La Divina Commedia Inferno Canto II The song of the three blessed women Time: Saturday, March 25, 1301 (Friday, April 8, 1300): at sunset Place: The desert slope People: Dante, Virgilio, Beatrice, the vergin Mary, holy Lucia © 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 Lo gi rno se n’andava, e l’ ere bruno 2 6 8 togli va li animai che s no in t rra 2 6 8 3 da le fatiche l ro; e io s l uno 4 6 8 m’apparecchiava a sosten r la gu rra 4 8 sì del cammino e sì de la pietate, 1 4 6 6 che ritrarrà la m nte che non rra. 4 6 mu e, alto ing gno, r m’a iutate; 2 4 6 7 m nte che scriv sti ciò ch’io vidi, 2 6 (8) 9 qui si parrà la tua nobilitate. 1 4 6 Io cominciai: «Po !ta che mi guidi, (1) 4 6 guarda la mia virtù s’"ll’ è poss#nte, 1 6 8 12 prima ch’a l’alto passo tu mi fidi. 1 4 6 Tu dici che di Silvïo$il par%nte, 2 6 corruttibile&anc'ra,(ad immortale 3 6 15 s)colo*andò,+e fu sensibilm,nte. 1 4 6 Però, se l’avversario d’-gne male 2 6 (8) cort./e0i fu, pensando l’alto1eff2tto 2 4 6 8 18 ch’uscir dov3a di lui,4e ’l chi5e ’l quale 2 4 6 8 non pare6ind7gno8ad 9mo d’intell:tto; 2 4 6 ch’e’ fu de l’alma R;ma<e di suo=imp>ro 2 4 6 21 ne l’emp?re@o ciAl per padreBelCtto: 3 6 8 la qualeDe ’l quale,Ea volFr dir lo vGro, 2 4 (7) 8 fu stabilita per lo lHco santo 1 4 8 24 u’ siIdeJil successKr del maggiLr PiMro. 2 6 9 Per quNst’ andataOPnde li dai tu vanto, 2 4 5 8 intQRe cSTe che furon cagiUne 2 4 7 27 di sua vittVriaWe del papaleXammanto. 4 8
2 The day was going, and the dusky air was taking the living things that are on earth 3 from their fatigues, and I alone was preparing to sustain the war alike of the journey and of the woe, 6 which my memory that errs not shall retrace. O Muses, O lofty genius, now assist me! O memory that didst inscribe that which I saw, 9 here shall thy nobility appear! I began: “Poet, who guidest me, consider my power, if it be sufficient, 12 before thou trust me to the deep pass. Thou sayest’ that the parent of Silvius while still corruptible went to the immortal 15 world and was there in the body; and truly if the Adversary of every ill was courteous to him, thinking on the high effect that 18 should proceed from him, and on the who and the what; it seems not unmeet to the man of understanding, for of revered Rome and of her empire 21 in the empyrean heaven he was chosen for father; both which ( would one say truth) were ordained for the holy place 24 where the successor of the greater Peter has his seat. Through this going, whereof thou givest him vaunt, he learned things which were the cause 27 of his victory and of the papal mantle.
3 AndYvvi pZi lo Vas d’elezï[ne, 2 4 6 per recarne conf\rto]a qu^lla f_de 3 6 8 30 ch’è principio`a la via di salvaziane. 3 6 Mabio, perché venirvi?co chi ’l concdde? 2 4 6 8 Io non Enea,fio non Pgulo shno; 1 4 6 8 33 me dignoja ciò nékio nélaltri ’l crmde. 2 4 6 8 Per che, se del venirenio m’abbandono, 2 6 (7) tpmo che la venuta non sia fqlle. 1 6 8/9 36 Sr’ savio;sinttndi mu’ ch’i’ non ragivno». 2 4 6 E qual è quwi che dixvuyl ciò che vzlle (2) 4 7 (8) e per n{vi pensi|r cangia prop}sta, 3 6 7 39 sì che dal cominciar tutto si t~lle, (1) 6 7 tal mi fc’ ïo ’n qullaoscura csta, 1 4 6 8 perché, pensando, consumai la ’mpra 2 4 8 42 che fu nel cominciar cotanto t sta. (2) 6 8 «S’i’h bn la parla tuainta», 3 6.8 rispue del magnanimo qull’ mbra, 2 6 45 «l’anima tuaè da viltadeoffa; 1 4 (5) 8 la qual mlte fïate l’moingmbra 2 3 6 8 sì che d’onrataimpra lo rivlve, (1) 4 6 48 come falso vedr bstia quand’ mbra. 3 6 7 Da qu sta t¡ma¢acciò che tu ti s£lve, 2 4 6 dir¤tti perch’ io v¥nni¦e qu§l ch’io ’nt¨©i 2 6 8 51 nel primo punto che di te mi dªlve. 2 4 8 Io«¬ra tra col r che s®n sosp¯°i, 2 6 8 e d±nna mi chiamò be²ata³e b´lla, 2 6 8 54 tal che di comandareµio la richi¶·i. 1 6 (7)
4 Afterward the Chosen Vessel went thither to bring thence comfort to that faith 30 which is the beginning of the way of salvation. But I, why go I thither? or who concedes it? I am not Aeneas, I am not Paul; 33 neither I nor others believe me worthy of this; wherefore if I yield myself to go, I fear lest the going may be mad. 36 Thou art wise, thou understandest better than I speak.” And as is he who unwills what he willed, and by reason of new thoughts changes his purpose, 39 so that he withdraws wholly from what he had begun, such I became on that dark hillside: because in my thought I abandoned the enterprise 42 which had been so hasty in its beginning. “If I have rightly understood thy speech,” replied that shade of the magnanimous one, 45 “thy soul is hurt by cowardice, which oftentimes encumbers a man so that it turns him back from honorable enterprise, 48 as false seeing does a beast when it shies. In order that thou loose thee from this fear I will tell thee why I came, and what I heard 51 at the first moment that I grieved for thee. I was among those who are suspended, and a Lady blessed and beautiful called me, 54 such that I besought her to command.
5 Luc¸van li¹ºcchi su»i più che la st¼lla; 2 4 6 7 e cominci½mmi¾a dir so¿aveÀe piana, 4 6 8 57 con angÁlica vÂce,Ãin sua favÄlla: 3 6 8 “ÅÆanima cortÇÈe mantoÉana, 2 6 di cui la famaÊancËr nel mÌndo dura, 2 4 6 8 60 e durerà quanto ’l mÍndo lontana, 4 5 7 l’amico mio,Îe non de la ventura, 2 4 6 ne la diÏÐrta piaggiaÑèÒimpedito 4 6 63 sì nel cammin, che vòlt’ è per paÓura; (1) 4 6 7 e tÔmo che non sia già sì Õmarrito, 2 6 (7) ch’io mi sia tardiÖal socc×rso levata, 1 4 7 66 per quØl ch’i’ÙhÚ di lui nel ciÛloÜudito. 2 4 6 8 Ýr mÞvi,ße con la tua paràlaáornata 1 2 6 8 e con ciò c’ha mestiâriãal suo campare, 3 6 (8) 69 l’aäiuta sì ch’i’ ne sia consolata. 2 4 7 I’ sån Beatrice che ti faccioæandare; 2 4 8 vçgno del lècoéêve tornar diëio; 1 4 5 8 72 amìr mi mísse, che mi fa parlare. 2 4 8 Quando sarò dinanziîal segnïr mio, 1 4 6 9 di te mi loderò sovðnteña lui”. 2 6 8 75 Tacòtteóallôra,õe pöi comincia’÷io: 2 4 6 9 “ø dùnna di virtù súla per cui 2 6 7 l’umana spûzieüeccýdeþ gne cont nto 2 4 6 7 78 di quel ci l c’ha min r li c rchi sui, 3 6 8 tanto m’aggrada il tuo comandam nto, 1 4 6 che l’ubidir, se già f sse, m’è tardi; 4 7 81 più non t’è u ’ ch’aprirmi il tuo tal nto. 1 4 6 8
6 Her eyes were more shining than the star, and she began to say to me sweet and clear, 57 with angelic voice, in her speech: ‘O courteous Mantuan soul! of whom the fame yet lasts in the world, 60 and shall last so long as motion continues, my friend, and not of fortune, is so hindered on his road upon the desert hillside 63 that he has turned for fear, and I am afraid, lest he be already so astray that I may have risen late to his succor, 66 through that which I have heard of him in heaven. Now do thou move, and with thy ornate speech and with whatever is needful for his deliverance, 69 assist him so that I may be consoled thereby. I am Beatrice who make thee go. I come from a place whither I desire to return. 72 Love moved me, that makes me speak. When I shall be before my Lord, I will often praise thee to Him.’ 75 Then she was silent, and thereon I began: ‘O Lady of Virtue! through whom alone the human race excels all contained 78 within that heaven which has the smallest circle, thy command so pleases me that to obey it, were it already done, were slow to me. 81 There is no need for thee further to open to me thy will;
7 Ma dimmi la cagi n che non ti guardi 2 6 de lo sc nder qua giu o in qu sto c ntro 3 6 8 84 de l’ampio l co ve tornar tu ardi”. 2 4 (5) 8 “Da che tu vu ’ sav r cotanto a d ntro, 2 (4) 6 8 dir tti brievem nte”, mi rispu e, 2 6 87 “perch’ i’ non t mo di venir qua !ntro. 2 4 8 Tem"r si d#e di s$le qu%lle c&'e 2 4 6 8 c’hanno pot(nza di fare)altrui male; 1 4 7 9 90 de l’altre n*, ché non s+n pa,ur-.e. 2 4 7 I’ s/n fatta da Dio, sua mercé, tale, 3 6 9 che la v0stra mi12ria non mi tange, 3 6 93 né fiamma d’3sto ’nc4ndio non m’assale. 2 4 6 D5nna6è gentil nel ci7l che si compiange 1 4 6 di qu8sto ’mpedim9nto:;v’ io ti mando, 2 6 (8) 96 sì che duro giudicio là sù frange. 1 3 6 9 Qu<sta chi=>e Lucia?in suo dimando 1 3 6 8 e disse:@– Ar ha biBCgnoDil tuo fedEle 2 3 6 8 99 di te,FeGioHa te lo raccomando –. 2 4 6 Lucia, nimica di ciascun crudIle, 2 4 8 si mJsse,Ke vLnneMal lNco dOv’ i’ PQra, 2 4 6 102 che mi sedRa con l’antica RachSle. 4 7 Disse: – Beatrice, lTda di Dio vUra, 1 4 6 9 ché non soccVrri quWi che t’amò tanto, 1 4 6 9 105 ch’uscì per te de la volgare schiXra? 2 4 8 Non Ydi tu la piZta del suo pianto, 2 4 6 non v[di tu la m\rte che ’l combatte 2 4 6 108 su la fiumana]^ve ’l mar non ha vanto? –. 4 5 7
8 but tell me the reason why thou dost not beware of descending down here into this centre, 84 from the ample place whither thou burnest to return.’ ‘Since thou wishest to know so inwardly, I will tell thee briefly,’ she replied to me, 87 ‘wherefore I fear not to come here within. One need be afraid only of those things that have power to do one harm, 90 of others not, for they are not fearful. I am made by God, thanks be to Him, such that your misery touches me not, 93 nor does the flame of this burning assail me. A gentle Lady is in heaven who feels compassion for this hindrance whereto I send thee, 96 so that she breaks stern judgment there above. She summoned Lucia in her request, and said, “Thy faithful one now has need 99 of thee, and I commend him to thee.” Lucia, the foe of every cruel one, moved and came to the place where I was, 102 seated with the ancient Rachel. ‘She said, “Beatrice, true praise of God, why dost thou not succor him who so loved thee 105 that for thee he came forth from the vulgar throng? Dost thou not hear the pity of his plaint? Dost thou not see the death that combats him 108 on the stream where the sea has no vaunt?”
9 Al m_ndo non fur mai pers`ne ratte 2 6 8 a far lar prbcoda fuggir ler danno, 2 4 8 111 cfm’ io, dgpo cotai parhle fatte, 2 3 6 8 vinni qua giù del mio bejato scanno, 1 4 8 fidandomi del tuo parlarekonlsto, 2 (6) 8 114 ch’onmra tene quoi ch’udito l’hanno”. 2 4 6 8 Ppscia che m’qbbe ragionato qursto, 1 4 8 listcchi lucunti lagrimando vvlse, 1 4 8 117 per che mi fwce del venir più prxsto. 2 4 8 E vynniza te co{ì c|m’ }lla v~lse: 2 4 6 8 d’inanzia qulla fira ti levai 2 4 6 120 che del bl mnteil c rtoandar ti tlse. 3 4 6 8 Dunque: cheè? perché, perché restai, 1 4 6 8 perché tanta viltà nel crealltte, 2 3 6 8 123 perchéardiree franchzza non hai, 2 4 7 pscia che tai tre dnne benedtte 1 4 6 curan di te ne la crte del cilo, 1 4 7 126 e ’l mio parlar tanto bn ti promtte?». 4 5 7 Quali fiortti dal notturno glo 1 4 8 chinatie chiui, pi che ’l sl li ’mbianca, 2 4 6 8 129 si drizzan tuttiaprtiin lro st lo, 2 4 6 8 tal mi f¡c’ io di mia virtude stanca, 1 4 8 e tanto bu¢no£ardire¤al c¥r mi c¦rse, 2 4 6 8 132 ch’i’ cominciai c§me pers¨na franca: 4 5 8 «©h pietª«a col¬i che mi socc rse! 1 3 6 e te cort®¯e ch’ubidisti t°sto 2 4 8 135 a le v±re par²le che ti p³rse! 3 6
10 Never were persons in the world swift to do their good, or to fly their harm, 111 as I, after these words were uttered, came down here from my blessed seat, putting my trust in thy upright speech, 114 which honors thee and them who have heard it.’ After she had said this to me, weeping she turned her lucent eyes, 117 whereby she made me more quick to come. And I came to thee thus as she willed. I withdrew thee from before that wild beast which 120 took from thee the short way on the beautiful mountain. What is it then? Why, why dost thou hold back? why dost thou harbor such cowardice in thy heart? 123 why hast thou not daring and assurance, since three such blessed Ladies care for thee in the court of Heaven, 126 and my speech pledges thee such good?” As the flowerets, bent and closed by the chill of night, when the sun brightens them 129 erect themselves all open on their stem, so I became with my drooping courage, and such good daring ran to my heart 132 that I began like a person enfreed: “O compassionate she who succored me, and courteous thou who didst speedily obey 135 the true words that she addressed to thee!
11 Tu m’hai con di´idµrio¶il c·r disp¸sto 2 6 8 sì¹al venir con le parºle tue, 1 4 8 138 ch’i’ s»n tornato nel primo prop¼sto. 4 7 ½r va, ch’un s¾l vol¿reÀè d’ambedue: 2 6 tu duca, tu segnÁreÂe tu maÃÄstro». 1 2 4 6 8 141 CoÅì li dissi;Æe pÇi che mÈsso fue, 2 4 6 8 intrai per lo camminoÉaltoÊe silvËstro. 2 6 7
12 Thou by thy words hast so disposed my heart with desire of going, 138 that I have returned to my first intent. Now go, for one sole will is in us both: thou leader, thou lord, and thou master.” 141 Thus I said to him; and when he moved on, I entered along the deep and savage road.
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