Purgatorio
Canto XIII
The poets arrive at the second terrace, where the sin of Envy is punished. Voices are heard praising the virtues of generosity and charity. Then Dante perceives the envious sinners sitting huddled together along the side of the cliff, their eyelids stitched up with wire; and he speaks to them. Among the spirits is a woman, Sapia of Siena, who tells of her envious nature and how she rejoiced at the defeat of her countrymen, commanded by Provenzan Salvani (see Canto XI) at Colle in 1269. At the end of the canto she alludes to two abortive schemes of the Sienese; to discover the stream of Diana, underneath the city, and to buy the port of Talamone.
NOW were we at the topmost of the steps
Where for a second time is scarped all round
The mount which, as ’tis climbed, of evil strips.
About the hill there is a cornice wound
After the fashion of the former one,
Save that the curve of it is sooner found.
Shades there are none to see there, nor sign shown,
So naked looks the bank and paven way,
All the one livid colour of the stone.
“Tf here, for people to ask of, we should stay,” [10]
The poet was beginning, “I much doubt
Our choice will may-be have too great delay.”
The sun then with a steady gaze he sought;
Moving, on his right side he pivoted
And the left part of him he turned about.
“O sweet light, in whose confidence,” he said,
“I enter on the new way, do thou lead
Our steps here as we would that they be led.
Thou warm’st the world, thou shinest on its need.
Save other reason prompt against it, still [20]
Thy rays must be the guide that we should heed.”
Over such space as here counts for a mile,
So far there in but short time did we move,
Being quickened by our own consenting will.
And toward us flying now were heard above,
But not seen, spirits speaking, and they sent
Courteous welcome to the table of love.
The first voice flying Vinum non habent
Cried in its passage with a loud clear note,
Repeating it behind us as it went. [30]
And ere it had passed quite out of ear-shot
Through distance, passed another, without cease
Crying “I am Orestes,” and it too stayed not.[i]33. When the tyrant Aegisthus had condemned Orestes, whom he did not know by sight, Orestes and his friend Pylades both claimed that name, each wishing to save the other.
“O,” said I, “Father, what voices are these?”
Even as I asked him, did the third begin
Saying, “Love those who have wrought you injuries.”
And the good Master: “Envy is the sin
Which in this circle is scourged, and to that end
From love are drawn the cords of discipline.
Needs must the bit the contrary intend. [40]
I think that thou wilt hear it, as I guess,
Ere by the Pass of Pardon thou ascend.[ii]42. “The Pass of Pardon” is the beginning of the ascent to the next circle.
- But fix thine eyes through the air in steadfastness,
And thou shalt see before us huddled folk
That sitting each against the cliff-side press.”
Then wider than before my eyes awoke.
I looked in front and shades with cloaks espied
Not different from the colour of the rock.
And when we had come up nearer to their side
I heard cried “Mary, pray for us!” and “O [50]
Michael” and “Peter” and “O All Saints!” cried.
I think on earth to-day no man can go
So hard, he were not with compassion stung
At what mine eyes were then constrained to know.
For when I had arrived so near that throng
That all their features came distinctly seen,
A heavy grief out of mine eyes was wrung.
With hair-cloth they seemed covered, coarse and mean,
And each upon the other’s shoulder leant,
And all of them against the bank did lean. [60]
The blind, to whom is lacking nourishment,
Sit so at Pardons begging for their needs,
And each one’s head is on his neighbour bent,
So that in others quick may spring the seeds
Of pity, not alone by sound of words
But by the sight, which not less sorely pleads.
And as to them the sun no boon affords,
So to the spirits, there where I have said,
Heavens light no bounty of itself accords.
For the eyelids of them all with iron thread [70]
Are stitched up, as is done to a wild hawk[iii]71. Falcons that were tamed full-grown used to have their eyes closed in this cruel way.
Because its spirit stays not quieted.
I seemed to do those shades wrong, thus to walk,
Seeing others, and myself invisible:
Me therefore to my wisdom I betook.
What the mute craved to say, he knew full well:
And for that cause my question did forestall,
Saying: “Speak, but make brief what thou hast to tell.”
Virgil came with me along the outer wall
Of the cornice, where, because no parapet [80]
Engirdles it, on that side one may fall.
And on the other side of me were set
The devout shades, who through the horrible seam
Pressed drops out, so that all their cheeks were wet.
“O people assured of seeing the light supreme,”
I, turning to them, spoke, “the only home
Ye crave, and your solicitude’s one theme,
So may grace quickly sift away the scum
Upon your conscience, so that through it clear
The stream of memory down-flowing may come, [90]
Tell me, for gracious will it be and dear
To me, if any among you a Latin be.
Perchance ’twill profit him, if such be here.”
“O brother mine, each of a true city
Is citizen, but thou would’st rather say
That made his pilgrimage in Italy.”
The answer I thus heard a voice convey
Seemed somewhat farther on from where I was;
Wherefore I made me heard yet more that way.
‘Mid the others one sat with expectant face: [100]
And if one ask How so? it was the same
As if I saw one blind his chin upraise.
“Spirit,” said I, “that dost thy nature tame
To mount up, if from thee came the reply,
Make thyself known to me by place or name.”
“I was of Siena, and here with the others I,”
It answered, “wash away life’s guilty blot,
Weeping to him that he to us draw nigh.
Though Sapia named, yet sapient I was not.[iv]109. “Sapia”: see the Argument.
Of others’ suffering was I much more glad [110]
Than of all good luck that befell my lot.
And lest thou think that now deceit I add,
Hear if, already when life downward wheeled,
I was not, even as I tell thee, mad.
My townsmen, hard by Colle, on the field
Were ranked in battle against their foes’ attack;
And I prayed God for that which he had willed.
There were they routed and turned fleeing back
In defeat’s bitter steps, and in that chase
A joy surpassing all else did I take; [120]
So much that, lifting my presumptuous face,
I cried to God ‘I fear thee now no more,’
As did the merle for a brief sunshine’s grace.
I craved for peace with God on the last shore
Of life, and not yet were the debt I owed
Abridged by my repentance in that hour,
Had Piers Pettinaio not bestowed[v]127. Only the intercession of one of her countrymen secured for her admission to Purgatory.
On me remembrance, holy prayers to make,
And in his charity grieved for me to God.
But who art thou who passing by wouldst seek [130]
To learn our state, and hast thine eyes unwired,
As I believe, and usest breath to speak?”
“Sight,” said I, “shall be yet from me required
Here, but for brief time, for the offence is small
Done by these eyes through being by envy fired.
Far greater is the dread in which my soul
Hangs of the torment lower down, the thought[vi]137. “The torment lower down” is of the circle of pride.
Of which doth ev’n now with its weight appal.”
And she: “Who then to us up hither brought
Thy steps, if here again thou think’st to be?” [140]
And I: “He who is with me and says naught.
And I am living, therefore ask of me,
Spirit elect, if thou would’st that down there
On earth my mortal feet I stir for thee.”
“This is so new a thing,” she said, “to hear,
That of God’s love for thee ’tis a great sign:
Prosper me therefore sometimes with a prayer.
And I by what thou most desir’st to win
Entreat thee, if ever Tuscan earth thou tread
That thou restore my name among my kin. [150]
Thou'lt see them among that people in folly bred
Who trust in Talamone and there will more[vii]152-154. “Talamone” and “Diana”: see the Argument. “The Admirals”: those who expect to be admirals.
Hope lose than seeking the Diana’s bed.
But most shall the Admirals lose upon that shore.”