La Divina Commedia Purgatorio Canto XXVIII The song of the Earthly Paradise and of Matelda Time: Thursday, March 30, 1301 (Wednesday, April 13, 1300): early morning hours Place: Earthly Paradise People: Dante, Virgilio, Matelda, Stazio © 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 Vago già di cercar d ntro e dint rno 1 3 6 7 la divina for sta sp ssa e viva, 3 6 8 3 ch’a li cchi temperava il n vo gi rno, 2 6 (8) sanza più aspettar, lasci i la riva, 1 3 6 8 prend ndo la campagna l nto l nto 2 6 8 6 su per lo su l che d’ gne parte auliva. 1 4 6 8 Un’ ura d lce, sanza mutam nto 2 4 6 av re in sé, mi fer a per la fr nte 2 4 7 9 non di più c lpo che so ave v nto; 1 3 4 8 per cui le fr nde, tremolando, pr nte 2 4 8 tutte quante piegavano a la parte 1 3 6 12 u’ la prim’ !mbra gitta"il santo m#nte; 3 4 6 8 non però dal l$ro%&sser dritto sparte 1 3 5 6 8 tanto, che li'augell(tti per le cime 1 6 15 lasciasser d’operare)*gne l+r arte; 2 6 7 (9) ma con pi,na letizia l’-re prime, 3 6 8 cantando, ricev.eno/intra le f0glie, 2 6 7 18 che ten1van bord2ne3a le sue rime, 3 6 tal qual di ramo4in ramo si racc5glie 1 2 4 6 per la pin6ta7in su ’l lito di Chiassi, 4 7 21 quand’ 8olo scil9cco fu:r disci;glie. 2 6 8 Già m’av<an trasportato=i l>nti passi 1 3 6 8 d?ntro@a la sAlvaBantica tanto, ch’io 1 4 6 8 24 non potCa rivedDreEFnd’ io mi ’ntrassi; (3) 6 8 ed Gcco piùHandar mi tIlseJun rio, 2 4 6 8 che ’nvKr’ sinistra con sue pLccioleMNnde 2 4 8 27 piegava l’Orba che ’n sua ripaPuscìo. 2 4 8
2 Fain now to search within and round about the divine forest dense and living, 3 which to my eyes was tempering the new day, without longer waiting I left the bank, taking the level ground very slowly, 6 over the soil which on every side breathed fragrance. A sweet breeze that had no variation in itself smote me on the brow, 9 not with heavier stroke than a soft wind; at which the branches, readily trembling, one and all were bending toward the quarter 12 where its first shadow casts the holy mountain; yet not from their uprightness swayed so, that the little birds among the tops 15 had to leave the practice of their every art; but, with full joy, the early breezes, singing, they received among the leaves, 18 which were keeping a burden to their rhymes, such as from bough to bough gathers through the pine forest on the shore of Chiassi, 21 when Aeolus lets forth the Scirocco. Now had carried me my slow steps within the ancient wood so far that I 24 could not see back to where I had entered it: and lo, further progress took from me a stream, which toward the left with its little waves 27 was bending the grass that sprang up on its bank.
3 Tutte l’acque che sQn di qua più mRnde, 1 3 6 8 parrSenoTavUreVin sé misturaWalcuna 2 4 6 8 30 vXrso di quYlla, che nulla nascZnde, 1 4 7 avv[gna che si m\va bruna bruna 2 6 8 s]tto l’^mbra perp_tüa, che mai (3) 6 33 raggiar non lascia s`leaivi né luna. 2 4 6 7 (9) Coi piè ristbttice con lidecchi passai 2 4 7 di là dal fiumicfllo, per mirare 2 6 36 la gran varïazign d’i frhschi mai; 2 6 8 e là m’apparve, sì cim’ jllikappare 2 4 (6) 8 subitamlnte cmna che diovia 4 6 39 per maraviglia tuttopaltro pensare, 4 6 7 una dqnna solrtta che si gia 3 6 e cantandose sceglitndo fiur da fivre 3 6 8 42 wnd’ xra pinta tutta la sua via. 2 4 6 «Dyh, bzlla d{nna, che|a’ raggi d’am}re 1 2 4 7 ti scaldi, s’i’ v~’ crderea’ sembianti 2 6 45 che sglion sser testimn del cre, (2) 4 8 v gnatiin vglia di trarretiavanti», 1 4 7 diss’ ioa li, «vrso qusta rivra, 2 4 5 7 48 tanto ch’io pssaintnder che tu canti. 1 (4) 6 (8 (9)) Tu mi fai rimembrar dvee qual ra (1) 3 6 7 (9) Prorpina nel tmpo che perdtte 2 6 51 la madre li,ed lla primavra». 2 4 6 Cme si vlge, con le piante strtte (1) 4 8 a trra e¡intra sé, d¢nna che balli, 2 4 6 7 54 e pi£de¤innanzi pi¥de¦a p§na m¨tte, 2 4 6 8
4 All the waters, that are purest here on the earth, would seem to have some mixture in them, 30 compared with that which hides nothing, although it moves along dusky under the perpetual shadow, which never 33 lets shine the sun there or moon. With my feet I stood still, and with my eyes I passed to the other side of the streamlet, to gaze 36 at the great variety of the fresh blossoms; and there appeared to me, even as a thing appears suddenly which turns aside 39 through wonder every other thought, a solitary lady, who was going along, singing, and culling flower from flower, 42 wherewith all her path was painted. “Ah, fair Lady, who in the rays of love warmest thyself, if I may trust to looks 45 which are wont to be witnesses of the heart, may the will come to thee to draw forward, said I to her, “toward this stream, 48 so far that I may hear what thou art singing. Thou makest me remember where and what was Proserpine, at the time when her mother lost her, and she the spring.” As turns, with feet close to the ground and to each other, a lady who is dancing, 54 and foot before foot hardly sets,
5 v©lsesiªin su«i vermigli¬e in su®i gialli 1 (4) 6 (9) fior¯tti v°rso me, non altrim±nti 2 4 6 (7) 57 che v²rgine che li³´cchiµon¶sti·avvalli; 2 6 8 e f¸ce¹i priºghi mi»i¼½sser cont¾nti, 2 (4) 6 7 sì¿appressando sé, che ’l dolce suÀno 1 4 6 8 60 venivaÁa me cÂ’ suÃiÄintendimÅnti. 2 4 6 TÆsto che fu là dÇve l’Èrbe sÉno 1 (4) 5 8 bagnate già da l’Ênde del bËl fiume, 2 4 6 (9) 63 di levar liÌÍcchi suÎi mi fÏce dÐno. 3 4 6 (8) Non crÑdo che splendÒsse tanto lume 2 6 8 sÓtto le cigliaÔa VÕnere, trafitta 1 4 6 66 dal figlio fuÖr di tutto suo costume. 2 4 6 8 ×lla ridØa da l’altra riva dritta, 1 4 6 8 trattando più colÙr con le sue mani, 2 (4) 6 69 che l’alta tÚrra sanza sÛme gitta. 2 4 6 8 TrÜ passi ci facÝaÞil fiume lontani; 1 2 6 7 maßElespànto, là ’vá passò Sârse, 4 6 9 72 ancãra fränoåa tuttiæorgçglièumani, 2 4 6 8 piùéêdio da Leëandro non soffìrse 1 2 6 8 per mareggiareíintra SîstoïeðAbido, 4 (5) 7 75 che quñl da me perch’ allòr non s’apórse. 2 4 7 «Vôi siõte nuövi,÷e førse perch’ io rido», 1 2 4 6 9 cominciòùúlla,û«in quüsto luýgoþel tto 3 4 6 8 78 a l’umana natura per suo nido, 3 6 (9) maravigliando ti nvi alcun sosp tto; 4 6 8 ma luce r nde il salmo D l ctast , 2 4 6 81 che pu te di nebbiar v stro intelletto. 2 6 7
6 she turned on the red and the yellow flowerets toward me, not otherwise 57 than a virgin who lowers her modest eyes, and made my prayers content, so approaching that the sweet sound 60 came to me with its meaning. So soon as she was there where the grasses are bathed just by the waves of the fair stream, 63 of lifting her eyes she gave me the boon. I do not believe that so great a light shone beneath the eyelids of Venus, when transfixed 66 by her son quite out of his custom. She was smiling upon the right bank opposite, gathering the many colors with her hands 69 which that high land without seed brings forth. Three paces made us the stream apart; but the Hellespont where Xerxes passed it – 72 till a curb on all human pride – more hatred from Leander endured not for swelling between Sestos and Abydos, 75 than that from me because then it did not open. ”Ye are new come and, perchance, why I smile,” she began, “in this place chosen 78 for human nature as its nest, marvelling holds you some doubt; but light affords the psalm Delectasti 81 which may uncloud your understanding.
7 E tu che s ’ dinanzi e mi pregasti, 2 4 6 (8) dì s’altro vu li udir; ch’i’ v nni pr sta 1 2 4 6 8 84 ad gne tua questi n tanto che basti». (2 4) 6 7 «L’acqua», diss’ io, «e ’l su n de la for sta 1 4 6 impugnan d ntro a me nov lla f de 2 4 6 8 87 di c a ch’io udi’ contraria a qu sta». 2 4 6 8 nd’ lla:!«Io dicerò c"me proc#de 2 3 6 7 per sua cagi$n ciò ch’ammirar ti face, (2) 4 5 8 90 e purgherò la n%bbia che ti fi&de. 4 6 Lo s'mmo b(n, che s)lo*+sso,a sé piace, 2 4 (6) 7 9 fé l’u-m bu.no/e0a b1ne,2e qu3sto l4co 2 3 6 8 93 di5de per arr’ a lui d’ett6rna pace. 1 4 6 8 Per sua difalta qui dimorò p7co; (2) 4 6 9 per sua difalta8in pianto9e:in affanno (2) 4 6 96 cambiò;on<sto ri=o>e d?lce gi@co. 2 4 6 8 Perché ’l turbar che sAtto da sé fanno 2 4 6 9 l’essalaziBn de l’acquaCe de la tDrra, 4 6 99 che quanto pEsson diFtroGal calHr vanno, (2) 4 (6) 9 a l’uImo non facJsseKalcuna guLrra, 2 6 8 quMsto mNnte salìo vOrso ’l ciPl tanto, 1 3 6 7 9 102 e libero n’è d’indiQRve si sSrra. 2 5 6 7 Tr perchéUin circVito tutto quanto 1 3 6 (8) l’Were si vXlge con la prima vYlta, 1 4 (8) 105 se non liZè r[tto\il c]rchio d’alcun canto, (2) 4 6 9 in qu^sta_alt`zza ch’è tutta discialta 2 4 7 ne l’bere vivo, tal mcto percudte, 2 4 6 7 108 e fa sonar la selva perch’ è fflta; (2) 4 6 (9)
8 And thou who art in front, and didst pray to me, say, if aught else thou wouldst hear, for I came ready 84 for every question of thine, so far as may suffice.” “The water,” said I, “and the sound of the forest impugn within me recent faith 87 in something which I heard contrary to this.” Whereon she: “I will tell how proceeds from its own cause that which makes thee wonder; 90 and I will clear away the mist which falls upon thee. “The supreme Good, which Itself alone is pleasing to Itself, made man good, and for good, and this place 93 gave for earnest to him of eternal peace. Through his own default he dwelt here little while; through his own default to tears and to toil 96 he changed honest laughter and sweet sport. In order that the disturbance, which down below produce the exhalations of the water and of the earth 99 (that so far as they can after the heat follow), on man should not make any war, this mountain rose toward heaven so high, 102 and is free from them, from there where it is locked in. Now because in a circuit the whole air revolves with the primal revolution, 105 if not be broken its circling by some obstacle, upon this height, which is wholly disengaged in the living air, this motion strikes, 108 and makes resound the wood, because it is thick-set;
9 e la percgssa pianta tanto puhte, (4) 6 8 che de la sua virtute l’iurajimprkgna 4 6 8 111 e qullla pmi, girando,nintorno scupte; 2 4 6 8 e l’altra tqrra, secrndo ch’è dsgna 2 4 7 per séte per suo ciul, concvpewe figlia 2 6 8 114 di divxrse virtù divyrse lzgna. 3 6 8 Non parr{bbe di là p|i maraviglia, 3 6 7 udito qu}sto, quando~alcuna pianta 2 4 6 8 117 sanza sme pale vi s’appiglia. 1 3 6 E sapr di che la campagna santa 3 4 8 dve tu s ’, d’gne semnzaè pina, (1) 4 5 8 120 e fruttohain sé che di là non si schianta. 2 4 7 L’acqua che vdi non surge di vna 1 4 (6) 7 che ristri vapr che gl convrta, 3 6 8 123 cme fiume ch’acquistae prde lna; 3 6 8 masce di fontana saldae crta, 2 6 8 che tanto dal volr di Dio riprnde, 2 6 8 126 quant’ lla vrsa da due partiaprta. 2 4 (7) 8 Da qu sta parte con virtù disc¡nde 2 4 8 che t¢glie£altrui mem¤ria del peccato; 2 4 6 129 da l’altra d’¥gne b¦n fatto la r§nde. 2 4 6 7 Quinci Letè; co¨ì da l’altro lato 1 4 6 8 Eüno©è si chiama,ªe non ad«pra 4 6 (8) 132 se quinci¬e quindi pria non è gustato: 2 4 6 a tutti altri sap®ri¯°sto±è di s²pra. 2 3 6 7 E³avv´gna ch’assai pµssa¶·sser sazia 3 6 7 8 135 la s¸te tua perch’ io più non ti scu¹pra, 2 4 6 7
10 and the plant thus struck has such power that with its virtue it impregnates the breeze, 111 and this then in its whirling scatters it around; and the rest of the earth, according as it is fit in itself, or through its sky, conceives and brings forth 114 of divers virtues divers trees. It should not appear on earth then a marvel, this being heard, when some plant 117 without apparent seed takes root there. And thou must know that the holy plain where thou art of every seed is full, and fruit has 120 within itself which yonder upon earth is never gathered. “The water which thou seest does not rise from a vein which condensed vapor by the frost restores, 123 like a stream that gains and loses breath; but it issues from a constant and sure fountain, which as much by the will of God regains 126 as it pours forth open on two sides. On this side with virtue it descends that takes from one the memory of sin; 129 on the other of every good deed it restores that. On this side Lethe, so on the other Eunoë it is called; and it works not 132 if on this side then on that first it be not tasted. To all other savors this is superior. And though fully may be sated 135 thy thirst even if I reveal no more to thee,
11 darºtti»un corollario¼anc½r per grazia; 2 6 8 né cr¾do che ’l mio dir ti sia m¿n caro, 2 6 8 (9) 138 seÀÁltre promessiÂn tÃco si spazia. 2 6 7 QuÄlli ch’anticamÅnte poÆetaro 1 6 l’età de l’ÇroÈe suo stato felice, 2 4 7 141 fÉrseÊin ParnaËoÌÍsto lÎco sognaro. 1 4 (5) 7 Qui fuÏinnocÐnte l’umana radice; 1 4 7 qui primavÑra sÒmpreÓeÔÕgne frutto; 1 4 6 8 144 nÖttare×è quØsto di che ciascun dice». 1 4 7 9 Io mi rivÙlsi ’n diÚtroÛallÜra tutto 1 4 6 8 a’ miÝi poÞßti,àe vidi che con riáo 2 4 6 147 uditoâavãan l’ultimo costrutto; 2 4 6 päiåa la bælla dçnna tornè’éil viêo. 1 4 6 9
12 I will give thee a corollary yet as a favor; nor do I think my speech will be less dear to thee, 138 if beyond my promise with thee it extend. Those who in old time sang of the Golden Age, and of its happy state, 141 perchance, upon Parnassus, dreamed of this place: here was innocent the root of mankind; here is always spring, and every fruit; 144 the nectar is this of which each one of them tells.” I turned me backward then wholly to my Poets, and saw that with a smile 147 they had heard the last words; then to the beautiful Lady I turned again my eyes.
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