s: No nearer reach'd him, than my thought his words,


s: The branches of another fruit, thick hung,


s: And blooming fresh, appear'd.  E'en as our steps


s: Turn'd thither, not far off it rose to view.


s: Beneath it were a multitude, that rais'd


s: Their hands, and shouted forth I know not What


s: Unto the boughs; like greedy and fond brats,


s: That beg, and answer none obtain from him,


s: Of whom they beg; but more to draw them on,


s: He at arm's length the object of their wish


s: Above them holds aloft, and hides it not.


s: At length, as undeceiv'd they went their way:


s: And we approach the tree, who vows and tears


s: Sue to in vain, the mighty tree.  "Pass on,


s: And come not near.  Stands higher up the wood,


s: Whereof Eve tasted, and from it was ta'en


s: 'this plant." Such sounds from midst the thickets came.


s: Whence I, with either bard, close to the side


s: That rose, pass'd forth beyond.  "Remember," next


s: We heard, "those noblest creatures of the clouds,


s: How they their twofold bosoms overgorg'd


s: Oppos'd in fight to Theseus: call to mind


s: The Hebrews, how effeminate they stoop'd


s: To ease their thirst; whence Gideon's ranks were thinn'd,


s: As he to Midian march'd adown the hills."


s: Thus near one border coasting, still we heard


s: Reguerdon'd.  Then along the lonely path,


s: Once more at large, full thousand paces on


s: We travel'd, each contemplative and mute.


s: "Why pensive journey thus ye three alone?"


s: Thus suddenly a voice exclaim'd: whereat


s: I shook, as doth a scar'd and paltry beast;


s: Then rais'd my head to look from whence it came.


s: Was ne'er, in furnace, glass, or metal seen


s: So bright and glowing red, as was the shape


s: He cried, "here must ye turn.  This way he goes,


s: Who goes in quest of peace."  His countenance


s: Had dazzled me; and to my guides I fac'd


s: Backward, like one who walks, as sound directs.


s: As when, to harbinger the dawn, springs up


s: On freshen'd wing the air of May, and breathes


s: Of fragrance, all impregn'd with herb and flowers,


s: Perceiv'd, that moving shed ambrosial smell;


s: And then a voice: "Blessed are they, whom grace


s: Still hung'ring as the rule of temperance wills."


s: It was an hour, when he who climbs, had need


s: And to the Scorpion left the night.  As one


s: That makes no pause, but presses on his road,


s: Whate'er betide him, if some urgent need


s: That steep and narrow scale admits to climb.


s: E'en as the young stork lifteth up his wing


s: Through wish to fly, yet ventures not to quit


s: Of questioning my guide arose, and fell,


s: A man prepar'd for speech.  Him all our haste


s: Restrain'd not, but thus spake the sire belov'd:


s: Fear not to speed the shaft, that on thy lip


s: Stands trembling for its flight.  Encourag'd thus


s: I straight began: "How there can leanness come,


s: Where is no want of nourishment to feed?"


s: "If thou," he answer'd, "hadst remember'd thee,


s: This would not trouble thee: and hadst thou thought,


s: With mimic motion vibrates, what now seems


s: Hard, had appear'd no harder than the pulp


s: Of summer fruit mature.  But that thy will


s: Lo Statius here! on him I call, and pray


s: That he would now be healer of thy wound."


s: The secrets of heaven's vengeance, let me plead


s: So Statius answer'd, and forthwith began:


s: "Attend my words, O son, and in thy mind


s: Receive them: so shall they be light to clear


s: The doubt thou offer'st. Blood, concocted well,


s: Which by the thirsty veins is ne'er imbib'd,


s: And rests as food superfluous, to be ta'en


s: From the replenish'd table, in the heart


s: Which passes through the veins itself to make them.


s: Yet more concocted it descends, where shame


s: Forbids to mention: and from thence distils


s: T' endure, to act the other, through meet frame


s: Of its recipient mould: that being reach'd,


s: Then vivifies what its own substance caus'd


s: The active virtue (differing from a plant


s: No further, than that this is on the way


s: To operate, that now it moves, and feels,


s: As sea sponge clinging to the rock: and there


s: Assumes th' organic powers its seed convey'd.


s: 'This is the period, son! at which the virtue,


s: That from the generating heart proceeds,


s: Is in the heart by forgeful nature plann'd.


s: For thy consid'ring.  At this point, more wise,


s: Than thou hast err'd, making the soul disjoin'd


s: "Open thy bosom to the truth that comes.


s: Know soon as in the embryo, to the brain,


s: On such great work of nature, and imbreathes


s: New spirit replete with virtue, that what here


s: Active it finds, to its own substance draws,


s: And forms an individual soul, that lives,


s: And feels, and bends reflective on itself.


s: And that thou less mayst marvel at the word,


s: Mark the sun's heat, how that to wine doth change,


s: Mix'd with the moisture filter'd through the vine.


s: "When Lachesis hath spun the thread, the soul


s: Takes with her both the human and divine,


s: Far keener than before, the other powers


s: Inactive all and mute.  No pause allow'd,


s: In wond'rous sort self-moving, to one strand


s: Of those, where the departed roam, she falls,


s: Here learns her destin'd path.  Soon as the place


s: Receives her, round the plastic virtue beams,


s: And as the air, when saturate with showers,


s: The casual beam refracting, decks itself


s: With many a hue; so here the ambient air


s: Weareth that form, which influence of the soul


s: Imprints on it; and like the flame, that where


s: The fire moves, thither follows, so henceforth


s: The new form on the spirit follows still:


s: Hence hath it semblance, and is shadow call'd,


s: With each sense even to the sight endued:


s: Hence speech is ours, hence laughter, tears, and sighs


s: Which thou mayst oft have witness'd on the mount


s: Th' obedient shadow fails not to present


s: Whatever varying passion moves within us.


s: And this the cause of what thou marvel'st at."


s: Now the last flexure of our way we reach'd,


s: And to the right hand turning, other care


s: Hurls forth redundant flames, and from the rim


s: Driveth them back, sequester'd from its bound.


s: Behoov'd us, one by one, along the side,


s: That border'd on the void, to pass; and I


s: Fear'd on one hand the fire, on th' other fear'd


s: Headlong to fall: when thus th' instructor warn'd:


s: "Strict rein must in this place direct the eyes.


s: Then from the bosom of the burning mass,


s: "O God of mercy!" heard I sung; and felt


s: Between their footsteps and mine own was fain


s: To share by turns my view.  At the hymn's close


s: They shouted loud, "I do not know a man;"


s: Then in low voice again took up the strain,


s: Which once more ended, "To the wood," they cried,


s: "Ran Dian, and drave forth Callisto, stung


s: Unto their song; then marry a pair extoll'd,


s: Who liv'd in virtue chastely, and the bands


s: Of wedded love.  Nor from that task, I ween,


s: Surcease they; whilesoe'er the scorching fire


s: Enclasps them.  Of such skill appliance needs


s: To medicine the wound, that healeth last.


s: While singly thus along the rim we walk'd,


s: Oft the good master warn'd me: "Look thou well.


s: Now all the western clime irradiate chang'd


s: From azure tinct to white; and, as I pass'd,


s: My passing shadow made the umber'd flame


s: Burn ruddier.  At so strange a sight I mark'd


s: This bred occasion first to speak of me,


s: "He seems," said they, "no insubstantial frame:"


s: Then to obtain what certainty they might,


s: Stretch'd towards me, careful not to overpass


s: The burning pale.  "O thou, who followest


s: The others, haply not more slow than they,


s: But mov'd by rev'rence, answer me, who burn


s: In thirst and fire: nor I alone, but these


s: All for thine answer do more thirst, than doth


s: Indian or Aethiop for the cooling stream.


s: Tell us, how is it that thou mak'st thyself


s: Hadst enter'd?"  Thus spake one, and I had straight


s: Declar'd me, if attention had not turn'd


s: To new appearance.  Meeting these, there came,


s: Midway the burning path, a crowd, on whom


s: The shadows all press forward, sev'rally


s: Each snatch a hasty kiss, and then away.


s: E'en so the emmets, 'mid their dusky troops,


s: Their mutual road perchance, and how they thrive.


s: That friendly greeting parted, ere dispatch


s: Of the first onward step, from either tribe


s: Loud clamour rises: those, who newly come,


s: Shout "Sodom and Gomorrah!" these, "The cow


s: Pasiphae enter'd, that the beast she woo'd


s: Might rush unto her luxury."  Then as cranes,


s: That part towards the Riphaean mountains fly,


s: Part towards the Lybic sands, these to avoid


s: The ice, and those the sun; so hasteth off


s: One crowd, advances th' other; and resume


s: Their first song weeping, and their several shout.


s: Who had erewhile besought me, and their looks


s: Mark'd eagerness to listen.  I, who twice


s: Their will had noted, spake: "O spirits secure,


s: Whene'er the time may be, of peaceful end!


s: My limbs, nor crude, nor in mature old age,


s: Have I left yonder: here they bear me, fed


s: With blood, and sinew-strung.  That I no more


s: May live in blindness, hence I tend aloft.


s: There is a dame on high, who wind for us


s: This grace, by which my mortal through your realm


s: I bear.  But may your utmost wish soon meet


s: Such full fruition, that the orb of heaven,


s: Fullest of love, and of most ample space,


s: Henceforth to stand recorded) who ye are,


s: And what this multitude, that at your backs


s: Have past behind us."  As one, mountain-bred,


s: Rugged and clownish, if some city's walls


s: He chance to enter, round him stares agape,


s: Each spirit.  But when rid of that amaze,


s: He, who before had question'd, thus resum'd:


s: "O blessed, who, for death preparing, tak'st


s: Their crime, who not with us proceed, was that,


s: For which, as he did triumph, Caesar heard


s: The snout of 'queen,' to taunt him.  Hence their cry


s: Themselves, and aid the burning by their shame.


s: Following like beasts our vile concupiscence,


s: Hence parting from them, to our own disgrace


s: Record the name of her, by whom the beast


s: In bestial tire was acted.  Now our deeds


s: Thou know'st, and how we sinn'd.  If thou by name


s: Wouldst haply know us, time permits not now


s: Already cleanse me."  With such pious joy,


s: (Save that I more represt it) when I heard


s: From his own lips the name of him pronounc'd,


s: My betters, who have ever us'd the sweet


s: And pleasant rhymes of love.  So nought I heard


s: Nor spake, but long time thoughtfully I went,


s: Approach'd not nearer.  When my eyes were fed


s: By looking on him, with such solemn pledge,


s: He thus bespake me: "What from thee I hear


s: Is grav'd so deeply on my mind, the waves


s: Of Lethe shall not wash it off, nor make


s: A whit less lively.  But as now thy oath


s: Has seal'd the truth, declare what cause impels


s: That love, which both thy looks and speech bewray."


s: "Those dulcet lays," I answer'd, "which, as long


s: As of our tongue the beauty does not fade,


s: Shall make us love the very ink that trac'd them."


s: "Brother!"  he cried, and pointed at a shade


s: Before him, "there is one, whose mother speech


s: He in love ditties and the tales of prose


s: Without a rival stands, and lets the fools


s: Talk on, who think the songster of Limoges


s: O'ertops him.  Rumour and the popular voice


s: They look to more than truth, and so confirm


s: Guittone, giving him the prize, till truth


s: By strength of numbers vanquish'd.  If thou own


s: Free entrance to the cloister, whereof Christ


s: For dwellers in this world, where power to sin


s: No longer tempts us."  Haply to make way


s: For one, that follow'd next, when that was said,


s: He vanish'd through the fire, as through the wave


s: A fish, that glances diving to the deep.


s: For which my heart, I said, kept gracious room.


s: So wins on me, I have nor power nor will


s: To hide me.  I am Arnault; and with songs,


s: Thorough this ford of fire I wade, and see


s: The day, I hope for, smiling in my view.


s: I pray ye by the worth that guides ye up


s: Remember ye my suff'rings."  With such words


s: Now was the sun so station'd, as when first


s: His early radiance quivers on the heights,


s: Where stream'd his Maker's blood, while Libra hangs


s: So day was sinking, when the' angel of God


s: Appear'd before us.  Joy was in his mien.


s: Forth of the flame he stood upon the brink,


s: And with a voice, whose lively clearness far


s: Surpass'd our human, "Blessed are the pure


s: In heart," he Sang: then near him as we came,


s: "Go ye not further, holy spirits!"  he cried,


s: "Ere the fire pierce you: enter in; and list


s: Attentive to the song ye hear from thence."


s: Laid in the grave.  My hands together clasp'd,


s: And upward stretching, on the fire I look'd,


s: Erewhile beheld alive consum'd in flames.


s: Th' escorting spirits turn'd with gentle looks


s: Toward me, and the Mantuan spake: "My son,


s: Here torment thou mayst feel, but canst not death.


s: Safe e'en on Geryon brought thee: now I come


s: More near to God, wilt thou not trust me now?


s: Of this be sure: though in its womb that flame


s: A thousand years contain'd thee, from thy head


s: No hair should perish.  If thou doubt my truth,


s: Approach, and with thy hands thy vesture's hem


s: Stretch forth, and for thyself confirm belief.


s: Turn hither, and come onward undismay'd."


s: I still, though conscience urg'd' no step advanc'd.


s: When still he saw me fix'd and obstinate,


s: Somewhat disturb'd he cried: "Mark now, my son,


s: Fast from his veins), and took one parting glance,


s: While vermeil dyed the mulberry; thus I turn'd


s: To my sage guide, relenting, when I heard


s: The name, that springs forever in my breast.


s: He shook his forehead; and, "How long," he said,


s: "Linger we now?"  then smil'd, as one would smile


s: Upon a child, that eyes the fruit and yields.


s: And Statius, who erewhile no little space


s: Had parted us, he pray'd to come behind.


s: Rag'd the conflagrant mass.  The sire belov'd,


s: Of Beatrice talk'd.  "Her eyes," saith he,


s: "E'en now I seem to view."  From the other side


s: A voice, that sang, did guide us, and the voice


s: Following, with heedful ear, we issued forth,


s: There where the path led upward.  "Come," we heard,


s: "Come, blessed of my Father."  Such the sounds,


s: That hail'd us from within a light, which shone


s: So radiant, I could not endure the view.


s: "The sun," it added, "hastes: and evening comes.


s: With blackness, strive ye for the pass."  Our way


s: Upright within the rock arose, and fac'd


s: Such part of heav'n, that from before my steps


s: The beams were shrouded of the sinking sun.


s: The sun behind us couch'd: and ere one face


s: Of darkness o'er its measureless expanse


s: Involv'd th' horizon, and the night her lot


s: A stair his pallet: not that will, but power,


s: Had fail'd us, by the nature of that mount


s: Forbidden further travel.  As the goats,


s: That late have skipp'd and wanton'd rapidly


s: Upon the craggy cliffs, ere they had ta'en


s: Their supper on the herb, now silent lie


s: While noonday rages; and the goatherd leans


s: Upon his staff, and leaning watches them:


s: And as the swain, that lodges out all night


s: In quiet by his flock, lest beast of prey


s: Close pent on either side by shelving rock.


s: Gazing on them, and in that fit of musing,


s: Sleep overcame me, sleep, that bringeth oft


s: First lighten'd on the mountain, she whose orb


s: Seems always glowing with the fire of love,


s: Was passing o'er a lea; and, as she came,


s: Bending to cull the flowers; and thus she sang:


s: A garland, these fair hands unwearied ply.


s: To please me at the crystal mirror, here


s: Before her glass abides the livelong day,


s: Her radiant eyes beholding, charm'd no less,


s: Than I with this delightful task.  Her joy


s: And now as glimm'ring dawn appear'd, that breaks


s: More welcome to the pilgrim still, as he


s: Sojourns less distant on his homeward way,


s: Darkness from all sides fled, and with it fled


s: My slumber; whence I rose and saw my guide


s: Which through so many a branch the zealous care


s: Of mortals roams in quest of, shall this day


s: Appease thy hunger."  Such the words I heard


s: From Virgil's lip; and never greeting heard


s: So pleasant as the sounds.  Within me straight


s: Thenceforward at each step I felt the wings


s: Increasing for my flight.  When we had run


s: O'er all the ladder to its topmost round,


s: As there we stood, on me the Mantuan fix'd


s: His eyes, and thus he spake: "Both fires, my son,


s: The temporal and eternal, thou hast seen,


s: No further reaches.  I with skill and art


s: Thus far have drawn thee.  Now thy pleasure take


s: For guide.  Thou hast o'ercome the steeper way,


s: O'ercome the straighter.  Lo! the sun, that darts


s: His beam upon thy forehead! lo! the herb,


s: The arboreta and flowers, which of itself


s: This land pours forth profuse!  Will those bright eyes


s: With gladness come, which, weeping, made me haste


s: To succour thee, thou mayst or seat thee down,


s: Or wander where thou wilt.  Expect no more


s: Sanction of warning voice or sign from me,


s: Discreet, judicious.  To distrust thy sense


s: Were henceforth error.  I invest thee then


s: With crown and mitre, sovereign o'er thyself."


s: Through that celestial forest, whose thick shade


s: With lively greenness the new-springing day


s: Attemper'd, eager now to roam, and search


s: Its limits round, forthwith I left the bank,


s: Pursuing, o'er the ground, that on all sides


s: Delicious odour breath'd.  A pleasant air,


s: Of softest influence: at which the sprays,


s: Obedient all, lean'd trembling to that part


s: Where first the holy mountain casts his shade,


s: Yet were not so disorder'd, but that still


s: Applied their wonted art, and with full joy


s: Welcom'd those hours of prime, and warbled shrill


s: Amid the leaves, that to their jocund lays


s: inept tenor; even as from branch to branch,


s: The dripping south.  Already had my steps,


s: Though slow, so far into that ancient wood


s: Transported me, I could not ken the place


s: Where I had enter'd, when behold! my path


s: Was bounded by a rill, which to the left


s: With little rippling waters bent the grass,


s: That issued from its brink.  On earth no wave


s: How clean soe'er, that would not seem to have


s: Some mixture in itself, compar'd with this,


s: Transpicuous, clear; yet darkly on it roll'd,


s: Darkly beneath perpetual gloom, which ne'er


s: Admits or sun or moon light there to shine.


s: My feet advanc'd not; but my wond'ring eyes


s: Pass'd onward, o'er the streamlet, to survey


s: The tender May-bloom, flush'd through many a hue,


s: That from our bosom every thought beside


s: And culling flower from flower, wherewith her way


s: Thou, who (if looks, that use to speak the heart,


s: Are worthy of our trust), with love's own beam


s: Dost warm thee," thus to her my speech I fram'd:


s: "Ah! please thee hither towards the streamlet bend


s: Thy steps so near, that I may list thy song.


s: Beholding thee and this fair place, methinks,


s: I call to mind where wander'd and how look'd


s: Proserpine, in that season, when her child


s: The mother lost, and she the bloomy spring."


s: Doth foot it featly, and advances scarce


s: One step before the other to the ground;


s: Thus turn'd she at my suit, most maiden-like,


s: Valing her sober eyes, and came so near,


s: That I distinctly caught the dulcet sound.


s: Lav'd the green sward, her eyes she deign'd to raise,


s: That shot such splendour on me, as I ween


s: Ne'er glanced from Cytherea's, when her son


s: Had sped his keenest weapon to her heart.


s: Upon the opposite bank she stood and smil'd


s: through her graceful fingers shifted still


s: The intermingling dyes, which without seed


s: That lofty land unbosoms.  By the stream


s: The Hellespont, where Xerxes pass'd it o'er,


s: That flood, because it gave no passage thence.


s: "Strangers ye come, and haply in this place,


s: Wond'ring, ye not without suspicion view


s: My smiles: but that sweet strain of psalmody,


s: 'Thou, Lord! hast made me glad,' will give ye light,


s: Which may uncloud your minds.  And thou, who stand'st


s: The foremost, and didst make thy suit to me,


s: Say if aught else thou wish to hear: for I


s: Came prompt to answer every doubt of thine."


s: She spake; and I replied: "I know not how


s: To reconcile this wave and rustling sound


s: Of forest leaves, with what I late have heard


s: Of opposite report."  She answering thus:


s: "I will unfold the cause, whence that proceeds,


s: Which makes thee wonder; and so purge the cloud


s: That hath enwraps thee.  The First Good, whose joy


s: For happiness, and gave this goodly place,


s: His pledge and earnest of eternal peace.


s: Favour'd thus highly, through his own defect


s: He fell, and here made short sojourn; he fell,


s: And, for the bitterness of sorrow, chang'd


s: That vapours none, exhal'd from earth beneath,


s: Or from the waters (which, wherever heat


s: Attracts them, follow), might ascend thus far


s: To vex man's peaceful state, this mountain rose


s: So high toward the heav'n, nor fears the rage


s: Exempted, where the gate his limit bars.


s: Because the circumambient air throughout


s: With its first impulse circles still, unless


s: Aught interpose to cheek or thwart its course;


s: Is open, doth that motion strike, and makes


s: Beneath its sway th' umbrageous wood resound:


s: And in the shaken plant such power resides,


s: The voyaging breeze, upon whose subtle plume


s: That wafted flies abroad; and th' other land


s: Or in the clime, that warms it), doth conceive,


s: Of various virtue.  This when thou hast heard,


s: Some plant without apparent seed be found


s: To fix its fibrous stem.  And further learn,


s: This holy plain is fill'd, and in itself


s: Bears fruit that ne'er was pluck'd on other soil.


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: O'er better waves to speed her rapid course


s: The light bark of my genius lifts the sail,


s: Well pleas'd to leave so cruel sea behind;


s: In which the human spirit from sinful blot


s: Is purg'd, and for ascent to Heaven prepares.


s: Here, O ye hallow'd Nine! for in your train


s: I follow, here the deadened strain revive;


s: A somewhat higher song, of that loud tone,


s: Which when the wretched birds of chattering note


s: Had heard, they of forgiveness lost all hope.


s: Sweet hue of eastern sapphire, that was spread


s: High up as the first circle, to mine eyes


s: Forth from the atmosphere of deadly gloom,


s: That had mine eyes and bosom fill'd with grief.


s: The radiant planet, that to love invites,


s: Made all the orient laugh, and veil'd beneath


s: The Pisces' light, that in his escort came.


s: To the right hand I turn'd, and fix'd my mind


s: On the' other pole attentive, where I saw


s: Four stars ne'er seen before save by the ken


s: Of our first parents.  Heaven of their rays


s: Seem'd joyous.  O thou northern site, bereft


s: Indeed, and widow'd, since of these depriv'd!


s: As from this view I had desisted, straight


s: Turning a little tow'rds the other pole,


s: There from whence now the wain had disappear'd,


s: Alone, so worthy of rev'rence in his look,


s: That ne'er from son to father more was ow'd.


s: Low down his beard and mix'd with hoary white


s: Descended, like his locks, which parting fell


s: Upon his breast in double fold.  The beams


s: So brightly shone, and with such radiance clear


s: Deck'd it, that I beheld him as the sun.


s: "Say who are ye, that stemming the blind stream,


s: Forth from th' eternal prison-house have fled?"


s: He spoke and moved those venerable plumes.


s: "Who hath conducted, or with lantern sure


s: Lights you emerging from the depth of night,


s: That makes the infernal valley ever black?


s: Are the firm statutes of the dread abyss


s: Broken, or in high heaven new laws ordain'd,


s: That thus, condemn'd, ye to my caves approach?"


s: My guide, then laying hold on me, by words


s: And intimations given with hand and head,


s: Made my bent knees and eye submissive pay


s: Due reverence; then thus to him replied.


s: "Not of myself I come; a Dame from heaven


s: Descending, had besought me in my charge


s: To bring.  But since thy will implies, that more


s: This mortal ne'er hath seen the farthest gloom.


s: So near, that little space was left to turn.


s: Then, as before I told, I was dispatch'd


s: Save this which I have ta'en.  I have display'd


s: And purpose now those spirits to display,


s: That under thy command are purg'd from sin.


s: How I have brought him would be long to say.


s: From high descends the virtue, by whose aid


s: I to thy sight and hearing him have led.


s: Now may our coming please thee.  In the search


s: They know, who for her sake have life refus'd.


s: Thou knowest, to whom death for her was sweet


s: In Utica, where thou didst leave those weeds,


s: That in the last great day will shine so bright.


s: He breathes, and I am free of Minos' power,


s: Of thy chaste Marcia beam, who still in look


s: Prays thee, O hallow'd spirit! to own her shine.


s: Then by her love we' implore thee, let us pass


s: Through thy sev'n regions; for which best thanks


s: If mention there below thou not disdain."


s: "Marcia so pleasing in my sight was found,"


s: He then to him rejoin'd, "while I was there,


s: That all she ask'd me I was fain to grant.


s: Now that beyond the' accursed stream she dwells,


s: Which was ordain'd me, when I issued thence.


s: Not so, if Dame from heaven, as thou sayst,


s: Moves and directs thee; then no flattery needs.


s: Enough for me that in her name thou ask.


s: Go therefore now: and with a slender reed


s: See that thou duly gird him, and his face


s: Lave, till all sordid stain thou wipe from thence.


s: For not with eye, by any cloud obscur'd,


s: Who stands the foremost minister in heaven.


s: This islet all around, there far beneath,


s: Where the wave beats it, on the oozy bed


s: Produces store of reeds. No other plant,


s: Cover'd with leaves, or harden'd in its stalk,


s: There lives, not bending to the water's sway.


s: Will show you, that now rises, where to take


s: Speechless, and to my guide retiring close,


s: Toward him turn'd mine eyes.  He thus began;


s: "My son! observant thou my steps pursue.


s: We must retreat to rearward, for that way


s: The champain to its low extreme declines."


s: The dawn had chas'd the matin hour of prime,


s: I spy'd the trembling of the ocean stream.


s: Who, wander'd from his track, thinks every step


s: Trodden in vain till he regain the path.


s: When we had come, where yet the tender dew


s: Strove with the sun, and in a place, where fresh


s: The wind breath'd o'er it, while it slowly dried;


s: My master plac'd, in graceful act and kind.


s: Stretch'd out to him my cheeks suffus'd with tears.


s: That hue, which the dun shades of hell conceal'd.


s: Man, that could after measure back his course,


s: He girt me in such manner as had pleas'd


s: Him who instructed, and O, strange to tell!


s: Resembling, straightway in its place arose.


s: Now had the sun to that horizon reach'd,


s: That covers, with the most exalted point


s: Sounds, from the stream of Ganges issued forth,


s: Holding the scales, that from her hands are dropp'd


s: When she reigns highest: so that where I was,


s: Aurora's white and vermeil-tinctur'd cheek


s: To orange turn'd as she in age increas'd.


s: Meanwhile we linger'd by the water's brink,


s: Like men, who, musing on their road, in thought


s: Journey, while motionless the body rests.


s: Through the thick vapours Mars with fiery beam


s: Glares down in west, over the ocean floor;


s: So seem'd, what once again I hope to view,


s: A light so swiftly coming through the sea,


s: No winged course might equal its career.


s: From which when for a space I had withdrawn


s: Thine eyes, to make inquiry of my guide,


s: And brightness: thou on either side appear'd


s: Something, but what I knew not of bright hue,


s: Stood, while the brightness, that we first discern'd,


s: Open'd the form of wings: then when he knew


s: The pilot, cried aloud, "Down, down; bend low


s: Thy knees; behold God's angel: fold thy hands:


s: Now shalt thou see true Ministers indeed.


s: "Lo how all human means he sets at naught!


s: So that nor oar he needs, nor other sail


s: Except his wings, between such distant shores.


s: Lo how straight up to heaven he holds them rear'd,


s: Winnowing the air with those eternal plumes,


s: That not like mortal hairs fall off or change!"


s: As more and more toward us came, more bright


s: Appear'd the bird of God, nor could the eye


s: Endure his splendor near: I mine bent down.


s: He drove ashore in a small bark so swift


s: And light, that in its course no wave it drank.


s: The heav'nly steersman at the prow was seen,


s: Within a hundred spirits and more there sat.


s: All with one voice together sang, with what


s: Then soon as with the sign of holy cross


s: He bless'd them, they at once leap'd out on land,


s: The swiftly as he came return'd. The crew,


s: There left, appear'd astounded with the place,


s: Gazing around as one who sees new sights.


s: From every side the sun darted his beams,


s: And with his arrowy radiance from mid heav'n


s: Had chas'd the Capricorn, when that strange tribe


s: Lifting their eyes towards us: "If ye know,


s: Declare what path will Lead us to the mount."


s: Them Virgil answer'd.  "Ye suppose perchance


s: Us well acquainted with this place: but here,


s: We, as yourselves, are strangers.  Not long erst


s: By other road so rough and hard, that now


s: The' ascent will seem to us as play."  The spirits,


s: Who from my breathing had perceiv'd I liv'd,


s: Grew pale with wonder.  As the multitude


s: Flock round a herald, sent with olive branch,


s: To hear what news he brings, and in their haste


s: Tread one another down, e'en so at sight


s: Of me those happy spirits were fix'd, each one


s: Where cleans'd from sin, it might be made all fair.


s: To do the like was mov'd.  O shadows vain


s: Except in outward semblance! thrice my hands


s: I clasp'd behind it, they as oft return'd


s: I needs must think was painted in my looks,


s: For that the shadow smil'd and backward drew.


s: Then who it was I knew, and pray'd of it,


s: To talk with me, it would a little pause.


s: It answered: "Thee as in my mortal frame


s: I lov'd, so loos'd forth it I love thee still,


s: And therefore pause; but why walkest thou here?"


s: "Not without purpose once more to return,


s: Journeying this way;" I said, "but how of thee


s: Hath so much time been lost?"  He answer'd straight:


s: Who when and whom he chooses takes, me oft


s: This passage hath denied, since of just will


s: His will he makes.  These three months past indeed,


s: He, whose chose to enter, with free leave


s: Hath taken; whence I wand'ring by the shore


s: Where Tyber's wave grows salt, of him gain'd kind


s: Admittance, at that river's mouth, tow'rd which


s: His wings are pointed, for there always throng


s: Then I: "If new laws have not quite destroy'd


s: Memory and use of that sweet song of love,


s: That while all my cares had power to 'swage;


s: My spirit, that incumber'd with its frame,


s: Travelling so far, of pain is overcome."


s: "Love that discourses in my thoughts."  He then


s: The sweetness thrills me yet.  My gentle guide


s: And all who came with him, so well were pleas'd,


s: That seem'd naught else might in their thoughts have room.


s: Fast fix'd in mute attention to his notes


s: We stood, when lo! that old man venerable


s: What negligence detains you loit'ring here?


s: Run to the mountain to cast off those scales,


s: That from your eyes the sight of God conceal."


s: As a wild flock of pigeons, to their food


s: Collected, blade or tares, without their pride


s: Accustom'd, and in still and quiet sort,


s: Their meal, assail'd by more important care;


s: So I that new-come troop beheld, the song


s: Deserting, hasten to the mountain's side,


s: As one who goes yet where he tends knows not.


s: Nor with less hurried step did we depart.


s: Them sudden flight had scatter'd over the plain,


s: Turn'd tow'rds the mountain, whither reason's voice


s: Depriv'd, might I have sped, or who beside


s: Would o'er the mountainous tract have led my steps


s: Seem'd smitten.  O clear conscience and upright


s: How doth a little fling wound thee sore!


s: Soon as his feet desisted (slack'ning pace),


s: From haste, that mars all decency of act,


s: My mind, that in itself before was wrapt,


s: Its thoughts expanded, as with joy restor'd:


s: My face, where highest to heav'n its top o'erflows.


s: The sun, that flar'd behind, with ruddy beam


s: His rays resistance met.  I turn'd aside


s: When thus my solace, turning him around,


s: Bespake me kindly: "Why distrustest thou?


s: Believ'st not I am with thee, thy sure guide?


s: It now is evening there, where buried lies


s: The body, in which I cast a shade, remov'd


s: To Naples from Brundusium's wall.  Nor thou


s: Torments of heat and cold extreme, like frames


s: That virtue hath dispos'd, which how it works


s: Who hopes, our reason may that space explore,


s: Which holds three persons in one substance knit.


s: Seek not the wherefore, race of human kind;


s: Could ye have seen the whole, no need had been


s: Have seen such men desiring fruitlessly;


s: To whose desires repose would have been giv'n,


s: That now but serve them for eternal grief.


s: And others many more."  And then he bent


s: Downwards his forehead, and in troubled mood


s: Broke off his speech.  Meanwhile we had arriv'd


s: Far as the mountain's foot, and there the rock


s: Found of so steep ascent, that nimblest steps


s: To climb it had been vain.  The most remote


s: Most wild untrodden path, in all the tract


s: "Who knows on which hand now the steep declines?"


s: My master said and paus'd, "so that he may


s: Ascend, who journeys without aid of wine?"


s: And while with looks directed to the ground


s: And I gaz'd upward round the stony height,


s: Of spirits, that toward us mov'd their steps,


s: Yet moving seem'd not, they so slow approach'd.


s: I thus my guide address'd: "Upraise thine eyes,


s: Lo that way some, of whom thou may'st obtain


s: Counsel, if of thyself thou find'st it not!"


s: Straightway he look'd, and with free speech replied:


s: "Let us tend thither: they but softly come.


s: And thou be firm in hope, my son belov'd."


s: Now was that people distant far in space


s: As at a throw the nervous arm could fling,


s: When all drew backward on the messy crags


s: Of the steep bank, and firmly stood unmov'd


s: As one who walks in doubt might stand to look.


s: Virgil to them began, "by that blest peace,


s: Which, as I deem, is for you all prepar'd,


s: Instruct us where the mountain low declines,


s: So that attempt to mount it be not vain.


s: For who knows most, him loss of time most grieves."


s: As sheep, that step from forth their fold, by one,


s: Or pairs, or three at once; meanwhile the rest


s: Stand fearfully, bending the eye and nose


s: To ground, and what the foremost does, that do


s: The others, gath'ring round her, if she stops,


s: Simple and quiet, nor the cause discern;


s: Who of that fortunate crew were at the head,


s: Of modest mien and graceful in their gait.


s: When they before me had beheld the light


s: From my right side fall broken on the ground,


s: So that the shadow reach'd the cave, they stopp'd


s: And somewhat back retir'd: the same did all,


s: Who follow'd, though unweeting of the cause.


s: That the sun's light is broken on the ground,


s: Marvel not: but believe, that not without


s: Over this wall aspire."  So them bespake


s: My master; and that virtuous tribe rejoin'd;


s: "Turn, and before you there the entrance lies,"


s: Then of them one began.  "Whoe'er thou art,


s: Who journey'st thus this way, thy visage turn,


s: Think if me elsewhere thou hast ever seen."


s: I tow'rds him turn'd, and with fix'd eye beheld.


s: He seem'd, but on one brow a gash was mark'd.


s: Him ever: "Now behold!"  he said, and show'd


s: High on his breast a wound: then smiling spake.


s: Costanza: whence I pray thee, when return'd,


s: Aught else be told.  When by two mortal blows


s: Weeping to him, who of free will forgives.


s: Hath goodness infinite, that it receives


s: All who turn to it.  Had this text divine


s: Been of Cosenza's shepherd better scann'd,


s: Yet at the bridge's head my bones had lain,


s: Protected; but the rain now drenches them,


s: And the wind drives, out of the kingdom's bounds,


s: Far as the stream of Verde, where, with lights


s: Extinguish'd, he remov'd them from their bed.


s: Yet by their curse we are not so destroy'd,


s: But that the eternal love may turn, while hope


s: Retains her verdant blossoms.  True it is,


s: Against the holy church, though he repent,


s: Must wander thirty-fold for all the time


s: Be not by prayers of good men shorter made


s: Look therefore if thou canst advance my bliss;


s: Thou hast beheld me, and beside the terms


s: By means of those below much profit comes."


s: Entire the soul collects herself, it seems


s: And thus the error is disprov'd which holds


s: The soul not singly lighted in the breast.


s: And therefore when as aught is heard or seen,


s: That firmly keeps the soul toward it turn'd,


s: Time passes, and a man perceives it not.


s: For that, whereby he hearken, is one power,


s: Another that, which the whole spirit hash;


s: This is as it were bound, while that is free.


s: This found I true by proof, hearing that spirit


s: And wond'ring; for full fifty steps aloft


s: When we arriv'd where all with one accord


s: The spirits shouted, "Here is what ye ask."


s: When the ripe grape imbrowns, than was the path,


s: By which my guide, and I behind him close,


s: Or mounts Bismantua's height, must use his feet;


s: With the swift wing and plumes of high desire,


s: And with light furnish'd to direct my way.


s: We through the broken rock ascended, close


s: Pent on each side, while underneath the ground


s: Ask'd help of hands and feet.  When we arriv'd


s: Near on the highest ridge of the steep bank,


s: Where the plain level open'd I exclaim'd,


s: "O master! say which way can we proceed?"


s: He answer'd, "Let no step of thine recede.


s: Some practis'd guide appear."  That eminence


s: Was lofty that no eye might reach its point,


s: And the side proudly rising, more than line


s: From the mid quadrant to the centre drawn.


s: If thou stay not."--" My son!"  He straight reply'd,


s: "Thus far put forth thy strength;" and to a track


s: Pointed, that, on this side projecting, round


s: Circles the hill.  His words so spurr'd me on,


s: That I behind him clamb'ring, forc'd myself,


s: Till my feet press'd the circuit plain beneath.


s: There both together seated, turn'd we round


s: To eastward, whence was our ascent: and oft


s: Many beside have with delight look'd back.


s: First on the nether shores I turn'd my eyes,


s: Then rais'd them to the sun, and wond'ring mark'd


s: That from the left it smote us.  Soon perceiv'd


s: Amaz'd I stood, where 'twixt us and the north


s: Its course it enter'd.  Whence he thus to me:


s: Of that broad mirror, that high up and low


s: Imparts his light beneath, thou might'st behold


s: Wheel, if its ancient course it not forsook.


s: How that may be if thou would'st think; within


s: Plac'd on the earth, so that to both be one


s: Where lies the path that Phaeton ill knew


s: To guide his erring chariot: thou wilt see


s: He passes, while by that on the' other side,


s: If with clear view shine intellect attend."


s: "Of truth, kind teacher!"  I exclaim'd, "so clear


s: Where seem'd my ken to fail, that the mid orb


s: Of art is called the Equator, and remains


s: Ever between the sun and winter) for the cause


s: Thou hast assign'd, from hence toward the north


s: Departs, when those who in the Hebrew land


s: Inhabit, see it tow'rds the warmer part.


s: But if it please thee, I would gladly know,


s: How far we have to journey: for the hill


s: Mounts higher, than this sight of mine can mount."


s: He thus to me: "Such is this steep ascent,


s: But, more a man proceeds, less evil grows.


s: When pleasant it shall seem to thee, so much


s: That upward going shall be easy to thee.


s: Then of this path thou wilt have reach'd the end.


s: There hope to rest thee from thy toil.  No more


s: I answer, and thus far for certain know."


s: A voice there sounded: "Yet ye first perchance


s: May to repose you by constraint be led."


s: At sound thereof each turn'd, and on the left


s: Nor he before was ware.  Thither we drew,


s: find there were some, who in the shady place


s: Thru' idleness might stand.  Among them one,


s: Who seem'd to me much wearied, sat him down,


s: And with his arms did fold his knees about,


s: Holding his face between them downward bent.


s: "Sweet Sir!"  I cry'd, "behold that man, who shows


s: Were sister to him."  Straight he turn'd to us,


s: And, o'er the thigh lifting his face, observ'd,


s: Then in these accents spake: "Up then, proceed


s: Thou valiant one."  Straight who it was I knew;


s: Nor could the pain I felt (for want of breath


s: Still somewhat urg'd me) hinder my approach.


s: And when I came to him, he scarce his head


s: Uplifted, saying "Well hast thou discern'd,


s: How from the left the sun his chariot leads."


s: To laughter somewhat mov'd; when I began:


s: "Belacqua, now for thee I grieve no more.


s: But tell, why thou art seated upright there?


s: Waitest thou escort to conduct thee hence?


s: Then he: "My brother, of what use to mount,


s: When to my suffering would not let me pass


s: The bird of God, who at the portal sits?


s: Behooves so long that heav'n first bear me round


s: That riseth up from heart which lives in grace.


s: What other kind avails, not heard in heaven?"'


s: Ascending, cried: "Haste thee, for see the sun


s: Has touch'd the point meridian, and the night


s: Now covers with her foot Marocco's shore."


s: Now had I left those spirits, and pursued


s: Pointing the finger at me one exclaim'd:


s: "See how it seems as if the light not shone


s: From the left hand of him beneath, and he,


s: As living, seems to be led on."  Mine eyes


s: I at that sound reverting, saw them gaze


s: Through wonder first at me, and then at me


s: And the light broken underneath, by turns.


s: "Why are thy thoughts thus riveted?"  my guide


s: Exclaim'd, "that thou hast slack'd thy pace? or how


s: Imports it thee, what thing is whisper'd here?


s: Come after me, and to their babblings leave


s: The crowd. Be as a tower, that, firmly set,


s: Shakes not its top for any blast that blows!


s: He, in whose bosom thought on thought shoots out,


s: Still of his aim is wide, in that the one


s: Sicklies and wastes to nought the other's strength."


s: What other could I answer save "I come?"


s: I said it, somewhat with that colour ting'd


s: Meanwhile traverse along the hill there came,


s: When they perceiv'd that through my body I


s: Gave way not for the rays to pass, their song


s: Straight to a long and hoarse exclaim they chang'd;


s: And two of them, in guise of messengers,


s: "Of your condition we would gladly learn."


s: To them my guide.  "Ye may return, and bear


s: Tidings to them who sent you, that his frame


s: His shade they paus'd, enough is answer'd them.


s: Him let them honour, they may prize him well."


s: Ne'er saw I fiery vapours with such speed


s: Cut through the serene air at fall of night,


s: Nor August's clouds athwart the setting sun,


s: That upward these did not in shorter space


s: Return; and, there arriving, with the rest


s: Wheel back on us, as with loose rein a troop.


s: "Many," exclaim'd the bard, "are these, who throng


s: Go therefore on, and listen as thou go'st."


s: With the same limbs, that clad thee at thy birth."


s: Shouting they came, "a little rest thy step.


s: Hast e'er beheld, that tidings of him there


s: Thou mayst report.  Ah, wherefore go'st thou on?


s: By violence died, and to our latest hour


s: Were sinners, but then warn'd by light from heav'n,


s: Did issue out of life at peace with God,


s: Who with desire to see him fills our heart."


s: That I can do, may please you, gentle spirits!


s: Speak; and I will perform it, by that peace,


s: Which on the steps of guide so excellent


s: Following from world to world intent I seek."


s: In answer he began: "None here distrusts


s: Thy kindness, though not promis'd with an oath;


s: So as the will fail not for want of power.


s: Whence I, who sole before the others speak,


s: Entreat thee, if thou ever see that land,


s: Which lies between Romagna and the realm


s: Of Charles, that of thy courtesy thou pray


s: By which I may purge off my grievous sins.


s: From thence I came.  But the deep passages,


s: Whence issued out the blood wherein I dwelt,


s: Were made, where to be more secure I thought.


s: The author of the deed was Este's prince,


s: Who, more than right could warrant, with his wrath


s: Might I have breath'd. But to the marsh I sped,


s: And in the mire and rushes tangled there


s: Fell, and beheld my life-blood float the plain."


s: Then said another: "Ah! so may the wish,


s: That takes thee o'er the mountain, be fulfill'd,


s: As thou shalt graciously give aid to mine.


s: Giovanna nor none else have care for me,


s: Sorrowing with these I therefore go."  I thus:


s: "From Campaldino's field what force or chance


s: Drew thee, that ne'er thy sepulture was known?"


s: "Oh!"  answer'd he, "at Casentino's foot


s: A stream there courseth, nam'd Archiano, sprung


s: E'en where its name is cancel'd, there came I,


s: Pierc'd in the heart, fleeing away on foot,


s: And bloodying the plain.  Here sight and speech


s: Fail'd me, and finishing with Mary's name


s: I fell, and tenantless my flesh remain'd.


s: I will report the truth; which thou again


s: Tell to the living.  Me God's angel took,


s: Whilst he of hell exclaim'd: "O thou from heav'n!


s: Say wherefore hast thou robb'd me?  Thou of him


s: Th' eternal portion bear'st with thee away


s: For one poor tear that he deprives me of.


s: "Thou knowest how in the atmosphere collects


s: Soon as it mounts where cold condenses it.


s: Still follows evil, came, and rais'd the wind


s: Given by his nature.  Thence the valley, soon


s: As day was spent, he cover'd o'er with cloud


s: And stretch'd the sky above, so that the air


s: Impregnate chang'd to water.  Fell the rain,


s: And to the fosses came all that the land


s: Contain'd not; and, as mightiest streams are wont,


s: To the great river with such headlong sweep


s: Rush'd, that nought stay'd its course.  My stiffen'd frame


s: Laid at his mouth the fell Archiano found,


s: Loos'ning the cross, that of myself I made


s: When overcome with pain.  He hurl'd me on,


s: Along the banks and bottom of his course;


s: Then in his muddy spoils encircling wrapt."


s: "Ah! when thou to the world shalt be return'd,


s: And rested after thy long road," so spake


s: Next the third spirit; "then remember me.


s: Maremma took it from me.  That he knows,


s: When from their game of dice men separate,


s: He, who hath lost, remains in sadness fix'd,


s: Revolving in his mind, what luckless throws


s: He stops not; and each one, to whom his hand


s: Is stretch'd, well knows he bids him stand aside;


s: And thus he from the press defends himself.


s: E'en such was I in that close-crowding throng;


s: And promising, I 'scap'd from it with pains.


s: Who in his chase was swallow'd by the stream.


s: Stretch'd forth, entreated; and of Pisa he,


s: And from its frame a soul dismiss'd for spite


s: I speak of Peter de la Brosse; and here,


s: While she yet lives, that Lady of Brabant


s: Let her beware; lest for so false a deed


s: She herd with worse than these. When I was freed


s: From all those spirits, who pray'd for others' prayers


s: To hasten on their state of blessedness;


s: That heaven's supreme decree can never bend


s: Do these entreat.  Can then their hope be vain,


s: He thus to me: "Both what I write is plain,


s: And these deceiv'd not in their hope, if well


s: Thy mind consider, that the sacred height


s: Of judgment doth not stoop, because love's flame


s: Who sojourns here, in right should satisfy.


s: Besides, when I this point concluded thus,


s: Because the pray'r had none access to God.


s: Yet in this deep suspicion rest thou not


s: Who betwixt truth and mind infuses light.


s: I know not if thou take me right; I mean


s: Upon this mountain's crown, fair seat of joy."


s: Then I: "Sir! let us mend our speed; for now


s: Stretches its shadow far."  He answer'd thus:


s: "Our progress with this day shall be as much


s: Than thou supposest is the truth.  For there


s: Thou canst not be, ere thou once more behold


s: Him back returning, who behind the steep


s: Thou dost not break.  But lo! a spirit there


s: It will instruct us in the speediest way."


s: We soon approach'd it.  O thou Lombard spirit!


s: How didst thou stand, in high abstracted mood,


s: Scarce moving with slow dignity thine eyes!


s: It spoke not aught, but let us onward pass,


s: It answer to his question none return'd,


s: Demanded.  When my courteous guide began,


s: Rose towards us from the place in which it stood,


s: And cry'd, "Mantuan! I am thy countryman


s: Sordello."  Each the other then embrac'd.


s: But brothel-house impure! this gentle spirit,


s: Ev'n from the Pleasant sound of his dear land


s: With such glad cheer; while now thy living ones


s: Whom the same wall and the same moat contains,


s: Seek, wretched one! around thy sea-coasts wide;


s: Then homeward to thy bosom turn, and mark


s: What boots it, that thy reins Justinian's hand


s: Nought doth he now but aggravate thy shame.


s: Ah people! thou obedient still shouldst live,


s: If well thou marked'st that which God commands.


s: Look how that beast to felness hath relaps'd


s: From having lost correction of the spur,


s: Since to the bridle thou hast set thine hand,


s: When thou should'st clasp her flanks with forked heels.


s: Just judgment from the stars fall on thy blood!


s: Such as may strike thy successor with dread!


s: For that thy sire and thou have suffer'd thus,


s: Through greediness of yonder realms detain'd,


s: Who car'st for nought! those sunk in grief, and these


s: With dire suspicion rack'd. Come, cruel one!


s: Come and behold the' oppression of the nobles,


s: And mark their injuries: and thou mayst see.


s: Come and behold thy Rome, who calls on thee,


s: Desolate widow! day and night with moans:


s: "My Caesar, why dost thou desert my side?"


s: Come and behold what love among thy people:


s: Come and blush for thine own report.  For me,


s: Who wast in earth for our sakes crucified!


s: Are thy just eyes turn'd elsewhere? or is this


s: Of thy sage counsel made, for some good end,


s: Entirely from our reach of thought cut off?


s: So are the' Italian cities all o'erthrong'd


s: With tyrants, and a great Marcellus made


s: My Florence! thou mayst well remain unmov'd


s: At this digression, which affects not thee:


s: Thanks to thy people, who so wisely speed.


s: Many have justice in their heart, that long


s: Have it on their lip's edge.  Many refuse


s: To bear the common burdens: readier thine


s: Answer uneall'd, and cry, "Behold I stoop!"


s: Make thyself glad, for thou hast reason now,


s: Thou wealthy! thou at peace! thou wisdom-fraught!


s: Facts best witness if I speak the truth.


s: Tow'rds thee, who usest such nice subtlety,


s: Reaches the thread thou in October weav'st.


s: Customs, and laws, and coins, and offices


s: Have been by thee renew'd, and people chang'd!


s: If thou remember'st well and can'st see clear,


s: Thou wilt perceive thyself like a sick wretch,


s: Who finds no rest upon her down, but oft


s: Shifting her side, short respite seeks from pain.


s: After their courteous greetings joyfully


s: Sev'n times exchang'd, Sordello backward drew


s: Exclaiming, "Who are ye?"  "Before this mount


s: Was sought, my bones had by Octavius' care


s: Depriv'd of heav'n, except for lack of faith."


s: Beholding, whence his wonder riseth, cries


s: Such he appear'd; then downward bent his eyes,


s: Caught him, where of mean estate might clasp


s: His lord.  "Glory of Latium!" he exclaim'd,


s: "In whom our tongue its utmost power display'd!


s: Boast of my honor'd birth-place! what desert


s: Shows thee to me?  If I to hear that voice


s: Am worthy, say if from below thou com'st


s: And from what cloister's pale?"--"Through every orb


s: Of that sad region," he reply'd, "thus far


s: And with such aid I come.  There is a place


s: There underneath, not made by torments sad,


s: But by dun shades alone; where mourning's voice


s: Sounds not of anguish sharp, but breathes in sighs.


s: Who by death's fangs were bitten, ere exempt


s: From human taint.  There I with those abide,


s: But understood the rest, and without blame


s: Follow'd them all.  But if thou know'st and canst,


s: Where Purgatory its true beginning takes."


s: He answer'd thus: "We have no certain place


s: Far as I can, I join thee for thy guide.


s: But thou beholdest now how day declines:


s: And upwards to proceed by night, our power


s: Excels: therefore it may be well to choose


s: A place of pleasant sojourn.  To the right


s: Some spirits sit apart retir'd.  If thou


s: Consentest, I to these will lead thy steps:


s: And thou wilt know them, not without delight."


s: "How chances this?"  was answer'd; "who so wish'd


s: To ascend by night, would he be thence debarr'd


s: By other, or through his own weakness fail?"


s: The good Sordello then, along the ground


s: Trailing his finger, spoke: "Only this line


s: Thou shalt not overpass, soon as the sun


s: Hath disappear'd; not that aught else impedes


s: Thy going upwards, save the shades of night.


s: These with the wont of power perplex the will.


s: With them thou haply mightst return beneath,


s: Or to and fro around the mountain's side


s: Wander, while day is in the horizon shut."


s: My master straight, as wond'ring at his speech,


s: Exclaim'd: "Then lead us quickly, where thou sayst,


s: That, while we stay, we may enjoy delight."


s: A little space we were remov'd from thence,


s: When I perceiv'd the mountain hollow'd out.


s: Ev'n as large valleys hollow'd out on earth,


s: "That way," the' escorting spirit cried, "we go,


s: Betwixt the steep and plain a crooked path


s: Where more than half the sloping edge expires.


s: Refulgent gold, and silver thrice refin'd,


s: And scarlet grain and ceruse, Indian wood


s: But newly broken, by the herbs and flowers


s: Plac'd in that fair recess, in color all


s: Had been surpass'd, as great surpasses less.


s: Nor nature only there lavish'd her hues,


s: But of the sweetness of a thousand smells


s: A rare and undistinguish'd fragrance made.


s: "Salve Regina," on the grass and flowers


s: Here chanting I beheld those spirits sit


s: Who not beyond the valley could be seen.


s: "Before the west'ring sun sink to his bed,"


s: Began the Mantuan, who our steps had turn'd,


s: "'Mid those desires not that I lead ye on.


s: Than in the nether vale among them mix'd.


s: He, who sits high above the rest, and seems


s: To have neglected that he should have done,


s: And to the others' song moves not his lip,


s: The Emperor Rodolph call, who might have heal'd


s: The wounds whereof fair Italy hath died,


s: So that by others she revives but slowly,


s: He, who with kindly visage comforts him,


s: Sway'd in that country, where the water springs,


s: That Moldaw's river to the Elbe, and Elbe


s: Who in his swaddling clothes was of more worth


s: Pamper'd with rank luxuriousness and ease.


s: And that one with the nose depress, who close


s: In counsel seems with him of gentle look,


s: Flying expir'd, with'ring the lily's flower.


s: Look there how he doth knock against his breast!


s: Makes of one hand a couch, with frequent sighs.


s: They are the father and the father-in-law


s: Of Gallia's bane: his vicious life they know


s: And foul; thence comes the grief that rends them thus.


s: "He, so robust of limb, who measure keeps


s: With ev'ry virtue bore his girdle brac'd.


s: And if that stripling who behinds him sits,


s: King after him had liv'd, his virtue then


s: From vessel to like vessel had been pour'd;


s: Which may not of the other heirs be said.


s: By James and Frederick his realms are held;


s: Doth human worth mount up; and so ordains


s: He who bestows it, that as his free gift


s: It may be call'd.  To Charles my words apply


s: No less than to his brother in the song;


s: Which Pouille and Provence now with grief confess.


s: So much that plant degenerates from its seed,


s: Costanza still boasts of her valorous spouse.


s: "Behold the king of simple life and plain,


s: He through his branches better issue spreads.


s: "That one, who on the ground beneath the rest


s: Sits lowest, yet his gaze directs aloft,


s: Us William, that brave Marquis, for whose cause


s: Now was the hour that wakens fond desire


s: In men at sea, and melts their thoughtful heart,


s: Who in the morn have bid sweet friends farewell,


s: Thrills, if he hear the vesper bell from far,


s: That seems to mourn for the expiring day:


s: Began, with wonder, from those spirits to mark


s: One risen from its seat, which with its hand


s: Audience implor'd. Both palms it join'd and rais'd,


s: Fixing its steadfast gaze towards the east,


s: As telling God, "I care for naught beside."


s: Came from its lip, and in so soft a strain,


s: That all my sense in ravishment was lost.


s: Follow'd through all the hymn, with upward gaze


s: Here, reader! for the truth makes thine eyes keen:


s: That thou with ease mayst pass it through unmark'd.


s: Pale and in lowly guise; and from on high


s: Two angels with two flame-illumin'd swords,


s: Green as the tender leaves but newly born,


s: Their vesture was, the which by wings as green


s: Beaten, they drew behind them, fann'd in air.


s: The other lighted on the' Opposing hill,


s: So that the troop were in the midst contain'd.


s: Well I descried the whiteness on their heads;


s: Is overpower'd.  "From Mary's bosom both


s: Are come," exclaim'd Sordello, "as a guard


s: Over the vale, ganst him, who hither tends,


s: The serpent."  Whence, not knowing by which path


s: He came, I turn'd me round, and closely press'd,


s: All frozen, to my leader's trusted side.


s: (For it is time) let us descend; and hold


s: Converse with those great shadows: haply much


s: Their sight may please ye."  Only three steps down


s: To know me.  Time was now that air arrow dim;


s: Yet not so dim, that 'twixt his eyes and mine


s: It clear'd not up what was conceal'd before.


s: Mutually tow'rds each other we advanc'd.


s: Nino, thou courteous judge! what joy I felt,


s: When I perceiv'd thou wert not with the bad!


s: Was left unsaid.  He then inquir'd: "How long


s: Since thou arrived'st at the mountain's foot,


s: Over the distant waves?"--"O!" answer'd I,


s: "Through the sad seats of woe this morn I came,


s: And still in my first life, thus journeying on,


s: The other strive to gain."  Soon as they heard


s: My words, he and Sordello backward drew,


s: Was seated, crying: "Conrad! up with speed:


s: Come, see what of his grace high God hath will'd."


s: Then turning round to me: "By that rare mark


s: Of honour which thou ow'st to him, who hides


s: So deeply his first cause, it hath no ford,


s: When thou shalt be beyond the vast of waves.


s: There, where reply to innocence is made.


s: Her mother, I believe, loves me no more;


s: Since she has chang'd the white and wimpled folds,


s: Which she is doom'd once more with grief to wish.


s: How long in women lasts the flame of love,


s: If sight and touch do not relume it oft.


s: The viper which calls Milan to the field,


s: As had been made by shrill Gallura's bird."


s: He spoke, and in his visage took the stamp


s: Of that right seal, which with due temperature


s: Meanwhile to heav'n had travel'd, even there


s: Where the bright stars are slowest, as a wheel


s: Nearest the axle; when my guide inquir'd:


s: "What there aloft, my son, has caught thy gaze?"


s: I answer'd: "The three torches, with which here


s: The pole is all on fire."  He then to me:


s: "The four resplendent stars, thou saw'st this morn


s: Are there beneath, and these ris'n in their stead."


s: While yet he spoke.  Sordello to himself


s: Drew him, and cry'd: "Lo there our enemy!"


s: And with his hand pointed that way to look.


s: Along the side, where barrier none arose


s: Between the grass and flowers, the evil snake


s: And, as a beast that smoothes its polish'd coat,


s: Licking his hack.  I saw not, nor can tell,


s: How those celestial falcons from their seat


s: Mov'd, but in motion each one well descried,


s: Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes.


s: The serpent fled; and to their stations back


s: The angels up return'd with equal flight.


s: The Spirit (who to Nino, when he call'd,


s: Had come), from viewing me with fixed ken,


s: Through all that conflict, loosen'd not his sight.


s: "So may the lamp, which leads thee up on high,


s: Find, in thy destin'd lot, of wax so much,


s: As may suffice thee to the enamel's height."


s: Thou know'st, tell me, who once was mighty there


s: That old one, but from him I sprang.  The love


s: "In your dominions," I answer'd, "ne'er was I.


s: But through all Europe where do those men dwell,


s: The fame, that honours your illustrious house,


s: Proclaims the nobles and proclaims the land;


s: So that he knows it who was never there.


s: Prosper! your honour'd nation not impairs


s: That while the world is twisted from his course


s: And has the evil way in scorn."  He then:


s: "Now pass thee on: sev'n times the tired sun


s: Revisits not the couch, which with four feet


s: With stronger nails than other's speech can drive,


s: If the sure course of judgment be not stay'd."


s: Look'd palely o'er the eastern cliff: her brow,


s: Of that chill animal, who with his train


s: Smites fearful nations: and where then we were,


s: Two steps of her ascent the night had past,


s: And now the third was closing up its wing,


s: When I, who had so much of Adam with me,


s: Sank down upon the grass, o'ercome with sleep,


s: There where all five were seated.  In that hour,


s: When near the dawn the swallow her sad lay,


s: Rememb'ring haply ancient grief, renews,


s: And with our minds more wand'rers from the flesh,


s: And less by thought restrain'd are, as 't were, full


s: With open wings, and hov'ring for descent,


s: And I was in that place, methought, from whence


s: Young Ganymede, from his associates 'reft,


s: Was snatch'd aloft to the high consistory.


s: "Perhaps," thought I within me, "here alone


s: He strikes his quarry, and elsewhere disdains


s: To pounce upon the prey."  Therewith, it seem'd,


s: Terrible as the lightning rush'd he down,


s: And snatch'd me upward even to the fire.


s: There both, I thought, the eagle and myself


s: Did burn; and so intense th' imagin'd flames,


s: That needs my sleep was broken off.  As erst


s: Achilles shook himself, and round him roll'd


s: His waken'd eyeballs wond'ring where he was,


s: To Scyros, with him sleeping in her arms;


s: E'en thus I shook me, soon as from my face


s: The slumber parted, turning deadly pale,


s: Like one ice-struck with dread.  Solo at my side


s: My comfort stood: and the bright sun was now


s: More than two hours aloft: and to the sea


s: My looks were turn'd.  "Fear not," my master cried,


s: "Assur'd we are at happy point.  Thy strength


s: Shrink not, but rise dilated.  Thou art come


s: That circling bounds it!  Lo! the entrance there,


s: Where it doth seem disparted! re the dawn


s: Usher'd the daylight, when thy wearied soul


s: Slept in thee, o'er the flowery vale beneath


s: Who slumbers.  Easier so his way shall speed."


s: Tarrying, she bare thee up: and, as day shone,


s: This summit reach'd: and I pursued her steps.


s: Here did she place thee.  First her lovely eyes


s: That open entrance show'd me; then at once


s: She vanish'd with thy sleep.  Like one, whose doubts


s: Are chas'd by certainty, and terror turn'd


s: Such was the change in me: and as my guide


s: He mov'd, and I behind him, towards the height.


s: Reader! thou markest how my theme doth rise,


s: I prop the structure! nearer now we drew,


s: Arriv'd' whence in that part, where first a breach


s: A portal, and three steps beneath, that led


s: For inlet there, of different colour each,


s: And one who watch'd, but spake not yet a word.


s: As more and more mine eye did stretch its view,


s: I mark'd him seated on the highest step,


s: In visage such, as past my power to bear.


s: Grasp'd in his hand a naked sword, glanc'd back


s: The rays so toward me, that I oft in vain


s: My sight directed.  "Speak from whence ye stand:"


s: He cried: "What would ye?  Where is your escort?


s: Take heed your coming upward harm ye not."


s: "A heavenly dame, not skilless of these things,"


s: Replied the' instructor, "told us, even now,


s: "Pass that way: here the gate is." --"And may she


s: Befriending prosper your ascent," resum'd


s: The courteous keeper of the gate: "Come then


s: Before our steps."  We straightway thither came.


s: The lowest stair was marble white so smooth


s: And polish'd, that therein my mirror'd form


s: Distinct I saw.  The next of hue more dark


s: Than sablest grain, a rough and singed block,


s: Crack'd lengthwise and across.  The third, that lay


s: Massy above, seem'd porphyry, that flam'd


s: Red as the life-blood spouting from a vein.


s: On this God's angel either foot sustain'd,


s: Upon the threshold seated, which appear'd


s: My leader cheerily drew me.  "Ask," said he,


s: "With humble heart, that he unbar the bolt."


s: That he would open to me: but first fell


s: Thrice on my bosom prostrate.  Seven times


s: The letter, that denotes the inward stain,


s: He on my forehead with the blunted point


s: Of his drawn sword inscrib'd.  And "Look," he cried,


s: "When enter'd, that thou wash these scars away."


s: Ashes, or earth ta'en dry out of the ground,


s: Were of one colour with the robe he wore.


s: From underneath that vestment forth he drew


s: Two keys of metal twain: the one was gold,


s: Its fellow silver.  With the pallid first,


s: And next the burnish'd, he so ply'd the gate,


s: Faileth of these, that in the keyhole straight


s: Access in vain."  Such were the words he spake.


s: "One is more precious: but the other needs


s: Skill and sagacity, large share of each,


s: Be worthily perform'd.  From Peter these


s: So but the suppliant at my feet implore."


s: Then of that hallow'd gate he thrust the door,


s: Exclaiming, "Enter, but this warning hear:


s: He forth again departs who looks behind."


s: The swivels turn'd, sonorous metal strong,


s: Roar'd the Tarpeian, when by force bereft


s: Of good Metellus, thenceforth from his loss


s: To leanness doom'd.  Attentively I turn'd,


s: List'ning the thunder, that first issued forth;


s: And "We praise thee, O God," methought I heard


s: The strains came o'er mine ear, e'en as the sound


s: With organ mingle, and, now high and clear,


s: Come swelling, now float indistinct away.


s: When we had passed the threshold of the gate


s: (Which the soul's ill affection doth disuse,


s: Making the crooked seem the straighter path),


s: I heard its closing sound.  Had mine eyes turn'd,


s: For that offence what plea might have avail'd?


s: We mounted up the riven rock, that wound


s: Flies and advances.  "Here some little art


s: Behooves us," said my leader, "that our steps


s: Observe the varying flexure of the path."


s: Thus we so slowly sped, that with cleft orb


s: The moon once more o'erhangs her wat'ry couch,


s: Ere we that strait have threaded.  But when free


s: One solid mass retires, I spent, with toil,


s: And both, uncertain of the way, we stood,


s: Upon a plain more lonesome, than the roads


s: That traverse desert wilds.  From whence the brink


s: Of the steep bank, that rises still, the space


s: Had measur'd thrice the stature of a man:


s: And, distant as mine eye could wing its flight,


s: To leftward now and now to right dispatch'd,


s: Not yet our feet had on that summit mov'd,


s: Was marble white, and so exactly wrought


s: With quaintest sculpture, that not there alone


s: Been sham'd.  The angel who came down to earth


s: Wept for in vain, that op'd the heavenly gates


s: From their long interdict, before us seem'd,


s: In a sweet act, so sculptur'd to the life,


s: He look'd no silent image. One had sworn


s: He had said, "Hail!" for she was imag'd there,


s: That word, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord,"


s: As figure seal'd on wax.  "Fix not thy mind


s: On one place only," said the guide belov'd,


s: Who had me near him on that part where lies


s: The heart of man.  My sight forthwith I turn'd


s: And mark'd, behind the virgin mother's form,


s: Upon that side, where he, that mov'd me, stood,


s: I passed athwart the bard, and drew me near,


s: That it might stand more aptly for my view.