Dante Alighieri
translation: Rev. H. F. Cary

THE DIVINE COMEDY - The Vision of Paradise, Purgatory and Hell
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CANTO VII

 After their courteous greetings joyfully
 Sev'n times exchang'd, Sordello backward drew
 Exclaiming, "Who are ye?"  "Before this mount
 By spirits worthy of ascent to God
 Was sought, my bones had by Octavius' care
 Been buried.  I am Virgil, for no sin
 Depriv'd of heav'n, except for lack of faith."
      So answer'd him in few my gentle guide.
      As one, who aught before him suddenly
 Beholding, whence his wonder riseth, cries
 "It is yet is not," wav'ring in belief;
 Such he appear'd; then downward bent his eyes,
 And drawing near with reverential step,
 Caught him, where of mean estate might clasp
 His lord.  "Glory of Latium!" he exclaim'd,
 "In whom our tongue its utmost power display'd!
 Boast of my honor'd birth-place! what desert
 Of mine, what favour rather undeserv'd,
 Shows thee to me?  If I to hear that voice
 Am worthy, say if from below thou com'st
 And from what cloister's pale?"—"Through every orb
 Of that sad region," he reply'd, "thus far
 Am I arriv'd, by heav'nly influence led
 And with such aid I come.  There is a place
 There underneath, not made by torments sad,
 But by dun shades alone; where mourning's voice
 Sounds not of anguish sharp, but breathes in sighs."
 
 

 

 
 There I with little innocents abide,
 Who by death's fangs were bitten, ere exempt
 From human taint.  There I with those abide,
 Who the three holy virtues put not on,
 But understood the rest, and without blame
 Follow'd them all.  But if thou know'st and canst,
 Direct us, how we soonest may arrive,
 Where Purgatory its true beginning takes."
      He answer'd thus: "We have no certain place
 Assign'd us: upwards I may go or round,
 Far as I can, I join thee for thy guide.
 But thou beholdest now how day declines:
 And upwards to proceed by night, our power
 Excels: therefore it may be well to choose
 A place of pleasant sojourn.  To the right
 Some spirits sit apart retir'd.  If thou
 Consentest, I to these will lead thy steps:
 And thou wilt know them, not without delight."
      "How chances this?"  was answer'd; "who so wish'd
 To ascend by night, would he be thence debarr'd
 By other, or through his own weakness fail?"
      The good Sordello then, along the ground
 Trailing his finger, spoke: "Only this line
 Thou shalt not overpass, soon as the sun
 Hath disappear'd; not that aught else impedes
 Thy going upwards, save the shades of night.
 These with the wont of power perplex the will.
 With them thou haply mightst return beneath,
 Or to and fro around the mountain's side
 Wander, while day is in the horizon shut."
      My master straight, as wond'ring at his speech,
 Exclaim'd: "Then lead us quickly, where thou sayst,
 That, while we stay, we may enjoy delight."
      A little space we were remov'd from thence,
 When I perceiv'd the mountain hollow'd out.
 Ev'n as large valleys hollow'd out on earth,
      "That way," the' escorting (...)
(......)