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host！〃 I do not think there walks on earth this day Man so remorseless；
that he hath not yearn'd With pity at the sight that next I saw。 Mine eyes a
load of sorrow teemed； when now I stood so near them； that their
semblances Came clearly to my view。 Of sackcloth vile Their cov'ring
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seem'd； and on his shoulder one Did stay another； leaning； and all lean'd
Against the cliff。 E'en thus the blind and poor； Near the confessionals； to
crave an alms； Stand； each his head upon his fellow's sunk； So most to stir
compassion； not by sound Of words alone； but that； which moves not less；
The sight of mis'ry。 And as never beam Of noonday visiteth the eyeless
man； E'en so was heav'n a niggard unto these Of his fair light； for； through
the orbs of all； A thread of wire； impiercing； knits them up； As for the
taming of a haggard hawk。 It were a wrong； methought； to pass and
look On others； yet myself the while unseen。 To my sage counsel therefore
did I turn。 He knew the meaning of the mute appeal； Nor waited for my
questioning； but said： 〃Speak； and be brief； be subtle in thy words。〃 On
that part of the cornice； whence no rim Engarlands its steep fall； did Virgil
come； On the' other side me were the spirits； their cheeks Bathing devout
with penitential tears； That through the dread impalement forc'd a way。
I turn'd me to them； and 〃O shades！〃 said I； 〃Assur'd that to your eyes
unveil'd shall shine The lofty light； sole object of your wish； So may
heaven's grace clear whatsoe'er of foam Floats turbid on the conscience；
that thenceforth The stream of mind roll limpid from its source； As ye
declare （for so shall ye impart A boon I dearly prize） if any soul Of Latium
dwell among ye； and perchance That soul may profit； if I learn so much。〃
〃My brother； we are each one citizens Of one true city。 Any thou wouldst
say； Who lived a stranger in Italia's land。〃 So heard I answering； as
appeal'd； a voice That onward came some space from whence I stood。
A spirit I noted； in whose look was mark'd Expectance。 Ask ye how？
The chin was rais'd As in one reft of sight。 〃Spirit；〃 said I； 〃Who for thy
rise are tutoring （if thou be That which didst answer to me；） or by place Or
name； disclose thyself； that I may know thee。〃 〃I was；〃 it answer'd； 〃of
Sienna： here I cleanse away with these the evil life； Soliciting with tears
that He； who is； Vouchsafe him to us。 Though Sapia nam'd In sapience I
excell'd not； gladder far Of others' hurt； than of the good befell me。 That
thou mayst own I now deceive thee not； Hear； if my folly were not as I
speak it。 When now my years slop'd waning down the arch； It so bechanc'd；
my fellow citizens Near Colle met their enemies in the field； And I pray'd
God to grant what He had will'd。 There were they vanquish'd； and betook
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themselves Unto the bitter passages of flight。 I mark'd the hunt； and
waxing out of bounds In gladness； lifted up my shameless brow； And like
the merlin cheated by a gleam； Cried； 〃It is over。 Heav'n！ I fear thee
not。〃 Upon my verge of life I wish'd for peace With God； nor repentance
had supplied What I did lack of duty； were it not The hermit Piero； touch'd
with charity； In his devout orisons thought on me。 But who art thou that
question'st of our state； Who go'st to my belief； with lids unclos'd； And
breathest in thy talk？〃 〃Mine eyes；〃 said I； 〃May yet be here ta'en from
me； but not long； For they have not offended grievously With envious
glances。 But the woe beneath Urges my soul with more exceeding dread。
That nether load already weighs me down。〃 She thus： 〃Who then
amongst us here aloft Hath brought thee； if thou weenest to return？〃
〃He；〃 answer'd I； 〃who standeth mute beside me。 I live： of me ask
therefore； chosen spirit； If thou desire I yonder yet should move For thee
my mortal feet。〃 〃Oh！〃 she replied； 〃This is so strange a thing； it is great
sign That God doth love thee。 Therefore with thy prayer Sometime assist
me： and by that I crave； Which most thou covetest； that if thy feet E'er
tread on Tuscan soil； thou save my fame Amongst my kindred。 Them
shalt thou behold With that vain multitude； who set their hope On
Telamone's haven； there to fail Confounded； more shall when the fancied
stream They sought of Dian call'd： but they who lead Their navies； more
than ruin'd hopes shall mourn。〃
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CANTO XIV
〃Say who is he around our mountain winds； Or ever death has prun'd
his wing for flight； That opes his eyes and covers them at will？〃 〃I
know not who he is； but know thus much He comes not singly。 Do thou
ask of him； For thou art nearer to him； and take heed Accost him gently； so
that he may speak。〃 Thus on the right two Spirits bending each Toward
the other； talk'd of me； then both Addressing me； their faces backward
lean'd； And thus the one began： 〃O soul； who yet Pent in the body；
tendest towards the sky！ For charity； we pray thee' comfort us； Recounting
whence thou com'st； and who thou art： For thou dost make us at the favour
shown thee Marvel； as at a thing that ne'er hath been。〃 〃There stretches
through the midst of Tuscany； I straight began： 〃a brooklet； whose well…
head Springs up in Falterona； with his race Not satisfied； when he some
hundred miles Hath measur'd。 From his banks bring； I this frame。 To tell
you who I am were words misspent： For yet my name scarce sounds on
rumour's lip。〃 〃If well I do incorp'rate with my thought The meaning of
thy speech；〃 said he； who first Addrest me； 〃thou dost speak of Arno's
wave。〃 To whom the other： 〃Why hath he conceal'd The title of that
river； as a man Doth of some horrible thing？〃 The spirit； who Thereof
was question'd； did acquit him thus： 〃I know not： but 'tis fitting well the
name Should perish of