Who this new office to my care consign'd. But by that virtue, which empowers my step Then on his right breast turning, Chiron thus 90 95 To Nessus spake: "Return, and be their guide. And if ye chance to cross another troop, Command them keep aloof." Onward we mov'd, The border of the crimson-seething flood, 100 Whence from those steep'd within loud shrieks arose. 105 Of woe wrought for fair Sicily. That brow 110 Obizzo' of Este, in the world destroy'd By his foul step-son." To the bard rever'd I turned me round, and thus he spake; "Let him Be to thee now first leader, me but next To him in rank." Then farther on a space 115 The Centaur paus'd, near some, who at the throat A spirit by itself apart retir'd, Exclaim'd: "He in God's bosom smote the heart, Which yet is honour'd on the bank of Thames." 120 And even all the bust above the stream. Thus shallow more and more the blood became, 125 "As ever on this side the boiling wave Thou seest diminishing," the Centaur said, "So on the other, be thou well assur'd, It lower still and lower sinks its bed, Till in that part it reuniting join, Where 't is the lot of tyranny to mourn. There Heav'n's stern justice lays chastising hand 130 135 Tears ever by the seething flood unlock'd Pazzo the other nam'd, who fill'd the ways With violence and war." This said, he turn'd, And quitting us, alone repass'd the ford. 140 CANTO XIII ERE Nessus yet had reach'd the other bank, Of steps had worn a way. Not verdant there The foliage, but of dusky hue; not light The boughs and tapering, but with knares deform'd 5 Instead, with venom fill'd. Less sharp than these, Those animals, that hate the cultur'd fields, 10 Here the brute Harpies make their nest, the same Who from the Strophades the Trojan band Drove with dire boding of their future woe. Broad are their pennons, of the human form Their neck and count'nance, arm'd with talons keen 15 20 As would my speech discredit." On all sides The thought thou hast conceiv'd shall vanish quite." And straight the trunk exclaim'd: "Why pluck'st thou 35 From a great wilding gather'd I a branch, me?" Then as the dark blood trickled down its side, These words it added: "Wherefore tear'st me thus? دو That burning at one end from the' other sends As a brand yet green, A groaning sound, and hisses with the wind That forces out its way, so burst at once, 40 Forth from the broken splinter words and blood. Is granted him) thy fame he may revive.” 45 50 55 "Hath so inveigled me, that I from speech Cannot refrain, wherein if I indulge A little longer, in the snare detain'd, 60 Both keys to Frederick's heart, and turn'd the wards, Opening and shutting, with a skill so sweet, By the new roots, which fix this stem, I swear, you, Clear he from wrong my memory, that lies 65 70 75 Yet prostrate under envy's cruel blow." 80 First somewhat pausing, till the mournful words Were ended, then to me the bard began : "Lose not the time; but speak and of him ask, If more thou wish to learn." Whence I replied: 85 He thus resum'd; "So may he do for thee 90 How in these gnarled joints the soul is tied; And whether any ever from such frame Be loosen'd, if thou canst, that also tell." Thereat the trunk breath'd hard, and the wind soon Chang'd into sounds articulate like these; 95 Briefly ye shall be answer'd. When departs The fierce soul from the body, by itself 100 It rises to a sapling, growing thence 105 Here we perforce shall drag them; and throughout The dismal glade our bodies shall be hung, 110 Each on the wild thorn of his wretched shade.” We stood, expecting farther speech, when us The wild boar and the hunt approach his place 115 Loud rustling round him hears. And lo! there came "Haste now," the foremost cried, "now haste thee, death!" The' other, as seem'd, impatient of delay 120 125 130 The tortur'd limbs. My guide then seiz'd my hand, Mourn'd through its bleeding wounds: "O Giacomo It cried, "that of me thou hast made thy screen? 135 66 When o'er it he had paus'd, my master spake: Say who wast thou, that at so many points Breath'st out with blood thy lamentable speech?" He answer'd: "Oh, ye spirits! arriv'd in time 140 |