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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:16:19 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:16:19 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1007-0.txt b/1007-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8986809 --- /dev/null +++ b/1007-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5090 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1007 *** + +PARADISE + +FROM THE DIVINE COMEDY + +BY +Dante Alighieri + +Translated by +THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A. + + + + +Contents + + CANTO I. + CANTO II. + CANTO III. + CANTO IV. + CANTO V. + CANTO VI. + CANTO VII. + CANTO VIII. + CANTO IX. + CANTO X. + CANTO XI. + CANTO XII. + CANTO XIII. + CANTO XIV. + CANTO XV. + CANTO XVI. + CANTO XVII. + CANTO XVIII. + CANTO XIX. + CANTO XX. + CANTO XXI. + CANTO XXII. + CANTO XXIII. + CANTO XXIV. + CANTO XXV. + CANTO XXVI. + CANTO XXVII. + CANTO XXVIII. + CANTO XXIX. + CANTO XXX. + CANTO XXXI. + CANTO XXXII. + CANTO XXXIII. + + + + +PARADISE + + + + +CANTO I + + +His glory, by whose might all things are mov’d, +Pierces the universe, and in one part +Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav’n, +That largeliest of his light partakes, was I, +Witness of things, which to relate again +Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence; +For that, so near approaching its desire +Our intellect is to such depth absorb’d, +That memory cannot follow. Nathless all, +That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm +Could store, shall now be matter of my song. + +Benign Apollo! this last labour aid, +And make me such a vessel of thy worth, +As thy own laurel claims of me belov’d. +Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus’ brows +Suffic’d me; henceforth there is need of both +For my remaining enterprise Do thou +Enter into my bosom, and there breathe +So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg’d +Forth from his limbs unsheath’d. O power divine! +If thou to me of shine impart so much, +That of that happy realm the shadow’d form +Trac’d in my thoughts I may set forth to view, +Thou shalt behold me of thy favour’d tree +Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves; +For to that honour thou, and my high theme +Will fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire! +To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath +Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills +Deprav’d) joy to the Delphic god must spring +From the Pierian foliage, when one breast +Is with such thirst inspir’d. From a small spark +Great flame hath risen: after me perchance +Others with better voice may pray, and gain +From the Cirrhaean city answer kind. + +Through diver passages, the world’s bright lamp +Rises to mortals, but through that which joins +Four circles with the threefold cross, in best +Course, and in happiest constellation set +He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives +Its temper and impression. Morning there, +Here eve was by almost such passage made; +And whiteness had o’erspread that hemisphere, +Blackness the other part; when to the left +I saw Beatrice turn’d, and on the sun +Gazing, as never eagle fix’d his ken. +As from the first a second beam is wont +To issue, and reflected upwards rise, +E’en as a pilgrim bent on his return, +So of her act, that through the eyesight pass’d +Into my fancy, mine was form’d; and straight, +Beyond our mortal wont, I fix’d mine eyes +Upon the sun. Much is allowed us there, +That here exceeds our pow’r; thanks to the place +Made for the dwelling of the human kind + +I suffer’d it not long, and yet so long +That I beheld it bick’ring sparks around, +As iron that comes boiling from the fire. +And suddenly upon the day appear’d +A day new-ris’n, as he, who hath the power, +Had with another sun bedeck’d the sky. + +Her eyes fast fix’d on the eternal wheels, +Beatrice stood unmov’d; and I with ken +Fix’d upon her, from upward gaze remov’d +At her aspect, such inwardly became +As Glaucus, when he tasted of the herb, +That made him peer among the ocean gods; +Words may not tell of that transhuman change: +And therefore let the example serve, though weak, +For those whom grace hath better proof in store + +If I were only what thou didst create, +Then newly, Love! by whom the heav’n is rul’d, +Thou know’st, who by thy light didst bear me up. +Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide, +Desired Spirit! with its harmony +Temper’d of thee and measur’d, charm’d mine ear, +Then seem’d to me so much of heav’n to blaze +With the sun’s flame, that rain or flood ne’er made +A lake so broad. The newness of the sound, +And that great light, inflam’d me with desire, +Keener than e’er was felt, to know their cause. + +Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself, +To calm my troubled mind, before I ask’d, +Open’d her lips, and gracious thus began: +“With false imagination thou thyself +Mak’st dull, so that thou seest not the thing, +Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off. +Thou art not on the earth as thou believ’st; +For light’ning scap’d from its own proper place +Ne’er ran, as thou hast hither now return’d.” + +Although divested of my first-rais’d doubt, +By those brief words, accompanied with smiles, +Yet in new doubt was I entangled more, +And said: “Already satisfied, I rest +From admiration deep, but now admire +How I above those lighter bodies rise.” + +Whence, after utt’rance of a piteous sigh, +She tow’rds me bent her eyes, with such a look, +As on her frenzied child a mother casts; +Then thus began: “Among themselves all things +Have order; and from hence the form, which makes +The universe resemble God. In this +The higher creatures see the printed steps +Of that eternal worth, which is the end +Whither the line is drawn. All natures lean, +In this their order, diversely, some more, +Some less approaching to their primal source. +Thus they to different havens are mov’d on +Through the vast sea of being, and each one +With instinct giv’n, that bears it in its course; +This to the lunar sphere directs the fire, +This prompts the hearts of mortal animals, +This the brute earth together knits, and binds. +Nor only creatures, void of intellect, +Are aim’d at by this bow; but even those, +That have intelligence and love, are pierc’d. +That Providence, who so well orders all, +With her own light makes ever calm the heaven, +In which the substance, that hath greatest speed, +Is turn’d: and thither now, as to our seat +Predestin’d, we are carried by the force +Of that strong cord, that never looses dart, +But at fair aim and glad. Yet is it true, +That as ofttimes but ill accords the form +To the design of art, through sluggishness +Of unreplying matter, so this course +Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who +Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere; +As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall, +From its original impulse warp’d, to earth, +By vicious fondness. Thou no more admire +Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse +Of torrent downwards from a mountain’s height. +There would in thee for wonder be more cause, +If, free of hind’rance, thou hadst fix’d thyself +Below, like fire unmoving on the earth.” + +So said, she turn’d toward the heav’n her face. + + + + +CANTO II + + +All ye, who in small bark have following sail’d, +Eager to listen, on the advent’rous track +Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way, +Backward return with speed, and your own shores +Revisit, nor put out to open sea, +Where losing me, perchance ye may remain +Bewilder’d in deep maze. The way I pass +Ne’er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale, +Apollo guides me, and another Nine +To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal. +Ye other few, who have outstretch’d the neck. +Timely for food of angels, on which here +They live, yet never know satiety, +Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out +Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad +Before you in the wave, that on both sides +Equal returns. Those, glorious, who pass’d o’er +To Colchos, wonder’d not as ye will do, +When they saw Jason following the plough. + +The increate perpetual thirst, that draws +Toward the realm of God’s own form, bore us +Swift almost as the heaven ye behold. + +Beatrice upward gaz’d, and I on her, +And in such space as on the notch a dart +Is plac’d, then loosen’d flies, I saw myself +Arriv’d, where wond’rous thing engag’d my sight. +Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid, +Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair, +Bespake me: “Gratefully direct thy mind +To God, through whom to this first star we come.” + +Me seem’d as if a cloud had cover’d us, +Translucent, solid, firm, and polish’d bright, +Like adamant, which the sun’s beam had smit +Within itself the ever-during pearl +Receiv’d us, as the wave a ray of light +Receives, and rests unbroken. If I then +Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend +Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus +Another could endure, which needs must be +If body enter body, how much more +Must the desire inflame us to behold +That essence, which discovers by what means +God and our nature join’d! There will be seen +That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof, +But in itself intelligibly plain, +E’en as the truth that man at first believes. + +I answered: “Lady! I with thoughts devout, +Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him, +Who hath remov’d me from the mortal world. +But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots +Upon this body, which below on earth +Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?” + +She somewhat smil’d, then spake: “If mortals err +In their opinion, when the key of sense +Unlocks not, surely wonder’s weapon keen +Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find’st, the wings +Of reason to pursue the senses’ flight +Are short. But what thy own thought is, declare.” + +Then I: “What various here above appears, +Is caus’d, I deem, by bodies dense or rare.” + +She then resum’d: “Thou certainly wilt see +In falsehood thy belief o’erwhelm’d, if well +Thou listen to the arguments, which I +Shall bring to face it. The eighth sphere displays +Numberless lights, the which in kind and size +May be remark’d of different aspects; +If rare or dense of that were cause alone, +One single virtue then would be in all, +Alike distributed, or more, or less. +Different virtues needs must be the fruits +Of formal principles, and these, save one, +Will by thy reasoning be destroy’d. Beside, +If rarity were of that dusk the cause, +Which thou inquirest, either in some part +That planet must throughout be void, nor fed +With its own matter; or, as bodies share +Their fat and leanness, in like manner this +Must in its volume change the leaves. The first, +If it were true, had through the sun’s eclipse +Been manifested, by transparency +Of light, as through aught rare beside effus’d. +But this is not. Therefore remains to see +The other cause: and if the other fall, +Erroneous so must prove what seem’d to thee. +If not from side to side this rarity +Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence +Its contrary no further lets it pass. +And hence the beam, that from without proceeds, +Must be pour’d back, as colour comes, through glass +Reflected, which behind it lead conceals. +Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue +Than in the other part the ray is shown, +By being thence refracted farther back. +From this perplexity will free thee soon +Experience, if thereof thou trial make, +The fountain whence your arts derive their streame. +Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove +From thee alike, and more remote the third. +Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes; +Then turn’d toward them, cause behind thy back +A light to stand, that on the three shall shine, +And thus reflected come to thee from all. +Though that beheld most distant do not stretch +A space so ample, yet in brightness thou +Will own it equaling the rest. But now, +As under snow the ground, if the warm ray +Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue +And cold, that cover’d it before, so thee, +Dismantled in thy mind, I will inform +With light so lively, that the tremulous beam +Shall quiver where it falls. Within the heaven, +Where peace divine inhabits, circles round +A body, in whose virtue dies the being +Of all that it contains. The following heaven, +That hath so many lights, this being divides, +Through different essences, from it distinct, +And yet contain’d within it. The other orbs +Their separate distinctions variously +Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt. +Thus do these organs of the world proceed, +As thou beholdest now, from step to step, +Their influences from above deriving, +And thence transmitting downwards. Mark me well, +How through this passage to the truth I ford, +The truth thou lov’st, that thou henceforth alone, +May’st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold. + +“The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs, +As mallet by the workman’s hand, must needs +By blessed movers be inspir’d. This heaven, +Made beauteous by so many luminaries, +From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere, +Its image takes an impress as a seal: +And as the soul, that dwells within your dust, +Through members different, yet together form’d, +In different pow’rs resolves itself; e’en so +The intellectual efficacy unfolds +Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars; +On its own unity revolving still. +Different virtue compact different +Makes with the precious body it enlivens, +With which it knits, as life in you is knit. +From its original nature full of joy, +The virtue mingled through the body shines, +As joy through pupil of the living eye. +From hence proceeds, that which from light to light +Seems different, and not from dense or rare. +This is the formal cause, that generates +Proportion’d to its power, the dusk or clear.” + + + + +CANTO III + + +That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm’d +Had of fair truth unveil’d the sweet aspect, +By proof of right, and of the false reproof; +And I, to own myself convinc’d and free +Of doubt, as much as needed, rais’d my head +Erect for speech. But soon a sight appear’d, +Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix’d, +That of confession I no longer thought. + +As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave +Clear and unmov’d, and flowing not so deep +As that its bed is dark, the shape returns +So faint of our impictur’d lineaments, +That on white forehead set a pearl as strong +Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face, +All stretch’d to speak, from whence I straight conceiv’d +Delusion opposite to that, which rais’d +Between the man and fountain, amorous flame. + +Sudden, as I perceiv’d them, deeming these +Reflected semblances to see of whom +They were, I turn’d mine eyes, and nothing saw; +Then turn’d them back, directed on the light +Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams +From her celestial eyes. “Wonder not thou,” +She cry’d, “at this my smiling, when I see +Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth +It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont, +Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy. +True substances are these, which thou behold’st, +Hither through failure of their vow exil’d. +But speak thou with them; listen, and believe, +That the true light, which fills them with desire, +Permits not from its beams their feet to stray.” + +Straight to the shadow which for converse seem’d +Most earnest, I addressed me, and began, +As one by over-eagerness perplex’d: +“O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays +Of life eternal, of that sweetness know’st +The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far +All apprehension, me it well would please, +If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this +Your station here.” Whence she, with kindness prompt, +And eyes glist’ning with smiles: “Our charity, +To any wish by justice introduc’d, +Bars not the door, no more than she above, +Who would have all her court be like herself. +I was a virgin sister in the earth; +And if thy mind observe me well, this form, +With such addition grac’d of loveliness, +Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know +Piccarda, in the tardiest sphere thus plac’d, +Here ’mid these other blessed also blest. +Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone +With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv’d, +Admitted to his order dwell in joy. +And this condition, which appears so low, +Is for this cause assign’d us, that our vows +Were in some part neglected and made void.” + +Whence I to her replied: “Something divine +Beams in your countenance, wond’rous fair, +From former knowledge quite transmuting you. +Therefore to recollect was I so slow. +But what thou sayst hath to my memory +Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms +Is easier. Yet inform me, ye, who here +Are happy, long ye for a higher place +More to behold, and more in love to dwell?” + +She with those other spirits gently smil’d, +Then answer’d with such gladness, that she seem’d +With love’s first flame to glow: “Brother! our will +Is in composure settled by the power +Of charity, who makes us will alone +What we possess, and nought beyond desire; +If we should wish to be exalted more, +Then must our wishes jar with the high will +Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs +Thou wilt confess not possible, if here +To be in charity must needs befall, +And if her nature well thou contemplate. +Rather it is inherent in this state +Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within +The divine will, by which our wills with his +Are one. So that as we from step to step +Are plac’d throughout this kingdom, pleases all, +E’en as our King, who in us plants his will; +And in his will is our tranquillity; +It is the mighty ocean, whither tends +Whatever it creates and nature makes.” + +Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav’n +Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew +The supreme virtue show’r not over all. + +But as it chances, if one sort of food +Hath satiated, and of another still +The appetite remains, that this is ask’d, +And thanks for that return’d; e’en so did I +In word and motion, bent from her to learn +What web it was, through which she had not drawn +The shuttle to its point. She thus began: +“Exalted worth and perfectness of life +The Lady higher up enshrine in heaven, +By whose pure laws upon your nether earth +The robe and veil they wear, to that intent, +That e’en till death they may keep watch or sleep +With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow, +Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms. +from the world, to follow her, when young +Escap’d; and, in her vesture mantling me, +Made promise of the way her sect enjoins. +Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt, +Forth snatch’d me from the pleasant cloister’s pale. +God knows how after that my life was fram’d. +This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst +At my right side, burning with all the light +Of this our orb, what of myself I tell +May to herself apply. From her, like me +A sister, with like violence were torn +The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows. +E’en when she to the world again was brought +In spite of her own will and better wont, +Yet not for that the bosom’s inward veil +Did she renounce. This is the luminary +Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast, +Which blew the second over Suabia’s realm, +That power produc’d, which was the third and last.” + +She ceas’d from further talk, and then began +“Ave Maria” singing, and with that song +Vanish’d, as heavy substance through deep wave. + +Mine eye, that far as it was capable, +Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost, +Turn’d to the mark where greater want impell’d, +And bent on Beatrice all its gaze. +But she as light’ning beam’d upon my looks: +So that the sight sustain’d it not at first. +Whence I to question her became less prompt. + + + + +CANTO IV + + +Between two kinds of food, both equally +Remote and tempting, first a man might die +Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose. +E’en so would stand a lamb between the maw +Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike: +E’en so between two deer a dog would stand, +Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise +I to myself impute, by equal doubts +Held in suspense, since of necessity +It happen’d. Silent was I, yet desire +Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake +My wish more earnestly than language could. + +As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed +From ire, that spurr’d him on to deeds unjust +And violent; so look’d Beatrice then. + +“Well I discern,” she thus her words address’d, +“How contrary desires each way constrain thee, +So that thy anxious thought is in itself +Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth. +Thou arguest; if the good intent remain; +What reason that another’s violence +Should stint the measure of my fair desert? + +“Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems, +That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem’d, +Return. These are the questions which thy will +Urge equally; and therefore I the first +Of that will treat which hath the more of gall. +Of seraphim he who is most ensky’d, +Moses and Samuel, and either John, +Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary’s self, +Have not in any other heav’n their seats, +Than have those spirits which so late thou saw’st; +Nor more or fewer years exist; but all +Make the first circle beauteous, diversely +Partaking of sweet life, as more or less +Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them. +Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns +This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee +Of that celestial furthest from the height. +Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak: +Since from things sensible alone ye learn +That, which digested rightly after turns +To intellectual. For no other cause +The scripture, condescending graciously +To your perception, hands and feet to God +Attributes, nor so means: and holy church +Doth represent with human countenance +Gabriel, and Michael, and him who made +Tobias whole. Unlike what here thou seest, +The judgment of Timaeus, who affirms +Each soul restor’d to its particular star, +Believing it to have been taken thence, +When nature gave it to inform her mold: +Since to appearance his intention is +E’en what his words declare: or else to shun +Derision, haply thus he hath disguis’d +His true opinion. If his meaning be, +That to the influencing of these orbs revert +The honour and the blame in human acts, +Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth. +This principle, not understood aright, +Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world; +So that it fell to fabled names of Jove, +And Mercury, and Mars. That other doubt, +Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings +No peril of removing thee from me. + +“That, to the eye of man, our justice seems +Unjust, is argument for faith, and not +For heretic declension. To the end +This truth may stand more clearly in your view, +I will content thee even to thy wish + +“If violence be, when that which suffers, nought +Consents to that which forceth, not for this +These spirits stood exculpate. For the will, +That will not, still survives unquench’d, and doth +As nature doth in fire, tho’ violence +Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield +Or more or less, so far it follows force. +And thus did these, whom they had power to seek +The hallow’d place again. In them, had will +Been perfect, such as once upon the bars +Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola +To his own hand remorseless, to the path, +Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten’d back, +When liberty return’d: but in too few +Resolve so steadfast dwells. And by these words +If duly weigh’d, that argument is void, +Which oft might have perplex’d thee still. But now +Another question thwarts thee, which to solve +Might try thy patience without better aid. +I have, no doubt, instill’d into thy mind, +That blessed spirit may not lie; since near +The source of primal truth it dwells for aye: +And thou might’st after of Piccarda learn +That Constance held affection to the veil; +So that she seems to contradict me here. +Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc’d for men +To do what they had gladly left undone, +Yet to shun peril they have done amiss: +E’en as Alcmaeon, at his father’s suit +Slew his own mother, so made pitiless +Not to lose pity. On this point bethink thee, +That force and will are blended in such wise +As not to make the’ offence excusable. +Absolute will agrees not to the wrong, +That inasmuch as there is fear of woe +From non-compliance, it agrees. Of will +Thus absolute Piccarda spake, and I +Of th’ other; so that both have truly said.” + +Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well’d +From forth the fountain of all truth; and such +The rest, that to my wond’ring thoughts I found. + +“O thou of primal love the prime delight! +Goddess!” I straight reply’d, “whose lively words +Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul! +Affection fails me to requite thy grace +With equal sum of gratitude: be his +To recompense, who sees and can reward thee. +Well I discern, that by that truth alone +Enlighten’d, beyond which no truth may roam, +Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know: +Therein she resteth, e’en as in his lair +The wild beast, soon as she hath reach’d that bound, +And she hath power to reach it; else desire +Were given to no end. And thence doth doubt +Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth; +And it is nature which from height to height +On to the summit prompts us. This invites, +This doth assure me, lady, rev’rently +To ask thee of other truth, that yet +Is dark to me. I fain would know, if man +By other works well done may so supply +The failure of his vows, that in your scale +They lack not weight.” I spake; and on me straight +Beatrice look’d with eyes that shot forth sparks +Of love celestial in such copious stream, +That, virtue sinking in me overpower’d, +I turn’d, and downward bent confus’d my sight. + + + + +CANTO V + + +“If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love +Illume me, so that I o’ercome thy power +Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause +In that perfection of the sight, which soon +As apprehending, hasteneth on to reach +The good it apprehends. I well discern, +How in thine intellect already shines +The light eternal, which to view alone +Ne’er fails to kindle love; and if aught else +Your love seduces, ’tis but that it shows +Some ill-mark’d vestige of that primal beam. + +“This would’st thou know, if failure of the vow +By other service may be so supplied, +As from self-question to assure the soul.” + +Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish, +Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off +Discourse, continued in her saintly strain. +“Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave +Of his free bounty, sign most evident +Of goodness, and in his account most priz’d, +Was liberty of will, the boon wherewith +All intellectual creatures, and them sole +He hath endow’d. Hence now thou mayst infer +Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram’d +That when man offers, God well-pleas’d accepts; +For in the compact between God and him, +This treasure, such as I describe it to thee, +He makes the victim, and of his own act. +What compensation therefore may he find? +If that, whereof thou hast oblation made, +By using well thou think’st to consecrate, +Thou would’st of theft do charitable deed. +Thus I resolve thee of the greater point. + +“But forasmuch as holy church, herein +Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth +I have discover’d to thee, yet behooves +Thou rest a little longer at the board, +Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken, +Digested fitly to nutrition turn. +Open thy mind to what I now unfold, +And give it inward keeping. Knowledge comes +Of learning well retain’d, unfruitful else. + +“This sacrifice in essence of two things +Consisteth; one is that, whereof ’tis made, +The covenant the other. For the last, +It ne’er is cancell’d if not kept: and hence +I spake erewhile so strictly of its force. +For this it was enjoin’d the Israelites, +Though leave were giv’n them, as thou know’st, to change +The offering, still to offer. Th’ other part, +The matter and the substance of the vow, +May well be such, to that without offence +It may for other substance be exchang’d. +But at his own discretion none may shift +The burden on his shoulders, unreleas’d +By either key, the yellow and the white. +Nor deem of any change, as less than vain, +If the last bond be not within the new +Included, as the quatre in the six. +No satisfaction therefore can be paid +For what so precious in the balance weighs, +That all in counterpoise must kick the beam. +Take then no vow at random: ta’en, with faith +Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once, +Blindly to execute a rash resolve, +Whom better it had suited to exclaim, +‘I have done ill,’ than to redeem his pledge +By doing worse or, not unlike to him +In folly, that great leader of the Greeks: +Whence, on the alter, Iphigenia mourn’d +Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn +Both wise and simple, even all, who hear +Of so fell sacrifice. Be ye more staid, +O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind +Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves +In every water. Either testament, +The old and new, is yours: and for your guide +The shepherd of the church let this suffice +To save you. When by evil lust entic’d, +Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts; +Nor let the Jew, who dwelleth in your streets, +Hold you in mock’ry. Be not, as the lamb, +That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother’s milk, +To dally with itself in idle play.” + +Such were the words that Beatrice spake: +These ended, to that region, where the world +Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn’d. + +Though mainly prompt new question to propose, +Her silence and chang’d look did keep me dumb. +And as the arrow, ere the cord is still, +Leapeth unto its mark; so on we sped +Into the second realm. There I beheld +The dame, so joyous enter, that the orb +Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star +Were mov’d to gladness, what then was my cheer, +Whom nature hath made apt for every change! + +As in a quiet and clear lake the fish, +If aught approach them from without, do draw +Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew +Full more than thousand splendours towards us, +And in each one was heard: “Lo! one arriv’d +To multiply our loves!” and as each came +The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new, +Witness’d augmented joy. Here, reader! think, +If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale, +To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave; +And thou shalt see what vehement desire +Possess’d me, as soon as these had met my view, +To know their state. “O born in happy hour! +Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close +Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones +Of that eternal triumph, know to us +The light communicated, which through heaven +Expatiates without bound. Therefore, if aught +Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid, +Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill.” + +Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me; +And Beatrice next: “Say on; and trust +As unto gods!”—“How in the light supreme +Thou harbour’st, and from thence the virtue bring’st, +That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy, +I mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek; +Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot +This sphere assign’d, that oft from mortal ken +Is veil’d by others’ beams.” I said, and turn’d +Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind +Erewhile had hail’d me. Forthwith brighter far +Than erst, it wax’d: and, as himself the sun +Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze +Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey’d; +Within its proper ray the saintly shape +Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal’d; +And, shrouded so in splendour answer’d me, +E’en as the tenour of my song declares. + + + + +CANTO VI + + +“After that Constantine the eagle turn’d +Against the motions of the heav’n, that roll’d +Consenting with its course, when he of yore, +Lavinia’s spouse, was leader of the flight, +A hundred years twice told and more, his seat +At Europe’s extreme point, the bird of Jove +Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first. +There, under shadow of his sacred plumes +Swaying the world, till through successive hands +To mine he came devolv’d. Caesar I was, +And am Justinian; destin’d by the will +Of that prime love, whose influence I feel, +From vain excess to clear th’ encumber’d laws. +Or ere that work engag’d me, I did hold +Christ’s nature merely human, with such faith +Contented. But the blessed Agapete, +Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice +To the true faith recall’d me. I believ’d +His words: and what he taught, now plainly see, +As thou in every contradiction seest +The true and false oppos’d. Soon as my feet +Were to the church reclaim’d, to my great task, +By inspiration of God’s grace impell’d, +I gave me wholly, and consign’d mine arms +To Belisarius, with whom heaven’s right hand +Was link’d in such conjointment, ’twas a sign +That I should rest. To thy first question thus +I shape mine answer, which were ended here, +But that its tendency doth prompt perforce +To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark +What reason on each side they have to plead, +By whom that holiest banner is withstood, +Both who pretend its power and who oppose. + +“Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died +To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds +Have made it worthy reverence. Not unknown +To thee, how for three hundred years and more +It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists +Where for its sake were met the rival three; +Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev’d +Down to the Sabines’ wrong to Lucrece’ woe, +With its sev’n kings conqu’ring the nation round; +Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home +’Gainst Brennus and th’ Epirot prince, and hosts +Of single chiefs, or states in league combin’d +Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern, +And Quintius nam’d of his neglected locks, +The Decii, and the Fabii hence acquir’d +Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm. +By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell’d, +When they led on by Hannibal o’erpass’d +The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po! +Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days +Scipio and Pompey triumph’d; and that hill, +Under whose summit thou didst see the light, +Rued its stern bearing. After, near the hour, +When heav’n was minded that o’er all the world +His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar’s hand +Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought +From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere’s flood, +Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills +The torrent Rhone. What after that it wrought, +When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap’d +The Rubicon, was of so bold a flight, +That tongue nor pen may follow it. Tow’rds Spain +It wheel’d its bands, then tow’rd Dyrrachium smote, +And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge, +E’en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang; +Its native shores Antandros, and the streams +Of Simois revisited, and there +Where Hector lies; then ill for Ptolemy +His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell +On Juba; and the next upon your west, +At sound of the Pompeian trump, return’d. + +“What following and in its next bearer’s gripe +It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus +Bark’d off in hell, and by Perugia’s sons +And Modena’s was mourn’d. Hence weepeth still +Sad Cleopatra, who, pursued by it, +Took from the adder black and sudden death. +With him it ran e’en to the Red Sea coast; +With him compos’d the world to such a peace, +That of his temple Janus barr’d the door. + +“But all the mighty standard yet had wrought, +And was appointed to perform thereafter, +Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway’d, +Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur’d, +If one with steady eye and perfect thought +On the third Caesar look; for to his hands, +The living Justice, in whose breath I move, +Committed glory, e’en into his hands, +To execute the vengeance of its wrath. + +“Hear now and wonder at what next I tell. +After with Titus it was sent to wreak +Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin, +And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure, +Did gore the bosom of the holy church, +Under its wings victorious, Charlemagne +Sped to her rescue. Judge then for thyself +Of those, whom I erewhile accus’d to thee, +What they are, and how grievous their offending, +Who are the cause of all your ills. The one +Against the universal ensign rears +The yellow lilies, and with partial aim +That to himself the other arrogates: +So that ’tis hard to see which more offends. +Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts +Beneath another standard: ill is this +Follow’d of him, who severs it and justice: +And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown’d Charles +Assail it, but those talons hold in dread, +Which from a lion of more lofty port +Have rent the easing. Many a time ere now +The sons have for the sire’s transgression wail’d; +Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav’n +Will truck its armour for his lilied shield. + +“This little star is furnish’d with good spirits, +Whose mortal lives were busied to that end, +That honour and renown might wait on them: +And, when desires thus err in their intention, +True love must needs ascend with slacker beam. +But it is part of our delight, to measure +Our wages with the merit; and admire +The close proportion. Hence doth heav’nly justice +Temper so evenly affection in us, +It ne’er can warp to any wrongfulness. +Of diverse voices is sweet music made: +So in our life the different degrees +Render sweet harmony among these wheels. + +“Within the pearl, that now encloseth us, +Shines Romeo’s light, whose goodly deed and fair +Met ill acceptance. But the Provencals, +That were his foes, have little cause for mirth. +Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong +Of other’s worth. Four daughters were there born +To Raymond Berenger, and every one +Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo, +Though of mean state and from a foreign land. +Yet envious tongues incited him to ask +A reckoning of that just one, who return’d +Twelve fold to him for ten. Aged and poor +He parted thence: and if the world did know +The heart he had, begging his life by morsels, +’Twould deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt.” + + + + +CANTO VII + + +“Hosanna Sanctus Deus Sabaoth +Superillustrans claritate tua +Felices ignes horum malahoth!” +Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright +With fourfold lustre to its orb again, +Revolving; and the rest unto their dance +With it mov’d also; and like swiftest sparks, +In sudden distance from my sight were veil’d. + +Me doubt possess’d, and “Speak,” it whisper’d me, +“Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench +Thy thirst with drops of sweetness.” Yet blank awe, +Which lords it o’er me, even at the sound +Of Beatrice’s name, did bow me down +As one in slumber held. Not long that mood +Beatrice suffer’d: she, with such a smile, +As might have made one blest amid the flames, +Beaming upon me, thus her words began: +“Thou in thy thought art pond’ring (as I deem), +And what I deem is truth how just revenge +Could be with justice punish’d: from which doubt +I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words; +For they of weighty matter shall possess thee. + +“That man, who was unborn, himself condemn’d, +And, in himself, all, who since him have liv’d, +His offspring: whence, below, the human kind +Lay sick in grievous error many an age; +Until it pleas’d the Word of God to come +Amongst them down, to his own person joining +The nature, from its Maker far estrang’d, +By the mere act of his eternal love. +Contemplate here the wonder I unfold. +The nature with its Maker thus conjoin’d, +Created first was blameless, pure and good; +But through itself alone was driven forth +From Paradise, because it had eschew’d +The way of truth and life, to evil turn’d. +Ne’er then was penalty so just as that +Inflicted by the cross, if thou regard +The nature in assumption doom’d: ne’er wrong +So great, in reference to him, who took +Such nature on him, and endur’d the doom. +God therefore and the Jews one sentence pleased: +So different effects flow’d from one act, +And heav’n was open’d, though the earth did quake. +Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear +That a just vengeance was by righteous court +Justly reveng’d. But yet I see thy mind +By thought on thought arising sore perplex’d, +And with how vehement desire it asks +Solution of the maze. What I have heard, +Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way +For our redemption chose, eludes my search. + +“Brother! no eye of man not perfected, +Nor fully ripen’d in the flame of love, +May fathom this decree. It is a mark, +In sooth, much aim’d at, and but little kenn’d: +And I will therefore show thee why such way +Was worthiest. The celestial love, that spume +All envying in its bounty, in itself +With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth +All beauteous things eternal. What distils +Immediate thence, no end of being knows, +Bearing its seal immutably impress’d. +Whatever thence immediate falls, is free, +Free wholly, uncontrollable by power +Of each thing new: by such conformity +More grateful to its author, whose bright beams, +Though all partake their shining, yet in those +Are liveliest, which resemble him the most. +These tokens of pre-eminence on man +Largely bestow’d, if any of them fail, +He needs must forfeit his nobility, +No longer stainless. Sin alone is that, +Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike +To the chief good; for that its light in him +Is darken’d. And to dignity thus lost +Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void, +He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain. +Your nature, which entirely in its seed +Trangress’d, from these distinctions fell, no less +Than from its state in Paradise; nor means +Found of recovery (search all methods out +As strickly as thou may) save one of these, +The only fords were left through which to wade, +Either that God had of his courtesy +Releas’d him merely, or else man himself +For his own folly by himself aton’d. + +“Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst, +On th’ everlasting counsel, and explore, +Instructed by my words, the dread abyss. + +“Man in himself had ever lack’d the means +Of satisfaction, for he could not stoop +Obeying, in humility so low, +As high he, disobeying, thought to soar: +And for this reason he had vainly tried +Out of his own sufficiency to pay +The rigid satisfaction. Then behooved +That God should by his own ways lead him back +Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor’d: +By both his ways, I mean, or one alone. +But since the deed is ever priz’d the more, +The more the doer’s good intent appears, +Goodness celestial, whose broad signature +Is on the universe, of all its ways +To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none, +Nor aught so vast or so magnificent, +Either for him who gave or who receiv’d +Between the last night and the primal day, +Was or can be. For God more bounty show’d. +Giving himself to make man capable +Of his return to life, than had the terms +Been mere and unconditional release. +And for his justice, every method else +Were all too scant, had not the Son of God +Humbled himself to put on mortal flesh. + +“Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains +I somewhat further to thy view unfold. +That thou mayst see as clearly as myself. + +“I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see, +The earth and water, and all things of them +Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon +Dissolve. Yet these were also things create, +Because, if what were told me, had been true +They from corruption had been therefore free. + +“The angels, O my brother! and this clime +Wherein thou art, impassible and pure, +I call created, as indeed they are +In their whole being. But the elements, +Which thou hast nam’d, and what of them is made, +Are by created virtue’ inform’d: create +Their substance, and create the’ informing virtue +In these bright stars, that round them circling move +The soul of every brute and of each plant, +The ray and motion of the sacred lights, +With complex potency attract and turn. +But this our life the’ eternal good inspires +Immediate, and enamours of itself; +So that our wishes rest for ever here. + +“And hence thou mayst by inference conclude +Our resurrection certain, if thy mind +Consider how the human flesh was fram’d, +When both our parents at the first were made.” + + + + +CANTO VIII + + +The world was in its day of peril dark +Wont to believe the dotage of fond love +From the fair Cyprian deity, who rolls +In her third epicycle, shed on men +By stream of potent radiance: therefore they +Of elder time, in their old error blind, +Not her alone with sacrifice ador’d +And invocation, but like honours paid +To Cupid and Dione, deem’d of them +Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign’d +To sit in Dido’s bosom: and from her, +Whom I have sung preluding, borrow’d they +The appellation of that star, which views, +Now obvious and now averse, the sun. + +I was not ware that I was wafted up +Into its orb; but the new loveliness +That grac’d my lady, gave me ample proof +That we had entered there. And as in flame +A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice +Discern’d, when one its even tenour keeps, +The other comes and goes; so in that light +I other luminaries saw, that cours’d +In circling motion, rapid more or less, +As their eternal phases each impels. + +Never was blast from vapour charged with cold, +Whether invisible to eye or no, +Descended with such speed, it had not seem’d +To linger in dull tardiness, compar’d +To those celestial lights, that tow’rds us came, +Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring, +Conducted by the lofty seraphim. +And after them, who in the van appear’d, +Such an hosanna sounded, as hath left +Desire, ne’er since extinct in me, to hear +Renew’d the strain. Then parting from the rest +One near us drew, and sole began: “We all +Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos’d +To do thee gentle service. We are they, +To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing +‘O ye! whose intellectual ministry +Moves the third heaven!’ and in one orb we roll, +One motion, one impulse, with those who rule +Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full, +That to please thee ’twill be as sweet to rest.” + +After mine eyes had with meek reverence +Sought the celestial guide, and were by her +Assur’d, they turn’d again unto the light +Who had so largely promis’d, and with voice +That bare the lively pressure of my zeal, +“Tell who ye are,” I cried. Forthwith it grew +In size and splendour, through augmented joy; +And thus it answer’d: “A short date below +The world possess’d me. Had the time been more, +Much evil, that will come, had never chanc’d. +My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine +Around, and shroud me, as an animal +In its own silk enswath’d. Thou lov’dst me well, +And had’st good cause; for had my sojourning +Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee +Had put forth more than blossoms. The left bank, +That Rhone, when he hath mix’d with Sorga, laves. + +“In me its lord expected, and that horn +Of fair Ausonia, with its boroughs old, +Bari, and Croton, and Gaeta pil’d, +From where the Trento disembogues his waves, +With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood. +Already on my temples beam’d the crown, +Which gave me sov’reignty over the land +By Danube wash’d, whenas he strays beyond +The limits of his German shores. The realm, +Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash’d, +Betwixt Pelorus and Pachynian heights, +The beautiful Trinacria lies in gloom +(Not through Typhaeus, but the vap’ry cloud +Bituminous upsteam’d), THAT too did look +To have its scepter wielded by a race +Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph; +had not ill lording which doth spirit up +The people ever, in Palermo rais’d +The shout of ‘death,’ re-echo’d loud and long. +Had but my brother’s foresight kenn’d as much, +He had been warier that the greedy want +Of Catalonia might not work his bale. +And truly need there is, that he forecast, +Or other for him, lest more freight be laid +On his already over-laden bark. +Nature in him, from bounty fall’n to thrift, +Would ask the guard of braver arms, than such +As only care to have their coffers fill’d.” + +“My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words +Infuse into me, mighty as it is, +To think my gladness manifest to thee, +As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst +Into the source and limit of all good, +There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak, +Thence priz’d of me the more. Glad thou hast made me. +Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt +Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse, +How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown.” + +I thus inquiring; he forthwith replied: +“If I have power to show one truth, soon that +Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares +Behind thee now conceal’d. The Good, that guides +And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount, +Ordains its providence to be the virtue +In these great bodies: nor th’ all perfect Mind +Upholds their nature merely, but in them +Their energy to save: for nought, that lies +Within the range of that unerring bow, +But is as level with the destin’d aim, +As ever mark to arrow’s point oppos’d. +Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit, +Would their effect so work, it would not be +Art, but destruction; and this may not chance, +If th’ intellectual powers, that move these stars, +Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail. +Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc’d?” + +To whom I thus: “It is enough: no fear, +I see, lest nature in her part should tire.” + +He straight rejoin’d: “Say, were it worse for man, +If he liv’d not in fellowship on earth?” + +“Yea,” answer’d I; “nor here a reason needs.” + +“And may that be, if different estates +Grow not of different duties in your life? +Consult your teacher, and he tells you ‘no.’” + +Thus did he come, deducing to this point, +And then concluded: “For this cause behooves, +The roots, from whence your operations come, +Must differ. Therefore one is Solon born; +Another, Xerxes; and Melchisidec +A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage +Cost him his son. In her circuitous course, +Nature, that is the seal to mortal wax, +Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns +’Twixt one or other household. Hence befalls +That Esau is so wide of Jacob: hence +Quirinus of so base a father springs, +He dates from Mars his lineage. Were it not +That providence celestial overrul’d, +Nature, in generation, must the path +Trac’d by the generator, still pursue +Unswervingly. Thus place I in thy sight +That, which was late behind thee. But, in sign +Of more affection for thee, ’tis my will +Thou wear this corollary. Nature ever +Finding discordant fortune, like all seed +Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill. +And were the world below content to mark +And work on the foundation nature lays, +It would not lack supply of excellence. +But ye perversely to religion strain +Him, who was born to gird on him the sword, +And of the fluent phrasemen make your king; +Therefore your steps have wander’d from the paths.” + + + + +CANTO IX + + +After solution of my doubt, thy Charles, +O fair Clemenza, of the treachery spake +That must befall his seed: but, “Tell it not,” +Said he, “and let the destin’d years come round.” +Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed +Of sorrow well-deserv’d shall quit your wrongs. + +And now the visage of that saintly light +Was to the sun, that fills it, turn’d again, +As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss +Sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls! +Infatuate, who from such a good estrange +Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity, +Alas for you!—And lo! toward me, next, +Another of those splendent forms approach’d, +That, by its outward bright’ning, testified +The will it had to pleasure me. The eyes +Of Beatrice, resting, as before, +Firmly upon me, manifested forth +Approval of my wish. “And O,” I cried, +“Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform’d; +And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts +I can reflect on thee.” Thereat the light, +That yet was new to me, from the recess, +Where it before was singing, thus began, +As one who joys in kindness: “In that part +Of the deprav’d Italian land, which lies +Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs +Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise, +But to no lofty eminence, a hill, +From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend, +That sorely sheet the region. From one root +I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza: +And here I glitter, for that by its light +This star o’ercame me. Yet I naught repine, +Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot, +Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive. + +“This jewel, that is next me in our heaven, +Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left, +And not to perish, ere these hundred years +Five times absolve their round. Consider thou, +If to excel be worthy man’s endeavour, +When such life may attend the first. Yet they +Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt +By Adice and Tagliamento, still +Impenitent, tho’ scourg’d. The hour is near, +When for their stubbornness at Padua’s marsh +The water shall be chang’d, that laves Vicena +And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one +Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom +The web is now a-warping. Feltro too +Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd’s fault, +Of so deep stain, that never, for the like, +Was Malta’s bar unclos’d. Too large should be +The skillet, that would hold Ferrara’s blood, +And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it, +The which this priest, in show of party-zeal, +Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit +The country’s custom. We descry above, +Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us +Reflected shine the judgments of our God: +Whence these our sayings we avouch for good.” + +She ended, and appear’d on other thoughts +Intent, re-ent’ring on the wheel she late +Had left. That other joyance meanwhile wax’d +A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing, +Like choicest ruby stricken by the sun, +For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes +Of gladness, as here laughter: and below, +As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade. + +“God seeth all: and in him is thy sight,” +Said I, “blest Spirit! Therefore will of his +Cannot to thee be dark. Why then delays +Thy voice to satisfy my wish untold, +That voice which joins the inexpressive song, +Pastime of heav’n, the which those ardours sing, +That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread? +I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known +To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known.” + +He forthwith answ’ring, thus his words began: +“The valley’ of waters, widest next to that +Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course, +Between discordant shores, against the sun +Inward so far, it makes meridian there, +Where was before th’ horizon. Of that vale +Dwelt I upon the shore, ’twixt Ebro’s stream +And Macra’s, that divides with passage brief +Genoan bounds from Tuscan. East and west +Are nearly one to Begga and my land, +Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm. +Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco: +And I did bear impression of this heav’n, +That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame +Glow’d Belus’ daughter, injuring alike +Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I, +Long as it suited the unripen’d down +That fledg’d my cheek: nor she of Rhodope, +That was beguiled of Demophoon; +Nor Jove’s son, when the charms of Iole +Were shrin’d within his heart. And yet there hides +No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth, +Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind), +But for the virtue, whose o’erruling sway +And providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here +The skill is look’d into, that fashioneth +With such effectual working, and the good +Discern’d, accruing to this upper world +From that below. But fully to content +Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth, +Demands my further parle. Inquire thou wouldst, +Who of this light is denizen, that here +Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth +On the clear wave. Know then, the soul of Rahab +Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe +United, and the foremost rank assign’d. +He to that heav’n, at which the shadow ends +Of your sublunar world, was taken up, +First, in Christ’s triumph, of all souls redeem’d: +For well behoov’d, that, in some part of heav’n, +She should remain a trophy, to declare +The mighty contest won with either palm; +For that she favour’d first the high exploit +Of Joshua on the holy land, whereof +The Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant +Of him, that on his Maker turn’d the back, +And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung, +Engenders and expands the cursed flower, +That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs, +Turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this, +The gospel and great teachers laid aside, +The decretals, as their stuft margins show, +Are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals, +Intent on these, ne’er journey but in thought +To Nazareth, where Gabriel op’d his wings. +Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican, +And other most selected parts of Rome, +That were the grave of Peter’s soldiery, +Shall be deliver’d from the adult’rous bond.” + + + + +CANTO X + + +Looking into his first-born with the love, +Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might +Ineffable, whence eye or mind +Can roam, hath in such order all dispos’d, +As none may see and fail to enjoy. Raise, then, +O reader! to the lofty wheels, with me, +Thy ken directed to the point, whereat +One motion strikes on th’ other. There begin +Thy wonder of the mighty Architect, +Who loves his work so inwardly, his eye +Doth ever watch it. See, how thence oblique +Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll +To pour their wished influence on the world; +Whose path not bending thus, in heav’n above +Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth, +All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct +Were its departure distant more or less, +I’ th’ universal order, great defect +Must, both in heav’n and here beneath, ensue. + +Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse +Anticipative of the feast to come; +So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil. +Lo! I have set before thee, for thyself +Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth +Demands entire my thought. Join’d with the part, +Which late we told of, the great minister +Of nature, that upon the world imprints +The virtue of the heaven, and doles out +Time for us with his beam, went circling on +Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes; +And I was with him, weetless of ascent, +As one, who till arriv’d, weets not his coming. + +For Beatrice, she who passeth on +So suddenly from good to better, time +Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs +Have been her brightness! What she was i’ th’ sun +(Where I had enter’d), not through change of hue, +But light transparent—did I summon up +Genius, art, practice—I might not so speak, +It should be e’er imagin’d: yet believ’d +It may be, and the sight be justly crav’d. +And if our fantasy fail of such height, +What marvel, since no eye above the sun +Hath ever travel’d? Such are they dwell here, +Fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire, +Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows; +And holds them still enraptur’d with the view. +And thus to me Beatrice: “Thank, oh thank, +The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace +To this perceptible hath lifted thee.” + +Never was heart in such devotion bound, +And with complacency so absolute +Dispos’d to render up itself to God, +As mine was at those words: and so entire +The love for Him, that held me, it eclips’d +Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeas’d +Was she, but smil’d thereat so joyously, +That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake +And scatter’d my collected mind abroad. + +Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness +Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown, +And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice, +Than in their visage beaming. Cinctur’d thus, +Sometime Latona’s daughter we behold, +When the impregnate air retains the thread, +That weaves her zone. In the celestial court, +Whence I return, are many jewels found, +So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook +Transporting from that realm: and of these lights +Such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing +To soar up thither, let him look from thence +For tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus, +Those burning suns that circled round us thrice, +As nearest stars around the fixed pole, +Then seem’d they like to ladies, from the dance +Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause, +List’ning, till they have caught the strain anew: +Suspended so they stood: and, from within, +Thus heard I one, who spake: “Since with its beam +The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame, +That after doth increase by loving, shines +So multiplied in thee, it leads thee up +Along this ladder, down whose hallow’d steps +None e’er descend, and mount them not again, +Who from his phial should refuse thee wine +To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were, +Than water flowing not unto the sea. +Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom +In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds +This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav’n. +I then was of the lambs, that Dominic +Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way, +Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity. +He, nearest on my right hand, brother was, +And master to me: Albert of Cologne +Is this: and of Aquinum, Thomas I. +If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur’d, +Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak, +In circuit journey round the blessed wreath. +That next resplendence issues from the smile +Of Gratian, who to either forum lent +Such help, as favour wins in Paradise. +The other, nearest, who adorns our quire, +Was Peter, he that with the widow gave +To holy church his treasure. The fifth light, +Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired, +That all your world craves tidings of its doom: +Within, there is the lofty light, endow’d +With sapience so profound, if truth be truth, +That with a ken of such wide amplitude +No second hath arisen. Next behold +That taper’s radiance, to whose view was shown, +Clearliest, the nature and the ministry +Angelical, while yet in flesh it dwelt. +In the other little light serenely smiles +That pleader for the Christian temples, he +Who did provide Augustin of his lore. +Now, if thy mind’s eye pass from light to light, +Upon my praises following, of the eighth +Thy thirst is next. The saintly soul, that shows +The world’s deceitfulness, to all who hear him, +Is, with the sight of all the good, that is, +Blest there. The limbs, whence it was driven, lie +Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom +And exile came it here. Lo! further on, +Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore, +Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile, +In deep discernment. Lastly this, from whom +Thy look on me reverteth, was the beam +Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent, +Rebuk’d the ling’ring tardiness of death. +It is the eternal light of Sigebert, +Who ’scap’d not envy, when of truth he argued, +Reading in the straw-litter’d street.” Forthwith, +As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God +To win her bridegroom’s love at matin’s hour, +Each part of other fitly drawn and urg’d, +Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet, +Affection springs in well-disposed breast; +Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard +Voice answ’ring voice, so musical and soft, +It can be known but where day endless shines. + + + + +CANTO XI + + +O fond anxiety of mortal men! +How vain and inconclusive arguments +Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below +For statues one, and one for aphorisms +Was hunting; this the priesthood follow’d, that +By force or sophistry aspir’d to rule; +To rob another, and another sought +By civil business wealth; one moiling lay +Tangled in net of sensual delight, +And one to witless indolence resign’d; +What time from all these empty things escap’d, +With Beatrice, I thus gloriously +Was rais’d aloft, and made the guest of heav’n. + +They of the circle to that point, each one. +Where erst it was, had turn’d; and steady glow’d, +As candle in his socket. Then within +The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling +With merer gladness, heard I thus begin: + +“E’en as his beam illumes me, so I look +Into the eternal light, and clearly mark +Thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt, +And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh +In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth +To thy perception, where I told thee late +That ‘well they thrive;’ and that ‘no second such +Hath risen,’ which no small distinction needs. + +“The providence, that governeth the world, +In depth of counsel by created ken +Unfathomable, to the end that she, +Who with loud cries was ‘spous’d in precious blood, +Might keep her footing towards her well-belov’d, +Safe in herself and constant unto him, +Hath two ordain’d, who should on either hand +In chief escort her: one seraphic all +In fervency; for wisdom upon earth, +The other splendour of cherubic light. +I but of one will tell: he tells of both, +Who one commendeth which of them so’er +Be taken: for their deeds were to one end. + +“Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls +From blest Ubaldo’s chosen hill, there hangs +Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold +Are wafted through Perugia’s eastern gate: +And Norcera with Gualdo, in its rear +Mourn for their heavy yoke. Upon that side, +Where it doth break its steepness most, arose +A sun upon the world, as duly this +From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak +Of that place, say Ascesi; for its name +Were lamely so deliver’d; but the East, +To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl’d. +He was not yet much distant from his rising, +When his good influence ’gan to bless the earth. +A dame to whom none openeth pleasure’s gate +More than to death, was, ’gainst his father’s will, +His stripling choice: and he did make her his, +Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds, +And in his father’s sight: from day to day, +Then lov’d her more devoutly. She, bereav’d +Of her first husband, slighted and obscure, +Thousand and hundred years and more, remain’d +Without a single suitor, till he came. +Nor aught avail’d, that, with Amyclas, she +Was found unmov’d at rumour of his voice, +Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness +Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross, +When Mary stay’d beneath. But not to deal +Thus closely with thee longer, take at large +The rovers’ titles—Poverty and Francis. +Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love, +And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts, +So much, that venerable Bernard first +Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace +So heavenly, ran, yet deem’d his footing slow. +O hidden riches! O prolific good! +Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester, +And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride +Can please them. Thenceforth goes he on his way, +The father and the master, with his spouse, +And with that family, whom now the cord +Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart +Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son +Of Pietro Bernardone, and by men +In wond’rous sort despis’d. But royally +His hard intention he to Innocent +Set forth, and from him first receiv’d the seal +On his religion. Then, when numerous flock’d +The tribe of lowly ones, that trac’d HIS steps, +Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung +In heights empyreal, through Honorius’ hand +A second crown, to deck their Guardian’s virtues, +Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath’d: and when +He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up +In the proud Soldan’s presence, and there preach’d +Christ and his followers; but found the race +Unripen’d for conversion: back once more +He hasted (not to intermit his toil), +And reap’d Ausonian lands. On the hard rock, +’Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ +Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years +Did carry. Then the season come, that he, +Who to such good had destin’d him, was pleas’d +T’ advance him to the meed, which he had earn’d +By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood, +As their just heritage, he gave in charge +His dearest lady, and enjoin’d their love +And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will’d +His goodly spirit should move forth, returning +To its appointed kingdom, nor would have +His body laid upon another bier. + +“Think now of one, who were a fit colleague, +To keep the bark of Peter in deep sea +Helm’d to right point; and such our Patriarch was. +Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins, +Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in. +But hunger of new viands tempts his flock, +So that they needs into strange pastures wide +Must spread them: and the more remote from him +The stragglers wander, so much mole they come +Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk. +There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm, +And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few, +A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks. + +“Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta’en +Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall +To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill’d: +For thou wilt see the point from whence they split, +Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies, +‘That well they thrive not sworn with vanity.’” + + + + +CANTO XII + + +Soon as its final word the blessed flame +Had rais’d for utterance, straight the holy mill +Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv’d, +Or ere another, circling, compass’d it, +Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining, +Song, that as much our muses doth excel, +Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray +Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex. + +As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth, +Two arches parallel, and trick’d alike, +Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth +From that within (in manner of that voice +Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist), +And they who gaze, presageful call to mind +The compact, made with Noah, of the world +No more to be o’erflow’d; about us thus +Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath’d +Those garlands twain, and to the innermost +E’en thus th’ external answered. When the footing, +And other great festivity, of song, +And radiance, light with light accordant, each +Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still’d +(E’en as the eyes by quick volition mov’d, +Are shut and rais’d together), from the heart +Of one amongst the new lights mov’d a voice, +That made me seem like needle to the star, +In turning to its whereabout, and thus +Began: “The love, that makes me beautiful, +Prompts me to tell of th’ other guide, for whom +Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is, +The other worthily should also be; +That as their warfare was alike, alike +Should be their glory. Slow, and full of doubt, +And with thin ranks, after its banner mov’d +The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost +To reappoint), when its imperial Head, +Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host +Did make provision, thorough grace alone, +And not through its deserving. As thou heard’st, +Two champions to the succour of his spouse +He sent, who by their deeds and words might join +Again his scatter’d people. In that clime, +Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold +The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself +New-garmented; nor from those billows far, +Beyond whose chiding, after weary course, +The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides +The happy Callaroga, under guard +Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies +Subjected and supreme. And there was born +The loving million of the Christian faith, +The hollow’d wrestler, gentle to his own, +And to his enemies terrible. So replete +His soul with lively virtue, that when first +Created, even in the mother’s womb, +It prophesied. When, at the sacred font, +The spousals were complete ’twixt faith and him, +Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang’d, +The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep +Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him +And from his heirs to issue. And that such +He might be construed, as indeed he was, +She was inspir’d to name him of his owner, +Whose he was wholly, and so call’d him Dominic. +And I speak of him, as the labourer, +Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be +His help-mate. Messenger he seem’d, and friend +Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show’d, +Was after the first counsel that Christ gave. +Many a time his nurse, at entering found +That he had ris’n in silence, and was prostrate, +As who should say, “My errand was for this.” +O happy father! Felix rightly nam’d! +O favour’d mother! rightly nam’d Joanna! +If that do mean, as men interpret it. +Not for the world’s sake, for which now they pore +Upon Ostiense and Taddeo’s page, +But for the real manna, soon he grew +Mighty in learning, and did set himself +To go about the vineyard, that soon turns +To wan and wither’d, if not tended well: +And from the see (whose bounty to the just +And needy is gone by, not through its fault, +But his who fills it basely, he besought, +No dispensation for commuted wrong, +Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth), +That to God’s paupers rightly appertain, +But, ’gainst an erring and degenerate world, +Licence to fight, in favour of that seed, +From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round. +Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help, +Forth on his great apostleship he far’d, +Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein; +And, dashing ’gainst the stocks of heresy, +Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout. +Thence many rivulets have since been turn’d, +Over the garden Catholic to lead +Their living waters, and have fed its plants. + +“If such one wheel of that two-yoked car, +Wherein the holy church defended her, +And rode triumphant through the civil broil. +Thou canst not doubt its fellow’s excellence, +Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar’d +So courteously unto thee. But the track, +Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted: +That mouldy mother is where late were lees. +His family, that wont to trace his path, +Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong +To rue the gathering in of their ill crop, +When the rejected tares in vain shall ask +Admittance to the barn. I question not +But he, who search’d our volume, leaf by leaf, +Might still find page with this inscription on’t, +‘I am as I was wont.’ Yet such were not +From Acquasparta nor Casale, whence +Of those, who come to meddle with the text, +One stretches and another cramps its rule. +Bonaventura’s life in me behold, +From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge +Of my great offices still laid aside +All sinister aim. Illuminato here, +And Agostino join me: two they were, +Among the first of those barefooted meek ones, +Who sought God’s friendship in the cord: with them +Hugues of Saint Victor, Pietro Mangiadore, +And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining, +Nathan the prophet, Metropolitan +Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign’d +To put his hand to the first art, Donatus. +Raban is here: and at my side there shines +Calabria’s abbot, Joachim, endow’d +With soul prophetic. The bright courtesy +Of friar Thomas, and his goodly lore, +Have mov’d me to the blazon of a peer +So worthy, and with me have mov’d this throng.” + + + + +CANTO XIII + + +Let him, who would conceive what now I saw, +Imagine (and retain the image firm, +As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak), +Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host +Selected, that, with lively ray serene, +O’ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine +The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky, +Spins ever on its axle night and day, +With the bright summit of that horn which swells +Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls, +T’ have rang’d themselves in fashion of two signs +In heav’n, such as Ariadne made, +When death’s chill seized her; and that one of them +Did compass in the other’s beam; and both +In such sort whirl around, that each should tend +With opposite motion and, conceiving thus, +Of that true constellation, and the dance +Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain +As ’twere the shadow; for things there as much +Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav’n +Is swifter than the Chiana. There was sung +No Bacchus, and no Io Paean, but +Three Persons in the Godhead, and in one +Substance that nature and the human join’d. + +The song fulfill’d its measure; and to us +Those saintly lights attended, happier made +At each new minist’ring. Then silence brake, +Amid th’ accordant sons of Deity, +That luminary, in which the wondrous life +Of the meek man of God was told to me; +And thus it spake: “One ear o’ th’ harvest thresh’d, +And its grain safely stor’d, sweet charity +Invites me with the other to like toil. + +“Thou know’st, that in the bosom, whence the rib +Was ta’en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste +All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc’d +By the keen lance, both after and before +Such satisfaction offer’d, as outweighs +Each evil in the scale, whate’er of light +To human nature is allow’d, must all +Have by his virtue been infus’d, who form’d +Both one and other: and thou thence admir’st +In that I told thee, of beatitudes +A second, there is none, to his enclos’d +In the fifth radiance. Open now thine eyes +To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see +Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth, +As centre in the round. That which dies not, +And that which can die, are but each the beam +Of that idea, which our Soverign Sire +Engendereth loving; for that lively light, +Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin’d +From him, nor from his love triune with them, +Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself, +Mirror’d, as ’twere in new existences, +Itself unalterable and ever one. + +“Descending hence unto the lowest powers, +Its energy so sinks, at last it makes +But brief contingencies: for so I name +Things generated, which the heav’nly orbs +Moving, with seed or without seed, produce. +Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much: +And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows +Th’ ideal stamp impress: so that one tree +According to his kind, hath better fruit, +And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men, +Are in your talents various. Were the wax +Molded with nice exactness, and the heav’n +In its disposing influence supreme, +The lustre of the seal should be complete: +But nature renders it imperfect ever, +Resembling thus the artist in her work, +Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill. +Howe’er, if love itself dispose, and mark +The primal virtue, kindling with bright view, +There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such +The clay was made, accomplish’d with each gift, +That life can teem with; such the burden fill’d +The virgin’s bosom: so that I commend +Thy judgment, that the human nature ne’er +Was or can be, such as in them it was. + +“Did I advance no further than this point, +‘How then had he no peer?’ thou might’st reply. +But, that what now appears not, may appear +Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what +(When he was bidden ‘Ask’), the motive sway’d +To his requesting. I have spoken thus, +That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask’d +For wisdom, to the end he might be king +Sufficient: not the number to search out +Of the celestial movers; or to know, +If necessary with contingent e’er +Have made necessity; or whether that +Be granted, that first motion is; or if +Of the mid circle can, by art, be made +Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp. + +“Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this, +Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn, +At which the dart of my intention aims. +And, marking clearly, that I told thee, ‘Risen,’ +Thou shalt discern it only hath respect +To kings, of whom are many, and the good +Are rare. With this distinction take my words; +And they may well consist with that which thou +Of the first human father dost believe, +And of our well-beloved. And let this +Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make +Thee slow in motion, as a weary man, +Both to the ‘yea’ and to the ‘nay’ thou seest not. +For he among the fools is down full low, +Whose affirmation, or denial, is +Without distinction, in each case alike +Since it befalls, that in most instances +Current opinion leads to false: and then +Affection bends the judgment to her ply. + +“Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore, +Since he returns not such as he set forth, +Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill. +And open proofs of this unto the world +Have been afforded in Parmenides, +Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside, +Who journey’d on, and knew not whither: so did +Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools, +Who, like to scymitars, reflected back +The scripture-image, by distortion marr’d. + +“Let not the people be too swift to judge, +As one who reckons on the blades in field, +Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen +The thorn frown rudely all the winter long +And after bear the rose upon its top; +And bark, that all the way across the sea +Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last, +E’en in the haven’s mouth seeing one steal, +Another brine, his offering to the priest, +Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence +Into heav’n’s counsels deem that they can pry: +For one of these may rise, the other fall.” + + + + +CANTO XIV + + +From centre to the circle, and so back +From circle to the centre, water moves +In the round chalice, even as the blow +Impels it, inwardly, or from without. +Such was the image glanc’d into my mind, +As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas’d; +And Beatrice after him her words +Resum’d alternate: “Need there is (tho’ yet +He tells it to you not in words, nor e’en +In thought) that he should fathom to its depth +Another mystery. Tell him, if the light, +Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you +Eternally, as now: and, if it doth, +How, when ye shall regain your visible forms, +The sight may without harm endure the change, +That also tell.” As those, who in a ring +Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth +Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound; +Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit, +The saintly circles in their tourneying +And wond’rous note attested new delight. + +Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb +Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live +Immortally above, he hath not seen +The sweet refreshing, of that heav’nly shower. + +Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns +In mystic union of the Three in One, +Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice +Sang, with such melody, as but to hear +For highest merit were an ample meed. +And from the lesser orb the goodliest light, +With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps +The angel’s once to Mary, thus replied: +“Long as the joy of Paradise shall last, +Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright, +As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest; +And that as far in blessedness exceeding, +As it hath grave beyond its virtue great. +Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds +Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire, +Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase, +Whate’er of light, gratuitous, imparts +The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid, +The better disclose his glory: whence +The vision needs increasing, much increase +The fervour, which it kindles; and that too +The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed +Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines +More lively than that, and so preserves +Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere +Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem, +Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth +Now covers. Nor will such excess of light +O’erpower us, in corporeal organs made +Firm, and susceptible of all delight.” + +So ready and so cordial an “Amen,” +Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke +Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance +Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear, +Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov’d, +Ere they were made imperishable flame. + +And lo! forthwith there rose up round about +A lustre over that already there, +Of equal clearness, like the brightening up +Of the horizon. As at an evening hour +Of twilight, new appearances through heav’n +Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried; +So there new substances, methought began +To rise in view; and round the other twain +Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide. + +O gentle glitter of eternal beam! +With what a such whiteness did it flow, +O’erpowering vision in me! But so fair, +So passing lovely, Beatrice show’d, +Mind cannot follow it, nor words express +Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain’d +Power to look up, and I beheld myself, +Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss +Translated: for the star, with warmer smile +Impurpled, well denoted our ascent. + +With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks +The same in all, an holocaust I made +To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf’d. +And from my bosom had not yet upsteam’d +The fuming of that incense, when I knew +The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen +And mantling crimson, in two listed rays +The splendours shot before me, that I cried, +“God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!” + +As leads the galaxy from pole to pole, +Distinguish’d into greater lights and less, +Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell; +So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars, +Those rays describ’d the venerable sign, +That quadrants in the round conjoining frame. +Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ +Beam’d on that cross; and pattern fails me now. +But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ +Will pardon me for that I leave untold, +When in the flecker’d dawning he shall spy +The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn, +And ’tween the summit and the base did move +Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass’d. +Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance, +Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow, +The atomies of bodies, long or short, +To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line +Checkers the shadow, interpos’d by art +Against the noontide heat. And as the chime +Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help +With many strings, a pleasant dining makes +To him, who heareth not distinct the note; +So from the lights, which there appear’d to me, +Gather’d along the cross a melody, +That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment +Possess’d me. Yet I mark’d it was a hymn +Of lofty praises; for there came to me +“Arise and conquer,” as to one who hears +And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy +O’ercame, that never till that hour was thing +That held me in so sweet imprisonment. + +Perhaps my saying over bold appears, +Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes, +Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire. +But he, who is aware those living seals +Of every beauty work with quicker force, +The higher they are ris’n; and that there +I had not turn’d me to them; he may well +Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse +I do accuse me, and may own my truth; +That holy pleasure here not yet reveal’d, +Which grows in transport as we mount aloof. + + + + +CANTO XV + + +True love, that ever shows itself as clear +In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong, +Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still’d +The sacred chords, that are by heav’n’s right hand +Unwound and tighten’d, flow to righteous prayers +Should they not hearken, who, to give me will +For praying, in accordance thus were mute? +He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief, +Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not, +Despoils himself forever of that love. + +As oft along the still and pure serene, +At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire, +Attracting with involuntary heed +The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest, +And seems some star that shifted place in heav’n, +Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost, +And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn, +That on the dexter of the cross extends, +Down to its foot, one luminary ran +From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem +Dropp’d from its foil; and through the beamy list +Like flame in alabaster, glow’d its course. + +So forward stretch’d him (if of credence aught +Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost +Of old Anchises, in the’ Elysian bower, +When he perceiv’d his son. “O thou, my blood! +O most exceeding grace divine! to whom, +As now to thee, hath twice the heav’nly gate +Been e’er unclos’d?” so spake the light; whence I +Turn’d me toward him; then unto my dame +My sight directed, and on either side +Amazement waited me; for in her eyes +Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine +Had div’d unto the bottom of my grace +And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith +To hearing and to sight grateful alike, +The spirit to his proem added things +I understood not, so profound he spake; +Yet not of choice but through necessity +Mysterious; for his high conception scar’d +Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight +Of holy transport had so spent its rage, +That nearer to the level of our thought +The speech descended, the first sounds I heard +Were, “Best he thou, Triunal Deity! +That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf’d!” +Then follow’d: “No unpleasant thirst, tho’ long, +Which took me reading in the sacred book, +Whose leaves or white or dusky never change, +Thou hast allay’d, my son, within this light, +From whence my voice thou hear’st; more thanks to her. +Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes +Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me +From him transmitted, who is first of all, +E’en as all numbers ray from unity; +And therefore dost not ask me who I am, +Or why to thee more joyous I appear, +Than any other in this gladsome throng. +The truth is as thou deem’st; for in this hue +Both less and greater in that mirror look, +In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think’st, are shown. +But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever, +Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire, +May be contended fully, let thy voice, +Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth +Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish, +Whereto my ready answer stands decreed.” + +I turn’d me to Beatrice; and she heard +Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent, +That to my will gave wings; and I began +“To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn’d +The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells, +Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt; +For that they are so equal in the sun, +From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat, +As makes all likeness scant. But will and means, +In mortals, for the cause ye well discern, +With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I +Experience inequality like this, +And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart, +For thy paternal greeting. This howe’er +I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm’st +This precious jewel, let me hear thy name.” + +“I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect +Even, hath pleas’d me:” thus the prompt reply +Prefacing, next it added; “he, of whom +Thy kindred appellation comes, and who, +These hundred years and more, on its first ledge +Hath circuited the mountain, was my son +And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long +Endurance should be shorten’d by thy deeds. + +“Florence, within her ancient limit-mark, +Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon, +Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace. +She had no armlets and no head-tires then, +No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye +More than the person did. Time was not yet, +When at his daughter’s birth the sire grew pale. +For fear the age and dowry should exceed +On each side just proportion. House was none +Void of its family; nor yet had come +Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats +Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet +O’er our suburban turret rose; as much +To be surpass in fall, as in its rising. +I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad +In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone; +And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks, +His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw +Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content +With unrob’d jerkin; and their good dames handling +The spindle and the flax; O happy they! +Each sure of burial in her native land, +And none left desolate a-bed for France! +One wak’d to tend the cradle, hushing it +With sounds that lull’d the parent’s infancy: +Another, with her maidens, drawing off +The tresses from the distaff, lectur’d them +Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome. +A Salterello and Cianghella we +Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would +A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now. + +“In such compos’d and seemly fellowship, +Such faithful and such fair equality, +In so sweet household, Mary at my birth +Bestow’d me, call’d on with loud cries; and there +In your old baptistery, I was made +Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were +My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto. + +“From Valdipado came to me my spouse, +And hence thy surname grew. I follow’d then +The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he +Did gird on me; in such good part he took +My valiant service. After him I went +To testify against that evil law, +Whose people, by the shepherd’s fault, possess +Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew +Was I releas’d from the deceitful world, +Whose base affection many a spirit soils, +And from the martyrdom came to this peace.” + + + + +CANTO XVI + + +O slight respect of man’s nobility! +I never shall account it marvelous, +That our infirm affection here below +Thou mov’st to boasting, when I could not choose, +E’en in that region of unwarp’d desire, +In heav’n itself, but make my vaunt in thee! +Yet cloak thou art soon shorten’d, for that time, +Unless thou be eked out from day to day, +Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then +With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear, +But since hath disaccustom’d I began; +And Beatrice, that a little space +Was sever’d, smil’d reminding me of her, +Whose cough embolden’d (as the story holds) +To first offence the doubting Guenever. + +“You are my sire,” said I, “you give me heart +Freely to speak my thought: above myself +You raise me. Through so many streams with joy +My soul is fill’d, that gladness wells from it; +So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not +Say then, my honour’d stem! what ancestors +Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark’d +In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold, +That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then +Its state, and who in it were highest seated?” + +As embers, at the breathing of the wind, +Their flame enliven, so that light I saw +Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew +More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet, +Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith +It answer’d: “From the day, when it was said +‘Hail Virgin!’ to the throes, by which my mother, +Who now is sainted, lighten’d her of me +Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come, +Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams +To reilumine underneath the foot +Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang, +And I, had there our birth-place, where the last +Partition of our city first is reach’d +By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much +Suffice of my forefathers: who they were, +And whence they hither came, more honourable +It is to pass in silence than to tell. +All those, who in that time were there from Mars +Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms, +Were but the fifth of them this day alive. +But then the citizen’s blood, that now is mix’d +From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine, +Ran purely through the last mechanic’s veins. +O how much better were it, that these people +Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo +And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound’ry, +Than to have them within, and bear the stench +Of Aguglione’s hind, and Signa’s, him, +That hath his eye already keen for bart’ring! +Had not the people, which of all the world +Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar, +But, as a mother, gracious to her son; +Such one, as hath become a Florentine, +And trades and traffics, had been turn’d adrift +To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply’d +The beggar’s craft. The Conti were possess’d +Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still +Were in Acone’s parish; nor had haply +From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte. +The city’s malady hath ever source +In the confusion of its persons, as +The body’s, in variety of food: +And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge, +Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword +Doth more and better execution, +Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark, +How they are gone, and after them how go +Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and ’twill seem +No longer new or strange to thee to hear, +That families fail, when cities have their end. +All things, that appertain t’ ye, like yourselves, +Are mortal: but mortality in some +Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you +Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon +Doth, by the rolling of her heav’nly sphere, +Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly; +So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not +At what of them I tell thee, whose renown +Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw +The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi, +The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni, +Now in their wane, illustrious citizens: +And great as ancient, of Sannella him, +With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri +And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop, +That now is laden with new felony, +So cumb’rous it may speedily sink the bark, +The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung +The County Guido, and whoso hath since +His title from the fam’d Bellincione ta’en. +Fair governance was yet an art well priz’d +By him of Pressa: Galigaio show’d +The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house. +The column, cloth’d with verrey, still was seen +Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great, +Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci, +With them who blush to hear the bushel nam’d. +Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk +Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs +Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn. +How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride +Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds +Florence was by the bullets of bright gold +O’erflourish’d. Such the sires of those, who now, +As surely as your church is vacant, flock +Into her consistory, and at leisure +There stall them and grow fat. The o’erweening brood, +That plays the dragon after him that flees, +But unto such, as turn and show the tooth, +Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb, +Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem’d, +That Ubertino of Donati grudg’d +His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe. +Already Caponsacco had descended +Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda +And Infangato were good citizens. +A thing incredible I tell, tho’ true: +The gateway, named from those of Pera, led +Into the narrow circuit of your walls. +Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings +Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth +The festival of Thomas still revives) +His knighthood and his privilege retain’d; +Albeit one, who borders them With gold, +This day is mingled with the common herd. +In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt, +And Importuni: well for its repose +Had it still lack’d of newer neighbourhood. +The house, from whence your tears have had their spring, +Through the just anger that hath murder’d ye +And put a period to your gladsome days, +Was honour’d, it, and those consorted with it. +O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling +Prevail’d on thee to break the plighted bond +Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice, +Had God to Ema giv’n thee, the first time +Thou near our city cam’st. But so was doom’d: +On that maim’d stone set up to guard the bridge, +At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell. +With these and others like to them, I saw +Florence in such assur’d tranquility, +She had no cause at which to grieve: with these +Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne’er +The lily from the lance had hung reverse, +Or through division been with vermeil dyed.” + + + + +CANTO XVII + + +Such as the youth, who came to Clymene +To certify himself of that reproach, +Which had been fasten’d on him, (he whose end +Still makes the fathers chary to their sons), +E’en such was I; nor unobserv’d was such +Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp, +Who had erewhile for me his station mov’d; +When thus by lady: “Give thy wish free vent, +That it may issue, bearing true report +Of the mind’s impress; not that aught thy words +May to our knowledge add, but to the end, +That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst +And men may mingle for thee when they hear.” + +“O plant! from whence I spring! rever’d and lov’d! +Who soar’st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear, +As earthly thought determines two obtuse +In one triangle not contain’d, so clear +Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves +Existent, looking at the point whereto +All times are present, I, the whilst I scal’d +With Virgil the soul purifying mount, +And visited the nether world of woe, +Touching my future destiny have heard +Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides +Well squar’d to fortune’s blows. Therefore my will +Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me, +The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight.” + +So said I to the brightness, which erewhile +To me had spoken, and my will declar’d, +As Beatrice will’d, explicitly. +Nor with oracular response obscure, +Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain, +Beguil’d the credulous nations; but, in terms +Precise and unambiguous lore, replied +The spirit of paternal love, enshrin’d, +Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake: +“Contingency, unfolded not to view +Upon the tablet of your mortal mold, +Is all depictur’d in the’ eternal sight; +But hence deriveth not necessity, +More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood, +Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene. +From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony +From organ comes, so comes before mine eye +The time prepar’d for thee. Such as driv’n out +From Athens, by his cruel stepdame’s wiles, +Hippolytus departed, such must thou +Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this +Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there, +Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ, +Throughout the livelong day. The common cry, +Will, as ’tis ever wont, affix the blame +Unto the party injur’d: but the truth +Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find +A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing +Belov’d most dearly: this is the first shaft +Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove +How salt the savour is of other’s bread, +How hard the passage to descend and climb +By other’s stairs, But that shall gall thee most +Will be the worthless and vile company, +With whom thou must be thrown into these straits. +For all ungrateful, impious all and mad, +Shall turn ’gainst thee: but in a little while +Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson’d brow +Their course shall so evince their brutishness +T’ have ta’en thy stand apart shall well become thee. + +“First refuge thou must find, first place of rest, +In the great Lombard’s courtesy, who bears +Upon the ladder perch’d the sacred bird. +He shall behold thee with such kind regard, +That ’twixt ye two, the contrary to that +Which falls ’twixt other men, the granting shall +Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see +That mortal, who was at his birth impress +So strongly from this star, that of his deeds +The nations shall take note. His unripe age +Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels +Only nine years have compass him about. +But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry, +Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him, +In equal scorn of labours and of gold. +His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely, +As not to let the tongues e’en of his foes +Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him +And his beneficence: for he shall cause +Reversal of their lot to many people, +Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes. +And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul +Of him, but tell it not;” and things he told +Incredible to those who witness them; +Then added: “So interpret thou, my son, +What hath been told thee.—Lo! the ambushment +That a few circling seasons hide for thee! +Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends +Thy span beyond their treason’s chastisement.” + +Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence, +Had shown the web, which I had streteh’d for him +Upon the warp, was woven, I began, +As one, who in perplexity desires +Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly: +“My father! well I mark how time spurs on +Toward me, ready to inflict the blow, +Which falls most heavily on him, who most +Abandoned himself. Therefore ’tis good +I should forecast, that driven from the place +Most dear to me, I may not lose myself +All others by my song. Down through the world +Of infinite mourning, and along the mount +From whose fair height my lady’s eyes did lift me, +And after through this heav’n from light to light, +Have I learnt that, which if I tell again, +It may with many woefully disrelish; +And, if I am a timid friend to truth, +I fear my life may perish among those, +To whom these days shall be of ancient date.” + +The brightness, where enclos’d the treasure smil’d, +Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly, +Like to a golden mirror in the sun; +Next answer’d: “Conscience, dimm’d or by its own +Or other’s shame, will feel thy saying sharp. +Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov’d, +See the whole vision be made manifest. +And let them wince who have their withers wrung. +What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove +Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn +To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest, +Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits; +Which is of honour no light argument, +For this there only have been shown to thee, +Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep, +Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind +Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce +And fix its faith, unless the instance brought +Be palpable, and proof apparent urge.” + + + + +CANTO XVIII + + +Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy’d +That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine, +Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile, +Who led me unto God, admonish’d: “Muse +On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him +I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong.” + +At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn’d; +And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen, +I leave in silence here: nor through distrust +Of my words only, but that to such bliss +The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much +Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz’d on her, +Affection found no room for other wish. +While the everlasting pleasure, that did full +On Beatrice shine, with second view +From her fair countenance my gladden’d soul +Contented; vanquishing me with a beam +Of her soft smile, she spake: “Turn thee, and list. +These eyes are not thy only Paradise.” + +As here we sometimes in the looks may see +Th’ affection mark’d, when that its sway hath ta’en +The spirit wholly; thus the hallow’d light, +To whom I turn’d, flashing, bewray’d its will +To talk yet further with me, and began: +“On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life +Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair +And leaf unwith’ring, blessed spirits abide, +That were below, ere they arriv’d in heav’n, +So mighty in renown, as every muse +Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns +Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name, +Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud +Its nimble fire.” Along the cross I saw, +At the repeated name of Joshua, +A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said, +Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw +Of the great Maccabee, another move +With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge +Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne +And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze +Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues +A falcon flying. Last, along the cross, +William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew +My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul, +Who spake with me among the other lights +Did move away, and mix; and with the choir +Of heav’nly songsters prov’d his tuneful skill. + +To Beatrice on my right l bent, +Looking for intimation or by word +Or act, what next behoov’d; and did descry +Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy, +It past all former wont. And, as by sense +Of new delight, the man, who perseveres +In good deeds doth perceive from day to day +His virtue growing; I e’en thus perceiv’d +Of my ascent, together with the heav’n +The circuit widen’d, noting the increase +Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change +In a brief moment on some maiden’s cheek, +Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight +Of pudency, that stain’d it; such in her, +And to mine eyes so sudden was the change, +Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star, +Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw, +Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks +Of love, that reign’d there, fashion to my view +Our language. And as birds, from river banks +Arisen, now in round, now lengthen’d troop, +Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems, +Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights, +The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made +Now D. now I. now L. figur’d I’ th’ air. + +First, singing, to their notes they mov’d, then one +Becoming of these signs, a little while +Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine +Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou +Inspir’st, mak’st glorious and long-liv’d, as they +Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself +Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes, +As fancy doth present them. Be thy power +Display’d in this brief song. The characters, +Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven. +In order each, as they appear’d, I mark’d. +Diligite Justitiam, the first, +Both verb and noun all blazon’d; and the extreme +Qui judicatis terram. In the M. +Of the fifth word they held their station, +Making the star seem silver streak’d with gold. +And on the summit of the M. I saw +Descending other lights, that rested there, +Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good. +Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand, +Sparkles innumerable on all sides +Rise scatter’d, source of augury to th’ unwise; +Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence +Seem’d reascending, and a higher pitch +Some mounting, and some less; e’en as the sun, +Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one +Had settled in his place, the head and neck +Then saw I of an eagle, lively +Grav’d in that streaky fire. Who painteth there, +Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides; +And every line and texture of the nest +Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it. +The other bright beatitude, that seem’d +Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content +To over-canopy the M. mov’d forth, +Following gently the impress of the bird. + + Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems +Declar’d to me our justice on the earth +To be the effluence of that heav’n, which thou, +Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay! +Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom +Thy motion and thy virtue are begun, +That he would look from whence the fog doth rise, +To vitiate thy beam: so that once more +He may put forth his hand ’gainst such, as drive +Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls +With miracles and martyrdoms were built. + +Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey! +O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth +All after ill example gone astray. +War once had for its instrument the sword: +But now ’tis made, taking the bread away +Which the good Father locks from none.—And thou, +That writes but to cancel, think, that they, +Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died, +Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings. +Thou hast good cause to cry, “My heart so cleaves +To him, that liv’d in solitude remote, +And from the wilds was dragg’d to martyrdom, +I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul.” + + + + +CANTO XIX + + +Before my sight appear’d, with open wings, +The beauteous image, in fruition sweet +Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem +A little ruby, whereon so intense +The sun-beam glow’d that to mine eyes it came +In clear refraction. And that, which next +Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter’d, +Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy +Was e’er conceiv’d. For I beheld and heard +The beak discourse; and, what intention form’d +Of many, singly as of one express, +Beginning: “For that I was just and piteous, +l am exalted to this height of glory, +The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth +Have I my memory left, e’en by the bad +Commended, while they leave its course untrod.” + +Thus is one heat from many embers felt, +As in that image many were the loves, +And one the voice, that issued from them all. +Whence I address them: “O perennial flowers +Of gladness everlasting! that exhale +In single breath your odours manifold! +Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas’d, +That with great craving long hath held my soul, +Finding no food on earth. This well I know, +That if there be in heav’n a realm, that shows +In faithful mirror the celestial Justice, +Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern +The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself +To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me +With such inveterate craving.” Straight I saw, +Like to a falcon issuing from the hood, +That rears his head, and claps him with his wings, +His beauty and his eagerness bewraying. +So saw I move that stately sign, with praise +Of grace divine inwoven and high song +Of inexpressive joy. “He,” it began, +“Who turn’d his compass on the world’s extreme, +And in that space so variously hath wrought, +Both openly, and in secret, in such wise +Could not through all the universe display +Impression of his glory, that the Word +Of his omniscience should not still remain +In infinite excess. In proof whereof, +He first through pride supplanted, who was sum +Of each created being, waited not +For light celestial, and abortive fell. +Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant +Receptacle unto that Good, which knows +No limit, measur’d by itself alone. +Therefore your sight, of th’ omnipresent Mind +A single beam, its origin must own +Surpassing far its utmost potency. +The ken, your world is gifted with, descends +In th’ everlasting Justice as low down, +As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark +The bottom from the shore, in the wide main +Discerns it not; and ne’ertheless it is, +But hidden through its deepness. Light is none, +Save that which cometh from the pure serene +Of ne’er disturbed ether: for the rest, +’Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh, +Or else its poison. Here confess reveal’d +That covert, which hath hidden from thy search +The living justice, of the which thou mad’st +Such frequent question; for thou saidst—‘A man +Is born on Indus’ banks, and none is there +Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write, +And all his inclinations and his acts, +As far as human reason sees, are good, +And he offendeth not in word or deed. +But unbaptiz’d he dies, and void of faith. +Where is the justice that condemns him? where +His blame, if he believeth not?’—What then, +And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit +To judge at distance of a thousand miles +With the short-sighted vision of a span? +To him, who subtilizes thus with me, +There would assuredly be room for doubt +Even to wonder, did not the safe word +Of scripture hold supreme authority. + +“O animals of clay! O spirits gross I +The primal will, that in itself is good, +Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne’er been mov’d. +Justice consists in consonance with it, +Derivable by no created good, +Whose very cause depends upon its beam.” + +As on her nest the stork, that turns about +Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed, +While they with upward eyes do look on her; +So lifted I my gaze; and bending so +The ever-blessed image wav’d its wings, +Lab’ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round +It warbled, and did say: “As are my notes +To thee, who understand’st them not, such is +Th’ eternal judgment unto mortal ken.” + +Then still abiding in that ensign rang’d, +Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world, +Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit +Took up the strain; and thus it spake again: +“None ever hath ascended to this realm, +Who hath not a believer been in Christ, +Either before or after the blest limbs +Were nail’d upon the wood. But lo! of those +Who call ‘Christ, Christ,’ there shall be many found, + In judgment, further off from him by far, +Than such, to whom his name was never known. +Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn: +When that the two assemblages shall part; +One rich eternally, the other poor. + +“What may the Persians say unto your kings, +When they shall see that volume, in the which +All their dispraise is written, spread to view? +There amidst Albert’s works shall that be read, +Which will give speedy motion to the pen, +When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm. +There shall be read the woe, that he doth work +With his adulterate money on the Seine, +Who by the tusk will perish: there be read +The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike +The English and Scot, impatient of their bound. +There shall be seen the Spaniard’s luxury, +The delicate living there of the Bohemian, +Who still to worth has been a willing stranger. +The halter of Jerusalem shall see +A unit for his virtue, for his vices +No less a mark than million. He, who guards +The isle of fire by old Anchises honour’d +Shall find his avarice there and cowardice; +And better to denote his littleness, +The writing must be letters maim’d, that speak +Much in a narrow space. All there shall know +His uncle and his brother’s filthy doings, +Who so renown’d a nation and two crowns +Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal +And Norway, there shall be expos’d with him +Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill +The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary! +If thou no longer patiently abid’st +Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre! +If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee +In earnest of that day, e’en now are heard +Wailings and groans in Famagosta’s streets +And Nicosia’s, grudging at their beast, +Who keepeth even footing with the rest.” + + + + +CANTO XX + + +When, disappearing, from our hemisphere, +The world’s enlightener vanishes, and day +On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky, +Erewhile irradiate only with his beam, +Is yet again unfolded, putting forth +Innumerable lights wherein one shines. +Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought, +As the great sign, that marshaleth the world +And the world’s leaders, in the blessed beak +Was silent; for that all those living lights, +Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs, +Such as from memory glide and fall away. + +Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles, +How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles, +Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir’d! + +After the precious and bright beaming stones, +That did ingem the sixth light, ceas’d the chiming +Of their angelic bells; methought I heard +The murmuring of a river, that doth fall +From rock to rock transpicuous, making known +The richness of his spring-head: and as sound +Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe, +Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun’d; +Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose +That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith +Voice there assum’d, and thence along the beak +Issued in form of words, such as my heart +Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib’d them. + +“The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,, +In mortal eagles,” it began, “must now +Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires, +That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye, +Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines +Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang +The Holy Spirit’s song, and bare about +The ark from town to town; now doth he know +The merit of his soul-impassion’d strains +By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five, +That make the circle of the vision, he +Who to the beak is nearest, comforted +The widow for her son: now doth he know +How dear he costeth not to follow Christ, +Both from experience of this pleasant life, +And of its opposite. He next, who follows +In the circumference, for the over arch, +By true repenting slack’d the pace of death: +Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav’n +Alter not, when through pious prayer below +Today’s is made tomorrow’s destiny. +The other following, with the laws and me, +To yield the shepherd room, pass’d o’er to Greece, +From good intent producing evil fruit: +Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv’d +From his well doing, doth not helm him aught, +Though it have brought destruction on the world. +That, which thou seest in the under bow, +Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps +For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows +How well is lov’d in heav’n the righteous king, +Which he betokens by his radiant seeming. +Who in the erring world beneath would deem, +That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set +Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows +Enough of that, which the world cannot see, +The grace divine, albeit e’en his sight +Reach not its utmost depth.” Like to the lark, +That warbling in the air expatiates long, +Then, trilling out his last sweet melody, +Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear’d +That image stampt by the’ everlasting pleasure, +Which fashions like itself all lovely things. + +I, though my doubting were as manifest, +As is through glass the hue that mantles it, +In silence waited not: for to my lips +“What things are these?” involuntary rush’d, +And forc’d a passage out: whereat I mark’d +A sudden lightening and new revelry. +The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign +No more to keep me wond’ring and suspense, +Replied: “I see that thou believ’st these things, +Because I tell them, but discern’st not how; +So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith: +As one who knows the name of thing by rote, +But is a stranger to its properties, +Till other’s tongue reveal them. Fervent love +And lively hope with violence assail +The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome +The will of the Most high; not in such sort +As man prevails o’er man; but conquers it, +Because ’tis willing to be conquer’d, still, +Though conquer’d, by its mercy conquering. + +“Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth, +Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold’st +The region of the angels deck’d with them. +They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem’st, +Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith, +This of the feet in future to be pierc’d, +That of feet nail’d already to the cross. +One from the barrier of the dark abyss, +Where never any with good will returns, +Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope +Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing’d +The prayers sent up to God for his release, +And put power into them to bend his will. +The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee, +A little while returning to the flesh, +Believ’d in him, who had the means to help, +And, in believing, nourish’d such a flame +Of holy love, that at the second death +He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth. +The other, through the riches of that grace, +Which from so deep a fountain doth distil, +As never eye created saw its rising, +Plac’d all his love below on just and right: +Wherefore of grace God op’d in him the eye +To the redemption of mankind to come; +Wherein believing, he endur’d no more +The filth of paganism, and for their ways +Rebuk’d the stubborn nations. The three nymphs, +Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing, +Were sponsors for him more than thousand years +Before baptizing. O how far remov’d, +Predestination! is thy root from such +As see not the First cause entire: and ye, +O mortal men! be wary how ye judge: +For we, who see our Maker, know not yet +The number of the chosen: and esteem +Such scantiness of knowledge our delight: +For all our good is in that primal good +Concentrate, and God’s will and ours are one.” + +So, by that form divine, was giv’n to me +Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight, +And, as one handling skillfully the harp, +Attendant on some skilful songster’s voice +Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song +Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake, +It doth remember me, that I beheld +The pair of blessed luminaries move. +Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes, +Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds. + + + + +CANTO XXI + + +Again mine eyes were fix’d on Beatrice, +And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks +Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore +And, “Did I smile,” quoth she, “thou wouldst be straight +Like Semele when into ashes turn’d: +For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs, +My beauty, which the loftier it climbs, +As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more, +So shines, that, were no temp’ring interpos’d, +Thy mortal puissance would from its rays +Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt. +Into the seventh splendour are we wafted, +That underneath the burning lion’s breast +Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might, +Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror’d +The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown.” +Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed +My sight upon her blissful countenance, +May know, when to new thoughts I chang’d, what joy +To do the bidding of my heav’nly guide: +In equal balance poising either weight. + +Within the crystal, which records the name, +(As its remoter circle girds the world) +Of that lov’d monarch, in whose happy reign +No ill had power to harm, I saw rear’d up, +In colour like to sun-illumin’d gold. + +A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain, +So lofty was the summit; down whose steps +I saw the splendours in such multitude +Descending, ev’ry light in heav’n, methought, +Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day +Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill, +Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some, +Returning, cross their flight, while some abide +And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem’d +That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing, +As upon certain stair it met, and clash’d +Its shining. And one ling’ring near us, wax’d +So bright, that in my thought: said: “The love, +Which this betokens me, admits no doubt.” + +Unwillingly from question I refrain, +To her, by whom my silence and my speech +Are order’d, looking for a sign: whence she, +Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all, +Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me +T’ indulge the fervent wish; and I began: +“I am not worthy, of my own desert, +That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake, +Who hath vouchsaf’d my asking, spirit blest! +That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause, +Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say, +Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise +Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds +Of rapt devotion ev’ry lower sphere?” +“Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;” +Was the reply: “and what forbade the smile +Of Beatrice interrupts our song. +Only to yield thee gladness of my voice, +And of the light that vests me, I thus far +Descend these hallow’d steps: not that more love +Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much +Or more of love is witness’d in those flames: +But such my lot by charity assign’d, +That makes us ready servants, as thou seest, +To execute the counsel of the Highest.” +“That in this court,” said I, “O sacred lamp! +Love no compulsion needs, but follows free +Th’ eternal Providence, I well discern: +This harder find to deem, why of thy peers +Thou only to this office wert foredoom’d.” +I had not ended, when, like rapid mill, +Upon its centre whirl’d the light; and then +The love, that did inhabit there, replied: +“Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds, +Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus +Supported, lifts me so above myself, +That on the sov’ran essence, which it wells from, +I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy, +Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze +The keenness of my sight. But not the soul, +That is in heav’n most lustrous, nor the seraph +That hath his eyes most fix’d on God, shall solve +What thou hast ask’d: for in th’ abyss it lies +Of th’ everlasting statute sunk so low, +That no created ken may fathom it. +And, to the mortal world when thou return’st, +Be this reported; that none henceforth dare +Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn. +The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth +Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do, +Below, what passeth her ability, +When she is ta’en to heav’n.” By words like these +Admonish’d, I the question urg’d no more; +And of the spirit humbly sued alone +T’ instruct me of its state. “’Twixt either shore +Of Italy, nor distant from thy land, +A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort, +The thunder doth not lift his voice so high, +They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell +Is sacred to the lonely Eremite, +For worship set apart and holy rites.” +A third time thus it spake; then added: “There +So firmly to God’s service I adher’d, +That with no costlier viands than the juice +Of olives, easily I pass’d the heats +Of summer and the winter frosts, content +In heav’n-ward musings. Rich were the returns +And fertile, which that cloister once was us’d +To render to these heavens: now ’tis fall’n +Into a waste so empty, that ere long +Detection must lay bare its vanity +Pietro Damiano there was I yclept: +Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt +Beside the Adriatic, in the house +Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close +Of mortal life, through much importuning +I was constrain’d to wear the hat that still +From bad to worse it shifted.—Cephas came; +He came, who was the Holy Spirit’s vessel, +Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc’d, +At the first table. Modern Shepherd’s need +Those who on either hand may prop and lead them, +So burly are they grown: and from behind +Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey’s sides +Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts +Are cover’d with one skin. O patience! thou +That lookst on this and doth endure so long.” +I at those accents saw the splendours down +From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax, +Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this +They came, and stay’d them; uttered them a shout +So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I +Wist what it spake, so deaf’ning was the thunder. + + + + +CANTO XXII + + +Astounded, to the guardian of my steps +I turn’d me, like the chill, who always runs +Thither for succour, where he trusteth most, +And she was like the mother, who her son +Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice +Soothes him, and he is cheer’d; for thus she spake, +Soothing me: “Know’st not thou, thou art in heav’n? +And know’st not thou, whatever is in heav’n, +Is holy, and that nothing there is done +But is done zealously and well? Deem now, +What change in thee the song, and what my smile +had wrought, since thus the shout had pow’r to move thee. +In which couldst thou have understood their prayers, +The vengeance were already known to thee, +Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour, +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. +But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view; +So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold.” +Mine eyes directing, as she will’d, I saw +A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew +By interchange of splendour. I remain’d, +As one, who fearful of o’er-much presuming, +Abates in him the keenness of desire, +Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls, +One largest and most lustrous onward drew, +That it might yield contentment to my wish; +And from within it these the sounds I heard. + +“If thou, like me, beheldst the charity +That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives, +Were utter’d. But that, ere the lofty bound +Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee, +I will make answer even to the thought, +Which thou hast such respect of. In old days, +That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests, +Was on its height frequented by a race +Deceived and ill dispos’d: and I it was, +Who thither carried first the name of Him, +Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man. +And such a speeding grace shone over me, +That from their impious worship I reclaim’d +The dwellers round about, who with the world +Were in delusion lost. These other flames, +The spirits of men contemplative, were all +Enliven’d by that warmth, whose kindly force +Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness. +Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here: +And here my brethren, who their steps refrain’d +Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart.” + +I answ’ring, thus; “Thy gentle words and kind, +And this the cheerful semblance, I behold +Not unobservant, beaming in ye all, +Have rais’d assurance in me, wakening it +Full-blossom’d in my bosom, as a rose +Before the sun, when the consummate flower +Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee +Therefore entreat I, father! to declare +If I may gain such favour, as to gaze +Upon thine image, by no covering veil’d.” + +“Brother!” he thus rejoin’d, “in the last sphere +Expect completion of thy lofty aim, +For there on each desire completion waits, +And there on mine: where every aim is found +Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe. +There all things are as they have ever been: +For space is none to bound, nor pole divides, +Our ladder reaches even to that clime, +And so at giddy distance mocks thy view. +Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch +Its topmost round, when it appear’d to him +With angels laden. But to mount it now +None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule +Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves; +The walls, for abbey rear’d, turned into dens, +The cowls to sacks choak’d up with musty meal. +Foul usury doth not more lift itself +Against God’s pleasure, than that fruit which makes +The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate’er +Is in the church’s keeping, all pertains. +To such, as sue for heav’n’s sweet sake, and not +To those who in respect of kindred claim, +Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh +Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not +From the oak’s birth, unto the acorn’s setting. +His convent Peter founded without gold +Or silver; I with pray’rs and fasting mine; +And Francis his in meek humility. +And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds, +Then look what it hath err’d to, thou shalt find +The white grown murky. Jordan was turn’d back; +And a less wonder, then the refluent sea, +May at God’s pleasure work amendment here.” + +So saying, to his assembly back he drew: +And they together cluster’d into one, +Then all roll’d upward like an eddying wind. + +The sweet dame beckon’d me to follow them: +And, by that influence only, so prevail’d +Over my nature, that no natural motion, +Ascending or descending here below, +Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied. + +So, reader, as my hope is to return +Unto the holy triumph, for the which +I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast, +Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting +Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere +The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld, +And enter’d its precinct. O glorious stars! +O light impregnate with exceeding virtue! +To whom whate’er of genius lifteth me +Above the vulgar, grateful I refer; +With ye the parent of all mortal life +Arose and set, when I did first inhale +The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace +Vouchsaf’d me entrance to the lofty wheel +That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed +My passage at your clime. To you my soul +Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now +To meet the hard emprize that draws me on. + +“Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,” +Said Beatrice, “that behooves thy ken +Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end, +Or even thou advance thee further, hence +Look downward, and contemplate, what a world +Already stretched under our feet there lies: +So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood, +Present itself to the triumphal throng, +Which through the’ etherial concave comes rejoicing.” + +I straight obey’d; and with mine eye return’d +Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe +So pitiful of semblance, that perforce +It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold +For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts +Elsewhere are fix’d, him worthiest call and best. +I saw the daughter of Latona shine +Without the shadow, whereof late I deem’d +That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain’d +The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun; +And mark’d, how near him with their circle, round +Move Maia and Dione; here discern’d +Jove’s tempering ’twixt his sire and son; and hence +Their changes and their various aspects +Distinctly scann’d. Nor might I not descry +Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift; +Nor of their several distances not learn. +This petty area (o’er the which we stride +So fiercely), as along the eternal twins +I wound my way, appear’d before me all, +Forth from the havens stretch’d unto the hills. +Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return’d. + + + + +CANTO XXIII + + +E’en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower +Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night, +With her sweet brood, impatient to descry +Their wished looks, and to bring home their food, +In the fond quest unconscious of her toil: +She, of the time prevenient, on the spray, +That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze +Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn, +Removeth from the east her eager ken; +So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance +Wistfully on that region, where the sun +Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her +Suspense and wand’ring, I became as one, +In whom desire is waken’d, and the hope +Of somewhat new to come fills with delight. + +Short space ensued; I was not held, I say, +Long in expectance, when I saw the heav’n +Wax more and more resplendent; and, “Behold,” +Cried Beatrice, “the triumphal hosts +Of Christ, and all the harvest reap’d at length +Of thy ascending up these spheres.” Meseem’d, +That, while she spake her image all did burn, +And in her eyes such fullness was of joy, +And I am fain to pass unconstrued by. + +As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles, +In peerless beauty, ’mid th’ eternal nympus, +That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound +In bright pre-eminence so saw I there, +O’er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew +Their radiance as from ours the starry train: +And through the living light so lustrous glow’d +The substance, that my ken endur’d it not. + +O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide! +Who cheer’d me with her comfortable words! +“Against the virtue, that o’erpow’reth thee, +Avails not to resist. Here is the might, +And here the wisdom, which did open lay +The path, that had been yearned for so long, +Betwixt the heav’n and earth.” Like to the fire, +That, in a cloud imprison’d doth break out +Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg’d, +It falleth against nature to the ground; +Thus in that heav’nly banqueting my soul +Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost. +Holds now remembrance none of what she was. + +“Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen +Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile.” + +I was as one, when a forgotten dream +Doth come across him, and he strives in vain +To shape it in his fantasy again, +Whenas that gracious boon was proffer’d me, +Which never may be cancel’d from the book, +Wherein the past is written. Now were all +Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk +Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed +And fatten’d, not with all their help to boot, +Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth, +My song might shadow forth that saintly smile, +flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought. +And with such figuring of Paradise +The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets +A sudden interruption to his road. +But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme, +And that ’tis lain upon a mortal shoulder, +May pardon, if it tremble with the burden. +The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks +No unribb’d pinnace, no self-sparing pilot. + +“Why doth my face,” said Beatrice, “thus +Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn +Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming +Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose, +Wherein the word divine was made incarnate; +And here the lilies, by whose odour known +The way of life was follow’d.” Prompt I heard +Her bidding, and encounter once again +The strife of aching vision. As erewhile, +Through glance of sunlight, stream’d through broken cloud, +Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen, +Though veil’d themselves in shade; so saw I there +Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays +Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not +The fountain whence they flow’d. O gracious virtue! +Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up +Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room +To my o’erlabour’d sight: when at the name +Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke +Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might +Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix’d. +And, as the bright dimensions of the star +In heav’n excelling, as once here on earth +Were, in my eyeballs lively portray’d, +Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell, +Circling in fashion of a diadem, +And girt the star, and hov’ring round it wheel’d. + +Whatever melody sounds sweetest here, +And draws the spirit most unto itself, +Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder, +Compar’d unto the sounding of that lyre, +Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays +The floor of heav’n, was crown’d. “Angelic Love +I am, who thus with hov’ring flight enwheel +The lofty rapture from that womb inspir’d, +Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so, +Lady of Heav’n! will hover; long as thou +Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy +Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere.” + +Such close was to the circling melody: +And, as it ended, all the other lights +Took up the strain, and echoed Mary’s name. + +The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps +The world, and with the nearer breath of God +Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir’d +Its inner hem and skirting over us, +That yet no glimmer of its majesty +Had stream’d unto me: therefore were mine eyes +Unequal to pursue the crowned flame, +That rose and sought its natal seed of fire; +And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms +For very eagerness towards the breast, +After the milk is taken; so outstretch’d +Their wavy summits all the fervent band, +Through zealous love to Mary: then in view +There halted, and “Regina Coeli” sang +So sweetly, the delight hath left me never. + +O what o’erflowing plenty is up-pil’d +In those rich-laden coffers, which below +Sow’d the good seed, whose harvest now they keep. + +Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears +Were in the Babylonian exile won, +When gold had fail’d them. Here in synod high +Of ancient council with the new conven’d, +Under the Son of Mary and of God, +Victorious he his mighty triumph holds, +To whom the keys of glory were assign’d. + + + + +CANTO XXIV + + +“O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc’d +To the great supper of the blessed Lamb, +Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill’d! +If to this man through God’s grace be vouchsaf’d +Foretaste of that, which from your table falls, +Or ever death his fated term prescribe; +Be ye not heedless of his urgent will; +But may some influence of your sacred dews +Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink, +Whence flows what most he craves.” Beatrice spake, +And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres +On firm-set poles revolving, trail’d a blaze +Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind +Their circles in the horologe, so work +The stated rounds, that to th’ observant eye +The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last; +E’en thus their carols weaving variously, +They by the measure pac’d, or swift, or slow, +Made me to rate the riches of their joy. + +From that, which I did note in beauty most +Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame +So bright, as none was left more goodly there. +Round Beatrice thrice it wheel’d about, +With so divine a song, that fancy’s ear +Records it not; and the pen passeth on +And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech, +Nor e’en the inward shaping of the brain, +Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds. + +“O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout +Is with so vehement affection urg’d, +Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere.” + +Such were the accents towards my lady breath’d +From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay’d: +To whom she thus: “O everlasting light +Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord +Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss +He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt, +With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith, +By the which thou didst on the billows walk. +If he in love, in hope, and in belief, +Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou +Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld +In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith +Has peopled this fair realm with citizens, +Meet is, that to exalt its glory more, +Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse.” + +Like to the bachelor, who arms himself, +And speaks not, till the master have propos’d +The question, to approve, and not to end it; +So I, in silence, arm’d me, while she spake, +Summoning up each argument to aid; +As was behooveful for such questioner, +And such profession: “As good Christian ought, +Declare thee, What is faith?” Whereat I rais’d +My forehead to the light, whence this had breath’d, +Then turn’d to Beatrice, and in her looks +Approval met, that from their inmost fount +I should unlock the waters. “May the grace, +That giveth me the captain of the church +For confessor,” said I, “vouchsafe to me +Apt utterance for my thoughts!” then added: “Sire! +E’en as set down by the unerring style +Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir’d +To bring Rome in unto the way of life, +Faith of things hop’d is substance, and the proof +Of things not seen; and herein doth consist +Methinks its essence,”—“Rightly hast thou deem’d,” +Was answer’d: “if thou well discern, why first +He hath defin’d it, substance, and then proof.” + +“The deep things,” I replied, “which here I scan +Distinctly, are below from mortal eye +So hidden, they have in belief alone +Their being, on which credence hope sublime +Is built; and therefore substance it intends. +And inasmuch as we must needs infer +From such belief our reasoning, all respect +To other view excluded, hence of proof +Th’ intention is deriv’d.” Forthwith I heard: +“If thus, whate’er by learning men attain, +Were understood, the sophist would want room +To exercise his wit.” So breath’d the flame +Of love: then added: “Current is the coin +Thou utter’st, both in weight and in alloy. +But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse.” + +“Even so glittering and so round,” said I, +“I not a whit misdoubt of its assay.” + +Next issued from the deep imbosom’d splendour: +“Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which +Is founded every virtue, came to thee.” +“The flood,” I answer’d, “from the Spirit of God +Rain’d down upon the ancient bond and new,— +Here is the reas’ning, that convinceth me +So feelingly, each argument beside +Seems blunt and forceless in comparison.” +Then heard I: “Wherefore holdest thou that each, +The elder proposition and the new, +Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav’n?” + +“The works, that follow’d, evidence their truth;” +I answer’d: “Nature did not make for these +The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them.” +“Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,” +Was the reply, “that they in very deed +Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee.” + +“That all the world,” said I, “should have been turn’d +To Christian, and no miracle been wrought, +Would in itself be such a miracle, +The rest were not an hundredth part so great. +E’en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger +To set the goodly plant, that from the vine, +It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble.” +That ended, through the high celestial court +Resounded all the spheres. “Praise we one God!” +In song of most unearthly melody. +And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch, +Examining, had led me, that we now +Approach’d the topmost bough, he straight resum’d; +“The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul, +So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos’d +That, whatsoe’er has past them, I commend. +Behooves thee to express, what thou believ’st, +The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown.” + +“O saintly sire and spirit!” I began, +“Who seest that, which thou didst so believe, +As to outstrip feet younger than thine own, +Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here, +That I the tenour of my creed unfold; +And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask’d. +And I reply: I in one God believe, +One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love +All heav’n is mov’d, himself unmov’d the while. +Nor demonstration physical alone, +Or more intelligential and abstruse, +Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth +It cometh to me rather, which is shed +Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms. +The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write, +When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost. +In three eternal Persons I believe, +Essence threefold and one, mysterious league +Of union absolute, which, many a time, +The word of gospel lore upon my mind +Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark, +The lively flame dilates, and like heav’n’s star +Doth glitter in me.” As the master hears, +Well pleas’d, and then enfoldeth in his arms +The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought, +And having told the errand keeps his peace; +Thus benediction uttering with song +Soon as my peace I held, compass’d me thrice +The apostolic radiance, whose behest +Had op’d lips; so well their answer pleas’d. + + + + +CANTO XXV + + +If e’er the sacred poem that hath made +Both heav’n and earth copartners in its toil, +And with lean abstinence, through many a year, +Faded my brow, be destin’d to prevail +Over the cruelty, which bars me forth +Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb +The wolves set on and fain had worried me, +With other voice and fleece of other grain +I shall forthwith return, and, standing up +At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath +Due to the poet’s temples: for I there +First enter’d on the faith which maketh souls +Acceptable to God: and, for its sake, +Peter had then circled my forehead thus. + +Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth +The first fruit of Christ’s vicars on the earth, +Toward us mov’d a light, at view whereof +My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me: +“Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might, +That makes Falicia throng’d with visitants!” + +As when the ring-dove by his mate alights, +In circles each about the other wheels, +And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I +One, of the other great and glorious prince, +With kindly greeting hail’d, extolling both +Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end +Was to their gratulation, silent, each, +Before me sat they down, so burning bright, +I could not look upon them. Smiling then, +Beatrice spake: “O life in glory shrin’d!” +Who didst the largess of our kingly court +Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice +Of hope the praises in this height resound. +For thou, who figur’st them in shapes, as clear, +As Jesus stood before thee, well can’st speak them.” + +“Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust: +For that, which hither from the mortal world +Arriveth, must be ripen’d in our beam.” + +Such cheering accents from the second flame +Assur’d me; and mine eyes I lifted up +Unto the mountains that had bow’d them late +With over-heavy burden. “Sith our Liege +Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death, +In the most secret council, with his lords +Shouldst be confronted, so that having view’d +The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith +Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate +With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare, +What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee, +And whence thou hadst it?” Thus proceeding still, +The second light: and she, whose gentle love +My soaring pennons in that lofty flight +Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin’d: +Among her sons, not one more full of hope, +Hath the church militant: so ’tis of him +Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb +Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term +Of warfare, hence permitted he is come, +From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see. +The other points, both which thou hast inquir’d, +Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell +How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him +Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease, +And without boasting, so God give him grace.” +Like to the scholar, practis’d in his task, +Who, willing to give proof of diligence, +Seconds his teacher gladly, “Hope,” said I, +“Is of the joy to come a sure expectance, +Th’ effect of grace divine and merit preceding. +This light from many a star visits my heart, +But flow’d to me the first from him, who sang +The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme +Among his tuneful brethren. ‘Let all hope +In thee,’ so speak his anthem, ‘who have known +Thy name;’ and with my faith who know not that? +From thee, the next, distilling from his spring, +In thine epistle, fell on me the drops +So plenteously, that I on others shower +The influence of their dew.” Whileas I spake, +A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning, +Within the bosom of that mighty sheen, +Play’d tremulous; then forth these accents breath’d: +“Love for the virtue which attended me +E’en to the palm, and issuing from the field, +Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires +To ask of thee, whom also it delights; +What promise thou from hope in chief dost win.” + +“Both scriptures, new and ancient,” I reply’d; +“Propose the mark (which even now I view) +For souls belov’d of God. Isaias saith, +That, in their own land, each one must be clad +In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life. +In terms more full, +And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth +This revelation to us, where he tells +Of the white raiment destin’d to the saints.” +And, as the words were ending, from above, +“They hope in thee,” first heard we cried: whereto +Answer’d the carols all. Amidst them next, +A light of so clear amplitude emerg’d, +That winter’s month were but a single day, +Were such a crystal in the Cancer’s sign. + +Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes, +And enters on the mazes of the dance, +Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent, +Than to do fitting honour to the bride; +So I beheld the new effulgence come +Unto the other two, who in a ring +Wheel’d, as became their rapture. In the dance +And in the song it mingled. And the dame +Held on them fix’d her looks: e’en as the spouse +Silent and moveless. “This is he, who lay +Upon the bosom of our pelican: +This he, into whose keeping from the cross +The mighty charge was given.” Thus she spake, +Yet therefore naught the more remov’d her Sight +From marking them, or ere her words began, +Or when they clos’d. As he, who looks intent, +And strives with searching ken, how he may see +The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire +Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I +Peer’d on that last resplendence, while I heard: +“Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that, +Which here abides not? Earth my body is, +In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long, +As till our number equal the decree +Of the Most High. The two that have ascended, +In this our blessed cloister, shine alone +With the two garments. So report below.” + +As when, for ease of labour, or to shun +Suspected peril at a whistle’s breath, +The oars, erewhile dash’d frequent in the wave, +All rest; the flamy circle at that voice +So rested, and the mingling sound was still, +Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose. +I turn’d, but ah! how trembled in my thought, +When, looking at my side again to see +Beatrice, I descried her not, although +Not distant, on the happy coast she stood. + + + + +CANTO XXVI + + +With dazzled eyes, whilst wond’ring I remain’d, +Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me, +Issued a breath, that in attention mute +Detain’d me; and these words it spake: “’Twere well, +That, long as till thy vision, on my form +O’erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse +Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then, +Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires: + +“And meanwhile rest assur’d, that sight in thee +Is but o’erpowered a space, not wholly quench’d: +Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look +Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt +In Ananias’ hand.” I answering thus: +“Be to mine eyes the remedy or late +Or early, at her pleasure; for they were +The gates, at which she enter’d, and did light +Her never dying fire. My wishes here +Are centered; in this palace is the weal, +That Alpha and Omega, is to all +The lessons love can read me.” Yet again +The voice which had dispers’d my fear, when daz’d +With that excess, to converse urg’d, and spake: +“Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms, +And say, who level’d at this scope thy bow.” + +“Philosophy,” said I, “hath arguments, +And this place hath authority enough +T’ imprint in me such love: for, of constraint, +Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good, +Kindles our love, and in degree the more, +As it comprises more of goodness in ’t. +The essence then, where such advantage is, +That each good, found without it, is naught else +But of his light the beam, must needs attract +The soul of each one, loving, who the truth +Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth +Learn I from him, who shows me the first love +Of all intelligential substances +Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word +Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith, +‘I will make all my good before thee pass.’ +Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim’st, +E’en at the outset of thy heralding, +In mortal ears the mystery of heav’n.” + +“Through human wisdom, and th’ authority +Therewith agreeing,” heard I answer’d, “keep +The choicest of thy love for God. But say, +If thou yet other cords within thee feel’st +That draw thee towards him; so that thou report +How many are the fangs, with which this love +Is grappled to thy soul.” I did not miss, +To what intent the eagle of our Lord +Had pointed his demand; yea noted well +Th’ avowal, which he led to; and resum’d: +“All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God, +Confederate to make fast our clarity. +The being of the world, and mine own being, +The death which he endur’d that I should live, +And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do, +To the foremention’d lively knowledge join’d, +Have from the sea of ill love sav’d my bark, +And on the coast secur’d it of the right. +As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom, +My love for them is great, as is the good +Dealt by th’ eternal hand, that tends them all.” + +I ended, and therewith a song most sweet +Rang through the spheres; and “Holy, holy, holy,” +Accordant with the rest my lady sang. +And as a sleep is broken and dispers’d +Through sharp encounter of the nimble light, +With the eye’s spirit running forth to meet +The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg’d; +And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees; +So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems +Of all around him, till assurance waits +On better judgment: thus the saintly came +Drove from before mine eyes the motes away, +With the resplendence of her own, that cast +Their brightness downward, thousand miles below. +Whence I my vision, clearer shall before, +Recover’d; and, well nigh astounded, ask’d +Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw. + +And Beatrice: “The first diving soul, +That ever the first virtue fram’d, admires +Within these rays his Maker.” Like the leaf, +That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown; +By its own virtue rear’d then stands aloof; +So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow’d. +Then eagerness to speak embolden’d me; +And I began: “O fruit! that wast alone +Mature, when first engender’d! Ancient father! +That doubly seest in every wedded bride +Thy daughter by affinity and blood! +Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold +Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I, +More speedily to hear thee, tell it not.” + +It chanceth oft some animal bewrays, +Through the sleek cov’ring of his furry coat. +The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms +His outside seeming to the cheer within: +And in like guise was Adam’s spirit mov’d +To joyous mood, that through the covering shone, +Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake: +“No need thy will be told, which I untold +Better discern, than thou whatever thing +Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see +In Him, who is truth’s mirror, and Himself +Parhelion unto all things, and naught else +To him. This wouldst thou hear; how long since God +Plac’d me high garden, from whose hounds +She led me up in this ladder, steep and long; +What space endur’d my season of delight; +Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish’d me; +And what the language, which I spake and fram’d +Not that I tasted of the tree, my son, +Was in itself the cause of that exile, +But only my transgressing of the mark +Assign’d me. There, whence at thy lady’s hest +The Mantuan mov’d him, still was I debarr’d +This council, till the sun had made complete, +Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice, +His annual journey; and, through every light +In his broad pathway, saw I him return, +Thousand save sev’nty times, the whilst I dwelt +Upon the earth. The language I did use +Was worn away, or ever Nimrod’s race +Their unaccomplishable work began. +For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting, +Left by his reason free, and variable, +As is the sky that sways him. That he speaks, +Is nature’s prompting: whether thus or thus, +She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it. +Ere I descended into hell’s abyss, +El was the name on earth of the Chief Good, +Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then ’twas call’d +And so beseemeth: for, in mortals, use +Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes, +And other comes instead. Upon the mount +Most high above the waters, all my life, +Both innocent and guilty, did but reach +From the first hour, to that which cometh next +(As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth.” + + + + +CANTO XXVII + + +Then “Glory to the Father, to the Son, +And to the Holy Spirit,” rang aloud +Throughout all Paradise, that with the song +My spirit reel’d, so passing sweet the strain: +And what I saw was equal ecstasy; +One universal smile it seem’d of all things, +Joy past compare, gladness unutterable, +Imperishable life of peace and love, +Exhaustless riches and unmeasur’d bliss. + +Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit; +And that, which first had come, began to wax +In brightness, and in semblance such became, +As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds, +And interchang’d their plumes. Silence ensued, +Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints +Vicissitude of ministry, enjoin’d; +When thus I heard: “Wonder not, if my hue +Be chang’d; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see +All in like manner change with me. My place +He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine, +Which in the presence of the Son of God +Is void), the same hath made my cemetery +A common sewer of puddle and of blood: +The more below his triumph, who from hence +Malignant fell.” Such colour, as the sun, +At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud, +Then saw I sprinkled over all the sky. +And as th’ unblemish’d dame, who in herself +Secure of censure, yet at bare report +Of other’s failing, shrinks with maiden fear; +So Beatrice in her semblance chang’d: +And such eclipse in heav’n methinks was seen, +When the Most Holy suffer’d. Then the words +Proceeded, with voice, alter’d from itself +So clean, the semblance did not alter more. +“Not to this end was Christ’s spouse with my blood, +With that of Linus, and of Cletus fed: +That she might serve for purchase of base gold: +But for the purchase of this happy life +Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed, +And Urban, they, whose doom was not without +Much weeping seal’d. No purpose was of our +That on the right hand of our successors +Part of the Christian people should be set, +And part upon their left; nor that the keys, +Which were vouchsaf’d me, should for ensign serve +Unto the banners, that do levy war +On the baptiz’d: nor I, for sigil-mark +Set upon sold and lying privileges; +Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red. +In shepherd’s clothing greedy wolves below +Range wide o’er all the pastures. Arm of God! +Why longer sleepst thou? Caorsines and Gascona +Prepare to quaff our blood. O good beginning +To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop! +But the high providence, which did defend +Through Scipio the world’s glory unto Rome, +Will not delay its succour: and thou, son, +Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again +Return below, open thy lips, nor hide +What is by me not hidden.” As a Hood +Of frozen vapours streams adown the air, +What time the she-goat with her skiey horn +Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide +The vapours, who with us had linger’d late +And with glad triumph deck th’ ethereal cope. +Onward my sight their semblances pursued; +So far pursued, as till the space between +From its reach sever’d them: whereat the guide +Celestial, marking me no more intent +On upward gazing, said, “Look down and see +What circuit thou hast compass’d.” From the hour +When I before had cast my view beneath, +All the first region overpast I saw, +Which from the midmost to the bound’ry winds; +That onward thence from Gades I beheld +The unwise passage of Laertes’ son, +And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa! +Mad’st thee a joyful burden: and yet more +Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun, +A constellation off and more, had ta’en +His progress in the zodiac underneath. + +Then by the spirit, that doth never leave +Its amorous dalliance with my lady’s looks, +Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes +Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles, +Whenas I turn’d me, pleasure so divine +Did lighten on me, that whatever bait +Or art or nature in the human flesh, +Or in its limn’d resemblance, can combine +Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal, +Were to her beauty nothing. Its boon influence +From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth, +And wafted on into the swiftest heav’n. + +What place for entrance Beatrice chose, +I may not say, so uniform was all, +Liveliest and loftiest. She my secret wish +Divin’d; and with such gladness, that God’s love +Seem’d from her visage shining, thus began: +“Here is the goal, whence motion on his race +Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest +All mov’d around. Except the soul divine, +Place in this heav’n is none, the soul divine, +Wherein the love, which ruleth o’er its orb, +Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds; +One circle, light and love, enclasping it, +As this doth clasp the others; and to Him, +Who draws the bound, its limit only known. +Measur’d itself by none, it doth divide +Motion to all, counted unto them forth, +As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten. +The vase, wherein time’s roots are plung’d, thou seest, +Look elsewhere for the leaves. O mortal lust! +That canst not lift thy head above the waves +Which whelm and sink thee down! The will in man +Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise +Is, by the dripping of perpetual rain, +Made mere abortion: faith and innocence +Are met with but in babes, each taking leave +Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts, +While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose +Gluts every food alike in every moon. +One yet a babbler, loves and listens to +His mother; but no sooner hath free use +Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave. +So suddenly doth the fair child of him, +Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting, +To negro blackness change her virgin white. + +“Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none +Bears rule in earth, and its frail family +Are therefore wand’rers. Yet before the date, +When through the hundredth in his reck’ning drops +Pale January must be shor’d aside +From winter’s calendar, these heav’nly spheres +Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain +To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow; +So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit, +Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!” + + + + +CANTO XXVII + + +So she who doth imparadise my soul, +Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life, +And bar’d the truth of poor mortality; +When lo! as one who, in a mirror, spies +The shining of a flambeau at his back, +Lit sudden ore he deem of its approach, +And turneth to resolve him, if the glass +Have told him true, and sees the record faithful +As note is to its metre; even thus, +I well remember, did befall to me, +Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love +Had made the leash to take me. As I turn’d; +And that, which, in their circles, none who spies, +Can miss of, in itself apparent, struck +On mine; a point I saw, that darted light +So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up +Against its keenness. The least star we view +From hence, had seem’d a moon, set by its side, +As star by side of star. And so far off, +Perchance, as is the halo from the light +Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads, +There wheel’d about the point a circle of fire, +More rapid than the motion, which first girds +The world. Then, circle after circle, round +Enring’d each other; till the seventh reach’d +Circumference so ample, that its bow, +Within the span of Juno’s messenger, +lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev’nth, +Follow’d yet other two. And every one, +As more in number distant from the first, +Was tardier in motion; and that glow’d +With flame most pure, that to the sparkle’ of truth +Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks, +Of its reality. The guide belov’d +Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake: +“Heav’n, and all nature, hangs upon that point. +The circle thereto most conjoin’d observe; +And know, that by intenser love its course +Is to this swiftness wing’d.” To whom I thus: +“It were enough; nor should I further seek, +Had I but witness’d order, in the world +Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen. +But in the sensible world such diff’rence is, +That is each round shows more divinity, +As each is wider from the centre. Hence, +If in this wondrous and angelic temple, +That hath for confine only light and love, +My wish may have completion I must know, +Wherefore such disagreement is between +Th’ exemplar and its copy: for myself, +Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause.” + +“It is no marvel, if thy fingers foil’d +Do leave the knot untied: so hard ’tis grown +For want of tenting.” Thus she said: “But take,” +She added, “if thou wish thy cure, my words, +And entertain them subtly. Every orb +Corporeal, doth proportion its extent +Unto the virtue through its parts diffus’d. +The greater blessedness preserves the more. +The greater is the body (if all parts +Share equally) the more is to preserve. +Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels +The universal frame answers to that, +Which is supreme in knowledge and in love +Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth +Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav’ns, +Each to the’ intelligence that ruleth it, +Greater to more, and smaller unto less, +Suited in strict and wondrous harmony.” + +As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek +A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air, +Clear’d of the rack, that hung on it before, +Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil’d, +The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles; +Such was my cheer, when Beatrice drove +With clear reply the shadows back, and truth +Was manifested, as a star in heaven. +And when the words were ended, not unlike +To iron in the furnace, every cirque +Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires: +And every sparkle shivering to new blaze, +In number did outmillion the account +Reduplicate upon the chequer’d board. +Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir, +“Hosanna,” to the fixed point, that holds, +And shall for ever hold them to their place, +From everlasting, irremovable. + +Musing awhile I stood: and she, who saw +by inward meditations, thus began: +“In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst, +Are seraphim and cherubim. Thus swift +Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point, +Near as they can, approaching; and they can +The more, the loftier their vision. Those, +That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next, +Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends. And all +Are blessed, even as their sight descends +Deeper into the truth, wherein rest is +For every mind. Thus happiness hath root +In seeing, not in loving, which of sight +Is aftergrowth. And of the seeing such +The meed, as unto each in due degree +Grace and good-will their measure have assign’d. +The other trine, that with still opening buds +In this eternal springtide blossom fair, +Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram, +Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold +Hosannas blending ever, from the three +Transmitted. hierarchy of gods, for aye +Rejoicing, dominations first, next then +Virtues, and powers the third. The next to whom +Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round +To tread their festal ring; and last the band +Angelical, disporting in their sphere. +All, as they circle in their orders, look +Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail, +That all with mutual impulse tend to God. +These once a mortal view beheld. Desire +In Dionysius so intently wrought, +That he, as I have done rang’d them; and nam’d +Their orders, marshal’d in his thought. From him +Dissentient, one refus’d his sacred read. +But soon as in this heav’n his doubting eyes +Were open’d, Gregory at his error smil’d +Nor marvel, that a denizen of earth +Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt +Both this and much beside of these our orbs, +From an eye-witness to heav’n’s mysteries.” + + + + +CANTO XXIX + + +No longer than what time Latona’s twins +Cover’d of Libra and the fleecy star, +Together both, girding the’ horizon hang, +In even balance from the zenith pois’d, +Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere, +Part the nice level; e’en so brief a space +Did Beatrice’s silence hold. A smile +Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix’d gaze +Bent on the point, at which my vision fail’d: +When thus her words resuming she began: +“I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand; +For I have mark’d it, where all time and place +Are present. Not for increase to himself +Of good, which may not be increas’d, but forth +To manifest his glory by its beams, +Inhabiting his own eternity, +Beyond time’s limit or what bound soe’er +To circumscribe his being, as he will’d, +Into new natures, like unto himself, +Eternal Love unfolded. Nor before, +As if in dull inaction torpid lay. +For not in process of before or aft +Upon these waters mov’d the Spirit of God. +Simple and mix’d, both form and substance, forth +To perfect being started, like three darts +Shot from a bow three-corded. And as ray +In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire, +E’en at the moment of its issuing; thus +Did, from th’ eternal Sovran, beam entire +His threefold operation, at one act +Produc’d coeval. Yet in order each +Created his due station knew: those highest, +Who pure intelligence were made: mere power +The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league, +Intelligence and power, unsever’d bond. +Long tract of ages by the angels past, +Ere the creating of another world, +Describ’d on Jerome’s pages thou hast seen. +But that what I disclose to thee is true, +Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov’d +In many a passage of their sacred book +Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find +And reason in some sort discerns the same, +Who scarce would grant the heav’nly ministers +Of their perfection void, so long a space. +Thus when and where these spirits of love were made, +Thou know’st, and how: and knowing hast allay’d +Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose. +Ere one had reckon’d twenty, e’en so soon +Part of the angels fell: and in their fall +Confusion to your elements ensued. +The others kept their station: and this task, +Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight, +That they surcease not ever, day nor night, +Their circling. Of that fatal lapse the cause +Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen +Pent with the world’s incumbrance. Those, whom here +Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves +Of his free bounty, who had made them apt +For ministries so high: therefore their views +Were by enlight’ning grace and their own merit +Exalted; so that in their will confirm’d +They stand, nor feel to fall. For do not doubt, +But to receive the grace, which heav’n vouchsafes, +Is meritorious, even as the soul +With prompt affection welcometh the guest. +Now, without further help, if with good heed +My words thy mind have treasur’d, thou henceforth +This consistory round about mayst scan, +And gaze thy fill. But since thou hast on earth +Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools, +Canvas the’ angelic nature, and dispute +Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice; +Therefore, ’tis well thou take from me the truth, +Pure and without disguise, which they below, +Equivocating, darken and perplex. + +“Know thou, that, from the first, these substances, +Rejoicing in the countenance of God, +Have held unceasingly their view, intent +Upon the glorious vision, from the which +Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change +Of newness with succession interrupts, +Remembrance there needs none to gather up +Divided thought and images remote + +“So that men, thus at variance with the truth +Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some +Of error; others well aware they err, +To whom more guilt and shame are justly due. +Each the known track of sage philosophy +Deserts, and has a byway of his own: +So much the restless eagerness to shine +And love of singularity prevail. +Yet this, offensive as it is, provokes +Heav’n’s anger less, than when the book of God +Is forc’d to yield to man’s authority, +Or from its straightness warp’d: no reck’ning made +What blood the sowing of it in the world +Has cost; what favour for himself he wins, +Who meekly clings to it. The aim of all +Is how to shine: e’en they, whose office is +To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep, +And pass their own inventions off instead. +One tells, how at Christ’s suffering the wan moon +Bent back her steps, and shadow’d o’er the sun +With intervenient disk, as she withdrew: +Another, how the light shrouded itself +Within its tabernacle, and left dark +The Spaniard and the Indian, with the Jew. +Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears, +Bandied about more frequent, than the names +Of Bindi and of Lapi in her streets. +The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return +From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails +For their excuse, they do not see their harm? +Christ said not to his first conventicle, +‘Go forth and preach impostures to the world,’ +But gave them truth to build on; and the sound +Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they, +Beside the gospel, other spear or shield, +To aid them in their warfare for the faith. +The preacher now provides himself with store +Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack +Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl +Distends, and he has won the meed he sought: +Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while +Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood, +They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said. +Which now the dotards hold in such esteem, +That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad +The hands of holy promise, finds a throng +Of credulous fools beneath. Saint Anthony +Fattens with this his swine, and others worse +Than swine, who diet at his lazy board, +Paying with unstamp’d metal for their fare. + +“But (for we far have wander’d) let us seek +The forward path again; so as the way +Be shorten’d with the time. No mortal tongue +Nor thought of man hath ever reach’d so far, +That of these natures he might count the tribes. +What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal’d +With finite number infinite conceals. +The fountain at whose source these drink their beams, +With light supplies them in as many modes, +As there are splendours, that it shines on: each +According to the virtue it conceives, +Differing in love and sweet affection. +Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth +The’ eternal might, which, broken and dispers’d +Over such countless mirrors, yet remains +Whole in itself and one, as at the first.” + + + + +CANTO XXX + + +Noon’s fervid hour perchance six thousand miles +From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone +Almost to level on our earth declines; +When from the midmost of this blue abyss +By turns some star is to our vision lost. +And straightway as the handmaid of the sun +Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light, +Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in, +E’en to the loveliest of the glittering throng. +Thus vanish’d gradually from my sight +The triumph, which plays ever round the point, +That overcame me, seeming (for it did) +Engirt by that it girdeth. Wherefore love, +With loss of other object, forc’d me bend +Mine eyes on Beatrice once again. + +If all, that hitherto is told of her, +Were in one praise concluded, ’twere too weak +To furnish out this turn. Mine eyes did look +On beauty, such, as I believe in sooth, +Not merely to exceed our human, but, +That save its Maker, none can to the full +Enjoy it. At this point o’erpower’d I fail, +Unequal to my theme, as never bard +Of buskin or of sock hath fail’d before. +For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight, +E’en so remembrance of that witching smile +Hath dispossess my spirit of itself. +Not from that day, when on this earth I first +Beheld her charms, up to that view of them, +Have I with song applausive ever ceas’d +To follow, but not follow them no more; +My course here bounded, as each artist’s is, +When it doth touch the limit of his skill. + +She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit +Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on, +Urging its arduous matter to the close), +Her words resum’d, in gesture and in voice +Resembling one accustom’d to command: +“Forth from the last corporeal are we come +Into the heav’n, that is unbodied light, +Light intellectual replete with love, +Love of true happiness replete with joy, +Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight. +Here shalt thou look on either mighty host +Of Paradise; and one in that array, +Which in the final judgment thou shalt see.” + +As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen +Unfolded, dashes from the blinding eyes +The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm’d; +So, round about me, fulminating streams +Of living radiance play’d, and left me swath’d +And veil’d in dense impenetrable blaze. +Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav’n; +For its own flame the torch this fitting ever! + +No sooner to my list’ning ear had come +The brief assurance, than I understood +New virtue into me infus’d, and sight +Kindled afresh, with vigour to sustain +Excess of light, however pure. I look’d; +And in the likeness of a river saw +Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves +Flash’d up effulgence, as they glided on +’Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring, +Incredible how fair; and, from the tide, +There ever and anon, outstarting, flew +Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow’rs +Did set them, like to rubies chas’d in gold; +Then, as if drunk with odors, plung’d again +Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one +Re’enter’d, still another rose. “The thirst +Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam’d, +To search the meaning of what here thou seest, +The more it warms thee, pleases me the more. +But first behooves thee of this water drink, +Or ere that longing be allay’d.” So spake +The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin’d: +“This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf, +And diving back, a living topaz each, +With all this laughter on its bloomy shores, +Are but a preface, shadowy of the truth +They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things +Are crude; but on thy part is the defect, +For that thy views not yet aspire so high.” +Never did babe, that had outslept his wont, +Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk, +As I toward the water, bending me, +To make the better mirrors of mine eyes +In the refining wave; and, as the eaves +Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith +Seem’d it unto me turn’d from length to round, +Then as a troop of maskers, when they put +Their vizors off, look other than before, +The counterfeited semblance thrown aside; +So into greater jubilee were chang’d +Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw +Before me either court of heav’n displac’d. + +O prime enlightener! thou who crav’st me strength +On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze! +Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn’d, + There is in heav’n a light, whose goodly shine +Makes the Creator visible to all +Created, that in seeing him alone +Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far, +That the circumference were too loose a zone +To girdle in the sun. All is one beam, +Reflected from the summit of the first, +That moves, which being hence and vigour takes, +And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes +Its image mirror’d in the crystal flood, +As if ’t admire its brave appareling +Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about, +Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones, +Stood, eminent, whatever from our earth +Has to the skies return’d. How wide the leaves +Extended to their utmost of this rose, +Whose lowest step embosoms such a space +Of ample radiance! Yet, nor amplitude +Nor height impeded, but my view with ease +Took in the full dimensions of that joy. +Near or remote, what there avails, where God +Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends +Her sway? Into the yellow of the rose +Perennial, which in bright expansiveness, +Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent +Of praises to the never-wint’ring sun, +As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace, +Beatrice led me; and, “Behold,” she said, +“This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white +How numberless! The city, where we dwell, +Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng’d +Few now are wanting here! In that proud stall, +On which, the crown, already o’er its state +Suspended, holds thine eyes—or ere thyself +Mayst at the wedding sup,—shall rest the soul +Of the great Harry, he who, by the world +Augustas hail’d, to Italy must come, +Before her day be ripe. But ye are sick, +And in your tetchy wantonness as blind, +As is the bantling, that of hunger dies, +And drives away the nurse. Nor may it be, +That he, who in the sacred forum sways, +Openly or in secret, shall with him +Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure +I’ th’ holy office long; but thrust him down +To Simon Magus, where Magna’s priest +Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed.” + + + + +CANTO XXXI + + +In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then +Before my view the saintly multitude, +Which in his own blood Christ espous’d. Meanwhile +That other host, that soar aloft to gaze +And celebrate his glory, whom they love, +Hover’d around; and, like a troop of bees, +Amid the vernal sweets alighting now, +Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows, +Flew downward to the mighty flow’r, or rose +From the redundant petals, streaming back +Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy. +Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold; +The rest was whiter than the driven snow. +And as they flitted down into the flower, +From range to range, fanning their plumy loins, +Whisper’d the peace and ardour, which they won +From that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast +Interposition of such numerous flight +Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view +Obstructed aught. For, through the universe, +Wherever merited, celestial light +Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents. + +All there, who reign in safety and in bliss, +Ages long past or new, on one sole mark +Their love and vision fix’d. O trinal beam +Of individual star, that charmst them thus, +Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below! + +If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam’d, +(Where helice, forever, as she wheels, +Sparkles a mother’s fondness on her son) +Stood in mute wonder ’mid the works of Rome, +When to their view the Lateran arose +In greatness more than earthly; I, who then +From human to divine had past, from time +Unto eternity, and out of Florence +To justice and to truth, how might I choose +But marvel too? ’Twixt gladness and amaze, +In sooth no will had I to utter aught, +Or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests +Within the temple of his vow, looks round +In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell +Of all its goodly state: e’en so mine eyes +Cours’d up and down along the living light, +Now low, and now aloft, and now around, +Visiting every step. Looks I beheld, +Where charity in soft persuasion sat, +Smiles from within and radiance from above, +And in each gesture grace and honour high. + +So rov’d my ken, and its general form +All Paradise survey’d: when round I turn’d +With purpose of my lady to inquire +Once more of things, that held my thought suspense, +But answer found from other than I ween’d; +For, Beatrice, when I thought to see, +I saw instead a senior, at my side, + Rob’d, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign +Glow’d in his eye, and o’er his cheek diffus’d, +With gestures such as spake a father’s love. +And, “Whither is she vanish’d?” straight I ask’d. + +“By Beatrice summon’d,” he replied, +“I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft +To the third circle from the highest, there +Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit +Hath plac’d her.” Answering not, mine eyes I rais’d, +And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow +A wreath reflecting of eternal beams. +Not from the centre of the sea so far +Unto the region of the highest thunder, +As was my ken from hers; and yet the form +Came through that medium down, unmix’d and pure, + +“O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest! +Who, for my safety, hast not scorn’d, in hell +To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark’d! +For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power +And goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave, +Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means, +For my deliverance apt, hast left untried. +Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep. +That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole, +Is loosen’d from this body, it may find +Favour with thee.” So I my suit preferr’d: +And she, so distant, as appear’d, look’d down, +And smil’d; then tow’rds th’ eternal fountain turn’d. + +And thus the senior, holy and rever’d: +“That thou at length mayst happily conclude +Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch’d, +By supplication mov’d and holy love) +Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large, +This garden through: for so, by ray divine +Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount; +And from heav’n’s queen, whom fervent I adore, +All gracious aid befriend us; for that I +Am her own faithful Bernard.” Like a wight, +Who haply from Croatia wends to see +Our Veronica, and the while ’tis shown, +Hangs over it with never-sated gaze, +And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith +Unto himself in thought: “And didst thou look +E’en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God? +And was this semblance thine?” So gaz’d I then +Adoring; for the charity of him, +Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy’d, +Stood lively before me. “Child of grace!” +Thus he began: “thou shalt not knowledge gain +Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held +Still in this depth below. But search around +The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy +Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm +Is sovran.” Straight mine eyes I rais’d; and bright, +As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime +Above th’ horizon, where the sun declines; +To mine eyes, that upward, as from vale +To mountain sped, at th’ extreme bound, a part +Excell’d in lustre all the front oppos’d. +And as the glow burns ruddiest o’er the wave, +That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton +Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light +Diminish’d fades, intensest in the midst; +So burn’d the peaceful oriflame, and slack’d +On every side the living flame decay’d. +And in that midst their sportive pennons wav’d +Thousands of angels; in resplendence each +Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee +And carol, smil’d the Lovely One of heav’n, +That joy was in the eyes of all the blest. + +Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich, +As is the colouring in fancy’s loom, +’Twere all too poor to utter the least part +Of that enchantment. When he saw mine eyes +Intent on her, that charm’d him, Bernard gaz’d +With so exceeding fondness, as infus’d +Ardour into my breast, unfelt before. + + + + +CANTO XXXII + + +Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high, +Assum’d the teacher’s part, and mild began: +“The wound, that Mary clos’d, she open’d first, +Who sits so beautiful at Mary’s feet. +The third in order, underneath her, lo! +Rachel with Beatrice. Sarah next, +Judith, Rebecca, and the gleaner maid, +Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs +Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood. +All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf, +Are in gradation throned on the rose. +And from the seventh step, successively, +Adown the breathing tresses of the flow’r +Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed. +For these are a partition wall, whereby +The sacred stairs are sever’d, as the faith +In Christ divides them. On this part, where blooms +Each leaf in full maturity, are set +Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ’d. +On th’ other, where an intersected space +Yet shows the semicircle void, abide +All they, who look’d to Christ already come. +And as our Lady on her glorious stool, +And they who on their stools beneath her sit, +This way distinction make: e’en so on his, +The mighty Baptist that way marks the line +(He who endur’d the desert and the pains +Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell, +Yet still continued holy), and beneath, +Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest, +Thus far from round to round. So heav’n’s decree +Forecasts, this garden equally to fill. +With faith in either view, past or to come, +Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves +Midway the twain compartments, none there are +Who place obtain for merit of their own, +But have through others’ merit been advanc’d, +On set conditions: spirits all releas’d, +Ere for themselves they had the power to choose. +And, if thou mark and listen to them well, +Their childish looks and voice declare as much. + +“Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt; +And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein +Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee. From this realm +Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find, +No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can. +A law immutable hath establish’d all; +Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit, +Exactly, as the finger to the ring. +It is not therefore without cause, that these, +O’erspeedy comers to immortal life, +Are different in their shares of excellence. +Our Sovran Lord—that settleth this estate +In love and in delight so absolute, +That wish can dare no further—every soul, +Created in his joyous sight to dwell, +With grace at pleasure variously endows. +And for a proof th’ effect may well suffice. +And ’tis moreover most expressly mark’d +In holy scripture, where the twins are said +To, have struggled in the womb. Therefore, as grace +Inweaves the coronet, so every brow +Weareth its proper hue of orient light. +And merely in respect to his prime gift, +Not in reward of meritorious deed, +Hath each his several degree assign’d. +In early times with their own innocence +More was not wanting, than the parents’ faith, +To save them: those first ages past, behoov’d +That circumcision in the males should imp +The flight of innocent wings: but since the day +Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites +In Christ accomplish’d, innocence herself +Must linger yet below. Now raise thy view +Unto the visage most resembling Christ: +For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win +The pow’r to look on him.” Forthwith I saw +Such floods of gladness on her visage shower’d, +From holy spirits, winging that profound; +That, whatsoever I had yet beheld, +Had not so much suspended me with wonder, +Or shown me such similitude of God. +And he, who had to her descended, once, +On earth, now hail’d in heav’n; and on pois’d wing. +“Ave, Maria, Gratia Plena,” sang: +To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court, +From all parts answ’ring, rang: that holier joy +Brooded the deep serene. “Father rever’d: +Who deign’st, for me, to quit the pleasant place, +Wherein thou sittest, by eternal lot! +Say, who that angel is, that with such glee +Beholds our queen, and so enamour’d glows +Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems.” +So I again resorted to the lore +Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary’s charms +Embellish’d, as the sun the morning star; +Who thus in answer spake: “In him are summ’d, +Whatever of buxomness and free delight +May be in Spirit, or in angel, met: +And so beseems: for that he bare the palm +Down unto Mary, when the Son of God +Vouchsaf’d to clothe him in terrestrial weeds. +Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words, +And note thou of this just and pious realm +The chiefest nobles. Those, highest in bliss, +The twain, on each hand next our empress thron’d, +Are as it were two roots unto this rose. +He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste +Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right, +That ancient father of the holy church, +Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys +Of this sweet flow’r: near whom behold the seer, +That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times +Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails +Was won. And, near unto the other, rests +The leader, under whom on manna fed +Th’ ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse. +On th’ other part, facing to Peter, lo! +Where Anna sits, so well content to look +On her lov’d daughter, that with moveless eye +She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos’d +To the first father of your mortal kind, +Is Lucia, at whose hest thy lady sped, +When on the edge of ruin clos’d thine eye. + +“But (for the vision hasteneth so an end) +Here break we off, as the good workman doth, +That shapes the cloak according to the cloth: +And to the primal love our ken shall rise; +That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far +As sight can bear thee. Yet, alas! in sooth +Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance, +Thou backward fall’st. Grace then must first be gain’d; +Her grace, whose might can help thee. Thou in prayer +Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue, +Attend, and yield me all thy heart.” He said, +And thus the saintly orison began. + + + + +CANTO XXXIII + + +“O virgin mother, daughter of thy Son, +Created beings all in lowliness +Surpassing, as in height, above them all, +Term by th’ eternal counsel pre-ordain’d, +Ennobler of thy nature, so advanc’d +In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn, +Himself, in his own work enclos’d to dwell! +For in thy womb rekindling shone the love +Reveal’d, whose genial influence makes now +This flower to germin in eternal peace! +Here thou to us, of charity and love, +Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath, +To mortal men, of hope a living spring. +So mighty art thou, lady! and so great, +That he who grace desireth, and comes not +To thee for aidance, fain would have desire +Fly without wings. Nor only him who asks, +Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft +Forerun the asking. Whatsoe’er may be +Of excellence in creature, pity mild, +Relenting mercy, large munificence, +Are all combin’d in thee. Here kneeleth one, +Who of all spirits hath review’d the state, +From the world’s lowest gap unto this height. +Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace +For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken +Toward the bliss supreme. And I, who ne’er +Coveted sight, more fondly, for myself, +Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer, +(And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive +Each cloud of his mortality away; +That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze. +This also I entreat of thee, O queen! +Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou +Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve +Affection sound, and human passions quell. +Lo! Where, with Beatrice, many a saint +Stretch their clasp’d hands, in furtherance of my suit!” + +The eyes, that heav’n with love and awe regards, +Fix’d on the suitor, witness’d, how benign +She looks on pious pray’rs: then fasten’d they +On th’ everlasting light, wherein no eye +Of creature, as may well be thought, so far +Can travel inward. I, meanwhile, who drew +Near to the limit, where all wishes end, +The ardour of my wish (for so behooved), +Ended within me. Beck’ning smil’d the sage, +That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade, +Already of myself aloft I look’d; +For visual strength, refining more and more, +Bare me into the ray authentical +Of sovran light. Thenceforward, what I saw, +Was not for words to speak, nor memory’s self +To stand against such outrage on her skill. +As one, who from a dream awaken’d, straight, +All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains +Impression of the feeling in his dream; +E’en such am I: for all the vision dies, +As ’twere, away; and yet the sense of sweet, +That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart. +Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal’d; +Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost +The Sybil’s sentence. O eternal beam! +(Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?) +Yield me again some little particle +Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue +Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory, +Unto the race to come, that shall not lose +Thy triumph wholly, if thou waken aught +Of memory in me, and endure to hear +The record sound in this unequal strain. + +Such keenness from the living ray I met, +That, if mine eyes had turn’d away, methinks, +I had been lost; but, so embolden’d, on +I pass’d, as I remember, till my view +Hover’d the brink of dread infinitude. + +O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav’st +Boldness to fix so earnestly my ken +On th’ everlasting splendour, that I look’d, +While sight was unconsum’d, and, in that depth, +Saw in one volume clasp’d of love, whatever +The universe unfolds; all properties +Of substance and of accident, beheld, +Compounded, yet one individual light +The whole. And of such bond methinks I saw +The universal form: for that whenever +I do but speak of it, my soul dilates +Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak, +One moment seems a longer lethargy, +Than five-and-twenty ages had appear’d +To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder +At Argo’s shadow darkening on his flood. + +With fixed heed, suspense and motionless, +Wond’ring I gaz’d; and admiration still +Was kindled, as I gaz’d. It may not be, +That one, who looks upon that light, can turn +To other object, willingly, his view. +For all the good, that will may covet, there +Is summ’d; and all, elsewhere defective found, +Complete. My tongue shall utter now, no more +E’en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe’s +That yet is moisten’d at his mother’s breast. +Not that the semblance of the living light +Was chang’d (that ever as at first remain’d) +But that my vision quickening, in that sole +Appearance, still new miracles descry’d, +And toil’d me with the change. In that abyss +Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem’d methought, +Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound: +And, from another, one reflected seem’d, +As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third +Seem’d fire, breath’d equally from both. Oh speech +How feeble and how faint art thou, to give +Conception birth! Yet this to what I saw +Is less than little. Oh eternal light! +Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself +Sole understood, past, present, or to come! +Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee +Seem’d as reflected splendour, while I mus’d; +For I therein, methought, in its own hue +Beheld our image painted: steadfastly +I therefore por’d upon the view. As one +Who vers’d in geometric lore, would fain +Measure the circle; and, though pondering long +And deeply, that beginning, which he needs, +Finds not; e’en such was I, intent to scan +The novel wonder, and trace out the form, +How to the circle fitted, and therein +How plac’d: but the flight was not for my wing; +Had not a flash darted athwart my mind, +And in the spleen unfolded what it sought. + +Here vigour fail’d the tow’ring fantasy: +But yet the will roll’d onward, like a wheel +In even motion, by the Love impell’d, +That moves the sun in heav’n and all the stars. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1007 *** diff --git a/1007-h/1007-h.htm b/1007-h/1007-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e9b8f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/1007-h/1007-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5720 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Divine Comedy, Paradise, by Dante Alighieri</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1007 ***</div> + +<h1>PARADISE</h1> + +<h5>FROM THE DIVINE COMEDY</h5> + +<h5>BY</h5> + +<h2 class="no-break">Dante Alighieri</h2> + +<h3>Translated by<br />THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h3> + +<hr /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.I">CANTO I.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.II">CANTO II.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.III">CANTO III.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.IV">CANTO IV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.V">CANTO V.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.VI">CANTO VI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.VII">CANTO VII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.VIII">CANTO VIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.IX">CANTO IX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.X">CANTO X.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XI">CANTO XI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XII">CANTO XII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XIII">CANTO XIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XIV">CANTO XIV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XV">CANTO XV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XVI">CANTO XVI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XVII">CANTO XVII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XVIII">CANTO XVIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XIX">CANTO XIX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XX">CANTO XX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXI">CANTO XXI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXII">CANTO XXII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXIII">CANTO XXIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXIV">CANTO XXIV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXV">CANTO XXV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXVI">CANTO XXVI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXVII">CANTO XXVII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXVIII">CANTO XXVIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXIX">CANTO XXIX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXX">CANTO XXX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXXI">CANTO XXXI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXXII">CANTO XXXII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXXIII">CANTO XXXIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>PARADISE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.I"></a>CANTO I</h2> + +<p> +His glory, by whose might all things are mov’d,<br/> +Pierces the universe, and in one part<br/> +Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav’n,<br/> +That largeliest of his light partakes, was I,<br/> +Witness of things, which to relate again<br/> +Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence;<br/> +For that, so near approaching its desire<br/> +Our intellect is to such depth absorb’d,<br/> +That memory cannot follow. Nathless all,<br/> +That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm<br/> +Could store, shall now be matter of my song. +</p> + +<p> +Benign Apollo! this last labour aid,<br/> +And make me such a vessel of thy worth,<br/> +As thy own laurel claims of me belov’d.<br/> +Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus’ brows<br/> +Suffic’d me; henceforth there is need of both<br/> +For my remaining enterprise Do thou<br/> +Enter into my bosom, and there breathe<br/> +So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg’d<br/> +Forth from his limbs unsheath’d. O power divine!<br/> +If thou to me of shine impart so much,<br/> +That of that happy realm the shadow’d form<br/> +Trac’d in my thoughts I may set forth to view,<br/> +Thou shalt behold me of thy favour’d tree<br/> +Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves;<br/> +For to that honour thou, and my high theme<br/> +Will fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire!<br/> +To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath<br/> +Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills<br/> +Deprav’d) joy to the Delphic god must spring<br/> +From the Pierian foliage, when one breast<br/> +Is with such thirst inspir’d. From a small spark<br/> +Great flame hath risen: after me perchance<br/> +Others with better voice may pray, and gain<br/> +From the Cirrhaean city answer kind. +</p> + +<p> +Through diver passages, the world’s bright lamp<br/> +Rises to mortals, but through that which joins<br/> +Four circles with the threefold cross, in best<br/> +Course, and in happiest constellation set<br/> +He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives<br/> +Its temper and impression. Morning there,<br/> +Here eve was by almost such passage made;<br/> +And whiteness had o’erspread that hemisphere,<br/> +Blackness the other part; when to the left<br/> +I saw Beatrice turn’d, and on the sun<br/> +Gazing, as never eagle fix’d his ken.<br/> +As from the first a second beam is wont<br/> +To issue, and reflected upwards rise,<br/> +E’en as a pilgrim bent on his return,<br/> +So of her act, that through the eyesight pass’d<br/> +Into my fancy, mine was form’d; and straight,<br/> +Beyond our mortal wont, I fix’d mine eyes<br/> +Upon the sun. Much is allowed us there,<br/> +That here exceeds our pow’r; thanks to the place<br/> +Made for the dwelling of the human kind +</p> + +<p> +I suffer’d it not long, and yet so long<br/> +That I beheld it bick’ring sparks around,<br/> +As iron that comes boiling from the fire.<br/> +And suddenly upon the day appear’d<br/> +A day new-ris’n, as he, who hath the power,<br/> +Had with another sun bedeck’d the sky. +</p> + +<p> +Her eyes fast fix’d on the eternal wheels,<br/> +Beatrice stood unmov’d; and I with ken<br/> +Fix’d upon her, from upward gaze remov’d<br/> +At her aspect, such inwardly became<br/> +As Glaucus, when he tasted of the herb,<br/> +That made him peer among the ocean gods;<br/> +Words may not tell of that transhuman change:<br/> +And therefore let the example serve, though weak,<br/> +For those whom grace hath better proof in store +</p> + +<p> +If I were only what thou didst create,<br/> +Then newly, Love! by whom the heav’n is rul’d,<br/> +Thou know’st, who by thy light didst bear me up.<br/> +Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide,<br/> +Desired Spirit! with its harmony<br/> +Temper’d of thee and measur’d, charm’d mine ear,<br/> +Then seem’d to me so much of heav’n to blaze<br/> +With the sun’s flame, that rain or flood ne’er made<br/> +A lake so broad. The newness of the sound,<br/> +And that great light, inflam’d me with desire,<br/> +Keener than e’er was felt, to know their cause. +</p> + +<p> +Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself,<br/> +To calm my troubled mind, before I ask’d,<br/> +Open’d her lips, and gracious thus began:<br/> +“With false imagination thou thyself<br/> +Mak’st dull, so that thou seest not the thing,<br/> +Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off.<br/> +Thou art not on the earth as thou believ’st;<br/> +For light’ning scap’d from its own proper place<br/> +Ne’er ran, as thou hast hither now return’d.” +</p> + +<p> +Although divested of my first-rais’d doubt,<br/> +By those brief words, accompanied with smiles,<br/> +Yet in new doubt was I entangled more,<br/> +And said: “Already satisfied, I rest<br/> +From admiration deep, but now admire<br/> +How I above those lighter bodies rise.” +</p> + +<p> +Whence, after utt’rance of a piteous sigh,<br/> +She tow’rds me bent her eyes, with such a look,<br/> +As on her frenzied child a mother casts;<br/> +Then thus began: “Among themselves all things<br/> +Have order; and from hence the form, which makes<br/> +The universe resemble God. In this<br/> +The higher creatures see the printed steps<br/> +Of that eternal worth, which is the end<br/> +Whither the line is drawn. All natures lean,<br/> +In this their order, diversely, some more,<br/> +Some less approaching to their primal source.<br/> +Thus they to different havens are mov’d on<br/> +Through the vast sea of being, and each one<br/> +With instinct giv’n, that bears it in its course;<br/> +This to the lunar sphere directs the fire,<br/> +This prompts the hearts of mortal animals,<br/> +This the brute earth together knits, and binds.<br/> +Nor only creatures, void of intellect,<br/> +Are aim’d at by this bow; but even those,<br/> +That have intelligence and love, are pierc’d.<br/> +That Providence, who so well orders all,<br/> +With her own light makes ever calm the heaven,<br/> +In which the substance, that hath greatest speed,<br/> +Is turn’d: and thither now, as to our seat<br/> +Predestin’d, we are carried by the force<br/> +Of that strong cord, that never looses dart,<br/> +But at fair aim and glad. Yet is it true,<br/> +That as ofttimes but ill accords the form<br/> +To the design of art, through sluggishness<br/> +Of unreplying matter, so this course<br/> +Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who<br/> +Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere;<br/> +As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall,<br/> +From its original impulse warp’d, to earth,<br/> +By vicious fondness. Thou no more admire<br/> +Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse<br/> +Of torrent downwards from a mountain’s height.<br/> +There would in thee for wonder be more cause,<br/> +If, free of hind’rance, thou hadst fix’d thyself<br/> +Below, like fire unmoving on the earth.” +</p> + +<p> +So said, she turn’d toward the heav’n her face. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.II"></a>CANTO II</h2> + +<p> +All ye, who in small bark have following sail’d,<br/> +Eager to listen, on the advent’rous track<br/> +Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way,<br/> +Backward return with speed, and your own shores<br/> +Revisit, nor put out to open sea,<br/> +Where losing me, perchance ye may remain<br/> +Bewilder’d in deep maze. The way I pass<br/> +Ne’er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale,<br/> +Apollo guides me, and another Nine<br/> +To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal.<br/> +Ye other few, who have outstretch’d the neck.<br/> +Timely for food of angels, on which here<br/> +They live, yet never know satiety,<br/> +Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out<br/> +Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad<br/> +Before you in the wave, that on both sides<br/> +Equal returns. Those, glorious, who pass’d o’er<br/> +To Colchos, wonder’d not as ye will do,<br/> +When they saw Jason following the plough. +</p> + +<p> +The increate perpetual thirst, that draws<br/> +Toward the realm of God’s own form, bore us<br/> +Swift almost as the heaven ye behold. +</p> + +<p> +Beatrice upward gaz’d, and I on her,<br/> +And in such space as on the notch a dart<br/> +Is plac’d, then loosen’d flies, I saw myself<br/> +Arriv’d, where wond’rous thing engag’d my sight.<br/> +Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid,<br/> +Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair,<br/> +Bespake me: “Gratefully direct thy mind<br/> +To God, through whom to this first star we come.” +</p> + +<p> +Me seem’d as if a cloud had cover’d us,<br/> +Translucent, solid, firm, and polish’d bright,<br/> +Like adamant, which the sun’s beam had smit<br/> +Within itself the ever-during pearl<br/> +Receiv’d us, as the wave a ray of light<br/> +Receives, and rests unbroken. If I then<br/> +Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend<br/> +Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus<br/> +Another could endure, which needs must be<br/> +If body enter body, how much more<br/> +Must the desire inflame us to behold<br/> +That essence, which discovers by what means<br/> +God and our nature join’d! There will be seen<br/> +That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof,<br/> +But in itself intelligibly plain,<br/> +E’en as the truth that man at first believes. +</p> + +<p> +I answered: “Lady! I with thoughts devout,<br/> +Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him,<br/> +Who hath remov’d me from the mortal world.<br/> +But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots<br/> +Upon this body, which below on earth<br/> +Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?” +</p> + +<p> +She somewhat smil’d, then spake: “If mortals err<br/> +In their opinion, when the key of sense<br/> +Unlocks not, surely wonder’s weapon keen<br/> +Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find’st, the wings<br/> +Of reason to pursue the senses’ flight<br/> +Are short. But what thy own thought is, declare.” +</p> + +<p> +Then I: “What various here above appears,<br/> +Is caus’d, I deem, by bodies dense or rare.” +</p> + +<p> +She then resum’d: “Thou certainly wilt see<br/> +In falsehood thy belief o’erwhelm’d, if well<br/> +Thou listen to the arguments, which I<br/> +Shall bring to face it. The eighth sphere displays<br/> +Numberless lights, the which in kind and size<br/> +May be remark’d of different aspects;<br/> +If rare or dense of that were cause alone,<br/> +One single virtue then would be in all,<br/> +Alike distributed, or more, or less.<br/> +Different virtues needs must be the fruits<br/> +Of formal principles, and these, save one,<br/> +Will by thy reasoning be destroy’d. Beside,<br/> +If rarity were of that dusk the cause,<br/> +Which thou inquirest, either in some part<br/> +That planet must throughout be void, nor fed<br/> +With its own matter; or, as bodies share<br/> +Their fat and leanness, in like manner this<br/> +Must in its volume change the leaves. The first,<br/> +If it were true, had through the sun’s eclipse<br/> +Been manifested, by transparency<br/> +Of light, as through aught rare beside effus’d.<br/> +But this is not. Therefore remains to see<br/> +The other cause: and if the other fall,<br/> +Erroneous so must prove what seem’d to thee.<br/> +If not from side to side this rarity<br/> +Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence<br/> +Its contrary no further lets it pass.<br/> +And hence the beam, that from without proceeds,<br/> +Must be pour’d back, as colour comes, through glass<br/> +Reflected, which behind it lead conceals.<br/> +Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue<br/> +Than in the other part the ray is shown,<br/> +By being thence refracted farther back.<br/> +From this perplexity will free thee soon<br/> +Experience, if thereof thou trial make,<br/> +The fountain whence your arts derive their streame.<br/> +Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove<br/> +From thee alike, and more remote the third.<br/> +Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes;<br/> +Then turn’d toward them, cause behind thy back<br/> +A light to stand, that on the three shall shine,<br/> +And thus reflected come to thee from all.<br/> +Though that beheld most distant do not stretch<br/> +A space so ample, yet in brightness thou<br/> +Will own it equaling the rest. But now,<br/> +As under snow the ground, if the warm ray<br/> +Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue<br/> +And cold, that cover’d it before, so thee,<br/> +Dismantled in thy mind, I will inform<br/> +With light so lively, that the tremulous beam<br/> +Shall quiver where it falls. Within the heaven,<br/> +Where peace divine inhabits, circles round<br/> +A body, in whose virtue dies the being<br/> +Of all that it contains. The following heaven,<br/> +That hath so many lights, this being divides,<br/> +Through different essences, from it distinct,<br/> +And yet contain’d within it. The other orbs<br/> +Their separate distinctions variously<br/> +Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt.<br/> +Thus do these organs of the world proceed,<br/> +As thou beholdest now, from step to step,<br/> +Their influences from above deriving,<br/> +And thence transmitting downwards. Mark me well,<br/> +How through this passage to the truth I ford,<br/> +The truth thou lov’st, that thou henceforth alone,<br/> +May’st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold. +</p> + +<p> +“The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs,<br/> +As mallet by the workman’s hand, must needs<br/> +By blessed movers be inspir’d. This heaven,<br/> +Made beauteous by so many luminaries,<br/> +From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere,<br/> +Its image takes an impress as a seal:<br/> +And as the soul, that dwells within your dust,<br/> +Through members different, yet together form’d,<br/> +In different pow’rs resolves itself; e’en so<br/> +The intellectual efficacy unfolds<br/> +Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars;<br/> +On its own unity revolving still.<br/> +Different virtue compact different<br/> +Makes with the precious body it enlivens,<br/> +With which it knits, as life in you is knit.<br/> +From its original nature full of joy,<br/> +The virtue mingled through the body shines,<br/> +As joy through pupil of the living eye.<br/> +From hence proceeds, that which from light to light<br/> +Seems different, and not from dense or rare.<br/> +This is the formal cause, that generates<br/> +Proportion’d to its power, the dusk or clear.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.III"></a>CANTO III</h2> + +<p> +That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm’d<br/> +Had of fair truth unveil’d the sweet aspect,<br/> +By proof of right, and of the false reproof;<br/> +And I, to own myself convinc’d and free<br/> +Of doubt, as much as needed, rais’d my head<br/> +Erect for speech. But soon a sight appear’d,<br/> +Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix’d,<br/> +That of confession I no longer thought. +</p> + +<p> +As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave<br/> +Clear and unmov’d, and flowing not so deep<br/> +As that its bed is dark, the shape returns<br/> +So faint of our impictur’d lineaments,<br/> +That on white forehead set a pearl as strong<br/> +Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face,<br/> +All stretch’d to speak, from whence I straight conceiv’d<br/> +Delusion opposite to that, which rais’d<br/> +Between the man and fountain, amorous flame. +</p> + +<p> +Sudden, as I perceiv’d them, deeming these<br/> +Reflected semblances to see of whom<br/> +They were, I turn’d mine eyes, and nothing saw;<br/> +Then turn’d them back, directed on the light<br/> +Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams<br/> +From her celestial eyes. “Wonder not thou,”<br/> +She cry’d, “at this my smiling, when I see<br/> +Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth<br/> +It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont,<br/> +Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy.<br/> +True substances are these, which thou behold’st,<br/> +Hither through failure of their vow exil’d.<br/> +But speak thou with them; listen, and believe,<br/> +That the true light, which fills them with desire,<br/> +Permits not from its beams their feet to stray.” +</p> + +<p> +Straight to the shadow which for converse seem’d<br/> +Most earnest, I addressed me, and began,<br/> +As one by over-eagerness perplex’d:<br/> +“O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays<br/> +Of life eternal, of that sweetness know’st<br/> +The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far<br/> +All apprehension, me it well would please,<br/> +If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this<br/> +Your station here.” Whence she, with kindness prompt,<br/> +And eyes glist’ning with smiles: “Our charity,<br/> +To any wish by justice introduc’d,<br/> +Bars not the door, no more than she above,<br/> +Who would have all her court be like herself.<br/> +I was a virgin sister in the earth;<br/> +And if thy mind observe me well, this form,<br/> +With such addition grac’d of loveliness,<br/> +Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know<br/> +Piccarda, in the tardiest sphere thus plac’d,<br/> +Here ’mid these other blessed also blest.<br/> +Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone<br/> +With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv’d,<br/> +Admitted to his order dwell in joy.<br/> +And this condition, which appears so low,<br/> +Is for this cause assign’d us, that our vows<br/> +Were in some part neglected and made void.” +</p> + +<p> +Whence I to her replied: “Something divine<br/> +Beams in your countenance, wond’rous fair,<br/> +From former knowledge quite transmuting you.<br/> +Therefore to recollect was I so slow.<br/> +But what thou sayst hath to my memory<br/> +Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms<br/> +Is easier. Yet inform me, ye, who here<br/> +Are happy, long ye for a higher place<br/> +More to behold, and more in love to dwell?” +</p> + +<p> +She with those other spirits gently smil’d,<br/> +Then answer’d with such gladness, that she seem’d<br/> +With love’s first flame to glow: “Brother! our will<br/> +Is in composure settled by the power<br/> +Of charity, who makes us will alone<br/> +What we possess, and nought beyond desire;<br/> +If we should wish to be exalted more,<br/> +Then must our wishes jar with the high will<br/> +Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs<br/> +Thou wilt confess not possible, if here<br/> +To be in charity must needs befall,<br/> +And if her nature well thou contemplate.<br/> +Rather it is inherent in this state<br/> +Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within<br/> +The divine will, by which our wills with his<br/> +Are one. So that as we from step to step<br/> +Are plac’d throughout this kingdom, pleases all,<br/> +E’en as our King, who in us plants his will;<br/> +And in his will is our tranquillity;<br/> +It is the mighty ocean, whither tends<br/> +Whatever it creates and nature makes.” +</p> + +<p> +Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav’n<br/> +Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew<br/> +The supreme virtue show’r not over all. +</p> + +<p> +But as it chances, if one sort of food<br/> +Hath satiated, and of another still<br/> +The appetite remains, that this is ask’d,<br/> +And thanks for that return’d; e’en so did I<br/> +In word and motion, bent from her to learn<br/> +What web it was, through which she had not drawn<br/> +The shuttle to its point. She thus began:<br/> +“Exalted worth and perfectness of life<br/> +The Lady higher up enshrine in heaven,<br/> +By whose pure laws upon your nether earth<br/> +The robe and veil they wear, to that intent,<br/> +That e’en till death they may keep watch or sleep<br/> +With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow,<br/> +Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms.<br/> +from the world, to follow her, when young<br/> +Escap’d; and, in her vesture mantling me,<br/> +Made promise of the way her sect enjoins.<br/> +Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt,<br/> +Forth snatch’d me from the pleasant cloister’s pale.<br/> +God knows how after that my life was fram’d.<br/> +This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst<br/> +At my right side, burning with all the light<br/> +Of this our orb, what of myself I tell<br/> +May to herself apply. From her, like me<br/> +A sister, with like violence were torn<br/> +The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows.<br/> +E’en when she to the world again was brought<br/> +In spite of her own will and better wont,<br/> +Yet not for that the bosom’s inward veil<br/> +Did she renounce. This is the luminary<br/> +Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast,<br/> +Which blew the second over Suabia’s realm,<br/> +That power produc’d, which was the third and last.” +</p> + +<p> +She ceas’d from further talk, and then began<br/> +“Ave Maria” singing, and with that song<br/> +Vanish’d, as heavy substance through deep wave. +</p> + +<p> +Mine eye, that far as it was capable,<br/> +Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost,<br/> +Turn’d to the mark where greater want impell’d,<br/> +And bent on Beatrice all its gaze.<br/> +But she as light’ning beam’d upon my looks:<br/> +So that the sight sustain’d it not at first.<br/> +Whence I to question her became less prompt. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.IV"></a>CANTO IV</h2> + +<p> +Between two kinds of food, both equally<br/> +Remote and tempting, first a man might die<br/> +Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose.<br/> +E’en so would stand a lamb between the maw<br/> +Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike:<br/> +E’en so between two deer a dog would stand,<br/> +Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise<br/> +I to myself impute, by equal doubts<br/> +Held in suspense, since of necessity<br/> +It happen’d. Silent was I, yet desire<br/> +Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake<br/> +My wish more earnestly than language could. +</p> + +<p> +As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed<br/> +From ire, that spurr’d him on to deeds unjust<br/> +And violent; so look’d Beatrice then. +</p> + +<p> +“Well I discern,” she thus her words address’d,<br/> +“How contrary desires each way constrain thee,<br/> +So that thy anxious thought is in itself<br/> +Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth.<br/> +Thou arguest; if the good intent remain;<br/> +What reason that another’s violence<br/> +Should stint the measure of my fair desert? +</p> + +<p> +“Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems,<br/> +That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem’d,<br/> +Return. These are the questions which thy will<br/> +Urge equally; and therefore I the first<br/> +Of that will treat which hath the more of gall.<br/> +Of seraphim he who is most ensky’d,<br/> +Moses and Samuel, and either John,<br/> +Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary’s self,<br/> +Have not in any other heav’n their seats,<br/> +Than have those spirits which so late thou saw’st;<br/> +Nor more or fewer years exist; but all<br/> +Make the first circle beauteous, diversely<br/> +Partaking of sweet life, as more or less<br/> +Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them.<br/> +Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns<br/> +This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee<br/> +Of that celestial furthest from the height.<br/> +Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak:<br/> +Since from things sensible alone ye learn<br/> +That, which digested rightly after turns<br/> +To intellectual. For no other cause<br/> +The scripture, condescending graciously<br/> +To your perception, hands and feet to God<br/> +Attributes, nor so means: and holy church<br/> +Doth represent with human countenance<br/> +Gabriel, and Michael, and him who made<br/> +Tobias whole. Unlike what here thou seest,<br/> +The judgment of Timaeus, who affirms<br/> +Each soul restor’d to its particular star,<br/> +Believing it to have been taken thence,<br/> +When nature gave it to inform her mold:<br/> +Since to appearance his intention is<br/> +E’en what his words declare: or else to shun<br/> +Derision, haply thus he hath disguis’d<br/> +His true opinion. If his meaning be,<br/> +That to the influencing of these orbs revert<br/> +The honour and the blame in human acts,<br/> +Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth.<br/> +This principle, not understood aright,<br/> +Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world;<br/> +So that it fell to fabled names of Jove,<br/> +And Mercury, and Mars. That other doubt,<br/> +Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings<br/> +No peril of removing thee from me. +</p> + +<p> +“That, to the eye of man, our justice seems<br/> +Unjust, is argument for faith, and not<br/> +For heretic declension. To the end<br/> +This truth may stand more clearly in your view,<br/> +I will content thee even to thy wish +</p> + +<p> +“If violence be, when that which suffers, nought<br/> +Consents to that which forceth, not for this<br/> +These spirits stood exculpate. For the will,<br/> +That will not, still survives unquench’d, and doth<br/> +As nature doth in fire, tho’ violence<br/> +Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield<br/> +Or more or less, so far it follows force.<br/> +And thus did these, whom they had power to seek<br/> +The hallow’d place again. In them, had will<br/> +Been perfect, such as once upon the bars<br/> +Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola<br/> +To his own hand remorseless, to the path,<br/> +Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten’d back,<br/> +When liberty return’d: but in too few<br/> +Resolve so steadfast dwells. And by these words<br/> +If duly weigh’d, that argument is void,<br/> +Which oft might have perplex’d thee still. But now<br/> +Another question thwarts thee, which to solve<br/> +Might try thy patience without better aid.<br/> +I have, no doubt, instill’d into thy mind,<br/> +That blessed spirit may not lie; since near<br/> +The source of primal truth it dwells for aye:<br/> +And thou might’st after of Piccarda learn<br/> +That Constance held affection to the veil;<br/> +So that she seems to contradict me here.<br/> +Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc’d for men<br/> +To do what they had gladly left undone,<br/> +Yet to shun peril they have done amiss:<br/> +E’en as Alcmaeon, at his father’s suit<br/> +Slew his own mother, so made pitiless<br/> +Not to lose pity. On this point bethink thee,<br/> +That force and will are blended in such wise<br/> +As not to make the’ offence excusable.<br/> +Absolute will agrees not to the wrong,<br/> +That inasmuch as there is fear of woe<br/> +From non-compliance, it agrees. Of will<br/> +Thus absolute Piccarda spake, and I<br/> +Of th’ other; so that both have truly said.” +</p> + +<p> +Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well’d<br/> +From forth the fountain of all truth; and such<br/> +The rest, that to my wond’ring thoughts I found. +</p> + +<p> +“O thou of primal love the prime delight!<br/> +Goddess!” I straight reply’d, “whose lively words<br/> +Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul!<br/> +Affection fails me to requite thy grace<br/> +With equal sum of gratitude: be his<br/> +To recompense, who sees and can reward thee.<br/> +Well I discern, that by that truth alone<br/> +Enlighten’d, beyond which no truth may roam,<br/> +Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know:<br/> +Therein she resteth, e’en as in his lair<br/> +The wild beast, soon as she hath reach’d that bound,<br/> +And she hath power to reach it; else desire<br/> +Were given to no end. And thence doth doubt<br/> +Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth;<br/> +And it is nature which from height to height<br/> +On to the summit prompts us. This invites,<br/> +This doth assure me, lady, rev’rently<br/> +To ask thee of other truth, that yet<br/> +Is dark to me. I fain would know, if man<br/> +By other works well done may so supply<br/> +The failure of his vows, that in your scale<br/> +They lack not weight.” I spake; and on me straight<br/> +Beatrice look’d with eyes that shot forth sparks<br/> +Of love celestial in such copious stream,<br/> +That, virtue sinking in me overpower’d,<br/> +I turn’d, and downward bent confus’d my sight. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.V"></a>CANTO V</h2> + +<p> +“If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love<br/> +Illume me, so that I o’ercome thy power<br/> +Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause<br/> +In that perfection of the sight, which soon<br/> +As apprehending, hasteneth on to reach<br/> +The good it apprehends. I well discern,<br/> +How in thine intellect already shines<br/> +The light eternal, which to view alone<br/> +Ne’er fails to kindle love; and if aught else<br/> +Your love seduces, ’tis but that it shows<br/> +Some ill-mark’d vestige of that primal beam. +</p> + +<p> +“This would’st thou know, if failure of the vow<br/> +By other service may be so supplied,<br/> +As from self-question to assure the soul.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish,<br/> +Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off<br/> +Discourse, continued in her saintly strain.<br/> +“Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave<br/> +Of his free bounty, sign most evident<br/> +Of goodness, and in his account most priz’d,<br/> +Was liberty of will, the boon wherewith<br/> +All intellectual creatures, and them sole<br/> +He hath endow’d. Hence now thou mayst infer<br/> +Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram’d<br/> +That when man offers, God well-pleas’d accepts;<br/> +For in the compact between God and him,<br/> +This treasure, such as I describe it to thee,<br/> +He makes the victim, and of his own act.<br/> +What compensation therefore may he find?<br/> +If that, whereof thou hast oblation made,<br/> +By using well thou think’st to consecrate,<br/> +Thou would’st of theft do charitable deed.<br/> +Thus I resolve thee of the greater point. +</p> + +<p> +“But forasmuch as holy church, herein<br/> +Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth<br/> +I have discover’d to thee, yet behooves<br/> +Thou rest a little longer at the board,<br/> +Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken,<br/> +Digested fitly to nutrition turn.<br/> +Open thy mind to what I now unfold,<br/> +And give it inward keeping. Knowledge comes<br/> +Of learning well retain’d, unfruitful else. +</p> + +<p> +“This sacrifice in essence of two things<br/> +Consisteth; one is that, whereof ’tis made,<br/> +The covenant the other. For the last,<br/> +It ne’er is cancell’d if not kept: and hence<br/> +I spake erewhile so strictly of its force.<br/> +For this it was enjoin’d the Israelites,<br/> +Though leave were giv’n them, as thou know’st, to change<br/> +The offering, still to offer. Th’ other part,<br/> +The matter and the substance of the vow,<br/> +May well be such, to that without offence<br/> +It may for other substance be exchang’d.<br/> +But at his own discretion none may shift<br/> +The burden on his shoulders, unreleas’d<br/> +By either key, the yellow and the white.<br/> +Nor deem of any change, as less than vain,<br/> +If the last bond be not within the new<br/> +Included, as the quatre in the six.<br/> +No satisfaction therefore can be paid<br/> +For what so precious in the balance weighs,<br/> +That all in counterpoise must kick the beam.<br/> +Take then no vow at random: ta’en, with faith<br/> +Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once,<br/> +Blindly to execute a rash resolve,<br/> +Whom better it had suited to exclaim,<br/> +‘I have done ill,’ than to redeem his pledge<br/> +By doing worse or, not unlike to him<br/> +In folly, that great leader of the Greeks:<br/> +Whence, on the alter, Iphigenia mourn’d<br/> +Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn<br/> +Both wise and simple, even all, who hear<br/> +Of so fell sacrifice. Be ye more staid,<br/> +O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind<br/> +Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves<br/> +In every water. Either testament,<br/> +The old and new, is yours: and for your guide<br/> +The shepherd of the church let this suffice<br/> +To save you. When by evil lust entic’d,<br/> +Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts;<br/> +Nor let the Jew, who dwelleth in your streets,<br/> +Hold you in mock’ry. Be not, as the lamb,<br/> +That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother’s milk,<br/> +To dally with itself in idle play.” +</p> + +<p> +Such were the words that Beatrice spake:<br/> +These ended, to that region, where the world<br/> +Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn’d. +</p> + +<p> +Though mainly prompt new question to propose,<br/> +Her silence and chang’d look did keep me dumb.<br/> +And as the arrow, ere the cord is still,<br/> +Leapeth unto its mark; so on we sped<br/> +Into the second realm. There I beheld<br/> +The dame, so joyous enter, that the orb<br/> +Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star<br/> +Were mov’d to gladness, what then was my cheer,<br/> +Whom nature hath made apt for every change! +</p> + +<p> +As in a quiet and clear lake the fish,<br/> +If aught approach them from without, do draw<br/> +Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew<br/> +Full more than thousand splendours towards us,<br/> +And in each one was heard: “Lo! one arriv’d<br/> +To multiply our loves!” and as each came<br/> +The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new,<br/> +Witness’d augmented joy. Here, reader! think,<br/> +If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale,<br/> +To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave;<br/> +And thou shalt see what vehement desire<br/> +Possess’d me, as soon as these had met my view,<br/> +To know their state. “O born in happy hour!<br/> +Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close<br/> +Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones<br/> +Of that eternal triumph, know to us<br/> +The light communicated, which through heaven<br/> +Expatiates without bound. Therefore, if aught<br/> +Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid,<br/> +Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me;<br/> +And Beatrice next: “Say on; and trust<br/> +As unto gods!”—“How in the light supreme<br/> +Thou harbour’st, and from thence the virtue bring’st,<br/> +That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy,<br/> +I mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek;<br/> +Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot<br/> +This sphere assign’d, that oft from mortal ken<br/> +Is veil’d by others’ beams.” I said, and turn’d<br/> +Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind<br/> +Erewhile had hail’d me. Forthwith brighter far<br/> +Than erst, it wax’d: and, as himself the sun<br/> +Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze<br/> +Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey’d;<br/> +Within its proper ray the saintly shape<br/> +Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal’d;<br/> +And, shrouded so in splendour answer’d me,<br/> +E’en as the tenour of my song declares. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.VI"></a>CANTO VI</h2> + +<p> +“After that Constantine the eagle turn’d<br/> +Against the motions of the heav’n, that roll’d<br/> +Consenting with its course, when he of yore,<br/> +Lavinia’s spouse, was leader of the flight,<br/> +A hundred years twice told and more, his seat<br/> +At Europe’s extreme point, the bird of Jove<br/> +Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first.<br/> +There, under shadow of his sacred plumes<br/> +Swaying the world, till through successive hands<br/> +To mine he came devolv’d. Caesar I was,<br/> +And am Justinian; destin’d by the will<br/> +Of that prime love, whose influence I feel,<br/> +From vain excess to clear th’ encumber’d laws.<br/> +Or ere that work engag’d me, I did hold<br/> +Christ’s nature merely human, with such faith<br/> +Contented. But the blessed Agapete,<br/> +Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice<br/> +To the true faith recall’d me. I believ’d<br/> +His words: and what he taught, now plainly see,<br/> +As thou in every contradiction seest<br/> +The true and false oppos’d. Soon as my feet<br/> +Were to the church reclaim’d, to my great task,<br/> +By inspiration of God’s grace impell’d,<br/> +I gave me wholly, and consign’d mine arms<br/> +To Belisarius, with whom heaven’s right hand<br/> +Was link’d in such conjointment, ’twas a sign<br/> +That I should rest. To thy first question thus<br/> +I shape mine answer, which were ended here,<br/> +But that its tendency doth prompt perforce<br/> +To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark<br/> +What reason on each side they have to plead,<br/> +By whom that holiest banner is withstood,<br/> +Both who pretend its power and who oppose. +</p> + +<p> +“Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died<br/> +To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds<br/> +Have made it worthy reverence. Not unknown<br/> +To thee, how for three hundred years and more<br/> +It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists<br/> +Where for its sake were met the rival three;<br/> +Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev’d<br/> +Down to the Sabines’ wrong to Lucrece’ woe,<br/> +With its sev’n kings conqu’ring the nation round;<br/> +Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home<br/> +’Gainst Brennus and th’ Epirot prince, and hosts<br/> +Of single chiefs, or states in league combin’d<br/> +Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern,<br/> +And Quintius nam’d of his neglected locks,<br/> +The Decii, and the Fabii hence acquir’d<br/> +Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm.<br/> +By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell’d,<br/> +When they led on by Hannibal o’erpass’d<br/> +The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po!<br/> +Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days<br/> +Scipio and Pompey triumph’d; and that hill,<br/> +Under whose summit thou didst see the light,<br/> +Rued its stern bearing. After, near the hour,<br/> +When heav’n was minded that o’er all the world<br/> +His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar’s hand<br/> +Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought<br/> +From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere’s flood,<br/> +Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills<br/> +The torrent Rhone. What after that it wrought,<br/> +When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap’d<br/> +The Rubicon, was of so bold a flight,<br/> +That tongue nor pen may follow it. Tow’rds Spain<br/> +It wheel’d its bands, then tow’rd Dyrrachium smote,<br/> +And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge,<br/> +E’en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang;<br/> +Its native shores Antandros, and the streams<br/> +Of Simois revisited, and there<br/> +Where Hector lies; then ill for Ptolemy<br/> +His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell<br/> +On Juba; and the next upon your west,<br/> +At sound of the Pompeian trump, return’d. +</p> + +<p> +“What following and in its next bearer’s gripe<br/> +It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus<br/> +Bark’d off in hell, and by Perugia’s sons<br/> +And Modena’s was mourn’d. Hence weepeth still<br/> +Sad Cleopatra, who, pursued by it,<br/> +Took from the adder black and sudden death.<br/> +With him it ran e’en to the Red Sea coast;<br/> +With him compos’d the world to such a peace,<br/> +That of his temple Janus barr’d the door. +</p> + +<p> +“But all the mighty standard yet had wrought,<br/> +And was appointed to perform thereafter,<br/> +Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway’d,<br/> +Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur’d,<br/> +If one with steady eye and perfect thought<br/> +On the third Caesar look; for to his hands,<br/> +The living Justice, in whose breath I move,<br/> +Committed glory, e’en into his hands,<br/> +To execute the vengeance of its wrath. +</p> + +<p> +“Hear now and wonder at what next I tell.<br/> +After with Titus it was sent to wreak<br/> +Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin,<br/> +And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure,<br/> +Did gore the bosom of the holy church,<br/> +Under its wings victorious, Charlemagne<br/> +Sped to her rescue. Judge then for thyself<br/> +Of those, whom I erewhile accus’d to thee,<br/> +What they are, and how grievous their offending,<br/> +Who are the cause of all your ills. The one<br/> +Against the universal ensign rears<br/> +The yellow lilies, and with partial aim<br/> +That to himself the other arrogates:<br/> +So that ’tis hard to see which more offends.<br/> +Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts<br/> +Beneath another standard: ill is this<br/> +Follow’d of him, who severs it and justice:<br/> +And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown’d Charles<br/> +Assail it, but those talons hold in dread,<br/> +Which from a lion of more lofty port<br/> +Have rent the easing. Many a time ere now<br/> +The sons have for the sire’s transgression wail’d;<br/> +Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav’n<br/> +Will truck its armour for his lilied shield. +</p> + +<p> +“This little star is furnish’d with good spirits,<br/> +Whose mortal lives were busied to that end,<br/> +That honour and renown might wait on them:<br/> +And, when desires thus err in their intention,<br/> +True love must needs ascend with slacker beam.<br/> +But it is part of our delight, to measure<br/> +Our wages with the merit; and admire<br/> +The close proportion. Hence doth heav’nly justice<br/> +Temper so evenly affection in us,<br/> +It ne’er can warp to any wrongfulness.<br/> +Of diverse voices is sweet music made:<br/> +So in our life the different degrees<br/> +Render sweet harmony among these wheels. +</p> + +<p> +“Within the pearl, that now encloseth us,<br/> +Shines Romeo’s light, whose goodly deed and fair<br/> +Met ill acceptance. But the Provencals,<br/> +That were his foes, have little cause for mirth.<br/> +Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong<br/> +Of other’s worth. Four daughters were there born<br/> +To Raymond Berenger, and every one<br/> +Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo,<br/> +Though of mean state and from a foreign land.<br/> +Yet envious tongues incited him to ask<br/> +A reckoning of that just one, who return’d<br/> +Twelve fold to him for ten. Aged and poor<br/> +He parted thence: and if the world did know<br/> +The heart he had, begging his life by morsels,<br/> +’Twould deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.VII"></a>CANTO VII</h2> + +<p> +“Hosanna Sanctus Deus Sabaoth<br/> +Superillustrans claritate tua<br/> +Felices ignes horum malahoth!”<br/> +Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright<br/> +With fourfold lustre to its orb again,<br/> +Revolving; and the rest unto their dance<br/> +With it mov’d also; and like swiftest sparks,<br/> +In sudden distance from my sight were veil’d. +</p> + +<p> +Me doubt possess’d, and “Speak,” it whisper’d me,<br/> +“Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench<br/> +Thy thirst with drops of sweetness.” Yet blank awe,<br/> +Which lords it o’er me, even at the sound<br/> +Of Beatrice’s name, did bow me down<br/> +As one in slumber held. Not long that mood<br/> +Beatrice suffer’d: she, with such a smile,<br/> +As might have made one blest amid the flames,<br/> +Beaming upon me, thus her words began:<br/> +“Thou in thy thought art pond’ring (as I deem),<br/> +And what I deem is truth how just revenge<br/> +Could be with justice punish’d: from which doubt<br/> +I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words;<br/> +For they of weighty matter shall possess thee. +</p> + +<p> +“That man, who was unborn, himself condemn’d,<br/> +And, in himself, all, who since him have liv’d,<br/> +His offspring: whence, below, the human kind<br/> +Lay sick in grievous error many an age;<br/> +Until it pleas’d the Word of God to come<br/> +Amongst them down, to his own person joining<br/> +The nature, from its Maker far estrang’d,<br/> +By the mere act of his eternal love.<br/> +Contemplate here the wonder I unfold.<br/> +The nature with its Maker thus conjoin’d,<br/> +Created first was blameless, pure and good;<br/> +But through itself alone was driven forth<br/> +From Paradise, because it had eschew’d<br/> +The way of truth and life, to evil turn’d.<br/> +Ne’er then was penalty so just as that<br/> +Inflicted by the cross, if thou regard<br/> +The nature in assumption doom’d: ne’er wrong<br/> +So great, in reference to him, who took<br/> +Such nature on him, and endur’d the doom.<br/> +God therefore and the Jews one sentence pleased:<br/> +So different effects flow’d from one act,<br/> +And heav’n was open’d, though the earth did quake.<br/> +Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear<br/> +That a just vengeance was by righteous court<br/> +Justly reveng’d. But yet I see thy mind<br/> +By thought on thought arising sore perplex’d,<br/> +And with how vehement desire it asks<br/> +Solution of the maze. What I have heard,<br/> +Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way<br/> +For our redemption chose, eludes my search. +</p> + +<p> +“Brother! no eye of man not perfected,<br/> +Nor fully ripen’d in the flame of love,<br/> +May fathom this decree. It is a mark,<br/> +In sooth, much aim’d at, and but little kenn’d:<br/> +And I will therefore show thee why such way<br/> +Was worthiest. The celestial love, that spume<br/> +All envying in its bounty, in itself<br/> +With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth<br/> +All beauteous things eternal. What distils<br/> +Immediate thence, no end of being knows,<br/> +Bearing its seal immutably impress’d.<br/> +Whatever thence immediate falls, is free,<br/> +Free wholly, uncontrollable by power<br/> +Of each thing new: by such conformity<br/> +More grateful to its author, whose bright beams,<br/> +Though all partake their shining, yet in those<br/> +Are liveliest, which resemble him the most.<br/> +These tokens of pre-eminence on man<br/> +Largely bestow’d, if any of them fail,<br/> +He needs must forfeit his nobility,<br/> +No longer stainless. Sin alone is that,<br/> +Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike<br/> +To the chief good; for that its light in him<br/> +Is darken’d. And to dignity thus lost<br/> +Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void,<br/> +He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain.<br/> +Your nature, which entirely in its seed<br/> +Trangress’d, from these distinctions fell, no less<br/> +Than from its state in Paradise; nor means<br/> +Found of recovery (search all methods out<br/> +As strickly as thou may) save one of these,<br/> +The only fords were left through which to wade,<br/> +Either that God had of his courtesy<br/> +Releas’d him merely, or else man himself<br/> +For his own folly by himself aton’d. +</p> + +<p> +“Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst,<br/> +On th’ everlasting counsel, and explore,<br/> +Instructed by my words, the dread abyss. +</p> + +<p> +“Man in himself had ever lack’d the means<br/> +Of satisfaction, for he could not stoop<br/> +Obeying, in humility so low,<br/> +As high he, disobeying, thought to soar:<br/> +And for this reason he had vainly tried<br/> +Out of his own sufficiency to pay<br/> +The rigid satisfaction. Then behooved<br/> +That God should by his own ways lead him back<br/> +Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor’d:<br/> +By both his ways, I mean, or one alone.<br/> +But since the deed is ever priz’d the more,<br/> +The more the doer’s good intent appears,<br/> +Goodness celestial, whose broad signature<br/> +Is on the universe, of all its ways<br/> +To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none,<br/> +Nor aught so vast or so magnificent,<br/> +Either for him who gave or who receiv’d<br/> +Between the last night and the primal day,<br/> +Was or can be. For God more bounty show’d.<br/> +Giving himself to make man capable<br/> +Of his return to life, than had the terms<br/> +Been mere and unconditional release.<br/> +And for his justice, every method else<br/> +Were all too scant, had not the Son of God<br/> +Humbled himself to put on mortal flesh. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains<br/> +I somewhat further to thy view unfold.<br/> +That thou mayst see as clearly as myself. +</p> + +<p> +“I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see,<br/> +The earth and water, and all things of them<br/> +Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon<br/> +Dissolve. Yet these were also things create,<br/> +Because, if what were told me, had been true<br/> +They from corruption had been therefore free. +</p> + +<p> +“The angels, O my brother! and this clime<br/> +Wherein thou art, impassible and pure,<br/> +I call created, as indeed they are<br/> +In their whole being. But the elements,<br/> +Which thou hast nam’d, and what of them is made,<br/> +Are by created virtue’ inform’d: create<br/> +Their substance, and create the’ informing virtue<br/> +In these bright stars, that round them circling move<br/> +The soul of every brute and of each plant,<br/> +The ray and motion of the sacred lights,<br/> +With complex potency attract and turn.<br/> +But this our life the’ eternal good inspires<br/> +Immediate, and enamours of itself;<br/> +So that our wishes rest for ever here. +</p> + +<p> +“And hence thou mayst by inference conclude<br/> +Our resurrection certain, if thy mind<br/> +Consider how the human flesh was fram’d,<br/> +When both our parents at the first were made.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.VIII"></a>CANTO VIII</h2> + +<p> +The world was in its day of peril dark<br/> +Wont to believe the dotage of fond love<br/> +From the fair Cyprian deity, who rolls<br/> +In her third epicycle, shed on men<br/> +By stream of potent radiance: therefore they<br/> +Of elder time, in their old error blind,<br/> +Not her alone with sacrifice ador’d<br/> +And invocation, but like honours paid<br/> +To Cupid and Dione, deem’d of them<br/> +Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign’d<br/> +To sit in Dido’s bosom: and from her,<br/> +Whom I have sung preluding, borrow’d they<br/> +The appellation of that star, which views,<br/> +Now obvious and now averse, the sun. +</p> + +<p> +I was not ware that I was wafted up<br/> +Into its orb; but the new loveliness<br/> +That grac’d my lady, gave me ample proof<br/> +That we had entered there. And as in flame<br/> +A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice<br/> +Discern’d, when one its even tenour keeps,<br/> +The other comes and goes; so in that light<br/> +I other luminaries saw, that cours’d<br/> +In circling motion, rapid more or less,<br/> +As their eternal phases each impels. +</p> + +<p> +Never was blast from vapour charged with cold,<br/> +Whether invisible to eye or no,<br/> +Descended with such speed, it had not seem’d<br/> +To linger in dull tardiness, compar’d<br/> +To those celestial lights, that tow’rds us came,<br/> +Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring,<br/> +Conducted by the lofty seraphim.<br/> +And after them, who in the van appear’d,<br/> +Such an hosanna sounded, as hath left<br/> +Desire, ne’er since extinct in me, to hear<br/> +Renew’d the strain. Then parting from the rest<br/> +One near us drew, and sole began: “We all<br/> +Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos’d<br/> +To do thee gentle service. We are they,<br/> +To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing<br/> +‘O ye! whose intellectual ministry<br/> +Moves the third heaven!’ and in one orb we roll,<br/> +One motion, one impulse, with those who rule<br/> +Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full,<br/> +That to please thee ’twill be as sweet to rest.” +</p> + +<p> +After mine eyes had with meek reverence<br/> +Sought the celestial guide, and were by her<br/> +Assur’d, they turn’d again unto the light<br/> +Who had so largely promis’d, and with voice<br/> +That bare the lively pressure of my zeal,<br/> +“Tell who ye are,” I cried. Forthwith it grew<br/> +In size and splendour, through augmented joy;<br/> +And thus it answer’d: “A short date below<br/> +The world possess’d me. Had the time been more,<br/> +Much evil, that will come, had never chanc’d.<br/> +My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine<br/> +Around, and shroud me, as an animal<br/> +In its own silk enswath’d. Thou lov’dst me well,<br/> +And had’st good cause; for had my sojourning<br/> +Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee<br/> +Had put forth more than blossoms. The left bank,<br/> +That Rhone, when he hath mix’d with Sorga, laves. +</p> + +<p> +“In me its lord expected, and that horn<br/> +Of fair Ausonia, with its boroughs old,<br/> +Bari, and Croton, and Gaeta pil’d,<br/> +From where the Trento disembogues his waves,<br/> +With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood.<br/> +Already on my temples beam’d the crown,<br/> +Which gave me sov’reignty over the land<br/> +By Danube wash’d, whenas he strays beyond<br/> +The limits of his German shores. The realm,<br/> +Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash’d,<br/> +Betwixt Pelorus and Pachynian heights,<br/> +The beautiful Trinacria lies in gloom<br/> +(Not through Typhaeus, but the vap’ry cloud<br/> +Bituminous upsteam’d), THAT too did look<br/> +To have its scepter wielded by a race<br/> +Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph;<br/> +had not ill lording which doth spirit up<br/> +The people ever, in Palermo rais’d<br/> +The shout of ‘death,’ re-echo’d loud and long.<br/> +Had but my brother’s foresight kenn’d as much,<br/> +He had been warier that the greedy want<br/> +Of Catalonia might not work his bale.<br/> +And truly need there is, that he forecast,<br/> +Or other for him, lest more freight be laid<br/> +On his already over-laden bark.<br/> +Nature in him, from bounty fall’n to thrift,<br/> +Would ask the guard of braver arms, than such<br/> +As only care to have their coffers fill’d.” +</p> + +<p> +“My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words<br/> +Infuse into me, mighty as it is,<br/> +To think my gladness manifest to thee,<br/> +As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst<br/> +Into the source and limit of all good,<br/> +There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak,<br/> +Thence priz’d of me the more. Glad thou hast made me.<br/> +Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt<br/> +Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse,<br/> +How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown.” +</p> + +<p> +I thus inquiring; he forthwith replied:<br/> +“If I have power to show one truth, soon that<br/> +Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares<br/> +Behind thee now conceal’d. The Good, that guides<br/> +And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount,<br/> +Ordains its providence to be the virtue<br/> +In these great bodies: nor th’ all perfect Mind<br/> +Upholds their nature merely, but in them<br/> +Their energy to save: for nought, that lies<br/> +Within the range of that unerring bow,<br/> +But is as level with the destin’d aim,<br/> +As ever mark to arrow’s point oppos’d.<br/> +Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit,<br/> +Would their effect so work, it would not be<br/> +Art, but destruction; and this may not chance,<br/> +If th’ intellectual powers, that move these stars,<br/> +Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail.<br/> +Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc’d?” +</p> + +<p> +To whom I thus: “It is enough: no fear,<br/> +I see, lest nature in her part should tire.” +</p> + +<p> +He straight rejoin’d: “Say, were it worse for man,<br/> +If he liv’d not in fellowship on earth?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea,” answer’d I; “nor here a reason needs.” +</p> + +<p> +“And may that be, if different estates<br/> +Grow not of different duties in your life?<br/> +Consult your teacher, and he tells you ‘no.’” +</p> + +<p> +Thus did he come, deducing to this point,<br/> +And then concluded: “For this cause behooves,<br/> +The roots, from whence your operations come,<br/> +Must differ. Therefore one is Solon born;<br/> +Another, Xerxes; and Melchisidec<br/> +A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage<br/> +Cost him his son. In her circuitous course,<br/> +Nature, that is the seal to mortal wax,<br/> +Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns<br/> +’Twixt one or other household. Hence befalls<br/> +That Esau is so wide of Jacob: hence<br/> +Quirinus of so base a father springs,<br/> +He dates from Mars his lineage. Were it not<br/> +That providence celestial overrul’d,<br/> +Nature, in generation, must the path<br/> +Trac’d by the generator, still pursue<br/> +Unswervingly. Thus place I in thy sight<br/> +That, which was late behind thee. But, in sign<br/> +Of more affection for thee, ’tis my will<br/> +Thou wear this corollary. Nature ever<br/> +Finding discordant fortune, like all seed<br/> +Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill.<br/> +And were the world below content to mark<br/> +And work on the foundation nature lays,<br/> +It would not lack supply of excellence.<br/> +But ye perversely to religion strain<br/> +Him, who was born to gird on him the sword,<br/> +And of the fluent phrasemen make your king;<br/> +Therefore your steps have wander’d from the paths.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.IX"></a>CANTO IX</h2> + +<p> +After solution of my doubt, thy Charles,<br/> +O fair Clemenza, of the treachery spake<br/> +That must befall his seed: but, “Tell it not,”<br/> +Said he, “and let the destin’d years come round.”<br/> +Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed<br/> +Of sorrow well-deserv’d shall quit your wrongs. +</p> + +<p> +And now the visage of that saintly light<br/> +Was to the sun, that fills it, turn’d again,<br/> +As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss<br/> +Sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls!<br/> +Infatuate, who from such a good estrange<br/> +Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity,<br/> +Alas for you!—And lo! toward me, next,<br/> +Another of those splendent forms approach’d,<br/> +That, by its outward bright’ning, testified<br/> +The will it had to pleasure me. The eyes<br/> +Of Beatrice, resting, as before,<br/> +Firmly upon me, manifested forth<br/> +Approval of my wish. “And O,” I cried,<br/> +“Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform’d;<br/> +And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts<br/> +I can reflect on thee.” Thereat the light,<br/> +That yet was new to me, from the recess,<br/> +Where it before was singing, thus began,<br/> +As one who joys in kindness: “In that part<br/> +Of the deprav’d Italian land, which lies<br/> +Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs<br/> +Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise,<br/> +But to no lofty eminence, a hill,<br/> +From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend,<br/> +That sorely sheet the region. From one root<br/> +I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza:<br/> +And here I glitter, for that by its light<br/> +This star o’ercame me. Yet I naught repine,<br/> +Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot,<br/> +Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive. +</p> + +<p> +“This jewel, that is next me in our heaven,<br/> +Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left,<br/> +And not to perish, ere these hundred years<br/> +Five times absolve their round. Consider thou,<br/> +If to excel be worthy man’s endeavour,<br/> +When such life may attend the first. Yet they<br/> +Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt<br/> +By Adice and Tagliamento, still<br/> +Impenitent, tho’ scourg’d. The hour is near,<br/> +When for their stubbornness at Padua’s marsh<br/> +The water shall be chang’d, that laves Vicena<br/> +And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one<br/> +Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom<br/> +The web is now a-warping. Feltro too<br/> +Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd’s fault,<br/> +Of so deep stain, that never, for the like,<br/> +Was Malta’s bar unclos’d. Too large should be<br/> +The skillet, that would hold Ferrara’s blood,<br/> +And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it,<br/> +The which this priest, in show of party-zeal,<br/> +Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit<br/> +The country’s custom. We descry above,<br/> +Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us<br/> +Reflected shine the judgments of our God:<br/> +Whence these our sayings we avouch for good.” +</p> + +<p> +She ended, and appear’d on other thoughts<br/> +Intent, re-ent’ring on the wheel she late<br/> +Had left. That other joyance meanwhile wax’d<br/> +A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing,<br/> +Like choicest ruby stricken by the sun,<br/> +For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes<br/> +Of gladness, as here laughter: and below,<br/> +As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade. +</p> + +<p> +“God seeth all: and in him is thy sight,”<br/> +Said I, “blest Spirit! Therefore will of his<br/> +Cannot to thee be dark. Why then delays<br/> +Thy voice to satisfy my wish untold,<br/> +That voice which joins the inexpressive song,<br/> +Pastime of heav’n, the which those ardours sing,<br/> +That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread?<br/> +I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known<br/> +To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known.” +</p> + +<p> +He forthwith answ’ring, thus his words began:<br/> +“The valley’ of waters, widest next to that<br/> +Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course,<br/> +Between discordant shores, against the sun<br/> +Inward so far, it makes meridian there,<br/> +Where was before th’ horizon. Of that vale<br/> +Dwelt I upon the shore, ’twixt Ebro’s stream<br/> +And Macra’s, that divides with passage brief<br/> +Genoan bounds from Tuscan. East and west<br/> +Are nearly one to Begga and my land,<br/> +Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm.<br/> +Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco:<br/> +And I did bear impression of this heav’n,<br/> +That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame<br/> +Glow’d Belus’ daughter, injuring alike<br/> +Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I,<br/> +Long as it suited the unripen’d down<br/> +That fledg’d my cheek: nor she of Rhodope,<br/> +That was beguiled of Demophoon;<br/> +Nor Jove’s son, when the charms of Iole<br/> +Were shrin’d within his heart. And yet there hides<br/> +No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth,<br/> +Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind),<br/> +But for the virtue, whose o’erruling sway<br/> +And providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here<br/> +The skill is look’d into, that fashioneth<br/> +With such effectual working, and the good<br/> +Discern’d, accruing to this upper world<br/> +From that below. But fully to content<br/> +Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth,<br/> +Demands my further parle. Inquire thou wouldst,<br/> +Who of this light is denizen, that here<br/> +Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth<br/> +On the clear wave. Know then, the soul of Rahab<br/> +Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe<br/> +United, and the foremost rank assign’d.<br/> +He to that heav’n, at which the shadow ends<br/> +Of your sublunar world, was taken up,<br/> +First, in Christ’s triumph, of all souls redeem’d:<br/> +For well behoov’d, that, in some part of heav’n,<br/> +She should remain a trophy, to declare<br/> +The mighty contest won with either palm;<br/> +For that she favour’d first the high exploit<br/> +Of Joshua on the holy land, whereof<br/> +The Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant<br/> +Of him, that on his Maker turn’d the back,<br/> +And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung,<br/> +Engenders and expands the cursed flower,<br/> +That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs,<br/> +Turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this,<br/> +The gospel and great teachers laid aside,<br/> +The decretals, as their stuft margins show,<br/> +Are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals,<br/> +Intent on these, ne’er journey but in thought<br/> +To Nazareth, where Gabriel op’d his wings.<br/> +Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican,<br/> +And other most selected parts of Rome,<br/> +That were the grave of Peter’s soldiery,<br/> +Shall be deliver’d from the adult’rous bond.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.X"></a>CANTO X</h2> + +<p> +Looking into his first-born with the love,<br/> +Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might<br/> +Ineffable, whence eye or mind<br/> +Can roam, hath in such order all dispos’d,<br/> +As none may see and fail to enjoy. Raise, then,<br/> +O reader! to the lofty wheels, with me,<br/> +Thy ken directed to the point, whereat<br/> +One motion strikes on th’ other. There begin<br/> +Thy wonder of the mighty Architect,<br/> +Who loves his work so inwardly, his eye<br/> +Doth ever watch it. See, how thence oblique<br/> +Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll<br/> +To pour their wished influence on the world;<br/> +Whose path not bending thus, in heav’n above<br/> +Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth,<br/> +All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct<br/> +Were its departure distant more or less,<br/> +I’ th’ universal order, great defect<br/> +Must, both in heav’n and here beneath, ensue. +</p> + +<p> +Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse<br/> +Anticipative of the feast to come;<br/> +So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil.<br/> +Lo! I have set before thee, for thyself<br/> +Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth<br/> +Demands entire my thought. Join’d with the part,<br/> +Which late we told of, the great minister<br/> +Of nature, that upon the world imprints<br/> +The virtue of the heaven, and doles out<br/> +Time for us with his beam, went circling on<br/> +Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes;<br/> +And I was with him, weetless of ascent,<br/> +As one, who till arriv’d, weets not his coming. +</p> + +<p> +For Beatrice, she who passeth on<br/> +So suddenly from good to better, time<br/> +Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs<br/> +Have been her brightness! What she was i’ th’ sun<br/> +(Where I had enter’d), not through change of hue,<br/> +But light transparent—did I summon up<br/> +Genius, art, practice—I might not so speak,<br/> +It should be e’er imagin’d: yet believ’d<br/> +It may be, and the sight be justly crav’d.<br/> +And if our fantasy fail of such height,<br/> +What marvel, since no eye above the sun<br/> +Hath ever travel’d? Such are they dwell here,<br/> +Fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire,<br/> +Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows;<br/> +And holds them still enraptur’d with the view.<br/> +And thus to me Beatrice: “Thank, oh thank,<br/> +The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace<br/> +To this perceptible hath lifted thee.” +</p> + +<p> +Never was heart in such devotion bound,<br/> +And with complacency so absolute<br/> +Dispos’d to render up itself to God,<br/> +As mine was at those words: and so entire<br/> +The love for Him, that held me, it eclips’d<br/> +Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeas’d<br/> +Was she, but smil’d thereat so joyously,<br/> +That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake<br/> +And scatter’d my collected mind abroad. +</p> + +<p> +Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness<br/> +Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown,<br/> +And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice,<br/> +Than in their visage beaming. Cinctur’d thus,<br/> +Sometime Latona’s daughter we behold,<br/> +When the impregnate air retains the thread,<br/> +That weaves her zone. In the celestial court,<br/> +Whence I return, are many jewels found,<br/> +So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook<br/> +Transporting from that realm: and of these lights<br/> +Such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing<br/> +To soar up thither, let him look from thence<br/> +For tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus,<br/> +Those burning suns that circled round us thrice,<br/> +As nearest stars around the fixed pole,<br/> +Then seem’d they like to ladies, from the dance<br/> +Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause,<br/> +List’ning, till they have caught the strain anew:<br/> +Suspended so they stood: and, from within,<br/> +Thus heard I one, who spake: “Since with its beam<br/> +The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame,<br/> +That after doth increase by loving, shines<br/> +So multiplied in thee, it leads thee up<br/> +Along this ladder, down whose hallow’d steps<br/> +None e’er descend, and mount them not again,<br/> +Who from his phial should refuse thee wine<br/> +To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were,<br/> +Than water flowing not unto the sea.<br/> +Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom<br/> +In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds<br/> +This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav’n.<br/> +I then was of the lambs, that Dominic<br/> +Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way,<br/> +Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity.<br/> +He, nearest on my right hand, brother was,<br/> +And master to me: Albert of Cologne<br/> +Is this: and of Aquinum, Thomas I.<br/> +If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur’d,<br/> +Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak,<br/> +In circuit journey round the blessed wreath.<br/> +That next resplendence issues from the smile<br/> +Of Gratian, who to either forum lent<br/> +Such help, as favour wins in Paradise.<br/> +The other, nearest, who adorns our quire,<br/> +Was Peter, he that with the widow gave<br/> +To holy church his treasure. The fifth light,<br/> +Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired,<br/> +That all your world craves tidings of its doom:<br/> +Within, there is the lofty light, endow’d<br/> +With sapience so profound, if truth be truth,<br/> +That with a ken of such wide amplitude<br/> +No second hath arisen. Next behold<br/> +That taper’s radiance, to whose view was shown,<br/> +Clearliest, the nature and the ministry<br/> +Angelical, while yet in flesh it dwelt.<br/> +In the other little light serenely smiles<br/> +That pleader for the Christian temples, he<br/> +Who did provide Augustin of his lore.<br/> +Now, if thy mind’s eye pass from light to light,<br/> +Upon my praises following, of the eighth<br/> +Thy thirst is next. The saintly soul, that shows<br/> +The world’s deceitfulness, to all who hear him,<br/> +Is, with the sight of all the good, that is,<br/> +Blest there. The limbs, whence it was driven, lie<br/> +Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom<br/> +And exile came it here. Lo! further on,<br/> +Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore,<br/> +Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile,<br/> +In deep discernment. Lastly this, from whom<br/> +Thy look on me reverteth, was the beam<br/> +Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent,<br/> +Rebuk’d the ling’ring tardiness of death.<br/> +It is the eternal light of Sigebert,<br/> +Who ’scap’d not envy, when of truth he argued,<br/> +Reading in the straw-litter’d street.” Forthwith,<br/> +As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God<br/> +To win her bridegroom’s love at matin’s hour,<br/> +Each part of other fitly drawn and urg’d,<br/> +Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet,<br/> +Affection springs in well-disposed breast;<br/> +Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard<br/> +Voice answ’ring voice, so musical and soft,<br/> +It can be known but where day endless shines. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XI"></a>CANTO XI</h2> + +<p> +O fond anxiety of mortal men!<br/> +How vain and inconclusive arguments<br/> +Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below<br/> +For statues one, and one for aphorisms<br/> +Was hunting; this the priesthood follow’d, that<br/> +By force or sophistry aspir’d to rule;<br/> +To rob another, and another sought<br/> +By civil business wealth; one moiling lay<br/> +Tangled in net of sensual delight,<br/> +And one to witless indolence resign’d;<br/> +What time from all these empty things escap’d,<br/> +With Beatrice, I thus gloriously<br/> +Was rais’d aloft, and made the guest of heav’n. +</p> + +<p> +They of the circle to that point, each one.<br/> +Where erst it was, had turn’d; and steady glow’d,<br/> +As candle in his socket. Then within<br/> +The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling<br/> +With merer gladness, heard I thus begin: +</p> + +<p> +“E’en as his beam illumes me, so I look<br/> +Into the eternal light, and clearly mark<br/> +Thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt,<br/> +And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh<br/> +In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth<br/> +To thy perception, where I told thee late<br/> +That ‘well they thrive;’ and that ‘no second such<br/> +Hath risen,’ which no small distinction needs. +</p> + +<p> +“The providence, that governeth the world,<br/> +In depth of counsel by created ken<br/> +Unfathomable, to the end that she,<br/> +Who with loud cries was ‘spous’d in precious blood,<br/> +Might keep her footing towards her well-belov’d,<br/> +Safe in herself and constant unto him,<br/> +Hath two ordain’d, who should on either hand<br/> +In chief escort her: one seraphic all<br/> +In fervency; for wisdom upon earth,<br/> +The other splendour of cherubic light.<br/> +I but of one will tell: he tells of both,<br/> +Who one commendeth which of them so’er<br/> +Be taken: for their deeds were to one end. +</p> + +<p> +“Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls<br/> +From blest Ubaldo’s chosen hill, there hangs<br/> +Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold<br/> +Are wafted through Perugia’s eastern gate:<br/> +And Norcera with Gualdo, in its rear<br/> +Mourn for their heavy yoke. Upon that side,<br/> +Where it doth break its steepness most, arose<br/> +A sun upon the world, as duly this<br/> +From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak<br/> +Of that place, say Ascesi; for its name<br/> +Were lamely so deliver’d; but the East,<br/> +To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl’d.<br/> +He was not yet much distant from his rising,<br/> +When his good influence ’gan to bless the earth.<br/> +A dame to whom none openeth pleasure’s gate<br/> +More than to death, was, ’gainst his father’s will,<br/> +His stripling choice: and he did make her his,<br/> +Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds,<br/> +And in his father’s sight: from day to day,<br/> +Then lov’d her more devoutly. She, bereav’d<br/> +Of her first husband, slighted and obscure,<br/> +Thousand and hundred years and more, remain’d<br/> +Without a single suitor, till he came.<br/> +Nor aught avail’d, that, with Amyclas, she<br/> +Was found unmov’d at rumour of his voice,<br/> +Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness<br/> +Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross,<br/> +When Mary stay’d beneath. But not to deal<br/> +Thus closely with thee longer, take at large<br/> +The rovers’ titles—Poverty and Francis.<br/> +Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love,<br/> +And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts,<br/> +So much, that venerable Bernard first<br/> +Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace<br/> +So heavenly, ran, yet deem’d his footing slow.<br/> +O hidden riches! O prolific good!<br/> +Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester,<br/> +And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride<br/> +Can please them. Thenceforth goes he on his way,<br/> +The father and the master, with his spouse,<br/> +And with that family, whom now the cord<br/> +Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart<br/> +Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son<br/> +Of Pietro Bernardone, and by men<br/> +In wond’rous sort despis’d. But royally<br/> +His hard intention he to Innocent<br/> +Set forth, and from him first receiv’d the seal<br/> +On his religion. Then, when numerous flock’d<br/> +The tribe of lowly ones, that trac’d HIS steps,<br/> +Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung<br/> +In heights empyreal, through Honorius’ hand<br/> +A second crown, to deck their Guardian’s virtues,<br/> +Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath’d: and when<br/> +He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up<br/> +In the proud Soldan’s presence, and there preach’d<br/> +Christ and his followers; but found the race<br/> +Unripen’d for conversion: back once more<br/> +He hasted (not to intermit his toil),<br/> +And reap’d Ausonian lands. On the hard rock,<br/> +’Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ<br/> +Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years<br/> +Did carry. Then the season come, that he,<br/> +Who to such good had destin’d him, was pleas’d<br/> +T’ advance him to the meed, which he had earn’d<br/> +By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood,<br/> +As their just heritage, he gave in charge<br/> +His dearest lady, and enjoin’d their love<br/> +And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will’d<br/> +His goodly spirit should move forth, returning<br/> +To its appointed kingdom, nor would have<br/> +His body laid upon another bier. +</p> + +<p> +“Think now of one, who were a fit colleague,<br/> +To keep the bark of Peter in deep sea<br/> +Helm’d to right point; and such our Patriarch was.<br/> +Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins,<br/> +Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in.<br/> +But hunger of new viands tempts his flock,<br/> +So that they needs into strange pastures wide<br/> +Must spread them: and the more remote from him<br/> +The stragglers wander, so much mole they come<br/> +Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk.<br/> +There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm,<br/> +And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few,<br/> +A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta’en<br/> +Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall<br/> +To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill’d:<br/> +For thou wilt see the point from whence they split,<br/> +Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies,<br/> +‘That well they thrive not sworn with vanity.’” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XII"></a>CANTO XII</h2> + +<p> +Soon as its final word the blessed flame<br/> +Had rais’d for utterance, straight the holy mill<br/> +Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv’d,<br/> +Or ere another, circling, compass’d it,<br/> +Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining,<br/> +Song, that as much our muses doth excel,<br/> +Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray<br/> +Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex. +</p> + +<p> +As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth,<br/> +Two arches parallel, and trick’d alike,<br/> +Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth<br/> +From that within (in manner of that voice<br/> +Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist),<br/> +And they who gaze, presageful call to mind<br/> +The compact, made with Noah, of the world<br/> +No more to be o’erflow’d; about us thus<br/> +Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath’d<br/> +Those garlands twain, and to the innermost<br/> +E’en thus th’ external answered. When the footing,<br/> +And other great festivity, of song,<br/> +And radiance, light with light accordant, each<br/> +Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still’d<br/> +(E’en as the eyes by quick volition mov’d,<br/> +Are shut and rais’d together), from the heart<br/> +Of one amongst the new lights mov’d a voice,<br/> +That made me seem like needle to the star,<br/> +In turning to its whereabout, and thus<br/> +Began: “The love, that makes me beautiful,<br/> +Prompts me to tell of th’ other guide, for whom<br/> +Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is,<br/> +The other worthily should also be;<br/> +That as their warfare was alike, alike<br/> +Should be their glory. Slow, and full of doubt,<br/> +And with thin ranks, after its banner mov’d<br/> +The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost<br/> +To reappoint), when its imperial Head,<br/> +Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host<br/> +Did make provision, thorough grace alone,<br/> +And not through its deserving. As thou heard’st,<br/> +Two champions to the succour of his spouse<br/> +He sent, who by their deeds and words might join<br/> +Again his scatter’d people. In that clime,<br/> +Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold<br/> +The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself<br/> +New-garmented; nor from those billows far,<br/> +Beyond whose chiding, after weary course,<br/> +The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides<br/> +The happy Callaroga, under guard<br/> +Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies<br/> +Subjected and supreme. And there was born<br/> +The loving million of the Christian faith,<br/> +The hollow’d wrestler, gentle to his own,<br/> +And to his enemies terrible. So replete<br/> +His soul with lively virtue, that when first<br/> +Created, even in the mother’s womb,<br/> +It prophesied. When, at the sacred font,<br/> +The spousals were complete ’twixt faith and him,<br/> +Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang’d,<br/> +The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep<br/> +Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him<br/> +And from his heirs to issue. And that such<br/> +He might be construed, as indeed he was,<br/> +She was inspir’d to name him of his owner,<br/> +Whose he was wholly, and so call’d him Dominic.<br/> +And I speak of him, as the labourer,<br/> +Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be<br/> +His help-mate. Messenger he seem’d, and friend<br/> +Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show’d,<br/> +Was after the first counsel that Christ gave.<br/> +Many a time his nurse, at entering found<br/> +That he had ris’n in silence, and was prostrate,<br/> +As who should say, “My errand was for this.”<br/> +O happy father! Felix rightly nam’d!<br/> +O favour’d mother! rightly nam’d Joanna!<br/> +If that do mean, as men interpret it.<br/> +Not for the world’s sake, for which now they pore<br/> +Upon Ostiense and Taddeo’s page,<br/> +But for the real manna, soon he grew<br/> +Mighty in learning, and did set himself<br/> +To go about the vineyard, that soon turns<br/> +To wan and wither’d, if not tended well:<br/> +And from the see (whose bounty to the just<br/> +And needy is gone by, not through its fault,<br/> +But his who fills it basely, he besought,<br/> +No dispensation for commuted wrong,<br/> +Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth),<br/> +That to God’s paupers rightly appertain,<br/> +But, ’gainst an erring and degenerate world,<br/> +Licence to fight, in favour of that seed,<br/> +From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round.<br/> +Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help,<br/> +Forth on his great apostleship he far’d,<br/> +Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein;<br/> +And, dashing ’gainst the stocks of heresy,<br/> +Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout.<br/> +Thence many rivulets have since been turn’d,<br/> +Over the garden Catholic to lead<br/> +Their living waters, and have fed its plants. +</p> + +<p> +“If such one wheel of that two-yoked car,<br/> +Wherein the holy church defended her,<br/> +And rode triumphant through the civil broil.<br/> +Thou canst not doubt its fellow’s excellence,<br/> +Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar’d<br/> +So courteously unto thee. But the track,<br/> +Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted:<br/> +That mouldy mother is where late were lees.<br/> +His family, that wont to trace his path,<br/> +Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong<br/> +To rue the gathering in of their ill crop,<br/> +When the rejected tares in vain shall ask<br/> +Admittance to the barn. I question not<br/> +But he, who search’d our volume, leaf by leaf,<br/> +Might still find page with this inscription on’t,<br/> +‘I am as I was wont.’ Yet such were not<br/> +From Acquasparta nor Casale, whence<br/> +Of those, who come to meddle with the text,<br/> +One stretches and another cramps its rule.<br/> +Bonaventura’s life in me behold,<br/> +From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge<br/> +Of my great offices still laid aside<br/> +All sinister aim. Illuminato here,<br/> +And Agostino join me: two they were,<br/> +Among the first of those barefooted meek ones,<br/> +Who sought God’s friendship in the cord: with them<br/> +Hugues of Saint Victor, Pietro Mangiadore,<br/> +And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining,<br/> +Nathan the prophet, Metropolitan<br/> +Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign’d<br/> +To put his hand to the first art, Donatus.<br/> +Raban is here: and at my side there shines<br/> +Calabria’s abbot, Joachim, endow’d<br/> +With soul prophetic. The bright courtesy<br/> +Of friar Thomas, and his goodly lore,<br/> +Have mov’d me to the blazon of a peer<br/> +So worthy, and with me have mov’d this throng.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XIII"></a>CANTO XIII</h2> + +<p> +Let him, who would conceive what now I saw,<br/> +Imagine (and retain the image firm,<br/> +As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak),<br/> +Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host<br/> +Selected, that, with lively ray serene,<br/> +O’ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine<br/> +The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky,<br/> +Spins ever on its axle night and day,<br/> +With the bright summit of that horn which swells<br/> +Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls,<br/> +T’ have rang’d themselves in fashion of two signs<br/> +In heav’n, such as Ariadne made,<br/> +When death’s chill seized her; and that one of them<br/> +Did compass in the other’s beam; and both<br/> +In such sort whirl around, that each should tend<br/> +With opposite motion and, conceiving thus,<br/> +Of that true constellation, and the dance<br/> +Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain<br/> +As ’twere the shadow; for things there as much<br/> +Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav’n<br/> +Is swifter than the Chiana. There was sung<br/> +No Bacchus, and no Io Paean, but<br/> +Three Persons in the Godhead, and in one<br/> +Substance that nature and the human join’d. +</p> + +<p> +The song fulfill’d its measure; and to us<br/> +Those saintly lights attended, happier made<br/> +At each new minist’ring. Then silence brake,<br/> +Amid th’ accordant sons of Deity,<br/> +That luminary, in which the wondrous life<br/> +Of the meek man of God was told to me;<br/> +And thus it spake: “One ear o’ th’ harvest +thresh’d,<br/> +And its grain safely stor’d, sweet charity<br/> +Invites me with the other to like toil. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou know’st, that in the bosom, whence the rib<br/> +Was ta’en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste<br/> +All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc’d<br/> +By the keen lance, both after and before<br/> +Such satisfaction offer’d, as outweighs<br/> +Each evil in the scale, whate’er of light<br/> +To human nature is allow’d, must all<br/> +Have by his virtue been infus’d, who form’d<br/> +Both one and other: and thou thence admir’st<br/> +In that I told thee, of beatitudes<br/> +A second, there is none, to his enclos’d<br/> +In the fifth radiance. Open now thine eyes<br/> +To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see<br/> +Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth,<br/> +As centre in the round. That which dies not,<br/> +And that which can die, are but each the beam<br/> +Of that idea, which our Soverign Sire<br/> +Engendereth loving; for that lively light,<br/> +Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin’d<br/> +From him, nor from his love triune with them,<br/> +Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself,<br/> +Mirror’d, as ’twere in new existences,<br/> +Itself unalterable and ever one. +</p> + +<p> +“Descending hence unto the lowest powers,<br/> +Its energy so sinks, at last it makes<br/> +But brief contingencies: for so I name<br/> +Things generated, which the heav’nly orbs<br/> +Moving, with seed or without seed, produce.<br/> +Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much:<br/> +And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows<br/> +Th’ ideal stamp impress: so that one tree<br/> +According to his kind, hath better fruit,<br/> +And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men,<br/> +Are in your talents various. Were the wax<br/> +Molded with nice exactness, and the heav’n<br/> +In its disposing influence supreme,<br/> +The lustre of the seal should be complete:<br/> +But nature renders it imperfect ever,<br/> +Resembling thus the artist in her work,<br/> +Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill.<br/> +Howe’er, if love itself dispose, and mark<br/> +The primal virtue, kindling with bright view,<br/> +There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such<br/> +The clay was made, accomplish’d with each gift,<br/> +That life can teem with; such the burden fill’d<br/> +The virgin’s bosom: so that I commend<br/> +Thy judgment, that the human nature ne’er<br/> +Was or can be, such as in them it was. +</p> + +<p> +“Did I advance no further than this point,<br/> +‘How then had he no peer?’ thou might’st reply.<br/> +But, that what now appears not, may appear<br/> +Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what<br/> +(When he was bidden ‘Ask’), the motive sway’d<br/> +To his requesting. I have spoken thus,<br/> +That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask’d<br/> +For wisdom, to the end he might be king<br/> +Sufficient: not the number to search out<br/> +Of the celestial movers; or to know,<br/> +If necessary with contingent e’er<br/> +Have made necessity; or whether that<br/> +Be granted, that first motion is; or if<br/> +Of the mid circle can, by art, be made<br/> +Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp. +</p> + +<p> +“Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this,<br/> +Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn,<br/> +At which the dart of my intention aims.<br/> +And, marking clearly, that I told thee, ‘Risen,’<br/> +Thou shalt discern it only hath respect<br/> +To kings, of whom are many, and the good<br/> +Are rare. With this distinction take my words;<br/> +And they may well consist with that which thou<br/> +Of the first human father dost believe,<br/> +And of our well-beloved. And let this<br/> +Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make<br/> +Thee slow in motion, as a weary man,<br/> +Both to the ‘yea’ and to the ‘nay’ thou seest not.<br/> +For he among the fools is down full low,<br/> +Whose affirmation, or denial, is<br/> +Without distinction, in each case alike<br/> +Since it befalls, that in most instances<br/> +Current opinion leads to false: and then<br/> +Affection bends the judgment to her ply. +</p> + +<p> +“Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore,<br/> +Since he returns not such as he set forth,<br/> +Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill.<br/> +And open proofs of this unto the world<br/> +Have been afforded in Parmenides,<br/> +Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside,<br/> +Who journey’d on, and knew not whither: so did<br/> +Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools,<br/> +Who, like to scymitars, reflected back<br/> +The scripture-image, by distortion marr’d. +</p> + +<p> +“Let not the people be too swift to judge,<br/> +As one who reckons on the blades in field,<br/> +Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen<br/> +The thorn frown rudely all the winter long<br/> +And after bear the rose upon its top;<br/> +And bark, that all the way across the sea<br/> +Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last,<br/> +E’en in the haven’s mouth seeing one steal,<br/> +Another brine, his offering to the priest,<br/> +Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence<br/> +Into heav’n’s counsels deem that they can pry:<br/> +For one of these may rise, the other fall.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XIV"></a>CANTO XIV</h2> + +<p> +From centre to the circle, and so back<br/> +From circle to the centre, water moves<br/> +In the round chalice, even as the blow<br/> +Impels it, inwardly, or from without.<br/> +Such was the image glanc’d into my mind,<br/> +As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas’d;<br/> +And Beatrice after him her words<br/> +Resum’d alternate: “Need there is (tho’ yet<br/> +He tells it to you not in words, nor e’en<br/> +In thought) that he should fathom to its depth<br/> +Another mystery. Tell him, if the light,<br/> +Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you<br/> +Eternally, as now: and, if it doth,<br/> +How, when ye shall regain your visible forms,<br/> +The sight may without harm endure the change,<br/> +That also tell.” As those, who in a ring<br/> +Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth<br/> +Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound;<br/> +Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit,<br/> +The saintly circles in their tourneying<br/> +And wond’rous note attested new delight. +</p> + +<p> +Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb<br/> +Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live<br/> +Immortally above, he hath not seen<br/> +The sweet refreshing, of that heav’nly shower. +</p> + +<p> +Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns<br/> +In mystic union of the Three in One,<br/> +Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice<br/> +Sang, with such melody, as but to hear<br/> +For highest merit were an ample meed.<br/> +And from the lesser orb the goodliest light,<br/> +With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps<br/> +The angel’s once to Mary, thus replied:<br/> +“Long as the joy of Paradise shall last,<br/> +Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright,<br/> +As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest;<br/> +And that as far in blessedness exceeding,<br/> +As it hath grave beyond its virtue great.<br/> +Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds<br/> +Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire,<br/> +Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase,<br/> +Whate’er of light, gratuitous, imparts<br/> +The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid,<br/> +The better disclose his glory: whence<br/> +The vision needs increasing, much increase<br/> +The fervour, which it kindles; and that too<br/> +The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed<br/> +Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines<br/> +More lively than that, and so preserves<br/> +Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere<br/> +Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem,<br/> +Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth<br/> +Now covers. Nor will such excess of light<br/> +O’erpower us, in corporeal organs made<br/> +Firm, and susceptible of all delight.” +</p> + +<p> +So ready and so cordial an “Amen,”<br/> +Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke<br/> +Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance<br/> +Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear,<br/> +Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov’d,<br/> +Ere they were made imperishable flame. +</p> + +<p> +And lo! forthwith there rose up round about<br/> +A lustre over that already there,<br/> +Of equal clearness, like the brightening up<br/> +Of the horizon. As at an evening hour<br/> +Of twilight, new appearances through heav’n<br/> +Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried;<br/> +So there new substances, methought began<br/> +To rise in view; and round the other twain<br/> +Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide. +</p> + +<p> +O gentle glitter of eternal beam!<br/> +With what a such whiteness did it flow,<br/> +O’erpowering vision in me! But so fair,<br/> +So passing lovely, Beatrice show’d,<br/> +Mind cannot follow it, nor words express<br/> +Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain’d<br/> +Power to look up, and I beheld myself,<br/> +Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss<br/> +Translated: for the star, with warmer smile<br/> +Impurpled, well denoted our ascent. +</p> + +<p> +With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks<br/> +The same in all, an holocaust I made<br/> +To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf’d.<br/> +And from my bosom had not yet upsteam’d<br/> +The fuming of that incense, when I knew<br/> +The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen<br/> +And mantling crimson, in two listed rays<br/> +The splendours shot before me, that I cried,<br/> +“God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!” +</p> + +<p> +As leads the galaxy from pole to pole,<br/> +Distinguish’d into greater lights and less,<br/> +Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell;<br/> +So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars,<br/> +Those rays describ’d the venerable sign,<br/> +That quadrants in the round conjoining frame.<br/> +Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ<br/> +Beam’d on that cross; and pattern fails me now.<br/> +But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ<br/> +Will pardon me for that I leave untold,<br/> +When in the flecker’d dawning he shall spy<br/> +The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn,<br/> +And ’tween the summit and the base did move<br/> +Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass’d.<br/> +Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance,<br/> +Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow,<br/> +The atomies of bodies, long or short,<br/> +To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line<br/> +Checkers the shadow, interpos’d by art<br/> +Against the noontide heat. And as the chime<br/> +Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help<br/> +With many strings, a pleasant dining makes<br/> +To him, who heareth not distinct the note;<br/> +So from the lights, which there appear’d to me,<br/> +Gather’d along the cross a melody,<br/> +That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment<br/> +Possess’d me. Yet I mark’d it was a hymn<br/> +Of lofty praises; for there came to me<br/> +“Arise and conquer,” as to one who hears<br/> +And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy<br/> +O’ercame, that never till that hour was thing<br/> +That held me in so sweet imprisonment. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps my saying over bold appears,<br/> +Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes,<br/> +Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire.<br/> +But he, who is aware those living seals<br/> +Of every beauty work with quicker force,<br/> +The higher they are ris’n; and that there<br/> +I had not turn’d me to them; he may well<br/> +Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse<br/> +I do accuse me, and may own my truth;<br/> +That holy pleasure here not yet reveal’d,<br/> +Which grows in transport as we mount aloof. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XV"></a>CANTO XV</h2> + +<p> +True love, that ever shows itself as clear<br/> +In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong,<br/> +Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still’d<br/> +The sacred chords, that are by heav’n’s right hand<br/> +Unwound and tighten’d, flow to righteous prayers<br/> +Should they not hearken, who, to give me will<br/> +For praying, in accordance thus were mute?<br/> +He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief,<br/> +Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not,<br/> +Despoils himself forever of that love. +</p> + +<p> +As oft along the still and pure serene,<br/> +At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire,<br/> +Attracting with involuntary heed<br/> +The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest,<br/> +And seems some star that shifted place in heav’n,<br/> +Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost,<br/> +And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn,<br/> +That on the dexter of the cross extends,<br/> +Down to its foot, one luminary ran<br/> +From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem<br/> +Dropp’d from its foil; and through the beamy list<br/> +Like flame in alabaster, glow’d its course. +</p> + +<p> +So forward stretch’d him (if of credence aught<br/> +Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost<br/> +Of old Anchises, in the’ Elysian bower,<br/> +When he perceiv’d his son. “O thou, my blood!<br/> +O most exceeding grace divine! to whom,<br/> +As now to thee, hath twice the heav’nly gate<br/> +Been e’er unclos’d?” so spake the light; whence I<br/> +Turn’d me toward him; then unto my dame<br/> +My sight directed, and on either side<br/> +Amazement waited me; for in her eyes<br/> +Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine<br/> +Had div’d unto the bottom of my grace<br/> +And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith<br/> +To hearing and to sight grateful alike,<br/> +The spirit to his proem added things<br/> +I understood not, so profound he spake;<br/> +Yet not of choice but through necessity<br/> +Mysterious; for his high conception scar’d<br/> +Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight<br/> +Of holy transport had so spent its rage,<br/> +That nearer to the level of our thought<br/> +The speech descended, the first sounds I heard<br/> +Were, “Best he thou, Triunal Deity!<br/> +That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf’d!”<br/> +Then follow’d: “No unpleasant thirst, tho’ long,<br/> +Which took me reading in the sacred book,<br/> +Whose leaves or white or dusky never change,<br/> +Thou hast allay’d, my son, within this light,<br/> +From whence my voice thou hear’st; more thanks to her.<br/> +Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes<br/> +Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me<br/> +From him transmitted, who is first of all,<br/> +E’en as all numbers ray from unity;<br/> +And therefore dost not ask me who I am,<br/> +Or why to thee more joyous I appear,<br/> +Than any other in this gladsome throng.<br/> +The truth is as thou deem’st; for in this hue<br/> +Both less and greater in that mirror look,<br/> +In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think’st, are shown.<br/> +But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever,<br/> +Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire,<br/> +May be contended fully, let thy voice,<br/> +Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth<br/> +Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish,<br/> +Whereto my ready answer stands decreed.” +</p> + +<p> +I turn’d me to Beatrice; and she heard<br/> +Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent,<br/> +That to my will gave wings; and I began<br/> +“To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn’d<br/> +The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells,<br/> +Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt;<br/> +For that they are so equal in the sun,<br/> +From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat,<br/> +As makes all likeness scant. But will and means,<br/> +In mortals, for the cause ye well discern,<br/> +With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I<br/> +Experience inequality like this,<br/> +And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart,<br/> +For thy paternal greeting. This howe’er<br/> +I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm’st<br/> +This precious jewel, let me hear thy name.” +</p> + +<p> +“I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect<br/> +Even, hath pleas’d me:” thus the prompt reply<br/> +Prefacing, next it added; “he, of whom<br/> +Thy kindred appellation comes, and who,<br/> +These hundred years and more, on its first ledge<br/> +Hath circuited the mountain, was my son<br/> +And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long<br/> +Endurance should be shorten’d by thy deeds. +</p> + +<p> +“Florence, within her ancient limit-mark,<br/> +Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon,<br/> +Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace.<br/> +She had no armlets and no head-tires then,<br/> +No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye<br/> +More than the person did. Time was not yet,<br/> +When at his daughter’s birth the sire grew pale.<br/> +For fear the age and dowry should exceed<br/> +On each side just proportion. House was none<br/> +Void of its family; nor yet had come<br/> +Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats<br/> +Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet<br/> +O’er our suburban turret rose; as much<br/> +To be surpass in fall, as in its rising.<br/> +I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad<br/> +In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone;<br/> +And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks,<br/> +His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw<br/> +Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content<br/> +With unrob’d jerkin; and their good dames handling<br/> +The spindle and the flax; O happy they!<br/> +Each sure of burial in her native land,<br/> +And none left desolate a-bed for France!<br/> +One wak’d to tend the cradle, hushing it<br/> +With sounds that lull’d the parent’s infancy:<br/> +Another, with her maidens, drawing off<br/> +The tresses from the distaff, lectur’d them<br/> +Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome.<br/> +A Salterello and Cianghella we<br/> +Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would<br/> +A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now. +</p> + +<p> +“In such compos’d and seemly fellowship,<br/> +Such faithful and such fair equality,<br/> +In so sweet household, Mary at my birth<br/> +Bestow’d me, call’d on with loud cries; and there<br/> +In your old baptistery, I was made<br/> +Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were<br/> +My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto. +</p> + +<p> +“From Valdipado came to me my spouse,<br/> +And hence thy surname grew. I follow’d then<br/> +The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he<br/> +Did gird on me; in such good part he took<br/> +My valiant service. After him I went<br/> +To testify against that evil law,<br/> +Whose people, by the shepherd’s fault, possess<br/> +Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew<br/> +Was I releas’d from the deceitful world,<br/> +Whose base affection many a spirit soils,<br/> +And from the martyrdom came to this peace.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XVI"></a>CANTO XVI</h2> + +<p> +O slight respect of man’s nobility!<br/> +I never shall account it marvelous,<br/> +That our infirm affection here below<br/> +Thou mov’st to boasting, when I could not choose,<br/> +E’en in that region of unwarp’d desire,<br/> +In heav’n itself, but make my vaunt in thee!<br/> +Yet cloak thou art soon shorten’d, for that time,<br/> +Unless thou be eked out from day to day,<br/> +Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then<br/> +With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear,<br/> +But since hath disaccustom’d I began;<br/> +And Beatrice, that a little space<br/> +Was sever’d, smil’d reminding me of her,<br/> +Whose cough embolden’d (as the story holds)<br/> +To first offence the doubting Guenever. +</p> + +<p> +“You are my sire,” said I, “you give me heart<br/> +Freely to speak my thought: above myself<br/> +You raise me. Through so many streams with joy<br/> +My soul is fill’d, that gladness wells from it;<br/> +So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not<br/> +Say then, my honour’d stem! what ancestors<br/> +Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark’d<br/> +In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold,<br/> +That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then<br/> +Its state, and who in it were highest seated?” +</p> + +<p> +As embers, at the breathing of the wind,<br/> +Their flame enliven, so that light I saw<br/> +Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew<br/> +More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet,<br/> +Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith<br/> +It answer’d: “From the day, when it was said<br/> +‘Hail Virgin!’ to the throes, by which my mother,<br/> +Who now is sainted, lighten’d her of me<br/> +Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come,<br/> +Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams<br/> +To reilumine underneath the foot<br/> +Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang,<br/> +And I, had there our birth-place, where the last<br/> +Partition of our city first is reach’d<br/> +By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much<br/> +Suffice of my forefathers: who they were,<br/> +And whence they hither came, more honourable<br/> +It is to pass in silence than to tell.<br/> +All those, who in that time were there from Mars<br/> +Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms,<br/> +Were but the fifth of them this day alive.<br/> +But then the citizen’s blood, that now is mix’d<br/> +From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine,<br/> +Ran purely through the last mechanic’s veins.<br/> +O how much better were it, that these people<br/> +Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo<br/> +And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound’ry,<br/> +Than to have them within, and bear the stench<br/> +Of Aguglione’s hind, and Signa’s, him,<br/> +That hath his eye already keen for bart’ring!<br/> +Had not the people, which of all the world<br/> +Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar,<br/> +But, as a mother, gracious to her son;<br/> +Such one, as hath become a Florentine,<br/> +And trades and traffics, had been turn’d adrift<br/> +To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply’d<br/> +The beggar’s craft. The Conti were possess’d<br/> +Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still<br/> +Were in Acone’s parish; nor had haply<br/> +From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte.<br/> +The city’s malady hath ever source<br/> +In the confusion of its persons, as<br/> +The body’s, in variety of food:<br/> +And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge,<br/> +Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword<br/> +Doth more and better execution,<br/> +Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark,<br/> +How they are gone, and after them how go<br/> +Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and ’twill seem<br/> +No longer new or strange to thee to hear,<br/> +That families fail, when cities have their end.<br/> +All things, that appertain t’ ye, like yourselves,<br/> +Are mortal: but mortality in some<br/> +Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you<br/> +Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon<br/> +Doth, by the rolling of her heav’nly sphere,<br/> +Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly;<br/> +So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not<br/> +At what of them I tell thee, whose renown<br/> +Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw<br/> +The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi,<br/> +The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni,<br/> +Now in their wane, illustrious citizens:<br/> +And great as ancient, of Sannella him,<br/> +With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri<br/> +And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop,<br/> +That now is laden with new felony,<br/> +So cumb’rous it may speedily sink the bark,<br/> +The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung<br/> +The County Guido, and whoso hath since<br/> +His title from the fam’d Bellincione ta’en.<br/> +Fair governance was yet an art well priz’d<br/> +By him of Pressa: Galigaio show’d<br/> +The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house.<br/> +The column, cloth’d with verrey, still was seen<br/> +Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great,<br/> +Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci,<br/> +With them who blush to hear the bushel nam’d.<br/> +Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk<br/> +Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs<br/> +Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn.<br/> +How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride<br/> +Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds<br/> +Florence was by the bullets of bright gold<br/> +O’erflourish’d. Such the sires of those, who now,<br/> +As surely as your church is vacant, flock<br/> +Into her consistory, and at leisure<br/> +There stall them and grow fat. The o’erweening brood,<br/> +That plays the dragon after him that flees,<br/> +But unto such, as turn and show the tooth,<br/> +Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb,<br/> +Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem’d,<br/> +That Ubertino of Donati grudg’d<br/> +His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe.<br/> +Already Caponsacco had descended<br/> +Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda<br/> +And Infangato were good citizens.<br/> +A thing incredible I tell, tho’ true:<br/> +The gateway, named from those of Pera, led<br/> +Into the narrow circuit of your walls.<br/> +Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings<br/> +Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth<br/> +The festival of Thomas still revives)<br/> +His knighthood and his privilege retain’d;<br/> +Albeit one, who borders them With gold,<br/> +This day is mingled with the common herd.<br/> +In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt,<br/> +And Importuni: well for its repose<br/> +Had it still lack’d of newer neighbourhood.<br/> +The house, from whence your tears have had their spring,<br/> +Through the just anger that hath murder’d ye<br/> +And put a period to your gladsome days,<br/> +Was honour’d, it, and those consorted with it.<br/> +O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling<br/> +Prevail’d on thee to break the plighted bond<br/> +Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice,<br/> +Had God to Ema giv’n thee, the first time<br/> +Thou near our city cam’st. But so was doom’d:<br/> +On that maim’d stone set up to guard the bridge,<br/> +At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell.<br/> +With these and others like to them, I saw<br/> +Florence in such assur’d tranquility,<br/> +She had no cause at which to grieve: with these<br/> +Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne’er<br/> +The lily from the lance had hung reverse,<br/> +Or through division been with vermeil dyed.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XVII"></a>CANTO XVII</h2> + +<p> +Such as the youth, who came to Clymene<br/> +To certify himself of that reproach,<br/> +Which had been fasten’d on him, (he whose end<br/> +Still makes the fathers chary to their sons),<br/> +E’en such was I; nor unobserv’d was such<br/> +Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp,<br/> +Who had erewhile for me his station mov’d;<br/> +When thus by lady: “Give thy wish free vent,<br/> +That it may issue, bearing true report<br/> +Of the mind’s impress; not that aught thy words<br/> +May to our knowledge add, but to the end,<br/> +That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst<br/> +And men may mingle for thee when they hear.” +</p> + +<p> +“O plant! from whence I spring! rever’d and lov’d!<br/> +Who soar’st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear,<br/> +As earthly thought determines two obtuse<br/> +In one triangle not contain’d, so clear<br/> +Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves<br/> +Existent, looking at the point whereto<br/> +All times are present, I, the whilst I scal’d<br/> +With Virgil the soul purifying mount,<br/> +And visited the nether world of woe,<br/> +Touching my future destiny have heard<br/> +Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides<br/> +Well squar’d to fortune’s blows. Therefore my will<br/> +Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me,<br/> +The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight.” +</p> + +<p> +So said I to the brightness, which erewhile<br/> +To me had spoken, and my will declar’d,<br/> +As Beatrice will’d, explicitly.<br/> +Nor with oracular response obscure,<br/> +Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain,<br/> +Beguil’d the credulous nations; but, in terms<br/> +Precise and unambiguous lore, replied<br/> +The spirit of paternal love, enshrin’d,<br/> +Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake:<br/> +“Contingency, unfolded not to view<br/> +Upon the tablet of your mortal mold,<br/> +Is all depictur’d in the’ eternal sight;<br/> +But hence deriveth not necessity,<br/> +More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood,<br/> +Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene.<br/> +From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony<br/> +From organ comes, so comes before mine eye<br/> +The time prepar’d for thee. Such as driv’n out<br/> +From Athens, by his cruel stepdame’s wiles,<br/> +Hippolytus departed, such must thou<br/> +Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this<br/> +Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there,<br/> +Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ,<br/> +Throughout the livelong day. The common cry,<br/> +Will, as ’tis ever wont, affix the blame<br/> +Unto the party injur’d: but the truth<br/> +Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find<br/> +A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing<br/> +Belov’d most dearly: this is the first shaft<br/> +Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove<br/> +How salt the savour is of other’s bread,<br/> +How hard the passage to descend and climb<br/> +By other’s stairs, But that shall gall thee most<br/> +Will be the worthless and vile company,<br/> +With whom thou must be thrown into these straits.<br/> +For all ungrateful, impious all and mad,<br/> +Shall turn ’gainst thee: but in a little while<br/> +Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson’d brow<br/> +Their course shall so evince their brutishness<br/> +T’ have ta’en thy stand apart shall well become thee. +</p> + +<p> +“First refuge thou must find, first place of rest,<br/> +In the great Lombard’s courtesy, who bears<br/> +Upon the ladder perch’d the sacred bird.<br/> +He shall behold thee with such kind regard,<br/> +That ’twixt ye two, the contrary to that<br/> +Which falls ’twixt other men, the granting shall<br/> +Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see<br/> +That mortal, who was at his birth impress<br/> +So strongly from this star, that of his deeds<br/> +The nations shall take note. His unripe age<br/> +Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels<br/> +Only nine years have compass him about.<br/> +But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry,<br/> +Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him,<br/> +In equal scorn of labours and of gold.<br/> +His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely,<br/> +As not to let the tongues e’en of his foes<br/> +Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him<br/> +And his beneficence: for he shall cause<br/> +Reversal of their lot to many people,<br/> +Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes.<br/> +And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul<br/> +Of him, but tell it not;” and things he told<br/> +Incredible to those who witness them;<br/> +Then added: “So interpret thou, my son,<br/> +What hath been told thee.—Lo! the ambushment<br/> +That a few circling seasons hide for thee!<br/> +Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends<br/> +Thy span beyond their treason’s chastisement.” +</p> + +<p> +Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence,<br/> +Had shown the web, which I had streteh’d for him<br/> +Upon the warp, was woven, I began,<br/> +As one, who in perplexity desires<br/> +Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly:<br/> +“My father! well I mark how time spurs on<br/> +Toward me, ready to inflict the blow,<br/> +Which falls most heavily on him, who most<br/> +Abandoned himself. Therefore ’tis good<br/> +I should forecast, that driven from the place<br/> +Most dear to me, I may not lose myself<br/> +All others by my song. Down through the world<br/> +Of infinite mourning, and along the mount<br/> +From whose fair height my lady’s eyes did lift me,<br/> +And after through this heav’n from light to light,<br/> +Have I learnt that, which if I tell again,<br/> +It may with many woefully disrelish;<br/> +And, if I am a timid friend to truth,<br/> +I fear my life may perish among those,<br/> +To whom these days shall be of ancient date.” +</p> + +<p> +The brightness, where enclos’d the treasure smil’d,<br/> +Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly,<br/> +Like to a golden mirror in the sun;<br/> +Next answer’d: “Conscience, dimm’d or by its own<br/> +Or other’s shame, will feel thy saying sharp.<br/> +Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov’d,<br/> +See the whole vision be made manifest.<br/> +And let them wince who have their withers wrung.<br/> +What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove<br/> +Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn<br/> +To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest,<br/> +Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits;<br/> +Which is of honour no light argument,<br/> +For this there only have been shown to thee,<br/> +Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep,<br/> +Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind<br/> +Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce<br/> +And fix its faith, unless the instance brought<br/> +Be palpable, and proof apparent urge.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XVIII"></a>CANTO XVIII</h2> + +<p> +Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy’d<br/> +That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine,<br/> +Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile,<br/> +Who led me unto God, admonish’d: “Muse<br/> +On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him<br/> +I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong.” +</p> + +<p> +At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn’d;<br/> +And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen,<br/> +I leave in silence here: nor through distrust<br/> +Of my words only, but that to such bliss<br/> +The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much<br/> +Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz’d on her,<br/> +Affection found no room for other wish.<br/> +While the everlasting pleasure, that did full<br/> +On Beatrice shine, with second view<br/> +From her fair countenance my gladden’d soul<br/> +Contented; vanquishing me with a beam<br/> +Of her soft smile, she spake: “Turn thee, and list.<br/> +These eyes are not thy only Paradise.” +</p> + +<p> +As here we sometimes in the looks may see<br/> +Th’ affection mark’d, when that its sway hath ta’en<br/> +The spirit wholly; thus the hallow’d light,<br/> +To whom I turn’d, flashing, bewray’d its will<br/> +To talk yet further with me, and began:<br/> +“On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life<br/> +Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair<br/> +And leaf unwith’ring, blessed spirits abide,<br/> +That were below, ere they arriv’d in heav’n,<br/> +So mighty in renown, as every muse<br/> +Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns<br/> +Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name,<br/> +Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud<br/> +Its nimble fire.” Along the cross I saw,<br/> +At the repeated name of Joshua,<br/> +A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said,<br/> +Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw<br/> +Of the great Maccabee, another move<br/> +With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge<br/> +Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne<br/> +And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze<br/> +Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues<br/> +A falcon flying. Last, along the cross,<br/> +William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew<br/> +My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul,<br/> +Who spake with me among the other lights<br/> +Did move away, and mix; and with the choir<br/> +Of heav’nly songsters prov’d his tuneful skill. +</p> + +<p> +To Beatrice on my right l bent,<br/> +Looking for intimation or by word<br/> +Or act, what next behoov’d; and did descry<br/> +Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy,<br/> +It past all former wont. And, as by sense<br/> +Of new delight, the man, who perseveres<br/> +In good deeds doth perceive from day to day<br/> +His virtue growing; I e’en thus perceiv’d<br/> +Of my ascent, together with the heav’n<br/> +The circuit widen’d, noting the increase<br/> +Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change<br/> +In a brief moment on some maiden’s cheek,<br/> +Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight<br/> +Of pudency, that stain’d it; such in her,<br/> +And to mine eyes so sudden was the change,<br/> +Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star,<br/> +Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw,<br/> +Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks<br/> +Of love, that reign’d there, fashion to my view<br/> +Our language. And as birds, from river banks<br/> +Arisen, now in round, now lengthen’d troop,<br/> +Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems,<br/> +Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights,<br/> +The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made<br/> +Now D. now I. now L. figur’d I’ th’ air. +</p> + +<p> +First, singing, to their notes they mov’d, then one<br/> +Becoming of these signs, a little while<br/> +Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine<br/> +Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou<br/> +Inspir’st, mak’st glorious and long-liv’d, as they<br/> +Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself<br/> +Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes,<br/> +As fancy doth present them. Be thy power<br/> +Display’d in this brief song. The characters,<br/> +Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven.<br/> +In order each, as they appear’d, I mark’d.<br/> +Diligite Justitiam, the first,<br/> +Both verb and noun all blazon’d; and the extreme<br/> +Qui judicatis terram. In the M.<br/> +Of the fifth word they held their station,<br/> +Making the star seem silver streak’d with gold.<br/> +And on the summit of the M. I saw<br/> +Descending other lights, that rested there,<br/> +Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good.<br/> +Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand,<br/> +Sparkles innumerable on all sides<br/> +Rise scatter’d, source of augury to th’ unwise;<br/> +Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence<br/> +Seem’d reascending, and a higher pitch<br/> +Some mounting, and some less; e’en as the sun,<br/> +Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one<br/> +Had settled in his place, the head and neck<br/> +Then saw I of an eagle, lively<br/> +Grav’d in that streaky fire. Who painteth there,<br/> +Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides;<br/> +And every line and texture of the nest<br/> +Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it.<br/> +The other bright beatitude, that seem’d<br/> +Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content<br/> +To over-canopy the M. mov’d forth,<br/> +Following gently the impress of the bird. +</p> + +<p> + Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems<br/> +Declar’d to me our justice on the earth<br/> +To be the effluence of that heav’n, which thou,<br/> +Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay!<br/> +Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom<br/> +Thy motion and thy virtue are begun,<br/> +That he would look from whence the fog doth rise,<br/> +To vitiate thy beam: so that once more<br/> +He may put forth his hand ’gainst such, as drive<br/> +Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls<br/> +With miracles and martyrdoms were built. +</p> + +<p> +Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey!<br/> +O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth<br/> +All after ill example gone astray.<br/> +War once had for its instrument the sword:<br/> +But now ’tis made, taking the bread away<br/> +Which the good Father locks from none.—And thou,<br/> +That writes but to cancel, think, that they,<br/> +Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died,<br/> +Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings.<br/> +Thou hast good cause to cry, “My heart so cleaves<br/> +To him, that liv’d in solitude remote,<br/> +And from the wilds was dragg’d to martyrdom,<br/> +I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XIX"></a>CANTO XIX</h2> + +<p> +Before my sight appear’d, with open wings,<br/> +The beauteous image, in fruition sweet<br/> +Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem<br/> +A little ruby, whereon so intense<br/> +The sun-beam glow’d that to mine eyes it came<br/> +In clear refraction. And that, which next<br/> +Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter’d,<br/> +Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy<br/> +Was e’er conceiv’d. For I beheld and heard<br/> +The beak discourse; and, what intention form’d<br/> +Of many, singly as of one express,<br/> +Beginning: “For that I was just and piteous,<br/> +l am exalted to this height of glory,<br/> +The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth<br/> +Have I my memory left, e’en by the bad<br/> +Commended, while they leave its course untrod.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus is one heat from many embers felt,<br/> +As in that image many were the loves,<br/> +And one the voice, that issued from them all.<br/> +Whence I address them: “O perennial flowers<br/> +Of gladness everlasting! that exhale<br/> +In single breath your odours manifold!<br/> +Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas’d,<br/> +That with great craving long hath held my soul,<br/> +Finding no food on earth. This well I know,<br/> +That if there be in heav’n a realm, that shows<br/> +In faithful mirror the celestial Justice,<br/> +Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern<br/> +The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself<br/> +To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me<br/> +With such inveterate craving.” Straight I saw,<br/> +Like to a falcon issuing from the hood,<br/> +That rears his head, and claps him with his wings,<br/> +His beauty and his eagerness bewraying.<br/> +So saw I move that stately sign, with praise<br/> +Of grace divine inwoven and high song<br/> +Of inexpressive joy. “He,” it began,<br/> +“Who turn’d his compass on the world’s extreme,<br/> +And in that space so variously hath wrought,<br/> +Both openly, and in secret, in such wise<br/> +Could not through all the universe display<br/> +Impression of his glory, that the Word<br/> +Of his omniscience should not still remain<br/> +In infinite excess. In proof whereof,<br/> +He first through pride supplanted, who was sum<br/> +Of each created being, waited not<br/> +For light celestial, and abortive fell.<br/> +Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant<br/> +Receptacle unto that Good, which knows<br/> +No limit, measur’d by itself alone.<br/> +Therefore your sight, of th’ omnipresent Mind<br/> +A single beam, its origin must own<br/> +Surpassing far its utmost potency.<br/> +The ken, your world is gifted with, descends<br/> +In th’ everlasting Justice as low down,<br/> +As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark<br/> +The bottom from the shore, in the wide main<br/> +Discerns it not; and ne’ertheless it is,<br/> +But hidden through its deepness. Light is none,<br/> +Save that which cometh from the pure serene<br/> +Of ne’er disturbed ether: for the rest,<br/> +’Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh,<br/> +Or else its poison. Here confess reveal’d<br/> +That covert, which hath hidden from thy search<br/> +The living justice, of the which thou mad’st<br/> +Such frequent question; for thou saidst—‘A man<br/> +Is born on Indus’ banks, and none is there<br/> +Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write,<br/> +And all his inclinations and his acts,<br/> +As far as human reason sees, are good,<br/> +And he offendeth not in word or deed.<br/> +But unbaptiz’d he dies, and void of faith.<br/> +Where is the justice that condemns him? where<br/> +His blame, if he believeth not?’—What then,<br/> +And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit<br/> +To judge at distance of a thousand miles<br/> +With the short-sighted vision of a span?<br/> +To him, who subtilizes thus with me,<br/> +There would assuredly be room for doubt<br/> +Even to wonder, did not the safe word<br/> +Of scripture hold supreme authority. +</p> + +<p> +“O animals of clay! O spirits gross I<br/> +The primal will, that in itself is good,<br/> +Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne’er been mov’d.<br/> +Justice consists in consonance with it,<br/> +Derivable by no created good,<br/> +Whose very cause depends upon its beam.” +</p> + +<p> +As on her nest the stork, that turns about<br/> +Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed,<br/> +While they with upward eyes do look on her;<br/> +So lifted I my gaze; and bending so<br/> +The ever-blessed image wav’d its wings,<br/> +Lab’ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round<br/> +It warbled, and did say: “As are my notes<br/> +To thee, who understand’st them not, such is<br/> +Th’ eternal judgment unto mortal ken.” +</p> + +<p> +Then still abiding in that ensign rang’d,<br/> +Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world,<br/> +Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit<br/> +Took up the strain; and thus it spake again:<br/> +“None ever hath ascended to this realm,<br/> +Who hath not a believer been in Christ,<br/> +Either before or after the blest limbs<br/> +Were nail’d upon the wood. But lo! of those<br/> +Who call ‘Christ, Christ,’ there shall be many found,<br/> + In judgment, further off from him by far,<br/> +Than such, to whom his name was never known.<br/> +Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn:<br/> +When that the two assemblages shall part;<br/> +One rich eternally, the other poor. +</p> + +<p> +“What may the Persians say unto your kings,<br/> +When they shall see that volume, in the which<br/> +All their dispraise is written, spread to view?<br/> +There amidst Albert’s works shall that be read,<br/> +Which will give speedy motion to the pen,<br/> +When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm.<br/> +There shall be read the woe, that he doth work<br/> +With his adulterate money on the Seine,<br/> +Who by the tusk will perish: there be read<br/> +The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike<br/> +The English and Scot, impatient of their bound.<br/> +There shall be seen the Spaniard’s luxury,<br/> +The delicate living there of the Bohemian,<br/> +Who still to worth has been a willing stranger.<br/> +The halter of Jerusalem shall see<br/> +A unit for his virtue, for his vices<br/> +No less a mark than million. He, who guards<br/> +The isle of fire by old Anchises honour’d<br/> +Shall find his avarice there and cowardice;<br/> +And better to denote his littleness,<br/> +The writing must be letters maim’d, that speak<br/> +Much in a narrow space. All there shall know<br/> +His uncle and his brother’s filthy doings,<br/> +Who so renown’d a nation and two crowns<br/> +Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal<br/> +And Norway, there shall be expos’d with him<br/> +Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill<br/> +The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary!<br/> +If thou no longer patiently abid’st<br/> +Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre!<br/> +If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee<br/> +In earnest of that day, e’en now are heard<br/> +Wailings and groans in Famagosta’s streets<br/> +And Nicosia’s, grudging at their beast,<br/> +Who keepeth even footing with the rest.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XX"></a>CANTO XX</h2> + +<p> +When, disappearing, from our hemisphere,<br/> +The world’s enlightener vanishes, and day<br/> +On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky,<br/> +Erewhile irradiate only with his beam,<br/> +Is yet again unfolded, putting forth<br/> +Innumerable lights wherein one shines.<br/> +Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought,<br/> +As the great sign, that marshaleth the world<br/> +And the world’s leaders, in the blessed beak<br/> +Was silent; for that all those living lights,<br/> +Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs,<br/> +Such as from memory glide and fall away. +</p> + +<p> +Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles,<br/> +How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles,<br/> +Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir’d! +</p> + +<p> +After the precious and bright beaming stones,<br/> +That did ingem the sixth light, ceas’d the chiming<br/> +Of their angelic bells; methought I heard<br/> +The murmuring of a river, that doth fall<br/> +From rock to rock transpicuous, making known<br/> +The richness of his spring-head: and as sound<br/> +Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe,<br/> +Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun’d;<br/> +Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose<br/> +That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith<br/> +Voice there assum’d, and thence along the beak<br/> +Issued in form of words, such as my heart<br/> +Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib’d them. +</p> + +<p> +“The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,,<br/> +In mortal eagles,” it began, “must now<br/> +Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires,<br/> +That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye,<br/> +Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines<br/> +Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang<br/> +The Holy Spirit’s song, and bare about<br/> +The ark from town to town; now doth he know<br/> +The merit of his soul-impassion’d strains<br/> +By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five,<br/> +That make the circle of the vision, he<br/> +Who to the beak is nearest, comforted<br/> +The widow for her son: now doth he know<br/> +How dear he costeth not to follow Christ,<br/> +Both from experience of this pleasant life,<br/> +And of its opposite. He next, who follows<br/> +In the circumference, for the over arch,<br/> +By true repenting slack’d the pace of death:<br/> +Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav’n<br/> +Alter not, when through pious prayer below<br/> +Today’s is made tomorrow’s destiny.<br/> +The other following, with the laws and me,<br/> +To yield the shepherd room, pass’d o’er to Greece,<br/> +From good intent producing evil fruit:<br/> +Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv’d<br/> +From his well doing, doth not helm him aught,<br/> +Though it have brought destruction on the world.<br/> +That, which thou seest in the under bow,<br/> +Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps<br/> +For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows<br/> +How well is lov’d in heav’n the righteous king,<br/> +Which he betokens by his radiant seeming.<br/> +Who in the erring world beneath would deem,<br/> +That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set<br/> +Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows<br/> +Enough of that, which the world cannot see,<br/> +The grace divine, albeit e’en his sight<br/> +Reach not its utmost depth.” Like to the lark,<br/> +That warbling in the air expatiates long,<br/> +Then, trilling out his last sweet melody,<br/> +Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear’d<br/> +That image stampt by the’ everlasting pleasure,<br/> +Which fashions like itself all lovely things. +</p> + +<p> +I, though my doubting were as manifest,<br/> +As is through glass the hue that mantles it,<br/> +In silence waited not: for to my lips<br/> +“What things are these?” involuntary rush’d,<br/> +And forc’d a passage out: whereat I mark’d<br/> +A sudden lightening and new revelry.<br/> +The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign<br/> +No more to keep me wond’ring and suspense,<br/> +Replied: “I see that thou believ’st these things,<br/> +Because I tell them, but discern’st not how;<br/> +So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith:<br/> +As one who knows the name of thing by rote,<br/> +But is a stranger to its properties,<br/> +Till other’s tongue reveal them. Fervent love<br/> +And lively hope with violence assail<br/> +The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome<br/> +The will of the Most high; not in such sort<br/> +As man prevails o’er man; but conquers it,<br/> +Because ’tis willing to be conquer’d, still,<br/> +Though conquer’d, by its mercy conquering. +</p> + +<p> +“Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth,<br/> +Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold’st<br/> +The region of the angels deck’d with them.<br/> +They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem’st,<br/> +Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith,<br/> +This of the feet in future to be pierc’d,<br/> +That of feet nail’d already to the cross.<br/> +One from the barrier of the dark abyss,<br/> +Where never any with good will returns,<br/> +Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope<br/> +Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing’d<br/> +The prayers sent up to God for his release,<br/> +And put power into them to bend his will.<br/> +The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee,<br/> +A little while returning to the flesh,<br/> +Believ’d in him, who had the means to help,<br/> +And, in believing, nourish’d such a flame<br/> +Of holy love, that at the second death<br/> +He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth.<br/> +The other, through the riches of that grace,<br/> +Which from so deep a fountain doth distil,<br/> +As never eye created saw its rising,<br/> +Plac’d all his love below on just and right:<br/> +Wherefore of grace God op’d in him the eye<br/> +To the redemption of mankind to come;<br/> +Wherein believing, he endur’d no more<br/> +The filth of paganism, and for their ways<br/> +Rebuk’d the stubborn nations. The three nymphs,<br/> +Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing,<br/> +Were sponsors for him more than thousand years<br/> +Before baptizing. O how far remov’d,<br/> +Predestination! is thy root from such<br/> +As see not the First cause entire: and ye,<br/> +O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:<br/> +For we, who see our Maker, know not yet<br/> +The number of the chosen: and esteem<br/> +Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:<br/> +For all our good is in that primal good<br/> +Concentrate, and God’s will and ours are one.” +</p> + +<p> +So, by that form divine, was giv’n to me<br/> +Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight,<br/> +And, as one handling skillfully the harp,<br/> +Attendant on some skilful songster’s voice<br/> +Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song<br/> +Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake,<br/> +It doth remember me, that I beheld<br/> +The pair of blessed luminaries move.<br/> +Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes,<br/> +Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXI"></a>CANTO XXI</h2> + +<p> +Again mine eyes were fix’d on Beatrice,<br/> +And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks<br/> +Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore<br/> +And, “Did I smile,” quoth she, “thou wouldst be straight<br/> +Like Semele when into ashes turn’d:<br/> +For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs,<br/> +My beauty, which the loftier it climbs,<br/> +As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more,<br/> +So shines, that, were no temp’ring interpos’d,<br/> +Thy mortal puissance would from its rays<br/> +Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt.<br/> +Into the seventh splendour are we wafted,<br/> +That underneath the burning lion’s breast<br/> +Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might,<br/> +Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror’d<br/> +The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown.”<br/> +Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed<br/> +My sight upon her blissful countenance,<br/> +May know, when to new thoughts I chang’d, what joy<br/> +To do the bidding of my heav’nly guide:<br/> +In equal balance poising either weight. +</p> + +<p> +Within the crystal, which records the name,<br/> +(As its remoter circle girds the world)<br/> +Of that lov’d monarch, in whose happy reign<br/> +No ill had power to harm, I saw rear’d up,<br/> +In colour like to sun-illumin’d gold. +</p> + +<p> +A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain,<br/> +So lofty was the summit; down whose steps<br/> +I saw the splendours in such multitude<br/> +Descending, ev’ry light in heav’n, methought,<br/> +Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day<br/> +Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill,<br/> +Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some,<br/> +Returning, cross their flight, while some abide<br/> +And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem’d<br/> +That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing,<br/> +As upon certain stair it met, and clash’d<br/> +Its shining. And one ling’ring near us, wax’d<br/> +So bright, that in my thought: said: “The love,<br/> +Which this betokens me, admits no doubt.” +</p> + +<p> +Unwillingly from question I refrain,<br/> +To her, by whom my silence and my speech<br/> +Are order’d, looking for a sign: whence she,<br/> +Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all,<br/> +Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me<br/> +T’ indulge the fervent wish; and I began:<br/> +“I am not worthy, of my own desert,<br/> +That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake,<br/> +Who hath vouchsaf’d my asking, spirit blest!<br/> +That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause,<br/> +Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say,<br/> +Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise<br/> +Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds<br/> +Of rapt devotion ev’ry lower sphere?”<br/> +“Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;”<br/> +Was the reply: “and what forbade the smile<br/> +Of Beatrice interrupts our song.<br/> +Only to yield thee gladness of my voice,<br/> +And of the light that vests me, I thus far<br/> +Descend these hallow’d steps: not that more love<br/> +Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much<br/> +Or more of love is witness’d in those flames:<br/> +But such my lot by charity assign’d,<br/> +That makes us ready servants, as thou seest,<br/> +To execute the counsel of the Highest.”<br/> +“That in this court,” said I, “O sacred lamp!<br/> +Love no compulsion needs, but follows free<br/> +Th’ eternal Providence, I well discern:<br/> +This harder find to deem, why of thy peers<br/> +Thou only to this office wert foredoom’d.”<br/> +I had not ended, when, like rapid mill,<br/> +Upon its centre whirl’d the light; and then<br/> +The love, that did inhabit there, replied:<br/> +“Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds,<br/> +Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus<br/> +Supported, lifts me so above myself,<br/> +That on the sov’ran essence, which it wells from,<br/> +I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy,<br/> +Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze<br/> +The keenness of my sight. But not the soul,<br/> +That is in heav’n most lustrous, nor the seraph<br/> +That hath his eyes most fix’d on God, shall solve<br/> +What thou hast ask’d: for in th’ abyss it lies<br/> +Of th’ everlasting statute sunk so low,<br/> +That no created ken may fathom it.<br/> +And, to the mortal world when thou return’st,<br/> +Be this reported; that none henceforth dare<br/> +Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn.<br/> +The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth<br/> +Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do,<br/> +Below, what passeth her ability,<br/> +When she is ta’en to heav’n.” By words like these<br/> +Admonish’d, I the question urg’d no more;<br/> +And of the spirit humbly sued alone<br/> +T’ instruct me of its state. “’Twixt either shore<br/> +Of Italy, nor distant from thy land,<br/> +A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort,<br/> +The thunder doth not lift his voice so high,<br/> +They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell<br/> +Is sacred to the lonely Eremite,<br/> +For worship set apart and holy rites.”<br/> +A third time thus it spake; then added: “There<br/> +So firmly to God’s service I adher’d,<br/> +That with no costlier viands than the juice<br/> +Of olives, easily I pass’d the heats<br/> +Of summer and the winter frosts, content<br/> +In heav’n-ward musings. Rich were the returns<br/> +And fertile, which that cloister once was us’d<br/> +To render to these heavens: now ’tis fall’n<br/> +Into a waste so empty, that ere long<br/> +Detection must lay bare its vanity<br/> +Pietro Damiano there was I yclept:<br/> +Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt<br/> +Beside the Adriatic, in the house<br/> +Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close<br/> +Of mortal life, through much importuning<br/> +I was constrain’d to wear the hat that still<br/> +From bad to worse it shifted.—Cephas came;<br/> +He came, who was the Holy Spirit’s vessel,<br/> +Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc’d,<br/> +At the first table. Modern Shepherd’s need<br/> +Those who on either hand may prop and lead them,<br/> +So burly are they grown: and from behind<br/> +Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey’s sides<br/> +Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts<br/> +Are cover’d with one skin. O patience! thou<br/> +That lookst on this and doth endure so long.”<br/> +I at those accents saw the splendours down<br/> +From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax,<br/> +Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this<br/> +They came, and stay’d them; uttered them a shout<br/> +So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I<br/> +Wist what it spake, so deaf’ning was the thunder. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXII"></a>CANTO XXII</h2> + +<p> +Astounded, to the guardian of my steps<br/> +I turn’d me, like the chill, who always runs<br/> +Thither for succour, where he trusteth most,<br/> +And she was like the mother, who her son<br/> +Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice<br/> +Soothes him, and he is cheer’d; for thus she spake,<br/> +Soothing me: “Know’st not thou, thou art in heav’n?<br/> +And know’st not thou, whatever is in heav’n,<br/> +Is holy, and that nothing there is done<br/> +But is done zealously and well? Deem now,<br/> +What change in thee the song, and what my smile<br/> +had wrought, since thus the shout had pow’r to move thee.<br/> +In which couldst thou have understood their prayers,<br/> +The vengeance were already known to thee,<br/> +Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour,<br/> +The sword of heav’n is not in haste to smite,<br/> +Nor yet doth linger, save unto his seeming,<br/> +Who in desire or fear doth look for it.<br/> +But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view;<br/> +So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold.”<br/> +Mine eyes directing, as she will’d, I saw<br/> +A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew<br/> +By interchange of splendour. I remain’d,<br/> +As one, who fearful of o’er-much presuming,<br/> +Abates in him the keenness of desire,<br/> +Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls,<br/> +One largest and most lustrous onward drew,<br/> +That it might yield contentment to my wish;<br/> +And from within it these the sounds I heard. +</p> + +<p> +“If thou, like me, beheldst the charity<br/> +That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives,<br/> +Were utter’d. But that, ere the lofty bound<br/> +Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee,<br/> +I will make answer even to the thought,<br/> +Which thou hast such respect of. In old days,<br/> +That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests,<br/> +Was on its height frequented by a race<br/> +Deceived and ill dispos’d: and I it was,<br/> +Who thither carried first the name of Him,<br/> +Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man.<br/> +And such a speeding grace shone over me,<br/> +That from their impious worship I reclaim’d<br/> +The dwellers round about, who with the world<br/> +Were in delusion lost. These other flames,<br/> +The spirits of men contemplative, were all<br/> +Enliven’d by that warmth, whose kindly force<br/> +Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness.<br/> +Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here:<br/> +And here my brethren, who their steps refrain’d<br/> +Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart.” +</p> + +<p> +I answ’ring, thus; “Thy gentle words and kind,<br/> +And this the cheerful semblance, I behold<br/> +Not unobservant, beaming in ye all,<br/> +Have rais’d assurance in me, wakening it<br/> +Full-blossom’d in my bosom, as a rose<br/> +Before the sun, when the consummate flower<br/> +Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee<br/> +Therefore entreat I, father! to declare<br/> +If I may gain such favour, as to gaze<br/> +Upon thine image, by no covering veil’d.” +</p> + +<p> +“Brother!” he thus rejoin’d, “in the last sphere<br/> +Expect completion of thy lofty aim,<br/> +For there on each desire completion waits,<br/> +And there on mine: where every aim is found<br/> +Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe.<br/> +There all things are as they have ever been:<br/> +For space is none to bound, nor pole divides,<br/> +Our ladder reaches even to that clime,<br/> +And so at giddy distance mocks thy view.<br/> +Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch<br/> +Its topmost round, when it appear’d to him<br/> +With angels laden. But to mount it now<br/> +None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule<br/> +Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves;<br/> +The walls, for abbey rear’d, turned into dens,<br/> +The cowls to sacks choak’d up with musty meal.<br/> +Foul usury doth not more lift itself<br/> +Against God’s pleasure, than that fruit which makes<br/> +The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate’er<br/> +Is in the church’s keeping, all pertains.<br/> +To such, as sue for heav’n’s sweet sake, and not<br/> +To those who in respect of kindred claim,<br/> +Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh<br/> +Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not<br/> +From the oak’s birth, unto the acorn’s setting.<br/> +His convent Peter founded without gold<br/> +Or silver; I with pray’rs and fasting mine;<br/> +And Francis his in meek humility.<br/> +And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds,<br/> +Then look what it hath err’d to, thou shalt find<br/> +The white grown murky. Jordan was turn’d back;<br/> +And a less wonder, then the refluent sea,<br/> +May at God’s pleasure work amendment here.” +</p> + +<p> +So saying, to his assembly back he drew:<br/> +And they together cluster’d into one,<br/> +Then all roll’d upward like an eddying wind. +</p> + +<p> +The sweet dame beckon’d me to follow them:<br/> +And, by that influence only, so prevail’d<br/> +Over my nature, that no natural motion,<br/> +Ascending or descending here below,<br/> +Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied. +</p> + +<p> +So, reader, as my hope is to return<br/> +Unto the holy triumph, for the which<br/> +I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast,<br/> +Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting<br/> +Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere<br/> +The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld,<br/> +And enter’d its precinct. O glorious stars!<br/> +O light impregnate with exceeding virtue!<br/> +To whom whate’er of genius lifteth me<br/> +Above the vulgar, grateful I refer;<br/> +With ye the parent of all mortal life<br/> +Arose and set, when I did first inhale<br/> +The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace<br/> +Vouchsaf’d me entrance to the lofty wheel<br/> +That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed<br/> +My passage at your clime. To you my soul<br/> +Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now<br/> +To meet the hard emprize that draws me on. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,”<br/> +Said Beatrice, “that behooves thy ken<br/> +Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end,<br/> +Or even thou advance thee further, hence<br/> +Look downward, and contemplate, what a world<br/> +Already stretched under our feet there lies:<br/> +So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood,<br/> +Present itself to the triumphal throng,<br/> +Which through the’ etherial concave comes rejoicing.” +</p> + +<p> +I straight obey’d; and with mine eye return’d<br/> +Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe<br/> +So pitiful of semblance, that perforce<br/> +It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold<br/> +For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts<br/> +Elsewhere are fix’d, him worthiest call and best.<br/> +I saw the daughter of Latona shine<br/> +Without the shadow, whereof late I deem’d<br/> +That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain’d<br/> +The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun;<br/> +And mark’d, how near him with their circle, round<br/> +Move Maia and Dione; here discern’d<br/> +Jove’s tempering ’twixt his sire and son; and hence<br/> +Their changes and their various aspects<br/> +Distinctly scann’d. Nor might I not descry<br/> +Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift;<br/> +Nor of their several distances not learn.<br/> +This petty area (o’er the which we stride<br/> +So fiercely), as along the eternal twins<br/> +I wound my way, appear’d before me all,<br/> +Forth from the havens stretch’d unto the hills.<br/> +Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return’d. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXIII"></a>CANTO XXIII</h2> + +<p> +E’en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower<br/> +Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night,<br/> +With her sweet brood, impatient to descry<br/> +Their wished looks, and to bring home their food,<br/> +In the fond quest unconscious of her toil:<br/> +She, of the time prevenient, on the spray,<br/> +That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze<br/> +Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn,<br/> +Removeth from the east her eager ken;<br/> +So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance<br/> +Wistfully on that region, where the sun<br/> +Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her<br/> +Suspense and wand’ring, I became as one,<br/> +In whom desire is waken’d, and the hope<br/> +Of somewhat new to come fills with delight. +</p> + +<p> +Short space ensued; I was not held, I say,<br/> +Long in expectance, when I saw the heav’n<br/> +Wax more and more resplendent; and, “Behold,”<br/> +Cried Beatrice, “the triumphal hosts<br/> +Of Christ, and all the harvest reap’d at length<br/> +Of thy ascending up these spheres.” Meseem’d,<br/> +That, while she spake her image all did burn,<br/> +And in her eyes such fullness was of joy,<br/> +And I am fain to pass unconstrued by. +</p> + +<p> +As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles,<br/> +In peerless beauty, ’mid th’ eternal nympus,<br/> +That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound<br/> +In bright pre-eminence so saw I there,<br/> +O’er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew<br/> +Their radiance as from ours the starry train:<br/> +And through the living light so lustrous glow’d<br/> +The substance, that my ken endur’d it not. +</p> + +<p> +O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide!<br/> +Who cheer’d me with her comfortable words!<br/> +“Against the virtue, that o’erpow’reth thee,<br/> +Avails not to resist. Here is the might,<br/> +And here the wisdom, which did open lay<br/> +The path, that had been yearned for so long,<br/> +Betwixt the heav’n and earth.” Like to the fire,<br/> +That, in a cloud imprison’d doth break out<br/> +Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg’d,<br/> +It falleth against nature to the ground;<br/> +Thus in that heav’nly banqueting my soul<br/> +Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost.<br/> +Holds now remembrance none of what she was. +</p> + +<p> +“Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen<br/> +Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile.” +</p> + +<p> +I was as one, when a forgotten dream<br/> +Doth come across him, and he strives in vain<br/> +To shape it in his fantasy again,<br/> +Whenas that gracious boon was proffer’d me,<br/> +Which never may be cancel’d from the book,<br/> +Wherein the past is written. Now were all<br/> +Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk<br/> +Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed<br/> +And fatten’d, not with all their help to boot,<br/> +Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth,<br/> +My song might shadow forth that saintly smile,<br/> +flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought.<br/> +And with such figuring of Paradise<br/> +The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets<br/> +A sudden interruption to his road.<br/> +But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme,<br/> +And that ’tis lain upon a mortal shoulder,<br/> +May pardon, if it tremble with the burden.<br/> +The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks<br/> +No unribb’d pinnace, no self-sparing pilot. +</p> + +<p> +“Why doth my face,” said Beatrice, “thus<br/> +Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn<br/> +Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming<br/> +Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose,<br/> +Wherein the word divine was made incarnate;<br/> +And here the lilies, by whose odour known<br/> +The way of life was follow’d.” Prompt I heard<br/> +Her bidding, and encounter once again<br/> +The strife of aching vision. As erewhile,<br/> +Through glance of sunlight, stream’d through broken cloud,<br/> +Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen,<br/> +Though veil’d themselves in shade; so saw I there<br/> +Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays<br/> +Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not<br/> +The fountain whence they flow’d. O gracious virtue!<br/> +Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up<br/> +Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room<br/> +To my o’erlabour’d sight: when at the name<br/> +Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke<br/> +Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might<br/> +Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix’d.<br/> +And, as the bright dimensions of the star<br/> +In heav’n excelling, as once here on earth<br/> +Were, in my eyeballs lively portray’d,<br/> +Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell,<br/> +Circling in fashion of a diadem,<br/> +And girt the star, and hov’ring round it wheel’d. +</p> + +<p> +Whatever melody sounds sweetest here,<br/> +And draws the spirit most unto itself,<br/> +Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder,<br/> +Compar’d unto the sounding of that lyre,<br/> +Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays<br/> +The floor of heav’n, was crown’d. “Angelic Love<br/> +I am, who thus with hov’ring flight enwheel<br/> +The lofty rapture from that womb inspir’d,<br/> +Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so,<br/> +Lady of Heav’n! will hover; long as thou<br/> +Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy<br/> +Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere.” +</p> + +<p> +Such close was to the circling melody:<br/> +And, as it ended, all the other lights<br/> +Took up the strain, and echoed Mary’s name. +</p> + +<p> +The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps<br/> +The world, and with the nearer breath of God<br/> +Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir’d<br/> +Its inner hem and skirting over us,<br/> +That yet no glimmer of its majesty<br/> +Had stream’d unto me: therefore were mine eyes<br/> +Unequal to pursue the crowned flame,<br/> +That rose and sought its natal seed of fire;<br/> +And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms<br/> +For very eagerness towards the breast,<br/> +After the milk is taken; so outstretch’d<br/> +Their wavy summits all the fervent band,<br/> +Through zealous love to Mary: then in view<br/> +There halted, and “Regina Coeli” sang<br/> +So sweetly, the delight hath left me never. +</p> + +<p> +O what o’erflowing plenty is up-pil’d<br/> +In those rich-laden coffers, which below<br/> +Sow’d the good seed, whose harvest now they keep. +</p> + +<p> +Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears<br/> +Were in the Babylonian exile won,<br/> +When gold had fail’d them. Here in synod high<br/> +Of ancient council with the new conven’d,<br/> +Under the Son of Mary and of God,<br/> +Victorious he his mighty triumph holds,<br/> +To whom the keys of glory were assign’d. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXIV"></a>CANTO XXIV</h2> + +<p> +“O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc’d<br/> +To the great supper of the blessed Lamb,<br/> +Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill’d!<br/> +If to this man through God’s grace be vouchsaf’d<br/> +Foretaste of that, which from your table falls,<br/> +Or ever death his fated term prescribe;<br/> +Be ye not heedless of his urgent will;<br/> +But may some influence of your sacred dews<br/> +Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink,<br/> +Whence flows what most he craves.” Beatrice spake,<br/> +And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres<br/> +On firm-set poles revolving, trail’d a blaze<br/> +Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind<br/> +Their circles in the horologe, so work<br/> +The stated rounds, that to th’ observant eye<br/> +The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last;<br/> +E’en thus their carols weaving variously,<br/> +They by the measure pac’d, or swift, or slow,<br/> +Made me to rate the riches of their joy. +</p> + +<p> +From that, which I did note in beauty most<br/> +Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame<br/> +So bright, as none was left more goodly there.<br/> +Round Beatrice thrice it wheel’d about,<br/> +With so divine a song, that fancy’s ear<br/> +Records it not; and the pen passeth on<br/> +And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech,<br/> +Nor e’en the inward shaping of the brain,<br/> +Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds. +</p> + +<p> +“O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout<br/> +Is with so vehement affection urg’d,<br/> +Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere.” +</p> + +<p> +Such were the accents towards my lady breath’d<br/> +From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay’d:<br/> +To whom she thus: “O everlasting light<br/> +Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord<br/> +Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss<br/> +He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt,<br/> +With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith,<br/> +By the which thou didst on the billows walk.<br/> +If he in love, in hope, and in belief,<br/> +Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou<br/> +Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld<br/> +In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith<br/> +Has peopled this fair realm with citizens,<br/> +Meet is, that to exalt its glory more,<br/> +Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse.” +</p> + +<p> +Like to the bachelor, who arms himself,<br/> +And speaks not, till the master have propos’d<br/> +The question, to approve, and not to end it;<br/> +So I, in silence, arm’d me, while she spake,<br/> +Summoning up each argument to aid;<br/> +As was behooveful for such questioner,<br/> +And such profession: “As good Christian ought,<br/> +Declare thee, What is faith?” Whereat I rais’d<br/> +My forehead to the light, whence this had breath’d,<br/> +Then turn’d to Beatrice, and in her looks<br/> +Approval met, that from their inmost fount<br/> +I should unlock the waters. “May the grace,<br/> +That giveth me the captain of the church<br/> +For confessor,” said I, “vouchsafe to me<br/> +Apt utterance for my thoughts!” then added: “Sire!<br/> +E’en as set down by the unerring style<br/> +Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir’d<br/> +To bring Rome in unto the way of life,<br/> +Faith of things hop’d is substance, and the proof<br/> +Of things not seen; and herein doth consist<br/> +Methinks its essence,”—“Rightly hast thou +deem’d,”<br/> +Was answer’d: “if thou well discern, why first<br/> +He hath defin’d it, substance, and then proof.” +</p> + +<p> +“The deep things,” I replied, “which here I scan<br/> +Distinctly, are below from mortal eye<br/> +So hidden, they have in belief alone<br/> +Their being, on which credence hope sublime<br/> +Is built; and therefore substance it intends.<br/> +And inasmuch as we must needs infer<br/> +From such belief our reasoning, all respect<br/> +To other view excluded, hence of proof<br/> +Th’ intention is deriv’d.” Forthwith I heard:<br/> +“If thus, whate’er by learning men attain,<br/> +Were understood, the sophist would want room<br/> +To exercise his wit.” So breath’d the flame<br/> +Of love: then added: “Current is the coin<br/> +Thou utter’st, both in weight and in alloy.<br/> +But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse.” +</p> + +<p> +“Even so glittering and so round,” said I,<br/> +“I not a whit misdoubt of its assay.” +</p> + +<p> +Next issued from the deep imbosom’d splendour:<br/> +“Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which<br/> +Is founded every virtue, came to thee.”<br/> +“The flood,” I answer’d, “from the Spirit of God<br/> +Rain’d down upon the ancient bond and new,—<br/> +Here is the reas’ning, that convinceth me<br/> +So feelingly, each argument beside<br/> +Seems blunt and forceless in comparison.”<br/> +Then heard I: “Wherefore holdest thou that each,<br/> +The elder proposition and the new,<br/> +Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav’n?” +</p> + +<p> +“The works, that follow’d, evidence their truth;”<br/> +I answer’d: “Nature did not make for these<br/> +The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them.”<br/> +“Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,”<br/> +Was the reply, “that they in very deed<br/> +Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee.” +</p> + +<p> +“That all the world,” said I, “should have been +turn’d<br/> +To Christian, and no miracle been wrought,<br/> +Would in itself be such a miracle,<br/> +The rest were not an hundredth part so great.<br/> +E’en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger<br/> +To set the goodly plant, that from the vine,<br/> +It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble.”<br/> +That ended, through the high celestial court<br/> +Resounded all the spheres. “Praise we one God!”<br/> +In song of most unearthly melody.<br/> +And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch,<br/> +Examining, had led me, that we now<br/> +Approach’d the topmost bough, he straight resum’d;<br/> +“The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul,<br/> +So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos’d<br/> +That, whatsoe’er has past them, I commend.<br/> +Behooves thee to express, what thou believ’st,<br/> +The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown.” +</p> + +<p> +“O saintly sire and spirit!” I began,<br/> +“Who seest that, which thou didst so believe,<br/> +As to outstrip feet younger than thine own,<br/> +Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here,<br/> +That I the tenour of my creed unfold;<br/> +And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask’d.<br/> +And I reply: I in one God believe,<br/> +One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love<br/> +All heav’n is mov’d, himself unmov’d the while.<br/> +Nor demonstration physical alone,<br/> +Or more intelligential and abstruse,<br/> +Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth<br/> +It cometh to me rather, which is shed<br/> +Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms.<br/> +The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write,<br/> +When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost.<br/> +In three eternal Persons I believe,<br/> +Essence threefold and one, mysterious league<br/> +Of union absolute, which, many a time,<br/> +The word of gospel lore upon my mind<br/> +Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark,<br/> +The lively flame dilates, and like heav’n’s star<br/> +Doth glitter in me.” As the master hears,<br/> +Well pleas’d, and then enfoldeth in his arms<br/> +The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought,<br/> +And having told the errand keeps his peace;<br/> +Thus benediction uttering with song<br/> +Soon as my peace I held, compass’d me thrice<br/> +The apostolic radiance, whose behest<br/> +Had op’d lips; so well their answer pleas’d. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXV"></a>CANTO XXV</h2> + +<p> +If e’er the sacred poem that hath made<br/> +Both heav’n and earth copartners in its toil,<br/> +And with lean abstinence, through many a year,<br/> +Faded my brow, be destin’d to prevail<br/> +Over the cruelty, which bars me forth<br/> +Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb<br/> +The wolves set on and fain had worried me,<br/> +With other voice and fleece of other grain<br/> +I shall forthwith return, and, standing up<br/> +At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath<br/> +Due to the poet’s temples: for I there<br/> +First enter’d on the faith which maketh souls<br/> +Acceptable to God: and, for its sake,<br/> +Peter had then circled my forehead thus. +</p> + +<p> +Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth<br/> +The first fruit of Christ’s vicars on the earth,<br/> +Toward us mov’d a light, at view whereof<br/> +My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me:<br/> +“Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might,<br/> +That makes Falicia throng’d with visitants!” +</p> + +<p> +As when the ring-dove by his mate alights,<br/> +In circles each about the other wheels,<br/> +And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I<br/> +One, of the other great and glorious prince,<br/> +With kindly greeting hail’d, extolling both<br/> +Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end<br/> +Was to their gratulation, silent, each,<br/> +Before me sat they down, so burning bright,<br/> +I could not look upon them. Smiling then,<br/> +Beatrice spake: “O life in glory shrin’d!”<br/> +Who didst the largess of our kingly court<br/> +Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice<br/> +Of hope the praises in this height resound.<br/> +For thou, who figur’st them in shapes, as clear,<br/> +As Jesus stood before thee, well can’st speak them.” +</p> + +<p> +“Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust:<br/> +For that, which hither from the mortal world<br/> +Arriveth, must be ripen’d in our beam.” +</p> + +<p> +Such cheering accents from the second flame<br/> +Assur’d me; and mine eyes I lifted up<br/> +Unto the mountains that had bow’d them late<br/> +With over-heavy burden. “Sith our Liege<br/> +Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death,<br/> +In the most secret council, with his lords<br/> +Shouldst be confronted, so that having view’d<br/> +The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith<br/> +Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate<br/> +With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare,<br/> +What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee,<br/> +And whence thou hadst it?” Thus proceeding still,<br/> +The second light: and she, whose gentle love<br/> +My soaring pennons in that lofty flight<br/> +Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin’d:<br/> +Among her sons, not one more full of hope,<br/> +Hath the church militant: so ’tis of him<br/> +Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb<br/> +Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term<br/> +Of warfare, hence permitted he is come,<br/> +From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see.<br/> +The other points, both which thou hast inquir’d,<br/> +Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell<br/> +How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him<br/> +Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease,<br/> +And without boasting, so God give him grace.”<br/> +Like to the scholar, practis’d in his task,<br/> +Who, willing to give proof of diligence,<br/> +Seconds his teacher gladly, “Hope,” said I,<br/> +“Is of the joy to come a sure expectance,<br/> +Th’ effect of grace divine and merit preceding.<br/> +This light from many a star visits my heart,<br/> +But flow’d to me the first from him, who sang<br/> +The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme<br/> +Among his tuneful brethren. ‘Let all hope<br/> +In thee,’ so speak his anthem, ‘who have known<br/> +Thy name;’ and with my faith who know not that?<br/> +From thee, the next, distilling from his spring,<br/> +In thine epistle, fell on me the drops<br/> +So plenteously, that I on others shower<br/> +The influence of their dew.” Whileas I spake,<br/> +A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning,<br/> +Within the bosom of that mighty sheen,<br/> +Play’d tremulous; then forth these accents breath’d:<br/> +“Love for the virtue which attended me<br/> +E’en to the palm, and issuing from the field,<br/> +Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires<br/> +To ask of thee, whom also it delights;<br/> +What promise thou from hope in chief dost win.” +</p> + +<p> +“Both scriptures, new and ancient,” I reply’d;<br/> +“Propose the mark (which even now I view)<br/> +For souls belov’d of God. Isaias saith,<br/> +That, in their own land, each one must be clad<br/> +In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life.<br/> +In terms more full,<br/> +And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth<br/> +This revelation to us, where he tells<br/> +Of the white raiment destin’d to the saints.”<br/> +And, as the words were ending, from above,<br/> +“They hope in thee,” first heard we cried: whereto<br/> +Answer’d the carols all. Amidst them next,<br/> +A light of so clear amplitude emerg’d,<br/> +That winter’s month were but a single day,<br/> +Were such a crystal in the Cancer’s sign. +</p> + +<p> +Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes,<br/> +And enters on the mazes of the dance,<br/> +Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent,<br/> +Than to do fitting honour to the bride;<br/> +So I beheld the new effulgence come<br/> +Unto the other two, who in a ring<br/> +Wheel’d, as became their rapture. In the dance<br/> +And in the song it mingled. And the dame<br/> +Held on them fix’d her looks: e’en as the spouse<br/> +Silent and moveless. “This is he, who lay<br/> +Upon the bosom of our pelican:<br/> +This he, into whose keeping from the cross<br/> +The mighty charge was given.” Thus she spake,<br/> +Yet therefore naught the more remov’d her Sight<br/> +From marking them, or ere her words began,<br/> +Or when they clos’d. As he, who looks intent,<br/> +And strives with searching ken, how he may see<br/> +The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire<br/> +Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I<br/> +Peer’d on that last resplendence, while I heard:<br/> +“Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that,<br/> +Which here abides not? Earth my body is,<br/> +In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long,<br/> +As till our number equal the decree<br/> +Of the Most High. The two that have ascended,<br/> +In this our blessed cloister, shine alone<br/> +With the two garments. So report below.” +</p> + +<p> +As when, for ease of labour, or to shun<br/> +Suspected peril at a whistle’s breath,<br/> +The oars, erewhile dash’d frequent in the wave,<br/> +All rest; the flamy circle at that voice<br/> +So rested, and the mingling sound was still,<br/> +Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose.<br/> +I turn’d, but ah! how trembled in my thought,<br/> +When, looking at my side again to see<br/> +Beatrice, I descried her not, although<br/> +Not distant, on the happy coast she stood. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXVI"></a>CANTO XXVI</h2> + +<p> +With dazzled eyes, whilst wond’ring I remain’d,<br/> +Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me,<br/> +Issued a breath, that in attention mute<br/> +Detain’d me; and these words it spake: “’Twere well,<br/> +That, long as till thy vision, on my form<br/> +O’erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse<br/> +Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then,<br/> +Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires: +</p> + +<p> +“And meanwhile rest assur’d, that sight in thee<br/> +Is but o’erpowered a space, not wholly quench’d:<br/> +Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look<br/> +Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt<br/> +In Ananias’ hand.” I answering thus:<br/> +“Be to mine eyes the remedy or late<br/> +Or early, at her pleasure; for they were<br/> +The gates, at which she enter’d, and did light<br/> +Her never dying fire. My wishes here<br/> +Are centered; in this palace is the weal,<br/> +That Alpha and Omega, is to all<br/> +The lessons love can read me.” Yet again<br/> +The voice which had dispers’d my fear, when daz’d<br/> +With that excess, to converse urg’d, and spake:<br/> +“Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms,<br/> +And say, who level’d at this scope thy bow.” +</p> + +<p> +“Philosophy,” said I, “hath arguments,<br/> +And this place hath authority enough<br/> +T’ imprint in me such love: for, of constraint,<br/> +Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good,<br/> +Kindles our love, and in degree the more,<br/> +As it comprises more of goodness in ’t.<br/> +The essence then, where such advantage is,<br/> +That each good, found without it, is naught else<br/> +But of his light the beam, must needs attract<br/> +The soul of each one, loving, who the truth<br/> +Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth<br/> +Learn I from him, who shows me the first love<br/> +Of all intelligential substances<br/> +Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word<br/> +Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith,<br/> +‘I will make all my good before thee pass.’<br/> +Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim’st,<br/> +E’en at the outset of thy heralding,<br/> +In mortal ears the mystery of heav’n.” +</p> + +<p> +“Through human wisdom, and th’ authority<br/> +Therewith agreeing,” heard I answer’d, “keep<br/> +The choicest of thy love for God. But say,<br/> +If thou yet other cords within thee feel’st<br/> +That draw thee towards him; so that thou report<br/> +How many are the fangs, with which this love<br/> +Is grappled to thy soul.” I did not miss,<br/> +To what intent the eagle of our Lord<br/> +Had pointed his demand; yea noted well<br/> +Th’ avowal, which he led to; and resum’d:<br/> +“All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God,<br/> +Confederate to make fast our clarity.<br/> +The being of the world, and mine own being,<br/> +The death which he endur’d that I should live,<br/> +And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do,<br/> +To the foremention’d lively knowledge join’d,<br/> +Have from the sea of ill love sav’d my bark,<br/> +And on the coast secur’d it of the right.<br/> +As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom,<br/> +My love for them is great, as is the good<br/> +Dealt by th’ eternal hand, that tends them all.” +</p> + +<p> +I ended, and therewith a song most sweet<br/> +Rang through the spheres; and “Holy, holy, holy,”<br/> +Accordant with the rest my lady sang.<br/> +And as a sleep is broken and dispers’d<br/> +Through sharp encounter of the nimble light,<br/> +With the eye’s spirit running forth to meet<br/> +The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg’d;<br/> +And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees;<br/> +So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems<br/> +Of all around him, till assurance waits<br/> +On better judgment: thus the saintly came<br/> +Drove from before mine eyes the motes away,<br/> +With the resplendence of her own, that cast<br/> +Their brightness downward, thousand miles below.<br/> +Whence I my vision, clearer shall before,<br/> +Recover’d; and, well nigh astounded, ask’d<br/> +Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw. +</p> + +<p> +And Beatrice: “The first diving soul,<br/> +That ever the first virtue fram’d, admires<br/> +Within these rays his Maker.” Like the leaf,<br/> +That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown;<br/> +By its own virtue rear’d then stands aloof;<br/> +So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow’d.<br/> +Then eagerness to speak embolden’d me;<br/> +And I began: “O fruit! that wast alone<br/> +Mature, when first engender’d! Ancient father!<br/> +That doubly seest in every wedded bride<br/> +Thy daughter by affinity and blood!<br/> +Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold<br/> +Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I,<br/> +More speedily to hear thee, tell it not.” +</p> + +<p> +It chanceth oft some animal bewrays,<br/> +Through the sleek cov’ring of his furry coat.<br/> +The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms<br/> +His outside seeming to the cheer within:<br/> +And in like guise was Adam’s spirit mov’d<br/> +To joyous mood, that through the covering shone,<br/> +Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake:<br/> +“No need thy will be told, which I untold<br/> +Better discern, than thou whatever thing<br/> +Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see<br/> +In Him, who is truth’s mirror, and Himself<br/> +Parhelion unto all things, and naught else<br/> +To him. This wouldst thou hear; how long since God<br/> +Plac’d me high garden, from whose hounds<br/> +She led me up in this ladder, steep and long;<br/> +What space endur’d my season of delight;<br/> +Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish’d me;<br/> +And what the language, which I spake and fram’d<br/> +Not that I tasted of the tree, my son,<br/> +Was in itself the cause of that exile,<br/> +But only my transgressing of the mark<br/> +Assign’d me. There, whence at thy lady’s hest<br/> +The Mantuan mov’d him, still was I debarr’d<br/> +This council, till the sun had made complete,<br/> +Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice,<br/> +His annual journey; and, through every light<br/> +In his broad pathway, saw I him return,<br/> +Thousand save sev’nty times, the whilst I dwelt<br/> +Upon the earth. The language I did use<br/> +Was worn away, or ever Nimrod’s race<br/> +Their unaccomplishable work began.<br/> +For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting,<br/> +Left by his reason free, and variable,<br/> +As is the sky that sways him. That he speaks,<br/> +Is nature’s prompting: whether thus or thus,<br/> +She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it.<br/> +Ere I descended into hell’s abyss,<br/> +El was the name on earth of the Chief Good,<br/> +Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then ’twas call’d<br/> +And so beseemeth: for, in mortals, use<br/> +Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes,<br/> +And other comes instead. Upon the mount<br/> +Most high above the waters, all my life,<br/> +Both innocent and guilty, did but reach<br/> +From the first hour, to that which cometh next<br/> +(As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXVII"></a>CANTO XXVII</h2> + +<p> +Then “Glory to the Father, to the Son,<br/> +And to the Holy Spirit,” rang aloud<br/> +Throughout all Paradise, that with the song<br/> +My spirit reel’d, so passing sweet the strain:<br/> +And what I saw was equal ecstasy;<br/> +One universal smile it seem’d of all things,<br/> +Joy past compare, gladness unutterable,<br/> +Imperishable life of peace and love,<br/> +Exhaustless riches and unmeasur’d bliss. +</p> + +<p> +Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit;<br/> +And that, which first had come, began to wax<br/> +In brightness, and in semblance such became,<br/> +As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds,<br/> +And interchang’d their plumes. Silence ensued,<br/> +Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints<br/> +Vicissitude of ministry, enjoin’d;<br/> +When thus I heard: “Wonder not, if my hue<br/> +Be chang’d; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see<br/> +All in like manner change with me. My place<br/> +He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine,<br/> +Which in the presence of the Son of God<br/> +Is void), the same hath made my cemetery<br/> +A common sewer of puddle and of blood:<br/> +The more below his triumph, who from hence<br/> +Malignant fell.” Such colour, as the sun,<br/> +At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud,<br/> +Then saw I sprinkled over all the sky.<br/> +And as th’ unblemish’d dame, who in herself<br/> +Secure of censure, yet at bare report<br/> +Of other’s failing, shrinks with maiden fear;<br/> +So Beatrice in her semblance chang’d:<br/> +And such eclipse in heav’n methinks was seen,<br/> +When the Most Holy suffer’d. Then the words<br/> +Proceeded, with voice, alter’d from itself<br/> +So clean, the semblance did not alter more.<br/> +“Not to this end was Christ’s spouse with my blood,<br/> +With that of Linus, and of Cletus fed:<br/> +That she might serve for purchase of base gold:<br/> +But for the purchase of this happy life<br/> +Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed,<br/> +And Urban, they, whose doom was not without<br/> +Much weeping seal’d. No purpose was of our<br/> +That on the right hand of our successors<br/> +Part of the Christian people should be set,<br/> +And part upon their left; nor that the keys,<br/> +Which were vouchsaf’d me, should for ensign serve<br/> +Unto the banners, that do levy war<br/> +On the baptiz’d: nor I, for sigil-mark<br/> +Set upon sold and lying privileges;<br/> +Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red.<br/> +In shepherd’s clothing greedy wolves below<br/> +Range wide o’er all the pastures. Arm of God!<br/> +Why longer sleepst thou? Caorsines and Gascona<br/> +Prepare to quaff our blood. O good beginning<br/> +To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop!<br/> +But the high providence, which did defend<br/> +Through Scipio the world’s glory unto Rome,<br/> +Will not delay its succour: and thou, son,<br/> +Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again<br/> +Return below, open thy lips, nor hide<br/> +What is by me not hidden.” As a Hood<br/> +Of frozen vapours streams adown the air,<br/> +What time the she-goat with her skiey horn<br/> +Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide<br/> +The vapours, who with us had linger’d late<br/> +And with glad triumph deck th’ ethereal cope.<br/> +Onward my sight their semblances pursued;<br/> +So far pursued, as till the space between<br/> +From its reach sever’d them: whereat the guide<br/> +Celestial, marking me no more intent<br/> +On upward gazing, said, “Look down and see<br/> +What circuit thou hast compass’d.” From the hour<br/> +When I before had cast my view beneath,<br/> +All the first region overpast I saw,<br/> +Which from the midmost to the bound’ry winds;<br/> +That onward thence from Gades I beheld<br/> +The unwise passage of Laertes’ son,<br/> +And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa!<br/> +Mad’st thee a joyful burden: and yet more<br/> +Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun,<br/> +A constellation off and more, had ta’en<br/> +His progress in the zodiac underneath. +</p> + +<p> +Then by the spirit, that doth never leave<br/> +Its amorous dalliance with my lady’s looks,<br/> +Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes<br/> +Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles,<br/> +Whenas I turn’d me, pleasure so divine<br/> +Did lighten on me, that whatever bait<br/> +Or art or nature in the human flesh,<br/> +Or in its limn’d resemblance, can combine<br/> +Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal,<br/> +Were to her beauty nothing. Its boon influence<br/> +From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth,<br/> +And wafted on into the swiftest heav’n. +</p> + +<p> +What place for entrance Beatrice chose,<br/> +I may not say, so uniform was all,<br/> +Liveliest and loftiest. She my secret wish<br/> +Divin’d; and with such gladness, that God’s love<br/> +Seem’d from her visage shining, thus began:<br/> +“Here is the goal, whence motion on his race<br/> +Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest<br/> +All mov’d around. Except the soul divine,<br/> +Place in this heav’n is none, the soul divine,<br/> +Wherein the love, which ruleth o’er its orb,<br/> +Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds;<br/> +One circle, light and love, enclasping it,<br/> +As this doth clasp the others; and to Him,<br/> +Who draws the bound, its limit only known.<br/> +Measur’d itself by none, it doth divide<br/> +Motion to all, counted unto them forth,<br/> +As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten.<br/> +The vase, wherein time’s roots are plung’d, thou seest,<br/> +Look elsewhere for the leaves. O mortal lust!<br/> +That canst not lift thy head above the waves<br/> +Which whelm and sink thee down! The will in man<br/> +Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise<br/> +Is, by the dripping of perpetual rain,<br/> +Made mere abortion: faith and innocence<br/> +Are met with but in babes, each taking leave<br/> +Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts,<br/> +While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose<br/> +Gluts every food alike in every moon.<br/> +One yet a babbler, loves and listens to<br/> +His mother; but no sooner hath free use<br/> +Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave.<br/> +So suddenly doth the fair child of him,<br/> +Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting,<br/> +To negro blackness change her virgin white. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none<br/> +Bears rule in earth, and its frail family<br/> +Are therefore wand’rers. Yet before the date,<br/> +When through the hundredth in his reck’ning drops<br/> +Pale January must be shor’d aside<br/> +From winter’s calendar, these heav’nly spheres<br/> +Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain<br/> +To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow;<br/> +So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit,<br/> +Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXVIII"></a>CANTO XXVII</h2> + +<p> +So she who doth imparadise my soul,<br/> +Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life,<br/> +And bar’d the truth of poor mortality;<br/> +When lo! as one who, in a mirror, spies<br/> +The shining of a flambeau at his back,<br/> +Lit sudden ore he deem of its approach,<br/> +And turneth to resolve him, if the glass<br/> +Have told him true, and sees the record faithful<br/> +As note is to its metre; even thus,<br/> +I well remember, did befall to me,<br/> +Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love<br/> +Had made the leash to take me. As I turn’d;<br/> +And that, which, in their circles, none who spies,<br/> +Can miss of, in itself apparent, struck<br/> +On mine; a point I saw, that darted light<br/> +So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up<br/> +Against its keenness. The least star we view<br/> +From hence, had seem’d a moon, set by its side,<br/> +As star by side of star. And so far off,<br/> +Perchance, as is the halo from the light<br/> +Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads,<br/> +There wheel’d about the point a circle of fire,<br/> +More rapid than the motion, which first girds<br/> +The world. Then, circle after circle, round<br/> +Enring’d each other; till the seventh reach’d<br/> +Circumference so ample, that its bow,<br/> +Within the span of Juno’s messenger,<br/> +lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev’nth,<br/> +Follow’d yet other two. And every one,<br/> +As more in number distant from the first,<br/> +Was tardier in motion; and that glow’d<br/> +With flame most pure, that to the sparkle’ of truth<br/> +Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks,<br/> +Of its reality. The guide belov’d<br/> +Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake:<br/> +“Heav’n, and all nature, hangs upon that point.<br/> +The circle thereto most conjoin’d observe;<br/> +And know, that by intenser love its course<br/> +Is to this swiftness wing’d.” To whom I thus:<br/> +“It were enough; nor should I further seek,<br/> +Had I but witness’d order, in the world<br/> +Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen.<br/> +But in the sensible world such diff’rence is,<br/> +That is each round shows more divinity,<br/> +As each is wider from the centre. Hence,<br/> +If in this wondrous and angelic temple,<br/> +That hath for confine only light and love,<br/> +My wish may have completion I must know,<br/> +Wherefore such disagreement is between<br/> +Th’ exemplar and its copy: for myself,<br/> +Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is no marvel, if thy fingers foil’d<br/> +Do leave the knot untied: so hard ’tis grown<br/> +For want of tenting.” Thus she said: “But take,”<br/> +She added, “if thou wish thy cure, my words,<br/> +And entertain them subtly. Every orb<br/> +Corporeal, doth proportion its extent<br/> +Unto the virtue through its parts diffus’d.<br/> +The greater blessedness preserves the more.<br/> +The greater is the body (if all parts<br/> +Share equally) the more is to preserve.<br/> +Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels<br/> +The universal frame answers to that,<br/> +Which is supreme in knowledge and in love<br/> +Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth<br/> +Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav’ns,<br/> +Each to the’ intelligence that ruleth it,<br/> +Greater to more, and smaller unto less,<br/> +Suited in strict and wondrous harmony.” +</p> + +<p> +As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek<br/> +A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air,<br/> +Clear’d of the rack, that hung on it before,<br/> +Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil’d,<br/> +The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles;<br/> +Such was my cheer, when Beatrice drove<br/> +With clear reply the shadows back, and truth<br/> +Was manifested, as a star in heaven.<br/> +And when the words were ended, not unlike<br/> +To iron in the furnace, every cirque<br/> +Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires:<br/> +And every sparkle shivering to new blaze,<br/> +In number did outmillion the account<br/> +Reduplicate upon the chequer’d board.<br/> +Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir,<br/> +“Hosanna,” to the fixed point, that holds,<br/> +And shall for ever hold them to their place,<br/> +From everlasting, irremovable. +</p> + +<p> +Musing awhile I stood: and she, who saw<br/> +by inward meditations, thus began:<br/> +“In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst,<br/> +Are seraphim and cherubim. Thus swift<br/> +Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point,<br/> +Near as they can, approaching; and they can<br/> +The more, the loftier their vision. Those,<br/> +That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next,<br/> +Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends. And all<br/> +Are blessed, even as their sight descends<br/> +Deeper into the truth, wherein rest is<br/> +For every mind. Thus happiness hath root<br/> +In seeing, not in loving, which of sight<br/> +Is aftergrowth. And of the seeing such<br/> +The meed, as unto each in due degree<br/> +Grace and good-will their measure have assign’d.<br/> +The other trine, that with still opening buds<br/> +In this eternal springtide blossom fair,<br/> +Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram,<br/> +Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold<br/> +Hosannas blending ever, from the three<br/> +Transmitted. hierarchy of gods, for aye<br/> +Rejoicing, dominations first, next then<br/> +Virtues, and powers the third. The next to whom<br/> +Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round<br/> +To tread their festal ring; and last the band<br/> +Angelical, disporting in their sphere.<br/> +All, as they circle in their orders, look<br/> +Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail,<br/> +That all with mutual impulse tend to God.<br/> +These once a mortal view beheld. Desire<br/> +In Dionysius so intently wrought,<br/> +That he, as I have done rang’d them; and nam’d<br/> +Their orders, marshal’d in his thought. From him<br/> +Dissentient, one refus’d his sacred read.<br/> +But soon as in this heav’n his doubting eyes<br/> +Were open’d, Gregory at his error smil’d<br/> +Nor marvel, that a denizen of earth<br/> +Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt<br/> +Both this and much beside of these our orbs,<br/> +From an eye-witness to heav’n’s mysteries.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXIX"></a>CANTO XXIX</h2> + +<p> +No longer than what time Latona’s twins<br/> +Cover’d of Libra and the fleecy star,<br/> +Together both, girding the’ horizon hang,<br/> +In even balance from the zenith pois’d,<br/> +Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere,<br/> +Part the nice level; e’en so brief a space<br/> +Did Beatrice’s silence hold. A smile<br/> +Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix’d gaze<br/> +Bent on the point, at which my vision fail’d:<br/> +When thus her words resuming she began:<br/> +“I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand;<br/> +For I have mark’d it, where all time and place<br/> +Are present. Not for increase to himself<br/> +Of good, which may not be increas’d, but forth<br/> +To manifest his glory by its beams,<br/> +Inhabiting his own eternity,<br/> +Beyond time’s limit or what bound soe’er<br/> +To circumscribe his being, as he will’d,<br/> +Into new natures, like unto himself,<br/> +Eternal Love unfolded. Nor before,<br/> +As if in dull inaction torpid lay.<br/> +For not in process of before or aft<br/> +Upon these waters mov’d the Spirit of God.<br/> +Simple and mix’d, both form and substance, forth<br/> +To perfect being started, like three darts<br/> +Shot from a bow three-corded. And as ray<br/> +In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire,<br/> +E’en at the moment of its issuing; thus<br/> +Did, from th’ eternal Sovran, beam entire<br/> +His threefold operation, at one act<br/> +Produc’d coeval. Yet in order each<br/> +Created his due station knew: those highest,<br/> +Who pure intelligence were made: mere power<br/> +The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league,<br/> +Intelligence and power, unsever’d bond.<br/> +Long tract of ages by the angels past,<br/> +Ere the creating of another world,<br/> +Describ’d on Jerome’s pages thou hast seen.<br/> +But that what I disclose to thee is true,<br/> +Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov’d<br/> +In many a passage of their sacred book<br/> +Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find<br/> +And reason in some sort discerns the same,<br/> +Who scarce would grant the heav’nly ministers<br/> +Of their perfection void, so long a space.<br/> +Thus when and where these spirits of love were made,<br/> +Thou know’st, and how: and knowing hast allay’d<br/> +Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose.<br/> +Ere one had reckon’d twenty, e’en so soon<br/> +Part of the angels fell: and in their fall<br/> +Confusion to your elements ensued.<br/> +The others kept their station: and this task,<br/> +Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight,<br/> +That they surcease not ever, day nor night,<br/> +Their circling. Of that fatal lapse the cause<br/> +Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen<br/> +Pent with the world’s incumbrance. Those, whom here<br/> +Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves<br/> +Of his free bounty, who had made them apt<br/> +For ministries so high: therefore their views<br/> +Were by enlight’ning grace and their own merit<br/> +Exalted; so that in their will confirm’d<br/> +They stand, nor feel to fall. For do not doubt,<br/> +But to receive the grace, which heav’n vouchsafes,<br/> +Is meritorious, even as the soul<br/> +With prompt affection welcometh the guest.<br/> +Now, without further help, if with good heed<br/> +My words thy mind have treasur’d, thou henceforth<br/> +This consistory round about mayst scan,<br/> +And gaze thy fill. But since thou hast on earth<br/> +Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools,<br/> +Canvas the’ angelic nature, and dispute<br/> +Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice;<br/> +Therefore, ’tis well thou take from me the truth,<br/> +Pure and without disguise, which they below,<br/> +Equivocating, darken and perplex. +</p> + +<p> +“Know thou, that, from the first, these substances,<br/> +Rejoicing in the countenance of God,<br/> +Have held unceasingly their view, intent<br/> +Upon the glorious vision, from the which<br/> +Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change<br/> +Of newness with succession interrupts,<br/> +Remembrance there needs none to gather up<br/> +Divided thought and images remote +</p> + +<p> +“So that men, thus at variance with the truth<br/> +Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some<br/> +Of error; others well aware they err,<br/> +To whom more guilt and shame are justly due.<br/> +Each the known track of sage philosophy<br/> +Deserts, and has a byway of his own:<br/> +So much the restless eagerness to shine<br/> +And love of singularity prevail.<br/> +Yet this, offensive as it is, provokes<br/> +Heav’n’s anger less, than when the book of God<br/> +Is forc’d to yield to man’s authority,<br/> +Or from its straightness warp’d: no reck’ning made<br/> +What blood the sowing of it in the world<br/> +Has cost; what favour for himself he wins,<br/> +Who meekly clings to it. The aim of all<br/> +Is how to shine: e’en they, whose office is<br/> +To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep,<br/> +And pass their own inventions off instead.<br/> +One tells, how at Christ’s suffering the wan moon<br/> +Bent back her steps, and shadow’d o’er the sun<br/> +With intervenient disk, as she withdrew:<br/> +Another, how the light shrouded itself<br/> +Within its tabernacle, and left dark<br/> +The Spaniard and the Indian, with the Jew.<br/> +Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears,<br/> +Bandied about more frequent, than the names<br/> +Of Bindi and of Lapi in her streets.<br/> +The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return<br/> +From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails<br/> +For their excuse, they do not see their harm?<br/> +Christ said not to his first conventicle,<br/> +‘Go forth and preach impostures to the world,’<br/> +But gave them truth to build on; and the sound<br/> +Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they,<br/> +Beside the gospel, other spear or shield,<br/> +To aid them in their warfare for the faith.<br/> +The preacher now provides himself with store<br/> +Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack<br/> +Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl<br/> +Distends, and he has won the meed he sought:<br/> +Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while<br/> +Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood,<br/> +They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said.<br/> +Which now the dotards hold in such esteem,<br/> +That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad<br/> +The hands of holy promise, finds a throng<br/> +Of credulous fools beneath. Saint Anthony<br/> +Fattens with this his swine, and others worse<br/> +Than swine, who diet at his lazy board,<br/> +Paying with unstamp’d metal for their fare. +</p> + +<p> +“But (for we far have wander’d) let us seek<br/> +The forward path again; so as the way<br/> +Be shorten’d with the time. No mortal tongue<br/> +Nor thought of man hath ever reach’d so far,<br/> +That of these natures he might count the tribes.<br/> +What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal’d<br/> +With finite number infinite conceals.<br/> +The fountain at whose source these drink their beams,<br/> +With light supplies them in as many modes,<br/> +As there are splendours, that it shines on: each<br/> +According to the virtue it conceives,<br/> +Differing in love and sweet affection.<br/> +Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth<br/> +The’ eternal might, which, broken and dispers’d<br/> +Over such countless mirrors, yet remains<br/> +Whole in itself and one, as at the first.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXX"></a>CANTO XXX</h2> + +<p> +Noon’s fervid hour perchance six thousand miles<br/> +From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone<br/> +Almost to level on our earth declines;<br/> +When from the midmost of this blue abyss<br/> +By turns some star is to our vision lost.<br/> +And straightway as the handmaid of the sun<br/> +Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light,<br/> +Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in,<br/> +E’en to the loveliest of the glittering throng.<br/> +Thus vanish’d gradually from my sight<br/> +The triumph, which plays ever round the point,<br/> +That overcame me, seeming (for it did)<br/> +Engirt by that it girdeth. Wherefore love,<br/> +With loss of other object, forc’d me bend<br/> +Mine eyes on Beatrice once again. +</p> + +<p> +If all, that hitherto is told of her,<br/> +Were in one praise concluded, ’twere too weak<br/> +To furnish out this turn. Mine eyes did look<br/> +On beauty, such, as I believe in sooth,<br/> +Not merely to exceed our human, but,<br/> +That save its Maker, none can to the full<br/> +Enjoy it. At this point o’erpower’d I fail,<br/> +Unequal to my theme, as never bard<br/> +Of buskin or of sock hath fail’d before.<br/> +For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight,<br/> +E’en so remembrance of that witching smile<br/> +Hath dispossess my spirit of itself.<br/> +Not from that day, when on this earth I first<br/> +Beheld her charms, up to that view of them,<br/> +Have I with song applausive ever ceas’d<br/> +To follow, but not follow them no more;<br/> +My course here bounded, as each artist’s is,<br/> +When it doth touch the limit of his skill. +</p> + +<p> +She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit<br/> +Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on,<br/> +Urging its arduous matter to the close),<br/> +Her words resum’d, in gesture and in voice<br/> +Resembling one accustom’d to command:<br/> +“Forth from the last corporeal are we come<br/> +Into the heav’n, that is unbodied light,<br/> +Light intellectual replete with love,<br/> +Love of true happiness replete with joy,<br/> +Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight.<br/> +Here shalt thou look on either mighty host<br/> +Of Paradise; and one in that array,<br/> +Which in the final judgment thou shalt see.” +</p> + +<p> +As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen<br/> +Unfolded, dashes from the blinding eyes<br/> +The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm’d;<br/> +So, round about me, fulminating streams<br/> +Of living radiance play’d, and left me swath’d<br/> +And veil’d in dense impenetrable blaze.<br/> +Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav’n;<br/> +For its own flame the torch this fitting ever! +</p> + +<p> +No sooner to my list’ning ear had come<br/> +The brief assurance, than I understood<br/> +New virtue into me infus’d, and sight<br/> +Kindled afresh, with vigour to sustain<br/> +Excess of light, however pure. I look’d;<br/> +And in the likeness of a river saw<br/> +Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves<br/> +Flash’d up effulgence, as they glided on<br/> +’Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring,<br/> +Incredible how fair; and, from the tide,<br/> +There ever and anon, outstarting, flew<br/> +Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow’rs<br/> +Did set them, like to rubies chas’d in gold;<br/> +Then, as if drunk with odors, plung’d again<br/> +Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one<br/> +Re’enter’d, still another rose. “The thirst<br/> +Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam’d,<br/> +To search the meaning of what here thou seest,<br/> +The more it warms thee, pleases me the more.<br/> +But first behooves thee of this water drink,<br/> +Or ere that longing be allay’d.” So spake<br/> +The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin’d:<br/> +“This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf,<br/> +And diving back, a living topaz each,<br/> +With all this laughter on its bloomy shores,<br/> +Are but a preface, shadowy of the truth<br/> +They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things<br/> +Are crude; but on thy part is the defect,<br/> +For that thy views not yet aspire so high.”<br/> +Never did babe, that had outslept his wont,<br/> +Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk,<br/> +As I toward the water, bending me,<br/> +To make the better mirrors of mine eyes<br/> +In the refining wave; and, as the eaves<br/> +Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith<br/> +Seem’d it unto me turn’d from length to round,<br/> +Then as a troop of maskers, when they put<br/> +Their vizors off, look other than before,<br/> +The counterfeited semblance thrown aside;<br/> +So into greater jubilee were chang’d<br/> +Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw<br/> +Before me either court of heav’n displac’d. +</p> + +<p> +O prime enlightener! thou who crav’st me strength<br/> +On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze!<br/> +Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn’d,<br/> + There is in heav’n a light, whose goodly shine<br/> +Makes the Creator visible to all<br/> +Created, that in seeing him alone<br/> +Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far,<br/> +That the circumference were too loose a zone<br/> +To girdle in the sun. All is one beam,<br/> +Reflected from the summit of the first,<br/> +That moves, which being hence and vigour takes,<br/> +And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes<br/> +Its image mirror’d in the crystal flood,<br/> +As if ’t admire its brave appareling<br/> +Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about,<br/> +Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones,<br/> +Stood, eminent, whatever from our earth<br/> +Has to the skies return’d. How wide the leaves<br/> +Extended to their utmost of this rose,<br/> +Whose lowest step embosoms such a space<br/> +Of ample radiance! Yet, nor amplitude<br/> +Nor height impeded, but my view with ease<br/> +Took in the full dimensions of that joy.<br/> +Near or remote, what there avails, where God<br/> +Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends<br/> +Her sway? Into the yellow of the rose<br/> +Perennial, which in bright expansiveness,<br/> +Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent<br/> +Of praises to the never-wint’ring sun,<br/> +As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace,<br/> +Beatrice led me; and, “Behold,” she said,<br/> +“This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white<br/> +How numberless! The city, where we dwell,<br/> +Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng’d<br/> +Few now are wanting here! In that proud stall,<br/> +On which, the crown, already o’er its state<br/> +Suspended, holds thine eyes—or ere thyself<br/> +Mayst at the wedding sup,—shall rest the soul<br/> +Of the great Harry, he who, by the world<br/> +Augustas hail’d, to Italy must come,<br/> +Before her day be ripe. But ye are sick,<br/> +And in your tetchy wantonness as blind,<br/> +As is the bantling, that of hunger dies,<br/> +And drives away the nurse. Nor may it be,<br/> +That he, who in the sacred forum sways,<br/> +Openly or in secret, shall with him<br/> +Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure<br/> +I’ th’ holy office long; but thrust him down<br/> +To Simon Magus, where Magna’s priest<br/> +Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXXI"></a>CANTO XXXI</h2> + +<p> +In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then<br/> +Before my view the saintly multitude,<br/> +Which in his own blood Christ espous’d. Meanwhile<br/> +That other host, that soar aloft to gaze<br/> +And celebrate his glory, whom they love,<br/> +Hover’d around; and, like a troop of bees,<br/> +Amid the vernal sweets alighting now,<br/> +Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows,<br/> +Flew downward to the mighty flow’r, or rose<br/> +From the redundant petals, streaming back<br/> +Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy.<br/> +Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold;<br/> +The rest was whiter than the driven snow.<br/> +And as they flitted down into the flower,<br/> +From range to range, fanning their plumy loins,<br/> +Whisper’d the peace and ardour, which they won<br/> +From that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast<br/> +Interposition of such numerous flight<br/> +Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view<br/> +Obstructed aught. For, through the universe,<br/> +Wherever merited, celestial light<br/> +Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents. +</p> + +<p> +All there, who reign in safety and in bliss,<br/> +Ages long past or new, on one sole mark<br/> +Their love and vision fix’d. O trinal beam<br/> +Of individual star, that charmst them thus,<br/> +Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below! +</p> + +<p> +If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam’d,<br/> +(Where helice, forever, as she wheels,<br/> +Sparkles a mother’s fondness on her son)<br/> +Stood in mute wonder ’mid the works of Rome,<br/> +When to their view the Lateran arose<br/> +In greatness more than earthly; I, who then<br/> +From human to divine had past, from time<br/> +Unto eternity, and out of Florence<br/> +To justice and to truth, how might I choose<br/> +But marvel too? ’Twixt gladness and amaze,<br/> +In sooth no will had I to utter aught,<br/> +Or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests<br/> +Within the temple of his vow, looks round<br/> +In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell<br/> +Of all its goodly state: e’en so mine eyes<br/> +Cours’d up and down along the living light,<br/> +Now low, and now aloft, and now around,<br/> +Visiting every step. Looks I beheld,<br/> +Where charity in soft persuasion sat,<br/> +Smiles from within and radiance from above,<br/> +And in each gesture grace and honour high. +</p> + +<p> +So rov’d my ken, and its general form<br/> +All Paradise survey’d: when round I turn’d<br/> +With purpose of my lady to inquire<br/> +Once more of things, that held my thought suspense,<br/> +But answer found from other than I ween’d;<br/> +For, Beatrice, when I thought to see,<br/> +I saw instead a senior, at my side,<br/> + Rob’d, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign<br/> +Glow’d in his eye, and o’er his cheek diffus’d,<br/> +With gestures such as spake a father’s love.<br/> +And, “Whither is she vanish’d?” straight I ask’d. +</p> + +<p> +“By Beatrice summon’d,” he replied,<br/> +“I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft<br/> +To the third circle from the highest, there<br/> +Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit<br/> +Hath plac’d her.” Answering not, mine eyes I rais’d,<br/> +And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow<br/> +A wreath reflecting of eternal beams.<br/> +Not from the centre of the sea so far<br/> +Unto the region of the highest thunder,<br/> +As was my ken from hers; and yet the form<br/> +Came through that medium down, unmix’d and pure, +</p> + +<p> +“O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest!<br/> +Who, for my safety, hast not scorn’d, in hell<br/> +To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark’d!<br/> +For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power<br/> +And goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave,<br/> +Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means,<br/> +For my deliverance apt, hast left untried.<br/> +Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep.<br/> +That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole,<br/> +Is loosen’d from this body, it may find<br/> +Favour with thee.” So I my suit preferr’d:<br/> +And she, so distant, as appear’d, look’d down,<br/> +And smil’d; then tow’rds th’ eternal fountain turn’d. +</p> + +<p> +And thus the senior, holy and rever’d:<br/> +“That thou at length mayst happily conclude<br/> +Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch’d,<br/> +By supplication mov’d and holy love)<br/> +Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large,<br/> +This garden through: for so, by ray divine<br/> +Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount;<br/> +And from heav’n’s queen, whom fervent I adore,<br/> +All gracious aid befriend us; for that I<br/> +Am her own faithful Bernard.” Like a wight,<br/> +Who haply from Croatia wends to see<br/> +Our Veronica, and the while ’tis shown,<br/> +Hangs over it with never-sated gaze,<br/> +And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith<br/> +Unto himself in thought: “And didst thou look<br/> +E’en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God?<br/> +And was this semblance thine?” So gaz’d I then<br/> +Adoring; for the charity of him,<br/> +Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy’d,<br/> +Stood lively before me. “Child of grace!”<br/> +Thus he began: “thou shalt not knowledge gain<br/> +Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held<br/> +Still in this depth below. But search around<br/> +The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy<br/> +Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm<br/> +Is sovran.” Straight mine eyes I rais’d; and bright,<br/> +As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime<br/> +Above th’ horizon, where the sun declines;<br/> +To mine eyes, that upward, as from vale<br/> +To mountain sped, at th’ extreme bound, a part<br/> +Excell’d in lustre all the front oppos’d.<br/> +And as the glow burns ruddiest o’er the wave,<br/> +That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton<br/> +Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light<br/> +Diminish’d fades, intensest in the midst;<br/> +So burn’d the peaceful oriflame, and slack’d<br/> +On every side the living flame decay’d.<br/> +And in that midst their sportive pennons wav’d<br/> +Thousands of angels; in resplendence each<br/> +Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee<br/> +And carol, smil’d the Lovely One of heav’n,<br/> +That joy was in the eyes of all the blest. +</p> + +<p> +Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich,<br/> +As is the colouring in fancy’s loom,<br/> +’Twere all too poor to utter the least part<br/> +Of that enchantment. When he saw mine eyes<br/> +Intent on her, that charm’d him, Bernard gaz’d<br/> +With so exceeding fondness, as infus’d<br/> +Ardour into my breast, unfelt before. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXXII"></a>CANTO XXXII</h2> + +<p> +Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high,<br/> +Assum’d the teacher’s part, and mild began:<br/> +“The wound, that Mary clos’d, she open’d first,<br/> +Who sits so beautiful at Mary’s feet.<br/> +The third in order, underneath her, lo!<br/> +Rachel with Beatrice. Sarah next,<br/> +Judith, Rebecca, and the gleaner maid,<br/> +Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs<br/> +Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood.<br/> +All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf,<br/> +Are in gradation throned on the rose.<br/> +And from the seventh step, successively,<br/> +Adown the breathing tresses of the flow’r<br/> +Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed.<br/> +For these are a partition wall, whereby<br/> +The sacred stairs are sever’d, as the faith<br/> +In Christ divides them. On this part, where blooms<br/> +Each leaf in full maturity, are set<br/> +Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ’d.<br/> +On th’ other, where an intersected space<br/> +Yet shows the semicircle void, abide<br/> +All they, who look’d to Christ already come.<br/> +And as our Lady on her glorious stool,<br/> +And they who on their stools beneath her sit,<br/> +This way distinction make: e’en so on his,<br/> +The mighty Baptist that way marks the line<br/> +(He who endur’d the desert and the pains<br/> +Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell,<br/> +Yet still continued holy), and beneath,<br/> +Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest,<br/> +Thus far from round to round. So heav’n’s decree<br/> +Forecasts, this garden equally to fill.<br/> +With faith in either view, past or to come,<br/> +Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves<br/> +Midway the twain compartments, none there are<br/> +Who place obtain for merit of their own,<br/> +But have through others’ merit been advanc’d,<br/> +On set conditions: spirits all releas’d,<br/> +Ere for themselves they had the power to choose.<br/> +And, if thou mark and listen to them well,<br/> +Their childish looks and voice declare as much. +</p> + +<p> +“Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt;<br/> +And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein<br/> +Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee. From this realm<br/> +Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find,<br/> +No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can.<br/> +A law immutable hath establish’d all;<br/> +Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit,<br/> +Exactly, as the finger to the ring.<br/> +It is not therefore without cause, that these,<br/> +O’erspeedy comers to immortal life,<br/> +Are different in their shares of excellence.<br/> +Our Sovran Lord—that settleth this estate<br/> +In love and in delight so absolute,<br/> +That wish can dare no further—every soul,<br/> +Created in his joyous sight to dwell,<br/> +With grace at pleasure variously endows.<br/> +And for a proof th’ effect may well suffice.<br/> +And ’tis moreover most expressly mark’d<br/> +In holy scripture, where the twins are said<br/> +To, have struggled in the womb. Therefore, as grace<br/> +Inweaves the coronet, so every brow<br/> +Weareth its proper hue of orient light.<br/> +And merely in respect to his prime gift,<br/> +Not in reward of meritorious deed,<br/> +Hath each his several degree assign’d.<br/> +In early times with their own innocence<br/> +More was not wanting, than the parents’ faith,<br/> +To save them: those first ages past, behoov’d<br/> +That circumcision in the males should imp<br/> +The flight of innocent wings: but since the day<br/> +Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites<br/> +In Christ accomplish’d, innocence herself<br/> +Must linger yet below. Now raise thy view<br/> +Unto the visage most resembling Christ:<br/> +For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win<br/> +The pow’r to look on him.” Forthwith I saw<br/> +Such floods of gladness on her visage shower’d,<br/> +From holy spirits, winging that profound;<br/> +That, whatsoever I had yet beheld,<br/> +Had not so much suspended me with wonder,<br/> +Or shown me such similitude of God.<br/> +And he, who had to her descended, once,<br/> +On earth, now hail’d in heav’n; and on pois’d wing.<br/> +“Ave, Maria, Gratia Plena,” sang:<br/> +To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court,<br/> +From all parts answ’ring, rang: that holier joy<br/> +Brooded the deep serene. “Father rever’d:<br/> +Who deign’st, for me, to quit the pleasant place,<br/> +Wherein thou sittest, by eternal lot!<br/> +Say, who that angel is, that with such glee<br/> +Beholds our queen, and so enamour’d glows<br/> +Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems.”<br/> +So I again resorted to the lore<br/> +Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary’s charms<br/> +Embellish’d, as the sun the morning star;<br/> +Who thus in answer spake: “In him are summ’d,<br/> +Whatever of buxomness and free delight<br/> +May be in Spirit, or in angel, met:<br/> +And so beseems: for that he bare the palm<br/> +Down unto Mary, when the Son of God<br/> +Vouchsaf’d to clothe him in terrestrial weeds.<br/> +Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words,<br/> +And note thou of this just and pious realm<br/> +The chiefest nobles. Those, highest in bliss,<br/> +The twain, on each hand next our empress thron’d,<br/> +Are as it were two roots unto this rose.<br/> +He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste<br/> +Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right,<br/> +That ancient father of the holy church,<br/> +Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys<br/> +Of this sweet flow’r: near whom behold the seer,<br/> +That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times<br/> +Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails<br/> +Was won. And, near unto the other, rests<br/> +The leader, under whom on manna fed<br/> +Th’ ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse.<br/> +On th’ other part, facing to Peter, lo!<br/> +Where Anna sits, so well content to look<br/> +On her lov’d daughter, that with moveless eye<br/> +She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos’d<br/> +To the first father of your mortal kind,<br/> +Is Lucia, at whose hest thy lady sped,<br/> +When on the edge of ruin clos’d thine eye. +</p> + +<p> +“But (for the vision hasteneth so an end)<br/> +Here break we off, as the good workman doth,<br/> +That shapes the cloak according to the cloth:<br/> +And to the primal love our ken shall rise;<br/> +That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far<br/> +As sight can bear thee. Yet, alas! in sooth<br/> +Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance,<br/> +Thou backward fall’st. Grace then must first be gain’d;<br/> +Her grace, whose might can help thee. Thou in prayer<br/> +Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue,<br/> +Attend, and yield me all thy heart.” He said,<br/> +And thus the saintly orison began. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXXIII"></a>CANTO XXXIII</h2> + +<p> +“O virgin mother, daughter of thy Son,<br/> +Created beings all in lowliness<br/> +Surpassing, as in height, above them all,<br/> +Term by th’ eternal counsel pre-ordain’d,<br/> +Ennobler of thy nature, so advanc’d<br/> +In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn,<br/> +Himself, in his own work enclos’d to dwell!<br/> +For in thy womb rekindling shone the love<br/> +Reveal’d, whose genial influence makes now<br/> +This flower to germin in eternal peace!<br/> +Here thou to us, of charity and love,<br/> +Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath,<br/> +To mortal men, of hope a living spring.<br/> +So mighty art thou, lady! and so great,<br/> +That he who grace desireth, and comes not<br/> +To thee for aidance, fain would have desire<br/> +Fly without wings. Nor only him who asks,<br/> +Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft<br/> +Forerun the asking. Whatsoe’er may be<br/> +Of excellence in creature, pity mild,<br/> +Relenting mercy, large munificence,<br/> +Are all combin’d in thee. Here kneeleth one,<br/> +Who of all spirits hath review’d the state,<br/> +From the world’s lowest gap unto this height.<br/> +Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace<br/> +For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken<br/> +Toward the bliss supreme. And I, who ne’er<br/> +Coveted sight, more fondly, for myself,<br/> +Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer,<br/> +(And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive<br/> +Each cloud of his mortality away;<br/> +That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze.<br/> +This also I entreat of thee, O queen!<br/> +Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou<br/> +Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve<br/> +Affection sound, and human passions quell.<br/> +Lo! Where, with Beatrice, many a saint<br/> +Stretch their clasp’d hands, in furtherance of my suit!” +</p> + +<p> +The eyes, that heav’n with love and awe regards,<br/> +Fix’d on the suitor, witness’d, how benign<br/> +She looks on pious pray’rs: then fasten’d they<br/> +On th’ everlasting light, wherein no eye<br/> +Of creature, as may well be thought, so far<br/> +Can travel inward. I, meanwhile, who drew<br/> +Near to the limit, where all wishes end,<br/> +The ardour of my wish (for so behooved),<br/> +Ended within me. Beck’ning smil’d the sage,<br/> +That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade,<br/> +Already of myself aloft I look’d;<br/> +For visual strength, refining more and more,<br/> +Bare me into the ray authentical<br/> +Of sovran light. Thenceforward, what I saw,<br/> +Was not for words to speak, nor memory’s self<br/> +To stand against such outrage on her skill.<br/> +As one, who from a dream awaken’d, straight,<br/> +All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains<br/> +Impression of the feeling in his dream;<br/> +E’en such am I: for all the vision dies,<br/> +As ’twere, away; and yet the sense of sweet,<br/> +That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart.<br/> +Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal’d;<br/> +Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost<br/> +The Sybil’s sentence. O eternal beam!<br/> +(Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?)<br/> +Yield me again some little particle<br/> +Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue<br/> +Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory,<br/> +Unto the race to come, that shall not lose<br/> +Thy triumph wholly, if thou waken aught<br/> +Of memory in me, and endure to hear<br/> +The record sound in this unequal strain. +</p> + +<p> +Such keenness from the living ray I met,<br/> +That, if mine eyes had turn’d away, methinks,<br/> +I had been lost; but, so embolden’d, on<br/> +I pass’d, as I remember, till my view<br/> +Hover’d the brink of dread infinitude. +</p> + +<p> +O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav’st<br/> +Boldness to fix so earnestly my ken<br/> +On th’ everlasting splendour, that I look’d,<br/> +While sight was unconsum’d, and, in that depth,<br/> +Saw in one volume clasp’d of love, whatever<br/> +The universe unfolds; all properties<br/> +Of substance and of accident, beheld,<br/> +Compounded, yet one individual light<br/> +The whole. And of such bond methinks I saw<br/> +The universal form: for that whenever<br/> +I do but speak of it, my soul dilates<br/> +Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak,<br/> +One moment seems a longer lethargy,<br/> +Than five-and-twenty ages had appear’d<br/> +To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder<br/> +At Argo’s shadow darkening on his flood. +</p> + +<p> +With fixed heed, suspense and motionless,<br/> +Wond’ring I gaz’d; and admiration still<br/> +Was kindled, as I gaz’d. It may not be,<br/> +That one, who looks upon that light, can turn<br/> +To other object, willingly, his view.<br/> +For all the good, that will may covet, there<br/> +Is summ’d; and all, elsewhere defective found,<br/> +Complete. My tongue shall utter now, no more<br/> +E’en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe’s<br/> +That yet is moisten’d at his mother’s breast.<br/> +Not that the semblance of the living light<br/> +Was chang’d (that ever as at first remain’d)<br/> +But that my vision quickening, in that sole<br/> +Appearance, still new miracles descry’d,<br/> +And toil’d me with the change. In that abyss<br/> +Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem’d methought,<br/> +Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound:<br/> +And, from another, one reflected seem’d,<br/> +As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third<br/> +Seem’d fire, breath’d equally from both. Oh speech<br/> +How feeble and how faint art thou, to give<br/> +Conception birth! Yet this to what I saw<br/> +Is less than little. Oh eternal light!<br/> +Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself<br/> +Sole understood, past, present, or to come!<br/> +Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee<br/> +Seem’d as reflected splendour, while I mus’d;<br/> +For I therein, methought, in its own hue<br/> +Beheld our image painted: steadfastly<br/> +I therefore por’d upon the view. As one<br/> +Who vers’d in geometric lore, would fain<br/> +Measure the circle; and, though pondering long<br/> +And deeply, that beginning, which he needs,<br/> +Finds not; e’en such was I, intent to scan<br/> +The novel wonder, and trace out the form,<br/> +How to the circle fitted, and therein<br/> +How plac’d: but the flight was not for my wing;<br/> +Had not a flash darted athwart my mind,<br/> +And in the spleen unfolded what it sought. +</p> + +<p> +Here vigour fail’d the tow’ring fantasy:<br/> +But yet the will roll’d onward, like a wheel<br/> +In even motion, by the Love impell’d,<br/> +That moves the sun in heav’n and all the stars. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1007 ***</div> +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..47923a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #1007 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1007) diff --git a/old/1007-0.txt b/old/1007-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..65243b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1007-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5469 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Divine Comedy, Paradise, by Dante Alighieri + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: The Divine Comedy + Paradise + +Author: Dante Alighieri + +Translator: Henry Francis Cary + +Release Date: August, 1997 [eBook #1007] +[Most recently updated: July 4, 2022] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: Judith Smith and Natalie Salter + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIVINE COMEDY, PARADISE *** + + + + +PARADISE + +FROM THE DIVINE COMEDY + +BY +Dante Alighieri + +Translated by +THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A. + + + + +Contents + + CANTO I. + CANTO II. + CANTO III. + CANTO IV. + CANTO V. + CANTO VI. + CANTO VII. + CANTO VIII. + CANTO IX. + CANTO X. + CANTO XI. + CANTO XII. + CANTO XIII. + CANTO XIV. + CANTO XV. + CANTO XVI. + CANTO XVII. + CANTO XVIII. + CANTO XIX. + CANTO XX. + CANTO XXI. + CANTO XXII. + CANTO XXIII. + CANTO XXIV. + CANTO XXV. + CANTO XXVI. + CANTO XXVII. + CANTO XXVIII. + CANTO XXIX. + CANTO XXX. + CANTO XXXI. + CANTO XXXII. + CANTO XXXIII. + + + + +PARADISE + + + + +CANTO I + + +His glory, by whose might all things are mov’d, +Pierces the universe, and in one part +Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav’n, +That largeliest of his light partakes, was I, +Witness of things, which to relate again +Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence; +For that, so near approaching its desire +Our intellect is to such depth absorb’d, +That memory cannot follow. Nathless all, +That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm +Could store, shall now be matter of my song. + +Benign Apollo! this last labour aid, +And make me such a vessel of thy worth, +As thy own laurel claims of me belov’d. +Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus’ brows +Suffic’d me; henceforth there is need of both +For my remaining enterprise Do thou +Enter into my bosom, and there breathe +So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg’d +Forth from his limbs unsheath’d. O power divine! +If thou to me of shine impart so much, +That of that happy realm the shadow’d form +Trac’d in my thoughts I may set forth to view, +Thou shalt behold me of thy favour’d tree +Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves; +For to that honour thou, and my high theme +Will fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire! +To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath +Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills +Deprav’d) joy to the Delphic god must spring +From the Pierian foliage, when one breast +Is with such thirst inspir’d. From a small spark +Great flame hath risen: after me perchance +Others with better voice may pray, and gain +From the Cirrhaean city answer kind. + +Through diver passages, the world’s bright lamp +Rises to mortals, but through that which joins +Four circles with the threefold cross, in best +Course, and in happiest constellation set +He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives +Its temper and impression. Morning there, +Here eve was by almost such passage made; +And whiteness had o’erspread that hemisphere, +Blackness the other part; when to the left +I saw Beatrice turn’d, and on the sun +Gazing, as never eagle fix’d his ken. +As from the first a second beam is wont +To issue, and reflected upwards rise, +E’en as a pilgrim bent on his return, +So of her act, that through the eyesight pass’d +Into my fancy, mine was form’d; and straight, +Beyond our mortal wont, I fix’d mine eyes +Upon the sun. Much is allowed us there, +That here exceeds our pow’r; thanks to the place +Made for the dwelling of the human kind + +I suffer’d it not long, and yet so long +That I beheld it bick’ring sparks around, +As iron that comes boiling from the fire. +And suddenly upon the day appear’d +A day new-ris’n, as he, who hath the power, +Had with another sun bedeck’d the sky. + +Her eyes fast fix’d on the eternal wheels, +Beatrice stood unmov’d; and I with ken +Fix’d upon her, from upward gaze remov’d +At her aspect, such inwardly became +As Glaucus, when he tasted of the herb, +That made him peer among the ocean gods; +Words may not tell of that transhuman change: +And therefore let the example serve, though weak, +For those whom grace hath better proof in store + +If I were only what thou didst create, +Then newly, Love! by whom the heav’n is rul’d, +Thou know’st, who by thy light didst bear me up. +Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide, +Desired Spirit! with its harmony +Temper’d of thee and measur’d, charm’d mine ear, +Then seem’d to me so much of heav’n to blaze +With the sun’s flame, that rain or flood ne’er made +A lake so broad. The newness of the sound, +And that great light, inflam’d me with desire, +Keener than e’er was felt, to know their cause. + +Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself, +To calm my troubled mind, before I ask’d, +Open’d her lips, and gracious thus began: +“With false imagination thou thyself +Mak’st dull, so that thou seest not the thing, +Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off. +Thou art not on the earth as thou believ’st; +For light’ning scap’d from its own proper place +Ne’er ran, as thou hast hither now return’d.” + +Although divested of my first-rais’d doubt, +By those brief words, accompanied with smiles, +Yet in new doubt was I entangled more, +And said: “Already satisfied, I rest +From admiration deep, but now admire +How I above those lighter bodies rise.” + +Whence, after utt’rance of a piteous sigh, +She tow’rds me bent her eyes, with such a look, +As on her frenzied child a mother casts; +Then thus began: “Among themselves all things +Have order; and from hence the form, which makes +The universe resemble God. In this +The higher creatures see the printed steps +Of that eternal worth, which is the end +Whither the line is drawn. All natures lean, +In this their order, diversely, some more, +Some less approaching to their primal source. +Thus they to different havens are mov’d on +Through the vast sea of being, and each one +With instinct giv’n, that bears it in its course; +This to the lunar sphere directs the fire, +This prompts the hearts of mortal animals, +This the brute earth together knits, and binds. +Nor only creatures, void of intellect, +Are aim’d at by this bow; but even those, +That have intelligence and love, are pierc’d. +That Providence, who so well orders all, +With her own light makes ever calm the heaven, +In which the substance, that hath greatest speed, +Is turn’d: and thither now, as to our seat +Predestin’d, we are carried by the force +Of that strong cord, that never looses dart, +But at fair aim and glad. Yet is it true, +That as ofttimes but ill accords the form +To the design of art, through sluggishness +Of unreplying matter, so this course +Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who +Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere; +As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall, +From its original impulse warp’d, to earth, +By vicious fondness. Thou no more admire +Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse +Of torrent downwards from a mountain’s height. +There would in thee for wonder be more cause, +If, free of hind’rance, thou hadst fix’d thyself +Below, like fire unmoving on the earth.” + +So said, she turn’d toward the heav’n her face. + + + + +CANTO II + + +All ye, who in small bark have following sail’d, +Eager to listen, on the advent’rous track +Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way, +Backward return with speed, and your own shores +Revisit, nor put out to open sea, +Where losing me, perchance ye may remain +Bewilder’d in deep maze. The way I pass +Ne’er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale, +Apollo guides me, and another Nine +To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal. +Ye other few, who have outstretch’d the neck. +Timely for food of angels, on which here +They live, yet never know satiety, +Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out +Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad +Before you in the wave, that on both sides +Equal returns. Those, glorious, who pass’d o’er +To Colchos, wonder’d not as ye will do, +When they saw Jason following the plough. + +The increate perpetual thirst, that draws +Toward the realm of God’s own form, bore us +Swift almost as the heaven ye behold. + +Beatrice upward gaz’d, and I on her, +And in such space as on the notch a dart +Is plac’d, then loosen’d flies, I saw myself +Arriv’d, where wond’rous thing engag’d my sight. +Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid, +Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair, +Bespake me: “Gratefully direct thy mind +To God, through whom to this first star we come.” + +Me seem’d as if a cloud had cover’d us, +Translucent, solid, firm, and polish’d bright, +Like adamant, which the sun’s beam had smit +Within itself the ever-during pearl +Receiv’d us, as the wave a ray of light +Receives, and rests unbroken. If I then +Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend +Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus +Another could endure, which needs must be +If body enter body, how much more +Must the desire inflame us to behold +That essence, which discovers by what means +God and our nature join’d! There will be seen +That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof, +But in itself intelligibly plain, +E’en as the truth that man at first believes. + +I answered: “Lady! I with thoughts devout, +Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him, +Who hath remov’d me from the mortal world. +But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots +Upon this body, which below on earth +Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?” + +She somewhat smil’d, then spake: “If mortals err +In their opinion, when the key of sense +Unlocks not, surely wonder’s weapon keen +Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find’st, the wings +Of reason to pursue the senses’ flight +Are short. But what thy own thought is, declare.” + +Then I: “What various here above appears, +Is caus’d, I deem, by bodies dense or rare.” + +She then resum’d: “Thou certainly wilt see +In falsehood thy belief o’erwhelm’d, if well +Thou listen to the arguments, which I +Shall bring to face it. The eighth sphere displays +Numberless lights, the which in kind and size +May be remark’d of different aspects; +If rare or dense of that were cause alone, +One single virtue then would be in all, +Alike distributed, or more, or less. +Different virtues needs must be the fruits +Of formal principles, and these, save one, +Will by thy reasoning be destroy’d. Beside, +If rarity were of that dusk the cause, +Which thou inquirest, either in some part +That planet must throughout be void, nor fed +With its own matter; or, as bodies share +Their fat and leanness, in like manner this +Must in its volume change the leaves. The first, +If it were true, had through the sun’s eclipse +Been manifested, by transparency +Of light, as through aught rare beside effus’d. +But this is not. Therefore remains to see +The other cause: and if the other fall, +Erroneous so must prove what seem’d to thee. +If not from side to side this rarity +Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence +Its contrary no further lets it pass. +And hence the beam, that from without proceeds, +Must be pour’d back, as colour comes, through glass +Reflected, which behind it lead conceals. +Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue +Than in the other part the ray is shown, +By being thence refracted farther back. +From this perplexity will free thee soon +Experience, if thereof thou trial make, +The fountain whence your arts derive their streame. +Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove +From thee alike, and more remote the third. +Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes; +Then turn’d toward them, cause behind thy back +A light to stand, that on the three shall shine, +And thus reflected come to thee from all. +Though that beheld most distant do not stretch +A space so ample, yet in brightness thou +Will own it equaling the rest. But now, +As under snow the ground, if the warm ray +Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue +And cold, that cover’d it before, so thee, +Dismantled in thy mind, I will inform +With light so lively, that the tremulous beam +Shall quiver where it falls. Within the heaven, +Where peace divine inhabits, circles round +A body, in whose virtue dies the being +Of all that it contains. The following heaven, +That hath so many lights, this being divides, +Through different essences, from it distinct, +And yet contain’d within it. The other orbs +Their separate distinctions variously +Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt. +Thus do these organs of the world proceed, +As thou beholdest now, from step to step, +Their influences from above deriving, +And thence transmitting downwards. Mark me well, +How through this passage to the truth I ford, +The truth thou lov’st, that thou henceforth alone, +May’st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold. + +“The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs, +As mallet by the workman’s hand, must needs +By blessed movers be inspir’d. This heaven, +Made beauteous by so many luminaries, +From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere, +Its image takes an impress as a seal: +And as the soul, that dwells within your dust, +Through members different, yet together form’d, +In different pow’rs resolves itself; e’en so +The intellectual efficacy unfolds +Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars; +On its own unity revolving still. +Different virtue compact different +Makes with the precious body it enlivens, +With which it knits, as life in you is knit. +From its original nature full of joy, +The virtue mingled through the body shines, +As joy through pupil of the living eye. +From hence proceeds, that which from light to light +Seems different, and not from dense or rare. +This is the formal cause, that generates +Proportion’d to its power, the dusk or clear.” + + + + +CANTO III + + +That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm’d +Had of fair truth unveil’d the sweet aspect, +By proof of right, and of the false reproof; +And I, to own myself convinc’d and free +Of doubt, as much as needed, rais’d my head +Erect for speech. But soon a sight appear’d, +Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix’d, +That of confession I no longer thought. + +As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave +Clear and unmov’d, and flowing not so deep +As that its bed is dark, the shape returns +So faint of our impictur’d lineaments, +That on white forehead set a pearl as strong +Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face, +All stretch’d to speak, from whence I straight conceiv’d +Delusion opposite to that, which rais’d +Between the man and fountain, amorous flame. + +Sudden, as I perceiv’d them, deeming these +Reflected semblances to see of whom +They were, I turn’d mine eyes, and nothing saw; +Then turn’d them back, directed on the light +Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams +From her celestial eyes. “Wonder not thou,” +She cry’d, “at this my smiling, when I see +Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth +It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont, +Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy. +True substances are these, which thou behold’st, +Hither through failure of their vow exil’d. +But speak thou with them; listen, and believe, +That the true light, which fills them with desire, +Permits not from its beams their feet to stray.” + +Straight to the shadow which for converse seem’d +Most earnest, I addressed me, and began, +As one by over-eagerness perplex’d: +“O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays +Of life eternal, of that sweetness know’st +The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far +All apprehension, me it well would please, +If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this +Your station here.” Whence she, with kindness prompt, +And eyes glist’ning with smiles: “Our charity, +To any wish by justice introduc’d, +Bars not the door, no more than she above, +Who would have all her court be like herself. +I was a virgin sister in the earth; +And if thy mind observe me well, this form, +With such addition grac’d of loveliness, +Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know +Piccarda, in the tardiest sphere thus plac’d, +Here ’mid these other blessed also blest. +Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone +With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv’d, +Admitted to his order dwell in joy. +And this condition, which appears so low, +Is for this cause assign’d us, that our vows +Were in some part neglected and made void.” + +Whence I to her replied: “Something divine +Beams in your countenance, wond’rous fair, +From former knowledge quite transmuting you. +Therefore to recollect was I so slow. +But what thou sayst hath to my memory +Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms +Is easier. Yet inform me, ye, who here +Are happy, long ye for a higher place +More to behold, and more in love to dwell?” + +She with those other spirits gently smil’d, +Then answer’d with such gladness, that she seem’d +With love’s first flame to glow: “Brother! our will +Is in composure settled by the power +Of charity, who makes us will alone +What we possess, and nought beyond desire; +If we should wish to be exalted more, +Then must our wishes jar with the high will +Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs +Thou wilt confess not possible, if here +To be in charity must needs befall, +And if her nature well thou contemplate. +Rather it is inherent in this state +Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within +The divine will, by which our wills with his +Are one. So that as we from step to step +Are plac’d throughout this kingdom, pleases all, +E’en as our King, who in us plants his will; +And in his will is our tranquillity; +It is the mighty ocean, whither tends +Whatever it creates and nature makes.” + +Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav’n +Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew +The supreme virtue show’r not over all. + +But as it chances, if one sort of food +Hath satiated, and of another still +The appetite remains, that this is ask’d, +And thanks for that return’d; e’en so did I +In word and motion, bent from her to learn +What web it was, through which she had not drawn +The shuttle to its point. She thus began: +“Exalted worth and perfectness of life +The Lady higher up enshrine in heaven, +By whose pure laws upon your nether earth +The robe and veil they wear, to that intent, +That e’en till death they may keep watch or sleep +With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow, +Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms. +from the world, to follow her, when young +Escap’d; and, in her vesture mantling me, +Made promise of the way her sect enjoins. +Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt, +Forth snatch’d me from the pleasant cloister’s pale. +God knows how after that my life was fram’d. +This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst +At my right side, burning with all the light +Of this our orb, what of myself I tell +May to herself apply. From her, like me +A sister, with like violence were torn +The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows. +E’en when she to the world again was brought +In spite of her own will and better wont, +Yet not for that the bosom’s inward veil +Did she renounce. This is the luminary +Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast, +Which blew the second over Suabia’s realm, +That power produc’d, which was the third and last.” + +She ceas’d from further talk, and then began +“Ave Maria” singing, and with that song +Vanish’d, as heavy substance through deep wave. + +Mine eye, that far as it was capable, +Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost, +Turn’d to the mark where greater want impell’d, +And bent on Beatrice all its gaze. +But she as light’ning beam’d upon my looks: +So that the sight sustain’d it not at first. +Whence I to question her became less prompt. + + + + +CANTO IV + + +Between two kinds of food, both equally +Remote and tempting, first a man might die +Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose. +E’en so would stand a lamb between the maw +Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike: +E’en so between two deer a dog would stand, +Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise +I to myself impute, by equal doubts +Held in suspense, since of necessity +It happen’d. Silent was I, yet desire +Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake +My wish more earnestly than language could. + +As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed +From ire, that spurr’d him on to deeds unjust +And violent; so look’d Beatrice then. + +“Well I discern,” she thus her words address’d, +“How contrary desires each way constrain thee, +So that thy anxious thought is in itself +Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth. +Thou arguest; if the good intent remain; +What reason that another’s violence +Should stint the measure of my fair desert? + +“Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems, +That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem’d, +Return. These are the questions which thy will +Urge equally; and therefore I the first +Of that will treat which hath the more of gall. +Of seraphim he who is most ensky’d, +Moses and Samuel, and either John, +Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary’s self, +Have not in any other heav’n their seats, +Than have those spirits which so late thou saw’st; +Nor more or fewer years exist; but all +Make the first circle beauteous, diversely +Partaking of sweet life, as more or less +Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them. +Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns +This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee +Of that celestial furthest from the height. +Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak: +Since from things sensible alone ye learn +That, which digested rightly after turns +To intellectual. For no other cause +The scripture, condescending graciously +To your perception, hands and feet to God +Attributes, nor so means: and holy church +Doth represent with human countenance +Gabriel, and Michael, and him who made +Tobias whole. Unlike what here thou seest, +The judgment of Timaeus, who affirms +Each soul restor’d to its particular star, +Believing it to have been taken thence, +When nature gave it to inform her mold: +Since to appearance his intention is +E’en what his words declare: or else to shun +Derision, haply thus he hath disguis’d +His true opinion. If his meaning be, +That to the influencing of these orbs revert +The honour and the blame in human acts, +Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth. +This principle, not understood aright, +Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world; +So that it fell to fabled names of Jove, +And Mercury, and Mars. That other doubt, +Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings +No peril of removing thee from me. + +“That, to the eye of man, our justice seems +Unjust, is argument for faith, and not +For heretic declension. To the end +This truth may stand more clearly in your view, +I will content thee even to thy wish + +“If violence be, when that which suffers, nought +Consents to that which forceth, not for this +These spirits stood exculpate. For the will, +That will not, still survives unquench’d, and doth +As nature doth in fire, tho’ violence +Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield +Or more or less, so far it follows force. +And thus did these, whom they had power to seek +The hallow’d place again. In them, had will +Been perfect, such as once upon the bars +Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola +To his own hand remorseless, to the path, +Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten’d back, +When liberty return’d: but in too few +Resolve so steadfast dwells. And by these words +If duly weigh’d, that argument is void, +Which oft might have perplex’d thee still. But now +Another question thwarts thee, which to solve +Might try thy patience without better aid. +I have, no doubt, instill’d into thy mind, +That blessed spirit may not lie; since near +The source of primal truth it dwells for aye: +And thou might’st after of Piccarda learn +That Constance held affection to the veil; +So that she seems to contradict me here. +Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc’d for men +To do what they had gladly left undone, +Yet to shun peril they have done amiss: +E’en as Alcmaeon, at his father’s suit +Slew his own mother, so made pitiless +Not to lose pity. On this point bethink thee, +That force and will are blended in such wise +As not to make the’ offence excusable. +Absolute will agrees not to the wrong, +That inasmuch as there is fear of woe +From non-compliance, it agrees. Of will +Thus absolute Piccarda spake, and I +Of th’ other; so that both have truly said.” + +Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well’d +From forth the fountain of all truth; and such +The rest, that to my wond’ring thoughts I found. + +“O thou of primal love the prime delight! +Goddess!” I straight reply’d, “whose lively words +Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul! +Affection fails me to requite thy grace +With equal sum of gratitude: be his +To recompense, who sees and can reward thee. +Well I discern, that by that truth alone +Enlighten’d, beyond which no truth may roam, +Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know: +Therein she resteth, e’en as in his lair +The wild beast, soon as she hath reach’d that bound, +And she hath power to reach it; else desire +Were given to no end. And thence doth doubt +Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth; +And it is nature which from height to height +On to the summit prompts us. This invites, +This doth assure me, lady, rev’rently +To ask thee of other truth, that yet +Is dark to me. I fain would know, if man +By other works well done may so supply +The failure of his vows, that in your scale +They lack not weight.” I spake; and on me straight +Beatrice look’d with eyes that shot forth sparks +Of love celestial in such copious stream, +That, virtue sinking in me overpower’d, +I turn’d, and downward bent confus’d my sight. + + + + +CANTO V + + +“If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love +Illume me, so that I o’ercome thy power +Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause +In that perfection of the sight, which soon +As apprehending, hasteneth on to reach +The good it apprehends. I well discern, +How in thine intellect already shines +The light eternal, which to view alone +Ne’er fails to kindle love; and if aught else +Your love seduces, ’tis but that it shows +Some ill-mark’d vestige of that primal beam. + +“This would’st thou know, if failure of the vow +By other service may be so supplied, +As from self-question to assure the soul.” + +Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish, +Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off +Discourse, continued in her saintly strain. +“Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave +Of his free bounty, sign most evident +Of goodness, and in his account most priz’d, +Was liberty of will, the boon wherewith +All intellectual creatures, and them sole +He hath endow’d. Hence now thou mayst infer +Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram’d +That when man offers, God well-pleas’d accepts; +For in the compact between God and him, +This treasure, such as I describe it to thee, +He makes the victim, and of his own act. +What compensation therefore may he find? +If that, whereof thou hast oblation made, +By using well thou think’st to consecrate, +Thou would’st of theft do charitable deed. +Thus I resolve thee of the greater point. + +“But forasmuch as holy church, herein +Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth +I have discover’d to thee, yet behooves +Thou rest a little longer at the board, +Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken, +Digested fitly to nutrition turn. +Open thy mind to what I now unfold, +And give it inward keeping. Knowledge comes +Of learning well retain’d, unfruitful else. + +“This sacrifice in essence of two things +Consisteth; one is that, whereof ’tis made, +The covenant the other. For the last, +It ne’er is cancell’d if not kept: and hence +I spake erewhile so strictly of its force. +For this it was enjoin’d the Israelites, +Though leave were giv’n them, as thou know’st, to change +The offering, still to offer. Th’ other part, +The matter and the substance of the vow, +May well be such, to that without offence +It may for other substance be exchang’d. +But at his own discretion none may shift +The burden on his shoulders, unreleas’d +By either key, the yellow and the white. +Nor deem of any change, as less than vain, +If the last bond be not within the new +Included, as the quatre in the six. +No satisfaction therefore can be paid +For what so precious in the balance weighs, +That all in counterpoise must kick the beam. +Take then no vow at random: ta’en, with faith +Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once, +Blindly to execute a rash resolve, +Whom better it had suited to exclaim, +‘I have done ill,’ than to redeem his pledge +By doing worse or, not unlike to him +In folly, that great leader of the Greeks: +Whence, on the alter, Iphigenia mourn’d +Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn +Both wise and simple, even all, who hear +Of so fell sacrifice. Be ye more staid, +O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind +Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves +In every water. Either testament, +The old and new, is yours: and for your guide +The shepherd of the church let this suffice +To save you. When by evil lust entic’d, +Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts; +Nor let the Jew, who dwelleth in your streets, +Hold you in mock’ry. Be not, as the lamb, +That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother’s milk, +To dally with itself in idle play.” + +Such were the words that Beatrice spake: +These ended, to that region, where the world +Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn’d. + +Though mainly prompt new question to propose, +Her silence and chang’d look did keep me dumb. +And as the arrow, ere the cord is still, +Leapeth unto its mark; so on we sped +Into the second realm. There I beheld +The dame, so joyous enter, that the orb +Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star +Were mov’d to gladness, what then was my cheer, +Whom nature hath made apt for every change! + +As in a quiet and clear lake the fish, +If aught approach them from without, do draw +Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew +Full more than thousand splendours towards us, +And in each one was heard: “Lo! one arriv’d +To multiply our loves!” and as each came +The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new, +Witness’d augmented joy. Here, reader! think, +If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale, +To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave; +And thou shalt see what vehement desire +Possess’d me, as soon as these had met my view, +To know their state. “O born in happy hour! +Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close +Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones +Of that eternal triumph, know to us +The light communicated, which through heaven +Expatiates without bound. Therefore, if aught +Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid, +Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill.” + +Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me; +And Beatrice next: “Say on; and trust +As unto gods!”—“How in the light supreme +Thou harbour’st, and from thence the virtue bring’st, +That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy, +I mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek; +Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot +This sphere assign’d, that oft from mortal ken +Is veil’d by others’ beams.” I said, and turn’d +Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind +Erewhile had hail’d me. Forthwith brighter far +Than erst, it wax’d: and, as himself the sun +Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze +Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey’d; +Within its proper ray the saintly shape +Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal’d; +And, shrouded so in splendour answer’d me, +E’en as the tenour of my song declares. + + + + +CANTO VI + + +“After that Constantine the eagle turn’d +Against the motions of the heav’n, that roll’d +Consenting with its course, when he of yore, +Lavinia’s spouse, was leader of the flight, +A hundred years twice told and more, his seat +At Europe’s extreme point, the bird of Jove +Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first. +There, under shadow of his sacred plumes +Swaying the world, till through successive hands +To mine he came devolv’d. Caesar I was, +And am Justinian; destin’d by the will +Of that prime love, whose influence I feel, +From vain excess to clear th’ encumber’d laws. +Or ere that work engag’d me, I did hold +Christ’s nature merely human, with such faith +Contented. But the blessed Agapete, +Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice +To the true faith recall’d me. I believ’d +His words: and what he taught, now plainly see, +As thou in every contradiction seest +The true and false oppos’d. Soon as my feet +Were to the church reclaim’d, to my great task, +By inspiration of God’s grace impell’d, +I gave me wholly, and consign’d mine arms +To Belisarius, with whom heaven’s right hand +Was link’d in such conjointment, ’twas a sign +That I should rest. To thy first question thus +I shape mine answer, which were ended here, +But that its tendency doth prompt perforce +To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark +What reason on each side they have to plead, +By whom that holiest banner is withstood, +Both who pretend its power and who oppose. + +“Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died +To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds +Have made it worthy reverence. Not unknown +To thee, how for three hundred years and more +It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists +Where for its sake were met the rival three; +Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev’d +Down to the Sabines’ wrong to Lucrece’ woe, +With its sev’n kings conqu’ring the nation round; +Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home +’Gainst Brennus and th’ Epirot prince, and hosts +Of single chiefs, or states in league combin’d +Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern, +And Quintius nam’d of his neglected locks, +The Decii, and the Fabii hence acquir’d +Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm. +By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell’d, +When they led on by Hannibal o’erpass’d +The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po! +Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days +Scipio and Pompey triumph’d; and that hill, +Under whose summit thou didst see the light, +Rued its stern bearing. After, near the hour, +When heav’n was minded that o’er all the world +His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar’s hand +Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought +From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere’s flood, +Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills +The torrent Rhone. What after that it wrought, +When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap’d +The Rubicon, was of so bold a flight, +That tongue nor pen may follow it. Tow’rds Spain +It wheel’d its bands, then tow’rd Dyrrachium smote, +And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge, +E’en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang; +Its native shores Antandros, and the streams +Of Simois revisited, and there +Where Hector lies; then ill for Ptolemy +His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell +On Juba; and the next upon your west, +At sound of the Pompeian trump, return’d. + +“What following and in its next bearer’s gripe +It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus +Bark’d off in hell, and by Perugia’s sons +And Modena’s was mourn’d. Hence weepeth still +Sad Cleopatra, who, pursued by it, +Took from the adder black and sudden death. +With him it ran e’en to the Red Sea coast; +With him compos’d the world to such a peace, +That of his temple Janus barr’d the door. + +“But all the mighty standard yet had wrought, +And was appointed to perform thereafter, +Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway’d, +Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur’d, +If one with steady eye and perfect thought +On the third Caesar look; for to his hands, +The living Justice, in whose breath I move, +Committed glory, e’en into his hands, +To execute the vengeance of its wrath. + +“Hear now and wonder at what next I tell. +After with Titus it was sent to wreak +Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin, +And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure, +Did gore the bosom of the holy church, +Under its wings victorious, Charlemagne +Sped to her rescue. Judge then for thyself +Of those, whom I erewhile accus’d to thee, +What they are, and how grievous their offending, +Who are the cause of all your ills. The one +Against the universal ensign rears +The yellow lilies, and with partial aim +That to himself the other arrogates: +So that ’tis hard to see which more offends. +Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts +Beneath another standard: ill is this +Follow’d of him, who severs it and justice: +And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown’d Charles +Assail it, but those talons hold in dread, +Which from a lion of more lofty port +Have rent the easing. Many a time ere now +The sons have for the sire’s transgression wail’d; +Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav’n +Will truck its armour for his lilied shield. + +“This little star is furnish’d with good spirits, +Whose mortal lives were busied to that end, +That honour and renown might wait on them: +And, when desires thus err in their intention, +True love must needs ascend with slacker beam. +But it is part of our delight, to measure +Our wages with the merit; and admire +The close proportion. Hence doth heav’nly justice +Temper so evenly affection in us, +It ne’er can warp to any wrongfulness. +Of diverse voices is sweet music made: +So in our life the different degrees +Render sweet harmony among these wheels. + +“Within the pearl, that now encloseth us, +Shines Romeo’s light, whose goodly deed and fair +Met ill acceptance. But the Provencals, +That were his foes, have little cause for mirth. +Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong +Of other’s worth. Four daughters were there born +To Raymond Berenger, and every one +Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo, +Though of mean state and from a foreign land. +Yet envious tongues incited him to ask +A reckoning of that just one, who return’d +Twelve fold to him for ten. Aged and poor +He parted thence: and if the world did know +The heart he had, begging his life by morsels, +’Twould deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt.” + + + + +CANTO VII + + +“Hosanna Sanctus Deus Sabaoth +Superillustrans claritate tua +Felices ignes horum malahoth!” +Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright +With fourfold lustre to its orb again, +Revolving; and the rest unto their dance +With it mov’d also; and like swiftest sparks, +In sudden distance from my sight were veil’d. + +Me doubt possess’d, and “Speak,” it whisper’d me, +“Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench +Thy thirst with drops of sweetness.” Yet blank awe, +Which lords it o’er me, even at the sound +Of Beatrice’s name, did bow me down +As one in slumber held. Not long that mood +Beatrice suffer’d: she, with such a smile, +As might have made one blest amid the flames, +Beaming upon me, thus her words began: +“Thou in thy thought art pond’ring (as I deem), +And what I deem is truth how just revenge +Could be with justice punish’d: from which doubt +I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words; +For they of weighty matter shall possess thee. + +“That man, who was unborn, himself condemn’d, +And, in himself, all, who since him have liv’d, +His offspring: whence, below, the human kind +Lay sick in grievous error many an age; +Until it pleas’d the Word of God to come +Amongst them down, to his own person joining +The nature, from its Maker far estrang’d, +By the mere act of his eternal love. +Contemplate here the wonder I unfold. +The nature with its Maker thus conjoin’d, +Created first was blameless, pure and good; +But through itself alone was driven forth +From Paradise, because it had eschew’d +The way of truth and life, to evil turn’d. +Ne’er then was penalty so just as that +Inflicted by the cross, if thou regard +The nature in assumption doom’d: ne’er wrong +So great, in reference to him, who took +Such nature on him, and endur’d the doom. +God therefore and the Jews one sentence pleased: +So different effects flow’d from one act, +And heav’n was open’d, though the earth did quake. +Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear +That a just vengeance was by righteous court +Justly reveng’d. But yet I see thy mind +By thought on thought arising sore perplex’d, +And with how vehement desire it asks +Solution of the maze. What I have heard, +Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way +For our redemption chose, eludes my search. + +“Brother! no eye of man not perfected, +Nor fully ripen’d in the flame of love, +May fathom this decree. It is a mark, +In sooth, much aim’d at, and but little kenn’d: +And I will therefore show thee why such way +Was worthiest. The celestial love, that spume +All envying in its bounty, in itself +With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth +All beauteous things eternal. What distils +Immediate thence, no end of being knows, +Bearing its seal immutably impress’d. +Whatever thence immediate falls, is free, +Free wholly, uncontrollable by power +Of each thing new: by such conformity +More grateful to its author, whose bright beams, +Though all partake their shining, yet in those +Are liveliest, which resemble him the most. +These tokens of pre-eminence on man +Largely bestow’d, if any of them fail, +He needs must forfeit his nobility, +No longer stainless. Sin alone is that, +Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike +To the chief good; for that its light in him +Is darken’d. And to dignity thus lost +Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void, +He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain. +Your nature, which entirely in its seed +Trangress’d, from these distinctions fell, no less +Than from its state in Paradise; nor means +Found of recovery (search all methods out +As strickly as thou may) save one of these, +The only fords were left through which to wade, +Either that God had of his courtesy +Releas’d him merely, or else man himself +For his own folly by himself aton’d. + +“Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst, +On th’ everlasting counsel, and explore, +Instructed by my words, the dread abyss. + +“Man in himself had ever lack’d the means +Of satisfaction, for he could not stoop +Obeying, in humility so low, +As high he, disobeying, thought to soar: +And for this reason he had vainly tried +Out of his own sufficiency to pay +The rigid satisfaction. Then behooved +That God should by his own ways lead him back +Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor’d: +By both his ways, I mean, or one alone. +But since the deed is ever priz’d the more, +The more the doer’s good intent appears, +Goodness celestial, whose broad signature +Is on the universe, of all its ways +To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none, +Nor aught so vast or so magnificent, +Either for him who gave or who receiv’d +Between the last night and the primal day, +Was or can be. For God more bounty show’d. +Giving himself to make man capable +Of his return to life, than had the terms +Been mere and unconditional release. +And for his justice, every method else +Were all too scant, had not the Son of God +Humbled himself to put on mortal flesh. + +“Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains +I somewhat further to thy view unfold. +That thou mayst see as clearly as myself. + +“I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see, +The earth and water, and all things of them +Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon +Dissolve. Yet these were also things create, +Because, if what were told me, had been true +They from corruption had been therefore free. + +“The angels, O my brother! and this clime +Wherein thou art, impassible and pure, +I call created, as indeed they are +In their whole being. But the elements, +Which thou hast nam’d, and what of them is made, +Are by created virtue’ inform’d: create +Their substance, and create the’ informing virtue +In these bright stars, that round them circling move +The soul of every brute and of each plant, +The ray and motion of the sacred lights, +With complex potency attract and turn. +But this our life the’ eternal good inspires +Immediate, and enamours of itself; +So that our wishes rest for ever here. + +“And hence thou mayst by inference conclude +Our resurrection certain, if thy mind +Consider how the human flesh was fram’d, +When both our parents at the first were made.” + + + + +CANTO VIII + + +The world was in its day of peril dark +Wont to believe the dotage of fond love +From the fair Cyprian deity, who rolls +In her third epicycle, shed on men +By stream of potent radiance: therefore they +Of elder time, in their old error blind, +Not her alone with sacrifice ador’d +And invocation, but like honours paid +To Cupid and Dione, deem’d of them +Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign’d +To sit in Dido’s bosom: and from her, +Whom I have sung preluding, borrow’d they +The appellation of that star, which views, +Now obvious and now averse, the sun. + +I was not ware that I was wafted up +Into its orb; but the new loveliness +That grac’d my lady, gave me ample proof +That we had entered there. And as in flame +A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice +Discern’d, when one its even tenour keeps, +The other comes and goes; so in that light +I other luminaries saw, that cours’d +In circling motion, rapid more or less, +As their eternal phases each impels. + +Never was blast from vapour charged with cold, +Whether invisible to eye or no, +Descended with such speed, it had not seem’d +To linger in dull tardiness, compar’d +To those celestial lights, that tow’rds us came, +Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring, +Conducted by the lofty seraphim. +And after them, who in the van appear’d, +Such an hosanna sounded, as hath left +Desire, ne’er since extinct in me, to hear +Renew’d the strain. Then parting from the rest +One near us drew, and sole began: “We all +Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos’d +To do thee gentle service. We are they, +To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing +‘O ye! whose intellectual ministry +Moves the third heaven!’ and in one orb we roll, +One motion, one impulse, with those who rule +Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full, +That to please thee ’twill be as sweet to rest.” + +After mine eyes had with meek reverence +Sought the celestial guide, and were by her +Assur’d, they turn’d again unto the light +Who had so largely promis’d, and with voice +That bare the lively pressure of my zeal, +“Tell who ye are,” I cried. Forthwith it grew +In size and splendour, through augmented joy; +And thus it answer’d: “A short date below +The world possess’d me. Had the time been more, +Much evil, that will come, had never chanc’d. +My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine +Around, and shroud me, as an animal +In its own silk enswath’d. Thou lov’dst me well, +And had’st good cause; for had my sojourning +Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee +Had put forth more than blossoms. The left bank, +That Rhone, when he hath mix’d with Sorga, laves. + +“In me its lord expected, and that horn +Of fair Ausonia, with its boroughs old, +Bari, and Croton, and Gaeta pil’d, +From where the Trento disembogues his waves, +With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood. +Already on my temples beam’d the crown, +Which gave me sov’reignty over the land +By Danube wash’d, whenas he strays beyond +The limits of his German shores. The realm, +Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash’d, +Betwixt Pelorus and Pachynian heights, +The beautiful Trinacria lies in gloom +(Not through Typhaeus, but the vap’ry cloud +Bituminous upsteam’d), THAT too did look +To have its scepter wielded by a race +Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph; +had not ill lording which doth spirit up +The people ever, in Palermo rais’d +The shout of ‘death,’ re-echo’d loud and long. +Had but my brother’s foresight kenn’d as much, +He had been warier that the greedy want +Of Catalonia might not work his bale. +And truly need there is, that he forecast, +Or other for him, lest more freight be laid +On his already over-laden bark. +Nature in him, from bounty fall’n to thrift, +Would ask the guard of braver arms, than such +As only care to have their coffers fill’d.” + +“My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words +Infuse into me, mighty as it is, +To think my gladness manifest to thee, +As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst +Into the source and limit of all good, +There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak, +Thence priz’d of me the more. Glad thou hast made me. +Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt +Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse, +How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown.” + +I thus inquiring; he forthwith replied: +“If I have power to show one truth, soon that +Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares +Behind thee now conceal’d. The Good, that guides +And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount, +Ordains its providence to be the virtue +In these great bodies: nor th’ all perfect Mind +Upholds their nature merely, but in them +Their energy to save: for nought, that lies +Within the range of that unerring bow, +But is as level with the destin’d aim, +As ever mark to arrow’s point oppos’d. +Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit, +Would their effect so work, it would not be +Art, but destruction; and this may not chance, +If th’ intellectual powers, that move these stars, +Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail. +Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc’d?” + +To whom I thus: “It is enough: no fear, +I see, lest nature in her part should tire.” + +He straight rejoin’d: “Say, were it worse for man, +If he liv’d not in fellowship on earth?” + +“Yea,” answer’d I; “nor here a reason needs.” + +“And may that be, if different estates +Grow not of different duties in your life? +Consult your teacher, and he tells you ‘no.’” + +Thus did he come, deducing to this point, +And then concluded: “For this cause behooves, +The roots, from whence your operations come, +Must differ. Therefore one is Solon born; +Another, Xerxes; and Melchisidec +A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage +Cost him his son. In her circuitous course, +Nature, that is the seal to mortal wax, +Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns +’Twixt one or other household. Hence befalls +That Esau is so wide of Jacob: hence +Quirinus of so base a father springs, +He dates from Mars his lineage. Were it not +That providence celestial overrul’d, +Nature, in generation, must the path +Trac’d by the generator, still pursue +Unswervingly. Thus place I in thy sight +That, which was late behind thee. But, in sign +Of more affection for thee, ’tis my will +Thou wear this corollary. Nature ever +Finding discordant fortune, like all seed +Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill. +And were the world below content to mark +And work on the foundation nature lays, +It would not lack supply of excellence. +But ye perversely to religion strain +Him, who was born to gird on him the sword, +And of the fluent phrasemen make your king; +Therefore your steps have wander’d from the paths.” + + + + +CANTO IX + + +After solution of my doubt, thy Charles, +O fair Clemenza, of the treachery spake +That must befall his seed: but, “Tell it not,” +Said he, “and let the destin’d years come round.” +Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed +Of sorrow well-deserv’d shall quit your wrongs. + +And now the visage of that saintly light +Was to the sun, that fills it, turn’d again, +As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss +Sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls! +Infatuate, who from such a good estrange +Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity, +Alas for you!—And lo! toward me, next, +Another of those splendent forms approach’d, +That, by its outward bright’ning, testified +The will it had to pleasure me. The eyes +Of Beatrice, resting, as before, +Firmly upon me, manifested forth +Approval of my wish. “And O,” I cried, +“Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform’d; +And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts +I can reflect on thee.” Thereat the light, +That yet was new to me, from the recess, +Where it before was singing, thus began, +As one who joys in kindness: “In that part +Of the deprav’d Italian land, which lies +Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs +Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise, +But to no lofty eminence, a hill, +From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend, +That sorely sheet the region. From one root +I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza: +And here I glitter, for that by its light +This star o’ercame me. Yet I naught repine, +Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot, +Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive. + +“This jewel, that is next me in our heaven, +Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left, +And not to perish, ere these hundred years +Five times absolve their round. Consider thou, +If to excel be worthy man’s endeavour, +When such life may attend the first. Yet they +Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt +By Adice and Tagliamento, still +Impenitent, tho’ scourg’d. The hour is near, +When for their stubbornness at Padua’s marsh +The water shall be chang’d, that laves Vicena +And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one +Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom +The web is now a-warping. Feltro too +Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd’s fault, +Of so deep stain, that never, for the like, +Was Malta’s bar unclos’d. Too large should be +The skillet, that would hold Ferrara’s blood, +And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it, +The which this priest, in show of party-zeal, +Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit +The country’s custom. We descry above, +Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us +Reflected shine the judgments of our God: +Whence these our sayings we avouch for good.” + +She ended, and appear’d on other thoughts +Intent, re-ent’ring on the wheel she late +Had left. That other joyance meanwhile wax’d +A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing, +Like choicest ruby stricken by the sun, +For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes +Of gladness, as here laughter: and below, +As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade. + +“God seeth all: and in him is thy sight,” +Said I, “blest Spirit! Therefore will of his +Cannot to thee be dark. Why then delays +Thy voice to satisfy my wish untold, +That voice which joins the inexpressive song, +Pastime of heav’n, the which those ardours sing, +That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread? +I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known +To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known.” + +He forthwith answ’ring, thus his words began: +“The valley’ of waters, widest next to that +Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course, +Between discordant shores, against the sun +Inward so far, it makes meridian there, +Where was before th’ horizon. Of that vale +Dwelt I upon the shore, ’twixt Ebro’s stream +And Macra’s, that divides with passage brief +Genoan bounds from Tuscan. East and west +Are nearly one to Begga and my land, +Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm. +Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco: +And I did bear impression of this heav’n, +That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame +Glow’d Belus’ daughter, injuring alike +Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I, +Long as it suited the unripen’d down +That fledg’d my cheek: nor she of Rhodope, +That was beguiled of Demophoon; +Nor Jove’s son, when the charms of Iole +Were shrin’d within his heart. And yet there hides +No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth, +Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind), +But for the virtue, whose o’erruling sway +And providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here +The skill is look’d into, that fashioneth +With such effectual working, and the good +Discern’d, accruing to this upper world +From that below. But fully to content +Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth, +Demands my further parle. Inquire thou wouldst, +Who of this light is denizen, that here +Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth +On the clear wave. Know then, the soul of Rahab +Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe +United, and the foremost rank assign’d. +He to that heav’n, at which the shadow ends +Of your sublunar world, was taken up, +First, in Christ’s triumph, of all souls redeem’d: +For well behoov’d, that, in some part of heav’n, +She should remain a trophy, to declare +The mighty contest won with either palm; +For that she favour’d first the high exploit +Of Joshua on the holy land, whereof +The Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant +Of him, that on his Maker turn’d the back, +And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung, +Engenders and expands the cursed flower, +That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs, +Turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this, +The gospel and great teachers laid aside, +The decretals, as their stuft margins show, +Are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals, +Intent on these, ne’er journey but in thought +To Nazareth, where Gabriel op’d his wings. +Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican, +And other most selected parts of Rome, +That were the grave of Peter’s soldiery, +Shall be deliver’d from the adult’rous bond.” + + + + +CANTO X + + +Looking into his first-born with the love, +Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might +Ineffable, whence eye or mind +Can roam, hath in such order all dispos’d, +As none may see and fail to enjoy. Raise, then, +O reader! to the lofty wheels, with me, +Thy ken directed to the point, whereat +One motion strikes on th’ other. There begin +Thy wonder of the mighty Architect, +Who loves his work so inwardly, his eye +Doth ever watch it. See, how thence oblique +Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll +To pour their wished influence on the world; +Whose path not bending thus, in heav’n above +Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth, +All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct +Were its departure distant more or less, +I’ th’ universal order, great defect +Must, both in heav’n and here beneath, ensue. + +Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse +Anticipative of the feast to come; +So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil. +Lo! I have set before thee, for thyself +Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth +Demands entire my thought. Join’d with the part, +Which late we told of, the great minister +Of nature, that upon the world imprints +The virtue of the heaven, and doles out +Time for us with his beam, went circling on +Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes; +And I was with him, weetless of ascent, +As one, who till arriv’d, weets not his coming. + +For Beatrice, she who passeth on +So suddenly from good to better, time +Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs +Have been her brightness! What she was i’ th’ sun +(Where I had enter’d), not through change of hue, +But light transparent—did I summon up +Genius, art, practice—I might not so speak, +It should be e’er imagin’d: yet believ’d +It may be, and the sight be justly crav’d. +And if our fantasy fail of such height, +What marvel, since no eye above the sun +Hath ever travel’d? Such are they dwell here, +Fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire, +Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows; +And holds them still enraptur’d with the view. +And thus to me Beatrice: “Thank, oh thank, +The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace +To this perceptible hath lifted thee.” + +Never was heart in such devotion bound, +And with complacency so absolute +Dispos’d to render up itself to God, +As mine was at those words: and so entire +The love for Him, that held me, it eclips’d +Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeas’d +Was she, but smil’d thereat so joyously, +That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake +And scatter’d my collected mind abroad. + +Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness +Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown, +And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice, +Than in their visage beaming. Cinctur’d thus, +Sometime Latona’s daughter we behold, +When the impregnate air retains the thread, +That weaves her zone. In the celestial court, +Whence I return, are many jewels found, +So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook +Transporting from that realm: and of these lights +Such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing +To soar up thither, let him look from thence +For tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus, +Those burning suns that circled round us thrice, +As nearest stars around the fixed pole, +Then seem’d they like to ladies, from the dance +Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause, +List’ning, till they have caught the strain anew: +Suspended so they stood: and, from within, +Thus heard I one, who spake: “Since with its beam +The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame, +That after doth increase by loving, shines +So multiplied in thee, it leads thee up +Along this ladder, down whose hallow’d steps +None e’er descend, and mount them not again, +Who from his phial should refuse thee wine +To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were, +Than water flowing not unto the sea. +Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom +In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds +This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav’n. +I then was of the lambs, that Dominic +Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way, +Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity. +He, nearest on my right hand, brother was, +And master to me: Albert of Cologne +Is this: and of Aquinum, Thomas I. +If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur’d, +Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak, +In circuit journey round the blessed wreath. +That next resplendence issues from the smile +Of Gratian, who to either forum lent +Such help, as favour wins in Paradise. +The other, nearest, who adorns our quire, +Was Peter, he that with the widow gave +To holy church his treasure. The fifth light, +Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired, +That all your world craves tidings of its doom: +Within, there is the lofty light, endow’d +With sapience so profound, if truth be truth, +That with a ken of such wide amplitude +No second hath arisen. Next behold +That taper’s radiance, to whose view was shown, +Clearliest, the nature and the ministry +Angelical, while yet in flesh it dwelt. +In the other little light serenely smiles +That pleader for the Christian temples, he +Who did provide Augustin of his lore. +Now, if thy mind’s eye pass from light to light, +Upon my praises following, of the eighth +Thy thirst is next. The saintly soul, that shows +The world’s deceitfulness, to all who hear him, +Is, with the sight of all the good, that is, +Blest there. The limbs, whence it was driven, lie +Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom +And exile came it here. Lo! further on, +Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore, +Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile, +In deep discernment. Lastly this, from whom +Thy look on me reverteth, was the beam +Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent, +Rebuk’d the ling’ring tardiness of death. +It is the eternal light of Sigebert, +Who ’scap’d not envy, when of truth he argued, +Reading in the straw-litter’d street.” Forthwith, +As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God +To win her bridegroom’s love at matin’s hour, +Each part of other fitly drawn and urg’d, +Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet, +Affection springs in well-disposed breast; +Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard +Voice answ’ring voice, so musical and soft, +It can be known but where day endless shines. + + + + +CANTO XI + + +O fond anxiety of mortal men! +How vain and inconclusive arguments +Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below +For statues one, and one for aphorisms +Was hunting; this the priesthood follow’d, that +By force or sophistry aspir’d to rule; +To rob another, and another sought +By civil business wealth; one moiling lay +Tangled in net of sensual delight, +And one to witless indolence resign’d; +What time from all these empty things escap’d, +With Beatrice, I thus gloriously +Was rais’d aloft, and made the guest of heav’n. + +They of the circle to that point, each one. +Where erst it was, had turn’d; and steady glow’d, +As candle in his socket. Then within +The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling +With merer gladness, heard I thus begin: + +“E’en as his beam illumes me, so I look +Into the eternal light, and clearly mark +Thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt, +And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh +In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth +To thy perception, where I told thee late +That ‘well they thrive;’ and that ‘no second such +Hath risen,’ which no small distinction needs. + +“The providence, that governeth the world, +In depth of counsel by created ken +Unfathomable, to the end that she, +Who with loud cries was ‘spous’d in precious blood, +Might keep her footing towards her well-belov’d, +Safe in herself and constant unto him, +Hath two ordain’d, who should on either hand +In chief escort her: one seraphic all +In fervency; for wisdom upon earth, +The other splendour of cherubic light. +I but of one will tell: he tells of both, +Who one commendeth which of them so’er +Be taken: for their deeds were to one end. + +“Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls +From blest Ubaldo’s chosen hill, there hangs +Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold +Are wafted through Perugia’s eastern gate: +And Norcera with Gualdo, in its rear +Mourn for their heavy yoke. Upon that side, +Where it doth break its steepness most, arose +A sun upon the world, as duly this +From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak +Of that place, say Ascesi; for its name +Were lamely so deliver’d; but the East, +To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl’d. +He was not yet much distant from his rising, +When his good influence ’gan to bless the earth. +A dame to whom none openeth pleasure’s gate +More than to death, was, ’gainst his father’s will, +His stripling choice: and he did make her his, +Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds, +And in his father’s sight: from day to day, +Then lov’d her more devoutly. She, bereav’d +Of her first husband, slighted and obscure, +Thousand and hundred years and more, remain’d +Without a single suitor, till he came. +Nor aught avail’d, that, with Amyclas, she +Was found unmov’d at rumour of his voice, +Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness +Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross, +When Mary stay’d beneath. But not to deal +Thus closely with thee longer, take at large +The rovers’ titles—Poverty and Francis. +Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love, +And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts, +So much, that venerable Bernard first +Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace +So heavenly, ran, yet deem’d his footing slow. +O hidden riches! O prolific good! +Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester, +And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride +Can please them. Thenceforth goes he on his way, +The father and the master, with his spouse, +And with that family, whom now the cord +Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart +Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son +Of Pietro Bernardone, and by men +In wond’rous sort despis’d. But royally +His hard intention he to Innocent +Set forth, and from him first receiv’d the seal +On his religion. Then, when numerous flock’d +The tribe of lowly ones, that trac’d HIS steps, +Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung +In heights empyreal, through Honorius’ hand +A second crown, to deck their Guardian’s virtues, +Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath’d: and when +He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up +In the proud Soldan’s presence, and there preach’d +Christ and his followers; but found the race +Unripen’d for conversion: back once more +He hasted (not to intermit his toil), +And reap’d Ausonian lands. On the hard rock, +’Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ +Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years +Did carry. Then the season come, that he, +Who to such good had destin’d him, was pleas’d +T’ advance him to the meed, which he had earn’d +By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood, +As their just heritage, he gave in charge +His dearest lady, and enjoin’d their love +And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will’d +His goodly spirit should move forth, returning +To its appointed kingdom, nor would have +His body laid upon another bier. + +“Think now of one, who were a fit colleague, +To keep the bark of Peter in deep sea +Helm’d to right point; and such our Patriarch was. +Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins, +Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in. +But hunger of new viands tempts his flock, +So that they needs into strange pastures wide +Must spread them: and the more remote from him +The stragglers wander, so much mole they come +Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk. +There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm, +And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few, +A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks. + +“Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta’en +Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall +To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill’d: +For thou wilt see the point from whence they split, +Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies, +‘That well they thrive not sworn with vanity.’” + + + + +CANTO XII + + +Soon as its final word the blessed flame +Had rais’d for utterance, straight the holy mill +Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv’d, +Or ere another, circling, compass’d it, +Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining, +Song, that as much our muses doth excel, +Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray +Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex. + +As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth, +Two arches parallel, and trick’d alike, +Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth +From that within (in manner of that voice +Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist), +And they who gaze, presageful call to mind +The compact, made with Noah, of the world +No more to be o’erflow’d; about us thus +Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath’d +Those garlands twain, and to the innermost +E’en thus th’ external answered. When the footing, +And other great festivity, of song, +And radiance, light with light accordant, each +Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still’d +(E’en as the eyes by quick volition mov’d, +Are shut and rais’d together), from the heart +Of one amongst the new lights mov’d a voice, +That made me seem like needle to the star, +In turning to its whereabout, and thus +Began: “The love, that makes me beautiful, +Prompts me to tell of th’ other guide, for whom +Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is, +The other worthily should also be; +That as their warfare was alike, alike +Should be their glory. Slow, and full of doubt, +And with thin ranks, after its banner mov’d +The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost +To reappoint), when its imperial Head, +Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host +Did make provision, thorough grace alone, +And not through its deserving. As thou heard’st, +Two champions to the succour of his spouse +He sent, who by their deeds and words might join +Again his scatter’d people. In that clime, +Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold +The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself +New-garmented; nor from those billows far, +Beyond whose chiding, after weary course, +The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides +The happy Callaroga, under guard +Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies +Subjected and supreme. And there was born +The loving million of the Christian faith, +The hollow’d wrestler, gentle to his own, +And to his enemies terrible. So replete +His soul with lively virtue, that when first +Created, even in the mother’s womb, +It prophesied. When, at the sacred font, +The spousals were complete ’twixt faith and him, +Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang’d, +The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep +Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him +And from his heirs to issue. And that such +He might be construed, as indeed he was, +She was inspir’d to name him of his owner, +Whose he was wholly, and so call’d him Dominic. +And I speak of him, as the labourer, +Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be +His help-mate. Messenger he seem’d, and friend +Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show’d, +Was after the first counsel that Christ gave. +Many a time his nurse, at entering found +That he had ris’n in silence, and was prostrate, +As who should say, “My errand was for this.” +O happy father! Felix rightly nam’d! +O favour’d mother! rightly nam’d Joanna! +If that do mean, as men interpret it. +Not for the world’s sake, for which now they pore +Upon Ostiense and Taddeo’s page, +But for the real manna, soon he grew +Mighty in learning, and did set himself +To go about the vineyard, that soon turns +To wan and wither’d, if not tended well: +And from the see (whose bounty to the just +And needy is gone by, not through its fault, +But his who fills it basely, he besought, +No dispensation for commuted wrong, +Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth), +That to God’s paupers rightly appertain, +But, ’gainst an erring and degenerate world, +Licence to fight, in favour of that seed, +From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round. +Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help, +Forth on his great apostleship he far’d, +Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein; +And, dashing ’gainst the stocks of heresy, +Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout. +Thence many rivulets have since been turn’d, +Over the garden Catholic to lead +Their living waters, and have fed its plants. + +“If such one wheel of that two-yoked car, +Wherein the holy church defended her, +And rode triumphant through the civil broil. +Thou canst not doubt its fellow’s excellence, +Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar’d +So courteously unto thee. But the track, +Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted: +That mouldy mother is where late were lees. +His family, that wont to trace his path, +Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong +To rue the gathering in of their ill crop, +When the rejected tares in vain shall ask +Admittance to the barn. I question not +But he, who search’d our volume, leaf by leaf, +Might still find page with this inscription on’t, +‘I am as I was wont.’ Yet such were not +From Acquasparta nor Casale, whence +Of those, who come to meddle with the text, +One stretches and another cramps its rule. +Bonaventura’s life in me behold, +From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge +Of my great offices still laid aside +All sinister aim. Illuminato here, +And Agostino join me: two they were, +Among the first of those barefooted meek ones, +Who sought God’s friendship in the cord: with them +Hugues of Saint Victor, Pietro Mangiadore, +And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining, +Nathan the prophet, Metropolitan +Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign’d +To put his hand to the first art, Donatus. +Raban is here: and at my side there shines +Calabria’s abbot, Joachim, endow’d +With soul prophetic. The bright courtesy +Of friar Thomas, and his goodly lore, +Have mov’d me to the blazon of a peer +So worthy, and with me have mov’d this throng.” + + + + +CANTO XIII + + +Let him, who would conceive what now I saw, +Imagine (and retain the image firm, +As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak), +Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host +Selected, that, with lively ray serene, +O’ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine +The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky, +Spins ever on its axle night and day, +With the bright summit of that horn which swells +Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls, +T’ have rang’d themselves in fashion of two signs +In heav’n, such as Ariadne made, +When death’s chill seized her; and that one of them +Did compass in the other’s beam; and both +In such sort whirl around, that each should tend +With opposite motion and, conceiving thus, +Of that true constellation, and the dance +Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain +As ’twere the shadow; for things there as much +Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav’n +Is swifter than the Chiana. There was sung +No Bacchus, and no Io Paean, but +Three Persons in the Godhead, and in one +Substance that nature and the human join’d. + +The song fulfill’d its measure; and to us +Those saintly lights attended, happier made +At each new minist’ring. Then silence brake, +Amid th’ accordant sons of Deity, +That luminary, in which the wondrous life +Of the meek man of God was told to me; +And thus it spake: “One ear o’ th’ harvest thresh’d, +And its grain safely stor’d, sweet charity +Invites me with the other to like toil. + +“Thou know’st, that in the bosom, whence the rib +Was ta’en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste +All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc’d +By the keen lance, both after and before +Such satisfaction offer’d, as outweighs +Each evil in the scale, whate’er of light +To human nature is allow’d, must all +Have by his virtue been infus’d, who form’d +Both one and other: and thou thence admir’st +In that I told thee, of beatitudes +A second, there is none, to his enclos’d +In the fifth radiance. Open now thine eyes +To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see +Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth, +As centre in the round. That which dies not, +And that which can die, are but each the beam +Of that idea, which our Soverign Sire +Engendereth loving; for that lively light, +Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin’d +From him, nor from his love triune with them, +Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself, +Mirror’d, as ’twere in new existences, +Itself unalterable and ever one. + +“Descending hence unto the lowest powers, +Its energy so sinks, at last it makes +But brief contingencies: for so I name +Things generated, which the heav’nly orbs +Moving, with seed or without seed, produce. +Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much: +And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows +Th’ ideal stamp impress: so that one tree +According to his kind, hath better fruit, +And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men, +Are in your talents various. Were the wax +Molded with nice exactness, and the heav’n +In its disposing influence supreme, +The lustre of the seal should be complete: +But nature renders it imperfect ever, +Resembling thus the artist in her work, +Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill. +Howe’er, if love itself dispose, and mark +The primal virtue, kindling with bright view, +There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such +The clay was made, accomplish’d with each gift, +That life can teem with; such the burden fill’d +The virgin’s bosom: so that I commend +Thy judgment, that the human nature ne’er +Was or can be, such as in them it was. + +“Did I advance no further than this point, +‘How then had he no peer?’ thou might’st reply. +But, that what now appears not, may appear +Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what +(When he was bidden ‘Ask’), the motive sway’d +To his requesting. I have spoken thus, +That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask’d +For wisdom, to the end he might be king +Sufficient: not the number to search out +Of the celestial movers; or to know, +If necessary with contingent e’er +Have made necessity; or whether that +Be granted, that first motion is; or if +Of the mid circle can, by art, be made +Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp. + +“Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this, +Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn, +At which the dart of my intention aims. +And, marking clearly, that I told thee, ‘Risen,’ +Thou shalt discern it only hath respect +To kings, of whom are many, and the good +Are rare. With this distinction take my words; +And they may well consist with that which thou +Of the first human father dost believe, +And of our well-beloved. And let this +Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make +Thee slow in motion, as a weary man, +Both to the ‘yea’ and to the ‘nay’ thou seest not. +For he among the fools is down full low, +Whose affirmation, or denial, is +Without distinction, in each case alike +Since it befalls, that in most instances +Current opinion leads to false: and then +Affection bends the judgment to her ply. + +“Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore, +Since he returns not such as he set forth, +Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill. +And open proofs of this unto the world +Have been afforded in Parmenides, +Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside, +Who journey’d on, and knew not whither: so did +Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools, +Who, like to scymitars, reflected back +The scripture-image, by distortion marr’d. + +“Let not the people be too swift to judge, +As one who reckons on the blades in field, +Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen +The thorn frown rudely all the winter long +And after bear the rose upon its top; +And bark, that all the way across the sea +Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last, +E’en in the haven’s mouth seeing one steal, +Another brine, his offering to the priest, +Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence +Into heav’n’s counsels deem that they can pry: +For one of these may rise, the other fall.” + + + + +CANTO XIV + + +From centre to the circle, and so back +From circle to the centre, water moves +In the round chalice, even as the blow +Impels it, inwardly, or from without. +Such was the image glanc’d into my mind, +As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas’d; +And Beatrice after him her words +Resum’d alternate: “Need there is (tho’ yet +He tells it to you not in words, nor e’en +In thought) that he should fathom to its depth +Another mystery. Tell him, if the light, +Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you +Eternally, as now: and, if it doth, +How, when ye shall regain your visible forms, +The sight may without harm endure the change, +That also tell.” As those, who in a ring +Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth +Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound; +Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit, +The saintly circles in their tourneying +And wond’rous note attested new delight. + +Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb +Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live +Immortally above, he hath not seen +The sweet refreshing, of that heav’nly shower. + +Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns +In mystic union of the Three in One, +Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice +Sang, with such melody, as but to hear +For highest merit were an ample meed. +And from the lesser orb the goodliest light, +With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps +The angel’s once to Mary, thus replied: +“Long as the joy of Paradise shall last, +Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright, +As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest; +And that as far in blessedness exceeding, +As it hath grave beyond its virtue great. +Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds +Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire, +Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase, +Whate’er of light, gratuitous, imparts +The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid, +The better disclose his glory: whence +The vision needs increasing, much increase +The fervour, which it kindles; and that too +The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed +Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines +More lively than that, and so preserves +Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere +Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem, +Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth +Now covers. Nor will such excess of light +O’erpower us, in corporeal organs made +Firm, and susceptible of all delight.” + +So ready and so cordial an “Amen,” +Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke +Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance +Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear, +Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov’d, +Ere they were made imperishable flame. + +And lo! forthwith there rose up round about +A lustre over that already there, +Of equal clearness, like the brightening up +Of the horizon. As at an evening hour +Of twilight, new appearances through heav’n +Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried; +So there new substances, methought began +To rise in view; and round the other twain +Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide. + +O gentle glitter of eternal beam! +With what a such whiteness did it flow, +O’erpowering vision in me! But so fair, +So passing lovely, Beatrice show’d, +Mind cannot follow it, nor words express +Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain’d +Power to look up, and I beheld myself, +Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss +Translated: for the star, with warmer smile +Impurpled, well denoted our ascent. + +With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks +The same in all, an holocaust I made +To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf’d. +And from my bosom had not yet upsteam’d +The fuming of that incense, when I knew +The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen +And mantling crimson, in two listed rays +The splendours shot before me, that I cried, +“God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!” + +As leads the galaxy from pole to pole, +Distinguish’d into greater lights and less, +Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell; +So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars, +Those rays describ’d the venerable sign, +That quadrants in the round conjoining frame. +Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ +Beam’d on that cross; and pattern fails me now. +But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ +Will pardon me for that I leave untold, +When in the flecker’d dawning he shall spy +The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn, +And ’tween the summit and the base did move +Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass’d. +Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance, +Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow, +The atomies of bodies, long or short, +To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line +Checkers the shadow, interpos’d by art +Against the noontide heat. And as the chime +Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help +With many strings, a pleasant dining makes +To him, who heareth not distinct the note; +So from the lights, which there appear’d to me, +Gather’d along the cross a melody, +That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment +Possess’d me. Yet I mark’d it was a hymn +Of lofty praises; for there came to me +“Arise and conquer,” as to one who hears +And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy +O’ercame, that never till that hour was thing +That held me in so sweet imprisonment. + +Perhaps my saying over bold appears, +Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes, +Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire. +But he, who is aware those living seals +Of every beauty work with quicker force, +The higher they are ris’n; and that there +I had not turn’d me to them; he may well +Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse +I do accuse me, and may own my truth; +That holy pleasure here not yet reveal’d, +Which grows in transport as we mount aloof. + + + + +CANTO XV + + +True love, that ever shows itself as clear +In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong, +Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still’d +The sacred chords, that are by heav’n’s right hand +Unwound and tighten’d, flow to righteous prayers +Should they not hearken, who, to give me will +For praying, in accordance thus were mute? +He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief, +Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not, +Despoils himself forever of that love. + +As oft along the still and pure serene, +At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire, +Attracting with involuntary heed +The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest, +And seems some star that shifted place in heav’n, +Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost, +And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn, +That on the dexter of the cross extends, +Down to its foot, one luminary ran +From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem +Dropp’d from its foil; and through the beamy list +Like flame in alabaster, glow’d its course. + +So forward stretch’d him (if of credence aught +Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost +Of old Anchises, in the’ Elysian bower, +When he perceiv’d his son. “O thou, my blood! +O most exceeding grace divine! to whom, +As now to thee, hath twice the heav’nly gate +Been e’er unclos’d?” so spake the light; whence I +Turn’d me toward him; then unto my dame +My sight directed, and on either side +Amazement waited me; for in her eyes +Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine +Had div’d unto the bottom of my grace +And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith +To hearing and to sight grateful alike, +The spirit to his proem added things +I understood not, so profound he spake; +Yet not of choice but through necessity +Mysterious; for his high conception scar’d +Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight +Of holy transport had so spent its rage, +That nearer to the level of our thought +The speech descended, the first sounds I heard +Were, “Best he thou, Triunal Deity! +That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf’d!” +Then follow’d: “No unpleasant thirst, tho’ long, +Which took me reading in the sacred book, +Whose leaves or white or dusky never change, +Thou hast allay’d, my son, within this light, +From whence my voice thou hear’st; more thanks to her. +Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes +Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me +From him transmitted, who is first of all, +E’en as all numbers ray from unity; +And therefore dost not ask me who I am, +Or why to thee more joyous I appear, +Than any other in this gladsome throng. +The truth is as thou deem’st; for in this hue +Both less and greater in that mirror look, +In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think’st, are shown. +But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever, +Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire, +May be contended fully, let thy voice, +Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth +Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish, +Whereto my ready answer stands decreed.” + +I turn’d me to Beatrice; and she heard +Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent, +That to my will gave wings; and I began +“To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn’d +The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells, +Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt; +For that they are so equal in the sun, +From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat, +As makes all likeness scant. But will and means, +In mortals, for the cause ye well discern, +With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I +Experience inequality like this, +And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart, +For thy paternal greeting. This howe’er +I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm’st +This precious jewel, let me hear thy name.” + +“I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect +Even, hath pleas’d me:” thus the prompt reply +Prefacing, next it added; “he, of whom +Thy kindred appellation comes, and who, +These hundred years and more, on its first ledge +Hath circuited the mountain, was my son +And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long +Endurance should be shorten’d by thy deeds. + +“Florence, within her ancient limit-mark, +Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon, +Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace. +She had no armlets and no head-tires then, +No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye +More than the person did. Time was not yet, +When at his daughter’s birth the sire grew pale. +For fear the age and dowry should exceed +On each side just proportion. House was none +Void of its family; nor yet had come +Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats +Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet +O’er our suburban turret rose; as much +To be surpass in fall, as in its rising. +I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad +In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone; +And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks, +His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw +Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content +With unrob’d jerkin; and their good dames handling +The spindle and the flax; O happy they! +Each sure of burial in her native land, +And none left desolate a-bed for France! +One wak’d to tend the cradle, hushing it +With sounds that lull’d the parent’s infancy: +Another, with her maidens, drawing off +The tresses from the distaff, lectur’d them +Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome. +A Salterello and Cianghella we +Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would +A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now. + +“In such compos’d and seemly fellowship, +Such faithful and such fair equality, +In so sweet household, Mary at my birth +Bestow’d me, call’d on with loud cries; and there +In your old baptistery, I was made +Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were +My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto. + +“From Valdipado came to me my spouse, +And hence thy surname grew. I follow’d then +The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he +Did gird on me; in such good part he took +My valiant service. After him I went +To testify against that evil law, +Whose people, by the shepherd’s fault, possess +Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew +Was I releas’d from the deceitful world, +Whose base affection many a spirit soils, +And from the martyrdom came to this peace.” + + + + +CANTO XVI + + +O slight respect of man’s nobility! +I never shall account it marvelous, +That our infirm affection here below +Thou mov’st to boasting, when I could not choose, +E’en in that region of unwarp’d desire, +In heav’n itself, but make my vaunt in thee! +Yet cloak thou art soon shorten’d, for that time, +Unless thou be eked out from day to day, +Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then +With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear, +But since hath disaccustom’d I began; +And Beatrice, that a little space +Was sever’d, smil’d reminding me of her, +Whose cough embolden’d (as the story holds) +To first offence the doubting Guenever. + +“You are my sire,” said I, “you give me heart +Freely to speak my thought: above myself +You raise me. Through so many streams with joy +My soul is fill’d, that gladness wells from it; +So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not +Say then, my honour’d stem! what ancestors +Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark’d +In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold, +That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then +Its state, and who in it were highest seated?” + +As embers, at the breathing of the wind, +Their flame enliven, so that light I saw +Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew +More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet, +Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith +It answer’d: “From the day, when it was said +‘Hail Virgin!’ to the throes, by which my mother, +Who now is sainted, lighten’d her of me +Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come, +Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams +To reilumine underneath the foot +Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang, +And I, had there our birth-place, where the last +Partition of our city first is reach’d +By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much +Suffice of my forefathers: who they were, +And whence they hither came, more honourable +It is to pass in silence than to tell. +All those, who in that time were there from Mars +Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms, +Were but the fifth of them this day alive. +But then the citizen’s blood, that now is mix’d +From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine, +Ran purely through the last mechanic’s veins. +O how much better were it, that these people +Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo +And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound’ry, +Than to have them within, and bear the stench +Of Aguglione’s hind, and Signa’s, him, +That hath his eye already keen for bart’ring! +Had not the people, which of all the world +Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar, +But, as a mother, gracious to her son; +Such one, as hath become a Florentine, +And trades and traffics, had been turn’d adrift +To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply’d +The beggar’s craft. The Conti were possess’d +Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still +Were in Acone’s parish; nor had haply +From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte. +The city’s malady hath ever source +In the confusion of its persons, as +The body’s, in variety of food: +And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge, +Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword +Doth more and better execution, +Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark, +How they are gone, and after them how go +Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and ’twill seem +No longer new or strange to thee to hear, +That families fail, when cities have their end. +All things, that appertain t’ ye, like yourselves, +Are mortal: but mortality in some +Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you +Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon +Doth, by the rolling of her heav’nly sphere, +Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly; +So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not +At what of them I tell thee, whose renown +Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw +The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi, +The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni, +Now in their wane, illustrious citizens: +And great as ancient, of Sannella him, +With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri +And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop, +That now is laden with new felony, +So cumb’rous it may speedily sink the bark, +The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung +The County Guido, and whoso hath since +His title from the fam’d Bellincione ta’en. +Fair governance was yet an art well priz’d +By him of Pressa: Galigaio show’d +The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house. +The column, cloth’d with verrey, still was seen +Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great, +Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci, +With them who blush to hear the bushel nam’d. +Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk +Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs +Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn. +How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride +Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds +Florence was by the bullets of bright gold +O’erflourish’d. Such the sires of those, who now, +As surely as your church is vacant, flock +Into her consistory, and at leisure +There stall them and grow fat. The o’erweening brood, +That plays the dragon after him that flees, +But unto such, as turn and show the tooth, +Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb, +Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem’d, +That Ubertino of Donati grudg’d +His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe. +Already Caponsacco had descended +Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda +And Infangato were good citizens. +A thing incredible I tell, tho’ true: +The gateway, named from those of Pera, led +Into the narrow circuit of your walls. +Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings +Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth +The festival of Thomas still revives) +His knighthood and his privilege retain’d; +Albeit one, who borders them With gold, +This day is mingled with the common herd. +In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt, +And Importuni: well for its repose +Had it still lack’d of newer neighbourhood. +The house, from whence your tears have had their spring, +Through the just anger that hath murder’d ye +And put a period to your gladsome days, +Was honour’d, it, and those consorted with it. +O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling +Prevail’d on thee to break the plighted bond +Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice, +Had God to Ema giv’n thee, the first time +Thou near our city cam’st. But so was doom’d: +On that maim’d stone set up to guard the bridge, +At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell. +With these and others like to them, I saw +Florence in such assur’d tranquility, +She had no cause at which to grieve: with these +Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne’er +The lily from the lance had hung reverse, +Or through division been with vermeil dyed.” + + + + +CANTO XVII + + +Such as the youth, who came to Clymene +To certify himself of that reproach, +Which had been fasten’d on him, (he whose end +Still makes the fathers chary to their sons), +E’en such was I; nor unobserv’d was such +Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp, +Who had erewhile for me his station mov’d; +When thus by lady: “Give thy wish free vent, +That it may issue, bearing true report +Of the mind’s impress; not that aught thy words +May to our knowledge add, but to the end, +That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst +And men may mingle for thee when they hear.” + +“O plant! from whence I spring! rever’d and lov’d! +Who soar’st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear, +As earthly thought determines two obtuse +In one triangle not contain’d, so clear +Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves +Existent, looking at the point whereto +All times are present, I, the whilst I scal’d +With Virgil the soul purifying mount, +And visited the nether world of woe, +Touching my future destiny have heard +Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides +Well squar’d to fortune’s blows. Therefore my will +Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me, +The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight.” + +So said I to the brightness, which erewhile +To me had spoken, and my will declar’d, +As Beatrice will’d, explicitly. +Nor with oracular response obscure, +Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain, +Beguil’d the credulous nations; but, in terms +Precise and unambiguous lore, replied +The spirit of paternal love, enshrin’d, +Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake: +“Contingency, unfolded not to view +Upon the tablet of your mortal mold, +Is all depictur’d in the’ eternal sight; +But hence deriveth not necessity, +More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood, +Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene. +From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony +From organ comes, so comes before mine eye +The time prepar’d for thee. Such as driv’n out +From Athens, by his cruel stepdame’s wiles, +Hippolytus departed, such must thou +Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this +Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there, +Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ, +Throughout the livelong day. The common cry, +Will, as ’tis ever wont, affix the blame +Unto the party injur’d: but the truth +Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find +A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing +Belov’d most dearly: this is the first shaft +Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove +How salt the savour is of other’s bread, +How hard the passage to descend and climb +By other’s stairs, But that shall gall thee most +Will be the worthless and vile company, +With whom thou must be thrown into these straits. +For all ungrateful, impious all and mad, +Shall turn ’gainst thee: but in a little while +Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson’d brow +Their course shall so evince their brutishness +T’ have ta’en thy stand apart shall well become thee. + +“First refuge thou must find, first place of rest, +In the great Lombard’s courtesy, who bears +Upon the ladder perch’d the sacred bird. +He shall behold thee with such kind regard, +That ’twixt ye two, the contrary to that +Which falls ’twixt other men, the granting shall +Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see +That mortal, who was at his birth impress +So strongly from this star, that of his deeds +The nations shall take note. His unripe age +Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels +Only nine years have compass him about. +But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry, +Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him, +In equal scorn of labours and of gold. +His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely, +As not to let the tongues e’en of his foes +Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him +And his beneficence: for he shall cause +Reversal of their lot to many people, +Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes. +And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul +Of him, but tell it not;” and things he told +Incredible to those who witness them; +Then added: “So interpret thou, my son, +What hath been told thee.—Lo! the ambushment +That a few circling seasons hide for thee! +Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends +Thy span beyond their treason’s chastisement.” + +Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence, +Had shown the web, which I had streteh’d for him +Upon the warp, was woven, I began, +As one, who in perplexity desires +Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly: +“My father! well I mark how time spurs on +Toward me, ready to inflict the blow, +Which falls most heavily on him, who most +Abandoned himself. Therefore ’tis good +I should forecast, that driven from the place +Most dear to me, I may not lose myself +All others by my song. Down through the world +Of infinite mourning, and along the mount +From whose fair height my lady’s eyes did lift me, +And after through this heav’n from light to light, +Have I learnt that, which if I tell again, +It may with many woefully disrelish; +And, if I am a timid friend to truth, +I fear my life may perish among those, +To whom these days shall be of ancient date.” + +The brightness, where enclos’d the treasure smil’d, +Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly, +Like to a golden mirror in the sun; +Next answer’d: “Conscience, dimm’d or by its own +Or other’s shame, will feel thy saying sharp. +Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov’d, +See the whole vision be made manifest. +And let them wince who have their withers wrung. +What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove +Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn +To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest, +Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits; +Which is of honour no light argument, +For this there only have been shown to thee, +Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep, +Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind +Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce +And fix its faith, unless the instance brought +Be palpable, and proof apparent urge.” + + + + +CANTO XVIII + + +Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy’d +That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine, +Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile, +Who led me unto God, admonish’d: “Muse +On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him +I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong.” + +At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn’d; +And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen, +I leave in silence here: nor through distrust +Of my words only, but that to such bliss +The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much +Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz’d on her, +Affection found no room for other wish. +While the everlasting pleasure, that did full +On Beatrice shine, with second view +From her fair countenance my gladden’d soul +Contented; vanquishing me with a beam +Of her soft smile, she spake: “Turn thee, and list. +These eyes are not thy only Paradise.” + +As here we sometimes in the looks may see +Th’ affection mark’d, when that its sway hath ta’en +The spirit wholly; thus the hallow’d light, +To whom I turn’d, flashing, bewray’d its will +To talk yet further with me, and began: +“On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life +Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair +And leaf unwith’ring, blessed spirits abide, +That were below, ere they arriv’d in heav’n, +So mighty in renown, as every muse +Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns +Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name, +Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud +Its nimble fire.” Along the cross I saw, +At the repeated name of Joshua, +A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said, +Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw +Of the great Maccabee, another move +With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge +Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne +And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze +Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues +A falcon flying. Last, along the cross, +William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew +My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul, +Who spake with me among the other lights +Did move away, and mix; and with the choir +Of heav’nly songsters prov’d his tuneful skill. + +To Beatrice on my right l bent, +Looking for intimation or by word +Or act, what next behoov’d; and did descry +Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy, +It past all former wont. And, as by sense +Of new delight, the man, who perseveres +In good deeds doth perceive from day to day +His virtue growing; I e’en thus perceiv’d +Of my ascent, together with the heav’n +The circuit widen’d, noting the increase +Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change +In a brief moment on some maiden’s cheek, +Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight +Of pudency, that stain’d it; such in her, +And to mine eyes so sudden was the change, +Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star, +Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw, +Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks +Of love, that reign’d there, fashion to my view +Our language. And as birds, from river banks +Arisen, now in round, now lengthen’d troop, +Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems, +Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights, +The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made +Now D. now I. now L. figur’d I’ th’ air. + +First, singing, to their notes they mov’d, then one +Becoming of these signs, a little while +Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine +Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou +Inspir’st, mak’st glorious and long-liv’d, as they +Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself +Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes, +As fancy doth present them. Be thy power +Display’d in this brief song. The characters, +Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven. +In order each, as they appear’d, I mark’d. +Diligite Justitiam, the first, +Both verb and noun all blazon’d; and the extreme +Qui judicatis terram. In the M. +Of the fifth word they held their station, +Making the star seem silver streak’d with gold. +And on the summit of the M. I saw +Descending other lights, that rested there, +Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good. +Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand, +Sparkles innumerable on all sides +Rise scatter’d, source of augury to th’ unwise; +Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence +Seem’d reascending, and a higher pitch +Some mounting, and some less; e’en as the sun, +Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one +Had settled in his place, the head and neck +Then saw I of an eagle, lively +Grav’d in that streaky fire. Who painteth there, +Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides; +And every line and texture of the nest +Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it. +The other bright beatitude, that seem’d +Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content +To over-canopy the M. mov’d forth, +Following gently the impress of the bird. + + Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems +Declar’d to me our justice on the earth +To be the effluence of that heav’n, which thou, +Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay! +Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom +Thy motion and thy virtue are begun, +That he would look from whence the fog doth rise, +To vitiate thy beam: so that once more +He may put forth his hand ’gainst such, as drive +Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls +With miracles and martyrdoms were built. + +Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey! +O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth +All after ill example gone astray. +War once had for its instrument the sword: +But now ’tis made, taking the bread away +Which the good Father locks from none.—And thou, +That writes but to cancel, think, that they, +Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died, +Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings. +Thou hast good cause to cry, “My heart so cleaves +To him, that liv’d in solitude remote, +And from the wilds was dragg’d to martyrdom, +I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul.” + + + + +CANTO XIX + + +Before my sight appear’d, with open wings, +The beauteous image, in fruition sweet +Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem +A little ruby, whereon so intense +The sun-beam glow’d that to mine eyes it came +In clear refraction. And that, which next +Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter’d, +Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy +Was e’er conceiv’d. For I beheld and heard +The beak discourse; and, what intention form’d +Of many, singly as of one express, +Beginning: “For that I was just and piteous, +l am exalted to this height of glory, +The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth +Have I my memory left, e’en by the bad +Commended, while they leave its course untrod.” + +Thus is one heat from many embers felt, +As in that image many were the loves, +And one the voice, that issued from them all. +Whence I address them: “O perennial flowers +Of gladness everlasting! that exhale +In single breath your odours manifold! +Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas’d, +That with great craving long hath held my soul, +Finding no food on earth. This well I know, +That if there be in heav’n a realm, that shows +In faithful mirror the celestial Justice, +Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern +The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself +To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me +With such inveterate craving.” Straight I saw, +Like to a falcon issuing from the hood, +That rears his head, and claps him with his wings, +His beauty and his eagerness bewraying. +So saw I move that stately sign, with praise +Of grace divine inwoven and high song +Of inexpressive joy. “He,” it began, +“Who turn’d his compass on the world’s extreme, +And in that space so variously hath wrought, +Both openly, and in secret, in such wise +Could not through all the universe display +Impression of his glory, that the Word +Of his omniscience should not still remain +In infinite excess. In proof whereof, +He first through pride supplanted, who was sum +Of each created being, waited not +For light celestial, and abortive fell. +Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant +Receptacle unto that Good, which knows +No limit, measur’d by itself alone. +Therefore your sight, of th’ omnipresent Mind +A single beam, its origin must own +Surpassing far its utmost potency. +The ken, your world is gifted with, descends +In th’ everlasting Justice as low down, +As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark +The bottom from the shore, in the wide main +Discerns it not; and ne’ertheless it is, +But hidden through its deepness. Light is none, +Save that which cometh from the pure serene +Of ne’er disturbed ether: for the rest, +’Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh, +Or else its poison. Here confess reveal’d +That covert, which hath hidden from thy search +The living justice, of the which thou mad’st +Such frequent question; for thou saidst—‘A man +Is born on Indus’ banks, and none is there +Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write, +And all his inclinations and his acts, +As far as human reason sees, are good, +And he offendeth not in word or deed. +But unbaptiz’d he dies, and void of faith. +Where is the justice that condemns him? where +His blame, if he believeth not?’—What then, +And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit +To judge at distance of a thousand miles +With the short-sighted vision of a span? +To him, who subtilizes thus with me, +There would assuredly be room for doubt +Even to wonder, did not the safe word +Of scripture hold supreme authority. + +“O animals of clay! O spirits gross I +The primal will, that in itself is good, +Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne’er been mov’d. +Justice consists in consonance with it, +Derivable by no created good, +Whose very cause depends upon its beam.” + +As on her nest the stork, that turns about +Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed, +While they with upward eyes do look on her; +So lifted I my gaze; and bending so +The ever-blessed image wav’d its wings, +Lab’ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round +It warbled, and did say: “As are my notes +To thee, who understand’st them not, such is +Th’ eternal judgment unto mortal ken.” + +Then still abiding in that ensign rang’d, +Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world, +Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit +Took up the strain; and thus it spake again: +“None ever hath ascended to this realm, +Who hath not a believer been in Christ, +Either before or after the blest limbs +Were nail’d upon the wood. But lo! of those +Who call ‘Christ, Christ,’ there shall be many found, + In judgment, further off from him by far, +Than such, to whom his name was never known. +Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn: +When that the two assemblages shall part; +One rich eternally, the other poor. + +“What may the Persians say unto your kings, +When they shall see that volume, in the which +All their dispraise is written, spread to view? +There amidst Albert’s works shall that be read, +Which will give speedy motion to the pen, +When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm. +There shall be read the woe, that he doth work +With his adulterate money on the Seine, +Who by the tusk will perish: there be read +The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike +The English and Scot, impatient of their bound. +There shall be seen the Spaniard’s luxury, +The delicate living there of the Bohemian, +Who still to worth has been a willing stranger. +The halter of Jerusalem shall see +A unit for his virtue, for his vices +No less a mark than million. He, who guards +The isle of fire by old Anchises honour’d +Shall find his avarice there and cowardice; +And better to denote his littleness, +The writing must be letters maim’d, that speak +Much in a narrow space. All there shall know +His uncle and his brother’s filthy doings, +Who so renown’d a nation and two crowns +Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal +And Norway, there shall be expos’d with him +Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill +The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary! +If thou no longer patiently abid’st +Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre! +If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee +In earnest of that day, e’en now are heard +Wailings and groans in Famagosta’s streets +And Nicosia’s, grudging at their beast, +Who keepeth even footing with the rest.” + + + + +CANTO XX + + +When, disappearing, from our hemisphere, +The world’s enlightener vanishes, and day +On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky, +Erewhile irradiate only with his beam, +Is yet again unfolded, putting forth +Innumerable lights wherein one shines. +Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought, +As the great sign, that marshaleth the world +And the world’s leaders, in the blessed beak +Was silent; for that all those living lights, +Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs, +Such as from memory glide and fall away. + +Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles, +How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles, +Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir’d! + +After the precious and bright beaming stones, +That did ingem the sixth light, ceas’d the chiming +Of their angelic bells; methought I heard +The murmuring of a river, that doth fall +From rock to rock transpicuous, making known +The richness of his spring-head: and as sound +Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe, +Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun’d; +Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose +That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith +Voice there assum’d, and thence along the beak +Issued in form of words, such as my heart +Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib’d them. + +“The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,, +In mortal eagles,” it began, “must now +Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires, +That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye, +Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines +Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang +The Holy Spirit’s song, and bare about +The ark from town to town; now doth he know +The merit of his soul-impassion’d strains +By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five, +That make the circle of the vision, he +Who to the beak is nearest, comforted +The widow for her son: now doth he know +How dear he costeth not to follow Christ, +Both from experience of this pleasant life, +And of its opposite. He next, who follows +In the circumference, for the over arch, +By true repenting slack’d the pace of death: +Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav’n +Alter not, when through pious prayer below +Today’s is made tomorrow’s destiny. +The other following, with the laws and me, +To yield the shepherd room, pass’d o’er to Greece, +From good intent producing evil fruit: +Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv’d +From his well doing, doth not helm him aught, +Though it have brought destruction on the world. +That, which thou seest in the under bow, +Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps +For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows +How well is lov’d in heav’n the righteous king, +Which he betokens by his radiant seeming. +Who in the erring world beneath would deem, +That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set +Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows +Enough of that, which the world cannot see, +The grace divine, albeit e’en his sight +Reach not its utmost depth.” Like to the lark, +That warbling in the air expatiates long, +Then, trilling out his last sweet melody, +Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear’d +That image stampt by the’ everlasting pleasure, +Which fashions like itself all lovely things. + +I, though my doubting were as manifest, +As is through glass the hue that mantles it, +In silence waited not: for to my lips +“What things are these?” involuntary rush’d, +And forc’d a passage out: whereat I mark’d +A sudden lightening and new revelry. +The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign +No more to keep me wond’ring and suspense, +Replied: “I see that thou believ’st these things, +Because I tell them, but discern’st not how; +So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith: +As one who knows the name of thing by rote, +But is a stranger to its properties, +Till other’s tongue reveal them. Fervent love +And lively hope with violence assail +The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome +The will of the Most high; not in such sort +As man prevails o’er man; but conquers it, +Because ’tis willing to be conquer’d, still, +Though conquer’d, by its mercy conquering. + +“Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth, +Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold’st +The region of the angels deck’d with them. +They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem’st, +Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith, +This of the feet in future to be pierc’d, +That of feet nail’d already to the cross. +One from the barrier of the dark abyss, +Where never any with good will returns, +Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope +Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing’d +The prayers sent up to God for his release, +And put power into them to bend his will. +The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee, +A little while returning to the flesh, +Believ’d in him, who had the means to help, +And, in believing, nourish’d such a flame +Of holy love, that at the second death +He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth. +The other, through the riches of that grace, +Which from so deep a fountain doth distil, +As never eye created saw its rising, +Plac’d all his love below on just and right: +Wherefore of grace God op’d in him the eye +To the redemption of mankind to come; +Wherein believing, he endur’d no more +The filth of paganism, and for their ways +Rebuk’d the stubborn nations. The three nymphs, +Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing, +Were sponsors for him more than thousand years +Before baptizing. O how far remov’d, +Predestination! is thy root from such +As see not the First cause entire: and ye, +O mortal men! be wary how ye judge: +For we, who see our Maker, know not yet +The number of the chosen: and esteem +Such scantiness of knowledge our delight: +For all our good is in that primal good +Concentrate, and God’s will and ours are one.” + +So, by that form divine, was giv’n to me +Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight, +And, as one handling skillfully the harp, +Attendant on some skilful songster’s voice +Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song +Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake, +It doth remember me, that I beheld +The pair of blessed luminaries move. +Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes, +Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds. + + + + +CANTO XXI + + +Again mine eyes were fix’d on Beatrice, +And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks +Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore +And, “Did I smile,” quoth she, “thou wouldst be straight +Like Semele when into ashes turn’d: +For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs, +My beauty, which the loftier it climbs, +As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more, +So shines, that, were no temp’ring interpos’d, +Thy mortal puissance would from its rays +Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt. +Into the seventh splendour are we wafted, +That underneath the burning lion’s breast +Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might, +Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror’d +The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown.” +Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed +My sight upon her blissful countenance, +May know, when to new thoughts I chang’d, what joy +To do the bidding of my heav’nly guide: +In equal balance poising either weight. + +Within the crystal, which records the name, +(As its remoter circle girds the world) +Of that lov’d monarch, in whose happy reign +No ill had power to harm, I saw rear’d up, +In colour like to sun-illumin’d gold. + +A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain, +So lofty was the summit; down whose steps +I saw the splendours in such multitude +Descending, ev’ry light in heav’n, methought, +Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day +Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill, +Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some, +Returning, cross their flight, while some abide +And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem’d +That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing, +As upon certain stair it met, and clash’d +Its shining. And one ling’ring near us, wax’d +So bright, that in my thought: said: “The love, +Which this betokens me, admits no doubt.” + +Unwillingly from question I refrain, +To her, by whom my silence and my speech +Are order’d, looking for a sign: whence she, +Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all, +Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me +T’ indulge the fervent wish; and I began: +“I am not worthy, of my own desert, +That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake, +Who hath vouchsaf’d my asking, spirit blest! +That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause, +Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say, +Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise +Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds +Of rapt devotion ev’ry lower sphere?” +“Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;” +Was the reply: “and what forbade the smile +Of Beatrice interrupts our song. +Only to yield thee gladness of my voice, +And of the light that vests me, I thus far +Descend these hallow’d steps: not that more love +Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much +Or more of love is witness’d in those flames: +But such my lot by charity assign’d, +That makes us ready servants, as thou seest, +To execute the counsel of the Highest.” +“That in this court,” said I, “O sacred lamp! +Love no compulsion needs, but follows free +Th’ eternal Providence, I well discern: +This harder find to deem, why of thy peers +Thou only to this office wert foredoom’d.” +I had not ended, when, like rapid mill, +Upon its centre whirl’d the light; and then +The love, that did inhabit there, replied: +“Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds, +Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus +Supported, lifts me so above myself, +That on the sov’ran essence, which it wells from, +I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy, +Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze +The keenness of my sight. But not the soul, +That is in heav’n most lustrous, nor the seraph +That hath his eyes most fix’d on God, shall solve +What thou hast ask’d: for in th’ abyss it lies +Of th’ everlasting statute sunk so low, +That no created ken may fathom it. +And, to the mortal world when thou return’st, +Be this reported; that none henceforth dare +Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn. +The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth +Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do, +Below, what passeth her ability, +When she is ta’en to heav’n.” By words like these +Admonish’d, I the question urg’d no more; +And of the spirit humbly sued alone +T’ instruct me of its state. “’Twixt either shore +Of Italy, nor distant from thy land, +A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort, +The thunder doth not lift his voice so high, +They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell +Is sacred to the lonely Eremite, +For worship set apart and holy rites.” +A third time thus it spake; then added: “There +So firmly to God’s service I adher’d, +That with no costlier viands than the juice +Of olives, easily I pass’d the heats +Of summer and the winter frosts, content +In heav’n-ward musings. Rich were the returns +And fertile, which that cloister once was us’d +To render to these heavens: now ’tis fall’n +Into a waste so empty, that ere long +Detection must lay bare its vanity +Pietro Damiano there was I yclept: +Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt +Beside the Adriatic, in the house +Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close +Of mortal life, through much importuning +I was constrain’d to wear the hat that still +From bad to worse it shifted.—Cephas came; +He came, who was the Holy Spirit’s vessel, +Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc’d, +At the first table. Modern Shepherd’s need +Those who on either hand may prop and lead them, +So burly are they grown: and from behind +Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey’s sides +Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts +Are cover’d with one skin. O patience! thou +That lookst on this and doth endure so long.” +I at those accents saw the splendours down +From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax, +Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this +They came, and stay’d them; uttered them a shout +So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I +Wist what it spake, so deaf’ning was the thunder. + + + + +CANTO XXII + + +Astounded, to the guardian of my steps +I turn’d me, like the chill, who always runs +Thither for succour, where he trusteth most, +And she was like the mother, who her son +Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice +Soothes him, and he is cheer’d; for thus she spake, +Soothing me: “Know’st not thou, thou art in heav’n? +And know’st not thou, whatever is in heav’n, +Is holy, and that nothing there is done +But is done zealously and well? Deem now, +What change in thee the song, and what my smile +had wrought, since thus the shout had pow’r to move thee. +In which couldst thou have understood their prayers, +The vengeance were already known to thee, +Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour, +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. +But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view; +So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold.” +Mine eyes directing, as she will’d, I saw +A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew +By interchange of splendour. I remain’d, +As one, who fearful of o’er-much presuming, +Abates in him the keenness of desire, +Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls, +One largest and most lustrous onward drew, +That it might yield contentment to my wish; +And from within it these the sounds I heard. + +“If thou, like me, beheldst the charity +That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives, +Were utter’d. But that, ere the lofty bound +Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee, +I will make answer even to the thought, +Which thou hast such respect of. In old days, +That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests, +Was on its height frequented by a race +Deceived and ill dispos’d: and I it was, +Who thither carried first the name of Him, +Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man. +And such a speeding grace shone over me, +That from their impious worship I reclaim’d +The dwellers round about, who with the world +Were in delusion lost. These other flames, +The spirits of men contemplative, were all +Enliven’d by that warmth, whose kindly force +Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness. +Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here: +And here my brethren, who their steps refrain’d +Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart.” + +I answ’ring, thus; “Thy gentle words and kind, +And this the cheerful semblance, I behold +Not unobservant, beaming in ye all, +Have rais’d assurance in me, wakening it +Full-blossom’d in my bosom, as a rose +Before the sun, when the consummate flower +Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee +Therefore entreat I, father! to declare +If I may gain such favour, as to gaze +Upon thine image, by no covering veil’d.” + +“Brother!” he thus rejoin’d, “in the last sphere +Expect completion of thy lofty aim, +For there on each desire completion waits, +And there on mine: where every aim is found +Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe. +There all things are as they have ever been: +For space is none to bound, nor pole divides, +Our ladder reaches even to that clime, +And so at giddy distance mocks thy view. +Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch +Its topmost round, when it appear’d to him +With angels laden. But to mount it now +None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule +Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves; +The walls, for abbey rear’d, turned into dens, +The cowls to sacks choak’d up with musty meal. +Foul usury doth not more lift itself +Against God’s pleasure, than that fruit which makes +The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate’er +Is in the church’s keeping, all pertains. +To such, as sue for heav’n’s sweet sake, and not +To those who in respect of kindred claim, +Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh +Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not +From the oak’s birth, unto the acorn’s setting. +His convent Peter founded without gold +Or silver; I with pray’rs and fasting mine; +And Francis his in meek humility. +And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds, +Then look what it hath err’d to, thou shalt find +The white grown murky. Jordan was turn’d back; +And a less wonder, then the refluent sea, +May at God’s pleasure work amendment here.” + +So saying, to his assembly back he drew: +And they together cluster’d into one, +Then all roll’d upward like an eddying wind. + +The sweet dame beckon’d me to follow them: +And, by that influence only, so prevail’d +Over my nature, that no natural motion, +Ascending or descending here below, +Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied. + +So, reader, as my hope is to return +Unto the holy triumph, for the which +I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast, +Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting +Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere +The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld, +And enter’d its precinct. O glorious stars! +O light impregnate with exceeding virtue! +To whom whate’er of genius lifteth me +Above the vulgar, grateful I refer; +With ye the parent of all mortal life +Arose and set, when I did first inhale +The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace +Vouchsaf’d me entrance to the lofty wheel +That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed +My passage at your clime. To you my soul +Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now +To meet the hard emprize that draws me on. + +“Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,” +Said Beatrice, “that behooves thy ken +Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end, +Or even thou advance thee further, hence +Look downward, and contemplate, what a world +Already stretched under our feet there lies: +So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood, +Present itself to the triumphal throng, +Which through the’ etherial concave comes rejoicing.” + +I straight obey’d; and with mine eye return’d +Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe +So pitiful of semblance, that perforce +It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold +For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts +Elsewhere are fix’d, him worthiest call and best. +I saw the daughter of Latona shine +Without the shadow, whereof late I deem’d +That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain’d +The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun; +And mark’d, how near him with their circle, round +Move Maia and Dione; here discern’d +Jove’s tempering ’twixt his sire and son; and hence +Their changes and their various aspects +Distinctly scann’d. Nor might I not descry +Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift; +Nor of their several distances not learn. +This petty area (o’er the which we stride +So fiercely), as along the eternal twins +I wound my way, appear’d before me all, +Forth from the havens stretch’d unto the hills. +Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return’d. + + + + +CANTO XXIII + + +E’en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower +Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night, +With her sweet brood, impatient to descry +Their wished looks, and to bring home their food, +In the fond quest unconscious of her toil: +She, of the time prevenient, on the spray, +That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze +Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn, +Removeth from the east her eager ken; +So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance +Wistfully on that region, where the sun +Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her +Suspense and wand’ring, I became as one, +In whom desire is waken’d, and the hope +Of somewhat new to come fills with delight. + +Short space ensued; I was not held, I say, +Long in expectance, when I saw the heav’n +Wax more and more resplendent; and, “Behold,” +Cried Beatrice, “the triumphal hosts +Of Christ, and all the harvest reap’d at length +Of thy ascending up these spheres.” Meseem’d, +That, while she spake her image all did burn, +And in her eyes such fullness was of joy, +And I am fain to pass unconstrued by. + +As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles, +In peerless beauty, ’mid th’ eternal nympus, +That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound +In bright pre-eminence so saw I there, +O’er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew +Their radiance as from ours the starry train: +And through the living light so lustrous glow’d +The substance, that my ken endur’d it not. + +O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide! +Who cheer’d me with her comfortable words! +“Against the virtue, that o’erpow’reth thee, +Avails not to resist. Here is the might, +And here the wisdom, which did open lay +The path, that had been yearned for so long, +Betwixt the heav’n and earth.” Like to the fire, +That, in a cloud imprison’d doth break out +Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg’d, +It falleth against nature to the ground; +Thus in that heav’nly banqueting my soul +Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost. +Holds now remembrance none of what she was. + +“Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen +Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile.” + +I was as one, when a forgotten dream +Doth come across him, and he strives in vain +To shape it in his fantasy again, +Whenas that gracious boon was proffer’d me, +Which never may be cancel’d from the book, +Wherein the past is written. Now were all +Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk +Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed +And fatten’d, not with all their help to boot, +Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth, +My song might shadow forth that saintly smile, +flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought. +And with such figuring of Paradise +The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets +A sudden interruption to his road. +But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme, +And that ’tis lain upon a mortal shoulder, +May pardon, if it tremble with the burden. +The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks +No unribb’d pinnace, no self-sparing pilot. + +“Why doth my face,” said Beatrice, “thus +Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn +Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming +Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose, +Wherein the word divine was made incarnate; +And here the lilies, by whose odour known +The way of life was follow’d.” Prompt I heard +Her bidding, and encounter once again +The strife of aching vision. As erewhile, +Through glance of sunlight, stream’d through broken cloud, +Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen, +Though veil’d themselves in shade; so saw I there +Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays +Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not +The fountain whence they flow’d. O gracious virtue! +Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up +Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room +To my o’erlabour’d sight: when at the name +Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke +Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might +Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix’d. +And, as the bright dimensions of the star +In heav’n excelling, as once here on earth +Were, in my eyeballs lively portray’d, +Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell, +Circling in fashion of a diadem, +And girt the star, and hov’ring round it wheel’d. + +Whatever melody sounds sweetest here, +And draws the spirit most unto itself, +Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder, +Compar’d unto the sounding of that lyre, +Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays +The floor of heav’n, was crown’d. “Angelic Love +I am, who thus with hov’ring flight enwheel +The lofty rapture from that womb inspir’d, +Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so, +Lady of Heav’n! will hover; long as thou +Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy +Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere.” + +Such close was to the circling melody: +And, as it ended, all the other lights +Took up the strain, and echoed Mary’s name. + +The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps +The world, and with the nearer breath of God +Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir’d +Its inner hem and skirting over us, +That yet no glimmer of its majesty +Had stream’d unto me: therefore were mine eyes +Unequal to pursue the crowned flame, +That rose and sought its natal seed of fire; +And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms +For very eagerness towards the breast, +After the milk is taken; so outstretch’d +Their wavy summits all the fervent band, +Through zealous love to Mary: then in view +There halted, and “Regina Coeli” sang +So sweetly, the delight hath left me never. + +O what o’erflowing plenty is up-pil’d +In those rich-laden coffers, which below +Sow’d the good seed, whose harvest now they keep. + +Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears +Were in the Babylonian exile won, +When gold had fail’d them. Here in synod high +Of ancient council with the new conven’d, +Under the Son of Mary and of God, +Victorious he his mighty triumph holds, +To whom the keys of glory were assign’d. + + + + +CANTO XXIV + + +“O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc’d +To the great supper of the blessed Lamb, +Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill’d! +If to this man through God’s grace be vouchsaf’d +Foretaste of that, which from your table falls, +Or ever death his fated term prescribe; +Be ye not heedless of his urgent will; +But may some influence of your sacred dews +Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink, +Whence flows what most he craves.” Beatrice spake, +And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres +On firm-set poles revolving, trail’d a blaze +Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind +Their circles in the horologe, so work +The stated rounds, that to th’ observant eye +The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last; +E’en thus their carols weaving variously, +They by the measure pac’d, or swift, or slow, +Made me to rate the riches of their joy. + +From that, which I did note in beauty most +Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame +So bright, as none was left more goodly there. +Round Beatrice thrice it wheel’d about, +With so divine a song, that fancy’s ear +Records it not; and the pen passeth on +And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech, +Nor e’en the inward shaping of the brain, +Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds. + +“O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout +Is with so vehement affection urg’d, +Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere.” + +Such were the accents towards my lady breath’d +From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay’d: +To whom she thus: “O everlasting light +Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord +Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss +He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt, +With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith, +By the which thou didst on the billows walk. +If he in love, in hope, and in belief, +Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou +Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld +In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith +Has peopled this fair realm with citizens, +Meet is, that to exalt its glory more, +Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse.” + +Like to the bachelor, who arms himself, +And speaks not, till the master have propos’d +The question, to approve, and not to end it; +So I, in silence, arm’d me, while she spake, +Summoning up each argument to aid; +As was behooveful for such questioner, +And such profession: “As good Christian ought, +Declare thee, What is faith?” Whereat I rais’d +My forehead to the light, whence this had breath’d, +Then turn’d to Beatrice, and in her looks +Approval met, that from their inmost fount +I should unlock the waters. “May the grace, +That giveth me the captain of the church +For confessor,” said I, “vouchsafe to me +Apt utterance for my thoughts!” then added: “Sire! +E’en as set down by the unerring style +Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir’d +To bring Rome in unto the way of life, +Faith of things hop’d is substance, and the proof +Of things not seen; and herein doth consist +Methinks its essence,”—“Rightly hast thou deem’d,” +Was answer’d: “if thou well discern, why first +He hath defin’d it, substance, and then proof.” + +“The deep things,” I replied, “which here I scan +Distinctly, are below from mortal eye +So hidden, they have in belief alone +Their being, on which credence hope sublime +Is built; and therefore substance it intends. +And inasmuch as we must needs infer +From such belief our reasoning, all respect +To other view excluded, hence of proof +Th’ intention is deriv’d.” Forthwith I heard: +“If thus, whate’er by learning men attain, +Were understood, the sophist would want room +To exercise his wit.” So breath’d the flame +Of love: then added: “Current is the coin +Thou utter’st, both in weight and in alloy. +But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse.” + +“Even so glittering and so round,” said I, +“I not a whit misdoubt of its assay.” + +Next issued from the deep imbosom’d splendour: +“Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which +Is founded every virtue, came to thee.” +“The flood,” I answer’d, “from the Spirit of God +Rain’d down upon the ancient bond and new,— +Here is the reas’ning, that convinceth me +So feelingly, each argument beside +Seems blunt and forceless in comparison.” +Then heard I: “Wherefore holdest thou that each, +The elder proposition and the new, +Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav’n?” + +“The works, that follow’d, evidence their truth;” +I answer’d: “Nature did not make for these +The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them.” +“Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,” +Was the reply, “that they in very deed +Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee.” + +“That all the world,” said I, “should have been turn’d +To Christian, and no miracle been wrought, +Would in itself be such a miracle, +The rest were not an hundredth part so great. +E’en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger +To set the goodly plant, that from the vine, +It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble.” +That ended, through the high celestial court +Resounded all the spheres. “Praise we one God!” +In song of most unearthly melody. +And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch, +Examining, had led me, that we now +Approach’d the topmost bough, he straight resum’d; +“The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul, +So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos’d +That, whatsoe’er has past them, I commend. +Behooves thee to express, what thou believ’st, +The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown.” + +“O saintly sire and spirit!” I began, +“Who seest that, which thou didst so believe, +As to outstrip feet younger than thine own, +Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here, +That I the tenour of my creed unfold; +And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask’d. +And I reply: I in one God believe, +One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love +All heav’n is mov’d, himself unmov’d the while. +Nor demonstration physical alone, +Or more intelligential and abstruse, +Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth +It cometh to me rather, which is shed +Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms. +The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write, +When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost. +In three eternal Persons I believe, +Essence threefold and one, mysterious league +Of union absolute, which, many a time, +The word of gospel lore upon my mind +Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark, +The lively flame dilates, and like heav’n’s star +Doth glitter in me.” As the master hears, +Well pleas’d, and then enfoldeth in his arms +The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought, +And having told the errand keeps his peace; +Thus benediction uttering with song +Soon as my peace I held, compass’d me thrice +The apostolic radiance, whose behest +Had op’d lips; so well their answer pleas’d. + + + + +CANTO XXV + + +If e’er the sacred poem that hath made +Both heav’n and earth copartners in its toil, +And with lean abstinence, through many a year, +Faded my brow, be destin’d to prevail +Over the cruelty, which bars me forth +Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb +The wolves set on and fain had worried me, +With other voice and fleece of other grain +I shall forthwith return, and, standing up +At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath +Due to the poet’s temples: for I there +First enter’d on the faith which maketh souls +Acceptable to God: and, for its sake, +Peter had then circled my forehead thus. + +Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth +The first fruit of Christ’s vicars on the earth, +Toward us mov’d a light, at view whereof +My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me: +“Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might, +That makes Falicia throng’d with visitants!” + +As when the ring-dove by his mate alights, +In circles each about the other wheels, +And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I +One, of the other great and glorious prince, +With kindly greeting hail’d, extolling both +Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end +Was to their gratulation, silent, each, +Before me sat they down, so burning bright, +I could not look upon them. Smiling then, +Beatrice spake: “O life in glory shrin’d!” +Who didst the largess of our kingly court +Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice +Of hope the praises in this height resound. +For thou, who figur’st them in shapes, as clear, +As Jesus stood before thee, well can’st speak them.” + +“Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust: +For that, which hither from the mortal world +Arriveth, must be ripen’d in our beam.” + +Such cheering accents from the second flame +Assur’d me; and mine eyes I lifted up +Unto the mountains that had bow’d them late +With over-heavy burden. “Sith our Liege +Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death, +In the most secret council, with his lords +Shouldst be confronted, so that having view’d +The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith +Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate +With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare, +What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee, +And whence thou hadst it?” Thus proceeding still, +The second light: and she, whose gentle love +My soaring pennons in that lofty flight +Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin’d: +Among her sons, not one more full of hope, +Hath the church militant: so ’tis of him +Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb +Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term +Of warfare, hence permitted he is come, +From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see. +The other points, both which thou hast inquir’d, +Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell +How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him +Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease, +And without boasting, so God give him grace.” +Like to the scholar, practis’d in his task, +Who, willing to give proof of diligence, +Seconds his teacher gladly, “Hope,” said I, +“Is of the joy to come a sure expectance, +Th’ effect of grace divine and merit preceding. +This light from many a star visits my heart, +But flow’d to me the first from him, who sang +The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme +Among his tuneful brethren. ‘Let all hope +In thee,’ so speak his anthem, ‘who have known +Thy name;’ and with my faith who know not that? +From thee, the next, distilling from his spring, +In thine epistle, fell on me the drops +So plenteously, that I on others shower +The influence of their dew.” Whileas I spake, +A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning, +Within the bosom of that mighty sheen, +Play’d tremulous; then forth these accents breath’d: +“Love for the virtue which attended me +E’en to the palm, and issuing from the field, +Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires +To ask of thee, whom also it delights; +What promise thou from hope in chief dost win.” + +“Both scriptures, new and ancient,” I reply’d; +“Propose the mark (which even now I view) +For souls belov’d of God. Isaias saith, +That, in their own land, each one must be clad +In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life. +In terms more full, +And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth +This revelation to us, where he tells +Of the white raiment destin’d to the saints.” +And, as the words were ending, from above, +“They hope in thee,” first heard we cried: whereto +Answer’d the carols all. Amidst them next, +A light of so clear amplitude emerg’d, +That winter’s month were but a single day, +Were such a crystal in the Cancer’s sign. + +Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes, +And enters on the mazes of the dance, +Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent, +Than to do fitting honour to the bride; +So I beheld the new effulgence come +Unto the other two, who in a ring +Wheel’d, as became their rapture. In the dance +And in the song it mingled. And the dame +Held on them fix’d her looks: e’en as the spouse +Silent and moveless. “This is he, who lay +Upon the bosom of our pelican: +This he, into whose keeping from the cross +The mighty charge was given.” Thus she spake, +Yet therefore naught the more remov’d her Sight +From marking them, or ere her words began, +Or when they clos’d. As he, who looks intent, +And strives with searching ken, how he may see +The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire +Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I +Peer’d on that last resplendence, while I heard: +“Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that, +Which here abides not? Earth my body is, +In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long, +As till our number equal the decree +Of the Most High. The two that have ascended, +In this our blessed cloister, shine alone +With the two garments. So report below.” + +As when, for ease of labour, or to shun +Suspected peril at a whistle’s breath, +The oars, erewhile dash’d frequent in the wave, +All rest; the flamy circle at that voice +So rested, and the mingling sound was still, +Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose. +I turn’d, but ah! how trembled in my thought, +When, looking at my side again to see +Beatrice, I descried her not, although +Not distant, on the happy coast she stood. + + + + +CANTO XXVI + + +With dazzled eyes, whilst wond’ring I remain’d, +Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me, +Issued a breath, that in attention mute +Detain’d me; and these words it spake: “’Twere well, +That, long as till thy vision, on my form +O’erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse +Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then, +Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires: + +“And meanwhile rest assur’d, that sight in thee +Is but o’erpowered a space, not wholly quench’d: +Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look +Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt +In Ananias’ hand.” I answering thus: +“Be to mine eyes the remedy or late +Or early, at her pleasure; for they were +The gates, at which she enter’d, and did light +Her never dying fire. My wishes here +Are centered; in this palace is the weal, +That Alpha and Omega, is to all +The lessons love can read me.” Yet again +The voice which had dispers’d my fear, when daz’d +With that excess, to converse urg’d, and spake: +“Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms, +And say, who level’d at this scope thy bow.” + +“Philosophy,” said I, “hath arguments, +And this place hath authority enough +T’ imprint in me such love: for, of constraint, +Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good, +Kindles our love, and in degree the more, +As it comprises more of goodness in ’t. +The essence then, where such advantage is, +That each good, found without it, is naught else +But of his light the beam, must needs attract +The soul of each one, loving, who the truth +Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth +Learn I from him, who shows me the first love +Of all intelligential substances +Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word +Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith, +‘I will make all my good before thee pass.’ +Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim’st, +E’en at the outset of thy heralding, +In mortal ears the mystery of heav’n.” + +“Through human wisdom, and th’ authority +Therewith agreeing,” heard I answer’d, “keep +The choicest of thy love for God. But say, +If thou yet other cords within thee feel’st +That draw thee towards him; so that thou report +How many are the fangs, with which this love +Is grappled to thy soul.” I did not miss, +To what intent the eagle of our Lord +Had pointed his demand; yea noted well +Th’ avowal, which he led to; and resum’d: +“All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God, +Confederate to make fast our clarity. +The being of the world, and mine own being, +The death which he endur’d that I should live, +And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do, +To the foremention’d lively knowledge join’d, +Have from the sea of ill love sav’d my bark, +And on the coast secur’d it of the right. +As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom, +My love for them is great, as is the good +Dealt by th’ eternal hand, that tends them all.” + +I ended, and therewith a song most sweet +Rang through the spheres; and “Holy, holy, holy,” +Accordant with the rest my lady sang. +And as a sleep is broken and dispers’d +Through sharp encounter of the nimble light, +With the eye’s spirit running forth to meet +The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg’d; +And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees; +So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems +Of all around him, till assurance waits +On better judgment: thus the saintly came +Drove from before mine eyes the motes away, +With the resplendence of her own, that cast +Their brightness downward, thousand miles below. +Whence I my vision, clearer shall before, +Recover’d; and, well nigh astounded, ask’d +Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw. + +And Beatrice: “The first diving soul, +That ever the first virtue fram’d, admires +Within these rays his Maker.” Like the leaf, +That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown; +By its own virtue rear’d then stands aloof; +So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow’d. +Then eagerness to speak embolden’d me; +And I began: “O fruit! that wast alone +Mature, when first engender’d! Ancient father! +That doubly seest in every wedded bride +Thy daughter by affinity and blood! +Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold +Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I, +More speedily to hear thee, tell it not.” + +It chanceth oft some animal bewrays, +Through the sleek cov’ring of his furry coat. +The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms +His outside seeming to the cheer within: +And in like guise was Adam’s spirit mov’d +To joyous mood, that through the covering shone, +Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake: +“No need thy will be told, which I untold +Better discern, than thou whatever thing +Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see +In Him, who is truth’s mirror, and Himself +Parhelion unto all things, and naught else +To him. This wouldst thou hear; how long since God +Plac’d me high garden, from whose hounds +She led me up in this ladder, steep and long; +What space endur’d my season of delight; +Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish’d me; +And what the language, which I spake and fram’d +Not that I tasted of the tree, my son, +Was in itself the cause of that exile, +But only my transgressing of the mark +Assign’d me. There, whence at thy lady’s hest +The Mantuan mov’d him, still was I debarr’d +This council, till the sun had made complete, +Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice, +His annual journey; and, through every light +In his broad pathway, saw I him return, +Thousand save sev’nty times, the whilst I dwelt +Upon the earth. The language I did use +Was worn away, or ever Nimrod’s race +Their unaccomplishable work began. +For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting, +Left by his reason free, and variable, +As is the sky that sways him. That he speaks, +Is nature’s prompting: whether thus or thus, +She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it. +Ere I descended into hell’s abyss, +El was the name on earth of the Chief Good, +Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then ’twas call’d +And so beseemeth: for, in mortals, use +Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes, +And other comes instead. Upon the mount +Most high above the waters, all my life, +Both innocent and guilty, did but reach +From the first hour, to that which cometh next +(As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth.” + + + + +CANTO XXVII + + +Then “Glory to the Father, to the Son, +And to the Holy Spirit,” rang aloud +Throughout all Paradise, that with the song +My spirit reel’d, so passing sweet the strain: +And what I saw was equal ecstasy; +One universal smile it seem’d of all things, +Joy past compare, gladness unutterable, +Imperishable life of peace and love, +Exhaustless riches and unmeasur’d bliss. + +Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit; +And that, which first had come, began to wax +In brightness, and in semblance such became, +As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds, +And interchang’d their plumes. Silence ensued, +Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints +Vicissitude of ministry, enjoin’d; +When thus I heard: “Wonder not, if my hue +Be chang’d; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see +All in like manner change with me. My place +He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine, +Which in the presence of the Son of God +Is void), the same hath made my cemetery +A common sewer of puddle and of blood: +The more below his triumph, who from hence +Malignant fell.” Such colour, as the sun, +At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud, +Then saw I sprinkled over all the sky. +And as th’ unblemish’d dame, who in herself +Secure of censure, yet at bare report +Of other’s failing, shrinks with maiden fear; +So Beatrice in her semblance chang’d: +And such eclipse in heav’n methinks was seen, +When the Most Holy suffer’d. Then the words +Proceeded, with voice, alter’d from itself +So clean, the semblance did not alter more. +“Not to this end was Christ’s spouse with my blood, +With that of Linus, and of Cletus fed: +That she might serve for purchase of base gold: +But for the purchase of this happy life +Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed, +And Urban, they, whose doom was not without +Much weeping seal’d. No purpose was of our +That on the right hand of our successors +Part of the Christian people should be set, +And part upon their left; nor that the keys, +Which were vouchsaf’d me, should for ensign serve +Unto the banners, that do levy war +On the baptiz’d: nor I, for sigil-mark +Set upon sold and lying privileges; +Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red. +In shepherd’s clothing greedy wolves below +Range wide o’er all the pastures. Arm of God! +Why longer sleepst thou? Caorsines and Gascona +Prepare to quaff our blood. O good beginning +To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop! +But the high providence, which did defend +Through Scipio the world’s glory unto Rome, +Will not delay its succour: and thou, son, +Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again +Return below, open thy lips, nor hide +What is by me not hidden.” As a Hood +Of frozen vapours streams adown the air, +What time the she-goat with her skiey horn +Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide +The vapours, who with us had linger’d late +And with glad triumph deck th’ ethereal cope. +Onward my sight their semblances pursued; +So far pursued, as till the space between +From its reach sever’d them: whereat the guide +Celestial, marking me no more intent +On upward gazing, said, “Look down and see +What circuit thou hast compass’d.” From the hour +When I before had cast my view beneath, +All the first region overpast I saw, +Which from the midmost to the bound’ry winds; +That onward thence from Gades I beheld +The unwise passage of Laertes’ son, +And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa! +Mad’st thee a joyful burden: and yet more +Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun, +A constellation off and more, had ta’en +His progress in the zodiac underneath. + +Then by the spirit, that doth never leave +Its amorous dalliance with my lady’s looks, +Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes +Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles, +Whenas I turn’d me, pleasure so divine +Did lighten on me, that whatever bait +Or art or nature in the human flesh, +Or in its limn’d resemblance, can combine +Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal, +Were to her beauty nothing. Its boon influence +From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth, +And wafted on into the swiftest heav’n. + +What place for entrance Beatrice chose, +I may not say, so uniform was all, +Liveliest and loftiest. She my secret wish +Divin’d; and with such gladness, that God’s love +Seem’d from her visage shining, thus began: +“Here is the goal, whence motion on his race +Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest +All mov’d around. Except the soul divine, +Place in this heav’n is none, the soul divine, +Wherein the love, which ruleth o’er its orb, +Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds; +One circle, light and love, enclasping it, +As this doth clasp the others; and to Him, +Who draws the bound, its limit only known. +Measur’d itself by none, it doth divide +Motion to all, counted unto them forth, +As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten. +The vase, wherein time’s roots are plung’d, thou seest, +Look elsewhere for the leaves. O mortal lust! +That canst not lift thy head above the waves +Which whelm and sink thee down! The will in man +Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise +Is, by the dripping of perpetual rain, +Made mere abortion: faith and innocence +Are met with but in babes, each taking leave +Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts, +While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose +Gluts every food alike in every moon. +One yet a babbler, loves and listens to +His mother; but no sooner hath free use +Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave. +So suddenly doth the fair child of him, +Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting, +To negro blackness change her virgin white. + +“Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none +Bears rule in earth, and its frail family +Are therefore wand’rers. Yet before the date, +When through the hundredth in his reck’ning drops +Pale January must be shor’d aside +From winter’s calendar, these heav’nly spheres +Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain +To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow; +So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit, +Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!” + + + + +CANTO XXVII + + +So she who doth imparadise my soul, +Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life, +And bar’d the truth of poor mortality; +When lo! as one who, in a mirror, spies +The shining of a flambeau at his back, +Lit sudden ore he deem of its approach, +And turneth to resolve him, if the glass +Have told him true, and sees the record faithful +As note is to its metre; even thus, +I well remember, did befall to me, +Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love +Had made the leash to take me. As I turn’d; +And that, which, in their circles, none who spies, +Can miss of, in itself apparent, struck +On mine; a point I saw, that darted light +So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up +Against its keenness. The least star we view +From hence, had seem’d a moon, set by its side, +As star by side of star. And so far off, +Perchance, as is the halo from the light +Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads, +There wheel’d about the point a circle of fire, +More rapid than the motion, which first girds +The world. Then, circle after circle, round +Enring’d each other; till the seventh reach’d +Circumference so ample, that its bow, +Within the span of Juno’s messenger, +lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev’nth, +Follow’d yet other two. And every one, +As more in number distant from the first, +Was tardier in motion; and that glow’d +With flame most pure, that to the sparkle’ of truth +Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks, +Of its reality. The guide belov’d +Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake: +“Heav’n, and all nature, hangs upon that point. +The circle thereto most conjoin’d observe; +And know, that by intenser love its course +Is to this swiftness wing’d.” To whom I thus: +“It were enough; nor should I further seek, +Had I but witness’d order, in the world +Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen. +But in the sensible world such diff’rence is, +That is each round shows more divinity, +As each is wider from the centre. Hence, +If in this wondrous and angelic temple, +That hath for confine only light and love, +My wish may have completion I must know, +Wherefore such disagreement is between +Th’ exemplar and its copy: for myself, +Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause.” + +“It is no marvel, if thy fingers foil’d +Do leave the knot untied: so hard ’tis grown +For want of tenting.” Thus she said: “But take,” +She added, “if thou wish thy cure, my words, +And entertain them subtly. Every orb +Corporeal, doth proportion its extent +Unto the virtue through its parts diffus’d. +The greater blessedness preserves the more. +The greater is the body (if all parts +Share equally) the more is to preserve. +Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels +The universal frame answers to that, +Which is supreme in knowledge and in love +Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth +Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav’ns, +Each to the’ intelligence that ruleth it, +Greater to more, and smaller unto less, +Suited in strict and wondrous harmony.” + +As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek +A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air, +Clear’d of the rack, that hung on it before, +Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil’d, +The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles; +Such was my cheer, when Beatrice drove +With clear reply the shadows back, and truth +Was manifested, as a star in heaven. +And when the words were ended, not unlike +To iron in the furnace, every cirque +Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires: +And every sparkle shivering to new blaze, +In number did outmillion the account +Reduplicate upon the chequer’d board. +Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir, +“Hosanna,” to the fixed point, that holds, +And shall for ever hold them to their place, +From everlasting, irremovable. + +Musing awhile I stood: and she, who saw +by inward meditations, thus began: +“In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst, +Are seraphim and cherubim. Thus swift +Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point, +Near as they can, approaching; and they can +The more, the loftier their vision. Those, +That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next, +Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends. And all +Are blessed, even as their sight descends +Deeper into the truth, wherein rest is +For every mind. Thus happiness hath root +In seeing, not in loving, which of sight +Is aftergrowth. And of the seeing such +The meed, as unto each in due degree +Grace and good-will their measure have assign’d. +The other trine, that with still opening buds +In this eternal springtide blossom fair, +Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram, +Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold +Hosannas blending ever, from the three +Transmitted. hierarchy of gods, for aye +Rejoicing, dominations first, next then +Virtues, and powers the third. The next to whom +Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round +To tread their festal ring; and last the band +Angelical, disporting in their sphere. +All, as they circle in their orders, look +Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail, +That all with mutual impulse tend to God. +These once a mortal view beheld. Desire +In Dionysius so intently wrought, +That he, as I have done rang’d them; and nam’d +Their orders, marshal’d in his thought. From him +Dissentient, one refus’d his sacred read. +But soon as in this heav’n his doubting eyes +Were open’d, Gregory at his error smil’d +Nor marvel, that a denizen of earth +Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt +Both this and much beside of these our orbs, +From an eye-witness to heav’n’s mysteries.” + + + + +CANTO XXIX + + +No longer than what time Latona’s twins +Cover’d of Libra and the fleecy star, +Together both, girding the’ horizon hang, +In even balance from the zenith pois’d, +Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere, +Part the nice level; e’en so brief a space +Did Beatrice’s silence hold. A smile +Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix’d gaze +Bent on the point, at which my vision fail’d: +When thus her words resuming she began: +“I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand; +For I have mark’d it, where all time and place +Are present. Not for increase to himself +Of good, which may not be increas’d, but forth +To manifest his glory by its beams, +Inhabiting his own eternity, +Beyond time’s limit or what bound soe’er +To circumscribe his being, as he will’d, +Into new natures, like unto himself, +Eternal Love unfolded. Nor before, +As if in dull inaction torpid lay. +For not in process of before or aft +Upon these waters mov’d the Spirit of God. +Simple and mix’d, both form and substance, forth +To perfect being started, like three darts +Shot from a bow three-corded. And as ray +In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire, +E’en at the moment of its issuing; thus +Did, from th’ eternal Sovran, beam entire +His threefold operation, at one act +Produc’d coeval. Yet in order each +Created his due station knew: those highest, +Who pure intelligence were made: mere power +The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league, +Intelligence and power, unsever’d bond. +Long tract of ages by the angels past, +Ere the creating of another world, +Describ’d on Jerome’s pages thou hast seen. +But that what I disclose to thee is true, +Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov’d +In many a passage of their sacred book +Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find +And reason in some sort discerns the same, +Who scarce would grant the heav’nly ministers +Of their perfection void, so long a space. +Thus when and where these spirits of love were made, +Thou know’st, and how: and knowing hast allay’d +Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose. +Ere one had reckon’d twenty, e’en so soon +Part of the angels fell: and in their fall +Confusion to your elements ensued. +The others kept their station: and this task, +Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight, +That they surcease not ever, day nor night, +Their circling. Of that fatal lapse the cause +Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen +Pent with the world’s incumbrance. Those, whom here +Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves +Of his free bounty, who had made them apt +For ministries so high: therefore their views +Were by enlight’ning grace and their own merit +Exalted; so that in their will confirm’d +They stand, nor feel to fall. For do not doubt, +But to receive the grace, which heav’n vouchsafes, +Is meritorious, even as the soul +With prompt affection welcometh the guest. +Now, without further help, if with good heed +My words thy mind have treasur’d, thou henceforth +This consistory round about mayst scan, +And gaze thy fill. But since thou hast on earth +Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools, +Canvas the’ angelic nature, and dispute +Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice; +Therefore, ’tis well thou take from me the truth, +Pure and without disguise, which they below, +Equivocating, darken and perplex. + +“Know thou, that, from the first, these substances, +Rejoicing in the countenance of God, +Have held unceasingly their view, intent +Upon the glorious vision, from the which +Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change +Of newness with succession interrupts, +Remembrance there needs none to gather up +Divided thought and images remote + +“So that men, thus at variance with the truth +Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some +Of error; others well aware they err, +To whom more guilt and shame are justly due. +Each the known track of sage philosophy +Deserts, and has a byway of his own: +So much the restless eagerness to shine +And love of singularity prevail. +Yet this, offensive as it is, provokes +Heav’n’s anger less, than when the book of God +Is forc’d to yield to man’s authority, +Or from its straightness warp’d: no reck’ning made +What blood the sowing of it in the world +Has cost; what favour for himself he wins, +Who meekly clings to it. The aim of all +Is how to shine: e’en they, whose office is +To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep, +And pass their own inventions off instead. +One tells, how at Christ’s suffering the wan moon +Bent back her steps, and shadow’d o’er the sun +With intervenient disk, as she withdrew: +Another, how the light shrouded itself +Within its tabernacle, and left dark +The Spaniard and the Indian, with the Jew. +Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears, +Bandied about more frequent, than the names +Of Bindi and of Lapi in her streets. +The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return +From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails +For their excuse, they do not see their harm? +Christ said not to his first conventicle, +‘Go forth and preach impostures to the world,’ +But gave them truth to build on; and the sound +Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they, +Beside the gospel, other spear or shield, +To aid them in their warfare for the faith. +The preacher now provides himself with store +Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack +Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl +Distends, and he has won the meed he sought: +Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while +Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood, +They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said. +Which now the dotards hold in such esteem, +That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad +The hands of holy promise, finds a throng +Of credulous fools beneath. Saint Anthony +Fattens with this his swine, and others worse +Than swine, who diet at his lazy board, +Paying with unstamp’d metal for their fare. + +“But (for we far have wander’d) let us seek +The forward path again; so as the way +Be shorten’d with the time. No mortal tongue +Nor thought of man hath ever reach’d so far, +That of these natures he might count the tribes. +What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal’d +With finite number infinite conceals. +The fountain at whose source these drink their beams, +With light supplies them in as many modes, +As there are splendours, that it shines on: each +According to the virtue it conceives, +Differing in love and sweet affection. +Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth +The’ eternal might, which, broken and dispers’d +Over such countless mirrors, yet remains +Whole in itself and one, as at the first.” + + + + +CANTO XXX + + +Noon’s fervid hour perchance six thousand miles +From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone +Almost to level on our earth declines; +When from the midmost of this blue abyss +By turns some star is to our vision lost. +And straightway as the handmaid of the sun +Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light, +Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in, +E’en to the loveliest of the glittering throng. +Thus vanish’d gradually from my sight +The triumph, which plays ever round the point, +That overcame me, seeming (for it did) +Engirt by that it girdeth. Wherefore love, +With loss of other object, forc’d me bend +Mine eyes on Beatrice once again. + +If all, that hitherto is told of her, +Were in one praise concluded, ’twere too weak +To furnish out this turn. Mine eyes did look +On beauty, such, as I believe in sooth, +Not merely to exceed our human, but, +That save its Maker, none can to the full +Enjoy it. At this point o’erpower’d I fail, +Unequal to my theme, as never bard +Of buskin or of sock hath fail’d before. +For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight, +E’en so remembrance of that witching smile +Hath dispossess my spirit of itself. +Not from that day, when on this earth I first +Beheld her charms, up to that view of them, +Have I with song applausive ever ceas’d +To follow, but not follow them no more; +My course here bounded, as each artist’s is, +When it doth touch the limit of his skill. + +She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit +Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on, +Urging its arduous matter to the close), +Her words resum’d, in gesture and in voice +Resembling one accustom’d to command: +“Forth from the last corporeal are we come +Into the heav’n, that is unbodied light, +Light intellectual replete with love, +Love of true happiness replete with joy, +Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight. +Here shalt thou look on either mighty host +Of Paradise; and one in that array, +Which in the final judgment thou shalt see.” + +As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen +Unfolded, dashes from the blinding eyes +The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm’d; +So, round about me, fulminating streams +Of living radiance play’d, and left me swath’d +And veil’d in dense impenetrable blaze. +Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav’n; +For its own flame the torch this fitting ever! + +No sooner to my list’ning ear had come +The brief assurance, than I understood +New virtue into me infus’d, and sight +Kindled afresh, with vigour to sustain +Excess of light, however pure. I look’d; +And in the likeness of a river saw +Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves +Flash’d up effulgence, as they glided on +’Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring, +Incredible how fair; and, from the tide, +There ever and anon, outstarting, flew +Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow’rs +Did set them, like to rubies chas’d in gold; +Then, as if drunk with odors, plung’d again +Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one +Re’enter’d, still another rose. “The thirst +Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam’d, +To search the meaning of what here thou seest, +The more it warms thee, pleases me the more. +But first behooves thee of this water drink, +Or ere that longing be allay’d.” So spake +The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin’d: +“This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf, +And diving back, a living topaz each, +With all this laughter on its bloomy shores, +Are but a preface, shadowy of the truth +They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things +Are crude; but on thy part is the defect, +For that thy views not yet aspire so high.” +Never did babe, that had outslept his wont, +Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk, +As I toward the water, bending me, +To make the better mirrors of mine eyes +In the refining wave; and, as the eaves +Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith +Seem’d it unto me turn’d from length to round, +Then as a troop of maskers, when they put +Their vizors off, look other than before, +The counterfeited semblance thrown aside; +So into greater jubilee were chang’d +Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw +Before me either court of heav’n displac’d. + +O prime enlightener! thou who crav’st me strength +On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze! +Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn’d, + There is in heav’n a light, whose goodly shine +Makes the Creator visible to all +Created, that in seeing him alone +Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far, +That the circumference were too loose a zone +To girdle in the sun. All is one beam, +Reflected from the summit of the first, +That moves, which being hence and vigour takes, +And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes +Its image mirror’d in the crystal flood, +As if ’t admire its brave appareling +Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about, +Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones, +Stood, eminent, whatever from our earth +Has to the skies return’d. How wide the leaves +Extended to their utmost of this rose, +Whose lowest step embosoms such a space +Of ample radiance! Yet, nor amplitude +Nor height impeded, but my view with ease +Took in the full dimensions of that joy. +Near or remote, what there avails, where God +Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends +Her sway? Into the yellow of the rose +Perennial, which in bright expansiveness, +Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent +Of praises to the never-wint’ring sun, +As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace, +Beatrice led me; and, “Behold,” she said, +“This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white +How numberless! The city, where we dwell, +Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng’d +Few now are wanting here! In that proud stall, +On which, the crown, already o’er its state +Suspended, holds thine eyes—or ere thyself +Mayst at the wedding sup,—shall rest the soul +Of the great Harry, he who, by the world +Augustas hail’d, to Italy must come, +Before her day be ripe. But ye are sick, +And in your tetchy wantonness as blind, +As is the bantling, that of hunger dies, +And drives away the nurse. Nor may it be, +That he, who in the sacred forum sways, +Openly or in secret, shall with him +Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure +I’ th’ holy office long; but thrust him down +To Simon Magus, where Magna’s priest +Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed.” + + + + +CANTO XXXI + + +In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then +Before my view the saintly multitude, +Which in his own blood Christ espous’d. Meanwhile +That other host, that soar aloft to gaze +And celebrate his glory, whom they love, +Hover’d around; and, like a troop of bees, +Amid the vernal sweets alighting now, +Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows, +Flew downward to the mighty flow’r, or rose +From the redundant petals, streaming back +Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy. +Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold; +The rest was whiter than the driven snow. +And as they flitted down into the flower, +From range to range, fanning their plumy loins, +Whisper’d the peace and ardour, which they won +From that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast +Interposition of such numerous flight +Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view +Obstructed aught. For, through the universe, +Wherever merited, celestial light +Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents. + +All there, who reign in safety and in bliss, +Ages long past or new, on one sole mark +Their love and vision fix’d. O trinal beam +Of individual star, that charmst them thus, +Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below! + +If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam’d, +(Where helice, forever, as she wheels, +Sparkles a mother’s fondness on her son) +Stood in mute wonder ’mid the works of Rome, +When to their view the Lateran arose +In greatness more than earthly; I, who then +From human to divine had past, from time +Unto eternity, and out of Florence +To justice and to truth, how might I choose +But marvel too? ’Twixt gladness and amaze, +In sooth no will had I to utter aught, +Or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests +Within the temple of his vow, looks round +In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell +Of all its goodly state: e’en so mine eyes +Cours’d up and down along the living light, +Now low, and now aloft, and now around, +Visiting every step. Looks I beheld, +Where charity in soft persuasion sat, +Smiles from within and radiance from above, +And in each gesture grace and honour high. + +So rov’d my ken, and its general form +All Paradise survey’d: when round I turn’d +With purpose of my lady to inquire +Once more of things, that held my thought suspense, +But answer found from other than I ween’d; +For, Beatrice, when I thought to see, +I saw instead a senior, at my side, + Rob’d, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign +Glow’d in his eye, and o’er his cheek diffus’d, +With gestures such as spake a father’s love. +And, “Whither is she vanish’d?” straight I ask’d. + +“By Beatrice summon’d,” he replied, +“I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft +To the third circle from the highest, there +Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit +Hath plac’d her.” Answering not, mine eyes I rais’d, +And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow +A wreath reflecting of eternal beams. +Not from the centre of the sea so far +Unto the region of the highest thunder, +As was my ken from hers; and yet the form +Came through that medium down, unmix’d and pure, + +“O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest! +Who, for my safety, hast not scorn’d, in hell +To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark’d! +For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power +And goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave, +Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means, +For my deliverance apt, hast left untried. +Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep. +That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole, +Is loosen’d from this body, it may find +Favour with thee.” So I my suit preferr’d: +And she, so distant, as appear’d, look’d down, +And smil’d; then tow’rds th’ eternal fountain turn’d. + +And thus the senior, holy and rever’d: +“That thou at length mayst happily conclude +Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch’d, +By supplication mov’d and holy love) +Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large, +This garden through: for so, by ray divine +Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount; +And from heav’n’s queen, whom fervent I adore, +All gracious aid befriend us; for that I +Am her own faithful Bernard.” Like a wight, +Who haply from Croatia wends to see +Our Veronica, and the while ’tis shown, +Hangs over it with never-sated gaze, +And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith +Unto himself in thought: “And didst thou look +E’en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God? +And was this semblance thine?” So gaz’d I then +Adoring; for the charity of him, +Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy’d, +Stood lively before me. “Child of grace!” +Thus he began: “thou shalt not knowledge gain +Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held +Still in this depth below. But search around +The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy +Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm +Is sovran.” Straight mine eyes I rais’d; and bright, +As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime +Above th’ horizon, where the sun declines; +To mine eyes, that upward, as from vale +To mountain sped, at th’ extreme bound, a part +Excell’d in lustre all the front oppos’d. +And as the glow burns ruddiest o’er the wave, +That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton +Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light +Diminish’d fades, intensest in the midst; +So burn’d the peaceful oriflame, and slack’d +On every side the living flame decay’d. +And in that midst their sportive pennons wav’d +Thousands of angels; in resplendence each +Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee +And carol, smil’d the Lovely One of heav’n, +That joy was in the eyes of all the blest. + +Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich, +As is the colouring in fancy’s loom, +’Twere all too poor to utter the least part +Of that enchantment. When he saw mine eyes +Intent on her, that charm’d him, Bernard gaz’d +With so exceeding fondness, as infus’d +Ardour into my breast, unfelt before. + + + + +CANTO XXXII + + +Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high, +Assum’d the teacher’s part, and mild began: +“The wound, that Mary clos’d, she open’d first, +Who sits so beautiful at Mary’s feet. +The third in order, underneath her, lo! +Rachel with Beatrice. Sarah next, +Judith, Rebecca, and the gleaner maid, +Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs +Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood. +All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf, +Are in gradation throned on the rose. +And from the seventh step, successively, +Adown the breathing tresses of the flow’r +Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed. +For these are a partition wall, whereby +The sacred stairs are sever’d, as the faith +In Christ divides them. On this part, where blooms +Each leaf in full maturity, are set +Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ’d. +On th’ other, where an intersected space +Yet shows the semicircle void, abide +All they, who look’d to Christ already come. +And as our Lady on her glorious stool, +And they who on their stools beneath her sit, +This way distinction make: e’en so on his, +The mighty Baptist that way marks the line +(He who endur’d the desert and the pains +Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell, +Yet still continued holy), and beneath, +Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest, +Thus far from round to round. So heav’n’s decree +Forecasts, this garden equally to fill. +With faith in either view, past or to come, +Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves +Midway the twain compartments, none there are +Who place obtain for merit of their own, +But have through others’ merit been advanc’d, +On set conditions: spirits all releas’d, +Ere for themselves they had the power to choose. +And, if thou mark and listen to them well, +Their childish looks and voice declare as much. + +“Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt; +And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein +Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee. From this realm +Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find, +No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can. +A law immutable hath establish’d all; +Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit, +Exactly, as the finger to the ring. +It is not therefore without cause, that these, +O’erspeedy comers to immortal life, +Are different in their shares of excellence. +Our Sovran Lord—that settleth this estate +In love and in delight so absolute, +That wish can dare no further—every soul, +Created in his joyous sight to dwell, +With grace at pleasure variously endows. +And for a proof th’ effect may well suffice. +And ’tis moreover most expressly mark’d +In holy scripture, where the twins are said +To, have struggled in the womb. Therefore, as grace +Inweaves the coronet, so every brow +Weareth its proper hue of orient light. +And merely in respect to his prime gift, +Not in reward of meritorious deed, +Hath each his several degree assign’d. +In early times with their own innocence +More was not wanting, than the parents’ faith, +To save them: those first ages past, behoov’d +That circumcision in the males should imp +The flight of innocent wings: but since the day +Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites +In Christ accomplish’d, innocence herself +Must linger yet below. Now raise thy view +Unto the visage most resembling Christ: +For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win +The pow’r to look on him.” Forthwith I saw +Such floods of gladness on her visage shower’d, +From holy spirits, winging that profound; +That, whatsoever I had yet beheld, +Had not so much suspended me with wonder, +Or shown me such similitude of God. +And he, who had to her descended, once, +On earth, now hail’d in heav’n; and on pois’d wing. +“Ave, Maria, Gratia Plena,” sang: +To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court, +From all parts answ’ring, rang: that holier joy +Brooded the deep serene. “Father rever’d: +Who deign’st, for me, to quit the pleasant place, +Wherein thou sittest, by eternal lot! +Say, who that angel is, that with such glee +Beholds our queen, and so enamour’d glows +Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems.” +So I again resorted to the lore +Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary’s charms +Embellish’d, as the sun the morning star; +Who thus in answer spake: “In him are summ’d, +Whatever of buxomness and free delight +May be in Spirit, or in angel, met: +And so beseems: for that he bare the palm +Down unto Mary, when the Son of God +Vouchsaf’d to clothe him in terrestrial weeds. +Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words, +And note thou of this just and pious realm +The chiefest nobles. Those, highest in bliss, +The twain, on each hand next our empress thron’d, +Are as it were two roots unto this rose. +He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste +Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right, +That ancient father of the holy church, +Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys +Of this sweet flow’r: near whom behold the seer, +That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times +Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails +Was won. And, near unto the other, rests +The leader, under whom on manna fed +Th’ ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse. +On th’ other part, facing to Peter, lo! +Where Anna sits, so well content to look +On her lov’d daughter, that with moveless eye +She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos’d +To the first father of your mortal kind, +Is Lucia, at whose hest thy lady sped, +When on the edge of ruin clos’d thine eye. + +“But (for the vision hasteneth so an end) +Here break we off, as the good workman doth, +That shapes the cloak according to the cloth: +And to the primal love our ken shall rise; +That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far +As sight can bear thee. Yet, alas! in sooth +Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance, +Thou backward fall’st. Grace then must first be gain’d; +Her grace, whose might can help thee. Thou in prayer +Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue, +Attend, and yield me all thy heart.” He said, +And thus the saintly orison began. + + + + +CANTO XXXIII + + +“O virgin mother, daughter of thy Son, +Created beings all in lowliness +Surpassing, as in height, above them all, +Term by th’ eternal counsel pre-ordain’d, +Ennobler of thy nature, so advanc’d +In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn, +Himself, in his own work enclos’d to dwell! +For in thy womb rekindling shone the love +Reveal’d, whose genial influence makes now +This flower to germin in eternal peace! +Here thou to us, of charity and love, +Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath, +To mortal men, of hope a living spring. +So mighty art thou, lady! and so great, +That he who grace desireth, and comes not +To thee for aidance, fain would have desire +Fly without wings. Nor only him who asks, +Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft +Forerun the asking. Whatsoe’er may be +Of excellence in creature, pity mild, +Relenting mercy, large munificence, +Are all combin’d in thee. Here kneeleth one, +Who of all spirits hath review’d the state, +From the world’s lowest gap unto this height. +Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace +For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken +Toward the bliss supreme. And I, who ne’er +Coveted sight, more fondly, for myself, +Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer, +(And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive +Each cloud of his mortality away; +That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze. +This also I entreat of thee, O queen! +Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou +Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve +Affection sound, and human passions quell. +Lo! Where, with Beatrice, many a saint +Stretch their clasp’d hands, in furtherance of my suit!” + +The eyes, that heav’n with love and awe regards, +Fix’d on the suitor, witness’d, how benign +She looks on pious pray’rs: then fasten’d they +On th’ everlasting light, wherein no eye +Of creature, as may well be thought, so far +Can travel inward. I, meanwhile, who drew +Near to the limit, where all wishes end, +The ardour of my wish (for so behooved), +Ended within me. Beck’ning smil’d the sage, +That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade, +Already of myself aloft I look’d; +For visual strength, refining more and more, +Bare me into the ray authentical +Of sovran light. Thenceforward, what I saw, +Was not for words to speak, nor memory’s self +To stand against such outrage on her skill. +As one, who from a dream awaken’d, straight, +All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains +Impression of the feeling in his dream; +E’en such am I: for all the vision dies, +As ’twere, away; and yet the sense of sweet, +That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart. +Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal’d; +Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost +The Sybil’s sentence. O eternal beam! +(Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?) +Yield me again some little particle +Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue +Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory, +Unto the race to come, that shall not lose +Thy triumph wholly, if thou waken aught +Of memory in me, and endure to hear +The record sound in this unequal strain. + +Such keenness from the living ray I met, +That, if mine eyes had turn’d away, methinks, +I had been lost; but, so embolden’d, on +I pass’d, as I remember, till my view +Hover’d the brink of dread infinitude. + +O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav’st +Boldness to fix so earnestly my ken +On th’ everlasting splendour, that I look’d, +While sight was unconsum’d, and, in that depth, +Saw in one volume clasp’d of love, whatever +The universe unfolds; all properties +Of substance and of accident, beheld, +Compounded, yet one individual light +The whole. And of such bond methinks I saw +The universal form: for that whenever +I do but speak of it, my soul dilates +Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak, +One moment seems a longer lethargy, +Than five-and-twenty ages had appear’d +To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder +At Argo’s shadow darkening on his flood. + +With fixed heed, suspense and motionless, +Wond’ring I gaz’d; and admiration still +Was kindled, as I gaz’d. It may not be, +That one, who looks upon that light, can turn +To other object, willingly, his view. +For all the good, that will may covet, there +Is summ’d; and all, elsewhere defective found, +Complete. My tongue shall utter now, no more +E’en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe’s +That yet is moisten’d at his mother’s breast. +Not that the semblance of the living light +Was chang’d (that ever as at first remain’d) +But that my vision quickening, in that sole +Appearance, still new miracles descry’d, +And toil’d me with the change. In that abyss +Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem’d methought, +Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound: +And, from another, one reflected seem’d, +As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third +Seem’d fire, breath’d equally from both. Oh speech +How feeble and how faint art thou, to give +Conception birth! Yet this to what I saw +Is less than little. Oh eternal light! +Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself +Sole understood, past, present, or to come! +Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee +Seem’d as reflected splendour, while I mus’d; +For I therein, methought, in its own hue +Beheld our image painted: steadfastly +I therefore por’d upon the view. As one +Who vers’d in geometric lore, would fain +Measure the circle; and, though pondering long +And deeply, that beginning, which he needs, +Finds not; e’en such was I, intent to scan +The novel wonder, and trace out the form, +How to the circle fitted, and therein +How plac’d: but the flight was not for my wing; +Had not a flash darted athwart my mind, +And in the spleen unfolded what it sought. + +Here vigour fail’d the tow’ring fantasy: +But yet the will roll’d onward, like a wheel +In even motion, by the Love impell’d, +That moves the sun in heav’n and all the stars. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIVINE COMEDY, PARADISE *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Divine Comedy<br /> + Paradise</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Dante Alighieri</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: Henry Francis Cary</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August, 1997 [eBook #1007]<br /> +[Most recently updated: July 4, 2022]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Judith Smith and Natalie Salter</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIVINE COMEDY, PARADISE ***</div> + +<h1>PARADISE</h1> + +<h5>FROM THE DIVINE COMEDY</h5> + +<h5>BY</h5> + +<h2 class="no-break">Dante Alighieri</h2> + +<h3>Translated by<br />THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.</h3> + +<hr /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.I">CANTO I.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.II">CANTO II.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.III">CANTO III.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.IV">CANTO IV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.V">CANTO V.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.VI">CANTO VI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.VII">CANTO VII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.VIII">CANTO VIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.IX">CANTO IX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.X">CANTO X.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XI">CANTO XI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XII">CANTO XII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XIII">CANTO XIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XIV">CANTO XIV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XV">CANTO XV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XVI">CANTO XVI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XVII">CANTO XVII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XVIII">CANTO XVIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XIX">CANTO XIX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XX">CANTO XX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXI">CANTO XXI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXII">CANTO XXII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXIII">CANTO XXIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXIV">CANTO XXIV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXV">CANTO XXV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXVI">CANTO XXVI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXVII">CANTO XXVII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXVIII">CANTO XXVIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXIX">CANTO XXIX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXX">CANTO XXX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXXI">CANTO XXXI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXXII">CANTO XXXII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#cantoIII.XXXIII">CANTO XXXIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>PARADISE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.I"></a>CANTO I</h2> + +<p> +His glory, by whose might all things are mov’d,<br/> +Pierces the universe, and in one part<br/> +Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav’n,<br/> +That largeliest of his light partakes, was I,<br/> +Witness of things, which to relate again<br/> +Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence;<br/> +For that, so near approaching its desire<br/> +Our intellect is to such depth absorb’d,<br/> +That memory cannot follow. Nathless all,<br/> +That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm<br/> +Could store, shall now be matter of my song. +</p> + +<p> +Benign Apollo! this last labour aid,<br/> +And make me such a vessel of thy worth,<br/> +As thy own laurel claims of me belov’d.<br/> +Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus’ brows<br/> +Suffic’d me; henceforth there is need of both<br/> +For my remaining enterprise Do thou<br/> +Enter into my bosom, and there breathe<br/> +So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg’d<br/> +Forth from his limbs unsheath’d. O power divine!<br/> +If thou to me of shine impart so much,<br/> +That of that happy realm the shadow’d form<br/> +Trac’d in my thoughts I may set forth to view,<br/> +Thou shalt behold me of thy favour’d tree<br/> +Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves;<br/> +For to that honour thou, and my high theme<br/> +Will fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire!<br/> +To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath<br/> +Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills<br/> +Deprav’d) joy to the Delphic god must spring<br/> +From the Pierian foliage, when one breast<br/> +Is with such thirst inspir’d. From a small spark<br/> +Great flame hath risen: after me perchance<br/> +Others with better voice may pray, and gain<br/> +From the Cirrhaean city answer kind. +</p> + +<p> +Through diver passages, the world’s bright lamp<br/> +Rises to mortals, but through that which joins<br/> +Four circles with the threefold cross, in best<br/> +Course, and in happiest constellation set<br/> +He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives<br/> +Its temper and impression. Morning there,<br/> +Here eve was by almost such passage made;<br/> +And whiteness had o’erspread that hemisphere,<br/> +Blackness the other part; when to the left<br/> +I saw Beatrice turn’d, and on the sun<br/> +Gazing, as never eagle fix’d his ken.<br/> +As from the first a second beam is wont<br/> +To issue, and reflected upwards rise,<br/> +E’en as a pilgrim bent on his return,<br/> +So of her act, that through the eyesight pass’d<br/> +Into my fancy, mine was form’d; and straight,<br/> +Beyond our mortal wont, I fix’d mine eyes<br/> +Upon the sun. Much is allowed us there,<br/> +That here exceeds our pow’r; thanks to the place<br/> +Made for the dwelling of the human kind +</p> + +<p> +I suffer’d it not long, and yet so long<br/> +That I beheld it bick’ring sparks around,<br/> +As iron that comes boiling from the fire.<br/> +And suddenly upon the day appear’d<br/> +A day new-ris’n, as he, who hath the power,<br/> +Had with another sun bedeck’d the sky. +</p> + +<p> +Her eyes fast fix’d on the eternal wheels,<br/> +Beatrice stood unmov’d; and I with ken<br/> +Fix’d upon her, from upward gaze remov’d<br/> +At her aspect, such inwardly became<br/> +As Glaucus, when he tasted of the herb,<br/> +That made him peer among the ocean gods;<br/> +Words may not tell of that transhuman change:<br/> +And therefore let the example serve, though weak,<br/> +For those whom grace hath better proof in store +</p> + +<p> +If I were only what thou didst create,<br/> +Then newly, Love! by whom the heav’n is rul’d,<br/> +Thou know’st, who by thy light didst bear me up.<br/> +Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide,<br/> +Desired Spirit! with its harmony<br/> +Temper’d of thee and measur’d, charm’d mine ear,<br/> +Then seem’d to me so much of heav’n to blaze<br/> +With the sun’s flame, that rain or flood ne’er made<br/> +A lake so broad. The newness of the sound,<br/> +And that great light, inflam’d me with desire,<br/> +Keener than e’er was felt, to know their cause. +</p> + +<p> +Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself,<br/> +To calm my troubled mind, before I ask’d,<br/> +Open’d her lips, and gracious thus began:<br/> +“With false imagination thou thyself<br/> +Mak’st dull, so that thou seest not the thing,<br/> +Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off.<br/> +Thou art not on the earth as thou believ’st;<br/> +For light’ning scap’d from its own proper place<br/> +Ne’er ran, as thou hast hither now return’d.” +</p> + +<p> +Although divested of my first-rais’d doubt,<br/> +By those brief words, accompanied with smiles,<br/> +Yet in new doubt was I entangled more,<br/> +And said: “Already satisfied, I rest<br/> +From admiration deep, but now admire<br/> +How I above those lighter bodies rise.” +</p> + +<p> +Whence, after utt’rance of a piteous sigh,<br/> +She tow’rds me bent her eyes, with such a look,<br/> +As on her frenzied child a mother casts;<br/> +Then thus began: “Among themselves all things<br/> +Have order; and from hence the form, which makes<br/> +The universe resemble God. In this<br/> +The higher creatures see the printed steps<br/> +Of that eternal worth, which is the end<br/> +Whither the line is drawn. All natures lean,<br/> +In this their order, diversely, some more,<br/> +Some less approaching to their primal source.<br/> +Thus they to different havens are mov’d on<br/> +Through the vast sea of being, and each one<br/> +With instinct giv’n, that bears it in its course;<br/> +This to the lunar sphere directs the fire,<br/> +This prompts the hearts of mortal animals,<br/> +This the brute earth together knits, and binds.<br/> +Nor only creatures, void of intellect,<br/> +Are aim’d at by this bow; but even those,<br/> +That have intelligence and love, are pierc’d.<br/> +That Providence, who so well orders all,<br/> +With her own light makes ever calm the heaven,<br/> +In which the substance, that hath greatest speed,<br/> +Is turn’d: and thither now, as to our seat<br/> +Predestin’d, we are carried by the force<br/> +Of that strong cord, that never looses dart,<br/> +But at fair aim and glad. Yet is it true,<br/> +That as ofttimes but ill accords the form<br/> +To the design of art, through sluggishness<br/> +Of unreplying matter, so this course<br/> +Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who<br/> +Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere;<br/> +As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall,<br/> +From its original impulse warp’d, to earth,<br/> +By vicious fondness. Thou no more admire<br/> +Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse<br/> +Of torrent downwards from a mountain’s height.<br/> +There would in thee for wonder be more cause,<br/> +If, free of hind’rance, thou hadst fix’d thyself<br/> +Below, like fire unmoving on the earth.” +</p> + +<p> +So said, she turn’d toward the heav’n her face. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.II"></a>CANTO II</h2> + +<p> +All ye, who in small bark have following sail’d,<br/> +Eager to listen, on the advent’rous track<br/> +Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way,<br/> +Backward return with speed, and your own shores<br/> +Revisit, nor put out to open sea,<br/> +Where losing me, perchance ye may remain<br/> +Bewilder’d in deep maze. The way I pass<br/> +Ne’er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale,<br/> +Apollo guides me, and another Nine<br/> +To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal.<br/> +Ye other few, who have outstretch’d the neck.<br/> +Timely for food of angels, on which here<br/> +They live, yet never know satiety,<br/> +Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out<br/> +Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad<br/> +Before you in the wave, that on both sides<br/> +Equal returns. Those, glorious, who pass’d o’er<br/> +To Colchos, wonder’d not as ye will do,<br/> +When they saw Jason following the plough. +</p> + +<p> +The increate perpetual thirst, that draws<br/> +Toward the realm of God’s own form, bore us<br/> +Swift almost as the heaven ye behold. +</p> + +<p> +Beatrice upward gaz’d, and I on her,<br/> +And in such space as on the notch a dart<br/> +Is plac’d, then loosen’d flies, I saw myself<br/> +Arriv’d, where wond’rous thing engag’d my sight.<br/> +Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid,<br/> +Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair,<br/> +Bespake me: “Gratefully direct thy mind<br/> +To God, through whom to this first star we come.” +</p> + +<p> +Me seem’d as if a cloud had cover’d us,<br/> +Translucent, solid, firm, and polish’d bright,<br/> +Like adamant, which the sun’s beam had smit<br/> +Within itself the ever-during pearl<br/> +Receiv’d us, as the wave a ray of light<br/> +Receives, and rests unbroken. If I then<br/> +Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend<br/> +Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus<br/> +Another could endure, which needs must be<br/> +If body enter body, how much more<br/> +Must the desire inflame us to behold<br/> +That essence, which discovers by what means<br/> +God and our nature join’d! There will be seen<br/> +That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof,<br/> +But in itself intelligibly plain,<br/> +E’en as the truth that man at first believes. +</p> + +<p> +I answered: “Lady! I with thoughts devout,<br/> +Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him,<br/> +Who hath remov’d me from the mortal world.<br/> +But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots<br/> +Upon this body, which below on earth<br/> +Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?” +</p> + +<p> +She somewhat smil’d, then spake: “If mortals err<br/> +In their opinion, when the key of sense<br/> +Unlocks not, surely wonder’s weapon keen<br/> +Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find’st, the wings<br/> +Of reason to pursue the senses’ flight<br/> +Are short. But what thy own thought is, declare.” +</p> + +<p> +Then I: “What various here above appears,<br/> +Is caus’d, I deem, by bodies dense or rare.” +</p> + +<p> +She then resum’d: “Thou certainly wilt see<br/> +In falsehood thy belief o’erwhelm’d, if well<br/> +Thou listen to the arguments, which I<br/> +Shall bring to face it. The eighth sphere displays<br/> +Numberless lights, the which in kind and size<br/> +May be remark’d of different aspects;<br/> +If rare or dense of that were cause alone,<br/> +One single virtue then would be in all,<br/> +Alike distributed, or more, or less.<br/> +Different virtues needs must be the fruits<br/> +Of formal principles, and these, save one,<br/> +Will by thy reasoning be destroy’d. Beside,<br/> +If rarity were of that dusk the cause,<br/> +Which thou inquirest, either in some part<br/> +That planet must throughout be void, nor fed<br/> +With its own matter; or, as bodies share<br/> +Their fat and leanness, in like manner this<br/> +Must in its volume change the leaves. The first,<br/> +If it were true, had through the sun’s eclipse<br/> +Been manifested, by transparency<br/> +Of light, as through aught rare beside effus’d.<br/> +But this is not. Therefore remains to see<br/> +The other cause: and if the other fall,<br/> +Erroneous so must prove what seem’d to thee.<br/> +If not from side to side this rarity<br/> +Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence<br/> +Its contrary no further lets it pass.<br/> +And hence the beam, that from without proceeds,<br/> +Must be pour’d back, as colour comes, through glass<br/> +Reflected, which behind it lead conceals.<br/> +Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue<br/> +Than in the other part the ray is shown,<br/> +By being thence refracted farther back.<br/> +From this perplexity will free thee soon<br/> +Experience, if thereof thou trial make,<br/> +The fountain whence your arts derive their streame.<br/> +Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove<br/> +From thee alike, and more remote the third.<br/> +Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes;<br/> +Then turn’d toward them, cause behind thy back<br/> +A light to stand, that on the three shall shine,<br/> +And thus reflected come to thee from all.<br/> +Though that beheld most distant do not stretch<br/> +A space so ample, yet in brightness thou<br/> +Will own it equaling the rest. But now,<br/> +As under snow the ground, if the warm ray<br/> +Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue<br/> +And cold, that cover’d it before, so thee,<br/> +Dismantled in thy mind, I will inform<br/> +With light so lively, that the tremulous beam<br/> +Shall quiver where it falls. Within the heaven,<br/> +Where peace divine inhabits, circles round<br/> +A body, in whose virtue dies the being<br/> +Of all that it contains. The following heaven,<br/> +That hath so many lights, this being divides,<br/> +Through different essences, from it distinct,<br/> +And yet contain’d within it. The other orbs<br/> +Their separate distinctions variously<br/> +Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt.<br/> +Thus do these organs of the world proceed,<br/> +As thou beholdest now, from step to step,<br/> +Their influences from above deriving,<br/> +And thence transmitting downwards. Mark me well,<br/> +How through this passage to the truth I ford,<br/> +The truth thou lov’st, that thou henceforth alone,<br/> +May’st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold. +</p> + +<p> +“The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs,<br/> +As mallet by the workman’s hand, must needs<br/> +By blessed movers be inspir’d. This heaven,<br/> +Made beauteous by so many luminaries,<br/> +From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere,<br/> +Its image takes an impress as a seal:<br/> +And as the soul, that dwells within your dust,<br/> +Through members different, yet together form’d,<br/> +In different pow’rs resolves itself; e’en so<br/> +The intellectual efficacy unfolds<br/> +Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars;<br/> +On its own unity revolving still.<br/> +Different virtue compact different<br/> +Makes with the precious body it enlivens,<br/> +With which it knits, as life in you is knit.<br/> +From its original nature full of joy,<br/> +The virtue mingled through the body shines,<br/> +As joy through pupil of the living eye.<br/> +From hence proceeds, that which from light to light<br/> +Seems different, and not from dense or rare.<br/> +This is the formal cause, that generates<br/> +Proportion’d to its power, the dusk or clear.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.III"></a>CANTO III</h2> + +<p> +That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm’d<br/> +Had of fair truth unveil’d the sweet aspect,<br/> +By proof of right, and of the false reproof;<br/> +And I, to own myself convinc’d and free<br/> +Of doubt, as much as needed, rais’d my head<br/> +Erect for speech. But soon a sight appear’d,<br/> +Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix’d,<br/> +That of confession I no longer thought. +</p> + +<p> +As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave<br/> +Clear and unmov’d, and flowing not so deep<br/> +As that its bed is dark, the shape returns<br/> +So faint of our impictur’d lineaments,<br/> +That on white forehead set a pearl as strong<br/> +Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face,<br/> +All stretch’d to speak, from whence I straight conceiv’d<br/> +Delusion opposite to that, which rais’d<br/> +Between the man and fountain, amorous flame. +</p> + +<p> +Sudden, as I perceiv’d them, deeming these<br/> +Reflected semblances to see of whom<br/> +They were, I turn’d mine eyes, and nothing saw;<br/> +Then turn’d them back, directed on the light<br/> +Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams<br/> +From her celestial eyes. “Wonder not thou,”<br/> +She cry’d, “at this my smiling, when I see<br/> +Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth<br/> +It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont,<br/> +Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy.<br/> +True substances are these, which thou behold’st,<br/> +Hither through failure of their vow exil’d.<br/> +But speak thou with them; listen, and believe,<br/> +That the true light, which fills them with desire,<br/> +Permits not from its beams their feet to stray.” +</p> + +<p> +Straight to the shadow which for converse seem’d<br/> +Most earnest, I addressed me, and began,<br/> +As one by over-eagerness perplex’d:<br/> +“O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays<br/> +Of life eternal, of that sweetness know’st<br/> +The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far<br/> +All apprehension, me it well would please,<br/> +If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this<br/> +Your station here.” Whence she, with kindness prompt,<br/> +And eyes glist’ning with smiles: “Our charity,<br/> +To any wish by justice introduc’d,<br/> +Bars not the door, no more than she above,<br/> +Who would have all her court be like herself.<br/> +I was a virgin sister in the earth;<br/> +And if thy mind observe me well, this form,<br/> +With such addition grac’d of loveliness,<br/> +Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know<br/> +Piccarda, in the tardiest sphere thus plac’d,<br/> +Here ’mid these other blessed also blest.<br/> +Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone<br/> +With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv’d,<br/> +Admitted to his order dwell in joy.<br/> +And this condition, which appears so low,<br/> +Is for this cause assign’d us, that our vows<br/> +Were in some part neglected and made void.” +</p> + +<p> +Whence I to her replied: “Something divine<br/> +Beams in your countenance, wond’rous fair,<br/> +From former knowledge quite transmuting you.<br/> +Therefore to recollect was I so slow.<br/> +But what thou sayst hath to my memory<br/> +Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms<br/> +Is easier. Yet inform me, ye, who here<br/> +Are happy, long ye for a higher place<br/> +More to behold, and more in love to dwell?” +</p> + +<p> +She with those other spirits gently smil’d,<br/> +Then answer’d with such gladness, that she seem’d<br/> +With love’s first flame to glow: “Brother! our will<br/> +Is in composure settled by the power<br/> +Of charity, who makes us will alone<br/> +What we possess, and nought beyond desire;<br/> +If we should wish to be exalted more,<br/> +Then must our wishes jar with the high will<br/> +Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs<br/> +Thou wilt confess not possible, if here<br/> +To be in charity must needs befall,<br/> +And if her nature well thou contemplate.<br/> +Rather it is inherent in this state<br/> +Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within<br/> +The divine will, by which our wills with his<br/> +Are one. So that as we from step to step<br/> +Are plac’d throughout this kingdom, pleases all,<br/> +E’en as our King, who in us plants his will;<br/> +And in his will is our tranquillity;<br/> +It is the mighty ocean, whither tends<br/> +Whatever it creates and nature makes.” +</p> + +<p> +Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav’n<br/> +Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew<br/> +The supreme virtue show’r not over all. +</p> + +<p> +But as it chances, if one sort of food<br/> +Hath satiated, and of another still<br/> +The appetite remains, that this is ask’d,<br/> +And thanks for that return’d; e’en so did I<br/> +In word and motion, bent from her to learn<br/> +What web it was, through which she had not drawn<br/> +The shuttle to its point. She thus began:<br/> +“Exalted worth and perfectness of life<br/> +The Lady higher up enshrine in heaven,<br/> +By whose pure laws upon your nether earth<br/> +The robe and veil they wear, to that intent,<br/> +That e’en till death they may keep watch or sleep<br/> +With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow,<br/> +Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms.<br/> +from the world, to follow her, when young<br/> +Escap’d; and, in her vesture mantling me,<br/> +Made promise of the way her sect enjoins.<br/> +Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt,<br/> +Forth snatch’d me from the pleasant cloister’s pale.<br/> +God knows how after that my life was fram’d.<br/> +This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst<br/> +At my right side, burning with all the light<br/> +Of this our orb, what of myself I tell<br/> +May to herself apply. From her, like me<br/> +A sister, with like violence were torn<br/> +The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows.<br/> +E’en when she to the world again was brought<br/> +In spite of her own will and better wont,<br/> +Yet not for that the bosom’s inward veil<br/> +Did she renounce. This is the luminary<br/> +Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast,<br/> +Which blew the second over Suabia’s realm,<br/> +That power produc’d, which was the third and last.” +</p> + +<p> +She ceas’d from further talk, and then began<br/> +“Ave Maria” singing, and with that song<br/> +Vanish’d, as heavy substance through deep wave. +</p> + +<p> +Mine eye, that far as it was capable,<br/> +Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost,<br/> +Turn’d to the mark where greater want impell’d,<br/> +And bent on Beatrice all its gaze.<br/> +But she as light’ning beam’d upon my looks:<br/> +So that the sight sustain’d it not at first.<br/> +Whence I to question her became less prompt. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.IV"></a>CANTO IV</h2> + +<p> +Between two kinds of food, both equally<br/> +Remote and tempting, first a man might die<br/> +Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose.<br/> +E’en so would stand a lamb between the maw<br/> +Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike:<br/> +E’en so between two deer a dog would stand,<br/> +Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise<br/> +I to myself impute, by equal doubts<br/> +Held in suspense, since of necessity<br/> +It happen’d. Silent was I, yet desire<br/> +Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake<br/> +My wish more earnestly than language could. +</p> + +<p> +As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed<br/> +From ire, that spurr’d him on to deeds unjust<br/> +And violent; so look’d Beatrice then. +</p> + +<p> +“Well I discern,” she thus her words address’d,<br/> +“How contrary desires each way constrain thee,<br/> +So that thy anxious thought is in itself<br/> +Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth.<br/> +Thou arguest; if the good intent remain;<br/> +What reason that another’s violence<br/> +Should stint the measure of my fair desert? +</p> + +<p> +“Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems,<br/> +That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem’d,<br/> +Return. These are the questions which thy will<br/> +Urge equally; and therefore I the first<br/> +Of that will treat which hath the more of gall.<br/> +Of seraphim he who is most ensky’d,<br/> +Moses and Samuel, and either John,<br/> +Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary’s self,<br/> +Have not in any other heav’n their seats,<br/> +Than have those spirits which so late thou saw’st;<br/> +Nor more or fewer years exist; but all<br/> +Make the first circle beauteous, diversely<br/> +Partaking of sweet life, as more or less<br/> +Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them.<br/> +Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns<br/> +This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee<br/> +Of that celestial furthest from the height.<br/> +Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak:<br/> +Since from things sensible alone ye learn<br/> +That, which digested rightly after turns<br/> +To intellectual. For no other cause<br/> +The scripture, condescending graciously<br/> +To your perception, hands and feet to God<br/> +Attributes, nor so means: and holy church<br/> +Doth represent with human countenance<br/> +Gabriel, and Michael, and him who made<br/> +Tobias whole. Unlike what here thou seest,<br/> +The judgment of Timaeus, who affirms<br/> +Each soul restor’d to its particular star,<br/> +Believing it to have been taken thence,<br/> +When nature gave it to inform her mold:<br/> +Since to appearance his intention is<br/> +E’en what his words declare: or else to shun<br/> +Derision, haply thus he hath disguis’d<br/> +His true opinion. If his meaning be,<br/> +That to the influencing of these orbs revert<br/> +The honour and the blame in human acts,<br/> +Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth.<br/> +This principle, not understood aright,<br/> +Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world;<br/> +So that it fell to fabled names of Jove,<br/> +And Mercury, and Mars. That other doubt,<br/> +Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings<br/> +No peril of removing thee from me. +</p> + +<p> +“That, to the eye of man, our justice seems<br/> +Unjust, is argument for faith, and not<br/> +For heretic declension. To the end<br/> +This truth may stand more clearly in your view,<br/> +I will content thee even to thy wish +</p> + +<p> +“If violence be, when that which suffers, nought<br/> +Consents to that which forceth, not for this<br/> +These spirits stood exculpate. For the will,<br/> +That will not, still survives unquench’d, and doth<br/> +As nature doth in fire, tho’ violence<br/> +Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield<br/> +Or more or less, so far it follows force.<br/> +And thus did these, whom they had power to seek<br/> +The hallow’d place again. In them, had will<br/> +Been perfect, such as once upon the bars<br/> +Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola<br/> +To his own hand remorseless, to the path,<br/> +Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten’d back,<br/> +When liberty return’d: but in too few<br/> +Resolve so steadfast dwells. And by these words<br/> +If duly weigh’d, that argument is void,<br/> +Which oft might have perplex’d thee still. But now<br/> +Another question thwarts thee, which to solve<br/> +Might try thy patience without better aid.<br/> +I have, no doubt, instill’d into thy mind,<br/> +That blessed spirit may not lie; since near<br/> +The source of primal truth it dwells for aye:<br/> +And thou might’st after of Piccarda learn<br/> +That Constance held affection to the veil;<br/> +So that she seems to contradict me here.<br/> +Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc’d for men<br/> +To do what they had gladly left undone,<br/> +Yet to shun peril they have done amiss:<br/> +E’en as Alcmaeon, at his father’s suit<br/> +Slew his own mother, so made pitiless<br/> +Not to lose pity. On this point bethink thee,<br/> +That force and will are blended in such wise<br/> +As not to make the’ offence excusable.<br/> +Absolute will agrees not to the wrong,<br/> +That inasmuch as there is fear of woe<br/> +From non-compliance, it agrees. Of will<br/> +Thus absolute Piccarda spake, and I<br/> +Of th’ other; so that both have truly said.” +</p> + +<p> +Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well’d<br/> +From forth the fountain of all truth; and such<br/> +The rest, that to my wond’ring thoughts I found. +</p> + +<p> +“O thou of primal love the prime delight!<br/> +Goddess!” I straight reply’d, “whose lively words<br/> +Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul!<br/> +Affection fails me to requite thy grace<br/> +With equal sum of gratitude: be his<br/> +To recompense, who sees and can reward thee.<br/> +Well I discern, that by that truth alone<br/> +Enlighten’d, beyond which no truth may roam,<br/> +Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know:<br/> +Therein she resteth, e’en as in his lair<br/> +The wild beast, soon as she hath reach’d that bound,<br/> +And she hath power to reach it; else desire<br/> +Were given to no end. And thence doth doubt<br/> +Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth;<br/> +And it is nature which from height to height<br/> +On to the summit prompts us. This invites,<br/> +This doth assure me, lady, rev’rently<br/> +To ask thee of other truth, that yet<br/> +Is dark to me. I fain would know, if man<br/> +By other works well done may so supply<br/> +The failure of his vows, that in your scale<br/> +They lack not weight.” I spake; and on me straight<br/> +Beatrice look’d with eyes that shot forth sparks<br/> +Of love celestial in such copious stream,<br/> +That, virtue sinking in me overpower’d,<br/> +I turn’d, and downward bent confus’d my sight. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.V"></a>CANTO V</h2> + +<p> +“If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love<br/> +Illume me, so that I o’ercome thy power<br/> +Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause<br/> +In that perfection of the sight, which soon<br/> +As apprehending, hasteneth on to reach<br/> +The good it apprehends. I well discern,<br/> +How in thine intellect already shines<br/> +The light eternal, which to view alone<br/> +Ne’er fails to kindle love; and if aught else<br/> +Your love seduces, ’tis but that it shows<br/> +Some ill-mark’d vestige of that primal beam. +</p> + +<p> +“This would’st thou know, if failure of the vow<br/> +By other service may be so supplied,<br/> +As from self-question to assure the soul.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish,<br/> +Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off<br/> +Discourse, continued in her saintly strain.<br/> +“Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave<br/> +Of his free bounty, sign most evident<br/> +Of goodness, and in his account most priz’d,<br/> +Was liberty of will, the boon wherewith<br/> +All intellectual creatures, and them sole<br/> +He hath endow’d. Hence now thou mayst infer<br/> +Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram’d<br/> +That when man offers, God well-pleas’d accepts;<br/> +For in the compact between God and him,<br/> +This treasure, such as I describe it to thee,<br/> +He makes the victim, and of his own act.<br/> +What compensation therefore may he find?<br/> +If that, whereof thou hast oblation made,<br/> +By using well thou think’st to consecrate,<br/> +Thou would’st of theft do charitable deed.<br/> +Thus I resolve thee of the greater point. +</p> + +<p> +“But forasmuch as holy church, herein<br/> +Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth<br/> +I have discover’d to thee, yet behooves<br/> +Thou rest a little longer at the board,<br/> +Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken,<br/> +Digested fitly to nutrition turn.<br/> +Open thy mind to what I now unfold,<br/> +And give it inward keeping. Knowledge comes<br/> +Of learning well retain’d, unfruitful else. +</p> + +<p> +“This sacrifice in essence of two things<br/> +Consisteth; one is that, whereof ’tis made,<br/> +The covenant the other. For the last,<br/> +It ne’er is cancell’d if not kept: and hence<br/> +I spake erewhile so strictly of its force.<br/> +For this it was enjoin’d the Israelites,<br/> +Though leave were giv’n them, as thou know’st, to change<br/> +The offering, still to offer. Th’ other part,<br/> +The matter and the substance of the vow,<br/> +May well be such, to that without offence<br/> +It may for other substance be exchang’d.<br/> +But at his own discretion none may shift<br/> +The burden on his shoulders, unreleas’d<br/> +By either key, the yellow and the white.<br/> +Nor deem of any change, as less than vain,<br/> +If the last bond be not within the new<br/> +Included, as the quatre in the six.<br/> +No satisfaction therefore can be paid<br/> +For what so precious in the balance weighs,<br/> +That all in counterpoise must kick the beam.<br/> +Take then no vow at random: ta’en, with faith<br/> +Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once,<br/> +Blindly to execute a rash resolve,<br/> +Whom better it had suited to exclaim,<br/> +‘I have done ill,’ than to redeem his pledge<br/> +By doing worse or, not unlike to him<br/> +In folly, that great leader of the Greeks:<br/> +Whence, on the alter, Iphigenia mourn’d<br/> +Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn<br/> +Both wise and simple, even all, who hear<br/> +Of so fell sacrifice. Be ye more staid,<br/> +O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind<br/> +Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves<br/> +In every water. Either testament,<br/> +The old and new, is yours: and for your guide<br/> +The shepherd of the church let this suffice<br/> +To save you. When by evil lust entic’d,<br/> +Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts;<br/> +Nor let the Jew, who dwelleth in your streets,<br/> +Hold you in mock’ry. Be not, as the lamb,<br/> +That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother’s milk,<br/> +To dally with itself in idle play.” +</p> + +<p> +Such were the words that Beatrice spake:<br/> +These ended, to that region, where the world<br/> +Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn’d. +</p> + +<p> +Though mainly prompt new question to propose,<br/> +Her silence and chang’d look did keep me dumb.<br/> +And as the arrow, ere the cord is still,<br/> +Leapeth unto its mark; so on we sped<br/> +Into the second realm. There I beheld<br/> +The dame, so joyous enter, that the orb<br/> +Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star<br/> +Were mov’d to gladness, what then was my cheer,<br/> +Whom nature hath made apt for every change! +</p> + +<p> +As in a quiet and clear lake the fish,<br/> +If aught approach them from without, do draw<br/> +Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew<br/> +Full more than thousand splendours towards us,<br/> +And in each one was heard: “Lo! one arriv’d<br/> +To multiply our loves!” and as each came<br/> +The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new,<br/> +Witness’d augmented joy. Here, reader! think,<br/> +If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale,<br/> +To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave;<br/> +And thou shalt see what vehement desire<br/> +Possess’d me, as soon as these had met my view,<br/> +To know their state. “O born in happy hour!<br/> +Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close<br/> +Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones<br/> +Of that eternal triumph, know to us<br/> +The light communicated, which through heaven<br/> +Expatiates without bound. Therefore, if aught<br/> +Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid,<br/> +Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me;<br/> +And Beatrice next: “Say on; and trust<br/> +As unto gods!”—“How in the light supreme<br/> +Thou harbour’st, and from thence the virtue bring’st,<br/> +That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy,<br/> +I mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek;<br/> +Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot<br/> +This sphere assign’d, that oft from mortal ken<br/> +Is veil’d by others’ beams.” I said, and turn’d<br/> +Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind<br/> +Erewhile had hail’d me. Forthwith brighter far<br/> +Than erst, it wax’d: and, as himself the sun<br/> +Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze<br/> +Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey’d;<br/> +Within its proper ray the saintly shape<br/> +Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal’d;<br/> +And, shrouded so in splendour answer’d me,<br/> +E’en as the tenour of my song declares. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.VI"></a>CANTO VI</h2> + +<p> +“After that Constantine the eagle turn’d<br/> +Against the motions of the heav’n, that roll’d<br/> +Consenting with its course, when he of yore,<br/> +Lavinia’s spouse, was leader of the flight,<br/> +A hundred years twice told and more, his seat<br/> +At Europe’s extreme point, the bird of Jove<br/> +Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first.<br/> +There, under shadow of his sacred plumes<br/> +Swaying the world, till through successive hands<br/> +To mine he came devolv’d. Caesar I was,<br/> +And am Justinian; destin’d by the will<br/> +Of that prime love, whose influence I feel,<br/> +From vain excess to clear th’ encumber’d laws.<br/> +Or ere that work engag’d me, I did hold<br/> +Christ’s nature merely human, with such faith<br/> +Contented. But the blessed Agapete,<br/> +Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice<br/> +To the true faith recall’d me. I believ’d<br/> +His words: and what he taught, now plainly see,<br/> +As thou in every contradiction seest<br/> +The true and false oppos’d. Soon as my feet<br/> +Were to the church reclaim’d, to my great task,<br/> +By inspiration of God’s grace impell’d,<br/> +I gave me wholly, and consign’d mine arms<br/> +To Belisarius, with whom heaven’s right hand<br/> +Was link’d in such conjointment, ’twas a sign<br/> +That I should rest. To thy first question thus<br/> +I shape mine answer, which were ended here,<br/> +But that its tendency doth prompt perforce<br/> +To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark<br/> +What reason on each side they have to plead,<br/> +By whom that holiest banner is withstood,<br/> +Both who pretend its power and who oppose. +</p> + +<p> +“Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died<br/> +To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds<br/> +Have made it worthy reverence. Not unknown<br/> +To thee, how for three hundred years and more<br/> +It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists<br/> +Where for its sake were met the rival three;<br/> +Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev’d<br/> +Down to the Sabines’ wrong to Lucrece’ woe,<br/> +With its sev’n kings conqu’ring the nation round;<br/> +Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home<br/> +’Gainst Brennus and th’ Epirot prince, and hosts<br/> +Of single chiefs, or states in league combin’d<br/> +Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern,<br/> +And Quintius nam’d of his neglected locks,<br/> +The Decii, and the Fabii hence acquir’d<br/> +Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm.<br/> +By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell’d,<br/> +When they led on by Hannibal o’erpass’d<br/> +The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po!<br/> +Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days<br/> +Scipio and Pompey triumph’d; and that hill,<br/> +Under whose summit thou didst see the light,<br/> +Rued its stern bearing. After, near the hour,<br/> +When heav’n was minded that o’er all the world<br/> +His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar’s hand<br/> +Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought<br/> +From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere’s flood,<br/> +Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills<br/> +The torrent Rhone. What after that it wrought,<br/> +When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap’d<br/> +The Rubicon, was of so bold a flight,<br/> +That tongue nor pen may follow it. Tow’rds Spain<br/> +It wheel’d its bands, then tow’rd Dyrrachium smote,<br/> +And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge,<br/> +E’en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang;<br/> +Its native shores Antandros, and the streams<br/> +Of Simois revisited, and there<br/> +Where Hector lies; then ill for Ptolemy<br/> +His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell<br/> +On Juba; and the next upon your west,<br/> +At sound of the Pompeian trump, return’d. +</p> + +<p> +“What following and in its next bearer’s gripe<br/> +It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus<br/> +Bark’d off in hell, and by Perugia’s sons<br/> +And Modena’s was mourn’d. Hence weepeth still<br/> +Sad Cleopatra, who, pursued by it,<br/> +Took from the adder black and sudden death.<br/> +With him it ran e’en to the Red Sea coast;<br/> +With him compos’d the world to such a peace,<br/> +That of his temple Janus barr’d the door. +</p> + +<p> +“But all the mighty standard yet had wrought,<br/> +And was appointed to perform thereafter,<br/> +Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway’d,<br/> +Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur’d,<br/> +If one with steady eye and perfect thought<br/> +On the third Caesar look; for to his hands,<br/> +The living Justice, in whose breath I move,<br/> +Committed glory, e’en into his hands,<br/> +To execute the vengeance of its wrath. +</p> + +<p> +“Hear now and wonder at what next I tell.<br/> +After with Titus it was sent to wreak<br/> +Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin,<br/> +And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure,<br/> +Did gore the bosom of the holy church,<br/> +Under its wings victorious, Charlemagne<br/> +Sped to her rescue. Judge then for thyself<br/> +Of those, whom I erewhile accus’d to thee,<br/> +What they are, and how grievous their offending,<br/> +Who are the cause of all your ills. The one<br/> +Against the universal ensign rears<br/> +The yellow lilies, and with partial aim<br/> +That to himself the other arrogates:<br/> +So that ’tis hard to see which more offends.<br/> +Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts<br/> +Beneath another standard: ill is this<br/> +Follow’d of him, who severs it and justice:<br/> +And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown’d Charles<br/> +Assail it, but those talons hold in dread,<br/> +Which from a lion of more lofty port<br/> +Have rent the easing. Many a time ere now<br/> +The sons have for the sire’s transgression wail’d;<br/> +Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav’n<br/> +Will truck its armour for his lilied shield. +</p> + +<p> +“This little star is furnish’d with good spirits,<br/> +Whose mortal lives were busied to that end,<br/> +That honour and renown might wait on them:<br/> +And, when desires thus err in their intention,<br/> +True love must needs ascend with slacker beam.<br/> +But it is part of our delight, to measure<br/> +Our wages with the merit; and admire<br/> +The close proportion. Hence doth heav’nly justice<br/> +Temper so evenly affection in us,<br/> +It ne’er can warp to any wrongfulness.<br/> +Of diverse voices is sweet music made:<br/> +So in our life the different degrees<br/> +Render sweet harmony among these wheels. +</p> + +<p> +“Within the pearl, that now encloseth us,<br/> +Shines Romeo’s light, whose goodly deed and fair<br/> +Met ill acceptance. But the Provencals,<br/> +That were his foes, have little cause for mirth.<br/> +Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong<br/> +Of other’s worth. Four daughters were there born<br/> +To Raymond Berenger, and every one<br/> +Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo,<br/> +Though of mean state and from a foreign land.<br/> +Yet envious tongues incited him to ask<br/> +A reckoning of that just one, who return’d<br/> +Twelve fold to him for ten. Aged and poor<br/> +He parted thence: and if the world did know<br/> +The heart he had, begging his life by morsels,<br/> +’Twould deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.VII"></a>CANTO VII</h2> + +<p> +“Hosanna Sanctus Deus Sabaoth<br/> +Superillustrans claritate tua<br/> +Felices ignes horum malahoth!”<br/> +Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright<br/> +With fourfold lustre to its orb again,<br/> +Revolving; and the rest unto their dance<br/> +With it mov’d also; and like swiftest sparks,<br/> +In sudden distance from my sight were veil’d. +</p> + +<p> +Me doubt possess’d, and “Speak,” it whisper’d me,<br/> +“Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench<br/> +Thy thirst with drops of sweetness.” Yet blank awe,<br/> +Which lords it o’er me, even at the sound<br/> +Of Beatrice’s name, did bow me down<br/> +As one in slumber held. Not long that mood<br/> +Beatrice suffer’d: she, with such a smile,<br/> +As might have made one blest amid the flames,<br/> +Beaming upon me, thus her words began:<br/> +“Thou in thy thought art pond’ring (as I deem),<br/> +And what I deem is truth how just revenge<br/> +Could be with justice punish’d: from which doubt<br/> +I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words;<br/> +For they of weighty matter shall possess thee. +</p> + +<p> +“That man, who was unborn, himself condemn’d,<br/> +And, in himself, all, who since him have liv’d,<br/> +His offspring: whence, below, the human kind<br/> +Lay sick in grievous error many an age;<br/> +Until it pleas’d the Word of God to come<br/> +Amongst them down, to his own person joining<br/> +The nature, from its Maker far estrang’d,<br/> +By the mere act of his eternal love.<br/> +Contemplate here the wonder I unfold.<br/> +The nature with its Maker thus conjoin’d,<br/> +Created first was blameless, pure and good;<br/> +But through itself alone was driven forth<br/> +From Paradise, because it had eschew’d<br/> +The way of truth and life, to evil turn’d.<br/> +Ne’er then was penalty so just as that<br/> +Inflicted by the cross, if thou regard<br/> +The nature in assumption doom’d: ne’er wrong<br/> +So great, in reference to him, who took<br/> +Such nature on him, and endur’d the doom.<br/> +God therefore and the Jews one sentence pleased:<br/> +So different effects flow’d from one act,<br/> +And heav’n was open’d, though the earth did quake.<br/> +Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear<br/> +That a just vengeance was by righteous court<br/> +Justly reveng’d. But yet I see thy mind<br/> +By thought on thought arising sore perplex’d,<br/> +And with how vehement desire it asks<br/> +Solution of the maze. What I have heard,<br/> +Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way<br/> +For our redemption chose, eludes my search. +</p> + +<p> +“Brother! no eye of man not perfected,<br/> +Nor fully ripen’d in the flame of love,<br/> +May fathom this decree. It is a mark,<br/> +In sooth, much aim’d at, and but little kenn’d:<br/> +And I will therefore show thee why such way<br/> +Was worthiest. The celestial love, that spume<br/> +All envying in its bounty, in itself<br/> +With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth<br/> +All beauteous things eternal. What distils<br/> +Immediate thence, no end of being knows,<br/> +Bearing its seal immutably impress’d.<br/> +Whatever thence immediate falls, is free,<br/> +Free wholly, uncontrollable by power<br/> +Of each thing new: by such conformity<br/> +More grateful to its author, whose bright beams,<br/> +Though all partake their shining, yet in those<br/> +Are liveliest, which resemble him the most.<br/> +These tokens of pre-eminence on man<br/> +Largely bestow’d, if any of them fail,<br/> +He needs must forfeit his nobility,<br/> +No longer stainless. Sin alone is that,<br/> +Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike<br/> +To the chief good; for that its light in him<br/> +Is darken’d. And to dignity thus lost<br/> +Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void,<br/> +He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain.<br/> +Your nature, which entirely in its seed<br/> +Trangress’d, from these distinctions fell, no less<br/> +Than from its state in Paradise; nor means<br/> +Found of recovery (search all methods out<br/> +As strickly as thou may) save one of these,<br/> +The only fords were left through which to wade,<br/> +Either that God had of his courtesy<br/> +Releas’d him merely, or else man himself<br/> +For his own folly by himself aton’d. +</p> + +<p> +“Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst,<br/> +On th’ everlasting counsel, and explore,<br/> +Instructed by my words, the dread abyss. +</p> + +<p> +“Man in himself had ever lack’d the means<br/> +Of satisfaction, for he could not stoop<br/> +Obeying, in humility so low,<br/> +As high he, disobeying, thought to soar:<br/> +And for this reason he had vainly tried<br/> +Out of his own sufficiency to pay<br/> +The rigid satisfaction. Then behooved<br/> +That God should by his own ways lead him back<br/> +Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor’d:<br/> +By both his ways, I mean, or one alone.<br/> +But since the deed is ever priz’d the more,<br/> +The more the doer’s good intent appears,<br/> +Goodness celestial, whose broad signature<br/> +Is on the universe, of all its ways<br/> +To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none,<br/> +Nor aught so vast or so magnificent,<br/> +Either for him who gave or who receiv’d<br/> +Between the last night and the primal day,<br/> +Was or can be. For God more bounty show’d.<br/> +Giving himself to make man capable<br/> +Of his return to life, than had the terms<br/> +Been mere and unconditional release.<br/> +And for his justice, every method else<br/> +Were all too scant, had not the Son of God<br/> +Humbled himself to put on mortal flesh. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains<br/> +I somewhat further to thy view unfold.<br/> +That thou mayst see as clearly as myself. +</p> + +<p> +“I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see,<br/> +The earth and water, and all things of them<br/> +Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon<br/> +Dissolve. Yet these were also things create,<br/> +Because, if what were told me, had been true<br/> +They from corruption had been therefore free. +</p> + +<p> +“The angels, O my brother! and this clime<br/> +Wherein thou art, impassible and pure,<br/> +I call created, as indeed they are<br/> +In their whole being. But the elements,<br/> +Which thou hast nam’d, and what of them is made,<br/> +Are by created virtue’ inform’d: create<br/> +Their substance, and create the’ informing virtue<br/> +In these bright stars, that round them circling move<br/> +The soul of every brute and of each plant,<br/> +The ray and motion of the sacred lights,<br/> +With complex potency attract and turn.<br/> +But this our life the’ eternal good inspires<br/> +Immediate, and enamours of itself;<br/> +So that our wishes rest for ever here. +</p> + +<p> +“And hence thou mayst by inference conclude<br/> +Our resurrection certain, if thy mind<br/> +Consider how the human flesh was fram’d,<br/> +When both our parents at the first were made.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.VIII"></a>CANTO VIII</h2> + +<p> +The world was in its day of peril dark<br/> +Wont to believe the dotage of fond love<br/> +From the fair Cyprian deity, who rolls<br/> +In her third epicycle, shed on men<br/> +By stream of potent radiance: therefore they<br/> +Of elder time, in their old error blind,<br/> +Not her alone with sacrifice ador’d<br/> +And invocation, but like honours paid<br/> +To Cupid and Dione, deem’d of them<br/> +Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign’d<br/> +To sit in Dido’s bosom: and from her,<br/> +Whom I have sung preluding, borrow’d they<br/> +The appellation of that star, which views,<br/> +Now obvious and now averse, the sun. +</p> + +<p> +I was not ware that I was wafted up<br/> +Into its orb; but the new loveliness<br/> +That grac’d my lady, gave me ample proof<br/> +That we had entered there. And as in flame<br/> +A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice<br/> +Discern’d, when one its even tenour keeps,<br/> +The other comes and goes; so in that light<br/> +I other luminaries saw, that cours’d<br/> +In circling motion, rapid more or less,<br/> +As their eternal phases each impels. +</p> + +<p> +Never was blast from vapour charged with cold,<br/> +Whether invisible to eye or no,<br/> +Descended with such speed, it had not seem’d<br/> +To linger in dull tardiness, compar’d<br/> +To those celestial lights, that tow’rds us came,<br/> +Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring,<br/> +Conducted by the lofty seraphim.<br/> +And after them, who in the van appear’d,<br/> +Such an hosanna sounded, as hath left<br/> +Desire, ne’er since extinct in me, to hear<br/> +Renew’d the strain. Then parting from the rest<br/> +One near us drew, and sole began: “We all<br/> +Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos’d<br/> +To do thee gentle service. We are they,<br/> +To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing<br/> +‘O ye! whose intellectual ministry<br/> +Moves the third heaven!’ and in one orb we roll,<br/> +One motion, one impulse, with those who rule<br/> +Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full,<br/> +That to please thee ’twill be as sweet to rest.” +</p> + +<p> +After mine eyes had with meek reverence<br/> +Sought the celestial guide, and were by her<br/> +Assur’d, they turn’d again unto the light<br/> +Who had so largely promis’d, and with voice<br/> +That bare the lively pressure of my zeal,<br/> +“Tell who ye are,” I cried. Forthwith it grew<br/> +In size and splendour, through augmented joy;<br/> +And thus it answer’d: “A short date below<br/> +The world possess’d me. Had the time been more,<br/> +Much evil, that will come, had never chanc’d.<br/> +My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine<br/> +Around, and shroud me, as an animal<br/> +In its own silk enswath’d. Thou lov’dst me well,<br/> +And had’st good cause; for had my sojourning<br/> +Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee<br/> +Had put forth more than blossoms. The left bank,<br/> +That Rhone, when he hath mix’d with Sorga, laves. +</p> + +<p> +“In me its lord expected, and that horn<br/> +Of fair Ausonia, with its boroughs old,<br/> +Bari, and Croton, and Gaeta pil’d,<br/> +From where the Trento disembogues his waves,<br/> +With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood.<br/> +Already on my temples beam’d the crown,<br/> +Which gave me sov’reignty over the land<br/> +By Danube wash’d, whenas he strays beyond<br/> +The limits of his German shores. The realm,<br/> +Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash’d,<br/> +Betwixt Pelorus and Pachynian heights,<br/> +The beautiful Trinacria lies in gloom<br/> +(Not through Typhaeus, but the vap’ry cloud<br/> +Bituminous upsteam’d), THAT too did look<br/> +To have its scepter wielded by a race<br/> +Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph;<br/> +had not ill lording which doth spirit up<br/> +The people ever, in Palermo rais’d<br/> +The shout of ‘death,’ re-echo’d loud and long.<br/> +Had but my brother’s foresight kenn’d as much,<br/> +He had been warier that the greedy want<br/> +Of Catalonia might not work his bale.<br/> +And truly need there is, that he forecast,<br/> +Or other for him, lest more freight be laid<br/> +On his already over-laden bark.<br/> +Nature in him, from bounty fall’n to thrift,<br/> +Would ask the guard of braver arms, than such<br/> +As only care to have their coffers fill’d.” +</p> + +<p> +“My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words<br/> +Infuse into me, mighty as it is,<br/> +To think my gladness manifest to thee,<br/> +As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst<br/> +Into the source and limit of all good,<br/> +There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak,<br/> +Thence priz’d of me the more. Glad thou hast made me.<br/> +Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt<br/> +Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse,<br/> +How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown.” +</p> + +<p> +I thus inquiring; he forthwith replied:<br/> +“If I have power to show one truth, soon that<br/> +Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares<br/> +Behind thee now conceal’d. The Good, that guides<br/> +And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount,<br/> +Ordains its providence to be the virtue<br/> +In these great bodies: nor th’ all perfect Mind<br/> +Upholds their nature merely, but in them<br/> +Their energy to save: for nought, that lies<br/> +Within the range of that unerring bow,<br/> +But is as level with the destin’d aim,<br/> +As ever mark to arrow’s point oppos’d.<br/> +Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit,<br/> +Would their effect so work, it would not be<br/> +Art, but destruction; and this may not chance,<br/> +If th’ intellectual powers, that move these stars,<br/> +Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail.<br/> +Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc’d?” +</p> + +<p> +To whom I thus: “It is enough: no fear,<br/> +I see, lest nature in her part should tire.” +</p> + +<p> +He straight rejoin’d: “Say, were it worse for man,<br/> +If he liv’d not in fellowship on earth?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yea,” answer’d I; “nor here a reason needs.” +</p> + +<p> +“And may that be, if different estates<br/> +Grow not of different duties in your life?<br/> +Consult your teacher, and he tells you ‘no.’” +</p> + +<p> +Thus did he come, deducing to this point,<br/> +And then concluded: “For this cause behooves,<br/> +The roots, from whence your operations come,<br/> +Must differ. Therefore one is Solon born;<br/> +Another, Xerxes; and Melchisidec<br/> +A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage<br/> +Cost him his son. In her circuitous course,<br/> +Nature, that is the seal to mortal wax,<br/> +Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns<br/> +’Twixt one or other household. Hence befalls<br/> +That Esau is so wide of Jacob: hence<br/> +Quirinus of so base a father springs,<br/> +He dates from Mars his lineage. Were it not<br/> +That providence celestial overrul’d,<br/> +Nature, in generation, must the path<br/> +Trac’d by the generator, still pursue<br/> +Unswervingly. Thus place I in thy sight<br/> +That, which was late behind thee. But, in sign<br/> +Of more affection for thee, ’tis my will<br/> +Thou wear this corollary. Nature ever<br/> +Finding discordant fortune, like all seed<br/> +Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill.<br/> +And were the world below content to mark<br/> +And work on the foundation nature lays,<br/> +It would not lack supply of excellence.<br/> +But ye perversely to religion strain<br/> +Him, who was born to gird on him the sword,<br/> +And of the fluent phrasemen make your king;<br/> +Therefore your steps have wander’d from the paths.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.IX"></a>CANTO IX</h2> + +<p> +After solution of my doubt, thy Charles,<br/> +O fair Clemenza, of the treachery spake<br/> +That must befall his seed: but, “Tell it not,”<br/> +Said he, “and let the destin’d years come round.”<br/> +Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed<br/> +Of sorrow well-deserv’d shall quit your wrongs. +</p> + +<p> +And now the visage of that saintly light<br/> +Was to the sun, that fills it, turn’d again,<br/> +As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss<br/> +Sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls!<br/> +Infatuate, who from such a good estrange<br/> +Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity,<br/> +Alas for you!—And lo! toward me, next,<br/> +Another of those splendent forms approach’d,<br/> +That, by its outward bright’ning, testified<br/> +The will it had to pleasure me. The eyes<br/> +Of Beatrice, resting, as before,<br/> +Firmly upon me, manifested forth<br/> +Approval of my wish. “And O,” I cried,<br/> +“Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform’d;<br/> +And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts<br/> +I can reflect on thee.” Thereat the light,<br/> +That yet was new to me, from the recess,<br/> +Where it before was singing, thus began,<br/> +As one who joys in kindness: “In that part<br/> +Of the deprav’d Italian land, which lies<br/> +Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs<br/> +Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise,<br/> +But to no lofty eminence, a hill,<br/> +From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend,<br/> +That sorely sheet the region. From one root<br/> +I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza:<br/> +And here I glitter, for that by its light<br/> +This star o’ercame me. Yet I naught repine,<br/> +Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot,<br/> +Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive. +</p> + +<p> +“This jewel, that is next me in our heaven,<br/> +Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left,<br/> +And not to perish, ere these hundred years<br/> +Five times absolve their round. Consider thou,<br/> +If to excel be worthy man’s endeavour,<br/> +When such life may attend the first. Yet they<br/> +Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt<br/> +By Adice and Tagliamento, still<br/> +Impenitent, tho’ scourg’d. The hour is near,<br/> +When for their stubbornness at Padua’s marsh<br/> +The water shall be chang’d, that laves Vicena<br/> +And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one<br/> +Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom<br/> +The web is now a-warping. Feltro too<br/> +Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd’s fault,<br/> +Of so deep stain, that never, for the like,<br/> +Was Malta’s bar unclos’d. Too large should be<br/> +The skillet, that would hold Ferrara’s blood,<br/> +And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it,<br/> +The which this priest, in show of party-zeal,<br/> +Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit<br/> +The country’s custom. We descry above,<br/> +Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us<br/> +Reflected shine the judgments of our God:<br/> +Whence these our sayings we avouch for good.” +</p> + +<p> +She ended, and appear’d on other thoughts<br/> +Intent, re-ent’ring on the wheel she late<br/> +Had left. That other joyance meanwhile wax’d<br/> +A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing,<br/> +Like choicest ruby stricken by the sun,<br/> +For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes<br/> +Of gladness, as here laughter: and below,<br/> +As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade. +</p> + +<p> +“God seeth all: and in him is thy sight,”<br/> +Said I, “blest Spirit! Therefore will of his<br/> +Cannot to thee be dark. Why then delays<br/> +Thy voice to satisfy my wish untold,<br/> +That voice which joins the inexpressive song,<br/> +Pastime of heav’n, the which those ardours sing,<br/> +That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread?<br/> +I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known<br/> +To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known.” +</p> + +<p> +He forthwith answ’ring, thus his words began:<br/> +“The valley’ of waters, widest next to that<br/> +Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course,<br/> +Between discordant shores, against the sun<br/> +Inward so far, it makes meridian there,<br/> +Where was before th’ horizon. Of that vale<br/> +Dwelt I upon the shore, ’twixt Ebro’s stream<br/> +And Macra’s, that divides with passage brief<br/> +Genoan bounds from Tuscan. East and west<br/> +Are nearly one to Begga and my land,<br/> +Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm.<br/> +Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco:<br/> +And I did bear impression of this heav’n,<br/> +That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame<br/> +Glow’d Belus’ daughter, injuring alike<br/> +Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I,<br/> +Long as it suited the unripen’d down<br/> +That fledg’d my cheek: nor she of Rhodope,<br/> +That was beguiled of Demophoon;<br/> +Nor Jove’s son, when the charms of Iole<br/> +Were shrin’d within his heart. And yet there hides<br/> +No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth,<br/> +Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind),<br/> +But for the virtue, whose o’erruling sway<br/> +And providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here<br/> +The skill is look’d into, that fashioneth<br/> +With such effectual working, and the good<br/> +Discern’d, accruing to this upper world<br/> +From that below. But fully to content<br/> +Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth,<br/> +Demands my further parle. Inquire thou wouldst,<br/> +Who of this light is denizen, that here<br/> +Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth<br/> +On the clear wave. Know then, the soul of Rahab<br/> +Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe<br/> +United, and the foremost rank assign’d.<br/> +He to that heav’n, at which the shadow ends<br/> +Of your sublunar world, was taken up,<br/> +First, in Christ’s triumph, of all souls redeem’d:<br/> +For well behoov’d, that, in some part of heav’n,<br/> +She should remain a trophy, to declare<br/> +The mighty contest won with either palm;<br/> +For that she favour’d first the high exploit<br/> +Of Joshua on the holy land, whereof<br/> +The Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant<br/> +Of him, that on his Maker turn’d the back,<br/> +And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung,<br/> +Engenders and expands the cursed flower,<br/> +That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs,<br/> +Turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this,<br/> +The gospel and great teachers laid aside,<br/> +The decretals, as their stuft margins show,<br/> +Are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals,<br/> +Intent on these, ne’er journey but in thought<br/> +To Nazareth, where Gabriel op’d his wings.<br/> +Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican,<br/> +And other most selected parts of Rome,<br/> +That were the grave of Peter’s soldiery,<br/> +Shall be deliver’d from the adult’rous bond.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.X"></a>CANTO X</h2> + +<p> +Looking into his first-born with the love,<br/> +Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might<br/> +Ineffable, whence eye or mind<br/> +Can roam, hath in such order all dispos’d,<br/> +As none may see and fail to enjoy. Raise, then,<br/> +O reader! to the lofty wheels, with me,<br/> +Thy ken directed to the point, whereat<br/> +One motion strikes on th’ other. There begin<br/> +Thy wonder of the mighty Architect,<br/> +Who loves his work so inwardly, his eye<br/> +Doth ever watch it. See, how thence oblique<br/> +Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll<br/> +To pour their wished influence on the world;<br/> +Whose path not bending thus, in heav’n above<br/> +Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth,<br/> +All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct<br/> +Were its departure distant more or less,<br/> +I’ th’ universal order, great defect<br/> +Must, both in heav’n and here beneath, ensue. +</p> + +<p> +Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse<br/> +Anticipative of the feast to come;<br/> +So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil.<br/> +Lo! I have set before thee, for thyself<br/> +Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth<br/> +Demands entire my thought. Join’d with the part,<br/> +Which late we told of, the great minister<br/> +Of nature, that upon the world imprints<br/> +The virtue of the heaven, and doles out<br/> +Time for us with his beam, went circling on<br/> +Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes;<br/> +And I was with him, weetless of ascent,<br/> +As one, who till arriv’d, weets not his coming. +</p> + +<p> +For Beatrice, she who passeth on<br/> +So suddenly from good to better, time<br/> +Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs<br/> +Have been her brightness! What she was i’ th’ sun<br/> +(Where I had enter’d), not through change of hue,<br/> +But light transparent—did I summon up<br/> +Genius, art, practice—I might not so speak,<br/> +It should be e’er imagin’d: yet believ’d<br/> +It may be, and the sight be justly crav’d.<br/> +And if our fantasy fail of such height,<br/> +What marvel, since no eye above the sun<br/> +Hath ever travel’d? Such are they dwell here,<br/> +Fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire,<br/> +Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows;<br/> +And holds them still enraptur’d with the view.<br/> +And thus to me Beatrice: “Thank, oh thank,<br/> +The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace<br/> +To this perceptible hath lifted thee.” +</p> + +<p> +Never was heart in such devotion bound,<br/> +And with complacency so absolute<br/> +Dispos’d to render up itself to God,<br/> +As mine was at those words: and so entire<br/> +The love for Him, that held me, it eclips’d<br/> +Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeas’d<br/> +Was she, but smil’d thereat so joyously,<br/> +That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake<br/> +And scatter’d my collected mind abroad. +</p> + +<p> +Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness<br/> +Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown,<br/> +And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice,<br/> +Than in their visage beaming. Cinctur’d thus,<br/> +Sometime Latona’s daughter we behold,<br/> +When the impregnate air retains the thread,<br/> +That weaves her zone. In the celestial court,<br/> +Whence I return, are many jewels found,<br/> +So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook<br/> +Transporting from that realm: and of these lights<br/> +Such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing<br/> +To soar up thither, let him look from thence<br/> +For tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus,<br/> +Those burning suns that circled round us thrice,<br/> +As nearest stars around the fixed pole,<br/> +Then seem’d they like to ladies, from the dance<br/> +Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause,<br/> +List’ning, till they have caught the strain anew:<br/> +Suspended so they stood: and, from within,<br/> +Thus heard I one, who spake: “Since with its beam<br/> +The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame,<br/> +That after doth increase by loving, shines<br/> +So multiplied in thee, it leads thee up<br/> +Along this ladder, down whose hallow’d steps<br/> +None e’er descend, and mount them not again,<br/> +Who from his phial should refuse thee wine<br/> +To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were,<br/> +Than water flowing not unto the sea.<br/> +Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom<br/> +In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds<br/> +This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav’n.<br/> +I then was of the lambs, that Dominic<br/> +Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way,<br/> +Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity.<br/> +He, nearest on my right hand, brother was,<br/> +And master to me: Albert of Cologne<br/> +Is this: and of Aquinum, Thomas I.<br/> +If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur’d,<br/> +Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak,<br/> +In circuit journey round the blessed wreath.<br/> +That next resplendence issues from the smile<br/> +Of Gratian, who to either forum lent<br/> +Such help, as favour wins in Paradise.<br/> +The other, nearest, who adorns our quire,<br/> +Was Peter, he that with the widow gave<br/> +To holy church his treasure. The fifth light,<br/> +Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired,<br/> +That all your world craves tidings of its doom:<br/> +Within, there is the lofty light, endow’d<br/> +With sapience so profound, if truth be truth,<br/> +That with a ken of such wide amplitude<br/> +No second hath arisen. Next behold<br/> +That taper’s radiance, to whose view was shown,<br/> +Clearliest, the nature and the ministry<br/> +Angelical, while yet in flesh it dwelt.<br/> +In the other little light serenely smiles<br/> +That pleader for the Christian temples, he<br/> +Who did provide Augustin of his lore.<br/> +Now, if thy mind’s eye pass from light to light,<br/> +Upon my praises following, of the eighth<br/> +Thy thirst is next. The saintly soul, that shows<br/> +The world’s deceitfulness, to all who hear him,<br/> +Is, with the sight of all the good, that is,<br/> +Blest there. The limbs, whence it was driven, lie<br/> +Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom<br/> +And exile came it here. Lo! further on,<br/> +Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore,<br/> +Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile,<br/> +In deep discernment. Lastly this, from whom<br/> +Thy look on me reverteth, was the beam<br/> +Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent,<br/> +Rebuk’d the ling’ring tardiness of death.<br/> +It is the eternal light of Sigebert,<br/> +Who ’scap’d not envy, when of truth he argued,<br/> +Reading in the straw-litter’d street.” Forthwith,<br/> +As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God<br/> +To win her bridegroom’s love at matin’s hour,<br/> +Each part of other fitly drawn and urg’d,<br/> +Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet,<br/> +Affection springs in well-disposed breast;<br/> +Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard<br/> +Voice answ’ring voice, so musical and soft,<br/> +It can be known but where day endless shines. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XI"></a>CANTO XI</h2> + +<p> +O fond anxiety of mortal men!<br/> +How vain and inconclusive arguments<br/> +Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below<br/> +For statues one, and one for aphorisms<br/> +Was hunting; this the priesthood follow’d, that<br/> +By force or sophistry aspir’d to rule;<br/> +To rob another, and another sought<br/> +By civil business wealth; one moiling lay<br/> +Tangled in net of sensual delight,<br/> +And one to witless indolence resign’d;<br/> +What time from all these empty things escap’d,<br/> +With Beatrice, I thus gloriously<br/> +Was rais’d aloft, and made the guest of heav’n. +</p> + +<p> +They of the circle to that point, each one.<br/> +Where erst it was, had turn’d; and steady glow’d,<br/> +As candle in his socket. Then within<br/> +The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling<br/> +With merer gladness, heard I thus begin: +</p> + +<p> +“E’en as his beam illumes me, so I look<br/> +Into the eternal light, and clearly mark<br/> +Thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt,<br/> +And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh<br/> +In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth<br/> +To thy perception, where I told thee late<br/> +That ‘well they thrive;’ and that ‘no second such<br/> +Hath risen,’ which no small distinction needs. +</p> + +<p> +“The providence, that governeth the world,<br/> +In depth of counsel by created ken<br/> +Unfathomable, to the end that she,<br/> +Who with loud cries was ‘spous’d in precious blood,<br/> +Might keep her footing towards her well-belov’d,<br/> +Safe in herself and constant unto him,<br/> +Hath two ordain’d, who should on either hand<br/> +In chief escort her: one seraphic all<br/> +In fervency; for wisdom upon earth,<br/> +The other splendour of cherubic light.<br/> +I but of one will tell: he tells of both,<br/> +Who one commendeth which of them so’er<br/> +Be taken: for their deeds were to one end. +</p> + +<p> +“Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls<br/> +From blest Ubaldo’s chosen hill, there hangs<br/> +Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold<br/> +Are wafted through Perugia’s eastern gate:<br/> +And Norcera with Gualdo, in its rear<br/> +Mourn for their heavy yoke. Upon that side,<br/> +Where it doth break its steepness most, arose<br/> +A sun upon the world, as duly this<br/> +From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak<br/> +Of that place, say Ascesi; for its name<br/> +Were lamely so deliver’d; but the East,<br/> +To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl’d.<br/> +He was not yet much distant from his rising,<br/> +When his good influence ’gan to bless the earth.<br/> +A dame to whom none openeth pleasure’s gate<br/> +More than to death, was, ’gainst his father’s will,<br/> +His stripling choice: and he did make her his,<br/> +Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds,<br/> +And in his father’s sight: from day to day,<br/> +Then lov’d her more devoutly. She, bereav’d<br/> +Of her first husband, slighted and obscure,<br/> +Thousand and hundred years and more, remain’d<br/> +Without a single suitor, till he came.<br/> +Nor aught avail’d, that, with Amyclas, she<br/> +Was found unmov’d at rumour of his voice,<br/> +Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness<br/> +Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross,<br/> +When Mary stay’d beneath. But not to deal<br/> +Thus closely with thee longer, take at large<br/> +The rovers’ titles—Poverty and Francis.<br/> +Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love,<br/> +And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts,<br/> +So much, that venerable Bernard first<br/> +Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace<br/> +So heavenly, ran, yet deem’d his footing slow.<br/> +O hidden riches! O prolific good!<br/> +Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester,<br/> +And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride<br/> +Can please them. Thenceforth goes he on his way,<br/> +The father and the master, with his spouse,<br/> +And with that family, whom now the cord<br/> +Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart<br/> +Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son<br/> +Of Pietro Bernardone, and by men<br/> +In wond’rous sort despis’d. But royally<br/> +His hard intention he to Innocent<br/> +Set forth, and from him first receiv’d the seal<br/> +On his religion. Then, when numerous flock’d<br/> +The tribe of lowly ones, that trac’d HIS steps,<br/> +Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung<br/> +In heights empyreal, through Honorius’ hand<br/> +A second crown, to deck their Guardian’s virtues,<br/> +Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath’d: and when<br/> +He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up<br/> +In the proud Soldan’s presence, and there preach’d<br/> +Christ and his followers; but found the race<br/> +Unripen’d for conversion: back once more<br/> +He hasted (not to intermit his toil),<br/> +And reap’d Ausonian lands. On the hard rock,<br/> +’Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ<br/> +Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years<br/> +Did carry. Then the season come, that he,<br/> +Who to such good had destin’d him, was pleas’d<br/> +T’ advance him to the meed, which he had earn’d<br/> +By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood,<br/> +As their just heritage, he gave in charge<br/> +His dearest lady, and enjoin’d their love<br/> +And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will’d<br/> +His goodly spirit should move forth, returning<br/> +To its appointed kingdom, nor would have<br/> +His body laid upon another bier. +</p> + +<p> +“Think now of one, who were a fit colleague,<br/> +To keep the bark of Peter in deep sea<br/> +Helm’d to right point; and such our Patriarch was.<br/> +Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins,<br/> +Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in.<br/> +But hunger of new viands tempts his flock,<br/> +So that they needs into strange pastures wide<br/> +Must spread them: and the more remote from him<br/> +The stragglers wander, so much mole they come<br/> +Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk.<br/> +There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm,<br/> +And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few,<br/> +A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta’en<br/> +Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall<br/> +To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill’d:<br/> +For thou wilt see the point from whence they split,<br/> +Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies,<br/> +‘That well they thrive not sworn with vanity.’” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XII"></a>CANTO XII</h2> + +<p> +Soon as its final word the blessed flame<br/> +Had rais’d for utterance, straight the holy mill<br/> +Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv’d,<br/> +Or ere another, circling, compass’d it,<br/> +Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining,<br/> +Song, that as much our muses doth excel,<br/> +Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray<br/> +Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex. +</p> + +<p> +As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth,<br/> +Two arches parallel, and trick’d alike,<br/> +Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth<br/> +From that within (in manner of that voice<br/> +Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist),<br/> +And they who gaze, presageful call to mind<br/> +The compact, made with Noah, of the world<br/> +No more to be o’erflow’d; about us thus<br/> +Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath’d<br/> +Those garlands twain, and to the innermost<br/> +E’en thus th’ external answered. When the footing,<br/> +And other great festivity, of song,<br/> +And radiance, light with light accordant, each<br/> +Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still’d<br/> +(E’en as the eyes by quick volition mov’d,<br/> +Are shut and rais’d together), from the heart<br/> +Of one amongst the new lights mov’d a voice,<br/> +That made me seem like needle to the star,<br/> +In turning to its whereabout, and thus<br/> +Began: “The love, that makes me beautiful,<br/> +Prompts me to tell of th’ other guide, for whom<br/> +Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is,<br/> +The other worthily should also be;<br/> +That as their warfare was alike, alike<br/> +Should be their glory. Slow, and full of doubt,<br/> +And with thin ranks, after its banner mov’d<br/> +The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost<br/> +To reappoint), when its imperial Head,<br/> +Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host<br/> +Did make provision, thorough grace alone,<br/> +And not through its deserving. As thou heard’st,<br/> +Two champions to the succour of his spouse<br/> +He sent, who by their deeds and words might join<br/> +Again his scatter’d people. In that clime,<br/> +Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold<br/> +The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself<br/> +New-garmented; nor from those billows far,<br/> +Beyond whose chiding, after weary course,<br/> +The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides<br/> +The happy Callaroga, under guard<br/> +Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies<br/> +Subjected and supreme. And there was born<br/> +The loving million of the Christian faith,<br/> +The hollow’d wrestler, gentle to his own,<br/> +And to his enemies terrible. So replete<br/> +His soul with lively virtue, that when first<br/> +Created, even in the mother’s womb,<br/> +It prophesied. When, at the sacred font,<br/> +The spousals were complete ’twixt faith and him,<br/> +Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang’d,<br/> +The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep<br/> +Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him<br/> +And from his heirs to issue. And that such<br/> +He might be construed, as indeed he was,<br/> +She was inspir’d to name him of his owner,<br/> +Whose he was wholly, and so call’d him Dominic.<br/> +And I speak of him, as the labourer,<br/> +Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be<br/> +His help-mate. Messenger he seem’d, and friend<br/> +Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show’d,<br/> +Was after the first counsel that Christ gave.<br/> +Many a time his nurse, at entering found<br/> +That he had ris’n in silence, and was prostrate,<br/> +As who should say, “My errand was for this.”<br/> +O happy father! Felix rightly nam’d!<br/> +O favour’d mother! rightly nam’d Joanna!<br/> +If that do mean, as men interpret it.<br/> +Not for the world’s sake, for which now they pore<br/> +Upon Ostiense and Taddeo’s page,<br/> +But for the real manna, soon he grew<br/> +Mighty in learning, and did set himself<br/> +To go about the vineyard, that soon turns<br/> +To wan and wither’d, if not tended well:<br/> +And from the see (whose bounty to the just<br/> +And needy is gone by, not through its fault,<br/> +But his who fills it basely, he besought,<br/> +No dispensation for commuted wrong,<br/> +Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth),<br/> +That to God’s paupers rightly appertain,<br/> +But, ’gainst an erring and degenerate world,<br/> +Licence to fight, in favour of that seed,<br/> +From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round.<br/> +Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help,<br/> +Forth on his great apostleship he far’d,<br/> +Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein;<br/> +And, dashing ’gainst the stocks of heresy,<br/> +Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout.<br/> +Thence many rivulets have since been turn’d,<br/> +Over the garden Catholic to lead<br/> +Their living waters, and have fed its plants. +</p> + +<p> +“If such one wheel of that two-yoked car,<br/> +Wherein the holy church defended her,<br/> +And rode triumphant through the civil broil.<br/> +Thou canst not doubt its fellow’s excellence,<br/> +Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar’d<br/> +So courteously unto thee. But the track,<br/> +Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted:<br/> +That mouldy mother is where late were lees.<br/> +His family, that wont to trace his path,<br/> +Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong<br/> +To rue the gathering in of their ill crop,<br/> +When the rejected tares in vain shall ask<br/> +Admittance to the barn. I question not<br/> +But he, who search’d our volume, leaf by leaf,<br/> +Might still find page with this inscription on’t,<br/> +‘I am as I was wont.’ Yet such were not<br/> +From Acquasparta nor Casale, whence<br/> +Of those, who come to meddle with the text,<br/> +One stretches and another cramps its rule.<br/> +Bonaventura’s life in me behold,<br/> +From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge<br/> +Of my great offices still laid aside<br/> +All sinister aim. Illuminato here,<br/> +And Agostino join me: two they were,<br/> +Among the first of those barefooted meek ones,<br/> +Who sought God’s friendship in the cord: with them<br/> +Hugues of Saint Victor, Pietro Mangiadore,<br/> +And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining,<br/> +Nathan the prophet, Metropolitan<br/> +Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign’d<br/> +To put his hand to the first art, Donatus.<br/> +Raban is here: and at my side there shines<br/> +Calabria’s abbot, Joachim, endow’d<br/> +With soul prophetic. The bright courtesy<br/> +Of friar Thomas, and his goodly lore,<br/> +Have mov’d me to the blazon of a peer<br/> +So worthy, and with me have mov’d this throng.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XIII"></a>CANTO XIII</h2> + +<p> +Let him, who would conceive what now I saw,<br/> +Imagine (and retain the image firm,<br/> +As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak),<br/> +Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host<br/> +Selected, that, with lively ray serene,<br/> +O’ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine<br/> +The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky,<br/> +Spins ever on its axle night and day,<br/> +With the bright summit of that horn which swells<br/> +Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls,<br/> +T’ have rang’d themselves in fashion of two signs<br/> +In heav’n, such as Ariadne made,<br/> +When death’s chill seized her; and that one of them<br/> +Did compass in the other’s beam; and both<br/> +In such sort whirl around, that each should tend<br/> +With opposite motion and, conceiving thus,<br/> +Of that true constellation, and the dance<br/> +Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain<br/> +As ’twere the shadow; for things there as much<br/> +Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav’n<br/> +Is swifter than the Chiana. There was sung<br/> +No Bacchus, and no Io Paean, but<br/> +Three Persons in the Godhead, and in one<br/> +Substance that nature and the human join’d. +</p> + +<p> +The song fulfill’d its measure; and to us<br/> +Those saintly lights attended, happier made<br/> +At each new minist’ring. Then silence brake,<br/> +Amid th’ accordant sons of Deity,<br/> +That luminary, in which the wondrous life<br/> +Of the meek man of God was told to me;<br/> +And thus it spake: “One ear o’ th’ harvest +thresh’d,<br/> +And its grain safely stor’d, sweet charity<br/> +Invites me with the other to like toil. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou know’st, that in the bosom, whence the rib<br/> +Was ta’en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste<br/> +All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc’d<br/> +By the keen lance, both after and before<br/> +Such satisfaction offer’d, as outweighs<br/> +Each evil in the scale, whate’er of light<br/> +To human nature is allow’d, must all<br/> +Have by his virtue been infus’d, who form’d<br/> +Both one and other: and thou thence admir’st<br/> +In that I told thee, of beatitudes<br/> +A second, there is none, to his enclos’d<br/> +In the fifth radiance. Open now thine eyes<br/> +To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see<br/> +Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth,<br/> +As centre in the round. That which dies not,<br/> +And that which can die, are but each the beam<br/> +Of that idea, which our Soverign Sire<br/> +Engendereth loving; for that lively light,<br/> +Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin’d<br/> +From him, nor from his love triune with them,<br/> +Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself,<br/> +Mirror’d, as ’twere in new existences,<br/> +Itself unalterable and ever one. +</p> + +<p> +“Descending hence unto the lowest powers,<br/> +Its energy so sinks, at last it makes<br/> +But brief contingencies: for so I name<br/> +Things generated, which the heav’nly orbs<br/> +Moving, with seed or without seed, produce.<br/> +Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much:<br/> +And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows<br/> +Th’ ideal stamp impress: so that one tree<br/> +According to his kind, hath better fruit,<br/> +And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men,<br/> +Are in your talents various. Were the wax<br/> +Molded with nice exactness, and the heav’n<br/> +In its disposing influence supreme,<br/> +The lustre of the seal should be complete:<br/> +But nature renders it imperfect ever,<br/> +Resembling thus the artist in her work,<br/> +Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill.<br/> +Howe’er, if love itself dispose, and mark<br/> +The primal virtue, kindling with bright view,<br/> +There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such<br/> +The clay was made, accomplish’d with each gift,<br/> +That life can teem with; such the burden fill’d<br/> +The virgin’s bosom: so that I commend<br/> +Thy judgment, that the human nature ne’er<br/> +Was or can be, such as in them it was. +</p> + +<p> +“Did I advance no further than this point,<br/> +‘How then had he no peer?’ thou might’st reply.<br/> +But, that what now appears not, may appear<br/> +Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what<br/> +(When he was bidden ‘Ask’), the motive sway’d<br/> +To his requesting. I have spoken thus,<br/> +That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask’d<br/> +For wisdom, to the end he might be king<br/> +Sufficient: not the number to search out<br/> +Of the celestial movers; or to know,<br/> +If necessary with contingent e’er<br/> +Have made necessity; or whether that<br/> +Be granted, that first motion is; or if<br/> +Of the mid circle can, by art, be made<br/> +Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp. +</p> + +<p> +“Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this,<br/> +Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn,<br/> +At which the dart of my intention aims.<br/> +And, marking clearly, that I told thee, ‘Risen,’<br/> +Thou shalt discern it only hath respect<br/> +To kings, of whom are many, and the good<br/> +Are rare. With this distinction take my words;<br/> +And they may well consist with that which thou<br/> +Of the first human father dost believe,<br/> +And of our well-beloved. And let this<br/> +Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make<br/> +Thee slow in motion, as a weary man,<br/> +Both to the ‘yea’ and to the ‘nay’ thou seest not.<br/> +For he among the fools is down full low,<br/> +Whose affirmation, or denial, is<br/> +Without distinction, in each case alike<br/> +Since it befalls, that in most instances<br/> +Current opinion leads to false: and then<br/> +Affection bends the judgment to her ply. +</p> + +<p> +“Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore,<br/> +Since he returns not such as he set forth,<br/> +Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill.<br/> +And open proofs of this unto the world<br/> +Have been afforded in Parmenides,<br/> +Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside,<br/> +Who journey’d on, and knew not whither: so did<br/> +Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools,<br/> +Who, like to scymitars, reflected back<br/> +The scripture-image, by distortion marr’d. +</p> + +<p> +“Let not the people be too swift to judge,<br/> +As one who reckons on the blades in field,<br/> +Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen<br/> +The thorn frown rudely all the winter long<br/> +And after bear the rose upon its top;<br/> +And bark, that all the way across the sea<br/> +Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last,<br/> +E’en in the haven’s mouth seeing one steal,<br/> +Another brine, his offering to the priest,<br/> +Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence<br/> +Into heav’n’s counsels deem that they can pry:<br/> +For one of these may rise, the other fall.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XIV"></a>CANTO XIV</h2> + +<p> +From centre to the circle, and so back<br/> +From circle to the centre, water moves<br/> +In the round chalice, even as the blow<br/> +Impels it, inwardly, or from without.<br/> +Such was the image glanc’d into my mind,<br/> +As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas’d;<br/> +And Beatrice after him her words<br/> +Resum’d alternate: “Need there is (tho’ yet<br/> +He tells it to you not in words, nor e’en<br/> +In thought) that he should fathom to its depth<br/> +Another mystery. Tell him, if the light,<br/> +Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you<br/> +Eternally, as now: and, if it doth,<br/> +How, when ye shall regain your visible forms,<br/> +The sight may without harm endure the change,<br/> +That also tell.” As those, who in a ring<br/> +Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth<br/> +Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound;<br/> +Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit,<br/> +The saintly circles in their tourneying<br/> +And wond’rous note attested new delight. +</p> + +<p> +Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb<br/> +Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live<br/> +Immortally above, he hath not seen<br/> +The sweet refreshing, of that heav’nly shower. +</p> + +<p> +Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns<br/> +In mystic union of the Three in One,<br/> +Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice<br/> +Sang, with such melody, as but to hear<br/> +For highest merit were an ample meed.<br/> +And from the lesser orb the goodliest light,<br/> +With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps<br/> +The angel’s once to Mary, thus replied:<br/> +“Long as the joy of Paradise shall last,<br/> +Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright,<br/> +As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest;<br/> +And that as far in blessedness exceeding,<br/> +As it hath grave beyond its virtue great.<br/> +Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds<br/> +Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire,<br/> +Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase,<br/> +Whate’er of light, gratuitous, imparts<br/> +The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid,<br/> +The better disclose his glory: whence<br/> +The vision needs increasing, much increase<br/> +The fervour, which it kindles; and that too<br/> +The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed<br/> +Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines<br/> +More lively than that, and so preserves<br/> +Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere<br/> +Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem,<br/> +Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth<br/> +Now covers. Nor will such excess of light<br/> +O’erpower us, in corporeal organs made<br/> +Firm, and susceptible of all delight.” +</p> + +<p> +So ready and so cordial an “Amen,”<br/> +Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke<br/> +Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance<br/> +Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear,<br/> +Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov’d,<br/> +Ere they were made imperishable flame. +</p> + +<p> +And lo! forthwith there rose up round about<br/> +A lustre over that already there,<br/> +Of equal clearness, like the brightening up<br/> +Of the horizon. As at an evening hour<br/> +Of twilight, new appearances through heav’n<br/> +Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried;<br/> +So there new substances, methought began<br/> +To rise in view; and round the other twain<br/> +Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide. +</p> + +<p> +O gentle glitter of eternal beam!<br/> +With what a such whiteness did it flow,<br/> +O’erpowering vision in me! But so fair,<br/> +So passing lovely, Beatrice show’d,<br/> +Mind cannot follow it, nor words express<br/> +Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain’d<br/> +Power to look up, and I beheld myself,<br/> +Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss<br/> +Translated: for the star, with warmer smile<br/> +Impurpled, well denoted our ascent. +</p> + +<p> +With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks<br/> +The same in all, an holocaust I made<br/> +To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf’d.<br/> +And from my bosom had not yet upsteam’d<br/> +The fuming of that incense, when I knew<br/> +The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen<br/> +And mantling crimson, in two listed rays<br/> +The splendours shot before me, that I cried,<br/> +“God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!” +</p> + +<p> +As leads the galaxy from pole to pole,<br/> +Distinguish’d into greater lights and less,<br/> +Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell;<br/> +So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars,<br/> +Those rays describ’d the venerable sign,<br/> +That quadrants in the round conjoining frame.<br/> +Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ<br/> +Beam’d on that cross; and pattern fails me now.<br/> +But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ<br/> +Will pardon me for that I leave untold,<br/> +When in the flecker’d dawning he shall spy<br/> +The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn,<br/> +And ’tween the summit and the base did move<br/> +Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass’d.<br/> +Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance,<br/> +Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow,<br/> +The atomies of bodies, long or short,<br/> +To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line<br/> +Checkers the shadow, interpos’d by art<br/> +Against the noontide heat. And as the chime<br/> +Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help<br/> +With many strings, a pleasant dining makes<br/> +To him, who heareth not distinct the note;<br/> +So from the lights, which there appear’d to me,<br/> +Gather’d along the cross a melody,<br/> +That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment<br/> +Possess’d me. Yet I mark’d it was a hymn<br/> +Of lofty praises; for there came to me<br/> +“Arise and conquer,” as to one who hears<br/> +And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy<br/> +O’ercame, that never till that hour was thing<br/> +That held me in so sweet imprisonment. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps my saying over bold appears,<br/> +Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes,<br/> +Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire.<br/> +But he, who is aware those living seals<br/> +Of every beauty work with quicker force,<br/> +The higher they are ris’n; and that there<br/> +I had not turn’d me to them; he may well<br/> +Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse<br/> +I do accuse me, and may own my truth;<br/> +That holy pleasure here not yet reveal’d,<br/> +Which grows in transport as we mount aloof. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XV"></a>CANTO XV</h2> + +<p> +True love, that ever shows itself as clear<br/> +In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong,<br/> +Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still’d<br/> +The sacred chords, that are by heav’n’s right hand<br/> +Unwound and tighten’d, flow to righteous prayers<br/> +Should they not hearken, who, to give me will<br/> +For praying, in accordance thus were mute?<br/> +He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief,<br/> +Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not,<br/> +Despoils himself forever of that love. +</p> + +<p> +As oft along the still and pure serene,<br/> +At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire,<br/> +Attracting with involuntary heed<br/> +The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest,<br/> +And seems some star that shifted place in heav’n,<br/> +Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost,<br/> +And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn,<br/> +That on the dexter of the cross extends,<br/> +Down to its foot, one luminary ran<br/> +From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem<br/> +Dropp’d from its foil; and through the beamy list<br/> +Like flame in alabaster, glow’d its course. +</p> + +<p> +So forward stretch’d him (if of credence aught<br/> +Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost<br/> +Of old Anchises, in the’ Elysian bower,<br/> +When he perceiv’d his son. “O thou, my blood!<br/> +O most exceeding grace divine! to whom,<br/> +As now to thee, hath twice the heav’nly gate<br/> +Been e’er unclos’d?” so spake the light; whence I<br/> +Turn’d me toward him; then unto my dame<br/> +My sight directed, and on either side<br/> +Amazement waited me; for in her eyes<br/> +Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine<br/> +Had div’d unto the bottom of my grace<br/> +And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith<br/> +To hearing and to sight grateful alike,<br/> +The spirit to his proem added things<br/> +I understood not, so profound he spake;<br/> +Yet not of choice but through necessity<br/> +Mysterious; for his high conception scar’d<br/> +Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight<br/> +Of holy transport had so spent its rage,<br/> +That nearer to the level of our thought<br/> +The speech descended, the first sounds I heard<br/> +Were, “Best he thou, Triunal Deity!<br/> +That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf’d!”<br/> +Then follow’d: “No unpleasant thirst, tho’ long,<br/> +Which took me reading in the sacred book,<br/> +Whose leaves or white or dusky never change,<br/> +Thou hast allay’d, my son, within this light,<br/> +From whence my voice thou hear’st; more thanks to her.<br/> +Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes<br/> +Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me<br/> +From him transmitted, who is first of all,<br/> +E’en as all numbers ray from unity;<br/> +And therefore dost not ask me who I am,<br/> +Or why to thee more joyous I appear,<br/> +Than any other in this gladsome throng.<br/> +The truth is as thou deem’st; for in this hue<br/> +Both less and greater in that mirror look,<br/> +In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think’st, are shown.<br/> +But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever,<br/> +Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire,<br/> +May be contended fully, let thy voice,<br/> +Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth<br/> +Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish,<br/> +Whereto my ready answer stands decreed.” +</p> + +<p> +I turn’d me to Beatrice; and she heard<br/> +Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent,<br/> +That to my will gave wings; and I began<br/> +“To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn’d<br/> +The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells,<br/> +Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt;<br/> +For that they are so equal in the sun,<br/> +From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat,<br/> +As makes all likeness scant. But will and means,<br/> +In mortals, for the cause ye well discern,<br/> +With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I<br/> +Experience inequality like this,<br/> +And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart,<br/> +For thy paternal greeting. This howe’er<br/> +I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm’st<br/> +This precious jewel, let me hear thy name.” +</p> + +<p> +“I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect<br/> +Even, hath pleas’d me:” thus the prompt reply<br/> +Prefacing, next it added; “he, of whom<br/> +Thy kindred appellation comes, and who,<br/> +These hundred years and more, on its first ledge<br/> +Hath circuited the mountain, was my son<br/> +And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long<br/> +Endurance should be shorten’d by thy deeds. +</p> + +<p> +“Florence, within her ancient limit-mark,<br/> +Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon,<br/> +Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace.<br/> +She had no armlets and no head-tires then,<br/> +No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye<br/> +More than the person did. Time was not yet,<br/> +When at his daughter’s birth the sire grew pale.<br/> +For fear the age and dowry should exceed<br/> +On each side just proportion. House was none<br/> +Void of its family; nor yet had come<br/> +Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats<br/> +Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet<br/> +O’er our suburban turret rose; as much<br/> +To be surpass in fall, as in its rising.<br/> +I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad<br/> +In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone;<br/> +And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks,<br/> +His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw<br/> +Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content<br/> +With unrob’d jerkin; and their good dames handling<br/> +The spindle and the flax; O happy they!<br/> +Each sure of burial in her native land,<br/> +And none left desolate a-bed for France!<br/> +One wak’d to tend the cradle, hushing it<br/> +With sounds that lull’d the parent’s infancy:<br/> +Another, with her maidens, drawing off<br/> +The tresses from the distaff, lectur’d them<br/> +Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome.<br/> +A Salterello and Cianghella we<br/> +Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would<br/> +A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now. +</p> + +<p> +“In such compos’d and seemly fellowship,<br/> +Such faithful and such fair equality,<br/> +In so sweet household, Mary at my birth<br/> +Bestow’d me, call’d on with loud cries; and there<br/> +In your old baptistery, I was made<br/> +Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were<br/> +My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto. +</p> + +<p> +“From Valdipado came to me my spouse,<br/> +And hence thy surname grew. I follow’d then<br/> +The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he<br/> +Did gird on me; in such good part he took<br/> +My valiant service. After him I went<br/> +To testify against that evil law,<br/> +Whose people, by the shepherd’s fault, possess<br/> +Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew<br/> +Was I releas’d from the deceitful world,<br/> +Whose base affection many a spirit soils,<br/> +And from the martyrdom came to this peace.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XVI"></a>CANTO XVI</h2> + +<p> +O slight respect of man’s nobility!<br/> +I never shall account it marvelous,<br/> +That our infirm affection here below<br/> +Thou mov’st to boasting, when I could not choose,<br/> +E’en in that region of unwarp’d desire,<br/> +In heav’n itself, but make my vaunt in thee!<br/> +Yet cloak thou art soon shorten’d, for that time,<br/> +Unless thou be eked out from day to day,<br/> +Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then<br/> +With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear,<br/> +But since hath disaccustom’d I began;<br/> +And Beatrice, that a little space<br/> +Was sever’d, smil’d reminding me of her,<br/> +Whose cough embolden’d (as the story holds)<br/> +To first offence the doubting Guenever. +</p> + +<p> +“You are my sire,” said I, “you give me heart<br/> +Freely to speak my thought: above myself<br/> +You raise me. Through so many streams with joy<br/> +My soul is fill’d, that gladness wells from it;<br/> +So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not<br/> +Say then, my honour’d stem! what ancestors<br/> +Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark’d<br/> +In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold,<br/> +That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then<br/> +Its state, and who in it were highest seated?” +</p> + +<p> +As embers, at the breathing of the wind,<br/> +Their flame enliven, so that light I saw<br/> +Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew<br/> +More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet,<br/> +Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith<br/> +It answer’d: “From the day, when it was said<br/> +‘Hail Virgin!’ to the throes, by which my mother,<br/> +Who now is sainted, lighten’d her of me<br/> +Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come,<br/> +Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams<br/> +To reilumine underneath the foot<br/> +Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang,<br/> +And I, had there our birth-place, where the last<br/> +Partition of our city first is reach’d<br/> +By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much<br/> +Suffice of my forefathers: who they were,<br/> +And whence they hither came, more honourable<br/> +It is to pass in silence than to tell.<br/> +All those, who in that time were there from Mars<br/> +Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms,<br/> +Were but the fifth of them this day alive.<br/> +But then the citizen’s blood, that now is mix’d<br/> +From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine,<br/> +Ran purely through the last mechanic’s veins.<br/> +O how much better were it, that these people<br/> +Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo<br/> +And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound’ry,<br/> +Than to have them within, and bear the stench<br/> +Of Aguglione’s hind, and Signa’s, him,<br/> +That hath his eye already keen for bart’ring!<br/> +Had not the people, which of all the world<br/> +Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar,<br/> +But, as a mother, gracious to her son;<br/> +Such one, as hath become a Florentine,<br/> +And trades and traffics, had been turn’d adrift<br/> +To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply’d<br/> +The beggar’s craft. The Conti were possess’d<br/> +Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still<br/> +Were in Acone’s parish; nor had haply<br/> +From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte.<br/> +The city’s malady hath ever source<br/> +In the confusion of its persons, as<br/> +The body’s, in variety of food:<br/> +And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge,<br/> +Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword<br/> +Doth more and better execution,<br/> +Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark,<br/> +How they are gone, and after them how go<br/> +Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and ’twill seem<br/> +No longer new or strange to thee to hear,<br/> +That families fail, when cities have their end.<br/> +All things, that appertain t’ ye, like yourselves,<br/> +Are mortal: but mortality in some<br/> +Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you<br/> +Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon<br/> +Doth, by the rolling of her heav’nly sphere,<br/> +Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly;<br/> +So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not<br/> +At what of them I tell thee, whose renown<br/> +Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw<br/> +The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi,<br/> +The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni,<br/> +Now in their wane, illustrious citizens:<br/> +And great as ancient, of Sannella him,<br/> +With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri<br/> +And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop,<br/> +That now is laden with new felony,<br/> +So cumb’rous it may speedily sink the bark,<br/> +The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung<br/> +The County Guido, and whoso hath since<br/> +His title from the fam’d Bellincione ta’en.<br/> +Fair governance was yet an art well priz’d<br/> +By him of Pressa: Galigaio show’d<br/> +The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house.<br/> +The column, cloth’d with verrey, still was seen<br/> +Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great,<br/> +Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci,<br/> +With them who blush to hear the bushel nam’d.<br/> +Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk<br/> +Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs<br/> +Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn.<br/> +How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride<br/> +Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds<br/> +Florence was by the bullets of bright gold<br/> +O’erflourish’d. Such the sires of those, who now,<br/> +As surely as your church is vacant, flock<br/> +Into her consistory, and at leisure<br/> +There stall them and grow fat. The o’erweening brood,<br/> +That plays the dragon after him that flees,<br/> +But unto such, as turn and show the tooth,<br/> +Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb,<br/> +Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem’d,<br/> +That Ubertino of Donati grudg’d<br/> +His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe.<br/> +Already Caponsacco had descended<br/> +Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda<br/> +And Infangato were good citizens.<br/> +A thing incredible I tell, tho’ true:<br/> +The gateway, named from those of Pera, led<br/> +Into the narrow circuit of your walls.<br/> +Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings<br/> +Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth<br/> +The festival of Thomas still revives)<br/> +His knighthood and his privilege retain’d;<br/> +Albeit one, who borders them With gold,<br/> +This day is mingled with the common herd.<br/> +In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt,<br/> +And Importuni: well for its repose<br/> +Had it still lack’d of newer neighbourhood.<br/> +The house, from whence your tears have had their spring,<br/> +Through the just anger that hath murder’d ye<br/> +And put a period to your gladsome days,<br/> +Was honour’d, it, and those consorted with it.<br/> +O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling<br/> +Prevail’d on thee to break the plighted bond<br/> +Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice,<br/> +Had God to Ema giv’n thee, the first time<br/> +Thou near our city cam’st. But so was doom’d:<br/> +On that maim’d stone set up to guard the bridge,<br/> +At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell.<br/> +With these and others like to them, I saw<br/> +Florence in such assur’d tranquility,<br/> +She had no cause at which to grieve: with these<br/> +Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne’er<br/> +The lily from the lance had hung reverse,<br/> +Or through division been with vermeil dyed.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XVII"></a>CANTO XVII</h2> + +<p> +Such as the youth, who came to Clymene<br/> +To certify himself of that reproach,<br/> +Which had been fasten’d on him, (he whose end<br/> +Still makes the fathers chary to their sons),<br/> +E’en such was I; nor unobserv’d was such<br/> +Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp,<br/> +Who had erewhile for me his station mov’d;<br/> +When thus by lady: “Give thy wish free vent,<br/> +That it may issue, bearing true report<br/> +Of the mind’s impress; not that aught thy words<br/> +May to our knowledge add, but to the end,<br/> +That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst<br/> +And men may mingle for thee when they hear.” +</p> + +<p> +“O plant! from whence I spring! rever’d and lov’d!<br/> +Who soar’st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear,<br/> +As earthly thought determines two obtuse<br/> +In one triangle not contain’d, so clear<br/> +Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves<br/> +Existent, looking at the point whereto<br/> +All times are present, I, the whilst I scal’d<br/> +With Virgil the soul purifying mount,<br/> +And visited the nether world of woe,<br/> +Touching my future destiny have heard<br/> +Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides<br/> +Well squar’d to fortune’s blows. Therefore my will<br/> +Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me,<br/> +The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight.” +</p> + +<p> +So said I to the brightness, which erewhile<br/> +To me had spoken, and my will declar’d,<br/> +As Beatrice will’d, explicitly.<br/> +Nor with oracular response obscure,<br/> +Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain,<br/> +Beguil’d the credulous nations; but, in terms<br/> +Precise and unambiguous lore, replied<br/> +The spirit of paternal love, enshrin’d,<br/> +Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake:<br/> +“Contingency, unfolded not to view<br/> +Upon the tablet of your mortal mold,<br/> +Is all depictur’d in the’ eternal sight;<br/> +But hence deriveth not necessity,<br/> +More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood,<br/> +Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene.<br/> +From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony<br/> +From organ comes, so comes before mine eye<br/> +The time prepar’d for thee. Such as driv’n out<br/> +From Athens, by his cruel stepdame’s wiles,<br/> +Hippolytus departed, such must thou<br/> +Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this<br/> +Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there,<br/> +Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ,<br/> +Throughout the livelong day. The common cry,<br/> +Will, as ’tis ever wont, affix the blame<br/> +Unto the party injur’d: but the truth<br/> +Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find<br/> +A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing<br/> +Belov’d most dearly: this is the first shaft<br/> +Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove<br/> +How salt the savour is of other’s bread,<br/> +How hard the passage to descend and climb<br/> +By other’s stairs, But that shall gall thee most<br/> +Will be the worthless and vile company,<br/> +With whom thou must be thrown into these straits.<br/> +For all ungrateful, impious all and mad,<br/> +Shall turn ’gainst thee: but in a little while<br/> +Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson’d brow<br/> +Their course shall so evince their brutishness<br/> +T’ have ta’en thy stand apart shall well become thee. +</p> + +<p> +“First refuge thou must find, first place of rest,<br/> +In the great Lombard’s courtesy, who bears<br/> +Upon the ladder perch’d the sacred bird.<br/> +He shall behold thee with such kind regard,<br/> +That ’twixt ye two, the contrary to that<br/> +Which falls ’twixt other men, the granting shall<br/> +Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see<br/> +That mortal, who was at his birth impress<br/> +So strongly from this star, that of his deeds<br/> +The nations shall take note. His unripe age<br/> +Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels<br/> +Only nine years have compass him about.<br/> +But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry,<br/> +Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him,<br/> +In equal scorn of labours and of gold.<br/> +His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely,<br/> +As not to let the tongues e’en of his foes<br/> +Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him<br/> +And his beneficence: for he shall cause<br/> +Reversal of their lot to many people,<br/> +Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes.<br/> +And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul<br/> +Of him, but tell it not;” and things he told<br/> +Incredible to those who witness them;<br/> +Then added: “So interpret thou, my son,<br/> +What hath been told thee.—Lo! the ambushment<br/> +That a few circling seasons hide for thee!<br/> +Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends<br/> +Thy span beyond their treason’s chastisement.” +</p> + +<p> +Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence,<br/> +Had shown the web, which I had streteh’d for him<br/> +Upon the warp, was woven, I began,<br/> +As one, who in perplexity desires<br/> +Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly:<br/> +“My father! well I mark how time spurs on<br/> +Toward me, ready to inflict the blow,<br/> +Which falls most heavily on him, who most<br/> +Abandoned himself. Therefore ’tis good<br/> +I should forecast, that driven from the place<br/> +Most dear to me, I may not lose myself<br/> +All others by my song. Down through the world<br/> +Of infinite mourning, and along the mount<br/> +From whose fair height my lady’s eyes did lift me,<br/> +And after through this heav’n from light to light,<br/> +Have I learnt that, which if I tell again,<br/> +It may with many woefully disrelish;<br/> +And, if I am a timid friend to truth,<br/> +I fear my life may perish among those,<br/> +To whom these days shall be of ancient date.” +</p> + +<p> +The brightness, where enclos’d the treasure smil’d,<br/> +Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly,<br/> +Like to a golden mirror in the sun;<br/> +Next answer’d: “Conscience, dimm’d or by its own<br/> +Or other’s shame, will feel thy saying sharp.<br/> +Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov’d,<br/> +See the whole vision be made manifest.<br/> +And let them wince who have their withers wrung.<br/> +What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove<br/> +Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn<br/> +To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest,<br/> +Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits;<br/> +Which is of honour no light argument,<br/> +For this there only have been shown to thee,<br/> +Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep,<br/> +Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind<br/> +Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce<br/> +And fix its faith, unless the instance brought<br/> +Be palpable, and proof apparent urge.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XVIII"></a>CANTO XVIII</h2> + +<p> +Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy’d<br/> +That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine,<br/> +Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile,<br/> +Who led me unto God, admonish’d: “Muse<br/> +On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him<br/> +I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong.” +</p> + +<p> +At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn’d;<br/> +And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen,<br/> +I leave in silence here: nor through distrust<br/> +Of my words only, but that to such bliss<br/> +The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much<br/> +Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz’d on her,<br/> +Affection found no room for other wish.<br/> +While the everlasting pleasure, that did full<br/> +On Beatrice shine, with second view<br/> +From her fair countenance my gladden’d soul<br/> +Contented; vanquishing me with a beam<br/> +Of her soft smile, she spake: “Turn thee, and list.<br/> +These eyes are not thy only Paradise.” +</p> + +<p> +As here we sometimes in the looks may see<br/> +Th’ affection mark’d, when that its sway hath ta’en<br/> +The spirit wholly; thus the hallow’d light,<br/> +To whom I turn’d, flashing, bewray’d its will<br/> +To talk yet further with me, and began:<br/> +“On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life<br/> +Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair<br/> +And leaf unwith’ring, blessed spirits abide,<br/> +That were below, ere they arriv’d in heav’n,<br/> +So mighty in renown, as every muse<br/> +Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns<br/> +Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name,<br/> +Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud<br/> +Its nimble fire.” Along the cross I saw,<br/> +At the repeated name of Joshua,<br/> +A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said,<br/> +Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw<br/> +Of the great Maccabee, another move<br/> +With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge<br/> +Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne<br/> +And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze<br/> +Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues<br/> +A falcon flying. Last, along the cross,<br/> +William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew<br/> +My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul,<br/> +Who spake with me among the other lights<br/> +Did move away, and mix; and with the choir<br/> +Of heav’nly songsters prov’d his tuneful skill. +</p> + +<p> +To Beatrice on my right l bent,<br/> +Looking for intimation or by word<br/> +Or act, what next behoov’d; and did descry<br/> +Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy,<br/> +It past all former wont. And, as by sense<br/> +Of new delight, the man, who perseveres<br/> +In good deeds doth perceive from day to day<br/> +His virtue growing; I e’en thus perceiv’d<br/> +Of my ascent, together with the heav’n<br/> +The circuit widen’d, noting the increase<br/> +Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change<br/> +In a brief moment on some maiden’s cheek,<br/> +Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight<br/> +Of pudency, that stain’d it; such in her,<br/> +And to mine eyes so sudden was the change,<br/> +Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star,<br/> +Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw,<br/> +Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks<br/> +Of love, that reign’d there, fashion to my view<br/> +Our language. And as birds, from river banks<br/> +Arisen, now in round, now lengthen’d troop,<br/> +Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems,<br/> +Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights,<br/> +The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made<br/> +Now D. now I. now L. figur’d I’ th’ air. +</p> + +<p> +First, singing, to their notes they mov’d, then one<br/> +Becoming of these signs, a little while<br/> +Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine<br/> +Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou<br/> +Inspir’st, mak’st glorious and long-liv’d, as they<br/> +Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself<br/> +Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes,<br/> +As fancy doth present them. Be thy power<br/> +Display’d in this brief song. The characters,<br/> +Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven.<br/> +In order each, as they appear’d, I mark’d.<br/> +Diligite Justitiam, the first,<br/> +Both verb and noun all blazon’d; and the extreme<br/> +Qui judicatis terram. In the M.<br/> +Of the fifth word they held their station,<br/> +Making the star seem silver streak’d with gold.<br/> +And on the summit of the M. I saw<br/> +Descending other lights, that rested there,<br/> +Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good.<br/> +Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand,<br/> +Sparkles innumerable on all sides<br/> +Rise scatter’d, source of augury to th’ unwise;<br/> +Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence<br/> +Seem’d reascending, and a higher pitch<br/> +Some mounting, and some less; e’en as the sun,<br/> +Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one<br/> +Had settled in his place, the head and neck<br/> +Then saw I of an eagle, lively<br/> +Grav’d in that streaky fire. Who painteth there,<br/> +Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides;<br/> +And every line and texture of the nest<br/> +Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it.<br/> +The other bright beatitude, that seem’d<br/> +Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content<br/> +To over-canopy the M. mov’d forth,<br/> +Following gently the impress of the bird. +</p> + +<p> + Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems<br/> +Declar’d to me our justice on the earth<br/> +To be the effluence of that heav’n, which thou,<br/> +Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay!<br/> +Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom<br/> +Thy motion and thy virtue are begun,<br/> +That he would look from whence the fog doth rise,<br/> +To vitiate thy beam: so that once more<br/> +He may put forth his hand ’gainst such, as drive<br/> +Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls<br/> +With miracles and martyrdoms were built. +</p> + +<p> +Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey!<br/> +O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth<br/> +All after ill example gone astray.<br/> +War once had for its instrument the sword:<br/> +But now ’tis made, taking the bread away<br/> +Which the good Father locks from none.—And thou,<br/> +That writes but to cancel, think, that they,<br/> +Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died,<br/> +Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings.<br/> +Thou hast good cause to cry, “My heart so cleaves<br/> +To him, that liv’d in solitude remote,<br/> +And from the wilds was dragg’d to martyrdom,<br/> +I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XIX"></a>CANTO XIX</h2> + +<p> +Before my sight appear’d, with open wings,<br/> +The beauteous image, in fruition sweet<br/> +Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem<br/> +A little ruby, whereon so intense<br/> +The sun-beam glow’d that to mine eyes it came<br/> +In clear refraction. And that, which next<br/> +Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter’d,<br/> +Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy<br/> +Was e’er conceiv’d. For I beheld and heard<br/> +The beak discourse; and, what intention form’d<br/> +Of many, singly as of one express,<br/> +Beginning: “For that I was just and piteous,<br/> +l am exalted to this height of glory,<br/> +The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth<br/> +Have I my memory left, e’en by the bad<br/> +Commended, while they leave its course untrod.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus is one heat from many embers felt,<br/> +As in that image many were the loves,<br/> +And one the voice, that issued from them all.<br/> +Whence I address them: “O perennial flowers<br/> +Of gladness everlasting! that exhale<br/> +In single breath your odours manifold!<br/> +Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas’d,<br/> +That with great craving long hath held my soul,<br/> +Finding no food on earth. This well I know,<br/> +That if there be in heav’n a realm, that shows<br/> +In faithful mirror the celestial Justice,<br/> +Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern<br/> +The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself<br/> +To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me<br/> +With such inveterate craving.” Straight I saw,<br/> +Like to a falcon issuing from the hood,<br/> +That rears his head, and claps him with his wings,<br/> +His beauty and his eagerness bewraying.<br/> +So saw I move that stately sign, with praise<br/> +Of grace divine inwoven and high song<br/> +Of inexpressive joy. “He,” it began,<br/> +“Who turn’d his compass on the world’s extreme,<br/> +And in that space so variously hath wrought,<br/> +Both openly, and in secret, in such wise<br/> +Could not through all the universe display<br/> +Impression of his glory, that the Word<br/> +Of his omniscience should not still remain<br/> +In infinite excess. In proof whereof,<br/> +He first through pride supplanted, who was sum<br/> +Of each created being, waited not<br/> +For light celestial, and abortive fell.<br/> +Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant<br/> +Receptacle unto that Good, which knows<br/> +No limit, measur’d by itself alone.<br/> +Therefore your sight, of th’ omnipresent Mind<br/> +A single beam, its origin must own<br/> +Surpassing far its utmost potency.<br/> +The ken, your world is gifted with, descends<br/> +In th’ everlasting Justice as low down,<br/> +As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark<br/> +The bottom from the shore, in the wide main<br/> +Discerns it not; and ne’ertheless it is,<br/> +But hidden through its deepness. Light is none,<br/> +Save that which cometh from the pure serene<br/> +Of ne’er disturbed ether: for the rest,<br/> +’Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh,<br/> +Or else its poison. Here confess reveal’d<br/> +That covert, which hath hidden from thy search<br/> +The living justice, of the which thou mad’st<br/> +Such frequent question; for thou saidst—‘A man<br/> +Is born on Indus’ banks, and none is there<br/> +Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write,<br/> +And all his inclinations and his acts,<br/> +As far as human reason sees, are good,<br/> +And he offendeth not in word or deed.<br/> +But unbaptiz’d he dies, and void of faith.<br/> +Where is the justice that condemns him? where<br/> +His blame, if he believeth not?’—What then,<br/> +And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit<br/> +To judge at distance of a thousand miles<br/> +With the short-sighted vision of a span?<br/> +To him, who subtilizes thus with me,<br/> +There would assuredly be room for doubt<br/> +Even to wonder, did not the safe word<br/> +Of scripture hold supreme authority. +</p> + +<p> +“O animals of clay! O spirits gross I<br/> +The primal will, that in itself is good,<br/> +Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne’er been mov’d.<br/> +Justice consists in consonance with it,<br/> +Derivable by no created good,<br/> +Whose very cause depends upon its beam.” +</p> + +<p> +As on her nest the stork, that turns about<br/> +Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed,<br/> +While they with upward eyes do look on her;<br/> +So lifted I my gaze; and bending so<br/> +The ever-blessed image wav’d its wings,<br/> +Lab’ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round<br/> +It warbled, and did say: “As are my notes<br/> +To thee, who understand’st them not, such is<br/> +Th’ eternal judgment unto mortal ken.” +</p> + +<p> +Then still abiding in that ensign rang’d,<br/> +Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world,<br/> +Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit<br/> +Took up the strain; and thus it spake again:<br/> +“None ever hath ascended to this realm,<br/> +Who hath not a believer been in Christ,<br/> +Either before or after the blest limbs<br/> +Were nail’d upon the wood. But lo! of those<br/> +Who call ‘Christ, Christ,’ there shall be many found,<br/> + In judgment, further off from him by far,<br/> +Than such, to whom his name was never known.<br/> +Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn:<br/> +When that the two assemblages shall part;<br/> +One rich eternally, the other poor. +</p> + +<p> +“What may the Persians say unto your kings,<br/> +When they shall see that volume, in the which<br/> +All their dispraise is written, spread to view?<br/> +There amidst Albert’s works shall that be read,<br/> +Which will give speedy motion to the pen,<br/> +When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm.<br/> +There shall be read the woe, that he doth work<br/> +With his adulterate money on the Seine,<br/> +Who by the tusk will perish: there be read<br/> +The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike<br/> +The English and Scot, impatient of their bound.<br/> +There shall be seen the Spaniard’s luxury,<br/> +The delicate living there of the Bohemian,<br/> +Who still to worth has been a willing stranger.<br/> +The halter of Jerusalem shall see<br/> +A unit for his virtue, for his vices<br/> +No less a mark than million. He, who guards<br/> +The isle of fire by old Anchises honour’d<br/> +Shall find his avarice there and cowardice;<br/> +And better to denote his littleness,<br/> +The writing must be letters maim’d, that speak<br/> +Much in a narrow space. All there shall know<br/> +His uncle and his brother’s filthy doings,<br/> +Who so renown’d a nation and two crowns<br/> +Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal<br/> +And Norway, there shall be expos’d with him<br/> +Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill<br/> +The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary!<br/> +If thou no longer patiently abid’st<br/> +Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre!<br/> +If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee<br/> +In earnest of that day, e’en now are heard<br/> +Wailings and groans in Famagosta’s streets<br/> +And Nicosia’s, grudging at their beast,<br/> +Who keepeth even footing with the rest.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XX"></a>CANTO XX</h2> + +<p> +When, disappearing, from our hemisphere,<br/> +The world’s enlightener vanishes, and day<br/> +On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky,<br/> +Erewhile irradiate only with his beam,<br/> +Is yet again unfolded, putting forth<br/> +Innumerable lights wherein one shines.<br/> +Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought,<br/> +As the great sign, that marshaleth the world<br/> +And the world’s leaders, in the blessed beak<br/> +Was silent; for that all those living lights,<br/> +Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs,<br/> +Such as from memory glide and fall away. +</p> + +<p> +Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles,<br/> +How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles,<br/> +Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir’d! +</p> + +<p> +After the precious and bright beaming stones,<br/> +That did ingem the sixth light, ceas’d the chiming<br/> +Of their angelic bells; methought I heard<br/> +The murmuring of a river, that doth fall<br/> +From rock to rock transpicuous, making known<br/> +The richness of his spring-head: and as sound<br/> +Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe,<br/> +Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun’d;<br/> +Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose<br/> +That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith<br/> +Voice there assum’d, and thence along the beak<br/> +Issued in form of words, such as my heart<br/> +Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib’d them. +</p> + +<p> +“The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,,<br/> +In mortal eagles,” it began, “must now<br/> +Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires,<br/> +That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye,<br/> +Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines<br/> +Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang<br/> +The Holy Spirit’s song, and bare about<br/> +The ark from town to town; now doth he know<br/> +The merit of his soul-impassion’d strains<br/> +By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five,<br/> +That make the circle of the vision, he<br/> +Who to the beak is nearest, comforted<br/> +The widow for her son: now doth he know<br/> +How dear he costeth not to follow Christ,<br/> +Both from experience of this pleasant life,<br/> +And of its opposite. He next, who follows<br/> +In the circumference, for the over arch,<br/> +By true repenting slack’d the pace of death:<br/> +Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav’n<br/> +Alter not, when through pious prayer below<br/> +Today’s is made tomorrow’s destiny.<br/> +The other following, with the laws and me,<br/> +To yield the shepherd room, pass’d o’er to Greece,<br/> +From good intent producing evil fruit:<br/> +Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv’d<br/> +From his well doing, doth not helm him aught,<br/> +Though it have brought destruction on the world.<br/> +That, which thou seest in the under bow,<br/> +Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps<br/> +For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows<br/> +How well is lov’d in heav’n the righteous king,<br/> +Which he betokens by his radiant seeming.<br/> +Who in the erring world beneath would deem,<br/> +That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set<br/> +Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows<br/> +Enough of that, which the world cannot see,<br/> +The grace divine, albeit e’en his sight<br/> +Reach not its utmost depth.” Like to the lark,<br/> +That warbling in the air expatiates long,<br/> +Then, trilling out his last sweet melody,<br/> +Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear’d<br/> +That image stampt by the’ everlasting pleasure,<br/> +Which fashions like itself all lovely things. +</p> + +<p> +I, though my doubting were as manifest,<br/> +As is through glass the hue that mantles it,<br/> +In silence waited not: for to my lips<br/> +“What things are these?” involuntary rush’d,<br/> +And forc’d a passage out: whereat I mark’d<br/> +A sudden lightening and new revelry.<br/> +The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign<br/> +No more to keep me wond’ring and suspense,<br/> +Replied: “I see that thou believ’st these things,<br/> +Because I tell them, but discern’st not how;<br/> +So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith:<br/> +As one who knows the name of thing by rote,<br/> +But is a stranger to its properties,<br/> +Till other’s tongue reveal them. Fervent love<br/> +And lively hope with violence assail<br/> +The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome<br/> +The will of the Most high; not in such sort<br/> +As man prevails o’er man; but conquers it,<br/> +Because ’tis willing to be conquer’d, still,<br/> +Though conquer’d, by its mercy conquering. +</p> + +<p> +“Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth,<br/> +Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold’st<br/> +The region of the angels deck’d with them.<br/> +They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem’st,<br/> +Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith,<br/> +This of the feet in future to be pierc’d,<br/> +That of feet nail’d already to the cross.<br/> +One from the barrier of the dark abyss,<br/> +Where never any with good will returns,<br/> +Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope<br/> +Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing’d<br/> +The prayers sent up to God for his release,<br/> +And put power into them to bend his will.<br/> +The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee,<br/> +A little while returning to the flesh,<br/> +Believ’d in him, who had the means to help,<br/> +And, in believing, nourish’d such a flame<br/> +Of holy love, that at the second death<br/> +He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth.<br/> +The other, through the riches of that grace,<br/> +Which from so deep a fountain doth distil,<br/> +As never eye created saw its rising,<br/> +Plac’d all his love below on just and right:<br/> +Wherefore of grace God op’d in him the eye<br/> +To the redemption of mankind to come;<br/> +Wherein believing, he endur’d no more<br/> +The filth of paganism, and for their ways<br/> +Rebuk’d the stubborn nations. The three nymphs,<br/> +Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing,<br/> +Were sponsors for him more than thousand years<br/> +Before baptizing. O how far remov’d,<br/> +Predestination! is thy root from such<br/> +As see not the First cause entire: and ye,<br/> +O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:<br/> +For we, who see our Maker, know not yet<br/> +The number of the chosen: and esteem<br/> +Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:<br/> +For all our good is in that primal good<br/> +Concentrate, and God’s will and ours are one.” +</p> + +<p> +So, by that form divine, was giv’n to me<br/> +Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight,<br/> +And, as one handling skillfully the harp,<br/> +Attendant on some skilful songster’s voice<br/> +Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song<br/> +Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake,<br/> +It doth remember me, that I beheld<br/> +The pair of blessed luminaries move.<br/> +Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes,<br/> +Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXI"></a>CANTO XXI</h2> + +<p> +Again mine eyes were fix’d on Beatrice,<br/> +And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks<br/> +Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore<br/> +And, “Did I smile,” quoth she, “thou wouldst be straight<br/> +Like Semele when into ashes turn’d:<br/> +For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs,<br/> +My beauty, which the loftier it climbs,<br/> +As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more,<br/> +So shines, that, were no temp’ring interpos’d,<br/> +Thy mortal puissance would from its rays<br/> +Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt.<br/> +Into the seventh splendour are we wafted,<br/> +That underneath the burning lion’s breast<br/> +Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might,<br/> +Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror’d<br/> +The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown.”<br/> +Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed<br/> +My sight upon her blissful countenance,<br/> +May know, when to new thoughts I chang’d, what joy<br/> +To do the bidding of my heav’nly guide:<br/> +In equal balance poising either weight. +</p> + +<p> +Within the crystal, which records the name,<br/> +(As its remoter circle girds the world)<br/> +Of that lov’d monarch, in whose happy reign<br/> +No ill had power to harm, I saw rear’d up,<br/> +In colour like to sun-illumin’d gold. +</p> + +<p> +A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain,<br/> +So lofty was the summit; down whose steps<br/> +I saw the splendours in such multitude<br/> +Descending, ev’ry light in heav’n, methought,<br/> +Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day<br/> +Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill,<br/> +Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some,<br/> +Returning, cross their flight, while some abide<br/> +And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem’d<br/> +That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing,<br/> +As upon certain stair it met, and clash’d<br/> +Its shining. And one ling’ring near us, wax’d<br/> +So bright, that in my thought: said: “The love,<br/> +Which this betokens me, admits no doubt.” +</p> + +<p> +Unwillingly from question I refrain,<br/> +To her, by whom my silence and my speech<br/> +Are order’d, looking for a sign: whence she,<br/> +Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all,<br/> +Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me<br/> +T’ indulge the fervent wish; and I began:<br/> +“I am not worthy, of my own desert,<br/> +That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake,<br/> +Who hath vouchsaf’d my asking, spirit blest!<br/> +That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause,<br/> +Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say,<br/> +Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise<br/> +Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds<br/> +Of rapt devotion ev’ry lower sphere?”<br/> +“Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;”<br/> +Was the reply: “and what forbade the smile<br/> +Of Beatrice interrupts our song.<br/> +Only to yield thee gladness of my voice,<br/> +And of the light that vests me, I thus far<br/> +Descend these hallow’d steps: not that more love<br/> +Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much<br/> +Or more of love is witness’d in those flames:<br/> +But such my lot by charity assign’d,<br/> +That makes us ready servants, as thou seest,<br/> +To execute the counsel of the Highest.”<br/> +“That in this court,” said I, “O sacred lamp!<br/> +Love no compulsion needs, but follows free<br/> +Th’ eternal Providence, I well discern:<br/> +This harder find to deem, why of thy peers<br/> +Thou only to this office wert foredoom’d.”<br/> +I had not ended, when, like rapid mill,<br/> +Upon its centre whirl’d the light; and then<br/> +The love, that did inhabit there, replied:<br/> +“Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds,<br/> +Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus<br/> +Supported, lifts me so above myself,<br/> +That on the sov’ran essence, which it wells from,<br/> +I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy,<br/> +Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze<br/> +The keenness of my sight. But not the soul,<br/> +That is in heav’n most lustrous, nor the seraph<br/> +That hath his eyes most fix’d on God, shall solve<br/> +What thou hast ask’d: for in th’ abyss it lies<br/> +Of th’ everlasting statute sunk so low,<br/> +That no created ken may fathom it.<br/> +And, to the mortal world when thou return’st,<br/> +Be this reported; that none henceforth dare<br/> +Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn.<br/> +The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth<br/> +Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do,<br/> +Below, what passeth her ability,<br/> +When she is ta’en to heav’n.” By words like these<br/> +Admonish’d, I the question urg’d no more;<br/> +And of the spirit humbly sued alone<br/> +T’ instruct me of its state. “’Twixt either shore<br/> +Of Italy, nor distant from thy land,<br/> +A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort,<br/> +The thunder doth not lift his voice so high,<br/> +They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell<br/> +Is sacred to the lonely Eremite,<br/> +For worship set apart and holy rites.”<br/> +A third time thus it spake; then added: “There<br/> +So firmly to God’s service I adher’d,<br/> +That with no costlier viands than the juice<br/> +Of olives, easily I pass’d the heats<br/> +Of summer and the winter frosts, content<br/> +In heav’n-ward musings. Rich were the returns<br/> +And fertile, which that cloister once was us’d<br/> +To render to these heavens: now ’tis fall’n<br/> +Into a waste so empty, that ere long<br/> +Detection must lay bare its vanity<br/> +Pietro Damiano there was I yclept:<br/> +Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt<br/> +Beside the Adriatic, in the house<br/> +Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close<br/> +Of mortal life, through much importuning<br/> +I was constrain’d to wear the hat that still<br/> +From bad to worse it shifted.—Cephas came;<br/> +He came, who was the Holy Spirit’s vessel,<br/> +Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc’d,<br/> +At the first table. Modern Shepherd’s need<br/> +Those who on either hand may prop and lead them,<br/> +So burly are they grown: and from behind<br/> +Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey’s sides<br/> +Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts<br/> +Are cover’d with one skin. O patience! thou<br/> +That lookst on this and doth endure so long.”<br/> +I at those accents saw the splendours down<br/> +From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax,<br/> +Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this<br/> +They came, and stay’d them; uttered them a shout<br/> +So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I<br/> +Wist what it spake, so deaf’ning was the thunder. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXII"></a>CANTO XXII</h2> + +<p> +Astounded, to the guardian of my steps<br/> +I turn’d me, like the chill, who always runs<br/> +Thither for succour, where he trusteth most,<br/> +And she was like the mother, who her son<br/> +Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice<br/> +Soothes him, and he is cheer’d; for thus she spake,<br/> +Soothing me: “Know’st not thou, thou art in heav’n?<br/> +And know’st not thou, whatever is in heav’n,<br/> +Is holy, and that nothing there is done<br/> +But is done zealously and well? Deem now,<br/> +What change in thee the song, and what my smile<br/> +had wrought, since thus the shout had pow’r to move thee.<br/> +In which couldst thou have understood their prayers,<br/> +The vengeance were already known to thee,<br/> +Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour,<br/> +The sword of heav’n is not in haste to smite,<br/> +Nor yet doth linger, save unto his seeming,<br/> +Who in desire or fear doth look for it.<br/> +But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view;<br/> +So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold.”<br/> +Mine eyes directing, as she will’d, I saw<br/> +A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew<br/> +By interchange of splendour. I remain’d,<br/> +As one, who fearful of o’er-much presuming,<br/> +Abates in him the keenness of desire,<br/> +Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls,<br/> +One largest and most lustrous onward drew,<br/> +That it might yield contentment to my wish;<br/> +And from within it these the sounds I heard. +</p> + +<p> +“If thou, like me, beheldst the charity<br/> +That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives,<br/> +Were utter’d. But that, ere the lofty bound<br/> +Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee,<br/> +I will make answer even to the thought,<br/> +Which thou hast such respect of. In old days,<br/> +That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests,<br/> +Was on its height frequented by a race<br/> +Deceived and ill dispos’d: and I it was,<br/> +Who thither carried first the name of Him,<br/> +Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man.<br/> +And such a speeding grace shone over me,<br/> +That from their impious worship I reclaim’d<br/> +The dwellers round about, who with the world<br/> +Were in delusion lost. These other flames,<br/> +The spirits of men contemplative, were all<br/> +Enliven’d by that warmth, whose kindly force<br/> +Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness.<br/> +Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here:<br/> +And here my brethren, who their steps refrain’d<br/> +Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart.” +</p> + +<p> +I answ’ring, thus; “Thy gentle words and kind,<br/> +And this the cheerful semblance, I behold<br/> +Not unobservant, beaming in ye all,<br/> +Have rais’d assurance in me, wakening it<br/> +Full-blossom’d in my bosom, as a rose<br/> +Before the sun, when the consummate flower<br/> +Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee<br/> +Therefore entreat I, father! to declare<br/> +If I may gain such favour, as to gaze<br/> +Upon thine image, by no covering veil’d.” +</p> + +<p> +“Brother!” he thus rejoin’d, “in the last sphere<br/> +Expect completion of thy lofty aim,<br/> +For there on each desire completion waits,<br/> +And there on mine: where every aim is found<br/> +Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe.<br/> +There all things are as they have ever been:<br/> +For space is none to bound, nor pole divides,<br/> +Our ladder reaches even to that clime,<br/> +And so at giddy distance mocks thy view.<br/> +Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch<br/> +Its topmost round, when it appear’d to him<br/> +With angels laden. But to mount it now<br/> +None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule<br/> +Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves;<br/> +The walls, for abbey rear’d, turned into dens,<br/> +The cowls to sacks choak’d up with musty meal.<br/> +Foul usury doth not more lift itself<br/> +Against God’s pleasure, than that fruit which makes<br/> +The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate’er<br/> +Is in the church’s keeping, all pertains.<br/> +To such, as sue for heav’n’s sweet sake, and not<br/> +To those who in respect of kindred claim,<br/> +Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh<br/> +Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not<br/> +From the oak’s birth, unto the acorn’s setting.<br/> +His convent Peter founded without gold<br/> +Or silver; I with pray’rs and fasting mine;<br/> +And Francis his in meek humility.<br/> +And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds,<br/> +Then look what it hath err’d to, thou shalt find<br/> +The white grown murky. Jordan was turn’d back;<br/> +And a less wonder, then the refluent sea,<br/> +May at God’s pleasure work amendment here.” +</p> + +<p> +So saying, to his assembly back he drew:<br/> +And they together cluster’d into one,<br/> +Then all roll’d upward like an eddying wind. +</p> + +<p> +The sweet dame beckon’d me to follow them:<br/> +And, by that influence only, so prevail’d<br/> +Over my nature, that no natural motion,<br/> +Ascending or descending here below,<br/> +Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied. +</p> + +<p> +So, reader, as my hope is to return<br/> +Unto the holy triumph, for the which<br/> +I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast,<br/> +Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting<br/> +Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere<br/> +The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld,<br/> +And enter’d its precinct. O glorious stars!<br/> +O light impregnate with exceeding virtue!<br/> +To whom whate’er of genius lifteth me<br/> +Above the vulgar, grateful I refer;<br/> +With ye the parent of all mortal life<br/> +Arose and set, when I did first inhale<br/> +The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace<br/> +Vouchsaf’d me entrance to the lofty wheel<br/> +That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed<br/> +My passage at your clime. To you my soul<br/> +Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now<br/> +To meet the hard emprize that draws me on. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,”<br/> +Said Beatrice, “that behooves thy ken<br/> +Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end,<br/> +Or even thou advance thee further, hence<br/> +Look downward, and contemplate, what a world<br/> +Already stretched under our feet there lies:<br/> +So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood,<br/> +Present itself to the triumphal throng,<br/> +Which through the’ etherial concave comes rejoicing.” +</p> + +<p> +I straight obey’d; and with mine eye return’d<br/> +Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe<br/> +So pitiful of semblance, that perforce<br/> +It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold<br/> +For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts<br/> +Elsewhere are fix’d, him worthiest call and best.<br/> +I saw the daughter of Latona shine<br/> +Without the shadow, whereof late I deem’d<br/> +That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain’d<br/> +The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun;<br/> +And mark’d, how near him with their circle, round<br/> +Move Maia and Dione; here discern’d<br/> +Jove’s tempering ’twixt his sire and son; and hence<br/> +Their changes and their various aspects<br/> +Distinctly scann’d. Nor might I not descry<br/> +Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift;<br/> +Nor of their several distances not learn.<br/> +This petty area (o’er the which we stride<br/> +So fiercely), as along the eternal twins<br/> +I wound my way, appear’d before me all,<br/> +Forth from the havens stretch’d unto the hills.<br/> +Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return’d. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXIII"></a>CANTO XXIII</h2> + +<p> +E’en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower<br/> +Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night,<br/> +With her sweet brood, impatient to descry<br/> +Their wished looks, and to bring home their food,<br/> +In the fond quest unconscious of her toil:<br/> +She, of the time prevenient, on the spray,<br/> +That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze<br/> +Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn,<br/> +Removeth from the east her eager ken;<br/> +So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance<br/> +Wistfully on that region, where the sun<br/> +Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her<br/> +Suspense and wand’ring, I became as one,<br/> +In whom desire is waken’d, and the hope<br/> +Of somewhat new to come fills with delight. +</p> + +<p> +Short space ensued; I was not held, I say,<br/> +Long in expectance, when I saw the heav’n<br/> +Wax more and more resplendent; and, “Behold,”<br/> +Cried Beatrice, “the triumphal hosts<br/> +Of Christ, and all the harvest reap’d at length<br/> +Of thy ascending up these spheres.” Meseem’d,<br/> +That, while she spake her image all did burn,<br/> +And in her eyes such fullness was of joy,<br/> +And I am fain to pass unconstrued by. +</p> + +<p> +As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles,<br/> +In peerless beauty, ’mid th’ eternal nympus,<br/> +That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound<br/> +In bright pre-eminence so saw I there,<br/> +O’er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew<br/> +Their radiance as from ours the starry train:<br/> +And through the living light so lustrous glow’d<br/> +The substance, that my ken endur’d it not. +</p> + +<p> +O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide!<br/> +Who cheer’d me with her comfortable words!<br/> +“Against the virtue, that o’erpow’reth thee,<br/> +Avails not to resist. Here is the might,<br/> +And here the wisdom, which did open lay<br/> +The path, that had been yearned for so long,<br/> +Betwixt the heav’n and earth.” Like to the fire,<br/> +That, in a cloud imprison’d doth break out<br/> +Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg’d,<br/> +It falleth against nature to the ground;<br/> +Thus in that heav’nly banqueting my soul<br/> +Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost.<br/> +Holds now remembrance none of what she was. +</p> + +<p> +“Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen<br/> +Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile.” +</p> + +<p> +I was as one, when a forgotten dream<br/> +Doth come across him, and he strives in vain<br/> +To shape it in his fantasy again,<br/> +Whenas that gracious boon was proffer’d me,<br/> +Which never may be cancel’d from the book,<br/> +Wherein the past is written. Now were all<br/> +Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk<br/> +Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed<br/> +And fatten’d, not with all their help to boot,<br/> +Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth,<br/> +My song might shadow forth that saintly smile,<br/> +flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought.<br/> +And with such figuring of Paradise<br/> +The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets<br/> +A sudden interruption to his road.<br/> +But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme,<br/> +And that ’tis lain upon a mortal shoulder,<br/> +May pardon, if it tremble with the burden.<br/> +The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks<br/> +No unribb’d pinnace, no self-sparing pilot. +</p> + +<p> +“Why doth my face,” said Beatrice, “thus<br/> +Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn<br/> +Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming<br/> +Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose,<br/> +Wherein the word divine was made incarnate;<br/> +And here the lilies, by whose odour known<br/> +The way of life was follow’d.” Prompt I heard<br/> +Her bidding, and encounter once again<br/> +The strife of aching vision. As erewhile,<br/> +Through glance of sunlight, stream’d through broken cloud,<br/> +Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen,<br/> +Though veil’d themselves in shade; so saw I there<br/> +Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays<br/> +Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not<br/> +The fountain whence they flow’d. O gracious virtue!<br/> +Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up<br/> +Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room<br/> +To my o’erlabour’d sight: when at the name<br/> +Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke<br/> +Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might<br/> +Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix’d.<br/> +And, as the bright dimensions of the star<br/> +In heav’n excelling, as once here on earth<br/> +Were, in my eyeballs lively portray’d,<br/> +Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell,<br/> +Circling in fashion of a diadem,<br/> +And girt the star, and hov’ring round it wheel’d. +</p> + +<p> +Whatever melody sounds sweetest here,<br/> +And draws the spirit most unto itself,<br/> +Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder,<br/> +Compar’d unto the sounding of that lyre,<br/> +Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays<br/> +The floor of heav’n, was crown’d. “Angelic Love<br/> +I am, who thus with hov’ring flight enwheel<br/> +The lofty rapture from that womb inspir’d,<br/> +Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so,<br/> +Lady of Heav’n! will hover; long as thou<br/> +Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy<br/> +Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere.” +</p> + +<p> +Such close was to the circling melody:<br/> +And, as it ended, all the other lights<br/> +Took up the strain, and echoed Mary’s name. +</p> + +<p> +The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps<br/> +The world, and with the nearer breath of God<br/> +Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir’d<br/> +Its inner hem and skirting over us,<br/> +That yet no glimmer of its majesty<br/> +Had stream’d unto me: therefore were mine eyes<br/> +Unequal to pursue the crowned flame,<br/> +That rose and sought its natal seed of fire;<br/> +And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms<br/> +For very eagerness towards the breast,<br/> +After the milk is taken; so outstretch’d<br/> +Their wavy summits all the fervent band,<br/> +Through zealous love to Mary: then in view<br/> +There halted, and “Regina Coeli” sang<br/> +So sweetly, the delight hath left me never. +</p> + +<p> +O what o’erflowing plenty is up-pil’d<br/> +In those rich-laden coffers, which below<br/> +Sow’d the good seed, whose harvest now they keep. +</p> + +<p> +Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears<br/> +Were in the Babylonian exile won,<br/> +When gold had fail’d them. Here in synod high<br/> +Of ancient council with the new conven’d,<br/> +Under the Son of Mary and of God,<br/> +Victorious he his mighty triumph holds,<br/> +To whom the keys of glory were assign’d. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXIV"></a>CANTO XXIV</h2> + +<p> +“O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc’d<br/> +To the great supper of the blessed Lamb,<br/> +Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill’d!<br/> +If to this man through God’s grace be vouchsaf’d<br/> +Foretaste of that, which from your table falls,<br/> +Or ever death his fated term prescribe;<br/> +Be ye not heedless of his urgent will;<br/> +But may some influence of your sacred dews<br/> +Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink,<br/> +Whence flows what most he craves.” Beatrice spake,<br/> +And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres<br/> +On firm-set poles revolving, trail’d a blaze<br/> +Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind<br/> +Their circles in the horologe, so work<br/> +The stated rounds, that to th’ observant eye<br/> +The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last;<br/> +E’en thus their carols weaving variously,<br/> +They by the measure pac’d, or swift, or slow,<br/> +Made me to rate the riches of their joy. +</p> + +<p> +From that, which I did note in beauty most<br/> +Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame<br/> +So bright, as none was left more goodly there.<br/> +Round Beatrice thrice it wheel’d about,<br/> +With so divine a song, that fancy’s ear<br/> +Records it not; and the pen passeth on<br/> +And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech,<br/> +Nor e’en the inward shaping of the brain,<br/> +Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds. +</p> + +<p> +“O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout<br/> +Is with so vehement affection urg’d,<br/> +Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere.” +</p> + +<p> +Such were the accents towards my lady breath’d<br/> +From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay’d:<br/> +To whom she thus: “O everlasting light<br/> +Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord<br/> +Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss<br/> +He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt,<br/> +With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith,<br/> +By the which thou didst on the billows walk.<br/> +If he in love, in hope, and in belief,<br/> +Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou<br/> +Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld<br/> +In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith<br/> +Has peopled this fair realm with citizens,<br/> +Meet is, that to exalt its glory more,<br/> +Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse.” +</p> + +<p> +Like to the bachelor, who arms himself,<br/> +And speaks not, till the master have propos’d<br/> +The question, to approve, and not to end it;<br/> +So I, in silence, arm’d me, while she spake,<br/> +Summoning up each argument to aid;<br/> +As was behooveful for such questioner,<br/> +And such profession: “As good Christian ought,<br/> +Declare thee, What is faith?” Whereat I rais’d<br/> +My forehead to the light, whence this had breath’d,<br/> +Then turn’d to Beatrice, and in her looks<br/> +Approval met, that from their inmost fount<br/> +I should unlock the waters. “May the grace,<br/> +That giveth me the captain of the church<br/> +For confessor,” said I, “vouchsafe to me<br/> +Apt utterance for my thoughts!” then added: “Sire!<br/> +E’en as set down by the unerring style<br/> +Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir’d<br/> +To bring Rome in unto the way of life,<br/> +Faith of things hop’d is substance, and the proof<br/> +Of things not seen; and herein doth consist<br/> +Methinks its essence,”—“Rightly hast thou +deem’d,”<br/> +Was answer’d: “if thou well discern, why first<br/> +He hath defin’d it, substance, and then proof.” +</p> + +<p> +“The deep things,” I replied, “which here I scan<br/> +Distinctly, are below from mortal eye<br/> +So hidden, they have in belief alone<br/> +Their being, on which credence hope sublime<br/> +Is built; and therefore substance it intends.<br/> +And inasmuch as we must needs infer<br/> +From such belief our reasoning, all respect<br/> +To other view excluded, hence of proof<br/> +Th’ intention is deriv’d.” Forthwith I heard:<br/> +“If thus, whate’er by learning men attain,<br/> +Were understood, the sophist would want room<br/> +To exercise his wit.” So breath’d the flame<br/> +Of love: then added: “Current is the coin<br/> +Thou utter’st, both in weight and in alloy.<br/> +But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse.” +</p> + +<p> +“Even so glittering and so round,” said I,<br/> +“I not a whit misdoubt of its assay.” +</p> + +<p> +Next issued from the deep imbosom’d splendour:<br/> +“Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which<br/> +Is founded every virtue, came to thee.”<br/> +“The flood,” I answer’d, “from the Spirit of God<br/> +Rain’d down upon the ancient bond and new,—<br/> +Here is the reas’ning, that convinceth me<br/> +So feelingly, each argument beside<br/> +Seems blunt and forceless in comparison.”<br/> +Then heard I: “Wherefore holdest thou that each,<br/> +The elder proposition and the new,<br/> +Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav’n?” +</p> + +<p> +“The works, that follow’d, evidence their truth;”<br/> +I answer’d: “Nature did not make for these<br/> +The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them.”<br/> +“Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,”<br/> +Was the reply, “that they in very deed<br/> +Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee.” +</p> + +<p> +“That all the world,” said I, “should have been +turn’d<br/> +To Christian, and no miracle been wrought,<br/> +Would in itself be such a miracle,<br/> +The rest were not an hundredth part so great.<br/> +E’en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger<br/> +To set the goodly plant, that from the vine,<br/> +It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble.”<br/> +That ended, through the high celestial court<br/> +Resounded all the spheres. “Praise we one God!”<br/> +In song of most unearthly melody.<br/> +And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch,<br/> +Examining, had led me, that we now<br/> +Approach’d the topmost bough, he straight resum’d;<br/> +“The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul,<br/> +So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos’d<br/> +That, whatsoe’er has past them, I commend.<br/> +Behooves thee to express, what thou believ’st,<br/> +The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown.” +</p> + +<p> +“O saintly sire and spirit!” I began,<br/> +“Who seest that, which thou didst so believe,<br/> +As to outstrip feet younger than thine own,<br/> +Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here,<br/> +That I the tenour of my creed unfold;<br/> +And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask’d.<br/> +And I reply: I in one God believe,<br/> +One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love<br/> +All heav’n is mov’d, himself unmov’d the while.<br/> +Nor demonstration physical alone,<br/> +Or more intelligential and abstruse,<br/> +Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth<br/> +It cometh to me rather, which is shed<br/> +Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms.<br/> +The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write,<br/> +When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost.<br/> +In three eternal Persons I believe,<br/> +Essence threefold and one, mysterious league<br/> +Of union absolute, which, many a time,<br/> +The word of gospel lore upon my mind<br/> +Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark,<br/> +The lively flame dilates, and like heav’n’s star<br/> +Doth glitter in me.” As the master hears,<br/> +Well pleas’d, and then enfoldeth in his arms<br/> +The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought,<br/> +And having told the errand keeps his peace;<br/> +Thus benediction uttering with song<br/> +Soon as my peace I held, compass’d me thrice<br/> +The apostolic radiance, whose behest<br/> +Had op’d lips; so well their answer pleas’d. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXV"></a>CANTO XXV</h2> + +<p> +If e’er the sacred poem that hath made<br/> +Both heav’n and earth copartners in its toil,<br/> +And with lean abstinence, through many a year,<br/> +Faded my brow, be destin’d to prevail<br/> +Over the cruelty, which bars me forth<br/> +Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb<br/> +The wolves set on and fain had worried me,<br/> +With other voice and fleece of other grain<br/> +I shall forthwith return, and, standing up<br/> +At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath<br/> +Due to the poet’s temples: for I there<br/> +First enter’d on the faith which maketh souls<br/> +Acceptable to God: and, for its sake,<br/> +Peter had then circled my forehead thus. +</p> + +<p> +Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth<br/> +The first fruit of Christ’s vicars on the earth,<br/> +Toward us mov’d a light, at view whereof<br/> +My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me:<br/> +“Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might,<br/> +That makes Falicia throng’d with visitants!” +</p> + +<p> +As when the ring-dove by his mate alights,<br/> +In circles each about the other wheels,<br/> +And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I<br/> +One, of the other great and glorious prince,<br/> +With kindly greeting hail’d, extolling both<br/> +Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end<br/> +Was to their gratulation, silent, each,<br/> +Before me sat they down, so burning bright,<br/> +I could not look upon them. Smiling then,<br/> +Beatrice spake: “O life in glory shrin’d!”<br/> +Who didst the largess of our kingly court<br/> +Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice<br/> +Of hope the praises in this height resound.<br/> +For thou, who figur’st them in shapes, as clear,<br/> +As Jesus stood before thee, well can’st speak them.” +</p> + +<p> +“Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust:<br/> +For that, which hither from the mortal world<br/> +Arriveth, must be ripen’d in our beam.” +</p> + +<p> +Such cheering accents from the second flame<br/> +Assur’d me; and mine eyes I lifted up<br/> +Unto the mountains that had bow’d them late<br/> +With over-heavy burden. “Sith our Liege<br/> +Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death,<br/> +In the most secret council, with his lords<br/> +Shouldst be confronted, so that having view’d<br/> +The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith<br/> +Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate<br/> +With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare,<br/> +What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee,<br/> +And whence thou hadst it?” Thus proceeding still,<br/> +The second light: and she, whose gentle love<br/> +My soaring pennons in that lofty flight<br/> +Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin’d:<br/> +Among her sons, not one more full of hope,<br/> +Hath the church militant: so ’tis of him<br/> +Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb<br/> +Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term<br/> +Of warfare, hence permitted he is come,<br/> +From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see.<br/> +The other points, both which thou hast inquir’d,<br/> +Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell<br/> +How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him<br/> +Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease,<br/> +And without boasting, so God give him grace.”<br/> +Like to the scholar, practis’d in his task,<br/> +Who, willing to give proof of diligence,<br/> +Seconds his teacher gladly, “Hope,” said I,<br/> +“Is of the joy to come a sure expectance,<br/> +Th’ effect of grace divine and merit preceding.<br/> +This light from many a star visits my heart,<br/> +But flow’d to me the first from him, who sang<br/> +The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme<br/> +Among his tuneful brethren. ‘Let all hope<br/> +In thee,’ so speak his anthem, ‘who have known<br/> +Thy name;’ and with my faith who know not that?<br/> +From thee, the next, distilling from his spring,<br/> +In thine epistle, fell on me the drops<br/> +So plenteously, that I on others shower<br/> +The influence of their dew.” Whileas I spake,<br/> +A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning,<br/> +Within the bosom of that mighty sheen,<br/> +Play’d tremulous; then forth these accents breath’d:<br/> +“Love for the virtue which attended me<br/> +E’en to the palm, and issuing from the field,<br/> +Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires<br/> +To ask of thee, whom also it delights;<br/> +What promise thou from hope in chief dost win.” +</p> + +<p> +“Both scriptures, new and ancient,” I reply’d;<br/> +“Propose the mark (which even now I view)<br/> +For souls belov’d of God. Isaias saith,<br/> +That, in their own land, each one must be clad<br/> +In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life.<br/> +In terms more full,<br/> +And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth<br/> +This revelation to us, where he tells<br/> +Of the white raiment destin’d to the saints.”<br/> +And, as the words were ending, from above,<br/> +“They hope in thee,” first heard we cried: whereto<br/> +Answer’d the carols all. Amidst them next,<br/> +A light of so clear amplitude emerg’d,<br/> +That winter’s month were but a single day,<br/> +Were such a crystal in the Cancer’s sign. +</p> + +<p> +Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes,<br/> +And enters on the mazes of the dance,<br/> +Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent,<br/> +Than to do fitting honour to the bride;<br/> +So I beheld the new effulgence come<br/> +Unto the other two, who in a ring<br/> +Wheel’d, as became their rapture. In the dance<br/> +And in the song it mingled. And the dame<br/> +Held on them fix’d her looks: e’en as the spouse<br/> +Silent and moveless. “This is he, who lay<br/> +Upon the bosom of our pelican:<br/> +This he, into whose keeping from the cross<br/> +The mighty charge was given.” Thus she spake,<br/> +Yet therefore naught the more remov’d her Sight<br/> +From marking them, or ere her words began,<br/> +Or when they clos’d. As he, who looks intent,<br/> +And strives with searching ken, how he may see<br/> +The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire<br/> +Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I<br/> +Peer’d on that last resplendence, while I heard:<br/> +“Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that,<br/> +Which here abides not? Earth my body is,<br/> +In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long,<br/> +As till our number equal the decree<br/> +Of the Most High. The two that have ascended,<br/> +In this our blessed cloister, shine alone<br/> +With the two garments. So report below.” +</p> + +<p> +As when, for ease of labour, or to shun<br/> +Suspected peril at a whistle’s breath,<br/> +The oars, erewhile dash’d frequent in the wave,<br/> +All rest; the flamy circle at that voice<br/> +So rested, and the mingling sound was still,<br/> +Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose.<br/> +I turn’d, but ah! how trembled in my thought,<br/> +When, looking at my side again to see<br/> +Beatrice, I descried her not, although<br/> +Not distant, on the happy coast she stood. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXVI"></a>CANTO XXVI</h2> + +<p> +With dazzled eyes, whilst wond’ring I remain’d,<br/> +Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me,<br/> +Issued a breath, that in attention mute<br/> +Detain’d me; and these words it spake: “’Twere well,<br/> +That, long as till thy vision, on my form<br/> +O’erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse<br/> +Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then,<br/> +Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires: +</p> + +<p> +“And meanwhile rest assur’d, that sight in thee<br/> +Is but o’erpowered a space, not wholly quench’d:<br/> +Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look<br/> +Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt<br/> +In Ananias’ hand.” I answering thus:<br/> +“Be to mine eyes the remedy or late<br/> +Or early, at her pleasure; for they were<br/> +The gates, at which she enter’d, and did light<br/> +Her never dying fire. My wishes here<br/> +Are centered; in this palace is the weal,<br/> +That Alpha and Omega, is to all<br/> +The lessons love can read me.” Yet again<br/> +The voice which had dispers’d my fear, when daz’d<br/> +With that excess, to converse urg’d, and spake:<br/> +“Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms,<br/> +And say, who level’d at this scope thy bow.” +</p> + +<p> +“Philosophy,” said I, “hath arguments,<br/> +And this place hath authority enough<br/> +T’ imprint in me such love: for, of constraint,<br/> +Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good,<br/> +Kindles our love, and in degree the more,<br/> +As it comprises more of goodness in ’t.<br/> +The essence then, where such advantage is,<br/> +That each good, found without it, is naught else<br/> +But of his light the beam, must needs attract<br/> +The soul of each one, loving, who the truth<br/> +Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth<br/> +Learn I from him, who shows me the first love<br/> +Of all intelligential substances<br/> +Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word<br/> +Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith,<br/> +‘I will make all my good before thee pass.’<br/> +Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim’st,<br/> +E’en at the outset of thy heralding,<br/> +In mortal ears the mystery of heav’n.” +</p> + +<p> +“Through human wisdom, and th’ authority<br/> +Therewith agreeing,” heard I answer’d, “keep<br/> +The choicest of thy love for God. But say,<br/> +If thou yet other cords within thee feel’st<br/> +That draw thee towards him; so that thou report<br/> +How many are the fangs, with which this love<br/> +Is grappled to thy soul.” I did not miss,<br/> +To what intent the eagle of our Lord<br/> +Had pointed his demand; yea noted well<br/> +Th’ avowal, which he led to; and resum’d:<br/> +“All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God,<br/> +Confederate to make fast our clarity.<br/> +The being of the world, and mine own being,<br/> +The death which he endur’d that I should live,<br/> +And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do,<br/> +To the foremention’d lively knowledge join’d,<br/> +Have from the sea of ill love sav’d my bark,<br/> +And on the coast secur’d it of the right.<br/> +As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom,<br/> +My love for them is great, as is the good<br/> +Dealt by th’ eternal hand, that tends them all.” +</p> + +<p> +I ended, and therewith a song most sweet<br/> +Rang through the spheres; and “Holy, holy, holy,”<br/> +Accordant with the rest my lady sang.<br/> +And as a sleep is broken and dispers’d<br/> +Through sharp encounter of the nimble light,<br/> +With the eye’s spirit running forth to meet<br/> +The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg’d;<br/> +And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees;<br/> +So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems<br/> +Of all around him, till assurance waits<br/> +On better judgment: thus the saintly came<br/> +Drove from before mine eyes the motes away,<br/> +With the resplendence of her own, that cast<br/> +Their brightness downward, thousand miles below.<br/> +Whence I my vision, clearer shall before,<br/> +Recover’d; and, well nigh astounded, ask’d<br/> +Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw. +</p> + +<p> +And Beatrice: “The first diving soul,<br/> +That ever the first virtue fram’d, admires<br/> +Within these rays his Maker.” Like the leaf,<br/> +That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown;<br/> +By its own virtue rear’d then stands aloof;<br/> +So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow’d.<br/> +Then eagerness to speak embolden’d me;<br/> +And I began: “O fruit! that wast alone<br/> +Mature, when first engender’d! Ancient father!<br/> +That doubly seest in every wedded bride<br/> +Thy daughter by affinity and blood!<br/> +Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold<br/> +Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I,<br/> +More speedily to hear thee, tell it not.” +</p> + +<p> +It chanceth oft some animal bewrays,<br/> +Through the sleek cov’ring of his furry coat.<br/> +The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms<br/> +His outside seeming to the cheer within:<br/> +And in like guise was Adam’s spirit mov’d<br/> +To joyous mood, that through the covering shone,<br/> +Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake:<br/> +“No need thy will be told, which I untold<br/> +Better discern, than thou whatever thing<br/> +Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see<br/> +In Him, who is truth’s mirror, and Himself<br/> +Parhelion unto all things, and naught else<br/> +To him. This wouldst thou hear; how long since God<br/> +Plac’d me high garden, from whose hounds<br/> +She led me up in this ladder, steep and long;<br/> +What space endur’d my season of delight;<br/> +Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish’d me;<br/> +And what the language, which I spake and fram’d<br/> +Not that I tasted of the tree, my son,<br/> +Was in itself the cause of that exile,<br/> +But only my transgressing of the mark<br/> +Assign’d me. There, whence at thy lady’s hest<br/> +The Mantuan mov’d him, still was I debarr’d<br/> +This council, till the sun had made complete,<br/> +Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice,<br/> +His annual journey; and, through every light<br/> +In his broad pathway, saw I him return,<br/> +Thousand save sev’nty times, the whilst I dwelt<br/> +Upon the earth. The language I did use<br/> +Was worn away, or ever Nimrod’s race<br/> +Their unaccomplishable work began.<br/> +For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting,<br/> +Left by his reason free, and variable,<br/> +As is the sky that sways him. That he speaks,<br/> +Is nature’s prompting: whether thus or thus,<br/> +She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it.<br/> +Ere I descended into hell’s abyss,<br/> +El was the name on earth of the Chief Good,<br/> +Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then ’twas call’d<br/> +And so beseemeth: for, in mortals, use<br/> +Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes,<br/> +And other comes instead. Upon the mount<br/> +Most high above the waters, all my life,<br/> +Both innocent and guilty, did but reach<br/> +From the first hour, to that which cometh next<br/> +(As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXVII"></a>CANTO XXVII</h2> + +<p> +Then “Glory to the Father, to the Son,<br/> +And to the Holy Spirit,” rang aloud<br/> +Throughout all Paradise, that with the song<br/> +My spirit reel’d, so passing sweet the strain:<br/> +And what I saw was equal ecstasy;<br/> +One universal smile it seem’d of all things,<br/> +Joy past compare, gladness unutterable,<br/> +Imperishable life of peace and love,<br/> +Exhaustless riches and unmeasur’d bliss. +</p> + +<p> +Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit;<br/> +And that, which first had come, began to wax<br/> +In brightness, and in semblance such became,<br/> +As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds,<br/> +And interchang’d their plumes. Silence ensued,<br/> +Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints<br/> +Vicissitude of ministry, enjoin’d;<br/> +When thus I heard: “Wonder not, if my hue<br/> +Be chang’d; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see<br/> +All in like manner change with me. My place<br/> +He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine,<br/> +Which in the presence of the Son of God<br/> +Is void), the same hath made my cemetery<br/> +A common sewer of puddle and of blood:<br/> +The more below his triumph, who from hence<br/> +Malignant fell.” Such colour, as the sun,<br/> +At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud,<br/> +Then saw I sprinkled over all the sky.<br/> +And as th’ unblemish’d dame, who in herself<br/> +Secure of censure, yet at bare report<br/> +Of other’s failing, shrinks with maiden fear;<br/> +So Beatrice in her semblance chang’d:<br/> +And such eclipse in heav’n methinks was seen,<br/> +When the Most Holy suffer’d. Then the words<br/> +Proceeded, with voice, alter’d from itself<br/> +So clean, the semblance did not alter more.<br/> +“Not to this end was Christ’s spouse with my blood,<br/> +With that of Linus, and of Cletus fed:<br/> +That she might serve for purchase of base gold:<br/> +But for the purchase of this happy life<br/> +Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed,<br/> +And Urban, they, whose doom was not without<br/> +Much weeping seal’d. No purpose was of our<br/> +That on the right hand of our successors<br/> +Part of the Christian people should be set,<br/> +And part upon their left; nor that the keys,<br/> +Which were vouchsaf’d me, should for ensign serve<br/> +Unto the banners, that do levy war<br/> +On the baptiz’d: nor I, for sigil-mark<br/> +Set upon sold and lying privileges;<br/> +Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red.<br/> +In shepherd’s clothing greedy wolves below<br/> +Range wide o’er all the pastures. Arm of God!<br/> +Why longer sleepst thou? Caorsines and Gascona<br/> +Prepare to quaff our blood. O good beginning<br/> +To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop!<br/> +But the high providence, which did defend<br/> +Through Scipio the world’s glory unto Rome,<br/> +Will not delay its succour: and thou, son,<br/> +Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again<br/> +Return below, open thy lips, nor hide<br/> +What is by me not hidden.” As a Hood<br/> +Of frozen vapours streams adown the air,<br/> +What time the she-goat with her skiey horn<br/> +Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide<br/> +The vapours, who with us had linger’d late<br/> +And with glad triumph deck th’ ethereal cope.<br/> +Onward my sight their semblances pursued;<br/> +So far pursued, as till the space between<br/> +From its reach sever’d them: whereat the guide<br/> +Celestial, marking me no more intent<br/> +On upward gazing, said, “Look down and see<br/> +What circuit thou hast compass’d.” From the hour<br/> +When I before had cast my view beneath,<br/> +All the first region overpast I saw,<br/> +Which from the midmost to the bound’ry winds;<br/> +That onward thence from Gades I beheld<br/> +The unwise passage of Laertes’ son,<br/> +And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa!<br/> +Mad’st thee a joyful burden: and yet more<br/> +Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun,<br/> +A constellation off and more, had ta’en<br/> +His progress in the zodiac underneath. +</p> + +<p> +Then by the spirit, that doth never leave<br/> +Its amorous dalliance with my lady’s looks,<br/> +Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes<br/> +Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles,<br/> +Whenas I turn’d me, pleasure so divine<br/> +Did lighten on me, that whatever bait<br/> +Or art or nature in the human flesh,<br/> +Or in its limn’d resemblance, can combine<br/> +Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal,<br/> +Were to her beauty nothing. Its boon influence<br/> +From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth,<br/> +And wafted on into the swiftest heav’n. +</p> + +<p> +What place for entrance Beatrice chose,<br/> +I may not say, so uniform was all,<br/> +Liveliest and loftiest. She my secret wish<br/> +Divin’d; and with such gladness, that God’s love<br/> +Seem’d from her visage shining, thus began:<br/> +“Here is the goal, whence motion on his race<br/> +Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest<br/> +All mov’d around. Except the soul divine,<br/> +Place in this heav’n is none, the soul divine,<br/> +Wherein the love, which ruleth o’er its orb,<br/> +Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds;<br/> +One circle, light and love, enclasping it,<br/> +As this doth clasp the others; and to Him,<br/> +Who draws the bound, its limit only known.<br/> +Measur’d itself by none, it doth divide<br/> +Motion to all, counted unto them forth,<br/> +As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten.<br/> +The vase, wherein time’s roots are plung’d, thou seest,<br/> +Look elsewhere for the leaves. O mortal lust!<br/> +That canst not lift thy head above the waves<br/> +Which whelm and sink thee down! The will in man<br/> +Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise<br/> +Is, by the dripping of perpetual rain,<br/> +Made mere abortion: faith and innocence<br/> +Are met with but in babes, each taking leave<br/> +Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts,<br/> +While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose<br/> +Gluts every food alike in every moon.<br/> +One yet a babbler, loves and listens to<br/> +His mother; but no sooner hath free use<br/> +Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave.<br/> +So suddenly doth the fair child of him,<br/> +Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting,<br/> +To negro blackness change her virgin white. +</p> + +<p> +“Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none<br/> +Bears rule in earth, and its frail family<br/> +Are therefore wand’rers. Yet before the date,<br/> +When through the hundredth in his reck’ning drops<br/> +Pale January must be shor’d aside<br/> +From winter’s calendar, these heav’nly spheres<br/> +Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain<br/> +To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow;<br/> +So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit,<br/> +Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXVIII"></a>CANTO XXVII</h2> + +<p> +So she who doth imparadise my soul,<br/> +Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life,<br/> +And bar’d the truth of poor mortality;<br/> +When lo! as one who, in a mirror, spies<br/> +The shining of a flambeau at his back,<br/> +Lit sudden ore he deem of its approach,<br/> +And turneth to resolve him, if the glass<br/> +Have told him true, and sees the record faithful<br/> +As note is to its metre; even thus,<br/> +I well remember, did befall to me,<br/> +Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love<br/> +Had made the leash to take me. As I turn’d;<br/> +And that, which, in their circles, none who spies,<br/> +Can miss of, in itself apparent, struck<br/> +On mine; a point I saw, that darted light<br/> +So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up<br/> +Against its keenness. The least star we view<br/> +From hence, had seem’d a moon, set by its side,<br/> +As star by side of star. And so far off,<br/> +Perchance, as is the halo from the light<br/> +Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads,<br/> +There wheel’d about the point a circle of fire,<br/> +More rapid than the motion, which first girds<br/> +The world. Then, circle after circle, round<br/> +Enring’d each other; till the seventh reach’d<br/> +Circumference so ample, that its bow,<br/> +Within the span of Juno’s messenger,<br/> +lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev’nth,<br/> +Follow’d yet other two. And every one,<br/> +As more in number distant from the first,<br/> +Was tardier in motion; and that glow’d<br/> +With flame most pure, that to the sparkle’ of truth<br/> +Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks,<br/> +Of its reality. The guide belov’d<br/> +Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake:<br/> +“Heav’n, and all nature, hangs upon that point.<br/> +The circle thereto most conjoin’d observe;<br/> +And know, that by intenser love its course<br/> +Is to this swiftness wing’d.” To whom I thus:<br/> +“It were enough; nor should I further seek,<br/> +Had I but witness’d order, in the world<br/> +Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen.<br/> +But in the sensible world such diff’rence is,<br/> +That is each round shows more divinity,<br/> +As each is wider from the centre. Hence,<br/> +If in this wondrous and angelic temple,<br/> +That hath for confine only light and love,<br/> +My wish may have completion I must know,<br/> +Wherefore such disagreement is between<br/> +Th’ exemplar and its copy: for myself,<br/> +Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is no marvel, if thy fingers foil’d<br/> +Do leave the knot untied: so hard ’tis grown<br/> +For want of tenting.” Thus she said: “But take,”<br/> +She added, “if thou wish thy cure, my words,<br/> +And entertain them subtly. Every orb<br/> +Corporeal, doth proportion its extent<br/> +Unto the virtue through its parts diffus’d.<br/> +The greater blessedness preserves the more.<br/> +The greater is the body (if all parts<br/> +Share equally) the more is to preserve.<br/> +Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels<br/> +The universal frame answers to that,<br/> +Which is supreme in knowledge and in love<br/> +Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth<br/> +Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav’ns,<br/> +Each to the’ intelligence that ruleth it,<br/> +Greater to more, and smaller unto less,<br/> +Suited in strict and wondrous harmony.” +</p> + +<p> +As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek<br/> +A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air,<br/> +Clear’d of the rack, that hung on it before,<br/> +Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil’d,<br/> +The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles;<br/> +Such was my cheer, when Beatrice drove<br/> +With clear reply the shadows back, and truth<br/> +Was manifested, as a star in heaven.<br/> +And when the words were ended, not unlike<br/> +To iron in the furnace, every cirque<br/> +Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires:<br/> +And every sparkle shivering to new blaze,<br/> +In number did outmillion the account<br/> +Reduplicate upon the chequer’d board.<br/> +Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir,<br/> +“Hosanna,” to the fixed point, that holds,<br/> +And shall for ever hold them to their place,<br/> +From everlasting, irremovable. +</p> + +<p> +Musing awhile I stood: and she, who saw<br/> +by inward meditations, thus began:<br/> +“In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst,<br/> +Are seraphim and cherubim. Thus swift<br/> +Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point,<br/> +Near as they can, approaching; and they can<br/> +The more, the loftier their vision. Those,<br/> +That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next,<br/> +Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends. And all<br/> +Are blessed, even as their sight descends<br/> +Deeper into the truth, wherein rest is<br/> +For every mind. Thus happiness hath root<br/> +In seeing, not in loving, which of sight<br/> +Is aftergrowth. And of the seeing such<br/> +The meed, as unto each in due degree<br/> +Grace and good-will their measure have assign’d.<br/> +The other trine, that with still opening buds<br/> +In this eternal springtide blossom fair,<br/> +Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram,<br/> +Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold<br/> +Hosannas blending ever, from the three<br/> +Transmitted. hierarchy of gods, for aye<br/> +Rejoicing, dominations first, next then<br/> +Virtues, and powers the third. The next to whom<br/> +Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round<br/> +To tread their festal ring; and last the band<br/> +Angelical, disporting in their sphere.<br/> +All, as they circle in their orders, look<br/> +Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail,<br/> +That all with mutual impulse tend to God.<br/> +These once a mortal view beheld. Desire<br/> +In Dionysius so intently wrought,<br/> +That he, as I have done rang’d them; and nam’d<br/> +Their orders, marshal’d in his thought. From him<br/> +Dissentient, one refus’d his sacred read.<br/> +But soon as in this heav’n his doubting eyes<br/> +Were open’d, Gregory at his error smil’d<br/> +Nor marvel, that a denizen of earth<br/> +Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt<br/> +Both this and much beside of these our orbs,<br/> +From an eye-witness to heav’n’s mysteries.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXIX"></a>CANTO XXIX</h2> + +<p> +No longer than what time Latona’s twins<br/> +Cover’d of Libra and the fleecy star,<br/> +Together both, girding the’ horizon hang,<br/> +In even balance from the zenith pois’d,<br/> +Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere,<br/> +Part the nice level; e’en so brief a space<br/> +Did Beatrice’s silence hold. A smile<br/> +Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix’d gaze<br/> +Bent on the point, at which my vision fail’d:<br/> +When thus her words resuming she began:<br/> +“I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand;<br/> +For I have mark’d it, where all time and place<br/> +Are present. Not for increase to himself<br/> +Of good, which may not be increas’d, but forth<br/> +To manifest his glory by its beams,<br/> +Inhabiting his own eternity,<br/> +Beyond time’s limit or what bound soe’er<br/> +To circumscribe his being, as he will’d,<br/> +Into new natures, like unto himself,<br/> +Eternal Love unfolded. Nor before,<br/> +As if in dull inaction torpid lay.<br/> +For not in process of before or aft<br/> +Upon these waters mov’d the Spirit of God.<br/> +Simple and mix’d, both form and substance, forth<br/> +To perfect being started, like three darts<br/> +Shot from a bow three-corded. And as ray<br/> +In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire,<br/> +E’en at the moment of its issuing; thus<br/> +Did, from th’ eternal Sovran, beam entire<br/> +His threefold operation, at one act<br/> +Produc’d coeval. Yet in order each<br/> +Created his due station knew: those highest,<br/> +Who pure intelligence were made: mere power<br/> +The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league,<br/> +Intelligence and power, unsever’d bond.<br/> +Long tract of ages by the angels past,<br/> +Ere the creating of another world,<br/> +Describ’d on Jerome’s pages thou hast seen.<br/> +But that what I disclose to thee is true,<br/> +Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov’d<br/> +In many a passage of their sacred book<br/> +Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find<br/> +And reason in some sort discerns the same,<br/> +Who scarce would grant the heav’nly ministers<br/> +Of their perfection void, so long a space.<br/> +Thus when and where these spirits of love were made,<br/> +Thou know’st, and how: and knowing hast allay’d<br/> +Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose.<br/> +Ere one had reckon’d twenty, e’en so soon<br/> +Part of the angels fell: and in their fall<br/> +Confusion to your elements ensued.<br/> +The others kept their station: and this task,<br/> +Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight,<br/> +That they surcease not ever, day nor night,<br/> +Their circling. Of that fatal lapse the cause<br/> +Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen<br/> +Pent with the world’s incumbrance. Those, whom here<br/> +Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves<br/> +Of his free bounty, who had made them apt<br/> +For ministries so high: therefore their views<br/> +Were by enlight’ning grace and their own merit<br/> +Exalted; so that in their will confirm’d<br/> +They stand, nor feel to fall. For do not doubt,<br/> +But to receive the grace, which heav’n vouchsafes,<br/> +Is meritorious, even as the soul<br/> +With prompt affection welcometh the guest.<br/> +Now, without further help, if with good heed<br/> +My words thy mind have treasur’d, thou henceforth<br/> +This consistory round about mayst scan,<br/> +And gaze thy fill. But since thou hast on earth<br/> +Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools,<br/> +Canvas the’ angelic nature, and dispute<br/> +Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice;<br/> +Therefore, ’tis well thou take from me the truth,<br/> +Pure and without disguise, which they below,<br/> +Equivocating, darken and perplex. +</p> + +<p> +“Know thou, that, from the first, these substances,<br/> +Rejoicing in the countenance of God,<br/> +Have held unceasingly their view, intent<br/> +Upon the glorious vision, from the which<br/> +Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change<br/> +Of newness with succession interrupts,<br/> +Remembrance there needs none to gather up<br/> +Divided thought and images remote +</p> + +<p> +“So that men, thus at variance with the truth<br/> +Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some<br/> +Of error; others well aware they err,<br/> +To whom more guilt and shame are justly due.<br/> +Each the known track of sage philosophy<br/> +Deserts, and has a byway of his own:<br/> +So much the restless eagerness to shine<br/> +And love of singularity prevail.<br/> +Yet this, offensive as it is, provokes<br/> +Heav’n’s anger less, than when the book of God<br/> +Is forc’d to yield to man’s authority,<br/> +Or from its straightness warp’d: no reck’ning made<br/> +What blood the sowing of it in the world<br/> +Has cost; what favour for himself he wins,<br/> +Who meekly clings to it. The aim of all<br/> +Is how to shine: e’en they, whose office is<br/> +To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep,<br/> +And pass their own inventions off instead.<br/> +One tells, how at Christ’s suffering the wan moon<br/> +Bent back her steps, and shadow’d o’er the sun<br/> +With intervenient disk, as she withdrew:<br/> +Another, how the light shrouded itself<br/> +Within its tabernacle, and left dark<br/> +The Spaniard and the Indian, with the Jew.<br/> +Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears,<br/> +Bandied about more frequent, than the names<br/> +Of Bindi and of Lapi in her streets.<br/> +The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return<br/> +From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails<br/> +For their excuse, they do not see their harm?<br/> +Christ said not to his first conventicle,<br/> +‘Go forth and preach impostures to the world,’<br/> +But gave them truth to build on; and the sound<br/> +Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they,<br/> +Beside the gospel, other spear or shield,<br/> +To aid them in their warfare for the faith.<br/> +The preacher now provides himself with store<br/> +Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack<br/> +Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl<br/> +Distends, and he has won the meed he sought:<br/> +Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while<br/> +Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood,<br/> +They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said.<br/> +Which now the dotards hold in such esteem,<br/> +That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad<br/> +The hands of holy promise, finds a throng<br/> +Of credulous fools beneath. Saint Anthony<br/> +Fattens with this his swine, and others worse<br/> +Than swine, who diet at his lazy board,<br/> +Paying with unstamp’d metal for their fare. +</p> + +<p> +“But (for we far have wander’d) let us seek<br/> +The forward path again; so as the way<br/> +Be shorten’d with the time. No mortal tongue<br/> +Nor thought of man hath ever reach’d so far,<br/> +That of these natures he might count the tribes.<br/> +What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal’d<br/> +With finite number infinite conceals.<br/> +The fountain at whose source these drink their beams,<br/> +With light supplies them in as many modes,<br/> +As there are splendours, that it shines on: each<br/> +According to the virtue it conceives,<br/> +Differing in love and sweet affection.<br/> +Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth<br/> +The’ eternal might, which, broken and dispers’d<br/> +Over such countless mirrors, yet remains<br/> +Whole in itself and one, as at the first.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXX"></a>CANTO XXX</h2> + +<p> +Noon’s fervid hour perchance six thousand miles<br/> +From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone<br/> +Almost to level on our earth declines;<br/> +When from the midmost of this blue abyss<br/> +By turns some star is to our vision lost.<br/> +And straightway as the handmaid of the sun<br/> +Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light,<br/> +Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in,<br/> +E’en to the loveliest of the glittering throng.<br/> +Thus vanish’d gradually from my sight<br/> +The triumph, which plays ever round the point,<br/> +That overcame me, seeming (for it did)<br/> +Engirt by that it girdeth. Wherefore love,<br/> +With loss of other object, forc’d me bend<br/> +Mine eyes on Beatrice once again. +</p> + +<p> +If all, that hitherto is told of her,<br/> +Were in one praise concluded, ’twere too weak<br/> +To furnish out this turn. Mine eyes did look<br/> +On beauty, such, as I believe in sooth,<br/> +Not merely to exceed our human, but,<br/> +That save its Maker, none can to the full<br/> +Enjoy it. At this point o’erpower’d I fail,<br/> +Unequal to my theme, as never bard<br/> +Of buskin or of sock hath fail’d before.<br/> +For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight,<br/> +E’en so remembrance of that witching smile<br/> +Hath dispossess my spirit of itself.<br/> +Not from that day, when on this earth I first<br/> +Beheld her charms, up to that view of them,<br/> +Have I with song applausive ever ceas’d<br/> +To follow, but not follow them no more;<br/> +My course here bounded, as each artist’s is,<br/> +When it doth touch the limit of his skill. +</p> + +<p> +She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit<br/> +Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on,<br/> +Urging its arduous matter to the close),<br/> +Her words resum’d, in gesture and in voice<br/> +Resembling one accustom’d to command:<br/> +“Forth from the last corporeal are we come<br/> +Into the heav’n, that is unbodied light,<br/> +Light intellectual replete with love,<br/> +Love of true happiness replete with joy,<br/> +Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight.<br/> +Here shalt thou look on either mighty host<br/> +Of Paradise; and one in that array,<br/> +Which in the final judgment thou shalt see.” +</p> + +<p> +As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen<br/> +Unfolded, dashes from the blinding eyes<br/> +The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm’d;<br/> +So, round about me, fulminating streams<br/> +Of living radiance play’d, and left me swath’d<br/> +And veil’d in dense impenetrable blaze.<br/> +Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav’n;<br/> +For its own flame the torch this fitting ever! +</p> + +<p> +No sooner to my list’ning ear had come<br/> +The brief assurance, than I understood<br/> +New virtue into me infus’d, and sight<br/> +Kindled afresh, with vigour to sustain<br/> +Excess of light, however pure. I look’d;<br/> +And in the likeness of a river saw<br/> +Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves<br/> +Flash’d up effulgence, as they glided on<br/> +’Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring,<br/> +Incredible how fair; and, from the tide,<br/> +There ever and anon, outstarting, flew<br/> +Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow’rs<br/> +Did set them, like to rubies chas’d in gold;<br/> +Then, as if drunk with odors, plung’d again<br/> +Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one<br/> +Re’enter’d, still another rose. “The thirst<br/> +Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam’d,<br/> +To search the meaning of what here thou seest,<br/> +The more it warms thee, pleases me the more.<br/> +But first behooves thee of this water drink,<br/> +Or ere that longing be allay’d.” So spake<br/> +The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin’d:<br/> +“This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf,<br/> +And diving back, a living topaz each,<br/> +With all this laughter on its bloomy shores,<br/> +Are but a preface, shadowy of the truth<br/> +They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things<br/> +Are crude; but on thy part is the defect,<br/> +For that thy views not yet aspire so high.”<br/> +Never did babe, that had outslept his wont,<br/> +Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk,<br/> +As I toward the water, bending me,<br/> +To make the better mirrors of mine eyes<br/> +In the refining wave; and, as the eaves<br/> +Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith<br/> +Seem’d it unto me turn’d from length to round,<br/> +Then as a troop of maskers, when they put<br/> +Their vizors off, look other than before,<br/> +The counterfeited semblance thrown aside;<br/> +So into greater jubilee were chang’d<br/> +Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw<br/> +Before me either court of heav’n displac’d. +</p> + +<p> +O prime enlightener! thou who crav’st me strength<br/> +On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze!<br/> +Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn’d,<br/> + There is in heav’n a light, whose goodly shine<br/> +Makes the Creator visible to all<br/> +Created, that in seeing him alone<br/> +Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far,<br/> +That the circumference were too loose a zone<br/> +To girdle in the sun. All is one beam,<br/> +Reflected from the summit of the first,<br/> +That moves, which being hence and vigour takes,<br/> +And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes<br/> +Its image mirror’d in the crystal flood,<br/> +As if ’t admire its brave appareling<br/> +Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about,<br/> +Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones,<br/> +Stood, eminent, whatever from our earth<br/> +Has to the skies return’d. How wide the leaves<br/> +Extended to their utmost of this rose,<br/> +Whose lowest step embosoms such a space<br/> +Of ample radiance! Yet, nor amplitude<br/> +Nor height impeded, but my view with ease<br/> +Took in the full dimensions of that joy.<br/> +Near or remote, what there avails, where God<br/> +Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends<br/> +Her sway? Into the yellow of the rose<br/> +Perennial, which in bright expansiveness,<br/> +Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent<br/> +Of praises to the never-wint’ring sun,<br/> +As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace,<br/> +Beatrice led me; and, “Behold,” she said,<br/> +“This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white<br/> +How numberless! The city, where we dwell,<br/> +Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng’d<br/> +Few now are wanting here! In that proud stall,<br/> +On which, the crown, already o’er its state<br/> +Suspended, holds thine eyes—or ere thyself<br/> +Mayst at the wedding sup,—shall rest the soul<br/> +Of the great Harry, he who, by the world<br/> +Augustas hail’d, to Italy must come,<br/> +Before her day be ripe. But ye are sick,<br/> +And in your tetchy wantonness as blind,<br/> +As is the bantling, that of hunger dies,<br/> +And drives away the nurse. Nor may it be,<br/> +That he, who in the sacred forum sways,<br/> +Openly or in secret, shall with him<br/> +Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure<br/> +I’ th’ holy office long; but thrust him down<br/> +To Simon Magus, where Magna’s priest<br/> +Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXXI"></a>CANTO XXXI</h2> + +<p> +In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then<br/> +Before my view the saintly multitude,<br/> +Which in his own blood Christ espous’d. Meanwhile<br/> +That other host, that soar aloft to gaze<br/> +And celebrate his glory, whom they love,<br/> +Hover’d around; and, like a troop of bees,<br/> +Amid the vernal sweets alighting now,<br/> +Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows,<br/> +Flew downward to the mighty flow’r, or rose<br/> +From the redundant petals, streaming back<br/> +Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy.<br/> +Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold;<br/> +The rest was whiter than the driven snow.<br/> +And as they flitted down into the flower,<br/> +From range to range, fanning their plumy loins,<br/> +Whisper’d the peace and ardour, which they won<br/> +From that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast<br/> +Interposition of such numerous flight<br/> +Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view<br/> +Obstructed aught. For, through the universe,<br/> +Wherever merited, celestial light<br/> +Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents. +</p> + +<p> +All there, who reign in safety and in bliss,<br/> +Ages long past or new, on one sole mark<br/> +Their love and vision fix’d. O trinal beam<br/> +Of individual star, that charmst them thus,<br/> +Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below! +</p> + +<p> +If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam’d,<br/> +(Where helice, forever, as she wheels,<br/> +Sparkles a mother’s fondness on her son)<br/> +Stood in mute wonder ’mid the works of Rome,<br/> +When to their view the Lateran arose<br/> +In greatness more than earthly; I, who then<br/> +From human to divine had past, from time<br/> +Unto eternity, and out of Florence<br/> +To justice and to truth, how might I choose<br/> +But marvel too? ’Twixt gladness and amaze,<br/> +In sooth no will had I to utter aught,<br/> +Or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests<br/> +Within the temple of his vow, looks round<br/> +In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell<br/> +Of all its goodly state: e’en so mine eyes<br/> +Cours’d up and down along the living light,<br/> +Now low, and now aloft, and now around,<br/> +Visiting every step. Looks I beheld,<br/> +Where charity in soft persuasion sat,<br/> +Smiles from within and radiance from above,<br/> +And in each gesture grace and honour high. +</p> + +<p> +So rov’d my ken, and its general form<br/> +All Paradise survey’d: when round I turn’d<br/> +With purpose of my lady to inquire<br/> +Once more of things, that held my thought suspense,<br/> +But answer found from other than I ween’d;<br/> +For, Beatrice, when I thought to see,<br/> +I saw instead a senior, at my side,<br/> + Rob’d, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign<br/> +Glow’d in his eye, and o’er his cheek diffus’d,<br/> +With gestures such as spake a father’s love.<br/> +And, “Whither is she vanish’d?” straight I ask’d. +</p> + +<p> +“By Beatrice summon’d,” he replied,<br/> +“I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft<br/> +To the third circle from the highest, there<br/> +Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit<br/> +Hath plac’d her.” Answering not, mine eyes I rais’d,<br/> +And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow<br/> +A wreath reflecting of eternal beams.<br/> +Not from the centre of the sea so far<br/> +Unto the region of the highest thunder,<br/> +As was my ken from hers; and yet the form<br/> +Came through that medium down, unmix’d and pure, +</p> + +<p> +“O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest!<br/> +Who, for my safety, hast not scorn’d, in hell<br/> +To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark’d!<br/> +For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power<br/> +And goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave,<br/> +Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means,<br/> +For my deliverance apt, hast left untried.<br/> +Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep.<br/> +That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole,<br/> +Is loosen’d from this body, it may find<br/> +Favour with thee.” So I my suit preferr’d:<br/> +And she, so distant, as appear’d, look’d down,<br/> +And smil’d; then tow’rds th’ eternal fountain turn’d. +</p> + +<p> +And thus the senior, holy and rever’d:<br/> +“That thou at length mayst happily conclude<br/> +Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch’d,<br/> +By supplication mov’d and holy love)<br/> +Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large,<br/> +This garden through: for so, by ray divine<br/> +Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount;<br/> +And from heav’n’s queen, whom fervent I adore,<br/> +All gracious aid befriend us; for that I<br/> +Am her own faithful Bernard.” Like a wight,<br/> +Who haply from Croatia wends to see<br/> +Our Veronica, and the while ’tis shown,<br/> +Hangs over it with never-sated gaze,<br/> +And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith<br/> +Unto himself in thought: “And didst thou look<br/> +E’en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God?<br/> +And was this semblance thine?” So gaz’d I then<br/> +Adoring; for the charity of him,<br/> +Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy’d,<br/> +Stood lively before me. “Child of grace!”<br/> +Thus he began: “thou shalt not knowledge gain<br/> +Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held<br/> +Still in this depth below. But search around<br/> +The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy<br/> +Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm<br/> +Is sovran.” Straight mine eyes I rais’d; and bright,<br/> +As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime<br/> +Above th’ horizon, where the sun declines;<br/> +To mine eyes, that upward, as from vale<br/> +To mountain sped, at th’ extreme bound, a part<br/> +Excell’d in lustre all the front oppos’d.<br/> +And as the glow burns ruddiest o’er the wave,<br/> +That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton<br/> +Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light<br/> +Diminish’d fades, intensest in the midst;<br/> +So burn’d the peaceful oriflame, and slack’d<br/> +On every side the living flame decay’d.<br/> +And in that midst their sportive pennons wav’d<br/> +Thousands of angels; in resplendence each<br/> +Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee<br/> +And carol, smil’d the Lovely One of heav’n,<br/> +That joy was in the eyes of all the blest. +</p> + +<p> +Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich,<br/> +As is the colouring in fancy’s loom,<br/> +’Twere all too poor to utter the least part<br/> +Of that enchantment. When he saw mine eyes<br/> +Intent on her, that charm’d him, Bernard gaz’d<br/> +With so exceeding fondness, as infus’d<br/> +Ardour into my breast, unfelt before. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXXII"></a>CANTO XXXII</h2> + +<p> +Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high,<br/> +Assum’d the teacher’s part, and mild began:<br/> +“The wound, that Mary clos’d, she open’d first,<br/> +Who sits so beautiful at Mary’s feet.<br/> +The third in order, underneath her, lo!<br/> +Rachel with Beatrice. Sarah next,<br/> +Judith, Rebecca, and the gleaner maid,<br/> +Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs<br/> +Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood.<br/> +All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf,<br/> +Are in gradation throned on the rose.<br/> +And from the seventh step, successively,<br/> +Adown the breathing tresses of the flow’r<br/> +Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed.<br/> +For these are a partition wall, whereby<br/> +The sacred stairs are sever’d, as the faith<br/> +In Christ divides them. On this part, where blooms<br/> +Each leaf in full maturity, are set<br/> +Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ’d.<br/> +On th’ other, where an intersected space<br/> +Yet shows the semicircle void, abide<br/> +All they, who look’d to Christ already come.<br/> +And as our Lady on her glorious stool,<br/> +And they who on their stools beneath her sit,<br/> +This way distinction make: e’en so on his,<br/> +The mighty Baptist that way marks the line<br/> +(He who endur’d the desert and the pains<br/> +Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell,<br/> +Yet still continued holy), and beneath,<br/> +Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest,<br/> +Thus far from round to round. So heav’n’s decree<br/> +Forecasts, this garden equally to fill.<br/> +With faith in either view, past or to come,<br/> +Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves<br/> +Midway the twain compartments, none there are<br/> +Who place obtain for merit of their own,<br/> +But have through others’ merit been advanc’d,<br/> +On set conditions: spirits all releas’d,<br/> +Ere for themselves they had the power to choose.<br/> +And, if thou mark and listen to them well,<br/> +Their childish looks and voice declare as much. +</p> + +<p> +“Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt;<br/> +And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein<br/> +Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee. From this realm<br/> +Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find,<br/> +No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can.<br/> +A law immutable hath establish’d all;<br/> +Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit,<br/> +Exactly, as the finger to the ring.<br/> +It is not therefore without cause, that these,<br/> +O’erspeedy comers to immortal life,<br/> +Are different in their shares of excellence.<br/> +Our Sovran Lord—that settleth this estate<br/> +In love and in delight so absolute,<br/> +That wish can dare no further—every soul,<br/> +Created in his joyous sight to dwell,<br/> +With grace at pleasure variously endows.<br/> +And for a proof th’ effect may well suffice.<br/> +And ’tis moreover most expressly mark’d<br/> +In holy scripture, where the twins are said<br/> +To, have struggled in the womb. Therefore, as grace<br/> +Inweaves the coronet, so every brow<br/> +Weareth its proper hue of orient light.<br/> +And merely in respect to his prime gift,<br/> +Not in reward of meritorious deed,<br/> +Hath each his several degree assign’d.<br/> +In early times with their own innocence<br/> +More was not wanting, than the parents’ faith,<br/> +To save them: those first ages past, behoov’d<br/> +That circumcision in the males should imp<br/> +The flight of innocent wings: but since the day<br/> +Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites<br/> +In Christ accomplish’d, innocence herself<br/> +Must linger yet below. Now raise thy view<br/> +Unto the visage most resembling Christ:<br/> +For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win<br/> +The pow’r to look on him.” Forthwith I saw<br/> +Such floods of gladness on her visage shower’d,<br/> +From holy spirits, winging that profound;<br/> +That, whatsoever I had yet beheld,<br/> +Had not so much suspended me with wonder,<br/> +Or shown me such similitude of God.<br/> +And he, who had to her descended, once,<br/> +On earth, now hail’d in heav’n; and on pois’d wing.<br/> +“Ave, Maria, Gratia Plena,” sang:<br/> +To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court,<br/> +From all parts answ’ring, rang: that holier joy<br/> +Brooded the deep serene. “Father rever’d:<br/> +Who deign’st, for me, to quit the pleasant place,<br/> +Wherein thou sittest, by eternal lot!<br/> +Say, who that angel is, that with such glee<br/> +Beholds our queen, and so enamour’d glows<br/> +Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems.”<br/> +So I again resorted to the lore<br/> +Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary’s charms<br/> +Embellish’d, as the sun the morning star;<br/> +Who thus in answer spake: “In him are summ’d,<br/> +Whatever of buxomness and free delight<br/> +May be in Spirit, or in angel, met:<br/> +And so beseems: for that he bare the palm<br/> +Down unto Mary, when the Son of God<br/> +Vouchsaf’d to clothe him in terrestrial weeds.<br/> +Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words,<br/> +And note thou of this just and pious realm<br/> +The chiefest nobles. Those, highest in bliss,<br/> +The twain, on each hand next our empress thron’d,<br/> +Are as it were two roots unto this rose.<br/> +He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste<br/> +Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right,<br/> +That ancient father of the holy church,<br/> +Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys<br/> +Of this sweet flow’r: near whom behold the seer,<br/> +That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times<br/> +Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails<br/> +Was won. And, near unto the other, rests<br/> +The leader, under whom on manna fed<br/> +Th’ ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse.<br/> +On th’ other part, facing to Peter, lo!<br/> +Where Anna sits, so well content to look<br/> +On her lov’d daughter, that with moveless eye<br/> +She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos’d<br/> +To the first father of your mortal kind,<br/> +Is Lucia, at whose hest thy lady sped,<br/> +When on the edge of ruin clos’d thine eye. +</p> + +<p> +“But (for the vision hasteneth so an end)<br/> +Here break we off, as the good workman doth,<br/> +That shapes the cloak according to the cloth:<br/> +And to the primal love our ken shall rise;<br/> +That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far<br/> +As sight can bear thee. Yet, alas! in sooth<br/> +Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance,<br/> +Thou backward fall’st. Grace then must first be gain’d;<br/> +Her grace, whose might can help thee. Thou in prayer<br/> +Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue,<br/> +Attend, and yield me all thy heart.” He said,<br/> +And thus the saintly orison began. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="cantoIII.XXXIII"></a>CANTO XXXIII</h2> + +<p> +“O virgin mother, daughter of thy Son,<br/> +Created beings all in lowliness<br/> +Surpassing, as in height, above them all,<br/> +Term by th’ eternal counsel pre-ordain’d,<br/> +Ennobler of thy nature, so advanc’d<br/> +In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn,<br/> +Himself, in his own work enclos’d to dwell!<br/> +For in thy womb rekindling shone the love<br/> +Reveal’d, whose genial influence makes now<br/> +This flower to germin in eternal peace!<br/> +Here thou to us, of charity and love,<br/> +Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath,<br/> +To mortal men, of hope a living spring.<br/> +So mighty art thou, lady! and so great,<br/> +That he who grace desireth, and comes not<br/> +To thee for aidance, fain would have desire<br/> +Fly without wings. Nor only him who asks,<br/> +Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft<br/> +Forerun the asking. Whatsoe’er may be<br/> +Of excellence in creature, pity mild,<br/> +Relenting mercy, large munificence,<br/> +Are all combin’d in thee. Here kneeleth one,<br/> +Who of all spirits hath review’d the state,<br/> +From the world’s lowest gap unto this height.<br/> +Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace<br/> +For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken<br/> +Toward the bliss supreme. And I, who ne’er<br/> +Coveted sight, more fondly, for myself,<br/> +Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer,<br/> +(And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive<br/> +Each cloud of his mortality away;<br/> +That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze.<br/> +This also I entreat of thee, O queen!<br/> +Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou<br/> +Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve<br/> +Affection sound, and human passions quell.<br/> +Lo! Where, with Beatrice, many a saint<br/> +Stretch their clasp’d hands, in furtherance of my suit!” +</p> + +<p> +The eyes, that heav’n with love and awe regards,<br/> +Fix’d on the suitor, witness’d, how benign<br/> +She looks on pious pray’rs: then fasten’d they<br/> +On th’ everlasting light, wherein no eye<br/> +Of creature, as may well be thought, so far<br/> +Can travel inward. I, meanwhile, who drew<br/> +Near to the limit, where all wishes end,<br/> +The ardour of my wish (for so behooved),<br/> +Ended within me. Beck’ning smil’d the sage,<br/> +That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade,<br/> +Already of myself aloft I look’d;<br/> +For visual strength, refining more and more,<br/> +Bare me into the ray authentical<br/> +Of sovran light. Thenceforward, what I saw,<br/> +Was not for words to speak, nor memory’s self<br/> +To stand against such outrage on her skill.<br/> +As one, who from a dream awaken’d, straight,<br/> +All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains<br/> +Impression of the feeling in his dream;<br/> +E’en such am I: for all the vision dies,<br/> +As ’twere, away; and yet the sense of sweet,<br/> +That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart.<br/> +Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal’d;<br/> +Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost<br/> +The Sybil’s sentence. O eternal beam!<br/> +(Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?)<br/> +Yield me again some little particle<br/> +Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue<br/> +Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory,<br/> +Unto the race to come, that shall not lose<br/> +Thy triumph wholly, if thou waken aught<br/> +Of memory in me, and endure to hear<br/> +The record sound in this unequal strain. +</p> + +<p> +Such keenness from the living ray I met,<br/> +That, if mine eyes had turn’d away, methinks,<br/> +I had been lost; but, so embolden’d, on<br/> +I pass’d, as I remember, till my view<br/> +Hover’d the brink of dread infinitude. +</p> + +<p> +O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav’st<br/> +Boldness to fix so earnestly my ken<br/> +On th’ everlasting splendour, that I look’d,<br/> +While sight was unconsum’d, and, in that depth,<br/> +Saw in one volume clasp’d of love, whatever<br/> +The universe unfolds; all properties<br/> +Of substance and of accident, beheld,<br/> +Compounded, yet one individual light<br/> +The whole. And of such bond methinks I saw<br/> +The universal form: for that whenever<br/> +I do but speak of it, my soul dilates<br/> +Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak,<br/> +One moment seems a longer lethargy,<br/> +Than five-and-twenty ages had appear’d<br/> +To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder<br/> +At Argo’s shadow darkening on his flood. +</p> + +<p> +With fixed heed, suspense and motionless,<br/> +Wond’ring I gaz’d; and admiration still<br/> +Was kindled, as I gaz’d. It may not be,<br/> +That one, who looks upon that light, can turn<br/> +To other object, willingly, his view.<br/> +For all the good, that will may covet, there<br/> +Is summ’d; and all, elsewhere defective found,<br/> +Complete. My tongue shall utter now, no more<br/> +E’en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe’s<br/> +That yet is moisten’d at his mother’s breast.<br/> +Not that the semblance of the living light<br/> +Was chang’d (that ever as at first remain’d)<br/> +But that my vision quickening, in that sole<br/> +Appearance, still new miracles descry’d,<br/> +And toil’d me with the change. In that abyss<br/> +Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem’d methought,<br/> +Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound:<br/> +And, from another, one reflected seem’d,<br/> +As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third<br/> +Seem’d fire, breath’d equally from both. Oh speech<br/> +How feeble and how faint art thou, to give<br/> +Conception birth! Yet this to what I saw<br/> +Is less than little. Oh eternal light!<br/> +Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself<br/> +Sole understood, past, present, or to come!<br/> +Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee<br/> +Seem’d as reflected splendour, while I mus’d;<br/> +For I therein, methought, in its own hue<br/> +Beheld our image painted: steadfastly<br/> +I therefore por’d upon the view. As one<br/> +Who vers’d in geometric lore, would fain<br/> +Measure the circle; and, though pondering long<br/> +And deeply, that beginning, which he needs,<br/> +Finds not; e’en such was I, intent to scan<br/> +The novel wonder, and trace out the form,<br/> +How to the circle fitted, and therein<br/> +How plac’d: but the flight was not for my wing;<br/> +Had not a flash darted athwart my mind,<br/> +And in the spleen unfolded what it sought. +</p> + +<p> +Here vigour fail’d the tow’ring fantasy:<br/> +But yet the will roll’d onward, like a wheel<br/> +In even motion, by the Love impell’d,<br/> +That moves the sun in heav’n and all the stars. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIVINE COMEDY, PARADISE ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Divine Comedy of Dante: Paradise + +Author: Dante Alighieri + +Release Date: August 2, 2004 [EBook #1007] +[Date last updated: November 21. 2005] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PARADISE *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Smith and Natalie Salter + + + + + +THE VISION + +OF + +HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE + +BY + +DANTE ALIGHIERI + + + + + + +PARADISE + +Complete + + + +TRANSLATED BY + +THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A. + + + + +PARADISE + +Canto 1 - 33 + + + +CANTO I + +His glory, by whose might all things are mov'd, +Pierces the universe, and in one part +Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav'n, +That largeliest of his light partakes, was I, +Witness of things, which to relate again +Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence; +For that, so near approaching its desire +Our intellect is to such depth absorb'd, +That memory cannot follow. Nathless all, +That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm +Could store, shall now be matter of my song. + +Benign Apollo! this last labour aid, +And make me such a vessel of thy worth, +As thy own laurel claims of me belov'd. +Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus' brows +Suffic'd me; henceforth there is need of both +For my remaining enterprise Do thou +Enter into my bosom, and there breathe +So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg'd +Forth from his limbs unsheath'd. O power divine! +If thou to me of shine impart so much, +That of that happy realm the shadow'd form +Trac'd in my thoughts I may set forth to view, +Thou shalt behold me of thy favour'd tree +Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves; +For to that honour thou, and my high theme +Will fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire! +To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath +Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills +Deprav'd) joy to the Delphic god must spring +From the Pierian foliage, when one breast +Is with such thirst inspir'd. From a small spark +Great flame hath risen: after me perchance +Others with better voice may pray, and gain +From the Cirrhaean city answer kind. + +Through diver passages, the world's bright lamp +Rises to mortals, but through that which joins +Four circles with the threefold cross, in best +Course, and in happiest constellation set +He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives +Its temper and impression. Morning there, +Here eve was by almost such passage made; +And whiteness had o'erspread that hemisphere, +Blackness the other part; when to the left +I saw Beatrice turn'd, and on the sun +Gazing, as never eagle fix'd his ken. +As from the first a second beam is wont +To issue, and reflected upwards rise, +E'en as a pilgrim bent on his return, +So of her act, that through the eyesight pass'd +Into my fancy, mine was form'd; and straight, +Beyond our mortal wont, I fix'd mine eyes +Upon the sun. Much is allowed us there, +That here exceeds our pow'r; thanks to the place +Made for the dwelling of the human kind + +I suffer'd it not long, and yet so long +That I beheld it bick'ring sparks around, +As iron that comes boiling from the fire. +And suddenly upon the day appear'd +A day new-ris'n, as he, who hath the power, +Had with another sun bedeck'd the sky. + +Her eyes fast fix'd on the eternal wheels, +Beatrice stood unmov'd; and I with ken +Fix'd upon her, from upward gaze remov'd +At her aspect, such inwardly became +As Glaucus, when he tasted of the herb, +That made him peer among the ocean gods; +Words may not tell of that transhuman change: +And therefore let the example serve, though weak, +For those whom grace hath better proof in store + +If I were only what thou didst create, +Then newly, Love! by whom the heav'n is rul'd, +Thou know'st, who by thy light didst bear me up. +Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide, +Desired Spirit! with its harmony +Temper'd of thee and measur'd, charm'd mine ear, +Then seem'd to me so much of heav'n to blaze +With the sun's flame, that rain or flood ne'er made +A lake so broad. The newness of the sound, +And that great light, inflam'd me with desire, +Keener than e'er was felt, to know their cause. + +Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself, +To calm my troubled mind, before I ask'd, +Open'd her lips, and gracious thus began: +"With false imagination thou thyself +Mak'st dull, so that thou seest not the thing, +Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off. +Thou art not on the earth as thou believ'st; +For light'ning scap'd from its own proper place +Ne'er ran, as thou hast hither now return'd." + +Although divested of my first-rais'd doubt, +By those brief words, accompanied with smiles, +Yet in new doubt was I entangled more, +And said: "Already satisfied, I rest +From admiration deep, but now admire +How I above those lighter bodies rise." + +Whence, after utt'rance of a piteous sigh, +She tow'rds me bent her eyes, with such a look, +As on her frenzied child a mother casts; +Then thus began: "Among themselves all things +Have order; and from hence the form, which makes +The universe resemble God. In this +The higher creatures see the printed steps +Of that eternal worth, which is the end +Whither the line is drawn. All natures lean, +In this their order, diversely, some more, +Some less approaching to their primal source. +Thus they to different havens are mov'd on +Through the vast sea of being, and each one +With instinct giv'n, that bears it in its course; +This to the lunar sphere directs the fire, +This prompts the hearts of mortal animals, +This the brute earth together knits, and binds. +Nor only creatures, void of intellect, +Are aim'd at by this bow; but even those, +That have intelligence and love, are pierc'd. +That Providence, who so well orders all, +With her own light makes ever calm the heaven, +In which the substance, that hath greatest speed, +Is turn'd: and thither now, as to our seat +Predestin'd, we are carried by the force +Of that strong cord, that never looses dart, +But at fair aim and glad. Yet is it true, +That as ofttimes but ill accords the form +To the design of art, through sluggishness +Of unreplying matter, so this course +Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who +Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere; +As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall, +From its original impulse warp'd, to earth, +By vicious fondness. Thou no more admire +Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse +Of torrent downwards from a mountain's height. +There would in thee for wonder be more cause, +If, free of hind'rance, thou hadst fix'd thyself +Below, like fire unmoving on the earth." + +So said, she turn'd toward the heav'n her face. + + + + +CANTO II + +All ye, who in small bark have following sail'd, +Eager to listen, on the advent'rous track +Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way, +Backward return with speed, and your own shores +Revisit, nor put out to open sea, +Where losing me, perchance ye may remain +Bewilder'd in deep maze. The way I pass +Ne'er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale, +Apollo guides me, and another Nine +To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal. +Ye other few, who have outstretch'd the neck. +Timely for food of angels, on which here +They live, yet never know satiety, +Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out +Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad +Before you in the wave, that on both sides +Equal returns. Those, glorious, who pass'd o'er +To Colchos, wonder'd not as ye will do, +When they saw Jason following the plough. + +The increate perpetual thirst, that draws +Toward the realm of God's own form, bore us +Swift almost as the heaven ye behold. + +Beatrice upward gaz'd, and I on her, +And in such space as on the notch a dart +Is plac'd, then loosen'd flies, I saw myself +Arriv'd, where wond'rous thing engag'd my sight. +Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid, +Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair, +Bespake me: "Gratefully direct thy mind +To God, through whom to this first star we come." + +Me seem'd as if a cloud had cover'd us, +Translucent, solid, firm, and polish'd bright, +Like adamant, which the sun's beam had smit +Within itself the ever-during pearl +Receiv'd us, as the wave a ray of light +Receives, and rests unbroken. If I then +Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend +Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus +Another could endure, which needs must be +If body enter body, how much more +Must the desire inflame us to behold +That essence, which discovers by what means +God and our nature join'd! There will be seen +That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof, +But in itself intelligibly plain, +E'en as the truth that man at first believes. + +I answered: "Lady! I with thoughts devout, +Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him, +Who hath remov'd me from the mortal world. +But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots +Upon this body, which below on earth +Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?" + +She somewhat smil'd, then spake: "If mortals err +In their opinion, when the key of sense +Unlocks not, surely wonder's weapon keen +Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find'st, the wings +Of reason to pursue the senses' flight +Are short. But what thy own thought is, declare." + +Then I: "What various here above appears, +Is caus'd, I deem, by bodies dense or rare." + +She then resum'd: "Thou certainly wilt see +In falsehood thy belief o'erwhelm'd, if well +Thou listen to the arguments, which I +Shall bring to face it. The eighth sphere displays +Numberless lights, the which in kind and size +May be remark'd of different aspects; +If rare or dense of that were cause alone, +One single virtue then would be in all, +Alike distributed, or more, or less. +Different virtues needs must be the fruits +Of formal principles, and these, save one, +Will by thy reasoning be destroy'd. Beside, +If rarity were of that dusk the cause, +Which thou inquirest, either in some part +That planet must throughout be void, nor fed +With its own matter; or, as bodies share +Their fat and leanness, in like manner this +Must in its volume change the leaves. The first, +If it were true, had through the sun's eclipse +Been manifested, by transparency +Of light, as through aught rare beside effus'd. +But this is not. Therefore remains to see +The other cause: and if the other fall, +Erroneous so must prove what seem'd to thee. +If not from side to side this rarity +Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence +Its contrary no further lets it pass. +And hence the beam, that from without proceeds, +Must be pour'd back, as colour comes, through glass +Reflected, which behind it lead conceals. +Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue +Than in the other part the ray is shown, +By being thence refracted farther back. +From this perplexity will free thee soon +Experience, if thereof thou trial make, +The fountain whence your arts derive their streame. +Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove +From thee alike, and more remote the third. +Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes; +Then turn'd toward them, cause behind thy back +A light to stand, that on the three shall shine, +And thus reflected come to thee from all. +Though that beheld most distant do not stretch +A space so ample, yet in brightness thou +Will own it equaling the rest. But now, +As under snow the ground, if the warm ray +Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue +And cold, that cover'd it before, so thee, +Dismantled in thy mind, I will inform +With light so lively, that the tremulous beam +Shall quiver where it falls. Within the heaven, +Where peace divine inhabits, circles round +A body, in whose virtue dies the being +Of all that it contains. The following heaven, +That hath so many lights, this being divides, +Through different essences, from it distinct, +And yet contain'd within it. The other orbs +Their separate distinctions variously +Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt. +Thus do these organs of the world proceed, +As thou beholdest now, from step to step, +Their influences from above deriving, +And thence transmitting downwards. Mark me well, +How through this passage to the truth I ford, +The truth thou lov'st, that thou henceforth alone, +May'st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold. + +"The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs, +As mallet by the workman's hand, must needs +By blessed movers be inspir'd. This heaven, +Made beauteous by so many luminaries, +From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere, +Its image takes an impress as a seal: +And as the soul, that dwells within your dust, +Through members different, yet together form'd, +In different pow'rs resolves itself; e'en so +The intellectual efficacy unfolds +Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars; +On its own unity revolving still. +Different virtue compact different +Makes with the precious body it enlivens, +With which it knits, as life in you is knit. +From its original nature full of joy, +The virtue mingled through the body shines, +As joy through pupil of the living eye. +From hence proceeds, that which from light to light +Seems different, and not from dense or rare. +This is the formal cause, that generates +Proportion'd to its power, the dusk or clear." + + + + +CANTO III + +That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm'd +Had of fair truth unveil'd the sweet aspect, +By proof of right, and of the false reproof; +And I, to own myself convinc'd and free +Of doubt, as much as needed, rais'd my head +Erect for speech. But soon a sight appear'd, +Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix'd, +That of confession I no longer thought. + +As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave +Clear and unmov'd, and flowing not so deep +As that its bed is dark, the shape returns +So faint of our impictur'd lineaments, +That on white forehead set a pearl as strong +Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face, +All stretch'd to speak, from whence I straight conceiv'd +Delusion opposite to that, which rais'd +Between the man and fountain, amorous flame. + +Sudden, as I perceiv'd them, deeming these +Reflected semblances to see of whom +They were, I turn'd mine eyes, and nothing saw; +Then turn'd them back, directed on the light +Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams +From her celestial eyes. "Wonder not thou," +She cry'd, "at this my smiling, when I see +Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth +It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont, +Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy. +True substances are these, which thou behold'st, +Hither through failure of their vow exil'd. +But speak thou with them; listen, and believe, +That the true light, which fills them with desire, +Permits not from its beams their feet to stray." + +Straight to the shadow which for converse seem'd +Most earnest, I addressed me, and began, +As one by over-eagerness perplex'd: +"O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays +Of life eternal, of that sweetness know'st +The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far +All apprehension, me it well would please, +If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this +Your station here." Whence she, with kindness prompt, +And eyes glist'ning with smiles: "Our charity, +To any wish by justice introduc'd, +Bars not the door, no more than she above, +Who would have all her court be like herself. +I was a virgin sister in the earth; +And if thy mind observe me well, this form, +With such addition grac'd of loveliness, +Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know +Piccarda, in the tardiest sphere thus plac'd, +Here 'mid these other blessed also blest. +Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone +With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv'd, +Admitted to his order dwell in joy. +And this condition, which appears so low, +Is for this cause assign'd us, that our vows +Were in some part neglected and made void." + +Whence I to her replied: "Something divine +Beams in your countenance, wond'rous fair, +From former knowledge quite transmuting you. +Therefore to recollect was I so slow. +But what thou sayst hath to my memory +Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms +Is easier. Yet inform me, ye, who here +Are happy, long ye for a higher place +More to behold, and more in love to dwell?" + +She with those other spirits gently smil'd, +Then answer'd with such gladness, that she seem'd +With love's first flame to glow: "Brother! our will +Is in composure settled by the power +Of charity, who makes us will alone +What we possess, and nought beyond desire; +If we should wish to be exalted more, +Then must our wishes jar with the high will +Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs +Thou wilt confess not possible, if here +To be in charity must needs befall, +And if her nature well thou contemplate. +Rather it is inherent in this state +Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within +The divine will, by which our wills with his +Are one. So that as we from step to step +Are plac'd throughout this kingdom, pleases all, +E'en as our King, who in us plants his will; +And in his will is our tranquillity; +It is the mighty ocean, whither tends +Whatever it creates and nature makes." + +Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav'n +Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew +The supreme virtue show'r not over all. + +But as it chances, if one sort of food +Hath satiated, and of another still +The appetite remains, that this is ask'd, +And thanks for that return'd; e'en so did I +In word and motion, bent from her to learn +What web it was, through which she had not drawn +The shuttle to its point. She thus began: +"Exalted worth and perfectness of life +The Lady higher up enshrine in heaven, +By whose pure laws upon your nether earth +The robe and veil they wear, to that intent, +That e'en till death they may keep watch or sleep +With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow, +Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms. +from the world, to follow her, when young +Escap'd; and, in her vesture mantling me, +Made promise of the way her sect enjoins. +Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt, +Forth snatch'd me from the pleasant cloister's pale. +God knows how after that my life was fram'd. +This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst +At my right side, burning with all the light +Of this our orb, what of myself I tell +May to herself apply. From her, like me +A sister, with like violence were torn +The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows. +E'en when she to the world again was brought +In spite of her own will and better wont, +Yet not for that the bosom's inward veil +Did she renounce. This is the luminary +Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast, +Which blew the second over Suabia's realm, +That power produc'd, which was the third and last." + +She ceas'd from further talk, and then began +"Ave Maria" singing, and with that song +Vanish'd, as heavy substance through deep wave. + +Mine eye, that far as it was capable, +Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost, +Turn'd to the mark where greater want impell'd, +And bent on Beatrice all its gaze. +But she as light'ning beam'd upon my looks: +So that the sight sustain'd it not at first. +Whence I to question her became less prompt. + + + + +CANTO IV + +Between two kinds of food, both equally +Remote and tempting, first a man might die +Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose. +E'en so would stand a lamb between the maw +Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike: +E'en so between two deer a dog would stand, +Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise +I to myself impute, by equal doubts +Held in suspense, since of necessity +It happen'd. Silent was I, yet desire +Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake +My wish more earnestly than language could. + +As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed +From ire, that spurr'd him on to deeds unjust +And violent; so look'd Beatrice then. + +"Well I discern," she thus her words address'd, +"How contrary desires each way constrain thee, +So that thy anxious thought is in itself +Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth. +Thou arguest; if the good intent remain; +What reason that another's violence +Should stint the measure of my fair desert? + +"Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems, +That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem'd, +Return. These are the questions which thy will +Urge equally; and therefore I the first +Of that will treat which hath the more of gall. +Of seraphim he who is most ensky'd, +Moses and Samuel, and either John, +Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary's self, +Have not in any other heav'n their seats, +Than have those spirits which so late thou saw'st; +Nor more or fewer years exist; but all +Make the first circle beauteous, diversely +Partaking of sweet life, as more or less +Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them. +Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns +This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee +Of that celestial furthest from the height. +Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak: +Since from things sensible alone ye learn +That, which digested rightly after turns +To intellectual. For no other cause +The scripture, condescending graciously +To your perception, hands and feet to God +Attributes, nor so means: and holy church +Doth represent with human countenance +Gabriel, and Michael, and him who made +Tobias whole. Unlike what here thou seest, +The judgment of Timaeus, who affirms +Each soul restor'd to its particular star, +Believing it to have been taken thence, +When nature gave it to inform her mold: +Since to appearance his intention is +E'en what his words declare: or else to shun +Derision, haply thus he hath disguis'd +His true opinion. If his meaning be, +That to the influencing of these orbs revert +The honour and the blame in human acts, +Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth. +This principle, not understood aright, +Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world; +So that it fell to fabled names of Jove, +And Mercury, and Mars. That other doubt, +Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings +No peril of removing thee from me. + +"That, to the eye of man, our justice seems +Unjust, is argument for faith, and not +For heretic declension. To the end +This truth may stand more clearly in your view, +I will content thee even to thy wish + +"If violence be, when that which suffers, nought +Consents to that which forceth, not for this +These spirits stood exculpate. For the will, +That will not, still survives unquench'd, and doth +As nature doth in fire, tho' violence +Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield +Or more or less, so far it follows force. +And thus did these, whom they had power to seek +The hallow'd place again. In them, had will +Been perfect, such as once upon the bars +Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola +To his own hand remorseless, to the path, +Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten'd back, +When liberty return'd: but in too few +Resolve so steadfast dwells. And by these words +If duly weigh'd, that argument is void, +Which oft might have perplex'd thee still. But now +Another question thwarts thee, which to solve +Might try thy patience without better aid. +I have, no doubt, instill'd into thy mind, +That blessed spirit may not lie; since near +The source of primal truth it dwells for aye: +And thou might'st after of Piccarda learn +That Constance held affection to the veil; +So that she seems to contradict me here. +Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc'd for men +To do what they had gladly left undone, +Yet to shun peril they have done amiss: +E'en as Alcmaeon, at his father's suit +Slew his own mother, so made pitiless +Not to lose pity. On this point bethink thee, +That force and will are blended in such wise +As not to make the' offence excusable. +Absolute will agrees not to the wrong, +That inasmuch as there is fear of woe +From non-compliance, it agrees. Of will +Thus absolute Piccarda spake, and I +Of th' other; so that both have truly said." + +Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well'd +From forth the fountain of all truth; and such +The rest, that to my wond'ring thoughts I found. + +"O thou of primal love the prime delight! +Goddess!" I straight reply'd, "whose lively words +Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul! +Affection fails me to requite thy grace +With equal sum of gratitude: be his +To recompense, who sees and can reward thee. +Well I discern, that by that truth alone +Enlighten'd, beyond which no truth may roam, +Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know: +Therein she resteth, e'en as in his lair +The wild beast, soon as she hath reach'd that bound, +And she hath power to reach it; else desire +Were given to no end. And thence doth doubt +Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth; +And it is nature which from height to height +On to the summit prompts us. This invites, +This doth assure me, lady, rev'rently +To ask thee of other truth, that yet +Is dark to me. I fain would know, if man +By other works well done may so supply +The failure of his vows, that in your scale +They lack not weight." I spake; and on me straight +Beatrice look'd with eyes that shot forth sparks +Of love celestial in such copious stream, +That, virtue sinking in me overpower'd, +I turn'd, and downward bent confus'd my sight. + + + + +CANTO V + +"If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love +Illume me, so that I o'ercome thy power +Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause +In that perfection of the sight, which soon +As apprehending, hasteneth on to reach +The good it apprehends. I well discern, +How in thine intellect already shines +The light eternal, which to view alone +Ne'er fails to kindle love; and if aught else +Your love seduces, 't is but that it shows +Some ill-mark'd vestige of that primal beam. + +"This would'st thou know, if failure of the vow +By other service may be so supplied, +As from self-question to assure the soul." + +Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish, +Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off +Discourse, continued in her saintly strain. +"Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave +Of his free bounty, sign most evident +Of goodness, and in his account most priz'd, +Was liberty of will, the boon wherewith +All intellectual creatures, and them sole +He hath endow'd. Hence now thou mayst infer +Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram'd +That when man offers, God well-pleas'd accepts; +For in the compact between God and him, +This treasure, such as I describe it to thee, +He makes the victim, and of his own act. +What compensation therefore may he find? +If that, whereof thou hast oblation made, +By using well thou think'st to consecrate, +Thou would'st of theft do charitable deed. +Thus I resolve thee of the greater point. + +"But forasmuch as holy church, herein +Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth +I have discover'd to thee, yet behooves +Thou rest a little longer at the board, +Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken, +Digested fitly to nutrition turn. +Open thy mind to what I now unfold, +And give it inward keeping. Knowledge comes +Of learning well retain'd, unfruitful else. + +"This sacrifice in essence of two things +Consisteth; one is that, whereof 't is made, +The covenant the other. For the last, +It ne'er is cancell'd if not kept: and hence +I spake erewhile so strictly of its force. +For this it was enjoin'd the Israelites, +Though leave were giv'n them, as thou know'st, to change +The offering, still to offer. Th' other part, +The matter and the substance of the vow, +May well be such, to that without offence +It may for other substance be exchang'd. +But at his own discretion none may shift +The burden on his shoulders, unreleas'd +By either key, the yellow and the white. +Nor deem of any change, as less than vain, +If the last bond be not within the new +Included, as the quatre in the six. +No satisfaction therefore can be paid +For what so precious in the balance weighs, +That all in counterpoise must kick the beam. +Take then no vow at random: ta'en, with faith +Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once, +Blindly to execute a rash resolve, +Whom better it had suited to exclaim, +'I have done ill,' than to redeem his pledge +By doing worse or, not unlike to him +In folly, that great leader of the Greeks: +Whence, on the alter, Iphigenia mourn'd +Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn +Both wise and simple, even all, who hear +Of so fell sacrifice. Be ye more staid, +O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind +Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves +In every water. Either testament, +The old and new, is yours: and for your guide +The shepherd of the church let this suffice +To save you. When by evil lust entic'd, +Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts; +Nor let the Jew, who dwelleth in your streets, +Hold you in mock'ry. Be not, as the lamb, +That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother's milk, +To dally with itself in idle play." + +Such were the words that Beatrice spake: +These ended, to that region, where the world +Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn'd. + +Though mainly prompt new question to propose, +Her silence and chang'd look did keep me dumb. +And as the arrow, ere the cord is still, +Leapeth unto its mark; so on we sped +Into the second realm. There I beheld +The dame, so joyous enter, that the orb +Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star +Were mov'd to gladness, what then was my cheer, +Whom nature hath made apt for every change! + +As in a quiet and clear lake the fish, +If aught approach them from without, do draw +Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew +Full more than thousand splendours towards us, +And in each one was heard: "Lo! one arriv'd +To multiply our loves!" and as each came +The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new, +Witness'd augmented joy. Here, reader! think, +If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale, +To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave; +And thou shalt see what vehement desire +Possess'd me, as soon as these had met my view, +To know their state. "O born in happy hour! +Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close +Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones +Of that eternal triumph, know to us +The light communicated, which through heaven +Expatiates without bound. Therefore, if aught +Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid, +Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill." + +Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me; +And Beatrice next: "Say on; and trust +As unto gods!"--"How in the light supreme +Thou harbour'st, and from thence the virtue bring'st, +That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy, +I mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek; +Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot +This sphere assign'd, that oft from mortal ken +Is veil'd by others' beams." I said, and turn'd +Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind +Erewhile had hail'd me. Forthwith brighter far +Than erst, it wax'd: and, as himself the sun +Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze +Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey'd; +Within its proper ray the saintly shape +Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal'd; +And, shrouded so in splendour answer'd me, +E'en as the tenour of my song declares. + + + + +CANTO VI + +"After that Constantine the eagle turn'd +Against the motions of the heav'n, that roll'd +Consenting with its course, when he of yore, +Lavinia's spouse, was leader of the flight, +A hundred years twice told and more, his seat +At Europe's extreme point, the bird of Jove +Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first. +There, under shadow of his sacred plumes +Swaying the world, till through successive hands +To mine he came devolv'd. Caesar I was, +And am Justinian; destin'd by the will +Of that prime love, whose influence I feel, +From vain excess to clear th' encumber'd laws. +Or ere that work engag'd me, I did hold +Christ's nature merely human, with such faith +Contented. But the blessed Agapete, +Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice +To the true faith recall'd me. I believ'd +His words: and what he taught, now plainly see, +As thou in every contradiction seest +The true and false oppos'd. Soon as my feet +Were to the church reclaim'd, to my great task, +By inspiration of God's grace impell'd, +I gave me wholly, and consign'd mine arms +To Belisarius, with whom heaven's right hand +Was link'd in such conjointment, 't was a sign +That I should rest. To thy first question thus +I shape mine answer, which were ended here, +But that its tendency doth prompt perforce +To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark +What reason on each side they have to plead, +By whom that holiest banner is withstood, +Both who pretend its power and who oppose. + +"Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died +To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds +Have made it worthy reverence. Not unknown +To thee, how for three hundred years and more +It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists +Where for its sake were met the rival three; +Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev'd +Down to the Sabines' wrong to Lucrece' woe, +With its sev'n kings conqu'ring the nation round; +Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home +'Gainst Brennus and th' Epirot prince, and hosts +Of single chiefs, or states in league combin'd +Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern, +And Quintius nam'd of his neglected locks, +The Decii, and the Fabii hence acquir'd +Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm. +By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell'd, +When they led on by Hannibal o'erpass'd +The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po! +Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days +Scipio and Pompey triumph'd; and that hill, +Under whose summit thou didst see the light, +Rued its stern bearing. After, near the hour, +When heav'n was minded that o'er all the world +His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar's hand +Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought +From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere's flood, +Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills +The torrent Rhone. What after that it wrought, +When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap'd +The Rubicon, was of so bold a flight, +That tongue nor pen may follow it. Tow'rds Spain +It wheel'd its bands, then tow'rd Dyrrachium smote, +And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge, +E'en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang; +Its native shores Antandros, and the streams +Of Simois revisited, and there +Where Hector lies; then ill for Ptolemy +His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell +On Juba; and the next upon your west, +At sound of the Pompeian trump, return'd. + +"What following and in its next bearer's gripe +It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus +Bark'd off in hell, and by Perugia's sons +And Modena's was mourn'd. Hence weepeth still +Sad Cleopatra, who, pursued by it, +Took from the adder black and sudden death. +With him it ran e'en to the Red Sea coast; +With him compos'd the world to such a peace, +That of his temple Janus barr'd the door. + +"But all the mighty standard yet had wrought, +And was appointed to perform thereafter, +Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway'd, +Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur'd, +If one with steady eye and perfect thought +On the third Caesar look; for to his hands, +The living Justice, in whose breath I move, +Committed glory, e'en into his hands, +To execute the vengeance of its wrath. + +"Hear now and wonder at what next I tell. +After with Titus it was sent to wreak +Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin, +And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure, +Did gore the bosom of the holy church, +Under its wings victorious, Charlemagne +Sped to her rescue. Judge then for thyself +Of those, whom I erewhile accus'd to thee, +What they are, and how grievous their offending, +Who are the cause of all your ills. The one +Against the universal ensign rears +The yellow lilies, and with partial aim +That to himself the other arrogates: +So that 't is hard to see which more offends. +Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts +Beneath another standard: ill is this +Follow'd of him, who severs it and justice: +And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown'd Charles +Assail it, but those talons hold in dread, +Which from a lion of more lofty port +Have rent the easing. Many a time ere now +The sons have for the sire's transgression wail'd; +Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav'n +Will truck its armour for his lilied shield. + +"This little star is furnish'd with good spirits, +Whose mortal lives were busied to that end, +That honour and renown might wait on them: +And, when desires thus err in their intention, +True love must needs ascend with slacker beam. +But it is part of our delight, to measure +Our wages with the merit; and admire +The close proportion. Hence doth heav'nly justice +Temper so evenly affection in us, +It ne'er can warp to any wrongfulness. +Of diverse voices is sweet music made: +So in our life the different degrees +Render sweet harmony among these wheels. + +"Within the pearl, that now encloseth us, +Shines Romeo's light, whose goodly deed and fair +Met ill acceptance. But the Provencals, +That were his foes, have little cause for mirth. +Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong +Of other's worth. Four daughters were there born +To Raymond Berenger, and every one +Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo, +Though of mean state and from a foreign land. +Yet envious tongues incited him to ask +A reckoning of that just one, who return'd +Twelve fold to him for ten. Aged and poor +He parted thence: and if the world did know +The heart he had, begging his life by morsels, +'T would deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt." + + + + +CANTO VII + +"Hosanna Sanctus Deus Sabaoth +Superillustrans claritate tua +Felices ignes horum malahoth!" +Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright +With fourfold lustre to its orb again, +Revolving; and the rest unto their dance +With it mov'd also; and like swiftest sparks, +In sudden distance from my sight were veil'd. + +Me doubt possess'd, and "Speak," it whisper'd me, +"Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench +Thy thirst with drops of sweetness." Yet blank awe, +Which lords it o'er me, even at the sound +Of Beatrice's name, did bow me down +As one in slumber held. Not long that mood +Beatrice suffer'd: she, with such a smile, +As might have made one blest amid the flames, +Beaming upon me, thus her words began: +"Thou in thy thought art pond'ring (as I deem), +And what I deem is truth how just revenge +Could be with justice punish'd: from which doubt +I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words; +For they of weighty matter shall possess thee. + +"That man, who was unborn, himself condemn'd, +And, in himself, all, who since him have liv'd, +His offspring: whence, below, the human kind +Lay sick in grievous error many an age; +Until it pleas'd the Word of God to come +Amongst them down, to his own person joining +The nature, from its Maker far estrang'd, +By the mere act of his eternal love. +Contemplate here the wonder I unfold. +The nature with its Maker thus conjoin'd, +Created first was blameless, pure and good; +But through itself alone was driven forth +From Paradise, because it had eschew'd +The way of truth and life, to evil turn'd. +Ne'er then was penalty so just as that +Inflicted by the cross, if thou regard +The nature in assumption doom'd: ne'er wrong +So great, in reference to him, who took +Such nature on him, and endur'd the doom. +God therefore and the Jews one sentence pleased: +So different effects flow'd from one act, +And heav'n was open'd, though the earth did quake. +Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear +That a just vengeance was by righteous court +Justly reveng'd. But yet I see thy mind +By thought on thought arising sore perplex'd, +And with how vehement desire it asks +Solution of the maze. What I have heard, +Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way +For our redemption chose, eludes my search. + +"Brother! no eye of man not perfected, +Nor fully ripen'd in the flame of love, +May fathom this decree. It is a mark, +In sooth, much aim'd at, and but little kenn'd: +And I will therefore show thee why such way +Was worthiest. The celestial love, that spume +All envying in its bounty, in itself +With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth +All beauteous things eternal. What distils +Immediate thence, no end of being knows, +Bearing its seal immutably impress'd. +Whatever thence immediate falls, is free, +Free wholly, uncontrollable by power +Of each thing new: by such conformity +More grateful to its author, whose bright beams, +Though all partake their shining, yet in those +Are liveliest, which resemble him the most. +These tokens of pre-eminence on man +Largely bestow'd, if any of them fail, +He needs must forfeit his nobility, +No longer stainless. Sin alone is that, +Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike +To the chief good; for that its light in him +Is darken'd. And to dignity thus lost +Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void, +He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain. +Your nature, which entirely in its seed +Trangress'd, from these distinctions fell, no less +Than from its state in Paradise; nor means +Found of recovery (search all methods out +As strickly as thou may) save one of these, +The only fords were left through which to wade, +Either that God had of his courtesy +Releas'd him merely, or else man himself +For his own folly by himself aton'd. + +"Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst, +On th' everlasting counsel, and explore, +Instructed by my words, the dread abyss. + +"Man in himself had ever lack'd the means +Of satisfaction, for he could not stoop +Obeying, in humility so low, +As high he, disobeying, thought to soar: +And for this reason he had vainly tried +Out of his own sufficiency to pay +The rigid satisfaction. Then behooved +That God should by his own ways lead him back +Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor'd: +By both his ways, I mean, or one alone. +But since the deed is ever priz'd the more, +The more the doer's good intent appears, +Goodness celestial, whose broad signature +Is on the universe, of all its ways +To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none, +Nor aught so vast or so magnificent, +Either for him who gave or who receiv'd +Between the last night and the primal day, +Was or can be. For God more bounty show'd. +Giving himself to make man capable +Of his return to life, than had the terms +Been mere and unconditional release. +And for his justice, every method else +Were all too scant, had not the Son of God +Humbled himself to put on mortal flesh. + +"Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains +I somewhat further to thy view unfold. +That thou mayst see as clearly as myself. + +"I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see, +The earth and water, and all things of them +Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon +Dissolve. Yet these were also things create, +Because, if what were told me, had been true +They from corruption had been therefore free. + +"The angels, O my brother! and this clime +Wherein thou art, impassible and pure, +I call created, as indeed they are +In their whole being. But the elements, +Which thou hast nam'd, and what of them is made, +Are by created virtue' inform'd: create +Their substance, and create the' informing virtue +In these bright stars, that round them circling move +The soul of every brute and of each plant, +The ray and motion of the sacred lights, +With complex potency attract and turn. +But this our life the' eternal good inspires +Immediate, and enamours of itself; +So that our wishes rest for ever here. + +"And hence thou mayst by inference conclude +Our resurrection certain, if thy mind +Consider how the human flesh was fram'd, +When both our parents at the first were made." + + + + +CANTO VIII + +The world was in its day of peril dark +Wont to believe the dotage of fond love +From the fair Cyprian deity, who rolls +In her third epicycle, shed on men +By stream of potent radiance: therefore they +Of elder time, in their old error blind, +Not her alone with sacrifice ador'd +And invocation, but like honours paid +To Cupid and Dione, deem'd of them +Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign'd +To sit in Dido's bosom: and from her, +Whom I have sung preluding, borrow'd they +The appellation of that star, which views, +Now obvious and now averse, the sun. + +I was not ware that I was wafted up +Into its orb; but the new loveliness +That grac'd my lady, gave me ample proof +That we had entered there. And as in flame +A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice +Discern'd, when one its even tenour keeps, +The other comes and goes; so in that light +I other luminaries saw, that cours'd +In circling motion, rapid more or less, +As their eternal phases each impels. + +Never was blast from vapour charged with cold, +Whether invisible to eye or no, +Descended with such speed, it had not seem'd +To linger in dull tardiness, compar'd +To those celestial lights, that tow'rds us came, +Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring, +Conducted by the lofty seraphim. +And after them, who in the van appear'd, +Such an hosanna sounded, as hath left +Desire, ne'er since extinct in me, to hear +Renew'd the strain. Then parting from the rest +One near us drew, and sole began: "We all +Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos'd +To do thee gentle service. We are they, +To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing +'O ye! whose intellectual ministry +Moves the third heaven!' and in one orb we roll, +One motion, one impulse, with those who rule +Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full, +That to please thee 't will be as sweet to rest." + +After mine eyes had with meek reverence +Sought the celestial guide, and were by her +Assur'd, they turn'd again unto the light +Who had so largely promis'd, and with voice +That bare the lively pressure of my zeal, +"Tell who ye are," I cried. Forthwith it grew +In size and splendour, through augmented joy; +And thus it answer'd: "A short date below +The world possess'd me. Had the time been more, +Much evil, that will come, had never chanc'd. +My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine +Around, and shroud me, as an animal +In its own silk enswath'd. Thou lov'dst me well, +And had'st good cause; for had my sojourning +Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee +Had put forth more than blossoms. The left bank, +That Rhone, when he hath mix'd with Sorga, laves. + +"In me its lord expected, and that horn +Of fair Ausonia, with its boroughs old, +Bari, and Croton, and Gaeta pil'd, +From where the Trento disembogues his waves, +With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood. +Already on my temples beam'd the crown, +Which gave me sov'reignty over the land +By Danube wash'd, whenas he strays beyond +The limits of his German shores. The realm, +Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash'd, +Betwixt Pelorus and Pachynian heights, +The beautiful Trinacria lies in gloom +(Not through Typhaeus, but the vap'ry cloud +Bituminous upsteam'd), THAT too did look +To have its scepter wielded by a race +Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph; +had not ill lording which doth spirit up +The people ever, in Palermo rais'd +The shout of 'death,' re-echo'd loud and long. +Had but my brother's foresight kenn'd as much, +He had been warier that the greedy want +Of Catalonia might not work his bale. +And truly need there is, that he forecast, +Or other for him, lest more freight be laid +On his already over-laden bark. +Nature in him, from bounty fall'n to thrift, +Would ask the guard of braver arms, than such +As only care to have their coffers fill'd." + +"My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words +Infuse into me, mighty as it is, +To think my gladness manifest to thee, +As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst +Into the source and limit of all good, +There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak, +Thence priz'd of me the more. Glad thou hast made me. +Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt +Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse, +How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown." + +I thus inquiring; he forthwith replied: +"If I have power to show one truth, soon that +Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares +Behind thee now conceal'd. The Good, that guides +And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount, +Ordains its providence to be the virtue +In these great bodies: nor th' all perfect Mind +Upholds their nature merely, but in them +Their energy to save: for nought, that lies +Within the range of that unerring bow, +But is as level with the destin'd aim, +As ever mark to arrow's point oppos'd. +Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit, +Would their effect so work, it would not be +Art, but destruction; and this may not chance, +If th' intellectual powers, that move these stars, +Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail. +Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc'd?" + +To whom I thus: "It is enough: no fear, +I see, lest nature in her part should tire." + +He straight rejoin'd: "Say, were it worse for man, +If he liv'd not in fellowship on earth?" + +"Yea," answer'd I; "nor here a reason needs." + +"And may that be, if different estates +Grow not of different duties in your life? +Consult your teacher, and he tells you 'no."' + +Thus did he come, deducing to this point, +And then concluded: "For this cause behooves, +The roots, from whence your operations come, +Must differ. Therefore one is Solon born; +Another, Xerxes; and Melchisidec +A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage +Cost him his son. In her circuitous course, +Nature, that is the seal to mortal wax, +Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns +'Twixt one or other household. Hence befalls +That Esau is so wide of Jacob: hence +Quirinus of so base a father springs, +He dates from Mars his lineage. Were it not +That providence celestial overrul'd, +Nature, in generation, must the path +Trac'd by the generator, still pursue +Unswervingly. Thus place I in thy sight +That, which was late behind thee. But, in sign +Of more affection for thee, 't is my will +Thou wear this corollary. Nature ever +Finding discordant fortune, like all seed +Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill. +And were the world below content to mark +And work on the foundation nature lays, +It would not lack supply of excellence. +But ye perversely to religion strain +Him, who was born to gird on him the sword, +And of the fluent phrasemen make your king; +Therefore your steps have wander'd from the paths." + + + + +CANTO IX + +After solution of my doubt, thy Charles, +O fair Clemenza, of the treachery spake +That must befall his seed: but, "Tell it not," +Said he, "and let the destin'd years come round." +Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed +Of sorrow well-deserv'd shall quit your wrongs. + +And now the visage of that saintly light +Was to the sun, that fills it, turn'd again, +As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss +Sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls! +Infatuate, who from such a good estrange +Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity, +Alas for you!--And lo! toward me, next, +Another of those splendent forms approach'd, +That, by its outward bright'ning, testified +The will it had to pleasure me. The eyes +Of Beatrice, resting, as before, +Firmly upon me, manifested forth +Approval of my wish. "And O," I cried, +"Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform'd; +And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts +I can reflect on thee." Thereat the light, +That yet was new to me, from the recess, +Where it before was singing, thus began, +As one who joys in kindness: "In that part +Of the deprav'd Italian land, which lies +Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs +Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise, +But to no lofty eminence, a hill, +From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend, +That sorely sheet the region. From one root +I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza: +And here I glitter, for that by its light +This star o'ercame me. Yet I naught repine, +Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot, +Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive. + +"This jewel, that is next me in our heaven, +Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left, +And not to perish, ere these hundred years +Five times absolve their round. Consider thou, +If to excel be worthy man's endeavour, +When such life may attend the first. Yet they +Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt +By Adice and Tagliamento, still +Impenitent, tho' scourg'd. The hour is near, +When for their stubbornness at Padua's marsh +The water shall be chang'd, that laves Vicena +And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one +Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom +The web is now a-warping. Feltro too +Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd's fault, +Of so deep stain, that never, for the like, +Was Malta's bar unclos'd. Too large should be +The skillet, that would hold Ferrara's blood, +And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it, +The which this priest, in show of party-zeal, +Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit +The country's custom. We descry above, +Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us +Reflected shine the judgments of our God: +Whence these our sayings we avouch for good." + +She ended, and appear'd on other thoughts +Intent, re-ent'ring on the wheel she late +Had left. That other joyance meanwhile wax'd +A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing, +Like choicest ruby stricken by the sun, +For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes +Of gladness, as here laughter: and below, +As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade. + +"God seeth all: and in him is thy sight," +Said I, "blest Spirit! Therefore will of his +Cannot to thee be dark. Why then delays +Thy voice to satisfy my wish untold, +That voice which joins the inexpressive song, +Pastime of heav'n, the which those ardours sing, +That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread? +I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known +To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known." + +He forthwith answ'ring, thus his words began: +"The valley' of waters, widest next to that +Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course, +Between discordant shores, against the sun +Inward so far, it makes meridian there, +Where was before th' horizon. Of that vale +Dwelt I upon the shore, 'twixt Ebro's stream +And Macra's, that divides with passage brief +Genoan bounds from Tuscan. East and west +Are nearly one to Begga and my land, +Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm. +Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco: +And I did bear impression of this heav'n, +That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame +Glow'd Belus' daughter, injuring alike +Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I, +Long as it suited the unripen'd down +That fledg'd my cheek: nor she of Rhodope, +That was beguiled of Demophoon; +Nor Jove's son, when the charms of Iole +Were shrin'd within his heart. And yet there hides +No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth, +Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind), +But for the virtue, whose o'erruling sway +And providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here +The skill is look'd into, that fashioneth +With such effectual working, and the good +Discern'd, accruing to this upper world +From that below. But fully to content +Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth, +Demands my further parle. Inquire thou wouldst, +Who of this light is denizen, that here +Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth +On the clear wave. Know then, the soul of Rahab +Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe +United, and the foremost rank assign'd. +He to that heav'n, at which the shadow ends +Of your sublunar world, was taken up, +First, in Christ's triumph, of all souls redeem'd: +For well behoov'd, that, in some part of heav'n, +She should remain a trophy, to declare +The mighty contest won with either palm; +For that she favour'd first the high exploit +Of Joshua on the holy land, whereof +The Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant +Of him, that on his Maker turn'd the back, +And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung, +Engenders and expands the cursed flower, +That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs, +Turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this, +The gospel and great teachers laid aside, +The decretals, as their stuft margins show, +Are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals, +Intent on these, ne'er journey but in thought +To Nazareth, where Gabriel op'd his wings. +Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican, +And other most selected parts of Rome, +That were the grave of Peter's soldiery, +Shall be deliver'd from the adult'rous bond." + + + + +CANTO X + +Looking into his first-born with the love, +Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might +Ineffable, whence eye or mind +Can roam, hath in such order all dispos'd, +As none may see and fail to enjoy. Raise, then, +O reader! to the lofty wheels, with me, +Thy ken directed to the point, whereat +One motion strikes on th' other. There begin +Thy wonder of the mighty Architect, +Who loves his work so inwardly, his eye +Doth ever watch it. See, how thence oblique +Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll +To pour their wished influence on the world; +Whose path not bending thus, in heav'n above +Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth, +All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct +Were its departure distant more or less, +I' th' universal order, great defect +Must, both in heav'n and here beneath, ensue. + +Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse +Anticipative of the feast to come; +So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil. +Lo! I have set before thee, for thyself +Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth +Demands entire my thought. Join'd with the part, +Which late we told of, the great minister +Of nature, that upon the world imprints +The virtue of the heaven, and doles out +Time for us with his beam, went circling on +Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes; +And I was with him, weetless of ascent, +As one, who till arriv'd, weets not his coming. + +For Beatrice, she who passeth on +So suddenly from good to better, time +Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs +Have been her brightness! What she was i' th' sun +(Where I had enter'd), not through change of hue, +But light transparent--did I summon up +Genius, art, practice--I might not so speak, +It should be e'er imagin'd: yet believ'd +It may be, and the sight be justly crav'd. +And if our fantasy fail of such height, +What marvel, since no eye above the sun +Hath ever travel'd? Such are they dwell here, +Fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire, +Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows; +And holds them still enraptur'd with the view. +And thus to me Beatrice: "Thank, oh thank, +The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace +To this perceptible hath lifted thee." + +Never was heart in such devotion bound, +And with complacency so absolute +Dispos'd to render up itself to God, +As mine was at those words: and so entire +The love for Him, that held me, it eclips'd +Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeas'd +Was she, but smil'd thereat so joyously, +That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake +And scatter'd my collected mind abroad. + +Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness +Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown, +And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice, +Than in their visage beaming. Cinctur'd thus, +Sometime Latona's daughter we behold, +When the impregnate air retains the thread, +That weaves her zone. In the celestial court, +Whence I return, are many jewels found, +So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook +Transporting from that realm: and of these lights +Such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing +To soar up thither, let him look from thence +For tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus, +Those burning suns that circled round us thrice, +As nearest stars around the fixed pole, +Then seem'd they like to ladies, from the dance +Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause, +List'ning, till they have caught the strain anew: +Suspended so they stood: and, from within, +Thus heard I one, who spake: "Since with its beam +The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame, +That after doth increase by loving, shines +So multiplied in thee, it leads thee up +Along this ladder, down whose hallow'd steps +None e'er descend, and mount them not again, +Who from his phial should refuse thee wine +To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were, +Than water flowing not unto the sea. +Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom +In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds +This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav'n. +I then was of the lambs, that Dominic +Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way, +Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity. +He, nearest on my right hand, brother was, +And master to me: Albert of Cologne +Is this: and of Aquinum, Thomas I. +If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur'd, +Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak, +In circuit journey round the blessed wreath. +That next resplendence issues from the smile +Of Gratian, who to either forum lent +Such help, as favour wins in Paradise. +The other, nearest, who adorns our quire, +Was Peter, he that with the widow gave +To holy church his treasure. The fifth light, +Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired, +That all your world craves tidings of its doom: +Within, there is the lofty light, endow'd +With sapience so profound, if truth be truth, +That with a ken of such wide amplitude +No second hath arisen. Next behold +That taper's radiance, to whose view was shown, +Clearliest, the nature and the ministry +Angelical, while yet in flesh it dwelt. +In the other little light serenely smiles +That pleader for the Christian temples, he +Who did provide Augustin of his lore. +Now, if thy mind's eye pass from light to light, +Upon my praises following, of the eighth +Thy thirst is next. The saintly soul, that shows +The world's deceitfulness, to all who hear him, +Is, with the sight of all the good, that is, +Blest there. The limbs, whence it was driven, lie +Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom +And exile came it here. Lo! further on, +Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore, +Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile, +In deep discernment. Lastly this, from whom +Thy look on me reverteth, was the beam +Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent, +Rebuk'd the ling'ring tardiness of death. +It is the eternal light of Sigebert, +Who 'scap'd not envy, when of truth he argued, +Reading in the straw-litter'd street." Forthwith, +As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God +To win her bridegroom's love at matin's hour, +Each part of other fitly drawn and urg'd, +Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet, +Affection springs in well-disposed breast; +Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard +Voice answ'ring voice, so musical and soft, +It can be known but where day endless shines. + + + + +CANTO XI + +O fond anxiety of mortal men! +How vain and inconclusive arguments +Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below +For statues one, and one for aphorisms +Was hunting; this the priesthood follow'd, that +By force or sophistry aspir'd to rule; +To rob another, and another sought +By civil business wealth; one moiling lay +Tangled in net of sensual delight, +And one to witless indolence resign'd; +What time from all these empty things escap'd, +With Beatrice, I thus gloriously +Was rais'd aloft, and made the guest of heav'n. + +They of the circle to that point, each one. +Where erst it was, had turn'd; and steady glow'd, +As candle in his socket. Then within +The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling +With merer gladness, heard I thus begin: + +"E'en as his beam illumes me, so I look +Into the eternal light, and clearly mark +Thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt, +And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh +In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth +To thy perception, where I told thee late +That 'well they thrive;' and that 'no second such +Hath risen,' which no small distinction needs. + +"The providence, that governeth the world, +In depth of counsel by created ken +Unfathomable, to the end that she, +Who with loud cries was 'spous'd in precious blood, +Might keep her footing towards her well-belov'd, +Safe in herself and constant unto him, +Hath two ordain'd, who should on either hand +In chief escort her: one seraphic all +In fervency; for wisdom upon earth, +The other splendour of cherubic light. +I but of one will tell: he tells of both, +Who one commendeth which of them so'er +Be taken: for their deeds were to one end. + +"Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls +From blest Ubaldo's chosen hill, there hangs +Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold +Are wafted through Perugia's eastern gate: +And Norcera with Gualdo, in its rear +Mourn for their heavy yoke. Upon that side, +Where it doth break its steepness most, arose +A sun upon the world, as duly this +From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak +Of that place, say Ascesi; for its name +Were lamely so deliver'd; but the East, +To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl'd. +He was not yet much distant from his rising, +When his good influence 'gan to bless the earth. +A dame to whom none openeth pleasure's gate +More than to death, was, 'gainst his father's will, +His stripling choice: and he did make her his, +Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds, +And in his father's sight: from day to day, +Then lov'd her more devoutly. She, bereav'd +Of her first husband, slighted and obscure, +Thousand and hundred years and more, remain'd +Without a single suitor, till he came. +Nor aught avail'd, that, with Amyclas, she +Was found unmov'd at rumour of his voice, +Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness +Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross, +When Mary stay'd beneath. But not to deal +Thus closely with thee longer, take at large +The rovers' titles--Poverty and Francis. +Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love, +And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts, +So much, that venerable Bernard first +Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace +So heavenly, ran, yet deem'd his footing slow. +O hidden riches! O prolific good! +Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester, +And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride +Can please them. Thenceforth goes he on his way, +The father and the master, with his spouse, +And with that family, whom now the cord +Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart +Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son +Of Pietro Bernardone, and by men +In wond'rous sort despis'd. But royally +His hard intention he to Innocent +Set forth, and from him first receiv'd the seal +On his religion. Then, when numerous flock'd +The tribe of lowly ones, that trac'd HIS steps, +Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung +In heights empyreal, through Honorius' hand +A second crown, to deck their Guardian's virtues, +Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath'd: and when +He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up +In the proud Soldan's presence, and there preach'd +Christ and his followers; but found the race +Unripen'd for conversion: back once more +He hasted (not to intermit his toil), +And reap'd Ausonian lands. On the hard rock, +'Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ +Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years +Did carry. Then the season come, that he, +Who to such good had destin'd him, was pleas'd +T' advance him to the meed, which he had earn'd +By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood, +As their just heritage, he gave in charge +His dearest lady, and enjoin'd their love +And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will'd +His goodly spirit should move forth, returning +To its appointed kingdom, nor would have +His body laid upon another bier. + +"Think now of one, who were a fit colleague, +To keep the bark of Peter in deep sea +Helm'd to right point; and such our Patriarch was. +Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins, +Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in. +But hunger of new viands tempts his flock, +So that they needs into strange pastures wide +Must spread them: and the more remote from him +The stragglers wander, so much mole they come +Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk. +There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm, +And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few, +A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks. + +"Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta'en +Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall +To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill'd: +For thou wilt see the point from whence they split, +Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies, +'That well they thrive not sworn with vanity."' + + + + +CANTO XII + +Soon as its final word the blessed flame +Had rais'd for utterance, straight the holy mill +Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv'd, +Or ere another, circling, compass'd it, +Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining, +Song, that as much our muses doth excel, +Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray +Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex. + +As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth, +Two arches parallel, and trick'd alike, +Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth +From that within (in manner of that voice +Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist), +And they who gaze, presageful call to mind +The compact, made with Noah, of the world +No more to be o'erflow'd; about us thus +Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath'd +Those garlands twain, and to the innermost +E'en thus th' external answered. When the footing, +And other great festivity, of song, +And radiance, light with light accordant, each +Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still'd +(E'en as the eyes by quick volition mov'd, +Are shut and rais'd together), from the heart +Of one amongst the new lights mov'd a voice, +That made me seem like needle to the star, +In turning to its whereabout, and thus +Began: "The love, that makes me beautiful, +Prompts me to tell of th' other guide, for whom +Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is, +The other worthily should also be; +That as their warfare was alike, alike +Should be their glory. Slow, and full of doubt, +And with thin ranks, after its banner mov'd +The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost +To reappoint), when its imperial Head, +Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host +Did make provision, thorough grace alone, +And not through its deserving. As thou heard'st, +Two champions to the succour of his spouse +He sent, who by their deeds and words might join +Again his scatter'd people. In that clime, +Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold +The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself +New-garmented; nor from those billows far, +Beyond whose chiding, after weary course, +The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides +The happy Callaroga, under guard +Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies +Subjected and supreme. And there was born +The loving million of the Christian faith, +The hollow'd wrestler, gentle to his own, +And to his enemies terrible. So replete +His soul with lively virtue, that when first +Created, even in the mother's womb, +It prophesied. When, at the sacred font, +The spousals were complete 'twixt faith and him, +Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang'd, +The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep +Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him +And from his heirs to issue. And that such +He might be construed, as indeed he was, +She was inspir'd to name him of his owner, +Whose he was wholly, and so call'd him Dominic. +And I speak of him, as the labourer, +Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be +His help-mate. Messenger he seem'd, and friend +Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show'd, +Was after the first counsel that Christ gave. +Many a time his nurse, at entering found +That he had ris'n in silence, and was prostrate, +As who should say, "My errand was for this." +O happy father! Felix rightly nam'd! +O favour'd mother! rightly nam'd Joanna! +If that do mean, as men interpret it. +Not for the world's sake, for which now they pore +Upon Ostiense and Taddeo's page, +But for the real manna, soon he grew +Mighty in learning, and did set himself +To go about the vineyard, that soon turns +To wan and wither'd, if not tended well: +And from the see (whose bounty to the just +And needy is gone by, not through its fault, +But his who fills it basely, he besought, +No dispensation for commuted wrong, +Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth), +That to God's paupers rightly appertain, +But, 'gainst an erring and degenerate world, +Licence to fight, in favour of that seed, +From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round. +Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help, +Forth on his great apostleship he far'd, +Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein; +And, dashing 'gainst the stocks of heresy, +Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout. +Thence many rivulets have since been turn'd, +Over the garden Catholic to lead +Their living waters, and have fed its plants. + +"If such one wheel of that two-yoked car, +Wherein the holy church defended her, +And rode triumphant through the civil broil. +Thou canst not doubt its fellow's excellence, +Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar'd +So courteously unto thee. But the track, +Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted: +That mouldy mother is where late were lees. +His family, that wont to trace his path, +Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong +To rue the gathering in of their ill crop, +When the rejected tares in vain shall ask +Admittance to the barn. I question not +But he, who search'd our volume, leaf by leaf, +Might still find page with this inscription on't, +'I am as I was wont.' Yet such were not +From Acquasparta nor Casale, whence +Of those, who come to meddle with the text, +One stretches and another cramps its rule. +Bonaventura's life in me behold, +From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge +Of my great offices still laid aside +All sinister aim. Illuminato here, +And Agostino join me: two they were, +Among the first of those barefooted meek ones, +Who sought God's friendship in the cord: with them +Hugues of Saint Victor, Pietro Mangiadore, +And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining, +Nathan the prophet, Metropolitan +Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign'd +To put his hand to the first art, Donatus. +Raban is here: and at my side there shines +Calabria's abbot, Joachim, endow'd +With soul prophetic. The bright courtesy +Of friar Thomas, and his goodly lore, +Have mov'd me to the blazon of a peer +So worthy, and with me have mov'd this throng." + + + + +CANTO XIII + +Let him, who would conceive what now I saw, +Imagine (and retain the image firm, +As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak), +Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host +Selected, that, with lively ray serene, +O'ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine +The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky, +Spins ever on its axle night and day, +With the bright summit of that horn which swells +Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls, +T' have rang'd themselves in fashion of two signs +In heav'n, such as Ariadne made, +When death's chill seized her; and that one of them +Did compass in the other's beam; and both +In such sort whirl around, that each should tend +With opposite motion and, conceiving thus, +Of that true constellation, and the dance +Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain +As 't were the shadow; for things there as much +Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav'n +Is swifter than the Chiana. There was sung +No Bacchus, and no Io Paean, but +Three Persons in the Godhead, and in one +Substance that nature and the human join'd. + +The song fulfill'd its measure; and to us +Those saintly lights attended, happier made +At each new minist'ring. Then silence brake, +Amid th' accordant sons of Deity, +That luminary, in which the wondrous life +Of the meek man of God was told to me; +And thus it spake: "One ear o' th' harvest thresh'd, +And its grain safely stor'd, sweet charity +Invites me with the other to like toil. + +"Thou know'st, that in the bosom, whence the rib +Was ta'en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste +All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc'd +By the keen lance, both after and before +Such satisfaction offer'd, as outweighs +Each evil in the scale, whate'er of light +To human nature is allow'd, must all +Have by his virtue been infus'd, who form'd +Both one and other: and thou thence admir'st +In that I told thee, of beatitudes +A second, there is none, to his enclos'd +In the fifth radiance. Open now thine eyes +To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see +Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth, +As centre in the round. That which dies not, +And that which can die, are but each the beam +Of that idea, which our Soverign Sire +Engendereth loving; for that lively light, +Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin'd +From him, nor from his love triune with them, +Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself, +Mirror'd, as 't were in new existences, +Itself unalterable and ever one. + +"Descending hence unto the lowest powers, +Its energy so sinks, at last it makes +But brief contingencies: for so I name +Things generated, which the heav'nly orbs +Moving, with seed or without seed, produce. +Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much: +And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows +Th' ideal stamp impress: so that one tree +According to his kind, hath better fruit, +And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men, +Are in your talents various. Were the wax +Molded with nice exactness, and the heav'n +In its disposing influence supreme, +The lustre of the seal should be complete: +But nature renders it imperfect ever, +Resembling thus the artist in her work, +Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill. +Howe'er, if love itself dispose, and mark +The primal virtue, kindling with bright view, +There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such +The clay was made, accomplish'd with each gift, +That life can teem with; such the burden fill'd +The virgin's bosom: so that I commend +Thy judgment, that the human nature ne'er +Was or can be, such as in them it was. + +"Did I advance no further than this point, +'How then had he no peer?' thou might'st reply. +But, that what now appears not, may appear +Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what +(When he was bidden 'Ask' ), the motive sway'd +To his requesting. I have spoken thus, +That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask'd +For wisdom, to the end he might be king +Sufficient: not the number to search out +Of the celestial movers; or to know, +If necessary with contingent e'er +Have made necessity; or whether that +Be granted, that first motion is; or if +Of the mid circle can, by art, be made +Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp. + +"Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this, +Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn, +At which the dart of my intention aims. +And, marking clearly, that I told thee, 'Risen,' +Thou shalt discern it only hath respect +To kings, of whom are many, and the good +Are rare. With this distinction take my words; +And they may well consist with that which thou +Of the first human father dost believe, +And of our well-beloved. And let this +Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make +Thee slow in motion, as a weary man, +Both to the 'yea' and to the 'nay' thou seest not. +For he among the fools is down full low, +Whose affirmation, or denial, is +Without distinction, in each case alike +Since it befalls, that in most instances +Current opinion leads to false: and then +Affection bends the judgment to her ply. + +"Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore, +Since he returns not such as he set forth, +Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill. +And open proofs of this unto the world +Have been afforded in Parmenides, +Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside, +Who journey'd on, and knew not whither: so did +Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools, +Who, like to scymitars, reflected back +The scripture-image, by distortion marr'd. + +"Let not the people be too swift to judge, +As one who reckons on the blades in field, +Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen +The thorn frown rudely all the winter long +And after bear the rose upon its top; +And bark, that all the way across the sea +Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last, +E'en in the haven's mouth seeing one steal, +Another brine, his offering to the priest, +Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence +Into heav'n's counsels deem that they can pry: +For one of these may rise, the other fall." + + + + +CANTO XIV + +From centre to the circle, and so back +From circle to the centre, water moves +In the round chalice, even as the blow +Impels it, inwardly, or from without. +Such was the image glanc'd into my mind, +As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas'd; +And Beatrice after him her words +Resum'd alternate: "Need there is (tho' yet +He tells it to you not in words, nor e'en +In thought) that he should fathom to its depth +Another mystery. Tell him, if the light, +Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you +Eternally, as now: and, if it doth, +How, when ye shall regain your visible forms, +The sight may without harm endure the change, +That also tell." As those, who in a ring +Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth +Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound; +Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit, +The saintly circles in their tourneying +And wond'rous note attested new delight. + +Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb +Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live +Immortally above, he hath not seen +The sweet refreshing, of that heav'nly shower. + +Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns +In mystic union of the Three in One, +Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice +Sang, with such melody, as but to hear +For highest merit were an ample meed. +And from the lesser orb the goodliest light, +With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps +The angel's once to Mary, thus replied: +"Long as the joy of Paradise shall last, +Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright, +As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest; +And that as far in blessedness exceeding, +As it hath grave beyond its virtue great. +Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds +Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire, +Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase, +Whate'er of light, gratuitous, imparts +The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid, +The better disclose his glory: whence +The vision needs increasing, much increase +The fervour, which it kindles; and that too +The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed +Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines +More lively than that, and so preserves +Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere +Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem, +Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth +Now covers. Nor will such excess of light +O'erpower us, in corporeal organs made +Firm, and susceptible of all delight." + +So ready and so cordial an "Amen," +Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke +Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance +Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear, +Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov'd, +Ere they were made imperishable flame. + +And lo! forthwith there rose up round about +A lustre over that already there, +Of equal clearness, like the brightening up +Of the horizon. As at an evening hour +Of twilight, new appearances through heav'n +Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried; +So there new substances, methought began +To rise in view; and round the other twain +Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide. + +O gentle glitter of eternal beam! +With what a such whiteness did it flow, +O'erpowering vision in me! But so fair, +So passing lovely, Beatrice show'd, +Mind cannot follow it, nor words express +Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain'd +Power to look up, and I beheld myself, +Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss +Translated: for the star, with warmer smile +Impurpled, well denoted our ascent. + +With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks +The same in all, an holocaust I made +To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf'd. +And from my bosom had not yet upsteam'd +The fuming of that incense, when I knew +The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen +And mantling crimson, in two listed rays +The splendours shot before me, that I cried, +"God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!" + +As leads the galaxy from pole to pole, +Distinguish'd into greater lights and less, +Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell; +So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars, +Those rays describ'd the venerable sign, +That quadrants in the round conjoining frame. +Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ +Beam'd on that cross; and pattern fails me now. +But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ +Will pardon me for that I leave untold, +When in the flecker'd dawning he shall spy +The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn, +And 'tween the summit and the base did move +Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass'd. +Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance, +Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow, +The atomies of bodies, long or short, +To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line +Checkers the shadow, interpos'd by art +Against the noontide heat. And as the chime +Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help +With many strings, a pleasant dining makes +To him, who heareth not distinct the note; +So from the lights, which there appear'd to me, +Gather'd along the cross a melody, +That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment +Possess'd me. Yet I mark'd it was a hymn +Of lofty praises; for there came to me +"Arise and conquer," as to one who hears +And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy +O'ercame, that never till that hour was thing +That held me in so sweet imprisonment. + +Perhaps my saying over bold appears, +Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes, +Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire. +But he, who is aware those living seals +Of every beauty work with quicker force, +The higher they are ris'n; and that there +I had not turn'd me to them; he may well +Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse +I do accuse me, and may own my truth; +That holy pleasure here not yet reveal'd, +Which grows in transport as we mount aloof. + + + + +CANTO XV + +True love, that ever shows itself as clear +In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong, +Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still'd +The sacred chords, that are by heav'n's right hand +Unwound and tighten'd, flow to righteous prayers +Should they not hearken, who, to give me will +For praying, in accordance thus were mute? +He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief, +Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not, +Despoils himself forever of that love. + +As oft along the still and pure serene, +At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire, +Attracting with involuntary heed +The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest, +And seems some star that shifted place in heav'n, +Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost, +And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn, +That on the dexter of the cross extends, +Down to its foot, one luminary ran +From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem +Dropp'd from its foil; and through the beamy list +Like flame in alabaster, glow'd its course. + +So forward stretch'd him (if of credence aught +Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost +Of old Anchises, in the' Elysian bower, +When he perceiv'd his son. "O thou, my blood! +O most exceeding grace divine! to whom, +As now to thee, hath twice the heav'nly gate +Been e'er unclos'd?" so spake the light; whence I +Turn'd me toward him; then unto my dame +My sight directed, and on either side +Amazement waited me; for in her eyes +Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine +Had div'd unto the bottom of my grace +And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith +To hearing and to sight grateful alike, +The spirit to his proem added things +I understood not, so profound he spake; +Yet not of choice but through necessity +Mysterious; for his high conception scar'd +Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight +Of holy transport had so spent its rage, +That nearer to the level of our thought +The speech descended, the first sounds I heard +Were, "Best he thou, Triunal Deity! +That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf'd!" +Then follow'd: "No unpleasant thirst, tho' long, +Which took me reading in the sacred book, +Whose leaves or white or dusky never change, +Thou hast allay'd, my son, within this light, +From whence my voice thou hear'st; more thanks to her. +Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes +Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me +From him transmitted, who is first of all, +E'en as all numbers ray from unity; +And therefore dost not ask me who I am, +Or why to thee more joyous I appear, +Than any other in this gladsome throng. +The truth is as thou deem'st; for in this hue +Both less and greater in that mirror look, +In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think'st, are shown. +But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever, +Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire, +May be contended fully, let thy voice, +Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth +Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish, +Whereto my ready answer stands decreed." + +I turn'd me to Beatrice; and she heard +Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent, +That to my will gave wings; and I began +"To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn'd +The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells, +Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt; +For that they are so equal in the sun, +From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat, +As makes all likeness scant. But will and means, +In mortals, for the cause ye well discern, +With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I +Experience inequality like this, +And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart, +For thy paternal greeting. This howe'er +I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm'st +This precious jewel, let me hear thy name." + +"I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect +Even, hath pleas'd me:" thus the prompt reply +Prefacing, next it added; "he, of whom +Thy kindred appellation comes, and who, +These hundred years and more, on its first ledge +Hath circuited the mountain, was my son +And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long +Endurance should be shorten'd by thy deeds. + +"Florence, within her ancient limit-mark, +Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon, +Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace. +She had no armlets and no head-tires then, +No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye +More than the person did. Time was not yet, +When at his daughter's birth the sire grew pale. +For fear the age and dowry should exceed +On each side just proportion. House was none +Void of its family; nor yet had come +Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats +Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet +O'er our suburban turret rose; as much +To be surpass in fall, as in its rising. +I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad +In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone; +And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks, +His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw +Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content +With unrob'd jerkin; and their good dames handling +The spindle and the flax; O happy they! +Each sure of burial in her native land, +And none left desolate a-bed for France! +One wak'd to tend the cradle, hushing it +With sounds that lull'd the parent's infancy: +Another, with her maidens, drawing off +The tresses from the distaff, lectur'd them +Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome. +A Salterello and Cianghella we +Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would +A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now. + +"In such compos'd and seemly fellowship, +Such faithful and such fair equality, +In so sweet household, Mary at my birth +Bestow'd me, call'd on with loud cries; and there +In your old baptistery, I was made +Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were +My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto. + +"From Valdipado came to me my spouse, +And hence thy surname grew. I follow'd then +The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he +Did gird on me; in such good part he took +My valiant service. After him I went +To testify against that evil law, +Whose people, by the shepherd's fault, possess +Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew +Was I releas'd from the deceitful world, +Whose base affection many a spirit soils, +And from the martyrdom came to this peace." + + + + +CANTO XVI + +O slight respect of man's nobility! +I never shall account it marvelous, +That our infirm affection here below +Thou mov'st to boasting, when I could not choose, +E'en in that region of unwarp'd desire, +In heav'n itself, but make my vaunt in thee! +Yet cloak thou art soon shorten'd, for that time, +Unless thou be eked out from day to day, +Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then +With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear, +But since hath disaccustom'd I began; +And Beatrice, that a little space +Was sever'd, smil'd reminding me of her, +Whose cough embolden'd (as the story holds) +To first offence the doubting Guenever. + +"You are my sire," said I, "you give me heart +Freely to speak my thought: above myself +You raise me. Through so many streams with joy +My soul is fill'd, that gladness wells from it; +So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not +Say then, my honour'd stem! what ancestors +Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark'd +In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold, +That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then +Its state, and who in it were highest seated?" + +As embers, at the breathing of the wind, +Their flame enliven, so that light I saw +Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew +More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet, +Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith +It answer'd: "From the day, when it was said +'Hail Virgin!' to the throes, by which my mother, +Who now is sainted, lighten'd her of me +Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come, +Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams +To reilumine underneath the foot +Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang, +And I, had there our birth-place, where the last +Partition of our city first is reach'd +By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much +Suffice of my forefathers: who they were, +And whence they hither came, more honourable +It is to pass in silence than to tell. +All those, who in that time were there from Mars +Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms, +Were but the fifth of them this day alive. +But then the citizen's blood, that now is mix'd +From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine, +Ran purely through the last mechanic's veins. +O how much better were it, that these people +Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo +And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound'ry, +Than to have them within, and bear the stench +Of Aguglione's hind, and Signa's, him, +That hath his eye already keen for bart'ring! +Had not the people, which of all the world +Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar, +But, as a mother, gracious to her son; +Such one, as hath become a Florentine, +And trades and traffics, had been turn'd adrift +To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply'd +The beggar's craft. The Conti were possess'd +Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still +Were in Acone's parish; nor had haply +From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte. +The city's malady hath ever source +In the confusion of its persons, as +The body's, in variety of food: +And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge, +Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword +Doth more and better execution, +Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark, +How they are gone, and after them how go +Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and 't will seem +No longer new or strange to thee to hear, +That families fail, when cities have their end. +All things, that appertain t' ye, like yourselves, +Are mortal: but mortality in some +Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you +Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon +Doth, by the rolling of her heav'nly sphere, +Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly; +So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not +At what of them I tell thee, whose renown +Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw +The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi, +The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni, +Now in their wane, illustrious citizens: +And great as ancient, of Sannella him, +With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri +And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop, +That now is laden with new felony, +So cumb'rous it may speedily sink the bark, +The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung +The County Guido, and whoso hath since +His title from the fam'd Bellincione ta'en. +Fair governance was yet an art well priz'd +By him of Pressa: Galigaio show'd +The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house. +The column, cloth'd with verrey, still was seen +Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great, +Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci, +With them who blush to hear the bushel nam'd. +Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk +Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs +Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn. +How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride +Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds +Florence was by the bullets of bright gold +O'erflourish'd. Such the sires of those, who now, +As surely as your church is vacant, flock +Into her consistory, and at leisure +There stall them and grow fat. The o'erweening brood, +That plays the dragon after him that flees, +But unto such, as turn and show the tooth, +Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb, +Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem'd, +That Ubertino of Donati grudg'd +His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe. +Already Caponsacco had descended +Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda +And Infangato were good citizens. +A thing incredible I tell, tho' true: +The gateway, named from those of Pera, led +Into the narrow circuit of your walls. +Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings +Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth +The festival of Thomas still revives) +His knighthood and his privilege retain'd; +Albeit one, who borders them With gold, +This day is mingled with the common herd. +In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt, +And Importuni: well for its repose +Had it still lack'd of newer neighbourhood. +The house, from whence your tears have had their spring, +Through the just anger that hath murder'd ye +And put a period to your gladsome days, +Was honour'd, it, and those consorted with it. +O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling +Prevail'd on thee to break the plighted bond +Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice, +Had God to Ema giv'n thee, the first time +Thou near our city cam'st. But so was doom'd: +On that maim'd stone set up to guard the bridge, +At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell. +With these and others like to them, I saw +Florence in such assur'd tranquility, +She had no cause at which to grieve: with these +Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne'er +The lily from the lance had hung reverse, +Or through division been with vermeil dyed." + + + + +CANTO XVII + +Such as the youth, who came to Clymene +To certify himself of that reproach, +Which had been fasten'd on him, (he whose end +Still makes the fathers chary to their sons), +E'en such was I; nor unobserv'd was such +Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp, +Who had erewhile for me his station mov'd; +When thus by lady: "Give thy wish free vent, +That it may issue, bearing true report +Of the mind's impress; not that aught thy words +May to our knowledge add, but to the end, +That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst +And men may mingle for thee when they hear." + +"O plant! from whence I spring! rever'd and lov'd! +Who soar'st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear, +As earthly thought determines two obtuse +In one triangle not contain'd, so clear +Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves +Existent, looking at the point whereto +All times are present, I, the whilst I scal'd +With Virgil the soul purifying mount, +And visited the nether world of woe, +Touching my future destiny have heard +Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides +Well squar'd to fortune's blows. Therefore my will +Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me, +The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight." + +So said I to the brightness, which erewhile +To me had spoken, and my will declar'd, +As Beatrice will'd, explicitly. +Nor with oracular response obscure, +Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain, +Beguil'd the credulous nations; but, in terms +Precise and unambiguous lore, replied +The spirit of paternal love, enshrin'd, +Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake: +"Contingency, unfolded not to view +Upon the tablet of your mortal mold, +Is all depictur'd in the' eternal sight; +But hence deriveth not necessity, +More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood, +Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene. +From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony +From organ comes, so comes before mine eye +The time prepar'd for thee. Such as driv'n out +From Athens, by his cruel stepdame's wiles, +Hippolytus departed, such must thou +Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this +Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there, +Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ, +Throughout the livelong day. The common cry, +Will, as 't is ever wont, affix the blame +Unto the party injur'd: but the truth +Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find +A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing +Belov'd most dearly: this is the first shaft +Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove +How salt the savour is of other's bread, +How hard the passage to descend and climb +By other's stairs, But that shall gall thee most +Will be the worthless and vile company, +With whom thou must be thrown into these straits. +For all ungrateful, impious all and mad, +Shall turn 'gainst thee: but in a little while +Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson'd brow +Their course shall so evince their brutishness +T' have ta'en thy stand apart shall well become thee. + +"First refuge thou must find, first place of rest, +In the great Lombard's courtesy, who bears +Upon the ladder perch'd the sacred bird. +He shall behold thee with such kind regard, +That 'twixt ye two, the contrary to that +Which falls 'twixt other men, the granting shall +Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see +That mortal, who was at his birth impress +So strongly from this star, that of his deeds +The nations shall take note. His unripe age +Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels +Only nine years have compass him about. +But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry, +Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him, +In equal scorn of labours and of gold. +His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely, +As not to let the tongues e'en of his foes +Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him +And his beneficence: for he shall cause +Reversal of their lot to many people, +Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes. +And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul +Of him, but tell it not;" and things he told +Incredible to those who witness them; +Then added: "So interpret thou, my son, +What hath been told thee.--Lo! the ambushment +That a few circling seasons hide for thee! +Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends +Thy span beyond their treason's chastisement." + +Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence, +Had shown the web, which I had streteh'd for him +Upon the warp, was woven, I began, +As one, who in perplexity desires +Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly: +"My father! well I mark how time spurs on +Toward me, ready to inflict the blow, +Which falls most heavily on him, who most +Abandoned himself. Therefore 't is good +I should forecast, that driven from the place +Most dear to me, I may not lose myself +All others by my song. Down through the world +Of infinite mourning, and along the mount +From whose fair height my lady's eyes did lift me, +And after through this heav'n from light to light, +Have I learnt that, which if I tell again, +It may with many woefully disrelish; +And, if I am a timid friend to truth, +I fear my life may perish among those, +To whom these days shall be of ancient date." + +The brightness, where enclos'd the treasure smil'd, +Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly, +Like to a golden mirror in the sun; +Next answer'd: "Conscience, dimm'd or by its own +Or other's shame, will feel thy saying sharp. +Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov'd, +See the whole vision be made manifest. +And let them wince who have their withers wrung. +What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove +Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn +To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest, +Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits; +Which is of honour no light argument, +For this there only have been shown to thee, +Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep, +Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind +Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce +And fix its faith, unless the instance brought +Be palpable, and proof apparent urge." + + + + +CANTO XVIII + +CANTO XVIII + +Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy'd +That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine, +Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile, +Who led me unto God, admonish'd: "Muse +On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him +I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong." + +At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn'd; +And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen, +I leave in silence here: nor through distrust +Of my words only, but that to such bliss +The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much +Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz'd on her, +Affection found no room for other wish. +While the everlasting pleasure, that did full +On Beatrice shine, with second view +From her fair countenance my gladden'd soul +Contented; vanquishing me with a beam +Of her soft smile, she spake: "Turn thee, and list. +These eyes are not thy only Paradise." + +As here we sometimes in the looks may see +Th' affection mark'd, when that its sway hath ta'en +The spirit wholly; thus the hallow'd light, +To whom I turn'd, flashing, bewray'd its will +To talk yet further with me, and began: +"On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life +Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair +And leaf unwith'ring, blessed spirits abide, +That were below, ere they arriv'd in heav'n, +So mighty in renown, as every muse +Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns +Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name, +Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud +Its nimble fire." Along the cross I saw, +At the repeated name of Joshua, +A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said, +Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw +Of the great Maccabee, another move +With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge +Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne +And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze +Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues +A falcon flying. Last, along the cross, +William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew +My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul, +Who spake with me among the other lights +Did move away, and mix; and with the choir +Of heav'nly songsters prov'd his tuneful skill. + +To Beatrice on my right l bent, +Looking for intimation or by word +Or act, what next behoov'd; and did descry +Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy, +It past all former wont. And, as by sense +Of new delight, the man, who perseveres +In good deeds doth perceive from day to day +His virtue growing; I e'en thus perceiv'd +Of my ascent, together with the heav'n +The circuit widen'd, noting the increase +Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change +In a brief moment on some maiden's cheek, +Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight +Of pudency, that stain'd it; such in her, +And to mine eyes so sudden was the change, +Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star, +Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw, +Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks +Of love, that reign'd there, fashion to my view +Our language. And as birds, from river banks +Arisen, now in round, now lengthen'd troop, +Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems, +Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights, +The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made +Now D. now I. now L. figur'd I' th' air. + +First, singing, to their notes they mov'd, then one +Becoming of these signs, a little while +Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine +Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou +Inspir'st, mak'st glorious and long-liv'd, as they +Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself +Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes, +As fancy doth present them. Be thy power +Display'd in this brief song. The characters, +Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven. +In order each, as they appear'd, I mark'd. +Diligite Justitiam, the first, +Both verb and noun all blazon'd; and the extreme +Qui judicatis terram. In the M. +Of the fifth word they held their station, +Making the star seem silver streak'd with gold. +And on the summit of the M. I saw +Descending other lights, that rested there, +Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good. +Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand, +Sparkles innumerable on all sides +Rise scatter'd, source of augury to th' unwise; +Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence +Seem'd reascending, and a higher pitch +Some mounting, and some less; e'en as the sun, +Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one +Had settled in his place, the head and neck +Then saw I of an eagle, lively +Grav'd in that streaky fire. Who painteth there, +Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides; +And every line and texture of the nest +Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it. +The other bright beatitude, that seem'd +Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content +To over-canopy the M. mov'd forth, +Following gently the impress of the bird. + + Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems +Declar'd to me our justice on the earth +To be the effluence of that heav'n, which thou, +Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay! +Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom +Thy motion and thy virtue are begun, +That he would look from whence the fog doth rise, +To vitiate thy beam: so that once more +He may put forth his hand 'gainst such, as drive +Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls +With miracles and martyrdoms were built. + +Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey! +O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth +All after ill example gone astray. +War once had for its instrument the sword: +But now 't is made, taking the bread away +Which the good Father locks from none. --And thou, +That writes but to cancel, think, that they, +Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died, +Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings. +Thou hast good cause to cry, "My heart so cleaves +To him, that liv'd in solitude remote, +And from the wilds was dragg'd to martyrdom, +I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul." + + + + +CANTO XIX + +Before my sight appear'd, with open wings, +The beauteous image, in fruition sweet +Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem +A little ruby, whereon so intense +The sun-beam glow'd that to mine eyes it came +In clear refraction. And that, which next +Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter'd, +Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy +Was e'er conceiv'd. For I beheld and heard +The beak discourse; and, what intention form'd +Of many, singly as of one express, +Beginning: "For that I was just and piteous, +l am exalted to this height of glory, +The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth +Have I my memory left, e'en by the bad +Commended, while they leave its course untrod." + +Thus is one heat from many embers felt, +As in that image many were the loves, +And one the voice, that issued from them all. +Whence I address them: "O perennial flowers +Of gladness everlasting! that exhale +In single breath your odours manifold! +Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas'd, +That with great craving long hath held my soul, +Finding no food on earth. This well I know, +That if there be in heav'n a realm, that shows +In faithful mirror the celestial Justice, +Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern +The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself +To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me +With such inveterate craving." Straight I saw, +Like to a falcon issuing from the hood, +That rears his head, and claps him with his wings, +His beauty and his eagerness bewraying. +So saw I move that stately sign, with praise +Of grace divine inwoven and high song +Of inexpressive joy. "He," it began, +"Who turn'd his compass on the world's extreme, +And in that space so variously hath wrought, +Both openly, and in secret, in such wise +Could not through all the universe display +Impression of his glory, that the Word +Of his omniscience should not still remain +In infinite excess. In proof whereof, +He first through pride supplanted, who was sum +Of each created being, waited not +For light celestial, and abortive fell. +Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant +Receptacle unto that Good, which knows +No limit, measur'd by itself alone. +Therefore your sight, of th' omnipresent Mind +A single beam, its origin must own +Surpassing far its utmost potency. +The ken, your world is gifted with, descends +In th' everlasting Justice as low down, +As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark +The bottom from the shore, in the wide main +Discerns it not; and ne'ertheless it is, +But hidden through its deepness. Light is none, +Save that which cometh from the pure serene +Of ne'er disturbed ether: for the rest, +'Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh, +Or else its poison. Here confess reveal'd +That covert, which hath hidden from thy search +The living justice, of the which thou mad'st +Such frequent question; for thou saidst--'A man +Is born on Indus' banks, and none is there +Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write, +And all his inclinations and his acts, +As far as human reason sees, are good, +And he offendeth not in word or deed. +But unbaptiz'd he dies, and void of faith. +Where is the justice that condemns him? where +His blame, if he believeth not?'--What then, +And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit +To judge at distance of a thousand miles +With the short-sighted vision of a span? +To him, who subtilizes thus with me, +There would assuredly be room for doubt +Even to wonder, did not the safe word +Of scripture hold supreme authority. + +"O animals of clay! O spirits gross I +The primal will, that in itself is good, +Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne'er been mov'd. +Justice consists in consonance with it, +Derivable by no created good, +Whose very cause depends upon its beam." + +As on her nest the stork, that turns about +Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed, +While they with upward eyes do look on her; +So lifted I my gaze; and bending so +The ever-blessed image wav'd its wings, +Lab'ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round +It warbled, and did say: "As are my notes +To thee, who understand'st them not, such is +Th' eternal judgment unto mortal ken." + +Then still abiding in that ensign rang'd, +Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world, +Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit +Took up the strain; and thus it spake again: +"None ever hath ascended to this realm, +Who hath not a believer been in Christ, +Either before or after the blest limbs +Were nail'd upon the wood. But lo! of those +Who call 'Christ, Christ,' there shall be many found, + In judgment, further off from him by far, +Than such, to whom his name was never known. +Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn: +When that the two assemblages shall part; +One rich eternally, the other poor. + +"What may the Persians say unto your kings, +When they shall see that volume, in the which +All their dispraise is written, spread to view? +There amidst Albert's works shall that be read, +Which will give speedy motion to the pen, +When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm. +There shall be read the woe, that he doth work +With his adulterate money on the Seine, +Who by the tusk will perish: there be read +The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike +The English and Scot, impatient of their bound. +There shall be seen the Spaniard's luxury, +The delicate living there of the Bohemian, +Who still to worth has been a willing stranger. +The halter of Jerusalem shall see +A unit for his virtue, for his vices +No less a mark than million. He, who guards +The isle of fire by old Anchises honour'd +Shall find his avarice there and cowardice; +And better to denote his littleness, +The writing must be letters maim'd, that speak +Much in a narrow space. All there shall know +His uncle and his brother's filthy doings, +Who so renown'd a nation and two crowns +Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal +And Norway, there shall be expos'd with him +Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill +The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary! +If thou no longer patiently abid'st +Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre! +If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee +In earnest of that day, e'en now are heard +Wailings and groans in Famagosta's streets +And Nicosia's, grudging at their beast, +Who keepeth even footing with the rest." + + + + +CANTO XX + +When, disappearing, from our hemisphere, +The world's enlightener vanishes, and day +On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky, +Erewhile irradiate only with his beam, +Is yet again unfolded, putting forth +Innumerable lights wherein one shines. +Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought, +As the great sign, that marshaleth the world +And the world's leaders, in the blessed beak +Was silent; for that all those living lights, +Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs, +Such as from memory glide and fall away. + +Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles, +How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles, +Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir'd! + +After the precious and bright beaming stones, +That did ingem the sixth light, ceas'd the chiming +Of their angelic bells; methought I heard +The murmuring of a river, that doth fall +From rock to rock transpicuous, making known +The richness of his spring-head: and as sound +Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe, +Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun'd; +Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose +That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith +Voice there assum'd, and thence along the beak +Issued in form of words, such as my heart +Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib'd them. + +"The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,, +In mortal eagles," it began, "must now +Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires, +That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye, +Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines +Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang +The Holy Spirit's song, and bare about +The ark from town to town; now doth he know +The merit of his soul-impassion'd strains +By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five, +That make the circle of the vision, he +Who to the beak is nearest, comforted +The widow for her son: now doth he know +How dear he costeth not to follow Christ, +Both from experience of this pleasant life, +And of its opposite. He next, who follows +In the circumference, for the over arch, +By true repenting slack'd the pace of death: +Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav'n +Alter not, when through pious prayer below +Today's is made tomorrow's destiny. +The other following, with the laws and me, +To yield the shepherd room, pass'd o'er to Greece, +From good intent producing evil fruit: +Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv'd +From his well doing, doth not helm him aught, +Though it have brought destruction on the world. +That, which thou seest in the under bow, +Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps +For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows +How well is lov'd in heav'n the righteous king, +Which he betokens by his radiant seeming. +Who in the erring world beneath would deem, +That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set +Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows +Enough of that, which the world cannot see, +The grace divine, albeit e'en his sight +Reach not its utmost depth." Like to the lark, +That warbling in the air expatiates long, +Then, trilling out his last sweet melody, +Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear'd +That image stampt by the' everlasting pleasure, +Which fashions like itself all lovely things. + +I, though my doubting were as manifest, +As is through glass the hue that mantles it, +In silence waited not: for to my lips +"What things are these?" involuntary rush'd, +And forc'd a passage out: whereat I mark'd +A sudden lightening and new revelry. +The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign +No more to keep me wond'ring and suspense, +Replied: "I see that thou believ'st these things, +Because I tell them, but discern'st not how; +So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith: +As one who knows the name of thing by rote, +But is a stranger to its properties, +Till other's tongue reveal them. Fervent love +And lively hope with violence assail +The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome +The will of the Most high; not in such sort +As man prevails o'er man; but conquers it, +Because 't is willing to be conquer'd, still, +Though conquer'd, by its mercy conquering. + +"Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth, +Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold'st +The region of the angels deck'd with them. +They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem'st, +Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith, +This of the feet in future to be pierc'd, +That of feet nail'd already to the cross. +One from the barrier of the dark abyss, +Where never any with good will returns, +Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope +Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing'd +The prayers sent up to God for his release, +And put power into them to bend his will. +The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee, +A little while returning to the flesh, +Believ'd in him, who had the means to help, +And, in believing, nourish'd such a flame +Of holy love, that at the second death +He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth. +The other, through the riches of that grace, +Which from so deep a fountain doth distil, +As never eye created saw its rising, +Plac'd all his love below on just and right: +Wherefore of grace God op'd in him the eye +To the redemption of mankind to come; +Wherein believing, he endur'd no more +The filth of paganism, and for their ways +Rebuk'd the stubborn nations. The three nymphs, +Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing, +Were sponsors for him more than thousand years +Before baptizing. O how far remov'd, +Predestination! is thy root from such +As see not the First cause entire: and ye, +O mortal men! be wary how ye judge: +For we, who see our Maker, know not yet +The number of the chosen: and esteem +Such scantiness of knowledge our delight: +For all our good is in that primal good +Concentrate, and God's will and ours are one." + +So, by that form divine, was giv'n to me +Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight, +And, as one handling skillfully the harp, +Attendant on some skilful songster's voice +Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song +Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake, +It doth remember me, that I beheld +The pair of blessed luminaries move. +Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes, +Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds. + + + + +CANTO XXI + +Again mine eyes were fix'd on Beatrice, +And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks +Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore +And, "Did I smile," quoth she, "thou wouldst be straight +Like Semele when into ashes turn'd: +For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs, +My beauty, which the loftier it climbs, +As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more, +So shines, that, were no temp'ring interpos'd, +Thy mortal puissance would from its rays +Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt. +Into the seventh splendour are we wafted, +That underneath the burning lion's breast +Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might, +Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror'd +The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown." +Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed +My sight upon her blissful countenance, +May know, when to new thoughts I chang'd, what joy +To do the bidding of my heav'nly guide: +In equal balance poising either weight. + +Within the crystal, which records the name, +(As its remoter circle girds the world) +Of that lov'd monarch, in whose happy reign +No ill had power to harm, I saw rear'd up, +In colour like to sun-illumin'd gold. + +A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain, +So lofty was the summit; down whose steps +I saw the splendours in such multitude +Descending, ev'ry light in heav'n, methought, +Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day +Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill, +Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some, +Returning, cross their flight, while some abide +And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem'd +That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing, +As upon certain stair it met, and clash'd +Its shining. And one ling'ring near us, wax'd +So bright, that in my thought: said: "The love, +Which this betokens me, admits no doubt." + +Unwillingly from question I refrain, +To her, by whom my silence and my speech +Are order'd, looking for a sign: whence she, +Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all, +Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me +T' indulge the fervent wish; and I began: +"I am not worthy, of my own desert, +That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake, +Who hath vouchsaf'd my asking, spirit blest! +That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause, +Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say, +Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise +Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds +Of rapt devotion ev'ry lower sphere?" +"Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;" +Was the reply: "and what forbade the smile +Of Beatrice interrupts our song. +Only to yield thee gladness of my voice, +And of the light that vests me, I thus far +Descend these hallow'd steps: not that more love +Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much +Or more of love is witness'd in those flames: +But such my lot by charity assign'd, +That makes us ready servants, as thou seest, +To execute the counsel of the Highest." +"That in this court," said I, "O sacred lamp! +Love no compulsion needs, but follows free +Th' eternal Providence, I well discern: +This harder find to deem, why of thy peers +Thou only to this office wert foredoom'd." +I had not ended, when, like rapid mill, +Upon its centre whirl'd the light; and then +The love, that did inhabit there, replied: +"Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds, +Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus +Supported, lifts me so above myself, +That on the sov'ran essence, which it wells from, +I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy, +Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze +The keenness of my sight. But not the soul, +That is in heav'n most lustrous, nor the seraph +That hath his eyes most fix'd on God, shall solve +What thou hast ask'd: for in th' abyss it lies +Of th' everlasting statute sunk so low, +That no created ken may fathom it. +And, to the mortal world when thou return'st, +Be this reported; that none henceforth dare +Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn. +The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth +Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do, +Below, what passeth her ability, +When she is ta'en to heav'n." By words like these +Admonish'd, I the question urg'd no more; +And of the spirit humbly sued alone +T' instruct me of its state. "'Twixt either shore +Of Italy, nor distant from thy land, +A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort, +The thunder doth not lift his voice so high, +They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell +Is sacred to the lonely Eremite, +For worship set apart and holy rites." +A third time thus it spake; then added: "There +So firmly to God's service I adher'd, +That with no costlier viands than the juice +Of olives, easily I pass'd the heats +Of summer and the winter frosts, content +In heav'n-ward musings. Rich were the returns +And fertile, which that cloister once was us'd +To render to these heavens: now 't is fall'n +Into a waste so empty, that ere long +Detection must lay bare its vanity +Pietro Damiano there was I yclept: +Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt +Beside the Adriatic, in the house +Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close +Of mortal life, through much importuning +I was constrain'd to wear the hat that still +From bad to worse it shifted.--Cephas came; +He came, who was the Holy Spirit's vessel, +Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc'd, +At the first table. Modern Shepherd's need +Those who on either hand may prop and lead them, +So burly are they grown: and from behind +Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey's sides +Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts +Are cover'd with one skin. O patience! thou +That lookst on this and doth endure so long." +I at those accents saw the splendours down +From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax, +Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this +They came, and stay'd them; uttered them a shout +So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I +Wist what it spake, so deaf'ning was the thunder. + + + + +CANTO XXII + +Astounded, to the guardian of my steps +I turn'd me, like the chill, who always runs +Thither for succour, where he trusteth most, +And she was like the mother, who her son +Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice +Soothes him, and he is cheer'd; for thus she spake, +Soothing me: "Know'st not thou, thou art in heav'n? +And know'st not thou, whatever is in heav'n, +Is holy, and that nothing there is done +But is done zealously and well? Deem now, +What change in thee the song, and what my smile +had wrought, since thus the shout had pow'r to move thee. +In which couldst thou have understood their prayers, +The vengeance were already known to thee, +Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour, +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. +But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view; +So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold." +Mine eyes directing, as she will'd, I saw +A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew +By interchange of splendour. I remain'd, +As one, who fearful of o'er-much presuming, +Abates in him the keenness of desire, +Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls, +One largest and most lustrous onward drew, +That it might yield contentment to my wish; +And from within it these the sounds I heard. + +"If thou, like me, beheldst the charity +That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives, +Were utter'd. But that, ere the lofty bound +Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee, +I will make answer even to the thought, +Which thou hast such respect of. In old days, +That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests, +Was on its height frequented by a race +Deceived and ill dispos'd: and I it was, +Who thither carried first the name of Him, +Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man. +And such a speeding grace shone over me, +That from their impious worship I reclaim'd +The dwellers round about, who with the world +Were in delusion lost. These other flames, +The spirits of men contemplative, were all +Enliven'd by that warmth, whose kindly force +Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness. +Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here: +And here my brethren, who their steps refrain'd +Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart." + +I answ'ring, thus; "Thy gentle words and kind, +And this the cheerful semblance, I behold +Not unobservant, beaming in ye all, +Have rais'd assurance in me, wakening it +Full-blossom'd in my bosom, as a rose +Before the sun, when the consummate flower +Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee +Therefore entreat I, father! to declare +If I may gain such favour, as to gaze +Upon thine image, by no covering veil'd." + +"Brother!" he thus rejoin'd, "in the last sphere +Expect completion of thy lofty aim, +For there on each desire completion waits, +And there on mine: where every aim is found +Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe. +There all things are as they have ever been: +For space is none to bound, nor pole divides, +Our ladder reaches even to that clime, +And so at giddy distance mocks thy view. +Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch +Its topmost round, when it appear'd to him +With angels laden. But to mount it now +None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule +Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves; +The walls, for abbey rear'd, turned into dens, +The cowls to sacks choak'd up with musty meal. +Foul usury doth not more lift itself +Against God's pleasure, than that fruit which makes +The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate'er +Is in the church's keeping, all pertains. +To such, as sue for heav'n's sweet sake, and not +To those who in respect of kindred claim, +Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh +Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not +From the oak's birth, unto the acorn's setting. +His convent Peter founded without gold +Or silver; I with pray'rs and fasting mine; +And Francis his in meek humility. +And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds, +Then look what it hath err'd to, thou shalt find +The white grown murky. Jordan was turn'd back; +And a less wonder, then the refluent sea, +May at God's pleasure work amendment here." + +So saying, to his assembly back he drew: +And they together cluster'd into one, +Then all roll'd upward like an eddying wind. + +The sweet dame beckon'd me to follow them: +And, by that influence only, so prevail'd +Over my nature, that no natural motion, +Ascending or descending here below, +Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied. + +So, reader, as my hope is to return +Unto the holy triumph, for the which +I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast, +Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting +Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere +The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld, +And enter'd its precinct. O glorious stars! +O light impregnate with exceeding virtue! +To whom whate'er of genius lifteth me +Above the vulgar, grateful I refer; +With ye the parent of all mortal life +Arose and set, when I did first inhale +The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace +Vouchsaf'd me entrance to the lofty wheel +That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed +My passage at your clime. To you my soul +Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now +To meet the hard emprize that draws me on. + +"Thou art so near the sum of blessedness," +Said Beatrice, "that behooves thy ken +Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end, +Or even thou advance thee further, hence +Look downward, and contemplate, what a world +Already stretched under our feet there lies: +So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood, +Present itself to the triumphal throng, +Which through the' etherial concave comes rejoicing." + +I straight obey'd; and with mine eye return'd +Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe +So pitiful of semblance, that perforce +It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold +For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts +Elsewhere are fix'd, him worthiest call and best. +I saw the daughter of Latona shine +Without the shadow, whereof late I deem'd +That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain'd +The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun; +And mark'd, how near him with their circle, round +Move Maia and Dione; here discern'd +Jove's tempering 'twixt his sire and son; and hence +Their changes and their various aspects +Distinctly scann'd. Nor might I not descry +Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift; +Nor of their several distances not learn. +This petty area (o'er the which we stride +So fiercely), as along the eternal twins +I wound my way, appear'd before me all, +Forth from the havens stretch'd unto the hills. +Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return'd. + + + + +CANTO XXIII + +E'en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower +Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night, +With her sweet brood, impatient to descry +Their wished looks, and to bring home their food, +In the fond quest unconscious of her toil: +She, of the time prevenient, on the spray, +That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze +Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn, +Removeth from the east her eager ken; +So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance +Wistfully on that region, where the sun +Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her +Suspense and wand'ring, I became as one, +In whom desire is waken'd, and the hope +Of somewhat new to come fills with delight. + +Short space ensued; I was not held, I say, +Long in expectance, when I saw the heav'n +Wax more and more resplendent; and, "Behold," +Cried Beatrice, "the triumphal hosts +Of Christ, and all the harvest reap'd at length +Of thy ascending up these spheres." Meseem'd, +That, while she spake her image all did burn, +And in her eyes such fullness was of joy, +And I am fain to pass unconstrued by. + +As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles, +In peerless beauty, 'mid th' eternal nympus, +That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound +In bright pre-eminence so saw I there, +O'er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew +Their radiance as from ours the starry train: +And through the living light so lustrous glow'd +The substance, that my ken endur'd it not. + +O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide! +Who cheer'd me with her comfortable words! +"Against the virtue, that o'erpow'reth thee, +Avails not to resist. Here is the might, +And here the wisdom, which did open lay +The path, that had been yearned for so long, +Betwixt the heav'n and earth." Like to the fire, +That, in a cloud imprison'd doth break out +Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg'd, +It falleth against nature to the ground; +Thus in that heav'nly banqueting my soul +Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost. +Holds now remembrance none of what she was. + +"Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen +Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile." + +I was as one, when a forgotten dream +Doth come across him, and he strives in vain +To shape it in his fantasy again, +Whenas that gracious boon was proffer'd me, +Which never may be cancel'd from the book, +Wherein the past is written. Now were all +Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk +Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed +And fatten'd, not with all their help to boot, +Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth, +My song might shadow forth that saintly smile, +flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought. +And with such figuring of Paradise +The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets +A sudden interruption to his road. +But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme, +And that 't is lain upon a mortal shoulder, +May pardon, if it tremble with the burden. +The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks +No unribb'd pinnace, no self-sparing pilot. + +"Why doth my face," said Beatrice, "thus +Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn +Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming +Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose, +Wherein the word divine was made incarnate; +And here the lilies, by whose odour known +The way of life was follow'd." Prompt I heard +Her bidding, and encounter once again +The strife of aching vision. As erewhile, +Through glance of sunlight, stream'd through broken cloud, +Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen, +Though veil'd themselves in shade; so saw I there +Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays +Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not +The fountain whence they flow'd. O gracious virtue! +Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up +Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room +To my o'erlabour'd sight: when at the name +Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke +Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might +Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix'd. +And, as the bright dimensions of the star +In heav'n excelling, as once here on earth +Were, in my eyeballs lively portray'd, +Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell, +Circling in fashion of a diadem, +And girt the star, and hov'ring round it wheel'd. + +Whatever melody sounds sweetest here, +And draws the spirit most unto itself, +Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder, +Compar'd unto the sounding of that lyre, +Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays +The floor of heav'n, was crown'd. "Angelic Love +I am, who thus with hov'ring flight enwheel +The lofty rapture from that womb inspir'd, +Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so, +Lady of Heav'n! will hover; long as thou +Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy +Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere." + +Such close was to the circling melody: +And, as it ended, all the other lights +Took up the strain, and echoed Mary's name. + +The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps +The world, and with the nearer breath of God +Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir'd +Its inner hem and skirting over us, +That yet no glimmer of its majesty +Had stream'd unto me: therefore were mine eyes +Unequal to pursue the crowned flame, +That rose and sought its natal seed of fire; +And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms +For very eagerness towards the breast, +After the milk is taken; so outstretch'd +Their wavy summits all the fervent band, +Through zealous love to Mary: then in view +There halted, and "Regina Coeli" sang +So sweetly, the delight hath left me never. + +O what o'erflowing plenty is up-pil'd +In those rich-laden coffers, which below +Sow'd the good seed, whose harvest now they keep. + +Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears +Were in the Babylonian exile won, +When gold had fail'd them. Here in synod high +Of ancient council with the new conven'd, +Under the Son of Mary and of God, +Victorious he his mighty triumph holds, +To whom the keys of glory were assign'd. + + + + +CANTO XXIV + +"O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc'd +To the great supper of the blessed Lamb, +Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill'd! +If to this man through God's grace be vouchsaf'd +Foretaste of that, which from your table falls, +Or ever death his fated term prescribe; +Be ye not heedless of his urgent will; +But may some influence of your sacred dews +Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink, +Whence flows what most he craves." Beatrice spake, +And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres +On firm-set poles revolving, trail'd a blaze +Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind +Their circles in the horologe, so work +The stated rounds, that to th' observant eye +The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last; +E'en thus their carols weaving variously, +They by the measure pac'd, or swift, or slow, +Made me to rate the riches of their joy. + +From that, which I did note in beauty most +Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame +So bright, as none was left more goodly there. +Round Beatrice thrice it wheel'd about, +With so divine a song, that fancy's ear +Records it not; and the pen passeth on +And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech, +Nor e'en the inward shaping of the brain, +Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds. + +"O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout +Is with so vehement affection urg'd, +Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere." + +Such were the accents towards my lady breath'd +From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay'd: +To whom she thus: "O everlasting light +Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord +Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss +He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt, +With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith, +By the which thou didst on the billows walk. +If he in love, in hope, and in belief, +Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou +Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld +In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith +Has peopled this fair realm with citizens, +Meet is, that to exalt its glory more, +Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse." + +Like to the bachelor, who arms himself, +And speaks not, till the master have propos'd +The question, to approve, and not to end it; +So I, in silence, arm'd me, while she spake, +Summoning up each argument to aid; +As was behooveful for such questioner, +And such profession: "As good Christian ought, +Declare thee, What is faith?" Whereat I rais'd +My forehead to the light, whence this had breath'd, +Then turn'd to Beatrice, and in her looks +Approval met, that from their inmost fount +I should unlock the waters. "May the grace, +That giveth me the captain of the church +For confessor," said I, "vouchsafe to me +Apt utterance for my thoughts!" then added: "Sire! +E'en as set down by the unerring style +Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir'd +To bring Rome in unto the way of life, +Faith of things hop'd is substance, and the proof +Of things not seen; and herein doth consist +Methinks its essence,"--"Rightly hast thou deem'd," +Was answer'd: "if thou well discern, why first +He hath defin'd it, substance, and then proof." + +"The deep things," I replied, "which here I scan +Distinctly, are below from mortal eye +So hidden, they have in belief alone +Their being, on which credence hope sublime +Is built; and therefore substance it intends. +And inasmuch as we must needs infer +From such belief our reasoning, all respect +To other view excluded, hence of proof +Th' intention is deriv'd." Forthwith I heard: +"If thus, whate'er by learning men attain, +Were understood, the sophist would want room +To exercise his wit." So breath'd the flame +Of love: then added: "Current is the coin +Thou utter'st, both in weight and in alloy. +But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse." + +"Even so glittering and so round," said I, +"I not a whit misdoubt of its assay." + +Next issued from the deep imbosom'd splendour: +"Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which +Is founded every virtue, came to thee." +"The flood," I answer'd, "from the Spirit of God +Rain'd down upon the ancient bond and new,-- +Here is the reas'ning, that convinceth me +So feelingly, each argument beside +Seems blunt and forceless in comparison." +Then heard I: "Wherefore holdest thou that each, +The elder proposition and the new, +Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav'n?" + +"The works, that follow'd, evidence their truth;" +I answer'd: "Nature did not make for these +The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them." +"Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves," +Was the reply, "that they in very deed +Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee." + +"That all the world," said I, "should have been turn'd +To Christian, and no miracle been wrought, +Would in itself be such a miracle, +The rest were not an hundredth part so great. +E'en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger +To set the goodly plant, that from the vine, +It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble." +That ended, through the high celestial court +Resounded all the spheres. "Praise we one God!" +In song of most unearthly melody. +And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch, +Examining, had led me, that we now +Approach'd the topmost bough, he straight resum'd; +"The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul, +So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos'd +That, whatsoe'er has past them, I commend. +Behooves thee to express, what thou believ'st, +The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown." + +"O saintly sire and spirit!" I began, +"Who seest that, which thou didst so believe, +As to outstrip feet younger than thine own, +Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here, +That I the tenour of my creed unfold; +And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask'd. +And I reply: I in one God believe, +One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love +All heav'n is mov'd, himself unmov'd the while. +Nor demonstration physical alone, +Or more intelligential and abstruse, +Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth +It cometh to me rather, which is shed +Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms. +The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write, +When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost. +In three eternal Persons I believe, +Essence threefold and one, mysterious league +Of union absolute, which, many a time, +The word of gospel lore upon my mind +Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark, +The lively flame dilates, and like heav'n's star +Doth glitter in me." As the master hears, +Well pleas'd, and then enfoldeth in his arms +The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought, +And having told the errand keeps his peace; +Thus benediction uttering with song +Soon as my peace I held, compass'd me thrice +The apostolic radiance, whose behest +Had op'd lips; so well their answer pleas'd. + + + + +CANTO XXV + +If e'er the sacred poem that hath made +Both heav'n and earth copartners in its toil, +And with lean abstinence, through many a year, +Faded my brow, be destin'd to prevail +Over the cruelty, which bars me forth +Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb +The wolves set on and fain had worried me, +With other voice and fleece of other grain +I shall forthwith return, and, standing up +At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath +Due to the poet's temples: for I there +First enter'd on the faith which maketh souls +Acceptable to God: and, for its sake, +Peter had then circled my forehead thus. + +Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth +The first fruit of Christ's vicars on the earth, +Toward us mov'd a light, at view whereof +My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me: +"Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might, +That makes Falicia throng'd with visitants!" + +As when the ring-dove by his mate alights, +In circles each about the other wheels, +And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I +One, of the other great and glorious prince, +With kindly greeting hail'd, extolling both +Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end +Was to their gratulation, silent, each, +Before me sat they down, so burning bright, +I could not look upon them. Smiling then, +Beatrice spake: "O life in glory shrin'd!" +Who didst the largess of our kingly court +Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice +Of hope the praises in this height resound. +For thou, who figur'st them in shapes, as clear, +As Jesus stood before thee, well can'st speak them." + +"Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust: +For that, which hither from the mortal world +Arriveth, must be ripen'd in our beam." + +Such cheering accents from the second flame +Assur'd me; and mine eyes I lifted up +Unto the mountains that had bow'd them late +With over-heavy burden. "Sith our Liege +Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death, +In the most secret council, with his lords +Shouldst be confronted, so that having view'd +The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith +Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate +With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare, +What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee, +And whence thou hadst it?" Thus proceeding still, +The second light: and she, whose gentle love +My soaring pennons in that lofty flight +Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin'd: +Among her sons, not one more full of hope, +Hath the church militant: so 't is of him +Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb +Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term +Of warfare, hence permitted he is come, +From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see. +The other points, both which thou hast inquir'd, +Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell +How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him +Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease, +And without boasting, so God give him grace." +Like to the scholar, practis'd in his task, +Who, willing to give proof of diligence, +Seconds his teacher gladly, "Hope," said I, +"Is of the joy to come a sure expectance, +Th' effect of grace divine and merit preceding. +This light from many a star visits my heart, +But flow'd to me the first from him, who sang +The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme +Among his tuneful brethren. 'Let all hope +In thee,' so speak his anthem, 'who have known +Thy name;' and with my faith who know not that? +From thee, the next, distilling from his spring, +In thine epistle, fell on me the drops +So plenteously, that I on others shower +The influence of their dew." Whileas I spake, +A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning, +Within the bosom of that mighty sheen, +Play'd tremulous; then forth these accents breath'd: +"Love for the virtue which attended me +E'en to the palm, and issuing from the field, +Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires +To ask of thee, whom also it delights; +What promise thou from hope in chief dost win." + +"Both scriptures, new and ancient," I reply'd; +"Propose the mark (which even now I view) +For souls belov'd of God. Isaias saith, +That, in their own land, each one must be clad +In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life. +In terms more full, +And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth +This revelation to us, where he tells +Of the white raiment destin'd to the saints." +And, as the words were ending, from above, +"They hope in thee," first heard we cried: whereto +Answer'd the carols all. Amidst them next, +A light of so clear amplitude emerg'd, +That winter's month were but a single day, +Were such a crystal in the Cancer's sign. + +Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes, +And enters on the mazes of the dance, +Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent, +Than to do fitting honour to the bride; +So I beheld the new effulgence come +Unto the other two, who in a ring +Wheel'd, as became their rapture. In the dance +And in the song it mingled. And the dame +Held on them fix'd her looks: e'en as the spouse +Silent and moveless. "This is he, who lay +Upon the bosom of our pelican: +This he, into whose keeping from the cross +The mighty charge was given." Thus she spake, +Yet therefore naught the more remov'd her Sight +From marking them, or ere her words began, +Or when they clos'd. As he, who looks intent, +And strives with searching ken, how he may see +The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire +Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I +Peer'd on that last resplendence, while I heard: +"Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that, +Which here abides not? Earth my body is, +In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long, +As till our number equal the decree +Of the Most High. The two that have ascended, +In this our blessed cloister, shine alone +With the two garments. So report below." + +As when, for ease of labour, or to shun +Suspected peril at a whistle's breath, +The oars, erewhile dash'd frequent in the wave, +All rest; the flamy circle at that voice +So rested, and the mingling sound was still, +Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose. +I turn'd, but ah! how trembled in my thought, +When, looking at my side again to see +Beatrice, I descried her not, although +Not distant, on the happy coast she stood. + + + + +CANTO XXVI + +With dazzled eyes, whilst wond'ring I remain'd, +Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me, +Issued a breath, that in attention mute +Detain'd me; and these words it spake: "'T were well, +That, long as till thy vision, on my form +O'erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse +Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then, +Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires: + +"And meanwhile rest assur'd, that sight in thee +Is but o'erpowered a space, not wholly quench'd: +Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look +Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt +In Ananias' hand." I answering thus: +"Be to mine eyes the remedy or late +Or early, at her pleasure; for they were +The gates, at which she enter'd, and did light +Her never dying fire. My wishes here +Are centered; in this palace is the weal, +That Alpha and Omega, is to all +The lessons love can read me." Yet again +The voice which had dispers'd my fear, when daz'd +With that excess, to converse urg'd, and spake: +"Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms, +And say, who level'd at this scope thy bow." + +"Philosophy," said I, ''hath arguments, +And this place hath authority enough +'T' imprint in me such love: for, of constraint, +Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good, +Kindles our love, and in degree the more, +As it comprises more of goodness in 't. +The essence then, where such advantage is, +That each good, found without it, is naught else +But of his light the beam, must needs attract +The soul of each one, loving, who the truth +Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth +Learn I from him, who shows me the first love +Of all intelligential substances +Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word +Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith, +'I will make all my good before thee pass.' +Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim'st, +E'en at the outset of thy heralding, +In mortal ears the mystery of heav'n." + +"Through human wisdom, and th' authority +Therewith agreeing," heard I answer'd, "keep +The choicest of thy love for God. But say, +If thou yet other cords within thee feel'st +That draw thee towards him; so that thou report +How many are the fangs, with which this love +Is grappled to thy soul." I did not miss, +To what intent the eagle of our Lord +Had pointed his demand; yea noted well +Th' avowal, which he led to; and resum'd: +"All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God, +Confederate to make fast our clarity. +The being of the world, and mine own being, +The death which he endur'd that I should live, +And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do, +To the foremention'd lively knowledge join'd, +Have from the sea of ill love sav'd my bark, +And on the coast secur'd it of the right. +As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom, +My love for them is great, as is the good +Dealt by th' eternal hand, that tends them all." + +I ended, and therewith a song most sweet +Rang through the spheres; and "Holy, holy, holy," +Accordant with the rest my lady sang. +And as a sleep is broken and dispers'd +Through sharp encounter of the nimble light, +With the eye's spirit running forth to meet +The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg'd; +And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees; +So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems +Of all around him, till assurance waits +On better judgment: thus the saintly came +Drove from before mine eyes the motes away, +With the resplendence of her own, that cast +Their brightness downward, thousand miles below. +Whence I my vision, clearer shall before, +Recover'd; and, well nigh astounded, ask'd +Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw. + +And Beatrice: "The first diving soul, +That ever the first virtue fram'd, admires +Within these rays his Maker." Like the leaf, +That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown; +By its own virtue rear'd then stands aloof; +So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow'd. +Then eagerness to speak embolden'd me; +And I began: "O fruit! that wast alone +Mature, when first engender'd! Ancient father! +That doubly seest in every wedded bride +Thy daughter by affinity and blood! +Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold +Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I, +More speedily to hear thee, tell it not." + +It chanceth oft some animal bewrays, +Through the sleek cov'ring of his furry coat. +The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms +His outside seeming to the cheer within: +And in like guise was Adam's spirit mov'd +To joyous mood, that through the covering shone, +Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake: +"No need thy will be told, which I untold +Better discern, than thou whatever thing +Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see +In Him, who is truth's mirror, and Himself +Parhelion unto all things, and naught else +To him. This wouldst thou hear; how long since God +Plac'd me high garden, from whose hounds +She led me up in this ladder, steep and long; +What space endur'd my season of delight; +Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish'd me; +And what the language, which I spake and fram'd +Not that I tasted of the tree, my son, +Was in itself the cause of that exile, +But only my transgressing of the mark +Assign'd me. There, whence at thy lady's hest +The Mantuan mov'd him, still was I debarr'd +This council, till the sun had made complete, +Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice, +His annual journey; and, through every light +In his broad pathway, saw I him return, +Thousand save sev'nty times, the whilst I dwelt +Upon the earth. The language I did use +Was worn away, or ever Nimrod's race +Their unaccomplishable work began. +For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting, +Left by his reason free, and variable, +As is the sky that sways him. That he speaks, +Is nature's prompting: whether thus or thus, +She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it. +Ere I descended into hell's abyss, +El was the name on earth of the Chief Good, +Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then 't was call'd +And so beseemeth: for, in mortals, use +Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes, +And other comes instead. Upon the mount +Most high above the waters, all my life, +Both innocent and guilty, did but reach +From the first hour, to that which cometh next +(As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth." + + + + +CANTO XXVII + +Then "Glory to the Father, to the Son, +And to the Holy Spirit," rang aloud +Throughout all Paradise, that with the song +My spirit reel'd, so passing sweet the strain: +And what I saw was equal ecstasy; +One universal smile it seem'd of all things, +Joy past compare, gladness unutterable, +Imperishable life of peace and love, +Exhaustless riches and unmeasur'd bliss. + +Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit; +And that, which first had come, began to wax +In brightness, and in semblance such became, +As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds, +And interchang'd their plumes. Silence ensued, +Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints +Vicissitude of ministry, enjoin'd; +When thus I heard: "Wonder not, if my hue +Be chang'd; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see +All in like manner change with me. My place +He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine, +Which in the presence of the Son of God +Is void), the same hath made my cemetery +A common sewer of puddle and of blood: +The more below his triumph, who from hence +Malignant fell." Such colour, as the sun, +At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud, +Then saw I sprinkled over all the sky. +And as th' unblemish'd dame, who in herself +Secure of censure, yet at bare report +Of other's failing, shrinks with maiden fear; +So Beatrice in her semblance chang'd: +And such eclipse in heav'n methinks was seen, +When the Most Holy suffer'd. Then the words +Proceeded, with voice, alter'd from itself +So clean, the semblance did not alter more. +"Not to this end was Christ's spouse with my blood, +With that of Linus, and of Cletus fed: +That she might serve for purchase of base gold: +But for the purchase of this happy life +Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed, +And Urban, they, whose doom was not without +Much weeping seal'd. No purpose was of our +That on the right hand of our successors +Part of the Christian people should be set, +And part upon their left; nor that the keys, +Which were vouchsaf'd me, should for ensign serve +Unto the banners, that do levy war +On the baptiz'd: nor I, for sigil-mark +Set upon sold and lying privileges; +Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red. +In shepherd's clothing greedy wolves below +Range wide o'er all the pastures. Arm of God! +Why longer sleepst thou? Caorsines and Gascona +Prepare to quaff our blood. O good beginning +To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop! +But the high providence, which did defend +Through Scipio the world's glory unto Rome, +Will not delay its succour: and thou, son, +Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again +Return below, open thy lips, nor hide +What is by me not hidden." As a Hood +Of frozen vapours streams adown the air, +What time the she-goat with her skiey horn +Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide +The vapours, who with us had linger'd late +And with glad triumph deck th' ethereal cope. +Onward my sight their semblances pursued; +So far pursued, as till the space between +From its reach sever'd them: whereat the guide +Celestial, marking me no more intent +On upward gazing, said, "Look down and see +What circuit thou hast compass'd." From the hour +When I before had cast my view beneath, +All the first region overpast I saw, +Which from the midmost to the bound'ry winds; +That onward thence from Gades I beheld +The unwise passage of Laertes' son, +And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa! +Mad'st thee a joyful burden: and yet more +Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun, +A constellation off and more, had ta'en +His progress in the zodiac underneath. + +Then by the spirit, that doth never leave +Its amorous dalliance with my lady's looks, +Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes +Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles, +Whenas I turn'd me, pleasure so divine +Did lighten on me, that whatever bait +Or art or nature in the human flesh, +Or in its limn'd resemblance, can combine +Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal, +Were to her beauty nothing. Its boon influence +From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth, +And wafted on into the swiftest heav'n. + +What place for entrance Beatrice chose, +I may not say, so uniform was all, +Liveliest and loftiest. She my secret wish +Divin'd; and with such gladness, that God's love +Seem'd from her visage shining, thus began: +"Here is the goal, whence motion on his race +Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest +All mov'd around. Except the soul divine, +Place in this heav'n is none, the soul divine, +Wherein the love, which ruleth o'er its orb, +Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds; +One circle, light and love, enclasping it, +As this doth clasp the others; and to Him, +Who draws the bound, its limit only known. +Measur'd itself by none, it doth divide +Motion to all, counted unto them forth, +As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten. +The vase, wherein time's roots are plung'd, thou seest, +Look elsewhere for the leaves. O mortal lust! +That canst not lift thy head above the waves +Which whelm and sink thee down! The will in man +Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise +Is, by the dripping of perpetual rain, +Made mere abortion: faith and innocence +Are met with but in babes, each taking leave +Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts, +While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose +Gluts every food alike in every moon. +One yet a babbler, loves and listens to +His mother; but no sooner hath free use +Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave. +So suddenly doth the fair child of him, +Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting, +To negro blackness change her virgin white. + +"Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none +Bears rule in earth, and its frail family +Are therefore wand'rers. Yet before the date, +When through the hundredth in his reck'ning drops +Pale January must be shor'd aside +From winter's calendar, these heav'nly spheres +Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain +To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow; +So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit, +Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!" + + + + +CANTO XXVII + +So she who doth imparadise my soul, +Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life, +And bar'd the truth of poor mortality; +When lo! as one who, in a mirror, spies +The shining of a flambeau at his back, +Lit sudden ore he deem of its approach, +And turneth to resolve him, if the glass +Have told him true, and sees the record faithful +As note is to its metre; even thus, +I well remember, did befall to me, +Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love +Had made the leash to take me. As I turn'd; +And that, which, in their circles, none who spies, +Can miss of, in itself apparent, struck +On mine; a point I saw, that darted light +So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up +Against its keenness. The least star we view +From hence, had seem'd a moon, set by its side, +As star by side of star. And so far off, +Perchance, as is the halo from the light +Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads, +There wheel'd about the point a circle of fire, +More rapid than the motion, which first girds +The world. Then, circle after circle, round +Enring'd each other; till the seventh reach'd +Circumference so ample, that its bow, +Within the span of Juno's messenger, +lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev'nth, +Follow'd yet other two. And every one, +As more in number distant from the first, +Was tardier in motion; and that glow'd +With flame most pure, that to the sparkle' of truth +Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks, +Of its reality. The guide belov'd +Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake: +"Heav'n, and all nature, hangs upon that point. +The circle thereto most conjoin'd observe; +And know, that by intenser love its course +Is to this swiftness wing'd." To whom I thus: +"It were enough; nor should I further seek, +Had I but witness'd order, in the world +Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen. +But in the sensible world such diff'rence is, +That is each round shows more divinity, +As each is wider from the centre. Hence, +If in this wondrous and angelic temple, +That hath for confine only light and love, +My wish may have completion I must know, +Wherefore such disagreement is between +Th' exemplar and its copy: for myself, +Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause." + +"It is no marvel, if thy fingers foil'd +Do leave the knot untied: so hard 't is grown +For want of tenting." Thus she said: "But take," +She added, "if thou wish thy cure, my words, +And entertain them subtly. Every orb +Corporeal, doth proportion its extent +Unto the virtue through its parts diffus'd. +The greater blessedness preserves the more. +The greater is the body (if all parts +Share equally) the more is to preserve. +Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels +The universal frame answers to that, +Which is supreme in knowledge and in love +Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth +Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav'ns, +Each to the' intelligence that ruleth it, +Greater to more, and smaller unto less, +Suited in strict and wondrous harmony." + +As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek +A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air, +Clear'd of the rack, that hung on it before, +Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil'd, +The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles; +Such was my cheer, when Beatrice drove +With clear reply the shadows back, and truth +Was manifested, as a star in heaven. +And when the words were ended, not unlike +To iron in the furnace, every cirque +Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires: +And every sparkle shivering to new blaze, +In number did outmillion the account +Reduplicate upon the chequer'd board. +Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir, +"Hosanna," to the fixed point, that holds, +And shall for ever hold them to their place, +From everlasting, irremovable. + +Musing awhile I stood: and she, who saw +by inward meditations, thus began: +"In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst, +Are seraphim and cherubim. Thus swift +Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point, +Near as they can, approaching; and they can +The more, the loftier their vision. Those, +That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next, +Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends. And all +Are blessed, even as their sight descends +Deeper into the truth, wherein rest is +For every mind. Thus happiness hath root +In seeing, not in loving, which of sight +Is aftergrowth. And of the seeing such +The meed, as unto each in due degree +Grace and good-will their measure have assign'd. +The other trine, that with still opening buds +In this eternal springtide blossom fair, +Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram, +Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold +Hosannas blending ever, from the three +Transmitted. hierarchy of gods, for aye +Rejoicing, dominations first, next then +Virtues, and powers the third. The next to whom +Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round +To tread their festal ring; and last the band +Angelical, disporting in their sphere. +All, as they circle in their orders, look +Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail, +That all with mutual impulse tend to God. +These once a mortal view beheld. Desire +In Dionysius so intently wrought, +That he, as I have done rang'd them; and nam'd +Their orders, marshal'd in his thought. From him +Dissentient, one refus'd his sacred read. +But soon as in this heav'n his doubting eyes +Were open'd, Gregory at his error smil'd +Nor marvel, that a denizen of earth +Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt +Both this and much beside of these our orbs, +From an eye-witness to heav'n's mysteries." + + + + +CANTO XXIX + +No longer than what time Latona's twins +Cover'd of Libra and the fleecy star, +Together both, girding the' horizon hang, +In even balance from the zenith pois'd, +Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere, +Part the nice level; e'en so brief a space +Did Beatrice's silence hold. A smile +Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix'd gaze +Bent on the point, at which my vision fail'd: +When thus her words resuming she began: +"I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand; +For I have mark'd it, where all time and place +Are present. Not for increase to himself +Of good, which may not be increas'd, but forth +To manifest his glory by its beams, +Inhabiting his own eternity, +Beyond time's limit or what bound soe'er +To circumscribe his being, as he will'd, +Into new natures, like unto himself, +Eternal Love unfolded. Nor before, +As if in dull inaction torpid lay. +For not in process of before or aft +Upon these waters mov'd the Spirit of God. +Simple and mix'd, both form and substance, forth +To perfect being started, like three darts +Shot from a bow three-corded. And as ray +In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire, +E'en at the moment of its issuing; thus +Did, from th' eternal Sovran, beam entire +His threefold operation, at one act +Produc'd coeval. Yet in order each +Created his due station knew: those highest, +Who pure intelligence were made: mere power +The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league, +Intelligence and power, unsever'd bond. +Long tract of ages by the angels past, +Ere the creating of another world, +Describ'd on Jerome's pages thou hast seen. +But that what I disclose to thee is true, +Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov'd +In many a passage of their sacred book +Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find +And reason in some sort discerns the same, +Who scarce would grant the heav'nly ministers +Of their perfection void, so long a space. +Thus when and where these spirits of love were made, +Thou know'st, and how: and knowing hast allay'd +Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose. +Ere one had reckon'd twenty, e'en so soon +Part of the angels fell: and in their fall +Confusion to your elements ensued. +The others kept their station: and this task, +Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight, +That they surcease not ever, day nor night, +Their circling. Of that fatal lapse the cause +Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen +Pent with the world's incumbrance. Those, whom here +Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves +Of his free bounty, who had made them apt +For ministries so high: therefore their views +Were by enlight'ning grace and their own merit +Exalted; so that in their will confirm'd +They stand, nor feel to fall. For do not doubt, +But to receive the grace, which heav'n vouchsafes, +Is meritorious, even as the soul +With prompt affection welcometh the guest. +Now, without further help, if with good heed +My words thy mind have treasur'd, thou henceforth +This consistory round about mayst scan, +And gaze thy fill. But since thou hast on earth +Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools, +Canvas the' angelic nature, and dispute +Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice; +Therefore, 't is well thou take from me the truth, +Pure and without disguise, which they below, +Equivocating, darken and perplex. + +"Know thou, that, from the first, these substances, +Rejoicing in the countenance of God, +Have held unceasingly their view, intent +Upon the glorious vision, from the which +Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change +Of newness with succession interrupts, +Remembrance there needs none to gather up +Divided thought and images remote + +"So that men, thus at variance with the truth +Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some +Of error; others well aware they err, +To whom more guilt and shame are justly due. +Each the known track of sage philosophy +Deserts, and has a byway of his own: +So much the restless eagerness to shine +And love of singularity prevail. +Yet this, offensive as it is, provokes +Heav'n's anger less, than when the book of God +Is forc'd to yield to man's authority, +Or from its straightness warp'd: no reck'ning made +What blood the sowing of it in the world +Has cost; what favour for himself he wins, +Who meekly clings to it. The aim of all +Is how to shine: e'en they, whose office is +To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep, +And pass their own inventions off instead. +One tells, how at Christ's suffering the wan moon +Bent back her steps, and shadow'd o'er the sun +With intervenient disk, as she withdrew: +Another, how the light shrouded itself +Within its tabernacle, and left dark +The Spaniard and the Indian, with the Jew. +Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears, +Bandied about more frequent, than the names +Of Bindi and of Lapi in her streets. +The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return +From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails +For their excuse, they do not see their harm? +Christ said not to his first conventicle, +'Go forth and preach impostures to the world,' +But gave them truth to build on; and the sound +Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they, +Beside the gospel, other spear or shield, +To aid them in their warfare for the faith. +The preacher now provides himself with store +Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack +Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl +Distends, and he has won the meed he sought: +Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while +Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood, +They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said. +Which now the dotards hold in such esteem, +That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad +The hands of holy promise, finds a throng +Of credulous fools beneath. Saint Anthony +Fattens with this his swine, and others worse +Than swine, who diet at his lazy board, +Paying with unstamp'd metal for their fare. + +"But (for we far have wander'd) let us seek +The forward path again; so as the way +Be shorten'd with the time. No mortal tongue +Nor thought of man hath ever reach'd so far, +That of these natures he might count the tribes. +What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal'd +With finite number infinite conceals. +The fountain at whose source these drink their beams, +With light supplies them in as many modes, +As there are splendours, that it shines on: each +According to the virtue it conceives, +Differing in love and sweet affection. +Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth +The' eternal might, which, broken and dispers'd +Over such countless mirrors, yet remains +Whole in itself and one, as at the first." + + + + +CANTO XXX + +Noon's fervid hour perchance six thousand miles +From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone +Almost to level on our earth declines; +When from the midmost of this blue abyss +By turns some star is to our vision lost. +And straightway as the handmaid of the sun +Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light, +Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in, +E'en to the loveliest of the glittering throng. +Thus vanish'd gradually from my sight +The triumph, which plays ever round the point, +That overcame me, seeming (for it did) +Engirt by that it girdeth. Wherefore love, +With loss of other object, forc'd me bend +Mine eyes on Beatrice once again. + +If all, that hitherto is told of her, +Were in one praise concluded, 't were too weak +To furnish out this turn. Mine eyes did look +On beauty, such, as I believe in sooth, +Not merely to exceed our human, but, +That save its Maker, none can to the full +Enjoy it. At this point o'erpower'd I fail, +Unequal to my theme, as never bard +Of buskin or of sock hath fail'd before. +For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight, +E'en so remembrance of that witching smile +Hath dispossess my spirit of itself. +Not from that day, when on this earth I first +Beheld her charms, up to that view of them, +Have I with song applausive ever ceas'd +To follow, but not follow them no more; +My course here bounded, as each artist's is, +When it doth touch the limit of his skill. + +She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit +Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on, +Urging its arduous matter to the close), +Her words resum'd, in gesture and in voice +Resembling one accustom'd to command: +"Forth from the last corporeal are we come +Into the heav'n, that is unbodied light, +Light intellectual replete with love, +Love of true happiness replete with joy, +Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight. +Here shalt thou look on either mighty host +Of Paradise; and one in that array, +Which in the final judgment thou shalt see." + +As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen +Unfolded, dashes from the blinding eyes +The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm'd; +So, round about me, fulminating streams +Of living radiance play'd, and left me swath'd +And veil'd in dense impenetrable blaze. +Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav'n; +For its own flame the torch this fitting ever! + +No sooner to my list'ning ear had come +The brief assurance, than I understood +New virtue into me infus'd, and sight +Kindled afresh, with vigour to sustain +Excess of light, however pure. I look'd; +And in the likeness of a river saw +Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves +Flash'd up effulgence, as they glided on +'Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring, +Incredible how fair; and, from the tide, +There ever and anon, outstarting, flew +Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow'rs +Did set them, like to rubies chas'd in gold; +Then, as if drunk with odors, plung'd again +Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one +Re'enter'd, still another rose. "The thirst +Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam'd, +To search the meaning of what here thou seest, +The more it warms thee, pleases me the more. +But first behooves thee of this water drink, +Or ere that longing be allay'd." So spake +The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin'd: +"This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf, +And diving back, a living topaz each, +With all this laughter on its bloomy shores, +Are but a preface, shadowy of the truth +They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things +Are crude; but on thy part is the defect, +For that thy views not yet aspire so high." +Never did babe, that had outslept his wont, +Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk, +As I toward the water, bending me, +To make the better mirrors of mine eyes +In the refining wave; and, as the eaves +Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith +Seem'd it unto me turn'd from length to round, +Then as a troop of maskers, when they put +Their vizors off, look other than before, +The counterfeited semblance thrown aside; +So into greater jubilee were chang'd +Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw +Before me either court of heav'n displac'd. + +O prime enlightener! thou who crav'st me strength +On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze! +Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn'd, + There is in heav'n a light, whose goodly shine +Makes the Creator visible to all +Created, that in seeing him alone +Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far, +That the circumference were too loose a zone +To girdle in the sun. All is one beam, +Reflected from the summit of the first, +That moves, which being hence and vigour takes, +And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes +Its image mirror'd in the crystal flood, +As if 't admire its brave appareling +Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about, +Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones, +Stood, eminent, whatever from our earth +Has to the skies return'd. How wide the leaves +Extended to their utmost of this rose, +Whose lowest step embosoms such a space +Of ample radiance! Yet, nor amplitude +Nor height impeded, but my view with ease +Took in the full dimensions of that joy. +Near or remote, what there avails, where God +Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends +Her sway? Into the yellow of the rose +Perennial, which in bright expansiveness, +Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent +Of praises to the never-wint'ring sun, +As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace, +Beatrice led me; and, "Behold," she said, +"This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white +How numberless! The city, where we dwell, +Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng'd +Few now are wanting here! In that proud stall, +On which, the crown, already o'er its state +Suspended, holds thine eyes--or ere thyself +Mayst at the wedding sup,--shall rest the soul +Of the great Harry, he who, by the world +Augustas hail'd, to Italy must come, +Before her day be ripe. But ye are sick, +And in your tetchy wantonness as blind, +As is the bantling, that of hunger dies, +And drives away the nurse. Nor may it be, +That he, who in the sacred forum sways, +Openly or in secret, shall with him +Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure +I' th' holy office long; but thrust him down +To Simon Magus, where Magna's priest +Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed." + + + + +CANTO XXXI + +In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then +Before my view the saintly multitude, +Which in his own blood Christ espous'd. Meanwhile +That other host, that soar aloft to gaze +And celebrate his glory, whom they love, +Hover'd around; and, like a troop of bees, +Amid the vernal sweets alighting now, +Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows, +Flew downward to the mighty flow'r, or rose +From the redundant petals, streaming back +Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy. +Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold; +The rest was whiter than the driven snow. +And as they flitted down into the flower, +From range to range, fanning their plumy loins, +Whisper'd the peace and ardour, which they won +From that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast +Interposition of such numerous flight +Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view +Obstructed aught. For, through the universe, +Wherever merited, celestial light +Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents. + +All there, who reign in safety and in bliss, +Ages long past or new, on one sole mark +Their love and vision fix'd. O trinal beam +Of individual star, that charmst them thus, +Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below! + +If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam'd, +(Where helice, forever, as she wheels, +Sparkles a mother's fondness on her son) +Stood in mute wonder 'mid the works of Rome, +When to their view the Lateran arose +In greatness more than earthly; I, who then +From human to divine had past, from time +Unto eternity, and out of Florence +To justice and to truth, how might I choose +But marvel too? 'Twixt gladness and amaze, +In sooth no will had I to utter aught, +Or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests +Within the temple of his vow, looks round +In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell +Of all its goodly state: e'en so mine eyes +Cours'd up and down along the living light, +Now low, and now aloft, and now around, +Visiting every step. Looks I beheld, +Where charity in soft persuasion sat, +Smiles from within and radiance from above, +And in each gesture grace and honour high. + +So rov'd my ken, and its general form +All Paradise survey'd: when round I turn'd +With purpose of my lady to inquire +Once more of things, that held my thought suspense, +But answer found from other than I ween'd; +For, Beatrice, when I thought to see, +I saw instead a senior, at my side, + Rob'd, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign +Glow'd in his eye, and o'er his cheek diffus'd, +With gestures such as spake a father's love. +And, "Whither is she vanish'd?" straight I ask'd. + +"By Beatrice summon'd," he replied, +"I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft +To the third circle from the highest, there +Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit +Hath plac'd her." Answering not, mine eyes I rais'd, +And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow +A wreath reflecting of eternal beams. +Not from the centre of the sea so far +Unto the region of the highest thunder, +As was my ken from hers; and yet the form +Came through that medium down, unmix'd and pure, + +"O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest! +Who, for my safety, hast not scorn'd, in hell +To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark'd! +For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power +And goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave, +Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means, +For my deliverance apt, hast left untried. +Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep. +That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole, +Is loosen'd from this body, it may find +Favour with thee." So I my suit preferr'd: +And she, so distant, as appear'd, look'd down, +And smil'd; then tow'rds th' eternal fountain turn'd. + +And thus the senior, holy and rever'd: +"That thou at length mayst happily conclude +Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch'd, +By supplication mov'd and holy love) +Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large, +This garden through: for so, by ray divine +Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount; +And from heav'n's queen, whom fervent I adore, +All gracious aid befriend us; for that I +Am her own faithful Bernard." Like a wight, +Who haply from Croatia wends to see +Our Veronica, and the while 't is shown, +Hangs over it with never-sated gaze, +And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith +Unto himself in thought: "And didst thou look +E'en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God? +And was this semblance thine?" So gaz'd I then +Adoring; for the charity of him, +Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy'd, +Stood lively before me. "Child of grace!" +Thus he began: "thou shalt not knowledge gain +Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held +Still in this depth below. But search around +The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy +Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm +Is sovran." Straight mine eyes I rais'd; and bright, +As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime +Above th' horizon, where the sun declines; +To mine eyes, that upward, as from vale +To mountain sped, at th' extreme bound, a part +Excell'd in lustre all the front oppos'd. +And as the glow burns ruddiest o'er the wave, +That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton +Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light +Diminish'd fades, intensest in the midst; +So burn'd the peaceful oriflame, and slack'd +On every side the living flame decay'd. +And in that midst their sportive pennons wav'd +Thousands of angels; in resplendence each +Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee +And carol, smil'd the Lovely One of heav'n, +That joy was in the eyes of all the blest. + +Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich, +As is the colouring in fancy's loom, +'T were all too poor to utter the least part +Of that enchantment. When he saw mine eyes +Intent on her, that charm'd him, Bernard gaz'd +With so exceeding fondness, as infus'd +Ardour into my breast, unfelt before. + + + + +CANTO XXXII + +Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high, +Assum'd the teacher's part, and mild began: +"The wound, that Mary clos'd, she open'd first, +Who sits so beautiful at Mary's feet. +The third in order, underneath her, lo! +Rachel with Beatrice. Sarah next, +Judith, Rebecca, and the gleaner maid, +Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs +Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood. +All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf, +Are in gradation throned on the rose. +And from the seventh step, successively, +Adown the breathing tresses of the flow'r +Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed. +For these are a partition wall, whereby +The sacred stairs are sever'd, as the faith +In Christ divides them. On this part, where blooms +Each leaf in full maturity, are set +Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ'd. +On th' other, where an intersected space +Yet shows the semicircle void, abide +All they, who look'd to Christ already come. +And as our Lady on her glorious stool, +And they who on their stools beneath her sit, +This way distinction make: e'en so on his, +The mighty Baptist that way marks the line +(He who endur'd the desert and the pains +Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell, +Yet still continued holy), and beneath, +Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest, +Thus far from round to round. So heav'n's decree +Forecasts, this garden equally to fill. +With faith in either view, past or to come, +Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves +Midway the twain compartments, none there are +Who place obtain for merit of their own, +But have through others' merit been advanc'd, +On set conditions: spirits all releas'd, +Ere for themselves they had the power to choose. +And, if thou mark and listen to them well, +Their childish looks and voice declare as much. + +"Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt; +And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein +Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee. From this realm +Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find, +No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can. +A law immutable hath establish'd all; +Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit, +Exactly, as the finger to the ring. +It is not therefore without cause, that these, +O'erspeedy comers to immortal life, +Are different in their shares of excellence. +Our Sovran Lord--that settleth this estate +In love and in delight so absolute, +That wish can dare no further--every soul, +Created in his joyous sight to dwell, +With grace at pleasure variously endows. +And for a proof th' effect may well suffice. +And 't is moreover most expressly mark'd +In holy scripture, where the twins are said +To, have struggled in the womb. Therefore, as grace +Inweaves the coronet, so every brow +Weareth its proper hue of orient light. +And merely in respect to his prime gift, +Not in reward of meritorious deed, +Hath each his several degree assign'd. +In early times with their own innocence +More was not wanting, than the parents' faith, +To save them: those first ages past, behoov'd +That circumcision in the males should imp +The flight of innocent wings: but since the day +Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites +In Christ accomplish'd, innocence herself +Must linger yet below. Now raise thy view +Unto the visage most resembling Christ: +For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win +The pow'r to look on him." Forthwith I saw +Such floods of gladness on her visage shower'd, +From holy spirits, winging that profound; +That, whatsoever I had yet beheld, +Had not so much suspended me with wonder, +Or shown me such similitude of God. +And he, who had to her descended, once, +On earth, now hail'd in heav'n; and on pois'd wing. +"Ave, Maria, Gratia Plena," sang: +To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court, +From all parts answ'ring, rang: that holier joy +Brooded the deep serene. "Father rever'd: +Who deign'st, for me, to quit the pleasant place, +Wherein thou sittest, by eternal lot! +Say, who that angel is, that with such glee +Beholds our queen, and so enamour'd glows +Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems." +So I again resorted to the lore +Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary's charms +Embellish'd, as the sun the morning star; +Who thus in answer spake: "In him are summ'd, +Whatever of buxomness and free delight +May be in Spirit, or in angel, met: +And so beseems: for that he bare the palm +Down unto Mary, when the Son of God +Vouchsaf'd to clothe him in terrestrial weeds. +Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words, +And note thou of this just and pious realm +The chiefest nobles. Those, highest in bliss, +The twain, on each hand next our empress thron'd, +Are as it were two roots unto this rose. +He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste +Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right, +That ancient father of the holy church, +Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys +Of this sweet flow'r: near whom behold the seer, +That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times +Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails +Was won. And, near unto the other, rests +The leader, under whom on manna fed +Th' ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse. +On th' other part, facing to Peter, lo! +Where Anna sits, so well content to look +On her lov'd daughter, that with moveless eye +She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos'd +To the first father of your mortal kind, +Is Lucia, at whose hest thy lady sped, +When on the edge of ruin clos'd thine eye. + +"But (for the vision hasteneth so an end) +Here break we off, as the good workman doth, +That shapes the cloak according to the cloth: +And to the primal love our ken shall rise; +That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far +As sight can bear thee. Yet, alas! in sooth +Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance, +Thou backward fall'st. Grace then must first be gain'd; +Her grace, whose might can help thee. Thou in prayer +Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue, +Attend, and yield me all thy heart." He said, +And thus the saintly orison began. + + + + +CANTO XXXIII + +"O virgin mother, daughter of thy Son, +Created beings all in lowliness +Surpassing, as in height, above them all, +Term by th' eternal counsel pre-ordain'd, +Ennobler of thy nature, so advanc'd +In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn, +Himself, in his own work enclos'd to dwell! +For in thy womb rekindling shone the love +Reveal'd, whose genial influence makes now +This flower to germin in eternal peace! +Here thou to us, of charity and love, +Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath, +To mortal men, of hope a living spring. +So mighty art thou, lady! and so great, +That he who grace desireth, and comes not +To thee for aidance, fain would have desire +Fly without wings. Nor only him who asks, +Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft +Forerun the asking. Whatsoe'er may be +Of excellence in creature, pity mild, +Relenting mercy, large munificence, +Are all combin'd in thee. Here kneeleth one, +Who of all spirits hath review'd the state, +From the world's lowest gap unto this height. +Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace +For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken +Toward the bliss supreme. And I, who ne'er +Coveted sight, more fondly, for myself, +Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer, +(And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive +Each cloud of his mortality away; +That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze. +This also I entreat of thee, O queen! +Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou +Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve +Affection sound, and human passions quell. +Lo! Where, with Beatrice, many a saint +Stretch their clasp'd hands, in furtherance of my suit!" + +The eyes, that heav'n with love and awe regards, +Fix'd on the suitor, witness'd, how benign +She looks on pious pray'rs: then fasten'd they +On th' everlasting light, wherein no eye +Of creature, as may well be thought, so far +Can travel inward. I, meanwhile, who drew +Near to the limit, where all wishes end, +The ardour of my wish (for so behooved), +Ended within me. Beck'ning smil'd the sage, +That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade, +Already of myself aloft I look'd; +For visual strength, refining more and more, +Bare me into the ray authentical +Of sovran light. Thenceforward, what I saw, +Was not for words to speak, nor memory's self +To stand against such outrage on her skill. +As one, who from a dream awaken'd, straight, +All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains +Impression of the feeling in his dream; +E'en such am I: for all the vision dies, +As 't were, away; and yet the sense of sweet, +That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart. +Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal'd; +Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost +The Sybil's sentence. O eternal beam! +(Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?) +Yield me again some little particle +Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue +Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory, +Unto the race to come, that shall not lose +Thy triumph wholly, if thou waken aught +Of memory in me, and endure to hear +The record sound in this unequal strain. + +Such keenness from the living ray I met, +That, if mine eyes had turn'd away, methinks, +I had been lost; but, so embolden'd, on +I pass'd, as I remember, till my view +Hover'd the brink of dread infinitude. + +O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav'st +Boldness to fix so earnestly my ken +On th' everlasting splendour, that I look'd, +While sight was unconsum'd, and, in that depth, +Saw in one volume clasp'd of love, whatever +The universe unfolds; all properties +Of substance and of accident, beheld, +Compounded, yet one individual light +The whole. And of such bond methinks I saw +The universal form: for that whenever +I do but speak of it, my soul dilates +Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak, +One moment seems a longer lethargy, +Than five-and-twenty ages had appear'd +To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder +At Argo's shadow darkening on his flood. + +With fixed heed, suspense and motionless, +Wond'ring I gaz'd; and admiration still +Was kindled, as I gaz'd. It may not be, +That one, who looks upon that light, can turn +To other object, willingly, his view. +For all the good, that will may covet, there +Is summ'd; and all, elsewhere defective found, +Complete. My tongue shall utter now, no more +E'en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe's +That yet is moisten'd at his mother's breast. +Not that the semblance of the living light +Was chang'd (that ever as at first remain'd) +But that my vision quickening, in that sole +Appearance, still new miracles descry'd, +And toil'd me with the change. In that abyss +Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem'd methought, +Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound: +And, from another, one reflected seem'd, +As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third +Seem'd fire, breath'd equally from both. Oh speech +How feeble and how faint art thou, to give +Conception birth! Yet this to what I saw +Is less than little. Oh eternal light! +Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself +Sole understood, past, present, or to come! +Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee +Seem'd as reflected splendour, while I mus'd; +For I therein, methought, in its own hue +Beheld our image painted: steadfastly +I therefore por'd upon the view. As one +Who vers'd in geometric lore, would fain +Measure the circle; and, though pondering long +And deeply, that beginning, which he needs, +Finds not; e'en such was I, intent to scan +The novel wonder, and trace out the form, +How to the circle fitted, and therein +How plac'd: but the flight was not for my wing; +Had not a flash darted athwart my mind, +And in the spleen unfolded what it sought. + +Here vigour fail'd the tow'ring fantasy: +But yet the will roll'd onward, like a wheel +In even motion, by the Love impell'd, +That moves the sun in heav'n and all the stars. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Divine Comedy of Dante: Paradise +by Dante Alighieri + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PARADISE *** + +***** This file should be named 1007.txt or 1007.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/1007/ + +Produced by Judith Smith and Natalie Salter + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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We would also like to thank Montell Corporation +Inc., Sarnia plant, for the use of scanning equipment to +facilitate the preparation of this electronic text. + +Judith Smith +heyjude@ebtech.net + + + + + +THE VISION +OR, +HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE +OF +DANTE ALIGHIERI +TRANSLATED BY +THE REV. H. F. CARY, A.M. + + + +PARADISE + + + +CANTO I + +His glory, by whose might all things are mov'd, +Pierces the universe, and in one part +Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav'n, +That largeliest of his light partakes, was I, +Witness of things, which to relate again +Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence; +For that, so near approaching its desire +Our intellect is to such depth absorb'd, +That memory cannot follow. Nathless all, +That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm +Could store, shall now be matter of my song. + Benign Apollo! this last labour aid, +And make me such a vessel of thy worth, +As thy own laurel claims of me belov'd. +Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus' brows +Suffic'd me; henceforth there is need of both +For my remaining enterprise Do thou +Enter into my bosom, and there breathe +So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg'd +Forth from his limbs unsheath'd. O power divine! +If thou to me of shine impart so much, +That of that happy realm the shadow'd form +Trac'd in my thoughts I may set forth to view, +Thou shalt behold me of thy favour'd tree +Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves; +For to that honour thou, and my high theme +Will fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire! +To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath +Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills +Deprav'd) joy to the Delphic god must spring +From the Pierian foliage, when one breast +Is with such thirst inspir'd. From a small spark +Great flame hath risen: after me perchance +Others with better voice may pray, and gain +From the Cirrhaean city answer kind. + Through diver passages, the world's bright lamp +Rises to mortals, but through that which joins +Four circles with the threefold cross, in best +Course, and in happiest constellation set +He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives +Its temper and impression. Morning there, +Here eve was by almost such passage made; +And whiteness had o'erspread that hemisphere, +Blackness the other part; when to the left +I saw Beatrice turn'd, and on the sun +Gazing, as never eagle fix'd his ken. +As from the first a second beam is wont +To issue, and reflected upwards rise, +E'en as a pilgrim bent on his return, +So of her act, that through the eyesight pass'd +Into my fancy, mine was form'd; and straight, +Beyond our mortal wont, I fix'd mine eyes +Upon the sun. Much is allowed us there, +That here exceeds our pow'r; thanks to the place +Made for the dwelling of the human kind + I suffer'd it not long, and yet so long +That I beheld it bick'ring sparks around, +As iron that comes boiling from the fire. +And suddenly upon the day appear'd +A day new-ris'n, as he, who hath the power, +Had with another sun bedeck'd the sky. + Her eyes fast fix'd on the eternal wheels, +Beatrice stood unmov'd; and I with ken +Fix'd upon her, from upward gaze remov'd +At her aspect, such inwardly became +As Glaucus, when he tasted of the herb, +That made him peer among the ocean gods; +Words may not tell of that transhuman change: +And therefore let the example serve, though weak, +For those whom grace hath better proof in store + If I were only what thou didst create, +Then newly, Love! by whom the heav'n is rul'd, +Thou know'st, who by thy light didst bear me up. +Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide, +Desired Spirit! with its harmony +Temper'd of thee and measur'd, charm'd mine ear, +Then seem'd to me so much of heav'n to blaze +With the sun's flame, that rain or flood ne'er made +A lake so broad. The newness of the sound, +And that great light, inflam'd me with desire, +Keener than e'er was felt, to know their cause. + Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself, +To calm my troubled mind, before I ask'd, +Open'd her lips, and gracious thus began: +"With false imagination thou thyself +Mak'st dull, so that thou seest not the thing, +Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off. +Thou art not on the earth as thou believ'st; +For light'ning scap'd from its own proper place +Ne'er ran, as thou hast hither now return'd." + Although divested of my first-rais'd doubt, +By those brief words, accompanied with smiles, +Yet in new doubt was I entangled more, +And said: "Already satisfied, I rest +From admiration deep, but now admire +How I above those lighter bodies rise." + Whence, after utt'rance of a piteous sigh, +She tow'rds me bent her eyes, with such a look, +As on her frenzied child a mother casts; +Then thus began: "Among themselves all things +Have order; and from hence the form, which makes +The universe resemble God. In this +The higher creatures see the printed steps +Of that eternal worth, which is the end +Whither the line is drawn. All natures lean, +In this their order, diversely, some more, +Some less approaching to their primal source. +Thus they to different havens are mov'd on +Through the vast sea of being, and each one +With instinct giv'n, that bears it in its course; +This to the lunar sphere directs the fire, +This prompts the hearts of mortal animals, +This the brute earth together knits, and binds. +Nor only creatures, void of intellect, +Are aim'd at by this bow; hut even those, +That have intelligence and love, are pierc'd. +That Providence, who so well orders all, +With her own light makes ever calm the heaven, +In which the substance, that hath greatest speed, +Is turn'd: and thither now, as to our seat +Predestin'd, we are carried by the force +Of that strong cord, that never looses dart, +But at fair aim and glad. Yet is it true, +That as ofttimes but ill accords the form +To the design of art, through sluggishness +Of unreplying matter, so this course +Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who +Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere; +As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall, +From its original impulse warp'd, to earth, +By vicious fondness. Thou no more admire +Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse +Of torrent downwards from a mountain's height. +There would in thee for wonder be more cause, +If, free of hind'rance, thou hadst fix'd thyself +Below, like fire unmoving on the earth." + So said, she turn'd toward the heav'n her face. + + + +CANTO II + +All ye, who in small bark have following sail'd, +Eager to listen, on the advent'rous track +Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way, +Backward return with speed, and your own shores +Revisit, nor put out to open sea, +Where losing me, perchance ye may remain +Bewilder'd in deep maze. The way I pass +Ne'er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale, +Apollo guides me, and another Nine +To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal. +Ye other few, who have outstretch'd the neck. +Timely for food of angels, on which here +They live, yet never know satiety, +Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out +Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad +Before you in the wave, that on both sides +Equal returns. Those, glorious, who pass'd o'er +To Colchos, wonder'd not as ye will do, +When they saw Jason following the plough. + The increate perpetual thirst, that draws +Toward the realm of God's own form, bore us +Swift almost as the heaven ye behold. + Beatrice upward gaz'd, and I on her, +And in such space as on the notch a dart +Is plac'd, then loosen'd flies, I saw myself +Arriv'd, where wond'rous thing engag'd my sight. +Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid, +Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair, +Bespake me: "Gratefully direct thy mind +To God, through whom to this first star we come." + Me seem'd as if a cloud had cover'd us, +Translucent, solid, firm, and polish'd bright, +Like adamant, which the sun's beam had smit +Within itself the ever-during pearl +Receiv'd us, as the wave a ray of light +Receives, and rests unbroken. If I then +Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend +Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus +Another could endure, which needs must be +If body enter body, how much more +Must the desire inflame us to behold +That essence, which discovers by what means +God and our nature join'd! There will be seen +That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof, +But in itself intelligibly plain, +E'en as the truth that man at first believes. + I answered: "Lady! I with thoughts devout, +Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him, +Who hath remov'd me from the mortal world. +But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots +Upon this body, which below on earth +Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?" + She somewhat smil'd, then spake: "If mortals err +In their opinion, when the key of sense +Unlocks not, surely wonder's weapon keen +Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find'st, the wings +Of reason to pursue the senses' flight +Are short. But what thy own thought is, declare." + Then I: "What various here above appears, +Is caus'd, I deem, by bodies dense or rare." + She then resum'd: "Thou certainly wilt see +In falsehood thy belief o'erwhelm'd, if well +Thou listen to the arguments, which I +Shall bring to face it. The eighth sphere displays +Numberless lights, the which in kind and size +May be remark'd of different aspects; +If rare or dense of that were cause alone, +One single virtue then would be in all, +Alike distributed, or more, or less. +Different virtues needs must be the fruits +Of formal principles, and these, save one, +Will by thy reasoning be destroy'd. Beside, +If rarity were of that dusk the cause, +Which thou inquirest, either in some part +That planet must throughout be void, nor fed +With its own matter; or, as bodies share +Their fat and leanness, in like manner this +Must in its volume change the leaves. The first, +If it were true, had through the sun's eclipse +Been manifested, by transparency +Of light, as through aught rare beside effus'd. +But this is not. Therefore remains to see +The other cause: and if the other fall, +Erroneous so must prove what seem'd to thee. +If not from side to side this rarity +Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence +Its contrary no further lets it pass. +And hence the beam, that from without proceeds, +Must be pour'd back, as colour comes, through glass +Reflected, which behind it lead conceals. +Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue +Than in the other part the ray is shown, +By being thence refracted farther back. +From this perplexity will free thee soon +Experience, if thereof thou trial make, +The fountain whence your arts derive their streame. +Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove +From thee alike, and more remote the third. +Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes; +Then turn'd toward them, cause behind thy back +A light to stand, that on the three shall shine, +And thus reflected come to thee from all. +Though that beheld most distant do not stretch +A space so ample, yet in brightness thou +Will own it equaling the rest. But now, +As under snow the ground, if the warm ray +Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue +And cold, that cover'd it before, so thee, +Dismantled in thy mind, I will inform +With light so lively, that the tremulous beam +Shall quiver where it falls. Within the heaven, +Where peace divine inhabits, circles round +A body, in whose virtue dies the being +Of all that it contains. The following heaven, +That hath so many lights, this being divides, +Through different essences, from it distinct, +And yet contain'd within it. The other orbs +Their separate distinctions variously +Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt. +Thus do these organs of the world proceed, +As thou beholdest now, from step to step, +Their influences from above deriving, +And thence transmitting downwards. Mark me well, +How through this passage to the truth I ford, +The truth thou lov'st, that thou henceforth alone, +May'st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold. + "The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs, +As mallet by the workman's hand, must needs +By blessed movers be inspir'd. This heaven, +Made beauteous by so many luminaries, +From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere, +Its image takes an impress as a seal: +And as the soul, that dwells within your dust, +Through members different, yet together form'd, +In different pow'rs resolves itself; e'en so +The intellectual efficacy unfolds +Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars; +On its own unity revolving still. +Different virtue compact different +Makes with the precious body it enlivens, +With which it knits, as life in you is knit. +From its original nature full of joy, +The virtue mingled through the body shines, +As joy through pupil of the living eye. +From hence proceeds, that which from light to light +Seems different, and not from dense or rare. +This is the formal cause, that generates +Proportion'd to its power, the dusk or clear." + + +CANTO III + +That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm'd +Had of fair truth unveil'd the sweet aspect, +By proof of right, and of the false reproof; +And I, to own myself convinc'd and free +Of doubt, as much as needed, rais'd my head +Erect for speech. But soon a sight appear'd, +Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix'd, +That of confession I no longer thought. + As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave +Clear and unmov'd, and flowing not so deep +As that its bed is dark, the shape returns +So faint of our impictur'd lineaments, +That on white forehead set a pearl as strong +Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face, +All stretch'd to speak, from whence I straight conceiv'd +Delusion opposite to that, which rais'd +Between the man and fountain, amorous flame. + Sudden, as I perceiv'd them, deeming these +Reflected semblances to see of whom +They were, I turn'd mine eyes, and nothing saw; +Then turn'd them back, directed on the light +Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams +From her celestial eyes. "Wonder not thou," +She cry'd, "at this my smiling, when I see +Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth +It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont, +Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy. +True substances are these, which thou behold'st, +Hither through failure of their vow exil'd. +But speak thou with them; listen, and believe, +That the true light, which fills them with desire, +Permits not from its beams their feet to stray." + Straight to the shadow which for converse seem'd +Most earnest, I addressed me, and began, +As one by over-eagerness perplex'd: +"O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays +Of life eternal, of that sweetness know'st +The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far +All apprehension, me it well would please, +If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this +Your station here." Whence she, with kindness prompt, +And eyes glist'ning with smiles: "Our charity, +To any wish by justice introduc'd, +Bars not the door, no more than she above, +Who would have all her court be like herself. +I was a virgin sister in the earth; +And if thy mind observe me well, this form, +With such addition grac'd of loveliness, +Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know +Piccarda, in the tardiest sphere thus plac'd, +Here 'mid these other blessed also blest. +Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone +With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv'd, +Admitted to his order dwell in joy. +And this condition, which appears so low, +Is for this cause assign'd us, that our vows +Were in some part neglected and made void." + Whence I to her replied: "Something divine +Beams in your countenance, wond'rous fair, +From former knowledge quite transmuting you. +Therefore to recollect was I so slow. +But what thou sayst hath to my memory +Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms +Is easier. Yet inform me, ye, who here +Are happy, long ye for a higher place +More to behold, and more in love to dwell?" + She with those other spirits gently smil'd, +Then answer'd with such gladness, that she seem'd +With love's first flame to glow: "Brother! our will +Is in composure settled by the power +Of charity, who makes us will alone +What we possess, and nought beyond desire; +If we should wish to be exalted more, +Then must our wishes jar with the high will +Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs +Thou wilt confess not possible, if here +To be in charity must needs befall, +And if her nature well thou contemplate. +Rather it is inherent in this state +Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within +The divine will, by which our wills with his +Are one. So that as we from step to step +Are plac'd throughout this kingdom, pleases all, +E'en as our King, who in us plants his will; +And in his will is our tranquillity; +It is the mighty ocean, whither tends +Whatever it creates and nature makes." + Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav'n +Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew +The supreme virtue show'r not over all. + But as it chances, if one sort of food +Hath satiated, and of another still +The appetite remains, that this is ask'd, +And thanks for that return'd; e'en so did I +In word and motion, bent from her to learn +What web it was, through which she had not drawn +The shuttle to its point. She thus began: +"Exalted worth and perfectness of life +The Lady higher up enshrine in heaven, +By whose pure laws upon your nether earth +The robe and veil they wear, to that intent, +That e'en till death they may keep watch or sleep +With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow, +Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms. +from the world, to follow her, when young +Escap'd; and, in her vesture mantling me, +Made promise of the way her sect enjoins. +Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt, +Forth snatch'd me from the pleasant cloister's pale. +God knows how after that my life was fram'd. +This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst +At my right side, burning with all the light +Of this our orb, what of myself I tell +May to herself apply. From her, like me +A sister, with like violence were torn +The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows. +E'en when she to the world again was brought +In spite of her own will and better wont, +Yet not for that the bosom's inward veil +Did she renounce. This is the luminary +Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast, +Which blew the second over Suabia's realm, +That power produc'd, which was the third and last." + She ceas'd from further talk, and then began +"Ave Maria" singing, and with that song +Vanish'd, as heavy substance through deep wave. + Mine eye, that far as it was capable, +Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost, +Turn'd to the mark where greater want impell'd, +And bent on Beatrice all its gaze. +But she as light'ning beam'd upon my looks: +So that the sight sustain'd it not at first. +Whence I to question her became less prompt. + + + +CANTO IV + +Between two kinds of food, both equally +Remote and tempting, first a man might die +Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose. +E'en so would stand a lamb between the maw +Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike: +E'en so between two deer a dog would stand, +Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise +I to myself impute, by equal doubts +Held in suspense, since of necessity +It happen'd. Silent was I, yet desire +Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake +My wish more earnestly than language could. + As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed +From ire, that spurr'd him on to deeds unjust +And violent; so look'd Beatrice then. + "Well I discern," she thus her words address'd, +"How contrary desires each way constrain thee, +So that thy anxious thought is in itself +Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth. +Thou arguest; if the good intent remain; +What reason that another's violence +Should stint the measure of my fair desert? + "Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems, +That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem'd, +Return. These are the questions which thy will +Urge equally; and therefore I the first +Of that will treat which hath the more of gall. +Of seraphim he who is most ensky'd, +Moses and Samuel, and either John, +Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary's self, +Have not in any other heav'n their seats, +Than have those spirits which so late thou saw'st; +Nor more or fewer years exist; but all +Make the first circle beauteous, diversely +Partaking of sweet life, as more or less +Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them. +Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns +This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee +Of that celestial furthest from the height. +Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak: +Since from things sensible alone ye learn +That, which digested rightly after turns +To intellectual. For no other cause +The scripture, condescending graciously +To your perception, hands and feet to God +Attributes, nor so means: and holy church +Doth represent with human countenance +Gabriel, and Michael, and him who made +Tobias whole. Unlike what here thou seest, +The judgment of Timaeus, who affirms +Each soul restor'd to its particular star, +Believing it to have been taken thence, +When nature gave it to inform her mold: +Since to appearance his intention is +E'en what his words declare: or else to shun +Derision, haply thus he hath disguis'd +His true opinion. If his meaning be, +That to the influencing of these orbs revert +The honour and the blame in human acts, +Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth. +This principle, not understood aright, +Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world; +So that it fell to fabled names of Jove, +And Mercury, and Mars. That other doubt, +Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings +No peril of removing thee from me. + "That, to the eye of man, our justice seems +Unjust, is argument for faith, and not +For heretic declension. To the end +This truth may stand more clearly in your view, +I will content thee even to thy wish + "If violence be, when that which suffers, nought +Consents to that which forceth, not for this +These spirits stood exculpate. For the will, +That will not, still survives unquench'd, and doth +As nature doth in fire, tho' violence +Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield +Or more or less, so far it follows force. +And thus did these, whom they had power to seek +The hallow'd place again. In them, had will +Been perfect, such as once upon the bars +Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola +To his own hand remorseless, to the path, +Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten'd back, +When liberty return'd: but in too few +Resolve so steadfast dwells. And by these words +If duly weigh'd, that argument is void, +Which oft might have perplex'd thee still. But now +Another question thwarts thee, which to solve +Might try thy patience without better aid. +I have, no doubt, instill'd into thy mind, +That blessed spirit may not lie; since near +The source of primal truth it dwells for aye: +And thou might'st after of Piccarda learn +That Constance held affection to the veil; +So that she seems to contradict me here. +Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc'd for men +To do what they had gladly left undone, +Yet to shun peril they have done amiss: +E'en as Alcmaeon, at his father's suit +Slew his own mother, so made pitiless +Not to lose pity. On this point bethink thee, +That force and will are blended in such wise +As not to make the' offence excusable. +Absolute will agrees not to the wrong, +That inasmuch as there is fear of woe +From non-compliance, it agrees. Of will +Thus absolute Piccarda spake, and I +Of th' other; so that both have truly said." + Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well'd +From forth the fountain of all truth; and such +The rest, that to my wond'ring thoughts l found. + "O thou of primal love the prime delight! +Goddess! "I straight reply'd, "whose lively words +Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul! +Affection fails me to requite thy grace +With equal sum of gratitude: be his +To recompense, who sees and can reward thee. +Well I discern, that by that truth alone +Enlighten'd, beyond which no truth may roam, +Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know: +Therein she resteth, e'en as in his lair +The wild beast, soon as she hath reach'd that bound, +And she hath power to reach it; else desire +Were given to no end. And thence doth doubt +Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth; +And it is nature which from height to height +On to the summit prompts us. This invites, +This doth assure me, lady, rev'rently +To ask thee of other truth, that yet +Is dark to me. I fain would know, if man +By other works well done may so supply +The failure of his vows, that in your scale +They lack not weight." I spake; and on me straight +Beatrice look'd with eyes that shot forth sparks +Of love celestial in such copious stream, +That, virtue sinking in me overpower'd, +I turn'd, and downward bent confus'd my sight. + + + +CANTO V + +"If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love +Illume me, so that I o'ercome thy power +Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause +In that perfection of the sight, which soon +As apprehending, hasteneth on to reach +The good it apprehends. I well discern, +How in thine intellect already shines +The light eternal, which to view alone +Ne'er fails to kindle love; and if aught else +Your love seduces, 't is but that it shows +Some ill-mark'd vestige of that primal beam. + "This would'st thou know, if failure of the vow +By other service may be so supplied, +As from self-question to assure the soul." + Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish, +Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off +Discourse, continued in her saintly strain. +"Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave +Of his free bounty, sign most evident +Of goodness, and in his account most priz'd, +Was liberty of will, the boon wherewith +All intellectual creatures, and them sole +He hath endow'd. Hence now thou mayst infer +Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram'd +That when man offers, God well-pleas'd accepts; +For in the compact between God and him, +This treasure, such as I describe it to thee, +He makes the victim, and of his own act. +What compensation therefore may he find? +If that, whereof thou hast oblation made, +By using well thou think'st to consecrate, +Thou would'st of theft do charitable deed. +Thus I resolve thee of the greater point. + "But forasmuch as holy church, herein +Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth +I have discover'd to thee, yet behooves +Thou rest a little longer at the board, +Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken, +Digested fitly to nutrition turn. +Open thy mind to what I now unfold, +And give it inward keeping. Knowledge comes +Of learning well retain'd, unfruitful else. + "This sacrifice in essence of two things +Consisteth; one is that, whereof 't is made, +The covenant the other. For the last, +It ne'er is cancell'd if not kept: and hence +I spake erewhile so strictly of its force. +For this it was enjoin'd the Israelites, +Though leave were giv'n them, as thou know'st, to change +The offering, still to offer. Th' other part, +The matter and the substance of the vow, +May well be such, to that without offence +It may for other substance be exchang'd. +But at his own discretion none may shift +The burden on his shoulders, unreleas'd +By either key, the yellow and the white. +Nor deem of any change, as less than vain, +If the last bond be not within the new +Included, as the quatre in the six. +No satisfaction therefore can be paid +For what so precious in the balance weighs, +That all in counterpoise must kick the beam. +Take then no vow at random: ta'en, with faith +Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once, +Blindly to execute a rash resolve, +Whom better it had suited to exclaim, +'1 have done ill,' than to redeem his pledge +By doing worse or, not unlike to him +In folly, that great leader of the Greeks: +Whence, on the alter, Iphigenia mourn'd +Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn +Both wise and simple, even all, who hear +Of so fell sacrifice. Be ye more staid, +O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind +Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves +In every water. Either testament, +The old and new, is yours: and for your guide +The shepherd of the church let this suffice +To save you. When by evil lust entic'd, +Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts; +Nor let the Jew, who dwelleth in your streets, +Hold you in mock'ry. Be not, as the lamb, +That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother's milk, +To dally with itself in idle play." + Such were the words that Beatrice spake: +These ended, to that region, where the world +Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn'd. + Though mainly prompt new question to propose, +Her silence and chang'd look did keep me dumb. +And as the arrow, ere the cord is still, +Leapeth unto its mark; so on we sped +Into the second realm. There I beheld +The dame, so joyous enter, that the orb +Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star +Were mov'd to gladness, what then was my cheer, +Whom nature hath made apt for every change! + As in a quiet and clear lake the fish, +If aught approach them from without, do draw +Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew +Full more than thousand splendours towards us, +And in each one was heard: "Lo! one arriv'd +To multiply our loves!" and as each came +The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new, +Witness'd augmented joy. Here, reader! think, +If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale, +To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave; +And thou shalt see what vehement desire +Possess'd me, as soon as these had met my view, +To know their state. "O born in happy hour! +Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close +Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones +Of that eternal triumph, know to us +The light communicated, which through heaven +Expatiates without bound. Therefore, if aught +Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid, +Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill." + Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me; +And Beatrice next: "Say on; and trust +As unto gods!" --"How in the light supreme +Thou harbour'st, and from thence the virtue bring'st, +That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy, +l mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek; +Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot +This sphere assign'd, that oft from mortal ken +Is veil'd by others' beams." I said, and turn'd +Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind +Erewhile had hail'd me. Forthwith brighter far +Than erst, it wax'd: and, as himself the sun +Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze +Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey'd; +Within its proper ray the saintly shape +Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal'd; +And, shrouded so in splendour answer'd me, +E'en as the tenour of my song declares. + + + +CANTO VI + +"After that Constantine the eagle turn'd +Against the motions of the heav'n, that roll'd +Consenting with its course, when he of yore, +Lavinia's spouse, was leader of the flight, +A hundred years twice told and more, his seat +At Europe's extreme point, the bird of Jove +Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first. +There, under shadow of his sacred plumes +Swaying the world, till through successive hands +To mine he came devolv'd. Caesar I was, +And am Justinian; destin'd by the will +Of that prime love, whose influence I feel, +From vain excess to clear th' encumber'd laws. +Or ere that work engag'd me, I did hold +Christ's nature merely human, with such faith +Contented. But the blessed Agapete, +Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice +To the true faith recall'd me. I believ'd +His words: and what he taught, now plainly see, +As thou in every contradiction seest +The true and false oppos'd. Soon as my feet +Were to the church reclaim'd, to my great task, +By inspiration of God's grace impell'd, +I gave me wholly, and consign'd mine arms +To Belisarius, with whom heaven's right hand +Was link'd in such conjointment, 't was a sign +That I should rest. To thy first question thus +I shape mine answer, which were ended here, +But that its tendency doth prompt perforce +To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark +What reason on each side they have to plead, +By whom that holiest banner is withstood, +Both who pretend its power and who oppose. + "Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died +To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds +Have made it worthy reverence. Not unknown +To thee, how for three hundred years and more +It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists +Where for its sake were met the rival three; +Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev'd +Down to the Sabines' wrong to Lucrece' woe, +With its sev'n kings conqu'ring the nation round; +Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home +'Gainst Brennus and th' Epirot prince, and hosts +Of single chiefs, or states in league combin'd +Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern, +And Quintius nam'd of his neglected locks, +The Decii, and the Fabii hence acquir'd +Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm. +By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell'd, +When they led on by Hannibal o'erpass'd +The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po! +Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days +Scipio and Pompey triumph'd; and that hill, +Under whose summit thou didst see the light, +Rued its stern bearing. After, near the hour, +When heav'n was minded that o'er all the world +His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar's hand +Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought +From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere's flood, +Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills +The torrent Rhone. What after that it wrought, +When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap'd +The Rubicon, was of so bold a flight, +That tongue nor pen may follow it. Tow'rds Spain +It wheel'd its bands, then tow'rd Dyrrachium smote, +And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge, +E'en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang; +Its native shores Antandros, and the streams +Of Simois revisited, and there +Where Hector lies; then ill for Ptolemy +His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell +On Juba; and the next upon your west, +At sound of the Pompeian trump, return'd. + "What following and in its next bearer's gripe +It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus +Bark'd off in hell, and by Perugia's sons +And Modena's was mourn'd. Hence weepeth still +Sad Cleopatra, who, pursued by it, +Took from the adder black and sudden death. +With him it ran e'en to the Red Sea coast; +With him compos'd the world to such a peace, +That of his temple Janus barr'd the door. + "But all the mighty standard yet had wrought, +And was appointed to perform thereafter, +Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway'd, +Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur'd, +If one with steady eye and perfect thought +On the third Caesar look; for to his hands, +The living Justice, in whose breath I move, +Committed glory, e'en into his hands, +To execute the vengeance of its wrath. + "Hear now and wonder at what next I tell. +After with Titus it was sent to wreak +Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin, +And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure, +Did gore the bosom of the holy church, +Under its wings victorious, Charlemagne +Sped to her rescue. Judge then for thyself +Of those, whom I erewhile accus'd to thee, +What they are, and how grievous their offending, +Who are the cause of all your ills. The one +Against the universal ensign rears +The yellow lilies, and with partial aim +That to himself the other arrogates: +So that 't is hard to see which more offends. +Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts +Beneath another standard: ill is this +Follow'd of him, who severs it and justice: +And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown'd Charles +Assail it, but those talons hold in dread, +Which from a lion of more lofty port +Have rent the easing. Many a time ere now +The sons have for the sire's transgression wail'd; +Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav'n +Will truck its armour for his lilied shield. + "This little star is furnish'd with good spirits, +Whose mortal lives were busied to that end, +That honour and renown might wait on them: +And, when desires thus err in their intention, +True love must needs ascend with slacker beam. +But it is part of our delight, to measure +Our wages with the merit; and admire +The close proportion. Hence doth heav'nly justice +Temper so evenly affection in us, +It ne'er can warp to any wrongfulness. +Of diverse voices is sweet music made: +So in our life the different degrees +Render sweet harmony among these wheels. + "Within the pearl, that now encloseth us, +Shines Romeo's light, whose goodly deed and fair +Met ill acceptance. But the Provencals, +That were his foes, have little cause for mirth. +Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong +Of other's worth. Four daughters were there born +To Raymond Berenger, and every one +Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo, +Though of mean state and from a foreign land. +Yet envious tongues incited him to ask +A reckoning of that just one, who return'd +Twelve fold to him for ten. Aged and poor +He parted thence: and if the world did know +The heart he had, begging his life by morsels, +'T would deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt." + + + +CANTO VII + +"Hosanna Sanctus Deus Sabaoth +Superillustrans claritate tua +Felices ignes horum malahoth!" +Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright +With fourfold lustre to its orb again, +Revolving; and the rest unto their dance +With it mov'd also; and like swiftest sparks, +In sudden distance from my sight were veil'd. + Me doubt possess'd, and "Speak," it whisper'd me, +"Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench +Thy thirst with drops of sweetness." Yet blank awe, +Which lords it o'er me, even at the sound +Of Beatrice's name, did bow me down +As one in slumber held. Not long that mood +Beatrice suffer'd: she, with such a smile, +As might have made one blest amid the flames, +Beaming upon me, thus her words began: +"Thou in thy thought art pond'ring (as I deem, +And what I deem is truth how just revenge +Could be with justice punish'd: from which doubt +I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words; +For they of weighty matter shall possess thee. + "That man, who was unborn, himself condemn'd, +And, in himself, all, who since him have liv'd, +His offspring: whence, below, the human kind +Lay sick in grievous error many an age; +Until it pleas'd the Word of God to come +Amongst them down, to his own person joining +The nature, from its Maker far estrang'd, +By the mere act of his eternal love. +Contemplate here the wonder I unfold. +The nature with its Maker thus conjoin'd, +Created first was blameless, pure and good; +But through itself alone was driven forth +From Paradise, because it had eschew'd +The way of truth and life, to evil turn'd. +Ne'er then was penalty so just as that +Inflicted by the cross, if thou regard +The nature in assumption doom'd: ne'er wrong +So great, in reference to him, who took +Such nature on him, and endur'd the doom. +God therefore and the Jews one sentence pleased: +So different effects flow'd from one act, +And heav'n was open'd, though the earth did quake. +Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear +That a just vengeance was by righteous court +Justly reveng'd. But yet I see thy mind +By thought on thought arising sore perplex'd, +And with how vehement desire it asks +Solution of the maze. What I have heard, +Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way +For our redemption chose, eludes my search. + "Brother! no eye of man not perfected, +Nor fully ripen'd in the flame of love, +May fathom this decree. It is a mark, +In sooth, much aim'd at, and but little kenn'd: +And I will therefore show thee why such way +Was worthiest. The celestial love, that spume +All envying in its bounty, in itself +With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth +All beauteous things eternal. What distils +Immediate thence, no end of being knows, +Bearing its seal immutably impress'd. +Whatever thence immediate falls, is free, +Free wholly, uncontrollable by power +Of each thing new: by such conformity +More grateful to its author, whose bright beams, +Though all partake their shining, yet in those +Are liveliest, which resemble him the most. +These tokens of pre-eminence on man +Largely bestow'd, if any of them fail, +He needs must forfeit his nobility, +No longer stainless. Sin alone is that, +Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike +To the chief good; for that its light in him +Is darken'd. And to dignity thus lost +Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void, +He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain. +Your nature, which entirely in its seed +Trangress'd, from these distinctions fell, no less +Than from its state in Paradise; nor means +Found of recovery (search all methods out +As strickly as thou may) save one of these, +The only fords were left through which to wade, +Either that God had of his courtesy +Releas'd him merely, or else man himself +For his own folly by himself aton'd. + "Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst, +On th' everlasting counsel, and explore, +Instructed by my words, the dread abyss. + "Man in himself had ever lack'd the means +Of satisfaction, for he could not stoop +Obeying, in humility so low, +As high he, disobeying, thought to soar: +And for this reason he had vainly tried +Out of his own sufficiency to pay +The rigid satisfaction. Then behooved +That God should by his own ways lead him back +Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor'd: +By both his ways, I mean, or one alone. +But since the deed is ever priz'd the more, +The more the doer's good intent appears, +Goodness celestial, whose broad signature +Is on the universe, of all its ways +To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none, +Nor aught so vast or so magnificent, +Either for him who gave or who receiv'd +Between the last night and the primal day, +Was or can be. For God more bounty show'd. +Giving himself to make man capable +Of his return to life, than had the terms +Been mere and unconditional release. +And for his justice, every method else +Were all too scant, had not the Son of God +Humbled himself to put on mortal flesh. + "Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains +I somewhat further to thy view unfold. +That thou mayst see as clearly as myself. + "I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see, +The earth and water, and all things of them +Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon +Dissolve. Yet these were also things create, +Because, if what were told me, had been true +They from corruption had been therefore free. + "The angels, O my brother! and this clime +Wherein thou art, impassible and pure, +I call created, as indeed they are +In their whole being. But the elements, +Which thou hast nam'd, and what of them is made, +Are by created virtue' inform'd: create +Their substance, and create the' informing virtue +In these bright stars, that round them circling move +The soul of every brute and of each plant, +The ray and motion of the sacred lights, +With complex potency attract and turn. +But this our life the' eternal good inspires +Immediate, and enamours of itself; +So that our wishes rest for ever here. + "And hence thou mayst by inference conclude +Our resurrection certain, if thy mind +Consider how the human flesh was fram'd, +When both our parents at the first were made." + + + +CANTO VIII + +The world was in its day of peril dark +Wont to believe the dotage of fond love +From the fair Cyprian deity, who rolls +In her third epicycle, shed on men +By stream of potent radiance: therefore they +Of elder time, in their old error blind, +Not her alone with sacrifice ador'd +And invocation, but like honours paid +To Cupid and Dione, deem'd of them +Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign'd +To sit in Dido's bosom: and from her, +Whom I have sung preluding, borrow'd they +The appellation of that star, which views, +Now obvious and now averse, the sun. + I was not ware that I was wafted up +Into its orb; but the new loveliness +That grac'd my lady, gave me ample proof +That we had entered there. And as in flame +A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice +Discern'd, when one its even tenour keeps, +The other comes and goes; so in that light +I other luminaries saw, that cours'd +In circling motion. rapid more or less, +As their eternal phases each impels. + Never was blast from vapour charged with cold, +Whether invisible to eye or no, +Descended with such speed, it had not seem'd +To linger in dull tardiness, compar'd +To those celestial lights, that tow'rds us came, +Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring, +Conducted by the lofty seraphim. +And after them, who in the van appear'd, +Such an hosanna sounded, as hath left +Desire, ne'er since extinct in me, to hear +Renew'd the strain. Then parting from the rest +One near us drew, and sole began: "We all +Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos'd +To do thee gentle service. We are they, +To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing +'O ye! whose intellectual ministry +Moves the third heaven!' and in one orb we roll, +One motion, one impulse, with those who rule +Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full, +That to please thee 't will be as sweet to rest." + After mine eyes had with meek reverence +Sought the celestial guide, and were by her +Assur'd, they turn'd again unto the light +Who had so largely promis'd, and with voice +That bare the lively pressure of my zeal, +"Tell who ye are," I cried. Forthwith it grew +In size and splendour, through augmented joy; +And thus it answer'd: "A short date below +The world possess'd me. Had the time been more, +Much evil, that will come, had never chanc'd. +My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine . +Around, and shroud me, as an animal +In its own silk unswath'd. Thou lov'dst me well, +And had'st good cause; for had my sojourning +Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee +Had put forth more than blossoms. The left bank, +That Rhone, when he hath mix'd with Sorga, laves. +In me its lord expected, and that horn +Of fair Ausonia, with its boroughs old, +Bari, and Croton, and Gaeta pil'd, +From where the Trento disembogues his waves, +With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood. +Already on my temples beam'd the crown, +Which gave me sov'reignty over the land +By Danube wash'd, whenas he strays beyond +The limits of his German shores. The realm, +Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash'd, +Betwixt Pelorus and Pachynian heights, +The beautiful Trinacria lies in gloom +(Not through Typhaeus, but the vap'ry cloud +Bituminous upsteam'd), THAT too did look +To have its scepter wielded by a race +Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph; +had not ill lording which doth spirit up +The people ever, in Palermo rais'd +The shout of 'death,' re-echo'd loud and long. +Had but my brother's foresight kenn'd as much, +He had been warier that the greedy want +Of Catalonia might not work his bale. +And truly need there is, that he forecast, +Or other for him, lest more freight be laid +On his already over-laden bark. +Nature in him, from bounty fall'n to thrift, +Would ask the guard of braver arms, than such +As only care to have their coffers fill'd." + "My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words +Infuse into me, mighty as it is, +To think my gladness manifest to thee, +As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst +Into the source and limit of all good, +There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak, +Thence priz'd of me the more. Glad thou hast made me. +Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt +Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse, +How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown." + I thus inquiring; he forthwith replied: +"If I have power to show one truth, soon that +Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares +Behind thee now conceal'd. The Good, that guides +And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount, +Ordains its providence to be the virtue +In these great bodies: nor th' all perfect Mind +Upholds their nature merely, but in them +Their energy to save: for nought, that lies +Within the range of that unerring bow, +But is as level with the destin'd aim, +As ever mark to arrow's point oppos'd. +Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit, +Would their effect so work, it would not be +Art, but destruction; and this may not chance, +If th' intellectual powers, that move these stars, +Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail. +Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc'd?" + To whom I thus: "It is enough: no fear, +I see, lest nature in her part should tire." + He straight rejoin'd: "Say, were it worse for man, +If he liv'd not in fellowship on earth?" + "Yea," answer'd I; "nor here a reason needs." + "And may that be, if different estates +Grow not of different duties in your life? +Consult your teacher, and he tells you 'no."' + Thus did he come, deducing to this point, +And then concluded: "For this cause behooves, +The roots, from whence your operations come, +Must differ. Therefore one is Solon born; +Another, Xerxes; and Melchisidec +A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage +Cost him his son. In her circuitous course, +Nature, that is the seal to mortal wax, +Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns +'Twixt one or other household. Hence befalls +That Esau is so wide of Jacob: hence +Quirinus of so base a father springs, +He dates from Mars his lineage. Were it not +That providence celestial overrul'd, +Nature, in generation, must the path +Trac'd by the generator, still pursue +Unswervingly. Thus place I in thy sight +That, which was late behind thee. But, in sign +Of more affection for thee, 't is my will +Thou wear this corollary. Nature ever +Finding discordant fortune, like all seed +Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill. +And were the world below content to mark +And work on the foundation nature lays, +It would not lack supply of excellence. +But ye perversely to religion strain +Him, who was born to gird on him the sword, +And of the fluent phrasemen make your king; +Therefore your steps have wander'd from the paths." + + + +CANTO IX + +After solution of my doubt, thy Charles, +O fair Clemenza, of the treachery spake +That must befall his seed: but, "Tell it not," +Said he, "and let the destin'd years come round." +Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed +Of sorrow well-deserv'd shall quit your wrongs. + And now the visage of that saintly light +Was to the sun, that fills it, turn'd again, +As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss +Sufficeth all. O ye misguided souls! +Infatuate, who from such a good estrange +Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity, +Alas for you!--And lo! toward me, next, +Another of those splendent forms approach'd, +That, by its outward bright'ning, testified +The will it had to pleasure me. The eyes +Of Beatrice, resting, as before, +Firmly upon me, manifested forth +Approva1 of my wish. "And O," I cried, +Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform'd; +And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts +I can reflect on thee." Thereat the light, +That yet was new to me, from the recess, +Where it before was singing, thus began, +As one who joys in kindness: "In that part +Of the deprav'd Italian land, which lies +Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs +Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise, +But to no lofty eminence, a hill, +From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend, +That sorely sheet the region. From one root +I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza: +And here I glitter, for that by its light +This star o'ercame me. Yet I naught repine, +Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot, +Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive. + "This jewel, that is next me in our heaven, +Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left, +And not to perish, ere these hundred years +Five times absolve their round. Consider thou, +If to excel be worthy man's endeavour, +When such life may attend the first. Yet they +Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt +By Adice and Tagliamento, still +Impenitent, tho' scourg'd. The hour is near, +When for their stubbornness at Padua's marsh +The water shall be chang'd, that laves Vicena +And where Cagnano meets with Sile, one +Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom +The web is now a-warping. Feltro too +Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd's fault, +Of so deep stain, that never, for the like, +Was Malta's bar unclos'd. Too large should be +The skillet, that would hold Ferrara's blood, +And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it, +The which this priest, in show of party-zeal, +Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit +The country's custom. We descry above, +Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us +Reflected shine the judgments of our God: +Whence these our sayings we avouch for good." + She ended, and appear'd on other thoughts +Intent, re-ent'ring on the wheel she late +Had left. That other joyance meanwhile wax'd +A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing, +Like choicest ruby stricken by the sun, +For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes +Of gladness, as here laughter: and below, +As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade. + "God seeth all: and in him is thy sight," +Said I, "blest Spirit! Therefore will of his +Cannot to thee be dark. Why then delays +Thy voice to satisfy my wish untold, +That voice which joins the inexpressive song, +Pastime of heav'n, the which those ardours sing, +That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread? +I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known +To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known.'' + He forthwith answ'ring, thus his words began: +"The valley' of waters, widest next to that +Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course, +Between discordant shores, against the sun +Inward so far, it makes meridian there, +Where was before th' horizon. Of that vale +Dwelt I upon the shore, 'twixt Ebro's stream +And Macra's, that divides with passage brief +Genoan bounds from Tuscan. East and west +Are nearly one to Begga and my land, +Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm. +Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco: +And I did bear impression of this heav'n, +That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame +Glow'd Belus' daughter, injuring alike +Sichaeus and Creusa, than did I, +Long as it suited the unripen'd down +That fledg'd my cheek: nor she of Rhodope, +That was beguiled of Demophoon; +Nor Jove's son, when the charms of Iole +Were shrin'd within his heart. And yet there hides +No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth, +Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind), +But for the virtue, whose o'erruling sway +And providence have wrought thus quaintly. Here +The skill is look'd into, that fashioneth +With such effectual working, and the good +Discern'd, accruing to this upper world +From that below. But fully to content +Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth, +Demands my further parle. Inquire thou wouldst, +Who of this light is denizen, that here +Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth +On the clear wave. Know then, the soul of Rahab +Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe +United, and the foremost rank assign'd. +He to that heav'n, at which the shadow ends +Of your sublunar world, was taken up, +First, in Christ's triumph, of all souls redeem'd: +For well behoov'd, that, in some part of heav'n, +She should remain a trophy, to declare +The mighty contest won with either palm; +For that she favour'd first the high exploit +Of Joshua on the holy land, whereof +The Pope recks little now. Thy city, plant +Of him, that on his Maker turn'd the back, +And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung, +Engenders and expands the cursed flower, +That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs, +Turning the shepherd to a wolf. For this, +The gospel and great teachers laid aside, +The decretals, as their stuft margins show, +Are the sole study. Pope and Cardinals, +Intent on these, ne'er journey but in thought +To Nazareth, where Gabriel op'd his wings. +Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican, +And other most selected parts of Rome, +That were the grave of Peter's soldiery, +Shall be deliver'd from the adult'rous bond." + + + +CANTO X + +Looking into his first-born with the love, +Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might +Ineffable, whence eye or mind +Can roam, hath in such order all dispos'd, +As none may see and fail to' enjoy. Raise, then, +O reader! to the lofty wheels, with me, +Thy ken directed to the point, whereat +One motion strikes on th' other. There begin +Thy wonder of the mighty Architect, +Who loves his work so inwardly, his eye +Doth ever watch it. See, how thence oblique +Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll +To pour their wished influence on the world; +Whose path not bending thus, in heav'n above +Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth, +All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct +Were its departure distant more or less, +I' th' universal order, great defect +Must, both in heav'n and here beneath, ensue. + Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse +Anticipative of the feast to come; +So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil. +Lo! I have set before thee, for thyself +Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth +Demands entire my thought. Join'd with the part, +Which late we told of, the great minister +Of nature, that upon the world imprints +The virtue of the heaven, and doles out +Time for us with his beam, went circling on +Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes; +And I was with him, weetless of ascent, +As one, who till arriv'd, weets not his coming. + For Beatrice, she who passeth on +So suddenly from good to better, time +Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs +Have been her brightness! What she was i' th' sun +(Where I had enter'd), not through change of hue, +But light transparent--did I summon up +Genius, art, practice--I might not so speak, +It should be e'er imagin'd: yet believ'd +It may be, and the sight be justly crav'd. +And if our fantasy fail of such height, +What marvel, since no eye above the sun +Hath ever travel'd? Such are they dwell here, +Fourth family of the Omnipotent Sire, +Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows; +And holds them still enraptur'd with the view. +And thus to me Beatrice: "Thank, oh thank, +The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace +To this perceptible hath lifted thee." + Never was heart in such devotion bound, +And with complacency so absolute +Dispos'd to render up itself to God, +As mine was at those words: and so entire +The love for Him, that held me, it eclips'd +Beatrice in oblivion. Naught displeas'd +Was she, but smil'd thereat so joyously, +That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake +And scatter'd my collected mind abroad. + Then saw I a bright band, in liveliness +Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown, +And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice, +Than in their visage beaming. Cinctur'd thus, +Sometime Latona's daughter we behold, +When the impregnate air retains the thread, +That weaves her zone. In the celestial court, +Whence I return, are many jewels found, +So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook +Transporting from that realm: and of these lights +Such was the song. Who doth not prune his wing +To soar up thither, let him look from thence +For tidings from the dumb. When, singing thus, +Those burning suns that circled round us thrice, +As nearest stars around the fixed pole, +Then seem'd they like to ladies, from the dance +Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause, +List'ning, till they have caught the strain anew: +Suspended so they stood: and, from within, +Thus heard I one, who spake: "Since with its beam +The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame, +That after doth increase by loving, shines +So multiplied in thee, it leads thee up +Along this ladder, down whose hallow'd steps +None e'er descend, and mount them not again, +Who from his phial should refuse thee wine +To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were, +Than water flowing not unto the sea. +Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom +In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds +This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav'n. +I then was of the lambs, that Dominic +Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way, +Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity. +He, nearest on my right hand, brother was, +And master to me: Albert of Cologne +Is this: and of Aquinum, Thomas I. +If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur'd, +Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak, +In circuit journey round the blessed wreath. +That next resplendence issues from the smile +Of Gratian, who to either forum lent +Such help, as favour wins in Paradise. +The other, nearest, who adorns our quire, +Was Peter, he that with the widow gave +To holy church his treasure. The fifth light, +Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired, +That all your world craves tidings of its doom: +Within, there is the lofty light, endow'd +With sapience so profound, if truth be truth, +That with a ken of such wide amplitude +No second hath arisen. Next behold +That taper's radiance, to whose view was shown, +Clearliest, the nature and the ministry +Angelical, while yet in flesh it dwelt. +In the other little light serenely smiles +That pleader for the Christian temples, he +Who did provide Augustin of his lore. +Now, if thy mind's eye pass from light to light, +Upon my praises following, of the eighth +Thy thirst is next. The saintly soul, that shows +The world's deceitfulness, to all who hear him, +Is, with the sight of all the good, that is, +Blest there. The limbs, whence it was driven, lie +Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom +And exile came it here. Lo! further on, +Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore, +Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile, +In deep discernment. Lastly this, from whom +Thy look on me reverteth, was the beam +Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent, +Rebuk'd the ling'ring tardiness of death. +It is the eternal light of Sigebert, +Who 'scap'd not envy, when of truth he argued, +Reading in the straw-litter'd street." Forthwith, +As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God +To win her bridegroom's love at matin's hour, +Each part of other fitly drawn and urg'd, +Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet, +Affection springs in well-disposed breast; +Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard +Voice answ'ring voice, so musical and soft, +It can be known but where day endless shines. + + + +CANTO XI + +O fond anxiety of mortal men! +How vain and inconclusive arguments +Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below +For statues one, and one for aphorisms +Was hunting; this the priesthood follow'd, that +By force or sophistry aspir'd to rule; +To rob another, and another sought +By civil business wealth; one moiling lay +Tangled in net of sensual delight, +And one to witless indolence resign'd; +What time from all these empty things escap'd, +With Beatrice, I thus gloriously +Was rais'd aloft, and made the guest of heav'n. + They of the circle to that point, each one. +Where erst it was, had turn'd; and steady glow'd, +As candle in his socket. Then within +The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling +With merer gladness, heard I thus begin: + "E'en as his beam illumes me, so I look +Into the eternal light, and clearly mark +Thy thoughts, from whence they rise. Thou art in doubt, +And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh +In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth +To thy perception, where I told thee late +That 'well they thrive;' and that 'no second such +Hath risen,' which no small distinction needs. + "The providence, that governeth the world, +In depth of counsel by created ken +Unfathomable, to the end that she, +Who with loud cries was 'spous'd in precious blood, +Might keep her footing towards her well-belov'd, +Safe in herself and constant unto him, +Hath two ordain'd, who should on either hand +In chief escort her: one seraphic all +In fervency; for wisdom upon earth, +The other splendour of cherubic light. +I but of one will tell: he tells of both, +Who one commendeth. which of them so'er +Be taken: for their deeds were to one end. + "Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls +From blest Ubaldo's chosen hill, there hangs +Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold +Are wafted through Perugia's eastern gate: +And Norcera with Gualdo, in its rear +Mourn for their heavy yoke. Upon that side, +Where it doth break its steepness most, arose +A sun upon the world, as duly this +From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak +Of that place, say Ascesi; for its name +Were lamely so deliver'd; but the East, +To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl'd. +He was not yet much distant from his rising, +When his good influence 'gan to bless the earth. +A dame to whom none openeth pleasure's gate +More than to death, was, 'gainst his father's will, +His stripling choice: and he did make her his, +Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds, +And in his father's sight: from day to day, +Then lov'd her more devoutly. She, bereav'd +Of her first husband, slighted and obscure, +Thousand and hundred years and more, remain'd +Without a single suitor, till he came. +Nor aught avail'd, that, with Amyclas, she +Was found unmov'd at rumour of his voice, +Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness +Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross, +When Mary stay'd beneath. But not to deal +Thus closely with thee longer, take at large +The rovers' titles--Poverty and Francis. +Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love, +And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts, +So much, that venerable Bernard first +Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace +So heavenly, ran, yet deem'd his footing slow. +O hidden riches! O prolific good! +Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester, +And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride +Can please them. Thenceforth goes he on his way, +The father and the master, with his spouse, +And with that family, whom now the cord +Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart +Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son +Of Pietro Bernardone, and by men +In wond'rous sort despis'd. But royally +His hard intention he to Innocent +Set forth, and from him first receiv'd the seal +On his religion. Then, when numerous flock'd +The tribe of lowly ones, that trac'd HIS steps, +Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung +In heights empyreal, through Honorius' hand +A second crown, to deck their Guardian's virtues, +Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath'd: and when +He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up +In the proud Soldan's presence, and there preach'd +Christ and his followers; but found the race +Unripen'd for conversion: back once more +He hasted (not to intermit his toil), +And reap'd Ausonian lands. On the hard rock, +'Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ +Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years +Did carry. Then the season come, that he, +Who to such good had destin'd him, was pleas'd +T' advance him to the meed, which he had earn'd +By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood, +As their just heritage, he gave in charge +His dearest lady, and enjoin'd their love +And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will'd +His goodly spirit should move forth, returning +To its appointed kingdom, nor would have +His body laid upon another bier. + "Think now of one, who were a fit colleague, +To keep the bark of Peter in deep sea +Helm'd to right point; and such our Patriarch was. +Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins, +Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in. +But hunger of new viands tempts his flock, +So that they needs into strange pastures wide +Must spread them: and the more remote from him +The stragglers wander, so much mole they come +Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk. +There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm, +And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few, +A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks. + "Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta'en +Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall +To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill'd: +For thou wilt see the point from whence they split, +Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies, +'That well they thrive not sworn with vanity."' + + + +CANTO XII + +Soon as its final word the blessed flame +Had rais'd for utterance, straight the holy mill +Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv'd, +Or ere another, circling, compass'd it, +Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining, +Song, that as much our muses doth excel, +Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray +Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex. + As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth, +Two arches parallel, and trick'd alike, +Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth +From that within (in manner of that voice +Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist), +And they who gaze, presageful call to mind +The compact, made with Noah, of the world +No more to be o'erflow'd; about us thus +Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath'd +Those garlands twain, and to the innermost +E'en thus th' external answered. When the footing, +And other great festivity, of song, +And radiance, light with light accordant, each +Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still'd +(E'en as the eyes by quick volition mov'd, +Are shut and rais'd together), from the heart +Of one amongst the new lights mov'd a voice, +That made me seem like needle to the star, +In turning to its whereabout, and thus +Began: "The love, that makes me beautiful, +Prompts me to tell of th' other guide, for whom +Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is, +The other worthily should also be; +That as their warfare was alike, alike +Should be their glory. Slow, and full of doubt, +And with thin ranks, after its banner mov'd +The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost +To reappoint), when its imperial Head, +Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host +Did make provision, thorough grace alone, +And not through its deserving. As thou heard'st, +Two champions to the succour of his spouse +He sent, who by their deeds and words might join +Again his scatter'd people. In that clime, +Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold +The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself +New-garmented; nor from those billows far, +Beyond whose chiding, after weary course, +The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides +The happy Callaroga, under guard +Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies +Subjected and supreme. And there was born +The loving million of the Christian faith, +The hollow'd wrestler, gentle to his own, +And to his enemies terrible. So replete +His soul with lively virtue, that when first +Created, even in the mother's womb, +It prophesied. When, at the sacred font, +The spousals were complete 'twixt faith and him, +Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang'd, +The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep +Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him +And from his heirs to issue. And that such +He might be construed, as indeed he was, +She was inspir'd to name him of his owner, +Whose he was wholly, and so call'd him Dominic. +And I speak of him, as the labourer, +Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be +His help-mate. Messenger he seem'd, and friend +Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show'd, +Was after the first counsel that Christ gave. +Many a time his nurse, at entering found +That he had ris'n in silence, and was prostrate, +As who should say, "My errand was for this." +O happy father! Felix rightly nam'd! +O favour'd mother! rightly nam'd Joanna! +If that do mean, as men interpret it. +Not for the world's sake, for which now they pore +Upon Ostiense and Taddeo's page, +But for the real manna, soon he grew +Mighty in learning, and did set himself +To go about the vineyard, that soon turns +To wan and wither'd, if not tended well: +And from the see (whose bounty to the just +And needy is gone by, not through its fault, +But his who fills it basely), he besought, +No dispensation for commuted wrong, +Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth), +That to God's paupers rightly appertain, +But, 'gainst an erring and degenerate world, +Licence to fight, in favour of that seed, +From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round. +Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help, +Forth on his great apostleship he far'd, +Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein; +And, dashing 'gainst the stocks of heresy, +Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout. +Thence many rivulets have since been turn'd, +Over the garden Catholic to lead +Their living waters, and have fed its plants. + "If such one wheel of that two-yoked car, +Wherein the holy church defended her, +And rode triumphant through the civil broil. +Thou canst not doubt its fellow's excellence, +Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar'd +So courteously unto thee. But the track, +Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted: +That mouldy mother is where late were lees. +His family, that wont to trace his path, +Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong +To rue the gathering in of their ill crop, +When the rejected tares in vain shall ask +Admittance to the barn. I question not +But he, who search'd our volume, leaf by leaf, +Might still find page with this inscription on't, +'I am as I was wont.' Yet such were not +From Acquasparta nor Casale, whence +Of those, who come to meddle with the text, +One stretches and another cramps its rule. +Bonaventura's life in me behold, +From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge +Of my great offices still laid aside +All sinister aim. Illuminato here, +And Agostino join me: two they were, +Among the first of those barefooted meek ones, +Who sought God's friendship in the cord: with them +Hugues of Saint Victor, Pietro Mangiadore, +And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining, +Nathan the prophet, Metropolitan +Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign'd +To put his hand to the first art, Donatus. +Raban is here: and at my side there shines +Calabria's abbot, Joachim , endow'd +With soul prophetic. The bright courtesy +Of friar Thomas, and his goodly lore, +Have mov'd me to the blazon of a peer +So worthy, and with me have mov'd this throng." + + + +CANTO XIII + +Let him, who would conceive what now I saw, +Imagine (and retain the image firm, +As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak), +Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host +Selected, that, with lively ray serene, +O'ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine +The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky, +Spins ever on its axle night and day, +With the bright summit of that horn which swells +Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls, +T' have rang'd themselves in fashion of two signs +In heav'n, such as Ariadne made, +When death's chill seized her; and that one of them +Did compass in the other's beam; and both +In such sort whirl around, that each should tend +With opposite motion and, conceiving thus, +Of that true constellation, and the dance +Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain +As 't were the shadow; for things there as much +Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav'n +Is swifter than the Chiana. There was sung +No Bacchus, and no Io Paean, but +Three Persons in the Godhead, and in one +Substance that nature and the human join'd. + The song fulfill'd its measure; and to us +Those saintly lights attended, happier made +At each new minist'ring. Then silence brake, +Amid th' accordant sons of Deity, +That luminary, in which the wondrous life +Of the meek man of God was told to me; +And thus it spake: "One ear o' th' harvest thresh'd, +And its grain safely stor'd, sweet charity +Invites me with the other to like toil. + "Thou know'st, that in the bosom, whence the rib +Was ta'en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste +All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc'd +By the keen lance, both after and before +Such satisfaction offer'd, as outweighs +Each evil in the scale, whate'er of light +To human nature is allow'd, must all +Have by his virtue been infus'd, who form'd +Both one and other: and thou thence admir'st +In that I told thee, of beatitudes +A second, there is none, to his enclos'd +In the fifth radiance. Open now thine eyes +To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see +Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth, +As centre in the round. That which dies not, +And that which can die, are but each the beam +Of that idea, which our Soverign Sire +Engendereth loving; for that lively light, +Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin'd +From him, nor from his love triune with them, +Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself, +Mirror'd, as 't were in new existences, +Itself unalterable and ever one. + "Descending hence unto the lowest powers, +Its energy so sinks, at last it makes +But brief contingencies: for so I name +Things generated, which the heav'nly orbs +Moving, with seed or without seed, produce. +Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much: +And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows +Th' ideal stamp impress: so that one tree +According to his kind, hath better fruit, +And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men, +Are in your talents various. Were the wax +Molded with nice exactness, and the heav'n +In its disposing influence supreme, +The lustre of the seal should be complete: +But nature renders it imperfect ever, +Resembling thus the artist in her work, +Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill. +Howe'er, if love itself dispose, and mark +The primal virtue, kindling with bright view, +There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such +The clay was made, accomplish'd with each gift, +That life can teem with; such the burden fill'd +The virgin's bosom: so that I commend +Thy judgment, that the human nature ne'er +Was or can be, such as in them it was. + "Did I advance no further than this point, +'How then had he no peer?' thou might'st reply. +But, that what now appears not, may appear +Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what +(When he was bidden 'Ask' ), the motive sway'd +To his requesting. I have spoken thus, +That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask'd +For wisdom, to the end he might be king +Sufficient: not the number to search out +Of the celestial movers; or to know, +If necessary with contingent e'er +Have made necessity; or whether that +Be granted, that first motion is; or if +Of the mid circle can, by art, be made +Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp. + "Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this, +Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn, +At which the dart of my intention aims. +And, marking clearly, that I told thee, 'Risen,' +Thou shalt discern it only hath respect +To kings, of whom are many, and the good +Are rare. With this distinction take my words; +And they may well consist with that which thou +Of the first human father dost believe, +And of our well-beloved. And let this +Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make +Thee slow in motion, as a weary man, +Both to the 'yea' and to the 'nay' thou seest not. +For he among the fools is down full low, +Whose affirmation, or denial, is +Without distinction, in each case alike +Since it befalls, that in most instances +Current opinion leads to false: and then +Affection bends the judgment to her ply. + "Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore, +Since he returns not such as he set forth, +Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill. +And open proofs of this unto the world +Have been afforded in Parmenides, +Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside, +Who journey'd on, and knew not whither: so did +Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools, +Who, like to scymitars, reflected back +The scripture-image, by distortion marr'd. + "Let not the people be too swift to judge, +As one who reckons on the blades in field, +Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen +The thorn frown rudely all the winter long +And after bear the rose upon its top; +And bark, that all the way across the sea +Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last, +E'en in the haven's mouth seeing one steal, +Another brine, his offering to the priest, +Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence +Into heav'n's counsels deem that they can pry: +For one of these may rise, the other fall." + + + +CANTO XIV + +From centre to the circle, and so back +From circle to the centre, water moves +In the round chalice, even as the blow +Impels it, inwardly, or from without. +Such was the image glanc'd into my mind, +As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas'd; +And Beatrice after him her words +Resum'd alternate: "Need there is (tho' yet +He tells it to you not in words, nor e'en +In thought) that he should fathom to its depth +Another mystery. Tell him, if the light, +Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you +Eternally, as now: and, if it doth, +How, when ye shall regain your visible forms, +The sight may without harm endure the change, +That also tell." As those, who in a ring +Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth +Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound; +Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit, +The saintly circles in their tourneying +And wond'rous note attested new delight. + Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb +Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live +Immortally above, he hath not seen +The sweet refreshing, of that heav'nly shower. + Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns +In mystic union of the Three in One, +Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice +Sang, with such melody, as but to hear +For highest merit were an ample meed. +And from the lesser orb the goodliest light, +With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps +The angel's once to Mary, thus replied: +"Long as the joy of Paradise shall last, +Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright, +As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest; +And that as far in blessedness exceeding, +As it hath grave beyond its virtue great. +Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds +Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire, +Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase, +Whate'er of light, gratuitous, imparts +The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid, +The better disclose his glory: whence +The vision needs increasing, much increase +The fervour, which it kindles; and that too +The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed +Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines +More lively than that, and so preserves +Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere +Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem, +Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth +Now covers. Nor will such excess of light +O'erpower us, in corporeal organs made +Firm, and susceptible of all delight." + So ready and so cordial an "Amen," +Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke +Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance +Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear, +Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov'd, +Ere they were made imperishable flame. + And lo! forthwith there rose up round about +A lustre over that already there, +Of equal clearness, like the brightening up +Of the horizon. As at an evening hour +Of twilight, new appearances through heav'n +Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried; +So there new substances, methought began +To rise in view; and round the other twain +Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide. + O gentle glitter of eternal beam! +With what a such whiteness did it flow, +O'erpowering vision in me! But so fair, +So passing lovely, Beatrice show'd, +Mind cannot follow it, nor words express +Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain'd +Power to look up, and I beheld myself, +Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss +Translated: for the star, with warmer smile +Impurpled, well denoted our ascent. + With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks +The same in all, an holocaust I made +To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf'd. +And from my bosom had not yet upsteam'd +The fuming of that incense, when I knew +The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen +And mantling crimson, in two listed rays +The splendours shot before me, that I cried, +"God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!" + As leads the galaxy from pole to pole, +Distinguish'd into greater lights and less, +Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell; +So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars, +Those rays describ'd the venerable sign, +That quadrants in the round conjoining frame. +Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ +Beam'd on that cross; and pattern fails me now. +But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ +Will pardon me for that I leave untold, +When in the flecker'd dawning he shall spy +The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn, +And 'tween the summit and the base did move +Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass'd. +Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance, +Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow, +The atomies of bodies, long or short, +To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line +Checkers the shadow, interpos'd by art +Against the noontide heat. And as the chime +Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help +With many strings, a pleasant dining makes +To him, who heareth not distinct the note; +So from the lights, which there appear'd to me, +Gather'd along the cross a melody, +That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment +Possess'd me. Yet I mark'd it was a hymn +Of lofty praises; for there came to me +"Arise and conquer," as to one who hears +And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy +O'ercame, that never till that hour was thing +That held me in so sweet imprisonment. + Perhaps my saying over bold appears, +Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes, +Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire. +But he, who is aware those living seals +Of every beauty work with quicker force, +The higher they are ris'n; and that there +I had not turn'd me to them; he may well +Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse +I do accuse me, and may own my truth; +That holy pleasure here not yet reveal'd, +Which grows in transport as we mount aloof. + + + +CANTO XV + +True love, that ever shows itself as clear +In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong, +Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still'd +The sacred chords, that are by heav'n's right hand +Unwound and tighten'd, flow to righteous prayers +Should they not hearken, who, to give me will +For praying, in accordance thus were mute? +He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief, +Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not, +Despoils himself forever of that love. + As oft along the still and pure serene, +At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire, +Attracting with involuntary heed +The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest, +And seems some star that shifted place in heav'n, +Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost, +And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn, +That on the dexter of the cross extends, +Down to its foot, one luminary ran +From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem +Dropp'd from its foil; and through the beamy list +Like flame in alabaster, glow'd its course. + So forward stretch'd him (if of credence aught +Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost +Of old Anchises, in the' Elysian bower, +When he perceiv'd his son. "O thou, my blood! +O most exceeding grace divine! to whom, +As now to thee, hath twice the heav'nly gate +Been e'er unclos'd?" so spake the light; whence I +Turn'd me toward him; then unto my dame +My sight directed, and on either side +Amazement waited me; for in her eyes +Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine +Had div'd unto the bottom of my grace +And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith +To hearing and to sight grateful alike, +The spirit to his proem added things +I understood not, so profound he spake; +Yet not of choice but through necessity +Mysterious; for his high conception scar'd +Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight +Of holy transport had so spent its rage, +That nearer to the level of our thought +The speech descended, the first sounds I heard +Were, "Best he thou, Triunal Deity! +That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf'd!" +Then follow'd: "No unpleasant thirst, tho' long, +Which took me reading in the sacred book, +Whose leaves or white or dusky never change, +Thou hast allay'd, my son, within this light, +From whence my voice thou hear'st; more thanks to her. +Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes +Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me +From him transmitted, who is first of all, +E'en as all numbers ray from unity; +And therefore dost not ask me who I am, +Or why to thee more joyous I appear, +Than any other in this gladsome throng. +The truth is as thou deem'st; for in this hue +Both less and greater in that mirror look, +In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think'st, are shown. +But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever, +Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire, +May be contended fully, let thy voice, +Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth +Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish, +Whereto my ready answer stands decreed." + I turn'd me to Beatrice; and she heard +Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent, +That to my will gave wings; and I began +"To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn'd +The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells, +Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt; +For that they are so equal in the sun, +From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat, +As makes all likeness scant. But will and means, +In mortals, for the cause ye well discern, +With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I +Experience inequality like this, +And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart, +For thy paternal greeting. This howe'er +I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm'st +This precious jewel, let me hear thy name." + "I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect +Even, hath pleas'd me: "thus the prompt reply +Prefacing, next it added; "he, of whom +Thy kindred appellation comes, and who, +These hundred years and more, on its first ledge +Hath circuited the mountain, was my son +And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long +Endurance should he shorten'd by thy deeds. + "Florence, within her ancient limit-mark, +Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon, +Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace. +She had no armlets and no head-tires then, +No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye +More than the person did. Time was not yet, +When at his daughter's birth the sire grew pale. +For fear the age and dowry should exceed +On each side just proportion. House was none +Void of its family; nor yet had come +Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats +Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet +O'er our suburban turret rose; as much +To be surpass in fall, as in its rising. +I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad +In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone; +And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks, +His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw +Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content +With unrob'd jerkin; and their good dames handling +The spindle and the flax; O happy they! +Each sure of burial in her native land, +And none left desolate a-bed for France! +One wak'd to tend the cradle, hushing it +With sounds that lull'd the parent's infancy: +Another, with her maidens, drawing off +The tresses from the distaff, lectur'd them +Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome. +A Salterello and Cianghella we +Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would +A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now. + "In such compos'd and seemly fellowship, +Such faithful and such fair equality, +In so sweet household, Mary at my birth +Bestow'd me, call'd on with loud cries; and there +In your old baptistery, I was made +Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were +My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto. + "From Valdipado came to me my spouse, +And hence thy surname grew. I follow'd then +The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he +Did gird on me; in such good part he took +My valiant service. After him I went +To testify against that evil law, +Whose people, by the shepherd's fault, possess +Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew +Was I releas'd from the deceitful world, +Whose base affection many a spirit soils, +And from the martyrdom came to this peace." + + + +CANTO XVI + +O slight respect of man's nobility! +I never shall account it marvelous, +That our infirm affection here below +Thou mov'st to boasting, when I could not choose, +E'en in that region of unwarp'd desire, +In heav'n itself, but make my vaunt in thee! +Yet cloak thou art soon shorten'd, for that time, +Unless thou be eked out from day to day, +Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then +With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear, +But since hath disaccustom'd I began; +And Beatrice, that a little space +Was sever'd, smil'd reminding me of her, +Whose cough embolden'd (as the story holds) +To first offence the doubting Guenever. + "You are my sire," said I, "you give me heart +Freely to speak my thought: above myself +You raise me. Through so many streams with joy +My soul is fill'd, that gladness wells from it; +So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not +Say then, my honour'd stem! what ancestors +Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark'd +In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold, +That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then +Its state, and who in it were highest seated?" + As embers, at the breathing of the wind, +Their flame enliven, so that light I saw +Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew +More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet, +Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith +It answer'd: "From the day, when it was said +' Hail Virgin!' to the throes, by which my mother, +Who now is sainted, lighten'd her of me +Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come, +Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams +To reilumine underneath the foot +Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang, +And I, had there our birth-place, where the last +Partition of our city first is reach'd +By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much +Suffice of my forefathers: who they were, +And whence they hither came, more honourable +It is to pass in silence than to tell. +All those, who in that time were there from Mars +Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms, +Were but the fifth of them this day alive. +But then the citizen's blood, that now is mix'd +From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine, +Ran purely through the last mechanic's veins. +O how much better were it, that these people +Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo +And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound'ry, +Than to have them within, and bear the stench +Of Aguglione's hind, and Signa's, him, +That hath his eye already keen for bart'ring! +Had not the people, which of all the world +Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar, +But, as a mother, gracious to her son; +Such one, as hath become a Florentine, +And trades and traffics, had been turn'd adrift +To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply'd +The beggar's craft. The Conti were possess'd +Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still +Were in Acone's parish; nor had haply +From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte. +The city's malady hath ever source +In the confusion of its persons, as +The body's, in variety of food: +And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge, +Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword +Doth more and better execution, +Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark, +How they are gone, and after them how go +Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and 't will seem +No longer new or strange to thee to hear, +That families fail, when cities have their end. +All things, that appertain t' ye, like yourselves, +Are mortal: but mortality in some +Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you +Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon +Doth, by the rolling of her heav'nly sphere, +Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly; +So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not +At what of them I tell thee, whose renown +Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw +The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi, +The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni, +Now in their wane, illustrious citizens: +And great as ancient, of Sannella him, +With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri +And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop, +That now is laden with new felony, +So cumb'rous it may speedily sink the bark, +The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung +The County Guido, and whoso hath since +His title from the fam'd Bellincione ta'en. +Fair governance was yet an art well priz'd +By him of Pressa: Galigaio show'd +The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house. +The column, cloth'd with verrey, still was seen +Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great, +Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci, +With them who blush to hear the bushel nam'd. +Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk +Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs +Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn. +How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride +Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds +Florence was by the bullets of bright gold +O'erflourish'd. Such the sires of those, who now, +As surely as your church is vacant, flock +Into her consistory, and at leisure +There stall them and grow fat. The o'erweening brood, +That plays the dragon after him that flees, +But unto such, as turn and show the tooth, +Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb, +Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem'd, +That Ubertino of Donati grudg'd +His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe. +Already Caponsacco had descended +Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda +And Infangato were good citizens. +A thing incredible I tell, tho' true: +The gateway, named from those of Pera, led +Into the narrow circuit of your walls. +Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings +Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth +The festival of Thomas still revives) +His knighthood and his privilege retain'd; +Albeit one, who borders them With gold, +This day is mingled with the common herd. +In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt, +And Importuni: well for its repose +Had it still lack'd of newer neighbourhood. +The house, from whence your tears have had their spring, +Through the just anger that hath murder'd ye +And put a period to your gladsome days, +Was honour'd, it, and those consorted with it. +O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling +Prevail'd on thee to break the plighted bond +Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice, +Had God to Ema giv'n thee, the first time +Thou near our city cam'st. But so was doom'd: +On that maim'd stone set up to guard the bridge, +At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell. +With these and others like to them, I saw +Florence in such assur'd tranquility, +She had no cause at which to grieve: with these +Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne'er +The lily from the lance had hung reverse, +Or through division been with vermeil dyed." + + + +CANTO XVII + +Such as the youth, who came to Clymene +To certify himself of that reproach, +Which had been fasten'd on him, (he whose end +Still makes the fathers chary to their sons, +E'en such was I; nor unobserv'd was such +Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp, +Who had erewhile for me his station mov'd; +When thus by lady: "Give thy wish free vent, +That it may issue, bearing true report +Of the mind's impress; not that aught thy words +May to our knowledge add, but to the end, +That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst +And men may mingle for thee when they hear." + "O plant! from whence I spring! rever'd and lov'd! +Who soar'st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear, +As earthly thought determines two obtuse +In one triangle not contain'd, so clear +Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves +Existent, looking at the point whereto +All times are present, I, the whilst I scal'd +With Virgil the soul purifying mount, +And visited the nether world of woe, +Touching my future destiny have heard +Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides +Well squar'd to fortune's blows. Therefore my will +Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me, +The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight." + So said I to the brightness, which erewhile +To me had spoken, and my will declar'd, +As Beatrice will'd, explicitly. +Nor with oracular response obscure, +Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain, +Beguil'd the credulous nations; but, in terms +Precise and unambiguous lore, replied +The spirit of paternal love, enshrin'd, +Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake: +"Contingency, unfolded not to view +Upon the tablet of your mortal mold, +Is all depictur'd in the' eternal sight; +But hence deriveth not necessity, +More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood, +Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene. +From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony +From organ comes, so comes before mine eye +The time prepar'd for thee. Such as driv'n out +From Athens, by his cruel stepdame's wiles, +Hippolytus departed, such must thou +Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this +Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there, +Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ, +Throughout the livelong day. The common cry, +Will, as 't is ever wont, affix the blame +Unto the party injur'd: but the truth +Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find +A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing +Belov'd most dearly: this is the first shaft +Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove +How salt the savour is of other's bread, +How hard the passage to descend and climb +By other's stairs, But that shall gall thee most +Will he the worthless and vile company, +With whom thou must be thrown into these straits. +For all ungrateful, impious all and mad, +Shall turn 'gainst thee: but in a little while +Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson'd brow +Their course shall so evince their brutishness +T' have ta'en thy stand apart shall well become thee. + "First refuge thou must find, first place of rest, +In the great Lombard's courtesy, who bears +Upon the ladder perch'd the sacred bird. +He shall behold thee with such kind regard, +That 'twixt ye two, the contrary to that +Which falls 'twixt other men, the granting shall +Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see +That mortal, who was at his birth impress +So strongly from this star, that of his deeds +The nations shall take note. His unripe age +Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels +Only nine years have compass him about. +But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry, +Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him, +In equal scorn of labours and of gold. +His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely, +As not to let the tongues e'en of his foes +Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him +And his beneficence: for he shall cause +Reversal of their lot to many people, +Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes. +And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul +Of him, but tell it not; "and things he told +Incredible to those who witness them; +Then added: "So interpret thou, my son, +What hath been told thee.--Lo! the ambushment +That a few circling seasons hide for thee! +Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends +Thy span beyond their treason's chastisement." + Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence, +Had shown the web, which I had streteh'd for him +Upon the warp, was woven, I began, +As one, who in perplexity desires +Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly: +"My father! well I mark how time spurs on +Toward me, ready to inflict the blow, +Which falls most heavily on him, who most +Abandoned himself. Therefore 't is good +I should forecast, that driven from the place +Most dear to me, I may not lose myself +All others by my song. Down through the world +Of infinite mourning, and along the mount +From whose fair height my lady's eyes did lift me, +And after through this heav'n from light to light, +Have I learnt that, which if I tell again, +It may with many woefully disrelish; +And, if I am a timid friend to truth, +I fear my life may perish among those, +To whom these days shall be of ancient date." + The brightness, where enclos'd the treasure smil'd, +Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly, +Like to a golden mirror in the sun; +Next answer'd: "Conscience, dimm'd or by its own +Or other's shame, will feel thy saying sharp. +Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov'd, +See the whole vision be made manifest. +And let them wince who have their withers wrung. +What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove +Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn +To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest, +Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits; +Which is of honour no light argument, +For this there only have been shown to thee, +Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep, +Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind +Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce +And fix its faith, unless the instance brought +Be palpable, and proof apparent urge." + + + +CANTO XVIII + +Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy'd +That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine, +Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile, +Who led me unto God, admonish'd: "Muse +On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him +I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong." + At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn'd; +And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen, +I leave in silence here: nor through distrust +Of my words only, but that to such bliss +The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much +Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz'd on her, +Affection found no room for other wish. +While the everlasting pleasure, that did full +On Beatrice shine, with second view +From her fair countenance my gladden'd soul +Contented; vanquishing me with a beam +Of her soft smile, she spake: "Turn thee, and list. +These eyes are not thy only Paradise." + As here we sometimes in the looks may see +Th' affection mark'd, when that its sway hath ta'en +The spirit wholly; thus the hallow'd light, +To whom I turn'd, flashing, bewray'd its will +To talk yet further with me, and began: +"On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life +Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair +And leaf unwith'ring, blessed spirits abide, +That were below, ere they arriv'd in heav'n, +So mighty in renown, as every muse +Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns +Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name, +Shall there enact, as doth 1n summer cloud +Its nimble fire." Along the cross I saw, +At the repeated name of Joshua, +A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said, +Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw +Of the great Maccabee, another move +With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge +Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne +And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze +Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues +A falcon flying. Last, along the cross, +William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew +My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul, +Who spake with me among the other lights +Did move away, and mix; and with the choir +Of heav'nly songsters prov'd his tuneful skill. + To Beatrice on my right l bent, +Looking for intimation or by word +Or act, what next behoov'd; and did descry +Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy, +It past all former wont. And, as by sense +Of new delight, the man, who perseveres +In good deeds doth perceive from day to day +His virtue growing; I e'en thus perceiv'd +Of my ascent, together with the heav'n +The circuit widen'd, noting the increase +Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change +In a brief moment on some maiden's cheek, +Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight +Of pudency, that stain'd it; such in her, +And to mine eyes so sudden was the change, +Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star, +Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw, +Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks +Of love, that reign'd there, fashion to my view +Our language. And as birds, from river banks +Arisen, now in round, now lengthen'd troop, +Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems, +Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights, +The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made +Now D. now I. now L. figur'd I' th' air. +First, singing, to their notes they mov'd, then one +Becoming of these signs, a little while +Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine +Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou +Inspir'st, mak'st glorious and long-liv'd, as they +Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself +Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes, +As fancy doth present them. Be thy power +Display'd in this brief song. The characters, +Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven. +In order each, as they appear'd, I mark'd. +Diligite Justitiam, the first, +Both verb and noun all blazon'd; and the extreme +Qui judicatis terram. In the M. +Of the fifth word they held their station, +Making the star seem silver streak'd with gold. +And on the summit of the M. I saw +Descending other lights, that rested there, +Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good. +Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand, +Sparkles innumerable on all sides +Rise scatter'd, source of augury to th' unwise; +Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence +Seem'd reascending, and a higher pitch +Some mounting, and some less; e'en as the sun, +Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one +Had settled in his place, the head and neck +Then saw I of an eagle, lively +Grav'd in that streaky fire. Who painteth there, +Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides; +And every line and texture of the nest +Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it. +The other bright beatitude, that seem'd +Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content +To over-canopy the M. mov'd forth, +Following gently the impress of the bird. + Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems +Declar'd to me our justice on the earth +To be the effluence of that heav'n, which thou, +Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay! +Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom +Thy motion and thy virtue are begun, +That he would look from whence the fog doth rise, +To vitiate thy beam: so that once more +He may put forth his hand 'gainst such, as drive +Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls +With miracles and martyrdoms were built. + Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey l +O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth +All after ill example gone astray. +War once had for its instrument the sword: +But now 't is made, taking the bread away +Which the good Father locks from none. --And thou, +That writes but to cancel, think, that they, +Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died, +Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings. +Thou hast good cause to cry, "My heart so cleaves +To him, that liv'd in solitude remote, +And from the wilds was dragg'd to martyrdom, +I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul." + + + +CANTO XIX + +Before my sight appear'd, with open wings, +The beauteous image, in fruition sweet +Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem +A little ruby, whereon so intense +The sun-beam glow'd that to mine eyes it came +In clear refraction. And that, which next +Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter'd, +Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy +Was e'er conceiv'd. For I beheld and heard +The beak discourse; and, what intention form'd +Of many, singly as of one express, +Beginning: "For that I was just and piteous, +l am exalted to this height of glory, +The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth +Have I my memory left, e'en by the bad +Commended, while they leave its course untrod." + Thus is one heat from many embers felt, +As in that image many were the loves, +And one the voice, that issued from them all. +Whence I address them: "O perennial flowers +Of gladness everlasting! that exhale +In single breath your odours manifold! +Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas'd, +That with great craving long hath held my soul, +Finding no food on earth. This well I know, +That if there be in heav'n a realm, that shows +In faithful mirror the celestial Justice, +Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern +The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself +To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me +With such inveterate craving." Straight I saw, +Like to a falcon issuing from the hood, +That rears his head, and claps him with his wings, +His beauty and his eagerness bewraying. +So saw I move that stately sign, with praise +Of grace divine inwoven and high song +Of inexpressive joy. "He," it began, +"Who turn'd his compass on the world's extreme, +And in that space so variously hath wrought, +Both openly, and in secret, in such wise +Could not through all the universe display +Impression of his glory, that the Word +Of his omniscience should not still remain +In infinite excess. In proof whereof, +He first through pride supplanted, who was sum +Of each created being, waited not +For light celestial, and abortive fell. +Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant +Receptacle unto that Good, which knows +No limit, measur'd by itself alone. +Therefore your sight, of th' omnipresent Mind +A single beam, its origin must own +Surpassing far its utmost potency. +The ken, your world is gifted with, descends +In th' everlasting Justice as low down, +As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark +The bottom from the shore, in the wide main +Discerns it not; and ne'ertheless it is, +But hidden through its deepness. Light is none, +Save that which cometh from the pure serene +Of ne'er disturbed ether: for the rest, +'Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh, +Or else its poison. Here confess reveal'd +That covert, which hath hidden from thy search +The living justice, of the which thou mad'st +Such frequent question; for thou saidst--'A man +Is born on Indus' banks, and none is there +Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write, +And all his inclinations and his acts, +As far as human reason sees, are good, +And he offendeth not in word or deed. +But unbaptiz'd he dies, and void of faith. +Where is the justice that condemns him? where +His blame, if he believeth not?'--What then, +And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit +To judge at distance of a thousand miles +With the short-sighted vision of a span? +To him, who subtilizes thus with me, +There would assuredly be room for doubt +Even to wonder, did not the safe word +Of scripture hold supreme authority. + "O animals of clay! O spirits gross I +The primal will, that in itself is good, +Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne'er been mov'd. +Justice consists in consonance with it, +Derivable by no created good, +Whose very cause depends upon its beam." + As on her nest the stork, that turns about +Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed, +While they with upward eyes do look on her; +So lifted I my gaze; and bending so +The ever-blessed image wav'd its wings, +Lab'ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round +It warbled, and did say: "As are my notes +To thee, who understand'st them not, such is +Th' eternal judgment unto mortal ken." + Then still abiding in that ensign rang'd, +Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world, +Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit +Took up the strain; and thus it spake again: +"None ever hath ascended to this realm, +Who hath not a believer been in Christ, +Either before or after the blest limbs +Were nail'd upon the wood. But lo! of those +Who call 'Christ, Christ,' there shall be many found, + In judgment, further off from him by far, +Than such, to whom his name was never known. +Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn: +When that the two assemblages shall part; +One rich eternally, the other poor. + "What may the Persians say unto your kings, +When they shall see that volume, in the which +All their dispraise is written, spread to view? +There amidst Albert's works shall that be read, +Which will give speedy motion to the pen, +When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm. +There shall be read the woe, that he doth work +With his adulterate money on the Seine, +Who by the tusk will perish: there be read +The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike +The English and Scot, impatient of their bound. +There shall be seen the Spaniard's luxury, +The delicate living there of the Bohemian, +Who still to worth has been a willing stranger. +The halter of Jerusalem shall see +A unit for his virtue, for his vices +No less a mark than million. He, who guards +The isle of fire by old Anchises honour'd +Shall find his avarice there and cowardice; +And better to denote his littleness, +The writing must be letters maim'd, that speak +Much in a narrow space. All there shall know +His uncle and his brother's filthy doings, +Who so renown'd a nation and two crowns +Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal +And Norway, there shall be expos'd with him +Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill +The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary! +If thou no longer patiently abid'st +Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre! +If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee +In earnest of that day, e'en now are heard +Wailings and groans in Famagosta's streets +And Nicosia's, grudging at their beast, +Who keepeth even footing with the rest." + + + +CANTO XX + +When, disappearing, from our hemisphere, +The world's enlightener vanishes, and day +On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky, +Erewhile irradiate only with his beam, +Is yet again unfolded, putting forth +Innumerable lights wherein one shines. +Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought, +As the great sign, that marshaleth the world +And the world's leaders, in the blessed beak +Was silent; for that all those living lights, +Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs, +Such as from memory glide and fall away. + Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles, +How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles, +Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir'd! + After the precious and bright beaming stones, +That did ingem the sixth light, ceas'd the chiming +Of their angelic bells; methought I heard +The murmuring of a river, that doth fall +From rock to rock transpicuous, making known +The richness of his spring-head: and as sound +Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe, +Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun'd; +Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose +That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith +Voice there assum'd, and thence along the beak +Issued in form of words, such as my heart +Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib'd them. + "The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,, +In mortal eagles," it began, "must now +Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires, +That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye, +Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines +Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang +The Holy Spirit's song, and bare about +The ark from town to town; now doth he know +The merit of his soul-impassion'd strains +By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five, +That make the circle of the vision, he +Who to the beak is nearest, comforted +The widow for her son: now doth he know +How dear he costeth not to follow Christ, +Both from experience of this pleasant life, +And of its opposite. He next, who follows +In the circumference, for the over arch, +By true repenting slack'd the pace of death: +Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav'n +Alter not, when through pious prayer below +Today's is made tomorrow's destiny. +The other following, with the laws and me, +To yield the shepherd room, pass'd o'er to Greece, +From good intent producing evil fruit: +Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv'd +From his well doing, doth not helm him aught, +Though it have brought destruction on the world. +That, which thou seest in the under bow, +Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps +For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows +How well is lov'd in heav'n the righteous king, +Which he betokens by his radiant seeming. +Who in the erring world beneath would deem, +That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set +Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows +Enough of that, which the world cannot see, +The grace divine, albeit e'en his sight +Reach not its utmost depth." Like to the lark, +That warbling in the air expatiates long, +Then, trilling out his last sweet melody, +Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear'd +That image stampt by the' everlasting pleasure, +Which fashions like itself all lovely things. + I, though my doubting were as manifest, +As is through glass the hue that mantles it, +In silence waited not: for to my lips +"What things are these?" involuntary rush'd, +And forc'd a passage out: whereat I mark'd +A sudden lightening and new revelry. +The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign +No more to keep me wond'ring and suspense, +Replied: "I see that thou believ'st these things, +Because I tell them, but discern'st not how; +So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith: +As one who knows the name of thing by rote, +But is a stranger to its properties, +Till other's tongue reveal them. Fervent love +And lively hope with violence assail +The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome +The will of the Most high; not in such sort +As man prevails o'er man; but conquers it, +Because 't is willing to be conquer'd, still, +Though conquer'd, by its mercy conquering. + "Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth, +Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold'st +The region of the angels deck'd with them. +They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem'st, +Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith, +This of the feet in future to be pierc'd, +That of feet nail'd already to the cross. +One from the barrier of the dark abyss, +Where never any with good will returns, +Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope +Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing'd +The prayers sent up to God for his release, +And put power into them to bend his will. +The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee, +A little while returning to the flesh, +Believ'd in him, who had the means to help, +And, in believing, nourish'd such a flame +Of holy love, that at the second death +He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth. +The other, through the riches of that grace, +Which from so deep a fountain doth distil, +As never eye created saw its rising, +Plac'd all his love below on just and right: +Wherefore of grace God op'd in him the eye +To the redemption of mankind to come; +Wherein believing, he endur'd no more +The filth of paganism, and for their ways +Rebuk'd the stubborn nations. The three nymphs, +Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing, +Were sponsors for him more than thousand years +Before baptizing. O how far remov'd, +Predestination! is thy root from such +As see not the First cause entire: and ye, +O mortal men! be wary how ye judge: +For we, who see our Maker, know not yet +The number of the chosen: and esteem +Such scantiness of knowledge our delight: +For all our good is in that primal good +Concentrate, and God's will and ours are one." + So, by that form divine, was giv'n to me +Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight, +And, as one handling skillfully the harp, +Attendant on some skilful songster's voice +Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song +Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake, +It doth remember me, that I beheld +The pair of blessed luminaries move. +Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes, +Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds. + + + +CANTO XXI + +Again mine eyes were fix'd on Beatrice, +And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks +Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore +And, "Did I smile," quoth she, "thou wouldst be straight +Like Semele when into ashes turn'd: +For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs, +My beauty, which the loftier it climbs, +As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more, +So shines, that, were no temp'ring interpos'd, +Thy mortal puissance would from its rays +Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt. +Into the seventh splendour are we wafted, +That underneath the burning lion's breast +Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might, +Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror'd +The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown." +Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed +My sight upon her blissful countenance, +May know, when to new thoughts I chang'd, what joy +To do the bidding of my heav'nly guide: +In equal balance poising either weight. + Within the crystal, which records the name, +(As its remoter circle girds the world) +Of that lov'd monarch, in whose happy reign +No ill had power to harm, I saw rear'd up, +In colour like to sun-illumin'd gold. +A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain, +So lofty was the summit; down whose steps +I saw the splendours in such multitude +Descending, ev'ry light in heav'n, methought, +Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day +Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill, +Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some, +Returning, cross their flight, while some abide +And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem'd +That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing, +As upon certain stair it met, and clash'd +Its shining. And one ling'ring near us, wax'd +So bright, that in my thought: said: "The love, +Which this betokens me, admits no doubt." + Unwillingly from question I refrain, +To her, by whom my silence and my speech +Are order'd, looking for a sign: whence she, +Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all, +Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me +T' indulge the fervent wish; and I began: +"I am not worthy, of my own desert, +That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake, +Who hath vouchsaf'd my asking, spirit blest! +That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause, +Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say, +Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise +Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds +Of rapt devotion ev'ry lower sphere?" +"Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;" +Was the reply: "and what forbade the smile +Of Beatrice interrupts our song. +Only to yield thee gladness of my voice, +And of the light that vests me, I thus far +Descend these hallow'd steps: not that more love +Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much +Or more of love is witness'd in those flames: +But such my lot by charity assign'd, +That makes us ready servants, as thou seest, +To execute the counsel of the Highest. +"That in this court," said I, "O sacred lamp! +Love no compulsion needs, but follows free +Th' eternal Providence, I well discern: +This harder find to deem, why of thy peers +Thou only to this office wert foredoom'd." +I had not ended, when, like rapid mill, +Upon its centre whirl'd the light; and then +The love, that did inhabit there, replied: +"Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds, +Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus +Supported, lifts me so above myself, +That on the sov'ran essence, which it wells from, +I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy, +Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze +The keenness of my sight. But not the soul, +That is in heav'n most lustrous, nor the seraph +That hath his eyes most fix'd on God, shall solve +What thou hast ask'd: for in th' abyss it lies +Of th' everlasting statute sunk so low, +That no created ken may fathom it. +And, to the mortal world when thou return'st, +Be this reported; that none henceforth dare +Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn. +The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth +Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do, +Below, what passeth her ability, +When she is ta'en to heav'n." By words like these +Admonish'd, I the question urg'd no more; +And of the spirit humbly sued alone +T' instruct me of its state. "'Twixt either shore +Of Italy, nor distant from thy land, +A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort, +The thunder doth not lift his voice so high, +They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell +Is sacred to the lonely Eremite, +For worship set apart and holy rites." +A third time thus it spake; then added: "There +So firmly to God's service I adher'd, +That with no costlier viands than the juice +Of olives, easily I pass'd the heats +Of summer and the winter frosts, content +In heav'n-ward musings. Rich were the returns +And fertile, which that cloister once was us'd +To render to these heavens: now 't is fall'n +Into a waste so empty, that ere long +Detection must lay bare its vanity +Pietro Damiano there was I y-clept: +Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt +Beside the Adriatic, in the house +Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close +Of mortal life, through much importuning +I was constrain'd to wear the hat that still +From bad to worse it shifted.--Cephas came; +He came, who was the Holy Spirit's vessel, +Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc'd, +At the first table. Modern Shepherd's need +Those who on either hand may prop and lead them, +So burly are they grown: and from behind +Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey's sides +Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts +Are cover'd with one skin. O patience! thou +That lookst on this and doth endure so long." +I at those accents saw the splendours down +From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax, +Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this +They came, and stay'd them; uttered them a shout +So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I +Wist what it spake, so deaf'ning was the thunder. + + + +CANTO XXII + +Astounded, to the guardian of my steps +I turn'd me, like the chill, who always runs +Thither for succour, where he trusteth most, +And she was like the mother, who her son +Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice +Soothes him, and he is cheer'd; for thus she spake, +Soothing me: "Know'st not thou, thou art in heav'n? +And know'st not thou, whatever is in heav'n, +Is holy, and that nothing there is done +But is done zealously and well? Deem now, +What change in thee the song, and what my smile +had wrought, since thus the shout had pow'r to move thee. +In which couldst thou have understood their prayers, +The vengeance were already known to thee, +Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour, +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. +But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view; +So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold." +Mine eyes directing, as she will'd, I saw +A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew +By interchange of splendour. I remain'd, +As one, who fearful of o'er-much presuming, +Abates in him the keenness of desire, +Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls, +One largest and most lustrous onward drew, +That it might yield contentment to my wish; +And from within it these the sounds I heard. + "If thou, like me, beheldst the charity +That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives, +Were utter'd. But that, ere the lofty bound +Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee, +I will make answer even to the thought, +Which thou hast such respect of. In old days, +That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests, +Was on its height frequented by a race +Deceived and ill dispos'd: and I it was, +Who thither carried first the name of Him, +Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man. +And such a speeding grace shone over me, +That from their impious worship I reclaim'd +The dwellers round about, who with the world +Were in delusion lost. These other flames, +The spirits of men contemplative, were all +Enliven'd by that warmth, whose kindly force +Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness. +Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here: +And here my brethren, who their steps refrain'd +Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart." + I answ'ring, thus; "Thy gentle words and kind, +And this the cheerful semblance, I behold +Not unobservant, beaming in ye all, +Have rais'd assurance in me, wakening it +Full-blossom'd in my bosom, as a rose +Before the sun, when the consummate flower +Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee +Therefore entreat I, father! to declare +If I may gain such favour, as to gaze +Upon thine image, by no covering veil'd." + "Brother!" he thus rejoin'd, "in the last sphere +Expect completion of thy lofty aim, +For there on each desire completion waits, +And there on mine: where every aim is found +Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe. +There all things are as they have ever been: +For space is none to bound, nor pole divides, +Our ladder reaches even to that clime, +And so at giddy distance mocks thy view. +Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch +Its topmost round, when it appear'd to him +With angels laden. But to mount it now +None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule +Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves; +The walls, for abbey rear'd, turned into dens, +The cowls to sacks choak'd up with musty meal. +Foul usury doth not more lift itself +Against God's pleasure, than that fruit which makes +The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate'er +Is in the church's keeping, all pertains. +To such, as sue for heav'n's sweet sake, and not +To those who in respect of kindred claim, +Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh +Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not +From the oak's birth, unto the acorn's setting. +His convent Peter founded without gold +Or silver; I with pray'rs and fasting mine; +And Francis his in meek humility. +And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds, +Then look what it hath err'd to, thou shalt find +The white grown murky. Jordan was turn'd back; +And a less wonder, then the refluent sea, +May at God's pleasure work amendment here." + So saying, to his assembly back he drew: +And they together cluster'd into one, +Then all roll'd upward like an eddying wind. + The sweet dame beckon'd me to follow them: +And, by that influence only, so prevail'd +Over my nature, that no natural motion, +Ascending or descending here below, +Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied. + So, reader, as my hope is to return +Unto the holy triumph, for the which +I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast, +Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting +Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere +The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld, +And enter'd its precinct. O glorious stars! +O light impregnate with exceeding virtue! +To whom whate'er of genius lifteth me +Above the vulgar, grateful I refer; +With ye the parent of all mortal life +Arose and set, when I did first inhale +The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace +Vouchsaf'd me entrance to the lofty wheel +That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed +My passage at your clime. To you my soul +Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now +To meet the hard emprize that draws me on. + "Thou art so near the sum of blessedness," +Said Beatrice, "that behooves thy ken +Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end, +Or even thou advance thee further, hence +Look downward, and contemplate, what a world +Already stretched under our feet there lies: +So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood, +Present itself to the triumphal throng, +Which through the' etherial concave comes rejoicing." + I straight obey'd; and with mine eye return'd +Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe +So pitiful of semblance, that perforce +It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold +For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts +Elsewhere are fix'd, him worthiest call and best. +I saw the daughter of Latona shine +Without the shadow, whereof late I deem'd +That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain'd +The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun; +And mark'd, how near him with their circle, round +Move Maia and Dione; here discern'd +Jove's tempering 'twixt his sire and son; and hence +Their changes and their various aspects +Distinctly scann'd. Nor might I not descry +Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift; +Nor of their several distances not learn. +This petty area (o'er the which we stride +So fiercely), as along the eternal twins +I wound my way, appear'd before me all, +Forth from the havens stretch'd unto the hills. +Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return'd. + + + +CANTO XXIII + +E'en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower +Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night, +With her sweet brood, impatient to descry +Their wished looks, and to bring home their food, +In the fond quest unconscious of her toil: +She, of the time prevenient, on the spray, +That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze +Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn, +Removeth from the east her eager ken; +So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance +Wistfully on that region, where the sun +Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her +Suspense and wand'ring, I became as one, +In whom desire is waken'd, and the hope +Of somewhat new to come fills with delight. + Short space ensued; I was not held, I say, +Long in expectance, when I saw the heav'n +Wax more and more resplendent; and, "Behold," +Cried Beatrice, "the triumphal hosts +Of Christ, and all the harvest reap'd at length +Of thy ascending up these spheres." Meseem'd, +That, while she spake her image all did burn, +And in her eyes such fullness was of joy, +And I am fain to pass unconstrued by. + As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles, +In peerless beauty, 'mid th' eternal nympus, +That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound +In bright pre-eminence so saw I there, +O'er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew +Their radiance as from ours the starry train: +And through the living light so lustrous glow'd +The substance, that my ken endur'd it not. + O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide! +Who cheer'd me with her comfortable words! +"Against the virtue, that o'erpow'reth thee, +Avails not to resist. Here is the might, +And here the wisdom, which did open lay +The path, that had been yearned for so long, +Betwixt the heav'n and earth." Like to the fire, +That, in a cloud imprison'd doth break out +Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg'd, +It falleth against nature to the ground; +Thus in that heav'nly banqueting my soul +Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost. +Holds now remembrance none of what she was. + "Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen +Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile." + I was as one, when a forgotten dream +Doth come across him, and he strives in vain +To shape it in his fantasy again, +Whenas that gracious boon was proffer'd me, +Which never may be cancel'd from the book, +Wherein the past is written. Now were all +Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk +Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed +And fatten'd, not with all their help to boot, +Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth, +My song might shadow forth that saintly smile, +flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought. +And with such figuring of Paradise +The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets +A sudden interruption to his road. +But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme, +And that 't is lain upon a mortal shoulder, +May pardon, if it tremble with the burden. +The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks +No unribb'd pinnace, no self-sparing pilot. + "Why doth my face," said Beatrice, "thus +Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn +Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming +Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose, +Wherein the word divine was made incarnate; +And here the lilies, by whose odour known +The way of life was follow'd." Prompt I heard +Her bidding, and encounter once again +The strife of aching vision. As erewhile, +Through glance of sunlight, stream'd through broken cloud, +Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen, +Though veil'd themselves in shade; so saw I there +Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays +Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not +The fountain whence they flow'd. O gracious virtue! +Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up +Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room +To my o'erlabour'd sight: when at the name +Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke +Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might +Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix'd. +And, as the bright dimensions of the star +In heav'n excelling, as once here on earth +Were, in my eyeballs lively portray'd, +Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell, +Circling in fashion of a diadem, +And girt the star, and hov'ring round it wheel'd. + Whatever melody sounds sweetest here, +And draws the spirit most unto itself, +Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder, +Compar'd unto the sounding of that lyre, +Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays +The floor of heav'n, was crown'd. " Angelic Love +I am, who thus with hov'ring flight enwheel +The lofty rapture from that womb inspir'd, +Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so, +Lady of Heav'n! will hover; long as thou +Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy +Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere." + Such close was to the circling melody: +And, as it ended, all the other lights +Took up the strain, and echoed Mary's name. + The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps +The world, and with the nearer breath of God +Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir'd +Its inner hem and skirting over us, +That yet no glimmer of its majesty +Had stream'd unto me: therefore were mine eyes +Unequal to pursue the crowned flame, +That rose and sought its natal seed of fire; +And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms +For very eagerness towards the breast, +After the milk is taken; so outstretch'd +Their wavy summits all the fervent band, +Through zealous love to Mary: then in view +There halted, and "Regina Coeli " sang +So sweetly, the delight hath left me never. + O what o'erflowing plenty is up-pil'd +In those rich-laden coffers, which below +Sow'd the good seed, whose harvest now they keep. + Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears +Were in the Babylonian exile won, +When gold had fail'd them. Here in synod high +Of ancient council with the new conven'd, +Under the Son of Mary and of God, +Victorious he his mighty triumph holds, +To whom the keys of glory were assign'd. + + + +CANTO XXIV + +"O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc'd +To the great supper of the blessed Lamb, +Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill'd! +If to this man through God's grace be vouchsaf'd +Foretaste of that, which from your table falls, +Or ever death his fated term prescribe; +Be ye not heedless of his urgent will; +But may some influence of your sacred dews +Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink, +Whence flows what most he craves." Beatrice spake, +And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres +On firm-set poles revolving, trail'd a blaze +Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind +Their circles in the horologe, so work +The stated rounds, that to th' observant eye +The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last; +E'en thus their carols weaving variously, +They by the measure pac'd, or swift, or slow, +Made me to rate the riches of their joy. + From that, which I did note in beauty most +Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame +So bright, as none was left more goodly there. +Round Beatrice thrice it wheel'd about, +With so divine a song, that fancy's ear +Records it not; and the pen passeth on +And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech, +Nor e'en the inward shaping of the brain, +Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds. + "O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout +Is with so vehement affection urg'd, +Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere." + Such were the accents towards my lady breath'd +From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay'd: +To whom she thus: "O everlasting light +Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord +Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss +He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt, +With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith, +By the which thou didst on the billows walk. +If he in love, in hope, and in belief, +Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou +Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld +In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith +Has peopled this fair realm with citizens, +Meet is, that to exalt its glory more, +Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse." + Like to the bachelor, who arms himself, +And speaks not, till the master have propos'd +The question, to approve, and not to end it; +So I, in silence, arm'd me, while she spake, +Summoning up each argument to aid; +As was behooveful for such questioner, +And such profession: "As good Christian ought, +Declare thee, What is faith?" Whereat I rais'd +My forehead to the light, whence this had breath'd, +Then turn'd to Beatrice, and in her looks +Approval met, that from their inmost fount +I should unlock the waters. "May the grace, +That giveth me the captain of the church +For confessor," said I, "vouchsafe to me +Apt utterance for my thoughts!" then added: "Sire! +E'en as set down by the unerring style +Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir'd +To bring Rome in unto the way of life, +Faith of things hop'd is substance, and the proof +Of things not seen; and herein doth consist +Methinks its essence,"--" Rightly hast thou deem'd," +Was answer'd: "if thou well discern, why first +He hath defin'd it, substance, and then proof." + "The deep things," I replied, "which here I scan +Distinctly, are below from mortal eye +So hidden, they have in belief alone +Their being, on which credence hope sublime +Is built; and therefore substance it intends. +And inasmuch as we must needs infer +From such belief our reasoning, all respect +To other view excluded, hence of proof +Th' intention is deriv'd." Forthwith I heard: +"If thus, whate'er by learning men attain, +Were understood, the sophist would want room +To exercise his wit." So breath'd the flame +Of love: then added: "Current is the coin +Thou utter'st, both in weight and in alloy. +But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse." + "Even so glittering and so round," said I, +"I not a whit misdoubt of its assay." + Next issued from the deep imbosom'd splendour: +"Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which +Is founded every virtue, came to thee." +"The flood," I answer'd, "from the Spirit of God +Rain'd down upon the ancient bond and new,-- +Here is the reas'ning, that convinceth me +So feelingly, each argument beside +Seems blunt and forceless in comparison." +Then heard I: "Wherefore holdest thou that each, +The elder proposition and the new, +Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav'n?" + "The works, that follow'd, evidence their truth; " +I answer'd: "Nature did not make for these +The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them." +"Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves, +Was the reply, "that they in very deed +Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee." + "That all the world," said I, "should have bee turn'd +To Christian, and no miracle been wrought, +Would in itself be such a miracle, +The rest were not an hundredth part so great. +E'en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger +To set the goodly plant, that from the vine, +It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble." +That ended, through the high celestial court +Resounded all the spheres. "Praise we one God!" +In song of most unearthly melody. +And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch, +Examining, had led me, that we now +Approach'd the topmost bough, he straight resum'd; +"The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul, +So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos'd +That, whatsoe'er has past them, I commend. +Behooves thee to express, what thou believ'st, +The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown." + "O saintly sire and spirit!" I began, +"Who seest that, which thou didst so believe, +As to outstrip feet younger than thine own, +Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here, +That I the tenour of my creed unfold; +And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask'd. +And I reply: I in one God believe, +One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love +All heav'n is mov'd, himself unmov'd the while. +Nor demonstration physical alone, +Or more intelligential and abstruse, +Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth +It cometh to me rather, which is shed +Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms. +The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write, +When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost. +In three eternal Persons I believe, +Essence threefold and one, mysterious league +Of union absolute, which, many a time, +The word of gospel lore upon my mind +Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark, +The lively flame dilates, and like heav'n's star +Doth glitter in me.'' As the master hears, +Well pleas'd, and then enfoldeth in his arms +The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought, +And having told the errand keeps his peace; +Thus benediction uttering with song +Soon as my peace I held, compass'd me thrice +The apostolic radiance, whose behest +Had op'd lips; so well their answer pleas'd. + + + +CANTO XXV + +If e'er the sacred poem that hath made +Both heav'n and earth copartners in its toil, +And with lean abstinence, through many a year, +Faded my brow, be destin'd to prevail +Over the cruelty, which bars me forth +Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb +The wolves set on and fain had worried me, +With other voice and fleece of other grain +I shall forthwith return, and, standing up +At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath +Due to the poet's temples: for I there +First enter'd on the faith which maketh souls +Acceptable to God: and, for its sake, +Peter had then circled my forehead thus. + Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth +The first fruit of Christ's vicars on the earth, +Toward us mov'd a light, at view whereof +My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me: +"Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might, +That makes Falicia throng'd with visitants!" + As when the ring-dove by his mate alights, +In circles each about the other wheels, +And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I +One, of the other great and glorious prince, +With kindly greeting hail'd, extolling both +Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end +Was to their gratulation, silent, each, +Before me sat they down, so burning bright, +I could not look upon them. Smiling then, +Beatrice spake: "O life in glory shrin'd!" +Who didst the largess of our kingly court +Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice +Of hope the praises in this height resound. +For thou, who figur'st them in shapes, as clear, +As Jesus stood before thee, well can'st speak them." + "Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust: +For that, which hither from the mortal world +Arriveth, must be ripen'd in our beam." + Such cheering accents from the second flame +Assur'd me; and mine eyes I lifted up +Unto the mountains that had bow'd them late +With over-heavy burden. "Sith our Liege +Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death, +In the most secret council, with his lords +Shouldst be confronted, so that having view'd +The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith +Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate +With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare, +What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee, +And whence thou hadst it?" Thus proceeding still, +The second light: and she, whose gentle love +My soaring pennons in that lofty flight +Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin'd: +Among her sons, not one more full of hope, +Hath the church militant: so 't is of him +Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb +Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term +Of warfare, hence permitted he is come, +From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see. +The other points, both which thou hast inquir'd, +Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell +How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him +Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease, +And without boasting, so God give him grace." +Like to the scholar, practis'd in his task, +Who, willing to give proof of diligence, +Seconds his teacher gladly, "Hope," said I, +"Is of the joy to come a sure expectance, +Th' effect of grace divine and merit preceding. +This light from many a star visits my heart, +But flow'd to me the first from him, who sang +The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme +Among his tuneful brethren. 'Let all hope +In thee,' so speak his anthem, 'who have known +Thy name;' and with my faith who know not that? +From thee, the next, distilling from his spring, +In thine epistle, fell on me the drops +So plenteously, that I on others shower +The influence of their dew." Whileas I spake, +A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning, +Within the bosom of that mighty sheen, +Play'd tremulous; then forth these accents breath'd: +"Love for the virtue which attended me +E'en to the palm, and issuing from the field, +Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires +To ask of thee, whom also it delights; +What promise thou from hope in chief dost win." + "Both scriptures, new and ancient," I reply'd; +"Propose the mark (which even now I view) +For souls belov'd of God. Isaias saith, + That, in their own land, each one must be clad +In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life. +In terms more full, +And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth +This revelation to us, where he tells +Of the white raiment destin'd to the saints." +And, as the words were ending, from above, +"They hope in thee," first heard we cried: whereto +Answer'd the carols all. Amidst them next, +A light of so clear amplitude emerg'd, +That winter's month were but a single day, +Were such a crystal in the Cancer's sign. + Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes, +And enters on the mazes of the dance, +Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent, +Than to do fitting honour to the bride; +So I beheld the new effulgence come +Unto the other two, who in a ring +Wheel'd, as became their rapture. In the dance +And in the song it mingled. And the dame +Held on them fix'd her looks: e'en as the spouse +Silent and moveless. "This is he, who lay +Upon the bosom of our pelican: +This he, into whose keeping from the cross +The mighty charge was given." Thus she spake, +Yet therefore naught the more remov'd her Sight +From marking them, or ere her words began, +Or when they clos'd. As he, who looks intent, +And strives with searching ken, how he may see +The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire +Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I +Peer'd on that last resplendence, while I heard: +"Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that, +Which here abides not? Earth my body is, +In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long, +As till our number equal the decree +Of the Most High. The two that have ascended, +In this our blessed cloister, shine alone +With the two garments. So report below." + As when, for ease of labour, or to shun +Suspected peril at a whistle's breath, +The oars, erewhile dash'd frequent in the wave, +All rest; the flamy circle at that voice +So rested, and the mingling sound was still, +Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose. +I turn'd, but ah! how trembled in my thought, +When, looking at my side again to see +Beatrice, I descried her not, although +Not distant, on the happy coast she stood. + + + +CANTO XXVI + +With dazzled eyes, whilst wond'ring I remain'd, +Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me, +Issued a breath, that in attention mute +Detain'd me; and these words it spake: "'T were well, +That, long as till thy vision, on my form +O'erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse +Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then, +Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires: +And meanwhile rest assur'd, that sight in thee +Is but o'erpowered a space, not wholly quench'd: +Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look +Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt +In Ananias' hand.'' I answering thus: +"Be to mine eyes the remedy or late +Or early, at her pleasure; for they were +The gates, at which she enter'd, and did light +Her never dying fire. My wishes here +Are centered; in this palace is the weal, +That Alpha and Omega, is to all +The lessons love can read me." Yet again +The voice which had dispers'd my fear, when daz'd +With that excess, to converse urg'd, and spake: +"Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms, +And say, who level'd at this scope thy bow." + "Philosophy," said I, ''hath arguments, +And this place hath authority enough +'T' imprint in me such love: for, of constraint, +Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good, +Kindles our love, and in degree the more, +As it comprises more of goodness in 't. +The essence then, where such advantage is, +That each good, found without it, is naught else +But of his light the beam, must needs attract +The soul of each one, loving, who the truth +Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth +Learn I from him, who shows me the first love +Of all intelligential substances +Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word +Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith, +'I will make all my good before thee pass.' +Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim'st, +E'en at the outset of thy heralding, +In mortal ears the mystery of heav'n." + "Through human wisdom, and th' authority +Therewith agreeing," heard I answer'd, "keep +The choicest of thy love for God. But say, +If thou yet other cords within thee feel'st +That draw thee towards him; so that thou report +How many are the fangs, with which this love +Is grappled to thy soul." I did not miss, +To what intent the eagle of our Lord +Had pointed his demand; yea noted well +Th' avowal, which he led to; and resum'd: +"All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God, +Confederate to make fast our clarity. +The being of the world, and mine own being, +The death which he endur'd that I should live, +And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do, +To the foremention'd lively knowledge join'd, +Have from the sea of ill love sav'd my bark, +And on the coast secur'd it of the right. +As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom, +My love for them is great, as is the good +Dealt by th' eternal hand, that tends them all." + I ended, and therewith a song most sweet +Rang through the spheres; and "Holy, holy, holy," +Accordant with the rest my lady sang. +And as a sleep is broken and dispers'd +Through sharp encounter of the nimble light, +With the eye's spirit running forth to meet +The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg'd; +And the upstartled wight loathes that be sees; +So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems +Of all around him, till assurance waits +On better judgment: thus the saintly came +Drove from before mine eyes the motes away, +With the resplendence of her own, that cast +Their brightness downward, thousand miles below. +Whence I my vision, clearer shall before, +Recover'd; and, well nigh astounded, ask'd +Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw. + And Beatrice: "The first diving soul, +That ever the first virtue fram'd, admires +Within these rays his Maker." Like the leaf, +That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown; +By its own virtue rear'd then stands aloof; +So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow'd. +Then eagerness to speak embolden'd me; +And I began: "O fruit! that wast alone +Mature, when first engender'd! Ancient father! +That doubly seest in every wedded bride +Thy daughter by affinity and blood! +Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold +Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I, +More speedily to hear thee, tell it not " + It chanceth oft some animal bewrays, +Through the sleek cov'ring of his furry coat. +The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms +His outside seeming to the cheer within: +And in like guise was Adam's spirit mov'd +To joyous mood, that through the covering shone, +Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake: +"No need thy will be told, which I untold +Better discern, than thou whatever thing +Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see +In Him, who is truth's mirror, and Himself +Parhelion unto all things, and naught else +To him. This wouldst thou hear; how long since God +Plac'd me high garden, from whose hounds +She led me up in this ladder, steep and long; +What space endur'd my season of delight; +Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish'd me; +And what the language, which I spake and fram'd +Not that I tasted of the tree, my son, +Was in itself the cause of that exile, +But only my transgressing of the mark +Assign'd me. There, whence at thy lady's hest +The Mantuan mov'd him, still was I debarr'd +This council, till the sun had made complete, +Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice, +His annual journey; and, through every light +In his broad pathway, saw I him return, +Thousand save sev'nty times, the whilst I dwelt +Upon the earth. The language I did use +Was worn away, or ever Nimrod's race +Their unaccomplishable work began. +For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting, +Left by his reason free, and variable, +As is the sky that sways him. That he speaks, +Is nature's prompting: whether thus or thus, +She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it. +Ere I descended into hell's abyss, +El was the name on earth of the Chief Good, +Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then 't was call'd +And so beseemeth: for, in mortals, use +Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes, +And other comes instead. Upon the mount +Most high above the waters, all my life, +Both innocent and guilty, did but reach +From the first hour, to that which cometh next +(As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth. + + + +CANTO XXVII + +Then "Glory to the Father, to the Son, +And to the Holy Spirit," rang aloud +Throughout all Paradise, that with the song +My spirit reel'd, so passing sweet the strain: +And what I saw was equal ecstasy; +One universal smile it seem'd of all things, +Joy past compare, gladness unutterable, +Imperishable life of peace and love, +Exhaustless riches and unmeasur'd bliss. + Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit; +And that, which first had come, began to wax +In brightness, and in semblance such became, +As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds, +And interchang'd their plumes. Silence ensued, +Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints +Vicissitude of ministry, enjoin'd; +When thus I heard: "Wonder not, if my hue +Be chang'd; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see +All in like manner change with me. My place +He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine, +Which in the presence of the Son of God +Is void), the same hath made my cemetery +A common sewer of puddle and of blood: +The more below his triumph, who from hence +Malignant fell." Such colour, as the sun, +At eve or morning, paints and adverse cloud, +Then saw I sprinkled over all the sky. +And as th' unblemish'd dame, who in herself +Secure of censure, yet at bare report +Of other's failing, shrinks with maiden fear; +So Beatrice in her semblance chang'd: +And such eclipse in heav'n methinks was seen, +When the Most Holy suffer'd. Then the words +Proceeded, with voice, alter'd from itself +So clean, the semblance did not alter more. +"Not to this end was Christ's spouse with my blood, +With that of Linus, and of Cletus fed: +That she might serve for purchase of base gold: +But for the purchase of this happy life +Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed, +And Urban, they, whose doom was not without +Much weeping seal'd. No purpose was of our +That on the right hand of our successors +Part of the Christian people should be set, +And part upon their left; nor that the keys, +Which were vouchsaf'd me, should for ensign serve +Unto the banners, that do levy war +On the baptiz'd: nor I, for sigil-mark +Set upon sold and lying privileges; +Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red. +In shepherd's clothing greedy wolves below +Range wide o'er all the pastures. Arm of God! +Why longer sleepst thou? Caorsines and Gascona +Prepare to quaff our blood. O good beginning +To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop! +But the high providence, which did defend +Through Scipio the world's glory unto Rome, +Will not delay its succour: and thou, son, +Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again +Return below, open thy lips, nor hide +What is by me not hidden." As a Hood +Of frozen vapours streams adown the air, +What time the she-goat with her skiey horn +Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide +The vapours, who with us had linger'd late +And with glad triumph deck th' ethereal cope. +Onward my sight their semblances pursued; +So far pursued, as till the space between +From its reach sever'd them: whereat the guide +Celestial, marking me no more intent +On upward gazing, said, "Look down and see +What circuit thou hast compass'd." From the hour +When I before had cast my view beneath, +All the first region overpast I saw, +Which from the midmost to the bound'ry winds; +That onward thence from Gades I beheld +The unwise passage of Laertes' son, +And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa! +Mad'st thee a joyful burden: and yet more +Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun, +A constellation off and more, had ta'en +His progress in the zodiac underneath. + Then by the spirit, that doth never leave +Its amorous dalliance with my lady's looks, +Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes +Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles, +Whenas I turn'd me, pleasure so divine +Did lighten on me, that whatever bait +Or art or nature in the human flesh, +Or in its limn'd resemblance, can combine +Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal, +Were to her beauty nothing. Its boon influence +From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth, +And wafted on into the swiftest heav'n. + What place for entrance Beatrice chose, +I may not say, so uniform was all, +Liveliest and loftiest. She my secret wish +Divin'd; and with such gladness, that God's love +Seem'd from her visage shining, thus began: +"Here is the goal, whence motion on his race +Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest +All mov'd around. Except the soul divine, +Place in this heav'n is none, the soul divine, +Wherein the love, which ruleth o'er its orb, +Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds; +One circle, light and love, enclasping it, +As this doth clasp the others; and to Him, +Who draws the bound, its limit only known. +Measur'd itself by none, it doth divide +Motion to all, counted unto them forth, +As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten. +The vase, wherein time's roots are plung'd, thou seest, +Look elsewhere for the leaves. O mortal lust! +That canst not lift thy head above the waves +Which whelm and sink thee down! The will in man +Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise +Is, by the dripping of perpetual rain, +Made mere abortion: faith and innocence +Are met with but in babes, each taking leave +Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts, +While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose +Gluts every food alike in every moon. +One yet a babbler, loves and listens to +His mother; but no sooner hath free use +Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave. +So suddenly doth the fair child of him, +Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting, +To negro blackness change her virgin white. + "Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none +Bears rule in earth, and its frail family +Are therefore wand'rers. Yet before the date, +When through the hundredth in his reck'ning drops +Pale January must be shor'd aside +From winter's calendar, these heav'nly spheres +Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain +To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow; +So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit, +Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!" + + + +CANTO XXVIII + +So she who doth imparadise my soul, +Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life, +And bar'd the truth of poor mortality; +When lo! as one who, in a mirror, spies +The shining of a flambeau at his back, +Lit sudden ore he deem of its approach, +And turneth to resolve him, if the glass +Have told him true, and sees the record faithful +As note is to its metre; even thus, +I well remember, did befall to me, +Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love +Had made the leash to take me. As I turn'd; +And that, which, in their circles, none who spies, +Can miss of, in itself apparent, struck +On mine; a point I saw, that darted light +So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up +Against its keenness. The least star we view +From hence, had seem'd a moon, set by its side, +As star by side of star. And so far off, +Perchance, as is the halo from the light +Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads, +There wheel'd about the point a circle of fire, +More rapid than the motion, which first girds +The world. Then, circle after circle, round +Enring'd each other; till the seventh reach'd +Circumference so ample, that its bow, +Within the span of Juno's messenger, +lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev'nth, +Follow'd yet other two. And every one, +As more in number distant from the first, +Was tardier in motion; and that glow'd +With flame most pure, that to the sparkle' of truth +Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks, +Of its reality. The guide belov'd +Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake: +"Heav'n, and all nature, hangs upon that point. +The circle thereto most conjoin'd observe; +And know, that by intenser love its course +Is to this swiftness wing'd. "To whom I thus: +"It were enough; nor should I further seek, +Had I but witness'd order, in the world +Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen. +But in the sensible world such diff'rence is, +That is each round shows more divinity, +As each is wider from the centre. Hence, +If in this wondrous and angelic temple, +That hath for confine only light and love, +My wish may have completion I must know, +Wherefore such disagreement is between +Th' exemplar and its copy: for myself, +Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause." + "It is no marvel, if thy fingers foil'd +Do leave the knot untied: so hard 't is grown +For want of tenting." Thus she said: "But take," +She added, "if thou wish thy cure, my words, +And entertain them subtly. Every orb +Corporeal, doth proportion its extent +Unto the virtue through its parts diffus'd. +The greater blessedness preserves the more. +The greater is the body (if all parts +Share equally) the more is to preserve. +Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels +The universal frame answers to that, +Which is supreme in knowledge and in love +Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth +Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav'ns, +Each to the' intelligence that ruleth it, +Greater to more, and smaller unto less, +Suited in strict and wondrous harmony." + As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek +A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air, +Clear'd of the rack, that hung on it before, +Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil'd, +The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles; +Such was my cheer, when Beatrice drove +With clear reply the shadows back, and truth +Was manifested, as a star in heaven. +And when the words were ended, not unlike +To iron in the furnace, every cirque +Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires: +And every sparkle shivering to new blaze, +In number did outmillion the account +Reduplicate upon the chequer'd board. +Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir, +"Hosanna," to the fixed point, that holds, +And shall for ever hold them to their place, +From everlasting, irremovable. + Musing awhile I stood: and she, who saw +by inward meditations, thus began: +"In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst, +Are seraphim and cherubim. Thus swift +Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point, +Near as they can, approaching; and they can +The more, the loftier their vision. Those, +That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next, +Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends. And all +Are blessed, even as their sight descends +Deeper into the truth, wherein rest is +For every mind. Thus happiness hath root +In seeing, not in loving, which of sight +Is aftergrowth. And of the seeing such +The meed, as unto each in due degree +Grace and good-will their measure have assign'd. +The other trine, that with still opening buds +In this eternal springtide blossom fair, +Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram, +Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold +Hosannas blending ever, from the three +Transmitted. hierarchy of gods, for aye +Rejoicing, dominations first, next then +Virtues, and powers the third. The next to whom +Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round +To tread their festal ring; and last the band +Angelical, disporting in their sphere. +All, as they circle in their orders, look +Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail, +That all with mutual impulse tend to God. +These once a mortal view beheld. Desire +In Dionysius so intently wrought, +That he, as I have done rang'd them; and nam'd +Their orders, marshal'd in his thought. From him +Dissentient, one refus'd his sacred read. +But soon as in this heav'n his doubting eyes +Were open'd, Gregory at his error smil'd +Nor marvel, that a denizen of earth +Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt +Both this and much beside of these our orbs, +From an eye-witness to heav'n's mysteries." + + + +CANTO XXIX + +No longer than what time Latona's twins +Cover'd of Libra and the fleecy star, +Together both, girding the' horizon hang, +In even balance from the zenith pois'd, +Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere, +Part the nice level; e'en so brief a space +Did Beatrice's silence hold. A smile +Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix'd gaze +Bent on the point, at which my vision fail'd: +When thus her words resuming she began: +"I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand; +For I have mark'd it, where all time and place +Are present. Not for increase to himself +Of good, which may not be increas'd, but forth +To manifest his glory by its beams, +Inhabiting his own eternity, +Beyond time's limit or what bound soe'er +To circumscribe his being, as he will'd, +Into new natures, like unto himself, +Eternal Love unfolded. Nor before, +As if in dull inaction torpid lay. +For not in process of before or aft +Upon these waters mov'd the Spirit of God. +Simple and mix'd, both form and substance, forth +To perfect being started, like three darts +Shot from a bow three-corded. And as ray +In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire, +E'en at the moment of its issuing; thus +Did, from th' eternal Sovran, beam entire +His threefold operation, at one act +Produc'd coeval. Yet in order each +Created his due station knew: those highest, +Who pure intelligence were made: mere power +The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league, +Intelligence and power, unsever'd bond. +Long tract of ages by the angels past, +Ere the creating of another world, +Describ'd on Jerome's pages thou hast seen. +But that what I disclose to thee is true, +Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov'd +In many a passage of their sacred book +Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find +And reason in some sort discerns the same, +Who scarce would grant the heav'nly ministers +Of their perfection void, so long a space. +Thus when and where these spirits of love were made, +Thou know'st, and how: and knowing hast allay'd +Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose. +Ere one had reckon'd twenty, e'en so soon +Part of the angels fell: and in their fall +Confusion to your elements ensued. +The others kept their station: and this task, +Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight, +That they surcease not ever, day nor night, +Their circling. Of that fatal lapse the cause +Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen +Pent with the world's incumbrance. Those, whom here +Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves +Of his free bounty, who had made them apt +For ministries so high: therefore their views +Were by enlight'ning grace and their own merit +Exalted; so that in their will confirm'd +They stand, nor feel to fall. For do not doubt, +But to receive the grace, which heav'n vouchsafes, +Is meritorious, even as the soul +With prompt affection welcometh the guest. +Now, without further help, if with good heed +My words thy mind have treasur'd, thou henceforth +This consistory round about mayst scan, +And gaze thy fill. But since thou hast on earth +Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools, +Canvas the' angelic nature, and dispute +Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice; +Therefore, 't is well thou take from me the truth, +Pure and without disguise, which they below, +Equivocating, darken and perplex. + "Know thou, that, from the first, these substances, +Rejoicing in the countenance of God, +Have held unceasingly their view, intent +Upon the glorious vision, from the which +Naught absent is nor hid: where then no change +Of newness with succession interrupts, +Remembrance there needs none to gather up +Divided thought and images remote + "So that men, thus at variance with the truth +Dream, though their eyes be open; reckless some +Of error; others well aware they err, +To whom more guilt and shame are justly due. +Each the known track of sage philosophy +Deserts, and has a byway of his own: +So much the restless eagerness to shine +And love of singularity prevail. +Yet this, offensive as it is, provokes +Heav'n's anger less, than when the book of God +Is forc'd to yield to man's authority, +Or from its straightness warp'd: no reck'ning made +What blood the sowing of it in the world +Has cost; what favour for himself he wins, +Who meekly clings to it. The aim of all +Is how to shine: e'en they, whose office is +To preach the Gospel, let the gospel sleep, +And pass their own inventions off instead. +One tells, how at Christ's suffering the wan moon +Bent back her steps, and shadow'd o'er the sun +With intervenient disk, as she withdrew: +Another, how the light shrouded itself +Within its tabernacle, and left dark +The Spaniard and the Indian, with the Jew. +Such fables Florence in her pulpit hears, +Bandied about more frequent, than the names +Of Bindi and of Lapi in her streets. +The sheep, meanwhile, poor witless ones, return +From pasture, fed with wind: and what avails +For their excuse, they do not see their harm? +Christ said not to his first conventicle, +'Go forth and preach impostures to the world,' +But gave them truth to build on; and the sound +Was mighty on their lips; nor needed they, +Beside the gospel, other spear or shield, +To aid them in their warfare for the faith. +The preacher now provides himself with store +Of jests and gibes; and, so there be no lack +Of laughter, while he vents them, his big cowl +Distends, and he has won the meed he sought: +Could but the vulgar catch a glimpse the while +Of that dark bird which nestles in his hood, +They scarce would wait to hear the blessing said. +Which now the dotards hold in such esteem, +That every counterfeit, who spreads abroad +The hands of holy promise, finds a throng +Of credulous fools beneath. Saint Anthony +Fattens with this his swine, and others worse +Than swine, who diet at his lazy board, +Paying with unstamp'd metal for their fare. + "But (for we far have wander'd) let us seek +The forward path again; so as the way +Be shorten'd with the time. No mortal tongue +Nor thought of man hath ever reach'd so far, +That of these natures he might count the tribes. +What Daniel of their thousands hath reveal'd +With finite number infinite conceals. +The fountain at whose source these drink their beams, +With light supplies them in as many modes, +As there are splendours, that it shines on: each +According to the virtue it conceives, +Differing in love and sweet affection. +Look then how lofty and how huge in breadth +The' eternal might, which, broken and dispers'd +Over such countless mirrors, yet remains +Whole in itself and one, as at the first." + + + +CANTO XXX + +Noon's fervid hour perchance six thousand miles +From hence is distant; and the shadowy cone +Almost to level on our earth declines; +When from the midmost of this blue abyss +By turns some star is to our vision lost. +And straightway as the handmaid of the sun +Puts forth her radiant brow, all, light by light, +Fade, and the spangled firmament shuts in, +E'en to the loveliest of the glittering throng. +Thus vanish'd gradually from my sight +The triumph, which plays ever round the point, +That overcame me, seeming (for it did) +Engirt by that it girdeth. Wherefore love, +With loss of other object, forc'd me bend +Mine eyes on Beatrice once again. + If all, that hitherto is told of her, +Were in one praise concluded, 't were too weak +To furnish out this turn. Mine eyes did look +On beauty, such, as I believe in sooth, +Not merely to exceed our human, but, +That save its Maker, none can to the full +Enjoy it. At this point o'erpower'd I fail, +Unequal to my theme, as never bard +Of buskin or of sock hath fail'd before. +For, as the sun doth to the feeblest sight, +E'en so remembrance of that witching smile +Hath dispossess my spirit of itself. +Not from that day, when on this earth I first +Beheld her charms, up to that view of them, +Have I with song applausive ever ceas'd +To follow, but not follow them no more; +My course here bounded, as each artist's is, +When it doth touch the limit of his skill. + She (such as I bequeath her to the bruit +Of louder trump than mine, which hasteneth on, +Urging its arduous matter to the close), +Her words resum'd, in gesture and in voice +Resembling one accustom'd to command: +"Forth from the last corporeal are we come +Into the heav'n, that is unbodied light, +Light intellectual replete with love, +Love of true happiness replete with joy, +Joy, that transcends all sweetness of delight. +Here shalt thou look on either mighty host +Of Paradise; and one in that array, +Which in the final judgment thou shalt see." + As when the lightning, in a sudden spleen +Unfolded, dashes from the blinding eyes +The visive spirits dazzled and bedimm'd; +So, round about me, fulminating streams +Of living radiance play'd, and left me swath'd +And veil'd in dense impenetrable blaze. +Such weal is in the love, that stills this heav'n; +For its own flame the torch this fitting ever! + No sooner to my list'ning ear had come +The brief assurance, than I understood +New virtue into me infus'd, and sight +Kindled afresh, with vigour to sustain +Excess of light, however pure. I look'd; +And in the likeness of a river saw +Light flowing, from whose amber-seeming waves +Flash'd up effulgence, as they glided on +'Twixt banks, on either side, painted with spring, +Incredible how fair; and, from the tide, +There ever and anon, outstarting, flew +Sparkles instinct with life; and in the flow'rs +Did set them, like to rubies chas'd in gold; +Then, as if drunk with odors, plung'd again +Into the wondrous flood; from which, as one +Re'enter'd, still another rose. "The thirst +Of knowledge high, whereby thou art inflam'd, +To search the meaning of what here thou seest, +The more it warms thee, pleases me the more. +But first behooves thee of this water drink, +Or ere that longing be allay'd." So spake +The day-star of mine eyes; then thus subjoin'd: +"This stream, and these, forth issuing from its gulf, +And diving back, a living topaz each, +With all this laughter on its bloomy shores, +Are but a preface, shadowy of the truth +They emblem: not that, in themselves, the things +Are crude; but on thy part is the defect, +For that thy views not yet aspire so high." +Never did babe, that had outslept his wont, +Rush, with such eager straining, to the milk, +As I toward the water, bending me, +To make the better mirrors of mine eyes +In the refining wave; and, as the eaves +Of mine eyelids did drink of it, forthwith +Seem'd it unto me turn'd from length to round, +Then as a troop of maskers, when they put +Their vizors off, look other than before, +The counterfeited semblance thrown aside; +So into greater jubilee were chang'd +Those flowers and sparkles, and distinct I saw +Before me either court of heav'n displac'd. + O prime enlightener! thou who crav'st me strength +On the high triumph of thy realm to gaze! +Grant virtue now to utter what I kenn'd, + There is in heav'n a light, whose goodly shine +Makes the Creator visible to all +Created, that in seeing him alone +Have peace; and in a circle spreads so far, +That the circumference were too loose a zone +To girdle in the sun. All is one beam, +Reflected from the summit of the first, +That moves, which being hence and vigour takes, +And as some cliff, that from the bottom eyes +Its image mirror'd in the crystal flood, +As if 't admire its brave appareling +Of verdure and of flowers: so, round about, +Eyeing the light, on more than million thrones, +Stood, eminent, whatever from our earth +Has to the skies return'd. How wide the leaves +Extended to their utmost of this rose, +Whose lowest step embosoms such a space +Of ample radiance! Yet, nor amplitude +Nor height impeded, but my view with ease +Took in the full dimensions of that joy. +Near or remote, what there avails, where God +Immediate rules, and Nature, awed, suspends +Her sway? Into the yellow of the rose +Perennial, which in bright expansiveness, +Lays forth its gradual blooming, redolent +Of praises to the never-wint'ring sun, +As one, who fain would speak yet holds his peace, +Beatrice led me; and, "Behold," she said, +"This fair assemblage! stoles of snowy white +How numberless! The city, where we dwell, +Behold how vast! and these our seats so throng'd +Few now are wanting here! In that proud stall, +On which, the crown, already o'er its state +Suspended, holds thine eyes--or ere thyself +Mayst at the wedding sup,--shall rest the soul +Of the great Harry, he who, by the world +Augustas hail'd, to Italy must come, +Before her day be ripe. But ye are sick, +And in your tetchy wantonness as blind, +As is the bantling, that of hunger dies, +And drives away the nurse. Nor may it be, +That he, who in the sacred forum sways, +Openly or in secret, shall with him +Accordant walk: Whom God will not endure +I' th' holy office long; but thrust him down +To Simon Magus, where Magna's priest +Will sink beneath him: such will be his meed." + + + +CANTO XXXI + +In fashion, as a snow-white rose, lay then +Before my view the saintly multitude, +Which in his own blood Christ espous'd. Meanwhile +That other host, that soar aloft to gaze +And celebrate his glory, whom they love, +Hover'd around; and, like a troop of bees, +Amid the vernal sweets alighting now, +Now, clustering, where their fragrant labour glows, +Flew downward to the mighty flow'r, or rose +From the redundant petals, streaming back +Unto the steadfast dwelling of their joy. +Faces had they of flame, and wings of gold; +The rest was whiter than the driven snow. +And as they flitted down into the flower, +From range to range, fanning their plumy loins, +Whisper'd the peace and ardour, which they won +From that soft winnowing. Shadow none, the vast +Interposition of such numerous flight +Cast, from above, upon the flower, or view +Obstructed aught. For, through the universe, +Wherever merited, celestial light +Glides freely, and no obstacle prevents. + All there, who reign in safety and in bliss, +Ages long past or new, on one sole mark +Their love and vision fix'd. O trinal beam +Of individual star, that charmst them thus, +Vouchsafe one glance to gild our storm below! + If the grim brood, from Arctic shores that roam'd, +(Where helice, forever, as she wheels, +Sparkles a mother's fondness on her son) +Stood in mute wonder 'mid the works of Rome, +When to their view the Lateran arose +In greatness more than earthly; I, who then +From human to divine had past, from time +Unto eternity, and out of Florence +To justice and to truth, how might I choose +But marvel too? 'Twixt gladness and amaze, +In sooth no will had I to utter aught, +Or hear. And, as a pilgrim, when he rests +Within the temple of his vow, looks round +In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell +Of all its goodly state: e'en so mine eyes +Cours'd up and down along the living light, +Now low, and now aloft, and now around, +Visiting every step. Looks I beheld, +Where charity in soft persuasion sat, +Smiles from within and radiance from above, +And in each gesture grace and honour high. + So rov'd my ken, and its general form +All Paradise survey'd: when round I turn'd +With purpose of my lady to inquire +Once more of things, that held my thought suspense, +But answer found from other than I ween'd; +For, Beatrice, when I thought to see, +I saw instead a senior, at my side, + Rob'd, as the rest, in glory. Joy benign +Glow'd in his eye, and o'er his cheek diffus'd, +With gestures such as spake a father's love. +And, "Whither is she vanish'd?" straight I ask'd. + "By Beatrice summon'd," he replied, +"I come to aid thy wish. Looking aloft +To the third circle from the highest, there +Behold her on the throne, wherein her merit +Hath plac'd her." Answering not, mine eyes I rais'd, +And saw her, where aloof she sat, her brow +A wreath reflecting of eternal beams. +Not from the centre of the sea so far +Unto the region of the highest thunder, +As was my ken from hers; and yet the form +Came through that medium down, unmix'd and pure, + "O Lady! thou in whom my hopes have rest! +Who, for my safety, hast not scorn'd, in hell +To leave the traces of thy footsteps mark'd! +For all mine eyes have seen, I, to thy power +And goodness, virtue owe and grace. Of slave, +Thou hast to freedom brought me; and no means, +For my deliverance apt, hast left untried. +Thy liberal bounty still toward me keep. +That, when my spirit, which thou madest whole, +Is loosen'd from this body, it may find +Favour with thee." So I my suit preferr'd: +And she, so distant, as appear'd, look'd down, +And smil'd; then tow'rds th' eternal fountain turn'd. + And thus the senior, holy and rever'd: +"That thou at length mayst happily conclude +Thy voyage (to which end I was dispatch'd, +By supplication mov'd and holy love) +Let thy upsoaring vision range, at large, +This garden through: for so, by ray divine +Kindled, thy ken a higher flight shall mount; +And from heav'n's queen, whom fervent I adore, +All gracious aid befriend us; for that I +Am her own faithful Bernard." Like a wight, +Who haply from Croatia wends to see +Our Veronica, and the while 't is shown, +Hangs over it with never-sated gaze, +And, all that he hath heard revolving, saith +Unto himself in thought: "And didst thou look +E'en thus, O Jesus, my true Lord and God? +And was this semblance thine?" So gaz'd I then +Adoring; for the charity of him, +Who musing, in the world that peace enjoy'd, +Stood lively before me. "Child of grace!" +Thus he began: "thou shalt not knowledge gain +Of this glad being, if thine eyes are held +Still in this depth below. But search around +The circles, to the furthest, till thou spy +Seated in state, the queen, that of this realm +Is sovran." Straight mine eyes I rais'd; and bright, +As, at the birth of morn, the eastern clime +Above th' horizon, where the sun declines; +To mine eyes, that upward, as from vale +To mountain sped, at th' extreme bound, a part +Excell'd in lustre all the front oppos'd. +And as the glow burns ruddiest o'er the wave, +That waits the sloping beam, which Phaeton +Ill knew to guide, and on each part the light +Diminish'd fades, intensest in the midst; +So burn'd the peaceful oriflamb, and slack'd +On every side the living flame decay'd. +And in that midst their sportive pennons wav'd +Thousands of angels; in resplendence each +Distinct, and quaint adornment. At their glee +And carol, smil'd the Lovely One of heav'n, +That joy was in the eyes of all the blest. + Had I a tongue in eloquence as rich, +As is the colouring in fancy's loom, +'T were all too poor to utter the least part +Of that enchantment. When he saw mine eyes +Intent on her, that charm'd him, Bernard gaz'd +With so exceeding fondness, as infus'd +Ardour into my breast, unfelt before. + + + +CANTO XXXII + +Freely the sage, though wrapt in musings high, +Assum'd the teacher's part, and mild began: +"The wound, that Mary clos'd, she open'd first, +Who sits so beautiful at Mary's feet. +The third in order, underneath her, lo! +Rachel with Beatrice. Sarah next, +Judith, Rebecca, and the gleaner maid, +Meek ancestress of him, who sang the songs +Of sore repentance in his sorrowful mood. +All, as I name them, down from deaf to leaf, +Are in gradation throned on the rose. +And from the seventh step, successively, +Adown the breathing tresses of the flow'r +Still doth the file of Hebrew dames proceed. +For these are a partition wall, whereby +The sacred stairs are sever'd, as the faith +In Christ divides them. On this part, where blooms +Each leaf in full maturity, are set +Such as in Christ, or ere he came, believ'd. +On th' other, where an intersected space +Yet shows the semicircle void, abide +All they, who look'd to Christ already come. +And as our Lady on her glorious stool, +And they who on their stools beneath her sit, +This way distinction make: e'en so on his, +The mighty Baptist that way marks the line +(He who endur'd the desert and the pains +Of martyrdom, and for two years of hell, +Yet still continued holy), and beneath, +Augustin, Francis, Benedict, and the rest, +Thus far from round to round. So heav'n's decree +Forecasts, this garden equally to fill. +With faith in either view, past or to come, +Learn too, that downward from the step, which cleaves +Midway the twain compartments, none there are +Who place obtain for merit of their own, +But have through others' merit been advanc'd, +On set conditions: spirits all releas'd, +Ere for themselves they had the power to choose. +And, if thou mark and listen to them well, +Their childish looks and voice declare as much. + "Here, silent as thou art, I know thy doubt; +And gladly will I loose the knot, wherein +Thy subtle thoughts have bound thee. From this realm +Excluded, chalice no entrance here may find, +No more shall hunger, thirst, or sorrow can. +A law immutable hath establish'd all; +Nor is there aught thou seest, that doth not fit, +Exactly, as the finger to the ring. +It is not therefore without cause, that these, +O'erspeedy comers to immortal life, +Are different in their shares of excellence. +Our Sovran Lord--that settleth this estate +In love and in delight so absolute, +That wish can dare no further--every soul, +Created in his joyous sight to dwell, +With grace at pleasure variously endows. +And for a proof th' effect may well suffice. +And 't is moreover most expressly mark'd +In holy scripture, where the twins are said +To, have struggled in the womb. Therefore, as grace +Inweaves the coronet, so every brow +Weareth its proper hue of orient light. +And merely in respect to his prime gift, +Not in reward of meritorious deed, +Hath each his several degree assign'd. +In early times with their own innocence +More was not wanting, than the parents' faith, +To save them: those first ages past, behoov'd +That circumcision in the males should imp +The flight of innocent wings: but since the day +Of grace hath come, without baptismal rites +In Christ accomplish'd, innocence herself +Must linger yet below. Now raise thy view +Unto the visage most resembling Christ: +For, in her splendour only, shalt thou win +The pow'r to look on him." Forthwith I saw +Such floods of gladness on her visage shower'd, +From holy spirits, winging that profound; +That, whatsoever I had yet beheld, +Had not so much suspended me with wonder, +Or shown me such similitude of God. +And he, who had to her descended, once, +On earth, now hail'd in heav'n; and on pois'd wing. +"Ave, Maria, Gratia Plena," sang: +To whose sweet anthem all the blissful court, +From all parts answ'ring, rang: that holier joy +Brooded the deep serene. "Father rever'd: +Who deign'st, for me, to quit the pleasant place, +Wherein thou sittest, by eternal lot! +Say, who that angel is, that with such glee +Beholds our queen, and so enamour'd glows +Of her high beauty, that all fire he seems." +So I again resorted to the lore +Of my wise teacher, he, whom Mary's charms +Embellish'd, as the sun the morning star; +Who thus in answer spake: "In him are summ'd, +Whatever of buxomness and free delight +May be in Spirit, or in angel, met: +And so beseems: for that he bare the palm +Down unto Mary, when the Son of God +Vouchsaf'd to clothe him in terrestrial weeds. +Now let thine eyes wait heedful on my words, +And note thou of this just and pious realm +The chiefest nobles. Those, highest in bliss, +The twain, on each hand next our empress thron'd, +Are as it were two roots unto this rose. +He to the left, the parent, whose rash taste +Proves bitter to his seed; and, on the right, +That ancient father of the holy church, +Into whose keeping Christ did give the keys +Of this sweet flow'r: near whom behold the seer, +That, ere he died, saw all the grievous times +Of the fair bride, who with the lance and nails +Was won. And, near unto the other, rests +The leader, under whom on manna fed +Th' ungrateful nation, fickle and perverse. +On th' other part, facing to Peter, lo! +Where Anna sits, so well content to look +On her lov'd daughter, that with moveless eye +She chants the loud hosanna: while, oppos'd +To the first father of your mortal kind, +Is Lucia, at whose hest thy lady sped, +When on the edge of ruin clos'd thine eye. + "But (for the vision hasteneth so an end) +Here break we off, as the good workman doth, +That shapes the cloak according to the cloth: +And to the primal love our ken shall rise; +That thou mayst penetrate the brightness, far +As sight can bear thee. Yet, alas! in sooth +Beating thy pennons, thinking to advance, +Thou backward fall'st. Grace then must first be gain'd; +Her grace, whose might can help thee. Thou in prayer +Seek her: and, with affection, whilst I sue, +Attend, and yield me all thy heart." He said, +And thus the saintly orison began. + + + +CANTO XXXIII + +"O virgin mother, daughter of thy Son, +Created beings all in lowliness +Surpassing, as in height, above them all, +Term by th' eternal counsel pre-ordain'd, +Ennobler of thy nature, so advanc'd +In thee, that its great Maker did not scorn, +Himself, in his own work enclos'd to dwell! +For in thy womb rekindling shone the love +Reveal'd, whose genial influence makes now +This flower to germin in eternal peace! +Here thou to us, of charity and love, +Art, as the noon-day torch: and art, beneath, +To mortal men, of hope a living spring. +So mighty art thou, lady! and so great, +That he who grace desireth, and comes not +To thee for aidance, fain would have desire +Fly without wings. Nor only him who asks, +Thy bounty succours, but doth freely oft +Forerun the asking. Whatsoe'er may be +Of excellence in creature, pity mild, +Relenting mercy, large munificence, +Are all combin'd in thee. Here kneeleth one, +Who of all spirits hath review'd the state, +From the world's lowest gap unto this height. +Suppliant to thee he kneels, imploring grace +For virtue, yet more high to lift his ken +Toward the bliss supreme. And I, who ne'er +Coveted sight, more fondly, for myself, +Than now for him, my prayers to thee prefer, +(And pray they be not scant) that thou wouldst drive +Each cloud of his mortality away; +That on the sovran pleasure he may gaze. +This also I entreat of thee, O queen! +Who canst do what thou wilt! that in him thou +Wouldst after all he hath beheld, preserve +Affection sound, and human passions quell. +Lo! Where, with Beatrice, many a saint +Stretch their clasp'd hands, in furtherance of my suit!" + The eyes, that heav'n with love and awe regards, +Fix'd on the suitor, witness'd, how benign +She looks on pious pray'rs: then fasten'd they +On th' everlasting light, wherein no eye +Of creature, as may well be thought, so far +Can travel inward. I, meanwhile, who drew +Near to the limit, where all wishes end, +The ardour of my wish (for so behooved), +Ended within me. Beck'ning smil'd the sage, +That I should look aloft: but, ere he bade, +Already of myself aloft I look'd; +For visual strength, refining more and more, +Bare me into the ray authentical +Of sovran light. Thenceforward, what I saw, +Was not for words to speak, nor memory's self +To stand against such outrage on her skill. +As one, who from a dream awaken'd, straight, +All he hath seen forgets; yet still retains +Impression of the feeling in his dream; +E'en such am I: for all the vision dies, +As 't were, away; and yet the sense of sweet, +That sprang from it, still trickles in my heart. +Thus in the sun-thaw is the snow unseal'd; +Thus in the winds on flitting leaves was lost +The Sybil's sentence. O eternal beam! +(Whose height what reach of mortal thought may soar?) +Yield me again some little particle +Of what thou then appearedst, give my tongue +Power, but to leave one sparkle of thy glory, +Unto the race to come, that shall not lose +Thy triumph wholly, if thou waken aught +Of memory in me, and endure to hear +The record sound in this unequal strain. + Such keenness from the living ray I met, +That, if mine eyes had turn'd away, methinks, +I had been lost; but, so embolden'd, on +I pass'd, as I remember, till my view +Hover'd the brink of dread infinitude. + O grace! unenvying of thy boon! that gav'st +Boldness to fix so earnestly my ken +On th' everlasting splendour, that I look'd, +While sight was unconsum'd, and, in that depth, +Saw in one volume clasp'd of love, whatever +The universe unfolds; all properties +Of substance and of accident, beheld, +Compounded, yet one individual light +The whole. And of such bond methinks I saw +The universal form: for that whenever +I do but speak of it, my soul dilates +Beyond her proper self; and, till I speak, +One moment seems a longer lethargy, +Than five-and-twenty ages had appear'd +To that emprize, that first made Neptune wonder +At Argo's shadow darkening on his flood. + With fixed heed, suspense and motionless, +Wond'ring I gaz'd; and admiration still +Was kindled, as I gaz'd. It may not be, +That one, who looks upon that light, can turn +To other object, willingly, his view. +For all the good, that will may covet, there +Is summ'd; and all, elsewhere defective found, +Complete. My tongue shall utter now, no more +E'en what remembrance keeps, than could the babe's +That yet is moisten'd at his mother's breast. +Not that the semblance of the living light +Was chang'd (that ever as at first remain'd) +But that my vision quickening, in that sole +Appearance, still new miracles descry'd, +And toil'd me with the change. In that abyss +Of radiance, clear and lofty, seem'd methought, +Three orbs of triple hue clipt in one bound: +And, from another, one reflected seem'd, +As rainbow is from rainbow: and the third +Seem'd fire, breath'd equally from both. Oh speech +How feeble and how faint art thou, to give +Conception birth! Yet this to what I saw +Is less than little. Oh eternal light! +Sole in thyself that dwellst; and of thyself +Sole understood, past, present, or to come! +Thou smiledst; on that circling, which in thee +Seem'd as reflected splendour, while I mus'd; +For I therein, methought, in its own hue +Beheld our image painted: steadfastly +I therefore por'd upon the view. As one +Who vers'd in geometric lore, would fain +Measure the circle; and, though pondering long +And deeply, that beginning, which he needs, +Finds not; e'en such was I, intent to scan +The novel wonder, and trace out the form, +How to the circle fitted, and therein +How plac'd: but the flight was not for my wing; +Had not a flash darted athwart my mind, +And in the spleen unfolded what it sought. + Here vigour fail'd the tow'ring fantasy: +But yet the will roll'd onward, like a wheel +In even motion, by the Love impell'd, +That moves the sun in heav'n and all the stars. + + +NOTES TO PARADISE + + +CANTO 1 + +Verse 12. Benign Apollo.] Chaucer has imitated this invention +very closely at the beginning of the Third Booke of Fame. + +If, divine vertue, thou +Wilt helpe me to shewe now +That in my head ymarked is, + * * * * * +Thou shalt see me go as blive +Unto the next laurer I see, +And kisse it for it is thy tree +Now entre thou my breast anone. + +v. 15. Thus for.] He appears to mean nothing more than that +this part of his poem will require a greater exertion of his +powers than the former. + +v. 19. Marsyas.] Ovid, Met. 1. vi. fab. 7. Compare Boccaccio, +II Filocopo, 1. 5. p. 25. v. ii. Ediz. Fir. 1723. "Egli nel +mio petto entri," &c. - "May he enter my bosom, and let my voice +sound like his own, when he made that daring mortal deserve to +come forth unsheathed from his limbs. " +v. 29. Caesar, or bard.] So Petrarch, Son. Par. Prima. + +Arbor vittoriosa e trionfale, +Onor d'imperadori e di poeti. + +And Spenser, F. Q. b. i. c. 1. st. 9, +The laurel, meed of mighty conquerours +And poets sage. + +v. 37. Through that.] "Where the four circles, the horizon, the +zodiac, the equator, and the equinoctial colure, join; the last +threeintersecting each other so as to form three crosses, as may +be seen in the armillary sphere." + +v. 39. In happiest constellation.] Aries. Some understand the +planetVenus by the "miglior stella " + +v. 44. To the left.] Being in the opposite hemisphere to ours, +Beatrice that she may behold the rising sun, turns herself to the +left. + +v. 47. As from the first a second beam.] "Like a reflected +sunbeam," which he compares to a pilgrim hastening homewards. + +Ne simil tanto mal raggio secondo +Dal primo usci. +Filicaja, canz. 15. st. 4. + +v. 58. As iron that comes boiling from the fire.] So Milton, +P. L. b. iii. 594. +--As glowing iron with fire. + +v. 69. Upon the day appear'd. + +--If the heaven had ywonne, +All new of God another sunne. +Chaucer, First Booke of Fame + +E par ch' agginuga un altro sole al cielo. +Ariosto, O F. c. x. st. 109. + +Ed ecco un lustro lampeggiar d' intorno +Che sole a sole aggiunse e giorno a giorno. +Manno, Adone. c. xi. st. 27. + +Quando a paro col sol ma piu lucente +L'angelo gli appari sull; oriente +Tasso, G. L. c. i. + +-Seems another morn +Ris'n on mid-noon. +Milton, P. L. b. v. 311. + +Compare Euripides, Ion. 1550. [GREEK HERE] +66. as Glaucus. ] Ovid, Met. 1. Xiii. Fab. 9 + +v. 71. If.] "Thou O divine Spirit, knowest whether 1 had not +risen above my human nature, and were not merely such as thou +hadst then, formed me." + +v. 125. Through sluggishness.] +Perch' a risponder la materia e sorda. + +So Filicaja, canz. vi. st 9. +Perche a risponder la discordia e sorda + +"The workman hath in his heart a purpose, he carrieth in mind the +whole form which his work should have; there wanteth not him +skill and desire to bring his labour to the best effect, only the +matter, which he hath to work on is unframeable." Hooker's Eccl. +Polity, b. 5. 9. + +CANTO II + +v. 1. In small bark.] + +Con la barchetta mia cantando in rima +Pulci, Morg. Magg. c. xxviii. + +Io me n'andro con la barchetta mia, +Quanto l'acqua comporta un picciol legno +Ibid. + +v. 30. This first star.] the moon + +v. 46. E'en as the truth.] Like a truth that does not need +demonstration, but is self-evident." + +v. 52. Cain.] Compare Hell, Canto XX. 123. And Note + +v. 65. Number1ess lights.] The fixed stars, which differ both +in bulk and splendor. + +v. 71. Save one.] "Except that principle of rarity and +denseness which thou hast assigned." By "formal principles, +"principj formali, are meant constituent or essential causes." +Milton, in imitation of this passage, introduces the angel +arguing with Adam respecting the causes of the spots on the moon. + +But, as a late French translator of the Paradise well remarks, +his reasoning is physical; that of Dante partly metaphysical and +partly theologic. + +v. 111. Within the heaven.] According to our Poet's system, +there are ten heavens; the seven planets, the eighth spheres +containing the fixed stars, the primum mobile, and the empyrean. + +v. 143. The virtue mingled.] Virg. Aen. 1. vi 724. +Principio coelum, &c. + +CANTO III + +v. 16. Delusion.] "An error the contrary to that of Narcissus, +because he mistook a shadow for a substance, I a substance for a +shadow." + +v. 50. Piccarda.] The sister of Forese whom we have seen in the +Purgatory, Canto XXIII. + +v. 90. The Lady.] St. Clare, the foundress of the order called +after her She was born of opulent and noble parents at Assisi, in +1193, and died in 1253. See Biogr. Univ. t. 1. p. 598. 8vo. +Paris, 1813. + +v. 121. Constance.] Daughter of Ruggieri, king of Sicily, who, +being taken by force out of a monastery where she had professed, +was married to the Emperor Henry Vl. and by him was mother to +Frederick 11. She was fifty years old or more at the time, and +"because it was not credited that she could have a child at that +age, she was delivered in a pavilion and it was given out, that +any lady, who pleased, was at liberty to see her. Many came, and +saw her, and the suspicion ceased." Ricordano Malaspina in +Muratori, Rer. It. Script. t. viii. p. 939; and G. Villani, in +the same words, Hist. I v. c. 16 + +The French translator above mentored speaks of her having +poisoned her husband. The death of Henry Vl. is recorded in the +Chronicon Siciliae, by an anonymous writer, (Muratori, t. x.) but +not a word of his having been poisoned by Constance, and +Ricordano Malaspina even mentions her decease as happening before +that of her husband, Henry V., for so this author, with some +others, terms him. v. 122. The second.] Henry Vl. son of +Frederick I was the second emperor of the house of Saab; and his +son Frederick II "the third and last." + +CANTO IV + +v. 6. Between two deer] + +Tigris ut auditis, diversa valle duorum +Extimulata fame, mugitibus armentorum +Neseit utro potius ruat, et ruere ardet utroque. +Ovid, Metam. 1. v. 166 + +v. 13. Daniel.] See Daniel, c. ii. + +v. 24. Plato.] [GREEK HERE] Plato Timaeus v. ix. p. 326. +Edit. Bip. "The Creator, when he had framed the universe, +distributed to the stars an equal number of souls, appointing to +each soul its several star." + +v. 27. Of that.] Plato's opinion. + +v. 34. The first circle.] The empyrean. + +v. 48. Him who made Tobias whole.] + +Raphael, the sociable spirit, that deign'd +To travel with Tobias, and secur'd +His marriage with the sev'n times wedded maid, +Milton, P. L. b. v. 223. + +v. 67. That to the eye of man.] "That the ways of divine +justice are often inscrutable to man, ought rather to be a motive +to faith than an inducement to heresy." Such appears to me the +most satisfactory explanation of the passage. + +v. 82. Laurence.] Who suffered martyrdom in the third century. + +v. 82. Scaevola.] See Liv. Hist. D. 1. 1. ii. 12. + +v. 100. Alcmaeon.] Ovid, Met. 1. ix. f. 10. + +--Ultusque parente parentem +Natus, erit facto pius et sceleratus eodem. + +v. 107. Of will.] "What Piccarda asserts of Constance, that she +retained her affection to the monastic life, is said absolutely +and without relation to circumstances; and that which I affirm is +spoken of the will conditionally and respectively: so that our +apparent difference is without any disagreement." +v. 119. That truth.] The light of divine truth. + +CANTO V + +v. 43. Two things.] The one, the substance of the vow; the +other, the compact, or form of it. + +v. 48. It was enjoin'd the Israelites.] See Lev. e. xii, and +xxvii. + +v. 56. Either key.] Purgatory, Canto IX. 108. + +v. 86. That region.] As some explain it, the east, according to +others the equinoctial line. + +v. 124. This sphere.] The planet Mercury, which, being nearest +to the sun, is oftenest hidden by that luminary + +CANTO VI + +v. 1. After that Constantine the eagle turn'd.] Constantine, +in transferring the seat of empire from Rome to Byzantium, +carried the eagle, the Imperial ensign, from the west to the +east. Aeneas, on the contrary had moved along with the sun's +course, when he passed from Troy to Italy. + +v. 5. A hundred years twice told and more.] The Emperor +Constantine entered Byzantium in 324, and Justinian began his +reign in 527. + +v. 6. At Europe's extreme point.] Constantinople being situated +at the extreme of Europe, and on the borders of Asia, near those +mountains +in the neighbourhood of Troy, from whence the first founders of +Rome had emigrated. + +v. 13. To clear th' incumber'd laws.] The code of laws was +abridged and reformed by Justinian. + +v. 15. Christ's nature merely human.] Justinian is said to have +been a follower of the heretical Opinions held by Eutyches," who +taught that in Christ there was but one nature, viz. that of the +incarnate word." +Maclaine's Mosheim, t. ii. Cent. v. p. ii. c. v. 13. + +v. 16. Agapete.] Agapetus, Bishop of Rome, whose Scheda Regia, +addressed to the Emperor Justinian, procured him a place among +the wisest and most judicious writers of this century." +Ibid. Cent. vi. p. ii c. ii. 8. + +v. 33. Who pretend its power.] The Ghibellines. + +v. 33. And who oppose ] The Guelphs. + +v. 34. Pallas died.] See Virgil, Aen. 1. X. + +v. 39. The rival three.] The Horatii and Curiatii. + +v. 41. Down.] "From the rape of the Sabine women to the +violation of Lucretia." +v. 47. Quintius.] Quintius Cincinnatus. + +E Cincinnato dall' inculta chioma. +Petrarca. + +v. 50. Arab hordes.] The Arabians seem to be put for the +barbarians in general. + +v. 54. That hill.] The city of Fesulae, which was sacked by the +Romans after the defeat of Cataline. + +v. 56. Near the hour.] Near the time of our Saviour's birth. + +v. 59. What then it wrought.] In the following fifteen lines +the Poet has comprised the exploits of Julius Caesar. + +v. 75. In its next bearer's gripe.] With Augustus Caesar. + +v. 89. The third Caesar.] "Tiberius the third of the Caesars, +had it in his power to surpass the glory of all who either +preceded or came after him, by destroying the city of .Jerusalem, +as Titus afterwards did, and thus revenging the cause of God +himself on the Jews." + +v. 95. Vengeance for vengeance ] This will be afterwards +explained by the Poet himself. +v. 98. Charlemagne.] Dante could not be ignorant that the reign +of Justinian was long prior to that of Charlemagne; but the +spirit of the former emperor is represented, both in this +instance and in what follows, as conscious of the events that had +taken place after his own time. + +v. 104. The yellow lilies.] The French ensign. + +v. 110. Charles.] The commentators explain this to mean Charles +II, king of Naples and Sicily. Is it not more likely to allude to +Charles of Valois, son of Philip III of France, who was sent for, +about this time, into Italy by Pope Boniface, with the promise of +being made emperor? See G. Villani, 1. viii. c. 42. + +v. 131. Romeo's light.] The story of Romeo is involved in some +uncertainty. The French writers assert the continuance of his +ministerial office even after the decease of his soverign +Raymond Berenger, count of Provence: and they rest this assertion +chiefly on the fact of a certain Romieu de Villeneuve, who was +the contemporary of that prince, having left large possessions +behind him, as appears by his will, preserved in the archives of +the bishopric of Venice. There might however have been more than +one person of the name of Romieu, or Romeo which answers to that +of Palmer in our language. Nor is it probable that the Italians, +who lived so near the time, were misinformed in an occurrence of +such notoriety. According to them, after he had long been a +faithful steward to Raymond, when an account was required from +him of the revenues whichhe had carefully husbanded, and his +master as lavishly disbursed, "He demanded the little mule, the +staff, and the scrip, with which he had first entered into the +count's service, a stranger pilgrim from the shrine of St. James +in Galicia, and parted as he came; nor was it ever known whence +he was or wither he went." G. Villani, 1. vi. c. 92. + +v. 135. Four daughters.] Of the four daughters of Raymond +Berenger, Margaret, the eldest, was married to Louis IX of +France; Eleanor; the next, to Henry III, of England; Sancha, the +third, to Richard, Henry's brother, and King of the Romans; and +the youngest, Beatrice, to Charles I, King of Naples and Sicily, +and brother to Louis. + +v. 136. Raymond Berenger.] This prince, the last of the house +of Barcelona, who was count of Provence, died in 1245. He is in +the list of Provencal poets. See Millot, Hist, Litt des +Troubadours, t. ii. P. 112. + +CANTO VII + +v. 3. Malahoth.] A Hebrew word, signifying "kingdoms." + +v. 4. That substance bright.] Justinian. + +v. 17. As might have made one blest amid the flames.] +So Giusto de' Conti, Bella Mano. "Qual salamandra." + +Che puommi nelle fiammi far beato. + +v. 23. That man who was unborn.] Adam. + +v. 61. What distils.] "That which proceeds immediately from +God, and without intervention of secondary causes, in immortal." + +v. 140. Our resurrection certain.] "Venturi appears to mistake +the Poet's reasoning, when he observes: "Wretched for us, if we +had not arguments more convincing, and of a higher kind, to +assure us of the truth of our resurrection." It is here +intended, I think, that the whole of God's dispensations to man +should be considered as a proof of our resurrection. The +conclusion is that as before sin man was immortal, +so being restored to the favor of heaven by the expiation made +for sin, he necessarily recovers his claim to immortality. + +There is much in this poem to justify the encomium which the +learned Salvini has passed on it, when, in an epistle to Redi, +imitating what Horace had said of Homer, that the duties of life +might be better learnt from the Grecian bard than from the +teachers of the porch or the academy, he says-- + +And dost thou ask, what themes my mind engage? +The lonely hours I give to Dante's page; +And meet more sacred learning in his lines +Than I had gain'd from all the school divines. + +Se volete saper la vita mia, +Studiando io sto lungi da tutti gli nomini +Ed ho irnparato piu teologia +In questi giorni, che ho riletto Dante, +Che nelle scuole fattto io non avria. + +CANTO VIII + +v. 4. Epicycle,] "In sul dosso di questo cerchio," &c. +Convito di Dante, Opere, t. i. p. 48, ed. Ven. 1793. +"Upon the back of this circle, in the heaven of Venus, whereof we +are now treating, is a little sphere, which has in that heaven a +revolution of its own: whose circle the astronomers term +epicycle." + +v. 11. To sit in Dido's bosom.] Virgil. Aen. 1. i. 718, + +v. 40. 'O ye whose intellectual ministry.] +Voi ch' intendendo il terzo ciel movete. The first line in our +Poet" first canzone. See his Convito, Ibid. p. 40. + +v. 53. had the time been more.] The spirit now speaking is +Charles Martel crowned king of Hungary, and son of Charles 11 +king of Naples and Sicily, to which +dominions dying in his father's lifetime, he did not succeed. + +v. 57. Thou lov'dst me well.] Charles Martel might have been +known to our poet at Florence whither he came to meet his father +in 1295, the year of his death. The retinue and the habiliments +of the young monarch are minutely described by G. Villani, who +adds, that "he remained more than twenty days in Florence, +waiting for his father King Charles and his brothers during which +time great honour was done him by the, Florentines and he showed +no less love towards them, and he was much in favour with all." +1. viii. c. 13. His brother Robert, king of Naples, was the +friend of Petrarch. + +v. 60. The left bank.] Provence. + +v. 62. That horn +Of fair Ausonia.] +The kingdom of Naples. + +v. 68. The land.] Hungary. + +v. 73. The beautiful Trinaeria.] Sicily, so called from its +three promontories, of which Pachynus and Pelorus, here +mentioned, are two. + +v. 14 'Typhaeus.] The giant whom Jupiter is fabled to have +overwhelmed +under the mountain Aetna from whence he vomits forth smoke and +flame. + +v. 77. Sprang through me from Charles and Rodolph.] "Sicily +would be still ruled by a race of monarchs, descended through me +from Charles I and Rodolph I the former my grandfather king of +Naples and Sicily; the latter emperor of Germany, my +father-in-law; "both celebrated in the Purgatory Canto, Vll. + +v. 78. Had not ill lording.] "If the ill conduct of our +governors in Sicily had not excited the resentment and hatred of +the people and stimulated them to that dreadful massacre at the +Sicilian vespers;" in consequence of which the kingdom fell into +the hands of Peter III of Arragon, in 1282 + +v. 81. My brother's foresight.] He seems to tax his brother +Robert with employing necessitous and greedy Catalonians to +administer the affairs of his kingdom. + +v. 99. How bitter can spring up.] "How a covetous son can +spring from a liberal father." Yet that father has himself been +accused of avarice in the Purgatory Canto XX. v. 78; though his +general character was that of a bounteous prince. + +v. 125. Consult your teacher.] Aristole. [GREEK HERE] +De Rep. 1. iii. c. 4. "Since a state is made up of members +differing from one another, (for even as an animal, in the first +instance, consists of soul and body, and the soul, of reason and +desire; and a family, of man and woman, and property of master +and slave; in like manner a state consists both of all these and +besides these of other dissimilar kinds,) it necessarily follows +that the excellence of all the members of the state cannot be one +and the same." + +v. 136. Esau.] Genesis c. xxv. 22. + +v. 137. Quirinus.] Romulus, born of so obscure a father, that +his parentage was attributed to Mars. + +CANTO IX + +v. 2. O fair Clemenza.] Daughter of Charles Martel, and second +wife of Louis X. of France. + +v. 2. The treachery.] He alludes to the occupation of the +kingdom of Sicily by Robert, in exclusion of his brother s son +Carobert, or Charles. Robert, the rightful heir. See G. Villani, +1. viii. c. 112. + +v. 7. That saintly light.] Charles Martel. + +v. 25. In that part.] Between Rialto and the Venetian +territory, and the sources of the rivers Brenta and Piava is +situated a castle called Romano, the birth-place of the famous +tyrant Ezzolino or Azzolino, the brother of Cunizza, who is now +speaking. The tyrant we have seen in "the river of blood." Hell, +Canto XII. v. 110. + +v. 32. Cunizza.] The adventures of Cunizza, overcome by the +influence of her star, are related by the chronicler Rolandino of +Padua, 1. i. c. 3, in Muratori Rer. It. Script. t. viii. p. 173. + +She eloped from her first husband, Richard of St. Boniface, in +the company of Sordello, (see Purgatory, Canto VI. and VII. ) +with whom she is supposed to have cohabited before her marriage: +then lived with a soldier of Trevigi, whose wife was living at +the same time in the same city, and on his being murdered by her +brother the tyrant, was by her brother married to a nobleman of +Braganzo, lastly when he also had fallen by the same hand she, +after her brother's death, was again wedded in Verona. + +v. 37. This.] Folco of Genoa, a celebrated Provencal poet, +commonly termed Folques of Marseilles, of which place he was +perhaps bishop. Many errors of Nostradamus, regarding him, which +have been followed by Crescimbeni, Quadrio, and Millot, are +detected by the diligence of Tiraboschi. Mr. Matthias's ed. v. +1. P. 18. All that appears certain, is what we are told in this +Canto, that he was of Genoa, and by Petrarch in the Triumph of +Love, c. iv. that he was better known by the appellation he +derived from Marseilles, and at last resumed the religious habit. +One of his verses is cited by Dante, De Vulg. Eloq. 1. ii. c. 6. + +v. 40. Five times.] The five hundred years are elapsed: and +unless the Provencal MSS. should be brought to light the poetical +reputation of Folco must rest on the mention made of him by the +more fortunate Italians. + +v. 43 The crowd.] The people who inhabited the tract of country +bounded by the river Tagliamento to the east, and Adice to the +west. + +v. 45. The hour is near.] Cunizza foretells the defeat of +Giacopo da Carrara, Lord of Padua by Can Grande, at Vicenza, on +the 18th September 1314. See G. Villani, 1. ix. c. 62. +v. 48. One.] She predicts also the fate of Ricciardo da Camino, +who is said to have been murdered at Trevigi, where the rivers +(Sile and Cagnano meet) while he was engaged in playing at chess. + +v. 50. The web.] The net or snare into, which he is destined to +fall. + +v. 50. Feltro.] The Bishop of Felto having received a number of +fugitives from Ferrara, who were in opposition to the Pope, under +a promise of protection, afterwards gave them up, so that they +were reconducted to that city, and the greater part of them there +put to death. + +v. 53. Malta's.] A tower, either in the citadel of Padua, which +under the tyranny of Ezzolino, had been "with many a foul and +midnight murder fed," or (as some say) near a river of the same +name, that falls into the lake of Bolsena, in which the Pope was +accustomed to imprison such as had been guilty of an irremissible +sin. + +v. 56 This priest.] The bishop, who, to show himself a zealous +partisan of the Pope, had committed the above-mentioned act of +treachery. + +v. 58. We descry.] "We behold the things that we predict, in +the mirrors of eternal truth." + +v. 64. That other joyance.] Folco. + +v. 76. Six shadowing wings.] "Above it stood the seraphims: +each one had six wings." Isaiah, c. vi. 2. + +v. 80. The valley of waters.] The Mediterranean sea. + +v. 80. That.] The great ocean. + +v. 82. Discordant shores.] Europe and Africa. + +v. 83. Meridian.] Extending to the east, the Mediterranean at +last reaches the coast of Palestine, which is on its horizon when +it enters the straits of Gibraltar. "Wherever a man is," says +Vellutello, "there he has, above his head, his own particular +meridian circle." + +v. 85. --'Twixt Ebro's stream +And Macra's.] +Eora, a river to the west, and Macra, to the east of Genoa, where +Folco was born. + +v. 88. Begga.] A place in Africa, nearly opposite to Genoa. + +v. 89. Whose haven.] Alluding to the terrible slaughter of the +Genoese made by the Saracens in 936, for which event Vellutello +refers to the history of Augustino Giustiniani. + +v. 91. This heav'n.] The planet Venus. + +v. 93. Belus' daughter.] Dido. + +v. 96. She of Rhodope.] Phyllis. + +v. 98. Jove's son.] Hercules. + +v. 112. Rahab.] Heb. c. xi. 31. + +v. 120. With either palm.] "By the crucifixion of Christ" + +v. 126. The cursed flower.] The coin of Florence, called the +florin. + +v. 130. The decretals.] The canon law. + +v. 134. The Vatican.] He alludes either to the death of Pope +Boniface VIII. or, as Venturi supposes, to the coming of the +Emperor Henry VII. into Italy, or else, according to the yet more +probable conjecture of Lombardi, to the transfer of the holy see +from Rome to Avignon, which took place in the pontificate of +Clement V. + +CANTO X + +v. 7. The point.] "To that part of heaven," as Venturi explains +it, "in which the equinoctial circle and the Zodiac intersect +each other, where the common motion of the heavens from east to +west may be said to strike with greatest force against the motion +proper to the planets; and this repercussion, as it were, is here +the strongest, because the velocity of each is increased to the +utmost by their respective distance from the poles. Such at least +is the system of Dante." + +v. 11. Oblique.] The zodiac. + +v. 25. The part.] The above-mentioned intersection of the +equinoctial +circle and the zodiac. + +v. 26. Minister.] The sun. + +v. 30. Where.] In which the sun rises every day earlier after +the vernal equinox. + +v. 45. Fourth family.] The inhabitants of the sun, the fourth +planet. + +v. 46. Of his spirit and of his offspring.] The procession of +the third, and the generation of the second person in the +Trinity. + +v. 70. Such was the song.] "The song of these spirits was +ineffable. + +v. 86. No less constrained.] "The rivers might as easily cease +to flow towards the sea, as we could deny thee thy request." + +v. 91. I then.] "I was of the Dominican order." + +v. 95. Albert of Cologne.] Albertus Magnus was born at +Laugingen, in Thuringia, in 1193, and studied at Paris and at +Padua, at the latter of which places he entered into the +Dominican order. He then taught theology in various parts of +Germany, and particularly at Cologne. Thomas Aquinas was his +favourite pupil. In 1260, he reluctantly accepted +the bishopric of Ratisbon, and in two years after resigned it, +and returned to his cell in Cologne, where the remainder of his +life was passed in superintending the school, and in composing +his voluminous works on divinity and natural science. He died in +1280. The absurd imputation of his having dealt in the magical +art is well known; and his biographers take some pains to clear +him of it. Scriptores Ordinis Praedicatorum, by Quetif and +Echard, Lut. Par. 1719. fol. t. 1. p. 162. + +v. 96. Of Aquinum, Thomas.] Thomas Aquinas, of whom Bucer is +reported to have said, "Take but Thomas away, and I will overturn +the church of Rome," and whom Hooker terms "the greatest among +the school divines," (Eccl. Pol. b. 3. 9), was born of noble +parents, who anxiously, but vainly, endeavoured to divert him +from a life of celibacy and study; and died in 1274, at the age +of fourty-seven. Echard and Quetif, ibid. p. 271. See also +Purgatory Canto XX. v. 67. + +v. 101. Gratian.] "Gratian, a Benedictine monk belonging to the +convent of St. Felix and Nabor, at Bologna, and by birth a +Tuscan, composed, about the year 1130, for the use of the +schools, an abridgment or epitome of canon law, drawn from the +letters of the pontiffs, the decrees of councils, and the +writings of the ancient doctors." +Maclaine's Mosheim, v. iii. cent. 12. part 2. c. i. 6. + +v. 101. To either forum.] "By reconciling," as Venturi explains +it "the civil with the canon law." + +v. 104. Peter.] "Pietro Lombardo was of obscure origin, nor is +the place of his birth in Lombardy ascertained. With a +recommendation from the bishop of Lucca to St. Bernard, he went +into France to continue his studies, and for that purpose +remained some time at Rheims, whence he afterwards proceeded to +Paris. Here his reputation was so great that Philip, brother of +Louis VII., being chosen bishop of Paris, resigned that dignity +to Pietro, whose pupil he had been. He held his bishopric +only one year, and died in 1160. His Liber Sententiarum is +highly esteemed. It contains a system of scholastic theology, so +much more complete than any which had been yet seen, that it may +be deemed an original work." Tiraboschi, Storia della Lett. +Ital. t. iii. 1. 4. c. 2. + +v. 104. Who with the widow gave.] This alludes to the beginning +of the Liber Sententiarum, where Peter says: "Cupiens aliquid de +penuria ac tenuitate nostra cum paupercula in gazophylacium +domini mittere," +v. 105. The fifth light.] Solomon. + +v. 112. That taper's radiance.] St. Dionysius the Areopagite. +"The famous Grecian fanatic, who gave himself out for Dionysius +the Areopagite, disciple of St. Paul, and who, under the +protection of this venerable name, gave laws and instructions to +those that were desirous of raising their souls above all human +things in order to unite them to their great source by sublime +contemplation, lived most probably in this century (the fourth), +though some place him before, others after, the present period." +Maclaine's Mosheim, v. i. cent. iv. p. 2. c. 3. 12. + +v. 116. That pleader.] 1n the fifth century, Paulus Orosius, +"acquired a considerable degree of reputation by the History he +wrote to refute the cavils of the Pagans against Christianity, +and by his books against the Pelagians and Priscillianists." +Ibid. v. ii. cent. v. p. 2. c. 2. 11. A similar train of +argument was pursued by Augustine, in his book De Civitate Dei. +Orosius is classed by Dante, in his treatise De Vulg. Eloq. I ii +c. 6. as one of his favourite authors, among those "qui usi sunt +altissimas prosas,"--" who have written prose with the greatest +loftiness of style." + +v. 119. The eighth.] Boetius, whose book De Consolatione +Philosophiae excited so much attention during the middle ages, +was born, as Tiraboschi conjectures, about 470. "In 524 he was +cruelly put to death by command of Theodoric, either on real or +pretended suspicion of his being engaged in a conspiracy." Della +Lett. Ital. t. iii. 1. i. c. 4. + +v. 124. Cieldauro.] Boetius was buried at Pavia, in the +monastery of St. Pietro in Ciel d'oro. + +v. 126. Isidore.] He was Archbishop of Seville during forty +years, and died in 635. See Mariana, Hist. 1. vi. c. 7. +Mosheim, whose critical opinions in general must be taken with +some allowance, observes that "his grammatical theological, and +historical productions, discover more learning and pedantry, than +judgment and taste." + +v. 127. Bede.] Bede, whose virtues obtained him the appellation +of the Venerable, was born in 672 at Wearmouth and Jarrow, in the +bishopric of Durham, and died in 735. Invited to Rome by Pope +Sergius I., he preferred passing almost the whole of his life in +the seclusion of a monastery. A catalogue of his numerous +writings may be seen in Kippis's Biographia Britannica, v. ii. + +v. 127. Richard.] Richard of St. Victor, a native either of +Scotland or Ireland, was canon and prior of the monastery of that +name at Paris and died in 1173. "He was at the head of the +Mystics in this century and his treatise, entitled the Mystical +Ark, which contains as it were the marrow of this kind of +theology, was received with the greatest avidity." Maclaine's +Mosheim, v. iii. cent. xii. p. 2. c. 2. 23. + +v. 132. Sigebert.] "A monk of the abbey of Gemblours who was in +high repute at the end of the eleventh, and beginning of the +twelfth century." Dict. de Moreri. + +v. 131. The straw-litter'd street.] The name of a street in +Paris: the "Rue du Fouarre." + +v. 136. The spouse of God.] The church. + +CANTO XI + +v. 1. O fond anxiety of mortal men.] Lucretius, 1. ii. 14 + +O miseras hominum mentes ! O pectora caeca +Qualibus in tenebris vitae quantisque periclis +Degitur hoc aevi quodcunque est! + +v. 4. Aphorisms,] The study of medicine. + +v. 17. 'The lustre.] The spirit of Thomas Aquinas + +v. 29. She.] The church. + +v. 34. One.] Saint Francis. + +v. 36. The other.] Saint Dominic. + +v. 40. Tupino.] A rivulet near Assisi, or Ascesi where Francis +was born in 1182. + +v. 40. The wave.] Chiascio, a stream that rises in a mountain +near Agobbio, chosen by St. Ubaldo for the place of his +retirement. + +v. 42. Heat and cold.] Cold from the snow, and heat from the +reflection of the sun. + +v. 45. Yoke.] Vellutello understands this of the vicinity of +the mountain to Nocera and Gualdo; and Venturi (as I have taken +it) of the heavy impositions laid on those places by the +Perugians. For GIOGO, like the Latin JUGUM, will admit of either +sense. + +v. 50. The east.] + +This is the east, and Juliet is the sun. +Shakespeare. + +v. 55. Gainst his father's will.] In opposition to the wishes +of his natural father + +v. 58. In his father's sight.] The spiritual father, or bishop, +in whose presence he made a profession of poverty. + +v. 60. Her first husband.] Christ. + +v. 63. Amyclas.] Lucan makes Caesar exclaim, on witnessing the +secure poverty of the fisherman Amyclas: + +--O vite tuta facultas +Pauperis, angustique lares! O munera nondum +Intellecta deum! quibus hoc contingere templis, +Aut potuit muris, nullo trepidare tumultu, +Caesarea pulsante manu? +Lucan Phars. 1. v. 531. + +v. 72. Bernard.] One of the first followers of the saint. + +v. 76. Egidius.] The third of his disciples, who died in 1262. +His work, entitled Verba Aurea, was published in 1534, at Antwerp +See Lucas Waddingus, Annales Ordinis Minoris, p. 5. + +v. 76. Sylvester.] Another of his earliest associates. + +v. 83. Pietro Bernardone.] A man in an humble station of life +at Assisi. + +v. 86. Innocent.] Pope Innocent III. + +v. 90. Honorius.] His successor Honorius III who granted +certain privileges to the Franciscans. + +v. 93. On the hard rock.] The mountain Alverna in the Apennine. + +v. 100. The last signet.] Alluding to the stigmata, or marks +resembling the wounds of Christ, said to have been found on the +saint's body. + +v. 106. His dearest lady.] Poverty. + +v. 113. Our Patriarch ] Saint Dominic. + +v. 316. His flock ] The Dominicans. + +v. 127. The planet from whence they split.] "The rule of their +order, which the Dominicans neglect to observe." + +CANTO XII + +v. 1. The blessed flame.] Thomas Aquinas + +v. 12. That voice.] The nymph Echo, transformed into the +repercussion of the voice. + +v. 25. One.] Saint Buonaventura, general of the Franciscan +order, in which he effected some reformation, and one of the most +profound divines of his age. "He refused the archbishopric of +York, which was offered him by Clement IV, but afterwards was +prevailed on to accept the bishopric of Albano and a cardinal's +hat. He was born at Bagnoregio or Bagnorea, in Tuscany, A.D. +1221, and died in 1274." Dict. Histor. par Chaudon et Delandine. +Ed. Lyon. 1804. + +v. 28. The love.] By an act of mutual courtesy, Buonaventura, +a Franciscan, is made to proclaim the praises of St. Dominic, +as Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican, has celebrated those of St. +Francis. + +v. 42. In that clime.] Spain. + +v. 48. Callaroga.] Between Osma and Aranda, in Old Castile, +designated by the royal coat of arms. + +v. 51. The loving minion of the Christian faith.] Dominic was +born April 5, 1170, and died August 6, 1221. His birthplace, +Callaroga; his father and mother's names, Felix and Joanna, his +mother's dream; his name of Dominic, given him in consequence of +a vision by a noble matron, who stood sponsor to him, are all +told in an anonymous life of the saint, said to be written in the +thirteenth century, and published by Quetif and Echard, +Scriptores Ordinis Praedicatorum. Par. 1719. fol. t 1. p. 25. +These writers deny his having been an inquisitor, and indeed the +establishment of the inquisition itself before the fourth Lateran +council. Ibid. p. 88. + +v. 55. In the mother's womb.] His mother, when pregnant with +him, is said to have dreamt that she should bring forth a white +and black dog, with a lighted torch in its mouth. + +v. 59. The dame.] His godmother's dream was, that he had one +star in his forehead, and another in the nape of his neck, from +which he communicated light to the east and the west. + +v. 73. Felix.] Felix Gusman. + +v. 75. As men interpret it.] Grace or gift of the Lord. + +v. 77. Ostiense.] A cardinal, who explained the decretals. + +v. 77. Taddeo.] A physician, of Florence. + +v. 82. The see.] "The apostolic see, which no longer continues +its wonted liberality towards the indigent and deserving; not +indeed through its own fault, as its doctrines are still the +same, but through the fault of the pontiff, who is seated in it." + +v. 85. No dispensation.] Dominic did not ask license to +compound for the use of unjust acquisitions, by dedicating a part +of them to pious purposes. + +v. 89. In favour of that seed.] "For that seed of the divine +word, from which have sprung up these four-and-twenty plants, +that now environ thee." + +v. 101. But the track.] "But the rule of St. Francis is already +deserted and the lees of the wine are turned into mouldiness." + +v. 110. Tares.] He adverts to the parable of the taxes and the +wheat. + +v. 111. I question not.] "Some indeed might be found, who still +observe the rule of the order, but such would come neither from +Casale nor Acquasparta:" of the former of which places was +Uberto, one master general, by whom the discipline had been +relaxed; and of the latter, Matteo, another, who had enforced it +with unnecessary rigour. + +v. 121. -Illuminato here, +And Agostino.] +Two among the earliest followers of St. Francis. + +v. 125. Hugues of St. Victor.] A Saxon of the monastery of +Saint Victor at Paris, who fed ill 1142 at the age of +forty-four. "A man distinguished by the fecundity of his genius, +who treated in his writings of all the branches of sacred and +profane erudition that were known in his time, and who composed +several dissertations that are not destitute of merit." +Maclaine's Mosheim, Eccl. Hist. v. iii . cent. xii. p. 2. 2. 23. +I have looked into his writings, and found some reason for +this high eulogium. + +v. 125. Piatro Mangiadore.] "Petrus Comestor, or the Eater, +born at Troyes, was canon and dean of that church, and afterwards +chancellor of the church of Paris. He relinquished these +benefices to become a regular canon of St. Victor at Paris, where +he died in 1198. Chaudon et Delandine Dict. Hist. Ed. Lyon. +1804. The work by which he is best known, is his Historia +Scolastica, which I shall have occasion to cite in the Notes to +Canto XXVI. + +v. 126. He of Spain.] "To Pope Adrian V succeeded John XXI a +native of Lisbon a man of great genius and extraordinary +acquirements, especially in logic and in medicine, as his books, +written in the name of Peter of Spain (by which he was known +before he became Pope), may testify. His life was not much +longer than that of his predecessors, for he was killed at +Viterbo, by the falling in of the roof of his chamber, after he +had been pontiff only eight months and as many days. +A.D. 1277. Mariana, Hist. de Esp. l. xiv. c. 2. + +v. 128. Chrysostom.] The eloquent patriarch of Constantinople. + +v. 128. Anselmo.] "Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, was born +at Aosta, about 1034, and studied under Lanfrane at the monastery +of Bec, in Normandy, where he afterwards devoted himself to a +religious life, in his twenty-seventh year. In three years he +was made prior, and then abbot of that monastery! from whence he +was taken, in 1093, to succeed to the archbishopric, vacant by +the death of Lanfrane. He enjoyed this dignity till his death, in +1109, though it was disturbed by many +dissentions with William II and Henry I respecting the immunities +and investitures. There is much depth and precisian in his +theological works." Tiraboschi, Stor. della Lett. Ital. t. iii. + +1. iv. c. 2. Ibid. c. v. "It is an observation made by many +modern writers, that the demonstration of the existence of God, +taken from the idea of a Supreme Being, of which Des Cartes is +thought to be the author, was so many ages back discovered and +brought to light by Anselm. Leibnitz himself makes +the remark, vol. v. Oper. p. 570. Edit. Genev. 1768." + +v. 129. Donatus.] Aelius Donatus, the grammarian, in the fourth +century, one of the preceptors of St. Jerome. + +v. 130. Raban.] "Rabanus Maurus, Archbishop of Mentz, is +deservedly placed at the head of the Latin writers of this age." +Mosheim, v. ii. cent. ix. p. 2 c. 2. 14. + +v. 131. Joachim.] Abbot of Flora in Calabria; "whom the +multitude revered as a person divinely inspired and equal to the +most illustrious prophets of ancient times." Ibid. v. iii. +cent. xiii. p. 2. c. 2. 33. + +v. 134. A peer.] St. Dominic. + +CANTO XIII + +v. 1. Let him.] "Whoever would conceive the sight that now +presented itself to me, must imagine to himself fifteen of the +brightest stars in heaven, together with seven stars of Arcturus +Major and two of Arcturus Minor, ranged in two circles, one +within the other, each resembling the crown of Ariadne, and +moving round m opposite directions." + +v. 21. The Chiava.] See Hell, Canto XXIX. 45. + +v. 29. That luminary.] Thomas Aquinas. + +v. 31. One ear.] "Having solved one of thy questions, I proceed +to answer the other. Thou thinkest, then, that Adam and Christ +were both endued with all the perfection of which the human +nature is capable and therefore wonderest at what has been said +concerning Solomon" + +v. 48. That.] "Things corruptible and incorruptible, are only +emanations from the archetypal idea residing in the Divine mind." + +v. 52. His brightness.] The Word: the Son of God. + +v. 53. His love triune with them.] The Holy Ghost. + +v. 55. New existences.] Angels and human souls. + +v. 57. The lowest powers.] Irrational life and brute matter. + +v. 62. Their wax and that which moulds it.] Matter, and the +virtue or energy that acts on it. + +v. 68. The heav'n.] The influence of the planetary bodies. + +v. 77. The clay.] Adam. + +v. 88. Who ask'd.] "He did not desire to know the number of the +stars, or to pry into the subtleties of metaphysical and +mathematical science: but asked for that wisdom which might fit +him for his kingly office." + +v. 120. --Parmenides Melissus Bryso.] +For the singular opinions entertained by the two former of these +heathen philosophers, see Diogenes Laertius, 1. ix. and Aristot. +de Caelo, 1. iii. c. 1 and Phys. l. i. c. 2. The last is also +twice adduced by 2. Aristotle (Anal Post. 1. i. c. 9. and Rhet. +1. iii. c. 2.) as 3. affording instances of false reasoning. + +v. 123. Sabellius, Arius.] Well-known heretics. + +v. 124. Scymitars.] A passage in the travels of +Bertradon de la Brocquiere, translated by Mr. Johnes, will +explain this +allusion, which has given some trouble to the commentators. That +traveler, who wrote before Dante, informs us, p. 138, that the +wandering Arabs used their scymitars as mirrors. + +v. 126. Let not.] "Let not short-sighted mortals presume to +decide on the future doom of any man, from a consideration of his +present character and actions." + +CANTO XIV + +v. 5. Such was the image.] The voice of Thomas Aquinas +proceeding, from the circle to the centre and that of Beatrice +from the centre to the circle. + +v. 26. Him.] Literally translated by Chaucer, Troilus and +Cresseide. + +Thou one two, and three eterne on live +That raignest aie in three, two and one +Uncircumscript, and all maist circonscrive, + +v. 81. The goodliest light.] Solomon. + +v. 78. To more lofty bliss.] To the planet Mars. + +v. 94. The venerable sign.] The cross. + +v. 125. He.] "He who considers that the eyes of Beatrice became +more radiant the higher we ascended, must not wonder that I do +not except even them as I had not yet beheld them since our +entrance into this planet." + +CANTO XV + +v. 24. Our greater Muse.] Virgil Aen. 1. vi. 684. +v. 84. I am thy root.] Cacciaguida, father to Alighieri, of +whom our Poet was the great-grandson. + +v. 89. The mountain.] Purgatory. + +v. 92. Florence.] See G. Villani, l. iii. c. 2. + +v. 93. Which calls her still.] The public clock being still +within the circuit of the ancient walls. + +v. 98. When.] When the women were not married at too early an +age, and did not expect too large a portion. + +v. 101. Void.] Through the civil wars. + +v. 102 Sardanapalus.] The luxurious monarch of Assyria Juvenal +is here imitated, who uses his name for an instance of +effeminacy. Sat. + +v. 103. Montemalo ] Either an elevated spot between Rome and +Viterbo, or Monte Mario, the site of the villa Mellini, +commanding a view of Rome. + +v. 101. Our suburban turret.] Uccellatojo, near Florence, from +whence that city was discovered. + +v. 103. Bellincion Berti.] Hell, Canto XVI. 38. nd Notes. +There is a curious description of the simple manner in which the +earlier Florentines dressed themselves in G. Villani, 1 vi. c. +71. + +v. 110. Of Nerli and of Vecchio.] Two of the most opulent +families in Florence. + +v. 113. Each.] "None fearful either of dying in banishment, or +of being deserted by her husband on a scheme of battle in France. + +v. 120. A Salterello and Cianghella.] The latter a shameless +woman of the family of Tosa, married to Lito degli Alidosi of +Imola: the former Lapo Salterello, a lawyer, with whom Dante was +at variance. + +v. 125. Mary.] The Virgin was involved in the pains of +child-birth Purgatory, Canto XX. 21. + +v. 130 Valdipado.] Cacciaguida's wife, whose family name was +Aldighieri; came from Ferrara, called Val di Pado, from its being +watered by the Po. + +v. 131. Conrad.] The Emperor Conrad III who died in 1152. +See G. Villani, 1. iv. 34. + +v. 136. Whose people.] The Mahometans, who were left in +possession of the Holy Land, through the supineness of the Pope. + +CANTO XVI + +v. 10. With greeting.] The Poet, who had addressed the spirit, +not knowing him to be his ancestor, with a plain "Thou," now uses +more ceremony, and calls him "You," according to a custom +introduced among the Romans in the latter times of the empire. + +v. 15. Guinever.] Beatrice's smile encouraged him to proceed +just as the cough of Ginevra's female servant gave her mistress +assurance to admit the freedoms of Lancelot. See Hell, Canto V. +124. + +v. 23. The fold.] Florence, of which John the Baptist was the +patron saint. + +v. 31. From the day.] From the Incarnation to the birth of +Cacciaguida, the planet Mars had returned five hundred and +fifty-three times to the constellation of Leo, with which it is +supposed to have a congenial influence. His birth may, +therefore, be placed about 1106. + +v. 38. The last.] The city was divided into four compartments. +The Elisei, the ancestors of Dante, resided near the entrance of +that named from the Porta S. Piero, which was the last reached by +the competitor in the annual race at Florence. See G. Villani, +1. iv. c. 10. + +v. 44. From Mars.] "Both in the times of heathenish and of +Christianity." Hell, Canto XIII. 144. + +v. 48. Campi and Certaldo and Fighine.] Country places near +Florence. + +v. 50. That these people.] That the inhabitants of the above- +mentioned places had not been mixed with the citizens: nor the +limits of Florence extended beyond Galluzzo and Trespiano." + +v. 54. Aguglione's hind and Signa's.] Baldo of Aguglione, and +Bonifazio of Signa. + +v. 56. Had not the people.] If Rome had continued in her +allegiance to the emperor, and the Guelph and Ghibelline factions +had thus been prevented, Florence would not have been polluted by +a race of upstarts, nor lost the most respectable of her ancient +families. + +v. 61. Simifonte.] A castle dismantled by the Florentines. G. +Villani, 1. v. c. 30. The individual here alluded to is no +longer known. + +v. 69. The blind bull.] So Chaucer, Troilus and Cresseide. b. +2. + +For swifter course cometh thing that is of wight +When it descendeth than done things light. + +Compare Aristotle, Ethic. Nic. l. vi. c. 13. [GREEK HERE] + +v. 72. Luni, Urbisaglia.] Cities formerly of importance, but +then fallen to decay. + +v. 74. Chiusi and Sinigaglia.] The same. + +v. 80. As the moon.] "The fortune of us, that are the moon's +men doth ebb and flow like the sea." Shakespeare, 1 Henry IV. +a. i. s. 2. + +v. 86. The Ughi.] Whoever is curious to know the habitations of +these and the other ancient Florentines, may consult G. Villani, +l. iv. + +v. 91. At the poop.] Many editions read porta, "gate." -The +same metaphor is found in Aeschylus, Supp. 356, and is there also +scarce understood by the critics. [GREEK HERE] Respect these +wreaths, that crown your city's poop. + +v. 99. The gilded hilt and pommel.] The symbols of knighthood + +v. 100. The column cloth'd with verrey.] The arms of the Pigli. + +v. 103. With them.] Either the Chiaramontesi, or the Tosinghi +one of which had committed a fraud in measuring out the wheat +from the public granary. See Purgatory, Canto XII. 99 + +v. 109. The bullets of bright gold.] The arms of the Abbati, as +it is conjectured. + +v. 110. The sires of those.] "Of the Visdomini, the Tosinghi +and the Cortigiani, who, being sprung from the founders of the +bishopric of Florence are the curators of its revenues, which +they do not spare, whenever it becomes vacant." + +v. 113. Th' o'erweening brood.] The Adimari. This family was +so little esteemed, that Ubertino Donato, who had married a +daughter of Bellincion Berti, himself indeed derived from the +same stock (see Note to Hell Canto XVI. 38.) was offended with +his father-in-law, for giving another of his daughters in +marriage to one of them. + +v. 124. The gateway.] Landino refers this to the smallness of +the city: Vellutello, with less probability, to the simplicity of +the people in naming one of the gates after a private family. + +v. 127. The great baron.] The Marchese Ugo, who resided at +Florence as lieutenant of the Emperor Otho III, gave many of the +chief families license to bear his arms. See G. Villani, 1. iv. +c. 2., where the vision is related, in consequence of which he +sold all his possessions in Germany, and founded seven abbeys, in +one whereof his memory was celebrated at Florence on St. Thomas's +day. +v. 130. One.] Giano della Bella, belonging to one of the +families thus distinguished, who no longer retained his place +among the nobility, and had yet added to his arms a bordure or. +See Macchiavelli, 1st. Fior. 1. ii. p. 86. Ediz. Giolito. + +v. 132. -Gualterotti dwelt +And Importuni.] +Two families in the compartment of the city called Borgo. + +v. 135. The house.] Of Amidei. See Notes to Canto XXVIII. of +Hell. v. 102. + +v. 142. To Ema.] "It had been well for the city, if thy +ancestor had been drowned in the Ema, when he crossed that stream +on his way from Montebuono to Florence." + +v. 144. On that maim'd stone.] See Hell, Canto XIII. 144. Near +the remains of the statue of Mars. Buondelmonti was slain, as if +he had been a victim to the god; and Florence had not since known +the blessing of peace. + +v. 150. The lily.] "The arms of Florence had never hung +reversed on the spear of her enemies, in token of her defeat; nor +been changed from argent to gules;" as they afterwards were, when +the Guelfi gained the predominance. + +CANTO XVII + +v. 1. The youth.] Phaeton, who came to his mother Clymene, to +inquire of her if he were indeed the son of Apollo. See Ovid, +Met. 1. i. ad finem. + +v. 6. That saintly lamp.] Cacciaguida. + +v. 12. To own thy thirst.] "That thou mayst obtain from others +a solution of any doubt that may occur to thee." + +v. 15. Thou seest as clear.] "Thou beholdest future events, +with the same clearness of evidence, that we discern the simplest +mathematical demonstrations." + +v. 19. The point.] The divine nature. + +v. 27. The arrow.] +Nam praevisa minus laedere tela solent. +Ovid. + +Che piaga antiveduta assai men duole. +Petrarca, Trionfo del Tempo + +v. 38. Contingency.] "The evidence with which we see the future +portrayed in the source of all truth, no more necessitates that +future than does the image, reflected in the sight by a ship +sailing down a stream, necessitate the motion of the vessel." + + +v. 43. From thence.] "From the eternal sight; the view of the +Deity. + +v. 49. There.] At Rome, where the expulsion of Dante's party +from Florence was then plotting, in 1300. + +v. 65. Theirs.] "They shall be ashamed of the part they have +taken aga'nst thee." + +v. 69. The great Lombard.] Either Alberto della Scala, or +Bartolommeo his eldest son. Their coat of arms was a ladder and +an eagle. + +v. 75. That mortal.] Can Grande della Scala, born under the +influence of Mars, but at this time only nine years old + +v. 80. The Gascon.] Pope Clement V. + +v. 80. Great Harry.] The Emperor Henry VII. + +v. 127. The cry thou raisest.] "Thou shalt stigmatize the +faults of those who are most eminent and powerful." + +CANTO XVIII + +v. 3. Temp'ring the sweet with bitter.] +Chewing the end of sweet and bitter fancy. +Shakespeare, As you Like it, a. 3. s. 3. + +v. 26. On this fifth lodgment of the tree.] Mars, the fifth ot +the @ + +v. 37. The great Maccabee.] Judas Maccabeus. + +v. 39. Charlemagne.] L. Pulci commends Dante for placing +Charlemagne and Orlando here: +Io mi confido ancor molto qui a Dante +Che non sanza cagion nel ciel su misse +Carlo ed Orlando in quelle croci sante, +Che come diligente intese e scrisse. +Morg. Magg. c. 28. + +v. 43. William and Renard.] Probably not, as the commentators +have imagined, William II of Orange, and his kinsman Raimbaud, +two of the crusaders under Godfrey of Bouillon, (Maimbourg, Hist. +des Croisades, ed. Par. 1682. 12mo. t. i. p. 96.) but rather the +two more celebrated heroes in the age of Charlemagne. The +former, William l. of Orange, supposed to have been the founder +of the present illustrious family of that name, died about 808, +according to Joseph de la Piser, Tableau de l'Hist. des Princes +et Principante d'Orange. Our countryman, Ordericus Vitalis, +professes to give his true life, which had been misrepresented in +the songs of the itinerant bards." Vulgo canitur a joculatoribus +de illo, cantilena; sed jure praeferenda est relatio +authentica." Eccl. Hist. in Duchesne, Hist. Normann Script. +p. 508. The latter is better known by having been celebrated by +Ariosto, under the name of Rinaldo. + +v. 43. Duke Godfey.] Godfrey of Bouillon. + +v. 46. Robert Guiscard.] See Hell, Canto XXVIII. v. 12. + +v. 81. The characters.] Diligite justitiam qui judicatis +terrarm. "Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth " +Wisdom of Solomon, c. i. 1. + +v. 116. That once more.] "That he may again drive out those who +buy and sell in the temple." + +v. 124. Taking the bread away.] "Excommunication, or the +interdiction of the Eucharist, is now employed as a weapon of +warfare." + +v. 126. That writest but to cancel.] "And thou, Pope Boniface, +who writest thy ecclesiastical censures for no other purpose than +to be paid for revoking them." + +v. 130. To him.] The coin of Florence was stamped with the +impression of John the Baptist. + +CANTO XIX + +v. 38. Who turn'd his compass.] Compare Proverbs, c. viii. 27. +And Milton, P. L. b. vii 224. + +v. 42. The Word] "The divine nature still remained +incomprehensible. Of this Lucifer was a proof; for had he +thoroughly comprehended it, he would not have fallen." + +v. 108. The Ethiop.] Matt. c. xii. 41. + +v. 112. That volume.] Rev. c. xx. 12. + +v. 114. Albert.] Purgatory, Canto VI. v. 98. + +v. 116. Prague.] The eagle predicts the devastation of Bohemia +by Albert, which happened soon after this time, when that Emperor +obtained the kingdom for his eldest son Rodolph. See Coxe's +House of Austria, 4to. ed. v. i. part 1. p. 87 + +v. 117. He.] Philip IV of France, after the battle of Courtrai, +1302, in which the French were defeated by the Flemings, raised +the nominal value of the coin. This king died in consequence of +his horse being thrown to the ground by a wild boar, in 1314 + +v. 121. The English and Scot.] He adverts to the disputes +between John Baliol and Edward I, the latter of whom is commended +in the Purgatory, Canto VII. v. 130. + +v. 122. The Spaniard's luxury.] The commentators refer this to +Alonzo X of Spain. It seems probable that the allusion is to +Ferdinand IV who came to the crown in 1295, and died in 1312, at +the age of twenty four, in consequence, as it was supposed, of +his extreme intemperance. +See Mariana, Hist I. xv. c. 11. + +v. 123. The Bohemian.] Winceslaus II. Purgatory, Canto VII. v. + +v. 125. The halter of Jerusalem.] Charles II of Naples and +Jerusalem who was lame. See note to Purgatory, Canto VII. v. +122, and XX. v. 78. + +v. 127. He.] Frederick of Sicily son of Peter III of Arragon. +Purgatory, Canto VII. v. 117. The isle of fire is Sicily, where +was the tomb of Anchises. + +v. 133. His uncle.] James, king of Majorca and Minorca, brother +to Peter III. + +v. 133. His brother.] James II of Arragon, who died in 1327. +See Purgatory, Canto VII. v. 117. + +v. 135. Of Portugal.] In the time of Dante, Dionysius was king +of Portugal. He died in 1328, after a reign of near forty-six +years, and does not seem to have deserved the stigma here +fastened on him. See Mariana. and 1. xv. c. 18. Perhaps the +rebellious son of Dionysius may be alluded to. + +v. 136. Norway.] Haquin, king of Norway, is probably meant; +who, having given refuge to the murderers of Eric VII king of +Denmark, A D. 1288, commenced a war against his successor, Erie +VIII, "which continued for nine years, almost to the utter ruin +and destruction of both kingdoms." Modern Univ. Hist. v. xxxii +p. 215. + +v. 136. -Him +Of Ratza.] +One of the dynasty of the house of Nemagna, which ruled the +kingdom of Rassia, or Ratza, in Sclavonia, from 1161 to 1371, and +whose history may be found in Mauro Orbino, Regno degli Slavi, +Ediz. Pesaro. 1601. Uladislaus appears to have been the sovereign +in Dante's time, but the disgraceful forgery adverted to in the +text, is not recorded by the historian v. 138. Hungary.] The +kingdom of Hungary was about this time disputed by Carobert, son +of Charles Martel, and Winceslaus, prince of Bohemia, son of +Winceslaus II. See Coxe's House of Austria, vol. i. p. 1. p. 86. + +4to edit. + +v. 140. Navarre.] Navarre was now under the yoke of France. + It soon after (in 1328) followed the advice of Dante and had a +monarch of its own. Mariana, 1. xv. c. 19. + +v. 141. Mountainous girdle.] The Pyrenees. + +v. 143. -Famagosta's streets +And Nicosia's.] + +Cities in the kingdom of Cyprus, at that time ruled by Henry II a +pusillanimous prince. Vertot. Hist. des Chev. de Malte, 1. iii. +iv. The meaning appears to be, that the complaints made by those +cities of their weak and worthless governor, may be regarded as +an earnest of his condemnation at the last doom. + +CANTO XX + +v. 6. Wherein one shines.] The light of the sun, whence he +supposes the other celestial bodies to derive their light + +v. 8. The great sign.] The eagle, the Imperial ensign. + +v. 34. Who.] David. + +v. 39. He.] Trajan. See Purgatory, Canto X. 68. + +v. 44. He next.] Hezekiah. + +v. 50. 'The other following.] Constantine. There is no passage +in which Dante's opinion of the evil; that had arisen from the +mixture of the civil with the ecclesiastical power, is more +unequivocally declared. + +v. 57. William.] William II, king of Sicily, at the latter part +of the twelfth century He was of the Norman line of sovereigns, +and obtained the appellation of "the Good" and, as the poet says +his loss was as much the subject of regret in his dominions, as +the presence of Charles I of Anjou and Frederick of Arragon, was +of sorrow and complaint. + +v. 62. Trojan Ripheus.] +Ripheus, justissimus unus +Qui fuit in Teneris, et servantissimus aequi. +Virg. Aen. 1. ii. 4--. + +v. 97. This.] Ripheus. + +v. 98. That.] Trajan. + +v. 103. The prayers,] The prayers of St. Gregory + +v. 119. The three nymphs.] Faith, Hope, and Charity. Purgatory, +Canto XXIX. 116. +v. 138. The pair.] Ripheus and Trajan. + +CANTO XXI + +v. 12. The seventh splendour.] The planet Saturn + +v. 13. The burning lion's breast.] The constellation Leo. + +v. 21. In equal balance.] "My pleasure was as great in +complying +with her will as in beholding her countenance." + +v. 24. Of that lov'd monarch.] Saturn. Compare Hell, Canto +XIV. 91. + +v. 56. What forbade the smile.] "Because it would have overcome +thee." + +v. 61. There aloft.] Where the other souls were. + +v. 97. A stony ridge.] The Apennine. + +v. 112. Pietro Damiano.] "S. Pietro Damiano obtained a great +and well-merited reputation, by the pains he took to correct the +abuses among the clergy. Ravenna is supposed to have been the +place of his birth, about 1007. He was employed in several +important missions, and rewarded by Stephen IX with the dignity +of cardinal, and the bishopric of Ostia, to which, however, he +preferred his former retreat in the monastery of Fonte Aveliana, +and prevailed on Alexander II to permit him to retire thither. +Yet he did not long continue in this seclusion, before he was +sent on other embassies. He died at Faenza in 1072. His +letters throw much light on the obscure history of these times. +Besides them, he has left several treatises on sacred and +ecclesiastical subjects. His eloquence is worthy of a better +age." Tiraboschi, Storia della Lett Ital. t. iii. 1. iv. c. 2. + +v. 114. Beside the Adriatic.] At Ravenna. Some editions have +FU instead of FUI, according to which reading, Pietro +distinguishes himself from another Pietro, who was termed +"Peccator," the sinner. + +v. 117. The hat.] The cardinal's hat. + +v. 118. Cephas.] St. Peter. + +v. 119 The Holy Spirit's vessel.] St. Paul. See Hell, Canto II. +30. + +v. 130. Round this.] Round the spirit of Pietro Damiano. + +CANTO XXII + +v. 14. The vengeance.] Beatrice, it is supposed, intimates the +approaching fate of Boniface VIII. See Purgatory, Canto XX. 86. + +v. 36. Cassino.] A castle in the Terra di Lavoro. + +v. 38. I it was.] "A new order of monks, which in a manner +absorbed all the others that were established in the west, was +instituted, A.D. 529, by Benedict of Nursis, a man of piety and +reputation for the age he lived in." Maclaine's Mosheim, +Eccles. Hist. v. ii. cent. vi. p. 2. ch. 2 - 6. + +v. 48. Macarius.] There are two of this name enumerated by +Mosheim among the Greek theologians of the fourth century, v. i. +cent. iv p. 11 ch. 2 - 9. In the following chapter, 10, it is +said, "Macarius, an Egyptian monk, undoubtedly deserves the first +rank among the practical matters of this time, as his works +displayed, some few things excepted, the brightest and most +lovely portraiture of sanctity and virtue." + +v. 48. Romoaldo.] S. Romoaldo, a native of Ravenna, and the +founder of the order of Camaldoli, died in 1027. He was the +author of a commentary on the Psalms. + +v. 70. The patriarch Jacob.] So Milton, P. L. b. iii. 510: +The stairs were such, as whereon Jacob saw +Angels ascending and descending, bands +Of guardians bright. + +v. 107. The sign.] The constellation of Gemini. + +v. 130. This globe.] So Chaucer, Troilus and Cresseide, b. v, + +And down from thence fast he gan avise +This little spot of earth, that with the sea +Embraced is, and fully gan despite +This wretched world. + +Compare Cicero, Somn. Scip. "Jam ipsa terra ita mihi parva visa +est." &c. Lucan, Phar 1. ix. 11; and Tasso, G. L. c. xiv. +st, 9, 10, 11. + +v. 140. Maia and Dione.] The planets Mercury and Venus. + +CANTO XXIII + +v. 11. That region.] Towards the south, where the course of the +sun appears less rapid, than, when he is in the east or the west. + +v. 26. Trivia.] A name of Diana. + +v. 26. Th' eternal nymphs.] The stars. + +v. 36. The Might.] Our Saviour + +v. 71. The rose.] The Virgin Mary. + +v. 73. The lilies.] The apostles. + +v. 84. Thou didst exalt thy glory.] The diving light retired +upwards, to render the eyes of Dante more capable of enduring the +spectacle which now presented itself. + +v. 86. The name of that fair flower.] The name of the Virgin. + +v. 92. A cresset.] The angel Gabriel. + +v. 98. That lyre.] By synecdoche, the lyre is put for the angel + +v. 99. The goodliest sapphire.] The Virgin + +v. 126. Those rich-laden coffers.] Those spirits who, having +sown the seed of good works on earth, now contain the fruit of +their pious endeavours. + +v. 129. In the Babylonian exile.] During their abode in this +world. + +v. 133. He.] St. Peter, with the other holy men of the Old and +New testament. + +CANTO XXIV + +v. 28. Such folds.] Pindar has the same bold image: +[GREEK HERE?] +On which Hayne strangely remarks: Ad ambitus stropharum vldetur + +v. 65. Faith.] Hebrews, c. xi. 1. So Marino, in one of his +sonnets, which calls Divozioni: + +Fede e sustanza di sperate cose, +E delle non visioili argomento. + +v. 82. Current.] "The answer thou hast made is right; but let +me know if thy inward persuasion is conformable to thy +profession." + +v. 91. The ancient bond and new.] The Old and New Testament. + +v. 114. That Worthy.] Quel Baron. +In the next Canto, St. James is called "Barone." So in +Boccaccio, G. vi. N. 10, we find "Baron Messer Santo Antonio." +v. 124. As to outstrip.] Venturi insists that the Poet has +here, "made a slip;" for that John came first to the sepulchre, +though Peter was the first to enter it. But let Dante have leave +to explain his own meaning, in a passage from his third book De +Monarchia: "Dicit etiam Johannes ipsum (scilicet Petrum) +introiisse SUBITO, cum venit in monumentum, videns allum +discipulum cunctantem ad ostium." Opere de Dante, Ven. 1793. T. +ii. P. 146. + +CANTO XXV + +v. 6. The fair sheep-fold.] Florence, whence he was banished. + +v. 13. For its sake.] For the sake of that faith. + +v. 20. Galicia throng'd with visitants.] See Mariana, Hist. 1. +xi. + +v. 13. "En el tiempo," &c. "At the time that the sepulchre of +the apostle St. James was discovered, the devotion for that place +extended itself not only over all Spain, but even round about to +foreign nations. Multitudes from all parts of the world came to +visit it. Many others were deterred by the difficulty for the +journey, by the roughness and barrenness of those parts, and by +the incursions of the Moors, who made captives many of the +pilgrims. The canons of St. Eloy afterwards (the precise time is +not known), with a desire of remedying these evils, built, in +many places, along the whole read, which reached as far as to +France, hospitals for the reception of the pilgrims." + +v. 31. Who.] The Epistle of St. James is here attributed to the +elder apostle of that name, whose shrine was at Compostella, in +Galicia. Which of the two was the author of it is yet doubtful. +The learned and candid Michaelis contends very forcibly for its +having been written by James the Elder. Lardner rejects that +opinion as absurd; while Benson argues against it, but is well +answered by Michaelis, who after all, is obliged to leave the +question undecided. See his Introduction to the New Testament, +translated by Dr. Marsh, ed. Cambridge, 1793. V. iv. c. 26. - +1, 2, 3. + +v. 35. As Jesus.] In the transfiguration on Mount Tabor. + +v. 39. The second flame.] St. James. + +v. 40. I lifted up.] "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, +from whence cometh my help." Ps. Cxxi. 1. + +v. 59. From Egypt to Jerusalem.] From the lower world to +heaven. + +v. 67. Hope.] This is from the Sentences of Petrus Lombardus. +"Est autem spes virtus, qua spiritualia et aeterna bona speratam, +id est, beatitudinem aeternam. Sine meritis enim aliquid +sperare non spes, sed praesumptio, dici potest." Pet. Lomb. +Sent. 1. Iii. Dist. 26. Ed. Bas. 1486. Fol. + +v. 74. His anthem.] Psalm ix. 10. + +v. 90. Isaias ] Chap. lxi. 10. + +v. 94. Thy brother.] St. John in the Revelation, c. vii. 9. + +v. 101. Winter's month.] "If a luminary, like that which now +appeared, were to shine throughout the month following the winter +solstice during which the constellation Cancer appears in the +east at the setting of the sun, there would be no interruption to +the light, but the whole month would be as a single day." + +v. 112. This.] St. John, who reclined on the bosom of our +Saviour, and to whose charge Jesus recommended his mother. + +v. 121. So I.] He looked so earnestly, to descry whether St. +John were present there in body, or in spirit only, having had +his doubts raised by that saying of our Saviour's: "If I will, +that he tarry till I come what is that to thee." + +v. 127. The two.] Christ and Mary, whom he has described, in +the last Canto but one, as rising above his sight + +CANTO XXVI + +v. 2. The beamy flame.] St. John. + +v. 13. Ananias' hand.] Who, by putting his hand on St. Paul, +restored his sight. Acts, c. ix. 17. + +v. 36. From him.] Some suppose that Plato is here meant, who, +in his Banquet, makes Phaedrus say: "Love is confessedly amongst +the eldest of beings, and, being the eldest, is the cause to us +of the greatest goods " Plat. Op. t. x. p. 177. Bip. ed. Others +have understood it of Aristotle, and others, of the writer who +goes by the name of Dionysius the Areopagite, referred to in the +twenty-eighth Canto. + +v. 40. I will make.] Exodus, c. xxxiii. 19. + +v. 42. At the outset.] John, c. i. 1. &c. + +v. 51. The eagle of our Lord.] St. John + +v. 62. The leaves.] Created beings. + +v. 82. The first living soul.] Adam. + +v. 107. Parhelion.] Who enlightens and comprehends all things; +but is himself enlightened and comprehended by none. + +v. 117. Whence.] That is, from Limbo. See Hell, Canto II. 53. +Adam says that 5232 years elapsed from his creation to the time +of his deliverance, which followed the death of Christ. + +v. 133. EL] Some read UN, "One," instead of EL: but the latter +of these readings is confirmed by a passage from Dante's Treatise +De Vulg. Eloq. 1. i. cap. 4. "Quod prius vox primi loquentis +sonaverit, viro sanae mentis in promptu esse non dubito ipsum +fuisse quod Deus est, videlicet El." St. Isidore in the +Origines, 1. vii. c. 1. had said, "Primum apud Hebraeos Dei +nomen El dicitur." + +v. 135. Use.] From Horace, Ars. Poet. 62. + +v. 138. All my life.] "I remained in the terrestrial Paradise +only tothe seventh hour." In the Historia Scolastica of Petrus +Comestor, it is said of our first parents: Quidam tradunt eos +fuisse in Paradiso septem horae." I. 9. ed. Par. 1513. 4to. + +CANTO XXVII + +v. 1. Four torches.] St. Peter, St. James, St. John, and Adam. + +v. 11. That.] St. Peter' who looked as the planet Jupiter +would, if it assumed the sanguine appearance of liars. + +v. 20. He.] Boniface VIII. + +v. 26. such colour.] +Qui color infectis adversi solis ab ietu +Nubibus esse solet; aut purpureae Aurorae. +Ovid, Met. 1. iii. 184. + +v. 37. Of Linus and of Cletus.] Bishops of Rome in the first +century. + +v. 40. Did Sextus, Pius, and Callixtus bleed +And Urban.] +The former two, bishops of the same see, in the second; and the +others, in the fourth century. +v. 42. No purpose was of ours.] "We did not intend that our +successors should take any part in the political divisions among +Christians, or that my figure (the seal of St. Peter) should +serve as a mark to authorize iniquitous grants and privileges." + +v. 51. Wolves.] Compare Milton, P. L. b. xii. 508, &c. + +v. 53. Cahorsines and Gascons.] He alludes to Jacques d'Ossa, a +native of Cahors, who filled the papal chair in 1316, after it +had been two years vacant, and assumed the name of John XXII., +and to Clement V, a Gascon, of whom see Hell, Canto XIX. 86, and +Note. + +v. 63. The she-goat.] When the sun is in Capricorn. + +v. 72. From the hour.] Since he had last looked (see Canto +XXII.) he perceived that he had passed from the meridian circle +to the eastern horizon, the half of our hemisphere, and a quarter +of the heaven. + +v. 76. From Gades.] See Hell, Canto XXVI. 106 + +v. 78. The shore.] Phoenicia, where Europa, the daughter of +Agenor mounted on the back of Jupiter, in his shape of a bull. + +v. 80. The sun.] Dante was in the constellation Gemini, and the +sun in Aries. There was, therefore, part of those two +constellations, and the whole of Taurus, between them. + +v. 93. The fair nest of Leda.] "From the Gemini;" thus called, +because Leda was the mother of the twins, Castor and Pollux + +v. 112. Time's roots.] "Here," says Beatrice, "are the roots, +from whence time springs: for the parts, into which it is +divided, the other heavens must be considered." And she then +breaks out into an exclamation on the degeneracy of human nature, +which does not lift itself to the contemplation of divine things. + +v. 126. The fair child of him.] So she calls human nature. +Pindar by a more easy figure, terms the day, "child of the sun." + +v. 129. None.] Because, as has been before said, the shepherds +are become wolves. + +v. 131. Before the date.] "Before many ages are past, before +those fractions, which are drops in the reckoning of every year, +shall amount to so large a portion of time, that January shall be +no more a winter month." By this periphrasis is meant " in a +short time," as we say familiarly, such a thing will happen +before a thousand years are over when we mean, it will happen +soon. + +v. 135. Fortune shall be fain.] The commentators in general +suppose that our Poet here augurs that great reform, which he +vainly hoped would follow on the arrival of the Emperor Henry +VII. in Italy. Lombardi refers the prognostication to Can Grande +della Scala: and, when we consider that this Canto was not +finished till after the death of Henry, as appears from the +mention that is made of John XXII, it cannot be denied but the +conjecture is probable. + +CANTO XXVIII + +v. 36. Heav'n, and all nature, hangs upon that point.] [GREEK +HERE] +Aristot. Metaph. 1. xii. c. 7. "From that beginning depend +heaven and nature." + +v. 43. Such diff'rence.] The material world and the +intelligential (the copy and the pattern) appear to Dante to +differ in this respect, that the orbits of the latter are more +swift, the nearer they are to the centre, whereas the contrary is +the case with the orbits of the former. The seeming contradiction +is thus accounted for by Beatrice. In the material world, the +more ample the body is, the greater is the good of which itis +capable supposing all the parts to be equally perfect. But in the +intelligential world, the circles are more excellent and +powerful, the more they approximate to the central point, which +is God. Thus the first circle, that of the seraphim, corresponds +to the ninth sphere, or primum mobile, the second, that of the +cherubim, to the eighth sphere, or heaven of fixed stars; the +third, or circle of thrones, to the seventh sphere, or planet of +Saturn; and in like manner throughout the two other trines of +circles and spheres. + +In orbs +Of circuit inexpressible they stood, +Orb within orb +Milton, P. L. b. v. 596. + +v. 70. The sturdy north.] Compare Homer, II. b. v. 524. + +v. 82. In number.] The sparkles exceeded the number which would +be produced by the sixty-four squares of a chess-board, if for +the first we reckoned one, for the next, two; for the third, +four; and so went on doubling to the end of the account. + +v. 106. Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram.] Not +injured, like the productions of our spring, by the influence of +autumn, when the constellation Aries rises at sunset. + +v. 110. Dominations.] +Hear all ye angels, progeny of light, +Thrones, domination's, princedoms, virtues, powers. +Milton, P. L. b. v. 601. + +v. 119. Dionysius.] The Areopagite, in his book De Caelesti +Hierarchia. + +v. 124. Gregory.] Gregory the Great. "Novem vero angelorum +ordines diximus, quia videlicet esse, testante sacro eloquio, +scimus: Angelos, archangelos, virtutes, potestates, principatus, +dominationae, thronos, cherubin atque seraphin." Divi Gregorii, +Hom. xxxiv. f. 125. ed. Par. 1518. fol. + +v. 126. He had learnt.] Dionysius, he says, had learnt from St. +Paul. It is almost unnecessary to add, that the book, above +referred to, which goes under his name, was the production of a +later age. + +CANTO XXIX + +v. 1. No longer.] As short a space, as the sun and moon are in +changing hemispheres, when they are opposite to one another, the +one under the sign of Aries, and the other under that of Libra, +and both hang for a moment, noised as it were in the hand of the +zenith. + +v. 22. For, not in process of before or aft.] There was neither +"before nor after," no distinction, that is, of time, till the +creation of the world. + +v. 30. His threefold operation.] He seems to mean that +spiritual beings, brute matter, and the intermediate part of the +creation, which participates both of spirit and matter, were +produced at once. + +v. 38. On Jerome's pages.] St. Jerome had described the angels +as created before the rest of the universe: an opinion which +Thomas Aquinas controverted; and the latter, as Dante thinks, +had Scripture on his side. + +v. 51. Pent.] See Hell, Canto XXXIV. 105. + +v. 111. Of Bindi and of Lapi.] Common names of men at Florence + +v. 112. The sheep.] So Milton, Lycidas. +The hungry sheep look up and are not fed, +But, swoln with wind and the rank mist they draw, +Rot inwardly. + +v. 121. The preacher.] Thus Cowper, Task, b. ii. + +'Tis pitiful +To court a grin, when you should woo a soul, &c. + +v. 131. Saint Anthony. +Fattens with this his swine.] +On the sale of these blessings, the brothers of St. Anthony +supported themselves and their paramours. From behind the swine +of St. Anthony, our Poet levels a blow at the object of his +inveterate enmity, Boniface VIII, from whom, "in 1297, they +obtained the dignity and privileges of an independent +congregation." See Mosheim's Eccles. History in Dr. Maclaine's +Translation, v. ii. cent. xi. p. 2. c. 2. - 28. + +v. 140. Daniel.] "Thousand thousands ministered unto him, and +ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." Dan. c. vii. +10. + +CANTO XXX + +v. 1. Six thousand miles.] He compares the vanishing of the +vision to the fading away of the stars at dawn, when it is +noon-day six thousand miles off, and the shadow, formed by the +earth over the part of it inhabited by the Poet, is about to +disappear. + +v. 13. Engirt.] " ppearing to be encompassed by these angelic +bands, which are in reality encompassed by it." + +v. 18. This turn.] Questa vice. +Hence perhaps Milton, P. L. b. viii. 491. +This turn hath made amends. + +v. 39. Forth.] From the ninth sphere to the empyrean, which is +more light. + +v. 44. Either mighty host.] Of angels, that remained faithful, +and of beatified souls, the latter in that form which they will +have at the last day. +v. 61. Light flowing.] "And he showed me a pure river of water +of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God +and of the Lamb." Rev. cxxii. I. + +--underneath a bright sea flow'd +Of jasper, or of liquid pearl. +Milton, P. L. b. iii. 518. + +v. 80. Shadowy of the truth.] +Son di lor vero ombriferi prefazii. +So Mr. Coleridge, in his Religious Musings, v. 406. +Life is a vision shadowy of truth. + +v. 88. --the eves +Of mine eyelids.] +Thus Shakespeare calls the eyelids "penthouse lids." Macbeth, a, +1. s, 3. + +v. 108. As some cliff.] +A lake +That to the fringed bank with myrtle crown'd +Her crystal mirror holds. +Milton, P. L. b. iv. 263. + +v. 118. My view with ease.] +Far and wide his eye commands +For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, But all sunshine. +Milton, P. l. b. iii. 616. + +v. 135. Of the great Harry.] The Emperor Henry VII, who died in +1313. + +v. 141. He.] Pope Clement V. See Canto XXVII. 53. + +v. 145. Alagna's priest.] Pope Boniface VIII. Hell, Canto XIX. + +79. + +CANTO XXXI + +v. 6. Bees.] Compare Homer, Iliad, ii. 87. Virg. Aen. I. 430, +and Milton, P. L. b. 1. 768. + +v. 29. Helice.] Callisto, and her son Arcas, changed into the +constellations of the Greater Bear and Arctophylax, or Bootes. +See Ovid, Met. l. ii. fab. v. vi. + +v. 93. Bernard.] St. Bernard, the venerable abbot of Clairvaux, +and the great promoter of the second crusade, who died A.D. 1153, +in his sixty-third year. His sermons are called by Henault, +"chefs~d'oeuvres de sentiment et de force." Abrege Chron. de +l'Hist. de Fr. 1145. They have even been preferred to al1 the +productions of the ancients, and the author has been termed the +last of the fathers of the church. It is uncertain whether they +were not delivered originally in the French tongue. + +That the part he acts in the present Poem should be assigned to +him. appears somewhat remarkable, when we consider that he +severely censured the new festival established in honour of the +Immaculate Conception of the virgin, and opposed the doctrine +itself with the greatest vigour, as it supposed her being +honoured with a privilegewhich belonged to Christ Alone Dr. +Maclaine's Mosheim, v. iii. cent. xii. p. ii. c. 3 - 19. + +v. 95. Our Veronica ] The holy handkerchief, then preserved at +Rome, on which the countenance of our Saviour was supposed to +have been imprest. + +v. 101. Him.] St. Bernard. + +v. 108. The queen.] The Virgin Mary. + +v. 119. Oriflamb.] Menage on this word quotes the Roman des +Royau +-Iignages of Guillaume Ghyart. +Oriflamme est une banniere +De cendal roujoyant et simple +Sans portraiture d'autre affaire, + +CANTO XXXII + +v. 3. She.] Eve. + +v. 8. Ancestress.] Ruth, the ancestress of David. + +v. 60. In holy scripture.] Gen. c. xxv. 22. +v. 123. Lucia.] See Hell, Canto II. 97. + +CANTO XXXIII + +v. 63. The Sybil's sentence.] Virg. Aen. iii. 445. + +v. 89. One moment.] "A moment seems to me more tedious, than +five-and-twenty ages would have appeared to the Argonauts, when +they had resolved on their expedition. + +v. 92. Argo's shadow] +Quae simul ac rostro ventosnm proscidit aequor, +Tortaque remigio spumis incanduit unda, +Emersere feri candenti e gurgite vultus +Aequoreae monstrum Nereides admirantes. +Catullus, De Nupt. Pel. et Thet. 15. + +v. 109. Three orbs of triple hue, clipt in one bound.] The +Trinity. + +v. 118. That circling.] The second of the circles, "Light of +Light," in which he dimly beheld the mystery of the incarnation. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext The Divine Comedy of Dante: Paradise +as translanted by H. F. 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