CANTOI
Inthemidwayofthisourmortallife,Ifoundmeinagloomywood,astrayGonefromthe
stien
pathdirect:ande’entotellItwerenoeasy
oppgave
task,howsavagewildThatskogen
forest,howrobustandroughitsgrowth,Whichtorememberonly,mydismayRenews,inbitternessnotfarfromdeath.Yettodiscourseofwhattheregoodbefell,AllelsewillIrelatediscover’dthere.
HowfirstIenter’ditIscarcecansay,Suchsleepydullnessinthatinstantweigh’dMysensesdown,whenthetrue
stien
pathIleft,Butwhenamountain’sfootIreach’d,whereclos’dThedalen
valley,thathadpierc’dmyheartwithdread,Ilook’daloft,andsawhisshouldersbroadAlreadyvestedwiththatplanet’sbeam,Wholeadsallwandererssafethrougheveryway.Thenwasalittlerespitetothefear,Thatinmyheart’srecessesdeephadlain,Allofthatnight,sopitifullypass’d:
Andasaman,withdifficultshort
pust
breath,Forespentwithtoiling,’scap’dfromseatoland
shore,Turnstotheperilousbrede
widewaste,andstandsAtgaze;e’ensomyspirit,thatyetfail’dStrugglingwithterror,turn’dto
se
viewthestraits,Thatnonehathpass’dandliv’d.MywearyframeAftershortpauserecomforted,againIjourney’donoverthatlonelysteep,.
Thehinderfootstillfirmer.
ScarcetheascentBegan,when,lo!
apanther,nimble,light,Andcover’dwithaspeckledskin,appear’d,Nor,whenitsawme,vanish’d,ratherstroveTocheckmyonwardgoing;
thatofttimesWith
hensikt
purposetoretracemystepsIturn’d.Thehourwasmorning’s
prime
prime,andonhiswayAloftthesunascendedwiththosestars,Thatwithhimsteg
rose,whenLovedivinefirstmov’dThoseitsfairworks:sothatwithjoyoushopeAllthingsconspir’dto
fylle
fillme,thegayskinOfthatswiftanimal,thematindaggry
dawnAndthesweetseason.Soonthatjoywaschas’d,Andbynewdreadsucceeded,wheninviewA
løve
lioncame,’gainstme,asitappear’d,.Withhisheadheldaloftandhunger-mad,Thate’entheairwasfear-struck.
Ashe-wolfWasathisheels,whoinherleannessseem’dFullofallwants,andmanyalandhathmadeDisconsolateerenow.
ShewithsuchfearO’erwhelmedme,atthe
synet
sightofherappall’d,ThatoftheheightallhopeIlost.Asone,Whowithhisgainelated,seesthetimeWhenallunwaresisgone,heinwardlyMournswithheart-gripinganguish;
suchwasI,Hauntedbythatfell
dyret
beast,neveratpeace,Whocomingo’eragainstme,bydegreesImpell’dmewherethesuninstillhet
silencerests.Whiletothe
lavere
lowerspacewithbackwardstepIfell,mykendiscern’dtheformoneofone,Whosevoiceseem’dfaintthroughlongdisuseofspeech.Whenhiminthatgreat
ørkenen
desertIespied,“Havemercyonme!”criedIoutaloud,“Spirit!
orlivingman!
whate’erthoube!”
Heanswer’d:
“Nownotman,manonceIwas,AndbornofLombardparents,MantuanabothBycountry,whenthepowerofJuliusyetWasscarcely
fast
firm.AtRomemylifewaspastBeneaththemildAugustus,inthetimeOffableddeitiesand
falske
false.AbardWasI,andmadeAnchises’uprightsonThesubjectofmysong,whocamefromTroy,Whentheflamesprey’donIlium’shaughtytowers.
Butthou,saywhereforetosuchperilspastReturn’stthou?
whereforenotthispleasantmountAscendest,causeand
kilde
sourceofalldelight?”“AndartthouthenthatVirgil,thatwell-spring,FromwhichsuchcopiousfloodsofeloquenceHaveissued?”
Iwithfrontabash’dreplied.
“Gloryandlightofallthetunefultrain!
MayitavailmethatIlongwithzealHavesoughtthyvolume,andwithloveimmenseHaveconn’dito’er.
Mymasterthouand
guide
guide!ThouhefromwhomaloneIhavederiv’dThatstyle,whichforitsbeautyintofameExaltsme.
Seethe
dyret
beast,fromwhomIfled.Osavemefromher,thouillustrioussage!
“ForeveryveinandpulsethroughoutmyframeShehathmadetremble.”
He,soonashesawThatIwasweeping,answer’d,“ThoumustneedsAnotherwaypursue,ifthouwouldst’scapeFromoutthatsavagewilderness.
This
dyret
beast,Atwhomthoucriest,herwaywilllide
suffernoneTopass,andnolesshindrancemakesthandeath:Sobadandsoaccursedinherkind,Thatneversatedisherravenouswill,Stillafterfoodmorecravingthanbefore.
TomanyananimalinwedlockvileShefastens,andshallyettomanymore,Untilthatgreyhoundcome,whoshall
ødelegge
destroyHerwithsharppain.HewillnotlifesupportByearthnoritsbasemetals,butbylove,Wisdom,andvirtue,andhislandshallbeTheland’twixteitherFeltro.
InhismightShall
sikkerhet
safetytoItalia’splainsarise,Forwhosefairrealm,Camilla,jomfru
virginpure,Nisus,Euryalus,andTurnusfell.HewithincessantchasethrougheverytownShallworry,untilhetohellatlengthRestoreher,thencebyenvyfirstletloose.
Iforthyprofitpond’ringnowdevise,Thatthoumaystfollowme,andIthy
guide
guideWillleadtheehencethroughaneternalspace,Wherethoushaltheardespairingshrieks,andseeSpiritsofoldtormented,whoinvokeAseconddeath;andthosenextview,whodwellContentinfire,forthattheyhopetocome,Whene’erthetimemaybe,
blant
amongtheblest,Intowhoseregionsifthouthenønsker
desireT’ascend,aspiritworthierthanIMustleadthee,inwhosecharge,whenIdepart,Thoushaltbeleft:forthatAlmightyKing,Whoreignsabove,arebeltohislaw,Adjudgesme,and
derfor
thereforehathdecreed,Thattohiscitynonethroughmeshouldcome.Heinallpartshathsway;
thererules,thereholdsHiscitadelandthrone.
Ohappythose,Whomtherehechooses!”
Itohiminfew:
“Bard!
bythatGod,whomthoudidstnotadore,Idobeseechthee(thatthisillandworseImayescape)toleadme,wherethousaidst,ThatI
Saint
SaintPeter’sgatemayview,andthoseWhoasthoutell’st,areinsuchdismalplight.”CANTOII
Nowwasthedaydeparting,andtheair,Imbrown’dwithshadows,fromtheirtoilsreleas’dAllanimalsonearth;
andIalonePrepar’dmyselftheconflicttosustain,Bothofsad
medlidenhet
pity,andthatperilousroad,Whichmyunerringmemoryshallretrace.OMuses!
Ohigh
geni
genius!nowvouchsafeYouraid!
Omind!
thatallIsawhastkeptSafeinawrittenrecord,herethyworthAndeminentendowmentscometo
bevis
proof.Ithusbegan:
“Bard!
thouwhoartmy
guide
guide,Considerwell,ifvirtuebeinmeSufficient,eretothishighenterpriseThoutrustme.ThouhasttoldthatSilvius’sire,Yetcloth’dincorruptible
kjøtt
flesh,amongTh’immortaltribeshadinngang
entrance,andwasthereSensiblepresent.Yetifheaven’sgreatLord,Almightyfoetoill,such
gunst
favourshew’d,Incontemplationofthehigheffekt
effect,Bothwhatandwhofromhimshouldissueforth,Itseemsinreason’sjudgmentwelldeserv’d:SithheofRome,andofRome’s
imperium
empirewide,Inheaven’sempyrealheightwaschosensire:Bothwhich,iftruthbespoken,wereordain’dAnd’stablish’dfortheholyplace,wheresitsWhotogreatPeter’ssacred
stol
chairsucceeds.Hefromthisjourney,inthysongrenown’d,Learn’dthings,thattohis
seier
victorygaveriseAndtothepapalrobe.Inafter-timesThechosenvesselalsotravel’dthere,Tobringusbackassuranceinthatfaith,Whichisthe
inngangen
entrancetosalvation’sway.ButI,whyshouldItherepresume?
orwhoPermitsit?
notAeneasInorPaul.
MyselfIdeemnotworthy,andnoneelseWilldeemme.
I,ifonthisvoyagethenIventure,fearitwillinfollyend.
Thou,whoart
klok
wise,bettermymeaningknow’st,ThanIcanspeak.”Asone,whounresolvesWhathehathlateresolv’d,andwithnewthoughtsChangeshispurpose,fromhisfirstintentRemov’d;
e’ensuchwasIonthatdun
kysten
coast,Wastinginthoughtmyenterprise,atfirstSoeagerlyembrac’d.“IfrightthywordsIscan,”repliedthatshademagnanimous,“Thysoulisbyvilefearassail’d,whichoftSoovercastsaman,thatherecoilsFromnoblestresolution,likea
dyr
beastAtsomefalsesemblanceinthetwilightgloom.Thatfromthisterrorthoumaystfreethyself,IwillinstructtheewhyIcame,andwhatIheardinthatsameinstant,whenfortheeGrieftouch’dmefirst.
Iwas
blant
amongthetribe,Whorestsuspended,whenadame,sovelsignet
blestAndlovely,Ibesoughthertokommando
command,Call’dme;hereyeswerebrighterthanthestarOfday;
andshewithgentlevoiceand
myk
softAngelicallytun’dherspeechaddress’d:“OcourteousshadeofMantua!
thouwhosefameYetlives,andshalllivelongasnaturelasts!
Afriend,notofmy
formue
fortunebutmyself,Onthebrede
widedesertinhisroadhasmetHindrancesogreat,thathethroughfearhasturn’d.NowmuchIdreadlesthepasthelphavestray’d,AndIberis’ntoolateforhisrelief,FromwhatinheavenofhimIheard.
Speednow,Andbythyeloquentpersuasive
tunge
tongue,Andbyallmeansforhisdeliverancemeet,Assisthim.Sotomewillcomfort
våren
spring.IwhonowbidtheeonthiserrandforthAmBeatrice;
fromaplaceIcome.
(Note:
Beatrice.
Iusethisword,asitispronouncedintheItalian,asconsistingoffoursyllables,ofwhichthethirdisalongone.)
Revisitedwith
glede
joy.Lovebroughtmethence,Whopromptsmy
tale
speech.WheninmyMaster’ssightIstand,thypraisetohimIoftwilltell.”
Shethenwas
stille
silent,andIthusbegan:“OLady!
bywhoseinfluencealone,Mankindexcelswhateveriscontain’dWithinthatheavenwhichhaththesmallestorb,Sothy
kommando
commanddelightsme,thattoobey,Ifitweredonealready,wouldseemlate.Noneedhastthoufarthertospeakthywill;
Yettellthereason,whythouartnotlothToleavethatamplespace,wheretoreturnThouburnest,forthiscentreherebeneath.”
Shethen:
“Sincethouso
dypt
deeplywouldstinquire,Iwillinstructtheebriefly,whynodreadHindersmyinngang
entrancehere.ThosethingsaloneAretobefear’d,whenceevilmayproceed,Noneelse,fornoneareterriblebeside.
Iamsofram’dbyGod,thankstohis
nåde
grace!Thatanysuff’ranceofyourmiseryTouchesmenot,norflameofthatfiercefireAssailsme.
Inhighheavena
velsignet
blesseddameBesides,whomournswithsucheffectualgriefThathindrance,whichIsendtheetofjerne
remove,ThatGod’ssternjudgmenttoherwillinclines.”ToLuciacalling,hershethusbespake:
“NowdoththyfaithfulservantneedthyaidAndIcommendhimtothee.”
AtherwordSpedLucia,ofallcrueltythefoe,Andcomingtotheplace,whereIabodeSeatedwithRachel,herof
gamle
ancientdays,Shethusaddress’dme:“ThoutruepraiseofGod!
Beatrice!
whyisnotthysuccour
lånt
lentTohim,whosomuchlov’dthee,astoleaveForthysakeallthemultitudeadmires?Dostthounothearhowpitifulhiswail,Normarkthedeath,whichinthetorrentflood,Swolnmightierthanasea,himstrugglingholds?”
Ne’er
blant
amongmendidanywithsuchhastighet
speedHastetotheirprofit,fleefromtheirannoy,Aswhenthesewordswerespoken,Icamehere,Downfrommyblessedseat,trustingtheforceOfthyrene
pureeloquence,whichthee,andallWhowellhavemark’dit,intohonourbrings.”“Whenshehadended,her
lyse
brightbeamingeyesTearfulsheturn’dside
aside;whereatIfeltRedoubledzealto
tjene
servethee.Asshewill’d,ThusamIcome:
Isav’dtheefromthe
dyret
beast,WhothynearwayacrossthegoodlymountPrevented.Whatisthiscomeso’ertheethen?
Why,whydostthouhangback?
whyinthybreastHarbourvilefear?
whyhastnot
mot
couragethereAndnobledaring?Sincethreemaidsso
velsigne
blestThysafetyplan,e’eninthecourtofheaven;Andsomuchcertaingoodmywordsforebode.”
Asflorets,bythefrostyairofnightBentdownandclos’d,whendayhasblanch’dtheirleaves,Riseallunfoldedontheirspirystems;
Sowasmyfaintingvigournewrestor’d,Andtomyheartsuchkindly
mot
courageran,ThatIasoneundauntedsoonreplied:“Ofullof
medlidenhet
pityshe,whoundertookMysuccour!andthoukindwhodidst
utføre
performSosoonhertruebehest!Withsuch
ønske
desireThouhastdispos’dmetorenewmyvoyage,Thatmyfirstformål
purposefullyisresum’d.Leadon:
oneonlywillisinusboth.
Thouartmy
guide
guide,mymasterthou,andlord.”SospakeI;
CANTOIII
“Throughmeyoupassintothecityofwoe:
Throughmeyoupassintoeternalpain:
Throughme
blant
amongthepeoplelostforaye.Rettferdighet
Justicethefounderofmyfabricmov’d:Torearmewasthetaskofpowerdivine,Supremestwisdom,andprimevallove.
Beforemethings
skapte
createwerenone,savethingsEternal,andeternalIendure.“Allhopeabandonyewhoenterhere.”
SuchcharactersincolourdimImark’dOveraportal’sloftyarchinscrib’d:
WhereatIthus:
“Master,thesewordsimportHardmeaning.”
Heasoneprepar’dreplied:
“Herethoumustalldistrustbehindtheeleave;
Herebevilefearextinguish’d.
WearecomeWhereIhavetoldtheeweshallseethesoulsTomiserydoom’d,whointellectualgoodHavelost.”
Andwhenhishandhehadstretch’dforthTomine,withpleasantlooks,whenceIwascheer’d,Intothatsecretplaceheledmeon.
Heresighswithlamentationsand
høye
loudmoansResoundedthroughtheairpierc’dbynostar,Thate’enIweptatentering.Varioustongues,Horriblelanguages,outcriesofwoe,Accentsof
sinne
anger,voicesdeepandhoarse,Withhandstogethersmotethatswell’dthesounds,Madeupatumult,thatforeverwhirlsRoundthroughthatairwithsolid
soliddarknessstain’d,Liketothesanden
sandthatinthewhirlwindflies.Ithen,witherroryetencompass’d,cried:
“Omaster!
WhatisthisIhear?
WhatraceArethese,whoseemsoovercomewithwoe?”
Hethustome:
“Thismiserable
skjebnen
fateSufferthewretchedsoulsofthose,wholiv’dWithoutorpraiseorblame,withthatillbandOfangelsmix’d,whonorrebelliousprov’dNoryetweretruetoGod,butforthemselvesWereonly.FromhisboundsHeavendrovethemforth,Nottoimpairhislustre,northedepthOfHell
mottar
receivesthem,lestth’accursedtribeShouldherlighet
glorythencewithexultationvain.”Ithen:
“Master!
whatdothaggrievethemthus,Thattheylamentsoloud?”
Hestraightreplied:
“ThatwillItelltheebriefly.
TheseofdeathNohopemayentertain:
andtheirblindlifeSomeanlypasses,thatallotherlotsTheyenvy.
Fameofthemtheworldhathnone,Nor
lider
suffers;mercyandjusticescornthemboth.
Speaknotofthem,butlook,andpassthemby.”
AndI,whostraightwaylook’d,beheldaflag,Whichwhirlingranaroundsorapidly,Thatitnopauseobtain’d:
andfollowingcameSuchalongtrainofspirits,Ishouldne’erHavethought,thatdeathsomanyhaddespoil’d.
WhensomeoftheseIrecogniz’d,IsawAndknewtheshadeofhim,whoto
basere
basefearYielding,abjur’dhishigheiendom
estate.ForthwithIunderstoodforcertainthisthetribeOfthoseillspiritsbothtoGoddispleasingAndtohisfoes.
Thesewretches,whone’erlived,Wentoninnakedness,andsorelystungBywaspsandhornets,whichbedew’dtheircheeksWithblood,thatmix’dwithtearsdropp’dtotheirfeet,Andbydisgustfulwormswasgather’dthere.
ThenlookingfartheronwardsIbeheldAthronguponthe
kysten
shoreofagreatstream:WhereatIthus:
“Sir!
gi
grantmenowtoknowWhomhereweview,andwhenceimpell’dtheyseemSoeagertopasso’er,asIdiscernThroughtheblearlight?”Hethustomeinfew:
“Thisshaltthouknow,soonasoursteps
ankommer
arriveBesidethewoefultideofAcheron.”Thenwitheyesdownwardcastandfill’dwithshame,Fearingmywordsoffensivetohis
øret
ear,Tillwehadreach’dtheriver,Ifromtale
speechAbstain’d.Andlo!
towardusinabarkComesonanoldmanhoarywhitewitheld,.
Crying,“Woetoyouwickedspirits!
hopenotEvertoseetheskyagain.
IcomeTotakeyoutotheother
kysten
shoreacross,Intoeternaldarkness,theretodwellInfiercevarme
heatandinice.Andthou,whothereStandest,livespirit!
gettheehence,andleaveThesewhoaredead.”
ButsoonashebeheldIleftthemnot,“Byotherway,”saidhe,“Byotherhavenshaltthoucometo
kysten
shore,Notbythispassage;theeanimblerboatMustcarry.”
Thentohimthusspakemy
guide
guide:“Charon!
thyselftormentnot:
so’tiswill’d,Wherewillandpowerareone:
askthounomore.”