Purgatorio: Canto II
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dante Alighieri and Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
What negligence, what standing still is this? Run to the mountain to strip off the slough, That lets not God be manifest to you.”
Even as when, collecting grain or tares, The doves, together at their pasture met, Quiet, nor showing their accustomed pride,
If aught appear of which they are afraid, Upon a sudden leave their food alone, Because they are assailed by greater care;
So that fresh company did I behold The song relinquish, and go tow’rds the hill, As one who goes, and knows not whitherward;
Nor was our own departure less in haste.