按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
was question'd； did acquit him thus： 〃I know not： but 'tis fitting well the
name Should perish of that vale； for from the source Where teems so
plenteously the Alpine steep Maim'd of Pelorus； （that doth scarcely pass
Beyond that limit；） even to the point Whereunto ocean is restor'd； what
heaven Drains from th' exhaustless store for all earth's streams；
Throughout the space is virtue worried down； As 'twere a snake； by all； for
mortal foe； Or through disastrous influence on the place； Or else distortion
of misguided wills； That custom goads to evil： whence in those； The
dwellers in that miserable vale； Nature is so transform'd； it seems as they
Had shar'd of Circe's feeding。 'Midst brute swine； Worthier of acorns
than of other food Created for man's use； he shapeth first His obscure way；
then； sloping onward； finds Curs； snarlers more in spite than power； from
whom He turns with scorn aside： still journeying down； By how much
more the curst and luckless foss Swells out to largeness； e'en so much it
41
… Page 42…
THE VISION
finds Dogs turning into wolves。 Descending still Through yet more
hollow eddies； next he meets A race of foxes； so replete with craft； They
do not fear that skill can master it。 Nor will I cease because my words are
heard By other ears than thine。 It shall be well For this man； if he keep in
memory What from no erring Spirit I reveal。 Lo！ I behold thy grandson；
that becomes A hunter of those wolves； upon the shore Of the fierce
stream； and cows them all with dread： Their flesh yet living sets he up to
sale； Then like an aged beast to slaughter dooms。 Many of life he reaves；
himself of worth And goodly estimation。 Smear'd with gore Mark how
he issues from the rueful wood； Leaving such havoc； that in thousand
years It spreads not to prime lustihood again。〃 As one； who tidings
hears of woe to come； Changes his looks perturb'd； from whate'er part The
peril grasp him； so beheld I change That spirit； who had turn'd to listen；
struck With sadness； soon as he had caught the word。 His visage and
the other's speech did raise Desire in me to know the names of both；
whereof with meek entreaty I inquir'd。 The shade； who late addrest me；
thus resum'd： 〃Thy wish imports that I vouchsafe to do For thy sake what
thou wilt not do for mine。 But since God's will is that so largely shine His
grace in thee； I will be liberal too。 Guido of Duca know then that I am。
Envy so parch'd my blood； that had I seen A fellow man made joyous；
thou hadst mark'd A livid paleness overspread my cheek。 Such harvest
reap I of the seed I sow'd。 O man； why place thy heart where there doth
need Exclusion of participants in good？ This is Rinieri's spirit； this the
boast And honour of the house of Calboli； Where of his worth no heritage
remains。 Nor his the only blood； that hath been stript （'twixt Po； the mount；
the Reno； and the shore；） Of all that truth or fancy asks for bliss； But in
those limits such a growth has sprung Of rank and venom'd roots； as long
would mock Slow culture's toil。 Where is good Lizio？ where Manardi；
Traversalo； and Carpigna？ O bastard slips of old Romagna's line！ When in
Bologna the low artisan； And in Faenza yon Bernardin sprouts； A gentle
cyon from ignoble stem。 Wonder not； Tuscan； if thou see me weep； When I
recall to mind those once lov'd names； Guido of Prata； and of Azzo him
That dwelt with you； Tignoso and his troop； With Traversaro's house and
Anastagio s； （Each race disherited） and beside these； The ladies and the
42
… Page 43…
THE VISION
knights； the toils and ease； That witch'd us into love and courtesy； Where
now such malice reigns in recreant hearts。 O Brettinoro！ wherefore
tarriest still； Since forth of thee thy family hath gone； And many； hating
evil； join'd their steps？ Well doeth he； that bids his lineage cease；
Bagnacavallo； Castracaro ill； And Conio worse； who care to propagate A
race of Counties from such blood as theirs。 Well shall ye also do； Pagani；
then When from amongst you tries your demon child。 Not so； howe'er； that
henceforth there remain True proof of what ye were。 O Hugolin！ Thou
sprung of Fantolini's line！ thy name Is safe； since none is look'd for after
thee To cloud its lustre； warping from thy stock。 But； Tuscan； go thy ways；
for now I take Far more delight in weeping than in words。 Such pity for
your sakes hath wrung my heart。〃 We knew those gentle spirits at
parting heard Our steps。 Their silence therefore of our way Assur'd us。
Soon as we had quitted them； Advancing onward； lo！ a voice that seem'd
Like vollied light'ning； when it rives the air； Met us； and shouted；
〃Whosoever finds Will slay me；〃 then fled from us； as the bolt Lanc'd
sudden from a downward…rushing cloud。 When it had giv'n short truce
unto our hearing； Behold the other with a crash as loud As the quick…
following thunder： 〃Mark in me Aglauros turn'd to rock。〃 I at the sound
Retreating drew more closely to my guide。 Now in mute stillness rested
all the air： And thus he spake： 〃There was the galling bit。 But your old
enemy so baits his hook； He drags you eager to him。 Hence nor curb
Avails you； nor reclaiming call。 Heav'n calls And round about you
wheeling courts your gaze With everlasting beauties。 Yet your eye Turns
with fond doting still upon the earth。 Therefore He smites you who
discerneth all。〃
43
… Page 44…
THE VISION
CANTO XV
As much as 'twixt the third hour's close and dawn； Appeareth of
heav'n's sphere； that ever whirls As restless as an infant in his play； So
much appear'd remaining to the sun Of his slope journey towards the
western goal。 Evening was there； and here the noon of night； and full
upon our forehead smote the beams。 For round the mountain； circling； so
our