Which translation of Dante's Inferno is my friend referencing?

January 5, 2023 7:15 AM

My friend tends to quote a particular translation of Canto 3 that he says is an older translation, but I can't find a precise match via Google. My suspicion is that he's flubbing it a little, but still referencing a specific translator. Does anyone recognize this translation of the passage as familiar and know which one I should be looking for?

As he quotes it, it is:

Through me lies the road to the city of grief.
Through me lies the pathway of souls that are lost.
Through me lies the road to pain everlasting.
Justice impelled my mighty architect,
The power divine, the primal love and wisdom,
Before me were created only things eternal,
And eternal I endure
Abandon all hope, all ye who enter here.

posted by corb to Writing & Language (2 answers total)

Best answer: Looks like it may come from the 1948 translation by Lawrence Grant White.
posted by slkinsey at 8:01 AM on January 5, 2023 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Lawrence Grant White (architect, & son of architect Stanford White):

Through me lies the road to the city of grief.
Through me lies the pathway to woe everlasting.
Through me lies the road to the souls that are lost.
Justice impelled my mighty architect:
The power divine, the primal love and wisdom
Surpassing all, have here constructed me
Before I was created, nothing was
Save things eternal.
I shall last forever.
Abandon hope, all ye who enter here!
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:21 AM on January 5, 2023 [7 favorites]