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PURGATORIO CANTO 02
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

By now the sun was crossing the horizon of the meridian whose highest point covers Jerusalem; and from the Ganges, ALREADY had the sun the horizon reached Whose circle of meridian covers o'er Jerusalem with its most lofty point,

02.003

night, circling opposite the sun, was moving together with the Scales that, when the length of dark defeats the day, desert night's hands; And night that opposite to him revolves Was issuing forth from Ganges with the Scales That fall from out her hand when she exceedeth;

02.006

so that, above the shore that I had reached, the fair Aurora's white and scarlet cheeks were, as Aurora aged, becoming orange. So that the white and the vermilion cheeks Of beautiful Aurora, where I was, By too great age were changing into orange.

02.009

We still were by the sea, like those who think about the journey they will undertake, who go in heart but in the body stay. We still were on the border of the sea, Like people who are thinking of their road, Who go in heart and with the body stay;

02.012

And just as Mars, when it is overcome by the invading mists of dawn, glows red above the waters' plain, low in the west, And lo! as when, upon the approach of morning, Through the gross vapours Mars grows fiery red Down in the West upon the ocean floor,

02.015

so there appeared to me-and may I see it again-a light that crossed the sea: so swift, there is no flight of bird to equal it. Appeared to me -- may I again behold it! -- A light along the sea so swiftly coming, Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled;

02.018

When, for a moment, I'd withdrawn my eyes that I might ask a question of my guide, I saw that light again, larger, more bright. From which when I a little had withdrawn Mine eyes, that I might question my Conductor, Again I saw it brighter grown and larger.

02.021

Then, to each side of it, I saw a whiteness, though I did not know what that whiteness was; below, another whiteness slowly showed. Then on each side of it appeared to me I knew not what of white, and underneath it. Little by little there came forth another.

02.024

My master did not say a word before the whitenesses first seen appeared as wings; but then, when he had recognized the helmsman, My Master yet had uttered not a word While the first whiteness into wings unfolded; But when he clearly recognised the pilot,

02.027

he cried: "Bend, bend your knees: behold the angel of God, and join your hands; from this point on, this is the kind of minister you'll meet. He cried: "Make haste, make haste to bow the knee! Behold the Angel of God! fold thou thy hands! Henceforward shalt thou see such officers!

02.030

See how much scorn he has for human means; he'd have no other sail than his own wings and use no oar between such distant shores. See how he scorneth human arguments, So that nor oar he wants, nor other sail Than his own wings, between so distant shores.

02.033

See how he holds his wings, pointing to Heaven, piercing the air with his eternal pinions, which do not change as mortal plumage does." See how he holds them pointed up to heaven, Fanning the air with the eternal pinions, That do not moult themselves like mortal hair!"

02.036

Then he-that bird divine-as he drew closer and closer to us, seemed to gain in brightness, so that my eyes could not endure his nearness, Then as still nearer and more near us came The Bird Divine, more radiant he appeared So that near by the eye could not endure him,

02.039

and I was forced to lower them; and he came on to shore with boat so light, so quick that nowhere did the water swallow it. But down I cast it; and he came to shore With a small vessel, very swift and light, So that the water swallowed naught thereof,

02.042

The helmsman sent from Heaven, at the stern, seemed to have blessedness inscribed upon him; more than a hundred spirits sat within. Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot; Beatitude seemed written in his face, And more than a hundred spirits sat within.

02.045

"In exitu Israel de Aegypto," with what is written after of that psalm, all of those spirits sang as with one voice. "In exitu Israel de Aegypto!" They chanted all together in one voice, With whatso in that psalm is after written.

02.048

Then over them he made the holy cross as sign; they flung themselves down on the shore, and he moved off as he had come-swiftly. Then made he sign of holy rood upon them, Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore, And he departed swiftly as he came.

02.051

The crowd that he had left along the beach seemed not to know the place; they looked about like those whose eyes try out things new to them. The throng which still remained there unfamiliar Seemed with the place, all round about them gazing, As one who in new matters makes essay.

02.054

Upon all sides the sun shot forth the day; and from mid-heaven its incisive arrows already had chased Capricorn away, On every side was darting forth the day The sun, who had with his resplendent shafts From the mid-heaven chased forth the Capricorn,

02.057

when those who'd just arrived lifted their heads toward us and said: "Do show us, if you know, the way by which we can ascend this slope." When the new people lifted up their faces Towards us, saying to us: "If ye know, Show us the way to go unto the mountain."

02.060

And Virgil answered: "You may be convinced that we are quite familiar with this shore; but we are strangers here, just as you are; And answer made Virgilius: ' Ye believe Perchance that we have knowledge of this place, But we are strangers even as ourselves

02.063

we came but now, a little while before you, though by another path, so difficult and dense that this ascent seems sport to us." Just now we came, a little while before you; Another way, which was so rough and steep, That mounting will henceforth seem sport to us."

02.066

The souls who, noticing my breathing, sensed that I was still a living being, then, out of astonishment, turned pale; and just The souls who had, from seeing me draw breath, Become aware that I was still alive, Pallid in their astonishment became;

02.069

as people crowd around a messenger who bears an olive branch, to hear his news, and no one hesitates to join that crush, And as to messenger who bears the olive The people throng to listen to the news, And no one shows himself afraid of crowding,

02.072

so here those happy spirits-all of them- stared hard at my face, just as if they had forgotten to proceed to their perfection. So at the sight of me stood motionless Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if Oblivious to go and make them fair.

02.075

I saw one of those spirits moving forward in order to embrace me-his affection so great that I was moved to mime his welcome. One from among them saw I coming forward, As to embrace me, with such great affection, That it incited me to do the like.

02.078

O shades-in all except appearance-empty! Three times I clasped my hands behind him and as often brought them back against my chest. O empty shadows, save in aspect only! Three times behind it did I clasp my hands, As oft returned with them to my own breast!

02.081

Dismay, I think, was painted on my face; at this, that shadow smiled as he withdrew; and I, still seeking him, again advanced. I think with wonder I depicted me; Whereat the shadow smiled and backward drew; And I, pursuing it, pressed farther forward.

02.084

Gently, he said that I could now stand back; then I knew who he was, and I beseeched him to remain awhile and talk with me. Gently it said that I should stay my steps; Then knew I who it was, and I entreated That it would stop awhile to speak with me.

02.087

He answered: "As I loved you when I was within my mortal flesh, so, freed, I love you: therefore I stay. But you, why do you journey?" It made reply to me: "Even as I loved thee In mortal body, so I love thee free; Therefore I stop; but wherefore goest thou ?"

02.090

"My own Casella, to return again to where I am, I journey thus; but why," I said, "were you deprived of so much time?" "My own Casella! to return once more There where I am, I make this journey,"said I; "But how from thee has so much time be taken?

02.093

And he: "No injury is done to me if he who takes up whom-and when-he pleases has kept me from this crossing many times, And he to me: "No outrage has been done me, If he who takes both when and whom he pleases Has many times denied to me this passage,

02.096

for his own will derives from a just will. And yet, for three months now, he has accepted, most tranquilly, all those who would embark. For of a righteous will his own is made. He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken Whoever wished to enter with all peace;

02.099

Therefore, I, who had turned then to the shore at which the Tiber's waters mix with salt, was gathered in by his benevolence. Whence I, who now had turned unto that shore Where salt the waters of the Tiber grow, Benignantly by him have been received.

02.102

Straight to that river mouth, he set his wings: that always is the place of gathering for those who do not sink to Acheron." Unto that outlet now his wing is pointed, Because for evermore assemble there Those who tow'rds Acheron do not descend."

02.105

And I: "If there's no new law that denies you memory or practice of the songs of love that used to quiet all my longings, And I: "If some new law take not from thee Memory or practice of the song of love, Which used to quiet in me all my longings,

02.108

then may it please you with those songs to solace my soul somewhat; for-having journeyed here together with my body-it is weary." Thee may it please to comfort therewithal Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body Hitherward coming is so much distressed."

02.111

"Love that discourses to me in my mind" he then began to sing-and sang so sweetly that I still hear that sweetness sound in me. "Love, that within my mind discourses with me," Forthwith began he so melodiously, The melody within me still is sounding.

02.114

My master, I, and all that company around the singer seemed so satisfied, as if no other thing might touch our minds. My Master, and myself, and all that people Which with him were, appeared as satisfied As if naught else might touch the mind of any;

02.117

We all were motionless and fixed upon the notes, when all at once the grave old man cried out: "What have we here, you laggard spirits? We all of us were moveless and attentive Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man, Exclaiming: "What is this, ye laggard spirits

02.120

What negligence, what lingering is this? Quick, to the mountain to cast off the slough that will not let you see God show Himself!" What negligence, what standing still is this ? Run to the mountain to strip off the slough, That lets not God be manifest to you."

02.123

Even as doves, assembled where they feed, quietly gathering their grain or weeds, forgetful of their customary strut, Even as when, collecting grain or tares, The doves, together at their pasture met, Quiet, nor showing their accustomed pride,

02.126

will, if some thing appears that makes them fear, immediately leave their food behind because they are assailed by greater care; If aught appear of which they are afraid, Upon a sudden leave their food alone, Because they are assailed by greater care;

02.129

so did I see that new-come company- they left the song behind, turned toward the slope, like those who go and yet do not know where. So that fresh company did I behold The song relinquish, and go tow'rds the hill, As one who goes, and knows not whitherward;

02.132

And we were no less hasty in departure. Nor was our own departure less in haste.

02.133

Previous or Next Canto

PURGATORIO CANTO 02 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
By now the sun was crossing the horizon of the meridian whose highest point covers Jerusalem; and from the Ganges, ALREADY had the sun the horizon reached Whose circle of meridian covers o'er Jerusalem with its most lofty point,	02.003
night, circling opposite the sun, was moving together with the Scales that, when the length of dark defeats the day, desert night's hands; And night that opposite to him revolves Was issuing forth from Ganges with the Scales That fall from out her hand when she exceedeth;	02.006
so that, above the shore that I had reached, the fair Aurora's white and scarlet cheeks were, as Aurora aged, becoming orange. So that the white and the vermilion cheeks Of beautiful Aurora, where I was, By too great age were changing into orange.	02.009
We still were by the sea, like those who think about the journey they will undertake, who go in heart but in the body stay. We still were on the border of the sea, Like people who are thinking of their road, Who go in heart and with the body stay;	02.012
And just as Mars, when it is overcome by the invading mists of dawn, glows red above the waters' plain, low in the west, And lo! as when, upon the approach of morning, Through the gross vapours Mars grows fiery red Down in the West upon the ocean floor,	02.015
so there appeared to me-and may I see it again-a light that crossed the sea: so swift, there is no flight of bird to equal it. Appeared to me -- may I again behold it! -- A light along the sea so swiftly coming, Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled;	02.018
When, for a moment, I'd withdrawn my eyes that I might ask a question of my guide, I saw that light again, larger, more bright. From which when I a little had withdrawn Mine eyes, that I might question my Conductor, Again I saw it brighter grown and larger.	02.021
Then, to each side of it, I saw a whiteness, though I did not know what that whiteness was; below, another whiteness slowly showed. Then on each side of it appeared to me I knew not what of white, and underneath it. Little by little there came forth another.	02.024
My master did not say a word before the whitenesses first seen appeared as wings; but then, when he had recognized the helmsman, My Master yet had uttered not a word While the first whiteness into wings unfolded; But when he clearly recognised the pilot,	02.027
he cried: "Bend, bend your knees: behold the angel of God, and join your hands; from this point on, this is the kind of minister you'll meet. He cried: "Make haste, make haste to bow the knee! Behold the Angel of God! fold thou thy hands! Henceforward shalt thou see such officers!	02.030
See how much scorn he has for human means; he'd have no other sail than his own wings and use no oar between such distant shores. See how he scorneth human arguments, So that nor oar he wants, nor other sail Than his own wings, between so distant shores.	02.033
See how he holds his wings, pointing to Heaven, piercing the air with his eternal pinions, which do not change as mortal plumage does." See how he holds them pointed up to heaven, Fanning the air with the eternal pinions, That do not moult themselves like mortal hair!"	02.036
Then he-that bird divine-as he drew closer and closer to us, seemed to gain in brightness, so that my eyes could not endure his nearness, Then as still nearer and more near us came The Bird Divine, more radiant he appeared So that near by the eye could not endure him,	02.039
and I was forced to lower them; and he came on to shore with boat so light, so quick that nowhere did the water swallow it. But down I cast it; and he came to shore With a small vessel, very swift and light, So that the water swallowed naught thereof,	02.042
The helmsman sent from Heaven, at the stern, seemed to have blessedness inscribed upon him; more than a hundred spirits sat within. Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot; Beatitude seemed written in his face, And more than a hundred spirits sat within.	02.045
"In exitu Israel de Aegypto," with what is written after of that psalm, all of those spirits sang as with one voice. "In exitu Israel de Aegypto!" They chanted all together in one voice, With whatso in that psalm is after written.	02.048
Then over them he made the holy cross as sign; they flung themselves down on the shore, and he moved off as he had come-swiftly. Then made he sign of holy rood upon them, Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore, And he departed swiftly as he came.	02.051
The crowd that he had left along the beach seemed not to know the place; they looked about like those whose eyes try out things new to them. The throng which still remained there unfamiliar Seemed with the place, all round about them gazing, As one who in new matters makes essay.	02.054
Upon all sides the sun shot forth the day; and from mid-heaven its incisive arrows already had chased Capricorn away, On every side was darting forth the day The sun, who had with his resplendent shafts From the mid-heaven chased forth the Capricorn,	02.057
when those who'd just arrived lifted their heads toward us and said: "Do show us, if you know, the way by which we can ascend this slope." When the new people lifted up their faces Towards us, saying to us: "If ye know, Show us the way to go unto the mountain."	02.060
And Virgil answered: "You may be convinced that we are quite familiar with this shore; but we are strangers here, just as you are; And answer made Virgilius: ' Ye believe Perchance that we have knowledge of this place, But we are strangers even as ourselves	02.063
we came but now, a little while before you, though by another path, so difficult and dense that this ascent seems sport to us." Just now we came, a little while before you; Another way, which was so rough and steep, That mounting will henceforth seem sport to us."	02.066
The souls who, noticing my breathing, sensed that I was still a living being, then, out of astonishment, turned pale; and just The souls who had, from seeing me draw breath, Become aware that I was still alive, Pallid in their astonishment became;	02.069
as people crowd around a messenger who bears an olive branch, to hear his news, and no one hesitates to join that crush, And as to messenger who bears the olive The people throng to listen to the news, And no one shows himself afraid of crowding,	02.072
so here those happy spirits-all of them- stared hard at my face, just as if they had forgotten to proceed to their perfection. So at the sight of me stood motionless Those fortunate spirits, all of them, as if Oblivious to go and make them fair.	02.075
I saw one of those spirits moving forward in order to embrace me-his affection so great that I was moved to mime his welcome. One from among them saw I coming forward, As to embrace me, with such great affection, That it incited me to do the like.	02.078
O shades-in all except appearance-empty! Three times I clasped my hands behind him and as often brought them back against my chest. O empty shadows, save in aspect only! Three times behind it did I clasp my hands, As oft returned with them to my own breast!	02.081
Dismay, I think, was painted on my face; at this, that shadow smiled as he withdrew; and I, still seeking him, again advanced. I think with wonder I depicted me; Whereat the shadow smiled and backward drew; And I, pursuing it, pressed farther forward.	02.084
Gently, he said that I could now stand back; then I knew who he was, and I beseeched him to remain awhile and talk with me. Gently it said that I should stay my steps; Then knew I who it was, and I entreated That it would stop awhile to speak with me.	02.087
He answered: "As I loved you when I was within my mortal flesh, so, freed, I love you: therefore I stay. But you, why do you journey?" It made reply to me: "Even as I loved thee In mortal body, so I love thee free; Therefore I stop; but wherefore goest thou ?"	02.090
"My own Casella, to return again to where I am, I journey thus; but why," I said, "were you deprived of so much time?" "My own Casella! to return once more There where I am, I make this journey,"said I; "But how from thee has so much time be taken?	02.093
And he: "No injury is done to me if he who takes up whom-and when-he pleases has kept me from this crossing many times, And he to me: "No outrage has been done me, If he who takes both when and whom he pleases Has many times denied to me this passage,	02.096
for his own will derives from a just will. And yet, for three months now, he has accepted, most tranquilly, all those who would embark. For of a righteous will his own is made. He, sooth to say, for three months past has taken Whoever wished to enter with all peace;	02.099
Therefore, I, who had turned then to the shore at which the Tiber's waters mix with salt, was gathered in by his benevolence. Whence I, who now had turned unto that shore Where salt the waters of the Tiber grow, Benignantly by him have been received.	02.102
Straight to that river mouth, he set his wings: that always is the place of gathering for those who do not sink to Acheron." Unto that outlet now his wing is pointed, Because for evermore assemble there Those who tow'rds Acheron do not descend."	02.105
And I: "If there's no new law that denies you memory or practice of the songs of love that used to quiet all my longings, And I: "If some new law take not from thee Memory or practice of the song of love, Which used to quiet in me all my longings,	02.108
then may it please you with those songs to solace my soul somewhat; for-having journeyed here together with my body-it is weary." Thee may it please to comfort therewithal Somewhat this soul of mine, that with its body Hitherward coming is so much distressed."	02.111
"Love that discourses to me in my mind" he then began to sing-and sang so sweetly that I still hear that sweetness sound in me. "Love, that within my mind discourses with me," Forthwith began he so melodiously, The melody within me still is sounding.	02.114
My master, I, and all that company around the singer seemed so satisfied, as if no other thing might touch our minds. My Master, and myself, and all that people Which with him were, appeared as satisfied As if naught else might touch the mind of any;	02.117
We all were motionless and fixed upon the notes, when all at once the grave old man cried out: "What have we here, you laggard spirits? We all of us were moveless and attentive Unto his notes; and lo! the grave old man, Exclaiming: "What is this, ye laggard spirits	02.120
What negligence, what lingering is this? Quick, to the mountain to cast off the slough that will not let you see God show Himself!" What negligence, what standing still is this ? Run to the mountain to strip off the slough, That lets not God be manifest to you."	02.123
Even as doves, assembled where they feed, quietly gathering their grain or weeds, forgetful of their customary strut, Even as when, collecting grain or tares, The doves, together at their pasture met, Quiet, nor showing their accustomed pride,	02.126
will, if some thing appears that makes them fear, immediately leave their food behind because they are assailed by greater care; If aught appear of which they are afraid, Upon a sudden leave their food alone, Because they are assailed by greater care;	02.129
so did I see that new-come company- they left the song behind, turned toward the slope, like those who go and yet do not know where. So that fresh company did I behold The song relinquish, and go tow'rds the hill, As one who goes, and knows not whitherward;	02.132
And we were no less hasty in departure. Nor was our own departure less in haste.	02.133