[2] Daughter of Cecrops, changed to stone because of envy of her sister.
[3] These examples of the fatal consequences of the sin.
CANTO XV.
Second Ledge: the Envious.—An Angel removes the second P from Dante’s forehead.—Discourse concerning the Sharing of Good.—Ascent to the Third Ledge: the Wrathful.—Examples of Forbearance seen in Vision.
As much as appears, between the beginning of the day and the close of the third hour, of the sphere that ever in manner of a child is sporting, so much now, toward the evening, appeared to be remaining of his course for the sun.[1] It was vespers[2] there,[3] and here midnight; and the rays struck us across the nose,[4] because the mountain had been so circled by us that we were now going straight toward the sunset, when I felt my forehead weighed down by the splendor far more than at first, and the things not known were a wonder to me.[5] Wherefore I lifted my hands toward the top of my brows, and made for myself the visor that lessens the excess of what is seen.
[1] The sun was still some three hours from his setting. The sphere that ever is sportive like a child has been variously interpreted; perhaps Dante only meant the sphere of the heavens which by its ever varying aspect suggests the image of a playful spirit.
[2] Dante uses “vespers” as the term for the last of the four canonical divisions of the day; that is, from three to six P.M. See Convito, iv. 23. Three o’clock in Purgatory corresponds with midnight in Italy.
[3] In Italy.
[4] Full in the face.
[5] The source of this increase of brightness being unknown, it caused him astonishment.