| INFERNO CANTO 22 |
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|
INFERNO CANTO 22 |
| Io vidi già cavalier muover campo, |
22.1 |
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Before this I've seen horsemen start to march |
| e cominciare stormo e far lor mostra, |
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and open the assault and muster ranks |
| e talvolta partir per loro scampo; |
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and seen them, too, at times beat their retreat; |
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| corridor vidi per la terra vostra, |
22.4 |
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and on your land, o Aretines, I've seen |
| o Aretini, e vidi gir gualdane, |
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rangers and raiding parties galloping, |
| fedir torneamenti e correr giostra; |
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the clash of tournaments, the rush of jousts, |
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| quando con trombe, e quando con campane, |
22.7 |
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now done with trumpets, now with bells, and now |
| con tamburi e con cenni di castella, |
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with drums, and now with signs from castle walls, |
| e con cose nostrali e con istrane; |
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with native things and with imported ware; |
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| né già con sì diversa cennamella |
22.10 |
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but never yet have I seen horsemen or |
| cavalier vidi muover né pedoni, |
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seen infantry or ship that sails by signal |
| né nave a segno di terra o di stella. |
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of land or star move to so strange a bugle! |
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| Noi andavam con li diece demoni. |
22.13 |
I |
We made our way together with ten demons: |
| Ahi fiera compagnia! ma ne la
chiesa
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C |
ah, what ferocious company! And yet |
| coi santi, e in taverna coi ghiottoni. |
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"in church with saints, with rotters in the tavern." |
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| Pur a la pegola era la mia 'ntesa, |
22.16 |
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But I was all intent upon the pitch, |
| per veder de la bolgia ogne contegno |
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to seek out every feature of the pouch |
| e de la gente ch'entro v'era incesa. |
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and of the people who were burning in it. |
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| Come i dalfini, quando fanno segno |
22.19 |
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Just as the dolphins do, when with arched back, |
| a' marinar con l'arco de la schiena |
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they signal to the seamen to prepare |
| che s'argomentin di campar lor legno, |
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for tempest, that their vessel may be spared, |
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| talor così, ad alleggiar la pena, |
22.22 |
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so here from time to time, to ease his torment, |
| mostrav' alcun de' peccatori 'l dosso |
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some sinner showed his back above the surface, |
| e nascondea in men che non balena. |
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then hid more quickly than a lightning flash. |
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| E come a l'orlo de l'acqua d'un fosso |
22.25 |
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And just as on the margin of a ditch, |
| stanno i ranocchi pur col muso fuori, |
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frogs crouch, their snouts alone above the water, |
| sì che celano i piedi e l'altro grosso, |
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so as to hide their feet and their plump flesh, |
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| sì stavan d'ogne parte i peccatori; |
22.28 |
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so here on every side these sinners crouched; |
| ma come s'appressava Barbariccia,
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C |
but faster than a flash, when Barbariccia |
| così si ritraén sotto i bollori. |
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drew near, they plunged beneath the boiling pitch. |
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| I' vidi, e anco il cor me n'accapriccia, |
22.31 |
|
I saw-my heart still shudders in recall- |
| uno aspettar così, com' elli 'ncontra |
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one who delayed, just as at times a frog |
| ch'una rana rimane e l'altra spiccia; |
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is left behind while others dive below; |
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| e Graffiacan, che li era più di
contra,
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22.34 |
C |
and Graffiacane, who was closest to him, |
| li arruncigliò le 'mpegolate chiome |
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then hooked him by his pitch entangled locks |
| e trassel sù, che mi parve una lontra. |
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and hauled him up; he seemed to me an otter. |
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| I' sapea già di tutti quanti 'l nome, |
22.37 |
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By now I knew the names of all those demons- |
| sì li notai quando fuorono eletti, |
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I'd paid attention when the fiends were chosen; |
| e poi ch'e' si chiamaro, attesi come. |
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I'd watched as they stepped forward one by one. |
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| "O Rubicante, fa che tu li metti
|
22.40 |
C |
"O Rubicante, see you set your talons |
| li unghioni a dosso, sì che tu lo scuoi!" |
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right into him, so you can flay his flesh!" |
| gridavan tutti insieme i maladetti. |
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So did those cursed ones cry out together. |
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| E io: "Maestro mio, fa, se tu puoi, |
22.43 |
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And I: "My master, if you can, find out |
| che tu sappi chi è lo sciagurato
|
|
PE |
what is the name of that unfortunate |
| venuto a man de li avversari suoi." |
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who's fallen victim to his enemies." |
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| Lo duca mio li s'accostò allato; |
22.46 |
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My guide, who then drew near that sinner's side, |
| domandollo ond' ei fosse, e quei rispuose: |
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asked him to tell his birthplace. He replied: |
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"I' fui del regno di Navarra nato.
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PEPL |
"My homeland was the kingdom of Navarre. |
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| Mia madre a servo d'un segnor mi puose, |
22.49 |
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My mother, who had had me by a wastrel, |
| che m'avea generato d'un ribaldo, |
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destroyer of himself and his possessions, |
| distruggitor di sé e di sue cose. |
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had placed me in the service of a lord. |
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| Poi fui famiglia del buon re
Tebaldo;
|
22.52 |
PE |
Then I was in the household of the worthy |
| quivi mi misi a far baratteria, |
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King Thibault; there I started taking graft; |
| di ch'io rendo ragione in questo caldo." |
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with this heat I pay reckoning for that." |
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| E Cirïatto, a cui di bocca uscia
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22.55 |
C |
And Ciriatto, from whose mouth there bulged |
| d'ogne parte una sanna come a porco, |
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to right and left two tusks like a wild hog's, |
| li fé sentir come l'una sdruscia. |
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then let him feel how one of them could mangle. |
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| Tra male gatte era venuto 'l sorco; |
22.58 |
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The mouse had fallen in with evil cats; |
| ma Barbariccia il chiuse con le
braccia
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C |
but Barbariccia clasped him in his arms |
| e disse: "State in là, mentr' io lo 'nforco." |
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and said: "Stand off there, while I fork him fast." |
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| E al maestro mio volse la faccia; |
22.61 |
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And turning toward my master then, he said: |
| "Domanda," disse, "ancor, se più disii |
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"Ask on, if you would learn some more from him |
| saper da lui, prima ch'altri 'l disfaccia." |
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before one of the others does him in." |
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| Lo duca dunque: "Or dì: de li altri rii |
22.64 |
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At which my guide: "Now tell: among the sinners |
| conosci tu alcun che sia latino |
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who hide beneath the pitch, are any others |
| sotto la pece?" E quelli: "I' mi partii, |
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Italian?" And he: "I have just left |
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| poco è, da un che fu di là vicino. |
22.67 |
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one who was nearby there; and would I were |
| Così foss' io ancor con lui coperto, |
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still covered by the pitch as he is hidden, |
| ch'i' non temerei unghia né uncino!" |
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for then I'd have no fear of hook or talon." |
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| E Libicocco "Troppo avem
sofferto,"
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22.70 |
C |
And Libicocco said, "We've been too patient!" |
| disse; e preseli 'l braccio col runciglio, |
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and, with his grapple, grabbed him by the arm |
| sì che, stracciando, ne portò un lacerto. |
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and, ripping, carried off a hunk of flesh. |
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Draghignazzo anco i volle dar di piglio
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22.73 |
C |
But Draghignazzo also looked as if |
| giuso a le gambe; onde 'l decurio loro |
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to grab his legs; at which, their captain wheeled |
| si volse intorno intorno con mal piglio. |
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and threatened all of them with raging looks. |
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| Quand' elli un poco rappaciati fuoro, |
22.76 |
I |
When they'd grown somewhat less tumultuous, |
| a lui, ch'ancor mirava sua ferita, |
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without delay my guide asked of that one |
| domandò 'l duca mio sanza dimoro: |
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who had his eyes still fixed upon his wound: |
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| "Chi fu colui da cui mala partita |
22.79 |
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"Who was the one you left to come ashore- |
| di' che facesti per venire a proda?" |
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unluckily-as you just said before?" |
| Ed ei rispuose: "Fu frate Gomita,
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PE |
He answered: "Fra Gomita of Gallura, |
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quel di Gallura, vasel d'ogne froda,
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22.82 |
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who was a vessel fit for every fraud; |
| ch'ebbe i nemici di suo donno in mano, |
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he had his master's enemies in hand, |
| e fé sì lor, che ciascun se ne loda. |
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but handled them in ways that pleased them all. |
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| Danar si tolse e lasciolli di piano, |
22.85 |
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He took their gold and smoothly let them off, |
| sì com' e' dice; e ne li altri offici anche |
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as he himself says; and in other matters, |
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barattier fu non picciol, ma sovrano.
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PE |
he was a sovereign, not a petty, swindler. |
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| Usa con esso donno Michel Zanche
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22.88 |
PE |
His comrade there is Don Michele Zanche |
| di Logodoro; e a dir di Sardigna
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PL |
of Logodoro; and their tongues are never |
| le lingue lor non si sentono stanche. |
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too tired to talk of their Sardinia. |
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| Omè, vedete l'altro che digrigna; |
22.91 |
I |
Ah me, see that one there who grinds his teeth! |
| i' direi anche, ma i' temo ch'ello |
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If I were not afraid, I'd speak some more, |
| non s'apparecchi a grattarmi la tigna." |
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but he is getting set to scratch my scurf." |
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| E 'l gran proposto, vòlto a Farfarello
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22.94 |
C |
And their great marshal, facing Farfarello- |
| che stralunava li occhi per fedire, |
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who was so hot to strike he rolled his eyes, |
| disse: "Fatti 'n costà, malvagio uccello!"
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said: "Get away from there, you filthy bird!" |
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| "Se voi volete vedere o udire," |
22.97 |
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"If you perhaps would like to see or hear," |
| ricominciò lo spaürato appresso, |
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that sinner, terrified, began again, |
| "Toschi o Lombardi, io ne farò venire; |
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"Lombards or Tuscans, I can fetch you some; |
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| ma stieno i Malebranche un poco
in cesso,
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22.100 |
C |
but let the Malebranche stand aside |
| sì ch'ei non teman de le lor vendette; |
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so that my comrades need not fear their vengeance. |
| e io, seggendo in questo loco stesso, |
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Remaining in this very spot, I shall, |
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| per un ch'io son, ne farò venir sette |
22.103 |
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although alone, make seven more appear |
| quand' io suffolerò, com' è nostro uso |
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when I have whistled, as has been our custom |
| di fare allor che fori alcun si mette." |
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when one of us has managed to get out." |
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Cagnazzo a cotal motto levò 'l muso,
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22.106 |
C |
At that, Cagnazzo lifted up his snout |
| crollando 'l capo, e disse: "Odi malizia |
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and shook his head, and said: "Just listen to |
| ch'elli ha pensata per gittarsi giuso!" |
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that trick by which he thinks he can dive back!" |
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| Ond' ei, ch'avea lacciuoli a gran
divizia,
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22.109 |
PE |
To this, he who was rich in artifice |
| rispuose: "Malizioso son io troppo, |
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replied: "Then I must have too many tricks, |
| quand' io procuro a' mia maggior trestizia." |
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if I bring greater torment to my friends." |
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Alichin non si tenne e, di rintoppo
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22.112 |
C |
This was too much for Alichino and, |
| a li altri, disse a lui: "Se tu ti cali, |
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despite the others, he cried out: "If you |
| io non ti verrò dietro di gualoppo, |
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dive back, I shall not gallop after you |
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| ma batterò sovra la pece l'ali. |
22.115 |
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but beat my wings above the pitch; we'll leave |
| Lascisi 'l collo, e sia la ripa scudo, |
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this height; with the embankment as a screen, |
| a veder se tu sol più di noi vali." |
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we'll see if you-alone-can handle us." |
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| O tu che leggi, udirai nuovo ludo: |
22.118 |
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O you who read, hear now of this new sport: |
| ciascun da l'altra costa li occhi volse, |
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each turned his eyes upon the other shore, |
| quel prima, ch'a ciò fare era più crudo. |
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he first who'd been most hesitant before. |
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Lo Navarrese ben suo tempo colse;
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22.121 |
PE |
The Navarrese, in nick of time, had planted |
| fermò le piante a terra, e in un punto |
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his feet upon the ground; then in an instant |
| saltò e dal proposto lor si sciolse. |
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he jumped and freed himself from their commander. |
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| Di che ciascun di colpa fu compunto, |
22.124 |
I |
At this each demon felt the prick of guilt, |
| ma quei più che cagion fu del difetto; |
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and most, he who had led his band to blunder; |
| però si mosse e gridò: "Tu se' giunto!" |
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so he took off and shouted: "You are caught!" |
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| Ma poco i valse: ché l'ali al sospetto |
22.127 |
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But this could help him little; wings were not |
| non potero avanzar; quelli andò sotto, |
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more fast than fear; the sinner plunged right under; |
| e quei drizzò volando suso il petto: |
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the other, flying up, lifted his chest: |
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| non altrimenti l'anitra di botto, |
22.130 |
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not otherwise the wild duck when it plunges |
| quando 'l falcon s'appressa, giù s'attuffa, |
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precipitously, when the falcon nears |
| ed ei ritorna sù crucciato e rotto. |
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and then-exhausted, thwarted-flies back up. |
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Irato Calcabrina de la buffa,
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22.133 |
C |
But Calcabrina, raging at the trick, |
| volando dietro li tenne, invaghito |
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flew after Alichino; he was keen |
| che quei campasse per aver la zuffa; |
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to see the sinner free and have a brawl; |
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| e come 'l barattier fu disparito,
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22.136 |
PE |
and once the Navarrese had disappeared, |
| così volse li artigli al suo compagno, |
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he turned his talons on his fellow demon |
| e fu con lui sopra 'l fosso ghermito. |
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and tangled with him just above the ditch. |
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| Ma l'altro fu bene sparvier grifagno |
22.139 |
C |
But Alichino clawed him well-he was |
| ad artigliar ben lui, e amendue |
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indeed a full-grown kestrel; and both fell |
| cadder nel mezzo del bogliente stagno. |
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into the middle of the boiling pond. |
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| Lo caldo sghermitor sùbito fue; |
22.142 |
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The heat was quick to disentangle them, |
| ma però di levarsi era neente, |
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but still there was no way they could get out; |
| sì avieno inviscate l'ali sue. |
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their wings were stuck, enmeshed in glue-like pitch. |
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Barbariccia, con li altri suoi dolente,
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22.145 |
C |
And Barbariccia, grieving with the rest, |
| quattro ne fé volar da l'altra costa |
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sent four to fly out toward the other shore |
| con tutt' i raffi, e assai prestamente |
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with all their forks, and speedily enough |
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| di qua, di là discesero a la posta; |
22.148 |
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on this side and on that they took their posts; |
| porser li uncini verso li 'mpaniati, |
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and toward those two-stuck fast, already cooked |
| ch'eran già cotti dentro da la crosta. |
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beneath that crust-they stretched their grappling
hooks.
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| E noi lasciammo lor così 'mpacciati. |
22.151 |
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We left them still contending with that mess. |
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