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| (1) [1]. In litteris vestris et reverentia debita et affectione receptis, quam repatriatio mea cure sit vobis et animo, grata mente ac diligenti animadversione concepi; et inde tanto me districtius obligastis, quanto rarius exules invenire amicos contingit. | (1) [To a Friend in Florence.] From your letter, which I received with due respect and affection, and have diligently studied, I learn with gratitude how my recall to Florence has been the object of your care and concern; and I am the more beholden to you therefor, inasmuch as it rarely happens that an exile finds friends. | |
| (2) Ad illarum vero significata responsio, etsi non erit qualem forsan pusillanimitas appeteret aliquorum, ut sub examine vestri consilii ante iudicium ventiletur, affectuose deposco. | (2) My reply to what you have written, although perchance it be not of such tenour as certain faint hearts would desire, I earnestly beg may be carefully examined and considered by you before judgement be passed upon it. | |
| (3) [2]. Ecce igitur quod per litteras vestras meique nepotis nec non aliorum quamplurium amicorum, significatum est michi per ordinamentum nuper factum Florentie super absolutione bannitorum quod si solvere vellem certam pecunie quantitatem vellemque pati notam oblationis, et absolvi possem et redire ad presens. | (3) I gather, then, from the letter of your nephew and mine, as well as from those of sundry other friends, that, by the terms of a decree lately promulgated in Florence touching the pardon of the exiles, I may receive pardon, and be permitted to return forthwith, on condition that I pay a certain sum of money, | |
| (4) In qua quidem duo ridenda et male preconsiliata sunt, pater; dico male preconsiliata per illos qui talia expresserunt, nam vestre littere discretius et consultius clausulate nichil de talibus continebant. | (4) and submit to the stigma of the oblation -- two propositions, my Father, which in sooth are as ridiculous as they are ill-advised -- ill-advised, that is to say, on the part of those who have communicated them, for in your letter, which was more discreetly and cautiously formulated, no hint of such conditions was conveyed. | |
| (5) [3]. Estne ista revocatio gratiosa qua Dantes Alagherii revocatur ad patriam, per trilustrium fere perpessus exilium? Hocne meruit innocentia manifesta quibuslibet? hoc sudor et labor continuatus in studio? | (5) This, then, is the gracious recall of Dante Alighieri to his native city, after the miseries of well-nigh fifteen years of exile! This is the reward of innocence manifest to all the world, and of the sweat and toil of unremitting study! | |
| (6) Absit a viro phylosophie domestico temeraria tantum cordis humilitas, ut more cuiusdam Cioli et aliorum infamium quasi vinctus ipse se patiatur offerri! | (6) Far be from a familiar of philosophy such a senseless act of abasement as to submit himself to be presented at the oblation, like a felon in bonds, as one Ciolo and other infamous wretches have done! | |
| (7) Absit a viro predicante iustitiam ut perpessus iniurias, iniuriam inferentibus, velut benemerentibus, pecuniam suam solvat! | (7) Far be it from the preacher of justice, after suffering wrong, to pay of his money to those that wronged him, as though they had deserved well of him! | |
| (8) [4]. Non est hec via redeundi ad patriam, pater mi; sed si alia per vos ante aut deinde per alios invenitur que fame Dantisque honori non deroget, illam non lentis passibus acceptabo; quod si per nullam talem Florentia introitur, nunquam Florentiam introibo. | (8) No! my father, not by this path will I return to my native city. If some other can be found, in the first place by yourself and thereafter by others, which does not derogate from the fame and honour of Dante, that will I tread with no lagging steps. But if by no such path Florence may be entered, then will I enter Florence never. | |
| (9) Quidni? nonne solis astrorumque specula ubique conspiciam? nonne dulcissimas veritates potero speculari ubique sub celo, ni prius inglorium ymo ignominiosum populo Florentineque civitati me reddam? Quippe nec panis deficiet. | (9) What! can I not anywhere gaze upon the face of the sun and the stars? can I not under any sky contemplate the most precious truths, without I first return to Florence, disgraced, nay dishonoured, in the eyes of my fellowcitizens? Assuredly bread will not fail me! | |