Purgatorio: Canto II

Already had the sun reached the horizon, whose meridian circle covers Jerusalem with its highest point,

and night which opposite to him revolves, from Ganges forth was issuing with the Scales, that fall from her hand when she prevails;

so that fair Aurora’s white and ruddy cheeks, there where I was, through too great age were turning orange.

We were alongside the ocean yet, like folk who ponder o’er their road, who in heart do go and in body stay;

and lo, as on the approach of morn, through the dense mists Mars burns red, low in the West o’er the ocean-floor;

such to me appeared—so may I see it again!—a light coming o’er the sea so swiftly, that no flight is equal to its motion;

from which, when I had a while withdrawn mine eyes to question my Leader, I saw it brighter and bigger grown.

Then on each side of it appeared to me a something white; and from beneath it, little by little, another whiteness came forth.

My Master yet did speak no word, until the first whitenesses appeared as wings; then, when well he knew the pilot,

he cried: “Bend, bend thy knees; behold the Angel of God: fold thy hands: henceforth shalt thou see such ministers.

Look how he scorns all human instruments, so that oar he wills not, nor other sail than his wings, between shores so distant.

See how he has them heavenward turned, plying the air with eternal plumes, that are not mewed like mortal hair.”

Then as more and more towards us came the bird divine, brighter yet he appeared, wherefore mine eye endured him not near:

but I bent it down, and he came on to the shore with a vessel so swift and light that the waters nowise drew it in.

On the stern stood the celestial pilot, such, that blessedness seemed writ upon him, and more than a hundred spirits sat within.

“In exitu Israel de Aegypto” sang they all together with one voice, with what of that psalm is thereafter written.

Then made he to them the sign of Holy Cross, whereat they all flung them on the strand and quick even as he came he went his way.

The throng that remained there seemed strange to the place, gazing around like one who assayeth new things.

On every side the sun, who with his arrows bright had chased the Goat from midst of heaven, was shooting forth the day,

when the new people lifted up their faces towards us, saying to us: “If ye know show us the way to go to the mount.”

And Virgil answered: “Ye think perchance that we have experience of this place, but we are strangers even as ye are.

We came but now, a little while before you, by other way which was so rough and hard, that the climbing now will seem but play to us.”

The souls who had observed me by my breathing that I was yet alive, marvelling grew pale;

and as to a messenger, who bears the olive, the folk draw nigh to hear the news, and none shows himself shy at trampling;

so on my face those souls did fix their gaze, fortunate every one, well nigh forgetting to go and make them fair.

I saw one of them draw forward to embrace me with such great affection, that he moved me to do the like.

O shades empty save in outward show! thrice behind it my hands I clasped, and as often returned with them to my breast.

With wonder methinks I coloured me, whereat the shade smiled and drew back, and I, following it, flung me forward.

Gently it bade me pause: then knew I who it was, and did pray him that he would stay a while to speak to me.

He answered me: “Even as I loved thee in the mortal body so do I love thee freed; therefore I stay: but wherefore goest thou?”

“Casella mine, to return here once again where I am, make I this journey,” said I, “but how hath so much time been taken from thee?”

And he to me: “No wrong is done me, if he who bears away when and whom he pleases hath many times denied me this passage;

for of a just will his will is made. Truly for three months past he hath taken, in all peace, whoso hath wished to enter.

Wherefore I, who now was turned to the seashore where Tiber’s wave grows salt, kindly by him was garnered in.

To that mouth now he hath set his wings, because evermore are gathered there, they who to Acheron sink not down.”

And I: “If a new law take not from thee memory or skill in that song of love which was wont to calm my every desire,

may it please thee therewith to solace awhile my soul, that, with its mortal form journeying here, is sore distressed.”

“Love that in my mind discourseth to me,” began he then so sweetly, that the sweetness yet within me sounds.

My Master and I and that people who were with him, seemed so glad as if to aught else the mind of no one of them gave heed.

We were all fixed and intent upon his notes; and lo the old man venerable, crying: “What is this ye laggard spirits?

what negligence, what tarrying is this? Haste to the mount and strip you of the slough, that lets not God be manifest to you.

As doves when gathering wheat or tares, all assembled at their repast, quiet and showing not their wonted pride,

if aught be seen whereof they have fear, straightway let stay their food, because they are assailed by greater care;

so saw I that new company leave the singing, and go towards the hillside, like one who goes, but knoweth not where he may come forth; nor was our parting less quick.