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added： 〃Since spare diet hath so worn Our semblance out； 't is lawful here
to name Each one 。 This；〃 and his finger then he rais'd； 〃Is
Buonaggiuna；Buonaggiuna； he Of Lucca： and that face beyond him；
pierc'd Unto a leaner fineness than the rest； Had keeping of the church： he
was of Tours； And purges by wan abstinence away Bolsena's eels and cups
of muscadel。〃 He show'd me many others； one by one； And all； as they
were nam'd； seem'd well content； For no dark gesture I discern'd in any。 I
saw through hunger Ubaldino grind His teeth on emptiness； and Boniface；
That wav'd the crozier o'er a num'rous flock。 I saw the Marquis； who tad
time erewhile To swill at Forli with less drought； yet so Was one ne'er
sated。 I howe'er； like him； That gazing 'midst a crowd； singles out one；
So singled him of Lucca； for methought Was none amongst them took
such note of me。 Somewhat I heard him whisper of Gentucca： The sound
was indistinct； and murmur'd there； Where justice； that so strips them； fix'd
her sting。 〃Spirit！〃 said I； 〃it seems as thou wouldst fain Speak with me。
Let me hear thee。 Mutual wish To converse prompts； which let us both
indulge。〃 He； answ'ring； straight began： 〃Woman is born； Whose brow
no wimple shades yet； that shall make My city please thee； blame it as
they may。 Go then with this forewarning。 If aught false My whisper too
implied； th' event shall tell But say； if of a truth I see the man Of that
new lay th' inventor； which begins With 'Ladies； ye that con the lore of
love'。〃 To whom I thus： 〃Count of me but as one Who am the scribe
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THE VISION
of love； that； when he breathes； Take up my pen； and； as he dictates；
write。〃 〃Brother！〃 said he； 〃the hind'rance which once held The notary
with Guittone and myself； Short of that new and sweeter style I hear； Is
now disclos'd。 I see how ye your plumes Stretch； as th' inditer guides
them； which； no question； Ours did not。 He that seeks a grace beyond；
Sees not the distance parts one style from other。〃 And； as contented； here
he held his peace。 Like as the bird； that winter near the Nile； In squared
regiment direct their course； Then stretch themselves in file for speedier
flight； Thus all the tribe of spirits； as they turn'd Their visage； faster deaf；
nimble alike Through leanness and desire。 And as a man； Tir'd With the
motion of a trotting steed； Slacks pace； and stays behind his company； Till
his o'erbreathed lungs keep temperate time； E'en so Forese let that holy
crew Proceed； behind them lingering at my side； And saying： 〃When shall
I again behold thee？〃 〃How long my life may last；〃 said I； 〃I know not；
This know； how soon soever I return； My wishes will before me have
arriv'd。 Sithence the place； where I am set to live； Is； day by day； more
scoop'd of all its good； And dismal ruin seems to threaten it。〃 〃Go
now；〃 he cried： 〃lo！ he； whose guilt is most； Passes before my vision；
dragg'd at heels Of an infuriate beast。 Toward the vale； Where guilt hath
no redemption； on it speeds； Each step increasing swiftness on the last；
Until a blow it strikes； that leaveth him A corse most vilely shatter'd。 No
long space Those wheels have yet to roll〃 （therewith his eyes Look'd up
to heav'n） 〃ere thou shalt plainly see That which my words may not more
plainly tell。 I quit thee： time is precious here： I lose Too much； thus
measuring my pace with shine。〃 As from a troop of well…rank'd chivalry
One knight； more enterprising than the rest； Pricks forth at gallop； eager to
display His prowess in the first encounter prov'd So parted he from us with
lengthen'd strides； And left me on the way with those twain spirits； Who
were such mighty marshals of the world。 When he beyond us had so
fled mine eyes No nearer reach'd him； than my thought his words； The
branches of another fruit； thick hung； And blooming fresh； appear'd。 E'en
as our steps Turn'd thither； not far off it rose to view。 Beneath it were a
multitude； that rais'd Their hands； and shouted forth I know not What Unto
the boughs； like greedy and fond brats； That beg； and answer none obtain
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THE VISION
from him； Of whom they beg； but more to draw them on； He at arm's
length the object of their wish Above them holds aloft； and hides it not。
At length； as undeceiv'd they went their way： And we approach the tree；
who vows and tears Sue to in vain； the mighty tree。 〃Pass on； And come
not near。 Stands higher up the wood； Whereof Eve tasted； and from it
was ta'en 'this plant。〃 Such sounds from midst the thickets came。 Whence I；
with either bard； close to the side That rose； pass'd forth beyond。
〃Remember；〃 next We heard； 〃those noblest creatures of the clouds； How
they their twofold bosoms overgorg'd Oppos'd in fight to Theseus： call to
mind The Hebrews； how effeminate they stoop'd To ease their thirst；
whence Gideon's ranks were thinn'd； As he to Midian march'd adown the
hills。〃 Thus near one border coasting； still we heard The sins of
gluttony； with woe erewhile Reguerdon'd。 Then along the lonely path；
Once more at large； full thousand paces on We travel'd； each
contemplative and mute。 〃Why pensive journey thus ye three alone？〃
Thus suddenly a voice exclaim'd： whereat I shook； as doth a scar'd and
paltry beast； Then rais'd my head to look from whence it came。 Was
ne'er； in furnace； glass； or metal seen So bright and glowing red； as was
the shape I now beheld。 〃If ye desire to mount；〃 He cried； 〃here must ye
turn。 This way he goes； Who goes in quest of peace。〃 His countenance
Had dazzled me； and to my guides I fac'd Backward； like one who walks；
as sound directs。 As when； to harbinger the dawn； springs up On
freshen'd wing the air of May； and breathes Of fragrance； all impregn'd
with herb and flowers； E'en such a wind I felt upon my front Bl