La Divina Commedia Paradiso Canto III The song of Piccarda Donati Time: Thursday, March 30, 1301 (Wednesday, April 13, 1300): not specified (after Easter) Place: First Sky: Moon People: Dante, Beatrice, Piccarda Donati, Costanza d’Altavilla © 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: 1902/1952 (Encyclopædia Britannica)
1 Qu l s l che pr a d’am r mi scaldò ’l p tto, 1 2 4 6 9 di b lla verità m’av a scov rto, 2 6 8 3 provando e riprovando, il d lce asp tto; 2 6 8 e io, per confessar corr tto e c rto 2 6 8 me st sso, tanto quanto si conv nne 2 4 6 6 leva’ il capo a profer r più rto; (2) 4 8 ma vi ï ne apparve che rit nne 4 6 a sé me tanto str tto, per ved rsi, 2 3 4 6 9 che di mia confessi n non mi sovv nne. (3) 6 (7) Quali per v!tri traspar"nti#e t$rsi, 1 4 8 o v%r per acque n&tide'e tranquille, 2 4 6 12 non sì prof(nde che)i f*ndi s+en p,rsi, 1 2 4 7 9 t-rnan d’i n.stri vi/i le postille 1 4 6 d0bili sì, che p1rla2in bianca fr3nte 1 4 6 8 15 non vi4n m5n f6rte7a le n8stre pupille; 2 4 7 tali vid’ io più facce9a parlar pr:nte; 1 4 6 9 per ch’io d;ntro<a l’err=r contrario c>rsi 2 3 6 8 18 a qu?l ch’acc@AeBamCr tra l’DmoEe ’l fFnte. 2 4 6 8 Sùbito sì cGm’ io di lHr m’accIrsi, 1 (4) 6 8 quJlle stimando specchiati sembianti, 1 4 7 21 per vedKr di cui fLsser, liMNcchi tOrsi; 3 (5) 6 8 e nulla vidi,Pe ritQrsiliRavanti 2 4 7 dritti nel lume de la dSlce guida, 1 4 8 24 che, sorridTndo,UardVa ne liWXcchi santi. 1 4 6 8 «Non ti maravigliar perch’ io sorrida», 1 6 8 mi disse,Y«apprZsso[il tuo püer\l c]to, 2 4 6 9 27 p^i s_pra ’l v`roaancbr lo piè non fida, (1 2) 4 6 8
2 That sun which first with love had heated my breast of fair truth had uncovered to me, 3 proving and disproving, the sweet aspect; and I, to confess corrected and assured myself, so far as was needful 6 raised my head to speak more erect. But a sight appeared which held to itself me so fast, to look on it, 9 that of my confession I did not bethink me. As through transparent and polished glasses, or through clear and tranquil waters, 12 not so deep that their bed be lost, return of our faces the lineaments so faintly, that a pearl on a white brow 15 comes not less readily to our eyes, such I saw many faces eager to speak; wherefore I ran into the contrary error to that 18 which kindled love between the man and the fountain. At once, as soon as I was aware of them, supposing them mirrored faces, 21 to see of whom they were I turned round my eyes, and saw nothing; and I turned them forward again, straight into the light of my sweet guide 24 who, with a smile, was glowing in her holy eyes. “Do not wonder that I smile,” she said to me, “at thy childish thought, 27 since upon the truth yet thy foot does not trust itself,
3 ma te rivclve, cdme suele,fa vòto: 2 4 8 vgre sustanze son ciò che tu vhdi, 1 4 7 30 qui rilegate per manco di vito. 1 4 7 Però pjrla con ksselemndioe crpdi; 2 3 6 8 ché la verace luce che leqappaga 4 6 33 da sé non lascia lor trrcer li pisdi». 2 4 6 7 Etioua l’vmbra che parwa più vaga 2 4 8 di ragionar, drizzx’mi,ye cominciai, 4 6 36 quazi c{m’ u|m cui tr}ppa v~glia maga: 1 4 6 8 « bn creato spirito, chea’ rai 2 4 6 di vitaett rna la dolczza snti 2 4 8 39 che, non gustata, non s’intnde mai, 1 (2) 4 (6) 8 grazïo mi fa se mi contnti 3 6 del nme tuoe de la vstra srte». 2 4 8 42 nd’ lla, prntae con cchi ridnti: 2 4 7 «La nstra carità non srra prte 2 6 8 a giusta vglia, se non cme qulla 2 4 7 45 che vul similea sé tutta sua crte. 2 3 6 7 I’ fui nel m ndo v¡rgine sor¢lla; (1) 2 4 6 e se la m£nte tua b¤n sé riguarda, 4 6 7.8 48 non mi ti celerà l’¥sser più b¦lla, (1) 6 7 ma riconoscerai ch’i’ s§n Piccarda, (1) 6 8 che, p¨sta qui con qu©stiªaltri be«ati, 1 2 4 6 7 51 be¬ata s no®in la sp¯ra più tarda. 2 4 7 Li n°stri±aff²tti, che s³lo´infiammati 2 4 7 sµn nel piac¶r de lo Spirito Santo, 1 4 7 54 let·zian del suo¸¹rdine formati. 2 6
4 but turns thee, as it is wont, to emptiness. Real substances are these which thou seest, 30 here relegated for failure in their vows. Therefore speak with them, and hear, and believe; for the veracious light which satisfies them 33 from itself does not allow them to turn their feet.” And to the shade that seemed most eager to speak I directed myself, and I began, 36 like a man whom an excessive desire confuses: “O well-created spirit, who in the rays of life eternal art tasting the sweetness, 39 which if not tasted is never understood, it will be gracious to me, if thou content me with thy name, and with your lot.” 42 Whereon she promptly, and with smiling eyes: “Our charity does not lock its door to a just wish, any more than that 45 which wills that be like itself all its court. I was in the world a virgin Sister, and if thy memory look back well, 48 not will me from thee conceal my being more beautiful; but thou wilt recognize that I am Piccarda, who, placed here with these other blessed ones, 51 am blessed in the slowest sphere. Our affections, which only inflamed are in the pleasure of the Holy Spirit, 54 rejoice in being according to His order fo;
5 E quºsta s»rte che par giù cotanto, 2 4 7 8 però n’è data, perché fu¼r negl½tti 2 (3) 4 8 57 li n¾stri v¿ti,Àe vòtiÁin alcun canto». 2 4 6 9 Ând’ ioÃa lÄi: «NÅ’ mirabiliÆaspÇtti 2 4 7 vÈstri risplÉnde non sÊ che divino, 1 4 7 (8) 60 che vi traËmuta da’ primi concÌtti: 4 7 però non fuiÍa rimembrar festino; 2 4 8 maÎÏr m’aÐiÑta ciò che tu mi dici, 2 4 6 (8) 63 sì che raffigurar m’è più latino. 1 6 (8) Ma dimmi: vÒi che siÓte qui felici, (1) 2 4 6 8 diÔiderate vÕi piùÖalto l×co 4 6 8 66 per più vedØreÙe per più farviÚamici?». 2 4 7 8 Con quÛlleÜaltr’ Ýmbre prÞa sorrißeàun páco; 2 (3) 4 6 8 daâindi mi rispuãäe tanto liåta, 2 6 8 69 ch’ærder parça d’amèr nel primo féco: 1 4 6 8 «Frate, la nêstra volontà quïëta 1 4 8 virtù di carità, che fa volìrne 2 6 8 72 síl quîl ch’avïmo,ðe d’altro non ciñassòta. 1 2 4 6 (8) Se dióïassimoôõsser più supörne, 4 6 f÷ran discørdi li nùstri diúiri 1 4 7 75 dal volûr di colui che qui ne cürne; 3 6 8 che vedrai non capýreþin qu sti giri, 3 4 6 8 s’ ssere in carità è qui n c ss , 1 6 8 78 e se la sua natura b n rimiri. (4) 6 8 Anzi è formale ad sto be to ss 1 4 6 9 ten rsi d ntro a la divina v glia, 2 4 8 81 per ch’una fansi n stre v glie st sse; 2 4 6 8
6 and this lot, which appears so far down, is given to us, because neglected were 57 our vows and void in some particular.” Whereon I to her: “In your marvellous aspects there shines I know not what divine 60 which transmutes you from our former conceptions; therefore I was in remembering not swift; but now assists me that which thou sayest to me, 63 so that to reshape to me is easier. But tell me, ye who are happy here, do ye desire a more exalted place, in order 66 to see more, or to make for yourselves more friends?” With those other shades she first smiled a little, then answered me so glad, 69 that to burn she seemed of love in the first fire: “Brother, our will quiets virtue of charity, and makes us wish only for that 72 which we have, and for aught else quickens not our thirst. If we desired to be more on high, discordant would be our desires 75 with the will of Him who here assigns us, which thou wilt see is not possible in these circles, if to exist in charity is here of necessity, 78 and if its nature thou dost well consider. Nay, it is the essence of this blessed existence to hold itself within the divine will, 81 whereby one are made our wills themselves.
7 sì che, c me n i s m di s glia in s glia 1 2 5 6 8 per qu sto r gno, a tutto il r gno piace 2 4 6 8 84 c m’ a lo r che ’n suo vol r ne ’nv!glia. 4 (6) 8 E ’n la sua volontade"è n#stra pace: (3) 6 (7) 8 $ll’ è qu%l mare&al qual tutto si m've (1/) 2 4 7 87 ciò ch’(lla cr)a*o che natura face». (1) 2 4 8 Chiaro mi fu+all,r c-me./gne d0ve 1 4 6 8 in ci1lo2è paradi3o,4 ts la grazia 2 (3) 6 7 90 del s5mmo b6n d’un m7do non vi pi8ve. 2 4 (5) 6 (8) Ma sì c9m’ :lli;avvi<n, s’un cibo sazia 2 4 6 8 e d’un altro rimane=anc>r la g?la, 3 6 8 93 che qu@l si chAreBe di quCl si ringrazia, 2 4 7 coDì fEc’ io con attoFe con parGla, 2 4 6 per apprHnder da lIi qual fu la tJla 3 6 8 96 Knde non trasseLinfinoMa cN la spuOla. 1 4 6 8 «PerfPtta vitaQeRalto mSrtoTinciUla 2 4 6 8 dVnna più sù», mi disse,W«a la cui nXrma 1 4 6 9 99 nel vYstro mZndo giù si v[ste\e v]la, 2 4 6 8 perché fino^al morir si v_gghi`e darma 2 (3) 6 8 con qubllo spcdo ch’egne vftogacchtta 2 4 6 8 102 che caritateia suo piacjr confkrma. 4 (6) 8 Dal mlndo, per segumrla, giovinntta 2 6 fuggo’mi,pe nel suoqabito mi chiuri 2 6 105 e promisi la via de la sua sttta. 3 6 Uumini pvi,wa mal più ch’a bxneyuzi, 1 4 6 9 fu{r mi rap|ron de la d}lce chi~stra: 1 4 8 108 Iddio si sa qual pi mia vita fui. 2 4 6 8
8 So that as we are, from seat to seat throughout this realm, to all the realm is pleasing, 84 as to the King who with His will inwills us; and His will is our peace; it is that sea whereunto everything is moving 87 which It creates and which nature makes.” Clear to me it was then, how everywhere in Heaven is Paradise, even if the grace of the 90 Supreme Good in one measure does not there rain down. But as it happens, if one food sates, and for another still remains the appetite, 93 that this is asked for, and for that thanks returned; even thus did I, with act and with word, to learn from her, what was the web 96 wherein she had not drawn to the end the shuttle. “Perfect life and high desert enheaven a lady higher up,” she said to me, “according to whose rule, in 99 your world below, there are who vest and veil themselves, in order that, even till death, they may wake and sleep with that Spouse Who every vow accepts 102 which love unto His pleasure conforms. From the world to follow her, a young girl, I fled, and in her garb I enclosed myself, 105 and pledged me to the pathway of her Order. Men afterward, to ill more than good used, forth me dragged from the sweet cloister; 108 and God knows what then my life became.
9 E qust’ altro splendr che ti si mstra 3 6 da la mia dstra parte e che s’accnde 4 6 111 di tuttoil lume de la spra nstra, 2 4 8 ciò ch’io dico di me, di séintnde; 1 3 6 8 sorlla fu,e coì le fu tlta 2 4 7 114 di capo l’mbra de le sacre bnde. 2 4 8 Ma pi che pur al mndo fu rivlta 2 (4) 6 (8) cntra suo gradoe cntra bunauanza, 1 (3) 4 6 (8) 117 non fu dal vl del cr già mai discilta. 2 4 6 8 Qust’ è la luce de la gran Costanza 1/2 4 8 che del secndo v nto di So¡ave 4 6 120 generò ’l t¢rzo£e l’ultima possanza». 3 4 6 Co¤ì parl¥mmi,¦e p§i cominciò¨‘ v , 2 4 6 9 M r ’ cantando,©e cantando vanio 2 4 7 123 cªme per acqua cupa c«¬a grave. (1) 4 6 8 La vista mia, che tanto l i seguio 2 4 6 8 quanto possibil fu, p®i che la p¯rse, 1 4 6 7 126 v°lsesi±al s²gno di maggi³r di´io, 1 4 8 eµa Beatrice tutta si conv¶rse; 4 6 ma qu·lla folgorò nel mïo ¸guardo 2 6 8 129 sì che da prima¹il viºo non soff»rse; 1 4 6 (8) e ciò mi f¼ce½a dimandar più tardo. 2 4 8
10 And this other splendor, which to thee shows itself at my right side, and which is enkindled 111 with all the light of our sphere, that which I say of me understands of herself. A sister she was; and in like manner was taken 114 from her head the shadow of the sacred veil. But after too unto the world she was returned, against her liking and against good usage, 117 she was from the veil of the heart never loosed. This is the light of the great Constance, who from the second wind of Swabia 120 conceived the third and the last power.” Thus she spoke to me, and then began singing “Ave Maria,” and singing vanished, 123 as through deep water some heavy thing. My sight, that followed her so far as was possible, after it lost her, 126 turned to the mark of greater desire, and to Beatrice wholly reverted; but she so flashed upon my gaze 129 that at first my sight endured it not: and this made me in questioning more slow.
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