Conceal not from me who ere death thou wast, But tell it me, and tell me if I go Right for the pass, and be thy words our escort.” “Lombard was I, and I was Marco called; 832 The world I knew, and loved that excellence, At which has each one now unbent his bow. For mounting upward, thou art going right.” Thus he made answer, and subjoined: “I pray thee To pray for me when thou shalt be above.” And I to him: “My faith I pledge to thee To do what thou dost ask me; but am bursting Inly with doubt, unless I rid me of it. First it was simple, and is now made double By thy opinion, which makes certain to me, Here and elsewhere, that which I couple with it. 833 The world forsooth is utterly deserted By every virtue, as thou tellest me, And with iniquity is big and covered; But I beseech thee point me out the cause, That I may see it, and to others show it; For one in the heavens, and here below one puts it.” A sigh profound, that grief forced into Ai!