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THE VISION
THE VISION OR； HELL；
PURGATORY； AND
PARADISE
DANTE ALIGHIERI
TRANSLATED BY THE REV。 H。 F。 CARY； A。M。
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THE VISION
CANTO I
O'er better waves to speed her rapid course The light bark of my
genius lifts the sail； Well pleas'd to leave so cruel sea behind； And of that
second region will I sing； In which the human spirit from sinful blot Is
purg'd； and for ascent to Heaven prepares。 Here； O ye hallow'd Nine！
for in your train I follow； here the deadened strain revive； Nor let Calliope
refuse to sound A somewhat higher song； of that loud tone； Which when
the wretched birds of chattering note Had heard； they of forgiveness lost
all hope。 Sweet hue of eastern sapphire； that was spread O'er the serene
aspect of the pure air； High up as the first circle； to mine eyes Unwonted
joy renew'd； soon as I 'scap'd Forth from the atmosphere of deadly gloom；
That had mine eyes and bosom fill'd with grief。 The radiant planet； that to
love invites； Made all the orient laugh； and veil'd beneath The Pisces' light；
that in his escort came。 To the right hand I turn'd； and fix'd my mind On
the' other pole attentive； where I saw Four stars ne'er seen before save by
the ken Of our first parents。 Heaven of their rays Seem'd joyous。 O
thou northern site； bereft Indeed； and widow'd； since of these depriv'd！
As from this view I had desisted； straight Turning a little tow'rds the other
pole； There from whence now the wain had disappear'd； I saw an old man
standing by my side Alone； so worthy of rev'rence in his look； That ne'er
from son to father more was ow'd。 Low down his beard and mix'd with
hoary white Descended； like his locks； which parting fell Upon his breast
in double fold。 The beams Of those four luminaries on his face So
brightly shone； and with such radiance clear Deck'd it； that I beheld him as
the sun。 〃Say who are ye； that stemming the blind stream； Forth from
th' eternal prison…house have fled？〃 He spoke and moved those venerable
plumes。 〃Who hath conducted； or with lantern sure Lights you emerging
from the depth of night； That makes the infernal valley ever black？ Are the
firm statutes of the dread abyss Broken； or in high heaven new laws
ordain'd； That thus； condemn'd； ye to my caves approach？〃 My guide；
then laying hold on me； by words And intimations given with hand and
head； Made my bent knees and eye submissive pay Due reverence； then
thus to him replied。 〃Not of myself I come； a Dame from heaven
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THE VISION
Descending； had besought me in my charge To bring。 But since thy will
implies； that more Our true condition I unfold at large； Mine is not to deny
thee thy request。 This mortal ne'er hath seen the farthest gloom。 But erring
by his folly had approach'd So near； that little space was left to turn。 Then；
as before I told； I was dispatch'd To work his rescue； and no way remain'd
Save this which I have ta'en。 I have display'd Before him all the regions
of the bad； And purpose now those spirits to display； That under thy
command are purg'd from sin。 How I have brought him would be long to
say。 From high descends the virtue； by whose aid I to thy sight and hearing
him have led。 Now may our coming please thee。 In the search Of liberty
he journeys： that how dear They know； who for her sake have life refus'd。
Thou knowest； to whom death for her was sweet In Utica； where thou
didst leave those weeds； That in the last great day will shine so bright。 For
us the' eternal edicts are unmov'd： He breathes； and I am free of Minos'
power； Abiding in that circle where the eyes Of thy chaste Marcia beam；
who still in look Prays thee； O hallow'd spirit！ to own her shine。 Then by
her love we' implore thee； let us pass Through thy sev'n regions； for which
best thanks I for thy favour will to her return； If mention there below thou
not disdain。〃 〃Marcia so pleasing in my sight was found；〃 He then to
him rejoin'd； 〃while I was there； That all she ask'd me I was fain to grant。
Now that beyond the' accursed stream she dwells； She may no longer
move me； by that law； Which was ordain'd me； when I issued thence。 Not
so； if Dame from heaven； as thou sayst； Moves and directs thee； then no
flattery needs。 Enough for me that in her name thou ask。 Go therefore now：
and with a slender reed See that thou duly gird him； and his face Lave； till
all sordid stain thou wipe from thence。 For not with eye； by any cloud
obscur'd； Would it be seemly before him to come； Who stands the
foremost minister in heaven。 This islet all around； there far beneath；
Where the wave beats it； on the oozy bed Produces store of reeds。 No
other plant； Cover'd with leaves； or harden'd in its stalk； There lives； not
bending to the water's sway。 After； this way return not； but the sun Will
show you； that now rises； where to take The mountain in its easiest
ascent。〃 He disappear'd； and I myself uprais'd Speechless； and to my
guide retiring close； Toward him turn'd mine eyes。 He thus began； 〃My
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THE VISION
son！ observant thou my steps pursue。 We must retreat to rearward； for
that way The champain to its low extreme declines。〃 The dawn had
chas'd the matin hour of prime； Which deaf before it； so that from afar I
spy'd the trembling of the ocean stream。 We travers'd the deserted plain；
as one Who； wander'd from his track； thinks every step Trodden in vain till
he regain the path。 When we had come； where yet the tender dew
Strove with the sun； and in a place； where fresh The wind breath'd o'er it；
while it slowly dried； Both hands extended on the watery grass My master
plac'd； in graceful act and kind。 Whence I of his intent before appriz'd；
Stretch'd out to him my cheeks suffus'd with tears。 There to my visage he
anew restor'd That hue； which the dun shades of hell conceal'd。 Then
on the solitary shore arriv'd； T