Innocence Once Lost - Religious Classics Collection. Джон Мильтон

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      V. Those who died by Violence, but repentant. Buonconte di Monfeltro. La Pia.

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      I had already from those shades departed,

       And followed in the footsteps of my Guide,

       When from behind, pointing his finger at me,

      One shouted: "See, it seems as if shone not

       The sunshine on the left of him below,

       And like one living seems he to conduct him."

      Mine eyes I turned at utterance of these words,

       And saw them watching with astonishment

       But me, but me, and the light which was broken!

      "Why doth thy mind so occupy itself,"

       The Master said, "that thou thy pace dost slacken?

       What matters it to thee what here is whispered?

      Come after me, and let the people talk;

       Stand like a steadfast tower, that never wags

       Its top for all the blowing of the winds;

      For evermore the man in whom is springing

       Thought upon thought, removes from him the mark,

       Because the force of one the other weakens."

      What could I say in answer but "I come"?

       I said it somewhat with that colour tinged

       Which makes a man of pardon sometimes worthy.

      Meanwhile along the mountain-side across

       Came people in advance of us a little,

       Singing the Miserere verse by verse.

      When they became aware I gave no place

       For passage of the sunshine through my body,

       They changed their song into a long, hoarse "Oh!"

      And two of them, in form of messengers,

       Ran forth to meet us, and demanded of us,

       "Of your condition make us cognisant."

      And said my Master: "Ye can go your way

       And carry back again to those who sent you,

       That this one's body is of very flesh.

      If they stood still because they saw his shadow,

       As I suppose, enough is answered them;

       Him let them honour, it may profit them."

      Vapours enkindled saw I ne'er so swiftly

       At early nightfall cleave the air serene,

       Nor, at the set of sun, the clouds of August,

      But upward they returned in briefer time,

       And, on arriving, with the others wheeled

       Tow'rds us, like troops that run without a rein.

      "This folk that presses unto us is great,

       And cometh to implore thee," said the Poet;

       "So still go onward, and in going listen."

      "O soul that goest to beatitude

       With the same members wherewith thou wast born,"

       Shouting they came, "a little stay thy steps,

      Look, if thou e'er hast any of us seen,

       So that o'er yonder thou bear news of him;

       Ah, why dost thou go on? Ah, why not stay?

      Long since we all were slain by violence,

       And sinners even to the latest hour;

       Then did a light from heaven admonish us,

      So that, both penitent and pardoning, forth

       From life we issued reconciled to God,

       Who with desire to see Him stirs our hearts."

      And I: "Although I gaze into your faces,

       No one I recognize; but if may please you

       Aught I have power to do, ye well-born spirits,

      Speak ye, and I will do it, by that peace

       Which, following the feet of such a Guide,

       From world to world makes itself sought by me."

      And one began: "Each one has confidence

       In thy good offices without an oath,

       Unless the I cannot cut off the I will;

      Whence I, who speak alone before the others,

       Pray thee, if ever thou dost see the land

       That 'twixt Romagna lies and that of Charles,

      Thou be so courteous to me of thy prayers

       In Fano, that they pray for me devoutly,

       That I may purge away my grave offences.

      From thence was I; but the deep wounds, through which

       Issued the blood wherein I had my seat,

       Were dealt me in bosom of the Antenori,

      There where I thought to be the most secure;

       'Twas he of Este had it done, who held me

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