Purgatorio: Canto I

To course o’er better waters now hoists sail the little bark of my wit, leaving behind her a sea so cruel.

And I will sing of that second realm, where the human spirit is purged and becomes worthy to ascend to Heaven.

But here let dead poesy rise up again, O holy Muses, since yours am I, and here let Calliope rise somewhat,

accompanying my song with that strain whose stroke the wretched Pies felt so that they despaired of pardon.

Sweet hue of orient sapphire which was gathering on the clear forehead of the sky, pure even to the first circle,

to mine eyes restored delight, soon as I issued forth from the dead air which had afflicted eyes and heart.

The fair planet which hearteneth to love was making the whole East to laugh, veiling the Fishes that were in her train.

I turned me to the right hand, and set my mind on the other pole, and saw four stars never yet seen save by the first people.

The heavens seemed to rejoice in their flames. O Northern widowed clime, since thou art bereft of beholding them!

When I was parted from gazing at them, turning me a little to the other pole, there whence the Wain had already disappeared,

I saw near me an old man solitary, worthy of such great reverence in his mien, that no son owes more to a father.

Long he wore his beard and mingled with white hair, like unto his locks of which a double list fell on his breast.

The rays of the four holy lights adorned his face so with brightness, that I beheld him as were the sun before him.

“Who are ye that against the dark stream have fled the eternal prison?” said he, moving those venerable plumes.

“Who hath guided you? or who was a lamp unto you issuing forth from the deep night that ever maketh black the infernal vale?

Are the laws of the pit thus broken, or is there some new counsel changed in Heaven that being damned ye come to my rocks?”

Then did my Leader lay hold on me, and with words, and with hand, and with signs, made reverent my knees and brow.

Then answered him: “Of myself I came not. A lady came down from Heaven through whose prayers I succoured this man with my company,

But since it is thy will that more be unfolded of our state, how it truly is, my will it cannot be that thou be denied.

He hath ne’er seen the last hour, but by his madness was so near to it, that very short time there was to turn.

Even as I said, I was sent to him to rescue him, and no other way there was but this along which I have set me.

I have shown him all the guilty people, and now do purpose showing those spirits that purge them under thy charge.

How I have brought him, ’twere long to tell thee: Virtue descends from on high which aids me to guide him to see thee and to hear thee.

Now may it please thee to be gracious unto his coming: he seeketh freedom, which is so precious, as he knows who giveth up life for her.

Thou knowest it; since for her sake death was not bitter to thee in Utica, where thou leftest the raiment which at the great day shall be so bright.

The eternal laws by us are not violated, for he doth live and Minos binds me not; but I am of the circle where are the chaste eyes

of thy Marcia, who visibly yet doth pray thee, O holy breast, that thou hold her for thine own: for love of her then incline thee unto us.

Let us go through thy seven kingdoms: thanks of thee I will bear back to her, if thou deign to be mentioned there below.”

“Marcia was so pleasing to mine eyes while I was yonder,” said he then, “that every grace she willed of me I did.

Now that she dwells beyond the evil stream, no more may she move me, by that law which was made when I thence came forth.

But if a heavenly lady moves and directs thee, as thou sayest, no need is there for flattery: let it suffice thee that in her name thou askest me.

Go then, and look that thou gird this man with a smooth rush, and that thou bathe his face so that all filth may thence be wiped away:

for ’twere not meet with eye obscured by any mist to go before the first minister of those that are of Paradise.

This little isle all round about the very base, there, where the wave beats it, bears rushes on the soft mud.

No other plant that would put forth leaf or harden can live there, because it yields not to the bufferings.

Then be not this way your return; the sun, which now is rising, will show you how to take the mount at an easier ascent.”

So he vanished; and I uplifted me without speaking, and drew me all back to my Leader, and directed mine eyes to him.

He began: “Son, follow thou my steps: turn we back, for this way the plain slopes down to its low bounds.”

The dawn was vanquishing the breath of morn which fled before her, so that from afar I recognised the trembling of the sea.

We paced along the lonely plain, as one who returns to his lost road, and, till he reach it, seems to go in vain.

When we came there where the dew is striving with the sun, being at a place where, in the cool air, slowly it is scattered;

both hands outspread, gently my Master laid upon the sweet grass; wherefore I who was ware of his purpose,

raised towards him my tear-stained cheeks: there made he all revealed my hue which Hell had hidden.

We came then on to the desert shore, that never saw man navigate its waters who thereafter knew return.

There he girded me even as it pleased Another: O marvel! that such as he plucked the lowly plant, even such did it forthwith spring up again, there whence he tore it.