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Come after me, and let the people talk;
Stand like a steadfast tower, that never wags
Its summit for the blowing of the winds;
Forevermore the man in whom is springing [mark,
Thought upon thought, removes from him the
Because the force of one the other weakens."
What could I say in answer but "I come"?

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I said it somewhat with that color 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

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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 cognizant."
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 honor, it may profit them."
Vapors enkindled saw I ne'er so swiftly

At early nightfall cleave the air serene,

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

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But upward they returned in briefer time,

And, on arriving, with the others wheeled

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

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"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

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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

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Which, following the feet of such a Guide, From world to world makes itself sought by me." And one began: "Each one hath 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.

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From thence was I; but the deep wounds, through
Issued the blood wherein I had my seat, [which
Were dealt me in bosom of the Antenori,
There where I thought to be the most secure ;

'T was he of Este had it done, who held me
In hatred far beyond what justice willed.
But if towards the Mira I had fled,

When I was overtaken at Oriaco,

I still should be o'er yonder where men breathe.

I ran to the lagoon, and reeds and mire

Did so entangle me I fell, and saw there

A lake made from my veins upon the ground."

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Then said another : Ah, be that desire

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Fulfilled that draws thee to the lofty mountain,
As thou with pious pity aidest mine.
I was of Montefeltro, and am Buonconte;
Giovanna, nor none other cares for me;
Hence among these I go with downcast front." „
And I to him: "What violence or what chance
Led thee astray so far from Campaldino,
That never has thy sepulture been known?"
'Oh," he replied, "at Casentino's foot

A river crosses named Archiano, born
Above the Hermitage in Apennine.

There where the name thereof becometh void

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Did I arrive, pierced through and through the throat,
Fleeing on foot, and bloodying the plain;

There my sight lost I, and my utterance
Did in the name of Mary end, and there
I fell, and tenantless my flesh remained.

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Truth will I speak, repeat it to the living;

God's Angel took me up, and he of hell [me? Shouted: 'O thou from heaven, why dost thou rob Thou bearest away the eternal part of him,

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For one poor little tear, that takes him from me; But with the rest I'll deal in other fashion!' Well knowest thou how in the air is gathered That humid vapor which to water turns, Soon as it rises where the cold doth grasp it. He joined that evil will, which aye seeks evil,

To intellect, and moved the mist and wind.

By means of power, which his own nature gave; Thereafter, when the day was spent, the valley 115 From Pratomagno to the great yoke covered With fog, and made the heaven above intent, So that the pregnant air to water changed; Down fell the rain, and to the gullies came Whate'er of it earth tolerated not; And as it mingled with the mighty torrents, Towards the royal river with such speed It headlong rushed, that nothing held it back. My frozen body near unto its outlet

The robust Archian found, and into Arno

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Thrust it, and loosened from my breast the cross

I made of me, when agony o'ercame me;

It rolled me on the banks and on the bottom; Then with its booty covered and begirt me." "Ah, when thou hast returned unto the world, 130 And rested thee from thy long journeying,"

After the second followed the third spirit,

"Do thou remember me who am the Pia;
Siena made me, unmade me Maremma;
He knoweth it, who had encircled first,
Espousing me, my finger with his gem."

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WH

CANTO VI.

HENE'ER is broken up the game of Zara, He who has lost remains behind despondent, The throws repeating, and in sadness learns; The people with the other all depart ;

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One goes in front, and one behind doth pluck him, And at his side one brings himself to mind; He pauses not, and this and that one hears; They crowd no more to whom his hand he stretches, And from the strong he thus defends himself. Even such was I in that dense multitude,

Turning to them this way and that my face, And, promising, I freed myself therefrom. There was the Aretine, who from the arms

ΙΟ

Untamed of Ghin di Tacco had his death, And he who fleeing from pursuit was drowned. 15 There was imploring with his hands outstretched Frederick Novello, and that one of Pisa

Who made the good Marzucco seem so strong. I saw Count Orso; and the soul divided By hatred and by envy from its body, As it declared, and not for crime committed;

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