And to the fosses came all that the land Contain'd not; and, as mightiest streams are wont, Rush'd, that naught stay'd its course. My stiffen'd frame CANTO VI ARGUMENT.-Many besides, who are in like case with those spoken of in the last Canto, beseech our Poet to obtain for them the prayers of their friends, when he shall be returned to this world. This moves him to express a doubt to his guide, how the dead can be profited by the prayers of the living; for the solution of which doubt he is referred to Beatrice. Afterward he meets with Sordello the Mantuan, whose affection, shown to Virgil his countryman, leads Dante to break forth into an invective against the unnatural divisions with which Italy, and more especially Florence, was distracted. W HEN from their game of dice men separate, He who hath lost remains in sadness fix'd, Revolving in his mind what luckless throws He cast: but, meanwhile, all the company Go with the other; one before him runs, And one behind his mantle twitches, one Fast by his side bids him remember him. He stops not; and each one, to whom his hand Is stretch'd, well knows he bids him stand aside; 14" Pia." She is said to have been a Siennese lady, of the family of Tolommei, secretly made away with by her husband, Nello della Pietra, of the same city, in Maremma, where he had some possessions. And thus he from the press defends himself. She herd with worse than these. When I was freed Straight I began: "O thou, my luminary! It seems expressly in thy text denied, That Heaven's supreme decree can ever bend 1" And thus." It was usual for money to be given to bystanders at play by winners. 2 Benincasa of Arezzo, eminent for his skill in jurisprudence, who having condemned to death Turrino da Turrita, brother of Ghino di Tacco, for his robberies in Maremma, was murdered by Ghino, in an apartment of his own house, in the presence of Ghino many witnesses. was not only suffered to escape in safety, but obtained so high a reputation by the liberality with which he dispensed the fruits of his plunder, and treated those who fell into his hands with so much courtesy, that he was afterward invited to Rome, and knighted by Boniface VIII. 8 Cione, or Ciacco de' Tarlatti of Arezzo, carried by his horse into the Arno, and there drowned, while in pursuit of enemies. Son of the 4 "Frederic Novello." Conte Guido da Battifolle, and slain by one of the family of Bostoli. 5 Farinata de' Scornigiani, of Pisa. His father, Marzucco, who had en tered the order of the Frati Minori, so entirely overcame his resentment, that he even kissed the hands of the slayer of his son, and as he was following the funeral, exhorted his kinsmen to reconciliation. 6" Count Orso." Son of Napoleone da Cerbaia, slain by Alberto da Mangona, his uncle. So He very Secretary of Philip III of France. The courtiers envying the high place which he held in the King's favor, prevailed on Mary of Brabant to charge him falsely with an attempt upon her person; for which supposed crime he suffered death. say the Italian commentators. nault represents the matter differently: "Pierre de la Brosse, formerly barber to St. Louis, afterward the favorite of Philip, fearing the too great attachment of the King for his wife Mary, this princess of having poisoned Louis, eldest son of Philip, by his first marriage. This calumny is discov ered by a nun of Nivelle, in Flanders. La Brosse is hanged." accuses To supplication; yet with this design Do these entreat. Can then their hope be vain? Or is thy saying not to me reveal'd?" He thus to me: "Both what I write is plain, And these deceived not in their hope; if well Thy mind consider, that the sacred height Of judgment doth not stoop, because love's flame In a short moment all fulfils, which he, Who sojourns here, in right should satisfy. Besides, when I this point concluded thus, By praying no defect could be supplied; Because the prayer had none access to God. Yet in this deep suspicion rest thou not Contented, unless she assure thee so, Who betwixt truth and mind infuses light: I know not if thou take me right; I mean Beatrice. Her thou shalt behold above, Upon this mountain's crown, fair seat of joy." Then I: "Sir! let us mend our speed; for now I tire not as before: and lo! the hill Stretches its shadow far." He answer'd thus: It will instruct us in the speediest way." We soon approach'd it. O thou Lombard spirit! But Virgil, with entreaty mild, advanced, Demanded. When my courteous guide began, Rose toward us from the place in which it stood, Lady no longer of fair provinces, But brothel-house impure! this gentle spirit, With such glad cheer: while now thy living ones Malicious gnaws another; ay, of those Whom the same wall and the same moat contains. Naught doth he now but aggravate thy shame. If well thou marked'st that which God commands. From having lost correction of the spur, Since to the bridle thou hast set thine hand, That is grown savage and unmanageable, When thou shouldst clasp her flanks with forked heels. Such as may strike thy successor' 11 with dread; For that thy sire" and Sordello's life is wrapt in obscur. ity. He distinguished himself by his skill in Provencal poetry and many feats of military prowess have been attributed to him. It is prob able that he was born at the end of the twelfth, and died about the middle of the succeeding, century. 10 The Emperor Albert I succeeded Through greediness of yonder realms detain❜d, 13 Who carest for naught! those sunk in grief, and these 66 15 My Cæsar, why dost thou desert my side?" Come, and blush for thine own report. For me, Who wast on earth for our sakes crucified, My Florence! thou mayst well remain unmoved Or ere it dart unto its aim: Have it on their lips' edge but thine To bear the common burdens: readier thine Answer uncall'd, and cry, "Behold I stoop!" Make thyself glad, for thou hast reason now, many to give much of his thoughts 14 Two rival families in Orvieto. 15 A place between Pisa and Siena. |