Innocence Once Lost - Religious Classics Collection. Джон Мильтон

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СКАЧАТЬ From the mid-heaven chased forth the Capricorn,

      When the new people lifted up their faces

       Towards us, saying to us: "If ye know,

       Show us the way to go unto the mountain."

      And answer made Virgilius: "Ye believe

       Perchance that we have knowledge of this place,

       But we are strangers even as yourselves.

      Just now we came, a little while before you,

       Another way, which was so rough and steep,

       That mounting will henceforth seem sport to us."

      The souls who had, from seeing me draw breath,

       Become aware that I was still alive,

       Pallid in their astonishment became;

      And as to messenger who bears the olive

       The people throng to listen to the news,

       And no one shows himself afraid of crowding,

      So at the sight of me stood motionless

       Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if

       Oblivious to go and make them fair.

      One from among them saw I coming forward,

       As to embrace me, with such great affection,

       That it incited me to do the like.

      O empty shadows, save in aspect only!

       Three times behind it did I clasp my hands,

       As oft returned with them to my own breast!

      I think with wonder I depicted me;

       Whereat the shadow smiled and backward drew;

       And I, pursuing it, pressed farther forward.

      Gently it said that I should stay my steps;

       Then knew I who it was, and I entreated

       That it would stop awhile to speak with me.

      It made reply to me: "Even as I loved thee

       In mortal body, so I love thee free;

       Therefore I stop; but wherefore goest thou?"

      "My own Casella! to return once more

       There where I am, I make this journey," said I;

       "But how from thee has so much time be taken?"

      And he to me: "No outrage has been done me,

       If he who takes both when and whom he pleases

       Has many times denied to me this passage,

      For of a righteous will his own is made.

       He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken

       Whoever wished to enter with all peace;

      Whence I, who now had turned unto that shore

       Where salt the waters of the Tiber grow,

       Benignantly by him have been received.

      Unto that outlet now his wing is pointed,

       Because for evermore assemble there

       Those who tow'rds Acheron do not descend."

      And I: "If some new law take not from thee

       Memory or practice of the song of love,

       Which used to quiet in me all my longings,

      Thee may it please to comfort therewithal

       Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body

       Hitherward coming is so much distressed."

      "Love, that within my mind discourses with me,"

       Forthwith began he so melodiously,

       The melody within me still is sounding.

      My Master, and myself, and all that people

       Which with him were, appeared as satisfied

       As if naught else might touch the mind of any.

      We all of us were moveless and attentive

       Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man,

       Exclaiming: "What is this, ye laggard spirits?

      What negligence, what standing still is this?

       Run to the mountain to strip off the slough,

       That lets not God be manifest to you."

      Even as when, collecting grain or tares,

       The doves, together at their pasture met,

       Quiet, nor showing their accustomed pride,

      If aught appear of which they are afraid,

       Upon a sudden leave their food alone,

       Because they are assailed by greater care;

      So that fresh company did I behold

       The song relinquish, and go tow'rds the hill,

       As one who goes, and knows not whitherward;

      Nor was our own departure less in haste.

      III. Discourse on the Limits of Reason. The Foot of the Mountain. Those who died in Contumacy of Holy Church. Manfredi.

       Table of Contents

      Inasmuch as the instantaneous flight

       Had scattered them asunder o'er the plain,

       Turned to the mountain whither reason spurs us,

      I pressed me close unto my faithful comrade,

       And how without him had I kept my course?

       Who would have led me up along the mountain?

      He seemed to me within himself remorseful;

       O noble conscience, and without a stain,

       How sharp a sting is trivial fault to thee!

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