s: The heavens are calling you, and wheel around you,


s: Displaying to you their eternal beauties,


s: And still your eye is looking on the ground;


s: Whence He, who all discerns, chastises you."


s: As much as 'twixt the close of the third hour


s: And dawn of day appeareth of that sphere


s: Which aye in fashion of a child is playing,


s: So much it now appeared, towards the night,


s: There it was evening, and 'twas midnight here;


s: And the rays smote the middle of our faces,


s: Because by us the mount was so encircled,


s: That straight towards the west we now were going


s: When I perceived my forehead overpowered


s: Beneath the splendour far more than at first,


s: And stupor were to me the things unknown,


s: I raised my hands, and made myself the visor


s: As when from off the water, or a mirror,


s: The sunbeam leaps unto the opposite side,


s: Ascending upward in the selfsame measure


s: Refracted there before me I was smitten;


s: On which account my sight was swift to flee.


s: "What is that, Father sweet, from which I cannot


s: So fully screen my sight that it avail me,"


s: Said I, "and seems towards us to be moving?"


s: "An angel 'tis, who comes to invite us upward.


s: Soon will it be, that to behold these things


s: Shall not be grievous, but delightful to thee


s: As much as nature fashioned thee to feel."


s: When we had reached the Angel benedight,


s: With joyful voice he said: "Here enter in


s: To stairway far less steep than are the others."


s: We mounting were, already thence departed,


s: Behind us sung, "Rejoice, thou that o'ercomest!"


s: Were going upward, and I thought, in going,


s: Some profit to acquire from words of his;


s: Whence he to me: "Of his own greatest failing


s: He knows the harm; and therefore wonder not


s: If he reprove us, that we less may rue it.


s: Because are thither pointed your desires


s: Where by companionship each share is lessened,


s: Envy doth ply the bellows to your sighs.


s: There would not be that fear within your breast;


s: For there, as much the more as one says 'Our,'


s: So much the more of good each one possesses,


s: And more of charity in that cloister burns."


s: I said, "than if I had before been silent,


s: And more of doubt within my mind I gather.


s: The more possessors can more wealthy make


s: Therein, than if by few it be possessed?"


s: And he to me: "Because thou fixest still


s: Thou pluckest darkness from the very light.


s: Which is above there, runneth unto love,


s: So much it gives itself as it finds ardour,


s: More are there to love well, and more they love there,


s: And, as a mirror, one reflects the other.


s: Thou shalt see Beatrice; and she will fully


s: Take from thee this and every other longing.


s: Endeavour, then, that soon may be extinct,


s: That close themselves again by being painful."


s: Even as I wished to say, "Thou dost appease me,"


s: I saw that I had reached another circle,


s: So that my eager eyes made me keep silence.


s: There it appeared to me that in a vision


s: Why in this manner hast thou dealt with us?


s: Were seeking for thee;"--and as here she ceased,


s: That which appeared at first had disappeared.


s: Adown her cheeks which grief distils whenever


s: From great disdain of others it is born,


s: And saying: "If of that city thou art lord,


s: For whose name was such strife among the gods,


s: And whence doth every science scintillate,


s: That clasped our daughter, O Pisistratus;"


s: And the lord seemed to me benign and mild


s: "What shall we do to those who wish us ill,


s: With stones a young man slaying, clamorously


s: Still crying to each other, "Kill him! kill him!"


s: And him I saw bow down, because of death


s: That weighed already on him, to the earth,


s: But of his eyes made ever gates to heaven,


s: Imploring the high Lord, in so great strife,


s: That he would pardon those his persecutors,


s: With such an aspect as unlocks compassion.


s: To things external to it which are true,


s: Like to a man that rouses him from sleep,


s: Exclaimed: "What ails thee, that thou canst not stand?


s: But hast been coming more than half a league


s: Veiling thine eyes, and with thy legs entangled,


s: In guise of one whom wine or sleep subdues?"


s: "O my sweet Father, if thou listen to me,


s: I'll tell thee," said I, "what appeared to me,


s: When thus from me my legs were ta'en away."


s: And he: "If thou shouldst have a hundred masks


s: Upon thy face, from me would not be shut


s: What thou hast seen was that thou mayst not fail


s: To ope thy heart unto the waters of peace,


s: Which from the eternal fountain are diffused.


s: I did not ask, 'What ails thee?' as he does


s: Who only looketh with the eyes that see not


s: But asked it to give vigour to thy feet;


s: Thus must we needs urge on the sluggards, slow


s: To use their wakefulness when it returns."


s: We passed along, athwart the twilight peering


s: Forward as far as ever eye could stretch


s: Against the sunbeams serotine and lucent;


s: And lo! by slow degrees a smoke approached


s: Nor was there place to hide one's self therefrom.


s: This of our eyes and the pure air bereft us.


s: Darkness of hell, and of a night deprived


s: Ne'er made unto my sight so thick a veil,


s: As did that smoke which there enveloped us,


s: Nor to the feeling of so rough a texture;


s: For not an eye it suffered to stay open;


s: Whereat mine escort, faithful and sagacious,


s: Drew near to me and offered me his shoulder.


s: E'en as a blind man goes behind his guide,


s: Lest he should wander, or should strike against


s: Aught that may harm or peradventure kill him,


s: So went I through the bitter and foul air,


s: Listening unto my Leader, who said only,


s: "Look that from me thou be not separated."


s: The Lamb of God who takes away our sins.


s: One word there was in all, and metre one,


s: So that all harmony appeared among them.


s: "Master," I said, "are spirits those I hear?"


s: And they the knot of anger go unloosing."


s: "Now who art thou, that cleavest through our smoke


s: And art discoursing of us even as though


s: Thou didst by calends still divide the time?"


s: After this manner by a voice was spoken;


s: And ask if on this side the way go upward."


s: And I: "O creature that dost cleanse thyself


s: To return beautiful to Him who made thee,


s: Thou shalt hear marvels if thou follow me."


s: "Thee will I follow far as is allowed me,"


s: He answered; "and if smoke prevent our seeing,


s: Hearing shall keep us joined instead thereof."


s: Thereon began I: "With that swathing band


s: Which death unwindeth am I going upward,


s: And hither came I through the infernal anguish.


s: And if God in his grace has me infolded,


s: So that he wills that I behold his court


s: Conceal not from me who ere death thou wast,


s: Right for the pass, and be thy words our escort."


s: The world I knew, and loved that excellence,


s: At which has each one now unbent his bow.


s: For mounting upward, thou art going right."


s: Thus he made answer, and subjoined: "I pray thee


s: To pray for me when thou shalt be above."


s: And I to him: "My faith I pledge to thee


s: To do what thou dost ask me; but am bursting


s: First it was simple, and is now made double


s: By thy opinion, which makes certain to me,


s: Here and elsewhere, that which I couple with it.


s: But I beseech thee point me out the cause,


s: That I may see it, and to others show it;


s: For one in the heavens, and here below one puts it."


s: A sigh profound, that grief forced into Ai!


s: He first sent forth, and then began he: "Brother,


s: The world is blind, and sooth thou comest from it!


s: Still upward to the heavens, as if all things


s: They of necessity moved with themselves.


s: If this were so, in you would be destroyed


s: Free will, nor any justice would there be


s: In having joy for good, or grief for evil.


s: I say not all; but granting that I say it,


s: Light has been given you for good and evil,


s: And free volition; which, if some fatigue


s: In the first battles with the heavens it suffers,


s: Afterwards conquers all, if well 'tis nurtured.


s: To greater force and to a better nature,


s: Though free, ye subject are, and that creates


s: The mind in you the heavens have not in charge.


s: Hence, if the present world doth go astray,


s: In you the cause is, be it sought in you;


s: Forth from the hand of Him, who fondles it


s: Weeping and laughing in her childish sport,


s: Issues the simple soul, that nothing knows,


s: Save that, proceeding from a joyous Maker,


s: Gladly it turns to that which gives it pleasure.


s: Of trivial good at first it tastes the savour;


s: If guide or rein turn not aside its love.


s: Hence it behoved laws for a rein to place,


s: Behoved a king to have, who at the least


s: Of the true city should discern the tower.


s: The laws exist, but who sets hand to them?


s: No one; because the shepherd who precedes


s: Can ruminate, but cleaveth not the hoof;


s: Wherefore the people that perceives its guide


s: Strike only at the good for which it hankers,


s: Feeds upon that, and farther seeketh not.


s: Clearly canst thou perceive that evil guidance


s: The cause is that has made the world depraved,


s: Rome, that reformed the world, accustomed was


s: Two suns to have, which one road and the other,


s: One has the other quenched, and to the crosier


s: The sword is joined, and ill beseemeth it


s: That by main force one with the other go,


s: Because, being joined, one feareth not the other;


s: If thou believe not, think upon the grain,


s: For by its seed each herb is recognized.


s: Before that Frederick had his controversy;


s: Whoever will abstain, through sense of shame,


s: From speaking with the good, or drawing near them.


s: True, three old men are left, in whom upbraids


s: The ancient age the new, and late they deem it


s: That God restore them to the better life:


s: And Guido da Castel, who better named is,


s: In fashion of the French, the simple Lombard:


s: Say thou henceforward that the Church of Rome,


s: Falls in the mire, and soils itself and burden."


s: "O Marco mine," I said, "thou reasonest well;


s: Of a lost race, thou sayest has remained


s: "Either thy speech deceives me, or it tempts me,"


s: He answered me; "for speaking Tuscan to me,


s: It seems of good Gherardo naught thou knowest.


s: Unless I take it from his daughter Gaia.


s: May God be with you, for I come no farther.


s: Behold the dawn, that through the smoke rays out,


s: Thus did he speak, and would no farther hear me.


s: A mist o'ertook thee, through which thou couldst see


s: Not otherwise than through its membrane mole,


s: How, when the vapours humid and condensed


s: Begin to dissipate themselves, the sphere


s: The sun at first, that was already setting.


s: Thus, to the faithful footsteps of my Master


s: Mating mine own, I issued from that cloud


s: So from without sometimes, that man perceives not,


s: Although around may sound a thousand trumpets,


s: Who moveth thee, if sense impel thee not?


s: Moves thee a light, which in the heaven takes form,


s: By self, or by a will that downward guides it.


s: Into the bird that most delights in singing,


s: Within itself, that from without there came


s: Nothing that then might be received by it.


s: In countenance, and even thus was dying.


s: In which the water it was made of fails,


s: There rose up in my vision a young maiden


s: Bitterly weeping, and she said: "O queen,


s: Why hast thou wished in anger to be naught?


s: Thou'st slain thyself, Lavinia not to lose;


s: Now hast thou lost me; I am she who mourns,


s: Mother, at thine ere at another's ruin."


s: New light strikes in upon the eyelids closed,


s: As soon as the effulgence smote my face,


s: Greater by far than what is in our wont.


s: I turned me round to see where I might be,


s: When said a voice, "Here is the passage up;"


s: Which from all other purposes removed me,


s: To look and see who was it that was speaking,


s: It never rests till meeting face to face;


s: But as before the sun, which quells the sight,


s: "This is a spirit divine, who in the way


s: And who with his own light himself conceals.


s: He does with us as man doth with himself;


s: For he who sees the need, and waits the asking,


s: Accord we now our feet to such inviting,


s: Let us make haste to mount ere it grow dark;


s: For then we could not till the day return."


s: Together turned our footsteps to a stairway;


s: And I, as soon as the first step I reached,


s: And fanning in the face, and saying, "'Beati


s: The latest sunbeams, which the night pursues,


s: That upon many sides the stars appeared.


s: "O manhood mine, why dost thou vanish so?"


s: We at the point were where no more ascends


s: The stairway upward, and were motionless,


s: Even as a ship, which at the shore arrives;


s: And I gave heed a little, if I might hear


s: Then to my Master turned me round and said:


s: Is purged here in the circle where we are?


s: Although our feet may pause, pause not thy speech."


s: In what it should have done, is here restored;


s: Turn unto me thy mind, and thou shalt gather


s: Natural or spiritual; and thou knowest it.


s: Or by too much, or by too little vigour.


s: It cannot be the cause of sinful pleasure;


s: But when to ill it turns, and, with more care


s: Or lesser than it ought, runs after good,


s: 'Gainst the Creator works his own creation.


s: Hence thou mayst comprehend that love must be


s: The seed within yourselves of every virtue,


s: Of its own subject can love turn its sight,


s: From their own hatred all things are secure;


s: Standing alone, nor from the First divided,


s: The evil that one loves is of one's neighbour,


s: And this is born in three modes in your clay.


s: There are, who, by abasement of their neighbour,


s: That from his greatness he may be cast down;


s: There are, who power, grace, honour, and renown


s: Fear they may lose because another rises,


s: Thence are so sad that the reverse they love;


s: And there are those whom injury seems to chafe,


s: So that it makes them greedy for revenge,


s: And such must needs shape out another's harm.


s: This threefold love is wept for down below;


s: That runneth after good with measure faulty.


s: Wherein the mind may rest, and longeth for it;


s: Therefore to overtake it each one strives.


s: If languid love to look on this attract you,


s: After just penitence, torments you for it.


s: There's other good that does not make man happy;


s: Essence, of every good the fruit and root.


s: The love that yields itself too much to this


s: I say not, that thou seek it for thyself."


s: The lofty Teacher, and attent was looking


s: And I, whom a new thirst still goaded on,


s: Without was mute, and said within: "Perchance


s: The too much questioning I make annoys him."


s: But that true Father, who had comprehended


s: Whence I: "My sight is, Master, vivified


s: Whate'er thy speech importeth or describes.


s: Therefore I thee entreat, sweet Father dear,


s: To teach me love, to which thou dost refer


s: "Direct," he said, "towards me the keen eyes


s: The error of the blind, who would be leaders.


s: Soon as by pleasure she is waked to action.


s: An image draws, and in yourselves displays it


s: And if, when turned, towards it she incline,


s: By its own form, which to ascend is born,


s: Which is a motion spiritual, and ne'er rests


s: The truth is from those people, who aver


s: Aye to be good; but yet not each impression


s: "Thy words, and my sequacious intellect,"


s: I answered him, "have love revealed to me;


s: But that has made me more impregned with doubt;


s: If right or wrong she go, 'tis not her merit."


s: For Beatrice, since 'tis a work of faith.


s: As life does in a plant by the green leaves.


s: But still, whence cometh the intelligence


s: And the affection for the first allurements,


s: To make its honey; and this first desire


s: Merit of praise or blame containeth not.


s: Now, that to this all others may be gathered,


s: Innate within you is the power that counsels,


s: And it should keep the threshold of assent.


s: This is the principle, from which is taken


s: As good and guilty loves it takes and winnows.


s: Those who, in reasoning, to the bottom went,


s: Therefore bequeathed they Ethics to the world.


s: Springs every love that is within you kindled,


s: Within yourselves the power is to restrain it.


s: By the free will; and therefore see that thou


s: Bear it in mind, if she should speak of it."


s: Now made the stars appear to us more rare,


s: Formed like a bucket, that is all ablaze,


s: And counter to the heavens ran through those paths


s: Which the sun sets aflame, when he of Rome


s: Sees it 'twixt Sardes and Corsicans go down;


s: And that patrician shade, for whom is named


s: Beside them saw at night the rush and throng,


s: If but the Thebans were in need of Bacchus,


s: So they along that circle curve their step,


s: From what I saw of those approaching us,


s: Who by good-will and righteous love are ridden.


s: Full soon they were upon us, because running


s: And two in the advance cried out, lamenting,


s: And Caesar, that he might subdue Ilerda,


s: Thrust at Marseilles, and then ran into Spain."


s: "Quick! quick! so that the time may not be lost


s: By little love!" forthwith the others cried,


s: "For ardour in well-doing freshens grace!"


s: Put by you in well-doing, through lukewarmness,


s: This one who lives, and truly I lie not,


s: Would fain go up, if but the sun relight us;


s: So tell us where the passage nearest is."


s: These were the words of him who was my Guide;


s: And some one of those spirits said: "Come on


s: Behind us, and the opening shalt thou find;


s: So full of longing are we to move onward,


s: That stay we cannot; therefore pardon us,


s: If thou for churlishness our justice take.


s: Of whom still sorrowing Milan holds discourse;


s: And he has one foot in the grave already,


s: Who shall erelong lament that monastery,


s: Because his son, in his whole body sick,


s: And worse in mind, and who was evil-born,


s: He put into the place of its true pastor."


s: If more he said, or silent was, I know not,


s: But this I heard, and to retain it pleased me.


s: Said: "Turn thee hitherward; see two of them


s: Come fastening upon slothfulness their teeth."


s: In rear of all they shouted: "Sooner were


s: The people dead to whom the sea was opened,


s: And those who the fatigue did not endure


s: Themselves to life withouten glory offered."


s: Those shades, that they no longer could be seen,


s: Within me a new thought did entrance find,


s: Whence others many and diverse were born;


s: No more can warm the coldness of the moon,


s: Vanquished by earth, or peradventure Saturn,


s: Rise by a path that long remains not dim,


s: There came to me in dreams a stammering woman,


s: Squint in her eyes, and in her feet distorted,


s: With hands dissevered and of sallow hue.


s: I looked at her; and as the sun restores


s: The frigid members which the night benumbs,


s: Her tongue, and made her all erect thereafter


s: In little while, and the lost countenance


s: As love desires it so in her did colour.


s: When in this wise she had her speech unloosed,


s: She 'gan to sing so, that with difficulty


s: Could I have turned my thoughts away from her.


s: Seldom departs so wholly I content him."


s: Her mouth was not yet closed again, before


s: Close at my side to put her to confusion.


s: Sternly she said; and he was drawing near


s: With eyes still fixed upon that modest one.


s: She seized the other and in front laid open,


s: Rending her garments, and her belly showed me;


s: This waked me with the stench that issued from it.


s: I turned mine eyes, and good Virgilius said:


s: "At least thrice have I called thee; rise and come;


s: Find we the opening by which thou mayst enter."


s: Were all the circles of the Sacred Mountain,


s: And with the new sun at our back we went.


s: Following behind him, I my forehead bore


s: Like unto one who has it laden with thought,


s: Who makes himself the half arch of a bridge,


s: When I heard say, "Come, here the passage is,"


s: Such as we hear not in this mortal region.


s: With open wings, which of a swan appeared,


s: Upward he turned us who thus spake to us,


s: Between the two walls of the solid granite.


s: He moved his pinions afterwards and fanned us,


s: Affirming those 'qui lugent' to be blessed,


s: For they shall have their souls with comfort filled.


s: "What aileth thee, that aye to earth thou gazest?"


s: Somewhat beyond the Angel having mounted.


s: So that I cannot from the thought withdraw me."


s: "Didst thou behold," he said, "that old enchantress,


s: Who sole above us henceforth is lamented?


s: Didst thou behold how man is freed from her?


s: Suffice it thee, and smite earth with thy heels,


s: Thine eyes lift upward to the lure, that whirls


s: The Eternal King with revolutions vast."


s: Even as the hawk, that first his feet surveys,


s: Then turns him to the call and stretches forward,


s: Through the desire of food that draws him thither,


s: Such I became, and such, as far as cleaves


s: The rock to give a way to him who mounts,


s: Went on to where the circling doth begin.


s: On the fifth circle when I had come forth,


s: Stretched prone upon the ground, all downward turned.


s: I heard them say with sighings so profound,


s: That hardly could the words be understood.


s: Justice and Hope both render less severe,


s: "If ye are come secure from this prostration,


s: Let your right hands be evermore outside."


s: Thus did the Poet ask, and thus was answered


s: By them somewhat in front of us; whence I


s: In what was spoken divined the rest concealed,


s: And unto my Lord's eyes mine eyes I turned;


s: To what the sight of my desire implored.


s: Whose words before had caused me to take note,


s: Saying: "O Spirit, in whom weeping ripens


s: That without which to God we cannot turn,


s: Who wast thou, and why are your backs turned upwards,


s: Tell me, and if thou wouldst that I procure thee


s: Anything there whence living I departed."


s: And he to me: "Wherefore our backs the heaven


s: Turns to itself, know shalt thou; but beforehand


s: Weighs the great cloak on him from mire who keeps it,


s: For all the other burdens seem a feather.


s: I saw that there the heart was not at rest,


s: Nor farther in that life could one ascend;


s: Whereby the love of this was kindled in me.


s: Until that time a wretched soul and parted


s: Now, as thou seest, I here am punished for it.


s: In the purgation of these souls converted,


s: And no more bitter pain the Mountain has.


s: Aloft, being fastened upon earthly things,


s: So justice here has merged it in the earth.


s: As avarice had extinguished our affection


s: For every good, whereby was action lost,


s: So justice here doth hold us in restraint,


s: Bound and imprisoned by the feet and hands;


s: Shall we remain immovable and prostrate."


s: I on my knees had fallen, and wished to speak;


s: "What cause," he said, "has downward bent thee thus?"


s: Standing, my conscience stung me with remorse."


s: "Straighten thy legs, and upward raise thee, brother,"


s: He answered: "Err not, fellow-servant am I


s: With thee and with the others to one power.


s: Which sayeth 'neque nubent,' thou hast heard,


s: Well canst thou see why in this wise I speak.


s: Now go; no longer will I have thee linger,


s: Because thy stay doth incommode my weeping,


s: With which I ripen that which thou hast said.


s: On earth I have a grandchild named Alagia,


s: Good in herself, unless indeed our house


s: Ill strives the will against a better will;


s: Therefore, to pleasure him, against my pleasure


s: I drew the sponge not saturate from the water.


s: Onward I moved, and onward moved my Leader,


s: Through vacant places, skirting still the rock,


s: For they that through their eyes pour drop by drop


s: The malady which all the world pervades,


s: On the other side too near the verge approach.


s: Accursed mayst thou be, thou old she-wolf,


s: That more than all the other beasts hast prey,


s: O heaven, in whose gyrations some appear


s: To think conditions here below are changed,


s: When will he come through whom she shall depart?


s: Onward we went with footsteps slow and scarce,


s: And I by peradventure heard "Sweet Mary!"


s: Even as a woman does who is in child-birth;


s: Where thou didst lay thy sacred burden down."


s: Thereafterward I heard: "O good Fabricius,


s: To the possession of great wealth with vice."


s: That I drew farther onward to have knowledge


s: Touching that spirit whence they seemed to come.


s: He furthermore was speaking of the largess


s: In order to conduct their youth to honour.


s: Tell me who wast thou," said I, "and why only


s: Thou dost renew these praises well deserved?


s: Not without recompense shall be thy word,


s: Of that life which is flying to its end."


s: And he: "I'll tell thee, not for any comfort


s: I may expect from earth, but that so much


s: Grace shines in thee or ever thou art dead.


s: Which overshadows all the Christian world,


s: So that good fruit is seldom gathered from it;


s: Had Power, soon vengeance would be taken on it;


s: From me were born the Louises and Philips,


s: By whom in later days has France been governed.


s: What time the ancient kings had perished all,


s: Excepting one, contrite in cloth of gray.


s: I found me grasping in my hands the rein


s: Of the realm's government, and so great power


s: Of new acquest, and so with friends abounding,


s: The head of mine own offspring was, from whom


s: Out of my blood took not the sense of shame,


s: 'Twas little worth, but still it did no harm.


s: Then it began with falsehood and with force


s: Thrust Thomas back to heaven, for amends.


s: Which draweth forth another Charles from France,


s: The better to make known both him and his.


s: Unarmed he goes, and only with the lance


s: That Judas jousted with; and that he thrusts


s: So that he makes the paunch of Florence burst.


s: Shall gain, so much more grievous to himself


s: As the more light such damage he accounts.


s: The other, now gone forth, ta'en in his ship,


s: See I his daughter sell, and chaffer for her


s: As corsairs do with other female slaves.


s: What more, O Avarice, canst thou do to us,


s: Since thou my blood so to thyself hast drawn,


s: That less may seem the future ill and past,


s: And Christ in his own Vicar captive made.


s: And between living thieves I see him slain.


s: This does not sate him, but without decretal


s: He to the temple bears his sordid sails!


s: By looking on the vengeance which, concealed,


s: Of the Holy Ghost, and which occasioned thee


s: So long has been ordained to all our prayers


s: As the day lasts; but when the night comes on,


s: At which forevermore one needs but laugh.


s: The foolish Achan each one then records,


s: And how he stole the spoils; so that the wrath


s: Of Joshua still appears to sting him here.


s: Then we accuse Sapphira with her husband,


s: Here finally is cried: 'O Crassus, tell us,


s: For thou dost know, what is the taste of gold?'


s: Sometimes we speak, one loud, another low,


s: According to desire of speech, that spurs us


s: But in the good that here by day is talked of,


s: When I perceived, like something that is falling,


s: The mountain tremble, whence a chill seized on me,


s: As seizes him who to his death is going.


s: To give birth to the two eyes of the heaven.


s: Such that the Master drew himself towards me,


s: Saying, "Fear not, while I am guiding thee."


s: Were saying, from what near I comprehended,


s: Even as the shepherds who first heard that song,


s: Until the trembling ceased, and it was finished.


s: Watching the shades that lay upon the ground,


s: Already turned to their accustomed plaint.


s: No ignorance ever with so great a strife


s: Nor out of haste to question did I dare,


s: Nor of myself I there could aught perceive;


s: So I went onward timorous and thoughtful.


s: The natural thirst, that ne'er is satisfied


s: Excepting with the water for whose grace


s: Along the encumbered path behind my Leader


s: And I was pitying that righteous vengeance;


s: And lo! in the same manner as Luke writeth


s: That Christ appeared to two upon the way


s: A shade appeared to us, and came behind us,


s: Saying, "My brothers, may God give you peace!"


s: We turned us suddenly, and Virgilius rendered


s: To him the countersign thereto conforming.


s: Thereon began he: "In the blessed council,


s: Thee may the court veracious place in peace,


s: "How," said he, and the while we went with speed,


s: "If ye are shades whom God deigns not on high,


s: Who up his stairs so far has guided you?"


s: And said my Teacher: "If thou note the marks


s: Which this one bears, and which the Angel traces


s: Well shalt thou see he with the good must reign.


s: But because she who spinneth day and night


s: For him had not yet drawn the distaff off,


s: Which Clotho lays for each one and compacts,


s: His soul, which is thy sister and my own,


s: By reason that it sees not in our fashion.


s: Whence I was drawn from out the ample throat


s: Of Hell to be his guide, and I shall guide him


s: As far on as my school has power to lead.


s: But tell us, if thou knowest, why such a shudder


s: Erewhile the mountain gave, and why together


s: All seemed to cry, as far as its moist feet?"


s: "Naught is there," he began, "that without order


s: Nor aught that may be foreign to its custom.


s: What from itself heaven in itself receiveth


s: Can be of this the cause, and naught beside;


s: Because that neither rain, nor hail, nor snow,


s: Nor dew, nor hoar-frost any higher falls


s: Than the short, little stairway of three steps.


s: Dense clouds do not appear, nor rarefied,


s: Nor coruscation, nor the daughter of Thaumas,


s: That often upon earth her region shifts;


s: Than to the top of the three steps I spake of,


s: Whereon the Vicar of Peter has his feet.


s: Lower down perchance it trembles less or more,


s: But, for the wind that in the earth is hidden


s: I know not how, up here it never trembled.


s: Feels itself pure, so that it soars, or moves


s: To mount aloft, and such a cry attends it.


s: Which, being wholly free to change its convent,


s: Takes by surprise the soul, and helps it fly.


s: First it wills well; but the desire permits not,


s: Which divine justice with the self-same will


s: There was to sin, upon the torment sets.


s: Five hundred years and more, but just now felt


s: Therefore thou heardst the earthquake, and the pious


s: Spirits along the mountain rendering praise


s: Unto the Lord, that soon he speed them upwards."


s: As much in drinking as the thirst is great,


s: I could not say how much it did me good.


s: That snares you here, and how ye are set free,


s: Why the earth quakes, and wherefore ye rejoice.


s: Now who thou wast be pleased that I may know;


s: And why so many centuries thou hast here


s: Been lying, let me gather from thy words."


s: "In days when the good Titus, with the aid


s: Of the supremest King, avenged the wounds


s: Whence issued forth the blood by Judas sold,


s: Under the name that most endures and honours,


s: Was I on earth," that spirit made reply,


s: "Greatly renowned, but not with faith as yet.


s: Where I deserved to deck my brows with myrtle.


s: Statius the people name me still on earth;


s: I sang of Thebes, and then of great Achilles;


s: But on the way fell with my second burden.


s: The seeds unto my ardour were the sparks


s: Of that celestial flame which heated me,


s: Whereby more than a thousand have been fired;


s: Without this weighed I not a drachma's weight.


s: And to have lived upon the earth what time


s: More than I must ere issuing from my ban."


s: These words towards me made Virgilius turn


s: With looks that in their silence said, "Be silent!"


s: But yet the power that wills cannot do all things;


s: For tears and laughter are such pursuivants


s: Unto the passion from which each springs forth,


s: In the most truthful least the will they follow.


s: I only smiled, as one who gives the wink;


s: Whereat the shade was silent, and it gazed


s: Into mine eyes, where most expression dwells;


s: And, "As thou well mayst consummate a labour


s: So great," it said, "why did thy face just now


s: Display to me the lightning of a smile?"


s: Now am I caught on this side and on that;


s: One keeps me silent, one to speak conjures me,


s: "Speak," said my Master, "and be not afraid


s: Of speaking, but speak out, and say to him


s: Whence I: "Thou peradventure marvellest,


s: But I will have more wonder seize upon thee.


s: This one, who guides on high these eyes of mine,


s: Is that Virgilius, from whom thou didst learn


s: If other cause thou to my smile imputedst,


s: Those words which thou hast spoken concerning him."


s: My Teacher's feet; but he said to him: "Brother,


s: Do not; for shade thou art, and shade beholdest."


s: And he uprising: "Now canst thou the sum


s: Of love which warms me to thee comprehend,


s: Treating a shadow as substantial thing."


s: The Angel who to the sixth round had turned us,


s: Having erased one mark from off my face;


s: And those who have in justice their desire


s: Had said to us, "Beati," in their voices,


s: With "sitio," and without more ended it.


s: And I, more light than through the other passes,


s: I followed upward the swift-footed spirits;


s: Hence from the hour that Juvenal descended


s: So that these stairs will now seem short to me.


s: But tell me, and forgive me as a friend,


s: If too great confidence let loose the rein,


s: And as a friend now hold discourse with me;


s: For avarice to find place, 'mid so much wisdom


s: As thou wast filled with by thy diligence?"


s: Somewhat to laughter; afterward he answered:


s: "Each word of thine is love's dear sign to me.


s: Which give fallacious matter to our doubts,


s: Instead of the true causes which are hidden!


s: Therefore know thou, that avarice was removed


s: Thousands of lunar periods have punished.


s: And were it not that I my thoughts uplifted,


s: When I the passage heard where thou exclaimest,


s: 'To what impellest thou not, O cursed hunger


s: Revolving I should feel the dismal joustings.


s: Then I perceived the hands could spread too wide


s: Their wings in spending, and repented me


s: How many with shorn hair shall rise again


s: Because of ignorance, which from this sin


s: Cuts off repentance living and in death!


s: And know that the transgression which rebuts


s: Together with it here its verdure dries.


s: Therefore if I have been among that folk


s: "Now when thou sangest the relentless weapons


s: "From that which Clio there with thee preludes,


s: It does not seem that yet had made thee faithful


s: That faith without which no good works suffice.


s: Scattered thy darkness so that thou didst trim


s: Thy sails behind the Fisherman thereafter?"


s: And he to him: "Thou first directedst me


s: Towards Parnassus, in its grots to drink,


s: And first concerning God didst me enlighten.


s: Thou didst as he who walketh in the night,


s: Who bears his light behind, which helps him not,


s: When thou didst say: 'The age renews itself,


s: Justice returns, and man's primeval time,


s: And a new progeny descends from heaven.'


s: Through thee I Poet was, through thee a Christian;


s: Pregnant with the true creed, disseminated


s: Not without tears of mine were their laments;


s: And all the while that I on earth remained,


s: Them I befriended, and their upright customs


s: And ere I led the Greeks unto the rivers


s: But out of fear was covertly a Christian,


s: And this lukewarmness caused me the fourth circle


s: To circuit round more than four centuries.


s: Thou, therefore, who hast raised the covering


s: That hid from me whatever good I speak of,


s: While in ascending we have time to spare,


s: Tell me, in what place is our friend Terentius,


s: Caecilius, Plautus, Varro, if thou knowest;


s: Tell me if they are damned, and in what alley."


s: "These, Persius and myself, and others many,"


s: Replied my Leader, "with that Grecian are


s: Whom more than all the rest the Muses suckled,


s: In the first circle of the prison blind;


s: Ofttimes we of the mountain hold discourse


s: Greeks who of old their brows with laurel decked.


s: There some of thine own people may be seen,


s: There she is seen who pointed out Langia;


s: There is Tiresias' daughter, and there Thetis,


s: Attent once more in looking round about,


s: From the ascent and from the walls released;


s: Were left behind, and at the pole the fifth


s: Was pointing upward still its burning horn,


s: What time my Guide: "I think that tow'rds the edge


s: Our dexter shoulders it behoves us turn,


s: Circling the mount as we are wont to do."


s: Thus in that region custom was our ensign;


s: And we resumed our way with less suspicion


s: Behind them, and I listened to their speech,


s: Which gave me lessons in the art of song.


s: But soon their sweet discourses interrupted


s: A tree which midway in the road we found,


s: With apples sweet and grateful to the smell.


s: From bough to bough, so downwardly did that;


s: I think in order that no one might climb it.


s: On that side where our pathway was enclosed


s: Fell from the lofty rock a limpid water,


s: And spread itself abroad upon the leaves.


s: The Poets twain unto the tree drew near,


s: Cried: "Of this food ye shall have scarcity."


s: Then said: "More thoughtful Mary was of making


s: The marriage feast complete and honourable,


s: Than of her mouth which now for you responds;


s: And for their drink the ancient Roman women


s: The while among the verdant leaves mine eyes


s: Who wastes his life pursuing little birds,


s: Come now; because the time that is ordained us


s: More usefully should be apportioned out."


s: I turned my face and no less soon my steps


s: Such that delight and dolence it brought forth.


s: "O my sweet Father, what is this I hear?"


s: Began I; and he answered: "Shades that go


s: Perhaps the knot unloosing of their debt."


s: In the same way that thoughtful pilgrims do,


s: Who, unknown people on the road o'ertaking,


s: Turn themselves round to them, and do not stop,


s: Even thus, behind us with a swifter motion


s: Coming and passing onward, gazed upon us


s: Each in his eyes was dark and cavernous,


s: That from the bones the skin did shape itself.


s: Their sockets were like rings without the gems;


s: Might well in these have recognised the 'm.'


s: Who would believe the odour of an apple,


s: Begetting longing, could consume them so,


s: I still was wondering what so famished them,


s: His eyes a shade turned on me, and looked keenly;


s: Then cried aloud: "What grace to me is this?"


s: Never should I have known him by his look;


s: That which his aspect had suppressed within it.


s: This spark within me wholly re-enkindled


s: Entreated he, "which doth my skin discolour,


s: Nor at default of flesh that I may have;


s: But tell me truth of thee, and who are those


s: Two souls, that yonder make for thee an escort;


s: "That face of thine, which dead I once bewept,


s: Gives me for weeping now no lesser grief,"


s: I answered him, "beholding it so changed!


s: But tell me, for God's sake, what thus denudes you?


s: Make me not speak while I am marvelling,


s: For ill speaks he who's full of other longings."


s: In hunger and thirst are here re-sanctified.


s: The scent that issues from the apple-tree,


s: And from the spray that sprinkles o'er the verdure;


s: And not a single time alone, this ground


s: I say our pain, and ought to say our solace,--


s: For the same wish doth lead us to the tree


s: Which led the Christ rejoicing to say 'Eli,'


s: When for a better life thou changedst worlds,


s: Up to this time five years have not rolled round.


s: If sooner were the power exhausted in thee


s: Of sinning more, than thee the hour surprised


s: Of that good sorrow which to God reweds us,


s: How hast thou come up hitherward already?


s: I thought to find thee down there underneath,


s: Where time for time doth restitution make."


s: To drink of the sweet wormwood of these torments,


s: She with her prayers devout and with her sighs


s: Has drawn me from the coast where one where one awaits,


s: So much more dear and pleasing is to God


s: O brother sweet, what wilt thou have me say?


s: To which this hour will not be very old,


s: When from the pulpit shall be interdicted


s: Who stood in need, to make them covered go,


s: Of what swift Heaven prepares for them, already


s: Wide open would they have their mouths to howl;


s: For if my foresight here deceive me not,


s: They shall be sad ere he has bearded cheeks


s: Who now is hushed to sleep with lullaby.


s: O brother, now no longer hide thee from me;


s: See that not only I, but all these people


s: Are gazing there, where thou dost veil the sun."


s: Whence I to him: "If thou bring back to mind


s: What thou with me hast been and I with thee,


s: The present memory will be grievous still.


s: Out of that life he turned me back who goes


s: In front of me, two days agone when round


s: The sister of him yonder showed herself,"


s: And to the sun I pointed.  "Through the deep


s: Night of the truly dead has this one led me,


s: With this true flesh, that follows after him.


s: Thence his encouragements have led me up,


s: Ascending and still circling round the mount


s: That you doth straighten, whom the world made crooked.


s: There it behoves me to remain without him.


s: This is Virgilius, who thus says to me,"


s: That shade for whom just now shook every slope


s: Your realm, that from itself discharges him."


s: Nor speech the going, nor the going that


s: Slackened; but talking we went bravely on,


s: And shadows, that appeared things doubly dead,


s: From out the sepulchres of their eyes betrayed


s: Said: "Peradventure he goes up more slowly


s: Than he would do, for other people's sake.


s: But tell me, if thou knowest, where is Piccarda;


s: "My sister, who, 'twixt beautiful and good,


s: I know not which was more, triumphs rejoicing


s: So said he first, and then: "'Tis not forbidden


s: This," pointing with his finger, "is Buonagiunta,


s: Beyond him there, more peaked than the others,


s: Has held the holy Church within his arms;


s: From Tours was he, and purges by his fasting


s: And all contented seemed at being named,


s: So that for this I saw not one dark look.


s: Who with his crook had pastured many people.


s: Once at Forli for drinking with less dryness,


s: And he was one who ne'er felt satisfied.


s: But as he does who scans, and then doth prize


s: One more than others, did I him of Lucca,


s: Who seemed to take most cognizance of me.


s: He murmured, and I know not what Gentucca


s: From that place heard I, where he felt the wound


s: "O soul," I said, "that seemest so desirous


s: To speak with me, do so that I may hear thee,


s: And with thy speech appease thyself and me."


s: "A maid is born, and wears not yet the veil,"


s: Began he, "who to thee shall pleasant make


s: Thou shalt go on thy way with this prevision;


s: If by my murmuring thou hast been deceived,


s: True things hereafter will declare it to thee.


s: Evoked the new-invented rhymes, beginning,


s: 'Ladies, that have intelligence of love?'"


s: Love doth inspire me, note, and in that measure


s: Which he within me dictates, singing go."


s: "O brother, now I see," he said, "the knot


s: Short of the sweet new style that now I hear.


s: I do perceive full clearly how your pens


s: Go closely following after him who dictates,


s: Which with our own forsooth came not to pass;


s: No difference sees from one style to another;"


s: Even as the birds, that winter tow'rds the Nile,


s: Sometimes into a phalanx form themselves,


s: Then fly in greater haste, and go in file;


s: In such wise all the people who were there,


s: Turning their faces, hurried on their steps,


s: Both by their leanness and their wishes light.


s: And as a man, who weary is with trotting,


s: Lets his companions onward go, and walks,


s: Until he vents the panting of his chest;


s: Pass by, and came with me behind it, saying,


s: "When will it be that I again shall see thee?"


s: "How long," I answered, "I may live, I know not;


s: Because the place where I was set to live


s: From day to day of good is more depleted,


s: "Now go," he said, "for him most guilty of it


s: At a beast's tail behold I dragged along


s: Towards the valley where is no repentance.


s: Faster at every step the beast is going,


s: Increasing evermore until it smites him,


s: Not long those wheels shall turn," and he uplifted


s: His eyes to heaven, "ere shall be clear to thee


s: That which my speech no farther can declare.


s: Now stay behind; because the time so precious


s: Is in this kingdom, that I lose too much


s: By coming onward thus abreast with thee."


s: And seeks the honour of the first encounter,


s: So he with greater strides departed from us;


s: And on the road remained I with those two,


s: Who were such mighty marshals of the world.


s: Mine eyes became to him such pursuivants


s: Appeared to me with laden and living boughs


s: Another apple-tree, and not far distant,


s: From having but just then turned thitherward.


s: People I saw beneath it lift their hands,


s: And cry I know not what towards the leaves,


s: Who pray, and he they pray to doth not answer,


s: Holds their desire aloft, and hides it not.


s: Which prayers and tears so manifold refuses.


s: "Pass farther onward without drawing near;


s: And out of that one has this tree been raised."


s: Thus said I know not who among the branches;


s: Went crowding forward on the side that rises.


s: "Be mindful," said he, "of the accursed ones


s: Combated Theseus with their double breasts;


s: Whence Gideon would not have them for companions


s: When he tow'rds Midian the hills descended."


s: Thus, closely pressed to one of the two borders,


s: A thousand steps and more we onward went,


s: "What go ye thinking thus, ye three alone?"


s: Said suddenly a voice, whereat I started


s: I raised my head to see who this might be,


s: As one I saw who said: "If it may please you


s: To mount aloft, here it behoves you turn;


s: This way goes he who goeth after peace."


s: So that I turned me back unto my Teachers,


s: Like one who goeth as his hearing guides him.


s: The air of May doth move and breathe out fragrance,


s: Impregnate all with herbage and with flowers,


s: So did I feel a breeze strike in the midst


s: My front, and felt the moving of the plumes


s: That breathed around an odour of ambrosia;


s: And heard it said: "Blessed are they whom grace


s: So much illumines, that the love of taste


s: Excites not in their breasts too great desire,


s: Hungering at all times so far as is just."


s: Now was it the ascent no hindrance brooked,


s: Wherefore as doth a man who tarries not,


s: But goes his way, whate'er to him appear,


s: In this wise did we enter through the gap,


s: Taking the stairway, one before the other,


s: Which by its narrowness divides the climbers.


s: And as the little stork that lifts its wing


s: With a desire to fly, and does not venture


s: To leave the nest, and lets it downward droop,


s: Even such was I, with the desire of asking


s: Kindled and quenched, unto the motion coming


s: He makes who doth address himself to speak.


s: Not for our pace, though rapid it might be,


s: My father sweet forbore, but said: "Let fly


s: The bow of speech thou to the barb hast drawn."


s: There where the need of nutriment applies not?"


s: "If thou wouldst call to mind how Meleager


s: This would not," said he, "be to thee so sour;


s: And wouldst thou think how at each tremulous motion


s: Trembles within a mirror your own image;


s: That which seems hard would mellow seem to thee.


s: But that thou mayst content thee in thy wish


s: Lo Statius here; and him I call and pray


s: He now will be the healer of thy wounds."


s: "If I unfold to him the eternal vengeance,"


s: Responded Statius, "where thou present art,


s: Be my excuse that I can naught deny thee."


s: Then he began: "Son, if these words of mine


s: Thy mind doth contemplate and doth receive,


s: They'll be thy light unto the How thou sayest.


s: The perfect blood, which never is drunk up


s: Into the thirsty veins, and which remaineth


s: Like food that from the table thou removest,


s: Takes in the heart for all the human members


s: Which to be changed to them goes through the veins


s: Again digest, descends it where 'tis better


s: Silent to be than say; and then drops thence


s: There one together with the other mingles,


s: One to be passive meant, the other active


s: By reason of the perfect place it springs from;


s: What for its matter it had made consistent.


s: This on the way is, that arrived already,)


s: Then works so much, that now it moves and feels


s: To organize the powers whose seed it is.


s: Now, Son, dilates and now distends itself


s: Where nature is intent on all the members.


s: Thou dost not see as yet; this is a point


s: Which made a wiser man than thou once err


s: He made the soul from possible intellect,


s: Open thy breast unto the truth that's coming,


s: And know that, just as soon as in the foetus


s: The articulation of the brain is perfect,


s: The primal Motor turns to it well pleased


s: Which what it finds there active doth attract


s: Into its substance, and becomes one soul,


s: Which lives, and feels, and on itself revolves.


s: And that thou less may wonder at my word,


s: Behold the sun's heat, which becometh wine,


s: Joined to the juice that from the vine distils.


s: It separates from the flesh, and virtually


s: The memory, the intelligence, and the will


s: In action far more vigorous than before.


s: In marvellous way on one shore or the other;


s: There of its roads it first is cognizant.


s: Soon as the place there circumscribeth it,


s: The virtue informative rays round about,


s: As, and as much as, in the living members.


s: By alien rays that are therein reflected,


s: With divers colours shows itself adorned,


s: So there the neighbouring air doth shape itself


s: Into that form which doth impress upon it


s: Virtually the soul that has stood still.


s: Which followeth the fire where'er it shifts,


s: After the spirit followeth its new form.


s: Since afterwards it takes from this its semblance,


s: It is called shade; and thence it organizes


s: Thereafter every sense, even to the sight.


s: Thence is it that we speak, and thence we laugh;


s: Thence is it that we form the tears and sighs,


s: That on the mountain thou mayhap hast heard.


s: And other affections, so the shade is shaped,


s: And this is cause of what thou wonderest at."


s: And now unto the last of all the circles


s: Had we arrived, and to the right hand turned,


s: There the embankment shoots forth flames of fire,


s: And upward doth the cornice breathe a blast


s: That drives them back, and from itself sequesters.


s: Hence we must needs go on the open side,


s: On this side, and on that the falling down.


s: My Leader said: "Along this place one ought


s: Of the great burning chanted then I heard,


s: Which made me no less eager to turn round;


s: And spirits saw I walking through the flame;


s: Wherefore I looked, to my own steps and theirs


s: Apportioning my sight from time to time.


s: After the close which to that hymn is made,


s: Aloud they shouted, "Virum non cognosco;"


s: Then recommenced the hymn with voices low.


s: This also ended, cried they: "To the wood


s: Therefrom, who had of Venus felt the poison."


s: Then to their song returned they; then the wives


s: They shouted, and the husbands who were chaste.


s: And I believe that them this mode suffices,


s: For all the time the fire is burning them;


s: With such care is it needful, and such food,


s: That the last wound of all should be closed up.


s: While on the brink thus one before the other


s: We went upon our way, oft the good Master


s: Said: "Take thou heed! suffice it that I warn thee."


s: On the right shoulder smote me now the sun,


s: That, raying out, already the whole west


s: Changed from its azure aspect into white.


s: Appear more red; and even to such a sign


s: Shades saw I many, as they went, give heed.


s: This was the cause that gave them a beginning


s: To speak of me; and to themselves began they


s: To say: "That seems not a factitious body!"


s: Then towards me, as far as they could come,


s: Came certain of them, always with regard


s: Not to step forth where they would not be burned.


s: "O thou who goest, not from being slower


s: But reverent perhaps, behind the others,


s: Answer me, who in thirst and fire am burning.


s: For all of these have greater thirst for it


s: Tell us how is it that thou makest thyself


s: A wall unto the sun, as if thou hadst not


s: Thus one of them addressed me, and I straight


s: Should have revealed myself, were I not bent


s: For through the middle of the burning road


s: There came a people face to face with these,


s: Which held me in suspense with gazing at them.


s: Each of the shades, and kissing one another


s: Without a pause, content with brief salute.


s: Thus in the middle of their brown battalions


s: Perchance to spy their journey or their fortune.


s: No sooner is the friendly greeting ended,


s: Or ever the first footstep passes onward,


s: Each one endeavours to outcry the other;


s: The new-come people: "Sodom and Gomorrah!"


s: The rest: "Into the cow Pasiphae enters,


s: So that the bull unto her lust may run!"


s: Then as the cranes, that to Riphaean mountains


s: Might fly in part, and part towards the sands,


s: These of the frost, those of the sun avoidant,


s: One folk is going, and the other coming,


s: And weeping they return to their first songs,


s: And to the cry that most befitteth them;


s: And close to me approached, even as before,


s: I, who their inclination twice had seen,


s: Began: "O souls secure in the possession,


s: Whene'er it may be, of a state of peace,


s: Neither unripe nor ripened have remained


s: My members upon earth, but here are with me


s: With their own blood and their articulations.


s: Whereby the mortal through your world I bring.


s: May soon become, so that the Heaven may house you


s: Which full of love is, and most amply spreads,


s: Tell me, that I again in books may write it,


s: Which goes upon its way behind your backs?"


s: When rough and rustic to the town he goes,


s: Than every shade became in its appearance;


s: But when they of their stupor were disburdened,


s: Which in high hearts is quickly quieted,


s: "Blessed be thou, who of our border-lands,"


s: He recommenced who first had questioned us,


s: "Experience freightest for a better life.


s: The folk that comes not with us have offended


s: In that for which once Caesar, triumphing,


s: Heard himself called in contumely, 'Queen.'


s: Therefore they separate, exclaiming, 'Sodom!'


s: Themselves reproving, even as thou hast heard,


s: And add unto their burning by their shame.


s: Our own transgression was hermaphrodite;


s: Following like unto beasts our appetite,


s: Who bestialized herself in bestial wood.


s: Now knowest thou our acts, and what our crime was;


s: Wouldst thou perchance by name know who we are,


s: There is not time to tell, nor could I do it.


s: Thy wish to know me shall in sooth be granted;


s: The same that in the sadness of Lycurgus


s: Two sons became, their mother re-beholding,


s: Such I became, but rise not to such height,


s: The moment I heard name himself the father


s: Practised the sweet and gracious rhymes of love;


s: And without speech and hearing thoughtfully


s: Nor for the fire did I approach him nearer.


s: And he to me: "Thou leavest footprints such


s: In me, from what I hear, and so distinct,


s: But if thy words just now the truth have sworn,


s: Tell me what is the cause why thou displayest


s: In word and look that dear thou holdest me?"


s: And I to him: "Those dulcet lays of yours


s: Which, long as shall endure our modern fashion,


s: Shall make for ever dear their very ink!"


s: "O brother," said he, "he whom I point out,"


s: And here he pointed at a spirit in front,


s: "Was of the mother tongue a better smith.


s: To clamour more than truth they turn their faces,


s: And in this way establish their opinion,


s: Ere art or reason has by them been heard.


s: From cry to cry still giving him applause,


s: Until the truth has conquered with most persons.


s: 'Tis granted thee to go unto the cloister


s: Wherein is Christ the abbot of the college,


s: Where power of sinning is no longer ours."


s: Then, to give place perchance to one behind,


s: Whom he had near, he vanished in the fire


s: I moved a little tow'rds him pointed out,


s: Que jeu nom' puesc ni vueill a vos cobrire;


s: Then hid him in the fire that purifies them.


s: I cannot and I will not hide me from you.


s: And joyous see the hoped-for day before me.


s: Therefore do I implore you, by that power


s: Which guides you to the summit of the stairs,


s: As when he vibrates forth his earliest rays,


s: In regions where his Maker shed his blood,


s: And waters in the Ganges burnt with noon,)


s: So stood the Sun; hence was the day departing,


s: When the glad Angel of God appeared to us.


s: Outside the flame he stood upon the verge,


s: In voice by far more living than our own.


s: Then: "No one farther goes, souls sanctified,


s: If first the fire bite not; within it enter,


s: When we were close beside him thus he said;


s: Wherefore e'en such became I, when I heard him,


s: Upon my clasped hands I straightened me,


s: Scanning the fire, and vividly recalling


s: The human bodies I had once seen burned.


s: Towards me turned themselves my good Conductors,


s: Here may indeed be torment, but not death.


s: Believe for certain, shouldst thou stand a full


s: It could not make thee bald a single hair.


s: And if perchance thou think that I deceive thee,


s: Draw near to it, and put it to the proof


s: With thine own hands upon thy garment's hem.


s: Turn hitherward, and onward come securely;"


s: And I still motionless, and 'gainst my conscience!


s: Seeing me stand still motionless and stubborn,


s: Somewhat disturbed he said: "Now look thou, Son,


s: 'Twixt Beatrice and thee there is this wall."


s: What time the mulberry became vermilion,


s: I turned to my wise Guide, hearing the name


s: Whereat he wagged his head, and said: "How now?


s: Shall we stay on this side?" then smiled as one


s: Does at a child who's vanquished by an apple.


s: Then into the fire in front of me he entered,


s: So without measure was the burning there!


s: Saying: "Her eyes I seem to see already!"


s: A voice, that on the other side was singing,


s: On that, came forth where the ascent began.


s: Sounded within a splendour, which was there


s: Such it o'ercame me, and I could not look.


s: "The sun departs," it added, "and night cometh;


s: Tarry ye not, but onward urge your steps,


s: So long as yet the west becomes not dark."


s: Straight forward through the rock the path ascended


s: And of few stairs we yet had made assay,


s: Ere by the vanished shadow the sun's setting


s: And Night her boundless dispensation held,


s: Because the nature of the mount took from us


s: The power of climbing, more than the delight.


s: The goats, who have been swift and venturesome


s: Upon the mountain-tops ere they were fed,


s: Hushed in the shadow, while the sun is hot,


s: Watched by the herdsman, who upon his staff


s: Is leaning, and in leaning tendeth them;


s: And as the shepherd, lodging out of doors,


s: Passes the night beside his quiet flock,


s: Watching that no wild beast may scatter it,


s: Such at that hour were we, all three of us,


s: I like the goat, and like the herdsmen they,


s: Begirt on this side and on that by rocks.


s: Little could there be seen of things without;


s: But through that little I beheld the stars


s: More luminous and larger than their wont.


s: Sleep seized upon me,--sleep, that oftentimes


s: Before a deed is done has tidings of it.


s: It was the hour, I think, when from the East


s: Who with the fire of love seems always burning;


s: Youthful and beautiful in dreams methought


s: Gathering flowers; and singing she was saying:


s: My beauteous hands to make myself a garland.


s: To please me at the mirror, here I deck me,


s: Her looking-glass, and sitteth all day long.


s: To see her beauteous eyes as eager is she,


s: That unto pilgrims the more grateful rise,


s: As, home-returning, less remote they lodge,


s: "That apple sweet, which through so many branches


s: The care of mortals goeth in pursuit of,


s: To-day shall put in peace thy hungerings."


s: As these made use; and never were there guerdons


s: That could in pleasantness compare with these.


s: To be above, that at each step thereafter


s: For flight I felt in me the pinions growing.


s: Run o'er, and we were on the highest step,


s: And said: "The temporal fire and the eternal,


s: Son, thou hast seen, and to a place art come


s: By intellect and art I here have brought thee;


s: Take thine own pleasure for thy guide henceforth;


s: Beyond the steep ways and the narrow art thou.


s: Behold the sun, that shines upon thy forehead;


s: Behold the grass, the flowerets, and the shrubs


s: Which of itself alone this land produces.


s: Which weeping caused me to come unto thee,


s: Thou canst sit down, and thou canst walk among them.


s: Free and upright and sound is thy free-will,


s: And error were it not to do its bidding;


s: Thee o'er thyself I therefore crown and mitre!"


s: The heavenly forest, dense and living-green,


s: Which tempered to the eyes the new-born day,


s: Over the soil that everywhere breathes fragrance.


s: A softly-breathing air, that no mutation


s: Had in itself, upon the forehead smote me


s: Whereat the branches, lightly tremulous,


s: Did all of them bow downward toward that side


s: Where its first shadow casts the Holy Mountain;


s: Yet not from their upright direction swayed,


s: So that the little birds upon their tops


s: Should leave the practice of each art of theirs;


s: But with full ravishment the hours of prime,


s: Singing, received they in the midst of leaves,


s: That ever bore a burden to their rhymes,


s: Such as from branch to branch goes gathering on


s: Through the pine forest on the shore of Chiassi,


s: Could not perceive where I had entered it.


s: And lo! my further course a stream cut off,


s: Which tow'rd the left hand with its little waves


s: Bent down the grass that on its margin sprang.


s: All waters that on earth most limpid are


s: Would seem to have within themselves some mixture


s: Compared with that which nothing doth conceal,


s: Although it moves on with a brown, brown current


s: Ray of the sun lets in, nor of the moon.


s: With feet I stayed, and with mine eyes I passed


s: And there appeared to me (even as appears


s: Through very wonder every other thought)


s: Singing and culling floweret after floweret,


s: With which her pathway was all painted over.


s: "Ah, beauteous lady, who in rays of love


s: Dost warm thyself, if I may trust to looks,


s: Which the heart's witnesses are wont to be,


s: Near to this river's bank," I said to her,


s: "So much that I might hear what thou art singing.


s: Her mother her, and she herself the Spring."


s: As turns herself, with feet together pressed


s: And to the ground, a lady who is dancing,


s: And hardly puts one foot before the other,


s: On the vermilion and the yellow flowerets


s: She turned towards me, not in other wise


s: Than maiden who her modest eyes casts down;


s: So near approaching, that the dulcet sound


s: As soon as she was where the grasses are.


s: Bathed by the waters of the beauteous river,


s: To lift her eyes she granted me the boon.


s: I do not think there shone so great a light


s: Under the lids of Venus, when transfixed


s: By her own son, beyond his usual custom!


s: Which that high land produces without seed.


s: Apart three paces did the river make us;


s: But Hellespont, where Xerxes passed across,


s: Than that from me, because it oped not then.


s: "Ye are new-comers; and because I smile,"


s: Which has the power to uncloud your intellect.


s: And thou who foremost art, and didst entreat me,


s: Speak, if thou wouldst hear more; for I came ready


s: To all thy questionings, as far as needful."


s: "The water," said I, "and the forest's sound,


s: In something which I heard opposed to this."


s: Whence she: "I will relate how from its cause


s: Proceedeth that which maketh thee to wonder,


s: And purge away the cloud that smites upon thee.


s: The Good Supreme, sole in itself delighting,


s: By his default short while he sojourned here;


s: He changed his innocent laughter and sweet play.


s: That the disturbance which below is made


s: (Which far as may be follow after heat,)


s: This mount ascended tow'rds the heaven so high,


s: And is exempt, from there where it is locked.


s: Turns in a circuit with the primal motion


s: Unless the circle is broken on some side,


s: Upon this height, that all is disengaged


s: In living ether, doth this motion strike


s: And make the forest sound, for it is dense;


s: And so much power the stricken plant possesses


s: That with its virtue it impregns the air,


s: And this, revolving, scatters it around;


s: And yonder earth, according as 'tis worthy


s: In self or in its clime, conceives and bears


s: It should not seem a marvel then on earth,


s: Without seed manifest there taketh root.


s: And thou must know, this holy table-land


s: In which thou art is full of every seed,


s: And fruit has in it never gathered there.


s: The water which thou seest springs not from vein


s: Restored by vapour that the cold condenses,


s: Like to a stream that gains or loses breath;


s: But issues from a fountain safe and certain,


s: Which by the will of God as much regains


s: On that, of every good deed done restores it.


s: If first on either side it be not tasted.


s: And notwithstanding slaked so far may be


s: Thy thirst, that I reveal to thee no more,


s: I'll give thee a corollary still in grace,


s: Nor think my speech will be to thee less dear


s: If it spread out beyond my promise to thee.


s: Those who in ancient times have feigned in song


s: Dreamed of this place perhaps upon Parnassus.


s: Here evermore was Spring, and every fruit;


s: This is the nectar of which each one speaks."


s: Then backward did I turn me wholly round


s: Unto my Poets, and saw that with a smile


s: They had been listening to these closing words;


s: Then to the beautiful lady turned mine eyes.


s: She, with the ending of her words, continued:


s: And even as Nymphs, that wandered all alone


s: She then against the stream moved onward, going


s: Her little steps with little steps attending.


s: Between her steps and mine were not a hundred,


s: In such a way, that to the East I faced.


s: Unto me, saying, "Brother, look and listen!"


s: On every side athwart the spacious forest,


s: Such that it made me doubt if it were lightning.


s: But since the lightning ceases as it comes,


s: And that continuing brightened more and more,


s: Within my thought I said, "What thing is this?"


s: Along the luminous air, whence holy zeal


s: For there where earth and heaven obedient were,


s: Could not endure to stay 'neath any veil;


s: Underneath which had she devoutly stayed,


s: I sooner should have tasted those delights


s: While 'mid such manifold first-fruits I walked


s: Became the air beneath the verdant boughs,


s: And the sweet sound as singing now was heard.


s: The occasion spurs me their reward to claim!


s: Now Helicon must needs pour forth for me,


s: And with her choir Urania must assist me,


s: To put in verse things difficult to think.


s: A little farther on, seven trees of gold


s: In semblance the long space still intervening


s: Between ourselves and them did counterfeit;


s: But when I had approached so near to them


s: The common object, which the sense deceives,


s: The faculty that lends discourse to reason


s: Did apprehend that they were candlesticks,


s: And in the voices of the song "Hosanna!"


s: Above them flamed the harness beautiful,


s: Far brighter than the moon in the serene


s: Of midnight, at the middle of her month.


s: I turned me round, with admiration filled,


s: Then back I turned my face to those high things,


s: Which moved themselves towards us so sedately,


s: They had been distanced by new-wedded brides.


s: The lady chid me: "Why dost thou burn only


s: So with affection for the living lights,


s: And dost not look at what comes after them?"


s: Then saw I people, as behind their leaders,


s: And such a whiteness never was on earth.


s: The water on my left flank was resplendent,


s: Leaving behind themselves the air depicted,


s: And they of trailing pennons had the semblance,


s: With sevenfold lists, all of them of the colours


s: Whence the sun's bow is made, and Delia's girdle.


s: These standards to the rearward longer were


s: Than was my sight; and, as it seemed to me,


s: They all of them were singing: "Blessed thou


s: Among the daughters of Adam art, and blessed


s: After the flowers and other tender grasses


s: Even as in heaven star followeth after star,


s: There came close after them four animals,


s: Plumed with six wings was every one of them,


s: The plumage full of eyes; the eyes of Argus


s: If they were living would be such as these.


s: Reader! to trace their forms no more I waste


s: My rhymes; for other spendings press me so,


s: Coming with cloud, with whirlwind, and with fire;


s: And such as thou shalt find them in his pages,


s: Such were they here; saving that in their plumage


s: John is with me, and differeth from him.


s: The interval between these four contained


s: Which by a Griffin's neck came drawn along;


s: Between the middle list and three and three,


s: So high they rose that they were lost to sight;


s: His limbs were gold, so far as he was bird,


s: And white the others with vermilion mingled.


s: But poor to it that of the Sun would be,--


s: That of the Sun, which swerving was burnt up


s: Three maidens at the right wheel in a circle


s: That in the fire she hardly had been noted.


s: The second was as if her flesh and bones


s: The third appeared as snow but newly fallen.


s: And now they seemed conducted by the white,


s: Now by the red, and from the song of her


s: The others took their step, or slow or swift.


s: Of one of them with three eyes m her head.


s: In rear of all the group here treated of


s: But like in gait, each dignified and grave.


s: One showed himself as one of the disciples


s: Of that supreme Hippocrates, whom nature


s: Made for the animals she holds most dear;


s: With sword so shining and so sharp, it caused


s: Walking in sleep with countenance acute.


s: And like the foremost company these seven


s: No garland round about the head they wore,


s: But of the rose, and other flowers vermilion;


s: At little distance would the sight have sworn


s: That all were in a flame above their brows.


s: Thunder was heard; and all that folk august


s: Seemed to have further progress interdicted,


s: There with the vanward ensigns standing still.


s: When the Septentrion of the highest heaven


s: (Which never either setting knew or rising,


s: Nor veil of other cloud than that of sin,


s: Motionless halted, the veracious people,


s: That came at first between it and the Griffin,


s: Turned themselves to the car, as to their peace.


s: And one of them, as if by Heaven commissioned,


s: Shouted three times, and all the others after.


s: Even as the Blessed at the final summons


s: Shall rise up quickened each one from his cavern,


s: Ministers and messengers of life eternal.


s: They all were saying, "Benedictus qui venis,"


s: And, scattering flowers above and round about,


s: The eastern hemisphere all tinged with rose,


s: And the other heaven with fair serene adorned;


s: And the sun's face, uprising, overshadowed


s: So that by tempering influence of vapours


s: For a long interval the eye sustained it;


s: Which from those hands angelical ascended,


s: Over her snow-white veil with olive cinct


s: So long a time had been, that in her presence


s: Trembling with awe it had not stood abashed,


s: Without more knowledge having by mine eyes,


s: Through occult virtue that from her proceeded


s: Of ancient love the mighty influence felt.


s: Sublime, that had already pierced me through


s: Ere from my boyhood I had yet come forth,


s: To the left hand I turned with that reliance


s: With which the little child runs to his mother,


s: When he has fear, or when he is afflicted,


s: Of blood remains in me, that does not tremble;


s: I know the traces of the ancient flame."


s: Had left, Virgilius, sweetest of all fathers,


s: Virgilius, to whom I for safety gave me:


s: Availed my cheeks now purified from dew,


s: That weeping they should not again be darkened.


s: Do not weep yet, do not weep yet awhile;


s: For by another sword thou need'st must weep."


s: E'en as an admiral, who on poop and prow


s: Comes to behold the people that are working


s: In other ships, and cheers them to well-doing,


s: When at the sound I turned of my own name,


s: Although the veil, that from her head descended,


s: Did not permit her to appear distinctly,


s: Continued she, like unto one who speaks,


s: And keeps his warmest utterance in reserve:


s: "Look at me well; in sooth I'm Beatrice!


s: How didst thou deign to come unto the Mountain?


s: Didst thou not know that man is happy here?"


s: Mine eyes fell downward into the clear fountain,


s: But, seeing myself therein, I sought the grass,


s: So great a shame did weigh my forehead down.


s: So she appeared to me; for somewhat bitter


s: Tasteth the savour of severe compassion.


s: Even as the snow among the living rafters


s: Blown on and drifted by Sclavonian winds,


s: And then, dissolving, trickles through itself


s: Whene'er the land that loses shadow breathes,


s: So that it seems a fire that melts a taper;


s: Before the song of those who sing for ever


s: But when I heard in their sweet melodies


s: Compassion for me, more than had they said,


s: "O wherefore, lady, dost thou thus upbraid him?"


s: The ice, that was about my heart congealed,


s: To air and water changed, and in my anguish


s: Through mouth and eyes came gushing from my breast.


s: She, on the right-hand border of the car


s: Still firmly standing, to those holy beings


s: So that nor night nor sleep can steal from you


s: Therefore my answer is with greater care,


s: That he may hear me who is weeping yonder,


s: So that the sin and dole be of one measure.


s: Not only by the work of those great wheels,


s: According as the stars are in conjunction,


s: Which have such lofty vapours for their rain


s: That near to them our sight approaches not,


s: Such had this man become in his new life


s: But so much more malignant and more savage


s: Becomes the land untilled and with bad seed,


s: The more good earthly vigour it possesses.


s: Some time did I sustain him with my look;


s: I led him with me turned in the right way.


s: I was upon the threshold and changed life,


s: Himself from me he took and gave to others.


s: When from the flesh to spirit I ascended,


s: And beauty and virtue were in me increased,


s: I was to him less dear and less delightful;


s: And into ways untrue he turned his steps,


s: By means of which in dreams and otherwise


s: I called him back, so little did he heed them.


s: Save showing him the people of perdition.


s: And unto him, who so far up has led him,


s: My intercessions were with weeping borne.


s: If Lethe should be passed, and if such viands


s: Of penitence, that gushes forth in tears."


s: "O thou who art beyond the sacred river,"


s: Turning to me the point of her discourse,


s: That edgewise even had seemed to me so keen,


s: She recommenced, continuing without pause,


s: "Say, say if this be true; to such a charge,


s: Thy own confession needs must be conjoined."


s: My faculties were in so great confusion,


s: That the voice moved, but sooner was extinct


s: Awhile she waited; then she said: "What thinkest?


s: In thee not yet are by the waters injured."


s: Forced such a Yes! from out my mouth, that sight


s: Even as a cross-bow breaks, when 'tis discharged


s: Too tensely drawn the bowstring and the bow,


s: And with less force the arrow hits the mark,


s: So I gave way beneath that heavy burden,


s: Outpouring in a torrent tears and sighs,


s: And the voice flagged upon its passage forth.


s: Whence she to me: "In those desires of mine


s: Which led thee to the loving of that good,


s: Beyond which there is nothing to aspire to,


s: What trenches lying traverse or what chains


s: Didst thou discover, that of passing onward


s: Thou shouldst have thus despoiled thee of the hope?


s: That thou shouldst turn thy footsteps unto them?"


s: Hardly had I the voice to make response,


s: And with fatigue my lips did fashion it.


s: Weeping I said: "The things that present were


s: With their false pleasure turned aside my steps,


s: Soon as your countenance concealed itself."


s: And she: "Shouldst thou be silent, or deny


s: Would be thy fault, by such a Judge 'tis known.


s: But when from one's own cheeks comes bursting forth


s: Against the edge the wheel doth turn itself.


s: But still, that thou mayst feel a greater shame


s: Hearing the Sirens thou mayst be more strong,


s: Cast down the seed of weeping and attend;


s: So shalt thou hear, how in an opposite way


s: My buried flesh should have directed thee.


s: Pleasure so great as the fair limbs wherein


s: I was enclosed, which scattered are in earth.


s: And if the highest pleasure thus did fail thee


s: By reason of my death, what mortal thing


s: Should then have drawn thee into its desire?


s: Thou oughtest not to have stooped thy pinions downward


s: To wait for further blows, or little girl,


s: The callow birdlet waits for two or three,


s: But to the eyes of those already fledged,


s: In vain the net is spread or shaft is shot."


s: Stand listening with their eyes upon the ground,


s: And conscious of their fault, and penitent;


s: So was I standing; and she said: "If thou


s: In hearing sufferest pain, lift up thy beard


s: And thou shalt feel a greater pain in seeing."


s: And when she by the beard the face demanded,


s: Well I perceived the venom of her meaning.


s: Mine eye perceived those creatures beautiful


s: Had rested from the strewing of the flowers;


s: And, still but little reassured, mine eyes


s: Saw Beatrice turned round towards the monster,


s: Beneath her veil, beyond the margent green,


s: She seemed to me far more her ancient self


s: To excel, than others here, when she was here.


s: So pricked me then the thorn of penitence,


s: That of all other things the one which turned me


s: Most to its love became the most my foe.


s: Such self-conviction stung me at the heart


s: O'erpowered I fell, and what I then became


s: She knoweth who had furnished me the cause.


s: Then, when the heart restored my outward sense,


s: I saw, and she was saying, "Hold me, hold me."


s: Up to my throat she in the stream had drawn me,


s: And, dragging me behind her, she was moving


s: Remember it I cannot, much less write it.


s: The beautiful lady opened wide her arms,


s: Embraced my head, and plunged me underneath,


s: Where I was forced to swallow of the water.


s: Then forth she drew me, and all dripping brought


s: 'We here are Nymphs, and in the Heaven are stars;


s: We'll lead thee to her eyes; but for the pleasant


s: Light that within them is, shall sharpen thine


s: The three beyond, who more profoundly look.'


s: Unto the Griffin's breast they led me with them,


s: Where Beatrice was standing, turned towards us.


s: "See that thou dost not spare thine eyes," they said;


s: "Before the emeralds have we stationed thee,


s: Whence Love aforetime drew for thee his weapons."


s: A thousand longings, hotter than the flame,


s: Fastened mine eyes upon those eyes relucent,


s: That still upon the Griffin steadfast stayed.


s: Within them was the twofold monster shining,


s: Now with the one, now with the other nature.


s: Think, Reader, if within myself I marvelled,


s: When I beheld the thing itself stand still,


s: While with amazement filled and jubilant,


s: My soul was tasting of the food, that while


s: Themselves revealing of the highest rank


s: In bearing, did the other three advance,


s: Such was their song, "unto thy faithful one,


s: Who has to see thee ta'en so many steps.


s: In grace do us the grace that thou unveil


s: The second beauty which thou dost conceal."


s: O splendour of the living light eternal!


s: Has grown so pale, or drunk so at its cistern,


s: He would not seem to have his mind encumbered


s: Striving to paint thee as thou didst appear,


s: Where the harmonious heaven o'ershadowed thee,


s: So steadfast and attentive were mine eyes


s: Walls of indifference, so the holy smile


s: Towards my left hand by those goddesses,


s: Because I heard from them a "Too intently!"


s: And that condition of the sight which is


s: Bereft me of my vision some short while;


s: But to the less when sight re-shaped itself,


s: I say the less in reference to the greater


s: Splendour from which perforce I had withdrawn,


s: The glorious host returning with the sun


s: And with the sevenfold flames upon their faces.


s: As underneath its shields, to save itself,


s: A squadron turns, and with its banner wheels,


s: Before the whole thereof can change its front,


s: Which marched in the advance had wholly passed us


s: Then to the wheels the maidens turned themselves,


s: And the Griffin moved his burden benedight,


s: But so that not a feather of him fluttered.


s: The lady fair who drew me through the ford


s: Followed with Statius and myself the wheel


s: Which made its orbit with the lesser arc.


s: So passing through the lofty forest, vacant


s: By fault of her who in the serpent trusted,


s: Perchance as great a space had in three flights


s: An arrow loosened from the string o'erpassed,


s: As we had moved when Beatrice descended.


s: Then circled they about a tree despoiled


s: Its tresses, which so much the more dilate


s: As higher they ascend, had been by Indians


s: Among their forests marvelled at for height.


s: "Blessed art thou, O Griffin, who dost not


s: Pluck with thy beak these branches sweet to taste,


s: Since appetite by this was turned to evil."


s: After this fashion round the tree robust


s: The others shouted; and the twofold creature:


s: "Thus is preserved the seed of all the just."


s: And turning to the pole which he had dragged,


s: He drew it close beneath the widowed bough,


s: In the same manner as our trees (when downward


s: Falls the great light, with that together mingled


s: Begin to swell, and then renew themselves,


s: Each one with its own colour, ere the Sun


s: Harness his steeds beneath another star:


s: That had erewhile its boughs so desolate.


s: The hymn which afterward that people sang,


s: Had I the power to paint how fell asleep


s: Those eyes compassionless, of Syrinx hearing,


s: Those eyes to which more watching cost so dear,


s: I would portray how I was lulled asleep;


s: He may, who well can picture drowsihood.


s: And say a splendour rent from me the veil


s: Of slumber, and a calling: "Rise, what dost thou?"


s: Which makes the Angels greedy for its fruit,


s: And keeps perpetual bridals in the Heaven,


s: Peter and John and James conducted were,


s: By which still greater slumbers have been broken,


s: And saw their school diminished by the loss


s: And the apparel of their Master changed;


s: Above me standing, who had been conductress


s: And all in doubt I said, "Where's Beatrice?"


s: The rest behind the Griffin are ascending


s: With more melodious song, and more profound."


s: And if her speech were more diffuse I know not,


s: Who from the hearing of aught else had shut me.


s: Which I had seen the biform monster fasten.


s: Encircling her, a cloister made themselves


s: The seven Nymphs, with those lights in their hands


s: Which are secure from Aquilon and Auster.


s: "Short while shalt thou be here a forester,


s: A citizen of that Rome where Christ is Roman.


s: Therefore, for that world's good which liveth ill,


s: Fix on the car thine eyes, and what thou seest,


s: Having returned to earth, take heed thou write."


s: My mind and eyes directed where she willed.


s: Fire from a heavy cloud, when it is raining


s: From out the region which is most remote,


s: Down through the tree, rending away the bark,


s: As well as blossoms and the foliage new,


s: And he with all his might the chariot smote,


s: Whereat it reeled, like vessel in a tempest


s: Tossed by the waves, now starboard and now larboard.


s: That seemed unfed with any wholesome food.


s: But for his hideous sins upbraiding him,


s: As such a fleshless skeleton could bear.


s: Then by the way that it before had come,


s: Into the chariot's chest I saw the Eagle


s: Descend, and leave it feathered with his plumes.


s: And such as issues from a heart that mourns,


s: A voice from Heaven there issued, and it said:


s: "My little bark, how badly art thou freighted!"


s: Methought, then, that the earth did yawn between


s: Both wheels, and I saw rise from it a Dragon,


s: Who through the chariot upward fixed his tail,


s: And as a wasp that draweth back its sting,


s: Drew out the floor, and went his way rejoicing.


s: That which remained behind, even as with grass


s: A fertile region, with the feathers, offered


s: Reclothed itself, and with them were reclothed


s: The pole and both the wheels so speedily,


s: Thrust forward heads upon the parts of it,


s: Three on the pole and one at either corner.


s: The first were horned like oxen; but the four


s: Had but a single horn upon the forehead;


s: And, as if not to have her taken from him,


s: And ever and anon they kissed each other.


s: Did scourge her from her head unto her feet.


s: Then full of jealousy, and fierce with wrath,


s: He loosed the monster, and across the forest


s: Dragged it so far, he made of that alone


s: The maidens in the midst of tears began;


s: And Beatrice, compassionate and sighing,


s: Listened to them with such a countenance,


s: That scarce more changed was Mary at the cross.


s: But when the other virgins place had given


s: With colour as of fire, she made response:


s: Then all the seven in front of her she placed;


s: Me and the lady and the sage who stayed.


s: That her tenth step was placed upon the ground,


s: When with her eyes upon mine eyes she smote,


s: And with a tranquil aspect, "Come more quickly,"


s: To me she said, "that, if I speak with thee,


s: To listen to me thou mayst be well placed."


s: As soon as I was with her as I should be,


s: She said to me: "Why, brother, dost thou not


s: Venture to question now, in coming with me?"


s: Who drag no living utterance to their teeth,


s: It me befell, that without perfect sound


s: You know, and that which thereunto is good."


s: Henceforward I will have thee strip thyself,


s: So that thou speak no more as one who dreams.


s: Know that the vessel which the serpent broke


s: Was, and is not; but let him who is guilty


s: Think that God's vengeance does not fear a sop.


s: The Eagle that left his plumes upon the car,


s: Whence it became a monster, then a prey;


s: The stars already near to bring the time,


s: From every hindrance safe, and every bar,


s: Within which a Five-hundred, Ten, and Five,


s: One sent from God, shall slay the thievish woman


s: And that same giant who is sinning with her.


s: Like Themis and the Sphinx, may less persuade thee,


s: Since, in their mode, it clouds the intellect;


s: Without destruction of the flocks and harvests.


s: Note thou; and even as by me are uttered


s: These words, so teach them unto those who live


s: That life which is a running unto death;


s: And bear in mind, whene'er thou writest them,


s: Not to conceal what thou hast seen the plant,


s: That twice already has been pillaged here.


s: Five thousand years and more the first-born soul


s: Craved Him, who punished in himself the bite.


s: In height, and so inverted in its summit.


s: And Pyramus to the mulberry, their pleasure,


s: Converted into stone and stained with sin,


s: So that the light of my discourse doth daze thee,


s: I will too, if not written, at least painted,


s: Thou bear it back within thee, for the reason


s: That cinct with palm the pilgrim's staff is borne."


s: Which does not change the figure stamped upon it,


s: But wherefore so beyond my power of sight


s: Soars your desirable discourse, that aye


s: The more I strive, so much the more I lose it?"


s: "That thou mayst recognize," she said, "the school


s: Which thou hast followed, and mayst see how far


s: Its doctrine follows after my discourse,


s: And mayst behold your path from the divine


s: From earth the heaven that highest hastens on."


s: Whence her I answered: "I do not remember


s: Nor have I conscience of it that reproves me."


s: Smiling she answered, "recollect thee now


s: That thou this very day hast drunk of Lethe;


s: And if from smoke a fire may be inferred,


s: Some error in thy will elsewhere intent.


s: Truly from this time forward shall my words


s: And more coruscant and with slower steps


s: The sun was holding the meridian circle,


s: Which, with the point of view, shifts here and there


s: Who goes before a squadron as its escort,


s: The ladies seven at a dark shadow's edge,


s: Such as, beneath green leaves and branches black,


s: In front of them the Tigris and Euphrates


s: Methought I saw forth issue from one fountain,


s: And slowly part, like friends, from one another.


s: What stream is this which here unfolds itself


s: From out one source, and from itself withdraws?"


s: For such a prayer, 'twas said unto me, "Pray


s: Matilda that she tell thee;" and here answered,


s: As one does who doth free himself from blame,


s: The beautiful lady: "This and other things


s: The water of Lethe has not hid them from him."


s: Has made the vision of his mind obscure.


s: Lead him to it, and, as thou art accustomed,


s: Revive again the half-dead virtue in him."


s: Like gentle soul, that maketh no excuse,


s: But makes its own will of another's will


s: The beautiful lady moved, and unto Statius


s: Said, in her womanly manner, "Come with him."


s: For writing it, I yet would sing in part


s: Of the sweet draught that ne'er would satiate me;


s: Pure and disposed to mount unto the stars.


s: translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


s: (e-text courtesy ILT's Digital Dante Project)


s: Within that heaven which most his light receives


s: Was I, and things beheld which to repeat


s: Nor knows, nor can, who from above descends;


s: Shall now become the subject of my song.


s: Has been enough for me, but now with both


s: As at the time when Marsyas thou didst draw


s: Out of the scabbard of those limbs of his.


s: O power divine, lend'st thou thyself to me


s: Stamped in my brain I can make manifest,


s: Thou'lt see me come unto thy darling tree,


s: And crown myself thereafter with those leaves


s: Of which the theme and thou shall make me worthy.


s: (The fault and shame of human inclinations,)


s: That the Peneian foliage should bring forth


s: A little spark is followed by great flame;


s: Shall prayer be made that Cyrrha may respond!


s: Uprises the world's lamp; but by that one


s: Which circles four uniteth with three crosses,


s: With better course and with a better star


s: Conjoined it issues, and the mundane wax


s: Tempers and stamps more after its own fashion.


s: Almost that passage had made morning there


s: And evening here, and there was wholly white


s: That hemisphere, and black the other part,


s: When Beatrice towards the left-hand side


s: I saw turned round, and gazing at the sun;


s: Like to a pilgrim who would fain return,


s: Thus of her action, through the eyes infused


s: And sunward fixed mine eyes beyond our wont.


s: There much is lawful which is here unlawful


s: Like iron that comes molten from the fire;


s: Had with another sun the heaven adorned.


s: Stood Beatrice all intent, and I, on her


s: As Glaucus, tasting of the herb that made him


s: Impossible were; the example, then, suffice


s: Him for whom Grace the experience reserves.


s: Createdst, Love who governest the heaven,


s: Thou knowest, who didst lift me with thy light!


s: When now the wheel, which thou dost make eternal


s: By harmony thou dost modulate and measure,


s: Then seemed to me so much of heaven enkindled


s: By the sun's flame, that neither rain nor river


s: E'er made a lake so widely spread abroad.


s: The newness of the sound and the great light


s: Kindled in me a longing for their cause,


s: Opened her mouth, ere I did mine to ask,


s: And she began: "Thou makest thyself so dull


s: With false imagining, that thou seest not


s: What thou wouldst see if thou hadst shaken it off.


s: Thou art not upon earth, as thou believest;


s: But lightning, fleeing its appropriate site,


s: Ne'er ran as thou, who thitherward returnest."


s: By these brief little words more smiled than spoken,


s: In what way I transcend these bodies light."


s: Her eyes directed tow'rds me with that look


s: And she began: "All things whate'er they be


s: Have order among themselves, and this is form,


s: Here do the higher creatures see the footprints


s: Whereto is made the law already mentioned.


s: In the order that I speak of are inclined


s: All natures, by their destinies diverse,


s: Hence they move onward unto ports diverse


s: O'er the great sea of being; and each one


s: With instinct given it which bears it on.


s: This bears away the fire towards the moon;


s: This is in mortal hearts the motive power


s: This binds together and unites the earth.


s: Without intelligence this bow shoots forth,


s: But those that have both intellect and love.


s: Makes with its light the heaven forever quiet,


s: Wherein that turns which has the greatest haste.


s: Accords not with the intention of the art,


s: So likewise from this course doth deviate


s: Sometimes the creature, who the power possesses,


s: Though thus impelled, to swerve some other way,


s: (In the same wise as one may see the fire


s: Fall from a cloud,) if the first impetus


s: Earthward is wrested by some false delight.


s: Thou shouldst not wonder more, if well I judge,


s: From some high mount descending to the lowland.


s: Of hindrance, thou wert seated down below,


s: As if on earth the living fire were quiet."


s: Thereat she heavenward turned again her face.


s: Behind my ship, that singing sails along,


s: Turn back to look again upon your shores;


s: Do not put out to sea, lest peradventure,


s: In losing me, you might yourselves be lost.


s: The sea I sail has never yet been passed;


s: And Muses nine point out to me the Bears.


s: Betimes to th' bread of Angels upon which


s: One liveth here and grows not sated by it,


s: Well may you launch upon the deep salt-sea


s: Your vessel, keeping still my wake before you


s: Those glorious ones who unto Colchos passed


s: Were not so wonder-struck as you shall be,


s: When Jason they beheld a ploughman made!


s: As swift almost as ye the heavens behold.


s: And in such space perchance as strikes a bolt


s: And flies, and from the notch unlocks itself,


s: Drew to itself my sight; and therefore she


s: From whom no care of mine could be concealed,


s: Towards me turning, blithe as beautiful,


s: On God, who unto the first star has brought us."


s: As adamant on which the sun is striking.


s: A ray of light, remaining still unbroken.


s: If I was body, (and we here conceive not


s: Which needs must be if body enter body,)


s: More the desire should be enkindled in us


s: There will be seen what we receive by faith,


s: In guise of the first truth that man believes.


s: Who has removed me from the mortal world.


s: Make people tell that fabulous tale of Cain?"


s: Somewhat she smiled; and then, "If the opinion


s: "Where'er the key of sense doth not unlock,


s: Certes, the shafts of wonder should not pierce thee


s: Now, forasmuch as, following the senses,


s: Thou seest that the reason has short wings.


s: But tell me what thou think'st of it thyself."


s: And I: "What seems to us up here diverse,


s: Is caused, I think, by bodies rare and dense."


s: And she: "Right truly shalt thou see immersed


s: In error thy belief, if well thou hearest


s: The argument that I shall make against it.


s: Lights many the eighth sphere displays to you


s: If this were caused by rare and dense alone,


s: Virtues diverse must be perforce the fruits


s: Of formal principles; and these, save one,


s: Of course would by thy reasoning be destroyed.


s: The cause thou askest, either through and through


s: This planet thus attenuate were of matter,


s: The fat and lean, so in like manner this


s: Would in its volume interchange the leaves.


s: Were it the former, in the sun's eclipse


s: It would be manifest by the shining through


s: Of light, as through aught tenuous interfused.