“Do you not know that we are worms and born
To form the angelic butterfly that soars,
Without defenses, to confront His judgment?”
Canto X, lines 121–129 (tr. Mandelbaum).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
Context: O Christians, arrogant, exhausted, wretched,
Whose intellects are sick and cannot see,
Who place your confidence in backward steps,
Do you not know that we are worms and born
To form the angelic butterfly that soars,
Without defenses, to confront His judgment?
Why does your mind presume to flight when you
Are still like the imperfect grub, the worm
Before it has attained its final form?
Original
O superbi Cristian, miseri lassi! Che, della vista della mente infermi, Fidanza avete ne' ritrosi passi; Non v' accorgete voi, che noi siam vermi Nati a formar l' angelica farfalla, Che vola alla giustizia senza schermi? Di che l' animo vostro in alto galla, Poi siete quasi entomata in difetto, Sì come verme, in cui formazion falla?
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
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