Harvard Classics Volume 20. Golden Deer Classics

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СКАЧАТЬ said, he turn’d back o’er the filthy way,

      And syllable to us spake none; but wore

      The semblance of a man by other care

      Beset, and keenly prest, than thought of him

      Who in his presence stands. Then we our steps

      Toward that territory moved, secure

      After the hallow’d words. We, unopposed,

      There enter’d; and, my mind eager to learn

      What state a fortress like to that might hold,

      I, soon as enter’d, throw mine eye around,

      And see, on every part, wide-stretching space,

      Replete with bitter pain and torment ill.

      As where Rhone stagnates on the plains of Arles,^[57]

      Or as at Pola,^[58] near Quarnaro’s gulf,

      That closes Italy and laves her bounds,

      The place is all thick spread with sepulchres;

      So was it here, save what in horror here

      Excell’d: for ’midst the graves were scattered flames,

      Wherewith intensely all throughout they burn’d,

      That iron for no craft there hotter needs.

      Their lids all hung suspended; and beneath,

      From them forth issued lamentable moans,

      Such as the sad and tortured well might raise.

      I thus: “Master! say who are these, interr’d

      Within these vaults, of whom distinct we hear

      The dolorous sighs.” He answer thus return’d:

      “The arch-heretics are here, accompanied

      By every sect their followers; and much more

      Than thou believest, the tombs are freighted: like

      With like is buried; and the monuments

      Are different in degrees of heat.” This said,

      He to the right hand turning, on we pass’d

      Betwixt the afflicted and the ramparts high.

Canto X

      Argument.—Dante, having obtained permission from his guide, holds discourse with Farinata degli Uberti and Cavalcante Cavalcanti, who lie in their fiery tombs that are yet open, and not to be closed up till after the last judgment. Farinata predicts the Poet’s exile from Florence; and shows him that the condemned have knowledge of future things, but are ignorant of what is at present passing, unless it be revealed by some newcomer from earth.

      Now by a secret pathway we proceed,

      Between the walls, that hem the region round,

      And the tormented souls: my master first,

      I close behind his steps. “Virtue supreme!”

      I thus began: “Who through these ample orbs

      In circuit lead’st me, even as thou will’st;

      Speak thou, and satisfy my wish. May those,

      Who lie within these sepulchres, be seen?

      Already all the lids are raised, and none

      O’er them keeps watch.” He thus in answer spake:

      “They shall be closed all, what-time they here

      From Josaphat^[59] return’d shall come, and bring

      Their bodies, which above they now have left.

      The cemetery on this part obtain,

      With Epicurus, all his followers,

      Who with the body make the spirit die.

      Here therefore satisfaction shall be soon,

      Both to the question ask’d, and to the wish^[60]

      Which thou conceal’st in silence.” I replied:

      “I keep not, guide beloved! from thee my heart

      Secreted, but to shun vain length of words;

      A lesson erewhile taught me by thyself.”

      “O Tuscan! thou, who through the city of fire

      Alive art passing, so discreet of speech:

      Here, please thee, stay awhile. Thy utterance

      Declares the place of thy nativity

      To be that noble land, with which perchance

      I too severely dealt.” Sudden that sound

      Forth issued from a vault, whereat, in fear,

      I somewhat closer to my leader’s side

      Approaching, he thus spake: “What dost thou? Turn:

      Lo! Farinata^[61] there, who hath himself

      Uplifted: from his girdle upwards, all

      Exposed, behold him.” On his face was mine

      Already fix’d: his breast and forehead there

      Erecting, seem’d as in high scorn he held

      E’en Hell. Between the sepulchres, to him

      My guide thrust me, with fearless hands and prompt;

      This warning added: “See thy words be clear.”

      He, soon as there I stood at the tomb’s foot,

      Eyed me a space; then in disdainful mood

      Address’d me: “Say what ancestors were thine.”

      I, willing to obey him, straight reveal’d

      The whole, nor kept back aught: whence he, his brow

      Somewhat uplifting, cried: “Fiercely were they

      Adverse to me, my party, and the blood

      From СКАЧАТЬ