 | Orval, or The Fool of Time |  |
317
DANTE.
319
THE FIRST CANTO OF THE INFERNO.
PARAPHRASE.
Upon the journey of our life midway
Methought that, from the right path stray'd, I stood
In a wood obscure. Full hard it is to say
How savage, rough, and stubborn, was that wood:
Methought that, from the right path stray'd, I stood
In a wood obscure. Full hard it is to say
How savage, rough, and stubborn, was that wood:
Whereof such dread as death can scarce excel
My thought renews. But, to set forth the good
Which there I found, I needs must also tell
My thought renews. But, to set forth the good
Which there I found, I needs must also tell
What other things I did encounter there.
Into this wood how me the chance befell
To enter, memory may not well declare,
Into this wood how me the chance befell
To enter, memory may not well declare,
So full of slumber was I at that place
Whence, leaving the true path, I wander'd here.
But, soon as I had near'd a mountain's base,
Whence, leaving the true path, I wander'd here.
But, soon as I had near'd a mountain's base,
Whereby the vale subsided, that with fear
My heart had pierced, I, lifting up my face,
Beheld his shoulders in the rays, now clear,
My heart had pierced, I, lifting up my face,
Beheld his shoulders in the rays, now clear,
Of that full planet robed, which pilots right
Man's every path. Whereat, were quieted
A little the long stirrings of affright
Man's every path. Whereat, were quieted
A little the long stirrings of affright
320
That in the hollow of my heart were bred
By the so piteous passage of the night.
And even as one that, with back-turnèd head,
By the so piteous passage of the night.
And even as one that, with back-turnèd head,
When up from out of ocean 'scaped to shore,
Pants, and the perilous deep doth wistful scan,
So turn'd my spirit, flying still, to explore
Pants, and the perilous deep doth wistful scan,
So turn'd my spirit, flying still, to explore
That pass yet never left by living man.
Anon, athwart the wilderness, once more
I, after rest of wearied limbs, began
Anon, athwart the wilderness, once more
I, after rest of wearied limbs, began
To foot the upward path; where of my feet
The one firm-set was lowest all the way.
And lo, a lithe she-leopard, passing fleet,
The one firm-set was lowest all the way.
And lo, a lithe she-leopard, passing fleet,
With fur of many colours coated gay,
Hard by the upslope! Nor would she retreat
Thenceforth from sight, but round my path didplay
Hard by the upslope! Nor would she retreat
Thenceforth from sight, but round my path didplay
Till oft I turn'd with purpose back to fare.
It was the season when the morning springs,
And now, amid the stars that with him were
It was the season when the morning springs,
And now, amid the stars that with him were
When Love Divine first moved those beauteous things,
The sun was rising. Hope the happy air,
The season sweet, and gay apparellings
The sun was rising. Hope the happy air,
The season sweet, and gay apparellings
Of that bright beast inspired: yet 'twas not so
With me, but what my hope was made worse dread
By vision of what seem'd a lion, who
With me, but what my hope was made worse dread
By vision of what seem'd a lion, who
Against me came with high-uplifted head,
And all so hunger-mad, 'twas even as tho'
Air's self the awe of him disquieted.
And all so hunger-mad, 'twas even as tho'
Air's self the awe of him disquieted.
Therewith a she-wolf, that did look to be
Stuff'd in her leanness with all lusts; and, long
Ere now, with miseries manifold hath she
Stuff'd in her leanness with all lusts; and, long
Ere now, with miseries manifold hath she
321
Made lean the life of many a mortal throng.
So huge a heaviness she cast on me,
Wrought from her aspect fierce, of fear so strong,
So huge a heaviness she cast on me,
Wrought from her aspect fierce, of fear so strong,
That of the height all hope I lost. As one,
Glad of his getting, when to him is nigh
The time that takes it from him, maketh moan
Glad of his getting, when to him is nigh
The time that takes it from him, maketh moan
With all his being's might, even so was I,
In such a sudden sorrow so far gone;
By that unpeaceable beast continually
In such a sudden sorrow so far gone;
By that unpeaceable beast continually
Tormented; which, sore baffling me, at last
Little by little drove me backward where
The sun is silent. There, down ruining fast,
Little by little drove me backward where
The sun is silent. There, down ruining fast,
Nigh to the nether space, my sense was ware
Of one before me in the wildness vast,
That, for long silence, seem'd faint-voiced. To him,
Of one before me in the wildness vast,
That, for long silence, seem'd faint-voiced. To him,
Soon as I saw him, “Pity me!” I cried,
“Whate'er thou beest, true man, or shadow dim.”
“No man: but what was once man,” he replied.
“Whate'er thou beest, true man, or shadow dim.”
“No man: but what was once man,” he replied.
“Lombards were my begetters, both of them,
And Mantuans they, by country, either side.
Myself sub Julio born, though late, at Rome
And Mantuans they, by country, either side.
Myself sub Julio born, though late, at Rome
Beneath benign Augustus dwelt, i' the day
Of feign'd and fabling gods. Poet, him come
From Troy, just offspring of Anchises grey,
Of feign'd and fabling gods. Poet, him come
From Troy, just offspring of Anchises grey,
When burn'd was Ilium, once his haughty home,
I sung. But thou, why dost thou rather, say,
To perils such return, than scale yon mount
I sung. But thou, why dost thou rather, say,
To perils such return, than scale yon mount
Delightful, source and cause of every bliss?”
“O art thou Virgil, and indeed that fount
Whence such full flow of utterance streams?” to this
“O art thou Virgil, and indeed that fount
Whence such full flow of utterance streams?” to this
322
I, with shamed forehead, answer'd, “Thee I count
The light and honour of all song that is!
Requite me my much love, and study slow,
The light and honour of all song that is!
Requite me my much love, and study slow,
That me to search thy volume have constrain'd.
Thou art my master, and my maker thou,
Thou only he of whom I have obtain'd
Thou art my master, and my maker thou,
Thou only he of whom I have obtain'd
That style whose beauty me makes honour'd now!
Behold what beast compels me leave ungain'd
That height! O famed for wisdom, from her paw
Behold what beast compels me leave ungain'd
That height! O famed for wisdom, from her paw
That shakes my veins and pulses, save me!” He,
Soon as the weeping of my woe he saw,
Made response to me, “Other pathway thee
Soon as the weeping of my woe he saw,
Made response to me, “Other pathway thee
Behoves it to attempt, if from the jaw
Of this wild desert thou thyself would'st free.
She against whom thou clamourest, that she-beast,
Of this wild desert thou thyself would'st free.
She against whom thou clamourest, that she-beast,
Lets no man pass her, but doth all impede
Even to the death. The greed of whose grim breast
So cursèd is, not anything can feed
Even to the death. The greed of whose grim breast
So cursèd is, not anything can feed
Her ravenous lust, which, ever after feast,
Worse famine than before doth in her breed.
Many the beasts wherewith she couples be,
Worse famine than before doth in her breed.
Many the beasts wherewith she couples be,
And many more they shall be, till arrive
That Greyhound which shall pine her heart, till she
Wretchedly perish. Not by land shall live,
That Greyhound which shall pine her heart, till she
Wretchedly perish. Not by land shall live,
Nor yet by lucre, but by wisdom, he,
And love and virtue. And his folk shall thrive
'Twixt either Feltro. He shall lift on high
And love and virtue. And his folk shall thrive
'Twixt either Feltro. He shall lift on high
That so-low-fallen Italy for whose sake
Maiden Camilla in time past did die,
Euryalus, Nisus, Turnus: and shall make
Maiden Camilla in time past did die,
Euryalus, Nisus, Turnus: and shall make
323
From his pursuing through all cities fly
Back into Hell her that Hell's bound to break
Hate first impell'd. I, therefore, for thy good
Back into Hell her that Hell's bound to break
Hate first impell'd. I, therefore, for thy good
Considering, thee now counsel and commend
To follow me. And I, from out this wood
Thy guide will be, with whom thou mayest wend
To follow me. And I, from out this wood
Thy guide will be, with whom thou mayest wend
That everlasting deep where dwells the brood
Of those whose desperate shrieks thine ears shall rend,
And gaze on spirits of the former time
Of those whose desperate shrieks thine ears shall rend,
And gaze on spirits of the former time
In dole, demanding second death; then who,
Content, in fire endure, with hope to climb
Hereafter, whensoever time be due,
Content, in fire endure, with hope to climb
Hereafter, whensoever time be due,
To the beatified: whose blissful clime
If thou to visit then aspirest too,
Unto that end another spirit shall be;
If thou to visit then aspirest too,
Unto that end another spirit shall be;
Worthier than I; to whose high ministering
Thee will I, then departing, leave. For me
He that above hath empire and is king
Thee will I, then departing, leave. For me
He that above hath empire and is king
Holds rebel to his law, and doth decree
That by my means shall none have entering
Into His state. He in all parts hath sway,
That by my means shall none have entering
Into His state. He in all parts hath sway,
But there His throne is, there His palace high,
There doth He chiefly dwell. O happy they
Whom there He chooses!”
And to him, then I,
There doth He chiefly dwell. O happy they
Whom there He chooses!”
And to him, then I,
“O poet, by that God that in thy day
Thou didst not know (this ill and worse to fly)
I charge thee, lead me where thou said'st, aright;
Thou didst not know (this ill and worse to fly)
I charge thee, lead me where thou said'st, aright;
That I may see Saint Peter's Gate, and those
That, by thy showing, be in such sad plight.”
Onward he moved: and I behind him close.
That, by thy showing, be in such sad plight.”
Onward he moved: and I behind him close.
324
FRANCESCA DA RIMINO.
PARAPHRASE.
When of my Teacher I had learn'd the names
Of those renownèd knights of other days,
And theirs, the former time's most famous dames,
Lost in sad wonder, after mute amaze,
Of those renownèd knights of other days,
And theirs, the former time's most famous dames,
Lost in sad wonder, after mute amaze,
“Bard,” I began, “much is my heart inclined
To parley with yon twain that, where I gaze,
Seem coming, borne so light upon the wind.”
To parley with yon twain that, where I gaze,
Seem coming, borne so light upon the wind.”
And he to me: “Their nearer neighbouring note;
Then, by the love that moves them, thus entwined,
Charge them, and they will come.” No sooner smote
Then, by the love that moves them, thus entwined,
Charge them, and they will come.” No sooner smote
The swift gust near us, which those spirits, join'd,
Did simultaneous to our sight upfloat,
Than, moved to utterance, “Come! O come,” I cried,
Did simultaneous to our sight upfloat,
Than, moved to utterance, “Come! O come,” I cried,
“Afflicted souls! nor yet to our inquiring
Deny discourse, if by nought else denied,”
As doves, solicited by fond desiring,
Deny discourse, if by nought else denied,”
As doves, solicited by fond desiring,
To their loved nest, on steady wings and wide,
Through air are wafted by the sweet inspiring
Of their own wishes swift; so, parting there
Through air are wafted by the sweet inspiring
Of their own wishes swift; so, parting there
325
Dido's dim throng, the twain toward us sail'd
In such wise speeding through that evil air;
So much my cry compassionate prevail'd.
In such wise speeding through that evil air;
So much my cry compassionate prevail'd.
“O being that, beneficent and fair,
Through this obscure comest, visiting,” they wail'd,
“Us that have earth embrued with bloody stain,
Through this obscure comest, visiting,” they wail'd,
“Us that have earth embrued with bloody stain,
Were He, the Universal King, our friend,
Since thou hast pity on our pitiless pain,
Prayers to Him we for thy peace would send.
Since thou hast pity on our pitiless pain,
Prayers to Him we for thy peace would send.
Whate'er to hear, or haply tell, thou art fain,
To tell or hear, thy bidding we attend,
What time, as now, the wind is whist. The land
To tell or hear, thy bidding we attend,
What time, as now, the wind is whist. The land
That bore me seaward lies where Po proceeds
Down, with his sequent waters, to his rest.
Love, that in gentle heart scant kindling breeds,
Down, with his sequent waters, to his rest.
Love, that in gentle heart scant kindling breeds,
Him, by the fairness of the form that drest
This spirit once (and yet indignant bleeds
Sharp memory of its taking off!) possest;
This spirit once (and yet indignant bleeds
Sharp memory of its taking off!) possest;
Love, that in one beloved doth love beget,
Me too well pleased with pleasing him, so well
That, as thou seest, he hath not left me yet:
Me too well pleased with pleasing him, so well
That, as thou seest, he hath not left me yet:
Love led us to one death: Caïna's hell
Waits him that spilt our lives.” Such response met
My sense, from such resentful sorrowing sent,
Waits him that spilt our lives.” Such response met
My sense, from such resentful sorrowing sent,
That so long, for the sadness of it, was
My countenance in such dejection bent,
The Poet cried, “What musest thou?” “Alas!”
My countenance in such dejection bent,
The Poet cried, “What musest thou?” “Alas!”
I answer'd, “What sweet thoughts, what fond intent
Have brought them to this miserable pass!”
Then, yet once more returning to the two,
Have brought them to this miserable pass!”
Then, yet once more returning to the two,
326
“Francesca, pitifullest tears,” I cried,
“For thy deep woes I weep. Yet tell me how
To him and thee did Love the means provide,
“For thy deep woes I weep. Yet tell me how
To him and thee did Love the means provide,
First in the time of your sweet sighs, to know
Your yet uncertain wishes?” She replied,
“There is no greater pang than to recall
Your yet uncertain wishes?” She replied,
“There is no greater pang than to recall
In misery days of happiness that were.
And that thy Teacher knows. Yet I, if all
So deep be thy desire to see laid bare
And that thy Teacher knows. Yet I, if all
So deep be thy desire to see laid bare
Of our love's growth the root original,
Will speak as one that weeping tells his care.
For pleasant passing of the time, one day,
Will speak as one that weeping tells his care.
For pleasant passing of the time, one day,
Of love-thrall'd Launcelot the tale we read:
We were alone: all danger far away
From our suspecting: though the colour fled
We were alone: all danger far away
From our suspecting: though the colour fled
Our faces oft, and oft our looks to stray
Into each other's eyes that reading led.
One point alone o'ercame us. We the while
Into each other's eyes that reading led.
One point alone o'ercame us. We the while
Thus reading still, still unsuspecting ever,
When as we read of that so long'd-for smile
That such deep love did, with such dear endeavour,
When as we read of that so long'd-for smile
That such deep love did, with such dear endeavour,
To so sweet kissing of sweet lips beguile,
He that from me shall be disparted never
Me on the mouth all trembling kist. Accurst
He that from me shall be disparted never
Me on the mouth all trembling kist. Accurst
The felon book was, and its scribe as well!
That day we read no more.
While thus the first,
The other spirit made moan so miserable
That, by sick pity all my sense disperst,
Down, as to earth a dead corpse falls, I fell.”
That day we read no more.
While thus the first,
The other spirit made moan so miserable
327
Down, as to earth a dead corpse falls, I fell.”
“Galeotto fu il libro, e chi lo scrisse.”
Those commentators who affirm that the Galeotto of this line is the proper name of Galahad are probably right. They have, at least, ample warrant for their opinion in the sixty-sixth chapter of the Italian Romance of Lancilotto, relating “Come la Reina conobbe Lancilotto . . . e come la prima congiunzione fu fatta fra Lancilotto e Ginevra per lo mezzo di Galeotto.” The obvious sense of the passage is that both the book and its author were go-betweens. But, although the go-between of the Italian Romance is called Galahad,—a name which probably was to Dante's Italian contemporaries (as that of Shakespeare's Pandarus was, and is, to Englishmen) a synonym for pimp, yet, in any case, the force of Dante's supposed allusion to him would be lost upon English readers who cannot associate the memory of the “Virgin Knight” with the ignoble character and functions ascribed to the Galahad of the Italian tale. For this reason I am content to take the simple common meaning of the word galeotto, viz., a felon— a scoundrel—the French galérien. Mr. Cary, indeed, translates the line thus—
“The book and writer both were love's purveyors;”but this euphuistic paraphrase appears to me to convey no sense of the denunciatory intensity of Francesca's abrupt and startling exclamation. There is a dramatic effect in the angry suddenness with which the narrator of the tragedy breaks off her narration by an implied curse, just at the point where the situation she is describing was broken into, and abruptly ended, by a crime: and I think it little matters how you translate this word galeotto, so long as you retain unimpaired the imprecatory force which it gives to the whole passage.
O. M. | Orval, or The Fool of Time | |