CANTO IX THE Concubine of old Tithonus now Set in the shape of that cold animal Which with its tail doth smite amain the people, And of the steps, with which she mounts, the Night Had taken two in that place where we were, And now the third was bending down its wings; When I, who something had of Adam in me, Vanquished by sleep, upon the grass reclined, There where all five of us already sat. Just at the hour when her sad lay begins The little swallow, near unto the morning, Perchance in memory of her former woes, And when the mind of man, a wanderer IO 15 More from the flesh, and less by thought imprisoned, In dreams it seemed to me I saw suspended Line 6. Which with its tail doth smite amain the nations, 20 25 25 Disdains to bear up any in his feet. Then wheeling somewhat more, it seemed to me, And snatched me upward even to the fire. Around him turning his awakened eyes, ६ Carried him sleeping in her arms to Scyros, Wherefrom the Greeks withdrew him afterwards, Than I upstarted, when from off my face Sleep fled away; and pallid I became, Only my Comforter was at my side, 30 35 40 And now the sun was more than two hours high, And turned towards the sea-shore was my face. 45 "Be not intimidated," said my Lord, "Be reassured, for all is well with us; Do not restrain, but put forth all thy strength. Thou hast at length arrived at Purgatory; See there the cliff that closeth it around; See there the entrance, where it seems disjoined. Whilom at dawn, which doth precede the day, When inwardly thy spirit was asleep Upon the flowers that deck the land below, Line 50. See there the cliff that closes it around; 50 55 Sordello and the other noble shapes 60 Remained; she took thee, and, as day grew bright, Upward she came, and I upon her footprints. She laid thee here; and first her beauteous eyes That open entrance pointed out to me; Then she and sleep together went away." In guise of one whose doubts are reassured, And who to confidence his fear doth change, After the truth has been discovered to him, So did I change; and when without disquiet My Leader saw me, up along the cliff He moved, and I behind him, tow'rd the height. Reader, thou seest well how I exalt My theme, and therefore if with greater art Nearer approached we, and were in such place, That there, where first appeared to me a rift I saw a portal, and three stairs beneath, And a gate-keeper, who yet spake no word. 65 70 Which so reflected back the sunbeams tow'rds us, That oft in vain I lifted up mine eyes. "Tell it from where you are, what is 't you wish?" Began he to exclaim; "Where is the escort? Take heed your coming hither harm you not!" "A Lady of Heaven, with these things conversant," Line 60. Upward she came, and I upon her footsteps. 75 80 86 My Master answered him, "but even now Said to us, Thither go; there is the portal.'" “And may she speed your footsteps in all good," Again began the courteous janitor; "Come forward then unto these stairs of ours." Was marble white, so polished and so smooth, The Angel of God, upon the threshold seated, 90 95 100 105 For mercy's sake besought that he would open, 110 Seven P's upon my forehead he described With the sword's point, and, "Take heed that thou wash These wounds, when thou shalt be within," he said. Ashes, or earth that dry is excavated, Of the same color were with his attire, One was of gold, and the other was of silver; 115 Plied he the door, so that I was content. “Whenever faileth either of these keys So that it turn not rightly in the lock,” More art and intellect ere it unlock, For it is that which doth the knot unloose. Exclaiming : “Enter; but I give you warning That which I heard, as we are wont to catch, 120 125 130 135 140 For now we hear, and now hear not, the words. 145 |