4 this came of the woe without torments felt by the crowds, which were many and great, 30 of infants and of women and of men. The good Master to me: “Thou dost not ask what spirits are these that thou seest. 33 Now I would have thee know, before thou goest farther, that these did not sin; and though they have merits it suffices not, because they did not have baptism, 36 which is part of the faith that thou believest; and if they were before Christianity, they did not duly worship God: 39 and of such as these am I myself. For such defects, and not for other guilt, are we lost, and only so far harmed 42 that without hope we live in desire.” Great woe seized me at my heart when I heard him, because I knew that people of much worth 45 were suspended in that limbo. “Tell me, my Master, tell me. Lord,” I began, with wish to be assured 48 of that faith which vanquishes every error, “did ever anyone go forth from here, either by his own or by another’s merit who afterwards was blessed?” 51 And he, who understood my covert speech, answered: “I was new in this state when I saw a Mighty One come hither 54 crowned with sign of victory.
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