PURGATORIO. CANTO II
Il canto di Casella
Il Canto 2 del Purgatorio si apre con l’alba e l’arrivo di un angelo nocchiero che guida le anime sulla spiaggia dell’Antipurgatorio. Tra loro, Dante riconosce Casella, musicista e amico, con cui condivide un momento di grande emozione e nostalgia.
Il Canto 2 del Purgatorio si apre con l’alba e l’arrivo di un angelo nocchiero che guida le anime sulla spiaggia dell’Antipurgatorio. Tra loro, Dante riconosce Casella, musicista e amico, con cui condivide un momento di grande emozione e nostalgia.
Sandro Botticelli
William Blake
Gustave Doré
Gustave Doré
ITALIANO
1 Già era ’l sole a l’orizzonte giunto
2 lo cui meridïan cerchio coverchia
3 Ierusalèm col suo più alto punto;
4 e la notte, che opposita a lui cerchia,
5 uscia di Gange fuor con le Bilance,
6 che le caggion di man quando soverchia;
7 sì che le bianche e le vermiglie guance,
8 là dov’ i’ era, de la bella Aurora
9 per troppa etate divenivan rance.
10 Noi eravam lunghesso mare ancora,
11 come gente che pensa a suo cammino,
12 che va col cuore e col corpo dimora.
13 Ed ecco, qual, sorpreso dal mattino,
14 per li grossi vapor Marte rosseggia
15 giù nel ponente sovra ’l suol marino,
16 cotal m’apparve, s’ io ancor lo veggia,
17 un lume per lo mar venir sì ratto,
18 che ’l muover suo nessun volar pareggia.
19 Dal qual com’ io un poco ebbi ritratto
20 l’occhio per domandar lo duca mio,
21 rividil più lucente e maggior fatto.
22 Poi d’ogne lato ad esso m’appario
23 un non sapeva che bianco, e di sotto
24 a poco a poco un altro a lui uscìo.
25 Lo mio maestro ancor non facea motto,
26 mentre che i primi bianchi apparver ali;
27 allor che ben conobbe il galeotto,
28 gridò: «Fa, fa che le ginocchia cali.
29 Ecco l’angel di Dio: piega le mani;
30 omai vedrai di sì fatti officiali.
31 Vedi che sdegna li argomenti umani,
32 sì che remo non vuol, né altro velo
33 che l’ali sue, tra liti sì lontani.
34 Vedi come l’ha dritte verso ’l cielo,
35 trattando l’aere con l’etterne penne,
36 che non si mutan come mortal pelo».
37 Poi, come più e più verso noi venne
38 l’uccel divino, più chiaro appariva:
39 per che l’occhio da presso nol sostenne,
40 ma chinail giuso; e quei sen venne a riva
41 con un vasello snelletto e leggero,
42 tanto che l’acqua nulla ne ‘nghiottiva.
43 Da poppa stava il celestial nocchiero,
44 tal che faria beato pur descripto;
45 e più di cento spirti entro sediero.
46 ‘In exitu Isräel de Aegypto’
47 cantavan tutti insieme ad una voce
48 con quanto di quel salmo è poscia scripto.
49 Poi fece il segno lor di santa croce;
50 ond’ ei si gittar tutti in su la piaggia:
51 ed el sen gì, come venne, veloce.
52 La turba che rimase lì, selvaggia
53 parea del loco, rimirando intorno
54 come colui che nove cose assaggia.
55 Da tutte parti saettava il giorno
56 lo sol, ch’avea con le saette conte
57 di mezzo ’l ciel cacciato Capricorno,
58 quando la nova gente alzò la fronte
59 ver’ noi, dicendo a noi: «Se voi sapete,
60 mostratene la via di gire al monte».
61 E Virgilio rispuose: «Voi credete
62 forse che siamo esperti d’esto loco;
63 ma noi siam peregrin come voi siete.
64 Dianzi venimmo, innanzi a voi un poco,
65 per altra via, che fu sì aspra e forte,
66 che lo salire omai ne parrà gioco».
67 L’anime, che si fuor di me accorte,
68 per lo spirare, ch’i’ era ancor vivo,
69 maravigliando diventaro smorte.
70 E come a messagger che porta ulivo
71 tragge la gente per udir novelle,
72 e di calcar nessun si mostra schivo,
73 così al viso mio s’affisar quelle
74 anime fortunate tutte quante,
75 quasi oblïando d’ire a farsi belle.
76 Io vidi una di lor trarresi avante
77 per abbracciarmi con sì grande affetto,
78 che mosse me a far lo somigliante.
79 Ohi ombre vane, fuor che ne l’aspetto!
80 tre volte dietro a lei le mani avvinsi,
81 e tante mi tornai con esse al petto.
82 Di maraviglia, credo, mi dipinsi;
83 per che l’ombra sorrise e si ritrasse,
84 e io, seguendo lei, oltre mi pinsi.
85 Soavemente disse ch’io posasse;
86 allor conobbi chi era, e pregai
87 che, per parlarmi, un poco s’arrestasse.
88 Rispuosemi: «Così com’ io t’amai
89 nel mortal corpo, così t’amo sciolta:
90 però m’arresto; ma tu perché vai?».
91 «Casella mio, per tornar altra volta
92 là dov’ io son, fo io questo vïaggio»,
93 diss’ io; «ma a te com’ è tanta ora tolta?».
94 Ed elli a me: «Nessun m’è fatto oltraggio,
95 se quei che leva quando e cui li piace,
96 più volte m’ ha negato esto passaggio;
97 ché di giusto voler lo suo si face:
98 veramente da tre mesi elli ha tolto
99 chi ha voluto intrar, con tutta pace.
100 Ond’ io, ch’era ora a la marina vòlto
101 dove l’acqua di Tevero s’insala,
102 benignamente fu’ da lui ricolto.
103 A quella foce ha elli or dritta l’ala,
104 però che sempre quivi si ricoglie
105 qual verso Acheronte non si cala».
106 E io: «Se nuova legge non ti toglie
107 memoria o uso a l’amoroso canto
108 che mi solea quetar tutte mie doglie,
109 di ciò ti piaccia consolare alquanto
110 l’anima mia, che, con la sua persona
111 venendo qui, è affannata tanto!».
112 ‘Amor che ne la mente mi ragiona’
113 cominciò elli allor sì dolcemente,
114 che la dolcezza ancor dentro mi suona.
115 Lo mio maestro e io e quella gente
116 ch’eran con lui parevan sì contenti,
117 come a nessun toccasse altro la mente.
118 Noi eravam tutti fissi e attenti
119 a le sue note; ed ecco il veglio onesto
120 gridando: «Che è ciò, spiriti lenti?
121 qual negligenza, quale stare è questo?
122 Correte al monte a spogliarvi lo scoglio
123 ch’esser non lascia a voi Dio manifesto».
124 Come quando, cogliendo biado o loglio,
125 li colombi adunati a la pastura,
126 queti, sanza mostrar l’usato orgoglio,
127 se cosa appare ond’ elli abbian paura,
128 subitamente lasciano star l’esca,
129 perch’ assaliti son da maggior cura;
130 così vid’ io quella masnada fresca
131 lasciar lo canto, e fuggir ver’ la costa,
132 com’ om che va, né sa dove rïesca;
133 né la nostra partita fu men tosta.
2 lo cui meridïan cerchio coverchia
3 Ierusalèm col suo più alto punto;
4 e la notte, che opposita a lui cerchia,
5 uscia di Gange fuor con le Bilance,
6 che le caggion di man quando soverchia;
7 sì che le bianche e le vermiglie guance,
8 là dov’ i’ era, de la bella Aurora
9 per troppa etate divenivan rance.
10 Noi eravam lunghesso mare ancora,
11 come gente che pensa a suo cammino,
12 che va col cuore e col corpo dimora.
13 Ed ecco, qual, sorpreso dal mattino,
14 per li grossi vapor Marte rosseggia
15 giù nel ponente sovra ’l suol marino,
16 cotal m’apparve, s’ io ancor lo veggia,
17 un lume per lo mar venir sì ratto,
18 che ’l muover suo nessun volar pareggia.
19 Dal qual com’ io un poco ebbi ritratto
20 l’occhio per domandar lo duca mio,
21 rividil più lucente e maggior fatto.
22 Poi d’ogne lato ad esso m’appario
23 un non sapeva che bianco, e di sotto
24 a poco a poco un altro a lui uscìo.
25 Lo mio maestro ancor non facea motto,
26 mentre che i primi bianchi apparver ali;
27 allor che ben conobbe il galeotto,
28 gridò: «Fa, fa che le ginocchia cali.
29 Ecco l’angel di Dio: piega le mani;
30 omai vedrai di sì fatti officiali.
31 Vedi che sdegna li argomenti umani,
32 sì che remo non vuol, né altro velo
33 che l’ali sue, tra liti sì lontani.
34 Vedi come l’ha dritte verso ’l cielo,
35 trattando l’aere con l’etterne penne,
36 che non si mutan come mortal pelo».
37 Poi, come più e più verso noi venne
38 l’uccel divino, più chiaro appariva:
39 per che l’occhio da presso nol sostenne,
40 ma chinail giuso; e quei sen venne a riva
41 con un vasello snelletto e leggero,
42 tanto che l’acqua nulla ne ‘nghiottiva.
43 Da poppa stava il celestial nocchiero,
44 tal che faria beato pur descripto;
45 e più di cento spirti entro sediero.
46 ‘In exitu Isräel de Aegypto’
47 cantavan tutti insieme ad una voce
48 con quanto di quel salmo è poscia scripto.
49 Poi fece il segno lor di santa croce;
50 ond’ ei si gittar tutti in su la piaggia:
51 ed el sen gì, come venne, veloce.
52 La turba che rimase lì, selvaggia
53 parea del loco, rimirando intorno
54 come colui che nove cose assaggia.
55 Da tutte parti saettava il giorno
56 lo sol, ch’avea con le saette conte
57 di mezzo ’l ciel cacciato Capricorno,
58 quando la nova gente alzò la fronte
59 ver’ noi, dicendo a noi: «Se voi sapete,
60 mostratene la via di gire al monte».
61 E Virgilio rispuose: «Voi credete
62 forse che siamo esperti d’esto loco;
63 ma noi siam peregrin come voi siete.
64 Dianzi venimmo, innanzi a voi un poco,
65 per altra via, che fu sì aspra e forte,
66 che lo salire omai ne parrà gioco».
67 L’anime, che si fuor di me accorte,
68 per lo spirare, ch’i’ era ancor vivo,
69 maravigliando diventaro smorte.
70 E come a messagger che porta ulivo
71 tragge la gente per udir novelle,
72 e di calcar nessun si mostra schivo,
73 così al viso mio s’affisar quelle
74 anime fortunate tutte quante,
75 quasi oblïando d’ire a farsi belle.
76 Io vidi una di lor trarresi avante
77 per abbracciarmi con sì grande affetto,
78 che mosse me a far lo somigliante.
79 Ohi ombre vane, fuor che ne l’aspetto!
80 tre volte dietro a lei le mani avvinsi,
81 e tante mi tornai con esse al petto.
82 Di maraviglia, credo, mi dipinsi;
83 per che l’ombra sorrise e si ritrasse,
84 e io, seguendo lei, oltre mi pinsi.
85 Soavemente disse ch’io posasse;
86 allor conobbi chi era, e pregai
87 che, per parlarmi, un poco s’arrestasse.
88 Rispuosemi: «Così com’ io t’amai
89 nel mortal corpo, così t’amo sciolta:
90 però m’arresto; ma tu perché vai?».
91 «Casella mio, per tornar altra volta
92 là dov’ io son, fo io questo vïaggio»,
93 diss’ io; «ma a te com’ è tanta ora tolta?».
94 Ed elli a me: «Nessun m’è fatto oltraggio,
95 se quei che leva quando e cui li piace,
96 più volte m’ ha negato esto passaggio;
97 ché di giusto voler lo suo si face:
98 veramente da tre mesi elli ha tolto
99 chi ha voluto intrar, con tutta pace.
100 Ond’ io, ch’era ora a la marina vòlto
101 dove l’acqua di Tevero s’insala,
102 benignamente fu’ da lui ricolto.
103 A quella foce ha elli or dritta l’ala,
104 però che sempre quivi si ricoglie
105 qual verso Acheronte non si cala».
106 E io: «Se nuova legge non ti toglie
107 memoria o uso a l’amoroso canto
108 che mi solea quetar tutte mie doglie,
109 di ciò ti piaccia consolare alquanto
110 l’anima mia, che, con la sua persona
111 venendo qui, è affannata tanto!».
112 ‘Amor che ne la mente mi ragiona’
113 cominciò elli allor sì dolcemente,
114 che la dolcezza ancor dentro mi suona.
115 Lo mio maestro e io e quella gente
116 ch’eran con lui parevan sì contenti,
117 come a nessun toccasse altro la mente.
118 Noi eravam tutti fissi e attenti
119 a le sue note; ed ecco il veglio onesto
120 gridando: «Che è ciò, spiriti lenti?
121 qual negligenza, quale stare è questo?
122 Correte al monte a spogliarvi lo scoglio
123 ch’esser non lascia a voi Dio manifesto».
124 Come quando, cogliendo biado o loglio,
125 li colombi adunati a la pastura,
126 queti, sanza mostrar l’usato orgoglio,
127 se cosa appare ond’ elli abbian paura,
128 subitamente lasciano star l’esca,
129 perch’ assaliti son da maggior cura;
130 così vid’ io quella masnada fresca
131 lasciar lo canto, e fuggir ver’ la costa,
132 com’ om che va, né sa dove rïesca;
133 né la nostra partita fu men tosta.
РУССКИЙ (Лозинский)
1 Уже сближалось солнце, нам незримо,
С тем горизонтом, чей полдневный круг
Вершиной лег поверх Ерусалима;
4 А ночь, напротив двигаясь вокруг,
Взошла из Ганга и весы держала,
Чтоб, одолев, их выронить из рук;
7 И на щеках Авроры, что сияла
Там, где я был, мерк бело-алый цвет,
От времени желтея обветшало.
10 Мы ждали там, где нас застал рассвет,
Как те, что у распутья, им чужого,
Душою движутся, а телом нет.
13 И вот, как в слое воздуха густого,
На западе, над самым лоном вод,
В час перед утром Марс горит багрово,
16 Так мне сверкнул - и снова да сверкнет! -
Свет, по волнам стремившийся так скоро,
Что не сравнится никакой полет.
19 Пока глаза от водного простора
Я отстранял, чтобы спросить вождя,
Свет ярче стал и явственней для взора.
22 По сторонам, немного погодя,
Какой-то белый блеск разросся чудно,
Другой - под ним, отвесно нисходя.
25 Мой вождь молчал, но было уж нетрудно
Узнать крыла в той первой белизне,
И он, поняв, кто направляет судно,
28 "Склони, склони колена! - крикнул мне. -
Молись, вот ангел божий! Ты отныне
Их много встретишь в горней вышине.
31 Смотри, как этот, в праведной гордыне,
Ни весел не желает, ни ветрил,
И правит крыльями в морской пустыне!
34 Смотри, как он их к небу устремил,
Взвевая воздух вечным опереньем,
Не переменным, как у смертных крыл".
37 А тот, светлея с каждым мановеньем,
Господней птицей путь на нас держал;
Я, дольше не выдерживая зреньем,
40 Потупил взгляд; а он к земле пристал,
И челн его такой был маловесный,
Что даже и волну не рассекал.
43 Там на корме стоял пловец небесный,
Такой, что счастье - даже речь о нем;
Вмещал сто душ и больше струг чудесный.
46 "In exitu Israel" - так, в одном
Сливаясь хоре, их звучало пенье,
И все, что дальше говорит псалом.
49 Он дал им крестное благословенье,
И все на берег кинулись гурьбой,
А он уплыл, опять в одно мгновенье.
52 Толпа дичилась, видя пред собой
Безвестный край, смущенная немного,
Как тот, кто повстречался с новизной.
55 Уже лучи во все концы отлого
Метало солнце, их стрелами сбив
С небесной середины Козерога,
58 Когда отряд прибывших, устремив
На нас глаза, сказал нам: "Мы не знаем,
Каким путем подняться на обрыв".
61 Вергилий им ответил: "С этим краем
Знакомимся мы сами в первый раз;
Мы тоже здесь как странники ступаем.
64 Мы прибыли немного раньше вас,
Другим путем, где круча так сурова,
Что вверх идти - теперь игра для нас".
67 Внимавшие, которым было ново,
Что у меня дыханье на устах,
Дивясь, бледнели, увидав живого.
70 Как на гонца с оливою в руках
Бежит народ, чтобы узнать, в чем дело,
И все друг друга давят второпях,
73 Так и толпа счастливых душ глядела
В мое лицо, забыв стезю высот
И чаянье прекрасного удела.
76 Одна ко мне продвинулась вперед,
Объятия раскрыв так благодатно,
Что я ответил тем же в свой черед.
79 О призрачные тени! Троекратно
Сплетал я руки, чтоб ее обнять,
И трижды приводил к груди обратно.
82 Смущенья ли была на мне печать,
Но тень с улыбкой стала отдаляться,
И ей вослед я двинулся опять.
85 Она сказала мне не приближаться;
И тут ее узнал я без труда
И попросил на миг со мной остаться.
88 "Как в смертном теле, - молвил дух тогда, -
Тебя любил я, так люблю вне тленья.
Я подожду; а ты идешь куда?"
91 "Каселла мой, я ради возвращенья
Сюда же, - я сказал, - предпринял путь.
Но где ты был, чтоб так терять мгновенья?"
94 И он: "Обидой не было отнюдь,
Что он, беря, кого ему угодно,
Мне долго к прочим не давал примкнуть;
97 Его желанье с высшей правдой сходно.
Теперь уже три месяца подряд
Всех, кто ни просит, он берет свободно.
100 И вот на взморье устремляя взгляд,
Где Тибр горчает, растворясь в соленом,
Я был им тоже в этом устье взят,
103 Куда сейчас он реет водным лоном
И где всегда в ладью сажает он
Того, кто не притянут Ахероном".
106 И я: "О если ты не отлучен
От дара нежных песен, что, бывало,
Мою тревогу погружали в сон,
109 Не уходи, не спев одну сначала
Моей душе, которая, в земной
Идущая личине, так устала!"
112 "Любовь, в душе беседуя со мной", -
Запел он так отрадно, что отрада
И до сих пор звенит во мне струной.
115 Мой вождь, и я, и душ блаженных стадо
Так радостно ловили каждый звук,
Что лучшего, казалось, нам не надо.
118 Мы напряженно слушали, но вдруг
Величественный старец крикнул строго:
"Как, мешкотные души? Вам досуг
121 Вот так стоять, когда вас ждет дорога?
Спешите в гору, чтоб очистить взор
От шелухи, для лицезренья бога".
124 Как голуби, клюя зерно иль сор,
Толпятся, молчаливые, без счета,
Прервав свой горделивый разговор,
127 Но, если вдруг их испугает что-то,
Тотчас бросают корм и прочь спешат,
Затем что поважней у них забота, -
130 Так, видел я, неопытный отряд,
Бросая песнь, спешил к пяте обрыва,
Как человек, идущий наугад;
133 Была и наша поступь тороплива.
С тем горизонтом, чей полдневный круг
Вершиной лег поверх Ерусалима;
4 А ночь, напротив двигаясь вокруг,
Взошла из Ганга и весы держала,
Чтоб, одолев, их выронить из рук;
7 И на щеках Авроры, что сияла
Там, где я был, мерк бело-алый цвет,
От времени желтея обветшало.
10 Мы ждали там, где нас застал рассвет,
Как те, что у распутья, им чужого,
Душою движутся, а телом нет.
13 И вот, как в слое воздуха густого,
На западе, над самым лоном вод,
В час перед утром Марс горит багрово,
16 Так мне сверкнул - и снова да сверкнет! -
Свет, по волнам стремившийся так скоро,
Что не сравнится никакой полет.
19 Пока глаза от водного простора
Я отстранял, чтобы спросить вождя,
Свет ярче стал и явственней для взора.
22 По сторонам, немного погодя,
Какой-то белый блеск разросся чудно,
Другой - под ним, отвесно нисходя.
25 Мой вождь молчал, но было уж нетрудно
Узнать крыла в той первой белизне,
И он, поняв, кто направляет судно,
28 "Склони, склони колена! - крикнул мне. -
Молись, вот ангел божий! Ты отныне
Их много встретишь в горней вышине.
31 Смотри, как этот, в праведной гордыне,
Ни весел не желает, ни ветрил,
И правит крыльями в морской пустыне!
34 Смотри, как он их к небу устремил,
Взвевая воздух вечным опереньем,
Не переменным, как у смертных крыл".
37 А тот, светлея с каждым мановеньем,
Господней птицей путь на нас держал;
Я, дольше не выдерживая зреньем,
40 Потупил взгляд; а он к земле пристал,
И челн его такой был маловесный,
Что даже и волну не рассекал.
43 Там на корме стоял пловец небесный,
Такой, что счастье - даже речь о нем;
Вмещал сто душ и больше струг чудесный.
46 "In exitu Israel" - так, в одном
Сливаясь хоре, их звучало пенье,
И все, что дальше говорит псалом.
49 Он дал им крестное благословенье,
И все на берег кинулись гурьбой,
А он уплыл, опять в одно мгновенье.
52 Толпа дичилась, видя пред собой
Безвестный край, смущенная немного,
Как тот, кто повстречался с новизной.
55 Уже лучи во все концы отлого
Метало солнце, их стрелами сбив
С небесной середины Козерога,
58 Когда отряд прибывших, устремив
На нас глаза, сказал нам: "Мы не знаем,
Каким путем подняться на обрыв".
61 Вергилий им ответил: "С этим краем
Знакомимся мы сами в первый раз;
Мы тоже здесь как странники ступаем.
64 Мы прибыли немного раньше вас,
Другим путем, где круча так сурова,
Что вверх идти - теперь игра для нас".
67 Внимавшие, которым было ново,
Что у меня дыханье на устах,
Дивясь, бледнели, увидав живого.
70 Как на гонца с оливою в руках
Бежит народ, чтобы узнать, в чем дело,
И все друг друга давят второпях,
73 Так и толпа счастливых душ глядела
В мое лицо, забыв стезю высот
И чаянье прекрасного удела.
76 Одна ко мне продвинулась вперед,
Объятия раскрыв так благодатно,
Что я ответил тем же в свой черед.
79 О призрачные тени! Троекратно
Сплетал я руки, чтоб ее обнять,
И трижды приводил к груди обратно.
82 Смущенья ли была на мне печать,
Но тень с улыбкой стала отдаляться,
И ей вослед я двинулся опять.
85 Она сказала мне не приближаться;
И тут ее узнал я без труда
И попросил на миг со мной остаться.
88 "Как в смертном теле, - молвил дух тогда, -
Тебя любил я, так люблю вне тленья.
Я подожду; а ты идешь куда?"
91 "Каселла мой, я ради возвращенья
Сюда же, - я сказал, - предпринял путь.
Но где ты был, чтоб так терять мгновенья?"
94 И он: "Обидой не было отнюдь,
Что он, беря, кого ему угодно,
Мне долго к прочим не давал примкнуть;
97 Его желанье с высшей правдой сходно.
Теперь уже три месяца подряд
Всех, кто ни просит, он берет свободно.
100 И вот на взморье устремляя взгляд,
Где Тибр горчает, растворясь в соленом,
Я был им тоже в этом устье взят,
103 Куда сейчас он реет водным лоном
И где всегда в ладью сажает он
Того, кто не притянут Ахероном".
106 И я: "О если ты не отлучен
От дара нежных песен, что, бывало,
Мою тревогу погружали в сон,
109 Не уходи, не спев одну сначала
Моей душе, которая, в земной
Идущая личине, так устала!"
112 "Любовь, в душе беседуя со мной", -
Запел он так отрадно, что отрада
И до сих пор звенит во мне струной.
115 Мой вождь, и я, и душ блаженных стадо
Так радостно ловили каждый звук,
Что лучшего, казалось, нам не надо.
118 Мы напряженно слушали, но вдруг
Величественный старец крикнул строго:
"Как, мешкотные души? Вам досуг
121 Вот так стоять, когда вас ждет дорога?
Спешите в гору, чтоб очистить взор
От шелухи, для лицезренья бога".
124 Как голуби, клюя зерно иль сор,
Толпятся, молчаливые, без счета,
Прервав свой горделивый разговор,
127 Но, если вдруг их испугает что-то,
Тотчас бросают корм и прочь спешат,
Затем что поважней у них забота, -
130 Так, видел я, неопытный отряд,
Бросая песнь, спешил к пяте обрыва,
Как человек, идущий наугад;
133 Была и наша поступь тороплива.
ENGLISH (Mandelbaum)
By now the sun was crossing the horizon
of the meridian whose highest point
covers Jerusalem; and from the Ganges,
night, circling opposite the sun, was moving
together with the Scales that, when the length
of dark defeats the day, desert night’s hands;
so that, above the shore that I had reached,
the fair Aurora’s white and scarlet cheeks
were, as Aurora aged, becoming orange.
We still were by the sea, like those who think
about the journey they will undertake,
who go in heart but in the body stay.
And just as Mars, when it is overcome
by the invading mists of dawn, glows red
above the waters’ plain, low in the west,
so there appeared to me—and may I see it
again—a light that crossed the sea: so swift,
there is no flight of bird to equal it.
When, for a moment, I’d withdrawn my eyes
that I might ask a question of my guide,
I saw that light again, larger, more bright.
Then, to each side of it, I saw a whiteness,
though I did not know what that whiteness was;
below, another whiteness slowly showed.
My master did not say a word before
the whitenesses first seen appeared as wings;
but then, when he had recognized the helmsman,
he cried: “Bend, bend your knees: behold the angel
of God, and join your hands; from this point on,
this is the kind of minister you’ll meet.
See how much scorn he has for human means;
he’d have no other sail than his own wings
and use no oar between such distant shores.
See how he holds his wings, pointing to Heaven,
piercing the air with his eternal pinions,
which do not change as mortal plumage does.”
Then he—that bird divine—as he drew closer
and closer to us, seemed to gain in brightness,
so that my eyes could not endure his nearness,
and I was forced to lower them; and he
came on to shore with boat so light, so quick
that nowhere did the water swallow it.
The helmsman sent from Heaven, at the stern,
seemed to have blessedness inscribed upon him;
more than a hundred spirits sat within.
“In exitu Israel de Aegypto,”
with what is written after of that psalm,
all of those spirits sang as with one voice.
Then over them he made the holy cross
as sign; they flung themselves down on the shore,
and he moved off as he had come—swiftly.
The crowd that he had left along the beach
seemed not to know the place; they looked about
like those whose eyes try out things new to them.
Upon all sides the sun shot forth the day;
and from mid—heaven its incisive arrows
already had chased Capricorn away,
when those who’d just arrived lifted their heads
toward us and said: “Do show us, if you know,
the way by which we can ascend this slope.”
And Virgil answered: “You may be convinced
that we are quite familiar with this shore;
but we are strangers here, just as you are;
we came but now, a little while before you,
though by another path, so difficult
and dense that this ascent seems sport to us.”
The souls who, noticing my breathing, sensed
that I was still a living being, then,
out of astonishment, turned pale; and just
as people crowd around a messenger
who bears an olive branch, to hear his news,
and no one hesitates to join that crush,
so here those happy spirits—all of them—
stared hard at my face, just as if they had
forgotten to proceed to their perfection.
I saw one of those spirits moving forward
in order to embrace me—his affection
so great that I was moved to mime his welcome.
O shades—in all except appearance—empty!
Three times I clasped my hands behind him and
as often brought them back against my chest.
Dismay, I think, was painted on my face;
at this, that shadow smiled as he withdrew;
and I, still seeking him, again advanced.
Gently, he said that I could now stand back;
then I knew who he was, and I beseeched
him to remain awhile and talk with me.
He answered: “As I loved you when I was
within my mortal flesh, so, freed, I love you:
therefore I stay. But you, why do you journey?”
“My own Casella, to return again
to where I am, I journey thus; but why,”
I said, “were you deprived of so much time?”
And he: “No injury is done to me
if he who takes up whom—and when—he pleases
has kept me from this crossing many times,
for his own will derives from a just will.
And yet, for three months now, he has accepted,
most tranquilly, all those who would embark.
Therefore, I, who had turned then to the shore
at which the Tiber’s waters mix with salt,
was gathered in by his benevolence.
Straight to that river mouth, he set his wings:
that always is the place of gathering
for those who do not sink to Acheron.”
And I: “If there’s no new law that denies
you memory or practice of the songs
of love that used to quiet all my longings,
then may it please you with those songs to solace
my soul somewhat; for—having journeyed here
together with my body—it is weary.”
“Love that discourses to me in my mind”
he then began to sing—and sang so sweetly
that I still hear that sweetness sound in me.
My master, I, and all that company
around the singer seemed so satisfied,
as if no other thing might touch our minds.
We all were motionless and fixed upon
the notes, when all at once the grave old man
cried out: “What have we here, you laggard spirits?
What negligence, what lingering is this?
Quick, to the mountain to cast off the slough
that will not let you see God show Himself!”
Even as doves, assembled where they feed,
quietly gathering their grain or weeds,
forgetful of their customary strut,
will, if some thing appears that makes them fear,
immediately leave their food behind
because they are assailed by greater care;
so did I see that new—come company—
they left the song behind, turned toward the slope,
like those who go and yet do not know where.
And we were no less hasty in departure.
of the meridian whose highest point
covers Jerusalem; and from the Ganges,
night, circling opposite the sun, was moving
together with the Scales that, when the length
of dark defeats the day, desert night’s hands;
so that, above the shore that I had reached,
the fair Aurora’s white and scarlet cheeks
were, as Aurora aged, becoming orange.
We still were by the sea, like those who think
about the journey they will undertake,
who go in heart but in the body stay.
And just as Mars, when it is overcome
by the invading mists of dawn, glows red
above the waters’ plain, low in the west,
so there appeared to me—and may I see it
again—a light that crossed the sea: so swift,
there is no flight of bird to equal it.
When, for a moment, I’d withdrawn my eyes
that I might ask a question of my guide,
I saw that light again, larger, more bright.
Then, to each side of it, I saw a whiteness,
though I did not know what that whiteness was;
below, another whiteness slowly showed.
My master did not say a word before
the whitenesses first seen appeared as wings;
but then, when he had recognized the helmsman,
he cried: “Bend, bend your knees: behold the angel
of God, and join your hands; from this point on,
this is the kind of minister you’ll meet.
See how much scorn he has for human means;
he’d have no other sail than his own wings
and use no oar between such distant shores.
See how he holds his wings, pointing to Heaven,
piercing the air with his eternal pinions,
which do not change as mortal plumage does.”
Then he—that bird divine—as he drew closer
and closer to us, seemed to gain in brightness,
so that my eyes could not endure his nearness,
and I was forced to lower them; and he
came on to shore with boat so light, so quick
that nowhere did the water swallow it.
The helmsman sent from Heaven, at the stern,
seemed to have blessedness inscribed upon him;
more than a hundred spirits sat within.
“In exitu Israel de Aegypto,”
with what is written after of that psalm,
all of those spirits sang as with one voice.
Then over them he made the holy cross
as sign; they flung themselves down on the shore,
and he moved off as he had come—swiftly.
The crowd that he had left along the beach
seemed not to know the place; they looked about
like those whose eyes try out things new to them.
Upon all sides the sun shot forth the day;
and from mid—heaven its incisive arrows
already had chased Capricorn away,
when those who’d just arrived lifted their heads
toward us and said: “Do show us, if you know,
the way by which we can ascend this slope.”
And Virgil answered: “You may be convinced
that we are quite familiar with this shore;
but we are strangers here, just as you are;
we came but now, a little while before you,
though by another path, so difficult
and dense that this ascent seems sport to us.”
The souls who, noticing my breathing, sensed
that I was still a living being, then,
out of astonishment, turned pale; and just
as people crowd around a messenger
who bears an olive branch, to hear his news,
and no one hesitates to join that crush,
so here those happy spirits—all of them—
stared hard at my face, just as if they had
forgotten to proceed to their perfection.
I saw one of those spirits moving forward
in order to embrace me—his affection
so great that I was moved to mime his welcome.
O shades—in all except appearance—empty!
Three times I clasped my hands behind him and
as often brought them back against my chest.
Dismay, I think, was painted on my face;
at this, that shadow smiled as he withdrew;
and I, still seeking him, again advanced.
Gently, he said that I could now stand back;
then I knew who he was, and I beseeched
him to remain awhile and talk with me.
He answered: “As I loved you when I was
within my mortal flesh, so, freed, I love you:
therefore I stay. But you, why do you journey?”
“My own Casella, to return again
to where I am, I journey thus; but why,”
I said, “were you deprived of so much time?”
And he: “No injury is done to me
if he who takes up whom—and when—he pleases
has kept me from this crossing many times,
for his own will derives from a just will.
And yet, for three months now, he has accepted,
most tranquilly, all those who would embark.
Therefore, I, who had turned then to the shore
at which the Tiber’s waters mix with salt,
was gathered in by his benevolence.
Straight to that river mouth, he set his wings:
that always is the place of gathering
for those who do not sink to Acheron.”
And I: “If there’s no new law that denies
you memory or practice of the songs
of love that used to quiet all my longings,
then may it please you with those songs to solace
my soul somewhat; for—having journeyed here
together with my body—it is weary.”
“Love that discourses to me in my mind”
he then began to sing—and sang so sweetly
that I still hear that sweetness sound in me.
My master, I, and all that company
around the singer seemed so satisfied,
as if no other thing might touch our minds.
We all were motionless and fixed upon
the notes, when all at once the grave old man
cried out: “What have we here, you laggard spirits?
What negligence, what lingering is this?
Quick, to the mountain to cast off the slough
that will not let you see God show Himself!”
Even as doves, assembled where they feed,
quietly gathering their grain or weeds,
forgetful of their customary strut,
will, if some thing appears that makes them fear,
immediately leave their food behind
because they are assailed by greater care;
so did I see that new—come company—
they left the song behind, turned toward the slope,
like those who go and yet do not know where.
And we were no less hasty in departure.
ENGLISH (Longfellow)
ALREADY had the sun the horizon reached
Whose circle of meridian covers o’er
Jerusalem with its most lofty point,
And night that opposite to him revolves
Was issuing forth from Ganges with the Scales
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.
We still were on the border of the sea,
Like people who are thinking of their road,
Who go in heart and with the body stay;
And lo! as when, upon the approach of morning,
Through the gross vapours Mars grows fiery red
Down in the West upon the ocean floor,
Appeared to me— may I again behold it!—
A light along the sea so swiftly coming,
Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled;
From which when I a little had withdrawn
Mine eyes, that I might question my Conductor,
Again I saw it brighter grown and larger.
Then on each side of it appeared to me
I knew not what of white, and underneath it.
Little by little there came forth another.
My Master yet had uttered not a word
While the first whiteness into wings unfolded;
But when he clearly recognised the pilot,
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,
That do not moult themselves like mortal hair!”
Then as still nearer and more near us came
The Bird Divine, more radiant he appeared
So that near by the eye could not endure him,
But down I cast it; and he came to shore
With a small vessel, very swift and light,
So that the water swallowed naught thereof,
Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot;
Beatitude seemed written in his face,
And more than a hundred spirits sat within.
_”In exitu Israel de Aegypto!”_
They chanted all together in one voice,
With whatso in that psalm is after written.
Then made he sign of holy rood upon them,
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
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 ourselves
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,
So at the sight of me stood motionless
Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if
Oblivious to go and make them fair.
One from among them saw I coming forward,
As to embrace me, with such great affection,
That it incited me to do the like.
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;
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.
It made reply to me: “Even as I loved thee
In mortal body, so I love thee free;
Therefore I stop; but wherefore goest thou ?”
“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 be taken?
And he to me: “No outrage has been done me,
If he who takes both when and whom he pleases
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 song of love,
Which used to quiet in me all my longings,
Thee may it please to comfort therewithal
Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body
Hitherward coming is so much distressed.”
_”Love, that within my mind discourses with me,”_
Forthwith began he so melodiously,
The melody within me still is sounding.
My Master, and myself, and all that people
Which with him were, appeared as satisfied
As if naught else might touch the mind of any;
We all of us were moveless and attentive
Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man,
Exclaiming: “What is this, ye laggard spirits
What negligence, what standing still is this ?
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,
Because they are assailed by greater care;
So that fresh company did I behold
The song relinquish, and go tow’rds the hill,
As one who goes, and knows not whitherward;
Nor was our own departure less in haste.
Whose circle of meridian covers o’er
Jerusalem with its most lofty point,
And night that opposite to him revolves
Was issuing forth from Ganges with the Scales
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.
We still were on the border of the sea,
Like people who are thinking of their road,
Who go in heart and with the body stay;
And lo! as when, upon the approach of morning,
Through the gross vapours Mars grows fiery red
Down in the West upon the ocean floor,
Appeared to me— may I again behold it!—
A light along the sea so swiftly coming,
Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled;
From which when I a little had withdrawn
Mine eyes, that I might question my Conductor,
Again I saw it brighter grown and larger.
Then on each side of it appeared to me
I knew not what of white, and underneath it.
Little by little there came forth another.
My Master yet had uttered not a word
While the first whiteness into wings unfolded;
But when he clearly recognised the pilot,
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,
That do not moult themselves like mortal hair!”
Then as still nearer and more near us came
The Bird Divine, more radiant he appeared
So that near by the eye could not endure him,
But down I cast it; and he came to shore
With a small vessel, very swift and light,
So that the water swallowed naught thereof,
Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot;
Beatitude seemed written in his face,
And more than a hundred spirits sat within.
_”In exitu Israel de Aegypto!”_
They chanted all together in one voice,
With whatso in that psalm is after written.
Then made he sign of holy rood upon them,
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
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 ourselves
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,
So at the sight of me stood motionless
Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if
Oblivious to go and make them fair.
One from among them saw I coming forward,
As to embrace me, with such great affection,
That it incited me to do the like.
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;
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.
It made reply to me: “Even as I loved thee
In mortal body, so I love thee free;
Therefore I stop; but wherefore goest thou ?”
“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 be taken?
And he to me: “No outrage has been done me,
If he who takes both when and whom he pleases
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 song of love,
Which used to quiet in me all my longings,
Thee may it please to comfort therewithal
Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body
Hitherward coming is so much distressed.”
_”Love, that within my mind discourses with me,”_
Forthwith began he so melodiously,
The melody within me still is sounding.
My Master, and myself, and all that people
Which with him were, appeared as satisfied
As if naught else might touch the mind of any;
We all of us were moveless and attentive
Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man,
Exclaiming: “What is this, ye laggard spirits
What negligence, what standing still is this ?
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,
Because they are assailed by greater care;
So that fresh company did I behold
The song relinquish, and go tow’rds the hill,
As one who goes, and knows not whitherward;
Nor was our own departure less in haste.
1 Già era ’l sole a l’orizzonte giunto
2 lo cui meridïan cerchio coverchia
3 Ierusalèm col suo più alto punto;
4 e la notte, che opposita a lui cerchia,
5 uscia di Gange fuor con le Bilance,
6 che le caggion di man quando soverchia;
7 sì che le bianche e le vermiglie guance,
8 là dov’ i’ era, de la bella Aurora
9 per troppa etate divenivan rance.
10 Noi eravam lunghesso mare ancora,
11 come gente che pensa a suo cammino,
12 che va col cuore e col corpo dimora.
13 Ed ecco, qual, sorpreso dal mattino,
14 per li grossi vapor Marte rosseggia
15 giù nel ponente sovra ’l suol marino,
16 cotal m’apparve, s’ io ancor lo veggia,
17 un lume per lo mar venir sì ratto,
18 che ’l muover suo nessun volar pareggia.
19 Dal qual com’ io un poco ebbi ritratto
20 l’occhio per domandar lo duca mio,
21 rividil più lucente e maggior fatto.
22 Poi d’ogne lato ad esso m’appario
23 un non sapeva che bianco, e di sotto
24 a poco a poco un altro a lui uscìo.
25 Lo mio maestro ancor non facea motto,
26 mentre che i primi bianchi apparver ali;
27 allor che ben conobbe il galeotto,
28 gridò: «Fa, fa che le ginocchia cali.
29 Ecco l’angel di Dio: piega le mani;
30 omai vedrai di sì fatti officiali.
31 Vedi che sdegna li argomenti umani,
32 sì che remo non vuol, né altro velo
33 che l’ali sue, tra liti sì lontani.
34 Vedi come l’ha dritte verso ’l cielo,
35 trattando l’aere con l’etterne penne,
36 che non si mutan come mortal pelo».
37 Poi, come più e più verso noi venne
38 l’uccel divino, più chiaro appariva:
39 per che l’occhio da presso nol sostenne,
40 ma chinail giuso; e quei sen venne a riva
41 con un vasello snelletto e leggero,
42 tanto che l’acqua nulla ne ‘nghiottiva.
43 Da poppa stava il celestial nocchiero,
44 tal che faria beato pur descripto;
45 e più di cento spirti entro sediero.
46 ‘In exitu Isräel de Aegypto’
47 cantavan tutti insieme ad una voce
48 con quanto di quel salmo è poscia scripto.
49 Poi fece il segno lor di santa croce;
50 ond’ ei si gittar tutti in su la piaggia:
51 ed el sen gì, come venne, veloce.
52 La turba che rimase lì, selvaggia
53 parea del loco, rimirando intorno
54 come colui che nove cose assaggia.
55 Da tutte parti saettava il giorno
56 lo sol, ch’avea con le saette conte
57 di mezzo ’l ciel cacciato Capricorno,
58 quando la nova gente alzò la fronte
59 ver’ noi, dicendo a noi: «Se voi sapete,
60 mostratene la via di gire al monte».
61 E Virgilio rispuose: «Voi credete
62 forse che siamo esperti d’esto loco;
63 ma noi siam peregrin come voi siete.
64 Dianzi venimmo, innanzi a voi un poco,
65 per altra via, che fu sì aspra e forte,
66 che lo salire omai ne parrà gioco».
67 L’anime, che si fuor di me accorte,
68 per lo spirare, ch’i’ era ancor vivo,
69 maravigliando diventaro smorte.
70 E come a messagger che porta ulivo
71 tragge la gente per udir novelle,
72 e di calcar nessun si mostra schivo,
73 così al viso mio s’affisar quelle
74 anime fortunate tutte quante,
75 quasi oblïando d’ire a farsi belle.
76 Io vidi una di lor trarresi avante
77 per abbracciarmi con sì grande affetto,
78 che mosse me a far lo somigliante.
79 Ohi ombre vane, fuor che ne l’aspetto!
80 tre volte dietro a lei le mani avvinsi,
81 e tante mi tornai con esse al petto.
82 Di maraviglia, credo, mi dipinsi;
83 per che l’ombra sorrise e si ritrasse,
84 e io, seguendo lei, oltre mi pinsi.
85 Soavemente disse ch’io posasse;
86 allor conobbi chi era, e pregai
87 che, per parlarmi, un poco s’arrestasse.
88 Rispuosemi: «Così com’ io t’amai
89 nel mortal corpo, così t’amo sciolta:
90 però m’arresto; ma tu perché vai?».
91 «Casella mio, per tornar altra volta
92 là dov’ io son, fo io questo vïaggio»,
93 diss’ io; «ma a te com’ è tanta ora tolta?».
94 Ed elli a me: «Nessun m’è fatto oltraggio,
95 se quei che leva quando e cui li piace,
96 più volte m’ ha negato esto passaggio;
97 ché di giusto voler lo suo si face:
98 veramente da tre mesi elli ha tolto
99 chi ha voluto intrar, con tutta pace.
100 Ond’ io, ch’era ora a la marina vòlto
101 dove l’acqua di Tevero s’insala,
102 benignamente fu’ da lui ricolto.
103 A quella foce ha elli or dritta l’ala,
104 però che sempre quivi si ricoglie
105 qual verso Acheronte non si cala».
106 E io: «Se nuova legge non ti toglie
107 memoria o uso a l’amoroso canto
108 che mi solea quetar tutte mie doglie,
109 di ciò ti piaccia consolare alquanto
110 l’anima mia, che, con la sua persona
111 venendo qui, è affannata tanto!».
112 ‘Amor che ne la mente mi ragiona’
113 cominciò elli allor sì dolcemente,
114 che la dolcezza ancor dentro mi suona.
115 Lo mio maestro e io e quella gente
116 ch’eran con lui parevan sì contenti,
117 come a nessun toccasse altro la mente.
118 Noi eravam tutti fissi e attenti
119 a le sue note; ed ecco il veglio onesto
120 gridando: «Che è ciò, spiriti lenti?
121 qual negligenza, quale stare è questo?
122 Correte al monte a spogliarvi lo scoglio
123 ch’esser non lascia a voi Dio manifesto».
124 Come quando, cogliendo biado o loglio,
125 li colombi adunati a la pastura,
126 queti, sanza mostrar l’usato orgoglio,
127 se cosa appare ond’ elli abbian paura,
128 subitamente lasciano star l’esca,
129 perch’ assaliti son da maggior cura;
130 così vid’ io quella masnada fresca
131 lasciar lo canto, e fuggir ver’ la costa,
132 com’ om che va, né sa dove rïesca;
133 né la nostra partita fu men tosta.
2 lo cui meridïan cerchio coverchia
3 Ierusalèm col suo più alto punto;
4 e la notte, che opposita a lui cerchia,
5 uscia di Gange fuor con le Bilance,
6 che le caggion di man quando soverchia;
7 sì che le bianche e le vermiglie guance,
8 là dov’ i’ era, de la bella Aurora
9 per troppa etate divenivan rance.
10 Noi eravam lunghesso mare ancora,
11 come gente che pensa a suo cammino,
12 che va col cuore e col corpo dimora.
13 Ed ecco, qual, sorpreso dal mattino,
14 per li grossi vapor Marte rosseggia
15 giù nel ponente sovra ’l suol marino,
16 cotal m’apparve, s’ io ancor lo veggia,
17 un lume per lo mar venir sì ratto,
18 che ’l muover suo nessun volar pareggia.
19 Dal qual com’ io un poco ebbi ritratto
20 l’occhio per domandar lo duca mio,
21 rividil più lucente e maggior fatto.
22 Poi d’ogne lato ad esso m’appario
23 un non sapeva che bianco, e di sotto
24 a poco a poco un altro a lui uscìo.
25 Lo mio maestro ancor non facea motto,
26 mentre che i primi bianchi apparver ali;
27 allor che ben conobbe il galeotto,
28 gridò: «Fa, fa che le ginocchia cali.
29 Ecco l’angel di Dio: piega le mani;
30 omai vedrai di sì fatti officiali.
31 Vedi che sdegna li argomenti umani,
32 sì che remo non vuol, né altro velo
33 che l’ali sue, tra liti sì lontani.
34 Vedi come l’ha dritte verso ’l cielo,
35 trattando l’aere con l’etterne penne,
36 che non si mutan come mortal pelo».
37 Poi, come più e più verso noi venne
38 l’uccel divino, più chiaro appariva:
39 per che l’occhio da presso nol sostenne,
40 ma chinail giuso; e quei sen venne a riva
41 con un vasello snelletto e leggero,
42 tanto che l’acqua nulla ne ‘nghiottiva.
43 Da poppa stava il celestial nocchiero,
44 tal che faria beato pur descripto;
45 e più di cento spirti entro sediero.
46 ‘In exitu Isräel de Aegypto’
47 cantavan tutti insieme ad una voce
48 con quanto di quel salmo è poscia scripto.
49 Poi fece il segno lor di santa croce;
50 ond’ ei si gittar tutti in su la piaggia:
51 ed el sen gì, come venne, veloce.
52 La turba che rimase lì, selvaggia
53 parea del loco, rimirando intorno
54 come colui che nove cose assaggia.
55 Da tutte parti saettava il giorno
56 lo sol, ch’avea con le saette conte
57 di mezzo ’l ciel cacciato Capricorno,
58 quando la nova gente alzò la fronte
59 ver’ noi, dicendo a noi: «Se voi sapete,
60 mostratene la via di gire al monte».
61 E Virgilio rispuose: «Voi credete
62 forse che siamo esperti d’esto loco;
63 ma noi siam peregrin come voi siete.
64 Dianzi venimmo, innanzi a voi un poco,
65 per altra via, che fu sì aspra e forte,
66 che lo salire omai ne parrà gioco».
67 L’anime, che si fuor di me accorte,
68 per lo spirare, ch’i’ era ancor vivo,
69 maravigliando diventaro smorte.
70 E come a messagger che porta ulivo
71 tragge la gente per udir novelle,
72 e di calcar nessun si mostra schivo,
73 così al viso mio s’affisar quelle
74 anime fortunate tutte quante,
75 quasi oblïando d’ire a farsi belle.
76 Io vidi una di lor trarresi avante
77 per abbracciarmi con sì grande affetto,
78 che mosse me a far lo somigliante.
79 Ohi ombre vane, fuor che ne l’aspetto!
80 tre volte dietro a lei le mani avvinsi,
81 e tante mi tornai con esse al petto.
82 Di maraviglia, credo, mi dipinsi;
83 per che l’ombra sorrise e si ritrasse,
84 e io, seguendo lei, oltre mi pinsi.
85 Soavemente disse ch’io posasse;
86 allor conobbi chi era, e pregai
87 che, per parlarmi, un poco s’arrestasse.
88 Rispuosemi: «Così com’ io t’amai
89 nel mortal corpo, così t’amo sciolta:
90 però m’arresto; ma tu perché vai?».
91 «Casella mio, per tornar altra volta
92 là dov’ io son, fo io questo vïaggio»,
93 diss’ io; «ma a te com’ è tanta ora tolta?».
94 Ed elli a me: «Nessun m’è fatto oltraggio,
95 se quei che leva quando e cui li piace,
96 più volte m’ ha negato esto passaggio;
97 ché di giusto voler lo suo si face:
98 veramente da tre mesi elli ha tolto
99 chi ha voluto intrar, con tutta pace.
100 Ond’ io, ch’era ora a la marina vòlto
101 dove l’acqua di Tevero s’insala,
102 benignamente fu’ da lui ricolto.
103 A quella foce ha elli or dritta l’ala,
104 però che sempre quivi si ricoglie
105 qual verso Acheronte non si cala».
106 E io: «Se nuova legge non ti toglie
107 memoria o uso a l’amoroso canto
108 che mi solea quetar tutte mie doglie,
109 di ciò ti piaccia consolare alquanto
110 l’anima mia, che, con la sua persona
111 venendo qui, è affannata tanto!».
112 ‘Amor che ne la mente mi ragiona’
113 cominciò elli allor sì dolcemente,
114 che la dolcezza ancor dentro mi suona.
115 Lo mio maestro e io e quella gente
116 ch’eran con lui parevan sì contenti,
117 come a nessun toccasse altro la mente.
118 Noi eravam tutti fissi e attenti
119 a le sue note; ed ecco il veglio onesto
120 gridando: «Che è ciò, spiriti lenti?
121 qual negligenza, quale stare è questo?
122 Correte al monte a spogliarvi lo scoglio
123 ch’esser non lascia a voi Dio manifesto».
124 Come quando, cogliendo biado o loglio,
125 li colombi adunati a la pastura,
126 queti, sanza mostrar l’usato orgoglio,
127 se cosa appare ond’ elli abbian paura,
128 subitamente lasciano star l’esca,
129 perch’ assaliti son da maggior cura;
130 così vid’ io quella masnada fresca
131 lasciar lo canto, e fuggir ver’ la costa,
132 com’ om che va, né sa dove rïesca;
133 né la nostra partita fu men tosta.
1 Уже сближалось солнце, нам незримо,
С тем горизонтом, чей полдневный круг
Вершиной лег поверх Ерусалима;
4 А ночь, напротив двигаясь вокруг,
Взошла из Ганга и весы держала,
Чтоб, одолев, их выронить из рук;
7 И на щеках Авроры, что сияла
Там, где я был, мерк бело-алый цвет,
От времени желтея обветшало.
10 Мы ждали там, где нас застал рассвет,
Как те, что у распутья, им чужого,
Душою движутся, а телом нет.
13 И вот, как в слое воздуха густого,
На западе, над самым лоном вод,
В час перед утром Марс горит багрово,
16 Так мне сверкнул - и снова да сверкнет! -
Свет, по волнам стремившийся так скоро,
Что не сравнится никакой полет.
19 Пока глаза от водного простора
Я отстранял, чтобы спросить вождя,
Свет ярче стал и явственней для взора.
22 По сторонам, немного погодя,
Какой-то белый блеск разросся чудно,
Другой - под ним, отвесно нисходя.
25 Мой вождь молчал, но было уж нетрудно
Узнать крыла в той первой белизне,
И он, поняв, кто направляет судно,
28 "Склони, склони колена! - крикнул мне. -
Молись, вот ангел божий! Ты отныне
Их много встретишь в горней вышине.
31 Смотри, как этот, в праведной гордыне,
Ни весел не желает, ни ветрил,
И правит крыльями в морской пустыне!
34 Смотри, как он их к небу устремил,
Взвевая воздух вечным опереньем,
Не переменным, как у смертных крыл".
37 А тот, светлея с каждым мановеньем,
Господней птицей путь на нас держал;
Я, дольше не выдерживая зреньем,
40 Потупил взгляд; а он к земле пристал,
И челн его такой был маловесный,
Что даже и волну не рассекал.
43 Там на корме стоял пловец небесный,
Такой, что счастье - даже речь о нем;
Вмещал сто душ и больше струг чудесный.
46 "In exitu Israel" - так, в одном
Сливаясь хоре, их звучало пенье,
И все, что дальше говорит псалом.
49 Он дал им крестное благословенье,
И все на берег кинулись гурьбой,
А он уплыл, опять в одно мгновенье.
52 Толпа дичилась, видя пред собой
Безвестный край, смущенная немного,
Как тот, кто повстречался с новизной.
55 Уже лучи во все концы отлого
Метало солнце, их стрелами сбив
С небесной середины Козерога,
58 Когда отряд прибывших, устремив
На нас глаза, сказал нам: "Мы не знаем,
Каким путем подняться на обрыв".
61 Вергилий им ответил: "С этим краем
Знакомимся мы сами в первый раз;
Мы тоже здесь как странники ступаем.
64 Мы прибыли немного раньше вас,
Другим путем, где круча так сурова,
Что вверх идти - теперь игра для нас".
67 Внимавшие, которым было ново,
Что у меня дыханье на устах,
Дивясь, бледнели, увидав живого.
70 Как на гонца с оливою в руках
Бежит народ, чтобы узнать, в чем дело,
И все друг друга давят второпях,
73 Так и толпа счастливых душ глядела
В мое лицо, забыв стезю высот
И чаянье прекрасного удела.
76 Одна ко мне продвинулась вперед,
Объятия раскрыв так благодатно,
Что я ответил тем же в свой черед.
79 О призрачные тени! Троекратно
Сплетал я руки, чтоб ее обнять,
И трижды приводил к груди обратно.
82 Смущенья ли была на мне печать,
Но тень с улыбкой стала отдаляться,
И ей вослед я двинулся опять.
85 Она сказала мне не приближаться;
И тут ее узнал я без труда
И попросил на миг со мной остаться.
88 "Как в смертном теле, - молвил дух тогда,
Тебя любил я, так люблю вне тленья.
Я подожду; а ты идешь куда?"
91 "Каселла мой, я ради возвращенья
Сюда же, - я сказал, - предпринял путь.
Но где ты был, чтоб так терять мгновенья?"
94 И он: "Обидой не было отнюдь,
Что он, беря, кого ему угодно,
Мне долго к прочим не давал примкнуть;
97 Его желанье с высшей правдой сходно.
Теперь уже три месяца подряд
Всех, кто ни просит, он берет свободно.
100 И вот на взморье устремляя взгляд,
Где Тибр горчает, растворясь в соленом,
Я был им тоже в этом устье взят,
103 Куда сейчас он реет водным лоном
И где всегда в ладью сажает он
Того, кто не притянут Ахероном".
106 И я: "О если ты не отлучен
От дара нежных песен, что, бывало,
Мою тревогу погружали в сон,
109 Не уходи, не спев одну сначала
Моей душе, которая, в земной
Идущая личине, так устала!"
112 "Любовь, в душе беседуя со мной", -
Запел он так отрадно, что отрада
И до сих пор звенит во мне струной.
115 Мой вождь, и я, и душ блаженных стадо
Так радостно ловили каждый звук,
Что лучшего, казалось, нам не надо.
118 Мы напряженно слушали, но вдруг
Величественный старец крикнул строго:
"Как, мешкотные души? Вам досуг
121 Вот так стоять, когда вас ждет дорога?
Спешите в гору, чтоб очистить взор
От шелухи, для лицезренья бога".
124 Как голуби, клюя зерно иль сор,
Толпятся, молчаливые, без счета,
Прервав свой горделивый разговор,
127 Но, если вдруг их испугает что-то,
Тотчас бросают корм и прочь спешат,
Затем что поважней у них забота, -
130 Так, видел я, неопытный отряд,
Бросая песнь, спешил к пяте обрыва,
Как человек, идущий наугад;
133 Была и наша поступь тороплива.
С тем горизонтом, чей полдневный круг
Вершиной лег поверх Ерусалима;
4 А ночь, напротив двигаясь вокруг,
Взошла из Ганга и весы держала,
Чтоб, одолев, их выронить из рук;
7 И на щеках Авроры, что сияла
Там, где я был, мерк бело-алый цвет,
От времени желтея обветшало.
10 Мы ждали там, где нас застал рассвет,
Как те, что у распутья, им чужого,
Душою движутся, а телом нет.
13 И вот, как в слое воздуха густого,
На западе, над самым лоном вод,
В час перед утром Марс горит багрово,
16 Так мне сверкнул - и снова да сверкнет! -
Свет, по волнам стремившийся так скоро,
Что не сравнится никакой полет.
19 Пока глаза от водного простора
Я отстранял, чтобы спросить вождя,
Свет ярче стал и явственней для взора.
22 По сторонам, немного погодя,
Какой-то белый блеск разросся чудно,
Другой - под ним, отвесно нисходя.
25 Мой вождь молчал, но было уж нетрудно
Узнать крыла в той первой белизне,
И он, поняв, кто направляет судно,
28 "Склони, склони колена! - крикнул мне. -
Молись, вот ангел божий! Ты отныне
Их много встретишь в горней вышине.
31 Смотри, как этот, в праведной гордыне,
Ни весел не желает, ни ветрил,
И правит крыльями в морской пустыне!
34 Смотри, как он их к небу устремил,
Взвевая воздух вечным опереньем,
Не переменным, как у смертных крыл".
37 А тот, светлея с каждым мановеньем,
Господней птицей путь на нас держал;
Я, дольше не выдерживая зреньем,
40 Потупил взгляд; а он к земле пристал,
И челн его такой был маловесный,
Что даже и волну не рассекал.
43 Там на корме стоял пловец небесный,
Такой, что счастье - даже речь о нем;
Вмещал сто душ и больше струг чудесный.
46 "In exitu Israel" - так, в одном
Сливаясь хоре, их звучало пенье,
И все, что дальше говорит псалом.
49 Он дал им крестное благословенье,
И все на берег кинулись гурьбой,
А он уплыл, опять в одно мгновенье.
52 Толпа дичилась, видя пред собой
Безвестный край, смущенная немного,
Как тот, кто повстречался с новизной.
55 Уже лучи во все концы отлого
Метало солнце, их стрелами сбив
С небесной середины Козерога,
58 Когда отряд прибывших, устремив
На нас глаза, сказал нам: "Мы не знаем,
Каким путем подняться на обрыв".
61 Вергилий им ответил: "С этим краем
Знакомимся мы сами в первый раз;
Мы тоже здесь как странники ступаем.
64 Мы прибыли немного раньше вас,
Другим путем, где круча так сурова,
Что вверх идти - теперь игра для нас".
67 Внимавшие, которым было ново,
Что у меня дыханье на устах,
Дивясь, бледнели, увидав живого.
70 Как на гонца с оливою в руках
Бежит народ, чтобы узнать, в чем дело,
И все друг друга давят второпях,
73 Так и толпа счастливых душ глядела
В мое лицо, забыв стезю высот
И чаянье прекрасного удела.
76 Одна ко мне продвинулась вперед,
Объятия раскрыв так благодатно,
Что я ответил тем же в свой черед.
79 О призрачные тени! Троекратно
Сплетал я руки, чтоб ее обнять,
И трижды приводил к груди обратно.
82 Смущенья ли была на мне печать,
Но тень с улыбкой стала отдаляться,
И ей вослед я двинулся опять.
85 Она сказала мне не приближаться;
И тут ее узнал я без труда
И попросил на миг со мной остаться.
88 "Как в смертном теле, - молвил дух тогда,
Тебя любил я, так люблю вне тленья.
Я подожду; а ты идешь куда?"
91 "Каселла мой, я ради возвращенья
Сюда же, - я сказал, - предпринял путь.
Но где ты был, чтоб так терять мгновенья?"
94 И он: "Обидой не было отнюдь,
Что он, беря, кого ему угодно,
Мне долго к прочим не давал примкнуть;
97 Его желанье с высшей правдой сходно.
Теперь уже три месяца подряд
Всех, кто ни просит, он берет свободно.
100 И вот на взморье устремляя взгляд,
Где Тибр горчает, растворясь в соленом,
Я был им тоже в этом устье взят,
103 Куда сейчас он реет водным лоном
И где всегда в ладью сажает он
Того, кто не притянут Ахероном".
106 И я: "О если ты не отлучен
От дара нежных песен, что, бывало,
Мою тревогу погружали в сон,
109 Не уходи, не спев одну сначала
Моей душе, которая, в земной
Идущая личине, так устала!"
112 "Любовь, в душе беседуя со мной", -
Запел он так отрадно, что отрада
И до сих пор звенит во мне струной.
115 Мой вождь, и я, и душ блаженных стадо
Так радостно ловили каждый звук,
Что лучшего, казалось, нам не надо.
118 Мы напряженно слушали, но вдруг
Величественный старец крикнул строго:
"Как, мешкотные души? Вам досуг
121 Вот так стоять, когда вас ждет дорога?
Спешите в гору, чтоб очистить взор
От шелухи, для лицезренья бога".
124 Как голуби, клюя зерно иль сор,
Толпятся, молчаливые, без счета,
Прервав свой горделивый разговор,
127 Но, если вдруг их испугает что-то,
Тотчас бросают корм и прочь спешат,
Затем что поважней у них забота, -
130 Так, видел я, неопытный отряд,
Бросая песнь, спешил к пяте обрыва,
Как человек, идущий наугад;
133 Была и наша поступь тороплива.
By now the sun was crossing the horizon
of the meridian whose highest point
covers Jerusalem; and from the Ganges,
night, circling opposite the sun, was moving
together with the Scales that, when the length
of dark defeats the day, desert night’s hands;
so that, above the shore that I had reached,
the fair Aurora’s white and scarlet cheeks
were, as Aurora aged, becoming orange.
We still were by the sea, like those who think
about the journey they will undertake,
who go in heart but in the body stay.
And just as Mars, when it is overcome
by the invading mists of dawn, glows red
above the waters’ plain, low in the west,
so there appeared to me—and may I see it
again—a light that crossed the sea: so swift,
there is no flight of bird to equal it.
When, for a moment, I’d withdrawn my eyes
that I might ask a question of my guide,
I saw that light again, larger, more bright.
Then, to each side of it, I saw a whiteness,
though I did not know what that whiteness was;
below, another whiteness slowly showed.
My master did not say a word before
the whitenesses first seen appeared as wings;
but then, when he had recognized the helmsman,
he cried: “Bend, bend your knees: behold the angel
of God, and join your hands; from this point on,
this is the kind of minister you’ll meet.
See how much scorn he has for human means;
he’d have no other sail than his own wings
and use no oar between such distant shores.
See how he holds his wings, pointing to Heaven,
piercing the air with his eternal pinions,
which do not change as mortal plumage does.”
Then he—that bird divine—as he drew closer
and closer to us, seemed to gain in brightness,
so that my eyes could not endure his nearness,
and I was forced to lower them; and he
came on to shore with boat so light, so quick
that nowhere did the water swallow it.
The helmsman sent from Heaven, at the stern,
seemed to have blessedness inscribed upon him;
more than a hundred spirits sat within.
“In exitu Israel de Aegypto,”
with what is written after of that psalm,
all of those spirits sang as with one voice.
Then over them he made the holy cross
as sign; they flung themselves down on the shore,
and he moved off as he had come—swiftly.
The crowd that he had left along the beach
seemed not to know the place; they looked about
like those whose eyes try out things new to them.
Upon all sides the sun shot forth the day;
and from mid—heaven its incisive arrows
already had chased Capricorn away,
when those who’d just arrived lifted their heads
toward us and said: “Do show us, if you know,
the way by which we can ascend this slope.”
And Virgil answered: “You may be convinced
that we are quite familiar with this shore;
but we are strangers here, just as you are;
we came but now, a little while before you,
though by another path, so difficult
and dense that this ascent seems sport to us.”
The souls who, noticing my breathing, sensed
that I was still a living being, then,
out of astonishment, turned pale; and just
as people crowd around a messenger
who bears an olive branch, to hear his news,
and no one hesitates to join that crush,
so here those happy spirits—all of them—
stared hard at my face, just as if they had
forgotten to proceed to their perfection.
I saw one of those spirits moving forward
in order to embrace me—his affection
so great that I was moved to mime his welcome.
O shades—in all except appearance—empty!
Three times I clasped my hands behind him and
as often brought them back against my chest.
Dismay, I think, was painted on my face;
at this, that shadow smiled as he withdrew;
and I, still seeking him, again advanced.
Gently, he said that I could now stand back;
then I knew who he was, and I beseeched
him to remain awhile and talk with me.
He answered: “As I loved you when I was
within my mortal flesh, so, freed, I love you:
therefore I stay. But you, why do you journey?”
“My own Casella, to return again
to where I am, I journey thus; but why,”
I said, “were you deprived of so much time?”
And he: “No injury is done to me
if he who takes up whom—and when—he pleases
has kept me from this crossing many times,
for his own will derives from a just will.
And yet, for three months now, he has accepted,
most tranquilly, all those who would embark.
Therefore, I, who had turned then to the shore
at which the Tiber’s waters mix with salt,
was gathered in by his benevolence.
Straight to that river mouth, he set his wings:
that always is the place of gathering
for those who do not sink to Acheron.”
And I: “If there’s no new law that denies
you memory or practice of the songs
of love that used to quiet all my longings,
then may it please you with those songs to solace
my soul somewhat; for—having journeyed here
together with my body—it is weary.”
“Love that discourses to me in my mind”
he then began to sing—and sang so sweetly
that I still hear that sweetness sound in me.
My master, I, and all that company
around the singer seemed so satisfied,
as if no other thing might touch our minds.
We all were motionless and fixed upon
the notes, when all at once the grave old man
cried out: “What have we here, you laggard spirits?
What negligence, what lingering is this?
Quick, to the mountain to cast off the slough
that will not let you see God show Himself!”
Even as doves, assembled where they feed,
quietly gathering their grain or weeds,
forgetful of their customary strut,
will, if some thing appears that makes them fear,
immediately leave their food behind
because they are assailed by greater care;
so did I see that new—come company—
they left the song behind, turned toward the slope,
like those who go and yet do not know where.
And we were no less hasty in departure.
of the meridian whose highest point
covers Jerusalem; and from the Ganges,
night, circling opposite the sun, was moving
together with the Scales that, when the length
of dark defeats the day, desert night’s hands;
so that, above the shore that I had reached,
the fair Aurora’s white and scarlet cheeks
were, as Aurora aged, becoming orange.
We still were by the sea, like those who think
about the journey they will undertake,
who go in heart but in the body stay.
And just as Mars, when it is overcome
by the invading mists of dawn, glows red
above the waters’ plain, low in the west,
so there appeared to me—and may I see it
again—a light that crossed the sea: so swift,
there is no flight of bird to equal it.
When, for a moment, I’d withdrawn my eyes
that I might ask a question of my guide,
I saw that light again, larger, more bright.
Then, to each side of it, I saw a whiteness,
though I did not know what that whiteness was;
below, another whiteness slowly showed.
My master did not say a word before
the whitenesses first seen appeared as wings;
but then, when he had recognized the helmsman,
he cried: “Bend, bend your knees: behold the angel
of God, and join your hands; from this point on,
this is the kind of minister you’ll meet.
See how much scorn he has for human means;
he’d have no other sail than his own wings
and use no oar between such distant shores.
See how he holds his wings, pointing to Heaven,
piercing the air with his eternal pinions,
which do not change as mortal plumage does.”
Then he—that bird divine—as he drew closer
and closer to us, seemed to gain in brightness,
so that my eyes could not endure his nearness,
and I was forced to lower them; and he
came on to shore with boat so light, so quick
that nowhere did the water swallow it.
The helmsman sent from Heaven, at the stern,
seemed to have blessedness inscribed upon him;
more than a hundred spirits sat within.
“In exitu Israel de Aegypto,”
with what is written after of that psalm,
all of those spirits sang as with one voice.
Then over them he made the holy cross
as sign; they flung themselves down on the shore,
and he moved off as he had come—swiftly.
The crowd that he had left along the beach
seemed not to know the place; they looked about
like those whose eyes try out things new to them.
Upon all sides the sun shot forth the day;
and from mid—heaven its incisive arrows
already had chased Capricorn away,
when those who’d just arrived lifted their heads
toward us and said: “Do show us, if you know,
the way by which we can ascend this slope.”
And Virgil answered: “You may be convinced
that we are quite familiar with this shore;
but we are strangers here, just as you are;
we came but now, a little while before you,
though by another path, so difficult
and dense that this ascent seems sport to us.”
The souls who, noticing my breathing, sensed
that I was still a living being, then,
out of astonishment, turned pale; and just
as people crowd around a messenger
who bears an olive branch, to hear his news,
and no one hesitates to join that crush,
so here those happy spirits—all of them—
stared hard at my face, just as if they had
forgotten to proceed to their perfection.
I saw one of those spirits moving forward
in order to embrace me—his affection
so great that I was moved to mime his welcome.
O shades—in all except appearance—empty!
Three times I clasped my hands behind him and
as often brought them back against my chest.
Dismay, I think, was painted on my face;
at this, that shadow smiled as he withdrew;
and I, still seeking him, again advanced.
Gently, he said that I could now stand back;
then I knew who he was, and I beseeched
him to remain awhile and talk with me.
He answered: “As I loved you when I was
within my mortal flesh, so, freed, I love you:
therefore I stay. But you, why do you journey?”
“My own Casella, to return again
to where I am, I journey thus; but why,”
I said, “were you deprived of so much time?”
And he: “No injury is done to me
if he who takes up whom—and when—he pleases
has kept me from this crossing many times,
for his own will derives from a just will.
And yet, for three months now, he has accepted,
most tranquilly, all those who would embark.
Therefore, I, who had turned then to the shore
at which the Tiber’s waters mix with salt,
was gathered in by his benevolence.
Straight to that river mouth, he set his wings:
that always is the place of gathering
for those who do not sink to Acheron.”
And I: “If there’s no new law that denies
you memory or practice of the songs
of love that used to quiet all my longings,
then may it please you with those songs to solace
my soul somewhat; for—having journeyed here
together with my body—it is weary.”
“Love that discourses to me in my mind”
he then began to sing—and sang so sweetly
that I still hear that sweetness sound in me.
My master, I, and all that company
around the singer seemed so satisfied,
as if no other thing might touch our minds.
We all were motionless and fixed upon
the notes, when all at once the grave old man
cried out: “What have we here, you laggard spirits?
What negligence, what lingering is this?
Quick, to the mountain to cast off the slough
that will not let you see God show Himself!”
Even as doves, assembled where they feed,
quietly gathering their grain or weeds,
forgetful of their customary strut,
will, if some thing appears that makes them fear,
immediately leave their food behind
because they are assailed by greater care;
so did I see that new—come company—
they left the song behind, turned toward the slope,
like those who go and yet do not know where.
And we were no less hasty in departure.