Dante Alighieri
translation: Rev. H. F. Cary

THE DIVINE COMEDY - The Vision of Paradise, Purgatory and Hell
complete book, e-book

Nové Literární doupě!

Literární doupě bylo modernizováno a přechází pod novou doménu literdo.com!.

Nový web LD vám přínáší ještě více knih s možností výhodného stahování většího množství e-knih podle vlastního výběru (tedy nejen jednotlivých knih nebo balíčků podle autorů) ve formátech ePub , PDF  a MOBI.

 Přejít na nový web Literární doupě

 

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 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 (...)
(......)