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PURGATORIO CANTO 13
Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr. Notes Ann.

We now had reached the summit of the stairs where once again the mountain whose ascent delivers man from sin has been indented. WE were upon the summit of the stairs, Where for the second time is cut away The mountain, which ascending shriveth all

13.003

There, just as in the case of the first terrace, a second terrace runs around the slope, except that it describes a sharper arc. There in like manner doth a cornice bind The hill all round about, as does the first, Save that its arc more suddenly is curved

13.006

No effigy is there and no outline: the bank is visible, the naked path- only the livid color of raw rock. Shade is there none, nor sculpture that appears; So seems the bank, and so the road seems smooth With but the livid colour of the stone.

13.009

"If we wait here in order to inquire of those who pass," the poet said, "I fear our choice of path may be delayed too long." "If to inquire we wait for people here," The Poet said, "I fear that peradventure Too much delay will our election have."

13.012

And then he fixed his eyes upon the sun; letting his right side serve to guide his movement, he wheeled his left around and changed direction. 'Then steadfast on the sun his eyes he fixed. Made his right side the centre of his motion, And turned the left part of himself about.

13.015

"O gentle light, through trust in which I enter on this new path, may you conduct us here," he said, "for men need guidance in this place. "O thou sweet light! with trust in whom I enter Upon this novel journey, do thou lead us,' Said he, "as one within here should be led.

13.018

You warm the world and you illumine it; unless a higher Power urge us elsewhere, your rays must always be the guides that lead." Thou warmest the world, thou shinest over it; If other reason prompt not otherwise, Thy rays should evermore our leaders be!"

13.021

We had already journeyed there as far as we should reckon here to be a mile, and done it in brief time-our will was eager- As much as here is counted for a mile, So much already there had we advanced In little time, by dint of ready will;

13.024

when we heard spirits as they flew toward us, though they could not be seen-spirits pronouncing courteous invitations to love's table. And tow'rds us there were heard to fly, albeit They were not visible, spirits uttering Unto Love's table courteous invitations,

13.027

The first voice that flew by called out aloud: "Vinum non habent," and behind us that same voice reiterated its example. The first voice that passed onward in its flight, "Vinum non habent," said in accents loud, And went reiterating it behind us.

13.030

And as that voice drew farther off, before it faded finally, another cried: "I am Orestes." It, too, did not stop. And ere it wholly grew inaudible Because of distance, passed another, crying, "I am Orestes!" and it also stayed not.

13.033

"What voices are these, father?" were my words; and as I asked him this, I heard a third voice say: "Love those by whom you have been hurt." "O," said I, "Father, these, what voices are they?" And even as I asked, behold the third, Saying: "Love those from whom ye have had evil!

13.036

And my good master said: "The sin of envy is scourged within this circle; thus, the cords that form the scourging lash are plied by love. And the good Master said: "This circle scourges The sin of envy, and on that account Are drawn from love the lashes of the scourge.

13.039

The sounds of punished envy, envy curbed, are different; if I judge right, you'll hear those sounds before we reach the pass of pardon. The bridle of another sound shall be; I think that thou wilt hear it, as I judge, Before thou comest to the Pass of Pardon.

13.042

But let your eyes be fixed attentively and, through the air, you will see people seated before us, all of them on the stone terrace." But fix thine eyes athwart the air right steadfast, And people thou wilt see before us sitting, And each one close against the cliff is seated."

13.045

I opened-wider than before-my eyes; I looked ahead of me, and I saw shades with cloaks that shared their color with the rocks. Then wider than at first mine eyes I opened; I looked before me, and saw shades with mantles Not from the colour of the stone diverse.

13.048

And once we'd moved a little farther on, I heard the cry of, "Mary, pray for us," and then heard, "Michael," "Peter," and "All saints." And when we were a little farther onward I heard a cry of, "Mary, pray for us!" A cry of, "Michael, Peter, and all Saints!"

13.051

I think no man now walks upon the earth who is so hard that he would not have been pierced by compassion for what I saw next; I do not think there walketh still on earth A man so hard, that he would not be pierced With pity at what afterward I saw.

13.054

for when I had drawn close enough to see clearly the way they paid their penalty, the force of grief pressed tears out of my eyes. For when I had approached so near to them That manifest to me their acts became, Drained was I at the eyes by heavy grief.

13.057

Those souls-it seemed-were cloaked in coarse haircloth; another's shoulder served each shade as prop, and all of them were bolstered by the rocks: Covered with sackcloth vile they seemed to me, And one sustained the other with his shoulder, And all of them were by the bank sustained.

13.060

so do the blind who have to beg appear on pardon days to plead for what they need, each bending his head back and toward the other, Thus do the blind, in want of livelihood, Stand at the doors of churches asking alms, And one upon another leans his head

13.063

that all who watch feel-quickly-pity's touch not only through the words that would entreat but through the sight, which can-no less-beseech. So that in others pity soon may rise, Not only at the accent of their words, But at their aspect, which no less implores.

13.066

And just as, to the blind, no sun appears, so to the shades-of whom I now speak-here, the light of heaven would not give itself; And as unto the blind the sun comes not So to the shades, of whom just now I spake, Heaven's light will not be bounteous of itself;

13.069

for iron wire pierces and sews up the lids of all those shades, as untamed hawks are handled, lest, too restless, they fly off. For all their lids an iron wire transpierces, And sews them up, as to a sparhawk wild Is done, because it will not quiet stay.

13.072

It seemed to me a gross discourtesy for me, going, to see and not be seen; therefore, I turned to my wise counselor. To me it seemed, in passing, to do outrage, Seeing the others without being seen; Wherefore I turned me to my counsel sage.

13.075

He knew quite well what I, though mute, had meant; and thus he did not wait for my request, but said: "Speak, and be brief and to the point." Well knew he what the mute one wished to say, And therefore waited not for my demand, But said: "Speak, and be brief, and to the point."

13.078

Virgil was to my right, along the outside, nearer the terrace-edge-no parapet was there to keep a man from falling off; I had Virgilius upon that side Of the embankment from which one may fall, Since by no border 'tis engarlanded;

13.081

and to my other side were the devout shades; through their eyes, sewn so atrociously, those spirits forced the tears that bathed their cheeks. Upon the other side of me I had The shades devout, who through the horrible seam Pressed out the tears so that they bathed their cheeks.

13.084

I turned to them; and "You who can be certain," I then began, "of seeing that high light which is the only object of your longing, To them I turned me, and, "O people, certain," Began I, "of beholding the high light, Which your desire has solely in its care,

13.087

may, in your conscience, all impurity soon be dissolved by grace, so that the stream of memory flow through it limpidly; So may grace speedily dissolve the scum Upon your consciences, that limpidly Through them descend the river of the mind,

13.090

tell me, for I shall welcome such dear words, if any soul among you is Italian; if I know that, then I-perhaps-can help him." Tell me, for dear 'twill be to me and gracious, If any soul among you here is Latian, And 'twill perchance be good for him I learn it."

13.093

"My brother, each of us is citizen of one true city: what you meant to say was 'one who lived in Italy as pilgrim.'" "O brother mine, each one is citizen Of one true city; but thy meaning is, Who may have lived in Italy a pilgrim."

13.096

My hearing placed the point from which this answer had come somewhat ahead of me; therefore, I made myself heard farther on; moving, By way of answer this I seemed to hear A little farther on than where I stood, Whereat I made myself still nearer heard.

13.099

I saw one shade among the rest who looked expectant; and if any should ask how- its chin was lifted as a blind man's is. Among the rest I saw a shade that waited In aspect, and should any one ask how, Its chin it lifted upward like a blind man.

13.102

"Spirit," I said, "who have subdued yourself that you may climb, if it is you who answered, then let me know you by your place or name." "Spirit," I said, "who stoopest to ascend, If thou art he who did reply to me, Make thyself known to me by place or name.

13.105

"I was a Sienese," she answered, "and with others here I mend my wicked life, weeping to Him that He grant us Himself. "Sienese was I," it replied, "and with The others here recleanse my guilty life, Weeping to Him to lend himself to us.

13.108

I was not sapient, though I was called Sapia; and I rejoiced far more at others' hurts than at my own good fortune. And lest you Sapient I was not, although I Sapia Was called, and I was at another's harm More happy far than at my own good fortune.

13.111

should think I have deceived you, hear and judge if I was not, as I have told you, mad when my years' arc had reached its downward part. And that thou mayst not think that I deceive thee, Hear if I was as foolish as I tell thee. The arc already of my years descending,

13.114

My fellow citizens were close to Colle, where they'd joined battle with their enemies, and I prayed God for that which He had willed. My fellow-citizens near unto Colle Were joined in battle with their adversaries, And I was praying God for what he willed.

13.117

There they were routed, beaten; they were reeling along the bitter paths of flight; and seeing that chase, I felt incomparable joy, Routed were they, and turned into the bitter Passes of flight; and I, the chase beholding, A joy received unequalled by all others;

13.120

so that I lifted up my daring face and cried to God: 'Now I fear you no more!'- as did the blackbird after brief fair weather. So that I lifted upward my bold face Crying to God, ' Henceforth I fear thee not,' As did the blackbird at the little sunshine.

13.123

I looked for peace with God at my life's end; the penalty I owe for sin would not be lessened now by penitence had not Peace I desired with God at the extreme Of my existence, and as yet would not My debt have been by penitence discharged,

13.126

one who was sorrowing for me because of charity in him-Pier Pettinaio- remembered me in his devout petitions. Had it not been that in remembrance held me Pier Pettignano in his holy prayers, Who out of charity was grieved for me.

13.129

But who are you, who question our condition as you move on, whose eyes-if I judge right- have not been sewn, who uses breath to speak?" But who art thou, that into our conditions Questioning goest, and hast thine eyes unbound As I believe, and breathing dost discourse ?"

13.132

"My eyes," I said, "will be denied me here, but only briefly; the offense of envy was not committed often by their gaze. "Mine eyes," I said, "will yet be here ta'en from me, But for short space ; for small is the offence Committed by their being turned with envy.

13.135

I fear much more the punishment below; my soul is anxious, in suspense; already I feel the heavy weights of the first terrace." Far greater is the fear, wherein suspended My soul is, of the torment underneath, For even now the load down there weighs on me."

13.138

And she: "Who, then, led you up here among us, if you believe you will return below?" And I: "He who is with me and is silent. And she to me: "Who led thee, then, among us Up here, if to return below thou thinkest ?" And I: "He who is with me, and speaks not;

13.141

I am alive; and therefore, chosen spirit, if you would have me move my mortal steps on your behalf, beyond, ask me for that." And living am I; therefore ask of me, Spirit elect, if thou wouldst have me move O'er yonder yet my mortal feet for thee."

13.144

"Oh, this," she answered, "is so strange a thing to hear: the sign is clear-you have God's love. Thus, help me sometimes with your prayers. I ask "O, this is such a novel thing to hear, She answered, "that great sign it is God loves thee; Therefore with prayer of thine sometimes assist me

13.147

of you, by that which you desire most, if you should ever tread the Tuscan earth, to see my name restored among my kin. And I implore, by what thou most desirest, If e'er thou treadest the soil of Tuscany, Well with my kindred reinstate my fame.

13.150

You will see them among those vain ones who have put their trust in Talamone (their loss in hope will be more than Diana cost); Them wilt thou see among that people vain Who hope in Talamone, and will lose there More hope than in discovering the Diana;

13.153

but there the admirals will lose the most." But there still more the admirals will lose."

13.154

Previous or Next Canto

PURGATORIO CANTO 13 Mandelbaum Tr. and Longfellow Tr.	*Notes*	*Ann.*
We now had reached the summit of the stairs where once again the mountain whose ascent delivers man from sin has been indented. WE were upon the summit of the stairs, Where for the second time is cut away The mountain, which ascending shriveth all	13.003
There, just as in the case of the first terrace, a second terrace runs around the slope, except that it describes a sharper arc. There in like manner doth a cornice bind The hill all round about, as does the first, Save that its arc more suddenly is curved	13.006
No effigy is there and no outline: the bank is visible, the naked path- only the livid color of raw rock. Shade is there none, nor sculpture that appears; So seems the bank, and so the road seems smooth With but the livid colour of the stone.	13.009
"If we wait here in order to inquire of those who pass," the poet said, "I fear our choice of path may be delayed too long." "If to inquire we wait for people here," The Poet said, "I fear that peradventure Too much delay will our election have."	13.012
And then he fixed his eyes upon the sun; letting his right side serve to guide his movement, he wheeled his left around and changed direction. 'Then steadfast on the sun his eyes he fixed. Made his right side the centre of his motion, And turned the left part of himself about.	13.015
"O gentle light, through trust in which I enter on this new path, may you conduct us here," he said, "for men need guidance in this place. "O thou sweet light! with trust in whom I enter Upon this novel journey, do thou lead us,' Said he, "as one within here should be led.	13.018
You warm the world and you illumine it; unless a higher Power urge us elsewhere, your rays must always be the guides that lead." Thou warmest the world, thou shinest over it; If other reason prompt not otherwise, Thy rays should evermore our leaders be!"	13.021
We had already journeyed there as far as we should reckon here to be a mile, and done it in brief time-our will was eager- As much as here is counted for a mile, So much already there had we advanced In little time, by dint of ready will;	13.024
when we heard spirits as they flew toward us, though they could not be seen-spirits pronouncing courteous invitations to love's table. And tow'rds us there were heard to fly, albeit They were not visible, spirits uttering Unto Love's table courteous invitations,	13.027
The first voice that flew by called out aloud: "Vinum non habent," and behind us that same voice reiterated its example. The first voice that passed onward in its flight, "Vinum non habent," said in accents loud, And went reiterating it behind us.	13.030
And as that voice drew farther off, before it faded finally, another cried: "I am Orestes." It, too, did not stop. And ere it wholly grew inaudible Because of distance, passed another, crying, "I am Orestes!" and it also stayed not.	13.033
"What voices are these, father?" were my words; and as I asked him this, I heard a third voice say: "Love those by whom you have been hurt." "O," said I, "Father, these, what voices are they?" And even as I asked, behold the third, Saying: "Love those from whom ye have had evil!	13.036
And my good master said: "The sin of envy is scourged within this circle; thus, the cords that form the scourging lash are plied by love. And the good Master said: "This circle scourges The sin of envy, and on that account Are drawn from love the lashes of the scourge.	13.039
The sounds of punished envy, envy curbed, are different; if I judge right, you'll hear those sounds before we reach the pass of pardon. The bridle of another sound shall be; I think that thou wilt hear it, as I judge, Before thou comest to the Pass of Pardon.	13.042
But let your eyes be fixed attentively and, through the air, you will see people seated before us, all of them on the stone terrace." But fix thine eyes athwart the air right steadfast, And people thou wilt see before us sitting, And each one close against the cliff is seated."	13.045
I opened-wider than before-my eyes; I looked ahead of me, and I saw shades with cloaks that shared their color with the rocks. Then wider than at first mine eyes I opened; I looked before me, and saw shades with mantles Not from the colour of the stone diverse.	13.048
And once we'd moved a little farther on, I heard the cry of, "Mary, pray for us," and then heard, "Michael," "Peter," and "All saints." And when we were a little farther onward I heard a cry of, "Mary, pray for us!" A cry of, "Michael, Peter, and all Saints!"	13.051
I think no man now walks upon the earth who is so hard that he would not have been pierced by compassion for what I saw next; I do not think there walketh still on earth A man so hard, that he would not be pierced With pity at what afterward I saw.	13.054
for when I had drawn close enough to see clearly the way they paid their penalty, the force of grief pressed tears out of my eyes. For when I had approached so near to them That manifest to me their acts became, Drained was I at the eyes by heavy grief.	13.057
Those souls-it seemed-were cloaked in coarse haircloth; another's shoulder served each shade as prop, and all of them were bolstered by the rocks: Covered with sackcloth vile they seemed to me, And one sustained the other with his shoulder, And all of them were by the bank sustained.	13.060
so do the blind who have to beg appear on pardon days to plead for what they need, each bending his head back and toward the other, Thus do the blind, in want of livelihood, Stand at the doors of churches asking alms, And one upon another leans his head	13.063
that all who watch feel-quickly-pity's touch not only through the words that would entreat but through the sight, which can-no less-beseech. So that in others pity soon may rise, Not only at the accent of their words, But at their aspect, which no less implores.	13.066
And just as, to the blind, no sun appears, so to the shades-of whom I now speak-here, the light of heaven would not give itself; And as unto the blind the sun comes not So to the shades, of whom just now I spake, Heaven's light will not be bounteous of itself;	13.069
for iron wire pierces and sews up the lids of all those shades, as untamed hawks are handled, lest, too restless, they fly off. For all their lids an iron wire transpierces, And sews them up, as to a sparhawk wild Is done, because it will not quiet stay.	13.072
It seemed to me a gross discourtesy for me, going, to see and not be seen; therefore, I turned to my wise counselor. To me it seemed, in passing, to do outrage, Seeing the others without being seen; Wherefore I turned me to my counsel sage.	13.075
He knew quite well what I, though mute, had meant; and thus he did not wait for my request, but said: "Speak, and be brief and to the point." Well knew he what the mute one wished to say, And therefore waited not for my demand, But said: "Speak, and be brief, and to the point."	13.078
Virgil was to my right, along the outside, nearer the terrace-edge-no parapet was there to keep a man from falling off; I had Virgilius upon that side Of the embankment from which one may fall, Since by no border 'tis engarlanded;	13.081
and to my other side were the devout shades; through their eyes, sewn so atrociously, those spirits forced the tears that bathed their cheeks. Upon the other side of me I had The shades devout, who through the horrible seam Pressed out the tears so that they bathed their cheeks.	13.084
I turned to them; and "You who can be certain," I then began, "of seeing that high light which is the only object of your longing, To them I turned me, and, "O people, certain," Began I, "of beholding the high light, Which your desire has solely in its care,	13.087
may, in your conscience, all impurity soon be dissolved by grace, so that the stream of memory flow through it limpidly; So may grace speedily dissolve the scum Upon your consciences, that limpidly Through them descend the river of the mind,	13.090
tell me, for I shall welcome such dear words, if any soul among you is Italian; if I know that, then I-perhaps-can help him." Tell me, for dear 'twill be to me and gracious, If any soul among you here is Latian, And 'twill perchance be good for him I learn it."	13.093
"My brother, each of us is citizen of one true city: what you meant to say was 'one who lived in Italy as pilgrim.'" "O brother mine, each one is citizen Of one true city; but thy meaning is, Who may have lived in Italy a pilgrim."	13.096
My hearing placed the point from which this answer had come somewhat ahead of me; therefore, I made myself heard farther on; moving, By way of answer this I seemed to hear A little farther on than where I stood, Whereat I made myself still nearer heard.	13.099
I saw one shade among the rest who looked expectant; and if any should ask how- its chin was lifted as a blind man's is. Among the rest I saw a shade that waited In aspect, and should any one ask how, Its chin it lifted upward like a blind man.	13.102
"Spirit," I said, "who have subdued yourself that you may climb, if it is you who answered, then let me know you by your place or name." "Spirit," I said, "who stoopest to ascend, If thou art he who did reply to me, Make thyself known to me by place or name.	13.105
"I was a Sienese," she answered, "and with others here I mend my wicked life, weeping to Him that He grant us Himself. "Sienese was I," it replied, "and with The others here recleanse my guilty life, Weeping to Him to lend himself to us.	13.108
I was not sapient, though I was called Sapia; and I rejoiced far more at others' hurts than at my own good fortune. And lest you Sapient I was not, although I Sapia Was called, and I was at another's harm More happy far than at my own good fortune.	13.111
should think I have deceived you, hear and judge if I was not, as I have told you, mad when my years' arc had reached its downward part. And that thou mayst not think that I deceive thee, Hear if I was as foolish as I tell thee. The arc already of my years descending,	13.114
My fellow citizens were close to Colle, where they'd joined battle with their enemies, and I prayed God for that which He had willed. My fellow-citizens near unto Colle Were joined in battle with their adversaries, And I was praying God for what he willed.	13.117
There they were routed, beaten; they were reeling along the bitter paths of flight; and seeing that chase, I felt incomparable joy, Routed were they, and turned into the bitter Passes of flight; and I, the chase beholding, A joy received unequalled by all others;	13.120
so that I lifted up my daring face and cried to God: 'Now I fear you no more!'- as did the blackbird after brief fair weather. So that I lifted upward my bold face Crying to God, ' Henceforth I fear thee not,' As did the blackbird at the little sunshine.	13.123
I looked for peace with God at my life's end; the penalty I owe for sin would not be lessened now by penitence had not Peace I desired with God at the extreme Of my existence, and as yet would not My debt have been by penitence discharged,	13.126
one who was sorrowing for me because of charity in him-Pier Pettinaio- remembered me in his devout petitions. Had it not been that in remembrance held me Pier Pettignano in his holy prayers, Who out of charity was grieved for me.	13.129
But who are you, who question our condition as you move on, whose eyes-if I judge right- have not been sewn, who uses breath to speak?" But who art thou, that into our conditions Questioning goest, and hast thine eyes unbound As I believe, and breathing dost discourse ?"	13.132
"My eyes," I said, "will be denied me here, but only briefly; the offense of envy was not committed often by their gaze. "Mine eyes," I said, "will yet be here ta'en from me, But for short space ; for small is the offence Committed by their being turned with envy.	13.135
I fear much more the punishment below; my soul is anxious, in suspense; already I feel the heavy weights of the first terrace." Far greater is the fear, wherein suspended My soul is, of the torment underneath, For even now the load down there weighs on me."	13.138
And she: "Who, then, led you up here among us, if you believe you will return below?" And I: "He who is with me and is silent. And she to me: "Who led thee, then, among us Up here, if to return below thou thinkest ?" And I: "He who is with me, and speaks not;	13.141
I am alive; and therefore, chosen spirit, if you would have me move my mortal steps on your behalf, beyond, ask me for that." And living am I; therefore ask of me, Spirit elect, if thou wouldst have me move O'er yonder yet my mortal feet for thee."	13.144
"Oh, this," she answered, "is so strange a thing to hear: the sign is clear-you have God's love. Thus, help me sometimes with your prayers. I ask "O, this is such a novel thing to hear, She answered, "that great sign it is God loves thee; Therefore with prayer of thine sometimes assist me	13.147
of you, by that which you desire most, if you should ever tread the Tuscan earth, to see my name restored among my kin. And I implore, by what thou most desirest, If e'er thou treadest the soil of Tuscany, Well with my kindred reinstate my fame.	13.150
You will see them among those vain ones who have put their trust in Talamone (their loss in hope will be more than Diana cost); Them wilt thou see among that people vain Who hope in Talamone, and will lose there More hope than in discovering the Diana;	13.153
but there the admirals will lose the most." But there still more the admirals will lose."	13.154