Paradise
Canto 16
The boast of blood.—Cacciaguida continues his discourse concerning the old and the new Florence.
Pride in ancestry. Cacciaguida continues speaking about old and new Florence.
O thou small nobleness of our blood! If thou makest folk glory in thee down here, where our affection languishes, it will nevermore be a marvel to me; for there, where appetite is not perverted, I mean in Heaven, I myself gloried in thee. Truly art thou a cloak which quickly shortens, so that, if day by day it be not pieced, Time goeth round about it with his shears.
O little nobility of our blood! If you make people proud down here, where our affections grow weak, I will never again be surprised. For I myself took pride in you in Heaven, where desire is not corrupted. You are truly a cloak that quickly grows shorter. If it is not patched every day, Time goes around it with his shears.
With the YOU, which Rome first tolerated, in which her family least perseveres, my words began again. Whereat Beatrice, who was a little withdrawn, smiling, seemed like her who coughed at the first fault that is written of Guenever. I began, “You are my father, you give me all confidence to speak; you lift me so that I am more than I. Through so many streams is my mind filled with gladness that it makes of itself a joy, in that it can bear this and not burst. Tell me then, beloved first source of me, who were your ancestors, and what were the years that were numbered in your boyhood. Tell me of the sheepfold of St. John, how large it was then, and who were the people within it worthy of the highest seats.”
I began speaking again, using the formal YOU, which Rome first allowed, though its people now use it least. Beatrice had drawn back a little. She smiled, and seemed like the woman who coughed at the first fault recorded of Guenever. I began, “You are my father. You give me complete confidence to speak. You lift me up so that I am more than myself. Gladness fills my mind from so many streams. My mind finds joy in being able to bear it all without bursting. Tell me, then, beloved first source of my life, who were your ancestors? What years was your boyhood spent in? Tell me about the sheepfold of St. John. How large was it then? Which people within it were worthy of the highest seats?”
The plural pronoun is used to show respect. This use began in the later Roman Empire.
The Romans no longer respect those who deserve respect.
Beatrice stands slightly apart because theology has no part in this conversation. She smiles at Dante's vanity, but not in reproach.
The Dame de Malehault coughed when she saw Lancelot first kiss Guenever. The incident is not told in any printed version of the Romance of Lancelot, but Mr. Paget Toynbee found it in several manuscripts.
Rejoices that it can bear such great joy.
Florence, whose patron saint was St. John the Baptist.
As a coal quickens to flame at the blowing of the winds, so I saw that light become resplendent at my blandishments, and as it became more beautiful to my eyes, so with voice more dulcet and soft, but not with this modern speech, it said to me, “From that clay on which Ave was said, unto the birth in which my mother, who. now is sainted, was lightened of me with whom she was burdened, this fire had come to its Lion five hundred, fifty, and thirty times to reinflame itself beneath his paw. My ancestors and I were born in the place where the last ward is first found by him who runs in your annual game. Let it suffice to hear this of my elders. Who they were, and whence they came thither, it is more becoming to leave untold than to recount.
Just as a coal bursts into flame when the wind blows on it, I saw that light shine brighter at my praise. As it grew more beautiful to my eyes, it spoke to me in a sweeter, softer voice. But it did not use the speech of today. It said, “From the day when Ave was said to that clay until my birth, when my mother, now a saint, was relieved of the burden of carrying me, this fire had returned to its Lion five hundred, fifty, and thirty times to rekindle itself beneath his paw. My ancestors and I were born where the last ward is first reached by a runner in your annual race. Let that be enough about my ancestors. It is better to leave untold who they were and where they came from than to tell it.
Mars: As he glow'd like a ruddy shield on the Lion's breast. Maud, part III. The Lion is Leo, the zodiac sign considered appropriate to Mars because their dispositions were thought to be similar.
Mars completes 580 revolutions in a little more than 1,090 years.
The designated place was on the boundary of the city district called “the Gate of St. Peter.” It was where the Corso passes the Mercato Vecchio, or Old Market. The races were run along the Corso on the 24th June, the festival of St. John the Baptist.
“All those able to bear arms who at that time were there, between Mars and the Baptist, were the fifth of them who are living. But the citizenship, which is now mixed with Campi and with Certaldo and with Figghine, was to be seen pure in the lowest artisan. Oh, how much better it would be that those folk of whom I speak were neighbors, and to have your confine at Galluzzo and at Trespiano, than to have them within, and to endure the stench of the churl of Aguglione, and of him of Signa, who already has his eye sharp for barratry!
“All those able to bear arms who lived then between Mars and the Baptist were a fifth of those living there now. But the citizens, now mixed with people from Campi, Certaldo, and Figghine, were then pure, even among the humblest artisans. Oh, how much better it would be if those people I speak of were still your neighbors, and your border were at Galluzzo and Trespiano, instead of having them inside and enduring the stench of the churl from Aguglione and the man from Signa, who already has a sharp eye for corrupt dealings!”
Between the Ponte Vecchio and the Baptistery, two points marking the course of the ancient walls. A statue of Mars stood at the head of the Ponte Vecchio.
Small towns near Florence, like many others, saw people move to the thriving city, harming Florence's own people.
It would have been better to keep these people at a distance as neighbors and keep the city's territory small.
According to Benvenuto da Imola, the churl of Aguglione was a lawyer named Baldo, “qui fuit magnus canis.” He became one of Florence’s priors in 1311. The man from Signa is thought to have been Bonifazio, who, according to Buti, “sold his favors and offices.”
“If the people which most degenerates in the world had not been as a stepdame unto Caesar, but like a mother benignant to her son, there is one now a Florentine who changes money and traffics, who would have returned to Simifonti, there where his grandsire used to go begging. Montemurlo would still belong to its Counts, the Cerchi would be in the parish of Acone, and perhaps the Buondelmonti in Valdigreve. The confusion of persons has always been the beginning of the harm of the city, as in the body the food which is added. And a blind bull falls more headlong than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword cuts more and better than five. If thou regardest Luni and Urbisaglia, how they have gone, and how Chiusi and Sinigaglia are going their way after them, to hear how families are undone will not appear to thee a strange thing or a bard, since cities have their term. Your things all have their death even as ye; but it is concealed in some that last long, while lives are short. And as the revolution of the heaven of the Moon covers and uncovers the shores without a pause, so fortune does with Florence. Wherefore what I shall tell of the high Florentines, whose fame is hidden by time, should not appear to thee a marvellous thing. I saw the Ughi, and I saw the Catellini, Filippi, Greci, Ormanni, and Alberichi, even in their decline, illustrious citizens; and I saw, as great as they were old, with those of the Sannella, those of the Area, and Soldanieri, and Ardinghi, and Bostiebi. Over the gate which at present is laden with new felony of such weight that soon there will be jettison from the bark, were the Ravignani, from whom the Count Guido is descended, and whosoever since has taken the name of the high Bellincione. He of the Pressa knew already bow one needs to rule, and Galigaio already had in his house the gilded hilt and pummel. Great were already the column of the Vair, the Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifanti, and Barucci, and Galli, and they who blush for the bushel. The stock from which the Calfucci sprang was already great, and already the Sizii. and Arrigucci had been drawn to curule chairs. Oh how great did I see those who have been undone by their pride! and the balls of gold made Florence flourish with all their great deeds. So did the fathers of those who always,when your church is vacant, become fat, staying in consistory. The overweening race which is as a dragon behind him who flies, and to him who shows tooth or purse is gentle as a lamb, already was coming up, but from small folk, so that it pleased not Ubertin Donato that his father-in-law should afterwards make him their relation. Already had Caponsacco descended into the market place down from Fiesole, and already was Giuda a good citizen, and Infangato. I will tell a thing incredible and true: into the little circle one entered by a gate which was named for those of the Pear. Every one who bears the beautiful ensign of the great baron whose name and whose praise the feast of Thomas revives, from him had knighthood and privilege; although to-day he who binds it with a border unites himself with the populace. Already there were Gualterotti and Importuni; and Borgo would now be more quiet, if they had gone hung for new neighbors. The house of which was born your weeping, through its just indignation which has slain you, and put an end to your glad living, was honored, both itself and its consorts. O Buondelmonte, how ill didst thou flee its nuptials through the persuasions of another! Many would be glad who now are sorrowful, if God had conceded thee to the Ema the first time that thou camest to the city. But it behoved that Florence in her last peace should offer a victim to that broken stone which guards the bridge.
“If the people who have fallen furthest into corruption in the world had been a kind mother to Caesar instead of a stepmother, things would be different. A man who is now a Florentine money changer and merchant would have returned to Simifonti, where his grandfather used to beg. Montemurlo would still belong to its Counts. The Cerchi would be in the parish of Acone, and perhaps the Buondelmonti would be in Valdigreve. The mixing of peoples has always been the beginning of a city’s downfall, just as added food can harm the body. A blind bull falls more headlong than a blind lamb. And one sword often cuts more, and better, than five. If you consider how Luni and Urbisaglia have vanished, and how Chiusi and Sinigaglia are following them, the downfall of families will not seem strange or hard to believe. Cities, too, have their allotted time. All your possessions die, just as you do. But some last so long that their end is hidden from you, because your lives are short. And just as the movement of the Moon’s heaven constantly covers and uncovers the shores, fortune does the same to Florence. So what I will tell you about the great Florentines, whose fame time has hidden, should not seem remarkable. I saw the Ughi, and I saw the Catellini, Filippi, Greci, Ormanni, and Alberichi. Even in decline, they were distinguished citizens. I also saw the Sannella, Arca, Soldanieri, Ardinghi, and Bostichi, as great as they were old. Above the gate now burdened with new crimes, so heavily that the cargo will soon be thrown from the ship, lived the Ravignani. Count Guido descended from them, as did everyone who has since taken the name of the noble Bellincione. The man of the Pressa family already knew how to govern, and Galigaio already had a gilded sword hilt and pommel in his house. The column of Vair was already great, as were the Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifanti, Barucci, Galli, and those who blush because of the bushel. The family from which the Calfucci sprang was already great. The Sizii and Arrigucci had already been raised to curule chairs. Oh, how great I saw those who have been ruined by their pride! And the golden balls made Florence flourish through all their great deeds. So did the ancestors of those who always grow fat while sitting in consistory when your church is vacant. The arrogant family that acts like a dragon toward anyone who flees, but is gentle as a lamb toward anyone who shows teeth or a purse, was already rising. But its people were of humble origin. So Ubertin Donato was displeased when his father-in-law later made him their relative. Caponsacco had already come down from Fiesole to the marketplace, and Giuda and Infangato were already good citizens. I will tell you something incredible but true: people entered the little circle through a gate named for the family of the Pear. Everyone who bears the beautiful emblem of the great baron received knighthood and privilege from him. His name and fame are celebrated again on the feast of Thomas, although the man who now adds a border to the emblem allies himself with the common people. The Gualterotti and Importuni were already there. Borgo would now be quieter if they had gone without new neighbors. The house that gave rise to your grief was honored, along with its allies. Its justified anger has brought death upon you and ended your happy life. O Buondelmonte, how badly you chose when another persuaded you to break off your marriage to a woman of that house! Many who are now sorrowful would be glad if God had let the Ema take you when you first came to the city. But Florence, in her last days of peace, had to offer a victim to the broken stone that guards the bridge.”
If the clergy had not quarreled with the Emperor, causing divisions and unrest in the world.
“I have not discovered who this is,” says Buti.
The Conti Guidi had been forced to sell their stronghold of Montemurlo to the Florentines because they could not defend it against the Pistoians. The Florentine Commune had forced the Cerchi and the Buondelmonti to give up their fortresses and settle in the city. There they became powerful, and their quarrels greatly increased the bitterness of internal divisions and party conflicts.
Food added to food already being digested.
Cities that were once great, now fallen.
Cities last longer than families.
All were once great families, but are now extinct or have fallen from prominence.
Above St. Peter's gate stood the walls of the Cerchi residence. The Cerchi headed the White faction.
The casting overboard refers to the expulsion of the leaders of the Whites in 1302.
Count Guido married Gualdrada, the daughter of Bellincione Berti.
Symbols of knighthood. Only knights were allowed to use gold in their equipment.
The Pigli family’s coat of arms was, in heraldic terms, gules, a pale, vair. In other words, it was a red shield with a vertical stripe representing the fur called vair.
The Chiaramontesi: One of them was once in charge of selling salt for the Commune. He cheated both the Commune and the people by using a false measure. See Purgatory, Canto XII.
To a high position in public office.
The Uberti were a great family. Farinata was their most famous member.
The Lamberti, whose shields displayed gold balls.
The Visdomini were patrons of the Bishopric of Florence. After a bishop died, they delayed appointing a successor and grew rich on the bishopric's revenues.
The Adimari. Benvenuto da Imola reports that Boccacino Adimari took possession of Dante's property after Dante was banished. Boccacino remained Dante's bitter enemy ever after.
Ubertin Donato married a daughter of Bellincion Berti. He was displeased when her sister later married one of the Adimari.
There seems to be some humor in the three names “Head in bag,” “Judas,” and “Bemired.”
The Peruzzi had a pear on their coat of arms. What may have been incredible was that the people were so simple and free from jealousy. They allowed a public gate to be named after a private family. The “little circle” was the circle of the old walls.
Hugh was imperial vicar of Tuscany under Otho II. and Otho III. He died on St. Thomas's Day, December 21st, 1006, and was buried in the Badia, which he is said to have founded. His monument can still be seen there. In the past, a speech praising him was given there on each anniversary of his death. Several families whose heads he had knighted adopted his arms, each with a distinctive addition. His shield had four alternating vertical stripes of silver and red.
Giano della Bella was the great leader of Florence’s common people in the late 13th century. He bore Hugh’s coat of arms with a gold border.
These families lived in Borgo Sant' Apostolo, a part of the city. The neighborhood would have been more peaceful if the Buondelmonti had not moved there.
The Amidei caused much of Florence's misery through their long, bitter feud with the Buondelmonti. The feud divided the entire city.
The quarrel between the Amidei and the Buondelmonti began when Buondelmonto dei Buondelmonti rejected a daughter of the Amidei. He was betrothed to her, but the mother of a Donati daughter persuaded him to choose her daughter instead. This happened in 1215.
The Ema is a small stream that must be crossed when traveling from Montebuono, home of the Buondelmonti, to Florence.
The victim was Buondelmonte himself, killed by the outraged Amidei at the foot of a damaged statue of Mars. The statue stood at the end of the Ponte Vecchio.
“With these families, and with others with them, I saw Florence in such repose that she had no occasion why she should weep. With these families I saw her people so glorious and so just, that the lily was never set reversed upon the staff, nor had it been made blood-red by division.”
“With these families and others, I saw Florence so peaceful that she had no reason to weep. I saw her people, including these families, so glorious and just that the lily was never turned upside down on its staff. Nor had division stained the lily blood-red.”
Florence’s banner had never fallen into enemy hands, where it could be turned upside down in mockery. It had once shown a white lily on a red background. But in 1250, when the Ghibellines were expelled, the Guelphs adopted a red lily on a white background. This became the banner of the Commune.