s: "The water, thou behold'st, springs not from vein,


s: And spends his pulse of life, but issues forth


s: Feeds whatsoe'er On either side it pours;


s: On this devolv'd with power to take away


s: Remembrance of offence, on that to bring


s: Remembrance back of every good deed done.


s: From whence its name of Lethe on this part;


s: On th' other Eunoe: both of which must first


s: Be tasted ere it work; the last exceeding


s: All flavours else.  Albeit thy thirst may now


s: Less grateful to thee, if they somewhat pass


s: The stretch of promise.  They, whose verse of yore


s: On the Parnassian mountain, of this place


s: Perhaps had dream'd.  Here was man guiltless, here


s: Perpetual spring and every fruit, and this


s: The far-fam'd nectar."  Turning to the bards,


s: When she had ceas'd, I noted in their looks


s: And clos'd the song, with "Blessed they whose sins


s: Are cover'd."  Like the wood-nymphs then, that tripp'd


s: Eager to view and one to 'scape the sun,


s: So mov'd she on, against the current, up


s: The verdant rivage.  I, her mincing step


s: Gave me to face the orient.  Nor our way


s: Far onward brought us, when to me at once


s: She turn'd, and cried: "My brother! look and hearken."


s: Through the great forest on all parts, so bright


s: I doubted whether lightning were abroad;


s: That doth unfold it, and this during still


s: And waxing still in splendor, made me question


s: Ran through the luminous air.  Then did I chide


s: Of our first parent, for that there were earth


s: Stood in obedience to the heav'ns, she only,


s: Woman, the creature of an hour, endur'd not


s: Restraint of any veil: which had she borne


s: Had from the first, and long time since, been mine.


s: While through that wilderness of primy sweets


s: That never fade, suspense I walk'd, and yet


s: Under the green boughs glow'd; and, for a song,


s: O ye thrice holy virgins! for your sakes


s: If e'er I suffer'd hunger, cold and watching,


s: Occasion calls on me to crave your bounty.


s: Now through my breast let Helicon his stream


s: Arise to aid me: while the verse unfolds


s: Things that do almost mock the grasp of thought.


s: Onward a space, what seem'd seven trees of gold,


s: So near them, that no lineament was lost


s: Of those, with which a doubtful object, seen


s: Remotely, plays on the misdeeming sense,


s: Discourse to reason, these for tapers of gold


s: Distinguish, and it th' singing trace the sound


s: "Hosanna."  Above, their beauteous garniture


s: Flam'd with more ample lustre, than the moon


s: Through cloudless sky at midnight in her full.


s: Charg'd with no less amazement: whence my view


s: Reverted to those lofty things, which came


s: So slowly moving towards us, that the bride


s: Would have outstript them on her bridal day.


s: The lady called aloud: "Why thus yet burns


s: Affection in thee for these living, lights,


s: And dost not look on that which follows them?"


s: I straightway mark'd a tribe behind them walk,


s: As if attendant on their leaders, cloth'd


s: With raiment of such whiteness, as on earth


s: Was never.  On my left, the wat'ry gleam


s: Borrow'd, and gave me back, when there I look'd.


s: Such station, that the distance of the stream


s: My steps for clearer prospect, and beheld


s: The flames go onward, leaving, as they went,


s: The air behind them painted as with trail


s: Of liveliest pencils! so distinct were mark'd


s: All those sev'n listed colours, whence the sun


s: These streaming gonfalons did flow beyond


s: So beautiful, came foul and-twenty elders,


s: By two and two, with flower-de-luces crown'd.


s: All sang one song: "Blessed be thou among


s: The daughters of Adam! and thy loveliness


s: Blessed for ever!"  After that the flowers,


s: And the fresh herblets, on the opposite brink,


s: Were free from that elected race; as light


s: In heav'n doth second light, came after them


s: Four animals, each crown'd with verdurous leaf.


s: With six wings each was plum'd, the plumage full


s: Of eyes, and th' eyes of Argus would be such,


s: Were they endued with life.  Reader, more rhymes


s: Will not waste in shadowing forth their form:


s: For other need no straitens, that in this


s: I may not give my bounty room.  But read


s: Ezekiel; for he paints them, from the north


s: How he beheld them come by Chebar's flood,


s: In whirlwind, cloud and fire; and even such


s: As thou shalt find them character'd by him,


s: Here were they; save as to the pennons; there,


s: From him departing, John accords with me.


s: The space, surrounded by the four, enclos'd


s: Stretch'd either wing uplifted, 'tween the midst


s: And the three listed hues, on each side three;


s: So that the wings did cleave or injure none;


s: And out of sight they rose.  The members, far


s: As he was bird, were golden; white the rest


s: A car in Rome ne'er grac'd Augustus pomp,


s: Were poor to this, that chariot of the sun


s: At Tellus' pray'r devout, by the just doom


s: Mysterious of all-seeing Jove.  Three nymphs


s: at the right wheel, came circling in smooth dance;


s: The one so ruddy, that her form had scarce


s: Been known within a furnace of clear flame:


s: The next did look, as if the flesh and bones


s: Were emerald: snow new-fallen seem'd the third.


s: Now seem'd the white to lead, the ruddy now;


s: And from her song who led, the others took


s: Their treasure, swift or slow.  At th' other wheel,


s: Advanc'd with festal step, as of them one


s: The rest conducted, one, upon whose front


s: Three eyes were seen.  In rear of all this group,


s: In raiment, but in port and gesture like,


s: Did show himself some favour'd counsellor


s: Of the great Coan, him, whom nature made


s: To serve the costliest creature of her tribe.


s: Bearing a sword, whose glitterance and keen edge,


s: E'en as I view'd it with the flood between,


s: Appall'd me.  Next four others I beheld,


s: Of humble seeming: and, behind them all,


s: One single old man, sleeping, as he came,


s: With a shrewd visage.  And these seven, each


s: Like the first troop were habited, but wore


s: No braid of lilies on their temples wreath'd.


s: Rather with roses and each vermeil flower,


s: A sight, but little distant, might have sworn,


s: That they were all on fire above their brow.


s: Whenas the car was o'er against me, straight.


s: Was heard a thund'ring, at whose voice it seem'd


s: The chosen multitude were stay'd; for there,


s: With the first ensigns, made they solemn halt.


s: Soon as the polar light, which never knows


s: Setting nor rising, nor the shadowy veil


s: Of the first heav'n, to duty each one there


s: The steersman to his port, stood firmly fix'd;


s: Forthwith the saintly tribe, who in the van


s: Between the Gryphon and its radiance came,


s: Did turn them to the car, as to their rest:


s: In holy chant thrice shorted forth aloud:


s: "Come, spouse, from Libanus!" and all the rest


s: The blest shall rise, from forth his cavern each


s: Of life eternal.  "Blessed thou! who com'st!"


s: And, "O," they cried, "from full hands scatter ye


s: Unwith'ring lilies;" and, so saying, cast


s: Flowers over head and round them on all sides.


s: I have beheld, ere now, at break of day,


s: The eastern clime all roseate, and the sky


s: And the sun's face so shaded, and with mists


s: Long while endur'd the sight: thus in a cloud


s: Of flowers, that from those hands angelic rose,


s: And down, within and outside of the car,


s: Fell showering, in white veil with olive wreath'd,


s: Green mantle, rob'd in hue of living flame:


s: No shudd'ring terror crept.  Mine eyes no more


s: Had knowledge of her; yet there mov'd from her


s: The power of ancient love was strong within me.


s: The heav'nly influence, which years past, and e'en


s: In childhood, thrill'd me, than towards Virgil I


s: Turn'd me to leftward, panting, like a babe,


s: That flees for refuge to his mother's breast,


s: If aught have terrified or work'd him woe:


s: And would have cried: "There is no dram of blood,


s: That doth not quiver in me.  The old flame


s: Throws out clear tokens of reviving fire:"


s: Virgil, my best-lov'd father; Virgil, he


s: All, our prime mother lost, avail'd to save


s: My undew'd cheeks from blur of soiling tears.


s: "Dante, weep not, that Virgil leaves thee: nay,


s: Weep thou not yet: behooves thee feel the edge


s: Of other sword, and thou shalt weep for that."


s: When 'mid the sail-yards all hands ply aloof;


s: (Turning me at the sound of mine own name,


s: The virgin station'd, who before appeared


s: Veil'd in that festive shower angelical.


s: Towards me, across the stream, she bent her eyes;


s: Though from her brow the veil descending, bound


s: That I beheld her clearly; then with act


s: Full royal, still insulting o'er her thrall,


s: Added, as one, who speaking keepeth back


s: The bitterest saying, to conclude the speech:


s: Beatrice.  What! and hast thou deign'd at last


s: Thy happiness is whole?"  Down fell mine eyes


s: On the clear fount, but there, myself espying,


s: Recoil'd, and sought the greensward: such a weight


s: Of shame was on my forehead.  With a mien


s: Of that stern majesty, which doth surround


s: mother's presence to her awe-struck child,


s: She look'd; a flavour of such bitterness


s: Was mingled in her pity.  There her words


s: Brake off, and suddenly the angels sang:


s: "In thee, O gracious Lord, my hope hath been:"


s: But went no farther than, "Thou Lord, hast set


s: My feet in ample room."  As snow, that lies


s: And closely pil'd by rough Sclavonian blasts,


s: Breathe but the land whereon no shadow falls,


s: And straightway melting it distils away,


s: Did sing, that with the chiming of heav'n's sphere,


s: Still in their warbling chime: but when the strain


s: Their soft compassion, more than could the words


s: "Virgin, why so consum'st him?"  then the ice,


s: To spirit and water, and with anguish forth


s: Gush'd through the lips and eyelids from the heart.


s: Upon the chariot's right edge still she stood,


s: To those bright semblances with pity touch'd:


s: "Ye in th' eternal day your vigils keep,


s: So that nor night nor slumber, with close stealth,


s: The goings on of life: thence with more heed


s: I shape mine answer, for his ear intended,


s: Who there stands weeping, that the sorrow now


s: That mark each seed to some predestin'd aim,


s: The constellations meet, but through benign


s: Largess of heav'nly graces, which rain down


s: From such a height, as mocks our vision, this man


s: Was in the freshness of his being, such,


s: All better habits wond'rously had thriv'd.


s: The more of kindly strength is in the soil,


s: So much doth evil seed and lack of culture


s: Mar it the more, and make it run to wildness.


s: These looks sometime upheld him; for I show'd


s: My youthful eyes, and led him by their light


s: In upright walking.  Soon as I had reach'd


s: The threshold of my second age, and chang'd


s: My mortal for immortal, then he left me,


s: And gave himself to others.  When from flesh


s: I was less dear to him, and valued less.


s: His steps were turn'd into deceitful ways,


s: Following false images of good, that make


s: No promise perfect.  Nor avail'd me aught


s: To sue for inspirations, with the which,


s: I, both in dreams of night, and otherwise,


s: Did call him back; of them so little reck'd him,


s: Such depth he fell, that all device was short


s: Of his preserving, save that he should view


s: And one, who hath conducted him thus high,


s: Receiv'd my supplications urg'd with weeping.


s: It were a breaking of God's high decree,


s: If Lethe should be past, and such food tasted


s: Without the cost of some repentant tear."


s: "O Thou!"  her words she thus without delay


s: Resuming, turn'd their point on me, to whom


s: They but with lateral edge seem'd harsh before,


s: "Say thou, who stand'st beyond the holy stream,


s: If this be true.  A charge so grievous needs


s: Such strange amazement hung, the voice expir'd


s: Imperfect, ere its organs gave it birth.


s: A little space refraining, then she spake:


s: "What dost thou muse on?  Answer me.  The wave


s: Did such a "Yea" produce, as needed help


s: In act to be discharg'd, a cross-bow bent


s: Beyond its pitch, both nerve and bow o'erstretch'd,


s: The flagging weapon feebly hits the mark;


s: Thus, tears and sighs forth gushing, did I burst


s: Beneath the heavy load, and thus my voice


s: Was slacken'd on its way.  She straight began:


s: The good, which sets a bound to our aspirings,


s: What bar of thwarting foss or linked chain


s: Did meet thee, that thou so should'st quit the hope


s: Of further progress, or what bait of ease


s: Elsewhere, that thou elsewhere should'st rather wait?"


s: A bitter sigh I drew, then scarce found voice


s: To answer, hardly to these sounds my lips


s: Gave utterance, wailing: "Thy fair looks withdrawn,


s: Things present, with deceitful pleasures, turn'd


s: My steps aside."  She answering spake: "Hadst thou


s: Been silent, or denied what thou avow'st,


s: Thou hadst not hid thy sin the more: such eye


s: Observes it.  But whene'er the sinner's cheek


s: Breaks forth into the precious-streaming tears


s: Of self-accusing, in our court the wheel


s: Of justice doth run counter to the edge.


s: Howe'er that thou may'st profit by thy shame


s: For errors past, and that henceforth more strength


s: May arm thee, when thou hear'st the Siren-voice,


s: Lay thou aside the motive to this grief,


s: Should have impell'd thee.  Never didst thou spy


s: In art or nature aught so passing sweet,


s: As were the limbs, that in their beauteous frame


s: Enclos'd me, and are scatter'd now in dust.


s: If sweetest thing thus fail'd thee with my death,


s: What, afterward, of mortal should thy wish


s: Have tempted?  When thou first hadst felt the dart


s: For better realms, thy wing thou should'st have prun'd


s: To 'bide a second blow for a slight girl,


s: Twice it may be, or thrice, the fowler's aim;


s: But in the sight of one, whose plumes are full,


s: In vain the net is spread, the arrow wing'd."


s: Stand, list'ning, with their eyes upon the earth,


s: Acknowledging their fault and self-condemn'd.


s: And she resum'd: "If, but to hear thus pains thee,


s: Raise thou thy beard, and lo! what sight shall do!"


s: With less reluctance yields a sturdy holm,


s: Rent from its fibers by a blast, that blows


s: From off the pole, or from Iarbas' land,


s: And thus the face denoting by the beard,


s: I mark'd the secret sting her words convey'd.


s: Of goodly creatures vanish; and mine eyes


s: Yet unassur'd and wavering, bent their light


s: Who joins two natures in one form, she turn'd,


s: And parted by the verdant rill, that flow'd


s: All others she surpass'd.  Remorseful goads


s: Shot sudden through me.  Each thing else, the more


s: Its love had late beguil'd me, now the more


s: I Was loathsome.  On my heart so keenly smote


s: The bitter consciousness, that on the ground


s: O'erpower'd I fell: and what my state was then,


s: She knows who was the cause.  When now my strength


s: Flow'd back, returning outward from the heart,


s: I found above me.  "Loose me not," she cried:


s: "Loose not thy hold;" and lo! had dragg'd me high


s: As to my neck into the stream, while she,


s: Still as she drew me after, swept along,


s: Swift as a shuttle, bounding o'er the wave.


s: The blessed shore approaching then was heard


s: May not remember, much less tell the sound.


s: The beauteous dame, her arms expanding, clasp'd


s: My temples, and immerg'd me, where 't was fit


s: The wave should drench me: and thence raising up,


s: Within the fourfold dance of lovely nymphs


s: Presented me so lav'd, and with their arm


s: They each did cover me.  "Here are we nymphs,


s: And in the heav'n are stars.  Or ever earth


s: Appointed for her handmaids, tended on her.


s: We to her eyes will lead thee; but the light


s: Of gladness that is in them, well to scan,


s: Those yonder three, of deeper ken than ours,


s: Thy sight shall quicken."  Thus began their song;


s: And then they led me to the Gryphon's breast,


s: While, turn'd toward us, Beatrice stood.


s: "Spare not thy vision.  We have stationed thee


s: Before the emeralds, whence love erewhile


s: Hath drawn his weapons on thee."  As they spake,


s: Mine eyes upon her beaming eyes, that stood


s: Still fix'd toward the Gryphon motionless.


s: Within those orbs the twofold being, shone,


s: How wond'rous in my sight it seem'd to mark


s: Full of amaze, and joyous, while my soul


s: With gesture, that declar'd a loftier line,


s: Advanc'd: to their own carol on they came


s: "Turn, Beatrice!" was their song: "O turn


s: Thy saintly sight on this thy faithful one,


s: Who to behold thee many a wearisome pace


s: Hath measur'd.  Gracious at our pray'r vouchsafe


s: Unveil to him thy cheeks: that he may mark


s: Thy second beauty, now conceal'd."  O splendour!


s: Whose spirit should not fail him in th' essay


s: To represent thee such as thou didst seem,


s: When under cope of the still-chiming heaven


s: Thou gav'st to open air thy charms reveal'd.


s: Were bent to rid them of their ten years' thirst,


s: No other sense was waking: and e'en they


s: Were fenc'd on either side from heed of aught;


s: So tangled in its custom'd toils that smile


s: Of saintly brightness drew me to itself,


s: The sacred virgins turn'd; for from their lips


s: I heard the warning sounds: "Too fix'd a gaze!"


s: Upon the' o'erstrained eyes the sun hath smote:


s: I had perforce been sunder'd) on their right


s: I mark'd that glorious army wheel, and turn,


s: Against the sun and sev'nfold lights, their front.


s: As when, their bucklers for protection rais'd,


s: A well-rang'd troop, with portly banners curl'd,


s: Wheel circling, ere the whole can change their ground:


s: Proceeding, all did pass us, ere the car


s: Had slop'd his beam.  Attendant at the wheels


s: The damsels turn'd; and on the Gryphon mov'd


s: The sacred burden, with a pace so smooth,


s: No feather on him trembled.  The fair dame


s: Who through the wave had drawn me, companied


s: By Statius and myself, pursued the wheel,


s: Whose orbit, rolling, mark'd a lesser arch.


s: Through the high wood, now void (the more her blame,


s: Perchance as arrow at three several flights


s: Full wing'd had sped, when from her station down


s: All murmur'd  "Adam," circling next a plant


s: Despoil'd of flowers and leaf on every bough.


s: Its tresses, spreading more as more they rose,


s: Were such, as 'midst their forest wilds for height


s: The Indians might have gaz'd at.  "Blessed thou!


s: Gryphon, whose beak hath never pluck'd that tree


s: Pleasant to taste: for hence the appetite


s: Was warp'd to evil."  Round the stately trunk


s: Thus shouted forth the rest, to whom return'd


s: And turning to the chariot-pole, to foot


s: He drew it of the widow'd branch, and bound


s: There left unto the stock whereon it grew.


s: As when large floods of radiance from above


s: Stream, with that radiance mingled, which ascends


s: Our plants then burgeon, and each wears anew


s: His wonted colours, ere the sun have yok'd


s: Thus putting forth a hue, more faint than rose,


s: The plant, erewhile in all its branches bare.


s: Unearthly was the hymn, which then arose.


s: To pencil forth, how clos'd th' unpitying eyes


s: Slumb'ring, when Syrinx warbled, (eyes that paid


s: So dearly for their watching,) then like painter,


s: That with a model paints, I might design


s: But feign who will the slumber cunningly;


s: The curtain of my sleep, and one cries out:


s: "Arise, what dost thou?"  As the chosen three,


s: The blossoming of that fair tree, whose fruit


s: Perpetual feast in heaven, to themselves


s: Returning at the word, whence deeper sleeps


s: Were broken, that they their tribe diminish'd saw,


s: The stole their master wore: thus to myself


s: The piteous one, who cross the stream had brought


s: My steps.  "And where," all doubting, I exclaim'd,


s: "Beneath the fresh leaf seated on its root.


s: Behold th' associate choir that circles her.


s: And more profound, journeying to higher realms,


s: Upon the Gryphon tend."  If there her words


s: Were clos'd, I know not; but mine eyes had now


s: Ta'en view of her, by whom all other thoughts


s: Were barr'd admittance.  On the very ground


s: Alone she sat, as she had there been left


s: Bound to the twyform beast.  The seven nymphs


s: Did make themselves a cloister round about her,


s: And in their hands upheld those lights secure


s: From blast septentrion and the gusty south.


s: "A little while thou shalt be forester here:


s: Of that true Rome, wherein Christ dwells a Roman


s: Thine eyes upon the car; and what thou seest,


s: Take heed thou write, returning to that place."


s: Devout, at her behest, my thought and eyes,


s: With so swift motion, forth a stormy cloud


s: Leap'd downward from the welkin's farthest bound,


s: Pounce on the tree, and, as he rush'd, the rind,


s: Disparting crush beneath him, buds much more


s: And leaflets.  On the car with all his might


s: He struck, whence, staggering like a ship, it reel'd,


s: At random driv'n, to starboard now, o'ercome,


s: And now to larboard, by the vaulting waves.


s: Next springing up into the chariot's womb


s: Of all good food.  But, for his ugly sins


s: Scamp'ring he turn'd, fast as his hide-bound corpse


s: Would bear him.  Next, from whence before he came,


s: O' th' car, and leave it with his feathers lin'd;


s: And then a voice, like that which issues forth


s: From heart with sorrow riv'd, did issue forth


s: From heav'n, and, "O poor bark of mine!" it cried,


s: "How badly art thou freighted!"  Then, it seem'd,


s: That the earth open'd between either wheel,


s: That through the chariot fix'd his forked train;


s: And like a wasp that draggeth back the sting,


s: So drawing forth his baleful train, he dragg'd


s: Part of the bottom forth, and went his way


s: Exulting.  What remain'd, as lively turf


s: With green herb, so did clothe itself with plumes,


s: Which haply had with purpose chaste and kind


s: Been offer'd; and therewith were cloth'd the wheels,


s: Both one and other, and the beam, so quickly


s: A sigh were not breath'd sooner.  Thus transform'd,


s: The holy structure, through its several parts,


s: Did put forth heads, three on the beam, and one


s: On every side; the first like oxen horn'd,


s: The four.  Like monster sight hath never seen.


s: O'er it methought there sat, secure as rock


s: Whose ken rov'd loosely round her.  At her side,


s: As 't were that none might bear her off, I saw


s: They mingled kisses.  But, her lustful eyes


s: Chancing on me to wander, that fell minion


s: Scourg'd her from head to foot all o'er; then full


s: Of jealousy, and fierce with rage, unloos'd


s: The monster, and dragg'd on, so far across


s: The forest, that from me its shades alone


s: Shielded the harlot and the new-form'd brute.


s: "The heathen, Lord! are come!" responsive thus,


s: And sighing, to the song', in such a mood,


s: That Mary, as she stood beside the cross,


s: Was scarce more chang'd.  But when they gave her place


s: To speak, then, risen upright on her feet,


s: She, with a colour glowing bright as fire,


s: Shall see me not; and, my beloved sisters,


s: Again a little while, and ye shall see me."


s: Before her then she marshall'd all the seven,


s: And, beck'ning only motion'd me, the dame,


s: So on she pass'd; and had not set, I ween,


s: Her tenth step to the ground, when with mine eyes


s: Her eyes encounter'd; and, with visage mild,


s: "So mend thy pace," she cried, "that if my words


s: Address thee, thou mayst still be aptly plac'd


s: To hear them."  Soon as duly to her side


s: I now had hasten'd: "Brother!" she began,


s: "Why mak'st thou no attempt at questioning,


s: As thus we walk together?"  Like to those


s: Before their betters, draw not forth the voice


s: "Lady! what I have need of, that thou know'st,


s: And what will suit my need."  She answering thus:


s: "Of fearfulness and shame, I will, that thou


s: Henceforth do rid thee: that thou speak no more,


s: As one who dreams.  Thus far be taught of me:


s: The vessel, which thou saw'st the serpent break,


s: Was and is not: let him, who hath the blame,


s: Hope not to scare God's vengeance with a sop.


s: That eagle, he, who left the chariot plum'd,


s: Which monster made it first and next a prey.


s: Plainly I view, and therefore speak, the stars


s: E'en now approaching, whose conjunction, free


s: A season, in the which, one sent from God,


s: (Five hundred, five, and ten, do mark him out)


s: That foul one, and th' accomplice of her guilt,


s: The giant, both shall slay.  And if perchance


s: Fail to persuade thee, (since like them it foils


s: The intellect with blindness) yet ere long


s: Events shall be the Naiads, that will solve


s: On flock or field.  Take heed; and as these words


s: To those who live that life, which is a race


s: To death: and when thou writ'st them, keep in mind


s: Not to conceal how thou hast seen the plant,


s: That twice hath now been spoil'd.  This whoso robs,


s: This whoso plucks, with blasphemy of deed


s: Creating hallow'd it.  For taste of this,


s: In pain and in desire, five thousand years


s: And upward, the first soul did yearn for him,


s: "Thy reason slumbers, if it deem this height


s: Without due cause: and were not vainer thoughts,


s: And their fond pleasures had not dyed it dark


s: As Pyramus the mulberry, thou hadst seen,


s: In the forbidden tree.  But since I mark thee


s: And, to that hardness, spotted too and stain'd,


s: So that thine eye is dazzled at my word,


s: I will, that, if not written, yet at least


s: Painted thou take it in thee, for the cause,


s: That one brings home his staff inwreath'd with palm."


s: I thus: "As wax by seal, that changeth not


s: Its impress, now is stamp'd my brain by thee.


s: But wherefore soars thy wish'd-for speech so high


s: Beyond my sight, that loses it the more,


s: The more it strains to reach it?"--"To the end


s: That thou mayst know," she answer'd straight, "the school,


s: That thou hast follow'd; and how far behind,


s: When following my discourse, its learning halts:


s: And mayst behold your art, from the divine


s: 'Twixt earth and heaven's most high and rapturous orb."


s: I was estrang'd from thee, nor for such fault


s: Doth conscience chide me."  Smiling she return'd:


s: "If thou canst, not remember, call to mind


s: How lately thou hast drunk of Lethe's wave;


s: And, sure as smoke doth indicate a flame,


s: From henceforth verily my words shall be


s: In thy unpractis'd view."  More sparkling now,


s: The circle of mid-day, that varies still


s: As th' aspect varies of each several clime,


s: Vestige of somewhat strange and rare: so paus'd


s: The sev'nfold band, arriving at the verge


s: Beneath green leaves and gloomy branches, oft


s: And, where they stood, before them, as it seem'd,


s: Forth from one fountain issue; and, like friends,


s: Linger at parting. "O enlight'ning beam!


s: What water this, which from one source deriv'd


s: Itself removes to distance from itself?"


s: "Entreat Matilda, that she teach thee this."


s: And here, as one, who clears himself of blame


s: He this and more hath learnt; and I am safe


s: That Lethe's water hath not hid it from him."


s: That oft the memory 'reeves, perchance hath made


s: His mind's eye dark.  But lo! where Eunoe cows!


s: Lead thither; and, as thou art wont, revive


s: His fainting virtue."  As a courteous spirit,


s: Makes it his own; when she had ta'en me, thus


s: The lovely maiden mov'd her on, and call'd


s: "Come thou with him."  Were further space allow'd,


s: Then, Reader, might I sing, though but in part,


s: That beverage, with whose sweetness I had ne'er


s: Been sated.  But, since all the leaves are full,


s: Appointed for this second strain, mine art


s: With warning bridle checks me.  I return'd


s: If 'en as new plants renew'd with foliage new,


s: Pure and made apt for mounting to the stars.


s: His glory, by whose might all things are mov'd,


s: Sheds more resplendence, elsewhere less.  In heav'n,


s: That largeliest of his light partakes, was I,


s: Witness of things, which to relate again


s: Surpasseth power of him who comes from thence;


s: For that, so near approaching its desire


s: Our intellect is to such depth absorb'd,


s: That memory cannot follow.  Nathless all,


s: That in my thoughts I of that sacred realm


s: Could store, shall now be matter of my song.


s: Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus' brows


s: Suffic'd me; henceforth there is need of both


s: So, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg'd


s: Forth from his limbs unsheath'd.  O power divine!


s: That of that happy realm the shadow'd form


s: Trac'd in my thoughts I may set forth to view,


s: Thou shalt behold me of thy favour'd tree


s: Come to the foot, and crown myself with leaves;


s: For to that honour thou, and my high theme


s: Will fit me.  If but seldom, mighty Sire!


s: To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreath


s: Caesar or bard (more shame for human wills


s: Deprav'd) joy to the Delphic god must spring


s: From the Pierian foliage, when one breast


s: Is with such thirst inspir'd.  From a small spark


s: Great flame hath risen: after me perchance


s: Others with better voice may pray, and gain


s: Through diver passages, the world's bright lamp


s: Rises to mortals, but through that which joins


s: Four circles with the threefold cross, in best


s: Course, and in happiest constellation set


s: He comes, and to the worldly wax best gives


s: Its temper and impression.  Morning there,


s: Here eve was by almost such passage made;


s: And whiteness had o'erspread that hemisphere,


s: Blackness the other part; when to the left


s: So of her act, that through the eyesight pass'd


s: Into my fancy, mine was form'd; and straight,


s: Beyond our mortal wont, I fix'd mine eyes


s: Upon the sun.  Much is allowed us there,


s: That here exceeds our pow'r; thanks to the place


s: That I beheld it bick'ring sparks around,


s: As iron that comes boiling from the fire.


s: A day new-ris'n, as he, who hath the power,


s: Her eyes fast fix'd on the eternal wheels,


s: Fix'd upon her, from upward gaze remov'd


s: That made him peer among the ocean gods;


s: Words may not tell of that transhuman change:


s: And therefore let the example serve, though weak,


s: For those whom grace hath better proof in store


s: Then newly, Love! by whom the heav'n is rul'd,


s: Thou know'st, who by thy light didst bear me up.


s: Whenas the wheel which thou dost ever guide,


s: Temper'd of thee and measur'd, charm'd mine ear,


s: Then seem'd to me so much of heav'n to blaze


s: With the sun's flame, that rain or flood ne'er made


s: A lake so broad.  The newness of the sound,


s: And that great light, inflam'd me with desire,


s: Keener than e'er was felt, to know their cause.


s: Whence she who saw me, clearly as myself,


s: To calm my troubled mind, before I ask'd,


s: Open'd her lips, and gracious thus began:


s: Mak'st dull, so that thou seest not the thing,


s: Which thou hadst seen, had that been shaken off.


s: Thou art not on the earth as thou believ'st;


s: For light'ning scap'd from its own proper place


s: Ne'er ran, as thou hast hither now return'd."


s: Although divested of my first-rais'd doubt,


s: By those brief words, accompanied with smiles,


s: Whence, after utt'rance of a piteous sigh,


s: She tow'rds me bent her eyes, with such a look,


s: As on her frenzied child a mother casts;


s: Then thus began: "Among themselves all things


s: Have order; and from hence the form, which makes


s: The higher creatures see the printed steps


s: Whither the line is drawn.  All natures lean,


s: In this their order, diversely, some more,


s: Some less approaching to their primal source.


s: Thus they to different havens are mov'd on


s: Through the vast sea of being, and each one


s: With instinct giv'n, that bears it in its course;


s: This to the lunar sphere directs the fire,


s: This prompts the hearts of mortal animals,


s: This the brute earth together knits, and binds.


s: Are aim'd at by this bow; but even those,


s: That have intelligence and love, are pierc'd.


s: That Providence, who so well orders all,


s: With her own light makes ever calm the heaven,


s: In which the substance, that hath greatest speed,


s: Is turn'd: and thither now, as to our seat


s: Predestin'd, we are carried by the force


s: Of that strong cord, that never looses dart,


s: But at fair aim and glad.  Yet is it true,


s: That as ofttimes but ill accords the form


s: To the design of art, through sluggishness


s: Is sometimes quitted by the creature, who


s: Hath power, directed thus, to bend elsewhere;


s: As from a cloud the fire is seen to fall,


s: From its original impulse warp'd, to earth,


s: By vicious fondness.  Thou no more admire


s: Thy soaring, (if I rightly deem,) than lapse


s: Of torrent downwards from a mountain's height.


s: There would in thee for wonder be more cause,


s: If, free of hind'rance, thou hadst fix'd thyself


s: Below, like fire unmoving on the earth."


s: So said, she turn'd toward the heav'n her face.


s: All ye, who in small bark have following sail'd,


s: Eager to listen, on the advent'rous track


s: Of my proud keel, that singing cuts its way,


s: Backward return with speed, and your own shores


s: Where losing me, perchance ye may remain


s: Bewilder'd in deep maze.  The way I pass


s: Ne'er yet was run: Minerva breathes the gale,


s: To my rapt sight the arctic beams reveal.


s: Ye other few, who have outstretch'd the neck.


s: Timely for food of angels, on which here


s: Through the deep brine ye fearless may put out


s: Your vessel, marking, well the furrow broad


s: Before you in the wave, that on both sides


s: Equal returns.  Those, glorious, who pass'd o'er


s: When they saw Jason following the plough.


s: The increate perpetual thirst, that draws


s: Toward the realm of God's own form, bore us


s: And in such space as on the notch a dart


s: Is plac'd, then loosen'd flies, I saw myself


s: Arriv'd, where wond'rous thing engag'd my sight.


s: Whence she, to whom no work of mine was hid,


s: Turning to me, with aspect glad as fair,


s: To God, through whom to this first star we come."


s: Translucent, solid, firm, and polish'd bright,


s: Like adamant, which the sun's beam had smit


s: Receives, and rests unbroken.  If I then


s: Was of corporeal frame, and it transcend


s: Our weaker thought, how one dimension thus


s: Another could endure, which needs must be


s: That essence, which discovers by what means


s: God and our nature join'd!  There will be seen


s: That which we hold through faith, not shown by proof,


s: E'en as the truth that man at first believes.


s: I answered: "Lady! I with thoughts devout,


s: Such as I best can frame, give thanks to Him,


s: Who hath remov'd me from the mortal world.


s: But tell, I pray thee, whence the gloomy spots


s: Give rise to talk of Cain in fabling quaint?"


s: She somewhat smil'd, then spake: "If mortals err


s: Unlocks not, surely wonder's weapon keen


s: Ought not to pierce thee; since thou find'st, the wings


s: Are short.  But what thy own thought is, declare."


s: Then I: "What various here above appears,


s: Is caus'd, I deem, by bodies dense or rare."


s: She then resum'd: "Thou certainly wilt see


s: In falsehood thy belief o'erwhelm'd, if well


s: Shall bring to face it.  The eighth sphere displays


s: Numberless lights, the which in kind and size


s: If rare or dense of that were cause alone,


s: Different virtues needs must be the fruits


s: Of formal principles, and these, save one,


s: Will by thy reasoning be destroy'd.  Beside,


s: Which thou inquirest, either in some part


s: That planet must throughout be void, nor fed


s: With its own matter; or, as bodies share


s: Their fat and leanness, in like manner this


s: Must in its volume change the leaves.  The first,


s: If it were true, had through the sun's eclipse


s: Of light, as through aught rare beside effus'd.


s: But this is not.  Therefore remains to see


s: Erroneous so must prove what seem'd to thee.


s: Pass through, there needs must be a limit, whence


s: And hence the beam, that from without proceeds,


s: Must be pour'd back, as colour comes, through glass


s: Reflected, which behind it lead conceals.


s: Now wilt thou say, that there of murkier hue


s: Than in the other part the ray is shown,


s: From this perplexity will free thee soon


s: The fountain whence your arts derive their streame.


s: Three mirrors shalt thou take, and two remove


s: From thee alike, and more remote the third.


s: Betwixt the former pair, shall meet thine eyes;


s: Then turn'd toward them, cause behind thy back


s: A light to stand, that on the three shall shine,


s: And thus reflected come to thee from all.


s: Though that beheld most distant do not stretch


s: A space so ample, yet in brightness thou


s: Will own it equaling the rest.  But now,


s: As under snow the ground, if the warm ray


s: Smites it, remains dismantled of the hue


s: And cold, that cover'd it before, so thee,


s: With light so lively, that the tremulous beam


s: Shall quiver where it falls.  Within the heaven,


s: Where peace divine inhabits, circles round


s: Of all that it contains.  The following heaven,


s: That hath so many lights, this being divides,


s: Through  different essences, from it distinct,


s: And yet contain'd within it.  The other orbs


s: Dispose, for their own seed and produce apt.


s: Thus do these organs of the world proceed,


s: As thou beholdest now, from step to step,


s: And thence transmitting downwards.  Mark me well,


s: How through this passage to the truth I ford,


s: The truth thou lov'st, that thou henceforth alone,


s: May'st know to keep the shallows, safe, untold.


s: "The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs,


s: As mallet by the workman's hand, must needs


s: By blessed movers be inspir'd.  This heaven,


s: From the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere,


s: And as the soul, that dwells within your dust,


s: Through members different, yet together form'd,


s: In different pow'rs resolves itself; e'en so


s: Its goodness multiplied throughout the stars;


s: Makes with the precious body it enlivens,


s: With which it knits, as life in you is knit.


s: The virtue mingled through the body shines,


s: From hence proceeds, that which from light to light


s: Seems different, and not from dense or rare.


s: This is the formal cause, that generates


s: Proportion'd to its power, the dusk or clear."


s: That sun, which erst with love my bosom warm'd


s: Had of fair truth unveil'd the sweet aspect,


s: By proof of right, and of the false reproof;


s: Of doubt, as much as needed, rais'd my head


s: Erect for speech.  But soon a sight appear'd,


s: Which, so intent to mark it, held me fix'd,


s: As through translucent and smooth glass, or wave


s: Clear and unmov'd, and flowing not so deep


s: As that its bed is dark, the shape returns


s: That on white forehead set a pearl as strong


s: Comes to the eye: such saw I many a face,


s: All stretch'd to speak, from whence I straight conceiv'd


s: Between the man and fountain, amorous flame.


s: Sudden, as I perceiv'd them, deeming these


s: They were, I turn'd mine eyes, and nothing saw;


s: Then turn'd them back, directed on the light


s: Of my sweet guide, who smiling shot forth beams


s: From her celestial eyes.  "Wonder not thou,"


s: She cry'd, "at this my smiling, when I see


s: Thy childish judgment; since not yet on truth


s: It rests the foot, but, as it still is wont,


s: Makes thee fall back in unsound vacancy.


s: True substances are these, which thou behold'st,


s: Hither through failure of their vow exil'd.


s: But speak thou with them; listen, and believe,


s: That the true light, which fills them with desire,


s: Permits not from its beams their feet to stray."


s: Straight to the shadow which for converse seem'd


s: Most earnest, I addressed me, and began,


s: "O spirit, born for joy! who in the rays


s: Of life eternal, of that sweetness know'st


s: The flavour, which, not tasted, passes far


s: All apprehension, me it well would please,


s: If thou wouldst tell me of thy name, and this


s: Your station here." Whence she, with kindness prompt,


s: And eyes glist'ning with smiles: "Our charity,


s: Bars not the door, no more than she above,


s: Who would have all her court be like herself.


s: And if thy mind observe me well, this form,


s: With such addition grac'd of loveliness,


s: Will not conceal me long, but thou wilt know


s: Here 'mid these other blessed also blest.


s: Our hearts, whose high affections burn alone


s: With pleasure, from the Holy Spirit conceiv'd,


s: And this condition, which appears so low,


s: Is for this cause assign'd us, that our vows


s: Were in some part neglected and made void."


s: Whence I to her replied: "Something divine


s: Beams in your countenance, wond'rous fair,


s: From former knowledge quite transmuting you.


s: Given now such aid, that to retrace your forms


s: More to behold, and more in love to dwell?"


s: She with those other spirits gently smil'd,


s: Then answer'd with such gladness, that she seem'd


s: With love's first flame to glow: "Brother! our will


s: What we possess, and nought beyond desire;


s: Then must our wishes jar with the high will


s: Of him, who sets us here, which in these orbs


s: And if her nature well thou contemplate.


s: Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within


s: The divine will, by which our wills with his


s: Are one.  So that as we from step to step


s: Are plac'd throughout this kingdom, pleases all,


s: E'en as our King, who in us plants his will;


s: Then saw I clearly how each spot in heav'n


s: Is Paradise, though with like gracious dew


s: The appetite remains, that this is ask'd,


s: And thanks for that return'd; e'en so did I


s: In word and motion, bent from her to learn


s: What web it was, through which she had not drawn


s: The shuttle to its point.  She thus began:


s: By whose pure laws upon your nether earth


s: The robe and veil they wear, to that intent,


s: That e'en till death they may keep watch or sleep


s: With their great bridegroom, who accepts each vow,


s: Which to his gracious pleasure love conforms.


s: from the world, to follow her, when young


s: Escap'd; and, in her vesture mantling me,


s: Made promise of the way her sect enjoins.


s: Thereafter men, for ill than good more apt,


s: Forth snatch'd me from the pleasant cloister's pale.


s: God knows how after that my life was fram'd.


s: This other splendid shape, which thou beholdst


s: At my right side, burning with all the light


s: May to herself apply.  From her, like me


s: The saintly folds, that shaded her fair brows.


s: E'en when she to the world again was brought


s: In spite of her own will and better wont,


s: Yet not for that the bosom's inward veil


s: Of mighty Constance, who from that loud blast,


s: Which blew the second over Suabia's realm,


s: That power produc'd, which was the third and last."


s: She ceas'd from further talk, and then began


s: Vanish'd, as heavy substance through deep wave.


s: Pursued her, when in dimness she was lost,


s: Turn'd to the mark where greater want impell'd,


s: But she as light'ning beam'd upon my looks:


s: So that the sight sustain'd it not at first.


s: Whence I to question her became less prompt.


s: Remote and tempting, first a man might die


s: Of hunger, ere he one could freely choose.


s: E'en so would stand a lamb between the maw


s: Of two fierce wolves, in dread of both alike:


s: E'en so between two deer a dog would stand,


s: Wherefore, if I was silent, fault nor praise


s: Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake


s: My wish more earnestly than language could.


s: As Daniel, when the haughty king he freed


s: From ire, that spurr'd him on to deeds unjust


s: "Well I discern," she thus her words address'd,


s: "How contrary desires each way constrain thee,


s: So that thy anxious thought is in itself


s: Bound up and stifled, nor breathes freely forth.


s: Thou arguest; if the good intent remain;


s: Should stint the measure of my fair desert?


s: "Cause too thou findst for doubt, in that it seems,


s: That spirits to the stars, as Plato deem'd,


s: Return.  These are the questions which thy will


s: Of that will treat which hath the more of gall.


s: Choose which thou wilt, nor even Mary's self,


s: Have not in any other heav'n their seats,


s: Than have those spirits which so late thou saw'st;


s: Make the first circle beauteous, diversely


s: Partaking of sweet life, as more or less


s: Afflation of eternal bliss pervades them.


s: Here were they shown thee, not that fate assigns


s: This for their sphere, but for a sign to thee


s: Of that celestial furthest from the height.


s: Thus needs, that ye may apprehend, we speak:


s: Since from things sensible alone ye learn


s: That, which digested rightly after turns


s: To your perception, hands and feet to God


s: Attributes, nor so means: and holy church


s: Tobias whole.  Unlike what here thou seest,


s: Each soul restor'd to its particular star,


s: E'en what his words declare: or else to shun


s: That to the influencing of these orbs revert


s: Perchance he doth not wholly miss the truth.


s: Erewhile perverted well nigh all the world;


s: So that it fell to fabled names of Jove,


s: And Mercury, and Mars.  That other doubt,


s: Which moves thee, is less harmful; for it brings


s: "That, to the eye of man, our justice seems


s: This truth may stand more clearly in your view,


s: "If violence be, when that which suffers, nought


s: Consents to that which forceth, not for this


s: These spirits stood exculpate.  For the will,


s: That will not, still survives unquench'd, and doth


s: Wrest it a thousand times; for, if it yield


s: Or more or less, so far it follows force.


s: And thus did these, whom they had power to seek


s: The hallow'd place again.  In them, had will


s: Been perfect, such as once upon the bars


s: Held Laurence firm, or wrought in Scaevola


s: To his own hand remorseless, to the path,


s: Whence they were drawn, their steps had hasten'd back,


s: Resolve so steadfast dwells.  And by these words


s: Which oft might have perplex'd thee still.  But now


s: Another question thwarts thee, which to solve


s: Might try thy patience without better aid.


s: I have, no doubt, instill'd into thy mind,


s: That blessed spirit may not lie; since near


s: The source of primal truth it dwells for aye:


s: And thou might'st after of Piccarda learn


s: That Constance held affection to the veil;


s: So that she seems to contradict me here.


s: Not seldom, brother, it hath chanc'd for men


s: Not to lose pity.  On this point bethink thee,


s: That force and will are blended in such wise


s: From non-compliance, it agrees.  Of will


s: Of th' other; so that both have truly said."


s: Such was the flow of that pure rill, that well'd


s: From forth the fountain of all truth; and such


s: The rest, that to my wond'ring thoughts I found.


s: "O thou of primal love the prime delight!


s: Goddess!"  I straight reply'd, "whose lively words


s: Still shed new heat and vigour through my soul!


s: To recompense, who sees and can reward thee.


s: Well I discern, that by that truth alone


s: Enlighten'd, beyond which no truth may roam,


s: Our mind can satisfy her thirst to know:


s: Therein she resteth, e'en as in his lair


s: The wild beast, soon as she hath reach'd that bound,


s: And she hath power to reach it; else desire


s: Were given to no end.  And thence doth doubt


s: Spring, like a shoot, around the stock of truth;


s: And it is nature which from height to height


s: On to the summit prompts us.  This invites,


s: Is dark to me.  I fain would know, if man


s: The failure of his vows, that in your scale


s: They lack not weight."  I spake; and on me straight


s: Beatrice look'd with eyes that shot forth sparks


s: Of love celestial in such copious stream,


s: I turn'd, and downward bent confus'd my sight.


s: "If beyond earthly wont, the flame of love


s: Of vision, marvel not: but learn the cause


s: In that perfection of the sight, which soon


s: The good it apprehends.  I well discern,


s: Ne'er fails to kindle love; and if aught else


s: Your love seduces, 't is but that it shows


s: Some ill-mark'd vestige of that primal beam.


s: "This would'st thou know, if failure of the vow


s: As from self-question to assure the soul."


s: Thus she her words, not heedless of my wish,


s: Began; and thus, as one who breaks not off


s: Discourse, continued in her saintly strain.


s: "Supreme of gifts, which God creating gave


s: Of goodness, and in his account most priz'd,


s: All intellectual creatures, and them sole


s: He hath endow'd.  Hence now thou mayst infer


s: Of what high worth the vow, which so is fram'd


s: That when man offers, God well-pleas'd accepts;


s: This treasure, such as I describe it to thee,


s: He makes the victim, and of his own act.


s: What compensation therefore may he find?


s: If that, whereof thou hast oblation made,


s: By using well thou think'st to consecrate,


s: Thou would'st of theft do charitable deed.


s: Thus I resolve thee of the greater point.


s: Dispensing, seems to contradict the truth


s: Ere the crude aliment, which thou hast taken,


s: And give it inward keeping.  Knowledge comes


s: Of learning well retain'd, unfruitful else.


s: "This sacrifice in essence of two things


s: Consisteth; one is that, whereof 't is made,


s: It ne'er is cancell'd if not kept: and hence


s: I spake erewhile so strictly of its force.


s: For this it was enjoin'd the Israelites,


s: Though leave were giv'n them, as thou know'st, to change


s: The offering, still to offer.  Th' other part,


s: The matter and the substance of the vow,


s: May well be such, to that without offence


s: It may for other substance be exchang'd.


s: But at his own discretion none may shift


s: By either key, the yellow and the white.


s: Nor deem of any change, as less than vain,


s: For what so precious in the balance weighs,


s: That all in counterpoise must kick the beam.


s: Take then no vow at random: ta'en, with faith


s: Preserve it; yet not bent, as Jephthah once,


s: 'I have done ill,' than to redeem his pledge


s: In folly, that great leader of the Greeks:


s: Her virgin beauty, and hath since made mourn


s: Both wise and simple, even all, who hear


s: Of so fell sacrifice.  Be ye more staid,


s: O Christians, not, like feather, by each wind


s: Removable: nor think to cleanse ourselves


s: The old and new, is yours: and for your guide


s: The shepherd of the church let this suffice


s: To save you.  When by evil lust entic'd,


s: Remember ye be men, not senseless beasts;


s: Hold you in mock'ry.  Be not, as the lamb,


s: That, fickle wanton, leaves its mother's milk,


s: Such were the words that Beatrice spake:


s: These ended, to that region, where the world


s: Is liveliest, full of fond desire she turn'd.


s: Though mainly prompt new question to propose,


s: And as the arrow, ere the cord is still,


s: Grew brighter at her smiles; and, if the star


s: Were mov'd to gladness, what then was my cheer,


s: Whom nature hath made apt for every change!


s: If aught approach them from without, do draw


s: Towards it, deeming it their food; so drew


s: Full more than thousand splendours towards us,


s: And in each one was heard: "Lo! one arriv'd


s: To multiply our loves!" and as each came


s: The shadow, streaming forth effulgence new,


s: Witness'd augmented joy.  Here, reader! think,


s: If thou didst miss the sequel of my tale,


s: To know the rest how sorely thou wouldst crave;


s: Possess'd me, as soon as these had met my view,


s: To know their state.  "O born in happy hour!


s: Thou to whom grace vouchsafes, or ere thy close


s: Of fleshly warfare, to behold the thrones


s: The light communicated, which through heaven


s: Expatiates without bound.  Therefore, if aught


s: Thou of our beams wouldst borrow for thine aid,


s: Spare not; and of our radiance take thy fill."


s: Thus of those piteous spirits one bespake me;


s: As unto gods!"--"How in the light supreme


s: Thou harbour'st, and from thence the virtue bring'st,


s: That, sparkling in thine eyes, denotes thy joy,


s: I mark; but, who thou art, am still to seek;


s: Or wherefore, worthy spirit! for thy lot


s: This sphere assign'd, that oft from mortal ken


s: Is veil'd by others' beams."  I said, and turn'd


s: Toward the lustre, that with greeting, kind


s: Erewhile had hail'd me.  Forthwith brighter far


s: Than erst, it wax'd: and, as himself the sun


s: Hides through excess of light, when his warm gaze


s: Hath on the mantle of thick vapours prey'd;


s: Was, through increase of gladness, thus conceal'd;


s: And, shrouded so in splendour answer'd me,


s: "After that Constantine the eagle turn'd


s: Against the motions of the heav'n, that roll'd


s: Consenting with its course, when he of yore,


s: Lavinia's spouse, was leader of the flight,


s: A hundred years twice told and more, his seat


s: At Europe's extreme point, the bird of Jove


s: Held, near the mountains, whence he issued first.


s: There, under shadow of his sacred plumes


s: Swaying the world, till through successive hands


s: To mine he came devolv'd.  Caesar I was,


s: Of that prime love, whose influence I feel,


s: From vain excess to clear th' encumber'd laws.


s: Christ's nature merely human, with such faith


s: Who was chief shepherd, he with warning voice


s: To the true faith recall'd me.  I believ'd


s: His words: and what he taught, now plainly see,


s: The true and false oppos'd.  Soon as my feet


s: Were to the church reclaim'd, to my great task,


s: I gave me wholly, and consign'd mine arms


s: To Belisarius, with whom heaven's right hand


s: Was link'd in such conjointment, 't was a sign


s: That I should rest.  To thy first question thus


s: I shape mine answer, which were ended here,


s: But that its tendency doth prompt perforce


s: To some addition; that thou well, mayst mark


s: What reason on each side they have to plead,


s: By whom that holiest banner is withstood,


s: Both who pretend its power and who oppose.


s: "Beginning from that hour, when Pallas died


s: To give it rule, behold the valorous deeds


s: Have made it worthy reverence.  Not unknown


s: To thee, how for three hundred years and more


s: It dwelt in Alba, up to those fell lists


s: Where for its sake were met the rival three;


s: Nor aught unknown to thee, which it achiev'd


s: Down to the Sabines' wrong to Lucrece' woe,


s: With its sev'n kings conqu'ring the nation round;


s: Nor all it wrought, by Roman worthies home


s: 'Gainst Brennus and th' Epirot prince, and hosts


s: Of single chiefs, or states in league combin'd


s: Of social warfare; hence Torquatus stern,


s: And Quintius nam'd of his neglected locks,


s: Their fame, which I with duteous zeal embalm.


s: By it the pride of Arab hordes was quell'd,


s: The Alpine rocks, whence glide thy currents, Po!


s: Beneath its guidance, in their prime of days


s: Scipio and Pompey triumph'd; and that hill,


s: Under whose summit thou didst see the light,


s: Rued its stern bearing.  After, near the hour,


s: When heav'n was minded that o'er all the world


s: His own deep calm should brood, to Caesar's hand


s: Did Rome consign it; and what then it wrought


s: From Var unto the Rhine, saw Isere's flood,


s: Saw Loire and Seine, and every vale, that fills


s: The torrent Rhone.  What after that it wrought,


s: When from Ravenna it came forth, and leap'd


s: That tongue nor pen may follow it.  Tow'rds Spain


s: It wheel'd its bands, then tow'rd Dyrrachium smote,


s: And on Pharsalia with so fierce a plunge,


s: E'en the warm Nile was conscious to the pang;


s: Its native shores Antandros, and the streams


s: His pennons shook again; lightning thence fell


s: At sound of the Pompeian trump, return'd.


s: "What following and in its next bearer's gripe


s: It wrought, is now by Cassius and Brutus


s: Bark'd off in hell, and by Perugia's sons


s: And Modena's was mourn'd.  Hence weepeth still


s: Took from the adder black and sudden death.


s: With him it ran e'en to the Red Sea coast;


s: With him compos'd the world to such a peace,


s: That of his temple Janus barr'd the door.


s: "But all the mighty standard yet had wrought,


s: And was appointed to perform thereafter,


s: Throughout the mortal kingdom which it sway'd,


s: Falls in appearance dwindled and obscur'd,


s: If one with steady eye and perfect thought


s: On the third Caesar look; for to his hands,


s: The living Justice, in whose breath I move,


s: "Hear now and wonder at what next I tell.


s: Vengeance for vengeance of the ancient sin,


s: And, when the Lombard tooth, with fangs impure,


s: Sped to her rescue.  Judge then for thyself


s: Of those, whom I erewhile accus'd to thee,


s: What they are, and how grievous their offending,


s: Who are the cause of all your ills.  The one


s: So that 't is hard to see which more offends.


s: Be yours, ye Ghibellines, to veil your arts


s: Follow'd of him, who severs it and justice:


s: And let not with his Guelphs the new-crown'd Charles


s: Assail it, but those talons hold in dread,


s: Have rent the easing.  Many a time ere now


s: The sons have for the sire's transgression wail'd;


s: Nor let him trust the fond belief, that heav'n


s: Will truck its armour for his lilied shield.


s: "This little star is furnish'd with good spirits,


s: Whose mortal lives were busied to that end,


s: That honour and renown might wait on them:


s: And, when desires thus err in their intention,


s: True love must needs ascend with slacker beam.


s: But it is part of our delight, to measure


s: The close proportion.  Hence doth heav'nly justice


s: Render sweet harmony among these wheels.


s: "Within the pearl, that now encloseth us,


s: Shines Romeo's light, whose goodly deed and fair


s: Met ill acceptance.  But the Provencals,


s: That were his foes, have little cause for mirth.


s: Ill shapes that man his course, who makes his wrong


s: Of other's worth.  Four daughters were there born


s: Became a queen; and this for him did Romeo,


s: Though of mean state and from a foreign land.


s: A reckoning of that just one, who return'd


s: Twelve fold to him for ten.  Aged and poor


s: He parted thence: and if the world did know


s: The heart he had, begging his life by morsels,


s: 'T would deem the praise, it yields him, scantly dealt."


s: Thus chanting saw I turn that substance bright


s: Revolving; and the rest unto their dance


s: With it mov'd also; and like swiftest sparks,


s: In sudden distance from my sight were veil'd.


s: Me doubt possess'd, and "Speak," it whisper'd me,


s: "Speak, speak unto thy lady, that she quench


s: Thy thirst with drops of sweetness."  Yet blank awe,


s: Which lords it o'er me, even at the sound


s: As one in slumber held.  Not long that mood


s: Beatrice suffer'd: she, with such a smile,


s: As might have made one blest amid the flames,


s: "Thou in thy thought art pond'ring (as I deem),


s: And what I deem is truth how just revenge


s: Could be with justice punish'd: from which doubt


s: I soon will free thee; so thou mark my words;


s: For they of weighty matter shall possess thee.


s: "That man, who was unborn, himself condemn'd,


s: And, in himself, all, who since him have liv'd,


s: His offspring: whence, below, the human kind


s: Until it pleas'd the Word of God to come


s: Amongst them down, to his own person joining


s: The nature, from its Maker far estrang'd,


s: The nature with its Maker thus conjoin'd,


s: Created first was blameless, pure and good;


s: But through itself alone was driven forth


s: The way of truth and life, to evil turn'd.


s: The nature in assumption doom'd: ne'er wrong


s: Such nature on him, and endur'd the doom.


s: So different effects flow'd from one act,


s: And heav'n was open'd, though the earth did quake.


s: Count it not hard henceforth, when thou dost hear


s: That a just vengeance was by righteous court


s: Justly reveng'd.  But yet I see thy mind


s: By thought on thought arising sore perplex'd,


s: Solution of the maze.  What I have heard,


s: Is plain, thou sayst: but wherefore God this way


s: For our redemption chose, eludes my search.


s: In sooth, much aim'd at, and but little kenn'd:


s: And I will therefore show thee why such way


s: Was worthiest.  The celestial love, that spume


s: With such effulgence blazeth, as sends forth


s: All beauteous things eternal.  What distils


s: Immediate thence, no end of being knows,


s: Whatever thence immediate falls, is free,


s: More grateful to its author, whose bright beams,


s: Though all partake their shining, yet in those


s: Are liveliest, which resemble him the most.


s: No longer stainless.  Sin alone is that,


s: Which doth disfranchise him, and make unlike


s: To the chief good; for that its light in him


s: Is no return; unless, where guilt makes void,


s: He for ill pleasure pay with equal pain.


s: Trangress'd, from these distinctions fell, no less


s: Than from its state in Paradise; nor means


s: Found of recovery (search all methods out


s: As strickly as thou may) save one of these,


s: The only fords were left through which to wade,


s: Releas'd him merely, or else man himself


s: "Fix now thine eye, intently as thou canst,


s: On th' everlasting counsel, and explore,


s: Instructed by my words, the dread abyss.


s: "Man in himself had ever lack'd the means


s: As high he, disobeying, thought to soar:


s: That God should by his own ways lead him back


s: Unto the life, from whence he fell, restor'd:


s: But since the deed is ever priz'd the more,


s: The more the doer's good intent appears,


s: Goodness celestial, whose broad signature


s: To raise ye up, was fain to leave out none,


s: Between the last night and the primal day,


s: Was or can be.  For God more bounty show'd.


s: Of his return to life, than had the terms


s: Were all too scant, had not the Son of God


s: "Now, to fulfil each wish of thine, remains


s: That thou mayst see as clearly as myself.


s: "I see, thou sayst, the air, the fire I see,


s: The earth and water, and all things of them


s: Compounded, to corruption turn, and soon


s: Dissolve.  Yet these were also things create,


s: Because, if what were told me, had been true


s: They from corruption had been therefore free.


s: "The angels, O my brother! and this clime


s: In their whole being.  But the elements,


s: Which thou hast nam'd, and what of them is made,


s: Their substance, and create the' informing virtue


s: In these bright stars, that round them circling move


s: The soul of every brute and of each plant,


s: The ray and motion of the sacred lights,


s: But this our life the' eternal good inspires


s: "And hence thou mayst by inference conclude


s: Consider how the human flesh was fram'd,


s: When both our parents at the first were made."


s: By stream of potent radiance: therefore they


s: Of elder time, in their old error blind,


s: Her mother, and her son, him whom they feign'd


s: Whom I have sung preluding, borrow'd they


s: The appellation of that star, which views,


s: That grac'd my lady, gave me ample proof


s: That we had entered there.  And as in flame


s: A sparkle is distinct, or voice in voice


s: Discern'd, when one its even tenour keeps,


s: The other comes and goes; so in that light


s: Never was blast from vapour charged with cold,


s: Descended with such speed, it had not seem'd


s: To those celestial lights, that tow'rds us came,


s: Leaving the circuit of their joyous ring,


s: And after them, who in the van appear'd,


s: Desire, ne'er since extinct in me, to hear


s: Renew'd the strain.  Then parting from the rest


s: One near us drew, and sole began: "We all


s: Are ready at thy pleasure, well dispos'd


s: To do thee gentle service.  We are they,


s: To whom thou in the world erewhile didst Sing


s: Moves the third heaven!' and in one orb we roll,


s: One motion, one impulse, with those who rule


s: Princedoms in heaven; yet are of love so full,


s: That to please thee 't will be as sweet to rest."


s: Sought the celestial guide, and were by her


s: Assur'd, they turn'd again unto the light


s: Who had so largely promis'd, and with voice


s: That bare the lively pressure of my zeal,


s: "Tell who ye are," I cried.  Forthwith it grew


s: In size and splendour, through augmented joy;


s: And thus it answer'd: "A short date below


s: The world possess'd me.  Had the time been more,


s: Much evil, that will come, had never chanc'd.


s: My gladness hides thee from me, which doth shine


s: In its own silk unswath'd.  Thou lov'dst me well,


s: And had'st good cause; for had my sojourning


s: Been longer on the earth, the love I bare thee


s: Had put forth more than blossoms.  The left bank,


s: That Rhone, when he hath mix'd with Sorga, laves.


s: From where the Trento disembogues his waves,


s: With Verde mingled, to the salt sea-flood.


s: By Danube wash'd, whenas he strays beyond


s: The limits of his German shores.  The realm,


s: Where, on the gulf by stormy Eurus lash'd,


s: (Not through Typhaeus, but the vap'ry cloud


s: Bituminous upsteam'd), THAT too did look


s: Of monarchs, sprung through me from Charles and Rodolph;


s: had not ill lording which doth spirit up


s: The shout of 'death,' re-echo'd loud and long.


s: Had but my brother's foresight kenn'd as much,


s: And truly need there is, that he forecast,


s: Or other for him, lest more freight be laid


s: Nature in him, from bounty fall'n to thrift,


s: Would ask the  guard of braver arms, than such


s: As only care to have their coffers fill'd."


s: "My liege, it doth enhance the joy thy words


s: As to myself, who own it, when thou lookst


s: There, where thou markest that which thou dost speak,


s: Thence priz'd of me the more.  Glad thou hast made me.


s: Now make intelligent, clearing the doubt


s: Thy speech hath raised in me; for much I muse,


s: How bitter can spring up, when sweet is sown."


s: "If I have power to show one truth, soon that


s: Shall face thee, which thy questioning declares


s: Behind thee now conceal'd.  The Good, that guides


s: And blessed makes this realm, which thou dost mount,


s: In these great bodies: nor th' all perfect Mind


s: Upholds their nature merely, but in them


s: Their energy to save: for nought, that lies


s: Were it not thus, these heavens, thou dost visit,


s: Would their effect so work, it would not be


s: Art, but destruction; and this may not chance,


s: If th' intellectual powers, that move these stars,


s: Fail not, or who, first faulty made them fail.


s: Wilt thou this truth more clearly evidenc'd?"


s: I see, lest nature in her part should tire."


s: He straight rejoin'd: "Say, were it worse for man,


s: If he liv'd not in fellowship on earth?"


s: "Yea," answer'd I; "nor here a reason needs."


s: Grow not of different duties in your life?


s: Consult your teacher, and he tells you 'no."'


s: Thus did he come, deducing to this point,


s: And then concluded: "For this cause behooves,


s: The roots, from whence your operations come,


s: Must differ.  Therefore one is Solon born;


s: A third; and he a fourth, whose airy voyage


s: Cost him his son.  In her circuitous course,


s: Doth well her art, but no distinctions owns


s: 'Twixt one or other household.  Hence befalls


s: He dates from Mars his lineage.  Were it not


s: Unswervingly.  Thus place I in thy sight


s: That, which was late behind thee.  But, in sign


s: Of more affection for thee, 't is my will


s: Finding discordant fortune, like all seed


s: Out of its proper climate, thrives but ill.


s: And were the world below content to mark


s: Him, who was born to gird on him the sword,


s: And of the fluent phrasemen make your king;


s: Therefore your steps have wander'd from the paths."


s: After solution of my doubt, thy Charles,


s: That must befall his seed: but, "Tell it not,"


s: Said he, "and let the destin'd years come round."


s: Nor may I tell thee more, save that the meed


s: Of sorrow well-deserv'd shall quit your wrongs.


s: And now the visage of that saintly light


s: Was to the sun, that fills it, turn'd again,


s: As to the good, whose plenitude of bliss


s: Infatuate, who from such a good estrange


s: Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity,


s: Another of those splendent forms approach'd,


s: That, by its outward bright'ning, testified


s: The will it had to pleasure me.  The eyes


s: "Blest spirit! quickly be my will perform'd;


s: And prove thou to me, that my inmost thoughts


s: I can reflect on thee."  Thereat the light,


s: That yet was new to me, from the recess,


s: Where it before was singing, thus began,


s: As one who joys in kindness: "In that part


s: Of the deprav'd Italian land, which lies


s: Between Rialto, and the fountain-springs


s: Of Brenta and of Piava, there doth rise,


s: From whence erewhile a firebrand did descend,


s: That sorely sheet the region.  From one root


s: I and it sprang; my name on earth Cunizza:


s: And here I glitter, for that by its light


s: This star o'ercame me.  Yet I naught repine,


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


s: Which haply vulgar hearts can scarce conceive.


s: Lustrous and costly, great renown hath left,


s: And not to perish, ere these hundred years


s: Five times absolve their round.  Consider thou,


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


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


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


s: When for their stubbornness at Padua's marsh


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Reflected shine the judgments of our God:


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


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


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


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


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


s: For, in that upper clime, effulgence comes


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


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


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


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


s: Cannot to thee be dark.  Why then delays


s: That voice which joins the inexpressive song,


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


s: That cowl them with six shadowing wings outspread?


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


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


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


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


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


s: Between discordant shores, against the sun


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


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


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


s: Genoan bounds from Tuscan.  East and west


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: No sorrowful repentance here, but mirth,


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


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


s: And providence have wrought thus quaintly.  Here


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


s: With such effectual working, and the good


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


s: Demands my further parle.  Inquire thou wouldst,


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


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


s: Is in that gladsome harbour, to our tribe


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


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


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


s: The mighty contest won with either palm;


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


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


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


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


s: Engenders and expands the cursed flower,


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


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


s: The gospel and great teachers laid aside,


s: The decretals, as their stuft margins show,


s: Are the sole study.  Pope and Cardinals,


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Which breathes from both eternal, the first Might


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


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


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


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


s: Brancheth the circle, where the planets roll


s: To pour their wished influence on the world;


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


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


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


s: Were its departure distant more or less,


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


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


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


s: Feed now: the matter I indite, henceforth


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


s: Which late we told of, the great minister


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Beatrice in oblivion.  Naught displeas'd


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


s: That of her laughing eyes the radiance brake


s: Surpassing, who themselves did make the crown,


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


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


s: When the impregnate air retains the thread,


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


s: So dear and beautiful, they cannot brook


s: Transporting from that realm: and of these lights


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


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


s: Those burning suns that circled round us thrice,


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: That after doth increase by loving, shines


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


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


s: Who from his phial should refuse thee wine


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: In circuit journey round the blessed wreath.


s: That next resplendence issues from the smile


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: In the other little light serenely smiles


s: That pleader for the Christian temples, he


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


s: Upon my praises following, of the eighth


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


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


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


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


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


s: Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore,


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


s: In deep discernment.  Lastly this, from whom


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Affection springs in well-disposed breast;


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


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


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


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


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


s: By civil business wealth; one moiling lay


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


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


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


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


s: The lustre, that erewhile bespake me, smiling


s: With merer gladness, heard I thus begin:


s: Into the eternal light, and clearly mark


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


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


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


s: To thy perception, where I told thee late


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


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


s: "The providence, that governeth the world,


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Are wafted through Perugia's eastern gate:


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


s: Where it doth break its steepness most, arose


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Before the Spiritual court, by nuptial bonds,


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


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


s: Of her first husband, slighted and obscure,


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


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


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


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


s: Whereby with Christ she mounted on the cross,


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


s: Thus closely with thee longer, take at large


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


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


s: And sweet regard gave birth to holy thoughts,


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


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


s: Egidius bares him next, and next Sylvester,


s: And follow both the bridegroom; so the bride


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


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


s: Girt humbly: nor did abjectness of heart


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


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


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


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


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


s: Whose marvellous life deservedly were sung


s: In heights empyreal, through Honorius' hand


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


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


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


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


s: Christ and his followers; but found the race


s: Unripen'd for conversion: back once more


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: As their just heritage, he gave in charge


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


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


s: His goodly spirit should move forth, returning


s: To its appointed kingdom, nor would have


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


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


s: Therefore who follow him, as he enjoins,


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


s: But hunger of new viands tempts his flock,


s: So that they needs into strange pastures wide


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


s: The stragglers wander, so much mole they come


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


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


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


s: A little stuff may furnish out their cloaks.


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Soon as its final word the blessed flame


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


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


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


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


s: Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray


s: Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex.


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


s: Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth


s: From that within (in manner of that voice


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


s: And they who gaze, presageful call to mind


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


s: Those garlands twain, and to the innermost


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


s: And radiance, light with light accordant, each


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Who reigneth ever, for the drooping host


s: Did make provision, thorough grace alone,


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


s: Two champions to the succour of his spouse


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


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


s: Where springs the pleasant west-wind to unfold


s: The fresh leaves, with which Europe sees herself


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


s: Beyond whose chiding, after weary course,


s: The sun doth sometimes hide him, safe abides


s: Of the great shield, wherein the lion lies


s: Subjected and supreme.  And there was born


s: The loving million of the Christian faith,


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


s: And to his enemies terrible.  So replete


s: His soul with lively virtue, that when first


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


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


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


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


s: Beheld the wondrous fruit, that was from him


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


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


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


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


s: Whom Christ in his own garden chose to be


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


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


s: Was after the first counsel that Christ gave.


s: Many a time his nurse, at entering found


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


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


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


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


s: To go about the vineyard, that soon turns


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


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


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


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


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


s: That to God's paupers rightly appertain,


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


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


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


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


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


s: Like torrent bursting from a lofty vein;


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


s: Smote fiercest, where resistance was most stout.


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


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


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


s: And rode triumphant through the civil broil.


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


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


s: So courteously unto thee.  But the track,


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


s: That mouldy mother is where late were lees.


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


s: Turn backward, and invert their steps; erelong


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


s: When the rejected tares in vain shall ask


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


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


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


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


s: One stretches and another cramps its rule.


s: From Bagnororegio, one, who in discharge


s: Among the first of those barefooted meek ones,


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


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


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


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


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


s: With soul prophetic.  The bright courtesy


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


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


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


s: Of stars fifteen, from midst the ethereal host


s: O'ercome the massiest air: thereto imagine


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


s: With the bright summit of that horn which swells


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


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


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


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


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


s: With opposite motion and, conceiving thus,


s: Of that true constellation, and the dance


s: Twofold, that circled me, he shall attain


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


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


s: Is swifter than the Chiana.  There was sung


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


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


s: Those saintly lights attended, happier made


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


s: That luminary, in which the wondrous life


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


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


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


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


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


s: By the keen lance, both after and before


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


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


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


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


s: In the fifth radiance.  Open now thine eyes


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


s: Thy deeming and my saying meet in truth,


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


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


s: Engendereth loving; for that lively light,


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


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


s: Doth, through his bounty, congregate itself,


s: "Descending hence unto the lowest powers,


s: Things generated, which the heav'nly orbs


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


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


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


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


s: According to his kind, hath better fruit,


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


s: Are in your talents various.  Were the wax


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


s: The lustre of the seal should be complete:


s: Whose faultering hand is faithless to his skill.


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


s: The primal virtue, kindling with bright view,


s: There all perfection is vouchsafed; and such


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Sufficient: not the number to search out


s: Triangle with each corner, blunt or sharp.


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


s: Thou kingly prudence and that ken mayst learn,


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


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


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


s: And they may well consist with that which thou


s: Henceforth be led unto thy feet, to make


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


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


s: Since it befalls, that in most instances


s: Current opinion leads to false: and then


s: Affection bends the judgment to her ply.


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


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


s: Who fishes for the truth and wanteth skill.


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


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


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


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


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


s: The thorn frown rudely all the winter long


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


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


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


s: Another brine, his offering to the priest,


s: Let not Dame Birtha and Sir Martin thence


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: Wherewith your substance blooms, shall stay with you


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


s: The sight may without harm endure the change,


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


s: Tread the light measure, in their fitful mirth


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


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


s: And wond'rous note attested new delight.


s: Whoso laments, that we must doff this garb


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


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


s: Unbounded, bounding all, each spirit thrice


s: And from the lesser orb the goodliest light,


s: With gentle voice and mild, such as perhaps


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


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


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


s: And that as far in blessedness exceeding,


s: As it hath grave beyond its virtue great.


s: Our shape, regarmented with glorious weeds


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


s: Show yet more gracious.  Therefore shall increase,


s: The Supreme Good; light, ministering aid,


s: The vision needs increasing, much increase


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


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


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


s: Its proper semblance; thus this circling sphere


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


s: Than shall our fleshly robe, which yonder earth


s: Now covers.  Nor will such excess of light


s: Followed from either choir, as plainly spoke


s: Desire of their dead bodies; yet perchance


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


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


s: And lo! forthwith there rose up round about


s: Of equal clearness, like the brightening up


s: Of twilight, new appearances through heav'n


s: Peer with faint glimmer, doubtfully descried;


s: So there new substances, methought began


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


s: Enwheeling, sweep their ampler circuit wide.


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


s: Mind cannot follow it, nor words express


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


s: Translated: for the star, with warmer smile


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


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


s: The rite accepted.  With such mighty sheen


s: And mantling crimson, in two listed rays


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


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


s: Distinguish'd into greater lights and less,


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


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


s: Those rays describ'd the venerable sign,


s: That quadrants in the round conjoining frame.


s: Here memory mocks the toil of genius.  Christ


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


s: But whoso takes his cross, and follows Christ


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: To move along the sunbeam, whose slant line


s: Against the noontide heat.  And as the chime


s: With many strings, a pleasant dining makes


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


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


s: That, indistinctly heard, with ravishment


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


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


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


s: Accounting less the pleasure of those eyes,


s: Of every beauty work with quicker force,


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


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


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


s: Which grows in transport as we mount aloof.


s: True love, that ever shows itself as clear


s: In kindness, as loose appetite in wrong,


s: Silenced that lyre harmonious, and still'd


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


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


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


s: For praying, in accordance thus were mute?


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


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


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


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


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


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


s: That on the dexter of the cross extends,


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


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


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