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a guerir de la sua superba febbre; |
97 |
'and cure him of the fever of his pride. |
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domandommi consiglio, e io tacetti |
98 |
He asked me for advice, but I kept silent |
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perché le sue parole parver ebbre. |
99 |
because his words were like a drunkard's words. |
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E' poi ridisse: 'Tuo cuor non sospetti; |
100 |
'And then he spoke again: "Let not your heart mistrust: |
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finor t'assolvo, e tu m'insegna fare |
101 |
I absolve you here and now if you will teach me |
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sì come Penestrino in terra getti. |
102 |
how I can bring Praeneste to the ground. |
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Lo ciel poss' io serrare e diserrare, |
103 |
'"I have the power, as well you know, to lock |
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come tu sai; però son due le chiavi |
104 |
and unlock Heaven, because the keys are two |
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che 'l mio antecessor non ebbe care.' |
105 |
for which the pope before me had no care." |
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Allor mi pinser li argomenti gravi |
106 |
'His threatening tactics brought me to the point |
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là 've 'l tacer mi fu avviso 'l peggio, |
107 |
at which the worse course seemed the one of silence. |
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e dissi: 'Padre, da che tu mi lavi |
108 |
And so I said: "Father, since you cleanse me |
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di quel peccato ov' io mo cader deggio, |
109 |
'"of the sin that I must even now commit: |
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lunga promessa con l'attender corto |
110 |
Promising much with scant observance |
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ti farà trïunfar ne l'alto seggio.' |
111 |
will seal your triumph on the lofty throne." |
