The divine comedy — Page 2

English → Fr CANTO III Level 9/10

He thus to me: "This miserable fate

Il me dit ainsi : « Ce misérable sort

Suffer the wretched souls of those, who liv'd

Est subi par les âmes misérables de ceux qui vécurent

Without or praise or blame, with that ill band

Sans louange ni blâme, mêlés à cette mauvaise troupe

Of angels mix'd, who nor rebellious prov'd

D'anges, qui ne se montrèrent ni rebelles

Nor yet were true to God, but for themselves

Ni fidèles à Dieu, mais seulement pour eux-mêmes

Were only. From his bounds Heaven drove them forth,

Furent-ils. Le Ciel les chassa de ses confins,

Not to impair his lustre, nor the depth

Pour ne point ternir son éclat, et les profondeurs

Of Hell receives them, lest th' accursed tribe

De l'Enfer ne les reçoivent pas, de peur que la tribu maudite

Should glory thence with exultation vain."

N'en tirât gloire avec une vaine exultation. »

I then: "Master! what doth aggrieve them thus,

Je dis alors : « Maître ! qu'est-ce qui les afflige ainsi,

That they lament so loud?" He straight replied:

Qu'ils se lamentent si fort ? » Il répondit aussitôt :

"That will I tell thee briefly. These of death

« Je te le dirai brièvement. Ceux-ci n'ont de la mort

No hope may entertain: and their blind life

Nulle espérance : et leur vie aveugle

So meanly passes, that all other lots

Se passe si misérablement, qu'ils envient

They envy. Fame of them the world hath none,

Tout autre sort. Le monde n'a d'eux nulle renommée,

Nor suffers; mercy and justice scorn them both.

Et n'en souffre pas ; miséricorde et justice les méprisent tous deux.

Speak not of them, but look, and pass them by."

N'en parle pas, mais regarde, et passe outre. »

And I, who straightway look'd, beheld a flag,

Et moi, qui regardai aussitôt, vis un étendard,

Which whirling ran around so rapidly,

Qui tournoyait si rapidement,

That it no pause obtain'd: and following came

Qu'il n'obtenait aucun repos : et à sa suite venait

Such a long train of spirits, I should ne'er

Un si long cortège d'esprits, que jamais je n'aurais

Have thought, that death so many had despoil'd.

Cru que la mort en eût dépouillé tant.

When some of these I recogniz'd, I saw

Quand j'en reconnus quelques-uns, je vis

And knew the shade of him, who to base fear

Et reconnus l'ombre de celui qui, cédant à une vile crainte,

Yielding, abjur'd his high estate. Forthwith

Abjura son noble rang. Aussitôt

I understood for certain this the tribe

Je compris avec certitude que c'était là la tribu

Of those ill spirits both to God displeasing

De ces mauvais esprits déplaisants à Dieu

And to his foes.

Et à ses ennemis.

Vocabulary

Il: Third-person singular masculine pronoun meaning 'he'.
me: First-person singular object pronoun meaning 'me'.
dit: Past tense of 'dire'; said or told someone something.
ainsi: Adverb meaning 'thus', 'so', or 'in this way'.
Ce: Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning 'this' or 'that'.
misérable: Adjective meaning wretched, miserable, or pitiable.
sort: Noun meaning fate, lot, or destiny of someone.
Est: Third-person singular present of 'être'; meaning 'is'.
subi: Past participle of 'subir'; endured or undergone something.
par: Preposition meaning 'by' or 'through' in French.
les: Definite plural article meaning 'the' in French.
âmes: Plural noun meaning souls or spirits of persons.
misérables: Plural adjective meaning wretched, pitiful, or despicable people.
de: Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'about'.
ceux: Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'those' or 'those ones'.
qui: Relative pronoun meaning 'who', 'which', or 'that'.
vécurent: Simple past of 'vivre'; they lived during a period.
Sans: Preposition meaning 'without' any particular thing or quality.
louange: Noun meaning praise or commendation given to someone.
ni: Conjunction meaning 'nor', used in negative constructions.
blâme: Noun meaning blame or censure directed at someone.
mêlés: Past participle of 'mêler'; mixed or mingled together.
à: Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in' in French.
cette: Feminine demonstrative adjective meaning 'this' or 'that'.
mauvaise: Feminine adjective meaning bad, poor, or wicked.
troupe: Noun meaning a group, troop, or band of people.
D': Contracted form of 'de' before a vowel or 'h'.
anges: Plural noun meaning angels or divine spiritual beings.
ne: Negative particle used with 'pas' or alone poetically.
se: Reflexive pronoun used with pronominal verbs in French.
montrèrent: Simple past of 'montrer'; they showed or proved themselves.
rebelles: Plural adjective or noun meaning rebellious or defiant beings.
Ni: Conjunction meaning 'nor', linking two negative alternatives.
fidèles: Plural adjective meaning faithful or loyal to someone.
Dieu: Noun meaning God, the supreme divine being.
mais: Conjunction meaning 'but', introducing contrast or opposition.
seulement: Adverb meaning 'only' or 'merely' in French.
pour: Preposition meaning 'for', 'in order to', or 'to'.
eux: Stressed pronoun meaning 'them' or 'they' in French.
mêmes: Adjective or pronoun meaning 'themselves' or 'same'.
Furent: Simple past of 'être'; they were at some point.
ils: Third-person plural masculine pronoun meaning 'they'.
Le: Masculine definite singular article meaning 'the'.
Ciel: Noun meaning sky or Heaven as a divine realm.
chassa: Simple past of 'chasser'; drove out or expelled someone.
ses: Possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its' (plural).
confins: Plural noun meaning borders, confines, or outermost limits.
Pour: Preposition meaning 'so as not to' or 'in order'.
point: Adverb in literary French meaning 'not' or 'not at all'.
ternir: Verb meaning to tarnish, dull, or diminish brightness.
son: Possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
éclat: Noun meaning brilliance, splendor, or radiant brightness.
et: Conjunction meaning 'and', linking words or clauses.
profondeurs: Plural noun meaning depths or deepest parts of something.
De: Preposition meaning 'of' or 'from' in French.
l': Contracted definite article 'le' or 'la' before vowel.
Enfer: Noun meaning Hell or the infernal underworld realm.
reçoivent: Present tense of 'recevoir'; they receive or accept something.
pas: Negative adverb used with 'ne' to mean 'not'.
peur: Noun meaning fear or fright experienced by someone.
que: Conjunction or pronoun meaning 'that', 'which', or 'than'.
la: Feminine singular definite article meaning 'the'.
tribu: Noun meaning tribe or group sharing common identity.
maudite: Feminine adjective meaning cursed or damned by higher power.
N': Contracted negative particle 'ne' before a vowel.
en: Pronoun or preposition meaning 'in', 'from it', or 'some'.
tirât: Subjunctive past of 'tirer'; might draw or derive glory.
gloire: Noun meaning glory, fame, or great honor achieved.
avec: Preposition meaning 'with' in French contexts.
une: Feminine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an'.
vaine: Feminine adjective meaning vain, hollow, or pointless.
exultation: Noun meaning a feeling of triumphant joy or jubilation.
Je: First-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' in French.
dis: Simple past of 'dire'; I said or spoke then.
alors: Adverb meaning 'then', 'at that time', or 'so'.
Maître: Noun meaning master, teacher, or respected authority figure.
qu': Contracted form of 'que' before a vowel or 'h'.
est: Third-person singular of 'être'; meaning 'is' presently.
ce: Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this', 'that', or 'it'.
afflige: Present tense of 'affliger'; grieves or distresses someone greatly.
Qu': Contracted relative pronoun 'que' before a vowel.
lamentent: Present tense of 'se lamenter'; they lament or mourn loudly.
si: Adverb meaning 'so' or 'so much' intensifying an adjective.
fort: Adverb meaning 'strongly', 'loudly', or 'very much'.
répondit: Simple past of 'répondre'; he/she answered or replied.
aussitôt: Adverb meaning 'immediately' or 'at once' without delay.
te: Second-person singular object pronoun meaning 'you' or 'to you'.
le: Masculine singular definite article or object pronoun 'it'.
dirai: Future tense of 'dire'; I will tell or say.
brièvement: Adverb meaning briefly or in a concise manner.
Ceux: Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'those' referring to people.
ci: Adverb meaning 'here', used in 'ceux-ci' meaning 'these'.
n': Contracted negative particle 'ne' before a vowel.
ont: Third-person plural of 'avoir'; they have something.
mort: Noun meaning death or the end of life.
Nulle: Feminine adjective meaning no or not any, emphasizing absence.
espérance: Noun meaning hope or expectation for something positive.
leur: Possessive adjective or pronoun meaning 'their' or 'them'.
vie: Noun meaning life or one's existence and living.
aveugle: Adjective meaning blind, without sight or clear understanding.
Se: Reflexive pronoun used with pronominal verbs in French.
passe: Present tense of 'se passer'; passes or takes place.
misérablement: Adverb meaning miserably or in a wretched, pitiful manner.
envient: Present tense of 'envier'; they envy or covet others.
Tout: Adjective or pronoun meaning 'all', 'every', or 'everything'.
autre: Adjective meaning 'other' or 'another' indicating difference.
monde: Noun meaning world, realm, or people in general.
a: Third-person singular of 'avoir'; he/she/it has.
d': Contracted preposition 'de' before a vowel or 'h'.
nulle: Feminine adjective meaning no or zero, expressing total absence.
renommée: Noun meaning renown, fame, or widespread good reputation.
Et: Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting two clauses or words.
souffre: Present tense of 'souffrir'; suffers or endures pain.
miséricorde: Noun meaning mercy or compassionate forgiveness toward others.
justice: Noun meaning justice or fairness in judgment and treatment.
méprisent: Present tense of 'mépriser'; they scorn or despise utterly.
tous: Masculine plural pronoun or adjective meaning 'all' or 'everyone'.
deux: Number meaning 'two', referring to a pair of things.
parle: Present tense of 'parler'; speak or talk to someone.
regarde: Present tense of 'regarder'; look at or observe something.
outre: Preposition meaning 'beyond' or 'in addition to' something.
moi: Stressed first-person pronoun meaning 'me' or 'I'.
regardai: Simple past of 'regarder'; I looked at something.
vis: Simple past of 'voir'; I saw or perceived something.
un: Masculine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an'.
étendard: Noun meaning a banner or standard carried as symbol.
Qui: Relative pronoun meaning 'who', 'which', or 'that'.
tournoyait: Imperfect of 'tournoyer'; was spinning or whirling around.
rapidement: Adverb meaning rapidly, quickly, or at great speed.
il: Third-person singular masculine pronoun meaning 'he' or 'it'.
obtenait: Imperfect of 'obtenir'; was obtaining or achieving something.
aucun: Adjective meaning no, not any, or none whatsoever.
repos: Noun meaning rest, repose, or a period of relaxation.
sa: Feminine possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
suite: Noun meaning following, sequence, or retinue behind someone.
venait: Imperfect of 'venir'; was coming or approaching steadily.
Un: Masculine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an'.
long: Adjective meaning long, extended in length or duration.
cortège: Noun meaning procession or long train of followers.
esprits: Plural noun meaning spirits, minds, or incorporeal beings.
jamais: Adverb meaning 'never' or 'ever' in negative contexts.
je: First-person singular subject pronoun meaning 'I'.
aurais: Conditional of 'avoir'; I would have done something.
Cru: Past participle of 'croire'; believed or thought something true.
eût: Subjunctive past of 'avoir'; had (literary subjunctive form).
dépouillé: Past participle of 'dépouiller'; stripped or robbed of something.
tant: Adverb meaning 'so many', 'so much', or 'so greatly'.
Quand: Conjunction meaning 'when' introducing a temporal clause.
j': Contracted first-person pronoun 'je' before a vowel.
reconnus: Simple past of 'reconnaître'; I recognized or identified someone.
quelques: Adjective meaning 'some' or 'a few' before plural nouns.
uns: Pronoun meaning 'some' or 'some of them' in plural.
ombre: Noun meaning shadow, shade, or dark silhouette of something.
celui: Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'the one' or 'that one'.
cédant: Present participle of 'céder'; yielding or giving way to.
vile: Adjective meaning vile, base, or contemptibly despicable.
crainte: Noun meaning fear, dread, or apprehension about something.
Abjura: Simple past of 'abjurer'; renounced or formally gave up.
noble: Adjective meaning noble, distinguished, or of high moral character.
rang: Noun meaning rank, status, or position in a hierarchy.
Aussitôt: Adverb meaning immediately or right away without any delay.
compris: Past participle of 'comprendre'; understood or grasped something clearly.
certitude: Noun meaning certainty or absolute sureness about something.
c': Contracted demonstrative pronoun 'ce' before a vowel.
était: Imperfect of 'être'; was at a past moment.
là: Adverb meaning 'there' indicating a place or situation.
ces: Plural demonstrative adjective meaning 'these' or 'those'.
mauvais: Adjective meaning bad, wicked, or morally wrong.
déplaisants: Plural adjective meaning unpleasant, disagreeable, or offensive to others.
ennemis: Plural noun meaning enemies or adversaries opposed to someone.

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