# Purgatory Canto  5

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> 
> Canto V
> 
> Argument
> 
>      They meet with others, who had deferred their repentance till overtaken
> by a violent death, when sufficient space being allowed them, they were then
> saved; and among these, Giacopo del Cassero, Buonconte da Montefeltro, and
> Pia, a lady of Siena.
> 
> Now had I left those spirits, and pursued
> The steps of my conductor; when behind,
> Pointing the finger at me, one exclaim'd:
> "See, how it seems as if the light not shone
> From the left hand[1] of him beneath,[2] and he,
> As living, seems to be led on." Mine eyes,
> I at that sound reverting, saw them gaze,
> Through wonder, first at me; and then at me
> And the light broken underneath, by turns.
> "Why are thy thoughts thus riveted," my guide
> Exclaim'd, "that thou hast slack'd thy pace? or how
> Imports it thee, what thing is whisper'd here?
> Come after me, and to their babblings leave
> 
> [1: The sun was, therefore, on the right of our travellers. For, as
> before, when seated and looking to the east whence they had ascended, the sun
> was on their left; so now that they are again going forward, it must be on the
> opposite side of them.]
> 
> [2: Of Dante, following Virgil.]
> 
> The crowd. Be as a tower, that, firmly set,
> Shakes not its top for any blast that blows.
> He, in whose bosom thought on thought shoots out,
> Still of his aim is wide, in that the one
> Sicklies and wastes to naught the other's strength."
> 
> What other could I answer, save "I come"?
> I said it, somewhat with that color tinged,
> Which oft - times pardon meriteth for man.
> 
> Meanwhile traverse along the hill there came,
> A little way before us, some who sang
> The "Miserere" in responsive strains.
> When they perceived that through my body I
> Gave way not for the rays to pass, their song
> Straight to a long and hoarse exclaim they changed;
> And two of them, in guise of messengers,
> Ran on to meet us, and inquiring ask'd:
> "Of your condition we would gladly learn."
> 
> To them my guide: "Ye may return, and bear
> Tidings to them who sent you, that his frame
> Is real flesh. If, as I deem, to view
> His shade they paused, enough is answer'd them:
> Him let them honor: they may prize him well."
> 
> Ne'er saw I fiery vapors with such speed
> Cut through the serene air at fall of night,
> Nor August's clouds athwart the setting sun,
> That upward these did not in shorter space
> Return; and, there arriving, with the rest
> Wheel back on us, as with loose rein a troop.
> 
> "Many," exclaim'd the bard, "are these, who throng
> Around us: to petition thee, they come.
> Go therefore on, and listen as thou go'st."
> 
> "O spirit! who go'st on to blessedness,
> With the same limbs that clad thee at thy birth,"
> Shouting they came: "a little rest thy step.
> Look, if thou any one amongst our tribe
> Hast e'er beheld, that tidings of him there[3]
> Thou mayst report. Ah, wherefore go'st thou on?
> Ah, wherefore tarriest thou not? We all
> By violence died, and to our latest hour
> 
> [3: "There." Upon the earth.]
> 
> Were sinners, but then warn'd by light from Heaven;
> So that, repenting and forgiving, we
> Did issue out of life at peace with God,
> Who, with desire to see Him, fills our heart."
> 
> Then I: "The visages of all I scan,
> Yet none of ye remember. But if aught
> That I can do may please you, gentle spirits!
> Speak, and I will perform it; by that peace,
> Which, on the steps of guide so excellent
> Following, from world to world, intent I seek."
> 
> In answer he began: "None here distrusts
> Thy kindness, though not promised with an oath;
> So as the will fail not for want of power.
> Whence I, who sole before the other speak,
> Entreat thee, if thou ever see that land[4]
> Which lies between Romagna and the realm
> Of Charles, that of thy courtesy thou pray
> Those who inhabit Fano, that for me
> Their adorations duly be put up,
> By which I may purge off my grievous sins.
> From thence I came.[5] But the deep passages,
> Whence issued out the blood[6] wherein I dwelt,
> Upon my bosom in Antenor's land[7]
> Were made, where to be more secure I thought.
> The author of the deed was Este's prince,
> Who, more than right could warrant, with his wrath
> Pursued me. Had I toward Mira fled,
> When overta'en at Oriaco, still
> Might I have breathed. But to the marsh I sped;
> And in the mire and rushes tangled there
> Fell, and beheld my life - blood float the plain."
> 
> [4: The Marca d' Ancona, between Romagna and Apulia, the kingdom of
> Charles of Anjou.]
> 
> [5: Giacopo del Cassero, a citizen of Fano, who having spoken ill of
> Azzo da Este, Marquis of Ferrara, was by his orders put to death. Giacopo was
> overtaken by the assassins at Oriaco, near the Brenta, whence, if he had fled
> toward Mira, higher up on that river, instead of making for the marsh on the
> sea - shore, he might have escaped.]
> 
> [6: Supposed to be the seat of life.]
> 
> [7: Padua, said to be founded by Antenor. This implies a reflection
> on the Paduans. See Hell, xxxii. 89.]
> 
> Then said another: "Ah! so may the wish,
> That takes thee o'er the mountain, be fulfill'd,
> As thou shalt graciously give aid to mine.
> 
> Of Montefeltro I;[8] Buonconte I:
> Giovanna[9] nor none else have care for me;
> Sorrowing with these I therefore go." I thus:
> "From Campaldino's field what force or chance
> Drew thee, that ne'er thy sepulture was known?"
> 
> [8: Buonconte, son of Guido da Montefeltro (see also the twenty -
> seventh canto of Hell), fell in the battle of Campaldino (1289), fighting on
> the side of the Aretini. In this engagement our Poet took a distinguished
> part.]
> 
> [9: Wife or kinswoman of Buonconte.]
> 
> "Oh!" answer'd he, "at Casentino's foot
> A stream there courseth, named Archiano, sprung
> In Apennine above the hermit's seat.[10]
> E'en where its name is cancel'd,[11] there came I,
> Pierced in the throat, fleeing away on foot,
> And bloodying the plain. Here sight and speech
> Fail'd me; and, finishing with Mary's name,
> I fell, and tenantless my flesh remain'd.
> I will report the truth; which thou again
> Tell to the living. Me God's angel took,
> Whilst he of Hell exclaim'd: 'O thou from Heaven!
> Say wherefore hast thou robb'd me? Thou of him
> The eternal portion bear'st with thee away,
> For one poor tear that he deprives me of.
> But of the other, other rule I make.'
> 
> [10: The hermitage of Camaldoli.]
> 
> [11: Between Bibbiena and Poppi, where the Archiano joins the Arno.]
> 
> "Thou know'st how in the atmosphere collects
> That vapour dank, returning into water
> Soon as it mounts where cold condenses it.
> That evil will,[12] which in his intellect
> Still follows evil, came; and raised the wind
> And smoky mist, by virtue of the power
> Given by his nature. Thence the valley, soon
> As day was spent, he cover'd o'er with cloud,
> From Pratomagno to the mountain range;[13]
> And stretch'd the sky above; so that the air
> Impregnate changed to water. Fell the rain;
> And to the fosses came all that the land
> 
> [12: The Devil. This notion of the Evil Spirit having power over the
> elements, appears to have arisen from his being termed the "prince of the
> air," in the New Testament.]
> 
> [13: From Pratomagno, now called Prato Vecchio (which divides the
> Valdarno from Casentino), as far as to the Apennines.]
> 
> Contain'd not; and, as mightiest streams are wont,
> To the great river, with such headlong sweep,
> Rush'd, that naught stay'd its course. My stiffen'd frame
> Laid at his mouth, the fell Archiano found,
> And dashed it into Arno; from my breast
> Loosening the cross, that of myself I made
> When overcome with pain. He hurl'd me on,
> Along the banks and bottom of his course;
> Then in his muddy spoils encircling wrapt."
> 
> "Ah! when thou to the world shalt be return'd,
> And rested after thy long road," so spake
> Next the third spirit; "then remember me.
> I once was Pia.[14] Sienna gave me life;
> Maremma took it from me. That he knows,
> Who me with jewel'd ring had first espoused."
> 
> [14: "Pia" She is said to have been a Siennese lady, of the family of
> Tolommei, secretly made away with by her husband, Nello della Pietra, of the
> same city, in Maremma, where he had some possessions.]
>
> — *Purgatory Canto  5*