La Divina Commedia Purgatorio Canto I The song of Catone Time: Monday, March 27, 1301 (Sunday, April 10, 1300): at dawn (between four and five in the morning) Place: Antipurgatory: beach People: Dante, Virgilio, Catone © 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 Per c rrer migli r acque alza le v le 2 5 6 7 omai la navic lla del mio ing gno, 2 6 (9) 3 che lascia di tro a sé mar sì crud le; 2 4 6 7 e canterò di qu l sec ndo r gno 4 (6) 8 d ve l’umano spirito si purga 1 4 6 6 e di salire al ci l div nta d gno. 4 6 8 Ma qui la m rta po esì resurga, 2 4 8 sante Mu e, p i che v stro s no; 2 4 (6) 8 9 e qui Calïopè alquanto surga, 2 6 8 seguitando il mio canto con qu l su no 3 6 (9) di cui le Piche mi ere sentiro 2 4 6 12 lo c lpo tal, che disperar perd no. 2 4 8 D!lce col"r d’orïental #affiro, 1 4 8 che s’accogli$va nel ser%no&asp'tto 4 8 15 del m()*o, puro+infino,al primo giro, 2 4 6 8 a li-.cchi mi/i ricominciò dil0tto, (2) 4 8 t1sto ch’io2usci’ fu3r de l’4ura m5rta 1 5 6 8 18 che m’av6a contristati li78cchi9e ’l p:tto. 3 6 8 Lo b;l pian<to che d’amar conf=rta 2 4 8 fac>va tutto rider l’orï?nte, 2 4 6 21 velando@i PAsci ch’BranoCin sua scDrta. 2 4 6 I’ mi vElsiFa man dGstra,He puIJi mKnte (1) 3 6 8 a l’altro pLlo,Me vidi quattro stNlle 2 4 6 8 24 non viste mai fuOr ch’a la prima gPnte. 2 4 5 8 GodQr parRva ’l ciSl di lTr fiammUlle: 2 4 6 8 Vh settentrïonal vWdovo sito, (1) 6 7 27 pXi che privato sY’ di mirar quZlle! 1 4 6 9
2 To run over better waters the little vessel of my genius now hoists her sails, 3 as she leaves behind her a sea so cruel; and I will sing of that second realm where the human spirit is purified, 6 and becomes worthy to ascend to heaven. But here let dead poesy rise again, O holy Muses, since I am yours, 9 and here let Calliope somewhat mount up, accompanying my song with that sound of which the wretched Picae 12 felt the stroke such that they despaired of pardon. A sweet color of oriental sapphire, which was gathering in the serene aspect 15 of the mid sky, pure even to the first circle, to may eyes renewed delight, soon as I issued forth from the dead air 18 which had afflicted my eyes and my breast. The fair planet which incites to love was making all the Orient to smile, 21 veiling the Fishes that were in her train. I turned me to the right hand, and gave heed to the other pole, and saw four stars, 24 never seen save by the first people. The heavens appeared to rejoice in their flamelets. O widowed northern region, 27 since thou art deprived of beholding these!
3 C[m’ io da l\ro ]guardo fui partito, 2 4 6 8 un p^co me volg_ndo`a l’altro palo, 2 4 6 8 30 làbcnde ’l Carro giàdera sparito, 1/2 4 6 7 vidi prfsso di megun vhglio silo, 1 3 6 8 djgno di tanta reverknzalin vista, 1 4 8 33 che più non dmena padreoalcun figliuplo. 2 4 6 8 Lunga la barbaqe di prl bianco mista 1 4 7 8 portava,sa’ suti capulli simigliante, 2 (4) 6 36 dv’ quai cadwvaxal pytto dzppia lista. 2 (4) 6 8 Li raggi de le quattro luci sante 2 6 8 fregiavan sì la sua faccia di lume, 2 4 7 39 ch’i’ ’l ved{a c|me ’l s}l f~sse davante. 1 3 4 6 7 «Chi site vi che cntroal cico fiume 1 2 4 6 8 fuggitaav te la pregineettrna?», 2 4 8 42 diss’ l, movndo qulleonste piume. 2 4 6 8 «Chi v’ha guidati,o che vi fu lucrna, 1 2 4 6 8 uscndo fur de la profnda ntte 2 4 8 45 che smpre nra fa la valleinfrna? 2 4 6 8 Sn le lggi d’abisso coì rtte? 1 3 6 9 oè mutatoin cil nvo consiglio, (2) 4 6 7 48 che, dannati, venite a le mie gr¡tte?». 1 3 6 (9) Lo duca mio¢all£r mi diè di piglio, (2) 4 6 8 e con par¤le¥e con mani¦e con c§nni 4 7 51 rever¨nti mi fé le gambe©e ’l ciglio. 3 6 8 Pªscia rispu«¬e lui: «Da me non v nni: 1 4 6 8 d®nna sc¯°e del ci±l, per li cui pri²ghi 1 3 6 (9) 54 de la mia compagnia costui sovv³nni. (3) 6 8
4 When I had withdrawn from regarding them, turning me a little to the other pole, 30 there whence the Wain had already disappeared, I saw close to me an old man alone, in aspect worthy of so much reverence 33 that no son owes more to his father. His beard long and mingled with white hair he wore, like his locks, 36 of which a double list fell upon his breast. The rays of the four holy stars so adorned his face with light, 39 that I saw him, as though the sun had been in front. “Who are ye that, counter to the blind stream, have fled from the eternal prison?” 42 said he, moving those venerable plumes. “Who has guided you? Or who was a lamp to you, issuing forth from the deep night 45 which ever makes the infernal valley black? Are the laws of the abyss thus broken? or is a new design changed in heaven 48 that, being damned, ye come to my rocks?” My Leader then took hold of me, and with words, and with hands, and with signs, 51 controlled to reverence my knees and brow. Then he answered him: “Of myself I came not; a Lady descended from Heaven, by reason of whose prayers 54 I succored this man with my company.
5 Ma da ch’è tuo vol´r che più si spiµghi 3 (4) 6 8 di n¶stra condizi·n c¸m’ ¹ll’ è vºra, 2 6 8 (9) 57 »sser non pu¼te½il mio che¾a te si ni¿ghi. 1 4 6 8 QuÀsti non vide mai l’ultima sÁra; 1 4 6 7 ma per la sua follia le fu sì prÂsso, (4) 6 8 (9) 60 che mÃlto pÄco tÅmpoÆa vÇlger Èra. 2 4 6 8 Sì cÉm’ io dissi, fui mandatoÊad Ësso (1) 4 8 per lui campare;Ìe non lìÍ / ÎraÏaltra via 2 4 6 7 63 che quÐsta per la qualeÑi’ mi sÒn mÓsso. 2 6 (7) MostrataÔho lui tutta la gÕnte ria; 2 4 5 8 eÖ×raØintÙndo mostrar quÚlli spirti 2 4 7 8 66 che purgan sé sÛtto la tua balìa. 2 4 5 8 CÜm’ io l’ho tratto, sarÝa lungoÞa dirti; 2 4 7 8 de l’alto scßnde virtù che m’aàiuta 2 4 7 69 conducerloáa vedârtiãeäaåudirti. 2 6 ær ti piaccia gradir la sua venuta: 1 3 6 (8) libertà va cercando, ch’è sì cara, 3 6 8 9 72 cçme sa chi per lèi vita rifiuta. 1 3 4 6 7 Tu ’l sai, ché non ti fu per léiêamara 1 2 (4) 6 8 in Utica la mërte,ìíve lasciasti 2 6 (7) 75 la vîsta ch’al gran dì sarà sì chiara. 2 (5) 6 8 9 Non sïn liðedittiñettòrni per nói guasti, 2 4 6 9 ché quôsti viveõe Minòs me non löga; 2 4 7 8 78 ma s÷n del cørchioùúve sûn liüýcchi casti 2 4 7 8 di Mþrzia tua, che ’n vista anc r ti pri ga, 2 4 6 8 santo p tto, che per tua la t gni: 2 4 8 81 per lo suo am re adunque a n i ti pi ga. 4 6 8
6 But since it is thy will that more be unfolded to thee of our condition, how it truly is, 57 mine cannot be that this be denied to thee. This man has not yet seen his last evening, but through his folly was so near thereto 60 that there was very little time to turn. Even as I have said, I was sent to him to rescue him, and there was no other way 63 than this, along which I have set myself. I have shown to him all the guilty people; and now I intend to show him those spirits 66 that purge themselves under thy ward. How I have brought him, it would be long to tell thee; from on high descends power which aids me 69 to lead him to see thee and to hear thee. Now may it please thee to look graciously upon his coming. He goes seeking liberty, which is so dear, 72 as he knows who for it renounces life. This thou knowest; for for its sake was not bitter to thee in Utica death, where thou didst leave 75 the vesture which on the great day shall be so bright. The eternal edicts are not violated by us, for this one is alive, and Minos does not bind me; 78 but I am of the circle where are the chaste eyes of thy Marcia, who in her look still prays thee, O holy breast, that for thine own thou hold her. 81 For her love, then, incline thyself to us;
7 Lasciane andar per li tu i s tte r gni; 1 4 8 grazie riporterò di te a l i, 1 6 8 84 se d’ sser mentovato là giù d gni». 2 6 9 «M rzïa piacque tanto a li cchi mi i 1 4 6 8 m ntre ch’i’ fu’ di là», diss’ lli all ra, 1 (4) 6 8 87 «che quante grazie v lse da me, f i. 2 4 6 9 r che di là dal mal fi!me dim"ra, 1 4 6 7 più mu#ver non mi può, per qu$lla l%gge 2 4 6 8 90 che fatta fu quando me n’usci’ f&ra. 2 4 5 9 Ma se d'nna del ci(l ti m)ve*e r+gge, 3 6 8 come tu di’, non c’è mesti,r lusinghe: 1 4 6 8 93 bastisi b-n che per l.i mi rich/gge. 1 4 7 Va dunque,0e fa che tu costui ricinghe 1.2 4 6 8 d’un giunco schi1tto2e che li lavi ’l vi3o, 2 4 8 96 sì ch’4gne sucidume quindi stinghe; 2 6 8 ché non si converr5a, l’6cchio sorpriso (2) 6 7 d’alcuna n7bbia,8andar dinanzi9al primo 2 4 6 8 99 ministro, ch’è di qu:i di paradi;o. 2 4 6 Qu<sta=i>ol?tta@intArnoBad imoCad imo, 1 4 6 8 là giù colà dDve la batte l’Enda, 2 4 5 8 102 pFrta di giunchi sGvra ’l mHlle limo: 1 4 (6) 8 null’ altra pianta che facIsse frJnda 1 2 4 8 oKindurasse, vi puLteMavNr vita, 4 7 9 105 però ch’a le percOsse non secPnda. 2 6 8 PQscia non sia di qua vRstra reddita; 1 4 6 7 lo sSl vi mosterrà, che surgeTomai, 2 6 8 108 prUndereVil mWnteXa più liYve salita». 1 4 7
8 allow us to go on through thy seven realms: I will report this grace from thee to her, 84 if thou deignest to be mentioned there below.” “Marcia so pleased my eyes while I was on earth,” said he then, 87 “that whatsoever grace she wished from me, I did; now that she dwells on the other side of the evil stream, she can move me no more, by that law 90 which was made when thence I issued forth. But if a Lady of Heaven move and direct thee, as thou sayest, there is no need of flatteries; 93 it may well suffice thee that thou ask me for her sake. Go then, and see thou gird this one with a smooth rush, and that thou wash his face 96 so that thou cleanse it from all stain, for it were not befitting with eye dimmed by any cloud to go before the first 99 minister that is of those of Paradise. This little island, round about at its very base, down there yonder where the wave beats it, 102 bears rushes upon its soft ooze. No plant of other kind, that puts forth leaf or grows hard, can there have life, 105 because it yields not to the shocks. Thereafter let not your return be this way; the Sun, which now is rising, will show you 108 how to take the mountain by easier ascent.
9 CoZì sparì;[e\io sù mi levai (2) 4 6 (7) sanza parlare,]e tutto mi ritrassi 1 4 6 111 al duca mio,^e li_`cchiaa lui drizzai. 2 4 6 8 bl cominciò: «Figliucl, sdguiei mifi passi: 1 4 6 7 (9) volgigncihin dietro, ché di qua dichina 2 4 8 114 quista pianuraja’ suki tlrmini bassi». 1 4 6 7 L’alba vincmva l’nra mattutina 1 4 6 che fuggiaoinnanzi, sì che di lontano 3 4 6 117 conpbbiqil tremolar de la marina. 2 6 Nrisandavam per lo solingo piano (1) 4 8 ctm’ um che tvrnawa la perduta strada, 2 4 8 120 che ’nfinoxad yssa li parezire{in vano. 2 4 (7) 8 Quando n|i fummo là ’v} la rugiada 1.3 4 6 pugna col s~le, per sserein parte 1 4 7 123 dve,ad or a, pco si dirada, 1 4 6 mbo le maniin su l’erbtta sparte 1 4 8 soavemnte ’l mio mastro pe: 4 (6) 8 126 nd’ io, che fuiaccrto di suaarte, 2 (4) 6 (9) prsi vr’ lui le guance lagrime; 1 4 6 ivi mi fce tutto discovrto 1 4 6 129 qul colr che l’infrno mi nasce. 1 3 6 Venimmo pi in sul lito di¡¢rto, 2 4 7 che mai non vide navicar sue£acque 2 4 8 132 ¤mo, che di tornar sia p¥scia¦esp§rto. 1 6 8 Quivi mi cinse sì c¨m’ altrui piacque: 1 4 6 9 ©h maraviglia! ché qual ªlli sc«lse 1 4 7 8 135 l’umile pianta, cotal si rinacque 1 4 7
10 On this he disappeared, and I rose up, without speaking, and drew me quite close 111 to my Leader, and bent my eyes on him. He began: “Son, follow my steps; let us turn back, for from here slopes 114 this plain to its low bounds.” The dawn was vanquishing the matin hour, which was flying before it, so that from afar 117 I discerned the trembling of the sea. We went along over the solitary plain like a man who turns to the road which he has lost, 120 and, till he find it, seems to himself to go in vain. When we were where the dew contends with the sun, and, through being in a place 123 where there is shade, is little dispersed, both his hands outspread upon the grass softly my Master placed; 126 whereon I, who was aware of his intent, stretched toward him my tearful cheeks: then he wholly uncovered on me 129 that color which hell had concealed. We came, then, to the desert shore which never saw navigate its waters 132 man who afterwards had experience of return. Here he girt me, even as pleased the other. O marvel! that such as he culled 135 the humble plant, such it sprang up again
11 subitam¬nte là ®nde l’av¯lse. 4 (6) 7
12 instantly there whence he had plucked it.
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