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Io era Serafin de' principali ... Io fui già Serafin più di te degno. |
He is in earnest to prove that courtesy exists in Hell[551]:
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Chè gentilezza è bene anche in inferno ... Non creder, nello inferno anche fra noi Gentilezza non sia. |
When Malagigi questions him concerning divine foreknowledge and his own state in Hell, he replies with a complete theory of sin and punishment founded upon the doctrine of freewill.[552] The angels sinned with knowledge. Therefore for them there is no redemption. Adam sinned in ignorance. Therefore there is hope for all men, and a probability of final restitution for the whole human race[553]:
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Forse che 'l vero dopo lungo errore Adorerete tutti di concordia. E troverete ognun misericordia. |
Astarotte's own torment in Hell causes him bitter anguish; but he recognizes the justice of God; and knowing that the sentence of damnation cannot be canceled, he is too courageous to complain. When Rinaldo offers to intercede for him, he answers[554]:
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Il buon volere accetto; Per noi fien sempre perdute le chiavi, Maestà lesa, infinito è il difetto: O felici Cristian, voi par che lavi Una lacrima sol col pugno al petto, E dir; Signor, tibi soli peccavi; Noi peccammo una volta, e in sempiterno Rilegati siam tutti nello inferno. Chè pur se dopo un milione e mille Di secol noi sperassim rivedere Di quell'Amor le minime faville, Ancor sarebbe ogni peso leggiere: Ma che bisogna far queste postille? Se non si può, non si debbe volere; Ond'io ti priego, che tu sia contento Che noi mutiamo altro ragionamento. |
There is great refinement in this momentary sadness of Astarotte, followed by his return to more cheerful topics. He is the Italian counterpart of Marlowe's fiend, that melancholy demon of the North, who tempts his victim by the fascination of mere horror.[555] Like Mephistophilis, again, Astarotte is ready to satisfy the curiosity of mortals, and condescends to amuse them with elfish tricks.[556] He explains to Rinaldo that it is quite a mistake to suppose that there are no inhabited lands beyond the Straits of Gibraltar. The earth, he says, is round, and can be circumnavigated; and cities full of people, worshiping our planets and our sun, are found in the antipodes. Hercules ought to blush for having fixed his pillars where he did.[557] The good understanding established between Astarotte and Rinaldo on their journey is one of the prettiest incidents of this strange poem. When they part, the fiend and the paladin have become firm friends. Astarotte vows henceforth to serve Rinaldo for love; and Rinaldo promises to free him from Malagigi's power.[558]