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！
west'ring sun sink to his bed；〃 Began the Mantuan； who our steps had
turn'd； 〃'Mid those desires not that I lead ye on。 For from this eminence
ye shall discern Better the acts and visages of all； Than in the nether vale
among them mix'd。 He； who sits high above the rest； and seems To have
neglected that he should have done； And to the others' song moves not his
lip； The Emperor Rodolph call； who might have heal'd The wounds
whereof fair Italy hath died； So that by others she revives but slowly； He；
who with kindly visage comforts him； Sway'd in that country； where the
water springs； That Moldaw's river to the Elbe； and Elbe Rolls to the
ocean： Ottocar his name： Who in his swaddling clothes was of more worth
Than Winceslaus his son； a bearded man； Pamper'd with rank
luxuriousness and ease。 And that one with the nose depress； who close In
counsel seems with him of gentle look； Flying expir'd； with'ring the lily's
flower。 Look there how he doth knock against his breast！ The other ye
behold； who for his cheek Makes of one hand a couch； with frequent sighs。
They are the father and the father…in…law Of Gallia's bane： his vicious life
they know And foul； thence comes the grief that rends them thus。 〃He；
21
… Page 22…
THE VISION
so robust of limb； who measure keeps In song； with him of feature
prominent； With ev'ry virtue bore his girdle brac'd。 And if that stripling
who behinds him sits； King after him had liv'd； his virtue then From vessel
to like vessel had been pour'd； Which may not of the other heirs be said。
By James and Frederick his realms are held； Neither the better heritage
obtains。 Rarely into the branches of the tree Doth human worth mount up；
and so ordains He who bestows it； that as his free gift It may be call'd。
To Charles my words apply No less than to his brother in the song； Which
Pouille and Provence now with grief confess。 So much that plant
degenerates from its seed； As more than Beatrice and Margaret Costanza
still boasts of her valorous spouse。 〃Behold the king of simple life and
plain； Harry of England； sitting there alone： He through his branches better
issue spreads。 〃That one； who on the ground beneath the rest Sits
lowest； yet his gaze directs aloft； Us William； that brave Marquis； for
whose cause The deed of Alexandria and his war Makes Conferrat and
Canavese weep。〃
22
… Page 23…
THE VISION
CANTO VIII
Now was the hour that wakens fond desire In men at sea； and melts
their thoughtful heart； Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell；
And pilgrim newly on his road with love Thrills； if he hear the vesper bell
from far； That seems to mourn for the expiring day： When I； no longer
taking heed to hear Began； with wonder； from those spirits to mark One
risen from its seat； which with its hand Audience implor'd。 Both palms it
join'd and rais'd； Fixing its steadfast gaze towards the east； As telling God；
〃I care for naught beside。〃 〃Te Lucis Ante；〃 so devoutly then Came
from its lip； and in so soft a strain； That all my sense in ravishment was
lost。 And the rest after； softly and devout； Follow'd through all the hymn；
with upward gaze Directed to the bright supernal wheels。 Here； reader！
for the truth makes thine eyes keen： For of so subtle texture is this veil；
That thou with ease mayst pass it through unmark'd。 I saw that gentle
band silently next Look up； as if in expectation held； Pale and in lowly
guise； and from on high I saw forth issuing descend beneath Two angels
with two flame…illumin'd swords； Broken and mutilated at their points。
Green as the tender leaves but newly born； Their vesture was； the which
by wings as green Beaten； they drew behind them； fann'd in air。 A little
over us one took his stand； The other lighted on the' Opposing hill； So that
the troop were in the midst contain'd。 Well I descried the whiteness on
their heads； But in their visages the dazzled eye Was lost； as faculty that
by too much Is overpower'd。 〃From Mary's bosom both Are come；〃
exclaim'd Sordello； 〃as a guard Over the vale； ganst him； who hither tends；
The serpent。〃 Whence； not knowing by which path He came； I turn'd me
round； and closely press'd； All frozen； to my leader's trusted side。
Sordello paus'd not： 〃To the valley now （For it is time） let us descend；
and hold Converse with those great shadows： haply much Their sight may
please ye。〃 Only three steps down Methinks I measur'd； ere I was
beneath； And noted one who look'd as with desire To know me。 Time
was now that air arrow dim； Yet not so dim； that 'twixt his eyes and mine
It clear'd not up what was conceal'd before。 Mutually tow'rds each other
we advanc'd。 Nino； thou courteous judge！ what joy I felt； When I
23
… Page 24…
THE VISION
perceiv'd thou wert not with the bad！ No salutation kind on either part
Was left unsaid。 He then inquir'd： 〃How long Since thou arrived'st at
the mountain's foot； Over the distant waves？〃 〃O！〃 answer'd I； 〃Through
the sad seats of woe this morn I came； And still in my first life； thus
journeying on； The other strive to gain。〃 Soon as they heard My words；
he and Sordello backward drew； As suddenly amaz'd。 To Virgil one； The
other to a spirit turn'd； who near Was seated； crying： 〃Conrad！ up with
speed： Come； see what of his grace high God hath will'd。〃 Then turning
round to me： 〃By that rare mark Of honour which thou ow'st to him；
who hides So deeply his first cause； it hath no ford； When thou shalt he
beyond the vast of waves。 Tell my Giovanna； that for me she call There；
where reply to innocence is made。 Her mother； I believe； loves me no
more； Since she has chang'd the white and wimpled folds； Which she is
doom'd once more with grief to wish。 By her it easily may be perceiv'd；
How long in women lasts the flame of love； If sight and touch