Purgatorio: Canto XXVI
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dante Alighieri and Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
To clamour more than truth they turn their faces, And in this way establish their opinion, Ere art or reason has by them been heard.
Thus many ancients with Guittone did, From cry to cry still giving him applause, Until the truth has conquered with most persons.
Now, if thou hast such ample privilege ’Tis granted thee to go unto the cloister Wherein is Christ the abbot of the college,
To him repeat for me a Paternoster, So far as needful to us of this world, Where power of sinning is no longer ours.”
Then, to give place perchance to one behind, Whom he had near, he vanished in the fire As fish in water going to the bottom.
I moved a little tow’rds him pointed out, And said that to his name my own desire An honourable place was making ready.
He of his own free will began to say: ‘Tan m’ abellis vostre cortes deman, Que jeu nom’ puesc ni vueill a vos cobrire;
Jeu sui Arnaut, que plor e vai chantan; Consiros vei la passada folor, E vei jauzen lo jorn qu’ esper denan.
Ara vus prec per aquella valor, Que vus condus al som de la scalina, Sovenga vus a temprar ma dolor.’*
Then hid him in the fire that purifies them.
* So pleases me your courteous demand, I cannot and I will not hide me from you. I am Arnaut, who weep and singing go; Contrite I see the folly of the past, And joyous see the hoped-for day before me. Therefore do I implore you, by that power Which guides you to the summit of the stairs, Be mindful to assuage my suffering!