Page images
PDF
EPUB

In Rhone, when it is mingled with the Sorgue,
Me for its lord awaited in due time,

And that horn of Ausonia, which is towned

With Bari, with Gaeta and Catòna,
Whence Tronto and Verde in the sea disgorge.
Already flashed upon my brow the crown

60

Of that dominion which the Danube waters

65

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 Typhoeus, but through nascent sulphur,
Would have awaited her own monarchs still,
Through me from Charles descended and from
Rudolph,

If evil lordship, that exasperates ever

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

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,
Where every good thing doth begin and end
Thou seest as I see it, the more grateful
Is it to me; and this too hold I dear,

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,
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?"
"Yes," I replied; "and here I ask no reason."
"And can they be so, if below they live not
Diversely unto offices diverse?

Line 111. And maimed the First that has not made them perfect.

III

116

No, if your master writeth well for you.”
So came he with deductions to this point;

Then he concluded: "Therefore it behoves
The roots of your effects to be diverse.
Hence one is Solon born, another Xerxes,
Another Melchisedec, and another he
Who, flying 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.”

120

125

130

135

140

145

CANTO IX

BEAUTIFUL Clemence, after that thy Charles
Had me enlightened, he narrated to me
The treacheries his seed should undergo;
But said: "Be still and let the years roll round;"
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.
The eyes of Beatrice, that fastened were
Upon me, as before, of dear assent
Το my desire assurance gave to me.
"Ah, bring swift compensation to my wish,
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

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.
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,

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
To show himself a partisan; and such gifts

55

« PreviousContinue »