The Divine Comedy. Dante Alighieri
Чтение книги онлайн.

Читать онлайн книгу The Divine Comedy - Dante Alighieri страница 18

Название: The Divine Comedy

Автор: Dante Alighieri

Издательство: Bookwire

Жанр: Языкознание

Серия:

isbn: 9783748566694

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ with him, of the present uninform'd."

      "We view, as one who hath an evil sight,"

      He answer'd, "plainly, objects far remote:

      So much of his large spendour yet imparts

      The Almighty Ruler; but when they approach

      Or actually exist, our intellect

      Then wholly fails, nor of your human state

      Except what others bring us know we aught.

      Hence therefore mayst thou understand, that all

      Our knowledge in that instant shall expire,

      When on futurity the portals close."

      Then conscious of my fault, and by remorse

      Smitten, I added thus: "Now shalt thou say

      To him there fallen, that his offspring still

      Is to the living join'd; and bid him know,

      That if from answer silent I abstain'd,

      'Twas that my thought was occupied intent

      Upon that error, which thy help hath solv'd."

      But now my master summoning me back

      I heard, and with more eager haste besought

      The spirit to inform me, who with him

      Partook his lot. He answer thus return'd:

      "More than a thousand with me here are laid

      Within is Frederick, second of that name,

      And the Lord Cardinal, and of the rest

      I speak not." He, this said, from sight withdrew.

      But I my steps towards the ancient bard

      Reverting, ruminated on the words

      Betokening me such ill. Onward he mov'd,

      And thus in going question'd: "Whence the amaze

      That holds thy senses wrapt?" I satisfied

      The inquiry, and the sage enjoin'd me straight:

      "Let thy safe memory store what thou hast heard

      To thee importing harm; and note thou this,"

      With his rais'd finger bidding me take heed,

      "When thou shalt stand before her gracious beam,

      Whose bright eye all surveys, she of thy life

      The future tenour will to thee unfold."

      Forthwith he to the left hand turn'd his feet:

      We left the wall, and tow'rds the middle space

      Went by a path, that to a valley strikes;

      Which e'en thus high exhal'd its noisome steam.

      CANTO XI

      UPON the utmost verge of a high bank,

      By craggy rocks environ'd round, we came,

      Where woes beneath more cruel yet were stow'd:

      And here to shun the horrible excess

      Of fetid exhalation, upward cast

      From the profound abyss, behind the lid

      Of a great monument we stood retir'd,

      Whereon this scroll I mark'd: "I have in charge

      Pope Anastasius, whom Photinus drew

      From the right path.—Ere our descent behooves

      We make delay, that somewhat first the sense,

      To the dire breath accustom'd, afterward

      Regard it not." My master thus; to whom

      Answering I spake: "Some compensation find

      That the time past not wholly lost." He then:

      "Lo! how my thoughts e'en to thy wishes tend!

      My son! within these rocks," he thus began,

      "Are three close circles in gradation plac'd,

      As these which now thou leav'st. Each one is full

      Of spirits accurs'd; but that the sight alone

      Hereafter may suffice thee, listen how

      And for what cause in durance they abide.

      "Of all malicious act abhorr'd in heaven,

      The end is injury; and all such end

      Either by force or fraud works other's woe

      But fraud, because of man peculiar evil,

      To God is more displeasing; and beneath

      The fraudulent are therefore doom'd to' endure

      Severer pang. The violent occupy

      All the first circle; and because to force

      Three persons are obnoxious, in three rounds

      Each within other sep'rate is it fram'd.

      To God, his neighbour, and himself, by man

      Force may be offer'd; to himself I say

      And his possessions, as thou soon shalt hear

      At full. Death, violent death, and painful wounds

      Upon his neighbour he inflicts; and wastes

      By devastation, pillage, and the flames,

      His substance. Slayers, and each one that smites

      In malice, plund'rers, and all robbers, hence

      The torment undergo of the first round

      In different herds. Man can do violence

      To himself and his own blessings: and for this

      He in the second round must aye deplore

      With unavailing СКАЧАТЬ