Purgatorio: Canto II

The sun already had the horizon gained.
Whose full meridian circle covers o'er
Jerusalem, with highest point attained;

And night, whose path wheels where his went before,
Forth from the Ganges with the Scales uprose,
Which she lets fall when reigning high once more.

So that Aurora's beauteous cheeks disclose.
From where I stand, the white and crimson sheen.
Now passing with the hours to orange glows.

Still lingering by the sea our steps did lean,
As those who on their way move pensively.
Who go in heart, and yet with loitering mien.

And lo! as when the morning draweth nigh.
Through the thick vapour Mars grows fiery red,
Down in the west, where ocean's wide plains lie,

It chanced — so may its beams on me be shed
Once more! — a light across the sea so flew.
No wing of bird more rapidly had sped.

From which as I my gaze awhile withdrew
To ask my Leader questions yet again,
I saw it, as it brighter, fuller grew;

And then on either side there did appear
I knew not what of white, and then below
Came forth another slowly, and drew near.

My Master for a while did silent go,
While those white objects now as wings we saw.
Then, when that pilot he began to know.

He cried, " Haste, haste, and bend thy knee in awe;
Behold God's angel; fold thou then thine hands;
Now shalt thou see such ministers of law.

See how above man's instruments he stands,
So that he needs nor oar, nor other sail
Than his own wings, between such distant lands.

See how he points them heavenward, nor doth fail
With his eternal wings to fan the air;
Nor, as with mortal plumes, does change prevail."

Then as he nearer drew to where we were,
That bird of God in clearer light was drest,
Wherefore mine eye that near sight could not bear,

But down I bent it. Then he came to rest
Hard by the shore, with boat so quick and light,
It barely skimmed the waves that round it pressed.

The heavenly pilot on the stern upright
Stood, with all blessing on his look enrolled,
And in it sat a hundred spirits bright.

Then " Israel de Egypto" heard I told.
As with one voice they chanted out their lay,
With all the psalm doth afterward unfold.

Then on them he the cross's sign did lay.
And they all threw themselves upon the shore,
And quick, as when he came, he went his way.

The crowd there left behind, as not before
Familiar with the region, gazed around.
As one who seeketh new things to explore.

The sun's bright darts were speeding with quick bounds,
Those shafts with which, as weapons bright and keen,
The Capricorn he chased from Heaven's mid-grounds.

When that new people, with a questioning mien.
Looked to us, asking, "If the way ye know,
Show where the path to scale the Mount is seen."

And Virgil answered, " Ye believe, I trow.
That we have had experience of this place;
But we are strangers, e'en as ye are so;

Before you we have come a little space.
And by another way, so steep and dread,
'Twill seem but sport the ascending path to trace."

The souls, who clearest proof of me had read
That I was living, breathing vital airs.
Now waxed all pale and were astonished;

And as to messenger who olive bears
The people gather, bent the news to hear,
And each to trample on the others dares.

So with fixed gaze upon me they did stare.
That troop of happy spirits, as if each
Forgat the cleansing that should make them fair.

And one I saw before the others reach.
As if to embrace me, with such warmth of love,
It did my heart like action promptly teach.

O ye who, save to sight, mere shadows move!
Three times around it I my hands did fold,
Thrice on my breast did those hands empty prove;

My looks, I trow, my thoughts of wonder told;
For then the spirit smiled and back did flee,
And I in zeal to follow him waxed bold.

Sweetly he bade me stay, and tranquil be:
Then knew I who he was, and made my prayer
That he would halt awhile to speak with me.

He answered me, " As thou of old wast dear
To me i' the flesh, so art thou, now I'm freed;
Therefore I stop. But wherefore com'st thou here?"

"Casella mine! that I once more may speed
This path again, my journey now is made,"
Said I; " but why was such delay decreed?"

And he: "No cruel wrong on me is laid.
If he who takes both when and whom he will
Hath many a time my passage here gainsaid.

For all he does is ruled by righteous will.
These three months past he hath been wont to take
Whoe'er with peace his course would fain fulfil;

Whence I, who by the shore did sojourn make,
Where Tiber to the salt wave tribute brings,
Was by him welcomed as for pity's sake.

He to that outlet now outspreads his wings,
For evermore the souls are gathered there
Whom no decree to Acheron downward flings."'"

And I: "If no new law from thee doth tear
The skill or memory of thy songs of love,
Which used to calm of yore each eager care,

I pray thee still thy power to comfort prove
On this my soul, which, with its fleshly mould
O'erburdened, sad and sorrowful doth move."

"O Love, who with my soul dost converse hold
He then began so sweetly to intone.
That still its sweetness thrills me as of old.

My Master and I too, and every one
Of those with him, seemed in it fully blest,
As if their minds could dwell on that alone.

That music did the thoughts of all arrest.
Fixed and intent; when lo! the old man cried,
"Ye laggard spirits! why so quick to rest?

What means this? What neglect your feet hath tied?
Haste to the Mount, and purge the soil away
Which from your eyes the face of God doth hide."

E'en as the doves who through the meadows stray,
Gathering or grain or darnel tranquilly,
And not a whit their wonted pride display.

If aught they see which them doth terrify,
Will of a sudden cease to seek their food,
Because a greater care constrains to fly.

So saw I then that newly gathered brood,
Cease from the song and flee towards the hill.
As one who goes, nor knows the goal pursued;

Nor moved we onward with less eager will.