CANTO XIII.

ARGUMENT.

THE second circle. The sin of Envy is here punished. Examples of Charity recounted by invisible spirits. The envious appear, clothed in sackcloth, and having their eyes sown up with an iron thread.-Sapia, a Sienese lady.

Now had we gain'd the summit of the stairs,
There where a second belt the steep divides,
Ascending which, each soul its loss repairs.
Around the mountain doth a cornice wind,

Like to the first that compasses its sides,
Save in its circuit, which is more confined.

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Nor sculpture here nor image met our view;

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So smooth the bank and pathway did appear,

Which, like the rock, was of a livid hue.

"If

we remain till spirits come this way,

Of whom to enquire," the poet said, "I fear

We may perchance too long our choice delay.”

Then on the sun intent he fix'd his sight,
And wheeling his left shoulder to one side,
As on a pivot turn'd upon the right.

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"O friendly planet, through whose aid," he said, "I enter this new path, be thou our guide:By thee all entering here would fain be led. From thee the world receiveth light and heat; Unless by some necessity impeded,

Thy genial rays should ever guide our feet.” The distance that on earth we call a mile,

Already in short space had we proceededOur will so prompt the journey to beguileWhen spirits flying to us from above,

Heard, but unseen, invited us to taste

The hallowed banquet of celestial love.

The first voice that athwart us flying came,

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Exclaim'd aloud: "They have no wine;" then pass'd
Behind, reiterating still the same.

And ere these strains in distance died away,
"I am Orestes"-whirling by, we heard
Another cry;-nor made he aught delay.
"O father," I exclaim'd, "what voices these?"
And as I made enquiry-lo, a third
Distinctly utter'd: "Love your enemies."

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"Within this circle," said my guide, "is felt

The lash that envy is condemn'd to bear;

Therefore its cords by love's mild hand are dealt: The bit is wont to sound in other strain;

As I imagine thou thyself wilt hear,

Ere thou the pass of pardon mayst attain. But through the air attentive stretch thine eye; And seated in our front, full

many a shade

Along the mountain's side wilt thou descry."
Mine eyes I open'd for an ampler view;

And in advance, saw souls in mantles clad,
The livid rock resembling in their hue.

A little further on, these words I heard:

"O Mary, Michael, Peter, who Heaven's throne Encircle-be your prayers for us preferr❜d."

Walks not a man on earth this day I ween,

So hard of heart, but that he must have shown
Some touch of pity for what there was seen.
For tow'rds them when I had approach'd so near
That e'en their attitudes were plainly shown,
Mine eyes stream'd forth with many a bitter tear.
Of sackcloth vile their covering seem'd to be;

One on another's shoulder bent him down;
And on the rock all leant dejectedly.

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Not otherwise the blind, in want of bread,
Stand in the churches to implore relief;

And one against his neighbour rests his head,

The more a stranger's pity to excite,

Not only by the mournful sound of grief,

But by what strikes the heart no less, the sight. And as the sun doth ne'er the blind illume ;

Thus, to the shades of whom I now discourse, The light of Heaven ne'er dissipates the gloom. The lids of all an iron thread doth pierce,

Sewing them up, e'en as a hawk's perforce
Is sewn, to make the savage bird less fierce.
To me it seem'd a want of courtesy,

Unseen myself, in others' face to peer,
Whereat I turn'd to my instructor :-he

The silent wishes of my heart well knew,

And therefore waited not my wish to hear ;-
"Speak to the point, and let thy words be few."
Virgil had come unto me from the bound

Of the outer ledge whence one may fall below,
Because no bank environs it around :-
Stood on the other hand the shades devout,
Who by the horrid seam were tortured so,
That o'er their cheeks the bitter tears gush'd out.

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Turning around, “O spirits,” I exclaim,

As

"Now certain that exalted Light to see, The one sole object of your longing aim,So from your conscience may the grace of Heaven Dispel the scum, that thus a channel free May to the river of your mind be given,— you inform me what I long to know— If any Latian soul may here be seen ; Haply to him some benefit may flow." "We all, my brother, of one city true Are denizens; but surely thou must mean One who in Italy did erst pursue

His pilgrimage." These words I seem'd to hear

A little further on from whence I stood; Wherefore advancing, I approach'd more near. Amid the rest I saw a shade, who in

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Her face the marks of expectation show'd:—

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"How? ask ye?"-like one blind, she raised her chin.

"O thou,” I said, "who dost thy spirit tame

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To mount above -if thou an answer gave,

Inform me who thou art by place or name."

Know," she replied, "I was a Sienese :

Entreating God to assist me, here I lave

My guilty soul;-and my companions these.

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