Mighty already was the Column Vair, Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifant, and Barucci, Was great already, and already chosen By their own pride! and how the Balls of Gold Who evermore, when vacant is your church, The insolent race, that like a dragon follows Already rising was, but from low people ; So that it pleased not Ubertin Donato That his wife's father should make him their kin. Already had Caponsacco to the Market From Fesole descended, and already Giuda and Infangato were good burghers. I'll tell a thing incredible, but true; One entered the small circuit by a gate Which from the Della Pera took its name! Each one that bears the beautiful escutcheon 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 And still more quiet would the Borgo be The house from which is born your lamentation, Through just disdain that death among you brought Was honoured in itself and its companions. O Buondelmonte, how in evil hour 140 Thou fled'st the bridal at another's promptings! If God had thee surrendered to the Ema Many would be rejoicing who are sad, The first time that thou camest to the city. But it behoved the mutilated stone Which guards the bridge, that Florence should provi le With all these families, and others with them, And glorious her people, that the lily Never upon the spear was placed reversed, Nor by division was vermilion made." 150 CANTO XVII. As came to Clymene, to be made certain Of that which he had heard against himself, That first on my account had changed its place. The flame of thy desire, so that it issue "O my beloved tree, (that so dost lift thee, So thou beholdest the contingent things Ere in themselves they are, fixing thine eyes While I was with Virgilius conjoined Upon the mountain that the souls doth heal, Were spoken to me of my future life 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 That unto me had spoken before; and even Ensnared themselves of old, ere yet was slain But with clear words and unambiguous Is all depicted in the eternal aspect. Except as from the eye, in which 'tis mirrored, Sweet harmony from an organ, comes in sight As forth from Athens went Hippolytus, By reason of his step-dame false and cruel, And soon it shall be done by him who thinks it, The blame shall follow the offended party In outcry as is usual; but the vengeance Most tenderly, and this the arrow is Which first the bow of banishment shoots forth. The bread of others, and how hard a road With which into this valley thou shalt fall; For all ingrate, all mad and impious Will they become against thee; but soon after 63 Of their bestiality their own proceedings They, and not thou, shall have the forehead scarlet. Shall furnish proof; so 'twill be well for thee Shall be the mighty Lombard's courtesy, That 'twixt you twain, in doing and in asking, Has by this star of strength been so impressed, Not yet the people are aware of him Through his young age, since only nine years yet Become hereafter, that his enemies Will not have power to keep mute tongues about it. By him shall many people be transformed, That it had finished putting in the woof Being in doubt, some counsel from a person "Well see I, father mine, how spurreth on The time towards me such a blow to deal me As heaviest is to him who most gives way. Therefore with foresight it is well I arm me, That, if the dearest place be taken from me, Down through the world of infinite bitterness, And o'er the mountain, from whose beauteous summit The eyes of my own Lady lifted me, And afterward through heaven from light to light, And if I am a timid friend to truth, I fear lest I may lose my life with those Which there I had discovered, flashed at first Then made reply: "A conscience overcast Make manifest thy vision utterly, And let them scratch wherever is the itch; For if thine utterance shall offensive be At the first taste, a vital nutriment 'Twill leave thereafter, when it is digested. This cry of thine shall do as doth the wind, Which smiteth most the most exalted summits, Nor doth confirm its faith by an example Or other reason that is not apparent.” 125 130 135 140 CANTO XVIII. Now was alone rejoicing in its word I turned me round, and then what love I saw But that my mind cannot return so far Rayed upon Beatrice, from her fair face She said to me, "Turn thee about and listen; 10 טי 20 |