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him； he scarce his head Uplifted； saying 〃Well hast thou discern'd； How
from the left the sun his chariot leads。〃 His lazy acts and broken words
my lips To laughter somewhat mov'd； when I began： 〃Belacqua； now for
thee I grieve no more。 But tell； why thou art seated upright there？ Waitest
thou escort to conduct thee hence？ Or blame I only shine accustom'd
ways？〃 Then he： 〃My brother； of what use to mount； When to my
suffering would not let me pass The bird of God； who at the portal sits？
Behooves so long that heav'n first bear me round Without its limits； as in
life it bore； Because I to the end repentant Sighs Delay'd； if prayer do not
aid me first； That riseth up from heart which lives in grace。 What other
kind avails； not heard in heaven？〃' Before me now the Poet up the
mount Ascending； cried： 〃Haste thee； for see the sun Has touch'd the
point meridian； and the night Now covers with her foot Marocco's shore。〃
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THE VISION
CANTO V
Now had I left those spirits； and pursued The steps of my Conductor；
when beheld Pointing the finger at me one exclaim'd： 〃See how it seems as
if the light not shone From the left hand of him beneath； and he； As living；
seems to be led on。〃 Mine eyes I at that sound reverting； saw them gaze
Through wonder first at me； and then at me And the light broken
underneath； by turns。 〃Why are thy thoughts thus riveted？〃 my guide
Exclaim'd； 〃that thou hast slack'd thy pace？ or how Imports it thee； what
thing is whisper'd here？ Come after me； and to their babblings leave The
crowd。 Be as a tower； that； firmly set； Shakes not its top for any blast that
blows！ He； in whose bosom thought on thought shoots out； Still of his aim
is wide； in that the one Sicklies and wastes to nought the other's strength。〃
What other could I answer save 〃I come？〃 I said it； somewhat with that
colour ting'd Which ofttimes pardon meriteth for man。 Meanwhile
traverse along the hill there came； A little way before us； some who sang
The 〃Miserere〃 in responsive Strains。 When they perceiv'd that through
my body I Gave way not for the rays to pass； their song Straight to a long
and hoarse exclaim they chang'd； And two of them； in guise of messengers；
Ran on to meet us； and inquiring ask'd： Of your condition we would gladly
learn。〃 To them my guide。 〃Ye may return； and bear Tidings to them
who sent you； that his frame Is real flesh。 If； as I deem； to view His
shade they paus'd； enough is answer'd them。 Him let them honour； they
may prize him well。〃 Ne'er saw I fiery vapours with such speed Cut
through the serene air at fall of night； Nor August's clouds athwart the
setting sun； That upward these did not in shorter space Return； and； there
arriving； with the rest Wheel back on us； as with loose rein a troop。
〃Many；〃 exclaim'd the bard； 〃are these； who throng Around us： to petition
thee they come。 Go therefore on； and listen as thou go'st。〃 〃O spirit！
who go'st on to blessedness With the same limbs； that clad thee at thy
birth。〃 Shouting they came； 〃a little rest thy step。 Look if thou any one
amongst our tribe Hast e'er beheld； that tidings of him there Thou mayst
report。 Ah； wherefore go'st thou on？ Ah wherefore tarriest thou not？
We all By violence died； and to our latest hour Were sinners； but then
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THE VISION
warn'd by light from heav'n； So that； repenting and forgiving； we Did issue
out of life at peace with God； Who with desire to see him fills our heart。〃
Then I： 〃The visages of all I scan Yet none of ye remember。 But if
aught； That I can do； may please you； gentle spirits！ Speak； and I will
perform it； by that peace； Which on the steps of guide so excellent
Following from world to world intent I seek。〃 In answer he began：
〃None here distrusts Thy kindness； though not promis'd with an oath； So
as the will fail not for want of power。 Whence I； who sole before the others
speak； Entreat thee； if thou ever see that land； Which lies between
Romagna and the realm Of Charles； that of thy courtesy thou pray Those
who inhabit Fano； that for me Their adorations duly be put up； By which I
may purge off my grievous sins。 From thence I came。 But the deep
passages； Whence issued out the blood wherein I dwelt； Upon my bosom
in Antenor's land Were made； where to be more secure I thought。 The
author of the deed was Este's prince； Who； more than right could warrant；
with his wrath Pursued me。 Had I towards Mira fled； When overta'en at
Oriaco； still Might I have breath'd。 But to the marsh I sped； And in the
mire and rushes tangled there Fell； and beheld my life…blood float the
plain。〃 Then said another： 〃Ah！ so may the wish； That takes thee o'er
the mountain； be fulfill'd； As thou shalt graciously give aid to mine。 Of
Montefeltro I； Buonconte I： Giovanna nor none else have care for me；
Sorrowing with these I therefore go。〃 I thus： 〃From Campaldino's field
what force or chance Drew thee； that ne'er thy sepulture was known？〃
〃Oh！〃 answer'd he； 〃at Casentino's foot A stream there courseth； nam'd
Archiano； sprung In Apennine above the Hermit's seat。 E'en where its
name is cancel'd； there came I； Pierc'd in the heart； fleeing away on foot；
And bloodying the plain。 Here sight and speech Fail'd me； and finishing
with Mary's name I fell； and tenantless my flesh remain'd。 I will report the
truth； which thou again0 Tell to the living。 Me God's angel took； Whilst
he of hell exclaim'd： 〃O thou from heav'n！ Say wherefore hast thou
robb'd me？ Thou of him Th' eternal portion bear'st with thee away For
one poor tear that he deprives me of。 But of the other； other rule I make。〃
〃Thou knowest how in the atmosphere collects That vapour dank；
returning into water； Soon as it mounts where cold condenses it。 That evil