[Pg 165]
In the face of such an amazing revelation a kind of heavy silence brooded awhile over the company, and lasted, indeed, as long as the time, which was indeed but brief, that Dante lay in my arms in his stupor6. While some believed that in Dante they beheld—as in very truth they did—the author of the poem, and in consequence the body of the unknown poet that had haunted their imaginations, others merely appreciated that the unknown poet, whoever he might be, had declared himself very patently the adorer of Monna Beatrice, wherefore it was to be inferred that all those other love-songs, which the golden youth of Florence loved to murmur7 to the ears of their ladies, were so many roses and lilies and violets laid on the same shrine8.
Whoever misunderstood the true meaning of what had happened, I think that Messer Folco understood well enough, and was mightily9 little pleased in the understanding. Though Dante had, indeed, the right to claim nobility of birth, neither his station in the city nor his worldly means were such as to commend him to Messer Folco's eyes as a declared lover of his daughter. Whatever annoyance10 Messer Folco may have felt at the untoward11 occurrence, he was too accomplished12 a gentleman to allow any sign of chagrin13 to appear in his voice or countenance14 or demeanor15. He did no more than thank Dante, who had by this time quite overmastered his passing weakness, for his courtesy in [Pg 166]reading such very pleasing verses. Then, turning to the guests that stood about, somewhat disconcerted and puzzled by what had taken place, he addressed them in loud tones, telling them that a slight banquet was set forth16 in the adjacent room, and begged them to enjoy it before the dancing should begin.
At these pleasant tidings the most of Messer Folco's company were greatly elated, and hastened to pair themselves off very merrily, and to make their ways toward the banqueting-room, where, indeed, a very delectable17 feast was spread, such an one as might have tickled18 the palate and flattered the appetite of any of the high-livers and dainty drinkers of old Rome. As our jolly Florentine lads and winsome19 Florentine lasses ate and drank, they chattered20 of what they had just heard, of what they had just seen, and were all agreed to a man Jack21 and a woman Jill that Madonna Beatrice was a very flower of women, and that if Messer Dante laid his heart at her feet it was no doubt a piece of great presumption22, but otherwise an act highly to be applauded. We were very young in Florence in those days, and our hearts were always quick to beat time to the drum-taps of love or any other high and generous passion. If we have changed since, it is the fault of the changing years and the loss of the Republic.
I make no doubt that there were some who [Pg 167]grumbled and carped and cavilled23; said this and said that; grunted24 porcine over the pretty pass things were coming to in the city when a nobody or a next-to-nobody like young Dante of the Alighieri could presume to lift his impudent25 eyes to a daughter of a man like Folco Portinari, one of the first citizens of Florence, and a man that builded hospitals and basilicas at his own expense. But the growls26 of these grumblers and carpers and snarlers did not count in the general and genial27 applause that our youth gave to mellifluous28 numbers and lovely love, and the thousand beautiful things and thoughts that make this poor life of ours seem for a season Elysium. So they feasted and prattled29, and I turn to another theme.
If the meaning of what Messer Dante said and the meaning of what Messer Dante did was plain and over-plain to Messer Folco, it was surely in the very nature of things no less plain to his daughter. To her, at least, there can have been no riddle30 to read in the young man's words, in the young man's actions. Love, splendid and fierce and humble31, reigned32 in the glowing words that he read, ruled his failing voice, swayed his reeling figure. She could not question the identity of the Blessed One whose beauty made the singer sacrilegious in the white-heat of his devotion. She could not misinterpret the significance of the abandoned parchment lying discarded where it had fallen on the floor while the [Pg 168]reciter, with his sad eyes fixed33 upon her face, repeated so familiarly the words which he was supposed never to have seen. For Beatrice, Dante of the Alighieri was the author of the ballad34 in praise of fair Florentines; for her he was the unknown poet whose fame had flamed through Florence, and she was the lady that was praised with words of such enchanting35 sweetness in his songs.
While the guests were going toward the banquet as brisk as bees to blossoms, Dante caught me by the hand and drew me apart, and entreated36 me to seek speech with Beatrice, and to entreat37 her to grant him an interview in private that very night. He dared not, so he said, approach her himself, in the first place because the doing so might prove too noticeable after what had occurred, and, in the second place, because he feared that she had some cause of complaint against him, seeing that she had of late refused him her salutation. He bade me urge her very strenuously38 to grant his prayer, for his soul's sake and his body's sake, that he might live and not die.
Since I was ever willing to serve my friend, I agreed to do this thing, and so left him to the care of Messer Guido, who came up on that instant and addressed him in very loving terms, charging him with being indeed the poet whose name they had sought so long. Dante not denying this, as indeed [Pg 169]denial would have been idle, even if Dante had been willing, as indeed he never was, to utter such a falsehood, saying that he had not done that which he had done, Messer Guido began to praise him in such glowing words as would have made another man happy. But for Dante happiness lay only in the kind thoughts of his lady, and the very shaft39 of his ambition was only to please her. He listened very quietly while Messer Guido praised him so highly, and I, for my part, set about performing the task with which he had intrusted me.
I did not know at the time, though I learned it later, that my mission, if not forestalled40, had in very truth been rendered much easier by the action of another. That masked youth I told you of, who would needs have Dante read his own poem that none there knew for his, was no other a person than Monna Vittoria. Vittoria had ever a freakish humor for slipping into man's apparel, which some of her friends found diverting and others not, as the mood took them. Madonna Vittoria took it into her head that she would be present at Messer Folco's festival, and to do so was easy enough for her when once she had clothed her shapely body in the habit of a cavalier, and flung a colored cloak about her, and curled her locks up under a cap, and clapped a vizard upon her face. She went to Messer Folco's house for this reason most of all, that she meant to speak with Madonna Beatrice, a thing not [Pg 170]ordinarily very easy to come at for such as she. Indeed, there was no risk for her of discovery, doing what she did in the way she did, with a man's jacket on her back and a man's hose upon her legs.
She came, as it seems, upon Beatrice in the early hours of the festival, having bided41 her time till she should find Folco's daughter alone or nearly so, and then and there addressed her earnestly with a request for some private speech. In such a season of merry-making the request did not come so strangely from a masked youth as to seem either insolent42 or unfitting. But Beatrice knew at once that the voice was a woman's, and so said, smilingly, as she drew a little apart with her challenger. Then it appears that Vittoria unmasked and named herself, and that Beatrice looked at her very steadily43 and gravely, and said no more than this: "I have heard of you. You are very beautiful," the which words, as Vittoria told me later, gave her a greater pleasure than any she had ever tasted from the praises of men's lips.
Vittoria said, "If you have heard of me, perhaps you will think that I should not be here and seeking speech with you."
To which Beatrice answered, very sweetly, that it was no part of the law of her life to deny hearing to one that wished for speech with her, and while she spoke44 she was still smiling kindly45, and there was no anger in her eyes and no scorn, but only a [Pg 171]kind of sad wonder. Then Vittoria said that she had made bold to do what she did for the sake of a friend and for the sake of Beatrice herself. Thereat the manner of Beatrice, albeit46 still courteous47, grew colder, and she answered that she did not know how the doings of any friend of Vittoria's could concern her, and Vittoria knew that she guessed who the friend was.
Vittoria said, "The friend of whom I speak, the friend whom I would serve with you, is not and never has been more than my friend."
At this Beatrice made a gesture as if to silence her and a movement as if to leave her.
But Vittoria barred her way and delayed her entreatingly48, saying, "Do not scorn me because I am what I am."
Whom, thus entreated, Madonna Beatrice answered, very gently: "Indeed, I do not scorn you for being what your are. I will not even say that I do not understand you, for I have it in my heart that a woman must always understand a woman, however different the way of the one may be from the way of the other. And it might very well have happened, if our upbringings had been other, that you were as I am and I as you."
Vittoria answered: "I think not so, for God has so made you that you would never care for the things I care for, and God has so made me that I should always care for them."
[Pg 172]
Beatrice replied: "Very well, then; let us leave the matter with God, who made us, and say to me what you wish to say."
Then Vittoria told Beatrice of Dante, how he was devoted49 soul and body to Beatrice, and how it was only in consequence of Vittoria's well-meant but ill-proving advice that he at all sought her society. She told how she had given that advice to save the youth from the hatred50 of Simone, but had not told him this, telling him rather that by so doing he would keep his love for Beatrice a secret from the world. Then the paleness of Beatrice changed for a little to a soft red, and Vittoria saw that she believed, and kissed her hand and left her. Thus it came about that my labor51 was already lightened, though I knew it not when I set out to seek for Beatrice on behalf of my friend.
The good chance that sometimes favors the ambassadors of Love served me in good stead very presently by affording me occasion to approach Madonna Beatrice and engage her in speech, for she was ever courteous in her bearing toward her father's guests. After we had discoursed52 for a brief while on trifles, I, finding that where we stood and talked I might speak with little fear of being overheard, straightway disclosed my mission to her, and delivered my errand, putting it, as I think, in words no less apt than choice, and making a very proper plea for my friend, presenting, indeed, his [Pg 173]petition so well that, though I say it who, perhaps, should not say it, I do not think that he could have done it any better himself. I made bold to add that my friend went in fear that he had in some way offended her, but that I was very sure he would be able to excuse himself to her eyes if only she would afford him the opportunity to do so.
Madonna Beatrice listened to me very quietly while I delivered myself of my message and of such embroideries53 of my own as I saw fit to tag on to its original simplicity54, and though I thought I could discern that she was affected55 not unkindly toward my friend, in spite of whatever fault he might have committed, she did not in any way change color or display any other of those signals by which ladies are accustomed to make manifest their agitation when any whisper of love business is in the air. When I had finished, she did no more at first than to ask me if, indeed, Messer Dante was the unknown poet who had so delighted Florence.
To which question I made answer that the truth was indeed so, at which assurance she seemed to me at first to smile, and then to look sad, and then to smile again. But when I was beginning to utter some golden words in the praise of my friend's verses, she very sweetly but very surely cut my compliments short, and gave me the answer to my embassy.
"Tell Messer Dante," she said, "that he is so [Pg 174]great a poet that it were scarcely gracious for me to refuse him the favor he asks, though, indeed, he must know as well as I know that it is no small favor. It is not perhaps fitting, and it certainly is not easy, for a maiden56 to accord a lonely meeting to a youth, even when that youth has some reason to call himself the maiden's friend. But I shall retire before this festival comes to an end, and I shall walk awhile on the loggia above in the moonlight and the sweet air before going to my sleep. If he will come to me there I will speak with him and hear him speak for a little while. Tell him I do this for the sake of his verses."
Therewith she made me a suave57 salutation and turned to speak to another, and I, finding myself thus amiably58 dismissed, and being very well satisfied with the fruits of my enterprise, bowed very lowly before her, and turned and went my ways, seeking my friend. Soon I found him with many youths and elders about him, all as eager as Guido had been to congratulate him on what he had done. But if Dante seemed pleased to hear their praises, as it was only right he should seem pleased, he showed still greater pleasure in beholding59 me and reading the message of my smiling face.
He made some excuse for quitting his company and drawing apart with me, and when he had heard what I had got to say, I think that he looked the happiest man that I had ever seen. "Heaven bless [Pg 175]my lady Beatrice for her sovereign grace," he said, very softly and earnestly, and then he wrung60 me very hard by the hand, and left me and went back to his admirers, and thereafter, during the progress of the night's pleasures, I saw him move and take his share with an unwonted brightness of countenance and mirthfulness of bearing, and I was glad with all my heart to see him so cheerful.
Indeed, that was a cheering time, and the man or woman would have been hard to please who found nothing to delight or to amuse at Messer Folco's festival. To speak for myself, I had never known better diversion. There was a whole world of pretty women assembled within Messer Folco's walls, and I may as well confess here, if I have not confessed it already, that I take great delectation in the companionship of pretty women. How many little hands, I wonder, did I press that night, with the tenderest protestations? How many kisses, I wonder, did I venture to steal, or, rather, pretend to steal? for I swear the dainty rogues61 met me half way in the matter of the robbery. Well, well, it was all very merry and pleasant, and we feasted very gayly, and we danced very nimbly, and we wandered in the green glooms of the garden, and then we feasted anew, and after that we set to work to dancing in good earnest. Save for a few, we all danced and danced and danced again, as if we could dance the world back into its young-time.
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1
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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2
stanza
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| n.（诗）节，段 | |
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3
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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4
judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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5
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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6
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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7
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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8
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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9
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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10
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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11
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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12
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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13
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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14
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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15
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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16
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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17
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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18
tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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19
winsome
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| n.迷人的，漂亮的 | |
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20
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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21
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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22
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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23
cavilled
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| v.挑剔，吹毛求疵( cavil的过去式 ) | |
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24
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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25
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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26
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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27
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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28
mellifluous
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| adj.（音乐等）柔美流畅的 | |
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29
prattled
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| v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话( prattle的过去式和过去分词 )；发出连续而无意义的声音；闲扯；东拉西扯 | |
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30
riddle
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| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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31
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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32
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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33
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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34
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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35
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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36
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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38
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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39
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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40
forestalled
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| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
bided
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| v.等待，停留( bide的过去式 )；居住；等待；面临 | |
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42
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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43
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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44
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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45
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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46
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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47
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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48
entreatingly
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| 哀求地，乞求地 | |
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49
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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50
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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51
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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52
discoursed
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| 演说（discourse的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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53
embroideries
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| 刺绣( embroidery的名词复数 )； 刺绣品； 刺绣法 | |
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54
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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55
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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56
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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57
suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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58
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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59
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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60
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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61
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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