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the mountain to cast off those scales； That from your eyes the sight of God
conceal。〃 As a wild flock of pigeons； to their food Collected； blade or
tares； without their pride Accustom'd； and in still and quiet sort； If aught
alarm them； suddenly desert Their meal； assail'd by more important care；
So I that new…come troop beheld； the song Deserting； hasten to the
mountain's side； As one who goes yet where he tends knows not。 Nor
with less hurried step did we depart。
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CANTO III
Them sudden flight had scatter'd over the plain； Turn'd tow'rds the
mountain； whither reason's voice Drives us； I to my faithful company
Adhering； left it not。 For how of him Depriv'd； might I have sped； or
who beside Would o'er the mountainous tract have led my steps He with
the bitter pang of self…remorse Seem'd smitten。 O clear conscience and
upright How doth a little fling wound thee sore！ Soon as his feet
desisted （slack'ning pace）； From haste； that mars all decency of act； My
mind； that in itself before was wrapt； Its thoughts expanded； as with joy
restor'd： And full against the steep ascent I set My face； where highest to
heav'n its top o'erflows。 The sun； that flar'd behind； with ruddy beam
Before my form was broken； for in me His rays resistance met。 I turn'd
aside With fear of being left； when I beheld Only before myself the ground
obscur'd。 When thus my solace； turning him around； Bespake me kindly：
〃Why distrustest thou？ Believ'st not I am with thee； thy sure guide？ It now
is evening there； where buried lies The body； in which I cast a shade；
remov'd To Naples from Brundusium's wall。 Nor thou Marvel； if before
me no shadow fall； More than that in the sky element One ray obstructs
not other。 To endure Torments of heat and cold extreme； like frames That
virtue hath dispos'd； which how it works Wills not to us should be reveal'd。
Insane Who hopes； our reason may that space explore； Which holds three
persons in one substance knit。 Seek not the wherefore； race of human kind；
Could ye have seen the whole； no need had been For Mary to bring forth。
Moreover ye Have seen such men desiring fruitlessly； To whose desires
repose would have been giv'n； That now but serve them for eternal grief。 I
speak of Plato； and the Stagyrite； And others many more。〃 And then he
bent Downwards his forehead； and in troubled mood Broke off his speech。
Meanwhile we had arriv'd Far as the mountain's foot； and there the rock
Found of so steep ascent； that nimblest steps To climb it had been vain。
The most remote Most wild untrodden path； in all the tract 'Twixt Lerice
and Turbia were to this A ladder easy' and open of access。 〃Who knows
on which hand now the steep declines？〃 My master said and paus'd； 〃so
that he may Ascend； who journeys without aid of wine；？〃 And while with
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THE VISION
looks directed to the ground The meaning of the pathway he explor'd； And
I gaz'd upward round the stony height； Of spirits； that toward us mov'd
their steps； Yet moving seem'd not； they so slow approach'd。 I thus my
guide address'd： 〃Upraise thine eyes； Lo that way some； of whom thou
may'st obtain Counsel； if of thyself thou find'st it not！〃 Straightway he
look'd； and with free speech replied： 〃Let us tend thither： they but softly
come。 And thou be firm in hope； my son belov'd。〃 Now was that people
distant far in space A thousand paces behind ours； as much As at a throw
the nervous arm could fling； When all drew backward on the messy crags
Of the steep bank； and firmly stood unmov'd As one who walks in doubt
might stand to look。 〃O spirits perfect！ O already chosen！〃 Virgil to
them began； 〃by that blest peace； Which； as I deem； is for you all prepar'd；
Instruct us where the mountain low declines； So that attempt to mount it
be not vain。 For who knows most； him loss of time most grieves。〃 As
sheep； that step from forth their fold； by one； Or pairs； or three at once；
meanwhile the rest Stand fearfully； bending the eye and nose To ground；
and what the foremost does； that do The others； gath'ring round her； if she
stops； Simple and quiet； nor the cause discern； So saw I moving to
advance the first； Who of that fortunate crew were at the head； Of modest
mien and graceful in their gait。 When they before me had beheld the light
From my right side fall broken on the ground； So that the shadow reach'd
the cave； they stopp'd And somewhat back retir'd： the same did all； Who
follow'd； though unweeting of the cause 〃Unask'd of you； yet freely I
confess； This is a human body which ye see。 That the sun's light is broken
on the ground； Marvel not： but believe； that not without Virtue deriv'd
from Heaven； we to climb Over this wall aspire。〃 So them bespake My
master； and that virtuous tribe rejoin'd； 〃 Turn； and before you there the
entrance lies；〃 Making a signal to us with bent hands。 Then of them one
began。 〃Whoe'er thou art； Who journey'st thus this way； thy visage turn；
Think if me elsewhere thou hast ever seen。〃 I tow'rds him turn'd； and
with fix'd eye beheld。 Comely； and fair； and gentle of aspect； He seem'd；
but on one brow a gash was mark'd。 When humbly I disclaim'd to have
beheld Him ever： 〃Now behold！〃 he said； and show'd High on his
breast a wound： then smiling spake。 〃I am Manfredi； grandson to the
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Queen Costanza： whence I pray thee； when return'd； To my fair daughter
go； the parent glad Of Aragonia and Sicilia's pride； And of the truth inform
her； if of me Aught else be told。 When by two mortal blows My frame
was shatter'd； I betook myself Weeping to him； who of free will forgives。
My sins were horrible； but so wide arms Hath goodness infinite； that it
receives All who turn to it。 Had this text divine Been of Cosenza's
shepherd better scann'd； Who then by Clement on my hunt was set； Yet at
the bridge's head my bones had lain； Near Benevento； by the heavy mole
Protected； but the rain now drenches them； And the wind drives； out of the
kingdom's b