# Purgatory Canto  4

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

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> 
> Canto IV
> 
> Argument
> 
>      Dante and Virgil ascend the mountain of Purgatory, by a steep and narrow
> path pent in on each side by rock, till they reach a part of it that opens
> into a ledge or cornice. There seating themselves, and turning to the east,
> Dante wonders at seeing the sun on their left, the cause of which is explained
> to him by Virgil; and while they continue their discourse, a voice addresses
> them, at which they turn, and find several spirits behind the rock, and among
> the rest one named Belacqua, who had been known to our Poet on earth, and who
> tells that he is doomed to linger there on account of his having delayed his
> repentance to the last.
> 
> When by sensations of delight or pain,
> That any of our faculties hath seized,
> Entire the soul collects herself, it seems
> She is intent upon that power alone;
> And thus the error is disproved, which holds
> The soul not singly lighted in the breast.
> And therefore whenas aught is heard or seen,
> That firmly keeps the soul toward it turn'd,
> Time passes, and a man perceives it not.
> For that, whereby we hearken, is one power;
> Another that, which the whole spirit hath:
> This is as it were bound, while that is free.
> 
> This found I true by proof, hearing that spirit
> And wondering; for full fifty steps[1] aloft
> The sun had measured, unobserved of me,
> When we arrived where all with one accord
> The spirits shouted, "Here is what ye ask."
> 
> [1: Three hours twenty minutes; fifteen degrees being reckoned to an
> hour.]
> 
> A larger aperture oft - times is stopt,
> With forked stake of thorn by villager,
> When the ripe grape imbrowns, than was the path,
> 
> By which my guide, and I behind him close,
> Ascended solitary, when that troop
> Departing left us. On Sanleo's[2] road
> Who journeys, or to Noli[3] low descends,
> Or mounts Bismantua's[4] height, must use his feet;
> Bat here a man had need to fly, I mean
> With the swift wing and plumes of high desire,
> Conducted by his aid, who gave me hope,
> And with light furnish'd to direct my way.
> 
> [2: "Sanleo." A fortress on the summit of Montefeltro. The situation
> is described by Troya, Veltro Allegorico, p. 11. It is a conspicuous object to
> travellers along the cornice on the Riviera di Genoa.]
> 
> [3: "Noli". In the Genoese territory, between Finale and Savona.]
> 
> [4: "Bismantua." A steep mountain in the territory of Reggio.]
> 
> We through the broken rock ascended, close
> Pent on each side, while underneath the ground
> Ask'd help of hands and feet. When we arrived
> Near on the highest ridge of the steep bank,
> Where the plain level open'd, I exclaim'd,
> "O Master! say, which way can we proceed."
> 
> He answer'd, "Let no step of thine recede.
> Behind me gain the mountain, till to us
> Some practised guide appear." That eminence
> Was lofty, that no eye might reach its point;
> And the side proudly rising, more than line
> From the mid quadrant to the centre drawn.
> I, wearied, thus began: "Parent beloved!
> Turn and behold how I remain alone,
> If thou stay not." - "My son!" he straight replied,
> "Thus far put forth thy strength;" and to a track
> Pointed, that, on this side projecting, round
> Circles the hill. His words so spurr'd me on,
> That I, behind him, clambering, forced myself,
> Till my feet press'd the circuit plain beneath.
> There both together seated, turn'd we round
> To eastward, whence was our ascent: and oft
> Many beside have with delight look'd back.
> 
> First on the nether shores I turn'd mine eyes,
> Then raised them to the sun, and wondering mark'd
> That from the left it smote us. Soon perceived
> That poet sage, how at the car of light
> 
> Amazed[5] I stood, where 'twixt us and the north
> Its course it enter'd. Whence he thus to me:
> "Were Leda's offspring[6] now in company
> Of that broad mirror, that high up and low
> Imparts his light beneath, thou mightst behold
> The ruddy Zodiac nearer to the Bears
> Wheel, if its ancient course it not forsook.
> How that may be, if thou wouldst think; within
> Pondering, imagine Sion with this mount
> Placed on the earth, so that to both be one
> Horizon, and two hemispheres apart,
> Where lies the path[7] that Phaeton ill knew
> To guide his erring chariot: thou wilt see[8]
> How of necessity by this, on one,
> He passes, while by that on the other side;
> If with clear view thine intellect attend."
> 
> [5: "Amazed." He wonders that being turned to the east he should see
> the sun on his left, since in all the regions on this side of the tropic of
> Cancer it is seen on the right of one who turns his face toward the east; not
> recollecting that he was now antipodal to Europe, from whence he had seen the
> sun taking an opposite course.]
> 
> [6: "As the constellation of the Gemini is nearer the Bears than
> Aries is, it is certain that if the sun, instead of being in Aries, had been
> in Gemini, both the sun and that portion of the Zodiac made 'ruddy' by the
> sun, would have been seen to 'wheel nearer to the Bears,' By the 'ruddy
> Zodiac' must necessarily be understood that portion of the Zodiac affected or
> made red by the sun; for the whole of the Zodiac never changes, nor appears to
> change, with respect to the remainder of the heavens." - Lombardi.]
> 
> [7: "The path." The ecliptic.]
> 
> [8: "Thou, wilt see." "If you consider that this mountain of
> Purgatory, and that of Sion, are antipodal to each other, you will perceive
> that the sun must rise on opposite sides of the respective eminences."]
> 
> "Of truth, kind teacher! I exclaim'd, "so clear
> Aught saw I never, as I now discern,
> Where seem'd my ken to fail, that the mid orb[9]
> Of the supernal motion (which in terms
> Of art is call'd the Equator, and remains
> Still 'twixt the sun and winter) for the cause
> Thou hast assign'd, from hence toward the north
> Departs, when those, who in the Hebrew land
> Were dwellers, saw it towards the warmer part.
> But if it please thee, I would gladly know,
> 
> [9: "That the mid orb." "That the equator (which is always situated
> between that part where, when the sun is, he causes summer, and the other
> where his absence produces winter) recedes from this mountain toward the
> north, at the time when the Jews inhabiting Mount Sion saw it depart toward
> the south." - Lombardi.]
> 
> How far we have to journey: for the hill
> Mounts higher, than this sight of mine can mount."
> 
> He thus to me: "Such is this steep ascent,
> That it is ever difficult at first,
> But more a man proceeds, less evil grows.[10]
> When pleasant it shall seem to thee, so much
> That upward going shall be easy to thee
> As in a vessel to go down the tide,
> Then of this path thou wilt have reach'd the end.
> There hope to rest thee from thy toil. No more
> I answer, and thus far from certain know."
> As he his words had spoken, near to us
> A voice there sounded: "Yet ye first perchance
> May to repose you by constraint be led."
> At sound thereof each turn'd; and on the left
> A huge stone we beheld, of which nor I
> Nor he before was ware. Thither we drew;
> And there were some, who in the shady place
> Behind the rock were standing, as a man
> Through idleness might stand. Among them one,
> Who seem'd to be much wearied, sat him down,
> And with his arms did fold his knees about,
> Holding his face between them downward bent.
> 
> [10: Because in ascending he gets rid of the weight of his sins.]
> 
> "Sweet Sir!" I cried, "behold that man who shows
> Himself more idle than if laziness
> Were sister to him." Straight he turn'd to us,
> And, o'er the thigh lifting his face, observed,
> Then in these accents spake: "Up then, proceed,
> Thou valiant one." Straight who it was I knew;
> Nor could the pain I felt (for want of breath
> Still somewhat urged me) hinder my approach.
> And when I came to him, he scarce his head
> Uplifted, saying, "Well has thou discern'd,
> How from the left the sun his chariot leads?"
> 
> His lazy acts and broken words my lips
> To laughter somewhat moved; when I began:
> "Belacqua,[11] now for thee I grieve no more.
> 
> [11: In the margin of the Monte Casino Ms. there is found this brief
> notice: "This Belacqua was an excellent master of the harp and lute, but very
> negligent in his affairs both spiritual and temporal."]
> 
> But tell, why thou art seated upright there.
> Waitest thou escort to conduct thee hence?
> Or blame I only thine accustom'd ways?"
> Then he: "My brother! of what use to mount,
> When, to my suffering, would not let me pass
> The bird of God, who at the portal sits?
> Behoves so long that Heaven first bear me round
> Without its limits, as in life it bore;
> Because I, to the end, repentant sighs
> Delay'd; if prayer do not aid me first,
> That riseth up from heart which lives in grace.
> What other kind avails, not heard in Heaven?"
> 
> Before me now the poet, up the mount
> Ascending, cried: "Haste thee: for see the sun
> Has touch'd the point meridian; and the night
> Now covers with her foot Marocco's shore."
>
> — *Purgatory Canto  4*