La Divina Commedia Purgatorio Canto VIII The song of Nino Visconti Time: Monday, March 27, 1301 (Sonday, April 10, 1300): at sunset Place: Antipurgatory: Ledge II (the lovely valley) People: Dante, Virgilio, Nino Visconti, Corrado Malaspina, Sordello, two angels (guardians of the valley) © 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 ra già l’ ra che v lge il di io (1 3) 4 7 ai navicanti e ’ntenerisce il c re 4 8 3 lo dì c’han d tto ai d lci amici addio; 2 4 6 8 e che lo n vo peregrin d’am re 4 8 punge, se de squilla di lontano 1 4 6 6 che pa ia il gi rno pianger che si m re; (2) 4 6 quand’ io incominciai a r nder vano 2 6 8 l’udire e a mirare una de l’alme 2 6 7 9 surta, che l’ascoltar chied a con mano. 1 6 8 lla giunse e levò ambo le palme, 1 3 6 7 ficcando li !cchi v"rso l’orï#nte, 2 4 6 12 c$me dic%sse&a Dio: ‘D’altro non calme’. 4 6 7 ‘T l c s nt ’ sì devotam'nte 1 2 4 6 le(uscìo di b)cca*e con sì d+lci n,te, 2 4 7 8 15 che f-ce me.a me/uscir di m0nte; 2 4 6 8 e l’altre p1i dolcem2nte3e dev4te 2 4 7 seguitar l5i per tutto l’inno6int7ro, 3 4 6 8 18 av8ndo li9:cchi;a le sup<rne r=te. 2 4 8 Aguzza qui, lett>r, b?n li@AcchiBal vCro, 2 4 6 7 8 ché ’l vDloEèFGra bHn tanto sottile, 2 4 (6) 7 21 cIrto che ’l trapassar dJntroKè leggLro. 1 6 7 Io vidi quMlloNessOrcito gentile (1) 2 4 6 tacito pPscia riguardareQin sùe, 1 4 8 24 quaRiSaspettando, palidoTeUumìle; 1 4 6 e vidiVuscir de l’altoWe scXnder giùe (2) 4 6 8 dueYangeli con due spadeZaffocate, (1) 2 (6) 7 27 tr[nche\e private de le punte sue. 1 4 8
2 It was now the hour that turns back desire in those that sail the sea, and softens their hearts, 3 the day when they have said to their sweet friends farewell, and which pierces the new pilgrim with love, if he hear from afar a bell 6 that seems to deplore the dying day – when I began to render hearing vain, and to look at one of the souls, 9 who, uprisen, besought attention with its hand. It joined and raised both its palms, fixing its eyes toward the east, 12 as if it said to God, “For aught else I care not.” Te lucis ante so devoutly issued from his mouth and with such sweet notes 15 that it made me issue forth from my own mind. And then the others sweetly and devoutly accompanied it through all the hymn to the end, 18 having their eyes on the supernal wheels. Here, reader, sharpen weil thine eyes to the truth, for surely the veil is now so thin 21 indeed that passing through within is easy. I saw that army of the gentle-born silently thereafter gazing upward, 24 as if in expectation, pallid and humble; and I saw, issuing from on high and descending, two angels with two flaming swords 27 truncated and deprived of their points.
3 V]rdi c^me fogli_tte pur m` nate 1 (3) 6 9 aranobin vcste, che da vdrdi penne 1 4 8 30 percfsse traghan diitroje ventilate. 2 5 6 L’un pkco slvra nmina star si vonne, 1 2 6 8 e l’altro scpqerin l’oppstita spunda, 2 4 7 33 sì che la gvntewin mxyzo si cont{nne. 1 4 6 B|n discernéa}in l~r la tsta binda; 1 (4) 6 8 ma ne la faccia l’cchio si marria, 4 6 36 cme virtù ch’a trppo si conf nda. (1) 4 6 «Ambo vgnon del grmbo di Maria», 1 3 6 disse Sordllo,«a guardia de la valle, 1 4 6 39 per lo serpnte che verrà ve via». 4 8 nd’ io, che non sapva per qual calle, 2 6 (9) mi vlsiintrno,e strtto m’accostai, 2 4 6 42 tutto gelato,a le fidate spalle. 1 4 8 E Sordllonco:«r avvalliamoomai 3 4 5 8 tra le grandimbre,e parlermoad sse; 3 4 8 45 grazï ¡o f¢a l£r ved¤rvi¥assai». 3 (5) 6 8 S¦lo tr§ passi cr¨do ch’i’ scend©sse, 1 (3) 4 6 e fui di sªtto,«e vidi¬un che mirava 2 4 (6) 7 48 pur me, c me con®scer mi vol¯sse. 1 2 3 6 T°mp’ ±ra già che l’²ere s’annerava, 1.2 4 6 ma non sì che tra li³´cchi suµi¶e ’ mi·i 2 3 6 8 51 non dichiarisse ciò che pria serrava. 1 4 (6) 8 V¸r’ me si f¹ce,ºe»io v¼r’ lui mi f½i: 2 4 6 8 giudice Nin gentil, quanto mi piacque 1 4 6 7 54 quando ti vidi non ¾sser tra ’ r¿i! 1 4 7
4 Green as leaflets just now born was their raiment, which, by their green pinions 30 beaten and blown, they trailed behind. One came to his station a little above us, and the other descended on the opposite bank, 33 so that the people were contained between them. I clearly discerned in them their blond heads, but on their faces the eye was dazzled, 36 as a faculty which is confounded by excess. “Both come from the bosom of Mary,” said Sordello, “for guard of the valley, 39 because of the serpent which will straightway come.” Whereat I, who knew not by what path, turned me round, and drew close, 42 all chilled, to the trusty shoulders. And Sordello again: “Now let us go down among the great shades, and we will speak to them; 45 well-pleasing will it be to them to see you.” Only three steps I think that I descended and I was below; and I saw one who was gazing 48 only at me as if he wished to recognize me. It was already the time when the air was darkening, but not so that between his eyes and mine 51 it did not reveal that which it locked up before. Towards me he made, and I made towards him. Noble Judge Nino, how much it pleased me 54 when I saw that thou wast not among the damned!
5 Nullo bÀl salutar tra nÁi si tacque; 1 3 6 8 pÂi dimandò: «Quant’ è che tu venisti 1 4 5 6 (8) 57 a piè del mÃnte per le lontaneÄacque?». 2 4 9 «Åh!», diss’ io lui, «per ÆntroÇi luÈghi tristi 1 2 4 6 8 vÉnni stamane,Êe sËnoÌin prima vita, 1 4 6 (8) 60 ancÍr che l’altra, sìÎandando,Ïacquisti». 2 4 6 8 E cÐme fu la mia rispÑstaÒudita, 2 4 8 SordÓlloÔed ÕlliÖin di×tro si raccØlse 2 4 6 63 cÙme gÚnte di sùbito Ûmarrita. 3 6 L’unoÜa VirgilioÝe l’altroÞaßun si vàlse 1 4 6 8 che sedáa lì, gridando: «Sù, Currado! 4 6 8 66 viâniãa vedär che Dio per grazia vålse». 1 4 6 8 Pæi, vòltoça me: «Per quèl singular grado 1 2 4 6 9 che tu déiêa colui che sì nascënde 3 6 8 69 lo suo primo perché, che non lììè guado, 3 6 (9) quando sarai di là da le largheíînde, 1 4 6 9 dìïa Giovanna mia che per me chiami 1 4 6 9 72 là dðveña li ’nnocònti si rispónde. 1/2 6 Non crôdo che la sua madre più m’ami, 2 7 (9) põscia che traömutò le bianche b÷nde, 1 6 8 75 le quai conviøn che, miùera!,úancûr brami. 2 4 6 9 Per lüiýassai di liþve si compr nde 2 4 6 quanto in f mmina f co d’am r dura, 1 3 6 9 78 se l’ cchio o ’l tatto sp sso non l’acc nde. 2 4 6 Non le farà sì b lla sepultura (1) 4 6 la v pera che Melan i accampa, 2 8 81 com’ avr a fatto il gallo di Gallura». 4 6
6 No fair salutation was silent between us; then he asked: “How long is it since thou camest 57 to the foot of the mountain across the far waters?” “Oh,” said I to him, “from within the dismal places I came this morning, and I am in the first life, 60 although the other in going thus I may gain.” And when my answer was heard, Sordello and he drew themselves back, 63 like folk suddenly bewildered. The one turned to Virgil, and the other to one who was seated there, crying: “Up, Corrado, 66 come to see what God through grace has willed.” Then, turning to me: “By that singular gratitude thou owest unto Him who so hides 69 His own first wherefore that there is no ford to it, when thou shalt be beyond the wide waves, say to my Joan that she cry for me 72 there where answer is made to the innocent. I do not think her mother loves me longer, since she changed her white wimples, 75 which she, wretched, needs must even now lang for. Through her one may understand easily enough how long in woman the fire of love endures, 78 if the eye or the touch does not often rekindle it. Not will make for her so fair a sepulture the viper which leads afield the Milanese 81 as would have done the cock of Gallura.”
7 Co ì dic a, segnato de la stampa, 2 4 6 nel suo asp tto, di qu l dritto lo 4 8 84 che mi uratam nte in c re avvampa. 6 8 Li cchi mi i ghi tti!andavan pur al ci"lo, 1 3 4 6 8 pur là d#ve le st$lle s%n più tarde, 2 6 (9) 87 sì c&me r'ta più pr(sso)a lo st*lo. (1) 4 7 E ’l duca mio: «Figliu+l, che là sù guarde?». 2 4 6 7.8.9 E,io-a lui:.«A qu/lle tr0 fac1lle 2 4 6 8 90 di che ’l p2lo di qua tutto quanto3arde». 3 6 7 9 4nd’ 5lli6a me: «Le quattro chi7re st8lle 2 4 6 8 che ved9vi staman, s:n di là basse, (3) 6 (7) 9 93 e qu;ste s<n salite=>v’ ?ran qu@lle». 2 6 (8) CAm’ Bi parlava,Ce SordDlloEa séFil trasse 2 4 7 9 dicGndo: «VHdi là ’l nIstroJavversaro»; 2 (4) 6 7 96 e drizzòKil dito perché ’n là guardasse. 3 4 7 8 Da quLlla parteMNnde non ha riparo 2 4 5 8 la pOcciola vallPa,QRraSuna biscia, 2 6 7 99 fTrse qual diUdeVad WvaXil ciboYamaro. 1 4 6 8 Tra l’Zrba[e ’ fi\r venìa la mala striscia, 2 4 6 8 volg]ndo^ad _ra`ad ar la tbsta,ce ’l ddsso 2 4 6 8 102 leccando ceme bfstia che si liscia. 2 6 Io non vidi,ge però dhcer non pisso, (1) 3 (6) 7 cjme mksser lilastmr celestïali; 3 6 105 ma vidi bnneoe l’unope l’altro mqsso. (2) 4 6 8 Sentrndo fsnder l’tereua le vvrdiwali, 2 4 6 9 fuggì ’l serpxnte,ye lizangeli di{r v|lta, 2 4 6 (9) 108 su}o~a le pste rivolandoiguali. 1 4 8
8 Thus he said, marked with the stamp in his aspect of that righteous zeal 84 which glows with due measure in the heart. My greedy eyes were going only to the sky, only there where the stars are slowest, 87 even as a wheel nearest the axle. And my Leader: “Son, at what art thou gazing up there?” And I to him: “At those three torches 90 with which the pole on this side is all aflame.” And he to me: “The four bright stars which thou sawest this morning are low on the other side, 93 and these are risen where those were.” As he was speaking, lo! Sordello drew him to himself, saying: “See there our adversary!” 96 and pointed his finger that he should look thither. At that part where has no barrier the little valley was a snake, 99 perhaps such as gave to Eve the bitter food. Through the grass and the flowers came the evil streak, turning now and again its head to its back, 102 licking like a beast that sleeks itself. I did not see, and therefore cannot tell, how the celestial falcons moved, 105 but I saw well both one and the other in motion. Hearing the air cleft by their green wings the serpent fled, and the angels wheeled 108 upward to their posts with equal flight.
9 L’mbra che s’raal giudice racclta 1 4 6 quando chiamò, per tutto qu lloassalto 1 4 6 (8) 111 punto non fu da me guardare scilta. 1 (4) 6 8 «Se la lucrna che ti mnain alto 4 8 truvi nel tuoarbitrio tanta cra 1 6 8 114 quant’ è mestireinfinoal smmo malto», 2 4 6 8 cominciòlla, «se novlla vra 3 4 8 di Val di Magrao di parte vicina 2 4 7 117 sai, dilloa me, che già grande làra. 1 2 4 (6) 7 (9) Fui chiamato Currado Malaspina; (1) 3 6 non sn l’antico, ma di lui disci; 2 4 8 120 a’ mii portai l’amr che qui raffina». 2 4 6 8 « h!», diss’ io lui, «per li v¡stri pa¢£¤i 1 2 4 7 già mai non fui; ma d¥ve si dim¦ra 2 4 6 123 per tutta§Eur¨pa ch’©i non sªen pal«¬i? 2 4 6 8 La fama che la v stra ca®a¯on°ra, 2 6 8 grida±i segn²ri³e grida la contrada, 1 4 6 126 sì che ne sa chi non vi fu´ancµra; 1 4 8 e¶io vi giuro, s’io di s·pra vada, 2 4 6 8 che v¸stra g¹nteºonrata non si sfr»gia 2 4 6 8 129 del pr¼gio de la b½rsa¾e de la spada. 2 6 U¿oÀe natura sì la privilÁgia, 1 4 6 che, perchéÂil capo rÃoÄil mÅndo tÆrca, 1 (3) 4 6 8 132 sÇla va drittaÈe ’l mal cammin disprÉgia». 1 4 6 8 Ed Êlli:Ë«Ìr va; che ’l sÍl non si ricÎrca 2 3 4 6 (7) sÏtte vÐlte nel lÑtto che ’l MontÒne 1 3 6 135 con tuttiÓe quattroÔi piè cuÕpreÖe×infØrca, 2 4 6 7
10 The shade which had drawn close to the Judge when he exclaimed, through all that assault 111 had not for a moment loosed its gaze from me. “So may the lantern which is leading thee on high find in thine own free will so much wax 114 as is needed as far as to the enamelled summit,” it began, “if true news of Valdimacra or of the neighboring region 117 thou knowest, tell it to me, for there I once was great. I was called Corrado Malaspina; I am not the elder, but from him I am descended; 120 to mine own I bore the love which is here refined.” “Oh,” said I to him, “through your lands I have never been, but where does man dwell 123 in all Europe that they are not renowned? The fame that honors your house proclaims its lords, proclaims its district, 126 so that he knows of them who never yet was there. And I swear to you, so may I go on high, that your honored race does not despoil itself 129 of the praise of the purse and of the sword. Custom and nature so privilege it that though the guilty head turn the world awry, 132 alone it goes straight and scorns the evil way.” And he: “Now go, for the sun shall not return to rest seven times in the bed which the Ram 135 with all four feet covers and bestrides,
11 che cotÙsta cortÚÛeÜoppinïone 3 6 ti fÝa chiavataÞin mßzzo de la tàsta 2 4 6 138 con maggiár chiâvi che d’altrui sermãne, 3 4 8 se cärso di giudicio non s’arråsta». 2 6 (8)
12 before this courteous opinion will be nailed in the middle of thy head 138 with greater nails than the speech of another, if course of judgment be not arrested.”
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