CANTO II ALREADY had the sun the horizon reached And night that opposite to him revolves Was issuing forth from Ganges with the Scales 5 That fall from out her hand when she exceedeth; So that the white and the vermilion cheeks Of beautiful Aurora, where I was, By too great age were changing into orange. Like people who are thinking of their road, 15 A light along the sea so swiftly coming, I knew not what of white, and underneath it My Master yet had uttered not a word While the first whiteness into wings unfolded; 25 He cried: "Make haste, make haste to bow the knee! Behold the Angel of God! fold thou thy hands! Henceforward shalt thou see such officers! See how he scorneth human arguments, So that nor oar he wants, nor other sail Than his own wings, between so distant shores. See how he holds them pointed up to heaven, Fanning the air with the eternal pinions, With a small vessel, very swift and light, Beatitude seemed written in his face, And more than a hundred spirits sat within. "In exitu Israel de Egypto!" They chanted all together in one voice, With whatso in that psalm is after written. Then made he sign of holy rood upon them, 30 35 40 45 50 Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore, And he departed swiftly as he came. The throng which still remained there unfamiliar Seemed with the place, all round about them gazing, As one who in new matters makes essay. On every side was darting forth the day The sun, who had with his resplendent shafts From the mid-heaven chased forth the Capricorn, When the new people lifted up their faces 55 Towards us, saying to us: "If ye know, Show us the way to go unto the mountain." And answer made Virgilius: "Ye believe Perchance that we have knowledge of this place, But we are strangers even as yourselves. Just now we came, a little while before you, Another way, which was so rough and steep, That mounting will henceforth seem sport to us.' The souls who had, from seeing me draw breath, Become aware that I was still alive, Pallid in their astonishment became'; And as to messenger who bears the olive The people throng to listen to the news, And no one shows himself afraid of crowding, Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if One from among them saw I coming forward, O empty shadows, save in aspect only! Three times behind it did I clasp my hands, As oft returned with them to my own breast! I think with wonder I depicted me; 60 Whereat the shadow smiled and backward drew; And I, pursuing it, pressed farther forward. Gently it said that I should stay my steps; Then knew I who it was, and I entreated That it would stop awhile to speak with me. "Even as I loved thee It made reply to me: In mortal body, so I love thee free; Therefore I stop; but wherefore 65 70 75 80 85 "My own Casella! to return once more There where I am, I make this journey,” said I; "But how from thee has so much time been taken ?" And he to me: "No outrage has been done me, If he who takes both when and whom he pleases 95 Has many times denied to me this passage, For of a righteous will his own is made. He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken Whoever wished to enter with all peace; Whence I, who now had turned unto that shore Where salt the waters of the Tiber grow, Benignantly by him have been received. Unto that outlet now his wing is pointed, Because for evermore assemble there Those who tow'rds Acheron do not descend." And I: "If some new law take not from thee Memory or practice of the amorous song, Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body Line 107. Memory or practice of the song of love, 100 105 115 120 What negligence, what standing still is this? The doves, together at their pasture met, Upon a sudden leave their food alone, The song relinquish, and go tow’rds the hill, 125 130 |