Canto V
Canto V
English Edition, translated by Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow
| 1 | I HAD already from those shades departed, |
| 2 | And followed in the footsteps of my Guide, |
| 3 | When from behind, pointing his finger at me, |
| 4 | One shouted: See, it seems as if shone not |
| 5 | The sunshine on the left of him below, |
| 6 | And like one living seems he to conduct him |
| 7 | Mine eyes I turned at utterance of these words, |
| 8 | And saw them watching with astonishment |
| 9 | But me, but me, and the light which was broken! |
| 10 | Why doth thy mind so occupy itself, |
| 11 | The Master said, that thou thy pace dost slacken? |
| 12 | What matters it to thee what here is whispered? |
| 13 | Come after me, and let the people talk; |
| 14 | Stand like a steadfast tower, that never wags |
| 15 | Its top for all the blowing of the winds; |
| 16 | For evermore the man in whom is springing |
| 17 | Thought upon thought, removes from him the mark, |
| 18 | Because the force of one the other weakens. |
| 19 | What could I say in answer but I come? |
| 20 | I said it somewhat with that colour tinged |
| 21 | Which makes a man of pardon sometimes worthy. |
| 22 | Meanwhile along the mountain-side across |
| 23 | Came people in advance of us a little, |
| 24 | Singing the Miserere verse by verse. |
| 25 | When they became aware I gave no place |
| 26 | For passage of the sunshine through my body |
| 27 | They changed their song into a long, hoarse Oh! |
| 28 | And two of them, in form of messengers, |
| 29 | Ran forth to meet us, and demanded of us, |
| 30 | Of your condition make us cognisant. |
| 31 | And said my Master: Ye can go your way |
| 32 | And carry back again to those who sent you, |
| 33 | That this one's body is of very flesh. |
| 34 | If they stood still because they saw his shadow, |
| 35 | As I suppose, enough is answered them; |
| 36 | Him let them honour, it may profit them. |
| 37 | Vapours enkindled saw I ne'er so swiftly |
| 38 | At early nightfall cleave the air serene, |
| 39 | Nor, at the set of sun, the clouds of August, |
| 40 | But upward they returned in briefer time, |
| 41 | And, on arriving, with the others wheeled |
| 42 | Tow'rds us, like troops that run without a rein. |
| 43 | This folk that presses unto us is great, |
| 44 | And cometh to implore thee, said the Poet; |
| 45 | So still go onward, and in going listen. |
| 46 | O soul that goest to beatitude |
| 47 | With the same members wherewith thou wast born, |
| 48 | Shouting they came. a little stay thy steps. |
| 49 | Look,if thou e'er hast any of us seen, |
| 50 | So that o'er yonder thou bear news of him; |
| 51 | Ah, why dost thou go on ? Ah, why not stay ? |
| 52 | Long since we all were slain by violence, |
| 53 | And sinners even to the latest hour; |
| 54 | Then did a light from heaven admonish us, |
| 55 | So that, both penitent and pardoning, forth |
| 56 | From life we issued reconciled to God, |
| 57 | Who with desire to see Him stirs our hearts. |
| 58 | And I: Although I gaze into your faces, |
| 59 | No one I recognize; but if may please you |
| 60 | Aught I have power to do, ye well-born spirits, |
| 61 | Speak ye, and I will do it, by that peace |
| 62 | Which, following the feet of such a Guide, |
| 63 | From world to world makes itself sought by me. |
| 64 | And one began: Each one has confidence |
| 65 | In thy good offices without an oath, |
| 66 | Unless the I cannot cut off the I will; |
| 67 | Whence I,who speak alone before the others, |
| 68 | Pray thee, if ever thou dost see the land |
| 69 | That 'twixt Romagna lies and that of Charles, |
| 70 | Thou be so courteous to me of thy prayers |
| 71 | In Fano, that they pray for me devoutly, |
| 72 | That I may purge away my grave offences. |
| 73 | From thence was I; but the deep wounds, through which |
| 74 | Issued the blood wherein I had my seat, |
| 75 | Were dealt me in bosom of the Antenori, |
| 76 | There where I thought to be the most secure; |
| 77 | 'Twas he of Este had it done, who held me |
| 78 | In hatred far beyond what justice willed. |
| 79 | But if towards the Mira I had fled, |
| 80 | When I was overtaken at Oriaco, |
| 81 | I still should be o'er yonder where men breathe. |
| 82 | I ran to the lagoon, and reeds and mire |
| 83 | Did so entangle me I fell, and saw there |
| 84 | A lake made from my veins upon the ground. |
| 85 | Then said another: Ah, be that desire |
| 86 | Fulfilled that draws thee to the lofty mountain, |
| 87 | As thou with pious pity aidest mine. |
| 88 | I was of Montefeltro, and am Buonconte; |
| 89 | Giovanna, nor none other cares for me; |
| 90 | Hence among these I go with downcast front. |
| 91 | And I to him: What violence or what chance |
| 92 | Led thee astray so far from Campaldino, |
| 93 | That never has thy sepulture been known? |
| 94 | Oh,he replied,at Casentino's foot |
| 95 | A river crosses named Archiano, born |
| 96 | Above the Hermitage in Apennine. |
| 97 | There where the name thereof becometh void |
| 98 | Did I arrive, pierced through and through the throat, |
| 99 | Fleeing on foot, and bloodying the plain; |
| 100 | There my sight lost I,and my utterance |
| 101 | Ceased in the name of Mary, and thereat |
| 102 | I fell, and tenantless my flesh remained. |
| 103 | Truth will I speak, repeat it to the living; |
| 104 | God's Angel took me up, and he of hell |
| 105 | Shouted:'O thou from heaven, why dost thou rob me? |
| 106 | 'Thou bearest.away the eternal part of him, |
| 107 | For one poor little tear, that takes him from me; |
| 108 | But with the rest I'll deal in other fashion!' |
| 109 | Well knowest thou how in the air is gathered |
| 110 | That humid vapour which to water turns, |
| 111 | Soon as it rises where the cold doth grasp it. |
| 112 | He joined that evil will, which aye seeks evil, |
| 113 | To intellect, and moved the mist and wind |
| 114 | By means of power, which his own nature gave; |
| 115 | Thereafter when the day was spent, the valley |
| 116 | From Pratomagno to the great yoke covered |
| 117 | With fog, and made the heaven above intent, |
| 118 | So that the pregnant air to water changed; |
| 119 | Down fell the rain, and to the gullies came |
| 120 | Whate'er of it earth tolerated not; |
| 121 | And as it mingled with the mighty torrents, |
| 122 | Towards the royal river with such speed |
| 123 | It headlong rushed, that nothing held it back. |
| 124 | My frozen body near unto its outlet |
| 125 | The robust Archian found, and into Arno |
| 126 | Thrust it, and loosened from my breast the cross |
| 127 | I made of me, when agony o'ercame me; |
| 128 | It rolled me on the banks and on the bottom, |
| 129 | Then with its booty covered and begirt me. |
| 130 | Ah, when thou hast returned unto the world, |
| 131 | And rested thee from thy long journeying, |
| 132 | After the second followed the third spirit, |
| 133 | Do thou remember me who am the Pia; |
| 134 | Siena made me, unmade me Maremma; |
| 135 | He knoweth it, who had encircled first, |
| 136 | Espousing me, my finger with his gem. |