The insolent race, that like a dragon follows 115 Already rising was, but from low people; So that it pleased not Ubertin Donato That his wife's father should make him their kin. 120 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; 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; 125 130 And still more quiet would the Borgo be If with new neighbors it remained unfed. 135 The house from which is born your lamentation, Through just disdain that death among you brought The first time that thou camest to the city. But it behoved the mutilated stone 145 Which guards the bridge, that Florence should provide A victim in her latest hour of peace. With all these families, and others with them, That no occasion had she whence to weep; 150 With all these families beheld so just And glorious her people, that the lily Never upon the spear was placed reversed, Nor by division was vermilion made." CANTO XVII. As came to Clymene, to be made certain 5 That first on my account had changed its place. Therefore my Lady said to me: "Send forth 10 To tell thy thirst, that we may give thee drink." "O my beloved tree, (that so dost lift thee, That even as minds terrestrial perceive 15 No triangle containeth two obtuse, So thou beholdest the contingent things Ere in themselves they are, fixing thine eyes Upon the point in which all times are present,) While I was with Virgilius conjoined Upon the mountain that the souls doth heal, And when descending into the dead world, Were spoken to me of my future life Some grievous words; although I feel myself In sooth foursquare against the blows of chance. Thus did I say unto that selfsame light That unto me had spoken before; and even Language responded that paternal love, Except as from the eye, in which 'tis mirrored, Sweet harmony from an organ, comes in sight By reason of his step-dame false and cruel, And soon it shall be done by him who thinks it, In outcry as is usual; but the vengeance Which first the bow of banishment shoots forth. Thou shalt have proof how savoreth of salt The bread of others, and how hard a road 60 And that which most shall weigh upon thy shoulders With which into this valley thou shalt fall; For all ingrate, all mad and impious Will they become against thee; but soon after Shall furnish proof; so 'twill be well for thee Not yet the people are aware of him Through his young age, since only nine years yet 80 Around about him have these wheels revolved. But ere the Gascon cheat the noble Henry, So recognized shall his magnificence 85 Become hereafter, that his enemies Will not have power to keep mute tongues about it. On him rely, and on his benefits; By him shall many people be transformed, 90 and things said he And written in thy mind thou hence shalt bear Incredible to those who shall be present. Then added: "Son, these are the commentaries Yet would I not thy neighbors thou shouldst envy, 95 Because thy life into the future reaches Beyond the punishment of their perfidies." When by its silence showed that sainted soul Being in doubt, some counsel from a person Who seeth, and uprightly wills, and loves: "Well see 1, father mine, how spurreth on The time towards me such a blow to deal me As heaviest is to him who most gives way. Therefore with foresight it is well I arm me, That, if the dearest place be taken from me, I may not lose the others by my songs. 100 105 110 Down through the world of infinite bitterness, And o'er the mountain, from whose beauteous summit And afterward through heaven from light to light, 115 I have learned that which, if I tell again, And if I am a timid friend to truth, I fear lest I may lose my life with those The light in which was smiling my own treasure Or with its own or with another's shame, 120 125 130 'T will leave thereafter, when it is digested. This cry of thine shall do as doth the wind, Which smiteth most the most exalted summits, 135 |