CANTO XXIV ARGUMENT.-Forese points out several others by name who are here, like himself, purifying themselves from the vice of gluttony; and among the rest, Buonaggiunta of Lucca, with whom our Poet converses. Forese then predicts the violent end of Dante's political enemy, Corso Donati; and, when he has quitted them, the Poet, in company with Statius and Virgil, arrives at another tree, from whence issue voices that record ancient examples of gluttony; and proceeding forward, they are directed by an angel which way to ascend to the next cornice of the mountain. O UR journey was not slacken'd by our talk, Nor yet our talk by journeying. Still we spake, Continued, and thus spake: "He journeys up For others' sake. But tell me, if thou know'st, Any of mark, among this multitude Who eye me thus." "My sister (she for whom, Which name was fitter) wears e'en now her crown, He added: Since spare diet hath so worn Of Lucca and that face beyond him, pierced Had keeping of the church; he was of Tours,2 He show'd me many others, one by one: 1"Buonaggiunta." Buonaggiunta Urbiciani, of Lucca. "He was of Tours." Simon of Tours became Pope with the title of For no dark gesture I discern'd in any. "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, answering, straight began: "Woman is born, Of that new lay the inventor, which begins To whom I thus: "Count of me but as one, "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 disclosed: I see how ye your plumes Stretch, as the 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 birds, that winter near the Nile, In squared regiment direct their course, "Ubaldino." Ubaldino degli Ubaldini, of Pila, in the Florentine terri tory: Boniface." Archbishop of Raven na. By Venturi he is called Bonifazio de' Fieschi, a Genoese; by Vellutello, the son of the above-mentioned Ubaldini; and by Landino, Francioso, a Frenchman. Then stretch themselves in file for speedier flight; Through leanness and desire. And as a man, Proceed, behind them lingering at my side, And saying: "When shall I again behold thee?" My wishes will before me have arrived: Is, day by day, more scoop'd of all its good; And dismal ruin seems to threaten it." 6 "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, 66 A corse most vilely shatter'd. No long space "The place." Florence. "He." Corso Donati was suspected of aiming at the sovereignty of Florence. To escape the fury of his fellowcitizens, he fled away on horseback, but falling, was overtaken and slain, A.D. 1308. The contemporary annalist, after relating at length the circumstances of his fate, adds, that he was one of the wisest and most valorous knights, the best speaker, the most expert statesman, the most renowned and enterpris. ing man of his age in Italy, a comely Knight and of graceful carriage, but very worldly, and in his time had formed many conspiracies in Florence, and entered into many scandalous practices for the sake of attaining state and lordship." When he beyond us had so fled, mine eyes No nearer reach'd him, than my thought his words; And blooming fresh, appear'd. E'en as our steps At length, as undeceived, they went their way: 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 That rose, pass'd forth beyond. "Remember," next Opposed in fight to Theseus: call to mind 8 The Hebrews, how, effeminate, they stoop'd To ease their thirst; whence Gideon's ranks were thinn'd, Thus near one border coasting, still we heard So bright and glowing red, as was the shape I now beheld. "If ye desire to mount," Blow gently, and the moving of a wing Perceived, that, moving, shed ambrosial smell; And then a voice: "Blessed are they, whom grace Exhaleth no inordinate desire, Still hungering as the rule of temperance wills." CANTO XXV ARGUMENT.-Virgil and Statius resolve some doubts that have arisen in the mind of Dante from what he had just seen. They all arrive on the seventh and last cornice, where the sin of incontinence is purged in fire; and the spirits of those suffering therein are heard to record illustrious instances of chastity. IT 1 T was an hour, when he who climbs, had need And to the Scorpion left the night. As one, 1" The sun." The sun had passed the meridian two hours, and that meridian was now occupied by the constellation of Taurus, to which as the Scor pion is opposite, the latter constellation was consequently at the meridian of night. |