Thenaturalthirst, thatne'erissatisfied
Exceptingwiththewaterforwhosegrace
ThewomanofSamariabesought,
Putmeintravail, andhastegoadedme
AlongtheencumberedpathbehindmyLeader
AndIwaspityingthatrighteousvengeance;
Andlo! inthesamemannerasLukewriteth
ThatChristappearedtotwoupontheway
Fromthesepulchralcavealreadyrisen,
Ashadeappearedtous, andcamebehindus,
Downgazingontheprostratemultitude,
Norwerewewareofit, untilitspake,
Saying, "Mybrothers, mayGodgiveyoupeace!"
Weturnedussuddenly, andVirgiliusrendered
Tohimthecountersigntheretoconforming.
Thereonbeganhe: "Intheblessedcouncil,
Theemaythecourtveraciousplaceinpeace,
Thatmedothbanishineternalexile!"
"How," saidhe, andthewhilewewentwithspeed,
"IfyeareshadeswhomGoddeignsnotonhigh,
Whouphisstairssofarhasguidedyou?"
AndsaidmyTeacher: "Ifthounotethemarks
Whichthisonebears, andwhichtheAngeltraces
Wellshaltthouseehewiththegoodmustreign.
Butbecauseshewhospinnethdayandnight
Forhimhadnotyetdrawnthedistaffoff,
WhichClotholaysforeachoneandcompacts,
Hissoul, whichisthysisterandmyown,
Incomingupwardscouldnotcomealone,
Byreasonthatitseesnotinourfashion.
WhenceIwasdrawnfromouttheamplethroat
OfHelltobehisguide, andIshallguidehim
Asfaronasmyschoolhaspowertolead.
Buttellus, ifthouknowest, whysuchashudder
Erewhilethemountaingave, andwhytogether
Allseemedtocry, asfarasitsmoistfeet?"
Inaskinghesohittheveryeye
Ofmydesire, thatmerelywiththehopeMythirstbecamethelessunsatisfied.
"Naughtisthere," hebegan, "thatwithoutorder
Maythereligionofthemountainfeel,
