hell 2 1 unrhymed translation charles eliot norton's, 1891 rhymed © terrill shepard soules...

HELL 21

unrhymed translation Charles Eliot Norton's, 1891 rhymed © Terrill Shepard Soules 2004 tsoules @ tsoules.com

the second Song

TERZINA #1 of 47 [ (pronounced tare-TSEE-nuh) = 3-Line Stanza = Sub-Chapter = PowerPoint Slide ] The last time I changed this Song was 14 Mar 2004.

The day was going, and the tawny sky1 h2> Lo giorno se n’andava, e l’aere bruno [1] The day wasb going, and the dusky air

was taking earthly creatures from their2 h2> toglieva li animai che sono in terra was taking the living things that are on earth

weariness, while, alone, the only one, I,3 h2> da le fatiche loro; e io sol uno from their fatigues, and I alone

1 - 3My lonely

preparationsat dusk.Muses:help me

write this!3

4 - 14I tell Virgil:

"Aeneas and Paul had underworld missions .I don't."

11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3

18 - 25"The beautiful

Beatrice appearedto me in Limbo

and ordered meto rescue you."

8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3

29 - 31"Godmademe in-

vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:

"Mary told Lucy,Lucy told me—rescue Dante!"

8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike

this andyou'retimid?"

3

43 - 47I rouse,

eager againto go. Virgil's

will is nowmine. I beginmy journey.

5

HELL 22


the second Song


was preparing myself for war, to bear4 h2> m’apparecchiava a sostener la guerra [2] was preparing to sustain the war

the kind of journey, the kind of pity,5 h2> sì del cammino e sì de la pietate, alike of the road, and of the woe

that memory’s going to retrace without err0r.6 h2> che ritrarrà la mente che non erra. which the mind that erreth not shall retrace.

HELL 23


the second Song


O Muses, O high genius, now assist me!7 h2> O muse, o alto ingegno, or m’aiutate; [3] O Muses, O lofty genius, now assist me!

And you—whatever I saw you’d transcribe:8 h2> o mente che scrivesti ciò ch’io vidi, O mind that didst inscribe that which I saw,

Your greatness will be obvious here, O memory!9 h2> qui si parrà la tua nobilitate. here shall thy nobility appear!

HELL 24


the second Song


I began: “Poet, now my guide,10 h2> Io cominciai: «Poeta che mi guidi, [4] I began: -”Poet, that guidest me,

first check my strength, for power enough to bother.11 h2> guarda la mia virtù s’ell’ è possente, consider my virtue, if it is sufficient,

Is trusting me to the high passage justified?12 h2> prima ch’a l’alto passo tu mi fidi. ere to the deep pass thou trustest me.

1 - 3My lonely

preparationsat dusk.Muses:help mewrite this!

3


"Aeneas and Paul had underworld missions.

I don't." 11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3




8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3


vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 25


the second Song


You say Silvius’ parent (that is, his father),13 h2> Tu dici che di Silvïo il parente, [5] Thou sayest that the parent of Silvius

when he was perishable, went to the deathless14 h2> corruttibile ancora, ad immortale while still corruptible went to the immortal

world alertly, each sense as alive as the other. 15 h2> secolo andò, e fu sensibilmente. world and was there in the body.

HELL 26


the second Song


But if evil of every kind’s Antagonist16 h2> Però, se l’avversario d’ogne male [6] And truly if the Adversary of every ill

was courteous, out of consideration for the high effect17 h2> cortese i fu, pensando l’alto effetto was then courteous, thinking on the high effect

he’d have on doers and deeds to come, well this18 h2> ch’uscir dovea di lui, e ‘l chi e ‘l quale that should proceed from him, and on the Who and the What

HELL 27


the second Song


cannot seem out of order to a man of intellect.19 h2> non pare indegno ad omo d’intelletto; [7] it seemeth not unmeet to the man of understanding;

Who else, to be spiritual and imperial20 h2> ch’e’ fu de l’alma Roma e di suo impero for in the empyreal heaven he had been chosen

Rome’s father, did empyrean heaven select?21 h2> ne l’empireo ciel per padre eletto: for father of revered Rome and of her empire;

HELL 28


the second Song


Both the one and the other, truth to tell,22 h2> la quale e ‘l quale, a voler dir lo vero, [8] both which (to say truth indeed)

were set up as the sacred locality23 h2> fu stabilita per lo loco santo were ordained for the holy place

where the greatest Peter’s successor dwells.24 h2> u’ siede il successor del maggior Piero. where the successor of the greater Peter hath his seat.

HELL 29


the second Song


On this trip—for which you provide the credibility—25 h2> Per quest’ andata onde li dai tu vanto, [9] Through this going,whereof thou givest him vaunt,

he learned the things to be the vehicle26 h2> intese cose che furon cagione he learned things which were the cause

for his triumph and papal authority.27 h2> di sua vittoria e del papale ammanto. of his victory and of the papal mantle.

HELL 210


the second Song


Later another went—the Chosen Receptacle,28 h2> Andovvi poi lo Vas d’elezïone, [10] Afterward the Chosen Vessel went thither

for reinforcements for the convictions29 h2> per recarne conforto a quella fede To bring thence comfort to that faith

that begin the way to salvation’s pinnacle.30 h2> ch’è principio a la via di salvazione. which is the beginning of the way of salvation.

HELL 211


the second Song


But why would I go there? On whose authorization?31 h2> Ma io, perché venirvi? o chi ‘l concede? [11] But I, why go I thither? or who concedes it?

I am not Aeneas. I am not Paul.32 h2> Io non Enëa, io non Paulo sono; I am not Aeneas, I am not Paul;

Worthy? Me? Not in my—or anyone’s—opinion.33 h2> me degno a ciò né io né altri ‘l crede. me worthy of this, neither I nor others think;

HELL 212


the second Song


Say I decide to give this journey my all.34 h2> Per che, se del venire io m’abbandono, [12] wherefore if I give myself up to go,

I’m afraid once I’m there I’ll see I’ve been stupid.35 h2> temo che la venuta non sia folle. I fear lest the going may be mad.

You’re so wise you understand what I don’t say at all.”36 h2> Se’ savio ; intendi me’ ch’i’ non ragiono». Thou art wise, thou understandest better than I speak.”

HELL 213


the second Song


Like someone who unsalutes what he’d saluted37 h2> E qual è quei che disvuol ciò che volle [13] And as is he who unwills what he willed,

and has a new thought and changes interests,38 h2> e per novi pensier cangia proposta, and because of new thoughts changes his design,

so that now the beginning’s completely uprooted—39 h2> sì che dal cominciar tutto si tolle, so that he quite withdraws from beginning,

HELL 214


the second Song


that was me on the beach of that dark slope’s chest,40 h2> tal mi fec’ ïo ‘n quella oscura costa, [14] such I became on that dark hillside:

reconsidering it to nothing—the mission41 h2> perché, pensando, consumai la ‘mpresa Wherefore in my thought I abandoned the enterprise

that began full of action and zest.42 h2> che fu nel cominciar cotanto tosta. which had been so hasty in the beginning.

HELL 215


the second Song


“Your words, if I’m correct, are an admission,”43 h2> «S’i’ ho ben la parola tua intesa», [15] “If I have rightly understood thy speech,”

replied that magnificent soul’s ghost,44 h2> rispuose del magnanimo quell’ ombra, replied that shade of the magnanimous one,

“that timidity’s insulted your soul into submission,45 h2> «l’anima tua è da viltade offesa; “thy soul is hurt by cowardice,

1 - 3My lonely


3



11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3




8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3


vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 216


the second Song


which often interferes till it’s got a man engrossed,46 h2> la qual molte fïate l’omo ingombra [16] Which oftentimes encumbereth a man

then rolls him away from what he has honestly tried:47 h2> sì che d’onrata impresa lo rivolve, So that it turns him back from honorable enterprise,

The beast false shadows spook, no true foot farther goes.48 h2> come falso veder bestia quand’ ombra. as false seeing does a beast when it is startled.

HELL 217


the second Song


But so that these fears of yours will subside,49 h2> Da questa tema acciò che tu ti solve, [17] In order that thou loose thee from this fear

I’ll tell you why I came and what I’d comprehended50 h2> dirotti perch’ io venni e quel ch’io ‘ntesi I will tell thee wherefore I have come, and what I heard

that moment that—over you!—I cried.51 h2> nel primo punto che di te mi dolvez. at the first moment that I grieved for thee.

HELL 218


the second Song


I was among the ones who are suspended52 h2> Io era tra color che son sospesi, [18] I was among those who are suspended,

when a lady beckoned, saintly and spectacular.53 h2> e donna mi chiamò beata e bella, and a Lady called me, so blessed and beautiful

Command me anything! I demanded.54 h2> tal che di comandare io la richiesi. that I besought her to command.

1 - 3My lonely


3



11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3


Beatrice appearedto me in Limboand ordered meto rescue you."

8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3


vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 219


the second Song


Her eyes sent more light than the star.55 h2> Lucevan li occhi suoi più che la stella; [19] Her eyes were more lucent than the star,

She began to speak—to me—gently and low,56 h2> e cominciommi a dir soave e piana, and she began to speak to me sweet and low,

as she alone can, in the voice all angels acquire.57 h2> con angelica voce, in sua favella:

with angelic voice, in her own tongue:

HELL 220


the second Song


‘O noble Mantuan soul,58 h2> “O anima cortese mantoana, [20] ‘O courteous Mantuan soul,

whose fame in the world proceeds without flux,59 h2> di cui la fama ancor nel mondo dura, of whom the fame yet lasteth in the world,

and will proceed for as far as the world will go,60 h2> e durerà quanto ‘l mondo lontana, and shall last so long as the world endureth,

HELL 221


the second Song


my friend, but not good luck’s,61 h2> l’amico mio, e non de la ventura, [21] A friend of mine and not of fortune,

has been to the desert, and is now on62 h2> ne la diserta piaggia è impedito upon the desert hillside is so hindered

his way back—too many setbacks, no guts.63 h2> sì nel cammin, che vòlt’ è per paura; on his road that he has turned for fear,

HELL 222


the second Song


His sense of direction is so far gone64 h2> e temo che non sia già sì smarrito, [22] and I am afraid, through that which I have heard of him in

heaven,

my fear is I’ve roused to his rescue too late.65 h2> ch’io mi sia tardi al soccorso levata, Lest already he be so astray

Which is what I’ve heard heaven say about him all along. 66 h2> per quel ch’i’ ho di lui nel cielo udito. that I may have risen late to his succor.

HELL 223


the second Song


Move. Get out your words. Be ornate.67 h2> Or movi, e con la tua parola ornata [23] Now do thou move, and with thy speech ornate,

Whatever you’ve got that could save him, unlock.68 h2> e con ciò c’ha mestieri al suo campare, and with whatever is needful for his deliverance,

Help him, console me. With his rescued state.69 h2> l’aiuta sì ch’i’ ne sia consolata. assist him so that I may be consoled for him.

HELL 224


the second Song


I am Beatrice who makes you walk.70 h2> I’ son Beatrice che ti faccio andare; [24] I am Beatrice who make thee go.

I come from where I cannot wait to be again.71 h2> vegno del loco ove tornar disio; I come from a place whither I desire to return.

Love made me move, and talk.72 h2> amor mi mosse, che mi fa parlare. Love moved me, and makes me speak.

HELL 225


the second Song


When I have returned I will often73 h2> Quando sarò dinanzi al segnor mio, [25] When I shall be before my Lord,

sing my Lord your praises at His throne.’74 h2> di te mi loderò sovente a lui”. I will commend thee often unto him.’

She was silent. And then I began:75 h2> Tacette allora, e poi comincia’ io: Then she was silent, and thereon I began:

HELL 226


the second Song


‘O lady of the power that alone76 h2> “O donna di virtù sola per cui [26] ‘O Lady of Virtue, thou alone through whom

is why the human race outsoars77 h2> l’umana spezie eccede ogne contento the human race surpasseth all contained

all within heaven’s smallest circle’s zone,78 h2> di quel ciel c’ha minor li cerchi sui, within that heaven which hath the smallest circles!

1 - 3My lonely


3



11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3




8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3


vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 227


the second Song


they please me so, these commandments of yours,79 h2> tanto m’aggrada il tuo comandamento, [27] So pleasing unto me is thy command

that if I’d obeyed them already, I’m tardy.80 h2> che l’ubidir, se già fosse, m’è tardi; that to obey it, were it already done, were slow to me.

Merely open to me, whatever they are, your desires.81 h2> più non t’è uo’ ch’aprirmi il tuo talento. Thou hast no need further to open unto me thy will;

HELL 228


the second Song


But do tell me why so uncowardly82 h2> Ma dimmi la cagion che non ti guardi [28] but tell me the cause why thou guardest not

descending down into this core here83 h2> de lo scender qua giuso in questo centro thyself from descending down here into this centre,

from wideness you want back to so ardently?’84 h2> de l’ampio loco ove tornar tu ardi”. from the ample place whither thou burnest to return.’

HELL 229


the second Song


‘Since it’s your will to know the inner layer,85 h2> “Da che tu vuo’ saver cotanto a dentro, [29] ‘Since thou wishest to know so inwardly,

I’ll summarize,’ she answered me,86 h2> dirotti brievemente”, mi rispuose, I will tell thee briefly,’ she replied to me,

‘why it is I fearlessly enter the interior.87 h2> “perch’ i’ non temo di venir qua entro. ‘wherefore I fear not to come here within.

1 - 3My lonely


3



11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3




8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3

29 - 31"Godmademe in-vulner-able."

3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 230


the second Song


One should only fear things in the category88 h2> Temer si dee di sole quelle cose [30] One ought to fear those things only

Able to Harm—that have a hurtful touch.89 h2> c’hanno potenza di fare altrui male; that have power of doing harm,

Nothing else is scary.90 h2> de l’altre no, ché non son paurose. the others not, for they are not dreadful.

HELL 231


the second Song


I’m made by God, thanks be to His mercy, such91 h2> I’ son fatta da Dio, sua mercé, tale, [31] I am made by God, thanks be to him, such that

that I’m somebody your misery doesn’t upset.92 h2> che la vostra miseria non mi tange, Your misery toucheth me not,

Nor do this firestorm’s flames—they can’t get rough.93 h2> né fiamma d’esto ‘ncendio non m’assale. nor doth the flame of this burning assail me.

HELL 232


the second Song


In heaven, a woman of refinement wept94 h2> Donna è gentil nel ciel che si compiange [32] A gentle Lady is in heaven who hath pity

so long over this blocked life I send you to,95 h2> di questo ‘mpedimento ov’ io ti mando, for this hindrance whereto I send thee,

it broke rules up there too strict to accept.96 h2> sì che duro giudicio là sù frange. so that stern judgment there above she breaketh.

1 - 3My lonely


3



11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3




8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3


vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 233


the second Song


She called in Lucy, with something for her to do.97 h2> Questa chiese Lucia in suo dimando [33] She summoned Lucia in her request,

“He needs you now,” she said—“your faithful98 h2> e disse:--Or ha bisogno il tuo fedele and said, “Thy faithful one now hath need

one. And so I entrust him to you.”99 h2> di te, e io a te lo raccomando--. of thee, and unto thee I commend him.”

HELL 234


the second Song


Lucy, to whom harsh is hateful,100 h2> Lucia, nimica di ciascun crudele, [34] Lucia, the foe of every cruel one,

got moving, and came to the place101 h2> si mosse, e venne al loco dov’ i’ era, rose and came to the place where I was,

where I sat by Old-Testament Rachel,102 h2> che mi sedea con l’antica Rachele. seated with the ancient Rachel.

HELL 235


the second Song


and said, “Beatrice, you’re God’s true praise103 h2> Disse:--Beatrice, loda di Dio vera, [35] She said,”Beatrice, true praise of God,

and not rescuing the one whose love’s undying,104 h2> ché non soccorri quei che t’amò tanto, why dost thou not succor him who so loved thee

who for you left behind the crowd’s popular ways? 105 h2> ch’uscì per te de la volgare schiera? that for thee he came forth from the vulgar throng?

HELL 236


the second Song


Can’t you hear his pitiful crying?106 h2> Non odi tu la pieta del suo pianto, [36] Dost thou not hear the pity of his plaint?

Or see death attack him by the overflowing river107 h2> non vedi tu la morte che ‘l combatte Dost thou not see the death that combats him

the sea can’t reach, and so takes no pride in?”108 h2> su la fiumana ove ‘l mar non ha vanto?--. beside the stream whereof the sea hath no vaunt?”

HELL 237


the second Song


No one ever in the world ran swifter109 h2> Al mondo non fur mai persone ratte [37] In the world never were persons swift

to profit or from pain110 h2> a far lor pro o a fuggir lor danno, to seek their good, and to fly their harm,

than I, once these words were delivered,111 h2> com’ io, dopo cotai parole fatte, as I, after these words were uttered,

HELL 238


the second Song


left my heavenly seat. Down I came,112 h2> venni qua giù del mio beato scanno, [38] came here below, from my blessed seat,

all my faith placed in your honest words’ poetry,113 h2> fidandomi del tuo parlare onesto, putting my trust in thy upright speech,

which brings you honor, and the listener the same.’114 h2> ch’onora te e quei ch’udito l’hanno”. which honors thee and them who have heard it.’

HELL 239


the second Song


And after she’d said this to me,115 h2> Poscia che m’ebbe ragionato questo, [39] After she had said this to me,

she turned her shining eyes—I could see tears—away,116 h2> li occhi lucenti lagrimando volse, weeping she turned her lucent eyes,

which got me here the more hastily.117 h2> per che mi fece del venir più presto. whereby she made me more speedy in coming.

HELL 240


the second Song


And so I came to you. She got her way.118 h2> E venni a te così com’ ella volse: [40] And I came to thee as she willed.

You face a wild beast. I liberate.119 h2> d’inanzi a quella fiera ti levai Thee have I delivered from that wild beast

(The shortcut up the beautiful mountain’s her prey.)120 h2> che del bel monte il corto andar ti tolse. that took from thee the short ascent of the beautiful

mountain.

1 - 3My lonely


3



11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3




8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3


vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 241


the second Song


Well? What is it? How, how can you wait?121 h2> Dunque: che è? perché, perché restai, [41] What is it then? Why, why dost thou hold back?

How can a heart give cowardice this bad a bed?122 h2> perché tanta viltà nel core allette, why dost thou harbor such cowardice in thy heart?

Why isn’t freedom and fire all that you radiate?123 h2> perché ardire e franchezza non hai, why hast thou not daring and boldness,

HELL 242


the second Song


When three such women, each blessèd,124 h2> poscia che tai tre donne benedette [42] Since three blessed Ladies

look after you from the court that is heaven’s,125 h2> curan di te ne la corte del cielo, care for thee in the court of heaven,

and so much is promised by what I’ve said?”126 h2> e ‘l mio parlar tanto ben ti promette?». and my speech pledges thee such good?”

HELL 243


the second Song


The way little flowers frost over when it darkens,127 h2> Quali fioretti dal notturno gelo [43] As flowerets, bent and closed by the chill of night,

and slump, and seal up, and then in the white sunlight128 h2> chinati e chiusi, poi che ‘l sol li ‘mbianca, after the sun shines on them

open themselves on their stems, and each straightens,129 h2> si drizzan tutti aperti in loro stelo, straighten themselves all open on their stem,

1 - 3My lonely


3



11

15 - 17V: "You're

scared.Listen to

whyI'm here."

3




8

26 - 28V to B:

"I will. Butwhy

aren't youafraid

of Hell?" 3


vulnerable."3

32 - 39B to V:


8

40 - 42V:

"Supportlike


3

43 - 47I rouse,



5

HELL 244


the second Song


so with me and my lack of fight.130 h2> tal mi fec’ io di mia virtude stanca, [44] so I became with my weak virtue,

My heart, like that, filled with such good fire131 h2> e tanto buono ardire al cor mi corse, and such good daring hastened to my heart

I began to speak like a man set free tonight:132 h2> ch’i’ cominciai come persona franca: that I began like one enfranchised:

HELL 245


the second Song


“The compassion of my rescuer!133 h2> «Oh pietosa colei che mi soccorse! [45] “Oh compassionate she who succored me!

The nobility of your obedience134 h2> e te cortese ch’ubidisti tosto and thou courteous who didst speedily obey

to her words (which couldn’t have been truer).135 h2> a le vere parole che ti porse! the true words that she addressed to thee!

HELL 246


the second Song


I’ve got a heart now that has to experience136 h2> Tu m’hai con disiderio il cor disposto [46] Thou by thy words hast so disposed

going there, and it’s thanks to your words’ truths.137 h2> sì al venir con le parole tue, my heart with desire of going,

I’m turned around, I’m back, to where I was at first.138 h2> ch’i’ son tornato nel primo proposto. that I have returned unto my first intent.

HELL 247


the second Song


Go: thy will and mine are both in you.139 h2> Or va, ch’un sol volere è d’ambedue : [47] Go on now, for one sole will is in us both:

You’re leader, you’re master, you’re teacher to me.”140 h2> tu duca, tu segnore e tu maestro». Thou Leader, thou Lord, and thou Master.”

I told him that. And when he was moved to move,141 h2> Così li dissi ; e poi che mosso fue, Thus I said to him; and when he had moved on,

I entered my high—heartless—journey.142 h2> intrai per lo cammino alto e silvestro. I entered along the deep and savage road.

hell 2 1 unrhymed translation charles eliot norton's, 1891 rhymed © terrill shepard soules...

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