In this place art thou? Waitest thou an escort?
Or has thy usual habit seized upon thee?"

And he: "O brother, what's the use of climbing?
Since to my torment would not let me go
The Angel of God, who sitteth at the gate.

First heaven must needs so long revolve me round
Outside thereof, as in my life it did,
Since the good sighs I to the end postponed,

Unless, e'er that, some prayer may bring me aid
Which rises from a heart that lives in grace;
What profit others that in heaven are heard not?"

Meanwhile the Poet was before me mounting,
And saying: "Come now; see the sun has touched
Meridian, and from the shore the night

Covers already with her foot Morocco."



Purgatorio: Canto V


I had already from those shades departed,
And followed in the footsteps of my Guide,
When from behind, pointing his finger at me,