The first voice that passed onward in its flight, "Vinum non habent," said in accents loud, And went reiterating it behind us. And ere it wholly grew inaudible Because of distance, passed another, crying, "I am Orestes!" and it also stayed not. 30 “O,” said I, “ Father, these, what voices are they?" And even as I asked, behold the third, 35 Saying: "Love those from whom ye have had evil!" And the good Master said: "This circle scourges The sin of envy, and on that account Are drawn from love the lashes of the scourge. I think that thou wilt hear it, as I judge, I looked before me, and saw shades with mantles I heard a cry of, "Mary, pray for us!" A man so hard, that he would not be pierced For when I had approached so near to them 40 45 50 55 And all of them were by the bank sustained. Stand at the doors of churches asking alms, Not only at the accent of their words, But at their aspect, which no less implores. So to the shades, of whom just now I spake, For all their lids an iron wire transpierces, 60 65 70 75 And sews them up, as to a sparhawk wild Of the embankment from which one may fall, Upon the other side of me I had 80 The shades devout, who through the horrible seam So may grace speedily dissolve the scum Through them descend the river of the mind, 90 If any soul among you here is Latian, And 't will perchance be good for him I learn it." "O brother mine, each one is citizen Of one true city; but thy meaning is, Who may have lived in Italy a pilgrim." By way of answer this I seemed to hear A little farther on than where I stood, Whereat I made myself still nearer heard. Among the rest I saw a shade that waited In aspect, and should any one ask how, Its chin it lifted upward like a blind man. "Spirit," I said, "who stoopest to ascend, If thou art he who did reply to me, 95 100 Make thyself known to me by place or name." 105 "Sienese was I," it replied, " and with The others here recleanse my guilty life, Sapient I was not, although I Sapìa Was called, and I was at another's harm More happy far than at my own good fortune. And that thou mayst not think that I deceive thee, Hear if I was as foolish as I tell thee. The arc already of my years descending, My fellow-citizens near unto Colle Were joined in battle with their adversaries, Passes of flight; and I, the chase beholding, Crying to God, Henceforth I fear thee not," 115 120 Peace I desired with God at the extreme Of my existence, and as yet would not 125 130 My debt have been by penitence discharged, Had it not been that in remembrance held me Pier Pettignano in his holy prayers, Who out of charity was grieved for me. But who art thou, that into our conditions Questioning goest, and hast thine eyes unbound As I believe, and breathing dost discourse?' "Mine eyes," I said, "will yet be here ta'en from me, But for short space; for small is the offence Committed by their being turned with envy. Far greater is the fear, wherein suspended My soul is, of the torment underneath, 135 For even now the load down there weighs on me." And she to me: "Who led thee, then, among us Up here, if to return below thou thinkest? Spirit elect, if thou wouldst have me move O'er yonder yet my mortal feet for thee." "Oh, this is such a novel thing to hear," 140 145 She answered, "that great sign it is God loves thee; Therefore with prayer of thine sometimes assist me. And I implore, by what thou most desirest, If e'er thou treadest the soil of Tuscany, Well with my kindred reinstate my fame. Them wilt thou see among that people vain Who hope in Talamone, and will lose there More hope than in discovering the Diana; But there still more the admirals will lose." 150 CANTO XIV "WHO is this one that goes about our mountain, Or ever Death has given him power of flight, And opes his eyes and shuts them at his will?" "I know not who, but know he's not alone; Ask him thyself, for thou art nearer to him, And gently, so that he may speak, accost him." Thus did two spirits, leaning tow'rds each other, Discourse about me there on the right hand; Then held supine their faces to address me. And said the one : “O soul, that, fastened still Within the body, tow'rds the heaven art going, For charity console us, and declare 5 ΙΟ Whence comest and who art thou; for thou mak'st us And I: “Through midst of Tuscany there wanders And not a hundred miles of course suffice it; From thereupon do I this body bring. To tell you who I am were speech in vain, Because my name as yet makes no great noise.” "If well thy meaning I can penetrate With intellect of mine," then answered me He who first spake, “thou speakest of the Arno." And said the other to him: "Why concealed This one the appellation of that river, 15 20 25 |