And as to messenger who bears the olive The people throng to listen to the news, Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if As to embrace me, with such great affection, Three times behind it did I clasp my hands, I think with wonder I depicted me; Whereat the shadow smiled and backward drew; Then knew I who it was, and I entreated There where I am, I make this journey," said I; And he to me: "No outrage has been done me, If he who takes both when and whom he pleases For of a righteous will his own is made. He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken Whence I, who now had turned unto that shore Unto that outlet now his wing is pointed, Because for evermore assemble there Those who tow'rds Acheron do not descend." 105 And I: "If some new law take not from thee Thee may it please to comfort therewithal Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body The melody within me still is sounding. ΙΙΟ My Master, and myself, and all that people Which with him were, appeared as satisfied Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man, Run to the mountain to strip off the slough, That lets not God be manifest to you." Even as when, collecting grain or tares, The doves, together at their pasture met, Quiet, nor showing their accustomed pride, If aught appear of which they are afraid, Upon a sudden leave their food alone, The song relinquish, and go tow'rds the hill, CANTO III. INASMUCH as the instantaneous flight Had scattered them asunder o'er the plain, I pressed me close unto my faithful comrade, And how without him had I kept my course? Who would have led me up along the mountain? He seemed to me within himself remorseful; O noble conscience, and without a stain, How sharp a sting is trivial fault to thee! After his feet had laid aside the haste Which mars the dignity of every act, My mind, that hitherto had been restrained, Let loose its faculties as if delighted, And I my sight directed to the hill That highest tow'rds the heaven uplifts itself. The sun, that in our rear was flaming red, Was broken in front of me into the figure Of being left alone, when I beheld 66 'Why dost thou still mistrust ?" my Comforter Began to say to me turned wholly round; "Dost thou not think me with thee, and that I guide thee? 'Tis from Brundusium ta'en, and Naples has it. "Tis evening there already where is buried The body within which I cast a shadow; Now if in front of me no shadow fall, To suffer torments, both of cold and heat, Marvel not at it more than at the heavens, Bodies like this that Power provides, which wills Insane is he who hopeth that our reason 25 35 35 Which the one Substance in three Persons follows! Mortals, remain contented at the Quia; And For if ye had been able to see all, No need there were for Mary to give birth; I speak of Aristotle and of Plato, And many others";-and here bowed his head, And more he said not, and remained disturbed. We came meanwhile unto the mountain's foot; There so precipitate we found the rock, The most secluded pathway is a stair "Who knoweth now upon which hand the hill Slopes down," my Master said, his footsteps staying, And while he held his eyes upon the ground Examining the nature of the path, On the left hand appeared to me a throng Of souls, that moved their feet in our direction, "Lift up thine eyes," I to the Master said; "Behold, on this side, who will give us counsel, Replied: "Let us go there, for they come slowly, 40 45 50 $5 60 65 Still was that people as far off from us, After a thousand steps of ours I say, As a good thrower with his hand would reach, Of the high bank, and motionless stood and close, For to lose time irks him most who most knows." As sheep come issuing forth from out the fold By ones and twos and threes, and the others stand And what the foremost does the others do, Huddling themselves against her, if she stop, So moving to approach us thereupon I saw the leader of that fortunate flock, As soon as those in the advance saw broken The light upon the ground at my right side, So that from me the shadow reached the rock, They stopped, and backward drew themselves somewhat; Not knowing why nor wherefore, did the same. "Without your asking, I confess to you This is a human body which you see, Whereby the sunshine on the ground is cleft. Marvel ye not thereat, but be persuaded That not without a power which comes from Heaven 95 The Master thus; and said those worthy people : "Return ye then, and enter in before us," Making a signal with the back o' the hand. And one of them began: "Whoe'er thou art, Thus going turn thine eyes, consider well I turned me tow'rds him, and looked at him closely; E'er having seen him, "Now behold!" he said, 100 105 110 Then said he with a smile: "I am Manfredi, The grandson of the Empress Costanza; Therefore, when thou returnest, I beseech thee Go to my daughter beautiful, the mother Of Sicily's honour and of Aragon's, And the truth tell her, if aught else be told. After I had my body lacerated By these two mortal stabs, I gave myself But Infinite Goodness hath such ample arms, Of me was sent by Clement at that time, At the bridge-head, near unto Benevento, By malison of theirs is not so lost Eternal Love, that it cannot return, So long as hope has anything of green. True is it, who in contumacy dies Of Holy Church, though penitent at last, Must wait upon the outside this bank Thirty times told the time that he has been In his presumption, unless such decree Shorter by means of righteous prayers become. CANTO IV. WHENEVER by delight or else by pain, |