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diff --git a/1003-0.txt b/1003-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..70b2005 --- /dev/null +++ b/1003-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6731 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1003 *** + +The Divine Comedy + +of Dante Alighieri + +Translated by +HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW + +PARADISO + + +Contents + +I. The Ascent to the First Heaven. The Sphere of Fire. +II. The First Heaven, the Moon: Spirits who, having taken Sacred Vows, were forced to violate them. The Lunar Spots. +III. Piccarda Donati and the Empress Constance. +IV. Questionings of the Soul and of Broken Vows. +V. Discourse of Beatrice on Vows and Compensations. Ascent to the Second Heaven, Mercury: Spirits who for the Love of Fame achieved great Deeds. +VI. Justinian. The Roman Eagle. The Empire. Romeo. +VII. Beatrice’s Discourse of the Crucifixion, the Incarnation, the Immortality of the Soul, and the Resurrection of the Body. +VIII. Ascent to the Third Heaven, Venus: Lovers. Charles Martel. Discourse on diverse Natures. +IX. Cunizza da Romano, Folco of Marseilles, and Rahab. Neglect of the Holy Land. +X. The Fourth Heaven, the Sun: Theologians and Fathers of the Church. The First Circle. St. Thomas of Aquinas. +XI. St. Thomas recounts the Life of St. Francis. Lament over the State of the Dominican Order. +XII. St. Buonaventura recounts the Life of St. Dominic. Lament over the State of the Franciscan Order. The Second Circle. +XIII. Of the Wisdom of Solomon. St. Thomas reproaches Dante’s Judgement. +XIV. The Third Circle. Discourse on the Resurrection of the Flesh. The Fifth Heaven, Mars: Martyrs and Crusaders who died fighting for the true Faith. The Celestial Cross. +XV. Cacciaguida. Florence in the Olden Time. +XVI. Dante’s Noble Ancestry. Cacciaguida’s Discourse of the Great Florentines. +XVII. Cacciaguida’s Prophecy of Dante’s Banishment. +XVIII. The Sixth Heaven, Jupiter: Righteous Kings and Rulers. The Celestial Eagle. Dante’s Invectives against ecclesiastical Avarice. +XIX. The Eagle discourses of Salvation, Faith, and Virtue. Condemnation of the vile Kings of A.D. 1300. +XX. The Eagle praises the Righteous Kings of old. Benevolence of the Divine Will. +XXI. The Seventh Heaven, Saturn: The Contemplative. The Celestial Stairway. St. Peter Damiano. His Invectives against the Luxury of the Prelates. +XXII. St. Benedict. His Lamentation over the Corruption of Monks. The Eighth Heaven, the Fixed Stars. +XXIII. The Triumph of Christ. The Virgin Mary. The Apostles. Gabriel. +XXIV. The Radiant Wheel. St. Peter examines Dante on Faith. +XXV. The Laurel Crown. St. James examines Dante on Hope. Dante’s Blindness. +XXVI. St. John examines Dante on Charity. Dante’s Sight. Adam. +XXVII. St. Peter’s reproof of bad Popes. The Ascent to the Ninth Heaven, the ‘Primum Mobile.’ +XXVIII. God and the Angelic Hierarchies. +XXIX. Beatrice’s Discourse of the Creation of the Angels, and of the Fall of Lucifer. Her Reproof of Foolish and Avaricious Preachers. +XXX. The Tenth Heaven, or Empyrean. The River of Light. The Two Courts of Heaven. The White Rose of Paradise. The great Throne. +XXXI. The Glory of Paradise. Departure of Beatrice. St. Bernard. +XXXII. St. Bernard points out the Saints in the White Rose. +XXXIII. Prayer to the Virgin. The Threefold Circle of the Trinity. Mystery of the Divine and Human Nature. +APPENDIX + + + + +Paradiso: Canto I + + +The glory of Him who moveth everything + Doth penetrate the universe, and shine + In one part more and in another less. + +Within that heaven which most his light receives + Was I, and things beheld which to repeat + Nor knows, nor can, who from above descends; + +Because in drawing near to its desire + Our intellect ingulphs itself so far, + That after it the memory cannot go. + +Truly whatever of the holy realm + I had the power to treasure in my mind + Shall now become the subject of my song. + +O good Apollo, for this last emprise + Make of me such a vessel of thy power + As giving the beloved laurel asks! + +One summit of Parnassus hitherto + Has been enough for me, but now with both + I needs must enter the arena left. + +Enter into my bosom, thou, and breathe + As at the time when Marsyas thou didst draw + Out of the scabbard of those limbs of his. + +O power divine, lend’st thou thyself to me + So that the shadow of the blessed realm + Stamped in my brain I can make manifest, + +Thou’lt see me come unto thy darling tree, + And crown myself thereafter with those leaves + Of which the theme and thou shall make me worthy. + +So seldom, Father, do we gather them + For triumph or of Caesar or of Poet, + (The fault and shame of human inclinations,) + +That the Peneian foliage should bring forth + Joy to the joyous Delphic deity, + When any one it makes to thirst for it. + +A little spark is followed by great flame; + Perchance with better voices after me + Shall prayer be made that Cyrrha may respond! + +To mortal men by passages diverse + Uprises the world’s lamp; but by that one + Which circles four uniteth with three crosses, + +With better course and with a better star + Conjoined it issues, and the mundane wax + Tempers and stamps more after its own fashion. + +Almost that passage had made morning there + And evening here, and there was wholly white + That hemisphere, and black the other part, + +When Beatrice towards the left-hand side + I saw turned round, and gazing at the sun; + Never did eagle fasten so upon it! + +And even as a second ray is wont + To issue from the first and reascend, + Like to a pilgrim who would fain return, + +Thus of her action, through the eyes infused + In my imagination, mine I made, + And sunward fixed mine eyes beyond our wont. + +There much is lawful which is here unlawful + Unto our powers, by virtue of the place + Made for the human species as its own. + +Not long I bore it, nor so little while + But I beheld it sparkle round about + Like iron that comes molten from the fire; + +And suddenly it seemed that day to day + Was added, as if He who has the power + Had with another sun the heaven adorned. + +With eyes upon the everlasting wheels + Stood Beatrice all intent, and I, on her + Fixing my vision from above removed, + +Such at her aspect inwardly became + As Glaucus, tasting of the herb that made him + Peer of the other gods beneath the sea. + +To represent transhumanise in words + Impossible were; the example, then, suffice + Him for whom Grace the experience reserves. + +If I was merely what of me thou newly + Createdst, Love who governest the heaven, + Thou knowest, who didst lift me with thy light! + +When now the wheel, which thou dost make eternal + Desiring thee, made me attentive to it + By harmony thou dost modulate and measure, + +Then seemed to me so much of heaven enkindled + By the sun’s flame, that neither rain nor river + E’er made a lake so widely spread abroad. + +The newness of the sound and the great light + Kindled in me a longing for their cause, + Never before with such acuteness felt; + +Whence she, who saw me as I saw myself, + To quiet in me my perturbed mind, + Opened her mouth, ere I did mine to ask, + +And she began: “Thou makest thyself so dull + With false imagining, that thou seest not + What thou wouldst see if thou hadst shaken it off. + +Thou art not upon earth, as thou believest; + But lightning, fleeing its appropriate site, + Ne’er ran as thou, who thitherward returnest.” + +If of my former doubt I was divested + By these brief little words more smiled than spoken, + I in a new one was the more ensnared; + +And said: “Already did I rest content + From great amazement; but am now amazed + In what way I transcend these bodies light.” + +Whereupon she, after a pitying sigh, + Her eyes directed tow’rds me with that look + A mother casts on a delirious child; + +And she began: “All things whate’er they be + Have order among themselves, and this is form, + That makes the universe resemble God. + +Here do the higher creatures see the footprints + Of the Eternal Power, which is the end + Whereto is made the law already mentioned. + +In the order that I speak of are inclined + All natures, by their destinies diverse, + More or less near unto their origin; + +Hence they move onward unto ports diverse + O’er the great sea of being; and each one + With instinct given it which bears it on. + +This bears away the fire towards the moon; + This is in mortal hearts the motive power + This binds together and unites the earth. + +Nor only the created things that are + Without intelligence this bow shoots forth, + But those that have both intellect and love. + +The Providence that regulates all this + Makes with its light the heaven forever quiet, + Wherein that turns which has the greatest haste. + +And thither now, as to a site decreed, + Bears us away the virtue of that cord + Which aims its arrows at a joyous mark. + +True is it, that as oftentimes the form + Accords not with the intention of the art, + Because in answering is matter deaf, + +So likewise from this course doth deviate + Sometimes the creature, who the power possesses, + Though thus impelled, to swerve some other way, + +(In the same wise as one may see the fire + Fall from a cloud,) if the first impetus + Earthward is wrested by some false delight. + +Thou shouldst not wonder more, if well I judge, + At thine ascent, than at a rivulet + From some high mount descending to the lowland. + +Marvel it would be in thee, if deprived + Of hindrance, thou wert seated down below, + As if on earth the living fire were quiet.” + +Thereat she heavenward turned again her face. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto II + + +O Ye, who in some pretty little boat, + Eager to listen, have been following + Behind my ship, that singing sails along, + +Turn back to look again upon your shores; + Do not put out to sea, lest peradventure, + In losing me, you might yourselves be lost. + +The sea I sail has never yet been passed; + Minerva breathes, and pilots me Apollo, + And Muses nine point out to me the Bears. + +Ye other few who have the neck uplifted + Betimes to th’ bread of Angels upon which + One liveth here and grows not sated by it, + +Well may you launch upon the deep salt-sea + Your vessel, keeping still my wake before you + Upon the water that grows smooth again. + +Those glorious ones who unto Colchos passed + Were not so wonder-struck as you shall be, + When Jason they beheld a ploughman made! + +The con-created and perpetual thirst + For the realm deiform did bear us on, + As swift almost as ye the heavens behold. + +Upward gazed Beatrice, and I at her; + And in such space perchance as strikes a bolt + And flies, and from the notch unlocks itself, + +Arrived I saw me where a wondrous thing + Drew to itself my sight; and therefore she + From whom no care of mine could be concealed, + +Towards me turning, blithe as beautiful, + Said unto me: “Fix gratefully thy mind + On God, who unto the first star has brought us.” + +It seemed to me a cloud encompassed us, + Luminous, dense, consolidate and bright + As adamant on which the sun is striking. + +Into itself did the eternal pearl + Receive us, even as water doth receive + A ray of light, remaining still unbroken. + +If I was body, (and we here conceive not + How one dimension tolerates another, + Which needs must be if body enter body,) + +More the desire should be enkindled in us + That essence to behold, wherein is seen + How God and our own nature were united. + +There will be seen what we receive by faith, + Not demonstrated, but self-evident + In guise of the first truth that man believes. + +I made reply: “Madonna, as devoutly + As most I can do I give thanks to Him + Who has removed me from the mortal world. + +But tell me what the dusky spots may be + Upon this body, which below on earth + Make people tell that fabulous tale of Cain?” + +Somewhat she smiled; and then, “If the opinion + Of mortals be erroneous,” she said, + “Where’er the key of sense doth not unlock, + +Certes, the shafts of wonder should not pierce thee + Now, forasmuch as, following the senses, + Thou seest that the reason has short wings. + +But tell me what thou think’st of it thyself.” + And I: “What seems to us up here diverse, + Is caused, I think, by bodies rare and dense.” + +And she: “Right truly shalt thou see immersed + In error thy belief, if well thou hearest + The argument that I shall make against it. + +Lights many the eighth sphere displays to you + Which in their quality and quantity + May noted be of aspects different. + +If this were caused by rare and dense alone, + One only virtue would there be in all + Or more or less diffused, or equally. + +Virtues diverse must be perforce the fruits + Of formal principles; and these, save one, + Of course would by thy reasoning be destroyed. + +Besides, if rarity were of this dimness + The cause thou askest, either through and through + This planet thus attenuate were of matter, + +Or else, as in a body is apportioned + The fat and lean, so in like manner this + Would in its volume interchange the leaves. + +Were it the former, in the sun’s eclipse + It would be manifest by the shining through + Of light, as through aught tenuous interfused. + +This is not so; hence we must scan the other, + And if it chance the other I demolish, + Then falsified will thy opinion be. + +But if this rarity go not through and through, + There needs must be a limit, beyond which + Its contrary prevents the further passing, + +And thence the foreign radiance is reflected, + Even as a colour cometh back from glass, + The which behind itself concealeth lead. + +Now thou wilt say the sunbeam shows itself + More dimly there than in the other parts, + By being there reflected farther back. + +From this reply experiment will free thee + If e’er thou try it, which is wont to be + The fountain to the rivers of your arts. + +Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove + Alike from thee, the other more remote + Between the former two shall meet thine eyes. + +Turned towards these, cause that behind thy back + Be placed a light, illuming the three mirrors + And coming back to thee by all reflected. + +Though in its quantity be not so ample + The image most remote, there shalt thou see + How it perforce is equally resplendent. + +Now, as beneath the touches of warm rays + Naked the subject of the snow remains + Both of its former colour and its cold, + +Thee thus remaining in thy intellect, + Will I inform with such a living light, + That it shall tremble in its aspect to thee. + +Within the heaven of the divine repose + Revolves a body, in whose virtue lies + The being of whatever it contains. + +The following heaven, that has so many eyes, + Divides this being by essences diverse, + Distinguished from it, and by it contained. + +The other spheres, by various differences, + All the distinctions which they have within them + Dispose unto their ends and their effects. + +Thus do these organs of the world proceed, + As thou perceivest now, from grade to grade; + Since from above they take, and act beneath. + +Observe me well, how through this place I come + Unto the truth thou wishest, that hereafter + Thou mayst alone know how to keep the ford + +The power and motion of the holy spheres, + As from the artisan the hammer’s craft, + Forth from the blessed motors must proceed. + +The heaven, which lights so manifold make fair, + From the Intelligence profound, which turns it, + The image takes, and makes of it a seal. + +And even as the soul within your dust + Through members different and accommodated + To faculties diverse expands itself, + +So likewise this Intelligence diffuses + Its virtue multiplied among the stars. + Itself revolving on its unity. + +Virtue diverse doth a diverse alloyage + Make with the precious body that it quickens, + In which, as life in you, it is combined. + +From the glad nature whence it is derived, + The mingled virtue through the body shines, + Even as gladness through the living pupil. + +From this proceeds whate’er from light to light + Appeareth different, not from dense and rare: + This is the formal principle that produces, + +According to its goodness, dark and bright.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto III + + +That Sun, which erst with love my bosom warmed, + Of beauteous truth had unto me discovered, + By proving and reproving, the sweet aspect. + +And, that I might confess myself convinced + And confident, so far as was befitting, + I lifted more erect my head to speak. + +But there appeared a vision, which withdrew me + So close to it, in order to be seen, + That my confession I remembered not. + +Such as through polished and transparent glass, + Or waters crystalline and undisturbed, + But not so deep as that their bed be lost, + +Come back again the outlines of our faces + So feeble, that a pearl on forehead white + Comes not less speedily unto our eyes; + +Such saw I many faces prompt to speak, + So that I ran in error opposite + To that which kindled love ’twixt man and fountain. + +As soon as I became aware of them, + Esteeming them as mirrored semblances, + To see of whom they were, mine eyes I turned, + +And nothing saw, and once more turned them forward + Direct into the light of my sweet Guide, + Who smiling kindled in her holy eyes. + +“Marvel thou not,” she said to me, “because + I smile at this thy puerile conceit, + Since on the truth it trusts not yet its foot, + +But turns thee, as ’tis wont, on emptiness. + True substances are these which thou beholdest, + Here relegate for breaking of some vow. + +Therefore speak with them, listen and believe; + For the true light, which giveth peace to them, + Permits them not to turn from it their feet.” + +And I unto the shade that seemed most wishful + To speak directed me, and I began, + As one whom too great eagerness bewilders: + +“O well-created spirit, who in the rays + Of life eternal dost the sweetness taste + Which being untasted ne’er is comprehended, + +Grateful ’twill be to me, if thou content me + Both with thy name and with your destiny.” + Whereat she promptly and with laughing eyes: + +“Our charity doth never shut the doors + Against a just desire, except as one + Who wills that all her court be like herself. + +I was a virgin sister in the world; + And if thy mind doth contemplate me well, + The being more fair will not conceal me from thee, + +But thou shalt recognise I am Piccarda, + Who, stationed here among these other blessed, + Myself am blessed in the slowest sphere. + +All our affections, that alone inflamed + Are in the pleasure of the Holy Ghost, + Rejoice at being of his order formed; + +And this allotment, which appears so low, + Therefore is given us, because our vows + Have been neglected and in some part void.” + +Whence I to her: “In your miraculous aspects + There shines I know not what of the divine, + Which doth transform you from our first conceptions. + +Therefore I was not swift in my remembrance; + But what thou tellest me now aids me so, + That the refiguring is easier to me. + +But tell me, ye who in this place are happy, + Are you desirous of a higher place, + To see more or to make yourselves more friends?” + +First with those other shades she smiled a little; + Thereafter answered me so full of gladness, + She seemed to burn in the first fire of love: + +“Brother, our will is quieted by virtue + Of charity, that makes us wish alone + For what we have, nor gives us thirst for more. + +If to be more exalted we aspired, + Discordant would our aspirations be + Unto the will of Him who here secludes us; + +Which thou shalt see finds no place in these circles, + If being in charity is needful here, + And if thou lookest well into its nature; + +Nay, ’tis essential to this blest existence + To keep itself within the will divine, + Whereby our very wishes are made one; + +So that, as we are station above station + Throughout this realm, to all the realm ’tis pleasing, + As to the King, who makes his will our will. + +And his will is our peace; this is the sea + To which is moving onward whatsoever + It doth create, and all that nature makes.” + +Then it was clear to me how everywhere + In heaven is Paradise, although the grace + Of good supreme there rain not in one measure. + +But as it comes to pass, if one food sates, + And for another still remains the longing, + We ask for this, and that decline with thanks, + +E’en thus did I; with gesture and with word, + To learn from her what was the web wherein + She did not ply the shuttle to the end. + +“A perfect life and merit high in-heaven + A lady o’er us,” said she, “by whose rule + Down in your world they vest and veil themselves, + +That until death they may both watch and sleep + Beside that Spouse who every vow accepts + Which charity conformeth to his pleasure. + +To follow her, in girlhood from the world + I fled, and in her habit shut myself, + And pledged me to the pathway of her sect. + +Then men accustomed unto evil more + Than unto good, from the sweet cloister tore me; + God knows what afterward my life became. + +This other splendour, which to thee reveals + Itself on my right side, and is enkindled + With all the illumination of our sphere, + +What of myself I say applies to her; + A nun was she, and likewise from her head + Was ta’en the shadow of the sacred wimple. + +But when she too was to the world returned + Against her wishes and against good usage, + Of the heart’s veil she never was divested. + +Of great Costanza this is the effulgence, + Who from the second wind of Suabia + Brought forth the third and latest puissance.” + +Thus unto me she spake, and then began + “Ave Maria” singing, and in singing + Vanished, as through deep water something heavy. + +My sight, that followed her as long a time + As it was possible, when it had lost her + Turned round unto the mark of more desire, + +And wholly unto Beatrice reverted; + But she such lightnings flashed into mine eyes, + That at the first my sight endured it not; + +And this in questioning more backward made me. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto IV + + +Between two viands, equally removed + And tempting, a free man would die of hunger + Ere either he could bring unto his teeth. + +So would a lamb between the ravenings + Of two fierce wolves stand fearing both alike; + And so would stand a dog between two does. + +Hence, if I held my peace, myself I blame not, + Impelled in equal measure by my doubts, + Since it must be so, nor do I commend. + +I held my peace; but my desire was painted + Upon my face, and questioning with that + More fervent far than by articulate speech. + +Beatrice did as Daniel had done + Relieving Nebuchadnezzar from the wrath + Which rendered him unjustly merciless, + +And said: “Well see I how attracteth thee + One and the other wish, so that thy care + Binds itself so that forth it does not breathe. + +Thou arguest, if good will be permanent, + The violence of others, for what reason + Doth it decrease the measure of my merit? + +Again for doubting furnish thee occasion + Souls seeming to return unto the stars, + According to the sentiment of Plato. + +These are the questions which upon thy wish + Are thrusting equally; and therefore first + Will I treat that which hath the most of gall. + +He of the Seraphim most absorbed in God, + Moses, and Samuel, and whichever John + Thou mayst select, I say, and even Mary, + +Have not in any other heaven their seats, + Than have those spirits that just appeared to thee, + Nor of existence more or fewer years; + +But all make beautiful the primal circle, + And have sweet life in different degrees, + By feeling more or less the eternal breath. + +They showed themselves here, not because allotted + This sphere has been to them, but to give sign + Of the celestial which is least exalted. + +To speak thus is adapted to your mind, + Since only through the sense it apprehendeth + What then it worthy makes of intellect. + +On this account the Scripture condescends + Unto your faculties, and feet and hands + To God attributes, and means something else; + +And Holy Church under an aspect human + Gabriel and Michael represent to you, + And him who made Tobias whole again. + +That which Timaeus argues of the soul + Doth not resemble that which here is seen, + Because it seems that as he speaks he thinks. + +He says the soul unto its star returns, + Believing it to have been severed thence + Whenever nature gave it as a form. + +Perhaps his doctrine is of other guise + Than the words sound, and possibly may be + With meaning that is not to be derided. + +If he doth mean that to these wheels return + The honour of their influence and the blame, + Perhaps his bow doth hit upon some truth. + +This principle ill understood once warped + The whole world nearly, till it went astray + Invoking Jove and Mercury and Mars. + +The other doubt which doth disquiet thee + Less venom has, for its malevolence + Could never lead thee otherwhere from me. + +That as unjust our justice should appear + In eyes of mortals, is an argument + Of faith, and not of sin heretical. + +But still, that your perception may be able + To thoroughly penetrate this verity, + As thou desirest, I will satisfy thee. + +If it be violence when he who suffers + Co-operates not with him who uses force, + These souls were not on that account excused; + +For will is never quenched unless it will, + But operates as nature doth in fire + If violence a thousand times distort it. + +Hence, if it yieldeth more or less, it seconds + The force; and these have done so, having power + Of turning back unto the holy place. + +If their will had been perfect, like to that + Which Lawrence fast upon his gridiron held, + And Mutius made severe to his own hand, + +It would have urged them back along the road + Whence they were dragged, as soon as they were free; + But such a solid will is all too rare. + +And by these words, if thou hast gathered them + As thou shouldst do, the argument is refuted + That would have still annoyed thee many times. + +But now another passage runs across + Before thine eyes, and such that by thyself + Thou couldst not thread it ere thou wouldst be weary. + +I have for certain put into thy mind + That soul beatified could never lie, + For it is near the primal Truth, + +And then thou from Piccarda might’st have heard + Costanza kept affection for the veil, + So that she seemeth here to contradict me. + +Many times, brother, has it come to pass, + That, to escape from peril, with reluctance + That has been done it was not right to do, + +E’en as Alcmaeon (who, being by his father + Thereto entreated, his own mother slew) + Not to lose pity pitiless became. + +At this point I desire thee to remember + That force with will commingles, and they cause + That the offences cannot be excused. + +Will absolute consenteth not to evil; + But in so far consenteth as it fears, + If it refrain, to fall into more harm. + +Hence when Piccarda uses this expression, + She meaneth the will absolute, and I + The other, so that both of us speak truth.” + +Such was the flowing of the holy river + That issued from the fount whence springs all truth; + This put to rest my wishes one and all. + +“O love of the first lover, O divine,” + Said I forthwith, “whose speech inundates me + And warms me so, it more and more revives me, + +My own affection is not so profound + As to suffice in rendering grace for grace; + Let Him, who sees and can, thereto respond. + +Well I perceive that never sated is + Our intellect unless the Truth illume it, + Beyond which nothing true expands itself. + +It rests therein, as wild beast in his lair, + When it attains it; and it can attain it; + If not, then each desire would frustrate be. + +Therefore springs up, in fashion of a shoot, + Doubt at the foot of truth; and this is nature, + Which to the top from height to height impels us. + +This doth invite me, this assurance give me + With reverence, Lady, to inquire of you + Another truth, which is obscure to me. + +I wish to know if man can satisfy you + For broken vows with other good deeds, so + That in your balance they will not be light.” + +Beatrice gazed upon me with her eyes + Full of the sparks of love, and so divine, + That, overcome my power, I turned my back + +And almost lost myself with eyes downcast. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto V + + +“If in the heat of love I flame upon thee + Beyond the measure that on earth is seen, + So that the valour of thine eyes I vanquish, + +Marvel thou not thereat; for this proceeds + From perfect sight, which as it apprehends + To the good apprehended moves its feet. + +Well I perceive how is already shining + Into thine intellect the eternal light, + That only seen enkindles always love; + +And if some other thing your love seduce, + ’Tis nothing but a vestige of the same, + Ill understood, which there is shining through. + +Thou fain wouldst know if with another service + For broken vow can such return be made + As to secure the soul from further claim.” + +This Canto thus did Beatrice begin; + And, as a man who breaks not off his speech, + Continued thus her holy argument: + +“The greatest gift that in his largess God + Creating made, and unto his own goodness + Nearest conformed, and that which he doth prize + +Most highly, is the freedom of the will, + Wherewith the creatures of intelligence + Both all and only were and are endowed. + +Now wilt thou see, if thence thou reasonest, + The high worth of a vow, if it he made + So that when thou consentest God consents: + +For, closing between God and man the compact, + A sacrifice is of this treasure made, + Such as I say, and made by its own act. + +What can be rendered then as compensation? + Think’st thou to make good use of what thou’st offered, + With gains ill gotten thou wouldst do good deed. + +Now art thou certain of the greater point; + But because Holy Church in this dispenses, + Which seems against the truth which I have shown thee, + +Behoves thee still to sit awhile at table, + Because the solid food which thou hast taken + Requireth further aid for thy digestion. + +Open thy mind to that which I reveal, + And fix it there within; for ’tis not knowledge, + The having heard without retaining it. + +In the essence of this sacrifice two things + Convene together; and the one is that + Of which ’tis made, the other is the agreement. + +This last for evermore is cancelled not + Unless complied with, and concerning this + With such precision has above been spoken. + +Therefore it was enjoined upon the Hebrews + To offer still, though sometimes what was offered + Might be commuted, as thou ought’st to know. + +The other, which is known to thee as matter, + May well indeed be such that one errs not + If it for other matter be exchanged. + +But let none shift the burden on his shoulder + At his arbitrament, without the turning + Both of the white and of the yellow key; + +And every permutation deem as foolish, + If in the substitute the thing relinquished, + As the four is in six, be not contained. + +Therefore whatever thing has so great weight + In value that it drags down every balance, + Cannot be satisfied with other spending. + +Let mortals never take a vow in jest; + Be faithful and not blind in doing that, + As Jephthah was in his first offering, + +Whom more beseemed to say, ‘I have done wrong, + Than to do worse by keeping; and as foolish + Thou the great leader of the Greeks wilt find, + +Whence wept Iphigenia her fair face, + And made for her both wise and simple weep, + Who heard such kind of worship spoken of.’ + +Christians, be ye more serious in your movements; + Be ye not like a feather at each wind, + And think not every water washes you. + +Ye have the Old and the New Testament, + And the Pastor of the Church who guideth you + Let this suffice you unto your salvation. + +If evil appetite cry aught else to you, + Be ye as men, and not as silly sheep, + So that the Jew among you may not mock you. + +Be ye not as the lamb that doth abandon + Its mother’s milk, and frolicsome and simple + Combats at its own pleasure with itself.” + +Thus Beatrice to me even as I write it; + Then all desireful turned herself again + To that part where the world is most alive. + +Her silence and her change of countenance + Silence imposed upon my eager mind, + That had already in advance new questions; + +And as an arrow that upon the mark + Strikes ere the bowstring quiet hath become, + So did we speed into the second realm. + +My Lady there so joyful I beheld, + As into the brightness of that heaven she entered, + More luminous thereat the planet grew; + +And if the star itself was changed and smiled, + What became I, who by my nature am + Exceeding mutable in every guise! + +As, in a fish-pond which is pure and tranquil, + The fishes draw to that which from without + Comes in such fashion that their food they deem it; + +So I beheld more than a thousand splendours + Drawing towards us, and in each was heard: + “Lo, this is she who shall increase our love.” + +And as each one was coming unto us, + Full of beatitude the shade was seen, + By the effulgence clear that issued from it. + +Think, Reader, if what here is just beginning + No farther should proceed, how thou wouldst have + An agonizing need of knowing more; + +And of thyself thou’lt see how I from these + Was in desire of hearing their conditions, + As they unto mine eyes were manifest. + +“O thou well-born, unto whom Grace concedes + To see the thrones of the eternal triumph, + Or ever yet the warfare be abandoned + +With light that through the whole of heaven is spread + Kindled are we, and hence if thou desirest + To know of us, at thine own pleasure sate thee.” + +Thus by some one among those holy spirits + Was spoken, and by Beatrice: “Speak, speak + Securely, and believe them even as Gods.” + +“Well I perceive how thou dost nest thyself + In thine own light, and drawest it from thine eyes, + Because they coruscate when thou dost smile, + +But know not who thou art, nor why thou hast, + Spirit august, thy station in the sphere + That veils itself to men in alien rays.” + +This said I in direction of the light + Which first had spoken to me; whence it became + By far more lucent than it was before. + +Even as the sun, that doth conceal himself + By too much light, when heat has worn away + The tempering influence of the vapours dense, + +By greater rapture thus concealed itself + In its own radiance the figure saintly, + And thus close, close enfolded answered me + +In fashion as the following Canto sings. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto VI + + +“After that Constantine the eagle turned + Against the course of heaven, which it had followed + Behind the ancient who Lavinia took, + +Two hundred years and more the bird of God + In the extreme of Europe held itself, + Near to the mountains whence it issued first; + +And under shadow of the sacred plumes + It governed there the world from hand to hand, + And, changing thus, upon mine own alighted. + +Caesar I was, and am Justinian, + Who, by the will of primal Love I feel, + Took from the laws the useless and redundant; + +And ere unto the work I was attent, + One nature to exist in Christ, not more, + Believed, and with such faith was I contented. + +But blessed Agapetus, he who was + The supreme pastor, to the faith sincere + Pointed me out the way by words of his. + +Him I believed, and what was his assertion + I now see clearly, even as thou seest + Each contradiction to be false and true. + +As soon as with the Church I moved my feet, + God in his grace it pleased with this high task + To inspire me, and I gave me wholly to it, + +And to my Belisarius I commended + The arms, to which was heaven’s right hand so joined + It was a signal that I should repose. + +Now here to the first question terminates + My answer; but the character thereof + Constrains me to continue with a sequel, + +In order that thou see with how great reason + Men move against the standard sacrosanct, + Both who appropriate and who oppose it. + +Behold how great a power has made it worthy + Of reverence, beginning from the hour + When Pallas died to give it sovereignty. + +Thou knowest it made in Alba its abode + Three hundred years and upward, till at last + The three to three fought for it yet again. + +Thou knowest what it achieved from Sabine wrong + Down to Lucretia’s sorrow, in seven kings + O’ercoming round about the neighboring nations; + +Thou knowest what it achieved, borne by the Romans + Illustrious against Brennus, against Pyrrhus, + Against the other princes and confederates. + +Torquatus thence and Quinctius, who from locks + Unkempt was named, Decii and Fabii, + Received the fame I willingly embalm; + +It struck to earth the pride of the Arabians, + Who, following Hannibal, had passed across + The Alpine ridges, Po, from which thou glidest; + +Beneath it triumphed while they yet were young + Pompey and Scipio, and to the hill + Beneath which thou wast born it bitter seemed; + +Then, near unto the time when heaven had willed + To bring the whole world to its mood serene, + Did Caesar by the will of Rome assume it. + +What it achieved from Var unto the Rhine, + Isere beheld and Saone, beheld the Seine, + And every valley whence the Rhone is filled; + +What it achieved when it had left Ravenna, + And leaped the Rubicon, was such a flight + That neither tongue nor pen could follow it. + +Round towards Spain it wheeled its legions; then + Towards Durazzo, and Pharsalia smote + That to the calid Nile was felt the pain. + +Antandros and the Simois, whence it started, + It saw again, and there where Hector lies, + And ill for Ptolemy then roused itself. + +From thence it came like lightning upon Juba; + Then wheeled itself again into your West, + Where the Pompeian clarion it heard. + +From what it wrought with the next standard-bearer + Brutus and Cassius howl in Hell together, + And Modena and Perugia dolent were; + +Still doth the mournful Cleopatra weep + Because thereof, who, fleeing from before it, + Took from the adder sudden and black death. + +With him it ran even to the Red Sea shore; + With him it placed the world in so great peace, + That unto Janus was his temple closed. + +But what the standard that has made me speak + Achieved before, and after should achieve + Throughout the mortal realm that lies beneath it, + +Becometh in appearance mean and dim, + If in the hand of the third Caesar seen + With eye unclouded and affection pure, + +Because the living Justice that inspires me + Granted it, in the hand of him I speak of, + The glory of doing vengeance for its wrath. + +Now here attend to what I answer thee; + Later it ran with Titus to do vengeance + Upon the vengeance of the ancient sin. + +And when the tooth of Lombardy had bitten + The Holy Church, then underneath its wings + Did Charlemagne victorious succor her. + +Now hast thou power to judge of such as those + Whom I accused above, and of their crimes, + Which are the cause of all your miseries. + +To the public standard one the yellow lilies + Opposes, the other claims it for a party, + So that ’tis hard to see which sins the most. + +Let, let the Ghibellines ply their handicraft + Beneath some other standard; for this ever + Ill follows he who it and justice parts. + +And let not this new Charles e’er strike it down, + He and his Guelfs, but let him fear the talons + That from a nobler lion stripped the fell. + +Already oftentimes the sons have wept + The father’s crime; and let him not believe + That God will change His scutcheon for the lilies. + +This little planet doth adorn itself + With the good spirits that have active been, + That fame and honour might come after them; + +And whensoever the desires mount thither, + Thus deviating, must perforce the rays + Of the true love less vividly mount upward. + +But in commensuration of our wages + With our desert is portion of our joy, + Because we see them neither less nor greater. + +Herein doth living Justice sweeten so + Affection in us, that for evermore + It cannot warp to any iniquity. + +Voices diverse make up sweet melodies; + So in this life of ours the seats diverse + Render sweet harmony among these spheres; + +And in the compass of this present pearl + Shineth the sheen of Romeo, of whom + The grand and beauteous work was ill rewarded. + +But the Provencals who against him wrought, + They have not laughed, and therefore ill goes he + Who makes his hurt of the good deeds of others. + +Four daughters, and each one of them a queen, + Had Raymond Berenger, and this for him + Did Romeo, a poor man and a pilgrim; + +And then malicious words incited him + To summon to a reckoning this just man, + Who rendered to him seven and five for ten. + +Then he departed poor and stricken in years, + And if the world could know the heart he had, + In begging bit by bit his livelihood, + +Though much it laud him, it would laud him more.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto VII + + +“Osanna sanctus Deus Sabaoth, + Superillustrans claritate tua + Felices ignes horum malahoth!” + +In this wise, to his melody returning, + This substance, upon which a double light + Doubles itself, was seen by me to sing, + +And to their dance this and the others moved, + And in the manner of swift-hurrying sparks + Veiled themselves from me with a sudden distance. + +Doubting was I, and saying, “Tell her, tell her,” + Within me, “tell her,” saying, “tell my Lady,” + Who slakes my thirst with her sweet effluences; + +And yet that reverence which doth lord it over + The whole of me only by B and ICE, + Bowed me again like unto one who drowses. + +Short while did Beatrice endure me thus; + And she began, lighting me with a smile + Such as would make one happy in the fire: + +“According to infallible advisement, + After what manner a just vengeance justly + Could be avenged has put thee upon thinking, + +But I will speedily thy mind unloose; + And do thou listen, for these words of mine + Of a great doctrine will a present make thee. + +By not enduring on the power that wills + Curb for his good, that man who ne’er was born, + Damning himself damned all his progeny; + +Whereby the human species down below + Lay sick for many centuries in great error, + Till to descend it pleased the Word of God + +To where the nature, which from its own Maker + Estranged itself, he joined to him in person + By the sole act of his eternal love. + +Now unto what is said direct thy sight; + This nature when united to its Maker, + Such as created, was sincere and good; + +But by itself alone was banished forth + From Paradise, because it turned aside + Out of the way of truth and of its life. + +Therefore the penalty the cross held out, + If measured by the nature thus assumed, + None ever yet with so great justice stung, + +And none was ever of so great injustice, + Considering who the Person was that suffered, + Within whom such a nature was contracted. + +From one act therefore issued things diverse; + To God and to the Jews one death was pleasing; + Earth trembled at it and the Heaven was opened. + +It should no longer now seem difficult + To thee, when it is said that a just vengeance + By a just court was afterward avenged. + +But now do I behold thy mind entangled + From thought to thought within a knot, from which + With great desire it waits to free itself. + +Thou sayest, ‘Well discern I what I hear; + But it is hidden from me why God willed + For our redemption only this one mode.’ + +Buried remaineth, brother, this decree + Unto the eyes of every one whose nature + Is in the flame of love not yet adult. + +Verily, inasmuch as at this mark + One gazes long and little is discerned, + Wherefore this mode was worthiest will I say. + +Goodness Divine, which from itself doth spurn + All envy, burning in itself so sparkles + That the eternal beauties it unfolds. + +Whate’er from this immediately distils + Has afterwards no end, for ne’er removed + Is its impression when it sets its seal. + +Whate’er from this immediately rains down + Is wholly free, because it is not subject + Unto the influences of novel things. + +The more conformed thereto, the more it pleases; + For the blest ardour that irradiates all things + In that most like itself is most vivacious. + +With all of these things has advantaged been + The human creature; and if one be wanting, + From his nobility he needs must fall. + +’Tis sin alone which doth disfranchise him, + And render him unlike the Good Supreme, + So that he little with its light is blanched, + +And to his dignity no more returns, + Unless he fill up where transgression empties + With righteous pains for criminal delights. + +Your nature when it sinned so utterly + In its own seed, out of these dignities + Even as out of Paradise was driven, + +Nor could itself recover, if thou notest + With nicest subtilty, by any way, + Except by passing one of these two fords: + +Either that God through clemency alone + Had pardon granted, or that man himself + Had satisfaction for his folly made. + +Fix now thine eye deep into the abyss + Of the eternal counsel, to my speech + As far as may be fastened steadfastly! + +Man in his limitations had not power + To satisfy, not having power to sink + In his humility obeying then, + +Far as he disobeying thought to rise; + And for this reason man has been from power + Of satisfying by himself excluded. + +Therefore it God behoved in his own ways + Man to restore unto his perfect life, + I say in one, or else in both of them. + +But since the action of the doer is + So much more grateful, as it more presents + The goodness of the heart from which it issues, + +Goodness Divine, that doth imprint the world, + Has been contented to proceed by each + And all its ways to lift you up again; + +Nor ’twixt the first day and the final night + Such high and such magnificent proceeding + By one or by the other was or shall be; + +For God more bounteous was himself to give + To make man able to uplift himself, + Than if he only of himself had pardoned; + +And all the other modes were insufficient + For justice, were it not the Son of God + Himself had humbled to become incarnate. + +Now, to fill fully each desire of thine, + Return I to elucidate one place, + In order that thou there mayst see as I do. + +Thou sayst: ‘I see the air, I see the fire, + The water, and the earth, and all their mixtures + Come to corruption, and short while endure; + +And these things notwithstanding were created;’ + Therefore if that which I have said were true, + They should have been secure against corruption. + +The Angels, brother, and the land sincere + In which thou art, created may be called + Just as they are in their entire existence; + +But all the elements which thou hast named, + And all those things which out of them are made, + By a created virtue are informed. + +Created was the matter which they have; + Created was the informing influence + Within these stars that round about them go. + +The soul of every brute and of the plants + By its potential temperament attracts + The ray and motion of the holy lights; + +But your own life immediately inspires + Supreme Beneficence, and enamours it + So with herself, it evermore desires her. + +And thou from this mayst argue furthermore + Your resurrection, if thou think again + How human flesh was fashioned at that time + +When the first parents both of them were made.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto VIII + + +The world used in its peril to believe + That the fair Cypria delirious love + Rayed out, in the third epicycle turning; + +Wherefore not only unto her paid honour + Of sacrifices and of votive cry + The ancient nations in the ancient error, + +But both Dione honoured they and Cupid, + That as her mother, this one as her son, + And said that he had sat in Dido’s lap; + +And they from her, whence I beginning take, + Took the denomination of the star + That woos the sun, now following, now in front. + +I was not ware of our ascending to it; + But of our being in it gave full faith + My Lady whom I saw more beauteous grow. + +And as within a flame a spark is seen, + And as within a voice a voice discerned, + When one is steadfast, and one comes and goes, + +Within that light beheld I other lamps + Move in a circle, speeding more and less, + Methinks in measure of their inward vision. + +From a cold cloud descended never winds, + Or visible or not, so rapidly + They would not laggard and impeded seem + +To any one who had those lights divine + Seen come towards us, leaving the gyration + Begun at first in the high Seraphim. + +And behind those that most in front appeared + Sounded “Osanna!” so that never since + To hear again was I without desire. + +Then unto us more nearly one approached, + And it alone began: “We all are ready + Unto thy pleasure, that thou joy in us. + +We turn around with the celestial Princes, + One gyre and one gyration and one thirst, + To whom thou in the world of old didst say, + +‘Ye who, intelligent, the third heaven are moving;’ + And are so full of love, to pleasure thee + A little quiet will not be less sweet.” + +After these eyes of mine themselves had offered + Unto my Lady reverently, and she + Content and certain of herself had made them, + +Back to the light they turned, which so great promise + Made of itself, and “Say, who art thou?” was + My voice, imprinted with a great affection. + +O how and how much I beheld it grow + With the new joy that superadded was + Unto its joys, as soon as I had spoken! + +Thus changed, it said to me: “The world possessed me + Short time below; and, if it had been more, + Much evil will be which would not have been. + +My gladness keepeth me concealed from thee, + Which rayeth round about me, and doth hide me + Like as a creature swathed in its own silk. + +Much didst thou love me, and thou hadst good reason; + For had I been below, I should have shown thee + Somewhat beyond the foliage of my love. + +That left-hand margin, which doth bathe itself + In Rhone, when it is mingled with the Sorgue, + Me for its lord awaited in due time, + +And that horn of Ausonia, which is towned + With Bari, with Gaeta and Catona, + Whence Tronto and Verde in the sea disgorge. + +Already flashed upon my brow the crown + Of that dominion which the Danube waters + After the German borders it abandons; + +And beautiful Trinacria, that is murky + ’Twixt Pachino and Peloro, (on the gulf + Which greatest scath from Eurus doth receive,) + +Not through Typhoeus, but through nascent sulphur, + Would have awaited her own monarchs still, + Through me from Charles descended and from Rudolph, + +If evil lordship, that exasperates ever + The subject populations, had not moved + Palermo to the outcry of ‘Death! death!’ + +And if my brother could but this foresee, + The greedy poverty of Catalonia + Straight would he flee, that it might not molest him; + +For verily ’tis needful to provide, + Through him or other, so that on his bark + Already freighted no more freight be placed. + +His nature, which from liberal covetous + Descended, such a soldiery would need + As should not care for hoarding in a chest.” + +“Because I do believe the lofty joy + Thy speech infuses into me, my Lord, + Where every good thing doth begin and end + +Thou seest as I see it, the more grateful + Is it to me; and this too hold I dear, + That gazing upon God thou dost discern it. + +Glad hast thou made me; so make clear to me, + Since speaking thou hast stirred me up to doubt, + How from sweet seed can bitter issue forth.” + +This I to him; and he to me: “If I + Can show to thee a truth, to what thou askest + Thy face thou’lt hold as thou dost hold thy back. + +The Good which all the realm thou art ascending + Turns and contents, maketh its providence + To be a power within these bodies vast; + +And not alone the natures are foreseen + Within the mind that in itself is perfect, + But they together with their preservation. + +For whatsoever thing this bow shoots forth + Falls foreordained unto an end foreseen, + Even as a shaft directed to its mark. + +If that were not, the heaven which thou dost walk + Would in such manner its effects produce, + That they no longer would be arts, but ruins. + +This cannot be, if the Intelligences + That keep these stars in motion are not maimed, + And maimed the First that has not made them perfect. + +Wilt thou this truth have clearer made to thee?” + And I: “Not so; for ’tis impossible + That nature tire, I see, in what is needful.” + +Whence he again: “Now say, would it be worse + For men on earth were they not citizens?” + “Yes,” I replied; “and here I ask no reason.” + +“And can they be so, if below they live not + Diversely unto offices diverse? + No, if your master writeth well for you.” + +So came he with deductions to this point; + Then he concluded: “Therefore it behoves + The roots of your effects to be diverse. + +Hence one is Solon born, another Xerxes, + Another Melchisedec, and another he + Who, flying through the air, his son did lose. + +Revolving Nature, which a signet is + To mortal wax, doth practise well her art, + But not one inn distinguish from another; + +Thence happens it that Esau differeth + In seed from Jacob; and Quirinus comes + From sire so vile that he is given to Mars. + +A generated nature its own way + Would always make like its progenitors, + If Providence divine were not triumphant. + +Now that which was behind thee is before thee; + But that thou know that I with thee am pleased, + With a corollary will I mantle thee. + +Evermore nature, if it fortune find + Discordant to it, like each other seed + Out of its region, maketh evil thrift; + +And if the world below would fix its mind + On the foundation which is laid by nature, + Pursuing that, ’twould have the people good. + +But you unto religion wrench aside + Him who was born to gird him with the sword, + And make a king of him who is for sermons; + +Therefore your footsteps wander from the road.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto IX + + +Beautiful Clemence, after that thy Charles + Had me enlightened, he narrated to me + The treacheries his seed should undergo; + +But said: “Be still and let the years roll round;” + So I can only say, that lamentation + Legitimate shall follow on your wrongs. + +And of that holy light the life already + Had to the Sun which fills it turned again, + As to that good which for each thing sufficeth. + +Ah, souls deceived, and creatures impious, + Who from such good do turn away your hearts, + Directing upon vanity your foreheads! + +And now, behold, another of those splendours + Approached me, and its will to pleasure me + It signified by brightening outwardly. + +The eyes of Beatrice, that fastened were + Upon me, as before, of dear assent + To my desire assurance gave to me. + +“Ah, bring swift compensation to my wish, + Thou blessed spirit,” I said, “and give me proof + That what I think in thee I can reflect!” + +Whereat the light, that still was new to me, + Out of its depths, whence it before was singing, + As one delighted to do good, continued: + +“Within that region of the land depraved + Of Italy, that lies between Rialto + And fountain-heads of Brenta and of Piava, + +Rises a hill, and mounts not very high, + Wherefrom descended formerly a torch + That made upon that region great assault. + +Out of one root were born both I and it; + Cunizza was I called, and here I shine + Because the splendour of this star o’ercame me. + +But gladly to myself the cause I pardon + Of my allotment, and it does not grieve me; + Which would perhaps seem strong unto your vulgar. + +Of this so luculent and precious jewel, + Which of our heaven is nearest unto me, + Great fame remained; and ere it die away + +This hundredth year shall yet quintupled be. + See if man ought to make him excellent, + So that another life the first may leave! + +And thus thinks not the present multitude + Shut in by Adige and Tagliamento, + Nor yet for being scourged is penitent. + +But soon ’twill be that Padua in the marsh + Will change the water that Vicenza bathes, + Because the folk are stubborn against duty; + +And where the Sile and Cagnano join + One lordeth it, and goes with lofty head, + For catching whom e’en now the net is making. + +Feltro moreover of her impious pastor + Shall weep the crime, which shall so monstrous be + That for the like none ever entered Malta. + +Ample exceedingly would be the vat + That of the Ferrarese could hold the blood, + And weary who should weigh it ounce by ounce, + +Of which this courteous priest shall make a gift + To show himself a partisan; and such gifts + Will to the living of the land conform. + +Above us there are mirrors, Thrones you call them, + From which shines out on us God Judicant, + So that this utterance seems good to us.” + +Here it was silent, and it had the semblance + Of being turned elsewhither, by the wheel + On which it entered as it was before. + +The other joy, already known to me, + Became a thing transplendent in my sight, + As a fine ruby smitten by the sun. + +Through joy effulgence is acquired above, + As here a smile; but down below, the shade + Outwardly darkens, as the mind is sad. + +“God seeth all things, and in Him, blest spirit, + Thy sight is,” said I, “so that never will + Of his can possibly from thee be hidden; + +Thy voice, then, that for ever makes the heavens + Glad, with the singing of those holy fires + Which of their six wings make themselves a cowl, + +Wherefore does it not satisfy my longings? + Indeed, I would not wait thy questioning + If I in thee were as thou art in me.” + +“The greatest of the valleys where the water + Expands itself,” forthwith its words began, + “That sea excepted which the earth engarlands, + +Between discordant shores against the sun + Extends so far, that it meridian makes + Where it was wont before to make the horizon. + +I was a dweller on that valley’s shore + ’Twixt Ebro and Magra that with journey short + Doth from the Tuscan part the Genoese. + +With the same sunset and same sunrise nearly + Sit Buggia and the city whence I was, + That with its blood once made the harbour hot. + +Folco that people called me unto whom + My name was known; and now with me this heaven + Imprints itself, as I did once with it; + +For more the daughter of Belus never burned, + Offending both Sichaeus and Creusa, + Than I, so long as it became my locks, + +Nor yet that Rodophean, who deluded + was by Demophoon, nor yet Alcides, + When Iole he in his heart had locked. + +Yet here is no repenting, but we smile, + Not at the fault, which comes not back to mind, + But at the power which ordered and foresaw. + +Here we behold the art that doth adorn + With such affection, and the good discover + Whereby the world above turns that below. + +But that thou wholly satisfied mayst bear + Thy wishes hence which in this sphere are born, + Still farther to proceed behoveth me. + +Thou fain wouldst know who is within this light + That here beside me thus is scintillating, + Even as a sunbeam in the limpid water. + +Then know thou, that within there is at rest + Rahab, and being to our order joined, + With her in its supremest grade ’tis sealed. + +Into this heaven, where ends the shadowy cone + Cast by your world, before all other souls + First of Christ’s triumph was she taken up. + +Full meet it was to leave her in some heaven, + Even as a palm of the high victory + Which he acquired with one palm and the other, + +Because she favoured the first glorious deed + Of Joshua upon the Holy Land, + That little stirs the memory of the Pope. + +Thy city, which an offshoot is of him + Who first upon his Maker turned his back, + And whose ambition is so sorely wept, + +Brings forth and scatters the accursed flower + Which both the sheep and lambs hath led astray + Since it has turned the shepherd to a wolf. + +For this the Evangel and the mighty Doctors + Are derelict, and only the Decretals + So studied that it shows upon their margins. + +On this are Pope and Cardinals intent; + Their meditations reach not Nazareth, + There where his pinions Gabriel unfolded; + +But Vatican and the other parts elect + Of Rome, which have a cemetery been + Unto the soldiery that followed Peter + +Shall soon be free from this adultery.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto X + + +Looking into his Son with all the Love + Which each of them eternally breathes forth, + The Primal and unutterable Power + +Whate’er before the mind or eye revolves + With so much order made, there can be none + Who this beholds without enjoying Him. + +Lift up then, Reader, to the lofty wheels + With me thy vision straight unto that part + Where the one motion on the other strikes, + +And there begin to contemplate with joy + That Master’s art, who in himself so loves it + That never doth his eye depart therefrom. + +Behold how from that point goes branching off + The oblique circle, which conveys the planets, + To satisfy the world that calls upon them; + +And if their pathway were not thus inflected, + Much virtue in the heavens would be in vain, + And almost every power below here dead. + +If from the straight line distant more or less + Were the departure, much would wanting be + Above and underneath of mundane order. + +Remain now, Reader, still upon thy bench, + In thought pursuing that which is foretasted, + If thou wouldst jocund be instead of weary. + +I’ve set before thee; henceforth feed thyself, + For to itself diverteth all my care + That theme whereof I have been made the scribe. + +The greatest of the ministers of nature, + Who with the power of heaven the world imprints + And measures with his light the time for us, + +With that part which above is called to mind + Conjoined, along the spirals was revolving, + Where each time earlier he presents himself; + +And I was with him; but of the ascending + I was not conscious, saving as a man + Of a first thought is conscious ere it come; + +And Beatrice, she who is seen to pass + From good to better, and so suddenly + That not by time her action is expressed, + +How lucent in herself must she have been! + And what was in the sun, wherein I entered, + Apparent not by colour but by light, + +I, though I call on genius, art, and practice, + Cannot so tell that it could be imagined; + Believe one can, and let him long to see it. + +And if our fantasies too lowly are + For altitude so great, it is no marvel, + Since o’er the sun was never eye could go. + +Such in this place was the fourth family + Of the high Father, who forever sates it, + Showing how he breathes forth and how begets. + +And Beatrice began: “Give thanks, give thanks + Unto the Sun of Angels, who to this + Sensible one has raised thee by his grace!” + +Never was heart of mortal so disposed + To worship, nor to give itself to God + With all its gratitude was it so ready, + +As at those words did I myself become; + And all my love was so absorbed in Him, + That in oblivion Beatrice was eclipsed. + +Nor this displeased her; but she smiled at it + So that the splendour of her laughing eyes + My single mind on many things divided. + +Lights many saw I, vivid and triumphant, + Make us a centre and themselves a circle, + More sweet in voice than luminous in aspect. + +Thus girt about the daughter of Latona + We sometimes see, when pregnant is the air, + So that it holds the thread which makes her zone. + +Within the court of Heaven, whence I return, + Are many jewels found, so fair and precious + They cannot be transported from the realm; + +And of them was the singing of those lights. + Who takes not wings that he may fly up thither, + The tidings thence may from the dumb await! + +As soon as singing thus those burning suns + Had round about us whirled themselves three times, + Like unto stars neighbouring the steadfast poles, + +Ladies they seemed, not from the dance released, + But who stop short, in silence listening + Till they have gathered the new melody. + +And within one I heard beginning: “When + The radiance of grace, by which is kindled + True love, and which thereafter grows by loving, + +Within thee multiplied is so resplendent + That it conducts thee upward by that stair, + Where without reascending none descends, + +Who should deny the wine out of his vial + Unto thy thirst, in liberty were not + Except as water which descends not seaward. + +Fain wouldst thou know with what plants is enflowered + This garland that encircles with delight + The Lady fair who makes thee strong for heaven. + +Of the lambs was I of the holy flock + Which Dominic conducteth by a road + Where well one fattens if he strayeth not. + +He who is nearest to me on the right + My brother and master was; and he Albertus + Is of Cologne, I Thomas of Aquinum. + +If thou of all the others wouldst be certain, + Follow behind my speaking with thy sight + Upward along the blessed garland turning. + +That next effulgence issues from the smile + Of Gratian, who assisted both the courts + In such wise that it pleased in Paradise. + +The other which near by adorns our choir + That Peter was who, e’en as the poor widow, + Offered his treasure unto Holy Church. + +The fifth light, that among us is the fairest, + Breathes forth from such a love, that all the world + Below is greedy to learn tidings of it. + +Within it is the lofty mind, where knowledge + So deep was put, that, if the true be true, + To see so much there never rose a second. + +Thou seest next the lustre of that taper, + Which in the flesh below looked most within + The angelic nature and its ministry. + +Within that other little light is smiling + The advocate of the Christian centuries, + Out of whose rhetoric Augustine was furnished. + +Now if thou trainest thy mind’s eye along + From light to light pursuant of my praise, + With thirst already of the eighth thou waitest. + +By seeing every good therein exults + The sainted soul, which the fallacious world + Makes manifest to him who listeneth well; + +The body whence ’twas hunted forth is lying + Down in Cieldauro, and from martyrdom + And banishment it came unto this peace. + +See farther onward flame the burning breath + Of Isidore, of Beda, and of Richard + Who was in contemplation more than man. + +This, whence to me returneth thy regard, + The light is of a spirit unto whom + In his grave meditations death seemed slow. + +It is the light eternal of Sigier, + Who, reading lectures in the Street of Straw, + Did syllogize invidious verities.” + +Then, as a horologe that calleth us + What time the Bride of God is rising up + With matins to her Spouse that he may love her, + +Wherein one part the other draws and urges, + Ting! ting! resounding with so sweet a note, + That swells with love the spirit well disposed, + +Thus I beheld the glorious wheel move round, + And render voice to voice, in modulation + And sweetness that can not be comprehended, + +Excepting there where joy is made eternal. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XI + + +O Thou insensate care of mortal men, + How inconclusive are the syllogisms + That make thee beat thy wings in downward flight! + +One after laws and one to aphorisms + Was going, and one following the priesthood, + And one to reign by force or sophistry, + +And one in theft, and one in state affairs, + One in the pleasures of the flesh involved + Wearied himself, one gave himself to ease; + +When I, from all these things emancipate, + With Beatrice above there in the Heavens + With such exceeding glory was received! + +When each one had returned unto that point + Within the circle where it was before, + It stood as in a candlestick a candle; + +And from within the effulgence which at first + Had spoken unto me, I heard begin + Smiling while it more luminous became: + +“Even as I am kindled in its ray, + So, looking into the Eternal Light, + The occasion of thy thoughts I apprehend. + +Thou doubtest, and wouldst have me to resift + In language so extended and so open + My speech, that to thy sense it may be plain, + +Where just before I said, ‘where well one fattens,’ + And where I said, ‘there never rose a second;’ + And here ’tis needful we distinguish well. + +The Providence, which governeth the world + With counsel, wherein all created vision + Is vanquished ere it reach unto the bottom, + +(So that towards her own Beloved might go + The bride of Him who, uttering a loud cry, + Espoused her with his consecrated blood, + +Self-confident and unto Him more faithful,) + Two Princes did ordain in her behoof, + Which on this side and that might be her guide. + +The one was all seraphical in ardour; + The other by his wisdom upon earth + A splendour was of light cherubical. + +One will I speak of, for of both is spoken + In praising one, whichever may be taken, + Because unto one end their labours were. + +Between Tupino and the stream that falls + Down from the hill elect of blessed Ubald, + A fertile slope of lofty mountain hangs, + +From which Perugia feels the cold and heat + Through Porta Sole, and behind it weep + Gualdo and Nocera their grievous yoke. + +From out that slope, there where it breaketh most + Its steepness, rose upon the world a sun + As this one does sometimes from out the Ganges; + +Therefore let him who speaketh of that place, + Say not Ascesi, for he would say little, + But Orient, if he properly would speak. + +He was not yet far distant from his rising + Before he had begun to make the earth + Some comfort from his mighty virtue feel. + +For he in youth his father’s wrath incurred + For certain Dame, to whom, as unto death, + The gate of pleasure no one doth unlock; + +And was before his spiritual court + ‘Et coram patre’ unto her united; + Then day by day more fervently he loved her. + +She, reft of her first husband, scorned, obscure, + One thousand and one hundred years and more, + Waited without a suitor till he came. + +Naught it availed to hear, that with Amyclas + Found her unmoved at sounding of his voice + He who struck terror into all the world; + +Naught it availed being constant and undaunted, + So that, when Mary still remained below, + She mounted up with Christ upon the cross. + +But that too darkly I may not proceed, + Francis and Poverty for these two lovers + Take thou henceforward in my speech diffuse. + +Their concord and their joyous semblances, + The love, the wonder, and the sweet regard, + They made to be the cause of holy thoughts; + +So much so that the venerable Bernard + First bared his feet, and after so great peace + Ran, and, in running, thought himself too slow. + +O wealth unknown! O veritable good! + Giles bares his feet, and bares his feet Sylvester + Behind the bridegroom, so doth please the bride! + +Then goes his way that father and that master, + He and his Lady and that family + Which now was girding on the humble cord; + +Nor cowardice of heart weighed down his brow + At being son of Peter Bernardone, + Nor for appearing marvellously scorned; + +But regally his hard determination + To Innocent he opened, and from him + Received the primal seal upon his Order. + +After the people mendicant increased + Behind this man, whose admirable life + Better in glory of the heavens were sung, + +Incoronated with a second crown + Was through Honorius by the Eternal Spirit + The holy purpose of this Archimandrite. + +And when he had, through thirst of martyrdom, + In the proud presence of the Sultan preached + Christ and the others who came after him, + +And, finding for conversion too unripe + The folk, and not to tarry there in vain, + Returned to fruit of the Italic grass, + +On the rude rock ’twixt Tiber and the Arno + From Christ did he receive the final seal, + Which during two whole years his members bore. + +When He, who chose him unto so much good, + Was pleased to draw him up to the reward + That he had merited by being lowly, + +Unto his friars, as to the rightful heirs, + His most dear Lady did he recommend, + And bade that they should love her faithfully; + +And from her bosom the illustrious soul + Wished to depart, returning to its realm, + And for its body wished no other bier. + +Think now what man was he, who was a fit + Companion over the high seas to keep + The bark of Peter to its proper bearings. + +And this man was our Patriarch; hence whoever + Doth follow him as he commands can see + That he is laden with good merchandise. + +But for new pasturage his flock has grown + So greedy, that it is impossible + They be not scattered over fields diverse; + +And in proportion as his sheep remote + And vagabond go farther off from him, + More void of milk return they to the fold. + +Verily some there are that fear a hurt, + And keep close to the shepherd; but so few, + That little cloth doth furnish forth their hoods. + +Now if my utterance be not indistinct, + If thine own hearing hath attentive been, + If thou recall to mind what I have said, + +In part contented shall thy wishes be; + For thou shalt see the plant that’s chipped away, + And the rebuke that lieth in the words, + +‘Where well one fattens, if he strayeth not.’” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XII + + +Soon as the blessed flame had taken up + The final word to give it utterance, + Began the holy millstone to revolve, + +And in its gyre had not turned wholly round, + Before another in a ring enclosed it, + And motion joined to motion, song to song; + +Song that as greatly doth transcend our Muses, + Our Sirens, in those dulcet clarions, + As primal splendour that which is reflected. + +And as are spanned athwart a tender cloud + Two rainbows parallel and like in colour, + When Juno to her handmaid gives command, + +(The one without born of the one within, + Like to the speaking of that vagrant one + Whom love consumed as doth the sun the vapours,) + +And make the people here, through covenant + God set with Noah, presageful of the world + That shall no more be covered with a flood, + +In such wise of those sempiternal roses + The garlands twain encompassed us about, + And thus the outer to the inner answered. + +After the dance, and other grand rejoicings, + Both of the singing, and the flaming forth + Effulgence with effulgence blithe and tender, + +Together, at once, with one accord had stopped, + (Even as the eyes, that, as volition moves them, + Must needs together shut and lift themselves,) + +Out of the heart of one of the new lights + There came a voice, that needle to the star + Made me appear in turning thitherward. + +And it began: “The love that makes me fair + Draws me to speak about the other leader, + By whom so well is spoken here of mine. + +’Tis right, where one is, to bring in the other, + That, as they were united in their warfare, + Together likewise may their glory shine. + +The soldiery of Christ, which it had cost + So dear to arm again, behind the standard + Moved slow and doubtful and in numbers few, + +When the Emperor who reigneth evermore + Provided for the host that was in peril, + Through grace alone and not that it was worthy; + +And, as was said, he to his Bride brought succour + With champions twain, at whose deed, at whose word + The straggling people were together drawn. + +Within that region where the sweet west wind + Rises to open the new leaves, wherewith + Europe is seen to clothe herself afresh, + +Not far off from the beating of the waves, + Behind which in his long career the sun + Sometimes conceals himself from every man, + +Is situate the fortunate Calahorra, + Under protection of the mighty shield + In which the Lion subject is and sovereign. + +Therein was born the amorous paramour + Of Christian Faith, the athlete consecrate, + Kind to his own and cruel to his foes; + +And when it was created was his mind + Replete with such a living energy, + That in his mother her it made prophetic. + +As soon as the espousals were complete + Between him and the Faith at holy font, + Where they with mutual safety dowered each other, + +The woman, who for him had given assent, + Saw in a dream the admirable fruit + That issue would from him and from his heirs; + +And that he might be construed as he was, + A spirit from this place went forth to name him + With His possessive whose he wholly was. + +Dominic was he called; and him I speak of + Even as of the husbandman whom Christ + Elected to his garden to assist him. + +Envoy and servant sooth he seemed of Christ, + For the first love made manifest in him + Was the first counsel that was given by Christ. + +Silent and wakeful many a time was he + Discovered by his nurse upon the ground, + As if he would have said, ‘For this I came.’ + +O thou his father, Felix verily! + O thou his mother, verily Joanna, + If this, interpreted, means as is said! + +Not for the world which people toil for now + In following Ostiense and Taddeo, + But through his longing after the true manna, + +He in short time became so great a teacher, + That he began to go about the vineyard, + Which fadeth soon, if faithless be the dresser; + +And of the See, (that once was more benignant + Unto the righteous poor, not through itself, + But him who sits there and degenerates,) + +Not to dispense or two or three for six, + Not any fortune of first vacancy, + ‘Non decimas quae sunt pauperum Dei,’ + +He asked for, but against the errant world + Permission to do battle for the seed, + Of which these four and twenty plants surround thee. + +Then with the doctrine and the will together, + With office apostolical he moved, + Like torrent which some lofty vein out-presses; + +And in among the shoots heretical + His impetus with greater fury smote, + Wherever the resistance was the greatest. + +Of him were made thereafter divers runnels, + Whereby the garden catholic is watered, + So that more living its plantations stand. + +If such the one wheel of the Biga was, + In which the Holy Church itself defended + And in the field its civic battle won, + +Truly full manifest should be to thee + The excellence of the other, unto whom + Thomas so courteous was before my coming. + +But still the orbit, which the highest part + Of its circumference made, is derelict, + So that the mould is where was once the crust. + +His family, that had straight forward moved + With feet upon his footprints, are turned round + So that they set the point upon the heel. + +And soon aware they will be of the harvest + Of this bad husbandry, when shall the tares + Complain the granary is taken from them. + +Yet say I, he who searcheth leaf by leaf + Our volume through, would still some page discover + Where he could read, ‘I am as I am wont.’ + +’Twill not be from Casal nor Acquasparta, + From whence come such unto the written word + That one avoids it, and the other narrows. + +Bonaventura of Bagnoregio’s life + Am I, who always in great offices + Postponed considerations sinister. + +Here are Illuminato and Agostino, + Who of the first barefooted beggars were + That with the cord the friends of God became. + +Hugh of Saint Victor is among them here, + And Peter Mangiador, and Peter of Spain, + Who down below in volumes twelve is shining; + +Nathan the seer, and metropolitan + Chrysostom, and Anselmus, and Donatus + Who deigned to lay his hand to the first art; + +Here is Rabanus, and beside me here + Shines the Calabrian Abbot Joachim, + He with the spirit of prophecy endowed. + +To celebrate so great a paladin + Have moved me the impassioned courtesy + And the discreet discourses of Friar Thomas, + +And with me they have moved this company.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XIII + + +Let him imagine, who would well conceive + What now I saw, and let him while I speak + Retain the image as a steadfast rock, + +The fifteen stars, that in their divers regions + The sky enliven with a light so great + That it transcends all clusters of the air; + +Let him the Wain imagine unto which + Our vault of heaven sufficeth night and day, + So that in turning of its pole it fails not; + +Let him the mouth imagine of the horn + That in the point beginneth of the axis + Round about which the primal wheel revolves,— + +To have fashioned of themselves two signs in heaven, + Like unto that which Minos’ daughter made, + The moment when she felt the frost of death; + +And one to have its rays within the other, + And both to whirl themselves in such a manner + That one should forward go, the other backward; + +And he will have some shadowing forth of that + True constellation and the double dance + That circled round the point at which I was; + +Because it is as much beyond our wont, + As swifter than the motion of the Chiana + Moveth the heaven that all the rest outspeeds. + +There sang they neither Bacchus, nor Apollo, + But in the divine nature Persons three, + And in one person the divine and human. + +The singing and the dance fulfilled their measure, + And unto us those holy lights gave need, + Growing in happiness from care to care. + +Then broke the silence of those saints concordant + The light in which the admirable life + Of God’s own mendicant was told to me, + +And said: “Now that one straw is trodden out + Now that its seed is garnered up already, + Sweet love invites me to thresh out the other. + +Into that bosom, thou believest, whence + Was drawn the rib to form the beauteous cheek + Whose taste to all the world is costing dear, + +And into that which, by the lance transfixed, + Before and since, such satisfaction made + That it weighs down the balance of all sin, + +Whate’er of light it has to human nature + Been lawful to possess was all infused + By the same power that both of them created; + +And hence at what I said above dost wonder, + When I narrated that no second had + The good which in the fifth light is enclosed. + +Now ope thine eyes to what I answer thee, + And thou shalt see thy creed and my discourse + Fit in the truth as centre in a circle. + +That which can die, and that which dieth not, + Are nothing but the splendour of the idea + Which by his love our Lord brings into being; + +Because that living Light, which from its fount + Effulgent flows, so that it disunites not + From Him nor from the Love in them intrined, + +Through its own goodness reunites its rays + In nine subsistences, as in a mirror, + Itself eternally remaining One. + +Thence it descends to the last potencies, + Downward from act to act becoming such + That only brief contingencies it makes; + +And these contingencies I hold to be + Things generated, which the heaven produces + By its own motion, with seed and without. + +Neither their wax, nor that which tempers it, + Remains immutable, and hence beneath + The ideal signet more and less shines through; + +Therefore it happens, that the selfsame tree + After its kind bears worse and better fruit, + And ye are born with characters diverse. + +If in perfection tempered were the wax, + And were the heaven in its supremest virtue, + The brilliance of the seal would all appear; + +But nature gives it evermore deficient, + In the like manner working as the artist, + Who has the skill of art and hand that trembles. + +If then the fervent Love, the Vision clear, + Of primal Virtue do dispose and seal, + Perfection absolute is there acquired. + +Thus was of old the earth created worthy + Of all and every animal perfection; + And thus the Virgin was impregnate made; + +So that thine own opinion I commend, + That human nature never yet has been, + Nor will be, what it was in those two persons. + +Now if no farther forth I should proceed, + ‘Then in what way was he without a peer?’ + Would be the first beginning of thy words. + +But, that may well appear what now appears not, + Think who he was, and what occasion moved him + To make request, when it was told him, ‘Ask.’ + +I’ve not so spoken that thou canst not see + Clearly he was a king who asked for wisdom, + That he might be sufficiently a king; + +’Twas not to know the number in which are + The motors here above, or if ‘necesse’ + With a contingent e’er ‘necesse’ make, + +‘Non si est dare primum motum esse,’ + Or if in semicircle can be made + Triangle so that it have no right angle. + +Whence, if thou notest this and what I said, + A regal prudence is that peerless seeing + In which the shaft of my intention strikes. + +And if on ‘rose’ thou turnest thy clear eyes, + Thou’lt see that it has reference alone + To kings who’re many, and the good are rare. + +With this distinction take thou what I said, + And thus it can consist with thy belief + Of the first father and of our Delight. + +And lead shall this be always to thy feet, + To make thee, like a weary man, move slowly + Both to the Yes and No thou seest not; + +For very low among the fools is he + Who affirms without distinction, or denies, + As well in one as in the other case; + +Because it happens that full often bends + Current opinion in the false direction, + And then the feelings bind the intellect. + +Far more than uselessly he leaves the shore, + (Since he returneth not the same he went,) + Who fishes for the truth, and has no skill; + +And in the world proofs manifest thereof + Parmenides, Melissus, Brissus are, + And many who went on and knew not whither; + +Thus did Sabellius, Arius, and those fools + Who have been even as swords unto the Scriptures + In rendering distorted their straight faces. + +Nor yet shall people be too confident + In judging, even as he is who doth count + The corn in field or ever it be ripe. + +For I have seen all winter long the thorn + First show itself intractable and fierce, + And after bear the rose upon its top; + +And I have seen a ship direct and swift + Run o’er the sea throughout its course entire, + To perish at the harbour’s mouth at last. + +Let not Dame Bertha nor Ser Martin think, + Seeing one steal, another offering make, + To see them in the arbitrament divine; + +For one may rise, and fall the other may.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XIV + + +From centre unto rim, from rim to centre, + In a round vase the water moves itself, + As from without ’tis struck or from within. + +Into my mind upon a sudden dropped + What I am saying, at the moment when + Silent became the glorious life of Thomas, + +Because of the resemblance that was born + Of his discourse and that of Beatrice, + Whom, after him, it pleased thus to begin: + +“This man has need (and does not tell you so, + Nor with the voice, nor even in his thought) + Of going to the root of one truth more. + +Declare unto him if the light wherewith + Blossoms your substance shall remain with you + Eternally the same that it is now; + +And if it do remain, say in what manner, + After ye are again made visible, + It can be that it injure not your sight.” + +As by a greater gladness urged and drawn + They who are dancing in a ring sometimes + Uplift their voices and their motions quicken; + +So, at that orison devout and prompt, + The holy circles a new joy displayed + In their revolving and their wondrous song. + +Whoso lamenteth him that here we die + That we may live above, has never there + Seen the refreshment of the eternal rain. + +The One and Two and Three who ever liveth, + And reigneth ever in Three and Two and One, + Not circumscribed and all things circumscribing, + +Three several times was chanted by each one + Among those spirits, with such melody + That for all merit it were just reward; + +And, in the lustre most divine of all + The lesser ring, I heard a modest voice, + Such as perhaps the Angel’s was to Mary, + +Answer: “As long as the festivity + Of Paradise shall be, so long our love + Shall radiate round about us such a vesture. + +Its brightness is proportioned to the ardour, + The ardour to the vision; and the vision + Equals what grace it has above its worth. + +When, glorious and sanctified, our flesh + Is reassumed, then shall our persons be + More pleasing by their being all complete; + +For will increase whate’er bestows on us + Of light gratuitous the Good Supreme, + Light which enables us to look on Him; + +Therefore the vision must perforce increase, + Increase the ardour which from that is kindled, + Increase the radiance which from this proceeds. + +But even as a coal that sends forth flame, + And by its vivid whiteness overpowers it + So that its own appearance it maintains, + +Thus the effulgence that surrounds us now + Shall be o’erpowered in aspect by the flesh, + Which still to-day the earth doth cover up; + +Nor can so great a splendour weary us, + For strong will be the organs of the body + To everything which hath the power to please us.” + +So sudden and alert appeared to me + Both one and the other choir to say Amen, + That well they showed desire for their dead bodies; + +Nor sole for them perhaps, but for the mothers, + The fathers, and the rest who had been dear + Or ever they became eternal flames. + +And lo! all round about of equal brightness + Arose a lustre over what was there, + Like an horizon that is clearing up. + +And as at rise of early eve begin + Along the welkin new appearances, + So that the sight seems real and unreal, + +It seemed to me that new subsistences + Began there to be seen, and make a circle + Outside the other two circumferences. + +O very sparkling of the Holy Spirit, + How sudden and incandescent it became + Unto mine eyes, that vanquished bore it not! + +But Beatrice so beautiful and smiling + Appeared to me, that with the other sights + That followed not my memory I must leave her. + +Then to uplift themselves mine eyes resumed + The power, and I beheld myself translated + To higher salvation with my Lady only. + +Well was I ware that I was more uplifted + By the enkindled smiling of the star, + That seemed to me more ruddy than its wont. + +With all my heart, and in that dialect + Which is the same in all, such holocaust + To God I made as the new grace beseemed; + +And not yet from my bosom was exhausted + The ardour of sacrifice, before I knew + This offering was accepted and auspicious; + +For with so great a lustre and so red + Splendours appeared to me in twofold rays, + I said: “O Helios who dost so adorn them!” + +Even as distinct with less and greater lights + Glimmers between the two poles of the world + The Galaxy that maketh wise men doubt, + +Thus constellated in the depths of Mars, + Those rays described the venerable sign + That quadrants joining in a circle make. + +Here doth my memory overcome my genius; + For on that cross as levin gleamed forth Christ, + So that I cannot find ensample worthy; + +But he who takes his cross and follows Christ + Again will pardon me what I omit, + Seeing in that aurora lighten Christ. + +From horn to horn, and ’twixt the top and base, + Lights were in motion, brightly scintillating + As they together met and passed each other; + +Thus level and aslant and swift and slow + We here behold, renewing still the sight, + The particles of bodies long and short, + +Across the sunbeam move, wherewith is listed + Sometimes the shade, which for their own defence + People with cunning and with art contrive. + +And as a lute and harp, accordant strung + With many strings, a dulcet tinkling make + To him by whom the notes are not distinguished, + +So from the lights that there to me appeared + Upgathered through the cross a melody, + Which rapt me, not distinguishing the hymn. + +Well was I ware it was of lofty laud, + Because there came to me, “Arise and conquer!” + As unto him who hears and comprehends not. + +So much enamoured I became therewith, + That until then there was not anything + That e’er had fettered me with such sweet bonds. + +Perhaps my word appears somewhat too bold, + Postponing the delight of those fair eyes, + Into which gazing my desire has rest; + +But who bethinks him that the living seals + Of every beauty grow in power ascending, + And that I there had not turned round to those, + +Can me excuse, if I myself accuse + To excuse myself, and see that I speak truly: + For here the holy joy is not disclosed, + +Because ascending it becomes more pure. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XV + + +A will benign, in which reveals itself + Ever the love that righteously inspires, + As in the iniquitous, cupidity, + +Silence imposed upon that dulcet lyre, + And quieted the consecrated chords, + That Heaven’s right hand doth tighten and relax. + +How unto just entreaties shall be deaf + Those substances, which, to give me desire + Of praying them, with one accord grew silent? + +’Tis well that without end he should lament, + Who for the love of thing that doth not last + Eternally despoils him of that love! + +As through the pure and tranquil evening air + There shoots from time to time a sudden fire, + Moving the eyes that steadfast were before, + +And seems to be a star that changeth place, + Except that in the part where it is kindled + Nothing is missed, and this endureth little; + +So from the horn that to the right extends + Unto that cross’s foot there ran a star + Out of the constellation shining there; + +Nor was the gem dissevered from its ribbon, + But down the radiant fillet ran along, + So that fire seemed it behind alabaster. + +Thus piteous did Anchises’ shade reach forward, + If any faith our greatest Muse deserve, + When in Elysium he his son perceived. + +“O sanguis meus, O superinfusa + Gratia Dei, sicut tibi, cui + Bis unquam Coeli janua reclusa?” + +Thus that effulgence; whence I gave it heed; + Then round unto my Lady turned my sight, + And on this side and that was stupefied; + +For in her eyes was burning such a smile + That with mine own methought I touched the bottom + Both of my grace and of my Paradise! + +Then, pleasant to the hearing and the sight, + The spirit joined to its beginning things + I understood not, so profound it spake; + +Nor did it hide itself from me by choice, + But by necessity; for its conception + Above the mark of mortals set itself. + +And when the bow of burning sympathy + Was so far slackened, that its speech descended + Towards the mark of our intelligence, + +The first thing that was understood by me + Was “Benedight be Thou, O Trine and One, + Who hast unto my seed so courteous been!” + +And it continued: “Hunger long and grateful, + Drawn from the reading of the mighty volume + Wherein is never changed the white nor dark, + +Thou hast appeased, my son, within this light + In which I speak to thee, by grace of her + Who to this lofty flight with plumage clothed thee. + +Thou thinkest that to me thy thought doth pass + From Him who is the first, as from the unit, + If that be known, ray out the five and six; + +And therefore who I am thou askest not, + And why I seem more joyous unto thee + Than any other of this gladsome crowd. + +Thou think’st the truth; because the small and great + Of this existence look into the mirror + Wherein, before thou think’st, thy thought thou showest. + +But that the sacred love, in which I watch + With sight perpetual, and which makes me thirst + With sweet desire, may better be fulfilled, + +Now let thy voice secure and frank and glad + Proclaim the wishes, the desire proclaim, + To which my answer is decreed already.” + +To Beatrice I turned me, and she heard + Before I spake, and smiled to me a sign, + That made the wings of my desire increase; + +Then in this wise began I: “Love and knowledge, + When on you dawned the first Equality, + Of the same weight for each of you became; + +For in the Sun, which lighted you and burned + With heat and radiance, they so equal are, + That all similitudes are insufficient. + +But among mortals will and argument, + For reason that to you is manifest, + Diversely feathered in their pinions are. + +Whence I, who mortal am, feel in myself + This inequality; so give not thanks, + Save in my heart, for this paternal welcome. + +Truly do I entreat thee, living topaz! + Set in this precious jewel as a gem, + That thou wilt satisfy me with thy name.” + +“O leaf of mine, in whom I pleasure took + E’en while awaiting, I was thine own root!” + Such a beginning he in answer made me. + +Then said to me: “That one from whom is named + Thy race, and who a hundred years and more + Has circled round the mount on the first cornice, + +A son of mine and thy great-grandsire was; + Well it behoves thee that the long fatigue + Thou shouldst for him make shorter with thy works. + +Florence, within the ancient boundary + From which she taketh still her tierce and nones, + Abode in quiet, temperate and chaste. + +No golden chain she had, nor coronal, + Nor ladies shod with sandal shoon, nor girdle + That caught the eye more than the person did. + +Not yet the daughter at her birth struck fear + Into the father, for the time and dower + Did not o’errun this side or that the measure. + +No houses had she void of families, + Not yet had thither come Sardanapalus + To show what in a chamber can be done; + +Not yet surpassed had Montemalo been + By your Uccellatojo, which surpassed + Shall in its downfall be as in its rise. + +Bellincion Berti saw I go begirt + With leather and with bone, and from the mirror + His dame depart without a painted face; + +And him of Nerli saw, and him of Vecchio, + Contented with their simple suits of buff + And with the spindle and the flax their dames. + +O fortunate women! and each one was certain + Of her own burial-place, and none as yet + For sake of France was in her bed deserted. + +One o’er the cradle kept her studious watch, + And in her lullaby the language used + That first delights the fathers and the mothers; + +Another, drawing tresses from her distaff, + Told o’er among her family the tales + Of Trojans and of Fesole and Rome. + +As great a marvel then would have been held + A Lapo Salterello, a Cianghella, + As Cincinnatus or Cornelia now. + +To such a quiet, such a beautiful + Life of the citizen, to such a safe + Community, and to so sweet an inn, + +Did Mary give me, with loud cries invoked, + And in your ancient Baptistery at once + Christian and Cacciaguida I became. + +Moronto was my brother, and Eliseo; + From Val di Pado came to me my wife, + And from that place thy surname was derived. + +I followed afterward the Emperor Conrad, + And he begirt me of his chivalry, + So much I pleased him with my noble deeds. + +I followed in his train against that law’s + Iniquity, whose people doth usurp + Your just possession, through your Pastor’s fault. + +There by that execrable race was I + Released from bonds of the fallacious world, + The love of which defileth many souls, + +And came from martyrdom unto this peace.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XVI + + +O thou our poor nobility of blood, + If thou dost make the people glory in thee + Down here where our affection languishes, + +A marvellous thing it ne’er will be to me; + For there where appetite is not perverted, + I say in Heaven, of thee I made a boast! + +Truly thou art a cloak that quickly shortens, + So that unless we piece thee day by day + Time goeth round about thee with his shears! + +With ‘You,’ which Rome was first to tolerate, + (Wherein her family less perseveres,) + Yet once again my words beginning made; + +Whence Beatrice, who stood somewhat apart, + Smiling, appeared like unto her who coughed + At the first failing writ of Guenever. + +And I began: “You are my ancestor, + You give to me all hardihood to speak, + You lift me so that I am more than I. + +So many rivulets with gladness fill + My mind, that of itself it makes a joy + Because it can endure this and not burst. + +Then tell me, my beloved root ancestral, + Who were your ancestors, and what the years + That in your boyhood chronicled themselves? + +Tell me about the sheepfold of Saint John, + How large it was, and who the people were + Within it worthy of the highest seats.” + +As at the blowing of the winds a coal + Quickens to flame, so I beheld that light + Become resplendent at my blandishments. + +And as unto mine eyes it grew more fair, + With voice more sweet and tender, but not in + This modern dialect, it said to me: + +“From uttering of the ‘Ave,’ till the birth + In which my mother, who is now a saint, + Of me was lightened who had been her burden, + +Unto its Lion had this fire returned + Five hundred fifty times and thirty more, + To reinflame itself beneath his paw. + +My ancestors and I our birthplace had + Where first is found the last ward of the city + By him who runneth in your annual game. + +Suffice it of my elders to hear this; + But who they were, and whence they thither came, + Silence is more considerate than speech. + +All those who at that time were there between + Mars and the Baptist, fit for bearing arms, + Were a fifth part of those who now are living; + +But the community, that now is mixed + With Campi and Certaldo and Figghine, + Pure in the lowest artisan was seen. + +O how much better ’twere to have as neighbours + The folk of whom I speak, and at Galluzzo + And at Trespiano have your boundary, + +Than have them in the town, and bear the stench + Of Aguglione’s churl, and him of Signa + Who has sharp eyes for trickery already. + +Had not the folk, which most of all the world + Degenerates, been a step-dame unto Caesar, + But as a mother to her son benignant, + +Some who turn Florentines, and trade and discount, + Would have gone back again to Simifonte + There where their grandsires went about as beggars. + +At Montemurlo still would be the Counts, + The Cerchi in the parish of Acone, + Perhaps in Valdigrieve the Buondelmonti. + +Ever the intermingling of the people + Has been the source of malady in cities, + As in the body food it surfeits on; + +And a blind bull more headlong plunges down + Than a blind lamb; and very often cuts + Better and more a single sword than five. + +If Luni thou regard, and Urbisaglia, + How they have passed away, and how are passing + Chiusi and Sinigaglia after them, + +To hear how races waste themselves away, + Will seem to thee no novel thing nor hard, + Seeing that even cities have an end. + +All things of yours have their mortality, + Even as yourselves; but it is hidden in some + That a long while endure, and lives are short; + +And as the turning of the lunar heaven + Covers and bares the shores without a pause, + In the like manner fortune does with Florence. + +Therefore should not appear a marvellous thing + What I shall say of the great Florentines + Of whom the fame is hidden in the Past. + +I saw the Ughi, saw the Catellini, + Filippi, Greci, Ormanni, and Alberichi, + Even in their fall illustrious citizens; + +And saw, as mighty as they ancient were, + With him of La Sannella him of Arca, + And Soldanier, Ardinghi, and Bostichi. + +Near to the gate that is at present laden + With a new felony of so much weight + That soon it shall be jetsam from the bark, + +The Ravignani were, from whom descended + The County Guido, and whoe’er the name + Of the great Bellincione since hath taken. + +He of La Pressa knew the art of ruling + Already, and already Galigajo + Had hilt and pommel gilded in his house. + +Mighty already was the Column Vair, + Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifant, and Barucci, + And Galli, and they who for the bushel blush. + +The stock from which were the Calfucci born + Was great already, and already chosen + To curule chairs the Sizii and Arrigucci. + +O how beheld I those who are undone + By their own pride! and how the Balls of Gold + Florence enflowered in all their mighty deeds! + +So likewise did the ancestors of those + Who evermore, when vacant is your church, + Fatten by staying in consistory. + +The insolent race, that like a dragon follows + Whoever flees, and unto him that shows + His teeth or purse is gentle as a lamb, + +Already rising was, but from low people; + So that it pleased not Ubertin Donato + That his wife’s father should make him their kin. + +Already had Caponsacco to the Market + From Fesole descended, and already + Giuda and Infangato were good burghers. + +I’ll tell a thing incredible, but true; + One entered the small circuit by a gate + Which from the Della Pera took its name! + +Each one that bears the beautiful escutcheon + Of the great baron whose renown and name + The festival of Thomas keepeth fresh, + +Knighthood and privilege from him received; + Though with the populace unites himself + To-day the man who binds it with a border. + +Already were Gualterotti and Importuni; + And still more quiet would the Borgo be + If with new neighbours it remained unfed. + +The house from which is born your lamentation, + Through just disdain that death among you brought + And put an end unto your joyous life, + +Was honoured in itself and its companions. + O Buondelmonte, how in evil hour + Thou fled’st the bridal at another’s promptings! + +Many would be rejoicing who are sad, + If God had thee surrendered to the Ema + The first time that thou camest to the city. + +But it behoved the mutilated stone + Which guards the bridge, that Florence should provide + A victim in her latest hour of peace. + +With all these families, and others with them, + Florence beheld I in so great repose, + That no occasion had she whence to weep; + +With all these families beheld so just + And glorious her people, that the lily + Never upon the spear was placed reversed, + +Nor by division was vermilion made.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XVII + + +As came to Clymene, to be made certain + Of that which he had heard against himself, + He who makes fathers chary still to children, + +Even such was I, and such was I perceived + By Beatrice and by the holy light + That first on my account had changed its place. + +Therefore my Lady said to me: “Send forth + The flame of thy desire, so that it issue + Imprinted well with the internal stamp; + +Not that our knowledge may be greater made + By speech of thine, but to accustom thee + To tell thy thirst, that we may give thee drink.” + +“O my beloved tree, (that so dost lift thee, + That even as minds terrestrial perceive + No triangle containeth two obtuse, + +So thou beholdest the contingent things + Ere in themselves they are, fixing thine eyes + Upon the point in which all times are present,) + +While I was with Virgilius conjoined + Upon the mountain that the souls doth heal, + And when descending into the dead world, + +Were spoken to me of my future life + Some grievous words; although I feel myself + In sooth foursquare against the blows of chance. + +On this account my wish would be content + To hear what fortune is approaching me, + Because foreseen an arrow comes more slowly.” + +Thus did I say unto that selfsame light + That unto me had spoken before; and even + As Beatrice willed was my own will confessed. + +Not in vague phrase, in which the foolish folk + Ensnared themselves of old, ere yet was slain + The Lamb of God who taketh sins away, + +But with clear words and unambiguous + Language responded that paternal love, + Hid and revealed by its own proper smile: + +“Contingency, that outside of the volume + Of your materiality extends not, + Is all depicted in the eternal aspect. + +Necessity however thence it takes not, + Except as from the eye, in which ’tis mirrored, + A ship that with the current down descends. + +From thence, e’en as there cometh to the ear + Sweet harmony from an organ, comes in sight + To me the time that is preparing for thee. + +As forth from Athens went Hippolytus, + By reason of his step-dame false and cruel, + So thou from Florence must perforce depart. + +Already this is willed, and this is sought for; + And soon it shall be done by him who thinks it, + Where every day the Christ is bought and sold. + +The blame shall follow the offended party + In outcry as is usual; but the vengeance + Shall witness to the truth that doth dispense it. + +Thou shalt abandon everything beloved + Most tenderly, and this the arrow is + Which first the bow of banishment shoots forth. + +Thou shalt have proof how savoureth of salt + The bread of others, and how hard a road + The going down and up another’s stairs. + +And that which most shall weigh upon thy shoulders + Will be the bad and foolish company + With which into this valley thou shalt fall; + +For all ingrate, all mad and impious + Will they become against thee; but soon after + They, and not thou, shall have the forehead scarlet. + +Of their bestiality their own proceedings + Shall furnish proof; so ’twill be well for thee + A party to have made thee by thyself. + +Thine earliest refuge and thine earliest inn + Shall be the mighty Lombard’s courtesy, + Who on the Ladder bears the holy bird, + +Who such benign regard shall have for thee + That ’twixt you twain, in doing and in asking, + That shall be first which is with others last. + +With him shalt thou see one who at his birth + Has by this star of strength been so impressed, + That notable shall his achievements be. + +Not yet the people are aware of him + Through his young age, since only nine years yet + Around about him have these wheels revolved. + +But ere the Gascon cheat the noble Henry, + Some sparkles of his virtue shall appear + In caring not for silver nor for toil. + +So recognized shall his magnificence + Become hereafter, that his enemies + Will not have power to keep mute tongues about it. + +On him rely, and on his benefits; + By him shall many people be transformed, + Changing condition rich and mendicant; + +And written in thy mind thou hence shalt bear + Of him, but shalt not say it”—and things said he + Incredible to those who shall be present. + +Then added: “Son, these are the commentaries + On what was said to thee; behold the snares + That are concealed behind few revolutions; + +Yet would I not thy neighbours thou shouldst envy, + Because thy life into the future reaches + Beyond the punishment of their perfidies.” + +When by its silence showed that sainted soul + That it had finished putting in the woof + Into that web which I had given it warped, + +Began I, even as he who yearneth after, + Being in doubt, some counsel from a person + Who seeth, and uprightly wills, and loves: + +“Well see I, father mine, how spurreth on + The time towards me such a blow to deal me + As heaviest is to him who most gives way. + +Therefore with foresight it is well I arm me, + That, if the dearest place be taken from me, + I may not lose the others by my songs. + +Down through the world of infinite bitterness, + And o’er the mountain, from whose beauteous summit + The eyes of my own Lady lifted me, + +And afterward through heaven from light to light, + I have learned that which, if I tell again, + Will be a savour of strong herbs to many. + +And if I am a timid friend to truth, + I fear lest I may lose my life with those + Who will hereafter call this time the olden.” + +The light in which was smiling my own treasure + Which there I had discovered, flashed at first + As in the sunshine doth a golden mirror; + +Then made reply: “A conscience overcast + Or with its own or with another’s shame, + Will taste forsooth the tartness of thy word; + +But ne’ertheless, all falsehood laid aside, + Make manifest thy vision utterly, + And let them scratch wherever is the itch; + +For if thine utterance shall offensive be + At the first taste, a vital nutriment + ’Twill leave thereafter, when it is digested. + +This cry of thine shall do as doth the wind, + Which smiteth most the most exalted summits, + And that is no slight argument of honour. + +Therefore are shown to thee within these wheels, + Upon the mount and in the dolorous valley, + Only the souls that unto fame are known; + +Because the spirit of the hearer rests not, + Nor doth confirm its faith by an example + Which has the root of it unknown and hidden, + +Or other reason that is not apparent.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XVIII + + +Now was alone rejoicing in its word + That soul beatified, and I was tasting + My own, the bitter tempering with the sweet, + +And the Lady who to God was leading me + Said: “Change thy thought; consider that I am + Near unto Him who every wrong disburdens.” + +Unto the loving accents of my comfort + I turned me round, and then what love I saw + Within those holy eyes I here relinquish; + +Not only that my language I distrust, + But that my mind cannot return so far + Above itself, unless another guide it. + +Thus much upon that point can I repeat, + That, her again beholding, my affection + From every other longing was released. + +While the eternal pleasure, which direct + Rayed upon Beatrice, from her fair face + Contented me with its reflected aspect, + +Conquering me with the radiance of a smile, + She said to me, “Turn thee about and listen; + Not in mine eyes alone is Paradise.” + +Even as sometimes here do we behold + The affection in the look, if it be such + That all the soul is wrapt away by it, + +So, by the flaming of the effulgence holy + To which I turned, I recognized therein + The wish of speaking to me somewhat farther. + +And it began: “In this fifth resting-place + Upon the tree that liveth by its summit, + And aye bears fruit, and never loses leaf, + +Are blessed spirits that below, ere yet + They came to Heaven, were of such great renown + That every Muse therewith would affluent be. + +Therefore look thou upon the cross’s horns; + He whom I now shall name will there enact + What doth within a cloud its own swift fire.” + +I saw athwart the Cross a splendour drawn + By naming Joshua, (even as he did it,) + Nor noted I the word before the deed; + +And at the name of the great Maccabee + I saw another move itself revolving, + And gladness was the whip unto that top. + +Likewise for Charlemagne and for Orlando, + Two of them my regard attentive followed + As followeth the eye its falcon flying. + +William thereafterward, and Renouard, + And the Duke Godfrey, did attract my sight + Along upon that Cross, and Robert Guiscard. + +Then, moved and mingled with the other lights, + The soul that had addressed me showed how great + An artist ’twas among the heavenly singers. + +To my right side I turned myself around, + My duty to behold in Beatrice + Either by words or gesture signified; + +And so translucent I beheld her eyes, + So full of pleasure, that her countenance + Surpassed its other and its latest wont. + +And as, by feeling greater delectation, + A man in doing good from day to day + Becomes aware his virtue is increasing, + +So I became aware that my gyration + With heaven together had increased its arc, + That miracle beholding more adorned. + +And such as is the change, in little lapse + Of time, in a pale woman, when her face + Is from the load of bashfulness unladen, + +Such was it in mine eyes, when I had turned, + Caused by the whiteness of the temperate star, + The sixth, which to itself had gathered me. + +Within that Jovial torch did I behold + The sparkling of the love which was therein + Delineate our language to mine eyes. + +And even as birds uprisen from the shore, + As in congratulation o’er their food, + Make squadrons of themselves, now round, now long, + +So from within those lights the holy creatures + Sang flying to and fro, and in their figures + Made of themselves now D, now I, now L. + +First singing they to their own music moved; + Then one becoming of these characters, + A little while they rested and were silent. + +O divine Pegasea, thou who genius + Dost glorious make, and render it long-lived, + And this through thee the cities and the kingdoms, + +Illume me with thyself, that I may bring + Their figures out as I have them conceived! + Apparent be thy power in these brief verses! + +Themselves then they displayed in five times seven + Vowels and consonants; and I observed + The parts as they seemed spoken unto me. + +‘Diligite justitiam,’ these were + First verb and noun of all that was depicted; + ‘Qui judicatis terram’ were the last. + +Thereafter in the M of the fifth word + Remained they so arranged, that Jupiter + Seemed to be silver there with gold inlaid. + +And other lights I saw descend where was + The summit of the M, and pause there singing + The good, I think, that draws them to itself. + +Then, as in striking upon burning logs + Upward there fly innumerable sparks, + Whence fools are wont to look for auguries, + +More than a thousand lights seemed thence to rise, + And to ascend, some more, and others less, + Even as the Sun that lights them had allotted; + +And, each one being quiet in its place, + The head and neck beheld I of an eagle + Delineated by that inlaid fire. + +He who there paints has none to be his guide; + But Himself guides; and is from Him remembered + That virtue which is form unto the nest. + +The other beatitude, that contented seemed + At first to bloom a lily on the M, + By a slight motion followed out the imprint. + +O gentle star! what and how many gems + Did demonstrate to me, that all our justice + Effect is of that heaven which thou ingemmest! + +Wherefore I pray the Mind, in which begin + Thy motion and thy virtue, to regard + Whence comes the smoke that vitiates thy rays; + +So that a second time it now be wroth + With buying and with selling in the temple + Whose walls were built with signs and martyrdoms! + +O soldiery of heaven, whom I contemplate, + Implore for those who are upon the earth + All gone astray after the bad example! + +Once ’twas the custom to make war with swords; + But now ’tis made by taking here and there + The bread the pitying Father shuts from none. + +Yet thou, who writest but to cancel, think + That Peter and that Paul, who for this vineyard + Which thou art spoiling died, are still alive! + +Well canst thou say: “So steadfast my desire + Is unto him who willed to live alone, + And for a dance was led to martyrdom, + +That I know not the Fisherman nor Paul.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XIX + + +Appeared before me with its wings outspread + The beautiful image that in sweet fruition + Made jubilant the interwoven souls; + +Appeared a little ruby each, wherein + Ray of the sun was burning so enkindled + That each into mine eyes refracted it. + +And what it now behoves me to retrace + Nor voice has e’er reported, nor ink written, + Nor was by fantasy e’er comprehended; + +For speak I saw, and likewise heard, the beak, + And utter with its voice both ‘I’ and ‘My,’ + When in conception it was ‘We’ and ‘Our.’ + +And it began: “Being just and merciful + Am I exalted here unto that glory + Which cannot be exceeded by desire; + +And upon earth I left my memory + Such, that the evil-minded people there + Commend it, but continue not the story.” + +So doth a single heat from many embers + Make itself felt, even as from many loves + Issued a single sound from out that image. + +Whence I thereafter: “O perpetual flowers + Of the eternal joy, that only one + Make me perceive your odours manifold, + +Exhaling, break within me the great fast + Which a long season has in hunger held me, + Not finding for it any food on earth. + +Well do I know, that if in heaven its mirror + Justice Divine another realm doth make, + Yours apprehends it not through any veil. + +You know how I attentively address me + To listen; and you know what is the doubt + That is in me so very old a fast.” + +Even as a falcon, issuing from his hood, + Doth move his head, and with his wings applaud him, + Showing desire, and making himself fine, + +Saw I become that standard, which of lauds + Was interwoven of the grace divine, + With such songs as he knows who there rejoices. + +Then it began: “He who a compass turned + On the world’s outer verge, and who within it + Devised so much occult and manifest, + +Could not the impress of his power so make + On all the universe, as that his Word + Should not remain in infinite excess. + +And this makes certain that the first proud being, + Who was the paragon of every creature, + By not awaiting light fell immature. + +And hence appears it, that each minor nature + Is scant receptacle unto that good + Which has no end, and by itself is measured. + +In consequence our vision, which perforce + Must be some ray of that intelligence + With which all things whatever are replete, + +Cannot in its own nature be so potent, + That it shall not its origin discern + Far beyond that which is apparent to it. + +Therefore into the justice sempiternal + The power of vision that your world receives, + As eye into the ocean, penetrates; + +Which, though it see the bottom near the shore, + Upon the deep perceives it not, and yet + ’Tis there, but it is hidden by the depth. + +There is no light but comes from the serene + That never is o’ercast, nay, it is darkness + Or shadow of the flesh, or else its poison. + +Amply to thee is opened now the cavern + Which has concealed from thee the living justice + Of which thou mad’st such frequent questioning. + +For saidst thou: ‘Born a man is on the shore + Of Indus, and is none who there can speak + Of Christ, nor who can read, nor who can write; + +And all his inclinations and his actions + Are good, so far as human reason sees, + Without a sin in life or in discourse: + +He dieth unbaptised and without faith; + Where is this justice that condemneth him? + Where is his fault, if he do not believe?’ + +Now who art thou, that on the bench wouldst sit + In judgment at a thousand miles away, + With the short vision of a single span? + +Truly to him who with me subtilizes, + If so the Scripture were not over you, + For doubting there were marvellous occasion. + +O animals terrene, O stolid minds, + The primal will, that in itself is good, + Ne’er from itself, the Good Supreme, has moved. + +So much is just as is accordant with it; + No good created draws it to itself, + But it, by raying forth, occasions that.” + +Even as above her nest goes circling round + The stork when she has fed her little ones, + And he who has been fed looks up at her, + +So lifted I my brows, and even such + Became the blessed image, which its wings + Was moving, by so many counsels urged. + +Circling around it sang, and said: “As are + My notes to thee, who dost not comprehend them, + Such is the eternal judgment to you mortals.” + +Those lucent splendours of the Holy Spirit + Grew quiet then, but still within the standard + That made the Romans reverend to the world. + +It recommenced: “Unto this kingdom never + Ascended one who had not faith in Christ, + Before or since he to the tree was nailed. + +But look thou, many crying are, ‘Christ, Christ!’ + Who at the judgment shall be far less near + To him than some shall be who knew not Christ. + +Such Christians shall the Ethiop condemn, + When the two companies shall be divided, + The one for ever rich, the other poor. + +What to your kings may not the Persians say, + When they that volume opened shall behold + In which are written down all their dispraises? + +There shall be seen, among the deeds of Albert, + That which ere long shall set the pen in motion, + For which the realm of Prague shall be deserted. + +There shall be seen the woe that on the Seine + He brings by falsifying of the coin, + Who by the blow of a wild boar shall die. + +There shall be seen the pride that causes thirst, + Which makes the Scot and Englishman so mad + That they within their boundaries cannot rest; + +Be seen the luxury and effeminate life + Of him of Spain, and the Bohemian, + Who valour never knew and never wished; + +Be seen the Cripple of Jerusalem, + His goodness represented by an I, + While the reverse an M shall represent; + +Be seen the avarice and poltroonery + Of him who guards the Island of the Fire, + Wherein Anchises finished his long life; + +And to declare how pitiful he is + Shall be his record in contracted letters + Which shall make note of much in little space. + +And shall appear to each one the foul deeds + Of uncle and of brother who a nation + So famous have dishonoured, and two crowns. + +And he of Portugal and he of Norway + Shall there be known, and he of Rascia too, + Who saw in evil hour the coin of Venice. + +O happy Hungary, if she let herself + Be wronged no farther! and Navarre the happy, + If with the hills that gird her she be armed! + +And each one may believe that now, as hansel + Thereof, do Nicosia and Famagosta + Lament and rage because of their own beast, + +Who from the others’ flank departeth not.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XX + + +When he who all the world illuminates + Out of our hemisphere so far descends + That on all sides the daylight is consumed, + +The heaven, that erst by him alone was kindled, + Doth suddenly reveal itself again + By many lights, wherein is one resplendent. + +And came into my mind this act of heaven, + When the ensign of the world and of its leaders + Had silent in the blessed beak become; + +Because those living luminaries all, + By far more luminous, did songs begin + Lapsing and falling from my memory. + +O gentle Love, that with a smile dost cloak thee, + How ardent in those sparks didst thou appear, + That had the breath alone of holy thoughts! + +After the precious and pellucid crystals, + With which begemmed the sixth light I beheld, + Silence imposed on the angelic bells, + +I seemed to hear the murmuring of a river + That clear descendeth down from rock to rock, + Showing the affluence of its mountain-top. + +And as the sound upon the cithern’s neck + Taketh its form, and as upon the vent + Of rustic pipe the wind that enters it, + +Even thus, relieved from the delay of waiting, + That murmuring of the eagle mounted up + Along its neck, as if it had been hollow. + +There it became a voice, and issued thence + From out its beak, in such a form of words + As the heart waited for wherein I wrote them. + +“The part in me which sees and bears the sun + In mortal eagles,” it began to me, + “Now fixedly must needs be looked upon; + +For of the fires of which I make my figure, + Those whence the eye doth sparkle in my head + Of all their orders the supremest are. + +He who is shining in the midst as pupil + Was once the singer of the Holy Spirit, + Who bore the ark from city unto city; + +Now knoweth he the merit of his song, + In so far as effect of his own counsel, + By the reward which is commensurate. + +Of five, that make a circle for my brow, + He that approacheth nearest to my beak + Did the poor widow for her son console; + +Now knoweth he how dearly it doth cost + Not following Christ, by the experience + Of this sweet life and of its opposite. + +He who comes next in the circumference + Of which I speak, upon its highest arc, + Did death postpone by penitence sincere; + +Now knoweth he that the eternal judgment + Suffers no change, albeit worthy prayer + Maketh below to-morrow of to-day. + +The next who follows, with the laws and me, + Under the good intent that bore bad fruit + Became a Greek by ceding to the pastor; + +Now knoweth he how all the ill deduced + From his good action is not harmful to him, + Although the world thereby may be destroyed. + +And he, whom in the downward arc thou seest, + Guglielmo was, whom the same land deplores + That weepeth Charles and Frederick yet alive; + +Now knoweth he how heaven enamoured is + With a just king; and in the outward show + Of his effulgence he reveals it still. + +Who would believe, down in the errant world, + That e’er the Trojan Ripheus in this round + Could be the fifth one of the holy lights? + +Now knoweth he enough of what the world + Has not the power to see of grace divine, + Although his sight may not discern the bottom.” + +Like as a lark that in the air expatiates, + First singing and then silent with content + Of the last sweetness that doth satisfy her, + +Such seemed to me the image of the imprint + Of the eternal pleasure, by whose will + Doth everything become the thing it is. + +And notwithstanding to my doubt I was + As glass is to the colour that invests it, + To wait the time in silence it endured not, + +But forth from out my mouth, “What things are these?” + Extorted with the force of its own weight; + Whereat I saw great joy of coruscation. + +Thereafterward with eye still more enkindled + The blessed standard made to me reply, + To keep me not in wonderment suspended: + +“I see that thou believest in these things + Because I say them, but thou seest not how; + So that, although believed in, they are hidden. + +Thou doest as he doth who a thing by name + Well apprehendeth, but its quiddity + Cannot perceive, unless another show it. + +‘Regnum coelorum’ suffereth violence + From fervent love, and from that living hope + That overcometh the Divine volition; + +Not in the guise that man o’ercometh man, + But conquers it because it will be conquered, + And conquered conquers by benignity. + +The first life of the eyebrow and the fifth + Cause thee astonishment, because with them + Thou seest the region of the angels painted. + +They passed not from their bodies, as thou thinkest, + Gentiles, but Christians in the steadfast faith + Of feet that were to suffer and had suffered. + +For one from Hell, where no one e’er turns back + Unto good will, returned unto his bones, + And that of living hope was the reward,— + +Of living hope, that placed its efficacy + In prayers to God made to resuscitate him, + So that ’twere possible to move his will. + +The glorious soul concerning which I speak, + Returning to the flesh, where brief its stay, + Believed in Him who had the power to aid it; + +And, in believing, kindled to such fire + Of genuine love, that at the second death + Worthy it was to come unto this joy. + +The other one, through grace, that from so deep + A fountain wells that never hath the eye + Of any creature reached its primal wave, + +Set all his love below on righteousness; + Wherefore from grace to grace did God unclose + His eye to our redemption yet to be, + +Whence he believed therein, and suffered not + From that day forth the stench of paganism, + And he reproved therefor the folk perverse. + +Those Maidens three, whom at the right-hand wheel + Thou didst behold, were unto him for baptism + More than a thousand years before baptizing. + +O thou predestination, how remote + Thy root is from the aspect of all those + Who the First Cause do not behold entire! + +And you, O mortals! hold yourselves restrained + In judging; for ourselves, who look on God, + We do not know as yet all the elect; + +And sweet to us is such a deprivation, + Because our good in this good is made perfect, + That whatsoe’er God wills, we also will.” + +After this manner by that shape divine, + To make clear in me my short-sightedness, + Was given to me a pleasant medicine; + +And as good singer a good lutanist + Accompanies with vibrations of the chords, + Whereby more pleasantness the song acquires, + +So, while it spake, do I remember me + That I beheld both of those blessed lights, + Even as the winking of the eyes concords, + +Moving unto the words their little flames. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXI + + +Already on my Lady’s face mine eyes + Again were fastened, and with these my mind, + And from all other purpose was withdrawn; + +And she smiled not; but “If I were to smile,” + She unto me began, “thou wouldst become + Like Semele, when she was turned to ashes. + +Because my beauty, that along the stairs + Of the eternal palace more enkindles, + As thou hast seen, the farther we ascend, + +If it were tempered not, is so resplendent + That all thy mortal power in its effulgence + Would seem a leaflet that the thunder crushes. + +We are uplifted to the seventh splendour, + That underneath the burning Lion’s breast + Now radiates downward mingled with his power. + +Fix in direction of thine eyes the mind, + And make of them a mirror for the figure + That in this mirror shall appear to thee.” + +He who could know what was the pasturage + My sight had in that blessed countenance, + When I transferred me to another care, + +Would recognize how grateful was to me + Obedience unto my celestial escort, + By counterpoising one side with the other. + +Within the crystal which, around the world + Revolving, bears the name of its dear leader, + Under whom every wickedness lay dead, + +Coloured like gold, on which the sunshine gleams, + A stairway I beheld to such a height + Uplifted, that mine eye pursued it not. + +Likewise beheld I down the steps descending + So many splendours, that I thought each light + That in the heaven appears was there diffused. + +And as accordant with their natural custom + The rooks together at the break of day + Bestir themselves to warm their feathers cold; + +Then some of them fly off without return, + Others come back to where they started from, + And others, wheeling round, still keep at home; + +Such fashion it appeared to me was there + Within the sparkling that together came, + As soon as on a certain step it struck, + +And that which nearest unto us remained + Became so clear, that in my thought I said, + “Well I perceive the love thou showest me; + +But she, from whom I wait the how and when + Of speech and silence, standeth still; whence I + Against desire do well if I ask not.” + +She thereupon, who saw my silentness + In the sight of Him who seeth everything, + Said unto me, “Let loose thy warm desire.” + +And I began: “No merit of my own + Renders me worthy of response from thee; + But for her sake who granteth me the asking, + +Thou blessed life that dost remain concealed + In thy beatitude, make known to me + The cause which draweth thee so near my side; + +And tell me why is silent in this wheel + The dulcet symphony of Paradise, + That through the rest below sounds so devoutly.” + +“Thou hast thy hearing mortal as thy sight,” + It answer made to me; “they sing not here, + For the same cause that Beatrice has not smiled. + +Thus far adown the holy stairway’s steps + Have I descended but to give thee welcome + With words, and with the light that mantles me; + +Nor did more love cause me to be more ready, + For love as much and more up there is burning, + As doth the flaming manifest to thee. + +But the high charity, that makes us servants + Prompt to the counsel which controls the world, + Allotteth here, even as thou dost observe.” + +“I see full well,” said I, “O sacred lamp! + How love unfettered in this court sufficeth + To follow the eternal Providence; + +But this is what seems hard for me to see, + Wherefore predestinate wast thou alone + Unto this office from among thy consorts.” + +No sooner had I come to the last word, + Than of its middle made the light a centre, + Whirling itself about like a swift millstone. + +When answer made the love that was therein: + “On me directed is a light divine, + Piercing through this in which I am embosomed, + +Of which the virtue with my sight conjoined + Lifts me above myself so far, I see + The supreme essence from which this is drawn. + +Hence comes the joyfulness with which I flame, + For to my sight, as far as it is clear, + The clearness of the flame I equal make. + +But that soul in the heaven which is most pure, + That seraph which his eye on God most fixes, + Could this demand of thine not satisfy; + +Because so deeply sinks in the abyss + Of the eternal statute what thou askest, + From all created sight it is cut off. + +And to the mortal world, when thou returnest, + This carry back, that it may not presume + Longer tow’rd such a goal to move its feet. + +The mind, that shineth here, on earth doth smoke; + From this observe how can it do below + That which it cannot though the heaven assume it?” + +Such limit did its words prescribe to me, + The question I relinquished, and restricted + Myself to ask it humbly who it was. + +“Between two shores of Italy rise cliffs, + And not far distant from thy native place, + So high, the thunders far below them sound, + +And form a ridge that Catria is called, + ’Neath which is consecrate a hermitage + Wont to be dedicate to worship only.” + +Thus unto me the third speech recommenced, + And then, continuing, it said: “Therein + Unto God’s service I became so steadfast, + +That feeding only on the juice of olives + Lightly I passed away the heats and frosts, + Contented in my thoughts contemplative. + +That cloister used to render to these heavens + Abundantly, and now is empty grown, + So that perforce it soon must be revealed. + +I in that place was Peter Damiano; + And Peter the Sinner was I in the house + Of Our Lady on the Adriatic shore. + +Little of mortal life remained to me, + When I was called and dragged forth to the hat + Which shifteth evermore from bad to worse. + +Came Cephas, and the mighty Vessel came + Of the Holy Spirit, meagre and barefooted, + Taking the food of any hostelry. + +Now some one to support them on each side + The modern shepherds need, and some to lead them, + So heavy are they, and to hold their trains. + +They cover up their palfreys with their cloaks, + So that two beasts go underneath one skin; + O Patience, that dost tolerate so much!” + +At this voice saw I many little flames + From step to step descending and revolving, + And every revolution made them fairer. + +Round about this one came they and stood still, + And a cry uttered of so loud a sound, + It here could find no parallel, nor I + +Distinguished it, the thunder so o’ercame me. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXII + + +Oppressed with stupor, I unto my guide + Turned like a little child who always runs + For refuge there where he confideth most; + +And she, even as a mother who straightway + Gives comfort to her pale and breathless boy + With voice whose wont it is to reassure him, + +Said to me: “Knowest thou not thou art in heaven, + And knowest thou not that heaven is holy all + And what is done here cometh from good zeal? + +After what wise the singing would have changed thee + And I by smiling, thou canst now imagine, + Since that the cry has startled thee so much, + +In which if thou hadst understood its prayers + Already would be known to thee the vengeance + Which thou shalt look upon before thou diest. + +The sword above here smiteth not in haste + Nor tardily, howe’er it seem to him + Who fearing or desiring waits for it. + +But turn thee round towards the others now, + For very illustrious spirits shalt thou see, + If thou thy sight directest as I say.” + +As it seemed good to her mine eyes I turned, + And saw a hundred spherules that together + With mutual rays each other more embellished. + +I stood as one who in himself represses + The point of his desire, and ventures not + To question, he so feareth the too much. + +And now the largest and most luculent + Among those pearls came forward, that it might + Make my desire concerning it content. + +Within it then I heard: “If thou couldst see + Even as myself the charity that burns + Among us, thy conceits would be expressed; + +But, that by waiting thou mayst not come late + To the high end, I will make answer even + Unto the thought of which thou art so chary. + +That mountain on whose slope Cassino stands + Was frequented of old upon its summit + By a deluded folk and ill-disposed; + +And I am he who first up thither bore + The name of Him who brought upon the earth + The truth that so much sublimateth us. + +And such abundant grace upon me shone + That all the neighbouring towns I drew away + From the impious worship that seduced the world. + +These other fires, each one of them, were men + Contemplative, enkindled by that heat + Which maketh holy flowers and fruits spring up. + +Here is Macarius, here is Romualdus, + Here are my brethren, who within the cloisters + Their footsteps stayed and kept a steadfast heart.” + +And I to him: “The affection which thou showest + Speaking with me, and the good countenance + Which I behold and note in all your ardours, + +In me have so my confidence dilated + As the sun doth the rose, when it becomes + As far unfolded as it hath the power. + +Therefore I pray, and thou assure me, father, + If I may so much grace receive, that I + May thee behold with countenance unveiled.” + +He thereupon: “Brother, thy high desire + In the remotest sphere shall be fulfilled, + Where are fulfilled all others and my own. + +There perfect is, and ripened, and complete, + Every desire; within that one alone + Is every part where it has always been; + +For it is not in space, nor turns on poles, + And unto it our stairway reaches up, + Whence thus from out thy sight it steals away. + +Up to that height the Patriarch Jacob saw it + Extending its supernal part, what time + So thronged with angels it appeared to him. + +But to ascend it now no one uplifts + His feet from off the earth, and now my Rule + Below remaineth for mere waste of paper. + +The walls that used of old to be an Abbey + Are changed to dens of robbers, and the cowls + Are sacks filled full of miserable flour. + +But heavy usury is not taken up + So much against God’s pleasure as that fruit + Which maketh so insane the heart of monks; + +For whatsoever hath the Church in keeping + Is for the folk that ask it in God’s name, + Not for one’s kindred or for something worse. + +The flesh of mortals is so very soft, + That good beginnings down below suffice not + From springing of the oak to bearing acorns. + +Peter began with neither gold nor silver, + And I with orison and abstinence, + And Francis with humility his convent. + +And if thou lookest at each one’s beginning, + And then regardest whither he has run, + Thou shalt behold the white changed into brown. + +In verity the Jordan backward turned, + And the sea’s fleeing, when God willed were more + A wonder to behold, than succour here.” + +Thus unto me he said; and then withdrew + To his own band, and the band closed together; + Then like a whirlwind all was upward rapt. + +The gentle Lady urged me on behind them + Up o’er that stairway by a single sign, + So did her virtue overcome my nature; + +Nor here below, where one goes up and down + By natural law, was motion e’er so swift + That it could be compared unto my wing. + +Reader, as I may unto that devout + Triumph return, on whose account I often + For my transgressions weep and beat my breast,— + +Thou hadst not thrust thy finger in the fire + And drawn it out again, before I saw + The sign that follows Taurus, and was in it. + +O glorious stars, O light impregnated + With mighty virtue, from which I acknowledge + All of my genius, whatsoe’er it be, + +With you was born, and hid himself with you, + He who is father of all mortal life, + When first I tasted of the Tuscan air; + +And then when grace was freely given to me + To enter the high wheel which turns you round, + Your region was allotted unto me. + +To you devoutly at this hour my soul + Is sighing, that it virtue may acquire + For the stern pass that draws it to itself. + +“Thou art so near unto the last salvation,” + Thus Beatrice began, “thou oughtest now + To have thine eves unclouded and acute; + +And therefore, ere thou enter farther in, + Look down once more, and see how vast a world + Thou hast already put beneath thy feet; + +So that thy heart, as jocund as it may, + Present itself to the triumphant throng + That comes rejoicing through this rounded ether.” + +I with my sight returned through one and all + The sevenfold spheres, and I beheld this globe + Such that I smiled at its ignoble semblance; + +And that opinion I approve as best + Which doth account it least; and he who thinks + Of something else may truly be called just. + +I saw the daughter of Latona shining + Without that shadow, which to me was cause + That once I had believed her rare and dense. + +The aspect of thy son, Hyperion, + Here I sustained, and saw how move themselves + Around and near him Maia and Dione. + +Thence there appeared the temperateness of Jove + ’Twixt son and father, and to me was clear + The change that of their whereabout they make; + +And all the seven made manifest to me + How great they are, and eke how swift they are, + And how they are in distant habitations. + +The threshing-floor that maketh us so proud, + To me revolving with the eternal Twins, + Was all apparent made from hill to harbour! + +Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes I turned. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXIII + + +Even as a bird, ’mid the beloved leaves, + Quiet upon the nest of her sweet brood + Throughout the night, that hideth all things from us, + +Who, that she may behold their longed-for looks + And find the food wherewith to nourish them, + In which, to her, grave labours grateful are, + +Anticipates the time on open spray + And with an ardent longing waits the sun, + Gazing intent as soon as breaks the dawn: + +Even thus my Lady standing was, erect + And vigilant, turned round towards the zone + Underneath which the sun displays less haste; + +So that beholding her distraught and wistful, + Such I became as he is who desiring + For something yearns, and hoping is appeased. + +But brief the space from one When to the other; + Of my awaiting, say I, and the seeing + The welkin grow resplendent more and more. + +And Beatrice exclaimed: “Behold the hosts + Of Christ’s triumphal march, and all the fruit + Harvested by the rolling of these spheres!” + +It seemed to me her face was all aflame; + And eyes she had so full of ecstasy + That I must needs pass on without describing. + +As when in nights serene of the full moon + Smiles Trivia among the nymphs eternal + Who paint the firmament through all its gulfs, + +Saw I, above the myriads of lamps, + A Sun that one and all of them enkindled, + E’en as our own doth the supernal sights, + +And through the living light transparent shone + The lucent substance so intensely clear + Into my sight, that I sustained it not. + +O Beatrice, thou gentle guide and dear! + To me she said: “What overmasters thee + A virtue is from which naught shields itself. + +There are the wisdom and the omnipotence + That oped the thoroughfares ’twixt heaven and earth, + For which there erst had been so long a yearning.” + +As fire from out a cloud unlocks itself, + Dilating so it finds not room therein, + And down, against its nature, falls to earth, + +So did my mind, among those aliments + Becoming larger, issue from itself, + And that which it became cannot remember. + +“Open thine eyes, and look at what I am: + Thou hast beheld such things, that strong enough + Hast thou become to tolerate my smile.” + +I was as one who still retains the feeling + Of a forgotten vision, and endeavours + In vain to bring it back into his mind, + +When I this invitation heard, deserving + Of so much gratitude, it never fades + Out of the book that chronicles the past. + +If at this moment sounded all the tongues + That Polyhymnia and her sisters made + Most lubrical with their delicious milk, + +To aid me, to a thousandth of the truth + It would not reach, singing the holy smile + And how the holy aspect it illumed. + +And therefore, representing Paradise, + The sacred poem must perforce leap over, + Even as a man who finds his way cut off; + +But whoso thinketh of the ponderous theme, + And of the mortal shoulder laden with it, + Should blame it not, if under this it tremble. + +It is no passage for a little boat + This which goes cleaving the audacious prow, + Nor for a pilot who would spare himself. + +“Why doth my face so much enamour thee, + That to the garden fair thou turnest not, + Which under the rays of Christ is blossoming? + +There is the Rose in which the Word Divine + Became incarnate; there the lilies are + By whose perfume the good way was discovered.” + +Thus Beatrice; and I, who to her counsels + Was wholly ready, once again betook me + Unto the battle of the feeble brows. + +As in the sunshine, that unsullied streams + Through fractured cloud, ere now a meadow of flowers + Mine eyes with shadow covered o’er have seen, + +So troops of splendours manifold I saw + Illumined from above with burning rays, + Beholding not the source of the effulgence. + +O power benignant that dost so imprint them! + Thou didst exalt thyself to give more scope + There to mine eyes, that were not strong enough. + +The name of that fair flower I e’er invoke + Morning and evening utterly enthralled + My soul to gaze upon the greater fire. + +And when in both mine eyes depicted were + The glory and greatness of the living star + Which there excelleth, as it here excelled, + +Athwart the heavens a little torch descended + Formed in a circle like a coronal, + And cinctured it, and whirled itself about it. + +Whatever melody most sweetly soundeth + On earth, and to itself most draws the soul, + Would seem a cloud that, rent asunder, thunders, + +Compared unto the sounding of that lyre + Wherewith was crowned the sapphire beautiful, + Which gives the clearest heaven its sapphire hue. + +“I am Angelic Love, that circle round + The joy sublime which breathes from out the womb + That was the hostelry of our Desire; + +And I shall circle, Lady of Heaven, while + Thou followest thy Son, and mak’st diviner + The sphere supreme, because thou enterest there.” + +Thus did the circulated melody + Seal itself up; and all the other lights + Were making to resound the name of Mary. + +The regal mantle of the volumes all + Of that world, which most fervid is and living + With breath of God and with his works and ways, + +Extended over us its inner border, + So very distant, that the semblance of it + There where I was not yet appeared to me. + +Therefore mine eyes did not possess the power + Of following the incoronated flame, + Which mounted upward near to its own seed. + +And as a little child, that towards its mother + Stretches its arms, when it the milk has taken, + Through impulse kindled into outward flame, + +Each of those gleams of whiteness upward reached + So with its summit, that the deep affection + They had for Mary was revealed to me. + +Thereafter they remained there in my sight, + ‘Regina coeli’ singing with such sweetness, + That ne’er from me has the delight departed. + +O, what exuberance is garnered up + Within those richest coffers, which had been + Good husbandmen for sowing here below! + +There they enjoy and live upon the treasure + Which was acquired while weeping in the exile + Of Babylon, wherein the gold was left. + +There triumpheth, beneath the exalted Son + Of God and Mary, in his victory, + Both with the ancient council and the new, + +He who doth keep the keys of such a glory. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXIV + + +“O company elect to the great supper + Of the Lamb benedight, who feedeth you + So that for ever full is your desire, + +If by the grace of God this man foretaste + Something of that which falleth from your table, + Or ever death prescribe to him the time, + +Direct your mind to his immense desire, + And him somewhat bedew; ye drinking are + For ever at the fount whence comes his thought.” + +Thus Beatrice; and those souls beatified + Transformed themselves to spheres on steadfast poles, + Flaming intensely in the guise of comets. + +And as the wheels in works of horologes + Revolve so that the first to the beholder + Motionless seems, and the last one to fly, + +So in like manner did those carols, dancing + In different measure, of their affluence + Give me the gauge, as they were swift or slow. + +From that one which I noted of most beauty + Beheld I issue forth a fire so happy + That none it left there of a greater brightness; + +And around Beatrice three several times + It whirled itself with so divine a song, + My fantasy repeats it not to me; + +Therefore the pen skips, and I write it not, + Since our imagination for such folds, + Much more our speech, is of a tint too glaring. + +“O holy sister mine, who us implorest + With such devotion, by thine ardent love + Thou dost unbind me from that beautiful sphere!” + +Thereafter, having stopped, the blessed fire + Unto my Lady did direct its breath, + Which spake in fashion as I here have said. + +And she: “O light eterne of the great man + To whom our Lord delivered up the keys + He carried down of this miraculous joy, + +This one examine on points light and grave, + As good beseemeth thee, about the Faith + By means of which thou on the sea didst walk. + +If he love well, and hope well, and believe, + From thee ’tis hid not; for thou hast thy sight + There where depicted everything is seen. + +But since this kingdom has made citizens + By means of the true Faith, to glorify it + ’Tis well he have the chance to speak thereof.” + +As baccalaureate arms himself, and speaks not + Until the master doth propose the question, + To argue it, and not to terminate it, + +So did I arm myself with every reason, + While she was speaking, that I might be ready + For such a questioner and such profession. + +“Say, thou good Christian; manifest thyself; + What is the Faith?” Whereat I raised my brow + Unto that light wherefrom was this breathed forth. + +Then turned I round to Beatrice, and she + Prompt signals made to me that I should pour + The water forth from my internal fountain. + +“May grace, that suffers me to make confession,” + Began I, “to the great centurion, + Cause my conceptions all to be explicit!” + +And I continued: “As the truthful pen, + Father, of thy dear brother wrote of it, + Who put with thee Rome into the good way, + +Faith is the substance of the things we hope for, + And evidence of those that are not seen; + And this appears to me its quiddity.” + +Then heard I: “Very rightly thou perceivest, + If well thou understandest why he placed it + With substances and then with evidences.” + +And I thereafterward: “The things profound, + That here vouchsafe to me their apparition, + Unto all eyes below are so concealed, + +That they exist there only in belief, + Upon the which is founded the high hope, + And hence it takes the nature of a substance. + +And it behoveth us from this belief + To reason without having other sight, + And hence it has the nature of evidence.” + +Then heard I: “If whatever is acquired + Below by doctrine were thus understood, + No sophist’s subtlety would there find place.” + +Thus was breathed forth from that enkindled love; + Then added: “Very well has been gone over + Already of this coin the alloy and weight; + +But tell me if thou hast it in thy purse?” + And I: “Yes, both so shining and so round + That in its stamp there is no peradventure.” + +Thereafter issued from the light profound + That there resplendent was: “This precious jewel, + Upon the which is every virtue founded, + +Whence hadst thou it?” And I: “The large outpouring + Of Holy Spirit, which has been diffused + Upon the ancient parchments and the new, + +A syllogism is, which proved it to me + With such acuteness, that, compared therewith, + All demonstration seems to me obtuse.” + +And then I heard: “The ancient and the new + Postulates, that to thee are so conclusive, + Why dost thou take them for the word divine?” + +And I: “The proofs, which show the truth to me, + Are the works subsequent, whereunto Nature + Ne’er heated iron yet, nor anvil beat.” + +’Twas answered me: “Say, who assureth thee + That those works ever were? the thing itself + That must be proved, nought else to thee affirms it.” + +“Were the world to Christianity converted,” + I said, “withouten miracles, this one + Is such, the rest are not its hundredth part; + +Because that poor and fasting thou didst enter + Into the field to sow there the good plant, + Which was a vine and has become a thorn!” + +This being finished, the high, holy Court + Resounded through the spheres, “One God we praise!” + In melody that there above is chanted. + +And then that Baron, who from branch to branch, + Examining, had thus conducted me, + Till the extremest leaves we were approaching, + +Again began: “The Grace that dallying + Plays with thine intellect thy mouth has opened, + Up to this point, as it should opened be, + +So that I do approve what forth emerged; + But now thou must express what thou believest, + And whence to thy belief it was presented.” + +“O holy father, spirit who beholdest + What thou believedst so that thou o’ercamest, + Towards the sepulchre, more youthful feet,” + +Began I, “thou dost wish me in this place + The form to manifest of my prompt belief, + And likewise thou the cause thereof demandest. + +And I respond: In one God I believe, + Sole and eterne, who moveth all the heavens + With love and with desire, himself unmoved; + +And of such faith not only have I proofs + Physical and metaphysical, but gives them + Likewise the truth that from this place rains down + +Through Moses, through the Prophets and the Psalms, + Through the Evangel, and through you, who wrote + After the fiery Spirit sanctified you; + +In Persons three eterne believe, and these + One essence I believe, so one and trine + They bear conjunction both with ‘sunt’ and ‘est.’ + +With the profound condition and divine + Which now I touch upon, doth stamp my mind + Ofttimes the doctrine evangelical. + +This the beginning is, this is the spark + Which afterwards dilates to vivid flame, + And, like a star in heaven, is sparkling in me.” + +Even as a lord who hears what pleaseth him + His servant straight embraces, gratulating + For the good news as soon as he is silent; + +So, giving me its benediction, singing, + Three times encircled me, when I was silent, + The apostolic light, at whose command + +I spoken had, in speaking I so pleased him. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXV + + +If e’er it happen that the Poem Sacred, + To which both heaven and earth have set their hand, + So that it many a year hath made me lean, + +O’ercome the cruelty that bars me out + From the fair sheepfold, where a lamb I slumbered, + An enemy to the wolves that war upon it, + +With other voice forthwith, with other fleece + Poet will I return, and at my font + Baptismal will I take the laurel crown; + +Because into the Faith that maketh known + All souls to God there entered I, and then + Peter for her sake thus my brow encircled. + +Thereafterward towards us moved a light + Out of that band whence issued the first-fruits + Which of his vicars Christ behind him left, + +And then my Lady, full of ecstasy, + Said unto me: “Look, look! behold the Baron + For whom below Galicia is frequented.” + +In the same way as, when a dove alights + Near his companion, both of them pour forth, + Circling about and murmuring, their affection, + +So one beheld I by the other grand + Prince glorified to be with welcome greeted, + Lauding the food that there above is eaten. + +But when their gratulations were complete, + Silently ‘coram me’ each one stood still, + So incandescent it o’ercame my sight. + +Smiling thereafterwards, said Beatrice: + “Illustrious life, by whom the benefactions + Of our Basilica have been described, + +Make Hope resound within this altitude; + Thou knowest as oft thou dost personify it + As Jesus to the three gave greater clearness.”— + +“Lift up thy head, and make thyself assured; + For what comes hither from the mortal world + Must needs be ripened in our radiance.” + +This comfort came to me from the second fire; + Wherefore mine eyes I lifted to the hills, + Which bent them down before with too great weight. + +“Since, through his grace, our Emperor wills that thou + Shouldst find thee face to face, before thy death, + In the most secret chamber, with his Counts, + +So that, the truth beholden of this court, + Hope, which below there rightfully enamours, + Thereby thou strengthen in thyself and others, + +Say what it is, and how is flowering with it + Thy mind, and say from whence it came to thee.” + Thus did the second light again continue. + +And the Compassionate, who piloted + The plumage of my wings in such high flight, + Did in reply anticipate me thus: + +“No child whatever the Church Militant + Of greater hope possesses, as is written + In that Sun which irradiates all our band; + +Therefore it is conceded him from Egypt + To come into Jerusalem to see, + Or ever yet his warfare be completed. + +The two remaining points, that not for knowledge + Have been demanded, but that he report + How much this virtue unto thee is pleasing, + +To him I leave; for hard he will not find them, + Nor of self-praise; and let him answer them; + And may the grace of God in this assist him!” + +As a disciple, who his teacher follows, + Ready and willing, where he is expert, + That his proficiency may be displayed, + +“Hope,” said I, “is the certain expectation + Of future glory, which is the effect + Of grace divine and merit precedent. + +From many stars this light comes unto me; + But he instilled it first into my heart + Who was chief singer unto the chief captain. + +‘Sperent in te,’ in the high Theody + He sayeth, ‘those who know thy name;’ and who + Knoweth it not, if he my faith possess? + +Thou didst instil me, then, with his instilling + In the Epistle, so that I am full, + And upon others rain again your rain.” + +While I was speaking, in the living bosom + Of that combustion quivered an effulgence, + Sudden and frequent, in the guise of lightning; + +Then breathed: “The love wherewith I am inflamed + Towards the virtue still which followed me + Unto the palm and issue of the field, + +Wills that I breathe to thee that thou delight + In her; and grateful to me is thy telling + Whatever things Hope promises to thee.” + +And I: “The ancient Scriptures and the new + The mark establish, and this shows it me, + Of all the souls whom God hath made his friends. + +Isaiah saith, that each one garmented + In his own land shall be with twofold garments, + And his own land is this delightful life. + +Thy brother, too, far more explicitly, + There where he treateth of the robes of white, + This revelation manifests to us.” + +And first, and near the ending of these words, + “Sperent in te” from over us was heard, + To which responsive answered all the carols. + +Thereafterward a light among them brightened, + So that, if Cancer one such crystal had, + Winter would have a month of one sole day. + +And as uprises, goes, and enters the dance + A winsome maiden, only to do honour + To the new bride, and not from any failing, + +Even thus did I behold the brightened splendour + Approach the two, who in a wheel revolved + As was beseeming to their ardent love. + +Into the song and music there it entered; + And fixed on them my Lady kept her look, + Even as a bride silent and motionless. + +“This is the one who lay upon the breast + Of him our Pelican; and this is he + To the great office from the cross elected.” + +My Lady thus; but therefore none the more + Did move her sight from its attentive gaze + Before or afterward these words of hers. + +Even as a man who gazes, and endeavours + To see the eclipsing of the sun a little, + And who, by seeing, sightless doth become, + +So I became before that latest fire, + While it was said, “Why dost thou daze thyself + To see a thing which here hath no existence? + +Earth in the earth my body is, and shall be + With all the others there, until our number + With the eternal proposition tallies. + +With the two garments in the blessed cloister + Are the two lights alone that have ascended: + And this shalt thou take back into your world.” + +And at this utterance the flaming circle + Grew quiet, with the dulcet intermingling + Of sound that by the trinal breath was made, + +As to escape from danger or fatigue + The oars that erst were in the water beaten + Are all suspended at a whistle’s sound. + +Ah, how much in my mind was I disturbed, + When I turned round to look on Beatrice, + That her I could not see, although I was + +Close at her side and in the Happy World! + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXVI + + +While I was doubting for my vision quenched, + Out of the flame refulgent that had quenched it + Issued a breathing, that attentive made me, + +Saying: “While thou recoverest the sense + Of seeing which in me thou hast consumed, + ’Tis well that speaking thou shouldst compensate it. + +Begin then, and declare to what thy soul + Is aimed, and count it for a certainty, + Sight is in thee bewildered and not dead; + +Because the Lady, who through this divine + Region conducteth thee, has in her look + The power the hand of Ananias had.” + +I said: “As pleaseth her, or soon or late + Let the cure come to eyes that portals were + When she with fire I ever burn with entered. + +The Good, that gives contentment to this Court, + The Alpha and Omega is of all + The writing that love reads me low or loud.” + +The selfsame voice, that taken had from me + The terror of the sudden dazzlement, + To speak still farther put it in my thought; + +And said: “In verity with finer sieve + Behoveth thee to sift; thee it behoveth + To say who aimed thy bow at such a target.” + +And I: “By philosophic arguments, + And by authority that hence descends, + Such love must needs imprint itself in me; + +For Good, so far as good, when comprehended + Doth straight enkindle love, and so much greater + As more of goodness in itself it holds; + +Then to that Essence (whose is such advantage + That every good which out of it is found + Is nothing but a ray of its own light) + +More than elsewhither must the mind be moved + Of every one, in loving, who discerns + The truth in which this evidence is founded. + +Such truth he to my intellect reveals + Who demonstrates to me the primal love + Of all the sempiternal substances. + +The voice reveals it of the truthful Author, + Who says to Moses, speaking of Himself, + ‘I will make all my goodness pass before thee.’ + +Thou too revealest it to me, beginning + The loud Evangel, that proclaims the secret + Of heaven to earth above all other edict.” + +And I heard say: “By human intellect + And by authority concordant with it, + Of all thy loves reserve for God the highest. + +But say again if other cords thou feelest, + Draw thee towards Him, that thou mayst proclaim + With how many teeth this love is biting thee.” + +The holy purpose of the Eagle of Christ + Not latent was, nay, rather I perceived + Whither he fain would my profession lead. + +Therefore I recommenced: “All of those bites + Which have the power to turn the heart to God + Unto my charity have been concurrent. + +The being of the world, and my own being, + The death which He endured that I may live, + And that which all the faithful hope, as I do, + +With the forementioned vivid consciousness + Have drawn me from the sea of love perverse, + And of the right have placed me on the shore. + +The leaves, wherewith embowered is all the garden + Of the Eternal Gardener, do I love + As much as he has granted them of good.” + +As soon as I had ceased, a song most sweet + Throughout the heaven resounded, and my Lady + Said with the others, “Holy, holy, holy!” + +And as at some keen light one wakes from sleep + By reason of the visual spirit that runs + Unto the splendour passed from coat to coat, + +And he who wakes abhorreth what he sees, + So all unconscious is his sudden waking, + Until the judgment cometh to his aid, + +So from before mine eyes did Beatrice + Chase every mote with radiance of her own, + That cast its light a thousand miles and more. + +Whence better after than before I saw, + And in a kind of wonderment I asked + About a fourth light that I saw with us. + +And said my Lady: “There within those rays + Gazes upon its Maker the first soul + That ever the first virtue did create.” + +Even as the bough that downward bends its top + At transit of the wind, and then is lifted + By its own virtue, which inclines it upward, + +Likewise did I, the while that she was speaking, + Being amazed, and then I was made bold + By a desire to speak wherewith I burned. + +And I began: “O apple, that mature + Alone hast been produced, O ancient father, + To whom each wife is daughter and daughter-in-law, + +Devoutly as I can I supplicate thee + That thou wouldst speak to me; thou seest my wish; + And I, to hear thee quickly, speak it not.” + +Sometimes an animal, when covered, struggles + So that his impulse needs must be apparent, + By reason of the wrappage following it; + +And in like manner the primeval soul + Made clear to me athwart its covering + How jubilant it was to give me pleasure. + +Then breathed: “Without thy uttering it to me, + Thine inclination better I discern + Than thou whatever thing is surest to thee; + +For I behold it in the truthful mirror, + That of Himself all things parhelion makes, + And none makes Him parhelion of itself. + +Thou fain wouldst hear how long ago God placed me + Within the lofty garden, where this Lady + Unto so long a stairway thee disposed. + +And how long to mine eyes it was a pleasure, + And of the great disdain the proper cause, + And the language that I used and that I made. + +Now, son of mine, the tasting of the tree + Not in itself was cause of so great exile, + But solely the o’erstepping of the bounds. + +There, whence thy Lady moved Virgilius, + Four thousand and three hundred and two circuits + Made by the sun, this Council I desired; + +And him I saw return to all the lights + Of his highway nine hundred times and thirty, + Whilst I upon the earth was tarrying. + +The language that I spake was quite extinct + Before that in the work interminable + The people under Nimrod were employed; + +For nevermore result of reasoning + (Because of human pleasure that doth change, + Obedient to the heavens) was durable. + +A natural action is it that man speaks; + But whether thus or thus, doth nature leave + To your own art, as seemeth best to you. + +Ere I descended to the infernal anguish, + ‘El’ was on earth the name of the Chief Good, + From whom comes all the joy that wraps me round + +‘Eli’ he then was called, and that is proper, + Because the use of men is like a leaf + On bough, which goeth and another cometh. + +Upon the mount that highest o’er the wave + Rises was I, in life or pure or sinful, + From the first hour to that which is the second, + +As the sun changes quadrant, to the sixth.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXVII + + +“Glory be to the Father, to the Son, + And Holy Ghost!” all Paradise began, + So that the melody inebriate made me. + +What I beheld seemed unto me a smile + Of the universe; for my inebriation + Found entrance through the hearing and the sight. + +O joy! O gladness inexpressible! + O perfect life of love and peacefulness! + O riches without hankering secure! + +Before mine eyes were standing the four torches + Enkindled, and the one that first had come + Began to make itself more luminous; + +And even such in semblance it became + As Jupiter would become, if he and Mars + Were birds, and they should interchange their feathers. + +That Providence, which here distributeth + Season and service, in the blessed choir + Had silence upon every side imposed. + +When I heard say: “If I my colour change, + Marvel not at it; for while I am speaking + Thou shalt behold all these their colour change. + +He who usurps upon the earth my place, + My place, my place, which vacant has become + Before the presence of the Son of God, + +Has of my cemetery made a sewer + Of blood and stench, whereby the Perverse One, + Who fell from here, below there is appeased!” + +With the same colour which, through sun adverse, + Painteth the clouds at evening or at morn, + Beheld I then the whole of heaven suffused. + +And as a modest woman, who abides + Sure of herself, and at another’s failing, + From listening only, timorous becomes, + +Even thus did Beatrice change countenance; + And I believe in heaven was such eclipse, + When suffered the supreme Omnipotence; + +Thereafterward proceeded forth his words + With voice so much transmuted from itself, + The very countenance was not more changed. + +“The spouse of Christ has never nurtured been + On blood of mine, of Linus and of Cletus, + To be made use of in acquest of gold; + +But in acquest of this delightful life + Sixtus and Pius, Urban and Calixtus, + After much lamentation, shed their blood. + +Our purpose was not, that on the right hand + Of our successors should in part be seated + The Christian folk, in part upon the other; + +Nor that the keys which were to me confided + Should e’er become the escutcheon on a banner, + That should wage war on those who are baptized; + +Nor I be made the figure of a seal + To privileges venal and mendacious, + Whereat I often redden and flash with fire. + +In garb of shepherds the rapacious wolves + Are seen from here above o’er all the pastures! + O wrath of God, why dost thou slumber still? + +To drink our blood the Caorsines and Gascons + Are making ready. O thou good beginning, + Unto how vile an end must thou needs fall! + +But the high Providence, that with Scipio + At Rome the glory of the world defended, + Will speedily bring aid, as I conceive; + +And thou, my son, who by thy mortal weight + Shalt down return again, open thy mouth; + What I conceal not, do not thou conceal.” + +As with its frozen vapours downward falls + In flakes our atmosphere, what time the horn + Of the celestial Goat doth touch the sun, + +Upward in such array saw I the ether + Become, and flaked with the triumphant vapours, + Which there together with us had remained. + +My sight was following up their semblances, + And followed till the medium, by excess, + The passing farther onward took from it; + +Whereat the Lady, who beheld me freed + From gazing upward, said to me: “Cast down + Thy sight, and see how far thou art turned round.” + +Since the first time that I had downward looked, + I saw that I had moved through the whole arc + Which the first climate makes from midst to end; + +So that I saw the mad track of Ulysses + Past Gades, and this side, well nigh the shore + Whereon became Europa a sweet burden. + +And of this threshing-floor the site to me + Were more unveiled, but the sun was proceeding + Under my feet, a sign and more removed. + +My mind enamoured, which is dallying + At all times with my Lady, to bring back + To her mine eyes was more than ever ardent. + +And if or Art or Nature has made bait + To catch the eyes and so possess the mind, + In human flesh or in its portraiture, + +All joined together would appear as nought + To the divine delight which shone upon me + When to her smiling face I turned me round. + +The virtue that her look endowed me with + From the fair nest of Leda tore me forth, + And up into the swiftest heaven impelled me. + +Its parts exceeding full of life and lofty + Are all so uniform, I cannot say + Which Beatrice selected for my place. + +But she, who was aware of my desire, + Began, the while she smiled so joyously + That God seemed in her countenance to rejoice: + +“The nature of that motion, which keeps quiet + The centre and all the rest about it moves, + From hence begins as from its starting point. + +And in this heaven there is no other Where + Than in the Mind Divine, wherein is kindled + The love that turns it, and the power it rains. + +Within a circle light and love embrace it, + Even as this doth the others, and that precinct + He who encircles it alone controls. + +Its motion is not by another meted, + But all the others measured are by this, + As ten is by the half and by the fifth. + +And in what manner time in such a pot + May have its roots, and in the rest its leaves, + Now unto thee can manifest be made. + +O Covetousness, that mortals dost ingulf + Beneath thee so, that no one hath the power + Of drawing back his eyes from out thy waves! + +Full fairly blossoms in mankind the will; + But the uninterrupted rain converts + Into abortive wildings the true plums. + +Fidelity and innocence are found + Only in children; afterwards they both + Take flight or e’er the cheeks with down are covered. + +One, while he prattles still, observes the fasts, + Who, when his tongue is loosed, forthwith devours + Whatever food under whatever moon; + +Another, while he prattles, loves and listens + Unto his mother, who when speech is perfect + Forthwith desires to see her in her grave. + +Even thus is swarthy made the skin so white + In its first aspect of the daughter fair + Of him who brings the morn, and leaves the night. + +Thou, that it may not be a marvel to thee, + Think that on earth there is no one who governs; + Whence goes astray the human family. + +Ere January be unwintered wholly + By the centesimal on earth neglected, + Shall these supernal circles roar so loud + +The tempest that has been so long awaited + Shall whirl the poops about where are the prows; + So that the fleet shall run its course direct, + +And the true fruit shall follow on the flower.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXVIII + + +After the truth against the present life + Of miserable mortals was unfolded + By her who doth imparadise my mind, + +As in a looking-glass a taper’s flame + He sees who from behind is lighted by it, + Before he has it in his sight or thought, + +And turns him round to see if so the glass + Tell him the truth, and sees that it accords + Therewith as doth a music with its metre, + +In similar wise my memory recollecteth + That I did, looking into those fair eyes, + Of which Love made the springes to ensnare me. + +And as I turned me round, and mine were touched + By that which is apparent in that volume, + Whenever on its gyre we gaze intent, + +A point beheld I, that was raying out + Light so acute, the sight which it enkindles + Must close perforce before such great acuteness. + +And whatsoever star seems smallest here + Would seem to be a moon, if placed beside it. + As one star with another star is placed. + +Perhaps at such a distance as appears + A halo cincturing the light that paints it, + When densest is the vapour that sustains it, + +Thus distant round the point a circle of fire + So swiftly whirled, that it would have surpassed + Whatever motion soonest girds the world; + +And this was by another circumcinct, + That by a third, the third then by a fourth, + By a fifth the fourth, and then by a sixth the fifth; + +The seventh followed thereupon in width + So ample now, that Juno’s messenger + Entire would be too narrow to contain it. + +Even so the eighth and ninth; and every one + More slowly moved, according as it was + In number distant farther from the first. + +And that one had its flame most crystalline + From which less distant was the stainless spark, + I think because more with its truth imbued. + +My Lady, who in my anxiety + Beheld me much perplexed, said: “From that point + Dependent is the heaven and nature all. + +Behold that circle most conjoined to it, + And know thou, that its motion is so swift + Through burning love whereby it is spurred on.” + +And I to her: “If the world were arranged + In the order which I see in yonder wheels, + What’s set before me would have satisfied me; + +But in the world of sense we can perceive + That evermore the circles are diviner + As they are from the centre more remote + +Wherefore if my desire is to be ended + In this miraculous and angelic temple, + That has for confines only love and light, + +To hear behoves me still how the example + And the exemplar go not in one fashion, + Since for myself in vain I contemplate it.” + +“If thine own fingers unto such a knot + Be insufficient, it is no great wonder, + So hard hath it become for want of trying.” + +My Lady thus; then said she: “Do thou take + What I shall tell thee, if thou wouldst be sated, + And exercise on that thy subtlety. + +The circles corporal are wide and narrow + According to the more or less of virtue + Which is distributed through all their parts. + +The greater goodness works the greater weal, + The greater weal the greater body holds, + If perfect equally are all its parts. + +Therefore this one which sweeps along with it + The universe sublime, doth correspond + Unto the circle which most loves and knows. + +On which account, if thou unto the virtue + Apply thy measure, not to the appearance + Of substances that unto thee seem round, + +Thou wilt behold a marvellous agreement, + Of more to greater, and of less to smaller, + In every heaven, with its Intelligence.” + +Even as remaineth splendid and serene + The hemisphere of air, when Boreas + Is blowing from that cheek where he is mildest, + +Because is purified and resolved the rack + That erst disturbed it, till the welkin laughs + With all the beauties of its pageantry; + +Thus did I likewise, after that my Lady + Had me provided with her clear response, + And like a star in heaven the truth was seen. + +And soon as to a stop her words had come, + Not otherwise does iron scintillate + When molten, than those circles scintillated. + +Their coruscation all the sparks repeated, + And they so many were, their number makes + More millions than the doubling of the chess. + +I heard them sing hosanna choir by choir + To the fixed point which holds them at the ‘Ubi,’ + And ever will, where they have ever been. + +And she, who saw the dubious meditations + Within my mind, “The primal circles,” said, + “Have shown thee Seraphim and Cherubim. + +Thus rapidly they follow their own bonds, + To be as like the point as most they can, + And can as far as they are high in vision. + +Those other Loves, that round about them go, + Thrones of the countenance divine are called, + Because they terminate the primal Triad. + +And thou shouldst know that they all have delight + As much as their own vision penetrates + The Truth, in which all intellect finds rest. + +From this it may be seen how blessedness + Is founded in the faculty which sees, + And not in that which loves, and follows next; + +And of this seeing merit is the measure, + Which is brought forth by grace, and by good will; + Thus on from grade to grade doth it proceed. + +The second Triad, which is germinating + In such wise in this sempiternal spring, + That no nocturnal Aries despoils, + +Perpetually hosanna warbles forth + With threefold melody, that sounds in three + Orders of joy, with which it is intrined. + +The three Divine are in this hierarchy, + First the Dominions, and the Virtues next; + And the third order is that of the Powers. + +Then in the dances twain penultimate + The Principalities and Archangels wheel; + The last is wholly of angelic sports. + +These orders upward all of them are gazing, + And downward so prevail, that unto God + They all attracted are and all attract. + +And Dionysius with so great desire + To contemplate these Orders set himself, + He named them and distinguished them as I do. + +But Gregory afterwards dissented from him; + Wherefore, as soon as he unclosed his eyes + Within this heaven, he at himself did smile. + +And if so much of secret truth a mortal + Proffered on earth, I would not have thee marvel, + For he who saw it here revealed it to him, + +With much more of the truth about these circles.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXIX + + +At what time both the children of Latona, + Surmounted by the Ram and by the Scales, + Together make a zone of the horizon, + +As long as from the time the zenith holds them + In equipoise, till from that girdle both + Changing their hemisphere disturb the balance, + +So long, her face depicted with a smile, + Did Beatrice keep silence while she gazed + Fixedly at the point which had o’ercome me. + +Then she began: “I say, and I ask not + What thou dost wish to hear, for I have seen it + Where centres every When and every ‘Ubi.’ + +Not to acquire some good unto himself, + Which is impossible, but that his splendour + In its resplendency may say, ‘Subsisto,’ + +In his eternity outside of time, + Outside all other limits, as it pleased him, + Into new Loves the Eternal Love unfolded. + +Nor as if torpid did he lie before; + For neither after nor before proceeded + The going forth of God upon these waters. + +Matter and Form unmingled and conjoined + Came into being that had no defect, + E’en as three arrows from a three-stringed bow. + +And as in glass, in amber, or in crystal + A sunbeam flashes so, that from its coming + To its full being is no interval, + +So from its Lord did the triform effect + Ray forth into its being all together, + Without discrimination of beginning. + +Order was con-created and constructed + In substances, and summit of the world + Were those wherein the pure act was produced. + +Pure potentiality held the lowest part; + Midway bound potentiality with act + Such bond that it shall never be unbound. + +Jerome has written unto you of angels + Created a long lapse of centuries + Or ever yet the other world was made; + +But written is this truth in many places + By writers of the Holy Ghost, and thou + Shalt see it, if thou lookest well thereat. + +And even reason seeth it somewhat, + For it would not concede that for so long + Could be the motors without their perfection. + +Now dost thou know both where and when these Loves + Created were, and how; so that extinct + In thy desire already are three fires. + +Nor could one reach, in counting, unto twenty + So swiftly, as a portion of these angels + Disturbed the subject of your elements. + +The rest remained, and they began this art + Which thou discernest, with so great delight + That never from their circling do they cease. + +The occasion of the fall was the accursed + Presumption of that One, whom thou hast seen + By all the burden of the world constrained. + +Those whom thou here beholdest modest were + To recognise themselves as of that goodness + Which made them apt for so much understanding; + +On which account their vision was exalted + By the enlightening grace and their own merit, + So that they have a full and steadfast will. + +I would not have thee doubt, but certain be, + ’Tis meritorious to receive this grace, + According as the affection opens to it. + +Now round about in this consistory + Much mayst thou contemplate, if these my words + Be gathered up, without all further aid. + +But since upon the earth, throughout your schools, + They teach that such is the angelic nature + That it doth hear, and recollect, and will, + +More will I say, that thou mayst see unmixed + The truth that is confounded there below, + Equivocating in such like prelections. + +These substances, since in God’s countenance + They jocund were, turned not away their sight + From that wherefrom not anything is hidden; + +Hence they have not their vision intercepted + By object new, and hence they do not need + To recollect, through interrupted thought. + +So that below, not sleeping, people dream, + Believing they speak truth, and not believing; + And in the last is greater sin and shame. + +Below you do not journey by one path + Philosophising; so transporteth you + Love of appearance and the thought thereof. + +And even this above here is endured + With less disdain, than when is set aside + The Holy Writ, or when it is distorted. + +They think not there how much of blood it costs + To sow it in the world, and how he pleases + Who in humility keeps close to it. + +Each striveth for appearance, and doth make + His own inventions; and these treated are + By preachers, and the Evangel holds its peace. + +One sayeth that the moon did backward turn, + In the Passion of Christ, and interpose herself + So that the sunlight reached not down below; + +And lies; for of its own accord the light + Hid itself; whence to Spaniards and to Indians, + As to the Jews, did such eclipse respond. + +Florence has not so many Lapi and Bindi + As fables such as these, that every year + Are shouted from the pulpit back and forth, + +In such wise that the lambs, who do not know, + Come back from pasture fed upon the wind, + And not to see the harm doth not excuse them. + +Christ did not to his first disciples say, + ‘Go forth, and to the world preach idle tales,’ + But unto them a true foundation gave; + +And this so loudly sounded from their lips, + That, in the warfare to enkindle Faith, + They made of the Evangel shields and lances. + +Now men go forth with jests and drolleries + To preach, and if but well the people laugh, + The hood puffs out, and nothing more is asked. + +But in the cowl there nestles such a bird, + That, if the common people were to see it, + They would perceive what pardons they confide in, + +For which so great on earth has grown the folly, + That, without proof of any testimony, + To each indulgence they would flock together. + +By this Saint Anthony his pig doth fatten, + And many others, who are worse than pigs, + Paying in money without mark of coinage. + +But since we have digressed abundantly, + Turn back thine eyes forthwith to the right path, + So that the way be shortened with the time. + +This nature doth so multiply itself + In numbers, that there never yet was speech + Nor mortal fancy that can go so far. + +And if thou notest that which is revealed + By Daniel, thou wilt see that in his thousands + Number determinate is kept concealed. + +The primal light, that all irradiates it, + By modes as many is received therein, + As are the splendours wherewith it is mated. + +Hence, inasmuch as on the act conceptive + The affection followeth, of love the sweetness + Therein diversely fervid is or tepid. + +The height behold now and the amplitude + Of the eternal power, since it hath made + Itself so many mirrors, where ’tis broken, + +One in itself remaining as before.” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXX + + +Perchance six thousand miles remote from us + Is glowing the sixth hour, and now this world + Inclines its shadow almost to a level, + +When the mid-heaven begins to make itself + So deep to us, that here and there a star + Ceases to shine so far down as this depth, + +And as advances bright exceedingly + The handmaid of the sun, the heaven is closed + Light after light to the most beautiful; + +Not otherwise the Triumph, which for ever + Plays round about the point that vanquished me, + Seeming enclosed by what itself encloses, + +Little by little from my vision faded; + Whereat to turn mine eyes on Beatrice + My seeing nothing and my love constrained me. + +If what has hitherto been said of her + Were all concluded in a single praise, + Scant would it be to serve the present turn. + +Not only does the beauty I beheld + Transcend ourselves, but truly I believe + Its Maker only may enjoy it all. + +Vanquished do I confess me by this passage + More than by problem of his theme was ever + O’ercome the comic or the tragic poet; + +For as the sun the sight that trembles most, + Even so the memory of that sweet smile + My mind depriveth of its very self. + +From the first day that I beheld her face + In this life, to the moment of this look, + The sequence of my song has ne’er been severed; + +But now perforce this sequence must desist + From following her beauty with my verse, + As every artist at his uttermost. + +Such as I leave her to a greater fame + Than any of my trumpet, which is bringing + Its arduous matter to a final close, + +With voice and gesture of a perfect leader + She recommenced: “We from the greatest body + Have issued to the heaven that is pure light; + +Light intellectual replete with love, + Love of true good replete with ecstasy, + Ecstasy that transcendeth every sweetness. + +Here shalt thou see the one host and the other + Of Paradise, and one in the same aspects + Which at the final judgment thou shalt see.” + +Even as a sudden lightning that disperses + The visual spirits, so that it deprives + The eye of impress from the strongest objects, + +Thus round about me flashed a living light, + And left me swathed around with such a veil + Of its effulgence, that I nothing saw. + +“Ever the Love which quieteth this heaven + Welcomes into itself with such salute, + To make the candle ready for its flame.” + +No sooner had within me these brief words + An entrance found, than I perceived myself + To be uplifted over my own power, + +And I with vision new rekindled me, + Such that no light whatever is so pure + But that mine eyes were fortified against it. + +And light I saw in fashion of a river + Fulvid with its effulgence, ’twixt two banks + Depicted with an admirable Spring. + +Out of this river issued living sparks, + And on all sides sank down into the flowers, + Like unto rubies that are set in gold; + +And then, as if inebriate with the odours, + They plunged again into the wondrous torrent, + And as one entered issued forth another. + +“The high desire, that now inflames and moves thee + To have intelligence of what thou seest, + Pleaseth me all the more, the more it swells. + +But of this water it behoves thee drink + Before so great a thirst in thee be slaked.” + Thus said to me the sunshine of mine eyes; + +And added: “The river and the topazes + Going in and out, and the laughing of the herbage, + Are of their truth foreshadowing prefaces; + +Not that these things are difficult in themselves, + But the deficiency is on thy side, + For yet thou hast not vision so exalted.” + +There is no babe that leaps so suddenly + With face towards the milk, if he awake + Much later than his usual custom is, + +As I did, that I might make better mirrors + Still of mine eyes, down stooping to the wave + Which flows that we therein be better made. + +And even as the penthouse of mine eyelids + Drank of it, it forthwith appeared to me + Out of its length to be transformed to round. + +Then as a folk who have been under masks + Seem other than before, if they divest + The semblance not their own they disappeared in, + +Thus into greater pomp were changed for me + The flowerets and the sparks, so that I saw + Both of the Courts of Heaven made manifest. + +O splendour of God! by means of which I saw + The lofty triumph of the realm veracious, + Give me the power to say how it I saw! + +There is a light above, which visible + Makes the Creator unto every creature, + Who only in beholding Him has peace, + +And it expands itself in circular form + To such extent, that its circumference + Would be too large a girdle for the sun. + +The semblance of it is all made of rays + Reflected from the top of Primal Motion, + Which takes therefrom vitality and power. + +And as a hill in water at its base + Mirrors itself, as if to see its beauty + When affluent most in verdure and in flowers, + +So, ranged aloft all round about the light, + Mirrored I saw in more ranks than a thousand + All who above there have from us returned. + +And if the lowest row collect within it + So great a light, how vast the amplitude + Is of this Rose in its extremest leaves! + +My vision in the vastness and the height + Lost not itself, but comprehended all + The quantity and quality of that gladness. + +There near and far nor add nor take away; + For there where God immediately doth govern, + The natural law in naught is relevant. + +Into the yellow of the Rose Eternal + That spreads, and multiplies, and breathes an odour + Of praise unto the ever-vernal Sun, + +As one who silent is and fain would speak, + Me Beatrice drew on, and said: “Behold + Of the white stoles how vast the convent is! + +Behold how vast the circuit of our city! + Behold our seats so filled to overflowing, + That here henceforward are few people wanting! + +On that great throne whereon thine eyes are fixed + For the crown’s sake already placed upon it, + Before thou suppest at this wedding feast + +Shall sit the soul (that is to be Augustus + On earth) of noble Henry, who shall come + To redress Italy ere she be ready. + +Blind covetousness, that casts its spell upon you, + Has made you like unto the little child, + Who dies of hunger and drives off the nurse. + +And in the sacred forum then shall be + A Prefect such, that openly or covert + On the same road he will not walk with him. + +But long of God he will not be endured + In holy office; he shall be thrust down + Where Simon Magus is for his deserts, + +And make him of Alagna lower go!” + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXXI + + +In fashion then as of a snow-white rose + Displayed itself to me the saintly host, + Whom Christ in his own blood had made his bride, + +But the other host, that flying sees and sings + The glory of Him who doth enamour it, + And the goodness that created it so noble, + +Even as a swarm of bees, that sinks in flowers + One moment, and the next returns again + To where its labour is to sweetness turned, + +Sank into the great flower, that is adorned + With leaves so many, and thence reascended + To where its love abideth evermore. + +Their faces had they all of living flame, + And wings of gold, and all the rest so white + No snow unto that limit doth attain. + +From bench to bench, into the flower descending, + They carried something of the peace and ardour + Which by the fanning of their flanks they won. + +Nor did the interposing ’twixt the flower + And what was o’er it of such plenitude + Of flying shapes impede the sight and splendour; + +Because the light divine so penetrates + The universe, according to its merit, + That naught can be an obstacle against it. + +This realm secure and full of gladsomeness, + Crowded with ancient people and with modern, + Unto one mark had all its look and love. + +O Trinal Light, that in a single star + Sparkling upon their sight so satisfies them, + Look down upon our tempest here below! + +If the barbarians, coming from some region + That every day by Helice is covered, + Revolving with her son whom she delights in, + +Beholding Rome and all her noble works, + Were wonder-struck, what time the Lateran + Above all mortal things was eminent,— + +I who to the divine had from the human, + From time unto eternity, had come, + From Florence to a people just and sane, + +With what amazement must I have been filled! + Truly between this and the joy, it was + My pleasure not to hear, and to be mute. + +And as a pilgrim who delighteth him + In gazing round the temple of his vow, + And hopes some day to retell how it was, + +So through the living light my way pursuing + Directed I mine eyes o’er all the ranks, + Now up, now down, and now all round about. + +Faces I saw of charity persuasive, + Embellished by His light and their own smile, + And attitudes adorned with every grace. + +The general form of Paradise already + My glance had comprehended as a whole, + In no part hitherto remaining fixed, + +And round I turned me with rekindled wish + My Lady to interrogate of things + Concerning which my mind was in suspense. + +One thing I meant, another answered me; + I thought I should see Beatrice, and saw + An Old Man habited like the glorious people. + +O’erflowing was he in his eyes and cheeks + With joy benign, in attitude of pity + As to a tender father is becoming. + +And “She, where is she?” instantly I said; + Whence he: “To put an end to thy desire, + Me Beatrice hath sent from mine own place. + +And if thou lookest up to the third round + Of the first rank, again shalt thou behold her + Upon the throne her merits have assigned her.” + +Without reply I lifted up mine eyes, + And saw her, as she made herself a crown + Reflecting from herself the eternal rays. + +Not from that region which the highest thunders + Is any mortal eye so far removed, + In whatsoever sea it deepest sinks, + +As there from Beatrice my sight; but this + Was nothing unto me; because her image + Descended not to me by medium blurred. + +“O Lady, thou in whom my hope is strong, + And who for my salvation didst endure + In Hell to leave the imprint of thy feet, + +Of whatsoever things I have beheld, + As coming from thy power and from thy goodness + I recognise the virtue and the grace. + +Thou from a slave hast brought me unto freedom, + By all those ways, by all the expedients, + Whereby thou hadst the power of doing it. + +Preserve towards me thy magnificence, + So that this soul of mine, which thou hast healed, + Pleasing to thee be loosened from the body.” + +Thus I implored; and she, so far away, + Smiled, as it seemed, and looked once more at me; + Then unto the eternal fountain turned. + +And said the Old Man holy: “That thou mayst + Accomplish perfectly thy journeying, + Whereunto prayer and holy love have sent me, + +Fly with thine eyes all round about this garden; + For seeing it will discipline thy sight + Farther to mount along the ray divine. + +And she, the Queen of Heaven, for whom I burn + Wholly with love, will grant us every grace, + Because that I her faithful Bernard am.” + +As he who peradventure from Croatia + Cometh to gaze at our Veronica, + Who through its ancient fame is never sated, + +But says in thought, the while it is displayed, + “My Lord, Christ Jesus, God of very God, + Now was your semblance made like unto this?” + +Even such was I while gazing at the living + Charity of the man, who in this world + By contemplation tasted of that peace. + +“Thou son of grace, this jocund life,” began he, + “Will not be known to thee by keeping ever + Thine eyes below here on the lowest place; + +But mark the circles to the most remote, + Until thou shalt behold enthroned the Queen + To whom this realm is subject and devoted.” + +I lifted up mine eyes, and as at morn + The oriental part of the horizon + Surpasses that wherein the sun goes down, + +Thus, as if going with mine eyes from vale + To mount, I saw a part in the remoteness + Surpass in splendour all the other front. + +And even as there where we await the pole + That Phaeton drove badly, blazes more + The light, and is on either side diminished, + +So likewise that pacific oriflamme + Gleamed brightest in the centre, and each side + In equal measure did the flame abate. + +And at that centre, with their wings expanded, + More than a thousand jubilant Angels saw I, + Each differing in effulgence and in kind. + +I saw there at their sports and at their songs + A beauty smiling, which the gladness was + Within the eyes of all the other saints; + +And if I had in speaking as much wealth + As in imagining, I should not dare + To attempt the smallest part of its delight. + +Bernard, as soon as he beheld mine eyes + Fixed and intent upon its fervid fervour, + His own with such affection turned to her + +That it made mine more ardent to behold. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXXII + + +Absorbed in his delight, that contemplator + Assumed the willing office of a teacher, + And gave beginning to these holy words: + +“The wound that Mary closed up and anointed, + She at her feet who is so beautiful, + She is the one who opened it and pierced it. + +Within that order which the third seats make + Is seated Rachel, lower than the other, + With Beatrice, in manner as thou seest. + +Sarah, Rebecca, Judith, and her who was + Ancestress of the Singer, who for dole + Of the misdeed said, ‘Miserere mei,’ + +Canst thou behold from seat to seat descending + Down in gradation, as with each one’s name + I through the Rose go down from leaf to leaf. + +And downward from the seventh row, even as + Above the same, succeed the Hebrew women, + Dividing all the tresses of the flower; + +Because, according to the view which Faith + In Christ had taken, these are the partition + By which the sacred stairways are divided. + +Upon this side, where perfect is the flower + With each one of its petals, seated are + Those who believed in Christ who was to come. + +Upon the other side, where intersected + With vacant spaces are the semicircles, + Are those who looked to Christ already come. + +And as, upon this side, the glorious seat + Of the Lady of Heaven, and the other seats + Below it, such a great division make, + +So opposite doth that of the great John, + Who, ever holy, desert and martyrdom + Endured, and afterwards two years in Hell. + +And under him thus to divide were chosen + Francis, and Benedict, and Augustine, + And down to us the rest from round to round. + +Behold now the high providence divine; + For one and other aspect of the Faith + In equal measure shall this garden fill. + +And know that downward from that rank which cleaves + Midway the sequence of the two divisions, + Not by their proper merit are they seated; + +But by another’s under fixed conditions; + For these are spirits one and all assoiled + Before they any true election had. + +Well canst thou recognise it in their faces, + And also in their voices puerile, + If thou regard them well and hearken to them. + +Now doubtest thou, and doubting thou art silent; + But I will loosen for thee the strong bond + In which thy subtile fancies hold thee fast. + +Within the amplitude of this domain + No casual point can possibly find place, + No more than sadness can, or thirst, or hunger; + +For by eternal law has been established + Whatever thou beholdest, so that closely + The ring is fitted to the finger here. + +And therefore are these people, festinate + Unto true life, not ‘sine causa’ here + More and less excellent among themselves. + +The King, by means of whom this realm reposes + In so great love and in so great delight + That no will ventureth to ask for more, + +In his own joyous aspect every mind + Creating, at his pleasure dowers with grace + Diversely; and let here the effect suffice. + +And this is clearly and expressly noted + For you in Holy Scripture, in those twins + Who in their mother had their anger roused. + +According to the colour of the hair, + Therefore, with such a grace the light supreme + Consenteth that they worthily be crowned. + +Without, then, any merit of their deeds, + Stationed are they in different gradations, + Differing only in their first acuteness. + +’Tis true that in the early centuries, + With innocence, to work out their salvation + Sufficient was the faith of parents only. + +After the earlier ages were completed, + Behoved it that the males by circumcision + Unto their innocent wings should virtue add; + +But after that the time of grace had come + Without the baptism absolute of Christ, + Such innocence below there was retained. + +Look now into the face that unto Christ + Hath most resemblance; for its brightness only + Is able to prepare thee to see Christ.” + +On her did I behold so great a gladness + Rain down, borne onward in the holy minds + Created through that altitude to fly, + +That whatsoever I had seen before + Did not suspend me in such admiration, + Nor show me such similitude of God. + +And the same Love that first descended there, + “Ave Maria, gratia plena,” singing, + In front of her his wings expanded wide. + +Unto the canticle divine responded + From every part the court beatified, + So that each sight became serener for it. + +“O holy father, who for me endurest + To be below here, leaving the sweet place + In which thou sittest by eternal lot, + +Who is the Angel that with so much joy + Into the eyes is looking of our Queen, + Enamoured so that he seems made of fire?” + +Thus I again recourse had to the teaching + Of that one who delighted him in Mary + As doth the star of morning in the sun. + +And he to me: “Such gallantry and grace + As there can be in Angel and in soul, + All is in him; and thus we fain would have it; + +Because he is the one who bore the palm + Down unto Mary, when the Son of God + To take our burden on himself decreed. + +But now come onward with thine eyes, as I + Speaking shall go, and note the great patricians + Of this most just and merciful of empires. + +Those two that sit above there most enrapture + As being very near unto Augusta, + Are as it were the two roots of this Rose. + +He who upon the left is near her placed + The father is, by whose audacious taste + The human species so much bitter tastes. + +Upon the right thou seest that ancient father + Of Holy Church, into whose keeping Christ + The keys committed of this lovely flower. + +And he who all the evil days beheld, + Before his death, of her the beauteous bride + Who with the spear and with the nails was won, + +Beside him sits, and by the other rests + That leader under whom on manna lived + The people ingrate, fickle, and stiff-necked. + +Opposite Peter seest thou Anna seated, + So well content to look upon her daughter, + Her eyes she moves not while she sings Hosanna. + +And opposite the eldest household father + Lucia sits, she who thy Lady moved + When to rush downward thou didst bend thy brows. + +But since the moments of thy vision fly, + Here will we make full stop, as a good tailor + Who makes the gown according to his cloth, + +And unto the first Love will turn our eyes, + That looking upon Him thou penetrate + As far as possible through his effulgence. + +Truly, lest peradventure thou recede, + Moving thy wings believing to advance, + By prayer behoves it that grace be obtained; + +Grace from that one who has the power to aid thee; + And thou shalt follow me with thy affection + That from my words thy heart turn not aside.” + +And he began this holy orison. + + + + +Paradiso: Canto XXXIII + + +“Thou Virgin Mother, daughter of thy Son, + Humble and high beyond all other creature, + The limit fixed of the eternal counsel, + +Thou art the one who such nobility + To human nature gave, that its Creator + Did not disdain to make himself its creature. + +Within thy womb rekindled was the love, + By heat of which in the eternal peace + After such wise this flower has germinated. + +Here unto us thou art a noonday torch + Of charity, and below there among mortals + Thou art the living fountain-head of hope. + +Lady, thou art so great, and so prevailing, + That he who wishes grace, nor runs to thee, + His aspirations without wings would fly. + +Not only thy benignity gives succour + To him who asketh it, but oftentimes + Forerunneth of its own accord the asking. + +In thee compassion is, in thee is pity, + In thee magnificence; in thee unites + Whate’er of goodness is in any creature. + +Now doth this man, who from the lowest depth + Of the universe as far as here has seen + One after one the spiritual lives, + +Supplicate thee through grace for so much power + That with his eyes he may uplift himself + Higher towards the uttermost salvation. + +And I, who never burned for my own seeing + More than I do for his, all of my prayers + Proffer to thee, and pray they come not short, + +That thou wouldst scatter from him every cloud + Of his mortality so with thy prayers, + That the Chief Pleasure be to him displayed. + +Still farther do I pray thee, Queen, who canst + Whate’er thou wilt, that sound thou mayst preserve + After so great a vision his affections. + +Let thy protection conquer human movements; + See Beatrice and all the blessed ones + My prayers to second clasp their hands to thee!” + +The eyes beloved and revered of God, + Fastened upon the speaker, showed to us + How grateful unto her are prayers devout; + +Then unto the Eternal Light they turned, + On which it is not credible could be + By any creature bent an eye so clear. + +And I, who to the end of all desires + Was now approaching, even as I ought + The ardour of desire within me ended. + +Bernard was beckoning unto me, and smiling, + That I should upward look; but I already + Was of my own accord such as he wished; + +Because my sight, becoming purified, + Was entering more and more into the ray + Of the High Light which of itself is true. + +From that time forward what I saw was greater + Than our discourse, that to such vision yields, + And yields the memory unto such excess. + +Even as he is who seeth in a dream, + And after dreaming the imprinted passion + Remains, and to his mind the rest returns not, + +Even such am I, for almost utterly + Ceases my vision, and distilleth yet + Within my heart the sweetness born of it; + +Even thus the snow is in the sun unsealed, + Even thus upon the wind in the light leaves + Were the soothsayings of the Sibyl lost. + +O Light Supreme, that dost so far uplift thee + From the conceits of mortals, to my mind + Of what thou didst appear re-lend a little, + +And make my tongue of so great puissance, + That but a single sparkle of thy glory + It may bequeath unto the future people; + +For by returning to my memory somewhat, + And by a little sounding in these verses, + More of thy victory shall be conceived! + +I think the keenness of the living ray + Which I endured would have bewildered me, + If but mine eyes had been averted from it; + +And I remember that I was more bold + On this account to bear, so that I joined + My aspect with the Glory Infinite. + +O grace abundant, by which I presumed + To fix my sight upon the Light Eternal, + So that the seeing I consumed therein! + +I saw that in its depth far down is lying + Bound up with love together in one volume, + What through the universe in leaves is scattered; + +Substance, and accident, and their operations, + All interfused together in such wise + That what I speak of is one simple light. + +The universal fashion of this knot + Methinks I saw, since more abundantly + In saying this I feel that I rejoice. + +One moment is more lethargy to me, + Than five and twenty centuries to the emprise + That startled Neptune with the shade of Argo! + +My mind in this wise wholly in suspense, + Steadfast, immovable, attentive gazed, + And evermore with gazing grew enkindled. + +In presence of that light one such becomes, + That to withdraw therefrom for other prospect + It is impossible he e’er consent; + +Because the good, which object is of will, + Is gathered all in this, and out of it + That is defective which is perfect there. + +Shorter henceforward will my language fall + Of what I yet remember, than an infant’s + Who still his tongue doth moisten at the breast. + +Not because more than one unmingled semblance + Was in the living light on which I looked, + For it is always what it was before; + +But through the sight, that fortified itself + In me by looking, one appearance only + To me was ever changing as I changed. + +Within the deep and luminous subsistence + Of the High Light appeared to me three circles, + Of threefold colour and of one dimension, + +And by the second seemed the first reflected + As Iris is by Iris, and the third + Seemed fire that equally from both is breathed. + +O how all speech is feeble and falls short + Of my conceit, and this to what I saw + Is such, ’tis not enough to call it little! + +O Light Eterne, sole in thyself that dwellest, + Sole knowest thyself, and, known unto thyself + And knowing, lovest and smilest on thyself! + +That circulation, which being thus conceived + Appeared in thee as a reflected light, + When somewhat contemplated by mine eyes, + +Within itself, of its own very colour + Seemed to me painted with our effigy, + Wherefore my sight was all absorbed therein. + +As the geometrician, who endeavours + To square the circle, and discovers not, + By taking thought, the principle he wants, + +Even such was I at that new apparition; + I wished to see how the image to the circle + Conformed itself, and how it there finds place; + +But my own wings were not enough for this, + Had it not been that then my mind there smote + A flash of lightning, wherein came its wish. + +Here vigour failed the lofty fantasy: + But now was turning my desire and will, + Even as a wheel that equally is moved, + +The Love which moves the sun and the other stars. + + + + +APPENDIX + + +SIX SONNETS ON DANTE’S DIVINE COMEDY BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW +(1807-1882) + + +I + +Oft have I seen at some cathedral door + A laborer, pausing in the dust and heat, + Lay down his burden, and with reverent feet + Enter, and cross himself, and on the floor +Kneel to repeat his paternoster o’er; + Far off the noises of the world retreat; + The loud vociferations of the street + Become an undistinguishable roar. +So, as I enter here from day to day, + And leave my burden at this minster gate, + Kneeling in prayer, and not ashamed to pray, +The tumult of the time disconsolate + To inarticulate murmurs dies away, + While the eternal ages watch and wait. + + +II + +How strange the sculptures that adorn these towers! + This crowd of statues, in whose folded sleeves + Birds build their nests; while canopied with leaves + Parvis and portal bloom like trellised bowers, +And the vast minster seems a cross of flowers! + But fiends and dragons on the gargoyled eaves + Watch the dead Christ between the living thieves, + And, underneath, the traitor Judas lowers! +Ah! from what agonies of heart and brain, + What exultations trampling on despair, + What tenderness, what tears, what hate of wrong, +What passionate outcry of a soul in pain, + Uprose this poem of the earth and air, + This mediaeval miracle of song! + + +III + +I enter, and I see thee in the gloom + Of the long aisles, O poet saturnine! + And strive to make my steps keep pace with thine. + The air is filled with some unknown perfume; +The congregation of the dead make room + For thee to pass; the votive tapers shine; + Like rooks that haunt Ravenna’s groves of pine, + The hovering echoes fly from tomb to tomb. +From the confessionals I hear arise + Rehearsals of forgotten tragedies, + And lamentations from the crypts below +And then a voice celestial that begins + With the pathetic words, “Although your sins + As scarlet be,” and ends with “as the snow.” + + +IV + +With snow-white veil, and garments as of flame, + She stands before thee, who so long ago + Filled thy young heart with passion and the woe + From which thy song in all its splendors came; +And while with stern rebuke she speaks thy name, + The ice about thy heart melts as the snow + On mountain heights, and in swift overflow + Comes gushing from thy lips in sobs of shame. +Thou makest full confession; and a gleam + As of the dawn on some dark forest cast, + Seems on thy lifted forehead to increase; +Lethe and Eunoe—the remembered dream + And the forgotten sorrow—bring at last + That perfect pardon which is perfect peace. + + +V + +I Lift mine eyes, and all the windows blaze + With forms of saints and holy men who died, + Here martyred and hereafter glorified; + And the great Rose upon its leaves displays +Christ’s Triumph, and the angelic roundelays, + With splendor upon splendor multiplied; + And Beatrice again at Dante’s side + No more rebukes, but smiles her words of praise. +And then the organ sounds, and unseen choirs + Sing the old Latin hymns of peace and love + And benedictions of the Holy Ghost; +And the melodious bells among the spires + O’er all the house-tops and through heaven above + Proclaim the elevation of the Host! + + +VI + +O star of morning and of liberty! + O bringer of the light, whose splendor shines + Above the darkness of the Apennines, + Forerunner of the day that is to be! +The voices of the city and the sea, + The voices of the mountains and the pines, + Repeat thy song, till the familiar lines + Are footpaths for the thought of Italy! +Thy fame is blown abroad from all the heights, + Through all the nations; and a sound is heard, + As of a mighty wind, and men devout, +Strangers of Rome, and the new proselytes, + In their own language hear thy wondrous word, + And many are amazed and many doubt. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1003 *** |