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

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       I noted what remain'd yet hidden from them:

       Thence to my liege's eyes mine eyes I bent,

       And he, forthwith interpreting their suit,

       Beckon'd his glad assent. Free then to act,

       As pleas'd me, I drew near, and took my stand

       O`er that shade, whose words I late had mark'd.

       And, "Spirit!" I said, "in whom repentant tears

       Mature that blessed hour, when thou with God

       Shalt find acceptance, for a while suspend

       For me that mightier care. Say who thou wast,

       Why thus ye grovel on your bellies prone,

       And if in aught ye wish my service there,

       Whence living I am come." He answering spake

       "The cause why Heav'n our back toward his cope

       Reverses, shalt thou know: but me know first

       The successor of Peter, and the name

       And title of my lineage from that stream,

       That' twixt Chiaveri and Siestri draws

       His limpid waters through the lowly glen.

       A month and little more by proof I learnt,

       With what a weight that robe of sov'reignty

       Upon his shoulder rests, who from the mire

       Would guard it: that each other fardel seems

       But feathers in the balance. Late, alas!

       Was my conversion: but when I became

       Rome's pastor, I discern'd at once the dream

       And cozenage of life, saw that the heart

       Rested not there, and yet no prouder height

       Lur'd on the climber: wherefore, of that life

       No more enamour'd, in my bosom love

       Of purer being kindled. For till then

       I was a soul in misery, alienate

       From God, and covetous of all earthly things;

       Now, as thou seest, here punish'd for my doting.

       Such cleansing from the taint of avarice

       Do spirits converted need. This mount inflicts

       No direr penalty. E'en as our eyes

       Fasten'd below, nor e'er to loftier clime

       Were lifted, thus hath justice level'd us

       Here on the earth. As avarice quench'd our love

       Of good, without which is no working, thus

       Here justice holds us prison'd, hand and foot

       Chain'd down and bound, while heaven's just Lord shall please.

       So long to tarry motionless outstretch'd."