Upon the left hand four made holiday Vested in purple, following the measure In rear of all the group here treated of Two old men I beheld, unlike in habit, But like in gait, each dignified and grave. One showed himself as one of the disciples Of that supreme Hippocrates, whom nature Made for the animals she holds most dear ; Contrary care the other manifested, With sword so shining and so sharp, it caused Terror to me on this side of the river. Thereafter four I saw of humble aspect, And behind all an aged man alone Were habited; yet of the flower-de-luce At little distance would the sight have sworn Thunder was heard; and all that folk august Seemed to have further progress interdicted, There with the vanward ensigns standing still. 130 335 140 145 150 CANTO XXX. WHEN the Septentrion of the highest heaven. That came at first between it and the Griffin, Shouted three times, and all the others after. Even as the Blessed at the final summons Shall rise up quickened each one from his cavern, ΤΟ 15 So upon that celestial chariot A hundred rose ad vocem tanti senis, And, scattering flowers above and round about, Ere now have I beheld, as day began, The eastern hemisphere all tinged with rose, And the other heaven with fair serene adorned; And the sun's face, uprising, overshadowed So that by tempering influence of vapours Which from those hands angelical ascended, So long a time had been, that in her presence Through occult virtue that from her proceeded Sublime, that had already pierced me through With which the little child runs to his mother, To say unto Virgilius: "Not a drachm Of blood remains in me, that does not tremble; But us Virgilius of himself deprived Had left, Virgilius, sweetest of all fathers, Nor whatsoever lost the ancient mother Availed my cheeks now purified from dew, "Dante, because Virgilius has departed Do not weep yet, do not weep yet awhile; Comes to behold the people that are working Upon the left hand border of the car, When at the sound I turned of my own name, I saw the Lady, who erewhile appeared In attitude still royally majestic Continued she, like unto one who speaks, And keeps his warmest utterance in reserve: "Look at me well; in sooth I'm Beatrice! How didst thou deign to come unto the Mountain ? So she appeared to me; for somewhat bitter Suddenly, "In te, Domine, speravi :" But beyond pedes meos did not pass. Even as the snow among the living rafters Upon the back of Italy congeals, Blown on and drifted by Sclavonian winds, Whene'er the land that loses shadow breathes, E'en thus was I without a tear or sigh, Before the song of those who sing for ever But when I heard in their sweet melodies Compassion for me, more than had they said, 95 "O wherefore, lady, dost thou thus upbraid him?” The ice, that was about my heart congealed, To air and water changed, and in my anguish Through mouth and eyes came gushing from my breast. She, on the right-hand border of the car 100 Still firmly standing, to those holy beings "Ye keep your watch in the eternal day, So that nor night nor sleep can steal from you Therefore my answer is with greater care, That he may hear me who is weeping yonder, Which have such lofty vapours for their rain Potentially, that every righteous habit Would have made admirable proof in him; But so much more malignant and more savage Becomes the land untilled and with bad seed, The more good earthly vigour it possesses. Some time did I sustain him with my look ; Revealing unto him my youthful eyes, I led him with me turned in the right way. As soon as ever of my second age I was upon the threshold and changed life, And beauty and virtue were in me increased, Nor prayer for inspiration me availed, By means of which in dreams and otherwise I called him back, so little did he heed them. Save showing him the people of perdition. For this I visited the gates of death, And unto him, who so far up has led him, God's lofty fiat would be violated, If Lethe should be passed, and if such viands นง 243 CANTO XXXI. "O THOU who art beyond the sacred river,” That the voice moved, but sooner was extinct Awhile she waited; then she said: "What thinkest? In thee not yet are by the waters injured." Forced such a Yes! from out my mouth, that sight Even as a cross-bow breaks, when 'tis discharged Outpouring in a torrent tears and sighs, 10 90 Which led thee to the loving of that good, What trenches lying traverse or what chains 23 Didst thou discover, that of passing onward Thou shouldst have thus despoiled thee of the hope? And what allurements or what vantages Upon the forehead of the others showed, That thou shouldst turn thy footsteps unto them?" 30 After the heaving of a bitter sigh, Hardly had I the voice to make response, Weeping I said: "The things that present were With their false pleasure turned aside my steps, 23 |