THE DIVINE COMEDY: Inferno, Purgatorio & Paradiso (3 Classic Translations in One Edition). Dante Alighieri
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Название: THE DIVINE COMEDY: Inferno, Purgatorio & Paradiso (3 Classic Translations in One Edition)

Автор: Dante Alighieri

Издательство: Bookwire

Жанр: Языкознание

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isbn: 9788027233335

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СКАЧАТЬ so near at hand, that we had scarce

       Heard one another's speech for the loud din.

       E'en as the river, that holds on its course

       Unmingled, from the mount of Vesulo,

       On the left side of Apennine, toward

       The east, which Acquacheta higher up

       They call, ere it descend into the vale,

       At Forli by that name no longer known,

       Rebellows o'er Saint Benedict, roll'd on

       From the' Alpine summit down a precipice,

       Where space enough to lodge a thousand spreads;

       Thus downward from a craggy steep we found,

       That this dark wave resounded, roaring loud,

       So that the ear its clamour soon had stunn'd.

       I had a cord that brac'd my girdle round,

       Wherewith I erst had thought fast bound to take

       The painted leopard. This when I had all

       Unloosen'd from me (so my master bade)

       I gather'd up, and stretch'd it forth to him.

       Then to the right he turn'd, and from the brink

       Standing few paces distant, cast it down

       Into the deep abyss. "And somewhat strange,"

       Thus to myself I spake, "signal so strange

       Betokens, which my guide with earnest eye

       Thus follows." Ah! what caution must men use

       With those who look not at the deed alone,

       But spy into the thoughts with subtle skill!

       "Quickly shall come," he said, "what I expect,

       Thine eye discover quickly, that whereof

       Thy thought is dreaming." Ever to that truth,

       Which but the semblance of a falsehood wears,

       A man, if possible, should bar his lip;

       Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach.

       But silence here were vain; and by these notes

       Which now I sing, reader! I swear to thee,

       So may they favour find to latest times!

       That through the gross and murky air I spied

       A shape come swimming up, that might have quell'd

       The stoutest heart with wonder, in such guise

       As one returns, who hath been down to loose

       An anchor grappled fast against some rock,

       Or to aught else that in the salt wave lies,

       Who upward springing close draws in his feet.

       "LO! the fell monster with the deadly sting!

       Who passes mountains, breaks through fenced walls

       And firm embattled spears, and with his filth

       Taints all the world!" Thus me my guide address'd,

       And beckon'd him, that he should come to shore,

       Near to the stony causeway's utmost edge.

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       Forthwith that image vile of fraud appear'd,

       His head and upper part expos'd on land,

       But laid not on the shore his bestial train.

       His face the semblance of a just man's wore,

       So kind and gracious was its outward cheer;

       The rest was serpent all: two shaggy claws

       Reach'd to the armpits, and the back and breast,

       And either side, were painted o'er with nodes

       And orbits. Colours variegated more

       Nor Turks nor Tartars e'er on cloth of state

       With interchangeable embroidery wove,

       Nor spread Arachne o'er her curious loom.

       As ofttimes a light skiff, moor'd to the shore,

       Stands part in water, part upon the land;

       Or, as where dwells the greedy German boor,

       The beaver settles watching for his prey;

       So on the rim, that fenc'd the sand with rock,

       Sat perch'd the fiend of evil. In the void

       Glancing, his tail upturn'd its venomous fork,

       With sting like scorpion's arm'd. Then thus my guide:

       "Now need our way must turn few steps apart,

       Far as to that ill beast, who couches there."

       Thereat toward the right our downward course

       We shap'd, and, better to escape the flame

       And burning marle, ten paces on the verge

       Proceeded. Soon as we to him arrive,

       A little further on mine eye beholds

       A tribe of spirits, seated on the sand

       Near the wide chasm. Forthwith my master spake:

       "That to the full thy knowledge may extend

       Of all this round contains, go now, and mark

       The mien these wear: but hold not long discourse.

       Till thou returnest, I with him meantime

       Will parley, that to us he may vouchsafe

       The aid of his strong shoulders." Thus alone

       Yet forward on the' extremity I pac'd

       Of that seventh circle, where the mournful tribe

       СКАЧАТЬ