But as a mother to her son benignant, 60 Some who turn Florentines, and trade and discount, At Montemurlo still would be the Counts, Has been the source of malady in cities, Better and more a single sword than five. If Luni thou regard, and Urbisaglia, 65 70 How they have passed away, and how are passing Chiusi and Sinigaglia after them, To hear how races waste themselves away, Even as yourselves; but it is hidden in some That a long while endure, and lives are short; And as the turning of the lunar heaven 75 80 Covers and bares the shores without a pause, In the like manner fortune doth with Florence. Therefore should not appear a marvellous thing s What I shall say of the great Florentines Of whom the fame is hidden in the Past. I saw the Ughi, saw the Catellini, Filippi, Greci, Ormanni, and Alberichi, Line 84. In the like manner fortune does with Florence. Even in their fall illustrious citizens; With a new felony of so much weight Already, and already Galigajo Had hilt and pommel gilded in his house. Mighty already was the Column Vair, Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifant, and Barucci, 90 95 100 And Galli, and they who for the bushel blush. 105 The stock from which were the Calfucci born Was great already, and already chosen To curule chairs the Sizii and Arrigucci. Oh how beheld I those who are undone By their own pride! and how the Balls of Gold 110 Florence enflowered in all their mighty deeds! So likewise did the ancestors of those Who evermore, when vacant is your church, The insolent race, that like a dragon follows 115 That his wife's father should make him their kin. Already had Caponsacco to the Market 120 From Fesole descended, and already 125 130 Of the great baron whose renown and name The festival of Thomas keepeth fresh, Knighthood and privilege from him received; Though with the populace unites himself To-day the man who binds it with a border. Already were Gualterotti and Importuni; And still more quiet would the Borgo be If with new neighbors it remained unfed. The house from which is born your lamentation, Through just disdain that death among you brought And put an end unto your joyous life, Was honored in itself and its companions. O Buondelmonte, how in evil hour 135 140 Thou fled'st the bridal at another's promptings! Many would be rejoicing who are sad, If God had thee surrendered to the Ema The first time that thou camest to the city. But it behoved the mutilated stone 145 Which guards the bridge, that Florence should provide A victim in her latest hour of peace. With all these families, and others with them, That no occasion had she whence to weep; 150 With all these families beheld so just And glorious her people, that the lily Never upon the spear was placed reversed, Nor by division was vermilion made." CANTO XVII. As came to Clymene, to be made certain By Beatrice and by the holy light That first on my account had changed its place. Therefore my Lady said to me: "Send forth The flame of thy desire, so that it issue Imprinted well with the internal stamp; Not that our knowledge may be greater made By speech of thine, but to accustom thee 5 10 To tell thy thirst, that we may give thee drink." "O my beloved tree, (that so dost lift thee, That even as minds terrestrial perceive Ere in themselves they are, fixing thine eyes Upon the point in which all times are present,) While I was with Virgilius conjoined Upon the mountain that the souls doth heal, And when descending into the dead world, Were spoken to me of my future life 15 20 Some grievous words; although I feel myself On this account my wish would be content To hear what fortune is approaching me, Because foreseen an arrow comes more slowly." Thus did I say unto that selfsame light 25 That unto me had spoken before; and even As Beatrice willed was my own will confessed. 30 Not in vague phrase, in which the foolish folk Ensnared themselves of old, ere yet was slain The Lamb of God who taketh sins away, But with clear words and unambiguous 66 Language responded that paternal love, Is all depicted in the eternal aspect. Except as from the eye, in which 't is mirrored, A ship that with the current down descends. From thence, e'en as there cometh to the ear Sweet harmony from an organ, comes in sight To me the time that is preparing for thee. As forth from Athens went Hippolytus, By reason of his step-dame false and cruel, So thou from Florence must perforce depart. Already this is willed, and this is sought for; 35 40 45 49 And soon it shall be done by him who thinks it, Where every day the Christ is bought and sold. The blame shall follow the offended party In outcry as is usual; but the vengeance Shall witness to the truth that doth dispense it. Thou shalt abandon everything beloved Most tenderly, and this the arrow is 55 Which first the bow of banishment shoots forth. Thou shalt have proof how savoreth of salt The bread of others, and how hard a road The going down and up another's stairs. And that which most shall weigh upon thy shoul 60 ders |