Divine Comedy, Norton's Translation, Paradise (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...If thou regardest Luni and Urbisaglia,5 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.6 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.7 Over the gate which at present is laden with new felony8 of such weight that soon there will be jettison from the bark,9 were the Ravignani, from whom the Count Guido is descended,10 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.11 Great were already the column of the Vair,12 the Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifanti, and Barucci, and Galli, and they who blush for the bushel.13 The stock from which the Calfucci sprang was already great, and already the Sizii. and Arrigucci had been drawn to curule chairs.14 Oh how great did I see those who have been undone by their pride 15 and the balls of gold16 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.17 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,18 already was coming up, but from small folk, so that it pleased not Ubertin Donato that his father-in-law should..