THE VISION OR, HELL,PURGATORY, AND PARADISE(炼狱和天堂)

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THE VISION

THE VISION OR, HELL,

PURGATORY, AND

PARADISE

DANTE ALIGHIERI

TRANSLATED BY THE REV. H. F. CARY, A.M.

THE VISION

CANTO I

O'er better waves to speed her rapid course The light bark of my

genius lifts the sail, Well pleas'd to leave so cruel sea behind; And of that

second region will I sing, In which the human spirit from sinful blot Is

purg'd, and for ascent to Heaven prepares. Here, O ye hallow'd Nine!

for in your train I follow, here the deadened strain revive; Nor let Calliope

refuse to sound A somewhat higher song, of that loud tone, Which when

the wretched birds of chattering note Had heard, they of forgiveness lost

all hope. Sweet hue of eastern sapphire, that was spread O'er the serene

aspect of the pure air, High up as the first circle, to mine eyes Unwonted

joy renew'd, soon as I 'scap'd Forth from the atmosphere of deadly gloom,

That had mine eyes and bosom fill'd with grief. The radiant planet, that to

love invites, Made all the orient laugh, and veil'd beneath The Pisces' light,

that in his escort came. To the right hand I turn'd, and fix'd my mind On

the' other pole attentive, where I saw Four stars ne'er seen before save by

the ken Of our first parents. Heaven of their rays Seem'd joyous. O

thou northern site, bereft Indeed, and widow'd, since of these depriv'd!

As from this view I had desisted, straight Turning a little tow'rds the other

pole, There from whence now the wain had disappear'd, I saw an old man

standing by my side Alone, so worthy of rev'rence in his look, That ne'er

from son to father more was ow'd. Low down his beard and mix'd with

hoary white Descended, like his locks, which parting fell Upon his breast

in double fold. The beams Of those four luminaries on his face So

brightly shone, and with such radiance clear Deck'd it, that I beheld him as

the sun. "Say who are ye, that stemming the blind stream, Forth from

th' eternal prison-house have fled?" He spoke and moved those venerable

plumes. "Who hath conducted, or with lantern sure Lights you emerging

from the depth of night, That makes the infernal valley ever black? Are the

firm statutes of the dread abyss Broken, or in high heaven new laws

ordain'd, That thus, condemn'd, ye to my caves approach?" My guide,

then laying hold on me, by words And intimations given with hand and

head, Made my bent knees and eye submissive pay Due reverence; then

thus to him replied. "Not of myself I come; a Dame from heaven

THE VISION

Descending, had besought me in my charge To bring. But since thy will

implies, that more Our true condition I unfold at large, Mine is not to deny

thee thy request. This mortal ne'er hath seen the farthest gloom. But erring

by his folly had approach'd So near, that little space was left to turn. Then,

as before I told, I was dispatch'd To work his rescue, and no way remain'd

Save this which I have ta'en. I have display'd Before him all the regions

of the bad; And purpose now those spirits to display, That under thy

command are purg'd from sin. How I have brought him would be long to

say. From high descends the virtue, by whose aid I to thy sight and hearing

him have led. Now may our coming please thee. In the search Of liberty

he journeys: that how dear They know, who for her sake have life refus'd.

Thou knowest, to whom death for her was sweet In Utica, where thou

didst leave those weeds, That in the last great day will shine so bright. For

us the' eternal edicts are unmov'd: He breathes, and I am free of Minos'

power, Abiding in that circle where the eyes Of thy chaste Marcia beam,

who still in look Prays thee, O hallow'd spirit! to own her shine. Then by

her love we' implore thee, let us pass Through thy sev'n regions; for which

best thanks I for thy favour will to her return, If mention there below thou

not disdain." "Marcia so pleasing in my sight was found," He then to

him rejoin'd, "while I was there, That all she ask'd me I was fain to grant.

Now that beyond the' accursed stream she dwells, She may no longer

move me, by that law, Which was ordain'd me, when I issued thence. Not

so, if Dame from heaven, as thou sayst, Moves and directs thee; then no

flattery needs. Enough for me that in her name thou ask. Go therefore now:

and with a slender reed See that thou duly gird him, and his face Lave, till

all sordid stain thou wipe from thence. For not with eye, by any cloud

obscur'd, Would it be seemly before him to come, Who stands the

foremost minister in heaven. This islet all around, there far beneath,

Where the wave beats it, on the oozy bed Produces store of reeds. No

other plant, Cover'd with leaves, or harden'd in its stalk, There lives, not

bending to the water's sway. After, this way return not; but the sun Will

show you, that now rises, where to take The mountain in its easiest

ascent." He disappear'd; and I myself uprais'd Speechless, and to my

guide retiring close, Toward him turn'd mine eyes. He thus began; "My

THE VISION

son! observant thou my steps pursue. We must retreat to rearward, for

that way The champain to its low extreme declines." The dawn had

chas'd the matin hour of prime, Which deaf before it, so that from afar I

spy'd the trembling of the ocean stream. We travers'd the deserted plain,

as one Who, wander'd from his track, thinks every step Trodden in vain till

he regain the path. When we had come, where yet the tender dew

Strove with the sun, and in a place, where fresh The wind breath'd o'er it,

while it slowly dried; Both hands extended on the watery grass My master

plac'd, in graceful act and kind. Whence I of his intent before appriz'd,

Stretch'd out to him my cheeks suffus'd with tears. There to my visage he

anew restor'd That hue, which the dun shades of hell conceal'd. Then

on the solitary shore arriv'd, That never sailing on its waters saw Man, that

could after measure back his course, He girt me in such manner as had

pleas'd Him who instructed, and O, strange to tell! As he selected every

humble plant, Wherever one was pluck'd, another there Resembling,

straightway in its place arose.

THE VISION

CANTO II

Now had the sun to that horizon reach'd, That covers, with the most

exalted point Of its meridian circle, Salem's walls, And night, that

opposite to him her orb Sounds, from the stream of Ganges issued forth,

Holding the scales, that from her hands are dropp'd When she reigns

highest: so that where I was, Aurora's white and vermeil-tinctur'd cheek To

orange turn'd as she in age increas'd. Meanwhile we linger'd by the

water's brink, Like men, who, musing on their road, in thought Journey,

while motionless the body rests. When lo! as near upon the hour of dawn,

Through the thick vapours Mars with fiery beam Glares down in west,

over the ocean floor; So seem'd, what once again I hope to view, A light so

swiftly coming through the sea, No winged course might equal its career.

From which when for a space I had withdrawn Thine eyes, to make

inquiry of my guide, Again I look'd and saw it grown in size And

brightness: thou on either side appear'd Something, but what I knew not of

bright hue, And by degrees from underneath it came Another. My

preceptor silent yet Stood, while the brightness, that we first discern'd,

Open'd the form of wings: then when he knew The pilot, cried aloud,

"Down, down; bend low Thy knees; behold God's angel: fold thy hands:

Now shalt thou see true Ministers indeed. Lo how all human means he sets

at naught! So that nor oar he needs, nor other sail Except his wings,

between such distant shores. Lo how straight up to heaven he holds them

rear'd, Winnowing the air with those eternal plumes, That not like mortal

hairs fall off or change!" As more and more toward us came, more

bright Appear'd the bird of God, nor could the eye Endure his splendor

near: I mine bent down. He drove ashore in a small bark so swift And

light, that in its course no wave it drank. The heav'nly steersman at the

prow was seen, Visibly written blessed in his looks. Within a hundred

spirits and more there sat. "In Exitu Israel de Aegypto;" All with one voice

together sang, with what In the remainder of that hymn is writ. Then soon

as with the sign of holy cross He bless'd them, they at once leap'd out on

land, The swiftly as he came return'd. The crew, There left, appear'd

astounded with the place, Gazing around as one who sees new sights.

THE VISION

From every side the sun darted his beams, And with his arrowy radiance

from mid heav'n Had chas'd the Capricorn, when that strange tribe Lifting

their eyes towards us: If ye know, Declare what path will Lead us to the

mount." Them Virgil answer'd. "Ye suppose perchance Us well

acquainted with this place: but here, We, as yourselves, are strangers.

Not long erst We came, before you but a little space, By other road so

rough and hard, that now The' ascent will seem to us as play." The spirits,

Who from my breathing had perceiv'd I liv'd, Grew pale with wonder. As

the multitude Flock round a herald, sent with olive branch, To hear what

news he brings, and in their haste Tread one another down, e'en so at sight

Of me those happy spirits were fix'd, each one Forgetful of its errand, to

depart, Where cleans'd from sin, it might be made all fair. Then one I

saw darting before the rest With such fond ardour to embrace me, I To do

the like was mov'd. O shadows vain Except in outward semblance!

thrice my hands I clasp'd behind it, they as oft return'd Empty into my

breast again. Surprise I needs must think was painted in my looks, For

that the shadow smil'd and backward drew. To follow it I hasten'd, but

with voice Of sweetness it enjoin'd me to desist. Then who it was I knew,

and pray'd of it, To talk with me, it would a little pause. It answered: "Thee

as in my mortal frame I lov'd, so loos'd forth it I love thee still, And

therefore pause; but why walkest thou here?" "Not without purpose

once more to return, Thou find'st me, my Casella, where I am Journeying

this way;" I said, "but how of thee Hath so much time been lost?" He

answer'd straight: "No outrage hath been done to me, if he Who when and

whom he chooses takes, me oft This passage hath denied, since of just will

His will he makes. These three months past indeed, He, whose chose to

enter, with free leave Hath taken; whence I wand'ring by the shore Where

Tyber's wave grows salt, of him gain'd kind Admittance, at that river's

mouth, tow'rd which His wings are pointed, for there always throng All

such as not to Archeron descend." Then I: "If new laws have not quite

destroy'd Memory and use of that sweet song of love, That while all my

cares had power to 'swage; Please thee with it a little to console My spirit,

that incumber'd with its frame, Travelling so far, of pain is overcome."

"Love that discourses in my thoughts." He then Began in such soft

THE VISION

accents, that within The sweetness thrills me yet. My gentle guide And

all who came with him, so well were pleas'd, That seem'd naught else

might in their thoughts have room. Fast fix'd in mute attention to his

notes We stood, when lo! that old man venerable Exclaiming, "How is

this, ye tardy spirits? What negligence detains you loit'ring here? Run to

the mountain to cast off those scales, That from your eyes the sight of God

conceal." As a wild flock of pigeons, to their food Collected, blade or

tares, without their pride Accustom'd, and in still and quiet sort, If aught

alarm them, suddenly desert Their meal, assail'd by more important care;

So I that new-come troop beheld, the song Deserting, hasten to the

mountain's side, As one who goes yet where he tends knows not. Nor

with less hurried step did we depart.

THE VISION

CANTO III

Them sudden flight had scatter'd over the plain, Turn'd tow'rds the

mountain, whither reason's voice Drives us; I to my faithful company

Adhering, left it not. For how of him Depriv'd, might I have sped, or

who beside Would o'er the mountainous tract have led my steps He with

the bitter pang of self-remorse Seem'd smitten. O clear conscience and

upright How doth a little fling wound thee sore! Soon as his feet

desisted (slack'ning pace), From haste, that mars all decency of act, My

mind, that in itself before was wrapt, Its thoughts expanded, as with joy

restor'd: And full against the steep ascent I set My face, where highest to

heav'n its top o'erflows. The sun, that flar'd behind, with ruddy beam

Before my form was broken; for in me His rays resistance met. I turn'd

aside With fear of being left, when I beheld Only before myself the ground

obscur'd. When thus my solace, turning him around, Bespake me kindly:

"Why distrustest thou? Believ'st not I am with thee, thy sure guide? It now

is evening there, where buried lies The body, in which I cast a shade,

remov'd To Naples from Brundusium's wall. Nor thou Marvel, if before

me no shadow fall, More than that in the sky element One ray obstructs

not other. To endure Torments of heat and cold extreme, like frames That

virtue hath dispos'd, which how it works Wills not to us should be reveal'd.

Insane Who hopes, our reason may that space explore, Which holds three

persons in one substance knit. Seek not the wherefore, race of human kind;

Could ye have seen the whole, no need had been For Mary to bring forth.

Moreover ye Have seen such men desiring fruitlessly; To whose desires

repose would have been giv'n, That now but serve them for eternal grief. I

speak of Plato, and the Stagyrite, And others many more." And then he

bent Downwards his forehead, and in troubled mood Broke off his speech.

Meanwhile we had arriv'd Far as the mountain's foot, and there the rock

Found of so steep ascent, that nimblest steps To climb it had been vain.

The most remote Most wild untrodden path, in all the tract 'Twixt Lerice

and Turbia were to this A ladder easy' and open of access. "Who knows

on which hand now the steep declines?" My master said and paus'd, "so

that he may Ascend, who journeys without aid of wine,?" And while with

THE VISION

looks directed to the ground The meaning of the pathway he explor'd, And

I gaz'd upward round the stony height, Of spirits, that toward us mov'd

their steps, Yet moving seem'd not, they so slow approach'd. I thus my

guide address'd: "Upraise thine eyes, Lo that way some, of whom thou

may'st obtain Counsel, if of thyself thou find'st it not!" Straightway he

look'd, and with free speech replied: "Let us tend thither: they but softly

come. And thou be firm in hope, my son belov'd." Now was that people

distant far in space A thousand paces behind ours, as much As at a throw

the nervous arm could fling, When all drew backward on the messy crags

Of the steep bank, and firmly stood unmov'd As one who walks in doubt

might stand to look. "O spirits perfect! O already chosen!" Virgil to

them began, "by that blest peace, Which, as I deem, is for you all prepar'd,

Instruct us where the mountain low declines, So that attempt to mount it

be not vain. For who knows most, him loss of time most grieves." As

sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one, Or pairs, or three at once;

meanwhile the rest Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose To ground,

and what the foremost does, that do The others, gath'ring round her, if she

stops, Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern; So saw I moving to

advance the first, Who of that fortunate crew were at the head, Of modest

mien and graceful in their gait. When they before me had beheld the light

From my right side fall broken on the ground, So that the shadow reach'd

the cave, they stopp'd And somewhat back retir'd: the same did all, Who

follow'd, though unweeting of the cause "Unask'd of you, yet freely I

confess, This is a human body which ye see. That the sun's light is broken

on the ground, Marvel not: but believe, that not without Virtue deriv'd

from Heaven, we to climb Over this wall aspire." So them bespake My

master; and that virtuous tribe rejoin'd; " Turn, and before you there the

entrance lies," Making a signal to us with bent hands. Then of them one

began. "Whoe'er thou art, Who journey'st thus this way, thy visage turn,

Think if me elsewhere thou hast ever seen." I tow'rds him turn'd, and

with fix'd eye beheld. Comely, and fair, and gentle of aspect, He seem'd,

but on one brow a gash was mark'd. When humbly I disclaim'd to have

beheld Him ever: "Now behold!" he said, and show'd High on his

breast a wound: then smiling spake. "I am Manfredi, grandson to the

THE VISION

Queen Costanza: whence I pray thee, when return'd, To my fair daughter

go, the parent glad Of Aragonia and Sicilia's pride; And of the truth inform

her, if of me Aught else be told. When by two mortal blows My frame

was shatter'd, I betook myself Weeping to him, who of free will forgives.

My sins were horrible; but so wide arms Hath goodness infinite, that it

receives All who turn to it. Had this text divine Been of Cosenza's

shepherd better scann'd, Who then by Clement on my hunt was set, Yet at

the bridge's head my bones had lain, Near Benevento, by the heavy mole

Protected; but the rain now drenches them, And the wind drives, out of the

kingdom's bounds, Far as the stream of Verde, where, with lights

Extinguish'd, he remov'd them from their bed. Yet by their curse we are

not so destroy'd, But that the eternal love may turn, while hope Retains her

verdant blossoms. True it is, That such one as in contumacy dies Against

the holy church, though he repent, Must wander thirty-fold for all the time

In his presumption past; if such decree Be not by prayers of good men

shorter made Look therefore if thou canst advance my bliss; Revealing to

my good Costanza, how Thou hast beheld me, and beside the terms Laid

on me of that interdict; for here By means of those below much profit

comes."

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THEVISION1THEVISIONOR,HELL,PURGATORY,ANDPARADISEDANTEALIGHIERITRANSLATEDBYTHEREV.H.F.CARY,A.M.THEVISION2CANTOIO'erbetterwavestospeedherrapidcourseThelightbarkofmygeniusliftsthesail,Wellpleas'dtoleavesocruelseabehind;AndofthatsecondregionwillIsing,InwhichthehumanspiritfromsinfulblotIspurg'd,andforasc...

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