Purgatorio: Canto V

I was already parted from those shades, and was following my leader’s footsteps, when behind me, pointing his finger,

one cried: “See, it seemeth not that the light shines on the left of him below, and he appears to demean himself like one alive.”

Mine eyes I turned at sound of these words, and saw them gazing in astonishment at me alone, me alone, and at the light that was broken.

“Why is thy mind so entangled,” said the Master, “that thou slackenest thy pace? what matters it to thee what they whisper here?

Follow me and let the people talk; stand thou as a firm tower which never shakes its summit for blast of winds:

for ever the man in whom thought wells up on thought, sets back his mark, because the one saps the force of the other.”

What could I answer, save: “I come”? This I said, suffused somewhat with that colour which ofttimes makes a man worthy of pardon.

And meanwhile across the mountain slope came people a little in front of us, chanting the Miserere verse by verse alterne.

When they perceived that I gave no place, because of my body, to the passage of the rays, they changed their chant to an Oh! long and hoarse;

and two of them in the guise of messengers ran to meet us, and asked of us: “Make us to know of your condition.

And my Master: “Ye may go hence and bear back to those who sent you that the body of this man is very flesh.

If they stayed for seeing his shadow, as I opine, enough is answered: let them do him honour and he may be precious to them.”

Ne’er saw I flaming vapours so swiftly cleave the bright sky at early night, or August clouds at setting sun,

but that they returned upward in less, and, arrived there, with the others wheeled round to us, like a troop that hastes with loosened rein.

“This people that presses on to us is many, and they come to entreat thee,” said the poet; “but go thou ever on and, while going, listen.”

“O soul, that goest to be glad with those members which thou wast born with,” they came crying, “arrest a while thy step.

Look if e’er thou sawest any one of us, so that thou mayst bear tidings of him yonder: ah, wherefore goest thou? ah, wherefore stayest thou not?

We were all slain by violence and sinners up to the last hour: then light from heaven made us ware,

so that, repenting and pardoning, we came forth from life reconciled with God, who penetrates us with desire to behold him.”

And I: “How much soever I gaze in your faces, I recognise none; but if aught I can do may please you, ye spirits born for bliss,

speak ye; and I will do it for the sake of that peace, which, following the steps of such a guide, makes me pursue it from world to world.”

And one began: “Each of us trusts in thy good offices without thine oath, if only want of power cut not off the will.

Wherefore I, who merely speak before the others, pray thee, if e’er thou see that country which lies between Romagna and that of Charles,

that thou be gracious to me of thy prayers in Fano, so that holy orison be made for me, that I may purge away my heavy offences,

Thence sprang I; but the deep wounds whence flowed the blood wherein my life was set, were dealt me in the bosom of the Antenori,

there where I thought to be most secure. He of Este had it done, who held me in wrath far beyond what justice would.

But if I had fled towards La Mira, when I was surprised at Oriaco, I should yet be yonder where men breathe.

I ran to the marshes, and the reeds and the mire entangled me so, that I fell; and there saw I a pool growing on the ground from my veins.”

Then said another: “Prithee,—and so be that desire satisfied which draws thee up the lofty mount—with kindly pity help my desire.

I was of Montefeltro, I am Buonconte; Giovanna, or any other hath no care for me; wherefore I go among these, with downcast brow.”

And I to him: “What violence or what chance made thee stray so far from Campaldino, that thy burial place ne’er was known?”

“Oh,” answered he, “at Casentino’s foot a stream crosses, which is named Archiano, and rises in the Apennines above the Hermitage.

There where its name is lost, did I arrive, pierced in the throat, flying on foot, and bloodying the plain.

There lost I vision, and ended my words upon the name of Mary; and there fell I, and my flesh alone was left.

I will speak sooth, and do thou respeak it among the living; the angel of God took me, and one from Hell cried: ‘O thou from Heaven, wherefore robbest thou me?

Thou bearest hence the eternal part of this man, for one little tear that snatches him from me; but with the other will I deal in other fashion.’

Thou knowest how in the air that damp vapour gathers, which turns again to water soon as it ascends where the cold condenses it.

He united that evil will, which seeks ill only, with intellect, and stirred the mist and wind by the power which his nature gave.

Then when day was spent, he covered the valley from Pratomagno to the great mountain chain with mist, and the sky above made lowering

so that the saturated air was turned to water: the rain fell, and to the water-rills came what of it the earth endured not;

and as it united into great torrents, so swiftly it rushed towards the royal stream, that naught held it back.

My frozen body at its mouth the raging Archian found, and swept it into the Arno, and loosed the cross on my breast,

which I made of me when pain overcame me: it rolled me along its banks and over its bed, then covered and wrapped me with its spoils.”

“Pray, when thou shalt return to the world, and art rested from thy long journey,” followed the third spirit after the second,

“Remember me, who am La Pia: Siena made me, Maremma unmade me: ’tis known to him who, first plighting troth, had wedded me with his gem.”