Images out of Dante
Randy Klein
Images out of Dante
Randy Klein
la vista che m’apparve dun leone. Questi parea che contra me venisse con la test’alta e con rabbiiosa fame Inferno Canto 1, 45-47
when the face of a lion appeared right in front of me, head high and with ravenous hunger
Ed una lupa, che di tutti brame semiava carca nella sua magrezza e molte genti fe’ gia viver grame Inferno Canto I, 49-51
And a wolf, emaciated, tormented by greed many people have been ruined by her
I’ son Beatrice che ti faccio andare: vegno del loco over tornar disio amor mi mosse, che mi fa parlare. Inferno Canto II, 70-72
I am Beatrice who urges you on I come from that place where I long to return, love moves me and makes me speak
I’ cominciai: “Poeta, volentieri perlerei a quei due che ‘nsieme vanno e paion si al vento esser leggieri Inferno V, 73-75
I began, “Poet, I would love to speak to those two who go linked together and seem to float so lightly on the wind
Allor porsi la mano un poco avante, e colsi un ramicel da un gran pruno e ‘l tronco suo grido: “Perche me schiante?” Inferno Canto XIII, 31-33
Then, reaching my hand forward, I broke off a branch from a large trunk and the trunk cried “ Why are you are you tearing me?”
La faccia sua era faccia d’uom giusto, tanto benigna avea di fuor la pesse, e d’un serpente tutto l’altro fusto Inferno Canto XVII, 10-12
His face was of a kind man, glowing with kindness the rest of him was a serpent
Luogo e in inferno detto Malebolge, tutto di pietra di color ferrigno come la cerchia che dintorno il volge, Inferno Canto XVIII. 1-3
This place in hell, called Malebolge, all of the stone was the colour of iron like the cliff which circled above it
E Graffican, che li era piu di contra li arrunciglio le ‘mpegolate chiome e trassel su, che mi parve una lontra Inferno Canto XXII, 34-36
and Graffican, in front of him, grabbed him by his hair and hoisted him out like a weasel
Poi s’appiccar, come di calda cera fossero stati e mischiar lor colore ne l’un ne l’latro gia parea quel ch’era Inferno Canto XXV, 61-63
Then both melting like hot wax began to mix their colours and neither one nor the other was that which it had been
Lo maggior corno della fiamma antica comicio a crollarsi mormorando, pur come quella cui vento affatica Inferno Canto XXVI, 85-87
The largest peak of that ancient flame began to quiver like a flame struggling against the wind
si che le bianche e le vermiglie guance, la dov’i’era, della bella Aurora per troppa etate divenivan rance Purgatorio Canto II, 7-9
the white and vermillion there, where I stood, was the beautiful dawn blushing from rose to orange
si che remo non vuol, ne altro velo che l’ali sue, tra liti si lontani. Vedi come l’ha dritte verso il cielo Purgatorio Canto II 32-34
no other sails than his own wings did he need to take him afar Look, how towards the heavens they point
Li occhi miei chiotti andavan pur al cielo, pur la dove le stell son piu tarde, si come rota piu presso allo stelo Purgatorio Canto VIII, 85-87
My eyes wandered to the heavens there where the stars are slowest as in a wheel, closest to the hub