PURGATORIO CANTO 30 |
|
|
PURGATORIO CANTO 30 |
Quando il settentrïon del primo cielo, |
30.1 |
I |
When the first heaven’s Seven-Stars had halted |
che né occaso mai seppe né orto |
|
|
(those stars that never rise or set, that are |
né d'altra nebbia che di colpa velo, |
|
|
not veiled except when sin beclouds our vision; |
|
|
|
|
e che faceva lì ciascuno accorto |
30.4 |
|
those stars that, there, made everyone aware |
di suo dover, come 'l più basso face |
|
|
of what his duty was, just as the Bear |
qual temon gira per venire a porto, |
|
|
below brings helmsmen home to harbor), then |
|
|
|
|
fermo s'affisse: la gente verace,N
24 Books of the Old Testament
|
30.7 |
|
the truthful band that had come first between |
venuta prima tra 'l grifone ed esso,
|
|
C |
the griffin and the Seven-Stars turned toward |
al carro volse sé come a sua pace; |
|
|
that chariot as toward their peace, and one |
|
|
|
|
e un di loro, quasi da ciel messo, |
30.10 |
|
of them, as if sent down from Heaven, hymned |
"Veni, sponsa, de Libano" cantando
|
|
M |
aloud, “Veni, sponsa, de Libano,” |
gridò tre volte, e tutti li altri appresso. |
|
|
three times, and all the others echoed him. |
|
|
|
|
Quali i beati al novissimo bandoN
The Last Judgment
|
30.13 |
|
Just as the blessed, at the Final Summons, |
surgeran presti ognun di sua caverna, |
|
|
will rise up—ready—each out of his grave, |
la revestita voce alleluiando, |
|
|
singing, with new-clothed voices, Alleluia, |
|
|
|
|
cotali in su la divina basterna |
30.16 |
|
so, from the godly chariot, eternal |
si levar cento, ad vocem tanti senis, |
|
|
life’s messengers and ministers arose: |
ministri e messagger di vita etterna. |
|
|
one hundred stood ad vocem tanti senis. |
|
|
|
|
Tutti dicean: "Benedictus qui venis!" |
30.19 |
|
All of them cried: “Benedictus qui venis,” |
e fior gittando e di sopra e dintorno, |
|
|
and, scattering flowers upward and around, |
"Manibus, oh, date lilïa plenis!" |
|
|
“Manibus, oh, date lilia plenis.” |
|
|
|
|
Io vidi già nel cominciar del giorno |
30.22 |
|
I have at times seen all the eastern sky |
la parte orïental tutta rosata, |
|
|
becoming rose as day began and seen, |
e l'altro ciel di bel sereno addorno; |
|
|
adorned in lovely blue, the rest of heaven; |
|
|
|
|
e la faccia del sol nascere ombrata, |
30.25 |
|
and seen the sun’s face rise so veiled that it |
sì che per temperanza di vapori |
|
|
was tempered by the mist and could permit |
l'occhio la sostenea lunga fïata: |
|
|
the eye to look at length upon it; so, |
|
|
|
|
così dentro una nuvola di fiori |
30.28 |
I |
within a cloud of flowers that were cast |
che da le mani angeliche saliva |
|
|
by the angelic hands and then rose up |
e ricadeva in giù dentro e di fori, |
|
|
and then fell back, outside and in the chariot, |
|
|
|
|
sovra candido vel cinta d'uliva |
30.31 |
|
a woman showed herself to me; above |
donna m'apparve, sotto verde manto
|
|
PE |
a white veil, she was crowned with olive boughs; |
vestita di color di fiamma viva.
|
|
|
her cape was green; her dress beneath, flame-red. |
|
|
|
|
E lo spirito mio, che già cotanto |
30.34 |
|
Within her presence, I had once been used |
tempo era stato ch'a la sua presenza |
|
|
to feeling—trembling—wonder, dissolution; |
non era di stupor, tremando, affranto, |
|
|
but that was long ago. Still, though my soul, |
|
|
|
|
sanza de li occhi aver più conoscenza, |
30.37 |
|
now she was veiled, could not see her directly, |
per occulta virtù che da lei mosse, |
|
|
by way of hidden force that she could move, |
d'antico amor sentì la gran potenza. |
|
|
I felt the mighty power of old love. |
|
|
|
|
Tosto che ne la vista mi percosse |
30.40 |
|
As soon as that deep force had struck my vision |
l'alta virtù che già m'avea trafitto |
|
|
(the power that, when I had not yet left |
prima ch'io fuor di püerizia fosse, |
|
|
my boyhood, had already transfixed me), |
|
|
|
|
volsimi a la sinistra col respitto |
30.43 |
|
I turned around and to my left—just as |
col quale il fantolin corre a la mamma |
|
|
a little child, afraid or in distress, |
quando ha paura o quando elli è afflitto, |
|
|
will hurry to his mother—anxiously, |
|
|
|
|
per dicere a Virgilio: "Men che dramma
|
30.46 |
PE |
to say to Virgil: “I am left with less |
di sangue m'è rimaso che non tremi: |
|
|
than one drop of my blood that does not tremble: |
conosco i segni de l'antica fiamma." |
|
|
I recognize the signs of the old flame.” |
|
|
|
|
Ma Virgilio n'avea lasciati scemi
|
30.49 |
PE |
But Virgil had deprived us of himself, |
di sé, Virgilio dolcissimo patre,
|
|
PE |
Virgil, the gentlest father, Virgil, he |
Virgilio a cui per mia salute die'mi;
|
|
PE |
to whom I gave my self for my salvation; |
|
|
|
|
né quantunque perdeo l'antica matre,
|
30.52 |
PE |
and even all our ancient mother lost |
valse a le guance nette di rugiada |
|
|
was not enough to keep my cheeks, though washed |
che, lagrimando, non tornasser atre. |
|
|
with dew, from darkening again with tears. |
|
|
|
|
"Dante, perché Virgilio se ne vada,
|
30.55 |
IPE |
“Dante, though Virgil’s leaving you, do not |
non pianger anco, non piangere ancora; |
|
|
yet weep, do not weep yet; you’ll need your tears |
ché pianger ti conven per altra spada." |
|
|
for what another sword must yet inflict.” |
|
|
|
|
Quasi ammiraglio che in poppa e in prora |
30.58 |
|
Just like an admiral who goes to stern |
viene a veder la gente che ministra |
|
|
and prow to see the officers who guide |
per li altri legni, e a ben far l'incora; |
|
|
the other ships, encouraging their tasks; |
|
|
|
|
in su la sponda del carro sinistra, |
30.61 |
|
so, on the left side of the chariot |
quando mi volsi al suon del nome mio, |
|
|
(I’d turned around when I had heard my name— |
che di necessità qui si registra, |
|
|
which, of necessity, I transcribe here), |
|
|
|
|
vidi la donna che pria m'appario |
30.64 |
PE |
I saw the lady who had first appeared |
velata sotto l'angelica festa,
|
|
|
to me beneath the veils of the angelic |
drizzar li occhi ver' me di qua dal rio. |
|
|
flowers look at me across the stream. |
|
|
|
|
Tutto che 'l vel che le scendea di testa, |
30.67 |
|
Although the veil she wore—down from her head, |
cerchiato de le fronde di Minerva,
|
|
D |
which was encircled by Minerva’s leaves— |
non la lasciasse parer manifesta, |
|
|
did not allow her to be seen distinctly, |
|
|
|
|
regalmente ne l'atto ancor proterva |
30.70 |
|
her stance still regal and disdainful, she |
continüò come colui che dice |
|
|
continued, just as one who speaks but keeps |
e 'l più caldo parlar dietro reserva: |
|
|
until the end the fiercest parts of speech: |
|
|
|
|
"Guardaci ben! Ben son, ben son Beatrice. |
30.73 |
PE |
“Look here! For I am Beatrice, I am! |
Come degnasti d'accedere al monte? |
|
|
How were you able to ascend the mountain? |
non sapei tu che qui è l'uom felice?" |
|
|
Did you not know that man is happy here?” |
|
|
|
|
Li occhi mi cadder giù nel chiaro fonte;
|
30.76 |
PL |
My lowered eyes caught sight of the clear stream, |
ma veggendomi in esso, i trassi a l'erba, |
|
|
but when I saw myself reflected there, |
tanta vergogna mi gravò la fronte. |
|
|
such shame weighed on my brow, my eyes drew back |
|
|
|
|
Così la madre al figlio par superba, |
30.79 |
|
and toward the grass; just as a mother seems |
com' ella parve a me; perché d'amaro |
|
|
harsh to her child, so did she seem to me— |
sente il sapor de la pietade acerba. |
|
|
how bitter is the savor of stern pity! |
|
|
|
|
Ella si tacque; e li angeli cantaro
|
30.82 |
C |
Her words were done. The angels—suddenly— |
di sùbito "In te, Domine, speravi";
|
|
M |
sang, “In te, Domine, speravi”; but |
ma oltre "pedes meos" non passaro. |
|
|
their singing did not go past “pedes meos.” |
|
|
|
|
Sì come neve tra le vive travi |
30.85 |
|
Even as snow among the sap-filled trees |
per lo dosso d'Italia si congela, |
|
|
along the spine of Italy will freeze |
soffiata e stretta da li venti schiavi, |
|
|
when gripped by gusts of the Slavonian winds, |
|
|
|
|
poi, liquefatta, in sé stessa trapela, |
30.88 |
|
then, as it melts, will trickle through itself— |
pur che la terra che perde ombra spiri, |
|
|
that is, if winds breathe north from shade-less lands— |
sì che par foco fonder la candela; |
|
|
just as, beneath the flame, the candle melts; |
|
|
|
|
così fui sanza lagrime e sospiri |
30.91 |
|
so I, before I’d heard the song of those |
anzi 'l cantar di quei che notan sempre |
|
|
whose notes always accompany the notes |
dietro a le note de li etterni giri; |
|
|
of the eternal spheres, was without tears |
|
|
|
|
ma poi che 'ntesi ne le dolci tempre |
30.94 |
|
and sighs; but when I heard the sympathy |
lor compartire a me, par che se detto |
|
|
for me within their gentle harmonies, |
avesser: "Donna, perché sì lo stempre?" |
|
|
as if they’d said: “Lady, why shame him so?”— |
|
|
|
|
lo gel che m'era intorno al cor ristretto, |
30.97 |
|
then did the ice that had restrained my heart |
spirito e acqua fessi, e con angoscia |
|
|
become water and breath; and from my breast |
de la bocca e de li occhi uscì del petto. |
|
|
and through my lips and eyes they issued—anguished. |
|
|
|
|
Ella, pur ferma in su la detta coscia |
30.100 |
I |
Still standing motionless upon the left |
del carro stando, a le sustanze pie |
|
C |
side of the chariot, she then addressed |
volse le sue parole così poscia: |
|
|
the angels who had been compassionate: |
|
|
|
|
"Voi vigilate ne l'etterno die, |
30.103 |
|
“You are awake in never-ending day, |
sì che notte né sonno a voi non fura |
|
|
and neither night nor sleep can steal from you |
passo che faccia il secol per sue vie; |
|
|
one step the world would take along its way; |
|
|
|
|
onde la mia risposta è con più cura |
30.106 |
|
therefore, I’m more concerned that my reply |
che m'intenda colui che di là piagne, |
|
|
be understood by him who weeps beyond, |
perché sia colpa e duol d'una misura. |
|
|
so that his sorrow’s measure match his sin. |
|
|
|
|
Non pur per ovra de le rote magne, |
30.109 |
|
Not only through the work of the great spheres— |
che drizzan ciascun seme ad alcun fine |
|
|
which guide each seed to a determined end, |
secondo che le stelle son compagne, |
|
|
depending on what stars are its companions— |
|
|
|
|
ma per larghezza di grazie divine, |
30.112 |
|
but through the bounty of the godly graces, |
che sì alti vapori hanno a lor piova, |
|
|
which shower down from clouds so high that we |
che nostre viste là non van vicine, |
|
|
cannot approach them with our vision, he, |
|
|
|
|
questi fu tal ne la sua vita nova |
30.115 |
|
when young, was such—potentially—that any |
virtüalmente, ch'ogne abito destro |
|
|
propensity innate in him would have |
fatto averebbe in lui mirabil prova. |
|
|
prodigiously succeeded, had he acted. |
|
|
|
|
Ma tanto più maligno e più silvestro |
30.118 |
|
But where the soil has finer vigor, there |
si fa 'l terren col mal seme e non cólto, |
|
|
precisely—when untilled or badly seeded— |
quant' elli ha più di buon vigor terrestro. |
|
|
will that terrain grow wilder and more noxious. |
|
|
|
|
Alcun tempo il sostenni col mio volto: |
30.121 |
|
My countenance sustained him for a while; |
mostrando li occhi giovanetti a lui, |
|
|
showing my youthful eyes to him, I led |
meco il menava in dritta parte vòlto. |
|
|
him with me toward the way of righteousness. |
|
|
|
|
Sì tosto come in su la soglia fui |
30.124 |
|
As soon as I, upon the threshold of |
di mia seconda etade e mutai vita, |
|
|
my second age, had changed my life, he took |
questi si tolse a me, e diessi altrui. |
|
|
himself away from me and followed after |
|
|
|
|
Quando di carne a spirto era salita, |
30.127 |
|
another; when, from flesh to spirit, I |
e bellezza e virtù cresciuta m'era, |
|
|
had risen, and my goodness and my beauty |
fu' io a lui men cara e men gradita; |
|
|
had grown, I was less dear to him, less welcome: |
|
|
|
|
e volse i passi suoi per via non vera, |
30.130 |
|
he turned his footsteps toward an untrue path; |
imagini di ben seguendo false, |
|
|
he followed counterfeits of goodness, which |
che nulla promession rendono intera. |
|
|
will never pay in full what they have promised. |
|
|
|
|
Né l'impetrare ispirazion mi valse, |
30.133 |
|
Nor did the inspirations I received— |
con le quali e in sogno e altrimenti |
|
|
with which, in dream and otherwise, I called |
lo rivocai: sì poco a lui ne calse! |
|
|
him back—help me; he paid so little heed! |
|
|
|
|
Tanto giù cadde, che tutti argomenti |
30.136 |
|
He fell so far there were no other means |
a la salute sua eran già corti, |
|
|
to lead him to salvation, except this: |
fuor che mostrarli le perdute genti. |
|
|
to let him see the people who were lost. |
|
|
|
|
Per questo visitai l'uscio d'i morti, |
30.139 |
|
For this I visited the gateway of |
e a colui che l'ha qua sù condotto,
|
|
PE |
the dead; to him who guided him above |
li preghi miei, piangendo, furon porti. |
|
|
my prayers were offered even as I wept. |
|
|
|
|
Alto fato di Dio sarebbe rotto,
|
30.142 |
D |
The deep design of God would have been broken |
se Letè si passasse e tal vivanda
|
|
PL |
if Lethe had been crossed and he had drunk |
fosse gustata sanza alcuno scotto |
|
|
such waters but had not discharged the debt |
|
|
|
|
di pentimento che lagrime spanda." |
30.145 |
|
of penitence that’s paid when tears are shed.” |
|
|
|
|