Thursday, August 4, 2011

Belacqua











And he to me: ‘This mountain is so fashioned
that the climb is harder at the outset
and, as one ascends, becomes less toilsome.

‘When climbing uphill will seem pleasing –
as easy as the passage of a boat
that lets the current float it down the stream –

‘at that point this trail will be done.
There look to rest your weariness.
This I know for truth.  I say no more.’

As soon as he had said these words
a voice close by called out: ‘Perhaps
you’ll feel the need to sit before then.’







Ed elli a me: “Questa montagne e tale,
che sempre al cominciar di sotto e grave;
e quant’ om piu va su, e men fa male.

Pero, quand’ ella ti parra soave
tanto, che su andar ti fia leggero
com a seconda giu andar per nave,






allor sarai al fin d’esto sentiero;
quivi di riposar l’affano aspetta.
Piu non rispondo, e questo so per vero.”

E com’ elli ebbe sua parola detta,
una voce di presso sono: “Forse
che di sedere in pria avrai distretta!”  








Dante:  Purgatorio, Canto IV, lines 88-99 (Robert and Jean Hollander translation).

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