La Divina Commedia Purgatorio Canto III The song of Manfredi Time: Monday, March 27, 1301 (Sunday, April 10, 1300): early morning hours Place: Antipurgatory People: Dante, Virgilio, Manfredi © 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 Avv gna che la subitana fuga 2 4 8 disperg sse col r per la campagna, 3 6 3 riv lti al m nte ve ragi n ne fruga, 2 4 5 8 i’ mi ristrinsi a la fida compagna: 1 4 7 e come sar ’ io sanza lui c rso? 2 6 7 9 6 chi m’avr a tratto su per la montagna? 1 (3) 4 6 El mi par a da sé st sso rim rso: 1 4 7 o dignit a coscï nza e n tta, 1 4 8 9 c me t’è p cciol fallo amaro m rso! 1 3 4 6 8 Quando li pi di suoi lasciar la fr tta, 1 (4) 6 8 che l’onestade ad gn’ atto di maga, 4 6 7 12 la m nte mia, che prima!"ra ristr#tta, 2 4 6 7 lo ’nt$nto rallargò, sì c%me vaga, 2 6 7 8 e di&di ’l vi'o mio(inc)ntr’ al p*ggio 2 4 6 8 15 che ’nv+rso ’l ci,l più-alto si di.laga. 2 4 6 Lo s/l, che di0tro fiammeggiava r1ggio, 2 4 8 r2tto m’3ra dinanzi4a la figura, 1 3 6 18 ch’avéa5in me d6’ su7i raggi l’app8ggio. 2 4 (6) 7 Io mi v9lsi dallato con pa:ura 1 3 6 d’;ssere<abbandonato, quand’ io vidi 1 6 8 9 21 s=lo dinanzi>a me la t?rra@oscura; 1 4 6 8 e ’l mio confArto: «Perché pur diffidi?», 2 4 7 8 a dir mi cominciò tutto rivBlto; 2 6 7 24 «non crCdi tu me tDcoEe ch’io ti guidi? 2 (4) 5 6 8 VFsperoGè già colà dHv’ è sepIlto 1 4 6 (8) lo cJrpo dKntroLal qualeMio facNaOPmbra; 2 4 6 (7/9) 27 Napoli l’ha,Qe da BrandizioRè tSlto. 1 4 8
2 Although the sudden flight had scattered them over the plain, 3 turned to the mount whereto reason spurs us, I drew up close to my trusty companion. And how should I have run without him? 6 Who would have led me up over the mountain? He seemed to me of his own self remorseful. O conscience, upright and stainless, 9 how bitter a sting to thee is little fault! When his feet left the haste which marsthe dignity of every act, 12 my mind, which atfirst had been restrained, let loose its attention, as though eager, and I set my face against the hill 15 which rises highest towards heaven from the sea. The sun, which behind was flaming ruddy, was broken in front of me by the figure 18 which the staying of its rays upon me formed. I turned me to one side with fear of having been abandoned, when I saw 21 the ground darkened only in front of me: and my Comfort: “Why dost thou still distrust?”, began to say turning wholly round to me. 24 “Dost thou not believe me with thee, and that I guide thee? It is already evening there where is buried the body within which I cast a shadow; 27 Naples holds it, and from Brundusium it was taken:
3 Tra, seUinnanziVa me nulla s’aWXmbra, 1 4 6 7 non ti maravigliar più che d’i ciYli (1) 6 7 30 che l’unoZa l’altro raggio non ing[mbra. 2 4 6 8 A sofferir torm\nti, caldi]e g^li 4 6 8 simili c_rpi la Virtù disp`ne (1) 4 8 33 che, came fa, non vubl ch’a nci si dveli. 1 2 4 6 8 Mattofè chi spgra che nhstra ragiine 1 (2) 4 7 pjssa trasckrrer lalinfinita via 1 4 8 36 che timnenuna sustanzaoin trp persqne. 2 3 6 8 State contrnti,sumana gtnte,ual qu ; 1 4 6 8 ché, se potutovavwste vedxr tutto, 1 (4) 6 9 39 mestiyr non zra parturir Maria; 2 4 8 e di{ïar ved|ste sanza frutto 4 6 8 tai che sar}bbe l~r diio quetato, 1 4 (6) 8 42 ch’etternalmnteè dato lr per lutto: 4 (6) 8 io dico d’Aristtilee di Plato 2 6 e di m lt’ altri»;e qui chinò la frnte, 3 4 6 8 45 e più non disse,e rimae turbato. 2 4 7 Ni divenimmointantoa piè del mnte; 1 4 6 8 quivi trovammo la rccia sìrta, 1 4 7 9 48 che ’ndarno vi saren le gambe prnte. 2 6 8 Tra Lricee Turbìa la più dirta, 2 6 8 la più rtta ruinaèuna scala, 2 3 6 7 51 vrso di qulla,agvolee ap¡rta. 1 4 6 «¢r chi sa da qual man la c£sta cala», 1 3 (5) 6 8 disse ’l ma¤¥stro mio fermando ’l passo, 1 4 6 8 54 «sì che p¦ssa salir chi va sanz’ ala?». 1 3 6 8
4 if in front of me there is no shadow now, marvel not more than at the heavens, 30 of which the one obstructs not the other’s radiance. To suffer torments both of heat and cold the Power disposes bodies like this, 33 which wills not that how it acts be revealed to us. Mad is he who hopes that our reason can traverse the infinite way 36 which One Substance in Three Persons holds. Be content, O human race, with the quia; for if ye had been able to see everything, 39 there had been no need for Mary to bear child: and ye have seen desiring fruitlessly men such that their desire would have been quieted, 42 which is given them eternally for a grief. I speak of Aristode and of Plato, and of many others.” And here he bowed his front, 45 and said no more, and remained disturbed. We had come, meanwhile, to the foot of the mountain; here we found the cliff so steep 48 that the legs would there be nimble in vain. Between Lerici and Turbìa the most deserted, the most secluded path is a stairway, 51 compared with that, easy and open. “Now who knows on which hand the hillside slopes,” said my Master, staying his step, 54 “so that one who goes without wings may ascend?”
5 E m§ntre ch’¨’ ten©ndo ’l viªo basso 2 4 6 8 essaminava del cammin la m«nte, 4 8 57 e¬io mirava su o®int¯rno°al sasso, 2 4 6 8 da man sinistra m’apparì±una g²nte (2) 4 8 d’anime, che mov³eno´i piè vµr’ n¶i, 1 6 8 60 e non par·va, sì ven¸an lente. (2) 4 (6) 8 «L¹va», diss’ io, «maº»stro, li¼½cchi tuoi: 1 4 6 8 ¾cco di qua chi ne darà consiglio, 1 4 8 63 se tu da te med¿ÀmoÁavÂr nol puÃi». 2 4 6 8 GuardòÄallÅra,Æe con libero piglio 2 4 7 rispuÇÈe:É«AndiamoÊin là, ch’Ëi vÌgnon piano; 2 4 6 7 8 66 e tu fÍrma la spÎne, dÏlce figlio». 2 3 6 8 AncÐraÑÒra quÓl pÔpol di lontano, (2.3) 5 6 i’ dico dÕpoÖi n×stri mille passi, 2 (4) 6 8 69 quantoØun buÙn gittatÚr trarrÛa con mano, 1 3 6 8 quando si strinser tuttiÜai duri massi 1 4 6 8 de l’alta ripa,Ýe stÞtter fßrmiàe strátti 2 4 6 8 72 câm’ a guardar, chi va dubbiando, stassi. (1) 4 6 8 «ã bän finiti,åæ già spiritiçelètti», (1) 2 4 (5) 6 7 Virgilioéincominciò, «per quêlla pace 2 6 8 75 ch’i’ crëdo che per vìi tutti s’aspítti, 2 6 7 ditene dîve la montagna giace, 1 (4) 8 sì che possibil sïa l’andareðin suño; 1 4 6 8 78 ché pòrder tómpoôa chi più sa più spiace». 2 4 6 (7) 8 (9) Cõme le pecorölle÷øscon del chiuùo 1 6 7 aúuna,ûa due,üa trý,þe l’altre stanno 2 4 6 8 81 timid tte atterrando l’ cchio e ’l mu o; 3 6 8
6 And while he was holding his face bent down, and was questioning his mind about the road, 57 and I was looking up round about the rock, on the left hand appeared to me a company of souls, who were moving their feet towards us, 60 and seemed not doing so, so slowly were they coming. “Lift,” said I, “Master, thine eyes; behold on this side those who will give us counsel, 63 if of thyself thou canst not have it.” He looked at them, and with a relieved air replied: “Let us go thither, for they come slowly, 66 and do thou confirm thy hope, sweet son.” That people was still as far — I mean after a thousand steps of ours — 69 as a good thrower would cast with his hand, when they all pressed up to the hard masses of the high bank, and stood still and close, 72 as one who goes in doubt stops to look. “O ye who have made good ends, O spirits already elect,” Virgil began, “by that peace 75 which, I believe, is awaited by you all, tell us, where the mountain lies so that the going up is possible; for 78 to lose time is most displeasing to him who knows most.” As the sheep come forth from the fold by ones, and twos, and threes, and the others stand 81 timid, holding eye and muzzle to the ground;
7 e ciò che fa la prima, e l’altre fanno, 2 6 8 addossandosi a l i, s’ lla s’arr sta, 3 6 7 84 s mplici e qu te, e lo ’mperché non sanno; 1 4 8 sì vid’ io mu vere a venir la t sta 1 3 4 8 di qu lla mandra fortunata all tta, 2 4 8 87 pud ca in faccia e ne l’andare on sta. 2 4 8 C me col r dinanzi vider r tta 1 4 6 8 la luce in t rra dal mio d stro canto, 2 4 8 90 sì che l’ mbra!"ra da me#a la gr$tta, 1 3 4 7 restaro,%e trasser sé&in di'tro(alquanto, 2 4 6 8 e tutti li)altri che ven*eno+appr,sso, 2 4 8 93 non sappi-ndo ’l perché, f.nno/altrettanto. 1 (3) 6 7 «Sanza v0stra domanda1io vi conf2sso 1 3 6 (7 8) che qu3sto4è c5rpo6uman che v7i ved8te; 2 4 6 8 96 per che ’l lume del s9le:in t;rra<è f=sso. 3 6 8 Non vi maravigliate, ma cred>te 1 6 che non sanza virtù che da ci?l v@gna 2 3 6 9 99 cArchi di soverchiar quBsta parCte». 1 6 7 CoDì ’l maEFstro;Ge quHlla gInte dJgna 2 4 6 8 «Tornate», disse,K«intrateLinnanzi dunque», 2 4 6 8 102 cMi dNssi de la man faccOndoPinsQgna. 2 6 8 ERun di lSroTincominciò: «ChiUunque 2 4 8 tu sV’, coWìXandando, vYlgi ’l viZo: 2 4 6 8 105 p[n m\nte se di là mi ved]sti^unque». 2 6 9 Io mi v_lsi v`r’ luiae guardail fibo: (1) 3 6 9 bicndoderafe bgllohe di gentileiaspjtto, 1 2 4 8 108 ma l’un dk’ ciglilun cmlponavoa divipo. 2 4 6 8
8 and what the first does the others also do, huddling themselves to it if it stop, 84 silly and quiet, and wherefore know not; so I then saw moving to approach the head of that fortunate flock, 87 modest in countenance and dignified in gait. When those in front saw broken the light on the ground at my right side, 90 so that the shadow was cast by me on the rock, they stopped, and drew somewhat back; and all the rest who were coming behind, 93 not knowing why, did the like. “Without your asking, I confess to you that this is a human body which ye see, 96 whereby the light of the sun on the ground is cleft. Marvel not, but believe that not without power which comes from heaven 99 does he seek to surmount this wall.” Thus the Master: and that worthy people said: “Turn, proceed before us, then”; 102 with the backs of their hands making sign. And one of them began: “Whoever thou art, turn thy face as thou thus goest on; 105 consider whether in the world thou didst ever see me?” I turned me toward him, and looked at him fixedly: blond was he, and beautiful, and of gentle aspect, 108 but a blow had divided one of his eyebrows.
9 Quand’ io mi fuiqumilmrnte disdttto (2) 4 7 d’avurlo visto mai,vwl disse:x«yr vzdi»; 2 4 6 7 8 9 111 e mostr{mmi|una piaga}a s~mmo ’l ptto. 3 6 8 Pi sorridndo disse:«Io sn Manfrdi, 1 4 6 7.8 nep te di Costanzaimperadrice; 2 6 114 nd’ io ti prigo che, quando tu ridi, 2 4 6 7.9 vadia mia blla figlia, genetrice 1 4 6 de l’onr di Ciciliae d’Aragna, 3 6 117 e dichi ’l vroa li, s’altro si dice. 2 4 6 7 Pscia ch’iobbi rtta la persna 1 4 6 di due punte mortali,io mi rendi, (2) 3 6 7 120 piangndo,a qui che volontir perdna. 2 4 8 Orribil furon li peccati mii; 2 4 8 ma la bontàinfinita ha sì gran braccia, 4 6 8 9 123 che pr¡nde ciò che si riv¢lge£a l¤i. 2 4 8 Se ’l past¥r di Co¦§nza, che¨a la caccia 3 6 di me fu m©sso per Clemªnte«all¬ra, 2 4 8 126 av sse®in Dio b¯n l°tta qu±sta faccia, 2 4 5 6 8 l’²ssa del c³rpo mio sar´enoµanc¶ra 1 4 6 8 in c· del p¸nte pr¹ssoºa Benev»nto, 2 4 6 129 s¼tto la guardia de la grave m½ra. 1 4 8 ¾r le bagna la pi¿ggiaÀe mÁveÂil vÃnto 1 3 6 8 di fuÄr dal rÅgno, quaÆi lungo ’l VÇrde, 2 4 (6) 8 132 dÈv’ É’ le traÊmutòËa lume spÌnto. 2 6 8 Per lÍr maladiziÎn sì non si pÏrde, 2 6 7 (8) che non pÐssa tornar, l’ettÑrnoÒamÓre, 3 6 8 135 mÔntre che la speranzaÕha fiÖr del v×rde. 1 6 8
10 When I had humbly disclaimed having ever seen him, he said: “Now look!” 111 and showed me a wound high upon his breast. Then he said, smiling; “I am Manfred, grandson of the Empress Constance: 114 wherefore I pray thee, that when thou returnest, thou go to my beautiful daughter, mother of the honor of Sicily and of Aragon, 117 and tell to her the truth if aught else be told. After I had my body broken by two mortal stabs, I rendered myself, 120 weeping, to Him who pardons willingly. My sins were horrible, but the Infinite Goodness has such wide arms 123 that it takes whatever turns to it. If the Pastor of Cosenza, who on the hunt of me was set by Clement, then 126 had rightly read this page in God, the bones of my body would still be at the head of the bridge near Benevento, 129 under the protection of the heavy cairn. Now the rain bathes them, and the wind moves them forth from the kingdom, hard by the Verde, 132 whither he transported them with extinguished light. By their malediction one is not so lost that the Eternal Love cannot return, 135 while hope has speck of green.
11 VØroÙè che qualeÚin contumacia mÛre (1) 2 4 8 di Santa ChiÜÝa,Þancßr ch’al fin si pànta, 2 4 6 8 138 star li convián da quâsta ripaãin färe, 1 4 6 8 per ognun tåmpo ch’ælliçè stato, trènta, 3 4 6 8 in sua preéunzïên, se tal decrëto 2 6 8 141 più cìrto per buín priîghi non divïnta. 2 (5) 6 (8) Vðdiñoggimai se tu mi puòi far lióto, 1 4 6 8 revelandoôa la mia buõna Costanza 3 7 144 cöme m’hai visto,÷eøùncoúûsto diviüto; (1 3) 4 6 7 ché qui per quýi di là mþlto s’avanza”. 2 4 6 7
12 True is it, that whoso dies in contumacy of Holy Church, though he repent him at the end, 138 needs must stay outside, upon this bank, thirtyfold the whole time that he has been in his presumption, if such decree 141 become not shortened through good prayers. See if hereafter thou canst make me glad, revealing to my good Constance 144 how thou hast seen me, and also this prohibition; for here by means of those on earth much may be gained.”
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