The Divine Comedy by Dante, Illustrated, Purgatory, Complete. Dante Alighieri

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 again

       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 will, which in his intellect

       Still follows evil, came, and rais'd the wind

       And smoky mist, by virtue of the power

       Given by his nature. Thence the valley, soon

       As day was spent, he cover'd o'er with cloud

       From Pratomagno to the mountain range,

       And stretch'd the sky above, so that the air

       Impregnate chang'd to water. Fell the rain,

       And to the fosses came all that the land

       Contain'd not; and, as mightiest streams are wont,

       To the great river with such headlong sweep

       Rush'd, that nought stay'd its course. My stiffen'd frame

       Laid at his mouth the fell Archiano found,

       And dash'd it into Arno, from my breast

       Loos'ning the cross, that of myself I made

       When overcome with pain. He hurl'd me on,

       Along the banks and bottom of his course;

       Then in his muddy spoils encircling wrapt."

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       "Ah! when thou to the world shalt be return'd,

       And rested after thy long road," so spake

       Next the third spirit; "then remember me.

       I once was Pia. Sienna gave me life,

       Maremma took it from me. That he knows,

       Who me with jewell'd ring had first espous'd."

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CANTO VI

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       When from their game of dice men separate,

       He, who hath lost, remains in sadness fix'd,

       Revolving in his mind, what luckless throws

       He cast: but meanwhile all the company

       Go with the other; one before him runs,

       And one behind his mantle twitches, one

       Fast by his side bids him remember him.

       He stops not; and each one, to whom his hand

       Is stretch'd, well knows he bids him stand aside;

       And thus he from the press defends himself.

       E'en such was I in that close-crowding throng;

       And turning so my face around to all,

       And promising, I 'scap'd from it with pains.

       Here of Arezzo him I saw, who fell

       By Ghino's cruel arm; and him beside,

       Who in his chase was swallow'd by the stream.

       Here Frederic Novello, with his hand

       Stretch'd forth, entreated; and of Pisa he,

       Who put the good Marzuco to such proof

       Of constancy. Count Orso I beheld;

       And from its frame a soul dismiss'd for spite

       And envy, as it said, but for no crime:

       I speak of Peter de la Brosse; and here,

       While she yet lives, that Lady of Brabant

       Let her beware; lest for so false a deed

       She herd with worse than these. When I was freed

       From all those spirits, who pray'd for others' prayers

       To hasten on their state of blessedness;

       Straight I began: "O thou, my luminary!

       It seems expressly in thy text denied,

       That heaven's supreme