There by that execrable race was I Released from bonds of the fallacious world, 145 CANTO XVI. THOU our poor nobility of blood, If thou dost make the people glory in thee Down here where our affection languisheth, A marvellous thing it ne'er will be to me; For there where appetite is not perverted, I say in Heaven, of thee I made a boast! Truly thou art a cloak that quickly shortens, So that unless we piece thee day by day Time goeth round about thee with his shears! With You, which Rome was first to tolerate, (Wherein her family less perseveres,) Yet once again my words beginning made; So many rivulets with gladness fill My mind, that of itself it makes a joy 5 ΤΟ 15 20 Then tell me, my beloved root ancestral, Who were your ancestors, and what the years How large it was, and who the people were Quickens to flame, so I beheld that light "From uttering of the Ave, till the birth In which my mother, who is now a saint, Of me was lightened who had been her burden, Unto its Lion had this fire returned Five hundred fifty times and thirty more, To reinflame itself beneath his paw. My ancestors and I our birthplace had Where first is found the last ward of the city By him who runneth in your annual game. Suffice it of my elders to hear this; 25 30 35 40 But who they were, and whence they thither came, Silence is more considerate than speech. All those who at that time were there between Mars and the Baptist, fit for bearing arms, Were a fifth part of those who now are living; But the community, that now is mixed With Campi and Certaldo and Figghine, Pure in the lowest artisan was seen. 45 50 O how much better 't were to have as neighbors Than have them in the town, and bear the stench 55 The Cerchi in the parish of Acone, Perhaps in Valdigrieve the Buondelmonti. Has been the source of malady in cities, Better and more a single sword than five. If Luni thou regard, and Urbisaglia, 60 65 70 How they have passed away, and how are passing Chiusi and Sinigaglia after them, To hear how races waste themselves away, Will seem to thee no novel thing nor hard, All things of yours have their mortality, Even as yourselves; but it is hidden in some 75 80 And as the turning of the lunar heaven Covers and bares the shores without a pause, In the like manner fortune doth with Florence. Therefore should not appear a marvellous thing 85 What I shall say of the great Florentines Of whom the fame is hidden in the Past. I saw the Ughi, saw the Catellini, Filippi, Greci, Ormanni, and Alberichi, With a new felony of so much weight The County Guido, and whoe'er the name Already, and already Galigajo Had hilt and pommel gilded in his house. Mighty already was the Column Vair, Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifant, and Barucci, 90 95 100 And Galli, and they who for the bushel blush. 105 The stock from which were the Calfucci born Was great already, and already chosen O how beheld I those who are undone By their own pride! and how the Balls of Gold 110 Florence enflowered in all their mighty deeds! So likewise did the ancestors of those Who evermore, when vacant is your church, The insolent race, that like a dragon follows So that it pleased not Ubertin Donato That his wife's father should make him their kin. Already had Caponsacco to the Market From Fesole descended, and already Giuda and Infangato were good burghers. I'll tell a thing incredible, but true; 115 120 125 130 One entered the small circuit by a gate Which from the Della Pera took its name! Each one that bears the beautiful escutcheon Of the great baron whose renown and name The festival of Thomas keepeth fresh, Knighthood and privilege from him received; Though with the populace unites himself To-day the man who binds it with a border. Already were Gualterotti and Importuni; And still more quiet would the Borgo be If with new neighbors it remained unfed. The house from which is born your lamentation, Through just disdain that death among you brought And put an end unto your joyous life, Was honored in itself and its companions. O Buondelmonte, how in evil hour Thou fled'st the bridal at another's promptings! 135 140 |