CANTO XXVI WHILE on the brink thus one before the other thee." On the right shoulder smote me now the sun, That, raying out, already the whole west Changed from its azure aspect into white. And with my shadow did I make the flame Appear more red; and even to such a sign Shades saw I many, as they went, give heed. This was the cause that gave them a beginning To speak of me; and to themselves began they To say: "That seems not a factitious body!" Then towards me, as far as they could come, 5 ΙΟ Came certain of them, always with regard Not to step forth where they would not be burned. "O thou who goest, not from being slower But reverent perhaps, behind the others, Answer me, who in thirst and fire am burning. Nor to me only is thine answer needful; For all of these have greater thirst for it A wall unto the sun, as if thou hadst not 16 20 25 On other novelty that then appeared. For through the middle of the burning road There came a people face to face with these, Which held me in suspense with gazing at them. There see I hastening upon either side Each of the shades, and kissing one another Without a pause, content with brief salute. Thus in the middle of their brown battalions Muzzle to muzzle one ant meets another Perchance to spy their journey or their fortune. No sooner is the friendly greeting ended, Or ever the first footstep passeth onward, And weeping they return to their first songs, My members upon earth, but here are with me Line 38. Or ever the first footstep passes onward, 31 35 40 45 50 55 I go up here to be no longer blind; A Lady is above, who wins this grace, Whereby the mortal through your world I bring. But as your greatest longing satisfied 61 May soon become, so that the Heaven may house you, Which full of love is, and most amply spreads, Tell me, that I again in books may write it, Who are you, and what is that multitude Which goes upon its way behind your backs?" Not otherwise with wonder is bewildered 65 70 75 The mountaineer, and staring round is dumb, When rough and rustic to the town he goes, Than shade became in its appearance; every But when they of their stupor were disburdened, Which in high hearts is quickly quieted, "Blessed be thou, who of our border-lands," He recommenced who first had questioned us, "Experience freightest for a better life. The folk that comes not with us have offended In that for which once Cæsar, triumphing, Heard himself called in contumely, 'Queen.' Therefore they separate, exclaiming, 'Sodom!' Themselves reproving, even as thou hast heard, 80 And add unto their burning by their shame. Our own transgression was hermaphrodite ; But because we observed not human law, Following like unto beasts our appetite, In our opprobrium by us is read, 85 When we part company, the name of her Who bestialized herself in bestial wood. Now knowest thou our acts, and what our crime was; Wouldst thou perchance by name know who we are, There is not time to tell, nor could I do it. Two sons became, their mother re-beholding, And he to me: “Thou leavest footprints such Shall make forever dear their very ink!" "O brother," said he, "he whom I point out," 90 95 100 105 100 115 He mastered all; and let the foolish talk, From cry to cry still giving him applause, sons. Now, if thou hast such ample privilege To him repeat for me a Paternoster, So far as needful to us of this world, I moved a little tow'rds him pointed out, Tan m' abellis vostre cortes deman, E vei jauzen lo jorn qu' esper denan. Line 119. He mastered all; and let the idiots talk, 120 125 130 135 140 145 |