La Divina Commedia Inferno Canto XII The song of the Centaurs Time: Sunday, March 26, 1301 (Saturday, April 9, 1300): four in the morning Place: Circle VII – Group I: violents against fellows People: Dante, Virgilio, Minotauro, Centauri (Nesso, Folo, Chirone), Alessandro Magno, Dionigi di Siracusa, Ezzelino da Romano, Obizzo d’Este, Guido di Montfort, Attila, Pirro, Sesto Pompeo, Rinieri da Corneto, Rinieri de’ Pazzi © 2021 Dr. M. Junker: Fonetics, metrics, accents colored, protected by Namirial SpA © 1994 Le Lettere: Critical Edition of the Divine Comedy (by Giorgio Petrocchi) English Translation by Charles Eliot Norton: 1901/1952 (Encyclopædia Britannica)
1 ra lo l co v’ a sc nder la riva 1 4 (5) 7 venimmo, alp stro e, per qu l che v’ r’ anco, 2 4 7 3 tal, ch’ gne vista ne sar bbe schiva. 1 (2) 4 8 Qual è qu lla ru ina che nel fianco 2 3 6 di qua da Tr nto l’Adice perc sse, 2 4 6 6 o per trem to o per sost gno manco, 4 8 che da cima del m nte, nde si m sse, 3 6 7 al piano è sì la r ccia discosc a, 2 4 6 9 ch’alcuna via dar bbe a chi sù f sse: 2 4 6 (8/9) cotal di qu l burrato !ra la sc"#a; 2 (4) 6 7 e ’n su la punta de la r$tta lacca 4 8 12 l’inf%mïa di Cr&ti'(ra dist)*a 2 6 7 che fu conc+tta ne la falsa vacca; 4 8 e quando vide n,i, sé st-sso m.rse, 2 4 6 8 15 sì come qu/i cui l’ira d0ntro fiacca. (1/2) 4 6 8 Lo savio mio1inv2r’ lui gridò: «F3rse 2 4 7 9 tu cr4di che qui sia ’l duca d’At5ne, 2 5 6 7 18 che sù nel m6ndo la m7rte ti p8rse? (2) 4 7 Pàrtiti, b9stia, ché qu:sti non v;ne 1 4 7 amma<estrato da la tua sor=lla, 4 8 21 ma vassi per ved>r le v?stre p@ne». 2 6 8 Qual è quel tAro che si slacciaBin quClla 2 4 8 c’ha ricevuto già ’l cDlpo mortale, 4 6 7 24 che gir non sa, ma quaEe là saltFlla, 2 4 (6) 8 vid’ io lo MinotGuro far cotale; 2 6 8 e quHlloIaccJrto gridò: «CKrriLal varco; 2 4 7 8 27 mMntre ch’N’ ’nfuria,Oè buPn che tu ti cale». 1 4 6 (8)
2 The place where we came to descend the bank was alpine, and, because also of what was there, 3 such that every eye would be shy of it. As is that downfall which, on this side of Trent, struck the Adige on its flank, 6 either by earthquake or through failure of support,— for from the top of the mountain, whence it started, to the plain, the cliff has so tumbled down 9 that it might afford some path to one that were above— such was the descent of that ravine: and on the edge of the broken chasm 12 was outstretched the infamy of Crete, that was conceived in the false cow. And when he saw us he bit himself 15 even as one whom wrath rends inwardly. My Sage cried out toward him: “Perchance thou believest that here is the Duke of Athens, 18 who up in the world gave thee thy death? Get thee gone, beast, for this one does not come instructed by thy sister, 21 but he goes to behold your punishments.” As is that bull which breaks his halter at the instant he has just received his mortal stroke, 24 and cannot go, but plunges this way and that, I saw the Minotaur do the like. And he watchful cried: “Run to the pass; 27 while he is in a rage it is well that thou descend.”
3 CoQì prendRmmo via giù per lo scarco 2 4 6 7 di quSlle piTtre, che spUsso moviVnsi 2 4 7 30 sWttoXi miYi piZdi per lo n[vo carco. 1 4 8 Io gia pensando;\e qu]i disse: «Tu p^nsi (1.2) 4 6 7 f_rse`a quasta rubina, ch’è guardata 1 (3) 6 33 da qucll’ ira bestial ch’i’dera spfnsi. (3) 6 8 gr vh’ che sappi che l’altra fïata (1.2) 4 7 ch’i’ disciji qua giù nel bassokinflrno, 3 6 8 36 qumsta rnccia non orapancqr cascata. 1 3 6 8 Ma crrto psco pria, se btn discurno, 2 4 6 (8) che venisse colui che la gran prvda 3 6 9 39 levòwa Dite del cxrchio supyrno, 2 4 7 da tutte parti l’alta valle fzda 2 4 6 8 tremò sì, ch’i’ pensai che l’univ{rso 2 3 6 42 sentisse|am}r, per lo qual è chi cr~da 2 4 7 (8) più vlteil mndoin caòsso convrso; 2 4 7 e in qul punto qusta vcchia rccia, 4 6 (8) 45 quiealtrve, tal fce rivrso. 1 4 6 7 Ma ficca licchia valle, ché s’apprccia 2 4 6 la rivira del sanguein la qual blle 3 6 9 48 qual che per vïolnzain altrui nccia». 1 6 9 h cica cupidigiaeira flle, (1) 2 6 8 che sì ci sprni ne la vita crta, 2 4 8 51 e ne l’ett rna p¡i sì mal c’imm¢lle! 4 6 8 Io vidi£un’ampia f¤ssa¥in arco t¦rta, 2 4 6 8 c§me qu¨lla che tutto ’l piano©abbraccia, 3 6 8 54 secªndo ch’av«a d¬tto la mia sc rta; 2 6
4 So we took our way down over the discharge of those stones, which often moved 30 under my feet because of the novel burden. I was going along thinking, and he said: “Thou art thinking perhaps on this ruin which is guarded 33 by that bestial wrath which I just now quelled. Now I would have thee know that the other time when I descended here below into the nether hell, 36 this cliff had not yet fallen. But in truth, if I discern aright, a little ere He came, who levied the great spoil 39 on Dis from the uppermost circle, on all sides the deep foul valley trembled so that I thought the universe 42 felt love whereby, as some believe, the world has oft-times been converted into chaos: and, at that moment, this ancient rock 45 here and elsewhere made such downfall. But fix thine eyes below, for the river of blood is near, in which is boiling 48 everyone who does harm by violence to others.” Oh blind cupidity, both guilty and mad, which so spurs us in the short life, 51 and then, in the eternal, steeps us so ill! I saw a broad ditch, bent in an arc, as that which embraces all the plain, 54 according as my Guide had said.
5 e tra ’l piè de la ripa®ed ¯ssa,°in traccia 3 6 8 corr±en centauri,²armati di sa³´tte, 2 4 6 57 cµme sol¶en nel m·ndo¸andare¹a caccia. 1 4 6 8 Veggºndoci calar, ciascun rist»tte, 2 6 8 e de la schi¼ra tr½ si dipartiro 4 6 60 con archi¾e¿asticciuÀle primaÁelÂtte; 2 6 8 e l’un gridò da lungi:ëA qual martiro 2 4 6 8 venite vÄi che scendÅte la cÆsta? 2 4 7 63 Ditel costinci; se non, l’arco tiro». 1 4 7 8 Lo mio maÇÈstro disse: «La rispÉsta 4 6 farÊm nËiÌa Chirón costà di prÍsso: 2 3 6 8 66 mal fu la vÎglia tua sempre sì tÏsta». 1 4 6 7 PÐi mi tentò,Ñe disse: «QuÒlliÓè NÔsso, 1 4 6 8 che morì per la bÕlla DeÖianira, 3 6 69 e fé di sé la vend×ttaØÙlli stÚsso. 2 4 7 8 E quÛl di mÜÝÞo, ch’al pßtto si mira, 2 4 7 èàil gran Chirón, il qual nodrìáAchille; 2 4 6 8 72 quâll’ altroãè Fälo, che fu sì piån d’ira. 2 4 (7/8) 9 Dintærnoçal fèsso vannoéa milleêa mille, (2) 4 6 8 saëettando qual anima si ìvílle 3 6 75 del sangue più che sua cîlpa sortille». 2 4 7 Nïi ciðappressammoña quòlle fióreôiõnölle: 1 4 6 8 Chirón pr÷øeùuno strale,úe con la cûcca 2 3 6 78 füce la barbaýin diþtro a le masc lle. (1) 4 6 Quando s’ bbe scop rta la gran b cca, (1) 3 6 9 disse a’ compagni: «Si te v i acc rti 1 4 6 8 81 che qu l di r tro m ve ciò ch’ l t cca? (2) 4 6 (8)
6 And between the foot of the bank and it, Centaurs were running in a file, armed with arrows, 57 as they were wont in the world to go to the chase. Seeing us descending, each stopped, and from the troop three detached themselves, 60 with bows and darts first selected. And one cried from afar: “To what torment are ye coming, ye who descend the slope? 63 Tell it from there; if not, I draw the bow.” My Master said: “We will make answer unto Chiron near by there: 66 to thy hurt was thy will ever thus hasty.” Then he touched me, and said: “That is Nessus, who died for the beautiful Dejanira, 69 and himself wrought vengeance for himself; and that one in the middle, who is gazing on his own breast, is the great Chiron who nurtured Achilles; 72 that other is Pholus, who was so full of wrath. Round about the ditch they go by thousands, shooting with their arrows whatever soul lifts itself 75 from the blood more than its crime has allotted to it.” We drew near to those fleet wild beasts. Chiron took a shaft, and with the notch 78 put his beard back upon his jaws. When he had thus uncovered his great mouth he said to his companions: “Are ye aware 81 that the one behind moves what he touches?
7 Co ì non s glion far li piè d’i m rti». 2 (4) 6 8 E ’l mio bu n duca, che già li r’ al p tto, (2.3) 4 7 (8) 84 d ve le due nature son cons rti, 1 4 6 rispu e: «B n è vivo, e sì sol tto 2 (4) 6 mostrar li mi convi n la valle bu ia; 2 6 8 87 necessità ’l ci ’nduce, e non dil!tto. 4 6 8 Tal si partì da cantare"allelu#ia 1 4 7 che mi commi$e qu%st’ officio n&vo: 4 8 90 non è ladr'n, né(io)anima fu*ia. 2 4 6 7 Ma per qu+lla virtù per cu’,io m-vo (1) 3 6 8 li passi mi.i per sì selvaggia strada, 2 4 8 93 danne/un d0’ tu1i,2a cui n3i siamo4a pr5vo, 1 4 (6/7) 8 e che ne m6stri là d7ve si guada, 4 6 (7) e che p8rti costui9in su la gr:ppa, 3 6 96 ché non è spirto che per l’;ere vada». (2/3) 4 8 Chirón si v<lse=in su la d>stra p?ppa, 2 4 8 e disse@a NAsso: «TBrna,Ce sì li guida, 2 4 6 8 99 e fa cansar s’altra schiDra v’intEppa». 4 5 7 Fr ci movGmmo con la scHrta fida 1 4 8 lungo la prIda del bollJr vermiglio, (1) 4 8 102 dKveLi bolliti facMenoNalte strida. 1 4 7 8 Io vidi gOnte sPttoQinfinoRal ciglio; (1/2) 4 6 8 e ’l gran centSuro disse:T«U’ sVn tiranni (2) 4 6 (7) 105 che diWr nel sangueXe ne l’avYr di piglio. 2 4 8 Quivi si piangon li spietati danni; 1 4 (8) quiviZè[Alessandro,\e Dïoni]io f^ro 1 4 8 108 che fé Cicilia_av`r dolorabicanni. 2 4 6 9
8 thus are not wont to do the feet of the dead.” And my good Leader, who was now at his breast, 84 where the two natures are conjoined, replied: “He is indeed alive, and thus alone it behoves me to show him the dark valley: 87 necessity leads him and not delight. One who withdrew from singing hallelujah committed unto me this new duty; 90 he is no robber, nor I a fraudulent soul. But, by that Power through which I move my steps along so savage a road, 93 give to us one of thine, to whom we may keep close, who may show us where the ford is, and may carry this one on his back, 96 who is not a spirit that can go through the air.” Chiron turned upon his right breast, and said to Nessus: “Turn, and guide them thus, 99 and if another troop encounter you, make it give way.” We moved on with the trusty escort along the edge of the crimson boiling, 102 in which the boiled were uttering loud shrieks. I saw folk under it up to the brow, and the great Centaur said: “These are tyrants 105 who laid hold on blood and plunder. Here they bewail their merciless misdeeds: here is Alexander, and cruel Dionysius 108 who made Sicily have woeful years.
9 E qudlla frente c’ha ’l pfl cogì nhro, (2) 4 7 (9) èiAjkolino;le qumll’ altro ch’è binndo, 4 7 111 èoppizzo daqrsti,sil qual per vtro 2 6 8 fu spunto dal figliastro sù nel mvndo». 2 6 (8) Allwr mi vxlsiyal poz{ta,|e qu}i disse: 2 4 7 9 114 «Qu~sti ti siar primo,eio secndo». 1 (4) 6 8 Pco più ltreil centuro s’affisse 1 4 7 svr’ una gnte che ’nfinoa la gla 4 7 117 para che di qul bulicmeuscisse. 2 5 8 Mostrcciun’mbra da l’un canto sla, 2 4 7 8 dicndo: «Colui fssein grmboa Dio 2 5 6 8 120 lo cr che ’n su Tamiiancr si cla». 2 6 8 Pi vidi g nte che di fu¡r del rio (1) 4 8 ten¢an la t£sta¤e¥anc¦r tutto ’l casso; 2 4 (7) 8 123 e di cost§ro¨assai ricon©bb’ io. 4 6 (9) Coªì«a più¬a più si fac a basso 2 4 6 9 qu®l sangue, sì che coc¯a pur li pi°di; 2 4 7 126 e quindi fu del f±sso²il n³stro passo. 2 4 6 8 «Sì c´me tu da quµsta parte v¶di (1) 4 (6) 8 lo bulicame che s·mpre si sc¸ma», 4 7 129 disse ’l cent¹uro, «vºglio che tu cr»di 1 4 6 (9) che da qu¼st’ altra½a più¾a più giù pr¿ma 4 6 8 (9) lo fÀndo suo,Áinfin ch’Âl si raggiunge (2) 4 6 (7) 132 Ãve la tirannÄa conviÅn che gÆma. (1) 6 8 La divina giustizia di qua punge (3) 6 9 quÇll’ Èttila che fu flagÉlloÊin tËrra, 1 2 (6) 8 135 e PÌrroÍe SÎsto;ÏeÐin ettÑrno munge 2 4 8
10 And that forehead which has such black hair is Azzolino, and that other who is blond 111 is Opizzo of Este, who of a truth was slain by his stepson up there in the world.” Then I turned me to the Poet, and he said: 114 “Let him now be first for thee, and I second.” A little further on the Centaur stopped above a folk who far as the throat 117 seemed to come out from that boiling stream. He showed to us at one side a solitary shade, and said: “He cleft, in the bosom of God, 120 the heart that still is honored on the Thames.” Then I saw folk, who out of the stream were holding their heads, and even all their chests; 123 and of these I recognized many. Thus more and more that blood sank down, until it cooked only the feet: 126 and here was our passage of the foss. “As on this hand, thou seest that the boiling stream continually diminishes,” 129 said the Centaur, “so I would have thee believe that on this other more and more it lowers its bed, until it comes round again 132 to where it behoves that tyranny should groan. The divine justice here goads that Attila who was a scourge on earth, 135 and Pyrrhus and Sextus; and forever milks
11 le lagrime, che col bollÒr disÓrra, 2 8 a RiniÔr da CornÕto,Öa Rini×r Pazzo, 3 6 9 138 che fØceroÙa le strade tanta guÚrra». 2 6 8 PÛi si rivÜlseÝe ripassÞssi ’l guazzo. (1) 4 8
12 the tears which with the boiling it unlocks from Rinier of Corneto and from Rinier Pazzo, 138 who made such warfare upon the highways.” Then he turned back and repassed the ford.
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