The Divine Comedy by Dante: The Vision Of Purgatory: Canto V

Now had I left those spirits, and pursued     The steps of my Conductor, when beheld     Pointing the finger at me one exclaim'd:     "See how it seems as if the light not shone     From the left hand of him beneath, and he,     As living, seems to be led on." Mine eyes     I at that sound reverting, saw them gaze     Through wonder first at me, and then at me     And the light broken underneath, by turns.     "Why are thy thoughts thus riveted?" my guide     Exclaim'd, "that thou hast slack'd thy pace? or how     Imports it thee, what thing is whisper'd here?     Come after me, and to their babblings leave     The crowd. Be as a tower, that, firmly set,     Shakes not its top for any blast that blows!     He, in whose bosom thought on thought shoots out,     Still of his aim is wide, in that the one     Sicklies and wastes to nought the other's strength."     What other could I answer save "I come?"     I said it, somewhat with that colour ting'd     Which ofttimes pardon meriteth for man.     Meanwhile traverse along the hill there came,     A little way before us, some who sang     The "Miserere" in responsive Strains.     When they perceiv'd that through my body I     Gave way not for the rays to pass, their song     Straight to a long and hoarse exclaim they chang'd;     And two of them, in guise of messengers,     Ran on to meet us, and inquiring ask'd:     "Of your condition we would gladly learn."     To them my guide. "Ye may return, and bear     Tidings to them who sent you, that his frame     Is real flesh. If, as I deem, to view     His shade they paus'd, enough is answer'd them.     Him let them honour, they may prize him well."     Ne'er saw I fiery vapours with such speed     Cut through the serene air at fall of night,     Nor August's clouds athwart the setting sun,     That upward these did not in shorter space     Return; and, there arriving, with the rest     Wheel back on us, as with loose rein a troop.     "Many," exclaim'd the bard, "are these, who throng     Around us: to petition thee they come.     Go therefore on, and listen as thou go'st."     "O spirit! who go'st on to blessedness     With the same limbs, that clad thee at thy birth."     Shouting they came, "a little rest thy step.     Look if thou any one amongst our tribe     Hast e'er beheld, that tidings of him there     Thou mayst report. Ah, wherefore go'st thou on?     Ah wherefore tarriest thou not? We all     By violence died, and to our latest hour     Were sinners, but then warn'd by light from heav'n,     So that, repenting and forgiving, we     Did issue out of life at peace with God,     Who with desire to see him fills our heart."     Then I: "The visages of all I scan     Yet none of ye remember. But if aught,     That I can do, may please you, gentle spirits!     Speak; and I will perform it, by that peace,     Which on the steps of guide so excellent     Following from world to world intent I seek."     In answer he began: "None here distrusts     Thy kindness, though not promis'd with an oath;     So as the will fail not for want of power.     Whence I, who sole before the others speak,     Entreat thee, if thou ever see that land,     Which lies between Romagna and the realm     Of Charles, that of thy courtesy thou pray     Those who inhabit Fano, that for me     Their adorations duly be put up,     By which I may purge off my grievous sins.     From thence I came. But the deep passages,     Whence issued out the blood wherein I dwelt,     Upon my bosom in Antenor's land     Were made, where to be more secure I thought.     The author of the deed was Este's prince,     Who, more than right could warrant, with his wrath     Pursued me. Had I towards Mira fled,     When overta'en at Oriaco, still     Might I have breath'd. But to the marsh I sped,     And in the mire and rushes tangled there     Fell, and beheld my life-blood float the plain."     Then said another: "Ah! so may the wish,     That takes thee o'er the mountain, be fulfill'd,     As thou shalt graciously give aid to mine.     Of Montefeltro I; Buonconte I:     Giovanna nor none else have care for me,     Sorrowing with these I therefore go." I thus:     "From Campaldino's field what force or chance     Drew thee, that ne'er thy sepulture was known?"     "Oh!" answer'd he, "at Casentino's foot     A stream there courseth, nam'd Archiano, sprung     In Apennine above the Hermit's seat.     E'en where its name is cancel'd, there came I,     Pierc'd in the heart, fleeing away on foot,     And bloodying the plain. Here sight and speech     Fail'd me, and finishing with Mary's name     I fell, and tenantless my flesh remain'd.     I will report the truth; which thou again     Tell to the living. Me God's angel took,     Whilst he of hell exclaim'd: "O thou from heav'n!     Say wherefore hast thou robb'd me? Thou of him     Th' eternal portion bear'st with thee away     For one poor tear that he deprives me of.     But of the other, other rule I make."     "Thou knowest how in the atmosphere collects     That vapour dank, returning into water,     Soon as it mounts where cold condenses it.     That evil will, which in his intellect     Still follows evil, came, and rais'd the wind     And smoky mist, by virtue of the power     Given by his nature. Thence the valley, soon     As day was spent, he cover'd o'er with cloud     From Pratomagno to the mountain range,     And stretch'd the sky above, so that the air     Impregnate chang'd to water. Fell the rain,     And to the fosses came all that the land     Contain'd not; and, as mightiest streams are wont,     To the great river with such headlong sweep     Rush'd, that nought stay'd its course. My stiffen'd frame     Laid at his mouth the fell Archiano found,     And dash'd it into Arno, from my breast     Loos'ning the cross, that of myself I made     When overcome with pain. He hurl'd me on,     Along the banks and bottom of his course;     Then in his muddy spoils encircling wrapt."     "Ah! when thou to the world shalt be return'd,     And rested after thy long road," so spake     Next the third spirit; "then remember me.     I once was Pia. Sienna gave me life,     Maremma took it from me. That he knows,     Who me with jewell'd ring had first espous'd."