OR DANTE'S THREE VISIONS. PART II. PURGATORIO, OR THE VISION OF PURGATORY: TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH, IN THE METRE AND TRIPLE RHYME OF THE ORIGINAL; HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1862. TO GARIBALDI AND THE PEOPLE OF ITALY, THE FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN OF DANTE; AS AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY AND REGRET FOR THEIR FORMER SUFFERINGS; OF ADMIRATION AND JOY FOR THEIR LATE CONDUCT AND PRESENT POSITION; AND OF HOPE FOR THEIR FUTURE UNION AND PROSPERITY; THIS VERSION OF THE PURGATORIO IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE TRANSLATOR. FAIR ITALY, HOW SAD HAS BEEN THY STORY! OF OLD THY CIVIL FACTIONS FORGED FOR THEE THE STRANGER'S YOKE, THE ROD OF TYRANNY, PURPLED THY PLAINS AND MADE THY RIVERS GORY. HOW LONG AND GRIEVOUS WAS THY PURGATORY! BUT IT IS PAST:-FREE AND UNITED NOW, AMONG THE NATIONS THOU HAST REAR'D THY BROW, DECK'D WITH THE WREATH OF GARIBALDI'S GLORY. ILLUSTRIOUS CHIEF!-IF DANTE FROM THE SKIES LOOKS DOWNWARD ON THE LAND HE LOVED SO WELL, IN THEE THAT VIRTUOUS HUNTER HE DESCRIES WHO CHASED THE SHE-WOLF TO HER NATIVE HELL: WHILE ITALY, FOR FREEDOM'S BATTLE WON, HAILS THEE HER NOBLEST, BEST, AND BRAVEST SON. PREFACE. THE Translator acknowledges with gratitude the very favourable manner in which his Version of DANTE'S Inferno has been received by the Public, and criticised by the Press. Encouraged and stimulated by the approbation which has been so decidedly pronounced, he has proceeded with the PURGATORIO to its completion, and has found it increasingly "a labour of love." His further study of the TRILOGY has given him a more intense interest in the scenes and objects which it portrays, and a higher appreciation of the author's learning, wisdom, and genius. The great Poem of DANTE tends to familiarise us with the Medieval history of Italy and of Europe; and that in the most effectual and delightful manner, by its vivid allusions and descriptions. It is a standing and mighty protest in favour of humanity, uttered at one time in whispers and anon in thunder, to the car and heart of his country, against its oppressors-those crowned and incarnate plagues, whether domestic or foreign, by whom she has been so long distracted, plundered, and enslaved; and it greatly contributed to preserve unquenched the hope and energy of her children, to foster their hatred of oppression, and at length to produce that sudden outburst of opposition to spiritual and temporal tyranny which has been attended with such signal success. At a time, therefore, when the affairs of the Italian Peninsula have been brought so prominently before the public mind of Europe, and |
