# Inferno Canto  2

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-22 — 1 clipping.*

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> Christianity Index  Divine Comedy Index  Previous: Inferno Canto 1  Next: Inferno Canto 3  
> 
> Canto II
> 
> Argument
> 
>      After the invocation, which poets are used to prefix to their works, he
> shows that, on a consideration of his own strength, he doubted whether it
> sufficed for the journey proposed to him, but that, being comforted by Virgil,
> he at last took courage, and followed him as his guide and master.
> 
> Now was the day departing, and the air,
> Imbrown'd with shadows, from their toils released
> All animals on earth; and I alone
> Prepared myself the conflict to sustain,
> Both of sad pity, and that perilous road,
> Which my unerring memory shall retrace.
> 
> O Muses! O high genius! now vouchsafe
> Your aid. O mind! that all I saw hast kept
> Safe in a written record, here thy worth
> And eminent endowments come to proof.
> 
> I thus began: "Bard! thou who art my guide,
> Consider well, if virtue be in me
> Sufficient, ere to this high enterprise
> Thou trust me. Thou hast told that Silvius' sire,[1]
> Yet clothed in corruptible flesh, among
> The immortal tribes had entrance, and was there
> Sensibly present. Yet if Heaven's great Lord,
> Almighty foe to ill, such favor show'd
> In contemplation of the high effect,
> Both what and who from him should issue forth,
> It seems in reason's judgment well deserved;
> Sith he of Rome and of Rome's empire wide,
> In Heaven's imperial height was chosen sire:
> Both which, if truth be spoken, were ordain'd
> And stablish'd for the holy place, where sits
> Who to great Peter's sacred chair succeeds.
> He from this journey, in thy song renown'd,
> Learn'd things, that to his victory gave rise
> And to the papal robe. In after - times
> The Chosen Vessel[2] also travel'd there,
> To bring us back assurance in that faith
> Which is the entrance to salvation's way.
> But I, why should I there presume? or who
> Permits it? not Aeneas I, nor Paul.
> 
> [1: "Silvius' sire." Aeneas.]
> 
> [2: "The Chosen Vessel." St. Paul.]
> 
> Myself I deem not worthy, and none else
> Will deem me. I, if on this voyage then
> I venture, fear it will in folly end.
> Thou, who art wise, better my meaning know'st,
> Than I can speak." As one, who unresolves
> What he hath late resolved, and with new thoughts
> Changes his purpose, from his first intent
> Removed; e'en such was I on that dun coast,
> Wasting in thought my enterprise, at first
> So eagerly embraced. "If right thy words
> I scan," replied that shade magnanimous,
> "Thy soul is by vile fear assail'd, which oft
> So overcasts a man, that he recoils
> From noblest resolution, like a beast
> At some false semblance in the twilight gloom.
> That from this terror thou mayst free thyself,
> I will instruct thee why I came, and what
> I heard in that same instant, when for thee
> Grief touch'd me first. I was among the tribe,
> Who rest suspended,[3] when a dame, so blest
> And lovely I besought her to command,
> Call'd me; her eyes were brighter than the star
> Of day; and she, with gentle voice and soft,
> Angelically tuned, her speech address'd:
> 'O courteous shade of Mantua! thou whose fame
> Yet lives, and shall live long as nature lasts!
> A friend, not of my fortune but myself,
> On the wide desert in his road has met
> Hindrance so great, that he through fear has turn'd.
> Now much I dread lest he past help have stray'd,
> And I be risen too late for his relief,
> From what in heaven of him I heard. Speed now,
> And by thy eloquent persuasive tongue,
> And by all means for his deliverance meet,
> Assist him. So to me will comfort spring.
> I, who now bid thee on this errand forth,
> Am Beatrice;[4] from a place I come
> Revisited with joy. Love brought me thence,
> Who prompts my speech. When in my Master's sight
> I stand, thy praise to him I oft will tell.'
> 
> [3: The spirits in Limbo, neither admitted to a state of glory nor
> doomed to punishment.]
> 
> [4: "Beatrice." The daughter of Folco Portinari, who is here invested
> with the character of celestial wisdom or theology.]
> 
> "She then was silent, and I thus began:
> 'O Lady! by whose influence alone
> Mankind excels whatever is contain'd
> Within that heaven which hath the smallest orb,
> So thy command delights me, that to obey,
> If it were done already, would seem late.
> No need hast thou further to speak thy will:
> Yet tell the reason, why thou art not loth
> To leave that ample space, where to return
> Thou burnest, for this centre here beneath.'
> 
> "She then: 'Since thou so deeply wouldst inquire,
> I will instruct thee briefly why no dread
> Hinders my entrance here. Those things alone
> Are to be fear'd whence evil may proceed;
> None else, for none are terrible beside.
> I am so framed by God, thanks to His grace!
> That any sufferance of your misery
> Touches me not, nor flame of that fierce fire
> Assails me. In high Heaven a blessed Dame[5]
> Resides, who mourns with such effectual grief
> That hindrance, which I send thee to remove,
> That God's stern judgment to her will inclines.'
> To Lucia,[6] calling, her she thus bespake:
> 'Now doth thy faithful servant need thy aid,
> And I commend him to thee.' At her word
> Sped Lucia, of all cruelty the foe,
> And coming to the place, where I abode
> Seated with Rachel, her of ancient days,
> She thus address'd me: "Thou true praise of God!
> Beatrice! why is not thy succour lent
> To him, who so much loved thee, as to leave
> For thy sake all the multitude admires?
> Dost thou not hear how pitiful his wail,
> Nor mark the death, which in the torrent flood,
> Swoln mightier than a sea, him struggling holds?"
> 
> [5: "A blessed Dame." The Divine Mercy.]
> 
> [6: "Lucia." The enlightening Grace of Heaven; as it is commonly
> explained.]
> 
> Ne'er among men did any with such speed
> Haste to their profit, flee from their annoy,
> As, when these words were spoken, I came here,
> Down from my blessed seat, trusting the force
> Of thy pure eloquence, which thee, and all
> Who well have mark'd it, into honor brings.'
> 
> "When she had ended, her bright beaming eyes
> Tearful she turn'd aside; whereat I felt
> Redoubled zeal to serve thee. As she will'd,
> Thus am I come: I saved thee from the beast,
> Who thy near way across the goodly mount
> Prevented. What is this comes o'er thee than?
> Why, why dost thou hang back? why in thy breast
> Harbour vile fear? why hast not courage there,
> And noble daring; since three maids,[7] so blest,
> Thy safety plan, e'en in the court of Heaven;
> And so much certain good my words forebode?"
> 
> [7: "Three maids." The Divine Mercy, Lucia and Beatrice.]
> 
> As florets, by the frosty air of night
> Bent down and closed, when day has blanch'd their leaves,
> Rise all unfolded on their spiry stems;
> So was my fainting vigor new restored,
> And to my heart such kindly courage ran,
> That I as one undaunted soon replied:
> "O full of pity she, who undertook
> My succour! and thou kind, who didst perform
> So soon her true behest! With such desire
> Thou hast disposed me to renew my voyage,
> That my first purpose fully is resumed.
> Lead on: one only will is in us both.
> Thou art my guide, my master thou, and lord,"
> 
> So spake I; and when he had onward moved,
> I enter'd on the deep and woody way.
>
> — *Inferno Canto  2*