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Quiv' era storïata l'alta gloria |
73 |
Depicted there was the glorious act
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del roman principato, il cui valore |
74 |
of the Roman prince whose worth
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mosse Gregorio a la sua gran vittoria; |
75 |
urged Gregory on to his great victory--
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i' dico di Traiano imperadore; |
76 |
I speak of the emperor Trajan,
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e una vedovella li era al freno, |
77 |
with the poor widow at his bridle, weeping,
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di lagrime atteggiata e di dolore. |
78 |
in a pose of grief--
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Intorno a lui parea calcato e pieno |
79 |
the soil all trampled by the thronging knights.
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di cavalieri, e l'aguglie ne l'oro |
80 |
Above, the eagles fixed in gold
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sovr' essi in vista al vento si movieno. |
81 |
seemed to flutter in the wind.
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La miserella intra tutti costoro |
82 |
In their midst, one could almost hear the plea
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pareva dir: "Segnor, fammi vendetta |
83 |
of that unhappy creature: 'My lord, avenge
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di mio figliuol ch'è morto, ond' io m'accoro"; |
84 |
my murdered son for me. It is for him I grieve,'
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ed elli a lei rispondere: "Or aspetta |
85 |
and his answer: 'Wait till I return,'
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tanto ch'i' torni"; e quella: "Segnor mio," |
86 |
and she: 'My lord,' like one whose grief is urgent,
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come persona in cui dolor s'affretta, |
87 |
'and if you don't return?' and his answer:
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"se tu non torni?"; ed ei: "Chi fia dov' io, |
88 |
'He who will take my place will do it,'
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la ti farà"; ed ella: "L'altrui bene |
89 |
and she: 'What use is another's goodness to you
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a te che fia, se 'l tuo metti in oblio?"; |
90 |
if you are unmindful of your own?'
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ond' elli: "Or ti conforta; ch'ei convene |
91 |
And he then: 'Now take comfort, for I must discharge
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ch'i' solva il mio dovere anzi ch'i' mova: |
92 |
my debt to you before I go to war.
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giustizia vuole e pietà mi ritene." |
93 |
Justice wills it and compassion bids me stay.'
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