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V Canto Divine Comedy Translation First Part

So from first circle started the descent
Down to the second, which contains less
And more pain, stinging to a great extent.

There the horrible Minòs growls giving stress:
The faults examines right to entry close:
Judges and sends according to his guess.

I tell that when the bad soul in damned woes
Comes by him, a complete shrift gives in;
And he who sins of  nobody knows less

Then knows the site of hell which fits hers sin;
And wounds around his tail as many times
As grades down hers pain has to begin.

Always in front of him several rise:
Going each one to his judgment in turn
Telling and hearing till go down with cries.

“Oh you just coming in this painful urn”
Told me Minòs when saw arriving me,
The act of such a task willing to spurn,

“Look at your entrance and the trust you see;
Don’t be deceived by the entry extent!”
My guide to him: “Why are you shouting we?

His destined walking do not prevent:
So it is would up there where power is
To do any will, do no more accent”

Now are just starting the mournful noises
To be perceived by me: because I came
Down there where much crying me attaches.

I came in a site where gloom overcame,
Which bellows as does the blusterous sea,
If by strong adverse winds it fought became.

The hellish storm, which ne’er at rest can see,
The spirits with its mugging brings around;
Turning and smiting them to high degree.

When they reach the abyss very profound,
Here the screaming, the mourning, and the cry;
Of blasphemies against God hear the sound.

I saw that who such pain had to stand by
Condemned the carnal sinners were indeed
Who instead of reason their lust comply.

And like the starlings open their wings freed
In frosty weather, in large band and full,
So that wind pushes the bad souls with speed

hither, thither, down, up is free to pull;
Hope by any means supports them never,
Not only of rest, but less pain the rule.

And like cranes sing their shouts together,
Making a long stripe of wings in the air,
Same I saw to come , crying with shiver,

Shadows that by the told array brought were;
So that I told: “Master, who are now those
People whom the black air treats so severe?

“The first one of them that now to disclose
You want the story”, he then told to me, 
“Of many languages empress arose.

She had lust vices to a such degree,
That legal sensuality she did
To avoid the blame on her by decree.

She is Semiramis, of whom we read
That succeeded Nino and his wife was:
She ruled the land which has the Sultan guide.

The other made suicide, love the cause,
And broke to died husband Sicheo hers trust;
She is Cleopatra with lustful flaws.

There Helen you see, who caused with hers lust
Very long harm, Achilles the great see,
Who with the aim of love indeed fought just.

See Paris, Tristan”; more he  showed to me
Thousands of souls pointed his finger tip,
Who all life lost for having their love free. 

(continues next)

Copyright © Mario De Paz | Year Posted 2014

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