To his requesting. I have spoken thus, That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask’d For wisdom, to the end he might be king
Sufficient: not the number to search out Of the celestial movers; or to know,
If necessary with contingent e’er
Have made necessity; or whether that Be granted, that first motion is; or if
Of the mid circle can, by art, be made Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp.
“Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this, Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn, At which the dart of my intention aims.
And, marking clearly, that I told thee, ‘Risen,’ Thou shalt discern it only hath respect
To kings, of whom are many, and the good Are rare. With this distinction take my words; And they may well consist with that which thou Of the first human father dost believe,
And of our well-beloved. And let this Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make Thee slow in motion, as a weary man,
Both to the ‘yea’ and to the ‘nay’ thou seest not. For he among the fools is down full low, Whose affirmation, or denial, is
Without distinction, in each case alike Since it befalls, that in most instances Current opinion leads to false: and then Affection bends the judgment to her ply.
“Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore, Since he returns not such as he set forth, Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill. And open proofs of this unto the world
Have been afforded in Parmenides,
Melissus, Bryso, and the crowd beside, Who journey’d on, and knew not whither: so did Sabellius, Arius, and the other fools,
Who, like to scymitars, reflected back The scripture-image, by distortion marr’d.
“Let not the people be too swift to judge, As one who reckons on the blades in field, Or ere the crop be ripe. For I have seen The thorn frown rudely all the winter long And after bear the rose upon its top;
And bark, that all the way across the sea Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last, E’en in the haven’s mouth seeing one steal, Another brine, his offering to the priest, Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence Into heav’n’s counsels deem that they can pry: For one of these may rise, the other fall.”
CANTO XIV
From centre to the circle, and so back From circle to the centre, water moves
In the round chalice, even as the blow Impels it, inwardly, or from without.
Such was the image glanc’d into my mind, As the great spirit of Aquinum ceas’d;
And Beatrice after him her words
Resum’d alternate: “Need there is (tho’ yet He tells it to you not in words, nor e’en In thought) that he should fathom to its depth Another mystery. Tell him, if the light, Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you Eternally, as now: and, if it doth,
How, when ye shall regain your visible forms, The sight may without harm endure the change, That also tell.” As those, who in a ring Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound; Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit, The saintly circles in their tourneying
And wond’rous note attested new delight.
Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb Of frail mortality, thenceforth to live
Immortally above, he hath not seen
The sweet refreshing, of that heav’nly shower.
Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns In mystic union of the Three in One,
Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice Sang, with such melody, as but to hear
For highest merit were an ample meed. And from the lesser orb the goodliest light, With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps The angel’s once to Mary, thus replied:
“Long as the joy of Paradise shall last, Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright, As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest; And that as far in blessedness exceeding, As it hath grave beyond its virtue great. Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire, Show yet more gracious. Therefore shall increase, Whate’er of light, gratuitous, imparts
The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid, The better disclose his glory: whence
The vision needs increasing, much increase The fervour, which it kindles; and that too The ray, that comes from it. But as the greed Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines More lively than that, and so preserves
Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem, Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth Now covers. Nor will such excess of light O’erpower us, in corporeal organs made
Firm, and susceptible of all delight.”
So ready and so cordial an “Amen,”
Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear, Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov’d, Ere they were made imperishable flame.
And lo! forthwith there rose up round about A lustre over that already there,
Of equal clearness, like the brightening up Of the horizon. As at an evening hour
Of twilight, new appearances through heav’n Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried; So there new substances, methought began To rise in view; and round the other twain Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide.
O gentle glitter of eternal beam!
With what a such whiteness did it flow, O’erpowering vision in me! But so fair,
So passing lovely, Beatrice show’d, Mind cannot follow it, nor words express Her infinite sweetness. Thence mine eyes regain’d Power to look up, and I beheld myself,
Sole with my lady, to more lofty bliss Translated: for the star, with warmer smile Impurpled, well denoted our ascent.
With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks The same in all, an holocaust I made
To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf’d. And from my bosom had not yet upsteam’d
The fuming of that incense, when I knew The rite accepted. With such mighty sheen And mantling crimson, in two listed rays The splendours shot before me, that I cried, “God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!”
As leads the galaxy from pole to pole, Distinguish’d into greater lights and less, Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell; So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars, Those rays describ’d the venerable sign, That quadrants in the round conjoining frame. Here memory mocks the toil of genius. Christ Beam’d on that cross; and pattern fails me now. But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ Will pardon me for that I leave untold,
When in the flecker’d dawning he shall spy The glitterance of Christ. From horn to horn, And ‘tween the summit and the base did move Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass’d. Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance, Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow, The atomies of bodies, long or short,
To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line Checkers the shadow, interpos’d by art
Against the noontide heat. And as the chime Of minstrel music, dulcimer, and help
With many strings, a pleasant dining makes To him, who heareth not distinct the note; So from the lights, which there appear’d to me, Gather’d along the cross a melody,
That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment Possess’d me. Yet I mark’d it was a hymn Of lofty praises; for there came to me
“Arise and conquer,” as to one who hears And comprehends not. Me such ecstasy
O’ercame, that never till that hour was thing That held me in so sweet imprisonment.
Perhaps my saying over bold appears,
Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes, Whereon to look fulfilleth all desire.
But he, who is aware those living seals Of every beauty work with quicker force, The higher they are ris’n; and that there I had not turn’d me to them; he may well Excuse me that, whereof in my excuse
I do accuse me, and may own my truth; That holy pleasure here not yet reveal’d, Which grows in transport as we mount aloof.
CANTO XV
True love, that ever shows itself as clear In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong, Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still’d The sacred chords, that are by heav’n’s right hand Unwound and tighten’d, flow to righteous prayers Should they not hearken, who, to give me will For praying, in accordance thus were mute? He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief, Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not, Despoils himself forever of that love.
As oft along the still and pure serene, At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire, Attracting with involuntary heed
The eye to follow it, erewhile at rest, And seems some star that shifted place in heav’n, Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost, And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn, That on the dexter of the cross extends, Down to its foot, one luminary ran
From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem Dropp’d from its foil; and through the beamy list Like flame in alabaster, glow’d its course.
So forward stretch’d him (if of credence aught Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost Of old Anchises, in the’ Elysian bower,
When he perceiv’d his son. “O thou, my blood! O most exceeding grace divine! to whom,
As now to thee, hath twice the heav’nly gate Been e’er unclos’d?” so spake the light; whence I Turn’d me toward him; then unto my dame
My sight directed, and on either side Amazement waited me; for in her eyes
Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine Had div’d unto the bottom of my grace
And of my bliss in Paradise. Forthwith To hearing and to sight grateful alike,
The spirit to his proem added things I understood not, so profound he spake;
Yet not of choice but through necessity Mysterious; for his high conception scar’d Beyond the mark of mortals. When the flight Of holy transport had so spent its rage, That nearer to the level of our thought
The speech descended, the first sounds I heard Were, “Best he thou, Triunal Deity!
That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf’d!” Then follow’d: “No unpleasant thirst, tho’ long, Which took me reading in the sacred book, Whose leaves or white or dusky never change, Thou hast allay’d, my son, within this light, From whence my voice thou hear’st; more thanks to her. Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes Begirt thee. Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me From him transmitted, who is first of all, E’en as all numbers ray from unity;
And therefore dost not ask me who I am, Or why to thee more joyous I appear,
Than any other in this gladsome throng. The truth is as thou deem’st; for in this hue Both less and greater in that mirror look, In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think’st, are shown. But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever, Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire, May be contended fully, let thy voice,
Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish, Whereto my ready answer stands decreed.”
I turn’d me to Beatrice; and she heard Ere I had spoken, smiling, an assent,
That to my will gave wings; and I began “To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn’d The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells, Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt; For that they are so equal in the sun,
From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat, As makes all likeness scant. But will and means, In mortals, for the cause ye well discern, With unlike wings are fledge. A mortal I Experience inequality like this,
And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart, For thy paternal greeting. This howe’er
I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm’st This precious jewel, let me hear thy name.”
“I am thy root, O leaf! whom to expect Even, hath pleas’d me:” thus the prompt reply Prefacing, next it added; “he, of whom
Thy kindred appellation comes, and who, These hundred years and more, on its first ledge Hath circuited the mountain, was my son
And thy great grandsire. Well befits, his long Endurance should be shorten’d by thy deeds.
“Florence, within her ancient limit-mark, Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon, Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace. She had no armlets and no head-tires then, No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye More than the person did. Time was not yet, When at his daughter’s birth the sire grew pale. For fear the age and dowry should exceed On each side just proportion. House was none Void of its family; nor yet had come
Hardanapalus, to exhibit feats
Of chamber prowess. Montemalo yet
O’er our suburban turret rose; as much To be surpass in fall, as in its rising. I saw Bellincione Berti walk abroad
In leathern girdle and a clasp of bone; And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks, His lady leave the glass. The sons I saw Of Nerli and of Vecchio well content
With unrob’d jerkin; and their good dames handling The spindle and the flax; O happy they!
Each sure of burial in her native land, And none left desolate a-bed for France! One wak’d to tend the cradle, hushing it With sounds that lull’d the parent’s infancy: Another, with her maidens, drawing off
The tresses from the distaff, lectur’d them Old tales of Troy and Fesole and Rome.
A Salterello and Cianghella we
Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would A Cincinnatus or Cornelia now.
“In such compos’d and seemly fellowship, Such faithful and such fair equality,
In so sweet household, Mary at my birth Bestow’d me, call’d on with loud cries; and there In your old baptistery, I was made
Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were My brethren, Eliseo and Moronto.
“From Valdipado came to me my spouse, And hence thy surname grew. I follow’d then The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he Did gird on me; in such good part he took My valiant service. After him I went
To testify against that evil law,
Whose people, by the shepherd’s fault, possess Your right, usurping. There, by that foul crew Was I releas’d from the deceitful world, Whose base affection many a spirit soils, And from the martyrdom came to this peace.”
CANTO XVI
O slight respect of man’s nobility!
I never shall account it marvelous, That our infirm affection here below
Thou mov’st to boasting, when I could not choose, E’en in that region of unwarp’d desire,
In heav’n itself, but make my vaunt in thee! Yet cloak thou art soon shorten’d, for that time, Unless thou be eked out from day to day, Goes round thee with his shears. Resuming then With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear, But since hath disaccustom’d I began;
And Beatrice, that a little space
Was sever’d, smil’d reminding me of her, Whose cough embolden’d (as the story holds) To first offence the doubting Guenever.
“You are my sire,” said I, “you give me heart Freely to speak my thought: above myself You raise me. Through so many streams with joy My soul is fill’d, that gladness wells from it; So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not Say then, my honour’d stem! what ancestors Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark’d In your first childhood? Tell me of the fold, That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then Its state, and who in it were highest seated?”
As embers, at the breathing of the wind, Their flame enliven, so that light I saw Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet, Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith It answer’d: “From the day, when it was said ‘Hail Virgin!’ to the throes, by which my mother, Who now is sainted, lighten’d her of me
Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come, Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams To reilumine underneath the foot
Of its own lion. They, of whom I sprang, And I, had there our birth-place, where the last Partition of our city first is reach’d
By him, that runs her annual game. Thus much Suffice of my forefathers: who they were, And whence they hither came, more honourable It is to pass in silence than to tell.
All those, who in that time were there from Mars Until the Baptist, fit to carry arms,
Were but the fifth of them this day alive. But then the citizen’s blood, that now is mix’d From Campi and Certaldo and Fighine,
Ran purely through the last mechanic’s veins. O how much better were it, that these people Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound’ry, Than to have them within, and bear the stench Of Aguglione’s hind, and Signa’s, him,
That hath his eye already keen for bart’ring! Had not the people, which of all the world Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar, But, as a mother, gracious to her son;
Such one, as hath become a Florentine, And trades and traffics, had been turn’d adrift To Simifonte, where his grandsire ply’d
The beggar’s craft. The Conti were possess’d Of Montemurlo still: the Cerchi still
Were in Acone’s parish; nor had haply From Valdigrieve past the Buondelmonte.
The city’s malady hath ever source
In the confusion of its persons, as The body’s, in variety of food:
And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge, Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword Doth more and better execution,
Than five. Mark Luni, Urbisaglia mark, How they are gone, and after them how go Chiusi and Sinigaglia; and ‘t will seem
No longer new or strange to thee to hear, That families fail, when cities have their end. All things, that appertain t’ ye, like yourselves, Are mortal: but mortality in some
Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you Pass by so suddenly. And as the moon
Doth, by the rolling of her heav’nly sphere, Hide and reveal the strand unceasingly;
So fortune deals with Florence. Hence admire not At what of them I tell thee, whose renown Time covers, the first Florentines. I saw The Ughi, Catilini and Filippi,
The Alberichi, Greci and Ormanni,
Now in their wane, illustrious citizens: And great as ancient, of Sannella him,
With him of Arca saw, and Soldanieri And Ardinghi, and Bostichi. At the poop, That now is laden with new felony,
So cumb’rous it may speedily sink the bark, The Ravignani sat, of whom is sprung
The County Guido, and whoso hath since His title from the fam’d Bellincione ta’en. Fair governance was yet an art well priz’d By him of Pressa: Galigaio show’d
The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house. The column, cloth’d with verrey, still was seen Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great, Giouchi, Sifanti, Galli and Barucci,
With them who blush to hear the bushel nam’d. Of the Calfucci still the branchy trunk
Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs Sizii and Arigucci yet were drawn.
How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds Florence was by the bullets of bright gold O’erflourish’d. Such the sires of those, who now, As surely as your church is vacant, flock Into her consistory, and at leisure
There stall them and grow fat. The o’erweening brood, That plays the dragon after him that flees, But unto such, as turn and show the tooth, Ay or the purse, is gentle as a lamb,
Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem’d, That Ubertino of Donati grudg’d
His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe. Already Caponsacco had descended
Into the mart from Fesole: and Giuda And Infangato were good citizens.
A thing incredible I tell, tho’ true: The gateway, named from those of Pera, led Into the narrow circuit of your walls.
Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth The festival of Thomas still revives)
His knighthood and his privilege retain’d; Albeit one, who borders them With gold,
This day is mingled with the common herd. In Borgo yet the Gualterotti dwelt,
And Importuni: well for its repose
Had it still lack’d of newer neighbourhood. The house, from whence your tears have had their spring, Through the just anger that hath murder’d ye And put a period to your gladsome days,
Was honour’d, it, and those consorted with it. O Buondelmonte! what ill counseling
Prevail’d on thee to break the plighted bond Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice, Had God to Ema giv’n thee, the first time Thou near our city cam’st. But so was doom’d: On that maim’d stone set up to guard the bridge, At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell. With these and others like to them, I saw Florence in such assur’d tranquility,
She had no cause at which to grieve: with these Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne’er The lily from the lance had hung reverse, Or through division been with vermeil dyed.”
CANTO XVII
Such as the youth, who came to Clymene To certify himself of that reproach,
Which had been fasten’d on him, (he whose end Still makes the fathers chary to their sons), E’en such was I; nor unobserv’d was such Of Beatrice, and that saintly lamp,
Who had erewhile for me his station mov’d; When thus by lady: “Give thy wish free vent, That it may issue, bearing true report
Of the mind’s impress; not that aught thy words May to our knowledge add, but to the end, That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst And men may mingle for thee when they hear.”
“O plant! from whence I spring! rever’d and lov’d! Who soar’st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear, As earthly thought determines two obtuse In one triangle not contain’d, so clear
Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves Existent, looking at the point whereto
All times are present, I, the whilst I scal’d With Virgil the soul purifying mount,
And visited the nether world of woe, Touching my future destiny have heard
Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides Well squar’d to fortune’s blows. Therefore my will Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me, The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight.”
So said I to the brightness, which erewhile To me had spoken, and my will declar’d,
As Beatrice will’d, explicitly.
Nor with oracular response obscure, Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain, Beguil’d the credulous nations; but, in terms Precise and unambiguous lore, replied
The spirit of paternal love, enshrin’d, Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake: “Contingency, unfolded not to view
Upon the tablet of your mortal mold, Is all depictur’d in the’ eternal sight; But hence deriveth not necessity,
More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood, Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene. From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony From organ comes, so comes before mine eye The time prepar’d for thee. Such as driv’n out From Athens, by his cruel stepdame’s wiles, Hippolytus departed, such must thou
Depart from Florence. This they wish, and this Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there, Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ, Throughout the livelong day. The common cry, Will, as ‘t is ever wont, affix the blame Unto the party injur’d: but the truth
Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find A faithful witness. Thou shall leave each thing Belov’d most dearly: this is the first shaft Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove How salt the savour is of other’s bread, How hard the passage to descend and climb By other’s stairs, But that shall gall thee most Will be the worthless and vile company,
With whom thou must be thrown into these straits. For all ungrateful, impious all and mad, Shall turn ‘gainst thee: but in a little while Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson’d brow Their course shall so evince their brutishness T’ have ta’en thy stand apart shall well become thee.
“First refuge thou must find, first place of rest, In the great Lombard’s courtesy, who bears Upon the ladder perch’d the sacred bird. He shall behold thee with such kind regard, That ‘twixt ye two, the contrary to that Which falls ‘twixt other men, the granting shall Forerun the asking. With him shalt thou see That mortal, who was at his birth impress So strongly from this star, that of his deeds The nations shall take note. His unripe age Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels Only nine years have compass him about.
But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry, Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him, In equal scorn of labours and of gold.
His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely, As not to let the tongues e’en of his foes Be idle in its praise. Look thou to him
And his beneficence: for he shall cause Reversal of their lot to many people,
Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes. And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul Of him, but tell it not;” and things he told Incredible to those who witness them;
Then added: “So interpret thou, my son, What hath been told thee.–Lo! the ambushment That a few circling seasons hide for thee! Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends Thy span beyond their treason’s chastisement.”
Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence, Had shown the web, which I had streteh’d for him Upon the warp, was woven, I began,
As one, who in perplexity desires
Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly: “My father! well I mark how time spurs on Toward me, ready to inflict the blow,
Which falls most heavily on him, who most Abandoned himself. Therefore ‘t is good
I should forecast, that driven from the place Most dear to me, I may not lose myself
All others by my song. Down through the world Of infinite mourning, and along the mount From whose fair height my lady’s eyes did lift me, And after through this heav’n from light to light, Have I learnt that, which if I tell again, It may with many woefully disrelish;
And, if I am a timid friend to truth, I fear my life may perish among those,
To whom these days shall be of ancient date.”
The brightness, where enclos’d the treasure smil’d, Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly, Like to a golden mirror in the sun;
Next answer’d: “Conscience, dimm’d or by its own Or other’s shame, will feel thy saying sharp. Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov’d, See the whole vision be made manifest.
And let them wince who have their withers wrung. What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove Unwelcome, on digestion it will turn
To vital nourishment. The cry thou raisest, Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits; Which is of honour no light argument,
For this there only have been shown to thee, Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep, Spirits, whom fame hath note of. For the mind Of him, who hears, is loth to acquiesce
And fix its faith, unless the instance brought Be palpable, and proof apparent urge.”
CANTO XVIII
CANTO XVIII
Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy’d That blessed spirit; and I fed on mine,
Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile, Who led me unto God, admonish’d: “Muse
On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him I dwell, who recompenseth every wrong.”
At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn’d; And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen, I leave in silence here: nor through distrust Of my words only, but that to such bliss The mind remounts not without aid. Thus much Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz’d on her, Affection found no room for other wish.
While the everlasting pleasure, that did full On Beatrice shine, with second view
From her fair countenance my gladden’d soul Contented; vanquishing me with a beam
Of her soft smile, she spake: “Turn thee, and list. These eyes are not thy only Paradise.”
As here we sometimes in the looks may see Th’ affection mark’d, when that its sway hath ta’en The spirit wholly; thus the hallow’d light, To whom I turn’d, flashing, bewray’d its will To talk yet further with me, and began:
“On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair And leaf unwith’ring, blessed spirits abide, That were below, ere they arriv’d in heav’n, So mighty in renown, as every muse
Might grace her triumph with them. On the horns Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name, Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud Its nimble fire.” Along the cross I saw, At the repeated name of Joshua,
A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said, Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw Of the great Maccabee, another move
With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge Unto that top. The next for Charlemagne
And for the peer Orlando, two my gaze Pursued, intently, as the eye pursues
A falcon flying. Last, along the cross, William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew My ken, and Robert Guiscard. And the soul, Who spake with me among the other lights Did move away, and mix; and with the choir Of heav’nly songsters prov’d his tuneful skill.
To Beatrice on my right l bent,
Looking for intimation or by word
Or act, what next behoov’d; and did descry Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy, It past all former wont. And, as by sense Of new delight, the man, who perseveres
In good deeds doth perceive from day to day His virtue growing; I e’en thus perceiv’d Of my ascent, together with the heav’n
The circuit widen’d, noting the increase Of beauty in that wonder. Like the change In a brief moment on some maiden’s cheek, Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight Of pudency, that stain’d it; such in her, And to mine eyes so sudden was the change, Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star, Whose sixth orb now enfolded us. I saw,
Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks Of love, that reign’d there, fashion to my view Our language. And as birds, from river banks Arisen, now in round, now lengthen’d troop, Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems, Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights, The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made Now D. now I. now L. figur’d I’ th’ air.
First, singing, to their notes they mov’d, then one Becoming of these signs, a little while
Did rest them, and were mute. O nymph divine Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou Inspir’st, mak’st glorious and long-liv’d, as they Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes, As fancy doth present them. Be thy power Display’d in this brief song. The characters, Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven. In order each, as they appear’d, I mark’d. Diligite Justitiam, the first,
Both verb and noun all blazon’d; and the extreme Qui judicatis terram. In the M.
Of the fifth word they held their station, Making the star seem silver streak’d with gold. And on the summit of the M. I saw
Descending other lights, that rested there, Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good. Then, as at shaking of a lighted brand,
Sparkles innumerable on all sides
Rise scatter’d, source of augury to th’ unwise; Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence Seem’d reascending, and a higher pitch
Some mounting, and some less; e’en as the sun, Which kindleth them, decreed. And when each one Had settled in his place, the head and neck Then saw I of an eagle, lively
Grav’d in that streaky fire. Who painteth there, Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides; And every line and texture of the nest
Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it. The other bright beatitude, that seem’d
Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content To over-canopy the M. mov’d forth,
Following gently the impress of the bird.
Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems Declar’d to me our justice on the earth
To be the effluence of that heav’n, which thou, Thyself a costly jewel, dost inlay!
Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom Thy motion and thy virtue are begun,
That he would look from whence the fog doth rise, To vitiate thy beam: so that once more
He may put forth his hand ‘gainst such, as drive Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls With miracles and martyrdoms were built.
Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey! O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth All after ill example gone astray.
War once had for its instrument the sword: But now ‘t is made, taking the bread away Which the good Father locks from none. –And thou, That writes but to cancel, think, that they, Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died, Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings. Thou hast good cause to cry, “My heart so cleaves To him, that liv’d in solitude remote,
And from the wilds was dragg’d to martyrdom, I wist not of the fisherman nor Paul.”
CANTO XIX
Before my sight appear’d, with open wings, The beauteous image, in fruition sweet
Gladdening the thronged spirits. Each did seem A little ruby, whereon so intense
The sun-beam glow’d that to mine eyes it came In clear refraction. And that, which next Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter’d, Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy
Was e’er conceiv’d. For I beheld and heard The beak discourse; and, what intention form’d Of many, singly as of one express,
Beginning: “For that I was just and piteous, l am exalted to this height of glory,
The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth Have I my memory left, e’en by the bad
Commended, while they leave its course untrod.”
Thus is one heat from many embers felt, As in that image many were the loves,
And one the voice, that issued from them all. Whence I address them: “O perennial flowers Of gladness everlasting! that exhale
In single breath your odours manifold! Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas’d, That with great craving long hath held my soul, Finding no food on earth. This well I know, That if there be in heav’n a realm, that shows In faithful mirror the celestial Justice, Yours without veil reflects it. Ye discern The heed, wherewith I do prepare myself
To hearken; ye the doubt that urges me With such inveterate craving.” Straight I saw, Like to a falcon issuing from the hood,
That rears his head, and claps him with his wings, His beauty and his eagerness bewraying.
So saw I move that stately sign, with praise Of grace divine inwoven and high song
Of inexpressive joy. “He,” it began, “Who turn’d his compass on the world’s extreme, And in that space so variously hath wrought, Both openly, and in secret, in such wise Could not through all the universe display Impression of his glory, that the Word
Of his omniscience should not still remain In infinite excess. In proof whereof,
He first through pride supplanted, who was sum Of each created being, waited not
For light celestial, and abortive fell. Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant Receptacle unto that Good, which knows
No limit, measur’d by itself alone. Therefore your sight, of th’ omnipresent Mind A single beam, its origin must own
Surpassing far its utmost potency.
The ken, your world is gifted with, descends In th’ everlasting Justice as low down,
As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark The bottom from the shore, in the wide main Discerns it not; and ne’ertheless it is, But hidden through its deepness. Light is none, Save that which cometh from the pure serene Of ne’er disturbed ether: for the rest,
‘Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh, Or else its poison. Here confess reveal’d That covert, which hath hidden from thy search The living justice, of the which thou mad’st Such frequent question; for thou saidst–‘A man Is born on Indus’ banks, and none is there Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write, And all his inclinations and his acts,
As far as human reason sees, are good, And he offendeth not in word or deed.
But unbaptiz’d he dies, and void of faith. Where is the justice that condemns him? where His blame, if he believeth not?’–What then, And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit To judge at distance of a thousand miles With the short-sighted vision of a span? To him, who subtilizes thus with me,
There would assuredly be room for doubt Even to wonder, did not the safe word
Of scripture hold supreme authority.
“O animals of clay! O spirits gross I The primal will, that in itself is good, Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne’er been mov’d. Justice consists in consonance with it,
Derivable by no created good,
Whose very cause depends upon its beam.”
As on her nest the stork, that turns about Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed, While they with upward eyes do look on her; So lifted I my gaze; and bending so
The ever-blessed image wav’d its wings, Lab’ring with such deep counsel. Wheeling round It warbled, and did say: “As are my notes To thee, who understand’st them not, such is Th’ eternal judgment unto mortal ken.”
Then still abiding in that ensign rang’d, Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world, Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit Took up the strain; and thus it spake again: “None ever hath ascended to this realm,
Who hath not a believer been in Christ, Either before or after the blest limbs
Were nail’d upon the wood. But lo! of those Who call ‘Christ, Christ,’ there shall be many found, In judgment, further off from him by far, Than such, to whom his name was never known. Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn: When that the two assemblages shall part; One rich eternally, the other poor.
“What may the Persians say unto your kings, When they shall see that volume, in the which All their dispraise is written, spread to view? There amidst Albert’s works shall that be read, Which will give speedy motion to the pen, When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm. There shall be read the woe, that he doth work With his adulterate money on the Seine,
Who by the tusk will perish: there be read The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike The English and Scot, impatient of their bound. There shall be seen the Spaniard’s luxury, The delicate living there of the Bohemian, Who still to worth has been a willing stranger. The halter of Jerusalem shall see
A unit for his virtue, for his vices No less a mark than million. He, who guards The isle of fire by old Anchises honour’d Shall find his avarice there and cowardice; And better to denote his littleness,
The writing must be letters maim’d, that speak Much in a narrow space. All there shall know His uncle and his brother’s filthy doings, Who so renown’d a nation and two crowns
Have bastardized. And they, of Portugal And Norway, there shall be expos’d with him Of Ratza, who hath counterfeited ill
The coin of Venice. O blest Hungary! If thou no longer patiently abid’st
Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre! If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee In earnest of that day, e’en now are heard Wailings and groans in Famagosta’s streets And Nicosia’s, grudging at their beast,
Who keepeth even footing with the rest.”
CANTO XX
When, disappearing, from our hemisphere, The world’s enlightener vanishes, and day On all sides wasteth, suddenly the sky,
Erewhile irradiate only with his beam, Is yet again unfolded, putting forth
Innumerable lights wherein one shines. Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought, As the great sign, that marshaleth the world And the world’s leaders, in the blessed beak Was silent; for that all those living lights, Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs, Such as from memory glide and fall away.
Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles, How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles, Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir’d!
After the precious and bright beaming stones, That did ingem the sixth light, ceas’d the chiming Of their angelic bells; methought I heard The murmuring of a river, that doth fall From rock to rock transpicuous, making known The richness of his spring-head: and as sound Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe, Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun’d; Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith Voice there assum’d, and thence along the beak Issued in form of words, such as my heart Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib’d them.
“The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,, In mortal eagles,” it began, “must now
Be noted steadfastly: for of the fires, That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye, Are chief of all the greatest. This, that shines Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang The Holy Spirit’s song, and bare about
The ark from town to town; now doth he know The merit of his soul-impassion’d strains By their well-fitted guerdon. Of the five, That make the circle of the vision, he
Who to the beak is nearest, comforted The widow for her son: now doth he know
How dear he costeth not to follow Christ, Both from experience of this pleasant life, And of its opposite. He next, who follows In the circumference, for the over arch, By true repenting slack’d the pace of death: Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav’n Alter not, when through pious prayer below Today’s is made tomorrow’s destiny.
The other following, with the laws and me, To yield the shepherd room, pass’d o’er to Greece, From good intent producing evil fruit:
Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv’d From his well doing, doth not helm him aught, Though it have brought destruction on the world. That, which thou seest in the under bow, Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows How well is lov’d in heav’n the righteous king, Which he betokens by his radiant seeming. Who in the erring world beneath would deem, That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set Fifth of the saintly splendours? now he knows Enough of that, which the world cannot see, The grace divine, albeit e’en his sight
Reach not its utmost depth.” Like to the lark, That warbling in the air expatiates long, Then, trilling out his last sweet melody, Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear’d That image stampt by the’ everlasting pleasure, Which fashions like itself all lovely things.
I, though my doubting were as manifest, As is through glass the hue that mantles it, In silence waited not: for to my lips
“What things are these?” involuntary rush’d, And forc’d a passage out: whereat I mark’d A sudden lightening and new revelry.
The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign No more to keep me wond’ring and suspense, Replied: “I see that thou believ’st these things, Because I tell them, but discern’st not how; So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith: As one who knows the name of thing by rote, But is a stranger to its properties,
Till other’s tongue reveal them. Fervent love And lively hope with violence assail
The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome The will of the Most high; not in such sort As man prevails o’er man; but conquers it, Because ‘t is willing to be conquer’d, still, Though conquer’d, by its mercy conquering.
“Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth, Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold’st The region of the angels deck’d with them. They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem’st, Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith, This of the feet in future to be pierc’d, That of feet nail’d already to the cross. One from the barrier of the dark abyss,
Where never any with good will returns, Came back unto his bones. Of lively hope Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing’d The prayers sent up to God for his release, And put power into them to bend his will. The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee, A little while returning to the flesh,
Believ’d in him, who had the means to help, And, in believing, nourish’d such a flame Of holy love, that at the second death
He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth. The other, through the riches of that grace, Which from so deep a fountain doth distil, As never eye created saw its rising,
Plac’d all his love below on just and right: Wherefore of grace God op’d in him the eye To the redemption of mankind to come;
Wherein believing, he endur’d no more The filth of paganism, and for their ways Rebuk’d the stubborn nations. The three nymphs, Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing, Were sponsors for him more than thousand years Before baptizing. O how far remov’d,
Predestination! is thy root from such As see not the First cause entire: and ye, O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:
For we, who see our Maker, know not yet The number of the chosen: and esteem
Such scantiness of knowledge our delight: For all our good is in that primal good
Concentrate, and God’s will and ours are one.”
So, by that form divine, was giv’n to me Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight, And, as one handling skillfully the harp, Attendant on some skilful songster’s voice Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake, It doth remember me, that I beheld
The pair of blessed luminaries move. Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes, Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds.
CANTO XXI
Again mine eyes were fix’d on Beatrice, And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks Found all contentment. Yet no smile she wore And, “Did I smile,” quoth she, “thou wouldst be straight Like Semele when into ashes turn’d:
For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs, My beauty, which the loftier it climbs,
As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more, So shines, that, were no temp’ring interpos’d, Thy mortal puissance would from its rays Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt. Into the seventh splendour are we wafted, That underneath the burning lion’s breast Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might, Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror’d The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown.” Whoso can deem, how fondly I had fed
My sight upon her blissful countenance, May know, when to new thoughts I chang’d, what joy To do the bidding of my heav’nly guide:
In equal balance poising either weight.
Within the crystal, which records the name, (As its remoter circle girds the world)
Of that lov’d monarch, in whose happy reign No ill had power to harm, I saw rear’d up, In colour like to sun-illumin’d gold.
A ladder, which my ken pursued in vain, So lofty was the summit; down whose steps I saw the splendours in such multitude
Descending, ev’ry light in heav’n, methought, Was shed thence. As the rooks, at dawn of day Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill, Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some, Returning, cross their flight, while some abide And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem’d That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing, As upon certain stair it met, and clash’d Its shining. And one ling’ring near us, wax’d So bright, that in my thought: said: “The love, Which this betokens me, admits no doubt.”
Unwillingly from question I refrain,
To her, by whom my silence and my speech Are order’d, looking for a sign: whence she, Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all, Saw wherefore I was silent, prompted me
T’ indulge the fervent wish; and I began: “I am not worthy, of my own desert,
That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake, Who hath vouchsaf’d my asking, spirit blest! That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause, Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say, Doth the sweet symphony of Paradise
Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds Of rapt devotion ev’ry lower sphere?”
“Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;” Was the reply: “and what forbade the smile Of Beatrice interrupts our song.
Only to yield thee gladness of my voice, And of the light that vests me, I thus far Descend these hallow’d steps: not that more love Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much Or more of love is witness’d in those flames: But such my lot by charity assign’d,
That makes us ready servants, as thou seest, To execute the counsel of the Highest.”
“That in this court,” said I, “O sacred lamp! Love no compulsion needs, but follows free Th’ eternal Providence, I well discern:
This harder find to deem, why of thy peers Thou only to this office wert foredoom’d.” I had not ended, when, like rapid mill,
Upon its centre whirl’d the light; and then The love, that did inhabit there, replied: “Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds, Its virtue to my vision knits, and thus
Supported, lifts me so above myself, That on the sov’ran essence, which it wells from, I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy, Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze The keenness of my sight. But not the soul, That is in heav’n most lustrous, nor the seraph That hath his eyes most fix’d on God, shall solve What thou hast ask’d: for in th’ abyss it lies Of th’ everlasting statute sunk so low,
That no created ken may fathom it.
And, to the mortal world when thou return’st, Be this reported; that none henceforth dare Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn. The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth Is wrapt in mist. Look then if she may do, Below, what passeth her ability,
When she is ta’en to heav’n.” By words like these Admonish’d, I the question urg’d no more; And of the spirit humbly sued alone
T’ instruct me of its state. “‘Twixt either shore Of Italy, nor distant from thy land,
A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort, The thunder doth not lift his voice so high, They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell Is sacred to the lonely Eremite,
For worship set apart and holy rites.” A third time thus it spake; then added: “There So firmly to God’s service I adher’d,
That with no costlier viands than the juice Of olives, easily I pass’d the heats
Of summer and the winter frosts, content In heav’n-ward musings. Rich were the returns And fertile, which that cloister once was us’d To render to these heavens: now ‘t is fall’n Into a waste so empty, that ere long
Detection must lay bare its vanity
Pietro Damiano there was I yclept:
Pietro the sinner, when before I dwelt Beside the Adriatic, in the house
Of our blest Lady. Near upon my close Of mortal life, through much importuning I was constrain’d to wear the hat that still From bad to worse it shifted.–Cephas came; He came, who was the Holy Spirit’s vessel, Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc’d, At the first table. Modern Shepherd’s need Those who on either hand may prop and lead them, So burly are they grown: and from behind Others to hoist them. Down the palfrey’s sides Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts Are cover’d with one skin. O patience! thou That lookst on this and doth endure so long.” I at those accents saw the splendours down From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax, Each circuiting, more beautiful. Round this They came, and stay’d them; uttered them a shout So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I Wist what it spake, so deaf’ning was the thunder.
CANTO XXII
Astounded, to the guardian of my steps I turn’d me, like the chill, who always runs Thither for succour, where he trusteth most, And she was like the mother, who her son Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice Soothes him, and he is cheer’d; for thus she spake, Soothing me: “Know’st not thou, thou art in heav’n? And know’st not thou, whatever is in heav’n, Is holy, and that nothing there is done
But is done zealously and well? Deem now, What change in thee the song, and what my smile had wrought, since thus the shout had pow’r to move thee. In which couldst thou have understood their prayers, The vengeance were already known to thee, Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour, The sword of heav’n is not in haste to smite, Nor yet doth linger, save unto his seeming, Who in desire or fear doth look for it.
But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view; So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold.” Mine eyes directing, as she will’d, I saw A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew By interchange of splendour. I remain’d, As one, who fearful of o’er-much presuming, Abates in him the keenness of desire,
Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls, One largest and most lustrous onward drew, That it might yield contentment to my wish; And from within it these the sounds I heard.
“If thou, like me, beheldst the charity That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives, Were utter’d. But that, ere the lofty bound Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee, I will make answer even to the thought,
Which thou hast such respect of. In old days, That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests, Was on its height frequented by a race
Deceived and ill dispos’d: and I it was, Who thither carried first the name of Him, Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man. And such a speeding grace shone over me, That from their impious worship I reclaim’d The dwellers round about, who with the world Were in delusion lost. These other flames, The spirits of men contemplative, were all Enliven’d by that warmth, whose kindly force Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness. Here is Macarius; Romoaldo here:
And here my brethren, who their steps refrain’d Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart.”
I answ’ring, thus; “Thy gentle words and kind, And this the cheerful semblance, I behold Not unobservant, beaming in ye all,
Have rais’d assurance in me, wakening it Full-blossom’d in my bosom, as a rose
Before the sun, when the consummate flower Has spread to utmost amplitude. Of thee
Therefore entreat I, father! to declare If I may gain such favour, as to gaze
Upon thine image, by no covering veil’d.”
“Brother!” he thus rejoin’d, “in the last sphere Expect completion of thy lofty aim,
For there on each desire completion waits, And there on mine: where every aim is found Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe. There all things are as they have ever been: For space is none to bound, nor pole divides, Our ladder reaches even to that clime,
And so at giddy distance mocks thy view. Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch Its topmost round, when it appear’d to him With angels laden. But to mount it now
None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves; The walls, for abbey rear’d, turned into dens, The cowls to sacks choak’d up with musty meal. Foul usury doth not more lift itself
Against God’s pleasure, than that fruit which makes The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate’er Is in the church’s keeping, all pertains. To such, as sue for heav’n’s sweet sake, and not To those who in respect of kindred claim, Or on more vile allowance. Mortal flesh
Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not From the oak’s birth, unto the acorn’s setting. His convent Peter founded without gold
Or silver; I with pray’rs and fasting mine; And Francis his in meek humility.
And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds, Then look what it hath err’d to, thou shalt find The white grown murky. Jordan was turn’d back; And a less wonder, then the refluent sea, May at God’s pleasure work amendment here.”
So saying, to his assembly back he drew: And they together cluster’d into one,
Then all roll’d upward like an eddying wind.
The sweet dame beckon’d me to follow them: And, by that influence only, so prevail’d Over my nature, that no natural motion,
Ascending or descending here below, Had, as I mounted, with my pennon vied.
So, reader, as my hope is to return
Unto the holy triumph, for the which I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast, Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting Thy finger in the fire, than I was, ere
The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld, And enter’d its precinct. O glorious stars! O light impregnate with exceeding virtue! To whom whate’er of genius lifteth me
Above the vulgar, grateful I refer; With ye the parent of all mortal life
Arose and set, when I did first inhale The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace Vouchsaf’d me entrance to the lofty wheel That in its orb impels ye, fate decreed
My passage at your clime. To you my soul Devoutly sighs, for virtue even now
To meet the hard emprize that draws me on.
“Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,” Said Beatrice, “that behooves thy ken
Be vigilant and clear. And, to this end, Or even thou advance thee further, hence Look downward, and contemplate, what a world Already stretched under our feet there lies: So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood, Present itself to the triumphal throng,
Which through the’ etherial concave comes rejoicing.”
I straight obey’d; and with mine eye return’d Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe So pitiful of semblance, that perforce
It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts Elsewhere are fix’d, him worthiest call and best. I saw the daughter of Latona shine
Without the shadow, whereof late I deem’d That dense and rare were cause. Here I sustain’d The visage, Hyperion! of thy sun;
And mark’d, how near him with their circle, round Move Maia and Dione; here discern’d
Jove’s tempering ‘twixt his sire and son; and hence Their changes and their various aspects
Distinctly scann’d. Nor might I not descry Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift; Nor of their several distances not learn. This petty area (o’er the which we stride So fiercely), as along the eternal twins I wound my way, appear’d before me all,
Forth from the havens stretch’d unto the hills. Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return’d.
CANTO XXIII
E’en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night, With her sweet brood, impatient to descry Their wished looks, and to bring home their food, In the fond quest unconscious of her toil: She, of the time prevenient, on the spray, That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn, Removeth from the east her eager ken;
So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance Wistfully on that region, where the sun
Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her Suspense and wand’ring, I became as one, In whom desire is waken’d, and the hope
Of somewhat new to come fills with delight.
Short space ensued; I was not held, I say, Long in expectance, when I saw the heav’n Wax more and more resplendent; and, “Behold,” Cried Beatrice, “the triumphal hosts
Of Christ, and all the harvest reap’d at length Of thy ascending up these spheres.” Meseem’d, That, while she spake her image all did burn, And in her eyes such fullness was of joy, And I am fain to pass unconstrued by.
As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles, In peerless beauty, ‘mid th’ eternal nympus, That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound In bright pre-eminence so saw I there,
O’er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew Their radiance as from ours the starry train: And through the living light so lustrous glow’d The substance, that my ken endur’d it not.
O Beatrice! sweet and precious guide! Who cheer’d me with her comfortable words! “Against the virtue, that o’erpow’reth thee, Avails not to resist. Here is the might, And here the wisdom, which did open lay
The path, that had been yearned for so long, Betwixt the heav’n and earth.” Like to the fire, That, in a cloud imprison’d doth break out Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg’d, It falleth against nature to the ground; Thus in that heav’nly banqueting my soul Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost. Holds now remembrance none of what she was.
“Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile.”
I was as one, when a forgotten dream
Doth come across him, and he strives in vain To shape it in his fantasy again,
Whenas that gracious boon was proffer’d me, Which never may be cancel’d from the book, Wherein the past is written. Now were all Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk Of Polyhymnia and her sisters fed
And fatten’d, not with all their help to boot, Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth, My song might shadow forth that saintly smile, flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought. And with such figuring of Paradise
The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets A sudden interruption to his road.
But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme, And that ‘t is lain upon a mortal shoulder, May pardon, if it tremble with the burden. The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks No unribb’d pinnace, no self-sparing pilot.
“Why doth my face,” said Beatrice, “thus Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn Unto the beautiful garden, blossoming
Beneath the rays of Christ? Here is the rose, Wherein the word divine was made incarnate; And here the lilies, by whose odour known The way of life was follow’d.” Prompt I heard Her bidding, and encounter once again
The strife of aching vision. As erewhile, Through glance of sunlight, stream’d through broken cloud, Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen, Though veil’d themselves in shade; so saw I there Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not The fountain whence they flow’d. O gracious virtue! Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up Thou didst exalt thy glory to give room
To my o’erlabour’d sight: when at the name Of that fair flower, whom duly I invoke
Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix’d. And, as the bright dimensions of the star In heav’n excelling, as once here on earth Were, in my eyeballs lively portray’d,
Lo! from within the sky a cresset fell, Circling in fashion of a diadem,
And girt the star, and hov’ring round it wheel’d.
Whatever melody sounds sweetest here, And draws the spirit most unto itself,
Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder, Compar’d unto the sounding of that lyre, Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays The floor of heav’n, was crown’d. “Angelic Love I am, who thus with hov’ring flight enwheel The lofty rapture from that womb inspir’d, Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so, Lady of Heav’n! will hover; long as thou Thy Son shalt follow, and diviner joy
Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere.”
Such close was to the circling melody: And, as it ended, all the other lights
Took up the strain, and echoed Mary’s name.
The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps The world, and with the nearer breath of God Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir’d Its inner hem and skirting over us,
That yet no glimmer of its majesty
Had stream’d unto me: therefore were mine eyes Unequal to pursue the crowned flame,
That rose and sought its natal seed of fire; And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms For very eagerness towards the breast,
After the milk is taken; so outstretch’d Their wavy summits all the fervent band, Through zealous love to Mary: then in view There halted, and “Regina Coeli” sang
So sweetly, the delight hath left me never.
O what o’erflowing plenty is up-pil’d In those rich-laden coffers, which below Sow’d the good seed, whose harvest now they keep.
Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears Were in the Babylonian exile won,
When gold had fail’d them. Here in synod high Of ancient council with the new conven’d, Under the Son of Mary and of God,
Victorious he his mighty triumph holds, To whom the keys of glory were assign’d.
CANTO XXIV
“O ye! in chosen fellowship advanc’d
To the great supper of the blessed Lamb, Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill’d! If to this man through God’s grace be vouchsaf’d Foretaste of that, which from your table falls, Or ever death his fated term prescribe;
Be ye not heedless of his urgent will; But may some influence of your sacred dews Sprinkle him. Of the fount ye alway drink, Whence flows what most he craves.” Beatrice spake, And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres On firm-set poles revolving, trail’d a blaze Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind Their circles in the horologe, so work
The stated rounds, that to th’ observant eye The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last; E’en thus their carols weaving variously, They by the measure pac’d, or swift, or slow, Made me to rate the riches of their joy.
From that, which I did note in beauty most Excelling, saw I issue forth a flame
So bright, as none was left more goodly there. Round Beatrice thrice it wheel’d about,
With so divine a song, that fancy’s ear Records it not; and the pen passeth on
And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech, Nor e’en the inward shaping of the brain, Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds.
“O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout Is with so vehement affection urg’d,
Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere.”
Such were the accents towards my lady breath’d From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay’d: To whom she thus: “O everlasting light
Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt, With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith, By the which thou didst on the billows walk. If he in love, in hope, and in belief,
Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld In liveliest portraiture. But since true faith Has peopled this fair realm with citizens, Meet is, that to exalt its glory more,
Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse.”
Like to the bachelor, who arms himself, And speaks not, till the master have propos’d The question, to approve, and not to end it; So I, in silence, arm’d me, while she spake, Summoning up each argument to aid;
As was behooveful for such questioner, And such profession: “As good Christian ought, Declare thee, What is faith?” Whereat I rais’d My forehead to the light, whence this had breath’d, Then turn’d to Beatrice, and in her looks Approval met, that from their inmost fount I should unlock the waters. “May the grace, That giveth me the captain of the church For confessor,” said I, “vouchsafe to me Apt utterance for my thoughts!” then added: “Sire! E’en as set down by the unerring style
Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir’d To bring Rome in unto the way of life,
Faith of things hop’d is substance, and the proof Of things not seen; and herein doth consist Methinks its essence,”–“Rightly hast thou deem’d,” Was answer’d: “if thou well discern, why first He hath defin’d it, substance, and then proof.”
“The deep things,” I replied, “which here I scan Distinctly, are below from mortal eye
So hidden, they have in belief alone Their being, on which credence hope sublime Is built; and therefore substance it intends. And inasmuch as we must needs infer
From such belief our reasoning, all respect To other view excluded, hence of proof
Th’ intention is deriv’d.” Forthwith I heard: “If thus, whate’er by learning men attain, Were understood, the sophist would want room To exercise his wit.” So breath’d the flame Of love: then added: “Current is the coin Thou utter’st, both in weight and in alloy. But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse.”
“Even so glittering and so round,” said I, “I not a whit misdoubt of its assay.”
Next issued from the deep imbosom’d splendour: “Say, whence the costly jewel, on the which Is founded every virtue, came to thee.”
“The flood,” I answer’d, “from the Spirit of God Rain’d down upon the ancient bond and new,– Here is the reas’ning, that convinceth me So feelingly, each argument beside
Seems blunt and forceless in comparison.” Then heard I: “Wherefore holdest thou that each, The elder proposition and the new,
Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav’n?”
“The works, that follow’d, evidence their truth;” I answer’d: “Nature did not make for these The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them.” “Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,” Was the reply, “that they in very deed
Are that they purport? None hath sworn so to thee.”
“That all the world,” said I, “should have been turn’d To Christian, and no miracle been wrought, Would in itself be such a miracle,
The rest were not an hundredth part so great. E’en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger To set the goodly plant, that from the vine, It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble.” That ended, through the high celestial court Resounded all the spheres. “Praise we one God!” In song of most unearthly melody.
And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch, Examining, had led me, that we now
Approach’d the topmost bough, he straight resum’d; “The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul, So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos’d That, whatsoe’er has past them, I commend. Behooves thee to express, what thou believ’st, The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown.”
“O saintly sire and spirit!” I began, “Who seest that, which thou didst so believe, As to outstrip feet younger than thine own, Toward the sepulchre? thy will is here,
That I the tenour of my creed unfold; And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask’d. And I reply: I in one God believe,
One sole eternal Godhead, of whose love All heav’n is mov’d, himself unmov’d the while. Nor demonstration physical alone,
Or more intelligential and abstruse, Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth It cometh to me rather, which is shed
Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms. The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write, When ye were gifted of the Holy Ghost.
In three eternal Persons I believe, Essence threefold and one, mysterious league Of union absolute, which, many a time,
The word of gospel lore upon my mind Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark, The lively flame dilates, and like heav’n’s star Doth glitter in me.” As the master hears, Well pleas’d, and then enfoldeth in his arms The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought, And having told the errand keeps his peace; Thus benediction uttering with song
Soon as my peace I held, compass’d me thrice The apostolic radiance, whose behest
Had op’d lips; so well their answer pleas’d.
CANTO XXV
If e’er the sacred poem that hath made Both heav’n and earth copartners in its toil, And with lean abstinence, through many a year, Faded my brow, be destin’d to prevail
Over the cruelty, which bars me forth Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb The wolves set on and fain had worried me, With other voice and fleece of other grain I shall forthwith return, and, standing up At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath Due to the poet’s temples: for I there
First enter’d on the faith which maketh souls Acceptable to God: and, for its sake,
Peter had then circled my forehead thus.
Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth The first fruit of Christ’s vicars on the earth, Toward us mov’d a light, at view whereof My Lady, full of gladness, spake to me:
“Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might, That makes Falicia throng’d with visitants!”
As when the ring-dove by his mate alights, In circles each about the other wheels,
And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I One, of the other great and glorious prince, With kindly greeting hail’d, extolling both Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end Was to their gratulation, silent, each,
Before me sat they down, so burning bright, I could not look upon them. Smiling then, Beatrice spake: “O life in glory shrin’d!” Who didst the largess of our kingly court Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice Of hope the praises in this height resound. For thou, who figur’st them in shapes, as clear, As Jesus stood before thee, well can’st speak them.”
“Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust: For that, which hither from the mortal world Arriveth, must be ripen’d in our beam.”
Such cheering accents from the second flame Assur’d me; and mine eyes I lifted up
Unto the mountains that had bow’d them late With over-heavy burden. “Sith our Liege
Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death, In the most secret council, with his lords Shouldst be confronted, so that having view’d The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith Thyself, and all who hear, invigorate
With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare, What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee, And whence thou hadst it?” Thus proceeding still, The second light: and she, whose gentle love My soaring pennons in that lofty flight
Escorted, thus preventing me, rejoin’d: Among her sons, not one more full of hope, Hath the church militant: so ‘t is of him Recorded in the sun, whose liberal orb
Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term Of warfare, hence permitted he is come,
From Egypt to Jerusalem, to see.
The other points, both which thou hast inquir’d, Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease, And without boasting, so God give him grace.” Like to the scholar, practis’d in his task, Who, willing to give proof of diligence, Seconds his teacher gladly, “Hope,” said I, “Is of the joy to come a sure expectance, Th’ effect of grace divine and merit preceding. This light from many a star visits my heart, But flow’d to me the first from him, who sang The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme Among his tuneful brethren. ‘Let all hope In thee,’ so speak his anthem, ‘who have known Thy name;’ and with my faith who know not that? From thee, the next, distilling from his spring, In thine epistle, fell on me the drops
So plenteously, that I on others shower The influence of their dew.” Whileas I spake, A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning, Within the bosom of that mighty sheen,
Play’d tremulous; then forth these accents breath’d: “Love for the virtue which attended me
E’en to the palm, and issuing from the field, Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires To ask of thee, whom also it delights;
What promise thou from hope in chief dost win.”
“Both scriptures, new and ancient,” I reply’d; “Propose the mark (which even now I view) For souls belov’d of God. Isaias saith,
That, in their own land, each one must be clad In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life. In terms more full,
And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth This revelation to us, where he tells
Of the white raiment destin’d to the saints.” And, as the words were ending, from above, “They hope in thee,” first heard we cried: whereto Answer’d the carols all. Amidst them next, A light of so clear amplitude emerg’d,
That winter’s month were but a single day, Were such a crystal in the Cancer’s sign.
Like as a virgin riseth up, and goes, And enters on the mazes of the dance,
Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent, Than to do fitting honour to the bride;
So I beheld the new effulgence come Unto the other two, who in a ring
Wheel’d, as became their rapture. In the dance And in the song it mingled. And the dame Held on them fix’d her looks: e’en as the spouse Silent and moveless. “This is he, who lay Upon the bosom of our pelican:
This he, into whose keeping from the cross The mighty charge was given.” Thus she spake, Yet therefore naught the more remov’d her Sight From marking them, or ere her words began, Or when they clos’d. As he, who looks intent, And strives with searching ken, how he may see The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire Of seeing, loseth power of sight: so I
Peer’d on that last resplendence, while I heard: “Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that, Which here abides not? Earth my body is, In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long, As till our number equal the decree
Of the Most High. The two that have ascended, In this our blessed cloister, shine alone With the two garments. So report below.”
As when, for ease of labour, or to shun Suspected peril at a whistle’s breath,
The oars, erewhile dash’d frequent in the wave, All rest; the flamy circle at that voice So rested, and the mingling sound was still, Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose. I turn’d, but ah! how trembled in my thought, When, looking at my side again to see
Beatrice, I descried her not, although Not distant, on the happy coast she stood.
CANTO XXVI
With dazzled eyes, whilst wond’ring I remain’d, Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me, Issued a breath, that in attention mute
Detain’d me; and these words it spake: “‘T were well, That, long as till thy vision, on my form O’erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse Thou compensate the brief delay. Say then, Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires:
“And meanwhile rest assur’d, that sight in thee Is but o’erpowered a space, not wholly quench’d: Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt In Ananias’ hand.” I answering thus:
“Be to mine eyes the remedy or late Or early, at her pleasure; for they were The gates, at which she enter’d, and did light Her never dying fire. My wishes here
Are centered; in this palace is the weal, That Alpha and Omega, is to all
The lessons love can read me.” Yet again The voice which had dispers’d my fear, when daz’d With that excess, to converse urg’d, and spake: “Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms, And say, who level’d at this scope thy bow.”
“Philosophy,” said I, ”hath arguments, And this place hath authority enough
‘T’ imprint in me such love: for, of constraint, Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good,
Kindles our love, and in degree the more, As it comprises more of goodness in ‘t.
The essence then, where such advantage is, That each good, found without it, is naught else But of his light the beam, must needs attract The soul of each one, loving, who the truth Discerns, on which this proof is built. Such truth Learn I from him, who shows me the first love Of all intelligential substances
Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith, ‘I will make all my good before thee pass.’ Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim’st, E’en at the outset of thy heralding,
In mortal ears the mystery of heav’n.”
“Through human wisdom, and th’ authority Therewith agreeing,” heard I answer’d, “keep The choicest of thy love for God. But say, If thou yet other cords within thee feel’st That draw thee towards him; so that thou report How many are the fangs, with which this love Is grappled to thy soul.” I did not miss, To what intent the eagle of our Lord
Had pointed his demand; yea noted well Th’ avowal, which he led to; and resum’d: “All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God, Confederate to make fast our clarity.
The being of the world, and mine own being, The death which he endur’d that I should live, And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do, To the foremention’d lively knowledge join’d, Have from the sea of ill love sav’d my bark, And on the coast secur’d it of the right. As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom, My love for them is great, as is the good Dealt by th’ eternal hand, that tends them all.”
I ended, and therewith a song most sweet Rang through the spheres; and “Holy, holy, holy,” Accordant with the rest my lady sang.
And as a sleep is broken and dispers’d Through sharp encounter of the nimble light, With the eye’s spirit running forth to meet The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg’d; And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees; So, at his sudden waking, he misdeems
Of all around him, till assurance waits On better judgment: thus the saintly came Drove from before mine eyes the motes away, With the resplendence of her own, that cast Their brightness downward, thousand miles below. Whence I my vision, clearer shall before, Recover’d; and, well nigh astounded, ask’d Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw.
And Beatrice: “The first diving soul, That ever the first virtue fram’d, admires Within these rays his Maker.” Like the leaf, That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown; By its own virtue rear’d then stands aloof; So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow’d. Then eagerness to speak embolden’d me;
And I began: “O fruit! that wast alone Mature, when first engender’d! Ancient father! That doubly seest in every wedded bride
Thy daughter by affinity and blood! Devoutly as I may, I pray thee hold
Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I, More speedily to hear thee, tell it not.”
It chanceth oft some animal bewrays,
Through the sleek cov’ring of his furry coat. The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms His outside seeming to the cheer within: And in like guise was Adam’s spirit mov’d