La Divina Commedia Inferno Canto III The song of Caronte Time: Saturday, March 25, 1301 (Friday, April 8, 1300): evening Place: Antinferno and bank of the Acheronte: indolents People: Dante, Virgil, Charon, He who made for cowardice the great refusal © 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 ‘Per me si va ne la città dol nte, 2 4 8 per me si va ne l’ett rno dol re, 2 4 7 3 per me si va tra la perduta g nte. 2 4 8 Giustizia m sse il mio alto fatt re; 2 4 7 f cemi la divina podestate, 1 6 6 la s mma sapï nza e ’l primo am re. 2 6 8 Dinanzi a me non fu r c e cre ate 2 4 6 7 se non ett rne, e io ett rno duro. 2 4 6 8 9 Lasciate gne speranza, v i ch’intrate’. 2 3 6 8 Qu ste par le di col re oscuro 1 4 8 vid’ ïo scritte al s!mmo d’una p"rta; 2 4 6 12 per ch’io: «Ma#$stro,%il s&nso l'r m’è duro». 2 4 6 8 Ed (lli)a me, c*me pers+na,acc-rta: 2 4 5 8 «Qui si convi.n lasciare/0gne sosp1tto; 1 4 6 7 15 2gne viltà convi3n che qui sia m4rta. 1 4 6 8 N5i siam venuti6al l7co89v’ i’ t’h: d;tto 1 4 6 8 che tu vedrai le g<nti dolor=>e (2) 4 6 18 c’hanno perduto?il b@n de l’intellAtto». 1 4 6 E pBi che la sua manoCa la mia puDEe 2 (5) 6 9 con liFto vGlto,HInd’ io mi confortai, 2 4 6 21 mi mise dJntroKa le segrLte cMNe. 2 4 8 Quivi sospiri, piantiOePalti guai 1 4 6 8 risonavan per l’Qere sanza stRlle, 3 6 8 24 per ch’ioSal cominciar ne lagrimai. 2 6 DivTrse lingue,Uorribili favVlle, 2 4 6 parWle di dolXre,YaccZnti d’ira, 2 6 8 27 v[ci\alte]e fi^che_e su`n di man con alle 1 2 4 6 8
2 “Through me is the way into the woeful city; through me is the way into the eternal woe; 3 through me is the way among the lost people. Justice moved my lofty maker: the divine Power, the supreme Wisdom 6 and the primal Love made me. Before me were no things created, save eternal, and I eternal last. 9 Leave every hope, ye who enter !” These words of obscure color I saw written at the top of a gate; 12 whereat I: “Master, their meaning is dire to me.” And he to me, like a person well advised: “Here it behoves to leave every fear; 15 it behoves that all cowardice should here be dead. We have come to the place where I have told thee that thou shalt see the woeful people, 18 who have lost the good of the understanding.” And when he had put his hand on mine with a cheerful look, wherefrom I took courage, 21 he brought me within to the secret things. Here sighs, laments, and deep wailings were resounding through the starless air; 24 wherefore at first I wept thereat. Strange tongues, horrible utterances, words of woe, accents of anger, 27 voices high and faint, and sounds of hands with them,
3 facevanobun tumulto,cil qual s’aggira 2 6 8 sdmpreein qufll’ aura sanza tgmpo tinta, 1 4 8 30 chme la rina quando turbo spira. 1 4 6 8 Ejio ch’avka d’errlr la tmsta cinta, 2 4 6 8 dissi: «Manostro, chepè quql ch’i’rsdo? 1 4 8 33 e che gtnt’ è che par nel duul sì vinta?». 3 4 6 8 Ed vlliwa me: «Quxsto miyero mzdo 2 4 5 7 t{gnon l’anime triste di col|ro 1 3 6 36 che visser sanza ’nfamia}e sanza l~do. 2 4 6 8 Mischiate snoa qul cattivo cro 2 4 6 8 de liangeli che non furon riblli 2 7 39 né fur fed lia Dio, ma per sé furo. 2 4 6 9 Caccianlii cil per non sser mn blli, 1 4 7 né lo profndoinfrno li ricve, 1 4 6 42 ch’alcuna glriai riavrbber d’lli». 2 4 6 8 Eio: «Mastro, cheè tanto grve 2 4 7 8 a lr che lamentar li fa sì frte?». 2 6 8 45 Rispue: «Dicer lti m¡lto br¢ve. 2 6 8 Qu£sti non hanno speranza di m¤rte, 1 4 7 e la l¥r ci¦ca vita§è tanto bassa, 4 6 8 48 che ’nvid﨩i sªn d’«gne¬altra s rte. 4 6 7/8 Fama di l®ro¯il m°ndo±²sser non lassa; 1 4 6 7 mi³eric´rdiaµe giustizia li ¶d·gna: 4 7 51 non ragioniam di l¸r, ma guarda¹e passa». 4 6 8 Eºio, che riguardai, vidi»una ’ns¼gna 2 6 7 che girando corr½va tanto ratta, 3 6 8 54 che d’¾gne p¿Àa mi parÁaÂindÃgna; 2 4 8
4 were making a tumult which whirls always in that air forever dark, 30 like the sand when the whirlwind breathes. And I, who had my head girt with horror, said: “Master, what is that which I hear? 33 and what folk is it that seems so overcome with its woe?” And he to me: “This miserable mode maintain the wretched souls of those 36 who lived without infamy and without praise. They are mingled with that caitiff choir of the angels, who were not rebels, 39 nor were faithful to God, but were for themselves. The heavens chased them out in order to be not less beautiful, nor does the deep Hell receive them, 42 for the damned would have some boast of them.” And I: “Master, what is so grievous to them, that makes them lament so bitterly?” 45 He answered: “I will tell thee very briefly. These have not hope of death; and their blind life is so debased, 48 that they are envious of every other lot. Fame of them the world permits not to be; mercy and justice disdain them. 51 Let us not speak of them, but do thou look and pass on.” And I, who was gazing, saw a banner, which, whirling, ran so swiftly 54 that it seemed to me disdainful of any pause,
5 e diÄtro le venìa sì lunga tratta 2 6 8 di gÅnte, ch’i’ non averÆi creduto 2 4 8 57 che mÇrte tanta n’avÈsse disfatta. 2 4 7 PÉscia ch’io v’ÊbbiËalcun riconosciuto, 1 4 6 vidiÌe conÍbbi l’Îmbra di colui 1 4 6 60 che fÏce per viltadeÐil gran rifiuto. 2 6 8 IncontanÑnteÒintÓÔiÕe cÖrto fui 4 6 8 che qu×staØÙra la sÚtta d’i cattivi, 2 3 6 63 a Dio spiacÛntiÜeÝa’ nemici sui. 2 4 8 QuÞsti sciaurati, che mai non fur vivi, 1 4 7 ßranoàignudiáe stimolati mâlto 1 4 8 66 da moscãniäe da våspe ch’æran ivi. 3 6 8 çlle rigavan lèr di sangueéil vêlto, 1 4 6 8 che, mischiato di lagrime,ëa’ lìr piídi 1 3 6 69 da fastidiîïi vðrmiñòra ricólto. 4 6 7 E pôi ch’a riguardar õltre mi diödi, 2 6 7 vidi g÷ntiøa la riva d’un gran fiume; 1 3 6 72 per ch’io dissi: «Maùústro,ûür mi concýdi 3 6 7 ch’i’ sappia quali sþno, e qual costume 2 4 6 8 le fa di trapassar par r sì pr nte, 2 6 8 75 com’ i’ disc rno per lo fi co lume». (2) 4 8 Ed lli a me: «Le c e ti f er c nte 2 4 6 quando noi fermer m li n stri passi 1/3 6 78 su la trista rivi ra d’Acher nte». 3 6 All r con li cchi vergogn i e bassi, 2 4 8 tem ndo n ’l mio dir li f sse grave, 2 4 6 8 81 infino al fiume del parlar mi trassi. 2 4 8
6 and behind it came so long a train of folk, that I should never have believed 57 death had undone so many. After I had recognized some among them, I saw and knew the shade of him 60 who made, through cowardice, the great refusal. At once I understood and was certain, that this was the sect of the caitiffs 63 displeasing to God and to his enemies. These wretches, who never were alive, were naked, and much stung 66 by gad-flies and by wasps that were there; these streaked their faces with blood, which, mingled with tears, was gathered 69 at their feet by loathsome worms, And when I gave myself to looking onward, I saw people on the bank of a great river; 72 wherefore I said: “Master, now grant to me that I may know who these are, and what rule makes them appear so ready to pass over, 75 as I discern through the faint light.” And he to me: “The things will be clear to thee, when we shall stay our steps 78 on the sad shore of Acheron.” Then with eyes ashamed and downcast, fearing lest my speech might be troublesome to him, 81 far as to the river I refrained from speaking.
7 Ed cco v rso n i venir per nave 2 4 6 8 un v cchio, bianco per antico p lo, 2 4 8 84 gridando: «Guai a v i,!anime prave! 2 4 6 7 Non isperate mai ved"r lo ci#lo: 4 6 8 i’ v$gno per menarvi%a l’altra riva 2 6 8 87 ne le t&nebre'ett(rne,)in caldo*e ’n g+lo. 3 6 8 E tu che s,’ costì,-anima viva, 2 4 6 7 pàrtiti da cot.sti che s/n m0rti». 1 6 90 Ma p1i che vide ch’io non mi partiva, 2 4 6/7 disse: «Per altra via, per altri p2rti 1 4 6 8 verrai3a piaggia, non qui, per passare: 2 4 7 93 più li4ve l5gno convi6n che ti p7rti». 2 4 7 E ’l duca lui: «Car8n, non ti crucciare: (2) 4 6 7 vu9lsi co:ì colà d;ve si pu<te 1 4 6 7 96 ciò che si vu=le,>e più non dimandare». 1 4 6 (7) Quinci fu?r qu@te le lanABe gCte 1 4 8 al nocchiDr de la livida palude, 3 6 99 che ’ntErnoFa liGHcchiIavJa di fiamme rKte. 2 4 6 8 Ma quLll’ anime, ch’Mran lasseNe nude, 3 6 8 cangiar colOrePe dibattQroˆi dRnti, 2 4 8 102 ratto che ’ntSTer le parUle crude. 1 4 8 Bestemmiavano DioVe lWr parXnti, 3 6 8 l’umana spYzieZe ’l l[co\e ’l t]mpo^e ’l s_me 2 4 6 8 105 di l`r semanzabe di lcr nascimdnti. 2 4 7 Pei si ritrasser tutte quantefinsigme, 1 4 6 8 fhrte piangindo,ja la riva malvagia 1 4 7 108 ch’attknde ciascun ulm che Dio non tmme. 2 5 6 8
8 And behold! coming toward us in a boat, an old man, white with ancient hair, 84 crying: “Woe to you, wicked souls! hope not ever to see the Heavens! I come to carry you to the other bank, 87 into the eternal darkness, into heat and into frost. And thou who art there, living soul, depart from these that are dead.” 90 But when he saw that I did not depart, he said: “By another way, by other ports thou shalt come to the shore, not here, for passage; 93 a lighter bark must carry thee.’” And my Leader to him: “Charon, vex not thyself; it is thus willed there where is power 96 for that which is willed; and ask no more.” Thereon were quiet the fleecy jaws of the ferryman of the livid marsh, 99 who round about his eyes had wheels of flame. But those souls, who were weary and naked, changed color and gnashed their teeth, 102 soon as they heard his cruel words. They blasphemed God and their parents, the human race, the place, the time and the seed 105 of their sowing and of their birth. Then, all of them drew together, bitterly weeping, to the evil bank, 108 which awaits every man who fears not God.
9 Carnn dimonio, con pcchi di bragia 2 4 7 lqroraccennando, tutte le raccsglie; 1 4 6 111 batte ctl rumo qualunque s’adagia. 1 4 7 Cvme d’autunno si lwvan le fxglie 1 4 7 l’unayapprzsso de l’altra, fin che ’l ramo 1 3 6 8 114 v{de|a la t}rra tutte le sue sp~glie, 1 4 6 similemnteil mal sme d’Adamo 4 6 7 gittansi di quel litoad unaad una, 1 6 8 117 per cnni c meaugl per suo richiamo. 2 6 Coì sen vanno su per l’nda bruna, 2 4 8 eavanti che sen di là disce, 3 6 8 120 anche di qua nuva schira s’auna. 1 4 5 7 «Figliul mio», disse ’l mastro corte, 2 3 4 7 «qulli che muion ne l’ira di Dio 1 4 7 123 tutti convgnon qui d’gne pae; 1 4 6 7 e prnti sno a trapassar lo rio, 2 4 8 ché la divina giustizia li spr¡na, 4 7 126 sì che la t¢ma si v£lve¤in disio. 1 4 7 Quinci non passa mai¥anima bu¦na; 1 4 6 7 e però, se Car§n di te si lagna, 3 6 (8) 129 b¨n pu©i sapªre«omai che ’l suo dir su¬na». 1 4 6 9 Finito qu sto, la bu®ia campagna 2 4 7 tremò sì f¯rte, che de lo spav°nto 2 4 6 132 la m±nte di sud²re³anc´r mi bagna. 2 6 8 La tµrra lagrim¶·a di¸de v¹nto, 2 6 8 che balenòºuna luce vermiglia 4 7 135 la qual mi vinse ciascun sentim»nto; 2 4 7
10 Charon the demon, with eyes of glowing coal, beckoning to them, collects them all; 111 he beats with his oar whoever lingers. As in autumn the leaves depart one after the other, until the bough 114 sees all its spoils upon the earth, in like wise the evil seed of Adam throw themselves from that shore one by one, 117 at signals, as the bird at his recall. Thus they go over the dusky wave, and before they have landed on the farther side, 120 already on this a new throng is assembled. “My son,” said the courteous Master, “those who die in the wrath of God, 123 all come together here from every land; and they are eager to pass over the stream, for the divine justice spurs them 126 so that fear is turned to desire. A good soul never passes this way; and therefore if Charon fret at thee, 129 well mayest thou now know what his speech signifies.” This ended, the gloomy plain trembled so mightily, that the memory 132 of the terror even now bathes me with sweat. The tearful land gave forth a wind that flashed a crimson light 135 which vanquished all sensation in me,
11 e caddi c¼me l’u½m cui s¾nno piglia. 2 6 8
12 and I fell as a man whom slumber seizes.
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