Purgatorio: Canto VI

When the game of dice breaks up, he who loses stays sorrowing, repeating the throws, and sadly learns:

with the other all the folk go away: one goes in front, another plucks him from behind, and another at his side recalls him to his mind.

He halts not and attends to this one and to that: those to whom he stretches forth his hand press no more; and so he saves him from the crowd.

Such was I in that dense throng, turning my face to them, now here, now there, and by promising freed me from them.

There was the Aretine who by the savage arms of Ghin di Tacco met his death; and the other who was drowned as he ran in chase.

There was praying with outstretched hands Federigo Novello, and he of Pisa who made the good Marzucco show fortitude.

I saw Count Orso, and the soul severed from its body through hatred and envy, so it said, and not for any sin committed—

Pierre de la Brosse I mean: and here let the Lady of Brabant take heed, while she is on earth, so that for this she be not of a worser herd.

When I was free from all those shades whose one prayer was that others should pray, so that their way to blessedness be sped,

I began: “It seemeth that thou, O my Light, deniest expressly in a certain passage, that prayer may bend heaven’s decree;

and these people pray but for this. Can then their hope be vain? or are not thy words right clear to me?”

And he to me: “My writing is plain and the hope of them is not deceived if well thou considerest with mind whole.

For the height of justice is not abased because fire of love fulfils in one moment the satisfaction which he owes who here is lodged:

and there where I affirmed that point, default could not be amended by prayer, because the prayer was severed from God.

But do not rest in so profound a doubt except she tell it thee, who shall be a light between truth and intellect.

I know not if thou understand: I speak of Beatrice; thou shalt see her above, on the summit of this mount, smiling and blessed.”

And I: “My Lord, go we with greater haste; for already I grow not weary as before, and look, the hillside doth now a shadow cast.”

“We with this day will onward go,” answered he, “so far as yet we may; but the fact is other than thou deemest.

Ere thou art above, him shalt thou see return that now is being hidden by the slope, so that thou makest not his rays to break.

But see there a soul which, placed alone, solitary, looketh towards us; it will point out to us the quickest way.”

We came to it: O Lombard soul, how wast thou haughty and disdainful, and in the movement of thine eyes majestic and slow!

Naught it said to us, but allowed us to go on, watching only after the fashion of a lion when he couches.

Yet did Virgil draw on towards it, praying that it would show to us the best ascent; and that spirit answered not his demand,

but of our country and of our life did ask us. And the sweet Leader began: “Mantua,”… and the shade, all rapt in self,

leapt towards him from the place where first it was, saying: “O Mantuan, I am Sordello of thy city.” And one embraced the other.

Ah Italy, thou slave, hostel of woe, vessel without pilot in a mighty storm, no mistress of provinces, but a brothel!

That gentle spirit was thus quick, merely at the sweet name of his city, to give greeting there to his fellow-citizen;

and now in thee thy living abide not without war, and one doth rend the other of those that one wall and one foss shuts in.

Search, wretched one, around thy seacoasts by the shores, and then gaze in thy bosom, if any part of thee enjoy peace.

What avails it that Justinian should refit thy bridle if the saddle is empty? But for that the shame were less.

Ah people, that shouldst be obedient, and let Caesar sit in the saddle, if well thou understandest what God writeth to thee!

See how this beast hath grown vicious, for not being corrected by the spurs, since thou hast put thy hand to the bridle.

O German Albert, that dost forsake her who is become wanton and savage, and that oughtest to bestride her saddle-bow,

may just judgment fall from the stars upon thy blood, and be it strange and manifest, so that thy successor may have fear thereof:

for thou and thy father, held back yonder by covetousness, have suffered that the garden of the empire be laid waste.

Come and see Montagues and Capulets, Monaldi and Filippeschi, thou man without care: those already sad, and these in dread.

Come, cruel one, come, and see the oppression of thy nobles and tend their sores, and thou shalt see Santafior how secure it is.

Come and see thy Rome that weepeth widowed and alone, and day and night doth cry: “Caesar mine, wherefore dost thou not companion me?”

Come and see how thy people love one another; and if no pity for us move thee, come and shame thee for thy fame.

And if it be permitted me, O highest Jove, who on earth for us wast crucified, are thy just eyes turned elsewhither;

or is it preparation which thou art making in the depths of thy counsel, for some good end wholly cut off from our vision?

For the cities of Italy are all full of tyrants, and every clown that comes to play the partizan becomes a Marcellus.

O my Florence, thou indeed mayst rejoice at this digression which touches thee not, thanks to thy people that reasons so well.

Many have justice in their hearts, but slowly it is let fly, for it comes not without counsel to the bow; but thy people hath it ever on its lips.

Many refuse the public burdens; but thy people answers eagerly without call, and cries out: “I bend me to the charge.”

Now make thee glad, for thou hast good reason: thou rich, thou at peace, thou so wise. If I speak sooth, the facts do not conceal it.

Athens and Lacedemon, that framed the laws of old and were so grown in civil arts, gave a mere hint at well living

beside thee, who dost make such subtle provision, that to mid-November reaches not what thou in October spinnest.

How often in the time which thou rememberest, laws, coinage, offices, and customs hast thou changed, and renewed thy members!

And if thou well bethink thee, and see clear, thou shalt behold thee like unto that sick one, who can find no rest upon the down, but by turning about shuns her pain.