In Rhone, when it is mingled with the Sorgue, And that horn of Ausonia, which is towned With Bari, with Gaeta and Catòna, 60 Of that dominion which the Danube waters 65 After the German borders it abandons; And beautiful Trinacria, that is murky If evil lordship, that exasperates ever The subject populations, had not moved And if my brother could but this foresee, 71 75 Straight would he flee, that it might not molest him; For verily 't is needful to provide, Through him or other, so that on his bark Already freighted no more freight be placed. His nature, which from liberal covetous Descended, such a soldiery would need As should not care for hoarding in a chest." "Because I do believe the lofty joy Thy speech infuses into me, my Lord, 80 85 That gazing upon God thou dost discern it. Glad hast thou made me; so make clear to me, Since speaking thou hast stirred me up to doubt, How from sweet seed can bitter issue forth." This I to him; and he to me: “If I Can show to thee a truth, to what thou askest Thy face thou 'lt hold as thou dost hold thy back. The Good which all the realm thou art ascending Turns and contents, maketh its providence To be a power within these bodies vast; And not alone the natures are foreseen Within the mind that in itself is perfect, But they together with their preservation. For whatsoever thing this bow shoots forth Falls foreordained unto an end foreseen, Even as a shaft directed to its mark. If that were not, the heaven which thou dost walk Would in such manner its effects produce, That they no longer would be arts, but ruins. This cannot be, if the Intelligences 90 95 100 105 That keep these stars in motion are not maimed, perfect. For men on earth were they not citizens?" Line 111. And maimed the First that has not made them perfect. III 116 No, if your master writeth well for you.” Then he concluded: "Therefore it behoves To mortal wax, doth practise well her art, In seed from Jacob; and Quirinus comes From sire so vile that he is given to Mars. A generated nature its own way Would always make like its progenitors, If Providence divine were not triumphant. Now that which was behind thee is before thee; But that thou know that I with thee am pleased, With a corollary will I mantle thee. Evermore nature, if it fortune find Discordant to it, like each other seed Out of its region, maketh evil thrift; And if the world below would fix its mind On the foundation which is laid by nature, Pursuing that, 't would have the people good. But you unto religion wrench aside Him who was born to gird him with the sword, And make a king of him who is for sermons; Therefore your footsteps wander from the road.” 120 125 130 135 140 145 CANTO IX BEAUTIFUL Clemence, after that thy Charles Had to the Sun which fills it turned again, Who from such good do turn away your hearts, And now, behold, another of those splendors Whereat the light, that still was new to me, Out of its depths, whence it before was singing, As one delighted to do good, continued: "Within that region of the land depraved Of Italy, that lies between Rialto And fountain-heads of Brenta and of Piava, 5 IO 15 21 25 Rises a hill, and mounts not very high, Wherefrom descended formerly a torch That made upon that region great assault. Out of one root were born both I and it; Cunizza was I called, and here I shine Because the splendor of this star o'ercame me. But gladly to myself the cause I pardon 30 35 Of my allotment, and it does not grieve me; Which would perhaps seem strong unto your vulgar. Of this so luculent and precious jewel, Which of our heaven is nearest unto me, Great fame remained; and ere it die away This hundredth year shall yet quintupled be. See if man ought to make him excellent, So that another life the first may leave! And thus thinks not the present multitude Shut in by Adige and Tagliamento, Nor yet for being scourged is penitent. Will change the water that Vicenza bathes, And where the Sile and Cagnano join One lordeth it, and goes with lofty head, 40 45 50 For catching whom e'en now the net is making. Feltro moreover of her impious pastor Shall weep the crime, which shall so monstrous be That for the like none ever entered Malta. Ample exceedingly would be the vat That of the Ferrarese could hold the blood, And weary who should weigh it ounce by ounce, Of which this courteous priest shall make a gift 55 |