Purgatorio: Canto VIII

’Twas now the hour that turns back the desire of those who sail the seas and melts their heart, that day when they have said to their sweet friends adieu,

and that pierces the new pilgrim with love, if from afar he hears the chimes which seem to mourn for the dying day;

when I began to annul my sense of hearing, and to gaze on one of the spirits, uprisen, that craved a listening with its hand.

It joined and lifted up both its palms, fixing its eyes towards the east, as though ’twere saying to God: “For aught else I care not.”

“Te lucis ante” so devoutly proceeded from its mouth, and with such sweet music, that it rapt me from my very sense of self.

And the others then sweetly and devoutly accompanied it through the entire hymn, having their eyes fixed on the supernal wheels.

Reader, here sharpen well thine eyes to the truth, for the veil now is indeed so thin, that of a surety to pass within is easy.

I saw that noble army thereafter silently gaze upward, as if in expectancy, pale and lowly;

and I saw two angels come forth from on high and descend below with two flaming swords, broken short and deprived of their points.

Green, as tender leaves just born, was their raiment, which they trailed behind, fanned and smitten by green wings.

One came and alighted a little above us, and the other descended on the opposite bank, so that the people was contained in the middle.

Clearly I discerned the fair hair of them; but in their faces the eye was dazed, like a faculty which by excess is confounded.

“Both come from Mary’s bosom,” said Sordello, “as guard of the vale, because of the serpent that straightway will come.”

Whereat I, who knew not by what way, turned me around, and placed me all icy cold close to the trusty shoulders.

And Sordello again: “Now go we into the vale among the mighty shades, and we will speak to them; great joy will it be to them to see you.”

Only three steps methinks I descended, and was below, and saw one who was gazing only at me, as tho’ he would recognise me.

’Twas now the time when the air was darkening, yet not so dark but that what between his eyes and mine before was hidden, now grew clear.

He advanced towards me, and I to him: Noble judge Nino how did I rejoice when I saw thee, and not among the damned!

No fair greeting was left unsaid between us; then he asked: “How long is it since thou earnest to the foot of the mount over the far waters?”

“Oh,” said I to him, “from within the places of woe came I this morn, and am in my first life, albeit by this my journeying I gain the other.”

And when my answer was heard, Sordello and he shrank back like folk suddenly bewildered.

The one turned to Virgil, and the other to one who was seated there, crying: “Up, Conrad, come and see what God by his grace hath willed.”

Then turning to me: “By that especial grace which thou owest to him who so hideth his first purpose that there is no ford to it,

when thou art beyond the wide waters, tell my Giovanna that she pray for me there where the innocent are heard.

I do not think her mother loves me more, since she hath changed her white wimples, which hapless she must long for once again.

By her right easily may be known, how long the fire of love doth last in woman, if eye and touch do not oft rekindle it,

The viper that the Milanese blazons on his shield will not make her so fair a tomb as Gallura’s cock would have done.”

Thus spake he, his countenance stamped with the mark of that righteous zeal which in due measure glows in the breast.

My yearning eyes were again turned towards heaven, even there where the stars are slowest, like a wheel nearest the axle.

And my leader: “Son, what gazest thou at up there?” And I to him: “At those three torches, wherewith the whole pole here is flaming.”

And he to me: “The four bright stars which thou sawest this morn are low on the other side, and these are risen where they were.”

As he was speaking, lo Sordello drew him to himself, saying: “See there our adversary,” and pointed his finger so that he should look thither.

On that side where the little vale hath no rampart, was a snake, perchance such as gave to Eve the bitter food.

Through the grass and the flowers came the evil reptile, turning round now and again its head to its back, licking like a beast that sleeks itself.

I saw not, and therefore cannot tell, how the celestial falcons moved; but full well I saw both in motion.

Hearing the green wings cleave through the air, the serpent fled, and the angels wheeled around, flying in equal measure back to their posts,

The shade that had drawn close to the judge when he called, through all that assault was not loosed a moment from gazing at me.

“So may that light which guideth thee on high, find in thy will as much wax as is needful to reach the enamelled summit,”

it began, “if thou know true tidings of Valdimacra, or of neighbouring parts, tell it me who once was mighty there.

I was called Conrad Malaspina: not the elder am I, but descended from him: to mine own I bore that love which here is purified.”

“Oh,” said I to him, “through your lands I ne’er have been, but where do men dwell throughout Europe to whom they are not renowned?

The fame which honours your house proclaims abroad its lords, and proclaims the country, so that he knows of it who there hath never been.

And I swear to you, so may I go on high, that your honoured race strips not itself of the glory of the purse and of the sword.

Custom and nature so do privilege it, that for all that the guilty head sets the world awry, it alone goeth straight and scorns the path of evil.”

And he: “Now depart, for the sun goeth not to rest seven times in the bed which the Ram covers and bestrides with all four feet,

ere this courteous opinion shall be nailed in the midst of thy head, with bigger nails than other men’s words, if course of judgment be not stayed.”