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PURGATORIO CANTO 09
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

Now she who shares the bed of old Tithonus, abandoning the arms of her sweet lover, grew white along the eastern balcony; THE concubine of old Tithonus now Gleamed white upon the eastern balcony, Forth from the arms of her sweet paramour;

09.003

the heavens facing her were glittering with gems set in the semblance of the chill animal that assails men with its tail; With gems her forehead all relucent was, Set in the shape of that cold animal Which with its tail doth smite amain the nations,

09.006

while night within the valley where we were had moved across two of the steps it climbs, and now the third step made night's wings incline; And of the steps, with which she mounts, the Night Had taken two in that place where we were, And now the third was bending down its wings;

09.009

when I, who bore something of Adam with me, feeling the need for sleep, lay down upon the grass where now all five of us were seated. When I, who something had of Adam in me, Vanquished by sleep, upon the grass reclined, There were all five of us already sat.

09.012

At that hour close to morning when the swallow begins her melancholy songs, perhaps in memory of her ancient sufferings, Just at the hour when her sad lay begins The little swallow, near unto the morning, Perchance in memory of her former woes,

09.015

when, free to wander farther from the flesh and less held fast by cares, our intellect's envisionings become almost divine- And when the mind of man, a wanderer More from the flesh, and less by thought imprisoned, Almost prophetic in its visions is,

09.018

in dream I seemed to see an eagle poised, with golden pinions, in the sky: its wings were open; it was ready to swoop down. In dreams it seemed to me I saw suspended An eagle in the sky, with plumes of gold, With wings wide open, and intent to stoop,

09.021

And I seemed to be there where Ganymede deserted his own family when he was snatched up for the high consistory. And this, it seemed to me, was where had been By Ganymede his kith and kin abandoned, When to the high consistory he was rapt.

09.024

Within myself I thought: "This eagle may be used to hunting only here; its claws refuse to carry upward any prey I thought within myself, perchance he strikes From habit only here, and from elsewhere Disdains to bear up any in his feet.

09.027

found elsewhere." Then it seemed to me that, wheeling slightly and terrible as lightning, it swooped, snatching me up to the fire's orbit. Then wheeling somewhat more, it seemed to me, Terrible as the lightning he descended, And snatched me upward even to the fire.

09.030

And there it seemed that he and I were burning; and this imagined conflagration scorched me so-I was compelled to break my sleep. Therein it seemed that he and I were burning, An(l the imagined fire did scorch me so, That of necessity my sleep was broken.

09.033

Just like the waking of Achilles when he started up, casting his eyes about him, not knowing where he was (after his mother Not otherwise Achilles started up, Around him turning his awakened eyes, And knowing not the place in which he was,

09.036

had stolen him, asleep, away from Chiron and in her arms had carried him to Skyros, the isle the Greeks would-later-make him leave); What time from Chiron stealthily his mother Carried him sleeping in her arms to Scyros, Wherefrom the Greeks withdrew him afterwards,

09.039

such was my starting up, as soon as sleep had left my eyes, and I went pale, as will a man who, terrified, turns cold as ice. Than I upstarted, when from off my face Sleep fled away; and pallid I became, As doth the man who freezes with affright.

09.042

The only one beside me was my comfort; by now the sun was more than two hours high; it was the sea to which I turned my eyes. Only my Comforter was at my side, And now the sun was more than two hours high, And turned towards the sea-shore was my face.

09.045

My lord said: "Have no fear; be confident, for we are well along our way; do not restrain, but give free rein to, all your strength. "Be not intimidated," said my Lord, "Be reassured, for all is well with us; Do not restrain, but put forth all thy strength.

09.048

You have already come to Purgatory: see there the rampart wall enclosing it; see, where that wall is breached, the point of entry. Thou hast at length arrived at Purgatory; See there the cliff that closes it around; See there the entrance, where it seems disjoined.

09.051

Before, at dawn that ushers in the day, when soul was sleeping in your body, on the flowers that adorn the ground below, Whilom at dawn, which doth precede the day, When inwardly thy spirit was asleep Upon the flowers that deck the land below,

09.054

a lady came; she said: 'I am Lucia; let me take hold of him who is asleep, that I may help to speed him on his way.' There came a Lady and said: "I am Lucía; Let me take this one up, who is asleep; So will I make his journey easier for him.'

09.057

Sordello and the other noble spirits stayed there; and she took you, and once the day was bright, she climbed-I following behind. Sordello and the other noble shapes Remained; she took thee, and, as day grew bright, Upward she came, and I upon her footsteps.

09.060

And here she set you down, but first her lovely eyes showed that open entryway to me; then she and sleep together took their leave." She laid thee here; and first her beauteous eyes That open entrance pointed out to me; Then she and sleep together went away."

09.063

Just like a man in doubt who then grows sure, exchanging fear for confidence, once truth has been revealed to him, so was I changed; In guise of one whose doubts are reassured, And who to confidence his fear doth change, After the truth has been discovered to him,

09.066

and when my guide had seen that I was free from hesitation, then he moved, with me behind him, up the rocks and toward the heights. So did I change; and when without disquiet My Leader saw me, up along the cliff He moved, and I behind him, tow'rd the height.

09.069

Reader, you can see clearly how I lift my matter; do not wonder, therefore, if I have to call on more art to sustain it. Reader, thou seest well how I exalt My theme, and therefore if with greater art I fortify it, marvel not thereat.

09.072

Now we were drawing closer; we had reached the part from which-where first I'd seen a breach, precisely like a gap that cleaves a wall- Nearer approached we, and were in such place, That there, where first appeared to me a rift Like to a crevice that disparts a wall,

09.075

I now made out a gate and, there below it, three steps-their colors different-leading to it, and a custodian who had not yet spoken. I saw a portal, and three stairs beneath, Diverse in colour, to go up to it, And a gate-keeper, who yet spake no word.

09.078

As I looked more and more directly at him, I saw him seated on the upper step- his face so radiant, I could not bear it; And as I opened more and more mine eyes, I saw him seated on the highest stair, Such in the face that I endured it not.

09.081

and in his hand he held a naked sword, which so reflected rays toward us that I, time and again, tried to sustain that sight And in his hand he had a naked sword, Which so reflected back the sunbeams tow'rds us, That oft in vain I lifted up mine eyes.

09.084

in vain. "Speak out from there; what are you seeking?" so he began to speak. "Where is your escort? Take care lest you be harmed by climbing here." "Tell it from where you are, what is't you wish ?" Began he to exclaim; "where is the escort ? Take heed your coming hither harm you not!"

09.087

My master answered him: "But just before, a lady came from Heaven and, familiar with these things, told us: 'That's the gate; go there.'" "A Lady of Heaven, with these things conversant," My Master answered him, "but even now Said to us, ' Thither go; there is the portal.'"

09.090

"And may she speed you on your path of goodness!" the gracious guardian of the gate began again. "Come forward, therefore, to our stairs." "And may she speed your footsteps in all good," Again began the courteous janitor; "Come forward then unto these stairs of ours."

09.093

There we approached, and the first step was white marble, so polished and so clear that I was mirrored there as I appear in life. Thither did we approach; and the first stair Was marble white, so polished and so smooth, I mirrored myself therein as I appear.

09.096

The second step, made out of crumbling rock, rough-textured, scorched, with cracks that ran across its length and width, was darker than deep purple. The second, tinct of deeper hue than perse, Was of a calcined and uneven stone, Cracked all asunder lengthwise and across.

09.099

The third, resting above more massively, appeared to me to be of porphyry, as flaming red as blood that spurts from veins. The third, that uppermost rests massively, Porphyry seemed to me, as flaming red As blood that from a vein is spirting forth.

09.102

And on this upper step, God's angel-seated upon the threshold, which appeared to me to be of adamant-kept his feet planted. Both of his feet was holding upon this The Angel of God, upon the threshold seated,. Which seemed to me a stone of diamond.

09.105

My guide, with much good will, had me ascend by way of these three steps, enjoining me: "Do ask him humbly to unbolt the gate." Along the three stairs upward with good will Did my Conductor draw me, saying: "Ask Humbly that he the fastening may undo."

09.108

I threw myself devoutly at his holy feet, asking him to open out of mercy; but first I beat three times upon my breast. Devoutly at the holy feet I cast me, For mercy's sake besought that he would open, But first upon my breast three times I smote.

09.111

Upon my forehead, he traced seven P's with his sword's point and said: "When you have entered within, take care to wash away these wounds." Seven P's upon my forehead he described With the sword's point, and, "Take heed that thou wash These wounds, when thou shalt be within," he said.

09.114

Ashes, or dry earth that has just been quarried, would share one color with his robe, and from beneath that robe he drew two keys; the one Ashes, or earth that dry is excavated, Of the same colour were with his attire, And from beneath it he drew forth two keys.

09.117

was made of gold, the other was of silver; first with the white, then with the yellow key, he plied the gate so as to satisfy me. One was of gold, and the other was of silver; First with the white, and after with the yellow, Plied he the door, so that I was content.

09.120

"Whenever one of these keys fails, not turning appropriately in the lock," he said to us, "this gate of entry does not open. "Whenever faileth either of these keys So that it turn not rightly in the lock," He said to us, "this entrance doth not open.

09.123

One is more precious, but the other needs much art and skill before it will unlock- that is the key that must undo the knot. More precious one is, but the other needs More art and intellect ere it unlock, For it is that which doth the knot unloose.

09.126

These I received from Peter; and he taught me rather to err in opening than in keeping this portal shut-whenever souls pray humbly." From Peter I have them; and he bade me err Rather in opening than in keeping shut, If people but fall down before my feet."

09.129

Then he pushed back the panels of the holy gate, saying: "Enter; but I warn you-he who would look back, returns-again-outside." Then pushed the portals Of the sacred door, Eclaiming: "Enter; but I give you warning That forth returns whoever looks behind."

09.132

And when the panels of that sacred portal, which are of massive and resounding metal, turned in their hinges, then even Tarpeia And when upon their hinges were turned round The swivels of that consecrated gate, Which are of metal, massive and sonorous,

09.135

(when good Metellus was removed from it, for which that rock was left impoverished) did not roar so nor show itself so stubborn. Roared not so loud, nor so discordant seemed Tarpeia, when was ta'en from it the good Metellus, wherefore meagre it remained.

09.138

Hearing that gate resound, I turned, attentive; I seemed to hear, inside, in words that mingled with gentle music, " Te Deum laudamus." At the first thunder-peal I turned attentive, And "Te Deum laudamus" seemed to hear In voices mingled with sweet melody.

09.141

And what I heard gave me the very same impression one is used to getting when one hears a song accompanied by organ, Exactly such an image rendered me That which I heard, as we are wont to catch, When people singing with the organ stand;

09.144

and now the words are clear and now are lost. For now we hear, and now hear not, the words.

09.145

Previous or Next Canto

PURGATORIO CANTO 09 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
Now she who shares the bed of old Tithonus, abandoning the arms of her sweet lover, grew white along the eastern balcony; THE concubine of old Tithonus now Gleamed white upon the eastern balcony, Forth from the arms of her sweet paramour;	09.003
the heavens facing her were glittering with gems set in the semblance of the chill animal that assails men with its tail; With gems her forehead all relucent was, Set in the shape of that cold animal Which with its tail doth smite amain the nations,	09.006
while night within the valley where we were had moved across two of the steps it climbs, and now the third step made night's wings incline; And of the steps, with which she mounts, the Night Had taken two in that place where we were, And now the third was bending down its wings;	09.009
when I, who bore something of Adam with me, feeling the need for sleep, lay down upon the grass where now all five of us were seated. When I, who something had of Adam in me, Vanquished by sleep, upon the grass reclined, There were all five of us already sat.	09.012
At that hour close to morning when the swallow begins her melancholy songs, perhaps in memory of her ancient sufferings, Just at the hour when her sad lay begins The little swallow, near unto the morning, Perchance in memory of her former woes,	09.015
when, free to wander farther from the flesh and less held fast by cares, our intellect's envisionings become almost divine- And when the mind of man, a wanderer More from the flesh, and less by thought imprisoned, Almost prophetic in its visions is,	09.018
in dream I seemed to see an eagle poised, with golden pinions, in the sky: its wings were open; it was ready to swoop down. In dreams it seemed to me I saw suspended An eagle in the sky, with plumes of gold, With wings wide open, and intent to stoop,	09.021
And I seemed to be there where Ganymede deserted his own family when he was snatched up for the high consistory. And this, it seemed to me, was where had been By Ganymede his kith and kin abandoned, When to the high consistory he was rapt.	09.024
Within myself I thought: "This eagle may be used to hunting only here; its claws refuse to carry upward any prey I thought within myself, perchance he strikes From habit only here, and from elsewhere Disdains to bear up any in his feet.	09.027
found elsewhere." Then it seemed to me that, wheeling slightly and terrible as lightning, it swooped, snatching me up to the fire's orbit. Then wheeling somewhat more, it seemed to me, Terrible as the lightning he descended, And snatched me upward even to the fire.	09.030
And there it seemed that he and I were burning; and this imagined conflagration scorched me so-I was compelled to break my sleep. Therein it seemed that he and I were burning, An(l the imagined fire did scorch me so, That of necessity my sleep was broken.	09.033
Just like the waking of Achilles when he started up, casting his eyes about him, not knowing where he was (after his mother Not otherwise Achilles started up, Around him turning his awakened eyes, And knowing not the place in which he was,	09.036
had stolen him, asleep, away from Chiron and in her arms had carried him to Skyros, the isle the Greeks would-later-make him leave); What time from Chiron stealthily his mother Carried him sleeping in her arms to Scyros, Wherefrom the Greeks withdrew him afterwards,	09.039
such was my starting up, as soon as sleep had left my eyes, and I went pale, as will a man who, terrified, turns cold as ice. Than I upstarted, when from off my face Sleep fled away; and pallid I became, As doth the man who freezes with affright.	09.042
The only one beside me was my comfort; by now the sun was more than two hours high; it was the sea to which I turned my eyes. Only my Comforter was at my side, And now the sun was more than two hours high, And turned towards the sea-shore was my face.	09.045
My lord said: "Have no fear; be confident, for we are well along our way; do not restrain, but give free rein to, all your strength. "Be not intimidated," said my Lord, "Be reassured, for all is well with us; Do not restrain, but put forth all thy strength.	09.048
You have already come to Purgatory: see there the rampart wall enclosing it; see, where that wall is breached, the point of entry. Thou hast at length arrived at Purgatory; See there the cliff that closes it around; See there the entrance, where it seems disjoined.	09.051
Before, at dawn that ushers in the day, when soul was sleeping in your body, on the flowers that adorn the ground below, Whilom at dawn, which doth precede the day, When inwardly thy spirit was asleep Upon the flowers that deck the land below,	09.054
a lady came; she said: 'I am Lucia; let me take hold of him who is asleep, that I may help to speed him on his way.' There came a Lady and said: "I am Lucía; Let me take this one up, who is asleep; So will I make his journey easier for him.'	09.057
Sordello and the other noble spirits stayed there; and she took you, and once the day was bright, she climbed-I following behind. Sordello and the other noble shapes Remained; she took thee, and, as day grew bright, Upward she came, and I upon her footsteps.	09.060
And here she set you down, but first her lovely eyes showed that open entryway to me; then she and sleep together took their leave." She laid thee here; and first her beauteous eyes That open entrance pointed out to me; Then she and sleep together went away."	09.063
Just like a man in doubt who then grows sure, exchanging fear for confidence, once truth has been revealed to him, so was I changed; In guise of one whose doubts are reassured, And who to confidence his fear doth change, After the truth has been discovered to him,	09.066
and when my guide had seen that I was free from hesitation, then he moved, with me behind him, up the rocks and toward the heights. So did I change; and when without disquiet My Leader saw me, up along the cliff He moved, and I behind him, tow'rd the height.	09.069
Reader, you can see clearly how I lift my matter; do not wonder, therefore, if I have to call on more art to sustain it. Reader, thou seest well how I exalt My theme, and therefore if with greater art I fortify it, marvel not thereat.	09.072
Now we were drawing closer; we had reached the part from which-where first I'd seen a breach, precisely like a gap that cleaves a wall- Nearer approached we, and were in such place, That there, where first appeared to me a rift Like to a crevice that disparts a wall,	09.075
I now made out a gate and, there below it, three steps-their colors different-leading to it, and a custodian who had not yet spoken. I saw a portal, and three stairs beneath, Diverse in colour, to go up to it, And a gate-keeper, who yet spake no word.	09.078
As I looked more and more directly at him, I saw him seated on the upper step- his face so radiant, I could not bear it; And as I opened more and more mine eyes, I saw him seated on the highest stair, Such in the face that I endured it not.	09.081
and in his hand he held a naked sword, which so reflected rays toward us that I, time and again, tried to sustain that sight And in his hand he had a naked sword, Which so reflected back the sunbeams tow'rds us, That oft in vain I lifted up mine eyes.	09.084
in vain. "Speak out from there; what are you seeking?" so he began to speak. "Where is your escort? Take care lest you be harmed by climbing here." "Tell it from where you are, what is't you wish ?" Began he to exclaim; "where is the escort ? Take heed your coming hither harm you not!"	09.087
My master answered him: "But just before, a lady came from Heaven and, familiar with these things, told us: 'That's the gate; go there.'" "A Lady of Heaven, with these things conversant," My Master answered him, "but even now Said to us, ' Thither go; there is the portal.'"	09.090
"And may she speed you on your path of goodness!" the gracious guardian of the gate began again. "Come forward, therefore, to our stairs." "And may she speed your footsteps in all good," Again began the courteous janitor; "Come forward then unto these stairs of ours."	09.093
There we approached, and the first step was white marble, so polished and so clear that I was mirrored there as I appear in life. Thither did we approach; and the first stair Was marble white, so polished and so smooth, I mirrored myself therein as I appear.	09.096
The second step, made out of crumbling rock, rough-textured, scorched, with cracks that ran across its length and width, was darker than deep purple. The second, tinct of deeper hue than perse, Was of a calcined and uneven stone, Cracked all asunder lengthwise and across.	09.099
The third, resting above more massively, appeared to me to be of porphyry, as flaming red as blood that spurts from veins. The third, that uppermost rests massively, Porphyry seemed to me, as flaming red As blood that from a vein is spirting forth.	09.102
And on this upper step, God's angel-seated upon the threshold, which appeared to me to be of adamant-kept his feet planted. Both of his feet was holding upon this The Angel of God, upon the threshold seated,. Which seemed to me a stone of diamond.	09.105
My guide, with much good will, had me ascend by way of these three steps, enjoining me: "Do ask him humbly to unbolt the gate." Along the three stairs upward with good will Did my Conductor draw me, saying: "Ask Humbly that he the fastening may undo."	09.108
I threw myself devoutly at his holy feet, asking him to open out of mercy; but first I beat three times upon my breast. Devoutly at the holy feet I cast me, For mercy's sake besought that he would open, But first upon my breast three times I smote.	09.111
Upon my forehead, he traced seven P's with his sword's point and said: "When you have entered within, take care to wash away these wounds." Seven P's upon my forehead he described With the sword's point, and, "Take heed that thou wash These wounds, when thou shalt be within," he said.	09.114
Ashes, or dry earth that has just been quarried, would share one color with his robe, and from beneath that robe he drew two keys; the one Ashes, or earth that dry is excavated, Of the same colour were with his attire, And from beneath it he drew forth two keys.	09.117
was made of gold, the other was of silver; first with the white, then with the yellow key, he plied the gate so as to satisfy me. One was of gold, and the other was of silver; First with the white, and after with the yellow, Plied he the door, so that I was content.	09.120
"Whenever one of these keys fails, not turning appropriately in the lock," he said to us, "this gate of entry does not open. "Whenever faileth either of these keys So that it turn not rightly in the lock," He said to us, "this entrance doth not open.	09.123
One is more precious, but the other needs much art and skill before it will unlock- that is the key that must undo the knot. More precious one is, but the other needs More art and intellect ere it unlock, For it is that which doth the knot unloose.	09.126
These I received from Peter; and he taught me rather to err in opening than in keeping this portal shut-whenever souls pray humbly." From Peter I have them; and he bade me err Rather in opening than in keeping shut, If people but fall down before my feet."	09.129
Then he pushed back the panels of the holy gate, saying: "Enter; but I warn you-he who would look back, returns-again-outside." Then pushed the portals Of the sacred door, Eclaiming: "Enter; but I give you warning That forth returns whoever looks behind."	09.132
And when the panels of that sacred portal, which are of massive and resounding metal, turned in their hinges, then even Tarpeia And when upon their hinges were turned round The swivels of that consecrated gate, Which are of metal, massive and sonorous,	09.135
(when good Metellus was removed from it, for which that rock was left impoverished) did not roar so nor show itself so stubborn. Roared not so loud, nor so discordant seemed Tarpeia, when was ta'en from it the good Metellus, wherefore meagre it remained.	09.138
Hearing that gate resound, I turned, attentive; I seemed to hear, inside, in words that mingled with gentle music, " Te Deum laudamus." At the first thunder-peal I turned attentive, And "Te Deum laudamus" seemed to hear In voices mingled with sweet melody.	09.141
And what I heard gave me the very same impression one is used to getting when one hears a song accompanied by organ, Exactly such an image rendered me That which I heard, as we are wont to catch, When people singing with the organ stand;	09.144
and now the words are clear and now are lost. For now we hear, and now hear not, the words.	09.145