| Era giá l’ora che volge il disio ai navicanti e ’ntenerisce il core lo dá c’han detto ai dolci amici addio; |
It was now the hour that turns a sailor’s yearning and softens the heart of those who have bid farewell to their sweet friends, |
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e che lo novo peregrin d’amore punge, se ode squilla di lontano che paia il giorno pianger che si more; |
and that, if he hears a far-off ringing that sounds like the tears of a dying day, pricks the new pilgrim of love, |
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quand’io incominciai a render vano l’udire e a mirare una de l’alme surta, che l’ascoltar chiedea con mano. |
when I began to lose interest in the chatter, and to behold one of the souls, who, rising, beckoned our attention by hand. |
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Ella giunse e levá ambo le palme, ficcando li occhi verso l’oriente, come dicesse a Dio: “D’altro non calme.” |
She joined and raised both her palms, fixing her eyes to the east, as if she were saying to God, “Nothing else will calm me.” |
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Te lucis ante sá devotamente le uscio di bocca e con sá dolci note, che fece me a me uscir di mente; |
So devotedly did the Te Lucis Ante float from her lips, and with such sweet notes, that it made me lose myself, |
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e l’altre poi dolcemente e devote seguitar lei per tutto l’inno intero, avendo li occhi a le superne rote. |
and the others sweetly and devotedly followed her through the entire hymn, setting their eyes on the celestial orb. |
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Aguzza qui, lettor, ben li occhi al vero, chá ’l velo á ora ben tanto sottile, certo che ’l trapassar dentro á leggero. |
Dear reader, here sharpen your eyes on the truth, for the veil is now quite subtle, and passing within it is certainly easy. |
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Io vidi quello essercito gentile tacito poscia riguardare in sue quasi aspettando, palido e umile; |
I saw that noble assembly now look quietly upwards pale and humble, as if they awaited something; |
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e vidi uscir de l’alto e scender giue due angeli con due spade affocate, tronche e private de le punte sue. |
and I saw emerge from on high and descend to earth two angels with two fiery swords blunted and deprived of their blades. |
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Verdi come fogliette pur mo nate erano in veste, che da verdi penne percosse traean dietro e ventilate. |
As green as newly budded leaves was their vesture, rustled by the beating of green wings and trailing behind them in the wind. |
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L’un poco sovra a noi a star si venne, e l’altro scese in l’opposita sponda, sá che la gente in mezzo si contenne. |
One of them came to stand a little above us, and the other descended onto the opposite bank, placing the crowd between them. |
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Ben discernea in lor la testa bionda; ma ne la faccia l’occhio si smarria, come virtá ch’a troppo si confonda. |
We saw clearly their blonde heads; but in gazing on their faces the eye lost its way, as if confused by an excess of virtue. |