Illstrivesthewillagainstabetterwill;
Therefore, topleasurehim, againstmypleasure
Idrewthespongenotsaturatefromthewater.
OnwardImoved, andonwardmovedmyLeader,
Throughvacantplaces, skirtingstilltherock,
Asonawallclosetothebattlements;
Fortheythatthroughtheireyespourdropbydrop
Themaladywhichalltheworldpervades,
Ontheothersidetoonearthevergeapproach.
Accursedmaystthoube, thouoldshe-wolf,
Thatmorethanalltheotherbeastshastprey,
Becauseofhungerinfinitelyhollow!
Oheaven, inwhosegyrationssomeappear
Tothinkconditionsherebelowarechanged,
Whenwillhecomethroughwhomsheshalldepart?
Onwardwewentwithfootstepsslowandscarce,
AndIattentivetotheshadesIheard
Piteouslyweepingandbemoaningthem;
AndIbyperadventureheard "SweetMary!"
Utteredinfrontofusamidtheweeping
Evenasawomandoeswhoisinchild-birth;
Andincontinuance: "Howpoorthouwast
Ismanifestedbythathostelry
Wherethoudidstlaythysacredburdendown."
ThereafterwardIheard: "OgoodFabricius,
Virtuewithpovertydidstthouprefer
Tothepossessionofgreatwealthwithvice."
Sopleasurablewerethesewordstome
ThatIdrewfartheronwardtohaveknowledge
Touchingthatspiritwhencetheyseemedtocome.
Hefurthermorewasspeakingofthelargess
WhichNicholasuntothemaidensgave,
Inordertoconducttheiryouthtohonour.
"Osoulthatdostsoexcellentlyspeak,
Tellmewhowastthou," saidI, "andwhyonly
Thoudostrenewthesepraiseswelldeserved?
Notwithoutrecompenseshallbethyword,
IfIreturntofinishtheshortjourney
Ofthatlifewhichisflyingtoitsend."
Andhe: "I'lltellthee, notforanycomfort
