2 “O Thou, who art on the farther side of the sacred river,” turning her speech to me with the point, 3 which only with the edge had seemed to me keen, she began anew, going on without delay, “Say, say, if this is true; to so heavy a charge 6 thine own confession must needs be conjoined.” My faculties were so confused that the voice moved, and became extinct 9 before it had been released from its organs. A little while she waited, then said: “What thinkest thou? Reply to me; for the sad memories 12 in thee are not yet injured by the water.” Confusion and fear mingled together forced such a “Yes” from out my mouth, 15 that for the hearing of it the eyes were needed. As a cross-bow breaks when it shoots with too great tension its cord, and its bow 18 and with less force the shaft hits the mark, so did I burst under that heavy load, pouring forth tears and sighs, 21 and the voice slackened along its passage. Whereupon she to me: “Within those desires of mine that were leading thee to love the Good 24 beyond which there is nothing to which one may aspire, what trenches running traverse, or what chains didst thou find, for which of passing onward 27 thou shouldst thus have despoiled thyself of the hope?
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