60 65 71 In Rhone, when it is mingled with the Sorgue, Me for its lord awaited in due time, With Bari, with Gaeta and Catona, Whence Tronto and Verde in the sea disgorge. Already Aashed upon my brow the crown Of that dominion which the Danube waters After the German borders it abandons ; And beautiful Trinacria, that is murky 'Twixt Pachino and Peloro (on the gulf Which greatest scath from Eurus doth receive), Not through Typhæus, but through nascent sulphur, Would have awaited her own monarchs still, Rudolph, The subject populations, had not moved Palermo to the outcry of · Death! death!' And if my brother could but this foresee, The greedy poverty of Catalonia Straight would he fee, 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, Where every good thing doth begin and end 75 80 85 90 95 105 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: co 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 That keep these stars in motion are not maimed, And maimed the First, who hath not made them perfect. Wilt thou this truth have clearer made to thee?” And I : “ Not so; for 't is impossible That nature tire, I see, in what is needful.” Whence he again : “ Now say, would it be worse For men on earth were they not citizens ? ' Diversely unto offices diverse ? III 116 I20 125 130 No, if your master writeth well for you.” So came he with deductions to this point; Then he concluded : « Therefore it behoves your effects to be diverse. Hence one is Solon born, another Xerxes, Another Melchisedec, and another he Who, Aying through the air, his son did lose. Revolving Nature, which a signet is To mortal wax, doth practise well her art, But not one inn distinguish from another; Thence happens it that Esau differeth 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.” 135 140 145 CANTO IX 5 IO BEAUTIFUL Clemence, after that thy Charles Had me enlightened, he narrated to me The treacheries his seed should undergo; So I can only say, that lamentation Legitimate shall follow on your wrongs. And of that holy light the life already Had to the Sun which fills it turned again, As to that good which for each thing sufficeth. Ah, souls deceived, and creatures impious, Who from such good do turn away your hearts, Directing upon vanity your foreheads! And now, behold, another of those splendors Approached me, and its will to pleasure me It signified by brightening outwardly. Upon me, as before, of dear assent desire assurance gave to me. Thou blessed spirit,” I said, “and give me proof That what I think in thee I can reflect ! 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 15 21 25 30 35 40 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 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! Shut in by Adige and Tagliamento, for being scourged is penitent. But soon 't will be that Padua in the marsh Will change the water that Vicenza bathes, Because the folk are stubborn against duty; And where the Sile and Cagnano join One lordeth it, and goes with lofty head, 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, who should weigh it ounce by ounce, Of which this courteous priest shall make a gift To show himself a partisan; and such gifts 45 50 55 |