The Divine Comedy | Progressive Translation Books for Italian A1 Learners

The Divine Comedy | Progressive Translation Books for Italian A1 Learners

Unlock the potential of this modern translation approach, designed to enhance your language learning experience. By allowing you to choose your difficulty level, it guarantees a personalized challenge that's suited to your progress. This method promotes comprehension by encouraging you to infer the meaning of new words from context, rather than relying heavily on direct translations. Though some translations are obscured to stimulate guessing, it's perfectly fine to consult a dictionary when needed. This technique combines challenge and support, making language learning fun and effective. Explore these translated classics to enjoy literature while advancing your language skills.

CANTOI
Inthemidwayof
questa
this
ourmortallife,I
trovai
found
meinagloomywood,astray
Andato
Gone
fromthepathdirect:
e
and
e’entotellItwere
non
no
easytask,howsavagewildThatforest,
quanto
how
robustandroughitsgrowth,Whichto
ricordare
remember
only,mydismayRenews,inbitternessnot
lontano
far
fromdeath.
Yettodiscourseofwhat
ci
there
goodbefell,Allelse
è
will
Irelatediscover’dthere.
Come
How
firstIenter’ditIscarcecan
dire
say
,Suchsleepydullnessinthatinstantweigh’dMysensesdown,
quando
when
thetruepathI
lasciato
left
,Butwhenamountain’sfootIreach’d,
dove
where
clos’dThevalley,thathadpierc’dmy
cuore
heart
withdread,Ilook’daloft,
e
and
sawhisshouldersbroad
Già
Already
vestedwiththatplanet’sbeam,Wholeads
tutti
all
wandererssafethrougheveryway.
Thenwas
una
a
littlerespitetothefear,
Che
That
inmyheart’srecessesdeephadlain,Allof
che
that
night,sopitifullypass’d:
E
And
asaman,withdifficultshortbreath,Forespentwithtoiling,’scap’dfromseatoshore,
Gira
Turns
totheperilouswidewaste,
e
and
standsAtgaze;
e’ensomyspirit,
che
that
yetfail’dStrugglingwithterror,turn’dtoviewthestraits,
Che
That
nonehathpass’dandliv’d.
Mywearyframe
Dopo
After
shortpauserecomforted,againIjourney’donoverthatlonelysteep,.
Il
The
hinderfootstillfirmer.
ScarcetheascentBegan,
quando
when
,lo!
apanther,nimble,light,
E
And
cover’dwithaspeckledskin,appear’d,Nor,
quando
when
itsawme,vanish’d,ratherstroveTo
controllare
check
myonwardgoing;
thatofttimesWithpurposetoretracemystepsIturn’d.
Thehourwasmorning’sprime,
e
and
onhiswayAloftthesunascendedwiththosestars,
Che
That
withhimrose,whenLovedivinefirstmov’dThoseitsfairworks:
so
che
that
withjoyoushopeAllthingsconspir’dtofillme,thegayskinOf
che
that
swiftanimal,thematindawn
E
And
thesweetseason.
Soonthatjoywaschas’d,
E
And
bynewdreadsucceeded,
quando
when
inviewAlion
venuto
came
,’gainstme,asitappear’d,.
Di
With
hisheadheldaloft
e
and
hunger-mad,Thate’entheairwasfear-struck.
Una
A
she-wolfWasathisheels,
che
who
inherleannessseem’dFullof
tutti
all
wants,andmanyalandhath
fatto
made
Disconsolateerenow.
Shewith
tale
such
fearO’erwhelmedme,at
la
the
sightofherappall’d,
Che
That
oftheheightall
speranza
hope
Ilost.
Asone,
Che
Who
withhisgainelated,
vede
sees
thetimeWhenallunwaresis
andato
gone
,heinwardlyMournswithheart-gripinganguish;
suchwasI,Hauntedbythatfellbeast,
mai
never
atpeace,Whocomingo’er
contro
against
me,bydegreesImpell’dme
dove
where
thesuninsilence
riposa
rests
.
WhiletothelowerspacewithbackwardstepIfell,mykendiscern’dtheformoneofone,Whosevoiceseem’dfaintthrough
lungo
long
disuseofspeech.
Whenhiminthat
grande
great
desertIespied,“Havemercyonme!”
criedIoutaloud,“Spirit!
o
or
livingman!
whate’erthoube!”
Heanswer’d:
“Nownot
uomo
man
,manonceIwas,
E
And
bornofLombardparents,Mantuana
entrambi
both
Bycountry,whenthe
potere
power
ofJuliusyetWasscarcelyfirm.
AtRomemy
vita
life
waspastBeneaththemildAugustus,inthe
tempo
time
Offableddeitiesandfalse.
Un
A
bardWasI,and
fatto
made
Anchises’uprightsonThesubjectofmysong,
che
who
camefromTroy,Whentheflamesprey’donIlium’shaughtytowers.
Ma
But
thou,saywhereforetosuchperilspastReturn’stthou?
whereforenot
questo
this
pleasantmountAscendest,cause
e
and
sourceofalldelight?”
“AndartthouthenthatVirgil,thatwell-spring,From
cui
which
suchcopiousfloodsofeloquenceHaveissued?”
Iwith
fronte
front
abash’dreplied.
“Gloryand
luce
light
ofallthetunefultrain!
Mayitavailme
che
that
Ilongwithzeal
Ho
Have
soughtthyvolume,andwith
amore
love
immenseHaveconn’dito’er.
My
maestro
master
thouandguide!
ThouhefromwhomaloneI
ho
have
deriv’dThatstyle,whichforitsbeautyintofameExaltsme.
Vedete
See
thebeast,fromwhomIfled.
Osavemefrom
lei
her
,thouillustrioussage!
“For
ogni
every
veinandpulsethroughoutmyframeShehath
fatto
made
tremble.”
He,soonashe
vide
saw
ThatIwasweeping,answer’d,“ThoumustneedsAnother
strada
way
pursue,ifthouwouldst’scapeFromout
che
that
savagewilderness.
Thisbeast,Atwhomthoucriest,her
strada
way
willsuffernoneTopass,
e
and
nolesshindrancemakes
che
than
death:
Sobadandsoaccursedinherkind,That
mai
never
satedisherravenous
è
will
,Stillafterfoodmorecravingthan
prima
before
.
TomanyananimalinwedlockvileShefastens,
e
and
shallyettomanymore,
Finché
Until
thatgreyhoundcome,whoshalldestroyHerwithsharppain.
He
sarà
will
notlifesupportByearthnoritsbasemetals,
ma
but
bylove,Wisdom,andvirtue,
e
and
hislandshallbeTheland’twixt
o
either
Feltro.
InhismightShallsafetytoItalia’splainsarise,Forwhosefairrealm,Camilla,virginpure,Nisus,Euryalus,
e
and
Turnusfell.
Hewithincessantchase
attraverso
through
everytownShallworry,untilhetohellatlengthRestoreher,thencebyenvy
primo
first
letloose.
Iforthyprofitpond’ring
ora
now
devise,Thatthoumaystfollowme,
e
and
IthyguideWillleadtheehence
attraverso
through
aneternalspace,Wherethoushalt
sentirai
hear
despairingshrieks,andseeSpiritsofoldtormented,whoinvokeA
seconda
second
death;
andthosenextview,whodwellContentin
fuoco
fire
,forthattheyhopeto
venire
come
,Whene’erthetimemaybe,amongtheblest,Intowhoseregions
se
if
thouthendesireT’ascend,aspiritworthierthanI
Deve
Must
leadthee,inwhosecharge,
quando
when
Idepart,Thoushaltbe
lasciato
left
:
forthatAlmightyKing,Whoreignsabove,
un
a
rebeltohislaw,Adjudgesme,
e
and
thereforehathdecreed,Thattohis
città
city
nonethroughmeshouldcome.
Hein
tutte
all
partshathsway;
thererules,thereholdsHiscitadel
e
and
throne.
Ohappythose,Whomtherehechooses!”
Itohimin
pochi
few
:
“Bard!
bythatGod,whomthoudidstnotadore,Idobeseechthee(that
questo
this
illandworseImayescape)toleadme,
dove
where
thousaidst,ThatISaintPeter’sgatemayview,
e
and
thoseWhoasthoutell’st,areinsuchdismalplight.”
CANTOII
Ora
Now
wasthedaydeparting,
e
and
theair,Imbrown’dwithshadows,fromtheirtoilsreleas’d
Tutti
All
animalsonearth;
andI
solo
alone
Prepar’dmyselftheconflicttosustain,Bothofsadpity,
e
and
thatperilousroad,Whichmyunerringmemoryshallretrace.
OMuses!
Ohighgenius!
ora
now
vouchsafeYouraid!
O
mente
mind
!
thatallIsawhast
tenuto
kept
Safeinawrittenrecord,
qui
here
thyworthAndeminentendowments
vengono
come
toproof.
Ithusbegan:
“Bard!
thou
che
who
artmyguide,Consider
bene
well
,ifvirtuebeinmeSufficient,ereto
questa
this
highenterpriseThoutrust
me
me
.
ThouhasttoldthatSilvius’sire,Yetcloth’dincorruptibleflesh,amongTh’immortaltribeshadentrance,andwasthereSensiblepresent.
Yet
se
if
heaven’sgreatLord,Almightyfoetoill,
tale
such
favourshew’d,Incontemplationof
il
the
higheffect,Bothwhat
e
and
whofromhimshouldissueforth,Itseemsinreason’sjudgmentwelldeserv’d:
SithheofRome,
e
and
ofRome’sempirewide,Inheaven’sempyrealheightwaschosensire:
Entrambi
Both
which,iftruthbespoken,wereordain’d
E
And
’stablish’dfortheholy
luogo
place
,wheresitsWhoto
grande
great
Peter’ssacredchairsucceeds.
Hefrom
questo
this
journey,inthysongrenown’d,Learn’dthings,
che
that
tohisvictorygaverise
E
And
tothepapalrobe.
Inafter-timesThechosenvesselalsotravel’dthere,Tobringusbackassuranceinthatfaith,Whichistheentrancetosalvation’sway.
Ma
But
I,whyshouldItherepresume?
o
or
whoPermitsit?
notAeneasInorPaul.
MyselfIdeemnotworthy,
e
and
noneelseWilldeemme.
Mi
I
,ifonthisvoyagethenIventure,fearitwillinfollyend.
Thou,whoartwise,
meglio
better
mymeaningknow’st,ThanIcanspeak.”
As
uno
one
,whounresolvesWhathehath
tardi
late
resolv’d,andwithnewthoughts
Cambia
Changes
hispurpose,fromhis
primo
first
intentRemov’d;
e’ensuchwasIonthatduncoast,Wastinginthoughtmyenterprise,atfirstSoeagerlyembrac’d.
“IfrightthywordsIscan,”repliedthatshademagnanimous,“Thysoulisbyvilefearassail’d,whichoftSoovercastsa
uomo
man
,thatherecoilsFromnoblestresolution,
come
like
abeastAtsomefalsesemblancein
le
the
twilightgloom.
Thatfrom
questo
this
terrorthoumaystfreethyself,Iwillinstructthee
perché
why
Icame,andwhatI
sentito
heard
inthatsameinstant,
quando
when
fortheeGrieftouch’dme
prima
first
.
Iwasamongthetribe,
Che
Who
restsuspended,whenadame,soblest
E
And
lovely,Ibesoughthertocommand,Call’dme;
hereyeswerebrighterthan
i
the
starOfday;
andshewithgentlevoice
e
and
softAngelicallytun’dherspeechaddress’d:
“OcourteousshadeofMantua!
thouwhosefame
Ancora
Yet
lives,andshalllive
lungo
long
asnaturelasts!
A
amico
friend
,notofmyfortune
ma
but
myself,Onthewidedesertinhisroad
ha
has
metHindrancesogreat,
che
that
hethroughfearhasturn’d.
Ora
Now
muchIdreadlesthe
passato
past
helphavestray’d,AndIberis’ntoo
tardi
late
forhisrelief,FromwhatinheavenofhimI
sentito
heard
.
Speednow,Andbythyeloquentpersuasivetongue,
E
And
byallmeansforhisdeliverance
incontrare
meet
,Assisthim.
Sotome
sarà
will
comfortspring.
Iwho
ora
now
bidtheeonthiserrandforthAmBeatrice;
from
un
a
placeIcome.
(Note:
Beatrice.
I
uso
use
thisword,asitispronouncedintheItalian,asconsistingof
quattro
four
syllables,ofwhichthethirdisalongone.)
Revisitedwithjoy.
Love
portato
brought
methence,Whopromptsmyspeech.
Quando
When
inmyMaster’ssightIstand,thypraisetohimIoft
sarò
will
tell.”
Shethenwassilent,
e
and
Ithusbegan:
“O
Signora
Lady
!
bywhoseinfluencealone,Mankindexcelswhateveriscontain’dWithinthatheavenwhichhaththesmallestorb,Sothycommanddelights
mi
me
,thattoobey,Ifitwere
fatto
done
already,wouldseemlate.
Non
No
needhastthoufarthertospeakthy
volontà
will
;
Yettellthereason,whythouartnotlothTo
lasciare
leave
thatamplespace,whereto
tornare
return
Thouburnest,forthiscentre
qui
here
beneath.”
Shethen:
“Sincethousodeeplywouldstinquire,I
vuoi
will
instructtheebriefly,why
nessun
no
dreadHindersmyentrance
qui
here
.
ThosethingsaloneAretobefear’d,whenceevilmayproceed,Noneelse,fornoneareterriblebeside.
Iamsofram’dby
Dio
God
,thankstohisgrace!
Che
That
anysuff’ranceofyourmiseryTouchesmenot,norflameof
che
that
fiercefireAssailsme.
InhighheavenablesseddameBesides,whomournswithsucheffectualgriefThathindrance,whichIsendtheetoremove,ThatGod’ssternjudgmenttoher
volontà
will
inclines.”
ToLuciacalling,hershethusbespake:
“Nowdoththyfaithfulservant
bisogno
need
thyaidAndIcommendhimtothee.”
Ather
parola
word
SpedLucia,ofallcrueltythefoe,
E
And
comingtotheplace,
dove
where
IabodeSeatedwithRachel,herofancientdays,Shethusaddress’dme:
“Thoutruepraiseof
Dio
God
!
Beatrice!
whyisnotthysuccourlentTohim,
che
who
somuchlov’dthee,astoleaveForthysakeallthemultitudeadmires?
Dostthounot
senti
hear
howpitifulhiswail,Normarkthe
morte
death
,whichinthetorrentflood,Swolnmightierthan
un
a
sea,himstrugglingholds?”
Ne’eramongmendidanywith
tale
such
speedHastetotheirprofit,fleefromtheirannoy,As
quando
when
thesewordswerespoken,I
venuto
came
here,Downfrommyblessedseat,trusting
il
the
forceOfthypureeloquence,whichthee,
e
and
allWhowellhavemark’dit,intohonourbrings.”
“Whenshe
aveva
had
ended,herbrightbeamingeyesTearfulsheturn’daside;
whereatI
sentito
felt
Redoubledzealtoservethee.
Asshewill’d,ThusamI
vengo
come
:
Isav’dtheefrom
il
the
beast,Whothynearwayacross
il
the
goodlymountPrevented.
Whatisthiscomeso’ertheethen?
Why,whydostthouhangback?
perché
why
inthybreastHarbourvilefear?
perché
why
hastnotcouragethere
E
And
nobledaring?
SincethreemaidssoblestThysafety
piano
plan
,e’eninthecourtofheaven;
E
And
somuchcertaingoodmywordsforebode.”
Asflorets,bythefrostyairof
notte
night
Bentdownandclos’d,
quando
when
dayhasblanch’dtheirleaves,Rise
tutti
all
unfoldedontheirspirystems;
Sowasmyfaintingvigournewrestor’d,
E
And
tomyheartsuchkindlycourageran,
Che
That
Iasoneundaunted
presto
soon
replied:
“Ofullofpity
lei
she
,whoundertookMysuccour!
e
and
thoukindwhodidstperformSo
presto
soon
hertruebehest!
With
tale
such
desireThouhastdispos’dmetorenewmyvoyage,
Che
That
myfirstpurposefullyisresum’d.
Leadon:
una
one
onlywillisinus
entrambi
both
.
Thouartmyguide,my
maestro
master
thou,andlord.”
Sospake
Ho
I
;
CANTOIII
“Throughmeyoupassintothe
città
city
ofwoe:
Throughmeyoupassintoeternalpain:
Attraverso
Through
meamongthepeoplelostforaye.
Justice
il
the
founderofmyfabricmov’d:
Torearmewas
il
the
taskofpowerdivine,Supremestwisdom,
e
and
primevallove.
Beforemethingscreatewerenone,
tranne
save
thingsEternal,andeternalIendure.
“All
speranza
hope
abandonyewhoenterhere.”
SuchcharactersincolourdimImark’d
Su
Over
aportal’sloftyarchinscrib’d:
WhereatIthus:
“Master,thesewordsimportHardmeaning.”
Heas
uno
one
prepar’dreplied:
“Herethou
devi
must
alldistrustbehindthee
lasciare
leave
;
Herebevilefearextinguish’d.
Weare
venuti
come
WhereIhavetoldtheeweshall
vedremo
see
thesoulsTomiserydoom’d,
che
who
intellectualgoodHavelost.”
E
And
whenhishandhe
ha
had
stretch’dforthTomine,withpleasantlooks,whenceIwascheer’d,Intothatsecret
posto
place
heledmeon.
Qui
Here
sighswithlamentationsandloudmoansResoundedthroughtheairpierc’dbynostar,
Che
That
e’enIweptatentering.
Varioustongues,Horriblelanguages,outcriesofwoe,Accentsofanger,voicesdeep
e
and
hoarse,Withhandstogethersmote
che
that
swell’dthesounds,Madeupatumult,
che
that
foreverwhirlsRound
attraverso
through
thatairwithsoliddarknessstain’d,
Come
Like
tothesandthatinthewhirlwindflies.
Ithen,witherror
ancora
yet
encompass’d,cried:
“Omaster!
WhatisthisI
sento
hear
?
WhatraceArethese,
che
who
seemsoovercomewithwoe?”
Hethusto
me
me
:
“ThismiserablefateSuffer
le
the
wretchedsoulsofthose,wholiv’d
Senza
Without
orpraiseorblame,withthatillbandOfangelsmix’d,whonorrebelliousprov’dNor
ancora
yet
weretruetoGod,
ma
but
forthemselvesWereonly.
FromhisboundsHeavendrovethemforth,Nottoimpairhislustre,northedepthOfHellreceives
li
them
,lestth’accursedtribeShouldglorythencewithexultationvain.”
Ithen:
“Master!
whatdothaggrievethemthus,
Che
That
theylamentsoloud?”
Hestraightreplied:
“ThatwillI
dirò
tell
theebriefly.
Theseof
morte
death
Nohopemayentertain:
e
and
theirblindlifeSomeanlypasses,
che
that
allotherlotsTheyenvy.
Fameofthemthe
mondo
world
hathnone,Norsuffers;
mercy
e
and
justicescornthemboth.
Speaknotof
loro
them
,butlook,andpassthemby.”
E
And
I,whostraightwaylook’d,beheld
una
a
flag,Whichwhirlingranaroundsorapidly,Thatit
non
no
pauseobtain’d:
andfollowingcameSuch
un
a
longtrainofspirits,Ishouldne’erHave
pensato
thought
,thatdeathsomanyhaddespoil’d.
Quando
When
someoftheseIrecogniz’d,I
visto
saw
Andknewtheshadeof
lui
him
,whotobasefearYielding,abjur’dhishighestate.
ForthwithI
capii
understood
forcertainthisthetribeOfthoseillspiritsbothto
Dio
God
displeasingAndtohisfoes.
Thesewretches,whone’er
vivevano
lived
,Wentoninnakedness,
e
and
sorelystungBywasps
e
and
hornets,whichbedew’dtheircheeksWith
sangue
blood
,thatmix’dwithtearsdropp’dtotheirfeet,
E
And
bydisgustfulwormswasgather’dthere.
Then
guardando
looking
fartheronwardsIbeheldAthrongupontheshoreofa
grande
great
stream:
WhereatIthus:
“Sir!
grantme
ora
now
toknowWhomhereweview,
e
and
whenceimpell’dtheyseemSoeagertopasso’er,asIdiscern
Attraverso
Through
theblearlight?”
Hethustomeinfew:
“Thisshaltthou
saprai
know
,soonasourstepsarriveBeside
i
the
woefultideofAcheron.”
Thenwitheyesdownwardcast
e
and
fill’dwithshame,Fearingmywordsoffensivetohisear,Tillwe
avevamo
had
reach’dtheriver,IfromspeechAbstain’d.
E
And
lo!
towardusinabark
Viene
Comes
onanoldmanhoary
bianco
white
witheld,.
Crying,“Woetoyouwickedspirits!
hopenotEverto
vedere
see
theskyagain.
I
vengo
come
Totakeyoutotheothershoreacross,Intoeternaldarkness,theretodwellInfierceheat
e
and
inice.
Andthou,
che
who
thereStandest,livespirit!
gettheehence,
e
and
leaveThesewhoaredead.”
Ma
But
soonashebeheldI
lasciavo
left
themnot,“Byotherway,”
disse
said
he,“Byotherhavenshaltthoucometoshore,Notby
questo
this
passage;
theeanimblerboat
Deve
Must
carry.”
Thentohimthusspakemyguide:
“Charon!
thyselftormentnot:
so’tiswill’d,
Dove
Where
willandpowerare
uno
one
:
askthounomore.”