The Annual Medieval
(and Renaissance) Poetry Reading
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
STCN 210
3:30-5:30 pm
To commemorate Shakespeare’s birthday and the day Cervantes died,
we celebrate the poetry and the many languages and rich culture of the Middle
Ages that helped shape these authors’ works.
Sponsored by the Program in Medieval Studies, the English Department,
the University Honors Program, and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Medieval Poetry Reading
23 April 2014
Patricia Hein and Grace Taylor—Latin
~ Anonymous, “Drink, drink, drink,” read by Patricia Hein
~ From the Carmina Burana, “Floret tellus floribus,” 11th-12th century, read by Grace Taylor
Danika Morrow, Aine Foran, Emma Marmor—French
~ “Alais, Iselda, Carenza,” trobairitz verse and song from the early 13th century
Professor Theresa Earenfight—Catalan
~ “E-z ieu am tal qu’és bo e bell,” mid-14th-century Catalan love lyrics
Professor David Madsen—Polish
Anonymous, “Listen, Dear Brothers” late 15th century
Intermission
Dahae Cheong and Grant Hanner—Renaissance music by John Dowland, 16th-century England
~ “The King of Denmark's Galliard"
~ "What poor astronomers are they"
~ From the "First Book of Airs, Part 2, No. 17 "Come Again! Sweet love doth now invite"
Asa Kerr, Kevin Kopetz, and Professor Cordula Brown—Middle High German
~ From Das Nibelungenlied, read by Asa Kerr
~ Owe war sint verswunden, Walther von der Vogelweide (the most celebrated German
Minnesinger c.1170–c.1230), read by Kevin Kopetz
~ Professor Cordula Brown
Professor Guissepe Tassone—Italian
—Dante Alighieri, Inferno, canto 1, 14th-century
Professors María Bullon-Fernández & Theresa Earenfight—Spanish
—Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quijote de la Mancha, 16th-17th century
2
Anonymous, “Drink, drink, drink” (To the tune of Creator Alme Siderum)
Iam lucis orto sidere,
Statim oportet bibere:
Bibamus nunc egregie
Et rebibamus hodie.
As soon as it’s sunlight
So soon it’s time to drink.
So let us now drink Gallo-antly
And drink again today.
Quicumque vult esse frater,
Bibat semel, bis, ter, quater;
Bibat semel et secundo,
Donec nihil sit in fundo.
Whoever wants to be my brother
Should toss it off one, two, three, four.
Let him drink once and again
Until the barrel’s drained.
Bibat ille, bibat illa,
Bibat servus et ancilla;
Bibat hera, bibat herus;
Ad bibendum nemo serus.
So let him drink and let her too,
The servant and the serving girl,
The mistress and the master.
Let no one come late.
Potatoribus pro cunctis,
Pro captivis et defunctis
Pro imperatore et papa,
Bibo vinum sine aqua.
Let us pray for all who drink
And for the jailed and dead.
For emperor and for the pope
I vow to drink my wine unmixed.
Haec est fides potatica,
Sociorum spes unica:
Qui bene non potaverit,
Salvus esse non poterit.
This is the bibber’s faith,
The only hope of salvation.
God help him who doesn’t drink
For he cannot be saved.
Longissima potatio
Sit nobis salutatio:
Et duret ista ratio
Per infinita secula. Amen
May chugging it down
Be our salvation
And may this creed
Last forever and ever. Amen
3
“Floret tellus floribus”
from the Carmina Burana
Floret tellus floribus,
variis coloribus,
floret et cum gramine.
Faveant amoribus
iuvenes cum moribus
vario solamine!
The earth blossoms with flowers
Of various hues
And it blossoms with grass.
Let young men of character
Pursue their love lives
Of varying consolation.
Venus assit omnibus
ad eam clamantibus,
assit cum Cupidine!
Assit iam iuvenibus
iuvamen poscentibus,
ut prosint his domine!
Let Venus be present to all
Who cry to her.
Let her be present with Cupid.
May she be present to the young men
Seeking her assistance
So their ladies may be good to them.
Venus, que est et erat,
tela sua proferat
in amantes puellas!
Que amantes munerat,
iuvenes non conterat
nec pulchras domicellas!
May Venus, who is and was,
Offer her weapons
To girls to make them love .
May she who arms those who love
Not bruise the young
Nor their beautiful ladies.
Anonymus, ALAIS, ISELDA, CARENZA
[Alaisina]
Na Carenza al bel cors avenenç,
dunaz conseil a nus duas serors,
e car saubez mielz triar la meilors,
Fair, lovely Lady Carenza, give some counsel to us
two sisters; and since you best know how to choose
the better side, in the light of your experience do
4
consilaz mi secund vostra ’scienç
penre marit, a vostra conoscença?
O ’starai mi pulcela? — e si m’agença,
que far fillos non cuit que sia bons
e ssens marit mi par trop anguisos.
you advise me to take a husband, in your judgment?
Or shall I remain a virgin?—I find this attractive,
for childbearing doesn’t appeal to me; yet it seems
very wretched not to have a husband.
[Carenza]
N’Alaisina ’Yselda, ’nsenghamenç,
prez e beltaz, jovenz, frescas colurs
conusc c’avez, cortisia e valurs
subre tuttas las a[u]tras conoscenz,
per qu’i[e]·us conseil, per far bona semenza,
penre marit coronat de scïenza,
en cui farez fruit de fil glorïos.
Retenguta ’s sela d’aque[l e]spus.
Lady Alaisina and Yselda, I see that you are well
brought up, and that you have merit and beauty,
youth, a fresh complexion, courtliness and worth,
above all other well educated ladies; so I advise
you to take a husband crowned with wisdom in
order to produce good seed, through which you
will make fruit of a glorious son.
Honoured is the wife of such a spouse.
[Alaisina]
Na Carenza, penre marit m’agenza,
mas far infanz cuit qu’es gran penitenza,
que las tetinas penden aval jos
el las[c] ventril aruat e ’nnoios.
Lady Carenza, I like the idea of taking a
husband, but I think it must be a great penance
to make babies, for your breasts sag right down
to your flabby, wrinkled, disgusting belly.
[Carenza]
N’Alascina ’Yselda, sovinenza
aiaç de mi: in l’umbra de ghirenza,
quant isiretz, preiatz lo Glorïos
Lady Alaisina and Yselda, keep me in your
remembrance; when you leave, pray to the
Glorious One that at our parting he will keep
me close to you, beneath the shadow of his
protection.
qu’al departir mi ritenga pres vus.
5
French translation:
1.
Dame Carensa, belle et gracieuse personne
donnez un conseil aux deux soeurs que nous sommes
et puisque vous qui savez mieux choisir le meilleur
conseillez-nous, selon votre expérience
à votre avis, dois-je prendre un mari
ou rester pucelle? et si cela me plaît
car je ne crois pas qu’il soit bon de faire des enfants
il me paraît cependant trop pénible de rester sans mari.
2.
Dame Alaizina, Dame Iselda, l’éducation
le prix , la beauté, la jeunesse et les fraîches couleurs
je sais que vous l’avez, et courtoisie et valeur
plus que toutes les autres dames instruites
aussi je vous conseille, pour faire bonne semence
de prendre un mari couronné de science
dont vous aurez, comme fruit, un fils glorieux
celui qui épouse une pucelle la gard
1.
Dame Carensa, prendre mari me plaît
mais enfanter est une trop grande pénitence
car les seins pendent jusqu’en bas
et le ventre est gonflé et douloureux.
2.
Dame Alaizina, Dame Iselda, souvenezvous de moi. Dans l’ombre de sa protection
quand vous partez, priez Dieu qu’il me retienne
près de vous.
6
Queen Violant (d. 1346), “E-Z IEU AM TAL QU’ÉS BO E BELL”
E-z ieu am tal qu’és bo e bell,
e sui gaia co’l blanc ocell
que, per amor, cria son xant,
e sui senyora e cabdell,
e cell qu’eu am e no’s n’apell:
car, sus totes, sui mills amant,
que xausit hai lo pus present
e el mills del món, e l’ame tant
que-z, en pensant, lo cuei veser
e car tener;
e cant no és ver,
un desesper me fér tan gran
cant lo sai lai ves França !
I love one who’s good and handsome;
I’m as happy as the white bird
Who, for love, bursts out in song;
I am a sovereign lady,
And let him make no appeal,
Because I love more than any other woman,
Since I have chosen him of greatest worth,
The best in the world; I love him so
That in my mind I think I see him
And hold him close;
But this is not true,
And great despair sweeps over me
When I realize he’s away in France.
L’enyorament e el gran desir
qu’ieu hai per vós me cuid’alcir,
mon dolç senyor e car;
e bien liei porai tost morir
per vós, qu’ieu am tant e desir,
si breu deçai no us vei tornar,
que tant me tarda l’abraçar
e el raisonar
e tota res.
E cant me pens que us n’ets anats
e no tornats,
e quan llunyats vós ets,
desesperats caix viu mon cor;
per pauc no mor,
si breu no n’hai güirença!
My longing and the great desire
I have for you have all but killed me,
My sweet, beloved lord;
I could easily die ere long
Because of you whom I love and want so much,
If I don’t see you soon return:
I’m so impatient for our kisses,
Our intimate talks,
And all the rest.
When I think of how you went away
And haven’t come back
And how far away you are,
My despairing heart barely beats:
I’m as good as dead
If I’m not cured fast!
Mercè, mairits, que sofrent pas
los mals que em dats, e doncs tornats
que null tresor
no vall un cor
que per vós mor,
ab amorosa pensa.
Have pity, husband; in pain I endure
The sufferings you give me: please return!
No treasure
Is worth a heart
That dies for you
With loving thought.
POSŁUCHAJCIE, BRACIA MIŁA
LISTEN, DEAR BROTHERS
Posłuchajcie, bracia miła,
Listen, dear brothers,
7
Kcęć wam skorżyć krwawą głowę;
Usłyszycie moj zamętek,
Jen mi się zstał w Wielki Piątek.
I want to complain of a cruel murder1;
Hear about the sorrow
That befell me on Good Friday.
Pożałuj mię, stary, młody,
Boć mi przyszły krwawe gody;
Jednegociem Syna miała
I tegociem ożalała.
Have pity on me, you old and young,
Because a painful feast day came for me:
I had only one Son
And I mourn for him
Zamęt ciężki dostał się mie, ubogiej żenie,
Widzęć rozkrwawione me miłe narodzenie;
Ciężka moja chwila, krwawa godzina,
Widzęć niewiernego Żydowina,
Iż on bije, męczy mego miłego Syna.
Deep sorrow came over me, a miserable woman,
Seeing my dear son covered with blood.
Dreadful is this moment and frightful this hour,
When I see an infidel Jew
As he beats, tortures my dear Son.
Synku miły i wybrany,
My little Son, dear and loved,
Rozdziel z matką swoją rany;
Share your wounds with your mother;
A wszakom cię, Synku miły, w swem sercu nosiła,
I have always carried you, little Son, in my heart,
A takież tobie wiernie służyła.
And I have also served you faithfully.
Przemow k matce, bych się ucieszyła,
Speak to your mother, so that I can be consoled,
Bo już jidziesz ode mnie, moja nadzieja miła. Because you are going away from me, my dear
hope.
Synku, bych cię nisko miała,
Niecoć bych ci wspomagała;
Twoja głowka krzywo wisa, tęć bych ja podparła;
Krew po tobie płynie, tęć bych ja utarła;
Picia wołasz, piciać bych ci dała,
Ale nie lza dosiąc twego świętego ciała.
My dear Son, if I had had you down here,
I could have helped you somewhat:
Your little head hangs to one side; I would
support it;
Blood is flowing over you; I would wipe it off;
You cry for water; I would give you drink;
But I may not reach your holy body.
O anjele Gabryjele,
O, angel Gabriel,
Gdzie jest ono twe wesele,
Where is this great joy of yours,
Cożeś mi go obiecował tako barzo wiele,
Of which you promised me so much,
A rzekęcy: "Panno, pełna jeś miłości!"
Saying: "Virgin, you are full of grace!"?
A ja pełna smutku i żałości.
And I am full of sorrow and grief.
Sprochniało we mnie ciało i moje wszytki kości. My flesh and all my bones have rotted away.
Proścież Boga, wy miłe i żądne maciory,
Implore God, all you dear and loving mothers,
By wam nad dziatkami nie były takie to pozory, So you do not see such a sight with your children,
Jele ja nieboga ninie dziś zeźrzała
As I, a miserable woman, saw today
Nad swym, nad miłym Synem krasnym,
With my own, my dear, beautiful Son,
Iż on cirpi męki nie będąc w żadnej winie.
Who suffered such torments, though perfectly
innocent.
8
Nie mam ani będę mieć jinego,
Jedno ciebie, Synu, na krzyżu rozbitego.
I do not have nor will I have another one,
Only you, my Son, stretched upon the cross.
Translated by Michael J. Mikoś
9
From Das Nibelungenlied (“The Niebelungendeid”) [English translation follows]
Den pris an allen dingen / truoc er vor manigem man.
Das swer das lost’ er schiere, / den kocher leit’ er dan,
Den starken ger er leinte / an der linden ast:
Bi des brunnen vluzze / stuont der herliche gast.
Die Sifrides tugende / waren harte groz
Dne schilt er leite nider / alda der brunne vloz:
Swie harte so in durste, / der helt doch nine tranc
e daz der künic getrunke: / des sagt’ e rim vil boesen danc.
Der brunne der was küele, / lüter unde guot.
Gunther sich do neigete nider zuo der flout:
Als er het’ getrunken, / do riht’ er sih von dan.
Alsam het ouch gerne / der küene Sifrit getan.
Do engalt er siner zühte. / den bogen unt daz swert,
daz truoc allez Hagene / von im dannewert.
do sprang er hin widere / da er den ger da vant.
Er sach nach einem bilde / an des küenen gewant.
Da der here Sifrit / ob dem brunnen tranc,
Er schoz in durch das kriuze, / daz von der wunden spranc
daz bluot im von dem herzen / vaste an die Hagenen wat.
so groze missewende / ein helt nu mimmer mer begat.
Den ger im gein dem herzen / stecken er do lie.
Also grimmeclichen / ze flühten Hagen nie
Gelief noch in der werlde / vor deheinem man.
Do sich der here Sifrit / der starken wunden versan,
Der herre tobelichen / von dem brunnen spranc:
Im ragete von dem herzen / ein gerstange lanc.
Der fürste wande vinden / bogen oder swert:
So muse ween Hagene / nach sinem dienste gewert.
Do der sere wunde / des swertes niht envant,
Done het et er niht mere / wan des schildes rant:
er zuhten von dem brunnen, / do life er Hagenen an:
done kunder im niht entrinnen / des künic Guntheres man.
Swie wunt er was zem töde, / so krefeclich er sluoc,
Daz uz dem schilde / draete genuoc
Des edelen gesteines: des schilt vil gar zerbrast.
Sich hete gerne errochen / der vil herliche gast.
10
Do was gestrüchet hagene / vor siner hant zetal.
Von des slages krefte / der wert vil lut’ erhal.
het er daz swert enhende, / so waer’ ez Hagenen tot.
so sere zurnt’ der wunde: des gie im waerlichen not.
Erblichen was sin varwe: / er’n kunde niht gesten.
Sine libes sterke / diu muose gar zergen,
Wand’ er des todes zeichen / in liehter varwe truoc.
Sit war er beweinet / von schoenen vrouwen genuoc.
Do viel in die bluomen / der Kriemhilde man:
Daz bluot von siner wunden / sach man vil vaste gan.
Do begonde er schelten / (des gie im groziu not)
Di uf in greaten / heten den ungetriuwen tot.
Do sprach der verchwunde: / “ja ir vil boesen zagen,
waz helfent miniu dienest, / daz ir mich habet erslagen?”
ich was iu ie getriuwe: / des ich engolten han.
ir habt an iuwern magen / leider übele getan.
Translation:
To Siegfried naught was lacking / that doth good knight adorn.
Down the shield then laid he / where did flow the burn,
Yet howsoe’er he thirsted / no whit the hero drank
Before had drunk the monarch: / therefor he earned but evil thank.
There where ran clear the water / and cool from out the spring,
Down to it did bend him / Gunther the king.
And when his thirst was quenched / rose he from thence again:
Eke the valiant Siegfried, / how glad had he done likewise then.
For his courtesy he suffered. / Where bow and sword there lay,
Both did carry Hagen / from him thence away,
And again sprang quickly thither / where the spear did stand:
And for a cross the tunic / of the valiant knight he scanned.
As there the noble Siegfried / to drink o’er fountain bent,
Through the cross he pierced him, / that from the wound was sent
The blood nigh to bespatter / the tunic Hagen wore.
By hand of knight such evil / deed shall wrought be nevermore.
The spear he left projecting / where it had pierced the heart.
In terror as that moment / did Hagen never start
In flight from any warrior / he ever yet had found.
Soon as the noble Siegfried / within him felt the mighty wound,
Raging the knight full doughty / up from the fountain sprang,
The while from ’twixt his shoulders / stood out a spearshaft long.
11
The prince weened to find there / his bow or his sword:
Then in sooth had Hagen / found the traitor’s meet reward.
When from the sorely wounded / knight his sword was gone,
Then had he naught to ’venge him / but his shield alone.
This snatched he from the fountain / and Hagen rushed upon,
And not at all escape him / could the royal Gunther’s man.
Though he nigh to death was wounded / he yet such might did wield
That out in all directions / flew from off the shield
Precious stones a many: / the shield he clave in twain.
Thus vengeance fain had taken / upon his foe the stately thane.
Beneath his hand must Hagen / stagger and fall to ground.
So swift the blow he dealt him, / the meadow did resound.
Had sword in hand been swinging, / Hagen had had his meed,
So sorely raged he stricken: / to rage in sooth was mickle need.
Faded from cheek was color, / no longer could he stand,
And all his might of body / soon complete had waned,
As did a deathly pallor / over his visage creep.
Full many a fairest lady / for the knight anon must weep.
So sank amid the flowers / Kriemhild’s noble knight,
While from his wound flowed thickly / the blood before the sight.
Then gan he reviling / –for dire was his need–
Who had thus encompassed / his death by this same faithless deed.
Then spake the sorely wounded: / “O ye base cowards twain,
Doth then my service merit / that me ye thus have slain?
To you I e’er was faithful / and so am I repaid.
Alas, upon your kindred / now have ye shame eternal laid.
12
Hartmann von Aue
Middle High German classic poet, ca. 1200 [English translation follows]
http://www.fabelnundanderes.at/hartmann_von_aue.htm
Middle High German
German
1.
Ich sprach, ich wolte ir iemer leben:
daz liez ich wîte maere komen.
mîn herze hete ich ir gegeben:
daz hân ich nû von ir genomen.
swer tumben antheiz trage,
der lâze in ê der tage,
ê in der strît
beroube sîner jâre gar.
alsô hân ich getân:
ir sî der kriec verlân.
für diese zît
sô wil ich dienen anderswar.
1.
Ich sprach, ich wollte ihr immer leben,
weit ließ ich davon Kunde kommen.
Ich hatte ihr mein Herz gegeben,
das habe ich jetzt von ihr genommen.
Wer Törichtes versprach,
strebe ihm nicht lange nach,
dass über dem Streit
nicht altere Jahr um Jahr sein Herz.
Alsdann so räume ich ihr
getrost das Kampfrevier.
Für diese Zeit
will ich nun dienen anderwärts.
2.
Sît ich ir lônes muoz enbern,
der ích manic jâr gedienet hân,
so gerúoche mich got eines wern,
daz ez der schoenen müeze ergân
nâch êren unde wol.
sît ich mich rechen sol,
dêswâr daz sî,
und doch niht anders wan alsô
daz ich ir heiles gan
baz danne ein ander man,
und bin dâ bî
ir leides gram, ir liebes frô.
2.
Weil ihren Lohn ich muss entbehren,
der ich gedienet manches Jahr,
so wolle Gott mir eines gewähren,
der Schönen möge es immerdar
geziemend gehen wohl.
Da ich mich rächen soll,
fürwahr, es sei,
und doch nicht anders denn also:
Ich wünsche ihr Gutes an,
mehr als ein andrer Mann,
und bin dabei
gram ihres Grams, froh mit ihr froh.
3.
Mir sint diu jâr vil unverlorn
diu ich an sî gewendet hân:
hât mich ir minne lôn verborn,
doch troestet mich ein lieber wân.
ich engerte nihtes mê
wan müese ich ír als ê
ze frouwen jehen.
manic mán der nimt sîn ende alsô
dem niemer liep geschiht,
wan daz er sich versiht,
deiz süle geschehen,
3.
Mir sind die Jahre unverloren,
die ich an ihren Dienst vertan.
Versagt sie auch den Lohn mir Toren,
so tröstet mich ein lieber Wahn.
Nichts weiter wünsche ich mir,
als dass wie ehe ich ihr
in Pflicht mich gebe.
Gar mancher Mann harrt aus also,
ob Liebes auch ihn flieht,
dass dennoch es geschieht
und er es erlebe.
13
und tuot in der gedinge frô.
Und solche Hoffnung stimmt ihn froh.
4.
Der ich dâ her gedienet hân,
durch die will ich mit fröuden sîn,
doch ez mich wênic hât vervân.
ich weiz wol daz diu frouwe mîn
niwán nâch êren lebet.
swer von der sîner strebet,
der habe im daz.
in betrâget sîner jâre vil.
swer álsô minnen kann,
der ist ein valscher man.
mîn muot stât baz:
von ir ich niemer komen wil.
4.
Der ich verschrieben war bisher,
durch sie will ich in Freuden sein,
hilft es mir minder oder mehr.
Wohl weiß ich, dass die Herrin mein
nur nach der Ehre lebt.
Wer von der seinen strebt,
bedenke sich,
dass ihn nicht seine Jahre reuen.
Wer also minnen kann,
der ist ein falscher Mann,
doch besser ich:
in ihrem Dienst will ich mich freuen.
English translation [by Professor Cordula Brown]
1.
I said, I wanted to live for her always,
and that I let become known far and wide.
I had given her my heart;
now I have taken it back from her.
He who gave a silly agreement
should let go of it in time
before the quarreling
robs him of years of his life.
That’s what I did.
The quarreling be left up to her;
for the remainder of my time
I will serve somewhere else.
2.
I always hated perfidious people:
Now I want to be unfaithful myself.
Unfaithfulness would do me much better,
than my faith in her
which did not let me separate from her,
which told me to me keep serving her .
Now it really hurts me
that she wants to let me go without what I rightly earned.
But I speak only good of her
and before I bring down her valor,
I will rather
14
add blame to my damage.
3.
What bad things could I say about her,
about whom I always had good things to say?
I am well allowed to lament my heartache
without begging anything from her.
She has taken my services, indeed,
for many years.
I have offered to her
my love and have found her hatred.
What I have not succeeded in doing
is my own thankless reward.
Had I been worthwhile to her,
she would have rewarded me better.
15
Dante Alighieri, Inferno, Canto I
Translated by Henry W. Longfellow
Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita
mi ritrovai per una selva oscura
ché la diritta via era smarrita.
Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost.
Ahi quanto a dir qual era è cosa
dura esta selva selvaggia e aspra e
forte che nel pensier rinova la paura!
Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say
What was this forest savage, rough, and stern,
Which in the very thought renews the fear.
Tant’è amara che poco è più morte; ma
per trattar del ben ch’i’ vi trovai, dirò de
l’altre cose ch’i’ v’ho scorte.
So bitter is it, death is little more;
But of the good to treat, which there I found,
Speak will I of the other things I saw there.
Io non so ben ridir com’i’ v’intrai,
tant’era pien di sonno a quel punto
che la verace via abbandonai.
I cannot well repeat how there I entered,
So full was I of slumber at the moment
In which I had abandoned the true way.
Ma poi ch’i’ fui al piè d’un colle giunto,
là dove terminava quella valle
che m’avea di paura il cor compunto,
But after I had reached a mountain’s foot,
At that point where the valley terminated,
Which had with consternation pierced my
heart,
guardai in alto, e vidi le sue spalle
vestite già de’ raggi del pianeta
che mena dritto altrui per ogne calle.
Upward I looked, and I beheld its shoulders,
Vested already with that planet’s rays
Which leadeth others right by every road.
Allor fu la paura un poco queta
che nel lago del cor m’era durata
la notte ch’i’ passai con tanta pieta.
Then was the fear a little quieted
That in my heart’s lake had endured throughout
The night, which I had passed so piteously.
E come quei che con lena affannata
uscito fuor del pelago a la riva
si volge a l’acqua perigliosa e guata,
And even as he, who, with distressful breath,
Forth issued from the sea upon the shore,
Turns to the water perilous and gazes;
così l’animo mio, ch’ancor fuggiva,
si volse a retro a rimirar lo passo
che non lasciò già mai persona viva.
So did my soul, that still was fleeing onward,
Turn itself back to re-behold the pass
Which never yet a living person left.
Poi ch’èi posato un poco il corpo lasso,
ripresi via per la piaggia diserta,
sì che ’l piè fermo sempre era ’l più
basso.
After my weary body I had rested,
The way resumed I on the desert slope,
So that the firm foot ever was the lower.
Ed ecco, quasi al cominciar de l’erta,
una lonza leggera e presta molto,
che di pel macolato era coverta;
And lo! almost where the ascent began,
A panther light and swift exceedingly,
Which with a spotted skin was covered o’er!
e non mi si partia dinanzi al volto,
anzi ’mpediva tanto il mio cammino,
ch’i’ fui per ritornar più volte vòlto.
Temp’era dal principio del mattino,
And never moved she from before my face,
Nay, rather did impede so much my way,
That many times I to return had turned.
The time was the beginning of the morning,
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e ’l sol montava ’n sù con quelle stelle
ch’eran con lui quando l’amor divino
And up the sun was mounting with those stars
That with him were, what time the Love Divine
mosse di prima quelle cose belle;
sì ch’a bene sperar m’era cagione
di quella fiera a la gaetta pelle
At first in motion set those beauteous things;
So were to me occasion of good hope,
The variegated skin of that wild beast,
l’ora del tempo e la dolce stagione;
ma non sì che paura non mi desse
la vista che m’apparve d’un leone.
The hour of time, and the delicious season;
But not so much, that did not give me fear
A lion’s aspect which appeared to me.
Questi parea che contra me venisse
con la test’alta e con rabbiosa fame,
sì che parea che l’aere ne tremesse.
He seemed as if against me he were coming
With head uplifted, and with ravenous hunger,
So that it seemed the air was afraid of him;
Ed una lupa, che di tutte brame
sembiava carca ne la sua magrezza,
e molte genti fé già viver grame,
And a she-wolf, that with all hungerings
Seemed to be laden in her meagreness,
And many folk has caused to live forlorn!
questa mi porse tanto di gravezza
con la paura ch’uscia di sua vista,
ch’io perdei la speranza de l’altezza.
She brought upon me so much heaviness,
With the affright that from her aspect came,
That I the hope relinquished of the height.
E qual è quei che volontieri acquista,
e giugne ’l tempo che perder lo face,
che ’n tutt’i suoi pensier piange e
s’attrista;
And as he is who willingly acquires,
And the time comes that causes him to lose,
Who weeps in all his thoughts and is
despondent,
tal mi fece la bestia sanza pace,
che, venendomi ’ncontro, a poco a
poco
mi ripigneva là dove ’l sol tace.
E’en such made me that beast withouten
peace, Which, coming on against me by
degreesThrust me back thither where the sun
is silent.
Mentre ch’i’ rovinava in basso loco,
dinanzi a li occhi mi si fu offerto
chi per lungo silenzio parea fioco.
While I was rushing downward to the lowland,
Before mine eyes did one present himself,
Who seemed from long-continued silence
hoarse.
Quando vidi costui nel gran diserto,
«Miserere di me», gridai a lui,
«qual che tu sii, od ombra od omo
certo!».
When I beheld him in the desert vast,
“Have pity on me,” unto him I cried,
“Whiche’er thou art, or shade or real man!”
Rispuosemi: «Non omo, omo già fui,
e li parenti miei furon lombardi,
mantoani per patria ambedui.
He answered me: “Not man; man once I was,
And both my parents were of Lombardy,
And Mantuans by country both of them.
Nacqui sub Iulio, ancor che fosse tardi,
e vissi a Roma sotto ’l buono Augusto
nel tempo de li dèi falsi e bugiardi.
‘Sub Julio’ was I born, though it was late,
And lived at Rome under the good Augustus,
During the time of false and lying gods.
Poeta fui, e cantai di quel giusto
figliuol d’Anchise che venne di Troia,
poi che ’l superbo Iliòn fu combusto.
A poet was I, and I sang that just
Son of Anchises, who came forth from Troy,
After that Ilion the superb was burned.
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Ma tu perché ritorni a tanta noia?
perch‚ non sali il dilettoso monte
ch’è principio e cagion di tutta gioia?».
But thou, why goest thou back to such
annoyance?Why climb’st thou not the Mount
Delectable,Which is the source and cause of
every joy?”
«Or se’ tu quel Virgilio e quella fonte
che spandi di parlar sì largo fiume?»,
rispuos’io lui con vergognosa fronte.
“Now, art thou that Virgilius and that fountain
Which spreads abroad so wide a river of
speech?” I made response to him with bashful
forehead.
«O de li altri poeti onore e lume
vagliami ’l lungo studio e ’l grande
amore che m’ha fatto cercar lo tuo
volume.
“O, of the other poets honour and light,
Avail me the long study and great love
That have impelled me to explore thy volume!
Tu se’ lo mio maestro e ’l mio autore;
tu se’ solo colui da cu’ io tolsi
lo bello stilo che m’ha fatto onore.
Thou art my master, and my author thou,
Thou art alone the one from whom I took
The beautiful style that has done honour to me.
Vedi la bestia per cu’ io mi volsi:
aiutami da lei, famoso saggio,
ch’ella mi fa tremar le vene e i polsi».
Behold the beast, for which I have turned back;
Do thou protect me from her, famous Sage,
For she doth make my veins and pulses
tremble.”
«A te convien tenere altro viaggio»,
rispuose poi che lagrimar mi vide,
«se vuo’ campar d’esto loco selvaggio:
“Thee it behoves to take another road,”
Responded he, when he beheld me weeping,
“If from this savage place thou wouldst escape;
ché questa bestia, per la qual tu gride,
non lascia altrui passar per la sua via,
ma tanto lo ’mpedisce che l’uccide;
Because this beast, at which thou criest out,
Suffers not any one to pass her way,
But so doth harass him, that she destroys him;
e ha natura sì malvagia e ria,
che mai non empie la bramosa voglia,
e dopo ’l pasto ha più fame che pria.
And has a nature so malign and ruthless,
That never doth she glut her greedy will,
And after food is hungrier than before.
Molti son li animali a cui s’ammoglia,
e più saranno ancora, infin che ’l veltro
verrà, che la farà morir con doglia.
Many the animals with whom she weds,
And more they shall be still, until the
Greyhound
Questi non ciberà terra né peltro,
ma sapienza, amore e virtute,
e sua nazion sarà tra feltro e feltro.
Comes, who shall make her perish in her pain.
He shall not feed on either earth or pelf,
But upon wisdom, and on love and virtue;
Di quella umile Italia fia salute
per cui morì la vergine Cammilla,
Eurialo e Turno e Niso di ferute.
‘Twixt Feltro and Feltro shall his nation be;
Of that low Italy shall he be the saviour,
On whose account the maid Camilla died,
Euryalus, Turnus, Nisus, of their wounds;
Questi la caccerà per ogne villa,
fin che l’avrà rimessa ne lo ’nferno,
là onde ’nvidia prima dipartilla.
Ond’io per lo tuo me’ penso e discerno
che tu mi segui, e io sarò tua guida,
e trarrotti di qui per loco etterno,
Through every city shall he hunt her down,
Until he shall have driven her back to Hell,
There from whence envy first did let her loose.
Therefore I think and judge it for thy best
Thou follow me, and I will be thy guide,
And lead thee hence through the eternal place,
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ove udirai le disperate strida,
vedrai li antichi spiriti dolenti,
ch’a la seconda morte ciascun grida;
Where thou shalt hear the desperate
lamentations,Shalt see the ancient spirits
disconsolate,Who cry out each one for the
second death;
e vederai color che son contenti
nel foco, perché speran di venire
quando che sia a le beate genti.
And thou shalt see those who contented are
Within the fire, because they hope to come,
Whene’er it may be, to the blessed people;
A le quai poi se tu vorrai salire,
anima fia a ciò più di me degna:
con lei ti lascerò nel mio partire;
To whom, then, if thou wishest to ascend,
A soul shall be for that than I more worthy;
With her at my departure I will leave thee;
ché quello imperador che là sù regna,
perch’i’ fu’ ribellante a la sua legge,
non vuol che ’n sua città per me si
vegna.
Because that Emperor, who reigns above,
In that I was rebellious to his law,
Wills that through me none come into his city.
In tutte parti impera e quivi regge;
quivi è la sua città e l’alto seggio:
oh felice colui cu’ ivi elegge!».
He governs everywhere, and there he reigns;
There is his city and his lofty throne;
O happy he whom thereto he elects!”
E io a lui: «Poeta, io ti richeggio
per quello Dio che tu non conoscesti,
acciò ch’io fugga questo male e peggio,
And I to him: “Poet, I thee entreat,
By that same God whom thou didst never
know,So that I may escape this woe and
worse,
che tu mi meni là dov’or dicesti,
sì ch’io veggia la porta di san Pietro
e color cui tu fai cotanto mesti».
Thou wouldst conduct me there where thou
hast said, That I may see the portal of Saint
Peter, And those thou makest so disconsolate.”
Allor si mosse, e io li tenni dietro.
Then he moved on, and I behind him followed.
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