Lines 46-54. We had come, meanwhile, to the foot of the mountain. There we found the rock so steep that the legs would be agile in vain. Between Lerici and Turbia the most desolate, the most shattered landslip is a stairway, easy and open, compared to that. "Now who knows on which side the hillside slopes," said my master, staying his step, "so that he can ascend who goes without wings?" Lines 67-93. That people was still so far off, I mean after a thousand of our paces, as a good thrower would cast with his hand, when they all drew up to the hard masses of the high bank, and stood firm and close, as one who goes in doubt stops to look. "O ye who have made good ends, O spirits already elect," In Dante's time there was no road. Line 69: A stone's throw more than a mile. Virgilio incominciò, per quella pace Ch'io credo che per voi tutti si aspetti, Ditene, dove la montagna giace, Si che possibil sia l'andare in suso; Chè perder tempo a chi più sa più spiace. Come le pecorelle escon del chiuso Ad una, a due, a tre, e l'altre stanno Timidette atterrando l'occhio e il muso; E ciò che fa la prima, e l'altre fanno, Addossandosi a lei s'ella s'arresta, Semplici e quete, e lo 'mperchè non sanno: Si vid' io muovere a venir la testa Di quella mandria fortunata allotta, Pudica in faccia, e nell'andare onesta. Come color dinanzi vider rotta La luce in terra dal mio destro canto, E tutti gli altri che veniano appresso, Those in front: The spirits are always interested Virgil began," by that peace which I think is awaited by you all, tell us where the mountain slopes so that it is possible to go upward; for to lose time is most displeasing to him who knows most." As sheep come forth from the fold by ones and twos and threes, and the others stand timid, keeping eyes and muzzles to the earth, and what the first does the others do too, huddling against her if she stop, simple and quiet, and know not the why or wherefore; so saw I then move forward the head of that fortunate flock, modest in face and dignified in gait. When those in front saw the light on the ground broken on my right side, so that my shadow fell on the cliff, they stopped and drew a little back, and all the rest who were coming behind, not knowing why, did the same. in the shadow cast by Dante's living body. CANTO IV, Lines 43-54. Io era lasso, quando cominciai: Additandomi un balzo poco in sue, Ch'io mi sforzai, carpando appresso lui, Tanto che il cinghio sotto i piè mi fue. A seder ci ponemmo ivi ambidui, Volti a levante, ond'eravam saliti, Che suole a riguardar giovare altrui. Lines 85-96. Ma se a te piace, volentier saprei Quanto avemo ad andar, chè il poggio sale Più che salir non posson gli occhi miei. Ed egli a me: Questa montagna è tale, Che sempre al cominciar di sotto è grave, E quanto uom più va su e men fa male. Però quand'ella ti parrà soave CANTO IV, Lines 43-54. I was weary, when I began: "O sweet father, turn and behold how I remain alone if thou dost not stop. My son," said he, "drag thyself as far as there," pointing me out a ledge not far above, which on that side circles the whole mount. His words so spurred me that I forced myself, scrambling after him, until the circle was beneath my feet. There we both sat down, turning to the east whence we had ascended, for all men are glad to look backward. Lines 85-96. 66 "But if it please thee I would willingly know how far we have to go, for the mountain rises higher than my eyes can rise." And he to me: This mountain is such that ever at the beginning below it is hard, and the higher one goes the less it hurts. Therefore, when it shall seem so pleasant to thee |