The sword of God falls neither swift nor slow
Save to those eager to see justice done,
Or who in guilt and fear await the blow.[La spada di qua sù non taglia in fretta
né tardo, ma’ ch’al parer di colui
che disïando o temendo l’aspetta.]Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) Italian poet
The Divine Comedy [Divina Commedia], Book 3 “Paradiso,” Canto 22 l. 16ff (22.16-18) (1320) [tr. Sayers/Reynolds (1962)]
(Source)
Speaking of the sword of God's judgment, which comes too slowly for the innocent and just, but too quickly for the fearful guilty.
(Source (Italian)). Alternate translations:But sooner far,
Indignant Man the fiery lance had hurl'd,
In hasly zeal, to scourge a sinful world,
While guilt presumes that Heav'n the stroke may spare.
[tr. Boyd (1802), st. 4]The sword of heav’n is not in haste to smite,
Nor yet doth linger, save unto his seeming,
Who in desire or fear doth look for it.
[tr. Cary (1814)]The sword above is not in haste to cut,
Nor yet delays -- unless till he appear,
Who now expects it in desire or fear.
[tr. Bannerman (1850)]The sword above here smiteth not in haste
Nor tardily, howe'er it seem to him
Who fearing or desiring waits for it.
[tr. Longfellow (1867)]The sword of this high place cuts not in haste, nor slow, save to the seeming of him who is awaiting it either in desire or fear.
[tr. Butler (1885)]Neither in haste nor tardily doth sheer
The sword of Heaven, except as he may deem,
Who waits for it with longing or with fear.
[tr. Minchin (1885)]The sword of here on high cuts not in haste, nor slow, save to the seeming of him who, desiring, or fearing, awaits it.
[tr. Norton (1892)]The sword from here above cleaveth not in haste nor tardy, save to his deeming who in longing or in fear awaiteth it.
[tr. Wicksteed (1899)]The sword here above does not strike in haste or tardily, except as it seems to him that awaits it with desire or with fear.
[tr. Sinclair (1939)]The sword cuts not in haste which smites from here
On high, nor tarrieth, save as those conceive
Who wait for it in longing or in fear.
[tr. Binyon (1943)]The sword of Heaven is not too soon dyed red,
nor yet too late -- except as its vengeance seems
to those who wait for it in hope or dread.
[tr. Ciardi (1970)]The sword of here on high cuts not in haste
nor tardily, save to his deeming who
in longing or in fear awaits it.
[tr. Singleton (1975)]The sword which strikes from here will never strike
In haste or too late, though it appears so
To those who hanker after it, or fear it.
[tr. Sisson (1981)]The sword that strikes from Heaven's height is neither
hasty nor slow, except as it appears
to him who waits for it -- who longs or fears.
[tr. Mandelbaum (1984)]The sword of Here on High cuts not in haste
nor is it slow -- except as it appears
to those who wait for it in hope or fear.
[tr. Musa (1984)]The sword of heaven never cuts in haste nor late, except as seems to one who awaits it with either desire or fear.
[tr. Durling (2011)]The sword from above does not strike hastily, or reluctantly, except to his perception, who waits for it with longing, or in fear.
[tr. Kline (2002)]That sword raised here will strike, though not in haste,
nor yet too slow, save only in the view
of those who wait in fear or keen desire.
[tr. Kirkpatrick (2007)]The sword of Heaven never cuts in haste
nor in delay, but to the one who waits
in longing or in fear, it well may seem so.
[tr. Hollander/Hollander (2007)]The sword
Of God, swung from on high, slices neither
Too soon or too late, except in the mind of one
Awaiting death either in fear or desire.
[tr. Raffel (2010)]
