La Divina Commedia Inferno Canto IV The song of the Limbo Time: Saturday, March 25, 1301 (Friday, April 8, 1300): evening Place: Circle I: Limbo People: Dante, Virgilio, Omero, Orazio, Ovidio, Lucano, Elettra, Ettore, Enea, Cesare, Camilla, Pentesilea, Latino, Lavinia, Lucio Giunio Bruto, Lucrezia, Giulia, Marzia, Cornelia, il Saladino, Aristotele, Socrate, Platone, Democrito, Diogene, Anassagora, Talete, Empedocle, Eraclito, Zenone, Dioscoride, Orfeo, Cicerone, Lino, Seneca, Euclide, Tolomeo, Ippocrate, Avicenna, Galeno, Averroè © 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 Ruppemi l’alto s nno ne la t sta 1 4 6 un gr ve tru no, sì ch’io mi risc ssi 2 4 7 3 c me pers na ch’è per f rza d sta; 1 4 8 e l’ cchio ripo ato int rno m ssi, 2 6 8 dritto levato, e fi o riguardai 1 4 6 6 per con scer lo l co d v’ io f ssi. 3 6 9 V ro è che ’n su la pr da mi trovai 1 2 6 de la valle d’abisso dolor a 3 6 9 che ’ntr no acc glie d’infiniti guai. 2 4 8 Oscura e prof nda ra!e nebul"#a 2 5 6 tanto che, per ficcar lo vi$o%a f&ndo, 1 3 6 8 12 io non vi discern'a(alcuna c)*a. 1 6 8 «+r discendiam qua giù nel ci,co m-ndo», 1 4 6 8 cominciò.il po/0ta tutto 1m2rto. 3 6 8 15 «Io sarò primo,3e tu sarai sec4ndo». 1 4 6 8 E5io, che del col6r mi fui7acc8rto, 2 6 8 dissi: «C9me verrò, se tu pav:nti 1 3 6 (8) 18 che su;li<al mio dubbiare=>sser conf?rto?». 2 6 7 Ed @lliAa me: «L’angBscia de le gCnti 2 4 6 che sDn qua giù, nel viEo mi dipigne 2 4 6 21 quFlla pietà che tu per tGma sHnti. 1 4 6 8 Andiam, ché la via lunga ne sospigne». 2 (5) 6 CoIì si miJeKe coLì mi féMintrare 2 4 7 9 24 nel primo cNrchio che l’abisso cigne. 2 4 8 Quivi, secOndo che per ascoltare, 1 4 6 non avPa pianto mai che di sospiri 4 6 27 che l’auraQettRrna facSvan tremare; 2 4 7
2 A heavy thunder broke the deep sleep in my head, so that I started up 3 like a person who is waked by force, and, risen erect, I moved my rested eye round about, and looked fixedly 6 to distinguish the place where I was. True it is, that I found myself on the brink of the woeful valley of the abyss 9 which collects a thunder of infinite wailings. It was so dark, deep, and cloudy, that, though I fixed my sight on the depth, 12 I did not discern anything there. “Now let us descend here below into the blind world,” began the Poet all deadly pale, 15 “I will be first, and thou shalt be second.” And I, who had observed his color, said: “How shall I come, if thou fearest, 18 who art wont to be the comfort to my doubting?” And he to me: “The anguish of the folk who are here below paints on my face 21 that pity which thou takest for fear. Let us go on, for the long way urges us.” Thus he placed himself, and thus he made me enter 24 into the first circle’ that girds the abyss. Here, as one listened, there was no lamentation but that of sighs 27 which made the eternal air to tremble;
3 ciòTavvenia di duUl sanza martìri, 1 4 6 7 ch’avVan le turbe, ch’Wran mXlteYe grandi, 2 4 6 8 30 d’infantiZe di f[mmine\e di viri. 2 6 Lo bu]n ma^_stro`a me: «Tu non dimandi 2 4 6 7 che spiriti san qubsti che tu vcdi? 2 6 33 dr ve’ che sappi,finnanzi che piùgandi, 2 4 6 ch’hi non peccaro;ie s’jllikhanno mercldi, 1 4 6 7 non basta, perché non mbber battnomo, 2 5 7 36 ch’è pprta de la fqde che tu crrdi; 2 6 e s’s’ furon dinanzital cristianuvmo, 3 6 non adorar debitamwntexa Dio: 4 8 39 e di quysti cotai szn io med{|mo. 3 6 8 Per tai dif}tti, non per altro rio, (2) 4 6 8 s~mo perduti,e sl di tantooffi 1 4 6 8 42 che sanza spme viv moin diio». 2 4 7 Gran dul mi preal cr quando lo ’nti, 2 4 6 7 però che gnte di mlto valre 2 4 7 45 conbbi che ’n quel limboran sospi. 2 6 7 «Dimmi, mastro mio, dimmi, segnre», 1 4 6 7 comincia’io per volresser crto 4 7 8 48 di qulla f de che vince¡¢gne£err¤re: 2 4 7 8 «uscicci mai¥alcuno,¦o per suo m§rto 2 4 6 o per altrui, che p¨i f©sse beªato?». 4 6 7 51 E qu«i che ’nt¬e®il mio parlar cov¯rto, 2 4 8 rispu°±e:²«Io³´ra nuµvo¶in qu·sto stato, 2 3 6 8 quando ci vidi venire¸un poss¹nte, 1 4 7 54 con sºgno di vitt»ria coronato. 2 6
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.
5 Tr¼sseci l’½mbra del primo par¾nte, 1 4 7 d’Abèl suo figlio¿e quÀlla di NoÁè, 2 4 6 57 di MoïÂè legistaÃeÄubidÅnte; 4 6 AbraÆàm patrïarcaÇe Davìd rÈ, 3 6 9 IÉraÊèl con lo padreËe co’ suoi nati 3 6 60 e con RachÌle, per cui tanto fé, 4 7 8 eÍaltri mÎlti,Ïe fÐceli beÑati. 2 4 6 E vÒ’ che sappi che, dinanziÓad Ôssi, 2 4 6 8 63 spiritiÕumani non Öran salvati». 1 4 7 Non lasciavam l’andar perch’ ×i dicØssi, 4 6 8 ma passavam la sÙlva tuttavia, 4 6 66 la sÚlva, dico, di spiriti spÛssi. 2 4 7 Non Üra lungaÝancÞr la nßstra via 2 4 6 8 di qua dal sànno, quand’ io vidiáun fâco 2 4 8 69 ch’emispãrio di tänebre vincia. 3 6 Di lungi n’eravamoåancæraçun pèco, 2 6 8 ma non sì ch’io non discernéssiêin parte 3 4 8 72 ch’orrëvol gìnte possedía quîl lïco. 2 4 8 «ð tu ch’onñri scïònzïaóeôarte, 2 4 7 quõsti chi sön c’hanno cotanta÷onranza, 1 4 5 8 75 che dal mødo de liùaltri li diparte?». 3 6 E quúlliûa me: «L’onrata nominanza 2 4 6 che di lür suýna sù ne la tua vita, 3 4 6 78 grazïaþacquista in ci l che sì li avanza». 1 4 6 8 Intanto v ce fu per me udita: 2 4 6 8 «Onorate l’altissimo po ta; 3 6 81 l’ mbra sua t rna, ch’ ra dipartita». 1 3 4 6
6 He drew out hence the shade of the first parent, of Abel his son, and that of Noah, 57 of Moses the law-giver and obedient, Abraham the patriarch, and David the King, Israel with his father and with his offspring, 60 and with Rachel, for whom he did so much, and many others; and He made them blessed: and I would have thee know that before these, 63 human spirits were not saved.” We ceased not going on because he spoke, but all the while were passing through the wood, 66 the wood, I mean, of crowded spirits; nor yet had our way been long from the place of my slumber, when I saw a fire, 69 which overcame a hemisphere of darkness. We were still a little distant from it, yet not so far but that I could in part 72 discern that honorable folk possessed that place. “O thou who honorest both science and art, who are these, who have such honor 75 that it separates them from the manner of the others?” And he to me: “The honorable renown of them which sounds above in thy life 78 wins grace in heaven which thus advances them.” At this a voice was heard by me: “Honor the loftiest Poet! 81 his shade returns which had departed.”
7 P i che la v ce fu restata e qu ta, 1 4 8 vidi quattro grand’ mbre a n i venire: 1 3 6 8 84 sembianz’ av van né trista né li ta. 2 4 7 Lo bu n ma stro cominciò a dire: 2 4 8 «Mira colui con qu lla spada in mano, 1 4 6 8 87 che vi n dinanzi ai tr sì c me sire: 2 4 6 7 qu lli è Om!ro po"#ta sovrano; 1 4 7 l’altro$è%Orazio satiro che v≠ 1 4 6 90 Ovidio'è ’l t(rzo)e l’ultimo Lucano. 2 4 6 Però che ciascun m*co si conv+ne 2 5 6 nel n,me che sonò la v-ce s.la, 2 6 8 93 f/nnomi0on1re,2e di ciò fanno b3ne». 1 4 7 8 Co4ì vid’ i’5adunar la b6lla sc7la 2 3/4 6 8 di qu8l segn9r de l’altissimo canto 2 4 7 96 che s:vra li;altri c<m’ aquila v=la. 2 4 7 Da ch’>bber ragionato?insi@meAalquanto, 2 6 8 vBlsersiCa me con salutDvol cEnno, 1 4 8 99 e ’l mio maFGstro sorriHe di tanto; 4 7 e più d’onIreJancKraLassai mi fMnno, 2 4 6 8 ch’N’ sì mi fOcer de la lPro schiQra, 1/2 4 8 102 sì ch’io fui sRsto tra cotanto sSnno. (1/2) 4 8 CoTìUandammoVinfinoWa la lumXra, 2 4 6 parlando cYZe che ’l tac[re\è b]llo, 2 4 8 105 sì c^m’ _ra ’l parlar colà d`v’ ara. 1 3 6 8 Venimmobal piè d’un ncbile castdllo, 2 4 6 sette vflte cerchiato d’alte mura, 1 3 6 8 108 difghoiintjrno d’un bkl fiumiclllo. 2 4 7
8 When the voice had stopped and was quiet, I saw four great shades coming to us; 84 they had a semblance neither sad nor glad. The good Master began to say: “Look at him with that sword in hand 87 who comes before the three, even as lord; he is Homer, the sovereign poet; the next who comes is Horace, the satirist; 90 Ovid is the third, and the last is Lucan. Since each shares with me the name which the single voice sounded, 93 they do me honor, and in that do well.” Thus I saw assembled the fair school of that Lord of the loftiest song 96 who soars above the others like an eagle. After they had discoursed somewhat together, they turned to me with sign of salutation; 99 and my Master smiled thereat. And far more of honor yet they did me, for they made me of their band, 102 so that I was the sixth amid so much wisdom. Thus we went on as far as the light, speaking things concerning which silence is becoming, 105 even as was speech there where I was. We came to the foot of a noble castle, seven times circled by high walls, 108 defended round about by a fair streamlet.
9 Qumsto passammo cnme torra dura; 1 4 8 per sptte pqrterintrai csn qutsti savi: 2 4 6 8 111 giugnummovin prato di frwsca verdura. 2 4 7 Gxnti v’yran con zcchi tardi{e gravi, 1 3 6 8 di grande|autorità ne’ l}r sembianti: 2 6 8 114 parlavan rado, con v~ci soavi. 2 4 7 Traemmoci coì da l’un d’ canti, 2 6 8 in locoaperto, luminoo ealto, 2 4 8 117 sì che vedr si potin tutti quanti. 1 4 7 8 Colà diritto, svra ’l verde malto, 2 4 6 8 mi fur mostrati li spiriti magni, 2 4 7 120 che del vedrein me stsso m’essalto. 4 7 I’ vidiEltra con mlti compagni, 2 4 7 tra ’ quai conbbiEttòr ed Ena, 2 4 7 123 Carearmato con licchi grifagni. 1 4 7 Vidi Cammillae la Pantaila; 1 4 7 da l’altra parte vidi ’l r Latino 2 4 6 8 126 che con Lavina sua figlia seda. 4 7 Vidi qul Bruto che cacciò Tarquino, 1 4 8 Lucr zia,¡Iulia, Marzïa¢e Corniglia; 2 4 6 129 e s£lo,¤in parte, vidi ’l Saladino. 2 4 6 P¥i ch’innalzai¦un p§co più le ciglia, 1 4 6 8 vidi ’l ma¨©stro di colªr che sanno 1 4 8 132 sed«r tra filo¬fica famiglia. 2 6 Tutti lo miran, tutti®on¯r li fanno: 1 4 6 8 quivi vid’ ïo S°crate±e Plat²ne, 1 4 6 135 che ’nnanzi³a li´altri più prµsso li stanno; 2 4 7
10 This we passed as if hard ground; through seven gates’ I entered with these sages; 111 we came to a meadow of fresh verdure. People were there with slow and grave eyes, of great authority in their looks; 114 they spoke seldom, and with soft voices. Thereon we withdrew ourselves upon one side, into an open, luminous, and high place, 117 so that they all could be seen. There before me upon the green enamel were shown to me the great spirits, 120 whom for having seen I inwardly exalt myself. I saw Electra with many companions, among whom I recognized Hector and Aeneas, 123 Cæsar in armor, with his gerfalcon eyes; I saw Camilla and Penthesilea, on the other side I saw the King Latinus, 126 who was sitting with Lavinia his daughter. I saw that Brutus who drove out Tarquin; Lucretia, Julia, Marcia, and Cornelia; 129 and alone, apart, I saw the Saladin. When I raised my brows a little more, I saw the Master of those who know, 132 seated amid the philosophic family: all regard him, all do him honor. Here I saw Socrates and Plato, 135 who in front of the others stand nearest to him;
11 Dem¶crito che ’l m·ndo¸a ca¹o pºne, 2 6 8 Dïogenès, Anassagora»e Tale, 4 7 138 Empedoclès, Eraclito¼e ½en¾ne; 4 6 e vidi¿il buÀnoÁaccoglitÂr del quale, 2 4 8 DïascÃride dico;Äe vidiÅOrfÆo, 3 6 8 141 TÇlïoÈe LinoÉe SÊneca morale; 1 4 6 ËuclÌde geomètraÍe TolomÎo, 3 6 Ipocràte,ÏAvicÐnnaÑe GalïÒno, 3 6 144 AveroÓìs che ’l gran comÔnto fÕo. 4 6 8 Io non pÖsso ritrar di tutti×a piØno, 1 3 6 8 però che sì mi cacciaÙil lungo tÚma, 2 4 6 8 147 che mÛlte vÜlteÝal fattoÞil dir vißn màno. 2 4 6 8 La sásta compagniaâin due si scãma: 2 6 8 per altra via mi mänaåil savio duca, 2 4 6 8 150 fuær de la quçta, ne l’èura che tréma. 1 4 7 E vêgnoëin parteìíve non è che luca. 2 4 5 8
12 Democritus, who ascribes the world to chance; Diogenes, Anaxagoras, and Thales, 138 Empedocles, Heraclitus, and Zeno; and I saw the good collector of the qualities, Dioscorides, I mean; and I saw Orpheus, 141 Tully, and Linus, and moral Seneca, Euclid the geometer, and Ptolemy, Hippocrates, Avicenna, and Galen, 144 and Averrhoes, who made the great comment. I cannot report of all in full, because the long theme so drives me 147 that many times the speech comes short of the fact. The company of six is reduced to two. By another way the wise guide leads me out 150 from the quiet into the air that trembles, and I come into a region where is nothing that can give light.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyMjQzNA==