Purgatorio: Canto XXVI

While we were thus advancing, one in front of the other, along the brink, often the good Master said: “Give heed, let my skill avail thee.”

On my right shoulder the sun was beating, that already with his rays was changing the whole face of the west from azure to white;

and with my shadow, ruddier I made the flames appear, and even at so slight a sign many shades I saw, as they passed, give heed.

This was the cause which gave them an opening to speak of me; and one to the other they began to say: “He doth not seem a shadowy body.”

Then certain of them made towards me, so far as they could, ever on their guard not to come forth where they would not be burned.

“O thou that goest behind the others, not for being slacker but perchance for reverence, make answer unto me who in thirst and fire do burn;

nor alone to me is thine answer needful, for all these have greater thirst for it than Indian or Ethiop for cold water.

Tell us how it is that thou makest of thee a wall against the sun, as if thou wert not yet caught within death’s net.”

Thus spake one of them to me, and already would I have revealed myself, had I not been intent on another strange thing which then appeared;

for through the midst of the fiery path, people were coming with their faces opposite to these, who made me pause in wonderment.

There I see on either side each shade make haste, and one kiss the other without staying, satisfied with short greeting:

even so within their dark battalions one ant rubs muzzle with another, perchance to spy out their way and their fortune.

Soon as they break off the friendly greeting, ere the first step there speeds onward, each one strives to shout loudest,

the new people, “Sodom and Gomorrah,” and the other: “Pasiphae enters the cow that the young bull may haste to her lust.”

Then like cranes that should fly, some to the Rhipean mountains, others towards the sands; these shy of the frost, those of the sun,

the one people passes on, the other comes away, and weeping they return to their former chants, and to the cry which most befits them;

and those very same who had entreated me, drew close to me as before, intent on listening in their appearance.

I, who twice had seen their desire, began: “O souls, certain of having, whenever it may be, a state of peace,

my members have not remained yonder, green or ripe, but here are with me, with their blood and with their joints.

Hence upward I go to be blind no longer; there is a lady above who winneth grace for us, wherefor I bring my mortal body through your world.

But—so may your greater desire soon be satisfied, so that the heaven may house you which is filled with love and broadest spreads—

tell me that I may yet trace it on paper, who are ye and what is that throng which is going away behind your backs?”

Not otherwise the dazed highlander grows troubled and stares about speechless, when rough and savage he enters the city,

than each shade did in its appearance; but after they were unladen of their bewilderment, which in lofty hearts soon is calmed,

“Blessed thou,” began again the shade that first did ask of me, “who, for a holier life, art embarking knowledge of our borders!

The people who come not with us offended in that for which Caesar of old in his triumph heard ‘Regina’ called out against him;

therefore they part from us crying out ‘Sodom’ reproving themselves as thou hast heard, and aid the burning by their shame.

Our sin was hermaphrodite; but because we observed not human law, and followed our lusts like brute beasts,

to our infamy by us is read, when we part us, the name of her who imbruted herself in the brute-like framework.

Now knowst thou our deeds and what we were guilty of; if haply thou wouldst know who we are by name, there is no time to tell, nor could I.

Thy desire of me, I will indeed make to wane: Guido Guinicelli am I, and already purge me, because I full repentance made before the end.”

As in the sorrow of Lycurgus two sons became on beholding again their mother, so became I, but not to such height do I rise,

when I hear name himself the father of me, and of others my betters, who ever used sweet and graceful rhymes of love;

and without hearing and speaking, pondering I went, long time gazing at him, nor because of the fire drew I nigher thither.

When I was filled with beholding, I offered me all ready to his service, with the oath which compels another’s belief.

And he to me: “Thou leavest, by that which I hear, traces so deep and so clear, that Lethe cannot take them away, nor make them dim.

But if thy words just now sware truth, tell me, what is the cause wherefore thou showest in speech and look that thou holdest me so dear.”

And I to him: “Your sweet ditties, which so long as modern use shall last, will make their very ink precious.”

“O brother,” said he, “this one whom I distinguish to thee with my finger” (and he pointed to a spirit in front) “was a better craftsman of the mother tongue.

In verses of love, and prose tales of romance, all he surpassed, and let fools talk, who think that he of Limoges excels.

To rumour rather than to truth they turn their faces, and thus do fix their opinion ere art or reason is listened to by them.

So did many of our fathers with Guittone, shouting in turn and praising him alone; but truth has prevailed at length with most persons.

Now if thou hast such ample privilege, that ’tis permitted thee to go to the cloister wherein Christ is abbot of the college,

do me there the saying of a Pater Noster so far as is needful to us of this world, where power to sin is no more ours.”

Then perchance to give place to another following close, he vanished through the flames, like a fish going through the water to the bottom.

A little forward I drew me towards the one he had pointed out, and said that my desire was preparing a grateful place for his name.

Willingly he began to say: “So doth your courteous request please me that I cannot, nor will I, hide me from you.

I am Arnault that weep and go a-singing; in thought I see my past madness, and I see with joy the day which I await before me.

Now I pray you, by that Goodness which guideth you to the summit of the stairway, be mindful in due time of my pain.” Then he hid him in the fire which refines them.