Purgatorio: Canto IX
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dante Alighieri and Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
“Whenever faileth either of these keys So that it turn not rightly in the lock,” He said to us, “this entrance doth not open.
More precious one is, but the other needs More art and intellect ere it unlock, For it is that which doth the knot unloose.
From Peter I have them; and he bade me err Rather in opening than in keeping shut, If people but fall down before my feet.”
Then pushed the portals of the sacred door, Exclaiming: “Enter; but I give you warning That forth returns whoever looks behind.”
And when upon their hinges were turned round The swivels of that consecrated gate, Which are of metal, massive and sonorous,
Roared not so loud, nor so discordant seemed Tarpeia, when was ta’en from it the good Metellus, wherefore meagre it remained.
At the first thunder-peal I turned attentive, And “Te Deum laudamus” seemed to hear In voices mingled with sweet melody.
Exactly such an image rendered me That which I heard, as we are wont to catch, When people singing with the organ stand;
For now we hear, and now hear not, the words.