| PURGATORIO CANTO 22 |
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PURGATORIO CANTO 22 |
| Già era l'angel dietro a noi rimaso, |
22.1 |
CI |
The angel now was left behind us, he |
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l'angel che n'avea vòlti al sesto giro,
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who had directed us to the sixth terrace, |
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avendomi dal viso un colpo raso;
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having erased one P that scarred my face; |
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| e quei c'hanno a giustizia lor disiro |
22.4 |
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he had declared that those who longed for justice |
| detto n'avea beati, le sue voci |
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are blessed, and his voice concluded that |
| con 'sitiunt,' sanz'altro, ciò forniro. |
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message with “sitiunt,” without the rest. |
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| E io più lieve che per l'altre foci |
22.7 |
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And while I climbed behind the two swift spirits, |
| m'andava, sì che sanz'alcun labore |
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not laboring at all, for I was lighter |
| seguiva in sù li spiriti veloci; |
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than I had been along the other stairs, |
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| quando Virgilio incominciò: "Amore,
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22.10 |
PE |
Virgil began: “Love that is kindled by |
| acceso di virtù, sempre altro accese, |
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virtue, will, in another, find reply, |
| pur che la fiamma sua paresse fore; |
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as long as that love’s flame appears without; |
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| onde da l'ora che tra noi discese |
22.13 |
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so, from the time when Juvenal, descending |
| nel limbo de lo 'nferno Giovenale,
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PEPL |
among us, in Hell’s Limbo, had made plain |
| che la tua affezion mi fé palese, |
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the fondness that you felt for me, my own |
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| mia benvoglienza inverso te fu quale |
22.16 |
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benevolence toward you has been much richer |
| più strinse mai di non vista persona, |
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than any ever given to a person |
| sì ch'or mi parran corte queste scale. |
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one has not seen; thus, now these stairs seem short. |
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| Ma dimmi, e come amico mi perdona |
22.19 |
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But tell me (and, as friend, forgive me if |
| se troppo sicurtà m'allarga il freno, |
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excessive candor lets my reins relax, |
| e come amico omai meco ragiona: |
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and, as a friend, exchange your words with me): |
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| come poté trovar dentro al tuo seno |
22.22 |
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how was it that you found within your breast |
| loco avarizia, tra cotanto senno |
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a place for avarice, when you possessed |
| di quanto per tua cura fosti pieno?" |
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the wisdom you had nurtured with such care?” |
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| Queste parole Stazio mover fenno
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22.25 |
PE |
These words at first brought something of a smile |
| un poco a riso pria; poscia rispuose: |
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to Statius; then he answered: “Every word |
| "Ogne tuo dir d'amor m'è caro cenno. |
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you speak, to me is a dear sign of love. |
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| Veramente più volte appaion cose |
22.28 |
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Indeed, because true causes are concealed, |
| che danno a dubitar falsa matera |
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we often face deceptive reasoning |
| per le vere ragion che son nascose. |
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and things provoke perplexity in us. |
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| La tua dimanda tuo creder m'avvera |
22.31 |
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Your question makes me sure that you’re convinced— |
| esser ch'i' fossi avaro in l'altra vita, |
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perhaps because my circle was the fifth— |
| forse per quella cerchia dov' io era. |
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that, in the life I once lived, avarice |
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| Or sappi ch'avarizia fu partita |
22.34 |
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had been my sin. Know then that I was far |
| troppo da me, e questa dismisura |
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from avarice—it was my lack of measure |
| migliaia di lunari hanno punita. |
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thousands of months have punished. And if I |
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| E se non fosse ch'io drizzai mia cura, |
22.37 |
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had not corrected my assessment by |
| quand'io intesi là dove tu chiame, |
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my understanding what your verses meant |
| crucciato quasi a l'umana natura: |
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when you, as if enraged by human nature, |
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| 'Per che non reggi tu, o sacra fame |
22.40 |
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exclaimed: ‘Why cannot you, o holy hunger |
| de l'oro, l'appetito de' mortali?', |
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for gold, restrain the appetite of mortals?’— |
| voltando sentirei le giostre grame. |
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I’d now, while rolling weights, know sorry jousts. |
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| Allor m'accorsi che troppo aprir l'ali |
22.43 |
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Then I became aware that hands might open |
| potean le mani a spendere, e pente'mi |
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too wide, like wings, in spending; and of this, |
| così di quel come de li altri mali. |
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as of my other sins, I did repent. |
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| Quanti risurgeran coi crini scemi |
22.46 |
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How many are to rise again with heads |
| per ignoranza,che di questa pecca |
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cropped close, whom ignorance prevents from reaching |
| toglie 'l penter vivendo e ne li stremi! |
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repentance in—and at the end of—life! |
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| E sappie che la colpa che rimbecca |
22.49 |
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And know that when a sin is countered by |
| per dritta opposizione alcun peccato, |
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another fault—directly opposite |
| con esso insieme qui suo verde secca; |
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to it—then, here, both sins see their green wither. |
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però, s'io son tra quella gente stato
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22.52 |
PE |
Thus, I join those who pay for avarice |
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che piange l'avarizia, per purgarmi,
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in my purgation, though what brought me here |
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per lo contrario suo m'è incontrato."
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was prodigality—its opposite.” |
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| "Or quando tu cantasti le crude armi |
22.55 |
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“Now, when you sang the savage wars of those |
| de la doppia trestizia di Giocasta,"
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PE |
twin sorrows of Jocasta,” said the singer |
| disse 'l cantor de' buccolici carmi,
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of the bucolic poems, “it does not seem— |
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| "per quello che Clïò teco lì tasta,
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22.58 |
D |
from those notes struck by you and Clio there— |
| non par che ti facesse ancor fedele |
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that you had yet turned faithful to the faith |
| la fede, sanza qual ben far non basta. |
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without which righteous works do not suffice. |
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| Se così è, qual sole o quai candele |
22.61 |
PE |
If that is so, then what sun or what candles |
| ti stenebraron sì, che tu drizzasti
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drew you from darkness so that, in their wake, |
| poscia di retro al pescator le vele?" |
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you set your sails behind the fisherman?” |
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| Ed elli a lui: "Tu prima m'invïasti |
22.64 |
PE |
And he to him: “You were the first to send me |
| verso Parnaso a ber ne le sue grotte, |
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PL |
to drink within Parnassus’ caves and you, |
| e prima appresso Dio m'alluminasti. |
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D |
the first who, after God, enlightened me. |
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| Facesti come quei che va di notte, |
22.67 |
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You did as he who goes by night and carries |
| che porta il lume dietro e sé non giova,
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the lamp behind him—he is of no help |
| ma dopo sé fa le persone dotte, |
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to his own self but teaches those who follow— |
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| quando dicesti: 'Secol si rinova; |
22.70 |
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when you declared: ‘The ages are renewed; |
| torna giustizia e primo tempo umano, |
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justice and man’s first time on earth return; |
| e progenïe scende da ciel nova.' |
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from Heaven a new progeny descends.’ |
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| Per te poeta fui, per te cristiano: |
22.73 |
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Through you I was a poet and, through you, |
| ma perché veggi mei ciò ch'io disegno, |
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a Christian; but that you may see more plainly, |
| a colorare stenderò la mano. |
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I’ll set my hand to color what I sketch. |
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| Già era 'l mondo tutto quanto pregno |
22.76 |
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Disseminated by the messengers |
| de la vera credenza, seminata |
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of the eternal kingdom, the true faith |
| per li messaggi de l'etteno regno;
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by then had penetrated all the world, |
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| e la parola tua sopra toccata |
22.79 |
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and the new preachers preached in such accord |
| si consonava a' nuovi predicanti; |
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with what you’d said (and I have just repeated), |
| ond'io a visitarli presi usata. |
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that I was drawn into frequenting them. |
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| Vennermi poi parendo tanto santi, |
22.82 |
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Then they appeared to me to be so saintly |
| che, quando Domizian li perseguette,
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that, when Domitian persecuted them, |
| sanza mio lagrimar non fur lor pianti; |
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my own laments accompanied their grief; |
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| e mentre che di là per me si stette, |
22.85 |
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and while I could—as long as I had life— |
| io li sovvenni, e i lor dritti costumi |
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I helped them, and their honest practices |
| fer dispregiare a me tutte altre sette. |
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made me disdainful of all other sects. |
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| E pria ch'io conducessi i Greci a' fiumi |
22.88 |
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Before—within my poem—I’d led the Greeks |
| di Tebe poetando, ebb' io battesmo;
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unto the streams of Thebes, I was baptized; |
| ma per paura chiuso cristian fu'mi,
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but out of fear, I was a secret Christian |
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| lungamente mostrando paganesmo; |
22.91 |
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and, for a long time, showed myself as pagan; |
| e questa tepidezza il quarto cerchio |
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for this halfheartedness, for more than four |
| cerchiar mi fé più che 'l quarto centesmo. |
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centuries, I circled the fourth circle. |
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| Tu dunque, che levato hai il coperchio |
22.94 |
PE |
And now may you, who lifted up the lid |
| che m'ascondeva quanto bene io dico,
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that hid from me the good of which I speak, |
| mentre che del salire avem soverchio, |
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while time is left us as we climb, tell me |
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| dimmi dov' è Terrenzio nostro antico,
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22.97 |
PE |
where is our ancient Terence, and Caecilius |
| Cecilio e Plauto e Varro, se lo sai:
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and Plautus, where is Varius, if you know; |
| dimmi se son dannati, e in qual vico." |
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tell me if they are damned, and in what quarter.” |
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| "Costoro e Persio e io e altri assai,"
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22.100 |
PE |
“All these and Persius, I, and many others,” |
| rispuose il duca mio, "siam con quel Greco |
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my guide replied, “are with that Greek to whom |
| che le Muse lattar più ch'altri mai,
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the Muses gave their gifts in greatest measure. |
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| nel primo cinghio del carcere cieco;
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22.103 |
PL |
Our place is the blind prison, its first circle; |
| spesse fïate ragioniam del monte |
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and there we often talk about the mountain |
| che sempre ha le nutrice nostre seco. |
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where those who were our nurses always dwell. |
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| Euripide v'è nosco e Antifonte,
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22.106 |
PE |
Euripides is with us, Antiphon, |
| Simonide, Agatone e altri piùe
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Simonides, and Agathon, as well |
| Greci che già di lauro ornar la fronte. |
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as many other Greeks who once wore laurel |
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| Quivi si veggion de le genti tue |
22.109 |
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upon their brow; and there—of your own people— |
| Antigone, Deïfile e Argia,
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one sees Antigone, Deiphyle, |
| e Ismene sì trista come fue.
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Ismene, sad still, Argia as she was. |
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| Védeisi quella che mostrò Langia;
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22.112 |
PES |
There one can see the woman who showed Langia, |
| èvvi la figlia di Tiresia, e Teti,
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and there, Tiresias’ daughter; there is Thetis; |
| e con le suore sue Deïdamia."
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and, with her sisters, there, Deidamia.” |
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| Tacevansi ambedue già li poeti, |
22.115 |
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Both poets now were silent, once again |
| di novo attenti a riguardar dintorno, |
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intent on their surroundings—they were free |
| liberi da saliri e da pareti; |
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of stairs and walls; with day’s first four handmaidens |
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| e già le quattro ancelle eran del giorno |
22.118 |
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already left behind, and with the fifth |
| rimase a dietro, e la quinta era al temo, |
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guiding the chariot-pole and lifting it, |
| drizzando pur in sù l'ardente corno, |
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so that its horn of flame rose always higher, |
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| quando il mio duca: "Io credo ch'a lo stremo |
22.121 |
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my master said: “I think it’s time that we |
| le destre spalle volger ne convegna, |
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turn our right shoulders toward the terrace edge, |
| girando il monte come far solemo." |
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circling the mountain in the way we’re used to.” |
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| Così l'usanza fu lì nostra insegna, |
22.124 |
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In this way habit served us as a banner; |
| e prendemmo la via con men sospetto |
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and when we chose that path, our fear was less |
| per l'assentir di quell' anima degna.
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because that worthy soul gave his assent. |
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| Elli givan dinanzi, e io soletto |
22.127 |
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Those two were in the lead; I walked alone, |
| di retro, e ascoltava i lor sermoni, |
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behind them, listening to their colloquy, |
| ch'a poetar mi davano intelletto. |
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which taught me much concerning poetry. |
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| Ma tosto ruppe le dolci ragioni |
22.130 |
I |
But their delightful conversation soon |
| un alber che trovammo in mezza strada, |
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was interrupted by a tree that blocked |
| con pomi a odorar soavi e buoni; |
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our path; its fruits were fine, their scent was sweet, |
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| e come abete in alto si digrada |
22.133 |
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and even as a fir-tree tapers upward |
| di ramo in ramo, così quello in giuso, |
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from branch to branch, that tree there tapered downward, |
| cred' io, perché persona sù non vada. |
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so as—I think—to ward off any climber. |
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| Dal lato onde 'l cammin nostro era chiuso, |
22.136 |
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Upon our left, where wall enclosed our path, |
| cadea de l'alta roccia un liquor chiaro |
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bright running water fell from the high rock |
| e si spandeva per le foglie suso. |
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and spread itself upon the leaves above. |
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| Li due poeti a l'alber s'appressaro; |
22.139 |
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When the two poets had approached the tree, |
| e una voce per entro le fronde |
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a voice emerging from within the leaves |
| gridò: "Di questo cibo avrete caro." |
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cried out: “This food shall be denied to you.” |
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| Poi disse: "Più pensava Maria onde |
22.142 |
PE |
Then it cried: “Mary’s care was for the marriage— |
| fosser le nozze orrevoli e intere,
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feast’s being seemly and complete, not for |
| ch'a la sua bocca, ch'or per voi risponde. |
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her mouth (which now would intercede for you). |
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| E le Romane antiche, per lor bere, |
22.145 |
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And when they drank, of old, the Roman women |
| contente furon d'acqua; e Danïello |
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were satisfied with water; and young Daniel, |
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dispregiò cibo e acquistò savere.
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through his disdain of food, acquired wisdom. |
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| Lo secol primo, quant' oro fu bello, |
22.148 |
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The first age was as fair as gold: when hungry, |
| fé savorose con fame le ghiande, |
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men found the taste of acorns good; when thirsty, |
| e nettare con sete ogne ruscello. |
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they found that every little stream was nectar. |
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| Mele e locuste furon le vivande |
22.151 |
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When he was in the wilderness, the Baptist |
| che nodriro il Batista nel diserto;
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had fed on nothing more than honey, locusts: |
| per ch'elli è glorïoso e tanto grande |
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for this he was made great, as glorious |
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| quanto per lo Vangelio v'è aperto." |
22.154 |
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as, in the Gospel, is made plain to you.” |
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