Inferno: Canto II

The day was closing, and the dusky air
On all the creatures of the earth bestow'd
Rest from their labours: — I alone prepare

To struggle against pity, and to dare
A conflict with the horrors of the road.
Which an unerring memory shall declare.

O Muse, O lofty Genius, grant your aid: —
O Memory — faithful record of the past —
Be here thy true nobility displayed.

"Poet," I then began, "my honoured guide,
O trust me not in an attempt so vast.
Until my strength and virtue have been tried.

Thy verse relateth how Æneas gain'd
Immortal realms, while yet corruptible.
And still in bonds of human flesh detained.

Nor seems it strange that God should grace bestow
(If just discernment weigh the subject well)
On one from whom such high effects should flow;

And that the great Opponent of all ill
Should favour grant to one, who. He foresaw.
Would such important destinies fulfil.

(For Heaven had erst elected him the sire
Of Rome, ordain'd to give the nations law, —
The hallow'd seat of blest Saint Peter's heir.)

During that journey, by thy verse made known,
He gain'd the lore which led to victory.
And laid the basis of the papal throne.

Next, went the chosen vessel, to convey
Comfort to those, who on that faith rely.
Which to salvation opens first the way.

But I — why go I there? who sanction gives?
Æneas am not I, nor righteous Paul;
That I am worthy, surely none believes.

If then I venture on this enterprise.
Great is my dread in the attempt to fall:
More need I not to say, for thou art wise."

And like to one who swerves from his intent,
Changing his purpose as fresh thoughts succeed.
Till his original design is spent;

E'en such became I on that gloomy coast;
So that my enterprise, commenced with speed.
Amid a crowd of idle thoughts was lost.

"If rightly I thy meaning understand,"
The poet of exalted soul replied,
"By coward fear thy spirit is unmann'd;

Fear — that ofttimes o'er man such terror spreads.
It makes him turn from nobler deeds aside.
Like to a steed that some dim object dreads,

From this alarm that thou may'st be relieved,
The reason of my coming I'll declare.
And what I heard when first for thee I grieved.

'Mid those in Limbo was I dwelling still,
When I was call'd by one so blest and fair,
That I entreated her to speak her will.

Her eyes shone brighter than the stars on high;
And on mine ear in her own accents fell
Tones soft and sweet of angel harmony:

'O Mantuan poet! kind and courteous soul!
Whose honour'd memory still on earth doth dwell.
And shall endure till ages cease to roll; —

A friend I have — by cruel fortune spurn'd,
Whose road is so obstructed o'er the plain,
That in despair his footsteps he hath turn'd:

And so bewilder'd is he, that I fear
My tardy succour will be sent in vain.
If I may judge from what in heaven I hear.

Now rise — and with thy polished words unfold
All that to rescue him may needful be.
And aid him so, that I may be consoled.

Know — I am Beatrice who bid thee go;
The place I left I long again to see:
Love brought me here, love makes these words to flow.

Ofttimes, when in the presence of my Lord,
My voice shall rise to celebrate thy praise.'
Then I resumed, as ceased the angelic word:

"O virtuous Lady, whose excelling worth
Alone hath influence mortal man to raise
O'er all the creatures that inhabit earth, —

Such my delight thy mandate to fulfil,
That were it done, there still would seem delay;
Seek then no further to disclose thy will;

But tell the cause — why fearless and unmoved
To this low centre thou hast won thy way.
From those high realms by thee so well beloved.'

"Since of my nature thou so much wouldst know,
To thee I briefly will reveal,' she said,
"Why undismayed I venture here below.

Those things alone should we regard with fear.
Which bring misfortune on another's head;
All else are harmless, nor deserve our care.

Such — thanks to gracious God, have I been made,
That your calamities assail me not.
Nor do these flaming realms my peace invade.

In heaven there dwells a generous Maid, who sees
With such concern this wanderer's hapless lot.
That she prevails o'er justice' strict decrees.

She call'd on Lucia in her prayer: 'Thy friend —
Thy faithful friend, of thee now stands in need;
Him to thy grateful care do I commend.'

Lucia, to deeds of mercy ever given.
Rose at her gentle words, and came with speed
Where I with ancient Rachael sate in heaven.

'O Beatrice!' she said, 'true praise of God!
O why not succour him who loved thee so
That for thy sake he left the vulgar crowd?

Dost thou not hear his piteous cry? — nor see
The death he combats on the flood below.
Which not by ocean's rage surpass'd can be?'

.Not with such haste do men on earth arise
To compass gain, or to avert mischance, —
As I, acquainted with his miseries.

Descended from the blest angelic choir.
Confiding in thy winning eloquence,
Which honours thee, and all who thee admire.'

This said — her eyes, all glistening in her tears,
Beauteous — she turn'd; whereat my zeal increased
To speed me hither, and relieve thy fears.

Thus at her wish I hasten'd to thine aid.
And snatch'd thee from the fury of the beast.
Which up the mount thy shorter road forbade.

Why linger then? what is it makes thee stay?
Why harbour in thy breast such coward fear?
Why o'er thy soul hath courage lost its sway?

Since three blest damsels in the court of heaven
Watch o'er thy safety with such tender care.
And in my words such promised help is given?" —

As drooping flowerets, closed by chilling night —
Soon as the sun its radiance hath bestow'd,
Uprear their heads, — and opening — hail the light;

Thus was my lagging virtue roused again;
And to my heart such manly vigour flow'd, —
Like one restored to freedom, I began:

"O how compassionate is she," I cried,
"Whose aid hath succour'd me! and thou how kind.
Who hast with her behest so soon complied!

Such eagerness my journey to pursue
Thy cheering accents raise within my mind.
That I with joy my first design renew.

Lead on; — one impulse doth our bosoms sway;
Thou art my guide —my master — and my lord."
I spoke; — and soon as he resumed the way,

I enter'd on the savage road abhorr'd.