Such as the youth who came to Clymene to certify himself of that reproach which had been fastened on him, he whose end still makes the fathers chary to their sons, even such was Dante; nor unobserved was such of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp who had erewhile for him his station moved. When thus his lady: give thy wish free vent, that it may issue, bearing true report of the mind's impress; not that aught thy words may to our knowledge add, but to the end that thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst, and men may mingle for thee when they hear. O plant from whence I spring, revered and loved, who soarest so high a pitch, thou seest as clear, as earthly thought determines two obtuse in one triangle not contained, so clear dost see contingencies, ere in themselves existent, looking at the point whereto all times are present. I, the whilst I scaled with Virgil the soul-purifying mount, and visited the nether world of woe, touching my future destiny have heard words grievous, though I feel me on all sides well squared to fortune's blows. Therefore my will were satisfied to know the lot awaits me. The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight.
So said he to the brightness which erewhile to him had spoken, and his will declared, as Beatrice willed, explicitly. Nor with oracular response obscure, such as or ere the Lamb of God was slain beguiled the credulous nations, but in terms precise and unambiguous lore, replied the spirit of paternal love, enshrined, yet in his smile apparent. Contingency, unfolded not to view upon the tablet of your mortal mould, is all depictured in the eternal sight; but hence deriveth not necessity, more than the tall ship, hurried down the flood, doth from the vision that reflects the scene. From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony from organ comes, so comes before mine eye the time prepared for thee. Such as driven out from Athens, by his cruel stepdame's wiles, Hippolytus departed, such must thou depart from Florence. This they wish, and this contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there where gainful merchandise is made of Christ throughout the livelong day. The common cry will, as it is ever wont, affix the blame unto the party injured: but the truth shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find a faithful witness. Thou shalt leave each thing beloved most dearly: this is the first shaft shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove how salt the savour is of other's bread, how hard the passage to descend and climb by other's stairs. But that shall gall thee most will be the worthless and vile company with whom thou must be thrown into these straits. For all ungrateful, impious all and mad, shall turn against thee: but in a little while theirs and not thine shall be the crimsoned brow. Their course shall so evince their brutishness, to have taken thy stand apart shall well become thee. First refuge thou must find, first place of rest, in the great Lombard's courtesy, who bears upon the ladder perched the sacred bird. He shall behold thee with such kind regard that between ye two, the contrary to that which falls between other men, the granting shall forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see that mortal who was at his birth impressed so strongly from this star that of his deeds the nations shall take note. His unripe age yet holds him from observance; for these wheels only nine years have compassed him about. But, ere the Gascon practise on great Harry, sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him, in equal scorn of labours and of gold. His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely as not to let the tongues even of his foes be idle in its praise. Look thou to him and his beneficence: for he shall cause reversal of their lot to many people, rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes. And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul of him, but tell it not; and things he told incredible to those who witness them. Then added: so interpret thou, my son, what hath been told thee. Lo, the ambushment that a few circling seasons hide for thee. Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends thy span beyond their treason's chastisement.
Soon as the saintly spirit, by his silence, had shown the web which Dante had stretched for him upon the warp was woven, he began, as one who in perplexity desires counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly. My father, well I mark how time spurs on toward me, ready to inflict the blow which falls most heavily on him who most abandoned himself. Therefore it is good I should forecast, that driven from the place most dear to me, I may not lose myself all others by my song. Down through the world of infinite mourning, and along the mount from whose fair height my lady's eyes did lift me, and after through this heaven from light to light, have I learnt that which if I tell again, it may with many woefully disrelish; and, if I am a timid friend to truth, I fear my life may perish among those to whom these days shall be of ancient date. The brightness, where enclosed the treasure smiled which he had found there, first shone glisteningly, like to a golden mirror in the sun; next answered: conscience, dimmed or by its own or other's shame, will feel thy saying sharp. Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit removed, see the whole vision be made manifest. And let them wince who have their withers wrung. What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove unwelcome, on digestion it will turn to vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits, which is of honour no light argument. For this there only have been shown to thee, throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep, spirits whom fame hath note of. For the mind of him who hears is loth to acquiesce and fix its faith, unless the instance brought be palpable, and proof apparent urge.
