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foot。 Such goads The slow and loit'ring need； that they be found Not
wanting； when their hour of watch returns。〃 So on we journey'd
through the evening sky Gazing intent； far onward； as our eyes With level
view could stretch against the bright Vespertine ray： and lo！ by slow
degrees Gath'ring； a fog made tow'rds us； dark as night。 There was no
room for 'scaping； and that mist Bereft us； both of sight and the pure air。
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CANTO XVI
Hell's dunnest gloom； or night unlustrous； dark； Of every planes 'reft；
and pall'd in clouds； Did never spread before the sight a veil In thickness
like that fog； nor to the sense So palpable and gross。 Ent'ring its shade；
Mine eye endured not with unclosed lids； Which marking； near me drew
the faithful guide； Offering me his shoulder for a stay。 As the blind man
behind his leader walks； Lest he should err； or stumble unawares On what
might harm him； or perhaps destroy； I journey'd through that bitter air and
foul； Still list'ning to my escort's warning voice； 〃Look that from me thou
part not。〃 Straight I heard Voices； and each one seem'd to pray for peace；
And for compassion； to the Lamb of God That taketh sins away。 Their
prelude still Was 〃Agnus Dei；〃 and through all the choir； One voice； one
measure ran； that perfect seem'd The concord of their song。 〃Are these I
hear Spirits； O master？〃 I exclaim'd； and he： 〃Thou aim'st aright： these
loose the bonds of wrath。〃 〃Now who art thou； that through our smoke
dost cleave？ And speak'st of us； as thou thyself e'en yet Dividest time by
calends？〃 So one voice Bespake me； whence my master said： 〃Reply；
And ask； if upward hence the passage lead。〃 〃O being！ who dost
make thee pure； to stand Beautiful once more in thy Maker's sight！ Along
with me： and thou shalt hear and wonder。〃 Thus I； whereto the spirit
answering spake： 〃Long as 't is lawful for me； shall my steps Follow on
thine； and since the cloudy smoke Forbids the seeing； hearing in its stead
Shall keep us join'd。〃 I then forthwith began 〃Yet in my mortal swathing；
I ascend To higher regions； and am hither come Through the fearful agony
of hell。 And； if so largely God hath doled his grace； That； clean beside all
modern precedent； He wills me to behold his kingly state； From me
conceal not who thou wast； ere death Had loos'd thee； but instruct me： and
instruct If rightly to the pass I tend； thy words The way directing as a safe
escort。〃 〃I was of Lombardy； and Marco call'd： Not inexperienc'd of the
world； that worth I still affected； from which all have turn'd The nerveless
bow aside。 Thy course tends right Unto the summit：〃 and； replying thus；
He added； 〃I beseech thee pray for me； When thou shalt come aloft。〃
And I to him： 〃Accept my faith for pledge I will perform What thou
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requirest。 Yet one doubt remains； That wrings me sorely； if I solve it not；
Singly before it urg'd me； doubled now By thine opinion； when I couple
that With one elsewhere declar'd； each strength'ning other。 The world
indeed is even so forlorn Of all good as thou speak'st it and so swarms
With every evil。 Yet； beseech thee； point The cause out to me； that
myself may see； And unto others show it： for in heaven One places it； and
one on earth below。〃 Then heaving forth a deep and audible sigh；
〃Brother！〃 he thus began； 〃the world is blind； And thou in truth com'st
from it。 Ye； who live； Do so each cause refer to heav'n above； E'en as its
motion of necessity Drew with it all that moves。 If this were so； Free
choice in you were none； nor justice would There should be joy for virtue；
woe for ill。 Your movements have their primal bent from heaven； Not all；
yet said I all； what then ensues？ Light have ye still to follow evil or good；
And of the will free power； which； if it stand Firm and unwearied in
Heav'n's first assay； Conquers at last； so it be cherish'd well； Triumphant
over all。 To mightier force； To better nature subject； ye abide Free； not
constrain'd by that； which forms in you The reasoning mind uninfluenc'd
of the stars。 If then the present race of mankind err； Seek in yourselves the
cause； and find it there。 Herein thou shalt confess me no false spy。
〃Forth from his plastic hand； who charm'd beholds Her image ere she yet
exist； the soul Comes like a babe； that wantons sportively Weeping and
laughing in its wayward moods； As artless and as ignorant of aught； Save
that her Maker being one who dwells With gladness ever； willingly she
turns To whate'er yields her joy。 Of some slight good The flavour soon
she tastes； and； snar'd by that； With fondness she pursues it； if no guide
Recall； no rein direct her wand'ring course。 Hence it behov'd； the law
should be a curb； A sovereign hence behov'd； whose piercing view Might
mark at least the fortress and main tower Of the true city。 Laws indeed
there are： But who is he observes them？ None； not he； Who goes before；
the shepherd of the flock； Who chews the cud but doth not cleave the hoof。
Therefore the multitude； who see their guide Strike at the very good they
covet most； Feed there and look no further。 Thus the cause Is not
corrupted nature in yourselves； But ill…conducting； that hath turn'd the
world To evil。 Rome； that turn'd it unto good； Was wont to boast two
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suns； whose several beams Cast light on either way； the world's and God's。
One since hath quench'd the other； and the sword Is grafted on the crook；
and so conjoin'd Each must perforce decline to worse； unaw'd By fear of
other。 If thou doubt me； mark The blade： each herb is judg'd of by its
seed。 That land； through which Adice and the Po Their waters roll； was
once the residence Of courtesy and velour； ere the day； That frown'd on
Frederick； now secure may pass Tho