And tow'rds us there were heard to fly, albeit Unto Love's table courteous invitations. 25 30 Because of distance, passed another, crying, "I am Orestes!" and it also stayed not. "O," said I, "Father, these, what voices are they?" And even as I asked, behold the third, 35 Saying: "Love those from whom ye have had evil!" And the good Master said: "This circle scourges The sin of envy, and on that account Are drawn from love the lashes of the scourge. The bridle of another sound shall be ; I think that thou wilt hear it, as I judge, Before thou comest to the Pass of Pardon. 40 But fix thine eyes athwart the air right steadfast, I looked before me, and saw shades with mantles And when we were a little farther onward, A man so hard, that he would not be pierced 50 For when I had approached so near to them Stand at the doors of churches asking alms, So that in others pity soon may rise, Not only at the accent of their words, But at their aspect, which no less implores. And as unto the blind the sun comes not, So to the shades, of whom just now I spake, Heaven's light will not be bounteous of itself; For all their lids an iron wire transpierces, And sews them up, as to a sparhawk wild 55 60 65 70 75 Seeing the others without being seen; Wherefore I turned me to my counsel sage. Well knew he what the mute one wished to say, And therefore waited not for my demand, But said: "Speak, and be brief, and to the point." I had Virgilius upon that side Of the embankment from which one may fall, 80 Since by no border 't is engarlanded; Upon the other side of me I had The shades devout, who through the horrible seam Pressed out the tears so that they bathed their cheeks. To them I turned me, and, "O people, certain," 85 Began I, "of beholding the high light, Which your desire has solely in its care, So may grace speedily dissolve the scum Through them descend the river of the mind, If any soul among you here is Latian, 90 And 't will perchance be good for him I learn it." "O brother mine, each one is citizen Of one true city; but thy meaning is, In aspect, and should any one ask how, 95 100 Make thyself known to me by place or name." 105 "Sienese was I," it replied, "and with The others here recleanse my guilty life, Weeping to Him to lend himself to us. Sapient I was not, although I Sapìa Was called, and I was at another's harm 110 More happy far than at my own good fortune. And that thou mayst not think that I deceive thee, Hear if I was as foolish as I tell thee. The arc already of my years descending, My fellow-citizens near unto Colle Were joined in battle with their adversaries, And I was praying God for what he willed. Crying to God, 'Henceforth I fear thee not,' Of my existence, and as yet would not My debt have been by penitence discharged, Had it not been that in remembrance held me Pier Pettignano in his holy prayers, Who out of charity was grieved for me. But who art thou, that into our conditions 115 120 125 130 Questioning goest, and hast thine eyes unbound As I believe, and breathing dost discourse?" "Mine eyes," I said, "will yet be here ta'en from me, But for short space; for small is the offence Committed by their being turned with envy. Far greater is the fear, wherein suspended My soul is, of the torment underneath, 135 For even now the load down there weighs on me.” And she to me: "Who led thee, then, among us Up here, if to return below thou thinkest?" And I: "He who is with me, and speaks not; And living am I; therefore ask of me, Spirit elect, if thou wouldst have me move 140 “O, this is such a novel thing to hear," 145 She answered, "that great sign it is God loves thee; Therefore with prayer of thine sometimes assist me. And I implore, by what thou most desirest, If e'er thou treadest the soil of Tuscany, Well with my kindred reinstate my fame. Them wilt thou see among that people vain Who hope in Talamone, and will lose there More hope than in discovering the Diana; But there still more the admir ls will lose." 150 "WH CANTO XIV. THO is this one that goes about our mountain, Orever Death has given him power of flight, And opes his eyes and shuts them at his will?” "I know not who, but know he's not alone; 5 ΤΟ [us Whence comest and who art thou; for thou mak'st E 15 |