  strike  with  neat- 
est force  against  the  motion  oroper  to  the  planets :  and  this 
re-percussion,  as  it  were,  is  here  the  strongest,  because  the 
velocity  of  each  is  increased  to  the  utmost  by  their  respec- 
tive distance  from  the  poles.  Such  at  least  is  the  system  of 
Dante.*' 
3  Oblique.]    The  zodiac. 

s  In  heaven  above.]  If  the  planets  did  not  preserve  that 
order  in  which  they  move,  they  would  not  receive  nor  trans- 
mit their  due  influences ;  and  if  the  zodiac  were  not  thus 
oblique— if  towards  the  north  it  either  passed,  or  went  short 
of  the  tropic  of  Cancer,  or  else  towards  the  south  it  passed, 
or  went  sWt  of  the  trofrfc  of  Capricorn,  it  would  not  divids 
the  seasons  as  it  now  does. 

*  The  part.]    The  abovementloned  intersectkMi  of  tlM 
sqainoctial  circle  and  the  zodiac 
•MinieUr.]    The  sun 


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ti-M.  PARADISE,  GiNTO  X.  4ftS 

The  virtue  of  the  he«Teii,  and  doles  oat 

Time  for  us  with  his  beam,  went  circling'  on 

Along  the  spires/  where'  each  hour  sooner  comes; 

And  I  was  with  him,  weetless  of  ascent. 

But  as  a  man/  that  weets  him  come,  ere  thinking. 

For  Beatrice,  she  who  passeth  on 
So  suddenly  from  good  to.  better,  time 
Counts  not  the  act,  oh  then  how  great  must  needs 
Have  been  her  brightness !  What  there  was  i*  th'  sunt 
(Where  I  had  enter'd,)  not  through  change  of  hue, 
But  light  transparent—did  I  summon  up  ^ 
Genius,  art,  practice — I  might  not  so  speak. 
It  should  be  e'er  imagined :  yet  believed 
It  may  be,  and  the  sight  be  justly  craved. 
And  if  our  fantasy  fail  of  such  height. 
What  marvel,  since  no  eye  above  Uie  sun 
Hath  ever  travelled?    Such  are  they  dwell  here, 
Fourth  family*  of  the  Omnipotent  Sire, 
Who  of  his  spirit  and  of  his  ofSspnng^  shows ; 
And  holds  them  still  enraptured  with  the  view 
And  thus  to  me  Beatrice :  "  Thank,  oh  thank 
The  Sun  of  angels,  him,  who  by  his  grace 
To  thb  perceptible  hath  lifted  thee."    . 

Never  was  heart  in  such  devotion  bound, 
And  with  complacency  so  absolute 
Disposed  to  render  up  itself  to  God, 
As  mine  was  at  those  words:  and  so  entire 
The  love  for  Him,  that  held  me,  it  eclipsed 
Beatrice  in  oblivion.    Naught  displeased 
Was  she,  but  smiled  thereat  so  joyously. 
That  of  her  laughing  eyes  the  radiance  brako 
And  snatter'd  my  collected  mind  abroad. 

Then  saw  I  a  bright  band,  in  livelmess 
Surpassing,  who  themselves  did  make  the  crown, 
And  us  their  centre :  yet  more  sweet  in  voice. 
Than,  in  their  visage,  beaming.    Cinctured  thus, 
Sometime  Latona's  daughter  we  behold, 

>  Along  the  spires.]  According  to  onrPoet*8  system,  as  the 
earth  is  motionless,  tlie  sun  passes,  by  a  spiral  motion,  from 
one  tropic  to  the  other. 

*  ffkere.]  In  which  the  son  rises  every  day  earlier  after 
the  vernal  eqoinoz. 

>  But  as  a.  man.]    That  is,  he  was  quite  insensible  of  it. 

«  Fmrtk  family.}  The  inhabitants  of  the  sun,  the  fbnrth 
planet. 

*  Of  hit  spirit  amd  of  his  offspringA  The  person  of  the 
third,  and  the  generatioa  of  the  secoaa  person  in  the  Tiiii* 

T. 


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4i4  THE  YISION.  Chf^ 

When  the  impre^^ate  air  retains  th»  thread 
That  weaves  her  zone.    In  the  celestial  court, 
Whence  I  return,  are  many  jewels  found. 
So  dear  and  beautiful,  they  cannot  brook 
Tranqxurting^  from  that  reahn :  and  of  these  lights 
Such  was  the  song.'    Who  doth  not  prune  his  wmg 
To  soar  up  thither,  let  him'  look  from  thence 
For  tidings  from  the  dumb.    When,  singing  thus, 
Those  burning  suns  had  circled  round  us  tnrioe, 
As  nearest  stars  around  the  fixed  pole ; 
Then  seem'd  they  like  to  ladies,  from  the  dance 
Not  ceasing,  but  suspense,  m  silent  pause. 
Listening,  till  they  have  caught  the  strain  anew: 
Suspended  so  they  stood :  and,  from  within. 
Thus  heard  I  one,  who  spake :  "  Since  with  its  beam 
The  grace,  whence  true  love  lighteth  first  his  flame, 
That  after  doth  increase  by  loving,  shines 
So  multiplied  in  thee,  it  leads  thee  up 
Along  this  ladder,  down  whose  hallow'd  steps 
None  e'er  descend,  and  mount  them  not  again ; 
Who  from  his  vial  should  refuse  thee  wine 
To  slake  thy  thirst,  no  less  constrained*  were. 
Than  water  flowingr  not  unto  the  sea.  [bloom 

Thou  fain  wouldst  hear,  what  plants  are  these,  that 
In  the  bright  garland,  which,  admiring,  girds 
This  fair  dame  round,  who  strengthens  thee  for 
I,  then,^  was  of  the  lambs,  that  Domuiic     [heaven. 
Leads,  for  his  saintly  flock,  along  the  way 
Where  well  they  thrive,  not  swoln  with  vanity 
He,  nearest  on  my  right  hand,  brother  was. 
And  master  to  me :  Albert  of  Cologne* 

1  Such  vat  the  ton/r-]  The  song  of  these  spirits  was  ine^ 
fkble.  It  was  like  a  Jewel  so  highly  prized,  that  the  expor- 
tation of  it  to  another  country  is  prohil>ited  by  law. 

<  Let  AtmJ  Let  liim  not  expect  any  intelligence  at  all  of 
that  place,  for  it  surpasses  description. 

*  A*o  iet*  eontttaitCd.]  "  The  rivers  might  as  easily  cease 
10  flow  towards  the  sea,  as  we  could  deny  thee  thy  request.** 

*  I  tktn.]    "  I  was  of  the  Dominican  order." 

*  Albert  of  Cologne.]  Albertus  Magnus  was  bcum  at  Lau- 
cingen,  in  Thuringia,  in  1193,  and  studied  at  Paris  and  at 
Padua ;  at  the  latter  of  which  places  he  entered  into  the  Do- 
minican order.  He  then  taught  theology  in  various  parts  of 
Germany,  and  partlculariy  at  Ck>logne.  Thomas  Aquinas 
was  bis  ftvorite  pupil.  In  1960,  he  reluctantly  accepted  the 
bishopric  of  Ratisbon,  and  in  two  years  after  resigned  it, 
and  returned  to  his  ceil  in  Cologne,  where  the  remainder  of 
his  life  was  passed  in  superintending  the  school,  and  in 
coflapoeing  his  voluminous  works  on  divinity  and  natoral 
sdence.  Be  died  in  1280.    The  absurd  imputatloa  of  hiM 


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§6-104.  PARADISE,  Canto  X.  455 

Is  this ;  and,  of  Aquinum,  Thomas^  L 
If  thou  of  all  the  rest  wouldst  be  assured^ 
Let  thine  eye,  waiting  on  the  words  I  speak. 
In  circuit  journey  round  the  blessed  wreath. 
That  next  resplendence  issues  from  the  smile 
Of  Gratian,'  who  to  either  forum*  lent 
Such  help,  as  favor  wins  in  Paradise. 
The  other,  nearest,  who  adorns  our  quire. 
Was  Peter,*  he  that  with  the  widow  gave*   . 

haying  dealt  in  the  magical  art  is  well  known ;  and  his  Mo* 
nraph^rs  take  some  pains  to  clear  him  of  it.  ScriptoresL  Or* 
dinls  Prndicatorum,  by  auetif  and  Echard.  Lut.  Par.  1719. 
Ibl.  torn.  i.  p.  163.  Frezzi  places  Albertns  Magnus  next  in 
rank  to  Aristotle : 

Alberto  Magno  ^  dope  loi  U  secondo: 
Egli  suppii  li  membri,  e  *1  vestimento 
Alia  Filosofia  in  qaesto  mondo. 

II  Quadrir.t  lib.  i^.  cap.  J. 

1  OfJlquinum,  Thomas.]  Thomas  Aquinas,  of  whom  Bn- 
eer  is  reported  to  have  said,  '*  Take  but  Thomas  away,  and  I 
will  overturn  the  church  of  Rome  ;*'  and  whom  Hooker  terms 
"  the  greatest  among  the  school  divines,"  {Ecd.  Pol.,  b.  ill. 
$  9,)  was  IxNm  of  noble  parents,  who  anxiously  but  vainly 
endeavored  to  divert  him  from  a  life  of  celibacy  and  study. 
He  died  in  1374,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven.  Echard  and  due- 
ntj  ibid.  p.  371.  See  also  Purgatory,  Canto  xx.  v.  67.  A 
modem  French  writer  has  collected  some  particulars  relaUng 
to  the  influence  which  the  writings  of  Thomas  Aquinas  and 
Buenaventura  had  on  the  opinions  of  Dante.  See  the  third 
part  of  Ozanam's  Dante  et  la  Phllosophie  Catholique  au 
treizi^me  sidcle.    8<>.  Par.  1839. 

s  OraUtM,]  "  Gratian,  a  Benedictine  monk  belonging  to 
the  convent  of  St.  Felix  and  Nabor,  at  Bologna,  and  by  birth 
a  Tuscan,  composed,  about  the  year  1130,  for  the  use  of  the 
schools,  an  abridgment  or  epitome  of  canon  law,  drawn  from 
the  letters  of  the  pontiffii,  the  decrees  of  councils,  and  the 
writings  of  the  ancient  doctors."  MaelaiiWo  Mosheim^  v.  iii. 
cent.  xii.  part  ii.  cap.  i.  ^6. 

*  To  either  forum.]  "By  reconciling,"  as  Ventmri  explains^ 
It,  "  the  civil  with  the  canon  law." 

*  Peter.]  *  Pietro  Lombardo  was  of  obscure  origin,  nor  is 
the  place  of  his  birth  in  Lombardy  ascertained.  With  a 
recommendation  from  the  Bishop  of  Lucca  to  St.  Bernard,  he 
went  into  France  to  continue  his  studies ;  and  for  that  pur- 
pose remained  some  time  at  Rheims,  whence  he  afterwards 
proceeded  to  Paris.  Here  his  reputation  was  so  great,  that 
Philip,  brother  of  Louis  VU.,  being  chosen  bishop  of  Paris, 
resigned  that  dignity  to  Pietro,  whose  pupil  he  had  been. 
He  held  his  bishopric  only  one  year,  and  died  in  1160.  His 
Liber  Sententiarnm  is  highly  esteemed.  It  contains  a  system 
of  scholastic  theology,  so  much  more  complete  than  any 
which  had  been  yet  seen,  that  it  may  be  deemed  an  original 
work."  TiraboachhStoria delta  L.ett.  hal.  tom.  iii.  Ub.  iv  cap  ii. 

*  not  with  the  vidow  gave.]  This  alludes  to  the  be«;in* 
olng  of  the  Liber  Sententiarnm,  where  Peter  says:  **0«:- 
piens  a4iqnid  de  penurift  ac  tennitate  nostri  cum  panpeiealA 
IB  gaxophylacium  domini  mittere,  &€.** 


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4M  THE  YMaO».  UNMtt 

To  holy  church  hk  trMurore.    The  filth  light/ 

Goodliest  of  mil,  is  by  such  love  ini^ired, 

That  mil  your  worid  craves  tidings  of  his  docnn:^ 

Within,  there  is  the  lofty  light,  endowed 

With  sapience  so  profound,  if  truth  be  truth, 

That  with  a  ken  of  such  wide  amplitude 

No  second  hath  arisen.    Next  behold 

That  taper*s  radiance,'  to  whose  view  was  showBf 

Ciearliest,  the  nature  and  the  ministry 

Angelical,  while  yet  in  flesh  it  dwelt. 

In  the  other  little  light  serenely  smiles 

That  pleader*  for  the  Christian  temples,  he,    - 

Who  did  provide  Augustin  of  his  lore. 

Now,  if  thy  mind's  eye  pass  from  light  to  light. 

Upon  my  praises  following,  of  the  eighth* 

Thy  thirat  is  next    The  saintly  soul,  that  shows 

The  world's  deceitfulness,  to  all  who  hear  him, 

Is,  ^fith  the  nght  of  all  the  good  ihat  is, 


1  Th4  Jiftk  ligkLl    Sdomoa. 

s  His  do0wi,]  It  was  a  cominoii  qoestioB,  it  seems,  whe- 
ther Solomon  were  saved  or  no. 

s  not  taper^t  raditmet.]  St.  Dionysitu,  the  Areopagite. 
**The  famous  Grecian  fanatic,  who  gave  himself  oat  for 
Dionysius  the  Areopacite,  disciple  of  St.  Paul,  and  who,  un* 
der  uie.  protection  or  this  venerable  name,  gave  laws  and 
instmctions  to  those  that  were  desirous  of  raising  their  souli 
above  all  human  things,  in  order  to  unite  them  to  their  great 
source  by  sublime  contemplation,  lived  most  probably  in  this 
century,  (the  fourth ;)  though  some  place  him  before,  others 
after,  the  present  period."  Maclaiiu**  Motkeim^  v.  i.  cent  iv. 
p.  S.  c.  3.  $  13. 

4  Tkat  pleader.]  In  the  fifth  century,  Paulus  Oro^us 
"  acquired  a  considerable  degree  of  reputation  by  the  History 
he  wrote  to  reAite  the  cavils  of  the  Pagans  against  Chris- 
tianity, and  by  his  books  against  the  Pelagians  and  Priscil- 
llanisu.**  Ibid^  v.  U.  cent  v.  p.  U.  c.  ii.  $  11.  A  similar  train 
c^amunent  was  pursued  by  Augustine,  in  his  book  De  Civi- 
tateDei. 

Orosius  if  classed  by  Dante,  in  his  treatise  De  Vulg.  Eloq. 
lib.  11.  cap.  vi.,  as  one  of  his  favorite  authors,  among  those 
**qui  usi  sunt  altissimas  prosas,"— **  who  have  written  prose 
with  the  greatest  loftiness  of  style."  The  others  are  Cicero, 
livy,  Pliny,  and  Frontlnus.  Some  commentators,  with  less 
probability,  suppose  that  this  seventh  spirit  is  Saint  Am- 
brose, and  not  Orosius. 

•  Tke  eighth.]  BolStius,  whose  book  De  Consolatkme  Fhl- 
losophin  excited  so  much  attention  during  the  middle  ages, 
was  bom,  as  Tiraboschi  conjectures,  about  470.  *'  la  534  he 
was  cruelly  put  to  death,  by  command  of  Theodoric,  elthss 
on  nmi  or  pretended  suspicion  of  his  being  engaged  in  a  ecn 
splney.**    DcOs  X.stt.  AsA,  tosn.  iU.  Uh.  L  cap.  iv. 


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lS»-14t.  PARADISE,  Canto  X.  457 

Blest  there.    The  Umbe,  wheuce  it  was  driren,  lie 
Down  in  Cieldauro ;'  and  from  martyrdom 
And  exile  came  it  here.    Lo !  further  on, 
Where  flames  the  arduous  spirit  of  Isidore  f 
Of  Bede ;'  and  Richard,*  more  tlian  man,  erewhile» 
In  deep  discernment    Lastly  this,  from  whom 
Thy  look  on  me  reverteth,  was  the  beam 
Of  one,  whose  spirit,  on  high  musings  bent. 
Rebuked  the  luigering  tar£ness  of  death. 
It  is  the  eternal  light  of  Sigebert*- 
Who  'scaped  not  envy,  when  of  truth  he  argued, 
Reading  hi  the  straw-Iitter'd  street'**    Forthwith, 
As  clock,  that  calleth  up  the  sponse  of  God'' 
To  win  her  bridegroom's  love  at  matm's  hour, 
Each  part  of  other  fitly  drawn  and  urged. 
Sends  out  a  tinkling  sound,  of  note  so  sweet. 
Affection  springs  in  well-disposed  breast ; 
Thus  saw  I  move  the  glorious  wheel ;  thus  heard 
Voice  answering  yoice,  so  musical  and  soft. 
It  can  be  known  but  where  day  endless  shhies. 


1  Cieldauro.']  BoStias  was  buried  at  Pavia,  in  the  monas- 
tery of  Su  Pietro  in  Ciel  d*oro. 

^Isidore.]  He  was  Archbishop  of  Seville  during  forty 
years,  and  died  in  635.    See  Mariana,  Hist.,  lib.  vi.  cap.  vii. 

Mosheim,  whose  critical  opinions  in  general  must  be  taken 
with  some  allowance,  observes,  that  "  his  grammatical,  theo- 
logical, and  historical  productions,  discover  more  learning  and 
pedantry  than  judgment  and  taste.'* 

s  Bede.]  Bede,  whose  virtues  obtained  him  the  appellation 
of  the  Venerable,  was  bom  in  672,  at  Wermouth  and  Jarrow, 
in  the  bishopric  of  Durham,  and  died  in  735.  Invited  to  Rome 
bT  Pope  Sergius  I.,  he  preferred  passing  almost  the  whole  of 
his  life  in  the  seclusion  of  a  monastery.  A  catalogue  of  his 
numerous  writings  maybe  seen  in  Kippis's  BiograpUa  Britan< 
nica,  v.ii 

«  Richard.]  Richard  of  St.  Victor,  a  native  either  of  Scot- 
land or  Ireland,  wax  canon  andj^ior  ^the  monastery  of  that 
"    *  the  head  < ' 


I  at  Paris ;  and  died  in  1173.  "  He  was  at  the  head  <tf 
die  Mystics  in  this  century;  and  his  treatise,  entitled  the 
Mystical  Ark,  which  contains  as  it  were  the  marrow  of  this 
kind  of  theology,  was  received  with  the  greatest  avidity.** 
JbOttine'*  Moskeim,  v.  iii.  cent.  zU.  p.  ii.  c.IL  ^  S3. 

*  Sifebert.]  "  A  monk  of  the  abbey  of  GemUours,  who  was 
in  high  repute  at  the  end  of  the  eleventh,  and  beginning  of 
the  twelfth  century.'*    Diet,  de  Moreri. 

*  Tht  $traw^iuer*d  strtet.}  The  name  of  a  street  in  ftllt 
the  "  Rue  de  Fouarre.** 

*  TU  »p9ut9  0/  €hd,}  The  church. 

20 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


4g§  THEYuaas.  hm 

CANTO  XL 

ARGUMENT. 
Thoaui  AqnloM  «iten  at  taryo  into  the  lUd  a»d  ehtnetsf 
of  8t  Ftendt;  mad  thea  lolvw  oae  of  two  iMinjMm, 
which  ho  percolTod  to  hayo  risen  in  Oante*f  mind  tnm 
what  he  had  heard  in  the  last  Canto. 

O  WOKD  anxiety  of  mortal  men !' 
How  Tain  and  inconclusive  arguments 
Are  those,  which  make  thee  beat  thy  wings  beloir. 
For  statutes  one,  and  one  for  aphorinni^ 
Was  hunting ;  this  the  {mesthood  followed ;  that* 
By  force  or  sofdiistry,  aspired  to  rule ; 
To  rob,  another ;  and  another  sought. 
By  dyU  business,  wealth ;  one,  moiling,  lay 
Tangled  in  net  of  sensual  delight ; 
And  one  to  wistless  indolence  resisn'd ; 
What  time  from  all  these  empty  Uiings  escaped. 
With  Beatrice,  I  thus  gloriously 
Was  raised  aloft,  and  made  the  guest  of  heaven 

They  of  the  circle  to  that  pomt,  each  one, 
Where  erst  it  was,  had  tum'd ;  and  steady  glow'd. 
As  candle  in  his  socket.    Then  withm 
The  lustre,'  that  erewhile  bespake  me,  smiling 
WiUi  merer  gladness,  heard  I  thus  begin : 

«  E'en  as  his  beam  illumes  me,  so  I  look 
Into  the  eternal  light,  and  clearly  mark  [doubtc 

Thy  thoughts,  from  whence  they  rise.    Thou  art  in 
And  wouldst  that  I  should  bolt  my  words  afresh 
In  such  plain  open  phrase,  as  may  be  smooth 
To  thy  perception,  where  I  told  thee  late 
That  <  well  they  thrive  ;**  and  that  <  no  second  such 
Hath  risen,'  wMch  no  small  distmction  needs. 

**  The  Providence,  that  govemeth  the  world, 
In  depth  of  counsel  by  created  ken 
Unfathomable,  to  the  end  that  she,* 
Who  with  loud  cries  was  'spoused  in  precious  blood, 
Might  keep  her  footmg  towards  her  well-beloved,^ 

^Ofondanxutifcfm^rUlmM.]    Looetiiis,  lib.  IL 14. 

O  miseias  hominnmmentes !  O  pectoia  caea! 

Qnalibns  in  tenelwis  vite,  qnantisqiie  peiicUs 

Degitor  hoc  evi  qnodcanqiie  est ! 
*^»Amraw.1    The  ttndy  of  mediciae. 

*  n»  luttnJ]    The  spirit  of  Thomas  Aqniaas. 

*  That  *wMtkef  thrive.*]    See  the  last  Canto.  V.  Mk 
•<Ab««eondMa.*]    See  the  last  Canto,  V.  111. 

*  She,}    Tlie  chnich. 
tArt00»-M9vW.]    Jes^  Christ 


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m^.  PARADISE,  Canto  XI.  4^ 

Safe  in  herself  and  constant  unto  him, 
Hath  two  ordam'd,  who  should  on  either  hand 
In  chief  escort  her :  one,'  seraphic  all 
In  fervency ;  for  wisdom  upon  earth, 
The  other,'  splendor  of  cherubic  light 
I  but  of  one  will  tell :  he  tells  of  both. 
Who  one  commendetb,  which  of  them  soe'er 
Be  taken :  for  their  deeds  were  to  one  end. 

"  Between  Tupino,*  and  the  wave  that  falls 
From  blest  Ubaldo's  chosen  hill,  there  hangi 
Rich  slope  of  mountain  liigh,  whence  heat  and  cold* 
Are  wafted  through  Perugia's  eastern  gate : 
And  Nocera  with  Gualdo,  in  its  rear. 
Mourn  for  their  heavy  yoke.*    Upon  that  side, 
Where  it  doth  break  its  steepness  most,  arose 
A  sun  upon  the  world,  as  duly  this 
From  Ganges  doth :  therefore  let  none,  who  speak 
Of  that  place,  say  Ascesi ;  for  its  name 
Were  lamely  so  deliver'd ;  but  the  East,* 
To  call  thmgs  rightly,  be  it  henceforth  styled. 
He  was  not  yet  much  distant  from  his  rismg,  ' 
When  his  good  influence  'gan  to  bless  the  earth. 
A  dame,^  to  whom  none  openeth  pleasure's  gate 
More  than  to  death,  was,  'gainst  his  father's  will,' 
His  stripling  choice :  and  he  did  make  her  his. 
Before  the  spiritual  court,*  by  nuptial  bonds, 

I  One,]    Saint  Francis. 

s  Tke  other.]    Saint  Dominic. 

•  Tupino.]  Th(»nas  Aqainas  proceeds  to  descrilie  the 
birthplace  of  Saint  Francis,  lietween  Tapino,  a  rivulet  neat 
^ssisi,  or  Ascesi,  where  the  saint  was  bom  in  1182,  and  Chi 
ascib,  a  stream  that  rises  in  a  moantain  near  Agobblo,  chosen 
by  Saint  Ubaido  for  the  place  of  his  retirement  , 

«  Heat  and  cold.]  Cold  from  the  snow,  and  heat  fh>m  the 
reflection  of  the  sun. 

•  Yoke.]  Velluteilo  understands  this  of  the  vicinity  of  the 
iRMMtasn  to  Nocera  and  Guaido;  and  Ventnrl  (as  I  have 
laken  it)  of  the  heavy  impositions  laid  on  those  places  by  the 
Pemgians.  For  giogOi  like  the  Latin  jvgumt  will  admit  of 
tiOxer  sense. 

•  The  East.] 

This  is  the  east,  and  Juliet  is  the  sun.  Shakepeare. 
T  .^9  dame.]  There  is  in  the  under  church  of  St  Francis,  at 
Assisi,  a  picture  painted  by  Giotto  from  this  subject  It  is 
considpred  one  of  the  artisfs  best  works.  See  Kugier*s 
Hand-boolc  of  the  History  of  Painting,  translated  by  a  lady. 
Lond^  18^  p.  48. 

•  *Oa»iMt  hisfaiher'*  wUl.}  In  opposition  to  the  wishes  d 
his  natural  fkther. 

•  B^ore  the  tpMtual  courL]  He  made  a  vow  of  poverty 
In  the  presence  of  the  bishop  and  of  his  natural  fother. 


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4§e  THLVISIOIf.  »mk 

And  in  hk  fother's  sight :  from  day  in  daj, 
Then  lorad  her  more  devoutly.    She,  bereaved 
Of  her  tint  husband,*  slighted  and  obscure, 
Thousand  and  hundred  years  and  more,  remam'd 
Without  a  single  suitor,  till  he  came. 
Nor  aught  avul'd,  that,  with  Amyclas,*  she 
Was  found  unmoved  at  rumor  of  his  voice,        Ineas 
Who  shook  the  world :  nor  aught  her  constant  bold- 
Whereby  with  Christ  *she  mounted  On  the  cross, 
WheYi  Mary  stay'd  beneath.    But  not  to  deal 
Thus  closely  with  thee  longer,  take  at  large 
The  lovers*  titles — ^Poverty  and  Francis. 
Their  .concord  and  glad  looks,  wonder  and  love. 
And  sweet  regard  gave  birth  to  holy  thoughts, 
So  much,  that  venerable  Bernard*  first 
Did  bare  his  feet,  and,  m  pursuit  of  peace 
So  heavenly,  ran,  yet  deem*d  his  footing  slow. 
O  hidden  riches !  O  prolific  good ! 
Egidius*  bares  him  next,  and  next  Sylvester,* 
.4nd  follow,  both,  the  bridegroom :  so  the  bride 
Can  please  them.    Thenceforth  goes  he  on  his  way» 
The  father  and  the  master,  with  his  spouse. 
And  with  that  family,  whom  now  the  cord* 
Girt  humbly :  nor  did  abjectness  of  heart 
Weigh  dowit  his  eyelids,  for  that  he  was  son 

1  HerJlrH  kuMband.]    Christ 

*  ^wtfclas.]  Lncan  makes  Cesar  exclaim,  on  wUaessiac 
be  secure  poverty  of  the  fisherman  Amyclas :— 

O  Tite  tuta  facnltas 

Pauperis,  angnstiqne  lares !    O  mnnera  nondnm 
latellecta  deum !  qnibns  hoc  contingere  tempUs,  « 

Ant  potuit  maris,  noilo  trepidara  tomnltn, 
^  Ccsareft  pnlsante  manu  1  Pkart^  lib.  v.  531 

'  O  happy  poverty !  thou  greatest  good 
Bestowal  by  heaven,  bat  seldom  understood ! 
Here  nor  the  crael  spoiler  seelu  his  prey, 
Nor  ruthless  armies  take  their  dreadiAU  way,  Ice. 

JtoiM. 
A  translation  in  prose  of  these  lines  is  introdnced  by  oar  Poet 
in  his  Convito,  p.  107. 

*  Bernard.}  Of  anintavalle ;  one  of  the  fint  followers  ot 
the  saint. 

«  Egidiut.]  The  third  of  his  dbiciples,  who  died  hi  ISGSL 
nis  work,  entitled  Verba  Anrea,  was  published  in  1534,  at 
Antwerp.  See  Lucas  Waddingus,  Annaies  Ordinis  lAnonsi 
P  5. 

»»fl9e$Ur,]   Another  of  his  eartlest  associates. 

*  ffhpm  now  the  eord.]  Saint  Francis  bound  his  body  with 
a  eord,  in  sign  that  he  considered  it  as  a  l)east,  and  that  it  re* 
4aiied,  like  a  beast,  to  be  led  by  a  halter. 


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8»-113.  PARADISE,  Canto  Xu  461 

Of  Pietro  Bemardone,^  and  by  men 

In  wondrous  sort  despised.     But  royally 

His  bard  intention  he  to  Innocent' 

Set  forth ;  and,  from  him,  first  received  the  seal 

On  his  religion.    Then,  when  numerous  flock*d 

The  tribe  of  lowly  ones,  that  traced  his  steps. 

Whose  marvellous  life  deservedly  were  sung 

In  heights  empyreal ;  through  Honorius'*  hand 

A  second  crown,  to  deck  then:  Guardian's  virtues. 

Was  by  the  eternal  Spirit  inwreath'd :  and  when 

He  had,  through  thirst  of  martyrdom,  stood  up 

In  the  proud  Soldan's  presence,^  and  there  preach'd 

Christ  and  his  followers,  but  found  the  race 

Unripen'd  for  conversion ;  back  once  more 

He  hasted,  (not  to  intermit  his  toil) 

And  reap'd  Ausonian  lands.    On  the  hard  rock,* 

'Twixt  Amo  and  the  Tiber,  he  from  Christ 

Took  the  last  signet,*  wliicb  his  limbs  two  years 

Did  carry.    Then,  the  season  come  that  he, 

Who  to  such  good  had  destined  him,  was  pleased 

To  advance  him  to  the  meed,  which  he  had  eam'd 

By  his  self-humbling ;  to  his  brotherhood. 

As  their  just  heritage,  he  ^ve  m  charge 

His  dearest  lady  :^  and  enjoin'd  their  love 

And  faith  to  her  ^  and,  from  her  bosom,  will'd 

His  goodly  spirit  should  move  forth,  returning 

To  its  appointed  kingdom ;  nor  would  have 

His  body"  laid  upon  another  bier. 

*<  Think  now  of  one,  who  were  a  fit  colleague 
To  keep  the  bark  of  Peter,  in  deep  seaj 


1  Pietro  Bemardone.]    A  man  in  an  humble  station  of  lift 
at  Assisi. 
s  Innocent,]    Pope  Innocent  IIL 

*  Nonorius.]  His  successor  Uonorios  IIL  who  granted  cap- 
tain privileges  to  the  Franciscans. 

*  In  the  proud  Soldan's  presence.]  The  Soklan  of  £gyp^ 
before  wliom  Saint  Francis  is  said  to  have  preached. 

*  On  the  hard  roek.]  The  mountain  Alvema  in  the  Apea 
nhie. 

*  7%e  last  sijfnet.]  Alluding  to  the  stigmata,  or  marks  re^ 
iembling  the  wounds  of  Christ,  said  to  have  been  found  on 
the  saint*s  body. 

V  His  dearest  lady.]    Poverty. 
.  *  His  body.]  He  forbade  any  Aineral  pomp  to  be  observed  at 
his  burial ;  and,  as  it  is  said,  ordered  that  his  remains  should 
be  deposited  in  a  place  where  criminals  were  executed  nxA 
tntefied. 


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408  THE  yiSK)N.  113*  n 

HelmM  to  risfat  point ;  and  such  oar  Patriareh^  wa» 
Therefore  w&>  foUow  him  as  he  enjoins, 
Thou  mayst  be  certain,  take  good  lading  ku 
But  hunger  of  new  viands  tempts  his  flock  ;* 
So  that  Uiey  needs  into  strange  pastures  wide 
Must  spread  them:  and  the  more  remote  from  him 
The  stragglers  wander,  so  much  more  they  come 
Home,  to  the  sheep-fold,  destitute  of  milk. 
There  are  of  them,  in  truth,  who  fear  their  harm. 
And  to  the  shepherd  cleave ;  but  these  so  few, 
A  little  stuff  may  furnish  out  theur  cloaks. 

*'  Now,  if  my  words  be  dear ;  if  thou  have  ta*en 
Good  heed ;  if  that,  which  I  have  told,  recall 
To  muid ;  thy  wish  may  be  m  part  fulfill'd : 
For  thou  wilt  see  the  plant  from  whence  they  s^t  f 
And  he  shall  see,  who  girds  him,  whai  that  means,^ 
'  That  well  they  thrive,  not  swoln  with  vanity.' " 


CANTO   XIL 

ARGUMENT. 
A  second  circle  of  glorified  sools  encixnpasses  the  first  Boon 
aventora,  who  u  one  of  them,  celebrates  the  praises  of 
Saint  Dominic,  and  Informs  Dante  who  the  other  eleven 
•re,  that  are  in  this  second  circle  or  garland. 

Soon  as  its  final  word  the  blessed  flame* 
Had  raised  for  utterance,  straight  the  holy  mill' 
Began  to  wheel ;  nor  yet  had  once  revolved, 
Or  ere  another,  circling,  compass'd  it. 
Motion  to  motion,  song  to  song,  conjoining ; 
Song,  that  as  much  our  muses  doth  excel. 
Our  Syrens  with  their  tuneful  pipes,  as  ray 

1  Our  Patriarek.]  Saint  Dominic,  to  whose  order  TbamM 
Aquinas  belonged. 

*  JIuJUek.}    The  Dominicans. 

s  Tke  plant  from  tokenee  tkef  split.']  **The  mle  of  fliell 
order,  which  the  Dominicans  neglect  to  observe.** 

*  jtndke  shall  see,  who  girds  kiwit  what  that  meoM,]  Lom- 
bardi,  after  the  Nidobeatina  edition,  together  with  four  MSS., 
reads  "  il  correggiar,'*  or  '*il  coregiir,"  wliichjives  the  sense 
that  now  stands  in  the  text  of  this  version.  The  Dominicans 
might  be  called  **  coreggieri,'*  firom  their  wearing  a  leathern 

grale,  as  the  Franciscans  were  called  "  cordiglieri,**  firom  their 
ting  girt  with  a  cord.  I  had  before  followed  the  common 
FMiding,  "  11  corregger ;"  and  translated  the  line  according  tt 
Ventolins  interpretation  of  it :— 

Nor  miss  of  the  reinroof  which  that  im^es. 

•  71U  blessed  Jiame.]    Thomas  Aqoinas 

•  TkskslfmiU.]    The  circle  of  spirits. 


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•-48.  PARADISE,  Canto  XU.  46S 

Of  primal  splendor  doth  its  faint  reflex. 

As  when,  if  Juno  hid  her  handmaid  forth. 
Two  arches  parallel,  and  trick'd  alike, 
Span  the  thin  cloud,  the  outer  taking  birth 
From  that  withm,  (in  manner  of  that  voice^ 
Whom  love  did  melt  away,  as  sun  the  mist,) 
And  they  who  gaze,  presagefid  call  to  mind 
The  compact  made  with  Noah,  of  the  world 
No  more  to  be  o'erflowM ;  about  us  thus. 
Of  pempitemal  roses,  bending,  wreathed 
Those  garlands  twain ;  and  to  the  innermost 
E'en  thus  the  external  answer'd.    When  the  footmgi 
And  other  great  festivity,  of  song. 
And  radiance,  light  with  light  accordant,  each 
Jocund  and  blithe,  had  at  Sieir  pleasure  still'd, 
(E^en  as  the  eyes,  by  quick  volition  moved. 
Are  shut  and  raised  together,)  from  the  heart 
Of  one*  among  the  new  lights'  moved  a  voice, 
That  made  me  seem*  like  needle  to  the  star. 
In  turning  to  its  whereabout  ;*  and  thus 
Began:  *<  The  love,*  that  makes  me  beautiful, 


1  In  manner  of  that  voiu.]  One  rainbow  givinfr  back  the 
Image  of  the  other,  as  lound  is  reflected  by  Echo,  that 
nymph  who  was  melted  away  by  her  fondness  for  Narcissus, 
as  vapor  is  melted  by  the  sun.  The  reader  will  observe  in 
the  text  not  only  a  second  and  third  simile  within  the  first, 
bat  two  mythological  and  one  sacred  allnsion  bound  up  to- 
gether with  the  whole.  Even  after  this  accamulation  of 
unai^ry,  the  two  circles  of  spirits,  by  whom  Beatrice  and 
Dante  were  encompassed,  are  by  a  bold  fignre  termed  two 
garlands  of  never-mding  roses.  Indeed,  there  is  a  ftilness 
of  splendor,  even  to  prodigality,  throughout  the  beginning  of 
thisCant% 

*  One.]  Saint  Buenaventura,  general  of  the  Franciscan 
order,  in  which  he  effected  smne  reformation ;  and  one  of  the 
most  profound  divines  of  his  age.  "  He  refused  the  archbish- 
opric of  York,  which  was  ofiisred  him  by  Clement  IV.,  but 
mOerwards  was  lurevalled  on  to  accept  the  bishopric  of  Alba- 
no  and  a  cardinal's  hat.  He  was  ham  at  Bagnoregio  or  Bag- 
norea,  in  Tuscany,  A.  D.  1221,  and  died  in  1274."  Dia.  Hi$  ■ 
tor.  par  Chaudon  et  Delandine.  Ed.  I^on.  1804. 

s  Among  the  new  lighu.]  In  the  circle  that  had  newly  rar- 
roonded  the  first. 

4  That  mads  mo  seem.]  "That  made  me  torn  to  it,  as  the 
magnetic  needle  does  to  the  pole." 

*  Toit*  whoreahont]    Al  sue  dove. 

The  very  stones  prate  of  my  wbereaboat 

Shakepeare^  Macbeth^  act  ii.  sc  1 

*  TTielove.]  By  an  act  of  mutual  courtesy,  Buonaventnra, 
a  Franciscan,  is  made  to  proclaim  the  jMraises  of  8t.  Domini^ 
M  Thomas  Aquinas,  a  Dominion,  has  celebrated  those  ol 


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49^  THE  VNON. 

Fjrompte  me  to  tell  of  the  other  |iikle,  for  whmm 
Such  good  of  mine  b  ipoken.    Where  one  b. 
The  other  worthily  riiould  also  be ; 
That  as  their  warfare  was  al^^Le,  alike 
Should  be  their  glory.    Slow,  and  fall  of  doobt. 
And  with  thin  ranks,  after  its  banner  moved 
The  army  of  Christ,  (which  it  so  dearly  cost 
To  re^point,)  when  its  imperial  Head, 
Who  reigueth  ever,  for  the  droq>ing  host 
Did  make  provision,  thorough  grace  alone. 
And  not  through  its  deserving.    As  thou  heaid*st, 
Two  champions  to  the  succor  of  his  spouse 
He  sent,  who  by  their  deeds  and  wordi  mijfht  yim 
Again  bJs  scattered  people.    In- that  clime*^ 
Where  springs  the  pleasant  west-wind  to  unfold 
The  fresh  leaves,  with  which  Eun^  sees  herself 
New-garmented ;  nor  from  those  billows*  far. 
Beyond  whose  chiding,  after  weary  course, 
The  sun  doth  sometimes*  hide  him ;  safe  abides 
The  happy  Callaroga,*  under  guard 
Of  the  great  shield,  wherein  the  lion  lies 
Subjected  and  supreme.    And  there  was  bom 
The  loving  minion  of  the  Christian  faith,* 

6t  Francis ;  and  in  like  manner  each  blames  the  irregnlarl 
ties,  not  of  the  other's  order,  bat  of  that  to  which  himself  be- 
longed. 

Even  Macchiavelli,  no  great  friend  to  the  church,  attribntet 
the  revival  of  Christianity  to  the  influence  of  these  two  saints 
**  Qnanto  alle  Sette,  si  vede  ancora  qneste  rinovazioni  esser 
necessarie,  per  I'essempio  della  nostra  Religione,  la  qaale,  se 
non  fbsse  stata  ritirata  verso  11  suo  principio  da  San  Fran- 
cesco e  da  San  Domenico,  sarebbe  al  tatto  spenta.'*  Z>i»earH 
9opra  la  prima  Deea  di  T.  lAvio,  lib.  ill.  c.  1.  '*  As  to  sects, 
it  is  seeirthat  these  renovations  are  necessary,  by  the  ezam- 

Ke  of  our  religion,  which,  if  it  had  not  been  drawn  back  to 
I  principle  by  St  Francis  and  St.  Dominic,  wonld  be  entirely 
eztingnished." 
1  JiM  thou  keard'tU]    See  the  last  Canto,  v.  33. 

*  Jn  that  dime.]    Spain. 

s  Those  billow*.]    The  Atlantic 

*  Sometiwue.]    Daring  the  summer  solstice. 

*  Callarora.]  Between  Osma  and  Aranda,  in  Old  CastUe, 
designated  by  the  royal  coat  of  arms. 

*  The  loving  minion  of  the  Oirietian  faith.]  Dominic  was 
born  April  5, 1170,  and  died  August  6,  1321.  His  birthplace 
Callaraf^a ;  his  father  and  mother's  names,  Felix  and  Joanna ; 
his  mother's  dream ;  his  name  of  Dominic,  given  him  in 
eonseanence  of  a  vision  by  a  noble  matron  who  stood  spon- 
sor to  him,  are  all  lold  in  an  anonymous  life  of  the  saint, 
said  to  be  written  in  the  thirteenth  centory;  and  pnblished  by 
Quetlf  and  Ecbard.    Seriptores  Ordin^s  Fnedicatonun.  Pai; 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


I»*m  PARADISE,  Cami^  XU.  4^5 

The  haHow*!!  wrestler,  eentle'  to  his  own. 
And  to  his  enemies  temUe.    So  replete 
His  soul  with  lively  virtue,  that  when  first 
(Created,  even  in  the  mother's  womb,* 
It  prophesied    When,  at  the  sacred  font, 
The  spousals  were  complete  'twixt  faith  and  hhoy 
Where  pledge  of  mutual  safety  was  exchanged, 
The  dame,'  who  was  his  surety,  in  her  sleep 
Beheld  the  wondrous  fruit,  that  was  from  him 
And  from  his  heirs  to  issue.     And  that  such 
He  might  be  construed,  as  indeed  he  was. 
She  was  inspired  to  name  him  of  his  owner. 
Whose  he  was  wholly ;  and  so  called  him  Dominie. 
And  I  speak  of  him,  as  the  laborer, 
Whom  Christ  in  his  own  garden  chose  to  be 
His  help-mate.    Messenger  he  seem'd,  and  friend 
Fast-knit  to  Christ ;  and  the  first  love  he  showed, 
Was  after  the  first  counsel*  that  Christ  gave. 
Many  a  time*  his  nurse,  at  entermg,  found 
That  he  had  risen  in  silence,  and  was  prostrate. 
As  who  should  say,  *  My  errand  was  for  this.' 
O  happy  father !  Felix*  rightly  named. 
O  favored  mother !  rightly  named  Joanna ; 
If  that  do  mean,  as  men  interpret  it."" 

1719,  fol.  torn.  i.  p.  25.    These  writers  deny  his  havins  been 
an  inquisitor,  and  indeed  the  establishment  of  the  inquudticm 
itself  before  the  fourth  Lateran  Council.    Ibid.  p.  88. 
>  GaUle.} 

Bapetav  ixOpolSt  nat  ^(Xoiffiv  ehiievfj. 

Eurip.  Medeot  V.  805. 
Lofty  and  sour  to  those,  that  loved  him  not. 
But  to  those  men,  that  sought  him,  sweet  as  summer. 

Shakspearct  Henry  Fill.,  act  iv.  sc.  S. 

*  In  the  mother's  vomb,]  His  mother,  when  pregnant  with 
him,  is  said  to  have  dreamed  that  she  should. bring  forth  a 
white  and  black  dog  with  a  lighted  torch  in  his  month,  which 
were  signs  of  the  habit  to  be  worn  by  his  order,  and  of  his 
fervent  zeal. 

*  7%e  dame.']  His  godmother*s  dream  was,  that  he  had  one 
star  in  his  forehead,  and  another  in  the  nape  of  his  neck,  from 
which  he  communicated  light  to  the  east  and  the  west. 

*  JSfter  the  first  counsel.]  **  Jesus  said  unto  him.  If  thou  wilt 
be  perfect,  go  and  sell  that  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the  poor, 
and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven ;  and  come  and  follow 
me.'*  Jlfaca.  ziz.  31.  Dominic  is  said  to  have  followed  this 
advice. 

*  Many  a  time.]  His  nurse,  when  she  returned  to  himu 
often  found  that  he  had  left  his  bed,  and  was  prostrate,  and 
In  prayer. 

•FUiz,]    Felix  Gasman. 
^  Jis mm  interpreiUJ]    Gxaeeorgiftof  the  Lord. 
30 


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M6  THE  VISION.  tMft 

Not  for  ih»  world's  sake,  lor  which  now  they  tofl 

Upou  Ostieose^  and  TaddeoV  lore. 

But  for  the  real  manna,  soon  he  grew 

Mighty  in  learning ;  and  did  set  himself 

To  go  about  the  vineyard,  that  soon  turns 

To  wan  and  withered,  if  not  tended  well : 

And  from  the  see,*  (whose  bounty  to  the  just 

And  needy  is  gone  by,  not  through  its  faidty 

But  his  who  fiUs  it  basely,)  he  brought. 

No  dispensation*  for  commuted  wron^. 

Nor  the  first  vacant  fortune,*  nor  the  tenths 

That  to  God*s  paupeis  rightly  appertam. 

But,  'gainst  an  erring  and  degenerate  worid» 

License  to  fight,  m  favor  of  that  seed* 

From  which  the  twice  twelve  cions  gird  thee  rooni 

Then,  with  sage  doctrine  and  rood  ^nll  to  help, 

Forth  on  his  great  apostleship  he  fared, 

Like  torrent  bursting  from  a  lofty  vein ; 

>  Ostiense.]  Anigo  a  natire  of  Sasa,  formerly  a  consider 
able  city  in  Piedmont,  and  cardinal  of  Os^  and  Velletri, 
whence  he  acquired  the  name  of  Ostiense,  was  celebrated  for 
his  lectures  on  the  five  books  of  the  Decretals.  He  flourished 
about  the  year  1350.  He  is  classed  by  Frezad  with  Accorao 
the  Florentine. 

P(A  Ostiense,  e*I  florentino  Accorso, 
Che  f(6  le  chiose,  e  dichiarb  *i  nfto  testo, 
E  alle  leggi  diede  gran  soccorso. 

Jl  Qttodrtr.,  lib.  iv.  cap.  13. 

•  TaddeoA  It  is  uncertain  whether  he  speaks  of  the  physi- 
cian or  the  lawyer  of  that  name.  The  former,  Taddeo  d*Al- 
derotto,  a  Florentine,  called  the  Hi[q)ocratean,  translated  the 
ethics  of  Aristotle  into  Latin ;  and  died  at  an  advanced  age 
towards  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century.    The  other,  who 

.  was  of  Bologna,  and  celebrated  for  his  Icq^al  knowledge,  left 
no  writings  behind  him.    He  is  also  spoken  of  by  Frezzi : 
AsEo  e  Taddeo  gi4  fimnoli  nmggiori; 
E  ora  ognnn'  e  oscuro,  e  tal  appare 
Qual'  6  la  luna  alii  febei  spiendorL 

Jl  Quadrir^  lib.  iv.  cap.  13 
s  7%«  «e«.]  "  llie  apostolic  see,  which  no  longer  continues 
{ts  wonted  liberality  towards  the  indigent  and  deservinc; 
not  indeed  through  its  own  fault,  as  its  doctrines  are  nvil 
the  same,  but  tlirough  the  fiuolt  of  the  pontiff  who  is  seated 
in  it." 

<  JV*o  dispen»ation,\  Dominic  did  not  ask  license  to  com- 
pound for  the  use  of  unjust  acquisitions  by  dedicating  a  part 
of  them  to  pious  purposes. 

•  JArr  the  Jlnt  vacant  ftrtUMB.]  Not  the  first  benefice  tiiat 
fell  vacant. 

8  In  favor  of  that  »eed.\  "  For  that  seed  of  the  divine  word, 
from  which  have  sprung  up  these  foar«nd-tweBty  ptaali^ 
these  holy  spirits  that  now  environ  thee  * 


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M-ttS.  PARADISE,  Canto  XU.  467 

And,  dariiing  'gainst  the  st6cks  of  heresy, 
Smote  fiercest,  where  resistance  was  most  stout 
Thence  many  rivulets  have  smce  been  tum*d, 
Over  the  garden  catholic  to  lead 
Their  living  waters,  and  have  fed  its  plants. 

**  If  such,  one  wheel'  of  that  two-yoked  car, 
Wherein  the  holy  church  defended  her. 
And  rode  triumphant  through  the  civil  broil ; 
Thou  canst  not  doubt  its  feUow's  excellence, 
Which  Thomas,*  ere  my  coming,  hath  declared 
So  courteously  unto  thee.    But  the  track,' 
Which  its  smooth  felloes  made,  is  now  deserted  ■ 
That,  mouldy  mother  is,  where  late  were  leest 
His  family,  that  wont  to  trace  his  path. 
Turn  backward,  and  invert  their  steps ;  ere  long 
To  rue  the  gathering  in  of  their  ill  crop. 
When  the  rejected  tares^  in  vain  shall  ask 
Admittance  to  the  bam.    I  question  not* 
But  he,  who  search'd  our  volume,  leaf  by  leaf, 
Might  still  find  page  with  this  mscription  on't, 
<  I  am  as  I  was  wont*    Yet  such  were  not 
From  Acquasparta  nor  Casale,  whence. 
Of  those  who  come  to  meddle  with  the  text. 
One  stretches  and  another  cramps  its  rule. 
Bonaventura's  life  in  me  behold, 
From  BagntMregio ;  one,  who,  in  discharge 
Of  my  great  offices,  still  laid  aside 
All  sinister  aim.     Illuminato  here. 
And  Agostino*  join  me:  two  they  were. 
Among  the  first  of  those  barefooted  meek  ones, 

1  One  wheel.]    Dominic ;  as  the  other  wheel  is  Francis. 

*  T\omas.]    Thomas  Aquinas. 

s  But  the  track.}  **  Bat  the  mle  of  St  lYancis  i&  already 
ieserted :  and  the  lees  of  the  wine  are  turned  into  mould!* 
Kess. ' 

*  Tares  ]  He  adverts  to  the  parable  of  the  tares  and  the 
wheat 

*  /  question  not.}  "  Some  indeed  might  be  found,  who  still 
observe  the  rule  of  the  order:  but  such  would  come  neitlier 
from  Casale  nor  Acquasparta.**  At  Casale,  in  Monferrat, 
the  discipline  had  been  enf(nrced  by  Uberto  with  unneces- 
sary rigor;  and  at  Acquasparta,  in  the  ierrftoAry  of  Todi,  it 
had  been  equally  relaxed  by  the  Cardinal  Matteo,  general 
of  the  order.  Lucas  Waddingus,  as  cited  by  Lombarai,  cor- 
rects the  errors  of  the  eommentators  who  had  confinmded 
these  two. 

s  .ismM  jJ^MMtiMtfo  here. 

And  Jigoatimo.}   Two  among  the  earliest  followers  of  Si 
Itemcis. 


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4A8  THE  VISIC^.  IM^vm 

Who  Mragfat  God'f  frisiidriiip  in  the  oofd:  wift 

them 
Honies  of  Sauit  Victor  ;^  Fietip  Mangiadore  f 
And  he  of  Spain'  in  his  twelve  volumes  ehininir; 
Nathan  the  prophet ;  Metropolitan 
Chryaoatom  f  and  Anselmo  ;*  and,  who  deign'd 


X  Hftgt*  9f  St,  Victor.]  Landino  makes  him  of  Parla; 
Ventan  calls  him  a  8axon ;  and  Lombturdi,  following  Alex- 
aader  Natalis,  Hist.  Eccl.,  S«c.  xi.  cap.  6,  nxU  9,  says  that  h« 
was  tnm  Ypres.  He  was  of  the  monastery  of  Saint  Yictw 
at  Paris,  aad  died  in  1143,  at  the  age  of  forty-four.  His  tea 
books,  Illustrative  of  the  celestial  hierarchy  of  Dionysins  the 
Areopagite,  according  to  the  translation  of  Joannes  Scotus, 
are  Inscribed  to  King  Louis,  son  of  Louis  le  Gros,  by  whom 
the  monastery  had  been  founded.  Opera  Hug.  de  S.  Vict., 
fol.  Paris.  1586,  torn.  i.  339.  **  A  man  distinguished  by  the 
fecundity  of  his  genius,  who  treated,  in  his  writings,  of  all 
the  branches  of  sacred  and  profane  erudition  that  were  known 
in  his  time,  and  who  composed  several  dissertations  that  are 
not  destitute  <^jnerit.'*  Maelaine*»  Moskeim,  Eed,  HUt^y  ▼. 
iil.  cent.  xii.  p.  3,  c.  3,  $  33.  I  have  looked  into  his  writings, 
and  found  some  reason  for  this  high  euloglum. 

s  Pietro  Mangiadore.\  '*  Petrus  Comestor,  or  the  Eater,  bora 
at  Troyes,  was  canon  and  dean  of  that  church,  and  afterwards 
chancellor  of  the  church  of  Paris,  fie  relinquished  these 
benefices  to  become  a  regular  canon  of  St.  Victor  at  Paris, 
where  he  died  in  1198.*'  Chaudon  et  Ddandine^  Diet,  HitU, 
Ed.  Lyon.  1804. 

The  wmlc  by  which  he  is  best  known,  Is  his  Historia  Sco 
lastica,  which  I  shall  have  occasion  to  cite  in  the  Notes  to 
Canto  XI  vL 

s  HeofSoMn.]  "To  Pope  Adrian  V.  succeeded  John  XXL, 
a  native  or  Lisbon ;  a  man  of  great  genius  and  extraordinary 
acquirements,' especially  in  logic  and  in  medicine,  as  his 
books  written  in  the  name  of  Peter  of  Spain  (by  which  he 
was  known  before  he  became  pope)  may  testify.  His  life  waa 
not  much  longer  than  that  of  his  predecessors,  for  he  waa 
killed  at  Viterbo,  by  the  falling  in  of  the  roof  of  his  cham 
ber,  after  he  had  been  pontiff  only  eight  months  and  as  many 
days,"  A.  D.  1977.  Mariana,  Hit.  de  Esp.,  1.  xlv.  c.  8.  Hi< 
Thesaurus  Pauperum  is  referred  to  in  Brown*s  Vulgar  Errors 
B.  vil.  ch.  7. 

*  Chrysottem.     The  eloquent  patriarch  of  Constantinople 

*  ,An»elmo.]  '*  Anselm,  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  was  Ihmii 
at  Aosta,  about  1034,  and  studied  under  Lanfranc,  at  the  mon* 
astery  of  Bee  in  Ncntnandv,  where  he  afterwards  devoted 
himself  to  a  religious  life,  in  his  twenty-seventh  year.  In 
three  years  he  was  made  prior,  and  then  abbot  of  that  monas- 
tery ;  firom  whence  he  was  taken  in  1093,  to  succeed  to  the 
archbishopric,  vacant  by  the  death  of  LanfVanc.  He  enjoyed 
this  dignity  till  his  death,  in  1100,  though  it  was  disturbed  by 
many  dissensions  with  William  H.  and  Henry  !.,  respecting 
immunities  and  investitures.  There  is  much  depth  uid  !»»• 
dalon  in  his  theological  works."  7Vra6*«A»,  8t»r,  4dU  L§Ui 
Ita/n  torn.  iiL  lib  iv.  cap.  S. 


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Oi-ias.  FAKADISE,  Camto  XUL  46» 

To  pat  hk  hand  to  the  firat  art,  Donatus.' 

Raban*  is  here ;  and  at  my  side  there  shines 

Calabria's  abbot,  Joachim,*  endoVd 

With  soul  prophetic.    The  bright  courtesy 

Of  friar  Thomas  and  his  goodly  lore, 

Have  moved  me  to  the  blazon  of  a  peer^ 

So  worthy ;  and  with  me  have  moved  this  throng." 


CANTO  XIII 

ARGUMENT 


fhoraaa  Aquinas  resumes  his  speech.    He  solves  the  othei 
of  those  doubts  which  he  discerned  In  the  mind  of  Dante,  . 
and  warns  him  earnestly  against  assenting  to  any  ptogoal' 
tion  without  having  duly  examined  it. 

Let  him,*  who  would  conceive  what  now  I  say. 
Imagine,  (and  retain  the  image  firm 
As  mountain  rock,  the  whilst  he  hears  me  speak,) 
Of  stars,  fifteen,  from  midst  the  ethereal  host 


Ibid.,  c.  V.  **It  is  ah  observation  made  by  many  modem 
writers,  that  the  demonstration  of  the  existence  of  God, 
taken  flpom  the  idea  of  a  Supreme  Being,  of  which  Des  Cftrtes 
is  thought  to  be  the  author,  was  so  mauv  ages  hack  discover* 
'leibt' 


ed  and  brought  to  light  by  Anselm.    Leibnitz  himself  i 
the  remark,  vol.  v.  Oper.,  p.  570:  Edit.  Genev.  1768." 

^  Donatus.]  iElins  Donatus,  the  grammarian,  in  the  fourUi 
century,  one  of  the  preceptors  of  St.  Jerome. 
80  Fazio  degli  Uberti,  Dittamondo,  lib.  ii.  cap.  13. 
In  questo  tempo  Donato  vivea, 
Che  delle  arti  in  si  breve  volume 
L'uscio  n*aperse  e  la  prima  scalea. 

*  Raban.]  "  He  was  made  Archbishop  of  Mentz  in  847. 
His  Latino-Theotische  Glossary  of  the  Bible  is  still  preserved 
in  the  imperial  library  at  Vienna.  See  Lambesins,  Comment 
de  BibU  Ub.  U.  pp.  416  and  932.'*  Oray*§  IVork;  4to.  Lond. 
1814,  vol.  U.  p.  33. 

**Rabanus  Maums,  ArchUshop  of  Ments,  is  deservedly 
placed  at  the  head  of  the  Latin  writers  of  this  age.**  Mtkeha, 
▼.  ii.  cent.  ix.  p.  2,  c.2,  $  14. 

s  Joaehim.}  Abbot  of  Flora  in  Calabria ;  "  whom  the  mul- 
titude revered  as  a  person  divinely  inspired,  and  equal  to  the 
most  illustrious  prophets  of  ancient  times."  Motkei'mi  v.  liL 
cent.  xUi.  p.  2,  c  2,  $  33. 

*  A  pter,]    St.  Dominic. 

*  Let  him.]   "  Whoever  would  conceive  the  sight  that  now 

Eisented  itself  to  me,  must  imagine  to  himself  fifteen  of  the 
ghtest  stars  in  heaven,  together  with  seven  stars  of  Arctu* 
ms  Major  and  two  of  Arcturus  Bffinor,  ranged  in  two  circles^ 
one  within  the  other,  each  resembling  the  crown  of  Ariadii% 
and  flMving  loond  in  opposite  directions.** 


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4T9  TBSVlSIOIf.  s-ai 

Selected,  that,  wHh  lively  ny  eerene, 

O'ercome  the  maiwifiiit  air:  thereto  imaguie 

The  wain,  that,  in  the  bosom  of  our  dcy. 

Spins  ever  on  its  axle  night  and  day. 

With  the  bright  summit  of  that  horn,  which  swells 

Dae  from  the  pole,  round  which  the  first  ^dieel  roU^ 

To  have  ranged  themselves  in  fashion  of  two  signs 

In  heaven,  such  as  Ariadne  made. 

When  deck's  chill  seized  her ;  and  that  one  of  them 

Did  compass  in  the  other's  beam ;  and  both 

In  such  sort  whirl  around,  that  each  should  tend 

With  opposite  motion:  and,  o<mce.ving  thus. 

Of  that  true  constellation,  and  the  dance 

Twofold,  that  circled  me,  he  shall  attain  ^ 

As  'twere  the  shadow  ;  for  things  there  as  much 

Surpass  our  usage,  as  the  swiftest  heaven 

Is  swifter  than  &e  Chiana.^    There  was  sung 

No  Bacchus,  and  no  lo  Pean,  but 

Three  Persons  in  the  Godhead,  and  in  one 

Perron  that  nature  and  the  human  join'd. 

The  song  and  round  were  measured :  and  to  vm 
Those  saintly  lights  attended,  happier  made 
At  each  new  mmistering.    'Then  silence  brake 
Amid  the  accordant  sons  of  Deity, 
That  luminajy,'  in  which  the  wondrous  life 
Of  the  meek  man  of  Grod*  was  told  to  me ; 
And  thus  it  spake :  **  One  ear*  o'  the  harvest  thresh'd. 
And  its  grain  safely  stored,  sweet  charity 
Invites  me  with  the  other  to  like  toil. 

"  Thou  know'st,  that  in  the  boscnn,'  whence  the  rib 
Was  ta'en  to  fashion  that  fair  cheek,  whose  taste 
All  the  world  pays  for ;  and  in  that,  which  pierced 
By  the  keen  lance,  boUi  afler  and  before 

>  Tl«  Ckiana.]    See  Hell,  Canto  zxix  45. 

*  That  luminarf.}    Thomas  Aquinas. 

The  meek  man  of  Ood,\    Saint  Francis    See  Cauto  xL  39. 

*  One  ear.}  "  Having  solved  one  of  thy  questions,  I  pro- 
ceed to  answer  the  other.  Thou  thinkest  then  that  Adam 
and  Christ  were  both  endned  with  all  the  perfection  of  which 
the  human  nature  is  capable ;  and  therefore  wonderest  at 
what  has  been  said  concerning  Solomon.** 

*  In  the  bosom.]  *'Thou  knowest  that  in  the  breast  of 
Adam,  whence  the  rib  was  taken  to  make  that  fair  cheek  of 
Eve«  which,  by  tasting  the  apple,  brought  death  into  the 
worid ;  and  alM>  in  the  breast  of  Christ,  which,  being  pierced 
by  the  lance,  made  satisfaction  fm  the  sins  of  the  whde 
world ;  as  much  wisdom  resided  as  human  natme  was  capa- 
ble of:  and  thou  dost  therefore  wonder  that  I  should  Ioav 
qpokea  of  SokMDOn  as  the  wisest.*'    See  Canto  z.  105. 


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m-9»  PARA0BSE,  Gurro  XIU.  471 

Saeh  latisfoction  ofi^d  as  oatweighs 
Each  evil  in  the  scale ;  whate*er  of  light 
To  human  nature  is  allow'd,  must  all 
Have  by  his  virtue  been  infused,  who  form'd 
Both  one  and  other:  and  thou  thence  admirert 
In  that  I  told  thee,  of  beatitudes, 
A  second  there  is  none  to  hun  enclosed 
In  the  fifth  radiance.    Open  now  thine  t:ytB 
To  what  I  answer  thee  ;  and  thou  shalt  see 
Thy  deeming  and  my  saying  meet  in  truth, 
As  centre  in  the  round.    That^  which  dies  not. 
And  that  which  can  die,  are  but  each  the  beam 
Of  that  id«».a,  which  our  Sovereign  Sire 
Engendereth  loving ;  for  that  lively  light  f 
Which  passeth  from  his  splendor,  not  disjoin'd 
From  him,  nor  fh>m  his  love  triune  with  them,' 
Doth,  through  his  bounty,  congregate  itself, 
Mirror'd,  as  Hwere,  in  new  existences  ;^ 
Itself  unalterable,  and  ever  one. 

"  Descending  hence  unto  .the  lowest  powers,* 
Its  energy  so  sinks,  at  last  it  makes 
But  brief  contingencies  ;  for  so  I  name 
Things  generated,  which  the  heavenly  orbs 
Moving,  with  seed  or  without  seed,  produce. 
Their  wax,  and  that  which  moulds  it,*  differ  mnch 
And  thence  with  lustre,  more  or  less^  it  shows 
The  ideal  stamp  impressM :  so  that  one  tree. 
According  to  his  kind,  hath  better  fruit. 
And  worse :  and,  at  your  birth,  ye,  mortal  men. 
Are  in  your  talents  various.    Were  the  wax 
Moulded  with  nice  exactness,  and  the  heaven'' 
In  its  disposing  influence  supreme, 

1  Tkat.]  "Things,  corruptible  and  incorruptible,  are  only 
emanations  from  ue  archetypal  idea  lesidtag  in  the  Divine 
Mind." 

•  Light.}   The  Word :  the  Son  of  God. 

•  His  love  triune  with  them.]    The  Holy  Ghost 

•  Jfew  existences.}  Angels  and  hnman  souls.  If  we  read 
with  some  editions  and  many  MSS.  "nove"  instead  of 
^nnove,"  it  should  be  rendered  ''nine  existences,*'  and  then 

means  "  the  nine  heavens ;"  and  this  reading  is  apiuroved  by 
Ix)mbardi,  Biagioli,  and  Monti.  In  the\  terms  "  sassistenze,** 
and  "conttngenze,"**  existences  and  contingencies,**  Dante 
follows  the  language  of  the  scholastic  writers,  which  I  have 
endeavored  to  preserve. 

•  The  lowest  pouters.}    Irrational  life  and  brute  matter 

•  Their  vox,  and  that  which  nundds  iL}  Matter,  and  tiM 
Virtue  or  energy  that  acts  on  it 

fnsheamm.}  The  iBfluence  of  the  plaaeteiy  bodies. 


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479  THE  YIGBON.  't^-^ 

The  brigfatneai  of  the  leal^  ihoiild  he  oompleto) 
Bat  nature  randen  it  imperfect  erer ; 
Reeemhling  thus  the  artist,  m  her  woric, 
Whose  faltenngr  hand  is  faithless  to  his  skill. 
Therefore,'  if  fervent  lore  dispose,  and  mark 
The  lustrous  image  of  the  primal  virtue, 
There  all  perfection  is  vouchsafed ;  and  such 
The  clay'  was  made,  acoomplish'd  with  each  pfk^ 
That  life  can  teem  with ;  such  the  burden  fiU*d 
The  virgin's  bosom :  so  that  I  commend 
Thy  judgment,  that  the  human  nature  ne'er 
Was,  or  can  be,  such  as  in  them  it  was. 

**  Did  I  advance  no  further  than  this  point ; 
'  How  then  had  he  no  peerf  thou  might'st  reply. 
But,  that  what  now  appeari  not,  may  a]^>ear 
Right  plainly,  ponder,  who  he  was,  and  what 
(When  he  was  bidden,  *  Ask,')  the  motive,  sway'd 
To  his  requesting.    I  have  qx>ken  thus, 
That  thou  mayst  see,  he  was  a  king,  who  ask'd* 
For  wisdom,  to  the  end  he  might  be  kmg 
Sufficient:  not,  the  number*  to  search  out  ' 
Of  the  celestial  movers ;  or  to  know, 
If  necessary'  with  contingent  e'er 
Have  made  necessity ;  or  whether  that 
Bg  granted,  that  first  motion^  is ;  or  if, 


1  The  brightnets  of  tke  teal.]  The  brightness  of  the  Divias 
Idea  before  spoken  of. 

*  TTierrfore.]  Daniello,  says  IxMnbardi,  has  shown  his  sa- 
gacity in  remarking  that  onr  Poet  intends  this  for  a  brief 
desqiption  of  the  Trinity  :■  the  primai  virtne  signifying  the 
Father:  the  iustrous  image,  the  Son;  the  fervent  love,  the 
Boly  Ghost. 

s  7%e  clay.]    Adam. 

*  Who  a»k''d.]  **  He  did  not  desire  to  know  the  nnmber  of 
the  ceiestial  intelligences,  or  to  pry  into  the  subtleties  of  loci* 
cal,  metaphysical,  at  mathematical  sciences:  but  asked  nr 
that  wisdom  which  might  fit  him  for  his  kingly  office.*' 

•  lite  number.]  This  question  is  discussed  by  our  Poet 
hhnself  in  the  Convito,  p.  49. 

•  ^neeeetMTjf.]  ''If  a  premise  necessarily  true,  with  one 
not  necessarily  true,  ever  produced  a  necessary  consequence; 
a  question  resolved  in  the  negative  by  the  art  of  l(^(ic,  with 
that  general  rule,  conclnsio  seqnitur  debili(»em  partem.** 
Jjombardi, 

V  Thatfirttnu>tion.J  "If  we  must  allow  one  first  motioiu 
which  is  not  caused  by  other  motion .  a  question  resolved 
aArmatively  by  metaphysics,  according  to  that  principle 
wpognat  ta  eaasit  prooeisns  in  infinitum.**    LnnhatriL 


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•fr4tl.  PARADISE,  Canto  XHI.  47J 

Of  the  mid  circle,'  can  by  art  be  m&de 
Triangle,  with  its  comer  blunt  or  sharp. 

f*  Whence,  noting  that,  which  I  have  said,  and  thisi 
Thou  kingly  prudence' and  that  ken'  mayst  learn. 
At  which  the  dart  of  my  intention  aims. 
And,  marking  clearly,  that  I  told  thee,  <  Risen,' 
Thou  shalt  discern  it  only  hath  respect 
To  kings,  of  whom  are  many,  and  the  good 
Are  rare.    With  this  distinction  take  my  words ; 
And  they  may  well  consist  with  that  which  thou 
Of  the  first  human  father  dost  believe,    ■ 
And  of  our  well -beloved.     And  let  this 
Henceforth  be  lead  unto  thy  feet,  to  make 
Thee  slo  jv  in  motion,  as  a  weary  man. 
Both  to  the  *  yea'  and  to  the  *  nay'  thou  seest  not. 
For  he  among  the  fools  is  down  full  low. 
Whose  affirmation,  or  denial,'  is 
Without  distinction,  in  each  case  alike. 
Since  it  befalls,  that  in  most  instances 
Current  opinion  leans  to  false :  and  then 
Affection  bends  the  judgment  to  her  ply.  • 

**  Much  more  than  vainly  doth  he  loose  from  shores 
Since  he  returns  not  such  as  he  set  forth. 
Who  fishes  for  the  truth  and  wanteth  skill 
And  open  proofs  of  this  unto  the  world 
Have  been  afforded  in  Parmenides, 
Melissus,  Bryso,*  and  the  crowd  beside, 

^  Of  the  mid  circle.]  **  If  in  the  half  of  the  circle  a  rectt- 
linear  triangle  can  be  described,  one  side  of  which  shall  be 
the  diameter  of  the  same  circle,  without  its  forming  a  right 
angle  with  the  other  two  sides ;  which  geometry  shows  to 
be  impossible."    Lonibardi, 

t  That  ken.]    See  Canto  x.  110. 

s  Whose  affirmation  or  denial.] 

T&v  yap  £pTi  Stivdrepa  Sv  rts  huoXsy^fftit,  /i^  9009jfip 
ro7{i^fiaai  rbv  vo5v,  ^  roitoXd  eWlvficBa  ^dvai  rt  km  imp 
vtiffBau  Plato.  Theietetas.,  Ed.  Bip.,  v.  ii.  p.  97.  **  For  any 
(me  might  make  yet  absurder  concessions  than  these,  not 
paying  strict  attention  to  terms,  according  to  the  way,  in 
which  we  are  for  the  most  part  accustomed  both  to  a^m 
and  to  deny." 

* Parmenides^ 

Melissus^  Bryso.] 

For  the  singular  opinions  entertained  by  the  two  former  of 
these  heathen  philosophers,  see  Dit^enes  Laertius,  lib.  ix^ 
and  Aristot.  de  Coelo,  lib.  iii.  cap.  i.,  and  Phys.,  lib.  1.  cap.  iL 
The  last  is  also  twice  adduced  by  Aristotle,  (Anal.  Post.,  lib.  i. 
cap.  ix.,  and  Rhet,  lib.  iii.  cap.  ii.,)  as*afibrding  instances  of 
folse  reasoning.  Our  Poet  refers  to  the  philosopher's  r^ata- 
tion  of  them  in  the  De  Monarchift,  lib.  iii.  p.  138.  See  als« 
Plato  .n  the  Thestetos,  the  Sophist  and  the  Parmenides. 


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#74  T^^  yjsiov.  laenm 

Who  joumey'd  6n,  and  knew  not  whither:  m  Si. 
SabelDoB,  Ariiis,^  and  the  other  fools. 
Who,  like  to  cimeten'  reflected  back 
The  Bcriptnre-image  by  distortion  marr'd. 

"  Let  not  the  people  be  too  swift  to  jndge ; 
As  one  who  reckons  on  the  blades  in  fiel£ 
Or  e*er  the  crop  be  ripe.    Fen*  I  have  seen 
The  thorn  frown  mdely  all  the  wmter  long, 
And  after  bear  the  rose  upon  its  top ; 
And  bark,  that  all  her  way  across  the  sea 
Ran  straight  and  speedy,  perish  at  the  last 
E'en  in  the  haven's  mouth.    Seeing  one  steal, 
Anciher  bring  his  ofiering  to  the  priest, 
Let  not'  Dame  Birtha  and  Sir  Martin^  thence 
Into  heaven's  counsels  deem  that  they  can  pry: 
For  one  of  these  may  rise,  the  other  faU." 


CANTO    XIV. 


ARGUBIENT. 
Solomon,  who  ii  ooe  of  the  spirits  Sn  the  inner  cireto,  do- 
clares  what  the  appearance  of  the  blest  will  be  after  the 
resurrection  of  the  body.  Beatrice  and  Dante  are  trans- 
lated  into  the  fifth  heaven,  which  Is  that  of  Mars ;  and 
here  behold  the  souls  of  those,  who  had  died  fightlns  fbr 
the  true  fUth,  ranged  in  the  sign  of  a  cross,  athwart  whieh 
the  spirits  move  to  the  sound  of  a  melodious  hymn. 

Feom  centre  to  the  circle,  and  so  back 
From  circle  to  the  centre,  water  moves 
In  the  round  chalice,  even  as  the  blow 
Impels  it,  inwardly,  or  from  without. 
Such  was  the  image*  glanced  into  my  mind, 
As  the  great  spirit  of  Aquinum  ceased ; 

1  SfiMlhUt  jfrtW.]    Well-known  heretics. 

*  dmeterM.]  A  passage  in  the  travels  of  Bertradon  de  la 
Brocquiire,  translated  by  Bfr.  Johnes,  will  explain  this  alla- 
sion,  which  has  siven  some  trouble  to  the  commentaton. 
That  traveller,  who  wrote  before  Dante,  informs  us,  p.  138, 
that  the  wandering  Arabs  used  their  cimeters  as  mirrors. 

s  Let  not.]  "  Let  not  short-sighted  mortals  presume  to  de- 
cide on  the  ftitnre  doom  of  any  man,  fVom  a  considerati<m  of 
his  present  character  and  actions."  This  is  meant  as  aa 
answer  to  the  doubts  entertained  respecting  the  salvation  of 
Solomon.    See  Canto  x.  107. 

*  Dame  Birtha  and  Sir  Martin.]  Names  put  generally  fbr 
any  persons  who  have  more  curiosity  than  discretion. 

*  Suck  waa  the  image.]  The  voice  of  Thomas  Aqulnaf 
proceeding  from  the  drcle  to  the  centre ;  and  that  of  Bea* 
Iriee,  fkom  the  centre  to  the  circle 


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T-4S.  PARADISE,  Canto  XIV.  475  , 

And  Beatrice,  after  him,  her  words 

RoBnmed  alternate :  "  Need  there  is  (though  yet 

He  tells  it  to  you  not  in  words,  nor  e'en 

In  thought)  that  he  should  fathom  to  its  depth 

Another  mystery.    Tell  him,  if  the  light,  fyou 

Wherewith  your  iuhstance  blooms,  diaU  stay  with 

Eternally,  as  now ;  and,  if  it  doth. 

How,  when*  ye  shall  regain  your  visible  forms. 

The  sight  may  without  harm  endure  the  change. 

That  edso  tell."    As  those,  who  in  a  ring 

Tread  the  light  measure,  in  their  fitful  mirth 

Baise  loud  the  voice,  and  spring  with  gladder  bound; 

Thus,  at  the  hearing  of  that  pious  suit, 

The  saintly  circles,  in  their  toumaying 

And  wondrom  note,  attested  new  delight 

Whoso  laments,  that  we  must  doff  this  garb 
Of  frail  mortality,  thenceforth  to  live 
Immortally  above ;  he  hath  not  seen 
The  sweet  refreshing  of  that  heavenly  shower.' 

Him,'  who  lives  ever,  and  for  ever  reigns 
In  mystic  union  of  the  Three  in  One,  * 

Unbounded,  bounding  all,  each  spirit  thrice 
Sang,  with  such  melody,  as,  but  to  hear, 
For  highest  merit  were  an  ample  meed. 
And  firam  the  lesser  orb  the  goodliest  light,^ 
With  gentle  voice  and  mild,  such  as  perhaps 
The  angel's  once  to  Mary,  thus  replied : 
**  hong  as  the  joy  of  Paradise  shall  last. 
Our  love  shall  shine  around  that  raiment,  brif^t 
As  fervent ;  fervent  as,  in  vision,  blest ; 
And  that  as  far,  in  blessedness,  exceeding, 
As  it  hath  grace,  beyond  its  virtue,  great 
Our  shape,  regarmeuted  with  glorious  weeds 
Of  saintly  flesh,  must,  heintt  thus  entire. 
Show  yet  more  gracious.    Therefore  shall  increase 
Whate*er,  of  light,  gratuitous  imparts 
The  Supreme  Good ;  light,  ministering  aid. 
The  better  to  disclose  Im  glory ;  whence, 
Th  e  vision  needs  increasing,  must  increase 

1  fVhen.}    When  ye  shall  be  again  clothed  with  your  bod- 
ies at  the  resurrection. 

*  That  heavenly  shower.]    That  eflasion  of  beatific  Ilg^t 

*  Him.]     Literally  translated  by  Chancer,  TroUos  and 
Oresseide,  bootc  v. 

Thou  one,  two,  and  three  eteme  on  live. 
That  ralgnest  aie  in  three,  two,  and  one, 
Uncircamscript,  and  all  malst  clrcoosriive. 

*  The  f[oodli$at  ly(ht,\    SoloDum 


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476  THE  VISION. 

The  (ervoT,  which  it  kindles ;  and  that  too 
The  ray,  that  comee  from  it    Bat  as  the  gleed 
Which  gives  oat  flame,  yet  in  its  whiteness  shinea 
More  liveiily  tlian  that,  and  so  preserves 
Its  proper  semblance ;  thus  this  circling  sphere 
Of  splendor  shall  to  view  less  radiant  seem, 
Than  shnll  our  fleshly  robe,  which  yonder  earth 
Now  covers.    Nor  will  such  excess  of  light 
Overpower  us,  in  corporeal  organs  made 
Firm,  and  susceptible  of  all  delight*' 

So  ready  and  so  cordial  an  "  Amen** 
FoUow'd  from  either  choir,  as  plainly  spoke 
Desire  of  their  dead  bodies ;  yet  perchance 
Not  for  themselves,  bat  for  their  kindred  dear, 
Mothers  and  sires,  and  those  whom  best  they  lovedy 
Ere  they  were  made  imperishable  flame. 
'    And  lo !  forthwith  there  rose  up  round  about 
A  lustre,  over  that  already  there ; 
Of  equal  clearness,  like  the  brightening  up 
Of  the  horizon.    As  at  evening  hour 
Of  twilight,  new  appearances  through  heaven 
Peer  with  faint  glimmer,  doubtfully  descried ; 
So,  there,  new  substances,  methought,  began 
To  rise  m  view  beyond  the  other  twam, 
And  wheeling,  sweep  their  ampler  circuit  wide. 

O  genuine  glitter  of  eternal  Beam ! 
With  what  a  sudden  whiteness  did  it  flow, 
O'erpowering  vision  in  me.    But  so  fair. 
So  passing  lovely,  Beatrice  show'd. 
Mind  cannot  follow  it,  nor  words  express 
Her  infinite  sweetness.    Thence  mine  eyes  regain'd 
Power  to  look  up ;  and  I  beheld  myself, 
Sole  with  my  lady,  to  more  lofty  bliss' 
Translated :  for  the  star,  with  warmer  smile 
Impurpled,  well  denoted  our  ascent  [speaki 

With  all  the  heart,  and  with  that  tongue  which 
The  same  in  all,  an  holocaust  I  made 
To  God,  befittmg  the  new  grace  vouchsafed. 
And  from  my  b^m  had  not  yet  upeteam*d 
The  fuming  of  that  incense,  when  I  ^ew 
The  rite  accepted.    With  such  mighty  sheen 
And  mantling  crimson,  in  two  Ibted  rays 
The  splendors  shot  before  me,  that  I  cried, 
**  God  of  Sabaoth !  that  dost  prank  them  thus  V* 

As  leads  the  galaxy  from  pole  to  pole, 

1  T$  more  lofty  bits*.']    To  the  planet 


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0M9e.  PARADISE,  Canto  XIV.  477 

DirtiDi^uudi'd  into  greater  lights  and  leas, 
Its  pathway,'  which  the  wisest  fail  to  i^U ; 
So  thickly  studded,  in  the  depth  of  Mars, 
Those  rays  described  the  venerable  sign,* 
That  quadrants  in  the  round  conjoming  jErame. 

Here  memory  mocks  the  toil  of  genius.    Christ 
Beam*d  on  that  cross ;  and  pattern  fails  me  now 
But  whoso  takes  his  cross,  and  follows  Christ, 
^lU  pardon  me  for  that  I  leave  untold, 
When  in  the  flecker'd  dawning  he  shall  spy 
The  glitterance  of  Christ     From  horn  to  horn. 
And  ^tween  the  summit  and  the  base,  did  move 
Light?  scintillatmg,  as  they  met  and  pass'd. 
Thus  oft  are  seen  with  ever-changeful  glance,* 
Straight  or  athwart,  now  rapid  and  now  slow. 
The  atomies  of  bodies,*  long  or  short. 
To  move  along  the  sunbeam,  whose  slant  line 
Checkers  the  shadow  interposed  by  art 

>  It$  pathway.]  See  the  Convito,  p.  74.  "  E  da  sapere,  &e.*' 
''It  mast  be  known,  that  concerning  the  galaxy,  philoso- 
phers have  entertained  different  opinions.  Tne  Pythago- 
reans say  that  the  snn  once  wandered  out  of  his  way ;  and 
passing  through  other  parts  not  suited  to  his  heat,  scorched 
the  place  through  which  he  passed ;  and  that  there  was  left 
that  appearance  of  the  scorching.  I  think  they  grounded 
their  opinion  on  the  fable  of  Pha6ton,  which  Ovid  relates  at 
the  beginning  of  his  Metamorphoses.  Others  (as  Anaxa- 
goras  and  Democritos)  said  tliat  it  proceeded  firom  a  partial 
reporcnssion  of  the  solar  light,  which  they  proved  by  such 
reasons  as  they  could  bring  to  demonstrafe  it.  What  Aris- 
totle han  said,  cannot  well  he  known ;  l)ecaase  his  meaning 
is  not  made  the  same  in  one  translation  as  in  another :  and 
I  think  it  must  have  been  an  error  in  the  translatturs ;  for,  in 
the  new,  he  seems  to  say  that  it  is  a  collection  of  vapors 
under  the  stars,  which  they  always  attract  in  that  p^;  and 
this  appears  devoid  of  any  true  reason.  In  the  old,  he  says 
that  ttie  galaxy  is  nothing  else  than  a  mnltitnde  of  fixed 
stars  in  that  part,  so  small,  that  here  below  we  cannot  dis- 
tinguish them;  but  that  they  fomf  the  appearance  of  that 
wk-iteness,  which  we  eiUl  the  galaxy.  And  it  may  be,  that 
the  heaven  in  that  part  is  dense,  and  theref<Mre  retains  and 
represents  that  light;  and  in  this  opinion  Avicen  and  Pto- 
lemy seem  to  agree  with  Aristotle.**  M.  Ijetronne*8  remarks 
on  this  passage  of  the  Convito,  inserted  in  M.  Artaad*s  IU»- 
toire  de  Dante,  (8*.  Par.  1841,  p.  157,)  are  worth  consulting. 

*  The  venerable  »i£rn.]  The  cross,  which  is  placed  in  the 
planet  of  Blars,  to  denote  the  glory  of  those  who  fought  ia 
thaemsades. 

s  The  atemiee  efbodiee,] 

As  thick  as  motes  in  the  sun-beame. 

Chaucer,  EUL  IC03.  fol.  3& 
*  As  thick  and  numberless. 

As  tiw  gay  motet  that  pcoi^e  the  sunbeam. 

JfUten^Jl  Pen»er0$0. 


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47B  THE  YUSSOH,  10»-im 

Againrt  the  nooiitidd  heat    And  as  the  ehime 
Of  numtiel  mnsiCy  dulcimer,  and  harp 
With  many  strings,  a  pleasant  dinning  makes 
To  him,  ^o  heareth  not  distinct  the  note ; 
So  from  the  lights,  which  there  appeared  to  me» 
Gathered  along  the  cross  a  melody. 
That,  indistinctly  heard,  with  ra^nshment 
Possessed  me.    Yet  I  marked  it  was  a  hyma 
Of  lofty  praises ;  for  there  came  to  me 
«  Arise,"  and  **  Conquer,"  as  to  one  who  hears 
And  comprehends  not    Me  such  ecstasy 
O'ercame,  that  never,  till  that  hour,  was  thing 
That  held  me  in  so  sweet  imprisonment 
Pefeaps  jny  saying  overbold  appears, 
Accounting  less  the  pleasure  of  those  eyes, 
Wheieon  to  look  fulfilleth  all  desire. 
But  he,^  who  is  aware  those  living  seals 
Of  every  beauty  work  with  quicker  force, 
The  higher  they  are  nsen ;  and  that  there 
I  had  not  tnm*d  me  to  them ;  he  may  well 
Excuse  me  that,  whereof  in  my  excuse 
I  do  accuse  me,  and  may  own  my  truth ; 
That  holy  pleasure  here  not  yet  reveal*d,' 
Which  grows  in  transport  as  we  mount  aloot 


CANTO    XV. 


ARGUMENT. 
The  tpiiit  of  Caeciafoida,  oar  Poet's  aneestof^  glides  guptdiy 
to  tne  foot  of  the  cross ;  tells  who  he  is ;  and  speaks  <^the 
simpUcltv  of  the  Florentines  in  his  days,  since  then  much 
corrupted.  ^ 

Trub  love,  that  ever  shows  itself  as  clear 
In  kindness,  as  loose  appetite  in  wrong, 

1  He.]  **He,  who  considers  that  the  eyes  of  Beatrice  be- 
came more  radiant  the  higher  we  ascended,  most  not  wonder 
that  I  do  not  except  even  them,  as  I  had  not  yet  beheld 
them  since  oar  entrance  into  tl^is  planet*'  Lombardl  an 
derstands,  by  *Miving  seals,*'  "vivi  snggelii,"  "the  stars;" 
and  this  explanation  derives  some  authority  tnm  the  Latin 
notes  on  the  Monte  Cassino  MS. "  id  est  cgbU  imprimentes  at 


^ReveaPd.]  Dischiaso.  Lombardi  explains  this  word  "ex- 
dnded,"  as  indeed  Vellatello  had  done  before  him ;  and  as  it 
Is  also  used  in  the  sevwith  Canto.  If  this  intei^pretatton  wexe 
adopted,  the  line  shoold  stand  thus :~ 

That  holy  pleasore  not  excluded  here. 
Bat  the  word  la  capable  of  either  meaning;  and  it  woold  nol 
be  easy  to  determine  which  is  the  right,  in  this  passage. 


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9-18  FABJlDV^  C&nto  XV.  479 

Silenced  that  lyre  harmomous,  and  still'd 
The  sacred  chords,  that  are  by  heaven's  right  hand 
Unwound  and  tightened.    How  to  righteous  prayen 
Should  they  not  hearken,  who,  to  give  me  will 
For  praymg,  m  accordance  thus  were  mute? 
He  hath  in  sooth  good  cause  for  endless  grief. 
Who,  for  the  love  of  thing  that  lasteth  not. 
Despoils  himself  for  ever  of  that  love. 

As  oft  along  the  still  and  pure  serene, 
At  nightfall,  glides  a  sudden  trail  of  fire, 
Attracting  with  involuntary  heed 
The  eye  to  follow  it,  erewhile  at  rest ; 
And  seems  some  star  that  shifted  place  in  heayen,' 
Only  that,  whence  it  kindles,  none  is  lost. 
And  it  is  soon  extinct:  thus  from  the  horn, 
That  on  the  dexter  of  the  cross  extends, 
Down  to  its  foot,  one  luminary  ran 
From  mid  the  cluster  shone  there ;  yet  no  gem 
Dropp'd  from  its  foil :  and  through  the  beamy  list, 
like  flame  in  alabaster,  glow'd  its  course. 

So  forward  stretch'd  him  (if  of  credence  aught 
Our  greater  muse'  may  claim)  the  pious  ghost 
Of  old  Anchises,  in  the  Elysian  bower, 
When  he  perceived  his  son.    "  O  thou,  ray  blood ! 

0  most  exceeding  grace  divine !  to  whom. 
As  now  to  thee,  hath  twice  the  heavenly ^te 
Been  e'er  unclosed?**   So  spake  the  light:  whence  I 
Tum*d  me  toward  him ;  then  unto  my  dame 

My  sight  directed :  and  on  either  side 
Amazement  waited  me ;  for  in  her  eyes 
Was  lighted  such  a  smile,  I  thought  that  mme 
Had  dived  unto  the  bottom  of  my  grace 
And  of  my  bliss  m  Paradise.    Forthwith, 
To  hearing  and  to  sight  grateful  alike, 
The  spirit  to  his  proem  added  things 

1  understood  not,  so  profound  he  i^ake : 

1  And  teenu  tome  star  that  eliifUd  place  in  heave*.} 
Pare  una  Stella  che  tramuti  loco. 

Fretti,  R  &aadrir.^  lib.  1.  cap.  UL 
Saepe  etiam  Stellas,  vento  impendentft,  videbls, 
Pnscipites  cobIo  labl,  noclisqae  per  omlN'am 
Flammamm  longos  a  tergo  albescere  traetns. 

Virg.t  George  lib.  i.  367. 
Compare  Arat  Aiooirii.  194. 
*  Owr  greater  muee.]    Virgil.,  iBn.,  lib.  t1.  684. 

Isqiie  Qbi  tendentem  adversnin  per  gramina  llttl 
JBnean,  alacris  palmas  atrasqne  tetmidit. 
Venistl  tandem,  toaqne  speetata  paientt 
Vldt  iter  dunun  i^etes  1 


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480  TRETYKiON.  90-71 

Tet  not  of  choice,  but  tlirongfa  necemity, 

Mystenoon ;  for  his  high  conception  soared 

Be^rond  the  maik  of  mortals.    When  the  flight 

Of  holy  transport  had  so  spent  its  rage,  « 

That  nearer  to  the  level  of  oUr  thought 

The  q>eech  descended ;  the  first  sounds  I  heard 

Were,  *'  Blest  be  thou,  Triunal  Deity ! 

That  hast  such  favor  in  my  seed  vouchsafed." 

Then  followed:  **  No  unpleasant  thirst,  though  long,^ 

Which  took  me  reading  in  the  sacred  book. 

Whose  leaves  or  white  or  dusky  never  change, 

Thou  hast  allay*d.  my  son !  within  this  light,    [her. 

From  whence  my  voice  thou  hear'st :  more  thanks  to 

Who,  for  such  lojfly  mounting,  has  with  plumes 

Begirt  thee.    Thou  dost  deem  thy  thoughts  to  me 

From  Him  transmitted,  who  is  first  of  all, 

E*en  as  ail  numbers  ray  from  unity ;' 

And  therefore  dost  not  ask  me  who  I  am. 

Or  why  to  thee  more  joyous  I  appear. 

Than  any  other  in  this  gladsome  throng. 

The  truth  is  as  thou  deem'st ;  for  in  th&  life 

Both  less  and  greater  in  that  mirror  look. 

In  which  thy  thoughts,  or  ere  thou  think'st,  are  shown. 

But,  that  the  love,  which  keeps  me  wakeful  ever, 

Urging  with  sacred  thirst  of  sweet  desire, 

May  be  contented  fully ;  let  thy  voice. 

Fearless,  and  frank,  and  jocund,  utter  forth 

Thy  will  distinctly,  utter  forth  the  wish. 

Whereto  my  ready  answer  stands  decreed." 

I  tum'd  me  to  Beatrice ;  and  she  heard 
Ere  I  had  spoken,  smiling  an  assent. 
That  to  my  will  gave  wings ;  and  I  began : 
"  To  each  among  your  tribcj*  what  time  ye  kenn'd 

>  JV0  unpleasant  thirst,  tkottgk  longA  "  Thon  hast  satislied 
the  long  yet  pleasins  desire  which  I  have  felt  to  see  thee, 
through  my  knowle^  of  thee,  obtained  In  the  iiAmotable 
decrees  of  the  divine  Providence." 

s  Unit'ff,'\  TLdvnav  £^a  ri  Iv  vp&rov  yiyovt  rSv  <l/)(d/id» 
ixirrmv.  Plato,  Pannenides,  Ed.  Bip.  vol.  x.  p.  130.  Per- 
haps the  mentionrof  Pannenides  in  the  last  Canto  bat  one, 
suggested  this  thought  to  Dante,  which  he  has  expressed  by 
specifying  two  particular  numbers  intended  to  stand  for  all. 
There  is  something  shnilar  to  it  in  his  treatise  De  Vaigail 
Eloquio.,  lib.  i.  c.  xvi.  Sicut  in  numero  cuncta  roensurantur 
uno,  et  {dura  vel  pandora  dicnntur,  secundum  quod  distant 
ab  UDO,  vel  ei  iwot^nquant 

*  To  sack  among  four  tribe.]  *'In  you,  glorified  spirits, 
love  and  knowledis  are  made  equal,  because  they  are  equal 
la  God.    But  with  us  mortals  it  is  otherwise,  for  we  have 


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n-lQU  PARADISE,  CAiifo  XV.  48| 

The  nature,  in  whom  naught  unequal  dwolls* 

Wisdom  and  love  were  in  one  measure  dealt ; 

For  that  they  are  so  equal  in  the  sun, 

From  whence  ye  drew  your  radiance  and  your  heatf 

^8  makes  all  likeneps  scant    But  will  and  means, 

In  mortals,  for  the  cause  ye  well  discern. 

With  unlike  wmgs  are  fledge.    A  mortal,  I 

Experience  inequality  like  this ; 

And  therefore  give  no  thanks,  but  in  the  heart, 

For  thy  paternal  greeting.    This  howe'er 

I  pray  thee,  living  topaz  !  that  ingemm'st 

This  precious  jewel ;  let  me  hear  thy  name." 

"  I  am  thy  root,*  O  leaf !  whom  to  expect 
Even,  hath  pleased  mej*     Thus  the  prompt  reply 
Prefacing,  next  it  added:  "  He,  of  whom' 
Thy  kindred  appellation  comes,  and  who. 
These  hundred  years  and  more,  on  its  first  ledge ' 
Hath  circuited  the  mountain,  was  my  son, 
And  thy  great-graudsire.    Well  befits,  his  long 
Endurance  should  be  shortened  by  thy  deeds. 

**  Florence,*  within  her  ancient  limit-mark. 
Which  calls  her  still*  to  matin  prayers  and  noon, 
Was  chaste  and  sober,  and  aboide  in  peace. 
She  had  no  armlets  and  no  head-tires  then  ; 
No  purfled  dames ;  no  zone,  that  caught  the  eye 
More  than  the  person  did.    Time  was  not  yet. 
When*  at  his  daughter's  birth  the  sire  grew  pale, 
For  fear  the  a^e  and  dowry  should  exceed, 
On  each  side,  just  proportion.    House  was  none 
Void*  of  its  family :  nor  yet  had  come 

often  the  will  without  the  means  of  exfuressing  our  affections; 
and  I  can  therefore  thank  thee  only  in  my  heart.'* 

^  lamthff  rooL]  Cacdaguida,  father  to  AUghierl,  of  whom 
our  Poet  was  the  great-grandson. 

s  He,  of  whom.]  **  Thy  great-grandfather,  Alighieri,  has 
been  in  the  first  ronnd  of  Purgatory  more  than  a  hundred 
years ;  and  it  is  fit  that  thou  by  thy  good  deserts  shouldst 
endeavor  to  shorten  the  time  of  hb  remaining  there.**  For 
what  is  known  of  Alighieri,  see  Pelll.  Memor.  Opere  di  Dante, 
Ediz.  Zatta.  1758.  tom.  iv.  P.  »>•  p.  si.  His  son  Bellindone 
was  living  in  1206 ;  and  of  him  was  bom  the  fieither  of  oar 
Poet,  whom  Benvenuto  da  Imola  calls  a 'lawyer  by  profes- 
sion.   Pdii,ibid, 

s  Ftorenee.]    See  6.  Villaai,  lib.  iii  cap.  2. 

«  ffkieh  eaUt  her  otOl.]  The  pubUc  clock  bemg  stiU  withis 
the  circuit  of  the  ancient  walls. 

•  Whe».\  When  the  women  were  not  married  at  too  early 
an  age,  and  did  no.t  expect  too  large  a  portion. 

•  FoU.]  Throogh  the  civil  wan  and  banishments.  Or  h* 
■lay  mean  that  houses  were  not  ibmerly  built  merely  tm 

21 


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488  THE  V]SK>N.  M-IM 

Sw^uMpalw,^  to  ezhib^  feate 

Of  chamber  proweae.    Montooiak^  yet 

O'er  oar  ■uboiban  turret^  roM ;  as  much 

To  be  ■nrpafls'd  in  fall,  as  in  ha  riainjf. 

I  saw  BeUincion  Beiti*  walk  abroad 

In  leathern  g^irdle,  and  a  clasp  of  bone ; 

And,  with  no  artftil  coloringon her  cheeks, 

His  lady  leave  the  glaas.    The  sons  I  saw 

Of  Nerli,  and  of  Vecchio,'  well  content 

With  unrobed  jeikm ;  and  their  ^rood  dames  handUqg 

The  ipindle  and  the  flax :  O  happy  they . 

Each*  sure  of  burial  in  her  native  Itod, 

And  none  left  desolate  a-bed  for  France. 

pomp  and  show,  nor  of  greater  lize  than  was  i 
containing  the  fiunilies  that  inhabited  them.    For  it  has  t 
understood  in  both  these  ways. 

1  SardoHopalus.]  The  loxurioos  monarch  of  Assyria.  Ju- 
venal is  here  imitated,  who  uses  his  name  f<Nr  an  instance  of 
efieminacy.    Bat.  x.  363. 

s  MonUnuUo.}  Either  an  elevated  spot  between  Borne  and 
Viterbo;  or  Monte  Mario,  the  site  of  the  villa  MelUni,  com- 
manding a  view  of  Rome. 

*  Our  $uburban  turrH.]  Uccellatojo,  near  Florence,  fhnu 
whence  that  city  was  discoverod.  Florence  had  not  yet  vied 
with  Rome  In  the  grandeur  of  her  public  buildings. 

«  BeUineian  Berti.}  Hell,  Canto  zvi.  38,  and  Notes.  There 
is  a  curious  description  of  the  simple  manner  In  which  the 
earlier  Florentines  dressed  themselves,  in  6.  VUlanl,  lib.  vL 
c.  71.  **  And  observe  that  in  the  time  of  the  said  people, 
(A.  D.  1856,)  and  before  and  for  a  long  time  after,  the  citizens 
of  Florence  lived  soberly,  on  coarse  viands,  and  at  little  cost, 
and  in  many  customs  and  courtesies  of  life  were  rude  and 
unpolished ;  and  dressed  themselves  uxd  their  women  in 
coarse  cloths ;  many  wore  plain  leather,  without  cloth  over 
it;  bonnets  on  their  heads;  and  all,  boots  on  the  feet:  and 
th(B  Florentine  women  were  without  ornament;  the  better 
sort  content  with  a  close  gown  of  scarlet  cloth  of  Ypres  or 
of  camlet,  bound  with  a  eUrdle  in  the  ancient  mode,  and  a 
mantle  lined  with  fhr,  and  a  hood  to  it,  which  was  worn  on 
the  head:  the  common  sort  of  women  were  clad  in  a  coarse 
gown  of  Oambrai  in  lilce  manner.  One  hundred  pounds  (libbre) 
was  the  common  portion  for  a  wifb ;  and  two  cnr  three  hun« 
dred  was  accounted  a  magnificent  one ;  and  the  young  wo- 
men were  for  the  most  part  twenty  years  old  or  more  before 
they  were  given  in  maniage.  Such  was  the  dress ;  and  thus 
coarse  were  the  manners  of  the  Florentines ;  but  they  were 
of  good  faith  and  lo3ral  both  among  themselves  and  to  the 
state ;  and  with  their  coarse  way  of  living  and  poverty,  did 
greater  and  more  virtuous  deeds  than  have  been  done  in  oar 
times  with  greater  refinement  and  wealth.*' 

*  Of  Jferlif  and  of  Feeekio.]  Two  of  the  most  opulent  ftnd 
lies  in  Florence. 

*  Each.]  "  None  fearAiI  either  of  dying  in  banishment,  or 
ef  being  deserted  by  her  husband  on  a  scheme  of  traffic  ia 


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115-140.  PARADISE,  Camto  XVh  481 

One  waked  to  tend  the  cradle,  hushing  it 
With  sounds  that  lull'd  the  parent's  infancy: 
Another,  with  her  maidens,  drawmg  off 
The  tresses  from  the  distaff,  lectured  them 
Old  tales  of  Troy,  and  Fesole,  and  Rome. 
A  Salterello  and  Cianghella'  we 
Had  held  as  strange  a  marvel,  as  ye  would 
A  Cincinnatus  or  Cornelia  now. 

"  In  such  composed  and  seemly  fellowship, 
Such  faithful  and  such  fair  equality. 
In  so  sweet  household,  Mary'  at  my  hirth 
BestowV  me,  call'd  on  with  loud  cries ;  and  therai  * 
In  your  old  baptistery,  I  was  made 
Christian  at  once  and  Cacciaguida;  as  were, 
My  brethren  Eliseo  and  Moronto. 

**  From  Valdipado*  came  to  me  my  spouse ; 
And  hence  thy  surname  grew.    I  followed  then 
Ihe  Empercnr  Conrad  :*  and  his  kni^thood  he 
Did  gird  on  me  ;  in  such  good  part  he  took 
My  valiant  service.    After  him  I  went 
To  testify  against  that  evil  law. 
Whose  pet^le,*  by  the 'shepherd's  fault,  posseai 
Your  right  usurp'd.    There  I  by  that  fotil  crew 
Was  diwntangled  firom  the  treacherous  world 
Whose  base  affection  many  a  spuit  soils ; 
And  from  the  martyrdom  came  to  this  peace." 


CANTO   XVI. 

ARGUMENT. 
Cacelaguida  relates  the  time  of  his  birth ;  and,  describing 
the  extent  of  Florence  when  he  lived  there,  recounts  the 

>  A  Salierello  and  Cta^jke^/aJ  The  latter  a  shameless  wo- 
man of  the  family  of  Tosa,  married  to  LI  to  degli  Alidosi  of 
Imola:  the  former  Lapo  Salterello,  a  lawyer,  with  whonn 
Dante  was  at  variance.  "  We  should  have  held  an  aban- 
doned character,  like  these,  as  great  a  wonder,  as  ye  would 
the  contrary  now."  There  is  a  sonnet  by  Lapo  Salterello  io 
Corbinelli's  collection,  printed  with  the  Bella  Mana  £d.  IV 
lenze.  1715,  p.  150. 

*  Mmy,]  The  Virgin  was  invoked  in  the  pains  of  child- 
Urth.    Pmrgatory,  Canto  xx.  21. 

*  Valdipado.]  Cacciagnida's  wife,  whose  family  name  was 
Alighieri,  came  from  Ferrara,  called  Val  di  Pado,  firom  its  be- 
ing watered  by  the  Po. 

*  Conrad.}  The  Emperor  Conrad  HL,  who  died  in  1153. 
See  6.  Villani,  lib.  iv.  34. 

*  ff%o»e  people,]  The  Mahometans,  who  were  left  hi  poe* 
•esri<m  of  the  Holy  Land,  through  the  supineaess  of  thf 
fope.    See  Canto  iz.  123. 


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184  THE  VIS.  ON.  bm 

BUUM  of  th0  ehief  fiunUles  who  then  InlMbUed  It.  Itt 
degenermcy,  and  sabsaqaeat  disgrace,  he  a^tribntet  to  tho 
introduetloa  of  families  from  the  neighboring  coantrf 
and  villages,  and  to  their  mixture  with  the  primitlye  eiti 


O  njoHT  reipect  of  man's  nolHlity ! 
I  never  shall  account  it  marvellous, 
That  our  infirm  affection  here  below 
Thou  movest  to  boasting;  when  I  could  not  choose. 
E'en  m  that  region  of  unwarp'd  desire, 
In  heaven  itself  but  make  my  vaunt  in  thee. 
Yet  cloak  thou  art  soon  shorten'd ;  for  that  Time, 
Unle«  thou  be  eked  out  from  day  to  day, 
Goes  round  thee  with  his  shears.    Resuming  then, 
With  greetm^  such  as  Rome  was  first  to  bear. 
But  since  hath  disaccustomed,  I  began : 
And  Beatrice,*  that  a  little  space 
Was  severed,  smiled ;  reminding  me  of  her, 
Whose  cough  embolden'd  (as  the  story  holds) 
To  first  offence  the  doubting  Guenever.* 

«*  You  are  ray  sire,"  said  I :  "  you  give  me  heart 
Freely  to  speak  my  thought:  above  myself 
You  raise  me.    Through  so  many  streams  with  joy 
My  soul  is  fiird,  that  gladness  wells  from  it ; 
So  that  it  bears  the  mighty  tide,  and  bursts  not 
Say  then,  my  honored  stem!  what  ancestors   [maik'd 
Were  those  yon  i^rang  fit>m,  and  what  years  were 
In  your  first  childhood  ?    Tell  me  of  the  fold,* 
That  hath  Saint  John  for  guardian,  what  was  then 
Its  state,  and  who  in  it  were  highest  seated !" 

As  embers,  at  the  breathing  of  the  wind, 
Their  flame  enliven ;  so  that  light  I  saw 
Shine  at  my  blandishments ;  and,  as  it  grew 
More  fair  to  look  on,  so  with  voice  more  sweet. 


1  With  greetingr.]  The  Poet,  who  had  addressed  the  spirit 
lot  knowing  him  to  be  his  ancestor,  with  a  plain  "*  Thou,** 
now  uses  more  eeremony,  and  calls  him  "  Yoo,"  acccurdiag 


to  a  costom  Introdaced  among  the  Romans  In  the  latter  timet 
of  the  empire. 

*  Beairiee,]  Lombaidi  observes,  that  in  order  to  show  as 
that  his  conversation  with  Caeciagaida  had  no  connection 
with  sacred  subjects,  Beatrice  is  described  as  standing  at  a 
little  distance ;  and  her  smiling  at  his  formal  address  to  hit 
ancestor,  makes  him  fall  into  a  greater  freedom  of  manner. 
See  the  next  Canto,  v.  15. 

*  OiutuverA  Beatrice's  smile  reminded  him  of  the  female 
servant  who,  by  her  coughing,  emboldened  Queen  Gnenevtf 
to  admit  the  freedoms  of  Lancelot.    See  Hell,  Canto  v.  124. 

« .  T%»  fold.]  Florence,  of  which  John  the  Baptist  was  tht 
lation  saint. 


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St^lS.  PARADISE,  Canto  XYI.  48S 

Tet  not  in  this  our  modem  phrase,  forthwith 
It  answer'd:  "  From  the  day,'  when  it  was  said 
'  Hail,  Vu^  !*  to  the  throes  by  which  my  mother. 
Who  now  18  sainted,  lightened  her  of  me 
Whom  she  was  heavy  with,  this  fire  had  come 
Five  hmidred  times  and  fourscore,  to  relume 
Its  radiance  underneath  the  burning  foot 
Of  its  own  lion.    They,  of  whom  I  sprang. 
And  I,  had  there  our  birthplace,  where  the  las^ 
Partition  of  our  city  first  is  reach'd 
By  him  that  runs  her  annual  game.    Thus  \siuch 
Suffice  of  my  forefathers :  who  they  were. 
And  whence  they  hither  came,  more  honorable 
It  is  to  pass  in  silence  than  to  telL 
All  those,  who  at  that  time  were  there,  betwixt 
Mars*  and  the  Baptist,  fit  to  carry  arms, 

1  I¥om  the  dayA  Ftom  the  incaniatifni  of  our  Lord  to  tbt 
birth  of  Cacciaguidaf  the  planet  Mars  had  returned  five  hun- 
dred and  eighty  times  to  the  constellation  of  Leo,  with  which 
it  is  supposed  to  have  a  congenial  influence.  As  Mars  then 
completes  his  revolution  in  a  period  forty-three  days  thxat 
of  two  years,  Cacciaguida  was  bom  about  1090.  This  is 
Lombardi's  computation,  and  It  squares  well  both  with  the 
old  reading— 

— —  cinqnecento  dnquanta 
£  trenta  fiate ; 

and  with  the  time  when  Cacciaguida  might  have  fallen  fight- 
ing under  Conrad  III.,  who  died  in  1152.  Not  so  the  conipu- 
taUon  made  by  the  old  commentators  in  general,  who,  reck- 
onfaig  two  years  for  the  revolution  of  Mars,  placed  the  birth 
of  Cacciaguida  in  1160:  the  impossibility  of  which  being  per- 
ceived by  the  Academicians  della  Crusca,  (as  it  had  before 
been  by  Pietro,  the  son  of  our  Poet,  or  by  tne  author  of  the 
commentary  which  passes  for  his,)  they  altered  the  word 
"trenta"  Into  **tre,*'  "thirty"  into  "three;"  and  so,  still 
leclroning  the  revolution  of  Mars  at  two  years,  brought  Cae 
ciagoida's  birth  to  1106.  The  way  in  which  Lombard!  has 
got  over  the  diflicnlty  appears  preferable,  as  it  retains  the  old 
reading;  and  I  have  accordingly  altered  the  translation, 
which  before  stood  thus  :— 

— —  this  fire  had  come, 

Five  hundred  fifty  times  and  thrice,  its  beams 

To  reillnmine  underneath  the  foot 

Of  its  own  lion. 
Bince  this  note  was  written,  Monti  has  given  his  assent  ts 
Lombardi's  c^lnion.    See  his  Proposta  unmr  the  word  "  Bin- 
llammare,"  t.  ilL  pt«  U.  SIO. 

*  TUlmtt,]  The  city  was€lvided  into  four  compartments. 
The  EUsei,  the  ancestors  of  Dante,  resided  near  the  entrance 
of  that,  named  from  the  Porta  S.  Piero,  which  was  the  last 
leached  by  the  competitor  la  the  annual  race  at  Flofence. 
Bee  6.  VUlani,  lib.  iv.  cap.  x. 

•  JUn,]   The  Padre  d' Aquino  understands  this  to  nht 


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496  THEYISIOll. 

Wero  but  the  fifth,  of  them  thb  day  alhre. 
But  then  the  citizen's  blood,  that  now  k  mix'd 
From  Campi  and  Certaldo  and  Fighine,^ 
Ran  purely  through  the  last  meclutnio'e  yeiiM. 
O  how  much  better  were  it,  that  these  people' 
Were  neighbors  to  you ;  and  that  at  GaUnzzo 
And  at  Trespiano  ye  should  haTe  your  boundary  s 
Than  to  have  them  withm,  and  bear  the  stracb 
Of  Aguglione*s  hind,  and  SignaV  hhn, 
That  hath  his  eye  aheady  keen  for  bartering.* 
Had  not  the  people,*  which  of  all  the  worid 
Degenerates  most,  been  stepdame  unto  Cesar, 
But,  as  a  mother  to  her  son  been  kind, 
Such  one,  as  hath  become  a  Florentine, 
And  trades  and  traffics,  had  been  tum'd  adrift 
To  Simifonto,*  where  his  grandsire  plied 
The  beggar's  craft :  the  Conti  were  possessed 
Of  Montemurio^  still :  the  Cerchi  still 
Were  m  Acone's  parish ;  nor  had  haply 

lo  the  popiilatkm  of  Florenee  in  Guidons  time ;  for,  according 
to  liim,  "  tra  Marte  e*l  Batista,**  means  the  space  between 
the  statoe  of  Man  placed  on  the  Ponte  Vecchio  and  the  Bap- 
Ustery ;  and  Lombardi  assents  to  tliis  interpretation.  Ventori 
■apposes,  that  the  portion  of  land  so  described  wonld  have 
been  insufficient  to  nold  the  population  which  Florence  con- 
tained at  the  supposed  dato  of  this  poem,  tliat  is,  in  the  year 
1300;  and  agrees  with  the  elder  commentators,  who  consider 
the  description  as  relattns  to  time  and  not  to  place,  and  as 
indicating  the  two  periods  of  heathenism  and  Christianity 
See  Canto  zlU.  144.  It  wonld  not  be  easy  to  detemine  the 
real  sense  of  a  passage  thus  equivocal. 

1  Campi  and  Certaldo  and  FSgrhine,}  Country  places  near 
Florence. 

s  That  these  people.]  "That  the  inhabitants  of  the  above- 
mentioned  places  had  not  been  mixed  with  the  citizens ;  nor 
the  limits  of  Florence  extended  beyond  Galluzzo  and  Tres 
piano." 

s  Jiruglione't  hind,  and  Signage.]  Baldo  of  Ago^one,  and 
Bonlfazio  of  Signa. 

«  Hie  eye  already  keen  for  bartering.]  See  Hell,  Canto  xxL 
40,  and  note. 

«  Had  not  the  peojUe.]  If  Rome  had  continued  In  her  allegi- 
ance to  the  emperor,  and  the  Guelph  and  Ghibelline  fttctions 
had  thus  been  prevented ;  Florence  would  not  have  been 
polluted  bv  a  race  of  upstarts,  nor  lost  the  most  respectable 
of  her  ancient  families. 

•  Simifente.]  A  castle  disnuRitled  by  the  Florenthies.  G 
Villani,  lib.  v.  cap.  zxz.  The  person  here  alluded  to  ii  no 
longer  known. 

»  Montemnrlo.]  G.  Vlllanl.llb.  v.  cap.  xxxl.,  relates  that 
Hie  Conti  Gaidi,  not  being  able  to  defend  their  castle  from  the 
ristolMM,  sold  It  to  the  state  of  Florence. 


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m^U  PARADISE,  Cum  XY. .  489 

From  ValdigrieTe  paai*d  ihe  BuondehmmtL 

The  city's  malady  hath  ever  source 

lu  the  confusion  of  its  peraons,  as 

The  body's,  in  variety  of  food : 

And  the  blind  bull^  fUls  with  a  steeper  plunge. 

Than  the  blind  Iamb :  and  oftentimes  one  sword 

Doth  more  and  better  execution, 

Than  five.    Mark  Luni ;  Urbisaglia'  mark ; 

How  they  are  gone ;  and  after  them  how  go 

Chiusi  and  Sinigaglia  :*  and  'twill  seem 

No  longer  new,  or  strange  to  thee,  to  hear 

That  families  fail,  when  cities  have  their  end. 

All  things  that  appertam  to  ye,  like  yourselves, 

Ate  mortal :  but  mortality  in  some 

Ye  mark  not ;  they  endure  so  long,  and  you 

Pass  by  so  suddenly.  •  And  as  the  moon* 

Doth,  by  the  rolling  of  her  heavenly  rohere, 

Hide  and  reveal  the  strand  unceasingly ; 

So  fortune  deals  with  Florence.    Hence  adnure  not 

At  what  of  them  I  tell  thee,  whose  renown 

Time  covers,  the  first  Florentines.    I  saw 

The  Ughi,*  Catilini,  and  Filippi, 

The  Alberichi,  Greci,  and  Ormanni, 

Now  ux  theu-  wane,  illustrious  citizens ; 

Ajid  great  as  ancient,  of  Sannella  him, 

With  him  of  Area  saw,  and  Soldanieri, 

And  Ardinghi,  and  Bostichi.    At  the  poop* 

1  Tke  blind  bull.]    So  Chaucer,  I'roiliis  and  Cresaeide,  b.  U. 
For  swifter  course  cometh  thing  that  is  of  wight 
When  it  descendeth  than  done  things  light 
Compare  Aristotle,  Ethic  Nic  lib.  vL  cap.  ziiL    <<  vAfion 

*  Ltun;  Drbisaglia.]  Cities  formerly  of  importance,  but 
then  &Uen  to  decay. 

*  Chiuti  and  Sini/raglia.\.  The  same. 

4  At  tke  moon.\  "The  fortune  of  us,  that  are  the  moon's 
men,  doth  ebb  and  flow  like  the  sea.'*  Shaktpeare,  1  Henrf 
/Fl,  act  L  sc.  2. 

*  Tke  Ugki.]  Whoever  is  curious  to  know  the  habita 
tlons  of  these  and  the  other  ancient  Florentines,  may  consult 
O.  Villani,  Ub.  iv. 

*  Jtt  tke  poop.]  The  Cerchi,  Dante*s  enemies,  had  succeeded 
to  the  houses  over  the  gate  o*  Saint  Peter,  fbrmeriy  inhabited 
by  the  Ravignani  and  the  Count  Guido.  6.  Villant,  lib.  iv. 
cap.  10.  Many  editions  read  portOt  **  gate."— The  same  met- 
aplior  is  found  in  iEschylus,  Snpp.,  356,  and  is  there  alst 
•earce  understood  by  the  critics. 

▲tfoS  9d  vpHitvav  vSXtos  2^  icrtufih^v, 
Keipect  these  wreaths,  that  crown  your  dty  *8  poopw 


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488  THE  VISION.  n-m 

That  now  if  laden  with  new  felony 

So  cmnbroiu  it  may  speedily  sink  the  lmik« 

The  Rarignani  sat,  of  whom  is  sprung 

The  County  Gaido,  and  whoso  hath  smce 

His  title  from  the  famed  Bellincion  ta'en. 

Fair  pfOTeniance  was  yet  an  art  well  prized 

By  him  of  Pressa :  Galigaio  show'd 

The  gilded  hilt  and  pommel,'  in  his  house : 

The  colnmn,  clothed  with  yerrey,'  still  was  seen 

Unshaken  ;  the  Sacchetti  stJI  were  great, 

Giouchi,  Sifanti,  Galli,  and  Bamcci, 

With  them*  who  blush  to  hear  the  bushel  named. 

Of  the  Calfucci  still  the  branchy  trunk 

Was  in  its  strength :  and,  to  the  curule  chaiis,       * 

Sixii  and  Arrigucci*  yet  were  drown. 

How  mighty  them*  I  saw,  whom,  since,  their  pride 

Hath  undone  !.  And  in  all  their  goodly  deeds 

Florence  was,  by  the  bullets  of  bright  gold,* 

O'erflourish'd.    Such  the  sires  of  those,^  who  now» 

As  surely  as  your  church  is  vacant,  flock 

Into  her  consistory,  and  at  leisure 

There  stall  them  and  grow  fat    The  o*erweeninf 

brood,* 
That  plays  the  dragon  after  him  that  flees. 
But  unto  such  as  turn  and  show  the  tooth, 
Ay  or  the  purse,  is  gentle  as  a  lamb, 

1  The  gUdtd  kilt  and  pommel.]  The  symbols  of  knighthood 
s  7%»  column,  clothed  with  verrey.1    The  arms  of  the  Pigli, 
or,  as  some  write  it,  the  Billi. 

*  Wtik  tkem.]  Either  the  Chiaramontesi,  or  the  Tosinghi; 
one  of  which  had  committed  a  fraud  in  measming  out  the 
wheat  from  the  public  granary.   See  Purgatory,  Canto  zii.  99. 

4  Sitii  and  Jlrrigucei,]  **  These  families  still  obtained  the 
magistracies.*' 

*  TkemJ]  The  Ubertl ;  according  to  the  Latin  note  on  the 
Monte  Cassino  MS.,  with  which'  the  editor  of  the  extracU 
ftom  those  notes  says  that  Benvennto  agrees. 

•  Tko  hdlett  of  hrighi  gold.]  The  arms  of  the  Abbatl,  as  it 
is  conjectured,  or  of  the  Lamberti,  according  to  the  anthori 
ties  referred  to  in  the  last  note. 

V  The  oireo  of  those.]  "Of  the  Visdoroini,  the  Tosinghi,  and 
the  Cortigiani,  who,  being  sprung  from  the  founders  of  the 
bishopric  of  Florence,  are  the  curators  of  its  revenues,  which 
they  do  not  spare,  whenever  it  becomes  vacant.** 

•  Theo'erweening  brood.]  The  Adimari.  This  family  was 
90  little  esteemed,  that  Ubertino  Donato,  who  had  married  a 
daughter  of  Bellincion  Berti,  himself  indeed  derived  fVom 
the  same  stock,  (see  Note  to  Hell,  Canto  xvi.  38,)  was  offend 
ed  with  his  fkther-in-law  for  giving  another  of  his  danghten 
la  nairiage  to  one  of  them. 


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UT-IM.  PARADI8B.  Cutn  XVI  48$ 

Was  <m  Hs  liie,  Irat  yet  to  ilifffat  eotorai'dt 

That  Ubertino  of  Donati  grndged 

His  father-in-law  should  yoke  him  to  its  tribeb 

Already  Capcmsacco*  had  descended 

Into  the  mart  from  Fesole :  and  Giuda 

And  Infangato'  were  good  citizens. 

A  thing  incredible  I  tell,  though  true  :* 

The  gateway/  named  from  those  of  Pera,  led 

Into  the  narrow  circuit  of  your  walls. 

Each  one,  who  bean  the  sightly  qnarterings 

Of  the  great  Baron*  (he  wImso  name  and  worth 

The  lestival  of  Thomas  still  revives) 

His  knighthood  and  his  privilege  retam*d ; 

Albeit  one,*  who  borders  them  with  gold, 

This  day  is  mingled  with  the  common  herd. 

In  Borgo  yet  the  Gualterotti  dwelt, 

And  Importuni  i'  well  for  its  repose, 

>  Cnonsaeeo.]  The  fiunily  of  Caponcaechi,  who  had  le- 
moved  from  Fesole,  lived  at  Floienee  in  the  Mercato  Vecchio. 

a Oiuda 

And  Infangato.]  Ginda  Gnidl  and  the  &inily  of  InAtnfatL 

*  A  iking  ineredibU  1  tett,  though  true.] 

lo  dlrb  eosa  incredibiie  e  vera. 

*Ey(i  vol  ipA,  l0iy,  S  X(iKparstt  ixivrov  ftiv  vh  rod;  9uht^ 
ihfih  it.    Plato,  Tkeages.,  Bipont.  Edit.,  torn.  ii.  p.  33. 

«  Tl«  gtttetoaf.]  Landino  refers  this  to  the  smallness  of 
the  city :  Veliatello,  with  less  probability,  to  the  simplicity 
of  the  people  in  naming  one  of  the  gates  after  a  private 
fomily. 

*  T^e  great  Baron.]  The  Marchese  Ueo,  who  resided  at 
Florence,  as  lieutenant  of  the  Emperor  Otho  III.,  gave  many 
of  the  chief  families  license  to  bear  his  arms.  See  G.  Vif> 
lanl,  lib.  iv.  cap.  3,  where  the  vision  is  related,  in  consequence 
of  which  he  sold  all  his  possessions  in  Germany,  and  founded 
seven  abbeys;  in  one  whereof,  his  memory  was  celebrated 
at  Florence  on  St.  Thomas*s-day.  "The  marquis,  when 
hunting,  strayed  away  from  his  people,  and  wandering 
through  a  forest,  came  to  a  smithy,  where  he  saw  black  and 
deformed  men  tormenting  others  with  fire  and  hammers; 
and,  askinc  the  meaning  of  this,  he  was  told  that  they  were 
condemned  souls,  who  suffered  this  punishment,  and  that 
the  soul  of  the  Marquis  Ugo  was  doomed  to  soflfer  the  same, 
if  he  did  not  repent  Struck  with  horror,  he  commended 
himself  to  the  Virgin  Mary;  and  soon  after  founded  the 
seven  religious  houses." 

*  One,]  Giano  della  Bella,  belonging  to  one  of  the  fami- 
lies thus  distinguished,  who  no  longer  retained  his  place 
among  the  nobility,  and  had  yet  added  to  his  arms  a  bordura 
or.    See  Hacchiavelli.  1st.  Fior.,  lib.  il.  p.  86.  Ediz.  Giolito. 

» Gualterotti  dwelU 

And  Iwtportuni.]    Two  fiimiUes  in  the  compartment  ol 
tte  city  called  Borgo. 


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49#  TH£  VJSKm.  IM-IA 

Had  it  11111  Itek  d  of  newer  neigUKiriieod.^     [^pno^ 
The  hoose,'  iiom  whence  your  tean  hare  had  thee 
Through  the  juat  anger,  that  hath  miuder'd  ye 
And  put  a  period  to  your  gUdsome  dayi^ 
Was  honored ;  it,  and  thoee  conaorted  with  it 
O  Buondehnonti !  what  ill  counselling 
Prevail*d  on  thee  to  Ineak  the  pl^htid  bond? 
Many,  who  now  are  weeping,  would  rejoice. 
Had  God  to  Ema*  giren  thee,  the  fint  time 
Thou  near  our  city  earnest    But  so  was  doom'd : 
Florence !  on  that  maim'd  stone*  which  guardi  the 
The  Tictun,  when  thy  peace  departed,  fell,    [bridge, 

**  With  these  and  others  like  to  them,  I  saw 
Florence  in  such  assured  tranquillity. 
She  had  no  cause  at  which  to  grioTe :  with  these 
Saw  her  so  glonons  and  so  just,  that  ne'er 
The  Uly*  irom  the  lance  had  hung  roTerse^ 
Or  through  division  been  with  vezmeil  dyed." 


CANTO   XVIL 

ARGUMENT. 
Caeeiaguida  predicts  to  our  Poet  his  exile  and  the  calamitiea 
he  had  to  sufier;  aad,  lastly,  exhorts  him  to  write  the 
present  poem. 

Such  as  the  youth,*  who  came  to  ClymenCj 
To  certify  himself  of  that  reproach 
Which  had  been  fasten'd  on  bun,  (he  whose  end 
Still  makes  the  fathers  chary  to  their  sons,) 
E'en  such  was  I ;  nor  unobserved  was  such 

>  JV*«i0«r  neifUorhood.]  Some  understand  this  of  the  Baf> 
di ;  and  others,  of  the  Bndndelmonti. 

s  The  house.]  Of  Amidel.  See  Notes  to  Canto  zxvliL  of 
nell,  103. 

•  To  Etna.]  "  It  had  been  well  for  the  city,  If  thy  ancestor 
had  lieen  drowned  in  the  Ema,  when  he  crossed  ttiat  stream 
on  his  way  from  Montebaono  to  Florence." 

«  On  that  maim'd  otont.]  See  Hell,  Canto  xiii.  144.  Near 
the  remains  of  the  statue  of  Mars,  Buondelmonti  was  slain, 
as  if  he  had  been  a  victim  to  the  god ;  and  Florence  had  not 
since  known  the  blessing  of  peace. 

•  The  lay.]  "  The  arms  of  Florence  had  never  hung  re- 
versed oc  the  spear  of  her  enemies,  in  tolteu  of  her  defeat; 
nor  been  changed  from  argent  to  gnles  ;**  as  they  afterwards 
were,  when  the  Guelfi  gained  the  predominance. 

•  The  fouth.]  Phaeton,  who  came  to  his  mother  Clymene, 
to  inquire  of  her  if  he  were  indeed  the  son  of  Apollo  See 
Ovid  Met  Ub.  i.  ad  fin|pi. 


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ft-es.  PARADISE,  C4im»  :^VIL  401 

Of  Beatriedy  and  that  saintly  lamp/ 

Who  had  erewhile  for  me  bk  station  moved ; 

When  thus  my  lady :  "  Give  thy  wish  free  vent. 

That  it  may  iasne,  bearing  true  report 

Of  the  mind's  impress :  not  that  aught  thy  words 

May  to  our  knowledge  add,  but  to  the  end 

That  thou  mayst  use  thyself  to  own  thy  thirst,* 

And  men  may  mingle  for  thee  when  they  hear." 

«  O  plant,  from  whence  I  spring !  revered  and  loved ' 
Who  jM>ar'8t  so  high  a  pitch,  that  thou  as  clear/ 
As  earthly  thought  determines  two  obtuse 
In  one  triangle  not  contained,  so  clear 
Dost  see  contingencies,  ere  in  themselves 
Existent,  looking  at  the  point*  whereto 
All  times  are  present ;  I,  the  while  I  scaled 
With  Virgil  the  spul-purifyinff  mount' 
And  visited  the  nether  world"  of  wo, 
Touching  my  future  destiny  have  heard 
Words  grievous,  though  I  feel  me  on  all  sides 
Well  squared'  to  fortune's  blows.    Therefore  my  will 
Were  satisfied  to  know  the  lot  awaits  me. 
The  arrow,*  seen  beforehand,  slacks  his  flight" 

So  said  I  to  the  brightness,  which  erewhile 
To  me  had  spoken ;  and  my  will  declared, 
As  Beatrice  will'd,  explicitly. 
Nor  with  oracular  response  obscure,. 
Such  as,  or  e*er  the  Lamb  of  God  was  slain, 
Beguiled  the  credulous  nations :  but,  in  terms 
Precise,  and  unambiguous  lore,  replied 
The  spirit  of  patemsd  love,  enshrined, 

1  TTiat  aaintljf  lamp.]    Cacclagaida. 

s  To  ovm  thy  thirsL]    "  That  thoa  mayst  obtain  fVom  oth- 
ers a  solution  of  any  doubt  that  may  occur  to  thee.** 

That  thou  as  clear.]  '*  Then  beholdest  ihtnre  events  with 
t^e  same  clearness  of  evidence  that  we  discern  the  simplest 
mathematical  demonstxations.'* 

•  The  point,]    The  divine  nature. 

•  The  sotU-purifying'  mount.]    See  Parg^  Canto  vill.  133, 
and  Canto  xi.  140. 

•  ITU  nether  world.]    See  Hell,  Canto  x.  77,  and  Canto  xv.  61. 
T  fVell  squared.]   See  Plato.  Protagoras.  Ed.  Bipont  vol.  UL 

p.  145,  and  Aristot.  Rhetor.,  lib.  iii.,  where  Pietro  Vettorl,  in 
his  Commentary,  p.  656,  remarks :  "  duis  nescit  Dantem  etiam 
sno  in  poemate  tetragonnm  vocasse  apposite  hominem,  qui 
•dversis  casibus  non  frangitur  sed  resistit  fortiter  ipsis  V* 

•  71U  arroto.]    A  line  repeated  by  Buccellai  in  bis  Create. 

Nam  previsa  minus  Isdere  tela  solent.       (m^, 

Cho  piaga  antiveduta  awai  men  dttole. 

Petrarca.  Trionfo  del  Temf9, 


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100  THfi  TKION. 

Tet  in  hit  111100  anMrent ;  and  thai  ipake: 

**  Contingency,'  wiioM  yerjr©  extendeth  noc 

Beyond  the  tablet  of  your  mortal  monld, 

b  all  deplctared  m  the  eternal  eirht ; 

But  hence  deriveth  not  neceenty? 

More  than  the  tall  ship,  hurried  down  the  flood. 

Is  drhrm  by  the  eye  that  looks  on  it 

From  thence,'  as  to  the  ear  sweet  harmony 

From  organ  comes,  so  comes  beimre  mine  eye 

The  tone  prepared  for  thee.    Such  as  driven  ont 

From  Athens,  by  his  cruel  stepdame  V  wiles, 

Hippolytus  departed ;  such  must  thou 

Depart  from  Florence.    This  they  wish,  and  this 

Contrive,  and  will  ere  long  effectuate,  there, 

Where  gainful  merchandise  is  made  of  Cluist 

Throughout  the  livelong  day.    The  common  cry,* 

Will,  as  'tis  ever  wont,  affix  the  Uame 

Unto  the  party  b^ured :  but  the  truth 

Shall,  in  the  vengeance  it  dispenseth,  find 

A  faithful  witness.    Thou  shalt  leave  each  thmg' 

Beloved  most  dearly :  this  is  the  first  shaft 

Shot  from  the  bow  of  exile.    Thou  shalt  prove 

How  salt  the  savor  is  of  other's  bread ; 

How  hard  the  passage,  to  descend  and  climb 

By  other's  stairs.    But  that  shall  gall  thee  most, 

Will  be  the  worthless  and  vile  company, 

1  CinUimge$t€y,] 

La  coBtingenza,  che  Aior  del  qaaderno 

Delia  vostra  materia  non  si  stende. 
I  had  before  understood  this  "Contingency,  which  is  not  ex- 
posed to  view  on  the  tablet  of  your  nature,'*  "  which  is  noi 
discoverable  by  your  human  understandlnf  ,**  and  had  trans 
lated  it  accordingly ;  but  have  now  adopted  Lombardi's  ex 
planation:  **  Contingency,  which  has  no  ulaca  beyond  the 
limita  of  the  material  worid." 

«  Jfeeesnty.]  "  The  evidence  with  which  we  see  Msual 
events  portrayed  in  the  sonrce  of  all  truth,  no  more  aeoessi' 
tetes  those  events,  than  does  the  image,  reflected  iu  tht  sight 
by  a  ship  sailing  down  a  stream,  necessitate  the  motion  of 
the  vessel.** 

DrityhlLSSf^'^    "  ^^  *^*  ***"***  ***^*  •  ^*  ^•'^  ^  ^* 

*  HU  enul  tUpdame.]    Phedra. 

•  nere.]  At  Rome,  where  the  expulsion  <rf  Dante's  party 
ftom  Florence  was  then  plotting,  in  1300. 

•Tkeimmomery.]  The  multitude  will,  as  usual,  be  ready 
to  blame  those  who  are  sufferers,  whose  cause  will  at  last  be 
vindicated  by  the  overthrow  of  their  enemies. 

»  Wja  aha*  Uav§  taeh  Mng.]   Compare  Enripid* Phoa^ 


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«-«.  PARADISE,  Canto  XVII.  4gt 

With  wh<»n  thon  must  be  thrown  into  thete  etratts 
For  all  ungrateful,  impious  all,  and  mad, 
Shall  turn  'gainst  thee :  but  in  a  little  while, 
Theirs,^  and  not  thine,  shall  be  the  crimson'd  brow. 
Their  coune  shall  so  evmce  their  bratishness. 
To  have  ta'en  thy  stand  apart  shall  well  become  thee 

<<  First  refuge  thou  must  find,  first  place  of  rest, 
In  the  great  LombardV  courtesy,  who  bears, 
Upon  thA  ladder  perch'd,  the  sacred  bird 
He  shall  behold  thee  with  such  kind  regard. 
That  *twixt  ye  two,  the  contrary  to  that 
Which  'falls  'twixt  other  men,  the  granting  shall 
Forerun  the  asking.    With  him  shalt  thou  see 
That  mortal,'  who  was  at  his  birth  impress'd 
So  strongly  from  this  star,  that  of  his  deeds 
The  nations  shall  take  note.    His  unripe  age 
Yet  holds  him  from  observance ;  for  these  wheok 
Only  nine  years  have  conipass'd  him  about 
But,  ere  the  Gascon^  practise  on  great  Harry,* 
Sparkles  of  virtue  shall  shoot  forth  in  him. 
In  equal  scorn*  of  labors  and  of  gold.  ' 
His  bounty  shall  be  spread  abroad  so  widely. 
As  not  to  let  the  tongues,  e'en  of  his  foes, 
Be  idle  in  its  praise.    Look  thou  to  him. 
And  his  beneficence :  for  he  shall  cause  » 

Reversal  of  thebr  lot  to  many  people  ; 
Rich  men  and  beggars  interchanging  fortunes. 
And  thou  shalt  bear  this  written  in  3iy  soul, 
Of  him,  but  tell  it  not :"  and  things  he  told 
Incredible  to  those  who  witness  them ; 
Then  added :  "  So  mterpret  thou,  my  son, 

1  Theirt.]  ."They  shall  be  ashamed  of  the  part  they  have 
taken  against  thee."  Lombardi,  I  think,  is  very  unhappy  in 
his  con^ctiure,  that  rotta  la  tempia,  a  reading  of  the  Nidobe- 
atina  edition,  shonld  be  adopted,  and  that  it  may  mean  **  the 
teoken  heads  of  his  companions.** 

s  The  great  Lomb<»rd.]  Either  Bartolommeo  della  Scala ;  or 
Alboino  iiis  brother,  although  onr  Poet  has  spoken  ambiga- 
OQsly  of  him  in  his  Ck)nyito,  p.  179.  Their  coat  of  arms  was 
a  ladder  and  an  eagle.  For  an  account  of  the  rise  of  this  fiun* 
Uy  fnHn  a  very  mean  condition,  see  6.  Villani,  lib.  xi.  cap.  94. 

>  7%U  mortal.]  Can  Grande  della  Scala,  IxNm  under  the 
influence  cnT  Mars,  but  at  this  time  only  nine  years  old.  He 
was,  as  the  other  two,  a  son  of  Alberto  della  Scala. 

*  TTke  Oattcojt,]  Pope  Clement  V.  See  Hell,  Canto  xiz.  86^ 
and  Mote,  and  Par.  Canto  xxvii.  53,  and  Canto  xxx.  U\. 

•  Oreat  Harry.}   The  Emperor  Henry  VU.   See  Oaute 

3CXX.135. 

•ik«fiMlM»ni.j    8eeHeU,Guitoi.9a 


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«M  THE  y  siON.  o»r»r 

What  hath  been  tddtheo^—Lo!  the  ainhaflfaiiMOl 
That  a  few  ciroling  aeasDiia  hide  for  thee. 
Yet  envy  not  thy  neighbon :  thne  extends 
Thy  q>an  beyond  their  treaacm's  chaatiaement** 

Soon  aa  the  saintly  qpiiit,  by  silence,  mazk'd 
Complcition  of  that  web,  which  I  had  stretched 
Before  it,  warpM  fbr  weavingr ;  I  began. 
As  one,  who  in  perplexity  desires 
Counsel  of  othmr,  wise,  benign,  and  friendly : 
**  My  father !  well  I  marie  how  time  spars  on 
Toward  me,  ready  to  inflict  the  blow, 
Which  falls  most  heavily  on  him  who  most 
Abandoneth  himsell    Therefore  'tis  good 
I  should  forecast,  that,  driven  from  tl:^  place' 
Most  dear  to  me,  I  may  not  lose  myself* 
All  other  by  my  song.    Down  through  the  worid 
Of  infinite  mc4iming ;  and  along  the  mtunt. 
From  whose  fair  height  my  lad^s  eyes  did  lift  me ; 
And,  after,  through  this  heaven,  fnia  light  to  light ; 
Have  I  leam*d  that,  which  if  I  tell  again, 
It  may  with  many  woftdly  disrelish: 
And,  if  I  am  a  timid  friend  to  truth, 
I  fear  my  life  may  perish  among  those. 
To  whom  these  days  shall  be  of  ancient  date." 

The   briffhtnesB,  where  enclosed  the   treasure* 
smiled, 
Which  I  had  found  there,  firrt  shone  giisteringly, 
Like  to  a  gddeh  mirror  in  the  sun ; 
Next  jmswer'd:  ''  Conscience,  dimm'd  or  by  its  own 
Or  other's  shame,  will  feel  thy  saying  sharp. 
Thou,  notwithstanduig,  all  deceit  removed. 
See  the  whole  vision  be  made  manifest 
And  let  them  wince,  who  have  their  withers  wrung. 
What  though,  when  tasted  first,  thy  voice  shall  prove 
Unwelcome :  on  digestion,  it  will  turn 
To  vital  nourishment    The  cry  thou  raisest,^ 

>  The  place.]  Oar  Poet  here  discovera  both  that  Florence, 
much  as  he  inveighs  against  it,  was  still  the  dearest  object 
of  his  affections,  and  that  it  was  not  without  some  scrapie  he 
Indalged  his  satirical  vein. 

s  /  may  not  lose  myaelf.]  **  That  being  driven  oat  of  my 
coantry,  I  may  not  detNrive  myself  of  ev^ry  other  place  by 
the  boldness  with  which  I  expose,  in  my  writings,  the  vices 
of  mankind." 

>  T%e  treasure.']    Cacciafpiida. 

*  TTkservtJkouraisesL]  **  Thou  shalt  stigmatize  the  &«Iti 
of  those  who  are  most  eminent  and  powerAil ;  for  men  are 
aatorally  less  moved  by  Instances  ad<*  '  '' 
•rho  are  in  the  lower  classes  of  Ufii.* 


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19»-135.         PARADiSE^  CAirro  X^m.  495 

Shall,  as  the  wind  doth,  smite  the  proudest  sunuiiitf; 
Which  is  of  honor  no  light  argument. 
For  this,  there  only  have  been  shown  to  thee, 
Throughout  these  orbs,  the  mountaii),  and  the  deqpt 
S^nrits,  whom  fame  hath  note  oL    For  the  mmd 
Of  him,  who  hears,  is  loth  to  acquiesce 
And  fix  its  faith,  unless  the  instance  brooght 
Be  palpable,  and  proof  apparent  urge.** 


CANTO    XVIII 

A&GUMENT. 

Dante  sees  the  souls  of  many  renowned  warriors  tnd  cmsd' 
dera  in  the  planet  Mars ;  and  then  ascends  with  Beatrice  to 
Jupiter,  the  sixth  heaven,  in  which  he  ^ds  the  souls  of 
those  who  had  administered  Justice  rightiy  in  the  world, 
so  disposed«as  to  fturm  the  figure  of  an  eagle.  The  Canto 
concludes  with  an  invective  against  the  avarice  of  Uie 
clergy,  and  especially  of  the  pope. 

Now'  in  his  word,  sole,  ruminating,  joy'd 
That  blessed  spurit:  and  I  fed  on  mine, 
Tempering  the  sweet  with  bitter.'    She  meanwhile. 
Who  led  me  unto  God,  admonish'd :  "  Muse 
On  other  thoughts :  bethink  thee,  tliat  near  Him 
I  dwell,  who  recompenseth  every  wrong." 

At  the  sweet  sounds  of  comfort  straight  I  tum'di 
And,  in  the  saintly  eyes  what  love  was  seen, 
I  leave  in  silence  here,  nor  through  distrust 
Of  ray  words  only,  but  that  to  such  bliss 
The  mind  remounts  not  without  aid.    Thus  much 
Yet  may  I  speak ;  that,  as  I  gazed  on  her, 
Afiection  found  no  room  for  other  wish. 
While  the  everlasting  pleasure,  that  did  full 
On  Beatrice  shine,  with  second  view 
From  her  fair  countenance  my  gladden*d  soul 
Contented ;  vanquishing  me  with  a  beam 
Of  her  soft  smile,  she  spake :  "  Turn  thee,  and  list 
These  eyes  are  not  thy  only  Paradise." 

As  here,  we  sometimes  in  the  looks  may  see 
The  affection  marked,  when  that  its  sway  hath  ta'en 


1  A*oip.]  The  spirit  of  Cacciaguida  eujoyed  its  own  thou|^ti 
In  silence. 
*  Tn^ferin£  the  sweet  toith  bitter.] 

Chewing  the  cud  of  sweet  and  bitter  fancy. 

Shahtpettr»t  •^  y«»  Like  tt,  act  3,  scene  S 


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49t  THE  Ynon.  Vhu 

TbeipiriiwMly;  thai  the  hiaiow*d  U^> 

To  whom  I  tam'd,  flaahing,  bewray'd  lis  wiQ 

To  talk  yet  further  with  me,  and  bmn : 

**  Oa  thk  fifth  lodgpnent  of  the  tree/ whose  life 

Is  from  its  top,  whose  fruit  is  erer  frtir 

And  leaf  unwithering,  blessed  qMrits  abide. 

That  were  below,  ere  they  arriyed  in  heaven. 

So  mighty  in  renown,  as  every  muse 

Might  srace  her  triumph  with  them.    On  the  homa 

Look,  Uierefore,  of  the  crosB :  he  whom  I  name, 

Shall  there  enact,  as.  doth  in  summer  cloud 

Its  nunble  fire.*'    Along  the  cross  I  saw. 

At  the  repeated  name  of  Joshua, 

A  q>lendor  gliding ;  nor,  the  word  was  said. 

Ere  it  was  done :  then,  at  the  naming,  saw. 

Of  the  great  Maccabee,'  another  move 

With  whirling  speed ;  and  gladness  was  the  scouig* 

Unto  that  top.    The  next  for  Charlemaia* 

And  for  the  peer  Orlando,  two  my  gaze 

Purmied,  intently,  as  the  eye  pursues 

A  falcon  flying.    Last,  along  the  cross, 

William,  and  Renard,*  and  Duke  Godfrey*  drew 

1  Tkt  haUow*d  light.]  In  which  the  spirit  of  Cacciagnida 
was  enclosed. 

^OnikUJiftkMgwtentoftketrM,]  liars,  the  fifth  of  the 
heavens. 

>  Tkt  great  Maeeabw.]    Jndas  Maccabeus. 

*  Ckcrlewuiin.)  L.  Pnlci  commends  Dante  for  placing 
G9!iarlemaln  and  Orlando  here  :-> 

Id  mi  eonfido  ancor  rocdto  qui  a  Dante, 
Che  non  sanza  cagion  nei  ciel  sn  misse 
Carlo  ed  Orlando  in  quelle  croci  sante, 
Che  come  diligente  intese  e  scrisse. 

Morg.  Magg^  c  xxrUL 

*  WUliaw.  and  Renari.)  ProbaUv,  not,  as  the  eommenta- 
ton  have  imagined,  William  II.  of  Orange,  and  his  Iclnsmaa 
Kaimband»  two  of  the  cmsaders  under  Godfrey  of  Bouillon, 
(Bfaimbourg,  Hist  des  Crolsades,  ed.  Par.  1682, 13mo.  torn.  i. 
p.  00,)  but  rather  the  two  more  celebrated  heroes  in  the  age 
of  Cbarlemain.  The  former.  William  I.  of  Orange,  suppoaed 
to  have  been  the  founder  of  the  present  illustrious  fkmily  of 
that  name,  died  about  806,  according  to  Joseph  de  la  Pise 
Tableau  de  THist.  des  Princes  et  Principaut^  d*  Orange.  Our 
coantrjrman,  Ordericus  Vitalis,  professes  to  give  his  true  life, 
which  had  been  misrepresented  in  the  songs  of  the  itinerant 
bards,  *'  Vulgo  canitur  a  jocnlatoribus  de  TUo  cantilena ;  sed 
Jure  preferenda  est  relalio  autentica.**  Eeel.  Hut.  in  Du- 
thesne,  HisU  J^ormann.  Script.,  p.  58a  The  latter  is  better 
known  by  having  been  celebrated  by  Ariosto,  under  the  naoM 
sTRinaldo. 

*  DtJu  Ooifrejf.]    Godfrey  of  Bouillon. 

Pol  venla  solo  11  boon  duce  GoflHdo, 
Che  f6  rlmpiesa  saata  e  i  passi  giottf  i 


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44-75.  PARADISE,  Canto  XT  III.  497 

My  ken,  and  Robert  Gniscard.^    And  the  eool, 
Who  spake  with  me,  among  the  other  lights 
Did  move  away,  and  mix ;  and  with  the  jqoire 
Of  heavenly  songsters  proved  his  tuneful  skill. 

To  Beatrice  on  my  right  I  bent. 
Looking  for  intimation,  or  by  word 
Or  act,  what  next  behooved  ;  and  did  descry 
Such  mere  effulgence  in  her  eyes,  such  joy. 
It  pass'd  all  former  wont    And,  as  by  sense 
Of  new  delight,  the  man,  who  perseveres 
In  good  deeds,  doth  perceive,  from  day  to  day. 
His  virtue  growing ;  I  e'en  thus  perceived, 
Of  my  ascent,  together  with  the  heaven. 
The  circuit  widened  ;  noting  the  increase 
Of  beauty  in  that  wonder.    Like  the  change 
In  a  brief  moment  on  some  maiden's  cheek. 
Which,  from  its  fairness,  doth  discharge  the  weight 
Of  pudency,  that  staiu'd  it ;  such  in  her. 
And  to  mine  eyes  so  sudden  was  the  change. 
Through  silvery'  whiteness  of  that  temperate  star. 
Whose  sixth  orb  now  enfolded  us.     I  saw, 
Within  that  Jovial  cresset,  the  clear  sparks 
Of  love,  that  reign'd  there,  fashion  to  my  view 
Our  language.    And  as  birds,  from  river  banks 
Arisen,  now  in  round,  now  lengthened  troop. 
Array  them  in  their  flight,  greeting,  as  seems, 
Their  new-found  pastures ;  so,  within  the  lights, 
The  saintly  creatures  flying,  sang';  and  ma^e 
Now  D,  now  I,  now  L,  figpired  i*  the  air. 
First  singing  to  their  notes  they  moved ;  then,  one 
Becommg  of  these  signs,  a  little  while 
Did  rest  them,  and  were  mute.    O  nymph  divine,* 

Uaesto,  di  ch*  io  mi  sdegno  e*ndamo  grido, 
Fece  in  Hiemsalem  con  le  sue  mani 
II  mal  goardato  e  ^k  negletto  nido. 

Petrarea,  TV.  della  jFbmo,  cap.  IL 
1  Robert  Ctuiseard.]  See  Hell,  Canto  xxviii.  13. 
s  Throvfrh  silvery.]  So  in  the  Ck>nvito,  '*  EU  del  di  Glove,** 
Ikc,  p.  74.  **  The  heaven  of  Jnplter  may  be  compared  to 
geometry,  for  two  properties :  the  one  is,  that  it  moves  b»< 
tween  two  heavens  repugnant  to  its  temperature,  as  that  of 
Mars  and  that  of  Saturn;  whence  Ptolemy,  in  the  above- 
dted  boolc,  says  that  Jupiter  is  a  star  of  temperate  com- 
plozion,  between  the  coldness  of  Saturn  and  the  heat  of 
Mars:  the  other  is,  that,  among  all  the  stars,  it  shows  itself 
White,  as  it  were  silvered.** 

*  O  KfrmpJk  divine,]    **  O  muse,  thou  that  makest  thy  vota-  ' 
lies  glorious  and  long-lived,  as  they,  assisted  by  thee,  makt 
glorious  and  long-lived  the  cities  and  realms  which  they  cel- 
•bvate,  now  eaUghten  me,**  A«. 


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498  TH£  Visaoii  7i-lU 

Of  Pefatean  race !  who  soali,  which  tlioa 

In^Mrett,  makest  skfious  and  long-iiyed,  as  they 

Cities  and  realms  by  thee ;  thou  with  thyself 

Inform  me  ;  that  I  may  set  forth  the  shapes. 

As  fancy  doth  present  them :  be  thy  power 

Displayed  in  Uub  brief  song.    The  characters,' 

Vocal  and  consonant,  were  fivefold  seven. 

In  order,  each,  as  they  appeared,  I  mark'd. 

Diligite  Justitiam,  the  first. 

Both  verb  and  noun  all  blazon'd ;  and  the  axtieiiM^ 

Qui  jndJcatis  ^rram     In  the  M 

Of  the  fifth  word  ihey  held  their  station ; 

Making  the  star  seem  silver  streak'd  with  gold. 

And  on  the  summit  of  the  M,  I  saw 

Descending  other  lights,  that  rested  there. 

Singing,  methinks,  their  bliss  and  primal  good. 

Then,  as  at  shaking  of  a  lighted  brand. 

Sparkles  innumerable  on  ail  sides 

KJse  scattered,  source  of  augury  to  the  unwise  f 

Thus  more  than  thousand  twinkling  lustres  hrace 

Seem'd  reascending ;  and  a  higher  pitch 

Some  mounting,  and  some  less,  e'en  as  the  sun. 

Which  kindleth  them,  decreed.  And  when  each  oat 

Had  settled  in  his  place ;  the  head  and  neck 

Then  saw  I  of  an  eagle,  livelily 

Graved  m  that  streaky  fire.    Who  painteth  there,* 

Hath  none  to  guide  Him:  of  Himself  he  guides; 

And  every  line  and  texture  of  the  nest 

Doth  own  from  Him  the  virtue  fashions  it 

The  othw  bright  beatitude,^  that  seem'd 

Erewhile,  wiUi  lilied  crowning,  well  content 

To  over-canopy  the  M,  moved  forth, 

•Following  gently  the  impress  of  the  bird. 

Sweet  star !  what  glorious  and  thick-studded  gems 
Declared  to  me  our  justice  on  the  earth 
To  be  the  effluence  of  that  heaven,  which  thou, 
Thyself  a  costly  jewel,  dost  inlay. 
Therefore  I  pray  the  Sovereign  Mind,  from  whom 

1  Tke  eharatters.]  Dilidte  justitiam  qui  judicatis  terrain. 
**  Love  righteousness,  ye  that  be  Judges  of  the  earth."  ff^it- 
torn  of  Solowum^  c  i.  1. 

*  Tke  unwise.]  Who  augur  ftatnre  riches  to  themselves  la 
proportion  to  the  quantity  of  sparks  that  fly  from  the  lif^ted 
brand  when  it  is  shaken. 

>  Who  painteth  there.']    The  Deity  himself. 

«  Beatitude.]  The  bi  nd  of  spirits ;  for  **  beatitude**  is  hen 
a  noon  of  multitude. 


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U4-133.  PARADISE,  Canto  XIX.  499 

Thy  motion  and  thy  virtue  are  begun, 
Tl^t  He  would  look  from  whence  the  fog  doth  rise, 
To  vitiate  thy  beam ;  so  that  once  more^ 
He  may  put  forth  his  hand  'gainst  such,  as  drive 
Their  traffic  in  that  sanctuary,  whose  walls 
With  miracles  and  martyrdoms  were  built 
Ye  host  of  heaven,  whose  glory  I  survey ! 

0  beg  ye  grace  for  those,  that  are,  on  earth, 
All  after  ill  example  gone  astray. 

War  once  had  for  his  instrument  the  sword : 
But  now  'tis  made,  taking  the  bread  away,* 
Which  the  good  Father  locks  from  none. — ^And  thoa. 
That  writest  but  to  cancel,*  think,  that  they. 
Who  for  the  vineyard,  which  thou  wastest,  died, 
Peter  and  Paul,  live  yet,  and  mark  thy  doinga 
Thou  hast  good  cause  to  cry,  "  My  heart  so  cleavei 
To  him,^  that  lived  in  soliKide  remote. 
And  for  a  dance*  was  dragg'd  to  martyrdom, 

1  wist  not  of  the  fisherman  nor  Paul." 


CANTO    XIX. 


ARGUMENT. 

The  eagle  cpeaks  as  with  one  voice  proceeding  from  a  maltt- 
tade  of  spirits,  that  compose  it ;  and  declares  the  cause  for 
which  it  is  exalted  to  that  state  of  glory.  It  then  solves  a 
doubt,  which  our  Poet  had  entertained,  respecting  the  po8« 
sibility  of  salvation  without  belief  in  Christ;  exposes  the 
inefficacy  of  a  mere  profession  of  such  belief;  and  prophe- 
sies the  evil  appearance  that  many  Christian  potentates 
will  make  at  the  day  of  judgment. 

Before  my  sight  appeared,  with  open  wmgs, 

1  7%U  onee  tnore'  "  That  he  may  again  drive  out  those 
who  buy  and  sell  in  ihe  temple.'* 

*  Taking  the  bread  away.]  "Excommunication,  or  interdic- 
tion of  the  eucharist,  is  now  employed  as  a  weapon  of  war* 
fare."  • 

>  That  writett  hvt  to  cancel.]  "  And  thou.  Pope  Boniface, 
who  writest  thy  ecclesiastical  censures  for  no  other  purpose 
tlian  to  be  paid  for  revoldng  them." 

*  To  him.\  The  coin  of  Florence  was  stamped  with  the 
impression  of  John  the  Baptist ;  and,  for  this,  the  avaricious 
pope  is  made  to  declare  that  he  felt  more  devotion,  than 
either  for  Peter  or  Paul.  Lombardi,  I  kno  nr  not  why,  would 
apply  this  to  Clement  V.  rather  than  to  Oonifoce  VilL 

*  And  fw  a  dance.]  I  am  indebted  to  an  intelligent  critic 
hi  the  Monthly  Review,  1823,  for  pointing  out  my  former 
erroneous  translation  of  the  words  '*  per  salti,"  **  From  the 
wUds." 


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500  THE  VISION.  9-34 

The  beauteous  image ;  m  fnxition  sweet, 

Gladdening  the  thronged  spirits.    Each  did  seem 

A  little  ruby,  whereon  so  intense 

The  sunbeam  glow'd,  that  to  mine  eyes  it  came 

In  clear  refraction.     And  that,  which  next 

Befalls  me  to  portray,  voice  hath  not  utter'd, 

Nor  hatli  ink  written,'  nor  in  fantasy 

Was  e'er  conceived.     Foi  I  beheld  and  heard 

The  beak  discourse ;  and,  what  intention  form'd 

Of  many,  singly  as  oi  one  express. 

Beginning :  **  For  that  I  was  just  and  piteous, 

I  am  exalted  to  this  height  of  glory. 

The  which  no  wish  exceeds :  and  there  on  earth 

Have  I  my  mem<My  left,  e'en  by  the  bad 

Commended,  while  they  leave  its  course  untrod." 

Thus  is  one  heat  from  many  embers  felt ; 
As  in  that  image  many  were  the  loves. 
And  one  the  voice  that  issued  from  them  all : 
Whence  I  addressed  them :  "  O  perennial  flowen 
Of  gladness  everlasting !  that  exhale 
In  single  breath  your  odors  manifold ; 
Breathe  now :  and  let  the  hunger  be  appeased, 
That  with  great  craving  long  hath  held  my  soul, 
Finding  no  food  on  earSi.    This  well  I  know ; 
That  if  there  be  in  heaven  a  realm,  that  shows 
In  faithful  mirror  the  celestial  Justice, 
Yours  without  veil  reflects  it.    Ye  discern 
The  heed,  wherewith  I  do  prepare  myself 
To  hearken  ;  ye,  the  doubt,  that  urges  me 
With  such  inveterate  craving."     Straight  I  saw. 
Like  to  a  falcon'  issuing  from  the  hood. 
That  rears  his  head,  and  claps  him  with  his  wingB» 
His  beauty  and  his  eagerness  bewraying ; 

1  Abr  kath  ink  vfrittent] 

Tkii  joie  ne  male  not  written  be  with  inke.       * 

Chaueer^  Troilui  and  Ort»»nd»t  b.  iU. 
«  Like  to  a  falcon.] 

Come  fklcon  ch*  nscisse  dal  cappello. 

Boccaccio,  Jl  FHostrato,  p.  fv.  8t  83. 
Wliich  Chancer  translates. 

As  fresh  as  faucon  coming  ont  of  mew. 

Troilus  and  Orcsseide,  b.  Ui. 
Pol  come  fa  'i  falcon,  qnando  si  move 
Cosi  Umilti  ai  cielo  alzb  la  vista. 

F^eziif  n  Quadrir.,  lib.  iv.  cap  & 
Rlnaldo  stA  come  snoie  il  fltlcone 
Usdto  del  capello  a  la  veleta. 

L.  Pvicif  MorganU  Magg^  e.  l6L 


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85-68.  PARADI^  Cantc  XIX.  501 

So  saw  I  move  that  stately  sign,  vrith  praiae 

Of  grace  divine  inwoven,  and  high  song 

Of  inexpressive  joy.    "  He,"  it  l^gan, 

'<  Who  tum'd  his  compass^  on  the  worlds  extreme, 

And  in  that  space  so  variously  hath  wrought, 

Both  openly  and  in  secret ;  in  such  wise 

Could  not,  through  all  the  universe,  display 

Impression  of  his  glory,  that  the  Word' 

Ol  his  omniscience  should  not  still  remain 

In  infinite  excess.     lu  proof  whereof, 

He  first  through  pride  supplanted,  who  was  sum. 

Of  each  created  being,  waited  not 

For  light  celestial ;  and  abortive  fell. 

Whence  needs  each  lesser  nature  is  but  scant 

Receptacle  unto  that  Good,  which  knows 

No  limit,  measured  by  itself  alone. 

Therefore  your  sight,  of  the  onmipresent  Mind 

A  single  beam,  its  origin  must  own 

Suipasing  far  its  utmost  potency. 

The  ken,  your  world  is  gifted  with,  descends 

In  the  everlasting  Justice  as  low  down. 

As  eye  doth  in  the  sea ;  which,  though  it  mark 

The  bottom  from  the  shore,  in  the  wide  main 

Discerns  it  not ;  and  nevertheless  it  is ; 

But  hidden  through  its  deepness.    Light  is  none» 

Save  that  which  cometh  from  the  pure  serene 

Of  ne*er  disturbed  ether:  for  the  rest, 

'Tis  darkness  all ;  or  shadow  of  the  flesh. 

Or  else  its  poison.    Here  confess  revealed 

That  covert,  which  hath  hidden  from  thy  search 

The  living  justice,  of  the  which  thou  madest 

Such  frequent  question ;  for  thou  saidst — '  A  man 

Is  bom  on  Indus'  banks,  and  none  is  there 

Who  speaks  of  Christ,  nor  who  doth  read  nor  write ; 

1  Ifk0  turned  his  eompats.)  "  When  he  ptepaxed  the  hea- 
vens, I  was  there :  when  he  set  a  compass  npoa  the  Ikce  cf 
the  depth.*'    Proverbs^  viii.  27. 

■  ■    '    ■  In  his  hand 
He  took  the  golden  compasses,  prepared 
In  God*8  eternal  store,  to  circnmscribe 
This  universe,  and  all  created  things. 

Milton,  p.  L.,  h.  vii.  287. 
«  The  VTori,]  "The  divine  nature  still  remained  incom. 
prehensible.  Of  this  Lucifer  was  a  proof;  for  he,  though 
the  chief  of  all  created  beings,  yet,  through  his  pride,  wait- 
ing not  for  fhrther  supplies  of  the  divine  illomlnation,  fcril 
without  coming  to  maturity."  Thus  our  author  in  the  De 
Volgari  Eloquio,  speaking  of  the  &llen  angels,  says,  "divl' 
•am  cwam  perveni  expectare  noluemc  t."    L.  L  e.  S. 


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iOg  THE  VBiOll.  60-MI 

And  all  hk  iadinatioiw  and  hk  aete, 
As  far  as  human  reason  seea,  are  good ; 
And  he  oflfendeth  not  m  word  or  fjeed: 
Bnt  nnbaptiied  he  dies,  and  roid  of  faith. 
Where  is  the  justice  that  condemns  him?  where 
His  blame,  if  he  believeth  not?' — ^What  then, 
And  who  art  thou,  that  on  the  stool  wouldst  sit 
To  jodge  at  distance  of  a  thousand  miles 
With  the  short-sighted  vision  of  a  span? 
To  hmi,'  who  sabtilizes  thus  with  me, ' 
There  would  assuredly  be  room  for  doubt 
Even  to  wonder,  did  not  the  safe  word 
Of  scripture  hold  supreme  authority. 

"  O  animals  of  clay!  O  spirits  gross ! 
The  primal  will,*  that  m  itself  is  good. 
Hath  from  itself,  the  chief  Good,  ne'er  been  moved 
Justice  consists  in  consonance  with  it, 
Derirable  by  no  created  good, 
Whose  rery  cause  depends  upon  its  beam." 

As  on  her  nest  the  storic,  that  turns  about 
Unto  her  young,  whom  lately  she  hath  fed. 
Whiles  they  with  upward  eyes  do  look  on  her ; 
So  lifted  I  my  gaze ;  and,  bending  so. 
The  eyer-bless^  image  wayed  its  wings, 
Laboring  with  such  deep  counsel    Wheeling  romMl 
It  waib&d,  and  did  say :  *'  As  are  my  notes 
To  thee,  who  understuid'st  them  not ;  such  is 
The  eternal  judgment  unto  mortal  .ken." 

Then  still  abiding  in  that  ensign  ranged. 
Wherewith  the  Romans  orerawod  the  world, 
Those  burning  splendors  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
Took  up  the  strain ;  and  thus  it  spiute  again : 
'*  None  ever  hath  ascended  to  this  realm. 
Who  hath  not  a  believer  been  in  Christ, 
Either  before  or  after  the  bless'd  limbs 
Were  nail'd  upon  the  wood.    But  lo !  of  those 
Who  caU  'Christ,  Chnst,**  there  shall  be  many 

found. 
In  judgment,  further  off  frtnn  him  by  far, 

1  TV  him.]  *'  He,  who  shonld  argue,  on  the  words  I  have 
Jnst  used,  respecting  the  fate  of  those  who  have  wanted 
.BMsns  of  knowiiu:  the  Gospel,  woald  certainly  have  cause 
enough  to  donbt,  u  he  did  not  defer  to  the  authority  of  sciip- 
toi^  which  pronounces  God  to  be  thcnroaghly  Just.*' 
'  •  TlUprimMl  viU.]    The  divine  wiU. 

•  Wh0  coU  *  Ckriwt,  CkrisV]  **Not  everv  one  that  faith 
unto  me.  Lord,  Lord,  shall  snter  into  the  kingdoin  of  hsa* 
vra."    MmU  TlLSl 


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Wh-m.  PARADISE,  Canto  XIX.  dOS 

Than  such  to  whom  his  name  was  never  known. 
Christians  like  these  the  iBthiop^  shall  condemn : 
When  that  the  two  assemblages  shall  part ; 
One  rich  eternally,  the  other  poor. 

"  What  may  the  Persians  say  unto  your  kings. 
When  they  shall  see  that  volume,^  in  the  which 
All  theu:  dispraise  is  written,  spread  to  view? 
There  amidst  Albert's*  works  shall  that  be  read, 
Which  will  give  speedy  motion  to  the  pen, 
When  Prague^  shall  mourn  her  deselated  realm. 
There  shall  be  read  the  wo,  that  he*  doth  work 
With  his  adulterate  money  on  the  Seine, 
Who  by  the  tusk  will  perish :  there  be  read 
The  thirsting  pride,  that  maketh  fool  alike 
The  English  and  Scot,'  impatient  of  theur  bound. 
There  shall  be  seen  the  Spaniard's  luxury ;' 
The  delicate  living  there  of  the  Bohemian,^ 
Who  still  to  worth  has  been  a  willing  stranger. 
The  halter  of  Jerusalem'  shall  see 
A  unit  for  his  virtue ;  for  his  vices, 

>  The  JEtkiop.]  **  The  men  of  Nineveh  shall  rise  in  Judg- 
ment with  this  generation,  and  shall  condemn  it."  MatL 
zU  41. 

s  That  volume.]  **  And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great, 
stand  bef<»e  God ;  and  the  books  were  opened:  and  another 
book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life:  and  the  dead 
were  judged  out  of  those  things  which  were  written  in  the 
books,  according  to  their  w<»rks."    Rev.  xx.  12. 

*jUbert.]    Purgatory,  Canto  vi..98. 

«  Prague.]  The  eagle  predicts  the  devastation  of  Bohemia 
by  Albert,  which  happened  soon  after  this  time,  when  that 
emperor  obtained  the  kingdom  for  his  eldest  son  Rodolph. 
See  Coxe*s  House  of  Austria,  4to.  ed.  vol.  1.  part  i.  p.  87. 

»  He.]  Philip  IV.  of  France,  after  the  battle  of  Courtrai, 
1302,  in  which  the  French  were  defeated  by  the  Flemings, 
raised  the  nominal  value  of  the  coin.  This  king  died  in  con« 
sequence  of  ^s  horse  being  thrown  to  the  ground  by  a  wild 
boar,  in  1314.  The  circumstances  of  his  death  are  minutely 
related  by  Fazio  degli  Uberti,  Dittamondo,  lib.  iv.  cap.  19. 

•  Tke  Englieh  and  Scot.]  He  adverts  to  the  disputes  be- 
tween John  Baliol  and  Edward  I.,  the  latter  of  whom  is  com- 
mended in  the  Purgatory,  Canto  vii.  130. 

">  7%e  Spaniard's  luxury.]  The  commentators  refer  this  to 
Alonzo  X.  of  Bpain.  It  seems  probal^Ie  that  the  allusion  is 
to  Ferdinand  Iv.,  who  came  to  the  crown  in  1295,  and  died 
in  1312,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four,  in  consequence,  as  it  was 
supposed,  of  his  extreme  intemperance.  See  Mariana,  Hist., 
lib.  XV.  ci^.  11. 

•  The  Bohemian.]  Winceslans  11.  Purgatory,  Canto  vii.  99. 

•  The  halter  of  Jerusalem.]  Charles  II.  of  Naples  and  Je- 
nualem,  who  was  lame.  See  Note  to  Purgatory,  Canto  vtt* 
W;  and  XX.  78. 


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504  THE  VSSICN.  It7-m 

No  leas  a  mark  than  mUlion.    He,'  who  gnardi 

The  isle  of  fire  by  old  Anchisee  honor*d, 

Shall  find  his  avarice  there  and  cowardice ; 

And  better  to  denote  his  littleness, 

The  writinf^  must  be  letters  maim'd,  that  speak 

Much  in  a  narrow  space.    All  there  shall  know 

His  uncle'  and  his  brother's*  filthy  doings. 

Who  so  renown'd  a  nation  and  two  crowns 

Have  bastardized.^    And  they,  of  Portugal* 

And  Norway,*  there  shall  be  exposed,  with  him 

Of  Ratza,''  who  hath  counterfeited  ill 

The  coin  of  Venice.    O  blest  Hungary  !* 

If  thou  no  longer  patiently  abidest 

Thy  ill-entreating:  and,  O  blest  Navarre!*      [theeu 

If  with  thy  mountainous  girdle**  thou  wouldst  arm 

»  He.]  Frederick  of  Sicily,  son  of  Peter  III.  of  Aragoa. 
Purgatory,  Canto  vii.  117.  The  isle  of  fire  is  Sicily,  where 
was  the  tomb  of  Anchises. 

•  HU  inuU,]  James,  klnf  of  Bf^orca  and  Bflnoiea,  teother 
to  Peter  m. 

•  His  hrotkmr.]  James  II.  of  Aragon,  who  died  in  1397. 
Bee  Purgatory,  Canto  vii.  117. 

«  BatUrdixtd.]  '*  Bozze,**  according  to  Berabo,  is  a  pro- 
venial  word  for  "bostardo  e  non  legitimo."  Delia  Fel£, 
Lingua^  lib.  L  p.  35.  Ediz.  1544.  Others  have  nndentood  U 
to  mean,  **  one  dishonored  by  his  wife.'* 

•  Of  P^rimgal.]  In  the  time  of  Dante,  Dionysins  was  kiag 
of  Portugal.  He  died  in  1325,  after  a  reign  of  near  forty-six 
years,  and  does  not  seem  to  have  deserved  the  stigma  heie 
nstened  on  him.  See  Mariana,  lib.  xv.  cap.  18.  Perhaps 
the  rebellions  son  of  Dionysins  may  be  alluded  to. 

•  JVonfoy.]  Haquln,  king  of  Norway,  is  inrobaUy  meant ; 
who,  faAving  given  reHige  to  the  murderers  of  Eric  VU.  king 
of  Denmark,  A.  D.  1388,  commenced  a  war  against  his  sue- 
cesser,  Eric  VIII.,  "  which  c»ntinued  for  nine  years,  almost 
to  the  utter  ruin  and  destruction  of  both  Idngdoms.*'  JMSnI* 
ern  Univ,  Hist^t  vol.  xxxii.  p.  315. 

» Him 

Of  Ratta.]  One  of  the  dynasty  of  the  house  of  Nemat> 
na,  which  ruled  the  kingdom  of  Rassia  or  Ratza,  in  Sclavr- 
nla,  (torn  1161  to  1^,  and  whose  history  may  be  found  ia 
Mauro  Orbino.  Regno  degll  Slavi.  Ediz.  PMaro.  1601.  Ulad- 
isiaus  appears  to  lutve  bean  the  sovereign  in  Dante's  time : 
but  the  disgraceAil  foigery,  adverted  to  in  the  text,  is  not  re- 
corded by  the  historian. 

•  Hungary.]  The  kingdom  of  Rangary  was  about  this 
time  disputed  by  Carobert,  son  of  Charles  Martel,  and  Win- 
ceslaus,  prince  of  Bohemia,  son  of  Winceslaus  IL  See  Coxe*8 
House  of  Austria,  vol.  i.'part  i.  p.  86,  4to  edit. 

•  Navarre.]  Navarre  was  now  under  the  yoke  of  France. 
It  soon  after  (in  1328)  followed  the  advice  of  Dante,  and  lu4 
a  monarch  of  its  own.    Bfariana,  lib.  xv.  cap.  19 

>*  Mnuaainaut  giriU.]    The  Pyrenees. 


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t«-145.  PARADISE,  Canto  XX.  50ft 

In  earnest  of  that  day,  e'en  now  are  heard 
WailingB  and  eroana  in  Famagosta's  streets  ' 

And  Nicosia's,*  gmdgingr  at  their  heast, 
Who  keepeth  even  footing  with  the  rest^ 


CANTO  XX 


ARGUMENT. 
The  eagle  celebrates  the  praise  of  certain  kings,  whoM  rio> 
rifled  sj^its  form  the  eye  of  the  bird.  In  the  pnpil  is  !)a- 
▼id ;  and,  in  the  circle  round  it,  Trajan,  Hezekiah,  Con- 
■tantine,  William  II.  of  Sicily,  and  Riphens.  It  explains 
to  oar  Poet,  how  the  souls  of  those  whom  he  supposed  to 
have  had  no  means  of  believing  in  Christ,  came  to  be  in 
heaven;  and  concludes  with  an  admonition  against  pre- 
suming to  fathom  the  counsels  of  God. 

When,  disappearing  from  our  hemisphere, 
The  world's  enlightener  Tantshes,  and  day 
On  all  ndes  wasteth ;  suddenly  the  sky, 
Erewhile  irradiate  only  with  his  beam. 
Is  yet  again  unfolded,  putting  forth 
Innumerable  lights  wherein  one  shines.' 
Of  such  vicissitude  in  heaven  I  thought ; 

* Fhmairosta^s  streets 

And  J^ieosia^s.}  Cities  in  the  kingdom  of  Cyprus,  at  that 
lime  ruled  by  Henry  U.,  a  pusillanimous  {^nce.  Vertot, 
Hist,  des  Chev.  de  Malte,  lib.  iii.  iv.  The  meaning  appears  to 
be,  that  the  complaints  made  by  those  cities  of  their  weak 
and  worthless  governor,  may  be  regarded  as  an  earnest  (^hif 
condemnation  at  the  last  doom. 

s  7%«  rest]  '*Wise  Poet!*'  thus  Landino  concludes  his 
C(Hnmentary  on  this  Canto ;  "  to  whcnn  the  human  race  owes 
obligations  for  having  thus  severely  reprehended  the  feults 
of  princes ;  since  these  are  not,  like  the  errors  of  private 
persons,  harmful  to  one  or  a  few  only;  but  injure  all  the 
country  which  they  govern;  and  a  single  one  frequently 
causes  the  ruin  oi  whole  nations."  Much  to  the  same  effect 
Is  a  memorable  sentence  of  Xenophon's  Agesllaus,  that  ex- 
cellent manual  for  princes.  koI  ris  itiv  rQv  ISmrav  i/iap' 
Has  rpduf  l^cpe,  rdg  ii  t&p  i^Svntp  itsydkaf  i^s, 
Kflwuvy  rods  itiv  HXlya,  rohs  ii  no\Xi  kokQs  iiari9iv«u» 
C,  xi.  6.  Compare  also  the  opening  of  Demosthenes'  second 
Speech  against  Aristogiton. 

*  Tfherein  one  shines.]  The  light  of  the  sun,  whence  h 
supposes  the  other  celestial  bodies  to  derive  their  light 
Thus,  in  the  Convito,  p.  115.  '*Nnllo  sensibUe,  frc**  "No 
sensible  oMect  in  the  world  is  more  worthy  to  be  made  an 
example  of  the  deity,  than  the  sun,  which  with  sensible  light 
enlightens  first  Itself  and  then  all  celestial  and  elementarf 


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H^  THE  VISION.  ti-m 

As  the  giMt  mp^^  that  maidTalleth  the  weiid 
^^nd  the  worid^  leaden,  in  the  blesMd  beak 
Waa  aOent:  for  that  all  those  hving  lights, 
Wiudng  in  qdendor,  bunt  forth  into  songs, 
Such  as  fhnn  memory  glide  and  fall  away. 

Sweet  Lore,  that  dost  apparel  thee  in  smiles ! 
How  lustroos  was  thy  semblance  in  those  q»arkles, 
Which  merely  are  from  holy  thoughts  inspired. 

After*  the  precious  and  bright  beaming  stones. 
That  did  ingem  the  sixth  light,  ceased  the  chiming 
Of  their  angelic  bells  ;  methought  I  heard 
The  murmuring  of  a  river,  that  doth  fall 
From  rock  to  rock  transpicuous,  making  known 
The  richnesi  of  his  spring-head :  and  as  sound 
Of  cittern,  at  the  fret-board,  or  of  pipe. 
Is,  at  the  wind-hole,  modulate  and  tuned ; 
Thus  up  the  neck,  as  it  were  hollow,  rose 
That  murmuring  of  the  eagle ;  and  forthwith 
Voice  there  assumed ;  and  tlience  along  the  beak 
Issued  in  form  of  words,  such  as  my  heart 
Did  look  for,  on  whose  tables  I  inscribed  them, 

**  The  part'  in  me,  that  sees  and  bears  the  sob 
In  mortal  eagles,"  it  began,  "  must  now 
Be  noted  steadfastly :  for,  of  the  fires. 
That  fijgpire  me,  those,  glitterinj^in  mine  eye. 
Are  chief  of  all  the  greatest    This,  that  shines 
Midmost  for  pupil,  was  the  same  who^  sang 
The  Holy  Spirit's  song,  and  bare  about 
The  ark  from  town  to  town :  now  doth  he  know 
The  merit  of  his  soul-impassion'd  strains 
By  their  well-fitted  gueidon.    Of  the  five, 
Tliat  make  the  circle  of  the  vision,  he,* 
Who  to  the  beak  is  nearest,  comforted 
The  widow  for  her  son :  now  doth  he  know, 
How  de^  )t  coeteth  not  to  follow  Christ ; 
Both  frmh  experience  of  this  pleasant  life, 
And  of  its  opposite.    He  next,*  who  follows 
In  the  circumference,  for  the  over-arch. 
By  true  repenting  slack'd  the  pace  of  cbath : 

1  7%0  pr0at  sign.}    The  eagle,  the  Imperial  enslgii. 

•  j^fter.}    "  After  the  spirits  in  the  sixth  planet  (Jopim) 
had  ceased  their  singing.*' 

•  The  part.]    Lombardi  well  observes,  that  the  head  of  tfM 
sa^e  is  seen  in  profile,  so  that  one  eye  only  appeavk 

<  mo.]    David. 

•  jr«.]    Trajan.    See  Poigatory,  Canto  x.  0& 
^iitnexL]   Hezekiab 


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n-7S  PARADISE,  Caita)  XX.  507 

Now  knoweth  he,  that  the  decrees  of  heaven' 

Alter  not,  when,  through  pious  prayer  below, 

To-day  is  made  to-UKNTOw's  destiny. 

The  other  following,'  with  the  laws  and  me. 

To  yield  the  shepherd  room,  pass'd  o'er"  to  Greec^e ; 

From  good  intent,  producing  evil  fruit : 

Now  knoweth  he,  how  all  the  ill,  derived 

From  his  well  doing,  d«th  not  harm  him  aught ; 

Though  it  have  brought  destruction  on  the  world. 

That,  which  thou  seest  in  the  under  bow, 

Was  William,^  whom  that  land  bewails,  which  weepi 

For  Charles  and  Frederick  living:  now  he  knows, 

How  well  m  loved  in  heaven  the  righteous  }ung ; 

Which  he  betokens  by  his  radiant  seeming. 

Who,  in  the  erring  world  beneath,  would  deem 

That  Trojan  Ripheus,*  in  this  round,  was  set, 

Fifth  of  the  saintly  splendors  ?  now  he  knows 

£nough  of  that,  which  the  world  cannot  see ; 

The  grace  di^ne :  albeit  e'en  his  sight 

Reach  not  its  utmost  depth."    Like  to  the  lark. 

That  warbling  in  the  air  expatiates  long. 

Then,  trilling  out  his  last  sweet  melody. 

Drops,  satiate  with  the  sweetness ;  such  appeared 

That  image,  stamp'd  by  the  everlasting  pleasure. 

Which  fashions,  as  they  are,  all  things  that  be. 

I,  though  my  doubting  were  as  manifest. 
As  is  through  glaas*  the  hue  that  mantles  it, 

1  n$  dteree*  of  heaveHJ]  The  eternal  coonsels  of  God  are 
indeed  immutable,  tlioogh  they  appear  to  us  men  to  be  altered 
by  the  prayen  of  the  pious. 

s  n$  other  following.]  Constantlne.  There  is  no  passate, 
in  wliich  Dante*8  opinion  of  the  evil  tliat  liad  arisen  fitun  the 
mixture  of  the  civii  with  the  ecclesiasticai  power,  is  more 
nneqaivocally  declared. 

•  P(us*d  o'er,]  **Left  the  Roman  state  to  the  Pope,  and 
transferred  the  seat  of  the  empire  to  Constantinople.** 

«  miliam,}  WiUiam  IL  Idng  of  Sicily,  at  the  latter  part 
of  the  twelfth  century.  He  was  of  the  Norman  line. of 
sovereigns,  and  obtained  the  appellation  of  **the  Good;** 
asd,  as  the  Poet  says,  his  loss  was  as  much  the  subject  of 
legret  in  his  dominions,  as  the  presence  of  Charles  IL  of  An- 
Jo^  and  Frederick  of  Aragon,  waa  bf  sorrow  and  complalnL 

•  TrojtM  JUfkeue.] 

l^neas  justissimns  anus 
Qui  fhit  in  Tencris,  et  servantissimas  equL 

P'irg.t  JEi».,  lib.  U.  497. 
Then  Ripheus  fell,  the  justest  far  of  all 
The  sons  of  Troy.  Pitt. 

•  1%roti£h  gla$».]  This  is  the  only  allusion  I  have  re- 
■nrked  in  our  author  to  the  art  of  pahiting  glass.    Tirabo* 

ehi  tneei  that  invention  in  Italy  as  flur  beck  as  to  the  end  of 


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506  1'HK  VISION.  74-m 

In  ifleiice  watted  not ;  for  to  my  lips 

«  What  thing!  aie  these  ?^  inyolcmtary  msh'd, 

And  forced  a  passage  out :  whereat  I  mark'd 

A  sudden  lightening  and  new  revefay. 

The  eye  was  kindled ;  and  the  blessed  sign, 

No  more  to  keep  me  wondering  and  suspense, 

Replied:  *<  I  see  that  thou  believest  these  thingSt 

Because  I  tell  them,  but  discem'st  not  how ; 

So  that  thy  knowledge  waits  not  on  thy  faith : 

As  one,  who  knows  Uie  name  of  thmg  by  rote, 

But  is  a  stranger  to  its  properties. 

Till  other's  tongue  reveal  them.    Fervent  love. 

And  lively  hope,  with  violence  assail 

The  kingdom  of  the  heavens,  and  overcome 

The  will  of  the  Most  High ;  not  in  such  sort 

As  man  prevnils  o*er  man :  but  conquem  it, 

Because  'tis  willing  to  be  conquered ;  still, 

Though  conquered,  by  its  mercy,  conquering. 

"  Those,  in  the  eye  who  live  the  firat  and  fifth, 
Cause  thee  to  marvel,  in  that  thou  behold'st 
The  region  of  the  angels  deck'd  with  them. 
They  quitted  not  their  bodies,  as  thou  deem'st. 
Gentiles,  but  Christians ;  in  firm  rooted  faith. 
This,'  of  the  feet  m  future  to  be  pierced. 
That,*  of  feet  nail'd  already  to  the  cross. 
One  from  the  barrier  of  the  dark  abyss. 
Where  never  any  with  good  will  returns, 
Came  back  unto  his  bones.    Of  lively  hope 
Such  was  the  meed ;  of  lively  hope,  that  wmg'd 
The  prayers'  sent  up  to  God  for  his  release. 


the  eighth  century.  Stor.  dclla  Lett  Ital.,  torn.  iU.  Ub.  Itt. 
cap.  vi.  ^  U.  This,  however,  If  we  may  trust  Mr.  Wartofi't 
Judgment,  must  have  lieen  a  sort  of  mosaic  in  glass.  For  to 
express  figures  in  glass,  or  what  we  now  call  tlv  art  cT 
painting  in  glass,  that  writer  observes,  "  was  a  very  clflTereat 
work :  and  I  believe  I  can  show  it  was  brought  ftom  Constam 
tinople  to  Rome  before  the  tenth  century,  with  othw  oraa 
mental  arts."    HUtorp  of  English  PoHry,  vol.  ilL  p.  ^^ 

In  the  following  passage  from  the  Dittamondo  of  FasH 
'  defli  Uberti,  lib.  v.  cap.  3,  the  allusion  is  to  mosaic  la  glaas : 
E  pensa  s*  ai  veduto  e  posto  cura, 
Quando  11  musaico  con  vetri  dipinti 
Adoma  e  compon  ben  la  sua  pittora 
E  quel  che  son  piu  riccamente  tintl 
Nelle  pitk  nobil  parti  gli  son  sempie, 
Ed  e  converse  nel  men  gli  plii  ttU)|l 
1  TUt.J   Bipheus. 
*71fl«.]   Tri^. 
TUrrmttn.]   Thepm9enofSt.6N|arf. 


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104-140.  PARADISE,  Canto  XX  fiOd 

And  put  power  into  them  to  bend  His  will 

The  glorious  Spirit,  of  whom  I  speak  to  thee, 

A  little  while  returning  to  the  6esh, 

Believed  in  him,  who  had  the  means  to  help ; 

And,  in  believing,  nourish'd  such  a  flame 

Of  holy  love,  that  at  the  second  death 

He  was  made  sharer  in  our  gamesome  mirth 

The  other,  through  the  riches  of  that  grace. 

Which  from  so  deep  a  fountain  doth  distil. 

As  never  eye  created  saw  its  rising. 

Placed  all  his  love  below  on  just  and  right : 

Wherefore,  of  grace,  God  oped  m  him  the  eye 

To  the  redemption  of  mankind  to  come ; 

Wher«^in  believing,  he  endured  no  more 

The  filth  of  Paganism,  and  for  their  ways 

Rebuked  the  stubborn  nations.     The  three  nymphs,' 

Whom  at  the  right  wheel  thou  beheld'st  advancmg, 

Were  sponsors  for  him,  more  than  thousand  years 

Befcnre  baptizing.    O  how  far  removed, 

Predestmation !  is  thy  root  from  such 

As  see  not  the  First  Cause  entire :  and  ye, 

O  mortal  men  I  be  wary  how  ye  judge : 

For  we,  who  see  our  Maker,  Imow  not  yet 

The  number  of  the  chosen  ;  and  esteem 

Such  scantiness  of  knowledge  our  delight : 

For  all  our  good  is,  in  that  primal  good. 

Concentrate ;  and  God's  will  and  ours  are  one." 

So,  by  that  form  divine,  was  given  to  me 
Sweet  medicine  to  clear  and  strengthen  sight 
And,  as  one  handling  skilfully  the  harp. 
Attendant  on  some  skilful  songster's  voice 
Bids  the  chord  vibrate ;  and  therem  the  son^ 
Acquires  more  pleasure :  so  the  whilst  it  spuLe, 
It  doth  remember  me,  that  I  beheld 
The  pair'  of  blessed  luminaries  move, 
Like  the  accordant  twinklmg  of  two  eyes, 
Thtit  beamy  circlets,  dancing  to  the  sounds. 


CANTO    XXI. 

ARGUMENT. 

Dante  awends  with  Beatrice  to  the  seventh  heaven,  wUst 

is  the  planet  S«|uin ;  wherein  is  placed  a  ladder,  so  lofty, 

1  The  three  nymphs.}    Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity.    Pnrgatr  • 
ly.  Canto  zxlx.  116. 
•  The  fair  1    Riphens  and  Trajan. 


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510  THE  VISION.  l-ai. 

thatflMtop  fitisoQtafhissii^fat.  HeraaMiMMNilsot 
thoM  Vbo  had  passed  their  life  in  holy  retlreinent  and  ctm 
temptation.  Piero  Damiano  comes  near  them,  and  answerg 
qoestions  pat  to  him  by  Dante ;  then  declares  who  he  was 
on  earth ;  and  ends  by  declaiming  against  the  luxury  of  pas 
tors  and  prelates  in  those  times. 

Again  mine  eyes  were  fix'd  on  Beatrice ; 
And,  with  mine  eyes,  my  son!  that  m  her  looks 
Found  all  contentment    Yet  no  smile  she  wore : 
And,  "  Did  I  smile,"  quoth  she,  **  thou  wouldst  be 
Like  Semele  when  into  ashes  tum*d :  [straight 

For,  mounting  these  eternal  palace-stain, 
My  beauty,  which  the  loftier  it  climbs, 
As  thou  hast  noted,  still  doth  kindle  more, 
So  shines,  that,  were  no  tempermg  interposed, 
Thy  mortal  puissance  would  from  its  rays 
Shrink,  as  the  leaf  doth  from  the  thunderbolt. 
Into  the  seventh  splendor'  are  we  wafted, 
That^  Hndemeath  the  burning  lion's  breast,* 
Beams,  in  this  hour,  commingled  with  his  mi^t 
Thy  mind  be  with  thine  eyes ;  and,  in  them,  mirror'd* 
The  shape,  which  in  this  mirror  shall  be  shown." 

Whoso  can  deem,  how  fondly  I  had  fed 
My  sight  upon  her  blissful  countenance. 
May  know,  when  to  new  thoughts  I  changed,  what 
To  do  the  bidding  of  my  heavenly  guide ;  [joy 

In  equal  balance,^  poising  either  weight 

Within  the  crystal,  which  records  the  name 
(As  its  remoter  circle  girds  the  w<»ld) 
Of  that  loved  monarch,*  in  whose  happy  reign 
No  ill  had  power  to  harm,  I  saw  rear'd  up, 
In  color  like  to  son-illumined  gold, 
A  ladder,  which  my  ken  pursued  in  vam. 
So  lofty  was  the  summit ;  down  whose  steps 
I  saw  the  splendors  in  such  multitude 
Descending,  every  light  in  heaven,  methought, 
Was  shed  thence.    As  the  rooks,  at  dawn  of  day» 
Bestirring  them  to  dry  their  feathers  chill, 

1  The  teventk  wj^endor.]    The  planet  Satnm. 

*  7%«  bvming  lion's  breatt.]    The  constellatioa  Leo. 

s  In  tkemy  mirrored.]  **  Let  the  form  which  thou  shalt  now 
behold  in  this  mirror,'*  the  planet,  tliat  is,  of  Satnm,  (sooa 
alter,  V  33,  called  tlie  Crystal,)  **  be  reflected  in  the  mirror  of 
thy  sight." 

*  In  equal  balance.]  ^  My  pleasnre  was  as  great  in  eomply* 
Ing  with  her  will,  as  in  behciding  her  Goontenaace.*' 

*  Of  that  loved  monarehJ]  Saturn  Ckunpare  Hell.  Cuite 
BiT.  91. 


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S»-73  PARADISE,  Canto  XXL  511 

Some  speed  their  way  a-field ;  and  homewaid  BonM 
Retunimg,  cbosb  their  fligrht ;  while  some  abide, 
And  whMl  around  their  airy  lodge :  so  seem'd 
That  glitterance,'  wafted  on  alternate  wing, 
Ai  upon  certain  stair  it  came,  and  clash'd 
Its  shinmg.    And  one,  lingering  near  us,  wax'd 
So  bright,  that  m  my  thought  I  said ,  "  The  loTOy 
Which  this  betokens  me,  admits  no  doubt*' 

Unwillingly  from  question  I  refrain ; 
To  her,  by  whom  my  silence  and  my  speech  : 

Are  ordei^d,  looking  for  a  sign :  whence  she, 
Who  in  the  sight  of  Him,  that  seeth  all, 
Saw  wherefore  I  was  silent,  prompted  me 
To  indulge  the  fervent  wish ;  and  I  began : 
"  I  am  not  worthy,  of  my  own  desert. 
That  thou  shouldst  answer  me :  but  for  her  sake^ 
Who  hath  vouchsafed  my  asking,  spuit  blest. 
That  in  thy  joy  art  shrouded !  say  the  cause. 
Which  bringeth  thee  so  near :  and  wherefore,  say 
Doth  the  sweet  symphony  of  Paradise 
Keep  silence  here,  pervading  with  such  sounds 
Of  rapt  devotion  every  lower  sphere  V 
**  Mortal  art  thou  in  hearing,  as  in  sight ;" 
Was  the  reply :  '<  and  what  forbade  the  smiled 
Of  Beatrice  interrupts  our  song. 
Only  to  yield  thee  gladness  of  niy  voice, 
And  of  the  light  that  vests  me,  I  thus  far 
Descend  these  hallow'd  steps :  not  that  more  love 
Invites  me ;  for,  lo !  there  aloft,*  as  much 
Or  more  of  love  is  witnessed  in  those  flames: 
But  such  my  lot  by  charity  assign'd. 
That  makes  us  ready  servants,  as  thou  seest. 
To  execute  the  counsel  of  the  Highest" 

"  That  in  this  court,"  said  I,  «*  O  sacred  lamp ! 
Love  no  compulsion  needs,  but  follows  free 
The  eternal  Providence,  I  well  discern : 
This  harder  find  to  deem ;  why,  of  thy  peers, 
Thou  only,  to  this  office  wert  foredoomed." 

I  had  not  ended,  when,  like  rapid  mill. 
Upon  its  centre  whirled  the  lig^t ;  and  then 

1  That  gUtUnmee.]  Qaello  sftvlUsr.  That  maltltade  of 
■hinliic  sj^ts,  who,  coming  to  a  certain  point  of  the  laddei^ 
■lade  uofle  dUlbrent  movements,  which  he  has  desdibed  as 
Blade  fay  the  Uidf. 

*  mkat  forbad$  the  ntiU,]    **  Becatue  it  would  have  < 


•  71#r»  9l^}   Where  the  other  aools  weie. 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


513  THE  VISION.  T^-lot 

The  love  that  did  inhabit  there,  replied: 

*<  Splendor  eternal,  piercing  through  these  folds, 

Its  virtue  to  my  vision  knits ;  and  thus 

Supported,  lifts  me  so  above  myself, 

That  on  the  sovereign  essence,  which  it  wells  from, 

I  have  the  power  to  gaze :  and  hence  the  joy, 

Wherewith  I  sparkle,  equalling  with  my  blaze 

The  keenness  of  my  sight     But  not  the  soul,' 

That  is  m  heaven  most  lustrous,  nor  the  seraph, 

That  hath  his  eyes  most  fix'd  on  God,  shall  solve 

What  thou  hast  ask'd :  for  in  the  abyss  it  lies 

Of  th'  everlastine;  statute  sunk  so  low, 

That  no  created  ken  may  fathom  it. 

And,  to  the  mortal  world,  when  thou  retum'st. 

Be  this  reported :  that  none  henceforth  dare 

Direct  his  footsteps  to  so  dread  a  bourn. 

The  mind,  that  here  is  radiant,  6n  the  earth 

Is  wrapt  in  mist.    Look  then  if  she  may  do 

Below,  what  passeth  her  ability 

When  she  is  ta*en  to  heaven."    By  words  like  thesa 

Admonish'd,  I  the  question  urged  no  more ; 

And  of  the  spirit  humbly  «ued  alone 

To  instruct  me  of  its  state.     "  *Twixt  either  shore* 

Of  Italy,  nor  distant  from  thy  land, 

A  stony  ridge'  ariseth ;  m  such  sort. 

The  thunder  doth  not  lift  his  voice  so  high. 

They  call  it  Catria  :*  at  whose  foot,  a  cell 

Is  sacred  to  the  lonely  Eremite ; 

For  worship  set  apart  and  holy  rites." 

A  third  time  thus  it  spake  ;  then  added :  "  There 

So  firmly  to  6od*s  service  I  adhered. 

That  with  no  costlier  viands  than  the  juice 

Of  olives,  easily  I  pass'd  the  heats 

Of  summer  and  the  wfnter  frosts ;  content 

In  heavenward  musings.     Rich  were  the  returns 

And  fert^e,  which  that  cloister  once  was  used 


»  JTot  the  Boid.)   The  particular  ends  of  Providence  behig 
concealed  from  the  very  angels  themselves. 

*  *  Tmxt  tUker  akore,\   Between  the  Adriatic  gulf  and  the 
Meditenranean  sea. 

*  A  ttanjf  ridgre,]  A  part  of  the  Apennine.    Gibbo  is  literal- 
-  -  "  •--- --.h."  Th^        ^  •'    '  — 


ly  a  **  httnct 


^  hunch."  TThus  Archilochus  calls  the  island  of  Thasus, 
"See  Gaisford's  Poetae  Minores  Gneci,  t.  i.  p.  29a 
«  Catria.]  Now  the  abbey  of  Santa  Croce,  in  the  dncby  of 
Urbino,  about  half  way  between  Gnbbio  and  La  Peigola. 
Here  I>ante  is  said  to  have  resided  for  some  time.  See  the 
Life  prefixed. 


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itt-lM.  PARADISE,  Caktto  XXI.  MS 

To  Tender  to  these  heavens :  now  'tis  fallen 

Into  a  waste  so  empty,  that  ere  long 

Detection  must  lay  iMire  its  vanity. 

Pietro  Damiano*  Uiere  was  I  yclept : 

Pietro  the  sinner,  when  before  I  dwelt, 

Beside  the  Adriatic,'  in  the  house 

Of  our  blest  Lady.    Near  upon  my  close 

Of  mortal  life,  through  much  importuning 

I  was  eonstrain'd  to  wear  the  hat,'  that  still 

From  bad  to  worse  is  shifted. — Cephas*  came ; 

He  came,  who  was  the  Holy  Spirit's  vessel  f 

Barefoot  and  lean ;  eating  their  bread,  as  chanced. 

At  the  first  table.    Modem  Shepherds  need 

Those  who  on  either  hand  may  prop  and  lead  theni^ 

So  burly  are  they  grown ;  and  fh>m  behind, 

Others  to  hoist  them.    Down  the  palirey*s  sides 

>  Fieiro  Damiano.}  *'  S.  Pietro  Damiano  obtained  a  great 
and  weli-merited  reputation,  by  the  pains  he  took  to  correct 
the  abases  among  the  clergy.  Ravenna  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  place  of  his  birth,  about  1007.  He  was  employed 
in  several  important  missions,  and  rewarded  by  Stephen  IX 
with  the  dignity  of  cardinal,  and  the  bishopric  of  Ostia,  to 
which,  however,  he  preferred  his  former  retreat  in  the  monas- 
tery of  Fonte  Avellana,  and  prevailed  on  Alexander  II.  to 
permit  him  to  retire  tiiither.  Yet  he  did  not  long  continue 
in  this  seclusion,  before  he  was  sent  on  other  embassies.  He 
died  at  Faenza  in  1072.  His  letters  throw  much  light  on  the 
olMwnre  history  of  these  times.  Besides  them,  he  has  left 
several  treatises  on  sacred  and  ecclesiastical  subjects.  His 
eloquence  is  worthy  of  a  better  age."  Tirahoaeki^  Storia 
delta  Lett,  Ital.,  torn.  iii.  lib.  iv.  cap.  iL  He  it  mentioned  by 
Petrarch  de  Vita  Solit.,  lib.  ii.  $  iii.  cap.  xvii.  **Siquidem 
statum  ilium,  pompasqne  saxuli  suls  contribulibus  linquens, 
ipse  Italic  medio,  ad  tlnistrum  Apennini  latus,  quietissimam 
solitudinem,  de  qua  mnlta  conscripsit,  et  qu»  vetus  adhne 
fontis  Avellana  nomen  servat,  perituris  honoribus  preferen- 
dam  duzit,  ubi  non  minus  gloriose  postmodum  latuit  quam 
Innotuwat  prinram  Romae,  nee  dedecorl  illi  ftiit  alti  verticis 
retiiam  decns  squalenti  cilicio  peimntasse.**  Ptirar€im 
Opera.  Bneil.  J  571,  p.  966. 

*  Betide  the  Mriatie.'\  Some  editions  and  manuscripts 
have'*fti,"  instead  of  **fui.**  According  to  the  former  of 
these  readings,  S.  Pietro  Damiano  is  made  to  distinguish 
himself  ftom  S.  Piet-o  degli  Onesti,  sumamed  "II  Peccator,** 
founder  of  the  monastery  of  S.  Maria  del  Porto,  on  the  Adri- 
atic coast,  near  Ravenna,  who  died  1119,  at  about  eighty  years 
of  age.  If  it  could  be  ascertained  that  there  was  no  religioas 
ho«se  dedicated  to  the  blessed  Virgin,  before  that  founded  by 
Pietro  dcsli  Onesti,  to  which  the  other  Pietro  might  have  be* 
longed,  this  reading  would,  no  doubt,  be  preferable ;  bat  at 
present  it  seems  very  uncertain  which  is  the  right. 

*  The  hat.\    The  cardinal*s  hat. 
«  Cefkae.\    St.  Peter. 

*  Tie  Hdn  Spirit* e  vessel.]  St  Paul.  See  Hell,  Canto  IL  » 

33 


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514  THE  YiaON.  J»<t» 

Spfemd  their  broad  mantles,  «o  as  both  the  beaali 
Are  cover'd  with  one  skm.    O  patiemoe !  thou 
That  look'st  on  this,  and  dost  endure  so  kni^.** 

I  at  those  accents  saw  the  splendors  down 
From  step  to  step  alight,  and  wheel,  and  wax, 
Each  circuiting,  more  beautifoL    Roimd  this^ 
They  came,  and  stay'd  them ;  ntter'd  then  a  riioat 
60  loud,  it  hath  no  likeness  here :  not  I 
Wist  what  it  spake,  so  deafening  ^  as  the  thunder. 

CANTO  XXII 

ARGUMENT. 
Ho  beholds  many  other  spirits  of  the  deront  and  eontemnla' 
tive;  and  among  these  is  addressed  by  Saint  Benedict, 
who,  aAer  disclosing  liis  own  name  and  the  names  of  cer- 
tain of  his  companions  in  bliss,  replies  to  the  request  made 
by  onr  Poet  tliat  he  might  look  on  the  form  of  the  saint, 
without  that  covering  of  splendor,  which  then  invested  it; 
and  then  proceeds,  lastly,  to  inveigh  against  the  corruption 
of  the  monks.  Next  Dante  mounts  with  liis  heavenly  con- 
ductress to  the  eighth  heaven,  or  that  of  the  fixed  stars, 
which  he  enters  at  the  constellation  of  the  Twins ;  and 
thence  looking  back,  reviews  all  the  space  he  has  passed 
between  his  present  station  and  the  earth. 

Astounded,  to  the  guardian  of  my  steps 
I  tum*d  me,  li^e  the  child,  who  always  nms 
Thither  for  succor,  where  he  trusteth  most: 
And  she  was  like  the  mother,'  who  her  son 
Beholding  pale  and  breathless,  with  her  voice 
Sooths  hun,  aild  he  is  cheer'd ;  for  thus  she  spake. 
Soothing  me :  "  Know*st  not  thou,  thou  art  in  heaven? 
And  know'st  not  thou,  whatever  is  in  heaven, 
Is  holy ;  and  that  nothing  there  is  done, 
But  is  done  zealously  ana  well?    Deem  now. 
What  change  in  thee  the  song,  and  what  my  smile 
Had  wrought,  since  thus  the  shout  had  power  to 

move  thee ; 
In  which,  couldst  thou  have  understood  their  prayeiBy 
The  vengeance*  were  already  known  to  thee. 
Which  thou  must  witness  ere  thy  mortal  hour. 

1  Round  this.]    Round  the  spirit  of  netro  Damiono. 
s  Like  tke  mother.] 

Come  la  madre.  che  U  fighuol  aseolta 
Dietfo  a  se  inangner,  si  volge,  ed  aapetta, 
Pol  il  prende  per  mano  e  da  la  volta. 

Ftzio  digii  CTSertt,  DiUamondOf  lib.  ill.  capw  SI 
s  ITke  vengeance.]    Beatrice,  it  is  supposed,  intinuvlis  the 
iqqvoaching  &te  of  BonifiiGe'  Vm.    See  Purgatory,  Oiails 
11.88. 


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16-^  PARADISE,  Canto  XXII.  5iS 

The  sword  of  heayen  is  not  in  haste  to  smite, 
Nor  yet  doth  linger ;  save  unto  his  seeming, 
Who,  in  desire  or  fear,  doth  look  for  it 
But  elsewhere  now  I  bid  thee  torn  thy  view ; 
So  idialt  thou  many  a  famous  spirit  behold." 

Mine  eyes  directing,  as  she  will'd,  I  saw 
A  hundred  little  spheres,  that  fairer  grew 
By  interchange  of  splendor.    I  remam'd, 
As  one,  who  fearful  of  o'ermuch  presuming. 
Abates  in  him  the  keenness  of  desire. 
Nor  dares  to  question ;  when,  amid  those  peaiis. 
One  largest  and  most  lustrous  onward  drew. 
That  it  might  3rield  contentment  to  my  wish ; 
And,  from  within  it,  these  the  sounds  I  heard. 

*'  If  thou,  like  me,  beheld'st  the  charity 
That  bums  among  us ;  what  thy  mind  conceives. 
Were  utter'd.    But  that,  ere  the  lofty  bound 
Thou  reach,  expectance  may  not  weary  thee  ; 
I  will  make  answer  even  to  the  thought. 
Which  thou  hast  such  respect  of.    In  old  days. 
That  mountain,  at  whose  dde  Cassino'  rests. 
Was,  on  its  height,  frequented  by  a  race* 
Deceived  and  iU-disposed :  and  I  it  was,' 

1  Cassiito.y  A  castle  in  the  Terra  di  Lavcnro.  **  The  learned 
Benedictine,  D.  Angelo  della  Noce,  in  his  notes  on  the  chron- 
icle of  the  monasteiY  of  Cassino,  (Not.  cxL)  corrects  the 
error  of  Claverios  and  Eftenus,  who  describe  Cassino  as  situ- 
ated in  the  same  place  where  the  monastery  now  is ;  at  the 
same  time  commending  the  veracity  of  our  author  in  this 
passage,  which  places  Cassino  on  the  side  of  the  mountain, 
and  points  out  the  monastery  founded  by  Saint  Benedict  oa 
its  summit.*'    Lombardi, 

*  Preqyented  hy  a  race."]  Lombardi  here  cites  an  apposite 
passage  from  the  writings  of  Pope  Saint  Gregory.  **  Moat 
tria  millia,*'  hue  Dialog,,  lib.  ii.  cap.  a  **The  mountain, 
rising  for  the  space  <^  three  naiies,  stretches  its  top  towards 
the  sky,  where  was  a  very  andent  temple,  in  which,  after 
the  manner  of  the  old  heathens,  Apollo  was  worshipped  \tf 
the  foolish  rustics.  On  every  side,  groves  had  sprung  up  in 
honor  of  the  false  gods ;  and  in  these,  the  mad  multitude  of 
unbelievers  still  tended  cm  their  unhallowed  sacrifices.  Theie 
then  the  man  of  God  (Saint  Benedict)  arriving,  beat  in  faeces 

.  the  idols;  overturned  the  altar;  cut  down  the  groves;  and, 
in  the  very  temple  of  Apollo,  built  the  shrine  of  Saint  Mar- 
tin, placing  that  of  Saint  John  where  the  altar  of  Apollo  had 
stood ;  and,  by  his  continual  {nreaching,  called  the  multitude 
that  dwelt  round  about  to  the  true  fiilth.*' 

*  lit  vaa."]  "  A  new  order  of  monks,  which  in  a  manner 
absorbed  all  the  others  that  were  established  in  the  west,  was 
Instituted,  A.  D.  528,  by  Benedict  of  Nursia,  a  man  of  piety 
■ad  reputation  for  the  age  he  Hved  in.*'  MaeiaiiWt  Motktim 
Medea,  BhU^  vol.  ti.  cent  vi.  p.  3,  C.  2,  $  6. 


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616  THE  VISION.  9»-1i 

Who  thither  canied  first  the  name  of  Him, 
Who  brought  the  Boul-subliming  truth  to  man. 
And  such  a  speeding  grace  shone  over  me, 
That  from  theii*  impious  worship  I  reclaim'd 
The  dwellers  round  about,  who  with  the  world 
Were  in  delusion  lost.    These  other  flames, 
The  spirits  of  men  contemplative,  were  all 
Enliven'd  by  that  warmth,  whose  kindly  force 
Gives  birth  to  flowers  and  fruits  of  holiness. 
Here  is  Macarius ;'  Romoaldo*  here ; 
And  here  my  brethren,  who  their  steps  refrain'd 
Withm  the  cloisters,  and  held  finn  their  heart" 

I  answering  thus :  "  Thy  gentle  words  and  kind. 
And  this  the  cheerful  semblance  I  behold. 
Not  unobservant,  beaming  in  ye  all, 
Have  raised  assurance  in  me ;  wakening  it 
Full-blossom'd  in  my  bosom,  as  a  rose 
Before  the  sun,  when  the  consununate  flower 
Hn»  spread  to  utmost  amplitude.    Of  thee 
Therefore  entreat  I,  father,  to  declare 
If  I  may  gain  such  favor,  as  to  gaze 
Upon  thine  image  by  no  covering  veil*d." 

"  Brother !"  he  thus  rejoin'd,  "  m  the  last  eghen* 
Expect  completion  of  thy  lofty  aim : 
For  there  on  each  desire  completion  waits. 
And  there  on  mine ;  where  every  aim  is  found 
Perfect,  entire,  and  for  fulfilment  ripe. 
There  all  thmgs  are  as  they  have  ever  been : 
For  space  is  none  to  bound ;  nor  pole  divides. 
Our  ladder  reaches  even  to  that  clime ; 
And  80,  at  giddy  distance,  mocks  thy  view. 
Thither  the  patriarch  Jacob*  saw  it  stretch 


1  Mmearhu.]  Then  are  two  of  this  name  emimerated  by 
Mosheim  among  the  Greek  theologians  of  the  fourth  century, 
vol.  i.  cent  iv.  p.  11,  chap.  3,  $  9.  In  the  following  chapter, 
4  10,  it  is  said,  **  Maeariiis,  an  Egyptian  monk,  nndoabtedly 
deserves  the  first  rank  am<»g  the  practical  writers  of  this 
time,  as  his  works  displayed,  some  few  things  excepted,  the 
br^test  and  most  lovely  portraiture  of  sanctity  and  virtue.** 

*  Romoiildo.]    S.  Romoaldo,  a  native  of  Ravenna,  and  the  * 
founder  of  the  order  of  Camaldoli,  died  in  1027.    He  was  the 
author  of  a  ccmimentary  on  the  Psalms. 

*  Jnthe  last  sphere.]  The  Empyrean,  where  he  afterwards 
sees  Saint  Benedict,  Canto  xxxU.  30.  Beatified  sidrits,  though 
thev  have  difi^nt  heavens  allotted  them,  have  all  their  seat 
fai  that  higher  sphere. 

*  TlUpatriareh  Jaesb.}  "And  he  dreamed,  and  behold, 
a  laddm  set  np<m  the  earth,  and  ithe  top  of  it  reached  te 


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7l*U0.  PARAIHSE,  Camto  XXH.  517 

Its  topmost  round ;  when  it  i^[^ar*d  to  him 

With  angels  laden     But  to  mount  it  now 

None  lifts  his  foot  from  earth :  and  hence  my  rule 

Is  left  a  profitless  stain  upon  the  leaves  ; 

The  walls,  for  abbey  rea^d,  tum*d  into  dens ; 

The  cowls,  to  sacks  choked  up  with  musty  meaL 

Foul  usury  doth  not  more  lift  itself 

Against  God's  pleasure,  than  that  fruit,  which  maJctf 

The  hearts  of  monks  so  wanton :  for  whatever 

Is  in  the  church's  keeping,  all  pertains 

To  such,  as  sue  for  heayen's  sweet  sake ;  and  not 

To  those,  who  in  respect  of  kindred  claim. 

Or  on  more  vile  allowance.    Mortal  flesh 

Is  grown  so  dainty,  good  beginnings  last  not 

From  the  oak's  birth  unto  the  acorn's  setting. 

His  convent  Peter  founded  without  gold 

Or  silver ;  I,  with  prayers  and  fasting,  mme ; 

And  Francis,  his  in  meek  humility. 

And  if  thou  note  the  pomt,  whence  each  proceeds, 

Then  look  what  it  bath  err'd  to  ;  thou  shalt  find 

The  white  grown  murky.    Jordan  was  tum'd  back . 

And  a  less  wonder,  than  the  refluent  sea. 

May,  at  God's  pleasure,  work  amendment  here." 

So  saying,  to  his  assembly  back  he  drew : 
And  they  together  cluster'd  into  one  ; 
Then  all  roll  d  upward,  like  an  eddying  wmd. 

The  sweet  dame  beckon'd  me  to  follow  them: 
And,  by  that  influence  only,  so  prevail'd 
Over  my  nature,  that  no  natural  motion, 
Ascending  or  descending  here  below, 
Had,  as  I  mounted,  with  my  pennon  vied. 

So,  reader,  as  my  hope  is  to  return 
Unto  the  holy  triumph,  for  the  which 
I  oft-times  wail  my  sins,  and  smite  my  breast ; 
Thou  hadst  been  longer  drawing  out  and  thrusting 
Thy  finger  in  the  fire,  than  I  was,  ere 
The  sign,'  that  foUoweth  Taurus,  I  beheld. 
And  ent'tr'd  its  precinct    O  glorious  stars ! 
O  light  impregnate  with  exceeding  virtue ! 
To  whom  whatever  of  genius  lifteth  me 


heaven :  and  behold  the  angels  of  God  ascending  and  deseeni 
lag  on  it.*'  Om.  xzviU.  12.    So  Milton,  P.  L.,  b.  UL  510. 
The  stairs  were  snch,  as  whereon  Jacob  saw 
Angels  ascending  and  descending,  bands 
Of  guardians  bright 
*  7TU  »ign.'\   Tlie  constellatioa  of  Gemini 


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518  THE  VISION.  .11-141 

Abore  the  Tilgar,  mteftil  I  refer ; 

With  ye  the  parent*  of  all  mortal  life 

Arose  and  set,  when  I  did  first  inhale 

The  Tuscan  air ;  and  afterward,  when  grace 

Vonchsafed  me  entrance  to  the  lofty-  wheel* 

That  in  ib  oih  impels  ye»  fate  decreed 

My  passage  at  your  clone.    To  yon  my  sonl 

Derontly  sighs,  for  virtue,  even  now. 

To  meet  the  hard  emprize  that  draws  me  en. 

<*  Thou  art  so  near  the  sum'  of  blessedness,'' 
Said  Beatrice,  "  that  behooves  thy  ken 
Be  vigilant  and  clear.    And,  to  this  end, 
Or  ever  thoa  advance  thee  further,  hence 
Look  downward,  and  contemplate,  what  a  world 
Already  stretch'd  under  our  feet  there  lies : 
So  as  thv  heart  may,  in  its  blithest  mood. 
Present  itself  to  the  triumphal  throng,         [joicmg." 
Which,  through  the   ethereal  concave,  comes  re- 

I  straight  obKsy'd ;  and  with  mine  eye  retum'd 
Through  all  the  seven  spheres ;  and  saw  this  globe' 
So  pitiAil  of  semblance,  that  perforce 
It  moved  my  smiles :  and  him  in  truth  I  hold 
For  wisest,  who  esteems  it  least ;  whose  thoughts 
Elsewhere  are  fix'd,  him  worthiest  call  and  b^t 
I  saw  the  daughter  of  Latona  shine 
Without  the  shadow,^  whereof  late  I  deem'd 
That  dense  and  rare  were  cause.    Here  I  sustam'd 
The  visaee,  Hyperion,  of  thy  son  f 
And  mark'd,  how  near  him  with  their  circles,  round 
Move  Maia  and  Dione  ;*  here  discem'd 

1  Tike  parmt.}  The  gun  was  in  the  constellation  <^  the 
Twins  at  the  time  iof  Dante's  birth. 

*  The  leftf  wheel.]  The  eighth  heaven ;  that  of  the  fixe4 
■tan. 

*  Tht§  globe.]    So  Chancer,  Troilos  and  Cresseide,  b.  v 

And  down  tmm  thence  &st  he  gan  aviso 

This  little  spot  of  earth,  that  with  the  sea 

Embfaced  is,  and  Aillf  gan  despise 

Tliis  wretched  wodd 

All  the  world  as  to  mine  eye 

No  nuure  seemed  than  a  prute. 

Temple  of  Hme,  b.  IL 
Compare  Cicero.  Somn.  Sdp. "  Jam  ipsa  tena  ita  mihi  panra 
visa  est,'*  4cc.    I^can,  Fhars.,  Ub.  ix.  11,  and  Tasse,  O  L., 
c  xiv.  St.  9, 10,  if. 
4  JTUhotU  the  shadffw.]    See  Canto  11. 71. 

*  Of  thy  eon.]    The  smi. 

*  Maia  and  Dione.]  The  planets  Mercnry  and  Venus: 
IHone  being  the  mother  of  the  latter,  and  Maia  of  the  fiHrmet 
ieity. 


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141-150.  PARADISE,  Camto  XXIII.  519 

Jove's  tempoTing  'twixt  his  siie  and  (ton  ;^  and  hence 
Their  changes  and  thebr  yarieus  aspects, 
Digtmctly  scanned.    Nor  might  I  not  descry 
Of  all  the  seven,  how  bulky  each,  how  swift ; 
Nor,  of  their  several  distances,  not  learn. 
This  petty  area  (o*er  the  which  we  stride 
So  fiercely)  as  along  the  eternal  Twins 
I  wound  my  way,  appeared  before  me  all, 
Forth  fh>m  the  havens  stretchM  unto  the  hills. 
Then,  to  the  beauteous  feyes,  mine  eyes  returu'd. 


CANTO    XXIII 

ARGUMENT. 

He  sees  Christ  trinmiAUig  with  his  church.  The  Savioiir 
ascends,  followed  by  his  virgin  Mother.  The  others  re- 
main with  Saint  Peter. 

E'en  as  the  bird,  who  midst  the  leafy  bower 
Has,  m  her  nest,  sat  darkling  through  the  night. 
With  her  sweet  brood ;  impatient  to  descry 
Their  wished  looks,  and  to  bring  home  their  food, 
In  the  fond  quest  unconscious  of  her  toil : 
She,  of  the  tuhe  prevenient,  on  the  spray. 
That  overhangs  their  couch,  with  wakeful  gaze 
Expects  the  sun ;  nor  ever,  till  the  dawn, 
Removeth  from  the  east  her  eager  ken : 
So  stood  the  dame  erect,  and  bent  her  glance 
Wistfully  on  that  region,'  where  the  sun 
Abateth  most  his  speed ;  that,  seeing  her 
Suspense  and  wondering,  I  became  as  one, 
In  whom  desire  is  waken'd,  and  the  hope 
Of  somewhat  new  to  come  fills  with  delight 

Short  i^>ace  ensued ;  I  was  not  held,  I  say^ 
Long  in  expectance,  when  I  saw  the  heaven 
Wax  more  and  more  resplendent ;  and  "  Behold," 
Cried  Beatrice,  "  the  triumphal  hosts 
Of  Christ,  and  all  the  harvest  gather'd  m. 
Made  ripe  by  these  revolving  spheres."    Meseem'd, 
rhat,  while  she  spake,  her  image  all  did  bum ; 
And  in  her  eyes  such  fulness  was  of  joy, 
As  I  am  fain  to  pass  unconstmed  by. 

^  *  Twixt  hi*  sire  and  son.]    Betwixt  Satnm  and  Mars. 

*  TTUU  r^iftbn.]  Towards  the  south,  where  the  course  of 
the  sun  appears  less  rapid  than  wl^n  he  is  in  the  east  or  the 
west. 


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iiO  THETBKXN. 

As  IB  tbe  eafan  AiU  mocMi,  when  Trim' 
In  peeriMi  beauty,  'mid  the  eternal  nymphs,* 
That  paint  through  all  its  gulis  the  blue  profound ; 
In  bright  pie-emiuence  so  saw  I  there 
0*er  million  lamps  a  sun,  from  whom  all  drew 
Their  radiance,  as  firom  oars  the  starry  train: 
And,  through  the  living  light,  so  lustrous  glow'd 
The  substance,  that  my  ken  endured  it  not. 

0  Beatrice !  sweet  and  precious  guide. 
Who  cheer'd  me  with  her  comforti£le  words: 
**  Against  the  yirtue,  that  o*erpowereth  thee, 
Avub  not  to  resist    Here  is  the  Might,* 
And  here  the  WtBdom,  which  did  <^n  lay 
The  path,  that  had  been  yearned  fyr  so  long. 
Betwixt  the  heaven  and  earth."    Like  to  the  fire» 
That,  m  a  cloud  iroprison'd,  doth  break  out 
Expansive*,  so  that  from  its  womb  enlarged. 
It  falleth  against  nature  to  the  ground ; 
Thus,  in  that  heavenly  banqueting,  my  soul 
Outgrew  herself;  and,  in  the  transport  lost, 
Holdi  now  remembrance  none  of  what  she  was. 

"  Ope  thou  thine  eyes,  and  mark  me :  thou  hast 
Things,  that  empower  thee  to  sustain  my  smile." 

1  was  as  one,  when  a  forgotten  dream* 
Doth  come  across  him,  and  he  strives  in  vain 

1  TVtoM.]    A  name  of  Diana, 
s  Tke  eternal  m^fmpke.}    The  stars. 
ZtXdva  Tt  Kar*  alBtpH, 
Am^dS*,  %¥*  itKv06ai  v^/i^at 
'Iinrc^Avai  SC  Spfpatat, 

Enr^.  SvpP'*  9d5*  Edit  Barnes. 

Those  itany  nympbi,  which  dance  aboat  the  pole. 

Drummondy  Sonnet. 

Masfrave  and  Herman  wonld  dismiss  the  word  y^^^oi, 

nymphs,**  ftom  this  passage  in  Enripides ;  bat  the  use  of  it 

our  anttKNT  in  the  text  tends  to  prove  that  it  is  the  sena- 

readinf ;  and  it  is  thns  that  poets  of  the  most  distant 

r,  and  without  anv  knowledge  of  each  other's  writings, 
we  can  scarcely  imagine  Dante  to  have  read  the  plays 
Sf  Eniipides,)  may  often  protect  one  another  agafaist  the  vwtial 
critics.  Drammond,  I  believe,  had  leamii^i  enoogh  to  be 
indebted  to  either  of  his  predecessors.  Expressions  some 
■what  similar,  in  Theocritos  and  TibnUns,  are  observed  by 
Varidand. 

*  71«  Migkl,]    Oar  Savioor. 

*  Jt  fergmen  drmm.] 

—  Ton  might  as  w^ 
float  half  a  day  for  a  foiiottea  dieam. 

trardeworth^  Heart-Leap  WeU, 


by. 
ine 


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SCh65.  PARABI8E,  Canto  XXIII.  691 

To  shape  it  in  his  flantasy  again : 

When  as  that  gracious  boon  was  projQTer'd  me, 

Which  never  may  be  cancell'd  from  the  booJL 

Wherein  the  past  is  written.     Now  were  all 

Those  tongues  to  sound,  that  have,  on  sweetest  milk 

Of  Polyhymnia  and  her  sisters,  fed 

And  fattened ;  not  with  all  their  help  to  boot, 

Unto  the  thousandth  parcel  of  the  truth, 

My  song  might  shadow  forth  that  saintly  smile, 

How  merely,  in  her  saintly  looks,  it  wrought 

And,  with  such  figuring  of  Paradise, 

The  sacred  jtrain  must  leap,  like  one  that  meets 

A  sudden  interruption  to  his  road. 

But  he,  who  thinks  how  ponderous  the  theme. 

And  that  'tis  laid  upon  a  mortal  shoulder. 

May  pardon,  if  it  tremble  with  the  burden. 

The  track,  our  venturous  keel  must  furrow,  brooks 

No  uuribb'd  pinnace,  no  self-sparing  pilot. 

"  Why  doth  my  face,"  said  Beatrice,  "  thus 
Enaroor  thee,  as  that  thou  dost  not  turn 
Unto  the  beautiful  garden,  blossoming 
Beneath  the  rays  of  Christ?     Here  is  the  rose,' 
Wherein  the  Word  Divine  was  made  incarnate ; 
And  here  the  lilies,'  by  whose  odor  known 
The  way  of  life  was  followed."     Prompt  I  heard 
Her  bidding,  and  encounter'd  once  again 
The  strife  of  aching  vision.     As,  erewhile. 
Through  glance  of  sun-light,  stream'd  through  bro* 

ken  cloud. 
Mine  eyes  a  flower-besprinkled  mead  have  seen ; 
Though  veil'd  themselves  in  shade :  so  saw  I  there 
Legions  of  splendors,  on  whom  burning  rays 
Shed  lightnings  from  above ;  yet  saw  I  not 
The  fountain  whence  they  flow'd.  O  gracious  virtue ! 
Thou,  whose  broad  stamp  is  on  them,  higher  up 
Thou  didst  exalt  thy  glory,*  to  give  room 
To  my  o'erlabor'd  sight ;  when  at  the  name 


1  The  rose.]  The  Yirgin  Mary,  who,  says  Lombardi,  Is 
terihed  by  the  church,  Rosa  Mystica.  "  I  was  exalted  like  a 
palm-tree  in  Engaddi,  and  as  a  rose-plant  in  Jericho.**  Ec 
eUeiattieuSf  iziv.  14. 

s  The  lilieg.}  The  Apostles  "  And  give  ye  a  sweet  savor 
as  frankineense,  and  floorish  as  a  lily."  Eccle«iatticu», 
zxxix.14. 

•  Thou  didst  exalt  thy  glory.\  The  divine  light  retired  up- 
ward ;  to  render  the  eyes  of  Dante  more  capable  of  endiiring 
tke  spectacle  whirh  now  presented  itself. 


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589  THETMON.  8»-.9ft 

Of  that  fair  flower,*  wlu»n  duly  I  inToke 

Both  mom  and  ere,  my  soul  with  all  her  might 

Collected,  on  the  goodliest  ardor  fix*d. 

And,  as  the  hiight  dimensions  of  the  star 

In  heaven  excelling,  as  once  here  <m  earth, 

Were,  in  my  eye-lMdls  Krelily  portray*d ; 

Lo !  from  withm  the  sky  a  cresset'  fell. 

Circling  in  fashion  of  a  diadem ; 

And  girt  the  star ;  and,  horering,  round  it  wheel'd. 

Whatever  mekiidy  sounds  sweetest  here, 
And  draws  the  spirit  most  nnto  itself. 
Might  seem  a  rent  cloud,  when  it  grates  the  thunder ; 
Compared  unto  the  sounding  of  that  lyre,* 
Wherewith  the  goodliest  sapphbe,*  that  hilays 
The  floor  of  heaven,  was  crown'd.    "  Angelic  Love . 
I  am,  who  thus  with  hovering  flight  enwheel 
The  lofty  rapture  from  that  womb  inspired. 
Where  our  desire  did  dwell :  and  round  thee  so, 
Lady  of  Heaven !  will  hover ;  lon^  as  thou 
Thy  Son  shalt  follow,  and  diviner  joy 
Shall  from  thy  presence  gild  the  highest  sphere." 

Such  close  was  to  the  circling  melody : 
And,  as  it  ended,  all  the  other  Ughts 
Took  up  the  strain,  and  echoed  Mary's  name. 

The  robe,*  that  with  its  regal  folds  enwraps 
The  world,  and  with  the  nearer  breath  of  God 
Doth  bum  and  quiver,  held  so  far  retired 
Its  inner  hem  and  skirtmg  over  us. 
That  yet  no  glimmer  of  its  majesty 
Had  streamed  unto  me :  therefore  were  mine  eyes 
Unequal  to  pursue  the  crowned  flame,' 
That  towering  rose,  and  sought  the  seed'  it  bore. 
And  like  to  babe,  that  stretches  forth  its  arms 
For  very  eagerness  toward  the  breast. 
After  the  milk  is  taken ;  so  outstretched 
Their  wavy  summits  all  the  fervent  band. 
Through  zealous  love  to  Mary :  then,  in  view, 

» THename 

Of  that  fair  JUnoer.)    The  name  of  the  Virgin, 
s  ^  cresset.}    The  angel  Gabriel. 
>  That  Iffre.}    By  synecdoche,  the  lyre  is  /at  for  the  anflel 

*  The  goodliest  sapphire,]    The  Virgin. 

•  The  robe.\    The  ninth  heaven,  the  prhnnm  mobile,  thai 
enfolds  and  moves  the  eight  lower  heavens. 

•  The  crowned  JUme.]   The  Virgin,  with  the  angel  iMVtr 
Uig  over  her. 

*  The  soed.]   Oar  Savionr. 


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IS9-134.         PARADISE,  Canto  XXIV  533 

There  halted ;  and  **  Regina  Coeli"^  sang 
So  sweetly,  the  delight  hath  left  me  ne^er. 
Oh !  what  o'erflowing  plenty  is  up-piled 
In  those  rich-laden  coffers,'  which  below 
Sow'd  the  good  seed,  whose  harvest  now  they  keepw 
Here  are  the  treasures  tasted,  that  with  tears 
Were  in  the  Babylonian  exile*  won. 
When  gold  had  fail'd  them.    Here,  in  synod  lugh 
Of  ancient  council  with  the  new  convened. 
Under  the  Son  of  Mary  and  of  God, 
Victorious  he*  his  mighty  triumph  holds. 
To  whom  the  keys  of  glory  were  assigned. 


CANTO    XXIV. 


ARGUMENT. 


Baint  Peter  examines  Dante  tonching^^th,  and  is  ctmteniei 
with  liis  answers. 

"  O  TB !  in  chosen  fellowship  advanced 
To  the  great  supper  of  the  blessed  Lamb, 
Whereon  who  feeds  hath  every  wish  fulfill'd ; 
If  to  this  man  through  God's  grace  be  vouchsafed 
Foretaste  of  that,  which  from  your  table  falls, 
Or  ever  death  his  fated  term  prescribe ; 
Be  ye  not  heedless  of  his  urgent  will : 
But  may  some  influence  of  your  sacred  dews 
Sprinkle  him.     Of  the  fount  ye  alway  drink, 
Whence  flows  what  most  he  craves.''  Beatrice  spake ; 
And  the  rejoicing  spirits,  like  to  iq>here8 
On  firm-set  poles  revolving,  trail'd  a  blaze 
Of  comet  iq>lendor :  and  as  wheels,  that  wind 
Their  circles  in  the  horologe,  so  work 
The  stated  rounds,  that  to  the  observant  eye 
The  first  seems  still,  and  as  it  flew,  the  last ; 
E'en  thus  their  carols^  weaving  variously, 

1  Regina  CalQ  "  The  beginning  of  an  anthem,  sang  by 
the  church  at  Eiister,  in  honor  of  our  Lady."    Volpi, 

«  Those  rich-laden  coffers.]  Those  spirits,  who,  having 
sown  the  seed  of  good  works  on  earth,  now  contain  the  fruit 
of  their  pious  endeavors. 

s  Tn  the  Babylonian  ^ile.]  During  their  abode  in  this 
world. 

*  He.]  St.  Peter,  with  the  other  holy  men  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament. 

*  Their  caries.]  Carole.  The  annotator  on  the  Monte  Cas^ 
^o  MS.  observes,  **  Carole  dlcontur  tripudiom  qaoddam 


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684  THE  \1SI0N.  18-at 

They,  by  the  measure  paced,  or  swift,  or  8.0W, 
Made  me  to  rate  the  riches'  of  their  joy. 

From  that,'  which  I  did  note  in  beauty  most 
Excelling,  saw  I  issue  forth  a  flame 
So  bright,  as  none  was  left  more  goodly  there. 
Round  Beatrice  thrice  it  wheel'd  about, 
With  so  divine  a  song,  that  fancy's  ear 
Records  it  not ;  and  the  pen  passeth  on, 
And  leaves  a  blank :  for  that  our  mortal  i^eech. 
Nor  e*en  the  inward  shaping  of  the  brain. 
Hath  colors  fine  enough  to  trace  such  folda* 

"  O  samtly  sister  mine !  thy  prayer  devout 
Is  with  so  vehement  ajSection  urged. 
Thou  dost  unbind  meifirom  that  beauteous  sphere." 

Such  were  the  accents  towards  my  lady  breathed 

quod  fit  saliendo,  at  NapoUtani  faeiont  et  dlctuit.'*  The 
word  had  also  that  significatioii,  which  is  now  the  only  one 
that  common  use  attaches  to  It.  "  An  tiers  jour  il  s*eB 
IMitit,*'  (the  king  of  Ofprns  coming  from  Canterbury  to  Ed- 
ward III..)  "  et  chevaacha  le  chemin  de  Londres ;  et  fit  tant 
quUl  Vint  a  Altem ;  on  le  roi  se  tenoit,  et  grand  foison  de 
Seigneurs  appareili^s  poor  le  recevoir.  Ce  fat  an  dimenche 
a  heore  de  relevee  qa*il  vint  Ik.  Si  eat  entre  celle  heare  et 
le  souper  grans  danses  et  grans  karolles.  Li  etoit  le  Jeane 
Seigneur  de  Coucy  qui  8*efforcoit  de  bien  danser  et  de  bien 
chapter  quand  son  tour  venoit,  Ate."  Droissart,  vcd.  L  cap. 
319.  Fol.  edit.  155Q. 

These  foike,  of  which  I  tell  you  so, 
Upon  a  karole  wenten  tho : 
A  ladle  karoled  hem,  that  hight 
Gladnesse,  biissfuil,  and  light, 
Well  could  she  sing  and  lustely. 

OUtecer,  Romaunt  of  the  Rose,  Edit  1602,  fol.  113. 
I  saw  her  daunce  so  comely, 
Carol  and  sing  so  swetely. 
Ckaucert  The  Dreaane,  or  Boeke  of  the  DueketsOf  fol.  33L 
1  Tike  riekee.]    Lombardi  here  reads  with  the  Nldobeatina 
edition,  *'  dalla  richezza,"  instead  of  "  della  ricchezza,"  and 
construes  it  of  the  ampliUtde  of  the  circles,  according  to  which 
the  Poet  estimated  their  greater  or  less  degree  of  velocity.    I 
have  followed  the  other  commentat(»8. 

*  F)rom  that.]    Saint  Peter. 

•  Such  foldo.]    Pindar  has  the  same  bold  image : 

iftimv  m^ais.  0. 1. 170 
which  both  the  Scholiast  and  Heyne,  I  think  erroneonsly, 
understand  of  the  return  of  the  strophes.  Since  this  note 
was  written,  I  have  found  the  same  interpretation  of  Pindar*s 
•xpressioB  as  that  I  had  adopted,  in  the  manuscript  notes  <m 
that  poet  collected  by  Mr.  St.  Amand,  and  preserved  in  the 
Bodleian  Lilurary,  No.  42.  "Notandnm:  maximum  decus 
vestimentl  antiqultus  sinue  existimabantur,  ita  ut  vix  nn 
quam  a  poetis  tam  Gnecis  quam  Latinis  vestia  pclchra  de 
•cribato?  fine  hoc  a^uncto." 


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a»^.  PARADISE,  Canto  XXTV.  (dft 

From  that  blest  ardor,  soon  as  it  was  ■tay'd ; 
To  whom  she  thus :  '*  O  everlasting  light 
Of  him,  within  whose  mighty  grasp  our  Lord 
Did  leave  the  keys,  which  of  this  wondrous  bliss 
He  bare  below !  tent'  this  man  as  thou  wilt. 
With  lighter  probe  or  deep,  touching  the  faith, 
By  the  which  thou  didst  on  the  billows  walk. 
If  he  in  love,  in  hope,  and  in  belief. 
Be  steadfast,  is  not  hid  from  thee :  for  thou 
Hast  there  thy  ken,  where  all  things  are  beheld 
In  liveliest  portraiture.    But  since  true  faith 
Has  peopled  this  fair  reahn  with  citizens ; 
Meet  is,  that  to  exalt  its  glory  more. 
Thou,  in  his  audience,  shoul&t  thereof  discourse.** 

Like  to  the  bachelor,  who  arms  himself. 
And  speaks  not,  till  the  master  have  proposed 
The  question,  to  approve,'  and  not  to  end  it ; 
So  I,  in  silence,  arm'd  me,  while  she  spake, 
Summoning  up  each  argument  to  aid ; 
As  was  behooveful  for  such  questioner, 
And  such  profession :  "  As  good  Christian  ought. 
Declare  thee,  What  is  faith?"  Whereat  I  raised 
My  forehead  to  the  light,  whence  this  had  breathed ; 
Then  tum'd  to  Beatrice ;  and  m  her  looks 
Approval  met,  that  from  their  inmo^  fount 
I  should  unlock  the  waters.    "  May  the  grace, 
That  giveth  me  the  captain  of  the  church 
For  confessor,*'  said  I,  **  vouchsafe  to  me 
Apt  utterance  for  my  thoughts;"  then  added:  "Sire! 
E'en  as  set  down  by  the  unerring  style 
Of  thy  dear  brother,  who  with  thee  conspired 
To  bring  Rome  in  unto  the  way  of  life, 
Faith'  of  thmgs  hoped  is  substance,  and  the  proof 
Of  things  not  seen ;  and  herein  doth  consist 

»  TTwO.]  Tenta.  The  wori  "  tont,'*  trf,  is  used  by  oof 
old  writers,  who,  I  think,  usiAlly  spell  it  "taint;**  as  Mas- 
singer,  Parliament  of  Love,  act  iv.  sc  3.  "Do  not  fear,  I 
have  a  staff  to  taint,  and  bravely.*' 

s  TV  ^prove.]  "  Per  approbarla.**  Landino  has  "  aiatarla.** 
'*The  bachelor,  or  disputant  In  the  school,  arms  or  {nrepares 
himself  to  discuss  the  question  proposed  bv  the  master. 
Whose  business  it  is  to  terminate  it'*  Snch  is  Yelluteilo's 
Interpretation ;  and  it  has  the  merit  of  being,  at  least,  mors 
intellifible  than  Lombardi's,  who,  without  reason,  accuses 
the  other  commentators,  except  Venturi,  (whose  •zplanatioa 
he  i^ects.)  of  passing  over  the  difficulty. 

>fb«t4.]  Hebrews,  xi.  1.  So  Marino,  in  one  of  his  sonnetih 
Wkkh  he  calls  Divodooi . 

Fade  i  sostaosa  di  sperata  cose, 
BdeUs  BOB  TislbUi  aigomento. 


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9m  THE  VXKQN.  m-m 

Methinki  its  enuioe.''— «  RicfaUy  haat  thoa  deem'd," 
Was  aiiswer*d ;  « if  thoa  well  discern,  why  firai 
He  hath  defined  it  substance,  and  then  proof 

«<The  deq>  thmgs,"  I  replied,  "which  here  I 
scan 
Distinctly,  are  below  from  mortal  eye 
So  hidden,  they  have  m  belief  alone 
Their  being ;  on  which  credence,  hope  sablune 
Is  built :  and,  therofore  substance,  it  intends. 
And  inasmuch  as  we  must  needs  infer 
From  such  belief  our  roasoning,  all  reqpect 
To  o|her  view  excluded ;  hence  of  proof 
The  mtention  is  derived."    Forthwith  I  heard . 
**  If  thus,  whatever  by  learning  men  attam, 
Wero  understood ;  the  sophist  would  want  room 
To  exercise  his  wit"    So  breathed  the  flame 
Of  40ve ,  then  added :  "  Current'  is  the  com 
Thou  utter'st,  both  m  weight  and  in  alloy. 
But  tell  me,  if  thou  hast  it  in  thy  purse." 

"  Even  so  glittering  and  so  round,"  said  I, 
'*  I  not  a  whit  misdoubt  of  its  assay." 

Next  issued*  from  the  deep-imbosom'd  ^lend(Nr 
<'  Say,  whence  the  costly  jewel,  on  the  which 

1  CwnrenL]  "The  answer  thou  hast  made,  is  richt:  hot 
let  me  know  if  thy  inward  persuasion  be  conformable  to  thy 
{MTofession.** 

s  JV«xt  isnted.]  "  We  find  that  the  more  men  have  been 
acquainted  with  the  practice  of  Christianity,  tlie  greater  evi- 
dence they  have  had  cf  the  truth  of  it,  and  been  more  fVilly 
and  rationally  persuaded  of  it.  To  such  I  grant  there  aie 
■nch  powerfhl  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ 
by  the  eflfectual  workings  of  the  spirit  of  God  upon  their 
souls,  that  all  other  arguments,  as  to  their  own  satisihciion, 
may  fall  short  of  these.  As  to  which,  those  verses  of  the 
poet  Daates,  rendered  into  Latin  bv  F.  S.,  are  very  pertinent 
and  significant;  for  when  be  had  introduced  the  Apostle 
Peter,  asking  hhn  what  it  was  which  his  faith  was  founded 
oot  he  answers, 

Delude  exivit  ex  luce  proftmda 

Qns  Ulic  splendebat  pretiosa  gemma, 

Super  qnam  omnis  virtus  Amdatur. 
i.  e.  That  God  was  pleased  by  immediate  revelation  of  him 
self,  to  discover  that  divine  truth  to  the  worid  whereon  our 
&ith  doth  stand  as  on  its  sure  foundation ;  but  when  the 
Apostle  goes  on  to  inquire  how  he  knew  tliis  at  first  < 
from  God,  his  answer  to  that  is, 

larga  plnvia 

Spiritus  Sancti,  quie  est  diffusa 
Supwr  veteres  et  super  novas  membraaas 
Est  syllogismns  ille  qui  eam  mihi  conclnsit 
Adeo  acute,  ut  pre  ilia  demonstratlone 
Omnis  demonttratio  alia  mihi  videatiir  c 


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»4(».         PARADISE,  Camio  XXIV  SSn 

Is  founded  overy  yirtue,  came  to  thee." 

'<  The  flood,"  I  answer'd,  "  from  the  Spirit  of  God 
Rain'd  down  upon  the  ancient  bond  and  new»' — 
Here  is  the  reasoning,  that  convinceth  me 
So  feelingly,  each  argument  beside 
Seems  blunt,  and  forceless,  in  comparison." 
Then  heard  I :  "  Wherefore  boldest  thou  that  each; 
The  elder  proposition  and  the  new, 
Which  80  persuade  thee,  are  the  voice  of  heaven?" 

"  The  works,  that  followed,  evidence  their  truth  f* 
I  answer'd :  "  Nature  did  not  make  for  these 
The  iron  hot,  or  on  her  anvil  mould  them." 

**  Who  voucheth  to  thee  of  the  works  themselves," 
Was  the  reply,  "  that  they  in  very  deed 
Are  that  they  purport?  None  hath  sworn  so  to  thee." 

«  That  all  the  world,'**  said  I,  "  should  have  been 
To  Christian,  and  no  miracle  been  wrought,    [tum*d 


t. «.  That  the  Spirit  of  God  doth  so  fiilly  discover  itself  both 
In  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  tliat  all  other  ai^^nments  are 
but  dull  and  heavy  if  compared  with  this.**    SUUituJUetj  Or. 
fitt.,  b.  ii.  chap.  ix.  sect.  xix.  $  4.    The  reader  will  perceive 
that  onr  learned  divine  has  made  an  error  in  his  qaotaUon 
of  this  passage. 
1  like  aneinU  Undand  nefo.]    The  Old  and  New  Testament 
s  TTkat  aU  the  world.]    **We  cannot  conceive  how  the 
world  should  be  at  first  induced  to  believe  without  mani- 
fest and  uncontrolled  miracles.    For  as  Chry808t<Mn  speaks, 
si  tniittUtv  xi*(^S  iiraaaVf  iroXX^i  /lei^ov  rd  Oa^fia  ^(virau 
It  was  the  neatest  miracle  of  all,  if  the  world  should  believe 
without  miracles.    Which  the  poet  Dantes  hath  well  ex- 
pressed in  the  twenty-fourth  canto  of  Paradise.    For  when 
the  Apostle  is  there  brought  in,  asking  the  Poet  upon  what 
account  he  took  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa* 
ment  to  be  the  Word  of  God ;  his  answer  is, 
Probatio  qun  verum  hoc  mihi  recludit, 
Sunt  opera,  quae  secuta  sunt,  ad  qus  Natura 
Non  candefecit  ferrum  unquam  aut  percussit  incudem. 
L  e.  The  evidence  of  that  is  the  Divine  Power  of  miracles 
which  was  in  those  who  deliver'd  thos.)  things  to  the  world. 
And  when  the  Apostle  catechiseth  him  further,  how  he  knew 
Chose  miracles  were  such  as  they  iwetended  to  be,  vix.  that 
they  were  true  and  divine ;  his  answer  is, 

Si  orbis  teme  sese  convertit  ad  Christlanismum 

Inquifsbam  ego,  sine  miraculis ;  hoc  unum 

Est  tale,  nt  leliqua^non  sint  ejus  centesima  pars. 

i.  e.  If  the  world  should  be  converted  to  the  Christian  fiUth 
without  miracles,  this  would  be  so  great  a  miracle,  that  others 
were  not  to  be  ccHnpared  with  it.  I  conclude  this,  then,  with 
that  known  saying  of  St  Austin,  Ginisquis  adhuc  prodigia,  ut 
credat  inquiret  magnum  est  ipse  mrodigium  qui  mnndo 
credente  non  credit :  He  that  seeks  for  miracles  still  to  in* 
dvce  him  to  fiiith,  when  the  world  is  converted  to  .the  Ohiis* 


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BM  THE  VISION.  ia6-Ui 

Would  in  itself  be  tuch  a  miracle, 
The  rest  were  not  an  hundredth  part  so  great 
£*en  thoo  went'st  forth  in  poverty  and  hunger 
To  set  the  goodly  plant,  that,  from  the  vine 
It  once  was,  now  is  grown  unsightly  bramble." 

That  ended,  through  the  high  celestial  court 
Resounded  all  the  spheres,  "  Praise  we  one  God !" 
In  song  of  most  unearthly  melody. 
And  when  that  Worthy*  thus,  from  branch  to  temchi 
Examining,  had  led  me,  that  we  now 
Approach*d  the  topmost  bough ;  he  straight  resumed 
**  The  grace,  that  holds  sweet  dalliance  with  thy  soul« 
So  far  discreetly  hath  thy  lips  unclosed ; 
That  whatsoe'er  has  pass'd  them,  I  commend. 
Behooves  thee  to  express,  what  thou  believest. 
The  next ;  and,  whereon,  thy  belief  hath  grown.** 

**  O  samtly  sire  and  spirit !"  I  began, 
*'  Who  seest  that,  which  thou  didst  so  believe. 
As  to  outstrip*  feet  younger  than  thine  own. 
Toward  the  sepulcliffe ;  thy  will  is  here, 
That  I  the  tenor  of  my  creed  unfold  ; 
And  thou,  the  cause  of  it,  hast  likewise  ask'd. 
And  I  reply :  I  in  one  God  believe ; 
One  sole  eternal  Godhead,  of  whose  love 
Ail  heaven  is  moved,  himself  unmoved  the  while. 
Nor  demonstration  physical  alone, 
Or  more  intelligential  and  abstruse, 
Persuades  me  to  this  faith:  but  from  that  truth 


tian  &ith,  he  needs  not  seek  for  prodigies  abroad ;  he  wants 
only  a  looking-glass  to  discover  one.  For  as  he  goes  on,  Unde 
temporlbos  enidltis,  et  omne  quod  fieri  non  potest  respnen 
tibus,  sine  nllis  miraculis  niinium  mlrabiliter  incredibllia 
credidlt  mandos  1  Whence  came  it  to  pass  that  in  so  learned 
and  wary  an  age  as  that  was  which  the  Apostles  preached 
in,  the  w<Mrld  withoat  miracles  should  be  brought  to  believe 
thincs  so  strangely  incredible  as  those  were  which  Christ 
and  his  Ap  ^stles  preaeh'd  1**  StillingJUet^  Of.  So.,  b.  U.  chapk 
X.  sect  ▼.  $  i. 

Donne,  in  his  Sermons,  (vo  ii.  p.  315,  fol.  edit.,)  quotes  a 
similar  passage  from  Augustine,  ana  applies  it  to  the  demand 
for  miracles,  made  by  Roman  Catholics  on  Protestants. 

1  That  Worthy.}  Quel  Baron.  In  the  next  Canto,  St.  James 
is  called  "  Barone.*'  So  in  Boccaccio,  G.  vi.  N.  1(^  we  find 
"  Baron  Messer  Santo  Antonio." 

*^s  to  outstrw.]  Venturi  insists  that  the  Poet  has  here 
"made  a  slip;'*  for  that  John  came  first  to  the  sepulchre, 
though  Peter  was  the  first  to  enter  it.  But  let  Dante  have 
leave  to  explain  his  own  meaning,  in  a  passage  firom  hit 
third  book  De  Monarchic:  "Dicit  etlam  Johannes  ipsum 
(scilicit  Petrnm)  introiisse  subito,  cum  venit  in  monnmen* 
t8ni»  videns  alium  diseipolum  cimctantem  ad  ostiam.**  p.  14ft 


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114-151.  PARADISE,  Ca^tto  XXV  688 

It  Cometh  to  me  rather,  which  is  shed 

Through  Moses ;  the  rapt  Prophets ;  andthePsahns; 

The  Gospel ;  and  what  ye  yourselves  did  write. 

When  ye  were  gifted  of  the  Holy  Ghost 

In  three  eternal  Persons  I  believe ; 

Essence  threefold  and  one ;  mysterious  league 

Of  upion^absolute,  which,  many  a  time, 

The  word  of  gospel  lore  upon  my  mind 

Imprints :  and  ftom  this  germ,  this  firstling  sparic 

The  lively  flame  dilates ;  and,  like  heaven's  star. 

Doth  glitter  in  me."    As  the  master  hears. 

Well  pleased,  and  then  enfoldeth  in  his  arms 

The  servant,  who  hath  joyful  tidings  brought. 

And  having  told  the  errand  keeps  his  peace ; 

Thus  benediction  uttering  with  song. 

Soon  as  my  peace  I  held,  compass'd  me  thrice 

The  apostolic  radiance,  whose  behest 

Had  oped  my  lips :  so  well  their  answer  pleased 


CANTO  XXV 

ARGUMENT. 

flaint  James  questions  our  Poet  concerning  Hope  Next 
Saint  John  appears ;  and,  on  perceiving  that  iNuite  looks 
intently  on  him,  informs  him  that  he,  Saint  John,  had  left 
his  body  resolved  into  earth,  npon  the  earth ;  and  that 
Christ  and  the  Yiigin  alone  had  come  with  their  bodies 
Into  heaven. 

If  e'er  the  sacred  poem,  that  hath  made 
Both  heaven  and  eaith  copartners  in  its  toil. 
And  with  lean  abstmence,  through  many  a  year, 
Faded  my  brow,  be  destmed  to  prevail 
Over  the  cruelty,  which  bars  me  forth* 
Of  the  fair  sheepfold,*  where,  a  sleeping  lamb, 
The  wolves  set  on  and  fain  had  worried  me  ; 
With  other  voice,  and  fleece  of  other  grabf 
I  shall  forthwith  return ;  and,  standing  up 
At  my  baptismal  font,  shall  claim  the  wreath 
Due  to  the  poet's  temples :  for  I  there 
First  enter'd  on  the  faith,  which  maketh  souls 
Acceptable  to  Grod :  and,  for  its  sake,' 
Peter  had  then  circled  my  forehead  thus. 

Next  from  the  squadron,  whence  had  issued  forth 
The  first  firuit  of  Christ's  vicars  on  the  earth, 

1  T%§  fair  Bke^sld.]  Florence,  whence  he  was  hinlihs4 
*rkriu»Mk$.\   For  the  sake  of  that  fidth. 
28 


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iSO  THE  vmm.  n^m 

Toward  as  mond  a  ligfaft,  at  view  wfaenoT 
Mr  Lady,  full  of  g^adnooi,  ipake  to  me : 
''Lo!  lo!  behold  tho  peer  of  mickle  m^t. 
That  makes  Galicia  Uinuig'd  with  Tiatants."* 
Ai  when  the  rmg-dore  by  his  mate  alights ; 
In  circles,  earh  about  the  other  wheeb. 
And,  murmuring,  coos  his  fondness :  thus  saw  I 
One,  of  the  othei*  great  and  glorious  piince. 
With  kmdly  greeti^,  haU'd ;  eztoUmg,  botl^ 
Their  heavenly  banqueting:  but  when  an  end 
Was  to  their  gratulation,  silent,  each. 
Before  me  sat  they  down,  so  burning  bright, 
I  could  not  look  upon  them.    Smiling  then, 
Beatrice  spake :  "  O  life  in  glory  shnned ! 
Who*  didst  the  largess^  of  our  kingly  court 

1  Oalieia  tknmg'd  trith  vititants,]  See  Mariana,  Hist,  lib 
zi.  cap.  xUi.  **Ea  ei  tiempo."  ac«.  *"  At  the  time  that  the 
•epnichra  of  the  apostle  St.  James  was  discovered,  the  devo- 
tion for  that  place  extended  itself  not  only  over  all  Spain,  bat 
even  round  about  to  foreign  nations.  Multitades  from  all 
parto  of  the  wwld  eame  to  visit  it.  Many  others  were  de-  ' 
Jerred  by  the  difficulty  of  the  Jonmey,  by  the  roughness  and 
barrenness  of  those  parts,  and  by  the  incursions  of  the  Moors 
who  ma^  captives  many  of  the  pUgiims.--The  canons  of  St! 
Jloy,  anerwards,  (the  precise  time  is  not  known,)  witha  de^ 
•Iipe  of  remedying  these  evils,  built,  in  many  places,  along  the 
whole  road,  which  reached  as  fiur  as  to  France,  hospitals  for 
the  reception  of  the  pilgrims."  In  the  Convito,  p.  74,  we 
Bnd  "la  galassia,"  Jcc^  *^the  galaxy,  that  is.,  the  white  circle 
which  the  common  people  call  the  way  of  Saint  James ;"  on 
which  Biscioni  remarks:  "The  common  people  formerly 
considered  the  milky  way  as  a  sign  by  night  to  pilgrims,  whc 
were  going  to  Saint  James  of  Galicia ;  and  this  perhaps  arose  « 
from  the  resemblance  of  the  word  galaxy  to  Galicia.  I  have 
often,"  he  adds,  "  heard  women  and  peasants  call  it  the  Ro- 
man coad,"  "  laj(trada  di  Roma."      ^^ 

Lo  there  (quod  he)  cast  up  thine  eye, 

Se  yondir,  lo !  the  Galaxip, 

The  whlche  men  clepe  the  milky  way. 

For  it  is  white,  and  some  perfay, 

Ycallin  it  han  Watlynge  Strete. 

Chaucer^  The  House  ofFhnu,  Ik  tt. 
•One  of  the  fftker.]    Saint  Peter  and  Saint  James. 

.v'  ^'^  '"I®  ^*"*«  ^^  St.  James  is  here  attributed  le 
toe  elder  apostle  of  that  name,  whose  shrine  was  at  Com- 
postella,  in  Galicia.  Which  of  the  two  was  the  author  of  it, 
is  yet  doubtftil.  The  learned  and  candid  Micbaells  contends 
very  forcibly  for  its  having  been  written  by  James  the  Elder. 
Xianfaier  refects  that  opinion  as  absurd :  while  Benson  argues 
against  l^  but  is  well  answered  by  Michaelta,  who,  after  alL 
Is  obliged  to  leave  the  question  imdecided.  See  his  Intro- 
ducUon  to  the  New  Testament,  translated  by  Dr.  Marsh,  ed. 
Cambridge,  1793,  vol.  iv.  cap.  ixvi.  $  1,  2,  3.  Mr.  Home  sup 
foses,  that  as  the  elder  James  "  was  put  to  deadi  1^  Heied 


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ai-53.  PARADISE,  Canto  XXV.  531 

Set  down  with  faithful  pen ;  let  now  thy  voice, 
Of  hope  the  praises,  in  this  height  resound. 
For  well  thou  know'st,  who  figurest  it  as  oft,* 
As  Jesus,  to  ye  three,  more,  brightly  shone." 

"  Lift  up  thy  head  ;  and  be  thou  strong  in  trmt: 
For  that,  which  hither  from  the  mortal  world 
Arriveth,  must  be  ripen'd  in  our  beam." 

Such  cheering  accents  from  the  second  flame^ 
'Assured  me  ;  and  mine  eyes  I  lifted  up' 
Unto  the  mountains,  that  had  bow'd  them  late 
With  over-heavy  burden.    ."  Sith  our  Liege 
Wills  of  his  grace,  that  thou,  or  e'er  thy  death, 
In  the  most  secret  council  with  his  lords 
Shouldst  be  confronted,  so  that  having  view'd 
The  glories  of  oar  court,  thou  mayst  therewith 
Thyself,  and  all  who  hear,  invigorate 
With  hope,  that  leads  to  blissful  end ;  declare, 
What  is  that  hope?  how  it  doth  flourish  in  thee? 
And  whence  thou  hadst  it  V*    Thus,  proceeding  still, 
The  second  light :  and  she,  whose  gentle  love 
My  soaring  pennons  in  that  lofty  flight 
Escorted,  thus  preventing  me,  rejoin'd: 

Agrippa,  A.  D.  44,  (Acts  xii.,)  it  is  evident  that  he  was  not 
the  author  of  the  epistle  which  bears  tlie  name  of  James,  be« 
cause  it  contains  passages  which  refer  to  a  later  period,  vie. 
V.  1-8,  which  intimates  the  then  immediately  approaching 
destruction  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  subversion  of  the  Jewish 
polity.**  Introduction  to  the  Oritieal  Study  and  Knowledge  ^ 
the  Holy  Seripturee,  Ed.  1818,  vol.  U.  p.  600. 

*  Largess.]  He  appears  to  allude  to  the  Epistle  of  James, 
chap.  i.  V.  5.  "  If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of 
God,  that  giveth  to  all  men  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not ;  and 
it  shall  be  given  him.**  Or,  to  v.  17:  "  Every  good  gift  and 
every  perfect  gift  is  from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the 
Father  of  lii^hts.*'  Some  editions,  however,  read  "  l*allegrea- 
za,**  "joy,**  instead  of  "  la  larghezza.** 

^  As  oft.] .  Landino  and  Venturi,  who  read  "  duanto,'*  ex 
plain  this,  that  the  frequency  with  which  James  had  com  ■ 
mended  the  virtue  of  hope,  was  in  proportion  to  the  bright 
ness  in  which  Jesus  had  appeared  at  his  transfiguration. 
Yellutello,  who  reads  "  Cluante,**  supposes  that  James  three 
times  recommends  patient  hope  in  the  last  chapter  of  his 
Epistle ;  and  that  Jesus,  as  many  times,  showed  his  tnight* 
ness  to  the  three  disciples ;  once  when  he  cleansed  the  lepers, 
(Luke,  V. ;)  again  when  he  raised  the  daughter  of  Jairus, 
(Mark,  v. ;)  and  a  third  time  when  he  was  transfigured.  As 
to  Lombardi,  who  also  reads  "  Cluante,"  his  construcUon  of 
the  passage  seems  to  me  scarcely  intelligible. 

*  The  second  flame.]    Bt.  James. 

•Iliftedup.]  "Hooked  up  to  the  Apostles.'*  "IwUllift 
ap  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills,  from  whence  cometh  my  helpi** 


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i39  THEVKOON  «f4» 

^  Among  her  mmu,  not  one  more  fall  cihap^. 
Hath  the  church  militant:  so  'tis  of  him 
Recorded  in  the  son,  whose  liberal  orb 
Enlighteneth  all  our  tribe :  and  ere  his  term 
Of  warfare,  hence  permitted  he  is  come, 
From  Egfypt  to  Jerusalem,'  to  see. 
The  other  points,  both  which'  thou  hast  mquired. 
Not  for  more  knowledge,  but  that  he  may  tell 
How  dear  thou  hold'st  the  virtue ;  these  to  him 
Leave  I :  for  he  may  answer  thee  with  ease. 
And  without  boasting,  so  God  give  him  grace." 

Like  to  the  scholar,  practised  in  his  task^ 
Who,  willing  to  give  proof  of  diligence. 
Seconds  his  teacher  gladly ;  **  Hope/"  said  I, 
"  Is  of  the  joy  to  come  a  sure  expectance, 
The  efl^t  of  grace  divine  and  merit  preceding. 
This  light  from  many  a  star,  visits  my  heart ; 
But  flow'd  to  me,  the  first,  from  him  who  sang 
The  songs  of  the  Supreme  ;  himself  supreme 
Among  his  tuneful  brethren.    '  Let  all  hope 
In  thee,'  so  spake  his  anthem,^  '  who  have  known 
Thy  name ;'  and,  with  my  faith,  who  know  not  that  f 
From  thee,  the  next,  distilling  from  his  spring. 
In  thine  epistle,  fell  on  me  the  drops 
So  plenteously,  that  I  on  others  shower 
The  influence  of  their  dew."    Whileas  I  spake, 
A  lamping,  as  of  quick  and  voUey'd  lightning. 
Within  the  bosom  of  that  mighty  sheen* 
Pla/d  tremulous ;  then  forth  these  accents  breathed : 
"  Love  for  the  virtue,  which  attended  me 
E'en  to  the  palm,  and  issuing  from  the  field, 
Glows  vigorous  yet  within  me ;  and  inspires 

>  Fhnn  Egypt  to  Jerusalem.]  From  the  lower  world  to 
heaven. 

s  Botk  wkteh.]  One  point  Beatrtce  has  herself  answered; 
*^  how  that  hope  flourishes  in  him."  The  other  two  remain 
for  Dante  to  resolve. 

*  Hope.]  This  is  firom  the  Sentences  of  Petms  Limibardas 
**  Est  antem  spes  virtus,  qu&  spiritualia  et  sterna  bona  spe 
rantur  id  est  cum  fidaci&  expectantor.  Est  enim  spes  certa 
expectatio  fhtune  beatitudinis,  veniens  ex  dei  grati&  et  ex 
uieritis  precedentibns  vel  ipsam  spem,  qnam  natur&  prelt 
eharitas  at  rem  speratam,  id  est  beatitndinem  stemara 
Sine  meritts  enim  aliquid  sperare  ion  spes,  sed  prssumptio 
did  potest."  Pee.  Lomb,  Sent.,  Ub.  iU  disk  96.  Ed.  Bas.  I486, 
foL 

«  Hie  entkem  ]  *'  They  that  know  thy  name  will  put  thell 
frnit  in  thee.'*    P^o/mix.  10. 

•  That  mighty  eheen.]    The  spirit  of  Saint  James 


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86-llt.  PARADISE,  Canto  XXV.  533 

To  ask  of  thee,  whom  also  it  delights, 

What  promise  thou  from  h<^,  in  chief,  dost  win  '* 

<*  Both  scriptures,  new  and  ancient,"  I  replied, 
"  Propose  the  mark  (which  even  now  I  view) 
For  souls  beloved  of  God.    Isaias^  saith, 
<  That,  in  then*  own  land,  each  one  must  be  clad 
In  twofold  vesture ;'  and  their  proper  land 
Is  this  delicious  life.     In  terms  more  full, 
■  And  clearer  far,  thy  brother*  hath  set  forth 
This  revelation  to  us,  where  he  tells 
Of  the  white  raiment  destined  to  the  saints.^' 
And,  as  the  words  were  ending,  firom  above, 
"  They  hope  in  thee !"  first  heard  we  cried :  wheret« 
Answer'd  the  carols  all.    Amidst  them  next, 
A  light  of  so  clear  amplitude  emerged. 
That  winter's  month'  were  but  a  single  day, 
Were  such  a  crystal  in  the  Cancer's  sign. 

Like  as  a  virgin^  riseth  up,  and  goes. 
And  enters  on  the  mazes  of  the  dance  ; 
Though  gay,  yet  innocent  of  worse  intent, 
Than  to  do  fitting  honor  to  the  bride : 
So  I  beheld  the  new  effulgence  come 
Unto  the  other  two,  who  in  a  ring 
WheeI'd,  as  became  their  rapture.    In  the  dance. 
And  in  the  song,  it  mingled.    And  the  dame 
Held  on  them  fix'd  her  looks ;  e'en  as  the  spouse. 
Silent,  and  moveless.    "  This*  is  he,  who  lay 

1  Isaias.}  **  He  hath  clothed  me  with  the  garments  of 
salvation,  he  hath  covered  me  with  the  robe  of  righteous- 
ness.**   Chap.  Ixi.  10. 

t  Tly  brother.]    St.  John  in  the  Revelation,  vii.  9. 

*  WimUr'a  month.]  **If  a  luminary,  like  that  which  now 
appeared,  were  to  shine  throughout  the  month  following  the 
winter  solstice,  during  which  the  constellation  Cancer  ap- 
pears in  the  east  at  the  setting  of  the  sun,  there  would  be 
no  interruption  to  the  light,  but  the  whole  month  would  be 
as  a  single  day.** 

«  Like  as  a  virgin.]  There  is  a  pretty  counterpart  to  this 
rimile  in  the  Quadriregio  of  Frezzl : 

Pol  come  donna,  che  fit  reverenza 
Lassando  U  talio,  tal*  atto  f^  ella. 

Lib.  iv.  eap  v. 
Then  as  a  lady,  when  she  leaves  the  dance, 
fifalceth  obeisance,  even  so  did  she. 
The  same  writer  has  another  more  like  that  in  the  teit 
Come  donzella,  c*ha  a  gnidar  la  danza, 
Che  a  chl  I'invita  reverenzia  fbce, 
E  po*  incomincia  vergognosa  e  manza. 
Cosi  colei,  k».  Lib.  iv.  cap.  ii. 

•  Tkie,\  St  Jolin,  who  reclined  on  the  bosom  of  onr  Sar 
flow,  and  to  whone  charge  Jesus  recommended  his  niether. 


Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


S$4  THE.  YISOON.  ll»-iai 

Upon  tho  bosom  of  our  pelican : 

This  he,  into  whose  keeping,  from  the  croM, 

The  mighty  charge  was  given."    Thus  she  spake 

Yet  therefore  naught  the  more  remo?ed  her  sif^ 

From  marking  them :  or  e'er  her  words  began. 

Or  when  they  closed.    As  he,  who  looks  intent. 

And  strives  with  searching  ken,  how  he  may  see 

The  sun  in  his  eclipse,  and,  through  desire 

Of  seeing,  loseth  power  of  sight ;  so  I^ 

Peer'd  on  that  last  resplendence,  while  I  heard : 

"  Why  dazzlest  thou  thine  eyes  m  seeking  that. 

Which  here  abides  not  ?    Earth  my  body  is. 

In  earth ;  and  shall  be,  with  the  rest,  so  long, 

As  till  our  number  equal  the  decree 

Of  the  Most  High.    The  two'  that  have  ascended, 

In  this  our  blessed  cloister,  shine  alone 

With  the  two  garments.    So  report  below." 

As  when,  for  ease  of  labor,  or  to  shun 
Suspected  peril,  at  a  whistle's  breath. 
The  oars,  erewhile  dash'd  frequent  in  the  wave. 
All  rest :  the  flamy  circle  at  that  voice 
So  rested  ;  and  the  mmgling  sound  was  still. 
Which  from  the  trinal  iMind,  soft-breathing,  rose. 
I  tum'd,  but  ah !  how  trembled  in  my  thought. 
When,  looking  at  my  side  again  to  see 
Beatrice,  I  descried  her  not ;  although. 
Not  distant,  on  the  happy  coast  she  stood. 


CANTO    XXVI. 


ARGUMENT. 

ffalnt  John  examines  onr  Poet  tonchlnf  Charity.  After  irards 
Adam  tells  when  he  was  created,  and  placed  in  the  tenet- 
trial  Paradise;  how  long  he  remained  in  that  state;  what 
was  the  occasion  of  his  fall ;  when  he  was  admitted  into 
heaven ;  and  what  language  he  spoke. 

With  dazzled  eyes,  while  wondering  I  remain'd ; 
Forth  of  the  beamy  flame,'  which  dazzled  me, 

1  So  /.J  He  looked  so  earnestly,  to  descrv  whether  St  Joha 
were  present  there  in  body,  or  in  spirit  only ;  having  had  his 
donbts  raised  by  that  saying  of  onr  Saviour's :  "*  If  I  will,  that 
he  tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that  to  thee  ?** 

*  The  tw0.]  ChriJt  and  Mary,  whom  he  has  described  li 
the  last  Canto  but  one,  as  rising  above  his  sight 

•  71i  hmmifJUMe.]    St  John. 


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»46.  PARADISE,  Canto  XXYI.  535 

Issued  a  breath,  that  m  attention  mute  I  weU» 

Detained  me ;  and  these  wcnxis  it  spake :  **  **twen 

That,  kmg  as  till  thy  vision,  on  my  fonn 

O'eiipent,  regain  its  virtue,  with  discouisA 

Thou  compensate  the  hnef  delay.    Say  then, 

Begmning,  to  what  point  thy  soul  aspires: 

And  meanwhile  rest  assured,  that  sight  in  thee 

Is  but  o'erpower'd  a  space,  not  whoUy  quench'd ; 

Since  thy  fair  guide  and  lovely,  in  her  look 

Hath  potency,  the  like  to  that  which  dwelt 

In  Ananias'  hand.'*^    I  answering  thus: 

**  Be  to  mine  eyes  the  remedy,  or  late 

Or  early,  at  her  pleasure ;  for  they  were 

The  gates,  at  which  she  enter'd,  and  did  lig^ 

Her  never-dying  fire.    My  wishes  here 

Are  cenlred:  in  this  palace  is  the  weal, 

That  Alpha  and  Omega  is,  to  all 

The  lessons  love  can  read  me."    Yet  again 

The  voice,  which  had  dispersed  my  fear  when  dazed 

With  that  excess,  to  converse  urged,  and  spake : 

**  Behooves  thee  sift  more  narrowly  thy  terms ; 

And  say,  who  levellM  at  this  scope  thy  bow." 

"  Philosophy,"  said  I,  "  hath  arguments, 
And  this  place  hath  authority  enough. 
To  imprii^t  in  me  such  love :  f<^,  of  constraint. 
Good,  inasmuch  as  we  perceive  the  good. 
Kindles  our  love ;  and  in  degree  the  more, 
As  it  comprises  more  oC^goodneas  in  't. 
The  essence  then,  where  such  advantage  is. 
That  each  good,  found  without  it,  is  naught  else 
But  of  his  light  the  beam,  must  needs  attract 
The  soul  of  each  one,  loving,  who  the  truth 
Discerns,  on  which  this  proof  is  built    Such  truth 
Learn  I  from  him,'  who  shows  me  the  first  love 
Of  all  intelligential  substances 
Eternal :  from  his  voice  I  learn,  whose  word 


1  Jinanuu^  hmuL]  Who,  by  pattiag  his  hand  on  St.  Paul, 
mtored  his  sight  jSetSyix,  17. 

*  JFVom  hinu"-  Some  suppose  that  Plato  is  here  meant, 
who,  in  his  Banqnet,  makes  Phedras  say:  iftoXoycirac 
k  '£pM(  h  Tois  rpeafivrdrois  Jlvai,  rptofivrdrof  it  dy« 
fLtyhrtv  ityaBChf  fyip  atrtdf  ivriv.  ''Love  is  confessedly 
among  the  eldest  or  beings ;  and  being  the  eldest,  is  the  cause 
to  OS  of  the  greatest  goods.*'  Plat.,  Op^  torn.  z.  p.  177,  Bip 
ed.  Others  have  understood  it  of  Aristotle ;  and  others,  of 
the  writer  who  goes  by  the  name  of  Dionysios  the  Aieopr 
fite,  refenred  to  in  the  twenty-eighth  canto. 

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636  THE  VISION.  30-6t 

Is  truth ;  that  of  hunself  to  Moses  saith, 
*  I  will  make*  all  my  good  before  thee  pass :' 
Lastly,  from  thee  I  learn,  who  chief  proclaim'sty 
E'en  at  the  outset*  of  thy  heralding, 
In  mortal  ears  the  mystery  of  heaven." 

"  Through  human  wisdom,  and  the  tythority 
Therewith  agreeing,"  heard  I  answer'd,  "  keep 
The  choicest  of  thy  love  for  God.    But  say. 
If  thou  yet  other  cords  within  thee  feel'st, 
That  draw  thee  towards  him ;  so  that  thou  report 
How  many  are  the  fangs,  with  which  this  love 
Is  grappled  to  thy  soul."     I  did  not  miss. 
To  what  intent  the  eagle  of  our  Lord' 
Had  pointed  his  demand ;  yea,  noted  well 
The  avowal  which  he  led  to ;  and  resumed : 
"  All  grappling  bonds,  that  knit  the  heart  to'  God, 
Confederate  to  make  fast  our  charity. 
The  being  of  the  world ;  and  mine  own  being ; 
The  death  which  He  endured,  that  I  should  live ; 
And  that,  which  all  the  faithful  hope,  as  I  do ; 
To  the  foremention'd  lively  knowledge  join'd ; 
Have  from  the  sea  of  ill  love  saved  my  bark, 
And  on  the  coast  secured  it  of  the  right 
As  for  the  leaves,^  that  in  the  garden  bloom/ 
My  love  for  them  is  great,  as  is  the  good 
Dealt  by  the  eternal  hand,  that  tends  them  alL" 

I  ended :  and  therewith  a  song  most  sweet 
Rang  through  the  spheres ;  and  "  Holy,  holy,  holy/ 
Accordant  with  the  rest,  my  lady  sang. 
And  as  a  sleep  b  broken  and  di^rsed 
Through  sharp  encounter  of  the  nimble  light. 
With  the  eye's  spirit  running  forth  to  meet 
The  ray,  from  membrane  on  to  membrane  urged ; 
And  the  upstartled  wight  loathes  that  he  sees ; 
So,  at  his  sudden  waking,  he  misdeems 
Of  all  around  him,  till  assurance  waits 
On  better  judgment:  thus  the  saintly,  dame 
Drove  from  1]«fore  mine  eyes  the  motes  away. 
With  the  resplendence  of  her  own,  that  cast 
Their  brightness  downward,  thousand  miles  below. 
Whence  I  my  vision,  clearer  than  before, 
Recovered ;  and  well-nigh  astounded,  ask'd 

^IwOlmake,]    Exodus,  zzxiii.  19.     • 
s  M  the  outset.]    John,  i.  1,  &c. 
s  7%«  eagle  ef  otur  Lord.)    BU  John. 
*  The  kave$.]    Created  beinifs. 


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81-113.  PARADISE,  Cahto  XiTVv  637 

Of  a  fourth  light,  that  now  with  ns  I  sail. 

And  Beatrice :  **  The  first  living  soul,* 
That  ever  the  first  virtue  framed,  admires 
Within  these  rays  his  Maker."    Like  the  leaf, 
That  bows  its  lithe  top  till  the  blast  is  blown ; 
By  its  own  vutue  reared,  then  stands  aloof: 
So  I,  the  while  she  said,  awe-stricken  bow*d. 
Then  eagerness  to  speak  emboldened  me ; 
And  I  began :  **  O  fruit !  that  wast  alone 
Mature,  when  first  engendered ;  ancient  father. 
That  doubly  seest  in  every  wedded  bride 
Thy  daughter,  by  affinity  and  b^ood ; 
Devoutly  as  I  may,  I  pray  thee  hold 
Converse  with  me :  my  will  thou  seest :  and  I, 
More  speedily  to  hear  thee,  tell  it  not." 

It  chanceth  oft  some  animal  bewrays. 
Through  the  sleek  covering*  of  his  fuiry  coat, 
The  fondness,  that  stirs  in  him,  and  conforms 
His  outside  seeming  to  the  cheer  within : 
And  in  like  guise  was  Adam's  spirit  moved 
To  joyous  mood,  that  through  the  covering  shone, 
Transparent,  when  to  pleasure  me  it  spake : 
"  No  need  thy  will  be  told,  which  I  untold 
Better  discern,  than  thou  whatever  thing 
Thou  boldest  most  certain :  for  that  will  I  see 
In  Him,  who  is  truth's  mirror ;  and  Himself, 
Parhelion'  unto  all  things,  and  naught  else,        [God 
To  Him.    This  wouldst  thou  hear ;  how  long  since 
Placed  me  in  that  high  garden,  from  whose  bounds 
She  led  me  up  this  ladder,  steep  and  long ; 
What  space  endured  my  season  of  delight ; 
Whence  truly  sprang  the  wrath  that  banish*d  me ; 
And  what  the  language,  which  I  spake  and  framed. 

>  "nejlrst  living  soul.]    Adam. 

>  C^erinf.y  Lombardrs  explanation  of  this  passage  it 
ioroewliat  fudicroas.  By  "nn  animal  coverto,**  he  under- 
stands, not  an  animal  in  its  natoral  covering  of  fur  or  halr^ 
but  one  dressed  np  with  clothes,  tut  a  dog,  for  instance,  '*  so 
elad  fat  sport ;"  '*  un  cane  per  trastnllc  coperto.** 

Chancer  describes,  as  one  of  the  tckens  of  pleasure  in  a 
dog,  **  the  smoothing  down  of  his  hair^.*' 
It  came  and  crept  to  me  as  low, 
Right  as  it  had  me  yknow. 
Held  down  his  head,  and  joyned  his  eares 
And  laid  all  smooth  downe  his  heares. 

T%e  Dreame  of  Chaucer^  or  Booke  of  the  Dueheoso, 
Ed.  1603,  fol.  239. 
*  Farkelion,]  Who  enl'^htens  and  comprehends  all  things ; 
tat  is  himself  enlightened  and  comprohended  by  none. 

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1^  THE  VISaON.  1U-1S4 

Not  that  I  taited'  of  the  tree,  my  fcm, 

Was  in  itself  the  cause  of  that  .exile, 

But  only  my  transgreasing  of  the  maik 

Assign^  me.    There,  whence*  at  thy  lady's  hett 

The  Mantuan  moved  hun,  still  was  I  debair'd 

This  council,  till  the  sun  had  made  oomfdete, 

Four  thousand  and  three  hundred  rounds  and  twice 

His  annual  journey ;  and,  through  ev^ry  light 

In  his  broad  pathway,  saw  I  hun  return, 

Thousand  save  seventy  times,  the  while  I  dwelt 

Upon  the  earth.    The  language'  I  did  use 

Was  worn  away,  or  ever  Ninuod's  race 

Their  unaccomplishable  work  began. 

For  naught,^  that  man  inclmes  to,  e*er  was  lasting ; 

Left  by  his  reason  free,  and  variaUe 

As  is  the  sky  that  sways  him.    ThiU  he  speaks. 

Is  nature's  promptmg:  whether  thus,  or  thus. 

She  leaves  to  you,  as  ye  do  most  affect  it. 

Ere  I  descended  mto  hell's  abyss. 

El*  was  the  name  on  earth  of  the  Chief  Good, 

Whose  joy  enfolds  me :  Eli  then  'twas  call'd. 


1  J^ottkatl  tasUd.]    So  Frezzi : 

per  colpa  fu  1'  nom  messo  in  bando, 

Non  solainente  per  gustar  del  poino ; 
Ma  perch*  e'  trapasw  dl  Die  il  comando. 

Jl  QiMufrtr.,  lib.  iv.  cap.  1 

s  JVheiue.']  That  is,  firom  Umbo.  See  Hell,  Canto  ii.  53. 
Adam  says  that  5232  years  elapsed  from  his  creation  to  the 
time  of  his  deliverance,  which  followed  the  death  of  Christ. 

s  The  language.'\  Hac  forma  locntionls  locntns  est  Adam, 
hac  forma  loenti  sunt  omnes  posteri  ejns  osqae  ad  n^fica 
tionem  torris  Babel.  De  Valg.  Eloq.,  lib.  L  cap.  vi.  '-This 
form  of  speech  Adam  used ;  this,  all  his  posterity  until  the 
building  of  the  tower  of  Babel." 

«  Fin'  navgkt.'l  There  is  a  similar  passage  in  the  De  Vnlg. 
Eloq.,  lib.  1.  cap.  ix.  "Since,  therefore,  all,onr  language, 
except  that  which  was  created  together  with  the  first  man 
by  Ood,  has  been  repaired  according  to  our  own  will  and 
{Heasore,  i^ler  that  confusion,  which  was  nothing  else  than 
a  forgetfblness  of  the  ftmner ;  and  since  man  is  a  beins  most 
unstable  and  variable,  our  langnage  can  neither  be  lasting 
Bor  contimKNis ;  bnt,  like  other  things  which  belong  to  as, 
as  customs  and  dress,  most  be  varied  by  distances  <«  places 
and  times." 

•  El.'\  Some  read  C^  «  One,**  instead  of  £{  .*  bnt  the  lat- 
ter of  these  readings  is  confirmed  by  a  passage  ttora  Dante's 
Treatise  de  Vnlg.  Eloq.,  lib.  i.  cap.  iv.  **anod  prins  vox 
primi  loqnentis  sonaverit,  viro  sane  mentis  in  prompta  esse 
non  dnbito  Ipsnm  fUlsse  quod  Deus  est,  videlicet  £1.**  St. 
Isidore  in  the  Origines,  Ub.  vii.  cap.  i.,  had  said, 
■pud  Hebrvos  dei  aomea  £1  didtar.** 


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199^41.        PARADISE,  CAMTa  XXVn.     .        539 

And  80  beieemeth :  for,  in  mortals,  nse^ 
Is  as  the  leaf  upon  the  boogfa :  that  goes, 
And  other  comes  instead.    Upon  the  mount 
Most  high  above  the  waters,  all  my  life,* 
Both  innocent  and  guilty,  did  but  reach 
From  the  first  hour,  to  that  which  cometh  next 
(As  the  sun  changes  quarter)  to  the  shcth." 


CANTO    XXVII. 

ARGUMENT, 
fiaint  Peter  Utterly  rebukes  the  covetousneM  of  hit  racee*' 
son  in  the  apostolic  see,  while  all  the  heavenly  host  sym- 
pathize in  his  indignation:  they  then  vanish  upwards. 
Beatrice  bids  Dante  again  cast  his  view  below.  After- 
wards they  are  borne  into  the  ninth  heaven,  of  which  she 
shows  him  the  natnre  and  properties ;  blaming  the  per- 
verseness  of  man,  who  places  his  will  on  low  a!nd  peiishr 
able  things. 

Then  "Glory  to  the  Father,  to  the  Son, 
And  to  the  Holy  Spirit,"  rang  aloud 
Throughout  all  Paradise ;  that  with  the  song 
My  spuit  reel'd,  so  passing  sweet  the  strain. 
And  what  I  saw  was  equal  ecstasy : 
One  universal  smile'  it  seemM  of  all  things ; 
Joy  past  compare ;  gladness  unutterable  ; 
Imperishable  life  of  peace  and  love ; 
Exhaustless  riches,  and  unmeasured  bliss. 

Before  mine  eyes  stood  the  four  torches*  lit : 
And  that,*  which  first  had  come,  began  to  wax 
In  brightness ;  and,  in  semblance,  such  became, 
As  Jove  might  be,  if  he  and  Mars  were  birds. 
And  interchanged  their  plumes.    Silence  ensued, 

1  Use.]    From  Horace,  Ars  Poet.  02. 

*  J§U  my  life.]  "  I  remained  in  the  terrestrial  Paradise 
only  to  the  seventh  hoar."  In  the  Histfuria  Scolastica  of 
Petftis  Comestor,  it  is  said  of  our  first  parents :  "  Quidam 
tradont  eos  fhisse  in  Paradiso  septem  horas.**  f.  9.  ed.  Par 
1513, 4to. 

*  One  universal  8miU.i 

Ivi  ognl  cosa  intomo  m'assembrava 
Un*  allegrezza  di  ^ocondo  riso. 

Drezih  Jl  Quadrir^  lib.  iv.  cap.  tt. 
—  all  things  smiled. 

Jlf»;to»,P.X.,b.viiL965. 
4  Fkur  torches.]    St.  Peter,  St.  James,  St.  John,  and  Adaaik 

*  TketL]  St.  Peter,  who  looked  as  the  planet  Jupiter  wool^ 
If  it  assumed  the  sangnine  apoeaiance  of  Mars. 


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540  THE  YISIOM.  lS-48 

Throngfa  the  Ueet  quire ;  by  Him,  who  here  ftppointa 

ViciMitude  of  miniiiry,  enjoin'd ; 

When  thue  I  heard :  *<  Wonder  not,  if  my  hoe 

Be  changed ;  for,  while  I  q>eak,  these  ehalt  thoa  tee 

AU  m  like  manner  change  with  me.    My  pUco 

He'  who  usorpe  on  earth,  (my  place,  ay,  mins 

Which  in  the  presence  of  the  eon  of  Grod 

Is  Toid,)  the  same  hath  made  my  cemetery 

A  c<»nmon  sewer  of  puddle  and  of  blood : 

The  more  below  his  triumph,  who  from  hence 

Malignant  felL"    Such  color,'  as  the  sun. 

At  eve  or  morning,  paints  an  adverse  cloud. 

Then  saw  7  crinkled  over  all  the  sky. 

And  as  the  unblemish'd  dame,  who,  in  herwlf 

Secure  of  censure,  yet  at  bare  report 

Of  other's  failing,  shrinks  with  maiden  fear ; 

So  Beatrice,  in  her  semblance,  changed: 

And  such  eclipse  in  heaven,  methinks,  was  seen» 

When  the  Most  Holy  sufierU    Then  the  words 

Proceeded,  with  voice,  altered  from  itself 

So  clean,  the  semblance  did  not  alter  more. 

*'  Not  to  this  end  was  Christ  i  spouse  with  my  blood* 

With  that  of  Linus,  and  of  Cletus,'  fed ; 

That  she  might  serve  for  purchase  of  base  gold : 

But  for  the  purchase  of  this  happy  life. 

Did  Sextus,  Pius,  and  Callixtus  bleed. 

And  Urban  '*  they,  whose  doom  was  not  without 

Much  weeping  sealed.    No  purpose  was  of  ours,* 

That  on  the  right  hand  of  our  successors. 

Part  of  the  Civistian  people  should  be  set. 

And  part  upon  their  left ;  nor  that  the  keys. 

Which  were  vouchsafed  me,  should  for  ensign  serve 

Unto  the  banners,  that  do  levy  war 

On  the  baptized ;  nor  I,  for  sigil-mark, 

i  Me.]    BonlfkceVin. 

-  Such  eolw.] 

Qui  color  infectis  adveni  soils  ab  icta 
Nablbos  ssse  solet ;  ant  purpurec  Aurore. 

Ovid.  Met.,  Ub.  iH  184. 

•  Of  Lnuu,  and  of  Clettu.]  Bishops  of  Borne  ia  the  lint 
eentory. 

t  Did  Sextue,  Piu»  §nd  CaUixtue  Ueed, 
And  Urban.]    The  former  two.  bishops  of  the  same  see, 
jn  the  second ;  and  the  others,  in  the  fourth  century. 

•  JV0  furpote  wa§  of  oure.']  **  We  did  not  intead  that  our 
successors  should  take  any  part  in  the  political  divisions 
anonff  Christiaas;  or  that  my  figure  (the  seal  of  8t  Peter) 
should  serve  as  a  mark  to  authorize  inUiattoofl  grants  aai 
wlvilefes.** 


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«l-m  PARADISE,  Camto  XXYU.  541 

Set  upon  fold  and  lying  privileges : 

Which  makes  me  oft  to  bicker  and  turn  red. 

In  shepherd's  clothing,  greedy  wolves'  below 

Range  wide  o*er  all  the  pastures.    Arm  of  God ! 

Why  longer  sleep'st  thou  ?    Cahonrines  and  Gaseoni^ 

Prepare  to  quaff  our  blood.    O  good  beginning  I 

To  what  a  vile  conclusion  must  thou  stoop. 

But  the  high  |»ovidence,  which  did  defend. 

Through  ^ipio,  the  world's  empery  for  Rome, 

Will  not  delay  its  succor:  and  thou,  son,' 

Who  through  thy  mortal  weight  shalt  yet  agaui 

Return  below,  open  thy  lips,  nor  hide 

What  is  by  me  not  hidden.*'    As  a  flood 

Of  firozen  vapors  streams  adown  the  air. 

What  time  the  she-goat*  with  her  skiey  horn    * 

Touches  the  sun  ;  so  saw  I  there  stream  wide 

The  vapors,  who  with  us  had  linger'd  late. 

And  with  glad  triumph  deck  the  ethereal  cope. 

Onward  my  sight  their  semblances  pursued ; 

So  far  pursued,  as  till  the  space  between 

From  its  reach  sever'd  them :  whereat  the  guide 

Celestial,  marking  me  no  more  intent 

On  upward  gazing,  said,  "  Look  down,  and  see 

What  circuit  thou  hast  compass'd."    From  the  houi* 

When  I  before  had  cast  my  view  beneath. 

All  the  first  region  overpass'd  I  saw. 

Which  from  the  midmost  to  the  boundary  winds ; 

That  onward,  thence,  from  Gades,*  I  beheld 

The  unwise  passage  of  Iiaertes'  son ; 

And  hitherward  the  shore,^  where  thou,  Europa, 

>  Wolves.] 
Wolves  shall  succeed  to  teachers,  grievous  wolves. 

Milton,  P.  X,.,  b.  zU.  SOa 
<  Cakortines  and  Oaoeans,]  He  alludes  to  Jacques  d'Ossa, 
a  native  of  Cahors,  who  filled  the  papal  chair  in  1316,  aftet 
it  had  been  two  years  vacant,  and  assumed  the  name  of  John 
XXIL,  and  to  Clement  V.,  a  Gascon,  of  whom  see  Hell,  Canto 
six.  86,  and  Note. 

*  Hkou,  ton.]  Beatrns  Petms— mnltaqne  locntas  est,  et  do- 
cuit  me  de  veteri  testamento,  dekominibna  etiam  adkue  in  tecw 
to  adkve  viventibus  pturapeeeata  intonuit  mikif  precepitqne,  at 
ea  qnn  de  Ulis  andieram  els  referrem.    Mherici  VUio,  ^  45. 

«  The  9ke-goai.]    When  the  son  is  in  Capricorn. 

•  FHm  the  kowr.]  Since  he  had  last  looked  (see  Canto  xxli.) 
he  perceived  that  he  had  passed  fVom  the  meridian  circle  te 
the  eastern  horizon ;  the  half  of  oar  hemisphere,  and  a  quar* 
terof  the  heaven. 

•  li-om  Oade».]    See  Hell,  Canto  zzvl.  106 

*  Tho»k»ro,]  Phcsnida,  where  Europe,  the  daughter  of  Afe> 
Mi^  WNmted  on  the  back  of  Jupiter,  in  his  shape  of  a  buU^ 


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§4t  THE  YISK)K.  7MCI 

Madeit  thee  a  joyftd  hardsa ;  and  yet  more 
Of  this  dim  qx»t  had  eeen,  bat  that  the  8im»^ 
A  conrteUation  off  and  more,  had  ta'en 
His  progress  in  the  zodiac  underneath. 

Then  by  the  spirit,  that  doth  never  leave 
Its  amorous  daliianee  with  my  lady's  looks. 
Back  with  redoubled  ardor  were  mine  eyes 
Led  unto  her:  and  from  her  radiant  smiles, 
Whenas  I  tnm*d  me,  pleasiue  so  divine 
Did  lighten  on  me,  that  whatever  bait 
Or  art  or  nature  m  the  human  fledi. 
Or  in  its  limn'd  resemblance,  can  combine 
Through  greedy  eyes  to  take  the  soul  withal. 
Were,  to  her  beauty,  nothing.    Its  boon  inflaeoM 
From  the  fair  nest  of  Leda'  rapt  me  forth. 
And  wafted  on  into  the  swiftest  heaven. 

What  place  for  entrance  Beatriee  chose, 
I  may  not  say ;  so  nntibrm  was  all. 
Liveliest  and  loftiest    She  my  secret  widi 
Divined ;  and,  with  such  gladness,  that  God's  love 
Seem'd  from  her  visage  shming,  thus  began : 
**  Here  is  the  goal,  whence  motion  on  his  race 
Starts :  motienless  the  centre,  and  the  rest 
All  moved  around.    Except  the  soul  divine. 
Place  in  this  heaven  is  none ;  the  soul  divine. 
Wherein  the  love,  which  ruleth  o*er  its  orb, 
Is  kmdled,  and  the  virtue,  that  it  sheds : 
One  cirele,  Ught  and  love,  endaqMng  it. 
As  this  doth  clasp  the  othera ;  and  to  Him, 
Who  draws  the  bound,  its  limit  only  known. 
Measured  itself  by  none,  it  doth  divide 
Motion  to  all,  counted  unto  them  forth, 
As  by  the  fifth  or  half  ye  count  forth  ten.        [seest : 
The  vase,  wherein  time's  roots*  are  plunged,  thou 


1  The  MtK.]  Dante  was  in  the  constellation  Gemini,  and 
Jbe  sun  in  Aries.  There  was,  therefore,  part  of  those  two 
tonstellations,  and  the  whole  of  Tanms,  between  them. 

<  The  fair  nest  ofLtda.]  "  From  the  Gemini  ;**  thnsealled, 
because  Leda  was  the  mother  of  the  twins,  Castor  and  P<^az. 
s  TVnu**  rpou.]     "Here,"  says  Beatrice,  *'are  the  roots, 
fiom  whence  time  springs :  for  the  parts,  into  which  it  is  di- 
vided, the  other  heavens  mnst  be  considered.**    And  she  thea 
breaks  ont  into  an  exclamation  on  the  degeneracy  of  homao 
nature,  which  does  not  lift  itself  to  the  contemplation  of  dk 
vine  things.   Thus  in  the  Quadriregio,  lib.  ii.  cap.  tL 
n  tempo,  e*l  ciel,  che  sopra  noi  h  volto, 
B  mia  cosa,  e  non  voltando  il  delo, 
d^eha  da  tempo  peade  saila  tolto. 


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tl>-lS5.         PARADISE,  Cibto  XXVU.  Ml 

Look  elaeiriiere  for  the  leaves.    O  mortal  liut ! 

That  canst  not  lift  thy  head  above  the  waves 

Which  whehn  and  sink  thee  down.    The  wiii  in  maa 

Bean  goodly  blossoms ;  but  its  ruddy  promise 

Is,  by  the  dripping  of  perpetual  rain, 

Made  mere  abortion :  faith  and  innocence . 

Are  met  with  but  in  babes ;  each  taking  leave, 

Ere  cheeks  with  down  are  sprinkled :  he,  that  fasto 

While  yet  a  stammerer,  with  his  tongue  let  loose 

Gluts  every  food  alike  in  every  moon : 

One,  yet  a  babbler,  loves  and  listens  to 

His  mother ;  but  no  sooner  hath  free  use 

Of  speech,  than  he  doth  wish  her  in  her  grave. 

So  suddenly  dolh  the  fair  child  of  hun,* 

Whose  welcome  is  the  mom  and  eve  his  parting. 

To  negro  blackness  change  hervhrgin  white. 

<*  Thou,  to  id>ate  thy  wonder,  note,  that  none* 
Bears  rule  in  earth ;  and  its  frail  family 
Are  therefore  wanderers.    Yet  before  the  date,' 
When,   through   the   hundredth   in  his  reckomng 
Pale  January  must  be  shoved  aside  [dropped. 

From  winter's  calendar,  these  heavenly  s]]^eres 
Shall  roar  so  loud,  that  fortune  shall  be  fain^ 


Time,  and  the  heaven  that  torneth  o*er  our  heads. 
Are  bnt  as  one ;  and  if  the  heaven  turnM  not, 
Thatf  which  depends  on  time,  were  torn'd  away. 
^  'nefair  child  of  him.]    There  is  something  very  similar 
in  onr  author's  Treatise  de  Monarchift,  lib.  i.  p.  104.    **Ha- 
mannm  genus  fiiins  est  coBli  qnod  est  perfectissimnm  in  omni 
opere  sno.    General  enim  homo  hominem  et  sol  juxta  secun- 
dam  in  Natorali  Audita.**    This,  therefore,  is  intended  for  a 
«,  as  when  Pindar  calls 


philosophical  tmth,  and  not  for  a  figure,  i 
^  the  day*'  **  child  of  the  sun :" 

wcSi^'AXiw.  0/.,U.». 

*  JV01M.]  Because,  as  has  been  before  said,  the  shepherds 
are  become  wolves. 

*  Biftre  the  date.)  *'  Before  many  ages  are  past ;  before 
those  fractions,  wiiich  are  dropped  in  the  reckoning  of  every 
year,  shall  amount  to  so  large  a  portion  of  time,  that  January 
•hail  be  no  more  a  winter  month.**  By  this  periphrasis  is 
meant  **  in  a  short  time  ;**  as  we  say  familiarly,  such  a  thing 
will  happen  before  a  thousand  years  are  over,  when  we  mean, 
it  will  happen  soon.    Thus  Petrarch : — 

Ben  sa  ch*  il  prova,  e  fiati  coea  plana 

An^  mill*  annL  Trio^fo  d^ Amort,  cap.  L 

<  ArttnM  shall  be  fain.]    The  commentators,  in  general, 

fuppose,  that  our  Poet  here  augurs  that  great  reform,  which 

1»  vaialyhoped  would  follow  on  the  arrival  of  the  Emperor 

Henry  VIL  in  Italy.    Lombardi  refers  the  progoMticatioB 


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M4  THE  VISION.  130-138 

To  tnm  th*  poop,  where  ihe  hiUh  now  the  ]»oir ; 
So  that  the  fleet  nm  <mward :  ond.trae  firnit, 
Expected  long,  ehall  crown  at  last  the  bloom." 


CANTO    XXVIIL 

ABGUMBNT. 

8tUl  in  the  ninth  heaven,  our  Poet  is  permitted  to  behold  th« 
diTine  etaence ;  and  then  sees,  in  three  hierarchies,  the 
nine  cheers  of  angels.  Beatrice  clean  soiDe  difBnrirtw 
which  occiir  to  him  on  this  occasion. 

So  die,  who  doth  imparadae  my  oool, 
Had  drawn  the  yeil  fitmi  off  our  |mo6nt  life, 
And  baied  the  troth  of  poor  mortality: 
When  lo !  as  one  who,  m  a  minor,  apieB 
The  ahiniug  of  a  flambeau  at  hia  Inuuc, 
Lit  sadden  ere  he  deem  of  ita  approach. 
And  turneth  to  resolve  him,  if  the  glass 
Have  told  hun  troe,  and  sees  the  r^sord  fieuthfiil 
As  note  is  to  its  metre ;  even  thus, 
I  well  remember,  did  be&ll  to  me. 
Looking  upon  the  beauteous  eyes,  whence  lore 
Had  made  the  leash  to  take  me.    As  I  turn'd ; 
And  that  which  none,  who  in  that  VQlome'  looks. 
Can  miss  of,  in  itself  apparent,  struck 
My  view ;  a  point  I  saw,  that  darted  light 
So  sharp,  no  lid,  unclosing,  may  bear  up 
Against  its  keenness.    The  least  star  we  ken 
From  hence,  had  seem*d  a  moon  ;  set  by  its  side, 
As  star  by  side  of  star.    And  so  far  off, 
Perchance,  as  is  the  halo  from  the  light 
Which  paints  it,  when  most  dense  theyapor  spreads; 
There  wheel'd  about  the  point  a  circle  of  fire. 
More  rapid  than  the  motion  which  surrounds, 
Speediest,  the  world.    Another  this  enring'd ; 
Ajid  that  a  third  ;  the  third  a  fourth,  and  that 
A  fifth  encompass'd ;  which  a  sixth  next  bound ; 
And  over  this,  a  seventh,  following,  reach'd 
Circumference  so  ample,  that  its  &w, 

Can  Grande  della  Scala:  and  when  we  consider  that  this 
Canto  was  not  finished  till  after  the  death  of  Henry,  as  ap 
pears  from  the  mention  that  is  made  of  John  XXIL,  it  cannot 
be  denied  bnt  the  conjecture  is  probable.  Troya  (Veltro  Al- 
legorico,  p.  186)  suggests  Matteo  Visconti,  or  Castniccio  Cas 
tracani,  as  the  expected  reformer. 

1  That  volume,]  The  ninth  heaven ;  as  Vellntello,  I  thhi^ 
lightly  iaterpcets  it. 


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PARADISE,  Canto  XXVia  54i 

Within  the  span  of  Juno's  messenger. 
Had  scarce  been  held  entire.    Beyond  the  se^enthy 
Ensued  yet  other  two.    And  every  one, 
As  more  in  number  distant  fn^m  the  first, 
Was  tardier  in  motion :  and  that  glow'd 
With  flame  most  pure,  that  to  the  sparkle  of  troth. 
Was  nearest ;  as  partaking  most,  methinks, 
Of  its  reality.    The  guide  beloved 
Saw  me  in  anxious  thought  suspense,  and  spake : 
**  Heaven,  and  all  nature,  hangs  upon  that  point^ 
The  circle  thereto  most  conjoin'd  observe ; 
Atud  know,  that  by  intenser  love  its  course 
Js,  to  this  swiftness,  wingM."     To  whom  I  thus; 
"  It  were  enough ;  nor  should  I  further  seek, 
Had  I  but  witnessed  order,  in  the  world 
Appointed,  such  as  in  these  wheels  is  seen. 
But  in  the  sensible  world  such  difference*  is, 
That  in  each  round  shows  more  divinity, 
As  each  is  wider  from  the  centre.    Hence, 
If  in  this  wondrous  and  angelic  temple. 
That  hath,  for  confine,  only  light  and  love, 
My  wish  may  have  completion,  I  must  know, 
Wherefore  such  disagreement  is  between 
The  exemplar  and  its  copy :  for  myself. 
Contemplating,  I  fail  to  pierce  the  cause." 
**  It  is  no  marvel,  if  thy  fingers  foil'd 


^  Heavetiy  and  all  nature,  hangs  upon  that  point.}  ix  roia4« 
ttis  ipa  Apx^s  np'^Tai  h  olpavbi  xal  ^  (ftiats,  Ariatot.  Metaph,, 
lib.  xii.  c.  7.  "  From  that  beginning  depend  heaven  and  na 
ture." 

•  Such  difference.]  The  material  world  and  the  intelligen* 
tial  (the  copy  and  the  pattern)  appear  to  Dante  to  difkt  in 
this  respect,  that  the  orbits  of  the  latter  are  more  swift,  the 
nearer  they  are  io  the  centre,  whereas  the  contrary  is  the 
ease  with  the  orbits  of  the  former.  The  seeming  contradic- 
tion is  thus  accounted  for  by  Beatrice.  In  the  material 
world,  the  more  ample  the  body  is,  the  greater  is  the  good, 
of  which  it  is  capable ;  supposing  all  the  parts  to  be  equally 
perfect  Bat  in  the  intelltgential  world,  the  circles  are 
more  excellent  and  powerful,  the  more  they  approximate  to 
the  central  pointy  which  is  God.  Thus  the  first  circle,  that 
of  the  seraphim,  corresponds  to  the  ninth  sphere,  or  primum 
mobile;  the  second,  that  of  the  cheriblm,  to  the  eighth 
sphere,  or  heaven  of  fixed  stars;  the  third,  or  circle  of 
thrones,  to  the  seventh  sphere,  or  planet  of  Saturn ;  and  in 
like  manner  tliroughout  the  two  other  trines  of  circles  and 
qilieres. 

In  orbs 

Of  eircult  inexpressible  they  stood, 

Oib  within  orb.  Milton,  P.  L^  b.  V.  SWL 


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^46  "I*^^  VISKW. 

Do  leaT6  tho  knot  untied :  m  hard  '^  growa 

For  want  of  tenting."    Thus  she  said :  "  BvA  take,* 

She  added,  "  if  thou  wish  thy  cure,  my  wiads, 

And  entertain  them  subtly.    Eyery  ca^, 

Corporeal,  doth  proportion  its  extent 

Unto  the  virtue  through  its  parts  diffused. 

The  greater  blessedness  preserves  the  more. 

The  greater  is  the  body  (if  all  parts 

Share  equally)  the  more  is  to  preserve. 

Therefore  the  circle,  whose  swift  course  en^dieek 

The  universal  frame,  answers  to  that 

Which  is  supreme  in  knowledge  and  m  love. 

Thus  by  the  vuiue,  not  the  seeming  breadth 

Of  substance,  measuring,  thou  shalt  see  the  heaven^ 

Each  to  the  intelligence  that  ruleth  it, 

Greater  to  more,  and  smaller  unto  less, 

Suited  in  strict  and  wondrous  harmony." 

As  when  the  north^  blows  from  his  milder  che«k 
A  blast,  that  scours  the  sky,  forthwith  our  air. 
Cleared  of  the  rack  that  hung  on  it  before. 
Glitters ;  and,  with  hb  beauties  all  unveil'd. 
The  firmament  looks  forth  serene,  and  smiles: 
Such  was  my  cheer,  when  Beatrice  drove 
With  clear  reply  the  shadows  back,  and  truth 
Was  manifested,  as  a  star  in  heaven. 
And  when  the  words  were  ended,  not  unlike 
To  iron  in  the  furnace,  every  cirque. 
Ebullient,  shot  forth  scintillatmg  fires : 
And  every  sparkle  shivering  to  new  blaze. 
In  number*  did  outmillion  Sie  account 
Reduplicate  upon  the  checker'd  board. 
Then  heard  I  echoing  <m,  from  choir  to  choir« 
«  Hosanna,"  to  the  &ed  pomt,  that  holds, 
And  shall  for  ever  hfild  them  to  their  place, 
From  everlasting,  irremovable. 

Musing  awhile  I  stood :  and  she,  who  saw 
My  inwcud  meditations,  thus  began : 
**  In  the  first  circles,  they,  whom  thou  beheld'st 
Are  seraphim  and  cherubim.    Thus  swift 

*  Tke  north.}  By  "end*  i  pW  Icno,"  some  anderatan^ 
diat  point  from  whence  "  the  ^ind  is  mildest  ;^^  others,  that 
'*in  which  there  is  most  foret'"  The  former  interpretation 
is  probably  right. 

s  In  number.}  The  sparkles  exceeded  the  nnmber  whkh 
would  be  produced  by  the  sizty-foor  squares  <^  a  ches8> 
board,  if  for  the  first  we  reckoned  one ;  for  the  next,  two; 
Ibr  the  thiid,  four;  and  so  went  on  doubling  toihe  end  of  tlie 
aocomit. 


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•♦-J27.  PARADP^  Canto  XXVIIL  647 

Follow  their  hoops,  in  likeness  to  the  point. 

Near  as  they  can,  approaching ;  and  they  ean 

The  more,  the  loftier  their  vision.    Those, 

That  round  them  fleet,  gazuig  the  Godhead  next. 

Are  thrones ;  in  whom  the  fust  trine  ends.    And  all 

Are  blessed,  even  as  their  sight  descends 

Deeper  into  the  truth,  wherem  rest  is 

For  every  miud.    Thus  happiness  hath  root 

In  seeing,  not  in  loving,  which  of  sight 

Is  aftergrowth.    And  of  the  seeing  such 

The  meed,  as  unto  each,  in  due  degree, 

Grace  and  good-will  their  measure  have  assign'd. 

The  other  trine,  that  with  still  opening  buds 

In  this  eternal  springtide  blossom  fair. 

Fearless  of  bruising  from  the  nightly  ram,* 

Breathe  up  in  warbled  melodies  threefold 

Hosannas,  blending  ever ;  from  the  three, 

Transmitted,  hierarchy  of  gods,  for  aye 

Rejoicmg ;  dominations'  firet ;  next  them. 

Virtues ;  and  powers  the  third ;  the  next  to  whom 

Are  princedoms  and  archangels,  with  glad  round 

To  tread  their  festal  ring ;  and  last,  the  band 

Angelical,  disporting  in  their  sphere. 

All,  as  they  circle  in  theur  orders,  look 

Aloft ;  and,  downward,  with  such  sway  prevail. 

That  all  with  mutual  impulse  tend  to  Grod. 

These  once  a  mortal  view  beheld.     Desire, 

In  Dionysius,'  so  intensely  wrought. 

That  he,  as  I  have  done,  ranged  them ;  and  named 

Their  orders,  marshalled  in  his  thought    From  him. 

Dissentient,  one  refused  his  sacred  read. 

But  soon  as  in  this  heaven  his  doubting  eyes 

Were  open'd,  Gregory*  at  his  error  smiled. 

Nor  marvel,  that  a  denizen  of  earth 


1  Rarlets  of  bruising' from  the  nightlf  ram.]    Not  injured, 
like  the  prodnctions  of  our  spring,  by  the  inflaence  of  an* 
tamn,  when  the  constellation  Aries  rises  at  sunset, 
a  Dominatumo.] 
Hear  all  ye  angels,  progeny  of  light, 
Thrones,  dominations,  princedoms,  virtues,  powers. 

MUton,  P.  L.,  b.  V.  601. 
s  Dionyoius.]     The  Areopagite,  in  his  book  de  Ckelestl 
fiierarchlft. 

*  Oregorj.']  Gregory  the  Great  **  Novem  vera  angelorum 
oidines  dixirous ;  quia  videlicet  esse,  testante  sacro  eloquio, 
■dmus :  Angeios,  archangelos,  virtntes,  potestates,  principa- 
IM,  domlnationes,  thronos,  ehembin  atqne  seraphin.**  DM 
QrogwrU,  Horn,  xzziv.  f.  135,  «i.  Potr.  1518,  foL 


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M8  THE  VISION.  IW-ISI 

Should  scan  such  secret  truth ;  for  be  h«d  leani'd' 
Both  this  and  mu^h  beside  of  these  our  orbs. 
From  an  eye-wituess  to  heaven's  m}'Bterie6.*' 


CANTO  XXIX 


ARGUMENT. 
Beatrice  beholds,  In  the  mirror  of  divine  truth,  some  doabti 
which  had  entered  the  mind  of  Dante.  These  she  revolves; 
and  then  digresses  into  a  vehement  rcprehensioB  of  cer- 
tain theologians  and  preachers  in  those  days,  whose  igno- 
rance or  avarice  induced  them  to  sul)stitute  their  own  iur 
ventioBS  for  the  pore  word  of  the  Gospel. 

No  longer,'  than  what  time  Latona's  twins 
Cover*d  of  Libra  and  the  fleecy  star, 
Togrether  both,  girding  the  horizon  hang ; 
In  even  balance,  from  the  zenith  poised ; 
Till  from  that  verge,  each,  changing  hemisphere. 
Part  the  nice  level ;  e'en  so  brief  a  space 
Did  Beatrice's  silence  hold.     A  smile 
Sat  painted  on  her  cheek  ;  and  her  fix'd  gaze 
Bent  on  the  point,  at  which  my  vision  fail'd: 
When  thus,  her  words  resuming,  she  began : 
**  I  speak,  nor  what  thou  wouldst  inquire,  demand ; 
For  I  have  mark'd  it,  where  all  time  and  place 
Are  present     Not  for  increase  to  himself 
Of  good,  which  may  not  be  increased,  but  forth 
Td  manifest  his  glory  by  its  beams ; 
Inhabiting  his  own  eternity. 
Beyond  time's  Ihnit  or  what  bound  soe'er 
To  circumscribe  his  bemg ;  as  he  will'd, 
Into  new  natures,  like  unto  himself. 
Eternal  love  unfolded:  nor  before, 

1  He  had  leam*d.]  Dionysius,  he  says,  had  learned  fromBt 
Panl.  It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  add,  that  the  book,  above 
reffbed  to,  which  goes  under  his  name,  was  the  production 
of  a  later  age.  In  Bishop  BulPs  seventh  sermon,  which  treats 
of  the  diflerent  degrees  of  beatitude  in  heaven,  there  is  much 
that  resembles  what  is  said  on  the  same  subject  by  our  Poet. 
The  learned  prelate,  however,  appears  a  little  inconsistent, 
when,  after  having  blamed  Dionysius  the  Areopagite,  "for 
reckoning  up  exactly  the  several  orders  of  the  angelical  hier- 
archy, as  if  ho  had  seen  a  muster  of  the  heavenly  host  before 
his  eyes,"  (v.  1,  p.  113,)  he  himself  then  speaks  rather  more 
particularly  of  the  several  orders  in  the  celestial  hierarchy, 
than  he  Is  warranted  in  doing  by  holy  Scripture. 

*  JV»  l»n£er,]  As  short  a  space  as  the  sun  and  moon  are 
in  changing  hemispheres,  when  they  are  omwsite  to  one  an* 
other,  the  one  under  the  sign  of  Aries,  and  the  other  nndef 
that  of  Libra,  and  both  hang,  for  a  moment,  pcAsed  at  tt  wen 
'b  the  hand  of  the  aenlth. 


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mrSB.  PARADISE,  Cantc  XXDL  MO 

As  if  in  dull  inaction,  toipid,  lay 

For,  not  in  process  of  before  or  aft,' 

Upon  these  waters  moved  the  Spirit  of  God. 

Simple  and  mix*d,  both  form  and  substance,'  forth 

To  perfect  being  started,  like  three  darts 

Shot  from  a  bow  three-corded.    And  as  ray 

In  crystal,  glass,  and  amber,  shines  entire, 

E'en  at  the  moment  of  its  issuing ;  thus 

Did,  from  the  eternal  Sovereign,  beam  entire 

His  threefold  operation,'  at  one  act 

Produced  coeval.    Yet,  in  order,  each 

Created  his  due  station  knew :  those  highest. 

Who  pure  intelligence  were  made ;  mere  power, 

The  lowest ;  m  the  midst,  bound  with  strict  league* 

Intelligence  and  power,  unsever'd  bond. 

Long  tract  of  ages  by  the  angels  past, 

Ere  the  creating  of  another  world. 

Described  on  Jerome's  pages,^  thou  hast  seen. 

»  Fhr^  not  in  process  of  before  or  aft.]  There  was  neithef 
*'  before  nor  after,*'  no  distinction,  that  is,  of  time,  till  Ihs 
creation  of  the  world. 

*  Simple  and  mix^d^  both  form  and  svbstanee.]  Simple  and 
anmixed  form  answers  to  *'  pure  intelligence,  v.  33,  (poro 
atto,)  the  higtiest  of  created  being;  simple  and  anmixed  sub- 
stance, to  **  mere  power,"  ▼.  33,  (pura  potenzia,)  the  lowest; 
and  form  mixed  with  substance,  to  **  intelligence  and  power," 
V.  35,  (potenzia  con  atto,)  that  which  holds  the  middle  place 
between  the  other  two.  This,  which  appears  snfficlently 
plain,  Lombardi  has  contrived  to  perplex ;  not  being  aware 
of  the  high  sense  in  which  oar  Poet  here  and  elsewhere 
uses  the  word  **  forma,"  as  the  Greek  writers  employed  the 
term  jiop^it,  and  particularly  Saint  Paul.  PkUtppians^  ii.  6 
The  following  is  a  remarkable  instance  in  our  language :  **  A 
man,  though  he  have  one  form  already,  viz.  the  natural 
soul;  it  hinders  not  but  he  may  have  also  another,  the 
quickening  Spirit  of  God.'*    Henry  More^  Disc.  xiii. 

s  His  threefold  operation.]  He  means  that  spiritual  beings, 
iHrate  matter,  and  the  intermediate  part  of  the  creation 
which  participates  both  of  spirit  and  matter,  were  produced 
Et  once. 

For,  as  there  are  three  natures,  schoolmen  call 

One  corporal  only,  th*  other  spiritual. 

Like  single ;  so  there  is  a  third  commixt 

Of  body  and  spirit  tc^ether,  placed  betwixt 

Those  other  two.  Ben  Jonson.  Eupkenu, 

*  On  Jerome's  pages.]  St.  Jerome  had  described  the  angels 
as  created  long  before  the  rest  of  the  universe :  an  opini<Hi 
which  Thomas  Aquinas  controverted;  and  the  latter,  as 
Dante  thinks,  had  scripture  on  his  side. 

"Sex  millia  nondum  nostrl  orbis  implentur  anni;  et 
quantas  prius  eeternitates,  quanta  tempcnra,  quantas  secu* 
lorum  origines  Aiisse  arbitrandum  est,  in  quibus  Angell, 
Throni,  Dominationes,  cetereque  Virtu^es  servierint  Deo; 


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i6C  THE  YBIDN. 

But  that  what  I  diadose  to  thee  ia  true, 
Thoae  penmen/  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  mo^ed, 
In  many  a  paasage  of  their  sacred  book, 
Atteat ;  aa  thou  fy  diligent  March  shalt  find: 
And  leaaon,*  in  some  sort,  discemB  the  same, 
Who  acaroe  would  grant  the  heavenly  ministers. 
Of  their  perfection  yoid,  so  l<mg  a  space. 
Thus  when  and  where  these  spirits  of  love  were  madoi 
Thou  know'st,  and  how:  and,  knowing,  hast  allay'd 
Thy  thirst,  which  from  the  tr^e  question'  rose. 
Ere  aae  had  reckoned  twenty,  e'en  so  soon, 
Part  of  the  angels  fell:  and,  m  their  fall, 
Confusion  to  your  elements*  ensued. 
The  others  kept  their  station :  and  this  task, 
Whereon  thou  look*st,  began,  with  such  delight, 
That  they  surcease  not  ever,  day  nor  night. 
Their  circling.    Of  that  fatal  lapse  the  cause 
Was  the  cursiDd  pride  of  him,  whom  thou  hast  seen 
PentP  with  the  world's  incumlvance.    Those,  whom 
Thou  seest,  were  lowly  to  confess  themselves    [here 

et  absqae  temporom  vicibiu  atqae  mensniis  Deo  Jabento 
■ubstiteriiit.*'  HUrowffm,  In  EpisU  ad  Tiium,  L  Paris  edit 
1706,  tom.  iv.  part  i.  p.  411. 

*'  Dlcendain,  quod  supra  hoe  inveaitor  duplex  sanctorum 
doctoram  sententia,  iila  tamen  profaabilior  videtur,  quod 
anseli  simul  cum  creatura  corporea  sunt  ereatl.  Anfeli 
enlm  sunt  qurdam  pars  universi.  Non  enim  constitunnt 
per  se  nnum  universum,  sed  tarn  ipsi  qnam  creatura  corpo- 
rea in  constittttionem  unins  universi  cosveninnt  duod  ap- 
paret  ex  ordine  unlus  creatuns  ad  aliam.  Ordo  enim  rerum 
adinvicem  est  bonum  universi.  Nulla  autem  pars  perfecta 
est  a  sue  toto  separata.  Non  est  icitur  probabile,  ut  Deus 
ci^jus  perfecta  sunt  opera,  ut  dicitur  ])eutenm.  33,  creaturam 
angelicam  seorsum  ante  alias  creaturas  creaverit  Uuamvis 
contrarium  non  sit  reputandnm  erroneum,  pnecipue  profrter 
sententiam  Greg.  Nazian.  cujns  tanta  est  in  docorina  Chris- 
tiana authoritas,  ut  nnllus  unquam  ejus  dictis  calumniau 
inferre  jHVsumpserit  sicut  nee  AthanasU  Doeumentis,  iH 
Hieron.  diciU**  Thomat  Aquinaat  Sutnwia  TJuolor^  P.  1"^ 
auest  LXI.  art  ill. 

1  7%M«  penmen.]  Am  in  Genesis,  i.  1,  and  Ecclesiastlcua, 
xviil.1.  — ^      , 

*  Rtaeon.]  The  heavenly  ministers  (motor!)  would  havs 
e^ted  to  no  purpose  if  they  had  been  created  before  the 
corporeal  wcvld,  which  they  were  to  govern. 

s  The  trivle  ^iiestion.]  He  had  wished  to  know  where, 
when,  and  how  the  angels  had  been  created,  and  these  three 
questions  had  been  resolved. 

«  Element*.]  Alimentl  was  s<nnetimes  put  for  element!, 
by  the  old  Tuscan  writers.  See  the  notes  to  Redl's  Bacco  in 
Toscana,  vol.  i.  p.  135.  Redi.  Opere,  8*.  Milan,  1809.  There  is 
therefore  no  neeessitf  ^r  the  alteration  made  in  some  ed& 
tkms. 

•Psacl    See  Hell,  Canto  zxxiv.  105. 


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4W-100.  PARADISE,  Cjmto  XXDL  551 

Of  his  free  bounty,  ^o  had  made  them  apt 

For  ministries  so  fajf^ :  therefore  their  views 

Were,  by  enli|rhtening  grace  and  their  own  merit* 

Exalted ;  so  that  in  their  will  confirmed 

They  stand,  nor  fear  to  falL    For  do  not  doubt, 

But  to  receive  the  grace,  which  Heaven  vouchsafes, 

Is  meritorious,'  even  as  the  soul 

With  prompt  affection  welcometh  tlje  guest 

Now,  without  further  help,  if  with  good  heed 

My  words  thy  mind  have  treasured,  thou  henceforth 

This  consistory  round  about  mayst  scan. 

And  gaze  thy  filL    But,  since  thou  hast  on  earth 

Heard  vain  disputem,  reasoners  in  the  schools. 

Canvass  the  angelic  nature,  and  dispute 

Its  powers  of  apprehension,  memory,  choice ; 

Therefore,  'tis  well  thou  take  from  me  the  troth. 

Pure  and  without  disguise ;  which  they  below, 

Equivocatiiig,  darken  and  perplex. 

"  Know  thou,  that,  from  the  first,  these  substanM% 
Rejoicing  in  the  countenance  of  €rod. 
Have  held  unceasin^y  their  view,  intent 
Upon  the  glorious  vision,  from  the  which 
Naught  a^nt  is  nor  hid :  where  then  no  change 
Of  newness,  with  succession,  intenrupts. 
Remembrance,  there,  needs  none  to  gather  up 
Divided  thought  and  images  remote. 

**  So  that  men,  thus  at  variance  with  the  troth, 
Dream,  though  their  eyes  be  open ;  reckless  some 
Of  error ;  others  well  aware  they  err. 
To  whom  more  guilt  and  shame  are  justly  due. 
Each  the  known  track  of  sage  philosophy 
Deserts,  and  has  a  by-way  of  hu  own : 
So  much  the  restless  eagerness  to  shine, 
And  love  of  singularity,  prevail 
Yet  this,  offensive  as  it  is,  provokes 
Heaven's  anger  less,  than  when  the  book  of  God 
Is  forced  to  yield  to  man's  authority, 
Or  from  its  straightness  warp'd :  no  reckoning  mad* 
What  blood  the  sowing  of  it  in  the  worid 
Has  cost ;  what  favor  for  himself  he  wins. 
Who  meekly  clings  to  it    The  aim  of  all 
Is  how  to  shine :  e'en  they,  whose  office  is 

>  Meritmi^nu.}  The  collator  of  the  Monte  Castlno  Ma 
boasts  of  that  being  the  only  text  which  has  **  meritorio.** 
*' coneistorio,**  and  "  aAjutorio.**  The  reading  is  pfobabw 
right,  bat  I  And  it  is  in  Landino*8  edition  of  1484»  and  Vet 
luteUo's  of  1544;  and  it  may,  perhaps,  be  in  many  othen. 


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AM  THE  V]8K)N.  10M» 

To  preaeh  the  goipel,  let  the  gospel  deep, 
And  paM  their  own  inventions  off  instead. 
One  tells,  how  at  Christ's  suffering  the  wan  moon 
Bent  back  her  steps,  and  shadowed  o'er  the  son 
With  intervenient  disk,  as  she  withdrew : 
Another,  how  the  light  shrouded  itself 
Within  its  tabernacle,  and  left  dark 
The  Spaniard,  and  the  Indian,  with  the  Jew. 
Soch  fables  Florence  in  her  pulpit  hears. 
Bandied  about  more  frequent,  than  the  names 
Of  Bmdi  and  of  Lapi*  in  her  streets. 
The  sheep,*  meanwhile,  poor  witless  ones,  retnci 
From  pasture,  fed  with  wind :  and  what  airaib 
For  their  excuse,  they  do  not  see  their  hann? 
Christ  said  not  to  his  first  conventicle, 
<  Go  forth  and  preach  impostures  to  the  world,' 
But  gave  them  truth'  to  build  on ;  and  the  sound 
Was  mighty  on  their  lips :  nor  needed  they, 
Beside  the  Gonpel,  other  spear  or  shield, 
To  aid  them  in  their  warfare  for  the  faith. 
The  preacher*  now  provides  himself  with  8t<»e 
Of  jests  and  gibes ;  and,  so  there  be  no  lack 
Of  laughter,  while  he  vents  them,  his  big  cowl 
Distends,  and  he  has  won  the  meed  he  sought : 
Could  but  the  vulgar  catch  a  glimpse  the  while 
Of  that  dark  bird  which  nestles  in  his  hood. 
They  scarce  would  wait  to  hear  the  blessing  said. 
Which  now  the  dotards  hold  in  such  esteem, 
That  every  counterfeit,  who  spreads  abroad 
The  hands  of  holy  promise,  finds  a  throng 
Of  credulous  fools  beneath.    Saint  Anthmiy 
Fattens  with  this  his  swine,*  and  others  worse 

1  Of  Bindi  and  of  Lapi.]    Common  n&mes  of  men  at  Fl» 


*  The  sheep.]    So  Milton,  Lycidas. 

The  hungry  sheep  look  up  and  are  not  fed, 
Bnt  swoln  with  wind  and  the  rank  mist  they  draw, 
Rot  inwardly, 
t  Gave  them  truth.]    **  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  praaeh 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature.*'    Markt  zvi.  15. 
<  Thepreaeher.]    Thus  Cowper.    Task,  b.  iL 

—  TIs  pitifbl 

To  court  a  grin,  when  you  should  woo  a  soul,  fcc. 

•  Saint  Anthonf 

FkUtens  with  this  his  swine.]    On  the  sale  of  these  bless 
Ings,  the  brothers  of  St.  Anthony  supported  themselves  ana 
their  paramours.    From  behind  the  swine  of  St  Anthony* 
onr  Poet  levels  a  blow  at  the  object  of  his  inveterate  enmi^, 
BoniAce  YUL,  firon  whom,  *'in  1S97,  they  obtained  tlM 


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13S-1M.  PARADISE,  CAmo  XXX.  MS 

Than  swine,  who  diet  at  his  lazy  board, 
Paying  with  unstamped  metal'  for  their  fare. 

"  But  (for  we  far  have  wander'd)  let  us  seek 
The  forward  path  again ;  so  as  the  way 
Be  shorten*d  with  the  time.    No  mortal  tongae. 
Nor  thought  of  man,  hath  ever  reached  so  far. 
That  of  these  natures  he  might  count  the  tribes. 
What  Daniel*  of  their  thousands  hath  reveal'd. 
With  finite  number,  infinite  conceals.  [beams^ 

The  fountain,  at  whose  source  these  drink  theU 
With  light  supplies  them  in  as  many  modes, 
As  there  are  splendors  that  it  shines  on :  each 
According  to  the  virtue  it  conceives. 
Differing  in  love  and  sweet  affection. 
Look  then  how  lofty  and  how  huge  in  breadth 
The  eternal  might,  which,  broken  and  dispersed 
Over  such  countless  mirrors,  yet  remains 
Whole  in  itself  and  one,  as  at  the  first" 


CANTO    XXX 


ARGUMENT. 

Dante  is  taken  up  with  Beatrice  into  the  eropyreaa;  an4 

there  having  his  sight  strengthened  by  her  aid,  and  by 

the  virtue  derived  Arom  looking  on  the  river  of  light,  he 

sees  the  triumph  of  the  angels  and  of  the  souls  of  the 


Noon's  fervid  hour  perchance  six  thousand  miles 
From  hence  is  distant ;  and  the  shadowy  cone 
Almost  to  level  on  our  earth  declines ; 
When,  from  the  midmost  of  this  blue  abyss, 
By  turns  some  star  is  to  our  vision  lost 
And  straightway  as  the  handmaid  of  the  sun 
Puts  forth  her  radiant  brow,  all,  light  by  light. 
Fade ;  and  the  spangled  firmament  shuts  in, 

ditpiity  and  privileges  of  an  independent  congregation.**    8e9 
Hosheim's  Eccles.  History,  in  Dr.  Maclaine's  Translatkm, 
V.  ii.  cent  xi.  p.  3,  c.  2,  $  28. 
1  With  un*tamp*d  mttal,]    With  fiOse  indulgences. 

*  Daniel.]  "Thousand  thousands  ministered  unto  him. 
and  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  stood  before  him.** 
Damiel,  vii.  10. 

*  Six  thoutand  milet.]  He  compares  the  vanishing  of  the 
vision  to  the  ftding  away  of  the  stars  at  dawn,  when  it  is 
ooonday  six  thousand  miles  off,  and  the  shadow,  formed  by 
die  earth  over  the  part  of  it  inhabited  by  the  Poet,  is  about 
to  disappear. 


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lUM  TEEYJSIOS.  f-4i 

E'en  to  the  lofefiest  of  the  gUttorin^  thnmf  • 
Thw  yaniih'd  gradually  frmn  my  nght 
The  triumph,  which  plays  erer  round  the  pointt 
That  oyercame  me,  eeeuungjiat  it  did) 
Engirt*  hy  that  it  girdeth.    Whereforo  love, 
With  lotB  of  other  object,  forced  me  bend 
Mine  eyes  on  Beatrice  once  again. 

If  all,  that  hitherto  is  told  of  her. 
Were  m  one  praise  concluded,  'twere  too  weak 
To  furnish  out  this  turn.*    Mme  eyes  did  look 
On  beauty,  such,  as  I  believe  m  sooth. 
Not  merely  to  exceed  our  human ;  but. 
That  save  its  Maker,  none  can  to  the  full 
Enjoy  it    At  this  point  o'erpower'd  I  fail ; 
Unequal  to  my  theme ;  as  never  bard 
Of  buskm  or  of  sqck  hath  fiul'd  before. 
For  as  the  sun  doth  to  the  feeUest  sig^t, 
E*en  so  remembrance  of  that  witching  smfle 
Hath  dispossess'd  my  spirit  of  itsel£ 
Not  from  that  day,  when  on  this  earth  I  fint 
Beheld  her  charms,  up  to  that  view  of  them, 
Have  I  with  song  applausive  ever  ceased 
To  follow ;  but  now  follow  them  no  more ; 
My  course  here  bounded,  as  each  artist's  is. 
When  it  doth  touch  the  limit  of  his  skill. 

She,  (such  as  I  bequeath  her  to  the  bruit 
Of  louder  trump  than  mine,  which  hasteneth  oin» 
Urgmg  its  arduous  matter  to  the  close,) 
Her  words  resumed,  m  gesture  and  in  voice 
ResemUing  one  accustomed  to  command : 
'*  Forth'  from  the  last  corporeal  are  we  come 
Into  the  heaven,  that  is  unbodied  light ; 
Light  intellectual,  replete  with  love ; 
JjSre  of  true  happmess,  replete  with  joy ; 
Joy,  that  transcends  all  sweetness  of  delight 
Here  shalt  thou  look  on  either  mighty  host^ 
Of  Paradise ;  and  one  in  that  array. 
Which  in  the  final  judgment  thou  shalt  see." 

*  Enfiri,]  **  Appearing  to  be  encompasied  by  theie  sa 
gelic  bandSf  whieh  are  in  reality  eneompaMed  by  it** 

I  7)kic  (ttrii.l    duetta  vice. 
Hence  perhaps  Miiton,  P.  L.,  b.  viii.  491. 
This  torn  hath  made  amends. 

s  FMk.]  Ftota  the  ninth  spliere  to  the  empyrean,  which 
If  mere  light 

«  Eitkm'  mifUif  kotU]  Of  angels,  that  remained  fldthfU* 
and  of  beatified  souls;  the  latter  in  that  fbrm  which  thsf 
will  have  at  the  last  day. 


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€M8,  PARAIHSE,  CAirro  XXX.  555 

Ab  when  the  ligfatning,  in  a  sudden  q>leen 


Unfolded,  dashes  from  the  blmding  eyes 

The  visive  spirits,  dazzled  and  bedmm'd ; 

So,  roand  about  me,  fulminating  streams 

Of  livmg  radiance  play'd,  and  left  me  swath'd 

And  veU'd  in  dense  impenetrable  blaze. 

Such  weal  is  in  the  love,  that  stills  this  heaven ; 

For  its  own  flame'  the  torch  tlius  iittmg  ever. 

No  sooner  to  my  listening  ear  had  come 
The  brief  assurance,  thai^  I  understood 
New  virtue  into  me  infused,  and  sight 
Kindled  afresh,  with  vigor  to  sustain 
Excess  of  light  however  pure.    I  look*d ; 
And,  in  the  likeness  of  a  river,  saw 
Light  flowing,^  from  whose  amber-seeming  waves 
Flash'd  up  e£^gence,  as  they  glided  on 
'Twixt  bimks,  on  either  side,  painted  with  spring. 
Incredible  how  fair :  and,  from  the  tide. 
There  ever  and  anon,  outstarting,  flew 
Sparkles  instinct  with  life ;  and  in  the  flowers 
D.'d  set  them,  like  to  rubies  chased  in  gold: 
Then,  as  if  drunk  with  odors,  plunged  agam 
Into  the  wondrous  flood ;  from  which,  as  one 
Re-enter'd,  still  another  rose.    "  The  thirst 
Of  knowledge  high,  whereby  thou  art  inflamed. 
To  search  the  meaning  of  what  here  thou  seest, 
The  more  it  warms  thee,  pleases  me  the  more. 
But  first  behooves  thee  of  this  water  drink. 
Or  e'er  that  longing  be  allay'd."    So  spake 
The  daystar  of  mine  eyes :  then  thus  subjoined : 
«  This  stream ;  and  these,  forth  issuing  fh>m  its  gul^ 
And  diving  back,  a  living  topaz  each ; 
With  all  this  laughter  on  its  bloomy  shores , 
Are  but  a  preface,  shadowy  of  the  truth' 
They  emblem :  not  that,  in  themselves,  the  things 
Are  crude ;  but  on  thy  part  is  the  defect. 
For  that  thy  views  not  yet  aspire  so  high." 

>  Fbr  it»  own  Jlame.]  Thus  disposing  the  spirits  to  recelvs 
its  oWn  beatific  iight. 

>  Light  Jlowin^  *'  And  he  shewed  me  a  pore  nver  oC 
water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  thloM 
of  God  and  of  the  Lamb."    Rev.  xxii.  1. 

Undern^ith  a  bright  sea  flow*d 
Of  jasper  or  of  liquid  pearl. 

MiltontPfL.,h.\ilSm, 
•  Shadowy  of  the  truth.] 

Son  di  lor  vero  ombriferi  ]»re&ziL 

io  Mr.  <Joleridge,  in  his  Religioas  Musings,  v.  408 

Life  is  a  vision  shadowy  of  troth. 


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556  THE  VISION.  64-ni 

Nerer  4id  babe  that  had  enfriept  iiis  w«fit» 
Ruah,  with  such  eager  strammg,  to  the  nulk, 
Ai  I  toward  the  water ;  bendingr  me. 
To  make  the  better  minon  of  mine  eyee 
In  the  refining  ware:  and  as  the  eayee 
Of  mhie  eyelids*  did  drink  of  it,  forthwith 
Seem'd  it  unto  me  tnm'd  from  length  to  round. 
Then  as  a  troop  of  maskers,  when  they  pot 
Their  yisors  ofi;  look  other  than  before ; 
The  counterfeited  semblance  thrown  aidde: 
So  into  greater  jubilee  were  changed 
Those  flowers  and  sparkles ;  and  distinct  I  Baw» 
Before  me,  either  court^  of  heayen  displa/d. 

O  prime  enlightener !  thou  who  garest  me  strenglh 
On  the  high  triumph  of  thy  realm  to  gaze ; 
Grant  yirtue  now  to  utter  what  I  kenn'd. 

There  is  in  heaven  a  light,  whose  goodly  shhw 
Makes  the  Creator  visible  to  all 
Created,  that  in  seeing  him  alone 
Have  peace ;  and  in  a  circle  q>reads  so  far. 
That  the  circumference  were  too  loose  a  sone 
To  girdle  in  the  sun.    All  is  one  beam. 
Reflected  from  the  summit  of  the  first, 
That  moves,  which  being  hence  and  vigor  takeii 
And  as  some  cliff;*  that  from  the  bottom  eyes 
His  image  mirror'd  in  the  crystal  flood} 
As  if  to  admire  his  brave  apparelling 
Of  verdure  and  of  flowers ;  so,  round  about, 
Eyinff  the  light,  on  more  than  million  thrones, 
Stood,  eminent,  whatever  from  our  earth 
Has  to  the  skies  retum'd.    How  wide  the  leaves. 
Extended  to  their  utmost,  of  this  rose, 
Whose  lowest  step  embosoms  such  a  space 
Of  ample  radiance !    Yet,  nor  amplitude 
Nor  height  unpeded,  but  my  view  with  ease* 
Took  m  the  full  dimensions  of  that  joy. 
Near  or  remote,  what  there  avails,  where  God 

' tkt  eave» 

Of  mine  tyelidf.]    Thas  Shakspeare  calli  the  eyelUU 
*  penthoase  lids."    Maebethy  act  i.  sc  3. 
«  Either  eourL]    See  Note  to  v.  44. 

«  Jt*  some  elif?\  A  lake, 

That  to  the  fringed  bank  with  myrtle  erown*d 
Her  cryital  noirror  holds. 

JtftZtra,  P.  L^  b.  iv.  963. 
*  Mf  view  with  eaee.] 

—  Far  and  wide  his  eye  commands ; 
For  sl^t  no  obstacle  foand  here,  nor  shade, 
But  aUronshine.  Oid^hTik  C10. 


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m-li6.         PARADISE,  Canto  XXXI.  667 

Immediate  rales,  and  Nature,  awed,  suspendi 
Her  sway?    Into  the  yellow  of  the  rose 
.  Perennial,  which,  in  bright  expansiyeness. 
Lays  forth  its  gradual  blooming,  redolent 
Of  praises  to  the  neyer-winteriug  sun, 
As  one,  who  fain  would  speak,  yet  holds  his  peace^ 
Beatrice  led  me ;  and,  <<  Behold,"  she  said, 
*'  This  fair  assemblage ;  stoles  of  snowy  white, 
How  numberless.    The  city,  where  we  dwell. 
Behold  how  vast ;  and  these  our  seats  so  throng'd, 
Few  now  are  wanting  here.    In  that  proud  stall,^ 
On  which,  the  crown,  already  o'er  its  state 
Suspended,  holds  thine  eye8-M)r  e'er  thyself 
Mayst  at  the  wedding  supy— shall  rest  the  soul 
Of  the  great  Harry ,^  he  who,  by  the  world 
Augustus  hail'd,  to  Italy  must  come. 
Before  her  day  be  ripe.    But  ye  are  sick, 
And  in  your  tetchy  wantonness  as  blind, 
As  is  the  bantling,  that  of  hunger  dies. 
And  drives  away  the  nurse.    Nor  may  it  be, 
That  he,'  who  in  the  sacred  forum  sways, 
Openly  or  in  secret,  shall  with  him 
Accordant  walk :  whom  God  will  not  endure 
r  the  holy  office  long ;  but  thrust  him  down 
To  Simon  Magus,  where  Alagna's  priest^ 
Will  sink  beneath  him :  such  will  be  his  meed." 


CANTO    XXXI 

ARGUMENT. 
The  Poet  expatiates  Amher  on  the  glorioos  vision  desciibed 

1  In  that  proud  atall.']  "  Ostenditqne  roihi  circa  Paradlsiun 
tectum  clans  et  splendidissimis  operimentis  ad(Mmatam~in  qno 
lecto  qnendam  Jacere  conspexi  ci^ns  nomen  ab  Apostolo  an- 
divl,  sed  prohiboit  ne  cni  Iliad  dicerem.**  Albtriei  Fiaio,  $  31. 

^  Of  the  great  Harrf.]  The  Emperor  Henry  VII.,  who  died 
In  1313.  **  Henry,  Count  of  Lnxemburgh,  held  the  imperial 
power  three  years,  seven  months,  and  eighteen  days,  from  his 
nrst  coronation  to  his  death.  He  was  a  man  wise,  and  Just, 
and  gracious ;  bravo  and  intrepid  in  arms ;  a  man  of  honof; 
and  a  good  Catholic ;  and  althougli  by  his  lineage  he  was  of 
no  great  condition,  yet  he  was  of  a  magnanhnous  heart, 
much  feared  and  held  in  awe ;  and  if  he  had  lived  longer, 
would  have  done  the  neatest  things.**  G.  ViilmU^  lib.  ix. 
cap.  1.  Compare  Dino  Compagni,  Muratori,  Rer.  Ital.  Script, 
tarn.  iz.  lib.  UL  p.  584,  and  Fazio  degU  Uberti,  Dittamonda 
Li  11.  cap.  30. 

*  He.'i    Pope  Clement  V.    See  Canto  xzvil.  JS3. 

^JtUgna'tfri^H,]  PopeBoni&oeYUI    HeU  Caa^tozii.TD 


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558  THE  YJSSOS.  1H» 

In  the  kit  Canto.  On  looUng  roimd  for  Beatriee,  he  ilnda 
that  she  has  left  him,  and  that  an  old  man  is  at  his  sidcb 
This  proves  to  be  Saint  Bernard,  who  shows  him  that  Be- 
atrice has  retomed  to  her  throne,  and  then  points  oat  to 
him  the  blessedness  of  the  Virgin  Mother. 

In  fashion,  as  a  snow-white  rose,  lay  then 
BeAH«  my  view  the  saintly  multitude,^  [whiles 

Which  in  his  own  blood  Christ  espoused.    Mean* 
That  other  host,'  that  soar  aloft  to  gaze 
And  celebrate  his  glory,  whom  they  love, 
Hover'd  around  ;  and,  like  a  troop  of  bees,' 
Amid  the  vernal  sweets  alighting  now. 
Now,  clustering,  where  their  fragrant  labor  glows, 
Flew  downwai^  to  the  mighty  m>wer,  or  rose 
From  the  redundant  petals,  streaming  back 
Unto  the  steadfast  dwelling  of  their  joy. 
Faces  had  they  of  flame,  and  wings  of  gold  ;^ 
The  rest  was  whiter  than  the  driven  snow  ; 
And,  as  they  flitted  down  into  the  flower. 
From  range  to  range,  fanning  their  plumy  loins, 
Whisper'd  the  peace  and  ardor,  which  they  won 
From  that  soft  winnowing.    Shadow  none,  the  vast 
Interposition  of  such  numerous  flight 
Cast,  from  above,  upon  the  flower,  or  view 
Obstructed  aught    For,  througli  the  universe, 
Wherever  merited,  celestial  light 
Glides  freely,  and  no  obstacle  prevents. 

All  there,  who  reign  in  safety  and  in  bliss, 
Ages  long  past  or  new,  on  one  sole  mark 
Their  love  and  vision  fix'd.    O  trinal  beam 
Of  mdividnal  star,  that  charm'st  them  thus ! 
Vouchsafe  one  glance  to  gild  our  storm  below.' 

If  the  grim  brood,*  from  Arctic  shores  that  roam'd, 

1  Tke  »aintly  multituie.]    Hnman  sonls,  advanced  to  this 
■tale  of  glory  through  the  mediation  of  Christ 
s  That  other  ho»t.]    The  angels. 

*  Bee$.}  Compare  Homer,  Iliad,  11  87,  Vkg.  iEn.,  i.  430; 
and  Milton,  P.  L.,  b.  1. 768. 

*  Wing8  of  gold.} 

the  middle  pair 

Skirted  his  loins  and  thighs  with  downy  gold. 

MUtony  P.  L^  b.  V.  882. 
»  To  gUd  our  storm  fte^ov.l    To  guide  us  through  the  dan- 
gers to  which  we  are  exposea  in  this  tempestnoos  Ufe. 

*  If  the  grim  hrood.]  The  northern  hordes  who  invaded 
Rome.  Landino  jnstly  observes,  tbiit "  this  is  a  most  eicet' 
enu  comparison  to  show  how  great  his  astonishment  was  at 

Mho  ding  the  realms  of  the  blest'* 


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PARADISE,  Camto  XKXI.  Mi 

(Where  Helice^  for  ever,  as  she  wheels, 
Sparkles  a  mother's  fondness  on  her  son,) 
Stood  m  mute  wonder  'mid  the  works  of  Rome, 
When  to  their  view  the  Lateran  arose* 
In  greatness  more  than  earthly ;  I,  who  then 
From  human  t9  diyine  had  pass'd,  from  tune 
Unto  eternity,  and  out  of  Florence 
To  justice  and  to  truth,  how  might  I  ciioose 
But  marvel  too  ?    'Twixt  gladness  and  amaze, 
In  sooth  no  will  had  I  to  utter  aught. 
Or  hear.    And,  as  a  pilgrim,  when  he  rests 
Within  the  temple  of  his  tow,  looks  round 
In  breathless  awe,  and  hopes  some  time  to  tell 
Of  all  its  goodly  state  ;  e'en  so  mine  eyes 
Coursed  up  and  down  along  the  living  light. 
Now  low,  and  now  aloft,  and  now  around, 
Visiting  every  step.    Looks  I  beheld. 
Where  charity  in  soft  persuasion  sat ; 
Smiles  from  within,  and  radiance  from  above ; 
And,  in  each  gesture,  grace  and  honor  high. 

So  roved  my  ken,  and  in  its  general  form 
All  Paradise  survey'd :  when  round  I  tum'd 
With  purpose  of  my  lady  to  inquire 
Once  more  of  things,  that  held  my  thought  suspense, 
But  answer  found  from  other  than  I  ween'd ; 
For,  Beatrice  when  I  thought  to  see, 
I  saw  instead  a  senior,  at  my  side. 
Robed,  as  the  rest,  in  glory.    Joy  benign 
Glow'd  m  his  eye,  and  o'er  his  cheek  difi^ised, 
With  gestures  such  as  spake  a  father's  love. 
And,  **  Whither  is  she  vanish'd?"  straight  I  ask'd. 

«  By  Beatrice  summon'd,"  he  replied, 

^  Hdice.]    Callisto,  and  her  son  Areas,  changed  into  the 
eonstellatlons  of  the  Greater  Bear  and  Arctophylax,  or  Bo5tes. 
See  Ovid,  Met,  Ub.  U.  fob.  v.  vL 
*  The  LatertM  arotcl 

qnando  Laterano 

Alle  cose  motali  andb  di  sopia. 
This  reminds  tis  of  the  celebrated  passage  in  Akenside ; 
Mark  how  the  dread  Pantheon  stands, 
Amid  the  domes  of  modem  hands. 

Ode  xviU.  b.  1. 
It  is  remariEable  that  Dante  has  no  allusion  to  the  magnifi- 
cence of  Gothic  architectore,  which  was  then  in  so  mnch 
perAction,  and  which,  as  Tliaboschi  endeavors  to  show,  by  a 
passage  in  Cassiodoros,  describing  its  peculiar  character  of 
slender  columns  and  lanceated  arches,  was  introduced  inte 
Italy  soeariy  as  the  end  of  the  fifth  century.  See  Star,  dalle 
Utt.  Ital.,  tom.  m.  Ub.  i. 


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MO  TBE  VISION.  tl-n 

**  1  come  to  aid  thy  widi.    Looking  aloift 
lo  the  third  circle  from  the  highest,  there 
Behold  her  on  the  throne,  wherem  her  merit 
Hath  placed  her."     Answering^  not,  mine   eyet  1 

raued, 
And  saw  her,  where  aloof  she  sat,  h«r  brow 
A  wreath  reflecting  of  eternal  beams. 
Not  from  the  centre  of  the  sea  so  far 
Unto  the  region  of  the  highest  thunder, 
As  was  my  ken  from  hers ;  and  yet  the  form 
Came   through  that  medium  down,  jnmix'd  and 

pure. 
**  Olady !  thou  m  whom  my  hopes  have  rest ; 
Who,  for  my  safety,  hast  not  scom'd,  m  hell 
To  leave  the  traces  of  thy  footsteps  mark'd ; 
For  all  mine  eyes  have  seen,  I  to  thy  power 
And  goodness,  virtue  owe  and  grace.     Of  slave 
Thou  hast  to  freedom  brought  me :  and  no  means, 
For  my  deliverance  apt,  hast  left  untried. 
Thy  liberal  bounty  still  toward  me  keep : 
That,  when  my  spirit,  which  thou  madest  whole, 
Is  loo6en*d  from  this  body,  it  may  find 
Favor  with  thee."    So  I  my  suit  preferred : 
And  she,  so  distant,  as  appeared,  look'd  down. 
And  smiled ;  then  towards  the  eternal  fountam  tum'd 

And  thus  the  senior,  holy  and  revered ; 
"  That  thou  at  length  mayst  happily  conclude 
Thy  voyage,  (to  which  end  I  was  dispatch'd. 
By  supplication  moved  and  holy  love,) 
Let  thy  upsoaring  vision  range,  at  large. 
This  garden  through :  for  so,  by  ray  divine 
Kindled,  thy  ken  a  higher  flight  shall  mount ; 
And  from  heaven's  queen,  whom  fervent  I  adoro, 
All  gracious  aid  befriend  us ;  for  that  I 
Am  her  own  faithful  Bemaid."*    Like  a  wight, 

>  Bemard-l  St  Bernard,  the  venerable  abbot  of  Clairvaaz, 
and  the  great  promoter  of  the  second  cmsade,  who  died  A.  D. 
1153,  in  hit  sixty -third  year.  His  sermons  are  called  by 
Henanlt  "  chefis-d'oBUvres  de  sentiment  et  de  force."  Jihrigi 
CkroH,^  PHist.  dt  FV^  1145.  They  have  even  been  preferred 
to  all  the  productions  of  the  ancients,  and  the  author  hat 
been  termed  the  last  of  the  fathers  of  the  charch.  It  is  un- 
certain whether  they  were  not  delivered  originally  in  the 
French  tongue.    Ibid. 

That  the  part  he  acts  in  the  present  poem  should  be  as- 
signed  to  him,  appears  somewhat  remarkable,  when  we  con- 
sider that  he  severely  censured  the  new  festival  established 
In  honor  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  of  the  Virgin,  anj 
**  opposed  the  doctrine  itself  with  the  greatest  vigor,  as  It 


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^4-118.  PARADISE,  Camto  XXXI.  561 

Who  haply  from  Croatia  wends  to  see 

Our  Veronica  ;*  and,  the  while  *tis  shown 

Hangs  over  it  with  never-sated  gaze. 

And,  all  that  he  hath  heard  revolving,  saith 

Unto  himself  in  thought :  «  And  didst  thou  look 

E'en  thus,  O  Jesus,  my  true  Lord  and  €rod  ? 

And  was  this  semhlance  thine  ?"     So  gazed  I  then 

Adoring ;  for  the  charity  of  him,' 

Who  musing,  in  this  world  that  peace  enjoy'd; 

Stood  livelily  before  me.   "  Child  of  grace !" 

Thus  he  began :  "  thou  shalt  not  knowledge  gain 

Of  this  glad  being,  if  thine  eyes  are  held 

Still  in  this  depth  below.     But  search  around 

The  circles,  to  the  furthest,  till  thou  spy 

Seated  in  state,  the  queen,'  that  of  this  realm 

Is  sovereign."  Straight  mine  eyes  I  raised ;  and  bright^ 

As,  at  the  birth  of  mom,  the  eastern  clime 

Above  the  horizon,  where  the  sun  declines ; 

So  to  mine  eyes,  that  upward,  as  from  vale 

To  mountain  sped,  at  the  extreme  bound,  a  part 

ExccU'd  in  lustre  all  the  front  oppbsed. 

And  as  the  glow  bums  ruddiest  o*er  the  wave, 

That  waits  the  ascending  team,  which  Phaeton 

HI  knew  to  guide,  and  on  each  part  the  light 

Diminbh'd  fades,  intensest  in  the  midst ; 

supposed  her  being  honored  with  a  prlvil^^  which  belonged 
to  Christ  alone.'*  Dr.  Maelaine**  Mosheimt  vol.  iU.  cent  Jdi. 
part  iL  c.  iU.  $  19. 

*  Our  Veronica.\ 

A  vemicle  had  he  sewed  upon  his  cappe. 

Chancery  Prol.  to  the  Canterbury  Tales. 
"Vemicle,  diminutive  of  Veronike,  Fr.  A  copy  in  minia- 
lure  of  the  picture  of  Christ,  which  is  supposed  to  have  been 
miraculously  imprinted  upon  a  handkerchief  preserved  in 
the  church  of  St  Peter  at  Rome.  Du  Catige  in  «.  Veronica. 
Madox,  Form.  Angl.  1.  p.  428,  Testam.  Job.  de  Nevill.  an. 
1386.  Item  Domino  Archiepiscopo  Ebornm  fratri  meo,  ves- 
timentiun  rubeum  de  velvet  cum  le  verouike  (r.  Veronike) 
in  granis  rosarum  de  super  Brondata,  (r.  broudata.)  It  was 
us^  for  persons  returning  fVom  pilgrimages,  to  bring  with 
them  certain  tokens  of  the  several  places  which  they  had 
visited ;  and  therefore  the  Pardoner,  who  is  just  arrived  from 
ficune,  is  represented  with  a  vemicle  sewed  upon  his  cappe 
See  Pierce  Plowman,  28  b."  Tyrvhitt^a  Olossary  to  Chaucer, 
Our  Poet  alludes  to  this  custom  in  his  Vita  ^ova,  p.  275. 
••  Awenne  in  quel  temiw,*'  &c.  **  It  happened,  at  that  time, 
that  many  people  were  going  to  see  that  blessed  image,  which 
Jesus  Christ  left  to  us  for  a  pattern  of  his  most  beantlAil  foni^ 
Which  my  lady  now  beholds  in  glory." 

•  Htm.]    St  Bernard. 

>  The  fiMm.]   The  Virgin  Mary. 
3f 


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568  THE  VBK>M.  Ilt-IM 

So  bam*d  the  peacefiil  oriflamb,^  and  riack'd 
On  every  aide  the  livmg  flame  decay'd. 
And  in  that  raidst  their  sportive  pennons  waved 
Thousands  of  angels ;  in  resplendence  each 
Distinct,  and  quaint  adornment    At  their  glee 
And  carol,  smiled  the  Lovely  One  of  heaven. 
That  joy  was  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  blest 

Had  I  a  tongae  m.  eloquence  as  rich, 
As  is  the  eoforing  in  faacy's  loom, 
'Twere  all  too  poor  to  utter  the  least  part 
Of  that  enchantment    When  he  saw  mine  eyei 
Intent  on  her,  that  charm'd  him ;  Bernard  gazed 
With  BO  exceeding  foodness,  as  infused 
Ardor  into  my  breast,  unfelt  before. 

CANTO   XXXII. 


ARGUMENT. 

Saint  Bernard  shows  him,  on  their  several  thrones,  the  other 
blessed  sonls,  both  of  the  old  and  new  Testament ;  ex- 
plains to  him  that  their  places  are  assigned  them  by 
grace,  and  not  acc<»ding  to  merit;  and  lastly,  tells  him 
that  if  he  would  obtain  power  to  descry  what  remained 
cf  the  heavenly  vision,  he  most  anite  with  him  in  sQj^i 
cation  to  Mary. 

Freely  the  sage,  though  wrapt  m  munngs  high, 
Assumed  the  teacher's  part,  and  mild  began : 
«  The  wound,  that  Mary  closed,  she*  open'd  first. 
Who  sits  so  .beautiful  at  Mary's  feet 
The  third  in  order,  underneath  her,  lo ! 
Rachel  with  Beatrice :  Sarah  next ; 
Judith ;  Rebecca ;  and  the  gleaner-maid. 
Meek  ancestress*  of  him,  who  sang  the  songs 
Of  sore  repentance  in  his  sorrowful  mood. 
All,  as  I  name  them,  down  from  leaf  to  leaf. 
Are,  in  gradation,  throned  on  the  rose. 
And  from  the  seventh  step,  successively, 
Adown  the  breathing  tresses  of  the  flower. 
Still  doth  the  file  cf  Hebrew  dames  proceed. 
For  these  are  a  partition  wall,  whereby 

1  Ori/lamb.]   Menage  on  this  word  quotes  the  Boman  ita 
Boyanx  Lignages  of  Gailianme  Ghyart 

Orflamme  est  one  banniere 

JDe  cendal  roajoyant  et  simple 

Sans  portraiture  d*aiitre  affiiire. 
•Sk*.]    Eve. 
*  Jtiuutr099,]    Bath,  the  anoe*(  ess  of  David. 


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lft-56.  PARADISE,  Canto  XXXU.  66S 

The  sacred  ftain  afe  ■ever'd,  as  the  faith 
In  Christ  divides  them.     On  tiiis  part,  where  Uooms 
Each  leaf  in  full  maturity,  are  set 
Such  as  in  Christ,  or  e'er  he  came,  believed. 
On  the  other,  where  an  intersected  space 
Yet  shows  the  semicircle  void,  abide 
All  they,  who  look'd  to  Christ  abready  come. 
And  as  our  Lady  on  her  glorious  stool. 
And  they  who  on  their  stools  beneath  iier  sit. 
This  way  distinction.make  ;  e*en  so  on  his. 
The  mighty  Baptbt  that  way  marks  the  line, 
(He  who  endured  the  desert,  and  the  pains 
Of  martyrdom,  and,  for  two  years,'  of  hell. 
Yet  still  continued  holy,)  and  beneath, 
Angustin  ;*  Francis  f  Benedict  ;*  and  the  rest. 
Thus  far  from  round  to  round.    So  heaven's  decree 
Forecasts,  this  garden  equally  to  fill. 
With  faith  in  either  view,  past  or  to  come,   [cleaves, 
Learn  too,  that  downward  from  the  step,  which 
Midway,  the  twain  compartments,  none  there  are 
Who  place  obtain  for  merit  of  their  own. 
But  have  through  others'  merit  been  advanced. 
On  set  conditions ;  spurits  all  released. 
Ere  for  themselves  they  had  the  power  to  choose. 
And,  if  thou  mark  and  listen  to  them  well. 
Their  childish  looks  and  voice  declare  as  much. 
"  Here,  silent  as  thou  art,  I  know  thy  doubt ; 
.  And  gladly  will  I  loose  the  knot,  wherein       [realm 
Thy  subtile  thoughts  have  bound  thee.    From  this 
Excluded,  chance  no  entrance  here  may  find ; 
No  more  than  hunger,  thirst,  or  sorrow  can. 
A  law  immutable  hath  stablish'd  all ; 
Nor  is  there  aught  thou  seest,  that  doth  not  fit, 
Exactly,  as  the  finger  to  the  ring. 
It  is  not,  therefore,  without  cause,  that  these, 
O'erspeedy  comers  to  immortal  life. 
Are  difiTerent  in  their  shares  of  excellence. 
Our  Sovereign  Lord,  that  setUeth  this  estate 
In  love  and  in  delight  so  absolute. 
That  wish  can  dare  no  further,  every  soul, 
Created  in  his  joyous  sight  to  dwell, 

1  Two  year»,\  The  time  that  elapsed  between  the  death 
of  the  Baptist  and  his  redemption  by  the  death  of  Christ 

<  jivguttin.]  Bishop  of  Hippo,  in  the  fourth  centory ;  tiw 
celebrated  writer  who  has  been  mentioned  before,Oanto  x.  117. 

*  tenets.]    See  Canto  xi. 

*Bmuiia.]   See  Canto  xxil. 


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6M  THE  VISION.  VMKk 

With  grace,  at  pleamnre,  TarkmBly'  endows. 

And  for  a  proof  the  efiect  may  well  suffice. 

And  'tk  moreover  most  expressly  mark'd 

In  holy  seriptare,'  where  the  twins  are  said 

To  have  straggled  in  the  womb.  Therefore,  as  gnoi 

Inweaves  the  coronet,  so  every  brow 

Weareth  its  proper  hue  of  orient  light 

And  merely  in  respect  to  his  prime  gift. 

Not  in  reward  of  meritorious  deed,  ■ 

Hath  each  his  several  degree  assign'd. 

In  eariy  times  with  their  own  innocence 

More  was  not  wanting,  than  the  parents'  faith. 

To  save  them :  those  first  ages  pass'd,  behooved 

That  circumcision  in  the  males  should  imp 

The  ffight  of  innocent  wings :  bat  since  the  day 

Of  grace  hath  come,  without  baptismal  rites 

In  Christ  accomplished,  innocence  herself 

Must  linger  yet  below.    Now  raise  thy  view 

Unto  the  visage  most  resembling  Chrkt: 

For,  in  her  splendor  only,  shalt  thou  win 

The  power  to  look  on  him."    Forthwith  I  saw 

Such  floods  of  gladness  on  her  visage  showered, 

From  holy  spirits,  winging  that  profound ; 

That,  whatsoever  I  had  yet  beheld. 

Had  not  so  much  suspended  me  with  wonder. 

Or  shown  me  such  similitude  of  God. 

And  he,  who  had  to  her  descended,  once. 

On  earth,  now  hail'd  in  heaven ;  and  on  poised  vmgg 

"  Ave,  Maria,  Gratia  Plena,"  sang : 

To  whose  sweet  anthem  all  the  blissful  court, 

From  all  parts  answering,  rang:  that  holier  joy 

Brooded  the  deep  serene.    "  Father  revered ! 

1  F'AriouMif.]  There  can  be  no  doabt  bat  that  **  Intra  se,** 
and  not  '*  Entrassi,**  is  the  risht  reading  at  v.  60  of  the  <nrigi- 
nal.  The  former  seems  to  have  been  found  in  onlv  a  few 
IISS. ;  bat  it  appears  fVom  Landino*s  notes,  that  he  had  in- 
tended  to  adopt  it ;  althonsh  Loml>ardi  has  been,  as  for  as  I 
know,  the  first  to  admit  it  into  the  text. 

>  In  holy  tcrmturt.]  "  And  the  children  strogided  together 
within  her.'*  Oe».,  zzv.  22.  **  When  Rebekah  also  had  con- 
ceived by  one,  even  by  oar  father  Isaac ;  (for  the  children 
being  not  yet  b<«i,  neither  having  done  any  good  w  evil, 
that  tlie  promise  of  God  according  to  electicm  might  stand, 
aot  of  works,  bat  of  him  that  calteth ;)  it  was  said  anto  her, 
The  elder  shall  serve  the  yoanger.'*  Rom^  ix.  10, 11  12.  Care 
most  be  taken  that  the  doctrine  of  election  is  no  pushed 
Airther  than  St  Paol  appears  to  have  intended  by  this  text, 
which  regards  the  preference  of  the  Jews  to  the  Gentiles, 
and  not  merel  v  the  choice  of  particular  persons,  without  any 
tonient. 

Digitized  byLjOOQlC 


»-l».         PARADISE,  Curro  XXXIL  665  • 

Who  deign'ft,  for  me,  to  quit  the  pleasant  place, 
Wherein  thou  sittest,  by  eternal  lot ; 
8ay,  who  that  angel  is,  that  with  such  glee 
Beholds  our  queen,  and  so  enamor'd  glows 
Of  her  high  beauty,  that  all  fire  he  seems." 

iSo  I  again  resorted  to  the  lore 
Of  my  wise  teacher,  he,  whom  Mary's  charms 
£n  bellish'd,  as  the  sun  the  morning  star ; 
Who  thus  in  answer  spake :  *'  In  hun  are  summ'd, 
Whiite'er  of  buzomness  and  free  delight 
May  be  in  spirit,  or  in  angel,  met : 
And  so  beseems :  for  that  he  bare  the  palm 
Down  unto  Mary,  when  the  son  of  God 
Vouchsafed  to  clothe  him  in  terrestrial  weeds. 
Now  let  thine  eyes  wait  heedfid  on  my  words ; 
And  note  thou  of  this  just  and  pij^us  realm 
The  chiefest  nobles.    Those,  highest  in  bliss. 
The  twain,  on  each  hand  next  our  empress  throned, 
Are  as  it  were  two  roots  unto  this  rose : 
He  to  the  left,  the  parent,  whose  rash  taste 
Proves  bitter  to  his  seed ;  and,  on  the  right, 
That  ancient  father  of  the  holy  church. 
Into  whose  keeping  Christ  did  give  the  keys 
Of  this  sweet  flower ;  near  whom  behold  the  seer,^ 
That,  ere  he  died,  saw  all  the  grievous  times 
Of  the  fair  bride,  who  with  the  lance  and  nails 
Was  won.     And,  near  unto  the  other,  rests 
The  leader,  under  whom,  on  manna,  fed 
The  ungrateful  nation,  fickle  and  perverse. 
On  the  other  part,  facing  to  Peter,  lo ! 
Where  Anna  sits,  so  well  content  to  look 
On  her  loved  daughter,  that  with  moveless  eye ' 
She  chants  the  bud  hosanna :  while,  opposed 
,  To  the  first  father  of  your  mortal  kind. 
Is  Lucia,*  at  whose  best  thy  lady  sped. 
When  on  the  edge  of  ruin  closed  thine  eye. 
**  But  (for  the  vision  hasteneth  to  an  end) 
Here  break  we  off,  as  the  good  workman  doth. 
That  shapes  the  cloak  according  to  the  cloth ; 
And  to  the  primal  love  our  ken  shall  rise ; 
That  thou  mayst  penetrate  the  brightness,  far 
As  sight  can  bear  thee.    Yet,  alas !   in  sooth 
Beatinsr  thy  pennons,  thinking  to  advance,    [eam'd; 
Thou  backward  fall'st    Grace  then  must  first  b« 

i  Tk0  »eer.}    Bt  Johi. 

*lAieia.]    See  Hell,  Canto  0. 97,  and  Puii&tory,  iz.  SO. 


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M6  THE  VISaON.  :3a-135 

Her  grace,  whose  might  can  help  thee.    Thim  hi 

prayer 
Seek  her:  and,  with  affection,  while  I  sne. 
Attend,  and  yield  me  all  thy  heart"    He  said ; 
And  thus  the  samtly  orison  began. 


CANTO    XXXIIL 

ARGXJMENT. 
BalBt  Bernard  nipidicates  the  Yirgin  Mary  that  Dante  nay 
have  grace  given  him  to  contemplate  the  brightness  of  tliie 
Divine  Mi^ty,  which  is  accormngly  granted;  and  Dante 
then  himself  prairs  to  God  far  ability  to  show  finrth  some 
part  of  the  celestial  glory  in  his  writings.  L&stly,  he  Is 
admitted  to  a  glimpse  or  the  great  mystery;  thelMnity 
and  the  Union  of  Man  with  God. 

"  O  TiRGm  mother,"  daughter  of  thy  Son ! 
Created  beings  all  in  lowliness 
Surpassing,  as  in  height  above  them  all ; 
Term  by  the  eternal  counsel  preordained ; 
Ennobler  of  thy  nature,  so  advanced 
In  thee,  that  its  great  Maker  did  not  scorn, 

>  O  9ir£rin  mother.] 

Thou  maide  and  mother  daughter  of  thy  son. 
Thou  wel  of  mercy,  slnflil  soules  cure, 
In  wh4Mn  that  God  of  boantee  chees  to  wcm ; 
Thon  humble  and  high  over  every  creature. 
Thou  nobledest  so  far  forth  our  nature. 
That  no  (ttsdaine  the  maker  had  of  fcinde 
His  son  in  blood  and  flesh  to  clothe  and  winds. 

Within  the  clolstre  blisful  of  thy  sides 
Toke  mannes  shape  the  eternal  love  and  pees, 
That  of  the  trine  compas  Lord  and  guide  is, 
Whom  erthe,  and  sea,  and  heven  out  of  rellees 
Ay  herien ;  and  thou  virgin  wemmeles 
Bare  of  thy  body  (and  dweltest  maiden  pure) 
The  Creatour  of  every  creature. 

Assembled  in  thee  magnificence 
With  mercy,  goodness,  and  with  such  pitee, 
That  thou  that  art  the  sunne  of  excellence 
Not  <mly  helpest  hem  that  praisen  thee, 
But  oftentime  of  thy  benignitee 
Ful  freely,  or  that  men  thin  helpe  beseche. 
Thou  goest  beforne,  and  art  hir  lives  leche. 

CkauccTf  The  Second  Jfonnee  TUt. 
In  the  stanza  preceding  these,  Chaucer  alludes  to  8t  Bit 
Baid*8  writings. 

And  thou  that  art  flonre  of  virgins  all. 
Of  whom  that  Bernard  list  so  well  to  write 


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T-39.  PARADISE,  Cahto  XXXUI.  MH 

To  make  lumself  his  own  creation ;' 

For  in  thy  womb  rekindlmgr  shone  the  love 

Reyeal'd,  whose  genial  influence  makes  now 

Tliis  flower  to  germin  in  eternal  peace : 

Here  thou  to  us,  of  charity  and  loye, 

Art,  as  the  noonday  torch ;  and  art,  beneath. 

To  mortal  men,  of  hope  a  lining  spring. 

So  mighty  art  thou,  lady,  and  so  great, 

That  he,  who  grace  desireth,  and  comes  noi 

To  thee  for  aidance,  fain  would  have  desire' 

Fly  without  wings.    Not  only  him,  who  asks. 

Thy  bounty  succors ;  but  doth  freely  oil 

Forerun  the  asking.    Whatsoe'er  may  be 

Of  excellence  in  creature,  pity  mild. 

Relenting  mercy,  large  munificence. 

Are  all  combined  m  Uiee.    Here  kneeleth  one. 

Who  of  all  spirits  hath  reviewed  the  state, 

From  the  worid*s  lowest  gap  unto  this  height 

Suppliant  to  thee  he  kneels,  imploring  grace 

For  virtue  yet  more  high,  to  lift  his  ken 

Toward  the  bliss  supreme.    And  I,  who  ne'er 

Coveted  sight,  more  fondly,  for  myself. 

Than  now  for  him,  my  prayers  to  thee  prefer, 

(And  pray  they  be  not  scant,)  that  thou  wouldst  drive 

Each  cloud  of  his  mortality  away,  [joy 

Through  thme  own  prayers,'  that  on  the  sovereign 

Unveil'd  he  gaze.    This  yet,  I  pray  thee.  Queen, 

Who  canst  do  what  thou  wilt ;  that  in  him  thou 

Wouldst,  after  all  he  hath  beheld,  preserve 

1  To  make  himself  kU  own  creation.^ 

Non  si  sdegnb  di  farsi  sua  fbttura. 
I  had  translated  this  line, 

Himself  in  his  own  wcnk  enclosed  to  dwell, 
and  have  corrected  it  at  the  snggestion  of  my  fUend,  the 
Eev.  William  Digby,  who  points  out  a  parallel  passage  in 
•  Bishop  Hopkins,  on  the  Lord's  Prayer.  Ed.  1693,  p.  190.  **In 
Him  omnipotence  became  weak;  eternity,  mortal;  inno- 
cence itself,  gnilty;  God,  man;  the  creator,  a  creature;  the 
maker  of  ail,  his  own  workmanship." 

•  Desire.'] 

Lo  his  desire  woll  flie  w}thontenwinges. 

Chaucer^  Troilus  and  Oretoeide,  lib.  Itt. 
Che  '1  desiderio  semiure  move  Tale 
Dietro  all'  oggetto  della  mente  appreso. 

Fk-eizh  li  Q;uadrir,  lib.  lii.  cap.  3. 

*  Through  tiiine  oten  prayert.l  Here  asaln  I  am  indebted 
to  Mr.  Digby  for  noticing  the  omission  of  **co*  priethi  tiu^** 
tii>my  fovmer  translation  of  the  passage  which  stood  thus: 

That  on  the  sovereign  pleasure  he  may  gaie. 
This  also  I  entieat  of  uee,  O  queen. 


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508  THE  VISION.  30-71 

Auction  Miaiid,  and  human  paarions  quell. 

Lo !  where,  with  Beatrice,  many  a  saint  [salt ' 

Stretch  their  dasp'd  hands,  in  furtherance  «f  my 

The  eyes,  that  heaven  with  love  and  awe  regards, 
Fiz'd  on  the  suitor,  witnessed,  how  benign 
She  looks  on  pious  prayers :  then  fasten  d  they 
On  the  eTeriastmg  light,  wherein  no  eye 
Of  creature,  as  may  well  be  thought,  so  far 
Can  trayel  inward.     I,  meanwhile,  who  drew 
Near  to  the  limit,  where  all  wishes  end, 
The  ard<Mr  of  my  wish  (for  so  behoored) 
Ended  within  me.    Beckoning  smiled  the  sage, 
That  I  should  look  aloft :  but,  ere  he  bade, 
Already  of  myself  aloft  I  look'd ; 
For  visual  strength,  refining  more  and  more. 
Bare  me  into  the  ray  authentical 
Of  sovereign  light    Thenceforward,  what  I  saw. 
Was  not  for  words  to  speak,  nor  memory's  self 
To  stand  against  such  outrage  on  her  skill. 

As  one,  who  from  a  dream  awaken'd,  straight, 
All  he  hath  seen  forgets,;  yet  still  retains 
Impression  of  the  feeling  in  his  dream ; 
E'en  such  am  I :  for  all  the  vision  dies, 
As  'twere,  away ;  and  yet  the  sense  of  sweet, 
That  sprang  from  it,  still  trickles  in  my  heart 
Thus  in  the  sun-thaw  is  the  snow  unseal'd ; 
Thus  in  the  winds  on  flitting  leaves  was  lost 
The  Sibyl's  sentence.'    O  eternal  beam !        [soar?) 
(Whose  height  what  reach  of  mortal  thought  may 
Yield  me  again  some  little  particle 
Of  what  thou  then  appearedst ;  give  my  tongue 
Power,  but  to  leave  one  sparkle  of  thy  glory. 
Unto  the  race  to  come,  t|iat  shall  not  lose 
Thy  triumph  wholly,  iif  thou  waken  aught 
Of  memory  in  me,  and  endure  to  hear 
The  record  sound  in  this  unequal  strain. 

Such  keenness^  from  the  living  ray  I  met. 
That,  if  mine  eyes  had  tum'd  away,  methinks, 
I  had  been  lost  ;^but,  so  embolden'd,  on 
I  pass'd,  as  I  rememberf  till  my  view 
Bover'd  the  brink  of  dread  infinitude. 

0  grace,  unenvying  of  thy  boon !  that  gavest 

1  TJU  Sibv^t  tentenee,]    Vlrg.  iEn.,  iiL  445. 
t  Such  keennett.] 

lh»  air 

No  where  so  clesTf  sharpened  his  visual  ny, 
TdolQecta  distant  ikr.  ^fiftra,  P.  X^,  b.  iU.  «QL 


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78-104.  PARADISE,  Canto  XXXIH.  ^6^ 

Boldness  to  fix  so  earnestly  my  ken 

On  the  OTeriasting  splendor,  that  I  looked, 

While  sight  was  unconsumed  ;  and,  in  that  depth. 

Saw  in  one  volume  clasp'd  of  love,  whatever 

The  universe  tmfolds ;  ail  properties* 

Of  substance  and  of  accident,  beheld. 

Compounded,  yet  one  individual  light 

The  whole.     And  of  such  bond  methinks  I  saw 

The  universal  foini ;  for  that  whene'er 

I  do  ^ut  speak  of  it,  my  soul  dilates 

Beyond  her  propoi  self ;  and,  till  I  speak, 

One  moment'  fvjems  a  longer  lethargy, 

Than  five-and -twenty  ages  had  appeared 

To  that  emprrze,  that  first  made  Neptune  wonder 

At  Argo's  shadow*  darkening  on  his  flood. 

With  fixed  heed,  suspense  and  motionless, 
Wondering  I  gazed ;  and  admiration  still 
Was  kindled  as  I  gazed.     It  may  not  be. 
That  one,  who  looks  upon  that  light,  can  turn 
To  other  object,  willingly,  his  view. 
For  all  the  good,  that  will  may  covet,  there 
Is  summed ;  and  all,  elsewhere  defective  found, 
Complete.    My  tongue  shall  utter  now,  no  more 
E*en  what  remembrance  keeps,  than  could  the  babe's. 
That  yet  is  moistenM  at  his  mother's  breast 
Not  that  the  semblance  of  the  living  light 
Was  changed'(that  ever  as  at  first  remam'd) 

»  All  properties.]  Thus  in  the  Paimenides  of  Plato,  It  is 
argued  that  aL  conceivable  quantities  and  qualities,  however 
contradictory,  are  necessarily  inherent  in  our  idea  of  a  nnir 
verse  at  unity. 

*  One  moiii«ii<.]  *'  A  moment  seems  to  me  more  tedious, 
than  five-and-twenty  ages  would  have  appeared  to  the  Argo- 
nauts, when  they  had  resolved  on  their  expedition."  Jjcutf 
bardi  proposes  a  new  interpretation  of  this  difficult  passage, 
and  would  understand  our  autJior  to  say  that  "one  moment 
elapsed  after  the  vision,  occasioned  a  greater  forgetfulness  of 
what  ho  had  seen,  than  the  five-and-twenty  centuries,  which 
passed  between  the  Argonautic  expedition  and  the  time  of  his 
writing  this  poem,  had  caused  oblivion  of  the  circumstances 
attendant  on  that  event.'* 

'  Argo^e  ekadom^ 

Qua  simul  ac  rostm  ventosum  proscidit  aequor 
Tortaqne  remigio  spumis  incanduit  unda, 
Emerseri  fori  candenti  e  gnrgite  vultus 
iEqnoree  monstrum  Nereiden  admirantes. 

CatuUus,  De  Jft^t.  Pel  et  TlkeL,  15. 

The  wondred  Argo,  which  in  wondrous  piece 
fflist  through  the  Euxine  seas  bore  all  the  flower  of  Greece. 
JSponser^  Ftet    Q«eeji,  b.  U.  c  13,  8t  44 


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570  THE  VISION.  105-ia» 

But  that  my  visicn  quickening,  in  that  sole 

Appearance,  still  new  miracles  descried, 

And  toil'd  me  with  the  change.    In  that  abyss 

Of  radiance,  dear  and  lofty,  seem'd,  methougfat. 

Three  orbs  of  triple  hue,  clipped  in  one  bound:' 

And,  from  another,  one  reflected  seem'd. 

As  rambow  is  from  rainbow :  and  the  third 

Seem*d  fire,  breathed  equally  from  both.    O  speech ! 

How  feeble  and  how  faint  ut  thou,  to  give 

Conception  birth.    Yet  this  to  what  I  saw 

Is  less  than  little.'    O  eternal  light ! 

Sole  in  thyself  that  dweU'st ;  and  of  thyself 

Sole  understood,  past,  present,  or  to  come ; 

Thou  smiledst,'  on  that  circling,^  which  hi  thee 

Seem'd  as  reflected  splendor,  while  I  mused ; 

For  I  therein,  methought,  in  its  own  hue 

Beheld  our  image  painted :  steadfastly 

I  therefore  pore3  upon  the  view.    As  one, 

Who  versed  m  geometric  lore,  would  fam 

Measure  the  circle ;  and,  though  pondering  long 

And  deeply,  that  beginning,  which  he  needs. 

Finds  not :  e'en  such  was  I,  intent  to  scan 

The  novel  wonder,  and  trace  out  the  form, 

How  to  the  circle  fitted,  and  therein 

How  placed :  but  the  flight  was  not  for  my  wing ; 

Had  not  a  flash  darted  athwart  my  mind. 

And,  in  the  spleen,  unfolded  what  it  sought 

Here  vigor  fail'd  the  towering  fantasy : 
But  yet  the  will  roll'd  onward,  like  a  wheel 
In  even  motion,  by  the  love  impell'd. 
That  moves  the  sun  in  heaven  and  all  the  stars. 

>  Three  orhe  ef  triple  hucy  elipfd  in  one  htmnd.\  The  Trinity 
This  passage  may  be  compared  to  what  Plato,  in  his  second 
Epistle,  en^matically  says  of  a  first,  second,  and  third,  and  ol 
the  impossibility  that  the  human  sonl  shonld  attain  to  what 
it  desires  to  know  of  them,  by  means  of  any  thing  aUn  to 
itself 

>  Im9  than  litOe.] 

Che  '1  pavoa  vl  parrebbe  men  che  poco. 

Fuio  degii  Ubertit  JHtUmondo^  1.  ii.  cap.  5. 

*  Than  tmUedgi,}    Some  MSS.  and  editions  instead  of  **  In- 

tendonte  te  a  me  arridl,**  have  **  intendente  te  ami  ed  arridi,** 

''who,  understanding  thyself,  lovest  and  eqjoyest  thyself;*' 

which  Lombardi  thinks  much  preferable. 

«  That  cireliw.]  The  second  of  the  circles,  "Light  of 
U^t,**  in  wliich  he  dimly  beheld  the  mystery  of  the  iMSf* 

THE   END. 


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INDEX  OP  PROPER  NAMES, 

■ITBXB  EXFU8BLT   MENTIONED,  OK  SUPPOSED  TO 
RBFEEEED  TO,  IN  THE  PKECEDINO  POEM. 


Abbagliato,  H.  zxix.  139. 
Abbati,  Par.  zvi.  109. 
Abbati  degli,    Bocca.    H. 

zxxii.  105. 
Abbati  degli,  Baoso.  H.  zxr. 

131. 
Abel.  H.  iv.  53. 
Abraham,  H.  iy.  55. 
Absalom,  H.  zzviii.  133. 
Abydos,  Puig.  xxviii.  74. 
AccoiBo,  H.  XV.  110. 
Accorso  d',  Francesco,  H. 

XV.  111. 
Achan,  Piirg.  xx.  107. 
Acheron.  H.  iii.  73;  ziv. 

111.    Purg.  ii.  100. 
Achilles,  H.  v.  65 ;  xii.  68 ; 

xxvi.  63;  xxxi.  4.    Purg. 

ix.  33 ;  3^*  93* 
Acone,  Par.  xvi.  64. 
Acquacheta,  H.  xvi.  97. 
Acquasparta,  Par.  xiL  115. 
Acre,  H.  xxvii.  84. 
Adam,  H.  iii.  107;  iv.  53. 

Purg.  ix.  9 ;  xi  45  ^  xxix. 

S4;  xxxii.  37;  xxxiii.  03. 

l-iup.  vii.  33;  xiii.  34,  77; 

xxvi.  83,  100;  xxxii.  108, 

133. 
Adamo  of  Brescia,  H.  xxx. 
•    60, 103. 
Adice,  H.  xii.  4.    Purg.  xvi. 

117.    Par.  ix.  44. 
Adimaii,  Par.  xvi.  113. 
Adrian  v.,  Purg.  xix.  97. 
Adriatic.  Par.  xxi.  114. 
iEgina,  H.  xxix.  58. 
iEneas,  H.  ii.  34 ;  iv.  119 ; 
-  xxvi.  63.  92.    Purg.  xviii. 

135;  XXI.  98.    Par.  vi.  3; 

XV.  36. 
^Esop,  H.  xxiii.  5. 
A^thiop,    Purg.    xxvL    18. 

Par.  xix.  108. 


Africanus.    See  Sdpio. 
Agamemnon.  Par.  v.  69. 
Agapete  I.,  Par.  vi.  16. 
Agatho.  Purg.  xxii.  105. 
Aghinulfo  oi  Romena,  H. 

xxx.  76. 
Aglauros,  Purg.  xiv.  143. 
Agnello.      See    Bnmelies* 

chi. 
Agobbio,  Pmx.  xi.  80. 
Agobbio  d',  Oderigi,  Purg. 

xi.  79. 
Agostino,  Par.  xii.  133. 
Agu^lione  d*,  Baldo,  Par. 

XVI.  54. 
Ahasnerus,  Purg.  xvii.  38 
Ahitc^hel,  H.  xxviii.  133. 
Alagia,  Purg.  xix.  141. 
Alagna,  Purg.  xx.  86.    Par. 

XXX.  145. 
Alardo,  H.  xxviiL  17. 
Alba,  Par.  vL  38. 
Alberichi,  Par.  xvi.  87. 
Alberigo.    See  Manfredi. 
Albero  of  Sienna,  H.  xxix 

105. 
Albert  I.,  Purg.  vi,  98.  Par 

xix.  114. 
Alberti  degli,  Alberto,  H 

xxxii.  55. 
Alberti   degli,   Alessandro, 

H.  xxxii.  53. 
Alberti  degli,  Napoleone,  H. 

xxxii.  53. 
Alberto,  Abbot  of  San  Zeno, 

Purg.  xviii.  118. 
AlbertQs  Magnus,  Par.  x. 

95. 
Alcides,  H.  xxv.  30;  xxxi. 

133. 
AJcmffion,    Purg.    si.  46. 

Par,  iv.  100. 
Aldobrandesco,  GogUebno^ 

Purg.  xL  59. 


y  Google 


573 


INDEX. 


AMobrandesco,     Qraberto, 

Purg.  xi.  58, 67. 
Aldobrandi,  Tegghiaio,  H. 

vi.  79 ;  xvi.  42. 
Alecto,  H.  ix.  48. 
Alessaudio  o(  Romena,  H. 

XXX.  76. 
AlesBio.    See  Interminei. 
Alexander  Pheneus,  H.  xiL 

106. 
Alexander  the  Great,   H. 

xiv.  28. 
Alexandria,  Purg.  vii.  137. 
All,  H.  xxviii.  32. 
Alicliino,  H.  xxi.  116;  xxii. 

111. 
Alighieri,  son  of  Cacciagui- 

da,  Par.  xv.  8€. 
Alp,  H.  XX.  58. 
Alpine,     Purg.     xiv.     33; 

xxxiii.  110.    Par.  vi.  52. 
Alonzo  III.,  king  of  Ara- 

gou,  Purg.  vii.  116. 
Alonzo  X.  of  Spain,  Par. 

xix.  122. 
Alvema,  Par.  xi.  98. 
Amata,  Purg.  xvii.  34. 
Amidei,  Par.  xvi.  135. 
Amphiaraus,  H.  xx.  31.  Par. 

iv.  100. 
Amphion,  H.  xxxii.  11. 
Amyclas,  Par.  xi.  63. 
Anacreou,  Purg.  xxii.  105. 
Ananias,  Par.  xxvi.  13. 
Ananias,  the   husband  of 

Sapphira,  Purg.  xx.  109. 
Anastagio,  Purg.  xiv.  109. 
Auastasius,  H.  xi.  9. 
Anaxagoras,  H.  iv.  135. 
Anchises,  H.  i.  69 ;  iv.  119 ; 

xxvi.   94.    Par.   xv.   25; 

xii.  1^, 
Andes,  Pur^r.  xvili.  64. 
Atidr^a  (la  ^Saut\  GiacQmo, 

H.  xiiii,  134. 
Angt'lo.    fiee  Cag^nano. 
AntJt  i^iunt,  Par^  juxii.  119. 
Annas,  II,  xxiii,  1^4. 
Anselirt,  Par.  xu.  138, 
Arise im,  stiti  of  Count  Ugo- 

lino  ile^  Ghcrardeschi,  H. 

xxxiii.  48. 
Antasus,  H.  xxxi.  92,  103, 

131. 
Antandros.  Par.  vl.  69. 
Antenor,  Purg.  v.  75, 
Antenora,  H.  xxxii.  89. 
Antigone,  Purg.  xxii.  106. 
Antiochos,  H.  xix.  90. 


Anthony,  Saint,  Par.  xm 

131. 
Xp— .  1  -  ,  H.  xvi.  96;  XX, 

6:f.     Purg.  V.  94;  XXX.  87. 

]':sr.  x.n;  \  97. 

AroJio,  P org. XX.  127.    Par, 

1.  10;  ii.9. 
Ariila,  II,  xxviii.  7.    Sea 

Ai^nljLiiu  EI.  xxviii.  15. 
AQti'jnn-:,  H.  xxiv.  2. 
AQiniuiEn,   Purg.   xxii.  K 

rnr.  X-  96;  xiv.  6. 
AKi'j,  Par.  vi.  50.  . 
Aim  r :  j  1  h  ' ,  H.  xvii.  18.  Purg. 

xii.  '<iii. 
Aragonia,  Purg.  iii.  113. 
Arbia,  H.  x.  84. 
Area,  Par.  xvi.  90. 
Archiano,  Purg.  v.  93, 123. 
Arctic,  Par.  xxxi.  28. 
Aidelaffi.    SeeOrdelaffi. 
Ardinghi,  Par.  xvi.  91. 
Arethusa.  H.  xxv.  89." 
Arezzo,  H.  xxii.  6;  xxix 

104;  XXX.  32.    Purg.  vi. 

14 ;  xiv.  49. 
Argenti,  Filippo,   H.   viii 

59. 
Argia,  Purg.  xxiL  109. 
Argive.  H.  xxviii.  81. 
Argo,  Par.  xxxiii.  92. 
Argus,  Purg.  xxix.  91 ;  xxxii 

63. 
Argonauts,    Par.    ii.    17; 

xxxiii.  91. 
,  Ariadne,  Par.  xiii.  12. 
Aries,  Purg.  viii.  135 ;  xxxii. 

52.    Par.   i.   39;    xxviii. 

106. 
Arius,  Par.  xiii.  123. 
Aristotle,   H.   iv.   128;  xi. 

104.    Purg.  iii.  41.    Par. 

viii.  125. 
Aries,  H.  ix.  111. 
Arnault.    See  Daniel. 
Arno.  H.  xiii.  148 ;  xv.  11*5; 

xxiii.  95 ;  XXX.  65 ;  xxxiii. 

83.   Purg.v.  123;  xiv.  36. 

Par.  xi.  99. 
Arrigo.    See  Fifanti. 
Arrigucci,  Par.  xvi.  106. 
Arthur,  H.  xxxii.  59. 
Aruns,  H.  xx.  43. 
Ascesi,  Par.  xi.  49. 
Asciano  of,  Caccia,  H.  .\zix 

127. 
Asdente,  H.  xx.  116. 
Asopus,  Purg.  zviiL  OS. 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


679 


Affyriani,  Pmg.  zii.  54. 
Athamas.  H.  xzz.  4. 
A-thens,  H.  xii.  17.    Pur^. 

vi.  14J ;  XV.  96.    Par.  xvu. 

46. 
Atropos,  H.  xxxiii.  124. 
Attila,   H.   xii.    134;    xiii. 

150. 
Avontine,  H.  xxv.  35. 
Averroes,  H.  It.  141. 
August,  Purg.  V.  38. 
Augustine,  8aiat,  Par.  x. 

1a7  ;  xxxii.  30. 
Augustus,   Par.  xxx.   136. 

SeeCeesar. 
Avicen,  H.  iy.  140. 
Aulis,  H.  XX.  109. 
Aurora,  Purg.  ii.  8;  ix.  1. 
Ausonia,  Par.  viii.  63. 
Ausoniau,  Par.  xi.  98. 
Austrian,  H.  xxxii.  26. 
Azzo  of,   Ubaidini,   Purg. 

xiv.  107. 
Azzolino.    See  Romano. 

Babylonian,  Par.  xxiii.  129. 
Bacchiglione,  H.  xv.  115. 

Par.  IX.  47. 
Bacchus,  H.  xx.  55.    Purg. 

xviii.  93.    Par.  xiii.  22. 
Bagnacavallo,    Purg.    xiv. 

118. 
Bagnoregio.  Par.  xii.  119. 
Balearic,  H.  xxviii.  79. 
Baliol,  John,  Par.  xix.  131. 
Baptist.    See  John. 
Barbariccia,   H.  xxi.  118; 

xxii.  30,  57, 143. 
Barbarossa.    See  Frederick. 
Bari,  Par.  viii.  64. 
Barucci,  Par.  xvi.  102. 
BattifoUe  da,  Frederigo  No- 

vello,  Purg.  vi.  17. 
Beatrice,  daughter  of  Folco 

Portinari,  passim. 
Beatrice,  Marchioness  of  Es- 

te,  Purg.  viii.  73. 
Beatrix,  wife  of  Charles  I. 

king  of  Naples,  Purg.  vii. 

129.    Par.  vi.  135. 
Beccaria,  H.  xxxii.  116. 
Bede,  Par.  x.  127. 
Begga,  Par.  ix.  88. 
Belacqua,  Purg.  iv.  119. 
Belisarius,  Par.  vi.  25. 
Bella  della,  Giano,  Par.  zvi. 

130. 
Bellinciou.    See  Berti. 
BeUo  del,  Geii,  H.  xxiz.  86. 


Belus,  Par.  ix.  93. 
Belzeoub,  H.  xxxiv.  122. 
Benacus,  H.  xx.  60,  72, 75. 
Benedict,  Saint,  Par.  xxiL 

38 ;  xxxii.  30. 
Benedict,  Saint,  the  Abbey, 

H.  xvi.  100. 
Benevento,  Purg.  iii.  124. 
Benincasa  d'  Arezzo,  Purg. 

vi.  14. 
Berenger,  Kaymond,  Par. 

vi.  136. 
Bergamese.  H.  xx.  70. 
Bernard    the    Franciscan 

Par.  xi.  72. 
Bernard,  Saint,  Par.  xxxi. 

55,    93,    130;     xxxii.    1; 

Ben  I  anViu .    See  Foffico. 
BernardoaD,  PieUo,  Par.  xi. 

Berlit  BcUiucbn,  Par*  XY 

Bert  rand.    ISeo  BoriJ. 
R  [hJthem,  Pufg.  nx.  U5. 
Bianco,  il.  x.xiv.  H£>, 
Bill],  Par,  xvi.  lOO, 
BiitiJi^  Pjit.  xkJjc,  UU 
Birlhii^  Par.  xnu  135. 
BiscniZLOf  il.  xKxii,  54, 
KtiiiiaEvtuar  Puru.  iv*  it, 
Boccj.    Stti  Abbati* 
Bcjt-LJLid.  Psir.  X.  U9- 
BoUcmm,  Puri^.  vii,  PS.  Par. 

xix.  IJG. 
BfjItE^miaii^  Par,  xix.  1^, 
Bclumuai  ii.  xvilL  5S ;  xxiii 

10 5t  144.    Purg.  xiv.  102, 
Bolo^nixin,  Purg.  xl.  83. 
BoJiii^iiat  Purff,  ixJiV.  S5. 
Boii^ltj^  Guidoi  H.  XX.  a16. 
Bonav^^utura,    ^ainfj    Par. 

xii.  25, 118. 
Boniface,  Purg.  xxiv.  30. 
Boniface  VIII.,  H.  xix.  55; 

xxvii.  81.    Purg.  xx.  85; 

xxxii.  146.    Par.  ix.  134; 

xii.  82;  xxii.  14;  xxvii. 

20;  XXX.  145. 
Bonturo.    See  Dati. 
Borgo.  Par.  xvi.  132. 
Bom  de,  Bertrand,  H.  xxviiL 

130 ;  xxix.  27. 
Bomeil  de,  Giraud,  Purg. 

xxvi.  113. 
Borsiere,  Guglielmo,  H.  xvi. 

70. 
Bostichi.  Par.  xvi.  91. 
Botaio,  Martino,  H.  xxi.  ST. 


y  Google 


674 


INDEX. 


Brabant,  Porg.  vi.  34. 
Branca.    See  Dona. 
Branda,  H.  xxx.  77. 
BrennuB,  Par.  yi.  44. 
BrenUuH.zv.a.  Par.ix.a3. 
Breecia,  H.  zx.  66. 
Brescian,  H.  xx.  70. 
Brettinoro,  Purg.  xiv.  114. 
Briareus,  H.XXXL90.  Purg. 

xii.  25. 
Brigata,  son  of  Ck>ant  Ugo- 

lino  de'  Gherardeachi,  H. 

xxxiii.  88. 
Broae  de  la,  Peter,  Twg. 

vi.  23. 
Bruges,  H.  xv.  5.  Puig.  xx, 

46. 
Brundusium,  Purg.  iii.  S6. 
Branelieschi,  Agnello,   H. 

XXT.61. 

Bmnetto.    See  Latini. 
Btatus,  Junius,  the  expeflet 

of  Tarauin,  H.  iv.  123. 
Brutus,  Marcus,  the  slayt^r 

of  Cffisar,  H.  zxxiy.  DL 

Par.  vi.  76. 
Bryrao,  Par.  xiii.  121. 
BiiU&monti,    Giovanni,    H. 

xvii.  69. 
Bulicame,  H.  xiv.  76. 
BuonacoBEd,  Pinamonte,  H. 

XX.  95. 
Buonaggiunta      Urbiciani, 

Purg.  xxiv.  20,  twice. 
Buonconte,  Purg.  v.  87. 
Buondeimonti,  Par.  xvi.  65. 
Buondehnonti  de',  Buondel* 

monte.  Par.  xvi.  139. 
Buoso.    See  Donati. 

Caccia.    See  Asciano. 
Cacciaguida,  Par.  xv.  Bi, 

128 ;  xvii.  6. 
Caccianimico,  Yenedico,  H. 

xviii.  50. 
Cacus,  H.  XXV.  34. 
Cadmus,  H.  xxv.  89. 
Cflecilius,  Purg.  xxii.  97. 
Ceasar,  H.  xui.  68.     Purp. 

vi.  93,  116.    Par.  vi.  lo  - 

xvi.  57. 
GsBsar,  Auf^ustus,  H.  i.  6T. 

Purg.  vii.  5;   xxix.  ill. 

Par.  vi.  75. 
Ctesar,  Julius,  H.  i.  65;  iv. 

120    Purg.  xviii.  99  ;xxvi. 

70.    Par.xi.  64. 
Caguano,  the  river.  Par.  ix. 

4B. 


Ca^jfliio  da,  Augiclo  or  An 

gJtilflfo,  II.  jKXVlii,  7J, 

Ca^aoiiio,  H.  xxi.  117 ;  xxii. 

105. 
Caiuphasr  H.  xxiii.  1 17» 
Qih<*ifi|  li.  x\.  bX 
CahojBiiite^,  Par.  xxvii.  53, 
OaieUi,  H.  xxvL  il. 
Cain,   H.  XI.   liJ3.     Puig. 

xiv.  137.     Par,  ii.  5^ 
Caioai   H.  y,   1«5;    XJndL 

57. 
Calabria.  Par.  xii.  lai. 
Caltjoli  rla,  Fulcieri,  Purg, 

xiVe  01. 
CalbtiU   da,  RluiQri,  Piurg. 

ILV.  01,  92. 
Calcabrina,    [1.    xxi.    117; 

jcxii.  IXI. 
CalchaB,  II.  xx.  10&. 
Calfuccj,  Par,  xvi.  104, 
nallarogia.  Par.  xii.  43, 
CallioptJj  rnrg.  i.  B. 
CnltiHto,  Pure,  x^v.  1^. 
{"iillixLuH  1.4  Par.  xxv'iL  40, 
Camaldoii*  Purg.  y-  04. 
CaiiiiccioQe,    Alberto  l    do* 

Fiii^u  H.  ixxii.  00. 
Camilla,  H.  i.  id*  ;  iv.  3C0. 
Caininodaj  Gheraido^  Por^. 

xvi.  liiO  137  Hi 
Cartiina  da,,  Rlccaido,  Fu 

ix.  48. 
Camoniea,  H.  xx.  03. 
Campapnatioo,  Pui^,  xi.flS. 
CampaUlftm,  rurg.  v,  90. 
Cainpi,  Par.  xvL  4B. 
Cauaveae,  Pure.  vii.  133^ 
Cannellieride*,  Focacoia,  H. 

xxxii.  60. 
Cancer,  Par.  xjct.  10^ 
Capaneuta,  H,  xiv,  59. 
CEtfK^t,  Hugh.  Purg.  XX.  48. 
Capocchio,    H,  xxix.    134^ 

XXX.  33. 
Capondoc^^,  Itir.  xiv.  ISO 
CapraiM,  H.  xxxiii.  89, 
Citprieonn,  Poj-g.  ii.  as.  Par 

xxvii,  63, 
Caprona,  H.  xxi.  DO. 
Ciipnlet3,  Pui^.  VI,  107. 
f  arisf^nda.  H.  xxii.  1^8. 
Carliuo,    See  Pioa;!. 
Carpi^na  df|,Guido ;  da  Mct^ 

teieltm^  Purg.  xiv.  KNJ. 
CBrriira,  H.  xx.  4S. 
Caeab,  Par.  xii.  ns. 
CosalodL  IL  xx.  94. 
Caseila»  Purg.  ii-  S8. 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


575 


CAMentino.  H.  m.  64.  Porg. 

y.  92;xiY.  45. 
Caasero  del,  Giacopo,  Fuig, 

V.  73. 
C^nsnodel,  Goido,  H.  xxviii. 

73. 
Cassino,  Par.  xxii.  36. 
Cassius,  H.  xxnv.  62.   Par. 

Vi.  76. 
Castello  da,  Guido,  Purg. 

xvi  127. 
Castile,  Par.  xii.  49. 
Castrocaro,  Purff.  xiv.  118. 
Catalano.    See  Malavolti. 
Catalonia.  Par.  viii.  83. 
Catilini,  Par.  xvi.  86. 
Cato,  H.  iv.  124;  xiv.  15. 

Purg.  i.  31 ;  ii.  113. 
Catria,  Par.  xxi.  99. 
Cattolica,  H.  xxviii.  77. 
Cavalcante,  Francesco  Gu- 

ercio,  IT.  xxv.  142. 
Cavalcanti,  H.  xxx.  33. 
Cavalcanti  de*,  Cavalcante, 

H.X.52. 
Cavalcanti,  Guido,  H.  x.  62. 

Purg.  xi.  96. 
Cecina,  H.  xiii.  10. 
CelestineV.,  H.  iit  56 ;  xxvii. 

101. 
Centaurs,  H.    xii.  53,  103, 

116,  I5te ;  xxv.  17.    Purg. 

xxiv.  120. 
Ceperano,  H.  xxviii.  14. 
Cephas,  Par.  xxi.  118. 
Cerbaia    da.  Count    Qrso, 

Purg.  vi.  20. 
Cerberus,  H.  yi.  12,  22,  31 ; 

ix.  97. 
Cerchi,  Par.  xvi.  63. 
Ceres,  rurg.  xxviii.  52 
Certaldo.  Par.  xvi.  48. 
Cervia,  H.  xxvii.  40. 
Cesena,  H.  xxvii.  50. 
Ceuta,  H.  xxvi.  109. 
Charlemain,   H.  xxxi.    15. 

Par.  vi.  98 ;  xviii.  39. 
Charles  I.  of  Aiyou,  king  of 

Naples,  H.  xix.  103.  Purg. 

V.  69;  vii.  114,  125;  xi. 

137 ;  XX.  59, 65.    Par.  viii. 

77. 
Charles  II.,  king  of  Naples, 

Purg.  vii.  125.    Par.  xix. 

125 ;  XX.  58. 
Charles  of  Lorraine,  Purg. 

XX.  52. 
Charles  Martel,  Par.  viii. 

50;ix.l. 


Charles  of  Valoifl,  H.  yi.  6tL 

Purg.  XX.  69.    Par.  vi. 

110. 
Charon.  H.  iii.  89, 101, 119. 
Charybdis,  H.  vu.  22. 
Chebar,  Purg.  xxix.  97. 
Chiana,  Par.  xiii.  21. 
Chiaramontesi,    Par.    xvi- 

103. 
Chiarentana,  H.  xv.  10. 
Chiascid,  Par.  xi.  40. 
Chiassi,  Purg.  xxviii.  20. 
Chiaveri,  Purg.  xix.  99. 
Chiron,  H.  xii.  62,  69,  74,  9& 

Pur^.  ix.  S4. 
Chiusi,  Par.  xvi.  74. 
Christ,  Jesus,  H.  xxxiv.  110 

Purg.  XX.  86 ;  xxi.  6  { xxiii. 

67 ;  xxvi.  121 ;  xxxii.  101 

Par.  vi.  15;  ix.  117;  xi. 

66,  99  ;  xii.  35,  66,  67,  68 ; 

xiv.  96,  98,  101 ;  xvii.  50 ; 

xix.  68,  102,    105   twice; 

XX.  42 ;  xxiii.  20, 71 ;  xxv. 

35 ;  xxvii.  36 ;  xxix.  103, 

115;  xxxi.  3,  99;  xxxii. 

17,  19,  22,  73, 75,  HI. 
Christians,    il.   xxvii.    84. 

Purg.  X.  110;  xxii.  74,  90. 

Par.  V.  74;  xv.  128;  xix. 

108 \  XX.  96; xxiv.  53, 105; 

xxvil44. 
Chrysostom,  Saint,  Par.  x'j. 

128. 
Ciacco,  H.  vi.  52,  58. 
Ciampolo,  H.  xxii.  47. 
Cianfa.    See  Donati. 
Cianghella,  Par.  xv.  120. 
Cieldauro,  Par.  x.  124. 
Cimabue,  Purg.  xi.  93. 
Cincinnatus.  SeeQuintius. 
Circe,  H.  xxvi.  90.    Purg. 

xiv.  45. 
Ciriatto,  H.  xxi.  120 ;  xxiL 

54. 
Cl^re,  Saint,  Par.  iii.  99. 
Clement  IV.,  Purg.  iii.  122. 
Clement  V.,  H.    xix    86. 

Purg.   xxxii.    155.     Par 

xvii.  80 ;  xxvii.  53 ;  xxx. 

141. 
Clemenza,  Par.  ix.  2. 
Cleopatra,  H.  v.  62.    Par 

vi.  79. 
Cletus.  Par.  xxvii.  37. 
CUo,  Purg.  xxii.  58. 
Qotho,  Purg.  xxi.  28 
Clymene,  Par.  xvii.  1 
Coan,  Purg.  xxix.  133. 


y  Google 


676 


INDEX. 


Coeytus,  H.  zit.  1H;  xzzi. 
114;  zxziii.  154;  zxxiv. 
48. 

Colchof,  H.  zvui.  86.    Par. 

ii.  18. 
Colle,  Purg.  xiii.  108. 
Cologne,  H.  xxiii.  (>3.    Par. 

X.95. 
Colonnesi,  H.  xxvii.  82. 
Ck>nio,  Ck>uiit8  of,  Piir«.  xiv. 

119. 
Conrad.  See  Malaspina  and 

Palazzo. 
Conrad  I.,  Par.  xv.  132. 
Conradine,  Purg.  xx.  60. 
Constance,  Empress,  Purg. 

iii.  11 1.  Par.  iii.  121 ;  iv.  95. 
Constantino  tlie  Great,  H. 

xix.  118;  xxvii.  89.    Par. 

V.  1 :  XX.  50. 
Conti  Guidi,  Par.  xvi.  62. 
Cornelia,  H.  iv.  125.    Par. 

XV.  123. 
Cometo,  H.  xiii.  10. 
Cometo  da,  Riniero,  H.  xii. 

137. 
Coreic,  Purg.  xviii.  81. 
Cortigiani,  Par.  xvi.  110. 
Cosenza,  Purg.  iii.  121. 
Coetauza,    Lmpreas.     See 

Constance. 
Costanza,  Queen,  Purg.  iii. 

112, 138  ;  vii.  130. 
Crassus,  Purg.  xx.  114. 
Crete,  H.  xii.  13 ;  xiv.  90. 
Creusa,  Par.  ix.  94. 
Croatia,  Par.  xxxi.  94. 
Crotona,  Par.  viii.  64. 
Cunizza.  Par.  ix.  32. 
Cupid,  Par.  viii.  9. 
Curiatii,  Par.  vi.  39. 
Curio,  H.  xxviii.  97. 
Cyntliia,  Purg.  xxix.  77. 
Cyprian,  H.  xxviii.  78.  Par. 

viii.  3. 
CyrrhiBan,  Par.  i.  .35.     ' 
Cyrus,  Purg.  xii.  51, 
Cytherea,  Pi 


xxviii.  63. 


urg.  XXV.  127; 


DsBdalus.  H.  xvii.  108 ;  xxix. 

112.    Par.  viii.  131. 
Damiano,  Pietxo,  Par.  xxi. 

112. 
Damiata.  H.  xiv.  100. 
Daniel,  Pur^.  xxii.  143.  Par. 

iv.  13;  XXIX.  140. 
Daniel,  Arnault,  Purg.  zzvi. 

134, 


Dante,  Porg.  xxz.  53. 
Danube,  H.  xxxii.  26.  Par. 

viii.  69. 
Daphne.  Purg.  xxii.  112. 
Dati  de%  Bonturo,  H.  xxi 

40. 
David,  H.  iv.  55;  xxviii. 

133.     Purg.  X.  60.     Par. 

XX.  34 ;  XXV.  71 ;  xxxii.  8. 
Decii,  Par.  vi.  48. 
Dei'anira,  H.  xii.  65. 
Dei'damia,    H.    xxvL    64. 

Purg.  xxii.  111. 
tDei'phile,  Purg.  xxii.  108. 
Deles,  Purg.  xx.  126. 
Delphic,  Par.  i.  30. 
Democntus,  H.  iv.  132. 
Demophoon,  Par.  ix.  97. 
Dente  deUYitaliano,  H.  xvii. 

66. 
Diana,  Purg.  xx.  127;  xxv. 

126. 
Diana,     a     subterraneous 

stream  imaged  at  Sien- 
na, Purg.  xiii.  144. 
Dido,  H.  V.  84.    Par.  viii. 

11 ;  ix.  93. 
Diogenes,  H.  iv.  133. 
Diomede,  H.  xxvi.  56. 
Dione,   Par.  viii.   9;  xxii. 

140. 
Dionysius  the  Areopagite, 

Par.  X.  112 ;  xxviii.  121. 
Dionysius,  king  of  Portugal, 

Par.  xix.  135. 
Dionysius  the  tyrant,  H.  xii. 

107. 
Dioscorides,  H.  iv.  136. 
Dis,  H.  viii.  66 ;  xi.  68 ;  xii. 

37 ;  xxxiv.  20. 
Dolcmo,  H.  xxviii.  53. 
Dominic,  Saint,  Par.  x.  91 ; 

xi.  36,  113;   xii.    51,  64, 

134. 
Dominicans,  Par.  xi.  116. 
Domitian,  Purg.  xxii.  83. 
Donati,  Buoso,  H.  xxv.  131 ; 

XXX.  44. 
Donati,  Cianfa,  H.  xxv.  39. 
Donati,  Corso,  Purg.  xxiv. 

81. 
Donati,  Ubertino,  Par.  xvi 

118 
Donatus,  Par.  xii.  129. 
Doria,  Branca,  H.  xxziii 

136,  138. 
Douay.  Purg.  xx.  46. 
Draghmazzo.  H.  xzL  119 

zni.  72. 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


677 


LHiea  del,  Guido;  da  Bret- 
tinoro,  Purg.  xiv.  83. 

Duera  da,  Buoso,  H.  xzxii. 
113. 

Dyrrachium,  Par.  vi.  66. 

Ebro,  in  Italy,  Par.  ix.  85. 
Ebro,  in  Spain,  Purg.  xxvii. 

4. 
Echo,  Par.  xii.  12. 
Edward  I.^  king  of  England, 

Purg.  vii.  133.    Par.  xix. 

121. 
Egidius,  Par.  xi.  76. 
Egypt,  Purg.  ii.  45.     Par. 

XXV.  59. 
Eleanor,  wife  of  Edward  I. 

of  England,  Par.  vi.  135. 
Elbe,  Purg.  vii.  96,  twice. 
Electra,  H.  iv.  117. 
El,  Par.  xxvi.  133. 
Ell,  Purg.  xxiii.  69.     Par. 

xxvi.  134. 
Eli  as,  Purg.  xxxii.  79. 
Eljjah,  H.  xxvi.  37. 
Eliseo,  Par.  xv.  129. 
Elisha,  H.  xxvi.  35. 
Elsa,  Purg.  xxxiiL  67. 
Eiysian,  Par.  xv.  25. 
Ema,  Par.  xvi.  142. 
'^oipedocies,  H.  iv.  134. 
England,  Purg.  vii.  129. 
English.  Par.  xix.  121. 
Eolus,  Purg.  xxviii.  21. 
Ephialtes,  H.  xxxi.  85, 99. 
Epicurus,  H.  x.  15. 
Epirot,  Par.  vi.  44. 
Erictho,  H.  ix.  24. 
Eriphyle,  Purg.  xii.  46.  Par. 

iv.  102. 
flrisicthon,  Purg.  xxiii.  23. 
Erynnis,  H.  ix.  46. 
ErythraBan,  H.  xxiv.  88 
Esau,  Par.  viii.  136. 
Este,  Purg.  v.  77. 
Este  da,  Azzo,  Purg.  v.  77. 
Este  da,  Obizzo,  H.  xii.  Ill ; 

xviii.  56. 
Esther,  Purg.  xvii.  29. 
E^eocles,  H.  xxvi.  55.  Purg. 

xxii.  57. 
Ethiopia,  H.  xxiv.  87. 
EucUd,  H.  iv.  139. 
Eve,  Purg.  viii.  98 ;  xii.  65 ; 

xxiv.  116.    Par.  xiii.  35; 

xxxii.  3. 
Eunoe,   Purg.  xxviii.    137; 

xxxui.  126. 
EuplirateB,  Porg.  xxxiii.  112. 
25 


Euripides,  Puig.  xxii.  i«^. 
Euryalus,  H.  i.  105. 
Eurypilus.  H.  xx.  111. 
Europa,  Par.  xxvii.  78. 
Europe,  Purg.  viii.  121.  Par. 

vi.  6 ;  xii.  44. 
Eurus,  Par.  viii.  71. 
Ezekiel,  Purg.  xldx.  90 

Fabii,  Par.  vi.  48. 
Fabricius,  Purg.  xx.  25. 
Faenza,  H.  xxvii.  46 ;  xxxii, 

120.    Purg.  xiv.  103. 
Falterona,  mountain,  Purg 

xiv.  19. 
Falterona,  valley,  H.  xxxii 

53.  . 

Famagosta,  Par.  xiXL  143. 
Fano,  H.  xxviii.  72.    Purg 

V.70. 
Fantolini,  Purg.  xiv.  125. 
Farfareilo,  H.  xxi.  121 ;  xxii. 

93. 
Farinata.    See  Uberti. 
Felice  Guzman,  Par.  xii.  73. 
Feltro,  H.  i.  102.    Par.  ix 

50. 
Ferdinand   IV.    of  Spain 

Par.  xix.  122. 
Ferrara,  Par.  ix.  54;   xv 

130. 
Fesole,  H.  xv.  62, 73.    Par.  . 

vi.  54 ;  XV.  119 ;  xvi.  121. 
Fieschi,  Purg.  xix.  97. 
Fifanti  degii,  Arrigo,  H.  vi 

81. 
Fighine,  Par.  xvi.  48. 
Fifippeschi,  Purg.  vi.  108 
Filippi,  Par.  xvi.  86. 
Filippo.    See  Argenti. 
Flaccus,  H.  iv.  84. 
FlemingSj  H.  xv.  4. 
Florence,  H.  x.  91 ;  xvi.  73 

xxiv.  143 ;  xxvi.  1.    Purg 

vi.  129;  xi.  114;  xii.  96; 

xiv.  53 ;  XX.  74  ;  xxiii.  94. 

Par.  XV.  92;  xvi.  23,  83, 

145,  147;  xvii.  48;  xxix. 

109;  XXXI.  35. 
Florentine^  H.  viii.  60 ;  xvii. 

67;  xxxiii.  12.    Par.  xvi. 

59,85. 
Focaccia.    See  Cancellieri. 
Focara,  H.  xxviii.  85. 
Folco,  Par.  ix.  90. 
Forese,  Purg.  xxiiL  44,  70; 

xxiv.  72. 
Forli,  H.  xrl.  99 ;  xxvii.  41. 

Purg.  i,'iv.  33. 


y  Google 


678 


INDEX. 


Foflco  di,  BemardiD,  Purg. 

xiv.  103. 
France,  H.  xxvii.  42 ;  zxix. 

118.     Purg.   zx.   49,   69. 

Par.  XV.  114. 
Francesca,  daughter  of  Gui- 
de   Novello  da  Polenta, 

H.  V.  113. 
Francis,  Saint.  H.  xxvii.  65, 

109.    Par.  XI.  34,  69 ;  xiii. 

30 ;  xxii.  88 ;  xxxii.  30. 
Franco  of  Bologna,  Purg. 

zi.  83. 
Frederick  I.,  Emperor,  Purg. 

xviii.  119. 
Frederick  H.,  Emperor,  H. 

X.  120^  xiii.  61 ;  xxiii.  66. 

PurgFxvi.  120.     Par.  iii. 

122. 
Frederick  II.,  king  of  Sicily, 

Purg.  iii.  113.    Par.  xix. 

127;  XX.  58. 
Frenchman,  H.  xxxii.  112. 
Frieselanders,  H.  xxxi.  57. 
Fucci,  Vanni,  H.  xxiv.  120. 

Gabriel,   Par.   iv.   48;    ix. 

133 ;  xxxii.  91,  101. 
Saddo.  son  of.  Count  Ugo- 

lino  de'  Gberardeschi,  H. 

xxxiii.  66. 
,  Gades,  Par.  xxvii.  76. 
Gaeta,  Par.  viii.  64. 
Gaia,  rurg.  xvi.  144. 
Galenus,  H.  iv.  140. 
GaJicia,  Par.  xxv.  20. 
Gaiigaio,  Par.  xvi.  98. 
Galii,  Par.  xvi.  102. 
GalHa,  Purg.  vii.  108. 
Gallura,  H.  xxii  81.    Purg. 

viii.  81. 
Galluzzo,  Par.  xvi.  51. 
Ganellon,  H.  xxxii.  119. 
Ganges,  Purg.  ii.  5 ;  xxvii. 

5.  Tar.  xi.  48. 
Ganymede,  Purg.  ix.  21. 
Garda,  H.  xx.  62. 
Gardingo,  H.  xxiii.  110. 
Gascon,  Par.  xvii.  80 ;  xxvii. 

53. 
Gascony,  Purg.  xx.  04. 
Gaville,  H.  xxv.  140.      . 
Geuoan,  Par.  ix.  87. 
Genoese,  H.  xxxiii.  149. 
Gentiles,  Par.  xx.  96. 
Gentucca,  Purg.  xxiv.  38. 
Geri.    See  Bello. 
German,  H.  xvii.  21 .    Purg. 

vi.  98.    Par.  viii.  70. 


Germany,  H.  xx.  59. 
Geryon,  H.  xvii.  93,  129 , 

xviii.  21.    Purg.  xxvii.  24- 
Gheut,  H.  XV.  5.    Purg.  xx. 

46. 
Gherardeschi  de',  Ugolino, 

CJount,  H.  xxxiii.  14,  86. 
Gherardo.    See  Camino. 
Ghibellines,  Par.  vi.  107. 
Ghino  di  Tacco,  Purg.  vi 

15. 
Ghisola.  H.  xviii.  55. 
Giacomo.    See  Andrea  dl^ 

Saut'. 
Giacopo.    See  Rusticucci 
Gianfigliazzi,  H.  xvii.  57. 
Gibraltar.  H.  xxvi.  106. 
Gideon,  Purg.  xxiv.  124. 
Gilboa,  Purg.  xii.  37. 
Giotto,  Purg.  xi.  95. 
Giovanna,  mother  of  Saint 

Dominic,  Par.  xii.  74. 
Giovanna,  wife   of    Buon- 

conte     da     Montefeltro. 

Purg.  V.  88. 
Giovanna,  wife  of  Riccardo 

da  Camino,  Purg.  viii.  71 
Giuda,  Par.  xvi.  121. 
Giuliano,  8.,  H.  xxxiii.  29. 
Giuochi,  Par.  xvi.  102, 
Glaucus,  Par.  i.  66. 
Godfrey  of  Boulogne,  Par 

xviii.  43. 
Gromita,  Friar,  H.  xxii  W 
Gomorrah,  Purg.  xxvl  35. 
Gorgon,  H.  ix.  57. 
Gorgoua,  H.  xxxiii.  82. 
Govemo,  H.  xx.  77. 
GrBBcia,  H.  xx.  107.     Par 

XX.  51. 
Graliiacane,    H.  xxi.  Ii9* 

xxii.  34. 
Gratian.  Par.  x.  101. 
Greci,  Par.  xvi.  87. 
Grecian,  Purg.  xxii.  106. 
Greek,  Purg.  xxii.  100. 
Greeks,  H.  xxvi.  76.    Purg 

xxii.  87. 
Gregory  the  Great,  Purg.  x. 

68.    Par.  XX.  103 ;  xxviiL 

126. 
Grifolino  d'Arezzo,  H  xxix. 

104 ;  XXX.  J2. 
Gualandi,  H.  xxxiii.  32. 
Gualdo,  Par.  xi.  44. 
Gualdrada,  H.  xvi.  38. 
Gualterotti,  Par.  xvi.  132. 
Guelplis,  Par.  vi.  110. 
Guenever,  Par.  xvi  19 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


579 


Gaido.  See  Cayalcanti, 
Caasero,  Castello,  Dnca, 
Guinicelli,  Novello,  Prata. 

Gaido,  Conte,  l^ar.  xvi.  95. 

Guido  of  Romena,  H.  xxx. 
76. 

Gakloguerra,  H.  xvi.  38. 

GainicelU,  Guido,  Porg.  xi. 
96;  XXVI.  83. 

Guiscard,  Robert,  H.  xxviii. 
12.    Par.  xviii.  44. 

Guittone  d'Arezzo,  Poi^. 
xxiv.  56;  xxvi.  118. 

Haman,  Pare.  xvii.  36. 
Hannibal,    H.    xxxi.    107. 

Par.  vi.  51. 
Haquin,  Par.  xix.  136. 
Hautefort,  H.  xxix.  28. 
Hebrews,  Purg.  xxiv.  123. 

Par.  xxxti.  14. 
Hector,  H.  iv.  118.    Par.  vi. 

71. 
Hecaba,  H.  xxx.  16. 
Helen,  H.v  63. 
Helice,  Par.  xxxi.  29. 
Helicon,  Pur^.  xxix.  38. 
Heliodorus,  rarg.  xx.  HI. 
Helleepont,  Purg.  xxviii.  70. 
Henry,  nephew  of   Henry 

HI.  of  England,  H.  zii. 

119. 
Henry  VI.,  Emperor,  Par. 

iii.  122. 
Henry  VII.,  Emiwror,  Purg. 

vi.  103.  Par.  xvii.  80 ;  xxx. 

135. 
Henry  II.,  king  of  England, 

H.  xxviii.  131. 
Henry  II.,  king  of  Cyprus, 

Par.  xix.  144. 
Henry  of  Navarre,  Purg. 

vii.  105. 
Henry  IH.,  king  of  Eng- 
land. Purg.  vii.  131. 
Heraclitus,  H.  iv.  134. 
Hercules,  H.  xxvi.  106.  Par. 

ix.  98. 
Hesperian,  Purg.  xxvii.  4. 
Hezekiah,  Par.  xx.  44. 
Hippocrates,    H.    iv.   139. 

Purg.  xxix.  133. 
Hippolytus,  Par.  xvii.  47. 
Holofemes,  Purg.  xii.  54. 
Homer,  H.  iv.  83.     Purg. 

xxii.  100. 
Honorius  in..  Par.  xi.  00. 
Horace.    See  Flaccus. 
HocBtii.  Par.  vi.  90. 


Hang&ry,  Par.  viii.  68 ;  xix 

138. 
Hugh.    See  Capet. 
Hugues.    See  Victor  Saint. 
Hypsipile,H.  xviii.  90.  Purg 

xxii.  110. 
Hyperion,  Par.  xxii.  138. 

Jacob,  Par.  viii.  136;  xxiL 

70. 
James  11.,  king  of  Aragon, 

Purg.  iii.    113;   vii.    120. 

Par.  xix.  133. 
James,  king  of  Majorca  and 

Minorca,  Par.  xix.  133. 
James,   Saint;    the   elder, 

Par.  XXV.  20. 
January,  Par.  xxvii.  133. 
Janus,  Par.  vi.  83. 
Jarbas,  Purg.  xxxi.  69. 
Jason,   the   Argonaut,   H. 

xviii.  85.    Par.  ii.  19. 
Jason,  the  Jew,  H.  xix.  88. 
Iberia,  H.  xxvi.  101. 
Icarus,  H.  xvii.  105.    Par. 

viii.  132. 
Ida,  H.  xiv.  93. 
Jepthah,  Par.  v.  64. 
Jerome,  Saint,  Par.  xxix. 

38. 
Jerusalem,  Porg.  xxiii.  26. 

Par.  xix.  125 ;  xxv.  59. 
Jesus.    See  Christ. 
Jews,  H.  xxiii.  126;  xxvii. 

83.    Par.  V.  81;  vii.  45* 

xxix.  108. 
Ilerda,  Purg.  xviii.  100. 
niou,  Purg.  xii.  57. 
nium,  H.  i.  71. 
niummato.  Par.  xii.  121. 
Imola,  H.  xxvii.  46. 
Importoni,  Par.  xvi.  133. 
Indian,    Pur^.    xxvi.    18; 

xxxii.  41.    Par.  xxix.  108. 
Indus,  Par.  xix.  67. 
Infangato,  Par.  xvi.  122. 
Innocent  III.,  Par.  xi.  85. 
Ino,  H.  xxx.  5. 
Interminei,  Alessio,  H.  xviiL 

120. 
Joachim,  Par.  xii.  131. 
Joanna,  Par.  xii.  74. 
Jocasta,  Purg.  xxii.  57. 
John  the  Baptist.  H.  xiu. 

145 ;  XXX.  73.    Purg.  xiiu 

148.    Par.  iv.  29 ;  xvi.  34, 

45;  xviii.  130;  xxxii.  36. 
John,  king  of  England,  H 

xxviii.  130. 


y  Google 


680 


nmuBX. 


John,  Saint ;  Uie  Erangeliit, 

H.  xiz.  100.   Pnrg.  xxix. 

101.    Par.  iy.  89;  zxiv. 

134^  XXV.  04,  113;  xxvi. 

51 ;  xxxii.  113. 
John  XXL    See  Peter  of 

Spain. 
John  XXII.,  Par.  xxvii.  53. 
Me,  Par.  ix.  88. 
Jordan,    Pnrg.   xviiL   184. 

Par.  xxii.  01. 
Josaphat,  H.  x.  13. 
Joseph,  H.  XXX.  06. 
Joshoa,  Piirg.  xx.  108.  Par. 

ix.  123;  xviu.34. 
Jove,  H.  xiv.  48;  xxxL  39, 

83.      Porg.    xxix.    116; 

xxxii.  110.     Par.  iv.  63; 

vi.  6;  ix.  08;  xviiL  65; 

xxiL  141 :  zxvii.  13. 
Iphigenia,  Par.  v.  70. 
Iris,  Purg.  xxi.  40.  Par.  xii. 

0. 
Isaias,  Par.  xxv.  90. 
Isere,  Par.  vi.  60. 
Isidore,  Par.  x.  136. 
Ismene,  Pnrg.  xxiL  110. 
Ismenus,  Porg.  xviii.  03. 
braeJ,  H.  iv.  56.    Purg.  IL 

45. 
braelites.  Par.  v.  48. 
Italian,  H.  xxxiii.  70.  Purg. 

vi.  136.  Par.  ix.S6. 
Italy,  H.  i.  103;  ix.  113;  xx. 

57.    Purg.  vi,  76 ;  vii.  05 ; 

xiii.  87:  XX.  65;  xxx.  89. 

Par.  XXI.  06;  xxx.  136. 
Juba,  Par.  vi.  73. 
iudas,  H.  ix.  88 ;  xxxi.  134 ; 

xxxiv.  58.    Purg.  xx.  73 ; 

xxi.  85. 
Judecca,  H.  xxxiv.  113. 
Judith,  Par.  xxxii.  7. 
Julia,  H.  iv.  125. 
Julius.    SeeCeesar. 
J  jly,  H.  xxix.  46. 
Juno,  H.  xxx.  1.    Par.  xii. 

9  \  xxviii.  29. 
Jupiter.    See  Jove. 
Justinian,  Par.  vi.  11. 
Juvenal,  Purg.  xxii.  14. 

Lacedemon.  Purg.  vi.  141. 
Lachesis,    Purg.  xxi.    25; 

txv.81. 
Laertes,  Par.  xxvii.  77. 
Lamberti,  Par.  xvi.  109. 
Lambertuodo,   Purg.  xiv. 

109. 


Lunme.  H.  xzviL  M. 
Lancelot,  H.  w.  134. 
Lanciotto,  H.  v.  106. 
Lanfranclii,  fl.  xxxiii.  as. 
Langia.  Purg.  xxii.  110. 
Lano,  H.  xiii.  132. 
Lapi,  Par.  xxix.  111. 
Lateran,  H.  xxvii.  82.  Pad 

xxxi.  32. 
Latian,  H.  xxii.  64;  JoxiL 

31 ;  xxviii.  68 ;  xxix.  85, 

88 
Lati'ni,  Bninetto,  H.  xv.  38, 

103. 
Latinus,  H.  iv.  132. 
Latium.  H.  xxvii.  24;  xxix. 

88.    Purg.  vii.  15 ;  xi.  58 ; 

xiii.  85. 
Latona,  Purg.  xx.  12G.  Par. 

X  64 ;  xxii.  135 ;  xxix.  1. 
Lavagno,  Purg.  xix.  98. 
Laviuia,  H.  iv.  123.     Purg 

xvii.  37.    Par.  vi.  4. 
Laurenoe^int,  Par.  iv.  82 
Leauder,  Purg.  xxviii.  72. 
Learchus,  H.  xxx.  10. 
Leda,  Purg.  iv.  59.     Par. 

xxvii.  93. 
Leah,  Purg.  xxvii.  102. 
Lemnian,  H.  xviiL  86. 
Lentino  da,  Jacopo,  Purg. 

xxiv.  56. 
Lerice,  Purg.  iii.  49. 
Lethe,   H.   xiv.    126,   131. 

Purg.  xxvi.  101;  xxviii. 

137 ;  xxx.  145 ;  xxxiii.  94, 

123. 
Levi,  Purg.  xvi.  136. 
Liandolo  di,  Loderingo,  H. 

xxiii.  106. 
Libanus,  Purg.  xxx.  12. 
Libicocco,  H<  xxi.  119 ;  xxii 

Li  lira,  Purg.  xxvii.  3.    Par 

Lillei,  Turg,  xx,  46, 

LimliOf  H.  iv,  41. 

Liiijof^cf!,  Pure.  xXVi    113. 

Linus*  Poet,  it.  iv.  im 

Linus,  Pope»  Par.  xxvii.  STT 

Livv,  IL  jotvtii,  JO, 

Lis  10.    Se«  Vdlbona, 

Lo4Jeria^o.    ^^  LiaadoJc. 

Loj^odorOr  Hi  xxU»  BS. 

Loire,  Par.  vi*  61. 

LombapJ,  IL  L  CA;  xxii.9d; 
xxvii.  17.  Pnrg,  vi.  tia/ 
xviaa^.  Par,  vj.  Od;  xv4 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


Ml 


Lombardo,    Marco,    Pnrg. 

xvi.  46, 133. 
Lombardo.    See  Retro. 
Lombaidy.  H.   xxviii.   70. 

Purg.  XV1.46,  117. 
Louis,  Pur^.  XX.  49. 
Lucan,  H.  iv.  85 ;  xxv.  85. 
Lucca,  H.  xxxiii.  30.   Purg. 

xxiv.  21,36. 
Lucia,  H.  ii.  97, 100.    Purg. 

ix.  51.    Par.  xxxii.  123. 
Lucifer,  H.  xxxi.  134 ;  xxxiv. 

Lucretia,  H.  iv.  124.    Par. 

vi.  41. 
Luke,  Purg.  xxi.  6;  xxix. 

131. 
Luni,  H.  XX.  44.    Par.  xvi. 

72. 
Lybia,  H.  xxiv.  83. 
Lybic,  Purg.  xxvi.  39. 
Lycurgus,  Purg.  xxvi.  87. 

Macarius,  Par.  xxii.  48. 
Maccabee,  Par.  xviii.  37. 
Maccabees,  H.  xix.  89. 
Machiuardo.    See  Pagano. 
Macra,  Par.  ix.  86. 
Madian,  Purg.  xxiv.  125. 
Maia,  Par.  xxii.  140. 
Malacoda,  H.  xxi.  74,  77. 
Malaspina,  Conrad,   Purg. 

viii.  05, 117. 
Malatestiuo.    See  Rimini. 
Malavoiti  de%  Catalano,  H. 

xxiii.  105, 116. 
Malebolge,  H.  xviii.  2 ;  xxi. 

5:  xxiv.  37;  xxix.  39. 
Malta,  Par.  ix.  53. 
Manardi,  Arrigo,  Purg.  xiv. 

100. 
Manfredi,  Purg.  iii.  110. 
Manfredi  de',  Alberigo,  H. 

xxxiii.  116, 152. 
Manfredi  de',   Tribaldello, 

H.  xxxii.  119. 
Maugiadore,  Pietro,  Par.  xii. 

125. 
Manto,  H.  xx.  50. 
Mantua,  H.  ii.  59;  xx.  91. 

Purg.  vi.  72 ;  xviii.  84. 
Mantuan,  H.  i.  64.    Purg. 

vi.  74 ;  vii.  86. 
Maica  d'Ancona,  Purg.  v. 

67. 
Marcellos,  Purg.  vi.  127. 
Marcia,  H.  iv.  125.    Puig.  i. 

79,85. 
Mmjbco,   See  Lombardo. 


Maremma,    H.    xxv.    18 

xxix.  47.    Purg.  V.  132. 
Margaret,  wife  of  Louis  IX 

of  Trance,  Purg.  vii.  129. 

Par.vi.  135. 
Marocco,  H.  xxvi.  102. 
Mars,  H.  xxiv.  144.    Purg. 

ii.  14;  xii.  27.    Par.  iv. 

r>} ;  vjii.  in?  I  xjv.  93 ;  xvL 

•i- 1  xxvii.  U. 
Maj^E'iiles,  Puff?,  xviii.  100. 
Miir-^yaf^,  Par.  i.  19. 
MrMhn,  Par.  Km,  135. 
Mirtiti  iV".,  Purtf.xxiv.  23. 
M;ir> »  Piirgf.  xxiii.  26 
Miir>>   tlip    l>!>'s?ed  Virgir^ 

Purg.  iii.  lil;  v.  98;  viii. 

37 ;  XV.  87 ;  xviii.  98 ;  xxii. 

139;   xxxiii.  6.    Par.  iv. 

30;  xi.  67;  xiv.  33;  xv 

125;    xxiii.  71,   109,    122, 

132;  xxv.  127;  xxxi.  124; 

xxxii.  3,  4, 95, 101 ;  xxxiii. 

1. 
Mary  of  Brabant,  Purg.  vi. 

24. 
Markucco.  See  Scomigiaui. 
Mascheroni,      Sassol,      H. 

xxxii.  63. 
Matthias,  Saint,  H.  xix.  98. 
Matilda,  Purg.  xxviii.  41* 

xxxii.  8-2  ;  xxxiii.  119. 
Matteo,  Par.  xii.  111. 
Medea,  H.  xviii.  94. 
Medicina    da,    Piero,    H. 

xxviii.  69. 
Medusa,  H.  ix.  53. 
MegBBra,  H.  ix.  47. 
Melchisidec,  Par,  viii.  130. 
Meleager,  Purg.  xxv.  22. 
Melissus,  Par.  xiii.  121. 
Meualippus,  H.  xxxii.  128. 
Mercabd,  H.  xxviii.  71. 
Mercury,  Par.  iv.  .64. 
Metellus,  Purg.  ix.  130. 
Michael,    the    Archmgel, 

Par.  iv.  48. 
Michel.    See  Zanche. 
Michol,  Purg.  x.  63,  65. 
Midas,  Purg.  xx.  105. 
Milan,  Purg.  viii.  80 ;  xviii. 

120. 
Mincius,  H.  xx.  76. 
Minerva,  Purg.  xxx.  67.  Par. 

ii.8. 
Minos,  H.  V.  4, 20 ;  zui.  90; 

XX.  33 ;  xxvii.  120 ;  xdii 

114,    Pure.  i.  77. 
Minotwir,  U.  xii.  23. 


y  Google 


5^ 


INDEX. 


Mini,  Panr.  v.  79. 
Modena,  Par.  vL  78. 
Mohammed,  H.  xxriii.  31, 

58. 
Moldaw,  Purg.  tU.  99. 
Moualdi,  Purg.  vi.  108. 
Moutfeirat,  Purg.  vii.  138. 
MoDgibello,  H.  xiv.  53. 
Montagna.    8ee  Parcitati. 
Moutagues,  Purg.  vi.  107. 
Moutaperto,  H.  zxxii.  81. 
Moutefeltro,  Purg.  v.  87. 
Montefeltro  da,  Guido,  H. 

xx7ii.  U. 
Montemab,  Par.  xv.  103. 
Moutemurlo,  Par.  xvi.  63. 
Moutereggion,  H.  xxxi.  36. 
Montfort  de,  Guy,  H.  xii. 

119;  xzxii.  112. 
Moutone,  H.  xvL  94. 
Mordecai,  Pun;,  xvii.  39. 
Mordrec,  H.  xzxii.  59.. 
Moronto,  Par.  xv.  129. 
Mosca.    8ee  Uberti. 
Mosea,  H.   iv.  54.     Purg. 

xxxii.  79.     Par.  iy.  29; 

xxiv.  135;  xxvi.  39 ;  xxxiL 

116. 
Mozzi  de*,  Andrea,  H.  xv. 

113. 
Mulciber,  H.  xiv.  54. 
Mutius.    See  Scsvola. 
Myrrlia,  H.  xxx.  39. 

Nebuchadnezzar,   Par.  iv. 

13. 
Naiads,  Purg.  xxxiii.  50. 
Naples,  Pure.  iii.  26. 
Narcissus,  H.  xxx.  128.  Par. 

iii;  17. 
Naso.  H.  iv.  85.    See  Ovid. 
Nasidius,  H.  xxv.  87. 
Nathan,  Par.  xii.  127. 
Navarre,  fl.  xxii.  47,  121. 

Purg.  XX.  64.  Par.xix.140. 
Nazareth,  Par.  ix.  133. 
Nella,  Purg.  xxiii.  80. 
Neptuue,  H.  xxviii.  79-  Par. 

xxxiii.  91. 
Neri,  H.  xxiv.  142. 
Nerh,  Par.  xv.  110. 
Nessus,  H.  xii.  96 ;  xiii.  1. 
Niccolo.    See  Salimbeni. 
Nicholas,  Saint,  Purg.  xx. 

30. 
NichokB8lII.,H.xix.71. 
Nicosia.  Par.  xix.  144. 
Nile,  H.  xxxiv.  41.    Pu^. 

zxnr.  63.    Par.  vi.  68. 


Nimn)d,H.zxzL70.    Prng 

xii.  29.    Par.  xxvi.  125. 
Nmo.    See  Visconti. 
Ninus,  H.  V.  58. 
Niobe,  Purg.  xii.  33. 
Nisus,  H.  i.  105. 
Noah,  H.  if.  53.    Par.  xii 

15. 
Nocera,  Par.  xi.  44. 
Noli,  Purg.  iv.  24. 
Nona  della,  Vanni,  H.  xxiv. 

120. 
Norman,  H.  xxviii.  12. 
Normandy,  Purp;.  xx.  64. 
Norway,  Par  xix.  136. 
Novara,  H.  xxviii.  56. 
Novello,  Frederic.  See  Bat- 

tifoUe. 
Novello,  Guido ;  da  Polenta, 

H.xxvii.38. 

Obizzo.    See  E^te. 
Octavius.    See  CsBsar,  An- 


Oderigi.    See  Agobbio. 
Olympus,  Purg.  xxiv.  16.. 
Ombeito,  Purg.  xi.  67. 
Ordelalfi,  or  Ardelaffi,  Sini- 

baldo,  H.  xxvii.  41. 
Orestes,  Purg.  xiii.  29. 
Oriaco,  Purg.  v. -80. 
Orlando,  H.  xxxi.  14.    Par. 

xviii.  40. 
Ormanni,  Par.  xvi.  87. 
Orosius,    Paulus,    Par.    z 

116. 
Orpheus,  H.  iv.  137. 
Orsini,  M.  xix.  72. 
Otbo,  CJount,  Purg.vL  80. 
Ostiense,  Par.  xii.  77. 
Ottocar,  Pure.  vii.  100. 
Ottaviano.    See  UbaldinL 
Ovid,    H.   xxv.   87.     See 

Naso. 

Pachynian,  Par.  viii.  7«. 
Padua,  Par.  ix.  46. 
Paduan,  H.  xvii.  67. 
Paduans,  H.  xv.  7. 
Paean,  Par.  xiii.  22. 
Pagani,  Purg.  xiv.  121. 
Pagano,    Machinardo,  H. 

xxvii.  47.    Purg.  xiv.  122, 
Palazzo  da,  Conrad,  Purg 

xvi.  126. 
Palermo,  Par.  viii.  79. 
Palladium,  H.  xxvi.  66. 
Pallas,  Minerva,  Purg.  ai 

27. 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


583 


Phllas,  sou  of  Evander,  Par. 

vi.  34. 
Paolo,  H.  ▼.  131. 
Parcitati  de',  Montagna,  H. 

xzvii.  4'!. 
Paris,  city,  Purg.  xi.  81 ;  xx. 

51. 
Paris,  soa  of  Priam,  H.  v. 

66. 
Parmenides,  Par.  xiii.  120. 
Parnassus,  Par.  i.  15. 
Parnassian,  Purg.  xxii.  65; 

xxviii.  147. 
Pasiphae,  li.  xii.  14.    Purg. 

xxvi.  3d,  78. 
Paul,  Saint,  H,  ii.  34.  Parg. 

xxix.     135.      Par.     xviii. 

128, 132;  xxi.  119;  xxviii. 

130. 
Pazzi,  Carlino,  H.  xxxii.  66. 
Pazzo,  Riniero,  H.  xii.  138. 
Pegaseean,  Par.  xviii.  76. 
Peleus,  H.  xxxi.  4.    Purg. 

xxii.  113. 
Pelorus,  Purg.  xiv.  34.  Par. 

viii.  72. 
Peneian,  Par.  i.  ^1. 
Penelope,  H.  xxvi.  95. 
Penestrino,  H.  xxvii.  98. 
Penthesilea,  H.  iv.  121. 
Pera,  Par.  xvi.  124. 
Perillus,  H.  xxvii.  7. 
Persians,  Par.  xix.  111. 
Persiu^,  Purg.  xxii.  99. 
Perugia,  Par.  vi.  77 ;  xi.  43. 
Peschiera,  H.  xx.  69. 
Peter,  Saint,  H.  i.  130 ;  ii. 

26 ;  xviii.  34 ;  xix.  94,  97 ; 

xxxi.  54.    Purg.  ix.  119; 

xix.  97.    Par.  ix.  136 ;  xi. 

112;  xviii.  128,  132;  xxi. 

118 ;  xxii.  86 ;  xxiii.  133 ; 

xxiv.  35:  XXV.  14;  xxvii. 

11;  xxxii.  110,118. 
Peter  of  Spain,   Par.   xii. 

126. 
Peter  III.  of  Spain,  Purg. 

vii.  113, 120. 
Pettinagno,    Piero,    Purg. 

xiii.  119. 
PhsBdra,  Par.  xvii.  46. 
Phaeton,  H.xvii.  102.  Purg. 

iv.  68.    Par.  xvii.  1 ;  xxxi. 

116. 
Pharisees,    H.    xxiii.    118; 

xxvii.  81. 
Phaisalia,  Par.  vi.  67. 
Philip  III.  of  France,  Purg. 

viLl04. 


Philip  IV.  of  France,   H. 

xix.  91.     Purg.  vii.  Ill 

XX.  85.    Par.  xix.  117. 
Philips,  Purg.  xx.  49. 
Phlegethon,  H.   xiv.     HI. 

126. 
Phlegrsean,  H.  xiv.  55. 
Phlegyas,  H.  viii.  18, 23. 
Phoebus^  H.  xxvi.  115. 
Phoenicia,  Par.  xxvii. -78. 
Pholus,  H.  xii.  69. 
Photinus,  H.  xi.  9. 
Phrygian,  Purg.  xx.  113. 
Phyllis,  Par.  ix.  96. 
Pia,  Purg.v.  131. 
Piava,  Par.  ix.  28. 
Piccarda,  Purg.  xxiv.   1? 

Par.  iii.  50 ;  iv.  94, 108. 
Piceno,  H.  xxiv.  147. 
Pierian.  Purg.  xxxi.  141. 
Pietra  della,  Nello,  Purg.  r 

133. 
Pietrapana,  H.  xxxii.  29. 
Pietro.    See  Mangiadore. 
Pietro  Lombardo,  Par.  x. 

104. 
Pigli,  Par.  xvi.  100. 
Pilate,  Purg.  xx.  91. 
Pinamoute.      See    Buoit^i* 

cossi. 
Pisa,H.xxxiii.30,77.  Purg 

vi.  18. 
Pisans,  Purg.  xiv.  55. 
Pisces,  H.  xi.  118.    Purg.  i 

21. 
Pisistratus,  Purg.  xv.  95 
Pistoia,  H.  xxiv.  124,  k42 

XXV.  9. 
Pius  I.,  Par.  xxvii.  40. 
Plato,  H.  iv.  131.    Purjr  5i. 

■II.    Par.  iv.  24. 
PiiiLiuia,  Piirji.  xxii.  97. 
Pluuis.  II.  vi:  U7;  vii.  2. 
Po,  H.V.  07;  XX.  ;7.    Porg, 

XI V    !)S ;   xvi.  117.     Par. 

Ti.  5C- 
Poilou,  Purg.  XX.  64. 
Pok,  ii.lx.  112. 
Polenta,  II.  xxvii.  38.    See' 

JVoveilo„ 
Pclyc;]elii5,  Furg.  x.  30. 
PchUorud,  It.  xxx.  19.  Porg. 

XX.  113. 
Polyhymnia,  Par.  xxii^  55. 
Polymnestor,  Purg.  xx,  113. 
Polynices,    H.     xxvi.    55. 

Purg.  xxii.  57. 
Polyxena,  H.  xxx.  18. 
Pompeian,  Par.  vi.  74. 


y  Google 


684  INDEX. 

Pompey,  Par.  Yi  54. 
Ponthiea,  Pnrg.  xx.  64. 
PoKugal,  Par.  xix.  135 
Pouille,  Purg.  vii.  127. 
Prague,  Par.  xix.  116*. 
Prata  of,  Guido,  Purg.  xiv. 

107. 
Prato,  H.  xxvi. ». 
Pratomasno,  Purg.  v.  115. 
Pressa,  Par  xvi.  09. 
Priam,  H.  xxx.  15. 
Priscian,  H.  xv.  110. 
Proserpine,  Purg.  xxviii.  51. 
Provenjais,  Par.  vi.  132. 
Provejce,   Purg.  vii.   127; 

XX.  50.    Par.  viii.  60. 
Provenzano.    See  Salvani. 
Ptolomea,  H.  xxxiii.  123. 
Ptolemy,  H.  iv.  130. 
Ptolemy.,  long  of    Egypt, 

Par.  VI.  71. 
Pygmalion,  Purg.  xx.  103. 
Pyramus,  Purg.  xxvii.  38; 

xxxiii.  60. 
Pyrrhus,  H.  xii.  135.    Par. 

vi.  44. 

auamaro,  H.  ix.  112. 
uintiua  Cincinnatus,  Par. 
vi.  47 ;  XV.  122. 
QuirinuB,  Par.  viii.  137. 

Raban,  Par.  xii.  130. 
Rachel,  H.  ii.  102;  iv.  57. 

Purf[.   xxvii.   105      Par. 

xxxu.  6. 
Rahab,  Par.  ix.  112. 
Raymoud.    See  Berenger. 
Raphael,  Par.  iv.  48. 
Ratza,  Par.  xix.  137. 
Ravenna,  H.  xxvii.  37.  Par. 

vi.  63. 
Ravignani,  Par.  xvi.  60. 
Rebecca,  Par.  xxxii.  7. 
Rehoboam,  Pur^.  xii.  43. 
Renard.  Par.  xviii.  43. 
R'jno,  H.  xviii.  61.    Purg. 

liv.  95. 
Rheu,  H.  xiv,  95» 
Rhinp,  Par-  vL  60. 
Rhcsdope.  Par.  ix.  96. 
Khoue,  IL  jx.  11 L    Par.  vL 

tr^i  viii.  6L 
Rtalto,  Par.  ix.  S7. 
Rjctianl.    See  Victor  BainL 
HJ^o^Yiom.    ti^\    Mardiesa* 

Purl^.  xxiv,  32. 
Uiuiiiii  da,  Moiatefitliia,  H. 


Rinieri.   See  CalboU,  Gor 

neto,  Pazzo. 
RiphfBan,  Purg.  xxvi.  38. 
RipheoB,  Par.  xx.  62. 
Robert,  Purg.  xx.  57. 
Robert,  king  of  Sicily.  Par 

viii.  81. 
Robert    SeeGuitcard. 
Rodolph,  Emperor,  Pur^.  vL 

104;  vii.  04.   Par.viu.77. 
Roma^a,  H.  xxvii.  25, 34 ; 

xxxiii.  152.    Purg.  v.  68; 

xiv.  lOl;  XV.  43. 
Roman,  Purg.  x.  67 ;  xxxiu 

101.    Par.  vi.  43. 
Romano,  Par.  ix.  20. 
Romano  di,  Azzolino,   H. 

xu.  110.    Par.  ix.  30 
Romans,  H.  xv.  77 ;  xviii- 

20.    Par.  xix.  08. 
Rome,  H.  i.  66 ;  ii.  22  ^  xiv. 

100;  xxvi.  62;  xxviii.  10. 

Purg.  vi.  114;  xvi.  100, 

120;  xviii.  80;  xix.  107; 

xxi.  80 ;  xxii.  143 ;  xxix. 

Ill;  xxxii.  101.    Par.  vi. 

50;  ix.  135;  XV.  110  f  xvi. 

10  ;  xxiv.  64 ;  xxvii.  57 : 

xxxi.  31. 
Romena,  H.  xxx.  72 
Romeo.  Par.  vi.  131, 137. 
Romoaldo,  Saint,  Par.  xxii 

48. 
Romulus.    See  Quirinos. 
Rubaconte,  Puif .  xii.  05 
Rubicant,  H.  xxi.  121 ;  xxii 

40. 
Rubicon,  Par.  vi.  64. 
Rug^ieri.    See  Ubaldini. 
Rusticucci,  Giacopo,  H.  vi 

80 ;  xvi.  45. 
Rath,  Par.  xxxu.  7. 

Sabellius,  Par.  xiii.  123. 
Sabellus,  H.  xxv.  86. 
Sabines,  Par.  vi.  41. 
Sacchetti,  Par.  xvi.  101. 
Saladin.    SeeSoldan. 
Salem,  Purg.  ii.  3. 
Salimbeni,  Niccolo,  H.  x.\ix. 

123. 
Salterello,  Lapo,  Par.  xv.  120. 
Salvani,  Prcvenzano,  Pnzg. 

xi.  122 
Samaria,  Pur^.  xxi.  S. 
Samuel,  Par.  iv.  20. 
Sancha,  wife  of   Riehaid, 

long  of  the  Roniana,  Pk» 

vi.  135. 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


686 


o,  Pnrg.  iv.  23. 

Sannella,  Par.  xvi.  89. 
Santafiore,  Purg.  vi.  113. 
Santerno,  H.  xxvii.  4G. 
Sapia,  Purg.  xiii.  101. 
Sapphira,  Purg.  xx.  109. 
Saracens,     H.    xxyii.    83. 

Purg.  xxiii.  97. 
Sarah,  Par.  xxxii.  6. 
Sardanapalus,  Par.  xv.  102. 
Sardinia,  H.  xxii.  89 ;  xxix. 

47.    Purg.  xviii.  81 ;  xxiii. 

87. 
Sardinian,  H.  xxvi.  103. 
Satan,  H.  vii.  1. 
Saturn,  H.  xiv.  95.    Purg. 

xix.  4.    Par.  xxi.  24. 
Savena,  H.  xviii.  Gl. 
Savio,  H.  xxvii.  50. 
Saul,  Purg.  xii.  35. 
ScsBvola,  Mutius,   Par.  iv. 

82. 
Scala  della,  Alboino,  Par. 

xvii.  fi9. 
Scala  della,  Bartolommeo, 

Par.  xvii.  69. 
Scala  della.  Can  Grande, 

H.i.  98.    Par.  xvii.  75. 
Scarmiglione,  H.  xxi.  103. 
Scliicchi,  Gianni,  H.  xxx. 

33. 
Sciancato,  Puccio,  H.  xxv. 

138. 
Scipio,  H.  xxxi.  106.    Purg. 

xxix.  112.     Par.  vi.  54; 

xxvii.  57. 
Sclavonian^  Purg  xxx.  88. 
Scomigiani  de%   Farinata, 

Pur^.  vi.  18. 
Scomigiani,        Marzucco, 

Pur^.  vi.  19. 
Scorpion,  Purg.  xxv.  4. 
Scot,  Michael,  H.  xx.  114. 
Scot,  Par.  xix.  121. 
Scrovigni,  H.  xvii.  62. 
Scyros,  Purg.  ix.  35. 
Seine,    Par.   vi.   61;   xix. 

118. 
Semele,  H.  xxx.  2.     Par. 

xxi.  5. 
Semiramis,  H.  v.  57. 
Seneca,  H.  iv.  138. 
Sennaar,  Purg.  xii.  32. 
Sennacherib,Purg.  xii.  48. 
September,  H.  ;lxix.  46. 
Serohio.  H.  xxi.  48. 
Sertos,  Purg.  xxviiL  74. 
6e«Ue    H.  zz.  1S5;  sovi. 


Sextus  Im  Par.  xxviL  4U. 
Sextus,  Tarquinius,  or  Sex 

tus  Pompeius,  H.  xii.  135 
Sibyl,  Par.  xxxiii.  63. 
SicfuBUs,  H.  V.  61.    Par.  ix 

94. 
Sicilian,  H.  xxvii.  6. 
Sicily,  H.  xii.  108.    Purg 

iii.  113.  Par.  xix.  128. 
Sienna,  H.  xxix.  105,  118 

Purg.v.  131;  xi.  112,124, 

135 ;  xiii.  98. 
Siennese.H.  xxix.  131.  Purg 

xi.  65. 
Sieetri,  Purg.  xix.  99. 
Sifanti,  Par.  xvi.  102. 
Sigebert.  Par.  x.  132. 
Signa,  da,  Bonifazio,  Par. 

xvi.  54. 
Sile.  Par.  ix.  48. 
Silvius,  H.  ii.  14. 
Simifonte,  Par.  xvi.  61. 
Simois,  Par.  vi.  70. 
Simon   Magus,  H.  xix.  1. 

Par.  xxx.  145. 
Simonides,  Purg.  xxii.  106. 
Sinigaglia,  Par.  xvi.  74. 
Sinon,  H.  xxx.  97, 115 
Sion,  Purg.  iv.  65. 
Sismondi,  H.  xxxiii.  32. 
Sizii,  Par.  xvi.  106. 
Socrates,  H.  iv.  131. 
Sodom,  H.   xi.  53.    Purg 

xxvi.  35, 72. 
Soldau,  H.  iv.  126 ;  v.  50 

xxvii.  85.  Par.  xi.  94. 
Soldanieri,  Par.  xvi.  90. 
Soldanieri  del,  Gianni,  H 

xxxii.  118. 
Solomdn,  Par.  x.  105 ;  xiii 

85. 
Solon,  Par.  viii.  129. 
Soracte,  H.  xxvii.  89. 
Sordello,  Purg.  vi.  75 ;  vii. 

2,52;  viii.  38,43,  62,  93; 

\x.  53, 
Sori^^iij  Par.  viii.  61. 
&^]3ajti,  Piir^?.  xviii.  101,  Par. 

vi.  4io  ;  xij.  42.    See  Peter. 
IE-pan  iari]«    Par.   xix.   122; 

xdx.  J  08* 
Sphinx,  Fnr^.  xxxiii.  47. 
feiatiua,  Pnrtr.  xxi.  92 ;  xxii. 

HG;  xjKv.    30,  35;   xxvii. 

47;  iLSjdi.  29;  xxxiii.  ISL 

133. 
Stephen,  Saint.  Purg.  it 

Stricca,  H  xzuL  ISl. 


y  Google 


686 


INDEX. 


Strophades,  H.  ziii.  13. 
Stygian,  H.  vii.  110 ;  ix.  80. 
Styx,  H.xiv.  111. 
Suabia,  Par.  iii.  123. 
Sylvester,  the  Franciscan, 

Par.  xi.  76. 
Sylvester,  Pope,  H.  xxvii. 

00. 
Syren,  Porg.  xix.  16.    Par. 

xii.  7. 
Syrinx,  Purg.  xxxli.  64. 

Tabemich,  II.  xxxii.  39 
Tabor,  Purg.  xxxii.  73. 
Tacco.    See  Ghino. 
Taddeo,  Par.  xii.  77. 
Tagliacozzo,  H.  xxviii.  16. 
Tagliamento,  Par.  ix.  44. 
Tanais.  II.  xxxii.  27. 
Tarlatti  de*,  Cione,  or  Ci- 

acco,  Purg.  vi.  15. 
Tarpeian,  Purg.  ix.  129 
Tarquin  the  Prood,  H.  ir. 

124. 
Tartars,  H.  xvii.  16. 
Taurus,  Purg.  xxv.  3.    Per. 

xxii.  107. 
Tegghiaio.  See  Aldobrandi. 
Telamone,  Purg.  xiii.  143. 
Teiemachus,  H.  xxvi.  93. 
Telius,  Purg.  xxix.  115. 
Terence.  Purg.  xxii-.  96. 
Tliaw,  H.  xviii.  130. 
Thales,  H.  iv.  135. 
Thames,  H.  xii.  120. 
Thaumantian,  Purg.  xxi.  49. 
Theban,  H.  xiv.  65;  xxvi. 

55 ;  XXX.  3. 
Thebes,   H.   xx.  30  j  xxv. 

15;  XXX.  33;  xxxii.  11; 

xxxii! .   90.     Purg.   xviii. 

93;  xxi.  93;  xxii.  88. 
Themis,  Purg.  xxxiii.  47. 
Theseus,  H.  ix.  55.    Puig. 

xxiv.  133. 
Thetis,  Purg.  xxii.  113. 
Thibault,  king,  H.  xxii.  51. 
Thisbe,  Purg.  xxvii.  37. 
Thomas,  Saint,   Par.  zvi. 

128. 
Thomas    Saint,    Aquinas, 

Purg.  XX.  67.    Par.  x.  96 ; 

xii.  103, 133 ;  xiii.  39 ;  xiv. 

6. 
Tliracia,  Purg.  xx.  113. 
Thymbrean,  Purg.  xii.  36. 
Tiber,  H.  xxvii.  38.    Purg. 

iL97.    Par.xi.  99. 
nbeiius.  Par.  vi.  89. 


Tignoso,    Federigo,    Puik 

xiv.  108. 
Tigris,  Purg.  xxxiii.  113. 
Timsus,  Par.  iv.  50. 
Tiresias,  H.  xx.  37.    Pu^ 

xxii.  113. 
Tisiphone,  H.  ix.  48. 
Tithouus,  Purg.  ix.  1. 
Titus,  Purg.  xxi.  83.    Par 

vi.  94. 
Tityus,  H.  xxxi.  115. 
Tobias,  Par.  iv.  49. 
Tolosa,  Purg.  xxi.  89. 
Tomyns,  Purg.  xii.  51. 
Toppo,  H.  xiii.  123. 
Torquatus,  Par.  vi.  46. 
Tosadella.  See  Cianghella. 
Tosiughi,  Par.  xvi.  103,  110 
Tours,  Purg.  xxiv.  33. 
Trajan,  Purg.  x.  69.     Par. 

XX.  39. 
Traversaro,  Purg.  xiv.  109. 
Traversaro,    Piero,    Purg. 

xiv.  100. 
Trento,  city,  H.  xii.  5 ;  xx 

65. 
Trento,  river.  Par.  viii.  65. 
Trespiano,  Par.  xvi.  53. 
Tribaldelio.    See  ManOedi 
Trinacria,  Par.  viii.  73. 
Tristan,  H.  v.  66. 
Trivia,  Par.  xxiii.  35. 
Trqjan,  H.  xiii.  13;  xxviiL 

8.    Par.  XX.  63. 
Tronto,  river.    See  Trento. 
Troy,  H.  i.  70;  xxvi.  65; 

XXX.  14,33,97,113.  Purg. 

xii.  55.     Par.  xv.  119. 
Tully,  H.  iv.  138. 
Tupmo,  Par.  xi.  40. 
Turbia,  Purg.iii.  49. 
Turks,  H.  xvii.  16. 
Tumus,  II.  i.  105. 
Tuscan,  H.  xxii.  97;  xxiii. 

76,  93 ;  xxviii.  104 ;  xxxii. 

63.     Purg.  xi.   58;  xiii. 

139;  xiv.  105,  128:  xvi. 

141.   Par.  ix.  87;  xxii,  114. 
Tuscany,    H.    xxiv.    131. 

Purg.  xi.  110 ;  xiv.  17. 
Tydeus,  H.  xxxii.  138. 
TyphcEUS.  Par.  viii.  74, 
Typhon.  H.  xxxi.  115. 
lyrol,  H.  XX.  59. 

Yalbona  di,   Lizio,    Purg. 

xiv.  99. 
Yaldichiana,  H.  xxix.  45. 
Valdigrieve,  Par.  xvi.  6S 


y  Google 


INDEX. 


587 


Valdimagra,  H.  xxiv.  144. 

Purg.  viii.  115. 
Valdipado,  Par.  xv.  130. 
Valen,  Sieur  de.    See  Alar- 
do. 
Vanni.    See  Fucci. 
Var,  Par.  vi.  60. 
Varro,  Purg.  xxii.  97. 
Vatican,  Par.  ix.  134, 
Ubaldini  degli,  Ottaviano, 

H.  X.  121. 
Ubaldini  degli,  Ruggieri,  H. 

xxxiii.  15. 
Ubaldini  degli,   Ubaldino; 

of  Pisa,  Purg.  xxiv.  29. 
Ubaldini  degli,  Ugolino;  of 

Azzo,  Purg.  xiv.  107. 
Ubaldini,  Ugolino ;  of  Faen- 

za,  Purg.  xiv.  124. 
Ubaldo,  Far.  xi.  41. 
Ubbriachi,  H.  xvii.  60. 
Uberti,  H.  xxiii.  110. 
Uberti  degli,  Farinata,  H. 

vi.  79:  X.32. 
Uberti  degli,  Mosca,  H.  vi. 

81 ;  xxviii.  102. 
Ubertino,  Par.  xii.  115. 
Ubertino.    See  Donati. 
Uberto,  Par.  xii.  111. 
Uccellatojo,  Par.  xv.  104. 
Vecchio,  Par.  xv.  110. 
Venedico.     See  •  Cacciani- 

mico. 
Venetians,  H.  xxi.  7. 
Venice,  Par.  xix.  138. 
Venus.  Purg.  xxvii.  94. 
Vercelli,  H.  xxviii.  71. 
Veide,  Purg.  iii.  127.    Par. 

viii,  66. 
Verona,  H.  xv.  124.    Purg. 

xviii.  117. 
Veronese,  H.  xx.  66. 
Veronica,  Par.  xxxi.  95. 
Verruchio,  H.  xxvii.  43. 
Vesulo.H.  xvi.  95. 
Ughi,  Par.  xvi.  86. 
Ugo,  Par.  xvi.  127. 


Ugolino.  f^eGhcrardeschi 

and  Fantolini. 
Ueuccione,   son  of  Count 

Ugolino  de'  Gherardeschi, 

HT  xxxiii.  "88. 
Vicenza,  Par.  ix.  47. 
Victor    Saint,   Hugues  of. 

Par.  xii.  125. 
Victor  Saint,  Richard  of, 

Par.  X.  127. 
Vigne  delle,  Piero,  H.  xiii. 

60. 
Virgrilf  passim. 
Vi^onti  de*,  Galeazzo,  oi 

Milan,  Purg.  viii.  80, 108. 
Viscontide',  Nino;  di  Gai- 

lura,  H.  xxii.  82.     P*urg. 

viii.  53,  81.108. 
Visdomini,  Par.  xvi.  110. 
Vitaliaiio.    See  Dente. 
Ulysses,  H.  xxvi.  56.    Purg 

xix.  21.    Par.  xxvii.  77. 
Urania,  Purg.  xxix.  39. 
Urban  1.,  Par.  xxvii.  41. 
Urbiciani.      See    Buonag- 

giunta. 
Urbino,  H.  xxvii.  27. 
Urbisagjia,  Par.  xvi.  72 
Utica,  Purg.  i.  74. 

William,  Marquis  of  Mont- 

ferrat,  Purg.  vii.  136. 
William,  of  Orange,   Par 

xviii.  43. 
William  II.  of  Sicily,  Par 

XX.  57. 
Winceslaus,  II.,  Purg.  vii. 

102.    Par.  xix.  123. 

Xerxes,   Purg.   xxviii.   70. 
Par.  viii.  130. 

Zanche,  Michel,  H.  xxu.  88 ; 

xxxiii.  143. 
Zeno,  H.  iv.  136. 
Zeno,  San,  Purg.  xviii.  118 
Zita,  Santa,  H  xxi.  37. 


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