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But the community； that now is mixed With Campi and Certaldo and
Figghine； Pure in the lowest artisan was seen。
O how much better 'twere to have as neighbours The folk of whom I
speak； and at Galluzzo And at Trespiano have your boundary；
Than have them in the town； and bear the stench Of Aguglione's churl；
and him of Signa Who has sharp eyes for trickery already。
Had not the folk； which most of all the world Degenerates； been a
step…dame unto Caesar； But as a mother to her son benignant；
Some who turn Florentines； and trade and discount； Would have gone
back again to Simifonte There where their grandsires went about as
beggars。
At Montemurlo still would be the Counts； The Cerchi in the parish of
Acone； Perhaps in Valdigrieve the Buondelmonti。
Ever the intermingling of the people Has been the source of malady in
cities； As in the body food it surfeits on；
And a blind bull more headlong plunges down Than a blind lamb； and
very often cuts Better and more a single sword than five。
If Luni thou regard； and Urbisaglia； How they have passed away； and
how are passing Chiusi and Sinigaglia after them；
To hear how races waste themselves away； Will seem to thee no novel
thing nor hard； Seeing that even cities have an end。
All things of yours have their mortality； Even as yourselves； but it is
hidden in some That a long while endure； and lives are short；
And as the turning of the lunar heaven Covers and bares the shores
without a pause； In the like manner fortune does with Florence。
Therefore should not appear a marvellous thing What I shall say of the
great Florentines Of whom the fame is hidden in the Past。
I saw the Ughi； saw the Catellini； Filippi； Greci； Ormanni； and
Alberichi； Even in their fall illustrious citizens；
And saw； as mighty as they ancient were； With him of La Sannella him
of Arca； And Soldanier； Ardinghi； and Bostichi。
Near to the gate that is at present laden With a new felony of so much
weight That soon it shall be jetsam from the bark；
The Ravignani were； from whom descended The County Guido； and
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whoe'er the name Of the great Bellincione since hath taken。
He of La Pressa knew the art of ruling Already； and already Galigajo
Had hilt and pommel gilded in his house。
Mighty already was the Column Vair； Sacchetti； Giuochi； Fifant； and
Barucci； And Galli； and they who for the bushel blush。
The stock from which were the Calfucci born Was great already； and
already chosen To curule chairs the Sizii and Arrigucci。
O how beheld I those who are undone By their own pride！ and how the
Balls of Gold Florence enflowered in all their mighty deeds！
So likewise did the ancestors of those Who evermore； when vacant is
your church； Fatten by staying in consistory。
The insolent race； that like a dragon follows Whoever flees； and unto
him that shows His teeth or purse is gentle as a lamb；
Already rising was； but from low people； So that it pleased not Ubertin
Donato That his wife's father should make him their kin。
Already had Caponsacco to the Market From Fesole descended； and
already Giuda and Infangato were good burghers。
I'll tell a thing incredible； but true； One entered the small circuit by a
gate Which from the Della Pera took its name！
Each one that bears the beautiful escutcheon Of the great baron whose
renown and name The festival of Thomas keepeth fresh；
Knighthood and privilege from him received； Though with the
populace unites himself To…day the man who binds it with a border。
Already were Gualterotti and Importuni； And still more quiet would
the Borgo be If with new neighbours it remained unfed。
The house from which is born your lamentation； Through just disdain
that death among you brought And put an end unto your joyous life；
Was honoured in itself and its companions。 O Buondelmonte； how in
evil hour Thou fled'st the bridal at another's promptings！
Many would be rejoicing who are sad； If God had thee surrendered to
the Ema The first time that thou camest to the city。
But it behoved the mutilated stone Which guards the bridge； that
Florence should provide A victim in her latest hour of peace。
With all these families； and others with them； Florence beheld I in so
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great repose； That no occasion had she whence to weep；
With all these families beheld so just And glorious her people； that the
lily Never upon the spear was placed reversed；
Nor by division was vermilion made。〃
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Paradiso： Canto XVII
As came to Clymene； to be made certain Of that which he had heard
against himself； He who makes fathers chary still to children；
Even such was I； and such was I perceived By Beatrice and by the
holy light That first on my account had changed its place。
Therefore my Lady said to me： 〃Send forth The flame of thy desire； so
that it issue Imprinted well with the internal stamp；
Not that our knowledge may be greater made By speech of thine； but
to accustom thee To tell thy thirst； that we may give thee drink。〃
〃O my beloved tree； （that so dost lift thee； That even as minds
terrestrial perceive No triangle containeth two obtuse； So thou beholdest
the contingent things Ere in themselves they are； fixing thine eyes Upon
the point in which all times are present；）
While I was with Virgilius conjoined Upon the mountain that the souls
doth heal； And when descending into the dead world；
Were spoken to me of my future life Some grievous words； although I
feel myself In sooth foursquare against the blows of chance。
On this account my wish would be content To hear what fortune is
approaching me； Because foreseen an arrow comes more slowly。〃
Thus did I say unto that selfsame light That unto me had spoken before；
and even As Beatrice willed was my own will confessed。
Not in vague phrase； in which the foolish folk Ensnared themselves of
old； ere yet was slain The Lamb of God who taketh sins away；
But with clear words and unambiguous Language responded that
paternal love； Hid and revealed by its own proper s