s: Nor grudge myself the cause of this my lot,


s: Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive.


s: Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left,


s: And not to perish, ere these hundred years


s: Five times absolve their round.  Consider thou,


s: When such life may attend the first.  Yet they


s: Care not for this, the crowd that now are girt


s: Impenitent, tho' scourg'd.  The hour is near,


s: When for their stubbornness at Padua's marsh


s: The water shall be chang'd, that laves Vicena


s: Lords it, and bears his head aloft, for whom


s: Shall sorrow for its godless shepherd's fault,


s: Of so deep stain, that never, for the like,


s: Was Malta's bar unclos'd.  Too large should be


s: The skillet, that would hold Ferrara's blood,


s: And wearied he, who ounce by ounce would weight it,


s: The which this priest, in show of party-zeal,


s: Courteous will give; nor will the gift ill suit


s: Mirrors, ye call them thrones, from which to us


s: Reflected shine the judgments of our God:


s: Whence these our sayings we avouch for good."


s: She ended, and appear'd on other thoughts


s: Intent, re-ent'ring on the wheel she late


s: Had left.  That other joyance meanwhile wax'd


s: A thing to marvel at, in splendour glowing,


s: For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes


s: Of gladness, as here laughter: and below,


s: As the mind saddens, murkier grows the shade.


s: "God seeth all: and in him is thy sight,"


s: Said I, "blest Spirit!  Therefore will of his


s: Cannot to thee be dark.  Why then delays


s: That voice which joins the inexpressive song,


s: Pastime of heav'n, the which those ardours sing,


s: That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread?


s: I would not wait thy asking, wert thou known


s: To me, as thoroughly I to thee am known."


s: He forthwith answ'ring, thus his words began:


s: "The valley' of waters, widest next to that


s: Which doth the earth engarland, shapes its course,


s: Between discordant shores, against the sun


s: Where was before th' horizon.  Of that vale


s: Dwelt I upon the shore, 'twixt Ebro's stream


s: And Macra's, that divides with passage brief


s: Genoan bounds from Tuscan.  East and west


s: Whose haven erst was with its own blood warm.


s: Who knew my name were wont to call me Folco:


s: And I did bear impression of this heav'n,


s: That now bears mine: for not with fiercer flame


s: That fledg'd my cheek: nor she of Rhodope,


s: Were shrin'd within his heart.  And yet there hides


s: No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth,


s: Not for the fault (that doth not come to mind),


s: But for the virtue, whose o'erruling sway


s: And providence have wrought thus quaintly.  Here


s: The skill is look'd into, that fashioneth


s: With such effectual working, and the good


s: Thy wishes, all that in this sphere have birth,


s: Demands my further parle.  Inquire thou wouldst,


s: Beside me sparkles, as the sun-beam doth


s: On the clear wave.  Know then, the soul of Rahab


s: Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe


s: He to that heav'n, at which the shadow ends


s: First, in Christ's triumph, of all souls redeem'd:


s: For well behoov'd, that, in some part of heav'n,


s: The mighty contest won with either palm;


s: For that she favour'd first the high exploit


s: The Pope recks little now.  Thy city, plant


s: Of him, that on his Maker turn'd the back,


s: And of whose envying so much woe hath sprung,


s: Engenders and expands the cursed flower,


s: That hath made wander both the sheep and lambs,


s: Turning the shepherd to a wolf.  For this,


s: The gospel and great teachers laid aside,


s: The decretals, as their stuft margins show,


s: Are the sole study.  Pope and Cardinals,


s: Intent on these, ne'er journey but in thought


s: To Nazareth, where Gabriel op'd his wings.


s: Yet it may chance, erelong, the Vatican,


s: That were the grave of Peter's soldiery,


s: Shall be deliver'd from the adult'rous bond."


s: Looking into his first-born with the love,


s: Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might


s: Can roam, hath in such order all dispos'd,


s: As none may see and fail to enjoy.  Raise, then,


s: One motion strikes on th' other.  There begin


s: Doth ever watch it.  See, how thence oblique


s: Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll


s: To pour their wished influence on the world;


s: Whose path not bending thus, in heav'n above


s: Much virtue would be lost, and here on earth,


s: All power well nigh extinct: or, from direct


s: Were its departure distant more or less,


s: Must, both in heav'n and here beneath, ensue.


s: Now rest thee, reader! on thy bench, and muse


s: So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil.


s: Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth


s: Demands entire my thought.  Join'd with the part,


s: Which late we told of, the great minister


s: Time for us with his beam, went circling on


s: Along the spires, where each hour sooner comes;


s: As one, who till arriv'd, weets not his coming.


s: Counts not the act, oh then how great must needs


s: Have been her brightness!  What she was i' th' sun


s: (Where I had enter'd), not through change of hue,


s: Genius, art, practice--I might not so speak,


s: It should be e'er imagin'd: yet believ'd


s: It may be, and the sight be justly crav'd.


s: Hath ever travel'd?  Such are they dwell here,


s: Who of his spirit and of his offspring shows;


s: And holds them still enraptur'd with the view.


s: And thus to me Beatrice: "Thank, oh thank,


s: The Sun of angels, him, who by his grace


s: As mine was at those words: and so entire


s: The love for Him, that held me, it eclips'd


s: Beatrice in oblivion.  Naught displeas'd


s: Was she, but smil'd thereat so joyously,


s: That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake


s: Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown,


s: And us their centre: yet more sweet in voice,


s: Than in their visage beaming.  Cinctur'd thus,


s: When the impregnate air retains the thread,


s: That weaves her zone.  In the celestial court,


s: So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook


s: Transporting from that realm: and of these lights


s: Such was the song.  Who doth not prune his wing


s: To soar up thither, let him look from thence


s: Those burning suns that circled round us thrice,


s: Then seem'd they like to ladies, from the dance


s: Not ceasing, but suspense, in silent pause,


s: List'ning, till they have caught the strain anew:


s: Suspended so they stood: and, from within,


s: Thus heard I one, who spake: "Since with its beam


s: The grace, whence true love lighteth first his flame,


s: That after doth increase by loving, shines


s: Along this ladder, down whose hallow'd steps


s: None e'er descend, and mount them not again,


s: Who from his phial should refuse thee wine


s: To slake thy thirst, no less constrained were,


s: Thou fain wouldst hear, what plants are these, that bloom


s: In the bright garland, which, admiring, girds


s: This fair dame round, who strengthens thee for heav'n.


s: Leads, for his saintly flock, along the way,


s: Where well they thrive, not sworn with vanity.


s: He, nearest on my right hand, brother was,


s: If thou of all the rest wouldst be assur'd,


s: Let thine eye, waiting on the words I speak,


s: In circuit journey round the blessed wreath.


s: That next resplendence issues from the smile


s: The other, nearest, who adorns our quire,


s: To holy church his treasure.  The fifth light,


s: Goodliest of all, is by such love inspired,


s: That all your world craves tidings of its doom:


s: Within, there is the lofty light, endow'd


s: With sapience so profound, if truth be truth,


s: That taper's radiance, to whose view was shown,


s: In the other little light serenely smiles


s: That pleader for the Christian temples, he


s: Now, if thy mind's eye pass from light to light,


s: Upon my praises following, of the eighth


s: Thy thirst is next.  The saintly soul, that shows


s: The world's deceitfulness, to all who hear him,


s: Is, with the sight of all the good, that is,


s: Blest there.  The limbs, whence it was driven, lie


s: And exile came it here.  Lo! further on,


s: Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore,


s: Of Bede, and Richard, more than man, erewhile,


s: In deep discernment.  Lastly this, from whom


s: Of one, whose spirit, on high musings bent,


s: Who 'scap'd not envy, when of truth he argued,


s: Reading in the straw-litter'd street."  Forthwith,


s: As clock, that calleth up the spouse of God


s: To win her bridegroom's love at matin's hour,


s: Each part of other fitly drawn and urg'd,


s: Sends out a tinkling sound, of note so sweet,


s: Affection springs in well-disposed breast;


s: Thus saw I move the glorious wheel, thus heard


s: Voice answ'ring voice, so musical and soft,


s: It can be known but where day endless shines.


s: Are those, which make thee beat thy wings below


s: Was hunting; this the priesthood follow'd, that


s: By civil business wealth; one moiling lay


s: What time from all these empty things escap'd,


s: Was rais'd aloft, and made the guest of heav'n.


s: They of the circle to that point, each one.


s: Where erst it was, had turn'd; and steady glow'd,


s: The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling


s: With merer gladness, heard I thus begin:


s: Into the eternal light, and clearly mark


s: Thy thoughts, from whence they rise.  Thou art in doubt,


s: And wouldst, that I should bolt my words afresh


s: In such plain open phrase, as may be smooth


s: To thy perception, where I told thee late


s: That 'well they thrive;' and that 'no second such


s: Hath risen,' which no small distinction needs.


s: "The providence, that governeth the world,


s: Who with loud cries was 'spous'd in precious blood,


s: Might keep her footing towards her well-belov'd,


s: Hath two ordain'd, who should on either hand


s: I but of one will tell: he tells of both,


s: Be taken: for their deeds were to one end.


s: "Between Tupino, and the wave, that falls


s: From blest Ubaldo's chosen hill, there hangs


s: Rich slope of mountain high, whence heat and cold


s: Are wafted through Perugia's eastern gate:


s: Mourn for their heavy yoke.  Upon that side,


s: Where it doth break its steepness most, arose


s: From Ganges doth: therefore let none, who speak


s: To call things rightly, be it henceforth styl'd.


s: He was not yet much distant from his rising,


s: When his good influence 'gan to bless the earth.


s: A dame to whom none openeth pleasure's gate


s: More than to death, was, 'gainst his father's will,


s: His stripling choice: and he did make her his,


s: Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds,


s: And in his father's sight: from day to day,


s: Then lov'd her more devoutly.  She, bereav'd


s: Of her first husband, slighted and obscure,


s: Thousand and hundred years and more, remain'd


s: Nor aught avail'd, that, with Amyclas, she


s: Was found unmov'd at rumour of his voice,


s: Who shook the world: nor aught her constant boldness


s: Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross,


s: When Mary stay'd beneath.  But not to deal


s: Thus closely with thee longer, take at large


s: The rovers' titles--Poverty and Francis.


s: Their concord and glad looks, wonder and love,


s: And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts,


s: Did bare his feet, and, in pursuit of peace


s: So heavenly, ran, yet deem'd his footing slow.


s: Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester,


s: And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride


s: Can please them.  Thenceforth goes he on his way,


s: The father and the master, with his spouse,


s: Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart


s: Weigh down his eyelids, for that he was son


s: In wond'rous sort despis'd.  But royally


s: Set forth, and from him first receiv'd the seal


s: On his religion.  Then, when numerous flock'd


s: The tribe of lowly ones, that trac'd HIS steps,


s: Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung


s: In heights empyreal, through Honorius' hand


s: A second crown, to deck their Guardian's virtues,


s: Was by the eternal Spirit inwreath'd: and when


s: He had, through thirst of martyrdom, stood up


s: In the proud Soldan's presence, and there preach'd


s: Christ and his followers; but found the race


s: Unripen'd for conversion: back once more


s: And reap'd Ausonian lands.  On the hard rock,


s: 'Twixt Arno and the Tyber, he from Christ


s: Took the last Signet, which his limbs two years


s: Did carry.  Then the season come, that he,


s: Who to such good had destin'd him, was pleas'd


s: T' advance him to the meed, which he had earn'd


s: By his self-humbling, to his brotherhood,


s: As their just heritage, he gave in charge


s: His dearest lady, and enjoin'd their love


s: And faith to her: and, from her bosom, will'd


s: His goodly spirit should move forth, returning


s: To its appointed kingdom, nor would have


s: "Think now of one, who were a fit colleague,


s: Helm'd to right point; and such our Patriarch was.


s: Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins,


s: Thou mayst be certain, take good lading in.


s: But hunger of new viands tempts his flock,


s: So that they needs into strange pastures wide


s: Must spread them: and the more remote from him


s: The stragglers wander, so much mole they come


s: Home to the sheep-fold, destitute of milk.


s: There are of them, in truth, who fear their harm,


s: And to the shepherd cleave; but these so few,


s: A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks.


s: "Now, if my words be clear, if thou have ta'en


s: Good heed, if that, which I have told, recall


s: To mind, thy wish may be in part fulfill'd:


s: For thou wilt see the point from whence they split,


s: Nor miss of the reproof, which that implies,


s: 'That well they thrive not sworn with vanity."'


s: Soon as its final word the blessed flame


s: Had rais'd for utterance, straight the holy mill


s: Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv'd,


s: Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining,


s: Song, that as much our muses doth excel,


s: Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray


s: Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex.


s: As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth,


s: Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth


s: From that within (in manner of that voice


s: Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist),


s: And they who gaze, presageful call to mind


s: The compact, made with Noah, of the world


s: Those garlands twain, and to the innermost


s: E'en thus th' external answered.  When the footing,


s: And radiance, light with light accordant, each


s: Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still'd


s: (E'en as the eyes by quick volition mov'd,


s: Are shut and rais'd together), from the heart


s: Of one amongst the new lights mov'd a voice,


s: That made me seem like needle to the star,


s: Began: "The love, that makes me beautiful,


s: Prompts me to tell of th' other guide, for whom


s: Such good of mine is spoken.  Where one is,


s: Should be their glory.  Slow, and full of doubt,


s: And with thin ranks, after its banner mov'd


s: The army of Christ (which it so clearly cost


s: Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host


s: Did make provision, thorough grace alone,


s: And not through its deserving.  As thou heard'st,


s: Two champions to the succour of his spouse


s: He sent, who by their deeds and words might join


s: Again his scatter'd people.  In that clime,


s: Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold


s: The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself


s: New-garmented; nor from those billows far,


s: Beyond whose chiding, after weary course,


s: The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides


s: Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies


s: Subjected and supreme.  And there was born


s: The loving million of the Christian faith,


s: The hollow'd wrestler, gentle to his own,


s: And to his enemies terrible.  So replete


s: His soul with lively virtue, that when first


s: It prophesied.  When, at the sacred font,


s: The spousals were complete 'twixt faith and him,


s: Where pledge of mutual safety was exchang'd,


s: The dame, who was his surety, in her sleep


s: Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him


s: And from his heirs to issue.  And that such


s: He might be construed, as indeed he was,


s: She was inspir'd to name him of his owner,


s: Whose he was wholly, and so call'd him Dominic.


s: Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be


s: His help-mate.  Messenger he seem'd, and friend


s: Fast-knit to Christ; and the first love he show'd,


s: Was after the first counsel that Christ gave.


s: Many a time his nurse, at entering found


s: That he had ris'n in silence, and was prostrate,


s: As who should say, "My errand was for this."


s: O favour'd mother! rightly nam'd Joanna!


s: Not for the world's sake, for which now they pore


s: To go about the vineyard, that soon turns


s: To wan and wither'd, if not tended well:


s: And from the see (whose bounty to the just


s: And needy is gone by, not through its fault,


s: But his who fills it basely, he besought,


s: Nor the first vacant fortune, nor the tenth),


s: That to God's paupers rightly appertain,


s: But, 'gainst an erring and degenerate world,


s: Licence to fight, in favour of that seed,


s: From which the twice twelve cions gird thee round.


s: Then, with sage doctrine and good will to help,


s: Forth on his great apostleship he far'd,


s: Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein;


s: And, dashing 'gainst the stocks of heresy,


s: Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout.


s: Thence many rivulets have since been turn'd,


s: Their living waters, and have fed its plants.


s: "If such one wheel of that two-yoked car,


s: And rode triumphant through the civil broil.


s: Thou canst not doubt its fellow's excellence,


s: Which Thomas, ere my coming, hath declar'd


s: So courteously unto thee.  But the track,


s: Which its smooth fellies made, is now deserted:


s: That mouldy mother is where late were lees.


s: His family, that wont to trace his path,


s: Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong


s: To rue the gathering in of their ill crop,


s: When the rejected tares in vain shall ask


s: But he, who search'd our volume, leaf by leaf,


s: Might still find page with this inscription on't,


s: 'I am as I was wont.'  Yet such were not


s: Of those, who come to meddle with the text,


s: One stretches and another cramps its rule.


s: From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge


s: Among the first of those barefooted meek ones,


s: Who sought God's friendship in the cord: with them


s: And he of Spain in his twelve volumes shining,


s: Chrysostom, and Anselmo, and, who deign'd


s: To put his hand to the first art, Donatus.


s: Raban is here: and at my side there shines


s: With soul prophetic.  The bright courtesy


s: So worthy, and with me have mov'd this throng."


s: Let him, who would conceive what now I saw,


s: As mountain rock, the whilst he hears me speak),


s: Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host


s: O'ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine


s: The wain, that, in the bosom of our sky,


s: With the bright summit of that horn which swells


s: Due from the pole, round which the first wheel rolls,


s: T' have rang'd themselves in fashion of two signs


s: When death's chill seized her; and that one of them


s: Did compass in the other's beam; and both


s: In such sort whirl around, that each should tend


s: With opposite motion and, conceiving thus,


s: Of that true constellation, and the dance


s: Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain


s: As 't were the shadow; for things there as much


s: Surpass our usage, as the swiftest heav'n


s: Is swifter than the Chiana.  There was sung


s: Substance that nature and the human join'd.


s: The song fulfill'd its measure; and to us


s: Those saintly lights attended, happier made


s: At each new minist'ring.  Then silence brake,


s: That luminary, in which the wondrous life


s: And thus it spake: "One ear o' th' harvest thresh'd,


s: And its grain safely stor'd, sweet charity


s: "Thou know'st, that in the bosom, whence the rib


s: Was ta'en to fashion that fair cheek, whose taste


s: All the world pays for, and in that, which pierc'd


s: By the keen lance, both after and before


s: Each evil in the scale, whate'er of light


s: Have by his virtue been infus'd, who form'd


s: Both one and other: and thou thence admir'st


s: A second, there is none, to his enclos'd


s: In the fifth radiance.  Open now thine eyes


s: To what I answer thee; and thou shalt see


s: Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth,


s: As centre in the round.  That which dies not,


s: And that which can die, are but each the beam


s: Engendereth loving; for that lively light,


s: Which passeth from his brightness; not disjoin'd


s: From him, nor from his love triune with them,


s: Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself,


s: "Descending hence unto the lowest powers,


s: Things generated, which the heav'nly orbs


s: Moving, with seed or without seed, produce.


s: Their wax, and that which molds it, differ much:


s: And thence with lustre, more or less, it shows


s: Th' ideal stamp impress: so that one tree


s: According to his kind, hath better fruit,


s: And worse: and, at your birth, ye, mortal men,


s: Are in your talents various.  Were the wax


s: Molded with nice exactness, and the heav'n


s: The lustre of the seal should be complete:


s: Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill.


s: Howe'er, if love itself dispose, and mark


s: The primal virtue, kindling with bright view,


s: There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such


s: The clay was made, accomplish'd with each gift,


s: That life can teem with; such the burden fill'd


s: Thy judgment, that the human nature ne'er


s: "Did I advance no further than this point,


s: 'How then had he no peer?'  thou might'st reply.


s: But, that what now appears not, may appear


s: Right plainly, ponder, who he was, and what


s: (When he was bidden 'Ask' ), the motive sway'd


s: That thou mayst see, he was a king, who ask'd


s: Sufficient: not the number to search out


s: Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp.


s: "Whence, noting that, which I have said, and this,


s: Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn,


s: And, marking clearly, that I told thee, 'Risen,'


s: To kings, of whom are many, and the good


s: Are rare.  With this distinction take my words;


s: And they may well consist with that which thou


s: Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make


s: Both to the 'yea' and to the 'nay' thou seest not.


s: For he among the fools is down full low,


s: Since it befalls, that in most instances


s: Current opinion leads to false: and then


s: Affection bends the judgment to her ply.


s: "Much more than vainly doth he loose from shore,


s: Since he returns not such as he set forth,


s: Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill.


s: Who journey'd on, and knew not whither: so did


s: The scripture-image, by distortion marr'd.


s: "Let not the people be too swift to judge,


s: As one who reckons on the blades in field,


s: Or ere the crop be ripe.  For I have seen


s: The thorn frown rudely all the winter long


s: And bark, that all the way across the sea


s: Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last,


s: E'en in the haven's mouth seeing one steal,


s: Another brine, his offering to the priest,


s: Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence


s: Into heav'n's counsels deem that they can pry:


s: For one of these may rise, the other fall."


s: Such was the image glanc'd into my mind,


s: Resum'd alternate: "Need there is (tho' yet


s: He tells it to you not in words, nor e'en


s: In thought) that he should fathom to its depth


s: Another mystery.  Tell him, if the light,


s: Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you


s: How, when ye shall regain your visible forms,


s: The sight may without harm endure the change,


s: That also tell."  As those, who in a ring


s: Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth


s: Raise loud the voice, and spring with gladder bound;


s: Thus, at the hearing of that pious suit,


s: And wond'rous note attested new delight.


s: Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb


s: The sweet refreshing, of that heav'nly shower.


s: Him, who lives ever, and for ever reigns


s: Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice


s: And from the lesser orb the goodliest light,


s: With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps


s: "Long as the joy of Paradise shall last,


s: Our love shall shine around that raiment, bright,


s: As fervent; fervent, as in vision blest;


s: And that as far in blessedness exceeding,


s: As it hath grave beyond its virtue great.


s: Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds


s: Of saintly flesh, must, being thus entire,


s: Show yet more gracious.  Therefore shall increase,


s: The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid,


s: The vision needs increasing, much increase


s: The fervour, which it kindles; and that too


s: The ray, that comes from it.  But as the greed


s: Which gives out flame, yet it its whiteness shines


s: Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere


s: Of splendour, shall to view less radiant seem,


s: Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth


s: Now covers.  Nor will such excess of light


s: Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke


s: Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance


s: Not for themselves, but for their kindred dear,


s: Mothers and sires, and those whom best they lov'd,


s: And lo! forthwith there rose up round about


s: Of equal clearness, like the brightening up


s: Of twilight, new appearances through heav'n


s: Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried;


s: So there new substances, methought began


s: To rise in view; and round the other twain


s: Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide.


s: O'erpowering vision in me!  But so fair,


s: Mind cannot follow it, nor words express


s: Her infinite sweetness.  Thence mine eyes regain'd


s: Translated: for the star, with warmer smile


s: With all the heart, and with that tongue which speaks


s: To God, befitting the new grace vouchsaf'd.


s: The rite accepted.  With such mighty sheen


s: And mantling crimson, in two listed rays


s: The splendours shot before me, that I cried,


s: "God of Sabaoth! that does prank them thus!"


s: Distinguish'd into greater lights and less,


s: Its pathway, which the wisest fail to spell;


s: So thickly studded, in the depth of Mars,


s: Those rays describ'd the venerable sign,


s: That quadrants in the round conjoining frame.


s: Here memory mocks the toil of genius.  Christ


s: Beam'd on that cross; and pattern fails me now.


s: But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ


s: When in the flecker'd dawning he shall spy


s: The glitterance of Christ.  From horn to horn,


s: And 'tween the summit and the base did move


s: Lights, scintillating, as they met and pass'd.


s: Thus oft are seen, with ever-changeful glance,


s: Straight or athwart, now rapid and now slow,


s: To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line


s: Against the noontide heat.  And as the chime


s: With many strings, a pleasant dining makes


s: To him, who heareth not distinct the note;


s: So from the lights, which there appear'd to me,


s: That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment


s: Possess'd me.  Yet I mark'd it was a hymn


s: "Arise and conquer," as to one who hears


s: O'ercame, that never till that hour was thing


s: Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes,


s: Of every beauty work with quicker force,


s: The higher they are ris'n; and that there


s: I had not turn'd me to them; he may well


s: That holy pleasure here not yet reveal'd,


s: Which grows in transport as we mount aloof.


s: True love, that ever shows itself as clear


s: In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong,


s: Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still'd


s: The sacred chords, that are by heav'n's right hand


s: Unwound and tighten'd, flow to righteous prayers


s: Should they not hearken, who, to give me will


s: For praying, in accordance thus were mute?


s: He hath in sooth good cause for endless grief,


s: Who, for the love of thing that lasteth not,


s: At nightfall, glides a sudden trail of fire,


s: And seems some star that shifted place in heav'n,


s: Only that, whence it kindles, none is lost,


s: And it is soon extinct; thus from the horn,


s: That on the dexter of the cross extends,


s: From mid the cluster shone there; yet no gem


s: Dropp'd from its foil; and through the beamy list


s: Like flame in alabaster, glow'd its course.


s: So forward stretch'd him (if of credence aught


s: Our greater muse may claim) the pious ghost


s: When he perceiv'd his son.  "O thou, my blood!


s: As now to thee, hath twice the heav'nly gate


s: Been e'er unclos'd?" so spake the light; whence I


s: Was lighted such a smile, I thought that mine


s: Mysterious; for his high conception scar'd


s: Beyond the mark of mortals.  When the flight


s: Of holy transport had so spent its rage,


s: The speech descended, the first sounds I heard


s: That hast such favour in my seed vouchsaf'd!"


s: Then follow'd: "No unpleasant thirst, tho' long,


s: Which took me reading in the sacred book,


s: Whose leaves or white or dusky never change,


s: Thou hast allay'd, my son, within this light,


s: From whence my voice thou hear'st; more thanks to her.


s: Who for such lofty mounting has with plumes


s: Begirt thee.  Thou dost deem thy thoughts to me


s: From him transmitted, who is first of all,


s: The truth is as thou deem'st; for in this hue


s: Both less and greater in that mirror look,


s: In which thy thoughts, or ere thou think'st, are shown.


s: But, that the love, which keeps me wakeful ever,


s: Urging with sacred thirst of sweet desire,


s: Fearless, and frank and jocund, utter forth


s: Thy will distinctly, utter forth the wish,


s: Whereto my ready answer stands decreed."


s: "To each among your tribe, what time ye kenn'd


s: The nature, in whom naught unequal dwells,


s: Wisdom and love were in one measure dealt;


s: From whence ye drew your radiance and your heat,


s: As makes all likeness scant.  But will and means,


s: In mortals, for the cause ye well discern,


s: With unlike wings are fledge.  A mortal I


s: And therefore give no thanks, but in the heart,


s: For thy paternal greeting.  This howe'er


s: I pray thee, living topaz! that ingemm'st


s: Even, hath pleas'd me:" thus the prompt reply


s: These hundred years and more, on its first ledge


s: And thy great grandsire.  Well befits, his long


s: Endurance should be shorten'd by thy deeds.


s: "Florence, within her ancient limit-mark,


s: Which calls her still to matin prayers and noon,


s: Was chaste and sober, and abode in peace.


s: She had no armlets and no head-tires then,


s: No purfled dames, no zone, that caught the eye


s: More than the person did.  Time was not yet,


s: When at his daughter's birth the sire grew pale.


s: For fear the age and dowry should exceed


s: On each side just proportion.  House was none


s: To be surpass in fall, as in its rising.


s: And, with no artful colouring on her cheeks,


s: His lady leave the glass.  The sons I saw


s: With unrob'd jerkin; and their good dames handling


s: And none left desolate a-bed for France!


s: One wak'd to tend the cradle, hushing it


s: With sounds that lull'd the parent's infancy:


s: The tresses from the distaff, lectur'd them


s: Had held as strange a marvel, as ye would


s: "In such compos'd and seemly fellowship,


s: Bestow'd me, call'd on with loud cries; and there


s: Christian at once and Cacciaguida; as were


s: And hence thy surname grew.  I follow'd then


s: The Emperor Conrad; and his knighthood he


s: Did gird on me; in such good part he took


s: Whose people, by the shepherd's fault, possess


s: Your right, usurping.  There, by that foul crew


s: Was I releas'd from the deceitful world,


s: Whose base affection many a spirit soils,


s: And from the martyrdom came to this peace."


s: Thou mov'st to boasting, when I could not choose,


s: In heav'n itself, but make my vaunt in thee!


s: Yet cloak thou art soon shorten'd, for that time,


s: Unless thou be eked out from day to day,


s: Goes round thee with his shears.  Resuming then


s: With greeting such, as Rome, was first to bear,


s: Was sever'd, smil'd reminding me of her,


s: Whose cough embolden'd (as the story holds)


s: "You are my sire," said I, "you give me heart


s: Freely to speak my thought: above myself


s: You raise me.  Through so many streams with joy


s: My soul is fill'd, that gladness wells from it;


s: So that it bears the mighty tide, and bursts not


s: Say then, my honour'd stem! what ancestors


s: Where those you sprang from, and what years were mark'd


s: In your first childhood?  Tell me of the fold,


s: That hath Saint John for guardian, what was then


s: Its state, and who in it were highest seated?"


s: As embers, at the breathing of the wind,


s: Their flame enliven, so that light I saw


s: Shine at my blandishments; and, as it grew


s: More fair to look on, so with voice more sweet,


s: Yet not in this our modern phrase, forthwith


s: It answer'd: "From the day, when it was said


s: 'Hail Virgin!' to the throes, by which my mother,


s: Whom she was heavy with, this fire had come,


s: Five hundred fifty times and thrice, its beams


s: Of its own lion.  They, of whom I sprang,


s: And I, had there our birth-place, where the last


s: By him, that runs her annual game.  Thus much


s: Suffice of my forefathers: who they were,


s: And whence they hither came, more honourable


s: All those, who in that time were there from Mars


s: Were but the fifth of them this day alive.


s: But then the citizen's blood, that now is mix'd


s: Ran purely through the last mechanic's veins.


s: O how much better were it, that these people


s: Were neighbours to you, and that at Galluzzo


s: And at Trespiano, ye should have your bound'ry,


s: Than to have them within, and bear the stench


s: That hath his eye already keen for bart'ring!


s: Had not the people, which of all the world


s: Degenerates most, been stepdame unto Caesar,


s: And trades and traffics, had been turn'd adrift


s: The beggar's craft.  The Conti were possess'd


s: And the blind bull falls with a steeper plunge,


s: Than the blind lamb; and oftentimes one sword


s: How they are gone, and after them how go


s: No longer new or strange to thee to hear,


s: That families fail, when cities have their end.


s: All things, that appertain t' ye, like yourselves,


s: Ye mark not, they endure so long, and you


s: Doth, by the rolling of her heav'nly sphere,


s: So fortune deals with Florence.  Hence admire not


s: At what of them I tell thee, whose renown


s: Time covers, the first Florentines.  I saw


s: Now in their wane, illustrious citizens:


s: And Ardinghi, and Bostichi.  At the poop,


s: So cumb'rous it may speedily sink the bark,


s: His title from the fam'd Bellincione ta'en.


s: Fair governance was yet an art well priz'd


s: The gilded hilt and pommel, in his house.


s: The column, cloth'd with verrey, still was seen


s: Unshaken: the Sacchetti still were great,


s: With them who blush to hear the bushel nam'd.


s: Was in its strength: and to the curule chairs


s: How mighty them I saw, whom since their pride


s: Hath undone! and in all her goodly deeds


s: Florence was by the bullets of bright gold


s: O'erflourish'd.  Such the sires of those, who now,


s: As surely as your church is vacant, flock


s: There stall them and grow fat.  The o'erweening brood,


s: That plays the dragon after him that flees,


s: But unto such, as turn and show the tooth,


s: Was on its rise, but yet so slight esteem'd,


s: His father-in-law should yoke him to its tribe.


s: The gateway, named from those of Pera, led


s: Each one, who bears the sightly quarterings


s: Of the great Baron (he whose name and worth


s: His knighthood and his privilege retain'd;


s: This day is mingled with the common herd.


s: Had it still lack'd of newer neighbourhood.


s: The house, from whence your tears have had their spring,


s: Through the just anger that hath murder'd ye


s: Was honour'd, it, and those consorted with it.


s: Prevail'd on thee to break the plighted bond


s: Many, who now are weeping, would rejoice,


s: Had God to Ema giv'n thee, the first time


s: Thou near our city cam'st.  But so was doom'd:


s: On that maim'd stone set up to guard the bridge,


s: At thy last peace, the victim, Florence! fell.


s: With these and others like to them, I saw


s: She had no cause at which to grieve: with these


s: Saw her so glorious and so just, that ne'er


s: The lily from the lance had hung reverse,


s: Or through division been with vermeil dyed."


s: Which had been fasten'd on him, (he whose end


s: Still makes the fathers chary to their sons),


s: E'en such was I; nor unobserv'd was such


s: Who had erewhile for me his station mov'd;


s: When thus by lady: "Give thy wish free vent,


s: Of the mind's impress; not that aught thy words


s: May to our knowledge add, but to the end,


s: That thou mayst use thyself to own thy thirst


s: And men may mingle for thee when they hear."


s: "O plant! from whence I spring! rever'd and lov'd!


s: Who soar'st so high a pitch, thou seest as clear,


s: As earthly thought determines two obtuse


s: Dost see contingencies, ere in themselves


s: All times are present, I, the whilst I scal'd


s: Words grievous, though I feel me on all sides


s: Well squar'd to fortune's blows.  Therefore my will


s: Were satisfied to know the lot awaits me,


s: The arrow, seen beforehand, slacks its flight."


s: So said I to the brightness, which erewhile


s: Such, as or ere the Lamb of God was slain,


s: Beguil'd the credulous nations; but, in terms


s: Yet in his smile apparent; and thus spake:


s: Is all depictur'd in the' eternal sight;


s: More then the tall ship, hurried down the flood,


s: Doth from the vision, that reflects the scene.


s: From thence, as to the ear sweet harmony


s: From organ comes, so comes before mine eye


s: The time prepar'd for thee.  Such as driv'n out


s: From Athens, by his cruel stepdame's wiles,


s: Depart from Florence.  This they wish, and this


s: Contrive, and will ere long effectuate, there,


s: Where gainful merchandize is made of Christ,


s: Throughout the livelong day.  The common cry,


s: Will, as 't is ever wont, affix the blame


s: Shall, in the vengeance it dispenseth, find


s: A faithful witness.  Thou shall leave each thing


s: Belov'd most dearly: this is the first shaft


s: Shot from the bow of exile.  Thou shalt prove


s: How salt the savour is of other's bread,


s: How hard the passage to descend and climb


s: By other's stairs, But that shall gall thee most


s: With whom thou must be thrown into these straits.


s: For all ungrateful, impious all and mad,


s: Shall turn 'gainst thee: but in a little while


s: Theirs and not thine shall be the crimson'd brow


s: Their course shall so evince their brutishness


s: T' have ta'en thy stand apart shall well become thee.


s: "First refuge thou must find, first place of rest,


s: In the great Lombard's courtesy, who bears


s: Upon the ladder perch'd the sacred bird.


s: He shall behold thee with such kind regard,


s: That 'twixt ye two, the contrary to that


s: Which falls 'twixt other men, the granting shall


s: Forerun the asking.  With him shalt thou see


s: That mortal, who was at his birth impress


s: So strongly from this star, that of his deeds


s: The nations shall take note.  His unripe age


s: Yet holds him from observance; for these wheels


s: But, ere the Gascon practice on great Harry,


s: Sparkles of virtue shall shoot forth in him,


s: His bounty shall be spread abroad so widely,


s: As not to let the tongues e'en of his foes


s: Be idle in its praise.  Look thou to him


s: Rich men and beggars interchanging fortunes.


s: And thou shalt bear this written in thy soul


s: Of him, but tell it not;" and things he told


s: What hath been told thee.--Lo! the ambushment


s: That a few circling seasons hide for thee!


s: Yet envy not thy neighbours: time extends


s: Thy span beyond their treason's chastisement."


s: Soon, as the saintly spirit, by his silence,


s: Had shown the web, which I had streteh'd for him


s: Counsel of other, wise, benign and friendly:


s: "My father! well I mark how time spurs on


s: Which falls most heavily on him, who most


s: Abandoned himself.  Therefore 't is good


s: I should forecast, that driven from the place


s: All others by my song.  Down through the world


s: Of infinite mourning, and along the mount


s: From whose fair height my lady's eyes did lift me,


s: And after through this heav'n from light to light,


s: Have I learnt that, which if I tell again,


s: To whom these days shall be of ancient date."


s: The brightness, where enclos'd the treasure smil'd,


s: Which I had found there, first shone glisteningly,


s: Next answer'd: "Conscience, dimm'd or by its own


s: Or other's shame, will feel thy saying sharp.


s: Thou, notwithstanding, all deceit remov'd,


s: And let them wince who have their withers wrung.


s: What though, when tasted first, thy voice shall prove


s: To vital nourishment.  The cry thou raisest,


s: Shall, as the wind doth, smite the proudest summits;


s: For this there only have been shown to thee,


s: Throughout these orbs, the mountain, and the deep,


s: Spirits, whom fame hath note of.  For the mind


s: And fix its faith, unless the instance brought


s: Now in his word, sole, ruminating, joy'd


s: Tempting the sweet with bitter: she meanwhile,


s: On other thoughts: bethink thee, that near Him


s: At the sweet sounds of comfort straight I turn'd;


s: And, in the saintly eyes what love was seen,


s: I leave in silence here: nor through distrust


s: Of my words only, but that to such bliss


s: The mind remounts not without aid.  Thus much


s: Yet may I speak; that, as I gaz'd on her,


s: While the everlasting pleasure, that did full


s: From her fair countenance my gladden'd soul


s: Of her soft smile, she spake: "Turn thee, and list.


s: As here we sometimes in the looks may see


s: Th' affection mark'd, when that its sway hath ta'en


s: The spirit wholly; thus the hallow'd light,


s: To whom I turn'd, flashing, bewray'd its will


s: "On this fifth lodgment of the tree, whose life


s: Is from its top, whose fruit is ever fair


s: And leaf unwith'ring, blessed spirits abide,


s: That were below, ere they arriv'd in heav'n,


s: Might grace her triumph with them.  On the horns


s: Look therefore of the cross: he, whom I name,


s: Shall there enact, as doth in summer cloud


s: Its nimble fire."  Along the cross I saw,


s: A splendour gliding; nor, the word was said,


s: Ere it was done: then, at the naming saw


s: With whirling speed; and gladness was the scourge


s: Unto that top.  The next for Charlemagne


s: A falcon flying.  Last, along the cross,


s: William, and Renard, and Duke Godfrey drew


s: My ken, and Robert Guiscard.  And the soul,


s: Who spake with me among the other lights


s: Did move away, and mix; and with the choir


s: Of heav'nly songsters prov'd his tuneful skill.


s: Or act, what next behoov'd; and did descry


s: Such mere effulgence in her eyes, such joy,


s: It past all former wont.  And, as by sense


s: In good deeds doth perceive from day to day


s: His virtue growing; I e'en thus perceiv'd


s: The circuit widen'd, noting the increase


s: Of beauty in that wonder.  Like the change


s: In a brief moment on some maiden's cheek,


s: Which from its fairness doth discharge the weight


s: Of pudency, that stain'd it; such in her,


s: And to mine eyes so sudden was the change,


s: Through silvery whiteness of that temperate star,


s: Whose sixth orb now enfolded us.  I saw,


s: Within that Jovial cresset, the clear sparks


s: Of love, that reign'd there, fashion to my view


s: Our language.  And as birds, from river banks


s: Arisen, now in round, now lengthen'd troop,


s: Array them in their flight, greeting, as seems,


s: Their new-found pastures; so, within the lights,


s: The saintly creatures flying, sang, and made


s: Now D. now I. now L. figur'd I' th' air.


s: First, singing, to their notes they mov'd, then one


s: Did rest them, and were mute.  O nymph divine


s: Of Pegasean race! whose souls, which thou


s: Inspir'st, mak'st glorious and long-liv'd, as they


s: Cities and realms by thee! thou with thyself


s: Inform me; that I may set forth the shapes,


s: As fancy doth present them.  Be thy power


s: Display'd in this brief song.  The characters,


s: Vocal and consonant, were five-fold seven.


s: In order each, as they appear'd, I mark'd.


s: Both verb and noun all blazon'd; and the extreme


s: Of the fifth word they held their station,


s: Making the star seem silver streak'd with gold.


s: Descending other lights, that rested there,


s: Singing, methinks, their bliss and primal good.


s: Rise scatter'd, source of augury to th' unwise;


s: Thus more than thousand twinkling lustres hence


s: Some mounting, and some less; e'en as the sun,


s: Which kindleth them, decreed.  And when each one


s: Had settled in his place, the head and neck


s: Grav'd in that streaky fire.  Who painteth there,


s: Hath none to guide him; of himself he guides;


s: Doth own from him the virtue, fashions it.


s: Erewhile, with lilied crowning, well content


s: Following gently the impress of the bird.


s: Sweet star! what glorious and thick-studded gems


s: To be the effluence of that heav'n, which thou,


s: Therefore I pray the Sovran Mind, from whom


s: That he would look from whence the fog doth rise,


s: He may put forth his hand 'gainst such, as drive


s: Their traffic in that sanctuary, whose walls


s: With miracles and martyrdoms were built.


s: Ye host of heaven! whose glory I survey!


s: O beg ye grace for those, that are on earth


s: War once had for its instrument the sword:


s: But now 't is made, taking the bread away


s: Which the good Father locks from none.  --And thou,


s: That writes but to cancel, think, that they,


s: Who for the vineyard, which thou wastest, died,


s: Peter and Paul live yet, and mark thy doings.


s: Thou hast good cause to cry, "My heart so cleaves


s: And from the wilds was dragg'd to martyrdom,


s: Before my sight appear'd, with open wings,


s: Gladdening the thronged spirits.  Each did seem


s: The sun-beam glow'd that to mine eyes it came


s: In clear refraction.  And that, which next


s: Befalls me to portray, voice hath not utter'd,


s: Was e'er conceiv'd.  For I beheld and heard


s: The beak discourse; and, what intention form'd


s: Beginning: "For that I was just and piteous,


s: The which no wish exceeds: and there on earth


s: Commended, while they leave its course untrod."


s: And one the voice, that issued from them all.


s: Whence I address them: "O perennial flowers


s: Breathe now; and let the hunger be appeas'd,


s: That with great craving long hath held my soul,


s: Finding no food on earth.  This well I know,


s: That if there be in heav'n a realm, that shows


s: In faithful mirror the celestial Justice,


s: Yours without veil reflects it.  Ye discern


s: With such inveterate craving."  Straight I saw,


s: That rears his head, and claps him with his wings,


s: So saw I move that stately sign, with praise


s: "Who turn'd his compass on the world's extreme,


s: And in that space so variously hath wrought,


s: Both openly, and in secret, in such wise


s: Could not through all the universe display


s: Of his omniscience should not still remain


s: He first through pride supplanted, who was sum


s: Whence needs each lesser nature is but scant


s: Therefore your sight, of th' omnipresent Mind


s: The ken, your world is gifted with, descends


s: As eye doth in the sea; which though it mark


s: The bottom from the shore, in the wide main


s: Discerns it not; and ne'ertheless it is,


s: But hidden through its deepness.  Light is none,


s: Save that which cometh from the pure serene


s: 'Tis darkness all, or shadow of the flesh,


s: Or else its poison.  Here confess reveal'd


s: That covert, which hath hidden from thy search


s: The living justice, of the which thou mad'st


s: Such frequent question; for thou saidst--'A man


s: Is born on Indus' banks, and none is there


s: Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write,


s: But unbaptiz'd he dies, and void of faith.


s: Where is the justice that condemns him?  where


s: His blame, if he believeth not?'--What then,


s: And who art thou, that on the stool wouldst sit


s: To judge at distance of a thousand miles


s: With the short-sighted vision of a span?


s: The primal will, that in itself is good,


s: Hath from itself, the chief Good, ne'er been mov'd.


s: Whose very cause depends upon its beam."


s: As on her nest the stork, that turns about


s: Unto her young, whom lately she hath fed,


s: While they with upward eyes do look on her;


s: Lab'ring with such deep counsel.  Wheeling round


s: It warbled, and did say: "As are my notes


s: To thee, who understand'st them not, such is


s: Then still abiding in that ensign rang'd,


s: Wherewith the Romans over-awed the world,


s: Those burning splendours of the Holy Spirit


s: Took up the strain; and thus it spake again:


s: Were nail'd upon the wood.  But lo! of those


s: Who call 'Christ, Christ,' there shall be many found,


s: In judgment, further off from him by far,


s: Than such, to whom his name was never known.


s: Christians like these the Ethiop shall condemn:


s: When that the two assemblages shall part;


s: "What may the Persians say unto your kings,


s: When they shall see that volume, in the which


s: All their dispraise is written, spread to view?


s: There amidst Albert's works shall that be read,


s: Which will give speedy motion to the pen,


s: When Prague shall mourn her desolated realm.


s: There shall be read the woe, that he doth work


s: Who by the tusk will perish: there be read


s: The thirsting pride, that maketh fool alike


s: The English and Scot, impatient of their bound.


s: There shall be seen the Spaniard's luxury,


s: The delicate living there of the Bohemian,


s: Who still to worth has been a willing stranger.


s: No less a mark than million.  He, who guards


s: The isle of fire by old Anchises honour'd


s: Shall find his avarice there and cowardice;


s: The writing must be letters maim'd, that speak


s: Much in a narrow space.  All there shall know


s: His uncle and his brother's filthy doings,


s: And Norway, there shall be expos'd with him


s: Thy ill-entreating! and, O blest Navarre!


s: If with thy mountainous girdle thou wouldst arm thee


s: In earnest of that day, e'en now are heard


s: Wailings and groans in Famagosta's streets


s: Who keepeth even footing with the rest."


s: When, disappearing, from our hemisphere,


s: The world's enlightener vanishes, and day


s: Of such vicissitude in heaven I thought,


s: As the great sign, that marshaleth the world


s: And the world's leaders, in the blessed beak


s: Was silent; for that all those living lights,


s: Waxing in splendour, burst forth into songs,


s: Such as from memory glide and fall away.


s: Sweet love! that dost apparel thee in smiles,


s: How lustrous was thy semblance in those sparkles,


s: Which merely are from holy thoughts inspir'd!


s: After the precious and bright beaming stones,


s: That did ingem the sixth light, ceas'd the chiming


s: Of their angelic bells; methought I heard


s: The murmuring of a river, that doth fall


s: From rock to rock transpicuous, making known


s: The richness of his spring-head: and as sound


s: Of cistern, at the fret-board, or of pipe,


s: Is, at the wind-hole, modulate and tun'd;


s: Thus up the neck, as it were hollow, rose


s: That murmuring of the eagle, and forthwith


s: Voice there assum'd, and thence along the beak


s: Issued in form of words, such as my heart


s: Did look for, on whose tables I inscrib'd them.


s: "The part in me, that sees, and bears the sun,,


s: That figure me, those, glittering in mine eye,


s: Are chief of all the greatest.  This, that shines


s: Midmost for pupil, was the same, who sang


s: The ark from town to town; now doth he know


s: The merit of his soul-impassion'd strains


s: By their well-fitted guerdon.  Of the five,


s: How dear he costeth not to follow Christ,


s: Both from experience of this pleasant life,


s: And of its opposite.  He next, who follows


s: In the circumference, for the over arch,


s: By true repenting slack'd the pace of death:


s: Now knoweth he, that the degrees of heav'n


s: Alter not, when through pious prayer below


s: The other following, with the laws and me,


s: To yield the shepherd room, pass'd o'er to Greece,


s: Now knoweth he, how all the ill, deriv'd


s: From his well doing, doth not helm him aught,


s: Though it have brought destruction on the world.


s: That, which thou seest in the under bow,


s: Was William, whom that land bewails, which weeps


s: For Charles and Frederick living: now he knows


s: How well is lov'd in heav'n the righteous king,


s: Which he betokens by his radiant seeming.


s: Who in the erring world beneath would deem,


s: That Trojan Ripheus in this round was set


s: Fifth of the saintly splendours?  now he knows


s: Enough of that, which the world cannot see,


s: Reach not its utmost depth."  Like to the lark,


s: That warbling in the air expatiates long,


s: Then, trilling out his last sweet melody,


s: Drops satiate with the sweetness; such appear'd


s: That image stampt by the' everlasting pleasure,


s: Which fashions like itself all lovely things.


s: As is through glass the hue that mantles it,


s: "What things are these?"  involuntary rush'd,


s: And forc'd a passage out: whereat I mark'd


s: The eye was kindled: and the blessed sign


s: No more to keep me wond'ring and suspense,


s: Replied: "I see that thou believ'st these things,


s: Because I tell them, but discern'st not how;


s: So that thy knowledge waits not on thy faith:


s: As one who knows the name of thing by rote,


s: Till other's tongue reveal them.  Fervent love


s: The kingdom of the heavens, and overcome


s: The will of the Most high; not in such sort


s: As man prevails o'er man; but conquers it,


s: Because 't is willing to be conquer'd, still,


s: Though conquer'd, by its mercy conquering.


s: "Those, in the eye who live the first and fifth,


s: Cause thee to marvel, in that thou behold'st


s: The region of the angels deck'd with them.


s: They quitted not their bodies, as thou deem'st,


s: Gentiles but Christians, in firm rooted faith,


s: This of the feet in future to be pierc'd,


s: That of feet nail'd already to the cross.


s: Came back unto his bones.  Of lively hope


s: Such was the meed; of lively hope, that wing'd


s: The prayers sent up to God for his release,


s: And put power into them to bend his will.


s: The glorious Spirit, of whom I speak to thee,


s: Believ'd in him, who had the means to help,


s: And, in believing, nourish'd such a flame


s: He was made sharer in our gamesome mirth.


s: The other, through the riches of that grace,


s: Which from so deep a fountain doth distil,


s: Plac'd all his love below on just and right:


s: Wherefore of grace God op'd in him the eye


s: The filth of paganism, and for their ways


s: Rebuk'd the stubborn nations.  The three nymphs,


s: Whom at the right wheel thou beheldst advancing,


s: Were sponsors for him more than thousand years


s: As see not the First cause entire: and ye,


s: Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:


s: Concentrate, and God's will and ours are one."


s: So, by that form divine, was giv'n to me


s: Sweet medicine to clear and strengthen sight,


s: And, as one handling skillfully the harp,


s: Attendant on some skilful songster's voice


s: Bids the chords vibrate, and therein the song


s: Acquires more pleasure; so, the whilst it spake,


s: Like the accordant twinkling of two eyes,


s: Their beamy circlets, dancing to the sounds.


s: And with mine eyes my soul, that in her looks


s: Found all contentment.  Yet no smile she wore


s: And, "Did I smile," quoth she, "thou wouldst be straight


s: For, mounting these eternal palace-stairs,


s: As thou hast noted, still doth kindle more,


s: So shines, that, were no temp'ring interpos'd,


s: Thy mortal puissance would from its rays


s: Shrink, as the leaf doth from the thunderbolt.


s: Into the seventh splendour are we wafted,


s: That underneath the burning lion's breast


s: Beams, in this hour, commingled with his might,


s: Thy mind be with thine eyes: and in them mirror'd


s: The shape, which in this mirror shall be shown."


s: May know, when to new thoughts I chang'd, what joy


s: Within the crystal, which records the name,


s: Of that lov'd monarch, in whose happy reign


s: No ill had power to harm, I saw rear'd up,


s: So lofty was the summit; down whose steps


s: Descending, ev'ry light in heav'n, methought,


s: Was shed thence.  As the rooks, at dawn of day


s: Bestirring them to dry their feathers chill,


s: Some speed their way a-field, and homeward some,


s: Returning, cross their flight, while some abide


s: And wheel around their airy lodge; so seem'd


s: That glitterance, wafted on alternate wing,


s: As upon certain stair it met, and clash'd


s: Its shining. And one ling'ring near us, wax'd


s: So bright, that in my thought: said: "The love,


s: Which this betokens me, admits no doubt."


s: To her, by whom my silence and my speech


s: Are order'd, looking for a sign: whence she,


s: Who in the sight of Him, that seeth all,


s: T' indulge the fervent wish; and I began:


s: That thou shouldst answer me; but for her sake,


s: Who hath vouchsaf'd my asking, spirit blest!


s: That in thy joy art shrouded! say the cause,


s: Which bringeth thee so near: and wherefore, say,


s: Keep silence here, pervading with such sounds


s: "Mortal art thou in hearing as in sight;"


s: Was the reply: "and what forbade the smile


s: Only to yield thee gladness of my voice,


s: And of the light that vests me, I thus far


s: Descend these hallow'd steps: not that more love


s: Invites me; for lo! there aloft, as much


s: Or more of love is witness'd in those flames:


s: That makes us ready servants, as thou seest,


s: "That in this court," said I, "O sacred lamp!


s: Love no compulsion needs, but follows free


s: This harder find to deem, why of thy peers


s: Thou only to this office wert foredoom'd."


s: Upon its centre whirl'd the light; and then


s: The love, that did inhabit there, replied:


s: "Splendour eternal, piercing through these folds,


s: That on the sov'ran essence, which it wells from,


s: I have the power to gaze: and hence the joy,


s: Wherewith I sparkle, equaling with my blaze


s: The keenness of my sight.  But not the soul,


s: That is in heav'n most lustrous, nor the seraph


s: That hath his eyes most fix'd on God, shall solve


s: What thou hast ask'd: for in th' abyss it lies


s: And, to the mortal world when thou return'st,


s: Be this reported; that none henceforth dare


s: Direct his footsteps to so dread a bourn.


s: The mind, that here is radiant, on the earth


s: Is wrapt in mist.  Look then if she may do,


s: When she is ta'en to heav'n."  By words like these


s: Admonish'd, I the question urg'd no more;


s: T' instruct me of its state.  "'Twixt either shore


s: The thunder doth not lift his voice so high,


s: They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell


s: A third time thus it spake; then added: "There


s: That with no costlier viands than the juice


s: Of summer and the winter frosts, content


s: In heav'n-ward musings.  Rich were the returns


s: And fertile, which that cloister once was us'd


s: To render to these heavens: now 't is fall'n


s: Of mortal life, through much importuning


s: I was constrain'd to wear the hat that still


s: From bad to worse it shifted.--Cephas came;


s: He came, who was the Holy Spirit's vessel,


s: Barefoot and lean, eating their bread, as chanc'd,


s: At the first table.  Modern Shepherd's need


s: Those who on either hand may prop and lead them,


s: So burly are they grown: and from behind


s: Others to hoist them.  Down the palfrey's sides


s: Spread their broad mantles, so as both the beasts


s: Are cover'd with one skin.  O patience! thou


s: That lookst on this and doth endure so long."


s: I at those accents saw the splendours down


s: From step to step alight, and wheel, and wax,


s: Each circuiting, more beautiful.  Round this


s: They came, and stay'd them; uttered them a shout


s: So loud, it hath no likeness here: nor I


s: Wist what it spake, so deaf'ning was the thunder.


s: I turn'd me, like the chill, who always runs


s: Thither for succour, where he trusteth most,


s: And she was like the mother, who her son


s: Beholding pale and breathless, with her voice


s: Soothes him, and he is cheer'd; for thus she spake,


s: Soothing me: "Know'st not thou, thou art in heav'n?


s: And know'st not thou, whatever is in heav'n,


s: But is done zealously and well?  Deem now,


s: What change in thee the song, and what my smile


s: had wrought, since thus the shout had pow'r to move thee.


s: In which couldst thou have understood their prayers,


s: The vengeance were already known to thee,


s: Which thou must witness ere thy mortal hour,


s: The sword of heav'n is not in haste to smite,


s: Nor yet doth linger, save unto his seeming,


s: But elsewhere now l bid thee turn thy view;


s: So shalt thou many a famous spirit behold."


s: Mine eyes directing, as she will'd, I saw


s: A hundred little spheres, that fairer grew


s: By interchange of splendour.  I remain'd,


s: As one, who fearful of o'er-much presuming,


s: Nor dares to question, when amid those pearls,


s: One largest and most lustrous onward drew,


s: That it might yield contentment to my wish;


s: And from within it these the sounds I heard.


s: That burns amongst us, what thy mind conceives,


s: Were utter'd.  But that, ere the lofty bound


s: Thou reach, expectance may not weary thee,


s: Which thou hast such respect of.  In old days,


s: That mountain, at whose side Cassino rests,


s: Deceived and ill dispos'd: and I it was,


s: Who thither carried first the name of Him,


s: Who brought the soul-subliming truth to man.


s: And such a speeding grace shone over me,


s: That from their impious worship I reclaim'd


s: The dwellers round about, who with the world


s: Were in delusion lost.  These other flames,


s: The spirits of men contemplative, were all


s: Enliven'd by that warmth, whose kindly force


s: Gives birth to flowers and fruits of holiness.


s: And here my brethren, who their steps refrain'd


s: Within the cloisters, and held firm their heart."


s: I answ'ring, thus; "Thy gentle words and kind,


s: And this the cheerful semblance, I behold


s: Have rais'd assurance in me, wakening it


s: Before the sun, when the consummate flower


s: Has spread to utmost amplitude.  Of thee


s: Upon thine image, by no covering veil'd."


s: "Brother!"  he thus rejoin'd, "in the last sphere


s: For there on each desire completion waits,


s: And there on mine: where every aim is found


s: Perfect, entire, and for fulfillment ripe.


s: There all things are as they have ever been:


s: For space is none to bound, nor pole divides,


s: And so at giddy distance mocks thy view.


s: Thither the Patriarch Jacob saw it stretch


s: Its topmost round, when it appear'd to him


s: None lifts his foot from earth: and hence my rule


s: Is left a profitless stain upon the leaves;


s: The walls, for abbey rear'd, turned into dens,


s: The cowls to sacks choak'd up with musty meal.


s: Against God's pleasure, than that fruit which makes


s: The hearts of monks so wanton: for whate'er


s: Is in the church's keeping, all pertains.


s: To such, as sue for heav'n's sweet sake, and not


s: To those who in respect of kindred claim,


s: Or on more vile allowance.  Mortal flesh


s: Is grown so dainty, good beginnings last not


s: From the oak's birth, unto the acorn's setting.


s: Or silver; I with pray'rs and fasting mine;


s: And if thou note the point, whence each proceeds,


s: Then look what it hath err'd to, thou shalt find


s: The white grown murky.  Jordan was turn'd back;


s: And a less wonder, then the refluent sea,


s: May at God's pleasure work amendment here."


s: So saying, to his assembly back he drew:


s: Then all roll'd upward like an eddying wind.


s: The sweet dame beckon'd me to follow them:


s: And, by that influence only, so prevail'd


s: I ofttimes wail my sins, and smite my breast,


s: Thou hadst been longer drawing out and thrusting


s: The sign, that followeth Taurus, I beheld,


s: And enter'd its precinct.  O glorious stars!


s: O light impregnate with exceeding virtue!


s: The Tuscan air; and afterward, when grace


s: Vouchsaf'd me entrance to the lofty wheel


s: My passage at your clime.  To you my soul


s: To meet the hard emprize that draws me on.


s: "Thou art so near the sum of blessedness,"


s: Be vigilant and clear.  And, to this end,


s: Or even thou advance thee further, hence


s: Look downward, and contemplate, what a world


s: Already stretched under our feet there lies:


s: So as thy heart may, in its blithest mood,


s: Which through the' etherial concave comes rejoicing."


s: I straight obey'd; and with mine eye return'd


s: Through all the seven spheres, and saw this globe


s: It moved my smiles: and him in truth I hold


s: For wisest, who esteems it least: whose thoughts


s: Elsewhere are fix'd, him worthiest call and best.


s: Without the shadow, whereof late I deem'd


s: That dense and rare were cause.  Here I sustain'd


s: And mark'd, how near him with their circle, round


s: Jove's tempering 'twixt his sire and son; and hence


s: Distinctly scann'd.  Nor might I not descry


s: Of all the seven, how bulky each, how swift;


s: Nor of their several distances not learn.


s: This petty area (o'er the which we stride


s: So fiercely), as along the eternal twins


s: Forth from the havens stretch'd unto the hills.


s: Then to the beauteous eyes mine eyes return'd.


s: E'en as the bird, who midst the leafy bower


s: Has, in her nest, sat darkling through the night,


s: With her sweet brood, impatient to descry


s: Their wished looks, and to bring home their food,


s: In the fond quest unconscious of her toil:


s: She, of the time prevenient, on the spray,


s: That overhangs their couch, with wakeful gaze


s: Expects the sun; nor ever, till the dawn,


s: So stood the dame erect, and bent her glance


s: Abateth most his speed; that, seeing her


s: Suspense and wand'ring, I became as one,


s: Of somewhat new to come fills with delight.


s: Short space ensued; I was not held, I say,


s: Long in expectance, when I saw the heav'n


s: Wax more and more resplendent; and, "Behold,"


s: Of Christ, and all the harvest reap'd at length


s: Of thy ascending up these spheres."  Meseem'd,


s: That, while she spake her image all did burn,


s: And in her eyes such fullness was of joy,


s: As in the calm full moon, when Trivia smiles,


s: In peerless beauty, 'mid th' eternal nympus,


s: That paint through all its gulfs the blue profound


s: O'er million lamps a sun, from whom all drew


s: Their radiance as from ours the starry train:


s: And through the living light so lustrous glow'd


s: The substance, that my ken endur'd it not.


s: Who cheer'd me with her comfortable words!


s: "Against the virtue, that o'erpow'reth thee,


s: Avails not to resist.  Here is the might,


s: The path, that had been yearned for so long,


s: Betwixt the heav'n and earth."  Like to the fire,


s: That, in a cloud imprison'd doth break out


s: Expansive, so that from its womb enlarg'd,


s: It falleth against nature to the ground;


s: Thus in that heav'nly banqueting my soul


s: Outgrew herself; and, in the transport lost.


s: Holds now remembrance none of what she was.


s: "Ope thou thine eyes, and mark me: thou hast seen


s: Things, that empower thee to sustain my smile."


s: Doth come across him, and he strives in vain


s: Whenas that gracious boon was proffer'd me,


s: Which never may be cancel'd from the book,


s: Wherein the past is written.  Now were all


s: Those tongues to sound, that have on sweetest milk


s: And fatten'd, not with all their help to boot,


s: Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth,


s: My song might shadow forth that saintly smile,


s: flow merely in her saintly looks it wrought.


s: The sacred strain must leap, like one, that meets


s: But he, who thinks how ponderous the theme,


s: And that 't is lain upon a mortal shoulder,


s: May pardon, if it tremble with the burden.


s: The track, our ventrous keel must furrow, brooks


s: No unribb'd pinnace, no self-sparing pilot.


s: "Why doth my face," said Beatrice, "thus


s: Enamour thee, as that thou dost not turn


s: Beneath the rays of Christ?  Here is the rose,


s: Wherein the word divine was made incarnate;


s: And here the lilies, by whose odour known


s: The way of life was follow'd."  Prompt I heard


s: The strife of aching vision.  As erewhile,


s: Through glance of sunlight, stream'd through broken cloud,


s: Mine eyes a flower-besprinkled mead have seen,


s: Though veil'd themselves in shade; so saw I there


s: Legions of splendours, on whom burning rays


s: Shed lightnings from above, yet saw I not


s: The fountain whence they flow'd.  O gracious virtue!


s: Thou, whose broad stamp is on them, higher up


s: To my o'erlabour'd sight: when at the name


s: Both morn and eve, my soul, with all her might


s: Collected, on the goodliest ardour fix'd.


s: And, as the bright dimensions of the star


s: In heav'n excelling, as once here on earth


s: And girt the star, and hov'ring round it wheel'd.


s: Might seem a rent cloud when it grates the thunder,


s: Compar'd unto the sounding of that lyre,


s: Wherewith the goodliest sapphire, that inlays


s: The floor of heav'n, was crown'd. "Angelic Love


s: I am, who thus with hov'ring flight enwheel


s: The lofty rapture from that womb inspir'd,


s: Where our desire did dwell: and round thee so,


s: Lady of Heav'n! will hover; long as thou


s: Shall from thy presence gild the highest sphere."


s: Took up the strain, and echoed Mary's name.


s: The robe, that with its regal folds enwraps


s: The world, and with the nearer breath of God


s: Doth burn and quiver, held so far retir'd


s: Had stream'd unto me: therefore were mine eyes


s: That rose and sought its natal seed of fire;


s: And like to babe, that stretches forth its arms


s: After the milk is taken; so outstretch'd


s: Their wavy summits all the fervent band,


s: Through zealous love to Mary: then in view


s: So sweetly, the delight hath left me never.


s: In those rich-laden coffers, which below


s: Sow'd the good seed, whose harvest now they keep.


s: Here are the treasures tasted, that with tears


s: When gold had fail'd them.  Here in synod high


s: Of ancient council with the new conven'd,


s: To whom the keys of glory were assign'd.


s: To the great supper of the blessed Lamb,


s: Whereon who feeds hath every wish fulfill'd!


s: If to this man through God's grace be vouchsaf'd


s: Foretaste of that, which from your table falls,


s: But may some influence of your sacred dews


s: Sprinkle him.  Of the fount ye alway drink,


s: Whence flows what most he craves."  Beatrice spake,


s: And the rejoicing spirits, like to spheres


s: On firm-set poles revolving, trail'd a blaze


s: Of comet splendour; and as wheels, that wind


s: The stated rounds, that to th' observant eye


s: The first seems still, and, as it flew, the last;


s: E'en thus their carols weaving variously,


s: They by the measure pac'd, or swift, or slow,


s: Made me to rate the riches of their joy.


s: From that, which I did note in beauty most


s: So bright, as none was left more goodly there.


s: And leaves a blank: for that our mortal speech,


s: Nor e'en the inward shaping of the brain,


s: Hath colours fine enough to trace such folds.


s: "O saintly sister mine! thy prayer devout


s: Thou dost unbind me from that beauteous sphere."


s: Such were the accents towards my lady breath'd


s: From that blest ardour, soon as it was stay'd:


s: Of him, within whose mighty grasp our Lord


s: Did leave the keys, which of this wondrous bliss


s: He bare below! tent this man, as thou wilt,


s: With lighter probe or deep, touching the faith,


s: By the which thou didst on the billows walk.


s: Be steadfast, is not hid from thee: for thou


s: Hast there thy ken, where all things are beheld


s: In liveliest portraiture.  But since true faith


s: Has peopled this fair realm with citizens,


s: Thou in his audience shouldst thereof discourse."


s: And speaks not, till the master have propos'd


s: The question, to approve, and not to end it;


s: So I, in silence, arm'd me, while she spake,


s: And such profession: "As good Christian ought,


s: Declare thee, What is faith?"  Whereat I rais'd


s: My forehead to the light, whence this had breath'd,


s: Then turn'd to Beatrice, and in her looks


s: Approval met, that from their inmost fount


s: I should unlock the waters.  "May the grace,


s: That giveth me the captain of the church


s: For confessor," said I, "vouchsafe to me


s: Apt utterance for my thoughts!" then added: "Sire!


s: Of thy dear brother, who with thee conspir'd


s: Faith of things hop'd is substance, and the proof


s: Of things not seen; and herein doth consist


s: Methinks its essence,"--"Rightly hast thou deem'd,"


s: Was answer'd: "if thou well discern, why first


s: He hath defin'd it, substance, and then proof."


s: "The deep things," I replied, "which here I scan


s: Their being, on which credence hope sublime


s: Is built; and therefore substance it intends.


s: From such belief our reasoning, all respect


s: Th' intention is deriv'd."  Forthwith I heard:


s: "If thus, whate'er by learning men attain,


s: Were understood, the sophist would want room


s: To exercise his wit."  So breath'd the flame


s: Of love: then added: "Current is the coin


s: Thou utter'st, both in weight and in alloy.


s: But tell me, if thou hast it in thy purse."


s: "Even so glittering and so round," said I,


s: Next issued from the deep imbosom'd splendour:


s: "The flood," I answer'd, "from the Spirit of God


s: Rain'd down upon the ancient bond and new,--


s: Here is the reas'ning, that convinceth me


s: Seems blunt and forceless in comparison."


s: Then heard I: "Wherefore holdest thou that each,


s: Which so persuade thee, are the voice of heav'n?"


s: "The works, that follow'd, evidence their truth;"


s: I answer'd: "Nature did not make for these


s: The iron hot, or on her anvil mould them."


s: "Who voucheth to thee of the works themselves,"


s: Are that they purport?  None hath sworn so to thee."


s: "That all the world," said I, "should have been turn'd


s: To Christian, and no miracle been wrought,


s: The rest were not an hundredth part so great.


s: E'en thou wentst forth in poverty and hunger


s: To set the goodly plant, that from the vine,


s: It once was, now is grown unsightly bramble."


s: That ended, through the high celestial court


s: Resounded all the spheres.  "Praise we one God!"


s: And when that Worthy thus, from branch to branch,


s: Approach'd the topmost bough, he straight resum'd;


s: "The grace, that holds sweet dalliance with thy soul,


s: So far discreetly hath thy lips unclos'd


s: That, whatsoe'er has past them, I commend.


s: Behooves thee to express, what thou believ'st,


s: The next, and whereon thy belief hath grown."


s: "Who seest that, which thou didst so believe,


s: As to outstrip feet younger than thine own,


s: Toward the sepulchre?  thy will is here,


s: And thou the cause of it hast likewise ask'd.


s: All heav'n is mov'd, himself unmov'd the while.


s: Persuades me to this faith; but from that truth


s: Through Moses, the rapt Prophets, and the Psalms.


s: The Gospel, and that ye yourselves did write,


s: Essence threefold and one, mysterious league


s: Imprints: and from this germ, this firstling spark,


s: The lively flame dilates, and like heav'n's star


s: Doth glitter in me."  As the master hears,


s: Well pleas'd, and then enfoldeth in his arms


s: The servant, who hath joyful tidings brought,


s: And having told the errand keeps his peace;


s: Soon as my peace I held, compass'd me thrice


s: Had op'd lips; so well their answer pleas'd.


s: Both heav'n and earth copartners in its toil,


s: And with lean abstinence, through many a year,


s: Of the fair sheep-fold, where a sleeping lamb


s: The wolves set on and fain had worried me,


s: With other voice and fleece of other grain


s: I shall forthwith return, and, standing up


s: At my baptismal font, shall claim the wreath


s: First enter'd on the faith which maketh souls


s: Peter had then circled my forehead thus.


s: Next from the squadron, whence had issued forth


s: The first fruit of Christ's vicars on the earth,


s: Toward us mov'd a light, at view whereof


s: "Lo! lo! behold the peer of mickle might,


s: That makes Falicia throng'd with visitants!"


s: As when the ring-dove by his mate alights,


s: And murmuring cooes his fondness; thus saw I


s: One, of the other great and glorious prince,


s: With kindly greeting hail'd, extolling both


s: Their heavenly banqueting; but when an end


s: Before me sat they down, so burning bright,


s: I could not look upon them.  Smiling then,


s: Beatrice spake: "O life in glory shrin'd!"


s: Who didst the largess of our kingly court


s: Set down with faithful pen! let now thy voice


s: Of hope the praises in this height resound.


s: For thou, who figur'st them in shapes, as clear,


s: As Jesus stood before thee, well can'st speak them."


s: "Lift up thy head, and be thou strong in trust:


s: For that, which hither from the mortal world


s: Such cheering accents from the second flame


s: Unto the mountains that had bow'd them late


s: With over-heavy burden.  "Sith our Liege


s: Wills of his grace that thou, or ere thy death,


s: In the most secret council, with his lords


s: Shouldst be confronted, so that having view'd


s: The glories of our court, thou mayst therewith


s: With hope, that leads to blissful end; declare,


s: What is that hope, how it doth flourish in thee,


s: And whence thou hadst it?"  Thus proceeding still,


s: The second light: and she, whose gentle love


s: Among her sons, not one more full of hope,


s: Hath the church militant: so 't is of him


s: Enlighteneth all our tribe: and ere his term


s: The other points, both which thou hast inquir'd,


s: Not for more knowledge, but that he may tell


s: How dear thou holdst the virtue, these to him


s: Leave I; for he may answer thee with ease,


s: And without boasting, so God give him grace."


s: Like to the scholar, practis'd in his task,


s: Who, willing to give proof of diligence,


s: Seconds his teacher gladly, "Hope," said I,


s: "Is of the joy to come a sure expectance,


s: Th' effect of grace divine and merit preceding.


s: This light from many a star visits my heart,


s: But flow'd to me the first from him, who sang


s: The songs of the Supreme, himself supreme


s: Among his tuneful brethren.  'Let all hope


s: In thee,' so speak his anthem, 'who have known


s: Thy name;' and with my faith who know not that?


s: From thee, the next, distilling from his spring,


s: The influence of their dew."  Whileas I spake,


s: A lamping, as of quick and vollied lightning,


s: Play'd tremulous; then forth these accents breath'd:


s: E'en to the palm, and issuing from the field,


s: Glows vigorous yet within me, and inspires


s: What promise thou from hope in chief dost win."


s: "Both scriptures, new and ancient," I reply'd;


s: "Propose the mark (which even now I view)


s: That, in their own land, each one must be clad


s: In twofold vesture; and their proper lands this delicious life.


s: And clearer far, thy brother hath set forth


s: Of the white raiment destin'd to the saints."


s: And, as the words were ending, from above,


s: "They hope in thee," first heard we cried: whereto


s: Answer'd the carols all.  Amidst them next,


s: That winter's month were but a single day,


s: Were such a crystal in the Cancer's sign.


s: Though gay, yet innocent of worse intent,


s: Wheel'd, as became their rapture.  In the dance


s: And in the song it mingled.  And the dame


s: Held on them fix'd her looks: e'en as the spouse


s: Silent and moveless.  "This is he, who lay


s: This he, into whose keeping from the cross


s: The mighty charge was given."  Thus she spake,


s: Yet therefore naught the more remov'd her Sight


s: From marking them, or ere her words began,


s: Or when they clos'd.  As he, who looks intent,


s: And strives with searching ken, how he may see


s: The sun in his eclipse, and, through desire


s: Peer'd on that last resplendence, while I heard:


s: "Why dazzlest thou thine eyes in seeking that,


s: Which here abides not?  Earth my body is,


s: In earth: and shall be, with the rest, so long,


s: Of the Most High.  The two that have ascended,


s: In this our blessed cloister, shine alone


s: With the two garments.  So report below."


s: The oars, erewhile dash'd frequent in the wave,


s: All rest; the flamy circle at that voice


s: So rested, and the mingling sound was still,


s: Which from the trinal band soft-breathing rose.


s: I turn'd, but ah! how trembled in my thought,


s: Not distant, on the happy coast she stood.


s: With dazzled eyes, whilst wond'ring I remain'd,


s: Forth of the beamy flame which dazzled me,


s: Detain'd me; and these words it spake: "'T were well,


s: That, long as till thy vision, on my form


s: O'erspent, regain its virtue, with discourse


s: Thou compensate the brief delay.  Say then,


s: Beginning, to what point thy soul aspires:


s: "And meanwhile rest assur'd, that sight in thee


s: Is but o'erpowered a space, not wholly quench'd:


s: Since thy fair guide and lovely, in her look


s: Hath potency, the like to that which dwelt


s: Or early, at her pleasure; for they were


s: The gates, at which she enter'd, and did light


s: Are centered; in this palace is the weal,


s: The lessons love can read me."  Yet again


s: The voice which had dispers'd my fear, when daz'd


s: With that excess, to converse urg'd, and spake:


s: "Behooves thee sift more narrowly thy terms,


s: And say, who level'd at this scope thy bow."


s: 'T' imprint in me such love: for, of constraint,


s: Kindles our love, and in degree the more,


s: The essence then, where such advantage is,


s: That each good, found without it, is naught else


s: But of his light the beam, must needs attract


s: The soul of each one, loving, who the truth


s: Discerns, on which this proof is built.  Such truth


s: Learn I from him, who shows me the first love


s: Eternal: from his voice I learn, whose word


s: Is truth, that of himself to Moses saith,


s: 'I will make all my good before thee pass.'


s: Lastly from thee I learn, who chief proclaim'st,


s: "Through human wisdom, and th' authority


s: Therewith agreeing," heard I answer'd, "keep


s: The choicest of thy love for God.  But say,


s: If thou yet other cords within thee feel'st


s: That draw thee towards him; so that thou report


s: How many are the fangs, with which this love


s: Is grappled to thy soul."  I did not miss,


s: Th' avowal, which he led to; and resum'd:


s: "All grappling bonds, that knit the heart to God,


s: The being of the world, and mine own being,


s: The death which he endur'd that I should live,


s: And that, which all the faithful hope, as I do,


s: To the foremention'd lively knowledge join'd,


s: Have from the sea of ill love sav'd my bark,


s: And on the coast secur'd it of the right.


s: As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom,


s: My love for them is great, as is the good


s: Dealt by th' eternal hand, that tends them all."


s: I ended, and therewith a song most sweet


s: Rang through the spheres; and "Holy, holy, holy,"


s: Through sharp encounter of the nimble light,


s: With the eye's spirit running forth to meet


s: The ray, from membrane on to the membrane urg'd;


s: And the upstartled wight loathes that he sees;


s: On better judgment: thus the saintly came


s: Drove from before mine eyes the motes away,


s: With the resplendence of her own, that cast


s: Their brightness downward, thousand miles below.


s: Whence I my vision, clearer shall before,


s: Recover'd; and, well nigh astounded, ask'd


s: Of a fourth light, that now with us I saw.


s: That ever the first virtue fram'd, admires


s: Within these rays his Maker."  Like the leaf,


s: That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown;


s: By its own virtue rear'd then stands aloof;


s: So I, the whilst she said, awe-stricken bow'd.


s: Mature, when first engender'd!  Ancient father!


s: Converse with me: my will thou seest; and I,


s: More speedily to hear thee, tell it not."


s: Through the sleek cov'ring of his furry coat.


s: The fondness, that stirs in him and conforms


s: His outside seeming to the cheer within:


s: And in like guise was Adam's spirit mov'd


s: To joyous mood, that through the covering shone,


s: Transparent, when to pleasure me it spake:


s: "No need thy will be told, which I untold


s: Better discern, than thou whatever thing


s: Thou holdst most certain: for that will I see


s: In Him, who is truth's mirror, and Himself


s: Parhelion unto all things, and naught else


s: To him.  This wouldst thou hear; how long since God


s: Plac'd me high garden, from whose hounds


s: She led me up in this ladder, steep and long;


s: What space endur'd my season of delight;


s: Whence truly sprang the wrath that banish'd me;


s: And what the language, which I spake and fram'd


s: Assign'd me.  There, whence at thy lady's hest


s: The Mantuan mov'd him, still was I debarr'd


s: This council, till the sun had made complete,


s: Four thousand and three hundred rounds and twice,


s: His annual journey; and, through every light


s: Thousand save sev'nty times, the whilst I dwelt


s: For naught, that man inclines to, ere was lasting,


s: As is the sky that sways him.  That he speaks,


s: Is nature's prompting: whether thus or thus,


s: She leaves to you, as ye do most affect it.


s: El was the name on earth of the Chief Good,


s: Whose joy enfolds me: Eli then 't was call'd


s: Is as the leaf upon the bough; that goes,


s: And other comes instead.  Upon the mount


s: Most high above the waters, all my life,


s: From the first hour, to that which cometh next


s: (As the sun changes quarter), to the sixth."


s: Throughout all Paradise, that with the song


s: My spirit reel'd, so passing sweet the strain:


s: One universal smile it seem'd of all things,


s: Exhaustless riches and unmeasur'd bliss.


s: Before mine eyes stood the four torches lit;


s: And that, which first had come, began to wax


s: In brightness, and in semblance such became,


s: As Jove might be, if he and Mars were birds,


s: And interchang'd their plumes.  Silence ensued,


s: Through the blest quire, by Him, who here appoints


s: When thus I heard: "Wonder not, if my hue


s: Be chang'd; for, while I speak, these shalt thou see


s: All in like manner change with me.  My place


s: He who usurps on earth (my place, ay, mine,


s: Is void), the same hath made my cemetery


s: The more below his triumph, who from hence


s: Malignant fell."  Such colour, as the sun,


s: At eve or morning, paints an adverse cloud,


s: And as th' unblemish'd dame, who in herself


s: Of other's failing, shrinks with maiden fear;


s: And such eclipse in heav'n methinks was seen,


s: When the Most Holy suffer'd.  Then the words


s: Proceeded, with voice, alter'd from itself


s: So clean, the semblance did not alter more.


s: "Not to this end was Christ's spouse with my blood,


s: That she might serve for purchase of base gold:


s: And Urban, they, whose doom was not without


s: Much weeping seal'd.  No purpose was of our


s: That on the right hand of our successors


s: Part of the Christian people should be set,


s: And part upon their left; nor that the keys,


s: Which were vouchsaf'd me, should for ensign serve


s: Which makes me oft to bicker and turn red.


s: In shepherd's clothing greedy wolves below


s: Range wide o'er all the pastures.  Arm of God!


s: Why longer sleepst thou?  Caorsines and Gascona


s: Prepare to quaff our blood.  O good beginning


s: To what a vile conclusion must thou stoop!


s: But the high providence, which did defend


s: Through Scipio the world's glory unto Rome,


s: Will not delay its succour: and thou, son,


s: Who through thy mortal weight shall yet again


s: Of frozen vapours streams adown the air,


s: What time the she-goat with her skiey horn


s: Touches the sun; so saw I there stream wide


s: The vapours, who with us had linger'd late


s: And with glad triumph deck th' ethereal cope.


s: Onward my sight their semblances pursued;


s: So far pursued, as till the space between


s: From its reach sever'd them: whereat the guide


s: On upward gazing, said, "Look down and see


s: What circuit thou hast compass'd."  From the hour


s: Which from the midmost to the bound'ry winds;


s: And hitherward the shore, where thou, Europa!


s: Mad'st thee a joyful burden: and yet more


s: Of this dim spot had seen, but that the sun,


s: Then by the spirit, that doth never leave


s: Its amorous dalliance with my lady's looks,


s: Back with redoubled ardour were mine eyes


s: Led unto her: and from her radiant smiles,


s: Or in its limn'd resemblance, can combine


s: Through greedy eyes to take the soul withal,


s: Were to her beauty nothing.  Its boon influence


s: From the fair nest of Leda rapt me forth,


s: Liveliest and loftiest.  She my secret wish


s: Divin'd; and with such gladness, that God's love


s: Seem'd from her visage shining, thus began:


s: "Here is the goal, whence motion on his race


s: Starts; motionless the centre, and the rest


s: All mov'd around.  Except the soul divine,


s: Place in this heav'n is none, the soul divine,


s: Wherein the love, which ruleth o'er its orb,


s: Is kindled, and the virtue that it sheds;


s: One circle, light and love, enclasping it,


s: As this doth clasp the others; and to Him,


s: Who draws the bound, its limit only known.


s: As by the fifth or half ye count forth ten.


s: The vase, wherein time's roots are plung'd, thou seest,


s: Look elsewhere for the leaves.  O mortal lust!


s: That canst not lift thy head above the waves


s: Which whelm and sink thee down!  The will in man


s: Bears goodly blossoms; but its ruddy promise


s: Are met with but in babes, each taking leave


s: Ere cheeks with down are sprinkled; he, that fasts,


s: While yet a stammerer, with his tongue let loose


s: Of speech, than he doth wish her in her grave.


s: Whose welcome is the morn and eve his parting,


s: "Thou, to abate thy wonder, note that none


s: Bears rule in earth, and its frail family


s: Are therefore wand'rers.  Yet before the date,


s: When through the hundredth in his reck'ning drops


s: From winter's calendar, these heav'nly spheres


s: Shall roar so loud, that fortune shall be fain


s: To turn the poop, where she hath now the prow;


s: So that the fleet run onward; and true fruit,


s: Expected long, shall crown at last the bloom!"


s: Had drawn the veil from off our pleasant life,


s: And turneth to resolve him, if the glass


s: Have told him true, and sees the record faithful


s: Looking upon the beauteous eyes, whence love


s: Had made the leash to take me.  As I turn'd;


s: And that, which, in their circles, none who spies,


s: On mine; a point I saw, that darted light


s: So sharp, no lid, unclosing, may bear up


s: Against its keenness.  The least star we view


s: From hence, had seem'd a moon, set by its side,


s: As star by side of star.  And so far off,


s: Perchance, as is the halo from the light


s: Which paints it, when most dense the vapour spreads,


s: There wheel'd about the point a circle of fire,


s: More rapid than the motion, which first girds


s: The world.  Then, circle after circle, round


s: Enring'd each other; till the seventh reach'd


s: lied scarce been held entire. Beyond the sev'nth,


s: As more in number distant from the first,


s: With flame most pure, that to the sparkle' of truth


s: Was nearest, as partaking most, methinks,


s: Saw me in anxious thought suspense, and spake:


s: "Heav'n, and all nature, hangs upon that point.


s: The circle thereto most conjoin'd observe;


s: And know, that by intenser love its course


s: Is to this swiftness wing'd."  To whom I thus:


s: "It were enough; nor should I further seek,


s: Appointed, such as in these wheels is seen.


s: But in the sensible world such diff'rence is,


s: As each is wider from the centre.  Hence,


s: That hath for confine only light and love,


s: My wish may have completion I must know,


s: Contemplating, I fail to pierce the cause."


s: Do leave the knot untied: so hard 't is grown


s: For want of tenting."  Thus she said: "But take,"


s: She added, "if thou wish thy cure, my words,


s: Unto the virtue through its parts diffus'd.


s: The greater blessedness preserves the more.


s: Therefore the circle, whose swift course enwheels


s: Which is supreme in knowledge and in love


s: Thus by the virtue, not the seeming, breadth


s: Of substance, measure, thou shalt see the heav'ns,


s: Each to the' intelligence that ruleth it,


s: As when the sturdy north blows from his cheek


s: A blast, that scours the sky, forthwith our air,


s: Clear'd of the rack, that hung on it before,


s: Glitters; and, With his beauties all unveil'd,


s: The firmament looks forth serene, and smiles;


s: With clear reply the shadows back, and truth


s: And when the words were ended, not unlike


s: Ebullient shot forth scintillating fires:


s: And every sparkle shivering to new blaze,


s: Then heard I echoing on from choir to choir,


s: "Hosanna," to the fixed point, that holds,


s: And shall for ever hold them to their place,


s: "In the first circles, they, whom thou beheldst,


s: Follow their hoops, in likeness to the point,


s: Near as they can, approaching; and they can


s: The more, the loftier their vision.  Those,


s: That round them fleet, gazing the Godhead next,


s: Are thrones; in whom the first trine ends.  And all


s: Are blessed, even as their sight descends


s: For every mind.  Thus happiness hath root


s: In seeing, not in  loving, which of sight


s: Grace and good-will their measure have assign'd.


s: The other trine, that with still opening buds


s: In this eternal springtide blossom fair,


s: Fearless of bruising from the nightly ram,


s: Breathe up in warbled melodies threefold


s: Virtues, and powers the third.  The next to whom


s: Are princedoms and archangels, with glad round


s: To tread their festal ring; and last the band


s: All, as they circle in their orders, look


s: Aloft, and downward with such sway prevail,


s: That all with mutual impulse tend to God.


s: These once a mortal view beheld.  Desire


s: That he, as I have done rang'd them; and nam'd


s: Their orders, marshal'd in his thought.  From him


s: Dissentient, one refus'd his sacred read.


s: But soon as in this heav'n his doubting eyes


s: Were open'd, Gregory at his error smil'd


s: Should scan such secret truth; for he had learnt


s: Both this and much beside of these our orbs,


s: From an eye-witness to heav'n's mysteries."


s: Together both, girding the' horizon hang,


s: Till from that verge, each, changing hemisphere,


s: Part the nice level; e'en so brief a space


s: Bat painted on her cheek; and her fix'd gaze


s: Bent on the point, at which my vision fail'd:


s: "I speak, nor what thou wouldst inquire demand;


s: For I have mark'd it, where all time and place


s: Are present.  Not for increase to himself


s: Of good, which may not be increas'd, but forth


s: Beyond time's limit or what bound soe'er


s: To circumscribe his being, as he will'd,


s: Upon these waters mov'd the Spirit of God.


s: Simple and mix'd, both form and substance, forth


s: To perfect being started, like three darts


s: Shot from a bow three-corded.  And as ray


s: In crystal, glass, and amber, shines entire,


s: Did, from th' eternal Sovran, beam entire


s: Created his due station knew: those highest,


s: Who pure intelligence were made: mere power


s: The lowest: in the midst, bound with strict league,


s: Describ'd on Jerome's pages thou hast seen.


s: But that what I disclose to thee is true,


s: Those penmen, whom the Holy Spirit mov'd


s: Attest; as thou by diligent search shalt find


s: And reason in some sort discerns the same,


s: Who scarce would grant the heav'nly ministers


s: Of their perfection void, so long a space.


s: Thus when and where these spirits of love were made,


s: Thou know'st, and how: and knowing hast allay'd


s: Thy thirst, which from the triple question rose.


s: Ere one had reckon'd twenty, e'en so soon


s: Part of the angels fell: and in their fall


s: The others kept their station: and this task,


s: Whereon thou lookst, began with such delight,


s: That they surcease not ever, day nor night,


s: Their circling.  Of that fatal lapse the cause


s: Was the curst pride of him, whom thou hast seen


s: Pent with the world's incumbrance.  Those, whom here


s: Thou seest, were lowly to confess themselves


s: Of his free bounty, who had made them apt


s: For ministries so high: therefore their views


s: Were by enlight'ning grace and their own merit


s: Exalted; so that in their will confirm'd


s: They stand, nor feel to fall.  For do not doubt,


s: But to receive the grace, which heav'n vouchsafes,


s: With prompt affection welcometh the guest.


s: Now, without further help, if with good heed


s: My words thy mind have treasur'd, thou henceforth


s: And gaze thy fill.  But since thou hast on earth


s: Heard vain disputers, reasoners in the schools,


s: Its powers of apprehension, memory, choice;


s: Therefore, 't is well thou take from me the truth,


s: Pure and without disguise, which they below,


s: "Know thou, that, from the first, these substances,